Wednesdsay, September 19, 2012 - Longing to be pursued

AM - Prayer /Devotion

Lunch - Insanity Cardio

September 19, 2012 Longing to be Pursued Lynn Cowell

"But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine ... Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.'" Isaiah 43:1, 4 (NIV)

My heart beats wildly. "Hurry, hurry! You'll be too late!"

You'd think I'd never seen this movie before. But I've watched it over and over. I know the hero will come to the rescue right at the last second and demand, "She goes free!" to the captain and his crew. I know he will risk his life to save hers.

It doesn't matter that I already know what will happen. The thrill of the pursuit and a heroic rescue sends my heart pounding every time.

I know I'm not alone. Countless women curl up on their couches to watch the same chick flicks over and over, especially the ones in which the hero gives everything to save the girl. Like the one rescued in movies, we want to be desired, fought for — pursued. And we are.

Our Creator and King is pursuing us, but it's so much better than the movies. He gave up His life and paid a great price to come and rescue us.

There have been times I had seen Jesus as my savior, shepherd and friend. But it wasn't until I read these verses below, and realized the magnitude and depth of His love for me, that I saw how valuable I am to Him.

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end — Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you." Isaiah 43:1b-4 (The Message)

He'd give up everything just for me? That's crazy! But that's the radical love that revolutionized my life.

When I learned these verses, I began to see a side of Jesus I had never seen before. He pursues me. He loves me more than anything. And He wants to be my everything.

This truth satisfied a deep longing I didn't even know I had. It was what I wanted then, and what I need to know still. This is the love that fills the gaps in my wanting heart and settles the question, "Am I valuable enough to be pursued?"

Yes, I am. And so are you, my friend. So are you.

Dear Lord, this part of me that wants to be pursued and rescued ... You created it. You created it to be filled by Your unconditional love. Thank You that You will never grow tired of me or stop pursing me. You want me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Help a teen girl in your life hear truth like today's every day of the year! Lynn's new book Devotions for a Revolutionary Year - 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love for You is a great resource! And if you purchase it today, you'll receive over $75 in free materials! More details here.

Sign up for Lynn's FREE "7-day Faith Builder" - a week's worth of free devotions to share with your daughter, or another girl you know, to help build her faith and confidence.

Visit Lynn's website to find out how you can be intentional about sharing God's truths with your child. She's giving away a "Faith Builder" gift pack too!

Reflect and Respond:
Write out Psalm 45:11 on an index card, putting in your name: "The king is wild for __________." (MSG) Over the next few weeks, when you feel rejected, downcast or vulnerable remind yourself of this truth — Your King is crazy for you!

Think of a time when you did not feel wanted or pursued. Rewrite that story in your heart, knowing this time Jesus is there to fill that rejection and vulnerability. When this memory comes back, replace it with the truth that God would trade the whole world for you!

Power Verses:
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (ESV)

Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (ESV)

Monday, September 17, 2012 - Always Pray and Don't give up!

AM - Prayer/Devotion

September 17, 2012 Always Pray {And Don't Give Up} Rachel Olsen

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1 (NIV)

bam, bam ... bam, bam, bam, bam, bam ... bam ... bam, bam

The noise slowly fills my consciousness.

What is that?

I rub my eyes and look at the clock: 5:51 AM.

Sounds like ... hammering. Who is hammering something at 6 o'clock in the morning? Outside? On a Saturday?

I get up and peer through the blinds, straining on my tiptoes to see through the branches to my neighbor's backyard. And I wonder, should I see someone hammering will I walk out there - pink jammies, tousled hair and all - and say something about poor timing?

I'm really not very confrontational that way. But nor am I a morning person.

bam, bam, bam, bam ... bam ... bam, bam

I wake my husband Rick with my movement at the window, the rising sunlight breeching the bedroom.

"Do you hear that noise? What is that, Rick? It sounds like hammering—at 6 o'clock in the morning!"

Rick listens then announces confidently, "It's a woodpecker."

Anticipating my response he adds, "You can't stop him."

I can't stop him? That sounds like a challenge. As Rick drifts back into dreams, I head to the backyard to find this bird. I spot it hanging off the side of my house, pelting holes into the wood trim by my bedroom window.

