Week 21: My Daily Portion:
Monday: 11 Samuel 7-8, Psalms 139, Philippians 3-4.
Tuesday: 11 Samuel 9-10, Psalms 140, Colossians 1-2.
Wednesday: 11 Samuel 11-12, Psalms 141, Colossians 3-4.
Thursday: 11 Samuel 13-14, Psalms 142, 1 Thessalonians 1-2.
Friday: 11 Samuel 15-16, Psalms 143, 1 Thessalonians 3-4.
Saturday: 11 Samuel 17-18, Psalms 144, 1 Thessalonians 5.
Sunday: 11 Samuel 19, Psalms 145, 11 Thessalonians 1-3.
11Samuel 7:18 The King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, "Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?"
I love how David speaks to God. I learn so much from him in how he interacts with God. His attitude is so respectful, and he readily acknowledges what God has already done for him, let alone all the future blessings God has just promised to provide to him.
Just the other day I was observing the wonderful blessings of some of my relatives who have served God over many years. I like to tell their stories, because I think they are worthy of mentioning! What God has done for them - for me - is worth mentioning. In these next few paragraphs, I may sound as though I am rambling, but I want to paint a picture of how God has blessed my family. Who am I to be so blessed, but God has been good to me and I can not deny it!
I have seen an aunt healed of cancer in the past 2 years. Though a bit frail from her illness and treatments, I heard she preached a wonderful message in a church service giving testimony to the Lords healing power! She has remained cancer free since that time. I have a young relative who was healed of MS last year. My own mother is alive today after a miraculous recovery from an aneurysm one and a half years ago. Once a long time ago, my Dad was run over by a large pickup truck while ice-fishing, and was not even admitted to hospital. I spoke to my grandfather quite recently about his conversion to Christ. It was dramatic, as he was an alcoholic and a single Dad at the time. In one instant, he cried out to God and God met him, delivered him from alcohol and brought salvation to him. I have heard many times about the weather patterns around my parents farm, how there was a sudden turning of the hail clouds and the storms were evident all around them but it was as if their crops were divinely protected. My Dad used to speak to me about the power in the name of Jesus and how nothing could stand against that name. I had a sense of the strength of God and His presence near to me everywhere I went. I grew up hearing my mom praying, and seeing her kneeling next to her bed, alone with God. I often heard her call out "Jesus" when we were in the vehicle, narrowly missing the wildlife crossing the road. I have been in a church service where the main speaker could see out of an empty eye socket, because, although he had lost an eye, God gave him perfect sight without that eye. I remember sleepovers at friends houses, where we as girls all wound up laying hands on one another and being filled with the spirit of God. I had a younger brother in a terrible ATV accident nearly a kilometre from our house, who showed up at the door in a bloody mess, and was sent out via ambulance to Edmonton, over 3 hours away, needed surgery, and miraculously survived a near death experience. When we asked how it could be that he was able to walk home when he had such life threatening injuries, the simple reply from a 10 year old was, "The angels carried me home."
I have had the privilege of seeing wonderful things that God has done for me. How many more things has He done for me that I am not even aware of? When I ponder these things, I do like David did.....verse 18 says HE WENT IN (before the Lord's presence), and he sat before the Lord and he prayed, "Who am I sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?"
I do not believe that I am alone. Not everyone has so many of these stories rooted in Christain heritage, but we all can be thankful for what God has done in our own lives. Has he saved us from our sins? Has He kept us alive, when we were easy targets for the enemy? Has God promised us His goodness and love forever? Then we all can join David AND GO IN AND SIT DOWN BEFORE THE LORD, and acknowledge how far the Lord has brought us! Do it today! In response to God, go in to HIs presence with an attitude like David had.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Week 20/52
Week 20: My Daily Portion:
Monday: 1 Samuel 24-25, Psalms 132, Galatians 1-2.
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 26-27, Psalms 133, Galatians 3-4.
Wednesday: 1 Samuel 28-29, Psalms 134, Galatians 5-6.
Thursday: 1 Samuel 30-31, Psalms 135, Ephesians 1-2.
