It’s Sunday morning. Let’s go do what David did!
It’s Sunday morning. Let’s go do what David did!
God chose Abraham. Has God chosen you to “direct” your family back to Him?
Through Ishmael and Isaac both the Muslim and Jew claim Abraham as father. The root of hostility between these two goes back centuries. But Christ can heal this rift. Through Him we become true children of Abraham (Gal. 3:7).
We fear loss. Loss of possessions, family, life. But God says He is our shield, our Protector. We fear an empty future. But God says He Himself is our very great reward.
Last words of David to his son and leaders. David wanted his son, Solomon, and the Levites to build the temple he had wanted to build himself. He instructed them and provided materials for them in this. Apparently, it was the thing on his mind most in his last days.
David’s first attempt at transporting the ark to Jerusalem failed when Uzzah was struck dead by God while reaching out to steady the ark when the oxen pulling the cart stumbled. David became so afraid of God that they left the ark there.
After a season, David researched this with the Levites and discovered that he had not followed God’s instructions for carrying the ark. It was not to be carried by oxen and cart. It was to be carried by men, specifically, set-apart men from the priestly house of Levi. And they were to carry it in a very specified way- “with the poles on their shoulders.” They were to carry it with their faces towards the ark and the backs towards the world, being careful not to touch it, but to honor it and not let it fall.
God still ordains that set-apart people carry His Word.
Trusting manmade weapons to defeat terrorism is idolatry. America must not trust in its own wealth and power. “In God we trust,” must be more than an inscription. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).
God sets the seasons. Farmers don’t go to conferences to learn how to grow their fields during a winter season. They learn early on to work and rest with the seasons.
The record of the early church in the book of Acts reflects a seasonal movement of peace and persecution, gathering and dispersion, all under the Spirit’s leadership.
How can we become like farmers who know the times? How can we do the right kind of work and find the right times to rest?
Lord, help us to recognize the seasons and to work when the Spirit works and rest when He rests. Help us move with the rhythm of Your Spirit.
This is a favorite verse of Jesus. He quoted it back to the devil when tempted to turn the stones to bread. Jesus told his disciples that he had food they didn’t know about. He told them “My food is to do the Father’s will.” (John 4). Now that’s a spiritual diet!
I’m glad God gives us new beginnings. In Christ, we can wad up last year and start with a new page, a clean, blank sheet to write on. Will join myself and others in the WCC One Year Bible Readers commitment for 2010? What a great way to “begin” a new year… with God and His Word.
Just FB me if you want to commit. We’ve got a special group on FB that you can join. You’ll see my regular posts there, along with other member’s. It’s a good daily discipline to add to your reading:
1. Ask God to speak to you.
2. Read the OYB selection while listening for His Voice.
3. Quote the verse He underlines for you on a post to the WCC OYB site
4. Make a short comment about it.
You’ll be surprised at how God will speak when you ask!