September 2009 Archives

Luke 10:38-42 and John 11:17-37

Responding like Martha can be a good thing. Today, we're focusing on the positive Martha. She gets a bad rap with the whole worry thing (see Luke 10:38). John 11:17-27 shows us that worry and anxiety were not drivers for Martha. Those things just show she was human.

As we get to this passage in Luke, Lazarus has died and Martha, family and friends are in the mourning process. Jesus arrives and a dialogue between Jesus and Martha follows that is simple, but powerful. Martha's words and actions are revealing. She's not despondent or depressed. Instead, we see confidence, trust and hope in Jesus.

Reading this passage made me think about my mom dying just 2 months ago and losing my dad 10 years ago--both situations were really tough but Christ was my anchor. He alone gave me the hope to work through those sad, difficult times--just like Martha.

So whatever you're experiencing today--death, debt, divorce, loneliness (you filll in the blank) I encourage you to hold fast to God and the hope only He provides. Tami W.

P.S. Can we pray for you? Send us your prayer request and we'll take it to the Lord with you.

John 20:1-18

How's your family life? Today (Tuesday) we find ourselves at the Garden Tomb. Towards the end of our passage (John 20:1-18) there is this wonderful exchange between Mary Magdalene and Jesus. Now I particularly like verse 17 because of Jesus' words. He tells Mary to deliver this message to the disciples--that He is returning to "My Father and your father, to my God and your God." Two words (one word really, just used twice) communicated to me loud and clear. It was the word "your." Jesus saying "your Father" and "your God" told me unequivocally that I am a part of God's family.

So how do you see yourself fitting into this family? Do you feel like you're immediate or more like a distant relative? Regardless of your answer, what are some ways we can continue to work on having and keeping an intimate relationship with the Lord? Tami W.

An amazing example of submission and praise from a truly AMAZING woman! Well, we're entering our final week on the "Amazing Women of the Bible" and today (Monday) we're looking at Mary, the mother of Jesus. I love reading this account (Luke 1:26-56) because I absolutely love Mary's responses, both to the angel and then a short while later when she is with Elizabeth.

Have you ever received unexpected news that wasn't the best? (You get a call in the middle of the night and find out that a loved one has been in a terrible car accident or you take your car in for some routine work and instead of a $50 bill you find out that you need a complete overhaul that will cost you big bucks).Think about how that made you feel and how you reacted.

Now think about Mary. Those situations I described pale in comparison to her news. Yes, it was incredible that she had been chosen by God to be Jesus' mother, but remember, she wasn't married and in this time and culture that could mean death. So what is Mary's response? Submission and then incredible praise in verses 46-56, sometimes referred to as Mary's "Magnificat."

So what will it take for us to be able to respond like Mary--to submit and then praise fully and without reservation when we find ourselves in a difficult situation that may not be a product of choosing? Was there anything in these passages that you found helpful or encouraging? Tami W.

Esther 9:20-10:3

Don't underestimate God's tactics. This is our last day in Esther and as I looked back and considered this book, I saw clearly how God always works out His plan in His way (even though it may not always make sense to us). There were a number of players in this story, but did you notice that a couple of the major players (the king and Haman) didn't even acknowledge God as their God? You see, God can and does use anyone He pleases to fulfill His plans and purposes. That was a good reminder for me and something that would be beneficial for me to keep in the forefront of my memory.

So how can knowing that God can and does use people that don't follow or acknowledge Him help us as we go about life? Can it help us in our prayer lives? And, if God chooses to use someone who doesn't follow Him to accomplish something mighty, what does that tell us about how He can use you and me to make an impact and difference for Him? Tami W.

Esther 8:15-9:19

Wrestling with Esther. I struggle with a few things in Esther 8:15-9:19. This was undoubtedly a time for happiness and joy for the Jews. After all, their "death sentence" was basically overturned, so joy and celebration are definitely in order. The actions that follow, however, are hard for me to grasp. If I'm reading this correctly, between 75,000-76,000 people were killed by the Jews and Esther is the primary person getting permission for this to happen. It just kind of blows my mind.

