Read Daniel 5:1-4
Belshazzar had a tenuous reign in Babylon. His father, Nabonidus, was the real king but because he was away often in Arabia on long military campaigns he set up Belshazzar as the vice regent in Babylon.
Unlike the great and revered King Nebuchadnezzar, who had earned and won his kingship, Belshazzar probably felt that he had to prove himself. The huge banquet may have been an attempt to impress and seal his rule over the kingdom. In this vein, Belshazzar had the gold and silver goblets (which were taken from the temple in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar) and he used them as part of his revelry. What was Belshazzar doing? Showing contempt and disregard to the great King Nebuchadnezzar and throwing down the gauntlet before the one true living God, Yahweh Himself. This is borne out in vs 4 - they gave praise to the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron and wood and stone. Any material that could be used to carve a statue was praised and honoured in defiance of the first and second commandment Yahweh had given His people. And so began a contest of superiority and greatness. Belshazzar was claiming to be the greatest, even against Nebuchadnezzar the great king and Yahweh, the one true living God.
Far too many believers end up in a mess (think of all the Christian youth that have ended up in a tragic situation) simply because they felt that they had to prove themselves. In God’s eyes you have nothing to prove. He loves you as you are. He has called you into His Kingdom and has lavished His love upon you through the cross and resurrection of Christ Jesus. God does not want you to do stupid or risky things to prove yourself. He wants you to strive for holiness. He wants you to work hard at doing what is pleasing, right and good in the Lord’s eyes. And to make it possible for you to do this very thing, He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell with each and every single person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer:-
þ Pray for Jim and Faye Lyons and their Straight Talk Ministry. Ask God to bring blessing and a great harvest through their work. Ask the Lord to allow many students to come into the Kingdom through their work.
þ Continue to pray for the work of OMF and for Cecily Moar.
Monday, 28 February 2011
Saturday, 26 February 2011
February 26, 2011
Read Daniel 4. James 4:1-10
Our God can humble even the hardest of hearts. Think back to Pharaoh in the book of Exodus as the great king battled the God of the Hebrews. Through 10 mighty plagues Pharaoh was completely humbled. The nations that pitted themselves against the Israelite army were humbled by defeat. Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by being thrown out with the animals and spending a season with them as a ‘animal’. Saul, the proud and arrogant Pharisee, was humbled by his meeting with Jesus on the Damascus road. God, our God, can humble the hardest of hearts.
Our God loves humility, true deep humility that comes from a pure heart. True humility cannot be feigned or acted out. It flows outward from an inner condition. Any other kind of humility is 10% hum and 90% bull! True humility stands out for Jesus. True humility draws others to Christ.
What does true humility look like? True humility feeds the poor and needy without pomp and ceremony. True humility cleans up after others. It sits by the sick bed and intercedes for the sick and dying. True humility washes the dirty feet of others and allows others to go in front. True humility denies oneself for the sake of others. True humility reaches out in love, compassion and practical love. What does a humble church gathering look like? What services does a humble church provide? How does a humble church reach into the community?
Humility, inner humility begins with seeing ourselves as we really are and seeing our God as He really is. False pretences and wrong teaching lead only to pride. To grow in humility, spend time with God each and every single day and make a point of confessing your sins. Spend time in adoration and praise, worshiping God for who he is and his qualities. As you focus on God, humility will well up within you. It’s hard to proud when you see God for who he is and what he’s done! It’s easy to be humble when you are in a deep and passionate relationship with God.
Prayer:
þ Pray that God would grow your church to be a humble church that powerfully shines the light of Jesus to the world. Pray that each and every person in your church would humbly submit to the Word and live in obedience to it day by day. Pray that God would work powerfully among your gathered congregation tomorrow.
þ Pray that you personally would grow in humility as your own relationship with God increases and deepens. Pray that you would have opportunity to serve others.
Our God can humble even the hardest of hearts. Think back to Pharaoh in the book of Exodus as the great king battled the God of the Hebrews. Through 10 mighty plagues Pharaoh was completely humbled. The nations that pitted themselves against the Israelite army were humbled by defeat. Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by being thrown out with the animals and spending a season with them as a ‘animal’. Saul, the proud and arrogant Pharisee, was humbled by his meeting with Jesus on the Damascus road. God, our God, can humble the hardest of hearts.
