Ben Brinkman

Daily Devotioanls

2010-08-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

Thank you for visiting my blog/devotional. All our new and future blog entries are now being posted on our website at www.lifeaturban.com. We may begin to use this site in the future for blog purposes but to follow our daily devotional please click here.

Dream Big
Ben Brinkman

Stay Foolish - Daily Devotional August 27th, 2010

2010-08-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

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Dream Big
Ben

Nothing But Jesus - Daily Devotional August 26th, 2010

2010-08-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

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Dream Big
Ben

Fear Him, not them. Daily Devotional- August 23, 2010

2010-08-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible reading: 1 Samuel 15 , Romans 13, Jeremiah 52, Luke 20

God gave Saul specific instructions to destroy the Amalekites completely. Instead of obeying the Lord wholeheartedly, he disobeyed by sparing the best of the cattle and everything that was good in the land. He may have thought he got away with it, but God began to speak to the prophet Samuel about it and Samuel confronted Saul on his disobedience. At first, Saul justified his behavior but later he admits, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them."

It was the fear of man that caused Saul to sin, and his kingdom to be eventually divided and given over to another.

I will be the first to admit, I don't like ruffling feathers, offending people or confrontation. Yet, as a Christian I realize that it is not an option. Jesus offended people with the truth. The gospel is offensive because the gospel rejects many sinful behaviors that man accepts and many beliefs that contradict God's absolute truth.

First, we must obey God. Craig Groeschel says "The easiest way to forget what God thinks about you is to become obsessed with what others think about you." How often do we find ourselves caring more about what other people think than we do about what God thinks? How often are we afraid to tell people the truth or confront their sin because we are more afraid of ruffling their feathers than we are in pleasing God? How many times have we made a decision to please the majority rather than the decision we knew was right and would honor God?

I have been to churches where the congregation admits that "the spirit of God used to flow" but that the Pastor no longer felt liberty to do anything out of the ordinary because of the sway of the people. Many people describe these types of churches as "dead" and "boring." I believe our lives will look a lot like those people-pleasing churches if we chose to fear man rather than God. I am so grateful to be in a church who fears God more than man and grateful to be around people who are not afraid to stand out from the crowd to please God.

Proverbs 29:25 "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe."

Chose to honor God today by seeking HIS approval and not mans,
Mel Miller

What Depends On You? - Daily Devotional August 22nd, 2010

2010-08-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

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Dream Big
Ben

How are they to call upon Him? Daily Devotional August 20, 2010

2010-08-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

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Forget Not All His Benefits - Daily Devotional August 18th, 2010

2010-08-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

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Dream Big
Ben

The Pauper or The Popular - Daily Devotional August 17th, 2010

2010-08-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

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Dream Big
Ben

A new creation with an empowering grace. Daily Devotional - August 16, 2010

2010-08-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible reading: 1 Samuel 7, Romans 6, Jeremiah 44, Luke 13

Before I gave my life to Christ, I was a completely different person. The power of God to transform lives is incredible. I was recently telling a friend some things about my past and explaining to her that even though I know it was still me that did those things, the memories feel like I am looking into the life of another person. Not only did God forgive me but his grace covered that old life so those memories don’t have to vividly haunt or torment me!

Romans 6:4 tells us that because of what Jesus did on the cross we may have a new life!

There are many self-help books out there that promote a “fresh start” or a “new you.” All of these concepts are only the biblical principle with Christ removed from it. People can try to have a fresh start or a new life without Christ, but it won’t bring the transforming power that only He can bring. I know many Christians who remember the exact date of when the gave their life to Christ. To some, they deem it as important as their actual birthday because it was when they were born again.

For me, it was an instant transformation and for some it is more gradual. Wherever you are at with God today, and with the sins you are trying to overcome know that you can’t do it on your own! It is only through the power and the grace of God that true strength and change comes.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

If you have been a Christian all your life, don’t let the enemy lie to you and tell you that you don’t have a testimony. Your testimony is that the grace of God saved and spared you all the days of your life! If you have been born again in your later years, know that you have a new life in Christ. You are a new person who has been washed clean and given authority! The lie of the devil is that he has only given you grace to forgive your sins! Wrong! He has also given you an empowering grace! This empowers you to do everything he has called you to do and to give up everything he calls you to give up.

You are a new creation with an empowering grace!
Mel Miller

What is Going To Rule You? Daily Devotional August 15, 2010

2010-08-15T17:04:00.000-07:00

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Ask - Daily Devotional August 14, 2010

2010-08-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

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Two are Better than One - Dialy Devotioanl August 13th, 2010

2010-08-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - 1 Samuel 3, Romans 3, Jeremiah 41, Luke 10

Two are Better than One
In today's devotional I talk about the fact that two people are better than one. Or more importantly that you connecting with the local church with your gift has more power and potential than you just by yourself.

Why do you think two are better than one? Give me your feed back.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - 1 Samuel 4, Romans 4, Jeremiah 42, Luke 11

Dream Big
Ben Brinkman

Who Are You Anointed For - Daily Devotional August 12th, 2010

2010-08-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - 1 Samuel 2, Romans 2, Jeremiah 40, Luke 9

Who Are You Anointed For

In today's devotional I talk about that fact that we are anointed by Jesus for people and not for ourselves. Luke 9

Tomorrows Bible Reading - 1 Samuel 3, Romans 3, Jeremiah 41, Luke 10

Dream Big
Ben

He Has Been Good to Me - Daily Devotional August 11th, 2010

2010-08-11T07:35:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 1, Romans 1, Jeremiah 39, Psalm 13-14

He Has Been Good to Me

David starts Psalm 13 off complaining, but before he finishes the psalm he comes to the realization that in spite of his problems he should put his trust in the unfailing love of the Lord. He says “I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.”

I think we should take a lesson from David. If we concentrate on our problems and what is wrong with the world we can find plenty to complain about. But if we remind ourselves where we should put our trust, that no matter what things might look like we have a God who extends his unfailing love to us, we can come to the same conclusion. He has been good to me.

Jeremiah certainly had plenty to be upset about. He could have been shaking with fear for his life. He had been in the bottom of a well until Ebed-Melech rescued him. (Jer. 38) Now in Jeremiah 39 we find Jerusalem has been captured by Nebuchadnezzar and his army, King Zedekiah was captured and his eyes were put out, the city officials were all killed and the city was burned. But orders were given that Jeremiah should be looked after and he was sent back to his own people. The Lord gave Jeremiah a promise about Ebed-Melech who had rescued him from the well; that he would be rescued; he would not be killed by the sword but would escape with this life. Because you trust in me, declares the Lord.”

With so many promises in Scripture about the rewards of trusting in the Lord, why are we tempted to doubt? We don’t have enemies chasing us like David. We haven’t been thrown into a well like Jeremiah.

There’s a song that says¸ “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.” If we get our eyes upon Jesus, and our hearts and minds upon his promises, we can say with David. “He has been good to me.”

Tomorrows Bible Reading - 1 Samuel 2, Romans 2, Jeremiah 40, Luke 9

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Making Jesus Famous - Daily Devotional August 10th, 2010

2010-08-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Ruth 3-4, Acts 28, Jeremiah 38, Luke 7

Making Jesus Famous (Video Devotional)

Watch Video

In today's Devotional I talk about making Jesus famous. When we use our ability to make Jesus famous rather than ourselves the end result is always a celebration. Here in Luke 7 we see the story of a man who's servant was sick and this man came to Jesus simply because "he heard about Jesus". We need to make sure we are doing what we can for people to hear about Jesus because He is and always will be the answer.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - 1 Samuel 1, Romans 1, Jeremiah 39, Psalm 13-14

Dream Big
Ben

A set-up from the Lord. Daily Devotional, August 9, 2010

2010-08-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible reading: Ruth 2, Acts 27, Jeremiah 37, Luke 6

Ruth had many things going against her.

She was a woman - women were seen as inferior at that time.

She was a widow - widows were taken advantage of and ignored. There was almost nothing worse than being a widow during the time of Ruth. Many times they were left unprotected from rape or sexual harassment.

She was poor - she was left without any inheritance, scraping from the leftovers of the fields of others. These people were treated unfairly.

She was a Moabite - friendly relations with the Moabites were discouraged (they were not allowed to worship at the tabernacle because they had not let the Israelites pass through their land during the Exodus from Egypt).

Ruth had every reason to stay in the comfort zone of Moab but instead she traveled to the place where she would be considered a nobody. She knew that it was her mother in law Naomi that she was to cling to. She followed her and served her, even though it meant giving up every ounce of dignity she had. In choosing to do this, she also gave up every dream she had.

In modern day terms, she would have been like the tattered woman receiving her food from the garbage can of the Trump Towers. Mr. Trump comes out (let’s pretend he is godly, hansome, unmarried and sans funky toupee, okay?) and begins to show her favor. He provides her with food, water and protection from accusers. He eventually asks her to marry him. In an instant the beggar widow goes from the bottom to the top!

It doesn’t sound like a fun place to be -- the lowest of the lows. Yet, it was exactly where God wanted her. He was positioning her for a blessing that was beyond anything she could have imagined. He had a godly husband, wealth, and a redeemed reputation waiting for her at those fields she was gleaning from.

My friend had a dream that she was serving at someone’s wedding. She kept serving and serving and waiting for the bride to arrive. She grew angry wondering when the bride was going to show up--after all, she was doing all this work for her! Soon enough, she realized that she was the bride all along.

So it is with our dream. You think your serving someone else’s dream…your giving, your serving and your faithful. You might feel like Ruth, you have no status, title or respect. What you don’t realize is that it is a set-up from the Lord. In the process of serving the dreams of others, God will release you into yours.

Be encouraged today! The Lord has positioned you for a blessing!
Mel Miller

Pity Party or Trusting God? - Daily Devotional August 8th, 2010

2010-08-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Ruth 1, Acts 26, Jeremiah 36, Psalm 9, Luke 5

Pity Party or Trusting God?

Naomi had lost her husband. She was in a foreign land, Moab, and had two sons to raise. But there was a famine in Bethlehem and she dared not return there yet. Her sons grew old enough to marry and married girls from Moab. Ten years later both her sons died, leaving her with two foreign daughters-in-law. Then Naomi heard the famine in Bethlehem was over and determined to return to her homeland and her daughters-in-law started to go with her but at her urging one returned to Moab. Ruth persisted in going with her.

This book is the story of both Ruth and Naomi, but for this chapter I want to focus on Naomi. Granted she did have a lot happen to make her sorrowful but as you read through chapter one, she was having a veritable pity party. “I am too old.” “The Lord’s hand is against me.” “Call me Mara, (which means bitterness) not Naomi (which means pleasant, blessed.)” “My life is bitter.” “The Lord did it.” “I am empty.” “The Lord afflicted me.” “The Lord brought misfortune upon me.” Wow!! She was at the bottom of a well, looking down and not up!! Of course as we will read through the book of Ruth, things turn out a lot differently for her. But at this moment all looks black and she is groveling in the blackness.

This reminds me of a Snoopy cartoon I saw years ago. Snoopy was lying on his back on top of his dog house. It was raining. And he says these words, “Rain! Go ahead!! Rain all over me!”

Compare this with Paul in Acts 26. He is a prisoner only because he has been preaching Jesus which irritated the Jews. Paul could have had a great pity party over his situation but instead he uses the situation to preach to the king and his wife, the governor, high ranking officers and leading men. He utters this statement, “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” (Verse 8) My interpretation -- If God can do that, He can do anything. If you believe in God, you won’t find raising from the dead incredible. You won’t find any miracle incredible. You won’t find any situation too difficult for Him.

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psa. 9:9-10.

We can put our trust in this Word of God or we can wallow in our problems and have a pity party. Baruch in Jer. 36 and 45 certainly could have had a pity party. His life was in danger for writing down the prophecy the Lord gave Jeremiah. But the Lord brought him this word. “Wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.” Jer. 45:5

The Word of the Lord to us is that it is not incredible that God raises from the dead. It is not incredible that God miraculously delivers from impossible circumstances. It is not incredible that God provides when it seems there is no provision. It is not incredible that God makes a way where it seems there is no way.

Let’s not lie on our backs and say “Rain, go ahead, rain all over me,” and have a pity party. But let’s take God at his Word and believe that with God nothing is impossible. We have an incredible God.

Tomorrows Reading - Ruth 2, Acts 27, Jeremiah 37, Luke 6

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Obedience = Blessing - Daily Devotional August 7th, 2010

2010-08-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Judges 21, Acts 25, Jeremiah 35, Luke 4

“A 15 year old boy reminded his father he had gotten permission to go to the movies the following Friday, and asked if he could get some money for the ticket and snacks. His father said the money was already set apart for him and asked him to go to his room and organize the mess of clothes that were all over the floor. The 15-year-old kid went over to his room started organizing but his computer made a very distinctive sound, a beep he knew very well. His friends were trying to chat with him, so organizing was put on break.

A couple of hours went by, the father walked by the room and after he realized the room was still looking as though a bomb of laundry had exploded he just smiled at his son and asked him to get ready for dinner in 45 minutes. His son remembered the task and started organizing but he found his PSP in the mess and without even thinking about it he turned it on and wasted his 45 minutes playing games. During dinner the son asked his father not to forget to give him the money to what the dad replied “Didn’t you find it?” the son looked at him quizzically and his father asked him to go to his room with him. His dad picked up all of the clothes from the floor, put them in the bed and right under the clothes there was an envelope with more than what the son needed for the movies; his dad had put the money there earlier that day and wanted to surprise him and bless his son.

After the dad found the envelope he said: “Son, I found it; I keep it””

In Jeremiah 35 we are told about the Recabites, a group of people who took a vow never to drink. We see in verse 5 cups and jugs of wine were set before them, the temptation was probably great but as we keep reading we find out they didn’t succumb to the temptation, and studying further we find out that for hundreds of years before that moment they had been keeping that vow.

As we read the first few verses of Luke 4 we are told Jesus went to the wilderness and for 40 days Satan tempted him. Jesus was on earth on a mission and Satan was trying to divert Jesus from that mission and win his worship. And as we read further we learn Jesus didn’t succumb to the enemy’s temptation.

The last verses of Jeremiah 35 come with a promise and a blessing for the Recabites. God tells them that because of their obedience their descendants will serve the Lord. Imagine if God told you right now that your children, and your children’s children, and their children, and every child after that would serve Him and love Him; that’s a pretty exciting promise, it’s an absolute blessing to know your descendants will meet you up in heaven.

In Luke 4 verse 14 right after Jesus comes back from the wilderness it says He is filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. It is right after that when Jesus started His ministry. After he came back from the wilderness and won that one battle against temptation and sin, Jesus is blessed, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and he starts his ministry.

The story I shared at the beginning of this devotional is no different than your life or mine. God has blessings and amazing promises ready for us under our dirty laundry. All He’s asking us to do is pick up the mess, be obedient and follow His instruction. All throughout the Bible we see that obedience always equals blessing.

In which areas of your life are you missing out on a great blessing because you are succumbing to the temptation instead of succeeding in obedience?

Today I pray we have the strength of character to obey God. I pray that even though the temptation is always there, we will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to succeed in our battle against that temptation. Today I pray and declare we will receive the blessing God has prepared for us and is eagerly waiting for us to receive.

Much Love,

Jo

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Ruth 1, Acts 26, Jeremiah 36, Luke 5

The Perfect Pest- Daily Devotional August 6, 2010

2010-08-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Judges 20, Acts 24, Jeremiah 43, Luke 3

“ But I don’t want to bore you, so give me your attention for only a moment. We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazerenes.” Acts 24: 4-5

Yesterday at work I was doing some account research when I overheard the customer next to mine talking about their work. I kind of laughed to myself because the one giving the advice sounded pretty arrogant and ridiculous as he gave his coworker advise. From what I heard people were talking badly about this coworker at work and he was pretty upset about it and was trying to get to the root cause of the accusations against him and the arrogant guy’s advise was that if they were talking badly about him then he must be doing his job right. He kept saying this over and over to the other guy and I was appalled as I listened to it. I wanted to shout to the coworker of his and tell him not to listen to this guy because he was apparently out of his mind. My advise would have been to go to his bosses and find out what was the cause, maybe buy lunch for the associates and then apologize for anything he might have done, but I didn’t and they left and I went on with my day.

I had almost forgotten all about this interaction until I got home last night and began reading the daily bible reading for today so that I could write the devotional. I love the Bible because it always surprises you and I love that each time I read a scripture their is a reaction that happens, but the one I got when I read this scripture surprised me even more. As I read Acts 24:4-5 all of a sudden I was like, “YEAH! I want someone to say that about me, that is so cool.” It took me a few minutes to realize what I was really saying. In essence I wanted to have people call me names and lie about who I am and what I was doing. Who wants that?? Apparently as I read the scripture I did. Then out of curiousity I read the Amplified version which says:

But not to hinder or detain you too long, I beg you in your clemency and courtesy and kindness to grant us a brief adn concise hearing. For we have found this man a perfect pest (a real plague), and agitator and source of disturbance to all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the [heretical, division-producing] sect of the Nazerenes.

When I read that I got even more excited. I wanted to be called a perfect pest. I mean how cool would that be. I wonder if the religious leaders even realized what they were saying. How could a pest be perfect?

My home right now is a war zone and I think I finally might be winning. My foe is the Indian Meal Moth. The little brown moths that infest your pantry and kitchen. I am not sure how they got into our home or how they’ve managed to stay but someone they have and their ranks were on the increase. I came home from vacation last Monday and there was like twenty in the kitchen. Before you get too disgusted I am a very clean person. Cleaning is my stress relief and I am stressed often so my house tends to stay pretty clean. So imagine my confusion when we have this outbreak of moths in our home taking over my kitchen. I would not say those moths were perfect but at the same time I began to see what the religious leaders were saying, basically like a pest Paul was taking over. What the religious leaders thought was an insult was basically a compliment because that is what we are called to do.

We have been called to be the perfect pest, and agitator and source of disturbance for all people all over the world. Instead of do this though we often do the exact opposite. Like what my advise would have been for that guy, we try not to rock the boat we buy lunch and apologize even though we don’t know what we are apologizing for and we talk to people and see how we can offend them less. Jesus said he didnt come to bring peace but a sword. He came to shake things up and produce disciples that would turn the world upside down and begin to disturb the world out of their complacency and show introduce them to the savior, to agitate people so that they would no longer be comfortable in their sin.

