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Moments With God – May 27th

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Out of the Trap

Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10

“I have learned the secret of being content.” (Philippians 4:12)

The Venus flytrap was first discovered in a small area of sandy wetlands in North Carolina. These plants are fascinating to watch because they’re carnivorous.

Venus flytraps release a sweet smelling nectar into colorful traps that resemble open flowers. When an insect crawls inside, sensors along the outer rim are triggered and the trap clamps shut in less than a second-capturing its victim. The trap then closes further and emits enzymes that consume its prey over time, giving the plant nutrients not provided by the sandy soil.

God’s Word tells of another trap that can capture unexpectedly. The apostle Paul warned his protege Timothy: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” And “some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Money and material things may promise happiness, but when they take first place in our lives, we walk on dangerous ground. We avoid this trap by living with thankful, humble hearts focused on God’s goodness to us through Jesus: “godliness with contentment is great gain.”

The temporary things of this world never satisfy like God can. True lasting contentment is found only through our relationship with Him.

LIFE MOMENT

What has been the most helpful information you’ve received regarding money? What’s been the worst?

GOD MOMENT

How do you know how God wants you to spend money? When you contemplate making a substantial purchase, is prayer part of the deciding process?

“Money and material things may promise happiness, but when they take first place in our lives, we walk on dangerous ground.”

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Daily Scripture Series – May 27th

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“I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 46:9)

In 1 Kings 17 and 18 we read of a severe drought in Israel. But in this case, we are told, it was a result of God’s judgment of His people. They had begun to worship Baal, the god of the Canaanites, believing that this deity could send the rain for their crops. Then God, through His prophet Elijah, showed that He is the one true God who determines when rain falls.

Our all powerful God desires to hear our prayers and answer our pleas. And though we do not always understand His timing or His purposes, God always responds with His best for our lives.

Daily Questions

  1. When have you seen God pass His judgment on something you’ve done or something someone else has done?
  2. Through prayer how can you express to God that you need His guidance?

Daily Thoughts

Dear Lord, please have patience with us when we turn to other things instead of You when we are in need.

1 Kings 18:1, 41-45

After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” 

And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again seven times.” And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising out of the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down lest the rain stop you.'” And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.

 

Moments With God – May 26th

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The Privilege of Prayer

Read 1 Chronicles 29:11-19

Country artist Chris Stapleton’s deeply personal song, “Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore”, was inspired by his own father’s prayers for him. The poignant lyrics reveal the reason his father’s prayers ended: not disillusionment or weariness, but his own death. Stapleton imagines that now, instead of speaking with Jesus in prayer, his dad is walking and talking face-to-face with Jesus.

As the prayers of Stapleton’s father influenced his life, so too did a biblical father’s prayer for his son. As King David’s life ebbed away, he made preparations for his son Solomon to take over as the next king of Israel.

After assembling the nation together to anoint Solomon, David led the people in prayer, as he’d done many times before. As David recounted God’s faithfulness to Israel, he prayed for the people to remain loyal to Him. Then he included a personal prayer specifically for his son, asking God to “give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees” (1 Chronicles 29:19).

We too have the remarkable privilege to faithfully pray for the people God has placed in our lives. Our example of faithfulness can make an indelible impact that will remain even after we’re gone. Just as God continued to work out the answers to David’s prayers for Solomon and Israel after he was gone, so too the impact of our prayers outlives us.

MOMENTS FOR REFLECTION

  • Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:11-13)
  • Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)
  • Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

MOMENTS FOR RENEWAL

Father, I bring my loved ones before You and ask that You would work out Your plans in their lives.

 

Daily Scripture Series – May 26th

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“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10)

We have to wait on God when we pray. We may not know how or when He will answer, but we can put our hearts constantly before Him in prayer. Sometimes the answers to our prayers don’t come when we would hope. Things may even go from bad to worse. But we have to keep persevering, keep believing, and keep asking.

Waiting is never easy, but the end result, whatever it is, will be worth it. David put it this way: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you” ((Psalm 9:10)

Keep seeking. Keep trusting. Keep asking. Keep praying

Daily Questions

  1. What prayer are you waiting for God to answer?
  2. How can you learn to be more patient in your waiting?

Daily Thoughts

Dear Lord, please help us to have more faith in You and Your wisdom as we wait for Your answer to our prayers.

Psalm 9:1-10

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all they wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in thee, I will sing praise to thy name, O most High. When my enemies turned back, they stumbled and perished before thee. For thou hast maintained my just cause; thou hast sat on the throne giving righteous judgment.

Thou hast rebuked the nations, thou hast destroyed the wicked; thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever. The enemy have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities thou hast rooted out; the very memory of them has perished. 

But the Lord sits enthroned for ever, he has established his throne for judgment; and he judges the world with righteousness, he judges the peoples with equity.

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know thy name put their trust in thee, for thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek thee.

Prayer Tip

Forgive others before praying (Matthew 5:23-24).