OBSERVATION: Right from the very beginning of time, when there were only two humans alive, mankind found it easier to make excuses rather than owning up to their actions and accepting the consequences that may follow. Often this involves throwing the blame on someone else, with hopes that they will bear the brunt of the punishment for the crime. However, I believe that God might have a lesson for us to learn in this. Let's think about the excuses we find, when trying to deflect blame on to others.
APPLICATION: Not sure when last you stopped to consider the many excuses we find in life, but I believe the habit is much worse than we could ever imagine! In our Scripture today, we might think of the peaceful garden that God created for His first children. How He created Adam and immediately saw how lonely he was, so He carefully chose to make Eve from Adam, to help set the stage of submission, that God wanted in place. God wanted to make sure that His kids learned right from the beginning that there were some rules – things that they would not be permitted to do, or touch, or eat. Are you starting to see a comparison to what we still face today in our various diets and disciplines? However, it is clear from the Word, that God carefully and lovingly created everything especially for us to enjoy – the beauty of His creation; food of many varieties; animals to bring life to everything around us; and a keen sense to recognize the God of this universe who loves us more than anything else in the world. Would you not assume that we would be immensely grateful, and therefore consistently and persistently looking for ways to praise our Father for His goodness? But right from the start, Adam and Eve assumed the attitude that is so prevalent in us, that no matter who sets the rules, we are going to do it our way. Yes, the serpent caused Eve to really ponder the rule set by God about the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden, but it was Eve who caved in and committed the sin in disobedience. Yes, Eve offered the fruit to Adam so she could have a partner in crime, but Adam had a choice to accept the fruit and sin, or be the spiritual leader of his home and lead Eve to a point of seeking forgiveness. I believe that our lesson to receive in this today, is that we are accountable before a holy God for our own sin. Of course I believe that we could help each other refrain from sinning, but I don't believe there is ever a time that we could honestly stand before God and try to give the excuse that someone else caused us to sin. Let's do our best to not let anything hinder us from praising God; from seeking His face in reflection and in honor to His holy name; from causing us to willingly disobey Him and sin – in spite of all that He has taught us. Remember, unlike our court systems, we will not stand before God with an attorney or witnesses who will try to find loopholes or excuses for our sin. It will be us alone, before God alone. He already knows the truth about every aspect of our life, and it will be up to us how willing we are to admit the truth about our words and our actions while here on earth. How well do you suppose you will do, without giving excuses?
PRAYER: Lord God, You provided a perfect setting in which we could live, and You provided everything we need to live in perfect harmony, and with respect for the One True God who created us. We approach You with deep regret that we have allowed so many things to step in the way of our right relationship with You. Please forgive us. We have entered into a brand new year, with opportunities to let our lights shine for you. Please grant us strength and wisdom to reject those ones who will cause us to sin, and fill us with so much of Yourself, that they will be convinced of their sin and search for You instead. Lord, Satan has taken such a hold on people around us that it is only with Your power and Your might, that we could ever survive the onslaught of sin. We need You desperately Lord. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done. AMEN!
TEXT: 5 …. "My child, don't underestimate the value of the discipline and training of the Lord God, or get depressed when he has to correct you. 6 For the Lord's training of your life is the evidence of his faithful love. And when he draws you to himself, it proves you are his delightful child." 7 Fully embrace God's correction as part of your training, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. For who has ever heard of a child who never had to be corrected? 8 We all should welcome God's discipline as the validation of authentic sonship. For if we have never once endured his correction it only proves we are strangers and not sons.
OBSERVATION: In our Scripture today we are reminded of one of the finest aspects of sonship with our heavenly Father. Unfortunately, it is an aspect that most Christians would probably prefer didn't exist, because no one likes to be 'disciplined'. However, it is vitally important that we especially meditate on this while considering verse 8 – that an earthly father will discipline his children, and if he doesn't, it's probably because we are not his child. The same applies to our Heavenly Father, so let's consider what evidence of sonship might become evident to us today.
