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Are You Struggling to Commit Your Life to God?–1 Kings 19:21

June 11, 2013 in 1 Kings, 2013 Journey, Commitment, Giving Our Best to God, Tough Times with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Kings 17:8 through 20:22

God was almost ready for Elijah to retire, so he picked out his successor, Elisha (I know, it’s hard to keep these two straight).

Can you imagine having your name called out by God to replace the prophet Elijah?

…So Elijah grabbed the anointing oil and went to Elisha’s hometown and found him plowing a field with a team of oxen.

This is a very weird way to tell somebody they’re going to take your job but it really happened–Elijah threw his coat across Elisha’s shoulder and then walked away.

Throwing a prophet’s cloak around a person symbolized the passing of the power and authority of the office to that person. That Elisha realized the meaning of this act is obvious from his reaction. Immediately he started to abandon his former occupation and follow Elijah. Elijah gave him permission to say farewell to his family. The unusual reply, What have I done to you? is a saying meaning, ”Do as you please“ or ”What have I done to stop you?“ (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

I’m sure you’ve heard the cliché, “It’s time to burn your bridges.”  There were no bridges in Elisha’s day, so he burned his plow and slaughtered his oxen.  This was a significant statement. It seemed from the twelve teams of oxen that Elisha’s family had a lot of land.   To walk away so dramatically from his inheritance  was a huge statement to his family and friends.

When it comes to serving the Lord, whether it was in Elisha’s day or 2013, most of us are hesitant to “burn our plows and slaughter our oxen.”  We would rather live for the Lord “sometimes” and dabble in the things of the world “sometimes.”

The problem is, we want to have what Elisha had—an amazing anointing and used greatly by God—but we don’t want to do what Elisha did—go whole-hog as we say in the south, which come to think of it goes pretty well with slaughter you oxen!

Think about it…

Elijah didn’t require Elisha to make such a drastic display of commitment, but Elisha wanted Elijah and God to know that he was hungry for the Lord’s Spirit and His Anointing; which Elisha knew was given to very few in those days.

I’d say the Lord definitely chose a winner in Elisha.

In these tough times we need the Spirit of God resting on us everyday like Elijah’s coat did on Elisha’s back.  We need to hear God say…

Stop.

Go.

Turn left.

Turn right.

Wait.

Move Now!

 

What do you need to stop, start, or change to move closer to God? 

Get off the fence, slaughter your oxen, burn your plows and commit your life to the God who made you!

 

 

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me!

 

 

© 2013 Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 20:23 through 22:9; 2 Chronicles 18:1-8


Is Your Life Meaningless?–1 Kings 11:1-3

June 5, 2013 in 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2013 Journey, Choices, Ecclesiastes, Giving Our Best to God, leadership, Obedience, Pride, Success with 0 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 11:1-43; 2 Chronicles 9:29-31; Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites.  The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, ‘You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.’ Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.  –1 Kings 11:1-3

Have you ever insisted and persisted to do something “anyway” when you knew that You were going against your conscience, the law, your parents, your supervisor or your God?

How did that work for you?

Probably about as good as it did for Solomon…

The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.  He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command.  So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants.   –1 Kings 11:9-11

    • God chose Solomon to be the king
    • God was so impressed with Solomon that he offered to give him anything he asked for
    • Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave it to him, plus riches, and so much more
    • Solomon did amazing things: Built a beautiful temple for the Lord, built a gorgeous home for himself, rebuilt the city of his father, ruled justly, wrote all the amazing Proverbs that are still guiding us today
    • Solomon worked very, very hard
    • But, then Solomon forgot where his wisdom and riches came from
    • He began to believe his own press and decided to go against the will of God
    • He thought he was above it all
    • He thought he needed to experience it all…so he did

The great thing for us is Solomon did it all and told us what he learned from the thrill of going directly against the will of the Living God…

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?  

Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again.  The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea.  

Everything is wearisome beyond description. 

No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.  –Ecclesiastes 1:2-9

I wonder how many of you feel this way today?  Never satisfied.

There’s only one thing that can truly satisfy–filling that place in the deep, quiet, depths of our soul with a relationship with the One, True, God.  Not just a head knowledge of God, not just a “Santa Claus” mentality of God, but knowing we have a Friend, Savior, King, and Trusted Advisor who knows what’s best for us…

Then, life is never meaningless. It’s an adventure, a wild ride, a well-thought out plan with the perfect destination!

Heavenly Father, forgive us for wanting to go our own way.  Forgive us for never being satisfied.  Call us out to be different.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!


