Category Archives: Christian

It’s not a game of hide-n-seek (1 Chronicles 28:8-21), May 16, 2015

Today’s Podcast

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Chronicles 28:8-21
Set – 1 Chronicles 28; Psalms 91; 1 Thessalonians 5
Go! – 1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 28; Psalms 91; 1 Thessalonians 5

1 Chronicles 28:8-21
David: ⁸ To you, my officials, follow the laws of the Eternal One your God as a witness to your neighbors (all Israel who are the assembly of the Eternal) and in the sight of our God so that you will retain this land and be able to pass it to your descendants forever.

⁹ To you, my son Solomon, maintain a relationship with the God of your father and serve Him with a complete heart in all your thoughts and actions. The Eternal searches all hearts for their desires and understands the intentions of every thought. If you search for Him as He searches you, then He will let you find Him. But if you abandon Him, then He will reject you forever. ¹⁰ Realize that the Eternal has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. You must be resolute and do it!

¹¹ After instructing Solomon, David gave him blueprints of the temple porch, its buildings, its storehouses, its upper rooms, its inner rooms, and the holy of holies for the covenant chest. ¹² And David also gave Solomon the plans he had in mind for the courts of the temple of the Eternal, all the surrounding rooms, the storehouses of the temple of God, and the storehouses of the dedicated gifts. ¹³ David also provided lists of the divisions of the priests and Levites and the work of the service they would perform in the temple of the Eternal. David also described how the priests and Levites would treat all the utensils of service in the house of the Eternal: ¹⁴ the ideal weight of gold for all the golden utensils for every kind of service, the ideal weight of silver for all the silver utensils for every kind of service, ¹⁵ the ideal weight of gold for each of the golden lampstands and their golden lamps, the ideal weight of silver for each of the silver lampstands and their silver lamps, ¹⁶ the ideal weight of gold for each of the tables of unleavened bread, and the silver for the silver tables, ¹⁷ the ideal weight of pure gold for the forks, the basins, and the pitchers, the ideal weight of gold for each of the golden bowls, the ideal weight for each of the silver bowls, ¹⁸ the ideal weight of refined gold for the altar of incense, for the model of the chariot, and for the winged guardian whose wings covered the covenant chest of the Eternal.

David (to the assembly): ¹⁹ All of these instructions and details were written for me by the Eternal, who was guiding me.

(to Solomon) ²⁰ Be strong, courageous, and effective. Do not fear or be dismayed. I know that the Eternal God, who is my God, is with you. He will not abandon you or forsake you until you have finished all the work for the temple of the Eternal. ²¹ You will be helped in finishing this service by the divisions of the priests and the Levites and by every willing man of any skill. The officials and all the people will be at your disposal for the completion of the temple.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David would soon pass from this life to the next. Before he did, he passed on some important lessons to Solomon, the next king of Israel. One of those instructions was, “If you search for Him as He searches you, then He will let you find Him. But if you abandon Him, then He will reject you forever.” I don’t hide from you. I’m not one who disappears and tries to stay hidden in the mist so that you can’t find Me. I tell you often in My word that when you look for Me, you will find Me.

I want you to look for Me though. I want you to make some effort to reach for Me. It doesn’t take much effort to find Me, but it does take some. I expect you to at least open your eyes and look at My creation. I expect you to at least ask some questions. I want you to at least desire Me enough to search a little so that I know you want to worship Me, to have a relationship with Me.

Think about our relationship this way. If in your relationship with others you initiate every call, you send every card, you provide every gift, you make every move, how healthy is the relationship? If the relationship is that one-sided, is there a relationship? That’s why I want you to seek Me. It’s not that I don’t love you, I’ve already proven that in creation. I’ve already shown that by giving you breath. I’ve proven My love for you in My death on the cross. So show Me your side of the relationship by seeking Me with your heart.

What effort will you give to find Me in the places you go? To whom will you give a cup of water to find Me in them? How will you look at creation to see My handiwork? Where will you find My strength today? When will you see Me high and lifted up among the lowly around you today? I am not far from you. I want to be found. Seek Me and I will reward your efforts.

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 I am holy (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12), May 15, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Set – 1 Chronicles 25; 1 Thessalonians 4
Go! – 1 Chronicles 25-27; 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
¹ So finally, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus, we ask you, we beg you to remember what we have taught you: live a life that is pleasing to God as you are already doing. Yes, we urge you to keep living and thriving in that life! ² For you know the instructions we gave you, instructions that came through the Lord Jesus. ³ Now this is God’s will for you: set yourselves apart and live holy lives; avoid polluting yourselves with sexual defilement. ⁴ Learn how to take charge over your own body, maintaining purity and honor. ⁵ Don’t let the swells of lustful passion run your life as they do the outsiders who don’t know God. ⁶ Don’t violate or take advantage of a fellow believer in such matters. As we told you before and warned you: the Lord will settle the score with anyone who does these things. ⁷ Here’s why: God does not call us to live impure, adulterous, scandalous lives, but to seek holiness and purity. ⁸ If you ignore this message, then you’re not only rejecting us but you’re rejecting God, the One who has given His Holy Spirit to live in you.

