October 3, 2012

SCRIPTURE

COLOSSIANS 1:3-6

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

OBSERVATION

Paul is writing to the church at Colosse from his prison cell in Rome. Colosse was founded when one of Paul’s converts at Ephesus, Epaphras, traveled to Colosse and preached the gospel. After this, the church at Colosse was under attack for heresy, and Epaphras visited to check on them, then went to visit Paul to report on the church, which inspired this letter. What strikes me in this greeting is Paul’s great example of building up the confidence of his flock. He immediately praises the people for what they are doing correctly instead of condemning them for what they are not. And what does he praise? Their love for all God’s people. The second thing that strikes me is from where that love comes. Paul writes it so beautifully: it’s from ‘the faith and love that spring up from the hope’ we have in heaven.  Finally, he lays out a reference map, if you will, of how the gospel spreads and bears fruit, which is through our understanding of God’s grace. What this says is: until we actually comprehend the enormity of the gift God is giving us we just aren’t excited enough to inspire curiosity and excitement, and eventually conversion and change, in others.

APPLICATION

I often struggle with the “doing” of evangelism.  I’m not particularly charismatic; I’m quiet, shy, and introverted, and all of those things impede my readiness to share my faith.  But when I really think about how amazing it is that God not only created everything and did all the amazing things He did to make the universe work, but He also knows me and loves me, and considers me His child, and forgives me again, and again, and again, and again when I fail, simply because of His grace and the intercession of Jesus, I am overwhelmed with emotion.  Even I become excited and want to be able to tell the people that I see that everything makes sense!  There is a purpose!  We are all useful, loveable children of God, and we can be redeemed!  Enthusiasm is infectious, but it’s up to me to keep that fire stoked and my brain at the ready so I can share whenever, wherever, with all the joy that the peace of my relationship with God gives me.

PRAYER

Father, grow in me the ability to stoke the fire of faithfulness and joy in Your gift of grace. Help me to see the everyday opportunities to share how amazing this gift is, how absolutely free and how wonderful the freedom feels once it’s been accepted.  God, awake in me that appreciation of every person as one of Your children, made in Your image, and help me to love them in the way that pleases You.  I want to always please You and do the work that You have asked; God, give me Your strength and spirit of action in order to work well in Your ways. In Your precious Son’s name…Amen.

April 4, 2012

SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 17:38-40 - Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.  David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.


OBSERVATION
This comes as Saul was falling out of favor as king of Israel in God's eyes, and David was rising as the anointed one to be the next king. It is also, of course, the beginning of the David and Goliath story.  David has volunteered to go and take on Goliath as he believes he is protected by God.  Saul finally agrees to let him go, then dresses him in Saul's own battle gear. David walks around in it for a minute, then shrugs the gear off because he can't move; then he leaves to meet with Goliath, and ultimately slays him using only his slingshot and a stone.


APPLICATION
I thought of why this detail would be included in the Bible, and believing that God has left all the details in for a reason, this is my supposition:  We are all called to do battle daily, but we are called to do our OWN battle, in our own skins, using our own skills as weapons.  I find that sometimes I try to take on the attitudes and "armor" of the people around me that I admire, but God has equipped us all uniquely, differently from anyone else, for a reason, and when I do stray away from what is naturally me, it feels artificial and unwieldy.  David had been skilled in using his slingshot and his stones in the fields, and he knew that in order to capitalize on what he was good at, he needed to be clothed in his normal attire.  Anything else would be false and would interfere with his mission.  When I see people around me that handle situations with an attitude or a mechanism that I don't possess or isn't natural to me, it's ok to appreciate that fact, but I should be wary of trying on the armor of others because it is tailored to their lives, not mine.  That's not to say we can't hone our skills and practice with new things, but we shouldn't go out and face an opponent (such as daily life!) wearing something we are not sure how to use.


PRAYER
God, allow me to recognize my own capabilities and skills and use them according to Your will.  Help me to refrain from borrowing from others what is not meant to be for me - keep me focused on my mission and the tools I have and am comfortable with, knowing that it is Your power that backs them up and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, not through my own efforts. In your name, Amen.


More information about 1 Samuel:  http://biblica.com/niv/study-bible/1-samuel/

March 21, 2012

SCRIPTURE

Joshua 9:14

The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.

