Tag Archives: purpose

A time just like this, February 5, 2018

Today’s Podcast

Bible Reading Plan – www.Bible-Reading.com; The Story, Chapter 20; You Version Bible app Engaging God’s Story Reading Plan Days 128 through 134

This week our readings will take us to the story of Hadassah, an orphaned girl who was exiled with many of the other Jews under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. You may not remember that name, but you probably remember her by her other name, Esther. She became queen after what might be the strangest beauty pageant ever recorded.

King Xerxes didn’t like his first wife’s refusal to obey and has her ousted from the throne. His advisors gather all the beautiful young virgins from around the country to find the king a new queen. Each goes through twelve months of beauty treatments before they see the king and then he sleeps with each one to decide which one he likes best. We frown on that kind of activity in this country, but that’s how the king decided to choose a wife and fill his harem with concubines.

Only if the king like you, did the concubine ever see the king again. Well, as you can imagine the rest of the story, the king not only liked Esther, but made her his queen. But like Paul Harvey, there is the rest of the story. Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, discovers a plot to kill the king and lets Esther in on the secret so the plot can be thwarted. The assassins are discovered and the king writes the event in his memoirs.

The king’s chief advisor, prime minister, chief of staff, or whatever title you want to give him, Haman has this thing about Jews and absolutely despises them. So he gets the king to write a decree to let anyone who wants kill all the Jews in their city on a particular day. But now the rest of the story.

The king can’t sleep one night and reads his memoirs and hears the story of the assassination attempt. He asked Haman, his advisor what kind of honor should be given to someone who does something extraordinary for the king. Haman, of course, thinks the king must be talking about him so he lays it on thick. But the king is talking about Mordecai and tells Haman to personally carry out all the things Haman expected the king to do for him. How embarrassing!

Esther, the queen, is also a Jew. Mordecai convinces her to go to the king and ask for mercy for the Jews because of the slaughter that is about take place because of Haman’s trickery. Esther invites the king and Haman to dinner to explain the plight and Haman begs for mercy from the queen. Well, the king sees Haman falling all over his queen and gets the wrong idea. He doesn’t know he’s begging for mercy, he thinks he’s begging for something else and immediately has him taken to the gallows Haman had built for Mordecai. And Esther convinces the king to not only let the Jews defend themselves, but to destroy their enemies in those same cities where the decree went out.

What a story. But it’s interesting that God’s name is not mentioned a single time in the whole book of Esther. We see His upper story at work all throughout the interweaving of the plot, but His name is nowhere to be found. I’ll come back to that in a minute. First, I want to share what I think is one of the most important verses in the book of Esther. It’s found in chapter 4 verse 14. “…Who knows? It’s possible that you became queen for a time just like this.”

Have you ever wondered why you are in the position you are in today? Maybe you think it’s a good position or maybe you think it’s not so good. But who knows? Maybe you are there for just a time like this. David was the youngest of seven. He should not have been the one chosen as king according to all the traditions of the time. He was doing the worst of the jobs in the family, tending the sheep on the hillsides. But he was faithful and became the king by which all the other kings of Israel were judged. Who knows?

Abraham was just another member of the tribe in Ur trying to survive in a harsh world that took ounce of energy and knowhow just to get by. But God told him to uproot his family to go somewhere he’d never been so He could make a great nation out of him. Who knows?

Personally, I was a medical plans officer trying to figure out how to get medical support to an army spread across hundreds of miles in battle formations we had never done before. God gave me a dream and Army medical doctrine changed because it. Since then, thousands of lives have been saved on the battlefield because of that dream. Who knows? It’s possible that you are in the position you are in for a time just like this.

Maybe you’re in a tough situation at work that just seems impossible. Who knows? It’s possible that you are in that position for God to use you in some remarkable way to make a difference for your boss or your co-workers to get through that impossible situation. Maybe He wants others to see His grace through your reactions to the situations at hand.

Maybe you’re facing some illness or the loss of a loved one. God doesn’t do bad things to us, but He does allow life to happen and who knows? It is possible that He allowed those things to come your way for a time just like this. We live in a sinful, evil time. We don’t hear much about God and how He works outside of the walls of our churches and synagogues. But the world is hungry to know there is something out there besides the evil and death and destruction that plays across the news channels every day.

