Tag Archives: obedience

Forever, firm and resolute (Psalm 119:89-112) December 26, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Psalms 119:89-112

Set – Psalms 117; Psalms 119:81-176

Go! – Psalms 117, 119:81-176; 2 John; 3 John

Psalms 119:89-112
89 Forever, O Eternal One,
Your word stands in heaven, firm and resolute.
90 Your faithfulness endures to every generation;
You founded the earth, and it remains.
91 Everything remains today in keeping with Your laws,
for all things exist to serve You.
92 If I had not found joy in Your guidance,
then I would have died from my misery.
93 I will never forget Your precepts,
for through them You have given me life.
94 I belong to You, Lord; save me
because I have taken care to live by Your principles.
95 The wicked lie in wait, anxious to kill me;
I will set my mind on Your statutes.
96 I have seen the limit of all perfection,
but Your commands are all-encompassing.

97 Oh, how I love Your law!
I fix my mind on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies
because they are always with me.
99 I have more discernment than all my teachers
because I study and meditate on Your testimonies.
100 I comprehend more than those who are my elders
because I have kept Your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from walking the paths of evil
so that I may live according to Your word.
102 I have not neglected Your lessons,
for You, God, have been my teacher.
103 Your words are sweet to my taste!
Yes, they are sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from Your instructions;
that’s why I hate every deceitful path.

105 Your word is a lamp for my steps;
it lights the path before me.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it:
I pledge to do what You say is right and just.
107 I have suffered terribly, O Eternal One;
give me the life You promised.
108 Please accept the words I offer willingly, O Eternal One,
and instruct me in the ways of Your justice.
109 My soul is continually in danger,
but I do not forget Your teachings.
110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
but I have not drifted away from Your instructions.
111 Your decrees are forever mine,
for they bring joy to my life.
112 I have committed myself to do what You require
forever and ever, to the very end.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David understood. He starts this section of his meditation on My law with the words, “Forever, O Eternal One, Your word stands in heaven, firm and resolute.” He knew that despite the convenient changes man might want to make in My laws, they stood firm and resolute from the beginning to the end of time. I came from heaven to live alongside you for a time and told you the same thing. I didn’t come to do away with the law, but to fulfill it.

So many people today want to try to change My laws. They say they are old-fashioned, out-dated. They say My law should keep up with the times. What those folks don’t understand is that I made each person. It’s My miracle that allows birth to happen in the first place. It’s My miracle that allows life to happen on this third planet in orbit around this particular star in your galaxy. It’s My design that keeps all of those things in place so you can enjoy this world at My pleasure.

What you forget is that you haven’t changed. I’ve let you learn more about the place you live. I’ve let you discover more about the way things work so you could enjoy more comfort in life. But your desires basically mimic those of your ancient ancestors. You want a better life for your children. You want to live in safety. You prefer health over sickness, warmth over cold, community over isolation. You have not really changed since I first created humankind.

So the precepts of living I designed for you and passed on through My prophets centuries ago are just as valid today as they were then. Just because you want your selfish ways doesn’t mean they are good for you or for the greater community in which you live. That’s really why I gave you those laws in the first place, to remind you that My way, not yours, is how you will succeed in living in community with Me and with your fellow man.

David understood this concept so well, he closed this section of his psalm with these words, “I have committed myself to do what You require forever and ever, to the very end.” David understood that as long as He followed My rules, life would go well for him. Every time he strayed from the laws I gave his people, he found himself in trouble.

Pay attention to David’s meditation on My laws. Live by them and see if you don’t find yourself enjoying life as much as David did when you follow My ways instead of your own.

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’s commands don’t weight us down (1 John 5:1-12) December 25, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 John 5:1-12