⁹ Now there’s no need for us to send you instructions on caring for your faith family because God Himself has already taught you how to love outside yourselves. ¹⁰ And it’s evident you learned that lesson well by the way you love all the people of Macedonia. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to love even more ¹¹ and make it your goal to lead a peaceful life, mind your own business, and keep your hands busy in your work, as we have instructed you. ¹² That way you will live peacefully with those on the outside, and all your needs will be met without depending on others.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Paul understood My word clearly as he gave instructions to his brothers and sisters in Thessalonica. “Now this is God’s will for you: set yourselves apart and live holy lives;…” I told you how to do that, too. Love Me with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as you love yourself. The problem is too many think holiness is for someone else. They assume it’s only for those cloister in monasteries and convents or so old they can no longer enjoy life.

Paul understood the truth of living a holy life, though. It means living life in a way the world doesn’t necessarily agree and clearly doesn’t understand. It means helping others. It means succeeding in the areas I think important; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. You know these as the fruit of the Spirit. They don’t grow unless My Spirit lives in and controls your life.

People can fake the fruit or have cheap substitutes for a short period of time, but Paul and all My followers discover real holiness comes only from letting Me fully control your life. It means dying to self and living for Me. That doesn’t mean becoming a pastor or a monk or hiding yourself from the world. Paul still made tents as he shared the gospel in all the cities he visited. Peter still fished to make money. Lydia still traded as a merchant in purple dye.

But all of these with their occupational pursuits kept their minds on their vocation – spreading the gospel. All were compelled by their separateness, their holiness, their dedication to Me to share the gospel with those around them. They died to self and let My Spirit send them to places and people ready to hear the good news I had for them. They didn’t let their careers or their personal desires get in the way of My desires for them.

Interesting enough, though, as you read their letters and the stories of their lives, you do not find them complaining after they received My Spirit. You hear joy in their voices. You hear excitement in their speech. Time after time they give themselves over to My direction and find themselves in situations that look like dead ends – literally – only to become the instruments that win dozens or hundreds or thousands to the kingdom because of their testimony.

I ask you to do something that goes against the grain of this world. Be holy, because I am holy. I ask you to give yourself wholly to Me so that I can do great works through you. I ask you to invest yourself completely in My kingdom so that you can inherit the kingdom. The world will never understand being holy, loving Me with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, or loving others like you love yourself.

The world says, “Me first. Don’t worry about anyone else.”

I say, “Be holy, because I am holy.” Who will you listen to today?

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.

Inspections make you better (1 Thessalonians 3), May 14, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Thessalonians 3
Set – 1 Chronicles 22; 1 Thessalonians 3
Go! – 1 Chronicles 22-24; 1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3
¹ But after all our attempts to come to you were frustrated, we decided it was best for Silvanus and me to stay behind in Athens by ourselves ² and to send Timothy (our dear brother [and servant of God], our partner in the good news of the Anointed One) to strengthen, comfort, and encourage you in your faith ³ so that you won’t be shaken by the sufferings and wither under this stress that we know lies ahead. ⁴ Certainly you remember that when we were with you, we warned you of the suffering we would have to endure; now, as you well know, it has happened. ⁵ This is why I couldn’t stand it anymore and sent Timothy to report on the state of your faith: because I was worried the tempter had tested you and, if so, all of our hard work would have come to nothing.

⁶ You can imagine my relief and joy when Timothy returned to us with such good news about you, about your faith and love for us, about how you have such good memories of us and long to see us as much as we long to see you. ⁷ Hearing this about your faith, brothers and sisters, brought comfort to us in our stress-filled days of trouble and suffering. ⁸ For if you are set firmly in the Lord, then we can truly live. ⁹ What thanks would ever be enough to offer God about you for all the jubilant celebration we’ll feel before our God because of you? ¹⁰ We remain vigilant in our prayers, night and day praying to once again see your faces and to help complete whatever may be lacking in your faith.

¹¹ May God Himself, our Father, along with our Lord Jesus, [the Anointed One, navigate our way to you. ¹² May the Lord flood you with an unending, undying love for one another and for all humanity, like our love for you, ¹³ so that your hearts will be reinforced with His strength, held blameless and holy before God, our Father, when our Lord Jesus, the Anointed, the Liberating King, appears along with all His holy ones. [Amen.]

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

People who tell you they like inspections are probably lying to you. No one likes inspections. But inspections are sometimes important. Paul sent Timothy to inspect the church he began in Thessalonica. He gave them instructions before he left. He gave them My word and left them procedures. He entrusted them with the treasure of the gospel and the objective of growing the church. He wanted to know if what he planted had grown. There was no better way to do so than to send someone back to check. That’s what an inspection does.

You’ll remember in his letter to the Corinthians, some steered away from the message he entrusted to them. The information he obtained from the Corinthians required follow up that was not so pleasant. So Paul sends Timothy to check up on the church in Thessalonica. What Timothy found was a growing vibrant church standing in the face of persecution.

