Tuesday, May 7
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right[a] spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you." Psalm 51:10-13
Jesus Christ, the King of kings, left his throne in heaven and humbled himself to come to earth, where he was born in poverty, endured suffering, and died on the cross to pay for our sin. How could we dishonor his sacrifice by continuing in the very sin that he died for?
As believers, we should find it difficult to persist in sin. Yet we all struggle with sinful behavior. Like the disciples, we fall asleep instead of laboring in prayer. Like Peter, we deny Christ when we are embarrassed in front of our friends. We give into temptation and wander into sins that lead us far from God. We tire of obedience and whimper at the constant call to submit.
Jesus loved us sacrificially. But when we continue in sin, we are disregarding his sacrifice. Let us refuse to continue in sinful patterns. Let us honor him who gave his life for us.
Thank you for all that you have done for me.
I give you my love and obedience. Amen.
After all that Christ has done for us, we should find it difficult to persist in dishonoring and disregarding Him by continuing in sin. - Ajith Fernando
Wednesday, May 8
"Don not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will." Romans 12:2
Too many times, I have let "dock talk" pull me in and lead me to do what everyone else was doing. But some of the best tournaments in my life were the ones when I did something completely different from the rest of the anglers. Sometimes acting on your preferences and strengths will lead to a ton more fishing success in the long run.
It's not hard to find ourselves going with the flow of the world we live in. Sometimes it seems easier to conform and do what everyone else is doing. Many days in my testimony-building years, I found myself doing exactly that - conforming. The world tells you that it's OK to have just one sip, or a relationship with that person, or even that just one look won't hurt you. In actuality, every one of those things is drawing you furhter from the Truth. We must be able to identify whether they fall into God's plan for our life or not.
We are called to be set apart from the world. Live differently. Live transformed. How do we do that? Well, He says, by the renewing of your mind. If you're not spending time in the Bible, God's Holy alive and active Word, you will be ill equipped to change. You will lack the connection to His voice, the Holy Spirit, who convicts us and gives us power and a way our of temptations we face daily.
Try breaking away from the pack today, and live differently - the way God is calling you to live. Swim against the current!
Thursday, May 9
"Jesus did not answer a word." Matthew 15:23
"Jesus did not answer a word." How strange the words sound! He did not say yes to her as we would except. He did not say no. He just remained silent. Why? One reason was that Jesus was not sent to the Gentiles but to the Jewish people. But there is also another purpose for his silence. That was to teach her patience. The time was not exactly right for him to respond to her plea. He had heard it. He would answer. But he would do it when he knew it was best.
Does Jesus answer our prayers? This is a question which often faces the Christian. I know of old people who are suffering the pains of old age and long to die. They pray that the Lord will take them. yet he remains silent. I know of people who pray for healing, but it seems that the Lord is not hearing them; instead their disease continues to grow worse. I know of people who pray for a job where they can earn a decent living, but the days go by and there is no work or the pay is not enough. I know of students who pray for good grades and in spite of their diligent work continue to do poorly. I know of people who pray for their children who have fallen away from the church, but the pleas seem to go unanswered. Is Jesus hearing our prayers? Yes, Jesus is hearing our prayers. The problem is that we are not hearing the answer.
First of all, whenever we pray for spiritual blessings from Jesus, we can be sure that he gives us the answer in his Word. When we pray for the forgiveness of sins, he answers in his Word, "Your sins are forgiven." He has paid for all of them. When you pray for a strong faith, he answers that prayer through his Word and the Lord's Supper. He begins strengthening our faith immediately.
Secondly, whenever we pray for earthly or temporal blessings, he answers those prayers, but at his own time in the way that is best us. Many times the thing for which we pray would be harmful for us. We must learn that he knows what is best for our life so that we reach eternal life. Many times he delays the answer to our prayers to teach us patience. We are products of modern America, and as such we want instant satisfaction in everything. As Christians we must learn to be patient. May the Lord grant us patience as we wait for the answer we know the Lord will give.
