Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Life Journal 09-30-2008 When God Does Not Listen

When God Does Not Listen

(S) Scripture
Zechariah 7:13


'When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,' says the LORD Almighty.

(O) Observation
What a disturbing statement from God. When I do not listen to Him, He does not listen to me.

(A) Application
I wonder how often I ignore God and then expect that He has to listen to me. The Lord is not some heavenly bellhop or celestial room service provider. He is God Almighty who does as He pleases whenever He pleases. How foolish of me to think that I can ignore and turn a deaf ear to Him and then expect Him to listen to me. I know He always hears the repentant and contrite but too often I come to Him in my pride and with an arrogant spirit. Today I will get my spirit right and listen intently to the Lord and then do what He says.

(P) Prayer
O Father, I have ignored you way too often. Forgive me and hear my prayer. Let me hear you clearly today. I want to do what you want more than anything else. Help me to get out of the way, listen to you and obey. I love you and want to be heard and used by you. Amen

Monday, September 29, 2008

Life Journal 09-29-2008 Where Is My Heart

Where Is My Heart

(S) Scripture
Luke 12:34 (NASB77)
34 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(O) Observation
Jesus tells us that our heart follows our treasure. Where we put our treasure is where we will find our heart.

(A) Application
This is a sobering statement from Jesus. Conventional wisdom says that people give to their passion. Here Jesus says the opposite. Heart follows treasure not treasure follows heart. When I take a hard look at where I put my treasure it tells me a great deal about my priorities. This is a hard lesson because it reveals how out of whack my heart can be. Am I moved when I see people in need? Am I generous to those who have less? Do I really take care of the "least of these?" When I look at how I invest my treasure sometimes this is not a pretty picture. Sometimes I get it right but this is a hard teaching of Jesus. Today I will examine again how I use my treasure and get a better picture of where my heart is. I really want my heart to be following and committed to the Lord. I wonder what my treasure will reveal?

(P) Prayer
Lord I know that all I have is from you. Let me use it in ways that please and honor you. Take what I have and use it for your purposes. I want my heart to be yours. Amen

Sunday, September 28, 2008

What good is a blog?

Since I am new to blogging I wonder just what uses a blog might have for the pastor of a local church . I can think of some but rather than taint your responses I will let you respond first.

Let me know what you think and I will share my thoughts in a few days.

I hope that blogging is like learning to ride a bike. There might be some falls and scrapes at first but the more you ride the better you get. So give me a push and off we go.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Life Journal 09-21-2008 - Answering Temptation

Answering Temptation

(S) Scripture
Luke 4:1-14 (NIV)
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,
2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'"
5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
6 And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.
7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
8 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here.
10 For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
12 Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

(O) Observation
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus answered him with scripture. Even when Satan misused scripture Jesus still answered with Scripture. Jesus was tempted in three key areas: Food, Health, and Life Mission. In each temptation Jesus responded with scripture and then he returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.

(A) Application
Too often I try to face temptation in my power or on my terms and that is when I fail. If Jesus used scripture then just maybe I should too. That means I need to be familiar with scripture and know it well enough to recognize when the devil is misusing it. That is why this Life Journal is so important because each day I am reading God's Word and asking, "How will I be different because of what I have just read?" This is also a good reminder to memorize scripture.

(P) Prayer
Lord, help me develop the discipline and habit of a daily devotion. Help me to know Your Word and to recognize when it is being misused in order to lead me astray. I want to follow only You. Amen

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Life Journal 09-16-2008 I Am Blessed

I Am Blessed

(S) Scripture
Psalm 128:1-6 (NASB77)
1 How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine, Within your house, Your children like olive plants, Around your table.
4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 Indeed, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!

(O) Observation
The psalmist tells us how life should be. This is a real incentive to live by faith.

(A) Application
Is there any greater joy in life than what is described in this psalm. I have fulfilling work and a family that loves me and makes me proud makes me blessed beyond my ability to express it. My wife is such an integral part of all I do. She is godly and gifted. Her walk with the Lord is an inspiration to many and her ministry touches many lives. My girls are the delights of my life. They each are walking with the Lord and making decisions that reveals their faith. I am a blessed man. I thank God for this blessing because I know that it is not because I am worthy but rather because I strive each day to walk with the Lord.

(P) Prayer
Lord, Thank You for the blessing of my family and work. You have spared me the pain that many suffer in these areas. I thank You for the mentors in my life that taught me how to walk faithfully with You. Let me teach others what I was taught so they too might experience Your blessing in their lives. Amen

Monday, September 15, 2008

Life Journal 09-15-2008 Every Day Faith

Every Day Faith

(S) Scripture
Psalm 145:2-3 (NASB77)
2 Every day I will bless Thee, And I will praise Thy name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.

(O) Observation
The psalmist reminds us that every day we are to praise and bless God. Not just when things are going good and smooth but every day. When things are tough and rough I am to praise God. Every day in all circumstances He is worthy of my Praise. He is great and His ways are unsearchable and His thoughts are above my thoughts. This is a part of my every day faith.

