blog Post for Monday October 30th

Pouring Out In Order To Be Filled


Oh we have arrived at the book in the bible that speaks of deep sorrow, Lamentations.  Not usually the first book a person runs to read when wanting to study the bible or have a quiet time with the Lord.  To lament is to passionately express grief and sorrow.  Not only did I feel the deep grief and sorrow in the couple of chapters we read in Lamentations today but in our Psalm as well.  I felt I was reading another passage from Lamentations.

There are times for each of us when difficulty, hardship, pain, sorrow, grief, anger, confusion, fear, uncertainty, disappointment or even tragedy seem to steal an unwanted place in our lives.  As Christians we are faced with a question; "what do we do with these unwelcomed and often times unwanted circumstances that have weaseled their way in and overshadowed the joy, peace and hope that used to fill our hearts?"

What I see in Lamentations (as I also see in so many of the lamenting Psalms) is a pouring out, a release of ones feelings, frustrations, fears, doubts, and inabilities to the Lord.  We can not be filled with what we need to endure and thrive in difficult situations until we have poured out anything that can hinder us.  It's like a sour glass of milk.  Unless we pour it out and empty it of all those lumpy spoiled chunks that it is holding we are not prepared or ready to filled with a fresh glass of milk.  The old curdled pieces will quickly sour anything new that is poured in.

In these chapters of Lamentations and in Psalm 102 we see the writers pouring out their lumpy chunks of grief and feelings and as they do they are being filled, reminded, of the goodness of the one with whom they are speaking to, The Lord.  Their focus turns from the source of their grief to the only true source of hope, of joy, of peace, of certainty.

Psalm 102:1 "Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you."

Lamentations 3:20-21 "I well remember them (the writers afflictions and bitterness), and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I will call to mind and therefore have hope:

The Lord's love is great (vs 22)
The Lord's compassions never fail and they are new for us each morning (vs 22-23)
The Lord's faithfulness is great (we can trust ever promise spoken in the word) (vs 23)
The Lord is our portion (he is our satisfaction and all we need) (vs 24)
The Lord is good we need to keep our hope anchored in him and not loose focus and fail to seek him (vs 25)
The Lord does not forget about us (vs 31)
The Lord will show compassion (vs 32)
The Lord's love is unfailing and great even during the difficult times (vs 32)

Let us examine our ways, let us return to the Lord (refocus) and let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven (vs 40-41)
Call on the name of the Lord and He will hear your plea (vs 55-56)
We are told not to fear because the Lord is in near to us when we call on Him (vs 57)

The Lord redeemed our lives (how much will he do for us in our despair) (vs 58)
The Lord has seen and hears the wrong done to us (vs 59-62)

The Lord sits enthroned forever (he is always able and at the ready) (Ps vs12)
The Lord will have compassion (Ps vs 13)
The Lord will be revered by all nations (his glory knows no bounds) (Ps vs15)
The Lord will respond to the prayer of the destitute and he will not despise (Ps vs 17)
The Lord sees and hears our groans (the laments) of the prisoners (of each of us when we are captives of anything but the Lords love) (Ps vs 20)
The Lord has saved us and given us victory (Ps vs 20)

One day we will live in the presence of the Lord, established in him always in heaven (this life and all its troubles are temporary, there is a hope for us all that awaits us in heaven.)  We need to keep an eternal focus during the hardships of this temporary life (vs 28)

Whatever life brings us we need to honestly pour out our hearts and thoughts to the Lord and seek his truth to help bring us comfort and to help keep our sights focused on Him and the blessings he has for us.  Don't let the enemy steal your joy or your hope.  Pour out your hearts openly and honestly and be ready and willing to be filled with all the Lord has to show you and give you.

October 28: Of Despair...and Hope

Jeremiah 51:54-52:34

Titus 3:1-15

Psalm 100:1-5

Proverbs 26:18-19

Of Despair…

"At one time we were too foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.  We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another."

