October 1

God Provides for His People

Protecting the oppressed
Psalm 9:9

Read the Bible through:
AM - Jeremiah 1 : PM - Ephesians 1

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9).

The initial reaction of Americans to the tragedy of September 11, 2001, was astounding. Not only did we ban together as one nation against terrorism, but we also were no longer apologizing for our faith.

Not long before that day, some groups were lobbying to remove "In God We Trust" from our currency. But after 9/11 people everywhere, including the president and everyone in his cabinet, were trusting God to lead us through those volatile times. It was as if we finally understood - God is the Creator and the ultimate authority.

Paul said it best from a prison. "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:10-11).

Lord, help us to remember that our trust is in You alone and that You are the protector and comforter of the oppressed.

September 30

God Provides for His People

Showing His way
1 Kings 19:15-18

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 64-66 : PM - Galatians 6

Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place (1 Kings 19:16).

Elijah had been in God's presence doing a little complaining (14). He reminded God that he had been a faithful servant, but the Israelites were trying to kill him. God responded by telling Elijah to go and anoint two kings and a prophet to take Elijah's place.

We can assume that this was not the response Elijah had anticipated. He probably would have preferred God eliminate those who opposed Elijah and his ministry. Often, I have been in similar situations saying to God: "Did you see that? Did you see what they did to me? Lord, do something." And He does - but usually not in the opposition, but rather in me.

By having Elijah anoint the kings and the new prophet Elisha, God gave something to Elijah that he probably did not know he needed - a friend and someone to help him with his growing ministry (21).

Lord, may I always remember that it is not about me,
but about You and Your Ministry.

September 29

God Provides for His People

Revealing his presence
1 Kings 19:9-14

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 61-63 : PM - Galatians 5

And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12).

Elijah traveled 40 days and 40 nights to Mount Horeb. There the Lord revealed His presence in Elijah neither by a strong wind, nor an earthquake, not a fire, but by a gentle whisper. Elijah knew the gentle whisper was his Lord.

Today, some Christians feel the need to be entertained. They expect a performance by those leading the worship service. In the midst of some services, cell phones ring, children beg parents to be dismissed from the sanctuary; siblings goad one another to tears. How in all of this can God speak to us?

Elijah pulled his cloak over his face. He went out from hiding and stood at the mouth of the cave. Perhaps, we should come out from hiding behind the distraction of life and face what many of us fear - silence. God often speaks to us in a gentle whisper. May we be still and know.

Lord, give me the determination to set aside a quiet time each day when You can reveal Your presence to me.

September 28

God Provides for His People

Nurturing tenderly
1 Kings 19:4-7

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 58-6 : PM - Galatians 4

Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat." (1 Kings 19:5).

In the devotional passage, Elijah was running for his life from Jezebel. He went into the desert and sat under one of the few trees that provided shade. There he wished to die.

Life is like that sometimes- full of dark moments and seemingly void of God. I can remember a particular dark moment in my own life. I had a two week old baby and no job. I searched desperately for gainful employment in order to take care of my family but to no avail.

Sometimes, we are nomads in our own deserts wandering, searching for God in this madness we call life. Yet, the Lord says to us, as He did Elijah, "Get up and eat." In other words, we should not let the circumstances of this life consume us to the point of despair. God is still among us and will sustain us if we but ask.

Lord, may I remember to arise and eat in times of darkness and to remember Your unconditional love for me.

September 27

God Provides for His People

Sending rain
1 Kings 18:41-46

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 54-57 : PM - Galatians 3

Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot , and go down before the rain stops you.'" (1 Kings 18:44).

While teaching a Sunday school class of young children, the teacher held a card displaying the word "serve." She asked the youngsters what the word meant. One shy, wide-eyed child raised her hand and said, "To be a slave." The teacher smiled and read the definition on the back of the card, which was to do something nice or kind for someone. However, perhaps there is wisdom in the words of this child.

To be a slave is to do everything our master tells us. We can unwittingly become slaves to many things: our jobs, our children, our grandchildren, our mates, and so forth. Elijah, however, was a slave to our Lord.

After bringing down the prophets of Baal, Elijah bent down to the ground and prayed persistently for rain. And his Master, surely pleased with his faithfulness, sent Israel this miracle

Lord, You are the one Master who deserve my devotion.

