Feb. 31

Matthew 20:32

Jesus stopped and called them.  "what do you want me to do for you?"  he asked.

As a teacher I often have kindergartners come up to me with a blank gaze expecting me to read their minds.  I know what they need, whether it be a jacket zipped, help with tying shoes, or opening the snack that was sent from home, but I want them to be able to identify, say, and express what they want me to do.  Sometimes they ask me to do things that they can actually do themselves, other times, they do really need help.  When I read this, I couldn't help but think that Jesus knew the men were blind, the passage identified them as "two blind men".  They cried out for mercy, but Jesus asked "what do you want me to do".  Their request went beyond just asking for mercy, they really were asking for healing. I wonder sometimes when I pray if I am asking Him as Lord to do something that with a little discipline I can do myself, or am I truly asking for the impossible miracle that brings Him glory and shows His sovereignty over everything, including my life. Like would he change those places in my heart that I selfishly hold on to and make me look more like someone who walks with Jesus like a disciple. Would He reveal to me where I haven't fully trusted Him. That's what I would want Him to do for me.   I've been listening to this song by Micah Tyler " Different".  The more I listen to it, the more different I long to be. Lord, "I want to be different, I want to be changed till all of me's gone, and all that remains, is a fire so bright, the whole world can see, that there's something different, so come and be different in me"  So if Jesus were to ask you, "what do you want me to do", how would you answer?

Randi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q398zYE0kzU

Tuesday's post

Exodus 10:1-12:13
Matthew 20:1-28

Psalm 25:1-15a
Proverbs 6:6-11

Last week, I spent some time with middle school students talking about the Bible. They had fantastic questions about how the different books of the Bible connect. We talked about how The Bible is a unified collection of books that all point to Jesus. There are few passages that provide a more stunning foreshadowing of Jesus, the Lamb of God, than this passage in Exodus.

The Israelites are instructed to cover their doorposts with the blood of a lamb with no defect or blemish. This will be the sign to the Lord to pass over. Israel's only hope for salvation was to be under the blood. Their own worthiness and righteousness was of no value to them. It provided no covering or rescue. Their salvation came through the blood of the lamb.

As believers, we know the beauty of a Gospel that rests totally on God's initiative and his provision of Jesus' sacrifice to bring us into right relationship with Him.

"This is all my hope and peace, nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my righteousness, nothing but the blood of Jesus."

bible blog Monday January 29th

A Prayer For Where I Lack  (Ps. 24:1-2,5-6,8-10  Matthew 19:17,20,26)

 

Lord you are the King of Glory.  You are the creator and master of all that is in and of the Earth.  From you we receive all things; we receive blessings, strength, grace and forgiveness.  Our salvation comes from you the one and only true good God.

 

Lord I seek to live a life that is a blessing to you and to others.  I desire to live in the joy of the Lord through obedience to you.  Every day I seek to know you more and to live a faithful life worthy of being called your child. 

 

Lord "What do I still lack"?  As the rich man asked you in Matthew 19, I too need to ask this of myself.  Reveal to me what is lacking in my faith.  Bring to light the stumbling blocks to my trust in you.  Make me aware of anything that I have put before you in any and all areas of my life.  Help me to know what I still lack in my walk and relationship with you.  I do not want to be hindered but to live a life that is free and full and joy-filled and that brings the glory due to the King of Glory.

 

Being aware is only the beginning of what I need to grow in my faith.  Lord, once you make me aware I need you to be the strength I know I often lack.  You are the Lord strong and mighty and with you all things are possible.  With you I will be able to not just be made aware of what I lack but I will be given all that I need to persevere, overcome, and be made stronger.  I will be a light that shines brighter for you.

 

So I take time now Lord to seek you, to ask you to reveal to me what I have been lacking in my faith, my walk, my obedience.  Bring it into the light so I may see, and give me the wisdom and strength I need to move forward in obedience. 

 

Thank you lord for being a God who loves me, who never leaves me, and who is there to provide where I lack.

 

Amen

January 28, 2018

"But Moses said to the Lord, "Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?...You are to say everything I command you " Exodus 5: 30, 7:1

What a difference between talking to someone who is connected to God, and someone who doesn't know God. Before I became a Christian I used to evaluate someone's words by their level of education, social status, profession. Now I think about whether or not that particular person knows Jesus, and what effect their words have on me.

"For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks" Matthew 12:34. Many times, I found myself spiritually unwell, after reading a text message or simply chatting with someone. The commanding voice in a person's heart can empower their words. If the loudest voice in a person's life, is fear, worry, control, their words will have the same taste.  These idols can hide behind great speeches and well intended advises. "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."   James 3:6

It took me a long while to understand that while setting boundaries over my body and my possessions is important, it is equally important to protect my emotional and mental space. What voices, words, opinions, and affirmations do I allow in?  "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

Faltering= speak in an hesitant or unsteady voice, or in a way that shows lack of confidence

God didn't care that Moses was not coherent in his speech. It's not the length of a speech or the manner of a speech that truly matters, but the source of the words.  In my own life, many times, a simple text message or a quick prayer from a Christ follower was able to change my entire emotional state. A voice that is connected to God and speaks what God commands, can lead an entire nation out of the slavery. Moses proves that to be true.

