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Psalm 63:1

07 Oct

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1

Dear God, in light of what I prayed last night, I think this “verse of the day” from Bible Gateway actually turned out to be pretty on-the-nose. Just flat out worship.

You are my God

This is often true, but not always. Safety and security are sometimes my god. Achievement is sometimes my god. My wife or children are sometimes my god. Accolades and acceptance are sometimes my god. My health. My entertainment. I suppose this is becoming a confession. All of these things can become my god. But you are THE God.

I earnestly seek you

So I will endeavor to seek you. I will stop and worship you. I will seek your counsel. I will submit myself to your authority. I will remember you in the midst of my day. I so often just push on in my own power. I’m so sorry. I will earnestly seek you.

I thirst for you

Of course, the thing that gives me hope is that when I am foolish enough to seek other gods and look to my own wisdom, I find that I thirst for you. I need you. I have grown close enough to you that I definitely notice when I’m not with you. When I am far from you. Thank you for being so much…just so much you that I find myself longing for you when my restless heart wanders.

My whole being longs for you

Father, I need you. I need you as I put together next year’s budget today. I need you as I figure out how to love our patients, donors, and volunteers at work. I need you as I do things to make our staff feel appreciated and supported. I need you as I husband my wife, love my children, and care about extended family and friends. I need oneness with you as I go throughout this day. Thank you for being right there–for being near–when I reach out to you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 7, 2020 in Psalms

 

Galatians 1:11-24

06 Oct

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me.

Galatians 1:11-24

Dear God, I’m not sure I’ve ever spent much time with this passage or the idea that Paul wasn’t really taught his theology by the apostles or other disciples, but had direct revelation from you. I really do wonder how much of my theology is tainted by the teaching of others. I wonder if I should spend more time just silently with you. Even when I exercise–no music, podcasts, or videos. What if I just allowed silence and tried to meditate on you?

I talked on the phone with a pastor friend today. I call him a friend, but I don’t really know him that well. But I called to ask him about something and he asked how I am doing. I told him honestly about a couple of struggles we are experiencing after losing my wife’s father a few weeks ago, and he prayed the most beautiful prayer for my wife and me over the phone. I know I’ve felt that way before. I know I’ve prayed that way before. I just don’t feel that close connection with you now. I know that emotions ebb and flow, and I can’t always be on a spiritual high or 100% tuned into you, but I pretty sure I can be better than I’ve been.

Father, I’m sorry I’ve let self-righteousness, bitterness, and judgmental-ness infiltrate my heart. I’m sorry for any way in which I’ve not been what you need me to be for my wife or anyone else. Help me to be a complete source of love for everyone I know or who touches my life. Family. Friends. Patients. Volunteers. Coworkers. Donors. My community. I don’t need to be right. I don’t need to be better than anyone else. I just need to be your vessel, messenger, and ambassador. Help me to be all of those things for your glory’s sake.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 6, 2020 in Galatians

 

Proverbs 27:1-2

04 Oct

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 27:1-2

Dear God, sorry to make this so trivial, but when I read this I thought about college football. Last week, Mike Leach at Mississippi State, was pretty haughty about having just beaten LSU. He was arrogant and cocky during his postgame press conference, mocking the other team a little. Well, one week later, they lost to what is perceived to be one of the worst two teams in the SEC, Arkansas. I haven’t seen his postgame comments from yesterday, but something tells me they were a little different than last week.

Just boasting in general is such a bad look. The irony is that, while it makes us feel good to make sure people are looking at something good that we did or happened to us, it is pretty transparent to the other person how insecure we are. We actually end up accomplishing the exact opposite of what we are trying to accomplish.

I’ll confess that I’m as guilty of this as anyone. I might be a little better about it now than I used to be (is hat boasting?), but it’s only because I have come to see what my boasting looks like to others and sometimes that stops me from doing it. I’ve told you many times that I my secret biggest desire is that people be impressed by me. Ironically, the thing that always impresses people as much as, if not more than, anything else is humility.

Father, whenever I boast, whenever I try to impress others, I am increasing at your expense. I am so sorry. Everything about my life should be for you, about you, and because of you. I give you my life (including my ego) and will be the one to testify on your behalf of how great, awesome, and wonderful, you are.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 4, 2020 in Proverbs

 

Luke 10:17-20

03 Oct

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:17-20

Dear God, I’ll admit that I spend too much time celebrating the wrong things. I will accidentally celebrate the good that you’ve done instead of celebrating the fact that you are there, you care, and you did it through me. I think it’s okay for us to enjoy, celebrate and be thankful for good things, but if we stop there we miss the bigger picture. The world we cannot see, the world that you see, is the one I must remember. In that world, you are everything. Your love is everything. Your presence is everything. And if you choose to work through me or in my life in some way then the good thing that was done is important to recognize, but I must also remember that the fact that my life is in you is the more important.

