A gift for God?

God told the Israelites to celebrate feasts and rejoice. It’s interesting that it was a command to be joyful. Sometimes the world’s negativity can steal our joy and make it difficult to rejoice. I think God put these feast in place to combat the negativity. During three of the feasts , he required them to bring a gift to give to God. The gift is supposed to be in proportion to the size of the way God has blessed you. This made me think, what gift would I bring to give to God? (a good attitude, a joyful giving heart, thoughtfulness of others.) What would you bring? Giving has definitely been an area of challenge for me. I’m so grateful for my wife who loves to give and bless others. She has taught me so much. Giving requires trust in God. Trust that he will replenish what you give. I love how the New Testament reading today shows that Jesus fulfills this. There were 5,000 hungry people. Jesus was able to feed them with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. It’s awesome that God can and will meet our needs. Finally, I love God’s command to the King to write the law and read it every day. The king was supposed to write the law and meditate on it every day so he wouldn’t get arrogant and think that he was better than others. What is your plan to put God’s law on your heart? My prayer today is that I can bring a gift to God in proportion to what I believe he will bless me with, instead of what he has already blessed me. Also that I can remember and put his law on my heart.

Tolerant?

God’s intolerance of evil is evident in Deuteronomy. He asked the Israelites to completely wipe out their enemies and specifically not to intermarry. He said that if they did not, they would be enticed to worship other gods and loose the blessing. He also said not to forget that God was the one who enables them to create wealth. Be on guard against pride in your heart and remember that God is the one who brings you through the dessert. You might be eating some manna today. Just keep in mind that the promise land is not very far away. I also love Psalm 69. David is in distress because his enemies mock him, but God will deliver him. Finally, Jesus’ parable of the man who had a big debt and was forgiven has a huge reason to forgive others. It reminded me that I have messed up a lot and need God’s forgiveness. I’m very thankful for God’s mercifulness and grace. My prayer today is that God will fill me with his Spirit and there will be much fruit.

Baptized?

Today I found it very interesting that it says that all who heard Jesus proclaimed that “God’s way is right.” That word ‘ALL’ included the tax collectors. However, there was one group that was excluded, the Pharisees. It says that the Pharisees were not baptized by John. In other words, they were not willing to repent. Later, Jesus confronts the Pharisees because of their changing views. They saw John as a demon possessed man because he did not eat and drink. They saw Jesus as a drunkard and a glutton because he ate and drank with sinners. It’s fascinating how the Pharisees could find an excuse to stay where they were and not repent or acknowledge that God’s ways are right. I love the correlation to the Old Testament reading today. God gives Moses the 10 commandments and tells them that he will bless their families to a 1,000 generations IF they do not forget the Lord their God when they go into the land flowing with milk and honey. He asks them to remember that it was God who brought them out of slavery in Egypt and gave them wells they did not dig, vineyards they did not plant, and homes they did not build. My prayer today is that I will acknowledge that God’s ways are right and be diligent to follow them and teach them to my daughter.

The longest journey

It took the Israelites 40 years to go a distance that should have taken 11 days. Is there something in your life that seems to be taking forever to accomplish? A promotion at work, a breakthrough in a relationship, etc? The Israelites never got to see the promise land because they focused on their enemies instead of their God. One of the names of God is “Banner of Victory.” God has never lost a fight against evil and he never will. Trust him. Believe that he is your provider, healer and deliverer. Then you will see God work a miracle. My wife told me the other day that she will believe it when she sees it. God says you have to believe it first, then you will see it. Psalm 66:12 says he brought us to a place of abundance. What we do with that abundance will determine if God’s blessing becomes a blessing or a curse. Proverbs 11:24-26 says that one man gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds and comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper and the one who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards, but blessings come to those who sell. My prayer today is that God will give me faith in his abundant provision so I can give, be refreshing to others, and share with others.

God speaks and what does he say?

God is a just God. He hears the pleas of those who are left out. Some daughters of the an Israelite tribe were left without a father or husband to take care of them. They asked for their father’s inheritance and God granted their request. I also like how God affirms us. When Jesus was baptized, God spoke and said “This is my son, whom I love and am well pleased.” I believe he says that of each of us. Have you heard him say that lately? David responds in the Psalm – For my soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. I like all the connections between the passages today. John the Baptist preached repentance leads to salvation. Unfortunately Herod did not listen and put John in jail. My prayer today is that I can hear God’s voice and that my heart will be quick to forgive. 

Unbelief isn't worth getting a plague

I’m amazed at the Israelites stubbornness. They saw the earth swallow Koran and his rebellious group and they accused Moses of killing the true leaders from God. It also amazed me that Moses had Aaron pray to God for mercy on the people who were accusing him. The plague fortunately stopped, but it killed quite a few people. Unbelief is dangerous. In Mark, Jesus rebukes his disciples for not believing that he had risen from the dead. Have you ever experienced someone who didn’t believe in you? Is it difficult to be around that person? I’m seeing that if I don’t believe in God and what he says, He isn’t going to want to be around me. My prayer today is that God will remove any unbelief. I praise you God for always delivering on what you say. I also pray for those who accuse me, that God will have mercy on them.  

Quick to forgive and give

A fool delights in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom. What a great Proverb. I like how it relates to today’s Psalm : Be still and know that I am God. There are many distractions that scream for my time and make it difficult for me to be still. One of them could be unforgiveness. Jesus tells his disciples when they pray, to forgive, so God can forgive our sins. My good friend Praveen shares his wisdom with me “Travis when you are having a difficult time forgiving someone, just ask God for a heart that forgives quickly. That is a prayer that he is happy to answer.”

Today’s devotion has a lot to say about money. Leviticus mentions the importance of the tithe. It’s almost like God is asking me to have faith (even the size of a mustard seed) that he will provide for me. The principle of the tithe is “Who do you trust to take care of you is who you give your money to first.” That is one reason why our government takes the taxes first. I’m just curious if anyone has any discussion about whether it’s best to tithe from gross or net? Next Jesus goes into the temple courts and drives out the money changers. His anger at extortion and taking advantage of others is strong. God definitely wants me to help other people.

My prayer today is that I can have a heart that forgives quickly, gives to God first, and opportunities to bless other people. 

Riches vs God

Riches are one of God’s biggest competitors. Jesus asked the rich man to give up everything he had and follow him. Before Jesus’ question, the rich man was very proud that he was following the law. He became sad when God asked him to sacrifice his lifestyle. What do you think would have happened if he had given up his riches? In my life I noticed that God ALWAYS blesses me abundantly more when I demonstrate that he is number 1 in my life.

Jesus then makes a powerful statement “It’s easier for a camel to go through an eye of the needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” This statement has caused a lot of debate. Is it bad to be rich? Is the eye of the needle a place where camels can actually go through (ha ha). I think the meaning of this statement can be found later in the chapter. Jesus says “With God all things are possible.” I see it that it is not easier for a poor man to enter the kingdom of heaven without God. In fact it’s impossible for anyone to enter the kingdom of God with out God. Rich people might have more difficulty acknowledging God as their Lord though.  “The last will be first and the first will be last.”

My prayer today is that I can renounce money as my god and seek after the true God. The wealthiest position to have is his presence. I also pray for a giving heart, as Jesus commanded the rich man to give to the poor.