Day 8: The Full Court Press…

“Not that I have already obtained all of this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12

Let’s face it, none of us are perfect, and we all struggle from time to time.
But there ought to be some reassurance in knowing the Father – who sent His one and only Son for us. Although we fail from time to time, we have a Savior who doesn’t fail us. In fact He picks us up when we fall flat on our faces and helps us back on our feet, that is our faith on this spiritual journey.
Here’s a caution for all of us though, just because we are not perfect does not mean that we cannot be made Holy by God’s divine presence. The Holy Spirit longs for us to become what we were always created to be – Christ’s very image here on earth. And so He prods us, reminds us, convicts us of the things we have yet to surrender to Him. Sometimes we might have deep dark places in our hearts that we think aren’t forgiveable or redeemable, and so we hide them away and never talk about them. We think God will just forget about them, but the truth is if we never confront them, we will never full realize the image of Christ in us – it will always remain blurred and seemingly far away.

Press On!
So we have to put on the full court press in our lives.
We have strive to be disciplined in our personal conduct and in our thought processes.
We are made for something so much more than this and we ought not settle for being “just okay”…we can live Christ in every facet of our lives. Paul reminds us that he isn’t even there yet, but that doesn’t get him down, he just presses onward. This is what we are to do as well. Admittedly, we aren’t there yet…we still have a ways to go, so don’t quit, become frustrated or exhausted – keep going!

How is your spiritual journey going so far?
Has your journey been wrought with set backs, failures, heartbreaks and hurts?
If not perhaps you aren’t trying hard enough…and if it has, don’t quit and don’t surrender – keep pressing onward! Without this forward progress within us, we will wither, become stale and ultimately fail. Ask important questions. Challenge spiritual concepts. Tackle the rough things in your life, and with the Holy Spirit’s help we will overcome! Do you believe it? I mean do you REALLY believe it?

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I confess that I am not there yet.
I am often imperfect and I struggle in my spiritual disciplines.
Help me to overcome. Grant me your strength to press onward.
Make me holy Lord, so that my thoughts are your thoughts; my heart your heart.
I long to finish this race with strength and power, and not simply end by the skin of my teeth. Help me to thrive along the way! In Your name I pray all of these things. -Amen!

January 8, 2017 1

Day 6: Listening to the noise…

“After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper…” 1 Kings 19:12

This is one of my favorite verses in the bible…Elijah is worn out, frustrated and afraid for his life. He seeks refuge in the mountains because God told him to do this. As he waits for God, a bunch of noise happens around him. First an earthquake, then a fire…and it says that God was not in those things. I wonder how long Elijah waited on God. It doesn’t say, I would speculate that God’s arrival to him was not immediate…there was a waiting period involved here.

The Noise
There is so much noise around us today, so much distraction. We might blast our favorite songs on the radio in the car, I sure do. We flip on the t.v. to catch our favorite hour long show – guilty again. We check our social media accounts more often than we’d care to admit. The distraction of noise, both auditory noise and visual noise, is all around us! It seems as if we cannot escape it’s grasp on our lives.

With all this distraction around us, when do we carve out the time to wait on God?
Do we sometimes forget Him amidst the distraction of the noise? It would be very easy to do in our culture today. We are seemingly immersed in the noise and there is virtually no where to run from it. But thankfully we serve a mighty God who is capable of breaking through that noise! In Elijah’s case, God showed up in a gentle whisper. Elijah recognized it and stepped out there to encounter Him. He recognized the moment for what it was…

Do We Recognize our Moments With God?
When the noise of life crashes in, like it frequently does, will we recognize the gentle whisper of God? Are we focused and in tune with Him? Do we wait expectantly for God to show up (which He will)? Whatever your distractions and noise might be, rest assured that God can break through for you, just be prepared and listening for Him!

Prayer
Dear Lord, my life is noisy and often I become distracted by it.
Many times I am consumed by it. Help me to find the gentle whispers in my life. Allow me the patience and attention to hear your voice amongst the noise. Be with me today. Remind me of this communion with You, that I desperately need your divine presence with me. Let me fellowship with you! In Your name I pray these things. Amen.