Timothy found some things that needed correction and took care of them. Every organization needs improvement, including My church. Of course it needs improvement, it is filled with flawed people. Until all of you join Me in glory, it will continue to need improvement. Inspections help to find those areas that need improvement and help correct them. They are healthy for the church body just like physical examinations periodically are healthy to find those things that need correcting in your physical body.

You inspect your car. You inspect your house. You inspect all the mechanical apparatus around you to make sure it functions properly. Why do you hesitate to inspect your spiritual life? What are you afraid you will find? Don’t you want to know what is working well and what needs improvement? Don’t you want to know how to get better in your relationship with Me and others? Don’t you want to better share the gospel with those around you?

Do some self inspection. Do some inspection of your church. Look at your processes against the instructions in My word. Look at your life, your ministry, your actions in light of my guidance and see how they stand up. Then make the corrections that are necessary. Remember, inspections are an important part of making improvements wherever you are. You want to get better. It’s a natural part of what you do, just direct it to the right areas of your life. Do some serious inspecting starting today.

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.

Count your blessings (2 Samuel 22), May 12, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Samuel 22
Set – 2 Samuel 22; 1 Thessalonians 1
Go! – 2 Samuel 21-23; 1 Thessalonians 1

2 Samuel 22
¹ David composed the following song of praise to the Eternal because He delivered him from all of his enemies and especially from Saul.
² David: The Eternal is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
³ He is my True God, my stronghold in whom I take refuge,
My strong shield, my horn that calls forth rescue,
my tall-walled tower and strong refuge,
My savior from violence.
⁴ I call on the Eternal, who is worthy to be praised,
and I have been rescued from my enemies.
⁵ The waves of death surrounded me;
the torrents of terror tugged at me.
⁶ The sorrows of the grave tightly tangled me;
the snares of death met me.
⁷ In my time of need I called upon the Eternal One;
I called to my True God for help.
He heard my voice from His temple,
and my cry came to His ears.
⁸ Because of His great anger,
the earth shook and staggered;
the foundations of the heavens trembled and quaked.
⁹ Smoke billowed out from His nostrils
and devouring fire from His mouth;
glowing coals flamed from Him.
¹⁰ He bent the heavens and descended;
darkness is beneath His feet.
¹¹ He rode upon a heavenly creature, flying;
He soared swiftly on the wings of the wind.
¹² He placed darkness around Him like a canopy
and made His home in dark watery clouds of the sky.
¹³ Out from His brightness,
hailstones and burning coals flared forth.
¹⁴ The Eternal thundered in the heavens,
the voice of the Most High speaking.
¹⁵ He shot forth His arrows and scattered the wicked;
He flung forth His lightning and struck them.
¹⁶ Then the deepest channels of the seas were revealed;
and the foundations of the world were uncovered
At Your rebuke, O Eternal One,
at the blast of wind breathed from Your nostrils.
¹⁷ He reached down from above me, He held me;
He pulled me from the raging waters.
¹⁸ He rescued me from my strong enemy
and from all those who hated me,
for they would have overwhelmed me.
¹⁹ When my enemies came for me on the day of my destruction,
the Eternal stepped in to support me.
²⁰ He led me out onto a broad plain;
He delivered me because of His delight in me.
²¹ The Eternal One rewarded me because I sought righteousness;
He rewarded me because I kept my hands clean.
²² He rewarded me because I kept the ways of the Eternal
and have not walked away from my True God in wickedness.
²³ For all His laws were there before me,
and I did not push His statutes away.
²⁴ I made myself blameless before Him;
I kept myself from guilt and shame.
²⁵ That’s why the Eternal has rewarded me for seeking righteousness;
He’s rewarded me because He sees I have remained pure.
²⁶ To the good, You show Your goodness;
to the blameless, You prove to be blameless;
²⁷ To the pure, You show Your purity;
to the crooked, You make Yourself twisted.
²⁸ For You rescue weak people,
but the proud You bring low.
²⁹ You are the lamp who lights my way, O Eternal One,
the Eternal, who lights up my darkness.
³⁰ With Your help, I can conquer an army;
with Your help, I can vault over walls.
³¹ God has made an upright way;
the promise of the Eternal rings true;
He stands and shields all who hide in Him.
³² Who is the True God except the Eternal One?
Who stands like a rock except our God?
³³ The True God who circled me with strength
puts the upright on His way.
³⁴ He made me sure-footed as a deer
and placed me high up and safe.
³⁵ He teaches me to fight
so that my arms can bend a bronze bow.
³⁶ You have given me the shield of Your salvation,
and Your support has made me strong.
³⁷ You taught me how to walk with care
so my feet would not slip.
³⁸ I pursued my enemies and defeated them
and did not stop until all were destroyed.
³⁹ When I eliminated them, they fell down beneath my feet
so they could not rise again.
⁴⁰ For You equipped me with strength for battle,
and You made my enemies fall beneath me.
⁴¹ You made my enemies turn and run,
and all who hated me, I destroyed.
⁴² They looked everywhere, but no one came to save them;
they asked the Eternal for help, but He did not answer them.
⁴³ I beat them until they were as small as the dust of the earth;
I flung them away and beat them down like mud in the gutters.
⁴⁴ You delivered me from conflict with the peoples;
you raised me up to rule over nations;
people whom I did not know came to serve me.
⁴⁵ Strangers came to me, cringing and afraid;
as soon as they heard about me, they obeyed me.
⁴⁶ Strangers had their courage shrivel before them
and came fearfully to me from behind their high walls.
⁴⁷ The Eternal One is alive! May my Rock be blessed;
and the True God, the Rock of my deliverance be exalted,
⁴⁸ The God who avenged me
and tamed the peoples under me,
⁴⁹ Who rescued me from all my foes.
You raised me up above my enemies;
You saved me from the violent ones.
⁵⁰ For this, I will praise You, O Eternal One, among the nations
and sing praises to Your name.
⁵¹ He is a tower of salvation for His king
and shows His loyal love to His anointed,
to David and his descendants, continually.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

