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Galatians 6:14-18

21 Sep

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Galatians 6:14-18

Dear God, there is so much debate still, even in my own heart, about what a “new creation” is supposed to look like. Should it be good enough for me that a person is pursuing you in worship even if they have, what I consider to be, obvious sin in their life, or should I see a sinless “new creation?” I suppose the answer to that question is the former because no one is sinless. We are all working out our faith with fear and trembling. I’m typing this at 7:37 in the morning, and I have already sinned today. I’m sorry for that, by the way. I’m sorry for allowing sinful thoughts and even words to gather and come out of me. I’m sorry.

So I suppose that loving others, Christians and non-Christians alike, should be what I lead with. If I can love those who disagree with me politically, socially, religiously, or even in interpersonal matters, then I can know the peace and mercy that Paul references to the Galatians here. But if I decide that I need to judge others for how they are failing in thought, word, or deed, then I will not experience that need. To be sure, I shouldn’t just ignore the sin in my life. And I should judiciously talk with others about sin, but only in times when you have given me a legitimate voice in their life and a divine appointment to do it. I’m pretty sure that time is never on social media or even in writing.

Father, help me to look beyond “circumcision” and all of the modern ways we apply the concept of judging the wrong thing. Help me to know how to be your representative to every person with whom I come into contact, and bring your Kingdom and will into the earth through me and your church. You know, beyond that, do it through whomever you please. Your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 21, 2020 in Galatians

 

The Church is Soft

20 Sep

Dear God, I heard two different pastors today say, in essence, “The church is soft.” The first was Andy Stanley’s September 13, 2020 Sermon (Be Rich 2020). Here is a quote from it:

“[Questions regarding COVID-19 that ask if these are the end times or if God is punishing us and we need to repent] are not the kinds of questions that first-century Christians asked when faced with similar circumstances. And, just my opinion, I think our fascination with these kinds of questions reveal, in some cases a limited knowledge or a limited understanding of history and of the suffering that people in other parts of the world have had to navigate for generations, and that many people were navigating in this generation before the appearance of COVID-19. Which makes me wonder–perhaps the question we all should be asking is this one: Why, why do Americans, and I’m including myself, why do Americans have such a low pain threshold? Because we really do, don’t we? Me included. And part of the answer to this question is, ‘We are so blessed. We are so resourced. We’ve been so protected.’ And those of you who have traveled to different and difficult regions of the world, you know this to be the case. You know that us Americans have high expectations of how we expect or deserve to be treated. We don’t want to be told no. We feel like we have the right to do pretty much whatever we want. In fact, think about this. The fact that fights have broken out and guns have been drawn over wearing a face mask in Walmart, on airliners…I mean, that should tell us a little something about our low tolerance for discomfort.

Later, I was mowing the lawn and couldn’t decide what I wanted to listen to, so I pulled up some recordings I have of Chuck Swindoll teaching a survey of the different books of the Bible. This was probably recorded in the 1981-ish time period. In the one on Acts he said:

“May I interrupt this time to say something straight to all of us? I don’t think we are tough enough in this generation. Now there are some beautiful exceptions, and you who are tough, you who are resilient, you spur us on when we get weak. But for the most part the church is getting a little flabby. Getting a little lazy. We get a little persecution that washes over us and, oh my, we’re ready to close up the book, and walk away and say, ‘Leave it to somebody else.’ I long for that pioneer spirit that didn’t just simply make this country great, but it made the church great. Some of those soldiers of the cross. Those warriors of the land. Those who refuse to lay back and let the responsibility rest with just a few off there in the limelight. People who rolled up their sleeves. Stout-hearted Christian men and women who put it together and stayed to the task. If you find yourself a little lazy, a little laid back more than you once were. If it’s beginning to bother you get a big dose of the book of Acts.

The order in which this all came up for me this morning was first listening to Andy Stanley’s sermon based out of Acts while I was working out and then I decided to listen to Chuck Swindoll’s survey of Acts while I was mowing the lawn. It’s interesting that both of them, when comparing the modern American church to the church in Acts, said the modern American church is soft.

I still think back on an editorial I read for a Christian back in the 2016 election cycle. He said that Christians in America have made an idol out of the Supreme Court. We vote for a President who we think will nominate the justices we want, and then we sit back and wait for them to do our work for us. There are two problems with that strategy: 1.) We abdicate our need to get involved and 2.) the conservative-leaning court often votes against what the conservatives wanted (e.g. it was a conservative court that ruled on Roe v. Wade). For for pro-life Christians, are we ready to do the work to support women and help them NOT choose abortion and, should something happen and abortion be outlawed in parts of the nation, are we ready to step up and work to help those children and their mothers?

