Steady As She Goes? - 1Cor. 15:58

"So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." 1Cor. 15:58

Definitely one of those, "easier said than done" passages. I'm pretty good at knowing that nothing I do for the Lord is ever useless -- my gift of faith nails that one. It's the "always enthusiastic" part that is my difficulty. "Always" is a big word. It speaks to the condition of my heart, and ultimately to the motives behind the works I do. First of all, am I REALLY focused on the Lord's work to begin with? Sometimes I wonder -- my self-centeredness and materialism often get the best of me. "Strong and steady" indicates consistency; hmmmm... I think I get about a "B" in this category, not too bad. So it seem to boil down to mu enthusiasm where I get tripped up -- it's a biggie though, if left unchecked it leads to hypocrisy.

God, help my motives to always be pure, be the center of my life, my focus. Keep me from ever being like a Pharisee, where it is all show and no heart.

Today's reading: Judg. 8; Ps. 42; 1Cor. 15

But a Breath... - Ps. 39:6, 7

"We are all moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth for someone else to spend. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you." Ps. 39:6, 7

Later on in this chapter David writes, "For I am your guest--a traveler passing through." It would do me good to realize more often how fleeting life is on this earth. It should cause me to stop all my rushing about and wonder, "If my existence is 'frail as breath,' yet God put me on this planet for a purpose, am I accomplishing it? Or am I just occupying space?" I am sure that it is no coincidence that yesterday's and today's readings in the NT were 1Cor. 12-13; the importance of the body, and the overriding significance of love. I HAVE a purpose and a role to play, and have been given special abilities to accomplish it with love. Am I playing my part? Or am I simply sitting in the audience?

God, help me to keep my life in your perspective; focused on your purposes.

Today's reading: Judg. 4, 5; Ps. 39, 41; 1Cor. 13

Faith That Leads To Repentance - 1Cor. 10:32-33

"Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God... I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they might be saved." 1Cor. 10:32-33

I'm not sure how good I am at this. I'd like to believe that I am, but at times I feel like a selfish , worldly person -- more interested in getting what I want than what others might think. I just kinda go into denial about the impact on others because I am more interested in me. There is a less condemning aspect of this as well: My gift of faith can often get in the way of my being empathetic to others. No, I am not blaming God, it is definitely my own weakness! My confidence in my salvation, and my faith in who I KNOW God to be, can lead me to be insensitive or impatient with others -- EXACTLY what this chapter was warning about, and definitely not the outcome God was hoping for!

Lord, I just don't know what to do about this one. You KNOW my heart, I do not want to be the cause of ANYONE stumbling. Yet I fear that my actions at times might do this very thing. I pray that you protect everyone I come in contact with from my insensitivity. Do not allow my actions to ever give anyone the wrong view of you. Help me to be an accurate reflection of you.

Today's reading: Josh. 21-22; Ps. 47; 1Cor. 10

GOAL!! - 1Cor. 9:25-26

From 3/24/07 reading:

"All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step." 1Cor. 9:25-26

I am always drawn to verses that describe my walk with the Lord (in other words, my life) as a competition. The analogy is such a good one. I have an opponent who actually still thinks he can win. So his effort is to trip me up every chance he gets; he knows me intimately, is willing to play dirty, and enjoys even my smallest failures. To win, an athlete must: be disciplined, stay focused on a goal that is hard to see, be willing to be different, make his goal part of his life, work out consistently (even when he doesn't want to), and have endurance. Even though it seems that I am never perfect in all these disciplines at any one time, I am convinced that my effort makes Satan's job (my opponent) a whole lot harder. In the end, I know that I have already won, but I still want to hear coach say, "well done..."

Holy Spirit, I pray that you will help me to see through all the distractions of the life I live, and most especially the efforts of my opponent who never tires of trying to beat me down. Like a trained athlete, keep my eyes focused on the goal, keep me in your zone.

Today's reading: Josh. 18:20; 1Cor. 9

Could Not... Would not? - Josh. 15:63

From 3/23/07 reading:

"But the Tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, who lived in the city of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to this day." Josh. 15:63

I am going to have to do a little digging about this verse. If God wanted the Jebusites out of the land, they would be gone; therefore, there must have been a reason for God to have them stay. Or... Judah simply WOULD NOT drive them out. Until I find evidence otherwise, this seems more likely to me. Judah simply tired of doing battle and allowed them to stay. Since I am not a bible scholar, I don't know if this is true, but if it is, we will find the influence of the Jebusites spreading like a cancer through the tribe of Judah. There was a reason God instructed the Israelites to clean house.

God, while it is easy for me to criticize Judah for not wanting to go through the effort to cleanse themselves completely of all lingering ungodly influences, I have to admit that I am no better. It is easier, and sometimes even desirable to simply allow them to stay. I pray that you continue to shine your light on whatever you want cleaned out of YOUR possession, and give me the strength and will to get the job done.

