RSS

21 Mar

This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

Jeremiah 17:5-8

Dear God, the verses for today were 7 and 8, but I don’t think they are complete without 5 and 6. One of my main jobs is fundraising for the nonprofit where I work. There are times when I remember to pray to you about organization, our work, our funding, etc., but there are also times when I inadvertently put my hope in people because they are the ones who write the checks. It’s a tricky balance. I know that my most powerful experiences have been through seeking your provision and then having something extraordinary happen, but too often I forget that and start looking to others for my provision.

In what other areas of my life does this manifest itself? The first thing that comes to mind is politics. We expect our politicians and judges to fight our battles for us instead of getting our hands dirty ourselves. Instead of looking to your power and asking you what you would have me do (besides throw my weight behind a corrupt politician with whom I have little in common except for my stance on abortion).

Father, I want to be nourished by you so deeply that you just absolutely flow through me in the worst of droughts. I want to be inspired by you and use that inspiration to attract others to you. You are my God. Help me to plant myself in the middle of your living water and not next to someone else just because I think I can get something I want from them. Help me to get next to them for their sake and your glory, not mine.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 21, 2018 in Jeremiah

 

1 Peter 2:2-3

20 Mar

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

1 Peter 2:2-3

Dear God, in my prayer time with my wife this morning I found myself praying for something I don’t think I’ve ever prayed before. Then I read this passage and it seemed to fit.

We are facing a couple of frustrating situations right now, and there are times when we want to just throw our hands up in anger and say, “Fine! Whatever!” and give up. So my prayer was that we would be able to move through these situations the best we ever have. That we would take this opportunity to seek your counsel and peace and really see what it means to live in communion with your spirit. We need to use these trials (and “trials” is overstated—the situations aren’t at that level) to grow and not miss this chance to grow closer to you.

Father, give me wisdom, discernment, mercy and grace. In fact, now that I think of it, all of the fruits of the spirit are exactly what I need right now: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. I need all of these right now. I look to you as my source of anything good that comes out of me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 20, 2018 in 1 Peter

 

Galatians 5:24-26

19 Mar

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Galatians 5:24-26

Dear God, there is a lot in these three verses. 1.) I should nail my passions and sinful nature to the cross. 2.) I should follow the Spirit’s leading in every area of my life. 3.) I need to not be conceited. 4.) I need to not provoke others. 5.) I need to not be jealous of others.

Each of these is worthy of its own prayer journal, but I want to focus on #2–following the Spirit. I have two or three things (that I know of) happening today that will require a lot of leading and wisdom. There’s some emotion wrapped up in them. There’s some fear of man in there too. I don’t want to offend or hurt someone’s feelings, but I also don’t want to spare their feelings and neglect an issue that’s more important. But what I really don’t want to do is address anything today without you.

Father, I know my tendency is to do things on my own, and I’m sorry for that. Holy Spirit, lead me today. Lead me in the moment? Give me your sense of clarity and peace. Show me what you would have me do so that I will be a source of your presence in the world and so that your will will be done on earth through me and my life.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 19, 2018 in Galatians

 

“Hymn of Promise” & I Can Only Imagine (the movie)

18 Mar

“Hymn of Promise”

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed an apple tree; In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds a mystery, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our End is our beginning; in our time, infinity; In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity, In our death a resurrection; at the last, a victory, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Dear God, I was struck by this poem/song from a funeral I attended yesterday and I decided to keep the program so I could talk with. You about it later. Now is the later.

My life of faith and following you is such a frustrating process because I seem to be incapable of seeing at any given moment how far I have to go. Maybe that’s for my own good–after all, I’m a firm believer in the concept that you keep me on a need-to-know basis–but my life seems to be a slow process. I read this poem and it reminds me that there is so much that we don’t/can’t see and reassures me that you can.

I just came back from the movie “I Can Only Imagine.” It’s a Christian movie. No offense meant to you, but I usually avoid Christian movies because I too often take issue with their presentation. I saw the preview for this one, however, and decided to take a chance. The song of the same title that is woven through the movie meant a lot to me when I first heard it in church about 16 years ago, and the preview made it look like it would deal with humanity in an honest way. I was right to take a chance. It was good.

