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Luke 11:5-13

13 Jun

Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Luke 11:5-13

Dear God, the verse of the day was verse 13, about knowing how to give good gifts. But I don’t know that I’ve ever paid much attention to the context of this verse before. Just before verse 5 is the Lord’s Prayer. Then verse 5 says, “Then, teaching them more about prayer, he told them this story.” So not only did Jesus teach us the parts of prayer through the Lord’s Prayer, but he also taught us persistence. He even intimated that our persistence might change your mind, capping it with the idea that you won’t give us anything that is bad for us if we are coming to you.

Yesterday, I told someone a story about me asking you for things back when I was unemployed in 2005 and you denying them to me. I was so frustrated at the time, but then I learned that you were making me wait until you had the thing that was really good for me ready for me. I think one of the keys to how I was praying was that I kept asking for things, but doing it within the context of submitting to your will. Now, I was frustrated, to be sure. There were a couple of times that I was angry with you for not either giving me something I wanted immediately or clearly telling me which path to pursue. Someone asked me at the time what you were teaching me through the experience, and I responded that I didn’t think I would know that until it was all over. That turned out to be true.

Father, the lesson I learned back then that I continually forget now is that you have our timing and it is almost never my timing. My job is to stay focused on the present. I have things I petition you for every day. There are relatives and friends for whom I pray. There is my work. And even though I don’t necessarily see progress being made on some of my prayers, I have learned to be at peace through my persistence and the knowledge that you are good and things will work out the way you want them to. So today, in this moment, I thank you for that reminder and submit to your plan (and the timing that goes along with that).

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 13, 2018 in Luke

 

Psalm 19:1-4 & 1 Samuel 8

12 Jun

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.

Psalm 19:1-4

Dear God, if the Israelites has done it right back in 1 Samuel 8, who would David have become? I know it doesn’t matter because that’s not what happened, but I’ve recently wondered if he might have been the next Judge after Samuel. Everything about his relationship with you, his prophetic ability, and his concern for others suggests he might have been.

And if he had been Judge instead of King, what would his life have been like? He would probably have had a different married life and different children. His life would have been simpler and probably better in a lot of ways. To some extent, I think the power did corrupt David. It certainly corrupted his lineage.

The thing we all strive for—power and wealth—really is a false idol. Instead of peace it offers paranoia. It’s like giving a cola to a thirsty person at first or tastes great, but it only leaves you thirstier. What percentage of Americans are on antidepressants as opposed to those who live in South America? Shouldn’t one of the wealthiest countries in the world have the happiest people?

Father, I think of David writing the worshipful psalm and I can’t help but wonder what might have been. I’ve never wondered that before the last few days, but the more I think about it the more I’d love to know. You warned the Israelites about what a king would do to them, but you left out the part about what being king would do to the person. Help me to take my eyes off of worldly idols and simply embrace the beauty of the sky and all that you have made above and below it.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 12, 2018 in 1 Samuel, Psalms

 

Psalms 46:8-9 & Proverbs 21:1

11 Jun

Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

Psalm 46:8-9

Dear God, as President Trump meets with the North Korean leader soon, I pray for success. I pray that you would guide their hearts and that you would let there be peace and growth in the developing relationship. What I really care about in all of this are the people who suffer in NK. They wake up every day with no hope, no knowledge, and actively denied access to you. They are hungry. Some are abused.

And we have similar problems here. We have too many who are hungry. We have too many who are abused. Sweet Jesus, we need you. Show me what to do to spread a call that will draw others out of the pain of self indulgence and into the peace and joy of your presence.

Father, the king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases. (Proverbs 21:1) May you guide the hearts of everyone involved in the meetings in Singapore, but not for my sake. For the sake of your kingdom and for the sake of the world.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 11, 2018 in Proverbs, Psalms

 

“You are My Supply”

08 Jun

“You are My Supply” (Antioch Community Church version, not Chris Tomlin version)
The seasons have dried my soul
The Sun is hard beating down
And my temptation
Is to look at all that’s gone
But you are here,
You are here

You are my supply
Your my fountain of blessing
to the ends of the earth
You are my supply
And you wipe away my tears
And you take away my fears
With the strength of your love
The strength of your love

And after all is said
After all’s been done
I sit here empty
But my heart is yours
And you are here.
You are near.

And you are my supply
You’re my fountain of blessing
To the ends of the earth
You are my supply
And you wipe away my tears
And you take away my fears
With the strength of your love.
The strength of your love
Your perfect love drives out all my fear
Your perfect love drives out all my fear

 

Dear God, this song has meant a lot to me in the past. I love the opening words to the first verse: “The seasons have dried my soul.” Talk about poetry using six words to say what would otherwise take me 300 to explain. I’ve had some remarkably dry seasons. This, thankfully, isn’t one of them, but when I look back on the times when the seasons dried my soul the most I can take some lessons from those times. So the dry seasons weren’t wasted.

While I guess I can go back and give specific lessons from each drought, I think the overarching lesson is the chorus–you are my supply. And you have room for my soul to be dry. You understand I’m not always going to be at the top of my game. I could even consider some of those trials as training for later in life. One of the things top athletes will tell you is that practice should be so hard that the games or competitions are easy by comparison. Well, my lessons learned in the past have certainly prepared me for challenges that came later in my life.

