Leanne's Notebook

Final 2 days!!

2010-09-12T15:32:00.000-07:00

Week 53: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Zechariah 10-14, Proverbs 30, Revelation 18-19.
Tuesday: Malachi 1-4, Proverbs 31, Revelation 20-22.

Week 52/52

2010-09-05T15:23:00.000-07:00

Week 52: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Micah 5-7, Proverbs 23, Revelation 1-2.
Tuesday: Nahum 1-3, Proverbs 24, Revelation 3-5.
Wednesday: Habikuk 1-3, Proverbs 25, Revelation 6-7.
Thursday: Zephaniah 1-3, Proverbs 26, Revelation 8-10.
Friday: Haggai 1-2, Proverbs 27, Revelation 11-12.
Saturday: Zechariah 1-4, Proverbs 28, Revelation 13-14.
Sunday: Zechariah 5-9, Proverbs 29, Revelation 15-17.

Week 51/52

2010-08-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

Week 51: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Joel 1-3, Proverbs 16, 11Peter 1-3.
Tuesday: Amos 1-3, Proverbs 17, 1John 1-2.
Wednesday: Amos 4-6, Proverbs 18, 1John 3-4 .
Thursday: Amos 7-9, Proverbs 19, 1John 5.
Friday: Obadiah, Proverbs 20, 11John.
Saturday: Jonah 1-4, Proverbs 21, 111John.
Sunday: Micah 1-4, Proverbs 22, Jude.

Week 50/52

2010-08-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

Week 50: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Daniel 9-10, Proverbs 9, Hebrews 12.
Tuesday: Daniel 11-12, Proverbs 10, Hebrews 13.
Wednesday: Hosea 1-3, Proverbs 11, James 1-3 .
Thursday: Hosea 4-6, Proverbs 12, James 4-5.
Friday: Hosea 7-8, Proverbs 13, 1Peter 1.
Saturday: Hosea 9-11, Proverbs 14, 1Peter 2-3.
Sunday: Hosea 12-14, Proverbs 15, 1Peter 4-5.

Week 49/52

2010-08-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

Week 49: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Ezekiel 43-44, Proverbs 2, Philemon.
Tuesday: Ezekiel 45-46, Proverbs 3, Hebrews 1-2.
Wednesday: Ezekiel 47-48, Proverbs 4, Hebrews 3-4 .
Thursday: Daniel 1-2, Proverbs 5, Hebrews 5-6.
Friday: Daniel 3-4, Proverbs 6, Hebrews 7-8.
Saturday: Daniel 5-6, Proverbs 7, Hebrews 9-10.
Sunday: Daniel 7-8, Proverbs 8, Hebrews 11.

Week 48/52

2010-08-08T15:01:00.000-07:00

Week 48: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Ezekiel 29-30, Psalms 145, 11Thesalonians 1-3.
Tuesday: Ezekiel 31-32, Psalms 146, 1Timothy 1-2.
Wednesday: Ezekiel 33-34, Psalms 147, 1Timothy 3-4 .
Thursday: Ezekiel 35-36, Psalms 148, 1Timothy 5-6.
Friday: Ezekiel 37-38, Psalms 149, 11Timothy 1-2.
Saturday: Ezekiel 39-40, Psalms 150, 11Timothy 3-4.
Sunday: Ezekiel 41-42, Proverbs 1, Titus 1-3.

Week 47/52

2010-08-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

Week 47: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Ezekiel 15-16, Psalms 138, Phiippians 1-2.
Tuesday: Ezekiel 17-18, Psalms 139, Philippians 3-4.
Wednesday: Ezekiel 19-20, Psalms 140, Colossians 1-2 .
Thursday: Ezekiel 21-22, Psalms 141, Colossians 3-4.
Friday: Ezekiel 23-24, Psalms 142, 1Thessalonians 1-2.
Saturday: Ezekiel 25-26, Psalms 143, 1Thesalonians 3-4.
Sunday: Ezekiel 27-28, Psalms 144, 1Thesalonians 5.

Week 46/52

2010-07-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

Week 46: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Ezekiel 1-2, Psalms 131, 11Corinthians 13.
Tuesday: Ezekiel 3-4, Psalms 132, Galatians 1-2.
Wednesday: Ezekiel 5-6, Psalms 133, Galatians 3-4 .
Thursday: Ezekiel 7-8, Psalms 134, Galatians 5-6.
Friday: Ezekiel 9-10, Psalms 135, Ephesians 1-2.
Saturday: Ezekiel 11-12, Psalms 136, Ephesians 3-4.
Sunday: Ezekiel 13-14, Psalms 137, Ephesians 5-6.

Week 45/52

2010-07-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

Week 45: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Jeremiah 45-46, Psalms 124, 11Corinthians 2-3.
Tuesday: Jeremiah 47-48, Psalms 125, 11Corinthians 4-5.
Wednesday: Jeremiah 49-50, Psalms 126, 11Corinthians 6-7 .
Thursday: Jeremiah 51-52, Psalms 127, 11Corinthians 8.
Friday: Lamentations 1-2, Psalms 128, 11Corinthians 9-10.
Saturday: Lamentations 3, Psalms 129, 11Corinthians 11.
Sunday: Lamentations 4-5, Psalms 130, 11Corinthians 12.

Week 44/52

2010-07-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Week 44: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Jeremiah 31-32, Psalms 119:1-64, 1Corinthians 11.
Tuesday: Jeremiah 33-34, Psalms 119:65-120, 1Corinthians 12.
Wednesday: Jeremiah 35-36, Psalms 119:121-176, 1Corinthians 13.
Thursday: Jeremiah 37-38, Psalms 120, 1Corinthians 14.
Friday: Jeremiah 39-40, Psalms 121, 1Corinthians 15.
Saturday: Jeremiah 41-42, Psalms 122, 1Corinthians 16.
Sunday: Jeremiah 43-44, Psalms 123, 11Corinthians 1.

Week 43/52

2010-07-04T11:48:00.000-07:00

Week 43: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Jeremiah 17-18, Psalms 112, Romans 15-16.
Tuesday: Jeremiah 19-20, Psalms 113, 1Corinthians 1-2.
Wednesday: Jeremiah 21-22, Psalms 114, 1Corinthians 3-4.
Thursday: Jeremiah 23-24, Psalms 115, 1Corinthians 5-6.
Friday: Jeremiah 25-26, Psalms 116, 1Corinthians 7.
Saturday: Jeremiah 27-28, Psalms 117, 1Corinthians 8-9.
Sunday: Jeremiah 29-30, Psalms 118, 1Corinthians 10.

Psalms 112:4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.

I often ponder the similarities and the differences of those who are godly and those who are not. What do they have in common and where do they differ? There are some things that simply can not be pointed out as being a result of someone living a godly life and one who does not. Yet there are some marked differences that can be noted between the two. The idea of light shining in darkness for those who are godly is definitely notable. We all go through the emotions of a living being. We go through many of the same circumstances as those who do not know Christ. What is different is how we make sense of the world around us as believers. We don't rely on positive thinking, but the Word of God. When we can't make sense of things, the Word of God makes perfect sense. It is as though a flashlight beams in on us and we get a clear vision in the middle of the darkness. We receive truth that helps us though the darkness. We are not alone in that darkness, and we hear the voice of our Father in the darkness. Before long, that flashlight has projected light to such a degree that we can not call it darkness any longer!

