The Underdog

Read 1 Samuel 17:32-51.

Why do you think God used a shepherd boy rather than an entire army to bring down Goliath?

I think God used only a shepherd boy because that's all he needed. God didn't need an entire army for the task.

How does it encourage you to see how God empowers ordinary people to accomplish his purpose?

It reminds me that all things are possible WITH GOD.

In which of your battles do you particularly need God's strength? Take the time to ask him to arm you head to toe. Ask him to transform your tiny pebble of faith into a powerful missile.

I definitely need God's strength when it comes to Isaiah's developmental delays.

- becky

But, Lord!

Read 1 Samuel 15:1-23.

This devotion makes me think of "cafeteria style religion" - where people pick and choose what they want to/don't want to believe and what parts of God's word they will/will not listen to and obey.

How is "but, Lord" a phrase that creeps into your vocabulary?
This happens often, unfortunately. I must remember that God is not there to make a deal with me. He's there to guide me down the right path. The power that I have is the power to make the choice to follow His commands. Life will be so much better that way...

In what ways have you tweaked God's instructions to suit your convenience.
I think in some ways I just ignore the nagging voice in the back of my head that haunts me later after I have sinned. I need to listen to that guardian angel sitting on my shoulder more...and not the nasty little devil whispering into my other ear!

What are some practical ways you can turn from a temptation in your life? Make a commitment today to take whatever steps you must to obey God with no ifs, ands, or buts.

- becky

Are You Listening?

Read 1 Samuel 3:1-21.

What are some things that drown out God's voice for you? What makes it difficult for you to be still in God's presence?

In a word - life. My everyday responsibilities seem so pressing and important at times that it is so easy to lose perspective. God must always remain my top priority in life. It takes a lot of work to do this, yet the rewards of putting God first are truly amazing.

Are personal sins blocking you from hearing God's voice? Take time to confess any wrongs you've committed and ask God to cleanse you.

Personal response...

Read Psalm 84 to prepare you to spend time in God's presence.

- becky

Love

Read Deuteronomy 10:12-22.

"We show Him we love Him by living at peace with our brothers and sisters and by showing love to all his children....Choosing to love will please God, and it will bring joy to your life."

When is the last time you told God you love Him?

I tell him daily, but I think I could work harder to show Him that I do through my actions.

- becky

It Starts On the Inside

Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9.

My devotion today talked about the importance of "redesigning" or "remodeling" our hearts to put God first and foremost in every aspect of our lives - and constantly! Here are a couple of quotes that I felt have good meaning:

"He doesn't want his principles displayed outwardly if they don't impact us inwardly."

"When ingrained on our inmost being, his principles will change the way we think, act, and live."

- becky

Idol Removal

Read Numbers 33:50-56.

After reading this passage, I began thinking of my own idols that need to go. TV is not so much of a problem; I rarely watch it. When it's on, the kids want their shows, and I don't want them to see blood on CSI or Trauma (good show, BTW, you should check it out). My giving up Facebook for Lent really turned into something good. I managed to clean out my basement, so it is now a functional room, a.k.a. Mommy's Hide-Out. I log in daily again, but I don't spend near as much time on it as I used to. I no longer play the games on there, and I don't get stressed out or bothered by what people say because I don't read it so much.

Something else that's changed for the better for me is the station I have my car radio tuned into. I used to be a 95.9 person, but now I absolutely LOVE Family Christian Radio on 91.9/91.5. Every once in a while I'll flip to 95.9 for all of 30 seconds. I think every song on that station is about drinking and/or sex. It is complete filth. (Just my opinion - I hope I haven't offended anyone.) I have found that the Christian music helps my day at work begin and end so much more positively. I feel so much more relaxed and ready to obey God.

Discussion Questions

• When do you find it especially difficult to obey God?
• Have you experienced "barbs and thorns" because you insisted on doing things your own way?
• How does it comfort you to know that God's ways are far above your ways?

- becky

Getting Past Frustration

Read Numbers 21:4-9.

Recently, I heard someone talking about all of these bad things happening to someone they knew - cancer, death of a loved one. You name it, this person was having a difficult time. She said, "Who deals that out?"

A loving God does, that's who. I read in my Luther's Devotional book once that God never promised life to be a bed of roses. (How boring would that be?!) Perhaps our bumps in the road should serve as reminders that we can't do this alone; we need to turn to Him.

