Monthly Archives: July 2015

Jesus knows how to party! (John 2:1-12), July 31, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 2:1-12

Set – Psalms 107; John 2

Go! – Isaiah 63-64; Psalms 107; John 2

John 2:1-12

¹ Three days later, they all went to celebrate a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was invited ² together with Him and His disciples. ³ While they were celebrating, the wine ran out; and Jesus’ mother hurried over to her son.
Mary: The host stands on the brink of embarrassment; there are many guests, and there is no more wine.
Jesus: ⁴ Dear woman, is it our problem they miscalculated when buying wine and inviting guests? My time has not arrived.
⁵ But she turned to the servants.
Mary: Do whatever my son tells you.
⁶ In that area were six massive stone water pots that could each hold 20 to 30 gallons. They were typically used for Jewish purification rites. ⁷ Jesus’ instructions were clear:
Jesus: Fill each water pot with water until it’s ready to spill over the top; ⁸ then fill a cup, and deliver it to the headwaiter.
They did exactly as they were instructed. ⁹ After tasting the water that had become wine, the headwaiter couldn’t figure out where such wine came from (even though the servants knew), and he called over the bridegroom in amazement.
Headwaiter: ¹⁰ This wine is delectable. Why would you save the most exquisite fruit of the vine? A host would generally serve the good wine first and, when his inebriated guests don’t notice or care, he would serve the inferior wine. You have held back the best for last.
¹¹ Jesus performed this miracle, the first of His signs, in Cana of Galilee. They did not know how this happened; but when the disciples and the servants witnessed this miracle, their faith blossomed.
¹² Jesus then gathered His clan—His family members and disciples—for a journey to Capernaum where they lingered several days.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

So many people think Christians have sour dispositions and must keep this down-in-the-mouth look about them all the time. Nothing could be further from the truth. My followers should know real joy. I did. I knew what life was all about. In fact, my first public miracle happened at a party! If you’ve never been to a Jewish wedding feast, I can tell you, they know how to throw a party! Food, music, dancing, laughter. Everyone has a great time celebrating the beginning of new family with the bride and groom.

Naturally, when My mother saw the host ran out of wine, she didn’t want him embarrassed in front of his family and friends and came to Me to do something about it. She knew I was the Creator. If anyone could help him out, I could. She wasn’t sure how, but knew I could do something.

Of course no one would expect Me to use the water used to wash the guests feet as they came in from the street to fix the situation, but I’m known for doing the unexpected. The servants were certainly surprised I asked them to fill those pitchers full of water instead of the wine casks, but they did it. I’m sure they didn’t tell the host where they got the wine until after the party, though.

If the host and his guests knew they were drinking from the jars reserved for footwashing they wouldn’t understand. But My act of service for My mother is tied to My last act of service for My disciples. I took water from jars similar to those at that wedding in Cana to wash My disciples feet. You see, it’s not about how good the wine tasted or how clean the water might or might not be, it’s about living a life of servanthood for those around you.

Look for ways you can serve in little ways. You’ll find dozens of things you can do for others if you just open your eyes with My eyes. Instead of jars of dirty water, you’ll see the best wine. Instead of a muddy street, you’ll see the material to make new eyes. Instead of a leper shunned from society, you’ll see a friend who needs a hug. You’ll see opportunities all around you to do the unexpected.

I came and turned organized religion upside down. I changed the somber, sour, burdensome rules to a life of joy and contentment and peace. One that attracted children wherever I went. And you know that children will not follow a sour-puss. Even My disciples scoffed at the fun I had with the children around Me until I rebuked them for trying to push them away. They they joined in on the games and the fun. I enjoy life! That’s why I grant you life in the first place. That’s why I want you to accept eternal life with Me so the joy never has to end.

I’m ready to party with you in just a little while. I’ve been getting the banquet hall ready. We will have a grand time of it. Get ready. I’m coming soon.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

He came with grace and gifts (John 1:1-28), July 30, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready -John 1:1-28

