Read: 1 Thessalonians 5
“16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Examine:
The Bible frequently likens the Holy Spirit to a flame. He warms the heart, enlightens the mind, and empowers people’s spirits. It is the effective working of the Holy Spirit that Paul warned against hindering. Nothing can hinder the work of the Spirit more quickly than an absence of joy, a lack of prayer, and an attitude of ungratefulness.
Apply:
Being joyful is a mindset. When my mind is set on something pleasing then joy is automatic. Throughout this letter Paul has pressed me to find my joy in the hope and truth of the gospel. Joy is not found in things or experiences. Joy is found by setting my mind on the things above. This is not a passive response. To set my mind on them is to participate in them. As I actively set aside the things of this earth and pursue the things above I will forever be connected to the joy of heaven and walk in the warming presence of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is probably one of the most confusing and least utilized commands of the Christian life for me. Prayer for me can become the thing I do when I can’t do anything else. The command from Paul is not to spend time in prayer or to attend prayer meetings. The command is to never stop praying. Prayer connects my heart with God’s. Prayer allows the Holy Spirit to carry me past circumstances and see things from God’s perspective. As I walk throughout my day I must stay in a posture of prayer.
Joy is an internal feeling, but gratitude is a tangible expression. As I experience joy it is critical to allow it to flow through me and spill out in the form of gratitude to God and to the people He uses in my life. Gratitude lives in the present, releases needs for the future, and celebrates what has been given. Gratitude has no expectation of future gain; it only desires to dance in the joy of the moment. My life must be defined by my expression of gratitude.
Pray:
I am absolutely, completely and totally consumed by my love for You. It is amazing to stop and consider that I have never had less but I have never felt more at ease than I do right now. In a few moments I will shower, dress and leave the safety of my home and charge headfirst into the work You have for me. I ask that as I live out the events of this day I do it joyfully, prayerfully, and gratefully. Let Your presence in my life be known to those around me and I ask that I maintain an awareness of Your purposes. I release to You anything that would hinder the flame of the Holy Spirit from burning brightly in my life today.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Hindering the Spirit
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5
“16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Examine:
The Bible frequently likens the Holy Spirit to a flame. He warms the heart, enlightens the mind, and empowers people’s spirits. It is the effective working of the Holy Spirit that Paul warned against hindering. Nothing can hinder the work of the Spirit more quickly than an absence of joy, a lack of prayer, and an attitude of ungratefulness.
Apply:
Being joyful is a mindset. When my mind is set on something pleasing then joy is automatic. Throughout this letter Paul has pressed me to find my joy in the hope and truth of the gospel. Joy is not found in things or experiences. Joy is found by setting my mind on the things above. This is not a passive response. To set my mind on them is to participate in them. As I actively set aside the things of this earth and pursue the things above I will forever be connected to the joy of heaven and walk in the warming presence of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is probably one of the most confusing and least utilized commands of the Christian life for me. Prayer for me can become the thing I do when I can’t do anything else. The command from Paul is not to spend time in prayer or to attend prayer meetings. The command is to never stop praying. Prayer connects my heart with God’s. Prayer allows the Holy Spirit to carry me past circumstances and see things from God’s perspective. As I walk throughout my day I must stay in a posture of prayer.
Joy is an internal feeling, but gratitude is a tangible expression. As I experience joy it is critical to allow it to flow through me and spill out in the form of gratitude to God and to the people He uses in my life. Gratitude lives in the present, releases needs for the future, and celebrates what has been given. Gratitude has no expectation of future gain; it only desires to dance in the joy of the moment. My life must be defined by my expression of gratitude.
Pray:
I am absolutely, completely and totally consumed by my love for You. It is amazing to stop and consider that I have never had less but I have never felt more at ease than I do right now. In a few moments I will shower, dress and leave the safety of my home and charge headfirst into the work You have for me. I ask that as I live out the events of this day I do it joyfully, prayerfully, and gratefully. Let Your presence in my life be known to those around me and I ask that I maintain an awareness of Your purposes. I release to You anything that would hinder the flame of the Holy Spirit from burning brightly in my life today.
“16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Examine:
The Bible frequently likens the Holy Spirit to a flame. He warms the heart, enlightens the mind, and empowers people’s spirits. It is the effective working of the Holy Spirit that Paul warned against hindering. Nothing can hinder the work of the Spirit more quickly than an absence of joy, a lack of prayer, and an attitude of ungratefulness.
Apply:
Being joyful is a mindset. When my mind is set on something pleasing then joy is automatic. Throughout this letter Paul has pressed me to find my joy in the hope and truth of the gospel. Joy is not found in things or experiences. Joy is found by setting my mind on the things above. This is not a passive response. To set my mind on them is to participate in them. As I actively set aside the things of this earth and pursue the things above I will forever be connected to the joy of heaven and walk in the warming presence of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is probably one of the most confusing and least utilized commands of the Christian life for me. Prayer for me can become the thing I do when I can’t do anything else. The command from Paul is not to spend time in prayer or to attend prayer meetings. The command is to never stop praying. Prayer connects my heart with God’s. Prayer allows the Holy Spirit to carry me past circumstances and see things from God’s perspective. As I walk throughout my day I must stay in a posture of prayer.
Joy is an internal feeling, but gratitude is a tangible expression. As I experience joy it is critical to allow it to flow through me and spill out in the form of gratitude to God and to the people He uses in my life. Gratitude lives in the present, releases needs for the future, and celebrates what has been given. Gratitude has no expectation of future gain; it only desires to dance in the joy of the moment. My life must be defined by my expression of gratitude.
Pray:
I am absolutely, completely and totally consumed by my love for You. It is amazing to stop and consider that I have never had less but I have never felt more at ease than I do right now. In a few moments I will shower, dress and leave the safety of my home and charge headfirst into the work You have for me. I ask that as I live out the events of this day I do it joyfully, prayerfully, and gratefully. Let Your presence in my life be known to those around me and I ask that I maintain an awareness of Your purposes. I release to You anything that would hinder the flame of the Holy Spirit from burning brightly in my life today.
Monday, June 27, 2011
A Quiet Life
Read: 1 Thessalonians 4
“11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, 12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Examine:
A person who is constantly on the move and overloaded is frequently a stress to other people as well as distracted from his own walk with God. But a Christian who strives to be at peace with himself and God will be a source of peace to others. Paul balances himself by reminding us that a too restful life can be a problem also. Living for God demands balancing the two.
Apply:
My life is anything but quiet. I set my goals high and charge after life with all that I possess in terms of energy and talent. I can, in fact, get so busy and engaged with accomplishing things that I blow right past listening to God. Emails, tasks, commitments, kids, wife, family, entertainment, smart phones, iPads, laptops, books, magazines, Facebook, Twitter, texting, thank you notes, newsletters and on the list can go. I can also do the same with spiritual things. Bible reading, prayer lists, prayer meetings, journaling, quiet time, church attendance, serving, leading, and on this list can go. In the midst of all this I often wonder why I am tired and God feels so distant.
How is God supposed to cut through all that noise? And if the God of the universe can’t get through to me what does that say of my ability to intimately connect with my wife and kids? My life has become so full that it has left me living empty.
Pray:
Hard work I got. Leaving others alone I get. Living life at a controlled pace with margin to hear from You; I miss this completely. I am stuck and not sure how to move forward. The pace of my life is my greatest addiction. I can’t stop it and even if I try the world around me seems to respond by becoming angry. The bottom line is I have lost the disciplines of meditation, reflection, and communication.
The great thing about today is I am 10,000 miles from normal and my current setting does not allow the convenient connections of my normal life. I hear Your call for me to calm down, settle down, and live a better pace of life. Give me wisdom as I seek out Your work here and help me to focus my life on the things that truly matter most.
“11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, 12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Examine:
A person who is constantly on the move and overloaded is frequently a stress to other people as well as distracted from his own walk with God. But a Christian who strives to be at peace with himself and God will be a source of peace to others. Paul balances himself by reminding us that a too restful life can be a problem also. Living for God demands balancing the two.
Apply:
My life is anything but quiet. I set my goals high and charge after life with all that I possess in terms of energy and talent. I can, in fact, get so busy and engaged with accomplishing things that I blow right past listening to God. Emails, tasks, commitments, kids, wife, family, entertainment, smart phones, iPads, laptops, books, magazines, Facebook, Twitter, texting, thank you notes, newsletters and on the list can go. I can also do the same with spiritual things. Bible reading, prayer lists, prayer meetings, journaling, quiet time, church attendance, serving, leading, and on this list can go. In the midst of all this I often wonder why I am tired and God feels so distant.
How is God supposed to cut through all that noise? And if the God of the universe can’t get through to me what does that say of my ability to intimately connect with my wife and kids? My life has become so full that it has left me living empty.
Pray:
Hard work I got. Leaving others alone I get. Living life at a controlled pace with margin to hear from You; I miss this completely. I am stuck and not sure how to move forward. The pace of my life is my greatest addiction. I can’t stop it and even if I try the world around me seems to respond by becoming angry. The bottom line is I have lost the disciplines of meditation, reflection, and communication.
The great thing about today is I am 10,000 miles from normal and my current setting does not allow the convenient connections of my normal life. I hear Your call for me to calm down, settle down, and live a better pace of life. Give me wisdom as I seek out Your work here and help me to focus my life on the things that truly matter most.
