Life Journal - 07-27-2009

My Resources

(S) Scripture
His devine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

(O) Observation
Peter is reminding these new believers that they have a resource in Christ that gives them all they need for life and godliness. They do not lack anything - they have all they need in Christ.

(A) Application
God has given me all I need in Christ. I do not need to search for more resources. I do not need more, I simply need to use the resources I have in Christ. Too often we neglect what we have and look for something else. Something more complex or intriguing but here Peter reminds me that I already have all I need, I just need to use it. Today I will trust the resources I have.

(P) Prayer
Lord, Thank you for giving me all I need in Christ. Teach me to use the resources I have rather than always looking elsewhere. Let me trust in you today. Amen

Life Journal 07-24-2009

Simple Instructions

(S) Scripture
For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
1 Peter 3:10-12 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Peter is using instructions from the Psalms to tell believers how to live. These are simple and direct. They are easy to understand and yet are profound in their impact on our lives.

(A) Application
Today I want my speech and attitude to glorify Christ. It is the only way to experience the abundant Life that He has for us as believers. There is no place for lies and demeaning and evil speech. Those reveal a heart that is far from God. I want to seek peace in the midst of some conflict. Today I will pursue righteousness.

(P) Prayer
Lord, use me today. Help me to keep my tongue in check and only speak words that edify and build up the body of Christ. Amen

Life Journal 07-22-2009

When Under Fire

(S) Scripture
And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD:
"O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.
Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God.
"It is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands.
They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands.
Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God."
Isaiah 37:15-20 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The king of Assyria is ready to attack. He has sent messengers to intimidate and discourage the people. The messengers speak directly to the people but Hezekiah has instructed the people not to respond in any way. The threat is real and the destruction would be complete if it came about. Hezekiah's response was not one of fear or taking up the fight, he prayed. His prayer is an interesting one because it is not until the last line that he asks for deliverance. He acknowledges God for who he is and the Assyrian gods for who they are not. He simply asks God to protect His name and to show Himself to be the Almighty. Why? So all the kingdoms would know that He alone is God.

(A) Application
When under fire of attack or the peril of a pending attack too often I look for ways to defend myself or to take the fight to the others. Often when I pray it is first for safety and deliverance or vindication. Isaiah reminds me that I need to focus on the majesty of God and let him handle to forces set against me. My desire is that all the "kingdoms" around me know that He alone is God. How can that happen if I do all the fighting, maneuvering and work and leave Him out of the picture. I need to get out of God's way. He is the One to carry the battle. When I rely on Him sometimes He lets me know that I am in the wrong and must apologize. Regardless of the outcome it is important to me that the Lord our God be the one people see and recognize.

(P) Prayer
Lord, teach me to rely on you. Teach me not to be so quick to move forward or pursue a conflict. Help me to trust you with every detail of every situation. Let me live for you and in your protection today. Amen

Life Journal 07-21-2009

God Responds to Faith and Obedience

(S) Scripture
He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses.
2 Kings 18:6 (NIV)

Isaiah said to them, "Tell your master, 'This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard--those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
Listen! I am going to put such a spirit in him that when he hears a certain report, he will return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.'"
2 Kings 19:6-7 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Hezekiah was faithful and obedient to the Lord. When faced with the challenge of the king of Assyria he remained faithful to the Lord and led the people to do the same. The messengers from the king of Assyria did all they could to discourage and frighten the people of Judah but Hezekiah and the people remained strong. God honored their faithfulness and kept them from being overthrown and taken captive. In spite of all his threats and boasts of power it was the king of Assyria who died and Hezekiah and the people of Judah were saved.

(A) Application
I must be faithful and obedient to the Lord and His call in my life regardless of the threats and boasts thrown at me from others. I cannot be discouraged because it is the Lord God that I serve. I must trust that He will protect me and the people I serve. I must be faithful and obedient as the leader of the people of First Baptist. If we are to move forward in our ministry and mission then I must follow Hezekiah's example and be faithful and obedient. It is the only way we can move forward unafraid and with courage.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I will follow you. Strengthen my heart and my life. Protect me from the threats and boasts of the enemy. Let me lead this church to the future you have for us. Give me the strength to follow you faithfully and obediently. Amen

Life Journal 07-20-2009

Directives

(S) Scripture
In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.
2 Chronicles 31:21 (NIV)

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:7-8 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The Chronicles' passage described the work and life of Hezekiah. He was faithful to God and followed with his whole heart and he prospered. The passage in James gives us the directives to follow that will produce a similar result. This is not a health and wealth message but one of obedience and blessing. God's blessing may not be material prosperity but our lives are full and meaningful.

