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Mary, did you know? No, and that’s probably good.

14 Dec

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! ”

Luke 1:26-28

Dear God, worshipping with Catholics every week has made me think about Mary a little more intentionally. It’s not that I personally believe anything about her that I didn’t before. I think my personal beliefs are still pretty standard for Protestants. But it has made me consciously consider what I do believe and how I feel about the role she played in my Salvation.

I would say the biggest thing is that as much as we say that our military lays down their lives for our freedom, both Mary and Joseph ended up sacrificing the rest of their lives, plans, and dreams to accept the responsibility of Jesus’ birth and childhood. They had to deal with pregnancy in Bethlehem (that census would have been a lot easier without that little wrinkle). They had to deal with shame in their society. They had to flee for Egypt in the middle of the night and start new lives there. They had to abandon those lives to move again, eventually ending up in Nazareth. They had the trauma of having lost the boy Jesus for a few days around Passover. And then Mary had a tough three-year stretch where she just didn’t fully understand what was going on with her grown son and eventually had to watch him be tragically killed. No, the mission (Baptists would call it a calling) that Gabriel gives her in this passage might not have been so readily accepted if she had known how hard it would be, but then again, you often obscure the pain of the path in front of us because if we knew then we might miss your glory that you have for us to experience on that path. And I’m sure, in retrospect, Mary and Jospeh wouldn’t trade the path for anything.

Father, thank you for what you did through those two simple people. Thank you for doing things through me. Thank you for keeping me on a need-to-know basis, and thank you for operating under the policy that I very rarely need to know. Help me to glorify you in all that I do, and let it be done to me as you will it.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 14, 2017 in Luke

 

Matthew 2:1-3

13 Dec

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.

Matthew 2:1-3

Dear God, I don’t think I’ve ever noticed the part of the story where not only Herod was bothered by the news of Jesus’ birth, but everyone else in Jerusalem was also. I wonder how they would have felt if they had know how the next 33 years would unfold.

That’s one of my problems. I take what I see happening in my present and I allow myself to layer on top of it my incorrect suppositions about the future. It goes back to the lesson I am still learning from the 15th letter in C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, when Screwtape tells Wormwood, in essence, whatever you do keep your human preoccupied with the future. Whether he thinks it will be heaven on earth of hell on earth, make him think about that instead of thinking about the present because the present is the one point in time that interfaces with eternity and The Enemy (God).” In the case of this Bible story, Herod’s response was to see a threat and try to overcome prophecy. What are my responses.

Father, help me to handle each thing that comes across my life today well. Help me to handle it in the moment and not try to layer my own expectations on it. Help me to seek your presence and counsel as I work to do what is within your will to bring you glory and invite your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 13, 2017 in Matthew

 

Galatians 4:3-4

12 Dec

And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.

Galatians 4:3-4

Dear God, “But when the right time came.” That’s what catches my attention today. There is something about your timing that is just so far beyond what I can understand and appreciate. I think that is really where the gap between your power and glory and my understanding starts—time.

One thing I started to figure out several years ago is that humans measure time in days, weeks, and months, and you measure time in years, decades, and centuries. But even that is too simple because you are timeless. And then beyond timelessness you see the big picture. You see all 6.5 billion of us at once. You see those who are to come and you see those who have already been here. This is one of those moments when I feel really small, but it is good for me to feel really small.

Father, help me to live the small life you want me to live today. Living in a small town, it is easy to start to see my life as being much more consequential than it really is. Help me to simply be obedient and leave the big picture stuff to you. Be glorified in me and don’t let me do anything that gets in your way.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 12, 2017 in Galatians

 

Galatians 4:22-23

11 Dec

The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise.

Galatians 4:22-23

Dear God, there are a lot of examples in the Bible of people taking your promise and applying their own plan to its execution. That’s what Abraham did with Ishmael and Isaac. I still think it’s what the apostles did when they cast lots to replace Judas. You knew you had Paul, but they were compelled to not wait on your timing.

I have certainly been guilty of this. My best examples relate to my career and trying to force what I believed was your call. But there are other examples too. In fact, I have a situation that has really been concerning me within my family. I’ve lost some sleep over it, I’m just sure you want my wife and me to help in some way, and I have even mapped out my own plan to solve the situation. But so far that plan has been rejected. And maybe that rejection is of you, and then again maybe it’s not. I know I can’t force my will upon another adult, but I confess that that is the mistake I lean towards when I see someone struggling and I feel like I can do something about it.

