…as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. (KJV)
At the beginning of the movie Gladiator, Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius speculates with his most trusted general about how the world will remember his name. Will he be known as the philosopher, the warrior, or possibly even the tyrant? Most of us do not ask that question, but it is good to consider. If you were to die today, how would you be remembered? Would it be for things that you had done, words you had said, relationships you had developed? Would it be for things you had owned? Most importantly, do you like the thought of the answer?
The verse for today is almost a throw away. It comes in a passage about building an altar to God and is not really about Moses at all. Yet the words jump out at us…Moses the man of God. Replace the name of Moses with your own. What phrase would most likely follow it? What would it take for you to be known as a man or woman of God?
Gracious heavenly Father, I know that we do not live for titles or to honored by others. Still, I would like to be known the way Moses was, not for the glory, but because I want my life to be so completely focused on You. Help me to weed out what is unimportant and distracting in my life and turn my eyes completely on Jesus, my Lord. It is in His name I pray, amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
July 3 (Daniel 6:5)
Then said these men, “We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” (KJV)
If someone wanted to trick, trap, or harm you, how would he do it? Where is the chink in your armor? Is there a particular weakness or secret sin that could be the way to do you in?
When the leaders who served under King Darius of the Persian empire wanted to discredit Daniel, they realized that there was no way to do it. Their only hope was to set up a law opposing the law of God, for they knew that Daniel was so faithful he would obey God rather than the king.
I would love for that to be the case about me. I would love to live my life in such a way that it was completely honorable, with no crack through which someone could discredit me. On top of that, I would like very much to be known as a man that, if push came to shove, would obey God before anything else. Can what was true of Daniel be said about you?
Father, thank You for giving us examples like Daniel. May I follow in his footsteps, never surrendering to the culture around me, but always standing faithful to You. In the name of Christ Jesus, my Lord, Who was faithful to the point of the cross, amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
If someone wanted to trick, trap, or harm you, how would he do it? Where is the chink in your armor? Is there a particular weakness or secret sin that could be the way to do you in?
When the leaders who served under King Darius of the Persian empire wanted to discredit Daniel, they realized that there was no way to do it. Their only hope was to set up a law opposing the law of God, for they knew that Daniel was so faithful he would obey God rather than the king.
I would love for that to be the case about me. I would love to live my life in such a way that it was completely honorable, with no crack through which someone could discredit me. On top of that, I would like very much to be known as a man that, if push came to shove, would obey God before anything else. Can what was true of Daniel be said about you?
Father, thank You for giving us examples like Daniel. May I follow in his footsteps, never surrendering to the culture around me, but always standing faithful to You. In the name of Christ Jesus, my Lord, Who was faithful to the point of the cross, amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
Sunday, June 26, 2011
June 26 (Luke 18:13)
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (KJV)
This is the man whom Jesus lifted up as an example, a tax collector with a reputation for cheating people out of their hard-earned money. This man knew how to confess. He knew how to repent. We may know a great many things about technology and how to advance in the world, but do we know how to confess and repent in the way our Lord approves?
Humans are the pinnacle of creation, made in the image of God. Yet humans are sinners, and so am I. My life may have all the marks of success, but not a day goes by that I do not sin in thought or word or deed, and often in all three. I need to acknowledge who I am, a sinner redeemed by grace, and I cannot focus properly on the grace and give proper glory to God without first admitting that I am a sinner.
O Lord, my God, You know every thought that passes through my mind, yet I must confess to You my sins. I have not done the things I should, and I have failed to do what You command. Of my own merits, I deserve nothing but punishment. Thank You, heavenly Father, for allowing Your Son, my Lord Jesus, to take that punishment for me. Restore me to a righteous life, one that can bring true glory and honor to You. Amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
This is the man whom Jesus lifted up as an example, a tax collector with a reputation for cheating people out of their hard-earned money. This man knew how to confess. He knew how to repent. We may know a great many things about technology and how to advance in the world, but do we know how to confess and repent in the way our Lord approves?