September 26

God Provides for His People

Giving Nourishment
1 Kings 17:1-5

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 51-53 : PM - Galatians 2


"And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." (1 Kings 17:4).

Elijah was an amazing prophet who trusted God for his every need. In 1 Kings 17:3 we find him hiding from King Ahab by the brook Cherith where he followed the Lord's leading to safety. The interesting thing here is that God chose ravens, unclean scavengers, to bring nourishment to Elijah.

Traditionally, we know the raven has symbolized death or evil - something to be abhorred. Most people would rather identify with the dove, a symbol of peace, or the eagle, a symbol of strength, or even the robin, a symbol of nurturing.

While Elijah may not have seen the ravens as a likely source of nourishment, he took from them willingly. He knew this was God's way of caring for him.

Some people may reject Jesus as the Bread of life. But those who take from Him willingly find a sustenance that will never let them go hungry again.

Lord, may I never go my own way and reject Your nourishment. Strengthen me through Your Bread of life.

September 25

God Forgives

And blesses once again
Psalm 32:1-7

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 48-50 : PM - Galatians 1

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered (Psalm 51:14).

What has God's forgiveness covered that makes you a special agent of ministry to a lost world? We have all sinned. God offers His forgiveness freely, but it comes with the obligation and joy to share what Christ's sacrifice has done in your life. Look around and ask God to show you one person who needs to hear a word of forgiveness from you.

Father, Thank You for granting me the opportunity to be a vessel of forgiveness to someone today.

September 24

God Forgives

And deserves praise
Psalm 51:13-17

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 44-47 : PM - 2 Corinthians 13

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness (Psalm 32:1).

"It's not my fault." Thousands of homes each day hear that phrase from children. It is amazing how many problems "not me" and "I don't know" cause. It seems as if no one is ever guilty for bad things that happen.

God says guilt is real. When we are guilty, we are robbed of the joy we have in Christ. The guilt we often times feel is the result of having offended someone. Other times, someone shifting blame places guilt on us. Either way, joy and guilt cannot occupy the same place.

To regain our joy, we must first ask God to rescue us from our guilt. We must recognize our powerlessness to conquer guilt. Next, we must look to the source of all salvation and victory. Seeing there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, our guilt no longer controls us.

God desires that we have abundant lives full of joy. As a result of Christ in our lives, we can share the freedom we have with others. This is a daily process.

Father, I praise You for freeing me from the guilt of sin.

September 23, 2007

God Forgives

And creates clean hearts
Psalm 51:8-12

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 42-43 : PM - 2 Corinthians 12

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).

Not many churches still hold revivals. Those exciting times of traveling evangelists coming into town and preaching the gospel in clear and unmixed terms seem to have faded. However, today's devotional passage points us all to the need for revival.

Becoming clean is beyond our control. "Create" is an activity reserved for God. Our hearts can only be clean because of His intervention in our lives through Christ. We were separated from God until we accepted Christ, who made the cleansing sacrifice for us. What God creates is eternal; therefore, we eternally belong to Him.

"Renew a right spirit" means "to repair something that exists but is broken." We have a responsibility to maintain a growing fellowship with God. But because of sin, that fellowship stops functioning as it should. As we confess, or agree with God, that our spirit needs to be repaired, He is faithful and just to forgive us.

Father, You made me new through Your son.
Renew in me today the joy of my salvation.

September 22

God Forgives

The Repentant
Psalm 51:1-7

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 40-41 : PM - 2 Corinthians 11

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin (Psalm 51:2).

My grandmother lived around the block from us when I was a child. I can remember playing in the alley behind her house when I stayed with her. She would call me in for lunch or dinner and stop me at the back door with a big washcloth.

She took that wet cloth and scrubbed me until she was satisfied I was germfree. Some of the dirt came off easily. Other stains were more difficult and painful to clean. Despite the difficulty and pain, I could only sit at the dinner table after my grandmother gave me the all-clean signal. I have to admit, the food tasted better without all that grit, too.

Repentance can sometimes be a painful process. Heb. 12:11 says, "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." God wants the best for us and offers to clean us up. Take time today to ask God for a special washing.

Father, cleanse me and make me fit for Your Table.

September 21

God Forgives

Yet God punishes
2 Samuel 12:7-12

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 36-39 : PM - 2 Corinthians 10

"Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon" (2 Samuel 12:9).

