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Luke 9:21-24

12 Apr

Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

Luke 9:21-24

Dear God, I’m sure the disciples couldn’t get their head around the fact that Jesus would have to be rejected by the very people they had been taught to revere their whole lives—the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law. And how much did Jesus know about his own death at this point. His reference to taking up your cross could have been a local colloquialism at the time, it might have been a foreshadowing of what was to come, or it might have been added by Luke later after everyone knew about the cross. Either way, this passage definitely demonstrates that Jesus was letting them know about the future.

I talked to a friend last week about prophecy. I remember my dad telling me years ago that he doesn’t think we are given prophecy so that we will know or understand the future, but so that, after the prophecy is fulfilled, we will know that you were in control.

Father, as my own life unfolds, give me the peace to know that all is happening in your timing and for your good. Be with those I live as they figure out their futures. Help me to be one way through which your presence enters my home, my workplace, and my community. Let them be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 12, 2018 in Luke

 

Biblical Family Values – “First Family” by Rich Mullins

11 Apr

“First Family” by Rich Mullins

My folks they were always the first family to arrive

With seven people jammed into a car that seated five

There was one bathroom to bathe and shave in

Six of us stood in line

And hot water for only three

But we all did just fine

Talk about your miracles

Talk about your faith

My dad he could make things grow

Out of Indiana clay

Mom could make a gourmet meal

Out of just cornbread and beans

And they worked to give faith hands and feet

And somehow gave it wings

I can still hear my dad cussin’

He’s working late out in the barn

The spring planting is coming

And the tractors just won’t run

Mom she’s done the laundry

I can see it waving on the line

Now they’ve stayed together

Through the pain and the strain of those times

Talk about your miracles

Talk about your faith

My dad he could make things grow

Out of Indiana clay

Mom could make a gourmet meal

Out of just cornbread and beans

And they worked to give faith hands and feet

And somehow gave it wings

And now they’ve raised five children

One winter they lost a son

But the pain didn’t leave them crippled

And the scars have made them strong

Never picture perfect

Just a plain man and his wife

Who somehow knew the value

Of hard work, good love, and real life

Talk about your miracles

Talk about your faith

My dad he could make things grow

Out of Indiana clay

Mom could make a gourmet meal

Out of just cornbread and beans

And they worked to give faith hands and feet

And somehow gave it wings

Dear God, I’ll hear people that we should have more biblical family values in America. I’ll hear well-meaning Christians say that they want to minister to other families and help them to be less dysfunctional. One time, I asked a young woman who was wanting to do such a ministry, “Which biblical family do you think we should emulate?” Her parents and grandparents were old family friends and very good people who openly talked about their flaws, so I pointed out to her some of the dysfunction in her own family that was public knowledge. I think the ultimate answer is that it goes one relationship at a time–one relationship with you at a time.

My one family with my wife and children is far from perfect and has its share of dysfunction. A lot of it is my fault, but, of course, I’m not alone. We’ve all made mistakes. And my wife and I loved you, worshipped you, and prayed to you for our marriage and for our kids. But that’s the way it is. Nothing is perfect. No one is perfect. That’s actually a fairly liberating thought.

I recently gave a couple of friends a marriage book called Sacred Marriage. The tag line is, “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?” That is the thesis of the whole book, and it really helped me back when we were less than 10 years into our marriage and had young children.

Father, help me to continue to be made into who you are growing me to be through my marriage, my children, and the rest of my family. Be glorified in my life so that I might be your instrument of influence where appropriate and so that I can love richly in every way.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 11, 2018 in Hymns and Songs

 

Romans 5:6-8

10 Apr

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:6-8

Dear God, it seems like my source for daily Bible verses, Bible Gateway’s Verse of the Day, has been focused a lot on redemption for sins lately. Maybe it’s an Easter thing, but it makes me think of my pastor in high school. My criticism of him, in retrospect, is that he spent almost every Sunday talking about your grace and hardly any time talking about discipleship. It left me having to largely figure out relationship with you on my own.

Faith in you without discipleship becomes just a philosophy by which I live my life. If I am a Christian who isn’t pursuing relationship with you, in the end, I am nothing more than a person who has added the Christian philosophy into my life, but I’m not giving the Holy Spirit opportunities to transform me into a new creation. I don’t leave room for conviction for my sins. I don’t open myself up to changing my mind on issues. I don’t die to myself, take up my cross, and really follow you.

