OCTOBER 20, 2017

“Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious. If a human disagrees with you, let him live. In a hundred billion galaxies, you will not find another.” 
― Carl Sagan, Cosmos

JEREMIAH 3-4

“ ‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord,

‘I will frown on you no longer,

for I am faithful,’ declares the Lord,

‘I will not be angry forever.

13Only acknowledge your guilt—

you have rebelled against the Lord your God,

you have scattered your favors to foreign gods

under every spreading tree,

and have not obeyed me,’ ” declares the Lord. (3:12-13)

2 THESSALONIANS 3

 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. 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

JOURNAL 

It is always troubling to me when I read harsh words in the Bible. When I read I usually try to find the positive verses that encourage and inspire me. Yet often what I also find are verses that convict and correct me. There is definitely a part of me that wants no part of the correction. I don't think it is because I think I am above it...I think often it is because I don't really embrace how loved I am by God. Therefore the correction feels like a heavy indictment to my questionable worthiness. 

I can see how this creates a problem. It is the same with my own boys...if they don't fully understand my love for them, then correction feels cruel. However in no way is it cruel, but rather it is because I love them and want to help them. I want them to understand their worth and value and at the same time keep them safe and out of needless harm. 

So really that is why the Bible is full of verses that correct and convict but also of verses that encourage and communicate the ultimate depth of his crazy love for us and this world. That definitely changes things and that is the danger of taking verses or snippets and basing faith on just those verses...you really miss the depth of God. You miss the relationship...the correction, the tough talks, the hugs, the laughs, the silliness, the beauty, romance, heartache and ultimately the still, small voice that is always there and wants nothing but the best for all of us. 

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 PETER 5:6-7

OCTOBER 17, 2017

“Allow not, the shallow intentions or vile aspirations of others to taint your heart; Love always. - With an abundance of positivity you will counter the negative, always.” ― Tiffany Luard

ISAIAH 62-64

8Yet you, Lord, are our Father.

We are the clay, you are the potter;

we are all the work of your hand. (64:8) 

1 THESSALONIANS 5

12Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16Rejoice always, 17pray continually, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

JOURNAL 

Oh to truly live this way and to live in a community where everyone really took this to heart. I guess that is the hope...that is heaven come down to earth. This is what we live and put our hope in...that we would "rejoice always, pray continually...giving thanks in all circumstances." 

The fear for me is that living this way would cost me so much and my return would be so little. Wow! I really did just write that...This is such a gut check for me. I look around and often it feels that no one lives this way. It feels very much the opposite...people complaining and griping in all circumstances. I know that is perception but there is also truth in this, which obviously is why God calls us to a different way.  He calls us to be a light in the world, even though we may be rejected as such. I then wonder what good can really come out of being obedient in this way?

I think the point is to always bring Jesus with me, to be sure he is included in every interaction and every circumstance, no matter how trivial or dire. For to seek him always creates the habit of living my life enveloped in his love. To do so creates a life of joy, hope and love. This then is worth sacrificing for...it is worth giving up my "rights"...because doing so gives me forgiveness and grace in all circumstances.  No matter the outcome, no matter how the world perceives and judges my life, a life given to following Christ will be worth it because in the end...it's all that really matters.  

25For whoever wants to save their life^f will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

MATTHEW 16:25-26

OCTOBER 16, 2017

“You make all kinds of mistakes, but as long as you are generous and true and also fierce, you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her.” 
― Winston S. Churchill

ISAIAH 59-61

1The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,^a

2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (61:1-2) 

1 THESSALONIANS 4

 Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

JOURNAL 

This verse in 1 Thessalonians is addressing those who were not willing to work and were using the graciousness and service of others simply because they didn't want to work. In essence Paul is commanding them that trusting God does not give them a right to not work and or permission to take advantage of the generosity of others. Paul is telling them that if they can work...they need to work. For it is not good for a man to be dependent on another. This is different than receiving help. 