I love this next piece of Scripture. It says the godly are generous, compassionate and righteous. To be godly, means we are like God! That would mean that God is generous, compassionate, and righteous! I love knowing that I serve a God who is all those things towards me. He is generous to me. He is compassionate to me. He is righteous towards me in all He does. When I struggle with selfish attitudes, I remind myself that God has been nothing but generous towards me. I too, can be generous. Generosity flows through me in many forms - my time, my work, my service to others, and my resources. Generosity even flows through me when I share the gift of my family with other people. When I catch myself being judgemental towards others, I remember how compassionate Jesus is towards me, and I look at others once again through eyes of compassion. When I have compassion, I am moved by the stories of their lives. In that moment I am 'touched by the feelings of their infirmities,' as Jesus was (Hebrews 4:15). Finally, when I recognize how the Lord Jesus has stood for the truth, and how He managed to face even the harshest of treatment because of those who did not love righteousness, I too, make a firm stand for what is right - even in the face of opposition. I remind myself that doing the right thing sometimes is the most difficult thing to do, but I must have integrity of heart and walk in righteousness before God and before the world.

What a passage to think about! What a meditation for our hearts! Take time to meditate on the godly and the ungodly. Let it spur you on to act like God in this world! It will no doubt bring us into a life of maturity...

Week 42/52

2010-06-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

Week 42: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Jeremiah 3-4, Psalms 105, Romans 1-2.
Tuesday: Jeremiah 5-6, Psalms 106, Roman 3-4.
Wednesday: Jeremiah 7-8, Psalms 107, Romans 5-6.
Thursday: Jeremiah 9-10, Psalms 108, Romans 7-8.
Friday: Jeremiah 11-12, Psalms 109, Romans 9-10.
Saturday: Jeremiah 13-14, Psalms 110, Romans 11-12.
Sunday: Jeremiah 15-16, Psalms 111, Romans 13-14.

Week 41/52

2010-06-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

Week 41: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Isaiah 55-56, Psalms 98, Acts 21.
Tuesday: Isaiah 57-58, Psalms 99, Acts 22.
Wednesday: Isaiah 59-60, Psalms 100, Acts 23.
Thursday: Isaiah 61-62, Psalms 101, Acts 24-25.
Friday: Isaiah 63-64, Psalms 102, Acts 26.
Saturday: Isaiah 65-66, Psalms 103, Acts 27.
Sunday: Jeremiah 1-2, Psalms 104, Acts 28.

Isaiah 66:1-2
66:1 This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you ever build me a temple as good as that? Could you build a dwelling place for me?
NLT

This verse is a well known verse and is quoted in the New Testament as well. In Acts 7, Stephen takes this verse and states that the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands. If God does not live in temples which can be built, where does He live?

2 Corinthians 6:16
For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
"I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people."
NKJV

This is such a profound truth and one which takes my breath away. How can the living, Holy God come and live inside of me, and what is more, call me His temple! I am a temple! I am the place where God dwells. I house an altar and an inner sanctuary where the God of the universe can come and live!

I do not know how this is possible, but it causes me to take a look at myself and wonder...while I can't build a dwelling place that's good enough for God, He chooses me. He has decided (upon my invitation), to take up residence in me. I want the Lord Jesus to build me into something magnificent. I want to be fully His and fully capable of being the place where Gods' glory can be revealed.

I encourage you to recognize what God is shaping you to be. Allow yourself to become a temple that contains the presence of God.

Week 40/52

2010-06-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

Week 40: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Isaiah 41-42, Psalms 91, Acts 14.
Tuesday: Isaiah 43-44, Psalms 92, Acts 15.
Wednesday: Isaiah 45-46, Psalms 93, Acts 16.
Thursday: Isaiah 47-48, Psalms 94, Acts 17.
Friday: Isaiah 35-49-50, Psalms 95, Acts 18.
Saturday: Isaiah 51-52, Psalms 96, Acts 19.
Sunday: Isaiah 53-54, Psalms 97, Acts 20.

Week 39/52

2010-06-06T21:09:00.000-07:00

Week 39: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Isaiah 27-28, Psalms 84, Acts 5-6.
Tuesday: Isaiah 29-30, Psalms 85, Acts 7.
Wednesday: Isaiah 31-32, Psalms 86, Acts 8.
Thursday: Isaiah 33-34, Psalms 87, Acts 9.
Friday: Isaiah 35-36, Psalms 88, Acts 10.
Saturday: Isaiah 37-38, Psalms 89, Acts 11-12.
Sunday: Isaiah 39-40, Psalms 90, Acts 13.

Week 38/52

2010-05-30T21:03:00.000-07:00

Week 38: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Isaiah 11-13, Psalms 77, John 18.
Tuesday: Isaiah 14-15, Psalms 78, John19.
Wednesday: Isaiah 16 -17, Psalms 79, John 20.
Thursday: Isaiah 18-19, Psalms 80, John 21.
Friday: Isaiah 20-22, Psalms 81, Acts 1.
Saturday: Isaiah 23-24, Psalms 82, Acts 2.
Sunday: Isaiah 25-26, Psalms 83, Acts 3-4.

Week 37/52

2010-05-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Week 37: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Song of Solomon 3-4, Psalms 70, John 10.
Tuesday: Song of Solomon 5-6, Psalms 71, John11.
Wednesday: Song of Solomon 7--8, Psalms 72, John 12.
Thursday: Isaiah 1-2, Psalms 73, John 13.
Friday: Isaiah 3-5, Psalms 74, John 14-15.
Saturday: Isaiah 6-8, Psalms 75, John 16.
Sunday: Isaiah 9-10, Psalms 76, John17.

Week 36/52

2010-05-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

Week 36: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Ecclesiastes 1-2, Psalms 63, John 2.
Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 3-4, Psalms 64, John3-4.
Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 5-6, Psalms 65, John 5.
Thursday: Ecclesiastes 7-8, Psalms 66, John 6.
Friday: Ecclesiastes 9-10, Psalms 67, John 7.
Saturday: Ecclesiastes 11-12, Psalms 68, John 8.
Sunday: Song of Solomon 1-2, Psalms 69, John 9.

Psalms 63:6 I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.

My Mom once let me in on a secret she had discovered. If she was ever unable to sleep at night, she would get up, go to her favourite rocking chair and pray. She wouldn't just pray trite little bedtime prayers, such as 'now I lay me down to sleep', she would pray through the Scriptures, often inserting the names of her children in the spots where they would fit. Other times she would simply speak in tongues for an hour or so, just waiting on God. As an adult I have observed this often when I have stayed over at her house. I tend to sleep well most nights, and was usually awakened to soothe a crying child, etc., but while tiptoeing around in the dark I'd see my Mom rocking in her chair, praying. When I asked her about this, she simply said, "If the devil is going to try to rob my sleep, I'll deal with him by praying." I loved this little secret. What a wonderful way to deal with something so aggravating as lost sleep.

Many times, it is in the night that our spirits are most keen. The worlds noises have been silenced and our hearts can lay there, thinking of God. It is the perfect time to realign our hearts to His will. Often this is the time when the Lord's conviction comes and settles on us so that we can make things right with Him. Other times we find ourselves gaining insights into spiritual truths and we feel as though we have gained clarity into situations. Sometimes, it is just good to simply whisper the name of Jesus in the night. He is so close.