Father, take me farther down the road today. Help me to use prayer time like this to consider my beliefs and take a step closer to your heart. Help me to glorify you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 10, 2018 in Romans

 

Praying for a Friend

09 Apr

No verse.

Dear God, last night before I went to bed, I got an email from a friend. He told me he had abruptly resigned from his job on Saturday. I don’t know any details. I don’t know if he had had enough and quit, if the leadership over him forced him out, or if it was some sort of combination of the two. What I do know is that I’ve been thinking about him ever since. I woke up briefly in the middle of the night and he and his family, especially his wife and his mother, were the first things on my mind. Then when I woke up again this morning, I thought about all of them again. I also thought about the place he’s leaving and hoped it might go through this process well.

The thing I always thought about and prayed to you about when I woke up didn’t focus on financial provision for them, although I did mention it. I mainly focused on their emotional state. I want you to give them (and by them I mean my friend, his wife, their children, and my friend’s and his wife’s parents) comfort. I want you to give them peace. Give them a sense of your presence, your care, and the assurance that, even though they might not be able to see it now, this will work together for good. I prayed and continue to pray that you will raise up people in all of their lives, including me, who will be your presence to them. Give them peaceful and discerning hearts during this foggy, painful time. In Easter parlance, it might seem like Friday night, but give them faith that Sunday is on it’s way.

Father, I guess what I haven’t prayed until now is that if there is any offense that has been done to my friend or his family, help him to heal from that, to forgive, and to pray for any enemies that he might have. If there are “us versus them” factions, help him to lead those left behind who supported him into reconciliation. Help him and his family to be a complete source of your presence, even in the midst of their own pain, hurt, and anger. Cover my friend and his family. Help them to bathe in the presence of the Holy Spirit. And help them to lead their children well and teach them about you and your goodness through this while still allowing them to be kids and remembering that the kids need to feel the stability that you provide through their parents.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 9, 2018 in Miscellaneous

 

Prayin’ for my Preachin’

08 Apr

No verse.

Dear God, today’s the day. I’ve been thinking about and writing about unity and pilgrimages all week. Now I need you to clear my head and help me crystallize it into a 12ish-minute message. I need you to give me what they need to hear. Holy Spirit, I need you to flow over me and through me. I need you to increase and let me decrease.

One of the first things is that I definitely need to let go of my ego. I’ve confessed before, but I confess again now that I was too prideful after my last sermon. I wanted too much praise for me. I sought out compliments. I can be ridiculous.

The interesting thing about sermons is that, as the speaker you hope that you are coming up with something that will 1.) make people think and give them something to talk about while they drive home, 2.) plant a seed that they will always remember and hopefully make them a better person, and 3.) keep all of them from nodding off for at least those 10-15 minutes. Of course, standing up there, the only real-time feedback I get is #3.

Father, be glorified this morning. Help me to tie all of this together so that this group of people will experience something fresh and new as individuals, families, and as a church. And give me what I need out of this experience too.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 8, 2018 in Miscellaneous

 

“Waterfalls” – TLC

07 Apr

Dear God, this song is on my “Pop” playlist, and I kind of paid attention to it for the first time this morning. I’ve always liked the sound, but until about 45 minutes ago, I couldn’t have told you what it was about. But this morning, when it came on my iPod, something encouraged me to stop and look at the lyrics. It had so much more meaning that I expected.

Here are the words to the song as well at a link to the music video which was the music video of the year in 1995:

“Waterfalls”
Performed by TLC,
Songwriters: Lisa Lopes / Marqueze Ethridge / Patrick Brown / Raymon Ameer Murray / Rico Renard Wade

A lonely mother gazing out of her window
Staring at a son that she just can’t touch
If at any time he’s in a jam she’ll be by his side
But he doesn’t realize he hurts her so much
But all the praying just ain’t helping at all
‘Cause he can’t seem to keep his self out of trouble
So, he goes out and he makes his money the best way he know how
Another body laying cold in the gutter
Listen to me

Don’t go chasing waterfalls
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to
I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all
But I think you’re moving too fast

Little precious has a natural obsession for temptation
But he just can’t see
She give him loving that his body can’t handle
But all he can say is, “Baby, it’s good to me”
One day he goes and takes a glimpse in the mirror
But he doesn’t recognize his own face
His health is fading and he doesn’t know why
Three letters took him to his final resting place
Y’all don’t hear me

