Devoted

 July 19
 Daily Reading – Job 1-4 / Acts 18

GOD SAID:

Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

       When we think about the book of Job our minds naturally go to the tremendous loss that he encountered. His livestock, his servants, and his children, all taken at once. His grief and sorrow are evident throughout the chapters of this special book. We may recall his friends, who come to try to help, yet often cause more sorrow than comfort with their counsel to Job. Yet seldom so we dwell on where Job was before all these trials began. Sure we know he was wealthy. We know that he faithfully sacrificed to, and worshipped God. That is Job’s devotion to God. Which most people would say is man’s reasonable obligation in life. To devote oneself to the one who created you, and all that is around you. However in Job 1:10 we observe through the eyes of God’s adversary, the devil, just how devoted God is to those who love and worship Him.

      God points out the character of Job to Satan in Job 1:8 saying he is; “…an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” God’s observation of Job is that he’s a good man, who loves the Lord, and hates the sinful wickedness in the world around him. Then however, Satan observes the character of God concerning Job. God has placed a protective barrier around him, his family, and all he possesses. He has also blessed his labors to make them prosperous. This shows us just how devoted God is to those who are devoted to Him.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    God reminds us of His daily devotion toward us in Heb. 13:5. It says; “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” God shows the same devoted care shown to Job, to all who love and follow Him.

Doesn’t God’s devotion to us, deserve our devotion too?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Danger

 July 18
 Daily Reading – Esther 5-10 / Acts 17

GOD SAID:

Esther 6:6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      There are a lot of things in this old world today that are dangerous. Rock climbing without some sort of tether to me sounds extremely dangerous. Yet people do it all the time. Working on a blasting crew that set dynamite and then ignites it seems like one of those somewhat dangerous jobs. In some cities today it is even dangerous just to cross the road. These may all seem obvious as being dangerous, however what Haman did in today’s passage is extremely dangerous. That is making an assumption about a situation without all the facts.

      Haman seemed to be someone who often built scenario in his mind without knowing all the facts. He assumed that since Ester planned a banquet, and only called he and the King to this banquet, he must be considered someone very special in the eyes of the king and queen. He assumed if he built a gallows, the king would grant him permission to hang Mordecai the Jew, whom he hated, on them, since there was a coming death decree out against the Jews. He also assumed that when the king wanted to honor someone in the public eye, it must be him. However, his ego and pride cost him his life. The king wanted to honor Mordecai, and made Haman carry out this honor. The banquet was put together to ask for the decree on the Jews to be lifted and to point our Haman as the one who caused the problem. The gallows he built were used to hang Haman.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    Making assumptions is dangerous, unless you know all the facts. Actually, once you know the facts, you’re not assuming, but simply stating the facts. Pride and Ego can often make us assume things that we hope are true, but truly don’t know.

Has pride ever misdirected your thoughts?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Destiny

 July 17
 Daily Reading – Esther 1-4 / Acts 16:25-40

GOD SAID:

Esther 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

       What is your destiny? That might be considered a tough one for us to answer. Some might even say that it would depend a little bit on how old we are at the time we are asked that question. If you growing older I years, you might say my destiny is to retire and enjoy what years of life I have left here on this earth. While, if you’re a younger person, you might say you’re not sure what your destiny in life is. You haven’t settled yet on a career. I do understand those answers, however it does not really answer the question. What is your density. Ester faced this dilemma and had to face her real destiny.

      All the Jewish people had been condemned to die Haman’s decree by permission of the King. This left the King’s wife in a tough spot. She was a Jew, but the King didn’t know it. Now her uncle Mordecai who raised her is asking her to go before the king and ask for this decree to be lifted. The first problem is, no one, not even the Queen is allowed to just go talk to the king without an invitation. If the King doesn’t approve of your visit, you’ll be put to death. The second problem is, she will have to tell the King that she is also a Jew. Again, because of the decree, she could be put to death. Her uncles says, this might be the reason God has you here at this time as queen. This might be your destiny. Still, Ester deals with the true destiny of us all. She said, “If I perish, I perish.” You see, we’ll all face this final destiny of death.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    What you do here on earth is not truly your destiny. It’s a calling. Your destiny is the same as everyone else. Hebrews 9:27 says; “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” That’s the destiny we all must face.

Are you joyfully dedicated?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Declaration

 July 15
 Daily Reading – Neh. 13 / Acts 16:1-24

GOD SAID:

Nehemiah 13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

       Nehemiah was a man of his word. Back in Nehemiah 2:6, when he asked the king for permission to go a build the walls around Jerusalem, King Artaxerxes asked “…For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.” It didn’t tell us then exactly how long the time was that was set, however, in the last chapter of Nehemiah we find that he had kept his word. In Nehemiah 13:6 it says; “But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:” It was a declaration of honesty on his part, and a testimony of the God he served to the world around him.

      When he returned to Jerusalem, things were already in a mess. People were not worshiping in the temple they had built, instead they were buying and selling on the Sabbath. The priest who used to carry out that worship had to go back to work in the fields because no one was bringing in the offerings they had promised to support them. Some of the people had married outside their faith again, not heeding the laws of God. When Nehemiah returned, he took firm action to rectify all these situations. It was a declaration of Integrity on his part before God, and a testimony of the God he served to Israel.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    What kind of declaration are we making with our lives? Does the world around us see our trust in the God we claim to serve. Do people in general see us as honest, and people of integrity? Our lives all declare something to someone, whether we mean to or not.

What does your life declare?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Dedication

 July 15
 Daily Reading – Neh. 11-12 / Acts 15:28-41

GOD SAID:

Nehemiah 12:27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

       WOW! Doesn’t that sound like an exciting and joyful time? Read today’s verse again. This dedication was going to be the event everyone would want to be at. They got some really good Spiritual leaders, to lead in worship, to offer up prayers, to sing and play instruments. It sounds like this dedication stuff is exciting. They are celebrating the walls being built again that protects the city and the place of worship to their God. These are not just any old walls. These walls are being dedicated to serve the Lord, His people, and His cause. There were walls all over the world. However, these walls were different. They were there for the express purpose of serving God and his people. What a time of rejoicing this dedication would be.

      Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Christians became that excited about dedicating their lives to the Lord. There would be this joyful worship of the God they’re called to serve. Exuberant prayers of praise and joy would be offered Him, as He joins them daily in ministry. Christian music would be played daily over and over again. Singing would fill each heart and flow out of them like the air they breathe. Sure there are people everywhere, but Christian people are different. Their lives and purpose are to serve the Lord with joy and gladness. These are not just people. These are people dedicated to lifting up the name of Jesus Christ in all they do. What a time of rejoicing this dedication should be.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    As Dedicated Christians we should live out Ps. 100:1-2 which says; “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Dedication should be a daily cause for rejoicing.

Are you joyfully dedicated?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12