Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
Romans 2:4 NLT
Confessing my faults so that I might be healed... Despite what some might think, my preference is to teach by example rather than tell people what to do. It is my intention to live in peace and to hopefully change unwanted behaviors by proving what can be accomplished through choices we make. However, I have to confess my patience and long-suffering abilities are not even remotely close to the lengths that God will go to show kindness, and so, after a time, I wind up saying exactly how and what I think should be done. Sometimes, that's good. Sometimes, not so much. My choices.
Some days, I know the mercy I choose to extend to my fellow man is NOT new every morning. It's as though I have prescribed a set amount per use and if the whole allotment is used in less time than I think is appropriate, you don't get any more until either I get over it or I think you've earned the right to have more. And that is so NOT God. And Romans chapter 2 fully addresses these wrong mindsets.
While I do most of my reading/study in the New Living and New King James, sometimes I just love the phrasing in The Message interpretation. Verse 3 - 4a, You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he’s such a nice God, he’d let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he’s not soft. Verse 5a, You’re not getting by with anything.
Verse 9, If you go against the grain, you get splinters, regardless of which neighborhood you’re from, what your parents taught you, what schools you attended.
Going against the grain in this instance translates to not walking in obedience to God's Word. If you go against the grain, you get splinters - regardless...
Prayer:
Father,
Help us to rightly divide Your Word so that we go with Your flow and not against the grain. Help us to pull out the splinters of our disobedience so they don't fester and kill us... or others. Forgive us, O God! Heal us, Father, change our hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
It's Coming
Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. 4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. 5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.
6 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. 7 The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. 8 The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. 9 Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.
10 In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place. 11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to bring back the remnant of his people— those who remain in Assyria and northern Egypt; in southern Egypt, Ethiopia, and Elam; in Babylonia, Hamath, and all the distant coastlands. 12 He will raise a flag among the nations and assemble the exiles of Israel. He will gather the scattered people of Judah from the ends of the earth.
13 Then at last the jealousy between Israel and Judah will end. They will not be rivals anymore. 14 They will join forces to swoop down on Philistia to the west. Together they will attack and plunder the nations to the east. They will occupy the lands of Edom and Moab, and Ammon will obey them. 15 The Lord will make a dry path through the gulf of the Red Sea. He will wave his hand over the Euphrates River, sending a mighty wind to divide it into seven streams so it can easily be crossed on foot. 16 He will make a highway for the remnant of his people, the remnant coming from Assyria, just as he did for Israel long ago when they returned from Egypt.
Isaiah 11:1-2 NLT
3 He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. 4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. 5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.
6 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. 7 The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. 8 The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. 9 Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.
10 In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place. 11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to bring back the remnant of his people— those who remain in Assyria and northern Egypt; in southern Egypt, Ethiopia, and Elam; in Babylonia, Hamath, and all the distant coastlands. 12 He will raise a flag among the nations and assemble the exiles of Israel. He will gather the scattered people of Judah from the ends of the earth.
13 Then at last the jealousy between Israel and Judah will end. They will not be rivals anymore. 14 They will join forces to swoop down on Philistia to the west. Together they will attack and plunder the nations to the east. They will occupy the lands of Edom and Moab, and Ammon will obey them. 15 The Lord will make a dry path through the gulf of the Red Sea. He will wave his hand over the Euphrates River, sending a mighty wind to divide it into seven streams so it can easily be crossed on foot. 16 He will make a highway for the remnant of his people, the remnant coming from Assyria, just as he did for Israel long ago when they returned from Egypt.
Prayer:
Father,
Wake us from our slumbering minds, O God! Open our eyes and ears to see and hear You! Cause us to rise up, ready in You! In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
Monday, May 29, 2017
Heart Check
So the next morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started off with the Moabite officials. But God was angry that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along,Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. Then the angel of the Lord moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all. This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff.Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam.
“You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”
“But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?”
“No,” Balaam admitted.
Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.
“Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.”
Numbers 22:21-32 NLT
This story is about Balak trying to bribe Balaam to curse the Israelites so he (Balak) could defeat them. God told Balaam in no uncertain terms, No, you are not to do that, but Balaam's response to the officials is like that of a petulant child whose Daddy has told him no. Balaam knew he was not supposed to curse anything that God had blessed, but there was that greed thing working... They offered him more riches, and with his mouth he says no, but his heart is coveting that easy money. God said no, but hang around, maybe He'll change His mind...
Do you ever find yourself in that position? Tempted to be drawn away by what the world has to offer even when we know it's wrong? Do we just pay lip service? No I can't do that, I'm a Christian... Do we really think God's going to change His mind? Would we do it if we thought we could get away with it? If so, it might be a good idea to own a donkey... or have a friend who is as stubborn as one when it comes to following the Lord.
Those of you who know me know that this is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. It provides GREAT hope! If God used a donkey to talk to a prophet, He can use you or me to talk to... well, you get the picture.
Prayer:
Father,
“You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”
“But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?”
“No,” Balaam admitted.
Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.
“Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.”
Numbers 22:21-32 NLT
This story is about Balak trying to bribe Balaam to curse the Israelites so he (Balak) could defeat them. God told Balaam in no uncertain terms, No, you are not to do that, but Balaam's response to the officials is like that of a petulant child whose Daddy has told him no. Balaam knew he was not supposed to curse anything that God had blessed, but there was that greed thing working... They offered him more riches, and with his mouth he says no, but his heart is coveting that easy money. God said no, but hang around, maybe He'll change His mind...
Do you ever find yourself in that position? Tempted to be drawn away by what the world has to offer even when we know it's wrong? Do we just pay lip service? No I can't do that, I'm a Christian... Do we really think God's going to change His mind? Would we do it if we thought we could get away with it? If so, it might be a good idea to own a donkey... or have a friend who is as stubborn as one when it comes to following the Lord.
