Daily Struggles

Acts 5:41-42
That convinced them. They called the apostles back in. After giving them a thorough whipping, they warned them not to speak in Jesus' name and sent them off. The apostles went out of the High Council overjoyed because they had been given the honor of being dishonored on account of the Name. Every day they were in the Temple and homes, teaching and preaching Christ Jesus, not letting up for a minute.

I must remember that people are watching as I struggle. I should be thankful for the testing and remember that Jesus will receive the glory for my success.

Salvation

Acts 4:8-12
With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: "Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I'll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is 'the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.' Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one."

When I am in my deepest need, I must take the focus off of myself and focus on Jesus. Nothing I can do through my own strength can save me. I am desperate, and I need a force greater than myself. Jesus is the only one that can provide salvation and restoration. Thank you Jesus, you are more than enough for me.

Idols

Exodus 20:1-6
I am God, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of a life of slavery.
No other gods, only me. No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am God, your God, and I'm a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents pass on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate me. But I'm unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments.

What things keep me from spending time with God each day. While I don't carve idols out of wood, I certainly spend time watching TV.

When reality becomes too painful to face, do I escape into the Word or into a movie and ice cream? Self medication with gambling, alcohol, drugs, food, sex, and shopping are all empty pursuits. They cover our pain for a moment, but only Jesus can heal our pain for a lifetime.

Step out in Faith

Exodus 14:15
God said to Moses: "Why cry out to me? Speak to the Israelites. Order them to get moving. Hold your staff high and stretch your hand out over the sea: Split the sea! The Israelites will walk through the sea on dry ground.

We must get up and get going. We must dig our ditches by faith before God will be released to perform His miracles. Today could be the day for my miracle. Thank you in advance Jesus for your miracles.

Forged and Ready for Battle

Exodus 13:17
It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn't lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God thought, "If the people encounter war, they'll change their minds and go back to Egypt."

The path of least resistance produces weak people. Testing and forging increases our faith and develops a habit of total dependency on God.

Wikipedia:
Swords can be shaped by a variety of metalworking techniques. Forging uses heat to bring the material to a malleable state. The material is then hammered to shape, typically using hammer and anvil.

The final step of forming, and one that affects both the finishing and the heat treatment is 'normalizing'. The blade would be carefully and evenly heated and then cooled slowly. The point of normalizing is to remove the stresses which may have built up within the body of the blade while it was being forged. During the forging process the blade might be heated and cooled differentially creating stress, some parts might be hammered more than others, some areas hammered enough to "work harden". If these stresses are left in the blade they could affect the finishing and when it came time to heat treat the blade, the hardening and tempering might not be as even. Potentially enough stress could be added that the blade would be weak in spots, weak enough that it could fail under enough strain.

Trials remove the small stress fractures, producing strong Christians, ready for Spiritual Battle.

Refined by Fire

I received a prophetic picture this morning involving a beautiful sword that was being made by a craftsman. The sword was heated in the fire and then hammered into the right shape, the imperfections beaten out by force. Each time the sword was placed into the fire and into cool water, it was made stronger, forged by the heat.

Thank you Lord for the reminder that you refine and strengthen us by fire.

Selfless Service

Exodus 1:16-17, 20-21
"When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

God uses the people considered to be the bottom of society to bring salvation. He not only saved the Israelites, but he blessed the willing servants as well. How great are the rewards of being a servant.

Tough Situations

Luke 20:22-25
Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

He knew they were laying for him and said, "Show me a coin. Now, this engraving, who does it look like and what does it say?"

"Caesar," they said.

Jesus said, "Then give Caesar what is his and give God what is his."

Jesus faced a tough situation by answering this trick question. He was able to provide an answer without lying or sinning. How often do I feel like I need to tell people what they want to hear or sugar coat the truth?

Economic Famine

Genesis 45:4-7
"I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don't feel badly, don't blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives. There has been a famine in the land now for two years; the famine will continue for five more years—neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me on ahead to pave the way and make sure there was a remnant in the land, to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance. So you see, it wasn't you who sent me here but God.

When Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, they were filled with jealousy and hate. What they had done in sin, God used for good. In fact, Joseph's dreams from God pushed them over the edge.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Genesis 45 is a reminder to me that God knows every sinful thing that we have done, and he knows every evil thing that as been done to us. I am constantly amazed that he can sew our tragedies into a testimony of His glory.

How will God use our Economic Famine to fulfill His purposes in my life?

