Thursday Easter Week Four -- May 8
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Meditation
Thursday of Easter Week Four reminded us of how we must behave—as strangers in a land. We were challenged with living above the shadow line, a term coined by a chaplain friend. The Psalmist in Psalm 23 (probably the most well-known scripture of all) illustrated how the Lord methodically addressed all our needs—from the basic survival to the psychological ones of safety among the enemies to the spiritual issues of celebrating life in the sanctuary of God. This prepared us to live as we ought—as strangers in a land.
The Old Testament lesson in Exodus treated us to the inner workings of Moses, one of the greatest spiritual leaders of all time. Before God called him, he grew up in Pharaoh’s household, becoming essentially Egyptian, so when he murdered a man because the guard was beating a Jew, and then fled in fear, he ended up in Midian. At a well (a common place to meet up). His integrity and intrinsic kindness spilled over as he defended the women against evil shepherds and drew water for the daughters of Reuel, a priest. Moses was an alien, an Egyptian that might have been seen as a threat, but his behavior rose above the differences and appealed to the priest with seven daughters. He demonstrated how one must live—as a stranger in a foreign land.
The Midianites were descendants of Abraham by his second wife, Keturah. They settled on the western edge of what is currently Saudi Arabia, on the east shore of the Gulf of Aquaba. Moses’ high standards of justice served him well when facing the Midianites. He married Zipporah, a daughter of Reuel, and sired two sons, the elder of which was named, Gershom, meaning, ‘a stranger there.’
The New Testament lesson in Peter carried the same theme of ‘strangers in a foreign land.’ But the apostle took it further, describing the need for all of Christ’s followers to behave in a way, that even though strangers in a land that our actions must be above reproach. People might accuse Christians of wrong doing, even though it is false, just as Christ was accused falsely. However, our goal would be to rise above criticism and behave in such a way that no one can believe the accusations, because everyone knew better.
Peter declared that we are a royal (kingly) priesthood—all of us (not just men, not just adults)—all of us. That is, we who have been called out of the darkness of sin into the light of salvation. Peter expanded the net of inclusiveness to embrace Gentile converts. The Jews were God’s chosen people; with Christ opening the door, now, non-Jews became eligible to be a part of the special people of God.
In the midst of nastiness and accusation, our consistently good behavior can be our greatest weapon to persuade. A colleague said that if you walk precariously close to the line between good and evil, when a light shines on you, your shadow will fall on the side of evil and some will perceive you as evil, even if you are not. However, if you live above the shadow line, where if a light is shone on you, your shadow falls within the ‘good side of the line’ you will be perceived as doing what is good.
So let us live our lives as a royal priesthood—above the shadow line.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Season of Easter Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 23;Exodus 2:15b-25;1 Peter 2:9-12&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;NIV (multiple versions)
Thursday, Easter Week Four
Psalm 23
Exodus 2:15-25
1 Peter 2:9-12
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 23
King James Version (KJV)
23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
1 Peter 2:9-12
King James Version (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write Three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, we ask forgiveness for leading people astray because our behaviors do not reflect your greatness and our royal priesthood status. Empower us to transform from within that we might be wonderful representatives of your grace. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Thursday of Easter Week Four taught how to live as strangers in a foreign land. When in a foreign land, we become objects of scrutiny. Living as a golden haired girl in a Middle Eastern country, I couldn’t walk anywhere without many staring. Even in the Navy days, a colleague mentioned how different walking with me was to walking with his buddies. He agreed, “They are staring at your hair.” When a stranger, we must behave in ways that do not breed accusations, even if there are evil people who make up false stories (as they did about Christ) most people would recognize the falseness by their own experience with you.
We are a royal priesthood, strangers in a land, and living above the shadow line empowers us and the people around us to believe in the good news of the Gospel. Our behavior could be clear to all. And the focus would be for God’s glory—not ours. We must live so as to draw people to God by our good works.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Thursday of Easter Week Four reminded us of how we must behave—as strangers in a land. We were challenged with living above the shadow line, a term coined by a chaplain friend. The Psalmist in Psalm 23 (probably the most well-known scripture of all) illustrated how the Lord methodically addressed all our needs—from the basic survival to the psychological ones of safety among the enemies to the spiritual issues of celebrating life in the sanctuary of God. This prepared us to live as we ought—as strangers in a land.