Lord, help us to stay connected to You, so our words, and our speech may be channels for Your plans and for Your vision. Lord, help us to understand that it's not our tone of voice, our accent, our coherence that matters, but the ability to connect with you and to speak You.

 

 

 

 

 

January 27: Of Divine Mercy and Persistence, and Our Transformation

Exodus 4:1-5:21

Matthew 18:1-20

Psalm 22:19-31

Proverbs 5:15-21

Moses sure wasn't a quick study.  Let's see what's happened so far:

• God appears to him in a talking, burning bush that will not burn up?  Check.
• God turns his staff into a snake, and turns it back into a staff? Check. 
• God turns Moses's hand leprous, then heals it?  Check.

One would think that all that would have established God's bona-fides with Moses.  But when God then goes and tells Moses to delivery His message to Pharaoh, what does Moses say?

In the Philippines, we have a saying: "Pag gusto, maraming paraan.  Pag ayaw, maraming dahilan" which translates to "Those who want, find ways; those who don't, find excuses."  Despite all God had shown Moses, he still didn't want to do what God asked - so he finds an excuse: "I am not eloquent."  And when God insists, and says He's got this, Moses flat out refuses: "Please send someone else."

Thankfully, God is merciful and persistent.  And Moses goes.  But his actions appear to cause more trouble for the Israelites, inconsistent with God's declared intentions.  Can you imagine what was going through Moses's head when the Israelite overseers told him "May the Lord look on you and judge you!  You ave made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his official and have put a sword in their hand to kill us"?

We know how this story ends.  But it seemed worth remembering that, at that point, Moses didn't.  This was a man who so very recently had demonstrated how little He knew, and trusted God.  At this point, it is entirely possible he had the choice to cut and run.  Go back to Jethro and say something like "yeah, family's fine . We're good.  I'm back."  But, to his credit, Moses didn't.  When it seemed God's plans were going to lead to tremendous hardship and difficulty, Moses did something out of character: he persisted in God's will.  

I think every single one of us who has found ourselves afraid and frustrated, who has tried to follow God and failed, can take comfort in the story of a similarly flawed man whose stubbornness finally gave way to obedience in the face of a persistent and merciful God. 

Father, neither give up on us, nor relent in Your plans for us.  Instead, may your persistence and mercy break us out of the cocoon of stubbornness and sinfulness, that we might grow in obedience and submission, to Your will and for Your purposes.

January 26: Because I love basketball and couldn't resist...

Friday January 26 (part 2, with all due respect to our Friday blogger Pastor Scott Taylor...). I just couldn't resist.

Exodus 3:19-23

Old time basketball fans (and even some of the younger ones) might remember the name Larry Bird. One of the things those who followed him closely know is that he was one of the worst (best?) trash talkers in the NBA. Why? Because he would tell you how he was going to make the shot WHILE you were guarding him, and then do it exactly that way.

[An example: from a FoxSports story..."Seattle's Xavier McDaniel was once guarding Bird when Larry explained to him on the court, "I'm going to get the ball right here and I am going to shoot it right in your face." Bird got the pass, found the spot he told McDaniel he would and then buried the shot. "I didn't mean to leave two seconds on the clock," Bird told McDaniel after the bucket.]

He was so good people started to believe him, because their eyes were opened to what he was doing, game after game, night after night. Before that shot, X-Man was probably thinking "Yeah, right...in my face? No way." You can bet the next time X-Man tried to guard him, when Bird talked, X believed him. Because he'd gotten to know Bird, up close and personal.

Moses didn't yet know God that way. So in Exodus 3:19-23, when God told Moses exactly what He was going to do to the Egyptians Moses had fled in fear, Moses struggled to believe Him. He must have been thin, king something along the lines of "Yeah, right...freedom...AND plunder? No way." We all know how that story turned out, and how Moses came to believe. How he got to know God, up close and personal.

Father, open our eyes to what you are doing in our lives, day after day, night after night. Help us get to know You, up close and personal. So that, like Moses, we might no longer doubt, we might only believe.

Thursday, January 25

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018

In today's reading, we encounter Jesus's poignant call to discipleship:  "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.  What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?  Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?  For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.'" (Matthew 16:24-27)

According to Jesus, proper discipleship means an all-encompassing surrender to God's purposes—losing our lives so that we may gain His.  This self-abnegation leads to eternal rewards, but we won't see the benefit if we remained mired in mundane thinking.  We need the quickening of our minds from the Holy Spirit to gain that eternal perspective that frees us to experience the life that is truly life.  Have you received a glimpse of this eternal vision?

Looking at another part of today's reading, we find the Egyptian midwives, who willfully disobeyed Pharaoh and protected the Hebrew babies.  They were willing to face grave danger themselves in shielding the vulnerable children from senseless death.  Their testimony of faithfulness may have influenced Moses, too, who took significant risk in order to stand in the gap for his people, the Israelites.

For what or for whom are you living in 2018?  How may you invest in loving God and loving people this year?  What support do you need to make that happen?  Whom could you encourage along the way?

Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching us the truth that giving our lives away brings true life.  Give us the courage to surrender what little we have to receive the riches of knowing You and experiencing Your presence forever.  Draw the eyes of our hearts to Your eternal perspective.  In Your Name, amen.

January 26

Psalm 22

The phrase, "the dark night to the soul" was first used by Saint John of the Cross in the 18^th century. He coined it in a poem and it represents the hardships and difficulties the soul meets in our journey through life. This term is used for the spiritual crisis that occurs in our lives when we are spiritually dry and disconnected from God.

Every person will experience a "dark night of the soul" sometime during life. When that day arrives, our faith becomes weak, our hearts are filled with doubts, our hope disappears and life becomes very bleak.

Usually the issue that arises during this "dark night" is doubting the goodness of God. Why is God silent? Why doesn't God do something? Why doesn't God stop the pain? Many have become so disappointed in him that they just give up on any belief in his goodness and power.

What should we do when we find ourselves in this place?  Turn to Psalm 22.  This is the greatest of all the Messianic Psalms. For those who deny the inspiration of the Bible and the deity of Christ, this chapter stands like the Rock of Gibraltar against their assaults. Some say it is only an expression of David as he went through a difficult time. But there is no record that David ever endured this kind of rejection, scorn and violence. David wrote of something that was more than his own experience. He wrote about Jesus and his agony on the cross. God gave him a glimpse of the coming Messiah and his suffering and glorification.  And all of this was written 900 years before the birth of Christ. Hundreds of years before crucifixion was even invented, God gave David this glimpse into the Messiah's "dark night of the soul."

Here is how the chapter starts: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

These were the words Jesus spoke on the cross. If Jesus could experience this, it is certainly possible for you and me to. The tension between our experience and our beliefs can cause us to doubt God. Feelings of abandonment and being utterly forsaken can happen to any person.  When this feeling appears in our hearts, it is not time to put on a pretending, faking or happy face. In honest and truthful words we need to pour out our hearts to God, tell him what we are feeling and the pain we are going thorough and even express our doubts.  Every devout Jew memorized Psalm 22 for times of great distress and darkness. When they couldn't get a prayer out, this psalm was recited. 

The "dark night of the soul" is a terrible place to be. But it will happen in your life. When it does, remember that Jesus knows your loneliness. Jesus knows your darkness. You are not suffering alone. He feels your pain. Our God is a God who is acquainted with suffering. You can talk to Him; He understands

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

January 24

Psalm 20

Our first step to victory in spiritual warfare is to trust only in the mercy and grace of God, all who trust in themselves will be defeated.  David knew this.  I'm not sure where he was when this was written, but David expresses that he knew the only true power of his nation was not in the weapons they had to fight with but in the weapon they had in praise and in worship. The principle still applies and is the case in every conflict we find ourselves in with our spiritual enemies. Paul teaches us in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of the dark world. When we are in conflict and we pray in the Name, the Spirit, and the power of Christ, Jesus fights the battle for us. If you're in a battle, find the truth, and your strength in the Scriptures and pray in Jesus' Name. As when David wrote this Psalm, as it is now, so will this will be at the last day, (whenever that is),  when the world and the prince of it, shall be brought down and defeated. King Jesus wins.  We, as believers, shall stand, and sing His praises in heaven. As David trusted and rejoiced in God, I pray that we continually trust and rejoice in the salvation and victory we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. Start singing and praising Him today.

Randi

Blog post Tuesday the 23rd

Written by Chuck Goulart 

As I read through today's verses I was amazed at how the old testament section of Genesis 46:1-47:31 was a great family reunion. I like picking golden nuggets while reading Gods word. Thoughts, insights, aha moments that I can incorporate into my day and my life. In this section of Genesis we see Jacob now Israel gathering his family 70 strong to head for Egypt to be reunited with Joseph. What an awesome meeting that must have been! Then they settled in at Goshen, but Josephs work was not done, since the famine continued. Joseph's wisdom not only preserved Egypt and it's people with God given wisdom. It also looks like the first evidence of property and federal income tax.

*What nuggets I took from this is:*
*1. Be content with your circumstances and your calling.*
*2. At times God can be slow at fulfilling His promises. *
*3. This life we are given here on Earth is just a pilgrimage.*
*4. God is always in control.*

I was even more blown away with the the rest of the reading. I highlighted some verses:

*Matthew 15:17-20*
you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and
then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a persons
 mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come
evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony,
slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands
does not defile them.

In these verses in Matthew, Jesus reminds us that we are surrounded by the
worlds trash and all within it which we consume every day. Some of which is
unavoidable such as the workplace, and in open public places. Then there is
the trash we let in through media, our foolish electronic devices, GOOGLE
and so much more. Yet it is not what goes in, but what we allow to sway our
thoughts and minds then ultimately our hearts. The end result is what comes
out of our mouth is what sheds light on how deeply the world impacts our
relationship with Christ. What comes out of our mouths is what needs to be
closely examined because it reflects whats in our hearts.

*Psalm 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my hear, be
pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.*
In this Psalm verse it is so clear. Have you found your whisper spot? To go
and think, ponder, consider what God is saying to you?