Titus 3:3

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed how readily and how completely so much of society today is prepared to deny fact, research and truth in order to justify desire and gratification?  This had been bothering me for quite some time, but hit home particularly hard reading an op ed piece in the Wall Street Journal ("The Politicization of Motherhood", by Jeff Taranto, Oct. 27).  The piece discussed the research of a liberal Upper West Side psychoanalyst, Ms. Erica Komisar, who found that "mothers are biologically necessary for babies"…"especially for the first nine months after birth" - and in ways fathers are not built to replace.  

It wasn't the research that bothered me.  I personally do not challenge conclusions so long as the research methodology is good.  It was the fact that, despite how important these findings might be for raising children well, the author was "rejected wholesale - particularly in New York - by the liberal press".  She did appear on one morning talk show but, "seconds before the camera went live…the interviewer told her: 'I don't like the premise of your book.  I don't like your book."

The reason?  One very angry woman said "you are going to set women back 50 years".  Another said "You are going to make women feel badly.  How dare you?"  And various agents said "No, we couldn't touch that.  That would make women feel guilty."  And because the research wasn't consistent with what they wanted, they would deny it.

Now I'm not focusing on this issue alone; I am equally troubled by other examples of our willingness to blind ourselves to truth in order to justify our gratification, however much we might hurt ourselves by it.  A few samples: kids paying upwards of $60,000 a year for an education but choosing to be hurt when asked to consider ideas they find hurtful or divisive; one faction of Americans still insisting certain races are inferior - and another faction of Americans insisting their problems are all someone else's fault.  We even see this in church, where in some instances inclusiveness has become the new gospel, replacing Scripture. 

After all of mankind's advances, how have we come to this?  It is discouraging to think that for all we've done, for how far we've come as a species, we are still competent and ready to delude ourselves into disaster.  If we cannot hope to save ourselves, from where will our help come?

And Hope…

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He saved us though the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Christ Jesus our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." - Titus 3:3-7

Sometimes the answers are really clear, and nothing more needs to be said.

October 27

Titus 2

Grace teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Today we will all face various temptations. What is your strategy in overcoming your animal passions and living according to your heavenly calling? Paul says that "grace" is the key to that victory. Godliness must have the proper motivation to be successful. We don't become godly to earn God's approval; we become godly because we already have God's approval. His grace and salvation are what inspire us to want to do this. When we think of what Jesus went through because he loves us, his incarnation, his suffering, his death, all of these motivate us. He gave his all for us, how can we give anything less than our all for him.

A second motivation is that we believe that Jesus is coming again. Just like there is excitement in children when the relatives come over for Thanksgiving dinner, so we have excitement with the thought that Jesus is coming again. We want to be ready and waiting for him, so we clean the house and put on our best clothes.

Prayer: Almighty and eternal God, remind us today that your goal for our lives is godliness. You have called us to rise above our petty selfishness and our animal passions. Your calling is for us to be Christ-like in all of our actions and attitudes today. Help us to live in expectation that you will be returning soon, that your hand could already be on the doorknob of heaven. Incline our hearts today to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives. 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, October 26

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

"5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." (Titus 1:5-9)

In his pastoral letters to both Timothy (1 Timothy) and Titus, Paul highlights the qualifications for elders for the nascent churches in Ephesus and on Crete.  Paul recognized that these two men would not succeed in shepherding their flocks alone.  Under God's headship and authority, the local church would thrive under team leadership.

Leadership exacts a heavy cost on people.  In ministry, leaders must become involved in multi-dimensional challenges and become deeply invested not just in groups but in individuals. Leaders need consistently to receive strength from the Word and the Spirit, in order to shepherd well.  In addition, as Paul notes, their character and testimony must align so that the Church, as the Body of Christ, may remain pure and radiant like its Head.

I would like to share a thought that came to mind as I reflected on this passage.  While the world encourages us to become deeply invested in success, power, and other worldly goals, it has become much less concerned about character and integrity.  These two virtues have become much more fluid.  For the believer, however, character and integrity are indispensable elements of Christlikeness.  In being remade in His image, we cannot avoid the Spirit's refining fire on our characters.

