Life Journal – 01-17-2009

The Place To Be

(S) Scripture
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:11-12 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The Psalmist describes the righteous and the unrighteous. He concludes with a promise and a word of encouragement to the righteous. They will have God's protection as a shield and they will sing for joy and rejoice.

(A) Application
This is a good reminder to me of the benefits of following Jesus. Many ask, "What difference does God really make in my life?" Here the answer is clear. God protects us and shields us. We are in God's company and we are able to rejoice. Joy is elusive to many because it is a gift of God not some conjured up feeling. It is an experience God brings to the faithful. Yesterday I had the funeral of Eleanor Crittenden, a 100 year old saint, and her family although sad experienced the joy that God gives in knowing that she was with him. People are looking for joy and cannot find it because they are looking in all the wrong places. Joy comes to those whose trust is in Christ and who are living faithfully for Him. God's protection does not mean that we never experience difficult or trying times it means that when they come we have Him walking with us and guiding us. Today I will live for Him. The joy of the Lord truly is my strength from day to day.

(P) Prayer
Lord, Let me experience you protection as a shield in my life to allow me to face each day rejoicing in you. Amen

Life Journal 01-16-2009

Blind to Needs

(S) Scripture
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. Luke 16:19-21 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Jesus is teaching in parables about being faithful. Here he tells about a rich man who ignores a poor man right at his door. The rich man either does not see Lazarus or he chooses to ignore his need. Jesus has some harsh words for the rich man and comforts Lazarus after they die. The rich man wants God to do something spectacular for his brothers but Jesus refuses. If they don't believe the prophets they won't believe one who comes back from the dead. The rich man thought he had it all and that he had earned it and that he did not need to share with those in need and it cost him eternally.

(A) Application
I wonder how often I overlook or ignore those in real need that are right in front of me. Does my pride keep me from offering help to those less fortunate (even if by their own choice) than me. So often I find myself thinking that I deserve what I have and so do they. How bankrupt is this kind of "us vs. them" thinking. I am called to be Christ ambassador in this world and Jesus never ignored people in need. He offered help and healing or he challenged their spiritual pride. Today I want to be aware of the people around me and to offer help where I can and challenge to those who need it. I want to live a life that pleases the Lord.

(P) Prayer
Father, it is easy for me to ignore the poor and needy and I ask for your forgiveness. Make me aware of the people around me and help me to be the person you want me to be. Let me help where I can and challenge where necessary. Let me experience and share your love today. Amen

Life Journal 01-15-2009

Jesus' Example

(S) Scripture
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him.
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
Luke 15:1-2 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Jesus welcomed all who came to hear him. Their background or life situation or heritage did not matter to him. He was called a "friend of sinners". When he is rebuked by the religious people he simply tells them a parable about what is important to God. The series of "lost" stories gives us Jesus' priorities.

(A) Application
I wonder what people say about me. Am I a "friend of sinners" or do I associate only with "righteous" people. One indictment against Christians is that the longer they are Christians the fewer non-Christians they know. If Jesus was seen with sinners, I should not be afraid to be seen with them. My reputation as a pastor is not tarnished by my association with those who do not yet believe. I must intentionally put myself in contact with those who do not know Christ. Today I will continue to look for opportunities to connect with people who have not yet followed Jesus.

(P) Prayer
Father, Thank you for saving me and allowing me to be called your child. Let me never forget what that means. Help me to connect with those who need your forgiveness and let me be their friend. God use me today. Amen

Life Journal 01-14-2009

Humbled

(S) Scripture
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 14:11 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Jesus is teaching about pride and humility and how to act. In this he speaks clearly so all can understand. Evidently we are a lot like his audience, wanting the "premium" seats – the places of honor. We want people to serve us and to recognize our importance. Jesus says to watch out because someone may come who is more important than you think you are and you will be embarrassed by being asked to move to a lesser seat. Better to take the lesser seat and be moved to a greater seat Jesus says, then all will see how important you are.