Is this who we are? What are people saying about us? It’s time that more people started accusing us of being pests and agitators then people saying nothing at all.

Live Life Extraordinary,

Alayna

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Judges 21, Acts 25, Jeremiah 44, Luke 4

Pick up your sword. Daily Devotional - August 5, 2010

2010-08-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 19, Acts 23, Jeremiah 42, Luke 2

I can understand why Jesus felt the need to withdraw often to pray. Many times throughout our day we can be bombarded with negativity. Whether it be from media, people, or the devil throwing thoughts our way--I know at least for me, I need a recharge! I need to be reminded of God’s goodness, his promises and his opinion of me.

When I was a new Christian, I thought that quoting scripture during times of discouragement was like the “self-talk” you hear about at motivational meetings or in self-help/inspiration books. To be honest, I didn’t buy it. Once I began to learn about the power--supernatural power--there is in the word of God, it changed my perspective drastically.

Did you know that the word of God is God? Did you know that when you read scripture you are filling yourself up with God? Did you know that when you speak scripture you are replacing lies with truth? John 1:1 tells us,“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

In Luke 2:34-35, Simeon came to visit the newborn Jesus: “Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The prophecy he spoke about Jesus was parallel to the scripture about the word of God in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Throughout the Bible, the word of God is often referred to as a sword. The scriptures are not just words on a page, they are not self-help talk, they are a weapon! The word is a sword against negativity, discouragement, deception and lies! We are not reading something inactive, purposeless and void but we are reading something that brings life, truth and clarity.

Pick up your sword today and read with expectation!
Mel Miller

August 4th Devotional

2010-08-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Judges 18, Acts 22, Jeremiah 41, Luke 1

The other night I started to grow discouraged. My mind has a tendency to wander and sometimes over think things. At the beginning of the year God had spoke to me a couple things and I believed them whole heartedly and I was so excited about it. I wrote blogs and journaled about the things God was speaking to me. Everything in me confirmed what God was speaking was going to happen this year.

Now 8 months through my faith is waivering and Im not so sure. I definitely didn’t think God was going to wait until the last minute. This year is passing by so fast and it is almost the last quarter and I haven’t even seen a smidgen of what God was speaking about. Where I was excited and faith now I’m a little anxious and maybe even disappointed. Where I used to be dreaming about it with excitement now I try not to think about it because I’ll begin to get discouraged.

Luke 1 introduces us to Zecheriah and Elizabeth. They were unable to conceive children and they were very old. Just think I am growing weary already in waiting for my dream, I wonder how they felt. This hadn’t been just 8 months or just 8 years for them, but they were long past the age to bear children. It had been a long time and in everyones eyes they weren’t able to bear children anymore. How easy would it be to just stop believing that it would ever happen? I mean they probably prayed for kids when they were first having trouble and continued to pray all throughout their normal childbearing years. Now it’s long past that though and we know that Zecheriah and Elizabeth were still praying about it and believing for it to happen. In this microwave culture were we want it now not later this amazes me. Because of their endurance and steadfastness they continue to believe and God rewards their belief.

The angel Gabriel shows up and announces that they will birth a son and sure enough it happens. My favorite verse in this whole thing happens when Mary, who also just found out she will be giving birth but to the Christ, comes to visit Elizabeth. As Elizabeth rejoices prophetically she says this in verse 45, “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

I don’t know where you are at today but I know that verse hit me hard. Even though the promises of God and the dreams I have are in my eyes a bit delayed I know they were spoken by God so regardless of my time schedule I should believe. It might now happen this year, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is faithful and he will do what he said in his perfect timing.

Wherever you are in the process of your dream. Keep believing that the Lord would do what he said.

Live Life Extraordinary,

Alayna

Tomorrows Bible Reading

Judges 19, Acts 23, Jeremiah 42, Luke 2

Dependence. Daily Devotional - August 2, 2010

2010-08-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 16, Acts 20, Jeremiah 39, Mark 15

In Judges 16, Delilah had pestered Samson to divulge where his strength came from. After trying to lie to her a few times, he finally grew weary and gave in, telling her that if his head was shaved his strength would be gone since it was a part of his consecration to the Lord as a Nazarite.

Then Delilah said (vs. 20) “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him.”

God had put a special grace on Sampson’s life, anointing him with incredible strength. Sampson had become so accustom to having this grace on his life that he took it for granted. Even after his hair was cut he assumed that he would be able to shake himself free, not even realizing that the Lord was no longer with him. If you continue to read the story, Sampson was captured by the Philistines and they gouged his eyes out. At the end, he realizes his dependence on God and ends up defeating them.

I will never forget a time in college when I was asked to speak to another college ministry. There was an amazing message by a conference speaker that I thought was eloquent, funny and impressive. Instead of truly seeking the Lord for a revelation straight from him, I basically reproduced this message (looking back, it’s quite embarrassing!) God has placed a grace on my life to communicate, but that night--it was absent! I felt what it was like to do something in my own strength, and without his grace and revelation there was no power to my words! My roommates at the time gave me a hug and a sympathetic pat on the back but said nothing about the message. I knew it was the Lord giving me a glimpse of what it was like to operate outside of his grace. That day serves as a remembrance to me to never loose the desperation for his presence and his grace when I speak. I am learning dependence on Him not just when I speak but in every area of my life! Isn't life so much better when we refuse to do it on our own strength?

What about you? Has God ever given you a reminder to be dependant on Him? Has He ever lifted his grace in your life for a moment to show you how desperately you need Him?

I would love to hear your stories!

Mel Miller

The Fragrance of Jesus - Daily Devotional August 1, 2010

2010-08-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 15, Acts 19, Jeremiah 38, Mark 14

The Fragrance of Jesus

Before Jesus went to Jerusalem to be crucified he went to the home of his friends in Bethany; the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. (Mark 14:1-10. See John 12:1-8 which also contains the same story to fill in some of the details.) While he was there Mary took an expensive bottle of nard, broke it, anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with the hairs of her head. The value of this was about one-year’s wages and was possibly part of Mary’s dowry. It was extremely fragrant and filled the whole room with its fragrance. Not only was the room filled with the fragrance but as Mary wiped the feet of Jesus, she and Jesus began to have the same fragrance. Mary smelled just like Jesus.

After the ascension of Jesus when the disciples were brought before the Sanhedrin because of their preaching, those questioning them “took note that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13.

2 Corinthians 2:14 says “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”

Who do you “smell” like? Do you smell like the world of do you spread the fragrance of Jesus wherever you go? Do people take note that you have been with Jesus?

When Jacob’s sons went out and killed the Canaanite males after making a treaty with them, Jacob told them they had made him a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites and the people living in the land. (Gen. 34:30) They had acted dishonorably. Do our actions bring reproach upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and instead of being a fragrance of Him, we cause the Gospel to be a stench to people?

The Lord is looking for people who will become drenched with him, and everywhere they go they cannot help but spread the sweet-smelling fragrance of Jesus. If we are spending time with Jesus and becoming immersed in his presence and His Word, we cannot help but spreading his fragrance, just as Mary could not hide the fragrance of the nard that clung to her after she had ministered to Jesus.

The choice should not be too difficult, but it is our choice.

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Daily Bible Reading - July 31st, 2010

2010-07-31T07:06:00.000-07:00

Today's Bible Reading - Judges 15, Acts 19, Jeremiah 28, Mark 14

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Judges 16, Acts 20, Jeremiah 29, Mark 15

Dream Big
Ben

Daily Devotional July 30, 2010

2010-07-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Judges 13, Acts 17, Jeremiah 26, Mark 12

Judges 13 shows us the story surrounding the birth of Samson. What is incredible is that technically Samson shouldn't have been born as his mother was unable to have children. Even then Samson was called and destined for a specific task. The Bible just says that Manoah and his wife were unable to become pregnant and had no children. They might have been praying for children, but the Bible just leads us to believe that it was just that matter of fact so I believe they had just given up on the idea. Though their faith might not have been there to have children, God knew Samson and needed him, so God intervened. He sent His angel to tell Manoah that they would have a child but this child would have a purpose so he would have to live differently.

I love this story because we all know Samson. Samson was super strong but the Lord had instructed his parents and him not to cut his hair because that was where his strength came from. Then along the way to his destiny of rescuing Israel from the Philistines he meets the dreaded Delilah that tricks him and she cuts his hair.

Too often I’ve read this story as a story about Samson when in reality it is a story about us. We’ve all been called and destined for a specific task. Read Psalm 139 and you will start getting the picture. Because God knows us and knows the purposes for our life he has set up guidelines for us to follow called the Bible. Often times though we get frustrated with it thinking that it is a book of rules and of cannots, when really we should change our focus. Rather it is a book full of key principles for success so that we may attain our dreams. Most would argue that Samson's strength was in his hair but I believe that it was more in his obedience to God to not cut his hair that was his strength. As we obey God and his principles he will give us the strength and determination to accomplish our goals.

We all slip up from time to time. After all Samson did let himself into a compromising situation which led to his hair getting cut, but the God we serve is a great God that wants us to fulfill our purposes even though we fall and stumble sometime and make stupid mistakes all hope is not lost. As we continue to submit and obey to His Word just like Samson our hair will begin to grow again so that we can achieve our dreams and fulfill our destiny.

Keep in mind today that you are not on this earth just to get by and suck air, but from the time we were born God called us for a purpose. As you seek him and obey his Word He will give you the desires of your heart that you might have not even realized were there.

Tomorrows Reading- Judges 14, Acts 18, Jeremiah 27, Mark 13

Live Life Extraordinary,

Alayna

Power of Praise - Daily Devotonal July 29th, 2010

2010-07-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Judges 12, Acts 16, Jeremiah 25, Mark 11

Power of Praise (Video Devo)

Today's devotional is taken out of Acts 16. In this devotional I talk briefly about the power of our praise, because prayer brings our request to God but praise brings God to our request.

Tomorrows Reading - Judges 13, Acts 17, Jeremiah 26, Mark 12

Dream Big
Ben

What Do You Want From The Lord - Daily Devotional July 28th 2010

2010-07-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 11, Acts 15, Jeremiah 28, Mark 10

What Do You Want From The Lord?

Mark 10 tells us the account of Blind Bartimaeus. This is a story I remember from Sunday School when I was a little girl, and also from telling it myself in numerous Sunday School classes through the years. I really admire the faith of Bartimaeus.

Evidently he had heard about Jesus as His fame was spreading throughout the country. Jesus was leaving Jerusalem with his disciples and a large crowd followed him. The commotion caused Bartimaeus, who was sitting along side the road begging to know that something was going on. When he heard it was Jesus he really got excited and began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” He began to SHOUT. He wasn’t shy about it, he wasn’t timid, he wasn’t afraid to voice his need.

People tried to get him to shut up but he shouted louder. This caught the attention of Jesus who said “Call him.” Notice Bartimaeus’ reaction. He threw aside his cloak and jumped to his feet. He wasn’t wasting any time. When Jesus asked him what he wanted Jesus to do for him, he said “I want to see.” Jesus healed him instantly.

I think Jesus is saying the same thing to us. “What do you want me to do for you?” With each of us the answer will be different. I know what I want Jesus to do for me and I am praying for that daily. But we have to ask, and be specific. Jesus wants us to voice our requests. We have to know what we want; not just a generality. I haven’t received the instant answer to my prayer that Bartimaeus received, but I know He’s hearing me because Scripture says when we pray He hears!! I know in God’s time He will answer. I’m just learning patience.

Sometimes we have to take possession of what the Lord has given us. This was the case in Judges 11. Jephthah answered the Ammonite king when he requested that Israel give territory back to him that he felt had been taken away from him. Jephthah answered, “Whatever the Lord our God has given us, we will possess. (Verse 24).

Has the Lord spoken a promise to your heart? Possess it!! Do you feel there is something he has given you? Possess it. Don’t let the enemy take it from you, like that Ammonite king wanted to do with Israel, because Satan is in the business of stealing from God’s people. Jesus said Satan is a thief and comes only steal and kill and destroy. (John 10:10)

What do you want from the Lord? Possess what he already has given you.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Judges 12, Acts 16, Jeremiah 25, Mark 11

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

How Long? Daily Devotional July 27th, 2010

2010-07-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Judges 10, Acts 14, Jeremiah 13, Mark 9

How Long?

Today's devotional is taken out of Mark chapter 2 in which we look at how Jesus is perplexed at His disciples lack of faith. Check out the video devo and be encouraged today. God has something for you!

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Judges 11, Acts 15, Jeremiah 14, Mark 10

Dream Big
Ben

Wolf in sheeps clothing. Daily Devotional - July 26, 2010

2010-07-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Judges 9, Acts 13, Jeremiah 22, Mark 8

A few women recommended a very popular book to me, saying it was written by a Christian woman and it was fantastic. After hearing about it continually, I finally checked it out from the library. As I began reading, I noticed a few red flags but I decided to keep an open mind and continue reading. It got worse.

Although this woman claims to be a Christian, I wondered if she was reading the same Bible I was. A righteous anger began stirring in me as I thought about all the people who think that is Christianity.

1 Timothy 4:6 tells us to “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

The Bible refers to this as “a wolf in sheeps clothing.” Not everything that claims to be Christian, really is. We must be very careful to line everything up with the word of God, this is how we watch our doctrine closely.

When I first got saved, I went out to the bookstore and bought a book about God. My aunt and (now) husband both asked me the same question right away, “Is it a Christian book?” I didn’t understand why that was important, God is God, right? They knew that I needed to watch my doctrine, because if I didn’t I could be led astray by lies or half-truths. Even then, not everything that claims to be Christian is trustworthy and because they cared about me, they wanted to make sure what I was reading was truth.

There are even churches who claim to be Christian that are not following sound doctrine. A woman told me she was checking out another Christian church. Just the name of the Church was a red flag to me, so I told her to make sure and research it first. When she did, she was so relieved. That research spared her from a church that was worshipping people rather than God.

Mark 8: 27-29 “Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

Jesus wanted to know who people were saying that he was. Some say he is a prophet, some have other theories, but Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ. Right answer, Peter.

When the Bible warns us about false prophets in the end times, I had a very distinct image in my mind of what I thought that would look like. A powerful preacher who claimed to be Christ or a prominent politician that began leading people into false doctrine. I never thought about false prophets or “wolves in sheeps clothing” coming in the form of books, movies and television shows, yet this is exactly what is happening in our generation.

It might be packaged nicely, written masterfully or have incredible cinematography but who does it say that Jesus is? Does that Jesus line up with the one you read about in the Bible? Or does that Jesus glamorize the acceptance of sin or point to other paths outside of the word of God?

A wolf in sheeps clothing looks nice, warm and gentle from the outside--but on the inside it is vicious and it’s only aim is to lead those other sheep away from the pack to devour them.

Watch your doctrine!
Mel Miller

God's in the Business of Releasing Prisoners - Daily Devotional July 24, 2010

2010-07-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 8, Acts 12, Jeremiah 21, Mark 7

God’s in the Business of Releasing Prisoners

I love the way God does things that often surprise us. In Acts 5 He released the apostles from prison and locked the door after them; told them to go stand in the temple and teach the people. Now in Acts 12 we are told that Herod had executed James, the brother of John. The Jews were really pleased about this, so Herod seized Peter and threw him in prison, intending to put him to a public trial which would result in his death also.

We aren’t told how long Peter was in prison, but the night before Herod intended to put him on trial, an angel of the Lord appeared in Peter’s cell, lighting it up. (Do you think God waited until the perfect time to do this? What a blow to Herod!!!) Peter was guarded round-the-clock by a rotating squad of four soldiers. Evidently Peter was filled with the peace of God because even in prison he was sleeping soundly although there was a soldier on each side of him and two chains binding his wrists. The angel had to strike Peter on his side to wake him up. As Peter got up the chains fell off.

Peter followed the angel out of the prison, past the first and second guards to the iron gate, and it opened by itself. (Don’t you just love that!!!) Peter didn’t realize this was really happening; he thought it was a vision or dream. The angel took him to the end of the street and left him. When Peter finally realized he was really free he went to the house of Mark’s mother and knocked on the door.

Even though the church had been praying for Peter, they didn’t believe it was really him when Rhoda answered his knock. And she was so shocked she didn’t open the door for him but left him standing there knocking and knocking. (I can just see it happening in my mind.) The rest of the people told Rhoda she was out of her mind. (They weren’t expecting this kind of a surprise from God.)

Another thing I love about this story. The soldiers didn’t realize until morning that Peter was gone. The Lord must have sprinkled them with holy sleeping dust. But when they did discover he was gone “there was no small commotion among the soldiers.” What an understatement. Then Herod had those soldiers executed.

Sometimes we feel boxed in by circumstances, or even a prisoner of them. But God is in the business of releasing prisoners. Even if our circumstances don’t change, we don’t have to be a prisoner of them. Jesus said he was sent to proclaim freedom for prisoners. (Luke 4:18) Do you have a situation where you feel bound, or at least don’t have the freedom that you would really like to have? Jesus said “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…….If the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.” John 8:31, 36. Just as the chains fell from Peter in the presence of the angel of the Lord, we can experience the freedom we desire in the presence of the Lord.

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Judges 9, Acts 13, Jeremiah 22, Mark 8

Daily Devotional July 24, 2010

2010-07-24T21:44:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Judges 7, Acts 11, Jeremiah 20, Mark 6

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Judges 8, Acts 12, Jeremiah 21, Mark 7

New - Daily Devotional July 23, 2010

2010-07-23T09:50:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Judges 6, Acts 10, Jeremiah 19, Mark 5

New (video devotional)

Today's devotional is taken out of Mark 2 in which I will briefly talk about how God makes all things new in our lives. He does not just take sin away but he breaks the power of that sin. He does not just gives us new cloths on the outside but transforms us on the inside.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Judges 7, Acts 11, Jeremiah 20, Mark 6

God Works Through Adversity - Daily Devotional July 21st, 2010

2010-07-20T23:26:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 4, Acts 8, Jeremiah 17, Mark 3

God Works Through Adversity

Acts 8:1 tells us that after Stephen was stoned to death a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. We aren’t told how many the “all” were. Five thousand were added to the church after the Day of Pentecost and people were being added to the church daily. There could have been thousands who were scattered, fearing for their lives, especially since Saul was going house to house searching for Christians to put in prison.

