February 29: Of Preexisting Conditions

Scripture in Text Below

So I opened the One Year Bible to go through today's reading, and realized they didn't have one for February 29.  What to do blog about, then?  I decided the tabula raza was an opportunity for a bit of a blog about the theme closest to my sinful, unworthy heart: "preexisting conditions."

A preexisting condition is defined as a medical condition that began prior to the person's health insurance went into effect.  Often, it was an exception to coverage; sometimes, it was even reason for refusal of coverage.  

I have a lot of those preexisting conditions in my spiritual life: they're my sins.  And even today I often find myself questioning how my sinfulness might not be sufficient reason for refusal of salvation.  Don't get me wrong - there are some sins that I think fall under coverage.  But there others - the really serious ones, or the ones that keep popping up, despite my best efforts - those are the ones I fear disqualify me from the coverage of salvation.  

Where to go for guidance?  In the insurance world, you go to the policy.  The policy is a contract, a commitment on the part of the insurer in respect of their relationship with us, the insured.  In our faith, we go to God's Word.  Because He cannot lie, His Word is even more binding, even more certain than any earthly contract.  And what do I find?

First, the reassurance that God does not require perfection as a prerequisite for relationship.  Exodus 2:12, 2 Samuel 11:4-6, 14-17 are particularly instructive: God enters into relationship with Moses after he's killed an Egyptian and run away like a coward, and with David after he's committed both abortion and murder.  Also, in Mark 2:15-17, Jesus not only hangs out with sinners like me, He pretty much declares it is very purpose.  

Second, the reassurance that God loves me not despite, but through my sin.  In Matthew 26:31-35 we hear Peter declare not once, but twice, that he will never abandon Jesus.  And yet, as we all know, in verses 69-74, he does so thrice - once more than his declaration of loyalty.  And yet despite all this, in John 21:15-19, Jesus deems Peter worthy not just of His love, but of His trust.  

These are more than sufficient assurance, they are perfect, irreversible assurance from God that, when it comes to His salvation, there is no such thing as a preexisting condition that disqualifies us from the coverage of His Son's blood.  Thank You, God, for such unqualified love.

Blog post 28th February

Blog Post 28th February 

 

Leviticus 22:17-23:44

Mark 9:30-10:12

Psalm 44:1-8

Proverbs 10:19

 

God drove out the pagan nation and gave favor to the Israelites in battle. Gods people glorified and praised God all day long. Jesus had role of a teacher, he spent time with his disciples and taught them his works.

Jesus says that no sin is worth going to hell for. It is better to repent even if repenting is painful.

What stood out to me is, Jesus sat down with his disciples.  Jesus said "Anyone who wants to be the first, must take last place and be the servant of everyone else". How are you doing with this?  Are you taking last place? Are you the servant of everyone else? Do you think we should model how Jesus lived his life?

True greatness in God's kingdom involve being a servant of everyone else.

So I pray Lord Jesus for church planters ands missionaries to bring the word to unreached areas. Give your servants patience, wisdom and hope. May the gospel be clear through them and to them. May you shower marriages and friendships with spiritual nourishment. May your servants seek the power of the gospel to broken places and grant them protection. When your servants feel weary in doing good give them peace and encouragement. Grant them good working relationships in the work place or where ever they may be. We praise you Jesus, may our workings never be in vain, for we don't minister for you but with you. Your kingdom of justice and mercy will prevail. We pray this in Jesus name,

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, February 27

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

"Vindicate me, my God,

    and plead my cause

    against an unfaithful nation.

Rescue me from those who are

    deceitful and wicked.

You are God my stronghold.

    Why have you rejected me?

Why must I go about mourning,

    oppressed by the enemy?

Send me your light and your faithful care,

    let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy mountain,

    to the place where you dwell.

Then I will go to the altar of God,

    to God, my joy and my delight.

I will praise you with the lyre,

    O God, my God.

Why, my soul, are you downcast?

    Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

    for I will yet praise him,

    my Savior and my God." (Psalm 43:1-5)

On this day, I participated in a learning seminar at work called "Energy and Time Management."  Instead of focusing on "time management," however, most of the seminar covered "Energy Management."  The company that presented the seminar has performed extensive research into high-performing athletes and professionals and found that we should think of our capacity in energy vs. time terms.

As part of the seminar, the leader explained that we often find ourselves with high, negative bursts of energy, such as frustration, fear, or anger.  He pointed out that our responses in this energy "quadrant" often resemble "fight or flight," geared towards either combating or avoiding immediate danger.  Yet, we rarely make effective decisions in that energy state.

