Readings:
II Chronicles 26
Acts 28:1-15
Focus:
II Chronicles 26:16a: "But when he grew powerful his pride became great and led to his own undoing."
When King Uzziah of Judah became powerful, he dared to do himself actions that were reserved only for the Aaronite priests. This was displeasing to God. Uzziah had become such a great king that he thought that he could do anything he wanted to do, and so he did what he wanted. But it did not lead to happiness for him.
This is something that we have to watch out for ourselves. Often if we have successes, or do things well, we are proud of ourselves, and if it happens for a while, we start to think pretty well of ourselves. Then we think that we can do what we like, and then we actually do it.
But often we forget to check whether what we like to do is what God wants us to do, and when we don't do what God wants us to do, or when we do what God does not want us to do, it does not lead to happiness for us.
Achievements and success need to be recognized as reasons to be grateful to God, but not as reasons for pride that leads us to act as if we do not need God.
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
God Can Give Us Much More
Readings:
II Chronicles 25
Acts 27:27-44
Focus:
II Chronicles 25:9: "Amaziah said to the man of God, 'What am I to do about the hundred talents which I have spent on the Israelite army?' The man answered, 'It is in the Lord's power to give you much more than that.'"
King Amaziah of Judah has hired mercenary soldiers from the kingdom of Israel to help him in his fight against the Edomites. A prophet warns him, however, that since the kingdom of Israel has forsaken God, God will not give Amaziah success when he uses those mercenaries.
Amaziah wants to obey the prophet, but he's worried about the money he has already spent on the mercenaries. But the prophet tells him that God can make him receive even more than that, if only he will obey. So Amaziah does obey, and has great success.
Often we get started doing something the wrong way, and then we realize that in order to do something God's way, we need to change the way we're doing it. But we've already committed resources to what we're doing. We're worried about changing course, because we can't afford to lose the time or money that we've already committed.
But when we obey God, if it is his will, then it is in his power to give us much more than we've already spent. Whether he gives us abundance, or just enough, either way, when we obey him, we will never lack the things that we really need. We can have that confidence. I have found it true throughout my life.
II Chronicles 25
Acts 27:27-44
Focus:
II Chronicles 25:9: "Amaziah said to the man of God, 'What am I to do about the hundred talents which I have spent on the Israelite army?' The man answered, 'It is in the Lord's power to give you much more than that.'"
King Amaziah of Judah has hired mercenary soldiers from the kingdom of Israel to help him in his fight against the Edomites. A prophet warns him, however, that since the kingdom of Israel has forsaken God, God will not give Amaziah success when he uses those mercenaries.
Amaziah wants to obey the prophet, but he's worried about the money he has already spent on the mercenaries. But the prophet tells him that God can make him receive even more than that, if only he will obey. So Amaziah does obey, and has great success.
Often we get started doing something the wrong way, and then we realize that in order to do something God's way, we need to change the way we're doing it. But we've already committed resources to what we're doing. We're worried about changing course, because we can't afford to lose the time or money that we've already committed.
But when we obey God, if it is his will, then it is in his power to give us much more than we've already spent. Whether he gives us abundance, or just enough, either way, when we obey him, we will never lack the things that we really need. We can have that confidence. I have found it true throughout my life.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Loyalty and Obedience to God
Readings:
II Chronicles 18
Acts 24:1-16
Focus:
II Chronicles 18:13: "'As the Lord lives,' said Micaiah, 'I shall say only what my God tells me to say.'"
The prophet Micaiah has been summoned to prophesy before King Ahab of Israel, one of the most wicked kings that ever reigned over that nation. All the other so-called prophets are giving Ahab the answer he wants to hear, and Micaiah has been warned to give the same answer. And at first he does, speaking on his own behalf.
But when he is asked directly what it is that God tells him to say, Micaiah does not hesitate to announce it, although he knows that this will not be good for him. And indeed, since God's message does not please Ahab or the other prophets, the result for Micaiah is that he is struck by another prophet, and then thrown into prison and put on bread and water.
