Thursday, June 30

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

"The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there." (Acts 19:32)

"'And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace… Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among those who are sanctified.'" (Acts 20:22-24,32)

We may take away several lessons from the contrasting attitudes of 1) Paul and the early disciples and 2) the Ephesian mob. These concepts go to the heart of our existential longings as God's creation.

The Ephesian mob desired to exert some shared purposes – or maybe just to become involved in the drama of commotion. In any event, we commonly wish to have influence over or at least participate in something greater than ourselves. Nationalism, regionalism, and even sports fandom all play upon this key element of our created nature.

Yet, the mob grew unruly without even knowing its purpose. As Pastor Scott likes to explain, there are three kinds of people in this world: 1) people who make things happen; 2) people who watch things happen; and 3) people who ask, "What happened?" This mob didn't have a clear purpose.

If we take inventory of the world's thinking, we may become overwhelmed with the complexity and confusion that different camps bring to the table. Indeed, politics has become dominated by half-truths, innuendo, and obfuscation, all of which Twitter seems to perpetuate and celebrate. We now accuse first, question second, backpedal third, reflect fourth, and apologize or empathize never. A terrible combination!

In contrast, Paul's friends in Ephesus, though devastated by his departure, knew how to carry on after he left. Paul had provided them a clear example of living a life submitted to God's purposes. He didn't understand the specifics of times and places, but he had identified himself as Christ's Kingdom bondservant, one committed to righteousness (Romans 6). He trusted that God would use his human life for eternal ends, and he shared this hope even through a tearful goodbye.

As Christ-followers, we do have a purpose larger than ourselves every day and a strong commitment to upholding and honoring the truth of the Scriptures and the power of the Gospel. As Romans 8:28 mentions, we "have been called according to his purpose." God's purposes now supersede the world's confusion and innuendo. We have clarity on the larger vision: "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness… " (Matthew 6:33) We are Kingdom-minded, and we understand that, through that orientation, we will experience joy, love, and peace through the Spirit as we grow more into the image of Christ.

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us a purpose larger than ourselves. Thank You for showing us Your awesome example of living a fully committed Kingdom life. Send Your Spirit into our hearts so that we may embrace Your larger purposes for us, and give us the courage to forsake lesser purposes in order to live first for You. To You be all glory, praise, and honor in our lives and forever! In Your Name, amen.

June 29

Acts 19

Paul went on a missions trip.  It spanned from Judea to Caesarea and ended up in Rome - the center of influence and power. Even though as we read today in the last leg of this journey he traveled under guard, his mission was still being accomplished.  Paul's focus was to take the message of Christ and spread it (1:8).  I found it interesting how Paul's goal was to take the most powerful Message ever spoken to the most influential nation at the time.  Non the less, through trials, storms and tribulations, Paul stayed focused on Jesus and the race set before him, and ran it.  As it was for Paul, so it is meant for us.  Hebrews 12:1 tells us "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."  Paul was an incredible witness.  So is everyone reading this blog.  As I thought about this I realized that there are many ways we can spread the Word today.  Prayer, going out to visit someone, calling a person we haven't spoken to for a while, or going for a walk and saying hi to someone we don't know, are just a few. Each day can be a missions trip for us and we don't have to go far.  Lord, I pray for everyone reading this blog that You send us out today with a clear vision of our mission.  I pray Lord that as You send us where You want us to go, like Paul, we stayed focused on the race set before us and bring Your message of hope to everyone we meet.



Randi
  

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Saturday, June 25, 2016

[by Keesha Sullivan]

As my friend, Eloise, laid in her hospital bed, a lady that was cleaning the hospital came to the door. Eloise warmly smiled at her and welcomed her into the room. As the lady took her first few steps into the room, she stopped and said, "Wow, I feel the peace of God in this room. You must be a believer!" She then proceeded to ask Eloise to pray for her. 

Although Eloise was the one in the hospital bed, the woman knew that there was something special about Eloise. She wasn't going through this adversity in the same way that most people do. Eloise was cheerful, peaceful, and full of a supernatural joy. 

When people see us in the midst of our storm and we are overcoming, they know that God is real. They know that it is possible for them to prevail in even the most dire situations.  People receive hope. They are listening and watching us as we live our lives. 

In our Scripture reading today, Paul and Silas gave hope to the prisoners. Paul and Silas had been stripped and beaten. They were severely flogged and then thrown into prison. They had every reason to lay down and cry, sleep, or even complain once they entered their cell. Instead of doing those things, they prayed and sang hymns to God. It says, "the other prisoners were listening to them" (Acts 16:25). The prisoners had to be astonished and wonder, "How and why are these men so joyful? What do they possess?" 