But they didn’t go into hiding and try to keep people from knowing they were Christians. Instead they preached the word wherever they went. Then the Lord began using Phillip in Samaria among the hated Samaritans and crowds came to hear him. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard what was going on in Samaria they traveled there, laid hands upon the people and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then the Holy Spirit directed Phillip to go minister to an Ethiopian eunuch. He believed and was baptized in water. He went his way, back to his home country, and of course took the Gospel with him.

All of this occurred because of the persecution. If the believers would have stayed gathered in Jerusalem it would have taken much longer for the Gospel to spread as it did. God used something negative to bring about a positive. These people were living Jeremiah 17:7-8. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; It’s leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. The heat came to these believers but they didn’t show fear; instead they continued to live their faith and share it with others and bore fruit.

We don’t like adversity. We would rather that the waters stay calm, that no storms come, that there is no heat and no drought. But that’s not realistic. We live in a sin-filled world and bad things do happen to good people. If our trust is in the Lord, he can turn a bad situation into an opportunity. If you are in a time adversity, ask the Lord how He wants to make it fruitful in your life. Of if things are going smooth for you, the next time adversity comes, trust in the Lord and put your confidence in him. Perhaps He wants to use that situation to jar you from being complacent and bring you into a more fruitful place.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Judges 5, Acts 9, Jeremiah 18, Mark 4

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Working Together - Daily Devotional July 20th, 2010

2010-07-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Judges 3, Acts 7, Jeremiah 16, Mark 2

Working Together (Video Devotional)

What would happen if we all decided to work together? Whether it is a business endeavor, a family or a ministry we can all accomplish more when we work together. In Mark 2 We see 4 men working together not for themselves but for a man who is paralyzed. They have one vision, get the paralyzed guy to Jesus so that he can be healed.

In our churches today think about how powerful it would be if we all got behind the vision of that local church to reach the community and did our part to see it come to pass. The possibilities are endless. Take a look at the video.

Dream Big
Ben

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Judges 4, Acts 8, Jeremiah 17, Mark 3

A spokesman for the devil or a spokesman for the Lord? Daily Devotional - July 19, 2010

2010-07-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Judges 2, Acts 6, Jeremiah 15, Mark 1

Jeremiah was a prophet--a spokesman for the Lord, but his job was not easy or glamorous. For forty years he spoke to the nation of Judah and no one listened. In Chapter 15 we see a conversation between Jeremiah and the Lord. Jeremiah is discouraged and feeling sorry for himself for the affliction he faces.

17 I never sat in the company of revelers,
never made merry with them;
I sat alone because your hand was on me
and you had filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain unending
and my wound grievous and incurable?
Will you be to me like a deceptive brook,
like a spring that fails?

Jeremiah reminds God that bad things are happening to him, a good person (the question that each one of us faces at one time or another “why do bad things happen to good people?”) Then he takes it a step further and curses God telling him that he is like a deceptive brook (another translation calls him a mirage or an unreliable stream).

God didn’t get angry with Jeremiah for feeling this way, but he reminds him of his purpose:

19 Therefore this is what the LORD says:
"If you repent, I will restore you
that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
but you must not turn to them.

God told Jeremiah to repent for the words he spoke and turn back to him. He tells him to utter worthy words, not worthless ones. If he chooses to do this he will be a spokesman for the Lord. He also reminds Jeremiah that he is the one who is to influence the wicked people, not the other way around.

When we chose to let discouragement win, we become a spokesman for the devil. When we chose worthy words and not worthless ones, we can be a spokesman for the Lord. Proverbs 18:21 says “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

I have seen people so discouraged by their circumstances that they become a spokesman for the devil: they speak words of death, hopelessness and discouragement. God doesn’t command us never to question, get frustrated or have a bad day - but he does hold us accountable for the words that we speak. We must be very careful to determine the mouthpiece we will be today. Will you be a spokesman for the devil or a spokesman for the Lord?

Enjoy the journey,
Mel Miller

How Serious Are You About The Gospel - Daily Devotional July 18th, 2010

2010-07-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 1, Acts 5, Jeremiah 14, Matthew 28

How Serious Are you About The Gospel?

I recently received an email from someone in Uganda telling about a pastor who walks 20 miles to do his ministry. I don’t know if that’s one way or round trip, but either way, it humbles me to think about someone who is so serious about doing what God has called him to do that he is willing to walk so many miles.

In today’s Bible reading we are told about the apostles who were arrested because the high priest and his cohorts were jealous of the influence the apostles had over the people. The Lord was using them to heal all who came to them, and crowds were coming, not just from Jerusalem but from the surrounding towns. The apostles were put in jail. I can’t help but think that God has a sense of humor. He sent an angel who opened the doors of the jail and released the apostles. They were told to go stand in the temple courts and tell the people about Jesus. Then the angel locked the doors up again!!!

The next morning the high priest and his associates called together the full assembly of the elders of Israel and sent to have the apostles brought to them. The officers reported back to them; “We found the jail securely locked with the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” Acts 5:23. I would like to have seen their reaction to that!! While they were trying to figure this out someone came and told them the men they had put in jail were standing in the temple courts teaching the people.

The apostles were brought back before the Sanhedrin and after Gamaliel cautioned the Sanhedrin that if these men were of God they would find themselves fighting against God, they flogged the apostles and ordered them to stop teaching in the name of Jesus. The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name of Jesus. Of course they went right back to the temple courts and never stopped teaching.

We feel persecuted if someone makes a remark about Christians being fanatics, weirdoes, crazy, etc., etc. There are very few people in America who have really had to suffer because of the Gospel. Christians in India fear for their lives. In other countries real persecution is happening. Or people are required to go to extra ordinary lengths to preach the Gospel, such as the man who walks 20 miles.

How serious are we about spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we willing to inconvenience ourselves if called upon to do so? Something to ponder.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Judges 2, Acts 6, Jeremiah 15, Mark 1

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Daily Devotional July 17, 2010

2010-07-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

Today's Bible Reading - Joshua 24, Acts 4, Jeremiah 13, Matthew 27

Let's be the church today as we see in Acts 4:32-35!

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Judges 1, Acts 5, Jeremiah 14, Matthew 28

Faithful One, So Unfailing - Daily Devotional July 14th, 2010

2010-07-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 20-21, Acts 1, Jeremiah 10, Matthew 24

Faithful One, So Unfailing

The verse that stood out to me in today’s Bible reading is Joshua 21:45. “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” All through scripture we are told of God’s faithfulness. If He says something, He will do it. I think we can put our name in that verse. Not one of the Lord’s good promises to (your name) will fail; everyone will be fulfilled.

I’m putting this sentence in the future tense because we are still on our journey. Israel had completed theirs, had entered into the promised land and had received their inheritance. We still have battles to fight and things to conquer. But just as all God’s promises to Israel did not fail, all his promises to us will not fail.

Lately in my Scripture reading I have been impressed by the many times attention is drawn to the fact that God is the maker of heaven and earth. This is found again in Jeremiah 10:11-12. “These gods who did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens. But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.” And again in verse 16. “He is the maker of all things.”

This helps me put myself and my problems in perspective. My mind cannot grasp the awesomeness of the power it took to create and bring all things into being. But the God who did that loves me and wants to have a relationship with me. When I put myself into His care, I have committed myself to the ultimate source of strength and power; there is none higher.

The Maker of all things has promised that all of His promises will not fail and every one will be fulfilled. That is something we can take to the bank.

Tomorrows Reading - Joshua 22, Acts 2, Jeremiah 11, Matthew 25

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Live a better story. Daily Devotional - July 12, 2010

2010-07-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 16, Jeremiah 8, Psalm 148-149, Matthew 22

I have been reading Donald Miller’s new book, “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.” As a writer, he studies what it takes to make a good story. In studying what makes a good story, he realizes he wasn’t living a very good story himself and he sets out to change that.

Many of us are so consumed with how we can make our lives more comfortable that we are living in a very boring story. God is the author and the finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2) and he has written out a great story for each of us (Psalm 139:16). Many times we resist the path he lays out for it because there is too much risk, too much conflict or it’s simply too hard.

A main character is simply someone who wants something and is willing to overcome any obstacle to get it. Some of us don’t even know what we want out of life, therefore we never face any obstacles -- and we live in a story no one would ever want to read. We leave no legacy for future generations because we weren’t willing to get up off the couch and live a better story.

Psalm 148:5-6 begins to tell creation to praise the Lord because he created it; the sun, moon, stars, heavens and earth. Then it declares:

(NIV)
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.

He set them in place for ever and ever;
he gave a decree that will never pass away.

(The Message translation)
Praise, oh let them praise the name of God—
he spoke the word, and there they were!

He set them in place
from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
and that's it!

God is the first writer and the best writer. He created something out of nothing, and he wrote out your story and mine amidst it all. He gave the order, said the word and it came to pass.

Pastor Katie spoke an amazing message yesterday about destiny and reminded us that God already wrote out your days and he has a great plan for your life. I can guarantee his story for you is not a boring one. It might involve some risks, some trials and some setbacks but it is one that will leave a great legacy.

Don’t settle for a life of comfort when God has called you to live out the great story he’s written for you. Make some memorable scenes in your story; jump into the pool with all of your clothes on, try something new, conquer a fear, or bring out the fine china! Be determined to live a better story today.

Thanks for reading,
Mel Miller

Ritual or Obedience - Daily Devotional July 11, 2010

2010-07-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 14-15, Psalm 146-147, Jeremiah 7, Matthew 21

Ritual or Obedience

Churches across America are filled with people who go to church every Sunday. Some go through rituals such as crossing themselves, count beads, reading prayers, chanting, kneeling and rising, etc., etc. I was reminded of this when I read these verses in Jeremiah 7:2123. “Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you that it may go well with you.”

God told them he didn’t just want their sacrifices, what he really wanted was their obedience. Sacrifices were not enough. He said they might as well go ahead and eat the sacrifices themselves. That’s how meaningless they were. He didn’t want their rituals; what he wanted was their obedience because obedience demonstrates love and devotion.

The Lord wants the same thing from us. He doesn’t just want an outward show of piety by the things I mentioned above, he wants us to have a heart relationship with Him. It doesn’t do any good to go through the forms of religion and continue to live a life of deceit, dishonesty, backbiting, immorality, indulging in pornography, gambling, drunkenness, etc., etc. What God desires from us is a relationship showing that we trust him enough to obey him. II Tim. 3:5 says there will be those who have a form of godliness.

There are great rewards for obedience. An example of that is in Joshua 14:6-12 regarding Caleb. When the spies were sent out to survey the land the Lord had promised them, most brought back a bad report and caused the Israelites to not go forward as the Lord commanded, but Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report and said, “Surely we can go up and conquer the land.” Because of Israel’s disobedience, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and that generation all died. Only Joshua and Caleb survived. (That should have been a pretty plain lesson to the Israelites, to see only 2 elderly men!!!) Now 45 years later Caleb at the age of 85 is asking to have a mountain given to him to conquer. He said he was as strong at 85 as he had been at 40. The reason for this: “I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.”

Psalm 146 and 147 contain some versus that tell how the Lord feels about those who obey him. Psa. 146:8: “The Lord loves the righteous.” Psa. 147:11: “the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

Samuel told Saul “To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” I Sam. 15:22. The Lord would say the same thing to us today. To obey is better than rituals and programs, better than church attendance that is just a form and outward show of piety. (We should attend church but it should not be just a ritual!!) The Lord wants a relationship with you. Jesus said “If you love me you will obey what I command.” John 14:15.

Let’s have a love relationship with Jesus and receive his love and delight.

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

His Perfection not Your Performance - Daily Devotional July 9th, 2010

2010-07-09T09:04:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Joshua 11, Psalm 144, Jeremiah 5, Matthew 19

His Perfection no Your Performance (Video Devotional)

In this video devotional taken out of Matthew 19 I quickly address the performance mentality that to many people get caught up in. The rich young ruler was caught up in a performance mentality saying "what can I do" to have eternal life. Jesus addresses his performance mentality by bringing up the some commandments and the by asking him to sell all he has. In this passage Jesus reveals Himself as the only way to have eternal life.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Joshua 12-13, Psalm 145, Jeremiah 6, Matthew 20

A Cry From the Cave - Daily Devotional July 8th, 2010

2010-07-08T07:41:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 10, Psalm 142, 143, Jeremiah 4, Matthew 18

A Cry From the Cave

The story of David is riddled with adventure, some good and some not so good. Saul had brought David into his palace after David killed Goliath. (I Sam. 18) Whatever Saul sent David to do he did successfully and Saul gave him a high rank in the army. However, David’s successes soon stirred up jealousy in Saul; especially when the women came out to greet the returning army after battles singing “Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands.”

Often an evil spirit would come upon Saul. When David played his harp and sang for Saul it eased his depression. One day as David was singing and playing for Saul, Saul took up a spear and hurled it at David, trying to kill him. So David fled. Saul chased David here and there and was unable to catch him. David eluded Saul and ended up hiding in the cave of Adullam. About 400 men joined him there and became his army. These weren’t just every day men. They were all those who were in distress, in debt or discontented. But as they joined forces with David they became powerful.

Psalm 142 was written while David was hiding in that cave. It was a prayer unto the Lord. David lifted up his voice and called out to the Lord. He told his troubles to the Lord. He recognized that when his spirit grew faint within him that the Lord was aware of it. He said, “When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way.” Verse 3. David felt like no one cared for him, that he had no refuge to turn to. Then he said “I cry to you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion.’” He felt desperate.

David was a powerful influence on those cast-off men that gathered themselves to him. I wonder if he was referring to them in the last verse of this psalm. “Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.” Those 400 men who came to David when he was in the cave did become key figures in David’s regime when he finally became king and were known as “David’s mighty men.”

Have you had a “cave” experience? David learned important lessons while he was running from Saul. He learned to trust God and learned much about God’s faithfulness. If we turn to the Lord during our “cave” experiences, we too can learn to trust God more; learn to rely solely on him experience God’s provision and goodness. You don’t have to be running from someone, or have someone pursuing you as David did to have a cave experience. It can just be a time in your life when you feel alone, that no one really understands what you are feeling or dealing with. Those are times to lean heavily upon the Lord.

The Gaithers wrote a song that says, “Through it all I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God.” If we learn those lessons the things we experience will have eternal value. The Lord will hear and answer when you cry from the cave.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Joshua 11, Psalm 144, Jeremiah 5, Matthew 19

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

The weakest link. Daily Devotional July 5, 2010

2010-07-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible reading: Joshua 7, Psalm 137-138, Jeremiah 1, Matthew 15

We recently watched the movie "The Blind Side." I learned a lot about the importance of every position in football. When the main character, a left tackle, was not performing well, it left a very easy opening for the enemy to break through and defeat them. There is a saying "You are only as strong as your weakest link." It is often used to help sports teams understand the value of each player, and was evident in this movie that the whole team was affected by a single players performance. What many people don't realize is that it is actually a Biblical principle.

In Joshua 7, Joshua sent some of his men to spy on the land of Ai. They reported back that this land would be very easy to defeat and that there was no need to send all of the men up to conquer it. Joshua sent 3,000 men but was astonished to hear that they were defeated. When he cried out to the Lord, God told him that it was because of the sin of one of his people. They discovered that Achan had stolen some goods and buried them underneath his tent.

The Israelites discovered their weakest link, a player who wasn't doing his part. It left a gap wide open for their enemies to defeat them. It should have been a piece of cake. It should have been a very easy win. Instead they lost 3,000 of their men. They had the strength, the manpower and the strategy but this time they did not have the Lord's favor.

It may be tempting to bury our sin in our tents and think that no one will ever know about it or that it surely won't affect anyone around us. I wonder how often a family is unable to prosper because of a buried sin in on of it's members or a church unable to grow because one of the leaders or pastors was harboring sin.

It should put the fear of God in us; the issues we bury and refuse to deal with will not just affect us, they will affect the loved ones we have around us as well.

Lord, make us stonger links in our families, teams, churches and communities.

Thanks for reading,

Mel Miller

Doing Things God's Way - Daily Devotional July 4th, 2010

2010-07-03T21:54:00.001-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 6:6-27, Psalm 135, 136, Isaiah 66, Matthew 14

Doing Things God’s Way

As I was reading through Joshua 6, I had to wonder what kind of thoughts were running through the minds of the Israelites as Joshua gave them the instructions about how they were to take the city of Jericho. Up until now they had fought battles and conquered many kings in what could be considered conventional warfare. In fact their ability to conquer was known throughout the land. Remember, Rahab had told them that Jericho had heard of their exploits and the people were melting in fear because of what they had heard.

Now, instead of attacking the city, Joshua tells seven priests to blow on their trumpets while marching around the city with the priests carrying the ark following them, then all of Israel following them. I would imagine that the first day they did this that the inhabitants of Jericho were quaking in their boots. These were the dreaded Israelis. They knew what they could do. But after once around the city they returned to their camp. Whew!! They mopped their brows and returned to business as usual. The next day was a repeat of the first day; and the second day, the third day, the fourth day, the fifth day and the sixth day.

Of course I’m speculating, but by the time the seventh day came I imagine they didn’t feel any fear. Nothing had happened on the previous six days. These Israelites were a strange lot. If they wanted to march around their city blowing trumpets, they could. Of course the constant noise of those trumpets while they marched was a little annoying.

The Israelites themselves had to wonder too what kind of instructions these were Joshua had given them. He certainly wasn’t anything like Moses. Moses would never have told them to do something so stupid. When day after day passed and they just marched silently around the city it really took a lot of faith to continue. All he had told them was to keep silent as they marched, not saying a word. Keep quiet, just march until he told them to shout. What kind of warfare was this anyway?

On the seventh day they got up at daybreak to do their march, but on that day they marched seven times around the city, and on the seventh time when the priests sounded the trumpets Joshua told them to shout. What a shout that must have been as 3,00,000+ people shouted. Perhaps the residents of Jericho were on the walls watching these silly Israelites. What a shock they received as the walls under them began to crumble as the Israelites shouted.

There are times when the things God tells us to do don’t seem rational. But God always has a purpose in what He tells us to do. Isa. 55:8 says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, declares the Lord.” Our response should be obedience to what he says. It took a leap of faith on the part of Joshua to issue those instructions, but God honored him and gave Jericho into their hands.