OBSERVATION

This short and to-the-point verse comes as Joshua and the Israelites were taking over the land of Canaan.  They had defeated the towns of Jericho and Ai as per God's instructions - He had told them to clear the land of everyone there and make it their own.  Another local tribe, the Gibeonites, heard of the defeat of those cities and lived in fear of being destroyed.  They devised a plan wherein they would send out a party of men disguised as being from a far-off land.  They wore dirty and torn clothing, carried stale and moldy bread, and used wineskins that were old and patched to imitate the effects of long travel. They presented themselves to Joshua and the Israelites and said, "Make a treaty with us!".  Joshua questioned them about where they were from and the Gibeonites lied, saying they were from far away.  They said, look at us, look at our clothing, we've come so far to meet with you!  And so the Israelites, although suspicious, believed them.  In the verse I chose here, it says "they sampled their provisions", meaning they checked out the moldy bread and sour wine and saw their patched clothing, but they "did not inquire of the LORD."  They made the treaty with them, then later found out that the Gibeonites had lied, and still they had to honor the treaty in spite of God's command.

 

APPLICATION
How often do I forget to inquire of the LORD when faced with a challenge?  I can think of SO many times when I wrestled with a decision and I, for whatever reason, didn't consult God.  Sometimes it worked out, but often it didn't.  Now, it's my belief that God speaks to us mainly through his Word, so when thinking of consulting God I do mean going to Him in prayer, but I also mean consulting His life manual - the Bible.  Pray for wisdom and for the Holy Spirit to help you to see clearly, but consult the Book for what to do.  God has given us this enormous gift that details pretty much every single situation you could think of, and what was done and how it turned out.  In reading these stories we can fathom the heart of God on any question.  It just takes some familiarity with the Word, some prayer, and some wise people with whom we can review what we see before us.  It's just so sad that we ignore this incredible resource sometimes.  (I know, I'm harping on the same subject as last week...but it's been really clear to me lately just how important it is!)

PRAYER
God, lead me to wisdom.  Keep your Spirit active in me, guiding me to consult You in all things.  Help me to understand that I can inquire of You in all situations, at all times, and You will be faithful in setting my path clearly before me, step by step.  Let me think first of You when faced with any decision.  In Your Son's name, Amen.

More information about Joshua:  http://biblica.com/niv/study-bible/joshua/

March 14, 2012

SCRIPTURE

Deuteronomy 30:11-14

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

OBSERVATION

This is God speaking through Moses to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the land of Canaan.  God was being very specific in Deuteronomy and reiterating his law and commandments so that the Israelites would be fully prepared to follow Him completely in the land that He had given them.  He repeats this theme throughout the book - in fact I had originally had several additional passages picked out to write about:  Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 11:18-21, and 29:29.  They all deal with God stressing to His people the importance of knowing what He expects from them, and actually doing it!  Again and again He tells them that He knows they are a "stiff-necked" people (stubborn) and that He is giving them these laws for their good.  What He is saying is just that knowing His word enables us to follow Him, so...learn it.

APPLICATION
I think of my own resistance to committing verses to memory and wonder why.  The verses that I have memorized I refer to constantly; in counseling myself during inner monologues and in speaking with others - it's so obviously beneficial, but I struggle with the discipline of learning more.  God says here that He has given us this immeasurably precious gift in order to help us, to keep us close to Him.  He has placed it at our fingertips, knowing the human tendency toward laziness and justification of bad behaviors.  We have no excuses.

PRAYER
Holy Father, I thank you for giving us this amazing gift.  A how-to manual for life!  I praise you for your grace and forgiveness for us all.  Please stir in me a deep hunger for Your word - give me the strength of will to overcome all distractions and lack of discipline and grow in me the template of how to live my life for You, by planting your very thoughts in me.  In Your Son's name, Amen.

More information about Deuteronomy:  http://biblica.com/niv/study-bible/deuteronomy/

March 7, 2012

SCRIPTURE
Numbers 33:50-56 - On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the LORD said to Moses, ⁵¹ “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, ⁵² drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. ⁵³ Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. ⁵⁴ Distribute the land by lot, according to your clans. To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one. Whatever falls to them by lot will be theirs. Distribute it according to your ancestral tribes.
⁵⁵ “‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live.