Prosper During the Famine

Genesis 42:1-2, 15-16
The famine got worse. When they had eaten all the food they had brought back from Egypt, their father said, "Go back and get some more food." The men took the gifts, double the money, and Benjamin. They lost no time in getting to Egypt and meeting Joseph. When Joseph saw that they had Benjamin with them, he told his house steward, "Take these men into the house and make them at home. Butcher an animal and prepare a meal; these men are going to eat with me at noon."

It is too easy for us to become complacent when we prosper where we normally live. We fall into the same routines, hang out with the same friends, and continue to commit the same sins.

Many times, God has to move us to a foreign land to make us prosper during a famine. He has to break our old human habits and get us totally dependent on Him.

The Power of the Ring

Genesis 41:41-43
So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, "Make way!" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

I read this passage this morning, and I was struck by the similarities to Esther 3 where Xerxes places Haman in charge of the kingdom.

Esther 3:10-11
So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. "Keep the money," the king said to Haman, "and do with the people as you please."

As I have dug into these passages, I find a huge difference between these stories. Pharaoh demonstrated leadership by listening to Joseph's interpretation and placing him in charge. He could not find any one else who had a closer relationship with God, so naturally he would also be the best person to implement the strategy to save Egypt.

On the other hand, Xerxes was a terrible leader. He had inherited his kingdom from his father, and he was an insecure child dictator. He made his decisions based upon public opinion in order to be favored by the people. This reminds me of the parent that is constantly trying to be their child's best friend. Xerxes advocates his throne to Haman out of weakness, not leadership.

It occurs to me that the exact same act can be good or evil based upon the intent. The God of the universe searches our hearts and knows our intentions.

Moral Compass

Genesis 34:30-31
Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You've made my name stink to high heaven among the people here, these Canaanites and Perizzites. If they decided to gang up on us and attack, as few as we are we wouldn't stand a chance; they'd wipe me and my people right off the map." They said, "Nobody is going to treat our sister like a whore and get by with it."

Simeon and Levi's plan to slaughter the Hivites seems like sound military stragegery. Later in the Bible, God has the Israelites kill thousands of people who oppose them. The only problem is that they forgot to consult God, and they acted out of rage.

Jacob's moral compass is so far off, that I don't know how God can use him. He is more concerned with what the neighbors think that he is with his daughter's situation. Jacob should have led his sons into battle.

Jacob provides us all with hope that God can use imperfect people to accomplish His will.

God's Promises

Genesis 32:10-12
I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. But you have said, 'I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.'

Why does God give us a promise, and then place us in positions where we face total destruction? Are these obstacles simply an opportunity to prove our faith, or are they a training tool along our journey? Perhaps they are both.

When we have nothing to lose, the fear is minimal. After Jacob worked for 20 years to build a family and wealth, the fear of destruction becomes greater. When we have recurring sin in our life, God can use trials to force us to change. The past 3 years of trials have certainly humbled my outrageous ego.

Once Jesus cleans out the closets of our life, then trials become a demonstration of faith to those around us. Our purpose on this planet is to spread The Good News, and deeds speak louder than words. Lord, help me not to forget that people are watching me in my daily faith journey.

Sins of the Father

Genesis 29:25
When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me?"

Jacob becomes upset when Laban tricks him, but did he forget that he had tricked his father and stolen his brother's blessing. The father's of Israel have demonstrated a long pattern of deception.

Abraham lied twice about Sarah being his wife in order to avoid death. Both times the kings were upset that Abraham could have brought God's wrath upon them for an inadvertent sin. His son Isaac lied about Rebekah being his wife for the same reason, and he encountered the same result.

Exodus 20:5-6
"I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.

These fathers did not teach their children about the consequences of their mistakes, and their children were destined to repeat them. What am I doing to end my generational curses? How am I teaching my children to avoid the prices that I have had to pay?

Good Gifts

Luke 11:10-13
"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing—you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"

Thank you Jesus for daily manna and unseen miracles.

Child of the King

Luke 10:18-20
"I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Why do I walk around beat up when I have been granted authority over all evil in the name of Jesus? I am not subject to his tools of fear and manipulation. I am a child of the king.

Carpe Diem

Luke 9:62
Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."

How often do I look back and wonder if I should have stayed in the Army? How can I ever move forward when I am looking back. Lord thank you for the daily reminders to live by faith.

No other gods

Genesis 21:12
But God spoke to Abraham, "Don't feel badly about the boy and your maid. Do whatever Sarah tells you. Your descendants will come through Isaac. Regarding your maid's son, be assured that I'll also develop a great nation from him—he's your son, too."

Genesis 22:10
They arrived at the place to which God had directed him. Abraham built an altar. He laid out the wood. Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son.

Abraham had received his provision towards God's promise only to be asked to sacrifice it. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would out number the stars. How is that going to happen when you kill the heir?

