Change me

Then Job answered the Lord and said: "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. "Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?" Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. (Job 42:1-3 ESV)

After yesterday, I took a good hard look around and yet again am reminded that I am small and insignificant.  I know nothing apart from what God allows me to know.  I quarrel when I should be quiet and listen, I provoke when I should seek to find common ground.  I pray that God will change me...

I just want to matter

"Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his? "Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor. Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him. Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand. Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below. Then will I also acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you. (Job 40:7-14 ESV)

I am angry. I identify with Job tonight.  I am proud, I am self focused, and I feel like shaking my fists and saying that I KNOW what is best for me.  I do not listen to reason, I believe that I can save myself.  These are all the things that my actions and thoughts would say today about me today, and even worse, there is a pride inside that wants to tell me that this is good.  I look to the book of Job tonight and see God's response to Job's complaint (his situation being far worse than my own).  I do not have an arm like God, nor a voice that thunders as Does His.  I am nothing in the scope of creation.  Truth be told, I don't care what He says tonight, or how He says it, I just need to hear from Him to show me He cares, that He is involved, and that I matter to Him.  

I know I matter, I know He cares, I just need that embrace of assurance from Him tonight.

Evil men do not understand justice

Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. (Proverbs 28:5 ESV)

It is apparent when righteousness delivers justice, yet evil men will miss the meaning and instead of learning the importance of righteousness, they instead focus on defending the evil act by perverting it with words.  They will attempt to insnare the innocent through deception and false words.

Comfort others

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 ESV)

O that we would have the desire to comfort all as Christ comforts me!  This is my prayer tonight.

wiser and stronger

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1;25)

Sorry for being absent the last few days.  Tonight's passage has been lived out in my life many, many times.  It is something that no matter how many times I experience it, I can't seem to grasp it.  Basically this passage is saying that on my best day God is wiser and stronger...and that is a good thing.

Joy comes in the morning

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalms 30:4, 5 ESV)

So thankful that His anger is but for a moment and that His favor is for a lifetime.  Sometimes it takes weeping, and the pain that goes with it, before we can appreciate the blessings on the other side.  Hang on because morning is coming, and so is joy.

Stop being quarrelsome

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, (2 Timothy 2:24, 25 ESV)

What a convicting passage tonight!  I struggle with being quarrelsome and with correcting with gentleness.  Praying tonight that God would change me and teach me to instead be patient, to teach, to correct, and to do so with kindness.

the present life and also for the life to come

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:7, 8 ESV)

I love this passage as it segues into balance and what is important to God.  I remember striving with all my might, when I was younger, to achieve exemplary physical fitness.  This area of my life became more important than many other things.  I would miss bible studies, prayer groups, etc just so I could get one ore workout in.  I'm not saying that desiring to be physically fit is bad, but be cautious of the motives.  God calls us instead to strive for Godliness in every way, no matter what we are doing.  This will not perish when we die, it holds eternal value.

Those in high positions

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV)

There is much wrong in the world today.  I am often surprised at people's reactions when politicians, business leaders, etc, commit horrible atrocities against the very people they are supposed to be serving.  Why do we have any expectation of good from them to begin with?  We are called to pray for them, regardless if they are for us or against us.  This pleases The Lord.  Regardless of your views, if you want to see real change, pray for our politicians & business leaders, pray for their salvation, pray that God would stir in their life, like He did in Saul's life (Paul).  When you feel tempted to lash out, call names, etc, because of their corruption, instead lift up a prayer for them.  I'm not saying to stop speaking out, I am saying that when God gets a hold on their heart, He will use their voice in a mighty and powerful ways.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again, pray for your enemies like they are your brother or sister in Christ, because they one day could be because "This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."  So won't you join me in praying for them?

His perfect patience

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15, 16 ESV)

Though we struggle against sin in this current world, let us repent, and trust in Jesus to bring to perfection our faith and salvation in Him.  His perfect love and patience is sufficient for us, yesterday, today, and for all eternity.

Essence

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:5 ESV)

This statement accurately captures the essence of being a Christ follower.  It speaks of the changes inside that manifest themselves on the outside in our actions towards others.  Without God, we are not capable of such love.

A light in a dark place

Turn on the news and one can not help but to feel discouraged by the current state of the world. I often hear it said "people are losing everything" and "everything I wave worked for is lost". People are losing jobs, homes, retirement savings, etc. A bleak situation causing many to throw in the chips, lose hope, and give up. I am heart broken as I hear stories of families taking the lives of families because they lost their job or their home was being foreclosed. What has happened in our society to allow ourselves to place such great value on "stuff". I hear in my mind ringing the words of the MasterCard commercial "...priceless. There are some things money can't buy, for everything else there's MasterCard". These words ring in my head because the things in this world that can not be obtained through money are overlooked, the big things. Our immortal soul has 0 value to the world today, a personal relationship with the Son of the Living God is passed by in the pursuit of "stuff". It is my greatest prayer that our nation would see the foley of it's ways, that they would have ears to hear the voices of those would speak the truth, that our nation would repent and put value in that which is to be valued above all else. 