Deuteronomy 7:25 - ²⁵ The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God.

OBSERVATION
I chose these two passages in conjunction because they really seemed to me that they could be one thought in the mind of God.  The Israelites were at the end of their 40 year exile in the desert and were told by God to go to the promised land of Canaan and overtake it.  What's key to me in these words is God's stress on the idea of cleansing the area first.  In Numbers 33:52, He says to destroy the carved image and their idols, and that is repeated in Deuteronomy 7:25.  Then, in Numbers 33:55 He gives a strong warning:  "If you do not drive them out, they will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides - they will give you trouble in the land where you live". 

APPLICATION
This speaks to me in the way that we have to change our ways to be a Christ follower.  When we first commit ourselves, there are dangerous inhabitants in the land where we live: our sin patterns and the idols we have surrounded ourselves with.  Even as a more mature follower there are things we allow in our lives that corrupt us and distract us from the ways of God, things that are detestable to Him; things we are ensnared by.  That sentence:  "they will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your side" resonates so clearly when I think about bad habits I have that really are barbs and thorns.  I have never been one to advocate shunning the world around us because of its sin - I think that in order to execute the Great Commission we really need to be foot soldiers on the ground who understand the culture that is enslaving the lost, so I don't think this verse applies to actually weeding out every person in our lives who is a sinner (there would be no one left!).  When I think of its application it seems more that it is a symbol of removing those bad habits and patterns we have that we think are too insignificant to bother with.  Instead, it is saying that if we allow ANY of those to live with us without resistance, we are encouraging their growth and their negative impact on our happiness and our relationship with God.

PRAYER
Father, root out in me all my patterns of sin and my habits that are detestable to you.  Bring them to the light so that I can see the damage that they do.  Help me to clear my soul of the things that ensnare me and keep distance between us - give me strength to overcome the desire to ignore the small details, because all details are important to You.  Give me the courage to face the things I'd rather not think about, the dark places of the soul, so that I can become the Godly woman you created me to be.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

More information about the book of Numbers:
http://www.biblica.com/niv/study-bible/numbers/

More information about the book of Deuteronomy:
http://www.biblica.com/niv/study-bible/deuteronomy/

February 28th, 2012

SCRIPTURE
Numbers 11:21-23
But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?” The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”

OBSERVATION
This occurs while Moses and the Israelites are wandering in the desert.  They have been eating nothing but manna and are getting pretty tired of it...they begin to moan and whine to Moses about wanting meat.  He is frustrated about having to shepherd all these people and is tired of the whining.  Moses turns to God and asks him to help - God says, sure, but rest assured, I will give them more meat than they bargained for...and Moses starts to question God on that, scoffing at the idea.  So God chimes in and says, "is my arm too short?", saying "do you really think I cannot accomplish this??".

APPLICATION
This passage gets me thinking about all the times in scripture people question God's ability to follow through on His promises.  I think of this passage, then of Abraham and Sarah, and her laughter at getting pregnant, then I think of all the times I question God's ability to do what seems to be impossible.  It's so easy think of God in terms of our physical realm and the scientific parameters we know, and to disregard the fact that He is outside these restraints.  He truly can do ANYTHING, and we need to train ourselves to not restrict God in this way. 

PRAYER
Father, when I think of you, help me to not hold you to the restrictions of the world.  You surpass the world, you created the world, and I need to recognize your power and might.  You can do all things, even things I could never imagine.  Let me not question your promise, remind me of all that you have done and how faithful you are to your word, and remind me of my place.  Teach me humility and awe for your power and grace.  In the name of your Son, who came to earth as a man born of a virgin, to die for our sins.  Amen.

More info on the book of Numbers:  http://www.biblica.com/niv/study-bible/numbers/

February 13, 2012

SCRIPTURE

Leviticus 5:1-5 -  If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible. If anyone becomes aware that they are guilty—if they unwittingly touch anything ceremonially unclean (whether the carcass of an unclean animal, wild or domestic, or of any unclean creature that moves along the ground) and they are unaware that they have become unclean, but then they come to realize their guilt;  or if they touch human uncleanness (anything that would make them unclean) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt;  or if anyone thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil (in any matter one might carelessly swear about) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt— when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned.