Those of you who know me know that this is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. It provides GREAT hope! If God used a donkey to talk to a prophet, He can use you or me to talk to... well, you get the picture.
Prayer:
Father,
Even if we've never done it before, open our spiritual eyes to see so we can speak the words You would have us say to save someone from eternal death. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Be Still
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:38-39 NLT
I love walking the beach. I've witnessed its turbulence in a thunderstorm when the wind was so strong the birds wouldn't fly, and I've absorbed its tranquility when it was so calm I could barely discern the lapping of the tide at water's edge. Have you ever seen it when it looks like the proverbial sea of glass? It's not very often.
I know how fierce the water can be in a storm when I'm standing on dry ground. And although I will walk the beach in any kind of weather, being on a boat is a whole 'nother story! Can you imagine that boat being tossed about to the point that veteran fishermen believed they were going to die on the water? "Jesus, don't You care...?"
I'm reminded that our lives are very like this story. We're walking along, heading for our destination, when all of a sudden, we're hit with one of the many storms of life. We try to bail water, trim sails, pull anchor - you name it, we're trying it, just to keep ourselves afloat. And we're already tired because it's nighttime and we were going to rest on this trip. We may not want to bother Jesus, because we think He's asleep. We don't want to bother Him because He just took care of all of those other people. And then, when we get to the end of our own ability and we are unable to do for ourselves, and it seems as though everyone and everything is against us, we cry out, "Jesus, don't You care...?"
And His answer to us is the same as it was to the waves on the sea, “Silence! Be still!” So the wind of our whine should stop suddenly, so that there will be great calm. Why? Because Psalm 37:7 reads, Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Be still in the presence of the Lord. When the storms of life hit you broadside - Be still in the presence of the Lord. When the waves are crashing in on you - Be still in the presence of the Lord. When the evil people are scheming, Be still in the presence of the Lord. In HIS presence...now that's a GREAT calm.
Prayer:
Father,
We will come into Your presence with singing, worshiping at the Throne of God, knowing that You are the Calmer of the storm. Help us to show others Your calm. In Jesus' Name we pray. AMEN
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:38-39 NLT
I love walking the beach. I've witnessed its turbulence in a thunderstorm when the wind was so strong the birds wouldn't fly, and I've absorbed its tranquility when it was so calm I could barely discern the lapping of the tide at water's edge. Have you ever seen it when it looks like the proverbial sea of glass? It's not very often.
I know how fierce the water can be in a storm when I'm standing on dry ground. And although I will walk the beach in any kind of weather, being on a boat is a whole 'nother story! Can you imagine that boat being tossed about to the point that veteran fishermen believed they were going to die on the water? "Jesus, don't You care...?"
I'm reminded that our lives are very like this story. We're walking along, heading for our destination, when all of a sudden, we're hit with one of the many storms of life. We try to bail water, trim sails, pull anchor - you name it, we're trying it, just to keep ourselves afloat. And we're already tired because it's nighttime and we were going to rest on this trip. We may not want to bother Jesus, because we think He's asleep. We don't want to bother Him because He just took care of all of those other people. And then, when we get to the end of our own ability and we are unable to do for ourselves, and it seems as though everyone and everything is against us, we cry out, "Jesus, don't You care...?"
And His answer to us is the same as it was to the waves on the sea, “Silence! Be still!” So the wind of our whine should stop suddenly, so that there will be great calm. Why? Because Psalm 37:7 reads, Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Be still in the presence of the Lord. When the storms of life hit you broadside - Be still in the presence of the Lord. When the waves are crashing in on you - Be still in the presence of the Lord. When the evil people are scheming, Be still in the presence of the Lord. In HIS presence...now that's a GREAT calm.
Prayer:
Father,
We will come into Your presence with singing, worshiping at the Throne of God, knowing that You are the Calmer of the storm. Help us to show others Your calm. In Jesus' Name we pray. AMEN
Saturday, May 27, 2017
In Appreciation
No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him.
2nd Timothy 2:4 The Amplified Bible
Even though this weekend is the Memorial Day holiday, the month of May is designated as National Military Appreciation Month. So, I love when pastors ask veterans and/or those currently serving in the Armed Forces to please stand and be recognized, and it brings the house down with applause of appreciation and honor.
I watch men and women from WWII, bent with age, pull themselves up and stand taller than they've stood in the last year. Proud that someone remembers what they did for their country all those years ago.
I can usually tell those men and women who served during the Viet Nam war. They are different than the WWII vets. I try to look directly in the eyes of as many of those standing as I can, with my hand over my heart to say 'thank you' and I usually wind up in tears as their tears slip silently down their cheeks. It never fails.
There are the Desert Storm veterans and then the hardest ones for me - the Armed Forces of today. Young men and women whose faces haven't completely cleared from their high school acne and yet their eyes belie their years. With some of them, their faces are juxtaposed with the mental picture I have in my heart of their first day in elementary school when I worked there. Those are hard for me. But the Truth is, these youngest signed up. They volunteered to serve.
It's strange how my perspective on soldiers has changed with my age. When I was a kid, fathers were soldiers and that seemed fitting because fathers are supposed to protect. So in a child's reasoning, they were doing what they were supposed to do. In high school, with friends and family facing Viet Nam and the draft, we started off believing we were invincible because we were teens and that's what teens think... until one of the neighborhood kids was killed. And then another. And another. And then it was my oldest brother leaving to perform his duty in the Air Force. And my perspective changed again.
Now it's praying with the mom of the little boy from next door - the little boy/Marine who - on his fifth tour in Afghanistan - was wounded and still fought like a madman to save the lives of his men, earning the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart for his courage.
