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2/27/2009 Today's Reading: Numbers 5:1-10; 6:1-27; Psalm 27:4-5; Proverbs 10:18
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: "The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."'
"So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."
Numbers 5:1-10; 6:1-27 WORSHIP One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:4-5 WISDOM Whoever hides hatred has lying lips,
And whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Proverbs 10:18
Today's Devotional: Knowing Versus Doing
By Os Hillman, February 27, 2009 I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.... - Philippians 3:10 If I asked you the purpose for which God made you, what might you say? You might give a lot of answers that required some action on your part. However, the simplest answer to that question relates to one primary thing: fellowship. The most important thing God desires from us today is to have a deep and intimate fellowship with each of us. The apostle Paul said he wanted to know Christ, and by knowing Christ he could experience the power of His resurrection. I find this to be the hardest thing for many of us workplace believers to do. So often it is much easier to be busy with the urgent (or even Christian) activity than spending quiet moments before the Lord. Before we realize it, days have passed since our last quiet time with Jesus. Jesus understood how important quiet moments were with the Father. "After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone" (Mt. 14:23). The more mature I become in my relationship with the Lord, the more precious this time becomes to me. It is a time I look forward to almost daily. It offers me a time to reflect, to share my concerns with my Lord, and to hear Him speak. In the last few years I have begun prayer walks, which accomplish three things: fellowship, prayer, and exercise. It has changed my prayer life. I have come to understand that Jesus views us as His friend and He wants to spend time with us. We are depriving Him of His time when we put Him aside for the urgent. An interesting thing happens when we make prayer a priority: Urgent things seem to wane as we focus on Him. He makes all these other things fall into place. Are you taking the time to get to know Him today? You can receive the TGIF Daily Devotional FREE by email each day - start today! 
NEW TGIF Vol.2 Copyright 2000. Used by permission from Os Hillman and MarketplaceLeaders.org | Bookstore TGIF Reprint Policy | TGIF Archives | TGIF Monthly NewsletterTGIF Bookmarks | Os Hillman Speaking Inquiries 
Signup for Free Email 2/25/2009 Heavenly Father,
I know that Your desire is that I be a person of character. I pray Lord that in all I say and all I do Your character will shine in and through me. Help me to be true to Your Word and to Your will. Lord, help me to never forget the things You have taught me through church, through work, through leadership. During the hard time, people's true character will come out. Help me Lord to draw closer to You, help my character to grow even deeper. Lord, my hope and trust are in You and I ask that You shine Your Light into my life that I can see things that can be pruned; things I can or should stop, things I am missing or should start, and things that are in alignment and I should continue to do. Lord, I want to choose blessing over judgment and ask that You help my every step to be in alignment with You and Your Law. Lord, as I work through the 40 Days of Love series, may You be glorified and may I be transformed. May I speak in love Lord. May I not be afraid of the hard conversation. May I have proper motives in my speech. And Lord, may You get all the praise and all the glory, and all the honor in Jesus' name. Amen.
Today's Devotional: Fruitful Suffering
..."It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." - Genesis 41:52 Today's Reading:
Leviticus 26:1-45; Psalm 26:1-3; Proverbs 10:16 Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; WORSHIP Vindicate me, O LORD,
For I have walked in my integrity.
I have also trusted in the LORD;
I shall not slip.
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.
For Your loving-kindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.
Psalm 26:1-3 WISDOM The labor of the righteous leads to life,
The wages of the wicked to sin.
Proverbs 10:16 2/24/2009
Heavenly Father,
I thank You for this new day and for all the incredible things that will be a part of it. I thank You for my family and the blessing of my wife and children. Lord, I pray that as a living sacrifice to You, that all I say and all I do are sweet aromas to You. Lord, may You be please with how I live. May what I do and what I say provide You with joy and may the words I speak be pleasing to You. Lord, as we go through the 40 days of Love, may You help us to learn what it truly means - it isn't something fluffy, but something powerful, it isn't just a feeling, but an action that we perform to show others what You mean to us. And Lord, I thank You for Your Word that is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but that is alive and speaks to me and available to all of us a message we need to hear each day. And may You receive all the praise and all the honor and all the glory, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Today's Reading: Leviticus 23; Psalm 25:16-18; Proverbs 10:13 WORSHIP Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
Look on my affliction and my pain,
And forgive all my sins.