The world now celebrates slouching and excusing away character deficiencies — unless they become so egregious that others may make hay while lambasting the supposedly deficient.  I sense that, in worldly minds, we don't mind seeing others' character weaknesses; rather, they allow us to reduce our own standards but still remain "better than" our chosen comparison.

Yet, God's calling is clear:  We are to become more like Christ.  His standard is unchanging, for He is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).  In this journey of becoming transformed, we find such great joy and receive the blessing of His presence, so that we may share with others and bring them into His presence.  In reflecting Christ, we will live out the commitments stated for elders above.

How may we invest today so that we may become more like Christ?  Where does this objective fall on your priority list?

Lord God, thank You for refining our characters and making us more into the image of Christ.  Help us to better reflect Him today.  Give us a greater measure of faith and dependence on You and Your Word.  Send Your Holy Spirit so that our minds may be renewed, and our spirits strengthened for today.  We thank You for those leaders that You have placed into our lives, so that we may know You.  To You be all praise, honor, and glory today and forever.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

Oct, 25

Psalms 95

Worship by definition means the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.  In our culture today, the trend seems to be that people think  everything revolves around themselves. As a culture we've created false idols and want to be at the center of not only our own world but of the world around us. We are not the center of the universe -- God is. He created it all.  Although this psalm suggests that the worship that is being encouraged is collective (a group of people singing praises to God), worship can also be very personal. It is vocal and vibrant. I have found myself many mornings worshiping God with tears streaming down my face in the privacy of my own kitchen. Words like, extol Him with music and song, sing for joy, praise His name, and ascribe to the Lord, all sound alive and express reverence to our King. We are praising a Living God.  Psalm 95 helps us as believers to reorient our thinking and practice regarding worship. It turns our attention and affection toward God. By addressing our role in worship as worshipers, we then acknowledge God's role as the One being worshiped. The planets didn't crash into each other while we slept last night and we have been given yet another day to serve and bare witness to our Lord.  Praise God!!!

Randi

Bible blog Monday October 23 (written from Oct. 22nd reading)

Something from yesterday's reading in the Psalms spoke to me so if you don't mind I am going to write today based on yesterday's reading (October 22nd)


The Almighty Dollar!!!  For many it is a symbol of power, advantage, and prosperity.  The strength or weakness of the dollar can affect markets worldwide.  It is what most people in this country get up for each day, they work towards gaining more dollars.  So much trust, power and hope resting in a piece of paper.

Did you every really think about how this symbol of power and security carries on it the words "In God We Trust"?  I am not asking if you knew it was written but if you ever really thought about it as a statement of what you put your trust in?  Is your trust in our national currency or is it in your God?  Do you trust in the Lord to be your strength and your refuge or do you trust in the growth of your bank accounts?  Money is fleeting, easily spent or lost. But the Lord our God is faithful and trustworthy.  How fitting that the words "In God We Trust" are printed on something that truly has no hope, strength, power or authority without the Lord.  It serves as a reminder that the piece of paper or coins we hold in our hands are not where our trust needs to rest but rather in our God and ultimate provider.

This made me stop and think a bit more..... where do I tend to put my trust?  I mean really think about it!!!  Not just giving the right answer of "I trust in the lord".  These are easy words to simply speak or to print on paper.  No, I wanted to look a bit harder, with eyes wider and a heart that is ready to be honest.  Where should I put the banner "In God I Trust"? Or better yet, where do I need to place this banner where it hasn't been waving?  What have I transferred my trust to that I need to give back to God?

This banner of trust needs to go right on the door of my house where I seek and find shelter without thought of God.  The car I drive because I rely on it to takes me places and it has the ability to guide me (GPS) to where I need to go and God is my backup in case I loose signal.  The side by side refrigerator in my kitchen because I don't usually pray for God to give me my daily bread as I just have to open the fridge doors.   My bedroom closet which is the doorway to what clothes me.  The doctor I will see with hopes that he will be able to figure out and heal what is going on in my body and asking God to merely give the doctor wisdom to do this.  What about flying the banner of trust in God over my spouse, children, friends, the desk at work, cell phones, computers, political posters, medication bottles, the scale, the treadmill at the gym, etc, etc, etc......

