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Luke 17:5-10

06 Oct

The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you! “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
Luke 17:5-10

Dear God, in relating this story to us, Luke connects the things Jesus said about “faith the size of a mustard seed” and “being a thankless servant.” I don’t think I’ve ever thought of these two concepts as being linked, and, frankly, I’m struggling with it a little. What does my attitude as your servant have to do with growing my faith?

Wow, just asking the question that way almost answered it in my mind. Maybe part of my lack of faith is rooted in my desire to get something in exchange for my faith. Maybe, as a servant, I still expect too much from you and that puts limits on the amount of faith I am able to have. When I am expecting things to turn out a certain way then I can see how it would limit my ability to believe that you will pull it off the way I want you to. But if I simply believe that you are going to do what you want to do and I will work for your service and not mine then when it comes time for me to do your work I will have all of the power and blessing that you need me to have for the situation.

Father, here I am to simply worship and serve you. I release my expectations of what is in this for me. Show me how to be used by you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 6, 2019 in Luke

 

Proverbs 27:1-2

04 Oct

Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring. Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—-a stranger, not your own lips.
Proverbs 27:1-2

Dear God, oh, how I struggle with being casual about cool things that are happening to me. An exciting vacation coming up. Some cool new gadget I’ve bought. I’m sure it annoys the heck out of people around me. Not that I’m bragging about how great I am, but o do like to talk about things that are exciting to me.

In terms of leaving it to utter people to talk about me, I also confess to you that I hunger for it. I took a personality test one time and part of the summary said that I’m confident, but I need compliments. I felt like that pretty much nailed me. I told my wife I could translate that to say, “Arrogant, but it needs fed.”

Father, help me to learn to live humbly and play to just an audience of one–you. Thank you for a wife that is patient with me. Thank you for being patient with me. I am grateful.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 4, 2019 in Proverbs

 

The Value in Suffering

03 Oct

The son of one of the nouveau riche, Francis of Assisi, was raised as a spoiled and privileged young man. Imprisoned for a year for being on the losing side of a war with a rival city, his friends noticed a change. He found a little abandoned church and spent whole days there praying. He renounced his inheritance and all claims on his family. 

From “The Inconvenient Elder” by Fred Smith

Dear God, I read Fred Smith’s blog this morning and, while this wasn’t the point of his peace at all, something struck me. It was a follow-up thought to a conversation I had with a friend yesterday. Suffering is an important tool that you use to teach us and help us grow.

In Francis’s case, I knew that he had renounced his family’s wealth out of devotion to you, but I didn’t know that his transformation included a year in prison. Apparently, he got arrested being part of a military expedition (prisoner of war?) and this changed his life. In his older life, I’m sure he regretted his participation in the military expedition, but I also wonder if he was ultimately grateful for the fruit of that suffering. It changed his life.

Isn’t it funny? We all know that the only way we grow is through struggle and yet we do everything we can to avoid it personally, and our temptation is to interfere with our children’s lives so that they will avoid it too. I’m as guilty as anyone. Maybe not as much in my personal life, but certainly at work. I like to build a very comfortable, low-stress environment, sometimes at the expense of expanding our services. I talk a good game, but does my reality reflect what I say I believe?

Father, make me sensitive to any action you’re calling me to. Maybe it will mean struggle for me. Maybe you’re calling our nonprofit to grow and serve more, but my fear keeps it small. Maybe I let my ego and desire to get the approval of others keep me from pushing the envelope. I’m sorry. Give me your vision and the courage to follow it. And please bless my path, not for my comfort, but so that others will be served from you working in my life.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 3, 2019 in Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

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Proverbs 29:24-27

02 Oct

If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself. You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify. Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the Lord. The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly.
Proverbs 29:24-27

Dear God, I wonder how early on Solomon wrote these things. I would say that it’s safe to say that he probably wouldn’t have thought to say such things later in his life. But I’ve spent enough time talking about the fall of Solomon. Let me focus on what he actually said here.

What kind of safety do you offer. I think a lot of us misinterpret this word in this context. We want to think it means that you will put a hedge of physical or even monetary protection around us.

