Psalm 34 , Bible Reading and Daily Devotionals

Max Lucado Daily: Lazarus and Judas - July 8, 2022

“Because of Lazarus many Jews were…believing in Jesus” (John 12:11 NCV).

If God has called you to be a Lazarus, then testify. Remind the rest of us that we, too, have neighbors who are lost. We, too, have died and been resurrected. Each of us has our place at the table – except one. There was one at Martha’s house who didn’t find his place. Though he had been near Jesus longer than any of the others, he was furthest away in his faith. His name was Judas. He was a thief.

In every church there are those like Judas who take and never give in return. There are Marthas who serve, there are Marys who worship, there are those like Lazarus who take time to testify. We need fewer like Judas and more like Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

Psalm 34

I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.

2
I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:

3
Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.

4
God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.

5
Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.

6
When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.

7
God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.

8
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
    how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.

9
Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.

10
Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.

11
Come, children, listen closely;
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.

12
Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?

13
Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.

14
Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!

15
God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.

16
God won’t put up with rebels;
he’ll cull them from the pack.

17
Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.

18
If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

19
Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.

20
He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.

21
The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.

22
God pays for each slave’s freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.

Our Daily Bread reading and devotion    
Friday, July 08, 2022

Today's Scripture
Luke 22:14–20

When it was time, he sat down, all the apostles with him, and said, “You’ve no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. It’s the last one I’ll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God.”

17–18     Taking the cup, he blessed it, then said, “Take this and pass it among you. As for me, I’ll not drink wine again until the kingdom of God arrives.”

19     Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.”

20     He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you.

Insight

In Luke 22, which records the Last Supper, Jesus introduced the Passover meal by declaring how much He anticipated sharing it with His disciples (v. 15). The phrase “I have eagerly desired” is variously translated as “with desire I have desired” or “I have earnestly desired.” The Greek words express a deep and passionate desire that’s expressed in a singular focus and drives a person to action. The base word epithymeo can be, and often is, translated in a negative sense as “lust” or “covet.” The point is the strength of the desire. Christ’s passion for this meal was predicated on the fact that once He’d eaten it, He wouldn’t eat it again until God’s kingdom comes in its fullness (v. 16). By: J.R. Hudberg

Food That Says I Love You

He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them.
Luke 22:19

I attended a family birthday gathering where the hostess wove the theme of “favorite things” into the decor, the gifts, and—best of all—the food. Because the birthday girl loved steak and salad—and white chocolate raspberry Bundt cake—the hostess grilled steak, spun spinach, and ordered that favorite cake. Favorite foods say, “I love you.”

The Bible contains many references to banquets, feasts, and festivals, pairing the physical act of eating with celebrations of God’s faithfulness. Feasting was a part of the sacrificial system of worship practiced by the Israelites (see Numbers 28:11–31), with Passover, the festival of weeks, and new moon feasts held every month. And in Psalm 23:5, God prepares a table with an abundant meal and cups overflow with mercy and love. Perhaps the most lavish pairing of food and wine ever expressed was when Jesus broke a piece of bread and took a cup of wine, illustrating the gift of His death on a cross for our salvation. He then challenged us to “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

As you partake of food today, take a moment to consider the God who made both mouth and stomach and offers food to you as a language of His love in celebration of His faithfulness. Ours is a God who feasts with the faithful, pairing His perfect provision with our great need, saying, “I love you.” By:  Elisa Morgan

Reflect & Pray

What is a favorite food that you use in celebration? How can you thank God as you enjoy food today?

Thank You, God, for all You faithfully provide, including my daily bread and my very salvation.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
Friday, July 08, 2022
    
Will To Be Faithful

…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… —Joshua 24:15

A person’s will is embodied in the actions of the whole person. I cannot give up my will— I must exercise it, putting it into action. I must will to obey, and I must will to receive God’s Spirit. When God gives me a vision of truth, there is never a question of what He will do, but only of what I will do. The Lord has been placing in front of each of us some big proposals and plans. The best thing to do is to remember what you did before when you were touched by God. Recall the moment when you were saved, or first recognized Jesus, or realized some truth. It was easy then to yield your allegiance to God. Immediately recall those moments each time the Spirit of God brings some new proposal before you.