I believe David spent his time well as he lay awake at night. He could have fretted about Saul hunting him down, or a host of other nerve-wracking situations once he was the King of Israel, but the Bible tells us he spent his awake moments in the night just pondering God. Oh to have this secret become our secret! In fact the entire chapter of Psalms 63 is incredible as David describes his intense longing for God. Let this chapter be reflected in us as well. May we find ourselves meditating on the Lord constantly, day and night.

Week 35/52

2010-05-09T23:43:00.001-07:00

Week 35: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Job 27-29, Psalms 56, Luke 19.
Tuesday: Job 30-32, Psalms 57, Luke 20.
Wednesday: Job 33-34, Psalms 58, Luke 21.
Thursday: Job 35-36, Psalms 59, Luke 22.
Friday: Job 37-38, Psalms 60, Luke 23.
Saturday: Job 39-40, Psalms 61, Luke 24.
Sunday: Job 41-42, Psalms 62, John1.

Week 34/52

2010-05-02T22:03:00.000-07:00

Week 34: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Job 13-14, Psalms 49.
Tuesday: Job 15-16, Psalms 50.
Wednesday: Job 17-18, Psalms 51.
Thursday: Job 19-20, Psalms 52.
Friday: Job 21-22, Psalms 53.
Saturday: Job 23-24, Psalms 54.
Sunday: Job 25-26, Psalms 55.

Week 33/52

2010-04-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

Week 33: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Esther 9-10, Psalms 42.
Tuesday: Job 1-2, Psalms 43.
Wednesday: Job 3-4, Psalms 44.
Thursday: Job 5-6, Psalms 45.
Friday: Job 7-8, Psalms 46.
Saturday: Job 9-10, Psalms 47.
Sunday: Job 11-12, Psalms 48.

Job 19:25-27
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
NKJV

Job 42:5-6
"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,But now my eye sees You.
Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes."
NKJV

This is the wonderful beauty of the Scriptures! We see Jobs cry of faith and belief in His God. His cry needs to be our cry. His yearning needs to be our yearning. His level of confidence in seeing the Lord with his own eyes, needs to be our confidence too, but then when Job does get to see God....when he does behold the Lord with his own eyes....his response is also very much what ours needs to be.

When Job sees God as God, he also sees himself as limited in his own understanding. He sees his own need to repent in response to Gods perfection.

This intense yearning for God and subsequent repentance at beholding Him, is the exact attitude that God loves. He responds to the passionate cry, and yet when He makes His appearance and is met with an attitude of humility, he rewards the contrite soul.

How about us? Do we long for the appearance, or for the coming of Christ? The Bible teaches us in Zechariah 12:10, that when we do see Him and our eyes behold Him, he will pour out on us a spirit of grace, and it the moment we see Jesus, the one we have pierced, we will look on him and mourn. While we rejoice at His coming, there is also a gazing at Him that causes us to weep in His very presence - because of who He is and what He has done for us.

I believe Job gives us this picture so we, too can respond rightly in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. May He find this same attitude in us when He comes.

Week 32/52

2010-04-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

Week 32: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Nehemiah 9, Psalms 35.
Tuesday: Nehemiah 10-11, Psalms 36.
Wednesday: Nehemiah 12, Psalms 37.
Thursday: Esther 1-2, Psalms 38.
Friday: Esther 3-4, Psalms 39.
Saturday: Esther 5-6, Psalms 40.
Sunday: Esther 7-8, Psalms 41.

We're ahead of schedule! This week you can take a break and pay attention to the OT Readings and enjoy - I have left out the NT passages for a short season of time.

Aren't the stories in Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther amazing? I love these books so much! If you find you are behind in your readings, but you have it in your mind that your goal is still to finish the whole Bible in one year, then remember, the schedule we are on is to take you through the NT and Psalms and Proverbs twice. So, if you fall behind, you can go more slowly through the NT Readings, knowing that if you keep up with the OT Readings, you will still have reached your goal. Do what works for you!

Week 31/52

2010-04-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

Week 31: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Ezra 5-6, Psalms 28, Luke 5-6.
Tuesday: Ezra 7-8, Psalms 29, Luke 7-8.
Wednesday: Ezra 9-10, Psalms 30, Luke 9-10.
Thursday: Nehemiah 1-2, Psalms 31, Luke 11-12.
Friday: Nehemiah 3-4, Psalms 32, Luke 13-14.
Saturday: Nehemiah 5-6, Psalms 33, Luke 15-16.
Sunday: Nehemiah 7-8, Psalms 34, Luke 17-18.

Week 30/52

2010-04-04T22:33:00.000-07:00

Week 30: My Daily Portion:

Monday: 11Chronicles 27-28, Psalms 21, Mark 7-8.
Tuesday: 11Chronicles 29-30, Psalms 22, Mark 9-10.
Wednesday: 11Chronicles 31-32, Psalms 23, Mark 11-12.
Thursday: 11Chronicles 33-34, Psalms 24, Mark 13-14.
Friday: 11Chronicles 35-36, Psalms 25, Mark 15-16.
Saturday: Ezra 1-2, Psalms 26, Luke 1-2.
Sunday: Ezra 3-4, Psalms 27, Luke 3-4.

Week 29/52

2010-03-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

Week 29: My Daily Portion:

Monday: 11Chronicles 13-14, Psalms 14, Matthew 21-22.
Tuesday: 11Chronicles 15-16, Psalms 15, Matthew 23-24.
Wednesday: 11Chronicles 17-18, Psalms 16, Matthew 25-26.
Thursday: 11Chronicles 19-20, Psalms 17, Matthew 27-28.
Friday: 11Chronicles 21-22, Psalms 18, Mark 1-2.
Saturday: 11Chronicles 23-24, Psalms 19, Mark 3-4.
Sunday: 11Chronicles 25-26, Psalms 20, Mark 5-6.

Week 28/52

2010-03-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

Week 28: My Daily Portion:

Monday: 1Chronicles 28-29, Psalms 7, Matthew 10-11.
Tuesday: 11Chronicles 1-2, Psalms 8, Matthew 12.
Wednesday: 11Chronicles 3-4, Psalms 9, Matthew 13.
Thursday: 11Chronicles 5-6, Psalms 10, Matthew 14-15.
Friday: 11Chronicles 7-8, Psalms 11, Matthew 16-17.
Saturday: 11Chronicles 9-10, Psalms 12, Matthew 18.
Sunday: 11Chronicles 11-12, Psalms 13, Matthew 19-20.

Week 27/52

2010-03-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

Week 27: My Daily Portion:

Monday: 1Chronicles 14-15, Proverbs 31, Revelation 18-19.
Tuesday: 1Chronicles 16-17, Psalms 1, Revelation 20-22.
Wednesday: 1Chronicles 18-19, Psalms 2, Matthew 1-2.
Thursday: 1Chronicles 20-21, Psalms 3, Matthew 3-4.
Friday: 1Chronicles 22-23, Psalms 4, Matthew 5.
Saturday: 1Chronicles 24-25, Psalms 5, Matthew 6-7.
Sunday: 1Chronicles 26-27, Psalms 6, Matthew 8-9.

Week 26/52

2010-03-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

Week 26: My Daily Portion:

Monday: 1Chronicles 1, Proverbs 24, Revelation 1-2.
Tuesday: 1Chronicles 2-3, Proverbs 25, Revelation 3-5.
Wednesday: 1Chronicles 4-5, Proverbs 26, Revelation 6-7.
Thursday: 1Chronicles 6-7, Proverbs 27, Revelation 8-10.
Friday: 1Chronicles 8-9, Proverbs 28, Revelation 11-12.
Saturday: 1Chronicles 10-11, Proverbs 29, Revelation 13-14.
Sunday: 1Chronicles 12-13, Proverbs 30, Revelation 15-17.