There is one thing they all have in common. They are changed. They are never again able to think only in terms of I and my and me. They realize they are only a part of the big picture. When engaged in battle, they listen only for the voice of their commanding officer. No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him. Waiting to hear, "Well done, Soldier."
And that is how we are supposed to be in service to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Not entangled by the affairs of this world, but listening for the voice of God, commanding that we love one another, that we serve each other in love, that we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable.
The three verses preceding our text in 2 Timothy 2 for today read this way:
A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Some are veterans, some are newbies, but all are changed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Are we good soldiers of Christ Jesus? Are we able to endure? Though wounded, are we fighting like madmen to save the lives of those around us?
Prayer:
Father
Our aim is to satisfy and please You. Help us to keep our focus on You so that we don't get entangled in the enterprises of life. Help us to be good soldiers for You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Even though this weekend is the Memorial Day holiday, the month of May is designated as National Military Appreciation Month. So, I love when pastors ask veterans and/or those currently serving in the Armed Forces to please stand and be recognized, and it brings the house down with applause of appreciation and honor.
I watch men and women from WWII, bent with age, pull themselves up and stand taller than they've stood in the last year. Proud that someone remembers what they did for their country all those years ago.
I can usually tell those men and women who served during the Viet Nam war. They are different than the WWII vets. I try to look directly in the eyes of as many of those standing as I can, with my hand over my heart to say 'thank you' and I usually wind up in tears as their tears slip silently down their cheeks. It never fails.
There are the Desert Storm veterans and then the hardest ones for me - the Armed Forces of today. Young men and women whose faces haven't completely cleared from their high school acne and yet their eyes belie their years. With some of them, their faces are juxtaposed with the mental picture I have in my heart of their first day in elementary school when I worked there. Those are hard for me. But the Truth is, these youngest signed up. They volunteered to serve.
It's strange how my perspective on soldiers has changed with my age. When I was a kid, fathers were soldiers and that seemed fitting because fathers are supposed to protect. So in a child's reasoning, they were doing what they were supposed to do. In high school, with friends and family facing Viet Nam and the draft, we started off believing we were invincible because we were teens and that's what teens think... until one of the neighborhood kids was killed. And then another. And another. And then it was my oldest brother leaving to perform his duty in the Air Force. And my perspective changed again.
Now it's praying with the mom of the little boy from next door - the little boy/Marine who - on his fifth tour in Afghanistan - was wounded and still fought like a madman to save the lives of his men, earning the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart for his courage.
There is one thing they all have in common. They are changed. They are never again able to think only in terms of I and my and me. They realize they are only a part of the big picture. When engaged in battle, they listen only for the voice of their commanding officer. No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him. Waiting to hear, "Well done, Soldier."
And that is how we are supposed to be in service to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Not entangled by the affairs of this world, but listening for the voice of God, commanding that we love one another, that we serve each other in love, that we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable.
The three verses preceding our text in 2 Timothy 2 for today read this way:
A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Some are veterans, some are newbies, but all are changed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Are we good soldiers of Christ Jesus? Are we able to endure? Though wounded, are we fighting like madmen to save the lives of those around us?
Prayer:
Father
Our aim is to satisfy and please You. Help us to keep our focus on You so that we don't get entangled in the enterprises of life. Help us to be good soldiers for You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Friday, May 26, 2017
A Memorial - reprinted by request
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God."
Acts 10:1-4 NKJV
Memorials are a great tribute to those who have given their lives in service for others, whether in the armed forces during conflict or through humanitarian effort. A time to remember and honor what they have done. However, it's a different kind of memorial I'm thinking about this evening - the one in our text for today. Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
When I read this, I had to ask myself. Have I prayed enough or given enough that my prayers and alms would come up for a memorial before God? And if I haven't, why haven't I? Do I take my freedom to worship so casually that I forget the price that was paid for it? Do I take for granted the rights afforded me as set forth by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? Because I was born into a Christian nation, do I turn an unfazed eye and ear to the plight of our Christian brothers and sisters who do NOT live in the land of the free and the home of the brave? Those for whom Christianity today is as much persecuted with beatings and torture and death, as it was in the first century?
For those who have given their lives to offer freedom in Christ to a lost and dying world - a memorial. For those who have given their lives so that I might live in the land of the free - a memorial. For the One who gave His life to redeem every soul - let my life be a living memorial...
Prayer:
Father,
Change our hearts! Renew a right spirit within us! Let our prayers and alms be such that they come up for a memorial before You...and You alone, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God."
Acts 10:1-4 NKJV
Memorials are a great tribute to those who have given their lives in service for others, whether in the armed forces during conflict or through humanitarian effort. A time to remember and honor what they have done. However, it's a different kind of memorial I'm thinking about this evening - the one in our text for today. Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
When I read this, I had to ask myself. Have I prayed enough or given enough that my prayers and alms would come up for a memorial before God? And if I haven't, why haven't I? Do I take my freedom to worship so casually that I forget the price that was paid for it? Do I take for granted the rights afforded me as set forth by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? Because I was born into a Christian nation, do I turn an unfazed eye and ear to the plight of our Christian brothers and sisters who do NOT live in the land of the free and the home of the brave? Those for whom Christianity today is as much persecuted with beatings and torture and death, as it was in the first century?
For those who have given their lives to offer freedom in Christ to a lost and dying world - a memorial. For those who have given their lives so that I might live in the land of the free - a memorial. For the One who gave His life to redeem every soul - let my life be a living memorial...
