Cyber S.O.A.P.

TRUST = RIGHTEOUSNESS

2010-03-05T09:50:00.001-07:00

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:32-36

“In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.

When the LORD heard what you said, he was angry and solemnly swore: "Not a man of this EVIL generation shall see the good land I swore to give your forefathers, except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly."

Observation:

These people were not Sodom & Gomorra. They were not involved n “gross” sin - in the way we would define it. They were not involved in sexual perversions, they were not committing murder, nor were they stealing.

What was their sin that made them evil in God’s sight? They did not trust Him. After a history of God’s goodness, miracles, protection, etc., they could still not trust God.

Sometimes you can figure out the character of God by a study in opposites. If it is true that a lack of trust is so huge that it is defined by God as EVIL, then it must be true that trust in God would be defined as RIGHTEOUSNESS. In fact, the Bible said that Abraham’s belief/trust in God was credited to Him as righteousness.

Application:

I wonder how many times I was less than righteous before God - what promises have I dismissed, what commandments I reasoned away, what trouble did I borrow, where have I expected the worst, instead of trusting God to be good to me?

I want to live a righteous life so I must live a life of hope, faith, belief, and trust in God. Anything else relates more to my flesh (evil) than my spirit (the part of me that connects to God). “Without faith it’s impossible to please the Lord your God.”

Prayer:

Father, Thank you that I have a history that is marked by your goodness. Through all the “impossible” situations you have shown yourself strong and good. The lines in my life have fallen for me in good places. Help my history with you empower my future by building my trust in you. In Jesus name, AMEN!

The Peculiar Feel Of Faith

2010-02-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

Scripture: Mark 5:27-34

“When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, ‘If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.’ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my clothes?’

‘You see the people crowding against you,’ his disciples answered, and yet you can ask, “Who touched me?'”

But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’”

Observation:

The question the disciples had was a good question. Hundreds of people were pressing in to get a glimpse of the miracles and the “miracle man”. How could Jesus even ask such a question? “Who touched me?” It would have been easier to answer, “Who hasn’t touched me?” This was no ordinary touch - it was the touch peculiar to faith.

Hundreds pressed in with a desire, a need, a hope, or a curiosity, but the touch that was identifiable, the touch that Jesus could pick out of the crowd was the touch of faith. It had a peculiar feel. “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.”

Application:

I wonder how many people press in with a desire, a need, a hope or a curiosity in these days? Maybe millions of people pressing into church, or nature, a book, or even a prayer. Curious to see if God is real, and if He is will He help me. I am positive that God responds to all of those motivations. He will take any opportunity to, any type of seeking, to make himself known to man. However, there is something about our faith that grabs the attention and heart of God.

I don’t want to be curious about God, I want to be confident. I want to know that “If I just touch God I will be healed.” “If I spend time in prayer my day will get better, my problems will be taken care of, my future will be secure, my struggles will be doable.” “If I call on Jesus, He will help me.” I want God to recognize that peculiar feel of faith in me.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for this day that you have made. It is a good day and my life is blessed. The lines have fallen for me in good places. Help me to have faith today for the days tasks and my life’s ambitions. Help me to believe in you with all faith. May you feel that peculiar feel of faith from my life today. In Jesus Name: Amen!

Mighty People Know Their Source

2010-02-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

Scripture: Psalm 29:1-2

“Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.”

Observation:

For the first time, I’ve read this and noticed that the one’s who are attributing to the Lord are the mighty. It’s not the weak, the incapable, tht inept, etc.. We are all mighty in one one way or the other - some of us are mighty in our ability to organize, others in their ability to negotiate, some in their ability to befriend, other are mighty in their physical strength, and others in their financial strength.

Application:

God has called us to no only acknowledge His ability to do what we can’t, but to acknowledge that He is even mighteir than we are in the areas that we excell in. He’s called us to complete dependency upon Him. He’s called us to worship Him on the basis that He is bigger and even better. He is mightier!

The cool thing is this acknowledgement doesn’t result in deflated person. As God is glorified in every area of our lives we become grateful people. Grateful that in all of His greatness, in all of His splendor, He has been good to us. He has made us mighty if only in an area of lives. As we walk in His greatness instead of ours, somehow we live an exalted life.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to always live my life under your greatness. There is great protection, provision, and promise their. My might is limited but your has no end. Help me to live the limitless life that I have promised to me in Christ. You are strong - let your strength be shown in my life. In Jesus name - AMEN!

A Transformed Life

2010-02-24T08:51:00.001-07:00

SCRIPTURE: Mark 3:20-21

“Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind.”

Observation:

Can you imagine the thoughts that are going thru Jesus’ family’s minds. Jesus is causing a scene in the neighborhood. He’s provoking their spiritual leaders to anger, he’s drawing lots of attention from the people they do life and business with. “What are they gonna think of us?” “What questions are we gonna have to answer?” “How embarrassing!”

This is not the Jesus they had known and grown up with. Mary knew the promise of God, but not necessarily the step-by-step plan. His brothers knew He was a little different - He was a good kid and had become a good man, a little strange in the sense that he didn’t seem interested in women, always seemed to be right, didn’t fight back with them, never wanted to join in the trouble, etc - but overall He was normal. But the Jesus they had grown up with had not yet been to the desert, been filled with the Holy Spirit, or baptized by John the Baptist.

This Jesus was flying in the face of an entire political, religious, and cultural system. This Jesus was shaking things up, and the entire family would be be suspect. This type of judgement, scrutiny, and attention would only be worth it if what He was standing for was true. At this point they are not sure.

Application:

I think of those who begin their new life in Christ whose family has thought the same of them “He/She is out of his/her mind.” As they give their life to Christ and their lives begin to transform - their values, purpose, attitudes, behaviors, and talk, begin to change - those whom they do life and business with begin to say “This isn’t the person that I know and love.”

Bitter-sweet! Bitter because relational strain is difficult. Bitter because some will never understand. Sweet because this is evidence that your life has truly been impacted by Jesus. Sweet because some will eventually understand and desire the same life that you have chosen. A life in Christ filled with all the fruitfulness that the Holy Spirit has to offer: love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Prayer:

Father thank you for the great transformation that has taken place in my life. Let me continue to experience it in all of its fullness. Help me to resemble you more and more! Let my life speak life those I do life and business with. In Jesus name. AMEN!

As We Trust In Him

2009-12-03T08:40:00.005-07:00

by: jc

SCRIPTURE: Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

OBSERVATION:

The words “as you trust in Him” seemed to pop off the page today. We long to be happy and to have peace in our lives. Oh, to have a worry free day! Oh, to have a day that is marked with JOY! Even when it’s not Christmas.

I think what God is saying to me by highlighting those words is that Joy does not come from a lack of situations that are upsetting and peace does not appear with the disappearance of worrisome circumstances.

My thoughts are drawn this direction because of the word “TRUST”. If every thing is great, where does trust fit? You have to trust when circumstances offer opportunities for negative results. You have to trust when things have gone from good to bad and possess the potential to go from bad to worse.

As we TRUST Him God fills our lives with ALL joy and peace. As this happens our lives OVERFLOW with hope as the Holy Spirit works it into our lives.

APPLICATION:

Hope, joy, and peace, are not connected to the natural/physical world. They are attributes that are connected to our spirits - they supernatural/spiritual. If I am going to possess those attributes then I can’t look to find them in circumstances. Furthermore, they can't be learned by my physical mind. These attributes are imparted to us by God as we learn to TRUST Him.

We learn to trust God by allowing the Holy Spirit to work hope into our lives. We do this by intentionally setting our hearts and minds on what the Holy Spirit wants to teach us.

The intentional part is the practice of spiritual disciplines - Reading scripture, praying, meditating, fellowship, serving God’s church, sharing our faith with others, etc.... Once again God showed me that the greatest miracles, both in quantity and quality, take place in us rather than in our circumstances.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your overwhelming love. What an awesome miracle that you have performed in us by filling us with your peace and joy. These are attributes that you possess. You are never rattled or sour. Thank you that you impart your image, your attributes, in us. God please help me to trust you more so that I may become more like you. In Jesus name I ask, AMEN!

Calling God To Mind

2009-09-10T08:41:00.001-07:00

SCRIPTURE: LAMENTATIONS 3:19-26

“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

OBSERVATION:

I just had a conversation with my kids about how tough it is to get yucky and negative thoughts out of our mind. It may be a reoccuring nightmare or just negative thoughts, maybe it’s bad memories or the hard time your are currently facing, whether it is based on reality or simply “borrowing trouble” these thoughts are difficult to overcome. Impossible without God in our lives.

I am convinced that most if not all of our battles in life are first won in our minds. We choose to press in or to retreat in our minds. We find hope or lose it in our minds. We remember God’s promises or ignore them in our minds.

APPLICATION:

Winning the battle is not forgetting our struggle or never feeling downcast. It is calling to mind the person of God - the loving, compassionate, faithful, good, and saving God who is enough. It is speaking His character to ourselves in the midst of our struggle. It is waiting on Him. It is giving your spirit a voice not just your mind and your emotions.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your mercies which are new every morning. Help me to not simply mentally rehearse my circumstances, but to call to mind who you are and who you have been to me. Help me to propheticly speak your person and presence into my circumstances and life. You are good and faithful Lord, thank you for this reminder this morning. If ever I needed it it is now. In Jesus’s name - AMEN!

VALUE COMES FROM THE GIVER, NOT THE GIFT

2009-09-01T12:44:00.001-07:00

SCRIPTURE: Ezekial 16:13-16

“‘You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect,’ declares the Sovereign LORD.

‘But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. Such things should not happen, nor should they ever occur.’”

OBSERVATION:

It is an amazing thing how this happens - not to mention how often this happens. Ezekial is painting a picture of the relationship between God and His people. God finds us, or we approach God, beaten up by circumnstances and life. God cleans us up, heals our wounds, place value in us, gifts us with abilities and influence. We get so wrapped up and consumed with the gift that we ignore the giver. We become deceived and belive that it is the gifts that impart value rather than the giver of the gift confirming the value he has given us thru gifting us.

APPLICATION:

God makes all things beautiful in His time - yes, even us. When I see beauty in my life I want it to cause me to trust in God and not in myself. I want it to inspire praise and worship to the one who gives me value and gifted me beauty (character, influence, family, finances, etc.). I don’t want to trust in the beauty but in the one who makes me beautiful.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you are doing a thing of beauty in my life. You have gifted me with health and relationships. You have given me a purpose and the talents to walk that purpose out. You have blessed me with so much. I remember who I am with and without you. I choose to give remain in you, the One who makes me beautiful and established my worth. Thank you for all the things you have done and all the you have poured into my life. In Jesus Name, AMEN!

Vitamins & Antibitics

2009-08-27T09:34:00.001-07:00

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 143:8

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

OBSERVATION:

I am finding more and more that David is on to something with his theme of morning time with God. I am not legalistic, nor do I pretend that David is presenting a commandment or a doctrine. He is simply providing wisdom that comes from a close walk with God.

I lived for many years saying that I am a night person and that I think better at night. The truth is that while I think more and do seem to be more talkative at night, it is not necessarily better thinking and better conversation. My thoughts are usually clouded by the day’s events. My conversation with God is mostly about how I need God to fix me after a hard day’s work.

APPLICATION:

When I spend time with God in the morning I find that I am strengthened for the day. I find what I need to fend off irritation and sickness before the work even starts. The day finds me in Christ and so I easily find Christ in my day. My morning time focuses me on the goodness of God which gives me strength.

To me it’s the difference between taking a daily vitamin and taking your bed time antibiotic. One is preventative while the other is corrective after the damage is done.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for goodness and for your faithfulness. Your mercies, godness, faithfulness, strength, and forgiveness can be found afresh every morning. Lord, help me to be consistent in my devotional life - that I would your Word into my life like a vitamin so I am not desperate for an antibiotic at night. I love you and give you my day. In Jesus name, AMEN!

Borrowing Trouble

2009-08-26T13:12:00.001-07:00

SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 51:46

“Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.”

OBSERVATION:

There is no doubt that there is a lot to be concerned about in the world. There are many realities that are less than positive that we will need to navigate in our life time. The truth is that is normal life. The Bible says that God will not give us more than we can handle, and that when it is too much for us He becomes our strength. So the real hardships in life are doable - not easy or quick but doable.

I’ve found that most of the people I have counseled as a pastor, as well as observing my own life, that most people who are stricken with fear, stressed out, depressed (emotionally, not clinically), are so not because of the hardships they face but because of all of the possibilities that surround their hardship.

These possibilities are nothing more than rumors. It is funny how much weight we give these things as we draw conclusions regarding our circumstances. Most rumors and possibilities never come true. Some my not be based on reality while others may be real possibilities, but most are not probable. Yet we let those things cause us to lose heart or be afraid. It’s the borrowed trouble that usually takes its toll on us. It’s the borrowed trouble that overwhelms and distracts us from dealing with the real problems in life. It is the borrowed trouble that paralizes us with fear and stress and causes us to throw our hands up in defeat.

APPLICATION:

If I am stressed, it has to be becasue I am taking on more than God has given me. If my circumstances are too much to handle, it is because I have taken more than my share of the burden. If I am afraid I have most likely borrowed trouble somewhere along the way - trouble that may never happen or trouble that is God’s to cary. I need to concern myself with what I can do to navigate my circumstances today with God, and not borrow trouble for tomorrow.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for giving me what I can handle and for carrying the things that are beyond me. Help me to not borrow trouble by listening to rumors - whether they be from people who mean well or the enemy whispering doom & gloom into my ear. Help me to remember that every circumstance contains the potential for you to be glorified and for me to transformed into your image. Help me to face my days with faith in your word and not fear rooted in rumors. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

I'm My own Mother???

2009-08-25T09:04:00.003-07:00

SCRIPTURE: 2 JOHN 1:1-4

“To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth - because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love. It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.”

OBSERVATION:

One of the beautiful metaphors of the Bible is the Church as a family. John is writing the “chosen lady” (the church) and her children (the individual believers). What stands out is that the community, the unified believers, together are deemed the mother while those same people on an individual level are her children.

When we are looking at the task of making disciples we see that each person is part of the nurturing, caring, and teaching mother who brings discipleship to her children, and at the same time those same people are the individual children who receives nurture, care, and teaching from her. This really spotlights our interdependence. It amplifies how we truly need each other in our journey with God. We are at the same time dependent and depended upon - caring and being cared for, nurturing and being nurtured, teaching and being taught.