(A) Application
I want to live like this. I want to live in a way that the last words of the Chronicles passage could legitimately be carved on my tombstone, "he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered". For that to be true I need to practice the directives given by James. Today I will return my attention to living out these directives. I will submit to God, seek to resist the devil, draw near to God and receive God's cleansing. Today will be a great day.

(P) Prayer
Lord, You know my heart and my desires. Let me get to know you better today, do your work in me and use me in the lives of others. Amen

Life Journal 07-19-2009

Split Loyalties

(S) Scripture
They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought.
To this day they persist in their former practices. They neither worship the LORD nor adhere to the decrees and ordinances, the laws and commands that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom he named Israel.
2 Kings 17:33-34 (NIV)

They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices.
Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.
2 Kings 17:40-41 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The Israelites ignored God's command to follow and worship Him alone. They tried to both worship God and the gods of the people around them. This brought God's anger and punishment. The result was a heart calloused to God and mimicked by their children and grandchildren. The example of disobedience they set was followed by the generations that followed.

(A) Application
This is a sobering passage. I wonder what other "idols" I try to worship along with the Lord. I may not have shrines built for them but I wonder. What about golf and TV and my image in town. These quickly come to mind when I think of things that occupy my time. After all don't you give your time to the things you hold dear and "worship"? Today I will work on my priorities and put all those other things in their proper place somewhere down the list from my relationship with the Lord. Those things are not evil in themselves but when I give them a place of priority in my live over my relationship with the Lord they become evil for me. The scary thing is that others will follow my example.

(P) Prayer
Lord, keep me focused on you. Help me to keep these other things in their proper place. Amen

Life Journal 7-15-2009

Discipline

(S) Scripture
For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:10-11 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
The writer is comparing the discipline of our earthly and Heavenly fathers. Our parents do what seems right to them but God disciplines with a purpose. God disciplines us to make us holy. Now that is quite a thought.

(A) Application
Parents do what they think is right but don't always get it right. Some discipline out of frustration and anger with very little love involved. Others may have the best interest of the child in mind. I am reminded of the discipline I received after running into the street. That discipline taught me that the pain of the discipline was not worth running into the street for. That discipline was used to teach me and to keep me safe. I was not able to reason it through and so my parents used what I understood, discipline. God always has my best in mind. He never disciplines to get even or to alienate but always with the purpose of holiness. The discipline is not always pleasant but when received with a faithful heart it will lead to holy living. Today I do not want to run away from God's discipline; I want to embrace it and learn from it and to let it lead me to holy living that brings peace and righteousness to my life.

(P) Prayer
Lord, make me into the person you created me to be. Chip off the rough spots and make form me into your design for me. Work in my life today. Amen

Life Journal 07-14-2009

It Really Is By Faith

(S) Scripture
Hebrews 11

(O) Observation
The writer makes it clear from history and the lives of the heroes of Israel that our standing with God has always been by faith. Before Christ it was by faith that people pleased God. After Christ it is by faith that people please God. It has always been and will always be "by faith" that we please God and receive His blessing in our lives.

(A) Application
Whenever I try to live on my own power I cannot please God or receive His blessing and power in my life. It is "by faith" that I can and will please Him. Today I will again focus on living by faith. I will seek to walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.

(P) Prayer
Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit today and let me walk faithfully with you. Amen

Life Journal 07-13-2009

The Way To Live

(S) Scripture
Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,
and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:19-25 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Because Jesus is superior and is our high priest we are called to a new way of living. We are to:
    Draw near to God with a sincere heart
    Hold fast to the confession of our faith
    Stimulate each other to love and good deeds
    Gather together for encouragement and worship
That is a new way of living because it is the antithesis of our nature. These directives are counter to our natural selfish tendencies. This kind of living comes as a result of our lives being transformed by the Holy Spirit.

(A) Application
These four directives form a way of living that I desire. Too often I find myself focused only on my personal needs and struggles. I sometimes forget that I have a family in Christ that can and will help. When I am focused on myself I am not able to help others and then I am way out of whack with these directives. If I could outline a way to live that brings fulfillment and satisfaction it would have to resemble this one but it could not improve on this one. Today I will seek to live out these directives. I will practice them and by the power of the Holy Spirit they will become the normal for my life. I cannot produce this on my own but can with the Holy Spirit leading and empowering me.