Set – Isaiah 62; John 1

Go! – Isaiah 60-62; John 1

John 1:1-28
¹Before time itself was measured, the Voice was speaking.
The Voice was and is God.
² This celestial Word remained ever present with the Creator;
³ His speech shaped the entire cosmos.
Immersed in the practice of creating,
all things that exist were birthed in Him.
⁴ His breath filled all things
with a living, breathing light—
⁵ A light that thrives in the depths of darkness,
blazes through murky bottoms.
It cannot and will not be quenched.
⁶ A man named John, who was sent by God, was the first to clearly articulate the source of this Light. ⁷ This baptizer put in plain words the elusive mystery of the Divine Light so all might believe through him. Some wondered whether he might be the Light, ⁸ but John was not the Light. He merely pointed to the Light. ⁹ The true Light, who shines upon the heart of everyone, was coming into the cosmos.
¹⁰ He entered our world, a world He made; yet the world did not recognize Him.¹¹ Even though He came to His own people, they refused to listen and receive Him. ¹² But for all who did receive and trust in Him, He gave them the right to be reborn as children of God; ¹³ He bestowed this birthright not by human power or initiative but by God’s will.
¹⁴ The Voice took on flesh and became human and chose to live alongside us. We have seen Him, enveloped in undeniable splendor—the one true Son of the Father—evidenced in the perfect balance of grace and truth. ¹⁵ John the Baptist testified about Him and shouted, “This is the one I’ve been telling you is coming. He is much greater than I am because He existed long before me.” ¹⁶ Through this man we all receive gifts of grace beyond our imagination. ¹⁷ You see, Moses gave us rules to live by, but Jesus the Anointed offered us gifts of grace and truth. ¹⁸ God, unseen until now, is revealed in the Voice, God’s only Son, straight from the Father’s heart.
¹⁹ The reputation of John was growing; and many had questions, including Jewish religious leaders from Jerusalem. ²⁸ So some priests and Levites approached John in Bethany just beyond the Jordan River while he was baptizing and bombarded him with questions:
Religious Leaders: Who are you?
John the Baptist:²⁰ I’m not the Anointed One, if that is what you are asking.
Religious Leaders: ²¹ Your words sound familiar, like a prophet’s. Is that how we should address you? Are you the Prophet Elijah?
John the Baptist: No, I am not Elijah.
Religious Leaders: Are you the Prophet Moses told us would come?
John the Baptist: No.
Religious Leaders: ²² Then tell us who you are and what you are about because everyone is asking us, especially the Pharisees, and we must prepare an answer.
²³ John replied with the words of Isaiah the prophet:
John the Baptist: Listen! I am a voice calling out in the wilderness.
Straighten out the road for the Lord. He’s on His way.
^24-25 Then some of those sent by the Pharisees questioned him again.
Religious Leaders: How can you travel the countryside baptizing people if you are not the Anointed One or Elijah or the Prophet?
John the Baptist: ²⁶ Baptizing with water is what I do; but the One whom I speak of, whom we all await, is standing among you; and you have no idea who He is. ²⁷ Though He comes after me, I am not even worthy to unlace His sandals.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Many are familiar with the description of My Son John gives in the opening verses of his gospel. It’s good to hear it every once in a while, though, and just be reminded of what He did for you in coming to live among you. I know it’s difficult to understand how I can exist as three persons in one godhead, but I do, Father, Son, and Spirit. Here since the beginning of time and I will exist as a triune godhead throughout eternity.

For you I gave up the splendor of the heavenly realms and wrapped myself in human flesh to live alongside you. I wanted you to see Me and know Me. I wanted you to experience My grace and gifts first hand from hands of flesh and blood. I had tried to let you experience those gifts from My godly presence, but you rejected Me. I hoped by living among you, I would be accepted by you. Few of you did. Few of you do today.

Many today still baptize with water. I still baptize with My spirit and will fill you to the full if you will let Me. I haven’t changed. I remain the same from before time began until time finally comes to an end. For a short time I took on a physical body so I could share your pain and suffering in physical form. I am both your savior and your judge.

I still want to give you My grace and My gifts. You must accept them, though. An unaccepted gift just sits, useless, unopened, given but of no value to the receiver. You must accept the gift and with it My Spirit that guides you through your days. I will lead you where you should go if you will let Me.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

East to west, not a very short distance (Psalm 103), July 29, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready -Psalms 103

Set – Psalms 103; 2 Peter 3

Go! – Isaiah 57-59; Psalms 103; 2 Peter 3

Psalms 103
¹ O my soul, come, praise the Eternal
with all that is in me—body, emotions, mind, and will—every part of who I am—
praise His holy name.
² O my soul, come, praise the Eternal;
sing a song from a grateful heart;
sing and never forget all the good He has done.
³ Despite all your many offenses, He forgives and releases you.
More than any doctor, He heals your diseases.
⁴ He reaches deep into the pit to deliver you from death.
He crowns you with unfailing love and compassion like a king.
⁵ When your soul is famished and withering,
He fills you with good and beautiful things, satisfying you as long as you live.
He makes you strong like an eagle, restoring your youth.
⁶ When people are crushed, wronged, enslaved, raped, murdered,
the Eternal is just;
He makes the wrongs right.
⁷ He showed Moses His ways;
He allowed His people Israel to see His wonders and acts of power.
⁸ The Eternal is compassionate and merciful.
When we cross all the lines, He is patient with us.
When we struggle against Him, He lovingly stays with us—changing, convicting, prodding;
⁹He will not constantly criticize,
nor will He hold a grudge forever.
¹⁰ Thankfully, God does not punish us for our sins and depravity as we deserve.
In His mercy, He tempers justice with peace.
¹¹ Measure how high heaven is above the earth;
God’s wide, loving, kind heart is greater for those who revere Him.
¹² You see, God takes all our crimes—our seemingly inexhaustible sins—and removes them.
As far as east is from the west, He removes them from us.
¹³ An earthly father expresses love for his children;
it is no different with our heavenly Father;
The Eternal shows His love for those who revere Him.
¹⁴ For He knows what we are made of;
He knows our frame is frail, and He remembers we came from dust.
¹⁵ The children of Adam are like grass;
their days are few;
they flourish for a time like flowers in a meadow.
¹⁶ As the wind blows over the field and the bloom is gone,
it doesn’t take much to blow us out of the memory of that place.
¹⁷ But the unfailing love of the Eternal is always and eternal
for those who reverently run after Him.
He extends His justice on and on to future generations,
¹⁸ To those who will keep His bond of love
and remember to walk in the guidance of His commands.
¹⁹ The Eternal has established His throne up in the heavens.
He rules over every seen and unseen realm and creature.
²⁰ Adore Him! Give Him praise, you heavenly messengers,
you powerful creatures who listen to
and act on His every word.
²¹ Give praise to the Eternal, all armies of heaven—
you servants who stand ready to do His will.
²² Give praise to the Eternal, all that He has made
in all corners of His creation.
O my soul, come, praise the Eternal!