Psalm 25:16-18 WISDOM Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding,
But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.
Proverbs 10:13 
Godly Rewards By Os Hillman, February 24, 2009 Powered By Marketplace Leaders You have said, "It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out His requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape." - Malachi 3:14-15
Have you ever felt that serving God had little reward and the ungodly seemed actually to be more blessed than you? This is what the people of God felt. God heard their cry and responded through the prophet Malachi to explain God's view on this matter.
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name. "They will be Mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I take up My treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not" (Malachi 3:16-18).
Notice that after the people complained about this, they began to talk to each other, and the Lord listened and heard. God had been taking note of those who were serving Him and honoring Him. There is a day coming in which God will honor His "treasured possessions." We will see that there is a distinction between the righteous and the wicked on that day when "the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall" (Mal. 4:2). What a beautiful picture of what we will feel like on that day.
God rewards faithful obedience. It often requires patience, suffering, and perseverance. Be of good cheer; He will reward you if you faint not. You can receive the TGIF Daily Devotional FREE by email each day - start today! NEW TGIF Vol.2 Copyright 2000. Used by permission from Os Hillman and MarketplaceLeaders.org | Bookstore TGIF Reprint Policy | TGIF Archives | TGIF Monthly NewsletterTGIF Bookmarks | Os Hillman Speaking Inquiries Signup for Free Email 2/21/2009 Loose Your Donkey By Os Hillman, February 21, 2009 Powered By Marketplace Leaders ..."Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them...." - Matthew 21:2-3
A donkey was an animal of commerce in Jesus' day. It was used to carry great burdens of goods from place to place and it was known as the "beast of the burden." The donkey in Matthew 21 was surely owned by a village workplace believer. But Jesus told His disciples to fetch the donkey for "He had need of it." This donkey played an important part in Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It was a day that was the culmination of three years of ministry. Jesus chose to use a vehicle of commerce to bring Him into His most important public display.
We are entering a time in our own history in which God is saying to workplace believers, "Loose your donkey for My purposes. I have need of it." God is preparing His Church to be a vessel for ushering in a great harvest of souls. He is preparing His remnant of workplace believers, who are like a tribe within the Church, to be a major force in this great harvest.
"He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk" (Gen. 49:11-12). Is your donkey tied to the living Vine, the choicest branch of Jesus Himself? When we are tied to the living Vine, designed for His use, we will be useful in God's Kingdom. Jesus wants to free us from the bondage of work slavery; He wants us to walk in freedom so that others may see God's grace flowing through us and our place in the work world. Is your donkey available for His use?
Today, ask Jesus to allow the Vine to flow through you in every area of your life. You can receive the TGIF Daily Devotional FREE by email each day - start today! NEW TGIF Vol.2 Copyright 2000. Used by permission from Os Hillman and MarketplaceLeaders.org | Bookstore TGIF Reprint Policy | TGIF Archives | TGIF Monthly NewsletterTGIF Bookmarks | Os Hillman Speaking Inquiries Signup for Free Email 2/20/2009 He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Proverbs 10:4
Diligent: - persistent and hard-working: showing persistent and hard-working effort in doing something
Slack: - not showing enough care: not showing enough care, attention, or rigor
- not busy: not busy or active, or less busy than usual
Seeing Through God's Eyes By Os Hillman, February 20, 2009 Powered By Marketplace Leaders They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. - 2 Samuel 1:12
How would you respond if you heard something bad happened to someone who had been trying to cut off your head for several years? King Saul had been seeking to kill David for many years before Saul was thrust into battle against the Amalekites. In this final battle, a sword killed Saul. When the news reached David, instead of rejoicing that his enemy was no longer a problem for him, he responded in a totally different manner. He mourned. Imagine that; he mourned for the one who sought to kill him.