There is a disturbing truth in the Bible. The consequences of sin are reproduced in a family for generations. The sin that affects us will infect others. God does not allow His desire to forgive weaken His holiness. He does not ignore our sin. Because of a private moment of pleasure, David lost a trusted soldier, peace in his home, and the life of an unborn child. Sin is never a private and victimless affair.

The reality of punishment for sin makes forgiveness essential. God demands justice, and Christ died on the cross accepting the punishment we rightly deserved. God extends forgiveness in Christ's willing sacrifice to stand in our place. Jesus paid it all. He paid it for all generations.

Father, I know the sin in my life comes with a penalty. Thank You for forgiving me. Strengthen me so my love for You will bring blessing on the next generation.

September 20

God Forgives

Murder
2 Samuel 11:14-17

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 33-35 : PM - 2 Corinthians 9

And he wrote in the letter, saying, "Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die." (2 Samuel 11:15).

The mass murder that took place September 11, 2001, is still fresh in many of our minds. Many of those who lost family and friends continue to feel the pain and anger of that offense, even as the years pass. There will be consequences, but there must also be forgiveness.

The Bible teaches us to "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44). How can that be? God knows that our unforgiving will lead us to become like those we hate. He tells us to do the unexpected: love, bless, do good, and pray.

Governments have been given the responsibility to carry our consequences of wrongful acts. We as believers have the responsibility to share the good news that God forgives.

Father, may my actions bless rather than curse and may I see others with Your eyes of love.

September 19

God Forgives

Adultery
2 Samuel 11:1-5

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 30-32 : PM - 2 Corinthians 8


Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house (2 Samuel 11:4).

A young man and his wife sat in my office broken because a brief affair had resulted in a pregnancy. When trust and intimacy are torn by sin, how can it be mended? Only one thread is strong enough to close the wound: forgiveness. There are three strands to the thread.

One strand is the offender. His confession and repentance lays bare the need and desire for forgiveness.

The second is the offended. Discovering that her commitment to what God has put together is stronger than the hurt she feels, she is brought alongside the offender. Unfortunately stopping here, like many relationships do, only makes a twist that can ravel at the first sign of tension.

The third strand is God's forgiveness. It's completeness, immediacy, and consistency turns a twist into a braid. God's forgiveness frees them both to experience reconciliation.

Thank You Father, Your forgiveness binds my brokenness.

September 18

God Is Patient

To save
2 Peter 3:10-15

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 26-29 : PM - 2 Corinthians 7

Consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, (2 Pet. 3:15).

God desires for all people to be saved, so He continues calling. Although God is patient, we must make sharing the gospel an urgent priority. We never know what tomorrow might bring. Our devotional passage indicates the earth will be destroyed and replaced with a new heaven and a new earth. While we are waiting for these events to happen, we need to examine our lives to make sure we have responded to God's call. If we have a relationship with Christ, then we should be busy sharing the gospel with everyone. God is patiently waiting to save those who repent.

God, help me share with someone Your offer of salvation.

September 17

God Is Patient

And is unwilling for any to perish
2 Peter 3:9

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 23-25 : PM - 2 Corinthians 6

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).

As I write this devotion, we are in the midst of a war on terrorism. The circumstances of this war have caused many people to ask questions about God. "Why does God allow evil to take place?" "Why does God not come back immediately and put an end to all this horror?" These questions may be somewhat tough to answer, but we can find the answer in the Bible.

Today's scripture tells us the Lord is not slow in returning. He wants to give everyone a chance to accept Him as Savior. The horrible events that happen all around us often find people searching for God. Also they tend to draw believers closer to Him.

We need to be the light in the midst of difficult times. We need to lead others to find faith in Christ.

Thank You, God, for being patient and giving everyone a chance to accept Your salvation

September 16

God Is Patient

And cares for humanity
Jonah 4:4-11

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 19-22 : PM - 2 Corinthians 5

"And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left-and much livestock?" (Jonah 4:11).

God uses different standards to judge people than we do. God is holy and just. He cannot overlook sin, yet He sees each person as worthy of salvation. We oftentimes will judge someone based on human standards. We may think a person is "too bad" to be saved, but God never sees it that way. He is patient with us because He cares for humanity. He wants everyone to be saved.

Jonah went to Nineveh, as God commanded; yet he really did not see the people in that city as worthy of receiving God's forgiveness. He became angry because God forgave them when they repented. God explained to Jonah that He cared very much for the people of Nineveh. We, like Jonah, may not understand why some people are so important to God; but God sends us anyway to tell them the good news of God's gift of forgiveness.