Friday: 11 Samuel 1-2, Psalms 136, Ephesians 3-4.
Saturday: 11 Samuel 3-4, Psalm 137, Ephesians 5-6.
Sunday: 11 Samuel 5-6, Psalms 138, Philippians 1-2.
Monday: 1 Samuel 24-25, Psalms 132, Galatians 1-2.
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 26-27, Psalms 133, Galatians 3-4.
Wednesday: 1 Samuel 28-29, Psalms 134, Galatians 5-6.
Thursday: 1 Samuel 30-31, Psalms 135, Ephesians 1-2.
Friday: 11 Samuel 1-2, Psalms 136, Ephesians 3-4.
Saturday: 11 Samuel 3-4, Psalm 137, Ephesians 5-6.
Sunday: 11 Samuel 5-6, Psalms 138, Philippians 1-2.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Week 19/52
Week 19: My Daily Portion:
Monday: 1 Samuel 11-12, Psalms 125, 11 Corinthians 4-5.
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 13-14, Psalms 126, 11 Corinthians 6-7.
Wednesday: 1 Samuel 15-16, Psalms 127, 11 Corinthians 8.
Thursday: 1 Samuel 17, Psalms 128, 11 Corinthians 9-10.
Friday: 1 Samuel 18-19, Psalms 129, 11 Corinthians 11.
Saturday: 1 Samuel 20-21, Psalms 130, 11 Corinthians 12.
Sunday: 1 Samuel 22-23, Psalms 131, 11 Corinthians 13.
Psalms 131:2 ...I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for it's mothers milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
What are the ways you've found to quiet your soul? The picture David gives us in this Scripture is so beautiful. There are ways in God to cause our souls to be at rest and peace. I have found that when I look at the Lord Jesus, my soul becomes quieted. I love to sit in His presence adoring Him. It is difficult to describe, but I am completely safe, concerned about nothing, and fully trusting in Him. Yet, it is a choice to quiet myself. My mind could easily keep on fretting, and my body could easily have it's way, but I eagerly choose to get quietness in my soul. When my soul is quiet, I can hear the voice of God bringing me comfort, and His truth.
The easiest thing when there are troubles is to let our unquieted soul do the talking. What a temptation this is! This does us no good! We bring much unrest to ourselves and to others around us.
Rather than doing the easiest or most natural thing, it is far greater to do the most supernatural thing. Go to the place of worship! It is here that God lifts us up and brings us His comfort as we get our misplaced affections over onto the Comforter!
Praise the Lord! This is what happens to us when we worship the Lord Jesus. As we look upon Him, and we see Him in His beauty, everything else dims in the earthly realm. It is now that we can declare - whatever situation we are faced with - "it is well with my soul."
Monday: 1 Samuel 11-12, Psalms 125, 11 Corinthians 4-5.
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 13-14, Psalms 126, 11 Corinthians 6-7.
Wednesday: 1 Samuel 15-16, Psalms 127, 11 Corinthians 8.
Thursday: 1 Samuel 17, Psalms 128, 11 Corinthians 9-10.
Friday: 1 Samuel 18-19, Psalms 129, 11 Corinthians 11.
Saturday: 1 Samuel 20-21, Psalms 130, 11 Corinthians 12.
Sunday: 1 Samuel 22-23, Psalms 131, 11 Corinthians 13.
Psalms 131:2 ...I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for it's mothers milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
What are the ways you've found to quiet your soul? The picture David gives us in this Scripture is so beautiful. There are ways in God to cause our souls to be at rest and peace. I have found that when I look at the Lord Jesus, my soul becomes quieted. I love to sit in His presence adoring Him. It is difficult to describe, but I am completely safe, concerned about nothing, and fully trusting in Him. Yet, it is a choice to quiet myself. My mind could easily keep on fretting, and my body could easily have it's way, but I eagerly choose to get quietness in my soul. When my soul is quiet, I can hear the voice of God bringing me comfort, and His truth.
The easiest thing when there are troubles is to let our unquieted soul do the talking. What a temptation this is! This does us no good! We bring much unrest to ourselves and to others around us.