The world needs to know there is hope in the chaotic environs of the everyday life we find ourselves facing each time we wake up. The world needs to see joy instead of sorrow in the faces of believers because we have something to offer the world cannot. Jesus brings peace in the middle of the storms of life. He brings joy when it seems impossible to find any joy or happiness in life. Jesus brings order to the chaos around us. He brings life in the throes of death because we know there is a resurrection and there is hope in Him.

So back to the point about God not being mentioned in Esther. Why isn’t His name in the book? I think the writer of the book of Esther faced days like we face sometimes. As Purim approached, the day the Jews now celebrate as the day they defended themselves against their enemies, it was hard to see God in their lower story lives. The decree for their destruction had gone out. Their neighbors were allowed to kill them without recourse. They had no defense. Their prayers seemed to bounce off a brass ceiling. God didn’t seem to be anywhere around. They couldn’t see past the bend in the road. They couldn’t see the upper story God had planned for them.

We can get that way, too. We can get so caught up in our lower story that we forget that God can see panoramically and knows what we cannot know. He can see beyond the bend in the road and knows the bright future He has prepared for us. We just need to look up and obey His commands. Follow Him and know He is at work in His upper story to deliver us just as He did Esther and Mordecai and the rest of His people from the hands of their enemies. We can trust Him with all we have and all we are because He is God and we are not. He is always working for good for those that love Him and work according to His purposes.

You can find me at richardagee.com. I also invite you to join us at San Antonio First Church of the Nazarene on West Avenue in San Antonio to hear more about The Story and our part in it. You can find out more about my church at SAF.church. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed it, tell a friend. If you didn’t, send me an email and let me know how better to reach out to those around you. Until next week, may God richly bless you as you venture into His story each day.

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.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town (John 14:13-14), March 29, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Topic Introduction with headline.
Scripture
1. John 14:13-14
2. Jesus: Whatever you ask for in My name, I will do it so that the Father will get glory from the Son. Let Me say it again: if you ask for anything in My name, I will do it.
Devotional
1. When I was growing up, there was a show in which a multimillionaire went around the country and just arbitrarily wrote a check to people for several thousand dollars.
  1. Not worth quite as much today, but a lot of money then
  2. Never showed the millionaire’s face or mentioned his name
  3. Show focused on what the recipients did with the money
  4. Some squandered the money on frivolous junk
  5. Some spent it on things that seemed like good investments, but only on themselves
  6. Some did charitable things for other people
2. Sometimes we read these verses with that kind of thought in mind
  1. Santa is coming
  2. Get whatever we want
  3. Just ask and it will appear
  4. All we have to do is tag on His name at the end and it will happen the way we want
3. Twisted view of these verses
  1. About His name, not ours
  2. About His ministry, not ours
  3. About His plans, not ours
  4. About His wants, not ours
4. Jesus wants to answer our prayers to bring glory to Him which gives glory to the Father
  1. Goes back, then, to what is the Father’s desires and plans for this world
  2. Desires that all will know His saving grace and follow Him
  3. That all will recognize Him as God and serve Him as God
  4. That all will come to a saving relationship with Him
  5. That all will worship Him
5. Do our prayers reflect that attitude, that request, that outcome as an end result?
  1. He will answer
  2. He wants the glory
  3. First commandment, He is a jealous God, He will not share our devotion with anyone or anything
  4. He alone deserves our worship
  5. He wants His name untarnished
  6. Ask in His name
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Effective prayer (John 11:39-42), March 14, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Is silent prayer effective? Yep. Is vocal prayer effective? Yep. Is prayer effective? Yep. When it’s for the right reason.
Scripture
1. John 11:39-42
2. Jesus: Remove the stone.

Martha: Lord, he has been dead four days; the stench will be unbearable.

Jesus: Remember, I told you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God.

They removed the stone, and Jesus lifted His eyes toward heaven.

Jesus: Father, I am grateful that You have heard Me. I know that You are always listening, but I proclaim it loudly so that everyone here will believe You have sent Me.

