THE GOD WHO SEES ME

THE GOD WHO SEES ME http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com A Devotional Prayer Journal Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:27:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.png THE GOD WHO SEES ME http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com GOD’S GREATER PLAN http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/gods-greater-plan/ http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/gods-greater-plan/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:27:36 +0000 devotionalprayerjournal http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/?p=420 Continue reading →]]> SAMSON

[32]

Read Judges 13–16

Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines. Judges 15:20 NIV

* * *

Israel’s history continued in the cycle of disobedience, judgment, and crying out for deliverance. Then, once again, the Lord would provide a judge to lead the nation to victory. Samson’s story is interesting, not because of his role as a judge, but because of his supernatural strength. He was a man with serious character flaws–who often behaved foolishly–yet God still used him to carry out His sovereign plan.

Israel’s primary struggle at this time was in the spiritual realm, between the One True God and Dagon, the demonic idol the Philistines worshiped. God’s plan would prevail, in spite of Samson’s moral failures, and his tragic end brought victory for Israel against the Philistines.

* * *

Lord, help me to remember that life is not all about me and mine. It’s also about Your plan for my church, neighborhood, community, country and the world. Give me an obedient heart so that my character will reflect your love for the world, not be conformed to it. May Your will be done “on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

* * *

“I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth.” Psalm 135:5-6 NIV

]]> http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/gods-greater-plan/feed/ 0 devotionalprayerjournal GIDEON http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/gideon/ http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/gideon/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:06:52 +0000 devotionalprayerjournal http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/?p=417 Continue reading →]]> WHY HAS THIS HAPPENED?

[31]

Read Judges 6–7

When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” “But sir,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?” Judges 6:12 13 NIV

* * *

For seven years God had allowed the Midianites to attack Israel, and they so “impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.” (6:6) Israel had repeatedly returned to idolatry, followed by defeat and desperate prayers for help–then God would send a leader to deliver them from their enemies. Once again God listened to their cry, and this time, His choice of a deliverer was a young man named Gideon.

The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon saying, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” Surprised by this greeting, Gideon questioned, “If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?”

Gideon could not understand how God was going to use him, the youngest member of his family in the smallest tribe, to lead Israel to victory. The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have…Am I not sending you?” (6:13–14)

* * *

Lord, like Gideon, sometimes we don’t understand why certain things happen the way they do. But I know that You have promised never to leave or forsake us. Give us the faith to trust Your provision and strength in our lives, even when we cannot see how You are going to do it.

* * *

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5–6 NKJ

]]> http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/gideon/feed/ 0 devotionalprayerjournal CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/choose-this-day-whom-you-will-serve/ http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/choose-this-day-whom-you-will-serve/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:49:52 +0000 devotionalprayerjournal http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/?p=408 Continue reading →]]> JOSHUA’S FINAL WORDS

[30]
Read Joshua 24; Judges 2:1-10

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 NIV

* * *

Just before he died, Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel together and they presented themselves before God. In the exact words of the Lord, Joshua reviewed all God had done since He brought them out of Egypt. Then Joshua said, “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness…But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14–15)

God had kept all of His promises, but Joshua knew the people would persist in turning to their false gods. After Joshua’s generation passed away, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10) The older generation served the Lord, but failed to tell their children the stories of what God had done.

* * *

Lord, help us to remember to talk of your love and faithfulness to our children and to remind them often of the responsibility they will have in telling their children. Don’t let it be said of anyone in our family that they “neither knew the Lord nor what He had done for their parents.”

* * *

Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the LORD had done for Israel. Joshua 24:31 NIV

]]> http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/choose-this-day-whom-you-will-serve/feed/ 0 devotionalprayerjournal KEEPING PROMISES http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/keeping-promises/ http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/keeping-promises/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:37:13 +0000 devotionalprayerjournal http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/?p=379 Continue reading →]]> THE SUN STOOD STILL

[29]
Read Joshua 9:1–10:14

The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.

Joshua 10:6 NIV

* * *

When the Gibeonites heard about Israel’s miraculous victories at Jericho and Ai, they resorted to a ruse: They pretended to be traveling from a distant country when in fact they were near neighbors. They said, “This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is.” The men of Israel sampled their provisions “but did not inquire of the LORD.” (Joshua 9:14) Then Joshua signed a treaty with them and the leaders ratified it by oath.