There is so much going on in the world right now. And it’s interesting how the presidential race and the pandemic unexpectedly intersected yesterday. Of course, I ask for your mercy be on President and Mrs. Trump as well as every other person on this planet who had contracted COVID-19. Use this pandemic to accomplish your purposes on the earth. Make the pain and anguish so many have experienced count for your glory. Please don’t waste it. And help us to celebrate you even in the midst of our distress because, again, the world we can see is such a small part of the world that you see. We cannot see what you are doing. You might be doing something now that will bring about your outcome 200 or 300 years from now. So we don’t celebrate our economy, health, bank accounts, marriages, children, government, or even our church. We celebrate that we are your children, you love us, and everything you do–whether it looks like a good thing to our eyes or not–is about accomplishing your purposes on the earth and you love us.

Father, make me an instrument of your peace. It is in giving that I receive. It is in pardoning that I am pardoned. It is in dying that I am born to eternal life. I want to know more and more what it’s like to follow you. When people look at me I want them to see the light of the world (you) inside.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 3, 2020 in Luke

 

Proverbs 29:25

02 Oct

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Proverbs 29:25

Dear God, the interesting thing about Proverbs is that the verses within the chapters seem to be so disjointed. It’s almost like dividing the book into chapters does it a disservice. I wonder if would be better as just one long chapter with different verse numbers. For example, the verse above is verse 25. Verse 26 says, “Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.” Then verse 27 says, “The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.” Frankly, I would love to have sunk my teeth into verse 27 this morning because there are plenty of dishonest people about whom I would like to tell you how much I detest them, but 1.) the verse of the day for Bible Gateway is verse 25 and 2.) I should probably be more worried about myself being detestable than worrying about those I detest (see Disney Princess Theology).

So lets talk about fear of many proving to be a snare. It’s just the truth. So in what ways to I fear man?

  • I am afraid of people not liking me
  • I am afraid of people not donating to our nonprofit
  • I am afraid of what the powers and principalities of this world can do to me and others in the world
  • I am afraid of rejection by those I love

And those are just the things that I fear from other people. That doesn’t count all of the other fears in my life. But those things–the fear of those things–can lead me to made bad decisions. They can lead me to be a “pleaser” (which I am). They can lead me to compromise my values sometimes (which I do). They can lead me to talk harshly about others (which I love to do). All of these things are wrapped up together.

I wish I were the type of person who really just floated above all of the cares of this world and rose above them all. I’ve known probably one person I would put in that category. He had such a childlike attitude and faith. Your love poured out of him to everyone he met. With some of the conflicts in my life right now, I wonder how those relationships would be different if I were the personification of his relationship with you instead of mine.

Father, I know I still have so much to learn. I have so much growing to do. I’m feeling very repentant  this morning. Help me to be a man of mercy. Help me to not be defensive, but to be completely filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 2, 2020 in Proverbs

 

Matthew 5:11-12

01 Oct

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

Matthew 5:11-12

Dear God, but I thought you blessed me when I send you all of my money and do everything right. I thought the blessing was the lack of mocking and persecution. (Sarcasm implied)

I don’t know that we think about this passage near enough and how Jesus would define blessing. We think of blessings as a life lined with good things: safety, money, affirmations, love, and “plenty.” But that’s apparently not how Jesus defines it because he is saying the blessing comes when I experience the opposite of these things. So what does blessing mean?

I think it means that the persecution and/or struggles will draw me closer to you and, in return, you will grow the fruits of the Spirit in me. Love. Joy. Peace. It’s that simple. It might not look like a blessed life from the outside, but it’s what the Christian life is all about according to Jesus.

Father, I am frankly not sure I want to live a blessed life as defined by Jesus because it scares me. The world’s view of a blessed life is much more attractive. But that’s not the way this works. Much like exercising breaks down muscle so that it can build back stronger, I have to be willing to let you break me down in order to get to the blessed life you truly have for me. So do with me as you will.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 1, 2020 in Matthew

 

Philippians 1:9-11

30 Sep

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 1:9-11

Dear God, I need to search the New Testament for every instance of the word “fruit” because the idea of the fruit we are supposed to exhibit as your children is pervasive in Paul’s writing. I know Jesus said it too.

In this case, Paul is saying the fruit is:

  • Love overflowing more and more
  • Growth in knowledge and understanding
  • Righteous character

I’m very glad that I didn’t watch the presidential debate last night. I was thinking about some of the things I read about it this morning, and I went back to my prayer from a couple of weeks ago that posited the idea that character should be the most important trait for which I vote and that platform be the tiebreaker. While that’s probably too simplistic, I’m actually starting to buy into it more and more. Even verse 11 here talks about the growth of righteous character in Christ Jesus. If my character is not continuously developing forward then it’s a warning sign.

Father, my character has a long way to go. I can still be cruel, merciless, selfish, manipulative, petty, etc. I will judge others too harshly and then chastise them. Am I better than I used to be? Yes. Am I better than I was even yesterday? I think so. But I am no Disney Princess. I am as much the villain as anyone is. Help me to continue this journey with you and to grow.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 30, 2020 in Philippians

 

1 Corinthians 2:13-16

28 Sep

When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:13-16

Dear God, I’m having a hard time identifying Christians I can trust. There are some national Christian leaders whom I perceive as speaking foolishness right now, and it makes me wonder if I am the fool and they are the ones in your Spirit. I know this is vague, but it has to do with political things, so I am just going to keep it vague. I don’t want this to be about politics, and I don’t even want it to be about them. I want to examine my own heart and see if I am expressing worldly foolishness.

