NOVEMBER 2, 2016

“We are always falling in love or quarreling, looking for jobs or fearing to lose them, getting ill and recovering, following public affairs. If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

JEREMIAH 33-35

1While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: 2“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: 3‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (33:1-3) 

TITUS 3

1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned...14Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

JOURNAL 

It is so easy to become distracted, it is so easy to concern myself with things that I have no part in doing anything about. I think that is the gist of Paul's letter in this last chapter. We are saved and we are to take joy in that salvation. God has affirmed and we have accepted that he loves us and that we have a specific place, and purpose in this world. We are hear to do good...not to be caught up in useless arguments and quarrels. 

Often these are just ways to distract myself from the opportunities and problems in my own life...it's somewhat relieving to debate and discuss things that I cannot change, there is a strange comfort in that.  Yet it does nothing for me or anyone else. The realities of life sometimes are difficult to accept and embrace, it is in those moments that instead of finding distractions to occupy my mind, I need to lean into God's love and grace. 

By doing so I affirm that he wants me here, in this moment, with these problems. I affirm that he has endowed me with abilities and talents that will serve me well in this moment. I then am able to authentically be myself and love others in ways that are healthy and good. This really is the joy and goal of this life, anything else is a distraction that threatens to pull me away from my purpose. 

13Now all has been heard;

here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep his commandments,

for this is the duty of all mankind.

14For God will bring every deed into judgment,

including every hidden thing,

whether it is good or evil.

ECCLESIASTES 12:13-14

NOVEMBER 1, 2016

“Truly human leadership protects an organization from the internal rivalries that can shatter a culture. When we have to protect ourselves from each other, the whole organization suffers. But when trust and cooperation thrive internally, we pull together and the organization grows stronger as a result.” 
― Simon Sinek, Leaders Eat Last

JEREMIAH 31-32

 38They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. (32:38-39)

TITUS 2

11For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

JOURNAL 

I was having breakfast with a friend and we were discussing the state of our society and how from the outside looking in...things appear to be great, yet there is a growing spirit of greed, selfishness, hatred and division that is warping our hearts and souls. The political drama is just the tip of the iceberg and is representative of an overall dissension that threatens to isolate us from each other and tear us away from the very word of God which we claim to follow. 

There seems to be more passion about being right and preserving our own wealth and way of life than there is a passion for obedience to God, loving our neighbor and living our lives as "living sacrifices". I am as guilty of this as anyone else and yet that is where I must aim my guilt...For if every believer would turn to God and surrender all hurts, fears and give our lives over as living sacrifices in obedience to God and in loving our neighbors...I cannot imagine the change that would happen in our families, our communities, our country and the world. 

 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

OCTOBER 31, 2016

"...Make me sympathetic without being sentimental, helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them, and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.  Amen” 
― Margot Benary-Isbert

JEREMIAH 29-30

11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the Lord (29:11)

TITUS 1

 6An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe^b and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

JOURNAL 

So often I have read scripture and instead of it causing me to consider my own actions, my own motives...instead I chose to consider the actions of others, especially those with whom I have conflict. I tend to judge their actions with the fine tooth comb of God's righteousness and ignore my own. 

How truly arrogant and godless is this? These actions come from a mindset that is ruled by jealousy, hate and insecurity. This does not come from a heart of love. Father you have given me life, another glorious day, a healthy body and opportunity that most of the world could only dream. Why would I ever waste my time judging and condemning others?

It does not matter what others do or say. They ultimately do not control me, my decisions, my actions, my allegiance and the heart and soul of my existence are not controlled by others. I answer to you and you alone Father and in that I have but one sensible choice...obey you and surrender all that I am to following you and loving others. This is the source of power, love and a disciplined, mindful life. 

 15To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

TITUS 1:15-16

OCTOBER 30, 2016

“A true genius admits that he/she knows nothing.” 
― Albert Einstein

JEREMIAH 27-28

 6Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him. 7All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him.

8“ ‘ “If, however, any nation or kingdom will not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon or bow its neck under his yoke, I will punish that nation with the sword, famine and plague, declares the Lord, until I destroy it by his hand. (27:8)

2 TIMOTHY 4

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

JOURNAL 

So God considered Nebuchadnezzar his servant? So what kind of guy was Nebuchadnezzar...surely he must have been righteous for God to call him his servant!?! Not really...he was a power hungry, ruthless king who made images of himself to be worshiped. He did not know God...yet God used him and the people were told to obey him and willingly become subjects in his kingdom.  

The message throughout the entire Bible is consistent. We are to obey God and trust him in all circumstances...no matter how dire. We are to trust that many times God will use ruthless, Godless people to do his will. We are to seek solace and comfort in God's love for us not in the security of a government, or a man or another human being. God is to be our God and we are to serve him in loving others no matter what government that falls under.  

We are not to wring our hands in fear and panic over what may or may not happen. We are to trust that whatever happens is God's will and is part of his plan. Does that mean I am to sit back and become a passive observer. That depends, sometimes yes, but other times NO...however my actions should always be tempered and run through the filter of scripture and my own personal relationship with God. The question I must ask is are my actions out of fear and dread or are they out of the spirit of Joy and Love in obedience to God?

1Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

ROMANS 13:1-2

OCTOBER 29, 2016

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

JEREMIAH 25-26

 4And though the Lord has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention. 5They said, “Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices, and you can stay in the land the Lord gave to you and your ancestors for ever and ever. 6Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not arouse my anger with what your hands have made. (25:4-6)

2 TIMOTHY 3

 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

JOURNAL 

I feel as if this was written for the political tragedy that is currently unfolding. It is not one side...it is both. There is such arrogance, anger, selfishness, greed and manipulation. It is enough to cause me to want to turn off all connection to the world and go live in a tent in the middle of Montana.  Yet what always gets me is just when I am most disgusted with others, scripture punches me right in the nose...We are told to respect and serve the government in which we are under (Romans 13). We are told to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us (Matthew 5). We are told to be a light on a hill (Matthew 5). We are told to love our neighbors (Mark 12). We are told to give to those who ask and even if they take from us and not to ask for it back (Luke 6). 

So I find myself in the dilemma where I must take the plank out of my own eye (Matthew 7). I must focus on my own struggles by surrendering, loving, giving and honoring all that God commands. This is hard...but only because of my failure to be continually grateful for the gift of life and the precious opportunities of every moment.

16Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all

circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 THESSALONISANS 5:16