(P) Prayer
Lord, you know the work that must be done in my life in order for it to reflect these commands. Do that work in me. Amen

Life Journal 07-12-2009

A Done Deal

(S) Scripture
The LORD Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.
Isaiah 14:24 (NIV)

(O) Observation
In a prophecy against Assyria, Isaiah begins with this declaration. What God plans will happen and what God purposes will last.

(A) Application
Sometimes I forget that God is in control and that His plans and purposes will stand. Now I would never say that God is not in control out loud, but I live that way at times. When I take things into my own hands or choose to live by my own devices I am taking control and my plans will not stand. Today I will trust and follow God. I know that His plans and purposes last where mine are temporal at best.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I know that your plans and purposes last so help me to trust and follow them and not my own. Amen

Life Journal 07-09-2009

Maturing

(S) Scripture
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
Hebrews 6:1 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Here the writer is not saying to abandon the basics but rather to build on to them with the deeper things of God. The believer is not to be content with only an elementary understanding of the things of God.

(A) Application
This is a call to maturing in Christ. It is unnatural not to grow and yet I know many Christians who are at the same maturity level years after their conversion. In my undergraduate degree I had a field education assignment at the local state hospital. My degree was in Rehabilitation Counseling and this was at a mental hospital. One particular patient at the hospital was in her mid-thirties, lay curled up in a fetal position, and had never grown from her early childhood size. She was a pitiful sight because she had never grown. I think of her and how unnatural her state was when I encounter Christians that have never grown in their relationship with Jesus. Being a baby Christian is fine in the beginning but it is not natural to stay in that condition. I want to grow in my understanding and commitment to the Lord. I want to become more and more mature as each day passes. I do not want to be content where I am today. I want to grow each day. In this passage I am reminded that maturing in my relationship with Jesus is the natural thing and it is also what God desires.

(P) Prayer
Lord, don't let me be complacent in my relationship with you. Let me move each day toward more maturity in you. Help me to help others mature in you. Amen

Life Journal 07-08-2009

Come With Words

(S) Scripture
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!
Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.
Hosea 14:1-2 (NIV)

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Psalm 100:1-2 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Hosea and David both tell us to use words with God. God speaks to us and expects us to speak back to Him. Words mean things and we are to use them with God. We are to express our repentance in words. We are to confess our sins with words. We are to worship and joy with words. God wants to hear from us.

(A) Application
It is appropriate to "be still" when I am contemplating the majesty and greatness of God. There are times when I am to be vocal and to remain silent is not acceptable. In the verses I chose for today I am to be vocal in my confession. That means that sins have names and I need to be specific when I confess. It is easy to be general and ask for general forgiveness but when I confess specifically I experience a specific sense of forgiveness. I am to use words when I worship, sing joyful songs. As I read these passages this morning I was reminded of my devotion on July 4. On that day I wrote about having a God that speaks to us. And here that God wants us , commands us, to speak to Him. We express our faith, worship, commitment and love for God with words. Today I will use words as I confess and worship.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I love you and want to be fully devoted to you. Teach me how to speak to you in ways you desire and in ways that draw me closer to you. Hear my prayer, grant me a sense of your presence today. Amen

Life Journal 07-07-2009

Confidence With God

(S) Scripture
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV)

(O) Observation
We are to hold firm to our faith in Jesus, the high priest. Jesus is able to sympathize with us because he has been tempted in every way that we have been tempted and yet unlike us, he is without sin. Where we give in to temptation, he never did. Because of his work and our faith in him we are to come before God with confidence.

(A) Application
It is like the confidence I have when speaking to my mom. I know she wants what is best for me and will do whatever she can to bring that to pass. I do not have the same confidence speaking to someone else's parent because they may or may not want the best for me. My confidence is rooted in my relationship with God. I come as his child. As his child I have access that another may not have. This dispels the myth of the "fatherhood of God". God is the creator of all things but he is father to those who are his children by faith in his Son, Jesus. Because of my faith in Jesus I have confidence before God and can receive mercy and grace from God. That is where I want to live today, experiencing the mercy and grace of God.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I again profess my faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. I thank you for receiving me into your presence and listening to my prayers. I thank you for your mercy and grace, they always arrive just when I need them. Teach me to trust you more and more each day. Amen

Life Journal 07-06-2009

Encourage

(S) Scripture
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:12-13 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The writer is warning against unbelief and gives a command to encourage one another each day. This encouragement keeps us from being hardened by sin.