Proverbs 4:14-19
*14  Do not set foot on the path of the wicked    or walk in the way of
evildoers.15  Avoid it, do not travel on it;    turn from it and go on your
way.16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;    they are robbed of sleep
till they make someone stumble.17 They eat the bread of wickedness    and
drink the wine of violence.*18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day. *19 But the way of the wicked is like

deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.*

To wrap up today's reading with this Proverb. Avoid the evils of this
world, do not let it influence your mind, and inflame the sin nature within
you which in the end will result in the old saying "garbage in garbage out"
It is not what goes in to our mouths that makes us unclean, but what comes
out of our hearts and inevitably our mouths which will make or break our
relationship with the Lord, and it can be a negative witness and testimony
for those around us who hear us talk and preach about our devotion to Jesus
but display a different devotion to the world.

Find time today to get alone with the Lord, ask Him to reveal to you those
area's where you may not be acting in a way that is pleasing to the Lord,
or ways you have allowed the worlds influences numb you to what God has
called you to do.

bible blog Monday January 22nd

A Prayer For Exercising Faith (Matthew 14:25-33 Peter walking on water)

 

 

 

With hearts humbled and eyes needing to be focused on you we come to you, Father, in prayer.  Lord, we know you are at work in this world even though sometimes it seems as if it is raging out of control around us.  It is so much easier to sit in the comfort of the familiar but, like Peter, you call us to join you on paths that are new, unknown, sometimes a bit scary, and sometimes paths that seem beyond our abilities.  Your word shows us though that faith does not grow or strengthen by sitting in what we feel is safety or familiarity.  We don't learn to trust you and look to you for all things when life feels smooth and easy all the time.  Because of your love for us, Lord, you call us out of the security of our comforts and strengths in order for us to exercise the faith we profess.  You give us an opportunity to experience your goodness, your grace, your power, your work in this often-stormy world.

 

But, Lord, when we do answer your call, when we do take steps of faith, it is easy to quickly loose focus and faith on you when challenges, difficulties, struggles, or the unexpected arise.  They cause us to focus on our weaknesses, our inabilities, our failures, our hurts, our losses, our lack.  When we allow our focus to shift off of you Lord then our faith follows and rather than remaining in you we put our faith in our own abilities and sometimes the abilities of others.  Forgive us for this Lord and lead us back to where you are. 

 

Help us to take the time to sit in the quiet and hear your call.  Give us the strength to meet you where you are and where you would have us be.  May we have eyes that remain focused on you and not the storms or challenges that can whirl around us.  May we hold firmly to our trust and faith in you Lord and be an example to others to not be afraid but rather to take steps into the unfamiliar or what might look like the impossible.  Help us to recognize that when we do this we are taking steps to exercise our faith, put it into practice so that it may grow in abundance and be a light for others.

 

Thank you Lord that you do not call us out on the waters of life alone but that you call us to join you there.  You will never leave us, you will never forsake us, you will always be there to help us.  Call us Lord, help us to hear, and give us the strength to be willing to move into the unknown today and put our faith into practice.

 

Amen

January 21, 2018

"You, o Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall" Psalm 18:28

I found myself wondering this week, why everything in the news has to be so negative, and filled with so much fear? The other morning, in less than 5 minutes, I was informed about the chaos in Hawaii generated by a false nuclear alarm, a mother crying over her son's death due to the current flu, and an airplane in Turkey with more than 150 people on board, hanging off a cliff, about to plunge into the sea. The next day, as I was passing the TV room, I heard a woman crying over her sister's death during a c-section.

My first reaction was anger and frustration, why can't they show something positive? Upon reflection, I reminded myself how important it is to choose God, His Word over the world's wisdom. It is a choice. It doesn't mean that I need to be oblivious about what is happening around me, but I can only assess and ingest that correctly, if I first spend time with God, so close that I can hear His whisper. When I feel overwhelmed by the loud voice of the world, I need to take refuge in the Lord.

 I love this passage from the devotional, Jesus Calling. "Therefore, you don't need to be afraid of anything- not even cataclysmic circumstances. The media are increasingly devoted to fear-inducing subject matter: terrorism, serial killers, environmental catastrophes. If you focus on such dangers and forget that I am your Refuge in all circumstances, you will become increasingly fearful. Every day I manifest My grace in countless places and situations, but the media take no notice. I shower not only blessings but also outright miracles on your planet."

There are indeed so many miracles happening. How do I get to see them, besides spending time with God and His Word? I think gratitude is the key for seeing miracles. It's first, a great cure for negativity. We can't practice negativity and gratitude at the same time. It's like an eyeglass cleaner; it helps us to see well. "God gave you a gift of 86, 400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you'?" William Arthur Ward. There are indeed so many things around us that we can choose to be grateful for.

Lord, help us to keep our focus on you. Help us to remember that no matter what the world around us tells us, no matter how many Superman and Wonder Woman Hollywood produces, You are our strength and you are the only one who can truly make us go against a troop, and scale walls. Help us to trust in You.