Week 25/52

2010-02-28T10:38:00.000-08:00

Week 25: My Daily Portion:

Monday: 11Kings 13-14, Proverbs 17, 2Peter 1-3.
Tuesday: 11Kings 15-16, Proverbs 18, 1John 1-2.
Wednesday: 11Kings 17, Proverbs 19, 1John 3-4.
Thursday: 11Kings 18-19, Proverbs 20, 1John 5.
Friday: 11Kings 20-21, Proverbs 21, 2John.
Saturday: 11Kings 22-23, Proverbs 22, 3John.
Sunday: 11Kings 24-25, Proverbs 23, Jude.

Week 24/52

2010-02-21T10:38:00.000-08:00

Week 24: My Daily Portion:

Monday: 1Kings 21-22, Proverbs 10, Hebrews 13.
Tuesday: 11Kings 1-2, Proverbs 11, James 1.
Wednesday: 11Kings 3-4, Proverbs 12, James 2-3.
Thursday: 11Kings 5-6, Proverbs 13, James 4-5.
Friday: 11Kings 7-8, Proverbs 14, 1Peter 1.
Saturday: 11King 9-10, Proverbs 15, 1Peter 2-3.
Sunday: 11Kings 11-12, Proverbs 16, 1Peter 4-5.

Week 23/52

2010-02-14T10:38:00.000-08:00

Week 23: My Daily Portion:

Monday: 1Kings 8, Proverbs 3, Hebrews 1-2.
Tuesday: 1Kings 9-10, Proverbs 4, Hebrews 3-4.
Wednesday: 1Kings 11-12, Proverbs 5, Hebrews 5-6.
Thursday: 1Kings 13-14, Proverbs 6, Hebrews 7-8.
Friday: 1Kings 15-16, Proverbs 7, Hebrews 9-10.
Saturday: 1Kings 17-18, Proverbs 8, Hebrews 11.
Sunday: 1Kings 19-20, Proverbs 9, Hebrews 12.

Week 22/52

2010-02-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

Week 22: My Daily Portion:

Monday: 11Samuel 20-21, Psalms 146, 1Timothy 1-2.
Tuesday: 11Samuel 22, Psalms 147, 1Timothy 3-4.
Wednesday: 11Samuel 23-24, Psalms 148, 1Timothy 5-6.
Thursday: 1Kings 1, Psalms 149, 11Timothy 1-2.
Friday: 1Kings 2-3, Psalms 150, 11Timothy 3-4.
Saturday: 1Kings 4-5, Proverbs 1, Titus 1-3.
Sunday: 1Kings 6-7, Proverbs 2, Philemon.

Week 21/52

2010-01-31T10:37:00.000-08:00

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.

Week 20/52

2010-01-24T10:37:00.000-08:00

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.

Week 19/52

2010-01-17T10:36:00.000-08:00

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."

Week18/52

2010-01-10T10:36:00.000-08:00

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.

Week17/52

2010-01-03T23:00:00.000-08:00

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.

Week 16/52

2009-12-27T10:33:00.000-08:00

Week 16: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Joshua 17-18, Psalms 105, Romans 3-4.
Tuesday: Joshua 19-20, Psalms 106, Romans 5-6.
Wednesday: Joshua 21-22, Psalms 107, Romans 7-8.
Thursday: Joshua 23-24, Psalms 108, Romans 9-10
Friday: Judges 1-2, Psalms 109, Romans 11-12
Saturday: Judges 3-4, Psalms 110, Romans 13-14.
Sunday: Judges 5-6, Psalms 111, Romans 15-16.

Week 15/52

2009-12-20T20:40:00.000-08:00

Week 15: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Joshua 3-4, Psalms 98, Acts 22.
Tuesday: Joshua 5-6, Psalms 99, Acts 23.
Wednesday: Joshua 7-8, Psalms 100, Acts 24-25.
Thursday: Joshua 9-10, Psalms 101, Acts 26.
Friday: Joshua 11-12, Psalms 102, Acts 27.
Saturday: Joshua 13-14, Psalms 103, Acts 28.
Sunday: Joshua 15-16, Psalms 104,Romans 1-2.

Joshua 5:13-14 ...Joshua looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, Are you friend or foe?" "Neither one," he replied. "I am the commander of the Lord's army."

My Dad was a story teller of story tellers. I remember many times laying snugly with my head under his shoulder on the sofa listening to the sound of his heart beating and his gentle voice telling and retelling stories my brothers and I requested. Sometimes they were fairy tales, like Rumpelstiltskin or The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Other times they were real life childhood stories of fun and hardship, growing up along the Little Smoky River with 11 brothers and sisters, and the adventures of his boyhood. I also have vivid memories of the Bible stories he told. He could tell them so that they were just as interesting as any other of his stories, only they were alive with the supernatural.

The story of Joshua was one such story. He spoke of the very large and powerful angel who was the commander of the Lords army. "Friend or foe?" my Dad would quote Joshua's words, as he would describe the incredible size of the angel he had just encountered. "Neither, I am for the Lord," was this big angels reply.

I often think of this story today. What a great place to be - for the Lord! I am for the Lord and what He wants, in every relationship, in every situation, and in every season of my life. This makes decisions much more simple, when I can say I am not looking for "friends" or "enemies" perspectives, but rather that of Gods!

It also reminds me that Gods agents who are on assignment are not playing little games with trivial things, but they are sent by God to do the will of God as it relates to me! They are nothing to mess with as Gods messengers. May we learn from them that when we enlist in a heavenly kingdom, we have begun to encounter things far bigger and greater than in our own little realm of understanding. The Bible tells us that when the angel spoke with such authority, Joshua who was the captain or leader of Israel immediately fell to the ground and asked for his orders from the captain of the Lords army.

May we recognize the Lord when He speaks to us or sends a messenger to us. May we quickly do as Joshua and submit to the one who is "for the Lord."

Week 14/52

2009-12-13T20:49:00.000-08:00

Week 14/52: My Daily Portion

Monday: Deuteronomy 23-24, Psalms 91, Acts 15.
Tuesday: Deuteronomy 25-27, Psalms 92, Acts 16.
Wednesday: Deuteronomy 28-29, Psalms 93, Acts 17.
Thursday: Deuteronomy 30-31, Psalms 94, Acts 18.
Friday: Deuteronomy 32, Psalms 95, Acts 19.
Saturday: Deuteronomy 33-34, Psalms 96, Acts 20.
Sunday: Joshua 1-2, Psalms 97, Acts 21.

Week 13/52

2009-12-06T19:59:00.000-08:00

Week 13: My Daily Portion

Monday: Deuteronomy 9-10, Psalms 84, Acts 4-5.
Tuesday: Deuteronomy 11-12, Psalms 85, Acts 6-7.
Wednesday: Deuteronomy 13-14,Psalms 86, Acts 8.
Thursday: Deuteronomy 15-16,Psalms 87, Acts 9.
Friday: Deuteronomy 17-18,Psalms 88, Acts 10.
Saturday: Deuteronomy 19-20, Psalms 89, Acts 11-12.
Sunday: Deuteronomy 21-22, Psalms 90, Acts 13-14.