Rather than doing the easiest or most natural thing, it is far greater to do the most supernatural thing. Go to the place of worship! It is here that God lifts us up and brings us His comfort as we get our misplaced affections over onto the Comforter!
Praise the Lord! This is what happens to us when we worship the Lord Jesus. As we look upon Him, and we see Him in His beauty, everything else dims in the earthly realm. It is now that we can declare - whatever situation we are faced with - "it is well with my soul."
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Week18/52
Week 18: My Daily Portion:
Monday: Judges 20-21, Psalms 119:1-88, 1Corinthians 12.
Tuesday: Ruth 1-4, Palms 119:89-176, 1Corinthians 13.
Wednesday: 1Samuel 1-2, Psalms 120, 1Corinthians 14.
Thursday: 1Samuel 3-4, Psalms 121, 1Corinthians 15.
Friday: 1Samuel 5-6, Psalms 122, 1Corinthians 16.
Saturday: 1Samuel 7-8, Psalms 123, 11Corinthians 1.
Sunday: 1Samuel 9-10, Psalms 124, 11Corinthians 2,3.
Judges 20:22 But the Israelites encouraged each other and took their positions again at the same place they had fought the previous day.
The famous definition for the word 'insanity' is "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Many times this is true, but there are times when we as believers find ourselves faced with the temptation to back off of what we know we are to do. Take a look at the Israelites. They were asking God which tribe should go first into battle against the Benjamites, and the Lord gave a clear reply, that it was the tribe of Judah.
I am sure the Israelites were very shocked when they came away from battle that day having lost 22,000 men. The Bible tells us that the Israelites went to God and wept in His presence and asked Him this time if they should even be going to battle. Their answer from God was, "Yes, go out and fight them." So the Israelites gathered themselves together, and encouraged one another, taking the same positions they had previously.
The second day of battle was almost as bad as the first as the tribe of Benjamin killed another 18,000 skilled swordsmen. At the end of this day all the people of Israel went into the presence of God again, weeping and fasting, and bringing burnt offerings to the Lord. In seeking God for direction they asked God again if they should go up and fight or if they should stop. God spoke again and said, "Go! I will give them into your hands tomorrow." Finally, on the third day the Israelites had their victory.
Sometimes in life we move ahead with the direction God gives and don't see the immediate victory. Sometimes the losses are so great that it seems we must have heard wrong, but in going before God again in prayer, there is still a clear directive from Him to proceed and take the same approach again. Even then, there may be more losses, and by this time we may even be questioning if we heard God right.
Those Israelites had to go to the same place and do the same thing they had done the previous day and get beat again and again! They had to look over at each other and encourage other to keep on going! They would win. They had heard from God! They were doing what they were supposed to be doing!
One of my favourite passages is found in John 7:35, and it says that "wisdom is proved right by the fruit that it produces," or "wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it." In other words, that fruit might take awhile to be produced, but it will come, and at that moment we will be so pleased that we never quit or gave up because that fruit is the proof we did what we we'd been asked.
How important is it that we hear God speaking to us and we continue on in obedience to that word in spite of the losses. Those losses are meant to be endured while we encourage others near us to take the same position we did the day before in response to God's counsel to us.
Monday: Judges 20-21, Psalms 119:1-88, 1Corinthians 12.
Tuesday: Ruth 1-4, Palms 119:89-176, 1Corinthians 13.
Wednesday: 1Samuel 1-2, Psalms 120, 1Corinthians 14.
Thursday: 1Samuel 3-4, Psalms 121, 1Corinthians 15.
Friday: 1Samuel 5-6, Psalms 122, 1Corinthians 16.
Saturday: 1Samuel 7-8, Psalms 123, 11Corinthians 1.
Sunday: 1Samuel 9-10, Psalms 124, 11Corinthians 2,3.
Judges 20:22 But the Israelites encouraged each other and took their positions again at the same place they had fought the previous day.
The famous definition for the word 'insanity' is "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Many times this is true, but there are times when we as believers find ourselves faced with the temptation to back off of what we know we are to do. Take a look at the Israelites. They were asking God which tribe should go first into battle against the Benjamites, and the Lord gave a clear reply, that it was the tribe of Judah.