For the first third of the movie, I was wondering if the main character’s father was really the protagonist in the story (much like in Star Wars Episodes 1-6, the real protagonist is Anakin Skywalker and not Luke like we are led to believe in Episode 4). He seemed to be the one who was driving the story. But as the movie played out, I started to see a different message. This wasn’t a movie about a terribly sinful man repenting and cleaning up his act (that would have been the kind of lazy writing that keeps me from watching Christian movies). Instead, it was about a son who clung to you as a child, but didn’t figure out how to do it and to be free for another 15 years. He tried. He did a lot of things right on paper. He loved you. He worshipped you. He tried to make a living doing Christian/Godly things. But it took a while before his heart was transformed.

I texted a friend after the movie that we all wish that becoming a mature Christian could be done with a microwave, but the process seems to be more akin to a crockpot. It’s a slow cook. You have to tenderize us and soak us in your juices. Our hardness needs to be broken down. Those are things a microwave just can’t do.

Father, if I’m doing this thing of following and worshipping you right, then the thing that I have to accept is that I am not there yet. I know you better and love others better now than I did five years ago. I hope I will know you even better and love others even more five years from now. I am not home yet, but when I am there, “I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side. I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me. I can only imagine. Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine. I can only imagine when that day comes, and I find myself standing in the Sun. I can only imagine when all I can do is forever, forever worship you. I can only imagine.”

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 18, 2018 in Hymns and Songs, Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

The 23rd Psalm – “If I Stand”

17 Mar

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1-6

Dear God, as I just read this, I was trying to separate out all of the times I’ve heard and read this in my life, and try to see the words from David’s perspective. What was he experiencing at the time? Was he at a high spot, worshipping you, or was he in a valley and trying to remind himself of your goodness? As the modern church we seem to have grasped the “valley” part and adopted it for funerals. In fact, I’m going to a funeral this afternoon and the odds are probably even that I’ll hear it read there.

It made me think about a song by Rich Mullins called “If I Stand.” He said that he wrote it for the times in his life when he was doing great and things were at a high and also for the low times.

(Chorus) If I stand, let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through. And if I can’t let me fall on the grave that first brought me to you. And if I sing let me sing for the joy that has born in me these songs. And if I weep let it be as a man who is longing for his home.”

Things can get awfully confusing in the moment. As a human with a small mind I so much lack perspective. And things can also turn on a dime. I can be feeling great and secure one moment and literally five minutes later be scared and confused. I think maybe one of the things this psalm tells me is that, at the deepest of levels, I can be at peace in any situation. Whether I’m in the green meadow or the valley of darkness or death, I am still you lamb and you are still my shepherd. Ultimately, as my shepherd, you’re going to do with me as you will, but that’s okay with me because you are good and even if your plan for me isn’t what I would choose, I worship you, submit to you, and trust you.

Father, help me to mean and live out what I just said. Help me to be your servant in every situation and to learn what you would have me to do in sharing this with others.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 17, 2018 in Hymns and Songs, Psalms

 

Colossians 3:12-15

16 Mar

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15

Dear God, I want to focus on these two verses: “Above all, clothe yourself in love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony…For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.”

What does it really look like to clothe myself in love? First, I can’t REALLY do it without being submitted to and in relationship with you. If I’m not with you then my heart turns selfish and dark. If I’m not examining myself, seeking out my own sin and then repenting of it, then I’m not going to have as much latitude for the sins of others.

Second, I just have to stop and have some empathy for people. The more I try to see the world from someone else’s perspective the more I am able to have compassion for their actions. The vast majority of people see themselves as good and making good decisions. For them, if they aren’t, it isn’t as much on purpose as it is a result of a brokenness in their lives. I know that’s how it seems to work for me.

Finally, there’s my own conscious decision to apply these principles. This is where I am too selective in my application of love. I still judge too much.