Devotional
1. I know people that are scared to death to pray out loud.
  1. They are afraid they’ll say the wrong thing.
  2. They think someone might think poorly of them because of the words they say.
  3. They get their tongues tied and nothing seems to come out right
  4. They’re afraid they’ll forget something they really want to say
2. I know others who think you really need to pray out loud to keep focused during prayer
  1. It’s too easy to let your mind wander
  2. It’s easier to gather your thoughts
  3. It helps you articulate your praise to God
  4. It helps you focus on others instead of yourself
  5. It forces you to think more clearly about what you’re doing
3. Jesus shows us that prayer is effective no matter how we pray as long as it’s for the right reason.
  1. “Father, I’m grateful You have heard Me.”
  2. But He hasn’t said anything out loud yet. He has obviously prayed, but communicated silently with His Father.
  3. “I know You are always listening”
  4. “I proclaim it loudly so that everyone here will believe You have sent Me.”
  5. His vocal prayer is heard so others will know His specific prayer to the Father for Lazarus’ resurrection
4. What was all of this about?
  1. Everything Jesus did was to bring glory to God
  2. He stated before He left for Bethany that His delay and actions would bring glory to His Father
  3. All His prayer requests sought direction to give the most glory to God
  4. His actions aimed glory to God and not Himself
5. Jesus came to Bethany to bring glory to His Father
  1. He would raise Lazarus from the dead
  2. He would show He was one with the Father since only God had the power to give life
  3. He would point all of those action toward one purpose and one cause
  4. Bringing glory to His Father
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

How useful is that money now? (Luke 12/14-21) November 15, 2016

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Ezra 1-5

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Luke 12:14-21
Jesus: Since when am I your judge or arbitrator?
Then He used that opportunity to speak to the crowd.
Jesus: You’d better be on your guard against any type of greed, for a person’s life is not about having a lot of possessions.
(then, beginning another parable) A wealthy man owned some land that produced a huge harvest. He often thought to himself, “I have a problem here. I don’t have anywhere to store all my crops. What should I do? I know! I’ll tear down my small barns and build even bigger ones, and then I’ll have plenty of storage space for my grain and all my other goods. Then I’ll be able to say to myself, ‘I have it made! I can relax and take it easy for years! So I’ll just sit back, eat, drink, and have a good time!’”
Then God interrupted the man’s conversation with himself. “Excuse Me, Mr. Brilliant, but your time has come. Tonight you will die. Now who will enjoy everything you’ve earned and saved?”
This is how it will be for people who accumulate huge assets for themselves but have no assets in relation to God.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

I hope you’ve never been part of those inheritance squabbles. I’ve seen a few in my lifetime. I think my family on both side through several links are smart enough and genteel enough not to get into those kinds of brutal arguments. But I’ve seen some of those battles. No one comes out well when a wealthy or even a not so wealthy family member dies and siblings or children and grandchildren start fighting over who should receive what portions of the estate. People come out of the woodwork demanding their part. Court battles erupt and there is anything but respect for the deceased’s last will and testament, especially if a large portion is given to a charity. It seems people just don’t want to work for their money anymore.

Jesus addressed the man who wanted arbitration about an inheritance, but that wasn’t the case for the wealthy person in Jesus’ parable. The subject of the parable was a man who earned his fortune through hard work, but then decided it was time to retire early. He built his estate and accumulated more than he could ever spend. He was ready to sit back and enjoy the good life.

That sounds just like the pitch all our financial planners give us, doesn’t it? Start saving your money at a young age. Set aside all you can as soon as you can. Then by the time you’re 55, you’ll have enough to retire and do what you want. You can quit working and travel the world. Put your money in the right stocks and watch them grow at enormous rates and then just sit back with your toes in the sand and do nothing but enjoy the fruits of your short life of labor. Doesn’t that sound good?

Only that’s not God’s plan for us. He never talks about retirement. God never gives us a date to quit working on His plans. He never tells us to sit back and do nothing. And there are some important reasons for that. I haven’t looked lately, but a few years ago, there were some interesting morbidity mortality rates concerning military retirees. Those were the only ones I was researching at the time because at the time I was looking at my own retirement. The research showed that the average life expectancy for someone retiring from military service was just under ten years.

That was a little scary to me. There were several reasons given. Many stopped their daily exercise routine the military sort of forces us into and so gained enormous amounts of weight in the first several months out of service that never came off. That contributes to lots of other problems like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. Many stopped getting routine medical care because they weren’t required to as they were while on active duty so those underlying problems weren’t found soon enough to take care of them. But one of the astounding reasons given for many died so quickly after retirement was their lack of purpose for living. The just quit feeling useful to society and gave up on life. So if any disease popped up they didn’t fight it, they just died. The flu killed them. Pneumonia killed them. A heart attack killed them. Because they didn’t have the will to fight to live.