Another question is, should church leadership hide from religious persecution. Should we want a government that will protect us as Christians, or should we want to experience the struggle of the church against the culture because it is the struggle that makes us stronger? As Swindoll put it, we are flabby. Said another way, we are fat and happy, and that’s a dangerous place to me. And when I say, “We,” I’m right in there with the rest. One of my biggest weaknesses as a leader at work is that I shun risk for safety. How much does my desire for safety limit my willingness to hear what you might be calling me to do.

Father, help me to not run from risk, but to prudently determine your will for me. Help me to shun self-pity when it comes to how I (or my church) am treated by society. Help me to embrace the responsibility to innovate under your guidance and provision. Help me to accept personal failure if it means advancing your Kingdom.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 20, 2020 in Acts, Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

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Philippians 1:20-30

19 Sep

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. Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

Philippians 1:20-30

Dear God, as long as I draw breath I have a job to do. And I feel like I am constantly letting you down in that area. I know I don’t maximize every moment. And maybe I can’t. Maybe it’s not humanly possible to do it. But even within my own human limitations, I know I leave a lot of opportunities on the table.

I think a good metaphor is my cycling. This morning, I had a really good ride. I think it is the fastest I have ever ridden this specific route. I obviously did a good job. But I also know that I didn’t push as hard as I could at every moment. There were times I coasted. Times I rested. And maybe some of those rests made me better on the climbs. So I’m not saying I always have to be doing something for the Kingdom, but just like cycling, I know there are times when I’m coasting that I could be applying some pressure to the pedals.

Father, there is just so much that I don’t see. During this current cultural climate of the election, social unrest, and the pandemic, I can’t help but ask myself all of the time, “What would Jesus be doing right now?” Would he be on social media? If so, what kinds of things would he post? What would he have to say about wearing a facemask? What would he say about voting for a given candidate/party/platform? If I were with him as the disciples were, what kinds of awkward questions would he ask me? What would his daily priorities be? I said I ask myself these questions. I never said I come up with a good answer. So help me to think about and answer these questions and then put the pressure on the pedals every time you need me to.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 19, 2020 in Philippians

 

Voting by Platform vs Character — James 3:13-16

16 Sep

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

James 3:13-16

Dear God, I wonder if we don’t make a mistake in our politics by affiliating candidates with parties and platforms over character. If I were to put that sentence on Facebook right now everyone would jump on it as a statement on the presidential race between President Trump and former Vice President Biden. But I’m talking about a more macro level than that. What if every voting decision I made was governed first by my perception of the candidates’ character, and I used their platform as the tie breaker?

My gut instinct is to say that I could end up voting for people who would do things in government that I don’t want to see done. From taxes, to foreign policy, to abortion, their collective decision making might really bother me.

However, the more I think about it the more I think that people who represent what James is describing here will be humble. They won’t be jealous and have fits of rage. They won’t have to be right all of the time. They will have the ability to get outside of their own head and open to having their mind changed. They would work together with others and compromise. What if I made those the most important qualities I looked for in a candidate?

Father, I heard someone say a few weeks ago, you don’t get more good people in politics by electing bad people. That’s pretty simple. Sure, people will lie about their character, or they might become corrupted once they get there, but wouldn’t I rather start with a candidate who was elected based on character instead of one who was elected regardless of it? Please give me and all of us wisdom as we prepare to vote in November. Give us wisdom as we engage with our friends over these issues. Make us one as you, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one. Protect our election from foreign influences. And do with our country whatever you need to do for your will and purposes.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 16, 2020 in James

 

1 John 4:7-21

15 Sep

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

1 John 4:7-21

Dear God, because of this chapter I always had the wrong image of John and his personality. I thought he was mild and gentle. I had this image of a sweet person following Jesus, learning from him and sharing your peace.

It was only after I had a focused look at the stories in the gospels that specifically mention John that I realized he was nothing if the sort. He tried to promote himself above the other disciples. When the Samaritans refused to let Jesus stay with them on the way to Jerusalem, he was the one who wanted to call down fire from heaven and literally burn all of them alive.