The Old Testament lesson in Exodus treated us to the inner workings of Moses, one of the greatest spiritual leaders of all time. Before God called him, he grew up in Pharaoh’s household, becoming essentially Egyptian, so when he murdered a man because the guard was beating a Jew, and then fled in fear, he ended up in Midian. At a well (a common place to meet up). His integrity and intrinsic kindness spilled over as he defended the women against evil shepherds and drew water for the daughters of Reuel, a priest. Moses was an alien, an Egyptian that might have been seen as a threat, but his behavior rose above the differences and appealed to the priest with seven daughters. He demonstrated how one must live—as a stranger in a foreign land.
The Midianites were descendants of Abraham by his second wife, Keturah. They settled on the western edge of what is currently Saudi Arabia, on the east shore of the Gulf of Aquaba. Moses’ high standards of justice served him well when facing the Midianites. He married Zipporah, a daughter of Reuel, and sired two sons, the elder of which was named, Gershom, meaning, ‘a stranger there.’
The New Testament lesson in Peter carried the same theme of ‘strangers in a foreign land.’ But the apostle took it further, describing the need for all of Christ’s followers to behave in a way, that even though strangers in a land that our actions must be above reproach. People might accuse Christians of wrong doing, even though it is false, just as Christ was accused falsely. However, our goal would be to rise above criticism and behave in such a way that no one can believe the accusations, because everyone knew better.
Peter declared that we are a royal (kingly) priesthood—all of us (not just men, not just adults)—all of us. That is, we who have been called out of the darkness of sin into the light of salvation. Peter expanded the net of inclusiveness to embrace Gentile converts. The Jews were God’s chosen people; with Christ opening the door, now, non-Jews became eligible to be a part of the special people of God.
In the midst of nastiness and accusation, our consistently good behavior can be our greatest weapon to persuade. A colleague said that if you walk precariously close to the line between good and evil, when a light shines on you, your shadow will fall on the side of evil and some will perceive you as evil, even if you are not. However, if you live above the shadow line, where if a light is shone on you, your shadow falls within the ‘good side of the line’ you will be perceived as doing what is good.
So let us live our lives as a royal priesthood—above the shadow line.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Season of Easter Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 23;Exodus 2:15b-25;1 Peter 2:9-12&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;NIV (multiple versions)
Thursday, Easter Week Four
Psalm 23
Exodus 2:15-25
1 Peter 2:9-12
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 23
King James Version (KJV)
23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
1 Peter 2:9-12
King James Version (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write Three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, we ask forgiveness for leading people astray because our behaviors do not reflect your greatness and our royal priesthood status. Empower us to transform from within that we might be wonderful representatives of your grace. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Thursday of Easter Week Four taught how to live as strangers in a foreign land. When in a foreign land, we become objects of scrutiny. Living as a golden haired girl in a Middle Eastern country, I couldn’t walk anywhere without many staring. Even in the Navy days, a colleague mentioned how different walking with me was to walking with his buddies. He agreed, “They are staring at your hair.” When a stranger, we must behave in ways that do not breed accusations, even if there are evil people who make up false stories (as they did about Christ) most people would recognize the falseness by their own experience with you.
We are a royal priesthood, strangers in a land, and living above the shadow line empowers us and the people around us to believe in the good news of the Gospel. Our behavior could be clear to all. And the focus would be for God’s glory—not ours. We must live so as to draw people to God by our good works.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
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Replies
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I saw a commercial this evening with Moses as a baby being held by the pharaohs daughter. There is going to be a movie coming on tv. I thought wow Moses grew up to do great things by leading the Israelites although he was raised as an Egyptian. Wow, God is always watching and planning outcomes. He uses people for so many things. Even uses people that are not in his will to bring about his,will. How awesome. I have seen miracles happen that I thought were impossible to happen. We as a chosen people should be honored to do Gods will. I know that there is much more I can do. My gift is giving to the poor abd those in great need. It is
n honor. I enjoyed todays reading. I am feeling better each day praise God. I had been sick since Palm Sunday. I am in prayer for the EUS procedure i will have on Monday. Thank you also for your prayers. I have not excercised for a month and have been eating what I want. I will have a lot if bike riding, golfing, and dancing to do once This is over. I have cysts on my pancreas and think tgwre was
An infection. I enjoyed todays reading.0