Solomon learned the hard way, and wrote in Ecclesiastes for us, life is meaningless unless lived for the right reasons. We can dabble in lots of stuff, earn lots of money, have our names in lights and be known around the world. None of that matters. Unless we are working out God’s purpose in our lives, life is truly meaningless. All the riches in the world don’t matter and don’t do anything for us. Besides, ask all those rich folks lying in those neatly mowed graves and polished mausoleum, how useful is all that wealth to them now?

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 hide anymore (Luke 5:10) September 25, 2016

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Hebrews 1-4

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Luke 5:10
Jesus: Don’t be afraid, Simon. From now on, I’ll ask you to bring Me people instead of fish.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

If you’ll remember, Jesus said these words to Simon after Simon told Him he should not be around Him because he was a sinful man. Simon’s words remind me of Isaiah’s vision in the temple when he saw God sitting on His throne high and lifted up. Isaiah knew he was about to die because he was a sinful man and was in the presence of God.

Daniel did the same. John on the Isle of Patmos did the same. Everyone who comes into the presence of the Almighty falls to their face and recognizes their sinful state as they see the purity and holiness of His very essence. Simon felt the same way. He heard Jesus preach from one of his boats that he had pushed off from the shore so He could be heard better by the crowd. It was a common practice for speakers to large crowds in that day. The speech would echo off the water and create an amplifying effect rather than standing in the middle of the crowd where the robes and turbans and tunics would muffle the sound.

Simon was just minding his own business, literally when Jesus borrowed one of his boats. He and this fellow fishermen were mending their nets. But while he was working, he heard the message. He saw this preacher from Nazareth. He heard this man expound on the scriptures in ways he had never heard before. Simon knew there was something different about this man. That’s why he trusted His command to cast his nets into deeper water.

But when Simon saw the evidence that this man was more than just a carpenter turned preacher, he was shaken. Simon knew this man was more than anyone he had ever met before and he had met some important people in his many business dealings. Simon knew this man had a special relationship with the God of the universe. I’m not so sure Simon understood yet that Jesus was God incarnate, but he certainly knew he was in the presence of a holy man with power over nature.

Isn’t it interesting that our first reaction is to get away from the presence of God instead of toward Him when we find ourselves in our sin? Just like Adam and Eve, we want to hide. We want to get away from Him. We don’t want to be in His presence for fear we will experience an outpouring of His wrath because of our sin.

But Jesus tells Simon, don’t be afraid. Come close. Just like God called Adam after his sin in the Garden of Eden. God didn’t want Adam to fall. He didn’t want Adam to leave His presence. That was Adam’s choice because He failed to obey God. But then God instituted ways to get back to Him. He showed us how to get back into a right relationship with Him. He set up a means of redemption with that very first sin.

He says, “Don’t be afraid. I want to restore your relationship with Me. I want to bring you back home. I want to put your life back on track. Don’t be afraid. Come close. I have good news for you and for everyone who will listen. You don’t have to stay estranged from Me. You don’t have to stay mired in your sin. You don’t have to be separated from Me. You can be cleansed. You can be made whole again. You can have your sins forgiven.”

We are so afraid of what other people might think if we go to an altar to ask God to forgive us of our sins. We’re afraid someone might think we are a sinner! Well, guess what? All of us are. None of us escape that title. So the question is really whether you will let someone else’s thought about you destine you to an eternity separated from God or whether you will use some common sense and fall on your face before a forgiving God and beg Him for cleansing from your sin.

It is ironic the response we have when God wants so desperately to bring us back into His kingdom. He created us to worship Him. He created us for a relationship with Him. He even came to live with us in human flesh to show us how much He longs to restore that relationship with us. And when He came, He told Simon and us the same message. “Don’t be afraid. I have a message for you and I want you to give that same message to the rest of the world.”

So will you trust Him like Simon did and do what He says? Or will you continue to do like Adam and hide from Him. As always, it’s your choice. Make the smart one, choose to stop hiding and live for Him.

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.

Stay on the path (2 Kings 2:1-18), June 19, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Kings 2:1-18
Set – 2 Kings 2; Psalms 82; 1 Timothy 1
Go! – 2 Kings 1-3; Psalms 82; 1 Timothy 1

2 Kings 2:1-18
¹ Elijah and Elisha were leaving Gilgal when the Eternal One planned to snatch Elijah up into the heavens by the power of a fierce dancing wind.

