Tag: God

Daily Word

Matthew 17:1-13

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Read Matthew 17:1-13 – We begin with a great big WOW!  Jesus takes Peter, James and John the brother of James up a high mountain and is transfigured before them.  What an incredible thing for Jesus to share with them.  “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.  Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.” :2-3

Do your very best to imagine this moment.  Are you awed like James and John, or do you feel compelled to say something like Peter did?  One commentator pointed out that this was Jesus in his natural state… the remarkable thing was that he was able to look ordinary during his time on earth. 

And just as they were beginning to grasp what they were seeing, things got even more awesome.

“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him!’” :5

That was it; the disciples then fell face down in fear.  The voice of God Almighty is overwhelming… We hear the expression, ‘fear of God’, and that is what these three experienced.  They have been with Jesus and in the presence of supernatural miracles on a daily basis, yet the voice of God was more than they could imagine.  They were overwhelmed.  This is our Heavenly Father, our Holy LORD God Almighty and because of Jesus, we have the privilege of eternity with him.  

Beloved, may you ponder the majesty of Lord Jesus today.  May you hold on to the fact that Jesus came from heaven and humbled his glory because saving you was worth it to him. May gratitude lead your day. 

Daily Word

Psalm 25

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Read Psalm 25 – We last spoke of who God is in Psalm 24.  Now, in Psalm 25, David entrusts himself to the LORD.  (:1-2)

David recognizes that many are his enemy and their behavior is treacherous. David was a man of bloodshed with a life’s purpose to be king according to God’s plan.  I am much more ordinary than that, yet still need a healthy awareness that those who hate Jesus are enemies. (Jesus said in John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.”)  Beloved, we must love our enemies with wisdom and grace, not simple naivete and wishful thinking.  

“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God, my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” :4-5  Beloved, with this desire you will not be led astray!

David goes on, recalling God’s nature, asking for forgiveness from the sins of his youth and iniquities for God’s namesake… not David’s merits, but for God’s own namesake.  David even speaks about some dark days… David is not a stranger to anxieties, but he also knows where to take them.

Beloved, can you carve out some alone time today, search your soul, as David did, and lay it before Jesus, our Savior.

Daily Word

Psalm 24

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Read Psalm 24 – The meaning of life.  What a great day this is!  Beloved, once you fully understand Psalm 24 everything in life lines up.  

“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” :1  It’s not about me.  It’s not mine.  Yet God has blessed me to enjoy and care for his creation.  He has blessed me to delight and care for my very own life because I am his.  

Those who seek the LORD with a clean hands and a pure heart will enter his presence, receiving blessing and vindication. (:3-6)  Exhale, Beloved, life is that simple so don’t lose your way with the things of this world.  Walk close with Jesus; stay on the narrow path, and know that the best is yet to come.

Regarding :7-10, when there is a knock at your door, what do you ask?  “Who is it?”  So, who is this King of glory?  He is the one the doors to heaven must be thrown open for!  He is the LORD, strong and mighty, mighty in battle, the LORD Almighty – he is the King of glory!

This was written as a song, most believe it was written for the Ark of the Covenant when it was carried into the tent pitched by David for it, or possibly the Temple built by Solomon.  And it clearly has the dual, prophetic meaning of Jesus at his ascension.

I am amazed once more this morning at God’s Word.  It is so multifaceted and rich.  One could spend about a minute reading Psalm 24, or one could meditate on it for all eternity.  Reading the Bible is our opportunity to fall deeper and deeper in love with Jesus every day.

Daily Word

Psalm 18

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Read Psalm 18 – My God is…. How do you complete that statement? Will you spend some time on this? Will you write it down? It’s one of the most important things one can do… have a clear perspective on who God is to oneself, personally.

David says, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” :2

I woke up excited to discover what the Lord has for me today. I opened to our Psalm 18 and read, and read. It is wonderful, this summary of the LORD, His rescue, His promises for the righteous and the wicked. Imagine the scene David paints as God responds to his distress in :6-12! And in :19 we learn why God did this, for His own delight. Wow, right? It’s one giant wow after the next.

I won’t take up any more of your time, as Psalm 18 is one of the longest and a delight the whole way through. Enjoy, Beloved, then finish the sentence, “My God is…”

Daily Word

Psalm 9

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Read Psalm 9 – I had been walking with Christ for just a few weeks when my crew was reassigned one more flight at the end of a long day. The passengers had been waiting for hours as a plane was repaired and flown down from our headquarters 3 states away.  There was no catering on the aircraft,  not so much as a paper cup for tap water.

Upon learning this my colleague asked, “Are you Christian? ”  I said yes.   She grabbed me by the hands and said we were going to pray about this and proceeded to lift our catering delima up to Jesus.

Our competitors soon  came steaming in with snacks and cases of drinks.   We ended up with more than enough. Our inconvenienced passengers were filled with gratitude instead of attitude!

That was the day I learned how much Jesus cares about the little things as much as the big.   Nothing is too hard for him and He never seems to bless ‘just a little’.

There’s a women’s event I wanted to go to tomorrow, but I was scheduled to fly.  The trade box was full and no one seemed to be picking up.   I asked a few of my Sisters to pray for me, remembering what Jesus did way back when. Sure enough, I got the day off.

I’m Psalm 9, David recounts the wonderful deeds of God in answer to his prayers. I pray this sparks your own memories of answered prayers,big and small. Our faith grows when we remember the Lord’s faithfulness.

Daily Word

Psalm 8

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Read Psalm 8 – Who is God? Do I matter to him? Beloved, sit with Psalm 8 for a while.

Look around at the skies, look into the eyes of a baby, look around and see the fingerprint of God. Look at the veins within a leaf that has fallen to the ground, then look at the mighty tree from which it fell, and consider our amazing God who designed it all as you read David’s observations in :1-4.

