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1 Corinthians 1:10-17

21 May

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Dear God, there are a lot of things that come to mind as I read these passages. Of course, there’s the whole unity thing. But I guess what I’m thinking about is how people were apparently taking sides based upon who they liked best or baptized them. Apollos. Cephas. Paul. Christ (that group got it right—but it could have been for the wrong reason). There’s a pride that is implied with this that is cancerous.

I was reading a book last night, and the author was talking about the people from whom he has learned the most and the common theme among them was that they had the self assuredness they needed to be humble. They didn’t need to put others down. In fact, they were comfortable lifting others up. I hope I’m that kind of person.

Father, I know you love me and I’m grateful for that love. Help me to be willing to do anything you need me to do, even at my own expense, for the sake of your glory and the drawing of others closer to you. And help me to be united to my fellow Christians. Whether I follow “Baptist,” “Catholic,” “Methodist,” “Presbyterian,” etc., help all of us to work together so that your kingdom will come and your will will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 21, 2018 in 1 Corinthians

 

Acts 2:1-4

20 May

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:1-4

Dear God, I never thought about this before, but apparently you don’t need much of an invitation to show up in a big way. This group of people loved you. They prayed for you. They were probably praying for direction. But they never imagined what you could do or how you would show up.

That’s the thing I guess. We never really know what we are praying for. We think we know what we want or need, but we really don’t. I’ve prayed for jobs that didn’t work out, circumstances for my children that went a different way, and provision for friends and relatives that seem to have gone unheard. But you are there. Sometimes you have something even better waiting for me. Sometimes you just know it’s better if I don’t get what I want. Sometimes my getting a “no” will mean someone else getting a “yes.”

Father, make me patient with your will. As the father of two grown children, I am now in the biggest game of “trust” with you in which I’ve ever been. I am trusting that you will answer our prayers for our children and who they are in you, but I also know that it might take decades to see it come to pass. I might not see it on this side of death. The same goes for other family members, friends, and family about whom I am concerned. It also goes for my community, my state, my country, and my world. So today I will do what I can best discern I am supposed to do, wait on the Holy Spirit to move, and worship you (not necessarily in that order).

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 20, 2018 in Acts

 

James 3:14-16

19 May

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 3:14-16

Dear God, so the way I read this is that James is saying, if you’re a jealous, insecure person then the best things to do is realize it in yourself, own it, and admit it to the world. Then at least people will know that you know who you are and have at least that amount of respect for you.

So what are the negative things I need to own? One that always comes to mind quickly is insecurity and a need to be impressive to others. I really care about how others see me. One of the biggest problems that causes me is in the area of not being confrontational enough when it’s required. It’s a problem.

It also makes me a needy person. I took a personality test one time that basically said that I was confident but I need a lot of compliments. I paraphrased it to say that I’m arrogant, but it needs fed. For a long time, probably the first eight-ish years of my marriage, my neediness was very draining on my wife until I started to be able to see what she meant and realized how a lack of relationship with you contributed to it. But the closer I get to you the less needy I am.

Father, even as I try to leave behind my weaknesses I’m reminded now that I can’t just consciously let them go. I have to leave them through drawing closer to you. So help me to do that. Let the fruit of the Spirit crowd out the thorns and thistles of my flesh so that I might be the man you are calling me to be.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 19, 2018 in James

 

Hebrews 6:1

18 May

So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

Hebrews 6:1

Dear God, I’m sure I’ve read this verse before, and I probably had the same reaction them that I am having now. I think this is one of my problems with the majority of the preaching I hear on Sunday mornings. The lessons that pastors teach are from the same playbook I’ve heard my whole life: God is love. There is grace for you. Love others.

Growing up, the pastor of my formative years really, really, really focused on your grace every week. I am probably being unfair, but my memory is that every week was a call to accept your grace and let go. And that was great as far as it gave me a very healthy attitude about your unconditional love for me. But when I got college I started to hear more sophisticated Bible teaching that encouraged me, challenged me, and helped me to start to enrich myself.