Set – 1 John 3-5

Go! – 1 John 1-5

1 John 5:1-12
1 Everyone who trusts Jesus as the long-awaited Anointed One is a child of God, and everyone who loves the Father cannot help but love the child fathered by Him. 2 Then how do we know if we truly love God’s children? We love them if we love God and keep His commands. 3 You see, to love God means that we keep His commands, and His commands don’t weigh us down. 4 Everything that has been fathered by God overcomes the corrupt world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.
5-6 Who is the person conquering the world? It is the one who truly trusts that Jesus is the Son of God, that Jesus the Anointed is the One who came by water and blood—not by the water only, but by the water and the blood.
The Spirit of God testifies to this truth because the Spirit is the truth. 7 So there are three testifying witnesses: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood. All three are in total agreement. 9 If we accept the testimonies of people, then we must realize the testimony of God is greater than that of any person. God certified the truth about His own Son. 10 Anyone who trusts the Son of God has this truthful testimony at the core of his being. Anyone who does not trust God calls God a liar because he ignores God’s truthful testimony regarding His own Son. 11 And this is the truth: God has given us the gift of eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 If you have the Son, you have eternal life. If you do not have the Son of God, you are not acquainted with true life.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Let Me tell you a story about love. Once a husband sat his new bride down after their honeymoon and gave her a legal pad page full of the things he expected her to do as his loving wife. Dinner on the table promptly at 5:30. House picked up before he arrived home from work each day. Vacuum the carpet at least twice each week. Mop all the other floors at least once a week. Wash and iron his clothes weekly and make sure his clothes were arranged in his closet in a certain order. And the list went on.

She loved her husband, but lived a miserable life making sure she accomplished each item to his specifications because he checked each week and admonished her if she failed to meet those standards in any way. After several seemingly endless and torturous years, the woman’s husband died.

A few years later the woman met another man and they too fell in love and married. No list appeared when they returned from their honeymoon, though, and the two of them loved each other dearly. Several years later, while cleaning out one of the closets, the woman came upon a box and in it she found that legal pad page of rules her first husband had given her. The list that caused her such misery and tension in her marriage.

As she read down the list, to her amazement, she found that every single item on the list were things she did with joy for her new husband. What was the difference? The rules were not burdensome. She did them out of love. The rules were embedded in her heart and she knew those very things would make her second husband happy and so she did them. Not out of a sense of duty or responsibility, but out of an overwhelming sense of love.

That’s what happens when you love God. Listen again to what John wrote, “You see, to love God means that we keep His commands, and His commands don’t weigh us down.” Like the woman who did all those things her first husband demanded of her, she did for her second without even thinking about it. The difference was love. The difference was a sharing of their hearts.

How do we share hearts? I won’t explain it. I will not explain to you how I become part of you, just as I will not explain how I became both God and Man. The mystery of how I do those things is far beyond your human understanding. Your understanding is finite and I am your God. Just know I can do it and believe in Me. You don’t need to explain it, just have faith. You don’t need to explain the intricacies of gravity to know that things fall, but you believe it. The mystery of gravity, I put into place before creation. My commands I put into place the same way. Just believe and know that My commands are not burdensome.

It’s all about love. Think about what that means for you 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 has work for you to do (Matthew 21:23-32) November 25, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Matthew 21:23-32

Set – Matthew 21-22

Go! – Matthew 20-22

Matthew 21:23-32
23 Jesus returned to the temple and began to teach. The chief priests and elders came to Him and wanted to know who had given Him permission to disturb the temple precincts and to teach His crazy notions in this most sacred of spots.
Chief Priests and Elders: Who gave You the authority to do these things?
Jesus: 24 I will answer your question if first you answer one of Mine: 25 You saw John ritually cleansing people through baptism for the redemption of their sins. Did John’s cleansing come from heaven, or was he simply washing people of his own whim?
The elders knew that this question was tricky; there was no simple answer. If they acknowledged that John’s ritual cleansing was from heaven, Jesus would ask why they had not accepted John’s authority. 26 But if they said he had dipped people simply by his own accord, they would outrage the people who believed John was a prophet.
Chief Priests and Elders: 27 We don’t know.
Jesus: Then neither will I tell you about the authority under which I am working. 28 But I will tell you a story, and you can tell Me what you make of it: There was a man who had two sons. He said to his first son,
Father: Go and work in the vineyard today.
First Son: 29 No, I will not.
But later the first son changed his mind and went. 30 Then the father went to his second son.
Father: Go and work in the vineyard today.
Second Son: Of course, Father.
But then he did not go. 31 So which of the sons did what the father wanted?
Chief Priests and Elders (answering at once): The first.
Jesus: I tell you this: the tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 John came to show you the straight path, the path to righteousness. You did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. Even as you saw the prostitutes and the tax collectors forgiven and washed clean, finding their footing on the straight path to righteousness, still you did not change your ways and believe.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Saying the right words doesn’t go very far with Me. A lot of people know the right words to say. They’ve practiced them a long time. They know how to fool those around them with their pious words and for a short time they act the part well. With their knowledge, they fool those around them into thinking they know Me, but they don’t. They are far from Me.