What "desert" experience has caused you to grumble?
Oh, I've had a lot of these experiences. Lately, it seems to be other people and work. I need to learn to just let things go instead of crabbing about how people are ticking me off.

What sin has poisoned your heart? Is it envy? Bitterness? Anger?
Probably jealousy/envy. And perfectionism. I think that's a sin when it causes me to be irritated with people when they don't do things exactly my way. Hahaha - I know that sounds ridiculous, but I'm being honest. Lying has NOT poisoned my heart.

Today, lift your eyes up toward Jesus and ask him to take the poisonous thoughts from your heart.

- becky

Change

Read Numbers 9:15-23.

Sorry that I don't have any commentary on my devotional reading tonight. A meeting from work is weighing on my mind, so I'm kind of distracted. Here are the discussion questions, though:

What changes are you considering in your life? Have you asked God about them?
I have been considering getting back into the role of classroom teacher and/or Lutheran school teacher. This means a great deal of work brought home and longer hours at school. This would affect my family quite a bit, but it is a direction I feel that I would like to go professionally.

What are the obstacles, if any, that you face in making your life-changing decisions? Could God be telling you "no" instead of "go"?
Job availability - I think God is telling me that now is not the right time, but later might be.

Is it difficult for you to be patient, or are you willing to wait for God's guidance? Take the time to look up and ask the Lord to show you what he wants you to do.
Oh, yeah, it's difficult to be patient! I think I would be more patient if I knew how everything would play out in the end. I don't like unexpected surprises.

- becky

God's Name

Read Numbers 6:1-27.

In this passage, God has given Aaron permission to bless the Israelites with his name. We have a common name - Christians. We should honor this with respect. Others who may or may not be Christians observe our behavior to see how we honor this name.

How do you feel when you hear someone use Christ's name in vain? How do you respond?

- becky

Stronger Friendships

Read Numbers 5:5-8.

Think about a relationship that is unraveling. How can you make restituition?

What are some ways you can reconcile with God after you have sinned? What restituition can you offer?

- becky

P.S. Anyone still out there? I'm starting to feel alone in this. I only ask because you guys help to motivate me! I need my Bible buddies!!!

Alone Time

Read Leviticus 23.

As another work week begins, I am guessing that it will be good for me to refer back to my devotional tonight as things get hectic and busy.

How often do I give God my undivided attention?
Unfortunately, I don't feel that I do this enough. Church is even difficult because I attend with my two young children.

Picture in my mind a quiet place where I can withdraw from the demands of life. When will I go there to be alone with God?
Two places come to mind for me - I've been taking a walk around the neighborhood in the evenings. Sometimes I do this with the kids, but even then there is plenty of time for me to spend with God. (The kids are usually occupied by watching for puppies, birds, and other kids.) I have also recently been spending a lot of time in my basement. I have recently cleaned it out and set it up to be "Mommy's Hide-Out". As I've been typing a third place has come to mind - driving to and from work!

- becky

The Golden Rule

When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. ~ Leviticus 19:33-34

The last paragraph of my devotions talks about who these "aliens" can be in our lives today - a neighbor who admires your faith and needs some encouragement to attend church, the store clerk admiring the cross around your neck as well as your patience and kindness, etc. I love the last line. It says, "Treat the aliens in your life to a taste of God's love."

My goal for today - mind my behavior all day long. Someone might be watching me, that I don't actually have contact or a connection with, but might benefit from my patient, kind, and gracious example.

- becky

What Love Is

Read Leviticus 16: 10, 20-22.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. ~ 1 John 3:16

My devotion tonight talks about guilt again. It suggests telling Jesus your guilty feelings, so that He can carry them far away.

Let them go! Jesus died for our sins!

- becky

Not Guilty

I thank you for your patience. We had a very, very busy weekend (in Milwaukee). We were in Appleton for church on Sunday, and that was about it. [See my other blog for more details (later on when I can actually find some time to update it).]

For now, read Leviticus 5:14-19.

Guilt - man oh man, doesn't it haunt us all? I thought this quote was pretty right-on: "But Jesus' declaration from the cross that we are not guilty covers all of our sins - even the unintentional ones. Instead of blood sacrifice, we can make offerings of gratitude: repentance, praise, and service."

Speaking for myself, it is a goal of mine to spend more time THANKING God for all of my blessings, instead of filling my prayers with woe is me.