Father, make my path straight, and make it straight for those I love. I know my wife and I are both frustrated with several things happening in lives around us. Help us to seek your desires for us and the role you have for us to play. Help our loved ones to truly sit before you and ask for your guidance. If they feel like we might be helpful, help them to reach out. And in the end, make all of this for your glory and not ours.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 11, 2017 in Galatians, My Utmost for His Highest Scripture of the Day

 

God the Father, my father, and me as a father

08 Dec

A Father’s Hope

Dear God, I just watched a video (link above) from a Catholic Advent series that a friend encouraged me to use this Advent season. Surprisingly, it hasn’t been as focused on Advent as it has spiritual growth and discipleship. I’ve liked that better.

Today’s video was about the names we have for you when we pray to you. Like the speaker, I usually refer to you as Father. The speaker talked about parallels between your attitude towards us and our attitude towards our own children. Of course, this made me think about a lot of things from the past and present.

I remember after my son was born and his first few years. I was struck by how easy it was to discipline him when he did something wrong or made a bad decision and then move on and forgive him. I probably even journaled to you at the time that it gave me a new perspective on how you see me. I wasn’t nearly the unforgivable wretch that I sometimes felt I was. Through the power of Jesus’ sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14), I am easily forgiven by a perfectly holy God. You are eager for my repentance and eager to move me forward.

This video also made me think of some of the best men’s retreats I’ve ever attended. There were a series of them out at Laity Lodge where they had men get up and tell their story from the perspective of You as our Father, our earthly father, and us as a father. Those were some great experiences as we started to get a glimpse of how we might actually be made in your image after all.

Father, help me to know how to embrace all that you are as my father, and help me to be the father you know my children need me to be. Give me exactly what I need to continue to draw closer to the center of your presence, and give my children exactly what you need them to have from me. Don’t let me get in the way of your plans for them with my own impetuousness, insecurity, or foolishness.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 8, 2017 in Miscellaneous, My Utmost for His Highest Scripture of the Day

 

Irritable

06 Dec

No verse.

Dear God, I’m kind of tired today. I don’t know if it is the full/super moon or not, but I am seeing a lot of emotion in a lot of people. What is going on? And I think it’s in me too. I feel very emotional right now. I’m a little more impatient and easily angered. I’m not in the mood to suffer the shortcomings in others. I can’t pinpoint what’s going on in me in this moment, but when I get like this I feel the desire to exercise control over everything and everyone. I just want it done my way.

There were several times yesterday when I was praying to you in real time as I was working to solve some intricate problems. I think you guided me through that time, for which I am grateful. Thank you. Now I need your continued guidance. I need your help. I need your wisdom with my wife, my children, my staff, and my patients. Help me, Father.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 6, 2017 in Miscellaneous, Uncategorized

 

Addiction

05 Dec

My Utmost for His Highest reading for December 5

Dear God, I haven’t been doing well with my food addiction lately. Even in the last six or so weeks I can see that I’m gaining weight and using food for comfort. I’ve had this problem for as long as I can remember.

I suppose it’s the same with any addiction. Whether it’s alcohol, porn, drugs, food, or whatever else, it’s something that must be rejected. I guess what makes food harder is that you have to eat some of it every day. I can abstain from drugs, porn, or alcohol, but I come face to face with food three times a day (more, if I’m honest). I have to get this under control.

Father, even in typing this, I’m making the first step. I’m admitting that my eating has become unmanageable, I am powerless when it comes to rejecting bad food and too much food, and I need my higher power, which is you. I pray that you will help me today—at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all of the in between times. I submit this as part of my worship of you and in honor of the life you’ve given me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 5, 2017 in My Utmost for His Highest Scripture of the Day

 

John 8:12

04 Dec

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

John 8:12

Dear God, smart aleck first response to this passage is, “I won’t have to, but do I still get to?” But I guess there’s some truth in my response because there is a part in all of our hearts that still wants to indulge ourselves and pursue some amount of darkness. As the Charlie Peacock song, “In the Light,” says, “I’m still a man in need of a savior.”

But what does it look like for me to walk in your light today? I think that the first thing it means is to consider my life worth nothing to me, but to complete the task you have given me, the task of testifying to your grace. (Acts 20:24) it all starts with the humility and decreasing so you can increase.

