Life Journal 02-25-2009

Believing What Jesus Says

(S) Scripture
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."
Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Jesus has told the disciples that they are going to the other side of the lake. When the storm came the disciples panicked and woke Jesus with cries that they were about to drown. Jesus calms the storm and reminds the disciples of what he had said before. Did they not believe him about going to the other side or in the middle of a storm just forget what he said. I choose to think they just forgot. This was a great lesson in faith for them even as they wondered just who Jesus really was.

(A) Application
The Lord has made promises about accomplishing His purposes in my life and ministry. There are times that storms come and I wonder if I am about to drown in the circumstances. This week I have had to deal with the aftermath of a guest speaker's attack on our president. This came in a class about Islam and in response to a question about the president. The answer crossed the line from information into a political attack, in my opinion. This caused many to be confused and offended and wondering just where our church stands on such issues. This is the second time in the last few months that a guest has violated our understanding of who we are as a church and how that is to be lived out. As Senior Pastor I am left to clean up the mess. I am not complaining because it is my responsibility. I just need to be reminded that Jesus calms the storms and my responsibility is to trust Him. After a long day yesterday of the tiring job of addressing issues that were not of my making directly, I needed to be reminded that Jesus is master of the storm. He was not alarmed by the storm, in fact, He was resting during the storm. Today I want that rest and confidence that comes through exercising my faith in the Master of the storm.

(P) Prayer
Lord, today I want to trust you and allow you to handle the storms I face. Give me courage not to panic but rather to trust you. When you rest let me rest, too. Grant me the strength to follow and not be afraid. Amen

Life Journal 02-24-2009

Forgiveness and Consequences

(S) Scripture
"Now may the Lord's strength be displayed, just as you have declared:
'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.'
In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now."
The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked.
Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth,
not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times--
Numbers 14:17-22 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The Lord has just told Moses how he is going to punish the people because of their sin. The scripture I chose is Moses plea to God and God's response. Moses repeats God's words back to Him describing his character and actions toward the people. He also remembers that the Lord does not let the guilty go unpunished. God responds by forgiving the people but there are consequences for their sin. Here we see just how seriously God takes sin and the consequences of it. God forgives the guilt and ultimate penalty for sin but not necessarily the punishment for the sin.

(A) Application
I am comforted by the knowledge that, "'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion." I must be warned that forgiveness does not remove the consequences or punishment for my behavior. God's forgiveness through Christ is complete and total when I receive Christ as Savior/Lord. I experience this forgiveness fresh every time I confess my sin. Even though forgiveness is experienced fresh the consequences need to be addressed. There may be punishment to endure or restitution to be made or apologies to be given. Today I will trust in the God who forgives and will not balk or complain about the punishment I brought on to myself.

(P) Prayer
Lord, help me to patiently and graciously endure the consequences of my sin. Let me experience your forgiveness and continue to live in your grace. Let me share your love with others. Let me be an example of what it means to live out your faith in a world that calls for compromise. Amen

Life Journal 02-19-2009

Being a Priest

(S) Scripture
"' "The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."'
"So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
Numbers 6:24-27 (NIV)

(O) Observation
After an explanation of the Nazirite Vow the Lord commands Moses to have Aaron and his sons (the priests) to bless the Israelites with the words of the verses I chose for today. By doing so the priests would be putting God's name on the people.

(A) Application
At a retreat last week one of the speakers talked about our pastoral role as a priest. A priest stands in the gap between God and man. In so doing we represent God to the people and the people to God. He described this role as primarily what people want from us in those critical times in their lives. Why do new parents ask the pastor to hold and pray for the newborn – Why do pastors get called to the hospital – Why do families want a pastor at the time of a death? It is not because I am Robin Crouch but rather because in that moment I am the priest that represents God to them and carries their needs to God. I am not here denying the pri3sthood of all believers and I know that every believer can go directly to God's throne. What I am saying that in those moments I represent God's presence for them. That is an incredible responsibility. Here is what I get to do. I get to place God's name on them. WOW!!! What a privilege and honor. As a Baptist I have shied away from the idea of being a "priest" but in this context and with this blessing it is a role I will joyfully fulfill.

(P) Prayer
Lord in all I do today let me represent you well. When needed let me present you to the people and the people to you. Let me place your name on them. Let me be a priest in that way today. Amen

Life Journal 02-17-2009

What A Way To Be Known

(S) Scripture
"We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect
Acts 24:5 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The High Priest has brought Paul before the Roman rulers for trial. He accuses him of being a troublemaker (without specific evidence). He then accuses Paul of being a "ringleader of the Nazarene sect". What a compliment to Paul. What the High Priest thought was an accusation was in fact a badge of honor for Paul.

