Category Archives: devotional

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

Today’s Podcast

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.

Wisdom doesn’t come from books (Matthew 22:34-46), May 5, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Matthew 22:34-46
Set – 2 Samuel 10; Matthew 22
Go! – 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19-20; Psalms 20; Matthew 22

Matthew 22:34-46
³⁴ Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, a group of Pharisees met to consider new questions that might trip up Jesus. ³⁵ A legal expert thought of one that would certainly stump Him.

Pharisees: ³⁶ Teacher, of all the laws, which commandment is the greatest?

Jesus (quoting Scripture): ³⁷ “Love the Eternal One your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind.” ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is nearly as important, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ⁴⁰ The rest of the law, and all the teachings of the prophets, are but variations on these themes.

⁴¹ Since the Pharisees were gathered together there, Jesus took the opportunity to pose a question of His own.

Jesus: ⁴² What do you think about the Anointed One? Whose Son is He?

Pharisees: But, of course, He is the Son of David.

Jesus: ⁴³ Then how is it that David—whose words were surely shaped by the Spirit—calls Him “Lord”? For in his psalms David writes,

⁴⁴ The Master said to my master
“Sit here at My right hand,
in the place of honor and power,
And I will gather Your enemies together,
lead them in on hands and knees,
and You will rest Your feet on their backs.”
⁴⁵ How can David call his own Son “Lord”?

⁴⁶ No one had an answer to Jesus’ question. And from that day forward, no one asked Him anything.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Why do people always want to question Me? Why can’t they just believe I am who I say I am? There are some in every crowd who think they are smart enough to outsmart me. It doesn’t work. How can mere humans outsmart God? I created you. Why do you feel the need to question Me instead of just exercising a little faith and letting Me work in your life.

The Pharisees and Sadducees kept themselves in trouble with Me and with the common people of Israel because they continued to question Me. I answered all of their questions, but they could never answer Mine. They tried to trip Me up with their intellect, not realizing how foolish they were. That’s the way with those who think they are wise.

Wisdom doesn’t come from books. You can’t get wisdom from memorizing facts and figures. No one can discern the makings of the universe. I created it; it’s beyond human understanding. I know you have scientists that put formulas together to try to explain it. All of them lead back to faith in some unknown, though. You always have to start with something that has no explanation. But I can explain it because I made it.

I know how to make everything from nothing. I know how to create breathe life into lifeless dust. I know how to form the stars and the planets. Your scientists have some ideas, but I know; I did it. Who designed the process to make sure every creature on the planet has the right kind of food to eat? I did.

In fact, if the world were not marred by selfishness and sin, there is more than enough food to feed everyone today. Tons of food goes uneaten every day. Tons of produce and meat spoil in ports around the world because of the corruption, selfishness, and greed of those who would keep it from those who need it most.

Who has wisdom? Not those who think they do and try to flout their intellect as a badge trying to prove I don’t exist. Their circular arguments will always get them in trouble. Oh, they might match wits with other people and cloud their minds with their fancy words and high sounding education, but they will never have real wisdom until they learn to fear Me. Remember, real wisdom begins with the fear of Me. I have the answers you need, not some college professor or some self-proclaimed wiseman.

Be careful who you put your trust in. Too many during the time I walked with you in the flesh put their faith in the intellect of the Sadducees and Pharisees. At each encounter, though, I showed them how foolish they really were. They thought themselves wiser than the God of the universe. But they could not answer the simplest questions about life, love, and faith. Trust Me and you’ll be on the right track.

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.

Mephibosheth, a story of forgiveness (2 Samuel 9), May 4, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Samuel 9
Set – 2 Samuel 9; Matthew 21
Go! – 2 Samuel 8-9; 1 Chronicles 18; Matthew 21

2 Samuel 9
David: ¹ Is anyone from Saul’s family still around that I could honor for the sake of my friend Jonathan?

² One servant from Saul’s household, Ziba, was still alive, and they brought him to King David.

David: Are you Ziba?

Ziba: At your service, Majesty.

David: ³ Is anyone from Saul’s family still alive to whom I could show the kindness of God?