Humans are the pinnacle of creation, made in the image of God. Yet humans are sinners, and so am I. My life may have all the marks of success, but not a day goes by that I do not sin in thought or word or deed, and often in all three. I need to acknowledge who I am, a sinner redeemed by grace, and I cannot focus properly on the grace and give proper glory to God without first admitting that I am a sinner.
O Lord, my God, You know every thought that passes through my mind, yet I must confess to You my sins. I have not done the things I should, and I have failed to do what You command. Of my own merits, I deserve nothing but punishment. Thank You, heavenly Father, for allowing Your Son, my Lord Jesus, to take that punishment for me. Restore me to a righteous life, one that can bring true glory and honor to You. Amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
Sunday, June 12, 2011
June 12 (Matthew 25:30)
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (KJV)
Audio version available here.
Our children love to snuggle with both mommy and daddy. Even our son, who is all boy, loving swords and basketball and Legos, likes to be close to us. It is natural for children to want to be near their parents, and few things are as hurtful to a child as separation from a parent for any reason.
We learn in the first chapter of John that God is light. References to darkness, therefore, are about utter separation from God. Think about that for a moment. Try to imagine being separated from God forever and never feeling His presence or His love. Imagine knowing that there is nothing you can do to enter into His presence again and that the cold darkness will never end. Ever. Truly, there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is worth contemplating hell, if only because it causes us to run toward our Father, Whose arms are open and waiting for us. It is good for us to long for His Presence and to want to be ever closer to Him. It is, after all, what children do.
Father, I want to be closer to You today. I am deeply sorry for the things I have done that have pushed me away from You. I reject everything in my life that could separate me from You and run with my all my heart toward You. In the name of Jesus, my life and my light, I pray. Amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
Audio version available here.
Our children love to snuggle with both mommy and daddy. Even our son, who is all boy, loving swords and basketball and Legos, likes to be close to us. It is natural for children to want to be near their parents, and few things are as hurtful to a child as separation from a parent for any reason.
We learn in the first chapter of John that God is light. References to darkness, therefore, are about utter separation from God. Think about that for a moment. Try to imagine being separated from God forever and never feeling His presence or His love. Imagine knowing that there is nothing you can do to enter into His presence again and that the cold darkness will never end. Ever. Truly, there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is worth contemplating hell, if only because it causes us to run toward our Father, Whose arms are open and waiting for us. It is good for us to long for His Presence and to want to be ever closer to Him. It is, after all, what children do.
Father, I want to be closer to You today. I am deeply sorry for the things I have done that have pushed me away from You. I reject everything in my life that could separate me from You and run with my all my heart toward You. In the name of Jesus, my life and my light, I pray. Amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
Sunday, June 5, 2011
June 5, 2011 (Ephesians 5:3)
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints. (KJV)
Audio version available here.
It is increasingly difficult to distinguish a Christian from a non-Christian. Our language and behavior tends to mimic that of the culture we are in rather than stand out as a contrasting example of a better way. We want to be just enough of a Christian to enjoy the fellowship of church and get that warm, fuzzy feeling from doing good things for others, but when it comes to our private lives, that is another matter.
Yet, as the saying goes, Jesus is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. That means I cannot dress however I want. In a land of free speech, my speech is limited. There are things I am called to do and things I must not do, however much I and those around me may enjoy them.
We are entering summer, a time when many of us take vacations. While we take time for those activities that recharge our batteries, will we take a vacation as well from acting like the Christians we claim to be?
Father, it is easy for me to slide into behaviors that are not pleasing to You. Give me the strength I need to stand against all temptations. May my life be an example to others of what You want from Your followers. In the name of Christ Jesus, to Whose lordship I have surrendered, amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
Audio version available here.
It is increasingly difficult to distinguish a Christian from a non-Christian. Our language and behavior tends to mimic that of the culture we are in rather than stand out as a contrasting example of a better way. We want to be just enough of a Christian to enjoy the fellowship of church and get that warm, fuzzy feeling from doing good things for others, but when it comes to our private lives, that is another matter.
Yet, as the saying goes, Jesus is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. That means I cannot dress however I want. In a land of free speech, my speech is limited. There are things I am called to do and things I must not do, however much I and those around me may enjoy them.