Don’t go chasing waterfalls
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to
I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all
But I think you’re moving too fast

I seen rainbow yesterday
But too many storms have come and gone
Leavin’ a trace of not on God-given ray
Is it because my life is ten shades of gray
I pray all ten fade away
Seldom praise Him for the sunny days
And like his promise is true
Only my faith can undo
The many chances I blew
To bring my life to anew
Clear blue and unconditional skies
Have dried the tears from my eyes
No more lonely cries
My only bleedin’ hope
Is for the folk who can’t cope
Wit such an endurin’ pain
That it keeps ’em in the pourin’ rain
Who’s to blame
For tootin’ caine in your own vein
What a shame
You shoot and aim for someone else’s brain
You claim the insane
And name this day in time
For fallin prey to crime
I say the system got you victim to your own mind
Dreams are hopeless aspirations
In hopes of comin’ true
Believe in yourself
The rest is up to me and you

Don’t go chasing waterfalls
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to
I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all
But I think you’re moving too fast

Don’t go chasing waterfalls
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to
I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all
But I think you’re moving too fast

I don’t really want to take the time here to deep dive into each verse, but, instead, I’d like to step back and think about how this song speaks to me.

The first thing that hit me was the frustration of a parent. At any stage of life I wanted to be so much more than I could be for my children, but it’s just not possible. At this point, I have 48 years of living and they have 22 and 19, respectively. I’ve learned things that I simply cannot impart to them. Of course, there’s still so much that I don’t know and still have to learn. They have to learn all of it for themselves. And sometimes the mistakes they make will be irreparable. Even worse, sometimes things will happen to them to harm them that are beyond their control. What is in their control is how they will respond to them. Will they let me, my wife, or someone else help them? More importantly, will they turn to you for comfort, guidance, and freedom, or will they allow it to break them?

The second thing that I take from this song is that we all have choices to make. From the mother in the first verse, to her son, to the man in the second verse, and then to his girlfriend/wife, each person is responding to their life and what they will seek for happiness and peace, and how they will choose to love a person who is destroying themselves. In the first verse, the son decided to make money through selling drugs and she decided to be next to him whenever he was in a jam. In the second verse, the woman’s love wasn’t enough her him and exposed both of them to HIV/AIDS. The mother, in particular, strikes me Does she make a mistake by always being by his side when he gets in trouble? Was more “tough love” needed. Or is that cruel. Did the song writer include those words intentionally?

Father, I could go on and on, but at the end of the day, this song is about fallen humans (all four of them) needing to reach out to you That’s what it comes down to for me as well. I am fallen. My wife is fallen. My children are fallen. None of us has anymore standing in your eyes than the other. So I guess my prayer is, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

 
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Posted by on April 7, 2018 in Hymns and Songs, Uncategorized

 

John 25:14-30

06 Apr

14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’
21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
22 “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’
23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
24 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’
26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate,27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’
28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:14-30

Dear God, this is an interesting story for Jesus to tell. It’s one of the last parables Matthew records. This harshness on the part of God is a little out of character for Jesus to represent. But it’s followed up immediately by the story of those who are at the final judgment and told that they ignored the hunger, thirst, loneliness, etc. of those around them. I think the two need to be read together. I think that’s how Matthew intended them to be digested. That’s one of the problems with having our Bibles separated into not only chapters and verses, but also with little subheadings for the stories so they are easier for us to find. Our brains tend to take those artificial divisions and apply them to the text when the author might not have intended for there to be a separation between those two stories at all.

When I think of what you expect from all of us as your believers, followers, and disciples, I think you expect us to take the “talent” you give us and then do something for your kingdom with it. And some of us will have more than one talent. I met a woman last night who seemingly has a lot of money and I know that she is generous with it. And it would be easy for her to sit back, write checks to people, and accept their gratitude. But that wasn’t her spirit. She also has construction contracting ability. She has bookkeeping ability. I talked with her last night about a big project we are working on to build a shelter for domestic violence victims. Can she write a check? Sure. But her eyes lit up when she talked about the other things she can bring to the table. You gave her more than one talent. You gave her five. And the spirit I saw in her was a desire to bring all of them to the table to see what kind of return you kingdom can get from them.