APPLICATION:

What I see here is that while we may mature in relationship with Christ, we never outgrow our place as child and our need for our mother. We may become more engaged in our role in the church as one who nurtures, cares, and teaches. We may become more stable in our personal relationship with Christ, but we never outgrow our relationship with Jesus. I need to make myself available for service and open to be cared for by others. The second for some reason is harder than the first. The “for some reason” being pride. So much so that I had to say “for some reason” than to readily admit my pride. So the focus God wants me to take today is to lay down pride, walk humbly before him, and call on the church for help when I need it.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for providing so much in my life through your church. Your people have provided teaching, care, nurture, provision, direction, correction, among many other wonderful things to my life. I also thank you for the honor and the privilige of being able to walk with others in that role of teacher/caregiver. I pray for the community of Crosspointe, that you would help us to collectively make up a healthy mother, who produces healthy children. In Jesus’ strong name, AMEN!

The Interdependence Of Christian Community

2009-07-21T09:23:00.002-07:00

SCRIPTURE: JAMES 5:15-20

”Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up...

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective...

My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

OBSERVATION:

The first thing that pops into my mind is that God’s work is done in community. Someone is sick, the community of believers prays, God heals. Someone sins, the community is confessed to, God forgives and heals. Someone waivers in their faith and wanders from the truth, the community reaches out, God saves.

I am afraid that we have made our realtionship with God too personal. It is personal in the sense that it is a relationship between God and I - I am the only person accountable for my walk with God - It is my faith alone that grabs onto salvation in Christ. On the other hand this relationship is lived out in relationship and community with people. Serving God is lived out among the “least of these”. Worshipping God is lived out thru communion with other believers. Growing in my relationship with God is lived out as “iron sharpens iron” so one man sharpens another”. Seeing God work in others inspires faith in God for my own life.

It is my personal realtionship with God, but it is interdependant with other believers. It is their relationship with God but it is interdependant with me.

APPLICATION:

I need to both invite others into my walk with God and engage in other’s walks with God. I need to call on others when I am sick, when have struggled with sin. I need to engage with others, take the innitiative, when I see others struggling in their faith. I can’t simply wash my hands saying, “It’s their personal relationship, I have nothing to do with it.” So I will keep my eyes open and be intentional today about how I can be a source of healing and encouragement to others.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the wonderful community of believers that you have blessed me with. Thank you for their many gifts and talents, for their hearts to serve and care for others, and for their desire to grow in you. Father, help me to be a source of your work in their lives - serving them, praying for them, listening to the, bringing truth to them, and lifting them up in prayer. Also, help me to remember that I am a part of the community - you have placed me at the helm as their pastor, but my position does not remove me from simply being a part of the community of faith. At times I will need encouragement, healing, forgiveness, and accountability. Help me to be vulnerable and transparent to you by being vulnerable and transparent to the people you have placed in my life.

The Same Spirit As Jesus

2009-07-12T07:24:00.003-07:00

SCRIPTURE - ISAIAH 11:1-3

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD -and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;”

OBSERVATION:

This is a Messianic prophecy - speaking of Christ’s coming to earth and the Holy Spirit rest on Him. Spirit of the Lord that we read about in the same Spirit given to every believer. Jesus was God and yet when came to dwell among us as Messiah He left His position as God in heaven. He made himself like us, completely dependant upon the Holy Spirit.

As Christians we Have the same Holy Spirit that empowered and directed Christ himself. We are filled with the Holy Spirit who gives us wisdom & understanding, counsel and power, knowledge, and the fear of God. We are no longer limited by our own sight and perspective, or our own hearing and understanding. We now have the perspective, understanding, wisdom, direction, and power of God.

APPLICATION:

I am no longer forced to jump to conclusions about people, circumstances, oe even myself. There is more than meets the eye - but it doesn’t get passed God. There are deeper issues than I can percieve, but are never beyond God’s understanding. There are more options, answers, opportunities, and solutions than circumstances present to us, but God will show us - and empower us to overcome our circumstances. He gives us His Holy Spirit to usher in the Kingdom of God to our lives.

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for your goodness and mercy shown to me. “Faithfulness is a sash around your waist.” You are faithful to us. You have given me so much in life - every opportunity for sin has a way out because of you. Every hardship comes with the power to endure and overcome. Every big decision comes with wisdom and direction. All of this because you have given us the Holy Spirit. Help us this morning to keep in step with the Holy Spirt. That we would be sensitive to His leading in our lives. In Jesus name, AMEN!

Completely Dependent

2009-07-08T11:00:00.002-07:00

SCRIPTURE: HOSEA 13:4-6 & 9

"But I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me.

I cared for you in the desert, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me...

... You are destroyed, O Israel, because you are against me, against your helper.”

OBSERVATION:

I am always blown away by our ability to convince ourselves that we do not need God. At least until we are convnced that we do. You would think that we would just anchor ourselves in the understanding that we are dependant upon God, but instead we eb & flow between independence and dependency right along with the eb & flow of our circumstances.

When our circumstances leave us wanting, hungry, and thirsty, we run to God acknowledging our need for a Savior. Once our circumstances change because of His faithfullness, we are fulfilled and forget we were ever in need of God. In fact we convince ourselves that it is because of our own wisdom, strength, and fortitude, that we are in the wonderful season we are in. We become proud.

Pride makes us confident in ourselves. We begin to go our own way. Arguing instead of listening. Moving instead of waiting. Planning instead of praying. Quitting instead of enduring. The reality, we are fighting the only one who can help us.

APPLICATION:

God is the only one who can Save, the only one who can help. I will praise him - acknowledge His goodness - in the valley and on the mountain top, when I am up and when I am down. I will force myself to thank Him when things are good and when things are bad. I will not let my relationship with God be tossed about by the tide of life. Circumstances do not make more or less dependant. In Him I live, and move, and have my being. I need Him completely all the time and everywhere.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your goodness. The fact that you are faithful to save me. You are the only one who can help me. Help me to not let external things (circumstances) determine my level of trust and dependency upon you. Protect me from the folly of pride I pray. In Jesus Name - Amen!

Confidence With God Thru Christ

2009-07-07T08:02:00.002-07:00

SCRIPTURE - HEBREWS 4:12-16

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

OBSERVATION

This passage is bitter sweet as it shows us how vulnerable and beautiful our relationship with God is. Scripture lays our lives bare, revealing the condition of our soul and spirit, and judging our thoughts and attitudes. As we engage with God’s Spirit thru scripture there is an awareness that God knows us and we don’t measure up.

Suddenly, we read the next paragraph that says that while both God and us know that we fall short, we have a God who sympathizes with us. We have a God who understands our weekness. Though he was never weak he was human and felt the pressure of temptation. He is familiar with its allure. He experienced its relentless pull toward sin.

As Jesus acts as our High Priest in heaven, interceding for us before the Father, we are able to “firmly hold on to the faith we profess.” Not disqualifying ourselves or being crushed under the weight of the responsibility our faith places on us. We carry the responsibility of our faith knowing that Christ has carried the punishment for our sins and carries us as we live out God’s plan for our lives. So we approach God’s throne no longer as a throne of judgement but a throne of grace. The accountability that God brings to our life no longer brings judgement and destruction, but grace and correction. It is rooted in mercy. Confidence replaces insecurities.

APPLICATION

When I read this first paragraph I feel the earliest of human nature begin to arise in me. Like Adam and Eve, I realize that I am uncovered and bare before God. My instict is to run, cover myself, and hide. What a vlunerable feeling. What an insecure feeling.

Then comes the next paragraph that restores confidence and security. I need to allow my life to be laid bare before God, confident that He desires to correct and repair my life. Confident that He will use His word as scalpel that cuts out cancer and not a sword that destroys.

PRAYER

Father, thanks for your word. Thank you for sending your Son to earth to die for my sins and to become my High Priest. Thank you for the confidence of knowing that Jesus is in heaven doing my bidding - interceding for me. Lord help me to overcome my sin nature that wants to run and hide. Instead settle into your throne room of grace and let me find mercy. In Jesus name, AMEN!

Tolerance - Does God tolerate it?

2009-07-04T08:52:00.002-07:00

SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 15:1-5

“In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign. He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother's name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

The LORD afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, and he lived in a separate house. Jotham the king's son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.”

OBSERVATION:

Something about this story immediately rubs me the wrong way. Azariah does what is right in the eyes of the Lord. He didn’t tear down the places of worship for other religions, but it’s not like he worshipped there. It doesn’t sit well with my 21st century American values and even theology. I really had to pray this one thru. “God, you really messed up Azariah’s life because he didn’t make other people stop worshipping other gods? It’s not like he worshipped them.”

Thru this time of meditating on this passage and listening for God’s help in understandng, I began to see the folly tollerance. It seems that many 21st century American Christians are a lot like Azariah. They have come to believe that as long as they personally honor God that is enough. They believe that they have no obligation, in fact they have no right to speak against false religions and ungodly practices. Our culture has said that to speak against another’s choice to practice even obvious harmful/unethical is wrong - especially if you are a Christian.

APPLICATION:

I am reminded of my role in this world as a Christian - to be an ambassador, a prophetic voice, a priesthood. I have a responsibility to stand for righteousness and Christian values. Not because it’s my favorite, but because it is true - it’s not just my choice among many other choices. It is truth. I have walked with God long enough to know He is good and right and is the hope for the world. It does not have to be arrogant to speak against ungodliness. I have had to tear down things in my own life that were contrary to God’s best for my life.

In fact it is a heart of compassion and love that should drive us to make a plea for godliness righteousness. To contend for biblically based morality and a government that holds to a Christian faith.

PRAYER:

Father help me to be a voice for righteousness without being an obnoxious jerk. Let my God-breathed convictions override my desire to be PC or tollerant. Father, my greatest desire is to be an effective infuence - helping people go from death to life. Offering hope, not an angry voice. Offering truth, not a debate. Offering Christ. In Jesus name - AMEN!

God Qualifies Us To Live His Plan/Call

2009-07-03T08:11:00.002-07:00

SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 6:4-9

“At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. ‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.’

Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.’

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go and tell this people...’”

OBSERVATION:

Isaiah finds himself in the throneroom of God and surrounded by angelic beings singing praise to God. In the midst of this, he realizes how huge the chasm between he and God truly is. His immediate response is one of guilt, shame and disqualification. “I am unclean, my daddy is unclean, my grand-daddy is unclean, and all my friends are unclean.”

The very thing God is calling Isaiah to do is to be his mouthpiece - to be a prophet. Isaiah’s contention is that his lips are unclean. A seraph grabs a coal from the altar and touches it to Isaiah’s lips and cleanses them. God says, “Your lips are the problem? Then I’ll take care of it.”

It is true that we are unqualified to serve God in and of ourselves. We are all just as unclean as Isaiah. It is also true that God is the one who qualifies us to live the life that He has planned for us.

APPLICATION:

I can easily disqualify myself from anything of God. I can look at my family roots, my past, and my present sin and recognize that there is a huge chasm between who I am and who God is. I can easily see why I am not the man for the job.

When I identify my old disqualified self thru guilt and shame I need to trust that He will touch those areas of my life and bring cleansing and healing - qualifying me to be the person He created me to be and live the life He has called me to live. I need to remember that I cannot qualify myself thru physical effort when it is God who started my calling and transformation in the spirit.

PRAYER:

Thank you God that you don’t give up on us. You forgive us and make us who you have always created us to be. Help me to fix my eyes on you and your ability to make me the man you’ve called me to be. I will connect myself to your Spirit and make sure I spend time designed for you to work your plan and character into my life. Lord help me to be qualified for the work you’ve place before me as a husband, dad, friend, and pastor. In Jesus name, AMEN!!!

Who We Are Flows From What We Worship

2009-07-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE - Psalm 115:4-8

“But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”

OBSERVATION:

I guess the main point of this passage is that we are always smaller than the things we worship.

To me, this illustrates or amplifies our divine design. We were created with a need for significance and we were created with a draw toward worship. These two things are connected in the sense that we find our significance in worship - in the things that we hold dear to us in our hearts. These things are on our minds, shape our values, establish our self worth, plan our futures, and define our significance.

When we build idols of worship - carreers, relationships, academia, power, position, recognition, etc. - we will never grow beyond those things. We are never bigger than the thigs we worship.

APPLICATION:

While I may work hard in my career, have close relationships, grow in knowlege, and possess titles, I must keep my perspective straight. These are things I possess, they don’t possess me. The moment they do is the moment I have given them my heart and have set them up as idols - I have begun to worship them. This is also the moment that I must lay them down and realign the focus of my worship to the only one fit for it. God is the only one who is worthy and capable of possessing my life and receiving my worship.

PRAYER:

Father, there are always things vying for my attention and my worship. Many of them seem harmless and others are blatantly evil. Help me to be wise enough to discern my own heart, strong enough to defy my hearts desires, and humble enough to call on your help when I am struggling. Forgive me for allowing things to steal my thoughts and allowing desires to occupy space in my heart. I love you Lord and give you my life and my worship.

Reasoning With God

2009-07-01T08:22:00.001-07:00

SCRIPTURE - ISAIAH 1:18-20

"’Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

OBSERVATION:

I love this passage because it is written in the context of a relationship between a father and sons. Sons who have rebelled against their dad - who have went sideways against his values and ignored his desires. God’s not talking to enemies here. Instead, He is talking to His kids. While He is right and even angry He does not misplace the relationship.

He is convinced that His children can “learn to do right” (vs 17) so He desires to reason together. The key is to not misunderstand “reason”. God is truth, all knowing, and all wise. When He wants to reason together it is not so we can convince Him that we are right - it is not a debate. He desires to hear us out so He can bring His truth to us - we need to know where our lives don’t line up. That is why “reasoning” is followed by possible responses and possible consequences - obedience and God’s hand of blessing, or rebellion and the removal of God’s hand of protection.

APPLICATION:

I need to spend time reasoning together with God - to share my thoughts with Him so that I can hear them along side of God’s thoughts. I need to see where my reasoning is not in sync with God’s. I need to choose willingness and obedience.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your goodness toward me. Thank you that you never misplace our relationship. You always deal with me as a son and not an enemy. You see the potential in me to learn to do right and reason with me toward that end. Help me to be willing and obedient - that is my commitment to you. In Jesus name - AMEN!

