MAY 29, 2017

“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.” 
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

“Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.” 
― Max Lucado, He Still Moves Stones

1 CHRONICLES 26-27

25Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses.

Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the outlying districts, in the towns, the villages and the watchtowers.

26Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the workers who farmed the land.

27Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards.

Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats.

28Baal-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the western foothills.

Joash was in charge of the supplies of olive oil.

29Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon.

Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.

30Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels.

Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.

31Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks.

All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property.

(27:25-31)

JOHN 11:18-46

38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39“Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

JOURNAL 

To serve God does not mean that life will be full of sunshine and rainbows. It may mean doing a monotonous job. It will mean experiencing death and tears and heartache. However it will also mean having a job, having a purpose and getting to be a part of the miraculous. In one way or another when I fully surrender my life to God, I will experience his glory, I will see miracles and I will know pure joy. 

This is the promise of the gospel, this is why we are asked to lay our agendas and lives at the foot of the cross. For God knows far better what I need and what is best for my life. I must though be willing to trust him and not get consumed with the wind and the waves. Keep my eyes on Jesus and my life is guaranteed to be full of power and glory...no matter what the world says.

25Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

MATTHEW 14:25-31

MAY 26, 2017

I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life...

― Henry David Thoreau

1 CHRONICLES 17-19

7“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 8I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth. 9And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 10and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.(17:7-10)

JOHN 10:1-21

14“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

JOURNAL 

The content of a life is made up of a collection of days. What happens in the context of a day is really contingent on what my focus is...what are the things I say yes to and what are the things I say no to. I often find that I say yes to distractions that are far from being the content of God's kingdom.  Part of that is living in the world and being a part of the world. But often I embrace and immerse myself in thoughts, entertainment, conversations etc. that simply are a waste of time. As I embrace these things I waste the precious gift of time that God has given me. Every moment of life I am saying yes and no to something. Becoming more aware of what I am choosing to invest my time, energy and resources into is key to living this life to the fullest. 

I want to live it fully, I don't want to waste a single second of my time here on earth. I want to be more intentional of what I choose to spend my time doing. I want to be more cognizant of what I allow myself to be immersed into. There are so many things that I do out of habit...without thinking. I want to limit those and ensure that those habits are good responses and that ultimately are the best use of my time. I don't know when my last moment on this earth will occur. However I want to make sure that every moment is spent doing good things, taking actions that truly glorify God and make the most of my opportunities to serve, love and give. 

 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

JOHN 10:10

MAY 24, 2017

“I see a world on the edge of a blade. Without balance, it will fall.” 
― Victoria Aveyard, Red Queen1 

CHRONICLES 11-13

15Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 17David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 18So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord. 19“God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.(11:31-33)

JOHN 9:1-23

1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

JOURNAL 

Balance...how do I have balance in this life? I have become well aware that I often fall on either side of this razor thin place of thinking too highly of myself or either too little of myself. Reality is that my life is precious, I have skills, talents and gifts. However my life is but a whisp...here today and gone tomorrow. So how do I keep the proper perspective of honoring God, yet not becoming consumed with myself?

That answer is a daily question and requires a daily dose of God, his grace, his love and his discipline. Everyday...I must read scripture, pray, meditate and bring every circumstance, outcome and situation before God. Otherwise I am traveling a path that will lead me to either of the two extremes...

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do 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 12:1-2

MAY 22, 2017

“I want to live my life in such a way that when I get out of bed in the morning, the devil says, "aw shit, he's up!” 
― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

1 CHRONICLES 6-7

31These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest there. 32They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.

33Here are the men who served, together with their sons:(6:31-33)

JOHN 8:21-36

31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

JOURNAL 

Walking this morning I had the thought of all the ways I fail to do my best. Mostly it is because circumstances or results or interactions negatively influence me. The reality is though that I always have a choice. I have a choice in how I respond to every situation that I encounter in life. In thinking through this further I read of the men who served as musicians in the house of David. Their names are listed but they don't have any effect on me and my life. Yet each of them had a story, each of them had a unique life and struggles and hopes and dreams. They had a job to do and they played a part in God's story. 

So often I get caught up in thinking of myself and my own story in ways that are not positive. I have regrets and shame and also things that I am proud of and feel good about. Sometimes I think that I put too much stock in a situation, circumstance or result. The reality is 100 years from now, what happened today really will have no significance on someone else. Yet it does for me, and it does for those that are close to me and under my care. By doing my best and giving the best of myself in service to God, I bring heaven to earth. I am able to be a conduit of God's love and power. 

This means that every breath, every moment, every sixty seconds of time, is precious. It is an opportunity to serve God, love people and have a purpose that is a triumphant part of God's story. Therefore it does matter, it does play a part. Every life, every story, every moment is part of the larger story. Thank you God for this reminder. Thank you for this life, this moment.