God, help me to see others through Your eyes.

September 15

God Is Patient

When His Servants sin
Jonah 4:1-3

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 15-18 : PM - 2 Corinthians 4

"Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!" (Jonah 4:3)

Jeanne and her family had to move into an apartment complex for three months. Everyday she would see children playing in the courtyard. She felt God leading her to do a Backyard Bible Club for them. She came up with many excuses for not following His direction. She moved out of the complex, and she had done nothing to reach those children for Christ.

The good news is that God did not give up on her. Although she had failed to obey Him, He was patient with her. He has given her other opportunities to serve Him. While she can never go back in time and make the right decision, she can make sure she obeys Him now.

Jonah became angry when God did not bring judgment on the people of Nineveh. Jonah wanted to see the people punished. Although God rebuked Jonah for sinning, He was still patient with Jonah. Isn't it great that God is patient even when His servants sin?

God, thank You for Your patience. Help me to obey the commands You give me.

September 14

God Is Patient

With those who repent
Jonah 3:3-10

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 13-14 : PM - 2 Corinthians 3

Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it (Jonah 3:10).

The book NO COMPROMISE: The Life Story of Keith Green, tells Keith tried everything this life had to offer. He tried music, drugs, and religion. He realized that none of these things could make him happy, so he decided to try Jesus. Keith found when he did turn to Jesus, God was right there waiting patiently on him. Keith repented of his sins and found true joy from a relationship with Christ. God forgave Keith for all of the things he had done, and God went on to use Keith in a music ministry that touched the lives of millions.

God was patient with the people of Nineveh, too. When the people listened to the message God sent through the prophet Jonah, they repented. They were sorry for their actions, and God had compassion on them. He forgave them and did not bring destruction upon their city. God will also be patient with us when we repent.

God, help me to realize my sins and repent.

September 13

God Is Patient

With those who follow Him
Jonah 3:1-3

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 10-12 : PM - 2 Corinthians 2

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you." (Jonah 3:1-2).

God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach to the wicked people in that city. Instead, Jonah fled the other way.

We often make the same mistake Jonah made. When I felt God calling me to Las Vegas, I was scared. I wanted to run away. I did not want to leave the area where I had been serving. Yet God was patient with me. He continued to place the burden of His call upon my life. I finally submitted to His call, and He has blessed me for following Him.

God was patient with Jonah. He used a storm and a large fish to capture Jonah's attention. Then God gave Jonah another chance to obey Him. Jonah obeyed, and the entire city of Nineveh was saved because of His efforts.

God, thank You for second chances.

September 12

God Is Patient

With those He calls
Jonah 1:1-3

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 8-9 : PM - 2 Corinthians 1

But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD (Jonah 1:3).

I can't be used by God." "I'm not good enough." These are common reasons for not doing what God calls us to do. Yet when we examine the Bible, we find most of the people used by God had faults. Moses did not speak well (Ex. 4:10). David committed adultery and murder (2 Sam. 11). Even Paul wrote he had a thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7).

God placed a call on Jonah's life. Jonah, like all of us, had his faults. When God commanded him to go to Nineveh, he ran the other way.

God was patient with Jonah, and He is patient with us. He still calls people to serve him. He may not call us to go to another city, but He calls each of us to serve in some way wherever we are. May we obey His call.

God, thank You for being patient with me. Help me to recognize Your call upon my life.

September 11

God Is Just

Perfecting the just
Hebrews 12 5-7

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 5-7 : PM - 1 Corinthians 16

But you have come ... to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect (Heb. 12:23).

How ironic that the number 911 we call for assistance in times of emergency has taken on new meaning. For the rest of our lives 9-11 will be a date that evokes many emotions.

For the rest of our lives, September 11 will be memorialized -another day that will go down in infamy. Evil met good that day. And the good has triumphed. Today the strongest images that come to mind are not the cruel terrorists who demolished the lives of thousands, but the brave firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical people who gave their lives attempting to rescue others.

The same has been true for believers down through the ages. Ultimately, God's way will triumph. O what a glorious day that will be. God has everything praiseworthy planned for "just men made perfect."

Lord, I thank You that our future is secure; and You will welcome us into Your everlasting presence.