Ziba: Jonathan has a son who is still alive; he is crippled, unable to use his feet.

David: ⁴ Where is he?

Ziba: He lives with Machir, son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.

^5-6 David sent for Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth and had him brought to Jerusalem from the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar. When he arrived, Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, grandson of Saul, laid facedown on the floor and honored the king.

David: Mephibosheth!

Mephibosheth: At your service, my king.

David: ⁷ There’s no need to be frightened. I intend to treat you kindly for the sake of your father, Jonathan, who was my loyal friend. I will return to you all the territory that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always be welcome at my table.

⁸ Mephibosheth again prostrated himself before the king.

Mephibosheth: What am I to you that the king should look with favor on a dead dog like me? I am as one of your servants.

⁹ Then the king summoned Ziba, who had been Saul’s servant.

^David: Everything that belonged to his grandfather Saul and his family I have returned to your master’s descendant. ¹⁰ You, your sons, and your servants will work on his farms and bring in his produce, so that he and his household will have food. But Mephibosheth will always eat at my table.

Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants.

Ziba: ¹¹ I am your servant, and you are my lord and king. Whatever you command I will do.

From then on, Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table as though he were one of David’s own sons. ¹² Mephibosheth had a young son, Mica; and all who lived in the house of Ziba became Mephibosheth’s servants and worked for him. ¹³ Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem, where he always ate at the king’s table. He was lame and could not walk on either foot.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The verses you just heard about David’s care of Mephibosheth are important. They tell an important story that partly depicts the reason I chose David as king to succeed Saul. It’s part of the reason I called him a man after My own heart.

David had every reason to despise the descendants of Saul. As king, Saul did everything he could to search David out and kill him. He put him in the hardest parts of the battlefield. He gave him impossible tasks that he felt sure would cause David’s death. Saul chased him across the countryside to put an end to him. And in the ancient world, sons carried on the feuds of their fathers, especially among royalty when thrones were threatened.

Instead, David forgave Saul’s descendants. He found Mephibosheth and brought him into his home. David not only forgave him, but treated Mephibosheth like one of his own sons. That’s forgiveness. That’s reflective of My forgiveness of you when you come to Me in repentance. You can come to Me with a repentant heart and know that I will forgive your sins.

It also reflects how I want you to treat your enemies. Mephibosheth was in no position to cause harm to David any longer. He couldn’t walk. He had no kingdom. His grandfather’s servants had taken over the property when Mephibosheth’s nurse fled with him to save his life at the news of Saul’s death. He had nothing. David did what I do for you when you come to Me. David restored his life. He gave him his property. He treated him like a son.

Not so with Ziba. Later in David’s life you’ll remember he fled from Absalom and Mephibosheth was left on his own. Because he was crippled he couldn’t care for himself. Ziba and his family had the responsibility to care for him, but assuming David would never return, saw instead an opportunity to seize Saul’s property for himself again.

David returned to his throne. Ziba paid the price for his wrongs. Mephibosheth found his place at the king’s table again. Be careful how you treat your enemies when they are defeated. Remember the story of David and Mephibosheth. Remember how he treated the son of his the one who wanted him dead. Forgiveness ran through David’s veins. He understood mercy and grace. He received it and shared it generously. I do, too.

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 sacrifice the best by doing good (1 Chronicles 17:1-15), May 3, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Chronicles 17:1-15
Set – 1 Chronicles 17; Matthew 20
Go! – 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalms 2; Matthew 20

1 Chronicles 17:1-15
¹ Once David had sat in his palace, he made an observation.

David (to Nathan the prophet): I live in a sturdy house made of expensive, imported cedar, but the covenant chest of the Eternal lives in a temporary house made of curtains. This does not seem right.

Nathan: ² If you want to build God a house, then do it. God is with you.

³ Later that night, God came to Nathan and corrected his thinking.

Eternal One: ⁴ Go and tell My servant David the Eternal One says: You may not build a house for Me to live in; ⁵ I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought Israel out of Egypt until today. I have always moved from tent to tent, from one home to another. ⁶ In all these places where I have walked with Israel, did I ever ask any of the judges I commanded to shepherd Israel, “Why have you not built for Me an expensive house of cedar?”