I try scaring it away. I scream at it. I throw sticks toward it. Don't worry, animal lovers, I throw like a girl.

It turns out Rick was right, I couldn't stop the bird.

The woodpecker returned over several days. At first, I continued my antics. Parading onto the back patio in the dawn to scream and throw things at a bird. The woodpecker remained undeterred. Occasionally he'd fly off to a neighboring tree only to fly back and peck the side of my house again once I returned to my pillow.

So finally, I granted him the right to peck in peace. It's not what I wanted to do, but he wore down my resistance. He was unstoppable.

Interestingly enough, Jesus told a story of a woman who had woodpecker-like faith. Woodpecker-like persistence. You just couldn't stop her.

With the parable in Luke 18:1-8 Jesus teaches His disciples to always pray and never give up:

He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!'

"And the Lord said, 'Listen to what the unjust judge says. 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? 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?'" (vs. 2-8 NIV)

The woman came to this judge so often and so boldly that he thought she would slap wear him out!

Is that us? Do we constantly seek God, asking Him repeatedly in faith for what we need?

Jesus didn't speak of this judge to portray God as unwilling or easily exhausted—the judge doesn't represent God in this story. Jesus was saying that if an unjust judge would eventually grant the request of this woman, how much more will our gracious Father grant His children's requests!

God is willing to answer—to help, to restore, to vindicate and redeem. But we must have faith. And we must ask Him. Sometimes—oftentimes—repeatedly.

You and I need the kind of faith that will not give up. The kind of faith you just cannot stop. The kind of faith that prays always.

We need woodpecker faith.

Dear Lord, hear my prayers today about _________ and thank You in advance for Your answers. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit Rachel's blog for more help in praying and not giving up.

It's No Secret: Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen

Reflect and Respond:
What prayer would you like answered? What injustice do you need righted?

Persist in prayer for this today, tomorrow, this week ... as long as it takes.

Power Verses:
Mark 9:22b-23, "'But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.' 'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" (NIV)

Friday, September 14, 2012 - One Year Bible July 6

Am - Devotion
Prayer
Song(s) - 1. You are Faithful
                2. You love me through my good and bad

Workout: P90x Legs and Back

July 6
1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 18:16-18

1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 18:16-18 (New Living Translation)

1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4

New Living Translation (NLT)

Other Descendants of Hezron

¹⁸ Hezron’s son Caleb had sons from his wife Azubah and from Jerioth.^[a] Her sons were named Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon. ¹⁹ After Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrathah,^[b] and they had a son named Hur. ²⁰ Hur was the father of Uri. Uri was the father of Bezalel.

²¹ When Hezron was sixty years old, he married Gilead’s sister, the daughter of Makir. They had a son named Segub. ²² Segub was the father of Jair, who ruled twenty-three towns in the land of Gilead. ²³ (But Geshur and Aram captured the Towns of Jair^[c] and also took Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages.) All these were descendants of Makir, the father of Gilead.

²⁴ Soon after Hezron died in the town of Caleb-ephrathah, his wife Abijah gave birth to a son named Ashhur (the father of^[d] Tekoa).

Descendants of Hezron’s Son Jerahmeel

²⁵ The sons of Jerahmeel, the oldest son of Hezron, were Ram (the firstborn), Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. ²⁶ Jerahmeel had a second wife named Atarah. She was the mother of Onam.

²⁷ The sons of Ram, the oldest son of Jerahmeel, were Maaz, Jamin, and Eker.

²⁸ The sons of Onam were Shammai and Jada.

The sons of Shammai were Nadab and Abishur.

²⁹ The sons of Abishur and his wife Abihail were Ahban and Molid.

³⁰ The sons of Nadab were Seled and Appaim. Seled died without children, ³¹ but Appaim had a son named Ishi. The son of Ishi was Sheshan. Sheshan had a descendant named Ahlai.

³² The sons of Jada, Shammai’s brother, were Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children, ³³ but Jonathan had two sons named Peleth and Zaza.

These were all descendants of Jerahmeel.

