Thursday, August 16: Amos 1 - the BIGness of God.

Having preached through Amos earlier this year, it will be interesting for me to read the book devotionally. I wonder if God will spark different issues as I read through it as connection time with my Lord.

I found myself marveling at God’s position far above all things we know and control here as we live on earth. I realize it is figurative language but to say when God speaks, pastures dry up and mountains wither, is to put God in a category so far above and beyond anything human. Words like ‘almighty’, ‘sovereign’, ‘all-powerful’ convey similar truths but do not capture the emotion of withering mountains and burning up pastures. God is so far beyond what we know!

And this ‘so-far-beyond-what-we-know’ God exercises his prerogative and judges the wrongs and errors of people and nations! He judges not on capricious whims but on the actions of lives… which means He knows what we have done and do! He knows!

I sat and marveled that this same ‘so-far-beyond-what-we-know’ God, wants to live in relationship with me!! This ‘so-far-beyond-what-we-know’ God reaches out to me through Jesus and invites me to know Him as Father, Protector, Redeemer, Counselor…

I find myself praising, thanking, adoring, and worshipping God –Father, Son and Holy Spirit- this morning with the remainder of my time…

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation. Oh, my soul praise Him because He is my Help and Salvation…

Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above you heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Oh Oh praise Him. Oh Oh praise Him. Alleluia, Alleluia All-le-lu-u-ia!

 

Wednesday, August 15: Joel 3 - God is our refuge.

The psalmist wrote, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble… (Ps 46:1). This verse flooded my mind as I set to put my devotions into words. God was there for us, God is there for us and God will be there for us.

Joel looks toward the day of God’s judgment, the day of the Lord. It is a terrible day and a wonderful day, terrible because judgment is terrible. Being called to account is uncomfortable in the human arena. I think of the courtroom and classroom as examples. Judgment reveals our failings and brings to bear upon us what our failings deserve.

Standing before Almighty God on God’s Day of Judgment will be terrible for everyone who has fallen short. Joel speaks of it with these words: Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel (14-16). It will be a terrible day for all… all but the Lord’s people.   

On the day of God’s judgment, God Himself will be the refuge for His people. For God’s people, judgment day will be wonderful because we will see the wonder of God’s Salvation. God will be a stronghold. God will be our Fortress. God will be our Redeemer and Savior. God will be everything we need to stand and flourish in the Day of Judgment and we will see this, understand this, like never before, and experience God’s Love in ways unlike we have experienced it before!

As I said, the Day of Judgment will be terrible and wonderful, depending upon your relationship with God.

Are you living in relationship with God Almighty through faith in Jesus Christ? Connection to Jesus will make all the difference… think about it.

Oh, Lord, I cling to You. You are my only hope on the Day of Judgment… You are my only hope. So I cling to You, Who loves me, Who died for me, Who redeemed me and Who calls me His own. Praise be to You, Lord God Almighty –Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Tuesday, August 14: Joel 2 - One of the great OT promises.

Joel continues God’s call to the people to repent. Verse 12-13: ‘Even now,’ declares the LORD, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Everywhere I turn in the Old Testament this year I am seeing how much God longs for His people to come home to Him. There is this notion that the God of the OT is a mean God, simply waiting for us to step out of line and wham He will smite us. But this year, as I read through the OT, I see more and more how patient God was, how longingly God calls and how many, many chances God gave His people to return when they strayed.

God’s heart is for His people, desiring them (us) to walk closely with Him and welcoming us back home after we sin and stray.

I spent some time reviewing my ways and confessing/returning as appropriate…

Today’s reading was much bigger than simply a call home. The chapter concludes with one of the great promises given in the OT that is fulfilled in the NT. Peter takes this OT promise of the Spirit for all people and applies it on Pentecost to the Church (see Acts 2)! God’s Spirit poured out on all people… men/women, young/old. What a gift, what a wonder. No longer will only a select few be filled with the Spirit; all God’s people will be filled!!!

I am awed by this and humbled that God would fill me to be a difference maker and kingdom builder for Him! And this goes for you, too, if you are a Christ-follower.

Ever so subtly God’s voice posed this question, “Bill, how are you making use of My Spirit within you to build My kingdom?” In the quietness of the morning I contemplated life… am I giving my best to the advancing of God’s glory and reign? Am I?

These contemplations made me wonder what would I put on my CV if I was called by God to list what I had done for His Kingdom to this point in my life…

Lord, I could be doing more for You with my life. Forgive me and lead me to give my life for Your glory, will and reign. Through Jesus, my Lord, and by the power only Your Holy Spirit can give, I pray and live. Amen.

 

 

Monday, August 13: Joel 1 - Getting our attention.

God specifically promised to take care of Israel and care for the land. God would provide rain. God would oversee the crops.  The land would produce because God was watching out for them. Now when problems occur with the land, it was a sign that there was a problem between Israel and God.

Joel understands this. So when an unusual confluence of locus destroy crop after crop, Joel realizes that God is calling to them. And Joel understands that the call is to repentance. Put on sackcloth, O priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, you who minister before my God; for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God. Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD (13-14).