This is a sign of one who can look past an individual who is the source of pain and consider how God views him. God looks on that individual and sees his needs and knows why he responds the way he does. When we begin to see people as God does, we'll no longer look at them as enemies, but as souls in need of grace. This is how Jesus could give of His life for us. He saw our great need, not what we did to Him. When someone wrongs you, do you seek to retaliate, or do you pray to understand the need behind the offender's actions? For several years a person was a source of constant pain and retaliation toward me. There was nothing I could do to change it. God allowed me to go beyond the person's actions to understand what was the source of his need. When I gained that understanding, God gave me a picture of this person inside a prison cell and in bondage. This bondage made him respond to life in this way. I was able to pray for him and genuinely love him in spite of the fact that he persecuted me. This is the kind of love Jesus wants us to have when He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who spitefully use us.
I believe God does a special work of grace in those who go beyond the realm of normal response to persecution. He brings us to a level of grace we never thought possible. Describing how God worked in Joseph's life, Francis Frangipane reveals what happens when we tap into this grace:
God made him fruitful in the very things that afflicted him. In the land of your affliction, in your battle, is the place where God will make you fruitful. Consider, even now, the area of greatest affliction in your life. In that area, God will make you fruitful in such a way that your heart will be fully satisfied, and God's heart fully glorified. God has not promised to keep us from valleys and sufferings, but to make us fruitful in them. [Francis Frangipane, Place of Immunity (Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Arrow Publications, 1996), 93] You can receive the TGIF Daily Devotional FREE by email each day - start today! NEW TGIF Vol.2 Copyright 2000. Used by permission from Os Hillman and MarketplaceLeaders.org | Bookstore TGIF Reprint Policy | TGIF Archives | TGIF Monthly NewsletterTGIF Bookmarks | Os Hillman Speaking Inquiries Signup for Free Email 2/19/2009 Verses: - Matthew 6:25-34
- 25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Devotional: www.TodayGodIsFirst.com Saved From Such Men
February 19
O Lord, by Your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life.... - Psalm 17:14
Reading: www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/bigpicture
February 19
Leviticus 8:1-9:7; Psalm 23:1-3,6; Proverbs 10:2 WORSHIP The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
Psalm 23:1-3, 6 WISDOM Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
But righteousness delivers from death.
Proverbs 10:2
What is your top priority?
Can those around you tell? Heavenly Father,
I thank You for this new day and for all that will be in it. Lord, I lift up all the things that will try to take my time today and I ask for Your wisdom and discernment in order to accomplish Your top priorities today. Lord, I will look to You, for Your Word says to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness", I know Lord and was humbled by the Worship verses today for I know that You are always looking out for me and are proving me direction for every day and every situation. Help me Lord to say the things that need to be said, complete the work You have for me to do, and give an answer for the hope that is within me. Lord, I love You and pray You will give me eyes to see and ears to hear so that I never forget what is most important in Your eyes. Lord, I give You the praise and the glory and the honor, in Jesus' name. Amen.
2/18/2009 Today's Devotional:
Weapons of Warfare
By Os Hillman, February 18, 2009
Powered By Marketplace Leaders Today's Reading:
Leviticus 3:1-11; 4:1-20; 5:14-6:5; Psalm 22:26-28; Proverbs 10:1
from WOW-The Big Picture
on www.Crosswalk.com
What are you and have you been giving to God? - Are you doing it with a joyful heart?
- Is it a sweet aroma to God?
- Are you giving Him your best?
- Is He your first priority?
WORSHIP The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
Those who seek Him will praise the LORD.
Let your heart live forever!
All the ends of the world
Shall remember and turn to the LORD,
And all the families of the nations
Shall worship before You.
For the kingdom is the LORD's,
And He rules over the nations.