It’s easy to grumble about life and belly-ache about the way life treats you. But life David, every once in a while it’s important to just stop and count your blessings. Then remember where they come from. Remember all good things come from Me. I like to pour our good gifts on My children. I also like you to stop and give thanks for them every once in a while.

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.

David teaches about rewards (2 Samuel 19:24-40), May 11, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Samuel 19:24-40
Set – 2 Samuel 19; Matthew 28
Go! – 2 Samuel 19-20; Psalms 55; Matthew 28

2 Samuel 19:24-40
²⁴ Mephibosheth, the lame grandson of Saul and son of David’s dear friend Jonathan, also made his way to meet the king. His feet had not been cared for—no, and his beard had grown long, and he had not had his clothes washed—since the king went into exile and returned in peace. ²⁵ When he met the king in Jerusalem, the king received him.

David: Why didn’t you go into exile with me, Mephibosheth?

Mephibosheth: ²⁶ My lord, my servant Ziba tricked me. I asked him to saddle a donkey so that I could go with you—for you know I cannot walk. ²⁷ He has told you lies about me, but my lord is like a heavenly messenger of God. So do what seems right to you, and I will accept it. ²⁸ You had the right to kill everyone in my family when you became king, yet you took me to sit at your table. So it would be wrong for me to bicker over anything with you.

David: 29 Let’s not talk any more about this. I have decided that you and Ziba will share the land.

Mephibosheth: ³⁰ My king, let him take it all. I’m just grateful you are back safely in your own palace and kingdom.

³¹ Barzillai from Gilead, who had fed the king’s forces, had come down from Rogelim to escort the king across the Jordan. ³² He was 80 years old and very wealthy, which is how he had been able to provide for the king while he was at Mahanaim.

David (to Barzillai): ³³ Cross over with me, and come to Jerusalem. I’ll take care of you and give you a place of honor at my side.

Barzillai: ³⁴ My king, how many years do I have left, that I should leave my home and relocate with the king to Jerusalem? I am too old for court life. ³⁵ I am 80 years old today. My judgment is not as good as it used to be. I can’t taste my food, enjoy my drink, or even hear the pleasant singing of men and women. So why should you burden yourself with me, my lord and king? ³⁶ I will travel a little farther with you across the Jordan, but you don’t owe me anything more for my hospitality. Why should you, my king, offer me such a handsome reward? ³⁷ Please grant me your favor to return home, to die among my own people near the resting places of my parents. But do consider your servant Chimham. Let him come with you, and may you honor Chimham as you see fit.

David: ³⁸ Chimham will cross the river with me, and I will treat him as seems good to you. Anything you want from me, I will do for you.

³⁹ Then the king and all the people crossed over the Jordan. David kissed Barzillai and wished him well, and Barzillai returned home. ⁴⁰ The king, along with Chimham, went on to Gilgal, accompanied by all the people of Judah and half the people of Israel.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David reaped the harvest of his sins. Two of his sons are dead. He returns to the throne from exile with questions from half the people of Israel as to whether he is fit to rule. Absalom won them over and they reluctantly put David back on the throne because their champion, Absalom, has been killed in battle. David almost loses his army because of his grief over his son. Had it not been for Joab’s advice, he would have lost his army and his throne.

But now, David makes his journey back toward Jerusalem. Mixed emotions flooded his mind. Much of what happened over the last several years he could see as a direct result of his actions. He served Me, but he made some significant blunders that cost him dearly. He came back repentantly, but he failed to relay to his children the importance of keeping My commands and the costs of not doing so.

David saw the dominoes falling in his family where he strayed from My commands. Don’t take foreign wives, they will lead you and your children astray. David stayed loyal to Me, but not his children. Remember, David ran the kingdom, but didn’t run his household. He married many women, had many children and let his wives and servants raise them.

What David does as he returns to Jerusalem, though, is worth noting. He remembers his friends. All those who helped him in his time of need, he rewards their kindness. They risked their lives for him and he didn’t forget. Some of the help was minor. Some major and dangerous. David remembered it all, however, and rewarded each one appropriately.

What am I trying to tell you through David’s difficulties and this glimpse into his life? First, don’t get yourself into his predicament. Live in line with My Spirit’s guidance and you won’t have the problem. Second, remember those who help you along the way. Third, and of utmost importance, don’t forget your children as you move through life. Teach them My ways. There’s a lot to learn from My word. Pick it up a read it. It’s good.