⁷ I, the Eternal One, Commander of heavenly armies, pledge this: I moved you from the pasture, where you followed behind sheep, to the palace, where you now lead My sheep, Israel. ⁸ I have accompanied you wherever you have gone and have destroyed your enemies from before you. I will exalt your name to the level of the great ones who are on the earth. ⁹ I will select a land for My people Israel; I will plant them so they may live in their own land and not be moved again. The wicked will not exhaust them anymore, as they did from the beginning ¹⁰ and as when I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. I will humble all your enemies. I, the Eternal One, will build a house for you, instead of you building a house for Me. ^.11-12 At the end of your life, when your reign on earth is complete and you have joined your ancestors, I shall select one of your sons in your place, and I shall build his house. In return, he will build a house for Me, a temple where I shall dwell and where your people will worship Me. And I will establish his throne forever. ¹³ I shall be his Father, and he will be My son. I shall not take My loyal love from him as I took it from Saul who reigned before you. ¹⁴ I shall establish him in My temple and in My kingdom forever. His throne will last forever.

¹⁵ Nathan told David exactly what the Eternal said through this vision.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David wanted to do something really good for Me. He wanted to build a permanent house in which My people could worship Me. That’s not a bad thing. It sounded good. It sounded like the right thing to do. His number one prophet and spiritual mentor Nathan thought so too and told him so. Just go do it. You have a good heart. Your motives are right. Go build a house of worship for God.

Big problem. Neither of them asked Me if I wanted David to build a house for Me. I didn’t. It wasn’t David’s place to do so and I let Nathan know in a vision that very night.

Sometimes what seems good isn’t best and people will sacrifice what is best by doing good. Let Me say that one more time so you’re sure to get it. Sometimes people will sacrifice what is best by doing good. It’s not that what you do is bad. Often what you attempt is good and will bring joy to yourself and others, but it might not be the best for you and those around you. It might not be what I want you to do.

The good thing about David during this part of his life was his willingness to listen to Me and follow My leading. So when Nathan came back to him the next day and relay My message to him. He immediately stopped his plans to build the Temple and only drew up plans and began to gather materials. He left the building of the Temple to his son, Solomon as I directed.

The same thing happens today. Sometimes individuals are inspired to give a piece of land to build a church. It’s not that it’s a bad thing, but it’s not the best thing to do. However, often the council or board or whatever governing body runs the congregation accepts the property and begins plans with great celebration…without asking Me first. Sometimes it’s the worst place in the city to put a church. Maybe you wonder why your church sits where it does. Maybe it mirrors the conversation David had with Nathan, but without My conversation with Nathan afterward. The people sacrificed the best by doing good.

Be careful with your good actions. Watch your good intentions. Guard your good efforts. Talk to Me and understand My will for your life. Don’t do what David almost did. Don’t sacrifice the best by doing good. Stay tuned in to Me and I’ll help you make the best choices in life.

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.

How soon they forget (1 Chronicles 16:7-36), May 2, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Chronicles 16:7-36
Set – 1 Chronicles 16; Psalms 106
Go! – 1 Chronicles 16; Psalms 106; Matthew 19

1 Chronicles 16:7-36
⁷ That day, at the end of the parade, David gave this first song of thanks to Asaph and his brothers:

⁸ Give thanks to the Eternal, and call out to Him.
Teach the people His deeds.
⁹ Sing to Him! Sing praises to Him!
Talk about all His wonders.
¹⁰ Brag about His holy name;
let your heart rejoice in following the Eternal.
¹¹ Always follow the Eternal,
His strength and His face.
¹² Remember the wonders which He did,
and the judgments which He spoke.
¹³ Seed of Israel, you are His servants;
sons of Jacob, you are His chosen.
¹⁴ He is the Eternal One, your God.
His judgments fill the earth.
¹⁵ Always remember His covenant,
the word He commanded to 1,000 generations
¹⁶ Which is His covenant with Abraham
and His pledge to Isaac,
¹⁷ His statute with Jacob
and His covenant with Israel forever:
¹⁸ “I will give the land of Canaan to you,
a territory as your inheritance.”
¹⁹ When He promised this, you were a diminished few,
mere strangers in the land.
²⁰ You went from nation to nation
and from one kingdom to another,
²¹ But He did not let those nations oppress you.
He reproved the kings:
²² “Do not strike My anointed people
or do evil to My prophets.”
²³ Now, sing to the Eternal, all the earth!
Announce the good news of His salvation each and every day!
²⁴ Enlighten the nations to His splendor;
describe His wondrous acts to all people!
²⁵ For the Eternal is great indeed and praiseworthy,
feared and reverenced above all gods.
²⁶ For all gods are worthless idols,
but the Eternal plotted the vast heavens.
²⁷ Honor and majesty precede Him;
strength and beauty infuse His holy sanctuary.
²⁸ Give all credit to the Eternal, families of the world!
Credit Him with honor and strength!
²⁹ Credit Him with the glory worthy of His magnificent name;
gather your sacrifice, and present it before Him.
Bow down to the Eternal, adorned in holiness.
³⁰ Fear Him, all the earth.
For the earth is firmly rooted; it cannot move.
³¹ Heavens, be glad; earth, rejoice.
Say to the nations, “The Eternal One reigns.”
³² The sea roars, as do its creatures.
The field rejoices, as do its crops.
³³ Then will the forest and its trees cry out
before the Eternal, for He comes to judge the earth.
³⁴ Give testimony about the Eternal because He is good;
His loyal love lasts forever.
³⁵ Say, “Save us, God of our salvation.
Gather us and free us from the nations
To thank Your holy name,
to boast in Your praise.”
³⁶ Blessed is the Eternal One, God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
People: So may it be! We will praise the Eternal.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David wrote a beautiful song of praise to Me when the tabernacle moved to its new home in Jerusalem. It ends with the words “Blessed is the Eternal One, God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.” and all the people gathered around the palace and future home of My Temple that day declared, “So may it be! We will praise the Eternal.”

Only one problem, they forgot their promise to praise Me. Before too long, many of them turned their attentions to other things and other gods and forgot to keep their attention on Me. I think they truly believed they would follow their king and praise Me for the good things I did for them. But they soon listened to other voices around them and swapped temporary pleasures for My eternal riches.

The same happens today with people around the world. It’s easy to make promises and declare you will always praise Me. But when trouble comes, too many run the other way. Or something shiny passes by, appeals to the senses, and off you go chasing the things that will ultimately disappear thinking they will bring happiness. They don’t.

Sometimes the promises are “foxhole” promises. “Get me out of this, God, and I’ll follow you forever.” And you do, for a while. Then My intervention is forgotten and so is your promise. Sometimes you make promises with the intercession for others. “Save my son or daughter.” And I do. But you forget your promise and live like you want. The Israelites were not alone in their abandonment of Me. It happens everyday in the lives of far too many who call themselves by My name.

Long ago I told you not to make oaths and vows, but rather to just let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. But I also expect you to abide by your word in the same way I abide by Mine. Learn from the destruction of Israel because of their failure to live up to their promises to Me. It was their abandonment of the covenant between us that caused their nation to crumble under the enemies I allowed to come into their land.

I will always keep My promises to you, but when you read My word, you’ll find most of My promises come with conditions. If you obey Me… If you follow Me… If you do My will… My love is unconditional, My promises are not.

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.

Learn from David’s experiences (1 Chronicles 15:1-24), May 1, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Chronicles 15:1-24
Set – 1 Chronicles 15; Matthew 18
Go! – 1 Chronicles 14-15; Psalms 132; Matthew 18

1 Chronicles 15:1-24
¹ David founded the city of David as his capital and built his palaces there. But in his zeal to rebuild Jerusalem and build his palaces, He prepared a place for the covenant chest of God in a tent adjacent to the palace. ^2-3 Then David invited the people of Israel to Jerusalem for a parade celebrating the arrival of the covenant chest of the Eternal.

