April 30th: Forget the Past, You’re Needed Now

Scripture

Judges 11:7-8

But Jephthah said to them, “Aren’t you the ones who hated me and drove me from my fathers house? Why do you come to me now when you’re in trouble?” “Because we need you…”

Observation

Jephthah was the son of Gilead, the Bible calls him a great warrior. Jephthah’s mother was a prostitute and was therefore looked down upon, especially by the ‘legitimate’ sons of his father. He was banished from the land and the Bible says that soon a worthless band of rebels began following him. A while later the Ammonites were waging war against Israel, so they sent for the man who could lead the army and bring victory…Jephthah.

Application

The outsiders, the banished, a worthless group of rebels. Who are the people we are casting aside in our lives? What potential do they have that we are not seeing behind our perception of them? Jephthah and his men were thought to be disposable…put them out of sight so we don’t have to deal with their baggage. The elders of Gilead were very fortunate to be able to convince them to come back when they needed their help (making him the leader of Gilead was a nice perk to return). But how many people have we cast aside, assuming they had nothing left to offer, who will never return no matter what we do?

Prayer

God help me to see potential where others see baggage and liability.

April 29th: Impact of the Crucifixion

Scripture

Luke 23:47

When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.”

Observation

This Roman officer has seen the whole process of the crucifixion and was moved to belief. He saw it all; from the period of darkness, to the way Jesus responded to the taunts and torture.

Application

This is another reminder to me that when people have an encounter with Jesus…even when they are killing him…they become changed. Observing the real Jesus can only bring about change in ones life. There are many who encounter Jesus through a series of filters and lenses that they wish to view him through…for the Pharisees, it was their view of what the messiah should be like that kept most of them from a true encounter…many today come to the table assuming Jesus was just a good man and teacher and never fully encounter him. But when people see him as he is…with no preconceived notions…you cannot help but be different and ‘praise God’ just as the Roman soldier did.

Prayer

Jesus, reveal yourself to me. I want to see the real you in my life.

April 28: I’ve Got to Remember!

Scripture:

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man Then they remembered that he had said this. must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” - Luke 24:6-8

Observation:

The woman who were tending to Jesus’ tomb had forgotten what Jesus had told them would happen; that He would rise from the dead.  For these woman and for Jesus’ disciples, they knew what was going to happen.  Jesus had given them insight regarding His plan here in this world.  …and they forgot!  How do you forget something like this?!

Application:

How often do I forget what Jesus says?  I’m given the luxury of His Word!  I shouldn’t take that for granted!  There are countless insights and guides built into these 66 books that I should learn and know and learn again.

Prayer:

Jesus, help me to absorb all that You have for me in Your Word.  I know I’m not perfect and You know my memory isn’t the greatest, but help me to retain this information that’s so essential for my life.  Give me a growing desire and passion to seek after the things of God that I would honor You with all of my life.  Amen.

April 27th: Tough Lesson

By Ryan Nunez

Scripture

Judges 8:16

Then Gideon took the elders of the town and taught them a lesson, punishing them with thorns and briers from the wilderness.”

Observation

I have read the story of Gideon’s army defeating the Midianites many times. It is a story of faith and trusting in God alone to bring the victory. As the passage continues, I have never noticed until now, this other part to the story. Gideon’s army it continuing to drive out the Midianites and asks a the leaders of the town of Succoth for food for his troops. They tell him to finish the job first and then they will help. Gideon finishes the job then comes back and teaches them a lesson…with thorns and briers…a good old fashion spanking.

Application

This passage reminded me of the dangers of getting in the way of what God is trying to do through other people. How often do we discourage others who are seeking after God’s will or taking risks for the kingdom? I imaging that the leaders of Succoth didn’t want to waste precious resources on a loosing endeavor, (why fill the bellies of men who are about to die?). These guys were off base. They didn’t realize that God was with Gideon and because of that they should be to. We need to seek God’s guidance in our decisions, and not just respond with what we think God is doing.

Prayer

God give me guidance in my decisions and discernment to know what plans are yours

April 26th: What’s my response?

By Daniel Conner
Scripture:
Luke 22:61-62 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

Observation:
Just before Peter had said that he would die for Christ, and that he would never deny Christ. Then when the pressure was on, Peter did exactly what he didn’t want to do, he denied Christ! What is interesting to me is not the fact that Peter denied Christ, even though that was a big deal in itself, but what is interesting is his reaction to what he knows he did. Peter… at that moment….. weeps bitterly because of his remorse.