But I learned a couple of years ago that you don’t work that way. And I suppose if I am the kind of person who is loving you with all of my strength and loving my neighbor as myself then that won’t be my goal. In fact, I’d like to say that I want it for my children–and, to be sure, I have wanted your protection for my children–but I’ve come to learn that you use the struggles in my life to grow me into the man you need me to be and I am learning to trust (there’s that word again) that you are doing the same for my children.

Father, I trust you to make all of this go the way you want it it go. The way you need it to go. I’ve prayed a lot the part of the Lord’s Prayer that says, “Your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Use me however you need to to make that happen. I will trust you with the results.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 2, 2019 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, it’s important that the context of these two verses are the beatitudes. Jesus had just said that the poor, the mourning, the hungry for justice, the humble, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peace makers and the persecuted are all blessed. But here’s a question. What does it mean when you “bless” us? What does that blessing look like?

I don’t have a really great answer except that maybe it all goes back to the fruits of the spirit. The more I think about them (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, and self control), there are two that are different that the others. I’ve long pointed to peace as a litmus test for how I’m doing, but joy is a lot like it. All of the others are things that I can will myself into action on. I can will myself to love, be patient, be faithful, etc. I can’t, however, will myself to joy and/or peace. Those are things that grow from within and I think those are the things that you give to us in your blessing. When we are mourning, you are there. When we are persecuted, you are there. When we are poor, you are there.

Holy Spirit, be at home in me so that the Father might live and reach others through me. Jesus, thank you for loving me and for your sacrifice. I confess that I still don’t appreciate you or understand what you did for me as I should. And Father, I adore you. Please let your blessing be on me so that your kingdom will come and your will will be done on earth as it is in heaven through my life.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 1, 2019 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’ve been doing prayer journals for nearly 20 years, and when I read this passage this morning my first thought was, man, I’ve done this verse and this topic from other verse a lot. But then I had another thought. Much like a football team that goes through practice, there are times for new revelation and adding something to your development as a football player and there are times when you need to work on the fundamentals of blocking, tackling, throwing, and catching. These verses are that. They are fundamentals of which I need to be reminded.

What is the fundamental idea here? Knowing you more and more so that your love flows through me, my character becomes more righteous, and then others are drawn to you. You know–blocking and tackling.

I suppose it all starts with the self discipline of spending time with you. Spending time praying. Spending time meditating on the Word you have left us as our scripture. Then it involves making sure that the Holy Spirit has good soil in my soul in which it can grown and bear fruit. That means getting out the thorns of the sin that so easily entangles us–sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. (Galatians 5:19-21) Even if we try to self-righteously say we don’t have some of these things choking out the Spirit, all of us have at least a couple.

Father, help me to block and tackle well today. Help me to carry you with me all day. Be glorified through me. If I sin (when I sin), help me to repent and be humble enough to bring glory to you too.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 30, 2019 in Galatians, Philippians

 

John 3:19-21

29 Sep

And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”
John 3:19-21

Dear God, there is nothing like a clear conscience. And when there is something to hide, there is nothing like confession and access to absolution.

I wonder if this is the source of peace when it comes to the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Can there be peace without repentance and forgiveness? When someone is hiding things and holding on to shame and guilt, can that also be thorns in the soil of the soul that keep the Holy Spirt from growing good fruit (Matthew 13:1-23) in us? I think the obvious answer is yes. Yes, it can and does.

It’s easy to sit here and wonder about others, but what am I hiding? Is there anything that is allowing Satan power over me? Is there anything of which, if Jesus’s light were to shine on it, I would be ashamed? There probably is.

Father, thank you for grace. Thank you for freedom. Help me to completely access what you have for me and to share your message of freedom with others. Help me to also give that mercy freely to others so that they might see at least a little of you in me.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 29, 2019 in John

 

“Know Who You Are” (from Moana) by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina, and Opetaia Foa’i

28 Sep

“Know Who You Are” (from Moana)

Dear God, I got home from rehearsal last night and there was a gap between Friday night college football games so I flipped channels and landed on the movie Moana. It was towards the end so I rode it out until it was over. When it came up at the end, I remembered the reaction I had to this scene and song the first time I saw the movie.

