October 20

That was a packed day of good stuff! There is something here, Zechariah’s response, which I have mused over for quite some time. Mary’s response was different of course and this has ruminated in my mind for a long time. God showed me today that the shepherds responded with great faith as well and immediately went to go look for Jesus. So the priest was the doubter huh?

Zechariah was told that he was going to have normal relations with Elizabeth his wife, and even though they were old, she was going to conceive a baby. He didn’t believe it and challenged Gabriel. Mary was told that something was going to happen which was 100% miraculous (Joseph too) and they believed. God is calling me to believe in both situations, especially when I have NOTHING to do with the provision. I like being a part of it – being involved – o.k., o.k., earning it… kinda’. Maybe it is… ahh, who cares why, the important thing is that I trust God completely, and say with Mary, whatever you want to bring about Lord, go for it!

October 19

Genealogies are generally boring reading, but Jesus’ genealogy has so many interesting features. I noticed in Luke’s genealogy that Jesus was a descendent of Levi. There also are two prophets, Amos and Nahum in the lineage. So priest and prophet and then of course from the line of David, King!

Amazing to me is the mention of women. I personally get so encouraged when I see great men and women struggle with flaws or just blow it. I don’t delight in their blowing it, but it gives me hope to be great (er) because I know that I blow it. It is the factor of humanity that I often overlook in great men and women of God that I magnify in myself. It is as if God says to me, “see, they are human and flawed too, I can use you like I use them.” Here in this story of Jesus in Matt. are four woman; Tamar (a prostitute), Rahab (a prostitute), Ruth (a Gentile – Moabite – not in covenant), and Bathsheba (who David committed adultery with). There is some humanity! Yet God in His infinite grace used these women, and NAMED them as being His vessels, to bring about great things! God loves curve balls and I think that these four women represent God’s love for me! He took a no name guy from an unbelieving family and is raising up and godly heritage for generations to come! Thanks for using me Papa!

October 18

“Light shines in the darkness”. In fact, it shines best in the darkness. You can hardly see a flashlight when it is day time, but at night – that’s another story. You know what God said to me, He said I need to find some darkness and shine my light – I am the light!

The other thing that struck me is that we ALL have received grace and blessings from God. I really don’t care who the writer was targeting, (most of the time that really matters for interpretation) because we ALL have received grace and blessings. Obviously those who are IN Christ have received way more grace and countless more blessings – but everyone on this earth should be thankful – but me all the more because I KNOW where the grace (undeserved favor) and the blessings (material, spiritual, relational…) comes from! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!!!!

October 15-16

Here the author of the Daily Bible, which we have been using to chronologically read through the Old Testament, gives his synopsis and then talks about the Apocrypha.

My synopsis is this – WOW – does God love us or what! We spent most of the last months learning about God’s judgment and Job’s troubles, but we ended with the rebuilding of the temple, the wall, the city of God and the re-institution of the law and the sacrifices. I am more convinced than ever that God just wants someone to be His friend and walk with Him. As well, I am convinced that we have to walk in the manner of life that HE has chosen. It really isn’t unlike our human relationships. Who wants to be in relationship with a person who keeps cheating on you and ignoring the fact that you are there for them, to help them, to fellowship with them and to deliver them. The covenant teaching we are hearing in Boot Camp is really bringing this home at a whole new level.

We now embark on the answer – the answer to the Jews question – after 400 years of silence for the most part – where is the deliverer? He is coming – His name is Jesus! I can’t wait to read the New Testament and get a deeper revelation into God! I hope you will read through with me!

October 14

“The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow.” Just a few verses later two of Ephraim’s sons were killed when they were defending their livestock (or possibly seizing the men of Gath’s livestock). The two contrasted to me. Out of the hundreds of names that were written, the sons of Ulam were singled out as being brave warriors. I want to be named as a brave warrior – able to hand the Word of God and believe in faith for provision, miracles and one who is brave enough to come to the Lord, listen to His voice, and DO it. That is how you get brave – by DOING. God, I am your warrior and I will be brave – I choose it now!

October 13

There are a couple of interesting mentions in this passage, not the least of which are other people groups in the lineage. Interesting huh? Then there was the mention of the wicked kid, Er, Judah’s firstborn, that was so wicked, God put him to death – heavy!

Then comes Jabez. I knew it was in this passage, but I was so sweetly reminded by the Lord to continue to pray as he did. Every time he was called by his name, he was reminded that he was a painful problem, yet he knew who to go to for help. He received it and so will I. God grant to me prosperity and enlarge my ministry. May your hand be with me and keep me from harm and free from pain.