APPLICATION: Anytime that we think of our parents, we probably think about the love that they have for us. Anytime we think of the reason one accepts Jesus as Lord, we probably think about the great love that Jesus has for us, and them. However, part of the reason we remember the love of our parents, is because we may recall the times of discipline given, because of their deep love for us and how they wanted the very best for us. However, seldom do we promote the idea of God also disciplining us. But think about it friends, if there is not a point of discipline by God, and He allowed us to do whatever our earthly desires are, would that truly indicate a God who loves us and wants His very best for us? Absolutely not. So I would recommend that we look at God's discipline just like a business person who looks at complaints coming into their business as a 'gift'. Without the complaint, a customer will try another business establishment to see if they could get it right. Through the complaint, the customer is saying to a business, here's what you are not doing well at, correct it for success because I want to continue doing business with you. God's discipline is showing us that He cares enough about us that He wants His very best for us But to accomplish that we may need an attitude adjustment, or we may need to look at others with respect and not look down on them because their gifts are different to ours. I believe that you will find where it is challenging to accept discipline, and often you could see no good reason for it. May I remind you that God is the only One who knows about tomorrow, and the needs and opportunities that will exist when that time comes? Trusting God means that you understand that previous statement and that to be aligned with God's perfect will for your life, you are at His disposal and direction for everything that He has planned for your good, and His glory. Are you there yet? I believe this requires daily communication with God, asking for strength to endure and be obedient to whatever He desires of you that day. We are far from perfect, but with a perfect God as our Master and our Guide, He will lead us into opportunities that we would never dream of, or think possible. Let go of selfish desires and ask God to direct your path, my friend. He may have a soul to save, a saint to heal, a discouraged warrior to cheer up or much more than we could imagine, and He may have you or I taking part, as His physical hands or feet on the ground! Oh to be His ambassador, and to be a part of God's miraculous plan for us!
PRAYER: Father, we all love the idea of being Your precious Son or Daughter, but there is a total negative connotation when we think of You having to discipline us into full obedience to Your will. Lord, may Your Word speak to the hearts of many who will read this devotional today, and may we all be reminded of the love that is transmitted through Your discipline. For we may look at discipline as changing or stopping a behavior that we love, but I truly believe that You intend it for our good and for the benefit of Your kingdom. Oh that we may be used of You in some way today, and I know that it will take Your 'discipline' for many of us to redirect from the plans we have in place already for this day. Our desire is for You to be glorified oh Lord, and that You might use even us to bring glory to Your name. AMEN!
TEXT: 33 I wasted no time, did just as I was told, and you have generously accepted my invitation. So here we are, in the presence of God, ready to take in all that the Lord has told you to tell us.
OBSERVATION: In the preceding verses, in a dream, God caused Peter to see a sheet with many kinds of animals. Peter was astonished by this because some of these animals were ones that they (the Jews) didn't approve of eating or being around. However God was working on Peter's attitude, because there were certain people that they (the Jews) looked down on. This lesson was very practical, and very much needed by Peter. I wonder what God needs to work on in our lives to make us ready for His service to everyone, no matter where He sends us?
APPLICATION: We have become so accustomed to the things that we eat, the places that we sleep and the friends that we hang out with, that it might be challenging for us to overcome those familiarities and adjust to a different culture. Let me give you an example: let's assume that you were saved in your local church, and within a year or two you made it know that you felt God was dealing in your heart to work in His vineyard overseas. Your church sent you for some local training to help you understand the culture and the language of the country to which you have been assigned. Not long into this training you realize that there will probably be some huge adjustments that you would need to make, that you never thought possible. Perhaps it's the food that they eat, or the plain mud houses that they live in without air conditioning, or perhaps no electric at all. Of course, no doctor within a 50 mile radius is frightening, and so is the lack of telephones or internet. In fact you are beginning to wonder how on earth does people survive in that type of environment. However, you are quickly reminded of a missions trip that you took part in when you were just a teenager. It took you into a very poor third world country where you were challenged with some very strange food, and where you really doubted if you would ever survive that short trip. However, you remembered the sweetest people there, and when it was time to leave you had the hardest time leaving them behind. Suddenly the 'stuff' they didn't have became a fading memory for you. Friends, we quickly assume that when we are called to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and especially to a third world country, that it's not just 'those poor people' there that we need to go and try to help, but as we open up our hearts and minds to the Gospel, Jesus will also use those same 'poor people' to pour into us the richness of His unconditional love, under very different circumstances to those we are used to. Let's be very careful to not place any conditions on the places we will go, or the types of people we will help. God sent Jesus for the sins of all who would believe in Him. That's unconditional! We should love in the same way if we are striving to be more like Jesus everyday.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for dying for sinners, even though many are just like me, and deserve nothing more than Hell itself. But Lord, You reached down in love and heard my prayer for salvation and responded to me in love. Having been personally forgiven and loved beyond all measure, who am I to put others in a box and place them below me? Lord please help me to love others in much the same way as You loved me. Please help Your children to humble themselves and be willing to step into the place where unbelievers live, so that we could feel their pain and heartache and then show them Your unconditional love. To touch a heart for You, we should be willing to do anything that You direct us to do. May that be the case dear Lord, for I ask this in the precious name of Jesus, my Lord, AMEN!
