Convo with Pastor - Proverbs 14:23

In all toil there is profit,

but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 14:23

 

Over the years, I've spent a lot of time in academic environments. Many academics are very, very good at meetings and many are even better good at talking. (Even better at talking than pastors!). Sometimes, though, this method of operation leads only to "analysis paralysis."

 

I think there's a partial warning against analysis paralysis in today's proverb. More importantly, I think there's a true celebration of work.

 

Too many in our world treat "work" as a four-letter word. But creation begins with God working. And it is our privilege to come alongside God's creative endeavors and bless the world and bless our families through our labor.

 

With toil there is indeed profit. And it's more than just monetary. Good hard work can profit just about every aspect of the kingdom. It blesses families, companies, bosses. It provides a role model for our kids and neighbors. It can also put us in front of non-believers to whom we can witness. Yes, we can certainly take workaholism to an extreme, but in general try turning today's work into a kingdom blessing.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who talks a lot

(you be the judge if there's profit!) 

--------------------------
My problem lately hasn't been lack of work, but a strong dislike of what I do.  I used to love being a Speech Therapist. Used to love seeing patients, helping them improve in communication skills and swallowing.  The more medically complex, the better. But lately ... the joy is gone.  What do you do then? I have been volunteering more and more, but there is a point when we need the money.

Talk is cheap and will get you in more trouble than it's worth most of the time.  Work makes time go by faster, keeps you out of trouble, and keeps your mind busy so you can't think too much.

However, for the time being, talk is my work and when I do it, there is profit. Thanks be to God.

Convo with Pastor - Proverbs 15:16

A bowl of vegetables with someone you love

is better than steak with someone you hate.

Proverbs 15:16

 

I couldn't pass up this verse!!! (And by the way, this is especially true for vegetarians.)

 

For the last two weeks, my devotions have focused on learning to listen to God. Give me feedback: Did it work?

 

The whole purpose of learning to listen to God is to get us to love him more. Most of us love God -- to some degree -- in theory. We know he's God. We appreciate his magnificent creation. We treasure his sacrifice. But until we know how to hear -- until our relationship is personal -- it's hard to truly love him like we love our parents, children, spouse, or best friend.

 

Listening to God is an important skill in getting to know God personally and developing our relationship with him.

 

Therefore, I pray that these past several days of devotions have been like steak with someone you are loving more and more.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who eats his vegetables first

(I get them out of the way so

I can devote the rest of my meal

to the good stuff)

---------------------------------------
I loved the listening to God devotionals.

But. I know that I don't have it down yet. I am struggling to hear God. To know what he wants from me.  Most days it feels like futility.

Wilting Flowers & Living Water

Imagine walking into a store and there in front of you is a huge bouquet of fresh flowers.

The colors are vibrant. Reds. Golds. Greens. Blues. Pinks. Purples.

They smell fresh. Like springtime in the south.

They bring an instant smile to your face. A balm to a weary soul.  A bright spot in a day that was filled with darkness ... gloom ... despair.  A sign of hope.

You purchase them and take them home. But in the busyness of life, they lay forgotten on the kitchen table.  Now they are wilting. The colors are fading. The smell is not so pleasant.  Hope has faded along with the flowers.

In a seemingly futile effort, you put them in a vase of water.  "Why bother," you wonder. "They are beyond help now. It was a waste of money and effort to get them."  And you leave.

When you return you are welcomed with a vase filled with vibrant colors and fresh smells.  All you did was put them in a vase of water. Hope restored.

God does that with us. When we are wilting. Burdened by our past, the world, worries. When we spiritually stink and the only colors we see are shades of gray, God has water for us.

If we allow God to fill us with his living water, it is never a futile effort. There are times when we see no immediate results but if we come back later, we can see what happened. We need his vital gift to be vibrant, to grow, to thrive.  We can't survive without it.

Convo with Pastor - James 3:2-10

H O W   T O   H E A R   T H E   V O I C E   O F   G O D

Too many people say that "they try and try, but can't hear God."

For the next several days, I want to share with you a technique

I've learned from T. W. Hunt in "The Disciples Prayer Life."

It's a three-step process: 1) read a passage of scripture,

2) ask "What God is saying to me?" (each day I'll give fewer hints),

3) pray, "What I am saying to God?" (reflecting what God said to you).

　

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

See also Proverbs 13:3

Those who control their tongue will have a long life.

But opening your mouth can ruin everything.

 

2 ... Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature,and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. --- James 3:2-10

 

WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO ME?