I am sure if we all got honest and really thought about it we could keep adding to this list all of the things we daily put our trust in without thought rather than trusting in the Lord.  These are different aspects of our lives where we have mindlessly and blindly given our trust where God should be front and center. 

In Psalm 91:1-2 (Oct. 22nd) it starts off with these words:

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' "

It was the end of verse 2 that got me thinking today, "my God, in whom I trust."  The Psalm was about the Lords faithful provisions and finding our hope and satisfaction in him.  It made me realize that I to often live my life putting my trust and hope in things and people rather than the Lord.  I need to take a step back and ask the Lord to help me refocus my trust and to live my life with "God, in whom I trust" as my anthem, my hope, my power and security.  It doesn't mean that I am not grateful for what I have been given but rather that I hold things with open hands trusting in all the Lord has, is and will do in my life.  That is how I will live a life with greater contentment, faith, and hope - living with God, in whom I trust.

So I challenge you today (as well as every day that follows) to ask the Lord to reveal to you where you need to place your banner of trust.  To look openly and honestly at your life and to have eyes that can recognize where your trust has shifted from leaning whole heartedly on the Lord and onto something else.  Get some index cards or cut up some pieces of paper and write on them "God, in whom I trust", create your banner. Then, as the Lord reveals to you things or people who you have put your trust in over him place one of those cards there and pray for the Lord to help you to learn to lean on him, to trust him to be all you need and to rest in the trust of shadow of the Almighty.

Praying for you.  May your banners fly high today and every day.

Oct 20

October 20, 2017

Psalm 89

The books of the great Dr. Seuss are favorites of many children. One of his most notable characters has got to be Horton the elephant. It's impossible not to love that guy. Remember that flaky duck mother who leaves her egg with Horton and said, "Would you watch this egg please?" She disappears and never comes back. Horton the elephant stays with the egg until it hatches and then he becomes a wonderful mother. Remember that great line Dr. Seuss gives to Horton

"I meant what I said, and I said what I meant.

An elephant's faithful 100 percent."

A promise kept is one of the great experiences of human life. Do you know what I am talking about?  Have you ever experienced the exhilaration of someone keeping a promise? Do you know how exciting it is to meet a Horton or someone who tells you the truth?

 

In Psalm 89 we meet the greatest promise keeper of all time, God.  Look at these great promises:

I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail.

I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure.

His line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.

 

There you have it. As long as the sun is shining by day and the moon is reflecting by night, God is going to keep his promise to David. The immediate impact of these great statements is to show how superior God's promise keeping is to ours. A lot of times we think God responds like us when people let us down. But God is always faithful. He doesn't act like we do. Even if David's descendants turn their backs on God, He will never turn His back on them.

God is loyal! God is faithful! God remains true! God doesn't go back on His word! When God promises, God fulfills, always!  Count on it!!!

 

If God is such a faithful promise keeper, we should imitate Him and be faithful promise keepers too. When you make a promise, keep it. So, make your promises carefully and sparingly. But when you make one, remember "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. A Christian's faithful 100 percent."

 

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, October 19

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

"6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:6-10)

In his letter to his disciple Timothy, now a pastor in Ephesus, Paul offers valuable instruction on leading this church and maximizing Kingdom impact.  As you may recall, Timothy likely took this position at a young age.  Paul references his youth as a potential distraction, but he urges Timothy to show spiritual maturity and groundedness as an effective counterpoint.

The collection of the three pastoral letters—1 and 2 Timothy and Titus—open Paul's heart for extending his work beyond his own life and reach.  Paul wrote these letters at the tail end of his ministry, and he motivates his disciples to honor their commitments to the Lord, often noted with "trustworthy saying" remarks.

In this snippet, Paul underscores that our nourishment as believers comes from "the truths of the faith and... the good teaching that you have followed."  We grow due to godly, spiritual training, not from listing to "godless myths and old wives' tales."  In other words, we should seek spiritual truth, not worldly wisdom, to become effective Christ-followers.  He notes that our training doesn't just propel our effectiveness in this life, but also in the "life to come."  Godly trainings makes us more like Christ and prepares us to enjoy His presence now and into eternity.

