JUNE 12, 2021

 

“You have been disappointed, you have undergone defeat during the depression, you have felt the great heart within you crushed until it bled. Take courage, for these experiences have tempered the spiritual metal of which you are made- they are assets of incomparable value.” 
― Napoleon Hill

EZRA 1-2

68When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. 69According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics^b of gold, 5,000 minas^c of silver and 100 priestly garments.

70The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns. (31:20-21)

JOHN 19:23-42

25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,^b here is your son,” 27and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

JOURNAL 

In the midst of his suffering and dying moments, Jesus ensures care and safety for his mother. The agony of this moment, often I have missed. All the hopes and dreams of the disciples, Jesus' mother and all his followers would seem to be hanging with Jesus on the cross.  In human logic...it is game over, the end. As they stand at the foot of this execution, they would have to be in utter despair and disbelief. I can only imagine the heartache and feeling of hopelessness.   Yet, this "Epic Failure" would become the greatest symbol of hope that the world has ever known. 

But isn't that exactly what we need as followers of God? We need to know and believe that there is hope in the midst of hopelessness. We need to believe that the world's indictment of us might be wrong. We need to know that God is bigger than anything that the world can throw at us. Throughout scripture over and over again...that is the way God works. He makes the impossible, possible and he takes failures, disappointments, and adversity and uses them to strengthen, grow, and fulfill his purpose!

 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:8

JUNE 11, 2021

 “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” 

― Albert Einstein

2 CHRONICLES 34-36

19When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. 20He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah,^a Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 21“Go and inquire of the Lordfor me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.”(33:19-21)

JOHN 19:1-22

8When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

11Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

12From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”

JOURNAL 

Pilate is conflicted because he knows in his heart that what is happening to Jesus is wrong...yet he fears the implications of not yielding to the people. This is life and this is the reality of every waking moment, not in the severity of consequences but in the fact that every moment is a gift and how I view it, what I yield to and choose to obey is ultimately the foundation of my life and legacy. 

To see every moment as a miracle and a gift from God is to live life with gratitude, wonder and purpose. I think of how I would live today differently if yesterday my circumstances were dramatically different. If I was on my deathbed, or in prison or in the midst of war...the reality is that situations and circumstances can change quickly, but to see every moment as a miracle and a gift ensures that I will make the most of it and passionately pursue it in reverence to and in obedience to God. 

This is the wisdom of the spirit, this is the power of God's presence. I have access to it every single moment of every single day. 

 9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

1 TIMOTHY 4:9-10

JUNE 10, 2021

 "Somehow I can't believe that there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four Cs. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.” 

― Walt Disney Company

2 CHRONICLES 32-33

6He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: 7“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. (32:6-8)

JOHN 18:24-40

33Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

34“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

35“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

36Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

37“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

JOURNAL 

The blindness and hatred of the Pharisees seem so twisted and extreme. I think it is because I don't want to believe that I could do the same thing. Yet my DNA will confirm otherwise...for every saint that is in my ancestry so exists an evil murderer. None of us can ever escape that reality. It is precisely why Jesus commands us to take the plank out of our own eye before we remove the speck from another's. 

It is amazing as I read through all of the Kings of the old testament and how one will follow God and one won't and these are all Father's and Sons. Great Father's end up sometimes producing terrible sons and likewise terrible father's end up sometimes producing great sons. The only consistent pattern is that those that were obedient to God...were blessed by God...not always in wealth or position or even in long life...but always in the peace that they have in accepting and obeying God. With this also comes the peace of conviction and knowing that they have worked their heart out in obedience and service to the creator.

I think that on this earth that and that alone is my only safe hope. Be content in God's love for me...be passionate in my obedience...and seek to find joy and goodness in whatever circumstances I find myself.  It's not the circumstances or the rewards but the peace of mind and heart. I do believe this peace is what can transcend to others. In doing so my life becomes an outpost of the kingdom. Yet it happens as a result of my actions, my obedience, my heart done through work and effort. 

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 

COLOSSIANS 3:22-23

JUNE 9, 2021

 “Go back?" he thought. "No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!" So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.” 

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

2 CHRONICLES 29-31

20This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. 21In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered. (31:20-21)

JOHN 18:1-23

15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

17“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

18It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

JOURNAL 

Hezekiah goes above and beyond and restores all traditions of sacrifice and worship. He doesn't do it halfway, he does it completely, just as it was done in David and Solomon's time. As a result the whole kingdom repents and begins to diligently follow God. He takes action and he leads the action. 

Jesus is arrested and tried before Pilate. Peter follows and then denies his association with Jesus. Again here is an example of actions not following intentions. There is no doubt that Peter loves Jesus and believes in him, yet when Peter is alone and everything he believes is questioned, he folds like a paper doll. 

To follow Jesus involves actual physical life change and life change must include persistent diligent action. It's not something that exists just in the mind, it must play out physically in our lives. It's hard and many times is not something we "want" to do. Many times our emotions will betray us and we will not "feel" like following God. Many times we may be alone in this pursuit...yet this is the way of the cross, this is the way that Jesus warns us about but also promises that at the end of life it will all be worth it. 

1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^a free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,^b God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.^c And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

ROMANS 8:1-4   

JUNE 8, 2021

 "I don't know when we all bought into the idea that in order to change you must "feel" eager or "feel" motivated to act. It's complete garbage. The moment it's time to assert yourself, you will not feel motivated. In fact, you won't feel like doing anything at all."

-Mel Robbins 

2 CHRONICLES 26-28

3Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem. 4He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. 5He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear^b of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. (26:3-5)....16But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.(26:16)

6Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.(27:6)

22In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord. 23He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him; for he thought, “Since the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me.” But they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel. (28:22-23)

JOHN 17

20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

24“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

25“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you^e known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

JOURNAL 

In reading scripture...it is, plain as day...seek God, follow and obey him and God will bless you with a purposeful, meaningful life and will use you to accomplish his purposes. This is the source of true confidence and true courage. However, disobey, ignore, become conceited and go your own way and a downfall will be certain.

I also see this in Jesus' last prayer before he is arrested. Power comes through God...from following and God's spirit residing within. It has nothing to do with inspiration. Jesus felt anquish and despair and yet he persisted.  Far too often I rely on emotion and feelings and seek and try to find feelings of contentment, peace and joy. However the reality is that these only truly come when I am residing in a place of peace with God and walking in step with him. Circumstances or things can never give me that peace. It only comes from being one in heart with God. That comes through action...not through thought. Feelings betray and often will lead me to delay, procrastinate and ignore God's direction. 

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.^a

PROVERBS 3:5-6