So I wrestled with this for a while and here's where I landed. There are going to be things in the Bible that I don't fully comprehend. So when that happens, I should do my best to make sense of it (That could mean going to a Commentary and/or looking at other Scriptures, and most definitely that I ask God to give me understanding.). I may not figure it all out on my first attempt, or even the second or third time I read it. But here's the thing--the more I'm in the Word, the more opportunity I have to comprehend what God has for me in my Bible reading.

Well, I have to tell you that as I worked on today's passage I did make some progress in my comprehension. Even so, I still have some questions and that's alright because I'm confident that God will show me more next time. So what about you? How did you work through Esther 8:15-9:19? Any insights you want to share? Tami W.

The right approach can mean everything--and Esther nailed it! Was Esther amazing or what in Esther 6:14-8:14? She handled herself so well. She knew exactly what to say, when to say it and how to say it. And, her attitude was right on target as well--she didn't whine and she wasn't obnoxious or pushy. I couldn't help but think Go Esther!!

So how can we make the most out of Esther's example? Is there something Esther did or maybe didn't do that could help us at work? With family? With our spouse? How about with God? Tami W.

P.S. I've been in Washington D.C. at some meetings for National Religious Broadcasters the last couple of days (I'm traveling back to Nebraska today). We went to Mount Vernon, George Washington's residence, and I thought you might like to see a couple of pictures I snapped from my cell phone. It was a wonderful tour and a good reminder for me of what a God fearing and God loving man our first President was.

From Mount Vernon

From Mount Vernon

Esther 5:9-6:13

God definitely has a sense of humor! Today's (Thursday's) passage is probably my favorite part of the book of Esther. Up to this point, the storyline has been fairly involved and you may have found yourself thinking What in the world is going on here? But then today, just like the plot of a good book or movie, everything starts to fit together. The irony of the situation really begins to unfold, for both Haman and Mordecai. (Can you imagine the emotional pendulum both of these men were experiencing?)

So what does Esther 5:9-6:14 (really all of Esther thus far) show us about God's involvement in the details of our lives? What about trusting God? Let me hear from you!! Tami W.

Esther 4:1-5:8

Esther wasn't perfect. She missed the mark--at least initially. I was kind of relieved to see in Esther 4:1-5:8 that even though Esther is one of those "amazing" women in the Bible, she wasn't flawless. When Mordecai's request for Esther to go before the king and plead for the Jewish people reaches Esther, did you notice how "human" her reaction was? Her first concern is her and how she could lose her life if she approached the king uninvited. But then, after some wise words and a little prompting from Mordecai, that "amazing" part of Esther shows up and she shines.

So here are a couple of things to think about today. First, how important is it for us to have a Christian support system (friends and/or family)? And second, what does Esther's falter in her initial response tell us about us? And, what should we do when we don't respond "perfectly"? Tami W.

Esther 2:19-3:15

The plot thickens--for the worse. As we move into Esther 3, things really start to change in a very scary way for Esther and the Jews. We're introduced to Haman, the king's highest appointed official, and he is truly a bad egg. Haman is arrogant, egotistical, prideful, haughty...need I go on? Basically Haman's attitudes and actions are in complete contrast to anything we see in Esther.

My intention was to write more on Esther today (Tuesday) but I couldn't get Haman out of my mind. "Haman was filled with fury" (3:6) because Mordecai wouldn't bow down to him. Chapter 3 really lays out Haman's unchecked anger and pride in full swing. Nothing but sinful, wicked behavior came out of it.

Now I'd like to tell you that I can't relate to Haman, but that wouldn't be true. I have certainly acted poorly in anger and pride. So how can we use what we saw here in Esther 3 to keep our pride and anger in check? Tami W.

Esther 2:1-18

Not a situation we'd choose. If you're familiar with the story of Esther, you know that she ends up being queen. Now that may sound nice, but have you ever really thought about all that happened to Esther to get to that point? Think about it. Esther is a young, virgin girl who is taken (forced) from her home and family and made to be part of the king's harem. Talk about a frightening, intimidating and humiliating situation. Yet Esther's conduct was impressive in this less than optimal situation. Esther didn't question God, she didn't sulk and pout, she wasn't even difficult to get along with. Impressive. What I saw was Esther trusting God and completely surrendering to His will in and through her circumstances.