1. VERSE 2 - You will make slips of the tongue because you are not perfect. 
2. VERSE 3-5a - Your tongue is small, but it can control where you go if you aren't careful.   
3. VERSE 5b -6 - Be careful - your tongue can quickly run out of control and get you and others into overwhelming trouble.
4. VERSE 7-8 - The tongue is a source of evil.  
5. VERSE 9-10 - However it doesn't have to be! You can use it to worship and praise just as easily as curse ... it is your choice.   　

WHAT I AM SAYING TO GOD?

1. Thank you for sending your son to us who is perfect and example how we should use our tongue.
2. Please use my tongue to guide me and direct me ... also to help guide others with the words I use.   
3. forgive me for the times my tongue has run out of control and gotten me into trouble. The sarcasm and cynicism roll so easily at times.
4. Help me to not have it be a source of evil, but a source of praise. 
5. I want to praise you and worship you. 
6. additional prayers _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Convo with Pastor - John 14:21-24

H O W   T O   H E A R   T H E   V O I C E   O F   G O D

Too many people say that "they try and try, but can't hear God."

For the next several days, I want to share with you a technique

I've learned from T. W. Hunt in "The Disciples Prayer Life."

It's a three-step process: 1) read a passage of scripture,

2) ask "What God is saying to me?" (each day I'll give fewer hints),

3) pray, "What I am saying to God?" (reflecting what God said to you).

　

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

SEE ALSO PROVERBS 8:17

I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.

 

21 Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them." 22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, "Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?" 23 Jesus replied, "All those who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and live with them. 24 Anyone who doesn't love me will not do what I say. And remember, my words are not my own. This message is from the Father who sent me.  --- John 14:21-24

　

WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO ME?

1. VERSE 21 - Love God = obeying his commandments
2. VERSE 21 - God will reveal himself to all who love him
3. VERSE 22-23 - It's simple. Love. Obey. We will be with you. 
4. VERSE 24 - However, don't bother obeying if you don't love me. 

WHAT I AM SAYING TO GOD?

1. I have not obeyed you, but I do love you. Please forgive me for my disobedience. 
2. I ask you to open my eyes to you. Help me to see you all around me. 
3. Simple does not mean easy. Please stay with me - in spite of myself.
4. additional prayers _____ _____ _____ _____ 

Convo with Pastor - Proverbs 6:6-11

H O W   T O   H E A R   T H E   V O I C E   O F   G O D

Too many people say that "they try and try, but can't hear God."

For the next several days, I want to share with you a technique

I've learned from T. W. Hunt in "The Disciples Prayer Life."

It's a three-step process: 1) read a passage of scripture,

2) ask "What God is saying to me?" (each day I'll give fewer hints),

3) pray, "What I am saying to God?" (reflecting what God said to you).

　

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

 

6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise! 7 Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, 8 they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. 9But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? I want you to learn this lesson: 10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -- 11 and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. --- Proverbs 6:6-11

　

WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO ME?

1. VERSE 6 - People -- including maybe me -- can be lazy. 
2. VERSE 7-9 - You don't need someone to tell you what to do. You know what to do. Stop sitting around an waiting for instructions. You know what to do!
3. VERSE 9-11 - Sleep is over-rated. If you continue to procrastinate and not do what you know to do, pleading fatigue and exhaustion, then you will lose all and have nothing to work for.  　

WHAT I AM SAYING TO GOD?

1. You created us to be caretakers of your creation and to worship you. Yet we are failing miserably. Even the animals you created work harder than we do at preserving your creation. 
2. Forgive me for being so stubborn and lazy. It is born of fear. Fear of messing up. Fear of offending someone. Fear of not finishing what I start. 
3. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for still trusting me with your creation despite my desire to crawl under the covers and hide. Please give me the strength to do your work and not slumber. The will to continue putting one foot in front of the other. The ability to shine your light for others to see.
4. additional prayers please take this pain away so that I don't slip back into old habits and routines.

Convo with Pastor - Proverbs 2:5-6

H O W   T O   H E A R   T H E   V O I C E   O F   G O D

Too many people say that "they try and try, but can't hear God."

For the next several days, I want to share with you a technique

I've learned from T. W. Hunt in "The Disciples Prayer Life."

It's a three-step process: 1) read a passage of scripture,

2) ask "What God is saying to me?" (each day I'll give fewer hints),

3) pray, "What I am saying to God?" (reflecting what God said to you).

　

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

 

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. --- Proverbs 2:5-6

　

WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO ME?