Today's reading: Josh. 15-17; 1Cor. 8

So Far, So Good... - Josh. 11:15

"Joshua slaughtered all the other kings and their people, completely destroying them, just as Moses, the servant of the Lord, had commanded." Josh. 11:15

This was just an absolutely brutal slaughter. The Israelites left NOTHING living, not man, woman, child or livestock. This had to be one of the first instances of genocide, the complete extermination of a people--and it was authorized by God! This has always been hard to accept, but I've come to try to understand it based on few points:

1. This WAS the land that had always been promised to Israel by the God who created it in the first place.
2. Leaving anyone alive risked bringing foreign religious practices to God's chosen people, thus contaminating something he considered pure.
3. Descendants of Anak occupied this region, who are thought to be Nephalim. If so, it can be understood that God wanted them erased from existence.

So far, Joshua is executing God's plan to near perfection, and Israel is being blessed. It would be great if the story could end here.

God, it is clear to me that Israel was blessed as long as she was obedient. You did not ask us to ask why, though you might choose to answer if we did. And you certainly did not suggest that we attempt to determine through our own wisdom whether something you are asking us to do should, or should not, be done. You asked for our obedience, and in exchange we would be your people. End of story. I am sure that as Joshua and his men were killing women and children there had to come a point of real difficulty. Somehow they persevered. Help my questions and lack of understanding NEVER stand in the way of what you have called me to do.

Today's reading: Josh. 9-11; 1Cor. 6

Mind Reader - 1Cor. 2:11, 12

From 3/17/2007 reading:

"...and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit. And God has actually given us his Spirit so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us." 1Cor. 2:11, 12

I remember how much this verse blew me away the first time I read it. Who wouldn't want to know God's thoughts?! Isn't this the great quest of mankind? Well... if no one know God's thoughts except God's Spirit, and I have his Spirit in me, I know God's thoughts! Verse 15 as much states this. If this reality does not amaze you, nothing will--WE can know the thoughts of God, the Creator of all things!! This is the power of the gift God gave us in the Holy Spirit. Not only did he adopt us into his family giving us full rights as heirs; through the Spirit, he gave us the ability to understand his thoughts and the power to live a life on this earth the way HE directs.

Lord, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit, thank you for never leaving me alone.

Today's reading: Deut. 32-34; 1Cor. 2

Men's Retreat - 2007

Wow! Another great Men's Retreat! The YMCA retreat center in Black Mountain has turned out to be a great location for us, many a memory has been created there!

The theme for this retreat was "Surrender," with the focus being on areas of men's lives that they typically have a tough time giving over to God. Whether it be money, relationships, control issues, or anything else, there is no doubt the Holy Spirit was working overtime to get guys to give it up. Bill set the stage Friday night with one of the best expositions on Jacob wrestling with God that I have ever heard. It was an awesome way to begin the weekend, because the range of issues that guys could be "wrestling" with was left undefined, only to be determined by them and God as the weekend progressed. Worship was incredible, there were tons of guys that I did not know, and there was a real openness and anticipation as to what God was going to do -- he did not disappoint! The weather was colder than is normal for our retreats, so there were not as many outdoor activities, but that did not stop anyone from fun and games in the main meeting room (music, cards, board and video games, food, etc)--boys will be boys! A couple of stand out moments were the prayer time and worship Saturday night, and the baptism on Sun morning. The Holy Spirit REALLY did a work on Saturday night; moving from worship to prayer was seamless, and an overwhelming number of guys responded--things just flowed! The baptism was the real surprise! Nick Errato decided he had put it off long enough (definitely a "wrestling" issue for him), and decided he wanted to get baptised in the creek! Ryan Thompson and one other guy (Mike?) decided to join him in the 20 degree water! Bill said it was bone numbing! It turned out to be an awesome experience, and another memory that I am sure the guys won't soon forget.

One of the areas of focus was on relationships, and Josh used Scott, Bill and myself as an example of a healthy, long lasting friendship that he had always been envious of. Now he sees he and Nick developing the same kind of thing. This is an area of my life that I always thank God for. Bill and Scott are not only my best friends, but they are friends, rabbis and mentors all rolled up into one package. God really created something special there for all of us, and I know they value this relationship as much as I do. Bill and I drove up together, and we were trying to remember how many men's retreats we had been on together, and neither of us could remember. You add to that all the other trips, events, family activities, vacations, meetings, meals, etc that we have experienced together, and our memories are literally endless. This IS what life is all about--the relationships that God puts into your life, and how he works through them, everything else pales in comparison. I KNOW that Scott and Libby and Bill and Marcia are friends for life for Alice and myself, and we will always relish the adventure that God has put us on together.

