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Do You Ever Wonder…?

May 6, 2013 in 1 Chronicles, 1 Kings, 2 Samuel, 2013 Journey, Prayer, Psalms, Trust, Word of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Kings 2: 1-9, 2 Samuel 23: 1-7, 1 Kings 2: 10-12, 1 Chronicles 29: 26-30, Psalms 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—

the moon and the stars you set in place—

what are mere mortals that you should think about them,

human beings that you should care for them?  –Psalm 8:3-4

Do you ever wonder if God really

sees you?

knows you?

cares about you?

hears your prayers?

I am so insignificant compared to the mighty universe we live in, it’s easy when I’m using my intellect to think, “it just sounds too good to be true that the God of the Universe would think about me!”

David wasn’t doubting God’s love and care in Psalm eight; he was completely in awe of it!

Maybe you’re thinking, “How can I know that the Living God is not just David’s God, He’s MY God?

We must do what David did:

  • Observe nature and realize YOUR Heavenly Father spoke it into existence
  • Hold, read, and meditate on God’s Word and realize when He inspired each word, He was thinking of YOU
  • Talk to Him and take the time to wait for Him to talk to you
  • Keep a journal of the times you’ve heard God speak, answered a prayer, or saw something supernatural

David was a shepherd until he was anointed to be king. Think about how much time David spent observing God through nature, being alone with God and meditating on his Word, talking and listening to Him, and recording his thoughts– we have a record of his journaling in the Psalms.

While group worship services, Bible studies, and prayer gatherings play an important part in the growth of our relationship with God; they’re not meant to replace your personal time with God.  In today’s digital world, it is harder than ever to unplug from technology and get quiet with God, but make the effort (that’s what the journey is all about), you’ll be so glad you did.

If we’re willing to do what David did, we can have what David had…a heart full of love and amazement for our Lord!

Heavenly Father, I’m amazed that You know me, see me, and care about me.  Lord, I want to know You more.  Holy Spirit pull me away, like a magnet, from the busyness and noise of this world.  Speak to me Lord, teach me Your ways, and use me for Your Glory.

In Jesus Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21

Are You Struggling With These Four Words? –2 Samuel 22:26-28

May 1, 2013 in 2 Samuel, 2013 Journey, Choices, Failure, Obedience, Pride, Psalms, Spiritual Disciplines, Word of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 22:1-51; Psalm 18

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful;
to those with integrity you show integrity.
To the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the wicked you show yourself hostile.
You rescue the humble,
but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them..  –2 Samuel 22:26-28

These three verses were repeated twice in today’s reading.

Do these four words describe your life?

    • Faithful
    • Integrity
    • Pure
    • Humble

What a promise!  Talk about a return of investment!

If I’m faithful, full of integrity, pure and humble the God of the universe will be faithful, full of integrity, pure, and humble to ME…AMAZING!

These four words should be our goal for our day and our life.

Where do we learn to be faithful, full of integrity, pure, and humble?

From the example of Jesus and the Word of God.

Are you struggling in either of these four areas?

Move closer to Jesus.  He will help you.  Spend time in His Word.  He will teach you.

Heavenly Father, we want to be our best for You. Lord, today help us to move one step closer to the person You have planned for us to be.  Make us more like You today.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 24:1-9; 1 Chronicles 21:1-6; 2 Samuel 24:10-17; 1 Chronicles 21:7-17; 2 Samuel 24:18-25; 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19

Read the Directions or Not. What say You?

April 22, 2013 in 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel, 2013 Journey, Choices, Failure, God Speaks today, leadership, Obedience, Word of God with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 5: 1-3, 1 Chronicles 11: 1-3,1 Chronicles 12: 23-40, 2 Samuel 5: 17-25, 1 Chronicles 14:8-17, 2 Samuel 5: 6-10, 1 Chronicles 11: 4-9,1 Chronicles 3: 4b, 2 Samuel 5:13, 4:5, 11:12, 1 Chronicles 14: 1-2, 1 Chronicles 13: 1-5, 2 Samuel 6:  1-11, 1 Chronicles 13: 6-14

David began making plans to move the ark.  He consulted his officials, including generals and captains of his army–everyone, except the Lord his God.