Father, I just want to sing this chorus with confidence and conviction this morning: You are my supply. You’re my fountain of blessing to the ends of the earth. You are my supply. And you wipe away my tears–you take away my fears–with the strength of your love. Your perfect love drives out all my fear.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 8, 2018 in Hymns and Songs, Uncategorized

 

Psalm 90:2-4

07 Jun

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.” A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

Psalm 90:2-4

Dear God, why do people avoid the middle verse about us being dust and mortal? Two of these three verses are Bible Gateways verse of the day, but the verses they chose are 2 and 4. They skipped verse 3. I wonder why.

I think that one of the important parts about human maturation is that we start to realize how big time is and how small our lives are. If we learn that lesson well then there is freedom in it. In this case, this is a concept the psalmist (Moses?) is embracing. It puts us in our place and we get to embrace the humility of our limitations and the greatness of you.

Father, help me to grow into more and more of a peaceful place with my role in the universe, embracing the idea that my role is very small. Help me to do the things that you would have me do. Help me to spend my time and energy in the right areas, starting with worshipping you and spending time in pursuing relationship with you. I consider my life worth nothing to me. I only want to finish the race and complete the task you’ve given me. The task of testifying to the Gospel of your grace (Acts 20:24).

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 7, 2018 in Psalms

 

Ephesians 3:17-19

06 Jun

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:17-19

Dear God, I read these verses at a wedding one time. As I read it this morning I’m noticing the real thing for which Paul is praying for the Ephesians is that they would have the power to grasp and know your love. Your love is so big that it’s not something we can casually understand. It’s also not something I can casually explain. We need your help to “grasp how long and high and wide and deep” your love is.

So how am I doing in grasping that reality? Do I have a long way to go? How about my explaining it and sharing it with others? How about receiving it? How about extending it to others?

Father, I am confident that I’m deficient in all of these areas. I don’t grasp it. I don’t explain it well. I don’t receive and experience it fully. And I don’t extend it to others at the level to which you would like me to. So please help me, I pray. Grant me the power to grasp how long and high and wide and deep your love is. When I’ve been able to fully grasp it, I’m confident that everything else will flow from that.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 6, 2018 in Ephesians

 

1 Thessalonians 5:11

05 Jun

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Dear God, yesterday day was a rough first day back. I went into the day with one set of expectations and then that got thrown completely off within the first two minutes of being in the office—literally. Honestly, though, the problem was me. I had a complicated problem to solve right off the bat and some of my natural weaknesses made it difficult for me to handle. I prayed to you in real time and I sought out your guidance, but it was still really hard for me. I’m really sorry I have this weakness. In the end, I did what I had to do, but I know that the situation for the patient still needs your attention and provision. There’s more to be done there than I can do.

I’m not sure what all that has to do with today’s verse except it’s what was on my mind as I started praying. Maybe I just need a little encouragement from you that I did okay and was diligent to try to handle a delicate situation carefully. And I do want to pray for the patient involved. You know the need. You know the situation better than I do. Please help him and his family.

Father, I also want to pray for scream other people I know who are suffering. There’s the little girl of a friend from Facebook who is really sick. There’s my friend in the hospital, my other friend just out of the hospital, my friend who is old and at home and not doing well, the woman going through a divorce, my coworkers who are either sick or have sick relatives…the list is almost endless. Please be with these people and more. Encourage them with your Spirit and through your people. Help us to all come around each other so that you might bring your power and comfort to all of us.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 5, 2018 in 1 Thessalonians

 

Mark 3:20-29

04 Jun

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Mark 3:20-29

Dear God, there are so many times that we just don’t know what is going on. How can we? The only way is divine inspiration, but we have to be silent enough to hear the Holy Spirit speak to us. And we have to be willing to let go of our own paradigms and preconceptions.

I confess that it would have been hard for me to accept what Jesus was doing back then. I would have questioned and rejected, but not out of disdain for him as much as love and defense of you. When he did things that didn’t fit what I thought he should do—what my paradigm from years of living told me he should do—then I would have rejected him and told others they should do the same.

So how do I let my paradigms get in the way of the Holy Spirit’s instructions and directions now? Do I let it influence my politics? My social service? How I judge others? I’m sure that I get in your way a lot.

Father, give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to discern. Help me to be motivated into action and love others through me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 4, 2018 in Mark

 

Psalm 25:11

02 Jun

For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Psalm 25:11

Dear God, any moment when I lose sight of my sin and need for you is a moment when I am most vulnerable. I go back to the Charlie Peacock song and the part of the chorus I love so much: “What’s going on inside of me? I despise my own behavior. This only serves to confirm my suspicion—that I’m still a man in need of a savior.”

It can be very easy to judge others and miss the little things that I do on a moment-to-moment basis that draw me away from you. But I know I allow all kinds of thoughts to distract me from you. I act impulsively. I judge instead of loving.

Father, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. I am truly sorry for all of the little and large things I do that ultimately come between us and steal the joy you have for me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 2, 2018 in Psalms

 

Revelation 21:1-4

01 Jun

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Revelation 21:1-4

Dear God, there must be something about heaven and the state that we will be in when we get there that makes it okay not to struggle. I guess when I am surrounded by your glory in person I won’t be able to think about myself or my selfish desires. I won’t worship myself and my own agenda. Because here on earth, when there is no struggle and things are too good I start to find that I’d much rather be into me and my desires.

I say all of this because of John’s description in verse four. No more death, crying, or pain? I admit that it would not be good for me now. It wouldn’t be good for any of us. But I guess there is something that makes heaven different.

Father, I submit to whatever path you have for me—both here on earth and in heaven to come. If you need me to struggle, then I will hold your hand in the struggle. If you grant me a smooth path for a while, the I will worship you on that path. You are my God and I love you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 1, 2018 in Revelation

 
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