Prayer:
Father,
Change our hearts! Renew a right spirit within us! Let our prayers and alms be such that they come up for a memorial before You...and You alone, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Piecework
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 NLT
When I worked construction, I loved piecework jobs. For those of you who may not know, piecework is paid by the amount done instead of by the time spent doing it. Once the price was agreed upon, we could work as much or as little as we wanted. I could work hard and learn the best skills, knock the job out in two days and have the rest of the week off. Or I could work at a slower, less frenetic pace, and still get paid... when I got the job completed. Usually, there was a timeline; some sort of deadline by when it had to be finished.
Sometimes, we had unlimited units of work. We could get paid for ALL we got done - no matter how much, as long as it was done correctly. That was a serious pay off because I like to work... Well, actually, I like to get paid, but thankfully, I understand that I must work to get paid.
There are days - even now - I wish I still worked piecework. And today, as I was wishing it again, I realized that I do; it's just a different kind of peace. The price has already been agreed on - His life for mine - and then mine for His. And if I will work for it, using the best skills He's given me, there will be a SERIOUS payoff! Oh! And one more thing - there is a deadline - and it's looming large.
Prayer:
Father,
Matthew 5:9 NLT
When I worked construction, I loved piecework jobs. For those of you who may not know, piecework is paid by the amount done instead of by the time spent doing it. Once the price was agreed upon, we could work as much or as little as we wanted. I could work hard and learn the best skills, knock the job out in two days and have the rest of the week off. Or I could work at a slower, less frenetic pace, and still get paid... when I got the job completed. Usually, there was a timeline; some sort of deadline by when it had to be finished.
Sometimes, we had unlimited units of work. We could get paid for ALL we got done - no matter how much, as long as it was done correctly. That was a serious pay off because I like to work... Well, actually, I like to get paid, but thankfully, I understand that I must work to get paid.
There are days - even now - I wish I still worked piecework. And today, as I was wishing it again, I realized that I do; it's just a different kind of peace. The price has already been agreed on - His life for mine - and then mine for His. And if I will work for it, using the best skills He's given me, there will be a SERIOUS payoff! Oh! And one more thing - there is a deadline - and it's looming large.
Prayer:
Father,
Help us to see the work You have laid before us - work to usher in Your peace - work that must be done before YOU return. Thank you for the price You paid, and for allowing us to see the timeline for its completion. Help us to accomplish all the peace work that is available for us to do by Your mercy and grace! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
* As a Child
[Jesus speaking] said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:3 ESV
I have a tall, thin, blue wine-shaped bottle that I use to collect coins (mostly pennies). My youngest granddaughter has always been enamored with that bottle. When she was about three, it used to be one of her favorite things. We'd pour out all the pennies and Abby would put them back in, one by one, and then want to do it again; but we haven't done it in a long time. Recently, she asked for the bottle and we poured out all the pennies and she began coming up with unusual ways to pick them up and put them back in (including picking them up with her toes and actually getting them in the bottle!). She was enthralled with the whole idea.
As a child, she saw all those pennies and exclaimed, "We are rich!" We played with them for about an hour-and-a-half. All the while, she kept saying, "We're rich!" "Isn't this fun, Granna?" "Let's do it again!" As an adult, at first I laughed at her idea of rich, but then I remembered this verse, and I saw it through a whole, new light of understanding and realized we ARE abundantly rich. We have love and we have each other, joy in the moment, everything we need. We weren't concerned about jobs or bills or anything!
As a child, Abby was perfectly content with what was in front of her. When we, as adults, can acknowledge God in our daily lives and be perfectly content with what is in front of us, perhaps we'll grasp the Truth of what it means to come as a child.
Prayer:
Father,
Your Word tells us in Hebrews to be content with what we have, because You have said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." We trust You, O God! There is no greater sense of contentment than being in Your presence. Thank You for the reminder of what it means to come as a child. Please keep us ever mindful, for we want to enter the kingdom of Heaven. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
* Finding the Balance
“Now build a new cart, and find two cows that have just given birth to calves. Make sure the cows have never been yoked to a cart. Hitch the cows to the cart, but shut their calves away from them in a pen. Put the Ark of the Lord on the cart, and beside it place a chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors you are sending as a guilt offering. Then let the cows go wherever they. If they cross the border of our land and go to Beth-shemesh, we will know it was the Lord who brought this great disaster upon us. If they don’t, we will know it was not his hand that caused the plague. It came simply by chance.”
1st Samuel 6:7-9 NLT
Simply by chance. A coincidence.
The story behind our text today is that the Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant. Such triumph! At least, that's what they thought until they took the Ark to Ashdod into the temple of their idol Dagon. (See 1st Samuel 5). In the morning, with no one there, the idol had fallen with its face to the ground before the Ark of the Lord. The people were sure it was just a coincidence, so they set the idol back up. The next morning, the same thing had happened, only that time the head and hands had been broken off the idol and were lying in the doorway.
Keep in mind, the Philistines were not godly - they didn't understand right away. From that point on, when they entered the temple to worship Dagon, they didn't acknowledge that it was a broken, defeated idol per se, they just wouldn't step on the threshold where its head and hands had been. It reminds me of the response we get when we confront someone's unbelief with Truth from the Word and they respond with, "Oh, I know...but it's all good. At least I'm...."
Well, no. Actually, it's not all good. The point is this. The Philistines were trying to make what is holy conform to a pagan lifestyle, instead of having their pagan lifestyle changed by what is holy.
I'm continually amazed at our seemingly superhuman capacity and ability to accommodate and allow the same thing in our lives today. We want to balance out - and make allowances for - our favorite sin by being "really good" in something else - or worse - by casting stones at someone else's sin. "Well, at least I don't do such-and-such, like so-and-so..."
Newsflash! We can't balance holy and sin. We can't do enough good to balance out or dilute our sin so that it's palatable to God.
There is only one way to find balance in our lives between our humanness and holiness. One way. Jesus.
He hung in the balance for us.