I attempted to point out the same problem with the story I told the chief priests and elders in the temple that day. Those leaders taught their disciples all the right words. They knew the rituals. They practiced the forms and recitations and could point out the smallest deviations when someone failed to perform them perfectly. It’s not the recitations that builds relationships with Me. It’s not the words you know or the rituals you practice. I want you to know Me.

Knowing Me only comes through letting Me live in you. That comes through faith. Believe in Me for salvation. Believe that I can teach you. Believe that I love you more that you can ever imagine. Then ask Me into your life. Then just talk with Me. I will talk with you through My word, through pastors and other believers, and through My Spirit speaking to you. You can know Me, not just about Me.

Then as in the story I told the chief priests and elders that day, do what I ask you to do. Don’t just say you will obey, but really obey. Don’t be like the second son who told his father he would work in the field but didn’t. Be the first son who obeyed his father and went into the field and worked. Your heavenly Father will bless you when you obey His call. He has work for you to do.

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

Consult with each other (Malachi 3:6-18), October 16, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Malachi 3:6-18

Set – Malachi 3; Acts 5

Go! – Malachi 3-4; Psalms 148; Acts 5

Malachi 3:6-18
6 Because I am the Eternal One, I never change; as a result, you children of Jacob have not been destroyed though your blessing may have been delayed.
7 From the days when your ancestors served Me, you have turned from and ignored My statutes. Return to Me and I, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, will return to you. But you shameless people ask, “How will we return? 8 Will someone steal from God?” Yet you are always stealing from Me! But you self-centered people still ask, “How have we stolen from You?” In the tithes and the offerings you have not given Me as the law requires! 9 You are cursed with a curse, for as an entire nation you are stealing from Me. 10 To rectify this situation, you must bring the entire tithe into the storage house in the temple so that there may be food for Me and for the Levites in My house. Feel free to test Me now in this. See whether or not I, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, will open the windows of heaven to you and pour a blessing down upon you until all needs are satisfied. 11 I will rebuke the swarm of locusts devouring your crops, and the devourer will not cause the produce you have grown in the earth to decay or the vines in the field to drop their grapes. 12 And all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight. I, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, promise you this.
13 Your words of rebellion against Me have been strong. Yet you ask, “What have we said against You?” 14 You have said, “Serving God is a waste of time,” and, “What benefits have we received by following Him as we mourned on our journey before the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies? 15 Now we believe the bluster of the arrogant and agree they are blessed; we encourage the wicked who also test God and escape.”
16 Then those who fear the Eternal One consulted each other about God’s charges, each one to his neighbor, and the Eternal One paid attention and heard. A book of remembrance was written before Him for those who honored the Eternal One and valued His name and the good reputation.
Eternal One: 17 And they will be Mine on that day when I, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, make My unique treasure—which is the kingdom of Israel. I will have pity on them as a man has pity on his son who serves him.
18 And you will return and notice the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those serving God and those not serving Him.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

You’ve probably heard a lot of sermons from Malachi chapter three. Most have probably been on tithing and robbing Me of what belongs to Me. But in the verses you heard today, I want to point out something the people did that Malachi spoke to that caused many of them problems. It had to do with their stealing from Me and their rebellion against Me, but those charges were already confirmed by My judgment against them as voiced by My prophet Malachi.

If you listened carefully, you heard that they consulted each other about the charges, each one to his neighbor. Sometimes that can be a good thing, but sometimes not. The caveat that’s important in the description here is that those who feared Me consulted each other. When they did, they found the charges true and they needed to do something about it. The rest, just blew off what Malachi told them as just another preacher spouting off.

The difference will be obvious among those who listened and those who didn’t one day. Those who don’t heed My warnings will find themselves eternally lost. Those who listen to Me and follow My directions will find peace and prosperity in My kingdom. You might not have the riches of this world, but the riches of this world never last. Mine do.

The world can tell the difference between those who heed My warnings and those who do not. There is a difference in your countenance. A difference in the way you approach life. There is a difference in the way you handle the adversity that comes to everyone. A difference in the praise you give and the way you give grace to those around you, even to those who do not deserve it.

So go ahead and discuss the charges you hear from Me, but don’t discuss too long. When you hear from Me, just do something about it. I will extend My grace and forgive when you turn to Me. But do it soon, time is running out.

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

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

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<h2>Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Peter 4:1-11

Set – Isaiah 43; 1 Peter 4

Go! – Isaiah 43-45; 1 Peter 4

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

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Peter 2:4-17

Set – Isaiah 38; 1 Peter 2

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

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

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Peter 1:13-25

Set – Psalms 76; 1 Peter 1

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

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

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Selfishness is the basis for sin (James 4:1-10), July 20, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|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.

