blog post monday April 30th

A Prayer To Experience And Reflect The Life And Light Of Christ.  (John 1:1-15)

 

Lord you are the Word made flesh.  You are life and you came to be the light to us all.  I want my life to follow your example, to be a reflection of you, a light to others.  I want my words and actions to testify to the light and life that you are and that you have for others.  I do fail at this all the time.  My intentions may be good but I often lack and struggle to be a good and reliable source of light to those around me.  Forgive me for this lord.  May I experience and begin to know the fullness of your grace and truth in my life today.  May it be a source of light for me as I navigate through my day and may it be seen by others who need a bit of light and life from you. 

 

The fullness of your grace is a blessing beyond my ability to understand.  Thank you for your continual blessings; blessing that surpass just material and physical needs and wants but that often reach deeper into the needs of my heart which I seldom realize I long for.  Thank you for giving me the right to be called your own, you child, your daughter.  This is an example of how your blessings can be far greater than I can comprehend.  My heart is grateful and longs to share with others what you have done and who you are

 

As the Word made Flesh lead me today, help me to see your blessings and to be a light to others so that I may bless those whom I encounter today.

 

AMEN

April 29

 

Luke 24:13-33

One of the things I often complain about, is the lack of time or the passing of time. I feel like time is just flying by. I often wonder and worry if I use the time wisely enough. I ask myself if I enjoy the days, and the people in my life as I should. Daily, I try to find a balance between enjoyment, and the things that need to be done. So many times, though, I just find myself frustrated and helpless when it comes to the passing of time.  Just 4 weeks ago I gave birth to my baby boy. I already need to put away his newborn clothes, because he doesn't fit in them anymore. I am happy that he is healthy and growing, but part of me fears that it's all going too fast.

In Luke 24, we see Jesus walking with two people from Jerusalem to Emmaus. He shows interest in their conversation, asks questions, listens to them without interrupting. He even takes the time to explain the Scriptures, not superficially but thoroughly, from Moses and all the Prophets. He says yes to their dinner invitation. He doesn't seem to be stressed about time or a "to do" list. He could have revealed Himself to them in an instant. Why bother with all that walking, talking, explaining and dining? Who has time for that?

Jesus is relaxed about time because he did come so we can have life in abundance (John 10:10) and that abundance includes time. He came and died on the cross, so we can have eternal life. Eternity is defined as "infinite or unending time". "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. What would happen if instead of being focused on the scarcity and futility of time, we would see things in the context of eternity? Instead of getting bitter about getting old, just remembering that we, and everybody else are eternal souls.

"Thinking well and often of eternity is not a doom-and-gloom prospect. When we deny the reality of eternity or live in ignorance of it, we're missing out on God's joy." Gloria Furman

"Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs" Jonathan Edwards

April 28: Of Helplessness and Defeat

Judges 8:18-9:21

Luke 23:44-24:12

Psalm 99:1-9

Proverbs 14:9-10

Lk 23:46: Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit My spirit."  When He had said this, He breathed His last.

Psalm 31:5: Into your hands I commit my spirit; delivery me, Lord, my faithful God.

I used to think this was Jesus finally delivering His spirit to His Father, an act of declaration and free will upon the completion of His purpose on earth.  But now, I am not so sure.  I read Psalm 31, and thought it was so much more a cry for help, a cry of "Father, I can't do this on my own anymore; I need Your help."

I'm going to cheat a bit and reference Psalm 31 a bit more, even thought it wasn't part of the reading, but I am finding the context really important.  There, the psalmist cries out in weakness, asking God to do what he cannot, surrendering himself to God.  "You are my refuge," he prays; "be merciful to me…my bones grow weak…because of all my enemies I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends…"

This is not the prayer of one victorious.  This does not seem like the prayer of the Son of God, about to ascend His throne.  This seems more like the prayer of one who is afflicted and helpless and lost…and very much like you and me.  

How many of us have found ourselves lost, adrift, afflicted, desperate?  How many of us have found ourselves helpless in the face of marital problems, job difficulties, challenges raising the children we love?  Maybe I am stretching here, but I am reading today's reading differently than I ever have.  I am taking this as further confirmation that, no matter how hopeless our circumstances, no matter how massive the defeat we face, we can cry out to our Father, and He will hear us and answer our prayers.

Father, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the challenges life poses, especially when we succumb to the world's distraction and take our eyes off of You.  When we are weakest, be our strength.  When we are helpless, be our salvation.  When we are lost, be our guide.  And when we are desperate, give us hope.  We commend our spirits into Your hands.