January 20: Of Singleminded Focus

Genesis 41:17-42:17

Matthew 13:24-46

Psalm 18:1-15

Proverbs 4:1-6

Let's review what Joseph's been through, shall we?  His father's favorite, living a bit of a privileged life, he saw his brothers plot to kill him, then sell him into slavery instead (small comfort, that!).  He's sold to a master whom he serves diligently, a master who promotes him to his right hand, and entrusts all he has to Joseph…a master whose wife then asks Joseph to betray his master, her husband by sleeping with him - and when Joseph refuses, falsely accuses him of rape, and gets her husband to throw Joseph in prison.

Even there, though, Joseph does not appear to be bitter; even there he lives uprightly, serving the jailer, and the interpreting his prison mates' dreams, asking of one of them nothing more than a good word to Pharaoh.  That prison mate - the cup bearer - promptly forgets…for TWO YEARS! - and remembers only when Pharaoh himself has a dream no one else can interpret.

This is where we find ourselves: Joseph called out of prison to interpret Pharaoh's dreams.  If we were in Joseph's shoes, what would we be thinking right about now?  I am pretty sure that, when Pharaoh told me is dream and it became apparent to me God had revealed to me what it meant, I would have bargained with Pharaoh - interpretation for a pardon, maybe lost wages, maybe even a little payback for Potiphar and his lying wife.  Because I can tell you, at that moment, all my anger, all the injustice I'd suffered, all the time I'd lost - all of that would be coming to mind, manifesting itself in a rage.  

Joseph does no such thing.  He volunteers the interpretation freely.  And when it becomes apparent someone is going to have to deal with the coming famine, he doesn't even put himself up for the job.  "And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt."  Not "and now let Pharaoh put me, the guy who figured this out, in charge…". No, Joseph's only thought at that point is to make God's will known to the man before him.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Could he have known he would shortly hear Pharaoh say "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt"?  Could he have known he would become second in command, without whose word "no one will lift hand or foot in all of Egypt"?  I doubt it.  And I doubt it even crossed his mind.  And so because he had demonstrated an ability to focus solely on God's work, God entrusted him with so much more than he might have received had he bartered the way I would have.  

Father teach us to live as Joseph did - focused entirely on You, recognizing the treasures in the field, the pearl of great value, and focusing on only that, to the detriment, to the loss, to the sale of all else we might have.  

Thursday, January 18

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2018

33 "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."  (Matthew 12:33-37)

In this passage, Jesus speaks against the Pharisees, whose religious pride and fastidiousness to the law had caused them to become unaccountable to the Spirit behind that law.  Indeed, they trembled at Jesus's powerful testimony and the authority that He carried in Himself.

These words refer to the inner heart of each person.  Paul provides another reflection on this truth in Galatians 5:13-25, where contrasts life according to the flesh and the Spirit.  While the Pharisees would not have dared to admit it, they had chosen to live according to their flesh—but a very sanctimonious flesh at that.

Reading this passage encourages me to seek out the positive lesson.  How may we bring forth good fruit out of our lives?  Taken on the surface, we might believe that we need to make some inward change and improve our fruit-bearing ourselves.  Yet, we understand that, because of the sinful nature, we cannot really make this kind of progress.

Rather, we hunger and thirst for God's Spirit, recognizing that He alone may reshape our hearts according to God's heart.  We rest confident in the Spirit, knowing that He has the capacity to bring holiness into our lives and to make them an acceptable offering unto the Lord (Romans 12:1,2).

To whom will you submit your life today?  To the flesh?  Or to the Spirit?

If to the Spirit, may we pray together:  "Lord God, thank You for making it possible for us to bear fruit that honors You.  We submit ourselves to Your Holy Spirit.  Help us to become refashioned according to the pattern of Your Word.  Take away our anger and impatience as we trust completely in Your provision.  In Jesus's Name, amen."

January 17

Matthew 12

While we were celebrating Chanukah, my Dad asked me why Jesus' birthday is celebrated on Dec. 25th when we really don't know the exact date of His birth.  In response, I calmly acknowledged he was right and then I asked him why we eat potato pancakes on Chanukah when there's no indication of what was eaten. I gently reminded him that the festival commemorated the rededication of the second temple and according to legend the Jews had risen up against King Antiochus. Potatoes were never mentioned.  Much like the Pharisees in Jesus' day, my Dad was trying to pin me to an obscure point that is not mentioned in the Bible showing more concern about being right than understanding the relationship Jesus offers us.  Just as he missed the point, so did the Pharisees. In today's reading we see some insight into the Pharisees being more concerned about "The Law" and being traditionally correct than seeing Jesus the Messiah. The Messiah who lived among the Pharisees 2000 years ago, lives in our hearts today.  Perhaps the only way people who don't know Jesus will be by seeing Him through us. 

Randi

Tuesday blog post January 16th

Written by Rebecca Dudics

Hello all!

In today's reading, we experience Jacob's journey to gain favor with his brother. On his way, he wrestles with "a man" (could be God, could be a man sent by God, could be an angel...lots of theories out there, but don't get stuck on it). God gives him a new name: Israel, which means "May God prevail. He struggles with God". Once he meets his brother, he states that to see his face is like seeing the face of God. Esau is able to embrace Jacob.

Have you ever wrestled with God?
What was the result?