³⁴ Sheshan had no sons, though he did have daughters. He also had an Egyptian servant named Jarha. ³⁵ Sheshan gave one of his daughters to be the wife of Jarha, and they had a son named Attai.

³⁶ Attai was the father of Nathan.
Nathan was the father of Zabad.
³⁷ Zabad was the father of Ephlal.
Ephlal was the father of Obed.
³⁸ Obed was the father of Jehu.
Jehu was the father of Azariah.
³⁹ Azariah was the father of Helez.
Helez was the father of Eleasah.
⁴⁰ Eleasah was the father of Sismai.
Sismai was the father of Shallum.
⁴¹ Shallum was the father of Jekamiah.
Jekamiah was the father of Elishama.

Descendants of Hezron’s Son Caleb

⁴² The descendants of Caleb, the brother of Jerahmeel, included Mesha (the firstborn), who became the father of Ziph. Caleb’s descendants also included the sons of Mareshah, the father of Hebron.^[e]

⁴³ The sons of Hebron were Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema. ⁴⁴ Shema was the father of Raham. Raham was the father of Jorkeam. Rekem was the father of Shammai. ⁴⁵ The son of Shammai was Maon. Maon was the father of Beth-zur.

⁴⁶ Caleb’s concubine Ephah gave birth to Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran was the father of Gazez.

⁴⁷ The sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.

⁴⁸ Another of Caleb’s concubines, Maacah, gave birth to Sheber and Tirhanah. ⁴⁹ She also gave birth to Shaaph (the father of Madmannah) and Sheva (the father of Macbenah and Gibea). Caleb also had a daughter named Acsah.

⁵⁰ These were all descendants of Caleb.

Descendants of Caleb’s Son Hur

The sons of Hur, the oldest son of Caleb’s wife Ephrathah, were Shobal (the founder of Kiriath-jearim), ⁵¹ Salma (the founder of Bethlehem), and Hareph (the founder of Beth-gader).

⁵² The descendants of Shobal (the founder of Kiriath-jearim) were Haroeh, half the Manahathites, ⁵³ and the families of Kiriath-jearim—the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites, from whom came the people of Zorah and Eshtaol.

⁵⁴ The descendants of Salma were the people of Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, the other half of the Manahathites, the Zorites, ⁵⁵ and the families of scribes living at Jabez—the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. All these were Kenites who descended from Hammath, the father of the family of Recab.^[f]

Descendants of David

3 These are the sons of David who were born in Hebron:

The oldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel.
The second was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail from Carmel.
² The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith.
³ The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.
The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, David’s wife.

⁴ These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven and a half years.

Then David reigned another thirty-three years in Jerusalem. ⁵ The sons born to David in Jerusalem included Shammua,^[g] Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. Their mother was Bathsheba,^[h] the daughter of Ammiel. ⁶ David also had nine other sons: Ibhar, Elishua,^[i] Elpelet,^{[j] 7} Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, ⁸ Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

⁹ These were the sons of David, not including his sons born to his concubines. Their sister was named Tamar.

Descendants of Solomon

¹⁰ The descendants of Solomon were Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, ¹¹ Jehoram,^[k] Ahaziah, Joash, ¹² Amaziah, Uzziah,^[l] Jotham, ¹³ Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, ¹⁴ Amon, and Josiah.

¹⁵ The sons of Josiah were Johanan (the oldest), Jehoiakim (the second), Zedekiah (the third), and Jehoahaz^[m] (the fourth).

¹⁶ The successors of Jehoiakim were his son Jehoiachin and his brother Zedekiah.^[n]

Descendants of Jehoiachin

¹⁷ The sons of Jehoiachin,^[o] who was taken prisoner by the Babylonians, were Shealtiel, ¹⁸ Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.

¹⁹ The sons of Pedaiah were Zerubbabel and Shimei.

The sons of Zerubbabel were Meshullam and Hananiah. (Their sister was Shelomith.) ²⁰ His five other sons were Hashubah, Ohel, Berekiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed.

²¹ The sons of Hananiah were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah. Jeshaiah’s son was Rephaiah. Rephaiah’s son was Arnan. Arnan’s son was Obadiah. Obadiah’s son was Shecaniah.