Yet, knowing this could happen, Micaiah says beforehand that he will say what God tells him to say, and that is what he does.
Micaiah's loyalty and obedience is to God before anyone else. That is the kind of loyalty and obedience that I want as well.
II Chronicles 18
Acts 24:1-16
Focus:
II Chronicles 18:13: "'As the Lord lives,' said Micaiah, 'I shall say only what my God tells me to say.'"
The prophet Micaiah has been summoned to prophesy before King Ahab of Israel, one of the most wicked kings that ever reigned over that nation. All the other so-called prophets are giving Ahab the answer he wants to hear, and Micaiah has been warned to give the same answer. And at first he does, speaking on his own behalf.
But when he is asked directly what it is that God tells him to say, Micaiah does not hesitate to announce it, although he knows that this will not be good for him. And indeed, since God's message does not please Ahab or the other prophets, the result for Micaiah is that he is struck by another prophet, and then thrown into prison and put on bread and water.
Yet, knowing this could happen, Micaiah says beforehand that he will say what God tells him to say, and that is what he does.
Micaiah's loyalty and obedience is to God before anyone else. That is the kind of loyalty and obedience that I want as well.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Forsaking God When We Are Strong
Readings:
II Chronicles 12
Acts 21:1-14
Focus:
II Chronicles 12:1: "When Rehoboam's kingdom was firmly established and he grew powerful, he along with all Israel forsook the law of the Lord."
It is so tempting, when we are successful or strong or powerful, to think of our own achievements, and to give credit to ourselves for what we have done and become. It is easy at times like that to forget God.
That appears to be what happened to Rehoboam and the kingdom of Israel over which he ruled. He no longer felt the need for God. He was a powerful king; why did he need to turn to God?
When this happened to Rehoboam, God brought the King of Egypt to defeat Rehoboam and become his master, so that Rehoboam would know the difference between serving the Egyptian king and serving God. It is a good lesson to learn. Serving God is far better than being in bondage to people or things.
II Chronicles 12
Acts 21:1-14
Focus:
II Chronicles 12:1: "When Rehoboam's kingdom was firmly established and he grew powerful, he along with all Israel forsook the law of the Lord."
It is so tempting, when we are successful or strong or powerful, to think of our own achievements, and to give credit to ourselves for what we have done and become. It is easy at times like that to forget God.
That appears to be what happened to Rehoboam and the kingdom of Israel over which he ruled. He no longer felt the need for God. He was a powerful king; why did he need to turn to God?
When this happened to Rehoboam, God brought the King of Egypt to defeat Rehoboam and become his master, so that Rehoboam would know the difference between serving the Egyptian king and serving God. It is a good lesson to learn. Serving God is far better than being in bondage to people or things.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
How Can We Stand in God's Way?
Readings:
I Chronicles 19
Acts 11
Focus:
Acts 11:17b:"How could I stand in God's way?"
Peter told the other disciples that he had clearly seen that God wanted to have a saving relationship with the Gentiles (the non-Jews) just as much as he wanted to have a saving relationship with the Jews. This was outside of Peter's initial comfort zone. It wasn't what he had learned about how God was to be worshipped. But God showed him that the old ritual law was no longer operative; after Jesus, only the moral law remained constant. Even if Peter and the other disciples weren't comfortable with that at first, how could they stand in God's way?
This can happen to us, too. Maybe in order to reach out to people we have to endure different types of activities or music while spending time with them than we would really prefer. Or we may end up moving somewhere we hadn't at first thought we would like, in order to take a job that we feel God wants for us. These things may not be what we thought we had in mind, but in each case, we may see that it is clearly God's will for us to do those things. How can we stand in God's way?
Like Peter and the other disciples, we will find that once we let God have his way, we will benefit from it too. It will turn out that there will be surprises of blessings that we never could have foreseen.
