Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Judges 15
I keep trying to read this story as if I
had never heard it, not to have a blah blah blah experience because it
is so familiar. The thing which keeps coming before me is that Samson
has no concern for anyone but himself. His desires, his expressions of
himself, his responces. He is and there is no other. Makes me wonder
how he was raised. Did Momma get too bossy with the authority given her
in front of Manoah and spoil him rotten? Was Samson always so petulant
and with his strength he was unstoppable? What fueled his appetite for
annihilation? Just because a kid can bang cows together doesn’t mean
you let him.
Lord, I am challenged in my parenting, my friendships, my circles of influence…Help me Father to love rightly and humbly. To be teachable and humble. Help me to graciously receive correction and please give it to me. Lord, where you have placed me to speak to anyone, please grant me courage (because we both know how I squirm at the thought of confrontation) to speak Your words, to love well and to address the issues You call me to.
God, I need wisdom. I want to glorify You in my relationships and my life; but I am a real jerk sometimes – but usually only when I open my mouth. I thank You for persevering with me and not throwing me out of the game. May my mouth be used to glorify You and nothing else. May my words be instructive and true. Help me not respond from my feelings, rather from my faith in You, the Hope of Glory.
Holy Spirit, please subdue my temper, lest it subjugate me. Your way, not mine own. May I walk after my Messiah’s way rather than Samson’s folly. Both had great power, authority, strength and influence; yet Christ conducted Himself in the manner befitting a King. I want to follow Him. And may You be praised all the while.
Lord, I am challenged in my parenting, my friendships, my circles of influence…Help me Father to love rightly and humbly. To be teachable and humble. Help me to graciously receive correction and please give it to me. Lord, where you have placed me to speak to anyone, please grant me courage (because we both know how I squirm at the thought of confrontation) to speak Your words, to love well and to address the issues You call me to.
God, I need wisdom. I want to glorify You in my relationships and my life; but I am a real jerk sometimes – but usually only when I open my mouth. I thank You for persevering with me and not throwing me out of the game. May my mouth be used to glorify You and nothing else. May my words be instructive and true. Help me not respond from my feelings, rather from my faith in You, the Hope of Glory.
Holy Spirit, please subdue my temper, lest it subjugate me. Your way, not mine own. May I walk after my Messiah’s way rather than Samson’s folly. Both had great power, authority, strength and influence; yet Christ conducted Himself in the manner befitting a King. I want to follow Him. And may You be praised all the while.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Judges 14
If you had not plowed with my heifer … I love old testament talk.
And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring. Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him.
Thank You God that when danger is coming and roaring You don’t slowly come to my rescue. I praise You for Your urgency, Your attention to my estate, Your holy rushing on behalf of one of Your servants.
And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring. Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him.
Thank You God that when danger is coming and roaring You don’t slowly come to my rescue. I praise You for Your urgency, Your attention to my estate, Your holy rushing on behalf of one of Your servants.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Judges 13
And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God.” ~Legalism.
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these.”
~ Responding with faith and trust to God’s grace.
Father God, You alone are worthy of my worship and my attention. You author and authorize faith. May I walk in grateful and confident response to You – in faith and trust of Your words, Your actions and Your heart. Keep me from being stuck in the law when Your grace prevails; ‘legalista’ is not a descriptor that I desire, ever. Please bring to full-term birth all that You have spoken into my life and all that You have commanded me let me observe. Help me to facilitate these things in the lives of those You have given to me to influence.
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these.”
~ Responding with faith and trust to God’s grace.
Father God, You alone are worthy of my worship and my attention. You author and authorize faith. May I walk in grateful and confident response to You – in faith and trust of Your words, Your actions and Your heart. Keep me from being stuck in the law when Your grace prevails; ‘legalista’ is not a descriptor that I desire, ever. Please bring to full-term birth all that You have spoken into my life and all that You have commanded me let me observe. Help me to facilitate these things in the lives of those You have given to me to influence.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Judges 12
Shibboleth means snail and is pronounced:
shab-lool’ while Sibboleth, prounounced: sib-bo’-leth, means ear of
grain or wheat. I though that was interesting, maybe you did, too.
