I'm bewildered. Why is it that we know the right thing to do and choose to do the wrong thing? We know you can't put a square peg in a round hole, but we'll give it the good ol' college try even to the point of exasperation. We'll pound and squeeze and manipulate to get that sucker in there. We do that with life all the time. We know the right thing, but we try to make our way work anyway.
"Christians" aren't any better than non-Christians when it comes to this subject. I guess that's why the hypocrite label gets attached so quickly. I'm going to go party with my friends, but I'll be there Sunday morning. I'm gonna move in with my girlfriend but I still plan to play in the worship band. I'm gonna join the prayer team, but not stop my verbal abuse of family and coworkers. How is it that we blatantly ignore God's truth and teachings and still expect everything to be hunky dory in our spiritual life, walk with God or even everyday life?
The psalmist says in our passage today, since I believe in God's commandments, teach me good discernment and knowledge. In other words, God I believe in your Word, teach me how to live it practically in my everyday life. Many people believe in God's Word, they just refuse to do it. The Bible's definition of sin is whoever knows the right thing to do and doesn't do it. Sin breaks our relationship with God. Jesus said you can't serve two masters, either you hate the one and love the other or serve the one and not the other. So when we purposely decide to do what God said not to do, we alienate ourselves from God. We are choosing to sever our relationship with God at our own risk.
However, if we truly believe in God and trust Him, then we will do as He asks, instructs, teaches us to do. God isn't interested in being a killjoy to rob us of our fun. He's interested in our well being emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally. It only makes sense to seek God's specific instruction on life issues, daily issues. I'd be a moron not to follow His ways. And since God knows all things and I don't, seeking His direction in the practical areas of life only makes sense.
God, I pray the psalmist's prayer. I believe in your truths. Teach me GOOD discernment and knowledge today and tomorrow and the next day. I want to be in step with you.
Daily reflections on various passages of God's Word with an honest, authentic and practical approach. God's Word is relevant, inspiring, challenging, encouraging and reliably true. Our goal is simply to interpret God's teachings for our complex and constantly changing times. Copy and paste the daily scripture into the Bible Gateway link and you can read the verses.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Daily Reflections on Ps. 89:15 (There's Nothing Like Corporate Celebration)
The Super Bowl plays for the 44th time in just a few days. It's always more fun to watch the game with a group of people, especially when half the crowd roots for one team and the other half roots for the other team. It's great fun. There's something special about the group atmosphere. There's more excitement, more fervor, more celebration, more intensity. Go to any sporting event and you'll experience an environment that elevates the passion for everyone. Announcers often talk about feeling the excitement in the air. Home field advantage is more than just knowing the dimensions of the arena. It's about the crowd and emotions of those in the stands.
The same is true about corporate worship. I love getting out my guitar and singing worship songs during my alone time with God. It is a personal time for me, but somehow it just does match the time of corporate worship at our church or better yet a huge conference with several thousand voices and full instrumentation. The full sound of everyone singing takes me to a different level. The environment stimulates my passion for God and what it means to be a part of His family. It's a taste of heaven.
The psalmist talks about how blessed are those who know that joyful sound of worship or even to the call to worship. They know that the experience is going to bring them closer to the presence of God, emotionally and spiritually. It's through corporate worship that our barriers and distractions are eliminated and we open our heart and mind to God. We feel less inhibited in our expression to God and our intimacy with Him deepens. It's really the closest thing to being in Heaven.
I've tried to picture what it will be like singing around the throne of God. I've read the descriptions in Revelation and the closest thing I can come to it is the 90,000 men I gathered with at a Promise Keepers Rally a few years back. To hear that many men singing praise to God was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Standing on the stadium floor as the songs echoed across the stands was unbelievable.
I look forward to our worship time every Sunday morning. I can't imagine not having it. I can tolerate poor preaching, oh wait, that's me. I can endure a less inspiring message as long as there is energy in our worship, that it's a true time of celebration. I find that I'm generally more challenged and inspired when our corporate worship opens my heart to God.
Thanks God for loving me. Thanks for allowing me to be in your presence through song and praise. I don't understand why some people choose to miss the corporate celebration of praising you together. It's such an awesome place to meet with you. I can't wait for Sunday.