Love and Blameless
Read: 1 Thessalonians 3
“…and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
Examine:
There are two keys in this verse for a believer that will unlock a confident and bold standing before God; love for others and blamelessness before God.
Apply:
Everything in the Christian life is birthed and sustained in love for others. It is the love of Christ growing in me and overflowing to the lives of others that enables God to begin the work of establishing my heart. My peace with God will never exceed the level of love I actively pour out to others.
Being blameless before God is also critical to having peace with God. God’s demand that I be blameless must in no way be interpreted as a command to be perfect. Blameless means that as best I can from where I am I do what I know has been asked of me. If I ask Hayes to write his name I am not going to chastise him if he does not do it perfectly. All I expect of him is the writing of a 4 year old. It is the same with God. He does not expect perfection, only great effort and results that fit my maturity.
Pray:
When I allow anger and frustration to replace love and sacrifice I must expect my peace with You to leave. My heart cannot be established if my interaction with others is based on anything other than love. Likewise, when I allow my imperfections to stop me from attempting to follow You I can also expect my heart to not be established in anything I do. My selfishness affects my love and my pride affects my service.
My pride wants to do things perfectly or not do them at all. My selfishness wants my own needs covered before I look to serve others. My pride demands perfection because perfection allows me to do things on my own terms. My selfishness wants to be cared for by others so that I receive more than I give. By nature I do not want to continue loving others when the costs are too high and I do not want to do anything if I can’t do in perfection.
I turn to You this morning. There are lessons I am learning with each of these. Over both of these situations I have begged You for change. This morning my sense is that my prayers need to shift toward endurance instead of begging for things to be better. Help me stay engaged in the race so that I do not forfeit the prize.
“…and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
Examine:
There are two keys in this verse for a believer that will unlock a confident and bold standing before God; love for others and blamelessness before God.
Apply:
Everything in the Christian life is birthed and sustained in love for others. It is the love of Christ growing in me and overflowing to the lives of others that enables God to begin the work of establishing my heart. My peace with God will never exceed the level of love I actively pour out to others.
Being blameless before God is also critical to having peace with God. God’s demand that I be blameless must in no way be interpreted as a command to be perfect. Blameless means that as best I can from where I am I do what I know has been asked of me. If I ask Hayes to write his name I am not going to chastise him if he does not do it perfectly. All I expect of him is the writing of a 4 year old. It is the same with God. He does not expect perfection, only great effort and results that fit my maturity.
Pray:
When I allow anger and frustration to replace love and sacrifice I must expect my peace with You to leave. My heart cannot be established if my interaction with others is based on anything other than love. Likewise, when I allow my imperfections to stop me from attempting to follow You I can also expect my heart to not be established in anything I do. My selfishness affects my love and my pride affects my service.
My pride wants to do things perfectly or not do them at all. My selfishness wants my own needs covered before I look to serve others. My pride demands perfection because perfection allows me to do things on my own terms. My selfishness wants to be cared for by others so that I receive more than I give. By nature I do not want to continue loving others when the costs are too high and I do not want to do anything if I can’t do in perfection.
I turn to You this morning. There are lessons I am learning with each of these. Over both of these situations I have begged You for change. This morning my sense is that my prayers need to shift toward endurance instead of begging for things to be better. Help me stay engaged in the race so that I do not forfeit the prize.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
A Word From Christ
Read: Revelation 3
““ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.’” Revelation 3:8
Examine:
As in the messages to the other churches, Christ stated, I know your deeds. In keeping with the description of His authority to open and close doors, He declared, See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. There is no word of rebuke, though Christ said, I know that you have little strength. These words, however, become a basis for His commendation that you have kept My word and have not denied My name. (From the Bible Knowledge Commentary).
Apply:
This morning I was feeling a little heavy and overwhelmed. As I sat down to continue with my reading plan, this verse came to me and prevented me from making my planned reading in 1 Thessalonians. I did not seek this verse so I have no other conclusion but that Christ is speaking to me through God’s Word.
Pray:
Jesus, You have seen my deeds (all of them!). You know the good, the bad, and the ugly. In many ways I have never in all of my life felt such an intense pressure to deny You and retreat to a normal life. In all of my days I have never felt surrounded by more uncertainty regarding You, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. You know my heart and so You know all the sleepless nights during which I wondered if any of You were real and You also know the intensity I felt as I fought the temptation to say this fight was too much for me. You also know that at the end of each struggle my lips have held tight to my profession of faith; I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God, my risen Lord and Savior. I have followed You imperfectly but follow You I have.
I woke up weak this morning. I look at the money I have in the bank, the fact that I have no place to call home, I have no means of transportation, and I face a task that is impossible by anyone’s standard. Yet, I hear Your voice this morning. You have opened a door that no one is able to shut. You have wealth stored up waiting to unleash on the saints who are laboring in this hell on earth. You alone have authority to reconcile this broken place that is currently ruled by the evil one. If it is me that You have chosen as a catalyst I ask that You affirm this today by the power of the Holy Spirit. If I am here only to prepare the way for the one You have chosen I ask that You affirm that as well.
I am not here to serve my own end. I am only here out of obedience to the Word You have spoken. My life is Yours. My obedience is Yours. I will die before I deny the things You have done in my life. Looking past my circumstances I stand firm today on the words that You have spoken knowing that nothing of earth can ever stand in the way of Your authority over all.
““ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.’” Revelation 3:8
Examine:
As in the messages to the other churches, Christ stated, I know your deeds. In keeping with the description of His authority to open and close doors, He declared, See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. There is no word of rebuke, though Christ said, I know that you have little strength. These words, however, become a basis for His commendation that you have kept My word and have not denied My name. (From the Bible Knowledge Commentary).
Apply:
This morning I was feeling a little heavy and overwhelmed. As I sat down to continue with my reading plan, this verse came to me and prevented me from making my planned reading in 1 Thessalonians. I did not seek this verse so I have no other conclusion but that Christ is speaking to me through God’s Word.
Pray:
Jesus, You have seen my deeds (all of them!). You know the good, the bad, and the ugly. In many ways I have never in all of my life felt such an intense pressure to deny You and retreat to a normal life. In all of my days I have never felt surrounded by more uncertainty regarding You, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. You know my heart and so You know all the sleepless nights during which I wondered if any of You were real and You also know the intensity I felt as I fought the temptation to say this fight was too much for me. You also know that at the end of each struggle my lips have held tight to my profession of faith; I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God, my risen Lord and Savior. I have followed You imperfectly but follow You I have.
I woke up weak this morning. I look at the money I have in the bank, the fact that I have no place to call home, I have no means of transportation, and I face a task that is impossible by anyone’s standard. Yet, I hear Your voice this morning. You have opened a door that no one is able to shut. You have wealth stored up waiting to unleash on the saints who are laboring in this hell on earth. You alone have authority to reconcile this broken place that is currently ruled by the evil one. If it is me that You have chosen as a catalyst I ask that You affirm this today by the power of the Holy Spirit. If I am here only to prepare the way for the one You have chosen I ask that You affirm that as well.
I am not here to serve my own end. I am only here out of obedience to the Word You have spoken. My life is Yours. My obedience is Yours. I will die before I deny the things You have done in my life. Looking past my circumstances I stand firm today on the words that You have spoken knowing that nothing of earth can ever stand in the way of Your authority over all.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Amplifying Christ
Read: 1 Thessalonians 1
“For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Examine:
Paul saw the Thessalonians as amplifiers or relay stations that not only received the gospel message but also sent it farther on its way with increased power and scope.
Apply:
In verse three of this chapter Paul highlighted three values or traits that I should carry if I am to amplify the message of Christ: Energized by faith, motivated by love, and steadfast in hope.
Pray:
There are many days that I look at my faith and instead of being energized by it I feel burdened by it. I look at my life and faith seems to feel restricting and confusing. I do not understand how to avoid this or change it, but I know that I cannot share my faith until my faith produces life and energy inside of me. There are nagging doubts, hesitations, and reservations inside of me that riddle my faith with holes. I confess my lack of faith to You today and ask that You ignite inside of me a passionate, unwavering belief in the truth of the gospel.
I also realize the growing love You have planted inside of me. This love is not soft and mushy. It is a compelling love and passion that motivates me to sacrifice for others. It is a love that will cause me to abandon all to strengthen the lives of others. My love is not yet as it should be but I am thankful that it is so much more than it ever has been.
Steadfastness of hope is critical. During dark days and lonely nights it is easy to allow hope to slip. Hope is the fuel of life. Once hope is lost life dwindles and everything falls aside. I pray that the hope you have given would be strong in me today. Protect it from the things of this world that would threaten it. Help it be strong enough to make me different. Help it glow enough that others can see it.
You know where we are, what we face, and the things that need to be accomplished. I submit to Your plans even though I am not comfortable with the level of detail You have given me. I face something today that seems impossible. I pray that the enormity of the task not rob me of the joy of seeing You show up and show out. I love You. I love this life You have given. My greatest fear is to see life live me instead of living life. I sit today in a place of incredible odds and everything in me feels alive. That includes fear and stress. Help me to not be consumed with them but rather allow them to press me deeper into faith, hope and love.
“For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Examine:
Paul saw the Thessalonians as amplifiers or relay stations that not only received the gospel message but also sent it farther on its way with increased power and scope.
Apply:
In verse three of this chapter Paul highlighted three values or traits that I should carry if I am to amplify the message of Christ: Energized by faith, motivated by love, and steadfast in hope.
