Human Error vs. God's Plan - 2Ti. 4:3

"For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths." 2Ti. 4:

While this definitely describes the days in which we live, Paul is very accurately describing Israel's past as well. Somehow, human beings seem destined to repeat their same errors. All we have to do is look at today's readings. God, through Amos, is condemning Israel for the very things Paul describes above in Timothy, then in Ps. 80 the writer is asking why God has abandoned them! The cycle repeats today. While believers of any one generation wonder what the point of all this is and why God puts up with it all, looking at the big picture, we see a God who is continually reaching out to his people encouraging them to come back. He may have to punish them to get them to see their error, but he waits for them with open arms. Ultimately, people are saved throughout these cycles, and this is God's ultimate purpose. While his patience seems eternal, it isn't -- there WILL come a day...

God, thank you for your ongoing act of love in granting us mercy. Thank you for the example you set for us in your word for how a loving Father NEVER gives up on his kids.

Today's reading: Amos 1-3; Ps. 80; 2Ti. 4

History Repeats? - Ps. 83:4-7

'"Come,' they say, 'let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence... these Edomites, and Ishmaelites, Moabites and Hagrites, Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites, and people from Philistia, and Tyre.'" Ps. 83:4-7

I think of two things when I read these verses: 1. Do any of these nations still exist today?, and 2. Aren't there other nations making the very same threats today?

There is no doubt in my mind that God has a plan for the nation of Israel, if not, it would have indeed been destroyed long ago. Nothing but a footnote in some history book like the nations cited above. Yet Israel lives on, with the identical threats being made against it today. I know there are Jews and Christians alike praying the same prayer as in this Psalm today for Israel's protection, and I am equally confident that God will protect Israel and make good on his promise so long ago to Abraham. God has a plan, and no threat from man can change it.

Today's reading: 2Ki. 4, 5; Ps. 83; 1Tim. 2

Choice - Col. 3:12

From yesterday's reading:

"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Col. 3:12

We are being renewed day by day to be more like Christ, and someday all of the above will come easily to me. Until then, these attitudes are daily choices for me. "Clothes" I must still put on--they don't always fit real well, but they feel better everyday I wear them. I am confident that this is the changed heart that Christ desires. Not a heart that is transformed overnight (though parts of it might be), but one that desires change, and allows the Holy Spirit to affect the attitudes that ultimately cause change."

Lord, help me to always continue to run the race, ever straining forward and most especially not falling back...

Today's reading: 1Ki. 20-21; 2Chr. 17; Col. 3

Armor - Eph. 6:15, 16

"For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan." Eph. 6:15, 16

I love it that God has prepared us for living in this world -- that he promised to send us a "helper," and in his faithfulness he gave us the Holy Spirit. My peace comes from the knowledge of my salvation -- the Good News; and regardless of what Satan throws at me, my faith is unshakable. I was blessed with the gift of faith, and have always kind of considered it cheating -- I simply don't worry about too much because of my faith in God's plan and his sovereignty. There is no doubt in my mind that faith is our most powerful weapon against Satan's tactics.

Thank you God for saving me, thank you for being a God I can trust.

Today's reading: Song 1-4; Eph. 6

Dangerous Road - Ro. 16:27; Pro. 28:2; 29:25

"To God, who alone is wise, be the glory forever through Christ Jesus." Ro. 16:27

"When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability." Pro. 28:2

"Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the Lord means safety." Pro. 29:25

The Bible teaches us that God out our rulers/governments in place, and therefore we should obey them. Yet these verses indicate that if our leaders are not leading with God's wisdom, but with people's instead, that the nation is weak and could easily topple. I fear this is the path we are on -- Godly wisdom does not appear to be running our country."

Lord, I pray for our leaders, that you fill them with YOUR wisdom to overflowing. I pray that they do not fear people/polls/opinion, but rather do what is right. This is what will lead our country to safety.

Today's reading: Pro. 28-29; Ps. 60; Ro. 16