Paula Wiseman

Faith and life meet in a story

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Something to think about as you start a new week

Monday Meditations are quick posts designed to get you thinking about God. They provide a fresh perspective as you jump into your routine.

 

As For Me

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AS FOR ME title graphic featuring a young man sitting on a bench in intense prayer.

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. 1 Samuel 12:23

Samuel was called by God during a critical time in Israel’s history.
They had lived for years under judges descending further and further into apostasy.
In spite of recognizing Samuel as a true prophet, they rejected his leadership and God’s and asked for a king.

Samuel knew the request was rooted in rebellion in the hearts of the people.
He knew it would end in tragedy.
But he knew God’s sovereign plan was not in jeopardy.
He affirmed his commitment to pray and to uphold God’s principles.

As for me, he said, far be it from me that I should sin in ceasing to pray for you.

We have been called out by God during a critical time in history.
We have seen our culture, our world descending further and further into apostasy.
We have seen society reject God leadership and embrace a host of other philosophies.

We know the rejection is rooted in rebellion in the hearts of the people.
We also know that rebellion inevitably ends in tragedy.
In spite of it all, God’s sovereign plan is not in jeopardy.

Let us affirm our commitment to pray and to uphold God’s principles. As for me. As for you.

Listening

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Listening title graphic featuring a child with a hand to the ear

Then the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. 1 Samuel 3:1

The word of the Lord was rare.
It’s not because God was reluctant to speak.
Or because He had nothing to say.

It was rare because no one was listening.
They went through all the routines of worship.
But … there were other gods who needed attention, too.

How rare is the word of the Lord in these days?
Are we listening?
Or are we going through all the routines
While we divide our attention?

Is the word of the Lord rare in my own life?
Am I listening?
Or am I just following a routine,
While my mind, my attention, my heart is somewhere else?

Ezra

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EZRA title graphic over Hebrew text

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. Ez. 7:10

According to the ancient rabbis, if Moses had not been given the Law, God would have given it to Ezra because of his worthiness. Why was he held in such high esteem?

He had prepared his heart – It’s a Hebrew idiom that means he had completely committed himself to God.

To seek the Law – He was energetically devoted to understanding God’s word.

To do it – He didn’t just want academic knowledge of Scripture. He practiced it. The things he studied were life-impacting, life-changing.

To teach it – Ezra modeled God’s ways to those around him. He was a man of integrity whose lifestyle matched his words, which were rooted in his pursuit of God.

How would our lives, our families, our churches change … if we were more like Ezra?

Lydia

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Lydia title graphic over purple fabric

Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. Acts 16:14

Lydia was a seller of purple.
She was engaged with the people around her. She was a businesswoman, and the nature of her business put her in contact with the upper class.

She worshipped God.
In spite of being grossly outnumbered by idolaters and pagans, she held to her faith in the one true God, even though there was no synagogue and no support network.

She was receptive.
Because she was already worshipping God regularly, He responded with a deeper revelation of Himself and His ways.

She was obedient.
Immediately after she believed in Jesus, she was baptized.

She was influential.
Her whole household was converted and baptized as well.

She put her resources to work.
She offered her home and hospitality to support the missionaries in their work.

We can be engaged, devout, and responsive, too.
We can be like Lydia.

Abigail

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Abigail title graphic over a sheaf of wheat

The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. And he was of the house of Caleb. 1 Samuel 25:3

It’s worth reading the whole chapter. The short version is that after David and his men had protected Nabal’s shepherds, Nabal refused to pay them and insulted them instead. David intended to exact bloody revenge on the entire household of Nabal.

Until his wife, Abigail, intervened.

She was a woman of good understanding. Wise, sensible, discerning.
Then she was decisive. (v.18)

She was tactful and humble in dealing with a crisis she did not create.
Then she diffused a volatile situation. (v.24)

She was devout, pointing David to God’s promises to him.
Then she prompted a change in David’s course of action. (v.32)

Conflict is common, maybe not on the scale of David and Nabal, but it is all around us.
We can be a rare voice of calm.
We can be peacemakers.

We can be like Abigail.

Revival Acrostic

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Revival acrostic graphic

Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth. Psalm 119:88

Revival

Renewing
Energy

Re-igniting
Evangelistic
Vision

Rejecting
Every
Vile
Impulse

Remembering
Escaped
Vengeance.
Instead,
Vicarious
Atonement

Refusing
Excuses,
Verbalizing
Intended
Vigilance

Restoring
Each
Vital
Intimacy,
Venerating
All-Sufficient
Lord

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