Primary Source

An Eternal King Promised

Jeremiah 27:1-22

Reflection: Primary Source

What “voices” are you listening to each day?

In what way do you struggle with worry and fear?

Think of three ways you can dwell on God’s promises-instead of what you fear-today?

This reflection made me think about all of the technology that we are inundated with today. You can find the most vulgar and disgusting images imaginable on the internet. The world is so different than it was when I was a child. I am concerned for my daughters and what the future holds for them. We are constantly bombarded with images of destruction and desolation around the world and sometimes in our own neighborhoods. These images often remove us from the reality of our own live s and cause us to see more bad in the world than good. It seems like an uphill battle that we may never win. But when I read the title of today’s reflection :Primary Source,  it gave me some perspective.  What we are reading and experiencing in our world today is a form of plagiarism. This is not the life that God intended for us. We are not here to worry about all of the evil in the world because to do so insinuates that God is not the author and finisher of our faith. Why should I commit myself to reading and studying the word of God and then spend the remainder of the day worrying about what bad thing will happen next? I trust him to do everything that he promised. We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in his Holy Word, he never failed me yet.   We can’t turn around so we may as well trust him. I’m changing the voices that I listen to. Rather than CNN I’m tuning in to the gospel Channel. When I hear something negative on the radio, I turn on my gospel playlist on Pandora. Don’t like what I’m reading in the paper? I go to Hebrews 2:2 where I can “fix  my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (NIV).” The negative images and bad news make good headlines, but there are just as many people doing good. Yes, I know that in these uncertain times I will continue to struggle with the negativity of the world, but I know that if I change the station, I can dwell on the word of God and his promises.

Related Readings

2 Kings 24:8-17

Psalms 27:1-3; 94:19

Philippians 4:4-9

The Sin of the People

The Sin of the People

Read 1 Ezekiel 20:5-26

Reflection: Hard Truth  (Ezekiel 22:17-22)

1. How do you think suffering can strengthen your relationship with God?
2. Have you experienced pain that drew you closer to God?
3. What would it be like for you to embrace the difficult things of your life today-physical pain, a strained relationship or a major disappointment-as part of God’s redemptive work in you?

I never really knew what it felt like when God poured out his wrath upon you. I have always considered myself to be saved. I was baptized when I was seven and have always belonged to one church or another. But I have only recently developed a relationship with God. It is only recently that I began to grow and mature by fasting and praying daily. Before, if I was going through something I would worry about how things would turn out, or even try to alter the outcome in my “favor”. I may get angry or even lash out, but it never felt like God was angry at me. I didn’t direct my dissatisfaction towards him, nor did I pray about it. I tried to fix it myself. Now, it just feels different. This situation feels like an attack; a storm that has arisen out of nowhere; without any warning. I have gone to God prayerfully today asking what I should do now. Not just for my own sake but for those around me who are in pain and turmoil. I believe that I have seen the wrath of God. I do not know its cause or place of origin; I just know that it hurts like nothing I have ever experienced before. The thing is, now I know that God is the only one who can fix this. When I looked around and saw the anguish of the people over a situation that was out of their control, I asked God why? How could this happen to a group of people who do so much good for so many people even when they are struggling themselves?  In response to today’s reflection, it is so appropriate for this time, but it must be meant for someone else because I am at a loss for words. I realize that we must go through painful things to get closer to God, but this pain is so new and fresh that I cannot begin to say how I will grow from it. I can only pray that growth is possible for me and those around me and that the devastation of certain events is not so severe that someone who is just beginning their walk with Christ is unable to recover from it.

There was a passage in today’s reflection that read: ”God loves what he created but he will pour out his righteous wrath as a reflection of that love. Sin alters the created order so significantly that it leads to the sickness, disease, sadness, stress and fatigue that we experience. ” But…”suffering can point us to God’s power to console and redeem.” I pray that as we are melting in this fiery furnace of God’s wrath that we are recreated in his image and become newer, stronger creatures who are able to reflect Gods transforming love to the world. God's wrath is one of those hard truths that we must live with, but his Grace is Amazing.

