JULY 15, 2024

 “The deeper we grow in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the poorer we become - the more we realize that everything in life is a gift. The tenor of our lives becomes one of humble and joyful thanksgiving. Awareness of our poverty and ineptitude causes us to rejoice in the gift of being called out of darkness into wondrous light and translated into the kingdom of God's beloved Son.”

― Brennan Manning,

PSALM 17-18

1I love you, Lord, my strength.

2The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield^b and the horn^c of my salvation, my stronghold.(18:1-2)

ACTS 19:1-20

8Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

JOURNAL 

David speaks of God being his rock and his fortress. David has given up depending on anything else...David understands that seeking refuge in God through obedience is the only way through the trials of life. It is the only way to find true joy. Doing so however requires a giving up of things other than God.

This is the hard truth of life...to truly get, you often have to give up, or at least be willing. However when I truly break this down...the giving up is first the giving up of the lie that I am in complete control and that I can manufacture true joy. The sometimes crushing truth of life is coming first  to the realization that my life is but a wisp compared to the infinite permanence of God. Secondly...authentic relationships based on truth, humility and love are priceless. To be loved, cared for and believed in despite all failures and then to do the same for another is truly divine. It is the foundation of our faith...it is the "treasure in the field" it is key to everything we have ever hoped and wanted. It doesn't require a building or a bank account or a contract...what is required is a heart surrendered to God and in turn a heart that bleads and beats to love others in the same way that God loves us. 

When it happens...miracles ensue...sometimes they are fleshed out physically but most often they happen in the sustained peace and joy of a life that becomes an outpost of heaven. A life that opens a portal to experiencing the divine power and love of God himself. 

34And when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they themselves gathered together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with a question: 36“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?”

37Jesus declared, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’e 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’f 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

MATTHEW 22:34-40