Seeing what he wrote here is a reminder that you are continually working on all of us. You worked on John a few days after the Samaritan scene as he secretly followed Jesus all of the way to the cross. You worked on him as he ran to the tomb on the Sunday after the crucifixion. You worked on him in Acts as he got to be part of starting the church and he watched Peter preach and heal the man by the fountain. You worked on him as he got to know people like Nicodemus. You worked on him after his brother, James, became the first of the apostles to be martyred. You melted his heart and moved it into this beautiful place of peace and love. He got to the point where he said, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?”

Father, my heart has a long way to go. So my prayer today is a chorus I prayed last week sometime: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 15, 2020 in 1 John

 

Philippians 2:1-11

14 Sep

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1-11

Dear God, I’ve been asking myself lately, “Would Jesus wear a mask? Would Jesus be on social media, and if he were, what would he post? What kinds of articles would he share (if any at all?”

I think the thing that’s bothered me the most on social media is the pastors I know who are throwing their opinions around on political issues and controversial social issues. They post about masks. The flag. Protestors. Rioters. Statues. Lockdowns. The thing I see that’s underneath all of it is anger. But as George Lucas taught us through Yoda, it starts with fear. That’s actually pretty Freudian, now that I think about it. The two main drivers are the fear of death and sex. Well, I don’t know that, even at the deepest of their psyche, people are worried about physical death, but there are a lot of people worried about their freedom and their rights right now. So maybe Freud was partially right. It’s about fear and sex, but social media might have allowed the spectrum of fear to move beyond just a fear of death.

I don’t know if I’ve journaled about this to you, but I know I’ve thought about it over the last week. The Holy Post podcast had Kaitlyn Schiess on as a guest. She said something insightful. And this is a gross simplification, but she said that something important for us to do as we consume media (traditional or social media–or even opinions from those around us) is ask ourselves, What is this asking men to fear, and who is this asking me to love or hate? Over the last week, as I’ve consumed different media, I’ve found myself being able to see things with your eyes a little more when I consider that perspective because in you I have no fear. When someone is asking me to fear something–whether it is a Biden or Trump presidency–I can be at peace under your leadership and trust your outcomes are bigger than what I can see with my eyes. Perhaps our nation needs to take a step back for your plan to unfold. In the end, I am trusting that you will not let a Biden or Trump administration to do anything you’re not prepared to handle on a long-term basis. I am a citizen of this country, and I will do my part to make it the best I can for everyone who lives here, but I am your child and I will not fear.

And, of course, fear drives the division. Our claiming of rights and selfishness drives our division. That’s what Paul is addressing in these verses. They are worth reprinting here again:

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Father, I find my comfort in you and in my Christian friends. May I be a source of your encouragement and comfort to others. Help me to be tender and compassionate. Help me to be selfless and humble, decreasing so that you might increase and others will be drawn to you. Make me an instrument of your peace. And please use this pain in our country for your purposes. Do not let it go void, but bring us, the church, to repentance and our nation into submission to you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 14, 2020 in Philippians

 

“Rattle” by Elevation Worship

13 Sep

https://youtu.be/xrAdbH28gIg

“Rattle” by Elevation Worship

Saturday was silent
Surely it was through
But since when has impossible
Ever stopped You
Friday’s disappointment
Is Sunday’s empty tomb
Since when has impossible
Ever stopped You

This is the sound of dry bones rattling
This is the praise make a dead man walk again
Open the grave, I’m coming out
I’m gonna live, gonna live again
This is the sound of dry bones rattling

Pentecostal fire stirring something new
You’re not gonna run out of miracles anytime soon
Yeah, resurrection power runs in my veins too
I believe there’s another miracle here in this room

This is the sound of dry bones rattling
This is the praise make a dead man walk again
Open the grave, I’m coming out
I’m gonna live, gonna live again
This is the sound of dry bones rattling

Yeah
Whoa
Do you hear it?
Do you hear it?
Do you hear it?

My God is able to save and deliver and heal
And restore anything that He wants to
Just ask the man who was thrown
On the bones of Elisha
If there’s anything that He can’t do
Just ask the stone that was rolled
At the tomb in the garden
What happens when God says to move
I feel Him moving it now
I feel Him doing it now
I feel Him doing it now
Do it now, do it now

This is the sound
This is the sound of dry bones rattling
This is the praise make a dead man walk again
Open the grave, I’m coming out
I’m gonna live, gonna live again
Open the grave, I’m coming out
I’m gonna live, gonna live again
Open the grave, I’m coming out
I’m gonna live, gonna live again
This is the sound of dry bones rattling, rattling, yeah