In order to recalibrate, he encouraged the participants to take an inventory and a deep breath.  Being aware of those deeply negative emotions can help us to recenter and refocus.

I mention these details not as an endorsement of these principles; rather, I wish to point out that David gave us this pathway well before performance science considered the topic.  In this Psalm 43 and several others—Psalms 27 and 73 come to mind immediately—the psalmists process their feelings through the reality of God's provision and care.  Instead of self-focused actualization, however, their goal lies in recommitting to and waiting on the Lord God.  Here, as in Psalm 27, we find the psalmist instructing himself:  "Put your hope in God... "

As in the energy seminar, the pathway of return leads through renewal.  Yet, instead of worldly renewal, Biblical renewal comes through recommitting to God's purposes, to submitting our hearts and minds to His sovereign will.

The next time that you face a moment of defeat, would you consider coming back to this Psalm 43 (or 27)?  Instead of remaining in despair or anger or frustration, we can find restoration and renewal by declaring our commitment to our sovereign King.  As an example, we might pray:  "Lord God, I am facing a difficult situation.  My heart and mind are leading me to despair and frustration.  Yet, I know that You are the living God and that You never leave us nor forsake us.  Help me to refocus my attention to the reality of Your presence here.  I put my hope in You alone.  Give me strength by Your Holy Spirit to live in light of Your reality.  I need You every hour!  In Jesus's Name, amen."

Praise Him, the God of all hope and comfort!  We seek Him today.

Feb. 26

I've been asking the Lord to show me something new this season in our Bible reading, something that will bring new light on a book like Leviticus that I've never understood before. So I did some digging and learned that the book of Leviticus illustrates the way a priestly nation is to enter the holy presence of the living God. It's all about a sacrificial blood offering to atone for sin. The Hebrew name of the book highlights the narrative aspect of Israel's spiritual journey and as we read it and we can draw a parallel to see how it gives important information to all of us on our own journey. Let's go back into tradition for a moment. When Jewish boys would study Torah, the Rabbi would give them honey as a reminder to associate God's Word with sweetness. Psalm 119:103 tells us "How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey".  They also learned the importance of maintaining a wholehearted love for God and that when that relationship was broken a sacrifice had to made. We see in our reading that a life for a life is required to restore the relationship with God that was cut off by transgression, iniquities and rebelliousness. In God's perfect plan, to satisfy this lawful demand, Messiah's life had to be poured out as a living sacrifice. His offering had redemptive significance and fulfilled the Torah's demand for atonement. In our reading today in Mark, Jesus asks two critical questions, Don't you understand?, and Who do people say I am? Perhaps what Jesus was asking was if they recognized Him from the scriptures that they read while growing up. That the ultimate life for life sacrifice for atonement would be made by Him on the cross, and that He is the prophesied Messiah. Lord, I pray we understand and remember how sweet Your word is and the sacrifice You made to restore us. I pray in a world of confusion, we can share this message.

Randi

February 25th Blog Post

Jesus went in to a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not keep his presence secret. Mark 7:24

Jesus was traveling and did not want to draw masses of attention. He tried to keep his presence secret, yet continued to perform miracles and show God's love. When you do this, people are bound to notice and get curious! This is something we can aspire to as well. We should go about our lives humbly showing God's love, not advertising our good works, not looking for crowds of people to see and acknowledge us, but doing good without seeking recognition. What can you do today to bless someone in secret? How can you show love to someone without anyone else knowing?

"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven" Matthew 6:1

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season, we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Another way to look at this passage is metaphorically – with the house being our hearts. Once Jesus enters our hearts, we cannot keep his presence a secret! 😀

Bible blog post Monday February 24th

"Actions Speak Louder Than Words" (Mark 7:1-13)

Knowledge is a collection of facts or information; a theoretical understanding of a subject or subjects.  It is good and important to gain knowledge but it shouldn't end with the acquiring of it.  Wisdom is the next step.  Wisdom is applying the knowledge we have to our lives.  It is showing an understanding of our knowledge by putting it into right action.  Without action we are just walking encyclopedia's, Goggle search engines with useless limbs.  Our knowledge without action serves no purpose other than to puff us up and make us feel more important than we really are.  Imagine a doctor who spends years studying but never practicing.  Would you trust them to be your surgeon?  What about a pilot who has all the knowledge and know how of how an airplanes flies and how to work all the controls in the cockpit but never spent time in the air flying?  Would you trust them with your life and let them be your pilot?

