April 29

Psalm 100

 

Psalm 100 is called a Psalm for giving thanks. This is a psalm for each of us since it is a psalm for the entire earth. It is a psalm that contains the antidote to whining and complaining. The antidote is thanks-living; living each day with a thankful and grateful heart.

 

Every day we hear of one more complaint about life. These complaints range from the stagnant economy to the plethora of poor movie choices today. This negativity is overwhelming and it does have a tremendous impact on our hearts. It is very easy to be overwhelmed by this negativity and lose perspective in life.

 

Yesterday Kenny and I visited a friend who had been a Little League coach to my son, Jeremy, 25 years ago. Over the years he has battled cancer and recently his brain tumor has crushed his optic nerve, resulting in him losing his eyesight and living in a wheelchair. As we walked into his house I was expecting to hear a list of complaints. If there was ever someone who had a right to complain it was this man. But what came off his lips was just the opposite. He expressed his gratitude for another day of life. He was thankful for his family, his support system and all those who cared for him. And most importantly, he was thankful for Jesus who was daily giving him courage and hope. He knew that his future was securely held in the hands of God. By the end of our visit, it was our hearts that were ministered to.

 

Psalm 100 gives us several reasons to have an attitude of gratitude. This list includes the fact that the Lord is God, he created us, he redeemed us, he cares and loves us, he is a good God and finally his faithfulness is eternal. All of these reasons have their origin in God and not the circumstances of our planet.

 

So what is our response to these incredible blessings?  Nothing less than thanks-living is demanded. There is something wrong with our theology when it doesn't lead to thank-ology.  The greatest tragedy that will occur in our country today is that all over this land, a land blessed by God, people will go through the entire day only focusing on the negative and never stopping and saying thank you to God for the good we have experienced. 

 

The challenge before us today is to make this a day of thanks living. We only enter into the fullness of life if we have a faith that gives thanks. So take time right now and thank God for three blessings in your life.

 

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, April 28

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

 

JOSHUA 8:18–9:21

LUKE 23:44–24:12

PSALM 99:1–9

PROVERBS 14:9,10

 

“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’  When he had said this, he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:44–46)

 

 

This tearing of the Temple’s curtain must have taken Jerusalem’s religious leaders by surprise.  Previously, as Hebrew 9:1–9 discusses, this curtain or veil separated the Holy of Holies – the earthly dwelling place of God’s presence – from the ordinary “human” part of the temple.  This curtain highlighted man’s separation from God’s holy presence, owing to his sin.  Only the high priest – and only once a year – could pass into God’s presence through this curtain in order to present an atoning sacrifice for Israel’s sin.  As Hebrews notes, however, this high priest needed to offer sacrifices for his own sin as well as that of the people.

 

According to historical records, Herod’s temple stood about 60 feet high.  Tradition holds that the curtain likely stood approximately four inches thick; Exodus explains that the veil came together from blue, purple, and scarlet material, twisted together with fine linen.  Just the effect of this curtain splitting must have made quite an impression!

 

Figuratively, this curtain-splitting also underscored God’s turn toward welcoming humankind into His presence by the blood of Christ.  While the high priest had previously offered perishable sacrifices with temporary effect, the blood of Christ would remain imperishable.  By virtue of His blameless life, this sacrifice would fulfill the righteous requirements of a holy God.

 

The Way, the Truth, and the Life had indeed opened a clear way for all people, both Jews and Gentiles, to approach the Father.  Hebrews indicates that we may now “have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened through the curtain, that is, his body…  ”  (Hebrews 10:19,20)  We may approach the throne of grace with confidence, solely based on the faithful obedience and humble sacrifice of our great God and King, the Lord Jesus Christ! (Hebrews 4:14–16)

 

How will you approach God today?  How may you give thanks for this freedom to approach Him with confidence?

 

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your unselfish sacrifice of Yourself so that we might have the opportunity to approach the throne of grace.  Thank You for giving us the ability to know You and to receive eternal life.  Help us to rejoice in being part of Your Kingdom and to joyfully invite others to approach You as well.  Pour out Your Spirit so that we may recognize the great blessings of being Your sons and daughters.  Create in us a new heart, and renew within us a right spirit.  In Your Name, we pray.  Amen.