Related Readings

Psalm 103: 1-22

Zechariah 7:8-14

Revelation 20:1-14

Why Do The Wicked Prosper?

Many Kings Fail

Read Jeremiah 1-17

Reflection: Why do the Wicked Prosper?

1.   What situation has caused you to wonder why the wicked prosper?
2. When you’re tempted to question God’s actions, what steps can you take to remember his wisdom?
3. What assurances do you have that God will render his justice one day?

Lately it seems that the prosperity of the wicked is more and more short lived on earth. With today’s twenty-four hour news cycle we very quickly hear about those who swindle the poor out of their hard earned savings, sell drugs to those who are most vulnerable and shoot maim and kill innocent children. I rarely watch the news anymore because it is so disheartening. I saw a story on the news last night about the Taliban hunting down a fourteen year old Pakistani girl on the bus and shooting her in the head because she desires that she and her female peers receive an education. These people will be brought to justice. When I do see these people, flying in their private jets, living an opulent lifestyle on the backs of others, I simply think about my father’s riches in Heaven. When I see the wicked prosper, I know that what they consider prosperity is not why we are here. I don’t become envious, or desirous of what they have because I know that if they are wicked, their wickedness will be revealed and God will deal with deal with them accordingly. I am always amazed by things that I thought would destroy me, and that were meant for my destruction by others were turned into a blessing. And those who sought to prosper from my suffering lost everything. That is why I know God is the only Justice in the world. He’s over every State, Federal, District and Circuit court. When I see the wicked prosper, I just sit back and watch God go to work, in my life and theirs. Just when they think they have reached the pinnacle of success, God reminds them that He is still the giver of all prosperity and if you soul is not alright it doesn't matter how many things you have, how big your house is, how much money you have in the bank, where your kids go to school or what kind of car you drive. THESE THINGS DO NOT EQUAL PROSPERITY.  You see, for me prosperity is in the eye of the beholder. What the world sees as prosperity may be a mask for the strife and turmoil that is going on in that person’s soul. I don’t believe that the wicked can prosper. They may give that appearance, for a while. But eventually, no crime, wicked thought or deed will go unpunished. God said so in Luke 18:7-8 “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” So I don’t worry about the prosperity of others, nor their justice because I know that God’s got it. 

Related Readings

Job 21: 7-21;

Psalms 73:1-28

Proverbs 11:21-23

Are You Listening?

The People Demand a King

Read 1 Samuel 8:1-22

Reflection: Are You Listening? 1 Samuel 3:10

1. What are some things that drown out God’s voice for you? What makes it difficult for you to be still in God’s presence?
2. Are personal sins blocking you from hearing God’s voice? Take time to confess any wrongs you have committed and ask God to cleanse you.
3. Read Psalm 84 to prepare you to spend some time in God’s Presence.

Life, Life is what keeps me from doing what I know I should for God. My noisy, busy life is in constant competition; always trying to get the floor. It seems that I am just too, too busy. First, I have to work, then the kids need me, my husband is next in line, and then if there is anything left, I will take some for myself. And then the phone rings; dishes need to be washed; laundry folded.  I recently took a vacation and stopped all of my data. I wanted to take a vacation. When I returned, I had ONE HUNDRED and NINETY emails, and that is just on one account. It seems that daily, the needs of those around me are more than I have time to give. It seems that everything and everyone needs me all at the same time. Maybe it’s just me, but I thought that technology and all of the modern inventions of industrialized society were supposed to make life easier. Instead, I am always bogged down and occasionally overwhelmed with all that I have to do in a day’s work. I promised the Lord that I was going to read DAILY for just thirty days, reflect DAILY and blog DAILY about my reflections. I must admit that it has been a challenge. I have been able to read and reflect, but many of the blogs remain in my head. I am trying to get them out. One thing that I have to do is stop beating myself up. I believe that God knows my heart. I did find encouragement in a passage that I read the other day. It simply said, “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that I have that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may not know about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and will never leave me to face my perils alone (Thomas Merton).”  I think this is the point of our busy lives. It is there to remind us of God’s grace. Even when we don’t keep our promises He is faithful and always in our presence, waiting patiently for us to return to his presence. When my busy life tries to drown out the voice of God, I just say the name Jesus (selah) and I know that he is with me.  And I have found that when I put Him first, the rest of the day seems much easier, and less busy. 