Jacob struggled with God and with humans, and he overcame. It is healthy to question God and wrestle with life's tough experiences. Often the alternative is to have a pity party, get depressed, or fail to take an active stance to get out of the situation. Jacob wrestled with God before entering the promised land. Sometimes we need to wrestle with challenges that God allows in our lives before seeing God fulfill His promises. Our questions and wrestling can lead us closer to God and we learn something about Him and His character.

I am reminded as I read the book "Whisper", that God wants us to listen to Him in order to get through these challenging experiences. What is something in your life that you are unsure of, questioning, or angry about? What is God teaching you or telling you? Be still and listen to God's response.

Oh God let us be
A generation that seeks
That seeks Your Face
Oh God of Jacob

Tuesday January 16th

Hello all!

In today's reading, we experience Jacob's journey to gain favor with his brother. On his way, he wrestles with "a man" (could be God, could be a man sent by God, could be an angel...lots of theories out there, but don't get stuck on it). God gives him a new name: Israel, which means "May God prevail. He struggles with God". Once he meets his brother, he states that to see his face is like seeing the face of God. Esau is able to embrace Jacob.

Have you ever wrestled with God?
What was the result?

Jacob struggled with God and with humans, and he overcame. It is healthy to question God and wrestle with life's tough experiences. Often the alternative is to have a pity party, get depressed, or fail to take an active stance to get out of the situation. Jacob wrestled with God before entering the promised land. Sometimes we need to wrestle with challenges that God allows in our lives before seeing God fulfill His promises. Our questions and wrestling can lead us closer to God and we learn something about Him and His character.

I am reminded as I read the book "Whisper", that God wants us to listen to Him in order to get through these challenging experiences. What is something in your life that you are unsure of, questioning, or angry about? What is God teaching you or telling you? Be still and listen to God's response.

Oh God let us be 
A generation that seeks
That seeks Your Face
Oh God of Jacob

Blog post Monday January 15th

A Prayer of Proclaiming the Whispers of God (Matthew 10:27)

 

 

Lord you are always speaking.  You speak to us in the dark, the stillness, and through whispers in our ears.  Give us ears to hear you lord.  Give us hearts that want to hear you.  Give us determination to make time to sit in the quiet shadow of your presence and to wait upon your whispers lord. 

 

We need to hear from you for guidance in our lives.  We need wisdom and understanding to mark the straight paths in the midst of the challenges that enter our day.  We need your small still voice to break through the noise of today.

 

But Lord your word helps me realize that I can often times seek to hear your voice for MY own personal benefit and gain.  I often pause to listen and hear you speak so that MY understanding grows, so that MY paths are made straight, so that MY heart is at peace.  I forget Lord that often times what you speak is not just for MY benefit but is meant for me to proclaim to OTHERS so that they too may hear, be blessed and perhaps believe.

 

You tell me to listen to your whisper in my ear and to then proclaim it.  I recognize this is a command from you lord not a suggestion.  I am not meant to horde your wisdom or guidance for myself but to proclaim it, to share it with those whom you will put into my day or perhaps with those who's day you want me to enter.

 

What an awesome opportunity we have been given by you to sit back and listen to you whisper truth and wisdom and then to be able to go and be your voice and share it with any and all who will listen.  Thank you lord.  Thank you for speaking.  Thank you for the privilege of having ears to hear your voice.  Thank you for the opportunity to proclaim your truths with the world we live in.  May we be faithful and obedient to this command today and each day that follows. 

 

Lord here I am, expectant and eager and ready to hear you speak.  Give me words of wisdom, guidance, correction, encouragement, or what have you so that I may proclaim truth to the person or people I encounter or that you lead me to today.  Speak to me and use me lord…I am listen…

January 14, 2018

"But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" Matthew 10: 19

The most frequent command in the Bible is, "do not be afraid".  This passage is just another reminder not to worry, not to be afraid, but trust that the Father will come through, no matter how frightening a situation might be.  "Do not worry about what to say or how to say it". "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6).

I am currently pregnant and very close to my due date. Having no experience with small kids, no family around, I decided to do all I can, to educate myself about birthing a child and the postpartum period. Luckily there are a tone of books, so many podcasts and plenty of classes available at the local hospitals. I started to dedicate a lot of time, reading and listening to people's stories about what it means to be with a newborn. Interestingly, the more time, I invested in the matter, the more anxious and afraid I felt. It took me a few days to realize that, I was trying to control the situation and I am simply not wired for that.

Without realizing I was trying to compose my own speech, and therefore not allow the Holy Spirit to speak. I once read that so many times we acknowledge the Holy Spirit, the way that guests in a restaurant might acknowledge a waiter. When we feel like we need something, we would summon him briefly, but for the most part we rely on methods and plans of our own devising. I believe our Father created us to trust Him and to honor him, not to take matters into our own hands. While there is nothing wrong with preparing, we cannot forget who the true Captain of our lifeboat is. He is also the One who can calm the storm, who can clear the rough waters and keep us safe.

Lord help us to trust you and to allow you to speak first into our lives! You, be the writer of our stories, and all of our speeches!

 

 

January 13: Of Jacob and Submission

Genesis 28:1-29:35

Matthew 9:18-38

Psalm 11:1-7

Proverbs 3:11-12

These days when we don't get what we thought we wanted, what we thought we were promised, we take action.  We walk away, we ship the goods back to Amazon, we sue, we walk away.  Because these days, it's all about us.  What we want.  And if we don't get it, we walk.  