Paul closes this passage by noting that we may "put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people... "  This hope doesn't disappoint us, for it is rooted in God's faithfulness and the trustworthiness of His Word.  Here, Paul finds motivation in his labor for the Church.  He knows that he has invested wisely by pouring out his life for the Gospel, knowing that its foundations are secure, and its rewards lasting.

What motivates you in your work?  In your relationship with God?  In what practical ways could you invest in training and growth?

Lord God, thank You for sending Your Son so that we may a secure hope in the bright glory of heaven.  Help us to continue growing into greater Christlikeness through our training.  Help us to choose wisely between Your unadulterated truth and worldly "wisdom."  Make us effective and fruitful in our service to Your Kingdom.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

Oct.8

Jeremiah 31:33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Whenever I do a Passover dinner I refer to this passage while taking Communion as part of the service. We all know that as we read through the Old Testament we see that the promise of the covenant God made to the Jewish people was always directly connected to their obedience and observation of the law.  However, Moses sheds a different light in Exodus 24:8 "Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, "This the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words".  We see here an insight that the true promise of pardon is not through obedience and observation of the law, it is through the shed blood of their coming Messiah.  Jeremiah reminds them of this new covenant in this passage.  What binds us to the heart of God is the relationship in our hearts that is entered into through the blood Jesus shed on the cross.  The night of the Passover when He broke bread with His disciples He said "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:20)  In His final act of love through self-controlled obedience, Jesus shed His blood so that we could all enter into this new covenant.  He is our God and we are His people.  Now here's the thing, this offer isn't limited to only a select few.  This new covenant is available for everyone to enter into. It's a gift for all to receive.  All you have to do is open your heart to Jesus and claim Him as Lord over your life. 

Randi

October 14: Of the World’s Delusions

Jeremiah 23:21-25:38

2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Psalm 84:1-12

Proverbs 25:15

There is some twisted sense of comfort in the realization that the sins we commit today are not new.  God has seen them before.  In today's OT reading the Lord tells Jeremiah "I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name…how long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds?"  

Paul talks about it as well in the NT reading, when he says "for the secret power of lawlessness is already at work" and "the coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works.  He will use all sort of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie."   

Today those prophets are those who propagate a popular culture that denies the existence of God, the meaning of His Word, sometimes even a standard to live by other than one's own gratification.  They are the ones who substitute their standards for God's word as the measure of right and wrong; the ones who twist the meaning of love, acceptance and inclusiveness to mean the condonation of the very things God says are harmful to those whom we profess to care about.  And not all of them are to be found in Hollywood, on TV, in the movies or on the internet; some can be found in public office, even in the pulpit, preaching vociferously.  

They are also the ones we see when we look in the mirror.  The truth is, we are all guilty of ignoring, of twisting God's word to excuse, to condone, even to support our sinful behavior.  Because by doing so we reject God and all He offers, the consequences are severe.  Before Jesus came to save mankind, the Lord described such results as "everlasting disgrace - everlasting shame", about making people "abhorrent and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach and a byword, a curse and an object of ridicule" when they are banished.  This is not something to be taken lightly. 

What then to do?  We can go back to Paul for guidance: "So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter."  We go back to God's Word.  And when tempted by the world's promises, may we remember the psalm: "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere."  May we prefer to be doorkeepers in God's house than dwell in the homes of the wicked.

Oct 13 2017

2 Thessalonians 1

Is it me or is life getting really hard? Hurricanes, earthquakes, North Korea, fires in California, attacks against Christians, health issues, family issues, church issues, and the Giants not winning a game yet!!!  The last one is a joke.  But life is really tough these days. So how about a story from one of the most brilliant and perceptive theologians of our time, Rocky Balboa? It comes from the final film in the series (we hope) and the aging Rocky is inspired to fight his last match against the undefeated heavyweight champion. Many people, including his son, believe Rocky will be humiliated. Rocky sits down with his son but their conversation quickly deteriorates into an argument. Rocky knowing that his son doesn't understand the heart of a winner tries to teach him.