The same is true about corporate worship. I love getting out my guitar and singing worship songs during my alone time with God. It is a personal time for me, but somehow it just does match the time of corporate worship at our church or better yet a huge conference with several thousand voices and full instrumentation. The full sound of everyone singing takes me to a different level. The environment stimulates my passion for God and what it means to be a part of His family. It's a taste of heaven.
The psalmist talks about how blessed are those who know that joyful sound of worship or even to the call to worship. They know that the experience is going to bring them closer to the presence of God, emotionally and spiritually. It's through corporate worship that our barriers and distractions are eliminated and we open our heart and mind to God. We feel less inhibited in our expression to God and our intimacy with Him deepens. It's really the closest thing to being in Heaven.
I've tried to picture what it will be like singing around the throne of God. I've read the descriptions in Revelation and the closest thing I can come to it is the 90,000 men I gathered with at a Promise Keepers Rally a few years back. To hear that many men singing praise to God was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Standing on the stadium floor as the songs echoed across the stands was unbelievable.
I look forward to our worship time every Sunday morning. I can't imagine not having it. I can tolerate poor preaching, oh wait, that's me. I can endure a less inspiring message as long as there is energy in our worship, that it's a true time of celebration. I find that I'm generally more challenged and inspired when our corporate worship opens my heart to God.
Thanks God for loving me. Thanks for allowing me to be in your presence through song and praise. I don't understand why some people choose to miss the corporate celebration of praising you together. It's such an awesome place to meet with you. I can't wait for Sunday.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Daily Reflections on Ps. 146:8 (Seeing Clearly)
Psalm 146:8 reminds me a lot of Isaiah 61 and Luke 4. In Luke 4, Jesus, speaking in the synagogue in Nazareth, picks up the scroll from Isaiah 61 and begins reading, "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD" Then Jesus added that today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.
It's apparent that the promise of Psalm 146:8 is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. Opening the the eyes of the blind or recovery of sight to the blind appear to have more of a spiritual meaning than a physical meaning. Yes, Jesus did heal the blind physically, but the greater meaning has to do with those who are blind spiritually, emotionally. Those confused by life and/or its questions. Those who come to God or Christ begging for sight, for understanding, for truth will find it in Him.
When we do humble ourselves before God and seek Him, He lifts us up and out of our plight. Now, getting to the point where we are willing to ask God for help can be an interesting journey. For many of us we have to be at the breaking point in life before we're willing to turn to God. Like a two year old, we would rather do it ourself. So we wrestle it ourselves, worry, get frustrated, angry, destroy a few relationships before we're willing to consider submitting it to God.
As long we hang onto our issues, our life, our agenda we miss the greatest promise of this passage. The verse says that God loves the righteous, that means has an intimate relationship and bond with those who've surrendered themselves to God through Christ. Righteousness only comes through Christ, not from ourselves. As long as we keep holding on to our issues or our life, we can never experience the joyful relationship with God.
God, thanks for loving us. I admit that I have a tendency to try to handle everything in life on my own. I know I need you, but I also know I'm stubborn sometimes, ok a lot of times. Give me your vision. Give me your strength. Lift me up. Embrace me as I turn to you and release my life and ministry to you.
It's apparent that the promise of Psalm 146:8 is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. Opening the the eyes of the blind or recovery of sight to the blind appear to have more of a spiritual meaning than a physical meaning. Yes, Jesus did heal the blind physically, but the greater meaning has to do with those who are blind spiritually, emotionally. Those confused by life and/or its questions. Those who come to God or Christ begging for sight, for understanding, for truth will find it in Him.
When we do humble ourselves before God and seek Him, He lifts us up and out of our plight. Now, getting to the point where we are willing to ask God for help can be an interesting journey. For many of us we have to be at the breaking point in life before we're willing to turn to God. Like a two year old, we would rather do it ourself. So we wrestle it ourselves, worry, get frustrated, angry, destroy a few relationships before we're willing to consider submitting it to God.
As long we hang onto our issues, our life, our agenda we miss the greatest promise of this passage. The verse says that God loves the righteous, that means has an intimate relationship and bond with those who've surrendered themselves to God through Christ. Righteousness only comes through Christ, not from ourselves. As long as we keep holding on to our issues or our life, we can never experience the joyful relationship with God.