Thursday, April 26

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

"The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites.  When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.'" (Judges 6:11,12)

The Book of Judges highlights Israel's wandering relationship with God and the perils of abandoning His plan.  In Chapter 6, Israel faces existential threats from the Midianites, owing to their unfaithfulness to God's Word.  Just as the people cry out, God raises up Gideon as a "mighty warrior," even though, at the start of his account, we find him hiding and threshing wheat.

From the beginning of his service, Gideon seeks confirmation that the Lord has indeed spoken with him and set him apart for the task ahead.  Unlike doubters who question God's plan and purpose, Gideon's genuine seeking of confirmation receive God's reply.  And his faith subsequently grows.

From this chapter, we see God's compassion for His people and His eagerness to become involved in their rescue.  We also see the religious competition that had overwhelmed Israel, as Baal worship became prevalent in a few short years after the people entered the land.  At the heart, however, we witness God's equipping of those servants whom He calls.

Do you have clarity as to God's call for your life?  Where is He leading you?  How has He equipped you for that purpose?  Where do you need to trust Him more?

Lord God, thank You for Your reckless love for us and Your pursuit of Your people.  Thank You that You equip those whom You have called.  Thank You for giving us each unique callings and preparing us for them.  Make our hearts and minds more sensitive to Your intentions for us.  Strengthen us so that we may honor You completely.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

"Reckless Love" by Cory Asbury:  https://youtu.be/Sc6SSHuZvQE

April 25

Luke 22

I marvel at how Jesus showed compassion to the servant of the high priest who just had his ear cut off.  Our Lord knew what was coming next for Him.  He was so disturbed by it all that an angel from heaven had to come and strengthen Him.  He was so distraught that He sweat blood.  Yet, when He was approached by the chief priests, He didn't defend Himself, and when one of His followers acted out in anger and struck with a sword, Jesus healed the wounded high priest.  Jesus is love. In light of all the world events sparked by anger that are happening around us, I believe this passage and the message that only the love of God can overcome anger is vital to our mission as we spread the Gospel.  Oh how I pray for that wisdom, discernment and strength.  Oh how I pray that my first reaction to confrontation is not to be defensive or get angry, but I fall short just about every time.  Oh how I pray to renew and conform my mind to be like my Lord.  And yet even as I fall short, even as I react in a manner that doesn't always reflect the God I serve, I'm still loved. As I prayed over this while I was reading, I was reminded of times, as recent as yesterday, that it is almost a reflex reaction to allow a situation to stir anger up in our souls.  I pray that as we go into this day, as we are faced with different situations which will tempt us to react in a worldly manner as opposed to a Godly one, we remember that Jesus is love. God gave us free will.  We can respond to situations in anger and strike with a sword, or we can remember that Jesus' loving touch brings healing and restoration. Let the sword we swing be the Word of God.  I pray we stay focused on our Master.

Randi 

April 24

April 24

Psalm 92:1-2: It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. 

This Sunday I attended a seminar on teen anxiety. A local therapist led the seminar and made an insightful statement. She explained that pain in our lives can come from two directions: a violation of love (identity pain) or a violation of trust (safety pain). While there is much more that could be unpacked about that statement, I was struck by the connection I saw to this insight in God's word. 

The psalmist invites us to proclaim God's steadfast love and faithfulness daily. While we live in a world that will never love us or care for us perfectly, God's messages of love and faithfulness is the truth that we can proclaim and balm that we can receive every day. 

At the end of the psalm we are told the righteous will flourish, grow, bear fruit in old age and stay fresh and green. It seems that thriving is connected to the psalmists following declaration: "The Lord is upright, He is my rock, and there is no wickedness in Him." 

God, would You root us in Your love and faithfulness today, that we would rest in the truths about Your character and care for us even in a world full of uncertainty and pain. Let us be expressions of Your love and faithfulness to everyone we meet today. Amen.

Blog post Monday April 23rd

A Prayer For A Song Of Joy (Psalm 90:14)

 

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Lord this is my prayer today.  As I wake up and set out to begin my day I want to know your unfailing love.  I want to experience it.  I want it to penetrate and break through the hardened parts of my heart that have been numbed by lies that have entered on the coat tails of my sins and regrets.  Touch my heart in new ways.  May I see and experience you in your word, in prayer, in song, in quiet, or in the words or actions shared by others today.  My heart is eager, yearning and ready to encounter, bask, and absorb your love today.  I want it to bring a song of joy to my heart and my lips that I can sing no matter what my day holds for me.  I want to have a heart of gladness that shines through on my face and is evident for all to see and can come from only you.  I am eager and ready lord, help me to quiet my heart and my life so that I can experience you and set the path of my day towards the song of joy that you have for me.