Elijah (to Elisha): ² I ask you to remain here. The Eternal has commanded me to go all the way to Bethel.

Elisha: As certain as your own life and the life of the Eternal, I refuse to abandon you.

So the two men traveled down to Bethel together, ³ where Elisha was approached by the prophets’ disciples who lived there.

Prophets’ Disciples: Are you aware that the Eternal One is going to snatch Elijah, your mentor, away from you today?

Elisha: Yes, I am aware of this. I want you to keep quiet about it.

Elijah (to Elisha): ⁴ I beg you to remain here. The Eternal has commanded me to travel to Jericho.

Elisha: As certain as your own life and the life of the Eternal, I refuse to abandon you.

The two men then traveled to Jericho together, ⁵ where the prophets’ disciples living in Jericho approached Elisha.

Prophets’ Disciples: Are you aware that the Eternal One is going to snatch your mentor away from you today?

Elisha: Yes, I am aware of this. I want you to keep quiet about it.

Elijah (to Elisha): ⁶ I beg you to remain here. The Eternal One has commanded me to travel to the Jordan River.

Elisha: As certain as your own life and the life of the Eternal, I refuse to abandon you.

So the two men then traveled to the Jordan River together.

⁷While Elijah and Elisha were standing near the Jordan River, 50 of the prophets’ disciples from that area stood at a distance from them on the other side. ⁸ Elijah removed his cloak and rolled it up; then he struck the water with it, and the water divided. Elijah and Elisha then walked across on dry land. ⁹ After the two had made it to the other side of the Jordan, Elijah spoke to Elisha.

Elijah: Tell me what it is you would like me to do for you before I am taken away from you.

Elisha: Please, I wish to receive a double portion of your spirit. As your successor, I want to have twice the portion of your power.

Elijah: ¹⁰ What you have requested of me is challenging, but it will be done if you witness my departure. But if you do not watch, then you will not have your double portion.

¹¹ Now as the two continued walking along and talking as they normally did, something incredible happened. A blazing chariot pulled by blazing horses stormed down from the heavens and came between Elijah and Elisha. Then Elijah was swept up into heaven by the fiery storm. ¹² Elisha witnessed this amazing spectacle.

Elisha: My father, O my father! The chariots and riders of Israel!

Elisha never saw Elijah again. Elisha grabbed the clothes he was wearing, and he ripped them in half. ^13-14 He picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had dropped to the ground when he was taken up into heaven, and then he went back to the Jordan riverbank and stood. He struck the water with the cloak.

Elisha: Where is the Eternal One? Where is Elijah’s True God?

After Elisha struck the water, the Jordan River divided, just as when Elijah had struck the waters. Elisha then walked across on dry land.

¹⁵ The prophets’ disciples at Jericho standing on the opposite shore were watching this.

Prophets’ Disciples: Elijah’s powerful spirit now rests upon Elisha. Elijah’s cloak now clothes Elisha.

Then the prophets’ disciples at Jericho approached Elisha and humbled themselves before him.

Prophets’ Disciples: ¹⁶ There are 50 strong men along with us, your servants, who could go looking for your mentor. Perhaps the Spirit of the Eternal inside the whirlwind swept Elijah up into heaven and left him on some mountaintop or in some valley of the lowlands.

Elisha: That won’t be necessary.

¹⁷ But they kept asking his permission for a search, and he felt ashamed, so he finally agreed. They sent out a search party of 50 men who spent three days looking for Elijah, but they found no trace of him. ¹⁸ The search party came back to Elisha while he was still in Jericho.

Elisha: I told you not to go. He’s gone from the earth.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Elisha made what seemed a simple request of his mentor, Elijah, a double portion of his spirit. Elisha didn’t understand what he asked, but Elijah granted the request only on condition that his protege see him depart this life. Elisha promised and from that day, never let Elijah out of his sight.

On the day I took Elijah to heaven, he tried to dissuade Elisha from following him. The scripture describes a journey on that day from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho. A short walk to the Jordan River, a miraculous crossing and then My chariot of fire took Elijah to be with Me.