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I put the vision in the psalmist’s head about sins being cast away as far as the east is from the west. He could have said as far as the north is from the south, you know. But he didn’t. I didn’t want him to use those directions. I wanted him to use east and west. You might not have thought much about why, but I did. He might not have even thought about it at the time except that the sun rose in the east and set in the west. Maybe he thought about sins being blotted out the same way the sun is blotted out of the sky each night.

I wanted him to use those directions, though, because I knew that one day science would catch up with navigation. Men already navigated by the stars. They knew about the cardinal directions and that each of them went on endlessly. Except they don’t.

Today you know the truth. North stops at the north pole and south stops at the south pole. You can’t continue to go north or south when you’ve reach those two places respectively. As soon as you take another step, you’re headed in the opposite direction. So there is always a limit as to how far removed your sins would be if I let the psalmist use the expression “as far as the north is from the south”. The limit would be the distance from the north to the south pole, or 12,430 miles.

But how far is the east from the west? Begin traveling west and stop when you hit east. Sorry, there is no stop sign. You can circle the globe a million times and you’ll still be traveling west. It never ends when you travel east or west. The psalmist didn’t know that at the time. His concept of the world then was a flat world held up by pillars over an endless ocean. You know the earth is one of My planets circling one of billions of suns in one of billions of galaxies within this things you call a universe.

How far is east from west? You can’t get there in a million life times. That’s how far removed I take your sins when I forgive you. Come to Me and ask. I’ll do the job. Then you just follow Me and see what else I can do.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

What’s not fair about living? (2 Peter 2), July 28, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Peter 2

Set – Isaiah 55; 2 Peter 2

Go! – Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2

2 Peter 2
¹ Just as false prophets rose up in the past among God’s people, false teachers will rise up in the future among you. They will slip in with their destructive opinions, denying the very Master who bought their freedom and dooming themselves to destruction swiftly, ² but not before they attract others by their unbridled and immoral behavior. Because of them and their ways, others will criticize and condemn the path of truth we walk as seedy and disreputable. ³ These false teachers will follow their greed and exploit you with their fabrications, but be assured that their judgment was pronounced long ago and their destruction does not sleep.
⁴ For God did not spare the heavenly beings who sinned, but He cast them into the dark pits of hell to be kept until the time of judgment; ⁵ and He did not spare the ancient world, but He sent a flood swirling over the ungodly (although He did save Noah, God’s herald for what is right, with seven other members of his family); ⁶ and God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, reducing them to ash as a lesson of what He will do with the ungodly in the days to come ^7-8 (although again He did rescue Lot, a person who did what was right in God’s eyes and who was distressed by the immorality and the lawlessness of the society around him. Day after day, the sights and sounds of their lawlessness were like daggers into that good man’s soul). ⁹ If all this happened in the past, it shows clearly the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials and how to hold the wicked in punishment until the day of judgment.
¹⁰ And above all, it shows He will punish those who let the desires of their bodies rule them and who have no respect for authority. People like this are so bold and willful that they aren’t even afraid of offending heavenly beings, ¹¹ although the heavenly messengers—in spite of the fact that they have greater strength and power—make no such accusations against these people before the Lord. ¹² These people who speak ill of what they do not understand are no different from animals—without sense, operating only on their instincts, born to be captured and killed—and they will be destroyed just like those animals, ¹³ receiving the penalty for their evil acts. They waste their days in parties and carousing. As they feast with you, these stains and blemishes on your community are feasting on their deceptions. ¹⁴ Their eyes are always looking for their next adulterous conquests; their appetites for sin cannot be satisfied. They seduce the unwary soul, and greed is the only lesson they have learned by heart. God’s curse lies upon them. ¹⁵ They have veered off the right road and gotten lost, following in the steps of Balaam, the son of Beor, the false prophet. Balaam loved the reward he could get by doing evil, ¹⁶ but he was rebuked for crossing the line into sin; his own speechless donkey scolded him in a human voice, an amazing miracle that reined in the prophet’s insanity.
¹⁷ These people I’m talking about are nothing but dried-up springs, mists driven by fierce winds; the deepest darkness has been set aside for them. ¹⁸ They speak in loud voices empty and arrogant. They exploit the desires of the flesh, take advantage of sensual natures, to entangle people who have just escaped from those who live by deception. ¹⁹ They claim to offer them freedom, but they themselves are enslaved by corruption because whatever a person gives in to soon becomes his master. ²⁰ Those who have been pulled out of the cesspool of worldly desires through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Anointed One, yet have found themselves mired in it again are worse off than they were before. ²¹ They would have been better off never knowing the way of righteousness than to have known it and then abandoned the sacred commandment they had previously received and dived back into the muck! ²² In their cases, the words from Proverbs hold true: “The dog goes back to his own vomit,” and as the Greeks say, “The sow is washed to wallow in the mud.”

