"...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15b
At a point very near his death, Joshua took the time to address the people he had lead for a significant portion of his life. He reminded them of all the great things God had done for them. He reminded them of the condition that was formerly theirs. He also reminded them of the terrible decisions they had made as it related to their obedience to God.
Joshua then issues some advice and a choice. His advice, based on all that God had done for them was to serve him in sincerity and to not be an idolatrous people. He then gives the people the same choice that God gives us all; choose Him or don't.
Beloved we still have that choice. We make that choice every day. We make that choice based on the things we think, do and say. We make it based on the way that we live our lives. Like the people of Joshua's time, we can choose to participate in the sinful behaviors we enjoyed before we became Christians, or we can "forget those things which are behind, reaching forth unto those things which are before (us), press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus." Phi 3:13-14.
As for not just me, but all of my household, we will serve the Lord.
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 3:13,14]
In Revival,
Lee
Monday, April 19, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Follow His Lead-DD 4/16/2010
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psa 23:1
So begins one of the most beautiful and well known passages of scripture to be found within the pages of inspiration. Though we may know the words by heart, do we understand their meaning? Written by one who himself was once responsible for tending sheep, the correlation is more powerful than the words themselves.
We, analogized as sheep throughout scripture, have a need to be led. Even with leadership we tend to wander off and must be retrieved for our own good, lest we fall into peril, even death. We depend on the Shepherd to show us the safe and right way to go. This is in opposition to being driven like cattle. We do not respond well to being pushed from behind, but led from the front.
Our Shepherd likewise provides for all of our needs. This is accomplished because He knows what we need and knows how and where to lead us to obtain what is necessary for the extension of our lives. He provides things that we, in and of ourselves, would not be able to acquire.
What a wonderful Shepherd we have. He has said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14. If we would but follow where He leads, we will find ourselves in the ultimate eternal pasture.
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
So begins one of the most beautiful and well known passages of scripture to be found within the pages of inspiration. Though we may know the words by heart, do we understand their meaning? Written by one who himself was once responsible for tending sheep, the correlation is more powerful than the words themselves.
We, analogized as sheep throughout scripture, have a need to be led. Even with leadership we tend to wander off and must be retrieved for our own good, lest we fall into peril, even death. We depend on the Shepherd to show us the safe and right way to go. This is in opposition to being driven like cattle. We do not respond well to being pushed from behind, but led from the front.
Our Shepherd likewise provides for all of our needs. This is accomplished because He knows what we need and knows how and where to lead us to obtain what is necessary for the extension of our lives. He provides things that we, in and of ourselves, would not be able to acquire.
What a wonderful Shepherd we have. He has said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14. If we would but follow where He leads, we will find ourselves in the ultimate eternal pasture.
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
Thursday, April 15, 2010
How Is Your Portfolio?-DD 4/15/2010
"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward." Heb 11:24-26
There are many who look at the Christian life as one of restriction and denial of many things to which all people are entitled. As times continue to advance, it seems that society allows more and more of the things that are counter to the teaching of Christ and to the very commands of God. Of course these things are not new. There has been sin and debauchery virtually since the creation of man. The enjoyment of these things creates a natural division between those who are endeavoring to live according to God's word and those who are not.
The focus today is not on those who are not, but those who are. Paul said in 1Cor 6:12 that all things were lawful to him but not expedient (profitable). We all have the ability and the right to go out and do whatever we want but would things contrary to leading godly lives be profitable? I submit to you that they in fact could be extremely costly.
As a member of Pharaoh's household, Moses might have enjoyed a life filled with luxury, wealth and the satisfaction of the slightest whim throughout all the days of his life. He clearly realized that compared with eternity, the pleasures of this world are insignificant. He was willing to invest in the Lord and His guarantees of the ultimate return. How is your spiritual portfolio?
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward." Heb 11:24-26
There are many who look at the Christian life as one of restriction and denial of many things to which all people are entitled. As times continue to advance, it seems that society allows more and more of the things that are counter to the teaching of Christ and to the very commands of God. Of course these things are not new. There has been sin and debauchery virtually since the creation of man. The enjoyment of these things creates a natural division between those who are endeavoring to live according to God's word and those who are not.