The Pharisees of Mark 7 were walking biblical concordances.  They not only knew the biblical text but had it memorized and could recite it back to you without flaw.  They could tell you every little part of the law and how it should be lived.  The problem was they lacked wisdom, they lacked action.  They were not practicing what they were preaching (See the February 3rd blog post).  The Pharisees were called to lead the people by  knowledge in action, wisdom.  They were called to lead not just with words but through their actions.  Christ sees beyond the thin veneer of their outward appearance and calls them out:

"These people honor me with their lips (their head knowledge), but their hearts are far from me (no action).  They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." Mark 7:6-7

We too can fool ourselves into thinking that our knowledge of God and his word is enough.  We can preach, teach, write and use our words to proclaim the knowledge we have of God's word but what good is that if we don't live it out and display it, put it into action, as the Godly wisdom it is?  We can get on our soapboxes and preach forgiveness to others but if we are not willing to give it to those who hurt or wronged us then we are as guilty as the Pharisees and why should anyone listen to us?  If we proclaim with our mouths that we should love others but harbor bitterness and resentment toward others we are foolish hypocrites that no one will want to listen to let alone follow.  If we tell others of the goodness of God's grace, his undeserving favor, in our lives yet refuse to let it flow through us into the lives of others who don't deserve it then we live a lie and our faith is faulty.  When we choose to have a faith built on the knowledge of words over the wisdom of action we are a danger to others, a bad example as Christians, and a poor representation of our very good God.

I encourage each of us to do a head and heart check today (and every day).  We need to ask God to reveal to us any part of our lives that are not being lived out according to the truths of his word.  Ask him to move us from being collectors of knowledge into people of wise truth filled action.  We need to be ready to hear an honest answer that might be as blunt as Christ's warning to the Pharisees in Mark 7.  We need to be ready to listen and be wise and to let the word of God live through us.

Below is another passage to encourage you to live in action.  (James 2:14-26)
I'm praying with you.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A14-26&version=NIV

February 22: Of Realization and Awe

Leviticus 13:1-59

Mark 6:1-29

Psalm 39:1-13

Proverbs 10:10 

    "Isn't this the carpenter?  Isn't this Mary's son and th eborther of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon?  Aren't His sisters here with us?"  And they took offense at Him. - Mark 6:3

How utterly, painfully, tragically sad that because they thought they knew Him, those who heard Him teach were blind to everything else He was.  If the story about her is true, how much better would have been for those who heard Jesus speak had they been like Diane, the daughter of Walt?

It seems that, until she was six and a classmate told her what he did, Diane didn't know what her father, Walt Disney, did for a living.  So that night, when he came from home from work and plopped himself down in his chair, she approached him with a curious look on her face.  As he turned to her, she asked him hesitantly, "are you Walt Disney?"

Walt said he was.  

Diane then asked a second time: "I mean, THE Walt Disney?"

Realizing what was going on in his daughter's head, Walt supposedly smiled, and said "yes."

Diane then reportedly pulled both hands from behind her, in them pencil and paper, and asked her father "can I please have your autograph?"

Father teach us to never take for granted all that You are and all You have done.  Give us the same realization and awe for You as little Diane Disney had for her father.  And help us to want Your words even more than she wanted his.

Feb 21

Psalm 38

Has God ever shot your heart with the conviction of sin? Psalm 38:2 says "For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me."  I experienced this piercing of my heart at the Bennett Library a few years ago. I was enjoying a nice sunny winter day as I drove up to the outdoor book return. But then things started going south. An elderly man was driving in the wrong direction through the drop-off zone. As my car approached his, I waved to inform him he was going the wrong way. I expected him to pull to the side and let me pass, but not this fellow. He started moving his car towards mine and didn't stop until he tapped my front bumper. I found this amusing since I was driving a 1996 Honda Accord and he was driving a brand-new Lexus. Quickly my amusement morphed into righteous indignation. I rolled down my window and started to shout godly wisdom to him with my booming pastoral voice (one of the benefits of being a pastor). But at the end of a brilliant assessment of the situation, he wasn't budging. That is when I decided to move to military alert DEFCON level one, the horn. Unfortunately, the horn of a '96 Accord sounds more like a kazoo. After about 20 seconds of the kazoo horn, I realized I wasn't advancing my cause.  So I backed up my car, parked and started walking into the library.   

 

In the meantime, another car took my spot in the show down. On my way into the library I had to pass the vile offender's car. As I did, I knocked on his window and told him he was a menace to public safety, and that he should seriously think about permanently parking his vehicle. There! Finally justice had been achieved!  The guilty party was punished with shame. The moral balance of the universe had been restored.  