I Chronicles 19
Acts 11
Focus:
Acts 11:17b:"How could I stand in God's way?"
Peter told the other disciples that he had clearly seen that God wanted to have a saving relationship with the Gentiles (the non-Jews) just as much as he wanted to have a saving relationship with the Jews. This was outside of Peter's initial comfort zone. It wasn't what he had learned about how God was to be worshipped. But God showed him that the old ritual law was no longer operative; after Jesus, only the moral law remained constant. Even if Peter and the other disciples weren't comfortable with that at first, how could they stand in God's way?
This can happen to us, too. Maybe in order to reach out to people we have to endure different types of activities or music while spending time with them than we would really prefer. Or we may end up moving somewhere we hadn't at first thought we would like, in order to take a job that we feel God wants for us. These things may not be what we thought we had in mind, but in each case, we may see that it is clearly God's will for us to do those things. How can we stand in God's way?
Like Peter and the other disciples, we will find that once we let God have his way, we will benefit from it too. It will turn out that there will be surprises of blessings that we never could have foreseen.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Ignoring our Fears
Readings:
I Chronicles 16
Acts 9:10-22
Focus:
Acts 9:17a:"So Ananias went, and, on entering the house, laid his hands on him."
I've always really admired Ananias. He admits to God that he's pretty much scared of Saul. After all, Saul's the guy who's been running all over the place arresting Christians. He doesn't want to get anywhere near him!
Yet when God tells him to go to Saul, Ananias obeys. He walks right into the room where Saul is, and lays hands on him so that God can remove his blindness. Then he teaches Saul about Jesus. He overcomes his natural fear in order to obey God.
The result was that the world ended up with the apostle Paul, which is who Saul became. And Paul taught many, many people about Jesus, and it's ultimately because of him that most of us have heard the good news. Saul didn't waste any time, either. True to his personality, he went right out and started teaching people about Jesus.
It's thanks to the obedience of Ananias, in spite of his fear, that the good news started to spread to so many people. It's an example for us to follow!
I Chronicles 16
Acts 9:10-22
Focus:
Acts 9:17a:"So Ananias went, and, on entering the house, laid his hands on him."
I've always really admired Ananias. He admits to God that he's pretty much scared of Saul. After all, Saul's the guy who's been running all over the place arresting Christians. He doesn't want to get anywhere near him!
Yet when God tells him to go to Saul, Ananias obeys. He walks right into the room where Saul is, and lays hands on him so that God can remove his blindness. Then he teaches Saul about Jesus. He overcomes his natural fear in order to obey God.
The result was that the world ended up with the apostle Paul, which is who Saul became. And Paul taught many, many people about Jesus, and it's ultimately because of him that most of us have heard the good news. Saul didn't waste any time, either. True to his personality, he went right out and started teaching people about Jesus.
It's thanks to the obedience of Ananias, in spite of his fear, that the good news started to spread to so many people. It's an example for us to follow!
Friday, January 15, 2010
We Must Obey God Rather than Men
Readings:
I Chronicles 8
Acts 5:11-32
Focus:
Acts 5:29:"Peter replied for the apostles: 'We must obey God rather than men.'"
Just a few days ago we read that Peter and John had been cautioned by the authorities not to teach in the name of Jesus, and they had replied that it would not be right for them to obey men rather than God. So they continued to teach about Jesus, and the community of believers grew. The power of the Holy Spirit among them was so strong that many people were healed from various sicknesses.
The reputation of the Christians and the power of the Holy Spirit became so well known that it eventually became too much for the authorities, and they had the apostles arrested again. But when the apostles were miraculously freed through God's power, they continued to teach out in the open in the temple. They did not hide in fear. So it was easy for the authorities to lay their hands on them again.
The authorities then said, basically, "What on earth is this? We told you not to teach in this man's name, but you're just doing it all the more, plus you're blaming us for killing him!" But Peter and the other apostles, although they had reason to fear, because they had just been shown that the authorities meant what they said about trying to stop them, had equally just been shown, by their miraculous freeing from prison, that God was going to be with them no matter what. So they were able to again boldly proclaim, "We must obey God rather than men."