David (to the assembly): Because of Uzza’s fiasco when we tried to move the chest three months ago, no one but the Levites may carry the covenant chest of God. The Eternal has selected them and them alone to bear it and to serve Him forever.

⁴ So David gathered the men of Aaron and the other Levites: ⁵ the men of Kohath (Uriel the chief and 120 of his relatives), ⁶ the men of Merari (Asaiah the chief and 220 of his relatives), ⁷ the men of Gershom (Joel the chief and 130 of his relatives), ⁸ the men of Elizaphan (Shemaiah the chief and 200 of his relatives), ⁹ the men of Hebron (Eliel the chief and 80 of his relatives), and ¹⁰ the men of Uzziel (Amminadab the chief and 112 of his relatives).

¹¹ When they had all gathered together, David summoned Zadok and Abiathar (two priests) and the other Levites: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.

David (commissioning them): ¹² You are the heads of the households of the Levites. You are the ones whom God wants to carry His covenant chest. Sanctify yourselves and your relatives, so you may deliver the covenant chest of the Eternal One, God of Israel, to the tent I have prepared for it next to my palace in Jerusalem. ¹³ You did not carry the chest from Kiriath-jearim the first time we moved it, so the Eternal our God was infuriated at us for ignoring His commands. This time, we will bring it to Jerusalem in the way He told us to.

¹⁴ After the priests and the Levites were consecrated for their duty, David and the Levites organized the city’s processional in honor of the chest of the Eternal, the God of Israel. ¹⁵ The Levites picked up the covenant chest of God and carried it by wooden poles on their shoulders as the Eternal commanded them to do through His prophet Moses. ¹⁶ David told the leaders of the Levites to select their relatives as musicians and singers in the parade, playing instruments such as lutes, lyres, and cymbals and raising their voices in joy. ¹⁷ So the Levites appointed Heman (son of Joel) and his kinsmen, Asaph (son of Berechiah), the sons of Merari, and Ethan (son of Kushaiah). ¹⁸ With these men were their assistants: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, along with Obed-edom and Jeiel who were gatekeepers.

¹⁹ The celebration began with a parade. The assembled singers (Heman, Asaph, and Ethan) sounded their bronze cymbals; ²⁰ Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah played their lutes tuned to alamoth, ²¹ and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah played their lyres tuned to sheminith. ²² Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, directed the singing because of his musical ability, ²³ while Berechia and Elkanah led the gatekeepers. ²⁴ Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer (all priests) blew their clarions at the front of the parade in front of the covenant chest of God, as Obed-edom and Jehiah carried it.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David learned from his fiasco with Uzzah I expect people to obey My commands when it comes to things I’ve set apart for Me. Uzzah’s death shook David to his core and caused him to become pretty angry with Me. But he did what he needed to do and asked why it happened. When he called in the priests as he should have done in the first place, David discovered the reason and began to put a lot of effort into moving the tabernacle correctly the next time he attempted the move.

David had Abiathar and Zadok trace the lineage of the other Levite families and made sure the assignment of their duties in regard to the tabernacle aligned with My directions, not his. David ensured the singers, load bearers, instrument players, and all the other roles associated with worship of Me were strictly aligned according to the instructions I gave Moses.

Then David invited everyone to the celebration… And what a celebration it was! The music. The dancing. The prayers. The praise. David knew Me. He knew I was the real leader of the kingdom and wanted everyone else in the kingdom to know it, also. So why not begin with a parade? Let everyone know by making My mercy seat visible for all to see as I passed through the countryside. There hasn’t been a parade like it since.

The lessons for you in David’s parade? First, when I give you directions, follow them. Not doing so carries grave consequences. Second, everyone has specific jobs to do. When you do yours things go well. When you try to do someone else’s things don’t go so well. Third, it’s okay to celebrate My presence.

Learn from David’s experiences moving the symbol of My presence to Jerusalem. It just might make a difference in your life 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.