The Truth, The Whole Truth, ANd Nothing But The Truth

2009-06-18T07:44:00.004-07:00

SCRIPTURE: 1KINGS 22:8

“The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, ‘There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.’
‘The king should not say that,’ Jehoshaphat replied.”

OBSERVATION:

Jehoshaphat was asked by Ahab to partner with them in battle against Ramoth Gilead.Jehoshaphat says “It sounds good to us kings, but what is God saying through His prophets?” They survey the prophets and the survey says... DING, all clear for battle! But it seems that Jehoshaphat has a “gut check” and wants to make sure there are no opposing thoughts among the prophets.

Ahab says, “You know, I left this guy, Macaiah, off the list. I really can’t stand him because he never tells me what I want to hear. He is always prophesying against me. He just doesn’t like me.” At least that’s what I hear as I read this passage.

When I read the stories of people in the Bible I always try and find how my life measures up. Is there something I can learn from this persons experience and apply to my own life. Can I learn how to walk with God closer, follow Jesus more confidently, lead and care for people more skillfully, be a better husband and father, avoid a pitfall, or build character. So as I read Ahab’s words, “I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me...” I have to ask the question about myself, “Do I disqualify negative voices from speaking into my life and into decision making processes?”

Nobody likes negativity. However, we should desire truth. Unfortunately, not all truth is fun to hear. Not all truth feels good and nice. Some truth is contrary to what we’d rather do and to how we are thinking.

APPLICATION:

If I want to become the man that God has planned me to be, I need to invite words of truth into my life to encourage me in righteousness and to confront unrighteousness in me. I need godly counsel to speak into my life and let me know when I am about to do something stupid. I need to invite truth into the process even when it might wreck my plans.

I think we call them accountability partners rather than prophets. However, our accountability partners need to have a prophetic place in our lives. They should be seasoned believers who are sensitive to the Lord’s speaking and leading. They should be people of wisdom that is born out of prayer and the Spirit not simply worldly wise.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you are working in me. You are helping me to become the man you planned from the beginning of time. Thank you for the men and women you have placed in my life. Help me to trust you to work thru them to bring truth and righteousness to my life. Help me to be vulnerable and transparent - knowing that you are for me and not against me, knowing that you are good and wanting to take me from death to life. Knowing that you desire to make me whole. I invite truth in my life. In Jesus name, AMEN!!!

No Turning Back

2009-06-16T07:37:00.002-07:00

SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 18:19-21

“So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. ‘Let me kiss my father and mother good-by,’ he said, ‘and then I will come with you.’

‘Go back,’ Elijah replied. ‘What have I done to you?’

So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.”

OBSERVATION:

I guess the first thing that I see in this passage is that has never in all of history been easier to follow God than it is right now - at least in the United States. Yet the United States (along with much of the Western World) is getting increasingly hard to reach. The people are getting increasingly humanistic and atheistic. Even those who are open to the concept of God seem to do so very academically rather that relationally - their ascent to God has little impact on how they do life.

I think of how people pass on opportunities with God because they seem “too scary.” It might put a cramp on their plans to party it up in college. It might “squeeze them a little too much financially if they tithe.” It might swing them in a different direction career wise or muddy the waters with ethics and values that “don’t work in the business world.”

I want to have the faith and the zeal of Elisha. These were tough times for God followers. They were dangerous times for prophets. They were being hunted down and killed like animals. Yet Elisha didn’t have to think about it - He immediately said, “Let me say my good-byes and I’ll be on my way - wherever God takes me and whatever may happen. So sure was his decision that he burned down his old business as if saying, “I’ll never return to this work again, the door back has been nailed shut, plan “B” is non-existent. He threw a party for his neighborhood to celebrate his new direction in life. He slaughtered his oxen for the BBQ and use the wood from his tools to cook the meat. It was a done deal.

He could have put it in storage, you know just in case this whole prophet thing didn’t work out. At least he’d have something to fall back on if God didn’t quite come thru for him.

APPLICATION:

Seeing this makes me sad about the many back doors and alternate plans I make. All in the name of godly wisdom of course. It sounds smart. It looks right and not as crazy. However, I wonder if it limits the fullness of my experience as a God follower. Does it keep me too pinned down to only an earthly/physical reality? I never want to be so “heavenly minded that I am no earthly good”; however, the opposite is probably more dangerous to our walk with God. I never want to be so “worldly wise” that I plan myself out of the miraculous and fulness of following God. I want to let heavenly realities trump worldly concerns. I want to commit to God so surely that I can burn down my past, knowing that I’ll never need it again. Knowing that I’ve taken the right road and won’t need to U-turn. Over and over again Elijah says something to the effect of “Surely as God lives”. It almost seems that our ability to experience the miraculous and fulfilling plan that God has for our lives is determined by the degree that we believe that statement - “as surely as God lives.” As surely as God is able to sustain you, give you purpose, keep you, give you fulfilled life, see you thru, do significant things thru you, build His kingdom with your hands, overcome your issues, meet with you....

PRAYER:

Father, I want the faith and faithfulness of Elisha. I want to commit to the path you place before me in such a manor that I burn down my past, knowing that I will never have to return to them again. That I will pursue you and your will afresh every day and will depend on you for my future. No turning back Lord. In Jesus name, AMEN!

REPENTANCE RELEASES RESTORATION

2009-06-03T12:10:00.003-07:00

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 51:1-17 (New International Version) For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

OBSERVATION:

David was God’s anointed one, the man of God’s choosing, to lead lead Israel. He replaced Saul as King because God saw him fit. While fulfilling his God given role he fell into sin - every man’s battle, LUST! He noticed a woman bathing (not a sin), but he set his mind on her beauty and had an idea (the sin begins in his mind and heart). He sends a servant to invite her over (the sin of the heart and mind takes flight in action). He sleeps with her knowing she is married to another man (the sin in all its fullness). He has her husband killed to hide his sin (sin multiplies for lack of repentance).

God sent Nathan, a prophet, to assure David that while his sin was hidden from men, it wasn’t hidden from God. Nathan let David know that God would take all that He had given David away because David wasn’t fulfilled with God’s provision - He fulfilled himself with another man’s wife. In fact God said to David, “If you wanted more, all you had to do was ask, and I would have given you more. But you wen your own way and took for yourself from someone who had less.” So God ultimately said “Since I am not enough, I will give all that I have given to you to somebody else.” It was at this point in David’s life that he wrote this song, this plea for forgiveness. This cry for redemption and restoration.

The crazy thing is that God actually listened to David. He entertained His prayer and negotiated with David. He heard David’s cry, forgave Him, and restored His calling on David’s life. Though He did take away the blessing that came from David’s sin - the son that Bathseba birthed. However, in God’s mercy and restorative power, He gave David and Bathsheba a son named Solomon. God loved Solomon and Solomon became heir to the throne of David and the greatest, wisest, and wealthiest king in Israel’s history.

APPLICATION:

God loves to bring people into right relationship with Him and into their original purpose/plan for their lives. Everyone starts where David was - outside of God’s plan and outside of God’s favor. In fact everyone of us end up their from time to time. Maybe not as dramatically as David’s story nor as crucial of circumstances, but in some way we find ourselves in sin. We notice something, we let it grab the attention of our mind, then we let it become the desire of our heart, then we give it the energy of our efforts. The next thing you know we are trying to find fulfillment outside of God. If not ultimate fulfillment, at least temporary/circumstancial fulfillment.

We find ourselves out of God’s favor and the words that He spoke to David thru the prophet Nathan ring in our ears, “I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes?” Maybe for us it sounds like "I have anointed you as husband and father - as priest and prophet of your home. I have provided a job, home, and a wonderful family. If all this had been too little I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes?”

At this point we have two options PRIDE & DEFENSIVENESS or HUMILITY & REPENTANCE. Choose the latter. Make David’s song your prayer. God is good and delights in restoring people to Himself and His perfect plan for your life.

A second, and better application, is to anchor yourself in this truth - GOD IS ENOUGH. I don’t have to find pleasure outside of God. If what we have is not enough God will give us more.

PRAYER:

FAITH, HOPE, LOVE

2009-05-12T12:32:00.002-07:00

SCRIPTURE: 1 THESSALONIANS 1:2-3

“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. “

OBSERVATION:

Paul’s relentless theme of Faith, Hope, & Love rang out again this morning as I read thru my scheduled reading. These three words change everything.

Religious people always labor, work, and endure, but the motivations make all the difference. It is easy to be motivated by fear - fear of hell, fear of a curse, fear of abandonment by God, or fear of an angry God who places your all of your deeds on a judgement scale. When the motivation is faith instead of fear then our work is not an attempt to avoid something negative. Rather, it is energy focused on building something positive for others around us. It movement toward God’s best in our lives.

In the same way our motivation of love overcomes or trumps motivations of selfish desires and insecurities. It doesn’t allow us to believe that the world revolves around us. It gives a bigger perspective regarding our purpose here on earth. It motivates us to look outward - to share what we have been given, to see the miraculous in our lives as something God can use to bless others.

Hope is an anchor that hooks into our Kingdom purpose. It reminds us that there is more to come. This life is the beginning of a journey, not the destination. It makes room for patience, peace, joy, kindness, and goodness. It lifts our heads above our current circumstance and sets our eyes on what’s to come.

APPLICATION:

I have the capacity to perform out of fear as well as faith, out of self-centered ambitions or a sacrificial love for others, out of the narrow scope that my circumstances provide or the eternal perspective of the Kingdom of God. These are my choice and I will choose Faith, Hope, & Love.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the virtues of faith, hope, and love. Thank you for the ability to live in and according to those virtues. Help me to be conscious of these realities in my life always, and to choose them over their counterparts. In Jesus name, AMEN!

The Difference Between Knowledge & Wisdom

2009-03-17T08:31:00.001-07:00

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 2:9-12

“However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’ — but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”

OBSERVATION:

Biblical/spiritual knowledge can be gleaned by picking up a book, reading a commentary, listening to a sermon, etc.. There are lots of great resources to help us learn more and know more about our Christian faith. This knowledge is invaluable to us. It resources our walk of faith, it strengthens our case for faith, and makes God understandable enough. The truth is, though, that most of these resources are result of somebody having the wisdom of God imparted to them thru intimate relationship with God thru the Holy Spirit. We are gleaning the fruit of somebody else’s relationship with God. It is almost like knowledge can be defined as regurgitated wisdom.

It is not bad to get all the knowledge you can. In fact you should learn all you can from godly men and women, who have “been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt” with God. However, it is not a worthy replacement for wisdom that is imparted to you thru the Holy Spirit. Wisdom that is delivered fresh from the mind of God to your mind. Wisdom that is given to you because thru a personal heart of worship, obedience, and prayer you have touched the heart of God.

The difference between knowledge about God and wisdom from God is the difference between reading a book about one of your heroes (Dr. Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, Saint Paul) and sitting on their front porch with them, sipping an Arnold Palmer, and conversing about life.

APPLICATION:

I want to know as much as I can about what I believe. I want a basis for my faith. The truth is that while knowledge may get me places in this life, it will pass away, but the wisdom of God imparted to me will take me into eternity. I want to not just know about God, I want to know His heart and His mind. Therefore, I need to sit with Him and talk life with Him. Ask question and then shut up and listen. I need to read His word as it is breathed from the very heart and mind of God. I need to ask the Holy Spirit to awaken my spirit to what God is wanting to impart to me each day.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for giving me your wisdom. Lord you hold nothing back from those who love and seek your heart. Give me wisdom as I sit with you and talk life. In Jesus name, AMEN!

God Applauds The Stage Hands

2009-03-03T08:50:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE: MARK 10:35-37 & 41-45

“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want you to do for us whatever we ask.’

‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked.

They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory...’

...When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”

OBSERVATION:

The Kingdom of God really is counter cultural in every way. In this life status and clout are achieved through networking and schmoozing. The biggest decisions and best deals are usually made in the meeting after the meeting (when the schmoozer pulls the boss off to the side to bring to the boss’s attention his many talents and experience that should move him to the top of the list for the next promotion).

It is no wonder the other disciples were upset. What right did James and John have to ask such a request?

Jesus pulls them back into the Kingdom reality and reminds them that things work very different in the Kingdom of God. Status and clout have less to do with leading and ruling and more to do with serving. It has less to do with authority and more to do with giving.

APPLICATION:

When looking for the attention and approval of God I get further with humility, servitude, and sacrifice than I do with authority, skill, and quick talking. I need to remember in all situations that I am performing for an audience of 1 and he applauds the stage hands more than he applauds the lead actor.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you love us enough to listen to our desires, even the selfish ones. You are patient. Thanks even more, that you don’t let us settle for our shallow desires but you pull us back to your Kingdoms rule and purpose. You remind us of the things that really matter. Help me to have your heart and the remember my anchor in your kingdom rather than default to the ways of this world. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

It's ALL about knowing God

2009-02-10T08:57:00.001-07:00

SCRIPTURE: ACTS:17:26-27

“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”

OBSERVATION:

This reminds me of the variety of opinions regarding God’s dealing with mankind. As read this I can’t help but think about how our perspective or thoughts about God effect our direction in life. Opinions that range from God doesn’t exist and we evolved, to God created us to see if he could and then left us to survive or die on our own, to God created us and is still involved in our lives.

The truth? I think the truth is what God says regarding Himself - what He breathed thru human hearts and lips & penned through human hands but claims as His Word. He purposed us and placed us. Strategically and mindfully caused us to be here and planned where we are to be.

The reason? That we would seek Him, reach for Him, and find Him. He purposely stays close enough to find because that was always His hope and desire - His purpose. He created us for relationship and has never stopped pursuing that with us.

As I read this it sounds like God set an appointment with each and everyone of us. He created us to meet with Him and get to know Him.

APPLICATION:

I feel like what I need to remember here is that my calling is primarily to be with God. It is to meet with Him and get know Him. I can make it about other things, but I’d miss the mark. It might include behaviors, projects, learning, and responsibilities, but it’s purpose is to know Him better and to deepen my relationship with Him.