 

AMEN

April 21: Of Clean Slates, Bad Habits, and Turning Neither Right nor Left

Joshua 22:21-23:16

Luke 20:27-47

Psalm 89:14-37

Proverbs 13:17-19

"Old habits die hard."  On reflection, though, one might add "bad habits die harder."  Most people who struggle with addiction know this to be true.  The best way to make sure old bad habits stay dead is to reject them completely, continuously, and with unrelenting ruthlessness.  A smoker cannot take just that one puff.  An alcoholic ideally shouldn't even put themselves in situations where others are drinking. 

The sad truth is, we aren't capable of the consistency that completely breaking a bad habit requires.  Which is why, after years of success, we regress.  We take that drink.  We smoke that cigarette.  We lose our temper.  And when that happens, when we struggle with a bad habit we thought we'd already overcome, and are confronted yet again with the rubble its destruction leaves in our lives, often we wish we'd never started in the first place.  We wish for that clean slate, before we'd lit up that first cigarette, before we'd taken that first drink. 

God got that.  Which is why He gave the Israelites the clean slate of territory in the promised land - "The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations".  He then instructed them to be ruthlessly uncompromising in their obedience to Him - "Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left."  

And then He warned them against inviting the bad habit of disobedience into their lives, by insulating themselves from those who didn't know Him - "Do not associate with these national that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them…if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations…they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in. Your eyes, until you perish from this good land…"

The setting of the book of Joshua is around 1300 years before our Lord.  That would put it around 3400 years ago.  And yet, when we look around today, God's words remain true: the world is unrelenting in its demand for compromise, for capitulation.  To avoid the bad habit, we need to be strong, obeying His Word, avoiding even the slightest distraction to the right or the left.

Father, we already have a long list of bad habits that distract us from You.  The world continues to pile it on, drawing our attention away, tempting us to disobedience.   Fight the battle for us again, as You did for the Israelites.  Purge us of these bad habits, and give us the discipline "to walk in the light of your presence, Lord", turning neither to the left nor to the right.  

April 20

Luke 20   

"I will also ask you a question. Tell me, John's baptism - was it from heaven, or from men?"  Luke 20:3

Contrary to popular opinion, Jesus was not the answer man; he was much more the question man. Do you know how many questions Jesus asked in his ministry? 307!  Asking questions was central to Jesus' strategy to reach people. By asking questions you become involved in a dialogue, not a monologue. It is a brilliant way to connect with people today because it forces the hearer to interact with their beliefs and how they arrived at them.

Here is a list of questions to use to engage people:

1. Who, in your opinion, is Jesus?

2. How did you arrive at this conclusion?

3. Is there good and evil in the universe?  

4. How does one know what is good and what is evil?

5. How would you define what truth is?

6. Where does morality come from?

7. Do you believe there is such a thing as evil? If so, what is it?

8. What do you believe about the Bible?

9. How did you come to this conclusion?

10. Is there more to this universe than what meets the eye?

11. Do you believe in the existence of God?

12. What would constitute sufficient evidence for God's existence?

13. Why are you alive?

14. Does your life matter?

15. Does your life have purpose?

16. How do you view yourself?

17. What place does the cross have in your life?

18. What do you count as significant?

19. What are the three top priorities in your life?

20. What legacy will you leave in life?

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, April 19

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018


"Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12)


This verse carries tremendous meaning with just a few short words. To me, it speaks of several key realities:

(1) Expectations often determine our thoughts on outcome. When we set expectations correctly, we gain a realistic perspective on life. We tend to overestimate the satisfaction that worldly pleasures may provide, what we may accomplish in a single day, and our strength apart from God. We tend to underestimate the depth of God's love and the joy from being in His presence, what we may accomplish in a year, and our strength under God's authority. If our "hope deferred" comes from faulty expectations, it will indeed make our heart sick.

(2) Each person's hopes differ, and we need to consider that as we love others. When we think about others, we may impose our hopes for them (or even our hopes for ourselves) when hearing their reflections on hopes deferred. True love involves getting to know each person individually and seeking to understand from his or her perspective. Without that exercise, we may fall short of the compassionate love to which God has called us. (cf. Matthew 9:35-38)

(3) God's tremendous promises -- and their sure fulfillment -- lead to figurative and literal trees of life. When we trust in God's promises, our longings will be fulfilled. Psalm 34:7 explains that, as we delight in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts. Clinging to God and His promises ensures that we have realistic expectations and that we will find ultimate joy in seeing "trees of life" in this life and in our eternal home.