Pray:
There are many days that I look at my faith and instead of being energized by it I feel burdened by it. I look at my life and faith seems to feel restricting and confusing. I do not understand how to avoid this or change it, but I know that I cannot share my faith until my faith produces life and energy inside of me. There are nagging doubts, hesitations, and reservations inside of me that riddle my faith with holes. I confess my lack of faith to You today and ask that You ignite inside of me a passionate, unwavering belief in the truth of the gospel.
I also realize the growing love You have planted inside of me. This love is not soft and mushy. It is a compelling love and passion that motivates me to sacrifice for others. It is a love that will cause me to abandon all to strengthen the lives of others. My love is not yet as it should be but I am thankful that it is so much more than it ever has been.
Steadfastness of hope is critical. During dark days and lonely nights it is easy to allow hope to slip. Hope is the fuel of life. Once hope is lost life dwindles and everything falls aside. I pray that the hope you have given would be strong in me today. Protect it from the things of this world that would threaten it. Help it be strong enough to make me different. Help it glow enough that others can see it.
You know where we are, what we face, and the things that need to be accomplished. I submit to Your plans even though I am not comfortable with the level of detail You have given me. I face something today that seems impossible. I pray that the enormity of the task not rob me of the joy of seeing You show up and show out. I love You. I love this life You have given. My greatest fear is to see life live me instead of living life. I sit today in a place of incredible odds and everything in me feels alive. That includes fear and stress. Help me to not be consumed with them but rather allow them to press me deeper into faith, hope and love.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Display Your Power
Read: Psalm 87
““I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’” Psalm 87:4
Examine:
God’s purpose is to reconcile people to Himself, and these statements anticipate that five nations—Rahab … Babylon … Philistia… Phoenicia (represented by Tyre) and Cush (present-day southern Egypt, Sudan, and northern Ethiopia)—will be among the peoples who acknowledge Him. “Rahab,” representing Egypt, was probably the name of a powerful demonic force thought to be behind that nation.
Apply:
God is gracious and He has a heart for those who do not know Him. He loves His enemies and pursues them. He never gives up and He expects no less from me. The call of God on my life, and the lives of all believers, will always be centered on seeing people outside of God become people who are sons and daughters of Almighty God.
Pray:
Father, for much of my life I have battled between living for my ambitions and serving my role in Your mission. The daily grind of life and all of its distractions have often made it difficult to stay focused on You and Your purposes. I sit here this morning 10,000 miles from my normal life and now all I have is Your mission.
In the weeks to come I will stand before people and all I have to offer them is the promise of Christ to reconcile things to Himself. I say all because the situation here is so dire that there is absolutely nothing humanly possible that can be done apart from You. My only hope is the power of Christ taking the few small provisions I have and multiplying them. The darkness and death of this place is impossible to put into words. The weight I feel is overwhelming as I think of the tens of thousands of kids in this country who are living alone in conditions full of poverty, hunger, abuse, and rape. But this much I know, whatever You call a person to, You always empower them to accomplish.
Therefore, I will not be counted among those who shrink back. I ask that You prove to the world around me Your pleasure through me. I ask that You anoint me to carry the Power of Christ into the teeth of the hell and death that is here. The power of Satan is well known here and his works are evident. I beg that You unite Your saints here in a way that will show once and for all that our God’s ability to set things right is far greater than the enemy’s power to destroy the world. Make me be today what I cannot be on my own. Shine Your light in me, my wife and my kids. Help us to reflect You and Your great name. Let Your power, Your will and Your purpose come like rushing waters and mighty winds. Anoint even my children to proclaim Your great love. This place is not lost and forgotten. It is close to Your heart and ripe for a miracle. I pray that our work here see that miracle come.
““I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’” Psalm 87:4
Examine:
God’s purpose is to reconcile people to Himself, and these statements anticipate that five nations—Rahab … Babylon … Philistia… Phoenicia (represented by Tyre) and Cush (present-day southern Egypt, Sudan, and northern Ethiopia)—will be among the peoples who acknowledge Him. “Rahab,” representing Egypt, was probably the name of a powerful demonic force thought to be behind that nation.
Apply:
God is gracious and He has a heart for those who do not know Him. He loves His enemies and pursues them. He never gives up and He expects no less from me. The call of God on my life, and the lives of all believers, will always be centered on seeing people outside of God become people who are sons and daughters of Almighty God.
Pray:
Father, for much of my life I have battled between living for my ambitions and serving my role in Your mission. The daily grind of life and all of its distractions have often made it difficult to stay focused on You and Your purposes. I sit here this morning 10,000 miles from my normal life and now all I have is Your mission.
In the weeks to come I will stand before people and all I have to offer them is the promise of Christ to reconcile things to Himself. I say all because the situation here is so dire that there is absolutely nothing humanly possible that can be done apart from You. My only hope is the power of Christ taking the few small provisions I have and multiplying them. The darkness and death of this place is impossible to put into words. The weight I feel is overwhelming as I think of the tens of thousands of kids in this country who are living alone in conditions full of poverty, hunger, abuse, and rape. But this much I know, whatever You call a person to, You always empower them to accomplish.
Therefore, I will not be counted among those who shrink back. I ask that You prove to the world around me Your pleasure through me. I ask that You anoint me to carry the Power of Christ into the teeth of the hell and death that is here. The power of Satan is well known here and his works are evident. I beg that You unite Your saints here in a way that will show once and for all that our God’s ability to set things right is far greater than the enemy’s power to destroy the world. Make me be today what I cannot be on my own. Shine Your light in me, my wife and my kids. Help us to reflect You and Your great name. Let Your power, Your will and Your purpose come like rushing waters and mighty winds. Anoint even my children to proclaim Your great love. This place is not lost and forgotten. It is close to Your heart and ripe for a miracle. I pray that our work here see that miracle come.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
In You
Read: Psalm 84
“How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion! Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring;” Psalm 84:5-6
Examine:
In the day this Psalm was written people could only approach God through the temple priests. They would periodically take a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The Valley of Baca was a region they would have passed through on their journey. This was a particularly arid and barren valley. It was undoubtedly the most difficult part of the journey, but they were so lost in their anticipation of worshipping God that this valley seemed like an oasis to them.
Apply:
Brandy read somewhere this week the following question, “Why is it if a King or President appoints you to a position it is considered an honor for the person to say yes, but when God appoints a person to a work it is considered a sacrifice to say yes.” This question and these verses have collided and are giving me a lot to think about. I often look at this verse and wonder how does one get his strength in God. I think that it is significant to understand that the Psalmist does not say “whose strength comes from God or who gets his strength from God.” The Psalmist clearly says whose strength is IN God. The highways of his heart led him to the heart of God and therefore he clearly knew that God’s strength would provide for him. Where are my highways taking me?
The Psalmist also points out that the people found springs of life in desert places. They understood that pursuing God’s presence would require them to endure a desert land but they allowed the joy of serving God to make small the struggle of walking through deserts. When I say yes to God I have to know that my yes will lead me through dry and hot seasons of testing and trying. It is almost guaranteed. When those seasons hit I have the option of lamenting about my pain or I can turn to God and allow Him to wash over me with His joy. If I focus on my fears, confusion, pain, and longings then the desert will get the best of me. If my heart stays centered on pleasing the Father then I will find springs of life in desert places.
Pray:
I read this verse and I call out to You tonight. I want my strength to be in You. There is a connection with You that is greater than anything this life has to offer to me or threaten to steal from me. I desire for my strength in You to be manifested through me in a way that it will calm my every hurt, cover my every mistake, and strengthen my every weakness. I seek You tonight unlike I have ever had to seek You before. As I step out in faith I pray that I step up experiencing Your strength. Give me authority over the things that surround me. Protect my family, guard our relationships, and deepen our love for one another. Help us stand firm as a group knowing that we are in a place of obedience therefore our strength, power, protection, and provision are all in You and are all sealed by Your promised Helper. Help me feel something of the Holy Spirit that affirms this deep in my soul. I love You Father. There is nothing I can do and no place I can go besides to You. I set everything aside tonight and seek only You.
“How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion! Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring;” Psalm 84:5-6
Examine:
In the day this Psalm was written people could only approach God through the temple priests. They would periodically take a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The Valley of Baca was a region they would have passed through on their journey. This was a particularly arid and barren valley. It was undoubtedly the most difficult part of the journey, but they were so lost in their anticipation of worshipping God that this valley seemed like an oasis to them.
Apply:
Brandy read somewhere this week the following question, “Why is it if a King or President appoints you to a position it is considered an honor for the person to say yes, but when God appoints a person to a work it is considered a sacrifice to say yes.” This question and these verses have collided and are giving me a lot to think about. I often look at this verse and wonder how does one get his strength in God. I think that it is significant to understand that the Psalmist does not say “whose strength comes from God or who gets his strength from God.” The Psalmist clearly says whose strength is IN God. The highways of his heart led him to the heart of God and therefore he clearly knew that God’s strength would provide for him. Where are my highways taking me?
The Psalmist also points out that the people found springs of life in desert places. They understood that pursuing God’s presence would require them to endure a desert land but they allowed the joy of serving God to make small the struggle of walking through deserts. When I say yes to God I have to know that my yes will lead me through dry and hot seasons of testing and trying. It is almost guaranteed. When those seasons hit I have the option of lamenting about my pain or I can turn to God and allow Him to wash over me with His joy. If I focus on my fears, confusion, pain, and longings then the desert will get the best of me. If my heart stays centered on pleasing the Father then I will find springs of life in desert places.