Week 12/52

2009-11-29T21:44:00.000-08:00

Week 12: My Daily Portion

Monday: Numbers 31-32, Psalms 77, John 18.
Tuesday: Numbers 33-34, Psalms 78, John 19.
Wednesday: Numbers 35-36, Psalms 79, John 20.
Thursday: Deuteronomy 1-2, Psalms 80, John 21.
Friday: Deuteronomy 3-4, Psalms 81, Acts 1.
Saturday: Deuteronomy 5-6, Psalms 82, Acts 2.
Sunday: Deuteronomy 7-8 Psalms 83, Acts 3.

Week 11/52

2009-11-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

Week 11 My Daily Portion

Monday: Numbers 17 -18, Psalms 70, John 11
Tuesday: Numbers 19 - 20, Psalms 71, John 12
Wednesday: Numbers 21 - 22, Psalms 72, John 13
Thursday: Numbers 23 - 25, Psalms 73, John 14
Friday: Numbers 26, Psalms 74, John 15
Saturday: Numbers 27 - 28, Psalms 75, John 16
Sunday: Numbers 29 - 30, Pslams 76, John 17

2009-11-15T08:37:00.000-08:00

Week 10/52

My Daily Portion:
Monday: Numbers 5-6, Psalms 63, John 4.
Tuesday: Numbers 7, Psalms 64, John 5.
Wednesday: Numbers 8-9, Psalms 65, John 6
Thursday: Numbers 10-11,Psalms 66, John 7.
Friday: Numbers 12-13, Psalms 67, John 8.
Saturday: Numbers 14-15, Psalms 68, John 9.
Sunday: Numbers 16, Psalms 69, John 10.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory....

What happens when you open up the Word of God? I find that many times as I look into a passage, I experience something unique. It is as if I suddenly have words to describe my longings in prayer, and my spirit is gaining some expression or communication with God. What is actually happening in those times?

Simply put, I am experiencing what the Scripture describe as the 'Word becoming flesh and dwelling with me.' Of course we understand that John chapter one is telling a story of how Jesus came and made His home with mankind. John, the writer and one of Jesus very close disciples and friends is telling us that Jesus is the Word of God and He (Jesus) lived among the people.

In addition to that, I believe we must also recognize that Jesus comes to us, in the year 2009, to our very address, and He becomes flesh (human) and dwells among us.

I do not wish to infer that Jesus was mere human, but rather that he came to humans in a way they could relate to Him - in human form. John is very clear that because of Jesus close contact with them, they were able to see His glory, which was really His deity. John saw it up close and personal!

Do you think that Jesus would like to be regarded in any other way than to be 'up close and personal?' By giving us the Scriptures and also His Holy Spirit, we today are able to experience the same closeness to Jesus that His own disciples had. When we come to gaze at the Word of God, then the Word of God Himself, comes to us in a way which is alive and where we can know Him. We can be so close that we can hear His voice and look at His glory - just like His disciples did!

I hope that excites you today. I am so amazed at the way we can receive from Gods Word. This book is so full of the living power of God, because it comes to us in human form and dwells with us in our day, in the person of Jesus Christ who is alive today!

Keep reading the Scriptures and ask God to come to you in this way. Look at this as a promise to you from God. Let Him become so real to you as you ponder the Word of God that you can actually look at Him and see how glorious He is. Meet the Man, Christ Jesus, face to face through His Word, just the way John spoke in John chapter one. Then everything will change and the words themselves jump right off the page.

2009-11-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

Week 9/52

My Daily Portion:
Monday: Leviticus 21-22, Psalms 57, Luke 21.
Tuesday: Leviticus 23-24, Psalms 58, Luke 22.
Wednesday: Leviticus 25.
Thursday: Psalms 59, Luke 23.
Friday: Leviticus 26-27, Psalms 60, Luke 24.
Saturday: Numbers 1-2, Psalms 61, John 1.
Sunday: Numbers 3-4, Psalms 62, John 2-3.

2009-11-01T08:31:00.000-08:00

Week 8/52

My Daily Portion:
Monday: Leviticus 9-10, Psalms 50, Luke 14.
Tuesday: Leviticus 11-12, Psalms 51, Luke 15.
Wednesday: Leviticus 13, Psalms 52, Luke 16.
Thursday: Leviticus 14, Psalms 53, Luke 17.
Friday: Leviticus 15-16, Psalms 54, Luke 18.
Saturday: Leviticus 17-18, Psalms 55, Luke 19.
Sunday: Leviticus 19-20, Psalms 56, Luke 20.

2009-10-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Week 7 Living With Fire: Dangerous Material More Powerful Than The Atom

My Daily Portion:
Monday: Exodus 35-36, Psalms 43, Luke 7.
Tuesday: Exodus 37-38, Psalms 44, Luke 8..
Wednesday: Exodus 39-40, Psalms 45, Luke 9.
Thursday: Leviticus 1-2, Psalms 46, Luke 10.
Friday: Leviticus 3-4, Psalms 47, Luke 11.
Saturday: Leviticus 5-6, Psalms 48, Luke 12.
Sunday: Leviticus 7-8, Psalms 49, Luke 13.

This entry is taken from the Student Bible, copyright 1986 by The Zondervan Corporation, NIV.

Leviticus seems mighty strange to the modern world. Unlike most of the Bible, it has few personalities and stories, and no poetry. Instead, it is crammed full of detailed rules and procedures.

Its painstaking ritual is, however, strikingly similar to the procedure surrounding nuclear technology. The specialized clothing, the concern for purification, the precise handling of crucial materials - both nuclear workers and Old Testament priests share these. This similarity gives an important clue to understanding Leviticus.

Cleaning Up a Nuclear Spill
At the Hanford plutonium separation plant in eastern Washington, plutonium and U-235 are kept in a special high-security vault, in brass cans wrapped three times in plastic. To move the radioactive material, specially trained handlers don white protection overall and special breather masks. They never touch the materials except through a sealed "glove box."

If an accident occurs, such as a small fire ignited by the "hot " material, the entire area must be cleansed through laborious scrubbing with soap and water. Carefully trained workers dispose of the dirty water in a specially protected toxic waste area. Anyone contaminated must be similarly "cleansed" from the exposure. In extreme cases, she or he must stay away from other people for months.

These rigid rules grew from hard experience. For decades no one knew the dangers of radioactivity. Workers who used radioactive materials to hand-paint the first "glow in the dark" watches licked their paintbrushes to get a fine tip; their supervisors said they would gain sex appeal. Instead, they got cancer. The introduction of nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants increased the amount of radioactive material being handled. Gradually scientists realized: if you are going to use the atom, you must adopt procedures to fit its power.

The Intimate Presence of God
Leviticus reads something like a training manual for atomic plant workers. Its "dangerous material," however, is more powerful than the atom. Leviticus gives exhaustive detail on how to live with God.

A pamphlet on "how to survive a nuclear accident" may be dull if read on vacation, but it's gripping if read in a vibrating nuclear reactor. Similarly, Leviticus is dull if you do not realize the wonderful news behind it: a powerful God, the creator of the universe, has entered the life of a small and insignificant tribe. The Israelites could not merely fit this God into their lives. They needed to restructure their lives - food, sex, economics, - to fit with this. It was essential not just for priests, but for everyone.

Ignoring the operations manual could be deadly. It was for Aaron's two sons (chapter 10).

Free From Contamination
Today, because of Jesus Christ, we don't live in the world of Leviticus. Jesus' perfect self-sacrifice made the daily sacrifice of animals unnecessary. He replaced the high priest as our representative before God. Jesus cleanses the real source of contamination, our sinful nature. Leviticus was meant to teach people some basic truths about God, and when their lessons were complete, they could go on to bigger and better things. (The New Testament book of Hebrews spells out this graduation.)