Prayer:
Father,
Simply by chance. A coincidence.
The story behind our text today is that the Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant. Such triumph! At least, that's what they thought until they took the Ark to Ashdod into the temple of their idol Dagon. (See 1st Samuel 5). In the morning, with no one there, the idol had fallen with its face to the ground before the Ark of the Lord. The people were sure it was just a coincidence, so they set the idol back up. The next morning, the same thing had happened, only that time the head and hands had been broken off the idol and were lying in the doorway.
Keep in mind, the Philistines were not godly - they didn't understand right away. From that point on, when they entered the temple to worship Dagon, they didn't acknowledge that it was a broken, defeated idol per se, they just wouldn't step on the threshold where its head and hands had been. It reminds me of the response we get when we confront someone's unbelief with Truth from the Word and they respond with, "Oh, I know...but it's all good. At least I'm...."
Well, no. Actually, it's not all good. The point is this. The Philistines were trying to make what is holy conform to a pagan lifestyle, instead of having their pagan lifestyle changed by what is holy.
I'm continually amazed at our seemingly superhuman capacity and ability to accommodate and allow the same thing in our lives today. We want to balance out - and make allowances for - our favorite sin by being "really good" in something else - or worse - by casting stones at someone else's sin. "Well, at least I don't do such-and-such, like so-and-so..."
Newsflash! We can't balance holy and sin. We can't do enough good to balance out or dilute our sin so that it's palatable to God.
There is only one way to find balance in our lives between our humanness and holiness. One way. Jesus.
He hung in the balance for us.
Prayer:
Father,
Open our eyes of understanding to Your Truth. Reveal to us Your pure definition of living a holy and righteous life before You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Monday, May 22, 2017
Preventing a Forest Fire
In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
James 3:5-6 NLT
When I was a little girl, they used to have quite a few Smoky the Bear commercials. The campaign slogan was, Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires. I remember one in particular - a man driving down a beautiful country road on a day full of sunshine, smiling, windows down, listening to the radio, and finishing a cigarette. He takes one last puff and finger flicks it to the side of the road. The camera pans to the cigarette as it lay smoldering in some dry leaves on the side of the road, and with the breeze, blows the smoldering heat into flame and carries the now burning leaves into the woods, while the man drives off - merrily oblivious to what he has done.
The next frame opens to this same man shaking his head in disbelief and disgust after reading a newspaper headline regarding the thousands of acres destroyed by the out of control forest fire
caused by the carelessness of someone tossing a lit cigarette out the window... still clueless that it was his cigarette.
Heated words carelessly flung in a flash of anger can do the same thing. They can lay there and smolder as the perpetrator goes merrily along without giving the words a second thought. But we nurse, curse and rehearse them in our hearts, over and over, blowing on the embers till the flames lick at our very souls. Then the fire greedily spreads to every "dry timber" around us, spreading like a bad airborne virus, infecting (affecting) everyone within reach.
Don't do it! Fight those fires with the right kind of water. Learn to put out fires by the Living Water of the Word of God. In it, we find the wellspring of life. We learn of forgiveness and self-control and how to treat each other.
A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire - And only we can prevent forest fires.
Prayer:
Father,
Manifest the fruit of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. May our every word reflect Your love and light. If we're going to start fires, may they be revival fires born of prayer and time spent with You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Sunday, May 21, 2017
For the New Generation
O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
There are days I love going out to YouTube and listening to the music from years ago. Oh, how I remember and love those old songs of four-part harmony! Definitely NOT something my Toby Mac-loving grandkids would appreciate; however, it is part of my responsibility to make sure they know the One we're singing about - no matter who is doing the singing.
The generations coming after us are learning things every day. There is no end to the world's input into their lives. If we don't teach them - if we don't proclaim the power of God to this generation - tell them of His mighty miracles - how He's brought us through...saved us, sustained us, set us apart to serve Him and to serve others and how He'll do the same for them, what will they learn? And from whom? They need to know - we have to tell them! It's our story. It's history. It's HIS story in us and for them.
Prayer:
Father,
Psalm 71:17-18 NLT
There are days I love going out to YouTube and listening to the music from years ago. Oh, how I remember and love those old songs of four-part harmony! Definitely NOT something my Toby Mac-loving grandkids would appreciate; however, it is part of my responsibility to make sure they know the One we're singing about - no matter who is doing the singing.
Here's something to think about. What do the people around us learn or know of Jesus after they have interacted with us? Have we been someone they can trust? Have we exhibited God's love to them? Are we someone they want to spend more time with - or someone they have to spend time with and suffer through? Do they want to hear what we are speaking to them?
The generations coming after us are learning things every day. There is no end to the world's input into their lives. If we don't teach them - if we don't proclaim the power of God to this generation - tell them of His mighty miracles - how He's brought us through...saved us, sustained us, set us apart to serve Him and to serve others and how He'll do the same for them, what will they learn? And from whom? They need to know - we have to tell them! It's our story. It's history. It's HIS story in us and for them.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for the generations coming after us. Thank you that we can impart wisdom to them in so many different ways. Help us to form deeply, divinely-inspired love roads into the paths of their lives so that the signs to direct them to keep their lives going forward and the warning signs posted at the wrong turns can be clearly seen and followed. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Having It Your Way
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
Matthew 7:21-23 NLT
A fast food chain has built a thriving business on the motto, "Have It Your Way". In today's world, we want everything about life to go our way, too.
For a lunch - that's good! For a lifestyle lived before God, not...
