Life Journal 06-07-2008 - Quick Promises

Quick Promises

(S) Scripture
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (NIV) 1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. 2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

(O) Observation
When we come before God we should take note of where we are. In this place we are to "be still" and listen rather than active and talking. God will hold us to what we say so we should be careful and not foolish when we are before Him.

(A) Application
Too often when I am before God I do all the talking. How arrogant and foolish is that? I will often make quick and foolish promises to God thinking it sounds spiritual but in reality this passage describes them as the "sacrifice of fools."
Today I will listen more and speak less. I will speak carefully and then keep the promises I make.

(P) Prayer
Lord, thank you for forgiving me when I am hasty and mouthy. Teach me to listen intently and then to carry out the promises I make. Amen

Life Journal - 06-06-2008 - My Foundation

My Foundation

(S) Scripture
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-20 (NIV)

(O) Observation
We are built on the foundation of those faithful servants who have gone before us. This foundation has its origin in the prophets and apostles and Jesus is its anchoring point. In addition to these we also benefit from all those have gone before us. We are in their debt.

(A) Application
Today if the 64th anniversary of D-Day - the invasion at Normandy. Thousands lost their lives that day defending our freedom. We must never forget their sacrifice or the fact that we are free today because the fought like many did before them and like many have done since then. We live free because of the foundation they laid.

Spiritually we are free and we understand that freedom because of those who laid the foundation before us. There are many who I need to remember because of their contribution to the foundation of my life and ministry. I am who I am today because of the foundation they provided. I must never forget but rather continue to build on that foundation,

(P) Prayer
Lord, Thank You for those who have given so much to me, those who laid a foundation of faith in my life. Let me live in such a way as to leave a firm foundation for others. Amen

Life Journal - 06-05-2008 To Know Jesus Better

To Know Jesus Better

(S) Scripture
Ephesians 1:17 (NIV) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

(O) Observation
All we can know of Jesus is given to us by the Father. The NIV uses a capital "S" on Spirit indicating the Holy Spirit. It is interesting that in this verse all three persons of the Trinity are mentioned. It is the Holy Spirit that guides us into truth and helps us to know Jesus better. It is the Holy Spirit who works in us to make us like Jesus.

(A) Application
To know Jesus better I must be led by the Holy Spirit. That is difficult at times because it it a control issue. I want to be in control of my life and we both cannot be in control at the same time. I must give control of my life to the Holy Spirit if I want to know Jesus better and to become like Him.

(P) Prayer
Today I choose to give control of my life to the Holy Spirit. I trust that He will lead and guide me to be who God wants me to be, to do what God wants me to do and to know Jesus better. Thank you for loving me so much that you provide a way for me to live the way you want me to live. Amen

Life Journal - 06-04-2008 - Vision

Vision
(S) Scripture
Proverbs 29:18 (NIV) 18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Proverbs 29:18 (NASB77) 18 Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.

(O) Observation
Revelation or Vision gives purpose and direction without which people will go in all directions doing all kinds of things, some good and some not. It is the vision that keeps up on track. we are blessed because the law gives the boundaries and direction our lives need. The law gives us a sense of God's vision for our behavior. Our focus then is not solely on the law but more so on the greater vision of God it reveals.

(A) Application
Vision, revelation, purpose, direction give us the structure and confidence we need to live out God's will in our lives. Without these we tend to go off in any direction with any behavior (cast off restraint). This leads to defeated, frustrated and powerless spiritual lives. If the church (that is the body of believers) is to move forward the the vision needs to be clear, consistent and constantly before us. Without it we may be doing some good things but the church does not get to where God wants it. This can also lead to all kinds of sinful behavior and heresy (things contrary to the truth of scripture). It is important for me to keep God's vision before me and the church I serve so we can become who he wants us to be and will be doing what he wants us to do.

(P) Prayer
Lord, make the vision plain and let me clearly understand it so I can communicate it clearly to the church. Amen

Life Journal - 06-03-2008 - Sarcasm

Sarcasm
(S) Proverbs 26:18-19 (NIV) Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows 19 is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

(O) Sarcasm, teasing and deceit really harm our friends. The thins we say do harm people. We all know the old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me", just isn't true. Words do hurt and harm even when said in jest.

(A) We joke around and think we are being funny but the truth is that behind every tease or sarcastic remark is a note of truth. Those words hurt and harm our friends and we tend to tease those we are closest to. We are called to build up and encourage not to tear down and destroy. (what if political campaign practiced this) I must watch my conversations and be sure they are building people up. There is no place where I should use sarcasm or deceit in personal relationships.

(P) Lord, help me control my tongue. Help me to make my speech words that build up and encourage rather than to tear down and destroy. Help me to believe the best in people and not the worst. Amen

Life Journal 6-2-2008 Passing Judgment

Passing Judgment
(S) Romans 14:13 (NIV) Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

(O) In this passage the Holy Spirit through Paul tells us to stop doing what comes way too easy for most of us, passing judgment on our brothers and sisters. Passing judgment on them does not get them or me to where God wants us to be. There is a better way - Decide, make a conscious decision, not to put a stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. Find ways to connect with them, continue to love them.

(A) I can be so quick to pass judgment on people and that really accomplishes nothing productive except it make me feel superior to them and that's not right either. I find it interesting that many people I know are most judgmental about behaviors that they have or are personally struggling with. Rather than passing judgment I am to decide to look for ways to help my brother and sister. This does not mean tat I am to condone or enable their sinful behavior but I am to look for ways to connect with them and help them to restoration with the Lord.

This is really difficult when the behavior is openly sinful and harmful but I must remember that an accusing finger only builds barriers. A loving rebuke is much different than an accusing finger.

(P) Lord, give me wisdom and remind me to build bridges rather than to condemn and judge my brothers and sisters. Amen

Life Journal - 6-1-08

Knowledge and Enthusiasm

(S) Proverbs 19:2 (NIV) 2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

(O) Our faith and action must be based in knowledge not just emotion. We must be willing to wait on the Lord. Being in a hurry only takes us down wrong paths. God is never in a hurry or rush and we should follow His example.

(A) In 1972 I was on Campus Crusade for Christ staff. Dr. Earl Radmacher, then President of Western Conservative Seminary, was the speaker at a conference where I was leading the singing. As we talked that week he gave me some sound advice about my need for a seminary education. He said, "Enthusiasm without knowledge leads to fanaticism and knowledge without enthusiasm leads to stagnation." We must have both enthusiasm and knowledge for our faith and ministry to grow and be vibrant. I am ever thankful for this counsel and am appreciative of my seminary education.

(P) Lord, I thank you for Dr. Radmacher's wise counsel in my life and for the education I received. Let me give that same wise counsel to others. Let me serve you with a balance of enthusiasm and knowledge. Amen