Psalming with David

Dive into Psalm 63 today - 11 verses of honest soul-searching reflection from King David as he wandered in the wilderness.

Choose your own adventure - pick one of these four simple focus areas intended for a devotion with children...
- Thirsty?
- Praise God when you need help
- David's Enemies
- Repeating...repeating...repeating...

Lord Jesus,

Whether I'm dying of thirst in the desert or just a little thirsty,
remind me that you are the source of true thirst-quenching water.
You tell me (from John 4:13-14)...
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
Thank you!
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Simple but effective...

Simple but effective.

When something is simple but effective that means it was designed well.
It does what it's supposed to do in the easiest way possible.
You don't have to "figure it out" (except maybe the very first time).

Some examples of simple but effective things?
- Your spoon, fork and knife.  Helping you eat since you first picked them up as a toddler.
- A pencil. (number 2, please)
- A book.  (The reading and comprehending part is the hard bit.  But the book itself is simple and very effective - never buffers or needs to be restarted...Kindle - I'm talking to you...)

But they are only effective when used properly.
Try using a knife to eat soup, a fork to cut steak and a spoon to eat spaghetti.
Still simple.
Not so effective.

Another example?
Prayer.

But only when used properly.
This Sunday our sermon focused on "Praying in God's Name".
Pastor mentioned a phrase that really caught my attention.
"Pray upstream."
It's simple AND very effective.

"Pray upstream"?  What is that?

Pastor included a quote in our notes from Phillip Yancey.
"I plead with God, as if hoping to change God's mind and overcome divine reluctance.  Instead, I should start upstream where the flow begins."

You see - I like to start where I'm at and make my prayer all about me.

• God - please change this other person so that they see things the way I do.
• God - please make this deal/thing/plan/scheme work out in my favor.
• God - please heal my sick aunt/cousin/parent/sibling so I feel better about it.

I'm in the middle of a flood and only want to pray for short-term deliverance.
For me.

Praying upstream means to wade up the river and meet God closer to where he is.
To what he wants for me (and everyone).
Upstream - the water is purer and clearer and isn't over my head.

So - what does God want (not "what do I want")?
Is there a good role model for me?
In Hebrews 5:7-10 - we see Jesus lived the example of praying upstream.

So - praying those same prayers upstream could be...

• God - please soften my heart, shape my mind and "leggo my ego" to see how you need me to interact with this "difficult person" in my life.
• God - what (in my deal/thing/plan/scheme) will give you Glory and make Jesus shine for all to see?
• God - Show me how I can help my sick aunt/cousin/parent/sibling.  How can I be a vessel to strengthen their hope and trust in You?  Show me how I can serve them in their time of need.

Pastor summarized his sermon with three building blocks (another simple but effective thing) for "Praying in God's Name".
1) Pray beginning upstream with the source of the flow (God's agenda - not mine).
2) Pray that you will live and honor God's agenda in the roles and responsibilities he gives you.
3) Pray that you always make Jesus look good to others.

Jesus is the ONLY way, truth and life.

Lord -
Lead me, guide me along the way,
For if you lead me I cannot stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, oh Lord, lead me. 
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

I Can't See Clearly Now

Here in Pflugerville - this was one of those mornings.

January 14th, 2015.

44 degrees.

Almost no wind.

Dense fog.

Magical, mysterious fog.

Pre-dawn.

Everything just glows.

My bike light shone ahead like a light saber (cool).

And it’s quiet. 

Maybe it’s just me but it seems like it just makes everything quieter.

What is the poem – “the fog comes on little cat feet”?

Here’s the basketball court at work after I arrived this morning.

But there’s a problem with fog.

It hides things. 

You don’t know “what you can’t see”.

Things aren’t really as they seem.

As I was traversing the sidewalk on my morning bicycle commute I was very surprised by two people.

Two people in black hoodies and dark pants coming up to the sidewalk from my right side.

Didn’t see them until I was probably 2 or 3 feet from them.

Near-miss – I didn’t even have time to hit my cute little bicycle bell.

This brought to mind a conversation I had with a friend last week.

About how God’s truths can be foggy.

Foggy for many reasons…

-          Because we don’t know them very well

-          Because we think we know more than we actually do

-          And even because we aren’t supposed to totally understand (it’s just way too complex for our brains to handle) – like the Trinity or Jesus being both God and Man at the same time or miracles.

And there’s only one way to clear out the fog.

Get out of your fog and into the Word.

On your own.  With your family.  With your church family.  With your pastor.

The Son-shine will melt the fog away.

I think God’s Word is the only thing in this world that you can NEVER get too much of.

Too much of anything else will kill you.

But God’s Word brings you to eternal life!

It brings to mind a favorite song…

…

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid,

Think I've lost my way,

Still you're there right beside me.