God doesn't want us to go through trials defeated because He cares about us. He also cares about the people that take notice of our reaction. God has given us all the power that we need to conquer any adversity that we may face so that we can testify that He got us through and that He is getting us through! He wants people to ponder, "How and why?" so that we can tell them it was our Heavenly Father. 

Lord, please help us to be men and women that crush our problems rather than allowing our problems to crush us. We want to be able to testify about the God that we serve. We want to be able to tell people that they too can go to You and get the power to triumph in this life. We love You God. We thank You for the supernatural power that You make available to us to overcome. We need You, and we thank You for Your goodness. 

---------

Rev. Kenny Sullivan

Associate Pastor

Grace EFC | Stamford 

m: (203) 978 - 3778

o: (203) 323 - 6737, ext.12

"soli Deo Gloria"

June 24

2 Kings 6:16-18 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, "Strike these people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

 

There is a battle going on. It is not a small battle; it is cosmic warfare and in the balance lies the lives of our loved ones, our friends, this city and this whole generation. For too long we have been thinking of the Christian life as a playground and not a battlefield. But the Bible teaches with absolute clarity that we are locked in a terrible fight for the hearts and minds of this generation. And I hate to say it, but it appears Christians are being "slaughtered ruled" in the USA.

Secularism has championed the worldview that the only reality is the physical world we can see. Kenny and I were talking yesterday about the shootings on the West side of Stamford. At the public forum on this there were three words that even the Christian pastors did not use, faith, family and prayer. How will we ever win the battle without these three?   

Elisha had the eyes to see this unseen world. He lived as if it were a reality, and in that lies his effectiveness. He believed this unseen world of spiritual beings had more of an influence on the physical world than kings and armies.

So what is your strategy to engage our true enemy? It is by prayer that we gain the victory over the unseen forces of evil. It is by prayer that we open the eyes of unbelievers. Our arguments and slick gospel presentations cannot compete with these forces of darkness. 

It is time for us to wake up and get involved in the real battle.

 

Lord, I pray for eyes to see the real spiritual world, to see that I am in a daily spiritual battle. I pray for my eyes to be open to this conflict. I also pray for my eyes to see that the hills are still full of horses and chariots. Lord, please awaken me from my slumber. I also pray for your power to open the eyes of my family and friends. Help us all to see 20/20 with your spiritual vision.

In Jesus Name   

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, June 23

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

In today's reading, we learn about the Jerusalem Council, in which the apostles and other church leaders sought to reconcile what had happened in the Gospel ministry to the Gentiles.  How would they take the clear signs that the Holy Spirit had indeed blessed this ministry and, with outward signs of inward transformation, marked the Gentiles as having become co-heir of salvation in Christ?  Would the Way that Jesus proclaimed remain authentically Jewish?  What character would it take in the disparate communities where the Gospel had gone and would go?

Sometimes, when we read history, we may have the tendency to discount or forget the tension or uncertainty present during these turning-point moments.  When these moments occur, in worldly terms, many will be disappointed with the outcomes.  Still, here, the Holy Spirit guided the Church to bring unity and to set the course of significant further growth.

Please notice the reliance on the Holy Spirit's direction in this critical decisionmaking.  From this example -- and quite a few others in the Scriptures -- we understand that, without the Spirit's wisdom, human plans will count for nothing.  The early Church demonstrates a faithfulness to, submittedness to, and embrace of God's will that we would do well to replicate.

As you may have read, the British voted to "leave" the European Union yesterday.  This result has given victory to a populist movement of Euroskeptics, those who doubted the value of the European project.  In some respects, this populist movement leveraged fears about immigration and the "other," while promising better economic conditions for those already in Britain.  The result has prompted the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron and will set off two years of negotiations as to the implications.  This vote may turn the tide of the "European community" that had come together in the post-World War II period and give momentum to other Euroskeptic movements on the Continent.

The Brexit vote may have little direct impact on your day-to-day life, but its outcome does raise the question of what commitments we owe to others.  Populism ultimately stands on the rallying cry of "everyone for himself" or "us vs. them."  Certainly, these messages sound friendly at first, but, when we take the ideas to their logical extreme, all community would break down as we slice "us vs. them" more and more finely.