Darkness is a funny thing, your eyes do not get used to it, rather your eyes adapt to utilizing even the smallest of lights. The human eye is capable of picking up even a candle flickering in the wind at incredible distances when viewed in a completely dark environment. This dark time in the world, the destitution being experienced by so many is the time for the light of Christ to shine bright. Do not misunderstand, I am NOT preaching a prosperity gospel. Jesus is not the answer to your financial problems, joblessness, relationship, etc. No, rather Jesus is the answer to showing you that this whole thing called life is not about us, it is about Him, it isn't about our story, it is about His story. Does that mean God can't help your ____________, not at all. As a matter of fact, he will get you through it and then some (just maybe not in the way you expected). Through the many trials and tribulations in life, I would not give up any of them because I have learned so much through them. Sad to say, these are also the times in my life when I have clung the tightest to the Lord. These are the times when you clench your fist and hold tight to Him as you are beaten and battered. Yet, the experience is worth everything. I sometimes long just to have trouble for that type of closeness. O that our nation would turn to God and be a part of His story. 

"Save us, O Lord our God, And gather us from among the nations, To give thanks to Thy holy name,And glory in Thy praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, "Amen" Praise the Lord!" Psalm 106;47-48

My prayer for everyone who reads this is that we would live each second of life to the fullest, realizing that it is His story. That we would hold to the Lord everyday like we do when we have trouble. That the cry of our heart would be to bring Him glory.

Put Away

"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander." (1 Peter 2;1)

Having read the book of James recently, tonight this verse stood out to me.  We are to put away any thoughts, talk, or actions against others.  This will allow us to focus on Him and seek him with a humble heart.

The saga

"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Revelation 22:12-17 ESV)

Today a look at Revelation 22. There are just so many truths to get here:

He is coming soon and will repay everyone for what they have done

He is the first and the last, there is none before Him or after Him

The righteous will enter the Holy city through the gates

The wicked will not be in the Holy city

Jesus is inviting us in without price, calling those who seek Him

I get chills reading this chapter as it is like a summation of all time. It's like finishing a series of books or movies, you just take a deep breath and contemplate everything from the first page/ scene of the first book/movie to the last page/scene. This saga is much more satisfying though because, His story continues to be written everyday through you and through me. He is not done working yet. He will be there to welcome us home when our story ends and the torch passes to the next generation.

Stay awake!

"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake." (Mark 13:32-37 ESV)

When I was a kid, I used to think this passage was foreboding. I would read it and be filled with dread. I don't know exactly why, perhaps because I viewed it as the end instead of the beginning. I no longer view it the same, instead I view it as a call to action. In my slightly warped mind, it reminds me of the reality show "Iron Chef". We have a limited amount of time to work on the task at hand, there will be surprise ingredients along the way, and when the time is up, it is up. To me, this is motivating, inspiring, and makes me look forward to His return. Like a kid on Christmas Eve...it's easy to stay awake and hard to go to sleep. I pray that this will always be the case for us all!

An excellent wife

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12 ESV)

Today is Mother's Day and I find myself thankful for my wife, my own mother, and the many other mothers out there who have poured themselves into their families. In the garden of Eden God recognized that it was not good for man to be alone. Can you imagine a world without the influence of Godly women? So today, I am feeling really blessed, because He has blessed me with an "excellent wife".

Speak well

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. (James 4:11 ESV)

The entire book of James has some tremendous things to say about the things we say. Let us not speak evil or put ourselves in a position to judge. Let us instead speak well of our brothers and sisters, striving to honor our Heavenly Father.

Pride or humility

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11 NIV)

Sorry that yesterday's post is late, we had Internet issues after a power outage.  Onto Luke 14:11.  This verse is right after the parable of the wedding feast and where to sit.  Pride is such a difficult thing to deal with.  Everyday there are challenges that come along that tempt us to exalt ourself instead of giving credit to God for all things that are good.  If we choose to exalt ourselves, a great humbling is sure to follow.  I can only speak for myself, but it is always better to choose humility than to have it thrust upon you.  I can still feel the sting of some of those moments where my pride caused this to happen.  My prayer is to not seek glory for myself, but glory for God and to walk humbly with Him.

Timing is everything

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14 ESV)

There are many times when I find myself asking the question "why"... When I have these thoughts, I am often reminded of Esther. "For such a time as this", such a powerful statement. I have often found this to be exactly how God works. He uses us in a way that we never thought possible, against unbeatable odds, and it is apparent to everyone that He was doing something, sure, we might have been a part of it, but He was the one on the move.

