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nChrist
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« Reply #270 on: May 14, 2006, 07:57:09 AM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 3:1-18 2 Kings 15-16

New Birth

2 Kings 15-16, John 3:1-18
Key Verse: John 3:3

The bride and groom step up to the wedding cake holding a knife. They slice a piece from the top tier and lovingly "feed" a bite to each other, perhaps getting frosting on each other's face. In reality, the cake is a fake. The top layer is real, but everything else is cardboard, decorated with frosting. It looks so good on the outside, but inside is missing all the necessary ingredients.

A religious man came to see Jesus. The man looked so good on the outside. He was a leader, a teacher, a Pharisee named Nicodemus. If all that matters is what's on the outside, then this man had what it takes. He looked so right.

But Jesus knew what was on the inside. To this leader of the Jews He said, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (v. 3). Salvation is not just a matter of righteousness on the outside, but also of a right relationship with God on the inside.

Yes, we must live holy lives and do what is right, but a change on the inside is required. While many would have looked at Nicodemus and pronounced him righteous, Jesus looked and saw what was still needed-the new birth. To this man He would say those wonderful words, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (v. 16).

What are you on the inside-a born-again person? If so, thank God for your salvation. If not, why not right now accept Jesus as Savior?

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« Reply #271 on: May 14, 2006, 07:58:16 AM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 3:19-36 2 Kings 17-18

Taught to Worship

2 Kings 17-18, John 3:19-36
Key Verse: 2 Kings 17:28

In a general sense, worship comes naturally to us. We do know how to worship-that is, to respond to someone or something with praise. We respond to a beautiful sunset, a tasty dessert or a winning team. Our struggle with worship comes when we worship God. Unfortunately, that worship does not come naturally.

When the king of Assyria resettled Samaria, the people did not worship the Lord and were judged by God for that. "So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came to live in Bethel and taught them how to worship the LORD" (17: 28). Worship did not come naturally, so the people had to be taught how.

But even with teaching, they failed to worship God correctly. Each group made its own gods and worshiped them also. "Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols" (v. 41).

Genuine worship must be learned. It is not a matter of what we like but what God wants. He will not share worship with other gods.

Take the naturalness of worship but conform it to the Word. Direct your worship to God alone in the manner that pleases Him. He desires worship and seeks worshipers. And if you desire to be a worshiper who pleases Him, then learn to worship.

"God, I want to worship You in the way that pleases You. Help me to learn to become a worshiper who brings You joy."

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« Reply #272 on: May 14, 2006, 07:59:32 AM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 4:1-30 2 Kings 19-21

What God Seeks

2 Kings 19-21, John 4:1-30
Key Verse: John 4:23

There are few things that the Bible says God actively seeks. So if God seeks something, it must be important to Him and ought to be important to us. Luke 15 portrays God as seeking the lost. Lost people matter to God and should matter to us. God also seeks glory for Jesus, according to John 8:50, and in John 4 Jesus said that God is seeking worshipers.

The Samaritan woman raised a question about worship. Perhaps the conversation was uncomfortable, so she switched subjects. It could be that she realized Jesus could sort out the controversy between her people and the Jews. Either way, what He said about worship is instruction we also need to hear.

In this context Jesus spoke of "'the kind of worshipers the Father seeks,'" those who worship in "'spirit and truth'" (v. 23). God is spirit. He cannot be worshiped as an image, nor is worship confined to a place. Truth is also a non-negotiable. The worshiper God seeks must worship in truth as it is revealed in the Word of God.

God is actively looking for people who will worship Him. Our challenge is to be the kind of disciple God wants. In seeking to please Him, we must be worshipers who worship Him in spirit and truth.

"God, are You pleased with my worship? Help me do more than just attend church. Help me give You, in spirit and in truth, the worship You desire."

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« Reply #273 on: May 15, 2006, 10:04:49 PM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 4:31-54 2 Kings 22-23

What Makes God Mad

2 Kings 22-23, John 4:31-54 Key Verse: 2 Kings 22:13

Has a friend ever said to you, "You know that makes me mad"? That person is speaking to you because you know him, and you know him well enough to realize what upsets him. You also know to avoid some topics for the simple reason that you don't want to make him mad.