God keeps His promises (2 Samuel 6:1-15), Apr 30, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Samuel 6:1-15
Set – 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalms 139
Go! – 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalms 68; Matthew 17

2 Samuel 6:1-15
¹ Once again David gathered the elite soldiers of Israel, some 30,000, ² and they went down to Baale-judah to bring back the covenant chest of the True God, called by the Name: the Eternal One, Commander of heavenly armies, who sits enthroned above the winged creatures who protect the chest.

^3-4 They carried the covenant chest of the True God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab on the hill where it had rested, and Abinadab’s sons Uzzah and Ahio directed the new cart, with Ahio walking in front of the chest. ⁵ David and all the Israelites were joyous before the Eternal; and they were accompanied by wooden lyres and harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

⁶ When they came alongside the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah put out his hand to steady the covenant chest. ⁷ The Eternal burned with anger against Uzzah, and the True God struck Uzzah dead on the spot for daring to touch the covenant chest.

⁸ David was angry that the Eternal One had broken through to strike Uzzah, so the place was named Perez-uzzah, meaning “Breech against Uzzah,” to remember that act. ⁹ David was also frightened of the Eternal that day.

David: How can I be responsible for the covenant chest of the Eternal One?

¹⁰ So he decided he did not want to take the chest of the Eternal into the city of David, and he left it there in the care of Obed-edom, a man from the Philistine city Gath. ¹¹ The covenant chest of the Eternal One remained there for three months; and in that time, the Eternal One blessed the household and farms of Obed-edom the Gittite.

¹² When news was taken to King David that the Eternal had blessed Obed-edom and all his household because of the covenant chest of God, the king went down and brought the chest from Obed-edom’s house up to the city of David, again accompanying it with rejoicing and ceremony. ¹³ When the people carrying the chest of the Eternal had gone six steps, David sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf; ¹⁴ and he danced before the Eternal One with all his might, clad in a priestly vest.

^15-16 So David and the house of Israel carried the covenant chest of the Eternal One up to the city of David with shouts and the sounding of the trumpet. When Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked out the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Eternal without thought for how he looked, she hated him.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David was angry with Me for his failure to read the instructions. I didn’t mind that he wanted to move the covenant chest to Jerusalem. I wanted the ark near the king as a reminder that it was My power, not his that made Israel strong. I put the idea into his mind to bring the sacred chest into Jerusalem. The problem was David forgot that I also have very strict requirements about handling the sacred implements of My worship.

The ark of the covenant holds the most sacred of the treasures of the Israelite people. It holds the tables of stone on which I wrote the commands I gave Moses. It holds a jar of manna to remind the people I provide their needs. It represents My presence with them. And no one is to touch the chest. It is fitted with rings through which poles can slide to lift the lid and through which the chest can be lifted and carried. No one is to touch the chest, the seat of My presence. It is holy.

Many thought Uzzah did a good thing putting out his hand to steady the chest. The problem was, the chest should never have ridden on a cart in the first place. If David had read My word, he would know only My priests could carry the covenant chests. It didn’t belong on a cart carried by oxen. The symbol of My presence is too precious to entrust to a wooden cart on rugged roads.

But David didn’t take the time to confer with My priests. He didn’t read My words concerning the care of My tabernacle and My sacred implements of worship. He didn’t think about the dangers of mishandling the sacred symbol of My presence. Consequently, it cost one of his men his life. David could be angry with Me, but David could only find that I am just in My actions if he had only read My instructions.

Sometimes people pour their anger out on Me like David did. That’s okay. I can take it. But when you do, stop and read the instruction manual. Take a look at My word and see if the instruction manual explains things before you stay angry too long. You might find, like David did, I’m acting exactly like I said I would. I always keep 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.

God specializes in the impossible (2 Samuel 5:1-16), Apr 29, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Samuel 5:1-16
Set – 2 Samuel 5; Psalms 139
Go! – 2 Samuel 4-5; Psalms 139; Matthew 16

2 Samuel 5:1-16
¹Then all the tribes that made up the people of Israel came to David at Hebron.

Leaders of Israel: We are all related: we are flesh of your flesh, bone of your bones. ² When Saul was king, you always led the army of Israel out and then brought it back safely. The Eternal said to you, “You will be the shepherd of My people Israel, the ruler over all of them.”