God, thanks for loving us. I admit that I have a tendency to try to handle everything in life on my own. I know I need you, but I also know I'm stubborn sometimes, ok a lot of times. Give me your vision. Give me your strength. Lift me up. Embrace me as I turn to you and release my life and ministry to you.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Daily Reflections on Prov. 23:12 (Indulgence)
We've gone from being an obese nation to a morbidly obese nation. In others words, experts are saying that we've gone beyond a nation with a lot of overweight people, to a nation of people who are really fat. Indulgence is the name of the game. Walk into any restaurant and you'll be served up a meal with three times our daily necessary calories. We've even turned calorie free coffee into a sugar laden, gut busting latte. Oh and don't forget the extra whip.
Overindulgence pretty much marks our culture. We have very little discipline. Something new comes out and we have to have it. That's why our credit cards are maxed out and our personal debt looks like Mt. Vesuvius. We can't control our spending any more than we can control our waist lines. But the same thing is true when it comes to virtually anything else from sex to video games. We're an addictive society. We just can't seem to know when to quit, to lay off, to walk away, to push back.
Our habits have created health problems, financial problems, relationship problems, perspective problems, time problems, emotional problems, and spiritual problems. Our self-gratification gene and our lack of self-discipline has our life spiralling out of control.
Recently I picked up Dr. Michael Roizen's book, "You on a Diet." It's an interesting and informative albeit sarcastic read on eating and health habits of most Americans. It's not so much that we're all a bunch of couch potatoes, which is probably true; it has more to do with our lack of focus and discipline. Solomon, the richest man who has ever lived, talks of the virtue of self-discipline in Proverbs 23:12. He urges us to apply discipline to our life and to diligently seek understanding or knowledge. The point being so that we won't fall into a self destructive lifestyle.
January is a great month to start new goals. Many make New Year's Resolutions but quickly fall back into old patterns. Killing old destructive or unhealthy habits aren't easy. Starting new ones and getting them implemented in our life is even harder. Self discipline isn't necessarily the simplest path to follow. Start a new exercise program and you have to deal with soreness. That's enough to throw the whole "get healthy" plan out the window. But staying with it is what is necessary to get the desired results.
I like what Roizen points out in his book, plan for failure and be ready to make a "You-turn." Discipline is about getting back on the path after your side trip. As you continue to seek knowledge and understanding from God, you'll be quicker to recognize and avoid the things that get you off-track and you'll enjoy a much healthier, stress free life.
God, thanks for Your Word and Your Spirit to guides us, instruct us, and to help us stay focused in the right direction. Thanks for caring enough about my life to give me the help I need. I confess, that without you in my life I would be a total mess. Give me the insights and discipline through Your Spirit to live a healthy, abundant life.
Overindulgence pretty much marks our culture. We have very little discipline. Something new comes out and we have to have it. That's why our credit cards are maxed out and our personal debt looks like Mt. Vesuvius. We can't control our spending any more than we can control our waist lines. But the same thing is true when it comes to virtually anything else from sex to video games. We're an addictive society. We just can't seem to know when to quit, to lay off, to walk away, to push back.
Our habits have created health problems, financial problems, relationship problems, perspective problems, time problems, emotional problems, and spiritual problems. Our self-gratification gene and our lack of self-discipline has our life spiralling out of control.
Recently I picked up Dr. Michael Roizen's book, "You on a Diet." It's an interesting and informative albeit sarcastic read on eating and health habits of most Americans. It's not so much that we're all a bunch of couch potatoes, which is probably true; it has more to do with our lack of focus and discipline. Solomon, the richest man who has ever lived, talks of the virtue of self-discipline in Proverbs 23:12. He urges us to apply discipline to our life and to diligently seek understanding or knowledge. The point being so that we won't fall into a self destructive lifestyle.
January is a great month to start new goals. Many make New Year's Resolutions but quickly fall back into old patterns. Killing old destructive or unhealthy habits aren't easy. Starting new ones and getting them implemented in our life is even harder. Self discipline isn't necessarily the simplest path to follow. Start a new exercise program and you have to deal with soreness. That's enough to throw the whole "get healthy" plan out the window. But staying with it is what is necessary to get the desired results.
I like what Roizen points out in his book, plan for failure and be ready to make a "You-turn." Discipline is about getting back on the path after your side trip. As you continue to seek knowledge and understanding from God, you'll be quicker to recognize and avoid the things that get you off-track and you'll enjoy a much healthier, stress free life.
