Better Than Sacrifice – April 14, 2009

Better Than Sacrifice

1 Samuel 15:22

Jim Stephens

04-14-09

 

Scripture:

 

But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams.  (1 Samuel 15:22 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Saul was really hitting his kingly stride.  Under his leadership the squabbling tribes were becoming a united nation.  Saul continued to develop his organization, build his army, and successfully fight the Lord’s battles.  Once-bashful Saul even built a monument to his own success at Mt. Carmel.

 

Saul obviously had acquired the knack for effective kingship.  The problem was that Saul simply didn’t have a heart for God.  He’d had experiences with God, anointing by God, and great victories from God, but he had no relationship with God.

 

When Samuel confronted him about his failure to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their stuff, he excused his disobedience by claiming he intended to use the sheep and cattle as sacrifices to God.

 

Samuel said “What God wants is submitted obedience, not self-willed sacrifice!”

 

Application:

 

Sometimes it is more appealing to ego and self-will to make the dramatic sacrifice of giving something up or of working extra hard or of being more disciplined, than simply listening to God’s voice and doing what God says to do.

 

I want to maintain such a relationship with God that I can tell the difference between submitted obedience and self-willed sacrifice.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, May I not be driven by self-willed sacrifice and self-honoring service.  Please help me to be simply submitted to your will and simply obedient to your voice.  May my service and sacrifice produce lasting fruit for your kingdom.  Amen.

 

A Good Idea – March 5, 2009

A Good Idea

Deuteronomy 1:22-23

Jim Stephens

03-05-09

 

Scripture:

 

22 “But you responded, ‘First, let’s send out scouts to explore the land for us. They will advise us on the best route to take and decide which towns we should capture.’ 23 This seemed like a good idea to me, so I chose twelve scouts, one from each of your tribes. (Deuteronomy 1:22-23 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

I love the book of Deuteronomy.  It’s like a review of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers in pure story form.  Great reading!

 

Here Moses tells the story of a generation earlier when Israel first prepared to enter the Promised Land.  They had God’s presence in the cloud and fire guiding them. They had God’s promise of success.  But the people said, “Let’s send in some spies to check it out before we cross the Jordan and really commit to this.”  Here’s Moses’ confession:  “It seemed like a good idea to me!”

 

Moses had God’s direction and promise and had access to communication with God at an unprecedented level, but when the people suggested an alternative, “It seemed like a good idea at the time!”

 

Application:

 

I am so susceptible to things that “seem like a good idea at the time.”  Once it is clear what God has said to do and when he has said to do it, I need to simply obey.  Don’t delay with all the “what if’s” and “maybe this and maybe that.”  Just do it!

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I want to overcome my tendency toward things that seem like a good idea.  Help me simply be clear on what you want me to do and when you want me to do it.  Help me to be a quickly obedient son who doesn’t get sidetracked by things that seem to be a good idea at the time.  Amen.

The Desert Road – February 1, 2009

The Desert Road

Acts 8:26-27a

Jim Stephens

02-01-07

 

Scripture:

 

26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he did… (Acts 8:26-27a NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Philip the deacon was the key man in a powerful move of God’s Spirit that involved miracles of healing and demonstrations of God’s power over demons.  I love Philip’s willingness to go to the outcast Samaritans with the Good News of Jesus.  The apostles came from Jerusalem and added their input and put their stamp of approval on the wonderful thing that was occurring.  After they went back home, Philip carried on ministering powerfully in Samaria.

 

Then God told him to leave Samaria – to leave the wonderful revival in which he was the key man and very successful – and go over to a desert road that ran through the Judean wilderness.  Leave it all and do what?

 

Philip got up and went!

 

Application:

 

I don’t know what’s the greatest thing in this story, the miracles Philip was doing or the fact that he had the sensitivity, God-awareness, and humility to hear God tell him to leave an overwhelmingly successful place and season of ministry and go stand by a desolate road in an empty desert!

 

I know that I admire Philip for responding to the needs of the outcast Samaritans and taking the Message of Hope and the power of God to them.  And I admire Philip even more for being willing to let go his popular and successful ministry to many people and go into an uncertain future, certain only that he had heard God clearly direct him.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I want to have the confidence that I could hear you speaking about going to a desolate wilderness when I’m in the middle of a busy and noisy and successful revival.  Help me to have that kind of sensitivity and humility.  Help me to be Spirit-directable.  Amen.