Application:
In the mist of my day when things are good or things are though, it can be easy to deny Christ with my life by what I do or say. In those moments, and the moments after them what is my response? Obviously I don’t want to deny Christ, but this less than perfect person does at times too. What’s import is when I do mess up, that my heart be soft and sensitive to the Lord and that remorse and repentance be evident. I’m forced to ask myself, when I do miss the target and mess up, what’s my response?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your love, thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for your faithfulness despite my unfaithfulness to you at times.

April 25th: I Want It That Way

Posted by: Jeremiah Hann

Scripture:

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.  Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”  Luke 22:42

Observation:

Jesus knows what he is about to go through.  He knows what is about to happen, and he doesn’t want to go through it.  Jesus knew the suffering was going to be unbearable and lead to his death.  Yet, through all the agony he knew he was about to face, he said “I want your will to be done, not mine.”  Even in the midst of the great suffering he was about to experience, Jesus would rather go through it, then do things the way he wants.

Application:

So often in my life, I turn to God and ask him to work things out my way.  Yet, some times, things don’t work out my way.  They don’t happen the way I would like them to happen.  Jesus knew the importance of what he was about to go through.  No matter how hard it is going to be, Jesus wanted to make sure that he did what God’s Will would be.  I can remember that even in those times I think I know what I need, God knows better.  When things don’t go the way I want them to, God has a bigger plan.

Prayer:

Hey God, thank you for sending Jesus to this earth to go through this terrible suffering.  Please help to remember his model and example.  Help me to remember that even when things aren’t working out the way I want them to, that they are working out the way You want them to.  Help my thoughts to become more like Jesus’ every day so that it becomes natural to say, “I want your will to be done, not mine.”  In Jesus Name, Amen.

April 24th: Praying to the wrong god…

By: Brent Hodges

Scripture

“After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.”  Judges 2:10

Observation

Soon after the death of their leader, Joshua, and their entrance into the Promised Land, the Israelites begin to fall away from the Lord.  They began worshipping the images of Baal and any other god the foreigners living among them could carve. 

Isn’t it amazing to see how quickly God’s chosen people can forget the things He has done for them when they get comfortable!  In a sense, the Israelites must have gotten bored.  They were living off the fruits and labor of others in a land they inherited.  Their fathers had fought and conquered the land they were now enjoying with the Lord as their warrior.  Yet, they have become complacent and seem to be looking for the next best thing.

Application

Sometimes we may feel like we can skate by with the faith our parents or someone near us has, but in times of abundance we will wander away from the Lord.  Then, when hard times come…like it does for the Israelites…we are left without a solid foundation.  I must remain focused on the Lord so that the gods of this world don’t draw my attention away from Him and before I know it…I’m heading down the wrong path towards the wrong god.

Prayer

Lord, may I remain laser-focused on You.  May the things this world offers pale in comparison to what You offer me in a relationship with You.  In times of abundance and in times of need, may I praise You for You freely give and You take away…and Your way is perfect.

April 23: Who’s got your back?

Posted by: Darius Sanders

Scripture: Judges 1:3
The men of Judah said to their relatives from the tribe of Simeon, “Join with us to fight against the Canaanites living in the territory allotted to us.  Then we will help you conquer your territory.”  So the men of Simeon went with Judah.

Observation
The men of the tribe of Judah were about to go to war with the Canaanites.  Instead of fighting them all by themselves, they chose to ask the tribe of Simeon, their brothers, to help them out.  Without hesitation or debate, the men of the tribe of Simeon chose to help their brothers out.  The passage goes on to say that they were successful in their attack on the Canaanites.

Application
This passage reminds me of a time when I was child growing up in Detroit.  I remember going to the park with my brothers and sisters and one of my cousins and having a hard time getting along with some of the other kids at the park.  We got into a verbal altercation before someone finally yelled out, “Let’s settle this, you go get your posse and we’ll get our posse!”  They left the park in one direction and we left in the other direction.  About 20 minutes later, they started walking down our street with a big high school guy marching in front of them.  We were scared so we ran in the house and asked my older cousin to come outside with us.  He was a tall college student.  When my cousin came outside, and started walking in their direction, they all took off running in the opposite direction!  I remember getting excited and cheering because we “won the battle” that day.  We won the battle because my cousin had our back. Now, I share this story with you not to say that what we did was right or even biblical for that matter, but it did show me the benefits of having someone in your life that has your back.

