Thursday, May 31

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

"The statutes you have laid down are righteous;

    they are fully trustworthy." (Psalm 119:138)

As we review God's Word together each day, have you found it to come more alive for you?  Have you seen it challenge your thinking and encourage you?

Today, I would like to offer a few thoughts on the value of continuing in God's Word:

(1) It reshapes our hearts and minds.  Without reading, reflecting on, and studying God's Word, we would be subject solely to the influences of this world and our own thoughts.  We would consider everything from a worldly perspective and would be selfishly motivated and fixed on our own pleasure.  We would struggle to discern between truth and falsehood.  In short, without God's Word, our hearts and minds would be led astray and liable to the corruption of unrighteous thinking.

(2) It encourages us to place our hope in what lasts forever.  God's Word puts the reality of this brief life in stark relief vs. the stretch of eternity.  As James writes, our lives are but a "vapor" or a "mist."  Living only for this life — and forgetting the grander scheme of eternity — makes little sense, once God has revealed the nature of eternity to us.  God has made the hope of heaven and the guarantee of His presence both today and always to be secure, lasting promises for us.

(3) It helps us to understand ourselves.  In its historical accounts, we see the Bible characters with facets of our own personalities.  We see their shortcomings and how God showed His tremendous grace nonetheless.  We understand that God dealt individually with His children as individuals.  Psalm 139:13-18 confirms that God created us beautifully.  He knew us from before our creation, and He has plans and purposes for our lives.

(4) It reveals the beauty and character of God our King.   God's Word points directly to Him.  It highlights His plan of redemption, shaped from the Fall through the complete restoration in Revelation 21.  It explains the nature of the three Persons and unity of God.  It has depth and riches that instruct us for a lifetime, but anyone may understand its core message.  It fills us with a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and then we may become wise on how to fulfill that desire. (Matthew 5:6)

We have now completed five of our 12 months.  We rejoice in God's Word and the One revealed through it.

Lord God, thank You for Your beauty and character as revealed through Your Word.  Help us to be more sensitive to the lessons that You wish us to learn in 2018.  Give us a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and strengthen us to live for Your Kingdom rather than our own small agenda.  Whet our appetites for Your Word over the coming seven months, helping us to finish strong in 2018.  We love You and honor You today.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

May 30

John 19

Pilate is one Bible character I would not want to be. Talk about the pressure!! Does he stay loyal to Caesar, the Jewish authorities, or his heart?   I don't know if he knew or recognized Jesus as the Messiah, but he knew in his heart there was nothing Jesus had done that made him guilty to receive the punishment of being crucified.  Perhaps Pilate's brutal orders to have Jesus beaten was an attempt to get out of making the final decision.  He might have thought the brutal beatings would satisfy the angry Jewish leaders, but it didn't.  Jesus told Pilate that the power he claimed to have was given to him by God, showing Pilate that what was happening was far bigger than he knew or understood.  When it was all said and done, Pilate had "King of the Jews" written in three languages over the cross. Maybe Pilate had no idea of the magnitude of what what going on, but the sign he ordered was written in the only three languages spoken, so everyone could understand the message. Whether Pilate realized it or not, the message was clear.  Jesus is King over all.  We'll never fully understand the events that took place, we just have to trust that God is sovereign and Jesus had to die on the cross for our redemption.  It makes no sense that a brutal death was the ultimate exchange for our eternal life. We give You praise, honor and glory Jesus and proclaim you King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Randi

Family Circus and more

2 Samuel 14:1 - 15:22

Talk about family problems!! Such a soap opera of anger, jealously, injustice, lack of forgiveness, selfishness, bitterness, deceit, favoritism,  and so much more junk in the trunk!

The disconnect in Davids family is off the charts. To be clear the Hebrew bible names 19 sons of David and only one daughter Tamar, talk about a big family! Many were from different wives. We will only mention a few of the many family issues in Davids home. Amnon Davids favorite and first born son did a terrible thing to his sister Tamar to which David did nothing about because he did not want to make Amnon unhappy (2 Sam 13:21), but Absalom was off the charts angry! Bitter towards his father David for not addressing this, and of course at his brother Amnon for doing such a terrible thing! So what does any angry brother do when his sister is physically violated and traumatized by her own brother, Tamar understandably sinks into a deep depression (2 Sam 13:20). Absalom is ripping mad at his brother for doing this and also at his dad David for not doing anything about it. So Absalom kills his brother Amnon. I have only mentioned the tip of the iceberg of issues beneath the surface of this family. 

The problem is are we any different today? Yes I know we are not talking about the same exact issues, but are we disconnected from our own families? Do we hold on to bitterness from past wrongs? Do we feel justified the way we treat others because we feel they deserve it? Do we think we are so much better then they are, so we look down to them? Do we half heartedly forgive, or so called forgive people we say we love? Are we so upset with our kids because they are not doing life they way we want them to, so we strong handedly object, ridicule, teardown, hurt, and crush our kids to try and emotionally beat them into submission so they act or do life more like they way we want them to, or the way we feel they should be, then we say we do it because we love them? Do we twist God's word to fit our current emotional state of mind so we can feel like God is happy with our unforgiving hearts, or do we simply ignore God's word because we simply do not care? 