Lord Jesus, teach us to pray with the certainity that our prayers are
heard and answered. Give us the patience to wait for the answer that
is best for our welfare now and forever. Amen.
Friday, May 10
"I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word." Psalm 119:16
I'm a to-o list kind of person. Whether my tasks consist of excercise, housework, or even FaceTiming my grandkids, I like to jot them down and then cross them off my list. The same is true for reading. I write down my reading goals for the coming month and assign each a block of time. I read news. Poetry. Essays. Fiction. And, yeah, I allow myself a little time each day to scroll through Facebook.
The Bible is on my list too. I recently completed a "Read the Bible in One Year" challenge and felt very self-satisfied. Until I realized how little I'd truly ahbsorbed. When I fly through the latest best seller without letting it soak in, it doesn't much matter. But when I read the Bible, I must remind myself not to hurry.
God's Holy Word is not something to scratch off my list.
Slow me down Lord,
so that I may learn the lessons
Your book teaches. Amen.
Saturday, May 11
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
For me to live is Jesus,
To die is gain for me;
Then, whensoever he pleases,
I meet death willingly.
Meet death willingly? Yes. The hymnist could do it. St Paul could do it. So can we. How? Isn't death something to be feared? Not when we know that death has lost its victory and sting. Not when we know that the Lord has paid for our sins with his death on the cross. Death must no longer be feared, for on the other side of death's door lies the gift of eternal life in heaven for every child of God.
What a glorious place heaven will be! Scripture tells us that in heaven we will personally be with our Savior. We will be his people. God himself will be with us. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. The old order of things will have passed away. No wonder St. Paul refers to death as a "gain" for himself in today's text. Forever with the Lord - that is the glorious hope every child of God may have.
But St. Paul could also proclaim, "For to me, to live is Christ." Paul is simply stating that all his living activity is centered in Christ and that Christ controls his life on this earth. The will of the Lord directed Paul's thoughts, words, and deeds in this life. St. Paul was totally dedicated to his Savior. By the power of the Holy Spirit Paul was with the Lord, and the Lord was with Paul in life and death.
Will we not also want to be with the Savior in life and in death? Absolutely! Think of his love for us. We have broken God's holy law, but Jesus kept it perfectly in our stead. He credits our account with his perfect holiness. The punishment we deserved for breaking God's law - Jesus has suffered that too in our stead. He died on the cross to pay for our sins. We have not deserved it, but out of the love of his heart he has given us the hope of eternal life in heaven. What love we will want to give our Savior in return! We will want him to guide, control and direct our life on this earth and our life with him in heaven. By the power the Holy Spirit alone can give, we with St. Paul proclaim, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!"
Take my will and make it thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is thine own,
It shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At they feet its treasure-store;
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all, for thee. Amen.
Sunday, May 12
"He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:15-16
With these words written in the last chapter of the gospel of Mark, Jesus gives the Great Commission to his followers. When we boil down the words of this Great Commission and try to carry it out, how do we fare personally? Often not too well! We probably feel awkward trying to do the work of evangelism in our modern world. Mention religion to some people and a wall seems to go up, red lights flash, and our words are viewed as suspect as best or seem to put an end to the conversation. So how can we Christians reach out to people? I don't pretend to have all the answers, but here are a few ideas that seem to work at times.
If you are asked to go somewhere and you decline because you have a church service, a Bible study, or some other church activity to attend, people usually ask where you go to church. They may also ask why attending is such a big a deal for you. At that point the door is wide open for you to talk about your church and why the message you hear there is important. Ask them to come with you. Offer to pick them up and walk in with them.
A church newsletter, bulletin, or sermon lying around your home might provide another opportunity for a conversation, which, in turn, could lead to someone coming with you to a Sunday morning service or to some other church event. Volunteering to send the church newsletter and bulletins to them can also keep the door opportunity open.
