Life Journal 03-31-2009

I am back from the Jamaica Mission Trip. We spent a week at the Jamaica Deaf Village doing construction work on a new facility there. This was the 16^th consecutive year for our church to take a team to the Deaf Village. It was a great week for all. It is good to be back home again.

Cowboy Up

(S) Scripture
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul is finishing his letter to this troubled church. He concludes with greetings and a benediction. He also encourages them to move forward in their faith in Jesus.

(A) Application
As I read this verse I thought of a reality TV show I ran across channel surfing called, "The Toughest Cowboy". That reminded me of the saying, "Cowboy Up" which is a way of saying – Don't give up or give in. When you are tired and hurt get back on the bull, when you are exhausted and have no strength, get back to business there is a horse to ride, It's time to "Cowboy Up". The church in Corinth had its troubles and its leaders must have been tired and worn out and yet Paul tells them to "Cowboy Up" – stand firm, act like men, be strong. This is good encouragement for me. There are times in my life when I am tired and exhausted and ministry needs just keep coming and I am reminded to, "Cowboy Up" not in my own strength but in God's. In my weakness, He is strong. I must rely on His strength. The Lord enables me to, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

(P) Prayer
Lord, I know that my strength comes from you. Forgive me when I try to go it in my own strength. Let me experience your strength today and let me be alert and strong. Let me be the man you created me to be. Amen

Life Journal 03-21-2009

Seeking God's Counsel

(S) Scripture
So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the LORD.
Joshua 9:14 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
The kings of the people living in the land given by God to the Israelites come disguised as people from far off asking for a peace covenant. The leaders of the people agree and then it is revealed that they live in the land. A covenant is a covenant and so the Israelites abided by it. They were deceived because they did not seek God's counsel. They listened to their own counsel and messed up.

(A) Application
I must beware when people come asking for alliances with me or the church. Sometimes these are not what they claim and an alliance is not what God would want. I must take every request to the Lord for his counsel. I cannot rely only on my own judgment, I must trust the Lord. The book of James tells us,"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (NASB77)

Today I will ask for God's counsel and not try to make decisions on my own. I will not rely on my own understandings, I will trust the Lord. I will not be bashful about asking for His counsel.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I confess that too often I think more of my judgment than is wise. Make me aware of my need to trust you and give me the grace to do just that. I do not want to be left to my own judgment. I want to know your will. Amen

p.s. I will not be blogging my devotion for the next week

Life Journal 03-19-2009

Words

(S) Scripture
For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul was not concerned about what people said as much as he was with what they could accomplish. Although "words" are powerful Paul wanted to know what these people could accomplish. He knew that many talk a good game or bully their way through and he was ready to take them on. Paul knew that the Kingdom comes in power that will crush mere words.

(A) Application
Too often I listen or am threatened by what some people say. The power plays they make and the threats they make are mostly hollow. The only strength they have is what I give them. Here Paul reminds me that the Kingdom consists of power not words. The God I serve is powerful and nothing takes Him by surprise of overwhelms Him. I can trust that God to guide and protect me. I need not fear the words of others, I must only trust in the Power of the God I serve. He brings the victory and how silly is it for me to think that I need to fight God's battles. Today I will again focus on walking by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit and making a difference for the Lord regardless of what some might say or threaten.

(P) Prayer
Lord, grant me the strength to follow you and the grace not to be distracted by the idle threats of those who oppose you. Amen

Life Journal 03-17-2009

Consequences

(S) Scripture
And the LORD spoke to Moses that very same day, saying,
"Go up to this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab opposite Jericho, and look at the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the sons of Israel for a possession.
"Then die on the mountain where you ascend, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people,
because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel.
"For you shall see the land at a distance, but you shall not go there, into the land which I am giving the sons of Israel."
Deuteronomy 32:48-52 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Moses is one of the great heroes of the Bible. He was used by God in many ways: He led the Israelites out of Egypt, God gave him the Ten Commandments, he spoke directly with God, etc. and yet when he sinned by not speaking to the rock for water but rather he struck it as before, the penalty for that was he could not enter the promised land. It seems harsh and yet it shows how serious God is about sin and how important it is for us to do exactly what he says. Even Moses was not sparred punishment for his sin. It shows that God does not grade on the curve.