Father, help me to evaluate the talent that I have, bring all of it to the table for your glory’s sake (NOT mine), and multiply it for the good of your kingdom, our community, and at least one individual life. Help me to do it with joy and an attitude that desire my own decreasing and your increasing.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 6, 2018 in Matthew, Uncategorized

 

John 16:31-33

04 Apr

31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:31-33

Dear God, no matter how hard we try, our sinful human nature just won’t let us really perform at our best until the chips are down and we are facing adversity. I can’t think of a time when my truly best work was done in the midst of good fortune and easy times, but I can think of many times when crisis put me into action and through it I came up with some of my greatest successes.

I was at a meeting yesterday where we got bad news. This is a very professionally run group of people, but realities in their business are making them respond and raise their game. The same is true for where I work. I try to keep us moving and doing good work, but the fact remains that we do our best work when we are facing adversity.

How much of that can be said of my private life as well? All of it, of course. I am at my best as a husband/father when we are facing adversity. I am at my most productive as just an individual when I have to raise my game to meet a specific challenge. And I am at my best as a Christian when I am being pressed because, although I try to discipline myself to come to you regularly when things are good, my heart kicks it up to 11 when I am under pressure.

Father, I would ask that you forgive me for my failings in this area, but, frankly, you seem to completely understand this and allow for it in your love for me. So help me to be who you need me to be. Help me to love those around me who need my love. Help me to seek your face and really bathe in your Holy Spirit. And help me to dig in and do good work today for the sake of those who it helps, for my sake, but most of all for your Kingdom’s sake.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 4, 2018 in John

 

Hebrews 12:1-2

03 Apr

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Dear God, the cloud of witnesses is a beautiful thought. I wonder who is watching me? I wonder what they can see that I don’t see. For example, I often wonder about the daughter my wife and I lost while my wife was newly pregnant. Whenever I’m going through something with one of our kids now, I picture her praying for all of us. I’m sure she loves her brother and sister and is rooting for them. I know we’ve told them about her, but I wonder if they will be surprised to meet her one day on the other side. Even though I have this head and heart knowledge about her, how surprised will I be.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about other relatives who have passed and are cheering me on. Compared with my wife, I haven’t lost that many, but I think of my grandparents, my mother-in-law, my grandmother-in-law, and others who are for me. Frankly, especially with our daughter, the thought of her cheering for me and being concerned about me gives me some level of accountability. I think about her watching me—especially when I’m struggling as a father. I even talk to her sometimes. I should probably acknowledge all of them more. I am grateful for their love. I’m grateful for your love too, and I know you are watching me.

Father, I will run to finish the race you laid out for me. You have been good to me, and I am grateful. Now I must press on. It’s not time to step back. It’s time to throw myself into you. It’s time to be there for those you have put around me. It’s time for me to love mercy, live justly, and walk humbly with you. I’m doing it for you most of all, but part of me is doing it for them too. I don’t want their love for me to be in vain.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 3, 2018 in Hebrews

 

Acts 9:17-19a

02 Apr

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Acts 9:17-19a

 
Dear God, the thing that strikes me about this story is how Paul went from really proud just days before to completely humbled. He carried a righteous indignation about persecuting Christians in your name. He arrested, at least was complicit in a killing, and reviled so many people. One of the interesting things about his transformation is that you were able to use the zealous part of his personality to great effect, but his anger seemed to subside. He no longer hated people who disagreed with him (although he was now on the other side of the fence). He loved them in a new way. In addition to his humility, your grace brought love to him too.
 

There are a lot of times that I am so prideful. Before I started working for nonprofits and depending upon the charity of others for my livelihood and the livelihood of my coworkers, I used to say that I could never be a missionary and live on the support of others. I also tend to get very proud of my political views, my religious views and my judgments on how others live their lives. But your grace is molding me. And it really does feel better to let go. There is freedom in letting go of any kind of façade that I might put on for someone else. Just as Paul experienced freedom and grace, so too have I felt more joy when I let go of my own life and simply embrace you and the reality that you give to me.

 
Father, help me to love well, worship you, and root out the remaining areas in my life where my pride rules me. Forgive me of my arrogance and help me to understand embrace humility—if for no other reason that my being humble makes it easier on the people who love me.
 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

 
Amen

 
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Posted by on April 2, 2018 in Acts, Uncategorized

 
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