If you look in the first part of today’s reading, each time David went to battle he asked the Lord if he would have success.

But

he did not ask God or the Levites about transporting the Ark.

If David had asked he would have known that God gave strict instructions in His Law for transporting the Ark, found in Numbers 4:4, 15, 17-20:

This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of meeting, relating to the most holy things: . . . And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry. . . . Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: “Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites; but do this in regard to them, that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things; Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint each of them to his service and his task. But they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die.

As I look back in the previous chapters I wonder if this could be a clue about why David didn’t ask anyone for instructions to transport the Ark:

And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.  –2 Samuel 5:10

Was David feeling so powerful that he thought it wasn’t necessary to consult the Lord?

I don’t know, but power is probably the biggest heart test.  Give a person an extra dose of power and you’ll see what their made of.

There are two kinds of people, when it comes to starting a project; the ones who read the directions and the ones who don’t.

Have you ever skipped the directions and then kicked yourself because of the extra time or money that resulted from feeling you could do it without any help?

David’s mistake costs someone’s life.

Father, help us to know where our power comes from and to look to You to know how to use it.  Heavenly Father, you gave us instructions for everything we will ever face in Your Word, the Bible. Holy Spirit, give us a desire for Your instructions.  Help us to seek You before we begin each day to hear Your instructions for the day.

In Jesus Names. Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 6:12a, 1 Chronicles 15: 1-28, 2 Samuel 6:12b-16, 1 Chronicles 15:29, 2 Samuel 6: 17-19a, 1 Chronicles 16: 1-43, 2 Samuel 6: 19b-23

Have You Ever Been Betrayed?

April 15, 2013 in 1 Samuel, 2013 Journey, Divorce, Forgiveness, Psalms, Rejection, Word of God with 3 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 20:1 through 21:15, Psalm 34

Today’s reading is a great example of the beauty of the Chronological Bible. Samuel narrates the story and Psalms 34 tells us what David was feeling. It makes much more sense when we read them together.

Before I read the Bible chronologically I thought David was sitting out in some beautiful pasture with angels singing as he wrote the Psalms, but that could not have been further from the truth. Let’s try to imagine how this really took place…

In a matter of a couple of days David’s best friend Jonathan had confirmed his father Saul’s intention to kill David, he said goodbye to his best friend, in desperation for food, he ate the Holy Bread from the Tabernacle, and he pretended to be insane to save his life! Oh, and he wrote a Psalm…

I’m sure when he wrote it he never thought it would be a part of the Holy Scriptures. David found the strength and energy to write his feelings  following this trying ordeal because the Holy Spirit anointed him.  Sharing his feelings with the Lord was a common practice for him. Singing and/or writing was the way he worshiped and communicated with God.

I encourage you to read Psalm 34 out loud. It is so powerful! David is reminding himself of the goodness and faithfulness of his God.

Have you ever had a talk with yourself?

David did.

He was hurt and offended by Saul’s change of heart toward him, but he knew what was right. Let’s look at what he says:

Does anyone want to live a long life? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. –Psalm 34:12-14

Many years ago I was deeply hurt by the betrayal of a friend. Through a business relationship I was forced to interact with her publically a couple of times a month. I would literally become ill after these encounters. One night after one of these stressful times I came home and prayed and asked God what I needed to do.

Yes, I was in the process of forgiving her.

I wanted to forgive.

I was working on it,

but

every time I saw her all the hurt would come flooding back.

I felt God spoke to me and said, “I want you to handle her like David did Saul.”

“What does that mean?”

I went to the scriptures and studied David and Saul’s relationship. It was the most amazing thing. The Bible was written over 2000 years ago and it was completely relevant for my situation—how could that be?

Dianne, you are to do two things:

  • Do not speak evil against her
  • Stay away from her

This was liberating for me. I thought if I had forgiven I should be able to be around her without feeling the pain. The Lord told me that day to stay away so I could heal. It was a life changing day for me.

As we continue to study the life of David, we will be more amazed at the respect David showed Saul, but he definitely did his best to stay away from him.

Have you every been betrayed? How did you handle it?

Thanking God for You!

