| Latest Thoughts of the Day |
| Proverbs 22:4 |
| 3/4/2015 |
Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.
The best life is the God-fearing life. The wealth He gives adds no sorrow with it. The honor He gives is in the eyes of those who know what honor is. The life He gives is eternal. Humility is what we ought to feel, considering our state before Him, and knowing Him generates a holy fear. All is of God, who has opened our eyes and changed our hearts by His Holy Spirit . What He gives is more real than anything the world can even offer. Lord, help us to walk in Your fear, recognizing our own unworthiness of all that you have given. Enrich us according to Your gracious purposes. We feel rich already. It is an honor to know You. We rejoice to live before You all our days. Praise King Jesus!
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| Psalm 48:8 |
| 3/3/2015 |
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever.
We have read of glorious times when God has undertaken to preserve His people against astonishing dangers. We have heard of His defeating terrible foes. We have read of amazing conversions of powerful enemies, and the taking away of persons who threaten. We have seen this in the church, as well. Individual congregations face terrible struggles from without, when false teachers bring influence to bear. Enemies rise up from within to shake a congregation. But we have seen God undertake, and we exist today because He has been our protector. The spiritual enemies to God’s church are the same in every age. Without His protection none of us would stand. O LORD, keep a canopy of protection over us, for Jesus’ sake!
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| Job 9:24 |
| 3/2/2015 |
When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it?
God does not consider it sin for us to be honest with our objections. Job knows that he is seeing things from his own point-of-view, but this is the way he sees it. Injustice takes place. God does not stop it. How do we get God “off the hook?” Job does not feel he must get God “off the hook”. He brings his complaint to God and waits for God to solve it. The boldness of Job’s challenge was a shock to his hearers, and is a bit of a shock to us. Lord, help us to be honest with You. We are troubled by some things that happen. Help us to leave the ball in Your court and trust. Jesus shows us Your love.
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| Esther 1:13 |
| 3/1/2015 |
Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the laws,
The king was “furious, and he burned with anger”, but he consulted the experts before he acted. He knew that his actions would have consequences that would affect every level of government, and it was best to be sure before he responded to the impulse of anger that he felt. This aspect of common sense was doubtless one of the reasons he was in power at all. Even in our anger, we must consider the consequences of what we do. Seeing the perspective of others is the part of wisdom. Lord, You have said that in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Help us, even in times of anger, to seek Your wisdom. Help us to consult Jesus first of all.
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| Nehemiah 9:33 |
| 2/28/2015 |
In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong.
Nehemiah has been leading the people in a very long prayer. He has recounted the history of Israel’s response to God, and has highlighted the repeated failures of the people to honor God, along with God’s repeated displays of mercy. His purpose is to lead the people to a formal commitment to change their ways and actually to serve the Lord with their lives. The leaders sign the agreement, and probably mean to do what they have promised. But, of course, Israel will fail again. Even today, we can say to God that the calamity we have brought on ourselves is our fault—that He has been faithful. Lord, we want to serve you today. Help us, that we not fail. Jesus, be our strength and shield and guide.
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| Ezra 5:17 |
| 2/27/2015 |
Now if it pleases the king, let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to see if King Cyrus did in fact issue a decree to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us the decision in this matter.
Even 2500 years ago, men had the ability to record events and access the records for future reference. It was mainly used for kings. In the 21st century the skill of recording and accessing records on everything an individual person has done has reached astonishing proportions. The God who gave men this ability has it in Himself . He has told us that even every idle word is recorded, that we may answer for it in the Great Day. All will be known then. Lord, forgive us our sins and make us ready for all to be known, for Jesus’ sake.
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| 2 Chronicles 21:20 |
| 2/26/2015 |
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
Jehoram was one of the bad kings who led Judah astray, following after the practices of Israel. When he ascended the throne he had all his brothers killed. During the eight years he reigned, civil war and foreign attack plagued the country, and Jehoram himself was afflicted with what seems to have been bowel cancer. He was a terrible bother until he finally died, and when he died no one mourned him. Lord, deliver us from a selfish, stupid, wasted life. Help us labor to strengthen Your kingdom, and help us walk in Your way. Deliver us from our own selfishness and pride, for the glory of Jesus.
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| 1 Chronicles 7:24 |
| 2/25/2015 |
His daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon as well as Uzzen Sheerah.
Personal family disappointments and tragedies mark the life of Ephriam, but hope was born again in the new son that was born to them. Meanwhile, one of his daughters excelled in a remarkable way. The daughter, Sheerah, is given credit for three major building projects. Usually women are entirely overlooked in the accounts of such things, but here Sheerah appears in a place of ingenuity, resourcefulness, accomplishment and success. The account goes on to emphasize the men because of their existence. This woman has been listed because of her accomplishments. Much of history goes on behind the scenes. We appreciate seeing this glimpse of ingenuity and resourcefulness in a woman in an otherwise obscure family. Lord, there are many in our day accomplishing significant achievements but remaining unnoticed. Encourage them today.
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