From the Scriptures, it does appear that God has a tremendous heart for unity and cooperation.  He loves each nation and seeks to bring blessing through His Son.  May we embrace this outward focus and inward love to counteract forces seeking to spread divisions and envy.

Lord God, thank You for Your heart for the nations.  Give us wisdom as to how to love a world that seeks to divide on so many labels.  Send Your Spirit to Grace Church and our extended community so that we would live in unity and have the courage and strength to bless others first.  We need Your presence desperately in a world of bitterness and division.  We love You and give You the honor and praise today.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

June 22

Psalm 140

Heavenly Father,  I lift up all of my brothers and sisters who are reading this blog and pray Lord Your blessings over everyone and their families.
I pray Lord that whatever circumstance they find themselves in that You rescue them from the plan from the evil one.
I pray Lord that you protect us all from the men of violence who devise evil plans and stir up war every day.
Father God keep us from the hands of the wicked and the proud who set traps along our path.
We declare that You Lord are our God.
Hear our cries for mercy, only You are our strong deliverance.
Only You Lord shield our heads.
We know Lord that only You secure justice for the poor and uphold the cause of the needy.  We are indeed, poor and needy.
Being made righteous with God by the blood of Christ, we praise and bless Your Holy Name.

In Jesus Name,
Amen




Randi

June 20: Of role models and going awry...

1 Kings 22:1-53

Acts 13:16-41

Psalm 138:1-8

Proverbs 17:17-18

I wish I could say I could identify with Micaiah.  He had integrity - when others tried to entice him to do the self serving thing, to regurgitate what the king of Israel wanted to hear, he refused - despite the potential consequences (after all, this wasn't the first run in he had with the king, was it?).  And he said what God told him to, even if it was going to seriously tick off all the four hundred other prophets - Zedekiah in particular, he of the dramatic gestures.  

I even wish I could identify with Jehoshaphat.  His first instinct when presented with an opportunity, a plan?  "First seek the counsel of the Lord."  And when faced with the prospect of contrarian advice, he was prepared to receive it.

The thing is, I am more often like the king of Israel.  I decide what I want, and then go seek God's endorsement.  And when I don't get it, I find reason to reject God's word..."didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, only bad?"  And then I go on my willful way...sometimes resorting to other measures - deception, anyone? - to try and get what I want.  And while I've not taken an arrow to the body as a result, nor has any of the outcomes achieved involved dogs licking up my blood, it is safe to say all those plans went awry.  Because they were mine, not His. 

Father, forgive us for the times we've been like the king of Israel.  Teach us to be submissive as Jehoshaphat was, grant us the integrity Micaiah had.  Then, as David sang, "I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the 'gods' I will sing your praise."  Then the "Lord will vindicate me..."

June 17

On Wednesday of this week I was in a bike accident with a pick-up truck. The truck won and my body was pretty banged up. I am thankful for the protection the Lord provided. It could have been far worse.

Now I am in the healing phase. My body wants to get well. I can tell that by the heat that is generated in the bruised area. The process I am committed to includes taking antibiotics and pain pills and putting ice on the bruised area. The ice reduces the swelling and when I take the ice away my blood carries out the damaged tissue. God is the one who ultimately brings the healing to my body but the more I join Him in the process the faster I will heal. If I decide I don't want to join God in this process, scar tissue will appear and hamper my future health.  

Our spiritual bodies want to get well too. The sickness of sin has damaged all of our spiritual hearts. The spiritual disciplines are the ice that brings the healing to our damaged hearts. God has reserved for Himself things that only He can do and we can't. And He has reserved for us only things we can do that He won't do. He won't force us to put "ice" on.

Salvation in us is totally His work; we can't contribute to our salvation. But once His salvation is in us, it is our responsibility to work out that salvation. This is where we join Him in the healing process.

The spiritual disciplines of daily Bible reading, prayer, confession, listening prayer, journaling, solitude and mediation are our responsibilities.

Summer time is usually a time when we get lazy in our disciplines. But I want to encourage you to keep putting the "ice" on. If you have not engaged with God in the healing of your heart recently, there is no better time than today. In fact, I challenge you to take your spiritual exercise regiment to an even higher level this summer.

May this summer be the best summer of engaging God that you have ever had. 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, June 16

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2016

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,

"Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (‭Acts‬ ‭10:44–48‬)

Today's reading on the Gospel's flourishing among the Gentiles brings me great hope, as it must have encouraged Peter at the time. For many centuries, Jews and Gentiles had experienced sharp divisions, and God's blessings hadn't overflowed into the many nations referenced in Genesis 12 and 15, which God had prophesied over Abraham and his offspring.