God is not looking for half hearted forgiveness, nor is He looking for disconnected families and broken relationships. IF we are truly going to call ourselves followers of God we really need to start applying God's principles and the examples of Christ into our families. If you want to try these on your own I feel you will have a pretty tough time doing it, but as Christ followers was have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. We must go to God in prayer regarding that relationship we are thinking about now. Pray that God will give us a spirit of forgiveness, a heart for reconciliation, and the love of Christ. You can be sure Satan wants nothing more than to rip apart our families from the inside out. 

As we read todays story of Judas betraying Christ. This reminds us we don't only have relationship issues with family, but with neighbors, friends and co-workers as well. Let's apply this same model of love, forgiveness and reconciliation in these area's as well. 

Or we can just go on feeling bitter, hurt, angry, and alone. God has given us the answers in His word. Do we believe them or not?   

Chuck Goulart

203-943-0961

 "Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter." –Francis Chan

May 27, 2018

"In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God" John 16:26,27

"… the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." John 16: 7

"But when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth" John 16:13

I happen to live in a very wealthy part of Greenwich. Through some connections we were able to rent a small cottage on someone's property. Almost every day I go for a walk with my son and my dog. Since I have a friendly dog who likes to say hi to everybody, I get to talk to a lot of people. I am almost always asked the same questions: Are you a nanny? Do you work as an au pair? For whom do you work? After a while, I started to ask myself why people automatically assume that I don't live there. Is it my accent? Is it the way I dress? Is it written on my forehead that I don't belong there? Feelings of not good enough, and of something is wrong with me, started to creep in.  

I think in the world we have many occasions to feel insecure, inadequate or simply feel like we don't fit in.  Who am I? Am I an immigrant, a result of my past, a stay at home mom? All the above and none of the above. I am a child of God. The question is, do I live like a child of God when I close my Bible and go on with my day? In other words, do I truly embrace my identity in all aspects of life? "You can believe in God and still miss life with him.  You can know about God and still live like an Orphan" Do I walk around Greenwich like a Child or like an Orphan?

We are God's children, we are Christ's friends (John 15:12-17). More than that we are one with the Lord in spirit. "But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in Spirit" 1 Cor 6:17. The Holy Spirit, the Counselor the Spirit of Truth lives in us.  God, our Father loves us. Today's reading is a reminder, an invitation to be intimate with God. The choice is mine. Do I choose to be one with the Lord or one with the world?

"DO I as a Christian understand myself? Do I know my own real identity? My own real destiny? I am a child of God, God is my father; heaven is my home; every day is one day nearer. My Savior is my brother; every Christian is my brother too. Say it over and over again to yourself first thing in the morning, last thing at night, as you wait for the bus, anytime when your mind is free, and ask God that you may be enabled to live as one who knows it is all utterly and completely true. For this is the Christian's secret of the Christian life, of a God-honoring life" J.I. Packer

May 26: Of Q Tips, Sudsy Water and Restoration

2 Samuel 9:1-11:27

John 15:1-27

Psalm 119:49-64

Proverbs 16:1-3

If you haven't yet, and at some point get the opportunity to, come and visit Grand Central Station in New York.  The building I walk through each day is, in this architectural amateur's humble opinion, magnificent.  The soaring ceiling, framed by two towering windows on either side, depicts the constellations set against a teal background.  It is a glorious piece of architecture, clean and clear, except for one spot.  When one looks at the west side of the ceiling, and follows its curve from its apex down to the north west corner, one finds a jarringly black mark of dirt and soot and filth.  One is tempted to think it was a cleaner's oversight, till one realizes the spot is precisely rectangular.  

It turns out that in 1998, at the end of two years of renovation and restoration, as the scaffolding came down, the workers left that black spot of mostly tobacco smoke as a reminder of how bad that ceiling had gotten; and of how, as filthy as that ceiling got, the sacrifice of countless hours by countless workers with nothing more than cotton swabs and sudsy water, was enough to erase the years of grime and restore that ceiling to its pristine state. 

In today's OT reading, we see David dirtying up the ceiling of his life.  He's isn't just about to commit one major sin, he's topping that off with a second - a two-for-one deal of adultery and murder in order to gratify his desire for Bathsheba.  When I used to read this passage, I used to think to myself the same thing so many who saw Grand Central's dirty ceiling must have thought: "No way this ever gets clean.  Ever."  Which is exactly the same thing I used to think when reflecting on my own sinfulness.  