Our God loves humility, true deep humility that comes from a pure heart. True humility cannot be feigned or acted out. It flows outward from an inner condition. Any other kind of humility is 10% hum and 90% bull! True humility stands out for Jesus. True humility draws others to Christ.
What does true humility look like? True humility feeds the poor and needy without pomp and ceremony. True humility cleans up after others. It sits by the sick bed and intercedes for the sick and dying. True humility washes the dirty feet of others and allows others to go in front. True humility denies oneself for the sake of others. True humility reaches out in love, compassion and practical love. What does a humble church gathering look like? What services does a humble church provide? How does a humble church reach into the community?
Humility, inner humility begins with seeing ourselves as we really are and seeing our God as He really is. False pretences and wrong teaching lead only to pride. To grow in humility, spend time with God each and every single day and make a point of confessing your sins. Spend time in adoration and praise, worshiping God for who he is and his qualities. As you focus on God, humility will well up within you. It’s hard to proud when you see God for who he is and what he’s done! It’s easy to be humble when you are in a deep and passionate relationship with God.
Prayer:
þ Pray that God would grow your church to be a humble church that powerfully shines the light of Jesus to the world. Pray that each and every person in your church would humbly submit to the Word and live in obedience to it day by day. Pray that God would work powerfully among your gathered congregation tomorrow.
þ Pray that you personally would grow in humility as your own relationship with God increases and deepens. Pray that you would have opportunity to serve others.
Friday, 25 February 2011
February 25 2011
Read Daniel 4:34-37. Romans 11:33-36.
Many people in this world, even believers, have a distorted view of God. Some believers see God as their heavenly physician, only to be called upon when sickness draws near. Others see Him as the eternal ATM, an eternal credit card to use when in need or overwhelmed with covetous desires. In the world God is seen as a teacher of morals, a god among the many gods, and (dare I say) an aged, somewhat senile, grandfather who sits on his rocking chair idly watching the world go by.
The bible paints a very different picture of God. Isaiah saw the Lord in His throne room and fell face down with fear. He declared that he was ruined because of his sin and his people's sins. Daniel saw heavenly beings and again, fell down as though dead. Seeing the Lord is a terrifying thing because of His unimaginable holiness, his incredible majesty. Looking at God would be like looking directly at the sun through the most powerful telescope we have!! Standing before unspeakable glory, dominion and power would, I assure you, leave you speechless and very very afraid.
Nebuchadnezzar captured the sense of God’s brilliance and majesty. He declared that this God, the God of Daniel, does what he pleases. We cannot presume to counsel God or tell Him what to do. We dare not prescribe a course of action for Him to follow. This God does what he pleases. He can set up kings as he wills. He can remove powers and authorities as he sees fit. He can act in ways that contradict our demands or expectations. He can work in ways that we never dreamt of. God can do as he pleases.
All too often I hear believers praying as though they are god! By listening to their prayers, you would be forgiven for thinking that Yahweh is the servant. He is at their beck and call and does as he’s told. Think about your prayers. Are they fitting for the majesty and mighty, holy and righteous God of the universe? Do your prayers show God to be your God not your servant? Do you pray to God with a sense of awe, reverence and fear? Do you let God be God and do as He pleases?
Prayer:
þ Read Psalm 29 or Psalm 136 and spend time in adoration and praise of God for who he is and his qualities. Try hard not to ask for anything at all but simply to praise God, to speak of his might and wonders and deeds.
þ Pray for your church’s gathering this Sonday. Pray that every believer will come along ready to stand before an awesome, holy God and to worship Him as he is, not as we’d like him to be.
þ Pray that Creation Ministries would continue to work for the Lord providing powerful incentives to believe the entire gospel (Genesis to Revelation). Ask God to use them powerfully to bring many into the kingdom and to educate many believers who seem to desire to remove Genesis 1-11 from their bibles.
Many people in this world, even believers, have a distorted view of God. Some believers see God as their heavenly physician, only to be called upon when sickness draws near. Others see Him as the eternal ATM, an eternal credit card to use when in need or overwhelmed with covetous desires. In the world God is seen as a teacher of morals, a god among the many gods, and (dare I say) an aged, somewhat senile, grandfather who sits on his rocking chair idly watching the world go by.
The bible paints a very different picture of God. Isaiah saw the Lord in His throne room and fell face down with fear. He declared that he was ruined because of his sin and his people's sins. Daniel saw heavenly beings and again, fell down as though dead. Seeing the Lord is a terrifying thing because of His unimaginable holiness, his incredible majesty. Looking at God would be like looking directly at the sun through the most powerful telescope we have!! Standing before unspeakable glory, dominion and power would, I assure you, leave you speechless and very very afraid.