God, thanks for Your Word and Your Spirit to guides us, instruct us, and to help us stay focused in the right direction. Thanks for caring enough about my life to give me the help I need. I confess, that without you in my life I would be a total mess. Give me the insights and discipline through Your Spirit to live a healthy, abundant life.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Daily Reflections on Col. 2:2-3 (The Rate of Exchange)
Let's face it, times are tough these days. The economy is a mess. The stock market has tanked. The housing finance industry is a wreck. Foreclosures are at an all time high. Jobs are disappearing daily. The government is printing bailout money like it's going out of style. Not a lot of security out there right now. I have facetiously joked that my wife's 401k is now officially a 201k.
When things are good we put a lot of faith in getting, achieving, acquiring riches. But ironically, the very things we were pursuing are devouring us. Credit is impossible to get if you have any scar on your record. Everyone's job is insecure. With unemployment at a 25 year high and getting worse, bankruptcy court is going to get a lot busier.
With things so insecure in our world today, many scramble for security in whatever they can find, or should I say whomever they can find. Right after the 2008 Presidential Election, one lady interviewed loudly proclaimed, "No more mortgage payments, no more car payments. Obama is going to take care of us." Um, maybe she misunderstood his platform. Just last week, a lady from my church called me to inform me that she was moving in with her boyfriend because he was going to take care of her. Really?
Unfortunately, the riches of this world are fleeting and unsustainable. Material possessions don't satisfy. As Paul says in Romans, people are exchanging the glory of God for idols. True riches, lasting riches are found in God through Christ. Col. 2 pointedly states wealth comes from the full assurance and knowledge of Jesus. In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Why do we choose to worship created things versus the the Creator of things? Why are willing to give up intimacy with God for material things or self gratifying things? Why are we willing to purposely defy God to satisfy our personal wants, needs or perceived security? Why are willing to exchange true wealth, true security, true abundant life for temporary pleasure or a lie? Why are we willing to exchange eternity with God for the something that is doomed for ultimate destruction?
God, I'm placing my hope and trust in you, not stocks and bonds or government or people or material things. You truly have the words of eternal life. Why would I seek anything else but you? I'd rather have you, Lord that all the riches in the world, because they can't compare to the wealth I've found in you.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Daily Reflections on Prov. 10:12 (The Power of Love and Hate)
Fights always seem to draw crowds, whether professional or street fights. For whatever reason, people gather to watch two people pummel each other. Maybe it's just the commotion or maybe it stirs some animalistic urges in all of us, but for whatever the reason most people are drawn to the intrigue of two battling foes.
At the same time, most people hate conflict and will do anything to avoid it. We don't like tension. We don't like dissension. It makes us feel uncomfortable at best. Being in the same room where two people hate each other causes us to look for the open door to make our exit in a hurry.
Hatred is a destructive force. Not only does it affect us personally, it affects our relationships and our environment. Hatred eats us up on the inside and prevents us from really enjoying life and the people around us. It poisons our attitude and distracts us from accomplishing great things. Living with a chip on our shoulder robs us and others around us of the kind of life God would have for us.
Where quarrels and fights draw crowds, love expressed openly draws people. Who would rather be around a seething grouchy person with venom being spewed from their lips or someone who warmly embraces people around them? No brainer, right? Love takes the hit and reaches out in mercy, forgiveness and grace. Hate takes the hit and strikes back.
When Jesus went to the cross, he took the hit of our hate, disobedience, sin and offered up mercy, forgiveness and grace. But with that also comes hope and encouragement and opportunity and healing. Jesus said that others would know we were His followers by our love for one another. 1 John states that it is impossible to hate our brothers and/or sisters and love God, because God is love. God has nothing to do with hate. God is about restoration and reconciliation and life. To be a part of His Kingdom, His Family means that we too should be characterized by love.
God, please remove any hate from me. Help me to love like you love, to bring healing and hope and encouragement to others.
At the same time, most people hate conflict and will do anything to avoid it. We don't like tension. We don't like dissension. It makes us feel uncomfortable at best. Being in the same room where two people hate each other causes us to look for the open door to make our exit in a hurry.
Hatred is a destructive force. Not only does it affect us personally, it affects our relationships and our environment. Hatred eats us up on the inside and prevents us from really enjoying life and the people around us. It poisons our attitude and distracts us from accomplishing great things. Living with a chip on our shoulder robs us and others around us of the kind of life God would have for us.