I guess I keep going back to the Andy Stanley sermon “Not In It To Win It.” That message felt counterintuitive in the best ways. It talked about the church not seeking political power, but taking a step back so that it can more effectively serve. He talked about your plan being that Jesus needed to die and “lose” in order for your plan to succeed. It certainly didn’t look like winning to the world, but Jesus’s death and resurrection was the biggest victory ever.

I really don’t know what to think of my own life. Frankly, it seems pretty easy. Work is challenging and I have several problems to solve every day, but the foundations of what you have provided us here are strong. My home is the same. My wife and I face challenges every day, but our foundation is strong. And the strong foundation counts for a lot.

Okay, now, I’m just rambling. Father, give me eyes to see and ears to hear. Help me to see your direction for me. Help me to be at peace regardless of what I see around me because my hope/certainty is not in a political candidate, a government, an economy, my wife’s and my health, my children, my wife, my money, etc. My hope is in you. Help me to rejoice in you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 28, 2020 in Uncategorized

 

Matthew 6:31-34

27 Sep

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:31-34

Dear God, on the surface, this seems like ridiculous advice. Don’t worry about what we eat, drink, or wear?!? Don’t worry about tomorrow?!? Isn’t that irresponsible? I mean, if I’m going to be responsible then I need to have health insurance, life insurance, money in savings for a rainy day, a retirement account, etc. I need to set aside money I will owe for taxes at the end of the year. I need a will for my earthly possessions. I need my job so I can pay my mortgage. And to do my job right I certainly need to worry about tomorrow and plan ahead. No, this is ridiculous advice.

Or is it? What can I really control? I have zero idea what tomorrow holds. Illness? Famine? Pandemic? Recession? Death? Those are just a few of the countless possibilities. So I can plan (and a lot of what I mentioned in the beginning is really planning), but I need to 1.) remember that my plans are, by their very nature, flawed, and 2.) you are enough to cover the flawed parts of my plan. I have enough to think about today. There are broken relationships that need addressed. There are responsibilities I have to meet. There are children and a wife to love. There is a house that needs some maintenance. And most of all, there is a God to worship.

I’ll just add this, and I guess I’ll make this part of my worship of you today. I stand amazed at how powerful taking a day to pray and fast can be. I stand amazed at how you’ve blessed the fruit of my labor at work. You are amazing! And you seem to pay attention to every detail! I mean, how can you possibly do that? But you do. From our staff, to our safety, to our finances, you have not withheld anything from us at work. And for some of the surprise expenses my wife and I are experiencing right now, you seem to have provided the cash for that as well. And so for the things for family members that I’ve not yet seen answers, I trust that you are working on something I simply cannot see (and I may never see your plan come together in my lifetime). But I trust you, Lord. I trust you. Please show me what you have for me to do today.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 27, 2020 in Matthew

 

1 John 1:5-10

26 Sep

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

1 John 1:5-10

Dear God, I’m about to get into some controversial theology here that, at the end of the day, probably doesn’t matter, but here we go anyway. I pray to you and not Jesus. Is that wrong?

When I think of the Trinity I think of it as all three of you having your roles. There is you, the Father. In my mind, your nature is the core of God. Then there is your son. He is part of the nature too, but–again, in my mind–his role was to reveal you to us, teach us about you, and then be the sacrifice for us. Perhaps he even helped you experience the human condition in a way you couldn’t have before. Finally, there is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is my counselor, comforter, supporter, convicter (if that’s a word), etc. He is here with me now as I type this to you. He is in my heart. He ministers your presence and love to me. He guides me and whispers in my ear.

Growing up Baptist, I learned some phrases and concepts that I’m not sure can be backed up scripturally.

  • “Ask Jesus into your heart.” In looking at scripture, I certainly need to accept Jesus’s sacrifice for me in order to be in relationship with you, but Jesus himself said that he was sending the Holy Spirit to be with me.
  • “Pray to Jesus.” Well, it seems to me that Jesus prayed to you. Jesus did say that we needed to ask for things in his name, but you are the father. Here is something that I think addresses all of it from John 14.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

John 14:12-21

So going back to Jesus, John tells us in these verses from 1 John (back where I started) that one of the things Jesus did was teach us about you. You are light. We cannot be that light on our own. To have fellowship with you, we need to be cleansed. We need what Jesus did. But in my mind, what Jesus did was give us the physical and intellectual pathway to get to you.

Father, surround me with your Holy Spirit. Strengthen me. Help me to repent when I need to repent. Love through me. Help me to forgive as I have been forgiven (which is to say, help me to forgive generously!). Be glorified. Help me to decrease as you increase. Bring your kingdom to earth, and let your will be done on earth. Use me however you will to accomplish your goals.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 26, 2020 in 1 John, John

 
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