25Aug
19Aug
The Sword Of The Lord
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
Jeremiah 47:6 Alas, sword of the Lord, how long till you rest? Return to your sheath; cease and be still.’O-bservation:
Take out an ancient map of Israel and read this chapter again. It seems as if God is wielding his sword against each one of Israel’s ten foes at that time in history. Picture God standing in the middle of tiny Israel and turning three hundred and sixty degrees in a circle with his sword drawn to ward off Israel’s enemies. Jeremiah knows them all well and knows that judgment is coming to all of them, including tiny Israel, for their sins against a loving yet righteous God. But, there is the sense that God longs to put his sword away for all of the judgment that must follow the acts of perpetual rebellion against him.A-pplication:
Here I am dragging my dear father into the story again. He’s in heaven now, but I would never have had a chance at heaven had it not been for him. In my day, my father had a belt to help me stay in line. I promise you he used it sparingly. Dad used his belt with a tear in his eyes. Today they would call him an abuser in his efforts to keep me out of my sins expected destination. He won, and so did I. But he never wanted to use what saved me. My heart's motivation was to go the opposite way he was leading me. Thank God he won the day. Each of my sons loves their grandfather for NOT keeping his sword in its sheath. At the end of this chapter the weeping prophet said, “But how can the sword of the Lord be placed back into its sheath when God has commanded its use? That has always been the dilemma a loving father faces.P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, They probably won’t forgive me for writing this post. But, just like my father was forced by the love in his heart to save me from sin's destruction, I know that has always been your way as well. Thank you for coming to this planet to take the ultimate blow in order to erase our hopeless state. Amen
03Oct
God’s Eye Is On US Too … In A Good Way
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
Ezra 5:5a
But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews.
O-bservation:
Ezra, the priest of Israel at the time of this scripture, said that Haggai and Zechariah, both prophets of Israel, had prophesied from the Lord. Zerubbabel and Joshua, both leaders of God’s people, began rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. But during this time other administrators of King Darius Of Persia, the ruling force at that time, came and asked the Jewish workers who had authorized them to rebuild the temple. When this happened, Ezra remarked, “The eye of their (Israel’s) God was upon them.”A-pplication:
Because God’s Eye was on His people in this story, their potential enemies had to stand down. To be honest, this is the only way that you and I make it through the day. There will always be people who want to step into our business and stop, or at least impede, the speed with which we are endeavoring to do God’s will. But I’m thankful that “The Eye Of God Is On US Too ... In A Good Way.” As a child I was taught to be careful what I said, did, or thought, because God was watching me. That used to scare the fire out of me as a boy. I’d think, “I’m a bad kid and God’s gonna get me.” Without a doubt God does see the evil, but God’s not just keeping score over us. He’s actually so in love with us and is all about protecting us. He protects us from danger and harm, but also from folks who get in our way to stop us from achieving our purpose in life. So today let’s be thankful that, “God’s Eye Is On US Too ... In A Good Way!”P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, This AM I’m reminded of the song “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.” I know that if You’re concerned about the sparrows, You sure do watch over me. Amen
24Feb
Their Protection Is Gone!
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
Numbers 14:9c Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.O-bservation:
Joshua and Caleb had come back from searching out the Promised Land with ten other Israeli spies. They were the only two who were positive. The other ten spies said there's no way. The people believed the negative report, but Joshua and Caleb said, "Their Protection Is Gone, we can defeat them.”A-pplication:
In life, it always comes down to whose report will you believe? The twelve spies Moses had selected to spy out the land of Canaan were the absolute best of each tribe. They were victorious men in every way. But of the best among them, ten said it would be certain death if they tried to take the land the Lord had promised them. Just two men, great in their own way, stood against this evil report. Joshua and Caleb were truly "Followers Of The Almighty." They looked at the challenge through the lens of the God in whom they believed. In their estimation, anyone standing against God had no defense whatsoever. If you're following Jesus today, don't be afraid of anyone because "Their Protection Is Gone!"P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, Keep leading the way, I'm right behind You. No one I know of can stand against You! "Their Protection Is Gone!" Amen
17Feb