A Christian book that you have read or are reading can be a means to peak someone's interest. Mention the book in conversation with someone and the doors start to open immediately. The conversation can easily lead into a discussion about your church and all that it offers.
Invite someone to come with you to one of the church social events. Let your friend get to know some of the people in your church. Events such as trips to ball games, friendship Sundays, a church party, a game night, a softball tournament, and other similar events can eventually provide opportunities to speak to that person about Jesus.
It is true that these social events do not of themselves teach the law and gospel, but they are a means of getting people where they will hear the Word. From there the Holy Spirit can work on their hearts.
The choir in one small congregation recorded a song for a radio message that asked people to come to their Easter services. This sort of thing can open doors. For example, you might ask someone, "Did you hear our church's message on the radio?" It doesn't matter if they did or didn't; the door is opened for telling them more about your church and maybe inviting them to come with you.
I am an advocate of recording services and choir music, getting the necessary permission, and making them available for others to hear. Consider this. If the choir spends six or eight weeks learning a song and sings it once for two or three minutes in church, it's a very nice addition to that Sunday's service. If the same song is nicely recorded, it can be played over and over. Playing these recording for friends who are unfamiliar with your church can create chances for evangelism. These friends may ask, "What church do you attend? Who is in your choir? What are your services like? Church members may have these songs playing in their cars when someone rides with them or in their homes when someone visits. If church members are aware of the potential, they can use these beautiful songs to open doors every time they play them for new prospects. Recordings also make great gifts for prospective members who will be hearing the Word in song and reminded of the church each time they are played.
My wife and I record and make available amateur recordings of our annual Christmas sing-along. I often wonder how many people have heard these recordings and have been moved to ask about our church. Enjoyable, amateur, recordings such as these can present a wonderful, easy opportunity to talk about the congregation and the message of God's grace. They may provide an opening to invite a new friend to church.
The Lord's Great Commission applies to all of us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to bless you with opportunities to invite others to hear the same message that gives you peace and hope in this world. Look for those opportunities. You might be surprised at how easily you too can be an evangelist for your Lord and his church.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be
glad; let them say among the nations,
"The Lord reigns!" - 1 Chronicles 16:31
Monday, May 13
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. - 3 John v.2
I have been young, and now old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. - Psalm 37:25
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. - Psalm 34:10
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. - Psalm 23:1
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou salt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of they body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of they kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and they store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in they storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. - Deuteronomy 28:2-8
And the Lord shall make thee plentious in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee. The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them. - Deuteronomy 28:11-13
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. - Luke 6:38
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. - 1 Corinthians 16:2
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. - Matthew 10:8
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. - Malachi 3:10-12
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparinghly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all gtrace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work - 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or hbrethren or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. - Matthew 19:29
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. - Joshua 1:8
Tuesday, May 14
"Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel - all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." 1 Kings 19:18
Loneliness is a problem which everyone faces at sometime in their life. It has been known to lead a person to drink, to commit suicide, to have an extramarital affair, to even lose one's sanity. It might even be safe to say that loneliness leads to no good, because it so often leads to despair.
Despair can be unbearable. The devil would have us believe that we are all alone because of our sins. He plants thoughts in our minds such as: "God can't possibly forgive you for that. Don't listen to all that bunk about not having to do anything to make up your shortcomings. You can work it out yourself." This kind of thinking led Martin Luther to try to work out his own peace with God. In the process he nearly killed himself. Our sinful minds can also come up with ideas about despair. "What's the use of living, no one loves me!" "I can't have this baby now; it will destroy my career." Elijah, prophet of God, was just as good at despairing as we are. "I am the only one left; take my life," he told God.
Certainly each of us has problems. They may seem unbearable, and we just cannot cope with them. As Christians, however, we have been given a joy that is greater than any of the problems we have now or ever will have. Our joy is found in our Savior who has rescued us from the clutches of sin by his death on the cross. He has rescued us from the power of death by his resurrection. He continues to rescue us every day from problems, despair, and temptation by being with us. Through his Word he continues to come to us with the reassurance that we are not alone in our fight against sin, death and the devil. The sweet message of his gospel turns our sorrow over sin into joy and expectation. The hope of heaven is ours.