So now I’ve started to think about leading a local Bible study, with a focus being on getting men from a cross section of the community. Some lower class. Some middle class. Even some upper class. I’m not sure what it would look like. I’m not sure who I could get to come—or who you would bring to it. But I’m thinking this might be something for me to consider this fall. If we say we want to bring you to our community and we want our community to embrace you, doesn’t it include something like this?

Father, help me to really hear you and find you through this. I don’t want to do anything that’s not of you, and I don’t want to do it in a way that leaves out your blessing. Guide me, give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and the will to completely submit to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 18, 2018 in Hebrews

 

17 May

A Might Fortress is our God – by Martin Luther

1

A mighty Fortress is our God,

A Bulwark never failing;

Our Helper He amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great,

And, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

2

Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side,

The Man of God’s own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth His Name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

3

And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim,

We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo! his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

4

That word above all earthly powers,

No thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours

Through Him who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also;

The body they may kill:

God’s truth abideth still,

His Kingdom is forever.

Dear God, My wife told me about a funeral She went to yesterday that sounds redemptive and incredible. The young man was apparently plagued by alcoholism and depression and they confronted it head on. The service apparently opened with this hymn. My wife told me it really fit because of how the hymn references all of the demons and how you are our refuge and protector.

So I got to thinking about this hymn and its meaning. Until she mentioned it this morning, I don’t know that I had ever really paid attention to it. And it’s ironic since the best funeral I’ve ever been to opened with this hymn as well, but it was played by a brass quintet.

The two men who had died at each funeral could not have been more different from each other. One was old and had spent his whole life in Christian ministry, although he had struggled with clinical depression. The other was young and had never been able to overcome the alcoholism and depression. But you were turns and still are, in their deaths and afterlives, a mighty fortress to them.

Father, be my mighty fortress today. Be glorified through me. Love others through me. Help me to completely seek you as I handle each issue that comes my way today. In Jesus’ name I pray,Amen

 
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Posted by on May 17, 2018 in Hymns and Songs

 

Zephaniah 3:17

16 May

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Zephaniah 3:17

Dear God, I don’t know that much about Zephaniah so I tried to do a little research before praying so I could maybe get some context for this verse. Frankly, it sounds pretty straightforward. The book is about Zephaniah calling the Israelites to repentance. So this verse is letting all of know what you can be if we will do our part in relationship with you.

I think the word savior does not mean necessarily what people think it means. Back then, I think they thought it meant you would save them from trouble. But you being my savior, I think, is more of a long-term statement. Yes, you are interested in my short-term good, but there are times when my short-term struggle is for my long-teen good. So I cannot evaluate your goodness based upon my current situation at any given time.

I love the parts of this where it says you take delight in me with gladness, your love will calm my fears, and you will rejoice over me. I like that a lot. What would it look like for an entire community or nation to live under that?

Father, help me to influence the things I can influence. Of course, it starts with me. Help me to live under you and your authority. Help me to look to you in my times of trouble and then point to you in my times of deliverance. I don’t want to waste any moments or opportunities to give you glory and bring others into your presence. I know I will miss them, but I don’t want to.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 16, 2018 in Zephaniah

 

Ecclesiastes 11:5

15 May

Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.

Ecclesiastes 11:5

Dear God, I admit to you that I don’t understand what you’re doing at any given time. And I don’t know as much about even myself as you know. But to my credit, I think I’m getting more comfortable with that. You’re slowly teaching me to lean into my ignorance and accept your unseen path.

I’m thinking this morning about a funeral for a young woman who died suddenly last week. I saw her parents last Sunday, four days after it happened. Oh, it was heartbreaking. I cannot imagine their pain. I don’t know how they could update possibly make sense of anything in their lives right now. They heard me preach on Sunday and as I spoke I measured every word against how they must be hearing it, but I can’t imagine they will even remember that much from Sunday except that they were with their fellow church members.

