When TBN Doesn’t Do You Any Good

My Daily Bible Reading: Deu. 27-30

SCRIPTURE

Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit. Deu. 28:40 KJV

OBSERVATION
This is one of the prophetic warnings to God’s people in the Old Testament if they would not obey the Lord. It’s like saying, “You are going to be surrounded by Christian Television, but it’s never going to do you any good. When you go to Church and hear the preaching of the Word of God, you’re going to swat it off your forehead like a pesky fly. Everything you’ve ever learned about the Bible isn’t going to do you any good, because of disobedience and familiarity.”

APPLICATION
When I look back at times in my life when I’ve been around such anointed ministry, such resources, such wonderful people of God, and yet it didn’t sink in as deep as it should. I was around Living Water and yet I settled for dirty puddles. The oil of worship was dripping all around me, and yet it seemed to have little effect on me. I couldn’t be anointed with it. It dripped on others, but it didn’t seem to do me any good. Just reading these chapters in Deuteronomy this morning is making me want to pant after God’s Word even more. It makes me appreciate where I’m at in the Lord, and where He’s placed me. I don’t want to make the same mistakes that I’ve made in the past. God never intended for me to be in an environment of grace, love, family, anointing, and worship, but then never really let it reach my spirit.

PRAYER
“Lord, this morning I am remembering some things. You have been too good to me. You have come to my rescue too many times. Today I long for the drops of Your Olive Tree to fall upon me. Forgive me for ways I have treated Your Presence. Help me to never take it for granted. Let me never get so used to Your Presence, Your House, Your precious people that I go after muddy puddles and think that it’s a pool of pure water, iIn Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

The Devil is Looking for Stragglers!

Look out… the Devil is looking for somebody. Who is it though? Could it be you? Could it be me?

Daily Bible Reading: Deu. 14-26

SCRIPTURE

“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way when you had come forth from Egypt, How he did not fear God, but when you were faint and weary he attacked you along the way and cut off all the stragglers at your rear. Deu. 25:17-18 AMP

OBSERVATION
Amalek is a type of the Enemy in the Old Testament, and he’s looking for stragglers! What are “stragglers”? The dictionary defines them as:

Those who stray from the road or course; those who wander from marching in line; those who roam about in a scattered fashion.

I think this is why God said, “Remember…”. When I forget how sneaky the Devil is I begin to slack off in my spiritual disciplines. When I forget how good God has been to me I inadvertently put my spiritual-walk into “cruise control”, and I end up as “Devil’s Food”!

Then the Devil says, “Ah, that was a piece of cake! Who’s next?”

APPLICATION
To me, this is why my personal devotional life is so important. If I neglect to spend time with the Lord each day I am inadvertently becoming a straggler. But when I set aside time and allow God’s Word to fill me up each day, and when I have given Him an opportunity to surround me with His Presence, it’s then that I find that I have a greater desire to “run the race” [Hebrews 12:1], and not lag behind where the enemy can pick me off.

PRAYER
“Lord, it’s my desire today to not get behind You, nor try to get ahead of You, but help me to remember how the enemy operates and how great Your ability is to keep me in the race. Thank You for this time with You today, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

When Enough is Enough

Recent investigation has called some Tele-Evangelist to the carpet, and the rest of the world is wondering, “how’d you get so rich??”

Daily Bible reading: Exodus 35-40

SCRIPTURE
And they spoke unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make. And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. Exodus 36:5-6

OBSERVATION
In the wake of recent Tele-Evangelist financial investigation could it be that we’ll ever see the Bible verse above shared on one of their TV programs? In Moses’ Day – as God’s people were bringing so much money for the building of “the ministry” it’s amazing to me that Moses had to say, “O.K., O.K. it’s enough! We don’t need anymore! You can stop now!!” But apparently many of today’s ministers haven’t heard “God’s Voice” regarding this subject. I don’t mean to sound judgmental, but if ministers are indeed sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit I believe He’ll tell us when it’s enough. He wants to provide for us, the work of the ministry, etc., but if we never know when it’s enough we may be in danger of losing it all.