The amazing thing is we have the benefit of an infinitely greater, infinitely more painstaking - or, more appropriately, "pains-taking" - sacrifice.  Jesus didn't clean our lives with Q-tips, He cleansed us with nails.  And He didn't use drops of sudsy water; He used rivulets of His blood.  So there is no grime He cannot scrub off of us, no sin he cannot take away to leave us pure and holy, acceptable once more in His father's presence.  

Father, when we are discouraged by our own sinfulness, remind us that despite his sinfulness, You forgave David enough to establish his line forever, with the birth of Your Son.  Remind us that there is no sin Your Son's sacrifice - His suffering, His death and resurrection - cannot remove.  May our sin cease to be a cause for discouragement, and instead become a reminder of Your persistent and overwhelming love.  

May 25

John 14 The Counselor

 

Several years ago, Grace Church went on a short-term mission trip to Mexico. One of the most interesting stories of the week was the trip home. We gathered very early in the morning and packed up a bus to head to the airport. The trip should have taken less than an hour. It soon became clear that the driver of the bus had no idea where the airport was. We came to this conclusion as he was backing up the bus on the main highway. After some very intense dialogue, we convinced the bus driver to pull over at a gas station. It was there that our youth pastor jumped out of the bus and jumped into a taxi cab that was just leaving the station. He yelled out the window, "Follow me: we will get you to the airport."  So we followed the cab to the airport and were the last people to board the plane. We are still not sure the bus driver ever found his way home.

I share that story because the Holy Spirit is our taxi driver. He came into our bus to show us how to live and to open our eyes to see God's truth. We would be foolish to try to live life without his guidance and direction.

Mohammed writes a book, leaves the book and dies. What do you have? A dead man's book.

Buddha leaves us some of his sayings and then dies. What do you have? A dead man's sayings.

Confucius leaves us some proverbs and then dies. What do you have? A dead man's proverbs.

Jesus doesn't leave us a book; he leaves us himself. Vs 18 says, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." So what do you have? We have a friend, a counselor, a guide, and a taxi driver in the person of Holy Spirit who comes to us and guides us to the airport.

All religions of the world are connected with dead guys but with Christianity it is about connecting with a living person. All I can say is "thank you, Lord, and lead me today!"

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, May 24

THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018

14 "Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God; believe also in me.  2 My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  4 You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:1-4)

Today's reading from John highlights the confusion that the disciples faced about Jesus's coming death.  Their understanding of the Messiah didn't square with the "suffering servant" described in Isaiah 42, but rather with a triumphant king.  Having demonstrated His great love for the disciples by washing their feet (John 13), He know explains that He would be going to His Father's house and would prepare rooms for them.  Thomas and Philip spoke up and requested clarification, leading Jesus to several declarations:

(1) That He was the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6);

(2) That Jesus is in the Father, and the Father is in Christ (John 14:10); and

(3) That prayers offered in the Name of Jesus receive answers (John 14:13,13).

John 14:6 holds special significance for me, given that this verse opened my eyes to knowing God.  Prior to my sophomore year in college, I found myself wondering, "Is Jesus the only way to God?"  This question came about, I believe, not due to my own inquiry, but rather because God had placed it on my heart through the Holy Spirit.  Having read through three of the four Gospels that summer of 1998, I returned to campus with a burning desire to know the Person in the Word.  I shared this question with my friend, who connected me with a ministry leader.  On September 18, 1998, this leader shared "The Four Spiritual Laws" with me, which included John 14:6.  Having read that verse, my question found its answer:  "Yes!"

Whereas I had though that the exclusivity of the Gospel seemed narrow-minded, I now realized that it represented the greatest portion of grace ever given.  God sent His only Son to suffer in our place.  Yet, we underestimate the gravity of this sacrifice, thinking that we somehow deserve something from God.  I soon found myself rejoicing in that, while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. (Romans 5:8)  I experienced tremendous freedom in knowing that Christ had fully paid my debt! (Romans 6)

Have you embraced Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life?  Have you experienced the joy of receiving Him into your heart?  How about today?

Lord God, thank You for the tremendous gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Help us to know You better today through Jesus Christ.  Create in us a hunger for righteousness.  Bring Your Word to life in our hearts and minds.  We love You and honor You today.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.

Pat Barrett:  The Way (https://youtu.be/MOzsJlk8p6I)

May 23

John 13

The only way that Jesus was going to depart from this world was through the cross and He lived His entire life in anticipation of this "hour that had come".  He knew that within the next 24 hours He would be hanging on a cross.   That was His Father's plan.  It was the plan of redemption from the beginning set way back in the Garden of Eden. Jesus loved His disciples, and He loved His own who were in the world. He was now about to show the world the full extent of that love. Keep in mind that nothing Jesus ever did was without the intention of expanding our minds and getting us to see the parallels of His life on earth and heaven. So what does He do?  He unfolds a parable as He washes His disciples feet.  Just as Jesus rose from the comfort of a reclined position at the supper, He rose from His throne in heaven, a place of rest and comfort.  Just as He laid aside His garments, taking off His covering, He laid aside His glory when He left heaven.  He then took a towel and girded Himself, ready to to serve. Leaving His throne, He took the form of a servant, He came to earth ready to work. Just as He poured water into a basin, He poured out His blood for us. When He was all done washing His disciples feet, He sat down again, just as He sat at the right hand of the Father when His work here was finished.  His message and actions are clear.  Love one another, serve one another out of love. "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (v.15).  The love of Jesus is so great.  He loved us to the end of His earthly life and continues to love us as He sits and intercedes at the right hand of The Father. This lesson is so counter cultural but so vital in a world where anger and tension are at a peak.  I pray the world knows we are Christians by our love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7E7lARwUYw