In spite of the questionable way this treaty came about, God expected Israel to honor it. The Lord worked a mighty miracle on the day the Israelites defended the Gibeonites’: The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day till the nation avenged itself on its enemies. (Joshua 10:13)

* * *

Lord, help me to be careful when making promises and faithful to keep them, especially to my children–remembering that You are a covenant keeping God. “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV)

* * *

There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel! Joshua 10:14 NIV

]]> http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/keeping-promises/feed/ 0 devotionalprayerjournal WHAT DO THESE STONES MEAN? http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/369/ http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/369/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 17:36:15 +0000 devotionalprayerjournal http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/?p=369 Continue reading →]]> THE JORDON RIVER

[28]

Read Joshua 3:1–4:24

“In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them… ‘The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea.’” Joshua 4:21–23 NIV

* * *

The people Joshua was called to lead had not experienced the miracle at the Red Sea. They had heard the stories, but now they themselves watched as God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea. No sooner had the priests set their feet on dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before. (Joshua 4:18b)

Later at Gilgal, Joshua took twelve stones and set them up as a memorial. Then he spoke to the people saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall let your children know saying… ‘The LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over’… that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty,
that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” (Joshua 4:21–24 NKJV)

We can never overestimate the importance of teaching our children what God has done. When they love and serve the Lord, our own influence will be multiplied many times over – but if we fail to pass on our faith, no other ministry will make up for the personal loss.

Lord, help us to find “stones of remembrance” that will serve as object lessons for our children. Give us thankful hearts to acknowledge You in everything we do.

* * *

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV

]]> http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/369/feed/ 0 devotionalprayerjournal GIVE GLORY TO GOD http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/give-glory-to-god/ http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/give-glory-to-god/#comments Sat, 07 May 2011 15:25:50 +0000 devotionalprayerjournal http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/?p=362 Continue reading →]]> THE DEATH OF MOSES

[27]

Read Numbers 20:1–12; Deuteronomy 32:48–52; 34:1–8; Matthew 17:1–8

Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land I promised… I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will
not cross over into it.” Deuteronomy 34:4 NIV

* * *

Moses was a leader and prophet like no other, but in his anger at the people he made a fatal mistake: God had instructed Moses, “Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water.” But instead of speaking to the rock, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff and said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:8, 10) God was the miracle worker and Moses failed to give Him the glory – an offence which shortened his life.

The good news is that this is not the end of Moses’ story. We see him again in the New Testament on the Mount of Transfiguration speaking with Elijah and Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, If you wish, I will put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them and a Voice said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. Matthew 17:4–5, 8

* * *

Thank You Lord that Your plan for us goes far beyond this life, and that Jesus paid the price for all the times we have failed to honor You. One day we will stand with Moses and Elijah and all of those who have trusted in You. In that day, with sins forgiven, we will give all the glory to You.

* * *

They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power…” Revelation 4:10b–11a NIV

]]> http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/give-glory-to-god/feed/ 0 devotionalprayerjournal THROUGH THE BIBLE – DEUTERONOMY http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/through-the-bible-deuteronomy/ http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/through-the-bible-deuteronomy/#comments Mon, 02 May 2011 04:07:05 +0000 devotionalprayerjournal http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/?p=360 Continue reading →]]> THE LIVING BREAD

THROUGH THE BIBLE – Deuteronomy

Read Deuteronomy 8; Luke 4:1–13; John 6:26-66

“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna…to teach you that man does not live on
bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV

* * *

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, where he fasted and prayed for forty days. At the end of that time,
when he was hungry, Satan said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” (Luke 4:3) Jesus answered by quoting Moses, “It is written: Man does not live on bread alone.”

Jesus referred to the story of Moses again when speaking to the Jews, “Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died…I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” After he had said this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. (John 6:49, 51,
66) They refused to eat the true Bread of Life coming from the mouth of the Lord.