Pray:
I read this verse and I call out to You tonight. I want my strength to be in You. There is a connection with You that is greater than anything this life has to offer to me or threaten to steal from me. I desire for my strength in You to be manifested through me in a way that it will calm my every hurt, cover my every mistake, and strengthen my every weakness. I seek You tonight unlike I have ever had to seek You before. As I step out in faith I pray that I step up experiencing Your strength. Give me authority over the things that surround me. Protect my family, guard our relationships, and deepen our love for one another. Help us stand firm as a group knowing that we are in a place of obedience therefore our strength, power, protection, and provision are all in You and are all sealed by Your promised Helper. Help me feel something of the Holy Spirit that affirms this deep in my soul. I love You Father. There is nothing I can do and no place I can go besides to You. I set everything aside tonight and seek only You.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Nevertheless
Read: Psalm 73
“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.” Psalm 73:28
Examine:
Aspah looked around at the world and became deeply troubled. He saw the life of those who pursued wealth over God and their lives were much better than his. They achieved great wealth, lived padded lives, and generally carried themselves without much care. Aspah chose to pursue righteousness and yet his life was stricken with pain. So much so in fact that he came to a place where he even wondered if following after God was worth it. Then, he entered the sanctuary and was reminded of the truth of God and the shortness of this life. In the end the rewards of the world cannot compare to what God has planned for those who have suffered loss in His name.
Apply:
There is a line in this chapter I just love, “Nevertheless I am continually with You.” I, like Asaph, must come to a place that regardless of my feelings I continue to acknowledge that it is good to draw near to God and trust in Him. The “nevertheless” part is hard. Nevertheless means in spite of nothing going as it should I will still follow. Nevertheless means in spite of others passing me by I will still stay submitted. Nevertheless means that in spite of sleepless nights, uncomforted pain, and empty sacrifice I will still say yes. Nevertheless means that I value drawing near to God over succeeding in this life and that I am willing to prove it.
Pray:
Father it is good to draw near to You. That is my confession of faith today. As I remain in a season where drawing near and following You continues to cause me loss I cry out to You “Yes!” I have no place to go besides You. I have no other hope besides You. If You are not who You say You are and if all that I have believed of You, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are not true then I am to be pitied among fools for the choices I have made. I am counting on You to make good of Your word.
My life has not turned out like I planned it. There is not one aspect of where I am right now that is of my choosing. You have led me here and I have followed. As I look around and though this season of life would not have been my preferred choice I know that You have given it to me because it is best. I accept Your good even when it feels like loss. You discipline those You love. You refine those who are Yours. You invite Your children to suffer loss in this world so that they may find their full reward in the life to come. Sustain me today Father. Let my heart overflow with Your presence, let my words drip with Your grace, and let my feet be quick to run after Your leading. Selah!
“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.” Psalm 73:28
Examine:
Aspah looked around at the world and became deeply troubled. He saw the life of those who pursued wealth over God and their lives were much better than his. They achieved great wealth, lived padded lives, and generally carried themselves without much care. Aspah chose to pursue righteousness and yet his life was stricken with pain. So much so in fact that he came to a place where he even wondered if following after God was worth it. Then, he entered the sanctuary and was reminded of the truth of God and the shortness of this life. In the end the rewards of the world cannot compare to what God has planned for those who have suffered loss in His name.
Apply:
There is a line in this chapter I just love, “Nevertheless I am continually with You.” I, like Asaph, must come to a place that regardless of my feelings I continue to acknowledge that it is good to draw near to God and trust in Him. The “nevertheless” part is hard. Nevertheless means in spite of nothing going as it should I will still follow. Nevertheless means in spite of others passing me by I will still stay submitted. Nevertheless means that in spite of sleepless nights, uncomforted pain, and empty sacrifice I will still say yes. Nevertheless means that I value drawing near to God over succeeding in this life and that I am willing to prove it.
Pray:
Father it is good to draw near to You. That is my confession of faith today. As I remain in a season where drawing near and following You continues to cause me loss I cry out to You “Yes!” I have no place to go besides You. I have no other hope besides You. If You are not who You say You are and if all that I have believed of You, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are not true then I am to be pitied among fools for the choices I have made. I am counting on You to make good of Your word.
My life has not turned out like I planned it. There is not one aspect of where I am right now that is of my choosing. You have led me here and I have followed. As I look around and though this season of life would not have been my preferred choice I know that You have given it to me because it is best. I accept Your good even when it feels like loss. You discipline those You love. You refine those who are Yours. You invite Your children to suffer loss in this world so that they may find their full reward in the life to come. Sustain me today Father. Let my heart overflow with Your presence, let my words drip with Your grace, and let my feet be quick to run after Your leading. Selah!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Against the Wind
Read:
“Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it.” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine:
Church people have a tendency spend most of their energy fighting among themselves and throwing rocks at other people. Paul offers the solution to bickering and division in this verse; worry with your own evaluation.
Apply:
Over the past few months I have had my share of rock throwers. The work that God has birthed in me has been highly scrutinized and I have been told no more times than I have heard yes. Instead of feeling “sent” I have spent many days feeling abandoned and forgotten. Wounds hurt and they often lead me to a place where it is tempting to return what has been given to me. I want to pick up my own rocks and do some tossing. But, rock tossing is a really stupid sport.
My son Bryce just walked in and asked me if I had ever heard of this song, “I believe there is a miracle around the bend so I set my face against the wind and learn once again to live by faith.” I love when God does things like that. Rock tossing tears down, but walking in faith and allowing God to produce inside of me the things He desires of me is the best option. When the support dwindles, the night gets dark, and the battle intensifies I have to determine within myself to stay the course. Nothing of man can ever hurt a work of God. I have to set my face against the wind, believe in the miracle around the corner, and keep learning deeper levels of faith.
Pray:
Father, I need to ask Your help this morning. I am not holding on to anger. I have evaluated my heart and I am honestly in a place where I do not harbor any bitterness. But I still carry wounds. They have not healed and I am not sure what to do. I can confess sin and move on but I cannot will or confess a wound to be healed. There are words these wounds desire to hear that I have come to accept will never be spoken.
So, I turn to You this morning. I ask that You heal what has been wounded in me and in my wife. As we set our faces against the wind and walk out this journey I pray that we will put our focus on You and the people who have truly loved and supported the work You are doing in us. I pray that we not allow our hurts to rob You of the praise that is Yours and that it does not hinder the work You desire from us.
Strengthen my faith today and bless the fruit my life needs to bear. My prayers are weak Father. I know what it feels like to pray with authority and where I am today is not anointed. My ability to teach the Word is weak. I know what if feels like to bring an anointed Word and where I am today is not strong enough. My faith is easily shaken. I know what it feels like to be unmovable and right now I struggle to find good footing. I confess my sins and shortcomings to You today resting in the truth that they are settled with You. I proclaim Your promise to be faithful to complete what You started in me. You have led us to fight for people who have no voice; I pray that You anoint me to speak on their behalf, to fight for Your heart for them, and to keep enduring until their cries have been heard by those who have the capacity to help.
“Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it.” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine:
Church people have a tendency spend most of their energy fighting among themselves and throwing rocks at other people. Paul offers the solution to bickering and division in this verse; worry with your own evaluation.
Apply:
Over the past few months I have had my share of rock throwers. The work that God has birthed in me has been highly scrutinized and I have been told no more times than I have heard yes. Instead of feeling “sent” I have spent many days feeling abandoned and forgotten. Wounds hurt and they often lead me to a place where it is tempting to return what has been given to me. I want to pick up my own rocks and do some tossing. But, rock tossing is a really stupid sport.
My son Bryce just walked in and asked me if I had ever heard of this song, “I believe there is a miracle around the bend so I set my face against the wind and learn once again to live by faith.” I love when God does things like that. Rock tossing tears down, but walking in faith and allowing God to produce inside of me the things He desires of me is the best option. When the support dwindles, the night gets dark, and the battle intensifies I have to determine within myself to stay the course. Nothing of man can ever hurt a work of God. I have to set my face against the wind, believe in the miracle around the corner, and keep learning deeper levels of faith.
Pray:
Father, I need to ask Your help this morning. I am not holding on to anger. I have evaluated my heart and I am honestly in a place where I do not harbor any bitterness. But I still carry wounds. They have not healed and I am not sure what to do. I can confess sin and move on but I cannot will or confess a wound to be healed. There are words these wounds desire to hear that I have come to accept will never be spoken.
So, I turn to You this morning. I ask that You heal what has been wounded in me and in my wife. As we set our faces against the wind and walk out this journey I pray that we will put our focus on You and the people who have truly loved and supported the work You are doing in us. I pray that we not allow our hurts to rob You of the praise that is Yours and that it does not hinder the work You desire from us.
Strengthen my faith today and bless the fruit my life needs to bear. My prayers are weak Father. I know what it feels like to pray with authority and where I am today is not anointed. My ability to teach the Word is weak. I know what if feels like to bring an anointed Word and where I am today is not strong enough. My faith is easily shaken. I know what it feels like to be unmovable and right now I struggle to find good footing. I confess my sins and shortcomings to You today resting in the truth that they are settled with You. I proclaim Your promise to be faithful to complete what You started in me. You have led us to fight for people who have no voice; I pray that You anoint me to speak on their behalf, to fight for Your heart for them, and to keep enduring until their cries have been heard by those who have the capacity to help.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Gerald's Eyes
Read:
“but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.” 2 Corinthians 12:6
Examine:
Paul did not care what people thought of him. His only ambition in life was to see the people impacted by his leadership stand before God with confidence.