Blessings,

Randi

Tuesday May 22nd blog post

27 Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? "Father save me from this hour"? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.

Ordinarily, I spend a good 24-48 hours reflecting on the reading and preparing my blog post. This week, I completely forgot I was scheduled for today! I spent my night playing music and reading a new book I ordered, oblivious to my obligation this morning. Thank goodness those activities connected to today's reading!

The book I'm currently reading is called The Fellowship of the Suffering (by Dave Ripper and Paul Borthwick). In it, they mention that to us, there is no worse suffering than MY OWN suffering. That hit home for me. I'm so quick to notice how terrible what I'm going through is when in reality there are people going through far worse. Dave and Paul give the definition of suffering as: not having what you want, or having what you don't want.

Suffering is not only unavoidable, but it is a necessary part of life, especially if we are to grow and glorify God. Paul says in Colossians 1:28-29 that to be mature in Christ, we struggle as He works powerfully in us. If we sincerely want to gain intimacy with Christ then we must know sufferings. Although Jesus' suffering is the ultimate way in which God was glorified, Jesus is not the only one who's suffering can bring glory to God. How could we transform the world if we thought about how our struggles can bring glory to God?

The song I focused on last night was "Jesus, what a savior" by housefires. There is a line in the song that reads "lifter of the lowly, God you meet me where I am". No matter what we are going through, or how bad the pain, God can and will meet us there.

There is so much more to be said on this topic. If you are going through a struggle and suffering at this point in your life, I suggest reading "The fellowship of the Suffering" to get a well-rounded perspective. I pray for you.

Lord, you know each and every one of our sufferings. Help us to come to you in prayer during these times. Let us know when to surrender, when to lament, when to contemplate, and when to intercede for others. Help us to pray even when we don't want to, even when we feel distant from you, even when we question if you are there. Thank you for sending your only Son who suffered death on a cross that we might have eternal life. Let us live lives that glorify you amidst our sufferings.

Amen

May 20, 2018

1 Samuel 26:1-28:25

In today's reading, we see Saul face to face with the Philistine army. "He was afraid: terror filled his heart". He inquired of the Lord but received no answer. His Plan B was to go to a medium woman, to a psychic. He asked her to bring forth the spirit of Samuel. The message he got was terrifying. All these made me think of the strategies I adopt when faced with my own "Philistine army". I wouldn't run to a psychic, but many times, both my plans, A and B are variations of my Ego. There is no God in them.

"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way." C.S. Lewis

Many times, I find myself in the second category. What stops me from turning straight to God when facing a challenging situation? Few things:

1.       My self- sufficiency is still on autopilot. My first instinct is to design my own action plan. Nothing wrong with acting, but the action should be aligned with God's will. My action should have its roots in time spent with God. The autopilot should be prayer. ^"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests". Ephesians 6:18. "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective". James 5:16

 

2.       I can handle it. Deep down inside, I believe that I got it. Yet the Lord tells us: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight".  Proverbs 3, 5-6. "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil". Proverbs 3:7. My own wisdom is a sure path to exhaustion and frustration.

3.       I believe that God has something better to do than to get involved in my problems. Does he really care? The Lord calls us sons and daughters, the apple of his eyes. In the Bible we are always reminded of his unfailing love, his great compassion and faithfulness. "Whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye ". Zechariah 2:8. It's up to us to believe. We are invited to live the promises!

 

4.       I'm stuck in the mentality that as a daughter of the King, I should not have problems. I keep forgetting: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33. I forget that the Lord didn't promise me a pain free life, but he did promise his help through whatever life brings.

 

Lord please help us to be consistent, and always follow you!

May 19: Of Obedience When It is Difficult

1 Samuel 24:1-25:44

John 10:22-42

Psalm 116:1-19

Proverbs 15:20-21

Today's psalm is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. God has answered the psalmist's prayer.  The psalmist declares that God has "delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling…".  It is an after-the-fact declaration of obedience and faith, and it is wonderful that the psalmist has seen fit to recognize what God has done, and be grateful.

In today's OT reading, however, David shows us something else: a before-the-help, during-the-crisis declaration of faith in God.  Consider that he'd been nothing but obedient and loyal to Saul who, before David had fled, had tried to pin him with a spear - twice!  And who now was searching for David, in order to kill him.  Saul had now unwittingly put himself in a position of helplessness before the very man he sought to kill.