Nooma- Noise

January 6, 2017 2

Day 5 – All Things New

“And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.'” -Revelation 21:5

It snowed here today.
Snow is not uncommon, but our community is not properly equipped for snow fall. There are not enough snow plows and other equipment here to handle such things. Thus, unsurprisingly, we received an early morning phone call from our children’s schools – School was canceled. There is something sweet about telling our children that there would not be any school as they thrust fists into the air and then nestled deep down into their blankets once more to catch a few more slumber hours…especially the smelly teenagers in our house.

Looking out our windows today, there is a small, pure white dusting of snow on the ground, just enough to make things look clean, crisp and white. It got me thinking – This is what our Heavenly Father does for us when it comes to forgiveness. He wipes our slates clean. He purifies us, and all of the hopes and possibilities become visible again because we do not have to focus on all of the guilt and shame any longer. Of course the consequences are still there, like ripples in a pond…but forgiveness comes (through Christ alone) to make all things new within our hearts. Everything that we cannot change…everything that we still feel guilt over…everything that we regret…everything that weighs us down and, with seemingly unbreakable chains, holds us captive…EVERYTHING is washed away, wiped clean the moment we receive and accept this gift of forgiveness from God.

The amazing thing is, that we will often need to go back to the source of forgiveness and grace, and we can receive it. This, of course, doesn’t mean that we treat it like a get out of jail free card from monopoly, but we can still receive forgiveness when stumble along the way.

So how about it?
Are there moments right now in your life that require this cleansing once more?
Are you bogged down by the weight of sin and guilt? It doesn’t take much to soil this cleansing – a few words of malice; entertaining impure thoughts; actions that are not God-honoring…these daily temptations come rushing in at us because we still live in this fallen world.

But hear the still small voice of God himself who says to us – Behold, I will make all things new. This isn’t just at the end of all things, this is also true in your life today, at this very moment. Just whisper a prayer to Him and He will glad cleanse you once again. Our goal? Becoming the very reflection of Christ in our living…this can only be done by consciously allowing His holy presence to guide, restore and change us…We must linger moment by moment in the Master’s presence in order to fully realize this reality in our lives.

Prayer:
Lord I long for you to make all things new in my life right now.
Forgive me of these sins that creep up in my life and weigh me down.
Cleanse me once more, make my heart and mind vessels for you and you alone. I long to be the reflection of Christ in all that I do and all that I say. In your name I pray these things, Amen.

January 5, 2017 0

Day 4: What Good Am I? God’s Talent.

“When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business...” Luke 19:15

Remember yesterday day when we evaluated what kind of fruit we were baring, and whether or not it was good fruit or bad? Well, it matters. Your life matters. What you choose to do every day – This very day…it all matters!

Jesus tells this parable about the talents, and what those entrusted with the nobleman’s riches did with the investment. Two of them multiplied the original investment, while the last person simply hid it away and never attempted, never risked…

I have to be honest with you, when I was a little child I used to think that the last person was pretty smart. He had kept his master’s treasure hidden, safe and sound. What’s so wrong with that? He can just give it back, and it will still be the same talent he was given. Now that I’m older, I understand what this means (at least for me). God gives us these amazing tools to use in our lives. Some have been blessed with amazing voices. Others with great intelligence. Still others the inquisitive and creative mind…and on it goes. That little seed has been planted in us. More than that, God’s truths have also been given to us. He gives these talents to us and He desires us to use them, not hide them away. God longs for us to take risks. He wants us to venture out of our “bubbles” and connect with humanity. He desires our faith that extends beyond our comfort zones and protective barriers. The saddest, most disappointing thing that we can do with our talents is hide them away and never use them – such a waste!

How about you?
Are you struggling to figure out what exactly God has given you to use?
Do you grow weary of the investment?
Or do you risk much and venture out far and wide?
Where do you see yourself within this parable of Jesus?
How can you multiply or even triple His original investment in you?
Don’t forget that the purpose of the investment is to give praise to God and then reach out to humanity through His love! This is the ultimate extension of His wonder and His grace!
Prayer:
Lord help me to see why you invested in me.
I sometimes struggle with my insecurities and doubts.
I long to serve you with everything that I have. Help me to see others the way you see them. Guide me today so that I might be an instrument of your peace to those around me. Help me also to see the investment and talent that you have given me, and in so doing, allow me to use it for your glory! May your will be done in my life today! -Amen!

January 4, 2017 0

Day 3 – Are You Picking Rotting Fruit?