This hope of heaven is something we have in common with our fellow Christians. Just as the Lord needed to remind Elijah that the church still existed, so we too need to hear that we are not alone. We have fellow sufferers in Christ. God's Word and his church will endure forever.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to this earth to
share in our suffering, Keep the joys of heaven before
us at all times, lest we allow sin to lead us to despair. Amen.
Wednesday, June 15
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, wo walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength. - Psalm 89:15-17
One day years ago, as Ruth and I were driving toward my hometown, we noticed a stand selling colorful vases and bowls. We stopped and purchased a couple large pieces. One was three feet tall and perhaps a foot across the base, while the second was about a foot tall and two feet across - perfect additions to our front porch back home in Yakima.
One evening several years later, Ruth and I heard a great crash on the front porch. We looked at each other wondering what could have made such a racket. Flipping on the porch light, we opened the door and found the taller of the two pieces lying in fragments. Standing a short distance away was one very startled dog. Apparently, while navigating to her bed near the pottery, she had accidentally knocked over the taller of the two pots, scaring herself in the process.
The second piece lasted longer. The dog couldn't knock it over. A chicken that came to roost in it didn't break it. After a while, however, Ruth decided to put a second pot, holding a plant, inside the larger pot. The plant, of course, required water, which sometimes overflowed, causing the beautiful colored paint to slowly shell off the outside. The pot looked very plain and began to disintegrate. One sad day it simply fell apart.
Clay pottery comes in all sizes and colors, but it must always be handled with care lest it be broken. And different pots have different purposes. Some decorate special places. Some store food. Valuables like the Dead Sea Scrolls were once hidden within large clay pots, as gold and jewelry sometimes are today. Others become planters in which beautiful flowers or appetizing vegetables grow. Some are used for serving food and drink to hungry people. Each clay pot has a reason for existing, but each must be handled with loving care.
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul refers to you and me as "jars of clay." he tells us that all Christians have within them the shining light of the gospel. We human beings are every bit as fragile as real jars of clay. Only with God's help and by his grace can we accomplish the things he has in mid for each of us. Our human weaknesses cause us to stumble and sometimes to chip or shatter. Through his Spirit working in his Word and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, God holds us together so that the gospel light can shine from within.
Congregations will face many challenges in the days and years ahead. Therefore it becomes extremely important for all members to recognize the precious treasure God has entrusted to us, these fragile "jars of clay." All Christians have a purpose in God's plan and will do their best prayerfully to fulfill their purpose. At the same time, the congregation will realize that each clay jar has its own unique purpose, which will be carried out through different talents and gifts, all of which are good. The task for members of a congregations is to offer their talents and ideas prayerfully in order to find solutions for the challenges that lie ahead. We put aside our individual interests and work together, with our eyes focused on the Lord's work and what is best for the Lord's church. The Lord has a plan in mind for each fragile jar of clay.
Being mindful that our fellow Christians are "jars of clay' that can be damaged, chipped, and even shattered, we listen to one another and work with consideration and respect for each other. Then the light will shine forth from these "jars of clay," like a beacon for all to see.
We have this treasure in jars of clay to
show that this all-surpassing power is from
God and not from us. - 2 Corinthians 4:7
Thursday, May 16
The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. - Proverbs 20:7
God's instructions are neither complicated nor harsh. In fact, they are designed to free us, not bind us to a set of rigid rules, However, God's principles in the area of finances have been largely ignored for the last 40 years, and now we are reaping what has been sown.
I read a magazine article that vividly brought this into focus. A large mail-order seed company was forced to go out of business, despite the fact that sales were higher than ever. For nearly 50 years the company had been supplying seeds to children who would sell them door to door to raise money.