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.

Don’t let the cross be in vain (Matthew 25:32-56), May 10, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Matthew 27:32-56
Set – 2 Samuel 18; Matthew 27
Go! – 2 Samuel 18; Psalms 56; Matthew 27

Matthew 27:32-56
³² As they were walking, they found a man called Simon of Cyrene and forced him to carry the cross. ³³ Eventually they came to a place called Golgotha, which means “Place of the Skull.” ³⁴ There they gave Him a drink—wine mixed with bitter herbs. He tasted it but refused to drink it.

³⁵ And so they had Him crucified. They divided the clothes off His back by drawing lots, ³⁶ and they sat on the ground and watched Him hang. ³⁷ They placed a sign over His head: “This is Jesus, King of the Jews.” ³⁸ And then they crucified two thieves next to Him, one at His right hand and one at His left hand.

³⁹ Passersby shouted curses and blasphemies at Jesus. They wagged their heads at Him and hissed.

Passersby: ⁴⁰ You’re going to destroy the temple and then rebuild it in three days? Why don’t You start with saving Yourself? Come down from the cross if You can, if You’re God’s Son.

Chief Priests, Scribes, and Elders (mocking Him): ^41-42 He saved others, but He can’t save Himself. If He’s really the King of Israel, then let Him climb down from the cross—then we’ll believe Him. ⁴³ He claimed communion with God—well, let God save Him, if He’s God’s beloved Son.

⁴⁴ Even the thieves hanging to His right and left poured insults upon Him. ⁴⁵ And then, starting at noon, the entire land became dark. It was dark for three hours. ⁴⁶ In the middle of the dark afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice.

Jesus: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani—My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

Bystanders: ⁴⁷ He’s calling on Elijah.

⁴⁸ One bystander grabbed a sponge, steeped it in vinegar, stuck it on a reed, and gave Jesus the vinegar to drink.

Others: ⁴⁹ We’ll see—we’ll see if Elijah is going to come and rescue Him.

⁵⁰ And then Jesus cried out once more, loudly, and then He breathed His last breath. ⁵¹ At that instant, the temple curtain was torn in half, from top to bottom. The earth shook; rocks split in two; ⁵² tombs burst open, and bodies of many sleeping holy women and men were raised up. ⁵³ After Jesus’ resurrection, they came out of their tombs, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and showed themselves to people.

⁵⁴ When the Centurion and soldiers who had been charged with guarding Jesus felt the earthquake and saw the rocks splitting and the tombs opening, they were, of course, terrified.

Soldiers: He really was God’s Son.

⁵⁵ A number of women, who had been devoted to Jesus and followed Him from Galilee, were present, too, watching from a distance. ⁵⁶ Mary Magdalene was there, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

“Good Friday.” Good for all humankind. But what a horrible day for Me. I gave up all the glory of heaven and walked with you for 33 years. I tried to teach you My ways. I tried to show you My love and guide you to a life based on a right relationship with Me. But I was misunderstood by so many, even those who were suppose to teach you about My love.

All around Me rules and regulations became substitutes for love. You had to follow this law or that rule. You couldn’t do this activity on the Sabbath or perform that act for your fellowman because he was from another country. My love for all of humankind got lost somewhere and when I tried to show you what it was like, I was rejected by those who should know best.

After thirty years in the flesh, when My formal teaching ministry began, I knew what the end result would be. I knew the only way to bring salvation to humankind was to become the sacrifice for you. I understood My mission, but I didn’t want to go through it. The human part of Me didn’t want the suffering. Not so much the pain of the cross, though, that was torturous. That pain lasted only a short time.

The most dreadful suffering came from knowing I would bear the sins of the world on My shoulders. Knowing I must become the sacrifice to atone for all the evil ever committed by all humankind throughout history, past and future. I knew the load. I saw the evil. I felt the crush of the burden. I understood the isolation from the Father, separating Myself from Myself.

You cannot understand the agony of God sacrificing God for humankind. Touching evil with an absolutely holy and pure being. You cannot understand it because all of you are born with the sinful nature passed through the seed of Adam. I did not inherit his seed. I was born pure and righteous, born of God. I am God from the beginning of time. And to touch the evil of men and women on the cross was pure agony.

I could not allow My Father to rescue Me, though. I had to remain. I had to die. I had to become the perfect, unblemished sacrifice so you could be justified. It was the only way. It fulfilled the plan put in place so many centuries before. I wanted you to learn love, but you could only learn it through My demonstrated love despite your hate. I paid your price. I was your sacrifice. All you need to do is believe. Accept My gift to you. Follow Me. Don’t let My sacrifice be in vain.