OBSERVATION

Leviticus can be a difficult read, mainly because it is basically a long list of instructions and also so much of it seems (to me) incongruent with our current society. However, when I was reading this passage it really stands out as relevant.  Obviously the whole Bible is relevant as God’s Word for us, but since culturally we are very different from the ancient Hebrews, it’s a little difficult to comprehend the descriptions of what kind of animals to sacrifice for which sins, the technical details about the building of the tabernacle, and so on.  What I like about the passage I have chosen is that this illustrates the principle of individual responsibility.  Each statement says “when they learn of it and realize their guilt” then they are responsible to confess the sin and take steps to atone for it. 

APPLICATION

We all do thoughtless things every day, and when we become aware of the inappropriateness of what we’ve done (either by having someone point it out or by self-realization) we are under obligation to do something about it.  When we raise our kids, and we witness some wrong they have done, we ask “What did you just do?” and once they figure out what part of what they’d done was wrong, then we apply the punishment for it.  The significance is in realizing what we’ve done – this is God’s way of teaching us to be better the same way we teach our kids to be better.  All scripture is pertinent and full of God’s truth and this passage illustrates that humanity is humanity, little has changed in the thousands of years since this was written as far as the way we behave; it’s just the context of the behavior that is different.  Truth is eternal!

PRAYER

Lord, let me be always aware of my own wrongdoing.  Help me to prevent it when possible but if I thoughtlessly sin, let me recognize it and repent.  To get closer to You, God, is my desire, and only by refuting my sinful nature and following your teaching can I learn more about Your goodness and how to be more like You meant me to be.  God, please give me courage to confess my sins and bring them to the light so that I can be redeemed from them.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

More about Leviticus:

http://biblica.com/niv/study-bible/leviticus/

February 7, 2012

SCRIPTURE
Exodus 4:10-13 -  Moses said to the LORD, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The LORD said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”


OBSERVATION
Moses was in front of the burning bush, listening to God speak to him.  An Angel of the Lord had called Moses over and he was surely feeling pretty weird about it all, as he heard God speak through a bush that was on fire yet not consumed, and considering what he was being asked.  God was asking Moses to go to Pharoah, King of Egypt, and speak to him about letting the Israelites go.  Now, Moses had been in trouble prior to this, having killed an Egyptian and fleeing to Midian to escape punishment.  I'm sure he was thinking "NO WAY am I going back to where I was wanted as a murderer..." on top of all his other fears and misgivings.  I try to put myself in Moses' sandals during this scene.  He seems, of all the people in the Bible, one of the most approachable and fallible; and is so easy to relate to.  That's why this passage speaks to me - when God says, "Who gave human beings their mouths?" - saying, 'I created you and everything else and I will give you the words to say and the strength to say them', Moses still replies, essentially, "Um, thanks, but no thanks."


APPLICATION
How many times have I said to God, "Please send someone else."?  How many times have I felt the Holy Spirit's prompting to speak to someone, or to raise my hand to volunteer, or felt that internal push telling me to do something outside my comfort zone, and yet I did nothing?  God has said over and over in Scripture that HE will provide the words, the wisdom, the softening of heart, the strengthening of spirit, for us as we go out and serve Him, and yet it is SO easy to forget that and think we have to rely on ourselves - who we know to be weak.  God came through for Moses, and Paul, and everyone else who trusted Him, so we need to trust Him too.


PRAYER
Father, help me in my insecurity and my weakness to know that you are the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that you are the God who gave Moses the words to change the history of the world.  That you are the God who gave words to Paul as he spread your message throughout the ancient world.  That you are the God who has sustained His church thousands of years - You will not fail me in my hour of need, when I am serving You.  Help me to recognize those moments when You are urging me to act and speak in Your behalf, give me courage and strength to share You with all.  When you ask me, Lord, don't let me say "Please, send someone else" - let me say, "where & when".  In Jesus' name - Amen.


