Scripture
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will. Acts 13:22
Observation
Wow, a man after God’s own heart!
This bold statement said about King David is derived from 1 Samuel 13:14, in which the prophet Samuel said to Saul about David, “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”
But we all know the rest of the story. We are puzzled because we are familiar with David’s shame of adultery, murder, and deceit concerning Uriah and Bathsheba.
So how could this adulterer, murderer, and liar be called a man after God’s own heart?
Application
One of the things that continue to amaze me about the Bible is its honesty; it is all there; the good, the bad and the ugly. God doesn’t gloss over sin, ever.
If you compare the life of Saul and David, you find they both made mistakes. In fact, a close comparison might lead someone to think that David’s sin was greater than Saul’s. What made the difference? I believe in a word it was repentance. David had it, Saul did not. David knew how to sin, but he also knew how to repent. This story tells me how powerful repentance is as far as God is concerned. Once David repented, God did not see David as the adulterer, murderer and liar, he was a person after His own heart.
Prayer
Father, it is truly a wonderful thing you did in the life of David. My prayer is that I will also experience that kind of full and complete forgiveness. Help me to become a man after your own heart.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Feb 5 2009 Ex 39-40, Ps 15, Acts 12
Scripture
And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:33-34
Observation
The purpose of the tabernacle was so that God could dwell among His people. The Bible says that no man can see God with human eyes and live. The glory of God is an interesting study in the Bible, mentioned nearly 400 times, but none more interesting than here in our text.
The glory of God was manifested in a cloud, which the people could see and follow. God’s visible presence would descend upon the tabernacle in the Holy of Holies above the mercy seat, and the glory of God filled that place.
Application
When did the glory come? Verse 34 starts with the word “then”. What happened just before this? Look at the last five words of the previous verse...”‘So Moses finished the work.” Seven times in verses 17-32, the scriptures say, “As the Lord commanded Moses”. It was when Moses, through obedience, had finished his work that God was finally on display in the tabernacle.
I cannot help but think about what this means in light of what the New Testament teaches concerning God’s temple…you and me. I sense what God is saying is that His glory will come upon you and me as well, when we are obedient to display Him in our lives.
Look around the church and these people stand out. I am not talking about those who may ‘”try” to stand out, but those with whom it just happens naturally, or should I say, supernaturally.
When does the glory come? When we obey and display the Lord.
Prayer
Father, my prayer is that Your glory will come in my life. May the glory of the Lord fill this temple!
And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:33-34
Observation
The purpose of the tabernacle was so that God could dwell among His people. The Bible says that no man can see God with human eyes and live. The glory of God is an interesting study in the Bible, mentioned nearly 400 times, but none more interesting than here in our text.
The glory of God was manifested in a cloud, which the people could see and follow. God’s visible presence would descend upon the tabernacle in the Holy of Holies above the mercy seat, and the glory of God filled that place.
Application
When did the glory come? Verse 34 starts with the word “then”. What happened just before this? Look at the last five words of the previous verse...”‘So Moses finished the work.” Seven times in verses 17-32, the scriptures say, “As the Lord commanded Moses”. It was when Moses, through obedience, had finished his work that God was finally on display in the tabernacle.
I cannot help but think about what this means in light of what the New Testament teaches concerning God’s temple…you and me. I sense what God is saying is that His glory will come upon you and me as well, when we are obedient to display Him in our lives.
Look around the church and these people stand out. I am not talking about those who may ‘”try” to stand out, but those with whom it just happens naturally, or should I say, supernaturally.
When does the glory come? When we obey and display the Lord.
Prayer
Father, my prayer is that Your glory will come in my life. May the glory of the Lord fill this temple!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Feb 4 2009 Ex 37-38, Ps 19, Acts 11
Scripture
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Acts 11:21
Observation
This is a story about the local Church in Antioch. These saints had been driven from Jerusalem by Saul, the arch enemy of the church. They had left land, homes, wealth, friends and even family to go out and spread the Gospel of the risen Lord. They went everywhere preaching the Gospel. It was a spiritual explosion.
How could this spiritual explosion happen? The answer lies in the text, “And the hand of the Lord was with them”.
Application
As Luke describes to us this powerful missionary church, he includes this declaration that the hand of the Lord was with them. I can’t help but ask the question, isn’t the land of the Lord with all churches?