1. VERSE 5 - Trusting in your own understanding is deadly. Rather, we should trust God completely.
2. VERSE 6 - If you seek, God will answer by leading you.

　

WHAT I AM SAYING TO GOD?

1. God, forgive me for not trusting you. For relying on my own means. I am scared to trust you fully, with all my heart despite knowing that is what I need to do.
2. Help me to seek your will, give me the strength to not give up and the desire to follow where you.  You will lead me where I should go, I just need to follow. To grab your hand and allow you to be my guide.
3. additional prayers Thank you for trying to direct our paths inspite of ourselves.  

Convo with Pastor - Proverbs 1 ...

H O W   T O   H E A R   T H E   V O I C E   O F   G O D

Too many people say that "they try and try, but can't hear God."

For the next several days, I want to share with you a technique

I've learned from T. W. Hunt in "The Disciples Prayer Life."

It's a three-step process: 1) read a passage of scripture,

2) ask "What God is saying to me?" (each day I'll give fewer hints),

3) pray, "What I am saying to God?" (reflecting what God said to you).

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel. 2 The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings. 3 Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people. 5 Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance 6 by exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles. 7 Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline. --- Proverbs 1

WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO ME?

some intentionally left blank ... for you to fill in (my responses are in red)!

1. VERSE 1 - Solomon wrote Proverbs; God works through people.
2. VERSE 2 - The purpose of proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline.
3. VERSE 3 - Through proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is just, right, and fair.
4. VERSE 4-5 - They will make simpleminded clever, bring knowledge and purpose to young, help the wise to be wiser, and give guidance to those who understand.
5. VERSE 7 - The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

WHAT I AM SAYING TO GOD?

1. Father God - I want you to be able to work through me to speak to others.
2. I know I am stubborn, but please help me to learn your wisdom and discipline and to put it in practice.
3. Please use your word to teach me and to help teach others. Forgive me for not studying it and truly understanding it like I should.  
4. I know I am not clever, wise or understanding.  Please help me to grow and be able to receive these gifts from you.
5. "Lord, I want wisdom; therefore, I will love you, fear you, respect you, and worship you."
6. additional prayers .....

Convo with Pastor - Psalm 132

H O W   T O   H E A R   T H E   V O I C E   O F   G O D

Too many people say that "they try and try, but can't hear God."

For the next several days, I want to share with you a technique

I've learned from T. W. Hunt in "The Disciples Prayer Life."

It's a three-step process: 1) read a passage of scripture,

2) ask "What God is saying to me?" (each day I'll give fewer hints),

3) pray, "What I am saying to God?" (reflecting what God said to you).

PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE

1 A Psalm of Ascent to Jerusalem ... 13 For the LORD has chosen Jerusalem; he has desired it as his home. 14 "This is my home where I will live forever," he said. "I will live here, for this is the place I desired. 15 I will make this city prosperous and satisfy its poor with food. --- Psalm 132

WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO ME?

1. VERSE 13 - Scripture says that "the Lord's home" is what city? Jerusalem
2. VERSE 14 - Jerusalem will be God's home "forever." (In fact, Revelation 21 describes Jerusalem as God's eternal home -- the New Jerusalem.)
3. VERSE 15 - What God chooses, he will bless.　

WHAT I AM SAYING TO GOD?

1. Where is my home? I hope it is at the Lord's side one day.  Where ever that may be.
2. Where do I truly desire to live? I want to live where Christ wants me to live. Where he needs me to live.  And in eternity - I truly desire to live with him.
3. You have blessed me by ... letting experience the miracle of pregnancy anyway, giving me two other children, leading us to an amazing church family, sending a purple church bus all those years ago ...
4. additional prayers All those affected by the many, many tornados that have been swirling through this country.   

[my responses are in red.]

Convo with Pastor - 2 Chronicles 6:1, 36-39

H O W   T O   H E A R   T H E   V O I C E   O F   G O D

Too many people say that "they try and try, but can't hear God."

For the next several days, I want to share with you a technique

I've learned from T. W. Hunt in "The Disciples Prayer Life."

It's a three-step process: 1) read a passage of scripture,

2) ask "What God is saying to me?" (each day I'll give fewer hints),

3) pray, "What I am saying to God?" (reflecting what God said to you).