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

False prophets have been around since I created the first beings with creative intelligence. Even some of My messengers, created to serve Me, thought they could become more powerful than Me and learned the hard way they could not. I threw those who sinned against Me into the pits of hell for their disobedience.

False prophets in Noah’s day caused me to destroy all mankind except Noah and his family as they led people astray from worshiping Me. False prophets throughout history turned people away from Me with their convincing lies and appealing appearance. I always give you a choice as to whether you will follow Me. I don’t plead and push. It’s your choice and I will honor it.

The one area in which I withhold My power is at the point of your moral choice. You can choose to follow Me or follow the lies of the world. There are false prophets alive and well today. They tell you I’m not real. They tell you as a God of love I would never allow anyone to spend eternity in hell separated from Me. They tell you I will save everyone because of My love. They tell you the stories of My wrath are not true or at least that side of Me has changed since I came in the flesh and sacrificed Myself for you.

The false prophets tell you a lot of things. Don’t believe them. I am the same today as I was at creation. I am still slow to anger and personify love. But I am also a God of justice and wrath because I am holy. Sin must be punished. I paid that penalty, but the covenant into which you enter to benefit from My sacrifice is not a one sided contract. Like all contracts and covenants, you must be obedient to Me. You must carry out your part of the covenant. Otherwise, the consequences of the contract will be executed.

You see, I’m God. I made you. We have a contract, you and I. I’ve fulfilled My part. You can choose to fulfill your part and follow Me or you can accept the penalties that come. Your choice. You think the game’s not fair? Well, you can try to make it on your own, but how will you make food without Me? How will you make water without Me? How will you make the air you breathe without Me? I guess I get to make the rules since I provide all your sustinence. But I do let you choose how you want to play. I just want you to make the right choice.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Peter’s characteristics means love (2 Peter 1:1-11), July 27, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Peter 1:1-11

Set – Isaiah 51; Psalms 92; 2 Peter 1

Go! – Isaiah 50-52; Psalms 92; 2 Peter 1

2 Peter 1:1-11
¹Simon Peter, a servant and emissary of Jesus the Anointed One, to those who have received the same precious faith we share through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus the Anointed. ² I wish you a full measure of grace and peace as you grow in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
³ His divine power has given us everything we need to experience life and to reflect God’s true nature through the knowledge of the One who called us by His glory and virtue. ⁴ Through these things, we have received God’s great and valuable promises, so we might escape the corruption of worldly desires and share in the divine nature.
⁵ To achieve this, you will need to add virtue to your faith, and then knowledge to your virtue; ⁶ to knowledge, add discipline; to discipline, add endurance; to endurance, add godliness; ⁷ to godliness, add affection for others as sisters and brothers; and to affection, at last, add love. ⁸ For if you possess these traits and multiply them, then you will never be ineffective or unproductive in your relationship with our Lord Jesus the Anointed; ⁹ but if you don’t have these qualities, then you will be nearsighted and blind, forgetting that your past sins have been washed away. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers and sisters, work that much harder to confirm that God has called you and claimed you. If you do this, then you will never fall along the way; ¹¹ and you can be sure that you will be richly welcomed into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

It wasn’t until the end of their lives that My disciples began to understand I might delay My coming for generations to allow the greatest number of people to find My grace. It was at the end of their lives they began to pen the words you heard and read in the throughout the New Testament that grab your attention and help you understand what it means to live for Me and pattern your life after Me. Then knew their lives were short and wanted to make sure the words I had given them lived on for you.

Peter learned about the character of Christians first hand. He walked with Me for almost three and a half years before I was physically taken from him by My death on the cross. Still he knew Me by his study of My word and listening carefully to what I told him through My Spirit within him.

Peter learned to build the greatest attribute you can share that is like Me – love. Start with faith, add virtue to it. Then with those in place increase your knowledge of Me. As you learn more of Me, you’ll find discipline in your life becomes more important and you’ll add discipline to your life to become more like Me in character.

To faith, virtue, knowledge, and discipline, you will discover the need for endurance because life is not a short or easy race at times and endurance is a characteristic you will need to embrace. To endurance for the race, you will need godliness and to godliness you will need affection for those around you. Without affection you will be blind to the needs of others and miss the godly opportunities I put in your path. You will not be able to endure the hardships of life or suffer through the discipline necessary to really know Me. You will slip in your life of virtues and you and others will question your faith.

