I don't think I spend enough time, effort, focus on just praising God. I rarely sit down with my guitar and just play and sing praise to God. I don't sing along with the radio most of the time when I have it on because I'm listening to sports or talk radio. I'm too busy throughout the day getting my stuff done to stop and focus on just praising God. Even though most of my conversations with people are about spiritual or church matters, very few of my words get directed at Him in praise.
I guess I'm just comfortable with my relationship with God. So comfortable I almost take it for granted. It's like now that I've got this salvation thing, I only need to give praise once a week for about 20 minutes and on special occasions. It's similar to my mentality with my wife, now that I've got this marriage thing done, I only need to recognize her on special occasions. Not that I don't love my wife, I do, but because I've grown comfortable in our relationship I forget to pour on the plaudits, accolades and acknowledgments.
Why is it we get so caught up with the routines and issues and demands of life that we forget what's really important in life? I'm so busy and focused on taking care of the stuff of life that I forget to enjoy the creator and sustainer of life. Sometimes I think I just make matter worse in my life by constantly pressing or fretting. David brings up a good point in this Psalm. God is the one who heals, forgives, redeems, crowns, satisfies, renews, restores, supplies, repays, accepts, provides, offers, relates, sustains, comforts, protects, establishes, reveals, and more. Just read the Psalm.
God, forgive my ignorance and self-absorption. As David says, I'm like the flower or grass of the field that's here only for a short time. I'm nothing. You're everything! How could I forget you or forget to praise you throughout my day. I want my life to be a praise to you, to bring you honor and glory.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Daily Reflections on 1 Pet. 4:12-19 (Trials and Suffering)
I'm a wimp! I encounter a few struggles in life and I think the whole world's against me. I have no idea what it really means to be persecuted for Christ's sake. Sure I've been kicked around for doing what I've thought God was asking me to do, but that's always been by "Christians." I've felt the ostracism by some for my faith or stand (once again mostly by other "believers." But come on, I've never faced real persecution for my faith. Nobody's led a stoning party against me with real stones. Nobody's imprisoned me for preaching. Nobody's beat me for proclaiming Christ. No one has thrown me to the lions or hung me on a cross just for claiming Christ as king.
I'm just a big baby. Things don't go my way and I want to throw in the towel, take my toys and go home. I don't know the first thing about suffering. I have felt the onslaught of spiritual warfare. I have experienced demonic oppression bearing down on me, my fellow leaders, and my church family. But I've never lost sight of putting on the armor of God and claiming my victory in Jesus.
That spiritual warfare stuff does take its toll on my mental state. I do get tired of weighing in as other battle for spiritual victory in Christ. And the day to day burdens of church, teaching, life and family work me over. But real honest to goodness suffering, I'm just a panty waist in that arena. To be honest, I'm not actually looking forward to entering that ring. Oh me of little faith. If you're so confident and spiritual you jump into the fire first.
Lots of things that many of us consider suffering isn't persecution for our faith. It's either the normal rigors of life in a fallen world or the consequences of our own stupid choices or actions. If we'd obeyed God in the first place we wouldn't have to face those issues.
Peter said it's hard enough for the righteous to be saved, what's gonna happen to the ungodly? That means no matter my my circumstance or situation I need to pursue Christ, praise Christ, obey Christ. I've met a lot of families this week in the ICU waiting room. They're suffering through the life and death crisis of their loved ones. I watch how each family clings to the hope of a doctor's ability or words. I sat there and shared my hope with them with my desire for them to find comfort in my God and Savior. I wanted to allow them to experience the same optimism, security and love I experience in God.
God, thanks for sparing me any real suffering. I praise you for those steadfast martyrs of faith past and present who truly have suffered and are suffering for your name. Lord, help me to be faithful to you and trusting of you in my minor trials so that you can receive the glory.
I'm just a big baby. Things don't go my way and I want to throw in the towel, take my toys and go home. I don't know the first thing about suffering. I have felt the onslaught of spiritual warfare. I have experienced demonic oppression bearing down on me, my fellow leaders, and my church family. But I've never lost sight of putting on the armor of God and claiming my victory in Jesus.