 

Funny thing was, as I left the library, I had a heavy heart about my behavior. I had been placed in a test by the Lord and my heart was telling me I hadn't gotten a good grade. About an hour later, as I was reflecting on the situation, I heard the Lord whisper in my conscience, "Scott, that was your father." This man and my dad were both about the same age. Both were obviously dealing with declining skills. But would I want someone like me to yell at my dad when he made a mistake? The truth is, this man needed kindness and assistance, not a judge and jury. He needed someone to help him navigate a mistake. What I should have done was gotten out of my car and helped him exit the parking lot.

 

Sometimes we learn more about life in our failures than in our successes. Thank God for his piercing arrows that guide us through life. I am looking for a second chance to show grace and kindness to the world around me. 

 

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, February 20

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet!  Be still!"  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?"

They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

(Mark 4:35-41)

The disciples cowered in the boat during a furious storm.  Understandably, they worried about the clear and present danger of the rising waves, which had begun to flood the boat.  Meanwhile, Jesus slept in the boat, apparently unfazed by the commotion around Him.

When we consider this incident in terms of God's sovereignty over the universe, Jesus's relaxed state makes sense.  We naturally become concerned when "factors outside our control" pose threats to our well-being.  To God, His sovereign power means that He doesn't face such "factors outside our control."

Upon waking Jesus, the disciples asked a manipulative question, out of desperation:  "Teach, don't you care if we drown?"  Jesus then responds by calming the wind and waves by His rebuke.  He tied the disciples' panic and lack of trust to their faith.  Afterwards, the disciples came to "fear" (as in reverent awe) the One Whom they had seen calm the wind and waves.

If we seek God through the process, turmoil and trouble helps us to grow closer to Him and to see Him more clearly.  In Job's final remarks, he explains that once he had heard of God, but now he has seen Him (and therefore knows Him more deeply).  The linchpin of whether trouble makes us bitter or better lies in our posture:  to seek God or to seek comfort in "factors within our control."

I am on this journey of seeking God and learning to trust Him.  It is an exciting journey and leads to great fulfillment and purpose.  While not easy, the great rewards of knowing God better and living out His purposes are quite evident:  in a transformed life and in the opportunity to bless others.  I am extremely grateful that God, in His mercy, will never leave us nor forsake us; that makes Him completely trustworthy!

Lord God, thank You for this great testimony of Your sovereignty and faithfulness to Your people.  We are often like the disciples, concerned whether You even care.  Help us to know You more and more, through blue skies and troubled times.  Guide us by Your Spirit to seek You each day.  Strengthen us to turn away from the temptations of the easy route, but let us consistently choose to follow You and believe in Your promises.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.

Blog post

Bible Blog 19^th February 2020

Leviticus 4:1-5:19

Mark 2:13-3:6

Psalm 36:1-12

Proverbs 10:1-2

We may bring unhappiness upon ourselves when we seek money and ill-gotten treasures of this world that have no lasting value. We may look for immediate gratification and this can destroy the chance of ever achieving true happiness. God 's principles for righteous living will bring that happiness because they can lead and show us into long term spiritual healthy behavior. God is faithful and his mercy never fails us, his love reaches all. God will lead us through darkest times. So how can we help ourselves and others get closer to God?

Jesus didn't waste any time telling others of his faith. Jesus ate and walked among sinners he spread the word and healed many. Jesus gladly associated with sinners because he loved them and because he knew that they needed to hear what he had to say. Are there people you have been neglecting because of their reputation? They may be the ones who most need to see and hear the message of Christs love in and from you. John the Baptist had two goals; they were to lead the people to repent of their sins and to prepare them for Christs coming. John's message was sobering, so he and his followers fasted. Fasting involves spirit soul and body. It is an outward sign of humility and regret for sin and an inner discipline that clears the mind and keeps the spirit alert. Fasting empties, the body of food, repentance empties the life of sin. When we fast we must fast with the right motives and not to show people how holy you are.