If You Say So – January 5, 2009

If You Say So

Luke 5:4-6

Jim Stephens

01-05-09

 

Scripture:

 

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!  (Luke 5:4-6 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Simon Peter was already beginning a relationship with Jesus.  He was a new believer with plenty to learn (I’m a long-term believer with plenty to learn!)  When Jesus (a carpenter) told Simon (a professional fisherman) what to do to catch fish, Simon wasn’t sure it would work.

 

There are a lot of ways to say, “If you say so…,” but however Simon Peter said it, he did it.  The results were absolutely overwhelming.  This experience of obeying a direct word from the Lord and seeing the results was enough to make Simon Peter a full-on believer and full-time follower of Christ!

 

Application:

 

Here’s the main lesson for me today.  My simple obedience to a direct word from the Lord will accomplish more than all my knowledge, experience, and sweat.  I’m responsible to do my best with what I know and what I have, but when God clearly speaks to me, the absolutely best thing to do is simply and quickly obey.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, It seems like I have to learn this lesson again and again.  Thanks for the gentle reminder that my wisest and best response to your command is “If you say so, I’ll do it!”  Amen.

 

What Should We Do? – January 3, 2009

What Should We Do

Luke 3:10-14

Jim Stephens

01-03-08

 

Scripture:

 

10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?” 11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” 12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” 14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”  (Luke 3:10-14 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

John was preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom.  His message was challenging and even confrontational.  There was a quality in John’s message that made people realize that things needed to change – there was something they needed to do.

 

The people needed to be less selfish and to share what they had with those in need.  Those in business and those who handled money needed to be fair and honest.  Those with power should not abuse or take advantage of others.

 

Application:

 

If I’m hearing God’s message to me, it won’t be merely informational.  When God speaks to me, his intent is that I do something, that I act on what he has said.  Like those who heard John’s Kingdom message, I must ask, “What should I do?”

 

Prayer:

 

Father, as we begin this new year, I commit to listen daily for your message to me as I read and process your word.  Please speak to me clearly and as gently as you can as I purpose to apply the “What should I do?” question to each thing you say to me.  Amen.

His Time – December 20, 2009

His Time

John 7:6-8

Jim Stephens

12-20-08

 

Scripture:

 

6 Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. 7 The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. 8 You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” (John 7:6-8 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Jesus was committed not only to the mission his father had given him, but to the time of that mission.  He skipped obvious opportunities to advance his popularity and his notoriety.  He was supernaturally protected from premature arrest and murder.  He was living his life on a divinely established timetable.

 

·        At the wedding in Cana, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, that’s not our problem.  My time has not yet come.” (John 2:4 NLT)

·        In Jerusalem, at the Feast of Tabernacle, the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. (John 7:30 NLT)

·        When Jesus was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury, he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come. (John 8:20 NLT)

 

Whether it was his own initiative, or whether it was the efforts of others to stop him, his life was lived according to “his time.”

 

Application:

 

I want to live my life according to “My Time.”  Left to myself, I’ll be early or late or even at the wrong place at the right time.  I believe God has a purpose for me – for my life – and that purpose includes “what, where, and when.”

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I commit myself to your plan and I submit myself you your timing.  Please help me know when it is and when it is not “My Time.”  And give me the courage and wisdom to act in faith no matter how untimely “My Time” seems – at the time!  Amen.

 

A Good Guy – November 19, 2008

A Good Guy

Matthew 1:19-20, 24

Jim Stephens

11-19-08

 

Scripture:

 

19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.  (Matthew 1:19-20, 24 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Thank God Joseph was a good man.  Not so much a religious man (or he would have exposed Mary to public disgrace – maybe even tried to get her stoned to death) but a good man.  NIV calls Joseph a righteous man, KJV a just man, The Message calls him noble.

 

Joseph was what we would call a “blue-collar” guy.  In the UK, he would be called “working class.”  I think he was world-class – a world class good, just, righteous, and noble man.

 

Joseph was not unspiritual and God was able to communicate timely and world-changing truth to him through spiritual dreams and visits of angels.  These dreams came to him at least four times in the months leading up to Jesus’ birth and in the two years following.  Each time the angelic visitation occurred, each time the dream came, Joseph “did as the Lord commanded.”