Lord God, thank You for bringing our longings to fulfillment by Your precious promises. Help us to trust You more solidly, and give us compassion for those who are hurting around us. Open doors for us to testify to Your goodness and kindness to us. We love You and honor You today. In Jesus's Name, amen.


"I Will Exalt You" by Hillsong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kigbo_Z10Hg)


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April 18th

Luke 19: 1-7

I truly love how this passage begins.  "Jesus entered Jericho and was "passing through".  I don't know that Jesus ever just "passed through" places idly.  He is The Messiah, on a mission.  We read in verse 10 of this passage that "The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost".  That doesn't sound like someone who was just "passing through".  I can't help but think that Jesus knew exactly where Zacchaeus would be that day.  Jesus even provided a tree for him to climb up so he could get a good look, and when Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and called him out by name. Then, Jesus shocks the crowd and goes to Zacchaeus' house! (Still think He's just "passing through"?)  In John 10:3, Jesus tells us that He calls His sheep by name and leads them out.  Clearly, Jesus called His sheep Zacchaeus by name and let him to salvation. He has done the same for us. Jesus knew exactly where Zacchaeus was that day both physically and spiritually.  He knows the same about us as well.  We were lost sheep who Jesus called by name and now we are redeemed sinners, saved by grace, sons and daughters of the most High God.    In Mark 2:17 Jesus said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Knowing that makes me feel a lot better about facing my day. I pray God puts someone in our lives today that we can share this message with.

Randi 

Tuesday 17th

Treasure in heaven

Earthly treasure is all around us, literally and figuratively. We have solid homes, running water, readily available food, beds to sleep in at night, yet we are flooded with messages that tell us we need more. We are groomed to gravitate towards things that are fleeting and that cause us to lose sight of the eternal perspective. We think we need a bigger or more updated house, more money, a better looking body, growth in our career, a happier family, more vacations. Why do we think they will make us happy? So often they give us momentary happiness but then all is lost when circumstances change. While the world prioritizes instant gratification, entitlement, and focusing on ourselves and our own dreams, God is calling us to look past those things to something more important.

We need to put God's kingdom before our own in order to gain treasure in Heaven. To me, this follows our "gather, grow, go" perspective at Grace church. His kingdom can be furthered when we gather together in community and develop meaningful, genuine relationships, sharing our real lives with each other. His kingdom can be furthered when when we build each other up, when we put on the armor of God, when we nurture the fruits of the spirit. His kingdom can be furthered when we go out into the world and meet the basic needs of those less fortunate, and lend a listening ear to those who want to talk. His kingdom can be furthered when we share the gospel message. How can you further His kingdom today?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also".

We pray from today's Psalm: 
For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;
Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Blog Post Monday April 16th

A Prayer Of Grateful Reminder. (Luke 18:1)

 

 

Lord I thank you for prayer.  I thank you for making a way, for giving us an opportunity, to talk to you.  It is so easy to take for granted the gift of prayer.  It is so easy to sometimes view it as something I have to do not something I get to do.  There is so much in my life that can get in the way of prayer.  There are also times when I can feel that I am not being heard and that my prayers aren't making a difference. When this happens, I needed to remember how you encourage us in Luke to always pray and not give up.  That you are listening and you are working.   You knew we would have moments when we would either forget to pray, not leave time to pray, or be too discouraged to pray.  You knew Lord and so you made it a point to reminds us not to give up, not to lose hope, not to stop talking to you.  May your spirit continue to encourage me to pray and help me to know how to pray in all circumstances of my life.  May my prayers be that of the humble servant who lifts up my voice in gratitude as well as in need.  May I also remember to be still and listen so that I may hear you speak and encourage my heart.  Thank you, Lord, for this timely reminder today.

 

AMEN

April 14: Of Wealth and Blindness and Eternity [RESENDING WITH PRAYER]

Joshua 9:3-10:43

Luke 16:19-17:10

Psalm 83:1-18

Proverbs 13:4

"At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table.  Even the dogs came and licked his sores."

In reading this passage, and reading about beggars in Biblical times, Lazarus's condition seems much worse than mere mendicancy.  In Biblical times, the poor had resource and recourse - they were supposed to be able to glean in the fields; they were supposed to have an inalienable inheritance that would revert back in the year of the Jubilee.  Not so, Lazarus.  He wasn't just poor, he appeared disabled.  Not only could he not glean, it didn't seem like he could move freely - hence he "was laid" at the rich man's gate, and couldn't get away from the dogs that "came and licked his sores".

