Life Journal 05-20-2009

From Beginning to End

(S) Scripture
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Romans 1:17 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Paul declares that the Gospel of Jesus Christ reveals a righteousness that comes from God. This righteousness comes from living by faith in Jesus. This living by faith is from first to last in everything.

(A) Application
Yesterday my friend, Tom Auvenshine, lost his short battle with cancer but received his victors crown in heaven. His cancer was discovered in January. Since that time he had a cancerous gall bladder removed, a ruptured appendix removed, a drainage tube inserted into his abdomen and a feeding line inserted in his chest (this became infected and had to be replaced on the opposite side of his chest). Through these surgeries, chemo and countless days in the hospital Tom taught us all how to live by showing us how to die. Tom was a man of faith and he lived it each day. As I read this passage today I thought of Tom. His death reminded me of my Dad's death. Tom was 59 my Dad was 58. Both were men who lived out their faith day by day and lives were impacted for the Christ. I thank God for sending men like Tom and my Dad into my life to enrich and deepen my faith. Today I want to live by faith so that I can impact others for the sake of the Gospel.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I thank you for the example Tom set and for allowing me to be his friend and pastor. Give your strength and a sense of your presence to Linda, Amanda and Tom and Adam as they grieve. Let us each learn how to better live for you. Amen

Life Journal 05-18-2009

A Timely Reminder

(S) Scripture
He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
Psalm 78:5-7 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The psalmist is recounting God's work in Israel and their rebellion. Over and over the Israelites would sin and turn away from God and He would punish and they would repent and He would forgive. Over and over the psalmist recounts this cycle. In these verses though the psalmist recounts God instruction to teach His statutes to your children so that they will put their trust in the Lord.

(A) Application
As I think about my family we spent a good deal of time teaching our daughters faith lessons. Now as adults they are walking with the Lord and active in their churches. Our oldest is now teaching these same stories and lessons to her little girl. Sarah and her husband have custody and hope to adopt his five year old niece. They have had her for over two years now and the faith development in her has been tremendous. Becky and I are seeing that the lessons we taught were learned and are now being taught to the next generation. Our deepest desire is for Grayce to grow up loving Jesus and living for him. The scripture today is a good reminder of our task as parents and grandparents. This is a task I look forward to but it is one that can be easily set aside for other things. I am thankful for the reminder.

(P) Prayer
Lord thank you for allowing me to know you and to share that with my children and o see them sharing you with others especially their families. Help us to always remain faithful examples for those who follow us. Amen

Life Journal 05-15-2009

To Reminisce

(S) Scripture
For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?
1 Thessalonians 3:8-9 (NIV)

(O) Observation
As Paul is writing he begins to think about the believers in Thessalonica and his gratitude just overflows. He got a real kick out of their faith stance and could not thank God enough for the joy these believers gave him.

(A) Application
It is good to think back at times and to remember the people the Lord has brought into your life. As I think back I am reminded of many students (I was a campus minister for 8 years) and where they are today. Some are serving as pastors and on church staffs, others are doctors and lawyers and teachers and engineers and accountants and are using their professions as a witness to their faith in Jesus. My heart overflows with joy when I think of them. They are doing so much more than I am doing and it gives me great joy to know that I had a small part in their spiritual development. Then there are the adults and young people from the churches I have served. Again many are using their chosen careers as venues for sharing their faith. They are leaders in their professions and communities and I had a small part in their spiritual development. My joy is full. When I think of the friends the Lord has brought into my life I am filled with gratitude and joy. I am a better man, husband, father, pastor because of their investment in my life. It is good to reminisce when it draws you to the Father and fills you with joy.

(P) Prayer
Father, I cannot thank you enough for the opportunity I have had to invest my life in the lives of so many who remain strong in their faith and service to you. Thank you for allowing me these moments to reminisce but don't let me remain in the past because there are many more lives I need to invest in today so that their lives will be different in the days and years ahead. Amen

Life Journal 05-12-2009

How I See God

(S) Scripture
"To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.
You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
2 Samuel 22:26-28 (NIV)

(O) Observation
These verses are part of David's Song of Praise he sung after being delivered from the hand of his enemies. David is quick to give praise and credit to the Lord. In the song he gives us an insight into how we see God or how God shows Himself to us.

