OCTOBER 23, 2023

“Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” 

― Thomas Jefferson

JEREMIAH 9-10

23This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom

or the strong boast of their strength

or the rich boast of their riches,

24but let the one who boasts boast about this:

that they have the understanding to know me,

that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth,

for in these I delight,”declares the Lord. (9:23-24)

1 TIMOTHY 3

1Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full^a respect

JOURNAL 

I Looked up this date in Wikipedia. It is amazing all the recorded history for one date in time...all the events, births, deaths. In 24 hours this day will also be part of history. How will I have participated? Will I have lived it fully present with purpose and intention or will I have just floated along, lost in thought and distraction?

In all of scripture there is a definite intentional push to encourage us to be mindful of today, mindful of our actions, mindful of the impact on others. Mindful of God's presence and the consequences of our own actions. More than anything I hope to look back on today as a day that I lived purposefully, engaged, attentive, loving, focused and mindful.

To do so requires that I am free to act and engage and not consumed with regret. It requires that I accept God's forgiveness of the past. It requires that I trust him for the future and it requires that I embrace today as a gift and use my energy, talents and skills to love others in action and intention.

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 22, 2023

“Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.” 

― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

JEREMIAH 7-8

Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you. (7:23) 

1 TIMOTHY 2

1I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

JOURNAL 

Today, right now, this moment. God is here with me...he is no longer in the past, he is in the present. That means the deep dark truth of my life is also with me, always present. One of the traits we have as humans is our ability to lie and deceive. We do it all the time and as bad as it is to do it to those we love it is to do it to ourselves. We really can't live two lives though we definitely try to at times. There is the part of ourselves that the world sees and there is the other side we keep hidden. While that is true for every person...those that have a greater difference between their secret self and their public self are playing a dangerous game. 

I've played this game and it's so destructive. It always left me in the heights of anxiety and never really feeling good about myself and my life. One of the great benefits of getting exposed years ago was that all that anxiety went away. Now every time I'm tempted to play the game the pain of those days intercedes and keeps me from the worst in me. 

How amazing that scripture reinforces what is known to be psychologically healthy and good for human beings. Yet it just reinforces that God is God and his truth can never be altered. Just as my past can never be changed...but today, this moment...the possibilities are all there, God is here, he will not leave me. I have nothing to fear!

 9Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

DEUTERONOMY 7:9

OCTOBER 21, 2023

 “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” 

― William Shakespeare, As You Like It

JEREMIAH 5-6

16This is what the Lord says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls. (6:16)

1 TIMOTHY 1

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

JOURNAL 

I love the humility of Paul and that he never forgets where he came from and even though he has lost his position in society and now his life is being threatened every day...he sees the ultimate goal ahead. How awesome and inspiring...this is truly the "ancient path". 

One of the fails of human nature is to seek the easier path. While I know some of it is rooted in our instinct for survival it often has a detrimental effect on our souls and our relationships with others. If I really think about most of my actions they can be categorized as either engaging or withdrawing. Far too often the things I am tempted most to withdraw from are hard and the things I am tempted to engage in are easier. I am reminded of the Seinfeld opposite episode where George pledges to do the opposite of everything he would normally do...it ends up becoming his "religion". 

While I realize it's not that simple, there still is some hard truth in considering the opposite of what I would normally do...or should I say am tempted to do. When I really think about it...it probably would cure some of the negative consequential choices I have made in the past. I thank you father for this word and for your spirit that guides me to seek the harder path...I know deep in my soul that it's your path and the path to eternity. 

 20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

GALATIANS 2:20

OCTOBER 20, 2023

  “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, correction and confronting my sin and failure is painful and pain is hard and I don't usually go about seeking it. I want to know God's love for me absent the pain. 

I can see how this creates a problem. It is the same as a parent or teacher etc...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 help them to become the best that they can be. 

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...and therefore miss the depth of the the hugs, 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 19, 2023

   “God is calling you to change the world one life at a time and one small step at a time. Begin today where you are.” 

― Dillon Burroughs, Undefending Christianity

JEREMIAH 1-2

6“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. 

2 THESSALONIANS 2

15So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings^cwe passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

16May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

JOURNAL 

It is so easy to get caught up in tomorrow, even in the good times, I find myself consumed with how tomorrow, or next week or next month, or next year is going to turn out. However the key to tomorrow is living today. I believe God wants me to focus on today...this moment. There is so much work to be done here and now in my own life. There are people to be encouraged, there are battles to fight and wounds to be tended to, there are heartbreaks and trials, there are celebrations and victories, there are people contemplating their own worth and value, there are babies being born, there are people taking their last breath...there is real life happening today, right now...this is what really matters, this is where God wants me to take my stand and spend my energy and time. 

Thank you God for the reminder, thank you for another day. Thank you for your grace and love and that you are always there for me, no matter the trial, in all the success and in all the failure...you never leave me. This is to be celebrated, you are the treasure of my life, you are the hope for the future. 

34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

MATTHEW 6:34