9“This, then, is how you should pray:

“ ‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11Give us today our daily bread.

12And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation,^a

but deliver us from the evil one.^b ’

MATTHEW 6:9-13

MAY 17, 2017

You see the giant and the shepherd in the Valley of Elah and your eye is drawn to the man with sword and shield and the glittering armor. But so much of what is beautiful and valuable in the world comes from the shepherd, who has more strength and purpose than we ever imagine.” 
― Malcolm Gladwell, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants

2 KINGS 18-19

14Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.

17“It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. 18They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. 19Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.”(19:14-19)

JOHN 6:22-44

35Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

JOURNAL 

Recently I reread the story of David and Goliath as well as Malcolm Gladwell's take on this story from his book... David and Goliath. The really interesting thing about this story is not that David killed Goliath...for any "slinger" would kill a single infantry, no matter how big he was. The amazing part of this was how David defied all social and military norms and just did what he was good at doing. He did not let others opinions influence what he knew to be God's way. David had more power than we can ever comprehend...yet it was not visible...it was internal.

I think about this relating to all scripture and God always seems to defy, what is expected. God uses ways and means that public opinion would dismiss as absurd to do the miraculous. God answers Hezekiah's prayer and kills 180,000 assyrians in the middle of the night. Jesus affirms that it is God's will that he is here to do...not his own. This lowly obscure, man becomes the spiritual savior of the world and his death on a lowly cross becomes the most recognized symbol in all the world.

This is the God I worship, this is the God who declares his love for me. Why would I question him, or even think about seeking any other way but his. God created me to live today, in service of him. Yet he loved me enough to give me the choice to go my own way. He loved me enough to allow me to stumble in my weakness so that I would cling to him in his strength. I am overcome with awe...

 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 CORINTHIANS 12:8-9

MAY 16, 2017

“How blind is the delusion that the greatness of a man is measured by his living; rather, it’s always by his giving.” 
― Christian Hunt, The Dawn of Grace

2 KINGS 15-17

34To this day they persist in their former practices. They neither worship the Lord nor adhere to the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands that the Lord gave the descendants of Jacob, whom he named Israel. 35When the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them. 36But the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices. 37You must always be careful to keep the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. 38Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. 39Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

40They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. 41Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did.(17:34-41)

JOHN 6:1-21

12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

14After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. 

JOURNAL 

What does God want from us and why? That is a question that has inserted itself into my brain on more than a few occasions. Sometimes life seems pretty pointless, unfair, random and meaningless. Often it can seem that what I do really doesn't matter. However if I believe scripture then I have to embrace the reality that everything matters but it matters in a way that is very different from what I learn from the world. 

The ultimate goal in life as a believer is not to become a crowned king. The old testament and new both very clearly dispute the glory and honor of getting the title of King. So if obtaining all the privileges and trappings of kingship is not the goal then what is? From what I read...serving God and loving others is about as simple as I can define my purpose here on this planet. To serve God means to be fully and completely obedient to him. It also means that I seek to know his character, his intentions, his ways and that I constantly seek to do my very best to be my very best. The very best that he created me to be. 

Secondly that in doing my very best...the result is that I love those that he has put in my sphere. That I care for, and contribute to those in my care and in my sphere of influence, in helping them to be their very best. That's it...it has nothing to do with a trophy or a title or being recognized or making a certain amount of money. Although those things may be a result of me being my best...they are not the reason nor are they the reward. The reward is simply knowing in my heart that I have given and done my best and that I have helped others do the same.  

This, I believe, is the "peace that passes understanding", this is the joy of living and following God and it is a joy that can exist whatever my external circumstance...whether rich or poor, sick or healthy, accepted or rejected, loved or hated, powerful or weak, winner or loser...the circumstance does not matter. What matters is the answer to the question: Is God my only God, do I serve him, do I seek him and do I love others? If the answer is yes then my life is a glorious success. If the answer is no then I have failed in every way...

31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
MATTHEW 25:31-46

MAY 11, 2017

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.” 
― William G.T. Shedd

2 KINGS 1-3

9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”

“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.

10“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”

11As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.

13Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

JOHN 3:22-36

27To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.”^h

31The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for Godⁱ gives the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

JOURNAL 

Here is the beauty of the Gospel. Power and love are from God. It is not dependent on man or society or government. Those that believe are part of the kingdom despite, race, religion, male or female. God loves and gives, do I willingly receive? 

This is the grace that says that I can be rejected by the world but will never be rejected by God once I accept his love. I have a kingdom that will never fail and that will always welcome me with open arms. I have a purpose and a place at the table. I am a part of the kingdom the moment I accept God's love.  I don't have to measure up to the expectations of others or worry about acceptance. I am accepted and loved. Amazingly that invitation is available to everyone. They can receive the spirit and be part of the kingdom. 

What a message, what a hope!

6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

2 TIMOTHY 1:6-7