That spiritual warfare stuff does take its toll on my mental state. I do get tired of weighing in as other battle for spiritual victory in Christ. And the day to day burdens of church, teaching, life and family work me over. But real honest to goodness suffering, I'm just a panty waist in that arena. To be honest, I'm not actually looking forward to entering that ring. Oh me of little faith. If you're so confident and spiritual you jump into the fire first.
Lots of things that many of us consider suffering isn't persecution for our faith. It's either the normal rigors of life in a fallen world or the consequences of our own stupid choices or actions. If we'd obeyed God in the first place we wouldn't have to face those issues.
Peter said it's hard enough for the righteous to be saved, what's gonna happen to the ungodly? That means no matter my my circumstance or situation I need to pursue Christ, praise Christ, obey Christ. I've met a lot of families this week in the ICU waiting room. They're suffering through the life and death crisis of their loved ones. I watch how each family clings to the hope of a doctor's ability or words. I sat there and shared my hope with them with my desire for them to find comfort in my God and Savior. I wanted to allow them to experience the same optimism, security and love I experience in God.
God, thanks for sparing me any real suffering. I praise you for those steadfast martyrs of faith past and present who truly have suffered and are suffering for your name. Lord, help me to be faithful to you and trusting of you in my minor trials so that you can receive the glory.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Daily Reflections on Ps. 25 (Stopping for Directions)
Taking a stand for Christ and living to God's standards is tough in today's culture. There is so much pressure from cultural norms, media influence and peer pressure to live life in total disregard of God's Word. Between my human, sinful nature and the pull of the world it's a daily struggle to follow God's path. I have a sense that I'm not alone.
David obviously had the same struggle and his honesty is an encouragement to me. He had, no doubt, all sorts of pressures as a leader. His position set him up as a high profile target of Satan, his political enemies, and would be power hungry hopefuls. I'm sure he had plenty of people offering him bribes, sexual advancements, special favors and temptations.
In order to maneuver through the maze of life, David knew his only hope was to hang onto the direction of God's Word, God's Truth, and God's Spirit. He had to recognize his own human tendencies, temptations, weakness, frailties, and limited insights. He knew the only person he could trust to give him the right advice every time was God.
Following after God requires a humbling of ourselves. That's something I continually have to learn the hard way. Even though I often excise my stupidity or stubbornness or maybe even obstinance, God is always patient with me when I finally seek out His advice, truth, or direction. When I do finally humble myself and follow God's directives, how much I'm blessed and enriched.
God, thanks for your consistent, positive, faithful direction. Even though it's hard sometimes to follow your path, Lord, I always find your truth to be right and a benefit to my life. No matter what everyone else is doing, I want to seek your path. Thanks for your patience, your forgiveness, your love.
David obviously had the same struggle and his honesty is an encouragement to me. He had, no doubt, all sorts of pressures as a leader. His position set him up as a high profile target of Satan, his political enemies, and would be power hungry hopefuls. I'm sure he had plenty of people offering him bribes, sexual advancements, special favors and temptations.
In order to maneuver through the maze of life, David knew his only hope was to hang onto the direction of God's Word, God's Truth, and God's Spirit. He had to recognize his own human tendencies, temptations, weakness, frailties, and limited insights. He knew the only person he could trust to give him the right advice every time was God.
Following after God requires a humbling of ourselves. That's something I continually have to learn the hard way. Even though I often excise my stupidity or stubbornness or maybe even obstinance, God is always patient with me when I finally seek out His advice, truth, or direction. When I do finally humble myself and follow God's directives, how much I'm blessed and enriched.
God, thanks for your consistent, positive, faithful direction. Even though it's hard sometimes to follow your path, Lord, I always find your truth to be right and a benefit to my life. No matter what everyone else is doing, I want to seek your path. Thanks for your patience, your forgiveness, your love.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Daily Reflections on Phil. 4:10-14 (Friends in Need)
Having true friends in times of crisis is really a blessing. As the saga with my father continues I've really been encouraged by my church family who have called and emailed me daily. It means a lot to have people stand with you in difficult days. Somehow just knowing that others care, are praying for you brings a sense of peace and comfort.