While that might make an interesting discussion, a more important question would be, is the hand of the Lord at Adventist Fellowship? How would we even go about answering it? Would it be something that was so obvious that everyone would come to the same conclusion; either yes he was, or no he wasn’t? Or maybe it would be such that we would have different answers.
I believe the hand of the Lord is indeed with us. I believe it is so, because we have always made sharing the gospel a top priority just as these believers did in Antioch. Jesus promised all power is given in heaven and earth…go ye make teach all nations...and I will be with you always. When we are faithful in doing what Jesus said to do, God always lends a hand.
Prayer
Lord, I want to be in a church where Your presence is obvious. Where we can see people coming to You and lives being changed. Let us never do anything that would cause You not to be with us.
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Acts 11:21
Observation
This is a story about the local Church in Antioch. These saints had been driven from Jerusalem by Saul, the arch enemy of the church. They had left land, homes, wealth, friends and even family to go out and spread the Gospel of the risen Lord. They went everywhere preaching the Gospel. It was a spiritual explosion.
How could this spiritual explosion happen? The answer lies in the text, “And the hand of the Lord was with them”.
Application
As Luke describes to us this powerful missionary church, he includes this declaration that the hand of the Lord was with them. I can’t help but ask the question, isn’t the land of the Lord with all churches?
While that might make an interesting discussion, a more important question would be, is the hand of the Lord at Adventist Fellowship? How would we even go about answering it? Would it be something that was so obvious that everyone would come to the same conclusion; either yes he was, or no he wasn’t? Or maybe it would be such that we would have different answers.
I believe the hand of the Lord is indeed with us. I believe it is so, because we have always made sharing the gospel a top priority just as these believers did in Antioch. Jesus promised all power is given in heaven and earth…go ye make teach all nations...and I will be with you always. When we are faithful in doing what Jesus said to do, God always lends a hand.
Prayer
Lord, I want to be in a church where Your presence is obvious. Where we can see people coming to You and lives being changed. Let us never do anything that would cause You not to be with us.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Feb 3 2009 Ex 35-36, Acts 10
Scripture
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. Acts 10:1-2
Observation
Luke begins this chapter by describing to us a man named Cornelius. We should take note on how Luke describes this man, he says he was a devout man and one that feared God, gave much to the people, and he had a consistent prayer life.
It sounds as though Cornelius was doing pretty well on his own, but God sees that he will need some help to grow to the next level spiritually. Cornelius so far had done everything right. He sought God when it wasn’t apropos for a Roman soldier to do so. His prayer life was probably the envy of many. And the way things seemed he was not ashamed of what he believed. But in order for him to get to the next level spiritually, God needed him to meet Peter who knew the way.
Application
Even though Cornelius found favor with God, he needed more than what the people were saying about him. God could have sent an angel to teach Cornelius what he needed to know, but He chose a different way. He chose rather to use the church, in this case Peter, to help Cornelius and his family to grow in their faith.
I don’t know all the reasons, but God seems to have intentionally chosen the church to help others find their way into the family of God. Whether it is Cornelius, Saul or the Ethiopian eunuch, God gives us the privilege of telling them the Good News.
It makes me wonder, how many Cornelius’ are out there just waiting for someone like Peter to lead them to the next step.
Prayer
Lord I want to make myself available for you to use me to help others grow in their experience with you. And Lord, if there are times when I am Cornelius, please send someone to help me grow.
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. Acts 10:1-2
Observation
Luke begins this chapter by describing to us a man named Cornelius. We should take note on how Luke describes this man, he says he was a devout man and one that feared God, gave much to the people, and he had a consistent prayer life.
It sounds as though Cornelius was doing pretty well on his own, but God sees that he will need some help to grow to the next level spiritually. Cornelius so far had done everything right. He sought God when it wasn’t apropos for a Roman soldier to do so. His prayer life was probably the envy of many. And the way things seemed he was not ashamed of what he believed. But in order for him to get to the next level spiritually, God needed him to meet Peter who knew the way.
Application
Even though Cornelius found favor with God, he needed more than what the people were saying about him. God could have sent an angel to teach Cornelius what he needed to know, but He chose a different way. He chose rather to use the church, in this case Peter, to help Cornelius and his family to grow in their faith.