 

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April 27

Gideon

Sometimes God puts us in what appears to be impossible situations.  Like Gideon, we don't always understand why "if the Lord is with us, why is all this happening" (6:13).  Like, why would God reduce Gideon's army to only 300 men?  One of the reasons Gideon's story is one of my favorites is because he is so easy for me to relate to.  Gideon saw himself as "the least in his family" (6:15), but failed to see that whatever assignment God laid out before him, God Himself was sending him and promised to be with him (6:14,16).  Who, beside me, can recall a time when we were faced with impossibilities and forgot we are not standing alone?  I marvel at the conversations God and Gideon have.  I believe as we read each encounter, God wants us to remember that we too can engage in conversations with Him and draw upon His strength. I'm learning that God will put me in circumstances only to teach me that I can't boast about my own strength saving me (7:2) God wants me to understand and testify to the fact that there are certain things only He can do, like win battles with just 300 men.  Just as the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, (6:33), His Spirit has come upon us.  His Spirit equips us to carry out our assignments and fight battles when all the odds seem against us.  I believe the stories we read in the Bible are God's way of relating to us. Much like a young girl who pretends to be a fairy tale princess, or a young boy wants to be a superhero, we can walk like Gideon. We can face each day knowing that God's Spirit is resting upon us, even though we might be questioning our own abilities, we are called to accept our assignments with our confidence and trust in God.  He is always with us causing events to happen according to His purpose and plan (7:22).  I pray we walk in our assignments today standing on the promise that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13).



Randi

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Judges 6:39-40

39 Then Gideon said to God, "Please don't be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew." 40 So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.

I don't know about anyone else, but I hate to admit that I often finding myself asking God for signs and trying to strike deals with Him. I wonder how much He is laughing at this. I know that our God has a sense of humor which pretty much all the time is beyond my understanding. I also find myself asking God's forgiveness for thinking He is not listening or not working on my prayers. I do believe that He is, but the human shortcomings of lack of patience and ongoing frustration cloud my thinking.

Lord, thank You for all that You have done in my life and have yet to do. I pray for greater patience, humility and strength to wait on Your perfect plan. In Jesus' Name, Amen

April 25: Of paths to walk, and the strength to walk them

Judges 4:1-5:31

Luke 22:35-53

Psalm 94:1-23

Proverbs 14:3-4

Lk 22L41-43: 

He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."  An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. 

Ps 94:17-19

Unless the Lord had given me help,

   I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

When I said, "My foot is slipping,"

   Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.

When anxiety was great within me,

   Your consolation brought me joy.

If you're like me, despite how much you've already been blessed, there are days you feel helpless, even hopeless in the face of all you have on your plate.  There are days you wake up, wonder and worry - about the next bill, about your kids, about your marriage, about your parents, about your job...and the feeling is made worse by the sense that there is nothing you can do, that none of it is in your control.  

For example, my daughter is off to college, far away from my influence and protection - I worry about her.  Among other things, I worry that she isn't eating enough, exercising enough, praying enough.  I worry about tuition bills and the possibility something happens that makes it prohibitive, perhaps impossible for her to continue to attend college.  And I've come to realize the fact of the matter is, there is precious little I can do about any of that now.  This is, after all, the course of life God has set her (and me and her mother) on.  And while some days are good, and it has been almost a year, there are still days when I ache because of the distance between us, and am saddened by the emptiness of her room that greets me when I get home.  

It is in this context I find such gratitude for today's readings, for being reminded that our Lord, too, felt helpless and overwhelmed in the face of the path HIs Father had chosen for Him.  Here's what's amazing, though - in His weakness, His worry, perhaps even His fear, He cried out to His father.  And His Father, Who'd chosen the path He was to trod, gave Him the strength to walk it.  Even our Savior did not have to rely on His strength alone.  His response to the persistent anguish?  Even more earnest prayer, so much that his sweat "was like drops of blood falling to the ground".  

The psalmist says it well too - when our foot is slipping, how wonderful that we can cry out to God and, in His unfailing love, He will support us; in our anxiety, we know He will console us.  Father, we depend on Your help, Your unfailing love, Your consolation.  Remind us that when the path You've chosen for us is overwhelming, that all we have to do is ask, and You will give us the strength to walk in Your ways.  

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Saturday, April 23, 2016

By Keesha Sullivan

        Many of us are going through incredible struggles right now in our lives. There is so much transition, decisions and pressure that we are encountering. Sometimes it feels absolutely overwhelming. It feels as though we can't even breathe under these burdens. In the reading for today, David presents us with hope. He too went through some of the most horrendous, difficult trials that a person could face. In the Scriptures from today, David told us the way to handle the circumstances of life was to take refuge in God. 

        The word refuge means "a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble." In Psalm 91, David says, "[God] is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely he will save [us] from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence." According to the definition given on biblestudytools.com, a fowler was "a professional birdcatcher. In the days previous to firearms, birds were captured with nets spread on the ground, in traps and snares. This is David's promise that the Almighty will deliver us from the evil plans laid to ruin us, as a bird sometimes in its struggles slips the hair and escapes from the "snare" set for it."

David also talks about us escaping deadly pestilence. "Pestilence means a deadly and overwhelming, [often fatal] disease that affects an entire community." (dictionary.com).  David says that by placing our trust in God and running to him for refuge that God will protect us from this too. Matthew Henry comments: "He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find all in him that he needs or can desire. And those who have found the comfort of making the Lord their refuge, cannot but desire that others may do so."