Too often, the story goes something like this. Someone makes the choice they want to eat at the marriage supper of the Lamb of God and so they walk down the aisle and read the Lamb's words written in red. Then they start to make their choices. Oh, blessings - yeah, I like blessings! Blessings are good, I want some of those. Total Obedience? No, I don't think so... can I just have a little of that on the side, please? Just enough to say I had some. Health? Oh absolutely, I want good health and lots of it... Self-discipline? No, leave that off, okay? I don't wanna have to mess with that. Love? Of course, pour it on!! Can't ever have too much love. What? I have to give more to get more? No, never mind then. I don't want to pay the price for that...
A fast food chain has built a thriving business on the motto, "Have It Your Way". In today's world, we want everything about life to go our way, too.
For a lunch - that's good! For a lifestyle lived before God, not...
Too often, the story goes something like this. Someone makes the choice they want to eat at the marriage supper of the Lamb of God and so they walk down the aisle and read the Lamb's words written in red. Then they start to make their choices. Oh, blessings - yeah, I like blessings! Blessings are good, I want some of those. Total Obedience? No, I don't think so... can I just have a little of that on the side, please? Just enough to say I had some. Health? Oh absolutely, I want good health and lots of it... Self-discipline? No, leave that off, okay? I don't wanna have to mess with that. Love? Of course, pour it on!! Can't ever have too much love. What? I have to give more to get more? No, never mind then. I don't want to pay the price for that...
You get the picture. Our walk with God is not picking and choosing what WE want or don't want to do. We want Heaven. Jesus said, Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. It's your choice.
Prayer:
Father,
Prayer:
Father,
You set before us life and death, blessing and cursing, heaven or hell. We choose life. We choose to actually do Your will, acknowledging it is only by Your grace. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Friday, May 19, 2017
Including Peter
When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died." Mark 16:5-7 NLT
Mark 16:14-19 provides the most details of the day Christ ascended back into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. Matthew provides perhaps the most well-known - Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
But my favorite part of it all is in Mark 16:7...including Peter.
Peter the braggart - declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” And “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!”
Peter the slacker - sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane, instead of keeping watch.
Peter - the one who denied Jesus 3 different times that night following the Last Supper...just as Jesus said he would.
Peter the braggart - declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” And “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!”
Peter the slacker - sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane, instead of keeping watch.
Peter - the one who denied Jesus 3 different times that night following the Last Supper...just as Jesus said he would.
Verse 7, Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter... THAT Peter - the one who when he messed up, he messed up BIG time... go tell THAT Peter I'll see him in Galilee.
Gives you hope, doesn't it?
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for the hope that can only come through Your precious Son. Just like You did with Peter on more than one occasion, bid us come to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Giving Light
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
It is hard to see everything you've worked for being gutted and/or devalued and feel powerless to do anything about it. I know lots of people right now who feel that way. Compound that with life tragedies and it can be overwhelming...especially if we think we should have control of it.
The only thing we have control of is how we respond or react. And how we do either depends on our faith and trust in God and His Word. The Word tells us we have authority wherever we place our feet. As such, we can set the tenor of our home and our workplace.
Times may be hard. The uncertainty of your job may be difficult, but if God still has you in that place, you are there for a reason! Perhaps we need to be reminded to look at it in light of how we should be serving others instead of how we think we should be served.
Those around us are laid to our charge. We are to care for them. If we are to be a light in this darkness, we have to keep enough oil in our lamps to stay lit. We have to stay prayed up and praised up so that we have enough love to pour out.
I don't know about you, but oftentimes, I feel ill-equipped for this on all sides. Life IS a battle, and the odds are that we may be hurt. There will be pain, but I know God. And I know He is more than enough! Be a light of victory to your world through Him.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for handpicking us for the battle. Let us prove to be worthy of the fight. Lord, we want our good deeds to shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise You! Cause us to be victorious in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
It is hard to see everything you've worked for being gutted and/or devalued and feel powerless to do anything about it. I know lots of people right now who feel that way. Compound that with life tragedies and it can be overwhelming...especially if we think we should have control of it.
The only thing we have control of is how we respond or react. And how we do either depends on our faith and trust in God and His Word. The Word tells us we have authority wherever we place our feet. As such, we can set the tenor of our home and our workplace.
Times may be hard. The uncertainty of your job may be difficult, but if God still has you in that place, you are there for a reason! Perhaps we need to be reminded to look at it in light of how we should be serving others instead of how we think we should be served.
Those around us are laid to our charge. We are to care for them. If we are to be a light in this darkness, we have to keep enough oil in our lamps to stay lit. We have to stay prayed up and praised up so that we have enough love to pour out.
I don't know about you, but oftentimes, I feel ill-equipped for this on all sides. Life IS a battle, and the odds are that we may be hurt. There will be pain, but I know God. And I know He is more than enough! Be a light of victory to your world through Him.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for handpicking us for the battle. Let us prove to be worthy of the fight. Lord, we want our good deeds to shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise You! Cause us to be victorious in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Who Gives Me Strength
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV
We're a society of multi-taskers. I think it's an incredible testament to how God created us, but I don't think we were meant to do it every day, all day long. After all, we're supposed to do ALL things in moderation, right?
At any rate, I think God showed me a new perspective of our text for today - specifically, I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. How many of us claim this Scripture when we have a ton of things to do and we're already tired? Yes - I see those hands...
How many of us quote this Scripture in prayer back to God in kind of a back-handed way because we think we've already got more than enough to do and now there's one more thing and doesn't He know how busy I am, but I'll suffer through because I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength...
Somewhere along the way, the enemy of our soul has managed to warp our thinking! How many people do you know who refuse help with their tasks at hand because they think they're showing signs of weakness if they can't do it on their own? Or worse, think they're disappointing God if they can't accomplish it on their own?
When I don't have the strength to do something on my own, but someone comes alongside to help, I CAN get it done. When we have more tasks to be completed in a day than we can get done by ourselves and inside we're trying to pump ourselves up with the Word of God, I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength... I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength... I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength... then someone offers to help. How many of us refuse the help with, No, I can do it...