As Christians, I believe that God has called each and every one of us to have each others back.  We need to look for times when Satan is attacking our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and come to their aid.  We shouldn’t hesitate or debate whether or not they deserve our help, we should help them out simply because we are all a part of God’s family; and as a part of a family, we should have each others back.  So, if someone wants to fight you, get a big group of Christians together and…just kidding.  Seriously though, if someone comes to you today in need of prayer or help of some sort because they feel like they’re being spiritually attacked, take the time to pray with them to or do whatever you can help them withstand our enemy, the devil.  If we as Christians bond together and commit to having each others back, knowing that God ultimately has our back, we’ll be a powerful force to be reckoned with.

Prayer
God, thanks for having my back in life.  I pray that I would be there for other believers in Christ who need someone to help them out as well in life.  Help me not to be judgmental as to whether or not I feel I should be helping them out, but rather help me to remember that as a family, we need to take care of each other.  Just like Galatians 6:10 says, I pray that whenever I have the opportunity I would do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

April 22nd: Everything I Have

By Dennis Johnston

Scripture:

“For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”   Luke 21:4

 

Observation:

Back in the Temple, Jesus and others watch as donations are being given.  Those who had much were giving from their overflow.  Then, a poor widow gives “all she has” and Jesus uses this as an opportunity to teach us another “heart” lesson.  Her giving represented the smallest denomination available – think of it as a penny in our environment, however it was everthing she had.  She gave from her heart!

 

Application:

It feels good to give!  I’m always reminded of shopping around Christmas and the bells are ringing and people give from their overflow into the red kettle as they walk off with a smile on their face.  I’ve done this many times, but the reality it doesn’t cost me anything.  It’s from my overflow.

 

The poor widow isn’t having trouble paying her electric bill; rather she is qualified to receive from the red kettle.  She is in desperate need.   Yet, she gives sacrificially.  I’m certain she had contemplated where/when her next meal would be. 

 

God has asked me to deny myself to become His disciple (Matthew 16:24).  To live by giving of my entire self:  time, treasures, and talents.  To make Him the Lord of my life, not just my Savior.  I ask you Lord – how can I give more of myself to be a part of what You’re doing in the following areas?

 

1. Time – spending time in Your Word and listening as You speak to me.
2. Treasure – those “things” You have entrusted to my care (the stuff I manage).
3. Talents – gifts You have given me to serve You (S.H.A.P.E. class)

Prayer:

Lord, I desire to sacrifice all of me for You.  To give everything I have to serve You and be an active part of what You are doing in this community.  I need Your help to live a life that is less about me and more about You.  Search my heart and show me Lord how I can take practical steps today to serve you in a greater way with my time, treasure, and talents.  In Jesus’ name I pray by faith.

April 21: Cling Tightly!

by Paul Lewis

Scripture: Joshua 23:8

Rather, cling tightly to the Lord your God as you have done until now.

Observation:

Two things jumped out at me when I read this verse. First, that we are to “cling tightly to the Lord.” Don’t just know that He is there, but cling to him. Second, when Joshua writes to the Israelites, “as you have done until now” I can’t help but wonder if Joshua had a memory problem. Didn’t he know of all the times Israel had sinned against God? Perhaps he meant something deeper.

Application:

When I think of clinging to God, I think of a three year old clingly to his mother’s leg because he doesn’t want her to leave him. I picture this as what Joshua is writing about. We should cling tightly to God with the same energy and passion that a child does. We shouldn’t ever want to be separated from God, even for a moment. We should spend every waking moment with Him, and in fact even ask that your dreams be filled with Him as well.

In the same verse, Joshua writes that the Israelites have been doing this. I began to wonder how this could be. If you have been reading, you have seen the Israelites sin time after time. Sometimes with great consequence. So how could Joshua say that they have been clinging to God all this time? I think he is talking about relationship. Even though they sinned, the Israelites still had a relationship with God. That relationship was intact, just as it is intact when a mother prise her son off of her leg to leave, yet returns later. Their relationship is still intact, even though they were apart for a while.

Are you clinging to God, or are you separated from Him right now? Either way, know that if you have a relationship with Him, it is still intact. He wants you to return to Him, for it is you you stepped away, not Him. Return and cling to Him as never before!

Prayer:

God help me to cling to you more tightly today than I ever have before. I know that you won’t leave me, help me not to step away from you, even for a moment!