Yet we need to be reminded of the principals Leviticus taught. It tells us that God was then, as he is today, "a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29). He has taught us how to live with that fire, not because we deserve to know, but because he wanted our company. We dare not treat him lightly.

HOW TO READ LEVITICUS
Many well-intentioned readers ,determined to read the Bible from beginning to end, bog down in Leviticus. It's a law book, a procedural manual for getting along with a holy and powerful God. Sheer detail can bore you, especially if you miss the point behind it.

When you read the Bible, careful attention to detail is usually a key to understanding. In Leviticus, however, you will get more from looking at the big picture than from studying the details. Some laws we simply don't understand. But Leviticus as a whole shows what kind of people God wanted Israel to be. As you read, keep your mind on the big picture. Pay special attention to the explanatory notes. Try to imagine how these laws affected everyday life. Keep asking yourself: how would these laws make the Israelites different from other people - and why were those differences important to God?

2009-10-18T08:14:00.000-07:00

Week 6 - And you my little son...

My Daily Portion:
Monday: Exodus 21-22, Psalms 36, Mark 16.
Tuesday: Exodus 23-24, Psalms 37, Luke 1..
Wednesday: Exodus 25-26, Psalms 38, Luke 2.
Thursday: Exodus 27-28, Psalms 39, Luke 3.
Friday: Exodus 29-30, Psalms 40, Luke 4.
Saturday: Exodus 31-32, Psalms 41, Luke 5.
Sunday: Exodus 33-34, Psalms 42, Luke 6.

Luke 1:76 "And you, my little son, will be called a prophet of the Most High..."

Some of the sweetest times in my life have been during my pregnancies and also the period of time afterwards when I had a newborn baby to care for. I felt so alive and in awe of God in those special times. It is as if I was able to see with a new set of eyes and hear with new ears, both the face and the voice of the Lord. I can remember how passionate I was even before my pregnancies, that the news of having a baby had to be met with joy and celebration and words of blessing. When each of our three children were still in utero, they were welcomed with joy, blessed with words of affirmation, and prayed over by both Mark and I, though we had not yet seen them.

I think that Mary and Elizabeth, who are spoken of in the book of Luke as he tells the story of John the Baptist and Jesus' births, are two amazing women who also obviously experienced a special ability to know the touch of God during their pregnancies. They were in fact so tuned in to hear God's voice that they not only responded to Him wholeheartedly, but they also spoke on Gods behalf. There was one other voice who spoke God's words during this time, and that was Zechariah, John the Baptist's father. The key in all of this was that they were proclaiming a prophetic word over their children regarding how God would one day use them.

I understand that John the Baptist and Jesus were pretty special people and the entire world history would be shaped by their lives, but I also believe that our very own children carry a special place in the heart of God and are meant to be a part of a divine plan to also impact this planet. What could happen if we as mothers, fathers, and grandparents tune in to what God is saying over these young lives and announce it as a prophetic word over them?

Just like Zechariah saying, "And you, my little son, will be called a prophet of the Most High" what are the things God want us to tell our little ones, our preteens, and our young people? May I encourage you today, to allow the miracle of new life and motherhood, fatherhood, or even being a grandparent, to cause you to hear the voice of God so clearly as to speak into their future, the plans of God. These words are more important than a mere emotional response, but they are words themselves birthed in the heart of God and He is looking for them to be spoken over the precious lives of our children.

If you are far removed from this stage of life, don't let it become old to you. Read the story Luke tells of how significant the pregnancies and births of John and Jesus were, and understand the significance of not only our own children or grandchildren, but also those not yet born. Pray into their future. Tune in to hearing the voice of God regarding their destiny in God. I believe that as we do, we will be used by God to speak as Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah did and thereby brought about God's intentions. As you do this, thank God for allowing you to be the one He's placed in the exact spot to speak on His behalf into the life of a little child of His!

2009-10-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

Week 5 The Story of Nate Saint

My Daily Portion:
Monday: Exodus 7-8, Psalms 29, Mark 9.
Tuesday: Exodus 9-10, Psalms 30, Mark 10.
Wednesday: Exodus 11-12, Psalms 31, Mark11.
Thursday: Exodus 13-14, Psalms 32, Mark 12.
Friday: Exodus 15-16, Psalms 33, Mark 13.
Saturday: Exodus 17-18, Psalms 34, Mark 14.
Sunday: Exodus 19-20, Psalms 35, Mark 15.

Psalms 34:3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

One of the most inspirational things I like to do is to read a biography or watch a show about the life of someone I admire. There are heroes in every generation whose stories reveal their depth of character and incredible sense of a calling much greater than themselves, driving them forward even in hostile environments and causing them to become people of great influence on the earth. Being a person of influence doesn't mean that you must come from 'good stock,' or from wealthy background.

Psalms 16:3 says, the godly in the land are my true heroes. I can't help but dig up every story I can of godly people who have been influential in our history as believers. Recently I have been reading the story once again of the jungle pilot named, Nate Saint, who along with his wife, Marj, and 3 young children, moved to Ecuador to live and work as missionaries. Nate, along with 4 other missionaries gave their lives (killed by the spears of the people they were trying to reach). They were Auca people who had never heard the name of Jesus before. The story is retold in the movie called 'The End of the Spear'.

The story in itself is incredible, but in reading the book called, Jungle Pilot, The Life and Witness of Nate Saint, the last page is a copy of a letter written by Marj to her children, just a few years following the death of their Daddy. As I read her perspective which she gives to her children, I am in awe of her walk with God and her commitment to Him. She is a hero of heroes.....here is bit of that letter for you to read.

My darling children, The story of your father's life has now been written. A few years ago there would have been no need to write these things, but there came a day when I had to tell you our Daddy wasn't coming back to live with us - he had gone with four of his friends to live with Jesus in heaven....Some day, my precious jewels, your hearts will be even more tender and your minds more curious than now. Then you will ask, "Why did my Daddy go among those savage Aucas?" The very best answer I can give you is to recall the night Daddy read the story of Noah from the Old Testament, and to remind you how Daddy prayed afterward that he, like Noah, would be faithful and do all that God commanded him to do.....For a long time you children have prayed for the Aucas. Now Auntie Rachel and Auntie Betty are living down in the jungle with the Aucas. Someday, perhaps soon, you may meet some of the men who killed Daddy. Daddy would want you to love them and thank our Heavenly Father that our prayers for these Indians are being answered. It's my heart's desire, Kathy, Stevie, and Philip, that this biography will help you, and others who read it, to see the importance of knowing God's will for your lives and of following Him in simple obedience. Love, Mother.

The writing of this biographical book was dedicated to Marj Saint, and on this dedication page it was noted that Marj's husband, Nate, had chosen this beautiful Scripture verse to have engraved in her wedding ring. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. What a beautiful testimony!

I am encouraged to become like the Saints in my commitment to God and His calling. May their story also minister to you as it has to me.

2009-10-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

Week 4 - Tender Tears

My Daily Portion:
Monday: Genesis 43-44, Psalms 22, Mark 2.
Tuesday: Genesis 45-46, Psalms 23, Mark 3.
Wednesday: Genesis 47-48, Psalms 24, Mark 4.
Thursday: Genesis 49-50, Psalms 25, Mark 5.
Friday: Exodus 1-2, Psalms 26, Mark 6.
Saturday: Exodus 3-4, Psalms 27, Mark 7.
Sunday: Exodus 5-6, Psalms 28, Mark 8.