The focus today is not on those who are not, but those who are. Paul said in 1Cor 6:12 that all things were lawful to him but not expedient (profitable). We all have the ability and the right to go out and do whatever we want but would things contrary to leading godly lives be profitable? I submit to you that they in fact could be extremely costly.
As a member of Pharaoh's household, Moses might have enjoyed a life filled with luxury, wealth and the satisfaction of the slightest whim throughout all the days of his life. He clearly realized that compared with eternity, the pleasures of this world are insignificant. He was willing to invest in the Lord and His guarantees of the ultimate return. How is your spiritual portfolio?
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Relay-DD 4/14/2010
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us," Heb 12:1
Who among us does not swell with pride at the winning performance of loved ones or favorite teams on the fields and courts of competition? Do we not also perhaps remember our own competitive days during which we heard the encouraging screams and yells from fans and supporters of our own?
Our scripture for the day analogizes just such a thing. First, our fore runners in the faith are cheering for us to carry the gospel forward by both sharing it verbally and leading godly lives. Imagine a packed stadium dotted with Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Ruth, Esther and so many others urging us forward. They are described as "so great a cloud of witnesses." Surely this speaks to both number and accomplishment in the Lord.
And while you were perhaps competing, do you recall hearing those encouraging yells urging you onward to even better performance? The second part of the verse is designed to do just that. There is an inherent warning that the things that can hinder our performance and therefore affect our outcome are never far away and are an ever present danger. The admonition is to be aware of those things, shed them if you've got them, keep them away if you don't and to stay the course. That is the only way that we can participate in the victory that has already been won.
Those witnesses? They ran before we did. But before they stopped, they handed the baton to us. To whom will you pass it?
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
Who among us does not swell with pride at the winning performance of loved ones or favorite teams on the fields and courts of competition? Do we not also perhaps remember our own competitive days during which we heard the encouraging screams and yells from fans and supporters of our own?
Our scripture for the day analogizes just such a thing. First, our fore runners in the faith are cheering for us to carry the gospel forward by both sharing it verbally and leading godly lives. Imagine a packed stadium dotted with Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Ruth, Esther and so many others urging us forward. They are described as "so great a cloud of witnesses." Surely this speaks to both number and accomplishment in the Lord.
And while you were perhaps competing, do you recall hearing those encouraging yells urging you onward to even better performance? The second part of the verse is designed to do just that. There is an inherent warning that the things that can hinder our performance and therefore affect our outcome are never far away and are an ever present danger. The admonition is to be aware of those things, shed them if you've got them, keep them away if you don't and to stay the course. That is the only way that we can participate in the victory that has already been won.
Those witnesses? They ran before we did. But before they stopped, they handed the baton to us. To whom will you pass it?
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Meaning of Life-DD 4/13/2010
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Eph 2:10
There is an age old question that asks , "What is the meaning of life?" Surely there are many answers depending ones perspective. For the Christian however, the answer is clear. We are the pinnacle of Gods creation. We are the result of his love, whose purpose is to bring glory to His name.
Without doubt, there are a variety of ways to accomplish this. Our priorities in life can easily be determined simply be observing how we spend our time, effort and energy. Other than attending Sunday services, is there anything else in our lives that is indicative our faith? I submit to you that Christians should be known not just for profession, but for action. We have a purpose. That purpose was prepared by God. We need to talk the talk and walk the walk. That is what God's workmanship does.
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
There is an age old question that asks , "What is the meaning of life?" Surely there are many answers depending ones perspective. For the Christian however, the answer is clear. We are the pinnacle of Gods creation. We are the result of his love, whose purpose is to bring glory to His name.
Without doubt, there are a variety of ways to accomplish this. Our priorities in life can easily be determined simply be observing how we spend our time, effort and energy. Other than attending Sunday services, is there anything else in our lives that is indicative our faith? I submit to you that Christians should be known not just for profession, but for action. We have a purpose. That purpose was prepared by God. We need to talk the talk and walk the walk. That is what God's workmanship does.