Finally, from affection will blossom love for your brothers and sisters. Real heart-felt love, like Mine that you demonstrate through benevolent action expecting nothing in return. You’ll just give – of your time, your money, your energy – whatever God asks you to give for the good of those around you.

Peter reminds you that you need these characteristics as you go through life. I will remind you, too. These characteristics lead you to the point of love, the two great commandments. Love Me with all your heart and love your neighbor like you love yourself. Do these two things and you’ll do the rest. Just love.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

God will rescue you. (Isaiah 49:8-26), July 26, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Isaiah 49:8-26

Set – Isaiah 49; 1 Peter 5

Go! – Isaiah 46-49; 1 Peter 5

Isaiah 49:8-26
⁸ Eternal One: When the time was right, I answered you;
on the day you were delivered, I was your help.
I will watch over you, and give you
as a promise, a binding covenant to the people.
Through you, My gift to the people, the land of promise will recover.
Ancestral ground, once deserted, will be entrusted to them.
⁹ Through you, My gift to the people, I will declare to the prisoners,
“Come out. Now you are free”;
To those who are held in darkness, “Come out into the light.”
They will find sustenance wherever they are—
Along the roads or in the open hills—
with peace of mind, in comfort and security.
¹⁰ Wherever they are, they will be fine, never hungry nor thirsty.
They will be protected from oppressive heat and the burning sun
Because the One who loves them—as a mother loves her child—will be their guide.
God will lead them to restful places, rejuvenating springs of water.
¹¹ I will make their going easy, level the mountain road
and smooth the path that leads them home.
¹² Look! Even now, they are coming from lands far away,
some from the north, others from the west, these from the land of Sinim.
¹³ Oh joy! Be glad—sky! Take joy—earth! Burst into song—mountains!
For the Eternal, moved to compassion, has comforted and consoled His people.
¹⁴ Zion: The Eternal One has abandoned me. God has walked out the door;
my Lord left me alone. He has forgotten all about me.
¹⁵ Eternal One: Is it possible for a mother, however disappointed,
however hurt, to forget her nursing child?
Can she feel nothing for the baby she carried and birthed?
Even if she could, I, God, will never forget you.
¹⁶ Look here. I have made you a part of Me, written you on the palms of My hands.
Your city walls are always on My mind, always My concern.
¹⁷ Now sweet Zion your children are running pell-mell back to you
Just as fast as those who destroyed you are leaving.
¹⁸ Raise your head, lift up your eyes,
and watch your heart’s desire come—
All your children, gathered and returning to you. As I live, so I promise.
You will wear them with pride all like shining ornaments;
you will put them on as a bride on her wedding day.
¹⁹ Because of all of your destroyed land—the barren fields and abandoned farms—
you are now too small, too cramped for all your citizens;
And those who tried to swallow you whole will be far, far away.
²⁰ The children you mourned, those born in exile, will return and say,
“It is too cramped and crowded for us;
We’re going to need more room if we are to live here.”
²¹ You’ll say to yourself, “Where in the world did all these people come from?
Could these really be mine?
I thought I’d been desolated, left empty.
Where have you all been? Where did you come from?”
²² This is what the Lord, the Eternal, has to say:
Eternal One: I will lift My hand and signal every nation that holds your people
And they will bring your children back again:
boys bundled in their arms, girls riding on their shoulders.
²³ Kings will tend the children of Zion, and their queens will nurse and nurture them.
These greats will humble themselves before you.
They will bow and lick the dust off your feet,
and in the course of it all, you will remember that I am the Eternal.
Whoever trusts in Me will never be put to shame.
²⁴ Jerusalem: Can the spoil of war be taken from the mighty?
Can the captives be freed from the hand of a tyrant?
²⁵ Eternal One: Hard to believe, but it shall be so.
The captives will be taken from the hand of the mighty,
And the spoil of war will be rescued from the tyrant.
I will liberate them from their captors and contend with your enemies.
I will save your children.
²⁶ I will turn your enemies’ violence back on themselves,
and they will suffer their own atrocities:
They will feed on their own flesh and drink their own blood like wine.
Then every person on earth will know for certain that I, the Eternal, am your Savior.
I am your hero, the strong One of Jacob from whom you come.
I will rescue you, whatever the price.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Can a mother forget the child to whom she gave birth? You mothers know it is impossible. Despite the stories of violence and cruelty and selfishness we see against children at their mother’s hand sometimes, I can tell you those women still feel deep in themselves the knowledge of what they have done to the life they gave birth to. I will judge them accordingly someday. Mothers cannot forget their children.

Selfishness drives people to do incredibly horrible things, but mothers still have a place in their heart for their children. I have a special place in My heart for My highest creation also. You. You are unique in all creation. There is no one like you. You are My masterpiece in all the universe. There exists not one more exactly like you. I did that on purpose when I made you. Be sure, I make no mistakes.

