20-20 Blog

Today’s Reading: Genesis 44–46; Luke 18

A steward does what his or her master asks.

Genesis 44: 1–2 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. ² Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.” So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

A steward doesn’t operate on his or her own agenda, but follows the master’s instructions. There is a sense of authority and humility about a steward. This is a person who gets things done, but is not interested in personal glory.

All of us are stewards of what God has entrusted to us. What if we viewed our life and possessions that way? It would take away the need to strive. It would give us a different perspective—a healthier perspective, for sure. Just thinking that way today makes me feel calm, less anxious about my day. I’m am God’s steward. He has given me time and resources to accomplish the purpose for which I was born.

May I prove to be a faithful steward today, for the glory of my God and Master.

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Today’s Bible Reading:

Scripture Focus:

2 Chronicles 35:22-24 But Josiah was spoiling for a fight and wouldn’t listen to a thing Neco said (in actuality it was God who said it). Though King Josiah disguised himself when they met on the plain of Megiddo, archers shot him anyway.

The king said to his servants, “Get me out of here—I’m badly wounded.”

So his servants took him out of his chariot and laid him down in an ambulance chariot and drove him back to Jerusalem. He died there and was buried in the family cemetery

Observation:

Josiah was such a good king. He swept away all the idols and altars to false Gods in Judah and Israel. He reinstituted the Passover holiday after it had lain dormant since the days of the prophet Samuel. (Even David and Solomon hadn’t observed the Passover.)

Then we read this story about a foolhardy decision he made to fight Neco, king of Egypt, when Neco was busy making alliances with the King of Assyria to go after the Babylonians. Neco warned him that not to fight saying that he had no quarrel with Josiah, but Josiah went after him anyway.

The end of the story? Josiah got killed, even though he disguised himself.

It’s a sad ending to an otherwise exemplary life.

Application:

If I’m doing all the right things, I can get cocky and bull-headed and not listen to good counsel or good judgement. I should be humble and pray for wisdom no matter how much “success” I’ve previously encountered.

Prayer:

Father God, I want to finish strong. Too many leaders are great for a season and then poop out right at the end. Help me to keep my eyes on you.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Proverbs 19; Proverbs 20; Proverbs 21; Romans 13 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Romans 13:11–14 But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing!

Observation:

This is a repeat theme in scripture—getting overly concerned about this life and the accumulation of stuff. Building our house upon the sand. Letting the weeds (cares) of this world choke out our effectiveness.

Paul reminds me again in this passage that this life isn’t all there is. He warns me not to focus entirely on this life, but to keep an ear open to what God is doing, and how he wants me to participate in his grand plan for eternity. God’s work has eternal value and will last forever!

Application:

Listen to what God is saying. Be in tune with the Spirit today. Be willing to hold things loosely so I don’t get encumbered with the cares of this world and miss out on the most important things of all.

Prayer:

Father God, how can I join you today in your eternal purposes?

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Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 6; 2 Chronicles 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Romans 4:18 When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he would do.
Vs 19 Abraham didn’t focus on his own impotence and say, “It’s hopeless.

Observation:

Abraham encountered a hopeless time where it looked like things would NOT work out. So what did he do? Even though he had no power to do anything, he still believed that God would do what he said he would do.

Application:

Don’t focus on the hopelessness of my situation. Focus on the power of God to act on my behalf.

Prayer:

Father God, I’m looking to you today to perform great and mighty things in my life and through me, as I trust you to do it.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Job 17; Acts 24, 25, 26

Scripture Focus:

Job 17:1 “My spirit is broken,
My days are extinguished,
The grave is ready for me.

Are not mockers with me?
And does not my eye dwell on their provocation?

Observation:

Job is in a world of hurt—no doubt—and his “friends” aren’t helping him one bit. As he feels beaten down and ready to die, he admits that he’s dwelling on the provocation of his mocking friends. All he can think about is what his friends are saying, and they’re not a positive influence for him, not a good place to dwell.

Application:

My circumstances are what they are, but I must always choose to dwell on the truth, on God’s promises, and on his presence, for he is surely with me, even in the darkest hour.

Prayer:

Father God, may I sense your presence with me through today’s circumstances. May I listen to your Spirit’s leading and guiding as I lead and guide my company today.

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Today’s bible Reading: Job 6, 7, 8; Acts 12

Scripture Focus:

Job 7:7 Oh, remember that my life is a breath!
My eye will never again see good.