Rocky tells his son, "But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward—how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! You gotta be willing to take the hits and not point fingers, saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him or her or anybody! Cowards do that, and that's not you!"

Life isn't easy. Even Rocky knows this. The question isn't whether life is going to hit you hard. The question is, when life hits you, will you be a winner or a whiner?  Winners take the hits and move forward, whiners blame other people for their problems.

The people in the city of Thessalonica were going through some terrible life storms. The year was 51 A.D. and Timothy had been sent to the city to see how things were going. Upon his return Paul was overjoyed that although they had been hit by persecution and injustice, they were standing steadfast and they were proving themselves to be winners, "we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring."

Every person reading this knows how difficult life can be. But if we are going to become winners we must continue to grow our faith even when everything screams for us to abandon God. Winners persevere and endure trials. Winners also focus on the promises of God and not the problems. God will pay back unjust people. There is a judgment day coming for all troublemakers. Winners realize that even when we are knocked down on the canvas we can appropriate God's power and stand up again. And when we beat the 10 count, this brings glory and honor to the name of Jesus Christ.

If you are knocked down today, get up and strengthen your faith. It's time to get back in the arena.

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, October 12

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

This passage encapsulates some key teaching on God's general will for Christ-followers.  The three short commands here appear quite simple on the surface, but, looking deeper, we understand that these three actions arise from our heart and flow out of our wills.  Our faithfulness to these commands indicates the temperature of our heart for knowing God, as each one draws us more deeply into His presence.

Rejoice always.  Observing the pain and suffering that we see in our world — or even the frictions and annoyances that we encounter — we may wonder how we may rejoice always.  This joy comes from a heart-attitude of trusting God.  Knowing that He cares and provides for us, we may rejoice in being held by His powerful hand.  We know from Romana 8:28,29 that He works everything for our good and our being made more fully into the image of Christ.

Pray continually.  This verse emphasizes our commitment to maintain contact with our Father throughout the day.  This attitude of prayer reminds us of our dependence on God and His love for us, evident by Christ's death that made our conversation with God.

Give thanks in all circumstances.  Completing this virtuous cycle, we may give thanks in all circumstances.  We give thanks that God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  We  give thanks for every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).  We give thanks that God counts us as His sheep and the people of His pasture (Psalm 100).  Remembering the promises and truths of Scripture can support and motivate our thanksgiving.

Lord God, thank You for making our joy, prayer, and thanksgiving possible.  Your love is the firm ground on which we stand, and You have provided pathways for us to know You better and to experience the rich blessing of wholeness in You.  Help us to grow more into Your image.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

October 11

Jeremiah 18:6  --  Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand

Anyone reading this who has been at Grace within the past few years was given an opportunity to see a unique interpretation of this passage come to life.  Until I actually watched clay being molded and shaped I never realized the strength and pressure it took for a lump of clay to take on a beautiful shape.  The potter never took his eyes or hands off of the clay --  we all watched a piece of art come to life.  Such is the relationship between a potter and his masterpieces.  Such is the relationship between us and God. We are that lump of clay, and God's hands are always upon us, molding, shaping and refining us. Of course we feel the pressure when His hands are refining us, forming us to the shape we need to take to serve in His kingdom, but our souls are reshaped to be a little bit more like the God we serve, taking on a new form of beauty in His eyes. When the clay resisted the hand of the potter, it was out of shape, off center, and almost fell off the wheel.  The potter then applied more pressure to recenter it, continuing to mold the clay until it took the form he wanted and until he was satisfied.  The passage made me stop and think of the areas in my life and my soul that I have not yet submitted to the hand of the Potter.  1 Peter 5:6 tells us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you at the proper time. If, like me, you feel a little "off kilter",   I pray that by faith we stop resisting and allow ourselves to shaped and molded by the hand of God. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10)

Randi

October 7: Man is a Marginal Being

Jeremiah 8:8-9:26

Colossians 3:1-17

Psalm 78:32-55

Proverbs 24:27

Have you ever noticed how we rarely hear anyone say "I have enough"?  Man seems to be a marginal being, one who is constantly looking to obtain the next best thing.  He has a job, he wants the next one.  He has a car, he wants the nicer one.  He has a house, he aspires to the bigger one.  It seems that for man, it is never enough, and it leads to terrible frustration, stress and worry. 