More information on Exodus:  http://biblica.com/niv/study-bible/exodus/

January 24, 2012

SCRIPTURE

Job 33:23-30 - Yet if there is an angel at their side, a messenger, one out of a thousand,
sent to tell them how to be upright, and he is gracious to that person and says to God,
‘Spare them from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for them—let their flesh be renewed like a child’s; let them be restored as in the days of their youth’— then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God’s face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being.  And they will go to others and say, ‘I have sinned, I have perverted what is right, but I did not get what I deserved. God has delivered me from going down to the pit,
and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’  “God does all these things to a person—twice, even three times— to turn them back from the pit, that the light of life may shine on them.

OBSERVATION

Job had been tormented, having his wealth, health, family, friends and stature in the community taken from him by Satan.  He was having a pity party for himself, crying out to God, 'Why me?  I'm a good guy!', and his three friends had countered with arguments against him until they finally got tired of the argument and had nothing left to say.  At that point  Elihu steps in to speak out, angry that Job's friends had given up and angry that Job was convinced he was righteous.  He lashes out and says, (essentially) 'Job, listen, I'm young, you're old, I let you go on and on out of respect for your age, but let me tell you - you have it all wrong.  You deserve everything you got and more, we all do, it's only God's mercy for us that saves us from the same fate.'  This whole passage that I am writing on really clarifies the Gospel for me.  It's a true indicator of the message of Jesus - the messenger sent to tell us how to be upright, the person who intercedes on our behalf and prevents the consequences we all deserve.

APPLICATION 
We have to get rid of our sense of entitlement to a "good life".  What we deserve is exactly what happened to Job.  Any bit of health, wealth, happiness we have is given to us by God and gratitude is the only appropriate response.  Follow our leader, Jesus...but always remember that God can and will intercede in our lives to offer us correction when necessary, even twice or three times.  Job never blamed God directly for his troubles, but he did spend a lot of time defending himself - we have absolutely no defense.  When in God's presence, we need to immediately own up to our faults, failures, and supply the only evidence we have - Jesus died for us, in spite of our inadequacies.  He loves us, and that is all that can save us.

PRAYER
Father, grow in me a sense of gratitude.  Let me be ever watchful of my thoughts and actions, grasping them when I can and making sure that they are in obedience to you, and mindful of your grace and mercy and love.  Help me to be aware of the enormity of what you have done to save me and everyone else who would believe.  God, be with me, Jesus, be my intercessor.  In your name I ask this, amen.

For much more information and history on the book of Job, look here:

http://biblica.com/niv/study-bible/job/

January 18, 2012

SCRIPTURE
Genesis 3:6 - When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

OBSERVATION
Eve had just fallen for, literally, the oldest trick in the book - listening to the insinuations of the enemy, saying that God is "holding out" on us, and believing that all-consuming lie: that we deserve equality with God.  It got me thinking, how often do I go through life, especially with my insatiable curiosity, wishing that I had the key to all knowledge?  Even in reading through these 36 chapters in Genesis, I found myself wishing I had all the "missing" data, the detailed information for each individual, so that I could study further and draw my own conclusions.

APPLICATION
Instead of finding the living Word of God fulfilling, and understanding that He was showing us everything we really needed to know, I was spending my time wishing He'd give ME the information I think I need.  What arrogance!  And I know that I too can infect the people around me, just as Eve did with Adam, by stirring dissatisfaction.  I do this when I look at my life and find it wanting, or when I encourage others to look beyond their own boundaries.  Not that curiosity is inherently bad, or that striving to improve one's life is negative, but if my motive is impure in any way, I'm causing them to stumble, just as Eve did for Adam. 

PRAYER
Father, help me to realize that you are El-Shaddai, God Almighty, and I am NOT.  I need to examine my own thoughts, desires and motives always.  Rein in my sense of entitlement to understanding and accept that You are God, and I am a mortal, and I should be grateful for the fact that I have life at all, not keep searching for what I don't have.  The consequences can be enormous, for me and everyone else I am in contact with!  Please keep my arrogance in check and help me to be satisfied with all that you have given me, because I deserve none of it.  In Jesus' name - Amen.