So I pray that with the power of the holy spirit we diligently seek and follow God. That we give ourselves time to grow in the word and get close to God. That we seek to live a righteous life and not for the gratification for everything we do. May we separate flesh and spirit, surrender our hearts wholeheartedly, when we open our hearts we allow God to his will. Let the goodness of God shine in our lives and be a reflection to others,

Amen

 

This song I feel goes well with today's scriptures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFWF9rSAWF8&authuser=0

 

Bible Blog Post 2/18/2020

Leviticus 6:1-7:27

Mark 3:7-30

Psalm 37:1-11

Proverbs 10:3-4

The trials and tribulations that the Lord presents us with are inevitable.  Whether it involves losing a job, seeing a family member struggle with addiction, troublesome times with your spouse, or being inundated with stress from your parental duties, the Lord is present.  No matter what situation you find yourself in, the Lord is present.  The Lord is listening, and the Lord will guide you.  Over the course of the past week, I have been tested; My patience, my understanding, my trust; but you know what I realized this morning on my way to work?  I turned immediately to God. Yes, venting about the initial anger was certainly part of the process, but returning to my Heavenly Father for support has catapulted me out of anger and into a realm of calmness.  It does not mean I do not feel pain, but it does mean that I feel comfort in the pain.

Jesus appointed the Twelve Apostles, men from all walks of life.  He did not discriminate against them, nor declare them incapable of serving; likewise, they did not offer excuses as to why they were not fit to serve.  They did not let their personal hardships or areas of lack hold them back from serving a greater God. They pushed forward in their faith. An assignment was set out by God, and these followers accepted.  What is it then that could be holding any of us back from fulling encompassing our faith, being true believers of God, accepting his word as truth and living lives that are both fulfilled and enriched with his very being?  As imperfect humans, we must not rely on our own understanding to lead us through life's challenges; instead, we must hand it over to God and fully acknowledge that it is not because of what we have in us alone, we are able to overcome obstacles because of He who empowers us.  

"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." Mark 3:24-25  

We, as humans of the flesh, must avoid falling victim to injustices that we experience.  Instead of living with a vengeful heart, we must lean on our Lord and elevate ourselves to the higher path of righteousness.  Have faith, and allow His light to fill our souls and illuminate our paths.

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

Dear Lord, please hear our prayers and speak to us in a way that we will understand.  Please guide us toward your light and allow us to be a reflection of your love to those around us.  When we experience hurt, please help us to release bitterness and anger, please help us to forgive and be forgiven.  Just as we ask for forgiveness for our own sins, please allow us to find comfort in forgiving those who hurt us, so that as a human race, we can more forward with peace, love, joy and emotional prosperity.  May our prayers for peace stretch across all the lands and all of the people; may we all be open to your love and see you in all of your Glory as our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Vertical Worship - Yes I Will <3

https://youtu.be/NrTv39-lG4M

February 15: Of Roads Not Taken, Of Nets Not Cast

Exodus 39:1-40:38

Mark 1:1-28

Psalm 35:1-16

Proverbs 9:11-12

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

   I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.

 - Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken"

  As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people/". At once they left their nets and followed Him.

- Mark 1:16-18

In his poem, Frost talks about a traveler in a wood who, when faced with a choice between paths, chooses the one less traveled, and finds it has made "all the difference".  Simon was faced with that choice - he was, in fact, already on the well traveled path, the one that took him to work each day, that strove to put food on his family's table.  Jesus came and offered him another path, that would make him a "fisher of men" instead. He took Jesus up on His offer, setting aside his nets.  

There's a TV show called "The Deadliest Catch", which documents the work of crab fishermen in the Bering Sea, working under some of the harshest conditions.  These are tough guys, hardened men struggling against the elements.  Can you imagine how they might have responded had Jesus approached them at the dock, calling them to be "fishers of men"?  I suspect they would have thought Jesus crazy, laughed Him off the dock.  

But are we any less guilty then those men would have been?  Each day, Jesus calls us to a closer relationship with Him - one that requires us to give up the obvious road, the road life in this world has taught us to take - the one that makes money and work and education and power the objective, the purpose, the source of our security.  He asks us to give up the preparation in the kitchen - but Lord, what about all these guests? - and sit at His feet instead.  How do we respond? 

For reasons perhaps unclear to him even then, Simon took the road less traveled.  Father, when faced with the choice - You or this well-trod world - give us the wisdom to choose as Simon did, perhaps not even knowing why; help us to choose You.  

 

Feb 14

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations….

Psalm 34:1 Come, my children listen to me; I will teach you…..

"Driving Mr. Yogi" by Harvey Araton is the story of Ron Guidry and his relationship with Yogi Berra during spring training. I was fascinated by the practice of disciple making in the majors. To be a great catcher you need to know how to call a game, motivate your pitchers, catch foul balls, block the plate, throw out base stealers and be the extension of the manager on the field.