God lets us know what angers Him. Israel needed to be reminded that God's anger burned against them because they had not "obeyed the words of this book" (22:13). The book was the one found by Hilkiah the high priest in the days of Josiah. It was the Book of the Law, the Word of God, which had long been discarded.

Josiah listened to the words of the Book of the Law. Immediately, "he tore his robes," which was a sign of great emotional distress (v. 11). Then he instructed the priest to ask God what they should do.

When God says, "You know this makes me angry," it should affect how we act. This story teaches us that failure to obey His Word angers Him.

You have God's Word, and you read it. But do you obey it? The Lord's anger burns against us when we do not obey Him.

Ask God if there are specific things in your life that are wrong. If you know you are not being obedient, do not continue to anger God. Instead, repent, ask His forgiveness, and do what is right before Him.

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« Reply #274 on: May 16, 2006, 03:21:40 PM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 5:1-24 2 Kings 24-25

What Really Matters?

2 Kings 24-25, John 5:1-24
Key Verses: John 5:16-17

What's the big deal about an appendix anyway? I don't mean the one at the end of a book, but the one that sometimes is removed by a surgeon. It really isn't important and goes unnoticed until it becomes a pain.

Some "issues" that cry for attention are like an appendix. What's really important is overlooked and what's not is overemphasized. It happened in Jesus' day and it happens in ours.

The important thing Jesus did was heal a lame man, one who had been an invalid for 38 years. The man was waiting by the pool of Bethesda, hoping to be healed. And he was! The Jews then persecuted Jesus because He healed on the Sabbath. What was important was overlooked-the man was healed. What was unimportant was overemphasized-observing the Sabbath the way the Jews thought it should be.

Jesus' defense was, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working" (v. 17). That brought more criticism as He was accused of blasphemy, equating Himself with God.

Just think of all the emotional energy that could have been saved if the right thing had been emphasized: the lame man was healed.

Does what matters to you really matter to God? Is He as concerned about the traditions and practices that may characterize your Christian life? Now reverse the question. Does what matters to God really matter to you? Jesus healed people, even on the Sabbath, because He was doing what mattered to God.

Sometimes it's hard for us to see ourselves as clearly as others do. The next time there is some "issue" that is bothering you, ask a wise friend about it. Are you overemphasizing something unimportant?

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« Reply #275 on: May 18, 2006, 02:45:09 AM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 5:25-47 1 Chronicles 1-3

The Life of Death

1 Chronicles 1-3, John 5:25-47
Key Verse: John 5:25

We are surrounded by death and reminders of it. In our homes may be pictures of family and friends who have died. Perhaps you were an heir and received an item that belonged to one of them and that also reminds you of them and of the reality of death. Somewhere near where you live are both an undertaker and a cemetery. The sirens we hear-of ambulances rushing their passenger, rushing to beat death-rush only toward the inevitable. One day, if Jesus tarries, the obituary will be yours.

But in the midst of death's silence there is a voice, "'and those who hear will live'" (v. 25). It is the voice of Jesus, the Son of God, the one to whom God has granted "'to have life in himself'" (v. 26). All the dead will ultimately hear but not all will rise to live. Some "'will rise to be condemned'" (v. 29).

The reality of death makes us face the reality of life. Whether we will rise to live or to be condemned is decided now, in this life. Jesus said, "A time is coming and has now come" (v. 25). Salvation is for now, too, not just later. The "now-ness" of it begins when we hear His Word and believe.

Then death's reminders become reminders of life. We will breathe our last if Jesus does not come first. Our obituary will be written, printed, read and forgotten. The possessions precious to us will be passed on to others-but that will be of little concern to us because with death we live, eternally with Him.

"Father, help me see my time on earth as temporary and to be prepared to live eternally with You. May death not be feared or dreaded but accepted in Your time. And may I be comforted knowing that through Jesus I will rise to live."

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« Reply #276 on: May 18, 2006, 06:28:00 AM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 6:1-21 1 Chronicles 4-6

There Will Be a Test!