Psalm 22:26-28 WISDOM The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
Proverbs 10:1 2/17/2009 Heavenly Father,
I thank You for this new day. I thank You for the opportunities that You have provided and the faith it has required of me, for I know I can’t do it all in my own power and ask that You help me to know if I have things on my list that need to be removed or things that need to be added. Lord, Your Word says to work as unto the Lord. I work with You as my ultimate boss knowing Your ways are higher than my ways, and that the path You guide me down will be straight and narrow, leading to life. Help me to shine in a way that others will turn to You or want to learn more about You. Help me to be a reflection of You, not that the light is in me, but as the moon reflects the light of the sun in the dark evening sky, may I reflect the light of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in this dark world. Help me to keep my eyes on You and focusing on the things that You consider of high value – Love – Love God will all my heart, all my mind, all my soul and all my strength and second, – Love my neighbor as myself – it is all about relationships and Love. Acting in all I do in Love. Love is the be the way I act, not just the way I feel. I need to act in Love, even when I don’t feel like it, in order to stay in alignment with You. Help me to check my motives before I speak. Help me to be prepared prior to presenting a message – a hard topic with someone. Help me to pick the right time. And Lord, I thank You for the Wisdom of Your Word and for having surrounded me with believers that I can turn to and encourage. Today, I give this all into Your hands in the name of the name of Jesus Christ and I give You the praise and the honor and the glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Unexplainable Power By Os Hillman, February 17, 2009 Powered By Marketplace Leaders I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. - John 3:11 When is the last time God did something in your work life that can only be explained as God? Was it yesterday? Was it just last week? A month ago? A year ago? The answer to this question may mean several things. If it has been some time since you saw God's activity in such a way that you know it was His hand, you may not be trusting to a level that requires faith. You may not be risking enough for God to show Himself. The converts in the early Church changed the world they lived in because of what they saw and heard. It was the power of the gospel that changed lives, not what they learned from mere teaching. This power drew people to Christ. Things happened that could not be explained as anything other than the activity of God. Is that the kind of faith you are experiencing in your life? Many of us live a wholesome, moral life, but those we associate with do not see this activity as anything that cannot also be achieved by themselves. That is why many are not drawn to our lives. God's power is not evident. The Lord has been challenging me to trust Him at levels I have never trusted before. This level of trust has placed me in a vulnerable position. However, the blessing of this relationship is that I see the activity of God as never before, and those close to me see it as well. It builds their faith and draws others to investigate.
Sometimes the activity of God comes in unusual ways. God often sets up scenes that appear to be negative on the front end, but God has orchestrated these events for His glory. - Without Pharaoh's pursuit of Israel at the Red Sea, there is no miraculous deliverance.
- Without Lazarus's death, there is no rising to life.
- Without Goliath, there is no underdog story.
- Without Peter stepping out of the boat, there is no miracle on the water.
- Without Judas' betrayal, there is no resurrection.
God wants to show Himself in ways you and I cannot imagine. Let God demonstrate His power in your workplace today. Then, you will see "all men drawn unto Me." You can receive the TGIF Daily Devotional FREE by email each day - start today! NEW TGIF Vol.2 Copyright 2000. Used by permission from Os Hillman and MarketplaceLeaders.org | Bookstore TGIF Reprint Policy | TGIF Archives | TGIF Monthly NewsletterTGIF Bookmarks | Os Hillman Speaking Inquiries Signup for Free Email
Today’s Reading from www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/bigpicture WOW - The Big Picture 2/17 
February 17 The Burnt and Grain Offerings Leviticus 1-2; Psalm 22:22-24; Proverbs 9:10-12 Now the LORD called to Moses, and spoke to him from the tabernacle of meeting, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of the livestock-of the herd and of the flock. 'If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD. Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. He shall kill the bull before the LORD; and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. And he shall skin the burnt offering and cut it into its pieces. The sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar, and lay the wood in order on the fire. Then the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat in order on the wood that is on the fire upon the altar; but he shall wash its entrails and its legs with water. And the priest shall burn all on the altar as a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. 