Life Journal 04-26-2009

It is good to be back from vacation. I am always glad to go but just a happy to return home. We had a great time of relaxation in Orlando. We sat in the sun and read most every day. We really needed the break and have come back renewed.

A Daily Prayer

(S) Scripture
For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'
Matthew 13:15 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Jesus has been teaching in parables and the disciples ask him why. He gives them an explanation and then the challenge of the verse for today. The people have closed their eyes and ears to what God wants them to learn. That is why they do not understand.

(A) Application
In a DMin class on preaching Dr. John Guest, the teacher, gave us a prayer he prays publicly before each message. "Lord, open my eyes to see, my ears to hear and my heart to understand what you have for me today, then give me the will to obey you." That is close to the wording. When I read the passage for today I immediately thought of this prayer. It should be my daily prayer. I want to have my heart turned completely toward God and I want to have his healing in my life.

(P) Prayer
Lord, open my eyes to see, my ears to hear and my heart to understand what you have for me today, then give me the will to obey you today. Amen

Life Journal 04-17-2009

Follow Me

(S) Scripture
And He * said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Matthew 4:19 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Jesus has just come through being tempted in the wilderness and is now gathering his disciples. It is a simple call, "Follow Me" and yet has such great impact on their lives. Their response was to leave immediately and follow. They left their family, jobs and what was familiar to follow Jesus.

(A) Application
Jesus' call is still the same simple, "Follow Me". It still compels people to respond. The call is to follow Jesus and to be made into what He desires. I become what Jesus designs for me not necessarily what I think or dream. His design is always better. The problem is that way too often I choose to follow other things and I get side-tracked or distracted from the most important. I am reminded of Paul's admonition to the Corinthian church when he wrote, "For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 (NASB77).

The simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. That is what I desire in my life. It is how I want to be remembered by others. Today I commit myself again to following Jesus and allowing Him to make me into whatever He chooses.

(P) Prayer
Lord, You know how easily I am distracted from the simplicity and purity of following Jesus. I ask your forgiveness and for your strength to follow consistently. Let me experience the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. Amen

Life Journal 04-13-2009

A Challenge for My Life

(S) Scripture
Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul is closing his letter to the Corinthian church and does so with an incredible challenge and benediction. He challenges them to live lives that honor the Lord and each other. They are to value each other and the church and their unity and their relationship with the Lord. This is quite a challenge in one statement, nothing is left unaddressed. Everything is covered.

(A) Application
After the rush and pressures of Holy Week I needed to be reminded of what is really important in my personal walk with the Lord. It is easy to get distracted from these things in the crunch of preparations and the pressure of delivery of all that is involved with Holy Week and especially Easter Sunday. This morning I was reminded that I am to rejoice and I am (we had great services yesterday and two made decisions to follow Christ). The rest of this verse hinges on me trusting God and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill me and use me today. When I am walking by faith in the Spirit the rest of this verse becomes a reality in my life. That is the way I want to live. On the heels of a great Resurrection Sunday I want my life to reflect the Risen Christ in every way. Today I will put my trust in the Lord and follow Him.

(P) Prayer
Father, thank You for the reminder from Your word today. I want to live this way. Today I give myself to you and ask that you use me and let me experience Your love and peace. Amen

Life Journal 04-12-2009

Missing Out

(S) Scripture
And Samuel said to Saul, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, for now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
"But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."
1 Samuel 13:13-14 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Saul felt desperate and so he offered sacrifices that he should have had Samuel offer. He did not trust God to sustain him until things could be done properly. That disobedience was part of what cost him his kingdom.