Nothing will I fear

As long as You are near.

Please be near me to the end.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

…

I will not forget

Your love for me, and yet

My heart forever is wandering.

Jesus, be my guide,

And hold me to Your side,

I will love You to the end.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

…

Nothing will I fear

As long as you are near.

Please be near me to the end.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

…

Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Whose house do you live in?

Whose house do you live in?

• Are you renting?
• Do you own (or owe to own)?
• Is that where you really live?

David reminds us in Psalm 27 that he wants to live in God's house.

Not physically, of course.

Our own houses fall apart and fall down (mine sure does).

David saw his house and family fall apart, too.

And not just the roof over my head.

My house of finances falls down, too.

And my house of work, too.

But God's house is different.

Ponder on these different Bible translations describing life in God's house.

Psalm 27:1-4

- New International Version 

- The Message

- King James Version

- The Voice

- Luther Bible 1545 (just kidding, unless you read old German)

Hi God,

Me, again - you know - one of your kids.

(Thanks again for adopting me!)

Thank you for a house that will not fall apart.

For one solid relationship that won't be broken (not by you, anyway).

Your security system is like no other - but you need to keep reminding me!

Thanks for your persistence and your existence!

Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Hidden In Plain Sight

Happy day!

I remember back around 1976 my dad was growing this big fancy mustache.  Twirly with mustache wax and everything.  And I was amused to find there was a group called “Brothers of the Brush” (shaving brush, that is) for those growers of “facial foliage”. 

From “The Brothers of the Brush”

Duties of members are as follows:

1.    Agree to maintain some facial growth of the bewhiskered type.

2.    Such facial splendor to be exhibited from Jan. 1 through week of April 8.

3.    Facial foliage must be permanent in nature and visible at a distance of not less than eight paces.

4.    The brush must be well groomed and a credit to the honor and prestige of the Brothers of the Brush.

5.    Membership button must be displayed in forthright manner and subject to inspection by fellow brothers.

The members are pretty obvious and easy to pick out.

========================

But not so much with us Christians. 

What distinguishes us from everybody else?

This week I stumbled across another believer at work. 

How did I know?  It was hidden in plain sight in his email signature.

I clicked the link (of course) which took me to the list of “whatever is true, whatever is honest…think on these things” passage.

We had a great email exchange.  He’s from the Philippines and very active in his congregation there – but left home and church to join HP in Malaysia a month ago.

I don’t know why it surprised me to find a brother in Malaysia.  But it did.  It surprised him, too – to find me.

Far from home at a new workplace – a brother in Christ.  A Rock to anchor with. 

I believe that everywhere we’ve moved (Fargo, Flint, Dallas, Watertown, Austin) we’ve found instant connections in God’s family.

Those the first people really get to know…and inevitably – we find we already have other connections we didn’t even know about – making it a truly “small world”.

You know  – the family of believers is unlike any other group or social connection you have.

It doesn’t matter what you look like, where you live, how much money you make, how “good” you are at something or your political views.

There are no membership dues, entrance exams, tryouts or required certifications.

What an incredible blessing to have this instant always-on support system.

One-on-one relationships that really mean something and mutually benefit all.

It is rooted in deep, deep, deep shared beliefs in Jesus Christ and salvation from sin.

And if you’ve ever tried to pull something out that is rooted deep – you know how impossible it is!

Philippians 4:4-5

^4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Fill yourself up with Philippians 4.

Wow.

Thank you God for hiding this incredible support system in plain sight.

Lead me to hoist my faith banner for all to see.

To be a light to those stumbling in the darkness.

Don’t let me keep it under a bushel, NO!

Amen.

Persistance Prays

[I am delighted to share some wonderful notes from Pastor Lindemann's sermon at church yesterday as my devotion thoughts this morning!  Been thinking about it ever since then...]

FYI - Audio and video files are available at www.holyword.net/media/sermon (It's from 21 Jun 2015 and it's called "Persistence Prays"). 

We've just started a summer series about Prayer. 

Pastor really painted pictures with words in yesterday's sermon so I recommend taking the time to listen to/watch the sermon if you can.

The sermon was based on Luke 18:1-8 and also included references to the Old Testament reading from Genesis 18:20-33.

Both Bible readings above paint a picture of persistence.
Persistence that is not punished.  Persistence that is rewarded.

Jesus example of persistence in Luke 18.  
"...and there was a widow" (v.3)
Jesus picks an unlikely subject to paint a picture of persistence.

Why don't I pray persistently?
Is it because...?
- I think "who am I to ask God".   I think it's based on my performance or ability to measure up.  
- I'm embarrassed or ashamed by my prayer life.  I haven't been around for so long I'm sure God doesn't want me to bother...
- I prayed for something fervently last time and didn't get the answer I wanted.
- I'm thinking - why bother?