 

These prompt and simple acts of obedience allowed Jesus to be born into a good family, to be raised by a good man, and to avoid the threats to Jesus’ life in his early years.

 

Application:

 

I wonder how many major moves of God, Kingdom of God events, history-altering achievements, have been made possible by the sensitivity and simple obedience of a good man or woman?

 

Might not have been the one whose name was on the news, but the one who was a behind-the-scenes influencer who was sensitive to God and simply obedient.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, thanks for the good guys.  Thank you for the good, just, righteous, and noble men and women who serve faithfully behind the scenes and provide, protect, and prepare the way for your Kingdom to come and your will to be done.  God bless the good guys!  Amen.

 

Learn Apply Teach – October 7, 2008

Learn Apply Teach

Ezra 7:10

Jim Stephens

10-07-08

 

Scripture:

 

This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.  (Ezra 7:10 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

This is one of the undervalued stories in the Bible.  For some reason, the Persian Emperor Artexerxes decided to send Ezra the Jewish priest to Jerusalem, leading hundreds of returning Jews, resourced with millions of dollars of precious metal and Temple objects, and supplied with a letter guaranteeing him carte blanche if he needed additional resources from the governors of the provinces he passed through.  Amazing!

 

The Bible tells us it was because he had determined to learn and obey God’s Law and to teach it to the people.

 

Application:

 

There’s a principle of effective teaching of spiritual truth here.  First make the effort to learn it for yourself.  Then apply it in your life.  Then teach others out of the life experience of living God’s truth.  It’s not what you know, it’s what you do with what you know.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, Help me to be a life-long seeker after truth.  I purpose to learn your ways, to live what I learn, and to pass on to others through teaching and example what I know of your laws and your ways.  Amen.

 

Hard and Stubborn – September 7, 2008

Hard and Stubborn

2 Chronicles 36:11-13

Jim Stephens

09-07-08

 

Scripture:

 

11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. 12 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and he refused to humble himself when the prophet Jeremiah spoke to him directly from the Lord. 13 He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, even though he had taken an oath of loyalty in God’s name. Zedekiah was a hard and stubborn man, refusing to turn to the Lord, the God of Israel.  (2 Chronicles 36:11-13 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

This was Judah’s last chance.  Even after all that had happened, if Zedekiah had listened to God’s messages of warning and promise through Jeremiah and the other prophets, destruction could have been avoided.  Judah and Jerusalem could have lived at peace as part of the Babylonian Empire.

 

But Zedekiah was a hard and stubborn man.  The rest is history.

 

Application:

 

As long as God is speaking and warning, there’s still time – there’s still another chance.  The outcome is determined partly by God’s timetable and partly by the attitude of our hearts.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I purpose to be pliable and responsive to your hand and your voice.  Please give me a heart of flesh on which you can write your word and your ways.  I don’t want to  be a hard and stubborn man.  Let my influence on others lead them to respond with openness and obedience to your word and your will.  Amen.

 

What’s It To You? – August 19, 2008

What’s It To You

John 21:22-23

Jim Stephens

08-19-08

 

Scripture:

 

22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” 23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”  (John 21:22-23 NLT)

 

Observation & Application:

 

This isn’t the first time this little story has been my focus for the day and it probably won’t be the last.  This is a lesson that I have to learn over and over again and then be reminded of in between times!

 

Jesus was walking along the beach with Peter and having a conversation that was important to resolve some issues from the past and to clarify direction for the future.  This was a defining moment for Simon Peter and the entire Christian Church.  Jesus had just restored Peter to his role as an apostle of the Good News and told him how he would die for his faith.  In this powerful moment, Peter was distracted by John following them as they walked along, and asked what would happen to John in the future.

 

Jesus’ answer to Peter is the message I need to hear over and over again, whenever I wonder why God seems to be dealing differently with others, why they don’t go through what I go through, why they seem to have it so easy when I struggle so much.

 

What is that to you?  You follow me!

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I really want to do better about this.  I think I’ve made some progress, but whenever I’m distracted from your plan for me and start wanting to know “What about him or her?”, please help me refocus.  It’s nothing to me.  I want to follow you.  Amen.