Then I need to reject some of my sinful nature as I realize it is popping up. If I’m judging people harshly, being selfish, or pursuing cares of this world instead of trying to see it with your eyes.

Next is to lead in love, not insecurity. I need to proactively point others towards you and reach out to those in pain. In my specific situation at work, I need to help others do the same.

Finally, I need to be about glorifying you and your name. I’ll be speaking for a moment in front of a large group tonight. Help me to point all of them to you. I will talk to several people today. Reveal yourself to them through me. Do all of this for your glory’s sake and so that I might be in your light.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 4, 2017 in John

 

Philippians 3:12

02 Dec

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:12

Dear God, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the seeds we try to plant in our children’s lives and the hopes that we have that they will grow into something when they grow up. I remember reading the parable Jesus told of the seed that fell in the different types of soil and rock when my children were young and praying that the seeds my wife and I were planting would find deep, rich soil. Lately, as my children are both living far from me now and my current influence on their lives is minimal, my prayers for them usually include you helping those seeds that were planted long ago to break through any rock or thorns Satan is trying to put into their lives so that they might be your people.

I mention this in relation to this verse because it is a seed that was planted in me 30+ years ago. Fellowship of Christian Athletes has this as their theme verse one year when I was in high school, and every time I come across it I am taken back to those moments and even the feelings I would have at the time. I don’t necessarily walk around now in hard times saying, “I need to press on…” but I do get a grounding in my faith every time see it.

Father, thank you for the seeds you have planted and continue to plant in my life. Please help them to find good soil and avoid the vines, thorns, weeds, and rocks that Satan tries to use in my life. And I pray for the seeds you have planted and continue to plant in my wife’s and children’s lives. Help all of us press on towards the goal of loving you, worshipping you, and doing what we can to be your ambassadors.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 2, 2017 in My Utmost for His Highest Scripture of the Day, Philippians

 

John 1:1-5

01 Dec

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5

 

Dear God, “that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” It can be so uncomfortable to have light shone in our darkness. Not “on” our darkness, but “in” our darkness. Yes, there are people who might come and look at our secrets and shine their light “on” our darkness, but we can still live in the denial and reject their judgment. No, when we allow Jesus to come in and shine the light “in” our darkness, that is when healing can happen. But are we ready for that?

I have been watching all of the reports of sexual harassment by a variety of men. People are shining a lot of light “on” darkness and it is a good thing in the way that people will be protected. But right now, the insufficiency in what is happening is that people are looking at the symptoms of what is going on and not the cause. What is feeding the darkness? Why do men do this?

I read an article this morning that men expose themselves because they want power over the other person. I disagree. Yes, they want to feel that power, but what is driving the need for that power? Where is that coming from? Let’s go deeper. Not that I have acted out in any of the ways that these men have, but I can tell you that a lot of my relational issues are out of insecurity. Am I lovable? Am I likable? Am I enough to drive desire in you? That’s what these me who expose themselves are doing. In my mind, that’s what they are asking—do I turn you on? They need that affirmation.

A few years ago, there was a thing going around YouTube of celebrities giving their younger selves some advice. “Dear younger me…” At the time, I wondered what I was say to 13-year-old John if I could go back and spend a few minutes with him. The answer came to me almost instantly, and I haven’t changed my answer since. When I thought back to my thoughts and feelings at that age, what I know now that I needed to hear was, “It’s okay. You’re going to find someone who loves you and whom you will love. Don’t worry.” I felt so unlovable back then. I was completely rejected by any girl I had liked up to that point. I had seen porn. For crying out loud, I had seen James Bond movies that totally distorted what sex is supposed to be. I felt inadequate and unlovable. Even after marriage, I carried those insecurities for a long time. And the elephant in the room that no one is talking about when it comes to the men who are accused right now is porn. Porn warps and destroys one’s perspective on sex and starts to rewire the brain accordingly. It would be interesting to know what role porn plays in the lives of the men accused today.

Father, that was quite a little sidebar, but I think it fits with you shining light “in” our darkness. I pray that you will help me to be willing to let you shine light in the dark places of my heart that I still protect. I’m not consciously aware of what they are, but I would be a fool to think they are not there. Purify me. Make me holy. Make me your perfect vessel. Make me your ambassador, and bring glory to your name through my life.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 1, 2017 in John, Uncategorized

 
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