I hear the sound (I hear the sound)
I hear the sound (I hear the sound)
I hear the sound (I hear the sound)
I hear the sound (I hear the sound)
And the bones began to rattle
Rattle, rattle
Rattle

God said live, God said live
Hear the Word
And this is what He said
Live, live
Dry bones hear the Word of the Lord
Live (live), live (live)
Dry bones hear the Word of the Lord
Live (live), live (live)
Dry bones hear the Word of the Lord
Live (live), live (live)
Dry bones hear the Word of the Lord
Live (live), live (live)
Dry bones hear the Word of the Lord
Live (live), live (live)
Live, live, live, live, live

This is the sound of dry bones rattling, yeah
This is the praise make a dead man walk again
Open the grave, I’m coming out
I’m gonna live, gonna live again
Open the grave, I’m coming out
I’m gonna live, gonna live
Open the grave, I’m coming out
I’m gonna live, gonna live again
This is the sound of dry bones rattling
Dry bones rattle
Dry bones rattle
Rattle, rattle, rattle
Live, live, live
Live, live
Live, live

Dear God, I just discovered this song this morning. My first thought was that there is a big difference between when you write this song and when you perform this song. I thought of it as I watched the performers move confidently around the stage, singing out to you with all of their might. They were kind of bad a** as they moved and sang. There was some bravado to it.

But then I thought about the person who wrote these songs. I don’t know Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, or Brandon Lake. I know nothing about them or their lives. But one of the things I like to do with Christian songs is imagine the state of the writer’s heart when they came up with these concepts. What kind of pain drove these words?

One thing I tried to do was apply these words to the moment. It’s easy to sing them when things are good. I might feel confident and powerful. Maybe I’m in a church service and the emotions are driving me. Faith is easy in those moments. Singing of your power is really easy in those moments. But what about the moments this song references? What about when I feel like my bones are dead and there is no hope? In those moments, can I sing this song with confidence? Bravado?

Right now, I’m currently in a pretty good place, but I have some people I know over whom I want to sing these lyrics. You know who I’m talking about. I pronounce this simple word over them and their lives. Live! Live! Dry bones hear the word of the Lord. Live! Live!

Father, please use every situation to do your work. Whether it’s a tragedy or a victory, use it to accomplish your plan and help my friends to…Live! Live! Dry bones hear the word of the Lord. Live! Live!

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 13, 2020 in Hymns and Songs

 

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“And Your Praise Goes On” by Chris Rice

12 Sep

The moon is high and the sunset fades
The lullabies have all been sung
We’re tuckin’ in another day
And stars appear now one by one
But the stillness moves and the silence yields
And not a single beat is lost
You can hear the chorus in the fields
Taking up where we left off

And Your praise goes on, rising to Your throne
Where You guard us while we dream
Past the stars they fly, Your praises fill the sky
‘Til You wake us with the dawn
And Your praise goes on

Now bring your warmth, O morning sun
Chase the stars and the moon away
And wake us with your brightest song
And add our voice to your refrain
Now rise up everything that lives!
Flap your wings and leap for joy!
Oh forest lift your arms and sway!
Clap your hands you ocean waves!

And Your praise goes on, rising to Your throne
Where You bless our toil and play
Through the clouds they rise, Your praises fill the skies
‘Til the setting of the sun
And Your praise goes on

And when my final breath You lend
I’ll thank You for the life You gave
But that won’t mean the praises end
‘Cause I won’t be silenced by the grave!

And Your praise goes on
I’ll be runnin’ to Your throne
With every nation, tribe and tongue
To Your arms I’ll fly
I’ll gaze into Your eyes
Then I’ll know as I am known
And Your praise goes on
And Your praise goes on
And Your praise goes on

Dear God, we lost a loved one yesterday. He was sweet. He was loving. He also had struggles. The kinds of things we all battle through our lives. But he loved you. He loved his wife. He loved his children and grandchildren. No, everything wasn’t picture-perfect. Relationships weren’t all completely whole upon his death. There were things left unsaid, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.

I woke up at 3:00 this morning, thinking about him. He is the last of his family of origin to die. He outlived his wife by just over 10 years. We don’t know exactly when he died. He was gone by the time we found him, but I know that you know exactly when he passed. I know you were there. I also know there was a cloud of witnesses ready to welcome him home. His wife. His parents. Even the daughter my wife and I lost during pregnancy 25 years ago. They were there to greet him. What we found was a shell. His soul was with you.