So how can we be more like Esther when it comes to accepting, surrendering and submitting to what God has for us? How about when we don't understand our circumstances or someone else caused them? Tami W.

Esther 1

Another amazing woman, only this time with a different storyline and situation. Esther is our newest amazing woman here on Powered by 4 and also on Back to the Bible this coming week. However, Esther doesn't make an appearance in chapter 1. Instead we get background information of what led up to Esther becoming queen.

Now I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to get out of this chapter since Esther wasn't in the picture yet. But I ended up coming away with a bunch. This chapter was full of examples of actions, activities and attitudes that would be wise to avoid because they did nothing but lead to problems. And it wasn't limited to just one person either. Vashti, Xerxes, the king's advisers and friends all made poor decisions and acted on them.

So did you notice this as well? Was there a particular bad example that stood out to you? The one biggie for me was how Xerxes allowed his emotions, in this case his anger, to drive his actions. One bad decision just led to another. Emotions are just part of life. So how can we work on not letting emotions like anger or even something like discouragement get in and negatively influence our decisions? Tami W.

A little detour--to the Caribbean. Our scheduled reading for the day is Proverbs 31 to go along with our "Amazing Women of the Bible" series. This is a wonderful Proverb and I encourage you to read it over and think through the questions that came with your email.

With that said, I'm going to take a one day detour to Psalm 95:1-7. The week of Labor Day, my husband and I went on vacation to the Cayman Islands. My batteries were running on low so I was looking forward to some time away with my sweet hubby. Jeff and I are scuba divers and that was the whole focus of this vacation. So I expected the diving to be great and it was--actually it was incredible. But I didn't expect to experience God so incredibly through my dives. Let me explain. I completed 14 dives during the week and every time I descended into that aqua blue water, I was acutely aware of God---His power, His creation and its beauty and how much He cares for and loves all of it (especially us). So there I was, swimming along in my own little world, praising God like crazy. It absolutely recharged me. (Thank you, Lord!!!)

So I'll leave you with this. Take a look at your weekend and consider how you might recharge with God. Is there someplace you're going or something you're doing that could give you that opportunity? Tami W.

P.S. I posted a few photos from our dives. It's not the same as being there in the water, but hopefully it'll give you a taste of the experience.

Having trouble viewing the slideshow? Here's a direct link to the photo album.

Ruth 4

Could Boaz have been an attorney? The way Boaz handled himself in Ruth 4 impressed me. He was respectful. He followed every rule. And even though he may have wanted to, he didn't take any shortcuts. I particularly liked the skillful way he presented the opportunity to redeem Naomi to the man who had the first right to redeem. (Thus my attorney comment coming from me, a fellow attorney.) Boaz was honorable, trustworthy and true to his word.

So how can we make sure we're approaching every situation with wisdom like Boaz? What can we learn from Boaz that might help us navigate through our life circumstances? Tami W.

Ruth 3:6-18

Our reactions are telling. How well do you receive and respond to instruction? Think about it because how we react says a lot about who we are. It can reveal pride or humility, confidence or cockiness. Ruth embraced the advice and instruction she received from Naomi. She didn't question Naomi. She didn't suggest some alternate plan. She just willingly and humbly accepted Naomi's instructions (even as odd as they probably sounded) and them carried them out with confidence. I find that amazing because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have responded that way.

So you know where I'm going with this--we need to think about how well we take instruction from God. Proverbs 12:15 says "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." So if we're not living Ruth's example and the words of Proverbs 12:15 when it comes to God's Word (our instruction manual), how can we start moving in that direction? Tami W.

Ruth 2:17-3:5

Protector and Provider. So how are you liking Ruth so far? I'm loving reading and learning from this book, and in today's (Wednesday's) reading I especially enjoyed seeing how God was involved and in control of it all. In the second half of chapter 2 where Ruth returns home and tells Naomi all about her eventful day, it was so evident, as an outsider looking into this story, that God had Ruth and Naomi right in the middle of his hands, providing for and watching over them. Yet, I'm not entirely certain that at this point, either of them fully realized this yet.