(A) Application
I am called to follow Jesus and to carry out God's will for my life. Moses was allowed to see the promised land but was not allowed to experience it. I do not want to simply see what God has for me I want to experience it. I must be constantly in tune with His will for me and walking by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. Consequences come to all of us. If God did not spare Moses why would I think he would make an exception for me? Today I will listen for God's instructions and then obey.

(P) Prayer
Father, You know how easily I get distracted and you will seems clouded. Today I want to see and hear clearly so that I might experience all you have for me today in in the days to come. Take control of my life and use me today. Amen

Life Journal 03-15-2009

Deceived

(S) Scripture
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Evidently the Galatian believers thought they could live one way and believe another. That they would not reap the consequences of how they live. Paul makes it clear that you reap what you sow. Righteousness reaps righteousness and unrighteousness reaps unrighteousness.

(A) Application
I know many people who want to "sow their wild oats on Saturday and go to church on Sunday and pray for crop failure." Paul says that isn't the way it is. You reap what you sow. We cannot mock God by choosing to live on our own terms and then expecting Him to overlook our sin. Consequences come to all of us. When I sin as a Christian I still must suffer the consequences of that sin. It will not cause me to lose my salvation but it does break my fellowship with God and the sin has harmed some relationship that will need to be restored. That restoration is the consequence of my sin. Today I do not want to mock God by ignoring His direction in my life. I want to walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit and make a difference for Him.

(P) Prayer
Lord, thank you for forgiving me. Make me aware of my sin and the relationships that I need to work on restoring because of my sin. Teach me to forgive others as you forgive me. Today I want to walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. Use me today. Amen

Life Journal 03-14-2009

Living Free

(S) Scripture
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul is addressing how believers are to live in their new found faith. Having been freed from the law we cannot turn that freedom into an opportunity to sin. We are free to Love one another. Later in this chapter Paul tells how this is done, by walking after the spirit and not after the flesh. He concludes this chapter by listing the fruit of the Spirit, the natural result of walking by faith, and says "against such things there is no law". There is no law against living by faith and acting out the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives.

(A) Application
It is easy to focus on keeping the law but freedom is much better. Freedom requires that we be in constant touch with the Lord and that we walk by faith and not follow the desires of our flesh. We are always free to do what is right and holy and godly. We have not been set free to sin or pursue our selfish desires. Today I will walk by faith and continue my practice of "Spiritual Breathing", a concept I learned as a college student from Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ. I will exhale by confessing my known sin and then inhale by giving control of my life to the Holy Spirit. I will be explaining this concept in more detail in tomorrows message.

(P) Prayer
Lord, You know my heart and my desire. You know when I am selfish and when I abuse the freedom you have given me. Today I want to walk by faith and serve others through love. Let your love flow through me today. Amen

Life Journal 03-13-2009

Neighbors

(S) Scripture
"You shall not see your countryman's ox or his sheep straying away, and pay no attention to them; you shall certainly bring them back to your countryman.
"And if your countryman is not near you, or if you do not know him, then you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall remain with you until your countryman looks for it; then you shall restore it to him.
Deuteronomy 22:1-2 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
The instruction in this part of this chapter is to take care of your neighbor. We cannot ignore our neighbors or their possessions. We have a responsibility to be observant and to help our neighbors even if it is inconvenient.

(A) Application
Today I am convicted about how little I know about my neighbors. We are cordial and friendly but do not really know each other. We will help when asked but is that really what this passage is about. I should take an interest in my neighbors and be ready to help. In our culture today we live such isolated lives. Neighborhoods hardly exist like they used to. Kids playing in each other's yards and eating at each house. Parents being parents to all gathered at the time. In our sub-division many walk during the spring, summer and fall. Often we will stop and talk and meet people. It can be a social event but is that really getting at the thought of this passage? Today I must re-evaluate my relationship with my neighbors. How can I impact them with the gospel? How can I show them the love I found in Christ? How can I be the neighbor God describes in this passage? Lots to work on today.

