“He (David) said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers houses of the Levites, sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.” 1 Chronicles 15:12-13, NKJV

As David was established as king over Israel, it was his heart’s desire to bring the ark of God back to Jerusalem. He gathered together all of the leaders to discuss it with them, and then announced to all of Israel that “if it seemed good to them” they would go and bring back the ark. All the people agreed as it was “right in their eyes.” So they gathered together, placed the ark on a new cart, which was pulled by oxen and driven by Uzza and Ahio. They played music, and sang and praised with all their might. But as they came upon Chidon’s threshing floor, disaster hit! The oxen stumbled, Uzza put out his hand to steady the ark, which aroused the anger of the Lord, who then struck Uzza dead. David was afraid of God after that and wondered how he would be able to bring the ark back (1 Chronicles 13:1-12).

David started out with a good idea, likely it was even an idea that God had set in his heart, and he had the agreement of all the leaders and of all the people. However, he did not consult God on the “when, where, and how” to follow through with this plan, and Uzza ended up dead. Sometimes God sets something in our hearts and we all know it is the right thing to do, but we fail to wait on Him for the right time, and His specific instructions for the task. It can be so easy to see God’s intended end result, and then take it upon ourselves to figure out how we will accomplish it. Properly done, the Ark was to be bore on poles on the shoulders of the Levites, and their brethren (Levites) were to be the appointed singers and musicians (1 Chronicles 15:2, 12, 15, 16). The things of God are holy, and how we handle them can make a significant difference in the outcome. When we wait on Him and do it His way, we will have good success.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12, NJKV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5, NKJV

Question: Why is it important to consult God’s word before making important decisions?

About this Author: Emmie Stanley

Recession-Proof Your Marriage
A typical recession only lasts a few months, but it is a painful run and can have devastating consequences. Just as we need to take action to protect our finances in times of recession, we need to take steps to protect our families as well. Don’t let a financial crisis foreclose on your marriage. The Lord is there when you sit with your spouse at the kitchen table and pour over your bills. Here’s how you can “recession proof” your marriage! Read more.

Take action: Can you be angry … without sinning? Explore this topic in our online interactive study Being Angry (Without Sinning).

You said it: This week Francisca shared on the Pray God’s Word into Your Darkness women’s devotional, saying “When darkness snuffs out my nightlight, God provides radiant insight in Scripture. If I open the Word when I’m discouraged and eat the Bread of Life my dark attitude brightens. The situation may not change but my attitude does.” Read the rest of the comments on Pray God’s Word into Your Darkness, and join the conversation on Devotional for Men and Devotional for Women, each updated daily!

Blog: What Makes You Angry?
A recent Barna Group survey reveals the social issues that Christians are most concerned about. What would be on your own “righteous anger” list? Read more

Devotional: Is That All There Is?
Don’t miss the invisible, inward miracle triggered by belief. God reinstates us to Garden-of-Eden status. What Adam and Eve did, we now do! The flagship family walked with God; we can too. Read more

Coming up next week: One of the topics of our upcoming online chats is “Does Prayer Really Work?” Join us in the chat room October 4th 2009 @ 9:00pm EST for this chat or see also our full chat calendar for other upcoming topics.

Please open your Bible and read: 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

“God’s laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light” Psalm 19:7,8

Professor William Lyon Phelps, one of Yale University’s most famous scholars, said, “A knowledge of the Bible without a college education is more valuable than a college education without the Bible.”

Why would he say this? Our verse gives us the answer. The Word of God (1) protects us, (2) makes us wise, (3) gives us joy, and (4) gives us light.

There are many other benefits that come from reading the Word of God. With dividends like these, we are indeed robbing ourselves of untold blessings when we neglect His holy, inspired Word for any reason whatever.

It is my privilege to counsel many thousands of people with just about every kind of problem conceivable – need for salvation, poor self-image, marital problems, financial problems, health problems, loss of loved ones, insecurity, fear, and on and on. One could think of every kind of personal need and problem that man faces, and inevitably there is an answer in the Word of God.

I do not know of any individual who has ever received Christ without some understanding of the Word of God. It is for this reason that I included in The Four Spiritual Laws booklet, which I wrote in the 1950’s, the parenthetical statement on page 2: “References contained in this booklet should be read in context from the Bible wherever possible.”