The nonpayment rate to the company began to rise steadily until it reached 70 percent. The average age of this delinquent sales force was ten. The final straw came when the company attempted to contact the parents, hoping they would help in collection, only to find that the parents actually encouraged the kids.
The symptom is nonpayment of a just debt; but the problem runs much deeper. It involves basic values that parents fail to instill in their children. It's an attitude of dishonesty. The lack of integrity in the parents is reflected an amplified in the lives of their children.
It's unfortunate that later these parents probably won't understand why the irresponsible children became irresponsible adults.
Friday, May 17
Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 5:1
Lucky Lawrence thought he had it all. Like so many who seek fulfillment in fame, money, and success, he struggled to find real joy despite having all those things. His real name was Larry Wright, and he was the number one rock-and-roll radio personality in Phoenix in the 1960s. But his family life was a mess, and he was fast becoming an alcoholic.
As Mike Yorkey tells it in his book Touched by the Savior, the solution came to Lucky Lawrence when his wife, Sue, trusted Jesus as her Savior. Larry noticed the peace and joy in her life and the obvious change in her attitude toward him. Soon he too asked Jesus to forgive him and be his Savior.
Gone was the frustrating search for peace. In its place was the joy and peace of God. Larry and Sue have now served the Lord for more than thirty years.
In Romans we see the contrast betwen the two kinds of existence possible in this life. In Romans 1:18-32, we read about the sad, frightening life of those who refuse to live for God. It's a life full of trouble and turmoil. But in Romans 5:1-11, we see what happens when a person trusts Christ. "We have peace," it says. "We rejoice, " we're told. And we have hope, love, and salvation. What a contrast! Which of these two worlds are you living in?
How to have Joy and Peace
Believe God and His Word - Romans 5:1, 15:13
Live by the power of God's Spirit - Galatians 5:16, 22-23
With God's help, always do what is right - Romans 14:17
Saturday, May 18
If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. - Psalm 130:3-4
While visiting the United states in 1959, the Russian Communist leader Nikita Khrushchev said in a speech in San Francisco, "Christian teaching tells us to be forgiving to others if they understand that they have trespassed." For a professed atheist, this was a remarkable statement. He made a point many of us overlook: only those who recognize their wrongdoing are to be forgiven.
The word "repentance" covers this point. To repent means to be contrite and sorrowful for sins committed, and then to trust God's forgiveness for the sake of Jesus Christ, who died for sin. God does not throw His love and forgiveness at people. it goes only to those who own up to their sinfulness and look to God for help.
As God forgives, so we are to forgive those who trespass against us. None of us wants to hold a grudge; it hurts us more than the person against whom it is directed. Also, a grudge makes it all but impossible to obtain God's forgiveness. That's why Jesus taught us to pray: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."
When it comes to forgiving the neighbor - the brother or sister - a mutual basis ought to exist. Erring brothers or sisters are not apt to change their ways unless they recognize their errors. To gloss over their sins by offering them unasked-for forgiveness does not lead to repentance. Instead, Jesus said, "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you" (Matt. 18:15). It is not showing love to smother others with forgiveness when they don't want it. Khrushchev was right: Forgive others, "if they understand that they have trespassed." Then, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Eph 4:32).
How wonderful is forgiveness when there is mutual basis for it!
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for courage and strength to forgive those who repent of their wrongdoing.
Sunday, May 19
Read John 16:4-15 - Psalm 135:8-14
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. - John 16:7
Happy Pentecost! During this church holiday and season, we remember when the Holy Spirit came down from heaven to the early Christians ten days after Jesus' ascension into heaven. Pentecost ushers in a new liturgical season of the church, but the first Pentecost was not entirely new to the disciples. They had heard about his Helper before.
During Jesus' earthly ministry, He told His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem to die on the cross for the sins of the world and rise on the third day. Because He died on the cross and rose from the dead, we have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Yet Jesus also talked about how He would ascend into heaven and send the Spirit. This Helper would be to the church's advantage. He promised that the Spirit would multiply and extend Christ's work through His church to the world.