²² The descendants of Shecaniah were Shemaiah and his sons, Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat—six in all.

²³ The sons of Neariah were Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam—three in all.

²⁴ The sons of Elioenai were Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani—seven in all.

Other Descendants of Judah

4 The descendants of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.

² Shobal’s son Reaiah was the father of Jahath. Jahath was the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites.

³ The descendants of^[p] Etam were Jezreel, Ishma, Idbash, their sister Hazzelelponi, ⁴ Penuel (the father of^[q] Gedor), and Ezer (the father of Hushah). These were the descendants of Hur (the firstborn of Ephrathah), the ancestor of Bethlehem.

Acts 24:1-27

New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul Appears before Felix

24 Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer^[a] Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor. ² When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor:

“You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us. ³ For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you. ⁴ But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment. ⁵ We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes. ⁶ Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.^{[b] 8} You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.” ⁹ Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.
¹⁰ The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you. ¹¹ You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. ¹² My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. ¹³ These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.
¹⁴ “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. ¹⁵ I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. ¹⁶ Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
¹⁷ “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. ¹⁸ My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. ¹⁹ But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me! ²⁰ Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council^[c] found me guilty of, ²¹ except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”
²² At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.” ²³ He ordered an officer^[d] to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.
²⁴ A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” ²⁶ He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.
²⁷ After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.

Psalm 4:1-8

New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 4

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

¹ Answer me when I call to you,
    O God who declares me innocent.
Free me from my troubles.
    Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

² How long will you people ruin my reputation?
    How long will you make groundless accusations?
    How long will you continue your lies? Interlude
³ You can be sure of this:
    The Lord set apart the godly for himself.
    The Lord will answer when I call to him.

⁴ Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
    Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude
⁵ Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,
    and trust the Lord.

⁶ Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”
    Let your face smile on us, Lord.
⁷ You have given me greater joy
    than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Proverbs 18:16-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁶ Giving a gift can open doors;
    it gives access to important people!

¹⁷ The first to speak in court sounds right—
    until the cross-examination begins.

¹⁸ Flipping a coin^[a] can end arguments;
    it settles disputes between powerful opponents.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 18:18 Hebrew Casting lots.

Thursday, September 13, 2012 - One Year Bible- July 5

AM - Devotion

1 Year Bible
1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17;ACTS 23:11-35; Psalm 3:1-8; Proverbs 18:14-15

Am exercise: P90x Chest, shoulders, triceps, AB Ripper

1 Chronicles 1-2:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

From Adam to Noah’s Sons

1 The descendants of Adam were Seth, Enosh, ² Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, ³ Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, ⁴ and Noah.

The sons of Noah were^[a] Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Descendants of Japheth

⁵ The descendants of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.

⁶ The descendants of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath,^[b] and Togarmah.

⁷ The descendants of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.

Descendants of Ham

⁸ The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim,^[c] Put, and Canaan.

⁹ The descendants of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The descendants of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. ¹⁰ Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was the first heroic warrior on earth.

¹¹ Mizraim was the ancestor of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, ¹² Pathrusites, Casluhites, and the Caphtorites, from whom the Philistines came.^[d]

¹³ Canaan’s oldest son was Sidon, the ancestor of the Sidonians. Canaan was also the ancestor of the Hittites,^{[e] 14} Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, ¹⁵ Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, ¹⁶ Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites.

Descendants of Shem

¹⁷ The descendants of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.

The descendants of Aram were^[f] Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.^[g]

¹⁸ Arphaxad was the father of Shelah.

Shelah was the father of Eber.

¹⁹ Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means “division”), for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups. His brother’s name was Joktan.

²⁰ Joktan was the ancestor of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, ²¹ Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, ²² Obal,^[h] Abimael, Sheba, ²³ Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were descendants of Joktan.

²⁴ So this is the family line descended from Shem: Arphaxad, Shelah,^{[i] 25} Eber, Peleg, Reu, ²⁶ Serug, Nahor, Terah, ²⁷ and Abram, later known as Abraham.

Descendants of Abraham

²⁸ The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael. ²⁹ These are their genealogical records:

The sons of Ishmael were Nebaioth (the oldest), Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, ³⁰ Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, ³¹ Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.

