Judges 9; Acts 13; Jeremiah 22; Mark 8

After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ (Acts 13:22, NIV)

I just returned home from a family reunion where I helped to honor my husband’s 92-year-old grandfather. For nearly a century, Grandpa Storms has remained faithfully obedient to Jesus. He and his bride of 65 years raised three children…all of whom serve in full-time Christian ministry. Four of their six grandchildren work as pastors, and everyone in the family loves the Lord. Who knows how many people have come to know Jesus because of Grandpa Storms. His legacy testifies to his faithfulness to God.

At 92, it won’t be long before Jesus testifies on Grandpa’s behalf, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In the same way, Paul said that God himself looked on David’s heart and testified concerning him, “He’s a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”

Were God to testify concerning me, I wonder what He’d say. Maybe, “She’s a woman after her own ambition; she does everything to honor herself.” Or perhaps, “Amy chases after the approval of others; she’ll do anything for acceptance.”

But oh, to have a testimony like David’s! To be a woman who seeks God in all things. To be known, like Grandpa Storms, for my faithful obedience.

Lord, I want this to be my testimony. Show me where my heart fails to follow You. Correct every area of rebellion and disobedience, until You can testify concerning me, “Amy will do everything I ask her to do.” Make me more like David, more like Grandpa Storms, and more like You, Lord. Amen.

amystorms

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Judges 8; Acts 12; Jeremiah 21; Mark 7

The lengths He goes to save.

In battle, where numbers defy logic.

“God gave you victory over Oreb and Zeeb, the commanders of the Midianite army. What have I accomplished compared to that?” Judges 8:3 (NLT)

In captivity, surrounded and bound in chains.

Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Acts 12:7 (NLT)

In limitations, to give understanding and a voice.

They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” Mark 7:37 (NLT)

In love, to a cross, because His anger burns like an unquenchable fire because of sin.

He is mighty, amazing, wonderful and love.

The lengths He goes to save.

Application? Spending this time marveling at God’s great character and love, because it’s all about him.

Courtney (66books365)

Judges 7; Jeremiah 20; Mark 6; Acts 11

Today I need a simple truth to speak to me. I search today’s Scriptures asking for God to reveal something to me, not just to write about but to help me right here and now. I am feeling so overwhelmed by multiple crises at work, multiple crises at home, a death in the family, the fact that I’m traveling in 7 hours and I haven’t yet slept for the night OR packed, much less put the house in any order for the house sitter….need I go on?

In all of today’s readings I see not only the power of God
    Defeating the Midianites with a very small army by way of torches and trumpets
    Feeding over 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish
    Walking on water
    Calming a storm
    Empowering the early church to do mighty works
but I also see the way He goes about doing these mighty works… through people – by being WITH them – all the way. I can hear the Mercy Me song in my head… “God with Us”. I love that song. It brings back memories of a Mercy Me concert in Colorado. But I digress… just a little… The fact is, God IS with us.

God tells Gideon that he needs to thin out his army (from 30,000 to 300) so that it can be obvious that the victory was not due to the army’s own strength but from God.

Jeremiah, sandwiched between laments, says “But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior”.

Jesus takes five loaves and two fish and feeds over 5000 people, but He allows the disciples to be the distributors.

Jesus sees His disciples in trouble on the lake. He walks out to them on the water, gets in the boat with them, and calms the storm.

In Acts we see the Holy Spirit poured out to the Gentiles, assuring the disciples that “God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life”. The Holy Spirit is truly God With Us.

Over and over in the Scriptures we read “Do not be afraid. I am with you.” And I am glad, because there is no other way I could survive.

I think I’ll hum the Mercy Me song while I get ready for bed now… I can do this. God is with ME. He’s in my boat.

Sue

Judges 6; Jeremiah 19; Mark 5; Acts 10

Look how the Lord uses us.

Sometimes where we see weak and fearful …

The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

“But Lord, ” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.” Judges 14-16 (emphasis mine)

Gideon, afraid of his family and the townsmen, took cover in night to demolish an altar and remove the Asherah pole. Didn’t he hear what the angel of the Lord said? “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

… God sees a mighty warrior.

And sometimes where we see strength …

A strong man who broke through chains. No one could bind him. No one could subdue him–except this Legion, breaking him so he’d cry out and cut himself. Afflicted. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.

… God sees weakness.

He uses us in any way.

[Jesus said], “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him.

For His glory.

And all the people were amazed. (Mark 5:19-20)

In my weakness or His strength, all for His glory,

Courtney (66books365)

Judg. 5; Acts 9; Jer. 18; Mark 4

When I first began reading, I went right to Mark 4 and the parable of the sower.  I love the gospels, parables, and really anything that Jesus said. We can learn so much not only from the words he says, but the way in which he says them (context, audience, language)

Questions from the parable-

Where would I put myself in this parable? Am I the shallow rocky soil? Am I being choked out by the thorns?

How is my growth? Am I springing up quickly with no roots?

When Jesus talks about the seed, it has already begun to grow. The things he says can be relevant to those who are not Christians. Who do they surround themselves with and how is it affecting their hearts? However, his disciples are present and when he is alone with them he clarifies that he was also speaking to them.

How am I spending my time? Am I working 40 hours a week, and spending all my free time on selfish endeavors yet wondering why I am distant from my family, and my growth in Christ is stifled?

The Christian life is a simple one. We can analyze and over-analyze each scripture, we can venture into the Greek roots of words and argue Wesleyan vs. free grace theologies. These things can all be very helpful and I enjoy venturing deep into the meanings of scripture and discussing the harder/more confusing areas of the Bible. But if I have no roots (Mark 4:6) then when the sun comes out I will be scorched.

Who do I spend time with? Am I living a solid, balanced Christian life as defined by Jesus?

Lord give me a discerning heart. What I allow into my heart is what inevitably will come out of me. Help me to be a friend, a son, and a companion who is caring and promoting growth in Christ. I know the happiness you can bring so help me to be an example of all that you’ve done in my life. I am so thankful. As you said ‘iron sharpens iron’ let it be so in my life as I relate to the people around me. In your holy name, amen.

Sam (gueston66books)