Nebuchadnezzar captured the sense of God’s brilliance and majesty. He declared that this God, the God of Daniel, does what he pleases. We cannot presume to counsel God or tell Him what to do. We dare not prescribe a course of action for Him to follow. This God does what he pleases. He can set up kings as he wills. He can remove powers and authorities as he sees fit. He can act in ways that contradict our demands or expectations. He can work in ways that we never dreamt of. God can do as he pleases.
All too often I hear believers praying as though they are god! By listening to their prayers, you would be forgiven for thinking that Yahweh is the servant. He is at their beck and call and does as he’s told. Think about your prayers. Are they fitting for the majesty and mighty, holy and righteous God of the universe? Do your prayers show God to be your God not your servant? Do you pray to God with a sense of awe, reverence and fear? Do you let God be God and do as He pleases?
Prayer:
þ Read Psalm 29 or Psalm 136 and spend time in adoration and praise of God for who he is and his qualities. Try hard not to ask for anything at all but simply to praise God, to speak of his might and wonders and deeds.
þ Pray for your church’s gathering this Sonday. Pray that every believer will come along ready to stand before an awesome, holy God and to worship Him as he is, not as we’d like him to be.
þ Pray that Creation Ministries would continue to work for the Lord providing powerful incentives to believe the entire gospel (Genesis to Revelation). Ask God to use them powerfully to bring many into the kingdom and to educate many believers who seem to desire to remove Genesis 1-11 from their bibles.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
February 24, 2011
Read Daniel 4:28-33. Job 1.
It’s very humbling to realise that the Lord owes me nothing. He didn’t have to save me. He didn’t have to send Jesus to die for my sins. He didn’t have to adopt me into his kingdom as his beloved son. He didn't have to ... but he did.
Even now with all the physical blessings we enjoy we need to remember that the Lord can take it all away. Nebuchadnezzar was told that his authority is taken away from him. Job, the most righteous man of the East, confessed that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. It’s a lot easier to avoid pride, to stop taking things for granted and to be genuinely grateful when we realise that the Lord can take our things away at any moment. King Nebuchadnezzar was proud and arrogant so the Lord took away his authority. God wanted to teach him a lesson and he spent ‘7 times’ with wild animals. He lost everything and was reduced to being less than human. Job learnt that the Lord can do whatever he pleases, even if we don’t understand or agree.
Even though God owes me nothing, he’s given me everything. I owe God everything but have given Him nothing for my salvation. Humbling isn’t it? As we humble ourselves before the Lord and see ourselves as we really are and put all our ‘things’ into their proper perspective we grow in real heartfelt gratitude and humility. It’s when we take this approach to ourselves and our ‘things’ that we can share with a pure heart, give joyfully to the needy and go without for the sake of others. This kind of deep seated generosity flows out of a heart that loves God more than the ‘things’ of this world. Idolatry is pushed out of the heart by a sincere and reverent love for the Lord.
Prayer:
þ Pray that your congregation would be filled with believers who humbly love others and the Lord more than themselves and their things. Pray that this deep seated love for the Lord would lead to a generosity and other centeredness that can only come from the work of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives.
þ Pray for the church in Vietnam. Though religious freedom nominally exists, believers are discriminated against, persecuted and harassed by the authorities. Pray for strong biblical leadership. Pray for a firm, growing faith among believers. Pray that God would bring repentance and faith to many more believers.
þ Pray for the India Mission team. Ask God to bind this team together and to bring unity and oneness. Pray that God would use them powerfully in India to bring blessing, hope and new birth to many. Pray that we as a congregation will be able to support them financially, prayerfully and practically as they plan their mission trip.
It’s very humbling to realise that the Lord owes me nothing. He didn’t have to save me. He didn’t have to send Jesus to die for my sins. He didn’t have to adopt me into his kingdom as his beloved son. He didn't have to ... but he did.
Even now with all the physical blessings we enjoy we need to remember that the Lord can take it all away. Nebuchadnezzar was told that his authority is taken away from him. Job, the most righteous man of the East, confessed that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. It’s a lot easier to avoid pride, to stop taking things for granted and to be genuinely grateful when we realise that the Lord can take our things away at any moment. King Nebuchadnezzar was proud and arrogant so the Lord took away his authority. God wanted to teach him a lesson and he spent ‘7 times’ with wild animals. He lost everything and was reduced to being less than human. Job learnt that the Lord can do whatever he pleases, even if we don’t understand or agree.