Genesis 50:19-21 But Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don't be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children." So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

One of my favorite people when I was a young girl, was my friends mother, Beth. Beth was the most animated and funny story-teller I knew. I loved listening to her hilarious stories about the mishaps of being a young bride, an inexperienced cook, getting in a wrestling match out in the pasture with her stubborn cow in the rain and mud, wearing mismatched dress shoes out of the house, and the list goes on and on. We would laugh until we cried at her kitchen table, as we could just picture her crazy life. But there was another side to Beth, which I remember more fondly than her funny stories. It was when the conversation would turn to the things of God. Whenever Beth would share a word or a testimony, she would begin to cry. They were not sad tears, just tears which showed her sensitivity to the Lord. I don't know if Beth knows that a young kid took notice of her. I couldn't help but notice this lady who was so genuinely in love with Jesus, that he moved her to tears each time she spoke of Him.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Genesis again, and its most remarkable stories! I have been shocked once again at the story of Joseph and his life's journey. His story is filled with drama and almost unbelievable bouts of bad luck, all the way to an unusual favor which could only happen in fairy tales. Many lessons for life are to be drawn from the true story, but one in particular gets my attention this time. It is the tenderness of a man who could have spent his years nurturing an offense against his brothers, but instead saw the whole thing as an act of God's love for his family.

Those older brothers were the picture of what rivalries, and jealousies are all about. They hated Joseph's relationship with his dad, and they hated the dreams he'd had, which seemed to point to his own big destiny some day, where they would be somehow in a lesser position than Joseph. They hated him so badly that they considered murdering him, but settled on selling him to a caravan of slave traders who were on their way out of the country, and they hoped they'd never see or hear from him again!

Joseph did encounter many promotions along the way, but he also was treated unjustly many times. Joseph was plucked from his family while he was only 17 years old and had not seen His father or his littlest brother since that time! He was thrown in prison as he was falsely accused of raping someone. While in the prison, he aided in someones release, while he was casually forgotten by the same man for 2 more long years before he was remembered.

When I read what happened when Joseph saw his brothers for the first time after all those years, I am still in awe of his emotional response. When he saw them the for first time, they had come to ask for food, and he remembered his dream and realized it was now coming to pass - his own brothers were here at his mercy, and the Bible tells us that Joseph wept! Later on, when Joseph was able to reveal his own identity to his brothers, he wept again, now telling them what happened from his perspective, only his take on events was so filled with love and tenderness. He told them not to be angry with themselves, and that God had planned this whole thing as a way to preserve them all!

I think my very favorite of Joseph's responses to his brothers is the last one in Chapter 50, verse. 17-19. Once Joseph's father had died, the brothers were worried once again that Joseph would take his opportunity to get back at them for their cruelty. Upon hearing this, once again, he "broke down and wept..."No, don't be afraid, I will continue to take care of you and your children." So he reassured them by speaking kind words to them.

How did Joseph do it? How did he have what it took to be so tender to his own family, who had intended to kill him and his dreams? I believe the answer is tucked away in an earlier chapter, chapter 13 verse 21. It says, "but the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love." It was the love of God which kept Joseph sweet! God showed Joseph His own tender and loving nature while in the prison, so that when Joseph was out of the prison, he would have that same nature at work in his own life!

How about you? Are you in some kind of prison? Possibly it's a prison where you could be tempted to nurture a host of disappointments with other people. Maybe the prison you are in is as a result of the choices others have made or because of false accusations. Maybe you are stuck living with the consequences of others lives, if not physically, then emotionally! That prison is the most obvious place to breed contempt and hatred, self-pity, or an unhealthy withdrawing of your emotions.

God loves to visit people who are in prisons. He offers the same to us today. Not just a visitation while in prison, but he will be with us for the duration, and it is here that He shows us His faithful love. He feeds us wholesome food, He cleans and dresses our dirty wounds, and He lets us know that He has not forgotten us while the world seems to carry on without us for the season of our imprisonment. He knows that one day, we will get out of this place, and if we have taken Him up on His love while we're in prison, we will be capable of love once we're out of prison.

I encourage you today, to allow God to show Himself to you, and give you perspective on your life, to make you sweet, whether in prison, or out of it. Allow the tenderness of God to make you as tender as Joseph. If He can turn things around for Joseph, then He can do it for you!

2009-09-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

Week 3 - Christ Gave Up His Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

My Daily Portion:
Monday: Genesis 29-30, Psalms 15, Matthew 23.
Tuesday: Genesis 31-32, Psalms 16, Matthew 24.
Wednesday: Genesis 33-34, Psalms 17, Matthew 25.
Thursday: Genesis 35-36, Psalms 18, Matthew 26.
Friday: Genesis 37-38, Psalms 19, Matthew 27.
Saturday: Genesis 39-40, Psalms 20, Matthew 28.
Sunday: Genesis 41-42, Psalms 21, Mark 1.

Matthew 26:14 Then Judas.... went to the leading priests and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him 30 pieces of silver.

When I thought on this verse for awhile an old song began to play in my head. My dad used to sing it many years ago. I don't remember all the words, but it says this, "Thirty pieces of silver, was the price they paid. Thirty pieces of silver - just the price of a slave." The writers of this old Gospel song knew the significance of those thirty pieces of silver. Judas was given a sum of money for the betrayal of Jesus, and that amount was the same amount that could have bought a slave in those days.

A quick look at Philippians 2 verse 7 says, "Instead, he gave up his divine privileges, he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being." Jesus took the whole slave treatment serious! He was literally treated as a slave from His humble birth when there was no room for Him at the Inn, to His betrayal and the thirty pieces of silver for which He was valued at.

The thirty pieces of silver was all a part of the Divine Plan, as this number was even mentioned in the book of Zechariah 11:12-13, years earlier. So, when it happened that Judas was given this amount of money to do his dirty deed, it was already planned by God and was all coming to pass as the prophet had foretold.

One of the most incredible and powerful documents as a Canadian, is our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is a part of our Canadian Constitution, and as such, is the highest law in our nation. That Charter is so important to most of us, yet we probably never take the time to think of it's great value to us. Our charter is filled with the rights granted to all citizens of our great country, including the right to life and liberty, the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, equality for men and women alike, and a right to have a voice in the democratic process.

After growing up here in Canada, I can't even imagine the horrors of dictatorships, tyrants, communism, fascism, and many other 'isms.' Can you even imagine leaving it all behind and willingly subjecting yourself to a place where all freedoms are taken from you? Not only that, but to a place where most couldn't recognize you or your previous status (ie. God and Creator of the Universe), and you were instead beaten and then forced to carry your own cross, while naked, then slowly tortured and treated like the worst criminal as if you deserved death?

Jesus, our lovely and wonderful Jesus, did this for us! He left all of His rights and privileges as God, and came to the earth, to be mistreated, unrecognized, and unrealized by most. However, there were some who did! Some did believe Him when he talked of His home country, Heaven! Some did call Him "Lord!" Some did look past the slave - and could actually see the Son of God! Those ones eventually gave their own lives, literally, for the One who gave Himself first, for them! His value to them, was much more than thirty pieces of silver, but instead, he was worth everything!

When I think of all He gave up, I am amazed once again at His love for me! He must have thought it was worth it! He must have thought you and I were worth it, and because of that, I give Him my complete everything. Why? Because He's worth it! I thank God today, that He gave up HIs rights, so I could have Him!

