Read Pr. 21:18
This is a very interesting verse. This is what it says in the King James: "The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright." I looked up the meaning of the word "ransom" and it is the same meaning as the word "pitch" which was used when Noah made the ark. He was told to put pitch on the outside walls and pitch on the inside walls only the word "pitch" used on the inside walls means "to make atonement, cleanse, forgive, reconcile, pardon, mercy, reconcile". And the word used for "pitch" on the outside means the same as the word "ransom" which is "bribe, satisfaction, sum of money". So for those of us "in the ark" - in Jesus, we are covered with mercy and forgiveness. Those "outside the ark" - outside of Jesus, they are judged by the law. If you live by the law you will be judged by the law and no one is sinless. Those who live by grace will be pardoned by that same grace. It reminds me of the line in "National Treasure" where the FBI officer told Nicholas Cage, "someone's got to go to jail". Well, in this case, someone's got to die eternally for sin.
Lord, once again we are reminded of the marvelous grace we are covered with.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wed.'s Devo - The True Riches
Read Pr. 21:17
The person who loves pleasure over work will end up poor. The person who loves all the things money can buy will not be rich either. The way to get rich is to work hard and the way to enjoy it is to put God first and give your money to his lordship. In Deut. 8:18 Moses told the children of Israel that it is the Lord that gives them the power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto their fathers. God can give us the power to get wealth but it is for his purpose. He wants to see the whole world saved so he needs someone he can trust with money to see this done. Being rich means so much more than having an abundance of money. Many a rich man has died poor. They had lots of material assets but no true happiness or joy and no true friend. Many a poor man has died rich. They might not have owned anything of worth but they had true joy and friendships and love. We are living for eternity so we should be storing up riches in heaven more than here on earth. The true riches are eternal life and a relationship with Jesus that no money can buy.
Lord, give us a heart for eternity.
The person who loves pleasure over work will end up poor. The person who loves all the things money can buy will not be rich either. The way to get rich is to work hard and the way to enjoy it is to put God first and give your money to his lordship. In Deut. 8:18 Moses told the children of Israel that it is the Lord that gives them the power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto their fathers. God can give us the power to get wealth but it is for his purpose. He wants to see the whole world saved so he needs someone he can trust with money to see this done. Being rich means so much more than having an abundance of money. Many a rich man has died poor. They had lots of material assets but no true happiness or joy and no true friend. Many a poor man has died rich. They might not have owned anything of worth but they had true joy and friendships and love. We are living for eternity so we should be storing up riches in heaven more than here on earth. The true riches are eternal life and a relationship with Jesus that no money can buy.
Lord, give us a heart for eternity.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Tues.'s Devo - The Aliens -
Read Pr. 21:16
What is the "congregation of the dead"? It seems that they are the people that were not born again on earth so they live in a community in Hades under the earth waiting to be judged. The sad thing is that there are people all around us living in a state of death - spiritual death. I can not remember not knowing Jesus so I don't know what it feels like to not have any hope however I do remember not being sure if I would go to heaven. I didn't have a true understanding of God's grace, but I do now. We are to live in a state of death - death to flesh- here on earth but very much alive in the spirit. So much so that we should shine. Our life should make people refreshed by being around us and cause them to want what we have. I had a dream the other night that I was talking to a guy who told me he was an alien. I knew this was a bad thing. He revealed to me that the people around us were too. I realize now that it meant he was a non-believer. God called the people who were not Israelites: aliens. He told them love the stranger because they were strangers in the land of Egypt. We are aliens; strangers in this world where our home is heaven.
Lord, give us discernment to know the children from the aliens that we might bring life to the aliens and refresh the children.
What is the "congregation of the dead"? It seems that they are the people that were not born again on earth so they live in a community in Hades under the earth waiting to be judged. The sad thing is that there are people all around us living in a state of death - spiritual death. I can not remember not knowing Jesus so I don't know what it feels like to not have any hope however I do remember not being sure if I would go to heaven. I didn't have a true understanding of God's grace, but I do now. We are to live in a state of death - death to flesh- here on earth but very much alive in the spirit. So much so that we should shine. Our life should make people refreshed by being around us and cause them to want what we have. I had a dream the other night that I was talking to a guy who told me he was an alien. I knew this was a bad thing. He revealed to me that the people around us were too. I realize now that it meant he was a non-believer. God called the people who were not Israelites: aliens. He told them love the stranger because they were strangers in the land of Egypt. We are aliens; strangers in this world where our home is heaven.