As Paul sat in prison he couldn't pick up his cell phone and call his buds or log onto Messenger or check his email or MySpace site. He sat all alone, possibly chained to a few guards. Life for him wasn't optimistic at that point. Yet every time a scroll arrives or visitor showed up at the door, Paul was warmed. He knows he is loved and that God is caring for his needs. Knowing Paul, he's no doubt was telling stories to his guards about his friends in Philippi and Ephesus and Corinth and Galatia and Antioch.
Paul had learned to be content in any and all circumstance, even though not every circumstance was pleasant. Some were hard like the one he was in at the time of this writing. But Paul had his contentment not in things or surroundings or circumstances. He had his contentment in God through Christ. His strength and endurance and determination and ability to adapt came in Christ. Paul knew he was never alone.
Even though Paul's relationship with Christ was deep, he felt encouragement from his brothers and sisters in Christ who demonstrated genuine concern by ministering to his physical, emotional and personal needs. Going through the difficult life challenge was made easier or bearable through the caring and presence and involvement of the Philippian church family.
God, I thank you for your presence in my life. I'm trying to find my contentment solely in you. But I also thank you for my friends and family in Christ who have extended themselves to me. I'm learning more and more how important it is to have believers around me with whom I can do life. Help me be an encouragement to others and sensitive to the needs of those around me.
As Paul sat in prison he couldn't pick up his cell phone and call his buds or log onto Messenger or check his email or MySpace site. He sat all alone, possibly chained to a few guards. Life for him wasn't optimistic at that point. Yet every time a scroll arrives or visitor showed up at the door, Paul was warmed. He knows he is loved and that God is caring for his needs. Knowing Paul, he's no doubt was telling stories to his guards about his friends in Philippi and Ephesus and Corinth and Galatia and Antioch.
Paul had learned to be content in any and all circumstance, even though not every circumstance was pleasant. Some were hard like the one he was in at the time of this writing. But Paul had his contentment not in things or surroundings or circumstances. He had his contentment in God through Christ. His strength and endurance and determination and ability to adapt came in Christ. Paul knew he was never alone.
Even though Paul's relationship with Christ was deep, he felt encouragement from his brothers and sisters in Christ who demonstrated genuine concern by ministering to his physical, emotional and personal needs. Going through the difficult life challenge was made easier or bearable through the caring and presence and involvement of the Philippian church family.
God, I thank you for your presence in my life. I'm trying to find my contentment solely in you. But I also thank you for my friends and family in Christ who have extended themselves to me. I'm learning more and more how important it is to have believers around me with whom I can do life. Help me be an encouragement to others and sensitive to the needs of those around me.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Daily Reflections on Eph. 5:1-10 (True Freedom)
It was 1776 and on this date a group of statesmen gathered together to sign the Declaration of Independence from British rule. They set the course for a new, independent nation. That course would mean sacrifice and struggle and determination. Forging out a new democracy would be a challenge. This newly conceived democracy ultimately would become the pattern for freedom throughout the world. These visionaries broke the current mold of thinking and pursued a lifestyle unknown to the culture of the day.
Since the foundational days of the U.S. of A., successive generations have sought not only to follow the dreams of their founding fathers, but to flesh out the implications of those dreams. In many respects, Paul is urging followers of Christ to do the same thing, to live out the dreams and aspirations that God in Christ has for His people. As His children we are called to live by a standard that is antithetical to the world's lifestyle. Not that God calls us us to live above the world's level with a condescending attitude, but rather with the ambition of calling others to a higher plain.
The path of sin leads to tyranny and oppression. The Bible refers to it as being slaves to sin. Although many people think that if they accept Christ as Lord and Savior of their life, they will have to give up their freedom. It's just the opposite. People can choose to do whatever they want to do, but they can't choose the consequences of their actions or sin.