My calling was not to go to the altar to get saved but to enter relationship with God. God did not call me to Bible College to know more about the Bible, but to know God better thru the studying of scripture and the experience of Bible college. It was not to become a pastor, but to know God better thru the teaching of scripture and serving people. If I make it about other things I can find myself doing the right things and still not knowing God.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the privilege of knowing you. Help me to set my heart’s purpose to be seeking you, reaching out for you, and finding you. Help me to never be disappointed in my search for you, but instead to find my reward in you. Let me know you more - help me to live, move, and have my being in you. I pray this in Jesus name, AMEN!

Find Commonality In Christ When You can't Find Common Ground

2009-02-03T09:07:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:

“Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”

OBSERVATION:

What jumps out as I read this is how easy it is to fall into a judgmental mindset. Even the best of us can fall prey to an exclusive/elitist type of religion. I say religion because I don’t think it is Christianity at that point. It is definitely not the church at it best when we see people’s flaws with an eye of judgement rather than their spiritual condition with a heart of compassion. It is not our finest moment when we limit people by their flaws rather than releasing people into their future.

Moral issues, our pasts, our hurts, our lack can all be extremely hard to get past and work through. The church has the potential to be agents of change and empowerment if we can embrace people with the vision, love, and compassion of people.

It is even worse when the issue is a man made barrier built on ignorance and malice - issues like racism, sexism, elitism, etc.. To exclude someone from a community of faith or to limit somebody’s spiritual potential, ministry potential, etc. because of ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status is a horrible atrocity. The church should be a place where all people of of backgrounds have a level playing field, where all people are unified, not because of skin color or an anatomical kinship, but because of our commonality in Christ - our common acknowledgement that we are all in desperate need of a savior, we are all saved by grace, we are all loved by God in spite of ourselves, and are all interdependent by God’s design.

APPLICATION:

I need to keep a close watch on my heart to not build walls up that segregate people in my mind. Wisdom and godliness require me to know people, to understand limitations, and to establish healthy boundaries in order for God’s people to live together in peace, safety, and healthy relationships. Boundaries allow people healthy interaction while walls segregate and say these are the “haves” while these are the “have-nots” - “These are “valuable” while these are “expendable”. I need the Holy Spirit to help me establish healthy boundaries and avoid building walls.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for accepting me. Your love has never failed me. You have a vision for my life - you have to because there is know reason for me to have the great life and privileges that I have had otherwise. I have reached potential farther than my own vision for my life. Help me to be like you as I work with others. To have godly vision for their lives and build with them. In Jesus name, AMEN!

Manage An Organization vs Lead A Movement

2009-01-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE: ACTS 6:1-5
“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’ This proposal pleased the whole group.”

OBSERVATION:
I see a lesson in leadership here and this lesson makes all the difference between building a movement and building an organization. We see some leaders here who have gotten too deep into the daily grind of church work. They are doing everything when they could be delegating. It is one thing for a leader to roll up his sleeves and get dirty in the trenches with the troops for a season, but the troops need a leader not another helping hand. When leaders forget to leave the foxhole there is no one out in front setting the pace of the pack - no one above the surface to see beyond where we are. No one with a vantage that can see what others cannot and confidently MOVE us into our future.

The church was not meant to be an organization, but a movement. To me, the difference is that organizations or stagnant while movements are mobile. Organizations are rigid while movements are fluid. An organization is to be managed and maintained in order to best produce a product that sells and finances the organization. The church was not built on a product but on principles and a faith that feeds the community it is in. It requires management and organization but is driven by a commission and commandment from God.

The lesson here is that if you want to maintain an organization then organize and manage tasks. If you want to create a movement then create a community of people to do the work together - a work force centered in and focused on the Great Commandment and Great Commission of God. Delegate the tasks of the ministry so you can continue to cast the vision, teach the principles, and share the faith of the movement you are creating.

APPLICATION:
I have to stop and evaluate my ministry “plate” at times. There are things that any body can do and things that only my strengths, position, calling, and anointing can do. Not that only I am capable, but only I am responsible for. If I am doing what others can do and ignoring what only I can do the church is no longer a moving - therefore, not a movement. While it may be going well and the tasks are getting done, it is simple an organization. So my evaluation is simply to take inventory of my time and tasks and weigh them against the following questions;

Is this something that needs to be done at this time? Why or why not?
Is this something that I need to do? If not who can I give it too?
Is there something that I should be doing but am not? If so, how do I approach it?

PRAYER:
Father, thank you for calling me to something so great. It is not an organization but a new life. It’s a revolution. A movement. It is organic. Help me to be strategic and purposeful with my time. Help me to do what you’ve called me to do and release the gifts and call of others. In Jesus name, AMEN!

LIVING EASY vs LIVING FREE

2009-01-29T09:57:00.001-07:00

SCRIPTURE:EXODUS 23:2-3

"Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.”

OBSERVATION:

Balance and level headedness is so important in the business of helping people and promoting justice. I have known people whose measure of justice or rightness is the consensus of the crowd they are in. It is as if they have no internal anchor’s of their own that will stand up to the crowd when it is necessary.

I have also known people who can’t acknowledge the wrong doing of a person without disowning the person himself. Because they are so strongly motivated by compassion and mercy, they excuse behavior because of the circumstances surrounding it. Yes there are some circumstances that should acquit a person in spite of their behavior. I am talking about those who confuse the word “understandable” with “excusable” or actually see them as the same. Though it might be understandable why or how somebody would come to a conclusion does not make that conclusion right. If the conclusion is not right, neither will the consequential behaviors. It is important to understand a person and them help them out of a life of excuses and into a life based on truth - “I messed up. I sinned. I need forgiveness. I need help. I will not do it again. I learned my lesson. If I can make it right I will.”

It is a hard job being a people helper because we are not wanting them to simply be able to live with themselves and feel a false sense of justification, we want them to overcome their circumstance - to live in the freedom that truth and righteousness provides, even when it means that we have hard consequences because of it. I guess it is the difference between living free and living easy - I choose free.

APPLICATION:

Living easy requires that I justify my behavior so I FEEL better, living free requires that I acknowledge my sin/wrong so I can BE better. Living easy requires that I share my burden with a professional so I can forgive myself, living free requires that I confess my sin to God and people so they can forgive me. Living easy requires that I work on me so I can live with myself, living free requires that I try and right my wrongs with people so I can live with others in the freedom of a clean conscience.

PRAYER:

Father, you know I have sinned and have need of forgiveness. I sin on a daily basis by my thoughts, attitude, behaviors. Help me to never be so soft on myself that I don’t change. Help me choose to always live free rather than easy. Thank you for truth and the gift of freedom that accompanies it. In Jesus name, AMEN!!!

I am an itty-bitty living space for His phenomenal cosmic power!

2009-01-27T11:04:00.002-07:00

SCRIPTURE: ACTS 3:3-8

“Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”

OBSERVATION:

I can’t help but imagine how many times Peter and John walked past this crippled beggar. The text starts out saying that he was crippled from birth and was placed in the asame place everyday to beg. It goes on to say that others in the temple recognized this man - he was a landmark so-to-speak. Peter and John had seen the guy asking for money regularly. I imagine they threw him a coin or two from time to time and others times they were broke themselves and did not give him anything.

One day it dawned on them that though they didn’t have silver or gold to give they were not without the ability to offer help. While their earthly resources were limited, their spiritual resources were more than enough. I think of times that I wanted to shrink back from an opportunity because I weigh or measure the possibilities against my earthly resources (monetary, knowledge, energy, time, etc.). While my resources may be limited, God’s are available to me. I have been given power to be God’s witness in my neighborhood, my region, and around the world. What we have to offer is more than people think they can ask for so they settle for money. We can offer wholeness and the ability to build a life worth living.

As I write this I can’t help but think of Genie’s quote on Aladin “PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWER!!! - itty-bitty living space.” While we are small and limited, we have the power and presence of God who dwells in us. We are an itty-bitty living space for the creator of the universe - the one who made us and can fix us.

APPLICATION:

I have to remember that what we enter into is not just a future hope but also a present reality. God is able and willing now to make us whole. The amazing thing is that chooses us to bring this about in the lives of others. I have to look beyond myself to the God who chose to dwell in me and make His power known thru me. It is by His perfect design and flawless wisdom that I am an itty-bitty living space for His phenomenal cosmic power!

PRAYER:

Father, thanks for reminding me that ministry is beyond my ability. It requires more than I have, but not more than you can do thru me. Help me to be bold enough to make myself available to engage in the lives of others, being fully confident in your power at work thru me. Thank you that you chose to live in me and work thru me - in Jesus name, AMEN!

Life Out Of Death

2009-01-21T10:20:00.001-07:00

SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 2:5-10

“Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it. She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. ‘This is one of the Hebrew babies,’ she said.

Then his sister asked Pharaoh's daughter, ‘Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?’

‘Yes, go,’ she answered. And the girl went and got the baby's mother. Pharaoh's daughter said to her, ‘Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.’ So the woman took the baby and nursed him. When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, ‘I drew him out of the water.’"

OBSERVATION:

What an amazing account of the humor and goodness of God. This mother was forced to take a chance with the life of her son. If she kept him he would surely be killed. If she sent him down the river he would most likely be killed. God does not miss a tear that is shed and takes notice of this young mother’s dilemma. God arranges circumstances in such a way that the child is saved - WHAT A TREAT!!! The whip cream is that the child was given a place in the royal family and was raised in the King’s palace. What mother would not want that for her child. But wait! There’s more. The baby needed to be nursed so they had to find a lactating slave girl to help in this area. Who could qualify? How about the child’s birth mother? So the baby’s mama was paid to help raise her own son. HAH! Crazy cool.

Sweet redemption, amazing grace - just another way God brings life out of death.

APPLICATION:

There are times that seem helpless. There are outcomes that seem inevitable. There are circumstances and losses that seem unavoidable. The tendency is to roll over and submit, to throw in the towel, to give up your back and let it choke you out. This mother was stuck between two hopeless situations and made a decision that inspired me. She took the option with the most hope (even though slim) and took a chance. She did what she could with what she had. She didn’t roll over and wait to die. God came thru and brought life out of death.

PRAYER:

Father, there is never a time that we are without hope because there is never a time that we are without you. You are a good God who brings life out of death and lets your light shine in dark places. Help me to never give in to the tendencies of my flesh, but to always take a chance, finding the option with the most hope and trusting you to bring sweet redemption and amazing grace!!! In Jesus name, AMEN!!!

A "God's-Eye-View" Of Life

2009-01-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 50:15 - 21

“When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?’ So they sent word to Joseph, saying, ‘Your father left these instructions before he died: This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly. Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.’ When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said.

But Joseph said to them, ‘Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”

OBSERVATION:

Life is so much better when you live it with a “God’s-eye-view”! If you don’t have the perspective of God as life happens you become trapped as a victim of circumstances. You have no choice but to be bitter when bad things happen. You are stuck with sorrow when you are wounded and hurt. Your default is feeling is fear when faced with the unknown. You are stuck, or at best have very limited options on how to feel and respond to your negative circumstances.

Imagine Joseph’s circumstances with his brothers. If he did not have a “God’s-eye-view” of his life things would have played out very differently for him and his brothers. His father’s death would have been the perfect opportunity for him to exact his revenge. His brother’s did not like the prophetic dream that they would bow down to their little brother - they hated it. That hatred transfered from the dream to Joseph himself. They sold him into slavery which set a course of painful, hard, and hurtful circumstances. Circumstances that did not reflect the word/dream that Joseph had.

Joseph stayed open to the fact that God was behind this and sure enough found himself directly in the center of God’s plan for his life. God used this extremely difficult path to lead Joseph into his God given purpose - one of huge influence in world affairs; one that saved many lives and propelled the people of God into the future God had for them. This act of anger from their brother’s is what set things in motion to accomplish God’s big picture and small picture - it is also what caused them to bow down before their little brother just as the dream depicted. God is so clever!

APPLICATION:

I need to have a “God’s-eye-view” as well. To put up with my negative circumstances while looking for God behind the scenes - orchestrating, working, moving me closer to His “big picture” purpose for my life.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you are always close. You are never removed from my circumstances but always working in the midst of them. Help me to not give up hope or come to the end of my rope before I find your hand at work. Holy Spirit, reassure me that there is a bigger purpose than I can see, then help me see it. In Jesus name - Amen!

Known as, Known By, Known For - The God Who Changes Names

2009-01-14T10:36:00.002-07:00

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 35:9-10

“After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.’ So he named him Israel.”

OBSERVATION:

God is a God who changes names. In the old testament a name for a person was given in almost a prophetic way. Many times it was given as a result of a sense that God had given a promise or a hope for your child. It was not just what the child was known by, but known for. It was a defining mark or title.

Even Jesus was given His name because an Angel who carried a message from God told Joseph to give Him the name, Jesus.

Today we are given names because of family tradition - in the south women often take their grandmothers name as their middle name. We often times name someone something because we think it is pretty or unique. In either case we don’t give people names of hope or promise as often anymore. More often it something that they are known by rather than known for.

That being said, there are things, titles, descriptions, that become our identity as we live our lives - angry, sad, wounded, hurtful, victim, lonely, etc.. They may not be our name, but they define our lives and become our identity. Sometimes to the point that we can’t be known by others or relate to others outside of these identifiers. while we might not like these titles, they are familiar and easy to settle into. However, God is a God who changes names - He changes identities by giving us new things to identify with - identifiers that flow from who He is to us and what He desires for us. Identities that reflect His promises and the hope that he gives all mankind

There was a Vineyard worship song that we sang in the 80’s (yes I said 80’s) by D.J. Butler called I will change your name - It is out of date and anything but cool but I can hardly sing it with out crying. The words are:

I will change your name
You shall no longer be called
Wounded, outcast, lonely or afraid

I will change your name
Your new name shall be
Confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one
Faithfulness, friend of God
One who seeks My face

APPLICATION:

While there are a lot of things in my life that effect me, they don’t have to define me. My identity can and should flow from my relationship with God and the hope that He has given me. He has promised me hope and a future of joy, healing, peace, provision, overcoming, victory, fruitfulness, purpose, fulfillment, love, relationship, faithfulness.... I can’t wait ‘till these things overwhelm me before I let them define me. This can’t happen without me letting go of my present identity. I must walk confidently in the reality that my identity in Christ as a new creation is presently alive. When this happens I might still be known as Jason, but will be know for confidence, joyfulness, overcoming, faithfulness, friendship with God, and being a person who seeks God’s face.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your acceptance of me the way I am and patiently & skillfully changing me into the man you desire me to be. I am no longer defined by stereotypes, family history/heritage, my sins, my failures, my victories, etc.. My identity is wrapped up in you. Continue to mold and shape me into the man you desire me to be. Fulfill your purposes in me. Help me to be known by others in such a way that my life illuminates the goodness of God to mankind. In Jesus name - AMEN!