The first Pentecost was part of the continuity of Christ's ongoing work to spread His good gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation to the world. The church is privileged to be part of this work.
Lord Jesus, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit
to the church so that Your work may be extended
in and through us for the good of all. Amen.
Monday, May 20
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. - Ephesians 4:26
Father, You know all about anger, because You have felt it Yourself. What You condemn is not anger itself but the sins anger gives rise to. It's what I do when I am angry that counts. Does my fury make me say words that hurt and will be remembered for years? Is my tone of voice a weapon instead of a healing salve? Do I belittle those I love in the heat of anger? Or do I remain as rational as possible, perhaps retreating until I can discuss the problem in a loving manner? The next time I am angry, I pray You will guide me away from sin until I can speak words of peace and comfort once again. Help me be an example to my whole family.
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. - Proverbs 21:19
Sometimes my anger is so overwhelming that I don't like myself, Father. I hear my voice go up an octave and know I am over the top. The children hear that voice and run for the hills, hoping I will calm down before they get hungry. My husband's face hardens into a mask that tells me he would rather be anyplace but here - even in a desert with no bottled water. I am emotionally alone, and I deserve to be. Lord, I need to ask for forgiveness from my family, to admit that my reaction was extreme, and to ask to be let back into the family. Give me the resolve to make things better, to ignore my pride, and to do whatever is needed to make us a family again.
Tuesday, May 21
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God. - Hebrews 9:14
The coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was a gracious experience of fulfillment and blessing and direction for the Christian church. It was the continuing emphasis for believers that we must live to gear ourselves into things eternal and to live the life of heaven here upon earth. We must yield our first obedience and loyalty to Jesus Christ, at any cost! Anything we try to offer God that is less than that really is degradation of the Christian church.
Frankly, I would rather be a member of a group that meets in a little room on a side street than to be part of a great activity thaty is not New Testament in its doctrine, in its spirit, in its living, in its holiness, in all of its texture and tenor. The Spirit-filled and Spirit-led congregation will be a joyful people. Beyond that, it will be useful and caring and compassionate! I do believe that the Christian church ought to be a helpful influence to the whole community!
Wednesday, May 22
You have come . . . to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. - Hebrews 12:23-24
Vacationing on Prince Edward Island in Canada, we traveled roads with a reddish tint to them. Upon inquiring, we learned that the color came from the rocks crushed for the blacktop mix.
Only one highway leads to heaven. And it's one colored completely rid with Jesus' precious blood. In the Old Testament, the blood of Abel, when shed by his wicked brother Cain, cried out for vengeance. The blood of Jesus, spilled on the cross, cries out for pardon and peace. God must hear that cry because it comes from the One he sent. His own Son is the mediator of the covenant God made with our first parents in Eden after they had fallen into sin. Jesus went to the cross to put God's promise of salvation into effect. He came as the God-man to pour out his precious blood in payment for sin. There's no other highway to heaven but the one paved red with Jesus' blood.
"Momma," said the little girl after Sunday school, "teacher told us today that God puts people into this world only so that they can get ready for heaven." "Yes, dear," her mother replied "that's right." "Then why don't we see them getting ready?" the girl asked in all sincerity. A childish question, perhaps, but yet too often true. God help me use my life to get ready for heaven. God lead me to and keep me on the right highway there - the one red with Jesus' precious blood.
Lord, thank you for building the highway to
heaven. Please keep me on it safely to
heaven. Amen.
Thursday, May 23
1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory!
Friday, May 24
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. - 2 Cor. 13:14
Most glorious, Triune God, I'm finally at home in my finiteness. Mystery is now a good friend, not an intruder to figure out. It's no longer about explaining you as Trinity. It's about worshiping with wonder and surrendering with gratitude.