And David's response?  "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord."  And he forbids them from attacking Saul.  He stops them from ending the unjustified threat on his life, because He honored the Lord.  This is a part of the character of David that God so loved, and this unflinching obedience was part of why God saw fit to install David as king over Israel.  

In this I am reminded of Philippians 2:8-9 where Paul, writing about our Lord, says "And being found in appearance as man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name…"

Wouldn't it be great if we could be that obedient, in the face of both injustice and suffering?  I know I struggle with it every day.  I struggle with it with my superiors, when I disagree with them; with tithes, when I think about the cost of college educations; with service, when I think I deserve some rest.  I certainly don't have the ability to transform myself - I can only trust that God wants me to have an obedient heart, and will change me if I ask.

Father, I look up to the examples set, first by David, then by our Lord.  I want to be that obedient, but struggle with myself, often losing the battle.  Take my heart and change it so that, however unfair, unjust or undeserved my circumstances might seem, that I look to You and respond in faith and surrender to Your commands.  Help me to trust that, in doing so, You will give me reason to praise you with Psalm 116.

Thursday, May 17

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018

"As Jesus went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  His disxiples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'

"'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.  As long as it is dau, we must do the work of him who sent me.  Night is coming, when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.'" (John 9:1-5)

In today's reading, we find a complete account of a great miracle, the healing of the man born blind.  Apart from Jesus's intervention, this man's blindness would not have been cured.  Yet, God does intervene in the lives of His children and does being great healing.  To Him belongs all glory and honor for His miracles!

As the account begins, Jesus's disciples ask the curious question of who bore the responsibility for this man's blindness.  This attitude seems parallel to that shown in Job, where Job's friends struggle to understand the root cause of Job's suffering.  Even today, we often look to blame others or ourselves for the misfortune that we face.  This culture of blame causes us to hide our weaknesses for fear of being judged as weak.  As we suffer quietly, we become isolated and hopeless.

"... But this happened that the work of God might be displayed in his life."  Jesus turns the blame game on its head, suggesting that the blindness—and its healing—would ultimately testify to God's goodness.  As the Jewish leaders wrestled with this clear miracle, the man points to Jesus's power to heal as evidence of His being sent from the Father.  The leaders can't dispute the reality of the healing; instead, they begin attacking Jesus's authority and that of this healed man.  Yet, the work of God stands on its own and brings Him glory!

In light of this account, how could you consider your own weaknesses and misfortunes as opportunities for the work of God to be displayed in your life?

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9,10:  "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Could your weakness today be just the venue for showing Christ's power?

Lord God, thank You for Your intervention in our lives and displaying Your power in our weakness.  Give us pure hearts and help us not to judge others who are struggling.  Give us faith to believe      in Your power and grace, both in our lives and in those of others.  We invite You to display Your power in our lives today!  In Jesus's Name, amen.

May 16

John 8:39

"If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.  Abraham did not do such things"

As I was reading this I wondering why was Jesus comparing these guys to Abraham, what did Abraham do? What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." (Romans 4:3)  Abraham, by faith, listened to what God told him. There's a delicate balance in our walk of faith.  We believe that Scripture is God breathed so we stand on promises yet we are faced with daily struggles which causes us to doubt.  I think the Pharisees who lived with the hope of the coming Messiah faced a similar dilemma. While they were standing on promises from Scripture, they doubted the truth while He stood right in front of them. I pray for all of us that as we learn to balance, our faith is credited to us a righteousness. I pray God pulls us closer by teaching us to trust in our faith and the ability He gives us by the power of His Holy Spirit to hear His voice. I pray our faith alone acts a strong witness to the hope we have in our Messiah and the truth we believe.


Randi

May 15 (John 8:21-30) Blog Post

May 15 (John 8:21-30)

These days, I'm more interested in process than answers, the presence of God and my presence to God rather than making sure I haven't misstepped. I am buoyant in the ocean of God's presence– it's familiar; I've been in this water before– only this time, my feet aren't touching the bottom (they scurry underneath me like duck's feet desperate for the feeling of secure footing). Though it can be scary to float (rather than stand) in the flood of God's process and presence, I'm learning to enjoy the safety that surrounds and carries me more than the sensation of secure, familiar footing. I offer these observations guided by a mindfulness exercise I was recently shown. You can reflect on what I write, but I invite you to do your own version of this exercise with Scripture or during any moment in your day when might need an intentional reset.

May our God bless the imaginative reading of His word.  

5 Things I See:

• A heated crowd of people with mixed motives and agendas surrounding Jesus.

• Jesus speaking confidently, wild-eyed, with a smirk, elusively dodging the crowd pressing in on him.