Citizens & Sojourners

2009-01-13T09:20:00.001-07:00

SCRIPTURE: LUKE 13:20-21

“Again he asked, ‘What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.’"

OBSERVATION:

This passage paints the picture of the Kingdom of God as something that is more engrained than a religious system. It is mixed into every part and is not distinguishable as something that is separate from the grain,or water, or otherwise.

I guess what I see here is that God should so effect our lives that our faith is not defined by practices, places, or rituals, but it is more a part of who we are. I think that the kingdom of God should be so thoroughly worked though us that it is as much a culture as it is a belief system. Something that is embodied rather than simply read, or believed, or stated.

As Christ was the incarnation of God on earth (God with skin on), we should be the be the incarnation or embodiment of the Kingdom of God (the Kingdom of God with skin on). That we are citizens of the Kingdom of God and simply sojourners in this world.

APPLICATION:

I need to be more aware of my citizenship is anchored. I need to fix my expectations of fulfillment and fairness there rather than here. I need to priorities from a Kingdom of God vantage point. Work with an eye on eternity.

PRAYER:

Father, help me to live as a citizen and a sojourner. Help me to prioritize and align my life according to your Kingdom’s initiatives, values, and principles. I want to have a consistent and fluid faith. Break any walls that build compartments that are yours and compartments that are mine - let my walk with you be my culture not my practice. Help me to embody your purpose not just do religious stuff. In Jesus name, AMEN!

Don't Trade All Your Future For One Today

2009-01-10T07:52:00.002-07:00

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 25:29-34

“Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, ‘Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!’ (That is why he was also called Edom.)

Jacob replied, ‘First sell me your birthright.’

‘Look, I am about to die,’ Esau said. ‘What good is the birthright to me?’

But Jacob said, ‘Swear to me first.’ So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.”

OBSERVATION:

I guess what I observe most readily is man’s nature to forfeit his future for the immediate. Whether it is out of desperation, strong desire, mild desire, or a false sense of urgency person after person has done this in their life.

The woman who struggles with a lifetime of shame and guilt after an abortion. The couple who sacrifices their financial future because they want too much too soon. The guy who can’t control his sexual urges and forfeits a life long marriage fora one night stand.

It is a sad day when we despise the things that are most important and love the things that are temporary highs.

APPLICATION:

God has equipped us to avoid such a depressing place in life, People can avoid desperation with wisdom, and can overcome desire with self-control. We can avoid a false sense of urgency by practicing patience.

The problem is that practicing wisdom, self control, and patience seem like a drag compared to throwing caution to the wind, flying by the seat of your pants, and spontaneity. Because, these disciplines are, well disciplines, we begin to despise the future God has for us - our inheritance so-to-speak. It is discipline and it is hard work, but it pays off over time. I've heard the saying that "If you choose to live like nobody else right now, you will live like nobody else later."

I will keep a strong grip on the desires of my heart, on my level of peace and contentment, and on my emotional well being. I will look to God to bring peace and contentment rather than the promise of peace and fulfillment the world offers. I will try my best to live in moderation and keep my heart and mind set on the wonderful future God has for me.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the wonderful inheritance that I have in you - the wonderful hope, of a prosperous future. Help me to be keenly aware of the value of such things so I do not “throw my pearls to the pigs”. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!

THE GOD WHO SEES

2009-01-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 16:13

“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’”

OBSERVATION:

Abraham is promised a son when he was in his 80s. Sarah couldn’t believe that she would conceive and birth a child at her ripe age. As you read this it is almost impossible not to read this without some judgement against Sarah and her skepticism. In order to think more practically and with a little more perspective, I think about how I would respond in this same circumstance. The truth is that she is better than I am. I would be just as skeptical and much less motivated. I do think that I would believe it, nor would I desire to parent a child in my 80s. At least she took the parenting role seriously.

Anyway, since she does not believe her ability to birth, she assigns her servant, Hagar, to be a second wife to Abraham and to become pregnant. Once Hagar and Abraham conceive a child together the happy little family is faced with jealousy, resentment, and spite. Sarah abuses Hagar and chases her off into the wilderness.

It is here that the angel of LORD shows up, gives her direction, gives her comfort, and makes her a promise regarding the son that she is carrying. This is when she says the words that I am focusing on in this devotion, “You are the God who sees me.” What an awesome story. Hagar was a helpless pawn in this crazy scenario between God, Abraham, and Sarah. She was a servant. She had no say in the matter. She was a possession. She had no way of living, no way of supporting herself, outside of her role as a maid servant to Sarah.

She was alone and scared. Imagine the thoughts of a pregnant single woman, in a culture that devalued women to the place of possessions. Abraham and Sarah were simply trying to find God’s plan and purpose. They missed the mark and Hagar gets wounded, potentially critically, in the process. Hagar was not the purpose and plan of God concerning His promise to Abraham of becoming a father of many nations.

So God sees her. He doesn’t overlook her. He takes notice and account of her life. He is aware. He is the God who sees her and engaged himself in her circumstances. He drew near, comforted, and directed because He saw her.

APPLICATION:

There are some times that we are lost in the shuffle here on earth. People “more important” than us, doing “more important” things than us can walk right thru us. In the name of ministry they can make decisions that hurt us. It does not make them mean or bad - just a little too wrapped up in their own pursuit that they forget how it effects others. It is just a fact and a reality. It happens. And when it does, God sees. He draws near. He comforts. He directs. He gives us promises that remind us of our own significance in His plan and purpose for the world we live in. We truly perform before an audience of one.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you see the fearful, the broken hearted, and the needy. You make wrong things right. You see and you engage yourself in the happenings of my life and I am forever grateful. Thank you Lord Jesus! AMEN!

Strangers Don't Have To Be Strange

2008-12-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

TODAY’S READING: 1 Peter 1; 1 Peter 2; 1 Peter 3; 1 Peter 4; 1 Peter

SCRIPTURE: 1 PETER 1:1-2

“To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout... ...who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”

OBSERVATION:

I joined my kids at a school assembly. The focus of this assembly was “stranger danger.” Actually, they were undoing some damage that they have found in the “stranger danger” teaching. Stranger danger taught that if you did not know somebody they were dangerous. They have realized that seeing every stranger as a threat has hindered some children from getting help that they need in crisis. This assembly helped kids to identify potentially dangerous strangers and how to identify potentially helpful strangers. The thought that I get as I read this passage is that as Christians I think sometime we feel our job is to be a threat to a world that doesn’t Know God. I also think the world see us and many times thinks “stranger danger”.

Sometimes I think that we misplace or displace ourselves as Christians in the world as strange, not necessarily as helpful strangers. Police, firemen, soldiers, Dr.’s are all strangers in the sense that we do not know them personally. But we know we can call on them for help. I pray that Christians take on that same reputation in the community. I think this word stranger in this context means a new person with a fresh and life giving perspective - someone that embodies godly values and principles that may be heard of but not necessarily known. Someone whom you’d be glad to meet. There is a contrast in lifestyle & beliefs - but this contrast should highlight the goodness of God in your life - the abundance of grace and peace.

APPLICATION:

I will strive to be a stranger that people are glad they met. I will focus on living and being the things that God has called me to be. I will look for way to be a blessing to others.

PRAYER:

Father, as I bring the good news of Christ as a stranger to people, I pray that you will help me to be a breath of fresh air. Help me to received a blessing and not just strange. Help the message to be as lived as it is spoken. In Jesus name - AMEN!

I Want More! More than what?

2008-12-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

TODAY’S READING: 1 Timothy 5; 1 Timothy 6; Titus 1; Titus 2; Titus 3

SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

OBSERVATION:

I think this is a good verse to support the saying, “Be careful what you pray for.” I have found myself daydreaming at times about how good it would be to come into a large amount of money - win the lottery, have some insanely rich uncle that you never knew you had leave you an inheritance, accidentally invent something that revolutionized the global market. Whatever. I had coffee with some friends the other day and we go on the topic of our economy and money. They mentioned that more money just amplifies the problems in your life, to which I replied, “I’ve always wanted a chance to prove that theory.”

The truth is that we see it everyday - people who can’t keep up with their desires. People who have great lives, nice things, a beautiful family, who still feel miserable because of unfulfilled desires - they crave more.

More than what? More than the things that come for free? More than playing with your kids? More than a wife who is faithful and loving? More than a God who has never let you down? More than the purpose that God has designed for you? More than what?

APPLICATION:

I wan to spend my daydreaming time thanking God for the life I have. I have more than I deserve. I have more than I need. I just want more of what I have - the free stuff that really and accurately defines our lives - faith, family, friendships, and a future with God.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the goodness shown to me thru Jesus Christ. The life you have given me in Jesus. It is a good life, a life that I don’t deserve and couldn’t have earned. Please give me eyes to see your goodness all the time, everywhere. Take away my desire for more of anything that is not you. In Jesus name - AMEN!

Wisdom, Revelation, Enlightenment - Know God More

2008-12-04T08:52:00.002-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Ephesians 1; Ephesians 2; Ephesians 3; Ephesians 4

SCTIPTURE: EPHESIANS 1:17-19

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

OBSERVATION:

The Spirit of wisdom and revelation is the Holy Spirit. I think of all of the different things that have revealed who God is to me - His nature, character, His plan for my life, and His love. It is funny because as I think back on my life before I was a believer, I can see that many of these same things were part of my life but God was missed.

Hardships were just hard until the Holy Spirit brought revelation and used them as a tool to bring God’s plan into focus. Nature was simply a place to escape the business of everyday life until the Holy Spirit brought revelation and showed me the beauty and intricacy of God’s creation, of which I am part of - the great care and intention He in creating the wilderness he had with me. Things that used to be ordinary are now seen through enlightened eyes and God is found and Hope is known.

APLICATION:

I need to pray for the Holy Spirit to continually bring revelation and wisdom to my life. To make ordinary things spiritually significant. I’m not pretending that there is a spirit behind every rock, but I do believe that God can be found in the beauty of life and there is a spiritual lesson to be learned in the midst of hardship.

The ordinary becomes extraordinary when the Holy Spirit enlightens our hearts and brings revelation in the midst of everyday life.

PRAYER:

Father thank you for your goodness extended to me. I love the way you make yourself known to me. Thru prayer and scripture of course, but also thru life and relationships. You are so good to me and my family. I love you. In Jesus name, AMEN!

Do As I Say, Not As I Do! Uh, what?

2008-11-26T11:43:00.002-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Matthew 23; Matthew 24; Matthew 25

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 23:1-4

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.’”

OBSERVATION:

I can see Jesus’ heart for a consistent life, and for truth. It is funny how we sometimes let the inconsistency between somebody’s words & works determine how we will respond to what’s true and right. For example, “Such & such preacher misused church funds, I’m not going to tithe anymore.” While the “do as I say, not as I do” mentality is extremely flawed, we cannot throw out godly wisdom because of the ungodly behavior of the messenger.

We can’t throw out the “baby” with the bath-water when it comes to living truth that will benefit our spiritual lives.

APPLICATION:

People have a tendency to accept or dismiss truth and people together. It takes humility to accept truth from a person that has lost your respect. Personally I have to work hard at a consistent life - be what I teach. I can speak all the truth in the world but I will only reproduce what I am.

PRAYER:

Father thanks for your grace. Help me to incarnate the message that I preach. Help me to reproduce the life and goodness of Christ in my family and church. Help my life to be consistent with my message. In Jesus name - AMEN!

GENEROUS JESUS

2008-11-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Matthew 20; Matthew 21; Matthew 22

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 20:9-16

"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'

"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

OBSERVATION:

I love how following Jesus immediately takes away all finagling, competition, hierarchy. It puts everyone on the same playing field at the exact same level with no advantages against the guy next to us. That flies in the face of a the religious who build their religion on such principles of hierarchy and finagling - the pharisees and saducess. In fact it is countercultural to us. That is how we get ahead in America, either by finagling, beating the guy next to us, or earning position through seniority.

Jesus shows us here that His dealings with us and blessings on us have very little to do with us (in terms of our ability to deal our way into them). His blessings on our lives are completely based on His generosity - His desire to pour out in our lives grace, provision, mercy, purpose... At the same time it has everything to do with us - He loves us and His focus is on us.

APPLICATION:

The application in my life is to let this truth balance the way I relate to those who I do life with. For some reason it is easy for me to live this truth out with the general population of people, but the closer my relationships the more I desire to see growth and fruit. That is important. We should be fruitful and mature people. But I think about my kids and my wife and I know that there are times that I have cultivated an idea of earning my good graces, which I believes serves as a way they understand God.

I want to balance my behavior with others in such a way that inspires fruitfulness and encourages them to reach their fullest potential in Christ, while at the same time settling in their hearts the awesome generosity of God in their lives that blesses and loves them. I guess what I see is that it is not up to us to earn Christ’s generosity, but it is up to us to steward and not squander those gifts in our lives.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you do love and have blessed me because you are generous. Help me to grow a family that is secure in that truth. Help me and my family to grow reach our fullest potential in Christ by receiving your generous gifts and using them to the fullest. In Jesus name - AMEN!

A Jesus First Life

2008-11-21T10:50:00.002-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Matthew 8; Matthew 9; Matthew 1

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 37-39

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

OBSERVATION:

These words are difficult to hear and even more difficult to meditate on. At first glance it rubs me the wrong way (or maybe the right way - the way they are supposed to), so you think that the logical way to have it make sense is to meditate on these words and the Holy Spirit will do His job and help me to wrap my brain around them. But the more I read it the more it hurt. The problem is that my issue is not a head issue it is a heart issue. Jesus is challenging the heart with these words and He is not taking it easy on His disciples. As I look at this in context, i see the mission of Jesus shining thru.

The context is here is a strategic planning and training session before Jesus sends out His “terrific twelve” on their first evangelistic outing. He is giving them the a clear picture of what He is wanting them to produce in others. He is giving them the definition of successful ministry. The mark of success is a “Jesus first life.”