Here, however, Peter has the privilege of stepping outside his comfort zone to follow God's direction. Having experienced the trance-like vision of unclean foods, God declared all people as "clean" and urged Peter to forego his natural (and culturally ingrained) skepticism to share fellowship and ultimately the Gospel with his new Gentile friends.

Without the Spirit's clear guidance – and later filling of the new Gentile believers – Peter might have doubted the validity of this calling and followed his feelings of embarassment or fears of becoming an outcast among his own people. As with us in our daily walks with Christ, the Spirt strengthened Peter to overcome his sinful nature and to view reality through eyes of faith, confirming again that the "righteous will walk by faith."

While the Spirit clearly moved in Peter's heart, He also had moved powerfully in the lives of his soon-to-be audience. Cornelius's entire household had become ready for the Spirit's words of life, spoken through Peter. The Gospel would now spread throughout the entire Gentile world, bringing tremendous growth in the coming three centuries.

As Pastor Scott has often shared, this band of ~10,000 early disciples would reach 20+ million by 312, at which point Constantine would receive Christ. In many ways, Christianity flourished in spite of – and perhaps because of – oppositions from secular authorities. These early disciples had ample opportunity and motivation to display the uniqueness of the Way of the Master. Cultural Christianity would dampen that impetus and reduce the clarity of Christ-followers' focus.

May we join together in trusting God for a similar harvest season in our day? Do we need any more evidence that people are hungry for truth and hope? Could we trust God to pour out His Spirit and bring life to a tired and broken world?

Lord God, thank You for bringing the Gospel to all people. We ask You to pour out Your Spirit in our city and region in this time. Help us to bring Your Word of life and hope, both to our homes and our community. Give us renewed strength to follow You daily. To You be all glory, honor, and praise always! In Jesus's Name, amen.

________________________________________

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2) Facebook: http://on.fb.me/tc6jkS

June 15

Psalm 133:1 

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

I read this verse and in my mind was immediately reminded of Sunday.  Sharing a meal, a Bible study, and having fellowship in the Body of Christ without being in our church building, is one of the things that comes to my mind when I think of brothers living together in unity. What mattered in Community Groups was that whatever home we were in, we were united in Christ.  Everyone was greeted by a host who opened their hearts and homes and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Living united in the Body of Christ is a unique experience and I believe Jesus wants us to expand His territory by inviting more people into our homes and reaching others.    In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus told his disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  I don't think living together in unity means we are contained within our four walls, Jesus has commissioned us to "go" and He will be with us.  I pray today that our unity starts to spreads throughout Stamford and the surrounding cities.

Randi

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

"But even before that fateful day when young Saul the Pharisee gloated over the brutal death of the innocent disciple Stephen, the Spirit of Jesus Christ was pricking his heart. God had designs for this bright young man, and in His sovereignty He was prepared to knock Saul off His high horse."

Saul.....he had it all. Privileged childhood, exceptional education and so much more. Yet as a man he became bent on the destruction of the Jews. The Lord was working on Saul from birth. The Spirit was pricking his heart, and the Lord did indeed knock Saul off his high horse. We all thank You Lord for Your servant Saul who ministered to the Gentiles.

Through the readings, I often think about how parents may prepare their children for a successful and spiritual future. No one knows what the future holds, but we hope and pray for the best. Many children have a life of comfort and opportunity, and there are others who struggle from an early age. In each and every instance, the Lord is there to help with whatever their needs may be. All they have to do is invite God into their lives.

I often wonder if this is why we may choose Biblical names for our children. When choosing a name, I did consider fathers and grandfathers, but ultimately, names chosen for my children were pretty much all from the apostles. Perhaps even from their birth, I was hoping for the Lord to prick their hearts and work in them to become refined as followers of Jesus. Lord, be they sons or daughters, we know that You have designs for all of our children since before they were born. Lord, thank You for Your perfect will in our lives and the lives of our children. May they turn out to be more like Saul/Paul than we could ever have imagined. To You alone Lord be the glory!

June 13: Of leaving it all in the pool

1 Kings 11:1-12:19

Acts 9:1-25

Psalm 131:1-3

Proverbs 17:4-5

At home, we talk a lot about finishing strong.  We think it is important.  Finishing strong can take many forms - studying hard into the early morning for a test, working hard all week on a project, doing all you can to achieve the best possible outcome.  Our middle child swims, and we have a term for it there - we ask "did you leave it in the pool?" - which means, did you expend all your energy during the race that you didn't have the strength to pull yourself out at the finish?  If you did, then you finished strong.  Well done.