What I then realized is that Ruth and Naomi aren't too different than I am at times. Do you ever find yourself making your plan, following it and when it's all said and done you step back, the light comes on and you're like Wow, God really took care of me here? Now I'm not saying that I don't know and recognize that God is in control; I'm just saying that there are times when I seem to have a memory lapse about the extent of His control and my complete need for Him.

So how can we work on this? What are some ways we can keep at the forefront that God has us covered and that we are really working His plan? Tami W.

Ruth 2:1-16

Above and beyond for others. Ruth's circumstances begin to change in chapter 2. She's now gone out to find work and food for her and Naomi and in doing so ends up in the fields owned by Boaz. As I took in the next scene in this story I continued to be impressed with the qualities displayed by Ruth (hard working, determined, humble, just to name a few). But as much as I was impressed with Ruth's example, I was even more impressed with that of Boaz. His response to Ruth and her circumstances went above and beyond the norm. He didn't just see Ruth and then go on about his business. He took note of a total stranger and her situation and needs, and then went out of his way help her.

So this got me thinking How many times have I had an opportunity to help someone like Ruth and failed to recognize it, or worse, recognized it but decided to let it go? We can't change how much we've helped others in the past, but we can, without a doubt, do a better job moving forward, even if we're not a wealthy person like Boaz (and some needs may not even be financial). So what can we do to be more tuned in to others and their needs? And once we're aware of a need, what then? Tami W.

Ruth 1

A servant's heart--to the core! Well we're back to our "Amazing Women of the Bible" series today (Monday) and now we've moved on to Ruth. We're actually going to spend the entire week in Ruth instead of just one day as we'll be doing that same thing on the Back to the Bible program. So make sure and check that out this week.

Ruth 1 really sets the stage for the story of Ruth. As I read I could totally get into what had happened and the circumstances facing Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi. But in just one chapter Ruth's "amazingness" is already shining through. She was loving, incredibly devoted and, here's the big one for me, more concerned with others than herself. All desirable qualities.

So the obvious question for me seemed to be, how can we be more like Ruth? How can we make sure that we're tuned into others and their needs, and then, how we should respond? Tami W.

P.S. We have a brand new study out on the Books of Ruth and Esther. Click the study image to find out more about it.

Proverbs 14:16-35

Fools. Folly. Foolishness Part II. We're back to Proverbs 14 and today (Sunday) is Part II on our topic of foolishness.

We all do foolish things. And some of us act this way more often than others. Proverbs 14 is pretty clear that foolishness is not desirable and doesn't bring about good results. So it would be wise of us to be aware of the when and whys of falling into this behavior.

So was there a verse or two that you recognized as describing you at one time or another? I could identify with verses 16, 17 and 29. Those all deal with getting angry, quick tempers and our reactions in those circumstances. I can have a pretty quick temper and there have been a number of times in my past where I let that urge get the best of me. So these verses are good reminders to me that I need to keep that urge in check. So once we recognize a verse or two that describe us, what should be do with that? What are some things we can do, practically, that will help us not fall into being and acting like foolish people? Tami W.

Proverbs 14:1-15

Fools. Folly. Foolishness. You'll find them all in Proverbs 14. Our reading for today (Saturday) is the first part of Proverbs 14 and then we finish chapter 14 tomorrow (Sunday). So I'm going to do a two part, single themed blog for this weekend.

As I read this chapter there was just so much being said directly and indirectly about fools, folly and foolishness. It's a predominant theme in this chapter and, have you noticed it's prevalent throughout other Proverbs as well?

So why do you think there's so much on this topic in chapter 14 and elsewhere in Proverbs? How do we take all this information and instruction and put it into use in our lives? Tami W.

P.S. Remember, this in only Part I on fools, folly and foolishness so make sure and come back tomorrow for Part II.

Genesis 29:1-20:24

My heart goes out to Leah. I have to admit that I just don't get the story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel. So as I read our passage (Genesis 29:1-30:24) I decided to not let myself get caught up (like I have in the past) in trying to figure out why God did what He did. Instead, I focused on Leah and tried to imagine being in her shoes.

Leah is married (which was important in this society and culture) but only because her father tricked Jacob. She has to share her husband with her sister, and her husband loves her sister--wait, her beautiful sister--more than her. Definitely a less than optimal situation. Yet all through this story I see faithfulness, in a couple of ways. Leah never gave up on God and God never left her side. Now there's something to hang on to.