• Within the crowd, several clusters of opinionators discussing the words of Jesus, some gripping their knives and stones plotting to finally slay this heretic

• I imagine the clouds of heaven rolling to and fro as the Father peers from his throne with fierce delight at the Beloved  

• A wave of belief emanating from Jesus through the crowd, melting many of the onlookers into awe and belief as he pulls back the veil and reveals his identity as the Son of God

4 Things I Hear:

• Shouts of anger

• Gasps and muffled curses at the controversial words of Jesus

• The rustinling of bodies and robes in fiery debate

• Songs of joyful belief

3 Things I Touch:

• The dust between my toes and the leather of my sandal

• The palpable bodyheat of friends and strangers hanging on every word of this Beautiful Outlaw

• The fabric of my tunic and robe between my fingers as I anxiously fidget waiting to hear how this debate will unfold

2 Things I Smell:

• Pita bread and chickpeas roasting in the nearby market (we are in the surrounding towns of Jerusalem - 8:1)

• The musk of sweaty feet, baked stones, and dusty robes

1 Thing I Feel:

• A tight chest and a pit in my stomach knowing the gravity of Jesus's words to the harsh crowds

Blog Post Monday May 14th

A Prayer For Wholehearted Obedience (1 Samuel 15:1-26)

 

Lord I know you still speak to us today.  You use your word as a means of communication, as a way to give us instructions for our lives today.  I know that your word and commands are not merely suggestions for me to pick and choose through.  I can't just disregard one in place of another.  In the book of 1 Samuel I read how you gave clear instructions to Saul about what he was to do and he obeyed most of it.  But following most of your commands is not following you wholeheartedly.  It is not trusting you wholly.  Saul kept some of the animals you told him not to keep because he said he was going to offer them as a sacrifice to you.  He disregarded your instructions with what he thought looked like good intentions.  What it actually was, was disobedience, he put his own wants above you.  Lord I don't want to be disobedient like Saul.  I don't want to disregard part of your word by using another part as an excuse to disobey.  I want to live in wholehearted obedience.  It isn't always easy to obey, and when I struggle it is usually because I am struggling to trust you.  I can't always see clearly the path that lay ahead and it makes me feel vulnerable and afraid.  Sometimes I know it is my own pride that causes my disobedience. I am thinking more of what I want than what you call me to.  Lord make me aware of any disobedience in my life today and the cause of it.  I don't want to live as Saul and deceive myself into thinking that I am obeying you if I am not. Forgive me for any disobedience in my life. Forgive me for any lack of trust.  Forgive me for any pride that puts my wants or thoughts above yours.  I ask for a heart and mind to see your truth and for any disobedience I am allowing to live in my life be revealed.  I then ask for the strength and courage to surrender it to you and to take the steps needed to live a life that is trusting you, that is wholehearted and obedient.  Remind me daily that you love me and whatever you command or ask of me is done so out of love.  Lord, if helping me to see my disobedience means that you will use others, like Samuel in Saul's life, help me to be ready to listen to them, learn from them, and to grow.  I thank you that you love me the way that you do and that you are here to help guide me, encourage me and strengthen me.  May today be a day of greater obedience in you.

 

AMEN

May 13, 2018

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him". By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed him were later to receive" John 7:37-39

Happy Mother's Day!

I was wondering why Jesus associated the Holy Spirit with water, the living water. I think that no matter how rich our lives are, without the presence of the Holy Spirit, everything feels dry and dead. I am going through an extremely exciting season of life. I have a 6-week-old son. I love him and enjoy him more than words can say. I don't mind changing diapers a million times a day or waking up several times each night. I feel extremely blessed and grateful to God, for this beautiful gift of life.

Prior to my son's birth, I had a routine in spending time with the Lord. Each morning I had chocolate milk (my pregnancy craving) with the Lord. However, once my son was born everything changed. The first month went by, without finding time to connect with God. Even though I felt so happy to be a mom, I also, slowly, started to feel that something was missing.  I had a weird sense of spiritual dryness. That's when I realized that my soul was thirsty for God. I was thinking when could I possibly find time to spend with the Lord? I am too busy. Then I remember someone saying that, when we are too busy to spend time with God, that's when we need it the most.

As a result, I make sure I find time to connect with God, most days. To me, that's access to the living water that Jesus was talking about." For in him we live and move and have our being" Acts 17:28. The key to abundant life, to joy, peace, love is the Holy Spirit. No other thing, place or person can satisfy our soul.  I try to open my Bible every day. My days look better, richer. My heart is satisfied because it's connected with the One who created it. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing". John 15:5

Lord help us to remember that you are the key to our "everything".

May 12: Of Remembrance and Transformation

1 Samuel 12:1-13:22

John 7:1-30

Psalm 108:1-13

Proverbs 15:4

Tomorrow is Mother's Day.  And on that day, often right at its beginning, children of all ages will remember what their mothers did, for them and for others.  They will reach out to their mothers, whether across the room or around the world, to thank them and to honor them.  Interesting point: in many, perhaps most instances, their mothers will not need their honor and their thanks; they will continue to be the women they have always been, their condition and circumstances unchanged by their five year old's crayon-drawn greeting card, or their 52 year old son's words on the telephone.  The biggest effect their children's words might have may well be to give them joy.