Related Readings:

Psalms 84: 1-12; 86:1-17

Matthew 5:8

John 10:1-6 

Deborah The Sabra

Cycles of Disobedience

Read Judges 2:10-19 and Judges 4-5

Reflection: Deborah The Sabra

1.   Who among your friends are most like the prickly pear cactus (tough on the outside but sweet on the inside)?
2.    In what ways are you sometimes sharp on the outside yet sweet on the inside?
3.  Spend some time praying that God would soften your edges. Pray for the friends in your life, asking God to strengthen them when necessary and sweeten them when needed.

This week’s reflection compares the name given to today’s Israelites to the prickly pear cactus, tough on the outside yet sweet on the inside. This analogy applies to so many people in my life, including me. I will not place the blame on any of my friends; many times I am the prickly pear. This gives me empathy for the times that they are difficult; I completely get it.  I had never really seen myself this way, but I have more and more lately uttered the words, "I have zero tolerance for....(fill in the blanks)".   It seems that today’s woman is tough skinned. We have to have that exterior that protects us in the work place. Many of us are driven to get ahead and in order to do that, we have developed this thick skin, this impenetrable outer layer that allows only our closest allies inside. It has become a means of survival in today’s world. I sometimes feel myself preparing for a meeting and getting all girded up because I know that I will have to present some defense. I am not defensive, just prepared for anything that may come my way. I know that I have to be better prepared and more efficient  than my counterparts. Maybe I am misguided, but in many ways, I have learned that this is what is expected and the “catch more flies with honey” analogy does not always fly in the workplace if you want to be taken seriously as a professional. This, coupled with my natural tendency toward introversion,  occasionally creates a barrier to me becoming close to people that I do not know. Sometimes in life, it is necessary to be the prickly pear, all the while maintaining that inner sweetness. I ask God to soften my edges, thorns and barbs when necessary, allowing some of the sweetness to seep out, and not allow me to bring my cactus skin home with me so that I can be a more loving wife, mother and friend.

Donnie McClurkin "Search Me, Lord"

Related Readings

Exodus 15:20-21

Isaiah 51:3

Ephesians 6:18 

Loving the Alien

Punishments for Sin Under Law

Read Leviticus 20:7-27 

“When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”

Reflection: Loving the Alien

1. Have you ever felt like an alien because of your love for Christ?
2. Have you ever treated someone like an alien because they didn’t look, dress or behave as you do? How has this devotional changed your mind and heart?
3. Who in your sphere of influence is alienated from God? How can you apply the Golden Rule to help them see God in a new Light?

