Here's the rundown of my devotions for last week:
I finished the Elisha devotional that I was doing last week so it’s time to start a new one, Chasing Failure, which is only a 4 day devotional. Once again, I will have selected this free devotional from the Bible app. I also fell a couple days behind on the Bible 1 year plan, so I’m gonna be doing some catch-up this week.
Sunday
Chasing Failure
(Deuteronomy 31:6-8, 1 Timothy 1:6-7, Romans 8:31)
“The person God wants you to become is a person that isn’t afraid of anything regardless of the outcomes of your dreams.”
Deuteronomy – The one thing that God told all of the Israelites and He told specifically to Joshua, is to “be strong and courageous.” No matter if you’re the last person in the line leading into the promised land, or if you’re the guy leading the march, be strong and courageous. Walk in the path Yahweh has set before you, and walk with strength and courage because the God of all creation has your back.
1 Timothy – Don’t abandon ship because of fear. Stay on target.
Romans – I almost quoted this verse when writing the notes for the Deuteronomy portion of this. Then I looked up at the verses included in today’s devotions and thought to myself, “Oh wait, that verse is coming later.” It’s pretty self-explanatory so here it is: if God is for us who can be against us?
Monday
Chasing Failure
(Deuteronomy 31:23, Genesis 18:12, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
“What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”
“What would you do if you knew God was with you wherever you go?”
Deuteronomy – God told Joshua that He would be with him always. Do we not have the Holy Spirit with us always? Do we not have God with us at all times?
Genesis – Sarah couldn’t believe that she would have a child at such an old age. Even her unbelief didn’t stop God from bringing that promise to fruition.
1 Corinthians – It’s good to remember that, even though we are told to be strong and courageous, this all must be anchored in love.
1 Year Bible Plan
Let’s do some catch-up…
(Psalms 13-15, Proverbs 3:1-10, Matthew 15-18, Genesis 43-50)
Psalms – David is a man after God’s heart, but he sure did whine a lot…
Matthew – Washing hands doesn’t purify the heart. This has nothing to do with saying that all animals are acceptable to eat. Jesus was attacking the Pharisees acceptance of the Oral Law, which was not given by God, which said that you had to wash your hands a certain way if you were to be clean.
We’re often told how amazing grace is, and told not to worry ourselves with concerning over our actions, but in Matt 16:27 Jesus says that we will be rewarded for our actions. We are not saved by our works, but we are rewarded for them.
Genesis – If Joseph’s life is somewhat parallel to that of Jesus, is there any symbolism in his dealings with his brothers when they come to Egypt?
Tuesday
Chasing Failure
(Joshua 1:5-7, Psalm 27:14)
Become today who you intend to be tomorrow. The bridge between who you are and who you want to become is simply courage.
Don’t hold off doing something simply because you intend on getting to it later. If you have the ability to do it, do it. You never know when today is going to be the last opportunity you’re going to have.
1 Year Bible Plan
(Psalms 16, Matthew 18, Job 1-3)
Psalms – In verse 8 it says “I have set Yahweh before me always. Because e is at my right hand I will not be shaken.” I guess my question is, do I have God always at the forefront? Do I keep Him at my right hand to help me throughout all of my day?
Matthew – Here, Jesus talks about the church, before there was a church. Was He talking about the future, or was He talking to the people of that day? Was He using ekklesia the same way that the Septuagint did, and just speaking about the congregation of Israel, or was He talking about the future body of Christ? I tend to think that he was talking about the congregation of Israel, but it’s something to think about.
Job – Here we see the satan described separately from the sons of God. He is simply The Accuser/Adversary.
I used to always read “have you considered My servant, Job?” as a question Yahweh asks the satan prompting him to consider him. But it’s possible that the question is more of an accusation, to be read, “you have considered m servant Job, haven’t you?”
It should not also be lost on us that the opening of the book of Job is set in the Divine Council of Psalm 82 and 89.
Verse 16 talks about “the fire of God” falling and killing Job’s sheep and goats. It is the fire of God, but it was sent from the satan. This is something to think on but I think that the God allowed the satan to say what he wanted to happen, and so long as it wasn’t taking Job’s life, God was willing to prove that point to the satan.
Wednesday
Chasing Failure
(Joshua 1:8, 1 Peter 1:3-4)
While you make up your mind about if you have enough in the tank to become who you dream of being, there’s a life out there waiting to meet you.
The way to success while going after the outlandishly awesome is for the Word of Yahweh to be everpresent on our lips and minds.
1 Year Bible Plan
(Psalms 17, Matthew 19, Job 4-5)
Psalms – “I have held my steps in your path, my feet will not slip.” I think it’s important to realize that the reason that our feet won’t slip isn’t simply because of God, it’s because we are taking part in it too. We’re the ones keeping our steps in His path. We have to take an active role in the process if we truly want to succeed.
Matthew – I need to make a point of treating everyone evenly and fairly.
Job – Sometimes we’re going to have friends try to help us by saying things to ease our mind. We need to remember that Yahweh is still in control and we shouldn’t take consolation from friends and just accept it at face value. It may be nice to join them in their uplifting resentment, but God has everything in His hand.
Thursday
Chasing Failure
(Joshua 1:9)
The reality for you and I is that when it comes to strength and bravery, it’s not a suggestion… it’s a command.
Yahweh has commanded that we be strong and courageous. Much like, you shall not kill and steal and covet your neighbor’s wife… you shall be strong and courageous.
1 Year Bible Plan
(Proverbs 3:11-20, Matthew 19, Job 8-10)
Proverbs – As painful as it may seem at times, it is a good thing to seek the rebuke of God. This is how we learn, and this is how we grow.
Matthew – We say that we are followers of Jesus, but how “all-in” have we gone? Do I still pull my punches when I think that I may offend someone?
Job – When I read through Job, I am often reminded that, no matter what I’m going through, it could be worse. And, much like yesterday’s thoughts, I need to remember to not just let the consolation of my friends be an excuse to be bitter.
Friday
Yesterday I completed the Chasing Failure devotion plan and I haven’t picked a new one yet so I’m just going to do the 1 Year plan today. I love that the Bible app provides these devotionals for free but so many of them are only 3-5 days long. I wish they were longer.
1 Year Bible Plan
(Psalms 17, Matthew 20, Job 11-14)
Psalms – Don’t get caught in the trap of thinking that you can’t concern yourself with the abuses of your enemies. Express your discontent to God. Ask for His saving grace. He wants to hear these things.
Matthew – Be happy with what you have. And be happier that someone else was blessed, as well. They probably needed it.
Job – Even here, walking without sin isn’t what saves you. That’s what I take out of Job’s response.
Saturday
1 Year Bible Plan
(Psalms 17, Matthew 20, Job 15-18)
Psalms – We can seek all of the worldly treasure that we want and it won’t compare even a little to seeking the face of God.
Matthew – Don’t get caught up with vane pursuits. Help those who need help. By doing that, you will find fulfillment. If the world doesn’t notice it, at least the Father in heaven will.
Job – It’s good to remember that hardship doesn’t come upon us just because we’ve sinned. We should also try to surround ourselves with people who are uplifting…
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