Observation:

Job has been dealt a mighty blow. Everything and everyone of value to him have been taken away. As he sits and bemoans this fact with his friends, he makes this observation: “My eye will never again see good.”

Those of us who have read the end of the story know this isn’t true. God abundantly blesses Job when this period of suffering is over, but at this point in his life, Job can’t imagine how that could ever be true.

Application:

When I’m in the middle of a hard situation, my perspective tends to skew my attitude. It’s hard to see beyond my current circumstances and maintain a positive, trusting attitude.

Even John the Baptist, when he was in prison, sent to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah, or should we look for someone else?”

This is where faith comes in. Later, in Job 13:15, Job is able to come to the point where he says, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.”

Prayer:

Father God, I so often feel like I’m a victim of my circumstances. Help me to look beyond the circumstances and know that you love me and have my life in your hands, no matter how I feel right now.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Isaiah 11,12,13,14; Hebrews 9

Scripture Focus:

Isaiah 11:1–3 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
His delight is in the fear of the LORD . . .

Observation:

These two verses are commonly thought to be a prophecy concerning the Messiah, which was to be a direct descendant of David (whose father was Jesse). According to the New Testament, Jesus came as the Messiah, the Son of God.

It seems fitting that the Spirit of the LORD would rest upon HIm, and the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might and knowledge, but the fear of the LORD?

Then Isaiah repeats it: His delight is in the fear of the LORD . . .

Why would Jesus need to have the fear of the LORD if he was God incarnate? Not only does he have it, he delights in the fear of the LORD.

This phrase, “fear of the LORD,” has been piquing my curiosity for some time now. I’m not sure I totally understand what it means. I would like to do a word study on it.

Application:

I’ve always thought that the fear of the LORD meant to have a healthy respect for God. Whenever God appears to people in the Bible, he has to tell them NOT to be afraid, because he is so awe inspiring. Perhaps it means more to truly understand who God is. That would seem consistent with “delighting” in the fear of the LORD.

Whatever the exact nuances, I want it. Proverbs 1:7 says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Arthur Pink has a short little exposition of this verse regarding the fear of the Lord. It is worth reading.

Prayer:

Father God, may I learn the fear of the LORD and delight in it.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Hosea 13,14; Psalms 100,101,102; Hebrews 5

Scripture Focus:

Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.

Observation:

This is so simple. I love it! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Can you feel the joy in this verse? I get the picture of a little child skipping along and singing at the top of her voice, just as happy as can be!

Application:

I need more joy in my life. One way to get it is to simply serve God with gladness. Also to come into his presence and sing. Lighten up a bit.

Prayer:

Ah, Lord God, you are worthy to praise in song and to serve with gladness!

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Today’s Bible Reading: Amos 7,8,9; Psalms 104; Titus 2

Scripture Focus:

Psalm 104: 33-34 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
May my meditation be sweet to Him;
I will be glad in the LORD.

Observation:

God likes us to sing songs of praise to him. In Psalm 104 the psalmist says he will sing praises to God as long as he lives. This isn’t something we do as a child in Sunday School. This is something the old and the young get to do forever!

I love the phrase, “May my meditation be sweet to Him.” And the psalmist makes a conscious decision to be glad in the Lord.

Application:

I have a choice what I will allow myself to meditate on. Will I be worried, distracted, anxious today? Or will I meditate sweetly on God as I go about my duties today. It helps to sing songs of praise. Maybe that’s why the psalmist declares he will sing songs to the Lord as long as he lives. It’s hard to be desperate or scattered or upset when the thoughts you think and the songs you sing put God in his rightful place—in Control.

When my kids were little and I taught Sunday School, I used to turn Bible verses into little songs that made them easier to remember. I did that today with these two verses from Psalm 104, and it immediately gave me a feeling of calm.

Prayer:

Father God, you’re in control today. That’s worth singing about!

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Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Kings 13,14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3

Scripture Focus:

2 Chronicles 25:1–2 Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a loyal heart.

2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.

Observation:

It’s quite possible to do the right thing without having a right heart. It looks pretty good to people around us, but God knows the heart.

Application:

This theme is repeated often in Scripture—probably because we need to hear it often. So, Linda, how’s your heart?

Prayer:

Father God, keep my heart tender toward you. When I stray, for we all stray, may the loyalty in my heart soon turn back to you.

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