I guess the question on a personal level is, “Have I let Jesus so capture my heart that I truly live a ‘Jesus first life’?”

The ministry question is, “Am I successful at helping others become ‘Jesus first Christians’ or am I creating an environment of simply learning & living out principles?”

These are extremely important questions because while godly/biblical principles are important and life changing, they don’t necessarily put Christ first in your life. People, Christian & non-Christian alike, who live out very godly principles even biblical principles (whether they know it or not) are better off because of it. There is spiritual law at work, it just is true no matter who you are - if God says these things are healthy, produce life, are good for you, and will make things better for you, then you can bank on it. Even if you don’t bank on God. The problem is that some things in life are not covered in scripture or you have not read that part. What happens when you need God to call an “audible”. Somethings need to go beyond principle and into faith.

This is critical because people can learn principles, go to church, and never yield their lives to Christ in that “I will drop my nets, quit my business, leave my hometown, whatever is necessary, and follow Jesus.” I am afraid that many people’s commitment to Jesus is only as deep as their brain and anchored on principles that work with or without giving your life to Jesus.

What really grabbed my heart is that a Christianity is more than a set of Biblical principles. In fact the Bible is more that as set of principles to mined out (though that is one of its greatest impacts on humanity). The Bible is a is primarily the story of God and what He has done for humanity. The primary purpose of the Bible is to inspire a “Jesus first life.”

APPLICATION:

I need to read the Bible not just to find the principles for life now, but to find the story of God and let it capture my heart. Read it with an eye on eternity. Read it relationally rather than academically. I need to make a heart commitment to Jesus and not simply a mental assent to principles of the Bible.

I need to preach the story of God, as much as the principles of the Bible. I need to shoot for discipleship not conversion. Share a message and a hope that is focused on eternity. Life on life, relational.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for showing yourself to me thru your word. Thank you for being a God that moves beyond logic, principles, and reason. Thank you for being a God that I can “bank on” when principles fall short. Help me to have a Jesus first life. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Pigs & Pearls Don't Mix - Treasures in heaven

2008-11-20T09:03:00.001-07:00

TODAY’S READING: MATTHEW 5,6, & 7

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 7:6

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”

OBSERVATION:

What stands out is that doing righteousness things for the approval of men is like giving dogs sacred things, or putting a beautiful pearl necklace on a pig. People are not capable of carrying such a responsibility as receiving you, your efforts, or your sacrifices in a healthy way - they will trample them and they will turn on you.

Jesus is continuing his sermon that began in chapter 5 - talking about attitudes of the heart being meek, humble, merciful, pure, etc.. He then goes to say that these attitudes will help you life a life before God and not before men. He says that these attitudes will help us to season our world with our lives (salt), and we will be a part of the revelation of Christ to the world (light). He then talks about treasure found in eternal things like helping the poor, prayer, fasting, sacrifice, loving our neighbors, etc.. But he qualifies this by saying that those same things done with a desire to gain the attention, approval, and applause of men is like putting your treasure in an unsafe place. In fact if he says that if you do these things for men your reward will be found in men. However, if you perform before an audience of God only, then that is where your reward will be found - in Him, stored up in eternity.

APPLICATION:

There are a lot of things that belong to God that we give to unworthy entities. Our desire to be recognized, need for fulfillment, our sacrifice & hard work, praise, our search for significance & praise. To do things for God that nobody else knows about. Amanda and I were going thru a hard time financially one time. Somehow, somebody caught wind of this and anonymously began sending us gift cards to the grocery store every month for a year. We are not sure who because they did not want to be known - they were doing this for us but before God.

PRAYER:

Lord help my heart to stay humble before you. Lord help me to continuously put my treasures in eternity and not in temporal things. In Jesus name - AMEN!

Beat The Chaff Out Of Me

2008-11-19T11:03:00.001-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Matthew 1; Matthew 2; Matthew 3; Matthew 4

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 3:11-12

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

OBSERVATION:

This separating the chaff from the wheat seems like Jesus is talking about groups of people. Kind of like separating the sheep from the goats. While I would like to think that I am the wheat, I know that there is chaff in my life that hinders my walk with God and diminishes His fulness in my life. Typical human stuff, you know.

Being that this is an illustration or a parable I don’t want to take it farther than John intended it to go, but there is a significant point that I see in this illustration. Both the wheat and the chaff come from the same stalk. Chaff is the part that is dry, scaly, and dead. It is not good for nourishment. John says that Jesus will Baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. That thru relationship with Jesus our lives would be threshed - the image of God in us will be preserved and stored while the sinful part of us is burned.

The picture is not pretty. It sounds like an uncomfortable process. However, it is necessary and no less comfortable than living outside of God’s design for our lives.

APPLICATION:

I will invite the Holy Spirit to evaluate my life and point out the chaff in my life. I will spend time daily praying in the Spirit, that He may consume my life, burning the dead, the dry, unhealthy parts of my life, and preserving the parts of me that are spiritually healthy and life giving to others - those parts of me that can grow and build into the life that God originated.

I will continue to cultivate a heart of humility, obedience, and, repentance.

PRAYER:

Father, your word says that you are a “consuming fire.” I pray that you would consume my life - my desires, my thoughts, my motives, my relationships, my activities. God, forgive me for letting the chaff build up in my life. Forgive me for burying your eternal plan beneath the temporal desires and values that I have set in my life. I love you Lord and ask you to send the firs of your Holy Spirit to refine me more and more, to burn out the impurities of my life. Have your way with me Lord, I pray. In Jesus name - AMEN!

LAST PLACE!!! TOP THAT!!! (A desire for the unexplainable)

2008-11-18T08:56:00.003-07:00

TODAY'S READING: Psalm 124; 2 Corinthians 11; 2 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 12:10

"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

OBSERVATION:

I want to be a testimony of God's greatness - His love, His grace, His power. If I build something on my own strength it is very understandable. If I can boast, "Look what I built!" "I thought of that." "That was all me." then what I am saying is that it was explainable and without need of God. While I acknowledge that I have talents, abilities, knowledge, and wisdom, I don't want those things to define my life. I do not want people at the end of my life to say about me - "Yeah, his life makes sense." I truly want people to have to acknowledge God in my life in a way that it gives hope and inspiration for their own lives.

I want to be in last place so I can be on top. I want the unexplainable to be a regular part of my life. I want less of me and more of Jesus.

APPLICATION:

Paul, says in other places of his writings that he dies to himself. Most of us apply this to the bad parts of our lives - hurts, sin, failures,etc.. At times Paul gives this dying a specific context - die to sin, dead to the law, etc., but other times he just says he dies daily, or dies to self. I tyhink this is the key. I need to die (acknowledge my death) everyday to all things self - my abilities as well as my flaws; my pride as well as my insecurities; my righteousness as well as my sins; my motivations, my agenda, my desires, etc....... myself.

I need to come alive in the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ thru prayer and the word. I need to spend time with the one who allows me to live beyond myself and brings the unexplainable to fruition. The one who marks my life and will have people say about me, "WOW! I never saw that one coming." I want to live a last place life so that as Christ takes first place in me and thru me I can say "TOP THAT".

PRAYER:

God you are good to me. You are the unexplainable factor that I want prevalent in my life. Lord that my life would be profoundly and significantly lived out before my family, friends, church, and community, I wouldn't be able to point at any part of it without pointing to you. Help my life be marked by your presence, goodness, grace, love, strength, and power. In Jesus name, AMEN!

Bad Company Corrupts Good Character

2008-11-14T10:01:00.003-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Corinthians 16

SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:33-34

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.”

OBSERVATION:

I am reminded that people are usually pretty good people to start. We’ve all heard stories of good kids who go bad - it’s a shock and surprise to all who know them. We’ve seen generally good people end up bitter and angry. I understand that we are all born with a sin nature - we are bent toward sin. However, this transition from generally good with a sin nature, to generally corrupt in character and given to sin is a process.

I guess what I read here is that you give yourself to sin by giving yourself to an influence. The road to a corrupt character is relationship. I believe that the opposite has to be true as well - just our sin nature can be nurtured into a corrupted character, so our spirit that identifies with Jesus be nurtured into a righteous character thru relationships.

APPLICATION:

I guess that the best application of this truth would be to wise up and hang around with people who love and live Jesus.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you have surrounded my life with so many who love and live for you. People who love me enough to encourage me in my faith and in righteous as a Christ-follower, a husband, a dad, a friend, and a citizen. Work righteousness in me thru your influence in my life. Help me to be a man of character thru as I open myself up to your influence in my life thru prayer, scripture, fellowship, and service. In Jesus name - AMEN!

BLURRY MIRRORS LIE TO YOU

2008-11-13T10:52:00.001-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Job 39; Job 40; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Corinthians 14

SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:11-13

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

OBSERVATION:

We can sometimes use our “Spiritual Maturity” as a point of division. We can sometimes be frustrated at people’s lack of progress in their lives. After all, shouldn’t they have it a little more together by this point in their walk with God? “What do you mean you struggle in your faith? And you don’t speak in tongues? You’ve never given a prophetic word in church?”

The truth is that we are all in the same boat to God. We all smell like sheep. All of these things that we build ourselves upon and diminish others against will all pass away. When all is said and done we will see how blurry our mirror was that told us we are right, and mature, and got it all together. The only thing that we can truly rely on is faith, hope, & love. Mostly love.

Faith, because it believes beyond our own goodness and ability. Hope, because it acknowledges that there is something inherently wrong with us while believing that God can make us right. Finally, love, because all the faith and all the hope in the world is meaningless if we do not have the ability to give and receive love - that is the intent of relationship.

APPLICATION:

I need to make sure that I have patience with others, knowing that I am a work in progress as well. God has a lot left to do in my life. I need to have a faith and a hope that is deeply rooted in God’s ability to make all of us better than we are. I need to make sure that love is at the core of every relationship - that it is the motivating force in my behavior, interactions, and conversations with people.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for giving me me a faith beyond myself and a hope in your ability to change me. Help me to continue to grow and develop in those areas of my life. In Jesus name - AMEN!

Unity In Diversity When It Really Counts

2008-11-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

TODAY’S READING Job 37; Job 38; 1 Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:21-26

“The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

OBSERVATION:

Community in service is what stands out to me here. It is easy to get a long with people that you don’t have to depend on. When your relationship revolves around fun and social events, what’s there to complain about? However, as you begin to do life together around mission and vision and values there is a lot of potential for disagreement, pride, elitism, and other controversies. But God designed His Body, the church, to have equal concern for each other.

In other words it is possible to have unity within diversity - it is possible to find community by serving with one another toward a common mission.

APPLICATION:

If this is to happen then we have to possess a big-picture-perspective. Looking toward at our role as well as the roles of other’s in light of the mission we are trying to accomplish. Understanding that what we do builds upon and builds up what others are doing to reach the common mission. Some may teach, others converse, others sing, others set-up, others care for children, others design... We all “Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples.”

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your goodness to me and for giving me a place in your Body. Thank you for giving me an integral role in your mission of salvation and making disciples. Help me to have the big picture in mind and to appreciate the gifts and the roles of others in the church. In Jesus Name - AMEN!

Leading Yourself Well Is The Key To Leading Others Successfully

2008-11-11T08:34:00.002-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Psalm 122; 1 Corinthians 9 -11

SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:31-32

“But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.”

OBSERVATION:

I recently heard the statement “Most leaders who fail, do so because they fail to lead themselves well.” They can build teams, organize around principles, motivate, etc., but lack the personal discipline to sustain their position and influence. I think that is what Paul is getting at here. If we examine our hearts with humility, then others don’t feel the need examine our hearts and put us in our place. If we work on ourselves, then others don’t feel the need to “fix” us. If I let God judge my heart then the world has no seat of judgement in my life.

APPLICATION:

I need take time regularly to take inventory of my heart and my behavior. In these times I need invite the Lord in to judge my life - not as a matter of heaven and hell, but as a matter of receiving the fullness of the life life offered in Christ or settling for a diminished version Christianity. This is done thru my devotion times with God, which is why these SOAP times are so important. I need to lead people and live with people with a deep understanding that I am a work in progress, and my first priority of leadership, my primary focus of leadership has to be on myself. Then walk in humility as I lead in the roles that I have been given - as husband, as dad, as pastor, as friend, as a citizen...

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your goodness to me. Thank you that you love so much that you would involve yourself so closely and intimately. That as a Father, you would take the time to bring discipline and correction into my life. I want to always give you room i my life to do that. I want to be an obedient son who desires the wisdom and correction from his Dad. You’ve always been good to me, help me to keep trusting myself to you. In Jesus Name - AMEN!

Give Me A God's-Eye-View Of Life

2008-11-10T11:26:00.002-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Job 35; Job 36; 1 Corinthians 7; 1 Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:29-31

“What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.”

OBSERVATION:

My uncle took some cool photos of baby geckos hatching from their eggs. He has them in this album that are in chronological order. He has this great camera with awesome lenses that pickup up on all the details. So as you are about as impressed with the photography as you think you can be you see the final picture that puts them all in perspective. The final picture is of the cracked egg and the baby gecko next to a dime. All of this amazement of new life happened in an area smaller than a dime.

What captures me about this passage is its perspective. In terms of time and major events that take place in our lives we should not lose our perspective of eternity. Amazing things happen, marriage, the birth of our kids, the purchase of our first house, the landing of our dream job, etc... Tragic things will happen, death, emotional wounds, relational pain, etc...

In light of eternity and in light of the goodness that God has in store for us, these experiences will fit on the surface of a “dime”. We are called to live with an eternal perspective and with a “God’s-eye-view” of our life.

APPLICATION:

What ever the circumstance, amazingly good or bad, I need to live my life with an eye on eternity. Grieving shall pass if I let it go, and celebrating will be dim compared to what is to come. The trick is to experience God in the here and now knowing that the best is yet to come - to weigh everything on the scales of eternity and God’s goodness. want to have nice things and have my finances in order while still anchoring my security in God. I want to enjoy the good things in life and mourn the bad things in life, but not be engrossed in this life. I want to be engrossed in the eternal life that has already begun.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the gift of eternity with you. Thank you for the eternal treasures that you have given me - peace, hope, love, righteousness, kindness, relationship with you. You are a good God. Give me a God’s-eye-view of life. Help me not to get too wrapped up in this life, but to live with an eye on eternity. In Jesus name - AMEN!