　

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

1 Then Solomon prayed ... 36 "If they sin against you -- and who has never sinned? -- you may become angry with them and let their enemies conquer them and take them captive to a foreign land far or near. 37 But in that land of exile, they may turn to you again in repentance and pray, 'We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly.' 38 Then if they turn to you with their whole heart and soul and pray toward the land you gave to their ancestors, toward this city you have chosen, and toward this Temple I have built to honor your name, 39 then hear their prayers from heaven where you live. Uphold their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you." --- 2 Chronicles 6:1,36-39

WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO ME?

1. VERSE 36 - We all sin.
2. VERSE 36-37 - Sin has consequences.
3. VERSE 37-38 - Repentance includes "turn[ing] to [God] with [our] whole heart."
4. VERSE 39 - When we repent, God will "uphold [our] cause and forgive" our sins.

WHAT I AM SAYING TO GOD?

some intentionally left blank ... for you to fill in!

1. VERSE 36 - Acknowledge your sins: this is too public of a forum to detail them ... but in general terms - worry, fear, distrust, pride / stubbornness, lack of faith, gluttony, sloth ...
2. VERSE 36-37 - Some consequences have been loss of friendships, poor health, less income due to not working enough, running off people, 
3. VERSE 37-38 - Turn to God with your whole heart: I don't know if I can ... or if I know how ... 
4. VERSE 39 - Oh God - please forgive me for breaking your heart. Especially for being so stubborn and not trusting you.  
5. additional prayers For the pilgrims and team that just returned from Via de Cristo ... please give us all rest and peace as we return to our lives.  Surround us with your angels and protect us from attacks from the evil one.  May we have strength from you to kick him in the knee caps!

Convo with Pastor - 2 Chronicles 5

H O W   T O   H E A R   T H E   V O I C E   O F   G O D

Too many people say that "they try and try, but can't hear God."

For the next several days, I want to share with you a technique

I've learned from T. W. Hunt in "The Disciples Prayer Life."

It's a three-step process: 1) read a passage of scripture,

2) ask "What God is saying to me?" (each day I'll give fewer hints),

3) pray, "What I am saying to God?" (reflecting what God said to you).

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

1 When Solomon had finished all the work related to building the Temple of the LORD, he brought in the gifts dedicated by his father, King David... 7 Then the priests carried the Ark of the LORD's covenant into the inner sanctuary of the Temple -- the Most Holy Place -- and placed it beneath the wings of the cherubim. ... 13 The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. ... 14 The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God. --- 2 Chronicles 5

　

WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO ME?

1. VERSE 1, 7 - New is not always better. What's most important is our continuity with God's past as we move into the future.
2. VERSE 13 - When momentous things happen, praise, thanksgiving, and worship should be our response.
3. VERSE 14 - God's presence is real and powerful.

WHAT I AM SAYING TO GOD?

some intentionally left blank ... for you to fill in!

1. VERSE 1, 7 - When has God been most present with you in the past? Only when looking back did I see just how present he was my entire life...I just don't always know he's there.  How can you carry that presence forward with you into the future? By remembering that he always been there, through everything.  
2. VERSE 13 - God - I can't praise you for all the momentous things that have happened in my life.  I don't have the capabilities to thank you all of them. Please forgive me for not being able to thank you and praise you. 
3. VERSE 14 - Ask God to fill your life so fully with his presence that you can't continue with your "normal" activities.  I am trying to create a new normal and wondering what you want me to do, Lord.  Please guide me in the new normal you are designing.  
4. additional prayers too many to list ...

-------------------------

Does this work or is it more spaghetti being thrown at the wall??

Convo with Pastor - Psalm 127

H O W   T O   H E A R   T H E   V O I C E   O F   G O D

Too many people say that "they try and try, but can't hear God."

For the next several days, I want to share with you a technique

I've learned from T. W. Hunt in "The Disciples Prayer Life."

It's a three-step process: 1) read a passage of scripture,

2) ask "What God is saying to me?" (each day I'll give fewer hints),

3) pray, "What I am saying to God?" (reflecting what God said to you).

PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. 2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. --Psalm 127

WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO ME?

1. VERSE 1 - If you ever feel like you're living your life in vain, God has an alternative.
2. VERSE 1 - The alternative to a life lived in vain is building our life on God.
3. VERSE 2 - Feeling "anxious[]" and "useless" and working "from early morning til late at night" is a timeless epidemic.
4. VERSE 2 - God's "rest" (including Sabbath rest) is God's "gift" to us and a hopeful alternative to perpetual human exhaustion.

WHAT I AM SAYING TO GOD?

