Glory Filled

Reading: Ezekiel 41-45

You’re not too far gone. You are not past the point of grace. You too can be God filled.

In a scene of triumph and redemption, God’s glory returned to fill the new temple. The former temple had been so corrupted by idolatry and sin that God left and it was destroyed.

The story of Israel is much like your story. Even though you have been corrupted by sin and driven far from God’s presence, God desires reconciliation with you. He wants to dwell in you and to fill you with the glory of His presence.

Next Reading: Ezekiel 46-48

The Greatest Competition in the Universe: And You’re Part of It

Today’s reading is Psalm 111-115.

The greatest competition in the universe. In one corner weighing in at 235 pounds, Edwin Crozier. In the other corner, too infinite to imagine weighing or measuring in any other way, God. The competition? Who’s going to get the glory in my life today?

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” (Psalm 115:1, ESV).

Who will win the competition in your life today?

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 116-118, 120.

The God Filled Don’t Wait for Sunday

Today’s reading is Psalm 96-100.

“Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day” (Psalm 96:1-2, ESV).

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!…Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name” (Psalm 97:1, 12, ESV).

“Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things!” (Psalm 98:1, ESV).

“Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy” (Psalm 99:9, ESV).

“Make a joyful noise tot he LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (Psalm 100:1-2, ESV).

What do God Filled people do? They worship God. And they don’t wait until Sunday to do it. Fall on your knees, sing praises, give honor and glory. Be amazed and rejoice in the presence of the God who fills you. Do it today. Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 101-105.

The God Filled Goal of Our Prayers

Today’s reading is Psalm 66-70.

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, so that we can be awesome, rich, healthy, content, and satisfied” (not quite Psalm 67:1-2). Psalm 67 is an amazing display of God Filled love for God. The psalmist doesn’t want God’s blessing on Israel so Israel can be blessed. The Psalmist wants God’s blessing on Israel so the nations around them will know it makes a difference who your God is. The psalmist wants the heathens to see how great things are for Israel and recognize that Israel must serve a great God. Why do we pray for good marriages, good children, good churches, good lives? Is it simply so we can enjoy God’s good gifts, or is it because we want the people around us to know God’s way works and to know God’s saving power? “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations” (Psalm 67:1-2, ESV).

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 71-75.

Glorify God with Truth

Today’s reading is Job 11-14.

Surely God deserves to be glorified above all else. We should hold nothing back as we long to bring praise, honor, and glory to Him. However, lying about Him or being partial to Him won’t bring Him glory. Thus, Job warned his three friends that if they responded to his suffering by simply saying, “God only let’s sinners suffer, so you must be an awful sinner, Job,” they would be judged and rebuked (Job 13:6-12). God doesn’t need us to sand down His rough edges, dull His sharpness, or simplify His complexity. Certainly, when folks misrepresent God, we strive to correct misunderstanding, but God is only glorified when we tell the truth about Him. Just because something sounds like it glorifies God, doesn’t mean it does. And just because it doesn’t appeal to man’s cultural sensibilities, doesn’t mean it detracts from His glory. Glorify God with impartial truth, and let God deal with His own PR campaign.

Tomorrow’s reading is Job 15-19.

What is Freedom For?

Today’s reading is 1 Chronicles 16-20.

Everybody wants to be free. But why? Notice the purpose of freedom for the God Filled in 1 Chronicles 16:35: “Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.” Why do you pray for freedom? What do you hope to do with your freedom? These are the questions of the day.

Monday’s reading is 1 Chronicles 21-25.

A God Filled Prayer

Today’s reading is 2 Kings 16-20.

“Incline your ears, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God…So now, O LORD our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of earth may know that you, O LORD, are God alone” (2 Kings 19:16, 19, ESV). Hezekiah’s life is on the line. Hezekiah’s reign is on the line. Hezekiah’s nation is on the line. But what is his number one concern? The reputation of his God is on the line. What am I concerned about when I pray for a better job, better marriage, better family, better church, better health? Is it so I can have an easier, softer, more convenient life or so the world will know having Yahweh as my God makes a difference? May we all learn to pray the prayer of the God Filled.

Tomorrow’s reading is 2 Kings 21-25.

God, not Me

 

Today’s reading is Numbers 11-16.

“I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a a nation greater and mightier than they,” said God to Moses. And Moses said, “AWESOME!!! That is what I’ve really been waiting for. Who needs these mangy Israelites? A nation from me would be better, and I could not only be a leader, I could be a patriarch.” Of course, that isn’t what happened in Number 14:11-20. Why? Because Moses was more concerned about God’s glory than his own. Oh the lessons I can learn from this example. Let’s think of ourselves less today and think of God more.

We’d love to know what you got out of today’s reading or if some other part of the reading struck you. Let us know in the comments.

Tomorrow’s reading is Numbers 16-20.