The Gileadites descended from Manasseh, Ephraim’s brother. So the Ephraimites threaten and insult their cousins. In response, the Gileadites strike the men of Ephraim who had come up against them. Seriously!??! Friendly fire is the way these folks died. Did they not have enough true enemies?
God, Lord and Worthy One, please keep me from responding with pride to anyone. Lord, I am Your servant and as such, I am defined by You. Please help me to remember that when my feelings get hurt, I am tempted to take offense, someone insults or threatens me. God help me to pray for those that call names and please help me to call only edifying and loving names – a clarion call of holiness and faith in the face of difficulty. May I not only be a speaker of faith; but one who walks in faith. Lord, keep me from participating in friendly fire and if it pleases You to use me to help diffuse such situations, that’s okay with me.
The Gileadites descended from Manasseh, Ephraim’s brother. So the Ephraimites threaten and insult their cousins. In response, the Gileadites strike the men of Ephraim who had come up against them. Seriously!??! Friendly fire is the way these folks died. Did they not have enough true enemies?
God, Lord and Worthy One, please keep me from responding with pride to anyone. Lord, I am Your servant and as such, I am defined by You. Please help me to remember that when my feelings get hurt, I am tempted to take offense, someone insults or threatens me. God help me to pray for those that call names and please help me to call only edifying and loving names – a clarion call of holiness and faith in the face of difficulty. May I not only be a speaker of faith; but one who walks in faith. Lord, keep me from participating in friendly fire and if it pleases You to use me to help diffuse such situations, that’s okay with me.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Judges 11
Jephthah's beginnings may have not been ideal; but he knew the history, he knew the LORD. I don't know why his mom was a prostitute - a Hebrew whore? That doesn't follow from God's directions; so maybe she was of another heritage, part of the forsaking and serving other gods ... but somehow, Jeph got the instruction. He knew God was the reason they were where they were, he understood the art of possessing the land, he knew the details, someone had made sure this man knew from where he came. I am encouraged that what we plant in our children (even those who carry other people's names) does not get taken away. Even if they run off and draw worthless people them. Keep me, o Heavenly Father, from planting harmful, hateful, deceptive thoughts; Lord, only that which brings You honor and glory. Help me, o God, to plant much, to water and tend well the spiritual things in the lives of the children You entrust to me. May I be faithful and stewardly-wise with the trust You have given me.
He was a mighty warrior; but one with reason and mediation skills, honest even. He seems remarkable to me. But then he promises "whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” the thing is whatevers don't come out of doors, whoevers do ... so who would possibly come out of his house to meet him? I know that you do not make an oath and back down from it; especially one you make to the LORD. So why on earth would he make such a statement? Was it careless, boisterous, prideful? Fake humility, deceived speech? I can't imagine what would possess a person to commit to a burnt offering that which proceeds from his doors. With all of his abilities and reason, his words mystify me ... especially in light of the fact that just prior to this God's Spirit came upon Jeph. I can understand giving all to God, more so when His Spirit is strong upon you. But to devote a person to a burnt offering.
God, Jeph spoke without talking to You, without asking You what You wanted. God help me to always ask what You desire before I go off pledging and promising. Did he only know about You and not know You? Please help me to know You more and more - for knowing You to be the purpose in my life and not any conquest or sacrifice. Please help me come to You after I do speak out of turn, may I never forget nor stop responding to the cross. May I bring others to Your very bloody sacrifice which has paid for all matter of sin, rebellion, pride. Please help my words not cost others.
Lord, I am so impressed that Jeph's daughter would return and submit to her father's (apparent) folly. What devotion to Your Name. May I honor You in the same way. Complete trust, obedience and acceptance of Your words. I thank You that You have words for me.
He was a mighty warrior; but one with reason and mediation skills, honest even. He seems remarkable to me. But then he promises "whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” the thing is whatevers don't come out of doors, whoevers do ... so who would possibly come out of his house to meet him? I know that you do not make an oath and back down from it; especially one you make to the LORD. So why on earth would he make such a statement? Was it careless, boisterous, prideful? Fake humility, deceived speech? I can't imagine what would possess a person to commit to a burnt offering that which proceeds from his doors. With all of his abilities and reason, his words mystify me ... especially in light of the fact that just prior to this God's Spirit came upon Jeph. I can understand giving all to God, more so when His Spirit is strong upon you. But to devote a person to a burnt offering.