1. Lord, my life seems in vain in these ways: trying so hard to figure out what I should do; fretting over things I want to control, yet know I shouldn't; even studying your word seems to be done in vain. 
2. Lord, these are the ways in which I want to make changes and build my life more fully on you: I want to fully trust you with my heart and life. I don't want just knowledge - I want to feel you working in my life. I want your will to be my only will. 
3. Lord, I confess my exhaustion and living my life in ways that are "out-of-balance." Yes. And honestly - I am not sure if I know what balance is and how to obtain it. 
4. God, grant me true rest ... and a refreshment that comes from finally resting in you. Yes. Please. Amen.
5. additional prayers .... not to be posted.

--------------------
I am not going to post my response to this one. We'll see what the other days hold. 


Update: I will post my responses in red to these 'listening' posts.

Convo with Pastor - Song of Solomon 4:1-10

1 How beautiful you are, my love,

Your eyes are doves behind your veil.

Your hair is like a flock of goats,

moving down the slopes of Gilead. ...

3 Your lips are like a crimson thread,

and your mouth is lovely. ...

4 Your neck is like the tower of David ...

5 Your two breasts are like two fawns,

twins of a gazelle, that feed among the lilies.

7 You are altogether beautiful, my love ...

9 You have ravished my heart, ... my bride ...

10 How sweet is your love, ... my bride!

how much better is your love than wine ...

Song of Solomon 4:1-10

 

We are told in 1 Kings 4:32 that Solomon wrote 1,005 songs. Was this amorous song from Solomon autobiographical? Probably a little! (Solomon certainly knew a little about having a wife ... or two ... or more.) I prefer to think of it as a proverb -- as absolutely true because it's timeless advice to all the wise king's men, as really a wonderful work of creative fiction (like me writing a joyful country song, saying something like, "I met a brown eyed girl in a patch of butternut squash").

 

Anyway the Song of Solomon is much more than a man meeting a pretty girl in a squash patch. It is perhaps as close as you can get to an R-rated part of the Bible. (Actually, that's not exactly true. Some parts of Scripture might be R-rated for violence. But this is the part that causes many to blush on account of focusing on sex.)

 

But why?

 

Turn on the TV anytime of day and you'll find sex. And I doubt that it would surprise you to find out that something like 87% of the couples who are having sex on TV are not married. So what's so R-rated about a truly loving marriage relationship on the pages of scripture? A man is passionate about his wife. And she's a little enamored with him. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be?

 

Celebrate with the Song of Songs the way things are supposed to be. A man loves his wife. A wife delights in her husband. Life is good.

 

In Christ's Love,

a thankful husband

------------------
Several years ago, my husband and I read the bible in a year outloud to each other.  When we got to this section, we tried to read it lovingly and 'romantically' but instead only ended up rolling laughing [which can end up a good thing also].  The metaphors don't always translate through time, but the emotions behind them do.

Convo with Pastor - Matthew 24:44

Therefore you also must be ready,

for the Son of Man is coming

at an unexpected hour.

Matthew 24:44

 

Did you read tomorrow's news in advance?

 

A number of faithful Christians are calling for tomorrow to be the beginning of the end.

　

One of the "proofs" involves Noah's ark. In Genesis 7:4, Noah's family is given seven days to get in the ark -- or in other words, seven days to accept God rescue plan for salvation. Spiritually you and I are part of Noah's family. And we have seven "days" to accept God's plan of salvation-- which is ultimately Jesus Christ.

 

Now, in 2 Peter 3:8 we are told that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years. Therefore, using this logic, seven days to climb aboard God's rescue plan is equal to seven thousand years. And according to some versions of calendars -- guess what -- May 21 is the 7000th anniversary of the Noah's Ark and the flood.

　

Now, will tomorrow be the beginning to the end? Well ... I'd need a little more convincing to forcefully declare that tomorrow is exactly 7000 years since the flood. Nevertheless, it's always a good time to be reminded that tomorrow could be your end.

　

Are you ready?

　

Well, if tomorrow begins with their predicted world-wide earthquake, then it may be time -- or too late on time -- to get ready.

　

In Christ's Love,

a guy who doesn't want to wait

for doomsday scenarios

to get ready

-----------------
The verse clearly says 'an unexpected hour' and if folks are predicting the end on 5/21 then that isn't very unexpected. However, before leaving home to work a weekend retreat, I told my husband that if the end happened, I'll see him in heaven! 

Convo with Pastor - Psalm 72:6

May the king's rule be refreshing

like spring rain on freshly cut grass.

