Tag: be careful
Day 3–Judges rule for God
Scripture reading for May 6: 2 Chronicles 19:4 -7“Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”
Part of our justice system of law enforcement is the court system. In our country, some judges are elected, some are appointed by those in authority, and some are nominated and approved by our government legislative branch. Each judge has a specific jurisdiction that they are assigned and they are to judge impartially according to the laws of the jurisdiction they oversee.
We see in the time of King Jehoshaphat, as this king led God’s people back to the Lord, one of the key factors was to establish judges who would judge justly. He appointed them city by city, assigning them their jurisdiction. As they were installed, he asked them to consider what they did and how they did it in the administration of justice. He reminded them that God was with them and that they did not judge for man, or themselves, or the king, but for God Himself. God would help them as they feared Him and were careful to justly and impartially pass judgment. Bribery was strictly forbidden as it was a means of partiality towards those with money or influence.
Oh how God’s simple instructions are needed in our system of justice today! As God appoints judges to positions of authority, He also is with those in judge’s positions. He knows how justice is being administered. He knows if the judge is impartial or is pedaling influence for money or favors. He sees the judge’s treatment of each person and promises to judge those who judge with partially or for bribes!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for watching over the justice system in each nation, city, and jurisdiction. Thank You for righteous judges who are impartial and treat all with dignity and respect. Remove those who are partial or accept bribes. Amen.
Know the true light!
Scripture reading for March 18: Luke 11
“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” Luke 11:33-36
The setting of this teaching revolved around Jesus casting out a demon from a man who was mute. The man was instantly delivered and began to talk. But some people said that Jesus cast out the demon by Beelzebul, who was considered by the Jews to be the prince of demons. (Luke 11:14-20) Jesus carefully explained that no kingdom divided against itself could stand. The casting out of that demon was by the ‘finger of God’ and demonstrated that the powerful kingdom of God was in their midst. Satan’s kingdom of darkness is always trying to twist the light of truth and keep people in darkness. Unredeemed man loves darkness and refused to come to the light. (John 3:19)
Jesus used the example of a lamp being lit to drive out darkness. The lamp would be put on a stand to help everyone see. The eye is the lamp of our body as well. If our eye is healthy, it allows light to come into the body that we might see things clearly. If our eye is bad, our lives will be dominated by darkness. From these simple illustrations, Jesus warned those judging Him as using Satan’s power to cast out demons, that their ‘eyes’ were ‘bad’ and they really were living in darkness. The Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105) Jesus is the Light of the world and in Him is no darkness at all or shadow of turning. (John 8:12) Healthy eyes are a necessity for a godly worldview.
Have you ever judged someone to be evil when they were actually sharing truth? When you take a spiritual eye exam, how would you rate the quality of light in your own soul? Are there areas of ‘darkness’ that you need to invite Jesus to shine His light on?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are the Light of the world. Thank You for Your Word as light in my life. Cleanse me of any darkness by bringing Jesus’ Word to my eyes and heart. Use me to reflect Your light through my daily life of faith and witness. Amen.
I want more!
Scripture reading for March 13: Luke 8, Psalm 52, Proverbs 21
Key Scriptures: Luke 8:16-18 “”No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.””
Jesus told the simple story about a homeowner lighting a lamp to illustrate that He was bringing God’s truth out in the open for all who would see. The Word would judge the secrets of each heart and those who had faith would be rewarded and those who rejected faith exposed. We must be careful how we listen to the Word of God, always choosing to trust and obey!
Faith Confession: Lord, shine the light of Your Word brightly in my heart and life. Open my ears to hear Your Word and obey! I want more!
Psalm 52:9 “I will thank You forever, because You have done it. I will wait for Your Name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.”
Receiving a full reward!
Scripture reading for November 26th: Ezekiel 34-37, 2nd John
Key Scriptures: 2nd John 7-10 “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
John wrote this short letter to a pastor and her congregation concerning the need for discernment. False teachers were attacking the church. These teachers were denying Jesus Christ came in the flesh and deceiving people with the spirit of antichrist. Care must be taken not to take them in or be taken in by their false doctrines. A full reward from God awaits the faithful and discerning.
Ezekiel 33:7 “”So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a Word from My mouth, you shall give them warning from Me.””
Prayer: Lord, thank You for clear warnings to be watchful and focused on Your Truth and Word. Help me to be watchful and a watchman over those in Your church. Amen.
Connection breakers!
Scripture Reading for February 13th: Numbers 9-12
The Israelites are ready to move out from Mt. Sinai after receiving the ten commandments. They have just eaten the Passover meal on the first anniversary after leaving Egypt. They have been traveling and camping in the wilderness for a year and are ready to go to the land of promise. The tribes were set in order and the trumpets were ready to sound and call the people to move out. (Numbers 10:1-7) The Ark of God was carried by the Levites and God in the cloud overshadowed them.
Shortly after moving out from Mt. Sinai, the rabble began to cause trouble by murmuring and complaining. The rabble were people who lived on the fringes of the camp, often not true Israelites. They followed God’s people, but really did not have a relationship with the God of Israel. They experienced the miracles and deliverance, but weren’t really believers. When the manna got old, the wilderness got hot, and the journey got long, these “rabble-rousers” would cause trouble. They craved the foods of Egypt. (Numbers 11:4-6) God sent fire, burning up some of this group and Moses prayed for them. (Numbers 11:1-3)
Life is no different today. There are those in the church who like to complain and belly-ache! Their pastor never does anything right. God has brought them to this point to let them die. They don’t like the music. They don’t like the youth pastor. The pastor’s wife is cold and aloof! Nothing is as good as it used to be with the last pastor! The sermons are too long, the drums are too loud, and the pastor walked right by me and didn’t say hello or shake my hand!
When we complain, we are actually accusing God of failure to care for us and do right by us. This complaint makes God angry! (Numbers 11:10) The leader feels bad too. When things don’t go as you expect or desire, avoid the temptation to complain. Instead, pray for your leadership. Look for something good to say and encourage them. Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. Remember that rabble-rousers always end up taking the heat! (fire from God!)
Running to win!
Scripture reading for August 15th: 1st Corinthians 9:20-10:14
Paul’s sole motive was to win the most people as possible. He had purposely not taken support from those he ministered to in order to win more of them. Next he told of his strategy to continue to reap a big harvest. He was not just doing things to be busy, but had a plan he was working on!
“To the Jews, I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1st Corinthians 9:20-23)
Paul loved God and loved God’s people. He was open to live his life in a way that would have maximum impact on the most people possible. In order to reach people, we must relate to people. For the sake of the Gospel, we can lay aside some of our liberties and identify with those who are weak or struggling. In doing so, we can preach and speak into their lives.
He viewed his life like a race in which he was running to get a prize. In the athletic contests of that day, many runners ran to get a crown of flowers that would soon fade away. But in the race for souls to enter the kingdom of heaven, the crown was permanent! (1st Corinthians 9:24-25) Paul disciplined himself and brought his mind and body into obedience in order to accomplish his task of reaching the Gentiles. He was focused on this task and did not want to be disqualified for failing to finish the race!
How is your focus on finishing your spiritual race? Are you aware of the eternal prize awaiting those who finish well? Are you disciplining your body and mind to focus on the task ahead? The eternal crown awaits all who finish in faith!