Father, we’ve actually lost several young people lately. One from a health issue, one from suicide, and two others from a car accident. There’s no way to explain or justify any of it. And then there are the things in my own path that I just don’t understand. Help me to find my way to you and then guide me in each moment so that I might find the correct things to do that will maximize my effectiveness for you and experience your presence.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 15, 2018 in Ecclesiastes

 

Psalm 139:13-14

14 May

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

Psalm 139:13-14

Dear God, there is nothing like being completely known and loved anyway. All my sin. All my weaknesses. All of my mistakes. You know all of this and you love me anyway.

The trick is to allow myself to be completely known to others. My wife. My children. My friends. Shame is a terrible thing. I think it’s one of Satan’s most powerful weapons against us. He can use it to tear us down, make us ineffective, separate us from family and friends, isolate us, and, in the end, bring us to ruin. All because we are too ashamed to let someone else know the truth about us. We have our secrets that must be protected at all costs.

Father, help me to seek out accountability. I want to be accountable to you, but I also need accountability to others. My wife. My board. My children. My friends. I pledge that I will endeavor to humble myself and try to make myself known. And then you can not only keep me free from the bondage, but you can also be a blessing to those who know my truth.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 14, 2018 in Psalms

 

Pain on Mother’s/Father’s Day

13 May

No verse.

Dear God, it seems that one of the side effects of my painful times is that it brings me into tune with the pain of my fellow humans. For example, I never thought much about miscarriages until we experienced one. Now, I am incredibly touched whenever I hear about one and I try to appropriately reach out to the parents involved.

Ten years ago, I used to really enjoy Father’s Day and Mother’s Day and I didn’t really understand the pain that some others experience on this day. Maybe they lost a child. Maybe they lost a parent or a spouse. Maybe they have children or a parent with whom they have not relationship. Several years ago, my wife’s and my worlds kind of crumbled in a way that made Mother’s Day and Father’s Day very painful. Neither of us wanted the other to acknowledge our respective day. We would avoid social media so we didn’t have to see all of the posts. It hurt too much. But now I am, at least to some extent, in touch with some of the pain that people feel on days like this.

Father, as I prepare to preach to a congregation this morning, help me to offer your comfort and your hope. Help me to offer community for the injured pilgrims. And help me to bridge the gap between those who have suffered and those who haven’t. Most of all, help me to lead all of them to the foot of your cross so that they might be healed–so that I might be healed too.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 13, 2018 in Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

“Charm is Deceitful” by Kim Hill

12 May

“Charm is Deceitful” by Kim Hill (Proverbs 31)

Charm is deceitful
Beauty is vain
But a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised
A woman who fears the Lord
In a world where we see with our eyes
I pray for eyes that see the heart
‘Cause flesh is unfaithful
And is of no gain
But a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised
A woman who fears the Lord
And I know that when He sees me
It won’t be beauty that He longs to hold
It’ll be the love that He finds inside my heart
‘Cause charm is deceitful
Beauty is vain
But a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised
A woman who fears
Yes a woman who fears
A woman who fears the Lord

Dear God, Proverbs 31 was the verse of the day on Bible Gateway, so I thought I would bring out another Kim Hill song today. I think this one was on her first album as well (along with Psalm 1 that I did earlier this week). This one doesn’t follow the proverb as closely as the other one follows the psalm, but it’s certainly conveys the same message.

I assume Bible Gateway did this because Mother’s Day is tomorrow. I have to tell you, I couldn’t have more respect for my wife and the woman she is than I do right now. She loves others very well. She sacrifices for her family and friends when she needs to. She takes care of her soul, mind, heart, and body. She fears you. She spends so much time praying for others. I told her last night that I absolutely cannot imagine being more compatible with anyone else.

So, Father, I thank you for my wife. I thank you for making me a better man because of her. I thank you for the friendship and instruction that you give me through her. I thank you for the love and acceptance. Please give her a great portion of your blessing, peace, joy, and strength. Help her to tangibly feel you around her. I really do love her.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 12, 2018 in Hymns and Songs, Proverbs

 
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