JULY 17, 2016

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” 
― C.S. Lewis

PSALM 22-24

David realizes God is the ultimate comfort...

1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

3he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,^a

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6Surely your goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

ACTS 20:1-16

The passion of Paul is unstoppable...

7On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

JOURNAL 

It is becoming clearer and clearer that God's intent is for us to be in fellowship with him. That means we cease striving to be our own God. It means we accept that the best version of us is when we are intimately connected and dependent on God, his instruction, direction and love. God then has us connect and love others. But only after we are fully dependent on him. To do so without step one leaves us floundering, foundation less and subject to the sin, failings and weakness of others.  

We are designed to be in relationship and community. When we seek God and embrace his love, it gives us community and relationship far greater than we can conceive. It is the way we can be isolated and alone in this world yet still be strong and courageous. It is the way we can actually bear our cross and find joy and hope in the midst of persecution or disaster or failure or success or comfort. The circumstances begin to fade and what is left is our simple dependence on God for every decision, every direction and every hope. 

24This is the day the LORD has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it. ~ PSALM 118:24