(P) Prayer
Lord, you know how I have failed in this. Help me to do what I should and give me opportunities to be the kind of neighbor you desire me to be. Amen

Life Journal 03-12-2009

Futility

(S) Scripture
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Galatians 3:3 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
The Galatians had been fooled by false teachers into believing that their relationship with the Lord, having begun in the Spirit could be advanced or deepened by their flesh. They were trying to grow by keeping the law in their own strength. They were trying to earn God's favor by good works and not by trusting the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them.

(A) Application
It is so easy to reduce my faith to a list of do's and don'ts and not take seriously walking by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. IT seems easier for me to do (in my flesh) than to "be" (in my spirit). It is easier to have a list to follow than to live based on a relationship where everything is not spelled out but where I must trust the Lord to lead and guide. That requires me to spend time with the Lord in reading His Word and in prayer. I need to listen for His voice and follow it rather than just look at a list someone else has compiled for me to follow. I will never develop the deep relationship I desire with the Lord by focusing on the law and trying my best to keep it. I am not to violate the law willfully but I am not to be focused on it – I am to be focused on Jesus.

(P) Prayer
Lord, help me to stay focused on you and to be filled with your Spirit today as I seek to live for you. Amen

Life Journal 03-11-2009

Hypocrisy

(S) Scripture
But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?
Galatians 2:14 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul confronts Peter about his hypocrisy. He was requiring the Gentiles to live like the Jews and yet he was not doing it himself. This is in a ti9me when the church was carving out its identity in a hostile world. The new believers were part of a new faith group (Christians) and they were still trying to figure out just what that meant. Some thought that it meant being obedient to all the Jewish teachings and ways. Paul though confronts that thinking with a freedom that comes from following Christ. There is a depth of commitment in Paul that goes beyond the surface to the core of their beings. Paul challenges Peter to be true to his faith in Jesus and not just to the traditions he grew up with. The new believers, especially the new Gentile believers, needed solid examples to follow and so Paul challenges Peter to step up and teach the truth of the gospel and to give grace and direction to the new believers.

(A) Application
It is easy to say one thing and do another. That is hypocrisy. It is easy to make excuses for why I do or don't do things. I have been so busy doing ministry that I have neglected my personal devotions. I can make all kinds of excuses and yet they are just that, excuses. I preach and teach that people need to have a time alone with God and find myself not doing it. That is hypocrisy. Today I renew my commitment to this time with God. I know that my spirit has suffered in the past couple of weeks. I cannot preach one thing and do another. I confess my sin and commit to following through with this important part of my spiritual life. This time with the Lord is part of the balance I need in my life.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I confess my hypocrisy and sin. Thank you for your forgiveness. Grant to me the strength and encouragement to do your will and to follow you more closely. Amen

Life Journal 03-01-2009

What Do You See?

(S) Scripture
They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"
He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."
Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.
Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."
Mark 8:22-26 (NIV)

(O) Observation
After Jesus' first touch the man could see but not clearly. Jesus then touched the man's eyes again and he could see everything clearly. My guess is that the man was thrilled to see "people as trees walking" even though it was not clear. At least he could see something. But Jesus wanted him to see clearly.

(A) Application
It seems to me that when it comes to seeing the needs of people around us many Christians are content to have blurry vision. If we saw things clearly we would be compelled to do something about it. Why are we content to live with blurry vision? I think that most often it is because we think we are better than others or that they are in their condition because they deserve it. We fail to see clearly as Jesus wants us to because that would mean we would have to act. Yesterday when we announced to the Upward Basketball and Cheerleading crowds that all the money spent at the concession stand would go to "Helping Hands," a local food bank, we took on nearly double as compared to other weeks. Over $1000 was given. People were made aware of an opportunity to help and they responded. That is seeing clearly. This week people prepared meals for a family in need, that's seeing clearly. There are so many things we can do if we will only let Jesus open our eyes. Today I want to see clearly with eyes that Jesus has opened.

(P) Prayer
Father, it is so easy to be content with blurry vision. Let Jesus touch my eyes again today and let me see clearly so that I can do what you want me to do. Amen