 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:12-6:12

Are You Like Vinegar and Smoke to Your Boss? –Proverbs 10:26

May 29, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Choices, Failure, Finances, Giving Our Best to God, Goals, leadership, Success, Workplace with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 8:1-10:32

Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes. –Proverbs 10:26

The Bible has a lot to say about lazy people and none of it is good.  One of the worst things a professing Christian can do for the cause of Christ is to be lazy in the workplace.

You may be seen as lazy by your boss if…

    • You are often late for work or walk in the door at the exact minute you are supposed to be starting your day
    • You overlook things like picking up a piece paper in the parking lot or filling the copier with paper because “that’s not your job”
    • You stop working an hour before your day’s over so that you can watch the clock and walk out the door exactly at 5 o’clock
    • You have to be told what to do; you have no initiative
    • All you care about is your paycheck and never think about the success of the business
    • Your boss sees you standing around doing “nothing” when he/she comes into your area
    • You don’t work “as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23)

What would you add to this list?

If you said, “Yep, that’s me” to more than one or two of these statements your boss may see you as lazy.  You may be irritating her/him like vinegar to the teeth or smoke to the eyes.

The day-to-day, routine, and mundane things in life are where we show our character and integrity.  Excellence in the workplace is one of the ways we worship God…

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  –Colossians 3:23

Heavenly Father, in this world of mediocrity teach us to stand out above the crowd as a child of the One, True, God who does everything with excellence!

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 ©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 11:1-13:25

Is Your Work a Gift? –1 Kings 7:1

May 22, 2013 in 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2013 Journey, Biblical Principles, Ecclesiastes, Giving Our Best to God, leadership, Success, Workplace with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 7:1-51; 2 Chronicles 3:15-4:22

Solomon was a builder, not a warrior.  God chose him to build His temple, not fight His battles, like his father.  This is a great example of the uniqueness of God’s calling.  Our Creator doesn’t use the cookie-cutter approach.

Once Solomon finished building the Temple of the Lord, be began working on his palace.  He spent 21 years building.  Building is hard work.  I know Solomon didn’t actually do the manual labor, but overseeing, planning, and designing can be more stressful than manual labor.

I wonder if Solomon was counting the days until his building projects were finished?

I wonder if Solomon was looking forward to the days when he could just be the King?

He probably was, but at the end of his life, when Solomon shared his wisdom, I think he was longing for those days of building.

So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why we are here! –Ecclesiastes 3:22

The wisest man on the earth is telling us to enjoy our work.

Today’s culture tells us that work is the thing we do so that we can play on the weekends and retire as soon as possible.

There’s nothing better than being happy in our work…  

What do you think?

Do you enjoy your work?

Is work a gift from God to you?

Heavenly Father, help us to find joy in our work.  Help us to”be” where we are and stop wishing our lives away!  We want to honor You in everything we do.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!


 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 8:1-11; 2 Chronicles 5:1-14; 1 Kings 8:12-21; 2 Chronicles 6:1-11; 1 Kings 8:22-53; 2 Chronicles 6:12-42

I Don’t Need Your Cows! –Psalm 50:9

May 17, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Giving Our Best to God, Prayer, Psalms, Trials with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalm 50, Psalms 73-74

Have you ever had a day when you were feeling “all that” and someone comes along and puts you in your place?

It happens to me quite often.  I remember a few years ago  when I was going to college and sitting in the head of the adult education department’s office talking about my “wealth” of experience as a 50 year-old and he proceeded to correct my pronunciation of the word “exegetical.”

—I felt pretty stupid!

I promise you being corrected by a professor was nothing compared to the living God of the universe tapping the Israelites on the shoulder through the Psalmist Asaph.

7 “O my people, listen as I speak.
Here are my charges against you, O Israel:
I am God, your God!
8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices
or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.
10 For all the animals of the forest are mine,
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird on the mountains,
and all the animals of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for all the world is mine and everything in it.
13 Do I eat the meat of bulls?
Do I drink the blood of goats?
14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
15 Then call on me when you are in trouble,
and I will rescue you,
and you will give me glory.” 

–Psalm 50:7-15

Do you feel as small as I do?

The Lord doesn’t depend on my worship for survival. He instituted the sacrifices not because He needed the animals but because the people desperately needed Him.

The good news is we now know what pleases God!

THANKFULNESS

Once again, I see God as a parent.

Isn’t it wonderful when your kids are thankful?

There’s nothing like it; it makes you want to give them more.  I think our heavenly Father feels the same way.

He said, “If you’re thankful, then you can call on me when you are in trouble and I will rescue you and you will be more thankful! (My paraphrase)

He says this again in verse 23 of Psalm 50:

 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.  If you keep to my path,

I will reveal to you the salvation of God.

After reading this Psalm is sounds pretty simple:

God wants his people to be thankful, to fulfill their vows, and to follow His ways.

And…

He wants us to call on Him when we’re in trouble and He will rescue us.