Sadly, Solomon didn't finish strong.  I don't know what got to him - his fame?  his wealth?  his power?  But something got to him, and he let go of the Lord and His commandments.  He had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines [my mind just did a Windows 10 at the thought, and froze].  Many of them were foreign born - precisely the women God told Israel not to marry - and rather than stamp out their beliefs, he permitted them the exercise of their religion (in the name of tolerance, perhaps?) and those beliefs corrupted his.  And he died, apparently having forsaken the Lord - sort of like coming to a stop in the middle of the pool, rather than finishing hard to the wall.  And most of the kingdom was ripped from his family's hands.  

Now it is very easy to get all huffy and self righteous about Solomon, but the truth of the matter is, I am far more like him than I am my son when he swims hard to the wall.  See if you're like me, you start with the best of intentions - "this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!"  and "I will wait upon the Lord" and  I promise to "be still and know that He is God."  Then the day starts, and I lose focus.  Or I get angry.  Or I get frustrated.  And the rejoicing, the waiting, the being still...all that disappears, and I find myself in the middle of the pool, no hard push to the wall.  

The good news is that, no matter how far away away from the wall we stop, no matter how far we stray from God, He knows where to find us...and He knows how to bring us back to Him.  My parents will attest to the fact I was (am?) a difficult case...but I think I am nowhere near as hard a case as Saul was.  And as we can see from today's NT reading, God reached into the middle of the pool, pointed Saul in the right direction, and gave him the strength to start swimming, to finish hard.

Father - we confess our Solomonic weakness.  As you did with Saul, do whatever it takes that we might once again face the right direction, and give us the energy to start up again, and to finish each task You give us, each day You give us, this life You give us, strong.

Saturday, June 11, 2016

June 11, 2016

[Keesha Sullivan]

I love receiving gifts, whether it's for a birthday, Christmas or just because. When I am given a gift, it makes me feel loved. It means the person took the time to think about me. Jesus provided us with one of the best, most powerful gifts ever given to any human being. He gave us a gift that would bless His generation and every generation to come. He gave us the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives us everything that we need to overcome every trial, tribulation and hurt that we may encounter during this life. He gives us the supernatural power to forgive those that have deeply hurt us. He gives us the love to love those that hate us and persecute us. He even gives us the power to be obedient to God's will when there is incredible temptation to satisfy our fleshly desires.

In the reading today, Stephen used this Gift to do the unthinkable. As people filled with hate and fury gnashed their teeth at him and pelted him with rocks, he forgave them and was filled with love for them. It says, "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God…While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' (Acts 7: 55, 59, and 60).

Can you imagine that? Stephen was looking in the face of men that absolutely despised him with every fiber of their being – that were literally murdering him – and he said, "God, please forgive them. I love them." Wow! I have a hard time loving people that give me a mean, hateful look or forgiving a person that simply put me down and made me feel less than. I will never do what Stephen did using the natural power that I possess. In order for me to overcome and to attain the level of love and forgiveness that Stephen so freely shared, I must receive and use the gift of the Holy Spirit.

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (Matthew 19:26) Because we are children of the Most High God and Jesus gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit, we have the power to overcome the world. We can have victory in every situation. There is nothing too hard for God!

Lord, we thank You for giving us the best gift we could ever receive. Thank You for the Holy Spirit. Thank You that He is with us and that He helps us through whatever trial we may face. Thank You that we can have the victory in every circumstance of life. We love You and adore You! You are truly the best Heavenly Father we could ever hope for. We need You. In Jesus's name. Amen.

June 10

Acts 7:48 However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men.

Yet last year Christians spend 284 billion dollars in keeping church buildings maintained and functional. But the truth from this verse is, the Lord is not more present at Grace Church than at your dining room table. Yet the dining room table is rarely thought of as an effective tool in sharing God's love.    

In our anti-Christian culture, church buildings are viewed with skepticism and even disdain. The church is thought to be filled with judgmental and hypocritical people, who are only concerned about getting into your wallet.

So why don't we change things up and use our dining room tables for ministry?  One of the best ways to love your neighbor is to eat a meal with them. The early church grew immensely for the first 300 years without one church building. So should we sell the property at 241 Courtland Ave?  No, there are still ways to redeem this location, but make no mistake about how strategic your dining room table is.

