Daily Devotion – Moments That Matter

February 3, 2023
Daily Reading – Exodus 20-22 / Matthew 21:23-46

 

GOD’S WORD:

Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 

 

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

    I remember when two twin babies sat in our living room, neither of them yet two years old. But when one got on grandma’s lap, the other suddenly wants her attention too. They would either crawl up to try and push the other away or do something to require her to come pay attention to them. It is jealousy. They want grandma’s attention all to themselves. P.S. Our poodle gets in on this as well. Even the dog gets jealous if the twins are getting more attention than she is. So, why is it wrong for humans to be jealous and not for God to be a jealous God?

 

    First off, neither of the twins, nor the pet created grandma. They have no claim on her full attention because they did not make her in their image. Also, neither of these twins, as cute as they may be, are able to save grandmas soul from eternal destruction even if they might want to someday. It boils down to the fact, God has a right to be jealous for our attention, our worship, and our praise. When man chooses not to worship this one true God, the ramifications of their disobedience often pass down from generation to generation.

 

    Opra Winfrey said she left organized Church because a Preacher said God was a “Jealous God.” She said, she could not see how God could be jealous of her. I understand her problem. God is not jealous OF Opra, He is jealous FOR her. Even today, God’s desire is to have her love him alone. 

 

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    Mankind’s jealousy often has no foundation. God truly is the only one ever to have a true basis for jealousy toward man. God’s jealousy ought to bring us comfort, knowing He loves us so much that He wants us personally to know Him.

 

Does God’s Jealousy bring comfort or concern?

 

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

 

February 2, 2023
Daily Reading – Exodus 17-19 / Matthew 21:1-22

GOD’S WORD:

Exodus 18:23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

    Lewis Carroll penned a line for, “The White Rabbit” in the story of “Alice and Wonderland” which read, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” For many of us today this is true, as we often feel that same way at times. The more I do, the more it seems I must do. The more I help people, the more people there are that need my help.

    The fact is, these statements are true. The more you do, the more things you become involved in. The more projects that you take on, create more details you will have to be aware of. It is the same thing with people. The more people you help, the more it will become known that you are able and willing to help. As more people become aware of your abilities and willingness to lend your time and talents, the more people are going to ask you to do so. You cannot be upset with the people for asking, nor mad at the projects that need to be done. Neither the people nor the projects are the problem. It is your management of your time and ability and willingness to ask others for help that is at issue.

    God never intended for anyone to do everything. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, gave Moses good advice. Do not try to do it all. Jethro’s counsel to Moses was to seek God’s command in this area. Even in churches today, God has placed many people, with many gifts, to do the many things the church need to do. Good counsel. 

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    While it is true that God calls and gifts many people to do many things, sadly, many people are not using their gifts to do anything. You know who gets hurt? The church, yes. However, the greatest loss is to the person who misses God’s blessing by not serving.

Are you missing any blessings?

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

February 1, 2023
Daily Reading – Exodus 15-16 / Matthew 20

GOD’S WORD:

Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

    My dad was a whistler and maybe I got it from him. When I am having a good day, I sort of get a tune in my head and it often comes out as a whistle. I was told once by an elderly lady in our church to stop that, you are not supposed to whistle in church. I mean no disrespect to that dear lady, but sometimes I just can’t help myself.

    Moses and the children of Israel have just watched God defeat their enemy. For maybe the first time in a long time, they actually feel safe. What happens, singing breaks forth. There is a joyous chorus in their heart that just must come out. From Exodus 15:1-19 we read the words of this song about how God is their Saviour, deliverer, and strength. Yet as I read the words, it sounds like the Christians salvation song as well.

    It begins; “The LORD is my strength and song,” and for anyone who has been saved from their sinfulness and set on a path toward heaven, well He has become the new song in our hearts. It goes on to say; “he is become my salvation: he is my God.” How true is that? Through Jesus’ death and resurrection He is our salvation and we should be grateful to call Him our God. The next line says; “and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God.” At the moment of salvation, God takes up residence in our life in the person of the Holy Spirit which should make us sing out, “and I will exalt him.” 

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    Sing the praises of your Lord and Saviour. Does it make a difference? Psalm 40:3 “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” 

What song does the world hear you singing?

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

January 31, 2023
Daily Reading – Exodus 13-14 / Matthew 19:16-30

GOD’S WORD:

Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

    I have embraced the GPS technology of today. I remember well using road maps, finding the best route, planning my trips, and leaving. Only to find out, there was a better, new road built since the map was printed. Or, that there was a huge roadblock delaying the trip by an hour or so that I could have easily avoided by taking a little different route. However, even the best GPS System, does not take my temperament into account. Whether I am easily frustrated by just a little delay or, I am easy going even if I must sit for what may seem an eternity. Sometimes a longer route will help calm the shorter fuse.

    The children of Israel were finally leaving Egypt. God is delivering on His promise to take them to the promise land. He did not however tell them that he was taking them on the shortest route. This GPS (God’s Planning System) cared more about the heart of the people, than the length of their journey. God knew they were not ready to face resistance from the Philistines, which they would have encountered on the shortest trip. Instead, He chose to show them that He would defend them and be their guide on their travels. This journey let them see the Power of God over nature at the Red Sea. The Protection of God against Pharaoh and his men. The Provisions from God when there was no other help. God had considered their heart and their Journey way before they ever left Egypt.

 

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    Sometimes we get in a hurry in this journey of life. We often wonder why God will not just fix something, heal someone, provide instantly when it would sure make our life easier. Remember, God looks on our heart and knows what we really need.

What has God considered on your journey?

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

January 30, 2023
Daily Reading – Exodus 10-12 / Matthew 19:1-15

 

GOD’S WORD:

Exodus 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

 

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

    “When your father gets home and finds out about what you have done, there will be a price to pay young man.” These were the words my mother would share with me while she was disciplining me for something I had done wrong. Yup, you read that right. My mom would correct me in her own way, and then I was promised yet another round when my dad came home. I knew exactly what that meant. Judgement will come, and it did. Did I deserve it? Sure I did. I had done something that I was not supposed to. There was always a price to pay for disobeying. ALWAYS!

 

    So it was in our text today. After several refusals by Pharaoh to allow God’s people to go, God was bringing His final judgment that would change history forever. It changed the lives of the children of Israel giving them an annual observance called the Passover as a reminder of God’s judgement and deliverance. It changed the lives of the Egyptians who refused to obey God because God was faithful to His Word and took the lives of the firstborn of every household including their animals. Everyone was told of the pending judgement including the Egyptians. They could plainly see what the Children of Israel were doing. The blood sprinkled on the doorposts was a sign that the punishment had been carried out on the innocent lamb, therefore God would pass by. However, for those who saw this as foolish, well, there is always a price to pay when the Father comes home. 

 

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    What a picture of the sin of man being taken away by the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus. Still today, when God see’s the blood of the Lamb sprinkled on the doorpost of our heart, He knows the Lamb has paid the price for our soul.

 

Has the blood been applied in your life?