³ All the leaders of Israel came before the king there at Hebron. So King David made a covenant with the leaders there before the Eternal, and they anointed David king over all Israel. ⁴ David was 30 years old when he first became king, and he was king for 40 years; ⁵ he reigned in Hebron over Judah alone for 7½ years, and then he reigned over the united kingdom of Judah and Israel for 33 years.

⁶ At one point, David and his army marched to Jerusalem to fight the Jebusites who lived there. The Jebusites felt secure behind their walls and were sure David could not enter into the city. They jeered, “Even the blind and the lame could defend this city against you.” ⁷ Despite the taunts, David and his army managed to capture the fortress of Zion, which became the city of David.

David (to his army): ⁸ If you want to strike down the Jebusites—these blind and lame defenders whom I hate—then go through the water tunnel.

(From this exchange came the saying, “The blind and the lame cannot enter the house.”)

⁹ Once David captured the fortress, he stayed there and named it the city of David. He built it up all around, carefully terracing the hillside from the Millo inward. ¹⁰ And David continued to grow in power and reputation because the Eternal God, Commander of heavenly armies, was with him.

¹¹ King Hiram of Tyre sent diplomats to David with cedars and carpenters and masons to build David a palace.

¹² David realized then that the Eternal One had established him as king over Israel and that He was increasing David’s kingdom in power and majesty for the sake of His people Israel.

^13-14 After the move from Hebron to Jerusalem, David married more women from Jerusalem, took more concubines, and fathered more sons and daughters: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, ¹⁵ Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, ¹⁶Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The Jebusites became comfortable in their fortress atop the mountain. Armies had tried for decades to take the city, but no one could penetrate the city. The sides of the mountain were too steep. The passages to the city were too narrow to launch any kind of massive siege against it. The Jebusite leaders maintained confidence in their ability to hold off any enemy as they had done for many years.

However, the Jebusites didn’t know David had Me on his side. Nothing is impossible for Me. I created that mountain. I knew how the Jebusites got their water. I knew about the springs that tunneled through the mountain and I knew they were big enough for a warrior to slip through them. The Jebusites didn’t know the tunnels were that large. They didn’t know enough of an army could slip through to open the gates for David’s mighty men.

They also let themselves get soft in their false security. Because they were sure no one could get through their defenses, the Jebusites didn’t prepare to fight. They thought even their lame and blind could defend their gates, so why spend time training to fight another army? But again, they forgot I was with David and his men.

They forgot David killed Goliath. They forgot David’s famous mighty men killed tens of thousands of Philistines before the nation crowned him king in Hebron. The Jebusites didn’t consider that if just a few of those men made it into their fortress, they would wreak havoc on the city and hundreds or thousands could die before those few could be silenced by their best warriors.

Mostly, the Jebusites failed to consider I fought for David and I never lose. I’m in the business of doing the impossible and if those opposed to Me think I can’t do something, I sometimes do it just to show them I can. I had a purpose in mind for that mountain top, though. I not too many years, I would let David’s son build a Temple there. David recognized the importance of the location as a political center and military stronghold. I saw it as a center for worship. I would show David many things from the top of that mountain.

So what fortress seems impossible for you to burst through? What enemy seems impossible to defeat? What mountain seems impossible to climb? Remember, I made the universe out of nothing. I make oak trees out of acorns. I made you. I’m in the business of doing the impossible. Your mountain fortress of problems is nothing to Me. Let Me help.

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.

Who and how do you love? (Matthew 15:21-39), Apr 28, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Matthew 15:21-39
Set – 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15
Go! – 2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Matthew 15:21-39
²¹ Jesus left that place and withdrew to Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Canaanite woman—a non-Jew—came to Him.

Canaanite Woman (wailing): Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is possessed by a demon. Have mercy, Lord!

²³ Jesus said nothing. And the woman continued to wail. His disciples came to Him.

Disciples: Do something—she keeps crying after us!

Jesus: ²⁴ I was sent here only to gather up the lost sheep of Israel.

²⁵ The woman came up to Jesus and knelt before Him.

Canaanite Woman: Lord, help me!