1 Chronicles 4-6, John 6:1-21
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 5:20, 25

It has been said that the problem with the school of hard knocks is that the tests are given first. That's a hard way to learn-test first, lesson later. Paul, speaking particularly of the Old Testament, said that these things were "written to teach us" (Rom. 15:4). If only we would learn first, we might do better passing the tests.

In 1 Chronicles 5 we can learn from people who passed and then failed. It looked like they knew what to do but then forgot. The people were of the tribes of Israel, Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh.

First they show us that trust in God can bring victory. "They were helped in fighting" by God "because they cried out to him . . . . He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him" (v. 20).

Then "they were unfaithful . . . and prostituted themselves" to other gods (v. 25). Just as trust in God can bring victory, so unfaithfulness can bring defeat. They paid a high price for their forgetfulness. God raised up an enemy who took them captive and carried them away into exile.

If you saw three people in front of you lose their money in a vending machine, would you put in your quarters? Hopefully not! Instead, you would learn from their example.

Learn from the examples of those who lived in Bible times. Trust can bring victory; unfaithfulness, defeat. Tests will come. All that remains is for you to show that you have learned-and pass the test.

As you read your Bible, look carefully for the lessons God has for you and apply them to your life. He did not give us the Bible just to increase our knowledge but to change the way we live.

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« Reply #277 on: May 20, 2006, 01:01:03 PM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference 1 Chronicles 7-9 John 6:22-44

I Just Work Here

1 Chronicles 7-9, John 6:22-44
Key Verse: John 6:38

"Don't ask me, I just work here" are words usually spoken by someone wanting to avoid responsibility, not as an expression of submission to authority. The obvious intent is to "pass the buck," if not the blame, to someone higher up.

Actually, though, it could be a great statement of submission. If those words were said as an acknowledgment that the person is doing as told, it would reflect an obedient attitude, that of one who is submissive to whomever is in charge.

Unfortunately, we are more prone to sarcasm than submission. Yet God calls us to submission and gives us a model to follow--Jesus. He said, "I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me" (v. 38).

Knowing what God wanted Him to do kept Jesus from getting sidetracked. The crowd wanted Him to feed them from now on. That was their will, but He would not submit to their desires because He was already submitted to the will of the Father. And it is clear that He not only knew God's will but was submitted to it and determined to carry it out.

There was no sarcasm in His voice as He said these words because they came from a submissive heart. What a contrast to the self-serving words of the crowd, who said, "Give us this bread" (v. 34). They were asking for what they wanted.

Do your words come from a submissive or a self-serving heart? When you pray, which matters most-your will or God's?

How serious are you when you pray, "Not my will, but Thine"? Look for submissiveness in your life. Can you find evidence of it in how you use your time, talents and finances? Read Ephesians 5:21. Do others see this verse in your relationships?

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« Reply #278 on: May 20, 2006, 01:02:15 PM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 6:45-71 1 Chronicles 10-12

Sad Ending

1 Chronicles 10-12, John 6:45-71
Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

"No statistic is more meaningless than the score at half time," a sports philosopher once said. There have been some miraculous comebacks, and being ahead at the half is no guarantee of a win.

What is true in sports is true in life. How a person is at life's "half time" is no guarantee of how he will be at the end. Jacob started disastrously but finished well, while the opposite was true with Solomon. Now add Saul to the latter list. At one point he looked good-so good that he stood out from the crowd, was chosen to be king and led the nation with the blessing of God.

The last half of his life, however, is remembered for its bitterness, the pursuit of David and a suicidal death. God's blessing turned to judgment. Saul's life had a sad ending for three reasons.

One, he was unfaithful to the Lord. God expects faithfulness of His people. Saul was not. Two, he did not keep the Word of the Lord. Obedience is to be a characteristic of the people of God. His became a life of disobedience. Three, he sought guidance from the wrong place and not from the Lord. As his kingdom was unraveling, Saul turned to a witch instead of to the Lord.

In two verses, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, we are given an epitaph of sorts, an analysis of a life that began promisingly but ended disastrously. It ended that way not because of things beyond Saul's control but because of things he did not control. He could have remained faithful, kept the word of the Lord and sought God's guidance, but he chose not to.