Consider, then, what a gloriously incomprehensible 'riches-for-rags' experience it must have been for Lazarus when he finally died and found himself standing next to Abraham on the good side of the chasm.  What must it have been like, when he returned to consciousness and thought "something is different".  When it dawned on him what was missing was the pain to which he'd grown inured, the stench of sores he'd ceased to notice, the attention of dogs he'd been helpless to prevent. And then, when he was able to stand, to walk without difficulty, the ache of unused, perhaps injured limbs.  

And all this before he'd even begun to take in all the change in his surroundings.  Where there had been lack, there was now abundance; where there was stench, sweetness; where there was once every reason to wish for an end to all things, an inestimable joy at the prospect of eternity.

WHAT. A. CHANGE.

As happy as I am for Lazarus, I find myself aghast for the rich man.  See, we know how bad Lazarus had it on earth - so it is easy to see how much better things were for him after death.  Leaving aside the disastrous turn the rich man's circumstances took, what we may fail to see is that, even for the rich man, things could have been SO MUCH BETTER after death.  That the good, finite life he enjoyed likely distracted him from the still infinitely better abundance of the God-filled life that could have been his throughout eternity. 

The truth is, those of us reading (and writing) this - our lives have far more in common with the rich man than with Lazarus.  We have regular access to the internet.  Many of us live in a county whose per capita income ranks 13th out of over three thousand in the country.  In a more global context, we have reliable power, running water, in house plumbing and such an abundance of resource we can afford inanities like "reality" tv and delusions about basic scientific fact.

We are tempted to think we have it really good.  And the truth is, for the most part, we do. But, like the rich man, what we have threatens to capture our entire attention, to fool us into thinking this is as good as it gets, and to distract us from the infinite abundance our Lord hasn't just offered us, but has already purchased for us, at an unimaginably terrible price, and for such woefully undeserving recipients.  

Father: please don't let us wait till our throats are so parched a drop of water would provide indescribable relief; grant us today an appreciation for the life You offer, that we might live for THAT eternity, rather than the limited and finite life we have today.  

April 14: Of Wealth and Blindness and Eternity

Joshua 9:3-10:43

Luke 16:19-17:10

Psalm 83:1-18

Proverbs 13:4

"At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table.  Even the dogs came and licked his sores."

In reading this passage, and reading about beggars in Biblical times, Lazarus's condition seems much worse than mere mendicancy.  In Biblical times, the poor had resource and recourse - they were supposed to be able to glean in the fields; they were supposed to have an inalienable inheritance that would revert back in the year of the Jubilee.  Not so, Lazarus.  He wasn't just poor, he appeared disabled.  Not only could he not glean, it didn't seem like he could move freely - hence he "was laid" at the rich man's gate, and couldn't get away from the dogs that "came and licked his sores".

Consider, then, what a gloriously incomprehensible 'riches-for-rags' experience it must have been for Lazarus when he finally died and found himself standing next to Abraham on the good side of the chasm.  What must it have been like, when he returned to consciousness and thought "something is different".  When it dawned on him what was missing was the pain to which he'd grown inured, the stench of sores he'd ceased to notice, the attention of dogs he'd been helpless to prevent. And then, when he was able to stand, to walk without difficulty, the ache of unused, perhaps injured limbs.  

And all this before he'd even begun to take in all the change in his surroundings.  Where there had been lack, there was now abundance; where there was stench, sweetness; where there was once every reason to wish for an end to all things, an inestimable joy at the prospect of eternity.

WHAT. A. CHANGE.

As happy as I am for Lazarus, I find myself aghast for the rich man.  See, we know how bad Lazarus had it on earth - so it is easy to see how much better things were for him after death.  Leaving aside the disastrous turn the rich man's circumstances took, what we may fail to see is that, even for the rich man, things could have been SO MUCH BETTER after death.  That the good, finite life he enjoyed likely distracted him from the still infinitely better abundance of the God-filled life that could have been his throughout eternity. 

The truth is, those of us reading (and writing) this - our lives have far more in common with the rich man than with Lazarus.  We have regular access to the internet.  Many of us live in a county whose per capita income ranks 13th out of over three thousand in the country.  In a more global context, we have reliable power, running water, in house plumbing and such an abundance of resource we can afford inanities like "reality" tv and delusions about basic scientific fact.