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 is there for you (Psalm 71), May 9, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Psalms 71
Set – Psalms 71; Matthew 26
Go! – 2 Samuel 17; Psalms 71; Matthew 26

Psalms 71
¹ I have found shelter in You, Eternal One;
I count on You to shield me always from humiliation and disgrace.
² Rescue and save me in Your justice.
Turn Your ear to me, and hurry to deliver me from my enemies.
³ Be my rock of refuge where I can always hide.
You have given the order to keep me safe;
You are my solid ground—my rock and my fortress.
⁴ Save me from the power of sinful people, O my God,
from the grip of unjust and cruel men.
⁵ For You are my hope, Eternal One;
You, Lord, have been the source of my confidence since I was young.
⁶ I have leaned upon You since I came into this world;
I have relied on You since You took me safely from my mother’s body,
So I will ever praise You.
⁷ Many find me a mystery,
but You are my rock and my shelter—my soul’s asylum.
⁸ My mouth overflows with praise to You
and proclaims Your magnificence all day long.
⁹ Do not set me aside when I am old;
do not abandon me when I am worn out.
¹⁰ For my enemies often voice evil against me;
those who desire to kill me plot together in secret.
¹¹ They say, “God has abandoned him;
let’s go after him right now and seize him.
There’s no one around to rescue him.”
¹² God, stay close by me.
Come quick, O my God, and help me!
¹³ May my enemies be covered in shame and then die;
may those who seek to harm me
be overwhelmed with contempt and disgrace.
¹⁴ But I will keep hope alive,
and my praise to You will grow exponentially.
¹⁵ I will bear witness to Your merciful acts;
throughout the day I will speak of all the ways You deliver,
although, I admit, I do not know the entirety of either.
¹⁶ I will come with stories of Your great acts, my Lord, the Eternal.
I will remind them of Your justice, only Yours.
¹⁷ You have taught me since I was young, O God,
and I still proclaim the wonderful things You have done.
¹⁸ Now as I grow old and my hair turns gray,
I ask that You not abandon me, O God.
Allow me to share with the generation to come
about Your power;
Let me speak about Your strength and wonders
to all those yet to be born.
¹⁹ God, Your justice stretches to the heavens,
You who have done mighty things!
Who is like You, O God?
²⁰ You have made me see hard times: I’ve experienced many miserable days,
but You will restore me again.
You will raise me up
from the deep pit.
²¹ You will greatly increase my status
and be my comfort once again.
²² I will praise You with music played on a harp
because You have been faithful, O my God.
I will sing praises to You with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
²³ I will shout for joy
as I sing Your praises;
my soul will celebrate because You have rescued me.
²⁴ All day long I will declare how Your justice saved me,
for those who have plotted to bring me harm
are now ashamed and humiliated.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Hard days come because you live in a sin-scarred world. I didn’t intend for the world to become as evil as it has. It’s a consequence of creating humankind with moral choice. You can choose whether you serve Me. The result of not doing so makes life harder for everyone. As I’ve mentioned before, sin reaches much farther than just the one committing the sin. It affects families, friends, co-workers, everyone the perpetrator touches.

The psalmist and many of My followers found a secret with Me, though. Despite the hardship of the days, I still provide shelter from the storms of life. I provide inner peace that those around them cannot understand or explain. But My followers understand. They know that I am with them and in the end, I will rescue them. I bring hope to the hopeless. I bring healing to the incurable. I bring peace in the storms of life. I bring calm in the midst of trouble.

I’ve noticed something missing today among many of My followers, though. In days gone by, I would hear generations telling the next generation what I had done. I heard from the lips of My followers the exploits of My mercy and grace demonstrated in their lives. I heard about My interventions at just the right time to remind them I am their God and there is no other beside Me.

Today there is silence. My stories don’t seem to get passed from generation to generation. Do you not see Me at work in your life anymore? I’m there. Are you ashamed of Me? Are you afraid? Are you embarrassed? What excuse to you give for not sharing the ways in which I aid you in life? How will your children know that I am God and your shelter when the storms of life come? Do you expect them to trust some preacher or you more? Where do you want them to go for answers to their problems? Me or the world?

It’s time to share your stories. It’s time to acknowledge Me. It’s time to stand up and be counted in a world that refuses to believe I exist. Let your children know that I am alive and care about them more than anyone else in the world. I will be with them in every circumstance. I died for them. Look for Me each day, then tell your story.

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.

Consequences (2 Samuel 15:1-14), May 8, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Samuel 15:1-14
Set – 2 Samuel 15; Matthew 25
Go! – 2 Samuel 15-16; Psalms 32; Matthew 25

2 Samuel 15:1-14
¹ After this, Absalom acquired a chariot and horses, and he hired 50 men to run ahead of him. ² Now Absalom made it a practice to rise early and stand beside the road leading into one of Jerusalem’s gates. When someone came along who wanted to petition the king, he would ask, “What is your city?” The person would answer, “Your servant is from a certain tribe of Israel.”

Absalom: ³ I’m sure your claims are truthful and have merit, but the king has not appointed anyone to hear your case. ⁴ If only I were appointed the authority in the land! Then anyone with a petition could come before me, and I would give him justice!

⁵ When people came to Absalom to show their respects, he would embrace them and kiss them. ⁶ Absalom did this to everyone who sought justice from the king; and in this way, he made himself the favorite of the people of Israel.

⁷ When four years had passed, Absalom went to his father the king.

Absalom: My king, please let me go to Hebron and satisfy the vow I made to the Eternal One. ⁸ I made a promise when I lived at Geshur in Aram: “If ever the Eternal will bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will go and serve Him [in Hebron.]”