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Trust Him-DD 4/12/2010
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Rom 8:28
There are times when we all look to the heavens and cry "Why me Lord?" Whether medical malady, financial challenges, matters of the heart or just some perceived unfortunate happenstance, we wonder why bad things happen to good people...to us.
The reality is that both good and bad happen to both "good" and "bad". For some reason, we as Christians feel as though bad should not happen to us, particularly if we are doing the best we can to lead upright lives. Christ clearly told us to expect adversity, if nothing else, because of our Christianity. As long as we live on this earth, we will be subject to what we consider happenstance and perhaps more importantly, consequences for our actions (a topic for another devotional).
While we are thinking, have we ever take time to look back over our lives, particularly the difficult times and seen the good that has come of it? Did losing one job pave the way for a better one? Did being sick in the hospital allow you to share the gospel with someone that needed it? Did experiencing the lowest of lows teach you that God is all you need?
There is ample scriptural evidence to support that God is in control and that he knows what He is doing. Do we ever stop to think about why Jesus had to endure what he did even though he lived a perfect life? More importantly, when we look at our own lives, we can see that we should trust Him.
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
There are times when we all look to the heavens and cry "Why me Lord?" Whether medical malady, financial challenges, matters of the heart or just some perceived unfortunate happenstance, we wonder why bad things happen to good people...to us.
The reality is that both good and bad happen to both "good" and "bad". For some reason, we as Christians feel as though bad should not happen to us, particularly if we are doing the best we can to lead upright lives. Christ clearly told us to expect adversity, if nothing else, because of our Christianity. As long as we live on this earth, we will be subject to what we consider happenstance and perhaps more importantly, consequences for our actions (a topic for another devotional).
While we are thinking, have we ever take time to look back over our lives, particularly the difficult times and seen the good that has come of it? Did losing one job pave the way for a better one? Did being sick in the hospital allow you to share the gospel with someone that needed it? Did experiencing the lowest of lows teach you that God is all you need?
There is ample scriptural evidence to support that God is in control and that he knows what He is doing. Do we ever stop to think about why Jesus had to endure what he did even though he lived a perfect life? More importantly, when we look at our own lives, we can see that we should trust Him.
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
Friday, April 9, 2010
Your Personal Miracle-DD 4/9/2010
"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee..." Jer 1:5
To my young daughter, the new mother:
My precious one, the parting of the Red Sea, a fish large enough to swallow Jonah, manna falling from heaven and Jesus walking on the waves and calling the dead forth from the grave are miracles to be sure. I know you struggle with such things. But the perfection which God has caused to be through the birth of your son is even more miraculous than His other feats.
Look at his perfect little hands. Look at his beautiful little eyes. Count every little hair on his little head and know that God put them there. Know that He knew the little one before you did and has entrusted him to your care. When you look at him, see God.
Though other miracles can be so far away, so difficult to grasp, so tough to believe, so challenging to your faith, He has given you your own personal miracle that you can see, hold and love. I know this because years ago, He gave me one too. He gave me you.
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 2:5-11]
In Revival,
Lee
To my young daughter, the new mother:
My precious one, the parting of the Red Sea, a fish large enough to swallow Jonah, manna falling from heaven and Jesus walking on the waves and calling the dead forth from the grave are miracles to be sure. I know you struggle with such things. But the perfection which God has caused to be through the birth of your son is even more miraculous than His other feats.
Look at his perfect little hands. Look at his beautiful little eyes. Count every little hair on his little head and know that God put them there. Know that He knew the little one before you did and has entrusted him to your care. When you look at him, see God.
Though other miracles can be so far away, so difficult to grasp, so tough to believe, so challenging to your faith, He has given you your own personal miracle that you can see, hold and love. I know this because years ago, He gave me one too. He gave me you.
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 2:5-11]
In Revival,
Lee
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