As We Decrease Christ Will Increase

2008-11-06T09:22:00.001-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3; Galatians 4

SCRIPTURE: Galatians 3:26-29

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

OBSERVATION:

What jumps out here to me is the level playing field that we have in Christ. Jesus took all competitive points and biases out of the equation regarding our relationship with God. He took it all away which in essence took away all of our insecurities in our relationship with God. If we are in Christ then when the Father sees us He sees Jesus “in whom He’s well pleased.”

We don’t have to compare or compete our way into God’s grace. In fact I think that would change the very nature of what Grace is.

APPLICATION:

The flip side is that as I gain security I have to give up our pride and replace our source of value. Rather than having pride in what I have accomplished, or view my righteousness in comparison to others’, or bank on my heritage, I have to measure my life against the plan, purpose, and righteousness of God. There is something about this perspective that strips away arrogance, pride, and elitism. There is something about that perspective that makes you grateful for grace. There is something about that that causes you to decrease and Christ to increase in your life.

PRAYER:

Father, help me to decrease so that Jesus will increase. Help me to lay down my life daily and live the life of Christ. Forgive me for putting my trust in anything other than you. Help me to tear down the things that I have set up as securities in my life that are not You - intelligence, finances, spiritual disciplines, etc.. You are my All-In-All. You are my only hope. I love you and praise you for you goodness to me. In Jesus Name -AMEN!

Repent - Pray - Read - Obey

2008-11-05T11:34:00.000-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Job 28; Job 29; Galatians 1; Galatians 2

SCRIPTURE: GALTAIANS 2: 20-21

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

OBSERVATION:

It is amazing how much we focus on failure. We can sometimes be our own worst enemies. Disqualifying ourselves from God’s plan for our lives. Believing that we cannot be good people, useful to God, good spouses, good parents. This is directly connected to our faith, or lack of. We believe that our earthly identity is our only identity - we let our circumstances, earthly heritage, environment, past sins, etc., define who we are and we allow those things establish our value.

But Paul said that upon acceptance of Christ into our lives, upon being forgiven and accepted by Christ that we have entered into the death of Christ on the Cross.

APPLICATION:

We have been crucified with Jesus and are now dead to those things. They no longer have baring on my value or my identity. I am no longer a victim because they cannot speak into my life. I now live based on my faith in Jesus - who He is and who He says I am. I rank and rate my life according to my value to Jesus - who gave himself for me. So I can be who He says I can be and I can do what He says I can do. So daily, I must die to my opinions about myself and come alive through the life of Jesus to who God says I am. Repent - Pray - Read - Obey - REPEAT.

Father help me to have my heart in true alignment with yours. That I would see myself as you see me, believe the promises you have given me, and be faithful in the tasks that you place before me. I love you and praise you in Jesus name - AMEN!

Longing For The Unexplainable

2008-11-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE: MARK 16:17-20

“‘And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.’

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

OBSERVATION:

I’ve been to some really great churches and some really big churches (Some of the biggest churches in the united states). The truth is that the growth is explainable. They are led by incredibly gifted people - some of the best public speakers I’ve ever heard, some of the greated musicianship that you can find, some of the most talented and creative artists, beautifully put together visual presentations, housed in state of the art facilities. The truth is that in each of these churches, while on this side of their story it all seems explainable, began the same way most do - in faith. Each one has a part of their story of success that is completely unexplainable.

It is funny we deem what God said would be normal in the lives of believers as weird. I’m not saying that we’re going to purchase a den of diamondbacks and dance with them during worship, or show visitors of the church our faith by drinking liquid plumber. But I do long for the unexplainable to be evident in our church. The miraculous.

APPLICATION:

I want to do our best to put together great services. To creatively, intelligently, and lovingly share the message of Jesus. But I want to see the unexplainable. I want to see the Holy Spirit attend our message. I want to see the sick and hurting healed and the word of the Lord confirmed by the miraculous signs that Jesus said would accompany it. Therefore, I must pray at least as much I prepare.

PRAYER:

Father, I want your Word, the Word I preach, to be confirmed by your work in the lives of those who attend. Lord, I want your church to grow. I want to share your word creatively. But Jesus more than a good service, we need your miraculous touch on our lives. Send your Holy Spirit. Bring healing and wholeness. Accompany your Word Jesus, I pray. In your wonderful and powerful name, Jesus - AMEN!

“God’s not asking for you to give a lot, He’s asking you to give everything”

2008-11-02T17:36:00.001-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Job 23; Job 24; Mark 11; Mark 12

SCRIPTURE: MARK 12:43-44

“Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’"

OBSERVATION:

The passage gets to the core difference between piety and faith and between religion and relationship. It is easy to give a lot and still not give yourself to God. Especially if you have a lot. This ladies money made little difference to the workings of the temple. I am sure it was looked upon like people today sometimes look at pennies in the offering basket. “What are we supposed to do with these?” Though it made little difference in regards to temple work, her tiny offering (or according to God HUGE OFFERING) is still paying dividends in Kingdom work.

Tough it was probably overlooked by most, it caught God’s attention so greatly that it would make the writings of the Bible. So today, thru this story, we learn something about God. We learn what relationship between God and man looks like. We learn that the heart of God is not looking for us to give a lot, but to give our all.

APPLICATION:

I can sometimes find myself feeling that I have given enough. Especially, if I play the comparative game. If I weigh my relationship with God - my service, my time, my tithe, etc., against the status quo. As I read this, I felt the Holy Spirit whisper, “God’s not asking for you to give a lot, He’s asking you to give everything.” More than money, or muscle power, or time. My heart, my family, my future, my entire self belongs to God.

PRAYER:

Father, forgive me for my piety at times. Help me to release all that I am to you. Help me to more and more, give you areas of my life that I have held onto. I really want you to have all of me. I want you to set the course for my life. Help me to stop giving you a lot and help me to give you my all. In Jesus name - AMEN.

The Miracle Before The Miracle

2008-11-01T09:24:00.002-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Psalm 121; Mark 9; Mark 10

SCRIPTURE: Mark 9:20-25

“So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

Jesus asked the boy's father, ‘How long has he been like this?’

‘From childhood,’ he answered. ‘It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’

'If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’

Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’

When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. ‘You deaf and mute spirit,’ he said, ‘I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’”

OBSERVATION:

The entire reason for this man coming to Jesus was a hope that his son would be healed. Not a complete trust but a hope. A hope with some history behind it. Stories of Jesus healing people and performing other miraculous wonders had spread like wild fire throughout the region. So though this man’s hope wasn’t completely trusting it was not completely faithless. It was an unsure hope - an expectation, but maybe not. It was an “If what hear is true I’m sure he can. However, what if he won’t or what if it’s not true?”

We’ve all had feelings like that. So Jesus confronted that issue of faith with “Listen pal! Do you believe or not.” In fact Jesus puts the boys future in the hands of his father’s faith. The truth is that Jesus does not need our faith to do a miracle. Our faith doesn’t encourage goodness in Jesus to win over his crankiness (how silly does that sound). Jesus is able and Jesus is purely good. However, in His goodness, He has allowed us to be a partnering agent in the miracle business thru our faith. Through our bringing our needs to Him with the confidence that He can and will do something.

So the father says, “Yes, I believe - mostly , I think, but maybe not. So please help my unbelief.” He was essentially saying, “I believe enough to come to you in the first place, but there is doubt. If you are truly God then you can even fix my unbelief.” That’s the miracle before the miracle.

APPLICATION:

I want to believe more than I do. I’ve been walking with Jesus for 18 years and still there are times when I find myself wondering if He will show up in time, or (being honest here) will he show up at all? What is it with me that I can’t stay anchored in faith at times? I want the faith to move mountains. According to Jesus there’s not a major amount of faith required - faith the size of a mustard seed. I need Jesus to give me the miracle before the miracle.

PRAYER:

Lord, Thank you for your goodness toward me. Thank you that I know your goodness - I’ve witnessed you wonderful works in my life and others. Yet there are times I doubt. There are times that I worry. Forgive me for the sin of unbelief. In times of doubt, please give me the miracle before the miracle - help my unbelief. Help me to stay anchored in the firm belief of who you are and what you are able to do. In Jesus name - AMEN!

The Battle Is Won In The Minutes

2008-10-31T09:39:00.001-07:00

TODAY’S READING - Job 22; Mark 7; Mark 8

SCRIPTURE: Mark 8:34-37

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?’“

OBSERVATION:

What a sobering passage. To think of the things that people trade eternity for - or even trade a minute with God for. Careers, success, financial gain, or other things that one can build his life on and around. Definitely not worth it. I think that most people who follow Christ have understand the folly of that and at least are engaged in the struggle to balance their life. I think in the big picture and in the whole of life, we would say that we have submitted to Christ. I think of the minutes though. The minutes that we give to anger, or lust, or myspace, or complaining, etc.. I think that is where most of us win or lose the battle - in minutes. The scales are tipped against us one minute at a time.

On the flip side the scales can be stacked for us if we go beyond submission to Christ to true denial of ourselves - losing our life in Christ. Giving up our rights to anger, giving up our desire for sexual gratification, finding community in Christ rather than online, and the like.

APPLICATION:

I need to be mindful of the minutes. Not just feel complacent that I’ve given my future to Jesus, but that I would find true security and fulness by giving Jesus my entire life minute by minute. I need to take inventory of my time, emotions, behavior, and thought life. I need to make my brain “punch a clock” so I can be mindful of what I spend my time meditating on.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the life that you have given me. It’s not a life reserved for the future, but one to be experienced now. Help me to give myself to you and the gospel, Lord, so that I could find the life you have for me. Help me to give you my minutes. In Jesus name, AMEN!

Jesus Knew His Ministry Environment

2008-10-29T09:43:00.001-07:00

TODAY’S READING: Job 20; Mark 3; Mark 4

SCRIPTURE: Mark 4:33-44

“With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.”

OBSERVATION:

Jesus knew who He was talking to and when and what they needed to hear. Most people need to hear an encouraging word -”God is on your side.” Everyone got the Word but not everyone got Jesus personal discipleship - the explanation of everything. Not because He was not willing, but because they were not ready. Where they were in life and faith was not conducive with life on life discipleship; however, that did not disqualify them from relationship.

Jesus discipled twelve to reach the entire world, to invite all who will hear into a relationship with God.

APPLICATION:

I need to get a better handle on who the masses, the crowd, the congregation, and the disciples are in the church. I don’t want to discourage someone who is simply needing the love of Jesus with too heavy a burden. I don’t want to overlook someone who is ready to be trained into the ministry by simply giving them a “God is on your side message.” I want to make the difference that God wants to make i people’s lives.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the great privilege of serving your church. You have called the church your bride and I am honored to minister to her. Help me to know who I am ministering to when, and how to best serve them. Give me discernment into your heart for individuals and for the different ministry environments and help me to minister that same heart to your people. In Jesus name - AMEN!

The Sabbath Can Serve You Well If You Don't Serve The Sabbath

2008-10-28T08:41:00.003-07:00

Today’s Reading: Job 19; Mark 1; Mark 2

SCRIPTURE: Mark 2:23-28

“One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?’

25He answered, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.’

27Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.’”

OBSERVATION:

This really shows the heart of God behind the law. The law was really birthed out of the heart and wisdom of God and is intended to benefit mankind. Most of the law if followed would really provide health for us. It kept us from harm and unhealthy living, it established habits that reminded us of our submissive position before God, it set us apart before a world who needs to know God. The problem is that we began to serve the law rather than the God behind it.

APPLICATION:

The Pharisee’s could not follow the law without becoming legalistic. I want to to find God’s heart and His wisdom for life. I want to be who God intended me to be. But I don’t want to serve a system, just my God.

PRAYER:

Father thank you for your word - both the Old Testament and the New. In it we find your wisdom and your heart for people. Help us to read it and find relationship with you in it. Speak to us thru it. Protect us from making a “10 steps to heaven ladder” out of it, but use it to make us more dependent and more in love with you everyday. In Jesus name - AMEN!

Paul Can Talk The Ear Off A Cornstalk

2008-10-24T10:07:00.003-07:00

Today's Reading: Job 15; Acts 19; Acts 20

SCRIPTURE: Acts 20:6-12

“Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "He's alive!" Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.”

OBSERVATION:

This stands out to me mainly because it is hilarious. The dude fell asleep because “Paul talked on and on.” HAHA! Not only did he fall asleep but he fell to his death. CRAZY!!!

Even crazier is that Paul didn’t miss a beat. He went downstairs and raised the guy from the dead and continued on and on with his talking and eating until daylight came. Was this an appropriate reaction to what just happened? It seems like too normal a behavior for such a very abnormal circumstance. Paul preaches the guys to death and then simply says “My bad. I fix it.” Was the miraculous such an ongoing thing that it became natural instead if just supernatural? If that’s possible I want it.

APPLICATION:

I want the miraculous to be normal in my life. It seems that we have to puff up the little things that happen in our lives to make them of miraculous proportion. I want the miraculous presence and power of God so strong in my life that when something happens we simply say “Yep, Jesus is doing His thing again.” I’m sure the miraculous is there to experience. After all Jesus didn’t change His business or even His mission statement. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I want to believe for things of miraculous proportion.

PRAYER:

Father, you are able. You can. You are. Help me to believe. Help the supernatural be natural in my life. I don’t want to seek the power and miss your presence, but I do want to see the sick healed and the like. In Jesus name - AMEN!!!

God Is Found Along The Way

2008-10-22T08:02:00.004-07:00

Today's Reading: Job 11; Job 12; Acts 15; Acts 16

SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:6-10

“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

OBSERVATION

The thing that really stands out to me about this passage is how this Supernatural God works so naturally in our lives. Unlike Moses, Paul & his crew didn’t have a burning bush that contained the audible voice of God, or a staff that could be used as a sign and a reminder of God’s power and plan. Instead, they found God along the way. “Let’s try this place and see if God is here.” “Uhhh, nope.” “How about over here.” Hmm, uh, nope.” Finally, Paul has a dream about a Macedonian man calling for help, and they concluded that God had called them to Macedonia. Wonderful things happened there, people gave their lives to the Lord, the presence of God filled a prison and shook it off its foundation, entire households were getting baptized. Paul and his crew found God along the way.