2009-09-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

Week 2 - Jump Into the TV!

My Daily Portion:
Monday: Genesis 16-17, Psalms 8, Matthew 13.
Tuesday: Genesis 18-19, Psalms 9, Matthew 14-15.
Wednesday: Genesis 20-21, Psalms 10, Matthew 16-17.
Thursday: Genesis 22-23, Psalms 11, Matthew 18.
Friday: Genesis 24, Psalms 12, Matthew 19-20.
Saturday: Genesis 25-26, Psalms 13, Matthew 21.
Sunday: Genesis 27-28, Psalms 14, Matthew 22.

Psalm 1:2b ... and in His law he meditates day and night.

One of the delights I presently enjoy, is watching my youngest daughter grow. As a 3 year old she truly experiences her television shows. She gets so engaged in a movie that she often wants to "jump into" the TV and interact with the characters she feels are her friends. Her emotions get very involved and she believes that she is living the story herself, in the moment. Like the rest of us watching a good show, she can shut out the world and be in another reality.

Meditation is something like that. Meditation on the Word of God is not purely 'emptying' oneself, but it is more of an 'entering into' - into another reality. There are many ways to do this, but all are centered around Christ. One of the simplest ways is to look at the Word of God and seek to "jump into" the story and allow God to speak to us as if we had really been there. Sound strange? Believers through the ages practised this form of meditation. Listen to this....

Alexander Whyte (1836-1921) - "the truly Christian imagination never lets Jesus out of her sight.....You open up your New Testament......And, by your imagination, that moment you are one of Christ's disciples on the spot, and are at His feet. With your imagination anointed with holy oil, you again open your New Testament. At one time, you are the publican: at another time, you are the prodigal...at another time, you are Mary Magdalene: at another time, Peter in the porch...Till your whole New Testament is all over autobiographic of you."

Isn't that fascinating? Why would this be beneficial to any Christian? Well, one simple answer is this. The Bible says in the Book of James, that Gods law is like looking at our face in a mirror. When I get up in the morning, I look at the mirror so I can take care of a few things that need to get fixed before going anywhere! When I enter into meditation as if "jumping into" a Bible passage or story, I often recognize the potential in me to be any one of those characters! At times I feel as though I am the hero and other times just as much a villain.

I remember the first time I watched the "Passion of The Christ", by Mel Gibson. I was in a church with other ministry leaders gathered for an initial previewing of the film. At first, I identified myself as one of Jesus true disciples. Of course, I was one of the 'good guys'. For a moment, I could see myself as Mary, the mother of Jesus and I felt like I knew some of her suffering, as if a sword had pierced my very soul. I thought of myself as Pilate's wife who was troubled in her dreams because of Jesus and who urged her husband to leave Jesus alone. Then things somehow shifted and I found myself literally sobbing when I suddenly saw myself as one of Jesus betrayers and even His frenzied torturer, a Roman soldier, with a whip and a hammer in my own hand. Then, for a brief moment, I felt the loneliness and grief of the suffering Jesus, my beautiful Jesus. I was left at the end of the film, looking at myself, realizing the great debt I had been forgiven, and wanting more than ever to answer the call which was ringing in my ears. I felt the Lord Jesus, Himself was saying to me, "Whom shall I send?" Everything in me was shouting the reply, "Here I am, Lord. Send me!"

God intends for His Word to involve us and impact us in this way. It may be an historical book, yet it is as if it takes place right now, today! This book is alive and filled with the Jesus who is alive and speaking to us today. When you read, make sure you take some time to enter into it's reality and see what is being spoken to your heart. Let it be, as Alexander Whyte said, "an autobiographic of you."

NOTE: Quotation from THE CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE, by Richard J. Foster, Harper Collins Publishers, 1978, 1988, 1998.

Welcome to My Blog

2009-09-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

Here it is already September, and life is getting back into routine. I love the feeling of starting a new year at the same time as the kids are going back to school. In many ways, September is as much a New Year as January 1st. As we head into this year, 2009/2010, I am excited at the the prospect of uncovering all the things God has hidden away for us in His Word. As a prospector searches for gold, I feel that we as God's people ought to look at God's Word as a gold mine waiting for someone to discover and unearth all of it's goodness. The real treasure to be found is in the Person of Jesus Christ. He is our Portion. He is our Reward.

If you are like me, and enjoy setting new goals, and look at new seasons as a whole new prospect, why don't you follow along with me in this passionate pursuit of Jesus, by reading through the Bible in one year, as well as reading Psalms and Proverbs twice during that time? I know it's a discipline, and takes hard work and resolve, but we can do it! I believe that there is a Reward for us every time we approach the Word of God, seeking to understand Him and His ways.

You are welcome to join me starting September 14, 2009 in a whole new beginning - reading through the Bible in one year. I will be posting (weekly on Mondays), the Scripture readings for each day of the week, called "My Portion." Also, I will post a blog at least once a week in "My Notebook," which will be contain discoveries I am making along the way. I think you will find these little notes inspiring and useful in your own pursuit of the God who makes Himself known to those who look for Him.

Week 1 - Who's that lady?

2009-09-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

Week 1/52

My Daily Portion:
Monday: Genesis 1-2, Psalms 1, Matthew 1-2.
Tuesday: Genesis 3-4, Psalms 2, Matthew 3-4.
Wednesday: Genesis 5-7, Psalms 3, Matthew 5.
Thursday: Genesis 8-9, Psalms 4, Matthew 6-7.
Friday: Genesis 10-11, Psalms 5, Matthew 8-9.
Saturday: Genesis 12-13, Psalms 6, Matthew 10-11.
Sunday: Genesis 14-15, Psalms 7, Matthew 12.

Psalms Chapter 1:2 But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.

I recently spent some time with some old friends. Actually, they were not just old friends, but our pastor and his wife from a number of years ago. Over twenty years ago, I saw this lovely lady making it her priority to memorize the Scriptures in large portions. Every morning she would spend a chunk of time learning new verses and reviewing previously memorized ones. She had a strategy for this and was very disciplined.

It had been years since seeing her last, and when I recently saw her again I asked her how her memorization was going. To my delight she had now memorized certain chapters of Psalms, and some from the Gospels, Romans, many others. She had memorized the entire books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 John, and was now working on the book of Hebrews!

I was captivated by her speech. She was not the same lady who used to be quiet and shy. Still gentle and soft-spoken, and not looking for centre stage, I now saw a woman full of passion! She had passion for people, passion for prayer, and passion for the prophetic! I was thrilled at the results of her life. She was to be admired in every way, as I could see how the Word of God had literally shaped who she had now become. She had delighted in Gods law all these years, and it had not become old or dry to her. She was living with purpose and was putting into action the Word of God.

I love seeing the fruit of people who have immersed themselves in the Good Word of God. The Bible says in Psalms 1 verse 3, that these people who delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it, are like trees planted by streams of living water. They are always bearing fruit, no matter what the season of life happens to be, and whatever they do, they are prospering. Isaiah 55: 11 says the same thing - that Gods Word always produces fruit and that it will accomplish all that God wants it to, and that it will prosper everywhere God sends it!

Do you get the connection? Producing fruit and prospering are both connected to God’s Word! Make it your aim, your goal, this year, to put your delight in the Law of the Lord, and to meditate day and night on it. Get focused on the Word of God and see how you, too, will be constantly bearing fruit and prospering in all you do.