Father, I want to clothe myself in love. I want to be a creator of your body and not a destroyer of your body. Help me to be mindful of loving others and give me your courage and strength as I become closer to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 16, 2018 in Colossians

 

A need for repentance and vision

15 Mar

No verse

Dear God, of course, my ego has been getting in the way of my worship of you this week. And I have totally lost sight of how the Holy Spirit helped me to preach this last Sunday. I confess to you that I have wanted and sought praise for my performance on Sunday. I am sorry. I know it was the Holy Spirit, upon whose name I called to help me going into the sermon, that worked and spoke through me. If anyone in the audience heard from you on Sunday, it’s because I had the wisdom to know that I was not capable of preaching to anyone without your power. I am sorry for my insecurity and arrogance.

I was thinking this morning as I woke up about the spiritual desert in our community. There is an unchurched segment of our society that no one seems to be reaching. I hear stories of broken lives every day that will only find healing through you. Their families will only find healing through you. We need some good ideas on how to reach them. I have a couple that of like to float to some people. Help me to be discerning in this.

Father, I work on projects, both vocationally and outside of my work, that address symptoms of a fallen world, but I know that more must be done on a spiritual level. Help me to be the Christian, the man, and the human you need me to be in all areas of my life, starting at home and working my way outward from there.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 15, 2018 in Miscellaneous

 

Romans 6:20-23

14 Mar

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:20-23

Dear God, how much shame do I feel for the things I used to do and the things I still do?

On Sunday, I gave a sermon that included the sin of grumbling—especially against leadership. Then the next day I found myself really wanting to grumble about people. In fact, someone who heard the sermon asked me what kind of interactions I’ve had with someone else and I said, “Well, in the spirit of not grumbling, I’m not going to answer that.” Even that was too harsh and mean in nature, but it was truly the nicest thing I could think to say at the time and it’s still the nicest think I have to say.

Father, I must never forget that I have a long way to go before I am even close to being your holy servant. I am still a slave to so much that isn’t holy. I’m sorry. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for what you did through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Thank you for giving me a chance at making my little life on earth something that might make a difference for your Kingdom.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 14, 2018 in Romans

 

Romans 8:26-28

13 Mar

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:26-28

Dear God, my wife and I were talking about one of our children and how things keep going a different direction than we hope. My comment to her was, “Well, we are praying for her so I’m going to assume this is the path God has and things are happening the way they are supposed to happen.”

There have been times in my life where I’ve had no idea what to pray and I’ve been down to groans and just letting the Holy Spirit pray for me and put my hope in the idea that you understand. And I think you always do. Well, I know you always do.

Father, the more experience I get with you the more I am willing to absorb bad times and look beyond my current circumstances to see that there could still be a good outcome down the line—maybe not for me, but for your overall plan. So please help me to remain at peace in all situations and to pass on what I have learned from experience. Help me to also accept what others with a message from you have to teach me. Whether it is a wise friend or any other source, help me to always hear your voice when you are speaking.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 13, 2018 in Romans

 

2 Peter 1:5-7

12 Mar

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

2 Peter 1:5-7

Dear God, I’ve always thought this was a great list, but it’s hard to memorize like I can the Fruits of the Spirit. Maybe if I list it differently. How about if I say, “To build your life, add these things in this order: faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. I’m assuming by knowledge that Peter meant studying the he scripture available to them at the time which would have been what we now call the Old Testament. But did they have access to those scriptures like we do now? Were they literate as a whole?

Regardless, it is a good list for me to look at. Start with faith and then move to being moral. That seems to be a key. Plenty of people try to portray themselves as being of you, but they never decide to lay down their immorality. That’s too much to turn loose. That would mean denying themselves, taking up your cross and following you.

Father, I could probably do a journal around each of these items, but today I think I will just work on the morality angle. Help me to think about even the small ways in which I might be immoral. Forgive me and help me to embrace the simplicity of a life yielded completely to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 12, 2018 in 2 Peter

 
← Older posts
Newer posts →