January 3, 2012

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 97:2a - Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;

OBSERVATION
The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs, separated into sections based on themes.  This passage falls into a group celebrating God's reign over the universe, and this in particular is describing God and how he relates to the earth He's created.  The thing that strikes me in this short phrase is it's saying that God is veiled, and we see Him only by the power of the Holy Spirit, which in turn means that to everyone else, God is invisible, or even appears dark.  I think of all the people out there who mock God, or doubt his existence, or even think of Him as a negative thing, and it suddenly makes more sense.  He is veiled from them completely.  Imagine the loneliness, the purposelessness, the sense of futility!

APPLICATION
God is revealed to all through the Word and through His creation, but without the Spirit we see only a glimmer of hope, a glint of light, and that is often seen only by those seeking it.  We must keep our eyes open at all times in order to highlight that brief glance for those looking for it and we must sympathize with those who cannot see the light at all.  The only way we can know our God better is to study His word and internalize it, and pray.  Keep a constant line of communication open in order to know Him more.

PRAYER
God, please help me to see through the clouds and darkness that surround you.  Help me to see the light that you shine, the beauty that is there. When I am in darkness, help me to know that I shouldn't be afraid.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

More about the Book of Psalms:
http://www.biblica.com/niv/study-bible/psalms/

January 2, 2012

SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 11:8 - By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

OBSERVATION
Assumed to be written by either Barnabas or Apollos, both Jews converted to Christianity, to a group of Christian converts who may have been trying to Judaicize the Gospel of Christ.  The writer consistently appeals to Jewish tradition to illustrate the sovereignty of God in Jesus.  This passage takes the example of Abraham leaving his homeland to go to the promised land, even though he had no idea where he was going.  What a scary thought, in those times - you are not just leaving a house, you're leaving any crops you had to sustain your family, you are leaving the area where you know where the water sources are, where the dangers lie, where the refuges are.  Going to a place that may hold hostile natives, that may be unfarmable and unable to support the livestock you bring along.  To obey under those circumstances took faith indeed.  The example still applies today.  As Oswald Chambers states in My Utmost for His Highest, "God does not tell you what He is going to do; he reveals to you who He is." 

APPLICATION
Each day, as we walk out the door, we should do so under the understanding that we do not know where we are going.  Obviously, we have some destination in mind, but we really don't know what God is going to do with our day.  The surroundings could be mundane, but the people we meet are not, and God alone knows what He is bringing to the table each day.  Crisis or blessing?  Either is an opportunity to glorify God, if we obey and go where He leads us.

PRAYER
Father, grant me humility in obedience.  Remind me that my destinations are not yours, my plans are nothing compared to yours; make my path straight so that I follow you wherever you lead.  Give me courage to continue on the road when I can't see what lies ahead. In Jesus' name - Amen.

About the book of Hebrews:
http://www.biblica.com/niv/study-bible/hebrews/

January 1, 2012

SCRIPTURE
Philippians 1:20 - I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

OBSERVATION
Written by Paul, under house arrest in Rome, fearing for his death.  I sense a tiny bit of doubt in these words, a hint of understanding that while the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak, so he is saying that he hopes he can be strong enough to stand up for Christ, even facing death for that principle.  We are all weak - and we all face persecution for our faith, albeit in a much less dangerous form here in the modern Western world.  I fear humiliation, being despised, being ridiculed for my beliefs.  I fear confrontation with people who believe differently.  I don't like being treated with kid gloves by acquaintances who aren't sure how to act around me, just because they know I am a Christ follower.  I also fear my own weakness...the temptation to deny Christ in order to avoid that confrontation.  I fear that I am not an adequate ambassador.  That I don't love enough, that I am unwilling to inconvenience myself for others, that through my words or my deeds I might not accurately represent Christ to others.

APPLICATION
When times of crisis come, when I am forced into corners, I need to retain perspective and always show the love of God to others.  I cannot be ashamed or fearful, but need to rely on God to supply courage so that I can exalt God, not grieve him.  God will bring these crises to me in order to grow my faith, and build my courage.

PRAYER
Father, please have mercy on me, your inadequate servant.  Help me to transform myself to better please you and serve you, open my heart to others, grant me courage in times of strain, make me live as the immortal soul you see, not the flawed and failed mortal that others see. In Jesus' name - Amen.

Information on Philippians:
http://www.biblica.com/niv/study-bible/philippians/