Life Journal 01-27-2009

What's In A Name

(S) Scripture
After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her
and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, "I have become an alien in a foreign land";
and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, "My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh."
Exodus 18:2-4 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Moses gave his sons names that had meaning. Each name was a reminder of an important event in Moses' life. They are also evidence of God's presence and provision for Moses.

(A) Application
What's in a name. In one of the Upward Basketball devotions we asked the players the importance of their last name. Their responses were great and all in one way or another pointed to the fact that it tells who you belong to and the family you are part of. We then shared with the players how God wants them to have his name and be part of His family.

I have my father's first and last name and my mother's middle name. I am Robert Lee Crouch. My parents taught me from early on that my name meant something and that I had a standard to live up to because I was a Crouch. I mom's mother also reminded me that I came from Robinson stock too and that carried some responsibility too. I never felt burdened by this but have always known that with my name came some expectations. I did not always meet them but they are there nonetheless. My Dad taught me that, with the exception of family and a relationship with Jesus, your name was the only thing of real value you have. Your name means something to the people around you. It represents your character and reputation and it can be lost in a minute of selfish, ungodly behavior. As I reflect on this today I am reminded of how wise my dad was in teaching me to live a life of faith in Christ and to live with integrity in all my other relationships. There really is a lot in a name. I want my name to represent a life of faith and integrity.

(P) Prayer
Father, thank you for the lessons you teach me each day. Thank you for allowing me to be called your child because of my faith in your Son. Let my life be one of faith. Let my name point people to you. Amen

Life Journal – 01-26-2009

Be Still

(S) Scripture
The Lord will fight for you ; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

(O) Observation
As the Israelites were leaving Egypt and they saw Pharaoh's army in pursuit they began t be afraid. They feared they would die in the desert and that God would abandon them. Moses then assures them of God's protection and provision with these words.

(A) Application
"Be still." I heard those words a lot as a child. I was active and talkative and I can remember my folks saying, "Robin, be still." It was an effort to get my attention and to focus my actions into something productive, or it may have been just to have some peace and quiet in the house. I wonder how much I have missed because I am so busy fighting my own battles that I crowd out the Lord. How often have I been active and loud when the Lord wants and needs me to be still. Part of being still is so I will recognize that it is the Lord doing the battle and not a result of my efforts. When I am still I am relying on the Lord's strength and protection. When I am fighting I am relying on myself. Today I resolve to "be still" and let God provide and protect me.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I get so antsy and impatient at times. I don't wait very well. Today I want to be still and allow you to do your work and accomplish your purpose in my life. I want you to use whatever circumstances in my life you need to use to accomplish your work. Amen

Life Journal – 01-22-2009

The Constant One

(S) Scripture
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
Exodus 3:14 (NIV)

(O) Observation
God is calling Moses to go back to Egypt and lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. God assures Moses of his presence in the name he is to be known by, "I Am".

(A) Application
I believe it was a seminary professor who said that the name in this verse would convey this meaning, "I will Be what I will Be, I Was what I Was, I Am what I Am." God is ever-present and always in the present. He never changes, he is constant. He goes before us and has gone behind us and He is with us. He is!! These are great words of comfort. God is the Constant One and can be trusted. He is reliable and stable and steadfast. I can lean on Him and trust in Him. He never fails. He is with me. I am always in His presence. Today I will enjoy His presence and trust Him to guide my way.

(P) Prayer
O Lord, Thank you for being You. Thank you for your constant presence in my life. Amen

Life Journal – 01-21-2009

False Messiahs

(S) Scripture
"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them.
Luke 21:7-8 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Jesus is teaching about the end times. The people ask a natural question about when this will happen. In Jesus' answer he tells them to beware of those claiming to be the messiah and are not. Don't follow them. Implied is that they will be charismatic and people will be drawn to follow them but believers are not to do so.

(A) Application
The crowds at the inauguration yesterday in Washington were treating President Obama like a messiah. People were caught up in worship of him. Now let me say that I don't think the President has ever called himself a messiah but it sure seems he plays into that kind of adulation. As Christians we are to obey and pray for our leaders and I will do so for President Obama. I do not think he "walks on water" and will not be caught up in this Obama mania. I want the President to do what is right and godly and in the best interest of the people. I want him to lead and as he does I want him to experience God's love and grace. I want him to grow in his devotion to Jesus. That's what I want for our country, too. I do not want us to grow in our devotion to Obama. That is not good for him or our country. Today I will pray for my President and I will worship the Lord Jesus.

