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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

 

1 John 1:1-4

25 Sep

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

1 John 1:1-4

Dear God, there are times when we just need to know there is a bedrock foundation beneath our faith. Is the “religion” I’ve chosen worth anything? When they built Baylor’s football stadium along the Brazos River, they had to drill deep before they found bedrock upon which they could build the foundation and plant the support columns. If I drill deep, will I find rock? Are my columns planted in anything real?

Well, I have a few things upon which I build my faith:

  • The universe is so much bigger than I can understand. It’s most certainly not an accident.
  • If the story told to us about Jesus in the gospels was a lie, then the apostles died for absolutely nothing. It’s not like their proclamations made their lives better. They just had a story they had to share. That’s what John is saying through the first four verses in this letter: “THIS IS REAL. I WAS THERE AND I SAW IT!!”
  • The mercy that Jesus death and resurrection offers is the only thing that makes any sense in how we can possibly have relationship with you (John will get more into that just after these verses)
  • I can look at numerous examples in my own life that are beyond coincidence. Just two weeks ago today you ordained my steps against my will and provided for my wife in the process. We are burying her father’s ashes today. When I look at how you cared for every detail in his life over the last three years, I stand amazed. I could go on and on here, but it would get too personal for public consumption in some cases. Suffice it to say, I have felt you in my life over and over again.
  • You are my only source of peace. I’m not sure what to add to that except that when I am close to you and pursuing you I have peace, and when I’m not I don’t.

I’m sure there are other things, but I’m going to close here because I need to finish getting ready. I love you. I thank you. I worship you. Help me to live up to everything you need me to be today for everyone I see.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 25, 2020 in 1 John

 

“Red Letters” by David Crowder

24 Sep

“Red Letters” by David Crowder

There I was on death row
Guilty in the first degree
Son of God hanging on a hill
Hell was my destiny
The crowd was shouting crucify
Could’ve come from these lips of mine
The dirty shame was killing me
It would take a miracle to wash me clean

Then I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
Felt like lightning hit my veins

My dead heart began to beat
Breath of God filled my lungs
And the Holy Ghost awakened me
Yeah, the Holy Ghost awakened me

When I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day

For God so loved the whole wide world
Sent His only Son to die for me
Arms spread wide for the whole wide world
His arms spread wide where mine should be
Jesus changed my destiny

Thank You, God, for red letters
When the ground began to shake
The grace of God started falling
And I became a free man that day
The prison walls started falling
And I am a free man today

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: David Crowder / Ed Cash

Dear God, I started this yesterday morning, but I never got back to it. I woke up with this song going in my head so I decided to spend some time with it. As I read the lyrics, I was reminded of my testimony. Well, I was reminded that I have a testimony, but it’s been so long since I gave my testimony that I had to go back and think about it. 

The dirty shame was killing me

It would take a miracle to wash me clean

My wife and I were talking about my sense of shame (or lack thereof) this morning. I mean, yes, I feel shame for my sins and actions. I have things that I did wrong yesterday for which I am ashamed. But the miracle of you washes it clean. 

I remember when I was a child and always looking for that absolution. I kept “accepting Christ” over and over again (church services, revivals, youth conferences, etc.), but I never felt like I changed. I still had sin and it frustrated me. And whenever I would “go forward to accept Christ” it always felt great. And it would feel great for a while–a few days. Then I would drift back into my old patterns. Nothing changed. 

But it was a process for me, and you led me into learning more about discipleship and worship. You led me into relationship with you. That’s a lot of what the “red letters” are about. They are you teaching me directly how to worship you, how to act around others, and how to see the world the way you see it and become the man you need me to be.

Father, thank you for “red letters.”

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 24, 2020 in Hymns and Songs

 

Romans 15:5-7

22 Sep

5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

Romans 15:5-7

Dear God, I’m not sure this really fits with this passage today, but I’ve been struggling lately, as is evidenced by past prayer journals to you, as to what level the church as a whole and I as an individual should concern myself with politics. I’ve tried to imagine Jesus living in America in 2020, walking the earth and having his ministry now. How would he respond to the pandemic, social justice, or the election? In the gospels, we didn’t see him moving in a democratic system so it’s hard to be certain, but I can’t help but feel that he would be more concerned about how Christians are treating each other and non-Christians than how they are voting. Something tells me that he wouldn’t be putting any energy at all into who the next president, senator, congressman/woman, governor, etc. would be. I’ve also come to think that you, as the Father, are controlling all of this on a macrolevel that is far above what I can understand or influence.

In terms of social justice and the pandemic, again, I think Jesus would bring it down to a personal level. What am I doing to show love to my neighbor? What am I doing to ensure that I am representing you to the world? What am I doing to draw others to you so that they might experience the fruits of the Spirit? If I insist on my right to not wear a mask or have my favorite football team play, am I doing your kingdom any good at all? If I shout from the rooftops that all live or blue lives matter, am I bringing more healing or am I dividing?

Father, I am asking for two things this morning. First, help me to turn loose of the different political things that are happening right now. From the nomination of a Supreme Court Justice to the election of national and local officials, help me to put my faith, hope, and trust in you and not in any person or any person’s plan. Peace will not be found in a candidate or a judge. Peace will not be found in the economy or even my own health. Peace will only be found in you and me representing you as best I can through loving others richly and extravagantly. Show me how to do that.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 22, 2020 in Romans

 
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