There is one place, however, where this could work to our benefit, and it is in the pursuit of Christ.  Paul talks about this in Colossians.  You've set aside sexual immorality?  Set aside impurity next.  And then lust, evil desires, and greed.  You've rid yourself of anger?  Move on to rage, then malice and slander and filthy language.  There is always one more thing we can do to manifest that we have take off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self.

Are we ever going to achieve perfection?  Certainly not.  But we don't have to worry, we don't have to submit to stress or surrender to frustration - because God commands us not to: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful."

God, thank you for the constant aspiration You've put in our hearts.  May it be pointed in the right direction, towards You.  That every day we might aspire "to see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly". 

Thursday, October 5

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017

(Apologies for the late entry)

"He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.  To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me." (‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:28,29)

Paul had connected clearly with his mission:  "to present everyone fully mature in Christ."  Going beyond merely making converts, Paul understood that the fullness of joy and freedom would come to a hurting world through full maturity in Christ.  This process carries out over our lifetimes, but we receive a positive and accelerating start through the training and instruction of others.

Christian maturity involves multiple parties:  God Himself, other believers, and us.  God clearly desires for us to grow into maturity, and we are richly blessed if we find others who are willing to invest in us.  We must, of course, be committed to our own growth.  In turn, we may invest in others' growth and receive the blessing of watching their growing maturity.

Being involved in a small group or Life Transformation Group is crucial to increasing spiritual maturity.  The refining fire of other believers — and the joy of fellowship — helps us to grow individually.  We also spur others one to love and good deeds.

We also may grow by studying God's Word individually and seeking our Father in prayer.  Spending time with God sharpens our character and brings us into deeper understanding of His will and purposes for our lives.

This maturity allows us to become more like Christ, being remade in God's image after sin had corrupted us.  We may experience greater victory and greater joy.  And we desire more and more to honor God above other priorities.

How would you like to grow between now and year-end?  What practical steps could you take?

Lord God, thank You for sending Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the perfect atonement for our sins.  Thank You for giving us the fullness of life through Him.  Give us wisdom as we pursue a path of Christian maturity.  We seek to know You fully and to bring honor to Your Name.  Direct us as we invest in our spiritual growth and encourage others too.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

October 6

October 6, 2017

Colossians 2

Last Sunday night a terrible tragedy occurred in our country. A lone gunman armed with a huge arsenal of weapons killed 58 people and wounded over 500. The scope of this horrible event is unimaginable. When President Trump addressed the shooting on Monday, he called it an "act of pure evil." "Evil" can only be understood as the opposite of that which is "good." Thus, by calling this evil he was introducing God to the issue. It is interesting that as of this moment, no motive has been mentioned outside of "pure evil."

The New Testament frequently reminds us that we are involved in a daily spiritual battle with evil. For us to not be aware or prepared for this battle means we're already victims of it. This evil has its source in Satan and his mission is to destroy all that is good; this includes our lives, our families, our church and our country.

This conflict has been going on for millennials, so our enemy is an expert at it. So, what is our strategy to defeat him and live a victorious life?  Colossians 2:15 says, "and having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

Our victory lies in the cross of Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross he defeated Satan and all the forces of evil. For us to experience victory, we need to pray from this position of power. When we claim the power of the cross and the blood of Jesus, we move from victim to victors.

Here is a spiritual warfare prayer I pray. I encourage you to pray it daily.

In the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of his cross and his blood, I command Satan and all evil spirits to depart from my life. I command Satan and all his evil spirits to release their hold on me in order that I can do the will of God in my life. I break every one of his plans and schemes against my life, my family, my church. As a child of God, I declare that I am a victor in Jesus and therefore Satan and all his evil demons cannot inflict any harm or pain in my life. In Jesus' name I pray this. Amen.