³² The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

The sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan.

³³ The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah.

All these were descendants of Abraham through his concubine Keturah.

Descendants of Isaac

³⁴ Abraham was the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel.^[j]

Descendants of Esau

³⁵ The sons of Esau were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

³⁶ The descendants of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho,^[k] Gatam, Kenaz, and Amalek, who was born to Timna.^[l]

³⁷ The descendants of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

Original Peoples of Edom

³⁸ The descendants of Seir were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.

³⁹ The descendants of Lotan were Hori and Hemam.^[m] Lotan’s sister was named Timna.

⁴⁰ The descendants of Shobal were Alvan,^[n] Manahath, Ebal, Shepho,^[o] and Onam.

The descendants of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah.

⁴¹ The son of Anah was Dishon.

The descendants of Dishon were Hemdan,^[p] Eshban, Ithran, and Keran.

⁴² The descendants of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.^[q]

The descendants of Dishan^[r] were Uz and Aran.

Rulers of Edom

⁴³ These are the kings who ruled in the land of Edom before any king ruled over the Israelites^[s]:

Bela son of Beor, who ruled from his city of Dinhabah.

⁴⁴ When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah became king in his place.

⁴⁵ When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites became king in his place.

⁴⁶ When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad became king in his place and ruled from the city of Avith. He was the one who destroyed the Midianite army in the land of Moab.

⁴⁷ When Hadad died, Samlah from the city of Masrekah became king in his place.

⁴⁸ When Samlah died, Shaul from the city of Rehoboth-on-the-River became king in his place.

⁴⁹ When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Acbor became king in his place.

⁵⁰ When Baal-hanan died, Hadad became king in his place and ruled from the city of Pau.^[t] His wife was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred and granddaughter of Me-zahab. ⁵¹ Then Hadad died.

The clan leaders of Edom were Timna, Alvah,^[u] Jetheth, ⁵² Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, ⁵³ Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, ⁵⁴ Magdiel, and Iram. These are the clan leaders of Edom.

Descendants of Israel

2 The sons of Israel^[v] were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, ² Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

Descendants of Judah

³ Judah had three sons from Bathshua, a Canaanite woman. Their names were Er, Onan, and Shelah. But the Lord saw that the oldest son, Er, was a wicked man, so he killed him. ⁴ Later Judah had twin sons from Tamar, his widowed daughter-in-law. Their names were Perez and Zerah. So Judah had five sons in all.

⁵ The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.

⁶ The sons of Zerah were Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Darda^[w]—five in all.

⁷ The son of Carmi (a descendant of Zimri) was Achan,^[x] who brought disaster on Israel by taking plunder that had been set apart for the Lord.^[y]

⁸ The son of Ethan was Azariah.

From Judah’s Grandson Hezron to David

⁹ The sons of Hezron were Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb.^[z]

¹⁰ Ram was the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, a leader of Judah.
¹¹ Nahshon was the father of Salmon.^[aa]
Salmon was the father of Boaz.
¹² Boaz was the father of Obed.
Obed was the father of Jesse.

¹³ Jesse’s first son was Eliab, his second was Abinadab, his third was Shimea, ¹⁴ his fourth was Nethanel, his fifth was Raddai, ¹⁵ his sixth was Ozem, and his seventh was David.

¹⁶ Their sisters were named Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah had three sons named Abishai, Joab, and Asahel. ¹⁷ Abigail married a man named Jether, an Ishmaelite, and they had a son named Amasa.

Acts 23:11-35

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹¹ That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”

The Plan to Kill Paul

¹² The next morning a group of Jews^[a] got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ There were more than forty of them in the conspiracy. ¹⁴ They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way.”

¹⁶ But Paul’s nephew—his sister’s son—heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul. ¹⁷ Paul called for one of the Roman officers^[b] and said, “Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him.”
¹⁸ So the officer did, explaining, “Paul, the prisoner, called me over and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”
¹⁹ The commander took his hand, led him aside, and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”
²⁰ Paul’s nephew told him, “Some Jews are going to ask you to bring Paul before the high council tomorrow, pretending they want to get some more information. ²¹ But don’t do it! There are more than forty men hiding along the way ready to ambush him. They have vowed not to eat or drink anything until they have killed him. They are ready now, just waiting for your consent.”
²² “Don’t let anyone know you told me this,” the commander warned the young man.