Those things aren't why I don't pray persistently, though.
I don't pray persistently because I don't believe.
Plain and simple - there it is.  
I don't believe that it will work or that I'm worthy or that I need it.

God says - "pray continually".  
No conditions.
No exclusions.
No need to stop for any reason.

OK - I get it - I don't believe.
But believe what?

1. Believe that persistent prayer is OK!
• Read verses 2 and 3 of Luke 18 - "...and there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him."
• Remember who you are and to whom you are speaking.
• Luke 11:9 is a famous passage
• A = Ask (and it shall be given)
• S = Seek (and you shall find)
• K = Knock (and the door will be opened)
• NOW - does this mean your prayer will be answered the way YOU wanted it.
• No - but it will be answered in one of four ways
• 1) Yes
• 2) No
• 3) Yes, but not right now
• 4) Yes, but I (the Lord) have a better answer than what you thought of
2. Believe that persistent prayer ASKS.
• Read verse 8 of Luke 18 - "he will see that they get justice, and quickly"
• 4 Examples of persistent prayer and the surprising resolutions
1. Genesis 32:22-32 - Jacob wrestles with God, wins and limps away
2. Exodus 17:10-12 - Moses "hands up" wins the day, eventually
3. Colossians 1:9 and 4:2 - Paul prays and promotes persistent prayer
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Persistent prayer plainly put
• PUSH it by praying persistently
• P = Pray
• U = Until
• S = Something
• H = Happens
3. Believe that persistent prayer is better.
1. Verse 7 of Luke 18 - "Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?"
2. You will find that God has been asking, seeking and knocking, too.
3. Look at verse 1 again for proof that persistent prayer is better - "Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

So - this week - what one thing will you pray about persistently.  
One week.
One thing.
Let's see what the Lord has in store for you!

God,
You give me permission to call you anytime, 24/7.
And not just passive permission.
You're knocking and I'm sitting on the couch.
Get me off the couch.
And onto my knees.
In persistent prayer.
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

The best laid plans...

"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley" 
Paraphrase - "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry"

Are you a planner? 
If so - does it sometimes feel like "why bother"?
Or are you an anti-planner?

Well - yesterday things did not go according to plan.
My plan, that is.

The Greyhound bus that my wife and son were supposed to take had mechanical problems and would have missed their Dallas connection.
They had to reschedule for a different bus that afternoon (with three other buses needed to get them to their eventual destination).  

My brother called and said our mom was taken to the hospital in an ambulance after falling off a ladder.  (BTW - it wasn't a ladder, and she is back home and going to be fine)

Our rock band at work was going to play a picnic today so I tore down and loaded the drum kit into my vehicle.  And the picnic is now cancelled due to rain.

Why bother planning?
Why does it bother me?

Ah - that's the better question.
It bothers me because I thought my plans were the most important.
AND that I had control.
Nope.

Planning is the Lord's department - which he makes abundantly clear to me in his Word.
A couple of many examples...
- Jeremiah 29:11-13 - "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to  prosper you and not to harm you..."
- Matthew 6:25-34 - "Look at the birds of the air...See how the flowers of the field grow...Do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself."
- Luke 12:6-7 - "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?  Yet not one of them is forgotten by God"
Got any more?  Drop it into the comments.

That doesn't mean that God advocates me to do "no planning".
Especially when it comes to his children.
He wants me to remember His plan (for salvation of everyone in the world) first.
And for me to make my plans with that purpose in mind.

Anything else I plan and attempt without that - ends up being "meaningless, meaningless" (see Ecclesiastes 1)
Chasing after the wind.

Oh Lord,
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds,
And drives away our fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole
And calms the heart's unrest;
'Tis manna to the hungry soul
And to the weary, rest.

Amen.
(How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds)

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Tell Me A Story (Thanks to Time of Grace)

Today hasn't gone as planned (I'm metnally singing the Styx song "Nothing Ever Goes As Planned) so I'll share a great new series of devotions from Pastor Mark Jeske and Time of Grace ministry.

Tell Me A Story

These three devotions all paint a vivid picture of the hard truths from the story of "The Rich Man and Poor Lazarus".

• Pain
• Mortality
• Hell

And of course - i recommend signing up for these free email devotions.  

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

A dynamic duo...

Name some “dynamic duos”...

-          Batman and Robin

-          Laverne and Shirley

-          Brad and Angelina

-          Priscilla and Aquila

Priscilla and Aquila?

Before a week of devotions with my siblings on them – they wouldn’t have been on my list.

They are at the top now.

Check this out…

https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=Aquila&qs_version=MSG

Notice – in the Bible you never see Aquila without Priscilla.

Take a few minutes to introduce yourselves to them in Acts 18.