Psalm 72:6

 

When was the last time that an American President's rule was refreshing?!

 

Most have some ups. All have some downs -- wars and scandals. But have we ever gotten to the end and just said, "Ahhh! What a glorious four years!"?

 

Here's the biggest problem with rulers: Nations continually hang their collective fate on the shoulders of their president or king. If he chooses to make war, the whole nation suffers through war. If she mismanages the economy, the whole nation suffers through the recession. If he chooses a dubious moral agenda, it may be decades before the ship of state is righted.

 

Psalm 72 is prayer for the ideal king. Might we pray that all our leaders seek godly guidance, and may be the poor be rescued (v 12), may the crops be abundant (v 16), may his reign be refreshing (v 6), and "may all the godly flourish"!

 

In Christ's Love,

a political junkie

(not because I like the drama,

but because I need to know

who and what to pray for!)

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A rule as refreshing as spring rain on freshly cut grass?

That will only happen when we are in heaven worshiping under the throne of God.
(But I am enjoying the spring weather and the smells that go with it!)

Convo with Pastor - Psalm 25:1

O Lord, I give my life to you. 

Psalm 25:1

 

Have you said that to God recently?

 

Ever?

 

"O Lord, I do! I give my life to you." That's a powerful prayer to start a beautiful Psalm. And the rest of the Psalm details how David chooses to do this.

• 2 I trust in you ...
• 4 Show me the path where I should walk ...
• 5 Lead me by your truth ...
• 5 Teach me, for you are the God who saves me ...
• 7 Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth ...
• 14 Fear him [for] friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who fear him ... 
• 15 My eyes are always looking to the Lord for help ...
• 21 May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you ...

As a step toward giving your life toward him, choose one of these seven things to pray about and work on (with him) today:

1. pursing a greater trust by giving over some of your worries 
2. seeking his path and trying to discover his ways
3. seeking his truth (which may include reading more scripture or submitting some of your ideas and preferences)
4. adopting a more teachable spirit
5. confessing your sins honestly and deeply
6. fear/respect God more by following all of his calls and commandments, especially the one you're holding back on ... or ...
7. shoring up that crack in the dyke of your integrity and truthfulness.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to cut the string

(I'm always tempted to give him my life

and pull it right back)

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I have had this devo for a few days and usually look at them when I get them. Not this one ... I have been in a foul mood for several days. And on the edge of tears non-stop. And ... basically ... not doing what I know I need to be doing to stay healthy.
1. I worry. I don't trust. I worry that those I do trust will break that fragile bond. Even God.
2. I have been seeking his path and trying to discover his ways. But I am tired.
3. see #1
4. Am I teachable? Or am I not basking in my stubbornness, yet still hiding behind it.
5-7. hmmm...

How far have I really come?

Convo with Pastor - 1 Chronicles 28:9

[King David said,] Solomon, my son, 

learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately.

Worship and serve him with your whole heart

and with a willing mind.

For the Lord sees every heart and

understands and knows every plan and thought.

If you seek him, you will find him.

1 Chronicles 28:9

 

Wow!

 

What a final blessing from father to son!

 

As King David prepares to step aside -- as, indeed, his time of death draws near -- he gives this final commendation to the next king, Solomon, his own son.

 

Now, we could say that these are appropriate words for Bible characters and proper advise to the next leader of God's chosen people. But guess what ... these are proper words for ALL parents to ALL their children. 

 

And each of these phrases are not unlike the blessings that Jesus wants to bestow on us too ...

• David said, "learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately," and Jesus says, when you pray, start by calling God, "Father, Abba, Daddy" because God wants an intimate relationship with you (see Mt 6:9).  
• David said, "Worship and serve him with your whole heart and with a willing mind." Jesus calls the first and greatest purpose to "love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind" (Lk 10:27).
• David said, "the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every plan and thought." Jesus says, "you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. In fact, the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid" (Luke 12:7).
• David said, "If you seek [God], you will find him." Jesus says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and he will give you everything you need." 

David's advice in not just a Bible character's advice to another Bible character. It's the truest advice and blessing that any of us can give to another. Why? Because this blessing can last forever and ever and ever.

 

In Christ's Love,

a father who's given his sons

the keys to the family car,

but what I need to make sure I'm doing

is giving them the keys to the kingdom

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I hope that I am instilling in my children the fact that no matter how much Mommy and Daddy love them, Jesus loves them so much more!  HE will always take care of them.  I don't want them to ever doubt these facts.