Apply:
There is a man back home where I grew up and his name is Gerald. When I think about the men I have modeled my life after Gerald is one. I do not know anything about his station in life. I don’t know how much money he has made nor do I know of the impact he has had. There is only one thing I know about Gerald, his eyes. Whenever I see him there are two things about his eyes that capture me. First, they sparkle with Christ. To look at Gerald is the closest thing I have ever seen to looking at Jesus. Without speaking a word he draws me near to Jesus. The presence of Christ just radiates from him. Second, they communicate how much he really cares about my relationship with Jesus. Gerald has never really asked me how I was doing. He always asks “You walking with the Lord?” When he asks there is not a hint of judgment; the only thing his piercing blue eyes communicate is a welcoming sense that I am safe to respond honestly. Gerald is a great man and I have often prayed that God would give me those eyes.
Reputation in this life is mostly based on success. No one likes to been seen as or be associated with failure so a person of good reputation is someone who has accomplished much and lives a successful life. Introductions all center on accomplishments. It is like the opening of any new interaction with a person or a group begins with 30 minutes of people building themselves up. I hate this. There is a part of me that would just like to stand up and start with my failures and shortcomings. Successes are great but I have learned all that I know of Christ by walking with Him in my weaknesses. Hiding these to me feels like hiding my greatest successes in life. The closer I grow to Christ the more transparent I find my life becoming. The more transparent I become the more freedom I experience in life. The things I keep hidden in the closet bear guilt and shame. The things I bring out and share with others find strength and healing as they are exposed to the light.
Pray:
When I think of the men who have impacted my life there are two for which I am grateful this morning. Gerald taught me that my witness is not my ability to articulate the things of God as much as it is You shining through me. My dad taught me that it is ok to be imperfect in my pursuit of You as long as I am honest about my failures. When I place those things together it forms the ultimate goal of all I could hope to experience as a man of God. Christ reflecting through me as I honestly share what You taught me in my failures is the witness I desire to carry into the world.
“but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.” 2 Corinthians 12:6
Examine:
Paul did not care what people thought of him. His only ambition in life was to see the people impacted by his leadership stand before God with confidence.
Apply:
There is a man back home where I grew up and his name is Gerald. When I think about the men I have modeled my life after Gerald is one. I do not know anything about his station in life. I don’t know how much money he has made nor do I know of the impact he has had. There is only one thing I know about Gerald, his eyes. Whenever I see him there are two things about his eyes that capture me. First, they sparkle with Christ. To look at Gerald is the closest thing I have ever seen to looking at Jesus. Without speaking a word he draws me near to Jesus. The presence of Christ just radiates from him. Second, they communicate how much he really cares about my relationship with Jesus. Gerald has never really asked me how I was doing. He always asks “You walking with the Lord?” When he asks there is not a hint of judgment; the only thing his piercing blue eyes communicate is a welcoming sense that I am safe to respond honestly. Gerald is a great man and I have often prayed that God would give me those eyes.
Reputation in this life is mostly based on success. No one likes to been seen as or be associated with failure so a person of good reputation is someone who has accomplished much and lives a successful life. Introductions all center on accomplishments. It is like the opening of any new interaction with a person or a group begins with 30 minutes of people building themselves up. I hate this. There is a part of me that would just like to stand up and start with my failures and shortcomings. Successes are great but I have learned all that I know of Christ by walking with Him in my weaknesses. Hiding these to me feels like hiding my greatest successes in life. The closer I grow to Christ the more transparent I find my life becoming. The more transparent I become the more freedom I experience in life. The things I keep hidden in the closet bear guilt and shame. The things I bring out and share with others find strength and healing as they are exposed to the light.
Pray:
When I think of the men who have impacted my life there are two for which I am grateful this morning. Gerald taught me that my witness is not my ability to articulate the things of God as much as it is You shining through me. My dad taught me that it is ok to be imperfect in my pursuit of You as long as I am honest about my failures. When I place those things together it forms the ultimate goal of all I could hope to experience as a man of God. Christ reflecting through me as I honestly share what You taught me in my failures is the witness I desire to carry into the world.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Victory Over Strongholds
Read: 2 Corinthians 10
“but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,” 2 Corinthians 10:4
Examine:
Strongholds come in many forms. They can be people, sins, weaknesses, confusion, recurring thoughts, fears or anything else in our life that threatens the work of God. In verses 3, 4, and 5 of this chapter Paul outlines three keys to gaining victory over strongholds.
Apply:
The first place to start is always the mission. Paul points this out to me in verse 5 by reminding me that the goal is always obedience to Christ. Overcoming a stronghold is never about winning or conquering; it is about alignment and submission. My pride often desires to overcome something so that I can say, “Look at what I did.” There are also times that I desire to overcome a stronghold because I feel like I will be in a better position to demand things from God. Those objectives are corrupt and I cannot fight corruption with corruption. My passion in fighting a stronghold has to be rooted in brokenness over the pain the stronghold causes Christ.
This mission is always first, but a close second is putting down weapons of the flesh as Paul mentions in verse 3. Weapons of the flesh are things like learning, knowledge, personal influence, impressive credentials, polished arguments, and self-determination. Those things are not evil and God does not forbid them but they cannot and will not ever have any power over spiritual strongholds. I have to set them aside.
The hardest part of this lesson is humbling myself to picking up only the weapons of God. Just as it seemed insignificant when David stood against Goliath with only a few small stones and a slingshot it also feels insignificant to acknowledge that the only weapons God desires us to use are His proclaimed Word and prayer. Those two things are the only hope I have in seeing strongholds demolished.
Prayer:
This morning I woke up with a deep brokenness in my heart over a particular stronghold. Lust is longing for something I do not have purely for the purposes of gratifying something You have forbidden. Lust is a stronghold in my life. It is a battle I face daily and something that threatens me every moment of every day. I try to use weapons of the flesh by protecting what I see, being careful where I go, turning my head when temptation comes, and determining in myself to stay pure. Those things are good and necessary but they are weak defenses and can be overcome if the situation is right. They do not have the power to change my heart from desiring dark things nor can they center it on celebrating the things of Light.
Having the right motive, putting aside weapons of the flesh, and fighting with Your Word and prayer is the only way to overcome strongholds. As I say that I know that it is true but I also know that I am clueless on where to go from here. My prayer life is weak. I understand the power of Your Word more each day and have learned to joyfully anticipate walking with You in it each morning but my prayers often feel useless. I do not experience the power of You flowing through them in a manner that I see my strongholds demolished.
This pains my flesh to say and I honestly do not look forward to what I am inviting You to do, but Father I ask that You take my heart align it with Christ more deeply, remove its focus from weapons of the flesh, and teach it to effectively wield the weapons of Your Word and prayer.
“but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,” 2 Corinthians 10:4
Examine:
Strongholds come in many forms. They can be people, sins, weaknesses, confusion, recurring thoughts, fears or anything else in our life that threatens the work of God. In verses 3, 4, and 5 of this chapter Paul outlines three keys to gaining victory over strongholds.
Apply:
The first place to start is always the mission. Paul points this out to me in verse 5 by reminding me that the goal is always obedience to Christ. Overcoming a stronghold is never about winning or conquering; it is about alignment and submission. My pride often desires to overcome something so that I can say, “Look at what I did.” There are also times that I desire to overcome a stronghold because I feel like I will be in a better position to demand things from God. Those objectives are corrupt and I cannot fight corruption with corruption. My passion in fighting a stronghold has to be rooted in brokenness over the pain the stronghold causes Christ.
This mission is always first, but a close second is putting down weapons of the flesh as Paul mentions in verse 3. Weapons of the flesh are things like learning, knowledge, personal influence, impressive credentials, polished arguments, and self-determination. Those things are not evil and God does not forbid them but they cannot and will not ever have any power over spiritual strongholds. I have to set them aside.
The hardest part of this lesson is humbling myself to picking up only the weapons of God. Just as it seemed insignificant when David stood against Goliath with only a few small stones and a slingshot it also feels insignificant to acknowledge that the only weapons God desires us to use are His proclaimed Word and prayer. Those two things are the only hope I have in seeing strongholds demolished.
Prayer:
This morning I woke up with a deep brokenness in my heart over a particular stronghold. Lust is longing for something I do not have purely for the purposes of gratifying something You have forbidden. Lust is a stronghold in my life. It is a battle I face daily and something that threatens me every moment of every day. I try to use weapons of the flesh by protecting what I see, being careful where I go, turning my head when temptation comes, and determining in myself to stay pure. Those things are good and necessary but they are weak defenses and can be overcome if the situation is right. They do not have the power to change my heart from desiring dark things nor can they center it on celebrating the things of Light.
Having the right motive, putting aside weapons of the flesh, and fighting with Your Word and prayer is the only way to overcome strongholds. As I say that I know that it is true but I also know that I am clueless on where to go from here. My prayer life is weak. I understand the power of Your Word more each day and have learned to joyfully anticipate walking with You in it each morning but my prayers often feel useless. I do not experience the power of You flowing through them in a manner that I see my strongholds demolished.