God, I thank you for my incredible wife and family, I am blessed beyond measure; add to that my friends and I am the richest man in the world.

Wise Up! - 1Cor. 1:21

"Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe." 1Cor. 1:21

I am experiencing this in real time right now. I have a client who is a scientist by training, and no matter how hard he tries, so far his "wisdom" has kept him from finding Christ. He feels that if God made his mind, he should be able to use it to find him. A very rational thought, but exactly the OPPOSITE of what God's plan happens to be! We have great e-mail exchanges, and I am saving them all because I am convinced that God has him in my life for a reason. I sent him Lee Strobel's, "The Case For a Creator," and he is analyzing it along side another book that essentially refutes many of the book's arguments! Man's wisdom simply CANNOT find God, only the Holy Spirit can guide him there. I always have to remind myself of what the wisest man who ever lived said after an exhaustive search for the meaning of life, "...fear God and obey his commands..." IF there is a God, this really can be our only conclusion, because try as we might to find answers, we will always have Deut. 29:29 to contend with, "There are secret things that belong to the Lord..." We will NEVER have the whole picture--at some point, faith has to enter in.

God, I pray for my client, I pray that you reveal yourself to him--be the miracle he has never seen. Show him how much bigger you are than his rational mind. I know all of heaven is waiting to rejoice, and I myself can't wait!

Today's reading: Deut. 30, 31; Ps. 40; 1Cor. 1

What The World Has To Offer - Gal. 6:3, 14

"If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody." Gal. 6:3

"Because of that cross, my interest in this world died a long time ago, and the world's interest in me is also long dead." Gal. 6:14

Now why would these verses stand out to me? Because I fear that I am really a selfish, self-centered, materialistic and worldly person. I am convicted; I am conflicted. I KNOW I love God with everything that is in me; I KNOW that I am a changed and reborn person; I KNOW that I am saved and will spend eternity with the God of the universe. I also know that there is a part of me that cares WAY more about me than the next person; that is NOT always willing to help; that IS interested in the good things this world has to offer, and DESIRES to enjoy them. How do these two people co-exist? What does God think about this? How do I reconcile having attributes that I know God despises live inside the new creation that he died to create?! I don't know really know how to handle this -- I definitely can relate to Paul's travail in Romans 7.

God, I understand that I am a work in progress, but sometimes I don't see the progress. I pray that you continue to shine your light on those areas of my life where I have stalled out--help me to keep moving forward in spite of my weakness.

Today's reading: Deut. 28, 29; Gal. 6

FREEDOM!! - Gal. 5:6, 13

"For you have been called to live in freedom--not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another on love." Gal. 5:13

"What is important is faith expressing itself in love." Gal. 5:6

The Judaizers claimed that Paul was basically preaching a "cheap grace." That without the law, there would be chaos, and people would have license to sin (just ask for forgiveness later!). In Gal 4, Paul paints a great picture of what true freedom is. He describes a situation where a minor inheirits his family's wealth, but is no better off than a slave becuase he has to live under the protective custody of his guardians; only after reaching a stated age does he receive his true inheiritance. That guardian for the Jews was the law. Christ came to set them free to REALLY live; however, with the Holy Spirit, this does not mean that we are free live however WE want. We are COMPELLED to work out our faith, which expresses itself in love for each other. Even though we are no longer slaves to the law, as Paul says elsewhere, we are still slaves to Christ--an even higher law. This is true freedom: to live everyday led by the Holy Spirit, KNOWING, that the human imperfections of that walk are covered by the blood of Christ.

Jesus, thank you for the freedom that you purchased for me--help me to use that freedom wisely.

Today's reading: Deut. 25-27; Gal. 5

Faith Alone - Gal. 2:18, 21

"...Rather, I make myself guilty if I rebuild the old system I already tore down." Gal. 2:18

"I am not one of those who treats the grace of God as meaningless. For if we could be saved by keeping the law, then there would be no reason for Christ to die." Gal. 2:21

As my friend Terry would say, "Christ plus nothing." It's such a simple principle, but so hard for man to apply. Even though we are saved, we are constantly trying to earn favor with God, and in many ways rebuilding a law of our own. When we fail, we feel as if we are failures as Christians, we beat ourselves up, and worse, might reach the conclusion that God cannot use us in our sinful condition. This is a lie from the pit! Paul recognized it, and took Peter to task for his inconsistent behavior with the Gentiles. I thanks God for the simple message of, "Christ plus nothing." Any added regulation would be a law that would ultimately condemn me.

God, thank you for your perfect plan; Jesus, thank you for your perfect sacrifice; Holy Spirit, I pray that you help me to keep my faith simple--keep me focused on what really matters, and help me to always see through the lies of the enemy.

