From: August 17, 2024
“Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17 ESV).
This proverb states a truth that is usually revealed over time. For the one who loves pleasure and drink may seem happy for a time. But after a while their love of comfort leads to poverty. For they lack the discipline to work and save.
Of course, the other extreme is no better. For the proverb might be reversed to say that the one who loves work is prosperous, but rarely knows how to enjoy the blessings of life.
What we love matters. For we were created to love something greater than what this world offers. Isn’t this why Jesus taught that the greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves? Loving God and loving neighbor, we know when to work and when to enjoy the blessing of our labor. For we learn to live and walk in God’s love.
PRAYER: Father, we focus our hearts on You. We love You. Forgive our tendency to love anything or anyone more than You. For loving the things of this world is idolatry. We were made to be in a loving relationship with You, dear Father. And we want to grow in knowing You more and more. Thank You that You first loved us, so that we might love You in return. Help us to walk in Your love today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: August 17, 2023
‘I immediately confronted the leaders and demanded, “Why has the Temple of God been neglected?”’ (Nehemiah 13:11 NLT).
After Nehemiah completed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, he was recalled by King Artaxerxes. When he obtained leave from the king and returned to Jerusalem, he found that those he had left in charge had not kept their promise to support the house of God. Many of its priests and musicians had left the ministry and returned to their lands to farm, in order to support their families. The tithes and offerings were not being given, the ministry was in decline and even the newly rebuilt Temple was already showing signs of neglect. Nehemiah couldn’t believe how quickly the people had forsaken the house of God. So he led in rebuilding the ministry of God’s house.
The same question might be posed of believers today, “Why is the house of God neglected?” Where are the faithful ones? Where are the people of God who will pray and give sacrificially to continue the ministry of God’s house?
Today, the people of God are God’s house. We are His Church. Christ has been called to the Father’s right hand. Yet, one day He will return. Will Jesus ask, “Why has My house, My Church been neglected?” For those who neglect the fellowship of the saints, have neglected God’s house.
As the book of Hebrews instructs us, “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:25).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are Your house. Your Son is the Chief Cornerstone and we are its living stones, being built up into a spiritual house. Forgive us where we have neglected Your ministry and where we have forsaken our first love, Jesus Christ. Strengthen us by Your Spirit this day to be faithful and to do the work You have called us to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: August 17, 2022
TELL DEM BONES TO PRAISE THE LORD!
David declared his intent to praise the Lord “with every bone” in his body in anticipation of the Lord’s rescue. David would not offer the Lord half-hearted worship. He was a whole-hearted worshiper, and out of that came a commitment to whole-bodied praise. David would hold nothing back from God in his worship. As he told his wife after she attempted to shame him for publicly dancing before the Ark of the Lord, “I will be even more undignified than this” (1 Sam. 6:22). David didn’t care for the opinion of others. He sought the applause of the One.
Just as God told Ezekiel to preach to the bones and the bones came to life (Ez. 37:4-5), so David preached to his own bones that they would worship the Lord!
How are your bones doing today? Are they stiff and sore? Tell “dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones” to hear the Word of the Lord! And to come alive in worship! For worship is more than singing praises, it’s also serving others in Jesus’ name. So get them bones moving today for Jesus!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we offer You our all today, body and soul. We praise You not only with our words, but with our actions today. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to praise You with all our being. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: August 17, 2016
Headship is a biblical title of relational authority. It is a beautiful word that unfortunately rubs many of our generation the wrong way. In 1 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul was trying to restore God-honoring order to their worship services, which had fallen into disarray. He reminded them that Christ is the perfect picture of headship and submission. As the Head of the Church, He lay down His life as a sacrifice for sin and will one day return to receive her as His bride. At the same time, Christ did all of this in submission to the Father, who is His head. They are coequal, yet the Son always submits to the Father. In like manner, those who would lead in worship must submit to appropriate headship and lead as servant-leaders. Clearly, men and women are to follow the order of creation and the intent of the Father in this. God’s Word, not human culture should be the “head” of how we worship.
From: August 17, 2015
Headship is a biblical title of relational authority. It is a beautiful word that unfortunately rubs many of our generation the wrong way. In 1 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul was trying to restore God-honoring order to their worship services, which had fallen into disarray. He reminded them that Christ is the perfect picture of headship and submission. As the Head of the Church, He lay down His life as a sacrifice for sin and will one day return to receive her as His bride. At the same time, Christ did all of this in submission to the Father, who is His head. They are coequal, yet the Son always submits to the Father. In like manner, those who would lead in worship must submit to appropriate headship and lead as servant-leaders. Clearly, men and women are to follow the order of creation and the intent of the Father in this. God’s Word, not human culture should be the “head” of how we worship.