This pains my flesh to say and I honestly do not look forward to what I am inviting You to do, but Father I ask that You take my heart align it with Christ more deeply, remove its focus from weapons of the flesh, and teach it to effectively wield the weapons of Your Word and prayer.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Weapons and Warfare
Read: 2 Corinthians 6
“And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” 2 Corinthians 6:1
Examine:
To receive the grace of God in vain is to receive it without purpose. The Grace of God is given freely but it is given with expectation. The expectation is that the receiver of the grace joins God battle. Later in this chapter Paul returns to his usual metaphors of soldiering and outlines the offensive and defensive weapons we have been given.
Apply:
There are three sets of defensive weapons listed:
Innocence and purity- My best defense is not being vulnerable or exposed in the first place. My choices have to be innocent and pure.
Knowledge and insight- My head needs to be in the game and my eyes need to be constantly scanning the horizon. I should never get caught flat-footed.
Long-suffering and patience- My mental toughness is imperative. There is nothing more lethal to good defense than quitting or being over aggressive.
There are three offensive weapons:
The Holy Spirit- The very power of God. The same force that raised Christ from the dead. The promise of things to come. The enabler of greater things.
The love of Christ- Freedom from sin. Adoption as sons and joint heirs. The availability of all that is in heaven. Alignment with the mission of the Father. The valor needed to fight until the end.
The power of God’s Word- It is infallible. It rightly divides. Its spoken power created the heavens and earth. It is alive, active and at work still today.
Pray:
When I look at the two sets of weapons listed above I immediately want to land on the offensive ones. They represent power, strength, courage, victory and moving forward. Nothing feels better than the thought of kicking some tail and winning a battle. The defensive list, on the other hand, is not so immediately exciting. It represents a different set of challenges as most of them point to me restraining myself and keeping my flesh in check. I need both in my life and I recognize the training in need in using them. I pray that You help pick these up today and use them effectively.
“And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” 2 Corinthians 6:1
Examine:
To receive the grace of God in vain is to receive it without purpose. The Grace of God is given freely but it is given with expectation. The expectation is that the receiver of the grace joins God battle. Later in this chapter Paul returns to his usual metaphors of soldiering and outlines the offensive and defensive weapons we have been given.
Apply:
There are three sets of defensive weapons listed:
Innocence and purity- My best defense is not being vulnerable or exposed in the first place. My choices have to be innocent and pure.
Knowledge and insight- My head needs to be in the game and my eyes need to be constantly scanning the horizon. I should never get caught flat-footed.
Long-suffering and patience- My mental toughness is imperative. There is nothing more lethal to good defense than quitting or being over aggressive.
There are three offensive weapons:
The Holy Spirit- The very power of God. The same force that raised Christ from the dead. The promise of things to come. The enabler of greater things.
The love of Christ- Freedom from sin. Adoption as sons and joint heirs. The availability of all that is in heaven. Alignment with the mission of the Father. The valor needed to fight until the end.
The power of God’s Word- It is infallible. It rightly divides. Its spoken power created the heavens and earth. It is alive, active and at work still today.
Pray:
When I look at the two sets of weapons listed above I immediately want to land on the offensive ones. They represent power, strength, courage, victory and moving forward. Nothing feels better than the thought of kicking some tail and winning a battle. The defensive list, on the other hand, is not so immediately exciting. It represents a different set of challenges as most of them point to me restraining myself and keeping my flesh in check. I need both in my life and I recognize the training in need in using them. I pray that You help pick these up today and use them effectively.
Monday, June 6, 2011
An Announcement
Seven years ago I hopped onto a plane and landed in Chicago to interview for the job of a lifetime. My career path was clear, my goals were set, and I was well on my way to attaining everything that I had ever wanted in life. During the course of a dinner, God began to whisper in my ear a series of questions that ultimately led me to a crossroad. In the end, He simply asked me what it was that I truly desired for my life and my family. I vividly remember leaving the dinner table that night with an awareness that the rules of life that I had lived by had just been shifted by the God of the Universe. That night started an incredible journey. I resigned from a great job in my family’s business without knowing what it was that God was asking of me. I abandoned plans to start my own company in order to follow God’s leading in accepting a staff position at Pinelake. Once I settled in at Pinelake, I thought I had finally discovered what God had in store for my life. Then, a couple of years later and completely out of the blue, another whisper knocked the air out of my lungs.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” I was sitting on a deer stand one cold December morning when those words of Jesus sent a chill that cut straight through my clothing and caused me to shiver in response. As I began to sit and quietly assess my life, I began to realize that my life did not reflect these greater things Jesus talked about. Shortly thereafter God captured my heart for the fatherless, and for the second time in five years I resigned from my job without any clear direction as to what God was calling us to next.
Thirty days after I announced what I sensed to be God’s leading to the senior staff at Pinelake, I found myself kneeling and crying in the red clay dirt of South Africa as God’s next call on my life became clear. A simple whisper from Him on a windy afternoon in the community of Sweetwaters started a 10-month journey that has been nothing short of agonizing. God has been incredibly gracious to us. We have not gone without anything and His voice in our lives has been evident. At the same time though, it has been gut-wrenching as we have seen Him reveal to us the truth about ourselves, tear down walls that separated us from Him, and separate us from relationships that were not what we thought they were. There have been sleepless nights, endless days, and countless obstacles. We have fallen down so many times that I can honestly say there is no way we should still be standing. In the midst of it all, we have done the only thing we know to do, and that is to keep walking towards the last thing that God asked of us. For us, that is the community of Sweetwaters.
This past week, God did some amazing things to lead us to a place where we understood it was time for us to take another leap of faith. We have purchased plane tickets and will be leaving on June 17th with our three children and will be staying in South Africa for 3 months. I wish I could outline for you the ten things we will accomplish during this stay, but I can’t even tell you where we will be living at this point. We are once again stepping out with God and doing something that feels really dumb; but we do so putting our faith in the God of the Heavens. That sounds simple, but let me tell you it is not. I have never before looked in the eyes of my wife and kids and felt the pressure of being their spiritual leader like I do right now. I fear so many things right now, but one thing God has clearly taught me is that faith is not the absence of fear. Faith is stepping forward and walking out in defiance of the fear that torments us.
As painful as this feels to me, I had a reminder this week of why God is going through such great lengths to bring support to the ministries fighting for Sweetwaters. Tabitha Ministry recently received a new child. This is little Aphiwe:
When Tabitha found Aphiwe, she was living in a household headed by a 14-year-old girl. Aphiwe was born prematurely along with a twin who died shortly after birth. After Aphiwe’s mother died, this little one was released to the care of her 14-year- old relative. Aphiwe had an open trach and a feeding tube. The 14-year-old had several other children in her care and while she did her best, Aphiwe was massively under cared for. Gail’s team at Tabitha did an amazing job once they received Aphiwe. She recovered to the point that the doctors swore there was no way this was the same child. They were very optimistic about her recovery when I last saw her and were making decisions on when to close the trach and remove the feeding tube. You can imagine my shock when Gail emailed me earlier this week to tell me that little Aphiwe passed away Sunday night.
This saddens me greatly. It also motivates me. It helps me put my life, my stress and my struggles into perspective. No matter the pain I feel at the moment, it pales in comparison to the pain these kids and workers face on a daily basis. I am taken back to the words of my 7-year-old son, “Daddy, if you think we can help them, then we should go.” So that is what we are doing.
I ask that You continue to pray for us and follow our journey. Please pray that we will have the patience to wait on God and the faith necessary to trust His leadership. I ask that you pray in particular for my wife and kids. We can lose a lot and still minister, but if we lose our family we will fall down. Satan understands this and will not miss a chance. I also ask that you pray for God to bless the ministries of Tabitha and iThemba as we partner with them in projects that will impact the community. We need the favor of God to rain down. Lastly, I ask that You prayerfully consider how you can get involved in the work of Restoration Hope. Visit our site at www.restorationhope.org
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” I was sitting on a deer stand one cold December morning when those words of Jesus sent a chill that cut straight through my clothing and caused me to shiver in response. As I began to sit and quietly assess my life, I began to realize that my life did not reflect these greater things Jesus talked about. Shortly thereafter God captured my heart for the fatherless, and for the second time in five years I resigned from my job without any clear direction as to what God was calling us to next.
Thirty days after I announced what I sensed to be God’s leading to the senior staff at Pinelake, I found myself kneeling and crying in the red clay dirt of South Africa as God’s next call on my life became clear. A simple whisper from Him on a windy afternoon in the community of Sweetwaters started a 10-month journey that has been nothing short of agonizing. God has been incredibly gracious to us. We have not gone without anything and His voice in our lives has been evident. At the same time though, it has been gut-wrenching as we have seen Him reveal to us the truth about ourselves, tear down walls that separated us from Him, and separate us from relationships that were not what we thought they were. There have been sleepless nights, endless days, and countless obstacles. We have fallen down so many times that I can honestly say there is no way we should still be standing. In the midst of it all, we have done the only thing we know to do, and that is to keep walking towards the last thing that God asked of us. For us, that is the community of Sweetwaters.