Unless you’ve been there, it sounds like an easy journey, but the 10 miles from Gilgal to Bethel and the 15-mile return to Jericho is anything but easy for a day’s journey on foot. The mountainous terrain, the bandits in that day, the heat and rugged roads made the day’s journey torturous for the pair. What might be an easy day’s walk in Florida or Maryland was almost impossible to complete in a day in Israel.

Elisha wanted that double portion of My spirit, though. He didn’t want anything to interfere with his getting it. Elisha was prepared to do anything to keep his promise to Elijah to get the kind of spirit he saw in his mentor and would not leave his side regardless of how difficult the journey.

Do you seek Me the same way? Do you want Me in your life bad enough to keep going over the rough roads and mountains of life to stick by My side? Do you keep at it when you’re tired and hungry and hot and cold and ready to give up? Do you just keep going because you realize the prize is worth it in the end?

That’s the attitude Elisha kept as he trudged along beside Elijah. That’s the attitude that will keep you strong no matter what you might face along the path of life. The prize is worth it. Keep walking beside Me. I’ll take you with Me one day.

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 have a higher purpose (Ephesians 4:14-32), June 8, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Ephesians 4:17-32
Set – Ecclesiastes 7; Ephesians 4
Go! – Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:17-32
¹⁷ Therefore, as a witness of the Lord, I insist on this: that you no longer walk in the outsiders’ ways—with minds devoted to worthless pursuits. ¹⁸ They are blind to true understanding. They are strangers and aliens to the kind of life God has for them because they live in ignorance and immorality and because their hearts are cold, hard stones. ¹⁹ And now, since they’ve lost all natural feelings, they have given themselves over to sensual, greedy, and reckless living. They stop at nothing to satisfy their impure appetites.

²⁰ But this is not the path of the Anointed One, which you have learned. ²¹ If you have heard Jesus and have been taught by Him according to the truth that is in Him, ²² then you know to take off your former way of life, your crumpled old self—that dark blot of a soul corrupted by deceitful desire and lust— ²³ to take a fresh breath and to let God renew your attitude and spirit. ²⁴ Then you are ready to put on your new self, modeled after the very likeness of God: truthful, righteous, and holy.

²⁵ So put away your lies and speak the truth to one another because we are all part of one another. ²⁶ When you are angry, don’t let it carry you into sin. Don’t let the sunset with anger in your heart or ²⁷ give the devil room to work. ²⁸ If you have been stealing, stop. Thieves must go to work like everyone else and work honestly with their hands so that they can share with anyone who has a need. ²⁹ Don’t let even one rotten word seep out of your mouths. Instead, offer only fresh words that build others up when they need it most. That way your good words will communicate grace to those who hear them. ³⁰ It’s time to stop bringing grief to God’s Holy Spirit; you have been sealed with the Spirit, marked as His own for the day of rescue. ³¹ Banish bitterness, rage and anger, shouting and slander, and any and all malicious thoughts—these are poison. ³² Instead, be kind and compassionate. Graciously forgive one another just as God has forgiven you through the Anointed, our Liberating King.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Something evil happens today that spoils My greatest creation. A vicious rumor spreads like wildfire that says you cannot suppress the natural desires of humankind. That rumor says every teenager will engage in illicit sex. Every child will steal and lie. Every adult will dabble in lust and pornography to satisfy their desires outside of their marriage vows.

The rumors are not true! I created humankind above that. To say you will succumb to the basic desires of all animals means you are the same as every other animal on the planet. You are not! I created you as higher beings. I created you with the ability to choose right from wrong, good from bad. I created you to choose to follow the path I lay out before you.

If you say you cannot control the base desires of your body, you lower yourself to the level of the creatures I commanded you to control and care for. You lower yourself to the level of your pets, the cats and dogs that run your streets and live in your homes. You are better than that. You can choose your actions. You can discipline your body and refuse to bow to the actions that will cause discord and dissension within society.

The other animals across the globe exist as part of the global ecosystem to provide food for the rest of My creation. From the smallest protoplasm to the largest sea and land creatures, each becomes a meal for another of My creation…except for humankind. I created you to care for the rest of creation. You sit at the pinnacle of creation.

All other creature exist for you. You use their hides for warmth and shelter. You eat their flesh for nourishment. You use their strength to assist in your labor. You train them and keep them for companionship. You control the rest of My creation because you have the ability to refrain from acting on the base desires and instincts that drive the rest of the animal kingdom.