September 10

God Is Just

Renewing hearts
Ezekiel 18:31-32

Read the Bible through:
AM - Isaiah 1-4 : PM - 1 Corinthians 15

"Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit" (Ezek. 18:31).

Chris Seidlitz, the Tulsa University student who led me to the Lord, became my mentor. He made sure I was attending a good Bible believing church and got me involved in my schools Youth for Christ club. Three men in that organization took me under their wings. They invited me to eat with them, attend small-group Bible studies, and ask questions about the Christian life. God used these four future leaders to renew my heart and give me a vision of consecrating my life in Christian service.

Their service in God's kingdom has been noteworthy. Chris retired as an Air Force Chaplain and now pastors a Baptist Church in Desoto, Texas. Vern Johnson serves God on the Mission Field in Mexico. Jim Whitby, became president of "Youth for Christ."
Spud Murphy pastored several years and is now retired.

It is my prayer that I will be able to help others in their walk with the Lord as these men helped me.

Thank You, Lord, for those who have helped renew my heart in service to you.

September 9

God Is Just

Encouraging repentance
Ezekiel 18:25-30

Read the Bible through:
AM - Song of Solomon 5-8 : PM - 1 Corinthians 14

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin" (Ezek. 18:30)

When I was in the ninth grade, I was challenged to put together a quiz team of Junior High School boys who were not believers. I was not a believer myself and most everyone knew it. We studied the scriptures diligently and made fun of the "Christian" kids who could not match our skills.

When I heard a sermon by Allen Davis on Psalm 119:11 at a Youth for Christ meeting, I realized I needed to be forgiven for my sin. Later that night a young University of Tulsa student introduced me to Jesus Christ.

After reading the Bible the next few weeks, I saw the need to distance myself from temptation. That meant that I could no longer hang out with some of my friends. I made friends with some of those Christians that I had been laughing at and together we saw many of my old gang turn to Christ as Lord and Savior.

Thank You, Lord, for showing me how to spurn temptation by removing myself from evil influences.

September 8

God Is Just

No pleasure in punishment
Ezekiel 18:21-24

Read the Bible through:
AM - Song of Solomon 1-4 : PM - 1 Corinthians 13

Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live?" (Ezek. 18:23)

My cousin, Jimmy, was a childhood prankster who loved to tease and torment. He would pester the girls, sneak out of school, and generally stay in trouble.

Frequently, he received a skin-tingling whipping from his Mama. I often heard her say, "Son, this hurts me more than it does you." He would holler back, "Then why don't you stop, and we'll both feel better?"

We have been reading from God's message to Ezekiel about the causes and consequences of sin. God told the Israelites how to break free from the sin trap. God assures that all the transgressions the wicked person has committed in the past will not be mentioned to him in the future. This is what God desires. He has no "pleasure at all that the wicked should die" (18:23). To the contrary, the Lord God desires that the repentant sinner "should return from his ways, and live."

Gracious Lord, You are my pleasure and my life.

September 7

God Is Just

Assigning accountability
Ezekiel 18:19-20

Read the Bible through:
AM - Ecclesiastes 8-12 : PM - 1 Corinthians 12

"The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself" (Ezek. 18:20).

It's bad enough to blame our parents, peers, or circumstances for our sins, but it's much worse to blame God. I read about a person on a weight-loss program who bought some donuts. When asked why, he implied that it was God's fault, because He had opened up a parking place right in front of the bakery just as he was driving by.

In Exodus 32, we read how the high priest, Aaron, supervised the making of a golden image for worship. This resulted in the death of 3,000 Israelites and brought a terrible plague on the nation. Instead of repenting immediately and taking responsibility as the leader, Aaron first blamed the people, saying they had put such pressure on him that he had no choice. Then he went even further and lied. He said that all he did was throw the gold into the melting pot, and the image of a calf mysteriously appeared (Exodus 32:24).
Moses rejected Aaron's excuse. He confronted his brother with his sin and then prayed for him (Deuteronomy 9:20).

When you do wrong, take the blame. Don't look for scapegoats. Most important, don't blame God.

Lord, thank You for Your grace in assigning accountability.

September 6

God Is Just

Owner of all
Ezekiel 18:3-4

Read the Bible through:
AM - Ecclesiastes 4-7 : PM - 1 Corinthians 11

"Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die. (Ezek. 18:4).

God owns "the cattle upon a thousand hills" (Ps. 50:10). That doesn't preclude personal ownership. It just reminds us all we have is on loan from Him.