'If his offering is of the flocks-of the sheep or of the goats-as a burnt sacrifice, he shall bring a male without blemish. He shall kill it on the north side of the altar before the LORD; and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar. And he shall cut it into its pieces, with its head and its fat; and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire upon the altar; but he shall wash the entrails and the legs with water. Then the priest shall bring it all and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. 'And if the burnt sacrifice of his offering to the LORD is of birds, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves or young pigeons. The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out at the side of the altar. And he shall remove its crop with its feathers and cast it beside the altar on the east side, into the place for ashes. Then he shall split it at its wings, but shall not divide it completely; and the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. 'When anyone offers a grain offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour. And he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it. He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests, one of whom shall take from it his handful of fine flour and oil with all the frankincense. And the priest shall burn it as a memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. The rest of the grain offering shall be Aaron's and his sons'. It is most holy of the offerings to the LORD made by fire. 'And if you bring as an offering a grain offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil. But if your offering is a grain offering baked in a pan, it shall be of fine flour, unleavened, mixed with oil. You shall break it in pieces and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. 'If your offering is a grain offering baked in a covered pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil. You shall bring the grain offering that is made of these things to the LORD. And when it is presented to the priest, he shall bring it to the altar. Then the priest shall take from the grain offering a memorial portion, and burn it on the altar. It is an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. And what is left of the grain offering shall be Aaron's and his sons'. It is most holy of the offerings to the LORD made by fire. 'No grain offering which you bring to the LORD shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the LORD made by fire. As for the offering of the firstfruits, you shall offer them to the LORD, but they shall not be burned on the altar for a sweet aroma. And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt. 'If you offer a grain offering of your firstfruits to the LORD, you shall offer for the grain offering of your firstfruits green heads of grain roasted on the fire, grain beaten from full heads. And you shall put oil on it, and lay frankincense on it. It is a grain offering. Then the priest shall burn the memorial portion: part of its beaten grain and part of its oil, with all the frankincense, as an offering made by fire to the LORD.'" Leviticus 1-2 WORSHIP I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
You who fear the LORD, praise Him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!
For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from Him;
But when He cried to Him, He heard.
Psalm 22:22-24 WISDOM "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone."
Proverbs 9:10-12  Would you like your own copy of this devotional?
2/16/2009 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
- 2 Corinthians 10:4 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
- 2 Corinthians 10:3,5-6 Today's Devotional: Spiritual Strongholds
WORSHIP For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced My hands and My feet;
I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.
They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.
Psalm 22:16-18 WISDOM Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Proverbs 9:8-9 Today's Reading:
www.Exodus 39:32-40:35; Psalm 22:16-18; Proverbs 9:8-9 2/12/2009 Today's Devotional: from www.TodayGodIsFirst.com
Worthless Idols by Os Hillman Today's Reading:from www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/bigpicture
Exodus 23:1-25; 24:1-8,12-18; Psalm 20:6-7; Proverbs 7:1-3
Heavenly Father,
When we look around and see all that there is to do, we can feel overwhelmed. When we hear from You the great visions You have for us and those around us, we can all get overwhelmed if we take our eyes off us You and look at the things. Help us Lord, to keep our eyes on You - seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you - help us to have the courage to be obedient and step out of the boat as Peter did and to build our faith and courage while at the same time help us to look at You and not be distracted by the waves so that You can work miracles through and around us. Send people to encourage us to press in and press on and give us the wisdom to hear what You are saying through them. Help us to have the courage to be obedient. And Lord, we will give You the praise and the honor and the glory, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Do not grow weary in doing what is good and right. Stop and Rest - Be refreshed - Remember the Sabbath
WORSHIP Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Psalm 20:6-7 WISDOM My son, keep my words,
And treasure my commands within you.