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©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 22: 1-2, Psalm 57, Psalm 142, 1 Chronicles 12:8-18, 1 Samuel 22:3-23, Psalm 52, 1 Samuel 23:1-12

 

What if it’s God Speaking? –1 Samuel 3:1-10

April 9, 2013 in 2013 Journey, God Speaks today, Holy Spirit, Word of God with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Samuel 1:9 through 1 Samuel 4:11

I wonder if young Samuel ever thought about the possibility of God speaking to him.  He had heard all the stories of Moses and Joshua; he knew God spoke to them, but in the day Samuel lived messages from the Lord were rare, and visions were quite uncommon (3:1).

Can you imagine the feeling of realizing  the God of the Universe is calling you and expecting you to answer?  Especially if you were only 12 years old!

Do you ever wonder if God speaks in today’s world?

Some say those days of God speaking to people are over.

I say, “What if the God of the Universe could and would speak to you and me?”

Would we want that?

I certainly do! God Speaking to us and being with us through the Holy Spirit are gifts Jesus assured us of when when He returned to heaven after His resurrection:

 However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].  –John 17:7 (Amplified Bible)

I think God speaks in many ways to everyone, even people who don’t know Christ but most of the time we don’t realize it’s God.  He speaks to us through nature, thoughts that walk through our heads, other people, music, art, books, billboards, Facebook and Twitter; and of course His Word…just to name a few. I also believe God speaks audibly to us if He chooses. After all, He is God and He can do whatever He wants.

I think the question is really do we want God to speak to us?

Why did God choose Samuel to speak to and through when there had been many years of silence?

Here’s what I noticed about Samuel:

  • Samuel had great examples of what not to do (Eli’s sons)
  • Samuel was focused on the Lord
  • Samuel did not cave into peer pressure
  • Samuel had the favor of God on his life
  • Samuel was respected by people
  • Samuel pressed in to be close to God
  • Samuel was listening (very important)

I want to be like Samuel and say “speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

Listen to the words of this song.  What if it’s God Speaking?

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I pray God speaks to you in a new and refreshing way TODAY!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller


Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 4:12 through 1 Samuel 8:22

Step Up and Claim What’s Yours–Joshua 21:2-3

March 29, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Blessings, Choices, Faith, Joshua, The Promises of God, Word of God with 1 Comment

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

So the division of the land was completed. –Joshua 19:51b.

Everybody saw their promise fulfilled.

Everybody…Except the Levites.

Here are a few points to remember–

The Levites…

The Levites took one for the team; not that they had a choice.  They became the first-born.  Yes, it was an honor to be set apart by God but they were missing out on receiving an inheritance like the rest of the Israelites.  I wonder if they ever wished they could change tribes.

As we are reminded in today’s reading, provisions were made for the Levites in the Promised Land …

The Lord Commanded Moses to give the Levites towns to live in and pasture lands for their livestock. –Joshua 21:2

I really feel bad for the Levites—they must have felt left out and unappreciated.  Everyone in the camp was so excited; they had finally received their own piece of the Promised Land…EXCEPT the Levites.   How could they forget them?

They way I see it the Levites had a choice—

  • They could pout
  • They could step up and claim what was theirs

Look closely at verses two and three of chapter 21 of Joshua—

The Levites didn’t whine, complain and shout, “How could you?”  They just quoted the law, The Lord commanded Moses to give us towns to live in and pastureland for our livestock.

The very next verse was their leaders’ response…

So by the command of the Lord the people of Israel gave the Levites the following towns and pasture lands out of their own grants of land.

The Levites weren’t the only folks to have to remind their leaders about a promise.  Remember, in Joshua 14, Caleb reminded Joshua that he was promised the land of Canaan and Joshua blessed Caleb and gave him the land.

This is amazing!  No discussion, no debate; they just gave them what was theirs; because their promise was written in The Law.

The Bible is full of promises for you and me!  It’s impossible to count them but several of the sources I checked estimated 1260.  Wow!

Friends, are you thinking what I’m thinking?  If it’s mine I WANT IT!  I wonder how many well-meaning Christians have lived life below their privileges because they either…

–Did not know what their inheritance was

–Did not step up to claim it

This is why we need to read the Bible cover to cover. This is why we need to keep a record of the promises God speaks to us! Together we will know Him and His Promise more each today!