I am sure the Israelites were very shocked when they came away from battle that day having lost 22,000 men. The Bible tells us that the Israelites went to God and wept in His presence and asked Him this time if they should even be going to battle. Their answer from God was, "Yes, go out and fight them." So the Israelites gathered themselves together, and encouraged one another, taking the same positions they had previously.
The second day of battle was almost as bad as the first as the tribe of Benjamin killed another 18,000 skilled swordsmen. At the end of this day all the people of Israel went into the presence of God again, weeping and fasting, and bringing burnt offerings to the Lord. In seeking God for direction they asked God again if they should go up and fight or if they should stop. God spoke again and said, "Go! I will give them into your hands tomorrow." Finally, on the third day the Israelites had their victory.
Sometimes in life we move ahead with the direction God gives and don't see the immediate victory. Sometimes the losses are so great that it seems we must have heard wrong, but in going before God again in prayer, there is still a clear directive from Him to proceed and take the same approach again. Even then, there may be more losses, and by this time we may even be questioning if we heard God right.
Those Israelites had to go to the same place and do the same thing they had done the previous day and get beat again and again! They had to look over at each other and encourage other to keep on going! They would win. They had heard from God! They were doing what they were supposed to be doing!
One of my favourite passages is found in John 7:35, and it says that "wisdom is proved right by the fruit that it produces," or "wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it." In other words, that fruit might take awhile to be produced, but it will come, and at that moment we will be so pleased that we never quit or gave up because that fruit is the proof we did what we we'd been asked.
How important is it that we hear God speaking to us and we continue on in obedience to that word in spite of the losses. Those losses are meant to be endured while we encourage others near us to take the same position we did the day before in response to God's counsel to us.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Week17/52
Week 17: My Daily Portion:
Monday: Judges 7-8, Psalms 112, 1Corinthians 1-2.
Tuesday: Judges 9, Psalms 113, 1Corinthians 3-4.
Wednesday: Judges 10-11, Psalms 114, 1Corinthians 5-6.
Thursday: Judges 12-13, Psalms 115, 1Corinthians 7.
Friday: Judges 14-15, Psalms 116, 1Corinthians 8-9.
Saturday: Judges 16-17, Psalms 117, 1Corinthians 10.
Sunday: Judges 18-19, Psalms 118, 1Corinthians 11.
Judges ch. 6 -7.
Judges 6:14
Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!
The story in Judges about the man named Gideon is so fascinating to me! There are so many things which could be highlited in his life. This time as I read about him I was drawn towards another great bit of information. God spoke to Gideon about how He was going to save the Israelites though Gideon. This was going to be his main mission, however, God didn't send him out to be a warrior against Israel enemies, the Midianites right away. Before Gideon was sent anywhere, he was sent to his own household. God told him to go and pull down his father's altar to Baal, and to cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it.
God was sending GIdeon to take care of some enemies which were of greater importance. These were the enemies of God and they were placed there by the Israelites themselves. In fact, it was because the Israelites were worshipping these strange gods that caused them to be under the oppression of the Midianites. God wanted first things first. It was as if God was saying, "Get rid of these enemies that are among your people and then you'll go out to fight for your people." Think of verse 14, "go...and rescue Israel from the Midianites." God's first plan to rescue Israel from the Midianites was to take out the Midianites influence from inside of their homes!
This wasn't easy for Gideon. He was afraid of his family and of the town people, so he went at night and did as God told him to do. Ha! Ha! Ha! Is this ringing true to any of you? It seems to be the way things are. God tells of some mighty plan He has for our lives, and then we are told we must first do something in our own back yard, so to speak. Perhaps it is our first test from God to see if we will be up for the task He has just called us to? I think it may be more difficult to pass this first test than to head out on the main mission.
I admire those who take care of business on the home front and see to it that they have gone all the way with God, got their lives in order where it matters most (at home), and then they are able to walk in a new authority because of it. You see, more than just a test, I believe what Gideon accomplished that night under the cloak of darkness, and shaking in his boots, was to walk right into the authority of being a sent one.