And, then…

He wants us to give Him the Glory.

 

Heavenly Father, help us, to have a thankful heart!  Holy Spirit, show us Your way!   Thank you for Jesus!

Amen and Amen!


©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 75 through 78

How to be Fulfilled in Your Work– 1 Chronicles 28:20

May 4, 2013 in 1 Chronicles, 2013 Journey, Giving Our Best to God, Success, Workplace with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Chronicles 26:1 through 1 Chronicles 28:21

Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work.  Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.  He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.”   –1 Chronicles 28: 20

Wow!

In this one verse David gave us all we need to be fulfilled in our work!

I’ve mentioned the Truth Project a couple of times during our journey. One of the most powerful lessons in that series was on our heavenly Father’s view of work.  Today’s culture thinks work is just something you do so that you can get money.  Most people endure their work so they can enjoy their week-ends.  We mistakenly quote Genesis 3:17 and say work is a curse; when in fact it was the ground that was cursed, not work.  As Dr. Tackett says, “creative labor is a glorious privilege.  The creativity of man, while subject to the effects of the fall, is a mirror-image of the creativity of God.”

In Exodus 34:21, we are told that we are to work for six days and rest for one.  I believe we are suppose to enjoy our work so much that we’re tempted to do it seven days a week, hence the need to command us to rest one day a week!

And guess what?

There’s no mention of retirement in the Bible!

You’re probably thinking, “Dianne, you are crazy!  There’s no way I could feel that way about my job!”

Let’s think about today’s scripture passage; here are a few of the jobs these folks were given by God through Moses: Gatekeepers, treasurers, administrators, the King’s army and tribal leaders.  None of these jobs sound particularly exciting to me, but David didn’t ask if it sounded fun; he said, just do it!   But David did tell them how to do it…it’s interesting that most of his instructions dealt with attitude rather than aptitude.

Attitude                                                                 

  • Be Strong
  • Be Courageous
  • Don’t procrastinate, do the work
  • Don’t be afraid
  • Don’t be discouraged
  • Don’t worry about God failing you
  • Do not fear being abandoned by God

Aptitude

  • God will give you the skills and the ability to do the job correctly.  Yes, God provides supernatural ability to do secular jobs; this “anointing” isn’t just for preachers!

There is one more thing we need to remember that isn’t mentioned in this verse, but it’s critical to understanding how the Israelites did this difficult work with the right attitude—they saw great value in what they were doing; they were building the Living God’s temple!

I think this is the key to having the attitude about our work that is pleasing to God.

I know we don’t have the opportunity to build the temple for the Lord but

there is eternal value in everything we do

if we look for it.

If you don’t see it in your work ask the Holy Spirit to show you.

 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. –1 Corinthians 10:31

 May you be blessed in your work!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  1 Chronicles 29: 1-22, 1 Kings 1: 1-53

Don’t Settle –Ruth 1:1-4:12

April 7, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Biblical Principles, Choices, Christian Singles, Divorce, Giving Our Best to God, Goals, Issues Women Face, Ruth, Success, The Hurting World, The Promises of God, Tough Times, Trials, Trust with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Ruth 1:1 through Ruth 4:12

In yesterday’s reading we saw what can happen when we do what’s “right” in our own eyes and in today’s scripture we see what happens when we do what’s “right” in God’s eyes.

I love the story of Ruth.

It’s a beautiful love story…

It’s  a beautiful picture of God’s provision for us

It’s a wonderful example of the blessings in doing the right thing.

Ruth’s pledge to Naomi is one of the most famous found in any literature, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back.  Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live.  Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.  Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.  May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” –Ruth 1:16-17

Ruth is a shining example of what to do when trouble comes in our lives.

We have three choices when we’re faced with a time of crisis, we can either: endure it, escape it, or enlist it. If we only endure our trials, then trials become our master, and we have a tendency to become hard and bitter. If we try to escape our trials, then we will probably miss the purposes God wants to achieve in our lives. But if we learn to enlist our trials, they will become our servants instead of our masters and work for us; and God will work all things together for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28).   Wiersbe, Warren W.: Be Committed. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1996, c1993 (An Old Testament Study. Ruth and Esther), S. Ru 1:1

One of the things I find interesting is Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi was the first thing that Boaz “noticed” about her (2:11-12).  Here’s a huge message for Christian singles—do what’s right in God’s eyes and your testimony will be the very thing that attracts a godly mate.  Unfortunately, most singles do the opposite of Ruth… they put their relationship with God on the shelf and go out looking for another person to fill that place that only God can fill. When they find what they think is a suitable fit, they go and try to pick up with God where they left off and wonder why their marriage doesn’t work.  I’m sure Ruth wanted a man in her life and I’m sure she could have found “someone” but God had a plan; her kinsman redeemer.  Thank God she didn’t settle!