OBSERVATION: Interesting how God shocks His servants with challenges, that they feel, are so outlandish! Moses was shocked, and found excuses when asked to take charge of the Israelites. Having never seen or heard of rain, Noah was shocked to receive orders to build a huge boat up on dry land. In our Scripture today, Ananias is being asked to go and minister to a murderer of Christians. One who had always fought Christianity and all that it stood for. Although God was the one telling Ananias to 'Go', Ananias was sure there must be some mistake, and he had to be sure that was cleared up before he agreed to do anything. Aren't we just as quick in coming up with excuses why we can't or shouldn't do certain parts of ministry today?
APPLICATION: Do you remember the anxiety the first time that you were asked to read a few verses of Scripture, or pray aloud in public? Did the fear of that happening, keep you from attending certain services, or from sitting near the front? Did that fear worsen when you were asked to go and visit a shut-in or a hospitalized member of the church? Ever felt led of God to visit a friend who was not a believer, hoping that you would find the opportunity to witness to that person, but at the last minute you got 'cold feet' and started to find multiple excuses why you couldn't go? If any of these things bring back vivid memories, then you may have had a mild Ananias experience. I say 'mild', because in the case of Ananias, he was being asked to go and lay hands on one of the biggest threats in his time. We would hate to think about being near to a mass murderer, even if given the opportunity to witness to them, but it was a well known fact that Saul was out to eliminate those who might minister for the Lord Jesus, and Ananias was one of those. Wouldn't that be the same as placing the 'bait' right at the feet of the 'lion'? Friends, I believe that this Scripture shows us several facets of God's amazing plan. Who else would be more effective in speaking to the folk that opposed God, than one of their own? Who else would show the power of God to save even the vilest of sinners, as in the case of Saul? Who else could better show a life transformed by the blood of Jesus, like Paul did? In listening to the news every day of our lives, we hear of so many forms of evil that, in most cases, we cringe at it happening very close to many of our home towns. God has called us to proclaim His Word and to be His witnesses at home and abroad. Stop finding excuses and saying "But Lord…..", for He knows the plans He has for you. Don't disappoint Him by trying to correct or remind the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, that you may know something that He may have overlooked. Let me remind you again what He said back to Ananias, 'Just GO'. Let's learn to be more obedient friend.
PRAYER: Unfortunately, I believe that we are just as doubtful today, even after seeing the after results of Your demands on several unsuspecting servants in Your Word. There is no doubt that You hold the world in Your hands and that it moves at Your command. The same is true for the individuals that You alone created. Lord, please have mercy on us and continue to strengthen us with the help of the Holy Spirit, to obediently follow Your commands and Your will for us, especially in using us to touch the lives of others, especially those who seem so unlikely to us. Lord, may Your perfect will be achieved in and through Your saints today, even me Lord. AMEN!
31 When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God's message with boldness.
Peter and John were caught in the trap of being verbally attacked by the Sanhedrin, and instead of asking for power from on high to attack them, the disciples instead asked for boldness to declare the Word of God, and for God's power to become evident in and around them, so that the Sanhedrin may know that God is in control. I believe that this is a model for us to follow even today. Let's have a closer look….
From a 'God' perspective: The disciples were asking God to bless those that were persecuting them. Let's remember that God went to the cross willingly for the sin of those that were persecuting Him. Let's remember that he reached out and healed the ear of the man that Peter attacked in the garden, even though the man was part of the group that came to arrest Him. In other words, this was just like God, to honor the request of His disciples to do things that would encourage the Jews to come to Jesus, rather than to totally destroy the Jews and get the trouble out of their way.