(A) Application
I bowl on Monday nights. This league gives me intentional contact with men that are not in church. It took more than a year for many of them to feel comfortable talking to the "preacher". Now I am just "Robin" and I have their respect because I have lived my faith consistently before them. Those of you who know me know that I hate to lose, I hate to get beat. These men take great delight in "humbling" me from time to time. I generally compete very well but there are those nights when you get knocked down a bit. I average 183 and just when I think I am getting pretty good I throw a 120 game. Humbled. My grandfather said it this way, "You ride a high saddle you have a long way to fall."

In this passage Jesus says that when you think you are something, God will humble you. I wonder what I have missed because of a proud or arrogant spirit. I have learned that humility is "seeing yourself as God sees you". That is with your weaknesses and strengths. A humble spirit is one that knows that without Christ they can do nothing. It is like Jesus said in John 15, "without me you can do nothing." Humility is actively trusting God for all the issues of life. It is allowing God's Spirit to fill (control) our lives. It is walking by faith moment by moment. When I live like that Jesus says I "will be exalted."

Today I will check my ego at the door of God's grace and trust His Spirit to fill and use me. I want to serve God whatever that means. Today I will live my life for him.

(P) Prayer
Lord, You know how proud I can be and how easy it is for me to exalt myself. Forgive me when I am being like that. Make me aware of my pride and let me follow you fully each day. Amen

Life Journal 01-12-2009

Ready and Alert

(S) Scripture
like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.
Luke 12:36-38 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Jesus is teaching the disciples to always be prepared for His coming. He tell a parable and makes the teaching plain. We are to always be doing what the Master has told us to do even in his absence. Even though we do not know when he will return we are to be doing what he told us to do. When he comes and finds us faithfully serving then he will bless us.

(A) Application
God has called us to serve him. Sometimes we goof off or play around because we think we have all the time in the world to do what He said. I remember someone asking this question, "If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours what would you do differently?" the answer to that question is what we should be doing on a regular basis. Tim McGraw has a song, "Live Like You Were Dying". That's what I need to do. Today I will begin to do the things I have neglected or ignored that the Lord has asked me to do.

(P) Prayer
Lord, forgive me for taking you for granted and for living for myself instead of You. Let me live fully for you today, Amen

Life Journal 01-11-2009

Being Blessed

(S) Scripture
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you."
He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Luke 11:27-28 (NIV)

(O) Observation
While Jesus is teaching a woman cries our blessing Jesus' mother. Jesus replies by telling who is really blessed by God.

(A) Application
My catholic friends may want to look at this as a justification for their worship of Mary but Jesus turns this toward all of us. God's blessing goes to those who hear and obey God's word. This is not about Jesus' mother but is about me. If I want God's blessing in my life I must hear and obey His word. God has spoken to us through the Bible. To hear God's word I must read it. That is why this devotional time is so important. To read and then ask myself, "How will I be different because of what I have just read (heard)?" As I read the Word I can hear God speak to me. I must then apply the word to my life. I must obey. That is where it is difficult – It is easy to know what to do it is tough to do it consistently.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I want to follow you fully and yet I find myself not doing what you ask. Forgive me and empower me to live by faith filled with the Holy Spirit. I want my life to count for you. Use me today. Amen

Life Journal 01-09-2009

Not One Of Us

(S) Scripture
"Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us." "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you."
Luke 9:49-50

(O) Observation
Jesus recognizes that the disciples have been talking about who is the greatest among them. Then John, one of the "sons of thunder", asked about a man who was not a disciple but was doing things in Jesus' name. It seems to me that John was trying to protect the status of the disciples with Jesus because this man "was not one of them". Jesus reminded John that "whoever is not against you is for you." Let them do what they are called to do.

(A) Application
Many times I am this way. Because a person in "not one of us" I question the "what and why" of their actions. I wonder if it is because I am afraid they will get ahead of me or be more favored by God than me. My selfish pride can keep me from celebrating the work God is doing through people who are not like me. How arrogant is it for me to think that people need to be like me or from my camp before God can use them. Today I will try to keep my pride in check and celebrate what God is doing regardless of the source. IF God ids in it I want to celebrate it.

(P) Prayer
Lord, you know how difficult this will be for me. Help me to recognize Your work and to celebrate it with whoever is accomplishing it. Amen