We are tempted to think we have it really good.  And the truth is, for the most part, we do. But, like the rich man, what we have threatens to capture our entire attention, to fool us into thinking this is as good as it gets, and to distract us from the infinite abundance our Lord hasn't just offered us, but has already purchased for us, at an unimaginably terrible price, and for such woefully undeserving recipients.  

April 13

Luke 16 The Parable of the Crooked Manager.

This parable is probably the most misunderstood one in the Bible. It's a story about an employee who "cooked the books." He used dishonest methods to advance his own bank account. It reads much like a deposition from the Wells Fargo fraud trial!

The bottom line is that it's a parable about money, which shouldn't be surprising; of the 38 parables Jesus told, 19 of them dealt with handling possessions. Baptism is important, but there are 16 times more verses in the New Testament on handling money than are devoted to baptism. The Lord's Supper is important, but there are 32 times more Biblical statements about Christian financial management than about the Lord's Supper. Since Jesus had so much to say about it, we'd better pay attention. And for us who live in Disneyland, we better listen with both ears.

The "moral of the story" is found in the last sentence and it's the key to understanding the parable. The manager was a cunning, conniving, dishonest rascal, but you can't help but smile at how shrewd he was. When it came time to be fired, even his boss said, "I've got to hand it to you; you are a cunning, devious, despicable fellow–just my kind of guy–now get out of my sight!"

That's how business is still done. You hear expressions like, "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." and "Hey, I owe you one!" Jesus isn't suggesting we use dishonest business practices, but He is suggesting we can learn something from the clever way cunning people operate.

If believers would make wise decisions as business people do – but with the right motives – they would accomplish more for the kingdom of God.

Sadly, today many Christians are naïve and gullible people. They know nothing about shrewdness. You hear of stories of trusting Christian who are conned by scam artists and invest their life earnings in "sure-fire investments."   I still get emails from Christians who think Madalyn Murray O'Hair has a bill before Congress that will outlaw all religious broadcasting. Equally naïve are Christians who buy into the health and wealth gospel as their pastor drives to church in a new 2018 Maserati.

The bottom line is a crisis does not make a person but it shows what a person is made of. The Lord did not commend this steward for his unethical actions. He commended him for his wise use of this opportunity. This steward was able to make the most of his situation because he responded properly to the insights that came to him in the crisis.

We need to live the same way. Don't be naive about the world we live in and the continual assaults on our Christian faith. There is a conspiracy to marginalize Christians.  Be shrewd today and make the most of today's opportunities.

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, April 12

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20b)


Luke 15's three parables -- the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal (Lost) Son -- point to God's power and passion to redeem what has been lost: us. As this verse above indicates, God actively seeks after us and rejoices in our rescue. To think that God would delight in seeking after us, while we loathed Him in our hearts, defies our human understanding. It highlights the power of His effective grace.

In both the Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son, we understand that the lost ones have become that way through their willful ignorance or disobedience. The lost sheep wanders off from the flock. Whether the sheep does so out of spite for the Shepherd is immaterial; the sheep has departed from the Shepherd's protective care.

The Prodigal Son, on the other hand, spitefully departs from his father, but not before extracting his inheritance early. This action suggests that the Prodigal Son had so lowly considered his father as to have wished him dead. He then flees to another country and squanders everything in wild living. He recognizes that he has reached "rock bottom" while feeding himself from pig slop. He then humbles himself, prepares to seek his father's forgiveness, and heads for home.

God's relentless pursuit of lost people should encourage us in loving Him more deeply and in joining Him in loving others. These stories provide hope that no one lies beyond the clarion call of grace. Whom would you like to trust God to rescue? How could you join with Him in demonstrating Christ's love?


Lord God, thank You that You have relentlessly pursued us and given us new birth through Your grace. Help us to understand the depth of Your love and compassion and give us courage to love others similarly. We love You and honor You today. In Jesus's Name, amen.


________________________________________________________________________
596 Glenbrook Road, Unit 13 | "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection
Stamford, CT 06906-1423 | and the life. He who believes in me will
(C) 203.820.1741 | live, even though he dies; and whoever
(H) 203.355.9374 | lives and believes in me will never die.
(E) swe@edwa.info | Do you believe this?'" -- John 11:25,26