Every single one of us has our own unique difficulties. And when circumstances get particularly tough, it's not too hard to start wondering if God is really there and in control. So what can we do now, today, so that we don't go down that road of wondering about God? How about some faith building tips? Do you have any, and if so, let's hear them. Tami W.

Genesis 24

An amazing man and chief servant. Ok, I know we just started our Amazing Women of the Bible series on BttB and P4 and Rebekah is our woman for the day, but it was the Abraham's chief servant who stole the show for me in Genesis 24. All through this chapter we see this servant (we aren't even told his name) tuned into God like crazy. Did you notice the genuine way he communicated with God through prayer and worship? God permeated everything this man did. I found myself thinking I want to be like him!

So if God permeating our life is the goal, let's talk about how we get there? Is there something that works well for you? Maybe a particular routine or just setting aside a certain time or place to meet with God? I'm guessing there are lots of different things that work, so share some of them with us. New and fresh ideas for growing our relationship with the Lord are always good. Tami W.

Exodus 1

We answer to God. Our amazing woman today (Wednesday) is Puah (check out today's BttB program on Puah). Are you thinking Puah, who's she? Because that was my initial reaction until I got into Exodus 1. Then I remembered that Puah and Shiphrah were midwives under Pharoah. So why was Puah so amazing? Well, her role in saving probably thousands (maybe more) of Israelite baby boys was certainly significant and would put her in that amazing category by itself. But the thing that clinches her being amazing for me is her complete desire to obey and answer to God. The instructions from Pharoah were clear--kill the Hebrew male babies. This wasn't a mere request. It was an order. So when Puah disobeyed Pharoah, she was putting her own life at risk. So why did she did she act this way? Verse 17 tells us she (actually both her and Shiphrah) "feared God."

So what does "fearing God" mean in this passage? Practically speaking, what does/should/can fearing God look like in our lives? Tami W.

Genesis 17:15-18:15 and Genesis 21:1-7

God got the last laugh. Sarah is our amazing woman of the day. Now if you're not too familiar with Sarah (actually Sarai until Genesis 17:15), she was the wife of Abraham. Both Abraham and Sarah were getting up there in age (Sarah was 90) and then God makes them a huge promise, that they would have descendants that would become nations. There was only one problem, the absence of a baby and Sarah was barren.

Did you notice both Sarah and Abraham laughed when God told them they would have a son? And Sarah's comments revealed doubt mixed with sarcasm. But as we'll see when we get to Genesis 21, nothing is too large for God. I love verse 1 where we're told that God was gracious to Sarah and that He kept His promise to her.

I can really relate to this story. You see, I've been right where Sarah was a few times in my life. How about you? Have you ever found yourself wondering and thinking God, what are doing here, I'm following You yet my life doesn't seem to make sense, or my life isn't going where I thought it would, or my life seems a little out of control? While I don't necessarily enjoy when I'm in one of those times, I love it when I can look back and see exactly how God was in control and how He orchestrated my life perfectly.

So what did you get out of Sarah's story today? Any "aha" moments concerning God's character or dealing with our doubts? Tami W.

Genesis 2:20-4:2

Amazing Women Here We Come!! Well we're kicking off a brand new 4-week series on Back to the Bible called The Amazing Women of the Bible. As always we'll be following right along in our P4 readings, and what better place to start then right at the beginning with Eve? Eve is known for sinning under the influence of Satan. But that's not the end of her story. God didn't set Eve aside because she sinned. He used her in a mighty way. Think about it. Without Eve we would never have gotten to Jesus.

So what does the story of Eve show us about God and our relationship with Him? Is there something we can take from Eve's story and put into practice in our own lives? Tami W.

P.S. Be encouraged today. God is the God of second chances.

Proverbs 13:13-25

The company we keep is important. How much do you think about who you hang out with? Proverbs 13:20 tells us "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." So this is pretty clear that we should give thought to who we select as friends and companions. When you think about it, this verse makes a lot of sense. The people we hang out with the most are going to have the most influence on us.

So how do we balance living out Proverbs 13: 20 but also getting out and spending time in the world (with sinners) to share Christ? How can we accomplish both and what might that look like? Tami W.