God's mantle of ownership stretches across the universe. We have tried to teach our children that material things are not that important. People are. A preacher friend from back home told me the following story.

"Last winter I noticed that our oldest daughter wasn't wearing the warm, fuzzy coat we had given her. When I asked her about it, she looked embarrassed. "Well, you see, this woman came into the soup kitchen the other night who had no coat at all. I've got lots of jackets and sweaters. I won't freeze, but I was afraid she might. So I gave away my Christmas coat. I hope you don't mind.' I had never been more proud of her."

What has God loaned you that you can share with others?

Thank You, Owner of all, for Your loving kindness.

September 5

God Is Just

Judging individuals
Ezekiel 18:1-2

Read the Bible through:
AM - Ecclesiastes 1-3 : PM - 1 Corinthians 10

"What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children's teeth are set on edge'? (Ezek. 18:2).

I grew up in a small neighborhood in North Tulsa. It was a closed neighborhood surrounded by a steel manufacturing plant on the west, auto salvages on the north, small industrial businesses on the east, and a chemical plant on the south. Everyone in the neighborhood knew the sins of their neighbors and didn't mind saying so over the backyard fence.

The family that ranked highest on the gossip list lived in a shack around the block from us. They were so poor that the mother had to cook outside and make the kids' shirts out of flour sacks. When something came up missing around the community, they received the blame. My mother disagreed. "They may be poor, but they are not thieves," she said. Sadly, the rest of the neighborhood was not that trusting.

Our devotional passage relates God's disapproval of a certain proverb. The proverb was used by the Israelites to blame others rather than accepting personal responsibility for sin. Let us remember, "Judge not, that you be not judged."

Lord, forgive me for judging others

September 4

God Is Holy

Evoking Praise
1 Chronicles 16:36

Read the Bible through:
AM - Proverbs 30-31 : PM - 1 Corinthians 9

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! And all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD. (1 Chron. 16:36).

Celebration is the name of a church in New Orleans. It is a young, energetic, exciting new church that meets in what was formerly a shopping mall. The members find stimulation and love there.

When I think of churches like Celebration Church, I think of the 15 and 16th chapters of 1 Chronicles. I've found in these passages reasons for rejoicing and praising God. Read them and see if you don't agree. Perhaps you can feel the excitement of King David, having formed an orchestra and choir that marched through the streets of Jerusalem, carrying the sacred ark through the streets.

I pray that our church will be a fellowship of joy and excitement.

Lord, help me to joyfully praise You every day.

September 3

God Is Holy

The Savior of His people
1 Chronicles 16:35

Read the Bible through:
AM - Proverbs 27-29 : PM - 1 Corinthians 8

"Save us, O God of our salvation; Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles, To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise." (1 Chron. 16:35).

The pilot of a military plane was forced to parachute into a jungle in Southeast Asia. How could he possibly find his way out? A local man saw what had happened and came to the pilot's rescue, slashing through the tangled underbrush. The frightened pilot cried out, "Where's the road? Where's the way out?" The rescuer shouted back, "No road! I'm the way! Follow me!" The pilot trusted the man, who led him through the jungle to safety.

Some people have a difficult time accepting similar words spoken by the Lord Jesus. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). Critics call this teaching intolerant and divisive. But because the Son of God said it, and the Word of God records it, it is true no matter how much it is challenged. Faith in Jesus is the only way to eternal fellowship with God.

The pathway to God is not found by following a creed, developing moral character, or attending church. It's found by trusting Jesus to forgive our sin and reconcile us to the Father. When we open our hearts to the crucified and risen Savior, we are on the only pathway that will bring us home to God.

Oh, God, the power of human saviors is limited. Thank You, there are no limitations on Your power to save.

September 2

God Is Holy

Eternally merciful
1 Chronicles 16:34

Read the Bible through:
AM - Proverbs 24-26 : PM - 1 Corinthians 7

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever (1 Chron. 16:34).

When Thomas Hooker lay dying, a friend said, "Brother, you are going to receive the reward of your labors." He humbly replied, Brother, I am going to receive mercy." We need nothing but mercy, but mercy we must have or we are lost. Justice would give us what we deserve - hell. God in His infinite mercy and grace gives us heaven.

Merciful Lord, as I walk this life journey, help me, too, to be merciful to everyone I meet.