* * *

Dear Jesus, help me remember that You said, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which
endures to everlasting life.” (John 6:27 NKJV) Lord, You are the One who provides our daily bread. Help us trust in Your daily provision, even as we trust You for everlasting life.

* * *

“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But
remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to producewealth.” Deuteronomy 8:17 18 NIV

]]> http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/through-the-bible-deuteronomy/feed/ 0 devotionalprayerjournal http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/356/ http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/356/#comments Wed, 27 Apr 2011 03:56:26 +0000 devotionalprayerjournal http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/?p=356 Continue reading →]]> MAY IS ON ITS WAY

For the past month I have been
posting devotions based on the gospel accounts leading up to the crucifixion and
resurrection of our Lord. Now I will return to the Old Testament readings where
we left off in the middle of March in the book of Deuteronomy.
I always enjoy taking a break at
the holidays and remembering the stories of Jesus, both His birth and His
resurrection. And there is so much more to be found in this wonderful inspired
Word of God. The Old Testament sets the foundation of our knowledge of God’s
wonderful plan of redemption. The prophets of old looked forward to the cross,
just as we look back. They also looked forward to the glorious appearing of
Jesus as we do today.
My devotional readings are
primarily focused on people and how their lives are an example for us today,
both good and evil. As you read through the Bible, look for promises, commands,
and timeless principles which can be prayerfully applied today. God speaks to us
mostly through the written Word of God and it takes time to
listen.
I pray that each of you, my readers,

will be as blessed by our journey through the
Bible as I have been and continue to be. I can think of no other gift I could
give to you that would be more valuable. Now as we get ready to move into May, I
am anticipating and asking for God’s special blessing on all of us.

]]> http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/356/feed/ 0 devotionalprayerjournal HE DIED WILLINGLY http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/he-died-willingly/ http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/he-died-willingly/#comments Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:17:38 +0000 devotionalprayerjournal http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/?p=353 Continue reading →]]> TAKE A SWORD

Read: Luke 22:35-53

He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell
your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36 NIV

* * *

It has been obvious up to this point that everything Jesus did had a purpose and was part of His Father’s plan. Just prior to entering the Garden of Gethsemane for prayer, He gave the apostles specific instruction to sell their cloaks and buy a sword. They must have thought they were preparing to fight for the Kingdom. But Jesus had a plan they never could have guessed. They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.”
And He said to them, “It is enough.” (22:38)

* * *

After a night of prayer in the garden; a contingency of soldiers and religious leaders came to arrest Jesus. When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them (Peter) struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. (22:49-50) What happened next would show everyone that Jesus laid down his life willingly – it wasn’t taken from Him. Jesus said, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him. ( 22:51)

* * *

Dear Lord, I am unable to comprehend the love that motivated You to give Your only begotten Son to make such a sacrifice. That He was willing to leave the glory of Heaven for this very purpose, is more than any of us can understand. He willingly laid down His life so that we too could look forward to the glories of Heaven. At this time as we prepare to celebrate the ressurection of our Lord, I want to say how very thankful I am. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

* * *

Jesus said to him … “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
Matthew 26:53-54 NIV

]]> http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/he-died-willingly/feed/ 0 devotionalprayerjournal THE BREAD OF LIFE http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/04/08/the-bread-of-life/ http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/2011/04/08/the-bread-of-life/#comments Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:32:44 +0000 devotionalprayerjournal http://devotionalprayerjournal.wordpress.com/?p=350 Continue reading →]]> THE TURNING POINT

Read John 6:22–71

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

* * *

The crowds saw the disciples get into their boat and leave; but Jesus was not with them. They followed the disciples to the other side of the lake, not knowing that Jesus had walked on water to get there.

This was the dramatic moment when He would reveal to them who He really was, and that He knew who they really were: “I tell you the truth; you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” (6:26)

Then Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (6:51 )

This declaration of His coming death was the turning point: From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. (John 6:66)

* * *

Lord, it is hard to believe so many would be willing to benefit from Your miraculous provision, and yet not embrace You as Savior. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sin and for the daily miracle of life which comes from You.

* * *

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:67-68

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[29] Read Joshua 9:1–10:14

[27]

[29]
Read Joshua 9:1–10:14