Paul Is Sent to Caesarea

²³ Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, “Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. ²⁴ Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix.” ²⁵ Then he wrote this letter to the governor:

²⁶ “From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings!

²⁷ “This man was seized by some Jews, and they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When I learned that he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety. ²⁸ Then I took him to their high council to try to learn the basis of the accusations against him. ²⁹ I soon discovered the charge was something regarding their religious law—certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death. ³⁰ But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you.”

³¹ So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris. ³² They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea. ³³ When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix. ³⁴ He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. “Cilicia,” Paul answered.

³⁵ “I will hear your case myself when your accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters.^[c]

Footnotes:

Psalm 3:1-8

New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 3

A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.

¹ O Lord, I have so many enemies;
    so many are against me.
² So many are saying,
    “God will never rescue him!” Interlude^[a]

³ But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
    you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
⁴ I cried out to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude

⁵ I lay down and slept,
    yet I woke up in safety,
    for the Lord was watching over me.
⁶ I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
    who surround me on every side.

⁷ Arise, O Lord!
    Rescue me, my God!
Slap all my enemies in the face!
    Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
⁸ Victory comes from you, O Lord.
    May you bless your people. Interlude

Proverbs 18:14-15

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁴ The human spirit can endure a sick body,
    but who can bear a crushed spirit?

¹⁵ Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
    Their ears are open for knowledge.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012 - When Self Doubt Consumes You?

AM - Devotion
Lunch - P90x Plyometrics

September 12, 2012 How to Stop Trashing Yourself Renee Swope

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)

One night I was cleaning our kitchen and found this little rubber thingy on our countertop. It wasn't until after I threw it away that I realized it was the power button for our TV remote control. As I dug through the trash to find it, I regretted how quickly I'd thrown it away.

Then, as I reached to pull it out, I sensed God showing me that's how easily I throw away my confidence—without recognizing it.

It's usually very subtle. Sometimes I'll be thinking about something I want to do or sense God calling me to, and a feeling of uncertainty comes over me and whispers to my heart, You can't do that. You're not good enough. Out of the blue, I'll just get that awful, insecure feeling.

Too many times in the past I've gone along with it, tossing my confidence into the trash without even thinking.

For years, I didn't tell anyone about my lack of confidence because I figured if I told them all the reasons I doubted myself, they'd see my flaws and agree with me. Honestly, I was convinced I was the only one who struggled with doubt.

However, I didn't call it doubt. Maybe you don't either. Sometimes I called it worry—worry that I was going to disappoint someone, worry that I might make a mistake and get criticized for it, worry that I might start something but not be able to finish.

Other times I'd call it fear—fear that I wouldn't measure up, fear that I'd look stupid, fear that I'd look prideful thinking I could do something special for God. What I've realized over the past several years is that these feelings may end up as fear or worry, but their source is self-doubt.

What about you? Do you ever question your worth as a woman? How often do you agree with the whispers of self-doubt and throw away confidence that should be yours as a child of God?

I've learned to ask God to show me when I'm tempted to trash myself and then depend on Him to help me trash my insecurities instead. Want to join me? Let's hold onto God's promises and depend on His truth for the security we need and the confidence we long for:

• When self-doubt whispers, "I can't do that. I'm going to fail and look foolish." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6, NIV 1984)

• When self-doubt whispers, "I'll never change." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in [me] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, NASB)

• When self-doubt whispers, "This is too hard for me. I don't have what it takes to..." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "No, in all these things [I am] more than a [conqueror] through him who loved [me]." (Romans 8:37, NIV)

Dear Lord, I want to become a woman with a confident heart in Christ. Will You help me recognize when I trash myself, and remind me to trash my insecurities instead? I want to persevere in Your truth so that when I have done Your will, I will receive what You have promised. When doubt or insecurity tell me I can't do something, I will remember that all things are possible to her who believes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Are you ready to stop throwing away your confidence and start living in the security of who you are in Christ? In her book, A Confident Heart, Renee Swope walks you through the process of identifying your self-doubts and replacing them with God's truth. Order your copy here.