These verses would be easy to misuse. For they could be used as a means to not give, serve and be generous. It is interesting that Paul is not telling them to stop giving but actually is addressing those who are not working. Therefore I can take away the teaching that I am to work to not be dependent on any man. But at the same time I am to give and work as if working for God and giving to him. I am to share whether those I share with deserve it or not...it is not my call to judge. I am however commanded to work and give. 

 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.’ ”

ACTS 20:35

OCTOBER 15, 2017

“Gratitude looks to the Past and love to the Present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

ISAIAH 56-58

7Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness^a will go before you,

and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

9Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.(58:7-9) 

1 THESSALONIANS 3

 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

JOURNAL 

God's desire is for us to love each other. When we do so...we serve him. That ultimately is a by product of accepting his love for us. I believe that all of this flows together...meaning that God is in everything, he is the creator of all. Each moment of every day is a gift and a blessing created by him. The more I am aware of this gift, the more I am aware of his presence and his love for me. The more I am present in these moments the more I will in turn love those around me...the more I will care for those who are also in my presence.

The more time I spend in God's word and in prayer the more I realize that the state of being clear and present is critical to being obedient. My relationship with God exists in the present in the now...not in yesterday or tomorrow. Just as a relationship with another human exists now, not in yesterday or tomorrow. There is of course the history that helps us trust the relationship and there is the hope for the future which gives us courage to persevere. Yet the relationship itself only exists in the here and now.

I think the greatest weapon against us is our own fear and anger...especially when it comes to how we get so caught up in how things "should" be. Reality is that things are what they are...making the most of them in love and gratitude is the absolute only thing that gives peace and can make today one of joy. Today is what it is...God has allowed it and therefore approves it...see it as a gift and a blessing. 

Father help me to be more aware of your presence in every moment and in every interaction today. Help me to not get distracted with thoughts of yesterday or tomorrow. There are times to consider those things...but during this day, help me be more in tune with all your blessings and all you are doing.

17The Lord your God is with you,

the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing.”

ZEPHANIAH 3:17

OCTOBER 13, 2017

“Only this is faith: to continue.” 
― Marty Rubin

ISAIAH 50-52

 Who are you that you fear mere mortals,

human beings who are but grass,

13that you forget the Lord your Maker,

who stretches out the heavens

and who lays the foundations of the earth,

that you live in constant terror every day

because of the wrath of the oppressor,

who is bent on destruction? (51:12-13)

1 THESSALONIANS 1

2We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

JOURNAL 

Recently I was talking with a friend and he was discussing his golf game...he said that he usually isn't much fun to play with because he's only broken seventy a couple times but every time he plays he expects to shoot 67. While funny...isn't this also the problem most often in our lives? We expect perfection when perfection isn't possible. We expect or hope for  a "perfect life" when a perfect life by "our standards" has never existed.  For me this is what constantly gets me in trouble. I seem to always fail to forget that the only perfect life was still marred by poverty, perceived failure, scorn, ridicule, rejection, betrayal and undeserved death. 

So what is the point in trying, what is the point in pushing ourselves to be better and working to improve? If Jesus himself couldn't avoid all of the heartache's of life, then what hope do I have? I think this is where the goals of life become the ultimate problem. What is it that I am trying to achieve? Going back to the golf conversation...is the point of playing to shoot 67...then for me, or my friend, it's pointless to play. However if the goal is to get better, enjoy being outside, enjoy the fellowship then it's worth it. Because those goals can be achieved. 

If the goal of my life is to avoid pain, always win, and get everything I want...then I don't need to bother waking up tomorrow...it's not gonna happen. However if my goal is to walk with God, love others, get up when I fail, get better (no matter how small the improvement) and be grateful for the gift of another day...then those are attainable goals. 

This verse in Thessalonians really captures the point and the source of the energy and endurance to live this life.  For it is faith that is the motivation to work, love that is the energy to labor and hope in Christ that is the endurance to keep going.  I needed this today. I look outside and its so beautiful and I am reminded again that it really is an amazing wonderful world that I live in and another opportunity to walk with God in living out this day. 

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

ROMANS 15:13