(A) Application
I have read this many times before but this morning I saw something quite different than I had seen before. I have often wondered why when I see God as faithful unbelievers do not see God that way. Why is it when I see God as good unbelievers do not see Him that way. In fact most often, it seems, unbelievers see God as arbitrary and hard and cold and uncaring and distant. They see God as shrewd and looking to bring them down. These verses shed light on this issue. God shows himself faithful to the faithful. In order to see God as faithful I must be faithful. If I am not faithful I will see God as shrewd and out to bring me down. I should not be surprised when my unbelieving friends do not see God as I see him. He has not shown himself to them that way. We all see through the eyes of experience and sometimes my experience clouds or blurs the truth. Although God has revealed himself as faithful and blameless and good in many undeniable ways in nature and in his mighty acts still the unbelieving heart has a hard time seeing through the cloud. Today I want to see God as faithful and blameless and pure therefore I will seek to live out my faith that way. The best thing for me to do is to focus on Jesus and do what He instructs me to do. Living my life by faith in the Son of God certainly affects how I see God. How I live opens my eyes to see God as he shows Himself to me.

(P) Prayer
Lord, live through me today and let me see you as faithful, blameless, pure, and encouraging, lifting me up to experience all you have for me today, Amen

 

Life Journal 05-11-2009

A Little FROGgy

(S) Scripture
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

(O) Observation
David is lamenting his circumstances to the Lord. He cries out about his companion who cannot be trusted because he says one thing but means another. David then receives this instruction from the Lord's heart, "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." David give your cares to the Lord He will not let you fall. Our strength and protection come from God not from ourselves.

(A) Application
How often do I take these matters into my own hands to settle? When I do I find myself fretting and frustrated. Why is it that I think I can take care of things in my life better or more efficiently than the Lord? It is my pride that gets in the way here. I want to think that I am capable and able to stand on my own, after all isn't that the great American Spirit? I have been taught so much independence that I miss the joy of depending on God. I recall a "T" shirt that said FROG – Fully Relying On God – I think that today I need to be a lot more "FROGgy". I do not want to fall or fail in the work or life the Lord has called me to. I must rely on Him and one way to show that is to cast my cares on Him.

(P) Prayer
Lord continue to teach me to rely fully on You. Take my cares today and make me the person You want me to be. Use me today I pray. Amen

Life Journal 05-08-2009

A Great Truth

(S) Scripture
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Psalm 32:5 (NIV)

(O) Observation
David gives us a great picture of what confession does in our lives. For those who do not confess their sin there is being under God's thumb. For those who confess there is a renewed experience of forgiveness. There is the opportunity to live guilt free.

(A) Application
One of the greatest lessons I have learned in my Christian life is that of confession of sin. When I confess my sin God forgives the guilt of my sin. The sin was forgiven by Christ's death on the cross and my trust in that sacrifice. I do not need to have the sin forgiven (Jesus already did that) but I do need release from the guilt that sin brings to my life. Not only does the Lord forgive my guilt but this psalm is filled with other benefits that come to me when I confess. God protects, delivers, instructs and counsels me when I confess. Today I will continue to confess my sin and ask the Holy Spirit to control my life and use me.

(P) Prayer
Lord I trust you with my life and will continue to confess my sin. I want to have constant fellowship with you and to experience all you have for me. I want to seek after you with my whole heart. Amen

Life Journal 05-07-2009

Living Rightly

(S) Scripture
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Matthew 24:42 (NIV)

(O) Observation
In this chapter of Matthew, Jesus is teaching about the end times and his second coming. He is clear that no one knows the day or hour. He gives some general signs that point to the time of the end. His emphasis is on living each day as if Jesus were coming back that day. We are to live expectantly.

(A) Application
I had the privilege as a college student to attend a retreat where Hal Lindsay spoke a series of messages that became his book, The Late Great Planet Earth. At the end of one message I remember him saying that if Jesus came back before he finished the first one to the pulpit could have his Bible. When he finished we all rushed outside so that if Jesus came we would not have to go through the roof. It was a powerful message. His emphasis was on living each day as if Jesus were coming back that day because He might. Although some accused Hal of claiming to know the day and hour, he never even hinted at that when I heard him. That retreat was 40 years ago and my life was profoundly affected. There certainly are many false prophets today on radio and TV leading people astray in this area and the church needs discernment concerning the truth. Some are well meaning but mistaken. As a pastor/teacher I must continually remind people that we are to live faithfully each day. Whether Jesus comes back or whether he comes to take only me, I had better be ready and be found living faithfully.

(P) Prayer
Lord, teach me how to live fully for you each day. When you come for me I want to be found faithful. Help me to keep my focus on You. Let my life make a difference for you on this earth. Help me to be the witness I should be. And as John said at the close of Revelation, "Come quickly Lord, Jesus." Amen