Some things are beyond our control. Concentrate on the things that are. Examine how you are doing on these three things: remaining faithful, keeping the Word of the Lord and seeking God's guidance.

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« Reply #279 on: May 21, 2006, 04:42:00 PM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference 1 Chronicles 13-15 John 7:1-27

Oops!

1 Chronicles 13-15, John 7:1-27
Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 13:3, 15:13

Two familiar adages seemingly contradict each other. One is, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." The other is, "When all else fails, read the directions." Perhaps if we combined the two we'd have the best advice--something like, "Read the directions, and if you fail, read them again and try again." That's not as pithy as the other two, but it's certainly more practical.

David had the right idea but didn't read the directions. He said, "Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul" (13:3). But David disobeyed God, and in the midst of a time of celebrating, God's anger burned against Uzzah for touching the ark, and He struck him down. The right thing was being done the wrong way.

Later David did try again-after reading the directions. He said, "We did not inquire of [God] about how to do it in the prescribed way" (15:13). This time the ark was successfully brought to Jerusalem.

David could have just tried and tried again. Or, when all else failed, he could have read the directions. The good news is that he did not get to the point of "all else failing." After one attempt, he read the directions.

Think of how much better it would have been if David had inquired of God first. God's anger would have been avoided, the ark would have been moved, and the celebration would not have been ended in judgment.

God has given us "directions" for living-His Word, the Bible. Read the directions first and then follow them.

"God, help me to be learning and living Your Word. It is a guidebook to help me know You and know how You want me to live. Give me a heart to follow Your directions."

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« Reply #280 on: May 24, 2006, 08:19:08 AM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 7:28-53 1 Chronicles 16-18

What to Wear to Worship

1 Chronicles 16-18, John 7:28-53
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:29

Oh, the dilemma of what to wear! Clothing is more important to some than to others, but most of us have those times where we think, What should I wear? Dress at work may be a mandated uniform, an expectation of coat and tie, or the dreaded, because it might not be well defined, "corporate casual."

Have you ever thought about what to wear to worship? Times have changed. For some, shorts and sandals are fine, while others dress as if worship is impossible without a white shirt and tie.

One thing is essential to wear to worship, and that's holiness. David's psalm of thanks instructs us to "worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness" (16:29). That phrase can mean several things. One is that God lives in the splendor of holiness and that we must worship Him there. Another is that He is holy so we must worship Him as holy.

But I think the primary meaning is that we, as worshipers, are to be garbed in holiness when we worship Him. We worship Him clothed in the splendor of holiness.

How do we put on the splendor of holiness? Holiness is not a matter of external dress but internal condition. It cannot be put on and put off like a comfortable sweater. You decide to live a life that is set apart to God, set apart from the world. Your life becomes one of holiness as you live out that decision.

Holiness is what God wants us to wear to worship. Put it on and remember that it is a splendid garment, one to wear and never remove.

Is holiness like a sweater to you, something to put on and take off depending on the temperature? It's not to be like that. Check what you are wearing. Is it holiness?

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« Reply #281 on: May 24, 2006, 08:20:16 AM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 8:1-27 1 Chronicles 19-21

The Easiest Wrong to Correct

1 Chronicles 19-21, John 8:1-27
Key Verse: John 8:7

The easiest wrongs to identify and correct are those of others. By nature we are both faultfinders and fault avoiders. We can see the errors of others much more easily than our own and manage to expect change from them while finding excuses for ourselves.

When the Pharisees brought an immoral woman before Jesus, their intent was to pin Him on the horns of a dilemma. How could He, a friend of sinners, condemn her? How could He, a righteous man, fail to keep the law? Their focus was on Jesus as they not only set but also sprung their trap.

Ever notice that the man involved in this act of adultery was not brought before Jesus? Perhaps the adultery itself was part of the setting of the trap and he was part of the plot, providing an opportunity to catch a woman in the act.

Then the unexpected occurred. Instead of answering their question, Jesus pinned the Pharisees with His statement, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" (v. 7).

No stones were thrown. Their error was exposed. The faultfinders could not avoid their own faults. It is interesting that the first to leave were the older ones, men who knew there was no use denying their own sins.