David: ⁹ Go in peace.

So he got up and traveled to Hebron. But this was all part of Absalom’s plan to come to power. ¹⁰ He had secretly planted messengers in all the tribes of Israel with these instructions: “As soon as you hear the trumpet play, then shout that Absalom has been crowned king in Hebron.”

¹¹ Two hundred men from Jerusalem who were ignorant of Absalom’s plan were his invited guests on the journey. ¹² While Absalom was offering sacrifices to God, he sent for David’s counselor Ahithophel of Giloh. The rebellion grew in power and number, ¹³ and at last a messenger came to David.

Messenger: Absalom has captured the loyalty of the people of Israel.

¹⁴ David could see now that he had been outmaneuvered, so he called for his advisors in Jerusalem and instructed them.

David: Gather your things, and let’s flee from the city right now, or we won’t escape Absalom’s revolt. Hurry, or he will catch us and kill us and anyone left in the city.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The consequences of David’s sins have matured. I forgave him, but he still suffered the consequences of his actions. David should have been out with the people, but his guilt shut him inside his palace. He feared the people saw his sins the way I did and so he hid in his palace. He should have know what his sons were doing. He should have punished Amnon for raping Tamar and Absalom for killing Amnon, but his own past haunted him and he instead he did nothing.

Word spread around the kingdom, and so, David could no longer face his subjects. He hid in the shadows of the courts. He still worshipped Me. He knew his sins were forgiven and he wrote songs about it. He led his army on occasion and met with his advisors, but grew further away from the people I called him to serve.

In fact, Absalom plotted for four years gathering the hearts of the people before launching his revolt. And David didn’t notice a thing. David lost his children. He lost the loyalty of his people. He almost lost his throne. All because of single night of indiscretion he tried to cover with more evil. The consequences of sin spread much wider than you think.

The rules haven’t changed. I gave you David’s story to teach you just how bad things can get. Look around, though, and you’ll find his example isn’t so extraordinary. The web sin weaves is always extensive. Today, the webs are just as complex and far reaching for each sin and each person as they were for David in his day. No sin goes unnoticed and no sin is executed without consequences. I forgive, but consequences can still follow. It pays to obey Me from the start and learn to walk in My ways always.

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’s coming back (Matthew 24:1-22), May 7, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Matthew 24:1-22
Set – 2 Samuel 14; Matthew 24
Go! – 2 Samuel 13-14; Matthew 24

Matthew 24:1-22
¹ Jesus left the temple. As He was walking away, His disciples came up to Him and asked what He thought about the temple buildings.

Jesus: ² Look around you. All of it will become rubble. I tell you this: not one stone will be left standing.

³ Later, as Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately.

Disciples: We don’t understand Your predictions. Tell us, when will these things happen: When will the temple be destroyed? What will be the sign that You are returning? How will we know that the end of the age is upon us?

Jesus: ⁴ Take care that you are not deceived. ⁵ For many will come in My name claiming they are the Anointed One, and many poor souls will be taken in. ⁶ You will hear of wars, and you will hear rumors of wars, but you should not panic. It is inevitable, this violent breaking apart of the sinful world, but remember, the wars are not the end. The end is still unfolding. ⁷ Nations will do battle with nations, and kingdoms will fight neighboring kingdoms, and there will be famines and earthquakes. ⁸ But these are not the end. These are the birth pangs, the beginning. The end is still unfolding.

⁹ They will hand you over to your enemies, who will torture you and then kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of Me. ¹⁰ And many who have followed Me and claimed to love Me and sought God’s kingdom will turn away—they will abandon the faith and betray and hate one another. ^11-12 The love that they had for one another will grow cold because few will obey the law. False prophets will appear, many will be taken in by them, and the only thing that will grow is wickedness. There will be no end to the increase of wickedness. ¹³ But those who do not waver from our path and do not follow those false prophets—those among you will be saved. ¹⁴ And this good news of God’s kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, a testimony to all people and all nations. Then, beloved, the end, the consummation of all things, will come.

¹⁵ You will remember that the prophet Daniel predicted this—predicted the abomination that causes desolation—when you see the prophesied desolation of the holy place. (Reader, take notice; it is important that you understand this.) ¹⁶ When you see this, let those in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ If you are relaxing on your rooftop one evening and the signs of the temple’s destructions come, don’t return to your house to rescue a book or a pet or a scrap of clothing. ¹⁸ If you are in the field when the great destruction begins, don’t return home for a cloak. ¹⁹ Pregnant women and nursing mothers will have the worst of it. ²⁰ And as for you, pray that your flight to the hills will not come on the Sabbath or in the cold of winter. ²¹ For the tribulation will be unparalleled—hardships of a magnitude that has not been seen since creation and that will not be seen again. ²² Indeed the Lord God your merciful judge will cut this time of trial short, and this will be done for the benefit of the elect that some might indeed be saved—for no one could survive the depravity for very long.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Well, I told you a long time ago that I would begin to show you when the end would begin to unfold. When I walked with you in the flesh, My disciples asked Me when the Temple would be destroyed. I used their question to give a broader answer to the end of time using all the scriptures and My knowledge to give them a peek into the future. What you are experiencing are the birth pangs.