Keep my commands and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 7:1-3 2/11/2009 Becoming a Fool By Os Hillman, February 11, 2009 Powered By Marketplace Leaders The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. - Proverbs 1:7
Marvin Wilson, author of Our Father Abraham, has written incisively about the various meanings for our word “fool”:
In Biblical wisdom literature, the pupils of the sages and mentors are the unwise, often termed "fools" (Prov. 1:7) or "simple one" (1:22). In wisdom literature, the different levels of fools - both young and old - are the raw material on which the sages had to work, and they represent the varying degrees of rawness. Perhaps as much as anything else, the term fool is descriptive of an attitude, bent of mind, or direction in life, which needs correcting. The various Hebrew words for fool occur more than a hundred times in the book of Proverbs. [Marvin Wilson, Our Father Abraham (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1989), 284-286.]
The reference to someone being a fool was not necessarily a negative term. A simple fool, or peti, was a person who made mistakes, but quickly righted them and was restored to fellowship with God and with others. King David was a simple fool, one who made mistakes, but kept a repentant heart toward God. This is why God did not turn away from him for his many sins.
The hardened fool, kesil and ewil, makes mistakes, but never learns from them and will not listen to others. Such people can expect God's reproof to continue and will eat the fruit of their own way (see Prov. 1:31-32). The hardened fool "returns to his own vomit." King Saul was a hardened fool, one who made mistakes and continued in them even after realizing he was wrong. We're going to err in our ways. The question is, once we know we have made a mistake before God, do we make the necessary adjustments that will allow Him to intervene on our behalf? And will we avoid the same course of action in the future? God says that if we do, He will pour out His Spirit on us (see Prov. 1:23). He will make known His words to us.
The third level of fool mentioned in Proverbs is the mocking fool or letz. The mocking fool mocks the things of God. This word means "scoffer" or "scorner." When you encounter cynical people who disregard the things of God, you know these people are "mocking fools."
The fourth level of fool is the God-denying fool or nabal. This term relates to the morally wicked person who ignores the disgrace he brings on his family and who despises holiness (see Prov. 17:21). This person says, "There is no God." By failing to acknowledge God for who He is, the nabal declares himself to be a "God-denying" fool.
I have found that it is helpful to try to understand if people are teachable. Are they simple fools, those who make mistakes but seek to learn from them? I can work with those people. But if I sense I am working with a hardened fool, I know I should not spend much time on that person. Jesus did not spend much time trying to convince the rich young ruler. He presented truth, and let him make his decision. Some people must get broken before they can become simple fools. Sometimes it is simply better to let satan chew on people until the ground is fertile enough to present truth to them. You can receive the TGIF Daily Devotional FREE by email each day - start today! NEW TGIF Vol.2 Copyright 2000. Used by permission from Os Hillman and MarketplaceLeaders.org | Bookstore TGIF Reprint Policy | TGIF Archives | TGIF Monthly NewsletterTGIF Bookmarks | Os Hillman Speaking Inquiries Signup for Free Email 2/9/2009 Sometimes we need others around us to push us through the difficult times. If you find yourself in a difficult place today, see where you can sow some seed. Soon you will be reaping songs of joy. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. - Psalm 126:5 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. - Ps. 126:5-6 Today's Devotional: Sowing in Tears by Os Hillman
www.TodayGodIsFist.com
Are you facing a big challenge - something that seems bigger than life? Let the Love of God strengthen and encourage You. Trust that he will deliver You from it. Consider how he saved the Israelites from the Egyptians as they camped before the Red Sea and the army approached. And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen." And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians." Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen." And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. So the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses. Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: "I will sing to the LORD,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!
The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father's God, and I will exalt Him.
The LORD is a man of war;
The LORD is His name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;
His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.
The depths have covered them;
They sank to the bottom like a stone.
"Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power;
Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces.
And in the greatness of Your excellence
You have overthrown those who rose against You;
You sent forth Your wrath;
It consumed them like stubble.
And with the blast of Your nostrils
The waters were gathered together;
The floods stood upright like a heap;
The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy said, 'I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.'
You blew with Your wind,
The sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
"Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
You stretched out Your right hand;
The earth swallowed them.
You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.
"The people will hear and be afraid;
Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.
Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed;
The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.
Fear and dread will fall on them;
By the greatness of Your arm
They will be as still as a stone,
Till Your people pass over, O LORD,
Till the people pass over
Whom You have purchased.