(P) Prayer
Lord, lay your hand on the President and let him sense your strength for the task and your guidance for the way. Let me worship you today and follow only you. Help me to spot the imposters. Amen

Life Journal – 01-20-2009

A Proper Perspective

(S) Scripture
O LORD, our Lord,
       how majestic is your name in all the earth!
       You have set your glory
       above the heavens. Psalm 8:1 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The psalmist opens and closes this psalm with the same phrase. "… How majestic is your name…"

(A) Application
I remember hearing this verse put to music by Michael W. Smith. It is one of his earlier pieces and in my opinion his best. I wish he was writing more songs like that today. Every time I sing it my heart is lifted and I am drawn into God's presence. It is a song that I want to hear in my heart each day. It reminds me that God is in charge and nothing escapes his sight. Nothing comes my way that can change the truth of this verse. The psalmist gives us a good example of beginning and ending with this phrase. Each day of my life should be the same – begun and ended with this verse ringing in my heart.

(P) Prayer
Lord let me sing this song every day. Make it the theme of my heart and life. Amen

Life Journal 01-19-2009

Intentional

(S) Scripture
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."
So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"
Luke 19:5-7 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The story of Zacchaeus is an interesting one. Zacchaeus was a tax collector and disliked by the people. He most likely had defrauded and cheated and over charged the people for his own gain. To hear Jesus call him by name and say "I must stay at your house today" must have surely shocked them. Why would Jesus intentionally single out this thief and stay with him. Jesus was intentionally going to those who needed a Savior. Zacchaeus responded by repenting and making more than restitution to the people. Jesus intentionally sought out this sinner in order to see that life transformed.

(A) Application
It seems like a "broken record" (tells my age, some young people have never seen an LP album)but this passage again emphasizes the need for the people of God to intentionally place themselves where they can interact with those who do not know Christ. Sometimes it will be to the chagrin and criticism of other Christians. I cannot let the attitude of others keep me from doing what God asks me to do. One sad fact is that the longer a person is a Christian the fewer non-Christians they know or associate with. Although in this encounter with Jesus Zacchaeus was changed immediately in most cases today it will take some time and a long time for many. Will we as Christians give up on people or will we stick with them even though they don't seem to be responding to the Gospel? I think we need to be in it for the long haul, after all what is a soul worth? Today I will renew my efforts to be with those who are not followers of Jesus. I want to be known as their friend and I will look for opportunities to share my faith with them. I will not give up on them regardless of their response. I pray they will be transformed like Zacchaeus.

(P) Prayer
Father, help me to not be so cautious and conscious of my friendships. Too often I wonder what others might think because of my pastoral calling. If Jesus was a friend of sinners then I should be too. Let that happen for me and let me constantly point people to you. Help me not to give up on people because you never gave up on me. Amen

Life Journal 01-18-2009

Responsibility

(S) Scripture
Your servant guaranteed the boy's safety to my father. I said, 'If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!'
"Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.
How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father."
Genesis 44:32-34 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Joseph seems to be taking great delight in making his brothers sweat. They are clueless to his identity and he is making them pay for selling him into slavery. Although Joseph knows it was God who had sent him to Egypt in order to provide for his people during the famine. Judah has promised his father that he would take care of Benjamin. When Joseph takes Benjamin as a slave Judah must step in. Judah takes responsibility for his brother and offers himself as a substitute.

(A) Application
It is from Judah's line that Jesus comes. It is interesting to me that as Judah offers to be Benjamin's substitute Jesus has offered himself to be ours. What we could not do for ourselves Jesus did for us. He died that we might live. We are forgiven and have a relationship with God because of His act on our behalf. I cannot forgive or pardon another. I cannot make another right with God but I can follow Judah's example and take responsibility for my actions and step up to show another the provision God has made for them. Today I will keep my word and do what is right in my relationships with others.

(P) Prayer
Lord, forgive me when I try to cover up my sin. Let me confess to you and make right whatever I need to make right. Let my life reflect your glory to the people I meet. Amen