Lord, give us discernment to know the children from the aliens that we might bring life to the aliens and refresh the children.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Mon.'s Devo - What Can We Do?
Read Pr. 21:13-15
God has a lot to say about the poor and helpless. It is our responsibility to respond to the needs of them. We can't stop world hunger or adopt every parent-less child but we can do what God puts on our heart to do. If we purposely try to ignore what is right in front of us then we will be ignored when we need help. If we give what we can with no strings attached then it will pacify God's anger toward injustice. If our gift is a true gift from our hearts and it costs us something then it is even more powerful in pleasing God and causing mercy to flow rather than judgment. Every nation will be judged on this matter: how we dealt with the poor and helpless in our nation. The next verse lets us know the heart of God . It will bring joy to the just at the time of judgment because he will be remembered for what he did. He will see the wicked condemned for all their hatred and malicious evil. It will be a joy to see the devil and his works thrown into the lake of fire. God hates evil but loves righteousness.
Lord, open our eyes to the helpless and needy and show us what seed to sow in their garden.
God has a lot to say about the poor and helpless. It is our responsibility to respond to the needs of them. We can't stop world hunger or adopt every parent-less child but we can do what God puts on our heart to do. If we purposely try to ignore what is right in front of us then we will be ignored when we need help. If we give what we can with no strings attached then it will pacify God's anger toward injustice. If our gift is a true gift from our hearts and it costs us something then it is even more powerful in pleasing God and causing mercy to flow rather than judgment. Every nation will be judged on this matter: how we dealt with the poor and helpless in our nation. The next verse lets us know the heart of God . It will bring joy to the just at the time of judgment because he will be remembered for what he did. He will see the wicked condemned for all their hatred and malicious evil. It will be a joy to see the devil and his works thrown into the lake of fire. God hates evil but loves righteousness.
Lord, open our eyes to the helpless and needy and show us what seed to sow in their garden.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Fri's Devo - The Wicked
Read Pro. 21:10-12
Have you ever wondered who the wicked are? I do. Why did God tell the children of Israel to kill the inhabitants of the Promise land instead of telling them to tell them about him? Are they descendants of Cain or Lot or the offspring of Gen. 6 when the angels of Satan came and had sex with women on earth and bore children? Jesus had no compassion or mercy for the scribes and Pharisees and even said in his sermon on the Mount: "Don't give that which is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine least they trample you under their feet and turn again and rend you." (Matt. 7:6) Research shows that a psychopath is born that way and has not be know to be able to be rehabilitated. But then there is Rahab and Ruth and Son of Sam who have all come out of those categories. I don't understand election but I know that there is a chosen generation and if you want to be one of them you can. Jesus died for the whole world and became sin for us. In order to be able to be pure and righteous we must be born again. The soul of the wicked desires evil but the soul of the righteous desires righteousness. We become wiser by watching how God deals with others and how he teaches us. If we are teachable then we will become wise. We are told not to worry about the tares growing with the wheat because God is the judge who will sift that in the end.
Lord, show us your heart and let us participate with you today.
Have you ever wondered who the wicked are? I do. Why did God tell the children of Israel to kill the inhabitants of the Promise land instead of telling them to tell them about him? Are they descendants of Cain or Lot or the offspring of Gen. 6 when the angels of Satan came and had sex with women on earth and bore children? Jesus had no compassion or mercy for the scribes and Pharisees and even said in his sermon on the Mount: "Don't give that which is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine least they trample you under their feet and turn again and rend you." (Matt. 7:6) Research shows that a psychopath is born that way and has not be know to be able to be rehabilitated. But then there is Rahab and Ruth and Son of Sam who have all come out of those categories. I don't understand election but I know that there is a chosen generation and if you want to be one of them you can. Jesus died for the whole world and became sin for us. In order to be able to be pure and righteous we must be born again. The soul of the wicked desires evil but the soul of the righteous desires righteousness. We become wiser by watching how God deals with others and how he teaches us. If we are teachable then we will become wise. We are told not to worry about the tares growing with the wheat because God is the judge who will sift that in the end.