You will bring them in and plant them
In the mountain of Your inheritance,
In the place, O LORD, which You have made
For Your own dwelling,
The sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established.
"The LORD shall reign forever and ever."
Exodus 14:5-15:18 WORSHIP The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:7-10 WISDOM Can a man take fire to his bosom,
And his clothes not be burned?
Can one walk on hot coals,
And his feet not be seared?
So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife;
Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.
Proverbs 6:27-29 2/8/2009 Today's Reading:
Exodus 11:1-12:30; Psalm 18:48-50; Proverbs 6:20-22
from www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/bigpicture WORSHIP He delivers me from my enemies.
You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
You have delivered me from the violent man.
Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles,
And sing praises to Your name.
Great deliverance He gives to His king,
And shows mercy to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forevermore.
Psalm 18:48-50 WISDOM My son, keep your father's command,
And do not forsake the law of your mother.
Bind them continually upon your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
When you roam, they will lead you;
When you sleep, they will keep you;
And when you awake, they will speak with you.
Proverbs 6:20-22 2/4/2009 Relationships are more important than money. Matthew 6:24-33 - We cannot serve both God and money
- Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?
- You have so little faith
Competing values cannot coexist. One will overwhelm the other. The lesser value almost always overwhelms the greater. Lesser values take less faith and less effort. Lesser values seem easier and so constantly draw you in. Lesser values don't deliver on their promises. The striking thing about the lesser value is that the more of them you achieve, the more you realize how little power they have to bring fulfillment. When we focus on the lesser, we end up thinking of the words of Jesus in the middle of the night: "Doesn't life consist of more...?" If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? Questions about priorities are questions about faith. If I have faith that God will care for me, it frees me to live with a certain set of priorities; if instead I feel that it's up to me to take care of myself, my priorities will go in a completely different direction. Let's trust God like never before. Let's put relationships first.
Relationships are more important than tasks Jesus' life is filled with encounters that show how he balanced the needs of people and the tasks before him: - Mark 5:21-43 - He stops to give a shy woman the opportunity to voice her faith
- Mark 10:14 - He says, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them"
- Mark 6:37 - Jesus says, "You give them something to eat"
- John 4:- - Jesus takes time to talk to a woman beside a well in Samaria
Don't be tempted to allow the task you are doing to become more important than the people you are doing the task. In each example above, there is always someone trying to rush Jesus along. Jesus chose meeting a person's need above following his schedule of tasks for that day. God does not demand of me that I accomplish great things. He does demand of me that I strive for excellence in my relationships." —Ted W. Engstrom It can be so easy to miss God's priorities for my life. These sentences show and remind us that it would be the easiest thing in the world to chase after accomplishments my entire life and yet be left with mediocre relationships. Are you doing great things for you or for God? It can happen in the blink of an eye. Service replaced with selfishness. We all struggle with selfishness, , so how do we protect ourselves from letting our ego take center stage? Put relationships first. A healthy relationship with God and healthy relationship with others have the power to keep our commitments to the things and the tasks in our lives from getting out of balance.
God does not demand of me that I accomplish great things. He does demand of me that I strive for excellence in my relationships. So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life -- whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? - Matthew 6:25 What do the ways in which I spend my time and money say about the top priorities in my life?