(A) Application
My guess is that you are familiar with the saying, "If you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?" I wonder if I am living my life in a way that would cause people to say, "He is a ringleader of the Jesus sect." I would hope so and not just because I am a pastor but rather because my life reflects Jesus so clearly that I would be known that way. Today I want my life to reflect Christ in such a way as to cause people to think, "there goes a ringleader of the followers of Jesus.

(P) Prayer
Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can reflect you in all I do and say today. Let my life reflect you. Let me be known as a "ringleader" in your kingdom. Let me live my life for you. Amen

Life Journal 02-16-2009

The Reward for Obedience

(S) Scripture
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.
Leviticus 26:13 (NIV)

(O) Observation
God has just describes the reward for being obedient to all he commands. This is a clear and simple statement from the Lord. The reward he says is freedom from what enslaves you and the ability to walk with your head held high.

(A) Application
In a world where too many people are enslaved by harmful habits and walk with their head down and eyes looking to the ground it is good to know that God offers a way for the slavery to be broken and to walk with your head held high. I want that in my life and so it means that I need to be obedient to what God had commanded. This is not necessarily easy but the reward is worth the effort and work.

(P) Prayer
Lord, too often I don't listen and so I am disobedient and need to be forgiven. I confess my sin and ask for the strength to follow you closely. I want to walk with my head held high and free of the things that would enslave me. Amen

Life Journal 02-05-2009

The Way to Live

(S) Scripture
O Lord, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on Thy holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt, and does not change;
He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.
Psalm 15:1-5 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
when I read this I was immediately struck with its simplicity. I was reminded that following Jesus is not tough to understand, it is tough to do sometimes. It is simple and not complicated.

(A) Application
I am amazed at how often I make following Jesus a complicated, hard to understand endeavor. Here the psalmist again reminds me that it is simple:
Live with integrity
Do what is right in God's eyes
Speak the truth
Watch your words
Love your neighbors and friends
Protect the innocent and less fortunate

Summed up it is again – Love God with all you have and Love others as you love yourself.

(P) Prayer
Lord, you know my heart and my desires. Let me live this way. Let my life please you. Amen

Life Journal 02-04-2009

The Words of My Mouth

(S) Scripture
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
The psalmist has just given us a litany or the virtues of God's Word. He then turns to the difference God's Word should make in us. They warn us about presumptuous sins and hidden faults. They must also affect our thoughts and speech.

(A) Application
I wonder if my speech is acceptable to God. When I think of some of the things that occupy my thoughts and speech, some seem so trivial and unimportant. It is not that God is not concerned with the trivial in my life but I wonder if those things are worth the time they take. It really is my desire to have God's Word at work in me so that I might experience His love and grace and that my words and thought would be acceptable to Him. He is my rock and redeemer and I want my life to please him.

(P) Prayer
Lord, you know my thoughts and words. Make me aware when they are not acceptable to you. Help me to use my words and thoughts to help others know you better and love you more. Amen

Life Journal 02-03-2009

When The Heart Is Stirred

(S) Scripture
And everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD 's contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.
Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and bracelets, all articles of gold; so did every man who presented an offering of gold to the LORD.
Exodus 35:21-22 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
God has been describing just how and with what the tabernacle and attending garments should be made. Moses then records how the people gave what was needed. As their heart was stirred they gave. I wonder just what stirred their hearts. Was it their deliverance, God's constant presence, Moses' example? I am not sure but they were moved and they gave – in fact they had to be told to stop giving.

(A) Application
This makes me wonder why we have to plead and ask and sometimes nag people about giving in the church. I wonder if we have lost that sense of deliverance, or God's constant presence, or the example of Godly leaders and therefore are not stirred to give. Maybe it is because we do not give a big picture like Moses did. But for whatever reason it seems that people have to be prodded to give rather than by having their hearts stirred. We see this "stirred heart" giving when something catches a person's passion. We go on a mission trip and then are moved to give. We see a need in the community and give. One man said that people give to "vision, cause and need" and we need to keep all three before the people. It is so something will stir their hearts and they will give. I noticed in these verses that it was the "Lord's contribution" that they gave. It was already his. I want to give our of a stirred heart not just out of obedience. I want my heart stirred by God.

(P) Prayer

Lord, make me so aware of your presence that my heart is stirred to give and work for you today. Amen

Life Journal 02-02-2009

Moses' Request

(S) Scripture
If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people."
Exodus 33:13 (NIV)

(O) Observation
God has just told Moses that he will not go with the people because they are stiff-necked and disobedient. Moses pleads with the Lord and then offers this request, "teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you."

(A) Application
This is a prayer or request that I need to make each day. "Teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you." Today I will pray that and live out my faith fully trusting God. This is not easy but I will trust even though I may not understand all that the Lord is doing in my life.

(P) Prayer
Lord, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Amen