Now, look at your own fingerprint; it is the only one God made just like that. Inhale and feel your body respond… processing the air, bringing it to your lungs, blood, cells… David asks, “what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” :4-5 Not only are you fearfully and wonderfully made, but God created you to rule over His creations! (:7-8) Do you matter to God? Why just look at how carefully he designed you and all the good work he ordained just for you!

Psalm 8 speaks of God’s holiness. It speaks of our unique design and our calling to rule over the works of God’s hands. And it lands with the only response possible – PRAISE.

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” :9

Beloved, be more, do more, love more, laugh more because God created you for greatness – live differently today because of who God is.

Daily Word

Deuteronomy 7

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Read Deuteronomy 7 – Remember who God is, all that He has done,  and all that He expects of you.

Whenever I begin a new journal, I recap what led me to Jesus, so that whomever should discover it in years or lifetimes to come, would have an understanding as to my relationship with Him. It renews my joy to look back at the Lord’s hand over my life. 

Moses is doing very much the same now for the Israelites, in preparation for entering the Promised Land. Moses gives the Lord’s very strict instruction concerning the seven nations who occupy the land.  The Lord gives a few ‘why’s’ for the people as well. 

First,  in :6 FOR YOU ARE A PEOPLE HOLY TO THE LORD YOUR GOD. THE LORD HAS CHOSEN YOU OUT OF ALL THE PEOPLES ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH TO BE HIS PEOPLE, HIS TREASURED POSSESSION. 

Beloved, we believers are also the Lord’s treasured possession. Do you treat yourself as one who is treasured by God Almighty? You are representing your Heavenly Father in all you do and say.  It is a great blessing as well as a responsibility to live as one who loves and belongs to Jesus. 

Scripture goes on (:7-9) to elaborate the point that this is because of who God is and His faithfulness, and not because of their merits. This message was for the Israelites, but it also serves us well to remember we belong to Jesus, not by our merit but because He loved us first. (See 1 John 4:19 for more on this) 

Our chapter includes some great promises for the Israelites (:12-24) as well as the command to destroy all the peoples God hands over to them, and explains another ‘why’: FOR THAT WILL BE A SNARE TO YOU. :16b 

Beloved, we live in a time of relative peace and this may be hard to understand. Yet for us,  because of Jesus, our command is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength – and love our neighbors as ourselves.  Part of this is to purge all unrighteousness from our lives.  The Lord wants zero sin to blemish you, no immorality, no drunkenness, slander, idolatry, lies or deceit. (See Galatians 5 for more) And He tells you this so you will not be snared as well.

Daily Word

Deuteronomy 5

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Read Deuteronomy 5 – The ‘good person test’… Moses repeated the ten commandments that were given to him on Mount Sinai in Exodus 20.  This always bears repeating.   These are the commandments and they require perfect obedience.  

I don’t measure up.   I strive to, and I miss the mark.  This is the law,  Beloved.   Do you need Jesus? Praise the Lord,  I certainly do!  And Hallelujah for Christ, who died for us while we were still sinners!  

Apart from Jesus,  under the law,  not one of us measures up.   Examine these ten commandments today, and revisit what the law requires. Thank the Lord in prayer, ask for help in areas you fall short.   Pray for wisdom and guidance that you may walk closer to your Savior each and every day. 

Daily Word

Deuteronomy 4

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Read Deuteronomy 4 – Hear it. Know it. Do it.   The Lord is giving instructions through Moses. 

Verse :2 is where most organized religions and all belief systems outside of Christianity mess up.   As humans we want to make our mark, traditions are added, legalism is infused,  but the LORD is clear:  DO NOT ADD OR TAKE AWAY FROM WHAT GOD COMMANDS. 

America would be well served to remember,  repent and cling to verses :7-8. 

The Lord issues a strong warning against idolatry (:15-20). Beloved,  idolatry can slip in so easily… It can be fame,  fortune, cars,  clothes,  food,  even good things like your children or charity if your pride in them goes above your love for Jesus…. Anything you hold in esteem and leave God out of is dangerous territory.  And notice :19, the Lord includes the worship of His creation, the sun,  moon and stars,  in things we are not to bow down and serve. 

Beloved, non- believers will suggest the Bible is a book of rules and no fun.   I pray as you comb through you will see God’s immense love and protection…. Somewhat like parenting and traffic laws protect us,  every “Do not” is there for your good and God’s glory. I have a favorite quote by Pastor John Piper, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. ”  I pray you delight in His Word and statutes! 

Daily Word

Genesis 39

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Read Genesis 39 – Back to Joseph. 

He is now a house slave to an Egyptian official named Potiphar.  “The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man… His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.” :2-3  Joseph is put in charge of all that his master had and his master prospered because of God’s favor over Joseph. 

In verse :6 we learn something else about Joseph, “Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.”  Suddenly, Mrs. Potiphar is interested in Joseph.  She makes some advances, which he refuses, until the day comes where she won’t take no for an answer.  Joseph fled, leaving a frustrated and angry Mrs. Potiphar still holding his coat.  She spins the story and says Joseph attacked her.  When Master Potiphar came home and heard her tale, he was angry and sent Joseph to the prison where the kings prisoners were kept.  I would be so discouraged, but there is no hint of that in Joseph. 

Even in prison, the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. :21 

Beloved, consider what Colossians 3:23 says:  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though working for the Lord, not for human masters,”.  And think about Romans 8:31, “What shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”  Joseph’s circumstances should be cause for despair, but he walks so closely with the LORD, there’s simply no room for it.  Next time you get down, hang on to Joseph’s faith and trust your Heavenly Father with the outcome.