Standing on the Promises of God!

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Joshua 22:1 through Joshua 24:33

God Has Secrets–Deuteronomy 29:29

March 20, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Deuteronomy, Trust, Word of God with 0 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 29:2-31:29

“I’ve got a secret!”  Little kids love to tease each other with those words.  Adults like secrets too, as long as they’re the ones in the know.

God likes secrets too.

The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. –Deuteronomy 29:29

God has secrets?

Of course He does!  There’s so much we don’t know.

Moses gave us some good news and bad news.

The good news: We’re not accountable for the secrets God keeps from us.

The bad news: We are accountable for all that he has revealed to us through His Word.

How much time do you spend worrying about things you either don’t know about (the future) or things you just don’t understand (why bad things happen to good people)?

How much time do you spend pondering over God’s Word and it’s meaning for your life in this particular moment in time?

Heavenly Father, I trust You.  I trust that the things that you’ve chosen to keep from me are for my good and Your Glory.  Help me to be accountable for the things You’ve revealed to me.  Draw me to Your Word.

Make me like you Jesus!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

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

Can We Add This to Our Leaders’ Job Requirements? –Deuteronomy 17:18-20

March 17, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Deuteronomy, leadership, Parenting, speaking God's Words, Word of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 16:18 through Deuteronomy 21:9

The Bible continues to amaze me at its relevance in every culture.  As we have read through the first four books of the Law, I have seen a resemblance of many of  today’s laws.

Coincidence—I don’t think so.  Even though there are many things we wouldn’t think of enforcing in the 21st century, such as sacrificing animals for sin offerings and guilt offerings. There are things, like the rules for appointing judges and officials (16:18-20), that have a familiar sound.

Think about it, our Founding Fathers were Bible-reading, Bible-believing folks who came to America to have a better life and be free to worship their God. Of course biblical values and principles are at the root of our legal system!

In today’s reading I saw something I think would be a great practice for our leaders:

When he sits on the throne as king (leader), he must copy for himself this body of instruction  on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.   He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives.  That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel. –Deuteronomy 17:18-20

Just imagine a country where the number one requirement for any leadership position is to have read the Bible and handwritten it word for word!

Why would a king need to spend his valuable time with what many would consider a monotonous ritual?

  • To learn to fear the Lord by reading and obeying the terms of the instructions and decrees
  • To prevent him from becoming proud and acting like he is above his fellow citizens
  • To prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way
  • To insure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel

Wow!  That sounds like a great leader to me!

Okay, I know we’re not going to see ‘hand-writing the Word on God’ on our president’s to-do list but if we want to be a godly leader in our family, church, or workplace we might want to consider making “hiding the Word of God in our hearts…” (Psalm 119:11) a high priority for our lives.

To quote a saying I’ve heard for many years: “The faintest ink is better than the most retentive memory.”

What did you learn during your time in the Word today?   WRITE IT DOWN!

Holy Spirit, help us to remember and obey Your Word!  Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 21:10 through Deuteronomy 25:19

Beware of Signs and Miracles–Deuteronomy 13:1-4

March 16, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Absolute Truth, Deuteronomy, Holy Spirit, Jesus, leadership, Word of God with 0 Comments

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Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 13:1 through Deuteronomy 16:17

Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or miracles occur.  If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—gods you have not known before—do not listen to them.  The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul.  Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone.  Obey his commands, listen to his voice and cling to him.       ~Deuteronomy 13:1-4

I’ve been sitting here “a while” knowing there was something in this scripture passage for us, but not knowing what it was.  Thankfully, “I” decided (Thank you Holy Spirit!) to go to my Bible software and see what the Bible commentaries had to say about it.  Here is an excerpt that I copied from The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:286) that spoke to me.

13:1-5. After the general prohibition against involvement in pagan worship (12:29-31) Moses discussed three ways in which the temptation to idolatry was likely to come: through a false prophet (13:1-5), a loved one (vv. 6-11), or “revolutionaries” who had been successful in leading an entire town into apostasy (vv. 12-18).

