Today's Reading: John 2

John 2:3–5

³ And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. ⁴ Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. ⁵ His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Mary did not tell Jesus what to do; she simply reported the problem. (Compare the message of Mary and Martha to Jesus, when Lazarus was sick—John 11:3.) Jesus’ reply seems a bit abrupt, and even harsh; but such is not the case. “Woman” was a polite way to address her (John 19:26; 20:13), and His statement merely means, “Why are you getting Me involved in this matter?” 

He was making it clear to His mother that He was no longer under her supervision (it is likely that Joseph was dead), but that from now on, He would be doing what the Father wanted Him to do. There had been a hint of this some years before (Luke 2:40–52).

  

Tomorrow's Reading: John 3

9-15-11 Perfect Sacrifice

Today's Reading: Lev 1-11

Leviticus 4:3

3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the Lord for a sin offering.

Even the sins that are done in ignorance need to be atoned for by a sacrifice. If we think we can plead ignorance when charged with sin we are only fooling ourselves.  This foolishness will not bring the guilty deliverance. Our only hope is in acceptance of Him who “became sin for us.”

The sin offering is Christ laden with the believer’s sins in the sinner’s place, and in His own perfections. 

  

Tomorrow's Reading: Lev 12-19

9-10-11 Arguing With God

Today's Reading: Ex 1-9

Exodus 3:11

11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Exodus 4:1

And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.

Exodus 4:10

10 And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

Exodus 4:13–14

13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. 14 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.

Moses’ objections and arguments were as relentless as God’s promises of deliverance. What an amazing and long-suffering God we serve that He would still use us to spite our past, present, and future rebellion. Moses’ reaction to God’s plan and will reminds me of myself and the verse in

Isaiah 53:6 

All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; 

I am so grateful this morning to serve such an amazing God. Teach me Lord to trust you at all times but especially at times where things seem overwhelming.

Tomorrow's Reading: Ex 10-17

9-9-13 A Dream Come True

Today's Reading: Gen 42-50

Genesis 43:28

28 And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.

How wonderful it must have been for Joseph as he witness his brothers bowing their heads and making obeisance. Not for the sake of the respect being shown but for the reality of God’s presence. I’m sure Joseph remembered back in an instant to that day when he first told his family about his dreams. 

I’m sure it was a very unusual feeling for Joseph. Waiting on God and trusting Him, no matter what, is so very important.  We get to take an amazing glimpse at the entire story of Josephs life in a few chapters. We have been given this passage to show us that we serve a living and powerful God able bring great things about. 

Lord help me to remember that You are God alone and that You are in complete control of my life. Help me to be like Joseph and give you glory no matter the situation or circumstances.

Tomorrow's Reading: Ex 1-9

6-4-13 True Man of God

Today's Reading: 1 Kings 10–18

/Today's Verse (s):

1 Kings 17:24

²⁴ And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.

/Today's Meditation: 

This verse all but jumped off of the page at me.  I really love how God marvelously provides for His true servants in times of sore testing. Most pastors at some point in their ministry are called upon to endure near poverty but He always comes through for His children.

God raises up servants and suits them to the work He designs them for. 

/Today’s Prayer:

Lord I will be content in whatsoever state I am in so as to please You and to proclaim the truth in all of its amazing purity.  Use me to show forth your glory to the heathen as well as those who are just sitting on the sidelines.  Make me more a man of truth, make me more a man of God than I have ever been before. 

/Tomorrow's Reading: 1 Kings 19–22, 2 Kings 1–3

6-3-13 The Greatest Performance

Today's Reading: 1 Kings 3–9

/Today's Verse (s):

1 Kings 6:11–13 

¹¹ And the word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying, ¹² Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: ¹³ And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

/Today's Meditation: 

I can think of no greater performance in all the world than that which the Lords performs when he carries out His promises before our very eyes.  

Oh the glory that belongs to Him for His greatness.  He is above all things and we should always remember it.

After the great “if” Gods goes on to explain the things which He plans to include in this great performance

1. That His word would dwell within human beings
2. That He Himself would dwell with us
3. That He would not forsake us

I personally can think of nothing that excites me more than the anticipation I fell of knowing that one day ALL the promises of God will be reality.  WHAT A GOD WE SERVE 

/Today’s Prayer:

As I meditate on these promises please teach me how to sure them with those who do not share the same joy and excitement as I do over them.  Lead someone my way tomorrow and later this week whom I can share at least one of your great and precious promise with.   

/Tomorrow's Reading: 1 Kings 10–18

6-2-13 Brief Lesson in Faith

Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 20–24,1 Kings 1–2

/Today's Verse (s):

2 Samuel 22:22–25 

²²  For I have kept the ways of the Lord, 

And have not wickedly departed from my God. 

²³  For all his judgments were before me: 

And as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. 

²⁴  I was also upright before him, 

And have kept myself from mine iniquity. 

²⁵  Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; 

According to my cleanness in his eye sight.

/Today's Meditation: 

Recently I have been meditating on what it takes to be a true success in the work of the Lord.  Here these verses give us great insight into what it takes.

David had walked many difficult roads.  Some of which were less than savory and not pleasing unto the Lord.  He seen God bring Him through and at the end of his life he recalls what made him a success. 

He now, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, shows us how we are made right with God.

The big lesson God has been teaching me is that faith, as important as it is, is dead without works to back it up.  Faith is not enough.  The book of James reveals much about this truth.

/Today’s Prayer:

Lord I purpose anew to not only seek to have increased faith but to also add to my faith a diligent determination to:

• Keep Your ways
• To not depart from You nor Your Word
• To keep myself upright and from iniquity
• To stay clean in Your sight

I will give You all the praise for everything You decide to do in my life.

/Tomorrow's Reading: 1 Kings 3–9