Friday, May 20, 2011

Matthew 11:27

"'My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.'"
 
Jesus states flatly that you cannot know God apart from him. And when Jesus is the center of your life, he reveals the Father. When we are connected to Jesus, we partake of the same fellowship Jesus has with the Father. Jesus and the Father know each other deeply, and it is into this relationship between Father and Son that we are invited. How amazing! Today, take time to be with Jesus … and the Father, his Father and yours, will also be revealed.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Matthew 11:23-26

"'And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.'
 
 "At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: 'O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!'"
 
 
Do you want to know more about God and his ways? Check your attitude. Are you like a child, trusting everything your Father tells you? Or do you scrutinize and analyze God's Word, keeping it an intellectual exercise to read the Bible? Do you have set notions about the way things work, the way God works? Today, be as open as a child to all your heavenly Father has for you.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Genesis 33:3-4

"Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept."
 
What a sweet thing it must have been to Jacob to be reconciled to his brother Esau. He was afraid to meet Esau, he prayed to God about it, and God so abundantly answered his prayer. God is in the business of reconciliation! Is there some relationship for which you need reconciliation and healing? Bring it to God. Be willing to forgive and do whatever God leads you to do in terms of making peace. Then you too will savor your own version of this story.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Genesis 32:24-29

"This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob's hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, 'Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!'
 "But Jacob said, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'
 "'What is your name?' the man asked.
 "He replied, 'Jacob.'
 "'Your name will no longer be Jacob,' the man told him. 'From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.'
 "'Please tell me your name,' Jacob said.
"'Why do you want to know my name?' the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there."
 
Jacob wrestled with God. Who did he think the man was? He did not know, and he wanted to know—he asked. And after he wrestled, after he asked, he got his blessing. The blessing was a new name, which signifies a new identity. The wrestling match somehow defined him. What defining moments have you experienced with God? How have they changed you, blessed you? Do you want to know God better? Ask God! That is the real source of blessing—to know him intimately, so intimately, you wrestle heart to heart at times

Monday, May 16, 2011

Psalm 14:4–6

"Will those who do evil never learn?
  They eat up my people like bread
  and wouldn't think of praying to the LORD.
Terror will grip them,
  for God is with those who obey him.
The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
  but the LORD will protect his people."
 
Evil people do get away with evil for a time. They do frustrate the plans of the oppressed. But God does not let that go on forever. He is with those who obey him; he protects those who trust him. Trust God even when evil seems to triumph. God won't let it go on forever. That you can count on.