Lord, show us your heart and let us participate with you today.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Thurs.'s Devo -Find Your Space
Read Pr. 21:9
The difference between a corner of a rooftop and a wide house is space. Verse 9 says that it is better to occupy and rule a little space and have peace than to live is a large place and have to deal with contention and strife. Put another way: it is better to be hidden and safe than to want to be famous and have to put up with all the trappings that comes with it. If God wants us to be famous and a platform person then he will enable us and prepare us for it. If we aren't suppose to be that person but try to be it anyway we will end up most unhappy. God made us for where we are to function the best. I just read about the children of Israel and the tribes of Gad and Manasseh that didn't want to live in the Promise Land. They were sheep herders and saw that the land on the other side of the Jordan was good for raising sheep. They promised that if they could build houses for their wives and children on the fertile side of the Jordan then they would send their fighting men over with the other tribes and help them fight and possess their land, then they would go back and live with their families. God let them do it. It takes a mature person to realize their place in the body. Maybe it is to just help someone else's ministry or be an encourager. Not everyone is born to be a leader in the big picture though we are all to lead something and all have very important things to contribute to God and this world.
The difference between a corner of a rooftop and a wide house is space. Verse 9 says that it is better to occupy and rule a little space and have peace than to live is a large place and have to deal with contention and strife. Put another way: it is better to be hidden and safe than to want to be famous and have to put up with all the trappings that comes with it. If God wants us to be famous and a platform person then he will enable us and prepare us for it. If we aren't suppose to be that person but try to be it anyway we will end up most unhappy. God made us for where we are to function the best. I just read about the children of Israel and the tribes of Gad and Manasseh that didn't want to live in the Promise Land. They were sheep herders and saw that the land on the other side of the Jordan was good for raising sheep. They promised that if they could build houses for their wives and children on the fertile side of the Jordan then they would send their fighting men over with the other tribes and help them fight and possess their land, then they would go back and live with their families. God let them do it. It takes a mature person to realize their place in the body. Maybe it is to just help someone else's ministry or be an encourager. Not everyone is born to be a leader in the big picture though we are all to lead something and all have very important things to contribute to God and this world.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Wed.'s Devo- Pure Hearts
Read Pr. 21:3-8
God is not looking for a payoff - he wants our heart. He would rather us live rightly and fairly than to fast and sacrifice our time. The priests of the Old Testament went to great lengths to fulfill the written law but did their lives and hearts didn't reflect the heart of God? Some did and some didn't. We can go to great lengths to clean the outside of our lives but it is the inside that God is interested in. The scribes and Pharisees looked good on the outside but inside they were full of extortion and excess. Jesus told them to cleanse the inside first and then the outside would be clean also.
God hates pride and arrogance. Even the hard work of those that are wicked is sin. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit. But the work of the person who plans and puts time and prayer into their endeavors will be prosperous and successful. You must have patience and wait on God's timing. Those who are in a hurry to get rich or try to sham people end up in want and eventually eternal death. It is our nature to sin but when God rebirths us through the blood of Jesus he changes our nature to be pure.
Lord, help us to have pure hearts before you so that it is reflected in all that we do.
God is not looking for a payoff - he wants our heart. He would rather us live rightly and fairly than to fast and sacrifice our time. The priests of the Old Testament went to great lengths to fulfill the written law but did their lives and hearts didn't reflect the heart of God? Some did and some didn't. We can go to great lengths to clean the outside of our lives but it is the inside that God is interested in. The scribes and Pharisees looked good on the outside but inside they were full of extortion and excess. Jesus told them to cleanse the inside first and then the outside would be clean also.
God hates pride and arrogance. Even the hard work of those that are wicked is sin. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit. But the work of the person who plans and puts time and prayer into their endeavors will be prosperous and successful. You must have patience and wait on God's timing. Those who are in a hurry to get rich or try to sham people end up in want and eventually eternal death. It is our nature to sin but when God rebirths us through the blood of Jesus he changes our nature to be pure.
Lord, help us to have pure hearts before you so that it is reflected in all that we do.
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