        God truly has everything we need. There is no burden or circumstance that is too big for our Almighty Father to handle. God takes the pressure, fear and anxiety that we feel and places it in on His shoulders so that our burden becomes light, bearable and conquerable. Nothing is impossible with God. 

        Heavenly Father, we thank You for being such a gracious, loving God. Thank You for being a refuge in times of trouble. Thank You for giving us everything that we need to be successful in life. Thank You for helping us to be more than conquerors! You are an amazing God! We love You, and we thank You again for never leaving us or forsaking us. In Jesus's name, we pray. Amen!

Thursday, April 21

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2016

 

JOSHUA 22:21–23:16

LUKE 20:27–47

PSALM 89:14–37

PROVERBS 13:17–19

 

“Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left….  Buy you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.

 

“The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you.  One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised.  So be very careful to love the Lord your God….  You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed.” (Joshua 23:6,8,9–11,14)

 

 

Today, we read part of Joshua’s final commission to the Israelites, as he nears his death.  He words echo those of his mentor Moses, who gave similar instructions to Joshua and the whole people prior to Moses’s death.  These words still ring true for us today.

 

These instructions – and some other reading that I have been doing – prompted some thoughts on vicious and virtuous cycles.  A vicious cycle keeps people trapped in negative patterns, as one negative action or influence begets further entrapment in the pattern.  Addiction provides a clear example of a vicious cycle, as it become quite difficult to break free without an outside intervention.

 

On the other hand, virtuous cycles provide self-sustaining blessing and fuel for ongoing growth and strength.  Joshua lays out the guidelines for a virtuous circle that the Lord had provided for His people.  This virtuous cycle would include love, obedience, remembrance of His promises, and His ongoing victory.  Intellectually, this virtuous cycle seems hard to beat!

 

Yet, in reality, the people struggled to stay in the virtuous cycle, as temptation and distraction drew them into intermarrying with foreign women and following other gods.  Their love for God had grown cold; their obedience waned; and their unique ties to Him withered.  The disintegration of these very elements that had joined together for the virtuous cycle collapsed into a vicious circle of disobedience.

 

As Christ-followers, we have the amazing blessing of these virtuous circles – but with the recognition that God has sent His Holy Spirit so that we may remain on track.  We will do well to desire Him more, to seek Him more, and to know that He will strengthen us for His purposes.  May we remember the fulfillment of His many promises and the joyful peace that we may experience as we remain on the virtuous circle.

 

 

Lord God, thank You for creating a virtuous circle of love, obedience, and faith.  Give us the wisdom to see where we are falling short of experiencing the full blessings of this virtuous circle.  Provide us opportunities to share about these wonderful truths with our neighbors, friends, and family.  Give us grace to seek You more consistently and to receive the filling of the Holy Spirit so that we may remain faithful in following You.  Place Your praise on our lips and give birth to a deeper, richer love for You and others in our hearts.  We love You and give You all glory and honor today.  In Jesus’s precious Name, amen.

 

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April 18: Of reflection struggles, pie crust promises, and forgiveness

Joshua 16:1-18:28

Luke 19:1-27

Psalm 87:1-7

Proverbs 13:11

It took me a long time - 2 extra days - to understand what to write, after reading Monday's readings.  You see, it took reading this a few time before I was led to wonder about Zacchaeus - the small tax collector unable to see Jesus, who climbs a sycamore-fig tree so he could watch Our Lord pass.  There were crowds obviously, but when Jesus comes to the tree, He picks Zacchaeus out and asks to stay in his house that day.  The people start to mutter about the suitability of Jesus's choice, start to point out the kind of man Jesus has chosen to be with, and before you know it, Zacchaeus blurts out that he would give half his possessions to the poor, and repay back any fraud he might committed fourfold.  And Jesus proclaims that salvation has come upon Zacchaeus's house that day.

What struck me, though, was the realization we don't know whether or not Zacchaeus followed through on his word.  We don't know whether his declaration was one from the heart, or one triggered by the unwanted attention, the peer pressure, the desire to better to his neighbors than the sinner he knew he was.  We don't know if he'd made what was, to quote Mary Poppins, "a pie crust promise - easily made, easily broken".  If it had been, it would not have been the only one - just a short time later, Peter would declare his unfailing loyalty to Jesus, and then deny Him thrice when He'd been arrested.

Have you ever done that?  Made a pie-crust promise to our Lord?  I certainly have.  My life is littered with crumbs from the the innumerable pie crust promises I've broken.  And it sometimes tends to get very discouraging.  