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit…” Matthew 12:33

Have you heard the phrase “garbage in garbage out?” It describes the results of bad living – whatever we consume – we become. If we determine to look at everything that comes our way today through the lenses of doom and gloom – that is what we shall become. Our perspective on things can, in some ways, dictate the outcomes we eventually face.

What kind of fruit are you picking?
In this new year, you have a choice to make: will you conscientiously strive to consume the spiritual fruit that brings you growth, depth and life, or will you settle for picking rotten fruit, which leads to more than rottenness in your life? It all comes down to your choice in the matter. It sounds easier than it really is, this I know all too well. Many times I have eaten this rotten fruit in my life and suffered the effects of such decomposition.

Context:
Jesus had some harsh words for the Pharisees of His day.
He even calls them a brood of vipers in the very next verse (34).
I would be afraid of what He might say to us sometimes, when we look around at others and attempt to cast judgement all the while forgetting to focus on our own trees and the fruit we are bearing. I would hope that in sobering moments, His Holy Presence would bring conviction and even chastisement. This is a bitter thing to consider, but better to be confronted with our own areas to work on than consume more bitter, rotting fruit that we have produced.

So how about it?
What kind of fruit is your tree producing right now?
Is it sweat, ripe and pleasing to God?
Or is there room to grow and improve?
This is a very personal devotional thought today, one I would guess we shy away from…but don’t shy away from this. Take a long sobering look at your life right now – can you declare unabashedly that you are a fine fruit-producer for Christ? If you come to the conclusion that you still have work to do – do not become frustrated and defeated! You are not alone…many of us (including myself) are right there with you.

Homework Assignment:
Read Matthew 12:33-37 again right now:
³³“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. ³⁴You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. ³⁵A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. ³⁷For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Questions to Ponder:
What work still needs to be done in my heart right now?
Are there weeds growing amongst the fruit?
How can I de-clutter my heart today and remove the rotten fruit?
How can I encourage others around me today?
What soothing words can I speak on behalf of Christ to those I meet today?

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I confess that at times I do not always produce good fruit in my life.
Sometimes my words are harsh and my actions do not reflect You.
Help me to be your image in all that I say and do today.
I desire to produce in my life a harvest of hope and love for You and you alone, and in so doing I might be an Eternal aroma to those I meet. Help me to be the very best representative of you! In your name I pray these things. -Amen.

January 3, 2017 0

Day 2 – Residing In The Goodness…

Focus Verse: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28 (NIV)
The grace of God resides within us. His presence provides what we need in the good times as well as the bad.

Our focus verse for today has less to do with some sort of magic “goodness”and more to do with where we choose to place ourselves daily. What I mean by that is this: are we firmly planted in our faith in the almighty? Or, like shifting sands, do you waver and even falter when stressful/difficult things occur?

The emphasis within this verse is “…of those who love Him…” Whatever you may face today, wherever your path might take you, how deep does your love for God go? To what depths will you journey…will you go even beyond your comfort zone to serve our Father in heaven?

The goodness God offers might not manifest itself in earthly riches and worldly fame, but rather in our daily provisions and spiritual blessings. He gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want. He loves us and know exactly the means by which to provide and to protect us. The very real question is: do we trust Him? Might I confess that I still struggle with this trust. I still attempt to “handle” it all on my own…and I usually fail gloriously when I do.

Might I suggest that we tackle this trust issue moment by moment instead of with vast brush strokes and promises?! …and in so doing, may we plant ourselves firmly in the goodness of God, and remain there!

Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to reside within your goodness. Show me how that can take place within my doubting moments. Help me to surrender to you even when the going gets tough. I long to be yours and yours alone! Thank you for this glorious day that you have given me and the blessings that I often take for granted. Reside with me throughout my day and all that might frustrate my plans. May Your will be done in my life today.

-Amen.

January 2, 2017 0

Giving At The Red Kettles: Gary’s Story…

I recently listened to a Ted Talk about time management, and in that Ted Talk the speaker inferred that it is not about having enough time to do things, it is all about our priorities in life. If something is important to us, that becomes a priority, while other less liked tasks will become a non-priority.

Many of us will claim that we don’t have enough time in the day, but perhaps the real question is: what do we make a priority in our lives? Here at The Salvation Army, our priority during this insanely busy season is to provide food, toys, clothing, and a warm safe place for people in need, and so we set out to accomplish this by raising much needed funds at our Red Kettle locations. This vital campaign helps us ensure that no one goes hungry or without a Christmas in our community. This is daunting task, because it requires hundreds and hundreds of hours of manning a red kettle location during cold winter days by generous volunteers and additional hired bell ringers.