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

October 4

Colossians 1:9-20

I read this and found myself led to pray for our church, our families, and our friends:

 Lord,

Today, I pray for myself, and my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I know Lord that's it You Who is before all things, and it's You Who holds everything together in heaven and on earth.  Abba, we will never be able to understand how it pleased You to have Your fullness dwell in Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  We only know that our hope rests in the reconciliation of the blood shed on the cross.  I pray Lord that You continually fill us by the power of Your Holy Spirit with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding in order that we live and please You. I pray Lord that we  bear fruit in every good work as we grow deeper in the knowledge of God.  I pray that we are all strengthened with power according to Your might, the same power that raised Jesus from the grave, so that we may have great endurance and patience to run this race joyfully.  Thank you Lord for rescuing us from the dominion of darkness.  Thank you Father for this reconciliation that brings us into Your Kingdom --  the only place we can find redemption and forgiveness of sins.  Lord, You are the Word from the beginning and the image of the invisible God.  We give you all praise, honor and glory as we go into the world today and serve You with all our hearts, all our minds, and all our souls.    In Jesus Name, Amen.

It is a privilege and blessing to serve with all of you, 

Randi

Blog post October 2nd

Finishing Our Faith Marathon       

Last February I made a decision to get healthy by changing my diet and to start working out.  My experience at the gym started off slowly as I was limited in what I could do.  But as time went on I felt myself getting stronger and knew I was able to challenge myself a little bit more and a little bit more.  I have recently considered working toward the goal of running a 5k (3.1 mile) race.  I should note that I don't enjoy the sport of running.  To make the goal a bit more challenging, some of the ankle and foot pain that I had a year ago when I was told I have Lyme has started to resurface.  Yet I am still considering this goal.

Yesterday I set out on a first for myself, I took to the streets around my house (which have some nice steep hills as opposed to the flat treadmill I usually spend time on) and ran 2.5 miles (my longest since I began my workouts in February).  It was the first step to towards my 5k goal.  You know what passage I thought of as I was running yesterday?  The one we read in Galatians today, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  As my breathing deepened and my legs began to tire I couldn't help but think of how Paul often speaks of our journey of faith as a race.  I thought about the spiritual battles that lie in my life and the struggles I face that often call me to tap out and take a seat as that is easier than forging ahead through challenges and struggles to reach the goal for which Christ has called me.

I reached a point in the road on my run where I could turn and end the run in less than a minute or where I could stay straight and keep on the course.  I will admit that my ankles were hurting and my knees started to feel an ache and my legs felt heavy.  Had I chosen the shorter path I am sure most would have said they understood why.  But I knew a goal was set and I thought of Hebrews 12 where it says to run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.  I prayed for strength and with focus and determination I finished.  You want to know something?  I didn't just finish and collapse on the ground, no I actually finished strong.  I have noticed when I start out on a run I struggle and feel weak.  towards the beginning I wonder what I got myself into but after awhile, despite some ankle soreness or what have you, I find I feel strong and when I finish I feel great in so many ways.

I need to exercise my spiritual walk like I do my physical body.  Life has challenges, pains, struggles, and difficulties that are going to make me want to stop moving toward the finishing line of faith.  I need to stay focused and keep praying for the strength, for the guidance, for the encouragement, for the ability to move forward day by day.  I truly do believe that as I do I will find that I do not get weaker (even though new struggles can cause me to loose focus and feel that way) but that I get stronger and stronger in my faith and more and more capable, through the power of Jesus Christ, to run my faith marathon with perseverance and that I will finish strong.

I am not a runner but (to steal a verse from tomorrow's reading) I know  "I can do all things through (and when) Christ strengthens me." (Phil 4:13)

If you are feeling worn, tired, injured, hurting, alone, lost, etc..... in your faith race Christ is here to give you strength and he has placed others in your life to help you stay focused on the prize, the goal in which Christ has or is calling you.  I'm an message or a phone call away to be a support or source of encouragement as I know others in your life are as well.  Don't loose heart but let us all be encouraged to stay the course, lean on the Lord and to finish strong.