The good news is that it didn't seem to matter to Jesus.  We know He continued to love Peter after the betrayal, even commissioning him to "feed My sheep".  And we know that it didn't matter to Jesus when He was with Zacchaeus, because not only did He stay with him, He proclaimed that salvation had come to Zach's house.  And He declared that He had not come because of Zach's pie crust promise - nor mine, for that matter.  He came to seek and to save the lost.  Thank God for that.  

April 20

Joshua 21:43-45

So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one of all the Lord's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

When I was reading this passage all I think to myself was "WOW".  In spite of themselves and every act of disobedience, every promise that God made to Israel was fulfilled.  Not one of His promises failed. 2 Corinthians 1:20 tells us  "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God."  God doesn't fail....EVER.  He is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Knowing that every promise in the Bible was meant for us should bring incredible joy to our spirit. I was just overcome with incredible peace and assurance as I read this passage. This doesn't mean that everything will turn out the way we see it, but it does mean that God is not human that he should lie or change His mind.  What he promises He will fulfill. (Heb. 23:19). How incredibly awesome is it to know that we have entire Book of promises that we can turn to concerning any circumstance, knowing that the God who created the Universe loves us will not fail.  I pray for our Nation, that the leaders will have eyes to see this truth.  I pray for families waiting for answers to prayer that they will continue to find hope in knowing that God doesn't fail. I pray for everyone who might have lost their way to look and see that God has never left them.  I pray Lord that as we hold onto Your promises we sing of Your great love declaring that your love stands firm forever.


Randi

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

April 19, 2016
Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

I don't often write on the Proverbs, but this little one makes a great deal of sense to me. The definition of deferred according to the dictionary is:

adjective
1. postponed or delayed.
2. suspended or withheld for or until a certain time or event

Without hope we just resign ourselves to undesirable people, places and things staying the same. We may often feel that circumstances are out of our control, which most are. Without hope and even putting it aside, our hearts become sick indeed and heavy with fear, anger, sadness and frustration.

Hope is needed to give us strength and tenacity to know that everything that we lift in prayer to the Lord will eventually have an outcome. Hope and trusting in God's grace brings forth dreams fulfilled and makes us a tree of life. A tree blossoming with joy, love, forgiveness and all the good things that the Lord wants for His children. Below are some verses teaching that hope and waiting on the Lord go hand in hand. So while we wait and pray, hope should be ever present and never deferred.

Waiting on the Lord, Hoping in the Lord

I will wait on the LORD…and I will hope in Him…
Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!…
Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the LORD. (Isaiah 8:17; Psalm 27:14; and 31:24)

AMEN!

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Saturday, April 16, 2016 [Keep Going to Him!!]

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'" (Luke 18:1-3 NIV)

Jesus was always teaching and still is, through Holy Spirit!  On this particular occasion, Jesus was teaching about persistence in prayer, a concept that is difficult for us to grasp in a world where "easier is better," where the destination has become more important than the journey.

The heroine of this parable is a woman, a widow.  Living in a male-dominated society this woman seemingly has no man in her life to fight for her.  She is a second-class citizen appealing to a judge that doesn't even care about first-class citizens or even God!  Jesus used this woman's example to show his disciples "that they should always pray and not give up."  This phrase might be better translated "to show them that they NEED TO PRAY, again and again, and not lose heart;" to show them that in spite of whatever power or privilege they think they have, the way to the heart of the judge is the path of "no other choices." The widow appealed to the judge in this parable because she could turn to no one else for justice.  

As Jesus' followers we need to realize that we are very much in her same position.  She had nowhere else to turn and neither do we.  Sure, we may turn to other options and we often manufacture ways that will get us what we think we need.  We take on the role of "vigilantes," taking "justice" into our own hands, and following a path where God is not.  However, what do we miss out on?  Is there something to be gained in the journey?  What is there about God's heart (or your/my heart) that is being revealed in our "coming back" over and over again?  What is being established or grown in us in the journey of persistence?  Yes, we have an agenda - we want the result of our plea.  However, would you consider the possibility that God has more in store for us than just the result or destination of our journey?  Look at how Jesus ends this parable in verse 8:  "I tell you, he [the Lord] will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

The widow is the heroine of the parable not because she finally got what she wanted, but rather because of her faith to keep coming back.  Family, don't give up on God!  Keep coming back to Him in prayer.  He's building something in us through our persistence, something that we cannot see and don't fully understand, but something that He desires for us.  He's a Good Father and He gives good gifts to His kids (James 1:17).

--

​---​

​Rev. ​

Kenny Sullivan

​Associate Pastor​

Grace EFC | Stamford, CT

C: 203-978-3778

O: 203-323-6737 ext. 12

soli Deo gloria

April 15

April 15, 2016

Psalm 84

The heart of a person who loves God.