God, Jeph spoke without talking to You, without asking You what You wanted. God help me to always ask what You desire before I go off pledging and promising. Did he only know about You and not know You? Please help me to know You more and more - for knowing You to be the purpose in my life and not any conquest or sacrifice. Please help me come to You after I do speak out of turn, may I never forget nor stop responding to the cross. May I bring others to Your very bloody sacrifice which has paid for all matter of sin, rebellion, pride. Please help my words not cost others.
Lord, I am so impressed that Jeph's daughter would return and submit to her father's (apparent) folly. What devotion to Your Name. May I honor You in the same way. Complete trust, obedience and acceptance of Your words. I thank You that You have words for me.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Judges 10
And they forsook the LORD and did not serve him.
The Israelites served other gods and then they served the people of those gods.
What am I entertaining in my mind – giving service to in my thoughts or my time – which is idolatrous? Not necessarily a tangible thing like a little golden figure; but something which gets more of my time, my heart, my thoughts, my preoccupation, my tears. Is it a problem which has landed at my feet? A scenario in which I find myself; but can do nothing but pray and wait? Am I more caught up in the thing than the God who sits enthroned forever and forever over all matters?
After the forsaking came the oppression. The children of God became the slaves of the gods’ people.
God, I am so sorry, I am wanting to focus on the thing rather on You. Truth is – and You know it – I just don’t know what to do, say or even how to pray. Help me not pay more attention with my mind, my emotions and my spiritual energy to the circumstances than I do to You – You, the One who allowed these situations to occur. I do not want to be guilty of forsaking You by serving a lesser god. Lord help me to navigate life, and certainly today, in a way which serves You. I do not want to be tricked into being a slave to any one, thing or situation. Thank You for Your word/warning on how a situation can be come an idol. Thank You for Your grace in showing me what a slippery slope forsaking can be. Please be glorified in me today.
The Israelites served other gods and then they served the people of those gods.
What am I entertaining in my mind – giving service to in my thoughts or my time – which is idolatrous? Not necessarily a tangible thing like a little golden figure; but something which gets more of my time, my heart, my thoughts, my preoccupation, my tears. Is it a problem which has landed at my feet? A scenario in which I find myself; but can do nothing but pray and wait? Am I more caught up in the thing than the God who sits enthroned forever and forever over all matters?
After the forsaking came the oppression. The children of God became the slaves of the gods’ people.
God, I am so sorry, I am wanting to focus on the thing rather on You. Truth is – and You know it – I just don’t know what to do, say or even how to pray. Help me not pay more attention with my mind, my emotions and my spiritual energy to the circumstances than I do to You – You, the One who allowed these situations to occur. I do not want to be guilty of forsaking You by serving a lesser god. Lord help me to navigate life, and certainly today, in a way which serves You. I do not want to be tricked into being a slave to any one, thing or situation. Thank You for Your word/warning on how a situation can be come an idol. Thank You for Your grace in showing me what a slippery slope forsaking can be. Please be glorified in me today.
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Samson was bound by that which he had power over when the Spirit was with him.
Samson thought his power was in externals and observations … in something he did or didn’t do. Or worse that it was from himself as he thought with his newly shaved head.
Lord, help me to gratefully rely on Your power and not my might that I may walk in victory and freedom all the days of this earthly experience. Holy Spirit, may I never be deceived into thinking that what I do or from what I refrain defines me or empowers me. God help me to never be tricked into thinking that it is of me. Grant me sufficient eyes to see where I am about to be enslaved to a thing or idea…that I may recognize and repent of my own prideful folly…especially a thing which You have given me success over in the past. may I never think so much of me that I fail to listen to Your precious Spirit or anyone You sovereignly choose to speak truth to me. Thank You that Your gifts and callings are irrevocable – help me to do it Your way though.