God never called us to walk alone. Hear me out. I'm not talking about your times alone with God - those are mandatory - I'm talking about the walking out part of our journey. If your load is heavy, it is made lighter by splitting it with someone, thereby increasing your strength. If you have MUCH to do, doesn't it get done more quickly if there is an extra pair of hands? This morning, I finally recognized that as another form of strength - a gift from God. I can do all things through Christ who GIVES me strength... Think about it.
What if that strength you're begging God for comes in the form of another person?
Prayer:
Father,
We're a society of multi-taskers. I think it's an incredible testament to how God created us, but I don't think we were meant to do it every day, all day long. After all, we're supposed to do ALL things in moderation, right?
At any rate, I think God showed me a new perspective of our text for today - specifically, I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. How many of us claim this Scripture when we have a ton of things to do and we're already tired? Yes - I see those hands...
How many of us quote this Scripture in prayer back to God in kind of a back-handed way because we think we've already got more than enough to do and now there's one more thing and doesn't He know how busy I am, but I'll suffer through because I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength...
Somewhere along the way, the enemy of our soul has managed to warp our thinking! How many people do you know who refuse help with their tasks at hand because they think they're showing signs of weakness if they can't do it on their own? Or worse, think they're disappointing God if they can't accomplish it on their own?
When I don't have the strength to do something on my own, but someone comes alongside to help, I CAN get it done. When we have more tasks to be completed in a day than we can get done by ourselves and inside we're trying to pump ourselves up with the Word of God, I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength... I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength... I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength... then someone offers to help. How many of us refuse the help with, No, I can do it...
God never called us to walk alone. Hear me out. I'm not talking about your times alone with God - those are mandatory - I'm talking about the walking out part of our journey. If your load is heavy, it is made lighter by splitting it with someone, thereby increasing your strength. If you have MUCH to do, doesn't it get done more quickly if there is an extra pair of hands? This morning, I finally recognized that as another form of strength - a gift from God. I can do all things through Christ who GIVES me strength... Think about it.
What if that strength you're begging God for comes in the form of another person?
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for answered prayers, even when the answer is no. Help us to recognize Your answer doesn't always fit our specs because we're not You. We acknowledge and affirm that You know what is best for our lives. Father, please give us strength. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Monday, May 15, 2017
Left to My Own Devices
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 NLT
I've mentioned before that I am probably one of the most directionally-challenged people you'll ever meet. Seriously. I have been lost so many times that everything looks familiar. The up side to that is now I can find my way from almost anywhere within a 50-mile radius of home.
I hate it when people tell me directions and say, "You can't miss it!" I promise you, left to my own devices, I can. I have. And I do! Just about every time.
I don't know about you, but it brings me great peace to know that God directs the steps of the godly. To know that God Himself delights in every detail of our lives.
WOW! Think about that for a moment...
What would it be like if we actually listened when He directed our every step? If we submitted every detail of our lives to Him? How confident and secure would we be? How much more of His purpose would we accomplish in our lives if we were that secure in Him?
Prayer:
Father,
Open our eyes to see You. Open our ears to hear You. Open our hearts to receive and believe Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Psalm 37:23-24 NLT
I've mentioned before that I am probably one of the most directionally-challenged people you'll ever meet. Seriously. I have been lost so many times that everything looks familiar. The up side to that is now I can find my way from almost anywhere within a 50-mile radius of home.
I hate it when people tell me directions and say, "You can't miss it!" I promise you, left to my own devices, I can. I have. And I do! Just about every time.
I don't know about you, but it brings me great peace to know that God directs the steps of the godly. To know that God Himself delights in every detail of our lives.
WOW! Think about that for a moment...
What would it be like if we actually listened when He directed our every step? If we submitted every detail of our lives to Him? How confident and secure would we be? How much more of His purpose would we accomplish in our lives if we were that secure in Him?
Prayer:
Father,
Open our eyes to see You. Open our ears to hear You. Open our hearts to receive and believe Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Treasure Seeking
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
Isaiah 55:6-7 NLT
It is part of my plan to instruct my grandchildren in the fine art of beach-combing. I hope to impart to them the many illustrations of God the Father, and Jesus Christ, His Son, through life at the beach.
Seek first, seek early - before the four-wheelers run up and down the beach, mindlessly crushing our treasure. Come expecting and prepared to gather treasure. We might find an entire bed of sand dollars or other treasure, and if we don't have anything to carry it with, we can't gather it all in. So we must bring a bag or bucket. We may be looking for totally different things from the beached shells, but it's in our timeless stroll that we can expound on our connection to God.
Seek Him first and seek Him early before the distractions of the day interfere with being able to see or hear Him. Prepare our hearts to receive what He has to give and come prepared to carry it back with us. Look for Him and the evidence of Him in our everyday, walking around lives... not just Sunday or Wednesday or Saturday. And yes, it may take discipline to rise early and to come prepared to receive, but after all, what is a 'disciple'? One who has disciplined oneself. According to Webster - training which corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. And we all know, apart from Christ, we stand no chance of having moral character, let alone perfecting it.
What treasures are you seeking?
Prayer:
Father,
May our hearts always be mindful of You in everything we see or do. Reveal Yourself to us, Father, according to Your Word, that those who seek You shall find You, when we seek with all our hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Isaiah 55:6-7 NLT
It is part of my plan to instruct my grandchildren in the fine art of beach-combing. I hope to impart to them the many illustrations of God the Father, and Jesus Christ, His Son, through life at the beach.