April 11

Joshua 3:13-17

The Israelites arrived at the Jordan River.  Imagine their hearts in finally reaching the point that will cross them over to their long awaited destination. The priests were carrying the Ark of the Covenant. It was the most sacred treasure of Israel and a symbol of God's presence and power.  In it contained the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron's staff.  The Israelites were ready to cross into the promised land and as I was reading the passage I realized that God had given them the instruction on how to cross --  He goes first. As soon as the priests who were carrying the ark stepped into the water with the ark, the waters flowing downstream were cut off. What a parallel to be drawn! First, God goes before us then we step!  After thinking about this I realized that often God will provide solutions for us, open up doors for us, and He is waiting for us to take the first step.  Through their entire journey God had gone before the Israelites parting seas so they could safely move from one place to the next and despite their back sliding, God always went before them and carried them safely to their next destination.  As I prayed over this, I realized that God does the same for us. I began to realize that perhaps God has already gone before me and is waiting for me to take the first step in certain areas of my life. Because God is omnipresent He has gone before me, cleared a path for me, and His Spirit still is with me, ready to walk with me, waiting for me to catch up!  The miracle of the Red Sea parting to allow the people of Israel to get out of Egypt along with the miracle of the Jordan River parting to allow the people to get into the promised land shows us that God keeps His promises.  Whatever it is you are waiting for, He has already gone before you, and is waiting for you to take the first step, by faith, into the next step of the journey.  I pray we all have the discernment, strength and courage of Joshua.

Randi

Theme of obedience

The Lord told Moses in (Numbers 20:8) "Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink. In Number (20:9-11) Moses takes matters into his own hands  "So Moses took the staff from the LORD's presence, just as He commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, 'Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?' Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank." The Lord was displeased with Moses' actions: "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them" But why did God say that? LEt's look In (Numbers 20:12) God Said "12 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them."

What did Moses so wrong to where he was given such a severe penalty from the Lord? Well! 1. Moses disobeyed Gods direct command, God had commanded Moses to speak to the rock, but, Moses struck the rock with his staff. 2. Moses took credit for getting the water. look at verse 10 Moses says, "Must we [Moses and Aaron] bring you water out of this rock?" Moses took the credit for the miracle himself, instead of giving props to God. 3. Moses committed this of disobedience sin in front of all the Israelites. Such a huge public display of direct disobedience could not go unpunished. 4. it seems that God had intended to present a foretelling of Christ. The water-giving rock is used as a symbol of Christ found in (1Corinthians 10:4) In (Exodus 17:6) The rock was struck once  the same as Christ was crucified once reference. In (Numbers 20:7-8) Moses' speaking to the rock was to be a representation of prayer, instead, Moses got angry and struck the rock. in (Numbers 20:12) his punishment for his disobedience, his pride, and the misrepresentation of Christ's sacrifice was that he was barred from entering the Promised Land.

Luke 13:22 - 14:6 is on what? You guessed it Obedience! 

You can have a mediocre relationship with Christ and maybe to you that is good enough? 

You can make it look like to have this awesome relationship with Christ and you don't.

You can also continue to keep doubting what the bible says and never enter the promise land of salvation because you like your life where it is and the way it is. Perhaps you might have grown up in a non Christian home, but your think you are open minded enough to sing some worship songs, listen and enjoy some sermons, but never take it any further. Maybe you doubt Gods word, and maybe you're afraid of it?

Whatever it is you have to make the choice to give it up to Christ, or keep thinking about it. The time is now and the gate is narrow. We do not know when the door will be shut.    

To close we read Psalm 79, this is a Psalm of lament and morning due to the siege and destruction from Babylon which was a result of what you ask? The disobedience of Gods people.

Chose this day who you will serve!

Joshua 24:14-15

¹⁴ "Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. ¹⁵ And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Chuck Goulart

Worship Team 

Grace Church 

203-943-0961 

"Prayer is asking for rain, Faith is buying the umbrella" 

April 17: Of Choices, Consequences and Love

Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27

Luke 12:8-34

Psalm 78:32-55

Proverbs 1221-23

Luke 8:20 - "But God said to him, 'You fool!…"

People seem to think we live in a "no judgment" or a "no consequence" society.  That, to accept a person, to love a person means everything they do should be acceptable.  Otherwise you're…you're…what's that term they use these days?  Oh yeah.  You're a "hater."   As in, "you're such a hater."

The thing is, choices HAVE consequences, however much we may deny the fact.   Have a look at today's psalm - 

CHOICE: 

     In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; 

          In  spite of all His wonders, they did not believe.  

SO CONSEQUENCE:

     So He ended their days in futility

          And their years in terror.

To me, this suggests that if we love someone, we have to be prepared to do the difficult thing - to let them know - gently, of course, with love and respect, and not with condescension or derision or a holier-than-thou self righteousness - that what they are doing is wrong.  After all, we don't want God to "heap calamities on them", or "send wasting famine against them, consuming pestilence and plague", do we?  