When I look at cultural changes in Christianity over the past generation, this is, by far, one of the greatest changes. Christians rarely practice hospitality anymore.

As we think through ministry for the future, how about opening your home to people? It could be a group of our young people, college students, Chinese students from UCONN, or just some neighbors you would like to hang out with. You don't have to put out a seven-course meal, just keep it simple. But take the risk and realize that Jesus is living in your home. And when you invite people to sit at your dining room table, Jesus is sitting there with you.

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, June 9

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016

"Unless the Lord builds the house ,

 its builder labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

 the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127:1,2)

These readings touch on Solomon's building of the Temple, and these verses from Psalm 127 neatly summarize the truth behind human vs. godly efforts. We might see this awesome cathedral for worshipping God as perhaps the chief of Solomon's great achievements, but it only came about through a spirit of submission to God's purposes.

Often, when we approach a situation, we turn our minds to figuring out the best solution through reason. I find it particularly challenging not to exercise this skill when listening to others; many people have a built-in desire to solve problems! Clearly, we understand that God has granted us wisdom, but, rightly applied, this wisdom should lie underneath His sovereign authority and direction.

Psalm 127:1,2 point to the vanity of seeking great things without God. Should God desire to become involved in a project, it will succeed according to His purposes and will. The Proverbs urge us to "submit" our plans to Him, meaning that we should first look for direction before moving ahead. We could ask such questions as: "How would You have us honor You with this project? Lord, how may we bring about Your best for Your people?" This submittedness brings freedom and strength, as we look to carry out God's purposes in an ambassador capacity. There is no greater calling!

If we exclude Him from our planning and problem-solving, however, we have no guarantee of success. Indeed, our human sinful nature and the world's decaying qualities often thwart our efforts. This pattern, I believe, ought to draw us back to seeking God wholeheartedly instead of just building up frustration.

On another note, we may not have opportunity to build a cathedral as Solomon did. Nonetheless, we may pour into the lives of others and serve in an honorable way in our work. For many years, several of my college classmates maintained a site called "Building Cathedrals," in which they blogged about the godly calling of motherhood and their efforts in building human cathedrals through discipling their children. What a great vision for life!

To what efforts has God called you in your life? How may you submit them into God's sovereign authority? What cathedrals would you like to see God build into the lives of others?

Lord God, thank You for creating us for Yourself. Thank You for giving us opportunities to serve You and honor You. Bring our minds into focus as to how we may best submit our efforts into Your hands and live completely for Your purposes. To You be all glory, honor, and praise always! In Jesus's Name, amen.

June 7

1 Kings 3:9

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.  For who is able to govern this great people of yours?  The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.

I have to admit, if God asked me for "whatever you want Me to give you", I'm not sure a discerning heart would be my first choice. There you have it.  My selfishness right out there.  Forgive me Lord.  When we look at the verse though, this is what pleased God.  Solomon didn't ask God to take the task away, or do his job for him, he asked God for wisdom. Solomon considered himself a little child, not knowing how to carry out his responsibilities. James 1:5 tells us "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him"  Wisdom is more than just knowledge, it knowing how to use it and make decisions. As we read on, we learn that after He gave Solomon wisdom, everything else he needed and could ever ask for followed.  So here we have it. The Kingdom principle Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:31-33 "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well".  God knows our needs.  He also knows our hearts and when we seek to serve Him first, He is pleased.  Lord I pray that when we kneel before You today we ask for wisdom and discernment to get through each situation we are facing.  I pray by the power of Your Holy Spirit You bless us with knowledge beyond our understanding so just as Solomon we will distinguish between right and wrong according to Your Kingdom principles.




Randi

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

June 7, 2016

Acts 5:38-42

38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Proverbs 16:35

There is a way that appears to be right,

but in the end it leads to death.

The passages from Acts and Proverbs intertwine. The apostles rejoiced after suffering disgrace for the Name of the Lord. If not for their continued efforts to spread the Word, many of us would not enjoy the gift of everlasting life that has been passed down through the ages. The Good Word has been spreading for a very long time. And it is as the Pharisee named Gamaliel stated. If the activity is of human nature, then it will fail, but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men. Proverbs brings to light the fact that our human ways seem to be right to us, but if we do not follow God's Word, plan, teachings, our plans certainly lead to spiritual death.

If it is God's way, it is the Good way!! Peace be with you all.