Sign up for Renee's Free 7-Day Doubt Diet. Filled with daily insights, powerful promises and scripture-based prayers, you will receive a week's worth of life-changing Confident Heartdevotions to help you lose the weight of self-doubt. Find out more here.

Connect with Renee on Facebook for more life-changing perspectives and promises from God's Word!

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
"The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior (and beliefs) will begin to reflect your true identity!" Dr. Neil T. Anderson

Take Renee's Doubt Index Analysis — a free quiz to help you see what makes you throw away your confidence, and how it affects you and your relationships.

Power Verses:
Hebrews 10:39, "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (NIV 1984)

Mark 9:23, "'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" (NIV)

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 - Daily Encouragement

AM - Prayer

Lunch - P90x Chest and arms

September 11, 2012 When It Feels Better to Blame Someone Else Lysa TerKeurst

"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." Proverbs 13:10 (NIV 1984)

You want to know one of the hardest three-word statements to make? "I am wrong."

It's so easy to point out wrong in others. It's so easy to want it to be someone else's fault. It's so easy to get critical and cynical and caught up in our limited perspectives.

But boy is it hard to see our own flaws. Where we went wrong. What we need to own.

I've been challenging myself on this. I recently had to correct one of my children for trying to blame someone else for something my child needed to own themselves. I could clearly see the pride, the insecurity, and the fear all wrapped around her blaming words. And why could I see it so clearly?

Because I see it in myself.

Bummer huh?

I had to have a conversation where I explained to my child something I'm learning myself. About blaming. And the dangerous path blaming can take us on.

In most conflicts I have two ways I can choose to travel:

The Path of Pride: I can blame the other person, focus only on their flaws, and refuse to own my part of it. That response will increase my pride and decrease the Lord's blessing in my life.

The Humble Way: I can honestly assess what I'm contributing to this conflict, admit where I went wrong, and ask for forgiveness. That response will lead to humility and increase the Lord's blessing in my life.

I see this principle woven throughout the Bible:

James 4:6, "That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (NIV 1984)

Proverbs 29:23, "A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor." (NIV 1984)

Matthew 23:12, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (NIV 1984)

I know this. I believe this. So, why do I still find it hard to implement sometimes?

Well, here's where my head wants to go when I start examining certain conflicts: "But what if it really isn't my fault? It's not fair to assign the blame with me when this person did this and this and this."

But that's the wrong direction to go. Don't try to assign the blame. Just own the part you brought into the conflict. When I approach a conflict with a heart of humility, I've yet to see where I haven't added something to the issue.

And if the other person doesn't own their issues—the Lord will deal with them. (See the verses above.)

There are gifts hidden in the tough stuff of conflict. There is grace and honor to be gained. But I'll only see those gifts if I stop blaming others and start examining myself.

Dear Lord, I want to follow Your teaching in this. But it's so hard. I'm mad and frustrated and hurt. The last thing I feel like doing is examining where I am wrong. But I know that's what I need to do. Will You soften my heart? Will You give me eyes to see beyond my hurt? Will You help me cut through the assumptions and wrong-thinking? I want to honor You in this, I really do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
What do you do when you need to draw boundaries in certain tough relationships? If you feel you need to make some tough decisions in one of your relationships, click here to read Lysa's blog today.

Join the Proverbs 31 Ministries' Unglued Online Bible Study! This Unglued study, hosted by Melissa Taylor and Lysa TerKeurst, starts Sunday, September 23rd. You won't have to leave your house, change out of your pajamas, or even put on makeup. Click here to find out more and sign up!

To get your copy of Unglued, click here. To get your Unglued Bible study workbook and DVD, click here.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
Think of a recent conflict with someone. Which way did you travel?

Remember, it's never too late to go back and go the humble way.

Now think of a conflict with someone that is happening right now. How can you travel the humble way?

Power Verses:
Psalm 25:9, "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way." (NIV 1984)

Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (NIV 1984)