(A) Application
Today is Easter and we celebrate the Resurrection and the power it brings to our lives as believers. The story of Saul reminds me that disobedience has its consequences. I can live in the power of the resurrection or I can choose to live in my own power, even as a Christian, but that has its costs. I never want to live apart from the power of the Holy Spirit being at work in me. Today as I celebrate the Resurrection I will also renew my commitment to walking by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I give control of my life to you. I trust in your forgiveness and am encouraged by the fact that you cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Let me experience the power of the Resurrection in my life and ministry today. Amen

Life Journal 04-11-2009

Discernment

(S) Scripture
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul is describing the false prophets that are trying to woo the believers. They come disguised as servants of righteousness but in truth are servants of Satan. They may look and sound credible but they are not. The believer needs the discernment that comes from the Lord to know the difference between the true and false prophet.

(A) Application
The internet, TV and radio have given so many teachers and preachers, that claim to be Christian, a forum from which to impact the lives of believers everywhere. How are we to distinguish between the true and false teachers. My fear is that many in my church are fooled. Because a preacher has a large congregation does not mean they are teaching and preaching the truth. There are many "health and wealth", "name it and claim it" preachers that are smooth in their delivery and have fooled many. I must be sure that my preaching is true to the scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit. I must teach and preach the truth so that when confronted with a counterfeit they will recognize it immediately. My fear is that we have so dumbed down the Scripture and our teaching of doctrine that the believer is left without the necessary tools to discern the true from the false especially when it is disguised so well.

(P) Prayer
Lord, help me to teach and preach the truth of your Word. Help me to make it so plain and understandable that the people I serve will be able to discern the true from the false. Help me not to be fooled by a lie. Lord, I want to follow only You and I want that for the people of FBC, too. Amen

Life Journal 04-09-2009

Struck Me As Funny

(S) Scripture
Then they said, "What shall be the guilt offering which we shall return to Him?" And they said, "Five golden tumors and five golden mice according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for one plague was on all of you and on your lords.
"So you shall make likenesses of your tumors and likenesses of your mice that ravage the land, and you shall give glory to the God of Israel; perhaps He will ease His hand from you, your gods, and your land.
1 Samuel 6:4-5 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
In my NASB (1971) copy the word "tumor" is translated as "hemorrhoids". They were to make golden likenesses of their hemorrhoids. That struck me as funny. I cannot imagine what those images must have looked like of how you go about crafting one. The question is what can I get from this passage for me.

(A) Application
As I thought about this here is what I came up with for me. I am to take my most aggravating pain and wrap it in what I value most and give both to the Lord. My pain and what I value, my affliction and my wealth all must be given to God. I think that too often I hold one or the other back. God wants all of me not just part. The offering I bring to Him must be all of me.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I give all of myself to you. All my pain and afflictions, my frustrations and joys are Yours. I give you my wealth and security because apart from you I have nothing. Teach me to love you more deeply and to serve you more faithfully as I continue to grow in my relationship with you. Amen

Life Journal 04-08-2009

Generosity

(S) Scripture
Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,
that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord,
2 Corinthians 8:1-3 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul is commenting on the generosity of the churches in Macedonia. In tough economic times they gave liberally. What a testimony to God's provision for them and their understanding of that provision.

(A) Application
The economy is tough here in Michigan. For some time we have been in what some have called a "one state recession" that has now become a national economic crisis. The people of Michigan are not the cause but certainly have suffered the effects of this economic downturn. I say that as background to an incredible note of praise for our church. I just received the financial giving reports for the first quarter of 2009 and we are ahead of giving for last year and only 2% behind our budget. Generally at this time of the year we are 8-10% behind. The people of FBC are living out this scripture. They may not recognize it but that is what's happening. Out of much affliction generosity continues to come. I am so pleased to be the pastor of this church. Today I simply rejoice and thank God for calling me here to serve Him with this congregation.

(P) Prayer
Father, Thank You for allowing me to be part of this church. Thank You for working in the hearts of the people so that they trust you for the very issues of life. Thank you for a church family that gives financially to your work here in Charlotte and around the world. Help me to set a faithful example as I lead this church to follow You. Amen

p.s. Today Becky and I celebrate 31 years of marriage. From the beginning she has been my greatest encourager. I am a better person, father and pastor because of her love and support. Like most male pastors I know, I married better than myself.