Some day we will understand the whys and wherefores of God’s direction and leading, if not here, then in eternity. But one thing I know, it is always best to do things God’s way.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Joshua 7, Psalm 137-138, Jeremiah 1, Matthew 15

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Dwell In Unity - Daily Devotioinal July 3rd, 2010

2010-07-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Joshua 5, Psalm 132-134, Isaiah 65, Matthew 13

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Joshua 6, Psalm 135-136, Isaiah 66, Matthew 14

Dwell In Unity (video Devotional)

Dream Big
Ben

Altars - Daily Devotional July 2nd, 2010

2010-07-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Joshua 4, Psalm 129 - 131, Isaiah 64, Matthew 12

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Joshua 5, Psalm 132-134, Isaiah 65, Matthew 13

Dream Big
Ben

Look To The Lord - Daily Devotional July 1st, 2010

2010-07-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Joshua 3, Psalm 126-128, Isaiah 63, Matthew 11

We apologize as this devotional was suppose to go with yesterdays Bible Reading. It is really good however so enjoy.

Look To The Lord

Since my husband passed away a year ago I have had to look to the Lord more and more to be my support and guide. One day as I was praying and singing to the Lord, I had a strong desire for my father. He has been gone for 34 years and I don’t often think about him. But on that day it just felt like I needed the protection and comfort of my father; someone I could just go to without explanation of why. My Dad was a very resourceful man and could do just about anything. Perhaps that is why I felt that strong desire.

Psalm 123 brings this kind of picture to my mind; someone who needs to feel protected and that someone is in charge; the slave and the maidservant. The comparison is made for how we are to look to the Lord, especially in a time of vulnerability. Psalm 124 continues the thought of God’s protection and help. “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Verse 8). Notice where our help comes from. The Maker of heaven and earth!! Someone who is powerful enough to make heaven and earth is surely able to help me in my time of need and be wise enough to give me what I need just when I need it. Not when I think I need it!! (We don’t often like that part. We want what we want when we want it!!)

In Psalm 125 the Lord’s protection and care for his people is illustrated by the comparison of the mountains that surround Jerusalem. “So the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” I like the thought of the Lord surrounding me on all sides. That covers all vulnerability.

When the spies were sent to scope out Jericho (Joshua 2) they ended up in the house of Rahab, a prostitute. She had heard how the Lord had dried up the sea so Israel could cross on dry land. She had heard how Israel had completely destroyed several of the kings. Rahab attributed their success to God. “For the Lord you God is God in heaven above and earth below.” She became a believer!! She asked the spies to spare her and her family when they returned to overthrow Jericho. The spies told her that anyone who was in her house would be spared, but if they wandered out into the streets they would not be responsible. She was to tie a scarlet cord in her window and when they saw that scarlet cord they would spare her house and all that were in it. Rahab lost no time putting that scarlet cord in her window. She put it there as soon as they left (verse 21) even though Israel would not be back to attack the city for a number of days.

Our protection from the Lord comes from being in the household of God and we are placed there by the blood of Jesus, represented by that scarlet cord. Just as everyone had to be in Rahab’s house in order to be spared, we have to be in the household of God in order to come under his protection and salvation.

One time when Jesus was speaking with his disciples about those who had turned away from him he asked them if they would leave too. Peter answered, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69. There is no other source of protection and care like the Lord has for his people.

Look to the Lord. He is your source of protection, provision and strength.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Joshua 4, Psalm 129 - 131, Isaiah 64, Matthew 12

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Called, Empowere, Sent - Daily Devotional June 30th, 2010

2010-06-30T17:17:00.001-07:00

Bible Reading - Joshua 2, Psalm 123-125, Isaiah 62, Matthew 10

Called, Empowered, Sent

Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ".

Living the Christian life is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling ways to live on the planet. It is not only one of adventure and freedom but it is one of purpose and power. When you become a Christ follower you not only have a new freedom in Christ but you have a new mission for you life. That mission is seen in Matthew 10 and the great part is that he not only calls you to this life but He empowers you to live it and then sends you out to do it.

Matthew 10:1-5a says, "And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go...". In this portion of scripture Jesus does 3 dominate things. First He calls His disciples, then He empowers them and lastly He sends them. Jesus not only did that for His disciples back then but he does the same thing for us today.

When Someone comes into a relationship with God they are coming because Jesus is calling them and according to Philippians 1:6 the one who called you is faithful to fulfill all that He has called you to. So many people loose track of the fact that Jesus not only calls but He empowers and sends out also as it shows us here Matthew 10. We are not week people who are looking for some sort of crutch but we are empowered once we are called. That word "power" means to have authority or jurisdiction or governing authority over. This is the power we are given once we are called by Jesus it is a power to be exercised of demonic spirits and sin! This power that He gives us is then intended to be used to lead others to Himself so He sends out. This word sent shows one of purpose and intentionality. All of this shows us that the CALLED life is one of power, potential and purpose. This is the best life to live on the planet.

Next time you start to doubt your walk in Christ just remember you are Called, Empowered and Sent. Lets all take up the challenge today and remember He who began a good work in us is faithful to complete it.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Joshua 3, Psalm 126-128, Isaiah 63, Matthew 11

Dream Big
Ben

Daily Bible Reading - June 29th, 2010

2010-06-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

Today's Reading - Joshua 1, Psalm 120-122, Isaiah 61, Matthew 9

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Joshua 2, Psalm 123-125, Isaiah 62, Matthew 10

Dream Big
Ben

The other side of the gate. Daily Devotional - June 28, 2010

2010-06-28T07:41:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 33, Psalm 120, Isaiah 60, Matthew 8

Last night my husband and I went out to dinner together. We don't go out to eat often but we splurged on our date went to a nice Thai restaurant and sat outside. On one side of the gate there were beautiful flowers, trendy plates, amazing food and white linens. Although my dinner was heavenly and the conversations with my husband were full of laughter and joy, I couldn't help but watch as occasionally a man would walk by on the other side of the gate pushing a shopping cart full of all his belongings. As I made eye contact with them, my heart broke. It felt wrong for us to be on one side of the gate in blessing while another was on the other side in suffering.

In Matthew Chapter 8, Jesus was at a place in his life where things were going pretty good for him. He wasn't yet at a point where he was being persecuted or beaten. His ministry is growing rapidly, he is casting out demons and gathering faithful disciples. In verse 5 another individual who has experienced success as a centurion approaches Jesus. He pleads with Jesus to heal his suffering servant. He tells Jesus that he isn't worthy for Jesus to even come to his house, but to simply say the word and his servant will be healed. Jesus is amazed at his faith and proclaims it to be the greatest he had found in Israel. Jesus responds (vs 13), "
“Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.”

Jesus modeled something powerful for us in this passage. Although things were going well for him, he knew his life wasn't meant to be lived only to bask in his pleasure. Jesus took time to reach out to those on the other side of the gate. His heart broke for the suffering but he modeled a life of tangible compassion. A compassion that was compelled to respond not just emotionally, but also actively.

We are not called only to bask in our own comfort or blessings, we are called to reach out a hand of compassion to those who are suffering. This doesn't mean we need to feel guilty for being blessed, but rather to be reminded that we are blessed to be a blessing. We have the truth inside of it to share it with the blind, the hurting and the oppressed.

I once heard that if you want to be more like Jesus, to read the gospels again and again. The more I read the gospels, the more I see Jesus stopping for those who were in need or in pain. He lived a lifestyle of active compassion.

Many times I pray that Jesus would make me more like him...perhaps he is giving me an opportunity to be more like him each time I see a passerby on the other side of the gate.

Thanks for reading,
Mel Miller

Foolish or Wise; Which are You? Daily Devotional June 27, 2010

2010-06-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 32, Psalm 119:121-144, Isaiah 59, Matthew 7

Foolish or Wise; Which are You?

If you were suffering from a serious medical condition you would probably go to a doctor. The doctor would examine you and order some tests. Depending on what kind of illness you had, blood draws would be ordered and if necessary some imaging studies; x-rays, CT scans or MRI. After the doctor has all the results back he will make a diagnosis and order an appropriate treatment for you. You would be very unwise to go through the examination and all the tests, thank the doctor, walk out the door and go on your way without filling the prescription or doing the things the doctor prescribed. We would say such a person is really foolish.

The same principle applies to hearing and doing God’s Word. Matthew 7:24-27 is a parable about two men, one wise and one foolish. The foolish man hears the Word of God but doesn’t put it into practice. Jesus likened him to someone who builds their house upon a foundation of sand. When storms hit such a house it will fall with a great crash because there is nothing to hold it up. The wise man hears the words of Jesus and puts them into practice. He is like a man who builds his house on a rock. Rain, rising streams and winds cannot shake such a house off its foundation. He was wise because he practiced the words he heard.

Notice that rain, wind and rising streams hit both houses. Practicing the Word of God does not exempt us from the storms of life. But when they come we have a foundation that is firm. There is something to rely upon. The key is not just hearing the Word. Both the men in the parable heard the same thing. The key is practicing what was heard. Psalm 119:129 says “Your statues are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

Israel had heard God’s precepts over and over. He warned them repeatedly what would happen if they strayed from following Him and turn to idols. But they were like the foolish man who built his house on the sand; they didn’t follow God’s instructions and turned to idols. It is interesting that Deut. 23:17 says that when they sacrificed to idols they were actually sacrificing to demons. Isaiah 59 also contains indictment against Israel for turning from the Lord; but also the possibility of redemption of they would turn back to the Lord and begin to do what he had told them to do.

God doesn’t force us to do anything. He created us with a will, and we can willing choose to do the principles found in God’s Word, or we can ignore them and go our own way. We can be like the person who walks out of the doctor’s office and ignores the treatment the doctor has ordered. Or we can take the prescription and participate in the treatment. Which are you? Foolish or wise?

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Daily Devotional June 26, 2010

2010-06-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 31, Psalm 119:97-120, Isaiah 58, Matthew 6

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
William Shakespeare, As You Like It

At the bank I work at we have “on stage” and “off stage” areas and behaviors.
When we are “On Stage” it means that we are in areas that are in front of customers
where they can see us and our actions and hear what we are speaking. We are
performing so to speak for our customers in the role of teller, banker, etc. Our hope is
that the way we act when we are on stage will result in a good customer perception so
that they will trust us and our bank to handle their money. “Off stage” it really doesn’t
matter how we act, speak or look because it is all behind the curtains. We perform for
our customers.

The problem with Mr. Shakespeares quote is that if we are truly living life as
actors then who are we really. Not only that who are we performing for. Actors go on
stage to perform for an audience, generally of other people in order to produce a
reaction from the crowd (hopefully good) so that at the end of the day they can go home
feeling like they did their job well at fooling everyone into thinking that character was
really them.

As Christians we do this all to often. We begin to act out our Christian lifestyle.
We say the right things. Our speech is almost indiscernable to non-Christians because
of our Christianese way of saying things. The things we do resemble the character we
are playing. We go to church almost like we are there to do our punchcard. The clothes
we wear play a part too. Go into almost any church in America and I bet you’d swear
there was a dress code. We are expert players in our play of Christianity.

I am guilty of it myself, but the problem with going through the motions is what it
goes back to in Isaiah 58. This scripture begins to lay out a picture of Christians going
through the motions of religion. A people “acting like a righteous nation” but when it
comes down to it God calls them out and tells them the issue he has with their act is that
they are doing it all for themselves. They are playing for the part so that other people
can see what good actors they are. What good is it to be great actors when our actual
actions speak nothing of a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Instead God asks us not just to act but to be Christ followers. God doesn’t desire
a good show but pure hearts motivated by love and a relationship with Jesus Christ.
When was the last time you helped lighten someone’s burden? Gave a hungry person
some food? Clothed someone who needed clothing? Helped give someone shelter?
Shared with someone the freedom of knowing Jesus Christ? At Urban we do these
things through first Sunday and other ministries, but when was the last time you did
them outside of an organized activity. I know for me its been awhile.

As I read Isaiah 58 God brought tears to be eyes as His conviction came and I
realized I too have fallen into the motions of doing Christianity and all too often had
ceased to just be a Christ follower. The truth is if we would stop playing a Christian and
be a Christian we would see our prayers answered quickly (vs 9), we would be
protected, guided and find healing (vs 8) and we would be released in the plans and
purposes that God has for our life.

“ The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and
restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like and ever-flowing
spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known
as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes...Then the Lord will be your delight. I will
give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor
Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Isaiah 58:11-12,14

Live life extraordinary,
Alayna

Shine the Light - Daily Devotional June 25, 2010

2010-06-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 30, Psalm 119:73-96, Isaiah 57, Matthew 5

Shine the Light

Matthew 5:14 says "you are the light of the world". Light as we see here in Matthew 5, is not intended to be hidden. When was the last time you walked into a room where all the light bulbs were covered? Most likely you have not seen such a room. Instead we see lamps and other light fixtures placed strategically around a room so that the entire room will light up.

When it is dark out we look for a flashlight so that we can light the path and see the direction that we need to go. When a ship is caught in the fog the captain looks for the light house to know which direction to head. Christ wants you and I to be that flashlight for all those around us. Are you shedding light on the path that leads to Christ for your co-works, friends and family members? Are you pointing them in the direction that will lead to a relationship with the Lord?

2 Corinthians 4:5-7 says, " You see, we don't go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts..."

The Lord wants the light that is shinning in our hearts to shine for all to see! How do we let the light shine? By the words we chose to use, by our actions and by our service for others. The light shines bright through us as we share about all that Christ has and is doing in our lives.

Be a flashlight today and shed light on the path that leads toward Christ so that all those around you may "know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ"!

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 31, Psalm 119:97-120, Isaiah 58, Matthew 6

Dream Big,
Katie

Daily Devotional June 24, 2010

2010-06-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 29, Psalm 119:49-72, Isaiah 56, Matthew 4

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 30, Psalm 119:73-96, Isaiah 57, Matthew 5

The Powerful Word - Daily Devotional June 23, 2010

2010-06-22T22:57:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 28:29-68, Psalm 119:25-48, Isaiah 55, Matthew 3

The Powerful Word

You probably already know this, but every verse in Psalm 119 refers to God’s word, using various expressions. Some of them are “your statues, your precepts, your promise, your word, your laws, your commands, and your decrees.”

A couple of the verses in today’s reading have been meaningful to me and I have them underlined in my Bible. Verse 45: “I will walk abut in freedom for I have sought out your precepts.” That is a powerful concept. Seeking out the Word of God and following it allows us to walk about in freedom. There is nothing else that can make that claim. I think this truth is something the world needs to hear. There are so many people who are walking around in bondage, bound by false concepts and addictions. And it’s available to us just by picking up our Bible and reading on it and meditating on it throughout the day.

The next is verse 52. “I remember your ancient laws, O Lord, and I find comfort in them.” Throughout this last year I have needed comfort from the Lord many, many times. Often I have turned to God’s Word and found that it did comfort me and was soothing to my aching heart.

Isaiah 55 also has much to say about God’s Word. Verses 1-3 tell us that God’s Word satisfies and is like the richest of fare. It can’t get any better than that, and it doesn’t cost money or labor either!!! Verses 10-11 liken the Word to rain that waters crops so they will produce. His Word will not return to Him empty but will accomplish the His purposes.

God has placed Himself in His Word. John 1:1 says that The Word was God and verse 14 says that Word became flesh and dwelt among the people. That was Jesus. The Word of God is like no other book. It is living and powerful. By reading and meditating on the Word we are actually taking Jesus into our being, into our subconscious. So much better than things we are bombarded with daily.

Why then are there so few people who read and partake of God’s Word on a daily basis? We have something so powerful available to us. The year 2010 is half over, but it’s not too late to determine that in the next half of this year that we are going to be diligent about reading God’s Word and hiding it in our hearts.

You have a treasure chest available at your fingertips. Pick up your Bible and open it.

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Word! Daily Devotional June 22, 2010

2010-06-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 27, Psalm 119:1-24, Isaiah 54, Matthew 2

Word!

We hear thousands of words every day. Some of those words encourage us while others discourage. The question is what words are we meditating on? If we spend our day meditating on the discouraging words then we will be discouraged and we will feel defeated.

Psalm 119 is an amazing passage of scripture, all about the Word of God. This Psalm shows us the power of meditating on His Word. We see in verse 9 that we can cleanse our way by heeding His Word. When we hide His Word in our heart it guards us that we may not sin against the Lord. (verse 11) Meditating on the Word of the Lord will encourage us and guide us on the right path, it will keep us from sin.

What words are you meditating on today? Psalm 119:16 says, "I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word." Hide His word in your heart today.

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 28, Psalm 119:25-48, Isaiah 55, Matthew 3

Dream Big,
Katie

Trust the Lord - Daily Devotional June 21, 2010

2010-06-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 26, Psalm 117-118, Isaiah 53, Matthew 1

Trust the Lord

This month we have been doing a series out of the book of Philippians. This weekend we discussed that Philippians 3 shows us that joy comes through having our confidence in the Lord. I am reminded of this once again as I read through Psalm 118. Verses 8 and 9 say "Is is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes."

The reality is that if we put our confidence in people, whether it be family or friends, they will eventually let us down. None of us are perfect, despite all our good intentions. We see in Matthew 5:48 (NKJV) that our heavenly Father is perfect. We can put our trust in Him, He will never let us down.

Take a moment today and every day to have a conversation with the Lord. As you do this you are putting your focus on Him rather than on yourself or others. When you pray you are communicating that your trust is in the Lord to guide you through your day, to protect you and give you the wisdom you need in every decision you will have to make. Trust in Him today, He won't let you down!

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 27, Psalm 119:1-24, Isaiah 54, Matthew 2

Dream Big,
Katie

Eternity In Our Hearts - Daily Devotional June 20th, 2010

2010-06-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 25, Psalm 116, Isaiah 52, Revelation 22

Eternity In Our Hearts

When I was growing up in church (years and years ago!!!!) we heard a lot of sermons about heaven and about the things the Lord was preparing for those who love him, but in the last 10-20 years not a lot has been said about heaven; at least not in the churches I have attended. We used to sing a lot of songs about heaven, but not so much any more.

Psalm 116:15 says “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” I take this to mean that it is not a light thing when the Lord calls one of his servants home. It is a special thing to him. Jesus said he was going to prepare a place for us, that where He is we may be also. He said that if we believe in him we would never die but have eternal life.

Revelation 22: 1-5 gives a little description of some of the things that await us in heaven. A river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God. The tee of life bearing 12 crops of fruit every month. The leaves of the tree for the healing of nations. No more curse. (The earth was cursed when Adam and Eve fell.) The throne of God and the Lamb in the city. We will see the face of God. There are other portions of Scripture that give us a little more insight.