Sometimes God puts us in a place not because we want to be there, but because He wants us to be there. We get to have a front row seat to what he is doing, and you never know...he may have put us there "for such a time as this".

My house lies in ruins

"Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. (Haggai 1:7-9 ESV)

Reflecting on this passage tonight and realizing how much there is that distracts us from pursuing Him. The thing that stood out the most to me is that the thing that consumes us the most is ourselves. When we put ourself ahead of God, it is detestable to Him. God wants us to glorify Him above all.

Thank you!

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, (1 Thessalonians 1:2 ESV)

Tonight I count myself as blessed for all of the friends I have whom seek after the cause of Christ everyday, who encourage me, challenge me, and beckon me to seek Him first always. Thank you to each of you, if you are a believer, I'm talking about you and praying for you!

Speaking through

When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:19, 20 ESV)

I thought about these words tonight quite a bit. Have you ever sought confirmation from God on what you are supposed to do, say, etc? I find comfort in knowing that at these critical points in our lives, God is there with us, speaking through us. That takes the pressure off of us and instead allows us to focus on following after Jesus.

Getting outside the walls

Go and learn what this means, "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice." For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:13, 37, 38 ESV)

These 2 non-consecutive passages from Matthew 9 really struck me tonight. All through this chapter, Jesus heals many people who were cast out by society. They were "sick" and not accepted in their culture. Some were not "sick", but of low character, tax collectors and such. When questioned by the Pharisees, Jesus replies by quoting scripture and explains that He is here for the sinners, not for the righteous. Skipping down the page to verses 37&38, we see the classic "Lord of the harvest" passage. I was struck by a couple of things: 1st, it is the laborers that are in short supply, 2nd, in order for there to be a harvest, someone had to have already done the planting, watering, etc, 3rd, when I look at what was happening all throughout Matthew 9, this is a call to serve outside the norm. Jesus showed mercy to those who were outside of "normal" society. He attracted the hopeless, the down trodden, the sick, those who were morally compromised, because He gave them hope. The Pharisees counted themselves as righteous, they were holy in their own mind, and therefore, above the people who Jesus was seeking to help.

Today, there are millions of people outside of our churches that will never step foot inside a church, but are in desperate need of hope, love, salvation, mercy, compassion, someone to listen, someone to care, to know they have value, purpose, that their past failures do not have to be indicative of future ones. These are the people that Jesus went to, they are the harvest that we are to labor and pray for laborers for. God is in charge of the planting, watering, fertilizing, etc. We need to be ready to labor in anyway that He calls us to, and that means getting outside of our churches, outside our comfort zone. Isn't it amazing that the people in Matthew 9 that were most receptive to Jesus were those who had been written off by the Pharisees and were not the type of folks that studied the law, etc. This is true even today, the people who are most likely to respond to God are those who will never step foot in a church. We must go to them, we must carry on this mission of Christ, not only sharing the gospel, but showing mercy, love, compassion, faith, etc. We must not just labor in these things but do so together and pray for more laborers. We must get outside of our church walls and take what happens inside to those on the outside, and it must never end!

We're going to drown!

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Matthew 8:25 NIV)

This verse encompasses the mindset of humans everywhere. Notice how the disciples, even after having witnessed first hand many miracles by Jesus, jump to the worst case scenario that they were "GOING TO" drown. We all know that they didn't and in fact it sets the scene for Jesus to calm the storm and show them that they need not be afraid.

In our lives today, we do the same thing as the disciples did. We jump to conclusions and fear the worst case scenario everyday. We need not be afraid, nor jump to conclusions. We need to have FAITH in Him. He is BIG, HUGE, GOD...He has got it!

Tomorrow

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34 NIV)

At the close of a tough day when I feel as if I can't face another tomorrow, I cling with all my might to The Lord (I love Matthew 6 as a whole for this, not just verse 34). He is so much bigger than anything we can ever face, and if we think for a moment that He is not, we are wrong and in need of perspective (which this chapter does a great job of doing). Never forget that no matter what, God has got it, He knew your needs even before you asked. Pray and seek after Him and all things fall into place.

Your enemy through God's eyes

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:44, 45 NIV)

In the face of frustration, it can be difficult to put this passage into practice. Like many things, it only becomes possible when we make this a "want". If you do not desire something, you will never work towards it. Praying for our enemies is not easy, however, it can be when you ask The Lord to give you a desire to pray for them and then ask Him to show you how He sees them. Think about Jonah and the lesson he learned about having mercy when he had to go to the people of Nineveh who he did not like. Think about all the people who were praying for Saul and how he turned the world upside down after turning to Christ and changing his name to Paul. You never know the things that God has in store for the future, today's enemy could be tomorrow's fellow brother or sister in Christ. When we pray for our enemies today, pray for them as if they are your brother or sister in Christ, they just don't know it yet. Try to see them and their potential through God's eyes.