228th Week, I Chronicles Chapter 6-9 and Peroverbs Chapter 19 (Click here for Video Introduction)

 

Click here for Video Intro

Monday, I Chronicles Chapter 6

I Chronicles 6 

Heather Proehl

THOUGHT

No one verse really stuck out to me in this chapter. I do find it interesting how each clan was assigned various tasks. Here we see the musicians who ministered to the people. If that were our family, I think it would read like this:

Jane and Jean the daughters of Dorothy;

Bart and Matthew the sons of Jane;

Tanya and Heather the daughters of Jean;

Sierra and Crystal the daughters of Tanya and Tony the son of Tanya

No offense to those left out; there are plenty of assignments for the rest of the family. We can’t all be musicians: I think it’s so interesting how each person (each clan) has a purpose. That really puts meaning behind someone’s life to understand their purpose. 

However, we all serve the same purpose, ‘To love the Lord our God with all of our hearts, our souls, and our minds, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.’

PRAYER

Father God, we love You!  We understand Your commandments and our purpose in this life.  May we live out our purpose to love You and others daily. Some days are easier than others, but we pray that we would remember our purpose and strive to live that way each and every day. AMEN

Tuesday, I Chronicles Chapter 7

I Chronicles 7 

Heather Proehl

THOUGHT

All of the genealogy gets a bit tough to relate a devotion to. I struggled with this chapter. The thing that caught my eye was Joshua being listed in verse 26. It just says “and Joshua his son”. Here we have lists and lists of people, most of whom we know little about. And amongst that list is Joshua, one of Israel’s greatest leaders. I almost skipped right over him.  It’s nice to see where people come from. It reminds me that Joshua was just like you and me. He had a father and mother and siblings and a family. God so often made extraordinary things happen through ordinary people. It’s okay to be ordinary. You never know how God could use you.  Learn more about Joshua with video from week 143 on my Blog.  Click on Link https://youtu.be/aks-BSK8RTo

PRAYER

Lord God, thank You for seeing special gifts and talents in plain ordinary people. You see each of us as special in Your eyes.  We all have something great to offer this world. May we see the extraordinary in the ordinary people that cross our paths each day.  AMEN

Wednesday, I Chronicles Chapter 8

I Chronicles 8 

Verse 40

Heather Proehl

Verse 40:  The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow.

THOUGHT

Well, obviously they hadn’t met Matt Strayer yet, because he can handle the bow better than anyone I know:) Nice buck Matt! Can’t wait to see it in the next video! I think it’s amazing how Matt and his friends have been able to share the love of Jesus and the Gospel through their hunting. Wow! What creativity and what a way to combine your passions.

We’re reading a book in Bible study called Walk Across the Loom by Bill Hybels (Tom and Jane’s favorite pastor out of Chicago). This week our assignment is to write our faith story in under 100 words. He gives you tips for doing this. The point is that we as Christians should be prepared to share our story at any moment, and not a boring, long, pious, story, but a short story that gets to the point. I’ve been challenged this week to think through that. As many of you know, I’m not one to keep it brief. But I definitely see the point. Have you ever thought about your story? What would you say if someone asked you why you are a Christian?  I just think it’s awesome to see Matt doing this through Outdoors Outreach. I think we all should challenge ourselves to align our passion in life with our passion for eternal life. I know I’m challenged.

Saul's genealogy is also mentioned in this Chapter.  Please check out the 160th week on my Blog Spot for a video presentation on Saul.  Click on Link. https://youtu.be/oYS6KZLLcow

PRAYER

Father God, forgive me for not being prepared with my story. Help me to prepare my faith story to share with anyone.  Lord, open doors for opportunities for each of us to share our faith stories. Provide us with opportunities to share Your love with others. Lord, be with us all this weekend. AMEN

Thursday, I Chronicles Chapter 9

I Chronicles 9

Verse 38

Tanya Ruden

Verse 38: ...They too lived near their relatives in Jerusalem.

THOUGHT

Wow — and I thought Job was hard to write a devotion on.  Chronicles seems tougher.  I am not sure where the Spirit will lead me on this verse, but it did strike me.  Maybe it is because I have gone from living far away from family to living closer to family.  All the genealogy locations of people could play a role in how things go down. I thought it interesting they put this in the chapter.  In the end, does it really matter where they all lived as long as we know the vicinity? I don’t know, but one thing I do know is that relationships are work! It doesn’t matter what kind of relationship - mother to child, friend to friend, sister to sister, etc. - they take time and work.   The more “time” we put into them, the closer we become to those people, and the more “special” the relationship becomes. 

In today’s day and age we have lots of “tools” to assist us in “working” our relationships — cell phones, e-mail, twitter, texting, etc.  We are able to stay in tune with our family and friends in lots of ways, and that is great. But I know from personal experience in the last year, seeing people more frequently also helps build, create, and maintain relationships that would have never been that way.  I have been able to build relationships with family that before were non-existent.  Often there are certain relationships that we maintain only through face to face contact.  Let’s face it; some people just aren’t phone talkers or computer experts.  So, I think the fact that these people lived near each other, especially in a time when there weren’t any computers or cell phones, is a key piece of information. I don’t have my Bible notes, and I don’t know the whole Bible.  But do you wonder if being close to each other had a direct effect on the strength of their relationship and the strength of their army?  Who knows?  But I believe that by living close to their relatives, they had a better relationship and help and support when they needed it. (They probably had some pretty good “pot lucks” as well.  Smiles)

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, relationships are hard work! Give us the energy to help them succeed and be great for our lives. You put us in contact with various people in our lives and each one supports or brings out a special characteristic.  We understand it doesn’t mean we have to call them every day, but it does mean that we are there for them when they need us.  Help us respond to their call for assistance. Help us be watchful of that call.  Also, Lord, help us to reach out to friends and family when we need help. They want to help, but they can’t if they don’t know what is needed. Remind us that it is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of love — helping others. AMEN

Friday, Proverbs Chapter 19

Proverbs 19

Verse 21

Matt Strayer

Verse 21:  Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

THOUGHT

This is just another reminder to me that God is in absolute control of our lives. We all have hopes, dreams and desires in our lives. Many of these were placed there by God to accomplish His Will. I think as humans we must truly seek to understand what God wants for these plans that we have in our heart. After we have done the best that we can in that regard, it is up to Him to allow His purpose to prevail. 

Kristen has helped me realize that it is OK to plan, but don’t forget to allow God to work. Ultimately His Will is going to be done. Trust in God. His intentions never change.

Prayer

God, thanks so much for the desires You have put in our hearts and the plans that we have made based on these desires. Help us to seek Your counsel and trust in You. We know that ultimately Your purpose will prevail, and that is ever so comforting.  In Jesus Name.  AMEN