So your praise goes on. I was walking around the house this morning listening to my headphones when the song above came on. It’s about how this earth cannot help but worship you. If we don’t do it then the rocks will cry out. But the last verse really caught my attention:

And when my final breath You lend
I’ll thank You for the life You gave
But that won’t mean the praises end
‘Cause I won’t be silenced by the grave!

And Your praise goes on
I’ll be runnin’ to Your throne
With every nation, tribe and tongue
To Your arms I’ll fly
I’ll gaze into Your eyes
Then I’ll know as I am known
And Your praise goes on

I don’t think I ever noticed that line towards the end of the chorus: “Then I’ll know as.I am known.” I know I don’t know you like you know me. I don’t even know a fraction of you. We hold onto life. We fight so hard. But it is fleeting. Now, he knows what I don’t know quite yet. By the time we found him, he was in pure joy. Maybe he watched us. Maybe he cried over our lack of understanding as we called 911. If it’s possible, I’m sure he did his best to wrap us up, or at least beseeched the Holy Spirit to wrap us up.

And now your praise goes on. My wife and I have a path to walk, and it must include your praise. You worked out so many things over the last three years for his good and for ours. How could you possibly care enough to have done all of that for us? But you do. You do. What an amazing God you are. When I look at even the small details of how you ordained my steps yesterday–even against my will–I stand amazed at you. Give us your wisdom to help healing happen in those broken relationships. It won’t be easy, but the situation is what it is. And I’m trusting that it’s what you need it to be because I am convinced that not even the smallest detail has escaped your notice. And again, I stand in awe of you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 12, 2020 in Hymns and Songs

 

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Isaiah 46:1-5

10 Sep

Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon, bow as they are lowered to the ground. They are being hauled away on ox carts. The poor beasts stagger under the weight. Both the idols and their owners are bowed down. The gods cannot protect the people, and the people cannot protect the gods. They go off into captivity together. “Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. “To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?

Isaiah 46:1-5

Dear God, is it a problem if I can’t even tell what my idols are anymore? I think it probably is. Sometimes, I think I’ve created so many idols for myself that as soon as I get rid of one there is another ready to take its place.

Money. Sure money is an idol that I wrestle with from time to time, but it’s not a huge issue for me. The best way to deal with the money being an idol issue is to give some away. In fact, my wife and I have found through the years that the best thing for us to do in times of feeling insecure about money is to find a place or person to give some of it to.

Maybe that’s the pattern. My work. My children. My home. My safety. My car. My theology. My church. My intellect. My entertainment. My time. My health. These are all things that compete for my worship. How do I give those away?

I’m reminded of the hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” The chorus still sits in my head:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace

Father, help me to turn my eyes upon Jesus today. Help me to look fully in His wonderful face. I need Him. I need the Holy Spirit. I need you. Fill me and help me to charge into this day under your blessing and power.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 10, 2020 in Isaiah

 

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Titus 2:1-2,6-8

09 Sep

As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience…

In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

Titus 2:1-2,6-8

Dear God, I used to see myself as the “young men” in these passages, but I suppose I have aged into being the “older men.” I would guess that it is hard for a young pastor to lead older men. I’ll confess that I have times when I look at a younger person who means well but just doesn’t have the experience yet to see what I see. Of course, there are those who see me and think the same thing. It comes up most with parenting. Now that my children are in their 20s, I find that I have a low tolerance for advice from people whose children are not yet teenagers. They just don’t know, and I hope they never do, how tricky it can be.

So what does the young pastor do? What do I, as a 50-year-old lay person, do? Well, it’s pretty easy according to this passage. Exercise self control. Be respectable. Live wisely. Have integrity. Of course, with Paul, it always seems to come back to what he told the Galatians about the fruit of the Spirit. If I have the Holy Spirit then these things will start to grow out of me naturally: love, joy, peace, patients, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, kindness, self control, etc.

I’ve been really troubled lately by seeing some of the local pastoral leadership in our community start to take sides in the tug of war happening on social media. And it’s not like they are leading in positivity. They are ridiculing the positions of others. They are making light of things that concern others. They are seemingly seeing only one side of a few given issues of which I think there are at least two legitimate sides. It’s been disheartening.

Father, help me to exercise self control, live wisely and respectably, and sacrifice anything necessary to maintain integrity. And do it all for your glory and not mine. I really don’t want to increase. I want to decrease so that you will increase. Be glorified through my life and draw others to yourself through me.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 9, 2020 in Titus

 
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