When Yogi Berra was just a young catcher, Bill Dickey, who played for the Yankees for 19 years, came out of retirement to teach him how to be a catcher. He didn't tell him to read a book, or watch a movie; he was right on the field with him showing him the art of catching.

Yogi went on to become a Hall of Fame catcher himself and was invited by the Yankees to help train a young recruit named Jorge Posada. Here is how Araton puts it, "Now it was Berra's turn to pass along what Dickey had taught him. In a sense, he had also 'unretired' to take on the job of making Posada want to catch, of making him believe he could contribute behind the plate as he could while standing alongside it with a bat in his hands. That is what Dickey had done for Berra, and he was eternally grateful."

Yogi, with his 10 World Series Rings and three MVP's, did disciple Posada into a first-class catcher.

So, who are you training? This is not training to know facts, or hold a certain intellectual position, but how to live life. Disciple making is the very foundation of our movement. 

May God give us the courage to invest our lives in the next generation.

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, February 13

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me;

   he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant;

   their faces are never covered with shame.

This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;

   he saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,

   and he delivers them. 

"Taste and see that the LORD is good;

   blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Fear the Lord, you his saints,

   For those who fear him lack nothing." (Psalm 34:4-9)

In this Psalm, David recounts God's faithfulness to him during a period of danger and uncertainty.  The psalm's header noted that he wrote it "when he pretended to be instance before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left."  The honesty of this header provides yet another example of the Bible's validity.  Its authors even appear as fearful and weak.  Made-up history wouldn't allow for anything but positive "fake news."

Having re-read this passage tonight, it brought great comfort and direction.  I had been wrestling with what looked to be an apparent setback.  I realized during my reading that I hadn't invited the Lord's presence into the situation; rather, I had been viewing it from a worldly point of view.  Without inviting God to the picture, the situation looked just plain frustrating, without any clear solution.  Yet, upon seeing the perspective through this psalm, I recognized that I hadn't been focusing on what God might do through that situation.  In short, I must trust Him to bring about His will and "take refuge in him."  Whatever should happen, He will be present and show His goodness.

Candidly, I wish that I had reacted more consistently with this passage even earlier.  It would have saved me two hours of being upset!

At this point, I am asking:  "God, how would You like to work in this situation?  What would You like me to learn?"  I look forward to His reply as I continue seeking His wisdom and direction.

Have you faced a tough situation recently?  How did you react?  From what sources did you seek comfort or resolution?  How could this passage help to train you to trust God and to invite Him into whatever situation He would have for you?

Lord God, I do wish to taste and see that You are good.  Thank You for directing and guiding us, even in our most frustrating and troubling situations.  Give us wisdom and courage to trust You instead of worrying and giving our thoughts to purely worldly solutions.  Strengthen us to follow You completely in those difficult moments.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

February 12

Psalm 33

Reading through this Psalm lifts our eyes to the glory and the majesty of God. It reminds us that our help, our joy, and our blessings come from our worship and recognition that the same God who created the universe maintains control of it even when life doesn't make sense to us. Whatever is going on around us, is nothing in comparison to God's greatness. People's efforts to control, rationalize, or maintain power is of no significance to God. The world that God created by His Word, is full of His faithful care. As Christ followers, especially as the darkness grows around us, we cannot lose our excitement of being in awe of the Creator. God's plans are eternal, nothing anyone can do will change that. Our hope will always rest in the work done on the cross. Music has always lifted my spirit. This is an older David Crowder song that reminds us everything that breathes praises God, and when we praise we are in the company of all who love our King.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwM8vgulzdI

Blessings,

Randi

Blog post

Bible blog February 11,2020

 

Exodus 32:1-33:23

Matthew 26:69-27:14

Psalm 33:1-11

Proverbs 8:33-36

 

In  todays reading I see how corrupt the people were in Egypt and how today people are still corrupt. As I look around and see just in the short time that I have been back in South Africa, how corrupt our own government is and how the people are suffering. Just yesterday I was involved in an attempted highjacking (we ok now) but I saw how lawless our country is and how no one did anything to help. At first I had so much anger but I didn't not want to let the anger turn into hatred. Instead I turned to Jesus and looked at the deeper picture of how people around us are out for their own personal gain; Money? Career? Popularity? Addictions ? Technology? Do all these Idols stand in the way of our relationship with God? Do we sometimes think that these idols  have "brought us out of Egypt"- instead of God?

 

Even if we do not make Idols, we are often guilty of trying to make God  in our image, shaping him to fit our expectations, desires and circumstances. When we did this we end up elevating ourselves rather that the God who created us, and self worshiping, just as the Israelites did.