I would like to share with you an amazing story of generosity by one such volunteer. His name is Gary, and he has made bell ringing one of his priorities in life in order to help people in need. Despite fighting an epic battle of cancer in his life, last year alone Gary came out and rang the bell for The Salvation Army for over 60 hours during the month and a half long Red Kettle Campaign…and he’s back again this year to do the same!!

Gary has made it his mission to not only overcome his own personal health crisis, but to help others by ringing the bell at the red kettle. “I really love doing this, and I know that I am making a difference!” Gary said, as he stands all bundled up at the entrance of his local Walmart store. He never stops ringing the bell while we talk, each clang of the bell is another accomplishment in his life. You can hear him from the back of the parking lot, and every time Gary is out ringing that bell, you can rest assured he is smiling and welcoming shoppers warmly in the hopes that they will give…and give they do. His smile is infectious as is his personality. His priority? To help people in need despite his own daily health challenges. Gary could’ve stayed at home after being diagnosed, no one would have blamed him. He could have simply fought for his own life, that would certainly be understandable, but Gary has risen above his own mountainous challenge in order to tackle the challenges of others…by ringing that bell.

Gary’s story personifies for us the true meaning of Christmas.
It reminds us that giving is far better than receiving…that generosity and selflessness can touch the hearts of many by simply being willing and available to serve. The world needs more Garys in it.
It is so much more than just ringing a bell, it is the very heart of God living and becoming hands and feet in a very tangible way towards others. It is the countless acts of kindness shown to people when no one else is watching. It is giving God our very best instead of what is left over.

So let me ask you what are your priorities this Christmas?

December 19, 2016 0

Elections: When We Mock God’s Sovereignty…

“The LORD sat as King at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever.” Psalm 29:10

Please do not misunderstand me when I say this – sometimes we make a mockery of God’s Sovereignty in life. Today is a presidential election, we have one every four years…it’s built into the construct of our nation (and other nations also). Admittedly, some elections seem to be more pivotal than others. We ought to, if compelled, exercise our civic duty and right to vote. The problem I have is this: When God’s people, those who would label themselves as Christians – use the term “who ever becomes President, God is still sovereign”…now don’t get me wrong, it’s not that this isn’t true, but I think we sometimes use this flippantly and with very little thought. I will also admit that I have used it, and this is why I write this today.

I have looked around social media today (Election day) and I am amazed in the outpouring and calls for prayer. Not that we don’t need prayer, we absolutely do, but it feels almost like that test in school. You know the one I’m talking about. It’s the test you didn’t study for, and are about to take. You aren’t prepared and so you utilize the last resort prayer…does God work that way? I mean, does he answer prayers for crammed tests and sudden emergencies in our lives? Is that what God has become to His faithful? The God of last resorts?

This is where I feel we make a mockery of God’s Sovereignty sometimes, and as I say this I am not accusing everyone of this, I am asking us to look into our motivations behind the prayers and the declarations of God’s sovereignty. Are we treating God as if he is the emergency cord?

What I mean is, do we include Him in only a portion of our lives, ONLY when we need Him? Or is He invited in daily? Do we only declare Him to be a Sovereign God, who is over all things ONLY during an election, or do we declare this in and through ALL of our every day existences?

What if we prayed to the Almighty like we did during that Presidential election day?
What if we declared His Sovereignty not just when we feel our candidate is the one that should be elected, but in our common, every day kinda life? What would happen then?
I’ll tell you what would happen – we would stop making a mockery of God’s Sovereignty through our consistent declarations.

So which is it?
Do we serve a God who only comes out at election day and ensures the right candidate is placed in the Oval office? Or do we serve a God who is over all and in all things every day of the year – every moment of every day? I must confess that as I point the finger out to every Christian today, that I have three fingers pointing back at me, and that scares me.
I do not want to cheapen God’s power and might! I do not want to make light of His Sovereignty. I must approach this topic with a sober mind knowing that I too have done this. Have you?

Prayer:
Lord, forgive us when we have cheapened your grace and power.
I long to have you walk beside me every moment of every day. Forgive me when I have forgotten to include you in my life, when I have used you as a last resort instead of my constant Father who vows never to leave me or forsake me. I ask that you remind me of what it means to be called a child of You. Show how I must live today, and tomorrow…
Lord, you are Holy and the only One who is Sovereign over all things. Help me declare this every day, through word and deed. -Amen.