Paul says that Jesus is the only true path to freedom, that the Spirit of Life/Jesus sets us free from the law of sin and death. Is the path to freedom easy? Not really. It came at a high cost, the life of Jesus. It takes courage, boldness, determination, self-sacrifice to follow Christ. Without that attitude and spirit, the U.S. wouldn't exist today. It took some gutsy people to pull that off. In a sense The Church is a new nation, a chosen nation according to Peter, that is set apart to fulfill God's purpose to bring true freedom to the world. We can't do that by following the old path.
God, I want to be a freedom fighter. I want to follow the example set by my forefathers of faith. Rising above the status quo of the world takes a sense of commitment and determination and empowerment that only comes from your Spirit. Fill me. Mold me. Empower me. I want to live to please you, God.
Since the foundational days of the U.S. of A., successive generations have sought not only to follow the dreams of their founding fathers, but to flesh out the implications of those dreams. In many respects, Paul is urging followers of Christ to do the same thing, to live out the dreams and aspirations that God in Christ has for His people. As His children we are called to live by a standard that is antithetical to the world's lifestyle. Not that God calls us us to live above the world's level with a condescending attitude, but rather with the ambition of calling others to a higher plain.
The path of sin leads to tyranny and oppression. The Bible refers to it as being slaves to sin. Although many people think that if they accept Christ as Lord and Savior of their life, they will have to give up their freedom. It's just the opposite. People can choose to do whatever they want to do, but they can't choose the consequences of their actions or sin.
Paul says that Jesus is the only true path to freedom, that the Spirit of Life/Jesus sets us free from the law of sin and death. Is the path to freedom easy? Not really. It came at a high cost, the life of Jesus. It takes courage, boldness, determination, self-sacrifice to follow Christ. Without that attitude and spirit, the U.S. wouldn't exist today. It took some gutsy people to pull that off. In a sense The Church is a new nation, a chosen nation according to Peter, that is set apart to fulfill God's purpose to bring true freedom to the world. We can't do that by following the old path.
God, I want to be a freedom fighter. I want to follow the example set by my forefathers of faith. Rising above the status quo of the world takes a sense of commitment and determination and empowerment that only comes from your Spirit. Fill me. Mold me. Empower me. I want to live to please you, God.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Daily Reflections on Phil. 3:8-11 (What's Life About Anyway?)
As I write this I'm sitting in an ICU waiting room with my father struggling for his life in the next room. Hospital waiting rooms are a unique place, especially ICU where everyone's loved one is in crisis. All else stops. Work, school, daily priorities, urgent tasks all seem to be less important. At these moments you can't help but reflect on what really matters in life.
Obviously God never intended for us just to sit around contemplating the lint in our navel. Paul says those who don't work don't get to eat. James says that those who don't take care of the needs of their families are worse than infidels. But when all else is stripped away, what are we left with?
The only thing that really means anything right now to my dad is his relationship with Christ. That's been his whole life, serving Christ, proclaiming Christ, holding up Christ. Recently, because of my dad's failing health, my folks downsized. Sold were the tools and toys and stuff that once seemed so important. Now? Hanging onto Christ is all he has.
I was reading these verses as a teen when I felt God's call on my life. It was one of those moments when I came face to face with God and the issue was whose was I going to be. It was as if God said, "Are you gonna give me your life or aren't you? What's it gonna be?" I chose to gain Christ.
Since that moment, my life changed. By pursuing Christ I stopped having to prove myself. I walk in the confidence of Christ, not my personality or gift mix or talents or intelligence or good looks. I stopped worrying about what my peers thought of me and started focusing on what Christ thought of me and fulfilling His purpose for my life. What a freeing experience!
God, there certainly are a lot of pulls on me in life, things that call me to direct my attention toward. Help me give the proper priority to those things that matter most. I don't want to reach the end of my life only to realize I chased the wrong things. Thanks for the security I have in you. My life is yours! Thanks also for my dad's promise of gaining you.
Obviously God never intended for us just to sit around contemplating the lint in our navel. Paul says those who don't work don't get to eat. James says that those who don't take care of the needs of their families are worse than infidels. But when all else is stripped away, what are we left with?