June 6: Of battles not fought and promises fulfilled

1 Kings 1:1-53

Acts 4:1-37

Psalm 124:1-8

Proverbs 16:24

God has yet to grant Solomon the gift of wisdom, but already there is a lot to learn.  Let's put ourselves in his shoes...his dad, the king, told him he would inherit the throne.  So he's living a good and upright life, but it would be unrealistic to think he didn't at all look forward to when he would ascend the throne.  I can't imagine he was unaware of the risk to siblings of a vindictive royal successor.  So he's happy, his dad is king, and he's waiting for the crown to pass to him.

And then his brother, Adonijah, sees David is ill, and takes matters into his own hands, hoping to present his father, his brother and all of Israel with a fait accompli.  He enlists chariots, horses and fifty men to run ahead of him, he solicits the support of important people, he acts as though he has been anointed king by offering sacrifices in abundance, and he holds a coronation party to which he invites various dignitaries and all his other brothers.  All his other brothers, that is, except Solomon.  Who is probably getting a bit worried by now that his brother is making a move, and his brother is unlikely to leave loose ends in his pursuit of the throne.  

So what does he do?  Does he confront his brother, pick a fight, defend his inheritance?  Nope - he turns to his father.  His mother, Bathsheba, entreats David, implores him to remember his promise.  She doesn't demand that David make Solomon king - she merely reminds David of his promise to Solomon.  And she gets others to do so as well - so Nathan goes in to remind David of the same thing.  Again, he doesn't demand...he merely reminds David of his promises.  

We know how it turns out.  David doesn't fight a battle with Adonijah - he merely confirms and effects his promise, and he proclaims Solomon king, demonstrating how powerless Adonijah was all along.  And all of Adonijah's posturing, all his sacrifices, all the support he had - all of it was worth nothing, for nothing.  And Solomon?  Well, he didn't have to do anything, he didn't have to fight for anything, for his father's promises to come to fruition.

We have a Father far greater than David.  And He has made us - each and every single one of us - many promises.  To prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future, among other things.  He has promised us peace, because He has "overcome the world".  They are there, enumerated, in His Word.  And we don't have to fight to receive them - all we have to do is turn to Him and remind Him of these promises...and we can have even greater faith than Solomon did that our God will fulfill His promises.

Thank You, God, for Your faithfulness, that we need not worry nor fret, we need not struggle nor fight - that all we need to do is turn to You for the fulfillment of Your promises.  

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Saturday, June 4, 2016

[Keesha Sullivan]

        When I was a child, I use to think that becoming a Christian would wash my troubles away. I believed that I would be happy all the time and that God would not allow me to experience any suffering. It wasn't until a preacher explained John 16:33 that I understood that I would have to suffer in this world.  In John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!"

        In our reading today, I felt as though David had a clear understanding of suffering. He had been through traumatic events that would have crushed most people. He didn't get angry at the Lord because of his suffering, but rather David praised Him for strength in the midst of the turmoil and ultimately deliverance. We read in 2 Samuel 22:1, 41, 44 that "David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies…" David sang, "You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight…You have delivered me from the attacks of my people; you have preserved me as the head of nations."

        Like He did for David, God arms us with strength when we feel weak. He makes our enemies turn from us and flee. God delivers us from all of our troubles. I am thankful that even though I have and will face some really tough times that God will be there. God will give me strength to endure the trials and tribulations when I feel as though I just can't do it. God will make my enemies flee before my eyes and He will deliver me from every trouble that I face. Life will always be challenging, but knowing that God will be there gives me courage to face whatever challenge may come.

        Lord, we praise You because You are our great and mighty Deliverer. You have infinite wisdom, strength, and love. You made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You are more than mighty to save. You are awesome, and we stand in awe of You. Thank You for promising to be with us through every difficult circumstance we may face. Thank You for letting us know that You have overcome the world and that there is nothing too hard for You. Please help us to turn to You in praise and faith knowing that You will deliver us. We love You so much God. Thank You so, so, so much for giving us courage to face today, tomorrow, and all of the days that lay ahead of us. In Jesus's name. Amen

June 3

Psalm 121 

 

I suffer from "white coat syndrome." As much as 20 percent of the population also suffers from this. This syndrome occurs when I step into a doctor's office. To me it feels like I am walking into a lion's den. My blood pressure surges, my heart rate goes up and my hands get cold and clammy.  This is an apparent incongruity in my life, because I will verbally tell you that I trust the Lord in every situation. Yet, I still worry.

 

I only wish that all of my worries were confined to the doctor's office. I find myself anxious over the future of Grace Church, the direction our country is headed in, my family and decisions I need to make daily. I guess you could call this my worry list.