Seek first, seek early - before the four-wheelers run up and down the beach, mindlessly crushing our treasure. Come expecting and prepared to gather treasure. We might find an entire bed of sand dollars or other treasure, and if we don't have anything to carry it with, we can't gather it all in. So we must bring a bag or bucket. We may be looking for totally different things from the beached shells, but it's in our timeless stroll that we can expound on our connection to God.
Seek Him first and seek Him early before the distractions of the day interfere with being able to see or hear Him. Prepare our hearts to receive what He has to give and come prepared to carry it back with us. Look for Him and the evidence of Him in our everyday, walking around lives... not just Sunday or Wednesday or Saturday. And yes, it may take discipline to rise early and to come prepared to receive, but after all, what is a 'disciple'? One who has disciplined oneself. According to Webster - training which corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. And we all know, apart from Christ, we stand no chance of having moral character, let alone perfecting it.
What treasures are you seeking?
Prayer:
Father,
May our hearts always be mindful of You in everything we see or do. Reveal Yourself to us, Father, according to Your Word, that those who seek You shall find You, when we seek with all our hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Saturday, May 13, 2017
You Have to Ask Yourself...
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
1st Corinthians 15:58 NLT
Do we believe God for who He IS and not what we think He is? Do we even begin to understand who and what He is? You have to ask yourself, do I trust God? Do we?
Can you look at an apple seed and see an orchard?
Do we BELIEVE death and life are in the power of the tongue? That what we speak - words out of our own mouth - can bring forth life or death?
Do we understand what God can - and will - do with water offered to a thirsty soul? Or as residents in the 'civilized' world, living in a country full of excess - where we toss out more half-drunk bottles of water than we know what to do with - are we totally ignorant of the miraculous?
I am always amazed at how God takes the very least and increases it and brings a harvest of blessings from it - when whatever IT is - is done in His Name or with Him in mind.
Do we dare ask ourselves what we truly believe? Yes, we should ask ourselves! The truth is we live according to what we believe.
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for having tunnel vision when it comes to who You are. Give us wisdom, O God, to see You in Your fullness and in Your majesty and to live accordingly - in service to You only and what belongs to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
1st Corinthians 15:58 NLT
Do we believe God for who He IS and not what we think He is? Do we even begin to understand who and what He is? You have to ask yourself, do I trust God? Do we?
Can you look at an apple seed and see an orchard?
Do we BELIEVE death and life are in the power of the tongue? That what we speak - words out of our own mouth - can bring forth life or death?
Do we understand what God can - and will - do with water offered to a thirsty soul? Or as residents in the 'civilized' world, living in a country full of excess - where we toss out more half-drunk bottles of water than we know what to do with - are we totally ignorant of the miraculous?
I am always amazed at how God takes the very least and increases it and brings a harvest of blessings from it - when whatever IT is - is done in His Name or with Him in mind.
Do we dare ask ourselves what we truly believe? Yes, we should ask ourselves! The truth is we live according to what we believe.
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for having tunnel vision when it comes to who You are. Give us wisdom, O God, to see You in Your fullness and in Your majesty and to live accordingly - in service to You only and what belongs to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Friday, May 12, 2017
Which ER?
For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.
1st Chronicles 29:15 KJV
1st Chronicles 29:15 KJV
Whether or not we want to admit it, the majority of people are nestERs of one kind or anothER. Oh, they may be adventurERs in that they want to get to a new place, but when they get there, they want to build a nest and settle in...and they become settlERs. Nothing wrong with settlERs per se; they come in and tame a place, make it law-abiding and build towns and communities... as long as they don't become ruttERs...stuck in the same rut, can't get out, and confused, still thinking they're adventurER turned settlER... Then there are those who, once they've settled a place, know when it's time to move on, and they become movERs.
We are not the Creator. We are not the MastER PlannER. We haven't even done the front end engineERing to create the scope of work necessary to be the designER of all that God has planned and all that He has provided to carry out His plan. We are here to be followERs of Christ. SojournERs in the land, not settlERs. So, which ER are you?
Prayer:
Father,
We pray as David prayed, Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name. But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You. For we are strangers before You, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own. I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You. O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix our hearts toward You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Thursday, May 11, 2017
The Lord
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:3 NLT
By this time in our walk together, you know my love affair with words. And while communication can be a good thing - sometimes even a great thing between friends - there are those times when I have no words save those which put me back in the proper mindset of my relationship with Christ. Such is the chapter from which our text is derived.
Psalm 34 from the New Living Translation.
I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?
Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth.
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for Your Word that You redeem those who serve You. Lord, we take our refuge in You. Rescue us, O God, from our selfish ways. We want to love as You love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Two Things
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 NKJV
Somewhere around mid-morning, I lost track of the number of people who did not sleep well last night. Various reasons, but most of them were "thinking about this" or "thinking about that"... which could easily translate "worrying about this" or "worrying about that."
Worrying is not what we're supposed to do. Worry is caused by fear. Fear is a lack of trust. It is the opposite of faith... It does NOT please God. According to Hebrews 11:6, Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Worrying is not what we're supposed to do. Worry is caused by fear. Fear is a lack of trust. It is the opposite of faith... It does NOT please God. According to Hebrews 11:6, Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Isaiah 26:3 tells us, You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. If we keep our mind focused on the Lord and Who He is and what He's already done for us - if we study His Word to know His promises toward us, IF we obey His Word - THEN we can trust Him. IF we will trust Him, THEN we can be at peace. When we reach that place, then we'll do two things...
We will lie down in peace AND sleep.
Prayer:
Father,
You alone are God. You alone make us to dwell in safety. You alone are our Shield and Buckler, our Shelter in the time of storm. When our hearts are overwhelmed within us, You, O Lord, are the Rock that is higher. Our safe place. Father, we choose to trust You and to lie down in peace AND sleep. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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