Dear Lord Jesus, what more could we posssibly want or need than for your grace to be with us today? It was by your grace we received eternal life. It is by your grace we are being transformed to be like you. And by your grace one day we will enjoy the perfections of life in the new heaven and new earth. We praise you for your saving, sustaining, and sufficient grace.
Dear heavenly Father, what more could we possible need today than the assurance and supply of your love? You've promised we will never bhe separated from your great love for us in Jesus. Because of what Jesus has accomplished, you will never love us more than you do today and you will never love us less.
Dear Holy Spirit, what more could we possibly long for today than fellowship with you? To fellowship with you is to enjoy the doxology and delights of the whole Godhead. I no more presume on such a privilege than I presume I have the ability to create a whole new universe.
Indeed, may your grace, Jesus; your love, Father, and your fellowship, Holy Spirit, be with us all day long. I pray in Jesus' trustworthy and triumphant name. Amen.
Saturday, May 25
Read 2 Chronicles 7:11-16
My golf ball had become a water-seeking missile, so I engaged the services of a golf pro to help me keep the ball in the fairway. The first ball I hit arced inot a lake to the right of the fairway. "You're too stiff," the pro said. "Wiggle before you swing. It will relax you." So I wiggled and hit a beautiful soaring shot right into the lake. I got another ball, did the wiggle thing and again the ball went into the lake.
I reasoned, Surely if I aim at the nice homes on the side of the fairway opposite the lake, the ball will land in the fairway. I teed up, did the little wiggle, and hit the ball as hard as I could. It hit the inside of my club, then the inside of my heel, and scooted across the grass into the lake.
Someone defined insanity as continuing to do the same thing over and over expecting a different result. I live out that definition every time I step on the golf course.
The Bible has a cure for this kind of insanity; it's called repentance. It means to change direction. God's people sometimes need a dose of sanity.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
Is it time for a little sanity in your life?
Sunday, May 26
Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous? - Matthew 20:15
The Christian serves God out of pure delight because the grace (undeserved mercy) God has bestowed on us through his Son, Jesus Christ. God is saying to us: "If you want to work with me, don't start bargaining; don't start saying you are worth so much, or that you put in so much time for me, and, therefore, you deserve so much in heaven; for the kingdom of God doesn't rate on so much per hour.
I want people who are willing to follow me to the ends of the earth - to visit those who are sick mentally and physically, to clothe the naked physically and spiritually, to visit the imprisoned, and to give food and water to the hungry and thirsty - to do my will simply because they love me. Give me people who work their hearts out and expect nothing - and they will receive all the glories of the kingdom."
It's a good thing for us that the rewards of the kingdom are not decided by human beings, but by the love and mercy of our heavenly Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, help us to give witness to your grace
and mercy to others. Keep us, by your Spirit, thankful
in your service. Amen.
Monday, May 27
The soul of the just person is nothing else but a paradise where the Lord says he finds his delight.
We think of paradise as a perfect place. A place of refuge. A mighty fortress. We find our paradise in the shadow of the Almighty. But God? He finds paradise in a soul . . . the soul of a person who is fair, honorable, upright, and filled with his righteousness. Do you wonder how that can be? Think of your heart as a cup. Take a deep, deep breath and envision God filling your cup - your soul - with himself. Seek his righteous presence. Imagine his delight as he pours good ness, justice, fairness into you. Imagine his delight when you take that justice into the world!
Tuesday, May 28
"Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her." - Mark 14:9
We may assume that our expressions of devotion to God are small and insignificant, but in God's eyes they may hold much meaning. Our love and dedication to Christ may even create memorials to God for future generations.
This woman performed a profound act of love for Jesus. She did not do it to impress His disciples or to gain public attention or to gain praise from Jesus. She simply sought to express her love for Jesus. She did nothing spectacular; she performed no miracles; she preached no sermons. Yet Jesus was so moved by her selfless loyalty that He deemed it worthy of remembrance throughout the remainder of history.