Fortunately, I have never been discriminated against as a Christian. I think this is something that we have taken for granted in America because we have such a freedom to practice as God leads us. This could be very different if we lived in another part of the world. Thank God that we are able to be unapologetically Christian in this country. I have recently become a surrogate mother to a girl in our neighborhood. She goes to school with my children and is often unsupervised for hours. I have found this disturbing. Her mother is not on drugs, she is just oblivious that sometimes parenting requires undivided attention. The girl is a handfull; she talks non-stop and constantly craves attention. She has a smart mouth and has never learned any manners.  My first inclination is to turn away from her; send her home each time she gets out of line. This devotional has made me look at her differently. She craves attention because she has never had any. She doesn't have any manners becasue she has never been taught any. Instead of being one more grown up who judges her for being out of place, perhaps I can make a difference in her life. I was just about to give up on her and tell her to stay at home, but when I consider the alternative, I just can't do it. I recently talked to her about personal safety, doing homework, hygeine and minding your manners when you are a guest in other people's homes. My husband told her that she can come over after school but only after she has informed an adult of her whereabouts and that she has to bring her school work to participate in study time. She has eaten with us for the past three days instead of, as she says , having Pop Tarts for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  We read daily about children becoming statistics, kidnapped, dropping out of school, becoming unwed mothers. Maybe if they hadn't been treated as aliens by every adult in their life, things would have been different. What I have learned from this devotional is that it is easy to treat people kindly when they are the same as us; the difficulty arises when they are aliens. If I was to go to a different country, church, city, planet; if I became an alien, I hope that someone would treat me as their native born. Thank you God for giving us The Law, by which we know what is required of us to be saved.

Heart Troublers

Devotional: Heart Troublers- Read the full devotional here: New Women's Devotional Bible

Read Exodus 20: 1-17

When the people saw the thunder and the lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses”Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Reflection:

1.      Have you ever found yourself fearing God in the way the Israelites feared him at Mt. Sinai?

2.      How does the fear of the Lord keep you from sinning, as God said to Moses?

3.      What “Heart Trouble” are you experiencing right now? Turn to God in trust and ask Him to perform his good work on your behalf.

Related Readings:

               Proverbs 1:1-7

               Proverbs 3: 5-6

               Luke 18:18-27

Sometimes I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach. I am just worrying and worrying. Did I do this right? Did I say something wrong? When am I going to have peace from this worrying? Am I a good mother, wife, sister, friend? I don’t know if this is fear, but maybe it is. Maybe it is the fear of being judged, not by man, but by God. Am I going to be in the number? But then, when I read today’s reflection and the passage from Exodus, I thought to myself…my fear is a good thing. I always hear people (me included) saying that they don’t care what people think of them. It’s alright to say that. I think what we mean is we make difficult decisions in our lives that people who are on the outside looking in have no idea how anguished  we were over those decisions. They have no stake in the outcome of these decisions, but they always want to put their two cents in. They want you to leave your spouse, but where are they when you can’t sleep at night, pay your bills or comfort your ailing child? They want you to put your child on the street. They can’t remember that they were Hell on wheels during their teenage years, too. They want you to quit your job because your coworkers are "getting on your nerves". Can they pay their bills and yours too? Can you move in with them and their family when you get evicted? They want to be involved in all of the decisions concerning you and yours so that they can watch you suffer and fall apart while they turn their back and go on living their lives.

So, No, I don’t care what these people think. They can give opinions, advice, or whatever it is that they have to give, but they are not God. And in the end I care what He thinks. I think that this is why I have that feeling in my stomach. I want Him to be happy with me. I want him to go down the list: Did she have any other Gods before Me? No. Check.  Did she make idols? No. Check . Did she misuse my name? Keep the Sabbath Holy? Honor her Father and Mother? Commit murder, adultery, theft? Give false testimony? Covet her neighbor’s husband, house, poolboy, maidservant, and car? Check, check, check check….

I guess I don’t care what people think, but I DO care what God thinks. And because I know what He has commanded me to do and who He has commanded me to be, I am fearful.  

He Breaks Us to Make Us

A People For God:

Read Genesis 28:10-15; 32:22-28

So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." 

Reflection: He Breaks Us to Make Us

1. Describe the times you have wandered from God and how you sensed him relentlessly seeking you?
2. How has God broken you physically, emotionally, or spiritually? What was the result?
3. God is a good shepherd; thank him for his care for you even when you don’t understand his methods.