The Relationship principles of Jesus by Tom Holladay 2/3/2009 Heavenly Father,
I know from the past that each year I see so many miracles because You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than I could ever ask or imagine. I look at my list of things to do and it continues to grow. I look at my priorities and know that Your top priority for me is love - so I work to build up and strengthen relationships around me. Help me Lord to make progress as You have done so many times before. Help me Lord to see progress as You have provided for before. Lord, You are my ultimate provider and I thank and praise You for that today and give this all up to You, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Empty Mangers By Os Hillman, February 3, 2009 Powered By Marketplace Leaders Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest. - Proverbs 14:4 When Jesus came into this world, He chose to be born in a most unusual place-a manger. It was no more than a livery stable with goats, oxen, and other livestock animals. There is a distinctive characteristic about a place like this. It is filled with odors and dung from the animals. God seems to work best among the unpleasantness of circumstances. In fact, "where there are no oxen, the manger is empty." What is this really saying? I believe it is saying that in order for Jesus to be present, we must invite those things that bring with them "messes to clean up." God works among the messy things in our lives. And from these messes come an abundant harvest. This is what He did with all His highly used servants in the Bible. God is filled with paradoxes. Why can't life be seamless and smooth? Because God likes to show Himself in the midst of the messes of life. This is what brings us into the harvests. So often the bigger the mess, the bigger the harvest. When a major road-construction project takes place in a crowded city street, it appears to be absolute chaos. It is inconvenient, slow-moving and tends to get us irritated because it appears we are moving much slower than we would like. It is ugly, and so much of what we see is torn up. But when we look at that same area a few months or years later, we see why the construction was necessary. There was meaning to the mess. It actually made life so much better for those who would use the road. It has been through the messiest of times in my business and personal life that God has revealed His power and strength in my life. It was when these "oxen" of hardship have walked into my manger that the greatest harvest was manifest. However, when I have sought to remove the "oxen" and rid myself of the odor and the mess, I have fought the ultimate work of God.
God works in mangers. You can receive the TGIF Daily Devotional FREE by email each day - start today! NEW TGIF Vol.2 Copyright 2000. Used by permission from Os Hillman and MarketplaceLeaders.org | Bookstore TGIF Reprint Policy | TGIF Archives | TGIF Monthly NewsletterTGIF Bookmarks | Os Hillman Speaking Inquiries Signup for Free Email
Have you ever tried to talk your way out of doing something? Heavenly Father,
I think back to when I kept telling You how I wasn't qualified to be the President of the HOA, and ended up as the vice-president during the middle of a term. The next year, You showed up in such a powerful way and gave me the choice to be the president or be nothing. I am glad that I chose to be obedient and do as You desired, as I watched incredible miracles take place - I had offers from people to stay on the board even though they needed to go and take care of their sick family member, at least long enough to vote, but I said, "if God wants me to be the president, He will make it happen, you go take care of your family." Lord, the miracles among the board, the staff, the contracts, the insurance company, was incredible for me to see and as I look back to remember. Had I not taken the call You put on my life, the things that could have happened could have been so bad. I thank You Lord, for having given me a message that I couldn't miss and a heart to be obedient. Help me today Lord to be obedient to the things You have as priorities in my life. I love You and praise You, and stand in the gap for all those around me Lord who either don't know You or haven't heard of You, for those who need You to be real in their lives. Lord, help me to draw them closer to You, give me words to speak, actions to take, and ears to hear and wisdom to understand their circumstances in Jesus' name I pray. And Lord, I will give You all the praise and all the honor and all the glory, in Jesus' name. Amen.
February 3 Moses Meets God Exodus 3:1-4:17; Psalm 18:20-21,24; Proverbs 5:21 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn." So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."
Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father-the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. And the LORD said: "I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" So He said, "I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain." Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?" And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.' Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, "I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt; and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey."' Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, 'The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.' But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians." Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.'" So the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?"
He said, "A rod."
And He said, "Cast it on the ground." So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail" (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), "that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." Furthermore the LORD said to him, "Now put your hand in your bosom." And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow. And He said, "Put your hand in your bosom again." So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. "Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land." Then Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." So the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." But he said, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send." So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: "Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God. And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs." Exodus 3:1-4:17 WORSHIP The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness;
According to the cleanness of my hands
He has recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD,
And have not wickedly departed from my God.
Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.
Psalm 18:20-21, 24 WISDOM For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD,
And He ponders all his paths.
Proverbs 5:21 Would you like your own copy of this devotional? 2/2/2009 Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another
- John 13:34 Jesus answered [the teacher of the law], "The most important command is this: 'Listen, people of Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second command is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' There are no commands more important than these."
- Mark 12:29-32 Have I asked Jesus
if what I'm doing is what's most important?
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