The incident of the locus, being a call from God to Israel, got me thinking about God trying to get my attention. I know there are times when stuff in my life does seem to be God trying to get my attention. I cannot and will not say that everything that happens to me is a sign from God. But there are definitely times when God wants my attention.

Am I listening? That is the question that the Spirit poses to me today. Am I listening for the voice of God in my life? I know God speaks through His Word, but along the day there are times I sense a nudge from God inviting me to do something.

This is the joy of following the living and true God. He speaks with us! Sometimes He calls me to repentance, sometimes He corrects a behavior, and sometimes God gives me an assignment. The wonder and delight is that God speaks with me.

I hope and pray you experience God communicating with you as well… that’s one of the gifts I have found in following Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

Oh, Lord, thank You for caring enough to communicate with me, to confront me, to direct me, and to lead me. I love You and I thank You. Through Jesus,  my Lord, I pray. Amen.

 

Saturday, August 11: Titus 3 - The final trustworthy saying.

I have copied the entirety of the first eight verses of this chapter into this blog, which made it easier for me to record my meditations…

The first thing I noticed is that doing what is good brackets this section. How often has our behavior and living come up in these pastoral letters? So many times. Clearly God’s desire is for us to live in a manner that resonates with His love and goodness. It hit me as I had this thought, how many “rough edges” still need to be filed off in my life?!!

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

As I read into the second paragraph, the thought struck me… how is it that we can show patience and humility toward all other people? By remembering where we came from! We too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We are the same as everyone else, except (in the text ‘but’) God lavished His kindness and love upon us.

I am considerate and show humility because I can (thanks to God redeeming me) and because that is the best way to light a path for others to God!

What a wonderful description of purpose in the Christ-following life.

I hope you enjoy chewing on this during the day. I will…

Oh, God -Father, Son and Holy Spirit- marinate me in Your goodness and love so that I can reflect the same to others. Really, Lord, help me become a new person and more Jesus-like person. I love You and I want those in my circle of life to know the delight and peace and love I have found in loving You, in being redeemed by You. Through Jesus, I pray. Amen.

 

 

Friday, August 10: Titus 2 - Sound doctrine.

The chapter opens with this sentence. You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine (1). Generally when I read the word ‘doctrine,’ I think of truths and propositions, those things Christian’s believe, like Jesus died on the cross or Jesus’ virgin birth and the like.

What fascinates me in this chapter is the explanation of ‘sound doctrine’ that Paul directs Titus to teach. I won’t print the verses of the rest of the chapter but go back and read the ‘sound doctrine’ that Paul speaks of.

Every example, Paul uses refers to behaviors, lifestyle and actions which is different than the mental ascent beliefs I anticipate reading the word ‘doctrine.’

Doctrine is a word used often in the pastoral letters of Timothy and Titus. This chapter is causing me to think deeply about life and living and my ‘doctrine.’

What is becoming clear to me is that how I live is a direct result of what I truly believe. And how I live is probably a better indicator of what I believe than simply stating the “things I believe.”

The not-so-subtle whisper of God… “Bill, take a good look at how you are living. Are you temperate and self-controlled (2)? Does my mouth offer a soundness of speech that cannot be condemned (8)? Am I honest and trustworthy at work (10)? And so on…”

How about you?

These are the ‘sound doctrines’ that Titus was to teach. Think about it…

Lord, Your Word gives me pause to look at my life and particularly my manner of living. What I see isn’t always honoring of You. Forgive me and strengthen me that I might live in a manner that pleases and honors You above all things. Amen.

 

 

Thursday, August 9: Titus 1 - What are you living for?.

I have always been fascinated by the ways Paul opens his letters. It seems to me that his self-description often telegraphs issues, problems and concerns he will address in his letter. For example, when he mentions his apostleship and call from God, then the letter is generally strong, correcting some issue in the church.

This morning my eyes lit on Paul’s opening. There is a lot in these verses, more so as I soaked in it for my morning meditation. Verse 1-3: Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness-- a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

Servant and apostle… I contemplated what it means to be a servant, which is something beyond my world. I do not have nor have I been a servant, someone at the beck and call of another. In Paul’s day it meant being owned, literally, by another. Servant speaks volumes about a person’s relationship to God! I continued to ponder this.

Apostle, one who is sent… ordered to go and do some duty on behalf of another. I thought about people who live on the road, and what it is like to not really have a home. Again, this is outside my realm of experience. Paul was honored to have been chosen by God for these duties. I thought about this.

For what purpose did Paul do these things? For the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness… I unpacked this as I meditated. Paul was a servant and apostle for the elect- for the church. Paul gave his life for people who followed Jesus. This seemed appropriate.

It was the next phrase which required some additional pondering. Paul was a servant and apostle for the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. Paul served truth, God’s Truth revealed in scripture. And it was not merely abstract facts and figures, it was the kind of truth that impacts behavior… leads to godliness.

I could fill pages on the thoughts that these three verses set off in my mind…

Ultimately God asked me a question, which I leave with you. “What are you living for?”

Think about it.

Lord, You have posed to me one of those BIG questions. And it is easy to ask it and move on before I search my heart for the real answer. I ask You, Lord, for the grace to stick with this question throughout my day. To answer it deeply, for the sake of my life in You. Through Jesus, I pray. Amen.