It sure was different back then.  We know Jacob wanted to marry Rachel, and Rachel was willing to marry Jacob.  We have NO idea where Leah stood on the matter.  But in exchange for what he said he would do - 7 years of labor - Jacob got Leah.  And rather than take his daughter back, Laban demands Jacob give him another 7 years of labor - effectively double what he said he would give - to marry the woman he fell in love with.  

Can you imagine what would have happened if that had been today?  I am not certain, but I think there's a good chance the words "I'm outta here" would have been uttered.  And we wouldn't have had the 12 tribes of Israel.  We wouldn't have had the line that brought us to David, and then to Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Our Lord.  

I am not going to speak for anyone else, but I will say this: two characteristics Jacob has that I still lack are acceptance and submission.  Jacob had the birthright and the blessing, but he was told by his mother, and then his father, to leave for Harran.  Jacob could've married whomever he wanted back home, but he obeyed his parents and sought a wife from among his kinsfolk.  And Jacob could have been righteously furious with Laban, but he submitted himself to the decision of the father of the woman he wanted to marry.  And because he did, God continued the fulfillment of His promise to Jacob's grandfather, Abraham, and began to build the nation of Israel through Jacob.  

Submission is tough.  It gets easier with trust.  But trust is difficult as well - it gets easier when you know whom it is you trust.  But knowing is difficult too - unless one makes the effort, by spending time with them, and communicating with them.  In his book, The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren keeps reemphasizing the certainty that God created us in order to love us, and in order for us to love Him back.  And in order to love Him, God wants us to get to know Him.  So God certainly isn't going to be the impediment to our submission.  

So what can we do?  Again in the Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Warren talks about two things: constant conversation, and constant meditation.  He tells us we CAN pray constantly to God, and we CAN constantly meditate on His word.  Doing both, we will get to know Him, then trust Him...then Jacob's brand of submission will become easier.

Father, please give us the grace to take You up on Your standing invitation to get to know You, through prayer and scripture, so that we might come to trust the One, the Only One, who deserves our complete submission.

January 12

Matthew 9

Jesus was called a friend of sinners. His mission statement was, "I am a doctor for the sick and broken people of the world."  Jesus saw hurting people and responded by leaving his comfort zone and becoming their friend. The party that Jesus and his disciples went to had a lot of the "riff raff" in attendance. People like tax collectors, sinners, pimps, prostitutes, party animals and whoever was unwilling to play "goody two shoes" with the Jewish law. I still can't figure out who invited the Pharisees to this party.  Who would want to party with them?   

It is noteworthy that neither Jesus nor his disciples evidently had any great hesitation about being there. Could I speculate on what caused the Pharisees to become unhinged? I don't picture Jesus as sitting in the corner, hoping this party would quickly end; no, he was enjoying himself. I can imagine him laughing, telling stories, and playing Charades. Jesus likes people, particularly broken people. And this love for broken people ultimately led the Pharisees to make the ruckus about Jesus regularly hanging out with "these people."

I'm convinced Jesus' approach to people is as attractive as ever. Whenever the world gets a glimpse of his unconditional love, acceptance, and forgiveness, it stands on tiptoes for an unrestricted view. How many of us are comfortable being called a "friend of sinners?" If we are going to imitate our mentor, Jesus, we'd better get used to messy people and messy lives. Because messy people need a doctor and we are the ones given the task of bringing the EMS ambulance to them.

Who could you drive the Jesus EMS ambulance to today?   

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, January 11

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2018

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

(Matthew 8:23-27)

This passage provides a helpful picture of the disciples' incomplete understanding of Jesus, Whom they had decided to follow.  Indeed, they received an ongoing revelation about His character and power only over time, which created quite a few moments of amazement.  While we have the pleasure of being able to read accounts ofJesus's life and ministry in short order,  we, like the disciples, receive an ongoing revelation of our Lord's character and power as we seek and abide in Him.

Just as the disciples faced a storm in this passage, we also encounter difficulties, sufferings, and persecutions.  We may face unemployment, relational disconnects, or illnesses for ourselves or loved ones.  How often we exclaim:  "Lord, save us!  We're going to drown!"

In the beautiful song "It Is Well," a modern meditation on "It Is Well with My Soul," the author includes this precious line:  "The wind and waves still know His Name."  The song crystallizes our tendency to minimize the Lord Jesus Christ's authority over all the earth.  His sovereign control extends over all time and all circumstances.

What waves do you see today?  Or have you seen in the past?  How did God demonstrate His authority in the past?  How could you trust Him for today's challenges?