What is your concept of God? Do you need to destroy that image in order to worship our Heavenly Father who delivered you from bondage to sin?

 

I pray that during the dark days let us see the darkness as opportunities for light to shine in. LORD, I pray that we consider you in all our circumstances, that we worship you LORD and not self-worship. I pray we walk in your peace and trust that you are in control of all our people and circumstances. That we turn to you and not indulge in dangerous sins. I pray that we do not have spiritual boredom and not get distracted by worldly things and that we keep our faith fresh. May we above all worship you Lord in Jesus name, Amen

Bible blog post Monday February 10th

"Walking In Delight" (Proverbs 8:27-32)

What fills you with delight?  Seriously, think about it.  Day to day what is something that fills you with delight, makes you smile and puts pep in your step?  Stop and take a moment to give it thought.

Wisdom is the narrator of Proverbs 8:27-32 and answers the above question.  Wisdom speaks about being present with the LORD, by his side, when he created the the world (as we read in Genesis). But it was verse 30 that stopped me and made me think about what I truly delight in.

"Then I (wisdom) was the craftsman at his (The LORD's) side.  I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence..." Pr. 8:30

What was wisdom's delight? Day after day what filled Wisdom with delight and rejoicing?  The answer: being with the LORD, in his presence.  Wisdom wasn't just hanging around the sidelines and watching what the LORD was doing.  NO!!!  Wisdom was using it's giftedness to work alongside the LORD, in his creation.  It brought Wisdom delight and rejoicing to work with the LORD for the LORD's glory and good day after day.

God has gifted each of us in different ways and he calls us, invites us, gives us opportunity to join him in the work he is doing by using our different skills and gifts along side of him.  Day after day we can wake up and delight and rejoice in the opportunities that await us.  I know that there are challenges in each day, difficult people, struggling situations, uncertain outcomes but we don't walk alone.  Each day, like wisdom, we can walk by the Father's side and let him guide us and use us to make a difference, to have an impact in the world we are a part of.  We don't need to be perfect because we walk along side the perfect one.  We just need to be willing and to walk with him.

This world can be full of so much evil and darkness that if we are not careful it can and will steal our joy, our delight, our rejoicing. It will shift our focus.  To walk with the LORD, to seek him each day and to ask him to use us in the lives around us can keep us focused on him and keep our hearts in a constant state of true delight.  That is how I want to live each day I am given.  How amazing it would be to read Proverbs 8:30 with my names in there:

"Then I, Ruth, was the craftsman at his side.  I was filled  with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence..."

I don't delight in the challenges, the difficult people or circumstances, the struggle or uncertainty.  I delight in my God who is bigger than it all and who is working all things out for good and his Glory and invites me to his side to take part in what he is doing.  There truly is nothing more delightful than that.

How does God want to use you?  Ask him every day and then rejoice that you can walk with him in the world and delight in how he has invited you to join him in his work so that you can be the craftsman at his side.  Don't wait, let the opportunity to delight in him day after day begin today!

February 8: Of Instructions that DON’T. MAKE. SENSE.

Exodus 28:1-43

Matthew 25:31-26:13

Psalm 31:9-18

Proverbs 8:12-13

Today's Old Testament reading is a reminder that our God is not just a big picture God, He is a God of exquisite, intricate detail.  What God asked of the Israelites - the wandering tribe that they were at the time - was not easy.  Breastpiece, ephod, robe, woven tunic…the ephod of gold, with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, finally twisted linen.  Even gold filigree and braided chains of pure gold. Such complexity, at great effort and difficulty even today - more so at the time.

I can only imagine there were not a few Israelites who looked at the instructions and asked why a self sufficient God would have need of such things, would have need to make such great imposition of a wandering people.  I can imagine there were many who did not think any of it made sense.  

The fact is, so much of what God asks, or does, doesn't necessarily make sense in man's eyes.  Take the greatest example of instructions that don't make sense - if one knew, as Jesus did, one was going to be killed, and by whom and where, earthly wisdom would compel them to stay away from place and person involved.  

Those who acknowledge the omnipotence and omniscience of God know that nothing happens that He hasn't permitted out of His perfect love for us, and according to His plans for us.  Earlier in Matthew we read that two sparrows, sold for a penny, will not fall to the ground outside of our Father's care.  How then do we respond?  We have two choices, and neither of them involve understanding: faith and obedience, or distrust and disobedience.  And we have two good examples - we know from subsequent readings that the Israelites obeyed God's instructions, and Jesus went willingly to the cross.