November 8, 2016 0

Keep It Simple Stupid – An Uncomplicated God Thing…

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form…” Colossians 2:9

We as humans tend to over-complicate things, our friendships, our beliefs and even our families from time to time. When it comes to Church and our worship, we have to have all of the right elements put into place…the right songs need to be sung, the format – comfortable, and we place our “hallelujahs” and “amens” all in the right places…have we made our worship overly complicated? Are our experiences with God overly complicated? Do we make it something it was never intended to be? What about authenticity and candid moments with the Father? Do these take place in our utterances to Him?

I believe we have this big picture idea about God sometimes that leaves God this great big idea out there…but very seldom do we realize that He comes directly to us in our minuscule lives and wants to just hang out. He longs to connect in ways we have never anticipated or believed to be possible. Why is that? Why do we believe in this mighty God and yet, at times, fall short of believe He desires real, authentic relationship with us?

I will tell you why – because there a moments, even large spans of time where we believe the lie that Satan tells us. What is that lie you ask? – That we aren’t good enough. That we don’t really belong. That no matter what that preacher or friend might say, He would never spend time with me, because of all of the sins and bad things I have done in my life…yet we asked for forgiveness…yet we accepted Christ into our lives…but still…why do we keep buying this lie?

Because we do not feel worthy enough?
Because we do not think a great BIG God would ever come down to our teeny tiny level?
Because we still struggle with temptation…and we still stumble and fall?

So we over complicate it…our relationship with God.
We try to fill in the gaps with complicated worship and ornate speech and follow a strict pattern of obligations…but it’s complicated…

God doesn’t do complicated.
He doesn’t beat around the bush (sorry Moses).
He doesn’t need ritual or motions of worship for us to be accepted as His children.
He simply says to us,”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

All He wants from us is our fellowship.
He desires to be included.
He longs for connection…for things uncomplicated.

So let’s uncomplicate things…
Let His presence remove the insecurities and the lies.
This great BIG God will be there in our small spaces of life.
And He breathes peace into our lives
Something more to ponder today.

Peace be with you!

October 26, 2016 0

Do You Love Him?

“…And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

We Christians are often very good at quoting scripture, especially verses that bring us comfort and strength in times of need. These verses have a way of making us feel good and bring us relief in knowing that we aren’t alone and that we have One who goes before us on this faith journey. But I wonder how intricately do we know the passages that we cling to? Do we know a scripture’s complete context and the full understanding of the words we utter from memorized verses in whatever translation that we’ve memorized them from?

Do we sometimes pick and choose the passages that most suit us in our times of need? Perhaps our troubles have begun way before the physical worries manifest themselves in our lives because we have failed to include the Almighty into our day and moment by moment. God doesn’t want us simply to check in from time to time with Him, like some teenager would with his or her parents while they are out late with friends. No, instead He desires the fellowship which lasts all day.

For example, the focus verse that I have listed above has been taken out of context many times. We stop short of reading it in its full entirety because we only want the good that comes from God. We only want what we want and we fail to understand that this relationship with God first begins with love and devotion to Him. From this all things flow. Now, don’t misunderstand me. We do not love simply to have good things happen to us. God is not some genie who grants wishes if we are good to Him. We pleaded with by the Holy Spirit to love because He first loved us. We are invited to become partakers of His kingdom and to be called sons and daughters of God. There is no better invitation than that! But you see love isn’t about getting stuff…that’s not love at all. We don’t love God to get things or because it benefits us in a prosperity sort of way. No, instead a right relationship with Him demands of us our full devotion and love.

This is the path least taken in this world.
This is the place where true faith walks in tandem with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus looked into Peter’s eyes, these same eyes that stared blankly at accusers while his lips denied his allegiance to his Teacher. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Not once, not twice, but three times – the same amount of times Peter had lied and denied Him. Imagine the conviction of that moment. Envision sitting there with the Son of Man and coming face to face with your shortcomings and failures? I am certain that the tears of shame would flow, and my heart would be rent.

Jesus still asks us today, “Do you love me?” He pleads with us “Let me in, allow me access to your daily life…let me be a part of who you are – can I be a part of your very identity?”
What will your answer be?

Something more to ponder today.

October 24, 2016 0

Category: Christ-like