This is the confidence that we can gain the longer we build our relationship with God, and the deeper we make it. It was something I found out when I had cancer. We know God will be with us. So we too can boldly proclaim, "We must obey God rather than people."
I Chronicles 8
Acts 5:11-32
Focus:
Acts 5:29:"Peter replied for the apostles: 'We must obey God rather than men.'"
Just a few days ago we read that Peter and John had been cautioned by the authorities not to teach in the name of Jesus, and they had replied that it would not be right for them to obey men rather than God. So they continued to teach about Jesus, and the community of believers grew. The power of the Holy Spirit among them was so strong that many people were healed from various sicknesses.
The reputation of the Christians and the power of the Holy Spirit became so well known that it eventually became too much for the authorities, and they had the apostles arrested again. But when the apostles were miraculously freed through God's power, they continued to teach out in the open in the temple. They did not hide in fear. So it was easy for the authorities to lay their hands on them again.
The authorities then said, basically, "What on earth is this? We told you not to teach in this man's name, but you're just doing it all the more, plus you're blaming us for killing him!" But Peter and the other apostles, although they had reason to fear, because they had just been shown that the authorities meant what they said about trying to stop them, had equally just been shown, by their miraculous freeing from prison, that God was going to be with them no matter what. So they were able to again boldly proclaim, "We must obey God rather than men."
This is the confidence that we can gain the longer we build our relationship with God, and the deeper we make it. It was something I found out when I had cancer. We know God will be with us. So we too can boldly proclaim, "We must obey God rather than people."
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Is It Right in the Eyes of God for Us to Obey You Rather than Him?
Readings:
I Chronicles 5
Acts 4:13-31
Focus:
Acts 4:19a:"But Peter and John replied: 'Is it right in the eyes of God for us to obey you rather than him?'"
After Peter and John had brought about the healing of a man over 40 years old who had been unable to walk since birth, they were arrested and put in prison overnight. The authorities did not like it that this healing had been done in the name of Jesus, but did not feel they had the power to punish Peter and John, since the people were favorably impressed by the healing. So they just told Peter and John not to speak in the name of Jesus again.
Peter and John were not intimidated. Their loyalty was to a greater power. They said, basically, "Do you think God would like it if we ignored him in order to do what you say? Would he approve of what we were doing if we behaved that way?"
That kind of choice is before us all the time. People or circumstances ask us to behave in ways different from what God asks of us. But is it right in the eyes of God for us to obey the world, society, our friends, our family, rather than him? Would God like it if we ignored him in order to do what our friends, our family, our culture says we should do? If we really believe that God is real, we must consider this. If God is more to us than a nice idea, then is it right in the eyes of God for us to obey anyone rather than him?
I Chronicles 5
Acts 4:13-31
Focus:
Acts 4:19a:"But Peter and John replied: 'Is it right in the eyes of God for us to obey you rather than him?'"
After Peter and John had brought about the healing of a man over 40 years old who had been unable to walk since birth, they were arrested and put in prison overnight. The authorities did not like it that this healing had been done in the name of Jesus, but did not feel they had the power to punish Peter and John, since the people were favorably impressed by the healing. So they just told Peter and John not to speak in the name of Jesus again.
Peter and John were not intimidated. Their loyalty was to a greater power. They said, basically, "Do you think God would like it if we ignored him in order to do what you say? Would he approve of what we were doing if we behaved that way?"
That kind of choice is before us all the time. People or circumstances ask us to behave in ways different from what God asks of us. But is it right in the eyes of God for us to obey the world, society, our friends, our family, rather than him? Would God like it if we ignored him in order to do what our friends, our family, our culture says we should do? If we really believe that God is real, we must consider this. If God is more to us than a nice idea, then is it right in the eyes of God for us to obey anyone rather than him?
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