It isn't easy to tell someone something they won't like.  But remember the proverb: "The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy."  Are we trustworthy when we pretend what our friends do is right?  Are not our lips detestable to God when, by our words (or lack thereof), we condone sin?

Father, when we seek to do Your will, even when called to risk angering those we love by pointing them back in Your direction, remember Your promise - that the "Lord Himself goes before you, and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."  Then help us not to be afraid of, nor discouraged by, the possible consequences of our actions.

April 6

Deut. 30:15-20 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

What is it with God? He has to tell people to love him and follow his ways, over and over again?  What kind of God commands people to love and praise him?

We all know people with inferiority complexes. They need to surround themselves with people who are constantly telling them how great they are. We usually think there is something wrong with people like that. So how about our God? Is our God like the wicked queen in Snow White, who stood before the mirror and said, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is fairest of us all?" Is that the kind of God we have?  If so, I seriously suggest you stop your Bible reading today and join a 1960's hippie commune. There are still a few up in Vermont.

Consider for a moment. Have you ever seen a great movie, read a fantastic book or visited a wonderful vacation spot? What do you instinctively do when you finish that experience?  You tell everyone what you have just experienced. You don't have to tell a young man to praise the virtues of his girlfriend. That comes naturally. You don't have to tell a hiker to praise the countryside or a sailor to praise the majestic sea. People always praise what they enjoy.

What God is telling us to do here is to choose to enjoy him. He has designed us with an eternal hole in our hearts that is only filled with a relationship with him, the Eternal God. When we enjoy God and delight in him, that's when we will love him. In the end love is a choice. But if you want to love God, it comes through enjoying him.

The choice before us today is to focus our attention on enjoying God or being entertained by our world.  Finding life and prosperity comes through choosing to enjoy God.

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, April 5

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018


"Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (Proverbs 12:18)


Many of us have heard the line that "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Though this phrase may bring solace for a moment, the Scriptures declare in multiple places that this statement doesn't really hold water. In fact, we understand from Proverbs 18:21 that "the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

In fact, British comedian Stephen Fry has recast the statement to read: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will always hurt me. Bones mend and become actually stronger in the very place they were broken and where they have knitted up; mental wounds can grind and ooze for decades and be re-opened by the quietest whisper."

If others' tongues may "pierce like a sword," so may ours. How often have we spoken careless or "reckless" words in a moment, only to have them ruin days upon days? Words resemble a perfume that, once released from its container, may not be recaptured. Of course, the perfume's aroma may take both positive and negative forms, depending on the hearers, tone, context, and content.

How may we invest in our words so that they may not strike like a sword, but rather "bring healing"? The acrostic THINK may prove helpful. Before speaking, we should evaluate our statements under the light of:

T: Is it true?
H: Is it helpful?
I: Is it inspiring?
N: Is it necessary?
K: Is it kind?


Sarcasm and complaining, which come quite easily, don't pass this test. Gossip falls short, too. We may also use this rubric for considering the self-talk or inner monologue that we bring out each day.

Even with great advances in technology, we still remain accountable for our words, in front of our God and Father and others. While our words may appear anonymous or inconsequential in a social media context, they still have "the power of life and death." Please consider these thoughts when posting on-line comments.


Lord God, please guide our hearts and minds so that, when we speak, we may bring life rather than drag others down. Bring us peace and joy by Your Holy Spirit so that we may share this fruit with others. Transform our hearts by the renewing of our minds. In Jesus's Name, amen.

________________________________________________________________________
596 Glenbrook Road, Unit 13 | "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection
Stamford, CT 06906-1423 | and the life. He who believes in me will
(C) 203.820.1741 | live, even though he dies; and whoever
(H) 203.355.9374 | lives and believes in me will never die.
(E) swe@edwa.info | Do you believe this?'" -- John 11:25,26

April 4

Proverbs 12:15/ Deuteronomy 27:15-26

In our Proverbs reading today we learn that "the way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice."  Interesting words considering a few pages before, we read about Moses outlining the conditions that would bring curses upon the people of Israel if they didn't heed God's advice.  I've made lots of bad choices and thought they were right, I'm sure we all have.  I know now they were bad choices because life wasn't working out too well for me. I think if I had to name one spiritual discipline that enables me to make better choices when confronted with decisions I would have to say it is prayer.  Something happens to our souls when we get quiet before God.  Our choices go from "the way of fools" to the "way of God". I'm learning that through prayer, the best advise to listen to will come from God and I am so grateful to be part of a church family where listening prayer is the heartbeat of our lives.

Randi