October 12

Boy, that passage will preach! So many things, but what stood out to me was first things first and then first things second. We set things in order and leave, but when we come back we have to set things in order again! If we aren’t alert, intentional and vigilant, things go downhill. Nehemiah left and his enemy took residence in the temple where THE TITHES were kept! That is crazy in its application! Have I let someone in, an enemy that is ruining my finances? Lord tell me if I have! Whether or not I have, the fact remains that I can NOT go to sleep in any area of my life, or my family, or my church! That seems a little overwhelming for me, but that just means that I MUST have the strength of my God!

October 9

Many times I have heard reports of unhappy people in the ministry. Sometimes it is said, “they are ready to leave the church”. This is all the work of an intimation spirit who has been sent to persuade me to please the people. Even when the complaints or concerns are correct and something does need to be corrected, apologized for or changed, most of the time it comes with a spirit of intimidation. As I read this passage I was so encouraged to refuse to be intimidated and be focused on the work instead of talking to the people who are certainly against my work. I must be gracious with people who mean well or who are humbly approaching me and are a part of my ministry, but there are others who are not a part and to those a stiff arm must be given. This is not just talking about people to me, but an attitude, a spiritual presence and even in my own mind. There must be a steadfastness to completing the work that God has given me.

October 8

I love the book of Nehemiah! It is such a great book and will surely be a point of study at Wednesday night Life. I will try to stick to how to apply what I read to my life. There is repentance and building going on with opposition which I am sure will be a topic for future days. Here is what I got today.

Out of all of the men mentioned today there are two that stand out. The first, which I don’t want to be like, are the nobles that wouldn’t work under certain supervisors. They didn’t want to submit, so they didn’t work. The second was a man that ZEALOUSLY did the work of the Lord. Everyone else, besides the nobles, was working and getting the work done, but only one guy was working zealously. That’s what I want to do – work with zeal! God make me like Baruch!

October 7

When we marry with people (not just marriage – but enter into agreements – partnerships, etc…) who serve other Gods, they will certainly lead us astray from God.

Ezra led and people followed. In fact, Ezra led by weeping, repenting, throwing himself down before God and the people just began to gather. I was once challenged to take people with me to worship the Lord – where I am not leading or playing. The point was that people need to experience me in worship (as I experience the Lord and they do as well) to release them in worship by my example. There is a power in a leader just doing it and THEN calling people to it.

October 6

Ezra had God’s blessing and he got what he sought. It took him 6 months to travel to Jerusalem which seems like a lot to me, but it evidentially was fast! There is no doubt that God commands His blessings toward us and gives us success but not without any trouble.

Ezra 7:10 (NIV)
10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Ezra did what we teach in OSL; come, hear and do. He was a man that was founded on the rock and it is obvious that God commanded His blessing towards him – and why should we expect anything else with a better covenant! God – I want it all – all your blessings – with all that means!

October 5

There were 2 things that were missing that allowed all of the shortcomings and evil that the Lord was rebuking Israel for. #1 was that they didn’t honor the Lord. They didn’t value Him and what He had to say or how He wanted things done. #2 was that they didn’t fear the Lord. Not only didn’t they value God, but they were not afraid of the consequences of what they were doing. They even went so far as to say that God wouldn’t do anything any way! Value and fear – God may I never lose them, may they never diminish, may they only grow and catalyze me to DO the Word.

October 2

“Prisoner of hope”. Wow – that really hit me today. Thinking about it… a prisoner is one who is captive, one who is held behind bars and is limited by his captor. He can’t come and go as he wants because of the prison that he is in. He doesn’t have the key to get out because only the jailer has the keys to the prison – it’s like he can’t get out.

Hope is not our thinking of “I hope it happens”, like you are wishing something. Hope is a surety that something will happen. So when these two words are put together with of, which denotes possession, it is a great picture of where I want to be. To be locked up in surety sounds wonderful to me. It seems like I am too often locked up in “wish” or “doom” and not enough hope. I have got to find that prison and check in! What do I have to do to be sentenced to that jailhouse? Whatever it is, I will find it and commit whatever act I need to in order to be incarcerated by hope.

October 1

Just coming back from captivity is enough to over joy anybody who has reckoned their captivity. BEFORE any prosperity was returned, the opportunity for prosperity and blessing was given and that fact gave the people joy. Humm… apply it!

I am claiming Psalm 128. It isn’t new to me, but it sure seems like it! I do fear the Lord and I am standing on the promise of blessing and prosperity – my heart is filling with faith this morning! My wife will be fruitful and my sons will be olive shoots – birthing other olive trees – around my table!