JULY 18, 2017

“The difference between an admirer and a follower still remains, no matter where you are. The admirer never makes any true sacrifices. He always plays it safe. Though in words, phrases, songs, he is inexhaustible about how highly he prizes Christ, he renounces nothing, gives up nothing, will not reconstruct his life, will not be what he admires, and will not let his life express what it is he supposedly admires.” 
― Søren Kierkegaard, Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard

PSALM 25-27

13I remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

14Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord.(27:13-14)

ACTS 20:17-38

32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

JOURNAL 

Paul's whole objective has been simply to give his life in preaching the gospel. That's it...no other ulterior motive...he trusts that whatever happens to God and God alone. This is beyond what I have seen in my life. Life as I have lived and seen others live is full of motives that stray far beyond simple obedience. Does that mean that I am distracted and am not sold out to following God? Maybe...at least on the surface it seems so. 

Living in our culture the distractions are immense...There is a definite pull toward leisure and comfort. The american dream...as often advertised...seems to be to end up in a peaceful, protected existence with no real responsibilities or struggles. Wealth, power and good times often seem to the the ultimate objective. Are these wrong and how am I to live in this world, in this country, in this community and narrow my objective down to just following God?

This is the rub...this is what makes it hard and a constant battle. First off I know that I have to come to God every morning with no agenda.  I have to clear my mind and heart of any objective, goal, wish etc. I must be grateful for the simple privilege of life, breath, a working mind and body. Then dig into God's word and open my heart and mind to whatever he calls me into doing. 

It is then and only then that I can begin to allow my family, my friends, my community into the sphere of my objectives and mission. Considering all this gives me my marching orders for the day...it is only after all of this that I can allow myself to consider the more tangible aspects of life and they must only be considered in context of those first things. 

This is hard...this goes against the more carnal, physical immediate desire for good times, leisure, fun etc. It is not that any of those things are evil or wrong...however they can become evil and wrong if they supplant God, family, community and living out my mission and purpose. 

22“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

ACTS 20:22-24

JULY 17, 2017

“Every man gives his life for what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing, and so they give their lives to little or nothing. One life is all we have, and we live it as we believe in living it…and then it’s gone.

But to surrender who you are and to live without belief is more terrible than dying – even more terrible than dying young.” 
― Jeanne d'Arc

PSALM 22-24

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.(23)

ACTS 20:1-16

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 

The first line of the 23rd Psalm says it all..."The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." Seeking anything else in order to complete me is foolish. We have all that we need for this life when we recognize God as God. When we recognize that we serve him and his purposes. Then anything and everything else is simply icing on the cake. It is lagniappe...as referred to in Louisiana. 

This means that I can take comfort and confidence in God and God alone. I can trust that I have everything I need to fulfill my purpose in life...a life of greatness. That greatness means living a life of action and love in obedience to God. Whatever happens, happens and my obedience will be justified and honored either in this life or the next. I simply must trust that God will honor it as he promises. 

He says he will set a table before me in the presence of my enemies. To me this means that God will give me comfort and all that I need no matter the direness of my circumstances. No matter who opposes me or why...God will strengthen me and give me all that I need. 

32Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 

HEBREWS 10:32-35

JULY 16, 2017

“My father told me once that the most important thing every man should know is what he would die for.” 
― Tana French, Faithful Place

PSALM 19-21

7The law of the Lord is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

8The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

9The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

and all of them are righteous.(19:7-9)

ACTS 19:21-41

23About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

JOURNAL 

Paul is constantly being challenged, misunderstood, persecuted etc. Yet he never stops, for his objective is simply to spread and teach the word of God. He is not vying for position or wealth or power. He is single minded in purpose...therefore no matter what happens to him as a result of his teaching...he persists. 

When I think about this in comparison to my own life, I realize that I am not single minded and committed to one purpose. There are too many things that I am influenced by and therefore occupy my thoughts and ambitions. It is because I don't want to give up things, I want to hold onto them and fear losing them. Yet to truly be a disciple requires that I turn loose of some things. It requires sacrifice and giving up hoping in some things that are not crucial to my faith. 

23Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 

LUKE 9:23-24

JULY 15, 2017

“It's not hard to decide what you want your life to be about. What's hard, she said, is figuring out what you're willing to give up in order to do the things you really care about.” 
― Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way

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 those things other that God that I have put my hope and faith in.

In essence I must let go of something in order to make room to allow me to take hold of something else. This is common logic. Yet I find that often I am holding on to too many things. There are hopes and wishes and desires that I must let go of in order to truly follow Christ. Otherwise I will never truly embrace the discipline required to completely follow. 

This is the hard truth of life...to get, you have to give up. I cannot have it all, therefore I must choose what will be my God and what will I cling to at all cost?

25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

LUKE 14:25-27

JULY 14, 2017

“If you trust in yourself. . .and believe in your dreams. . .and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.” 
― Terry Pratchett, The Wee Free Men

PSALM 13-16

 1Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?2The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;3whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; 4who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; 5who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.(15)

ACTS 18

1After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

JOURNAL 

Paul worked as a Tentmaker. He had a job...he did what he had to do, to contribute and be part of society. This is encouraging and also a lesson in the way of Christ. Unless called otherwise, I am to do what I can to provide for myself and my family...working in society, while also building the Kingdom of God. This is no easy task, in fact, it makes life harder. Yet there is just something right and true and holy about living this way. 

I am so grateful for another day on the planet. I am so grateful for another day to work and also to be an outpost of God's kingdom...to be a vessel in bringing God's will in heaven, to earth. 

6In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching^a you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.

2 THESSALONIANS 3:6-9