So knowing I love you with love greater than a mother has for her children, you can also know I will rescue you from the evils you face when you call on Me. I will make a way of escape for you. Just look for the exit sign. It will always be there for you. Take it! Let Me fight your fights. I will win. You might not. So when the tempter comes, find the exit and run. I will stay and defeat him for you. You concentrate on escaping.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Ever think things are going crazy? (1 Peter 4:1-11), July 25, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Peter 4:1-11

Set – Isaiah 43; 1 Peter 4

Go! – Isaiah 43-45; 1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4:1-11
¹Since the Anointed suffered in the flesh, prepare yourselves to do the same—anyone who has suffered in the flesh for the Lord is no longer in the grip of sin— ² so that you may live the rest of your life on earth controlled not by earthly desires but by the will of God.
³ You have already wasted enough time living like those outsiders in the society around you: losing yourselves in sex, in addictions and desires, in drinking and lawless idolatry, in giving your time and allegiance to things that are not godly. ⁴ When you don’t play the same games they do, they notice that you are living by different rules. That’s why they say such terrible things about you. ⁵ Someday they, too, will have to give an account of themselves to the One who judges the living and the dead. ⁶ (This is why the good news had to be brought to those who are dead so that although they are judged in the flesh, they might live in the spirit in the way that pleases God.)
⁷ We are coming to the end of all things, so be serious and keep your wits about you in order to pray more forcefully. ⁸ Most of all, love each other steadily and unselfishly, because love makes up for many faults. ⁹ Show hospitality to each other without complaint. ¹⁰ Use whatever gift you’ve received for the good of one another so that you can show yourselves to be good stewards of God’s grace in all its varieties. ¹¹ If you’re called upon to talk, speak as though God put the words in your mouth; if you’re called upon to serve others, serve as though you had the strength of God behind you. In these ways, God may be glorified in all you do through Jesus the Anointed, to whom belongs glory and power, now and forever. Amen.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Does it seem to you that the world around you is going crazy? It’s because it is. We’re coming to the end of all things. It’s one of the signs of the end times. People don’t just blur right and wrong, they don’t just think selfishly and want to gain only for themselves, but they begin to act in ways that in past times people would say they were insane.

People used to laugh at the “People of Walmart” website but those funny fashions are everyday occurances now. It’s as if people lost their minds and anything is acceptable for wear wherever you go. It shouldn’t be if you have respect for yourself and others, but those folks will tell you “it’s what’s inside that counts, anyway so what does it matter what you wear?” In some respects that’s true, but I’m still a God of order and discipline and some of the outfits point to the opposite end of the spectrum. They obviously come from the point of chaos.

Sometimes the justice systems around the world indicate the world has become crazy. A person who takes a life will get a 7–14 year sentence while another who embezzles money from a company gets 20 years. One carries temporary consequences but a lighter sentence the other has permanent consequences but a longer sentence. It is crazy.

You discard the wisdom of your elderly and often let your youngest most inexperienced decide the fate of the masses. Usually causing problems for generations to come that the young do not yet see or understand. Does it make sense? No, wisdom calls it crazy.

So what does all this mean? The end is near. I’m coming back and it isn’t that far away. So keep your wits about you as Peter tells you. Don’t let the foolishness of the world infect you. Stand upon My word and its wisdom and you will be alright. Ask Me for advice and I will point you in the right direction. I won’t let you face the end times alone.

Love each other steadily and unselfishly. This is a tall order in today’s world when everything and everyone else around you is telling you to do the opposite. Everyone else tells you to take care of yourself first and don’t worry about anyone else. I’m telling you to love each other, look out for each other, care for each other. Help each other with their burdens. Lend a hand. Share the load. Make the work lighter by being there. Show others Christ by your love for them.

Use the gifts I’ve given you to help others. You’ll feel good in helping, and those you help will see Me in your efforts. That’s why I gave you those gifts in the first place, to help others. I didn’t give them to you for you to keep them to yourself for just your use. I want you to spead them around. And as you use those gifts, use them as if working for Me, not for someone else.

When you serve others as if you serve Me you’ll begin to enjoy doing things I’ve gifted you to do. You’ll see others in need that you can help. Others will begin to come to you as they understand what you offer because of what I do through you. You will live your life through Me. I’m still your best bet. I’ll give you the strength you’ll need.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Just love each other (1 Peter 3:1-12), July 24, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Peter 3:1-12