Their soul yearns, even faints, to be in worship for God. They just love to be at the place where they are in the presence of God. They want to know the presence of God in their life. Not just his blessings, not his healing (our earlier reading of the 10 healed lepers) not his comfort, not his gifts, but God himself.  

The person who realizes that God alone is their strength, they are the blessed person. The person who says, "The most important hour of my day is being in God's presence with praise and thanksgiving."

The Valley of Baca is a place of weeping (mention of lots of water). Blessed is the person who comes through the time of weeping and recognizes that God was in that valley, and He was their strength. He was the one whom they leaned on in the midst of their tears. That person even says suffering produced something good, it caused them to lean solely on the Lord.  This person has a totally different mindset in the storm. They realize that the storm led them to a place of deeper faith and spiritual strength. 

In athletic terms, this is a new football team being put through "hell week." A coach many times pushes his team beyond what they ever thought they could endure. The demands are high, seemingly impossible. The athlete thinks to himself, this coach is crazy with what he is asking us to do. But when "hell week" is over, and the athlete is now prepared for the competition; the team appreciates the coach in a much deeper way.

Father, I thank you for the difficult places of training you have put me through. I have found that though these times are filled with tears and darkness, they have produced incredible training in my life. So, I want to express thanksgiving even for the hard times. I also want to say, "I trust you Lord." I know that you are my coach, and you are preparing me for the future. I cannot see the future, only you can. So Lord, whatever is necessary for me to grow and prepare for the future, I welcome it into my life. Help me to learn to lean on you every day. 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, April 14

THURSDAY, APRIL14, 2016

"The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath." (Joshua 9:14,15)

In Joshua's life, we find moments of great spiritual triumph, particularly through his tremendous courage and leadership, but also examples of neglect and disappointment. This incident, in which Israel hastily made a peace treaty with the neighboring Gibeonites, shows us the dangers of "resting on our laurels," only to abandon God.

As we have been reading, God promises the full extent of the Promised Land to His people Israel, conditioned on their obedience to His direction. Moses faithfully shared the truths that obedience would bring blessing, while disobedience would make the people susceptible to receiving God's wrath. Deuteronomy provides numerous, lengthy passages about the root and results of obedience and neglect. Joshua fully apprehended these realities as he accepted the mantle of leadership that God passed to him through Moses.

Yet, here, the Israelites became complacent after gaining several recent military victories. The Gibeonites wisely took advantage of this complacency by planning a ruse: to appear as if they had traveled from afar to seek a treaty of peace. As we read above, the Israelite leaders sampled their provisions but didn't seek God's perspective on their guests' presence. The deception proved effective.

As the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tse noted, "all warfare is based on deception." How true! Here, the Gibeonites won a bloodless victory simply by outwitting the Israelites. The Israelites had similarly deceived other enemies, to great effect.

In our lives, deception rears its head through temptation and appeals to our worldly nature. The Evil One made similar approaches to Jesus in Luke 4. Jesus demonstrated that, without a ready focus on God's Word, we will stumble into these temptations. The antidote lies in loving God wholeheartedly, remembering moment-by-moment our desperate condition without Him. To bring and maintain that attitude, we must have the filling of the Holy Spirit, Who may direct us into truth and bring forth His fruit for love and obedience. I know from experience how weak we are outside of God's will, but how strong we are when we fully rely on Him. How about you?

Practically speaking, what implications does the Israelite leadership's shortcomings have for us? It seems that we may profit from their example by avoiding a similar flippancy in making decisions. God has given capacity for reason, but, oftentimes, there are spiritual aspects to a situation that lie beyond human vision. We need His wisdom to see into the hearts of people, the truth or falsehood in certain statements, or the prudence of certain actions. Sometimes, He will lead us through valleys where it seems tough, perhaps to refine and shape our characters. We need His guidance both to seek protection and take risks, as appropriate for His plan. He may help us to overcome the flawed nature within us.

A friend shared a wonderful revelation with me: "I am learning to trust God so that… " May we all complete that phrase as God so directs, to His honor and glory!

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your example of perfect obedience. Thank You for this teaching from the lives of the Israelite leadership. Give us the courage to wait or to act, as appropriate. Send Your Holy Spirit to guide and direct us today towards obedience and towards serving and loving others. Strengthen us to live fully for Your purposes today. We love You and give You all the praise, honor, and glory forever! In Your Name, amen.