This past week, God did some amazing things to lead us to a place where we understood it was time for us to take another leap of faith. We have purchased plane tickets and will be leaving on June 17th with our three children and will be staying in South Africa for 3 months. I wish I could outline for you the ten things we will accomplish during this stay, but I can’t even tell you where we will be living at this point. We are once again stepping out with God and doing something that feels really dumb; but we do so putting our faith in the God of the Heavens. That sounds simple, but let me tell you it is not. I have never before looked in the eyes of my wife and kids and felt the pressure of being their spiritual leader like I do right now. I fear so many things right now, but one thing God has clearly taught me is that faith is not the absence of fear. Faith is stepping forward and walking out in defiance of the fear that torments us.
As painful as this feels to me, I had a reminder this week of why God is going through such great lengths to bring support to the ministries fighting for Sweetwaters. Tabitha Ministry recently received a new child. This is little Aphiwe:
When Tabitha found Aphiwe, she was living in a household headed by a 14-year-old girl. Aphiwe was born prematurely along with a twin who died shortly after birth. After Aphiwe’s mother died, this little one was released to the care of her 14-year- old relative. Aphiwe had an open trach and a feeding tube. The 14-year-old had several other children in her care and while she did her best, Aphiwe was massively under cared for. Gail’s team at Tabitha did an amazing job once they received Aphiwe. She recovered to the point that the doctors swore there was no way this was the same child. They were very optimistic about her recovery when I last saw her and were making decisions on when to close the trach and remove the feeding tube. You can imagine my shock when Gail emailed me earlier this week to tell me that little Aphiwe passed away Sunday night.
This saddens me greatly. It also motivates me. It helps me put my life, my stress and my struggles into perspective. No matter the pain I feel at the moment, it pales in comparison to the pain these kids and workers face on a daily basis. I am taken back to the words of my 7-year-old son, “Daddy, if you think we can help them, then we should go.” So that is what we are doing.
I ask that You continue to pray for us and follow our journey. Please pray that we will have the patience to wait on God and the faith necessary to trust His leadership. I ask that you pray in particular for my wife and kids. We can lose a lot and still minister, but if we lose our family we will fall down. Satan understands this and will not miss a chance. I also ask that you pray for God to bless the ministries of Tabitha and iThemba as we partner with them in projects that will impact the community. We need the favor of God to rain down. Lastly, I ask that You prayerfully consider how you can get involved in the work of Restoration Hope. Visit our site at www.restorationhope.org
A Huge Question
Read: 2 Corinthians 5
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10
Examine:
When we are judged, God brings into consideration what a person’s purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing. We are not judged on our intentions or religious activities. We are judged on the body of work produced by our faith in Christ.
Apply:
This passage leads to the question, “what am I giving myself and my attention to accomplishing?” This is a huge question that should not be taken lightly. In the end the answer to this question will determine the body of work produced by my life. I have to consider it very carefully. My flesh is very deceptive. It is easy to get confused. There are times that the things of God are not what have my attention and they are not the goal I hope to accomplish, but instead they are the tools I am trying to use to capture what has my attention and focus. Using the things of God to accomplish worldly success and comfort is not a holy pursuit.
Pray:
In the end Father the only thing that counts is the role I played in Your ministry of reconciling all people to Yourself through Jesus. Seeing people move from darkness to light is the only prize worth pursuing. In order to do that I must first walk in the light and radiate it clearly. I pray that Your Holy Spirit would be full inside of me today. I gladly share the things that I love and have in abundance. I pray that grace of Christ be mine in abundance and joy today. Let my heart overflow with it, let my lips speak of it with every utterance, and let my mind dwell on it continually.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10
Examine:
When we are judged, God brings into consideration what a person’s purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing. We are not judged on our intentions or religious activities. We are judged on the body of work produced by our faith in Christ.
Apply:
This passage leads to the question, “what am I giving myself and my attention to accomplishing?” This is a huge question that should not be taken lightly. In the end the answer to this question will determine the body of work produced by my life. I have to consider it very carefully. My flesh is very deceptive. It is easy to get confused. There are times that the things of God are not what have my attention and they are not the goal I hope to accomplish, but instead they are the tools I am trying to use to capture what has my attention and focus. Using the things of God to accomplish worldly success and comfort is not a holy pursuit.
Pray:
In the end Father the only thing that counts is the role I played in Your ministry of reconciling all people to Yourself through Jesus. Seeing people move from darkness to light is the only prize worth pursuing. In order to do that I must first walk in the light and radiate it clearly. I pray that Your Holy Spirit would be full inside of me today. I gladly share the things that I love and have in abundance. I pray that grace of Christ be mine in abundance and joy today. Let my heart overflow with it, let my lips speak of it with every utterance, and let my mind dwell on it continually.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Fueled Heart
Read: 2 Corinthians 4
“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart…” 2 Corinthians 4:1
Examine:
One of the greatest risks a follower of Christ faces is losing heart. In this verse, Paul explains that the reason he doesn’t lose heart is his connection to the glory of God, his gratitude over what God did in his life, and his heart to see others come to Christ.
Apply:
The heart is everything. There are many ways to define it but all the definitions share a common theme in that the heart is the center of life. My emotions, my attitudes, my values, and the very essence of my being all flow out of my heart. If I lose my heart, I lose everything. Satan knows this. If he can get me to lose heart then I become weak, feeble, and useless. He also understands the opposite is true. If I hold fast to the glory of God in my heart; he is powerless over me. Nothing can stop a man with a fire in his heart that is fueled by the glory of God.
Pray:
You have continually brought me back to Your glory and my need to allow it to overwhelm my heart. As You have done this, I have come to understand that Your glory is not something I have really ever tapped into as a source of life, strength and motivation.
Over the past few months I know without a doubt that the work You have been doing in my life has been clearing out my heart to make room for Your glory to expand. As You have stripped things away from me, You have made me aware that I had unknowingly placed those things above You. Although the journey that has brought me to this place has not been enjoyable, I recognize in my heart a deep hunger for You that has never been there before.
As I journey ahead into the next phase of this journey, I pray that the open spaces in my heart only be filled with a deeper experience, expression, and reflection of Your glory. Lead me to find joy in dying to myself, protect me from fearing rejection from others, and prevent me from losing sight of the eternal. Let my heart be fueled by an insatiable desire to taste and share Your great glory.
“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart…” 2 Corinthians 4:1
Examine:
One of the greatest risks a follower of Christ faces is losing heart. In this verse, Paul explains that the reason he doesn’t lose heart is his connection to the glory of God, his gratitude over what God did in his life, and his heart to see others come to Christ.
Apply:
The heart is everything. There are many ways to define it but all the definitions share a common theme in that the heart is the center of life. My emotions, my attitudes, my values, and the very essence of my being all flow out of my heart. If I lose my heart, I lose everything. Satan knows this. If he can get me to lose heart then I become weak, feeble, and useless. He also understands the opposite is true. If I hold fast to the glory of God in my heart; he is powerless over me. Nothing can stop a man with a fire in his heart that is fueled by the glory of God.
Pray:
You have continually brought me back to Your glory and my need to allow it to overwhelm my heart. As You have done this, I have come to understand that Your glory is not something I have really ever tapped into as a source of life, strength and motivation.
Over the past few months I know without a doubt that the work You have been doing in my life has been clearing out my heart to make room for Your glory to expand. As You have stripped things away from me, You have made me aware that I had unknowingly placed those things above You. Although the journey that has brought me to this place has not been enjoyable, I recognize in my heart a deep hunger for You that has never been there before.
As I journey ahead into the next phase of this journey, I pray that the open spaces in my heart only be filled with a deeper experience, expression, and reflection of Your glory. Lead me to find joy in dying to myself, protect me from fearing rejection from others, and prevent me from losing sight of the eternal. Let my heart be fueled by an insatiable desire to taste and share Your great glory.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
The Glory of It
Read: 2 Corinthians 3
“For if that which was but passing and fading away came with splendor, how much more must that which remains and is permanent abide in glory and splendor!” 2 Corinthians 3:11
Examine:
The great illustration in this passage regarding glory is the one of Moses coming down the mountain with the tablets. The glory of God was so great on him that his faced glowed. Paul’s point in painting this picture is if God poured out His glory to that degree on Moses, who was carrying the temporary and painful news of the law, how much more should people expect to radiate God’s glory when they carry the eternal and joyful news of the Gospel of Christ?
Apply:
This morning’s reading has reminded me that tools and trainings are important and useful, but they are not the most effective things in sharing the gospel. The most influential method for sharing the gospel is me experiencing and reflecting the glory of God.
Pray:
I sit this morning and I think about Moses coming down that hill with his face all a glow. I can close my eyes and see my picture version of this scene in my head. I see the people falling on the ground and asking him to cover his face because it freaked them out so bad. I think to myself how cool it must have been for Moses to be filled with that much glory and secretly in my heart I wish that I would be able to have a similar experience. Upon grabbing ahold of that secret thought I am awakened by the reality represented in 2 Corinthians 3.
Father, this passage from Your Word says that I should reflect a greater glory than even Moses did. As I examine my life my honest reply to this truth is that if my current life fully reflects the glory spoken of in this chapter from Paul then all of this is a sham. Since I know that Your word is not a sham it is safe for me to conclude You are not finished with me yet.
This morning I am not sure how to pray. There is a hesitancy in me to ask You to show me Your glory. I think it is in part because I fear losing my perceived control over my life. I am smart enough to know that more of You requires less of me. The “less of me” part of that equation is not fun or easy.