I don’t know all the reasons, but God seems to have intentionally chosen the church to help others find their way into the family of God. Whether it is Cornelius, Saul or the Ethiopian eunuch, God gives us the privilege of telling them the Good News.
It makes me wonder, how many Cornelius’ are out there just waiting for someone like Peter to lead them to the next step.
Prayer
Lord I want to make myself available for you to use me to help others grow in their experience with you. And Lord, if there are times when I am Cornelius, please send someone to help me grow.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Feb 2 2009 Ex 33-34, PS 16 Acts 9
Scripture
And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” Exodus 33:8-20
Observation
Here we are a conversation between Moses and the Lord God Himself. It’s an intriguing passage, isn’t it? Moses boldly asks God to reveal His glory. Can you imagine that? Our first reaction is shocked amazement. The second is maybe to condemn Moses for doing it.
God doesn’t seem to get upset, instead the Lord replied, "Moses, the first thing we need to get straight is that I am going to do this my way, not yours.” Then He said, "I am going to pass before you. My glory is going to be there." "But, you’re not ready to see it. So here is a rock, and you stand on the rock and get ready. The moment I pass by I am going to take you and put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand. Then I will pass by. Once I have passed by I will remove my hand and you will see my back. “
Application
I see in this passage something about the way God reveals Himself to me. First of all, it says that God sometimes passes so near that I can feel His presence. I can know that He is there. But at the same time, there is a dimension to God that I will never be able to see or understand or comprehend with my finite, puny mind. I serve a mighty and powerful God who invites me to know Him in a personal and intimate way. Just as Moses asked God to reveal Himself to him, I can make the same request. The question we all have to ask ourselves is…do we really want God that close?
There are times I would have to admit, I want God to be in my life, but not too close. As humans we have learned to keep our distance from really powerful things, they tend to scare us. I believe we all want the powerful God in our life…but at a safe distance.
Prayer
Lord, I want to thank you for what you are saying to me through this story. You are there and anytime I would chose, you are willing to come close. Lord, help me to overcome my fear that keep me from wanting to see your glory.
And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” Exodus 33:8-20
Observation
Here we are a conversation between Moses and the Lord God Himself. It’s an intriguing passage, isn’t it? Moses boldly asks God to reveal His glory. Can you imagine that? Our first reaction is shocked amazement. The second is maybe to condemn Moses for doing it.
God doesn’t seem to get upset, instead the Lord replied, "Moses, the first thing we need to get straight is that I am going to do this my way, not yours.” Then He said, "I am going to pass before you. My glory is going to be there." "But, you’re not ready to see it. So here is a rock, and you stand on the rock and get ready. The moment I pass by I am going to take you and put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand. Then I will pass by. Once I have passed by I will remove my hand and you will see my back. “
Application
I see in this passage something about the way God reveals Himself to me. First of all, it says that God sometimes passes so near that I can feel His presence. I can know that He is there. But at the same time, there is a dimension to God that I will never be able to see or understand or comprehend with my finite, puny mind. I serve a mighty and powerful God who invites me to know Him in a personal and intimate way. Just as Moses asked God to reveal Himself to him, I can make the same request. The question we all have to ask ourselves is…do we really want God that close?
There are times I would have to admit, I want God to be in my life, but not too close. As humans we have learned to keep our distance from really powerful things, they tend to scare us. I believe we all want the powerful God in our life…but at a safe distance.
Prayer
Lord, I want to thank you for what you are saying to me through this story. You are there and anytime I would chose, you are willing to come close. Lord, help me to overcome my fear that keep me from wanting to see your glory.
Feb 1 2009 Ex 30-32, Acts 8
Scripture
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. Exodus 32:1
Observation
As they came to the base of Mount Sinai, the Children of Israel made camp while Moses went up on the mountain to commune with God on their behalf. It was during this 40 days upon the mountain that God laid out the 10 Commandments, writing them with His own hand upon two tablets of stone. This should have been a great time of victory and rejoicing for the Children of Israel. They had not only been set free but now they were hearing from God directly.
They didn’t react with worshipping the Lord though. They grew impatient and finally decided that Moses must have died. He had been gone too long. They called for Aaron, Moses’ brother and spokesman before Pharaoh, to build them a golden calf.
Application
I have often wondered why this happened so quickly? Isn’t it strange that these people, who were slaves for so long, would want to go back to their slavery and not serve the God of Love, Mercy and Goodness?