I Cor. 2:9-10 says “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.” I think the Lord lets us know in our spirits that there is more than we can comprehend. There have been times when I have viewed the amazing creation of God and marveled at what He has made, and yet there was a yearning in my heart for something I didn’t quite know what. I think it’s because we have eternity in our hearts and we can’t quite grasp with our natural minds what that exactly will be.

I’m looking forward to seeing my husband again one day, seeing my parents, my grandparents and the paternal grandmother I never met who died on her way to a midweek prayer meeting, and special friends we have made throughout the years. I’m looking forward to seeing Jesus. But it’s like the song says, “I can only imagine.”

Whether we live to see the second coming of the Lord or whether we are one of the saints that he takes home in death, one thing I know, whatever awaits us is super special. “Amen. Come Lord Jesus.” Rev 22:20b

Tomorrows Bible reading - Deuteronomy 26, Psalm 117-118, Isaiah 53, Matthew 1

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

An army of one is no army at all - Daily Devotional June 18th, 2010

2010-06-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible reading - Deuteronomy 23, Psalm 112-113, Isaiah 50, Revelation 20

An army of one is no army at all

I remember my relationships before I was a Christian; lots of friends, no conflict, and most definitely no depth. When I met Jesus something changed, with Christianity came the challenge to build strong meaningful friendships, but that proved to be strenuous when I realized people seemed to get in misunderstandings often and offenses seemed to be a constant.

I never had problems with my friends before I was a Christian, I mean there was hardly something to get offended about, we all made mistakes often, we all expected mistakes and we all overlooked mistakes; then again we were never really, truly honest and open and our friendships were unto nothing more than fun.

I never really understood why everything was so different, Christian friends came, got offended and left. It all seemed so much harder if I was living a life of righteousness, but in the past few weeks I think I finally got it.

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” The enemy is very well aware of what he can do to us if we are alone, he knows the power there is in unity, and he works hard not to allow for that unity in godly friendships.

A Christian friendship is never a meaningless one, there is always a reason you build a tie to someone, there is always a reason God brings you together and let’s your heart be knitted together. The enemy knows that, but we seem to forget it.

I know sometimes you just want to be done with it, life seems so much easier if you have nobody there keeping you accountable, pointing out your blind spots. But walking away from a God-given relationship is giving the enemy tools to destroy you and them. Giving up because it is just easier not to let anybody in is giving the enemy the ability to beat you down and letting him take away the people God put around you to pick you back up. Giving up on a God-relationship is going to battle without an army.

In Isaiah 50:10-11 I was reminded of the benefits of not walking away, not only from friendships but from God altogether. “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.”

Sure we can keep our worldly comfort and make up our own standards for friendships, keep relationships shallow and harmless, try to avoid disappointment and keep it all fun. But we will most definitely find ourselves walking away from our destiny and in the end even eternally tormented by our decision. Pushing through, and pursuing godly relationships might bring some bitter moments and will ensure let downs, frustrations and hurts. But in the process of the pursuing we will grow into the people God wants us to be and we will have the assurance we never have to fight alone, there will always be someone there to pick us up, and we will rejoice together and forget the bitter moments the day we meet the Lord.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 24, Psalm 114-115, Isaiah 51, Revelation 21

Much Love, Jo

Fear The Lord - Daily Devotional June 17th, 2010

2010-06-17T08:56:00.001-07:00

Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 22, Psalm 110-111, Isaiah 49, Revelation 19

Fear The Lord

In today's culture wisdom is an essential for all of us. The Bible speaks of two types of wisdom. A wisdom that comes from God and a wisdom that comes from the world. Unfortunately to many people lean more on the worlds wisdom rather than the wisdom of God. We need to make sure as Christ followers that we are getting our wisdom from God.

James 3:13-18 gives us a snap shot of the two different types of wisdom. " (13)Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. (14)But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. (15)This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (16)For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (17)But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (18)And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace". I think from reading this it is pretty obvious which wisdom we would want although it is not always the on we choose.

The wisdom of the world is all around us. Just flip on the TV, pick up a magazine or talk to a friend. It is as if people are just waiting to give you their little bits of wisdom. The wisdom that comes from the Lord comes only as we fear Him. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding" (Psalm 111:10). The word fear in this verse means, "respect, reverence and piety". It is when we have learned a true respect for our Lord and Savior that we obtain wisdom from him.

For me one of the greatest ways I show respect to anyone is by showing that I trust them. When I trust in the Lord it shows my respect and it leads to Him giving me a wisdom that leads me and guides me. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths". As we learn to fear the Lord He will give us a wisdom that comes from above and it will give us clear straight paths.

Today rather than going to your friend, Oprah or Dr. Phil for some wisdom you should crack open the Bible, call upon the Lord, fear Him and get the wisdom you really need. It is time to fear the Lord once again.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 23, Psalm 112-113, Isaiah 50, Revelation 20

Dream Big
Ben

How Great Is His Love - Daily Devotional June 16th, 2010

2010-06-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 21, Psalm 108 - 109, Isaiah 48, Revelation 18

How Great Is His Love

Just a few days ago I was reading Psalm 103 and was impressed with verses 11 and 12. “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” That same thought of his great love for us is repeated in Psalm 108:4 in today’s Bible reading. “For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”

Do we stop to consider exactly what this is saying? Do we consider how high the heavens are above the earth? Astronauts have gotten a little view of the vastness of the heavens as they have stepped on the moon and now in the International Space Station. We can read articles about the Hubble telescope and see pictures of the enormous amount of space that is out there. In fact scientists have not been able to find that it ever ends. There are galaxies after galaxy, seemingly without end.

God uses this to compare with his love for us. I for one cannot comprehend that. I just know that in a moment of need when I read that his love for me was as high as the heavens are above the earth that it brought comfort to my heart. I know that I do not totally grasp the vastness of God’s love for me but what I do grasp is comforting and wonderful. I think sometimes we repeat the words, “God loves us” without really understanding how awesome that is.

“My own hand laid the foundation of the earth and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them they all stand up together.” Isaiah 48:13. When I think about the awesome power of God that formed this earth and universe, and then think that he is mindful of ME and loves ME it is almost overwhelming and totally mind boggling. How is it that God, who has such awesome knowledge and power wants to have a relationship with me? It makes me feel so very humble. It also makes me feel safe. The God who loves me so much is only going to allow what is good for me to come into my life whether I understand it or not.

What do we do with this knowledge? As I contemplate this, it makes me want to be sure to live a life that is honoring to the God who loves me so much.

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Say So! - Daily Devotional June 15th, 2010

2010-06-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 20, Psalm 107, Isaiah 47, Revelation 17

Say So!

This morning my heart is overwhelmed with passion, joy and excitement as I read Psalm 107. This verse is a powerful picture of the amazing love of our Heavenly Father and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 1 and 2a read, "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so." What are the redeemed saying SO to? They are saying SO to the fact that the Lord is good and that his steadfast love endures forever.

Once the opening verses conclude the Psalm goes into a repetitive collection of people who have been radically redeemed by our merciful and loving God. Verses 4-9 speak of those who had lost there way and were unable to reach their destination, but they cried to God in their trouble and He delivered them. Verses 10-16 speak of those who willfully continued in sin and turned from the way of the Lord and yet they too called on the name of the Lord in their time of trouble and God saved them. Verses 17-22 speaks of those who were deceived but these people too called on the name of the Lord and were delivered. Verses 23-32 talks of those who where on their own journey, trying to find their own path through success. Once again at the end of it all they were in the middle of trouble and they called on the name of the Lord and He saved them. These are those that are all now saying, SO. WOW go back and read Psalm 107 again and look how powerful this passage is and how wonderful our God is.

Looking at this passage today I know that I can say, SO. Not only because I read here how he had taken the worst of situations and has redeemed them but when I look and see how He has taken the worst in me and redeemed me. I am so thankful that I have the Lord Jesus Christ in my life that I can call on in any situation and in any season and He will answer.

Today I am crying out with so many countless others, SO. I am declaring that the Lord is good and His steadfast love endures forever and ever.

Meditate on this passage today and join with redeemed in saying, SO.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Psalm 21, Psalm 108-109, Isaiah 48, Revelation 18

Dream Big
Ben

Remeber all He has done - Daily Devotional June 13th, 2010

2010-06-13T06:14:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 18, Psalm 105, Isaiah 45, Revelation 15

Remember all He has done

We all go through difficult periods in our lives, some more than others. These difficulties can take many forms. Relationships, situations with our children, finances, health problems, employment/lack of employment, even church relationships. We don’t have a choice about which problems come into our lives, (unless we have brought things upon ourselves!!) but we do have a choice about how we handle them.

Focusing on our problems and dwelling on them can lead to depression and compound the problem. Scripture has some good advice. “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles and the judgments he pronounced.” Psalm 105:1-5

There are a number of things listed in those few verses. One stands out to me. Remember!! Remember the wonders he has done and his miracles. It helps to start remembering all the Lord has brought you through and the provision he has given you in the past. If it is helpful, sit down and make a list. In the book of Deuteronomy the Lord tells Israel thirteen times that they are to remember the various things he brought them through.

Psa, 77:11 says “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.”

I am writing an account of things the Lord has done in my life. I want my children and grandchildren to know of the provision that we experienced from the hand of the Lord and how he brought us through various situations, many times miraculously. Psa. 78:2 “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.”

The verses in Psalm 105 have some other good advice. Give thanks to the Lord. Call on His name. Sing to him. Glory in his holy name. Rejoice. Look to the Lord. Seek his face. By the time we work though all these our perspective on our situation will change.

There is an old hymn that has been sung in churches since I was a little girl, and probably before that. “Count your Blessings.”

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed.

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost.

Count your many blessings, name them one by one.

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one.

Count your blessings, see what God has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one.

Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

It’s good to spend some time remembering all that God has done in your life.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 19, Psalm 106, Isaiah 46, Revelation 16

God is good all the time

Naomi Brinkman

His Benefits - Daily Devotional June 11, 2010

2010-06-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 16, Psalm 103, Isaiah 43, Revelation 13

His Benefits

People have asked me why I am a Christian, why I follow Christ and live a life of restriction. My response is that there is no better life to live then a life surrendered to Jesus Christ. It is a life of liberty not one of restriction.

In Psalm 103 we see that David begins the psalm with an exclamation of praise. This shows us his passion and enthusiasm for the Lord. After hearing such an exclamation many may have asked David the same question that has been asked of you and I, why was he so excited and passionate about the Lord? David tells us as he begins to list the Lord's benefits found in verses 3-5 "...who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Many of us take the time to consider the benefits that are associated with a job opportunity. We look at what kind of insurance the company offers and what the retirement package will be. A friend of mine recently accepted a job offer at a new company. When asked why he chose to leave his current job and move over to the new company his response was simple, "it is an increase in salary and the benefits package is better". He took the time to think about and consider the benefits of taking the new job offer. How often do we take the time to consider the benefits of living a surrendered life to Jesus Christ?

Take a moment today to meditate on His benefits:

He forgives all your iniquity
He heals all your diseases
He redeems your life from the pit
He crowns you with steadfast (firm in purpose, unwavering) love and mercy
He satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's

If you are already a Christ follower you will see that as you take time to meditate on His benefits you will experience the same passion and enthusiasm for the Lord that David had. If you are not already a Christ follower I challenge you to consider His benefits and make the choice today to join us in following Christ. He will forgive, heal, redeem, crown and satisfy you! Simply take a moment to say this prayer, "Jesus, forgive me for my sins, come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. I want to experience the blessings and benefits of living a life surrendered to you. Amen".

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 17, Psalm 104, Isaiah 44, Revelation 14

Dream Big,
Katie

Enthroned and Remembered - Daily Devotional June 10, 2010

2010-06-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 15, Psalm 102, Isaiah 42, Revelation 12

Enthroned and Remembered

Last week we began a new series in which we are going through the book of Philippians. In studying this book we quickly come to the realization that the theme of the book is Joy. Many people look for joy in many different places. People look for it through accumulating things which focuses on the external to bring joy. Others look for joy in spirituality which focuses on obtaining joy through internal means. What we discovered last week is that true joy does not come from either the external or the internal but from Eternal.

When we focus on the external we rely on things to make us happy. When we focus on the internal we rely on doing things to make us happy. BUT, when we focus on the Eternal we focus on Jesus Christ as the source of our joy and happiness. The external and the internal ways of bringing joy can be taken away or can fad with time , "But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations" (Psalm 102:12). The Lord Jesus Christ is the one source of true joy that is, has been and always will be. Jesus is the one that is remembered from generation to generation.

As you read the scriptures leading up to verse 12 of Psalm 102 you see the writers discontent with life. He is sorrowful and there is no joy as he looks at his own life and he begins to plead that God would not hide His face from him. He discovers life so many of us need to that when we tie ourselves to the Eternal rather than the external and internal we will have true joy.

Today we need to turn our eyes to the one who is enthroned on high and remember who He is and what He has down. Today we need to tie ourselves to the eternal and discover true joy.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 16, Psalm 103, Isaiah 43, Revelation 13

Dream Big
Ben

You are HIs Treasured Possession - Daily Devotional June 9th, 2010

2010-06-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 13, 14, Psalm 99-101, Isaiah 41, Revelation 11

You Are His Treasured Possession

In Deuteronomy 14 Moses speaks to the Israelites and gives them some instructions. “You are the children of the Lord your God.” “You are to be his treasured possession.” Those are awesome words and I believe they apply to us as Christ followers also. Wow!! God’s treasured possession. If you have a treasured possession you give it special care. You make sure to protect it, keep it safe, give thought to its well being. I believe God does all of that for us. We are His children and His treasured possession.

Isaiah 41:13 echoes this message. “I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” I know those things were said about Israel, but again I believe they apply to us. How awesome to have a God who holds our hand and helps us! There are times when I really feel the need of someone to hold my hand.

These are not the only verses in the Bible to give this message. Mal. 3:17 says, “They will be mine, says the Lord Almighty, in the day when I make up my treasured possession.” Who are these named as a treasured possession? Verse 16 gives us the answer. Those who feared the Lord and talked with each other. Eph. 1:18 (KJV) says that His inheritance is in the saints. We are God’s inheritance. We can be sure He is looking well after his inheritance.

If we really grasp hold of this I think it will affect the way we live. If we are so precious to God, and he refers to us as His treasured possession, shouldn't we think twice about what we allow in our lives? About the things we do? Where we go? How we spend our time? About people who we allow to influence our lives? About what we read and the television and movies we watch? Psalm 101 says “I will set before my eyes no vile thing.” And David didn’t even have TV and movies to watch!!! I don’t know if there was such a thing as pornography back in David’s time, but there certainly wasn’t any Internet porn. How much more do we need to guard our eyes and not allow any vile thing to invade our hearts and minds. The things we see enter into our innermost being and influence us in many ways. They can crop up in our minds when we least expect them to and influence the meditation of our hearts.

I don’t know about you, but as God’s treasured possession I want to please Him and be the kind of inheritance He will be proud of. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 15, Psalm 102, Isaiah 42, Revelation 12

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Love God, Hate Evil - Daily Devotional June 8th, 2010

2010-06-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 12, Psalm 97-98, Isaiah 40, Revelation 10

Love God, Hate Evil

Matthew 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

Although this specific scripture is in fact talking about not loving money more than God, there is a principle here that holds true in every area of life. That principle is simply this, you can not serve two different things/people. The thing with being a servant is that you begin to take on the personality of the master and you begin to have the same habits and loves as your master. You can tell who the servant's master is just by observing their behavior and of course by watching who they are actually bringing service to.

It is funny to me that people say they love God and call themselves a Christ follower but yet as you observe their behavior nothing really about it says, "hey I am serving God". If you have to continually say over and over again, "I am a Christian", than you probably are not. You are probably just trying to convince yourself and those around you that you are. I mean think about it, I do not have to go around telling my wife or those around me, "hey I am her (Katie's) husband". People know I am her husband by the way we interact with one another.

If you are a true Christ follower then it is obvious, you Love God and you hate evil. Look at Psalm 97:10a, "O you who love the LORD, hate evil!" This is a statement that says, If you love the Lord than you hate evil!" I know too many people that do lip service by saying they love God but yet when you observe their life you would not be able to tell them apart from the rest of the world. They are at the same places getting drunk on the same alcohol, they are watching the same shows/movies with no regard to morals, they are pursuing the same relationships in the same ways, they are making money through dishonest gain, they are telling the same lies, gossiping about the same people, holding the same bitterness and resentment in their heart, and the list goes on. They are serving themselves but they are not serving God and it is seen in their love for evil rather than for God.

You see if we truly love God we have a deep hatred for evil. What does your service say today? If people spent a week with you and were able to watch your interactions with people and your all around behavior would they walk away saying, "That person Loves God and hates evil". After all, the two go hand in hand.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 13-14, Psalm 99-100, Isaiah 41, Revelation 11

Dream Big
Ben

Discretion Protects. Daily Devotional, June 7, 2010

2010-06-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 11, Psalm 95-96, Isaiah 39, Revelation 9

What was so bad about Hezekiah (in Isaiah 39) showing all of the possessions in his house to the visitors from Babylon?

Let's think about that in modern day terms...

Imagine that I just recovered being terminally sick. Some people from Canada heard about my recovery and wanted to come visit me to deliver gifts (I am a famous ruler, so people bringing me gifts is not uncommon...I could get used to that!) When they arrived, I started showing them around and they were very impressed. I liked impressing my guests so I kept showing them more. My cars, my swimming pool, my office...pretty soon I showed them my safe, my combination, my bank account and all my investments. It felt pretty good to awe my visitors with my abundant wealth.

This is what Hezekiah did for the envoys from Babylon...we don't know where his heart was at but we can only assume the reason he gave the extensive tour was because he wanted to show off his affluence. After they left, the prophet told him that because of his actions his wealth would one day be carried off by the Babylonians...and even some of his sons. It seems a harsh punishment for boasting, but this is an example of the danger of a lack of discretion.

Proverbs 2:11 tells us that "Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you."

Discretion is defined as:
1. The quality of being discreet, or careful about one says or does; prudence.
2. Ability or power to decide responsibly.

Hezekiah's actions may not have been a deliberate or intentional sin against God, but they severely lacked discretion. He did not know these people or whether or not he could trust them. He acted out of pride rather than prudence.