I told you about wars and rumors of wars. Look around you at the nations of the world. There is little doubt of the hatred against My chosen people. If you think that has been true throughout history, you’re right. But never has the hatred escalated to the point it has today. Now nuclear weapons point to the cities of My people. But do you think I will let My chosen people be destroyed? Better think about who is on their side and remember what I’ve said in My word. “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

To the other nations of the world, I’d say, “Don’t try it.” But there will be wars and My people will suffer in them as will other nations.

Look at the famines, the droughts, the wild weather patterns that defy explanation, earthquakes. Many will say, “It’s just nature doing its thing. There are explanations if we just look hard enough.” I say, “Listen to what I told you 2,000 years ago.” You are in the birth pangs that show the beginning of the end. I’m coming back and it won’t be much longer. Look at the signs and know that I can return in the blink of an eye.

As I told My disciples 2,000 years ago, I tell you now. Be ready. You never know when I’ll be back.

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.

You are the man! (2 Samuel 12:1-12) May 6, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Samuel 12:1-12
Set – 2 Samuel 12; Psalms 51
Go! – 2 Samuel 11-12; Psalms 51; Matthew 23

2 Samuel 12:1-12
¹The Eternal One sent the prophet Nathan to visit David. Nathan came to him and told him a story.

Nathan: Two men lived in the same city. One was quite rich and the other quite poor; ² the rich man’s wealth included livestock with many flocks and herds, ³ but the poor man owned only one little ewe lamb. He bought it and raised it in his family, with his children, like a pet. It used to eat what little food he had, drink from his meager cup, and snuggle against him. It was like a daughter to him.

⁴ Now a traveler came to the city to visit the rich man. To offer a proper welcome, the rich man knew he needed to fix a meal, but he did not want to take one of the animals from his flocks and herds. So instead he stole the poor man’s ewe lamb and had it killed and cooked for his guest.

Nathan stood back, waiting for the king’s verdict. ⁵ David grew very angry at the rich man. It was his royal duty to protect the poor and establish justice.

David: As the Eternal One lives, the rich man who did this deserves to die. ⁶ At the least, he will restore that lamb four times over because he acted without pity.

Nathan: ⁷ You are that man!

This is the message of the Eternal God of Israel: “I was the One who anointed you to rule over Israel, and I was the One who rescued you from the hand of Saul. ⁸ It was I who gave you Saul’s house, Saul’s wives, and dominion over both Israel and Judah; and if that were not enough, I would have given you as much again.

⁹ “So why have you despised the word of the Eternal and chosen to do evil in His sight? It was you who killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword and stole his wife, even though you used the Ammonites to do the dirty work. ¹⁰ Now because he was killed with the sword, the sword will be your constant companion. It will hang over your household, bringing death and violence to your family, since you have despised Me by showing no regard for My law, and you have taken Bathsheba, the lawful wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own wife.”

¹¹ This is the message of the Eternal: “I will bring trouble on you in your own household—right under your nose. I will take your wives and give them to another, and he will flaunt that he sleeps with them in the light of day. ¹² You did your evil in secret, but I will do this out in the open, in front of all Israel.”

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

“You are that man!”

When you get your eyes off of Me and look to satisfy your base desires in ways that violate My laws it’s easy for you to overlook your sins. It’s easy for you to point fingers at others and try to cover your own guilt, but it never works.

David thought he could cover the guilt he felt after his adulterous affair with Uriah’s wife by getting this mighty warrior killed in battle and then making the public think he was doing an honorable thing by taking her into his house as one of his wives. The public thought David was a truly compassionate king for his kind actions toward this poor widow of a fallen soldier. But he and Bathsheba knew better. Both of them and I knew better. They knew and I knew the real secret of their affair and the child they conceived together. They knew of David’s murderous plot. They knew of the treachery in David’s heart to hide his guilt from the people he served.

Sin cannot be kept secret. It will always find its way into the light no matter how hard the perpetrators work to keep it hidden the darkness. And sin will always affect more than just the one who commits the atrocity. David’s sin affected his whole family and ultimately the entire kingdom of Israel as his son slept with David’s concubines in view of the people and then tried to overthrow his father from the throne. David’s family from the point of his sin became filled with incest, rape, hatred, plots to gain control of the throne, violence, and murder. David found forgiveness for his sin, but lived through the unrelenting consequences throughout the rest of his life.

Sin cannot be kept secret. Someone will find out. Just like the leaks you hear in the press about some sordid affair, some secret indiscretion, some unjust action, some shady deal, sin breaks out into the light and the consequences of those actions reap a harvest. I forgive when men and women come to Me in repentance and with a contrite heart. But the consequences of actions may still follow. The harvest comes.

Nathan reported to David the story that uncovered his sins and drove him back to Me repentantly. Listen to My voice early in life. Listen to Me often. Listen to Me every day to avoid the traps that Satan throws in front of you. Don’t let him trick you into thinking you can hide your actions or satisfy your desires without consequences. The harvest always follows the sowing. Don’t make Me send a prophet to you to declare, “You are the man!”

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.