When you fail to constrain those desires, when you act without restraint, when you selfishly fulfill whatever drive you please, you reduce yourself to the level of the rest of creation instead of maintaining your place at its head. I did not give you intelligence to waste it. I did not give you the freedom of choice to watch you abuse others for your selfish desires. Go back to the basics of why I created you in the first place and you’ll find your real purpose.

I created you to care for My creation and to maintain a right relationship with Me. Take off the old garments of selfish, animalistic behavior. Understand that I want more from you as My greatest creation. Know that you exist for something much better. Let Me help you become the person I meant you to be. Put on the new self, modeled after Me so that you can fulfill the work I planned for you from the beginning of time.

You’ll not be disappointed. I promise.

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.

I have a plan for you (Deuteronomy 34), Mar 17, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Deuteronomy 34
Set – Deuteronomy 34; 1 Corinthians 2
Go! – Deuteronomy 32-34; 1 Corinthians 2

Deuteronomy 34
¹Moses climbed up from the plains of Moab to the top of Mount Nebo, to the peak at Mount Pisgah on the east side of the Jordan River across from Jericho. The Eternal showed him the whole land that would be Israel’s territory: Gilead as far as Dan, ² all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all of Judah’s territory to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, ³ the southern desert, and the basin in the valley of Jericho, the “city of palms,” as far as Zoar.

Eternal One (to Moses): ⁴ This is the land I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I told them, “I’ll give it to your descendants.” I’ve let you see it, even though you won’t be going into it.

⁵ So Moses, the Eternal’s servant, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Eternal had said. ⁶ He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. ⁷ Moses was 120 years old when he died, but his eyesight hadn’t failed and his strength hadn’t diminished. ⁸ The children of Israel stayed in the plains of Moab and mourned for Moses for 30 days, until the grieving period was over.

⁹ Now Joshua (Nun’s son) was filled with a spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on this successor. The children of Israel obeyed Joshua, and they did what the Eternal had commanded Moses. ¹⁰ Since then there’s never been another prophet in Israel like Moses. The Eternal knew him face-to-face! ¹¹ No one has ever done anything like the amazing things the Eternal sent Moses to do in the land of Egypt to demonstrate His reality and power to Pharaoh and his servants and his whole country. ¹² And no one has shown such great power or done such terrifying things as everyone in Israel saw Moses do.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I had a special plan for Moses from the beginning. I put events in his path to help him understand the plan I had for him. At some points Moses showed some reluctance to carry out My plan and I had to convince him he was the man for the job. I also had to give him assistance all along the way because he knew the job was too difficult for him to carry it out alone.

Moses learned a lot during his 40 years in the desert before he accepted the task I had for him. He learned about reliance on Me. He learned about the covenant I had with his nation and My intervention in the lives of the Hebrews. He understood My place in nature and the part I would play as God in the deliverance of his people. He didn’t know how, but he knew I was able, because I am God.

Moses isn’t the only person for whom I have a special plan in mind, though. I have a special plan for everyone who will listen and obey Me. I may not ask you to lead My children out of bondage, but I will ask you to do things very far outside your comfort zone. Don’t worry about it, though. I will always be with you to work through you and accomplish My plan. I’ve given you just the right gifts – talents, skills, and experiences – to accomplish what I have planned for you. No one else has the same combination of gifts you have, so no one can do what I have planned for you like you can. Trust Me to help you.

You might ask, “What is it? What’s the task?” I will let you know at the right time as you seek My will for your life. I don’t want you to move too fast or too slow. If you move too slow, you’ll miss opportunities. If you move too fast, you won’t be prepared yet. So look for the next step to take. I will make sure you have the information you need to take the next step. I may not give you much more information than that, but that is enough. Trust Me with today’s needs, today’s guidance. That’s all you need for today.

So search My word. Listen to the counsel of wise Christians. Pray diligently. Seek My will. You will know what I have in store for you. You will understand the steps I want you to take. I will not hide from you. I’ve told you to seek Me and you will find Me. It’s the same with My plan for your life. I want you to have a successful, fulfilling life. When you let Me direct you, you’ll have it.