We have a picture here of what can happen if we don’t stay true to God. It started almost immediately; the whining, complaining, and grumbling. Israel didn’t really trust God. Then when they had to wait, they soon forgot the miraculous power of God to deliver, to heal, to save and to give them new life. They soon fell back into their desire for the slave pits of Egypt.
I am so often tempted to think; how could they do this? Then I am reminded, how often I do this same thing. It seems everything comes down to trust. When I do not trust God completely, I start to grumble and complain. Then when things really take a turn I don’t like, I am tempted to retreat rather than waiting on God.
Prayer
Lord, I admit I do not always understand why you choose to lead me as you do, but I know you always have my best interest in mind. Please help me to learn to trust you completely.
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. Exodus 32:1
Observation
As they came to the base of Mount Sinai, the Children of Israel made camp while Moses went up on the mountain to commune with God on their behalf. It was during this 40 days upon the mountain that God laid out the 10 Commandments, writing them with His own hand upon two tablets of stone. This should have been a great time of victory and rejoicing for the Children of Israel. They had not only been set free but now they were hearing from God directly.
They didn’t react with worshipping the Lord though. They grew impatient and finally decided that Moses must have died. He had been gone too long. They called for Aaron, Moses’ brother and spokesman before Pharaoh, to build them a golden calf.
Application
I have often wondered why this happened so quickly? Isn’t it strange that these people, who were slaves for so long, would want to go back to their slavery and not serve the God of Love, Mercy and Goodness?
We have a picture here of what can happen if we don’t stay true to God. It started almost immediately; the whining, complaining, and grumbling. Israel didn’t really trust God. Then when they had to wait, they soon forgot the miraculous power of God to deliver, to heal, to save and to give them new life. They soon fell back into their desire for the slave pits of Egypt.
I am so often tempted to think; how could they do this? Then I am reminded, how often I do this same thing. It seems everything comes down to trust. When I do not trust God completely, I start to grumble and complain. Then when things really take a turn I don’t like, I am tempted to retreat rather than waiting on God.
Prayer
Lord, I admit I do not always understand why you choose to lead me as you do, but I know you always have my best interest in mind. Please help me to learn to trust you completely.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Jan 31 2009 Ex 28-29, Acts 7
Scripture
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord. Acts 7:57
Observation
These are the final moments in the life of one of the first Christian martyrs. The men Stephen was speaking to were the great and mighty men of their day and nation. They knew the Scriptures and should have been among the first to recognize Jesus and come to Him.
It was because they knew that Stephen was telling them the truth and that the truth did not agree with their own pet ideas and theories that they became so enraged that they committed murder.
Application
My first response to this story is one of amazement. After rejecting Jesus and putting Him to death on the cross, God sends another message of truth to them through the preaching of Stephen. God is not attempting to condemn them, I believe He is trying to save them.
My second response is to wonder if I could ever be guilty of this same thing. Stephen described them as “uncircumcised in heart”. In order words, he acknowledged they were different from the world in the outside, but not on the inside.
One of the conditions to be saved is first to hear the Gospel. Paul said, "How can they be saved except first they hear?" and then again, "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."
Prayer
Lord, please help me to never close my ears to the truth. Sometimes it might be hard to hear it, but I know deep down it is the only thing that will help me.
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord. Acts 7:57
Observation
These are the final moments in the life of one of the first Christian martyrs. The men Stephen was speaking to were the great and mighty men of their day and nation. They knew the Scriptures and should have been among the first to recognize Jesus and come to Him.
It was because they knew that Stephen was telling them the truth and that the truth did not agree with their own pet ideas and theories that they became so enraged that they committed murder.
Application
My first response to this story is one of amazement. After rejecting Jesus and putting Him to death on the cross, God sends another message of truth to them through the preaching of Stephen. God is not attempting to condemn them, I believe He is trying to save them.
My second response is to wonder if I could ever be guilty of this same thing. Stephen described them as “uncircumcised in heart”. In order words, he acknowledged they were different from the world in the outside, but not on the inside.
One of the conditions to be saved is first to hear the Gospel. Paul said, "How can they be saved except first they hear?" and then again, "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."
Prayer
Lord, please help me to never close my ears to the truth. Sometimes it might be hard to hear it, but I know deep down it is the only thing that will help me.
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