Father, when we wrestle with Your commands, seeking understanding before obedience, approval before acceptance, remind us that Your ways are above ours, Your thoughts are above ours, and give us the hearts, the minds and the bodies that obey in faith, not requiring understanding.

February 7

Matthew 25

I heard the story of an elderly woman who had finished shopping and returned to her car. She found four men inside. She dropped her shopping bags, drew a handgun, and screamed, "I have a gun, and I know how to use it. Get out of the car." Those men did not waste a second; they got out and ran like crazy.

The woman, somewhat shaken, loaded her shopping bags and then got into the car. But no matter how she tried, she could not get her key into the ignition. Then it dawned on her; her car was parked five spaces away! She loaded her groceries into her car and then drove to the police station to turn herself in. The desk sergeant to whom she told the story nearly fell off his chair laughing. He pointed to the other end of the counter, where four men were reporting a carjacking by an old woman with thick glasses and curly white hair, less than 5 feet tall, and carrying a large handgun. No charges were filed.

You see, the elderly woman thought the car was hers, but it really belonged to someone else. This is one of the most common mistakes people make today.  We think our resources are ours, when in reality they belong to God.

Name something that will never be taken away from you.

Your house?  No, the bank probably owns that, and someone else will live in it when you are gone.

Your car?  No, that will rust away some day.

A dollar bill?  No, the average dollar bill lasts only 18 months.

Golf clubs?  No, they will be divided up before they eat potato salad at your funeral luncheon.

The only thing we can say we own is our sin. That sticks with us forever, unless Jesus takes it away. The reality is that God owns it all. Everything on this planet belongs to him. We are simply stewards of his resources. So the pressing question before us today is, "Are we good or poor stewards?"

Matthew 25 makes it clear; Jesus is coming back, and we are responsible for how we use those resources until he arrives. Live today in light of tomorrow's reality.

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, February 6

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?  It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.  I tell you the truth:  he will put him in charge of all his possessions." (Matthew 24:45-47)

Matthew 24 contains some of Jesus's clearest language on the Second Coming.  In vv. 30,31, Jesus explains that we will "see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.  And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."  The Second Coming will bring the present world and its history to a close ("the age of the Church"), ushering in a transition to the new heavens and new earth.

In light of this certain, yet-to-be-realized, how should we carry ourselves?  Jesus guides us to take a watchful attitude.  (Paul echoes this sentiment in Colossians 4:2:  "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.")  He highlights the example of a faithful servant, fulfilling his or her duties during the master's absence.  The discipline comes from within, given the commitment to the master and his business. This servant earns the master's trust and will inherit greater responsibilities.

By analogy, God calls us to exercise faithfulness in our earthly responsibilities so that we may receive greater responsibilities in the heavenly realms.  Excitingly, it appears that God intends us to continue serving Him and exercising our talents and skills in heaven.  Unlike in this sin-stained earth, however, we will have be free of the frustrations of brokenness and the limitations of time and space.  It will be awesome to serve God with great abandon and to experience His presence so fully.

In what areas of your life could you exercise greater watchfulness?  Knowing and responding to God's Word makes us ready to live watchfully.  Putting His Word into our hearts and minds helps us to understand where and how He would like us to serve in our time of waiting and preparing for His great return.

Lord God, thank You for sending us Your Word so that we may have clarity on how we may remain watchful in these days till Your return.  Give us understanding of how to honor You in specific situations.  Strengthen us so that we will not become weary.  Draw near to us in our waiting, watching, and serving.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.

February 5

Proverbs 7

This proverb speaks of a person who witnessed a woman approaching a young man in the dark street and lured him to her home. Her silky brazen and lewd words enticed the young man, almost like putting him in a trance and he followed her almost like an animal going to be slaughtered. The Psalm is a warning to avoid the path of seduction as it surely does not lead to a happy ending. As I read it, I was reminded of the world around us. It is so easy to slip into luring temptations and for lack of a better comparison, "drink the Kool Aid".  Thankfully, we have a weapon to fight the battle. "Store up my commandments with you, keep my commandments and live" (v.1-2).  When I was in prayer this morning, the Lord impressed upon me the need for husbands to pray protection over their wives and wives, continue to pray for our husbands, no matter where they are in their walk of faith. Continue to pray protection over our children and grandchildren.The enemy disguises himself and can lure us with eloquence and smooth talk (v.21). Write God's word on the tablet of your mind and continue to pray.

Randi