Where quarrels and fights draw crowds, love expressed openly draws people. Who would rather be around a seething grouchy person with venom being spewed from their lips or someone who warmly embraces people around them? No brainer, right? Love takes the hit and reaches out in mercy, forgiveness and grace. Hate takes the hit and strikes back.
When Jesus went to the cross, he took the hit of our hate, disobedience, sin and offered up mercy, forgiveness and grace. But with that also comes hope and encouragement and opportunity and healing. Jesus said that others would know we were His followers by our love for one another. 1 John states that it is impossible to hate our brothers and/or sisters and love God, because God is love. God has nothing to do with hate. God is about restoration and reconciliation and life. To be a part of His Kingdom, His Family means that we too should be characterized by love.
God, please remove any hate from me. Help me to love like you love, to bring healing and hope and encouragement to others.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Daily Reflections on Eccl. 10:10 (Saving Time, Energy and Frustration)
In high school I had a shop class focused on motors and engines. Not only did we learn how different kinds of motors worked, we learned different tools necessary for fixing them. Most of us in the class weren't mechanic material so we had a lot to learn.
One day, we had the assignment of simply cutting a pipe with a hacksaw. In fact, we had a little contest to see who cut their pipe the fastest. Guys, grabbed a hacksaw and went to blazing. Now mind you, most of the students in the class had never used a hacksaw. Most were working furiously to show the teacher how good (and muscular) they were.
After a few minutes of watching his incompetent students, our teacher stopped us. He explained how a hacksaw worked. Some of the guys had actually ruined their blades because of their violent attack on the pipe. Allowing the saw to due the work, he cut through the pipe in a couple minutes without breaking a sweat. We all stood aghast thinking, "that was easy." Once we all got the hang of it, we all could cut through the pipe easily.
I've thought a lot about that lesson in life in more recent years. It seems that many times I've attacked an issue or situation or my job much the same way we attacked those pipes with our hacksaws, with all out fury and wasted energy. I've increased my blood pressure (and others'), encountered tons of frustration (and created plenty for others), and worn myself out (and others) trying to accomplish something with brute strength.
Solomon says, "Hey you moron, sharpen the ax and use the right technique." As my energy has waned and my strength been sapped, I've finally come to the conclusion that I need to approach life and problems differently. Getting through the pipes of life would be a whole easier if I would simply deepen my connection with God and seek His wisdom and then apply His technique.
God, I really need your wisdom. I've tried to do things in my own strength, energy and ingenuity through the years and worn out a whole bunch of people including myself. I want to embrace you more, listen more, spend time with you more so that I can gain your wisdom and apply your wisdom to life, relationships, job, ministry, and family.
One day, we had the assignment of simply cutting a pipe with a hacksaw. In fact, we had a little contest to see who cut their pipe the fastest. Guys, grabbed a hacksaw and went to blazing. Now mind you, most of the students in the class had never used a hacksaw. Most were working furiously to show the teacher how good (and muscular) they were.
After a few minutes of watching his incompetent students, our teacher stopped us. He explained how a hacksaw worked. Some of the guys had actually ruined their blades because of their violent attack on the pipe. Allowing the saw to due the work, he cut through the pipe in a couple minutes without breaking a sweat. We all stood aghast thinking, "that was easy." Once we all got the hang of it, we all could cut through the pipe easily.
I've thought a lot about that lesson in life in more recent years. It seems that many times I've attacked an issue or situation or my job much the same way we attacked those pipes with our hacksaws, with all out fury and wasted energy. I've increased my blood pressure (and others'), encountered tons of frustration (and created plenty for others), and worn myself out (and others) trying to accomplish something with brute strength.
Solomon says, "Hey you moron, sharpen the ax and use the right technique." As my energy has waned and my strength been sapped, I've finally come to the conclusion that I need to approach life and problems differently. Getting through the pipes of life would be a whole easier if I would simply deepen my connection with God and seek His wisdom and then apply His technique.
God, I really need your wisdom. I've tried to do things in my own strength, energy and ingenuity through the years and worn out a whole bunch of people including myself. I want to embrace you more, listen more, spend time with you more so that I can gain your wisdom and apply your wisdom to life, relationships, job, ministry, and family.