Today's reading: Deut. 16-18; Ps. 38; Gal. 2

Rejoice! - Deut. 12:7

"There you and your families will feast in the presence of the Lord your God. and you will rejoice in all you have accomplished because the Lord your God has blessed you." Deut. 12:7

This is exactly what I feel our family is experiencing--our life is a feast everyday in the presence of the Lord; we praise and thank God for what we have and have accomplished, because it is only by his blessing that we have anything. We left the security of CA because he called us, and moved into a completely uncertain environment in NC. To the common man (and our families!) it looked like foolishness--but when God calls you have to follow, don't you? Just like the promises to the Israelites, there were prophecies of wonderful things to come in NC; but all we knew was that we were moving into a complete unknown. Here we are 15 years later living a life we never could have imagined. We are feasting because GOD blessed us, and we thank him for it--we serve a faithful God!

Lord, let us never forget why you brought us to NC. Never let me get complacent with the richness you have blessed us with--we are here for a reason, help us to keep the focus everyday.

Today's reading: Deut. 10-12; Mk. 16

Not Earned - Deut. 9:6; 7:8

"The Lord your God is not giving you this good land because you are righteous, for you are not..." Deut. 9:6

"It is simply because the Lord loves you..." Deut. 7:8

It is only because of God's love that we are not toast! He makes it very clear in today's chapters that nothing we are blessed with is because of any righteousness on our part--it is all due ONLY to God's love for us. Our continued existence is a love gift from God every day--that puts it into perspective doesn't it?! He also warns us not to forget him after we become rich due to his blessings, and if we do, that we are on a sure path to destruction. He warns numerous times to be careful, as if we will become fat and lazy with our wealth and forget its source; or worse, think that we earned it all on our own. That could never happen, could it?

Jesus, thank you for the ways you have blessed my life. Thank you for my family, thank you for my job, thank you for my finances, thank you for my health, thank you for the struggles that stretch and grow me... thank you for dying for ME. Thank you for one more day to live for you -- keep me from wasting it.

Today's reading: Deut. 7-9; Mk. 15

Basic Training - Deut. 6:7

"Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up." Deut. 6:7

It used to kind of even irritate me. No matter where we were or what the circumstance, Alice was/is ALWAYS talking to our kids about God, and what HE would have them do in a given situation. They would roll their eyes and give her the expected answer--I was convinced it was all going in one ear and out another. As I spent more time in the Bible, I became convinced that she was doing the right thing--we had a responsibility, and God had his. I started consciously giving them biblical instructions for life circumstances. As time went by, we started getting reports from teachers, parents of their friends, our friends, relatives and even pastors, about the wise and Godly choices our kids were making. While not perfect, it became obvious that God was holding up his end of the bargain. It always amazes me how faithful he is!

Lord, I thank you for my kids. I pray that you give us the wisdom to instruct them properly, and that YOU will always hold them close and on your path.

Today's reading: Deut. 5, 6; Ps. 43; Mk. 14

Doubting Thomas - Mk. 11:23-24

"...All that is required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart. Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it." Mk. 11:23-24

I have always struggled with this set of verses (starting in 11:22). Move mountains? Pray for ANYTHING? Was he speaking figuratively? I have heard teachings in different directions on this. Maybe it all comes down to the "doubt" part--maybe THAT is why we don't see mountains move. Obviously, if I am writing this, I am already giving evidence of doubt. It's not that I don't believe in miracles, I have seen my share, it's the "mountains" and "anything" parts. As a human, I don't know how to have ZERO doubt in the miraculous; in fact, I can think of very few people in the history of mankind that I can look to as a good example. As I pondered this, I came to think of Brother Yun in Heavenly Man (God was obviously behind this thought!). I stand corrected. THERE is a man who evidenced little to no doubt in what God was capable of, and truly miraculous things happened all around him--in fact, he came to depend on the miraculous! I think the verse IS literal--I just have too much doubt to see it happen.

Lord, help me to see with spiritual eyes. Blur the material world, and bring into focus the supernatural -- remove all doubt.

Today's reading: Num. 34-36; Mk. 11

The Greatest Story Ever Told? - Mk. 9:42

"But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck." Mk. 9:42

I was talking to a friend of mine today who is a carpenter, he told me that one of his painters said that when someone tells him that they are born again, it is a sure sign that he is going to lose money on the job. That is his singular thought when it comes to Christianity--THAT is sad! Another one of our friends who is a waitress, told us that Christians are the worst tippers, and she dreads working on Sunday afternoons for that reason. That makes me mad! These are the people Jesus was talking about in Mark 9--they are losing faith due to a Christian's witness. We have to be SO careful--we might very well be the only gospel that someone will read. It needs to be a great story!!

Jesus, I pray that I never cause another to stumble due to my actions -- help me to keep my focus on what is REALLY important.

Today's reading: Num. 30, 31; Mk. 9