Set – Isaiah 40; 1 Peter 3

Go! – Isaiah 40-42; 1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:1-12
^1-2 In the same way, wives, you should patiently accept the authority of your husbands. This is so that even if they don’t obey God’s word, as they observe your pure respectful behavior, they may be persuaded without a word by the way you live. ³ Don’t focus on decorating your exterior by doing your hair or putting on fancy jewelry or wearing fashionable clothes; ⁴ let your adornment be what’s inside—the real you, the lasting beauty of a gracious and quiet spirit, in which God delights. ⁵ This is how, long ago, holy women who put their hope in God made themselves beautiful: by respecting the authority of their husbands. ⁶ Consider how Sarah, our mother, obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him “lord,” and you will be her daughters as long as you boldly do what is right without fear and without anxiety.
⁷ In the same way, husbands, as you live with your wives, understand the situations women face as the weaker vessel. Each of you should respect your wife and value her as an equal heir in the gracious gift of life. Do this so that nothing will get in the way of your prayers.
⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded and show sympathy, love, compassion, and humility to and for each other— ⁹ not paying back evil with evil or insult with insult, but repaying the bad with a blessing. It was this you were called to do, so that you might inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ It is written in the psalms,
If you love life
and want to live a good, long time,
Then be careful what you say.
Don’t tell lies or spread gossip or talk about improper things.
¹¹ Walk away from the evil things in the world—just leave them behind, and do what is right,
and always seek peace and pursue it.
¹² For the Lord watches over the righteous,
and His ears are attuned to their prayers.
But His face is set against His enemies;
He will punish evildoers.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I’m amazed at how much emphases people will put on the first six verses in this chapter and forget everything else around it. They forget Peter goes on to tell husbands to respect and value their wives as equal heirs in the gift of life. They forget his admonition to be like-minded, love, show compassion, and humility to each other. They forget the place I hold for women in My kingdom.

All you need do is look at how I treated women in My word and you’ll see how important they are to Me. They are never second place. There is no debate. Neither is there debate about the separate roles of men and women in My mind. I created men and women different from each other and dependent upon each other. Humankind cannot continue without both.

Look through the history of My actions in the lives of people and you’ll see stories about Rahab, Ruth, Esther, Mary, the woman at the well, Mary Magdolene, Lydia, and so many more that played critical roles in the establishment of My kingdom on earth and perpetuated faith in Me. If there’s any doubt about their importance to My kingdom, those stories should clear it up. To Me men and women share equally in the inheritance of My kingdom.

So what I want you to remember is the rest of the Peter’s admonitions. Be compassionate. Be humble. Be like-minded. Show sympathy. Love each other. Love doesn’t lord over one another, but love serves each other. Wives will serve husbands out of love and husbands will serve wives out of love. Now go back and see what Paul says about love in 1 Corinthians 13.

You’ll find love isn’t a mushy-gushy emotion. Love is a decision on which to take action. You decide to love. Remember, Peter is talking to a culture in which brides were chosen for husbands. Husbands had no choice in the matter and neither did the bride. The two just learned that love was something you decided you did. The families agreed the two of you would be joined together and so you better learn to love each other or life would become pretty miserable.

The psalmist gives good advice as Peter pointed out. If you love life, and want to live a good long time, don’t tell lies, gossip, or talk about improper things. Do what is right. Seek peace and pursue it. I’ll watch over you. My word tells you I will and I don’t break My promises.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Honor your ruler (2 Peter 2:4-17), July 23, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Peter 2:4-17

Set – Isaiah 38; 1 Peter 2

Go! – 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalms 75; 1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2:4-17
⁴ Come to Him—the living stone—who was rejected by people but accepted by God as chosen and precious. ⁵ Like living stones, let yourselves be assembled into a spiritual house, a holy order of priests who offer up spiritual sacrifices that will be acceptable to God through Jesus the Anointed. ⁶ For it says in the words of the prophet Isaiah,
See here—I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone, chosen and precious;
Whoever depends upon Him will never be disgraced.
⁷ To you who believe and depend on Him, He is precious; but to you who don’t, remember the words of the psalmist:
The stone that the builders rejected
has been laid as the cornerstone—the very stone that holds together the entire foundation,
⁸ and of Isaiah:
A stone that blocks their way,
a rock that trips them.
They stumble because they don’t follow the word of God, as they were destined to do.
⁹ But you are a chosen people, set aside to be a royal order of priests, a holy nation, God’s own; so that you may proclaim the wondrous acts of the One who called you out of inky darkness into shimmering light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received it.
¹¹ Beloved, remember you don’t belong in this world. You are resident aliens living in exile, so resist those desires of the flesh that battle against the soul. ¹² Live honorably among the outsiders so that, even when some may be inclined to call you criminals, when they see your good works, they might give glory to God when He returns in judgment.
¹³ For the Lord’s sake, accept the decrees and laws of all the various human institutions, whether they come from the highest human ruler ¹⁴ or agents he sends to punish those who do wrong and to reward those who do well. ¹⁵ You see, it is God’s will that by doing what is right and good you should hush the gabbing ignorance of the foolish. ¹⁶ Live as those who are free and not as those who use their freedom as a pretext for evil, but live as God’s servants. ¹⁷ Respect everyone. Love the community of believers. Reverence God. Honor your ruler.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

When you see the wicked prosper at the expense of the good, it’s easy to want revenge on them. When you see the wicked getting away with their wrong doing, it’s easy to want to strike back and take justice into your hands. That isn’t My way. My word tells you to continue to do good. My word tells you to that vengeance is Mine. These verses in Peter tell you to obey all authorities I have placed over you.