________________________________________

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April 13

 Luke 16:11  So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches

We've read this verse so many times, but today it just stuck out to me.  I think one of the most heart changing truths God has revealed to me is that I have been trusted with so much, and all of it is His.  I've been trusted with a husband and two beautiful boys, a home, finances, friends, a church family, and the list goes on.  At a glance, these are the things that are a part of this world.  When we look at it through God's eyes, these are His belongings that we have been given to steward.  I don't know about anyone else but when I'm lent something, I tend to treat it better than if it were my own. I just never knew that nothing is really "mine". Understanding that being trustworthy with what we have now has impact on our eternity changes our perspective.  What is waiting for us in heaven is nothing in comparison to what we have now. In God's love for me, one of the greatest lessons He has opened my eyes to is to stop living in terms of earthly possessions. I repent for not handling things with this understanding.  As we go into today Lord, I pray we steward all that you've given us in a manner worthy of Your trust.  Thank you Lord for all You have given me, thank You even more for the lessons You taught me by taking from me, and thank You for what You have trusted me to keep.


Randi

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Luke 15:11-32

31 "His father said to him, 'Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'"

I do believe that the parable of the prodigal son is one of my favorites. I have experienced this in my own life. It seems that when our children, friends, coworkers or anyone that we hold dear seems to have lost their way, we pray for their return to the Lord's open arms.

With all the worldly distractions we experience today, it is so easy for a person to lose their way and succumb to earthly pleasures. It may not be just to satisfy one's desires, but may also be to escape from the trials of life. Either way, we continue to pray for the return of the prodigals. Those of us who find peace in knowing the Lord so wholeheartedly want those who are lost to share in the peace and love that God is offering to us. During these times, we must remain vigilant in prayer and wait on the Lord. I also believe that our prayers should be just as constant and consistent for those who do follow the Lord so that they do not give in to temptation. Every new day brings yet another opportunity for us all to grow stronger and deeper in our relationship with the Lord. Thank You Lord for each new day and the mercies and love You graciously extend to us. Amen

April 11: Of obedience, the prerequisite for leadership, and excuses

Joshua 3:1-4:24

Luke 14:7-35

Psalm 80:1-19

Proverbs 12:27-28

The last two weeks we've read (and I've blogged) about people who had such strong relationships with God - Moses, for example, who spoke to God directly; and Mary, Martha's sister, who knew our Lord well enough to understand how much better it was for her to sit at His feet rather than help her sister. 

Today we read about Joshua.  Like Moses before him, God chose Joshua, and God spoke directly to Joshua, giving him unequivocal instructions which, from a human standpoint, would seem somewhat disconcerting to say the least.  "Let me get this straight, Lord.  You want those carrying the Ark of the Covenant to walk INTO the Jordan River.  Now, while it is at flood stage.  I mean, this is the Ark we're talking about - aren't we supposed to keep it safe?"

No, there was none of that from Joshua.  All we get from him is a convicted obedience, one so strong and so resolute that he is able to lead the rest of Israel - remember, none of whom had been of age when they'd first crossed the Red Sea - across the raging Jordan into a land whose inhabitants the Israelites had once feared...all this shortly after the death of the man Israel had grown to follow.  

I would very much be able to lead like that.  The very first problem that becomes apparent is that, in order to lead like that, Joshua had to first be willing to follow - God, in this instance.  He had to be willing to take his guidance from God.  When unsure, he had to wait for certainty.  When things were unclear, he had to wait for clarity.  And when he got them both, he had to be prepared for obedience - unswerving, unhesitating obedience.  

And, as I'd already mentioned in a previous blog, obedience is something with which I have long struggled.  Today's NT reading just pointed out where some of my problems lie.  I mean, if you are like me, you will have found yourself in situations where you knew what needed to be done, but didn't.  My list is long - homework and piano practice are just the very first items on a very long list.  One of them, even today, is prayer.  I might wake up a bit late, and rather than pray and go in late, I go in on time and skip my time with God.  My excuses are just as bad as the guy who bought the field, the other one who bought the oxen, and still the other who just got married.  

Father, in my head, I know I am supposed to put You first - above my father and mother, my wife and kids, my sisters, my friends, my work.  But You know how much I struggle with that.  Help us all, please, to overcome our disobedience, that we might be followers like Joshua was.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Saturday, April 9, 2016

He chose his servant David, calling him from the sheep pens. He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob's descendants—God's own people, Israel. He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands. (Psalm 78:70-72 NLT)

Psalm 78 is a historical psalm that recounts how God persevered with his people even when they disbelieved.  It demonstrates so much of the heart, nature, and character of God - His loyal love, faithfulness, and mercy.  At the end of the this psalm there is the telling of one of God's great reversals - a "switcheroo" that touches me to the core of my being.  God chooses David - a little shepherd boy - to be the king of His chosen people.

Earlier in today's readings we read of a blessing that was spoken by Moses over Joseph's descendants.  It reads: "May these blessings rest on Joseph's head, crowning the brow of the prince among his brothers" (Deuteronomy 33:16).  It would have made sense for God to choose one of Joseph's descendants.  "But he rejected Joseph's descendants; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim" (Psalm 78:67).  Instead he chose David - the least of his family - to be king.