Jesus: ²⁶ It is not right to waste the children’s bread by feeding dogs.

Canaanite Woman: ²⁷ But, Lord, even dogs eat the crumbs that fall by the table as their master is eating.

²⁸ Jesus—whose ancestors included Ruth and Rahab—spoke with kindness and insight.

Jesus: Woman, you have great faith. And your request is done.

And her daughter was healed, right then and from then on.

²⁹ Jesus left and went to the Sea of Galilee. He went up on a mountaintop and sat down. ³⁰ Crowds thronged to Him there, bringing the lame, the maimed, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many other sick and broken people. They laid them at His feet, and He healed them. ³¹ The people saw the mute speaking, the lame walking, the maimed made whole, the crippled dancing, and the blind seeing; and the people were amazed, and they praised the God of Israel.

Jesus (to His disciples): ³² We must take pity on these people for they have touched My heart; they have been with Me for three days, and they don’t have any food. I don’t want to send them home this hungry—they might collapse on the way!

Disciples: ³³ We’ll never find enough food for all these people, out here in the middle of nowhere!

Jesus: ³⁴ How much bread do you have?

Disciples: Seven rounds of flatbread and a few small fish.

³⁵ He told the crowd to sit down. ³⁶ He took the bread and the fish, He gave thanks, and then He broke the bread and divided the fish. He gave the bread and fish to the disciples, the disciples distributed them to the people, ³⁷ and everyone ate and was satisfied. When everyone had eaten, the disciples picked up seven baskets of crusts and broken pieces and crumbs.

³⁸ There were 4,000 men there, not to mention all the women and children. ³⁹ Then Jesus sent the crowd away. He got into the boat and went to Magadan.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Some thought Me cruel and lacking compassion when I didn’t answer the Canaanite woman’s plea to free her daughter from the demon that possessed her. Others thought I was doing the right thing since I was a Jew and showed proper priority of the nations refusing to acknowledge anyone but Jews. Of course, they forgot I had healed Samaritans, and Roman servants, and countless others from the surrounding countries, all considered enemies of God’s “chosen people”.

But like the man born blind from birth, I wanted to use the woman’s nationality and her pleas as a teaching point to those around Me and to My future disciples. The Jews forgot their place in the world. That’s why I came in the flesh in the first place. I told Abraham he would become the father of a great nation so that all nations would be blessed through him.

That doesn’t mean Israel would be the greatest nation or the most important nation among all others. It doesn’t mean I love them more or less than any other. It means I have a special mission for them. I chose them to carry the message of salvation to the rest of the world. I chose Israel to teach the rest of the world about Me. Unfortunately, they let themselves be carried away by the rituals and practices of the nations they were supposed to teach instead of remaining holy.

I used the coming of the Canaanite woman to show the Israelites just how callous they had become. Everyone around Me recognized the faith the woman exercised. She knew I could heal her daughter’s pitiful condition. They saw Me drive out demons with just a single word. It would take Me almost no effort to grant this mother’s desperate request.

My actions that day showed the Israelites how they had failed to reach out to the foreigners among them. My first refusals demonstrated the Jews actions in shutting out their neighbors and failing to embrace them in their faith and teaching them about Me. Their mission from the beginning was to teach others about Me. Instead, they shunned anyone not of their race.

I’m afraid many who call themselves by My name today do the same thing. If others don’t look like them, dress like them, worship like them, speak the same language, travel in the same neighborhoods, they just don’t belong. Nothing could be further from the truth. I created all people. All races. All nations. They exist only because I allow it. Everything belongs to Me. Evil scarred My perfect world, but those who really know Me have an opportunity to introduce others to Me and bring hope to the hopeless. Peace into the middle of turmoil. Calm from chaos.

The world can still be blessed by those who are of My kingdom. The new covenant gives those who follow Me the opportunity to bless each individual in the world in the same way Abraham had opportunity to bless the nations of the world. And like with Abraham and the Israelites, I do not expect you to think yourself better or superior to others, but like when I walked with you, be a servant to others. Show them My love. Love God and love others with all your whole being.

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.