Sometimes it’s hard to remember that I’m the one that allows authorities to reign. Whether in countries as dictators or elected by the populace, I’m the one that allows the authority to sit in their seat of power. It takes nothing for Me to change the course of events to prevent or change the outcome of elections, battles, coups, inheritances. I allow authorities to reign.

You might not like the person or people in power. They may be good or they may be wicked. It is not your place to judge their heart. Just remember, I allow them their place of power for a reason and I will judge their actions one day, not you. They will answer for what they do, not you. But you will answer for you actions and your behavior. So do what Peter admonishes in these verses.

Listen to authorities placed over you. It is better to suffer for doing good that because you deserve the punishment because of evil deeds. It is better for those around you to know your goodness than to think you are evil and should suffer because of it. Rulers have the power of life and death in their hands. If you die at their hands for your faithful acts of service for Me, others will know and bless you for it. If you die because you act like other criminals who deserve death for their crimes, who will want to follow Me because of your behavior?

Then do the things Peter asks as he concludes what you heard today. Respect everyone. Love the community of believers. Reverence Me. Honor your ruler. When you do these things you others will respect you in return. Even if they do not, you will still be doing what I ask of you and that’s what counts after all. You will live the life I want you to live in front of others so they will know you follow Me. By your actions, they will know there awaits you a better day, a greater prize, a kingdom without end.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Be holy because God is holy (1 Peter 1:13-25), July 22, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Peter 1:13-25

Set – Psalms 76; 1 Peter 1

Go! – Isaiah 36-37; Psalms 76; 1 Peter 1

1 Peter 1:13-25
¹³ So get yourselves ready, prepare your minds to act, control yourselves, and look forward in hope as you focus on the grace that comes when Jesus the Anointed returns and is completely revealed to you. ¹⁴ Be like obedient children as you put aside the desires you used to pursue when you didn’t know better. ¹⁵ Since the One who called you is holy, be holy in all you do. ¹⁶ For the Scripture says, “You are to be holy, for I am holy.” ¹⁷ If you call on the Father who judges everyone without partiality according to their actions, then you should live in reverence and awe while you live out the days of your exile.
¹⁸ You know that a price was paid to redeem you from following the empty ways handed on to you by your ancestors; it was not paid with things that perish (like silver and gold), ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of the Anointed, who was like a perfect and unblemished sacrificial lamb. ²⁰ God determined to send Him before the world began, but He came into the world in these last days for your sake. ²¹ Through Him, you’ve been brought to trust in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him for the very reason that your faith and hope are in Him.
²² Now that you have taken care to purify your souls through your submission to the truth, you can experience real love for each other. So love each other deeply from a [pure] heart. ²³ You have been reborn—not from seed that eventually dies but from seed that is eternal—through the word of God that lives and endures forever. ²⁴ For as Isaiah said,
All life is like the grass,
and its glory like a flower;
The grass will wither and die,
and the flower falls,
²⁵ But the word of the Lord will endure forever.
This is the word that has been preached to you.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Do you remember what Peter said to those early Christians? It applies to you today, also. Listen again. “…get yourselves ready, prepare your minds to act, control yourselves, and look forward in hope… . …put aside the desires you used to pursue when you didn’t know better. ¹⁵ Since the One who called you is holy, be holy in all you do.”

It’s easy to get trapped by the things of the world today. It’s easy to let the call of the world convince you everything is okay. But you know better. If you know Me and have Me in your heart, you know I write My laws on your heart and have standards for you that want you to transform yourself from the pattern of this world to the pattern of My kingdom. I want you to look like Me when I return. I want you to get ready to meet Me and not have to take time to prepare yourself.

When I tell you, I want you ready to act, not looking in the book trying to figure out what’s next. If you consistently read My word and talk to Me, you’ll know how to act when I return. You’ll know what to do when I give you a task.

Peter also tells you to put aside the desires you used to pursue when you didn’t know better. Remember when you where a kid and fascinated with fire? You’re parents probably told you several times not to play with matches or fire or other combustibles. You didn’t really understand why, but you obeyed until your desire to play with fire became too much for you. You learned the hard way why your parents warned you not to play with fire when you got a little to close and ended up with a blister on your hand or arm or leg because the fire burned you.

Hopefully, it was a relatively small, but painful lesson you learned well in your childhood and you’ve paid attention to the lesson since. Too many people know the devastation that severe burns cause both physically and psychologically when faced with large percentages of their body scarred from the aftermath of a raging fire. Peter uses such a metaphor to remind you to be like that younger obedient child that listens to its partents and avoids the potential pain that comes from disobedience.

So instead of focusing on those desires you used to chase, focus on the hope I bring. Focus on maintaining your holiness. I ask you to be holy because I am holy. Why do I ask you to work to attain such a high standard? Because I want you to be like Me. I won’t lower myself. I won’t lower My standards. I am holy. Without holiness you cannot see Me. Work to become holy as I am holy. Separated from the world, set apart in service to Me.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.