Our heavenly Father had a plan for a kinsman redeemer for us too!  Jesus Christ…he paid a high price for us.  Let’s not settle!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller


Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Ruth 4:13 through Ruth 4:22, 1 Chronicles 2:9 through 1 Chronicles 2:55, 1 Chronicles 4:1 through 1 Chronicles 4:23, 1 Samuel 1:1 through 1 Samuel 1:8

How Long Are You Going to Wait? –Joshua 18:3

March 28, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Choices, Faith, Fear, Giving Our Best to God, The Promises of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Joshua 18:1-19:48

Then Joshua asked them, “How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given to you? –Joshua 18:3

What are you waiting for?

Has God’s Word spoken promises you’ve not claimed?

What about this one?

Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. –John 10:10 The Message

Don’t settle for the plastic life the world offers.

What are you waiting for?

Reach out and grab the real life, an “Ephesians 3:20″ life:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (NIV)

Don’t wait!

Start today!

Heavenly Father, forgive us for settling for the life the world offers.  It must be so hard to watch us live below Your plans. Help us to have a “can do” attitude that says, “God planned this for me and I will have it!”  Help us to begin today!

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Joshua 19:49-21:45; 1 Chronicles 6:54-81

God Qualifies Those He Calls

March 23, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Giving Our Best to God, Joshua, leadership, Parenting, Workplace with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Joshua 3:1 through Joshua 6:27

Have you ever had to fill the shoes of a great leader?

Maybe you just got a new job and everyone loved your predecessor.  Or maybe you are a step-mom or step-dad who is constantly compared  to the “real parents”.

Can you imagine following M-O-S-E-S?

I wonder if that’s why Moses told Joshua to be strong and courageous so many times.

I loved the way the Lord set Joshua up for success:

  • Since you have never traveled this way before, they (the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God) will guide you.   ~Joshua 3:4
  • The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in eyes of all the Israelites.  They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses.  ~Joshua 3:7
  • Come and listen to what the Lord your God says.  Today you will know that the living God is among you.  ~Joshua 3:7
  • Today you will know that the living God is among you.  ~Joshua 3:10
  • It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touches the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away…the all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. ~Joshua 3:15-16
  • We will use these stones to build a memorial.  In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’  Then you can tell them, ‘they remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant when across.’  ~Joshua 4:6
  • That day the Lord made Joshua a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites, and for the rest of his life they revered him as much as they had revered Moses.  ~Joshua 4:14
  • They (the Israelites’ enemies) lost heart and were paralyzed with fear because of them.  ~Joshua 5:1b
  • Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.”  ~  Joshua 5:9
  • “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.”  And Joshua did as he was told.  ~Joshua 5:15
  • So the Lord was with Joshua, and his reputation spread throughout the land.  ~Joshua 6:27

I’ve heard it say before, “God qualifies those He calls.”  He certainly did in Joshua’s life.  Today, be a Joshua, be strong and courageous—be the best you!  Let your enemies be paralyzed with fear because the Lord is with you!

Praying for you today!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Joshua 7:1, 1 Chronicles 2:7, Joshua 7:2 through Joshua 9:27

Are Past Failures Keeping You From Future Goals? –Psalm 90:17

March 21, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Deuteronomy, Fear, Giving Our Best to God, Goals, leadership, Obedience, Psalms, Workplace with 2 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 31:30-32:52; Psalm 90

From my earliest remembrances biographies were my favorite books to read. I’m inspired by the underdog; people who shouldn’t have made it; people who had every excuse to quit, yet for some reason they didn’t.

I think the story of Moses’ life is my all-time favorite biography.  Every time I read Exodus through Deuteronomy I look for Moses’ finest hour.  There are so many great moments, but I think his prayer is Psalm 90 may be the most amazing moment for me.

Think about it.  God reminds Moses “one-more-time” of his failure to demonstrate the holiness of God at the waters of Meribah and tells him it’s time to die. (Deuteronomy 32:48-52) That’s not exactly the last words you want to hear from your boss!

How did Moses overcome those feelings of failure?

I think it was all about his focus.

If Moses would have continued to focus on his mistake at Meribah, he would have missed hundreds of opportunities to succeed.

Moses kept his eye on the goal: Getting his people to the Promised Land.

It wasn’t about him.

It wasn’t about having a perfect life.

Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. –Psalm 90:10, 12

It was about finishing the job.

It was about pleasing God.

It was about being a part of a supernatural kind of success that makes our personal failures a faint memory.

Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory.
And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful! –Psalm 90:17

Heavenly Father, show us our focus today. Make our efforts successful.  Let us see You work today.  Let us see Your glory today.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12; Joshua 1:1-2:24

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