The only thing that really means anything right now to my dad is his relationship with Christ. That's been his whole life, serving Christ, proclaiming Christ, holding up Christ. Recently, because of my dad's failing health, my folks downsized. Sold were the tools and toys and stuff that once seemed so important. Now? Hanging onto Christ is all he has.
I was reading these verses as a teen when I felt God's call on my life. It was one of those moments when I came face to face with God and the issue was whose was I going to be. It was as if God said, "Are you gonna give me your life or aren't you? What's it gonna be?" I chose to gain Christ.
Since that moment, my life changed. By pursuing Christ I stopped having to prove myself. I walk in the confidence of Christ, not my personality or gift mix or talents or intelligence or good looks. I stopped worrying about what my peers thought of me and started focusing on what Christ thought of me and fulfilling His purpose for my life. What a freeing experience!
God, there certainly are a lot of pulls on me in life, things that call me to direct my attention toward. Help me give the proper priority to those things that matter most. I don't want to reach the end of my life only to realize I chased the wrong things. Thanks for the security I have in you. My life is yours! Thanks also for my dad's promise of gaining you.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Daily Reflections on 1 Pet. 4:8-11 (What If?)
What if? What if people really showed love to one another. I don't mean showed general kindness or even politeness. I mean what if we really loved people the way God calls to love. What if we emptied ourselves like Christ and poured our life out in love? And not just to our friends but also to the people who infuriate us, irritate us, annoy us, frustrate us, or make our life hard for us.
Loving like Jesus isn't easy. It means becoming a servant to others. Real love isn't just empty words. It's a deep, genuine concern for the people around us that is demonstrated in warm-hearted servitude. What if each of us truly used our gifts, talents, resources to extend practical love to the widow or single mom, to the heart broken, to the homeless and abandoned, to the hungry, to the depressed, to the sick, to the forgotten, to the naked, to the jobless, to the financially crippled or even just strapped?
What if we really loved our neighbor; the person who really does live next door or the person who works next to us or who sleeps next to us in bed? What if we really just loved our church family? What if we really extended ourselves to the people who sit in the pew or chair next to us or attend our small group/Sunday School class. What would a church that really loved each other look like anyway?
Peter says here in these verses that as believers we are to love through service, using whatever gifts we have to serve others faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms in such a way that people actually experience God. When we love (of if we would love) the way God would love or in such a way that people feel God's love, feel His arms, hear His voice, then our faults, our inabilities, our humanness quietly vanishes as God becomes alive in us.
God, I want to be known as an extender of you love. I want to be the conduit through whom you touch lives. I want to disappear only to reflect your grace. God I don't want to be a whiner, but a gracious servant that flows with your love. Let my words cease and your words speak forth your comfort, encouragement and good news. Let my hands move with your touch or assistance. Let my arms offer your embrace or become your strength.
Loving like Jesus isn't easy. It means becoming a servant to others. Real love isn't just empty words. It's a deep, genuine concern for the people around us that is demonstrated in warm-hearted servitude. What if each of us truly used our gifts, talents, resources to extend practical love to the widow or single mom, to the heart broken, to the homeless and abandoned, to the hungry, to the depressed, to the sick, to the forgotten, to the naked, to the jobless, to the financially crippled or even just strapped?
What if we really loved our neighbor; the person who really does live next door or the person who works next to us or who sleeps next to us in bed? What if we really just loved our church family? What if we really extended ourselves to the people who sit in the pew or chair next to us or attend our small group/Sunday School class. What would a church that really loved each other look like anyway?
Peter says here in these verses that as believers we are to love through service, using whatever gifts we have to serve others faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms in such a way that people actually experience God. When we love (of if we would love) the way God would love or in such a way that people feel God's love, feel His arms, hear His voice, then our faults, our inabilities, our humanness quietly vanishes as God becomes alive in us.
God, I want to be known as an extender of you love. I want to be the conduit through whom you touch lives. I want to disappear only to reflect your grace. God I don't want to be a whiner, but a gracious servant that flows with your love. Let my words cease and your words speak forth your comfort, encouragement and good news. Let my hands move with your touch or assistance. Let my arms offer your embrace or become your strength.
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