 

But it doesn't match up with the Psalm we read today. Psalm 121

 

"I lift up my eyes," David was looking at the Lord not his problems. I tend to look at the problems much more.

 

"Where does my help come from?" From me, my strategies, my power?   No, my help comes from the Lord. God is willing to be known as "the help." That is fantastic.

 

"He watches," is used six times in these verses. The truth is God is my watcher and I am the watchee.  He is watching over me today. He is also watching over you.

 

"The sun and the moon will not harm me," that is pretty comprehensive, day and night I am protected.

 

"He will not let my foot slip." That happens a lot in life. When we stay on the right path there is security. Kathie and I were hiking at Kent Falls a few years ago and we saw a sign that said, "Stay off of the Slippery Rocks."  Arrogant people think they can walk anywhere without slipping. That is a lie from the evil one. Stay on the pathway God designs and your foot will never slip.

 

"The Lord is my shade," that means He is right by my side. Even as I type these words, He is in the office with me. So in the end I have nothing to worry about either in the doctor's office or the church office. God is in control. Nothing will happen today that escapes His knowledge and His divine plan. I trust in his sovereign design for my life and His immutable will. I have nothing to worry about, and neither do you.

 

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, June 2

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

 

“Better a little with righteousness

    than much gain with injustice.” (Proverbs 16:8)

 

“How much better to get wisdom than gold,

    to get insight rather than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16)

 

 

In the Proverbs, Solomon often speaks of the great value of intangible wisdom and implies how our connection with the Living God stands above any earthly benefits that we might experience.

 

I recently began reading The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, an exploration on the Bible’s teaching from the 17th-century pastor Jeremiah Burroughs.  The author highlights how our contentment in Christ comes not from having “more,” but rather in having everything in Christ.  The words from this book, written almost 400 years ago, ring true even today.  Burroughs argues that God’s outpoured grace prepares us both to experience contentment and to become well-equipped for service:  “the more any gracious heart can bring itself to be in a contented disposition, the more fit it is for any service of God.  And just as a contented heart is very active and busy in the work of God, so he is very active and busy in sanctifying God's name in the affliction that befalls him.”  Instead of wallowing in affliction, we must “be active in sanctifying God’s name in the affliction.”  His active grace calls us to action, even in affliction.

 

Paul extols the “opposite” blessings in serving our King:  “Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way:  in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”  We do possess everything – in Christ.

 

As we journey through life, we require God’s wisdom and insight.  The knowledge of this world will fail us, but God’s loving presence and living Word will not.  How are you doing in growing in wisdom?  We may believe that we’ve finished our “education,” having graduated to “real life.”  Yet, we also recognize that we have many areas in which we may grow more into the image of Christ.  Have you found yourself overwhelmed recently?  How could you have benefited from or applied the wisdom in these Proverbs in that moment?

 

I leave you with a great reflection on God’s ever-present faithfulness even in difficult moments from Kari Jobe called “I Am Not Alone”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfveawSAHJA.

 

 

Lord God, thank You for creating us for Yourself.  Thank You that Your wisdom has formed the heavens and brought the earth into form.  Thank You that You never leave us and that, in Your Son, we have everything.  Empower us to bring glory to You and blessings to others through Your all-sufficient grace.  Enlighten our minds and hearts with Your wisdom and insight so that we may stay the course, even in tough times.  To You be all glory, honor, and praise always!  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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June 1

2 Samuel 18:18

 During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King's Valley as a monument to himself

The whole account of David's life and lineage is pretty mind boggling, but this one verse really stood out to me today.  The motive driven by the spirit of pride is a theme we encounter a lot and here it is again.  I have to be honest, when I read it I felt convicted.  Haven't we all at some point taken credit for ourselves, worshiped our own efforts, and fed into our own egos?  Having fell into this trap more times than I'd like to admit, I tried to point it out to Steven in an attempt help him avoid falling into the same trap.  He has found a passion in playing music.  The Stamford High Marching Band played the National Anthem at Citifield on Friday night, led the parade downtown on Sunday, and has other musical highlights.  As we were talking about the events and I saw him get caught up in the excitement, I looked at him and said "Play for an Audience of One....Always".  Like many others before him, Absalom took his eyes off of God.  Proverbs 16:18 tells us "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall".   It's one of the easiest traps to fall into.  I pray for all of us today, that wherever we are and whatever we are doing, we do it for an Audience of One.

Randi