You can see - we don’t get to know too much about them – just some snapshots about things they did.

-          They make tents.

-          They took a friend in need (Paul) on as a business partner.

-          They joined him in ministry (uprooting home and family).

-          They mentored a phenomenal evangelist (Apollos).

-          They hosted “church” in their home.

-          They make tents.

I am in danger of reading (things the Bible doesn’t say) into their relationship.

But the fact that they are always mentioned together says something to me.

The Bible doesn’t mention their trials, problems, arguments or failings (though I’m sure they had them).

They must have had loads of forgiveness and patience and love.

They must have just “completed each other” in their talents and skills.

What great role models for us!

Not role models that make me comfortable – mind you – it sure shows that I have a lot of “room for improvement”.

Lord

Could I be part of a dynamic duo?

Yes?  Of course?  With you?

Oh – yeah – you’ve told me that…

Help me to “get it” and just do it.

Thank YOU!

Amen.

Fast Food, Fast Word?

I've got a bad habit.
I like to eat fast.
Probably picked it up in school where lunchtime was limited and I had better things to do (so I thought).
No "slow down and chew your food" for me.

Fast food restaurants fit into my philosophy of eating fast just perfectly.
Not good.  Not good.

I worked on a farm several summers as a kid.
They used to sit down and take an hour (or so) for lunch.
WHAT?  An hour?
Listen to Paul Harvey news and commentary at noon for 15 minutes.
Listen to the farm reports and weather.
Talk.  Converse.
I just didn't get it.

I still don't get it.
Most days at work you'll find me in front of my screen gobbling my lunch.
I want my food fast because I have better things to do (so I think).

And the world and our work doesn't want us to slow down.
You've got to increase your productivity.
Do more.  Do it better.  Do it faster.

And sadly - I want my time spent with my God to be fast, too.
Fast food, fast Word, right?

This morning as I saw that Psalm 79 was my chapter to ponder for the day - my Bible app showed me it had 13 verses.  Mentally I said - oh - good - only 13 verses today.
Are you kidding me?  Am I kidding me?  Did I really think that?  (yes)

BTW - those 13 verses are full of some choice words for God from people (like me) who have been feasting on fast spiritual food and crave the fast fix.
- "How long do we have to put up with this, God?"
- "Don't blame us for the sins of our parents."
- "Hurry up and help us; we're at the end of our rope."
And the piece de resistance - "God, give us a break.  Your reputation is on the line."

I may not use those exact words but my prayers think those thoughts.

Does God say - "If you're not going to say something nice, don't say anything at all"?  
NO.
God says "BRING IT!  Bring it ALL!".
When you are alone and hungry and at the end of that rope - you need solid slow food nutrition that only God can provide through his Word.  
You know.  He knows.  He provides.

Listen to his instructions to Joshua as he started his leadership of Israel.
Joshua 1:7-8
excerpt - "Keep this Book...always on your lips; meditate on it day and night..."

One of our prayers in our hymnbook (my sister reminded me of this this morning) hit the nail on the head.  I'll close with that.

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

God's Word.
Eat up.
Eat slow.
God bless your day!

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

A gift that keeps on giving

When someone gives me a gift - they are hoping I will use it.
They don't expect me to toss it in the trash or in a drawer.
And in some cases - maybe the only reason they are giving it to me is so I will use it.

Examples - 

- A bicycle to encourage exercise and "getting out of the house"

- The kitchen item on the wedding registry list that will encourage healthy eating

- A Bible or hymnal to encourage and support spiritual health

Grandparents may "get" this concept the most - where you give someone something that you know will do them a lot of good - but only if they use it.

When you thank them for it - they may say "you are welcome".
But perhaps in their mind they are saying "you are welcome - now USE IT!".

Which make me wonder...what about the gift of faith that God has given to me?
When I say "thank you" is God saying "you are welcome - now USE IT!"?
No - not really - but he does want us to know how great and precious that gift is.
He wants me to realize how it changed me (from "lost and condemned" to "saved and free").

It's the difference between "Faith in action" and "Faith inaction".
Mixed in my life vs. tossed into the trash.

God's inspired James to give us a terrific "how tutorial" for this precious gift of faith.
From James 2:14-26.
- "Do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything?"
- "Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove."
- "that seamless unity of believing and doing"

But be careful - These passages are often misused as a "law hammer" to guilt or force us into good works.  And the devil loves to twist this passage in our minds to say "if you want to go to heaven - you have to do this".  That's wrong!

The free and full gift of forgiveness is already a done deal.
Jesus took care of that 100%.
No works that I could or can ever do are necessary for my ticket to eternal life.

My "thank you" to God shouldn't be heard in words - but in my life.
Time to walk the talk!

Lord - 
Put my faith into action.
Use me today to help your kingdom come!
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?