Even though God owes me nothing, he’s given me everything. I owe God everything but have given Him nothing for my salvation. Humbling isn’t it? As we humble ourselves before the Lord and see ourselves as we really are and put all our ‘things’ into their proper perspective we grow in real heartfelt gratitude and humility. It’s when we take this approach to ourselves and our ‘things’ that we can share with a pure heart, give joyfully to the needy and go without for the sake of others. This kind of deep seated generosity flows out of a heart that loves God more than the ‘things’ of this world. Idolatry is pushed out of the heart by a sincere and reverent love for the Lord.
Prayer:
þ Pray that your congregation would be filled with believers who humbly love others and the Lord more than themselves and their things. Pray that this deep seated love for the Lord would lead to a generosity and other centeredness that can only come from the work of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives.
þ Pray for the church in Vietnam. Though religious freedom nominally exists, believers are discriminated against, persecuted and harassed by the authorities. Pray for strong biblical leadership. Pray for a firm, growing faith among believers. Pray that God would bring repentance and faith to many more believers.
þ Pray for the India Mission team. Ask God to bind this team together and to bring unity and oneness. Pray that God would use them powerfully in India to bring blessing, hope and new birth to many. Pray that we as a congregation will be able to support them financially, prayerfully and practically as they plan their mission trip.
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
February 23, 2011
Read Daniel 4: 19-27
When the Lord reveals to us a sin in our lives it can be a difficult time. Not only can it be embarrassing but also it can be a slippery road getting back to where we should be.
While the bible talks about repentance, few of us know what that entails. The word repent means to change our heart and our attitude towards some area of our lives. Initial repentance is turning our heart towards God and loving Him rather than choosing to rebel against him. Within the Christian life, having repented and believed in Jesus for our salvation, there is a need for continual repentance as the Lord reveals the sins in our lives. To repent means to think about that issue as the Lord does. If I need to repent of stealing then I admit that stealing is sinful, wrong and an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. I start thinking about stealing the way that the Lord does.
Added to this, we need to consider Daniel 4:27.
Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.
The Lord calls us to renounce our sins, not just in words and in thought, but in actions. We are to do what is right and pleasing to God. as part of our repentance. In Ephesians 4:28 we read a more specific example of this generalisation. The person who has been stealing must work productively with his hands so that he has something to give the needy. If you need to repent, change your heart and mind towards that issue but then also do something productive. In that area or within that issue, do what is right and pleasing to the Lord. What you are doing is replacing the evil in your life with something good. If you were greedy, replace it with generosity. If you were stealing, replace it with giving. If you were cursing, replace it with blessings. If you were lazy, substitute service to the body of Christ. Get the picture??
The worst thing you can do is leave a vacuum of time or period of inactivity in your life. Assuredly that inactivity will be filled with temptation and evil if we fail to fill it with something good and pleasing to the Lord. We need to commit to something positive, pleasing and good with at least as much energy and devotion as we committed to the sin we are repenting of.
Prayer:
þ Pray that our brothers in the bible colleges in Myanmar will see many people repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that they will remain faithful to the task of proclaiming the gospel of Christ Jesus.
þ Pray that God would bring great conviction upon his people at Christlife to repent of their sins. Pray that we would grow in holiness and strive to be Christ-like in all we do, say and think.
When the Lord reveals to us a sin in our lives it can be a difficult time. Not only can it be embarrassing but also it can be a slippery road getting back to where we should be.
While the bible talks about repentance, few of us know what that entails. The word repent means to change our heart and our attitude towards some area of our lives. Initial repentance is turning our heart towards God and loving Him rather than choosing to rebel against him. Within the Christian life, having repented and believed in Jesus for our salvation, there is a need for continual repentance as the Lord reveals the sins in our lives. To repent means to think about that issue as the Lord does. If I need to repent of stealing then I admit that stealing is sinful, wrong and an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. I start thinking about stealing the way that the Lord does.
Added to this, we need to consider Daniel 4:27.
Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.