I was carrying a pot of boiling water from the stove to the sink yesterday and my son was standing in the kitchen. I am not usually prone to dropping pots of boiling water, but I made him move away from the kitchen anyway. Why? It's discretion, and it protects me from that one-in-a-million chance that my hands could slip and I could hurt my son.

I don't go to nightclubs. I trust myself and I trust that I wouldn't do anything that would compromise my walk with the Lord or my marriage. However, it is discretion that protects me from even the smallest possibility that I could do something regretful.

We must not become like Hezekiah and remove a healthy dose of discretion from our lives. Discretion is like a seat belt that protects us from those rare but dangerous crashes. We must never think that we are strong enough to handle tempting situations. Use discretion and you'll find yourself living life with no regrets.

Thanks for reading,
Mel Miller

2010-06-06T05:42:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 10, Psalm 94, Isaiah 38, Revelation 8

It‘s For Your Own Good!!

If you have been reading the Bible for any length of time you know that the promises of God come with a condition attached. God is not like a Santa Claus in the sky who grants your every wish with no strings attached. He asks something of us so he can pour his blessings out on us. His requirements are not difficult to keep, but they do go against our sinful nature. To solve that problem God has promised us His Holy Spirit who comes alongside of us to be our helper and to enable us to walk in the ways of God. As Paul said, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Phil 4:13.

When we walk in His ways He pours out his blessings in abundance. When we give as he asks we are given the promise that we will receive in return; pressed down, shaken together and running over, poured into our lap!! (Luke 6:38.) When we give our tithing unto the Lord he promises to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so many blessings that we will not have room for them. (Mal. 3:10).

In Deut. 10:12 Moses asks a question of the Israelites (and us), “What does the Lord your God ask of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees.” But he adds a statement that tops it all off. I am giving these decrees to you today for your own good. 1 John 5:3 says that His commands are not burdensome. Did you catch what Moses said? They are for our own good.

A good parent has some rules that their children must abide by. You can’t play in the street. You can’t play with sharp objects. You must eat a balanced diet. You can’t have candy and ice cream for breakfast. You have to go to bed on time so you get enough sleep. You have to go school so you can learn. You must learn to obey whether you understand it or not. Rules, rules, rules!!! Children often rebel against the rules of their parents, not realizing they are for their own good.

God is our Heavenly Father and he has some rules too, and just like the rules of our earthly parents, they are for our own good. If we follow the laws and commands of the Lord we will save ourselves from heartache and disaster; from STDs, children without fathers, jail time, addiction, a broken life, etc., etc. Psalm 94:12-13 says “Blessed is the man (and woman) you discipline, O Lord, the man (and woman) you teach from your law; you grant him relief from days of trouble.”

The Lord is asking us to walk in his ways, to serve him with our whole heart and soul, and to observe his commands and decrees.

IT’S FOR OUR OWN GOOD!!!

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 11, Psalm 95-96, Isaiah 39, Revelation 9

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Joy - Daily Devotional June 5th, 2010

2010-06-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 9, Psalm 92-93, Isaiah 37, Revelation 7

Joy

Joy is, "the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation."

The Deceleration of Independence states;

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.

Notice that we have the rights of life and liberty but not of joy or happiness. Happiness in this case is something that we can pursue but their is not guarantee that we will get it.

People look for Joy in all kinds of places, relationships, money, family, spirituality, religion and the list goes on and on. We may find temporary fulfillment and joy in many of these things but eventually it will fade. Psalm 92:1-4 reads, "It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy".

This weekend at Urban we are staring a new series, Dr. PHILippians in which we will be going through the book of Philippians. As we go through this book we will quickly discover that the over all theme is JOY. We will also discover as the writer of Psalm 92 did that true joy does not come from any of the things we mentioned before but rather in the Lord Jesus Christ, His work and His people. The Lord is who brings us true joy and when we do His work and walk in obedience to Him, true Joy is fulfilled.

Join us this month as we discover in the book of Philippians how to have true joy, because all of us could use some help every now and then.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 10, Psalm 94, Isaiah 38, Revelation 8

Dream Big
Ben

Get in His Shadow - Daily Devotional June 4, 2010

2010-06-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 8, Psalm 91, Isaiah 36, Revelation 6

Get in His Shadow

If we sit back and think long enough we can all come up with many things to be fearful of. Fear may come as we witness or experience oil spills, earthquakes, accidents or illness. These are just a few reasons why we all need to read Psalm 91. It is such a wonderful promise to those who choose to put their trust in God. It is a promise of rescue, protection, rest and long life.

Listen to the Lord's words to us found in verses 14-16, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation." We see here that it is not that trouble will never come our way, rather that He will be with us in trouble. He will rescue us.

These promises are not automatic though, it is not for everyone. The key is to put your trust in Him, to live in His shelter and abide in His shadow. Abide means to remain; continue; to stay. When we take walks with our girls during the day they often play around trying to jump into our shadows. They discover quickly that our shadows are not big enough for them both to stand in, so the game usually doesn't last very long. The amazing thing about God is that His shadow is big enough for us all to abide in. The Bible says in Isaiah 66:1 that, "...heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool..." This scripture give me an idea of just how big a shadow we all have to abide in!

Remember today that God is for you and no matter how rough and tough life gets, in the end we win! Take a few minutes to meditate on Psalm 91 and ask the Lord to teach you how to make Him your dwelling place, how to abide in His shadow. The Lord is with you, surrounding you and blocking for you today. So take heart, God is on your side, find rest in His shadow.

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 9, Psalm 92-93, Isaiah 37, Revelation 7

Dream Big,
Katie

Rewards and Dealings - Daily Devotional June 3rd, 2010

2010-06-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 7, Psalm 90, Isaiah 35, Revelation 5

Rewards and Dealings

Deuteronomy 7 is such a powerful picture of how God rewards the righteous but deals with the wicked. It is also a powerful warining of what happens when we choose not to do things His way and choose to do our own. How we are dealt with and how future generation will life is directly correlated to the choices we make and whether or not we obey God or not. Lets take a look at a portion of chapter 7.

Deuteronomy 7:1-11, "When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than yourselves, (2) and when the LORD your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them. (3) You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, (4)for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly. (5)But thus shall you deal with them: you shall break down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and chop down their Asherim and burn their carved images with fire. (6)For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. (7)It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, (8)but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (9) Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, (10)and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face. (11) You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today".

The rewards in this passage of scripture are obvious. The Lord will go before the children of Israel and clear away all there enemy's so that they can go and in and posses their promise land. When the Lord goes in and begins to clear out the enemy He asks two things of His people. 1) Do not take the any possession's that belong to them, 2) do not have intimate relationships with them. If they are to fulfill the righteous requirements that are set before them and utterly destroy the things that God is clearing out of the way than God will continue to reward them and be with them. If they fail to do this God removes His covering and rewards and begins to deal with them as He does with the wicked. This is the rewards for the righteous and the dealings with the wicked.

This word given to the people of God then is the same word given to His people today. Sure the methodology may look different but the principle is exactly the same. God asks us not to have intimate/marriage relationships with unbelievers and He asks us not to covet the things of the world. Not only is the challenge the same today but the reasons are the same as well. The reason God challenged the children of Israel to make sure that they observed and did these two thins is because once His people began to covet the possessions of the enemy it would begin to turn their hearts affection towards their idols and god's rather than Him. Likewise if His people began to intermarry with those who did not worship Him then the foundation of their family would not be on trust in Him but trust in many other god's and ideas. This same thing is true today and the fact that people are not adhering to God's principles is seen in the very statistic that our nation that was founded on the freedom to worship The Lord Jesus Christ is now only 4% Christian.

God always has had and always will have reasons for the principles He lays out for us. Those principles are not up for debate or further discussion. They are there not only to protect us and bless us. They are there to protect future generations so that His name will continue to be praised and blessed. When we walk according to His principles it is not always easy but it is always rewarding because He rewards the righteous (those who obey His principles) and deals with the wicked by cutting them off and ultimately destroying them.

Christian, are you listening to the Word of God today or are you be lead by your emotions? Are you coveting things of the world and are you getting involved in relationships that are leading your affections away? Meditate on Deuteronomy 7 today and know that the momentary pleasures of all the worlds stuff and the emotional tug from that person that does not worship God will ultimately destroy you and the generations to come.

Lets all head the admonishment of this passage today so that we can reap the rewards and not the dealings of God.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 8, Psalm 91, Isaiah 36, Revelation 6

Dream Big
Ben

Monkey See, Monkey Do - Daily Devotional June 2, 2010

2010-06-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 89, Isaiah 34, Revelation 4

Monkey See, Monkey Do

I’m sure you’ve heard the above statement about how children learn. Not that I’m calling children monkeys. But children learn a lot by observation and mimicking their parents. One day when my oldest son was about two years old I was busy ironing clothes and looked over to see him pretending he was ironing clothes too. He was copying my motions exactly.

Statistics show that children of alcoholic parents are more likely to become alcoholics than children of parents who do not drink. Parents who smoke are more likely to have children who follow them in this addiction despite all the warnings of how hazardous it is to health.

Deut. 6:7, talking about the commandments that the Lord gave Israel through Moses says, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Moses was telling the people to teach their children through their every day life, and by their example. It has to be more than words. There has to be a life that is lived that corresponds with what you are saying.

The old saying, “Your actions speak so loud I can’t hear what you’re saying,” is so true. We can’t tell our children one thing and then live another way. Our actions must be consistent with what we’re teaching. You might be able to fool people outside of your home, but you can’t fool those who live with you every day. They can see if you are really living what you are professing.

It’s the Lord’s desire that we raise up godly children. I know that children have a will of their own and there comes a time when they make their own decisions about what they believe, but if they have seen Biblical principles lived and modeled before them in addition to having them taught, they are more likely to choose to follow the Lord.

It has always been my desire that when I stand before the Lord I will be able to present my four sons to him; the ones he entrusted to my care. There were some difficult times along the way but I’m happy to say that all four of them are living Christian lives and are training up their children to follow in their footsteps.

Psalm 89:1 says “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” Who better to teach your children than you? Knowing that there are minds and hearts that are watching and copying you should motivate to more circumspect living and a guard over what we discuss when little ears are listening.

Remember, you are being copied.

(If you don’t have children yet, tuck this away for future reference. It works for grandparents too.)

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 7, Psalm 90, Isaiah 35, Revelation 5

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Remember - Daily Devotional June 1st, 2010

2010-06-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 5, Psalm 88, Isaiah 33, Revelation 3

Remember

Yesterday was a day to remember all those who have given their lives and those that are continuing to give their lives for the freedom of the USA. Yesterday I took some time to reflect on what the day meant before spending time relaxing and hanging out with friends. If we do not take time to truly reflect on holidays like this we can quickly forget what the holiday represents and just view it as a 3 day weekend of fun and partying. People begin to look towards a 3 day weekend rather than a time of reflection on people who have given their lives for our freedom.

This mentality however does not just effect the larger population on holidays such as Memorial Day, but it effects us as believers everyday we live life as a Christian. We as Christ followers can so quickly forget where our hope, strength, favor and ability comes from. When we forget to remember we live our lives as if we were in control and that everything in our lives has happened because of our ability and strength. We quickly forget that someone (Jesus) has given His life for our freedom. We forget that it is God who has brought us out of sin and who it is we are to live for. We in essence become the god of our lives when He really is and therefor we must remember HIM.

Deuteronomy 5 was not only a great reminder of this principle for Israel but is a great reminder for us today as well. Deuteronomy 5:6-7, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me". This passage does not only state who He is but reminds Israel what He did for them. He reminds them of what He did to jog there memory. He wanted them to remember so that they would turn back to Him and stop serving themselves and other idols.

This speaks to us today because although none of us were in slavery in Egypt, all of us know what it is to be in bondage to something. God wants us to remember today that not only is He God but He is the one who brought us out of bondage, that pain and that life that was hopeless. He is the one that brought you and is continuing to bring you to a place of great fulfillment. He reminds us of this today because like the children of Israel and the people who partied all Memorial weekend we so easily forget and in forgetting we begin to establish different reasons for our success (idols). It is because of this that It says in verse 7, You shall have no other God's before me".

Everyday we need to take time to remember That the Lord is God and the He is the one who has brought us out of bondage and is the one who is bringing us to a place of great fulfillment. We need to remember that it is Him and Him alone and we cannot have any other God's before us. We need to remember and tear down the god's of relationships, self, money, popularity etc.

He and He alone is the one who saved us and is prospering us. Let's remember Him today and give Him praise.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 89, Isaiah 34, Revelation 4

Dream Big
Ben

Happy Memorial Day! - Daily Devotional - May 31, 2010

2010-05-31T09:53:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 4, Psalm 86-87, Isaiah 32, Revelation 2

I met a woman on an airplane who was from another country. She explained to me that her husband, and father of her children was shot and killed a few years ago right out side of her home and that she was coming to America for a new life. I protested, “Did they catch the man who killed him? Is he in jail?!” She shook her head sadly and said, “We don’t have that kind of government. There are no laws. There is no safety. There is no justice. It is chaos.”

When I hear stories like this woman’s, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the country we live in. Many people complain about our government or our laws, but I can’t imagine living in a nation without the protection of our troops and our laws.

I am also grateful today for the freedom we have to worship our God. There are many other countries where it is against the law to own a Bible or pray to Jesus.

This scripture in Deuteronomy 4: 5-9 was making note that other nations would be in awe of Israel for their intimate God and also for their laws and decrees:

“See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?”

I am grateful today for many reasons. For the safety and freedom we have in our country but also the freedom we have to worship our God who is near to us when we pray. I laid in bed with my family this morning and we began to teach our four year old daughter about Memorial Day. We explained to her how grateful we are for the men and women who have given their lives for our country and for those currently risking their lives. We explained to her that these people are heroes and that we should pray for them. We don’t live in a perfect nation with perfect leaders, but we will get a lot more accomplished through prayer and involvement than through criticism. I want my children to grow up grateful for their freedom and prayerful for their nation and it‘s leaders.

Would you take a moment today to thank God for our troops, our freedom and for the wonderful intimacy with Christ that we have been given?

Thanks for reading,
Mel Miller

2010-05-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 3, Psalm 85, Isaiah 31, Revelation 1

Can You Hear Him Now?

Psa. 85:1. “I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints – but let them not return to folly.” The key word in this verse is “listen.” The Lord is always saying something to his people, but we do not always listen.

You might think God is not saying anything to you; you haven’t heard an audible voice or seen anything written in the clouds. But as you read His word, He is speaking loudly to you. You just have to listen and let the Holy Spirit point out what He wants to say to you from the portion you are reading. Rev. 1:3. “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it, and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

Another way the Lord speaks to us is through his servants; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. (Eph. 4:11) They are God’s gift to the church to speak into the lives of His people. Our part is to listen and do.

“A prophet is not the revolutionary he appears. He does not call people to what is new, but to what is old. Not to human prejudice but to eternal values, which are always right. Prophets resist the current of their time by holding to the truths of eternity. They take us forward by pointing us back to truth we have departed from, truth just as true now as it always was. Ironically, the beliefs of the present age that take pride in not being old fashioned, tomorrow will be old fashioned. Truth, however, never goes out of date.” Randy Alcorn in Dominion.

Notice in the verse from Psalm, listening to God is an act of the will. I WILL listen. When we don’t listen to God through the voices he has provided we end up going our own way, doing our own thing. Moses in Deut. 3 beseeched the Lord to let him go into the Promised Land with the Israelites but God basically told him “Shut up.” He had previously told him he would not enter the Promised Land because of his disobedience in hitting the rock twice to bring water from it rather than speaking to it as God had told him. Moses, although he was forgiven, had to suffer the consequences of not listing.

Open up your mind and heart and hear what the Lord is saying to you. Listen to the input of godly counsel. Sometimes I think the Lord is saying “Can you hear me now?”

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 4, Psalm 86-87, Isaiah 32, Revelation 2

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Question - Daily Devotional May 29th, 2010

2010-05-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 2, Psalm 83-84, Isaiah 30, Jude 1

Today as I was doing the Bible reading I was drawn to Jude verses 3-4. It reads, "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ".

As I was drawn to these two verses I felt this question that I purpose to you today. Are there people still perverting the grace of God today, how do they do it and are you defending the faith?

Just something to think about and I hope to hear your responses as well.

Dream Big
Ben

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 3, Psalm 85, Isaiah 31, Revelation 1

The Family of God - Daily Devotional May 28, 2010

2010-05-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 1, Psalm 81-82, Isaiah 29, 3 John 1

The Family of God

3 John 1:1-2, 4 says "The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you...(4)I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." Beloved is said four times in this short (the shortest book of the Greek New Testament) book written by John. Beloved is a term of endearment and personal warmth. Then in verse 4 we see John refer to his children.

How does this relate to you and I? This is the church, this is how you and I are to relate to other Christ followers we are in relationship with. John was not related to Gaius, yet as an elder with influence he sees Gaius and others as his children, beloved and dear to him. Just as it is joyful for a parent to see their children walking in the manner in which they were taught it also brings joy to John to see Gaius, and others he has influenced for Christ, walking in the truth.

The other Christ followers with John and there with Gaius are referred to as friends. This is true community, this is the family of God. We are called to community with other Christ followers. In Acts 4:32-35 we see the church in full swing. The people were of "one heart and soul" and had "everything in common". The people cared for one another and made sure there were no needs among them.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 shows us the importance of being in relationship. If we are isolated and alone there is no one to pick us up when we fall. Are you in community today? Do you have a family of believers that are there for you to love you, care for you, pick you up when you are down and to challenge you to live the truth? If not get into the family today.

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 2, Psalm 83-84, Isaiah 30, Jude 1

Dream Big,
Katie

A Full Reward - Daily Devotional May 27th, 2010

2010-05-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Numbers 36, Psalm 80, Isaiah 28, 2 John 1

A Full Reward

The books of 1st, 2nd and 3rd John are packed full of so much wisdom. I am loving reading through this portion of our plan together. Here in 2 John 8 the verse reads, "Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward". We are encouraged here to watch our lives to make sure that what we do is done in a Biblical way so that we do not loose out on the full reward.

I think it is safe to say that if there is a "full reward" that there is probably a partial reward and no reward at all. I have to believe that all of us want a reward of some sort (I know I do) but yet too many of us are settling for the partial reward rather than the full reward. The crazy thing is this, it is not that complicated to get the full reward but rather than watching ourselves to make sure we are free from sin we begin to justify our actions to make it look like there is no sin. Sure one day we will repent but in the mean time we are willfully and knowingly minimizing our full reward.