APPLICATION:

It has been said that God can’t steer a parked car. I know that there are some heretical theological implications to this saying but you get the point. I think that sometimes when God shows up there are pyrotechnics (the burning bush). We all love miracles. However, most of the time, I think we find God along the way. We have to be mobile. Moving. Just doing something - trying something for God’s sake. “Is God in this?” “Is He blessing this.” This is definitely organic, trial by error, church planting. It’s a little messy but it finds God. I want want to be a guy who is mobile and steerable by God.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for directing our lives - for closing doors that we don’t fit in, or don’t fit us, or are just not right for now. Thank you that our time trying to honor you is not wasted time, even when our efforts find closed doors. Help me to not be discouraged by these types of circumstances, but keep moving so you can keep steering. Help me to find you along the way. In Jesus Name - AMEN!

OUT OF TOWN

2008-10-21T22:07:00.001-07:00

Sorry Guys - I'm out of time w/ limited internet access. I will be back to blogging my SOAPS on Friday.

God Beyond The Clouds

2008-10-18T12:02:00.003-07:00

Today’s Reading: Job 3; Job 4; Acts 8; Acts 9

SCRIPTURE: Job 4:3-6

“Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed. Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?”

OBSERVATION:

It is so easy to give advice to others, but so hard to remember it or apply it to ourselves. It is advice that we really believe and know to be true, yet when we are in the thick of darkness it is hard to grab hold of it for ourselves. I don’t think that this inconsistency is necessarily hypocritical in nature. I think it is more human nature in nature.

We all have this wonderful sunny blue sky that we live under - God’s truth, goodness, and faithfullness. But storms roll in and all we experience is dark clouds, cold rain, and fierce lightening. We are in crisis, and that’s all we can see. We forget that the blue sky is still there, just on the other side of the clouds.

APPLICATION:

The key is to develop my spiritual man so that I can live in a fallen world (under the clouds) while still being anchored as a citizen in the Kingdom of God (the blue sky). I need to spend time each day beyond the clouds with God - sitting quiet, singing in worship, reading His word, praying.

As I do the Holy Spirit will enable my spiritual self to live above the clouds even if my earthly self experiences a storm. Experiencing the hardship of the crisis and at the very same time experiencing the hope, comfort, peace, and power of God as a citizen in God’s Kingdom. The Holy Spirit helps us to keep outside storms from becoming internal storms. If I want to find God I have to look beyond the clouds.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you are always there. I may be clouded by my circumstances, but you never change. The Kingdom of God is established, though not yet fully. Help me to stake my life there and experience you and all your fullness, even if outwardly I am experiencing a storm. Lord, you are good and your mercies endure forever. Bless you God and thank you for your love toward me. In Jesus name - AMEN!

Worship In Dark Times

2008-10-17T08:57:00.000-07:00

Today’s Reading: Job 1; Job 2; Acts 6; Acts 7

SCRIPTURE: Job 1:20-22

”At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
       "Naked I came from my mother's womb,
       and naked I will depart.
       The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
       may the name of the LORD be praised."

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”

OBSERVATION:

Job lost everything at the hands of evil and still praises God. I think of the things I get upset with God about. I Think of all the God talk that takes place in our country when crisis hits. “Where were you God?” “How could God let this happen?” “Is this punishment from God?” I grew up with the understanding that if life was good it was because I am good, but if things were going bad I was being punished. My mindset was almost, “Life is good until God shows up.” I believed that he only showed up to do an audit on our behavior and punish us.

I see Satan’s craftiness here. His strategy is to wreck our lives and have us curse God for it. It’s amazing that in the midst of crisis and tragedy we ignore the author of evil and point our finger at the maker of all things good.

I see Job who has lost everything and in the middle of his mourning he is in worship to God. He didn’t lose his grounding in God - he kept a right perspective of who God is and how he work in his life.

APPLICATION:

Though my belief about God has changed, my human nature, or should I say sin nature, still beckons me to anger when bad things happen. I know God is good, faithful, and loving. I know that it has always been Satan’s plan to get us to curse God by wrecking our lives. I will strive to worship God with a right heart and a right perspective in every situation. God doesn’t change when my circumstances do. He is not a commodity that increases in value with the principles of supply & demand. He is God, He is good, and He is always worthy of my praise.

PRAYER:

Father, you are good and your mercies are never ending. You are the giver of all good things. You never leave us nor forsake us. You see those in need, in pain, in crisis, with perspective that is biased with love. You are the one who brings us thru hard times, comforts our hurts, and calms our storms. You are forever good, forever faithful - you never change. Help me not to weigh you on the scale of my circumstances. Forgive me for ever trying to do so. Help me to find your goodness in the midst of every situation, good or bad. Help me to maintain right perspective and maintain a heart of worship. In Jesus name - AMEN!

Pick Your Battles, But Don't Fight God

2008-10-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

Today’s Reading: Malachi 3; Malachi 4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:38-39

“...I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

OBSERVATION:

The problem was not that these religious leaders were simply wrong about the apostles. It is not that they just lacked understanding, wondering if the Apostles ministry was from God or not. They were not trying to preserve true ministry. Verse 17 tells us that thy were persecuting the apostles because they were angry and filled with jealousy. A wise Pharisee among them stood up and let them know that by trying to intimidate God’s people they are putting themselves in the ring with God himself. Do you really want to tangle with God?

The only thing worse than fighting temptation, fighting the devil, fighting the flesh, etc. is fighting God. It is impossible to win that fight. It would have been easier for these men to fight against their own issues of anger, fear, and jealousy than to take on God.

APPLICATION:

I never want to tangle with God. Yet there are times that I have anger, jealousy, a competitive spirit, or a bad attitude toward something or someone. I know that God’s plan is that I be healthy in my heart. However, sometimes it seems easier to take on the people or the the circumstances that are “causing” me grief than to unpack the issues of my heart and wrestle with them.

The problem is that when you ignore the issues of your heart you are definitely out numbered - you are taking on your heart issues, your circumstances, and God Himself. However, when you focus on your heart it is a fair fight - God is on your side. It is 2 against 2 - you and God against the issues of your heart and the circumstances that brought them to the surface. With God for us, who can be against us.

PRAYER:

Thank you Father that I have you in my corner. Help me to never shrink back from the issues of my heart. Help me to face them head on as you bring them to light and as you instigate the battle. I know that as I purpose in my heart to pursue rightness of heart with you, I can count on you to win the battle on my behalf and for your glory. Thank you for accepting me where I am and growing me into the person you designed me to be. In Jesus name - AMEN!

Take Note That I've Spent Time With Jesus

2008-10-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1; Malachi 2; Acts 4

SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:13-14

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.”

OBSERVATION:

This is what happens when ordinary people experience God. Crazy things happen and people take note that theses ordinary people hang out with Jesus.

Peter has just come off the spiritual slump of his life. He denied that he ever knew Jesus. When Jesus gave Peter a second chance, the best Peter could commit to was a second place kind of love. But Jesus started fresh with Peter right where Peter was and with what Peter could offer.

Here is Peter who had, not too long ago, denied Christ and is now filled with the Holy Spirit and couldn’t deny Him if he wanted to. He is preaching life in Christ, healing people, and leading thousands into life in Jesus. The officials see these ordinary men and take note that they have been with Jesus.

APPLICATION:

If I am going to do anything of eternal significance in this life it has to flow from a relationship with Jesus. People have to recognize Jesus in me. There is nothing special outside of that. God will take me, an ordinary person, and cause people to take note that Jesus is my Lord. Ministry is an overflow of what Jesus is doing in my life.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you choose and use ordinary people. Jesus, you did not come into this world as a man of earthly status and wealth an you continue to show yourself to the world thru ordinary people. Help me to spend time with you Jesus so that people will take note and give you praise. As I offer myself to you each day, I pray that others will lose sight of my ordinary self and experience your extraordinary presence. In Jesus name - AMEN!

Forever Faithful God

2008-10-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

today's reading: Nehemiah 5; Nehemiah 6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 146:3-5

“Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God...”

OBSERVATION:

Then the Psalmist goes on to list out all the things God does for people. He helps the oppressed, feeds the hungry, frees the prisoners, heals the blind, lifts the humble, watches over the misplaced, and takes care of the orphans and widows.

God really is our all in all - there is nothing that we ever really want or need that is not found in Him. The problem is that we look for what we really want in other people who are just a fallible as we are. We look to be completed in our spouse, we look for our provision in our boss, we look for freedom in our government, we look for self-worth in the compliments from cute girl in the cubicle next to you.

All these venues for a “whole life” fail. Only God is trustworthy to faithfully and consistently meet our true needs and bring fulfillment at the deepest level in our lives. He is “the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.” He is “the LORD, who remains faithful forever.”

The biggest cause of conflict is a sense of unmet expectations. When we expect people to be, give, and do things that are only found in God we can be sorely disappointed in people. We can be upset that they did not live up to our expectations or we can realize that we have put our expectations in the wrong place.

APPLICATION:

I will fight the urge to find happiness, fulfillment, or wholeness in any other venue. Only God can save, and only He is faithful forever. I will find my help, and place my hope in Him.

PRAYER:

Father, you are my all and all. There is nothing that I lack in you - I shall not want. You are my source and my strength. Help me to fight the urge to seek for fulfillment in any unfruitful place. Thank you for giving me people in my life, but help me not to give them the place that only you can truly hold in my life. Thank you, God, for being consistently and forever faithful. In the name of your son Jesus, I pray - AMEN

Remember The Why In The Midst Of The What

2008-10-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 3:8

“Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.”

OBSERVATION:

It is interesting how it says that “They restored Jerusalem”. Obviously, they played a role - they had a section that was their task. They had a job, but Nehemiah gives a reminder of what they were really doing. They were really restoring Jerusalem - God’s Holy City. If you were to walk around the construction site and asked them what they were doing, some would say, “I’m framing.” while others would say “I’m the mortar guy” and others would say “I’m just running around getting these guys tools and water.” Nehemiah, their leader, saw beyond their individual tasks. He saw that they were a beautiful symphony of laborers that unified their individual tasks toward a specific purpose - the result was a song called “Restoring Jerusalem.”

The other thing that jumps out at me is that the entire chapter says “Next to him”, “Next to them,” or defines a person or group of people nearly 26 times. It says their were civil leaders who rolled up their sleeves and got to work, and next to them were local business owners like perfume-makers and goldsmiths, next to religious leaders, next to ordinary community folk. They all laid down their agendas and their personal expertise and unified around a common purpose.

APPLICATION:

I imagine the church this way. This guy next to that guy, next to that family, next to that gal, next to that group, all working toward the common purpose of making disciples. Maybe if we were to ask what each was doing they might answer, mixing the sound, or setting up tables, or leading a small group, or caring for kids, but I will work hard at building a sense of the big picture in our volunteers. My hope is to be a reminder that while we may be focused on a specific section, we are building God’s church - we are leading people to Jesus and making disciples.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of building your church. Help us to remember the “Why” in the midst of the “What”. That while we are doing our section of the puzzle, we would keep the big picture in mind. Help us to walk side by side with one another in unity and accomplish the great commission “make disciples” by obeying the great commandments “Love the Lord our God” and “Love our neighbors.” In Jesus' name - AMEN!

A Picture Of Ceaseless Prayer

2008-10-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 2:4-8

“The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.’

6 Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, ‘How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?’ It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.

7 I also said to him, ‘If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?’ And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.”

OBSERVATION:

This passage revealed something to me about prayer and relationship with God. What really jumps out at me is the picture of a normal and ceaseless prayer life. Paul talks about prayer without ceasing and about being in constant prayer. We drum up pictures in out minds about what this looks like. We imagine being locked up in a prayer closet for most of our day, we imagine walking around focusing on nothing but asking things from God... Most humans being extreme are typically pulled to two possibilities - we can end up being so heavenly-minded that we are no earthly good, or we can think that ceaseless prayer is impossible so we don’t even try. Nehemiah, shows us what ceaseless prayer looks like and it is rather normal.

“The King said to me, ‘What do you want?’ Then I PRAYED to the God of heaven and I answered the king.” When you have the king’s attention you need God’s favor and you don’t have time for a half-hour worship set to get you there. I love how it says that Nehemiah prayed and answered the king. I don’t know, but I don’t think he rolled out a prayer carpet and knelt down in prayer for 10 minutes before answering. I imagine it wen something like, “God help.” or “Here we go God, do your thing.” or “Holy Cow! God, I can’t believe he just asked me what I want. What should I say?”

APPLICATION:

I want my prayer life to be this normal. I want to remember to quickly invite God into the “real time” conversations that I am having. To pray “God help” in those spur-of-the-moment opportunities that have major implications and eternal consequences. I am going to begin a habit of ceaseless prayer today.

PRAYER:

Here we go God, do your thing. In Jesus name - AMEN!

Devotion, Desire, Favor, & Keys - October 7, 2008

2008-10-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

Scripture: Ezra 7:6-10

...this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. 7 Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.

8 Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king.9 He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Observation:

I see a direct correlation between the favor of God toward Ezra and Ezra's devotional life. There are many different ways to accomplish the same task. I think of opening doors to get where you want to be. You can try and pick the lock, but this may take a while. You can get a running start and put your shoulder into it, but you may need some ibuprofen afterward. You can use a battering ram but that can make a real mess of things. Then there is the novel idea of using the key and turning the knob.

I really do believe that the life we want is the life that God intended us to have. Not the superficial/materialistic desires, but the deeper desires of our hearts - peace, joy, hope, acceptance, love, purpose, etc.... Unfortunately, many times we try to open the door to these things thru conniving (picking the lock), brute strength (putting your shoulder into it), or thru the use of other things like a battering ram (the battering ram may be money, status, power). I believe that the door to the deep desires of our hearts has a key that God holds.

Application:

Access to that key is tied in to our access of God's heart. If we grab hold of his heart, like Ezra, through devoting ourselves to scripture and His desires for our life then we will have access to the Key that will open the door to the future God has planned for us. One of internal joy, peace, purpose....

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the hope of a wonderful future in you. Thank you that as I connect myself to you thru my devotional life (prayer, scripture, obedience, etc.) I have favor with you and with men. Doors will be opened to me that take me further into your plan for my life - which really is the desire of my heart.