Gideons' strength and courage came in stages, as you will find as you read on. This first step was one of obedience even though very frightened by it. Soon after, the spirit of the Lord comes on Gideon and he made a call to arms to the people of Israel. After that, Gideon takes out a fleece and asks God for a sign so that he can remain confident in his call. The final boost to Gideons confidence came when he was told to listen in on a conversation among two Midianites and he heard how terrified they were of the Israelites and Gideon himself.
This also brings me encouragement as I read of how many times Gideon has to revisit the call of God. He reminds me of myself and many other friends I have. After we've addressed issues in our own lives, we need ongoing signs, dreams, and visitations from God to keep us moving towards the main mission.
I hope this story intrigues you and gets you thinking, as it has me once again. We may be frightened, unsure, or just needing a great dose of boldness from the Holy Spirit, but as Gideon did it, so can we.
Monday: Judges 7-8, Psalms 112, 1Corinthians 1-2.
Tuesday: Judges 9, Psalms 113, 1Corinthians 3-4.
Wednesday: Judges 10-11, Psalms 114, 1Corinthians 5-6.
Thursday: Judges 12-13, Psalms 115, 1Corinthians 7.
Friday: Judges 14-15, Psalms 116, 1Corinthians 8-9.
Saturday: Judges 16-17, Psalms 117, 1Corinthians 10.
Sunday: Judges 18-19, Psalms 118, 1Corinthians 11.
Judges ch. 6 -7.
Judges 6:14
Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!
The story in Judges about the man named Gideon is so fascinating to me! There are so many things which could be highlited in his life. This time as I read about him I was drawn towards another great bit of information. God spoke to Gideon about how He was going to save the Israelites though Gideon. This was going to be his main mission, however, God didn't send him out to be a warrior against Israel enemies, the Midianites right away. Before Gideon was sent anywhere, he was sent to his own household. God told him to go and pull down his father's altar to Baal, and to cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it.
God was sending GIdeon to take care of some enemies which were of greater importance. These were the enemies of God and they were placed there by the Israelites themselves. In fact, it was because the Israelites were worshipping these strange gods that caused them to be under the oppression of the Midianites. God wanted first things first. It was as if God was saying, "Get rid of these enemies that are among your people and then you'll go out to fight for your people." Think of verse 14, "go...and rescue Israel from the Midianites." God's first plan to rescue Israel from the Midianites was to take out the Midianites influence from inside of their homes!
This wasn't easy for Gideon. He was afraid of his family and of the town people, so he went at night and did as God told him to do. Ha! Ha! Ha! Is this ringing true to any of you? It seems to be the way things are. God tells of some mighty plan He has for our lives, and then we are told we must first do something in our own back yard, so to speak. Perhaps it is our first test from God to see if we will be up for the task He has just called us to? I think it may be more difficult to pass this first test than to head out on the main mission.
I admire those who take care of business on the home front and see to it that they have gone all the way with God, got their lives in order where it matters most (at home), and then they are able to walk in a new authority because of it. You see, more than just a test, I believe what Gideon accomplished that night under the cloak of darkness, and shaking in his boots, was to walk right into the authority of being a sent one.
Gideons' strength and courage came in stages, as you will find as you read on. This first step was one of obedience even though very frightened by it. Soon after, the spirit of the Lord comes on Gideon and he made a call to arms to the people of Israel. After that, Gideon takes out a fleece and asks God for a sign so that he can remain confident in his call. The final boost to Gideons confidence came when he was told to listen in on a conversation among two Midianites and he heard how terrified they were of the Israelites and Gideon himself.
This also brings me encouragement as I read of how many times Gideon has to revisit the call of God. He reminds me of myself and many other friends I have. After we've addressed issues in our own lives, we need ongoing signs, dreams, and visitations from God to keep us moving towards the main mission.
I hope this story intrigues you and gets you thinking, as it has me once again. We may be frightened, unsure, or just needing a great dose of boldness from the Holy Spirit, but as Gideon did it, so can we.
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