If we look at the verses following this one we discover what it is we need to do in order to receive the full reward. 2 John 1:9 says, "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son". In order for us to have the full reward we must obey the teachings of God which are not subject to personal interpretation though many try in order to justify their actions. The Bible was meant to be read and then lived. In the Old Testament the Jews had nearly 600 laws/teaching they had to adhere to. In Christ Jesus all those laws were summed up in Mark 12:28b-31, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these".

The above verses show us what it is to follow the teachings of God. We are to love God with everything we are and have. This means living our life in a Biblical manner and doing things in such a way that brings honor to him. This also means that we are to do things in such a way that does not bring harm and pain to others. We would not want harm and pain inflicted upon us and we are to love others as we love ourselves. If we are truly abiding in the teachings of God then we will do things that bring honor to God and joy to others. This does not always mean we agree with others but rather we handle things in a way that even though we do not agree we are still in harmony and relationship with one another. When we do this we get the full reward!

We need to look at our lives today and watch ourselves. As we do we need to ask, "are we going to receive a partial reward or a full reward?" I know I want the full reward so I am doing my best today to walk in the teachings of The Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, there are times I mess up but thank God for the grace that comes through Jesus!

Are you after a full reward today?

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 1, Psalm 81-82, Isaiah 29, 3 John 1

Dream Big
Ben

CIty of Refuge - Daily Devotional May 26th, 2010

2010-05-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Number 35, Psalm 79, Isaiah 27, 1 John 5

City of Refuge

In Numbers chapter 35 we find God’s instructions to Moses to have six cities set aside as cities of refuge. If someone killed someone he could flee to one of these cities and he would be safe until there was a fair trial. If someone killed another person with “malice and aforethought“ and was found guilty the penalty was death. No ifs, ands or buts about it. If someone killed another person unintentionally, it was an accident, he could flee to a city of refuge, and be found innocent but he had to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. The innocent person was only safe as long as he stayed in the city of refuge. If someone wanting to avenge their loved one’s death found him outside of the city he could execute that person, and would not be found guilt of murder.

This instruction from the Lord might sound strange to us, but the application is far from strange. We are all guilty. Maybe not of murder, but we are guilty of breaking God’s laws. All of us deserve to pay the penalty for our sin. We are not like the innocent person who killed someone accidentally. But God has provided a “city of refuge” for us; in this case not for the innocent but for the guilty. And just as one accused of causing the death of another was safe only as he remained in the city of refuge, we are only safe as long as we remain in Jesus Christ.

The root of the word “refuge” has the thought of “taking in” or “giving asylum.” The dictionary definition is “protection or shelter from danger or hardship.” God has provided all of that for us. He has taken us in and gives us protection from the danger of eternal punishment. “The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deut. 33:27) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psa. 45:1) Being in the city of refuge not only has eternal benefits but benefits in this present life; a God we can run to in times of trouble and difficulty for protection strength, and wise counsel.

Paul was referring to a city of refuge when he wrote in Heb. 6:18b-19a “we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

John 5:11. “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” As long as we remain in the Son we are in that place of refuge and have the promise of life; an abundant life (John 10:10) here on this earth, and eternal life in the age to come.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 36, Psalm 80, Isaiah 28, 2 John 1

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

His Love, Our Challenge - Daily Devotional May 25th, 2010

2010-05-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Numbers 34, Psalm 78:40-72, Isaiah 26, 1 John 4

His Love, Our Challenge

God has been doing so many outstanding things at Urban since we started 16 months ago. We are hearing of powerful testimonies of miraculous healing, restored families and undeniable changes in peoples lives. All of these are such an answer to prayer and a blessing to hear about as a church planter. As I sit back and reflect and thank God for what He is doing I realize that those who's lives were changed the most were people we just loved on.

Love is such a powerful thing and not only is it what brought you and I into a relationship with Jesus Christ it is a challenge sent to us by Him who loves us the most. 1 John 4:9-12 says, "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us". The love of God is what drew us in. We only love Him because He first loved us. It is His love for us that causes us to want to change and become that which He desires for us. This is His love for us!

In this verse not only is His love seen but His challenge for us is seen as well. "If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another". What John is saying is this, we not only need to love people because God loved us but we also need to love people with the same love in which He loved us. God loved us in the middle of our mess and in the middle of our sins. It was because He loved us the way we were that brought us out of our mess and sin. The challenge is for us to do the same. We must love people in the middle of their mess and their sin for this is the love of God and if we will do this people really will see the love of God through us and change. As I look at Urban today this is seen in so many people at Urban. There are so many people we just loved on and because we loved them knowing what their mess was, they are coming out of their mess. Love and mercy really do triumph over judgment (although please remember love does challenge as well).

This love that we are to have can not only be for those who are coming into a relationship with God but it must also be for those who are already in the church. Yes, we Christ followers blow it every now and then as well. The Holy Spirit spoke to me the other day and said, "Ben if you cannot love those you know now in the middle of their mess how can you love people you do not know in the middle of their mess?" Sometimes I struggle with loving those who are close to me when I see them in their mess. My first reaction is I want to confront and fix all their stuff, because I truly do love them. When they do not allow me to do this though my love turns to anger (just being transparent). Today though I feel challenged by God to believe that the same love that brought them in in the first place is the same kind of love that will bring them back again. I am learning to love.

I am so thankful for the Word of God today and for the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful that I am in process and that God is working on me. I pray that people will continue to believe in the way God has structured His glorious church and give people even pastors the ability to love them through every season of life. I am in process today are you?

His love has become my challenge today.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 35, Psalm 79, Isaiah 27, 1 John 5

Dream Big
Ben

Sudoku and Sin. Daily Devotional - May 24, 2010

2010-05-24T15:41:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Numbers 33, Psalm 78:1-39, Isaiah 25, 1 John 3

My husband was a math major, I was an art major. Complete opposites. When I first started playing Sudoku, he would laugh at my strategy. My right-brained artist's mind would fill in numbers wherever they looked good and then change things later. The changing things later ended up being hours of unnecessary work that I could have spared myself if I would have taken my time to do it right the first time. My husband graciously showed me a better strategy. One that takes a concerted effort in the beginning, but less frustration and work in the end.

In Numbers 33:55 God gives a command to the Israelites to destroy the Canaanites, a nation that was full of idolatry, witchcraft and paganism: "'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.' "

God commanded His people to destroy them completely and immediately because of their great corruption and wickedness. He warned them that if they did not obey, the Canaanites would later become a source of great frustration. The Israelites were moving into their promise land and they had a choice to make: they could either destroy the wickedness or settle down and live with it. Unfortunately, they chose the latter.

With our Sinsation series, I believe God is like the gracious husband showing us an easier strategy for life. We can get rid of the sin in our lives now, or we can become comfortable with the growing compromise. If we don't do the job right the first time, it can become much more difficult to accomplish. It becomes like the Sudoku puzzle with numbers in all the wrong places, a confusing and frustrating maze. God speaks of nations who choose this path in Psalm 9:15 "They're trapped, those godless countries, in the very snares they set, Their feet all tangled in the net they spread. They have no excuse; the way God works is well-known."

Now is our opportunity make a concerted effort to drive out any compromise in our lives, so that we don't have to do it the hard way later. I'm so glad we serve a God who shows us the Canaanites in our lives that could potentially ruin our promise land!

Thanks for reading,
Mel Miller

2010-05-23T07:27:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Numbers 32, Psalm 77, Isaiah 24, 1 John 2

Are You On His Path?

I once taught a Sunday School class of teenagers. One day we were having a discussion about following Jesus and making right choices. One of the teens asked, “Why doesn’t he just make us do what we’re supposed to do?” Now that would solve everything, wouldn’t it? Not!!!!

God created us with the power of choice and he gives us the freedom to choose. He could make us do what he wants, but we could end up with rebellious feelings and frustrations. God wants people to love and follow him, and do his commandments, because they choose to, because they choose to love him. We are created in God’s image, so just as we would not value a relationship because someone was forced into it, God does not want that kind of relationship either. The wonder of love is that someone chooses to love us out of their own volition; that they have chosen to love us out of all the people in the world.

Psalm 77:19 says “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen." The path the Israelites walked out of Egypt led through the Red Sea, but it was not the path they chose, it was the path God led them on. It was his path; they had to choose to walk it.

God has a path for each of us to follow. It’s his path, not our path. We can choose to walk that path, or we can choose a path of our own, which always leads to disaster. But the choice is ours. It may lead through mighty waters and difficult times, but if it’s the path God has chosen for us he will lead us through. He has a purpose for the path he chooses for us.

1 John 2:5b-6 says "This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." The Amplified Bible says “to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.” How did Jesus walk? In obedience to the Father.

Walking in obedience is not a heavy chore. It is an act of love to the Lord. Jesus said “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

It’s not God’s purpose to make our lives difficult and miserable. He has come to give us abundant life. He knows that the path he chooses for us will be the very best one. All we have to do is follow it with Him by our side (and sometimes carrying us!!!)

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 33, Psalm 78:1-39, Isaiah 25, 1 John 3

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman　

Living in the Light - Daily Devotional May 22, 2010

2010-05-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Numbers 31, Psalm 75-76, Isaiah 23, 1 John 1

Living in the Light

1 John 1:6-7 says "So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin".

These two verses show the contrast between living in darkness and living in the light. We can know we are living in the light because we are in fellowship with each other and our sins are cleansed away. If we are not practicing the truth of the word of God then we are living in spiritual darkness.

The moment we begin to isolate ourselves from those we have been in fellowship with is the moment we begin to step into darkness. Where there is darkness there is no fellowship, where there is no fellowship there is no accountability, where there is no accountability there is greater opportunity to give into temptation resulting in sin.

1 John 2:10-11 says "Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates another bother or sister is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness".

"Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light". (Luke 11:35-36)

Living in the light is the only way to live. In the light we can see the right direction to go, we have fellowship and most importantly our sins are cleansed away. There is no condemnation, no regret, no fear of the future because His light shines on us.

Are you in fellowship today or have you isolated yourself? Do you know the way to go today or are you blinded by darkness? I encourage you to allow the Holy Spirit to search you as you ask these questions, allow Him to show you if there are any dark corners in your life. Let the light of God fill your whole life today. Get into fellowship with other believers and as you do this the radiance and light will grow and be so bright everyone will see and be affected by that light!

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Numbers 32, Psalm 77, Isaiah 24, 1 John 2

Dream Big,
Katie

Todays Bible Reading - May 21, 2010

2010-05-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Numbers 30, Psalm 74, Isaiah 22, 2 Peter 3

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 31, Psalm 75-76, Isaiah 23, 1 John 1

Certain in Uncertiantity - Daily Devotional May 20, 2010

2010-05-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Numbers 29, Psalm 73, Isaiah 21, 2 Peter 2

Certain in Uncertainty

As I was pursuing to be a lead pastor and to plant Urban my mentors would always tell me, "get ready for the most rewarding and hardest time of your life". For the first several months when Urban started I thought they were crazy! I mean this was the most fun and thrilling thing I had ever done in my life. Then a few short months into it the hard part kicked in. It is not the finances or even gathering the people that hard. It is not raising up leaders that has presented the toughest issues. The hardest thing with church planting has been to see the choices of people, the pain in there lives, unforeseen circumstance and the fact that the devil does not fight fair.

The day after Fathers Day 2009 my dad passed away expectantly and all though this was probably the toughest day of my life there have been many other challenges and painful moments. Shortly after starting the church 2 couples that I had performed weddings for and who I was very close to both got divorced. This was hard on me personally so in turn it was difficult for the church as well.

Most recently the hardest thing has been to see my 7 year old daughter who is so stinking sensitive to the Holy Spirit get attacked in her thought life. Her thoughts were being so bombarded by the devil it was mind boggling. The things that were coming against her as a 7 year old were things that no 7 year old should have to deal with. It was obvious to us that it was the enemy attacking her so we stood firm in our faith and fought against it. We prayed for her and read her scriptures and after about 3-5 months of fighting the good fight of faith I am blessed to say that she has overcome! This past weekend she was water baptized and there is a new grace and favor on her life. This was one of the hardest things because when the devil attacks children he attacks the heart of a father.

Yesterday would also prove to be one of the hardest days of my life as a church planter. As things that our outside of my control would begin to change the leadership team here at Urban. Often times when this happens there are nor answers or reasons that you can grab onto and when this happens you are often times left to speculate. The way most of us speculate is, "what could I have done different or how could I prevented this or can this be resolved some how? It is in these moments however that I must remember that HE is building HIS church, not me!

The only thing I can latch onto in moments like these is HIM because HE is certain in the midst of my uncertainty. Today I find myself leaning on this scripture today found in our Bible reading. Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever". I must never forget that God is all I need! He is my portion and He is my strength. He is the certain in the midst of uncertainty.

What uncertainty are you walking through today?

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 30, Psalm 74, Isaiah 22, 2 Peter 3

Dream Big
Ben

How Do You Keep From Being Ineffective & Unproductive - Daily Devotional May 19th, 2010

2010-05-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 28, Psalm 72, Isaiah 19, 20, 2 Peter 1

How Do you Keep from Being Ineffective and Unproductive?

2 Peter 1:3 tell us that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. Wow!! That is a tremendous gift. You can’t get much better than “everything.” It also says we have been given this through our knowledge of him. So the secret is getting knowledge of God. We get that knowledge by spending time in his Word, by prayer and communication with him, and experiencing him in our lives as we live a life pleasing to him. We come to difficult spots and circumstances and we experience God walking through those with us. That increases our knowledge of him.

2 Peter 1 goes on to tell us to make every effort to add to our faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. Kind of like stair steps; one thing on top of the other. This too is our part to do. Make every effort. The Amplified Version says “employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop these qualities.” The words “employ, effort and exercising” all are words of action. These are things that require thoughtful action on our part. To not just float along in the stream of life, but have deliberate purpose in the way we live.

The result? Verse 6. “If you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The result of not acquiring these attributes? You are nearsighted and blind and have forgotten that you have been cleansed from your past sins. Ouch!!!

These verses in 2 Peter remind me of Gal. 5:22: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fruitfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Very similar qualities; seven in 2 Peter, nine in Galatians.

To keep from being ineffective and unproductive we need to do what the Scripture says. Make every effort to achieve and practice these virtues in our lives in every increasing measure. No one is going to pass a law against having these qualities; in fact you will be a blessing to your family, your friends, your job, your church and society.

The Scripture has told us these things. Now we just need to do them. The great thing is that we have the help of the Holy Spirit, because we can’t do this in our own strength. Phil. 4:13: “I can do everything through him who give me strength.”

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 29, Psalm 73, Isaiah 21, 2 Peter 2

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Decieved to Death - Daily Devotional May 18th, 210

2010-05-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Numbers 27, Psalm 70-71, Isaiah 17-18, 1 Peter 5

Deceived to Death

Being deceived is such a bummer because when you are deceived you do not know that you are. It is usually a gradual process and by the time you are in full deception you actually begin to think everyone else is wrong (about whatever it is you want to believe) and you are right. So strong are your deceived convictions that you actually begin to go to those who will agree with you for all your counsel (2 Timothy 4:3-4). We can and need to avoid this place of deception because it is when we get here that we end up getting devoured by the enemy (the devil).

1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour" (Amplified). Peter is telling us to have a sober mind or a good mind, one that is free from things like deception. He is warning us to have this because our enemy (the devil) is waiting for his opportunity to destroy us. The picture here is one of a lion looking for it's dinner. If you have ever watched a lion hunt, what it will do is chase a whole heard until one of the heard lags behind or branches off on its own. Once the lion gets it's prey alone it pounces on it and devours it. Sounds very similar to what happens to us when we are deceived. We go out and do our own thing and look for people to validate what we are doing but what we are actually doing is putting our self in a position to be devoured by the enemy. We have deceived ourselves to death.

The deception can actually get so bad sometimes that we actually make it look good. It may be in a financial situation, we could be deceived in making dishonest gain and it may look like prosperity but in time it catches up to you and it all gets taken away. It could be in a relationship that we want but yet it is not a right one. We are so deceived that we begin to actually talk ourselves into it being ok to the point where we tell others things that are not true so they can falsely validate the relationship. This too ends in great destruction. The list goes on and on but the end result is always the same, we are deceived to death.

Deception can actually be colorful and look really good at times but it always ends in death. Isaiah 17:10-11 I believe gives us a snap shot of where the deception all starts. "For you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge;
therefore, though you plant pleasant plants and sow the vine-branch of a stranger, though you make them grow on the day that you plant them, and make them blossom in the morning that you sow, yet the harvest will flee away in a day of grief and incurable pain". Look at what this passage is saying. It is saying that even though what you are planting is seemingly pleasant and it is growing and blossoming does not mean it is a good thing. In this case that which is looking so well ends in destruction. Why did it end this way? Because it was all deception and just like in this passage how the one planting the plants made them grow so you make your deception grow. Also seen in this passage however, is the key to keep yourself from ending up in deception. We must never forget the God of our salvation and the rock of our refuge. We must always put God first and remember that He has a great life for us.

Today let's draw near to the throne of mercy and grace. Let's remember the rock of our salvation and not be deceived to death. Let's not have our dreams and ministries robbed by being deceived. Let's yield to God and to wise godly counsel.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 28, Psalm 72, Isaiah 19-20, 2 Peter 1

Dream Big
Ben

Not how bad you are, but how great HE IS! Daily Devotional, May 17, 2010

2010-05-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Numbers 26, Psalm 69, Isaiah 16, 1 Peter 4

Psalm 69:30-31 “I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.”

This verse tells us that praise and thanksgiving will please God more than sacrifice. In the Old Testament the sacrificing of animals was the form of repentance and atonement of sin. Thankfully, our repentance no longer requires sacrificing animals in our place, because Jesus took our place when He died on the cross. In modern day terms this passage is saying that God is more pleased with our praise than he is with our repentance.

The problem with many religions is that they focus so much on the confession of sin and not enough on glorifying God. There are some religions that even feel they need to inflict physical pain on themselves if they sin against God. They fail to realize that the more we glorify God in our lives the less we will need to confess, and that “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).