By 1983, it was estimated that more than a billion copies of The Four Spiritual Laws, which contains the distilled essence of the gospel, had been printed (including translations into every major language) and distributed throughout the world, resulting in many millions of people responding to Christ. Still, it cannot compare with God’s Word, nor can any other piece of Christian or secular literature. There is something unique and powerful about holding the Bible in your hand and reading it with your own eyes, for it speaks with authority and power possessed by no other book ever written.

Today’s action point: God’s Word is the most important book ever written, and the most important book that I could possibly read. Today I will read it for at least 15 minutes with renewed devotion, dedication and sensitivity to its mighty revolutionary power to transform lives and enable children of God to live supernaturally.

About the Author: Bill Bright

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.

The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

“Then Samuel said speak for your servant is listening” (1Samuel 3:10).

Have you taken time today to do just that with God’s Word?

Or let me back up a bit and ask the first question that comes to mind.

As you meet with the Lord, do you pray and ask Him to speak to you through His Word, to teach you, to reveal to you what it is He wants you to understand?

Do you come with an open heart and listening ears?

You see, we often come bounding into our devotional time with the text or chapters at hand and read through them, check off that we’ve completed our “to do” list, and we’re done with our scripture reading and “quiet time” for the day.  Then we continue on our merry way without benefit of having that Word, that truth, poured into our beings.

So, may I offer these suggestions?

Open the Word and your journal.  Read a portion of scripture, perchance it will be only a verse or two.  My greatest times of understanding have come in chewing over tiny morsels of God’s truth in my thinking time. Take some time to be still as you consider the Word, ponder its truth, mull over its meaning and reflect on its application in your life.  Ask God to reveal to you all He would have you understand. Use one of these as a heading to your journal:

God, what to you want me to know today?

What are You saying today?

What are You speaking to me?

What things have I learned?

Lord, what do you want to reveal to me today?

In what way should I apply this to my life today?

Then, write out the verses in your journal as you continue to inquire of God His help in your comprehension.

Consider, ponder, mull over, reflect….write back to Him what He shares with you.

May the gems of God’s truth shine in your hearts and reflect who the Lord is as you bring them to mind and apply them to your lives.

Lord, unstop our ears to hear You. Open our eyes to see You more clearly today.  Help our mind be keen and clear to drink in the Truth of who You are and what You would have us know and understand.  We give you our hearts today, open willing vessels to take in what You teach and use it for Your glory.

Questions: How do you generally spend your quiet time? Do you come with an open heart and listening ears?

About the Author Nancy O’Bosky

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, A Passion to Know Him, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

“And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”” Mark 16:15

These words are called “The Great Commission.” They’re a commandment from God. These were some of the last words Jesus spoke on earth before He returned to His Father in Heaven. Do these words ever give you a feeling of inadequacy? Do you ever say, “I’m not a preacher,” or “I can’t get up in front of people and speak”?

Let me tell you about Mrs. Smiley. She had rented a room to a young man named Silverio Diaz. He was going through a rough patch in his life. His wife had just left him and he felt very much alone. He knocked on Mrs. Smiley’s door just to chat. She offered him a cup of coffee and a listening ear. She then introduced him to her friend, Jesus. He gave his life to the Lord at that time and was baptized a week later.

He went back home and lead his mother to the Lord just weeks before she died. My father, a young missionary, joined him in the Philippines a few years later. The district of churches they started together in the 1950’s now numbers over 150 congregations. It makes me wonder what would have happened if Mrs. Smiley had not been there for the Silverio Diaz in his time of need.

God most likely will not call you to a life of overseas missions. He does call you, however, to be His hands and feet wherever you are. I know that when my time on earth is done, I want to hear Jesus say these words to me:

Well done, good and faithful servant, you taught your children to love me.
Well done, good and faithful servant, you fed the hungry.
Well done, good and faithful servant, you clothed the naked.
Well done, good and faithful servant, you loved the unlovable.
Well done, good and faithful servant, you shared Christ with someone who needed Him. Well done, good and faithful servant, you saw a need and you acted on it.