All authority comes from God (Romans 13), June 1, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Romans 13
Set – Proverbs 20; Romans 13
Go! – Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13

Romans 13
1 It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth. 2 Therefore, a person who rebels against authority rebels against the order He established, and people like that can expect to face certain judgment. 3 You see, if you do the right thing, you have nothing to be worried about from the rulers; but if you do what you know is wrong, the rulers will make sure you pay a price. Would you not rather live with a clear conscience than always have to be looking over your shoulder? Then keep doing what you know to be good and right, and they will publicly honor you.

4 Look at it this way: The ruler is a servant of God called to serve and benefit you. But he is also a servant of God executing wrath upon those who practice evil. If you do what is wrong, then you’d better be afraid because he wields the power of the sword and doesn’t make empty threats.

5 So submission is not optional; it’s required. But don’t just submit for the sake of avoiding punishment; submit and abide by the laws because your conscience leads you to do the right thing. 6 Pay your taxes for the same reason because the authorities are servants of God, giving their full attention to take care of these things. 7 Pay all of them what you owe. If you owe taxes, then pay. If you owe fees, then pay. In the same way, give honor and respect to those who deserve it.

8 Don’t owe anyone anything, with the exception of love to one another—that is a debt which never ends—because the person who loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commands given to you in the Scriptures—do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not take what is not yours, do not covet—and any other command you have heard are summarized in God’s instruction: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Does love hurt anyone? Absolutely not. In fact, love achieves everything the law requires.

11 And now consider this. You know well the times you are living in. It is time for you to wake up and see what is right before your eyes: for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The darkness of night is dissolving as dawn’s light draws near, so walk out on your old dark life and put on the armor of light. 13 May we all act as good and respectable people, living today the same way as we will in the day of His coming. Do not fall into patterns of dark living: wild partying, drunkenness, sexual depravity, decadent gratification, quarreling, and jealousy. 14 Instead, wrap yourselves in the Lord Jesus, God’s Anointed, and do not fuel your sinful imagination by indulging your self-seeking desire for the pleasures of the flesh.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I’m always surprised by the number of people who want to revolt against the authorities I allow to sit in power over them. They forget that no one sits in seats of power unless I allow it. No election surprises Me. No person in a place of authority shocks Me. No one who wields power moves Me from My throne.

I still know what goes on in every country, every state, every city around the world. I allow people to sit in seats of power for a reason. Sometimes it’s to bring peace and order to the people they govern. Sometimes I use people who sit in positions of power to punish another nation’s people who have grown cold in their love for Me or their fellow man.

Occasionally, I will put someone in a place of authority to punish the people of their own land because of their apostasy. But rest assured I always have a reason for allowing the person to hold their position of authority. It’s never an accident. You may never understand the reason why, but you’re not Me. You don’t have the infinite wisdom I have and cannot see into the future to know why I allow the events to unfold as I do.

You can read the Old Testament and see how I used kings and nations to reward and punish My chosen people and the nations around them. Reading their histories might help you understand I’m always in charge. I never make mistakes. And I use a variety of tools and instruments, sometimes even politics to meet My ends.

You can trust that I know what I’m doing by sometimes allowing unbelievers, even evil people, to hold positions of authority. But ultimately, they too will answer to Me for their actions. I may use them to further My ends, but they still make the choices to act the way they do.

So, in the end, obey the authorities over you. I allow them to be there. Obey Me. And trust Me to help you through even the most corrupt governments. They are only there at My pleasure after all.

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.

Lessons from Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40), Feb 1, 2015

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Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 8:26-40
Set – Exodus 32; Acts 8
Go! – Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

Acts 8:26-40
26 A heavenly messenger brought this short message from the Lord to Philip during his time preaching in Samaria:

Messenger of the Lord: Leave Samaria. Go south to the Jerusalem-Gaza road.

The message was especially unusual because this road runs through the middle of uninhabited desert. 27 But Philip got up, left the excitement of Samaria, and did as he was told to do. Along this road, Philip saw a chariot in the distance. In the chariot was a dignitary from Ethiopia (the treasurer for Queen Candace), an African man who had been castrated. He had gone north to Jerusalem to worship at the Jewish temple, 28 and he was now heading southwest on his way home. He was seated in the chariot and was reading aloud from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

29 Philip received another prompting from the Holy Spirit:

Holy Spirit: Go over to the chariot and climb on board.