From the perspective of most humans: I believe it is true to say that our first instinct would be to fire back at the ridicule, and find nasty things to say about the leaders of the attackers, or possibly about their messed up belief system, and to point them to look at the sad state of affairs, because of their earthly leaders. Even to Christians, I doubt if many would automatically assume the position of wondering what would Jesus do in the scenario being considered. Let's remember friends, we might be the only Bible they will ever read! What do you suppose they would gather about our 'Jesus', based on our first reaction to their abusive words or actions?
I believe that from the above, it is evident that as Christians, we should be following the example of Jesus Christ. We're not perfect, so why should we expect it of others. We would prefer that others give us a second chance, so why shouldn't we? Jesus says in His Word that we should forgive 70 times 7. That's intended to be an indefinite number of times, so don't bother to start the count now, or at the beginning of a New Year! Friends, as long as God allows us to be here on earth, I believe He wants us to always strive to be like Him. Reach out for the heart of our fellow man and ignore the daggers as we head in that direction. Like Peter and John, seek God's help to speak Truth boldly into their lives and to see the soul that so badly needs Jesus, while ignoring the evil that Satan will encourage them to use against us.
Father God, we are so influenced by the evil in this world that it becomes more of the norm for us to follow the ways of the world, instead of humbly seeking Your will and Your strength and wisdom in all things. Please forgive us Lord and help us to be better representatives of Yours and to do Your perfect will in all things. Please help us to be imitators of all that You have shown us and exampled before us, no matter who the opposition is or the challenge that we face. We'll be careful to praise You for all that You accomplish in and through us for Your ultimate glory, AMEN!
Solomon went to worship center at Gibeon, as it was one of the largest centers nearest to him. After going through a very large sacrifice, he spent the night there at Gibeon. I believe that God knew that this very young king was flustered with the awesome responsibility placed on his shoulders, but I also believe that God knew that Solomon had a great desire to reign in a way pleasing to God, like his father, David, did.
I'm sure that if God posed such an invitation to us as He did to David, that we might take a few hours to relay our 'Santa Claus' list to Him. However, I also know that God knew Solomon's heart and his desire to lead well, and pleasing to God. I wonder if you had actually prayed for the first thing that came to your mind when you read the title of this devotional, how impressed God would be with you? I wonder who else would benefit from that request? Friends, I believe that God created us to worship and adore Him, and to sing His praises at every opportunity. To achieve that goal, we need a mighty God to help us keep our eyes focused on Him; we need to understand what God may present circumstances that are totally over our head, like it was for Solomon; We need wisdom to discern right decisions and responses, so that God might be lifted up and not our small selves or our selfish desires. Friends, each of us play a role in setting an example for others, so the decisions we make not only affect us personally, but also the one(s) that follow us. That may not mean much to you, because you may feel like you only have a small group of friends. I pray that God may open your eyes to the awesome group of people that look to you for wisdom, for personal advice, for dress code, for your reaction to situations. It's so easy to say that you don't care what others think of you, but God resides inside of you, and He does – if you have surrendered your life to Him through the Lord Jesus Christ. So would you think that God would ever say that He doesn't care what others think of Him? With God inside of you through the Holy Spirit, your attitude of caring and lovingly convincing the unsaved of their need for a Savior, will directly impact your relationship with Christ. You will either enhance your relationship – by doing His perfect will, or you will disappoint Him terribly if you insist on doing things your way. Solomon welcomed the help of God, and it resulted in him being one of the best kings of his time. There's no telling what God can use you for, if you totally surrender your will to His, and invite Him to lead and direct your heart and your ways. There are help tips in my footnote, but the invitation to contact me directly via email is always open.
Lord Jesus, it seems like we are so small in the great big world, and that our input is so limited or worthless. However, I believe that this study is a reminder that as God's servants, we must always remember that it is He who does the miracles through His humble servants. Lord, please speak to the hearts of each one reading this devotional. Tender their hearts to total obedience to You so that 'their' world of friends and contacts will be touched miraculously by You. It's You that we love and adore oh Lord. please have Your perfect will in our lives today. AMEN!