The Lord calls us to renounce our sins, not just in words and in thought, but in actions. We are to do what is right and pleasing to God. as part of our repentance. In Ephesians 4:28 we read a more specific example of this generalisation. The person who has been stealing must work productively with his hands so that he has something to give the needy. If you need to repent, change your heart and mind towards that issue but then also do something productive. In that area or within that issue, do what is right and pleasing to the Lord. What you are doing is replacing the evil in your life with something good. If you were greedy, replace it with generosity. If you were stealing, replace it with giving. If you were cursing, replace it with blessings. If you were lazy, substitute service to the body of Christ. Get the picture??
The worst thing you can do is leave a vacuum of time or period of inactivity in your life. Assuredly that inactivity will be filled with temptation and evil if we fail to fill it with something good and pleasing to the Lord. We need to commit to something positive, pleasing and good with at least as much energy and devotion as we committed to the sin we are repenting of.
Prayer:
þ Pray that our brothers in the bible colleges in Myanmar will see many people repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that they will remain faithful to the task of proclaiming the gospel of Christ Jesus.
þ Pray that God would bring great conviction upon his people at Christlife to repent of their sins. Pray that we would grow in holiness and strive to be Christ-like in all we do, say and think.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
February 22, 2011
Read Daniel 4:4-18
Pride! Ouch! That word hurts just to hear it doesn’t it? Do you suffer from pride? Do you have pride in your heart? Proverbs 16:18 assures that pride comes before destruction. Proverbs 8:13 assures us that the Lord hates pride.
Pride comes in many shapes and sizes. Often it can even be hidden beneath a false humility. King Nebuchadnezzar had pride in his heart. God had elevated him to King and ruler of the known world. But he was, as verse 4 avers, contented and prosperous. He began to congratulate himself on building a fine kingdom. He was impressed with his own power and achievements. He had forgotten that God gave him everything he had.
How often we can also forget God in our lives. We work hard. We earn and we buy things, often thinking that it’s our work, our money and therefore our things. We forget that the job has been given to us by the Lord. The Lord’s mercy has allowed us to be healthy and to work. The Lord has graciously given us all things, even our very breath. And still quite often, like King Nebuchadnezzar, we feel that temptation to congratulate ourselves, to wallow in our own achievements and to bless ourselves for our hard work and efforts.
How can I work against pride in my own life? There are several ‘good habits’ to get into ward off even the slightest temptation of pride.
1. Take time to thank God privately and publicly for all things you receive even your daily meals. Build habits of thanking God on payday, on your days off, at meal times and so on ... get the picture?
2. Acknowledge God and his goodness to you at every step.
3. Get rid of every thing physical in your life that tempts you towards pride. If your car is a source of pride, trade it in on a lesser vehicle. If your money or pay is causing pride, give substantially more each week in your tithe.
4. Develop your relationship to God by making it a priority to spend quality time with him each and every single day - time to be alone with God for prayer and for reading his word. It’s hard to be proud when you’re close to God.
Prayer:
þ Pray that God would use you to bring light and salvation to others. Pray for 5 other non believers you know by name. Pray that God would bring opportunity to speak the Word into these five people’s lives.
þ Pray for the leaders in your church - pastor, elders, staff, ministry leaders, cell leaders etc. Pray that these men and women would be humble before God, willing to listen to God and willing to put the Word into practice in their own lives first and foremost.
Pride! Ouch! That word hurts just to hear it doesn’t it? Do you suffer from pride? Do you have pride in your heart? Proverbs 16:18 assures that pride comes before destruction. Proverbs 8:13 assures us that the Lord hates pride.
Pride comes in many shapes and sizes. Often it can even be hidden beneath a false humility. King Nebuchadnezzar had pride in his heart. God had elevated him to King and ruler of the known world. But he was, as verse 4 avers, contented and prosperous. He began to congratulate himself on building a fine kingdom. He was impressed with his own power and achievements. He had forgotten that God gave him everything he had.
How often we can also forget God in our lives. We work hard. We earn and we buy things, often thinking that it’s our work, our money and therefore our things. We forget that the job has been given to us by the Lord. The Lord’s mercy has allowed us to be healthy and to work. The Lord has graciously given us all things, even our very breath. And still quite often, like King Nebuchadnezzar, we feel that temptation to congratulate ourselves, to wallow in our own achievements and to bless ourselves for our hard work and efforts.
How can I work against pride in my own life? There are several ‘good habits’ to get into ward off even the slightest temptation of pride.
1. Take time to thank God privately and publicly for all things you receive even your daily meals. Build habits of thanking God on payday, on your days off, at meal times and so on ... get the picture?