Lord God, thank You for giving us many evidences of Your sovereign control.  Help us to grow in faith and trust so that we may experience Your joy and peace.  In this very worried time and place, allow us to witness to Your sovereignty through calmness and gratitude.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

January 10th

Matthew 8

At the time when this was written, leprosy was a deadly and terrifying disease. There was no known cure and it was a highly contagious disease. Yet, when this leper begged for Jesus to heal him, Jesus reached out and touched him, and from the passage there was no indication that He gave a second thought to the sores that were all over this man's body.  Was it His divinity that made Him immune to leprosy?  My guess is yes, but what if we looked at the scenario a little deeper. What if we were to look at leprosy as we look at sin. I'm not saying that the leper sinned and that was the reason for his infirmity, but we might agree that like leprosy, there is no man made known cure for sin. It is something we all live with as we are exposed to it daily.  Perhaps Jesus wants us to know that just as His touch was the only cure for the leper, the only cure for our sin is His touch. Jesus reached out and touched the leper because the leper recognized Jesus was His only hope for healing. Once Jesus touched him, the lepers skin was restored and there were no sores.  Much like the leper, we have to reach out to the hand that is already extended to us ask Jesus to come into our lives in order to be cleansed and spiritually restored.  We have to invite Jesus into our lives and allow Him to touch our hearts and reveal to us the places that need His healing touch.  Only He can heal us from the inside out. I pray that as we go through this listening series we take time to hear His gentle whisper and invitation to accept His loving hand that is extended waiting and longing to heal the leper.

Randi

bible blog post Monday Jan 8th

A Prayer Of Focus On The Father

 

Oh Lord, reveal to me how majestic your name is in all the earth.  Show me how powerful your name is above all other names.  I desire to know and experience the majesty and power of your name in my life.  I desire for my heart to praise your majesty from a place of understanding and intimacy not just with thoughtless words or in daily routine.

 

Lord, help me to know you more by giving me wisdom.  From your mouth I seek knowledge and understanding, for your word promises that through it I will understand not just who your are but also what is right and just and fair – every good path for my life will be made clear and protect and guard me.

 

Lord, I recognize that one of the biggest obstacles that threatens the peace, joy and intimacy that I and so many I know and love need; is worry.  Lord, my heart is so easily lead astray and distracted by the worry of things past, worry about things happening today, and worry about a tomorrow that isn't even guaranteed to me.  I know that when I worry I am not looking and experiencing your majesty, power, love and grace for me.  My faith is little at those moments and they occur far to often for me, a proclaimed child of my Father in heaven.  Forgive me Father.

 

Your word tells me, commands me actually: "do not worry about your life…".  Oh how I worry lord.  My worry doesn't help me, it does not bring me aide, it does not add to my life but only seeks to rob me of the joy, peace and hope that I know is to be found in you, in your majesty, your power, your grace, in your name.

 

How do I stop from worrying Lord?  How do I shed the chains of fear?  I know your wisdom, your word holds the answers.  I know that I need to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness.  I need to seek your majesty and your power.  I need to seek your ever guiding wisdom to guard my course and protect my way from fear, worry, and all things that distract me from you.  You are a good Father who graciously gives to those who ask you and that is a promise I can count on.

 

So Lord I ask you, I ask you for eyes to see you and to give me a better focus today.  I ask you for a heart that knows you more and for that to bring peace to the uncertainty of my life today.  I ask you for a mind that understands that your paths are trustworthy and lead to victory today.  I ask for a spirit that is able to learn and to trust and is willing to follow you no matter what my surroundings hold today.  I ask you to free me from worry today and fill my heart with all that is good in you.  I ask for your peace and joy to rest upon me in place of worry as I seek to focus on you today.

 

Lord, I ask you to give me a prayer of praise today that let's me not just say with mere words but to proclaim with passion and understanding, "How Majestic Is Your Name In All The Earth!"

 

- Amen

 

January 7, 2018

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Genesis 18:14.  "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed... Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

It's easy to believe, to have faith, when things make sense scientifically, when they meet the criteria of common sense, and in general, when they don't challenge our capacity to believe. Faith is like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets. I believe that our Father is challenging us continually to use it, to make it stronger, to build it up and expand it. I heard someone say that, Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't build all that muscle, by thinking about it, but by taking action, going to the gym and exercising. How important is it?  "And without faith, it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6)

Abraham is portrayed as a champion of faith. He chose to believe, in spite of things not making any sense at all. How could a 90 year old woman become pregnant and have a son? How can you go from childless, to father of many generations, and many kings? More than that, before he was able to see any of the promises, he was asked to take an action step. He was asked to circumcise all men in his household. I can only imagine how interesting it was for Abraham to explain that request from God, to the men, especially the adult ones. Yet he stepped in faith. He is our invitation to have faith, which is: "confidence in what we hope for, and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). How important is it? "He must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like the wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does"(James 1, 2:6, 7).

I like that Abraham is also portrayed, as being familiar with the humans tendency of taking shortcuts when it comes to faith. Instead of stretching the muscle of faith and belief, we jump into making things happen, "helping God". He did agree with Sarah's plan to have a child with her maid. God shows us clearly, that the true blessings come from faith not from shortcuts.

The other day, I heard an interview with Carrie Wilkerson. She went from being a stay at home mom, extremely overweight, huge credit card debt, struggling with suicidal depression, to a published author, Google consultant, featured on CNN and Fox Business News, Success & Entrepreneur magazines, named by Forbes as a top small business influencer. When asked what was the secret of her huge transformation, she replied that, it all started with believing, and she quoted Proverbs 23:7 "for as he think in his heart, so is he".