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1 John 5:12-19

19 Aug

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death. We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
1 John 5:12-19

Dear God, this is one of those passages that seems to say whatever I want it to say. Sin and lose your salvation: I can get that from this. Once saved, always saved: I can see that too. What am I to think?

I suppose, when it comes down to it, for myself, as long as I am humbly pursuing you, I don’t need to worry about my “fire insurance.” Of the three possible outcomes for my soul after death—heaven, hell, nothingness—I only need to worry about hell and of the life I’m living isn’t good enough to avoid hell them o don’t think there’s much I could do to avoid it. Even if I believe in the wrong religion and you are the God of Islam, Mormonism, Hinduism, etc. I have to believe there is room in your heart for someone who worships you, even in ignorance.

No, when I wake up in the morning and pray to you, the afterlife is not any part of my calculus or motivation. The truth is, I need you today. I need your love. I need your wisdom. I need your grace. I need your peace. I need your Holy Spirit to guide me. I need my daily bread from you. I have felt life as part of you and I have felt life apart from you. Even now, if I ever drift too far away from you and start living on my own, I miss you. I can feel the distance from your Spirit. There’s a part of me that thinks that’s the life to which John is referring that I can lose. Not necessarily eternity with you, but the life you give me while my physical body still functions.

Father, Jesus came to give me life abundantly. Help me to feel that life today as I draw near to you and your Spirit.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 19, 2021 in 1 John

 

Philippians 1:20-26

18 Aug

For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
Philippians 1:20-26

Dear God, is it a problem that I don’t long to be with you/Jesus in heaven just yet? I don’t think it is, but this passage from Paul always surprises me. Personally, I’m good to keep living.

It is interesting to now be at an age where I’m likely over halfway through with the life you’ve given me. In fact, I was watching a disaster movie last night and as all of the people were dying I thought about if my time was done now. What would that mean for the ones I love? Would my wife have what she needs? Would my work function until I was replaced? I suppose I’m grateful to know that one of the things that I thought about that gave me some peace was the different things I’ve done to help others. I don’t think my life, as much of a vapor as it is, has been a waste of your time or the time others have kindly invested in it, including family and friends who love me. I’ve taken a really good shot at doing my best for you.

Father, I’m not saying I’m perfect or that I’ve done everything you’ve asked me to do. I failed you yesterday. I’ve probably already failed this morning. So that’s not what I’m saying. I guess what I’m saying is that I’ve found peace in worshipping you and trying to love others around me as my number one and two motivators. Thank you for offering the grace I need so that I don’t have to consider my failures any more than you do.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 18, 2021 in Philippians

 

2 Corinthians 10:17-18

17 Aug

As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Dear God, I ran into an old friend two nights ago. I hadn’t seen him in several years. The thing that made it awkward was that he had heard about me around town and some of the projects I’ve helped with and really heaped a lot of praise on me. It caught me by surprise and I didn’t know how to respond. It made me very uncomfortable.

Earlier that day, I had preached at a local church. Normally, my insecure spirit longs for praise. I want to hear how “great” I was from the people who were there. This time, however, I found myself being uncomfortable with the compliments. Frankly, I think part of that discomfort was the fact that I wasn’t pleased with the job I did, but part of it was that I just wanted the Holy Spirit work through me. That’s what I kept praying for.

I’m not saying I’ve arrived at this new super spiritual level or anything, and I’m not saying I don’t like or need affirmations. To quote the song “Legacy” by Nichole Nordeman: “I won’t lie it feels alright to see my name in lights. We all need an atta boy or atta girl.” I just don’t seem to need or long for them in this moment like I used to. Have your successfully broken something in me? I hope so. Could my insecurity flare up five minutes from bow and I could be right back where is started? Absolutely.

Father, to quote the chorus of “Legacy” as my prayer to you: “I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to you? I want to make a mark on things. I want to leave an offering. A child of mercy and Grace who blessed your name unapologetically, and leave that kind of legacy.”

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 17, 2021 in 2 Corinthians

 

2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1

16 Aug

And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. ” Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1

Dear God, this passage makes me think of the part of the Lord’s Prayer that asks you to not lead me into temptation. At some point, I have to make a decision to keep myself out of temptation. I need to identify the things that bring out the worst in me and determine that I will avoid them.

In my sermon yesterday, I talked about the importance of seeing you as my daily bread. That’s all part of this too. I think I’ve always interpreted the part of the Lord’s Prayers about daily bread as you providing for our needs, but I also think it’s about me pursuing you each day as well. Seeking your presence. Listening for your voice. Reading your word and contemplating it in my heart.

Father, I offer all of me to you today. Please let your kingdom come onto the earth and your will be done on earth through my life. Forgive me of my sins. Help me to learn more and more what it means to forgive others as you forgive me and to do it. Give me my daily bread today as I commit to coming to you for my daily bread. Help me to see temptation and reject it. You are a glorious, amazing, power, and wonderful God. The kingdoms of this earth and, of course, in heaven are yours, now and forever.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 16, 2021 in 2 Corinthians

 

Solomon: What Went Wrong?

