Life Journal 02-16-2009

The Reward for Obedience

(S) Scripture
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.
Leviticus 26:13 (NIV)

(O) Observation
God has just describes the reward for being obedient to all he commands. This is a clear and simple statement from the Lord. The reward he says is freedom from what enslaves you and the ability to walk with your head held high.

(A) Application
In a world where too many people are enslaved by harmful habits and walk with their head down and eyes looking to the ground it is good to know that God offers a way for the slavery to be broken and to walk with your head held high. I want that in my life and so it means that I need to be obedient to what God had commanded. This is not necessarily easy but the reward is worth the effort and work.

(P) Prayer
Lord, too often I don't listen and so I am disobedient and need to be forgiven. I confess my sin and ask for the strength to follow you closely. I want to walk with my head held high and free of the things that would enslave me. Amen

Life Journal 02-05-2009

The Way to Live

(S) Scripture
O Lord, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on Thy holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt, and does not change;
He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.
Psalm 15:1-5 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
when I read this I was immediately struck with its simplicity. I was reminded that following Jesus is not tough to understand, it is tough to do sometimes. It is simple and not complicated.

(A) Application
I am amazed at how often I make following Jesus a complicated, hard to understand endeavor. Here the psalmist again reminds me that it is simple:
Live with integrity
Do what is right in God's eyes
Speak the truth
Watch your words
Love your neighbors and friends
Protect the innocent and less fortunate

Summed up it is again – Love God with all you have and Love others as you love yourself.

(P) Prayer
Lord, you know my heart and my desires. Let me live this way. Let my life please you. Amen

Life Journal 02-04-2009

The Words of My Mouth

(S) Scripture
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
The psalmist has just given us a litany or the virtues of God's Word. He then turns to the difference God's Word should make in us. They warn us about presumptuous sins and hidden faults. They must also affect our thoughts and speech.

(A) Application
I wonder if my speech is acceptable to God. When I think of some of the things that occupy my thoughts and speech, some seem so trivial and unimportant. It is not that God is not concerned with the trivial in my life but I wonder if those things are worth the time they take. It really is my desire to have God's Word at work in me so that I might experience His love and grace and that my words and thought would be acceptable to Him. He is my rock and redeemer and I want my life to please him.

(P) Prayer
Lord, you know my thoughts and words. Make me aware when they are not acceptable to you. Help me to use my words and thoughts to help others know you better and love you more. Amen

Life Journal 02-03-2009

When The Heart Is Stirred

(S) Scripture
And everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD 's contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.
Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and bracelets, all articles of gold; so did every man who presented an offering of gold to the LORD.
Exodus 35:21-22 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
God has been describing just how and with what the tabernacle and attending garments should be made. Moses then records how the people gave what was needed. As their heart was stirred they gave. I wonder just what stirred their hearts. Was it their deliverance, God's constant presence, Moses' example? I am not sure but they were moved and they gave – in fact they had to be told to stop giving.

(A) Application
This makes me wonder why we have to plead and ask and sometimes nag people about giving in the church. I wonder if we have lost that sense of deliverance, or God's constant presence, or the example of Godly leaders and therefore are not stirred to give. Maybe it is because we do not give a big picture like Moses did. But for whatever reason it seems that people have to be prodded to give rather than by having their hearts stirred. We see this "stirred heart" giving when something catches a person's passion. We go on a mission trip and then are moved to give. We see a need in the community and give. One man said that people give to "vision, cause and need" and we need to keep all three before the people. It is so something will stir their hearts and they will give. I noticed in these verses that it was the "Lord's contribution" that they gave. It was already his. I want to give our of a stirred heart not just out of obedience. I want my heart stirred by God.

(P) Prayer

Lord, make me so aware of your presence that my heart is stirred to give and work for you today. Amen

Life Journal 02-02-2009

Moses' Request

(S) Scripture
If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people."
Exodus 33:13 (NIV)

(O) Observation
God has just told Moses that he will not go with the people because they are stiff-necked and disobedient. Moses pleads with the Lord and then offers this request, "teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you."

(A) Application
This is a prayer or request that I need to make each day. "Teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you." Today I will pray that and live out my faith fully trusting God. This is not easy but I will trust even though I may not understand all that the Lord is doing in my life.

(P) Prayer
Lord, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Amen

Life Journal 01-30-2009

Growth God's Way

(S) Scripture
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7 NIV)

(O) Observation
When faced with a problem the twelve acted. They chose men of good reputation and full of the Holy Spirit to serve the people while they tended to the tasks of prayer, and preaching. As a result of each one doing what they should and no one trying to do it all the church grew and its influence spread.

(A) Application
This is a lesson for me. Sometimes it is easier for me to do a task than to let someone else do it. That takes me away from what I need to be doing. When people have a responsibility and ministry in the church they are much more committed to the Lord and church. They make connections with others and the church grows. IT is interesting that the text says the number of disciples grew – they were disciples not church members. I wonder if we are too often focused on growing members rather than disciples. Today I will again focus on helping others find their ministry and equipping them to do it rather that hoarding those things to myself. I want our church to grow in disciples and this is the way the Scripture shows to do it.

(P) Lord, help me to give up some things and allow others to minister in your name. Help me to equip them so they can be effective for you. Let our church grow in disciples. Amen

Life Journal 01-28-2009

A Political Word

(S) Scripture
"You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
Exodus 22:28 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
In this long list of laws (property and theft and murder, accidental killing, etc.) Moses comes to this simple but timely command. We are not to curse God or the ruler of the people.

(A) Application
I am not to curse God or the ruler of the people. What does it mean to "curse God"? I think the obvious is meant when I live in defiance of God. I wonder if it does not mean when I attribute things to God that He has no part in. So often we say "God told me …" when it wasn't God at all. This part of the verse I work on every day to be sure that my heart is in a right relationship with the Lord.

The second part of the verse spoke to me today. I did not vote for President Obama. I find myself at odds with his position on some moral issues and also some governing policy. I was appalled at what some "Christian" groups did during the campaign in working against his election. I am not against opposition or promoting the candidate of your choice. I am against the negative smearing and distortion of a person, their record and background. Today Mr. Obama is our president, elected by the people to lead. I am obligated to voice opposition to those policies that I believe are morally and Biblically wrong but I am to respect and give honor to the President. There is no place for cursing him or wishing ill on him. I must pray for him and pray that God will be so real to him that he will be drawn into a deeper and deeper walk with Jesus. I must pray that He leads in a God honoring way. If I am to be obedient to the Lord this is what I must do.

(P) Prayer
Lord, thank you for working in my life. Today I pray for President Obama. I pray that you would make yourself so real to him that he would be drawn to you and that his decisions would be guided by his faith in you. Help me to be respectful and truthful and full of grace in all I say when I disagree. Amen