Seeing the wrong in others is easy; seeing the wrong in ourselves is imperative. There are times when we confront others biblically regarding their sins. But we must always confront ourselves as well.

The psalmist prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23-24). Pray that prayer now and often-especially when you are finding fault in others.

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« Reply #282 on: May 24, 2006, 08:21:25 AM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference 1 Chronicles 22-24 John 8:28-59

Is Your Worship Work?

1 Chronicles 22-24, John 8:28-59
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 22:19

People will stand in long lines this summer waiting for their turn to ride a roller coaster. After perhaps an hour or more, they will get their three minutes of thrill--or terror, as the case may be. At the end of the ride, some will immediately go back to the line and wait to ride again.

Amusement parks employ people whose responsibility it is to "test ride" the rides. Every day begins with hurtling along the tracks. No lines, just get in and go. What an enviable job! How great it must be to get to do that every day. For these workers, however, the roller coaster ride is just that--work. The thrill is gone; the ride is routine.

This happens in ministry also. We get so used to going to church, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, that ministry becomes a routine.

Worship was important to David, so he wanted to build the place that would be the center of worship. He made preparations for the temple to be built, assembling the workers and materials.

But worship is more than a building. It is an issue of the heart. To the workers David gave this additional instruction: "Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God" (22:19). The work of our hands is important, but so is the worship of our hearts. The things we do must not become so routine that we lose the thrill of serving God.

Has your service of God become routine? Then it's time to "devote your heart and soul." That will involve a conscious effort to keep yourself from just going through the motions. Your service is to be an act of worship.

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« Reply #283 on: May 25, 2006, 07:50:51 AM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 9:1-23 1 Chronicles 25-27

Why?

1 Chronicles 25-27, John 9:1-23
Key Verse: John 9:3

Perhaps the most-oft asked question of God is "Why?" Sometimes people ask it in an accusatory tone, as if they can demand of God an explanation for His actions. Other times it is the plaintive cry of a searching heart, one of pain or confusion. In the Bible we can find the answers to that question.

One day the disciples asked Jesus the "why" question. They thought they knew the answer and only wanted it refined. Why was this man blind? To the disciples, it was obvious the man was blind because of sin. So their question really was, "Who sinned?"

We need to let God answer the question, not give Him our answers. That became obvious when Jesus replied that "neither this man nor his parents sinned" (v. 3). Yes, there are times of suffering due to sin and its effects, but that is not always the answer. As Jesus explained, some suffering occurs so that "the work of God might be displayed." And in John 11:15, we're told that Lazarus' death happened "so that you may believe."

Our troubles can be times of testimony as Jesus works in our lives.

Instead of asking why, just pray. Ask God to use your troubles as a testimony so that your life will bring glory to Him and draw others to Jesus.

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« Reply #284 on: May 26, 2006, 06:54:53 AM »

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference John 9:24-41 1 Chronicles 28-29

Spending Someone Else’s Money

1 Chronicles 28-29, John 9:24-41
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 29:16

A credit card in the hands of a college student can be a dangerous thing when the name on the card is not his own, but dad's. With my permission-actually, by my instruction- my daughter and her fiancé had a nice meal at a restaurant near their college. When the bill came to the table, the credit card came out of the wallet. I later kidded my daughter, a former waitress, about the generous tip she left, also charged to my card.

I had no problem with her charging the meal, or even with the amount of the tip. It was what I had told her to do. And it illustrates a truth. It is easier to spend someone else's money than your own, especially when told to spend it. We know that, but sometimes we struggle to really do it.

You might be thinking, I wouldn't have a problem doing that! But perhaps you do. Everything you have belongs to God. It is all His-even your money. He tells us how to use His money, but sometimes we struggle spending His money the way He wants it spent.

David understood that, and it affected not only him but the people of Israel as they raised the money needed to build the temple. He even said, "As for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you" (29:16).

When we realize that our money is really God's, then we will spend and give as God wants His money spent and given.

How do you view your finances and possessions? Does your checkbook reflect the heart of a faithful steward of God's resources? If not, refigure your budget today and give as God instructs.

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