Day 27: (Do the Write Thing) Surrounded!

Do the Write thing 30-day series.  (write out this bible passage today - by hand! - in your favorite translation - or at least click the link and read through it...)

Day 27

Psalm 118:8-14

"We have you surrounded.  There's no point.  Surrender."
(from any number of movies and TV shows...)

Today's scripture reminds us that when we are surrounded - we are not alone.  And the one we who is with us has a BIG surprise in store.

"I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.
  The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation."

Song - God is Bigger than the Boogie Man (Junior Asparagus)

Oh God,
When my back is against the wall (or cliff or empty bank account or whatever) you are my strength and my defense.  
Bigger than anything that the world or Satan can throw at me.  
When I think I'm surrounded - tap me on the shoulder and remind me "I've got this one." 
Help me to trust you completely (and not just sometimes and in some ways).
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?

Day 26: (Do The Write Thing) Flicking flies

One way to flick flies...

Do the Write thing 30-day series.  (write out this bible passage today - by hand! - in your favorite translation - or at least click the link and read through it...)

Day 26

Psalm 118:1-7

In scripture - I often see two ways to think of "enemies". 

• One is, shockingly, to love them (remember "Love your enemies...(Matthew 5:43-47)").
• The other is not to worry about them.  Don't let them be bigger than your God.

Because your God is a really big God.
He has it all covered.

Today's scripture pictures it this way: 
"God's my strong champion; I flick off my enemies like flies."

Song - Indescribable (Chris Tomlin)

God,
Make me a lover and a fly flicker.
Help me see my and your enemies for what they really our (and not just what they project/pretend themselves to be).  
Remind me that my enemies are temptations that want to distract me from You.
Keep my eyes straight ahead on You.
Especially on Jesus Christ and the salvation he won for 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?

Day 25: (Do the Write Thing) Recalculating...

Do the Write thing 30-day series.  (write out this bible passage today - by hand! - in your favorite translation - or at least click the link and read through it...)

Day 25

James 1:16-18

Oh no.
I took a wrong turn.
The signs aren't making any sense.
The GPS won't stop recalculating.
Now what?

FYI - never happens with ultimate G(od's) Positioning System...

James reminds us God's road is straight and true.  Other sections of scripture tell us the road is narrow - but Savior Jesus is the ultimate guide and leads the way.

Song - All Good Gifts (Godspell cast)

God,
I really like to rely on my sense of direction.
I am lulled into a false sense that I can trust it - because it seems to get me where I want to go.
Where do you want me to go?
Lead me, guide me, along life's way.
Keep me on the narrow way.
Looking forward that ultimate vacation destination - Heaven!
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?

Day 24: (Do the Write Thing) Bottom of the barrel

Do the Write thing 30-day series.  (write out this bible passage today - by hand! - in your favorite translation - or at least click the link and read through it...)

Day 24

Lamentations 3:22-27

Have you reached the bottom of your barrel?
The end of your rope?
The last ounce of patience?


This passage reminds us that God's mercies never run out.
So patiently wait.
Quietly hope.
Diligently seek.

Stick with God.
Especially when He's all you have left!
(and He always is.)

Song 
- Great is Thy Faithfulness (Jordan Smith)
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Hymnal.net)

Lord,
Show me your face when I'm overwhelmed.
When I'm played out.
When I'm spent.
Great is Your faithfulness.
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Your hand has provided—

“Great is Your faithfulness,” Lord, unto 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?

Day 23: (Do the Write Thing) Time like an ever rolling stream...

Do the Write thing 30-day series.  (write out this bible passage today - by hand! - in your favorite translation - or at least click the link and read through it...)

Day 23

Psalm 90:12-17

Pastor Daron used this section of scripture to enlighten our New Years Eve 2015.  I want to share it with you as day 23.

Some excerpts:
- Time.  It controls everything.  Except one thing - the One who created it - our God.
- Verse 12 - Take inventory.  Number my days/hours/minutes/seconds.  Am I robbing God by not using the product (gifts) He has given me?

- Verse 13 - Please let up Lord!  I know I deserve nothing but punishment for my behavior.  Justice for my robberies.  But you are a compassionate God.
- Verse 17 - What is the "work of our hands"?  EVERYTHING we say/do/think.  In this verse I'm asking God to establish it.  Initiate it.  Start it in the right place!
- Verse 16 - Oh Lord - make your salvation working deeds obvious to me - open my eyes to the beauty and wonder.
- Verse 15 - How many days do we have?  Doesn't matter - but since I'm still here - what does matter is what I'm doing with them.

God has given me the time.  What am I doing with it?
"If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it." (Jonathan Winters)

Song 
- O God, Our Help In Ages Past (hymnal.net)
- O God, Our Help In Ages Past (Westminster Abbey choir and congregation)
- O God, Our Help In Ages Past (Promise Keepers version)

Lord,
A thousand ages in Thy sight
  Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night

  Before the rising sun.

O God, our help in ages past,
  Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,

  And our eternal home.
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?

Day 22: (Do the Write Thing) High on life

Do the Write thing 30-day series.  (write out this bible passage today - by hand! - in your favorite translation - or at least click the link and read through it...)

Day 22

Psalm 9:1-2,7-12

Pollyanna.
Unbridled optimist.
Bright-sider.

The psalm section for today was written by someone in a GOOD mood.
Today is one of those days for me.  It's just starting off well and this passage underlines and bolds it.

Try some unbridled optimism on for size today.  
It suits you!

Song - Lemonade (Chris Rice)

Lord, this world is full of good days and bad days (and many sprinkled with both).
Remind me to relish the good.
And lean on you in the bad.
Keep me in your Word.
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?

Day 21: (Do the Write Thing) Calm my storm!

Do the Write thing 30-day series.  (write out this bible passage today - by hand! - in your favorite translation - or at least click the link and read through it...)

Day 21

Psalm 107:28-32

Wild storms.  There's nothing else like them.
Thunder crashing so loud it shakes the house and rattles your nerves.
Lightning so close your hair stands on end.
Wind whipping the rain and tipping the trees sideways.

Sometimes feels like your life is like that, eh?
And then...

"He quieted the wind down to a whisper,
  put a muzzle on all the big waves.
And you were so glad when the storm died down,
  and he led you safely back to the harbor."

Song - Calm My Storm (Tyler Price)

Lord,
Your eye is on the sparrow.
If you care that much for something I don't even pay attention to, 
let that remind me how much more your eye is on me.
Calming my storms.
Routing those hurricanes around me in ways I can't even imagine.
Quiet my pounding heart and sweating hands.
Grant a quiet spirit within 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?