APPLICATION
I believe the Lord is warning ministers and Christians today – to not be greedy for filthy lucre, but to be thankful and to allow God to be the supreme supplier. If greediness and financial irresponsibility continues it will make it harder and harder to convince God’s people to give. “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it…” [Psalm 127:1]

PRAYER
“O Lord, I come to You today – not wanting be greedy for the things of this world, but to be transformed in my spirit-man. Give me a taste for the things of Heaven, and not for the things of this world. Help me to know that You are sufficient to provide for all my needs. And help me to fully trust You in every way, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

“Better” Bondage

Is there really a bondage that’s so fulfilling and sneaky that it would have the capacity to lure unsuspecting victims into a world that they’ve never known could be “this good”? Apparently that’s what captivated the attention of many…

January 11, 2008
“Better” Bondage
Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 12-14

SCRIPTURE

And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. Exodus 14:11-12 KJV

OBSERVATION
This is basically the first week out of Egypt. They had just been set free from “the house of bondage” [13:3], but as they see their old master coming after them on the edge of the wilderness they start changing their mind about just how bad it was in bondage.

For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

“Better”? Better!!?? I just finished watching Russell Crow’s new movie, 310 To Yuma. Dan Evans [Christian Bale], an impoverished rancher was seeking to bring Ben Wade [Russell Crowe] to justice. When every other sheriff and sidekick eventually gave up and went home, Dan Evans knew in his heart it would be better to die in the dust of the line of duty rather than to give up and be less than a man – to live with remorse and cowardice. I guess it’s easy for me to say – living in 2008, but I would rather be free just one week – experiencing God’s Saving Hand of deliverance and to die than to go back into “better bondage” and make bricks for the rest of my life, knowing that there was a chance of being totally free.

APPLICATION
Often times, we Christians, can look back on what our old life was like, and think, “Oh man, it was better…” Better? Really? Could it be that we only think it’s better because we haven’t yet settled it in our heart that we have died to self? Perhaps our flesh’s carnal metabolism is burning red-hot for the things of the world, and yet we find ourselves sitting in Church week after week looking back. Look out! It’s time to lay everything on God’s red-hot altar and to be changed for good. It’s time to know that God has something so much better than anything this world could offer. It’s time to move forward.

PRAYER
“Dear Lord, if there’s anything in me that doesn’t yet understand the incredible Strong Hand of Love that set me free from the house of bondage – open my eyes this morning. Cause me to see that You have so much more. The world isn’t even worthy to be compared to the glorious inheritance You’ve prepared for me. Today I look to you. Let the cloud lead me by day and Your pillar of fire by night. Just lead me, Holy Spirit, I pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

2 Different Brothers

Devotions for January 1, 2008
2 DIFFERENT BROTHERS
Pastor Robb Gorringe

SCRIPTURE

When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a harlot; because she had covered her face. [Gen 38:15]
And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master knoweth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand. [Gen 39:7-8]

OBSERVATION
According to Genesis chapter 35 Judah and Joseph were brothers. Here in these two Scriptures we seem to see two different brothers. One is sneaky, and looks for an opportunity to engage in sexual promiscuity, while the other isn’t looking to be sexually promiscuous, and yet is propositioned multiple times, but never yields to the temptations. Needless to say – Judah went for the goodies, and was caught three months later [Gen. 38:24-26], and admitted his unrighteousness. Joseph escaped the clutches of Potiphar’s wife, and yet was thrown into prison unjustly. The Bible says… “But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy and gave him favor…” [Gen. 39:21].

APPLICATION
Though each of these brothers came from the same father, they lived two different lives. No matter what other “Christians” are doing, or how sneaky they might be, I want this New Year for me to be marked with the type of character that Joseph possessed. He walked in the light and understood that his Master had given him everything. I too, must realize that my Master, Jesus, my Father in Heaven, has given me everything. No little temptation ought to jeopardize my relationship with him. I remember when I got saved in 1988, and I was sitting in the Calvary School of Discipleship class studying Acts that the Lord gave me a little saying that I shared with my class…

“Sin is but a passing pleasure, but obedience is a lasting treasure.”

PRAYER
“Dear Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for Your amazing faithfulness in my life this past year. Let me not just be a Christian in name only, a “pastor” in name only, but let me be a man of integrity. Though sin rages like a river of Hell let me soar high above, holding your Word, empowered by Your Spirit, and making a difference in this world for your Glory, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”