Not so for the children, because knowledge is transformative.  And so, merely remembering all their mother had done for them may well change them; the recollection may bring about a greater appreciation, perhaps a greater desire to give their mother that joy, to spend more time with her, to get to know her better.  It may lead those who had fallen away from their parents to reconnect with them, to reach out to their mother more frequently, to realize they still have much to learn.

If remembering all our mothers have done for us can be so transformative, how much more remembering all God has done?  In the OT reading today, we see the Israelites had fallen away, and had sinned in demanding a king other than God.  Samuel reminded them of what God had done, just in the time of the judges, and the knowledge was transformative.  The people repented, and reconnected with God.  

We are no different from the Israelites - when we forget what God has done, we seek out earthly "kings" for security.  And just as the Israelites wound up with King Saul - and so very quickly, just in today's reading, we see how flawed Saul was - we seek out King Money, or King Power, or King Acceptance.  Perhaps if we celebrated Heavenly Father's Day, and celebrated it everyday, we would remember all God has done for us, and be transformed by that realization as well.

Father, thank you for the mothers You chose to give us, just one item in the endless list of things You've done for us.  Give us the desire to start each day reminding ourselves of Your blessings, that we might reject the idea of earthly security, knowing You are more than enough.

May 11

John 6

John 6:51-52    I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."  Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

This is a passage that confuses a lot of people. The mistake they make is reading the Lord's Supper into it. If this were about the Lord's Supper, then Jesus would not have said, "Unless you eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood you have no life in you,"(John 6:52) because that would mean eternal life comes to us through the Lord's Supper. This cannot be true because all over John's gospel and the rest of the New Testament, it is made very clear that we gain eternal life, not by participating in the Lord's Supper, but by faith in the Son of God who gave Himself for us on the cross.

One commentator put it this way, "John 6 is not about the Lord's Supper; rather, the Lord's Supper is about what is described in John 6."  The Lord's Supper is a great place to do what John is describing here. The CROSS is the center of this message. Jesus is going to give his life for the life of the world. What Jesus is saying is that either I die and you live, or,  I live and you die. The Bread of Heaven would be given so we can live.

The reality is something must die for us to live. Anyone growing up on a farm knows that. City folk don't think that way. What are you doing when you eat a quarter-pounder?  You are eating dead cow and dead lettuce, pickle and tomato, dead pepper; everything you are eating is dead. In fact, it died for you. Either it dies and you live… or it lives and you die.

So how do we feed on Jesus?  By believing. Jesus is telling us that faith feeds on a relationship with him. Faith is more than believing that certain things that happened a long time ago are true. Faith brings us into communion with Jesus, who died and rose, through which we feed on Him, share fellowship with Him, and draw strength from Him.  Christ is our strength. Christ is our joy. Christ is our peace. Christ is our comfort. Christ is our hope. Christ is our life.

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, May 10

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

"Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.  All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.  For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.  For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.'" (John 6:35-40)

Jesus makes seven "I am" statements in the Book of John.  These statements point to His divinity, echoing God's self-description in Exodus.  This passage includes the declaration:  "I am the bread of life."

The statement highlights that, by knowing Christ, we will find spiritual sufficiency.  We "will never go hungry" and "never be thirsty," meaning that God will satisfy our deepest longings.  We often seek fulfillment of these spiritual longings through physical means, and the results still leave us longing.  Jesus explains that, while the Israelites received manna from heaven, they would find bread of life in Him alone.

Through His declaration, Jesus also reveals more about God's nature — and His compassion to reach out to us.  Jesus had discussed "living water" with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, but He has now expanded His audience.  Later in John 6, however, some disciples choose to abandon Him in light of the challenges that they would face.  The Gospels therefore mimic our lives:  God stands ready to reveal more of Himself to those open to Him, but we face worldly challenges in staying faithful to Him.  While it doesn't make day-to-day living any easier, we may find strength in knowing that, even though the early disciples struggled, the power of the Holy Spirit carried them from defeat (after the arrest and Crucifixion) to victory.

What longings do you have today?  How may you depend more fully on Jesus as the bread of life?

Lord God, thank You for sending Your Son as the bread of life.  Strengthen us today to trust You more fully.  Help us to abide in You so that we find satisfaction for our deepest longings in knowing You.  Bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in us, allowing us to declare Your goodness to a hungry and thirsty world.  In Jesus's precious Name, amen.