Father God, help me to live a life that reflects Jesus’ love. May I remember I am actually offering Christ to a lost and dying world. That doesn’t seem so scary after all. Thank you for the privilege of representing You. Amen.

Question: How can you seek to be “God’s hands and feet” to those around you?

About this Author: Debbie Belt

“Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” Psalm 16:11, KJV

“If you have lost the joy of the Lord in your life,” someone once observed, “who moved, you or God? For in His presence is fullness of joy.”

That saint and prophet of earlier years, A. W. Tozer, suggested several ways for the believer to achieve real joy:

1. Cultivate a genuine friendship with God. He is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

2. Take time to exercise yourself daily unto godliness. Vow never to be dishonest about sin in your life, never to defend yourself, never to own anything (or let anything own you), never to pass on anything hurtful about others, never to take any glory to yourself.

3. No known sin must be allowed to remain in your life. “Keep short accounts with God” – never allow unconfessed sins to pile up in your life.

4. Set out to build your own value system based on the Word of God. Meditate on the Word; practice the presence of God. Set priorities as you realize what is truly important. It will be reflected in the standard of values you set for yourself.

5. Share your spiritual discoveries with others.

Bible Reading: John 15:7-11

Today’s Action Point: Knowing that the best witness in the world is a joyful, radiant Christian, I will try to be that kind of believer, trusting the indwelling Holy Spirit to thus empower me and radiate His love and joy through me. I will share my spiritual discoveries with others.

About this Author: Bill Bright

“Truth is incontrovertible. Ignorance may attack it and malice may deride it, but in the end, there it is.” Winston Churchill

The concept of truth has fallen on hard times lately. Something I grew up assuming everybody knew existed is not a given anymore. Post-modernism has rendered truth relative to each individual, personal experience has trumped it, and fiction has cast waves of doubt upon it, but in the end, there it is. Or perhaps we should say, there he is, because Jesus is the one who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

That would mean that John the Baptist looked at Truth when he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

Peter answered Truth, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)

A Samaritan woman had a conversation with Truth and said, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did.” (John 4:29)

A man born blind to whom Truth had given sight, said, “Lord, I believe,” and worshiped him. (John 9:38)

The council of elders asked Truth, “Are you then the Son of God?” and Jesus replied, “You are right in saying I am.” (Luke 22:70)

And Truth said, “He who believes in me has everlasting life.” (John 6:47)

Pilate stared Truth in the face when he said, “What is truth?” (John 18:38)

A criminal hanging on a cross looked over at Truth in a similar circumstance as he and knew there was something different about this man. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Truth replied, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

A Roman soldier who felt the earth shatter when Truth died, said, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54)

Mary Magdalene saw the Truth alive again and said, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18)
Thomas touched the wounds of Truth fresh from the grave and said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

And two men dressed in white said to a crowd of followers who had just seen Truth pass into the heavens, “Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go.” (Acts 1:11)

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:9-11) In other words, everyone will eventually recognize the Truth.

“Truth is incontrovertible. Ignorance may attack it and malice may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”

And there he will be.

Question: How will you choose to respond to the Truth today?

About this Author: John Fischer

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” Hebrews 4:12, KJV

Often, what you and I have to say may seem weak and insipid. But then we have the clear promise that it really will accomplish something, for it has several characteristics that guarantee such results.

First, the holy inspired Word of God is impregnated with the power of the Holy Spirit and is quick living. It is energetic and active – not dead, inert or powerless.

Second, the Word is powerful. Its mighty power awakens the conscience, reveals our fears, bares the secret feelings of the heart and causes the sinner to tremble at the threat of impending judgement.

Third, the Word is sharp-sharper than a two-edged sword. The Word has power to penetrate. It reaches the heart, laying open our motives and feelings.

Fourth, the Word pierces-penetrates.

Fifth, the Word discerns-shows what our thoughts and intentions are. Men see their real character in the mirror of God’s Word.

Those are some of the reasons for choosing to use the Word of God in every possible situation, allowing it to be its own best defense. God’s Word will never return unto Him void.

Bible Reading: Psalm 1

Today’s Action Point: I will make more use of the sword, the Word of God, as I draw upon God’s power to live supernaturally.

About this Author: Bill Bright