In this moment, as tempting as it is to draw back, I do want to press forward. I acknowledge the absence of the fullness of the Glory You have bestowed on the Gospel. It does not radiate in me with such glorious hope and such joyful and confident expectation that I speak very freely and openly and fearlessly about it. Help me grow. Help me learn. Lead me strong.
“For if that which was but passing and fading away came with splendor, how much more must that which remains and is permanent abide in glory and splendor!” 2 Corinthians 3:11
Examine:
The great illustration in this passage regarding glory is the one of Moses coming down the mountain with the tablets. The glory of God was so great on him that his faced glowed. Paul’s point in painting this picture is if God poured out His glory to that degree on Moses, who was carrying the temporary and painful news of the law, how much more should people expect to radiate God’s glory when they carry the eternal and joyful news of the Gospel of Christ?
Apply:
This morning’s reading has reminded me that tools and trainings are important and useful, but they are not the most effective things in sharing the gospel. The most influential method for sharing the gospel is me experiencing and reflecting the glory of God.
Pray:
I sit this morning and I think about Moses coming down that hill with his face all a glow. I can close my eyes and see my picture version of this scene in my head. I see the people falling on the ground and asking him to cover his face because it freaked them out so bad. I think to myself how cool it must have been for Moses to be filled with that much glory and secretly in my heart I wish that I would be able to have a similar experience. Upon grabbing ahold of that secret thought I am awakened by the reality represented in 2 Corinthians 3.
Father, this passage from Your Word says that I should reflect a greater glory than even Moses did. As I examine my life my honest reply to this truth is that if my current life fully reflects the glory spoken of in this chapter from Paul then all of this is a sham. Since I know that Your word is not a sham it is safe for me to conclude You are not finished with me yet.
This morning I am not sure how to pray. There is a hesitancy in me to ask You to show me Your glory. I think it is in part because I fear losing my perceived control over my life. I am smart enough to know that more of You requires less of me. The “less of me” part of that equation is not fun or easy.
In this moment, as tempting as it is to draw back, I do want to press forward. I acknowledge the absence of the fullness of the Glory You have bestowed on the Gospel. It does not radiate in me with such glorious hope and such joyful and confident expectation that I speak very freely and openly and fearlessly about it. Help me grow. Help me learn. Lead me strong.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Facing Trials
Read: 2 Corinthians 2
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Examine:
In the verses preceding this one Paul talks through the trials he had faced. His life was no picnic but he always found that faith won in the end.
Apply:
There are three really important parts of this passage I needed to see today. First, I must maintain my praise. No matter what happens in my life I absolutely have to hold tight to an attitude of praise. In the midst of a battle satan knows that the most decisive victory for him is to separate me from praising God. So, the strongest temptation in a struggle is always going to be to doubt the goodness of God.
Second, getting through rough patches is only accomplished by walking in Christ. The only lasting victory is in Him. We are called to join in His sufferings, but we are also promised and guaranteed to join in His comfort. The comfort of Christ is greater that the pain of this earth. This comfort can only be dispersed to my heart when it is aligned with the love of Christ.
Finally, the aim of my life is to spread the knowledge of God. No matter where I am or what I am doing or what I am facing the ultimate prayer that needs to be on my lips is that those around me would recognize the aroma of Christ.
Pray:
There are days that I simply do not feel like praising You. In all honesty there are days that I despise the life You have given me and just want a break. There are moments when I long for something comfortable, predictable, and normal. The pain and suffering of the past few months has represented an epic battle to hold firm to my faith and keep walking ahead. In the midst of that battle I have been imperfect in my praise of You. Weaknesses in my faith have been revealed and I have often found my heart containing more laments than praises, but in the end I have always found myself returning to Your goodness and praising the greatness of Your name.
You know my needs. My life is in Your hands. Lead me today to walk as Christ and allow my life to spread the aroma of Your name. I pray that the comfort of Christ be stronger than the pain of life. I pray that the reality of You in my life produce a praise that exceeds my doubts and the sorrow that I face. My God, You are my only hope. You are my only remaining source of joy. I take Your hand today as a child and trust You to care for and lead me. Help me be joyful in this journey.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Examine:
In the verses preceding this one Paul talks through the trials he had faced. His life was no picnic but he always found that faith won in the end.
Apply:
There are three really important parts of this passage I needed to see today. First, I must maintain my praise. No matter what happens in my life I absolutely have to hold tight to an attitude of praise. In the midst of a battle satan knows that the most decisive victory for him is to separate me from praising God. So, the strongest temptation in a struggle is always going to be to doubt the goodness of God.
Second, getting through rough patches is only accomplished by walking in Christ. The only lasting victory is in Him. We are called to join in His sufferings, but we are also promised and guaranteed to join in His comfort. The comfort of Christ is greater that the pain of this earth. This comfort can only be dispersed to my heart when it is aligned with the love of Christ.
Finally, the aim of my life is to spread the knowledge of God. No matter where I am or what I am doing or what I am facing the ultimate prayer that needs to be on my lips is that those around me would recognize the aroma of Christ.
Pray:
There are days that I simply do not feel like praising You. In all honesty there are days that I despise the life You have given me and just want a break. There are moments when I long for something comfortable, predictable, and normal. The pain and suffering of the past few months has represented an epic battle to hold firm to my faith and keep walking ahead. In the midst of that battle I have been imperfect in my praise of You. Weaknesses in my faith have been revealed and I have often found my heart containing more laments than praises, but in the end I have always found myself returning to Your goodness and praising the greatness of Your name.
You know my needs. My life is in Your hands. Lead me today to walk as Christ and allow my life to spread the aroma of Your name. I pray that the comfort of Christ be stronger than the pain of life. I pray that the reality of You in my life produce a praise that exceeds my doubts and the sorrow that I face. My God, You are my only hope. You are my only remaining source of joy. I take Your hand today as a child and trust You to care for and lead me. Help me be joyful in this journey.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Not Meant to be Idle
Read: 1 Corinthians 16
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. “ 1 Corinthians 16: 13-14
Examine:
As Paul closes out this letter to the church, he does so by calling them to action. It was critical for them to understand that the life of Christ was not meant to be idle.
Apply:
Be on the alert: I have to know that my default setting is spiritual complacency. If left unattended, my life will always drift back towards routine and convenient Christianity. I need to stay engaged.
Stand firm in the faith: In the context of this verse, I need to stand firm in the body of teaching that represents my faith. I need to know what is truth and hold on to it no matter what my emotions, friends, or circumstances tell me.
Act like men, be strong: The context here is to grow up and not act like a child. When things do not go right or times get hard, I must man up and get after it. Children fall apart. Men step into the punch and even land a few themselves.
Do all in Love: Returning to 1 Corinthians 13 is the best context for this. “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…”
Pray:
Being on the alert, standing firm in faith, and being strong all sound aggressive and progressive. I read those words and a surge of energy fills my stomach as I think of charging a hill and defeating an opponent. Those words fire me up as they seem to prep me for battle and promise me a life that is anything but dull and routine. But then comes the love part.
I read those words and I see a whole lot of sacrifice and loss. I see a call to suffering and mistreatment. I see a willingness to endure much for the benefit of others. I see…what is missing from me.
I hear You this morning and I heed Your correction. Without love, I am arrogant and brash. Without love, I am ripped apart by anger when persecution comes. Without love, I am nothing but a noisy and petty man who is capable of doing much harm.
I want to see others through Your eyes today and carry the same brokenness You have for them in Your heart. I want to understand Your call on their life, feel the pain they are carrying and be able to speak Your truth to them. I ask for discernment and wisdom in all the council that I offer today. I pray that every encounter I have helps others feel stronger in Your call for their life. I pray that these things be especially true of me inside my home.
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. “ 1 Corinthians 16: 13-14
Examine:
As Paul closes out this letter to the church, he does so by calling them to action. It was critical for them to understand that the life of Christ was not meant to be idle.
Apply:
Be on the alert: I have to know that my default setting is spiritual complacency. If left unattended, my life will always drift back towards routine and convenient Christianity. I need to stay engaged.
Stand firm in the faith: In the context of this verse, I need to stand firm in the body of teaching that represents my faith. I need to know what is truth and hold on to it no matter what my emotions, friends, or circumstances tell me.
Act like men, be strong: The context here is to grow up and not act like a child. When things do not go right or times get hard, I must man up and get after it. Children fall apart. Men step into the punch and even land a few themselves.
Do all in Love: Returning to 1 Corinthians 13 is the best context for this. “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…”
Pray:
Being on the alert, standing firm in faith, and being strong all sound aggressive and progressive. I read those words and a surge of energy fills my stomach as I think of charging a hill and defeating an opponent. Those words fire me up as they seem to prep me for battle and promise me a life that is anything but dull and routine. But then comes the love part.
I read those words and I see a whole lot of sacrifice and loss. I see a call to suffering and mistreatment. I see a willingness to endure much for the benefit of others. I see…what is missing from me.
I hear You this morning and I heed Your correction. Without love, I am arrogant and brash. Without love, I am ripped apart by anger when persecution comes. Without love, I am nothing but a noisy and petty man who is capable of doing much harm.
I want to see others through Your eyes today and carry the same brokenness You have for them in Your heart. I want to understand Your call on their life, feel the pain they are carrying and be able to speak Your truth to them. I ask for discernment and wisdom in all the council that I offer today. I pray that every encounter I have helps others feel stronger in Your call for their life. I pray that these things be especially true of me inside my home.
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