We may not inflict physical pain but perhaps we fall into the trap of dwelling on past sins, failures or mistakes thinking that we deserve to live in the bondage of shame. If God thought we deserved to live in condemnation, He wouldn’t have sent His only son to die for us! Sometimes the guilt and condemnation we carry around with us becomes our badge of honor, and instead of living in freedom we are walking around with our heads hung low. It isn't true humility or true repentance, it's just flat out unforgiveness.

We may believe that God has forgiven us, but when we don't let it go - we are harboring unforgiveness! That's right -- we haven't forgiven ourselves! Forgiveness goes beyond forgiving others, it also requires you to forgive yourself by accepting God’s amazing mercy.

If we don't forgive ourselves, we are making what Jesus did on the cross a travesty. Christ didn't die so we could live in shame! We should follow the advice of this Psalm and be reminded that He is much more pleased with our rejoicing than our sacrifice. We should be praising God for his mercy, forgiveness and grace in our lives rather than negating what He did by pinning ourselves to the mat with condemnation. We should be focusing not on how bad we are, but on how GREAT HE IS! If we chose to magnify Him rather than our weakness, we begin to walk in His victory, power and presence in our lives. We start realizing that Greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

There is a difference between condemnation and conviction. Conviction is that healthy reminder from the Holy Spirit that pricks your heart. It prompts you when you have done (or are about to do) something that you shouldn't be doing. Condemnation is from the enemy, and all it does is tell you that you have failed, you are worthless and that you can never do anything right. This can be one of the most cunning and deceptive tools of the enemy. Don't accept his lies. You haven't failed, you are not worthless, God loves you and not only extends His forgiveness but wants you to forgive yourself as well! Condemnation only pushes you towards sin because we feel hopeless. The devil would love to heap enough condemnation on us that we decide to give up. Conviction stings but it still brings hope, condemnation brings only hopelessness.

Repent of your sins and walk away from them, but don’t forget that it pleases God more when you chose to focus on how great HE IS rather than on how bad you are.

Thanks for reading,
Mel Miller

We Worship a God Who Is Personal - Daily Devotional May 16th, 2010

2010-05-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible reading: Numbers 25, Psalm 68, Isaiah 15, 1 Peter 3

We Worship a God Who Is Personal

There are many religions in the world, probably too many to count. But only the Gospel of Jesus Christ gets down to a personal level, on a one-on-one basis. Did Buddha ever say that he would bear your burdens: Or did Mohammad ever say that his Allah would have his ear open to your cry? Do Hindus have a god they can run to who will save them? How about Confucius? I could go on, but you get the picture.

Only Jesus Christ meets us personally in a very real way. Psalm 68:19-20: “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves.” I don’t know about you, but I need a God like that, who is so interested in me -- me personally, that he would daily bear my burdens. Sure, some days I don’t feel burdened at all, but other days I feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. It doesn’t matter to God which day it is; he daily bears my burdens.

Matt. 11:28 says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.” The secret of tapping into this wonderful resource is to come to Jesus. If I am going around burdened down, with my chin dragging the ground, it is my own fault for not running to Jesus and allowing him to bear my burden. That’s what he promised, and he always keeps his promises.

He doesn’t just bear our burdens, his ears are attentive to my prayer. (1 Pet. 3:12) He never tires of our prayers, but he is always listening. He’s never too busy with some else’s bigger problem. When I cry out to him he is right there listening with his ears pricked up, if I may use that term!!

I think we have all been talking to someone and noticed that they were distracted by something or someone and weren’t really listening to us. No so with Jesus. He really, really listens. I am so thankful for that. My favorite prayer this last year has been “Help me Jesus!!” He has helped me and is still helping me.

Sometimes we don’t like the path we’re on, but if we have committed our lives to Jesus we can be confident that he is walking the path with us, is bearing our burdens, is saving us and is listening to our prayers.

Thank you Jesus!!!

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 26, Psalm 69, Isaiah 16, 1 Peter 4

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Crave It - Daily Devotional May 15, 2010

2010-05-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Numbers 24, Psalm 66-67, Isaiah 14, 1 Peter 2

Crave It

In our reading today I could not help getting stuck on two verses in 1 Peter 2. Verses 2-3 say, "Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness." Like babies, once we have tasted of the milk or the Lord's kindness we should crave it, cry out for it.

I remember when my girls were babies. As I became more experienced as a mom I was able to distinguish between their different cries. There was the I'm tired or have a full diaper cry, the I'm hurt cry and the I'm hungry cry. When the "I'm hungry" cry began I could hold them, rock them, change their diaper and even sing to them. Only one thing would stop the cry and that was to get them the nourishment they were craving. Nothing else would satisfy.

Once I tasted of the Lord's kindness and once I began to understand the Word I began to crave it more and more. The Bible says in Psalm 34:8 "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"

Nothing in this world can satisfy like the Lord can. Nothing can bring peace like His presence can. You can attempt to fill the craving of His kindness with many other things but in the end you will discover that only He can satisfy.

What are you craving today? If you find yourself craving something that continues to leave you unsatisfied then it is time to taste of His kindness, it is time to taste and see that He is good. Once you take a taste you will find yourself craving it and even crying out for it. The beauty of it all is that He hears your every cry and He will answer!

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Numbers 25, Psalm 68, Isaiah 15, 1 Peter 3

Dream Big,
Katie

More Precious Than Gold - Daily Devotional May 14th, 2010

2010-05-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Numbers 23, Psalm 64-65, Isaiah 13, 1 Peter 1

More Precious Than Gold

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold" (Proverbs 22:1). This Proverb is one that needs to be one that in is instilled in us as believers. We need to make sure that we are always going after good Godly character and genuine faith rather than perishable riches. This great character and genuine faith is more precious than gold.

The process of getting to true genuine faith is not always an easy road to travel and is often one that we did not intend to travel, but if we can stick it out the end result is a greater revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7 says, "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ". The genuine faith that Peter speaks of here that is more precious than gold only gets that way when we have been grieved by various trials (please notice various trials).

These various trials that Peter speaks of are compared to the fire that tests gold. The fiery trials that grieve us, form character in us through pressure and pain and things that are outside of our control. We learn through these trials how to carry ourselves as Christ did. We learn things for our future and how we will handle things different with others. Most importantly though it gives us a faith that is so genuine that it is more precious than gold.

This genuine faith is formed because when we are walking through things that make no sense to us, things that cause grief in our life and we can only do one thing - lean fully on Jesus Christ. I remember the season of my life as I was preparing to start Urban. There were some former leaders in my life that made false accusations against me. Things that were not only completely untrue but hindered my relationship with other people and with potential partners to help me start the church. This season was hard because of what was being said and also because of who was saying it. I had a hard time wrapping may mind around the fact that people I worked with and people who were also Christians would do what they were doing. I was grieved and absolutely non of it made sense. It was during this season however that my relationship with God grew stronger as I could only lean on Him and trust in Him.

Today I can say with absolute confidence that even though that season was difficult, I am happy for it and would not change it for the world. It was this season that actually prepared me for starting the church and it is this season that gave me a genuine faith that is more precious than gold.

How about you today? What grievous trials are you finding yourself in? I know that it is not fun and that it is hard but trust me as you lean on Jesus Christ you will end up with a genuine faith that is more precious than gold.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 24, Psalm 66-67, Isaiah 14, 1 Peter 2

Dream Big
Ben

Bible Reading - May 13th, 2010

2010-05-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

Today's Bible Reading - Numbers 22, Psalm 62-63, Isaiah 11-12, James 5

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 23, Psalm 64-65, Isaiah 13, 1 Peter 1

Dream Big
Ben

The Tent Pitched Over You - Daily Devotional May 12, 2010

2010-05-12T09:20:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 21, Psalm 60-61, Isaiah 10, James 4

The Tent Pitched Over You.

In Psalm 61:4 David wrote “I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Through the book of Numbers we have been reading about the presence of the tabernacle (which was a tent) in the midst of Israel and the way God showed his presence there in the cloud/fire and by speaking to the Israelites through Moses and Aaron.

This is what David is referring to. He wanted to dwell in the presence of the Lord; the presence represented by the tent. To “take refuge in the shelter of your wings” refers to the protective outreach of God’s power, as in Psa. 91:4. “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.” I think it also refers to the wings on the cherubim over the ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Place. Ex. 37:9. This is where God revealed his presence. David was saying that he wanted to live in the presence of the Lord. What an awesome desire.

Paul said in 2 Cor. 12:9 that he desired the power of Christ to rest on him. The word “rest” comes from the root word “to tent upon.” Basically Paul was saying the same thing as David. Paul wanted the power of Christ to pitch a tent over him; David wanted to dwell in God’s tent.

When David penned the words in Psalm 61 he was experiencing a difficult time. He talks about his heart growing faint and needing a refuge and a strong tower. Paul said that he was experiencing weakness, but when he was weak he was strong because that is when the power of Christ was tenting over him.

We need to realize our frailties and that God wants to pitch his tent over us. We need to sense our need of his presence in our lives and seek for his presence to become a reality. David said he wanted to dwell in God’s tent. That implies permanence. Not just running to God when we have a specific need but to have a constant, abiding sense of the presence of God in our lives, to live in his presence.

Is the tent pitched over you?

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Numbers 22, Psalm 62-63, Isaiah 11-12, James 5

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Put A Bit In It - Daily Devotional May 11th, 2010

2010-05-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Numbers 20, Psalm 58-59, Isaiah 9, James 3

Put A Bit In It

James 3:2 absolutely blows me a way and gives us insight into being a perfect man/woman. If we can glean from this passage today we can control our whole entire being and nature. This verse in the Amplified Bible reads, "For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature".

If we can learn to tame our tongues or control our speech and not say the wrong things than we can fully develop our character and become that perfect man/woman. The reason we can grow in our character by taming the tongue is because according to Proverbs 18:21 the tongue is very powerful. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits". The tongue is so powerful that if we can learn to control it we can control the life we live. As great as this sounds though it is not always that easy. Therefore we need to put a bit in our mouth.

As we read on in James 3:3 we see that right after the warning about the tongue comes it gives us the example of the horse with a bit in its mouth. I believe this gives us the principle we need in order to tame our tongue and begin to direct our lives in the right direction. The small bit in the horses mouth pulls the horse in the direction the rider wants it to go just as our tongue will direct our lives. We just need to put a bit in our mouth and allow our tongue to be tamed so that God can steer us in the right diction. So lets get the bit and put it in our mouth!

The bit I think we all need is the Word of God. It says in Job 23:12, "I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food" and in Joshua 1:8, "This Book of the Law (Word of God) shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success". These are just a few verses that come to mind but there are many more throughout the Bible that point to the vast importance of having His word be what leads us and guides us. I believe the Word of God is the bit that needs to go in our mouth so that we can tame the tongue and be the perfect man/woman that it speaks of here in James.

When we meditate on the Word of God we become more patient so we respond with more thought rather than lashing out. We understand that kind words turn away anger and mean words stir them up. We become a people who listens first and speaks second. When we have the Word of God the bit in our mouth taming our tongue we have wisdom from above that we speak rather than just circumstance from life that we give.

Lets all put a bit in it today and let that bit be the Word of God so that we can be that perfect man/woman.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 21, Psalm 60-61, Isaiah 10, James 4

Dream Big
Ben

Whether confident or trembling... Daily Devotional - May 10, 2010

2010-05-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

Bible reading - Numbers 19, Psalm 56-57, Isaiah 8, James 2

We see throughout the Bible that God did not always call the most qualified people. The Lord called the orphan, Esther to become Queen of the nation. He called the rough-around-the-edges fishermen to become his disciples. He chose David, the ruddy little shepherd boy to become King. He called Moses, the man with a studder, to lead a nation.

The world chooses people based on education, gifting, looks, work-experience, or association. God does not call the equipped but He equips the called. The one barrier that stands in the way of grasping hold of our God-given purpose, is exposing the lie that we are not qualified. When Moses was called by the Lord, he responded:

Exodus 4:10 "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

Moses took it upon himself to remind God of the reason he was disqualified for this task. Does that sound familiar to anyone else? God calls us to do something and our first response is to remind him of our inadequacies. We try to convince God that He surely chose the wrong person.

Isaiah 8:11-13 “The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble.”

This passage reminds us to live for an audience of one. We are not called to fear what the world fears, the greater fear we should have is a fear of the Lord. Our fear of not fulfilling our destiny should be a greater fear than our own inadequacy.

Rick Warren says, “Don't wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.”

I have realized that I don’t have time to question my qualifications anymore. The enemy would love for us all to dwell on the reasons we can’t do it. We do not have enough education, we are not as talented as others, we lack the finances, we don’t have the right connections, we are too young, too old…the list goes on. The enemy knows the longer he can get us to focus on what we don’t have the longer he can keep us from what we could have. If God chose you, that is the only qualification you need to fulfill your God-given dream.

Move forward anyway! Stop wasting time focusing on your shortcomings. God has a purpose for you to fulfill and whether confident or trembling, there is only one option: Leap!

Thanks for reading,
Mel Miller

Cast Your Cares on the Lord

2010-05-08T22:56:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 17 -18, Psalm 55, Isaiah 7, James 1

Cast Your Cares on the Lord

I have a date noted in my Bible by Psalm 55:22. "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." The date of September 25, 2004. My husband and I were in Uganda teaching in a Bible College. Awesome experience!! This was about a month before we were to leave to come home and I began having terrible hip and leg pain. It was so bad in the mornings I could hardly walk to the bathroom. I saw a Ugandan doctor (not a good idea!!) and he gave me a few pills that didn't help much.

I couldn't understand why this was happening. I was in Uganda to serve the Lord. I was in a place where my only help was the Lord. So daily I would seek him and He would help me get through the day. I know that I was able to get through the rest of our time there, and still continue teaching only by the strength I got from the Lord.

James 1:2-3 says that we are to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kind because the testing of our faith develops perseverance, with the end result of maturity. I can't say I faced that trial with pure joy, but I'm sure it did bring more maturity into my life. I had never been in a place where I had to totally depend on the Lord. There was no other source help available of any kind.

Further in James 1, verses 22-24, it tells us to not only hear the word, but to DO the word. Part of doing the word is learning to depend on the Lord and trust him. Sometimes the only way we learn to trust is to go through hard experiences.

When we returned home that year at the end of October, the pain I was having increased with a vengeance. I have never experienced such pain in my whole life. Looking back, I truly know it was the Lord who got me through that last month in Uganda. I had an MRI and it was discovered that I had a ruptured disk in my back (and I thought it was my hip and leg!!), and also narrowing of the spinal canal with compression on nerves. The Lord directed me to a doctor who did surgery and I haven't had any more problems with that. I know God can heal, but in this case he chose to use a doctor. The circumstances leading to my getting to that particular doctor have convinced me of that.

Learning to cast all our cares on the Lord is a learning process, but it is so awesome to know that he walks us through those experiences and will never let us fall.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the mothers reading this. Mothers especially need to cast their cares on the Lord.

Tomorrows Bible reading - Numbers 19, Psalm 56-57, Isaiah 8, James 2

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman

Concluding Thoughts - Daily Devotional May 8, 2010

2010-05-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

Daily Bible Reading - Numbers 16, Psalm 52-54, Isaiah 6, Hebrews 13

Concluding Thoughts

In our bible reading today we finish the book of Hebrews with chapter 13. As we have read through the previous chapters we see the following outline:

Christ's Superiority -

Christ Is Superior to the Angels (1:5—2:18)
Christ Is Superior to Moses (3:1—4:13)
Christ Is Superior to the Aaronic Priests (4:14—7:28)
The Superior Sacrificial Work of Christ, Our High Priest (8:1—10:18)

After reading all about Christ's superiority the book of Hebrews then took us into a call to follow Jesus faithfully and with perseverance (10:19—12:29). Then here in chapter 13 we are given the concluding words. The last chapter of Hebrews concludes with guidelines for Christian living along with the author's final personal remarks.

The following are the guidelines or rules I see here for Christian living:

love each other as brothers and sisters
show hospitality to strangers
remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself
remember those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain
give honor to marriage, remain faithful
don't love money
remember your leaders who taught you the word of God...follow the example of their faith
do not be attracted by strange new ideas
don't forget to do good and to share with those in need

This is quite a list! As we read this we must take into consideration all that the book of Hebrews has already laid out for us. In our outline above we see that the reason why we can live according to these rules or concluding thoughts, is because Christ is superior. The sacrifice He made was once and for all. Jesus is our example and because He is superior and because He conquered and was the sacrifice for us all we can live in His grace!

So here are some concluding thoughts for us today, meditate on these today and you will find that living the Christian life is possible because of His sacrifice and His grace -
"...I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." (verse 5)
"So we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" (verse 6)
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (verse 8)

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Numbers 17-18, Psalm 55, Isaiah 7, James 1

Dream Big,
Katie

Daily Bible Reading - May 7th, 2010

2010-05-07T21:40:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Numbers 15, Psalm 51, Isaiah 5, Hebrews 12

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 16, Psalm 52-54, Isaiah 6, Hebrews 13

Dream Big
Ben

God Shines Forth - Daily Devotional May 6th, 2010

2010-05-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading - Numbers 14, Psalm 50, Isaiah 3-4, Hebrews 11

God Shines Forth

"The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes; he does not keep silence;..."(Psalm 50:1-2a)

Remember when you were in a fight back in middle school and you would say something like, "my dad is bigger than your dad"? I really loved that statement because it just seemed to put a little jab in the side of whoever you were fighting. It also often times won the fight before any punches were thrown because they were afraid of your dad. As I read Psalm 50 today I am reminded of that statement and in the case of your heavenly father it really is true, our dad is bigger than the enemies dad.

You see it does not matter what we are walking through or what we are up against, our God shines forth and he cannot keep silent. When you have God, your heavenly father on your side you can look at the face of poverty and say with confidence, "my dad is bigger than your dad". When you are facing a physical ailment or a relational struggle or even fear of something in your life you can say with confidence, "my dad is bigger than your dad". Knowing this is really half our battle and it gives us victory before any punches are even thrown.

When we are facing things in our life we need to get a picture of our heavenly father shining behind us and look our enemy straight in the face. We need to realize that if that enemy comes against us that our heavenly father according to this passage does not keep silent and will come through on the behalf of His children. Our God shines forth! He shines forth in victory on our behalf! Our dad is bigger than any dad out there because He is the king of kings and lord of lords.

I do not know what you are up against today but stand with confidence and know that God shines forth and He will not be silent and you will be victorious today because of Him.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 15, Psalm 51, Isaiah 5, Hebrews 12

Dream Big
Ben