God does not always make sense to us.  We easily assume that the best, the brightest, the most educated, the most gifted, the most talented, and the most attractive are the ones that are the most worthy to be put into such positions of influence as king over nations.  But, this is not how God sees.  "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV).  

Someone reading this has felt like me.  You've felt unworthy, unprepared and unequipped.  You may be lacking education, lacking the gifts and talents that others have, and may not feel very attractive.  But, what does God see?  He sees His image in you.  God sees the destiny in you.  He knows the plans He has for you even though others have tried to dictate your future.  He sees His beautiful, amazing creation.  He knows your heart and He knows that you can do exceedingly and abundantly more than you can ask or imagine according to the power (the Holy Spirit) which is at work within you (Ephesians 3:20).  The Lord is looking at your heart, nothing else.  If you are open and available to Him - if you have a heart for God - then, why not you?  You may think you're the least, but God sees a treasure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-UAP_LMpqc

Thursday, April 7

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2016

Today's passages offer a poignant contrast between God's enduring faithfulness and presence and mankind's wavering heart. As the Israelites stand ready to capture the Promised Land, Moses receive instruction to pass along to his protégé Joshua, urging him to remain "courageous" in light of God's promises never to "leave" or "forsake" this new leader.

Likewise, Hebrews 13:5 repeats this promise, generalizing it for all believers. Indeed, the enduring presence of God marks the character of the eternal life that begins at the moment of our trusting in Christ and turning away from our sins towards Him. Great spiritual leaders throughout Biblical and Christian history have recognized that this presence has no substitute in worldly protection – whether through military armament or intellectual sophistication. This presence superintendent all worldly forces and brings peace and joy to all those ready to "be still and know that He is God."

In Jesus's parable about the increasing storehouses, He emphasizes a crucial distraction that we all face in recognizing and celebrating God's presence and committing our lives to serving His Kingdom. The natural materialism of our spirits thwarts God's purposes in our lives, as we become over-involved with the material, to the detriment of the spiritual. As a case in point, in our greater New York area, we all find ourselves "squeezed" for time between our many commitments. Yet, the real issue revolves around our prioritization of these commitments. Without setting these commitments before the Lord and seeking His direction, we will face disappointment. With His guidance and direction, however, we may experience joy, even in the face of opposition or struggle, because we may lean back on the confidence that comes from His presence. Where do your priorities stand today? How has the Lord directed you in this area?

While Jesus encourages us to "seek His Kingdom," the world definitely wars against this idea. Every inkling of the world's system pushes us to exalt the self, the here-and-now, and pleasure over the self-sacrificial love for which God created us. The Israelites would display these tendencies, even early after reaching the Promised Land, turning after foreign gods and becoming mired in sexual sin and spiritual abandonment.

I marvel at God's foreknowledge of His people's unfaithfulness and yet His consistent love and grace to us. The depth of compassion and unconditional love galls our sensibilities; we would never (in our natural spirits) treat others with the same attitude.

These readings call to mind Romans 5:8: "For God demonstrates His love for us in this: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." And 2 Corinthians 5:21: "He made Him Who knew no sin to become sin on our behalf so that, in Him, we might become the righteousness of God." What an amazing and gracious God we serve! It is awe-inspiring to know that, despite our sin, He has embraced us and brought us into His household. We are sons and daughters of the living and reigning King!

May we express gratitude and experience joy as we reflect on His presence and faithfulness today!

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your amazing sacrifice of love on our behalf. We are floored by Your love, even in the face of our unfaithfulness. Send Your Spirit into our hearts so that we might more fully grasp Your Kingdom purposes in our lives and set our priorities aright to that end. Give us grace in handling the struggles and opposition that come in this world, and allow us to demonstrate Your love through our lives. In Your precious Name, amen.

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Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Luke 11:14-36

Receiving the Light

33 "No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket.[f] Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.

34 "Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. 35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. 36 If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light."

Upon reading these verses, I see the importance of discernment of the light within us. To make sure that the light we have is not actually darkness. This brings to mind the necessity to do a house cleaning on ourselves. We have to make sure that all the dark corners where we hide anger, resentment, unforgiveness, envy, jealously, prejudice, doubt, guilt and any host of other emotions that keep us from completely giving ourselves to the Lord, are swept clean. In this way, the light flooding from within us can truly present us as Christians, living by God's Word, and living for God.

