11/7/12- Focusing on What Matters

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Rom. 10:17)

Thoughts:   When we pay attention to the owner's manual (like a car owner's manual) , it helps us to keep away from problems, and fix what is broken. Part of fixing anything is recognizing where the real problem lies (just ask my mechanic).  Allow God's holy yet loving Word speak to you. Our real problem is not our need to patch up something temporary, but to fix something permanent- and the glue for that is not a vote but faith.  Believers walk by faith and not by sight- looking at things the world does not see- with a different focus. 
     Today, after an important election, perhaps we can shift our attention to what really matters. The world will tell you it is some political agenda, or social issue or especially- "it's the economy." But none of these agendas last beyond the grave. They are like putting "fix a flat" on a worn out tire, or pouring "stop a leak" down a radiator of the human problem. The real American problem is the real human problem.  While Christians are called to be good citizens, our ultimate home- is another place. Paul tells the Roman citizens of Philippi, "Their minds are set on earthly things...but our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20). We have a more important everlasting kingdom of which we are a part. Three hundred years from now, no one will remember who was elected yesterday. But the eternal God is still on the throne. Listen to the owner's manual.

Prayer: Give me ears to hear what is important today, O Lord. Be with our newly elected (and re-elected) leaders. But above all, O King, lead me in the way of truth and love.

11/6/12- Desiring God's Will

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” (Ps. 40:8)

Thoughts: God does not delight in our obedience out of drudgery. God wishes our love, not just obedience. He wishes an obedience because of a desire to please Him. We need to change our hearts in order to change our lives. God's will is not about doing, but becoming. If you want to bend medal- just pushing on it, may not work- it will either not bend or it will break. But when medal is heated and the inside is ready, it can bend. Just living to avoid punishment or take reward will not be enough to please God. But being changed from the inside- where we desire and delight to do His will is important.

Prayer: May my heart delight in your will today, O Lord. Lord, we pray today too, for those hurt by Hurricane Sandy, that they would experience your grace and help. We pray also for our country's elections today. We ask that you would lead and guide us- and bless us that we might be a blessing to you.  Help me to remember you are still on the throne, no matter who is elected.  

11/5/12- The Bible as a Lamp

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psa. 119:105)
(This is the memory verse for the week)

Thoughts: Three principles: 1) God is speaking to us every day- and we need to listen. The Bible provides guardrails for our lives.  A lamp is not a spotlight- it reveals only enough to go forward- not your entire future.  2) The Bible helps us resist temptation. Do not be diverted from your strength- make it a daily habit- like brushing your teeth. The Word reveals- like a lamp- the things we stumble on. 3) God's Word is our divine "yes." It is not just a "no" book, but it will light up your path. 

Prayer: May your Word be my lamp- showing me just enough today to understand where I am to go. 

Thy Word by Amy Grant- Youtube video link

11/4/12- The Value of the Old Testament for us

All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43)

Thoughts: These are the words of Peter. Peter speaks of all of the scriptures- Old and New talk about Jesus as our salvation. The whole of scripture points to Christ. We need to read the Old Testament too, because it witnesses to Christ. Some examples of places in the Old Testament that point to Jesus are Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22. Both speak of the suffering servant- but in the end the servant wins the victory and impacts the nation. Daniel 7:13,14- speak of the Son of Man being given a kingdom. Jesus himself said "the scriptures testify about me" (Jn. 5:39- also see Luke 24:27). Spending time in all of God's Word reveals the character and heart of God. This brings us perspective and peace, and allows us to trust in our Lord and His plan.

Prayer: Help me, O lord, to trust in you. Help me to have a thirst to learn more and more about you- and not let anything get in the way of you. Pour your grace upon me that I may love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and seek you in your Word.

11/3/12- Delighting in God's Advice

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. (Ps. 119:24)

Thoughts: "Statutes" means scripture. No matter what is going on in your life (and the psalmist says later he is "afflicted"), we can still find something to delight in- God's Word. God's Word renews us each day. The second part of the verse says that the statutes are counselors. When we have decisions, let us not look merely to the easiest, most convenient, or popular way- but let God guide us with eternal wisdom. In order for God's Word to counsel us, we need to be quiet enough to listen. In our culture this is difficult- always texting, surfing, watching, listening- with something on in the background. Good advice is important- especially from wise and godly counselors. Reading books is nice too. But nothing can replace God's Word as our counselor.

Prayer: May I find my true delight in you and your advice to me. Give me a listening and joyous heart.

By the way- nice rap on Psalm 119 by the devotion speaker today: Tomy Killonen
http://40daysintheword.com/ day 34

11/2/12- Daily Bread from the Word

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Thoughts: Manna came every day and then disappeared (the only exception was the Sabbath).  God wants to give us enough manna (Word) for today- not for the week, month, or year. We do not self feed enough. If Jesus were to walk into your room, write something on the piece of paper for you as a note, what would be the first thing you would do after he writes it? Most of us would want to read it. God speaks to us through His eternal Word.

Prayer: Help me, Lord, to want to listen daily to you. Give me daily bread from your Word.

11/1/12- Dry vs. Living

All Saints Day

As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10,11)

Thoughts: The Word of God achieves God's purposes, and bears fruit. None of us plan to be spiritually dry or fruitless. We slowly drift, and die spiritually. But like water poured on dry, dying grass, God's Word brings vitality, hope, strength, and fruit.  There have been so many I have known who have gone before us and born fruitful lives:  dedicated Sunday School teachers, elders, ministers, loving volunteers.  If you too want your life to be fruitful for eternity- for God- then, look to His Word which energizes us and accomplishes His purpose.  Today is not just the day after "All Hallow's Eve'n" (Halloween), it is All Saints Day- remembering the every day people who went before us.  The gospel does not just spread by the heroes- like Billy Graham, or St. Patrick- but mainly by everyday people energized and growing- zealous to serve and love God.

Prayer: Today, Lord, help me not to live an empty life, but a fruitful life for you.

Thoughts go along with 40 Days in the Word- day 30