We are entering summer, a time when many of us take vacations. While we take time for those activities that recharge our batteries, will we take a vacation as well from acting like the Christians we claim to be?
Father, it is easy for me to slide into behaviors that are not pleasing to You. Give me the strength I need to stand against all temptations. May my life be an example to others of what You want from Your followers. In the name of Christ Jesus, to Whose lordship I have surrendered, amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
Sunday, May 29, 2011
May 29 (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:26)
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. (KJV)
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. (KJV)
It is right that we remember this weekend those who have died in the service our country, helping secure a place where we can be free. In no other place in the history of the world have people enjoyed a particular freedom that we have in the United States, the freedom of religion. We are free to practice our faith without interference from any agent of the government.
What does that mean for Christians? Among the many things, it means we are free to obey our Lord’s command without fear of reprisal. We can consume His body and blood in the form of communion without fear of being arrested for cultish or cannibalistic practices. And when we do this, it has an effect beyond our own blessing. As Paul reminds us, whenever we partake of this memorial meal that our Lord instituted, we are proclaiming to the world His death. In other words, when we remember Christ Jesus in the way that He instructed us to remember Him, we become the servants of His evangelistic message. The Good News is shown to the world when we remember Him through bread and wine.
Once again, God demonstrates His incredible love for us. Not only does He bless us through the celebration of communion, He uses this distinctly Christian event to bless those who do not yet know Him by giving them a picture of what He has done for them.
Gracious heavenly Father, how great is Your love for all mankind! We honor and praise You as we remember the sacrifice of Your Son at Calvary, a sacrifice necessary to secure our salvation and to send the Holy Spirit into our lives. We glorify You and Your Son, our Lord Jesus, along with the Holy Spirit, the one God of all creation. Amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. (KJV)
It is right that we remember this weekend those who have died in the service our country, helping secure a place where we can be free. In no other place in the history of the world have people enjoyed a particular freedom that we have in the United States, the freedom of religion. We are free to practice our faith without interference from any agent of the government.
What does that mean for Christians? Among the many things, it means we are free to obey our Lord’s command without fear of reprisal. We can consume His body and blood in the form of communion without fear of being arrested for cultish or cannibalistic practices. And when we do this, it has an effect beyond our own blessing. As Paul reminds us, whenever we partake of this memorial meal that our Lord instituted, we are proclaiming to the world His death. In other words, when we remember Christ Jesus in the way that He instructed us to remember Him, we become the servants of His evangelistic message. The Good News is shown to the world when we remember Him through bread and wine.
Once again, God demonstrates His incredible love for us. Not only does He bless us through the celebration of communion, He uses this distinctly Christian event to bless those who do not yet know Him by giving them a picture of what He has done for them.
Gracious heavenly Father, how great is Your love for all mankind! We honor and praise You as we remember the sacrifice of Your Son at Calvary, a sacrifice necessary to secure our salvation and to send the Holy Spirit into our lives. We glorify You and Your Son, our Lord Jesus, along with the Holy Spirit, the one God of all creation. Amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
Sunday, May 22, 2011
May 22 (James 2:15-16)
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (KJV)
This is part of the famous teaching on faith without works. It is so famous that perhaps it has suffered from the contempt that familiarity breeds. Christians are among the best at serving. We have outreach ministries at our churches, food pantries, and assistance programs. We collect clothing for children in foreign countries and we give of our time and money.
If we think that this has fulfilled the teaching of Scripture, however, we are mistaken. Pause for a moment and look at the people we often do not see, those closest to us. We may spend a Saturday at an inner-city home restoration, but what needs do our elderly neighbors and relatives have? We collect canned goods for the food pantry, but is there a co-worker going through hard times who could use a meal?
Of course we must not stop reaching out to those whose names we will never know. In doing so, we must not neglect those whose names we do.
Lord, it is so easy for me to get caught up in the fast pace of life that I fail to see those around me. Help me to see with the eyes of Jesus and to move quickly to serve anyone whose need would have caught His eye. Amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)