The question would be how many times have I wandered from God? I spent so many years running away; sometimes I wonder how he caught me. In my adult life, I have been a member of three churches. I joined the first church because I felt drawn to it. I drove past it many times on my way to the club and I always thought, one Sunday morning I will go there. I stopped in, and joined but I didn’t really feel connected. After a while I just stopped going. I visited the second church on New Year’s Eve with my family. I visited for a while and then I joined. Most of my family belonged there. I really enjoyed my experience there. The pastor was quite amazing (and still is). I just didn’t feel connected. I stopped going and I stayed away from church for many years. I still read my Bible and listened to my gospel music. I prayed and all the while I kept telling myself that I needed a church home, but made excuse after excuse for why I just didn’t fit anywhere. I began visiting churches. I didn’t say much to anyone because I didn’t want to feel the pressure to join a church. I prayed and told myself that this time I would wait on God. There was nothing wrong with any of the churches that I had visited. I was touched by the most amazing words, sermons and songs. But then something happened. I had a school assignment where I had to research what a loving church would look like. Through my research I discovered the United Church of Christ. I discovered what they believed and I began to see that their beliefs were in line with what I believed. God loves us all, equally. I realized that the connection was between me and God. Denominationalism is of man; it doesn't matter what church I am a member of. God Reigns over the body of Christ. And He is still speaking. He has a place for us all in his Kingdom and he will not judge.  It is only when we are still and listening that we can not only hear him,but be obedient to his message.Thank you, Lord, for being a Shepherd to me and taking care of me when I did not understand your methods. 

Bishop Joseph Warren Walker, III Mt. Zion Baptist Church Nashville TN

Related Readings

Psalms 23: 51:15-17

James 1:2-5

1 Peter 4:12-14

Day One: Genesis 7: 1-24

UPDATE: For the sake of clarity, the devotionals will be taken from the passage that we are reading.

 These are personal reflections. In essence, this is about you and your relationship with Christ. I understand that placing your heart on a blog may not feel comfortable to everyone, so please comment as you feel comfortable. If you just want to keep your own personal journal that is OK. God will be pleased with that. Spirit Quest is just that- Your own personal journey with God, so please share as you see fit knowing that your reflections may be an inspiration to someone who is struggling with the very thing that God has already brought you through.

Read Genesis 7: 1-24The Lord Said to Noah, “Go into the Ark, you and your family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.” 


Reflection:

1. In the face of a flood, who would you take into the Ark?
2. How are you preparing for the inevitable storms of life?
3. Has God Commanded you to do things that may seem foolish to others? In what ways are you obeying Him? 

Related Readings:

•  Hebrews 11:1-16 
•  1 Peter 3:13-22 
•  2 Peter 11-18 

This seems like a no-brainer. Of course in a terrible storm you would bring your closest loved ones- your parents, brothers and sisters, maybe some cousins. In the course of my life, I really hadn't thought about this seriously. After my friends and loved ones, I would think of the people I didn't want to go, but then I thought that the people I don't want to go are the primary ones who should be there. What if someone else wanted to keep me off of their Ark? Who would include or exclude you from their Ark? Are there people in your life who challenge you? Would you take them or just the people that you get along with and have easy relationships with? God chose Noah because he was righteous. So I would trust him on this. If he chose me, I would not assume that I was the only chosen one; whoever gets on that boat is there for God's purpose. 

I have done so many things that may seem foolish to others, but I have always felt guided. I do not wear my heart on my sleeve or always share with those close to me what I am thinking or feeling. I understand that this lack of explanation may be frustrating to those who love me, but I have always had God as a guiding force in my life and am fully aware that things I do that may seem foolish to others have already been blessed by God. Obeying the word can be difficult because people often cause me to question the very thing that I feel God has already told me to do. Have you ever done something and said to yourself, “what will people think about that? What will they say?” For me this is what makes it difficult. It is only when I drown out everyone else’s voice that I am able to stop caring about what they think I should be doing and I go ahead with God’s vision- as foolish as it may seem to others.

 “There are some things you learn best in calm and some in storm.” Willa Cather

"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning to sail my ship"  Louisa May Alcott

"It's Gonna Rain" The Sensational Nightingales