(A) Application
This statement seems to say that encouragement is good for both the encourager and the one being encouraged. It is important to see to urgency in this command. We are to do this "Today" and not wait until tomorrow. We only have today and that is what we are to be about. I think maybe you can delay your criticism but encouragement is to happen each and every day. We are not to delay in our encouragement. Today I will seek to encourage those I meet. I will practice this command. I want to be known as an encourager and so I will be about that today.

(P) Prayer
Lord, make me aware of how best to encourage those around me today. Give me a heart that is sensitive to the needs of people and let me offer a good word for them today. Amen

Life Journal 07-04-2009

God Speaks to Us

(S) Scripture
¹In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The Writer begins this letter with a statement about our God and His Son. The writer tells us that God has spoken to us and now it is through his Son who is heir of all things and superior to all things.

(A) Application
We have a God that has spoken to us. He did not create the world and then leave us to our own devices. He has spoken to us to reveal Himself and to let us know what He expects of us. The Son has also spoken to us and tells us what God expects and demands. We have a God that is deeply involved in our lives and world. Whoo Hoo. I am so thankful that God did not leave me to figure things out for myself but He has spoken and told me what He desires. His Word, the Bible, is therefore my most important resource. It lets me know what God has said so I can act on it. Today I will thank God for speaking so that I could follow Him. I would not know how to be saved had He not spoken. Today I commit again to this daily time of reading and meditating on the Bible. Today we celebrate the birth of America nad the freedom we have living in America. God speaks of being really free in Jesus. I am so thankful for both.

(P) Prayer
Lord, thank you for not leaving us in the dark but for speaking clearly and directly to us. Let me hear and understand what you have said and let me obey it. Amen

Life Journal 07-03-2009

Look for God

(S) Scripture
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Isaiah 6:1 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Isaiah is recounting his own call to ministry and how God spoke to him. It begins with a sense of seeing God and then hearing what He says.

(A) Application
One activity of our Bible School was to "look for God" in ordinary things each day. Each one that was reported was represented by a firefly placed on one of the shacks at Crocodile Dock. By the end of the week the shacks were covered. I wonder when the last time I could say with Isaiah and the kids at our church that I had a God sighting. Isaiah saw God high and lifted up. The kids saw God in many small acts done by others or in nature. I must ask myself when the last time I honestly looked for God and when did I last see Him. IT is easy to get so busy doing God's work that you forget to look to spend time with Him or to see Him in the common and ordinary things around you. Today I will "Look for God". I will focus on seeing Him and not ignoring His work in my world or in the actions of others.

(P) Prayer
Lord, let me see you today. Let me see you in Your Majesty and also in the common around me. Amen

Life Journal 07-01-2009

Slander

(S) Scripture
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
Titus 3:1-2 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Paul tells Titus to remind the people to live godly lives. He gives a number of ways in these verses. Submit to the governing authorities, be obedient and ready to do good. Be peaceable, considerate and humble toward others and do not slander. Tall orders for people that are stuck on themselves or who only look out for themselves.

(A) Application
There is so much here for me but I chose to think today about slander. I am not trying to find the legal definition but rather just what is Paul getting at for me. Slander is assigning actions and words to someone that were not theirs. It always goes to attacking a person's character, like calling a person a liar to cause people to distrust them. In recent years the political rhetoric in our country has gone from honest disagreement and argument to assigning inflammatory motives to what people are saying. We find this has spilled over into our everyday conversations. Rather than simply stating what a person has said we must also assign a negative motive to it. That to me is slander. It violates most of what is contained in these verses. Even though I might disagree with some of the policies of the Obama administration, I am tired of those who disagree assigning sinister motives to his decisions. We can disagree without the personal attacks. When we condone that in our discussion of national policies it is easy to allow it in our personal disagreements and church conflicts, too. We are always better served by dealing with the issue rather than resorting to personal attacks. The kingdom of God is not served when we stoop to slander to get our way or to win an argument. Today I commit to dealing with issues without personal attacks. I will refuse to slander. I do not need to assign motives to others I must simply make sure mine are honoring to the Lord.

(P) Prayer
Lord, keep me off the high horse of pride. Let me deal with the issues and let me act with humility toward all people. Let my life reflect you. Amen