2. Acknowledge God and his goodness to you at every step.
3. Get rid of every thing physical in your life that tempts you towards pride. If your car is a source of pride, trade it in on a lesser vehicle. If your money or pay is causing pride, give substantially more each week in your tithe.
4. Develop your relationship to God by making it a priority to spend quality time with him each and every single day - time to be alone with God for prayer and for reading his word. It’s hard to be proud when you’re close to God.
Prayer:
þ Pray that God would use you to bring light and salvation to others. Pray for 5 other non believers you know by name. Pray that God would bring opportunity to speak the Word into these five people’s lives.
þ Pray for the leaders in your church - pastor, elders, staff, ministry leaders, cell leaders etc. Pray that these men and women would be humble before God, willing to listen to God and willing to put the Word into practice in their own lives first and foremost.
Monday, 21 February 2011
February 21, 2011
Read Daniel 4:1-3
How incredible is our God! How amazing is the God we worship! How awe inspiring is our Lord and Saviour!
King Nebuchadnezzar captured this sense of our God as God worked in his life and brought great signs and wonders to bear in his life. You and I have greater signs and wonders and have even more reasons to declare His praises to the world around us.
As we live this side of the cross we have seen the greatest miracle, the miracle of all miracles, the resurrection of Christ Jesus. God, the holy and righteous God, has sent his one and only Son into a rebellious and undeserving world, not to bring condemnation but to bring salvation. Jesus has come so that you and I can avoid condemnation and receive hope, mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. You and I stand in awe of God because God has reached down to us in love. He has down what we (or no other person) could ever do - keep the righteous requirements of God’s law and offer to God the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. God has washed us clean and secured for each believer a place in eternity by His side.
As you walk out the door each morning, do you walk out with a sense of awe and wonder? Do you walk with a spring in your step knowing that this holy and righteous God is with you? Do you sing and make music in your heart to the Lord because he has drawn you near to Himself? Do you open your mouth and declare his praises at every opportunity? Out of our love for God we can sing his praises even when life doesn’t go the way we expected. We can offer the sacrifice of praise even if the bills mount up and work isn’t bringing in as much money as we’d like. We can declare the wonders of our God even when our kids turn and walk a slippery path.
Prayer:
þ Spend time praising God.
þ Pray for the work of Straight Talk. Ask God to bless Jim and Faye with all they need to continue ministering to school students. Pray that many will not only make a pledge of abstinence but also that many would come to Christ for salvation.
þ Pray for David and Kirsty Richards in New Zealand as they work among uni students. Pray that God would open many doors for evangelism and discipleship. Pray that the Lord would bless their ministry and encourage them through conversions and growth in new Christians.
How incredible is our God! How amazing is the God we worship! How awe inspiring is our Lord and Saviour!
King Nebuchadnezzar captured this sense of our God as God worked in his life and brought great signs and wonders to bear in his life. You and I have greater signs and wonders and have even more reasons to declare His praises to the world around us.
As we live this side of the cross we have seen the greatest miracle, the miracle of all miracles, the resurrection of Christ Jesus. God, the holy and righteous God, has sent his one and only Son into a rebellious and undeserving world, not to bring condemnation but to bring salvation. Jesus has come so that you and I can avoid condemnation and receive hope, mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. You and I stand in awe of God because God has reached down to us in love. He has down what we (or no other person) could ever do - keep the righteous requirements of God’s law and offer to God the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. God has washed us clean and secured for each believer a place in eternity by His side.
As you walk out the door each morning, do you walk out with a sense of awe and wonder? Do you walk with a spring in your step knowing that this holy and righteous God is with you? Do you sing and make music in your heart to the Lord because he has drawn you near to Himself? Do you open your mouth and declare his praises at every opportunity? Out of our love for God we can sing his praises even when life doesn’t go the way we expected. We can offer the sacrifice of praise even if the bills mount up and work isn’t bringing in as much money as we’d like. We can declare the wonders of our God even when our kids turn and walk a slippery path.
Prayer:
þ Spend time praising God.
þ Pray for the work of Straight Talk. Ask God to bless Jim and Faye with all they need to continue ministering to school students. Pray that many will not only make a pledge of abstinence but also that many would come to Christ for salvation.
þ Pray for David and Kirsty Richards in New Zealand as they work among uni students. Pray that God would open many doors for evangelism and discipleship. Pray that the Lord would bless their ministry and encourage them through conversions and growth in new Christians.
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