It is Spring.....no better time to clean house!! AMEN

April 6

Deuteronomy 30

There is a direct connection between our act of repentance and divine forgiveness.  In His mercy God built in a forgiveness clause as the key to our restoration.  On our own, we are not capable of changing our hearts.  In the Old Testament this transformation of the heart was to take place through daily Torah reading.  In the New Testament, the transformation takes place through Jesus.  Either way we look at it, circumcision of the heart and  renewing our mind beings by knowing God's will through reading the Word.  As I was reading the Deuteronomy passage it reaffirmed to me that no matter how far we might wander off, God is always with us, waiting for us, always ready to forgive us.  Moses lays out the choice before the people of Israel to choose life and blessings, or death and curses.  It's kind of like going to a buffet table and choosing food that will either make you healthy or make you sick.  Jesus tells us in John 14:6 that He is the way, the truth and the life.  We all get to make the choice.  Lord I thank You for Your grace, love and mercy.  Thank You Lord for constantly giving us the chance to repent and receive Your unconditional love. Lord, I lift up anyone who is struggling today and I pray Lord that we can be vessels to shine Your light of truth into someone's life today.  I pray by the power of Your Holy Spirit, You remove the veil from anyone who has eyes but can't see and give them courage and strength to choose Life.



Randi

April 4: Of dependence at His feet

Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26

Luke 10:38-11:13

Psalm 76:1-12

Proverbs 12:15-17

Last week we read about Moses sitting still in the presence of God.  Is it a coincidence that today's New Testament reading tells us of how our Lord thought it far better for Martha to emulate Mary, and sit before Him, rather than trouble herself with what she thought were the necessities of hospitality?  I think not.

A week ago we read about a man whose relationship with God so overwhelmed everything else in his life, whose relationship with God was so close, that he was able to sit still before God, sans food or water, for 40 days.  And we wrote about how that was just something impossible for us - not just the ability to sit still, but the ability to do without food or water for such a length of time.

Today's reading talks about sitting still as well - but it talks about doing away with something else: the belief that things depend on us.  In the first part of the reading, we see how, by her actions, Martha believes that if Jesus's visit is to go well, she has much to do - food, drink, maybe flowers and seating arrangements, and cleanup afterwards.  Jesus tells her it is nice of her to do that, but it isn't important - certainly not anywhere near as important as NOT doing anything but sit at His feet and listen, listen and get to know Jesus.   See, what is happening right at that moment?  It doesn't depend on Martha.  It all depends on Him.

The world teaches us - it certainly has taught me - that I need to do it.  That what I want is up to me, that achieving it is up to me.  But further along in the NT reading, God says it again - just like it didn't depend on Martha, it doesn't depend on me.  It depends on Him.  Which is why it doesn't say "take and it shall be yours", it says "ask and it shall be given to you"; why it doesn't say "open the door and enter", it says "knock and the door will be opened to you."  The truth is, I am unable to provide myself with the spiritual nourishment similar to what Moses enjoyed.  The good news is, as it was true for Moses, for Mary and for Martha - I don't have to.  Because it doesn't depend on me - all I have to do is sit, listen, and get to know the One on whom it all does depend.  And He will provide. He says so.  

April 1

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.  For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.    Psalm 73:1-2

Have you ever struggled with believing in the goodness of God? There is nothing that can bring us to that point faster than pain and suffering. Life is terribly unfair. Good people seem to suffer and the wicked seem to prosper. Sooner or later we all come to the intersection of the contradictions in this journey that is called life. So what do you do at this intersection?  Like the psalmist, many people see the unfairness and it causes them to want to give up. I know, we don't like to admit it, but the reality is that we have all felt like quitting. How many times have you felt like quitting - your family, your job, your church, even quitting from following the Lord?

 

This is what I love about the Bible, it is completely honest, and there is no pretending here. Here is the worship leader complaining about God and how he is running the universe. He is so frustrated that he wants to check out.   

 

I was at this intersection early on in my walk with Jesus. It was just one month after I became a Christ follower that we received the news that a close family friend was playing near a rain-swollen river and had slipped in; he was just 9 years old. Our family and many others from the church showed up and looked until dark that evening for this young boy, Jay.

 

That night I hardly slept. I questioned the wisdom and goodness of God. How could a good God allow something like this to happen? Doesn't God care for his own? Why couldn't God have Jay just float to the other side of the river? The following morning we found Jay's little body. I will never forget the scene of his father carrying his lifeless body out of the river.

 

So how do we regain our footing?  Incredibly in verse 17 he says he went to church. That's right!  Psalm 73:17, "till I entered the sanctuary of God."  It was at the funeral service for Jay that I reestablished my faith in God and regained my footing. We sang a great hymn that day, "It is Well with My Soul." During that song we sang, "Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, with my soul."  It was somewhere in that song that I said to God, "Lord, I don't understand this event but because of the cross I know you are a good and loving God. Though my heart is broken, I am going to put my feet back on solid ground." That day I did not slip.  

 

I don't know where you are on this April 1^st. It is a nasty and unfair world out there. But if you are thinking of quitting today, don't. While on this side of eternity we might not be able to figure out the plan of God, we don't ever need to doubt his goodness. He did all of his explaining at the cross. 

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"Multiplying leaders to change the world"