Miraculous signs alone were never meant to be a test of truth. Miracles happen in many religions because Satan uses false religions and false prophets to deceive the world (cf. 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Eph. 6:11; Rev. 12:9). So Moses warned the people that the standard for truth must never be a miraculous sign or wonder (or other areas of human experience). The standard of truth is the Word of God.

A prophet’s or a dreamer’s prediction may come true. But if his message contradicted God’s commands, the people were to trust God and His Word rather than their experience of a miracle. If human experience seemed to contradict God’s clear teachings the Israelites were to bow in submission to God’s commands, for His Word is truth (cf. John 17:17).

The Israelites were to view each solicitation to idolatry as a test of their love for the Lord. Though there was always the danger that they might succumb to a temptation, with each successful resistance to sin their faith in and love for Him would grow stronger (cf. James 1:2-4). They were to love . . . follow . . . revere . . . obey . . . serve, and hold fast to Him (cf. Deut. 10:20; 11:22; 30:20).

My Take aways:

  • Temptations can come through our loved ones or people we respect
  • Miraculous signs were never meant to be a test for truth
  • Satan uses false religions and false prophets to deceive the world
  • The standard of truth is the Word of God
  • Trust God’s Word over an experience or miracle
  • Each time we resist the temptation to worship false gods our faith in and love for the One True God grows stronger

Just like the Israelites we can be easily deceived if we aren’t using the Word of God as our standard.  It’s easy to see why Satan fights so hard to keep us  from reading the Bible.

John, the disciple of Jesus, warns us about false prophets in the New Testament:  Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.  ~1 John 4:1

Holy Spirit, draw us to Your Word like a magnet.  Give us supernatural discernment that can only come from You!  Jesus, teach us to run to You when something doesn’t seem right!  Father, thank You for making a way for us to know the truth!

In Jesus Name,   Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 16:18 through Deuteronomy 21:9

But “Everyone” is Doing It–Leviticus 18:1-2

February 22, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Biblical Principles, Choices, Christian Living, Leviticus, Pride, Sin, Word of God with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Leviticus 17:1 through Leviticus 19:37

I wish I had a dollar for every time my kids said, “But Mom, everyone else is doing it!” My children are now parents, but I’m sure they would still testify that telling me “everyone else is doing it” didn’t work for them—and it didn’t work for the children of Israel.

In Leviticus 18:1-2, the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. I am the Lord your God.  So do not act like the people of Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you.  You must not imitate their way of life.”

So basically in one sentence, the Lord through Moses told the Israelites, “you aren’t to be like anyone you’ve seen in the past or you will see in the future!”  They were God’s chosen people and He wanted them to be different!

Why did I tell my children not to do what everybody was doing?

The same reason God told the Israelites, to protect them.

God knew the plans He had for them (Jeremiah 29:11) and He knew the false gods of the Egyptians and the Canaanites would interfere with those plans.

It’s interesting to me that God prefaced his “sex” talk (18:1-30) with the “everybody’s doing it won’t work” talk.  As Larry Richards says in the Bible Reader’s Companion:

“Do as they do” (18:2–3). One of the most common excuses for sexual looseness is, “everyone else does it.” While particularly strong in high school, where many teens are ridiculed for being virgins, our society pressures young and older adults by making sexual promiscuity seem “normal.” God reminded Israel that as His people, they were not to do as the people of Egypt, where they had lived, do. They were not to do as the people of Canaan, where they would live, do. “Everybody else does it” has never been a valid excuse. Because we are God’s people, we are to do as He says, not follow the practices of pagans.

The paganism ( little or no belief in Jehovah God, one who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods: an irreligious or hedonistic person) of the Egyptians and Canaanites is alive and well in today’s culture.

I must confess…

  • I have imitated these folks too many times to count!
  • I have been interested in sensual pleasures, material goods and hedonism (the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification).

If I would have been a Jew is those days, I certainly could have been one of those whose bones were left in the desert!  I’m thankful for Jesus and the grace He offered me!  But I’m sad and have regrets that I fell for the “everybody’s doing it” trick of the enemy of my soul!

Father God, help us to look to Your Word to show us who and what You want us to be.  Help us to be like Jesus, not everyone else!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Leviticus 20:1 through Leviticus 22:33

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