I find my self in a similar position. I had to quit working for the company in San Jose, which seemed like the provision, before I reached the promised land. I think that sometimes God needs to make sure that my heart is in the right place, and that I have no other gods before him.

the beauty contest

Esther 2:1-20

One of the kings advisors requested a beauty contest from 300 concubines because the king was lonley and board. Esther became one of the contestants and the kings advisor liked her so she got one year of beauty treetmants. She finaly got the one night with the king. After the king was done he desided he liked Esther the most.

My opinion:
the king was not drunk anymore so he was board and just had to had to have a Queen.

Evangelize

Luke 7:44-47
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

How often do I associate with "sinners" and the downtrodden? Am I so comfortable with my circle of Christian friends that I forget why I am still here?

Thank you Lord for loving me and pursuing me. Thank you for opportunities to give, to serve, and to love on people.

Live Generously

Luke 6:27-30

To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

I have a hard time giving to the less fortunate when I am struggling, and when I have all I need. Lord, thank you for teaching me how to hear you and for changing my heart for giving. Please help me to respond to your calling.

Away from Home

Genesis 12:1
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

God's promises for me are secure, and our work in Africa will come to fruition. Combined with yesterday's word, I must prepare to spend 2010 away from home doing His work.

Queen Vashti kicked out

Esther 1:10-21

King Xerxes was in the middle of his party when he told his messangers to tell Queen Vashti to come with her crown on her head and NO royal CLOTHES ON! Queen Vashti refused (to come naked!) And King Xerxes became furios so his advisors told him to kick Queen Vashti out and find another Queen.

My opinion:
King Xerxes was drunk and told her to come without clothes on.

Queen Vashti wasn't the bad guy she just wanted to keep her body to her self.

King Xerxes oter mistake is that he took advice from his drunk advisors.

The Kings Banquet

Hey I'm Abbey and I'm also doing an Esther study but different from my mom and dads study

Esther 1:1-9
King Xerxes threw a party for 6 months! All the inportant people like generals were invited. Afterwards he threw a party for everyone else. Queen Vashti also threw a party for all the wemen.

My opinion:
King Xerxes wasen't trying to be kind by throwing a party he was trying to get everyone druk so they would go to war fo him. He didn't know how to be a leader so he was trying to be thier friend.

Doubt is a Killer

Luke 4:24
I tell you the truth," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown.

Miracles receive their power and are performed through Faith. The people that knew me as I was growing up will always have their preconceived notions about my abilities. Doubt is the killer of the Gifts of the Spirit. - Prophecy, Healing, and Speaking in Tongues

The Fire

Luke 3:9
The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Judgment is coming for all those who fail to repent.

Lord, if there is anything standing in the way of my provision, reveal it to me so that I may be spared from the fire and get down to the work that you have for me to do.

Share the Message

Luke 2:15-18
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

God is more concerned with my faith journey and the changes that occur in me than he is in the destination. My friends and family know that we are struggling, and they are watching me. How am I sharing my faith journey, and how am I telling them about the miracles that Jesus performed today?

The Great Conundrum

Mark 10:43
Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Every day, we are faced with The Great Conundrum. My human nature tells me that tithing, serving at the church, and daily fellowship with God results in less money and time that I have available for something else. Exercising in the morning will cause me to be tired the rest of the day and use up too much time. Placing my spouse's needs ahead of my own means that my needs will never be met.

Jesus came to earth and modeled a servant's heart for us to emulate. He knows that a faith filled life actually works opposite to what the world believes and eliminates my ego from the equation.

Jesus daily breaks the laws of math and science as we know them, in ways that we can not explain. Tithing of my time and money provides me with a blessing by serving others, and the remaining 90% of our finances always stretches further than the the original check ever could. Exercise actually causes me to have more energy and feel more alert the rest of the day.

When I start asking those around me how I can help them, my ego is buried, and I remove my focus from me. Serving my wife every day causes her to be in a better mood, feeling uplifted, and willing to support me.

Daily walking with God gives me the opportunity to hear an encouraging word for the day, and my increased efficiency quickly makes up for the time invested in my relationship with Him.

Only the God of the universe could stretch time and money, bending the laws of physics with His will. God gives me a glimpse of this reverse paradigm as I grow spiritually and learn to walk with Him. How amazing is the God we serve, and how amazing is His love for us?

Word for 2010

Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.

Zachariah was praying for a son, but he was really praying for redemption.
The baby was to be named John which means; The Lord is Generous.

My personal word for today and for 2010 is:
God restores what was lost, and He makes all things new. Walk in Faith not Fear.