Proverbs 13:1-12

If we're not careful, our mouths can get us into trouble. So Proverbs 13:3 is going to be my verse for the day. Let me explain. Today (Saturday) is the first Nebraska football game. My husband and I are Husker fans and have season tickets. So I'm looking forward to going--except for one thing. There is a man that sits behind me that is over the top negative and tremendously verbal. Now I'm just going to be blunt here--HE GRATES ON MY NERVES BIG TIME and I find it enormously difficult to keep quiet. In fact, there have been a couple of times when I've failed in those efforts. :( So as you can see, I need to be prepared for attending the game.

Now we all get into situations where we're irritated and angry and want to let off some steam or fight back using words. That's where Proverbs 13:3 comes in because it cautions us about doing that. So how can we prepare in advance for these types of situations? Let's hear some thoughts on having a wise mouth and what that might look like. Tami W.

P.S. I want to be a godly example today. So if you have a minute, I could use your prayers. Thanks.

Luke 15:11-32

A not so familiar focus on a very familiar story. Our reading for the day is Luke 15:11-32 on the prodigal son. I'm guessing you know the story and have probably read or heard it a hundred times. But instead of looking at the younger son who messed up (I can certainly identify with him), I'm going to focus on a different person--the father. He really stands out to me. Talk about an example of forgiveness.

He was ready and eager to forgive even before his son returned and asked for it. The story portrays him as watching and waiting for an opportunity to forgive. He doesn't make any judgment calls. He doesn't ask for proof of repentance. He doesn't criticize. He doesn't set up some sort of probation. It's a picture of unconditional forgiveness coupled with persistent love and it's beautiful.

So if forgiving generously is our goal, any thoughts on where to start? What are some things that need to be in place in our lives for us to model this example? Tami W.

Mark 11:24-25 and Matthew 5:43-48

It doesn't come naturally. Jesus tells us to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) Have you ever tried to put this verse into practice?

Quite a few years and jobs ago I worked with a person that didn't particularly like me. As time went on it really started to bug me and I found myself not liking this person much. Then my pastor preached on Matthew 5, and I decided to give it a try with this person. Now I have to be honest, I wasn't overjoyed or excited to do this and I wasn't even sure how or what to pray for. But I ended up praying for this person's marriage and family, for our working relationship and that I could somehow be a godly example. Now I was expecting something to happen and it sure did. Just not quite like I thought. God showed me that I needed a heart adjustment where this person was concerned. (I love how God works.)

So in addition to getting our own hearts and attitudes in order, what are some other benefits of praying for and forgiving someone that we consider an adversary? Tami W.

P.S. If you have any examples or experiences in this area, we'd love to hear about them

Proactive--that's the word for the day! Two passages from Matthew today (Matthew 5:21-26 and Matthew 18:15-20). Both deal with anger and the need for forgiveness that follows, but they come at it from different sides. In one, (Matthew 5:21-26) we are the offender. In the other, someone has offended us. So, what do you think our responsibility is regarding forgiveness in these two circumstances? You guessed it. We're to take action in BOTH situations. We're to seek forgiveness for our own actions when it's necessary (see yesterday's blog), but we also need to deal with our offenders truthfully, candidly, lovingly, head on. This definitely has the potential to be uncomfortable or worse.

So what are some things we can do to prepare to navigate through one of these delicate situations? How can we get wisdom and discernment? How can we ensure our hearts and attitudes are right as well? Tami W.

Ephesians 4:17-32

I always enjoy being forgiven...but I don't always embrace being the forgiver. Can you relate? Okay, this may come as a surprise to some of you (NOT).But sometimes I speak harshly or out of turn, I react poorly or I realize (after the fact) that I've done something that offended or angered another person. (I know you know what I mean because we've always been there.) When that happens, we have a choice. We can push it aside and do nothing, or we can make it right by seeking forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32 tells us straight up to "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Pretty clearly our instructions are to make it right. But that can be hard, particularly if we need to be forgiven much.

So any thoughts on how we can get and keep a mindset of "making it right"? Any success stories on asking for forgiveness that might be beneficial to us? Or has someone asked you for forgiveness in a way that could be helpful for us to know about and replicate? Tami W.