A few good questions for you to ponder:

What unintentional sins have you committed in the past few days? Spend some time asking God to reveal your sins to you. I love that second part. Most are probably in thoughts or actions we seem to do often - thoughts and actions so frequent in our lives that we don't even notice that we are doing them/sinning!

Now offer God a sacrifice of repentance and of praise for declaring you not guilty.

- becky

Accepting Help

Read Exodus 18:1-27.

After I read tonight, I discovered that I am a lot like Moses was. I don't like to ask for help. I try too hard to be everything to everyone. It is tough for me to delegate responsibilities and let go of things. How insulting this must be for those I care about! They must think I don't trust them with things.

Here are some discussion questions:

• What things do you feel God is showing you as your highest priorities? What things are distracting you from that calling?
• Look at the capable women in your life. Can you release a responsibility to someone else and encourage her to grow in serving God?
• What chores and responsibilities can you delegate to your children, so that they, too, may grow in learning skills and serving others? (My personal favorite question!)

- becky

God is Good

Read Exodus 16:1-36.

Grumbling and complaining - oh, how guilty I can be of this. Sometimes when things go bad, we can look back and "believe lies of the past", as my devotion says. We can become so trapped in our pain that we forget about God's goodness.

We must never forget. Remember that God is good.

Think of a time you grumbled and complained, yet in the end everything worked out just fine. Thank God for His constant love and support.

- becky

Overcoming Fear

Read Exodus 14:1-31.

There are so many things in this world that I am afraid of. Fear of losing my family. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of cotton balls. (Don't laugh - They really do make me feel like my throat is closing up!)

Why does it sometimes seem like I'm not content unless I have something to worry about? As I was reading from Exodus, I highlighted a couple of verses in my Bible: ...Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today....The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Here are the discussion questions that were with the devotion:

What do you most fear?

How has your fear caused you to fight or take flight rather than be still and trust God?

Take some time to "be still" before the Lord and ask him to deliver you from your fears.

- becky

Rising Above

Read Exodus 7:1-24.

There is an excellent quote at the end of my devotion for today: "The next time you see God reveal Himself to you, don't hesitate to share your experiences with others - even those you might think don't have time for God."

I think this is a really good statement. (My only problem with it is I believe that everyone HAS time for God, but not everyone MAKES time for God.) I do like the encouragement to share God with others, though. This is not an easy thing to do, thanks to the devil. The devil wants us to be uncomfortable or afraid of offending someone. With God's help, we can rise above that!

- becky

Making Time

Read Exodus 3:1-22.

On my lunch break today, I was talking with a co-worker about going to church. She had asked me if I had always been active in church, even before I married my husband - a pastor. I admitted the truth to her. No. I had not always been active. I told her that now, however, I can't imagine missing church each week. It's not that I go out of habit. I go because it's a part of who I am. For all that God has blessed me with, the least I can do is give him an hour out of my week.

God is constantly guiding me to things that He wants me to do. Unfortunately, there are times when my sinful nature takes over, and I don't respond quickly. The dishes can wait; God wants me to blog my devotion right now! After this is done, though, I suppose it's time to bless my family by doing a little bit of cleaning up. I'm tired, and feeling lazy, but I have responsibilities that God would not want for me to neglect. (You see, this is where giving up Facebook for Lent has helped me!)

Like Moses, there have been times when I did not feel "qualified" to do what God was asking of me. Prayer helps out a lot when I'm feeling this way!

Sometimes I don't hear God's call. One of the wonderful things that I walked away from the Women's Retreat with this year is to LISTEN for God. To take the time in prayer to allow him to guide me. I should not let my busy life take control of my dedication to Him.

- becky

Keeping a Close Eye

Read Exodus 2:1-10.

Whom am I watching over right now?
I am constantly watching over my children. It is my responsibility to protect, guide, and teach them. They trust and depend on me to set the Christian example for them to follow.

I also watch over other family members and friends. I pray that my example guides them to have Jesus as the highest priority in their lives, too.

How does prayer empower me?
Prayer gives me strength and guidance. Sometimes when I'm really lucky, it grants me patience - hahaha! Prayer not only helps me; it helps those that I am praying for.

Waiting and Watching
Once again, life requires a great deal of patience. Sometimes the best way for one to learn is by making a mistake. If I am there to do everything for my children, for example, then they will never learn to be responsible (and not lazy) for themselves.

Like Jen said in a comment to a previous post, sometimes I have to Let Go, and Let God!

- becky