May 9

John 6

Jesus asks Philip a question already knowing the answer but I think He wanted to see maybe how much Philip really had learned to trust Him beyond what was visible and obvious. Of course neither Philip or Peter could see where Jesus was leading them. How many times are we often faced with impossible like issues not realizing that Jesus already knows the answer and where He wants to lead us.  It always amazes me how when we're in these places of what seems like impossibility, we forget that nothing is impossible for God.  I, for one, have great difficulty seeing beyond what looks like obvious and impossible.  As we read on we learn that in God's Kingdom 5 +2 = 5,000 with 12 remaining. (Not exactly how we teach math in school)  Later in the reading we see Jesus do yet another impossible barrier breaking act -- He walks on water.  In her wonderful book, Josiah's Fire, Tahni Cullen gives the account of her autistic son who was non verbal. Her son learns to speak God's word by using an IPad. It is a true story of finding hope when the obvious looked like impossible.   Oh Lord forgive us for not being able to see through Your eyes. Lord, stretch our limited vision and grant us a glimpse of Your reality. I pray Lord You take us beyond what we see as visible, obvious or impossible so that we look at life with hope in and through You.

Randi

Blog Post Monday May 7th

Your Prayer Of Pouring Out Your Grief (1 Samuel 1:15-18)

 

"I am a woman who is deeply troubled." 1 Samuel 1:15

"I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."  1 Samuel 1:16

 

These two verses stuck out to me today because I know there are many people who have or know others who are struggling in different ways.  It could be you, a family member, neighbor, coworker, classmate or friend.  It could be financial hurdles, health challenges, addictions, a weak or nonexistent faith, school work, difficult marriage, broken or struggling relationships, infertility, temptations, shame or guilt, hurts from the past, depression, anxiety, battles with weight or food, and on and on the list could go.  We all have or know someone who we grieve for, with whom our hearts can at times become deeply troubled for.

 

In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah recognizes that she is not strong enough to carry the burden of her grief or the struggle any longer and that she truly wasn't meant to ever carry it around.  Her time in prayer is such a great example of how the Lord welcomes us to bring our pain, to bring our raw unfiltered emotions before him and to pour them out and leave them with him.  That is no easy task.  Hannah spent years childless and tormented before she got a place where she finally poured it all out before the lord and left it with him in faith.  Over the course of time she was given a child and she was able to keep him and enjoy him but for only a brief time.  Just like her grief she was also willing to give the Lord her blessing and leave it with him.  She had no guarantee of other children but it didn't matter.  She was trusting the Lord with life and making him her source of joy and peace.

 

Rather than me write out a prayer today I want to encourage each of us to bring to the Lord our own "Hannah" type of prayer.  Who in your life is weighed down by grief or deeply troubled?  Who in your life are you deeply troubled for, is your heart burdened for?  What is the source of your own personal grief that you need to surrender?  I encourage you to go to the throne of grace and pour out your heart and concern to the lord.  Keep going back and praying until, like Hannah, you are able to leave it with the lord and walk away without a downcast heart (1 Sam 1:18).  Then you can simply lift up prayers of confidence in who you know the lord is and that he truly is a God who knows (1 Sam 2:3) and a God who is able to sustain us however he knows and sees fit.  Remember, God always answers our prayers he just doesn't always answer them the way we want and when we want (kind of like a parent who doesn't always say yes but always seeks to do right and bless with what they know is best).  When you leave your grief and trouble with the Lord be open to however God is ready to answer and don't give up hope if it feels it is taking a bit of time.  God hasn't forgotten his timing is just not always ours but it is always perfect.

 

So be like Hannah and take the time today to lift up your prayers to the Lord and if able leave that grief with him and be filled with his peace and hope.

May 6

 "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, "Jesus told him, "you will never believe". John 4:48

I believe that signs and wonders are not a thing of the past, but they happen in our everyday life. One of the ways we become blind to the signs and wonders, is by getting stuck in the why. Sometimes I find myself so busy trying to figure out why a certain thing happened to me, that I completely overlook the way things unfolded.  The Lord is calling us to focus on Him and not the problem.

The other day, I decided to go for a walk with my one-month old baby and my dog. We went to a quiet street near my house. One mile into our walk, out of nowhere, this huge wind started to blow. There were branches flying everywhere. The storm was furious. It felt like the end of the world was coming. I was completely terrified. I didn't know where to go and what to do. All I could say was "Lord help me". Instantly I heard, "I am the Lord of the storm." Looking around I saw a house not far away. I ran there, and the people were nice enough to let us all in. The storm passed, and we got home safely.

I wish to say that the first instinct was to be grateful for the Lord's protection and assurance. On the contrary, the first instinct was to get upset, why the Lord allowed that storm to happen. Am I not His child? It's very easy to get lost in the why. I am sure the father in today's reading didn't understand why his son had to be sick. However, I can focus on trying to corner God and demand an explanation to my Why, or put that aside and look at the whole picture. The Lord is present and in control of any circumstance. The Lord is above any life storm we might face. He is always with us even when we are alone with our deepest fears.

Lord don't let our need to understand the "Why", block us from seeing your miraculous signs and wonders.