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 can even use you (Acts 9/1-20), Feb 2, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 9:1-20
Set – Exodus 33; Acts 9
Go! – Exodus 33-34; Psalms 16; Acts 9

Acts 9:1-20
¹Back to Saul—this fuming, raging, hateful man who wanted to kill every last one of the Lord’s disciples: he went to the high priest in Jerusalem ² for authorization to purge all the synagogues in Damascus of followers of the way of Jesus. His plan was to arrest and chain any of Jesus’ followers—women as well as men—and transport them back to Jerusalem. ³ He traveled north toward Damascus with a group of companions.

Imagine this: Suddenly a light flashes from the sky around Saul, ⁴ and he falls to the ground at the sound of a voice.

The Lord: Saul, Saul, why are you attacking Me?

Saul: ⁵ Lord, who are You?

Then he hears these words:

The Lord: I am Jesus. I am the One you are attacking. ⁶ Get up. Enter the city. You will learn there what you are to do.

These are shocking, unexpected words that will change his life forever.

⁷ His other traveling companions just stand there, paralyzed, speechless because they, too, heard the voice; but there is nobody in sight. ⁸ Saul rises to his feet, his eyes wide open, but he can’t see a thing. So his companions lead their blind friend by the hand and take him into Damascus. ⁹ He waits for three days—completely blind—and does not eat a bite or drink a drop of anything.

¹⁰ Meanwhile, in Damascus a disciple named Ananias had a vision in which the Lord Jesus spoke to him.

The Lord: Ananias.

Ananias: Here I am, Lord.

The Lord: ¹¹ Get up and go to Straight Boulevard. Go to the house of Judas, and inquire about a man from Tarsus, Saul by name. He is praying to Me at this very instant. ¹² He has had a vision—a vision of a man by your name who will come, lay hands on him, and heal his eyesight.

Ananias: ¹³ Lord, I know whom You’re talking about. I’ve heard rumors about this fellow. He’s an evil man and has caused great harm for Your special people in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ I’ve heard that he has been authorized by the religious authorities to come here and chain everyone who associates with Your name.

The Lord: ¹⁵ Yes, but you must go! I have chosen him to be My instrument to bring My name far and wide—to outsiders, to kings, and to the people of Israel as well. ¹⁶ I have much to show him, including how much he must suffer for My name.

¹⁷ So Ananias went and entered the house where Saul was staying. He laid his hands on Saul and called to him.

Ananias: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, sent me so you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see. So he got up, received the ceremonial washing of baptism identifying him as a disciple, ¹⁹ ate some food (remember, he had not eaten for three days), and regained his strength. He spent a lot of time with the disciples in Damascus over the next several days. ²⁰ Then he went into the very synagogues he had intended to purge, proclaiming,

Saul: Jesus is God’s Son!

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:
I can use the most unusual people to do My work. Sometimes I use people with great character and seemingly unblemished pasts. People like Joseph who withstood incredible tests of his power to forgive. He forgave his brothers, the jailer, Potiphar and his wife, the cupbearer, so many who could have freed him from a life of prison and slavery long before he met Pharaoh on that fateful day when he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams.

But often I use those you might never expect to carry My message. Men and women who understand My forgiveness because they have experienced deep forgiveness themselves. They still suffer the physical consequences of their crimes quite often. They pay in this life with poor health, lost family, wrecked lives for the poor choices they made along their path. But they know My grace and mercy. They experience My forgiveness. They understand peace in their heart and life, sometimes for the first time. And share with others in extraordinary ways.

No one in Saul’s day would have thought to choose him as My spokesperson to the Gentiles. After all, he sought to destroy My church. He sought to find and arrest all who believed My Son was the Way to life eternal. Saul found pleasure in finding, arresting, and trying My believers. Who would think I could use this man as the one to propagate faith in My Son and the doctrine of the New Covenant He established with all people who would trust in Him?

But people forget that “all have sinned and come short of My glory.” No one meets the standards of holiness set out in My laws. It is only by the blood of My Son, Jesus that any can come near. It is only Jesus’ sacrifice that makes it possible for any to find forgiveness and wholeness in life. So whether morally good, like Joseph, or corrupted and out to slaughter My sons and daughters, like Saul, it isn’t until you come to Me in repentance and accept My gift of forgiveness for your sins that you can come into My presence and find your real purpose in life.

When you come to that point, though, what a difference I can make! What a life I can give you! How I can change you inside and out! Try Me and see for yourself. Saul did on that road to Damascus and never looked back. I want to do something special in your life, too…if you’ll let Me.

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