“…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve….” Your choice must be a deliberate determination— it is not something into which you will automatically drift. And everything else in your life will be held in temporary suspension until you make a decision. The proposal is between you and God— do not “confer with flesh and blood” about it (Galatians 1:16). With every new proposal, the people around us seem to become more and more isolated, and that is where the tension develops. God allows the opinion of His other saints to matter to you, and yet you become less and less certain that others really understand the step you are taking. You have no business trying to find out where God is leading— the only thing God will explain to you is Himself.

Openly declare to Him, “I will be faithful.” But remember that as soon as you choose to be faithful to Jesus Christ, “You are witnesses against yourselves…” (Joshua 24:22). Don’t consult with other Christians, but simply and freely declare before Him, “I will serve You.” Will to be faithful— and give other people credit for being faithful too.

Wisdom From Oswald Chambers

Jesus Christ is always unyielding to my claim to my right to myself. The one essential element in all our Lord’s teaching about discipleship is abandon, no calculation, no trace of self-interest. Disciples Indeed, 395 L

Bible in a Year: Job 36-37; Acts 15:22-41

A Word with You, by Ron Hutchcraft
Friday, July 08, 2022

Whatever it Takes Love - #9260

Frankly, I just don't know how mothers of young children do it all. I've realized it again and again. While I was watching our daughter and our daughters-in-law and all they have to juggle taking care of our grandchildren. I mean, one day our daughter was trying to do one of those juggling acts trying to get her 18-month-old son ready to leave on a winter day. She also had a lot to load in the car. So, while she was shuttling back and forth, she accidentally let the door to the house close behind her and it locked. Her son was inside. Her keys were in the house - safe. Every door and window turned out to be locked, of course. Her son was oblivious to the problem. There were no neighbors close by.

Well, just as she started to drive to a neighbor's house and call for some help, she noticed a second story bathroom window that was open just a little crack. Well, it wasn't easy, but Mom got a ladder, she climbed to the second story, opened a window and literally tore open the screen that stood between her and her son. (You should see the screen!) Somehow, she managed to squeeze through that little window and propel herself onto the bathroom floor. (You're imagining this, right?) Believe me, nothing was going to stop her from getting to the child she loves!

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "Whatever it Takes Love."

Well, here's some great news! There's someone who loves you like that; the person your heart can finally put your total trust in, the person who wants to love you as you have wanted and needed to be loved your whole life.

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from John 10:11 and it describes how far Jesus Christ has gone to break through to you. He describes Himself here as a shepherd, and you and me as sheep that He will do anything for. Anything? Yeah. Jesus says here, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."

Now, our daughter is a mother like most mothers, who will do whatever it takes to be reunited with the child she loves. Well, Jesus is the Savior who will do whatever it takes, including a brutal death on a cross; being totally cut off from God the Father whatever it took to be reunited with you because He loves you so much.

Jesus gives this amazing perspective on what is about to happen as He is nailed to that cross. He says, "I lay down My life... No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again..." (John 10:17-18). Which, by the way, He did when He walked out of His grave on Easter morning. Oh, it may have looked like Roman soldiers were taking Jesus' life, but He said He was giving His life to pay for all the sinning you and I have ever done. He is the Son of God. No one can take His life. He gave it for you.

So the Son of God left heaven, climbed down the ladder to this selfish old planet, and died on a cross, separated from God, to tear open the wall between you and God; which makes what you do with Jesus really serious business. The only response that will bring this incredible love into your life is for you to say, "Jesus, I'm done driving my life. I was never supposed to. I'm turning to You with all my heart because You loved me enough to die for my sin."

You may have heard about His love a thousand times, or maybe never before, but there's never been a time you've responded to the love of Jesus. Well, until now. Wouldn't you want to begin your personal love relationship with Him? Well, if this is the time to do that, and it is, if you want to experience this love for yourself, I urge you to tell Him that now. Tell Him, "Jesus, I'm yours."

And I'm inviting you to come to our website as soon as you can today. Because I think you'll find the help there and some support for beginning this awesome relationship with Jesus. The website's ANewStory.com.

This is so very important because God will never forget what you do with His Son. Not after all His Son did for you.