We do not know all that God finds most pleasing, nor do we know what acts of our love He may choose to honor through our children and future generations. Abraham could have not have known that the day he demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice his only son would be memorialized and would bless may generations who heard of his obedience. David could not have known that his walk with God would please Him so much that David's example would bless generation who followed him.
God can take your faithfulness and begin a spiritual legacy, making it a blessing to others for generations to come. You will never know until eternity all who received a blessing because ofr your righteous life. That is why it is to important that you daily express your love and devotion to Jesus.
Wednesday, May 29
They are blessed who grieve, for God will comfort them. - Matthew 5:4
Grief often comes out of nowhere. It's no respecter of persons. Whether that loss is a home, a job, a close friend or a family member, we've all known at one time or another what it's like to grieve.
We serve a God who is tender toward us. Even though he's majestic and powerful and has created the whole earth, he takes the time to be near us when we cry. He promises to comfort us. He's refuge when we're ging through times of trouble. He will comfort us tenderly and heal our hearts like no one else can.
Lord, thank you for your promise to comfort me when I
grieve. Thank you that you are not too great to care about
my sadness and that you are not too small to fix my heart. Amen.
Thursday, May 30
And no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. - Rev. 14:3
There are songs which can only be learned in the valley. No art can teach them; no rules of voice can make them perfectly sung. Their music is in the heart. They are songs of memory, of personal experience. They bring out their burden from the shadow of the past; they mount on the wings of yesterday.
Saint John says that even in heaven there will be a song that can only be fully sung by the sons of earth - the strain of redemption. Doubtless it is a song of triumph, a hymn of victory to the Christ who made us free. But the sense of triumph must come from the memory of the chain.
No angel, no archangel can sing it so sweetly as I can. To sing it as I sing it, they must pass through my exile, and this they cannot do. None can learn it but the children of the cross. And so, my soul, thou art receiving a music lesson from thy Father. Thou art being educated for the choir invisible. There are parts of the symphony that none can take but thee.
There are chords too minor for the angels. There may be heights in the symphony which are beyond the scale - heights which angels alone can reach; but there are depths which belong to thee, and can only be touched by thee.
Thy Father is training thee for the part the angels cannot sing; and the school is sorrow. I have heard many say that He sends sorrow to prove thee; nay, He sends sorrow to educate thee, to train thee for the choir invisible.
In the night He is preparing thy song. In the valley He is tuning thy voice. In the cloud He is deepening thy chords. In the rain He is sweetening thy melody. In the cold He is molding they expression. In the transition from hope to fear He is perfecting thy lights.
Despise not thy school of sorrow, O my soul; it will give thee a unique part in the universal song.
Is the midnight closing round you?
Are the shadows dark and long?
Ask Him to come close beside you,
And He'll give you a new, sweet song.
He'll give it and sing it with you;
And when weakness lets it down,
He'll take up the broken cadence,
And blend it with His own.
Friday, May 31
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling. - Zechariah 2:13
Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. - Job 22:21
The peace that I give you transcends you intellect. When most of your mental energy goes into efforts to figure things out, you are unable to receive this glorious gift. I look into your mind and see thoughts spinning round and round: going nowhere, accomplishing nothing. All the while, My Peace hovers over you, searching for a place to land. Be still in My Presence, inviting Me to control your thoughts. Let My Light soak into your mind and heart until you are aglow with My very Being. This is the most effective way to receive My Peace.
Tuesday, April 30
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." James 1:2-3
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
When some basic need is lacking - time, energy, money - consider yourself blessed. Your very lack is an opportunity to latch onto Me in unashamed dependence. When you begin a day with inadequate resources, you must concentrate your efforts on the present moment. This is where you are meant to live - in the present. It is the place where I always await you. Awareness of your inadequacy is a rich blessing, training you to rely wholeheartedly on Me.
The truth is that self-sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by pride and temporary success. Health and wealth can disappear instantly, as can life itself. Rejoice in our insufficiency, knowing that My power is made perfect in weakness.