30 So he started running until he was even with the chariot. Philip heard the Ethiopian reading aloud and recognized the words from the prophet Isaiah.

Philip: Do you understand the meaning of what you’re reading?

The Ethiopian: 31 How can I understand it unless I have a mentor?

Then he invited Philip to sit in the chariot. 32 Here’s the passage he was reading from the Hebrew Scriptures:

Like a sheep, He was led to be slaughtered.
Like a lamb about to be shorn of its wool,
He was completely silent.
33 He was humiliated, and He received no justice.
Who can describe His peers? Who would treat Him this way?
For they snuffed out His life.
The Ethiopian: 34 Here’s my first question. Is the prophet describing his own situation, or is he describing someone else’s calamity?

35 That began a conversation in which Philip used the passage to explain the good news of Jesus. 36 Eventually the chariot passed a body of water beside the road.

The Ethiopian: Since there is water here, is there anything that might prevent me from being ceremonially washed through baptism and identified as a disciple of Jesus?

Philip: 37 If you believe in your heart that Jesus the Anointed is God’s Son, then nothing can stop you.

The Ethiopian said that he believed.

38 He commanded the charioteer to stop the horses. Then Philip and the Ethiopian official walked together into the water. There Philip baptized him, initiating him as a fellow disciple. 39 When they came out of the water, Philip was immediately caught up by the Holy Spirit and taken from the sight of the Ethiopian, who climbed back into his chariot and continued on his journey, overflowing with joy. 40 Philip found himself at a town called Azotus (formerly the Philistine capital city of Ashdod, on the Mediterranean); and from there he traveled north again, proclaiming the good news in town after town until he came to Caesarea.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Philip’s experience teaches a couple of things I want you to remember. First, you never know when I might ask you to do something important on a moment’s notice. Philip had a strong evangelical ministry in Samaria. His preaching was bringing in new converts daily just as Peter and John were doing in Jerusalem. He didn’t expect Me to send him somewhere else. He enjoyed his ministry there. No one expected him to leave. But I had another task for him.

So I sent My messenger and told Philip to leave Samaria and head south on the Jerusalem-Gaza road.

Philip didn’t hesitate. He knew I must have a reason and he left. He didn’t ask why. He didn’t ask, “Why are you sending me through this barren desert?” He didn’t question My directions. He just got up and left Samaria and headed down the southbound road as I told him to do.

My Holy Spirit prompted Philip to catch up to a chariot he saw in the distance. No explanation, just catch it. So Philip began to run. Again, no question. Just obedience. When he caught up. You know the story. He found the Ethiopian reading from Isaiah in the chariot. The eunuch turned out to be an important man in Queen Candace’s court. The treasurer made sure armies got their money. Kings and queens didn’t last long when their armies didn’t get paid. Military coups happened when soldiers were unhappy. Messing with pay meant changes in power. This eunuch was at least as important to Candace as anyone in her court.

Lesson number one: When I give you a task to do, just do it.

Second, Philip asked the Ethiopian if he knew what he was reading. The man could have killed Philip for questioning his wisdom or even for interrupting his reading. He had power. No doubt, as treasurer, he did not travel alone and had a retinue of soldiers traveling with him on that deserted road.

Instead of punishment, the treasurer offered Philip a place in the chariot to mentor him on what he read from Isaiah. And Philip began to unfold the events that took place surrounding the death and resurrection of My Son, Jesus. The hope that comes through faith in Him. The good news that we can have forgiveness of sins because Jesus paid the price for our freedom.

Lesson number two: As Peter records in the letter I inspired him to write, “Always be ready to give a testimony of the reason for the hope you have within you.”

My Spirit whisked Philip away after the Ethiopian asked for and received baptism that day. Philip spent enough time with him, he was not only ready to believe in Me and receive My Spirit, but Queen Candace’s treasurer wanted to let all those around him know it through the outward sign of water baptism. Philip did all he could do and then went on to another assignment. He didn’t stick around for pats on the back. He didn’t travel with the treasurer to do what I had in mind for the Ethiopian. He stayed only long enough to do what I asked. Then I gave him another task – preach in every town from Azotus to Caesarea.

I sent the Ethiopian home to minister there. Queen Candace’ court received the impact of his conversion. I ministered through him and Ethiopia became one of the fast growing communities of early Christendom.

Lesson number three: Expect new assignments. Celebrate, but know I will give you new tasks quickly. There are too many that need to hear My Good News to stop or get complacent about spreading My Word.

So who on your path do you need to tell about the good news 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.