(A) Application
The psalmist got it right – I am to follow his example. I am to praise and extol the Lord in every circumstance every day. The difference in "everyday" and "every day" is an interesting one. "Everyday" is kind of a common routine run of the mill thing. "Every Day" is something that happens intentionally on each day. This is a habit and a discipline that we develop. My "every day" faith must include praising the Lord because He is worthy of my praise.

(P) Prayer
Lord, teach me to praise you correctly. Help me develop the discipline to praise you every day. When I begin to whine or complain remind me of these verses and my need to praise you . Amen

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Life Journal 09-14-2008 The Gospel in Ezekiel

The Gospel in Ezekiel

(S) Scripture
Ezekiel 36:25-28 (NASB77)
25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27 "And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
28 "And you will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.

(O) Observation
A right relationship with God has always been a result of His work and not ours. Here God, through Ezekiel, says that He will cleanse and give us a new heart and put His Spirit in us. Again it is His work of grace that allows us to walk with Him.

(A) Application
I am again reminded that my best efforts cannot merit or gain God's favor. At my best I do not deserve cleansing or the forgiveness of sins. At my best I am still a dirty sinner in need of the work of God in my life. On this side of the life and death of His Son, Jesus, that work comes by faith in Jesus. I am so thankful that my relationship with God is not dependent on my ability to please God or earn His favor. I am saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Praise God. It is God that redeemed me. I walk clean because of His work in me. I am forgiven because of His work in Christ. I thank God for this reminder today.

(P) Prayer
Father, I thank you for sending your Son to do for me what I could not do for myself. I thank you for His sacrifice for my sins. I thank you for saving me and allowing me to now live for you. Use me today to make a difference in someone's life for the sake of your kingdom. Amen

Friday, September 12, 2008

Life Journal 09-12-2008 Our Own Devices

Our Own Devices

(S) Scripture
Psalm 81:11-12 (NASB77)
11 "But My people did not listen to My voice; And Israel did not obey Me.
12 "So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in their own devices.

(O) Observation
The psalmist has described God's goodness and now turns to Israel's waywardness. When they did not listen or obey God gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts and to their own devices.

They were left to live on their own without God's provision or protection or guidance.

(A) Application
Left to my own devices I am doomed to failure in every area of my life. My devices are deceitful and wicked and selfish. I only look out for myself and my own. That is somewhat descriptive of the world in which I live but it is not how I want to live. The answer is to listen to God and to obey Him. Then I will not be left to my stubbornness or my own devices. I cannot imagine life on my own apart from God's grace. Some have accused the Christian faith as being a psychological crutch for those who cannot cope with life on their own. It is not a crutch to me it is an Iron Lung – I simply cannot live without the presence and power of God in my life.

(P) Prayer
Father, I want to listen to and obey You. I want to live in the center of Your grace and will for my life. Keep me from a stubborn heart and spare me from my own devices. Amen

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Life Journal 09-04-2008 In The Gap

In The Gap
(S) Scripture

Ezekiel 22:30 (NASB77)

30 "And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

(O) Observation
Ezekiel has just given God's judgment for the sins of Israel and in this one verse looks for one to stand in the gap for the land before God.

(A) Application
This passage could be describing the culture I live in. The American culture is certainly just as guilty as the Israelites were in this passage. I have been called by God into pastoral ministry. Sometimes I lose sight that I am called not to a position of "church work" but rather a place of ministry. I am to be the one standing in the gap for the people the Lord has called me to serve. Administrative duties are important but not nearly as important as helping people bridge the gap between them and the Lord. I am to stand in the gap and pray for those who think they cannot pray for themselves. I am to call those who have strayed back into fellowship with the Lord and the church. I cannot be passive or silent. In the Ezekiel passage God did not find anyone to stand in the gap. Today I will seek to be that man in Charlotte. It is my calling and my honor.

(P) Prayer
Lord I need your help and strength to do what you have called me to do. I am not capable of helping others without you. I ask for the Holy Spirit to guide and for the courage to follow. Help me to stand in the gap today. Amen

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Life Journal 09-03-2008 The Wonder of God’s Creation



The Wonder of God's Creation

(S) Scripture
Psalm 111:2-4 (NASB77)
2 Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them.
3 Splendid and majestic is His work; And His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate.

(O) Observation
The psalmist is praising God for his greatness and goodness. He looks at what God has made and done and he is caught up in the wonder of it. His response is thanksgiving.

(A) Application
I have just come back from a vacation at the beach. As I walked along the shore or as I looked at the dawning sun and rolling waves I was reminded again of the greatness of God. As soothing as the rhythm of the ocean was to me last week it was terrifying to the people in the path of Hurricane Gustav. This is part of the wonder of God's creation. Having spent most of my life in the mountains of West Virginia I have seen the beauty of the greening of the mountains and then the brilliant colors of fall, these too reveal the majesty of God's creation. As I think about last week at the ocean and the mountains of West Virginia I am reminded that I should also see God's greatness and majesty here in flat dry Eaton County, Michigan. Sometimes I fail to see God's greatness here because I am looking somewhere else. Today I will thank God for his work and majesty here in Charlotte. I will celebrate His goodness and majesty here and thank him for the reminder I had at the beach last week.

(P) Prayer


Lord, you are so gracious to me. Thank you for reminding me through your creation of your majesty and greatness. Let me experience that here at home, too. Let me see you today. Amen