Life Journal 09-30-2008 When God Does Not Listen

When God Does Not Listen

(S) Scripture
Zechariah 7:13

'When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,' says the LORD Almighty.

(O) Observation
What a disturbing statement from God. When I do not listen to Him, He does not listen to me.

(A) Application
I wonder how often I ignore God and then expect that He has to listen to me. The Lord is not some heavenly bellhop or celestial room service provider. He is God Almighty who does as He pleases whenever He pleases. How foolish of me to think that I can ignore and turn a deaf ear to Him and then expect Him to listen to me. I know He always hears the repentant and contrite but too often I come to Him in my pride and with an arrogant spirit. Today I will get my spirit right and listen intently to the Lord and then do what He says.

(P) Prayer
O Father, I have ignored you way too often. Forgive me and hear my prayer. Let me hear you clearly today. I want to do what you want more than anything else. Help me to get out of the way, listen to you and obey. I love you and want to be heard and used by you. Amen

Life Journal 09-29-2008 Where Is My Heart

Where Is My Heart

(S) Scripture
Luke 12:34 (NASB77)
³⁴ "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(O) Observation
Jesus tells us that our heart follows our treasure. Where we put our treasure is where we will find our heart.

(A) Application
This is a sobering statement from Jesus. Conventional wisdom says that people give to their passion. Here Jesus says the opposite. Heart follows treasure not treasure follows heart. When I take a hard look at where I put my treasure it tells me a great deal about my priorities. This is a hard lesson because it reveals how out of whack my heart can be. Am I moved when I see people in need? Am I generous to those who have less? Do I really take care of the "least of these?" When I look at how I invest my treasure sometimes this is not a pretty picture. Sometimes I get it right but this is a hard teaching of Jesus. Today I will examine again how I use my treasure and get a better picture of where my heart is. I really want my heart to be following and committed to the Lord. I wonder what my treasure will reveal?

(P) Prayer
Lord I know that all I have is from you. Let me use it in ways that please and honor you. Take what I have and use it for your purposes. I want my heart to be yours. Amen

What good is a blog?

Since I am new to blogging I wonder just what uses a blog might have for the pastor of a local church . I can think of some but rather than taint your responses I will let you respond first.

Let me know what you think and I will share my thoughts in a few days.

I hope that blogging is like learning to ride a bike. There might be some falls and scrapes at first but the more you ride the better you get. So give me a push and off we go.

Life Journal 09-21-2008 - Answering Temptation

Answering Temptation

(S) Scripture
Luke 4:1-14 (NIV)
¹ Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,
² where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
³ The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
⁴ Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'"
⁵ The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
⁶ And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.
⁷ So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
⁸ Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
⁹ The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here.
¹⁰ For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
¹¹ they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
¹² Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
¹³ When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
¹⁴ Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

(O) Observation
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus answered him with scripture. Even when Satan misused scripture Jesus still answered with Scripture. Jesus was tempted in three key areas: Food, Health, and Life Mission. In each temptation Jesus responded with scripture and then he returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.

(A) Application
Too often I try to face temptation in my power or on my terms and that is when I fail. If Jesus used scripture then just maybe I should too. That means I need to be familiar with scripture and know it well enough to recognize when the devil is misusing it. That is why this Life Journal is so important because each day I am reading God's Word and asking, "How will I be different because of what I have just read?" This is also a good reminder to memorize scripture.

(P) Prayer
Lord, help me develop the discipline and habit of a daily devotion. Help me to know Your Word and to recognize when it is being misused in order to lead me astray. I want to follow only You. Amen

Life Journal 09-16-2008 I Am Blessed

I Am Blessed

(S) Scripture
Psalm 128:1-6 (NASB77)
¹ How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
² When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.
³ Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine, Within your house, Your children like olive plants, Around your table.
⁴ Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.
⁵ The LORD bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
⁶ Indeed, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!

(O) Observation
The psalmist tells us how life should be. This is a real incentive to live by faith.

(A) Application
Is there any greater joy in life than what is described in this psalm. I have fulfilling work and a family that loves me and makes me proud makes me blessed beyond my ability to express it. My wife is such an integral part of all I do. She is godly and gifted. Her walk with the Lord is an inspiration to many and her ministry touches many lives. My girls are the delights of my life. They each are walking with the Lord and making decisions that reveals their faith. I am a blessed man. I thank God for this blessing because I know that it is not because I am worthy but rather because I strive each day to walk with the Lord.

(P) Prayer
Lord, Thank You for the blessing of my family and work. You have spared me the pain that many suffer in these areas. I thank You for the mentors in my life that taught me how to walk faithfully with You. Let me teach others what I was taught so they too might experience Your blessing in their lives. Amen

Life Journal 09-15-2008 Every Day Faith

Every Day Faith

(S) Scripture
Psalm 145:2-3 (NASB77)
² Every day I will bless Thee, And I will praise Thy name forever and ever.
³ Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.

(O) Observation
The psalmist reminds us that every day we are to praise and bless God. Not just when things are going good and smooth but every day. When things are tough and rough I am to praise God. Every day in all circumstances He is worthy of my Praise. He is great and His ways are unsearchable and His thoughts are above my thoughts. This is a part of my every day faith.

(A) Application
The psalmist got it right – I am to follow his example. I am to praise and extol the Lord in every circumstance every day. The difference in "everyday" and "every day" is an interesting one. "Everyday" is kind of a common routine run of the mill thing. "Every Day" is something that happens intentionally on each day. This is a habit and a discipline that we develop. My "every day" faith must include praising the Lord because He is worthy of my praise.

(P) Prayer
Lord, teach me to praise you correctly. Help me develop the discipline to praise you every day. When I begin to whine or complain remind me of these verses and my need to praise you . Amen

Life Journal 09-14-2008 The Gospel in Ezekiel

The Gospel in Ezekiel

(S) Scripture
Ezekiel 36:25-28 (NASB77)
²⁵ "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
²⁶ "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
²⁷ "And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
²⁸ "And you will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.

(O) Observation
A right relationship with God has always been a result of His work and not ours. Here God, through Ezekiel, says that He will cleanse and give us a new heart and put His Spirit in us. Again it is His work of grace that allows us to walk with Him.

(A) Application
I am again reminded that my best efforts cannot merit or gain God's favor. At my best I do not deserve cleansing or the forgiveness of sins. At my best I am still a dirty sinner in need of the work of God in my life. On this side of the life and death of His Son, Jesus, that work comes by faith in Jesus. I am so thankful that my relationship with God is not dependent on my ability to please God or earn His favor. I am saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Praise God. It is God that redeemed me. I walk clean because of His work in me. I am forgiven because of His work in Christ. I thank God for this reminder today.

(P) Prayer
Father, I thank you for sending your Son to do for me what I could not do for myself. I thank you for His sacrifice for my sins. I thank you for saving me and allowing me to now live for you. Use me today to make a difference in someone's life for the sake of your kingdom. Amen