I have an old friend I’ve know for over 20 years who, several years ago, chose to start going down a self-destructive path. In fact, at lunch yesterday, I was telling another friend about him and wondering what role you have for me to play in his life. Do I have a voice to speak into his life? If I said something, would he hear me? Would I come across as sanctimonious? Would it destroy the shreds of friendship we have left? On the other hand, am I failing him by not risking everything for him? And if I did say something, what would I say?

That’s where this song/scene comes in. I don’t know what happened to my friend that made him turn on a dime. I don’t know if he did something that caused him shame or if something shameful happened to him. Perhaps neither. Perhaps both. But there are times I feel like I know him in a way that he doesn’t. Or at least I remember something about him that he has forgotten. When I first saw this scene in 2016, I thought of him, and I thought of him again last night. Is it a coincidence that I was talking about him yesterday and then I saw this last night, or was it providence?

So, Father, if the green heart in this scene can represent the renewing mercy and grace you offer, show me how to carry it to my friend with this message.

I have crossed the horizon to find you

In other words, I’m willing to risk everything to bring you this message.

I know your name

I know you in a way and things about who you are that you’ve forgotten.

They have stolen the heart from inside you

Something happened that caused you shame. Whether it was self-inflicted or done to you, it stole and hid from you who you are.

But this does not define you

There is mercy and grace. You know God. I know you remember the mercy that is available. Don’t let the secret of whatever happened control you.

This is not who you are

This is the truth. You may not see it, but this is not who you are.

I know who you are

Please remember and cling to Jesus. Let him heal your wounds.

Father, show me the way to him that I might carry your message to him and to others around me as well.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 28, 2019 in Hymns and Songs

 

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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, the verse of the day was the “seek first part,” but I want to focus on the line, “Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Yes, it is.

A lot of what I’m about to say (and remind myself of) is what you taught me through C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters--the 15th letter, to be precise. He has a couple of lines in there that you used to change my life. It’s all about the future and the demon trying to preoccupy his human “patient” with it based on the argument that the present is the one point in time that interfaces with eternity (and you).

The biggest problem (and there are many) with being anxious about the future (which is exactly what I prayed to you about a week ago this morning) is that I will likely miss your calling for what you want me to do today. But I have enough to solve today. I have work to do for my day-job. I have a wife to love. I have children, family and friends to pray for. I have rehearsal for the play I’m in.

One of the tricks for me today is getting caught up in the latest headlines regarding President Trump. My life can have zero effect on the outcome of what’s happening in D.C. right now, but I’m allowing myself to be distracted by the news this week more than I normally am. Sure, I could say that I could contact my senator or congressman, but I don’t even know what I’d like them to do today. But Satan uses these distractions and divisions to keep our hearts out of this present moment and away from you.

Father, help me to stay in the moment today. Love through me. Live through me. Speak to others and bless/serve them through me. And thank you for everything.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 27, 2019 in Matthew

 

Just Praise

26 Sep

No verse.

Dear God, I come to you this morning just in worship. You have done so much for me, but even if you hadn’t, you would still be my God. You would still the God. You aren’t worthy of my praise because of what you do for me. You are worthy of praise because you are. You told Moses to refer to you to Pharaoh as “I Am.” Well, yes, Father, you are and I love you for it.

Thank you for life. Thank you for giving me a role to play in your world. Thank you for giving me people to love, work to do, and mercy for when I fail you. Thank you for an unbelievably amazing planet on which to live. Even in drought we can have food to eat. Even in floods there is a place to go.

Thank you for the people you have put into my life. Thank you for how you have made me better through my wife, my son, my daughter, my father, my mother, my brother, my sister, my in-laws, my grandparents, my friends, my coworkers over the years, pastors and Bible teachers through the years, and your Holy Spirit.

I am not the man I was yesterday, nor am I yet who I will be tomorrow. Thank you for your patience with me. Thank you, Father.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 26, 2019 in Miscellaneous

 
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