14 Aug

Dear God, I’m preaching tomorrow at the local Presbyterian church and I will be using the verses that I’ve been journaling on over the last week from 1 Kings 3, Ephesians 5, and John 6. Certainly a pattern emerged (I’m sure those who chose these passages for the Presbyterian Church intended for there to be some synergy between them). I suppose I could say the executive summary is that a scared young man who was overwhelmed by his situation (which was orchestrated by his mother, Bathsheba, on his behalf against David’s oldest remaining son) had a vision from you and he showed some real insight by asking you for wisdom. But in reading what happened next, one almost has to wonder if you did the right thing by giving it to him because the wisdom made him very successful, but it also led him away from you.

I think there were two main things that were Solomon’s downfall: power and women.

Power: Quite simply, he got to where he didn’t need you and his priority eventually became amassing more and more wealth and power. He forced those from previously conquered peoples to be slaves (1 Kings 9:15-21) and he made the Israelite men his military and government officials (1 Kings 9:22-23). He forgot about the 1,000 years since your promise to Abraham and everything that had been done by you and through the faithfulness of others to you over the generations. He forgot about your command to stay loyal to you and not worship other gods (1 Kings 9:6-9). Simply put, he got fat and happy.

Women: This one is complicated, and I have a feeling it involves what he learned from his dad, to some extent. After all, I’m sure he knew the whole story about how his mother came to be David’s wife. He knew how his father abused his power as king to rape his mother, kill her husband, and eventually add her to his haram. He knew how his half brother raped his half sister and David did nothing about it. Eventually, he ended up with 700 wives and 300 concubines (the only difference I can see between them is that the wives were of royal birth and the concubines weren’t). And going back to the power angle, because the wives were from the surrounding nations that God warned them about, it appears as if he married many of the 700 wives (the wives of royal birth, or princesses) to form alliances and consolidate his power so he would not have to devote resources to military, but instead focus them on his personal gain and ease of life.

So eventually, Solomon turned his heart from you, Father. He let the ease of life lull him wandering away. He let the excitement of these relationships with the myriad of women dilute his faith in you. He was joining with them in body and instead of insisting that they leave their idols and worship you, he joined many of them in their worship of other things.

So that’s Solomon. Now, what about Ephesians 5 and John 6? How do they fit into this? Well, obviously Paul is talking about wisdom in Ephesians Paul gives us a pretty basic instruction in Ephesians 5:15-20: Make the most of every opportunity. Act thoughtfully/intentionally, seeking what you want me to do. Avoid things that promote escaping reality like wine/drugs, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Sing to you by myself and with others. Thank you for everything.

Then there’s Jesus in John 6. True bread from you is Jesus and what he gave us through his life (teaching), death, and resurrection. Jesus is the bread, and he also instructed us to ask you for our daily bread–our daily dose of Jesus. Our provision for our physical needs, but also our continual dependence upon you for our emotional stability and purposeful growth and actions.

So what do we do to make sure we are pursuing our daily bread being filled by the Holy Spirit and avoiding the things that encourage us to escape reality and numb ourselves to the needs around us and what you are calling us to do? Well, I think that can be different for everyone to some extent. The general things are there. Daily time in prayer and scripture of some sort. Daily time worshiping you. Surrounding ourselves with a community of people who are like-minded in their worship of you. That’s not to say all of my friends have to be Christians, but certainly the ones I lean on the most should be. It’s looking for the opportunities you call us to to serve others.

Father, help me to not only take all of this and put it into a format that communicates effectively in the morning. Help me to live it out as well. Help me to live it out before you. Help me to live it out in my marriage and my family. Help me to live it out in my work and in my service to others. Help me to not focus on protecting what I have, but instead using what I have to help others. Do all of this so that my life would be part of your kingdom coming and your will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 14, 2021 in 1 Kings, Ephesians, John

 

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

12 Aug

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead. Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Dear God, I suppose there comes a point when all of us have to decide that it’s okay to deny ourselves. Maybe it’s for reasons that Paul discusses here as we figure out what is good for us and what harms us. And maybe it’s sacrificing a right that we have so that someone else can be safe.

I think that a lot of the sin that Paul addresses in these verses—mostly sexual immorality—comes down to dying to our own desires and seeking what is right. Sure, that might seem obvious, but it’s also true.

With COVID-19 and the whole “wearing a mask” issue, what I’m seeing is so much anger and indignation. I had to be confrontational with a patient yesterday who refused to wear a mask in our clinic. He claimed I was violating his “rights” and he was going to sue us. He came into our clinic spoiling for a fight. Why? Oh, something on the news or social media probably had him riled up. That stuff can rile me up too. The things I watch can get me going. I’ve learned that there are certain things I have watched that will stir thoughts of sexual immorality in me so I have to avoid those things.

Father, I feel like I’m just rambling now, so I will end my saying that I didn’t sleep well last night because I am scared. I am scared of what today will hold for me at work. We might have some significant challenges today that will be complicated to resolve. So I ask for your mercy. Guide me. Guide all of us. Show us your path forward. We want to be there for our patients as much as possible. We also want to be safe for them, for each other, and for our community. Help me, Father. Show me your path forward and pour your peace over me.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 12, 2021 in 1 Corinthians

 

Psalm 46

10 Aug

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam.

Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude

A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.

God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.

The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world.

He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude
Psalm 46

Dear God, the increase in the Delta Variant of COVID-19 is stressing me at work. When I read this psalm this morning it help like a good comfort to me. Even in the stress of this week, I can see how some things have worked out providentially. But still, I came home yesterday feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. In fact, I’m up an hour early this morning just so I can get a head start on my day. There is a lot to do, and my time to do it is getting squeezed.

But again, when I read this psalm it helps me look at this situation and actually see how you have provided for us. I can see how you are making things easier in the midst of chaos.

There was a woman at our clinic yesterday and I could tell she was very alarmed by the increase in COVID. She asked me a lot of questions about local statistics and I was able to offer her some comfort. I at least took her from ref alert to yellow alert. I feel like that is what you are doing to me through this psalm. You are comforting me. You are opening my eyes so I can see.

Father, thank you for being my refuge and strength. Thank you for being there in my times of trouble. Thank you for caring about me in the first place. Thank you for loving me. As Jesus said in the passage I journaled through yesterday, the world can harm me, even all of the way to death, but you are still my comfort because the ultimate victory is yours, and I will dwell in your house with you forever. Thank you for everything.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 10, 2021 in Psalms

 

Luke 12:4-7

09 Aug

“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Luke 12:4-7

Dear God, I spent some time studying about and thinking about Naomi yesterday. As I now sit here and think about this verse I can only imagine how these words might have hit her early in Ruth chapter 1. She had the world collapsing around her. No husband. No sons. Two daughters-in-law who didn’t have much more agency, if any, than she did. The combination of mourning the loss of her husband and sons and fear of what happens next must have been overwhelming. I cannot imagine the grief that would come with losing my wife and two children. Adding insecurity over my fiscal survival to the equation might push me to the edge.

But your words through everything are to trust in you. Even regarding death. If my path is to walk into death, I can do it peacefully because the end here on earth is not the end. Yes, it is easier to say these things in a peaceful moment than live them in the midst of trials, but the only way I have a shot at living this out in a trial is if I do my best to learn the concept now.

Father, I don’t know what is next for me. I don’t know the path my children are walking or what is in store for them. Nor do I know what is ahead for my wife and me. Thank you for reminding me this morning that was don’t need to fear. Thank you that you care more about me. Thank you for Jesus saying and Luke recording that I have nothing to fear but you, and you love me immeasurably.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 9, 2021 in Luke

 

Psalm 111

08 Aug

Praise the Lord!

I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people.

How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them.

Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails.

He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord!

He gives food to those who fear him; he always remembers his covenant.

He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations.

All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy.

They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.

He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.

Praise him forever!
Psalm 111

Dear God, this is just a nice psalm of worship. No asking for curses on my enemies. No laments or self pity. Just worship. Just acknowledging who you are and how you are faithful and true. It seems appropriate for a Sunday morning and at the end of a week that actually saw some nice outcomes for things I brought to you in prayer. I’ve said thank you to you a few times silently in my heart, but let me say here, thank you for everything you did this week, both the things I recognized and the things you did in the background and I had now clue (and will likely never have a clue).

I couldn’t help but see some similarities in Mary’s song (Luke 1:46-55) when she is pregnant and greeted by Elizabeth with an affirmation of what was happening to her instead of judgment and condemnation for being pregnant before marriage. She must have been nervous about how Zechariah and Elizabeth would respond to her, but as soon as she walked in the room you gave her affirmation from a third party that flooded her with relief. All she could do was spontaneously praise you right then and there. Knowing this psalm might have even influenced her words. It’s all just so great!

Father, thank you. There is still a lot that concerns me, but, at least in this moment, my joy, hope, and peace are in you. I love you. I worship you. I thank you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 8, 2021 in Luke, Psalms

 

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John 6:48-58

06 Aug

Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked. So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
John 6:48-58

Dear God, there are things in life that, if we are submitted to you, bring us to our knees. Challenges draw me closer to you while good times tempt me to drift into my own sense of security in myself. Using Jesus’s analogy here, you are true nourishment while feeding myself on good times and my own sense of false security is like eating only desserts. There is not nutritional value in putting faith in my own wisdom.

Of course, this is all tying together with the verses I’ve prayed over the last few days. They are the verses for Sunday, August 15, in the Presbyterian church, and I’ll be preaching that day so I thought I would see what’s there. You as my daily bread nourishing me with wisdom seems to be there. Solomon losing you as his daily bread and filling his life with power, wealth and women was all empty calories that ultimately led to his decent into corruption and evil.

I’ve had some solid challenges at work this week that I’ve certainly felt the need to bring to you in prayer. and I feel like you’re answering them. Thank you. I have challenges in my personal life that need your intervention, power and guidance. I need your nourishment and fruit from your Holy Spirit to get me through. I need you.

Father, give me this day my daily bread. Help me to keep from being tempted to leave you. Keep me from the evil in my own heart or that is out there waiting to devour me. Let your kingdom come and your will be done in and through my life and in the world. You are my God. I worship you alone.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 6, 2021 in John

 
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