No Pain, No Gain? - Is. 53:10a

"But it was the Lord's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief..." Is. 53:10a

This is just a really hard statement to read. Every time I read that God designs suffering for my own good I kind of cringe. I don't want to suffer! We spend our lives in an attempt to build to a point where we can avoid difficulty and hardship, and this forces me to accept that there is some aspect of God's plan that necessitates my suffering. No matter how I want to try to spin scripture, there seems no getting away from this fact. So what does this look like in reality? Because I view suffering as bad, how do I know when what I am going through is simply "the Lord's good plan"? That I shouldn't be running from it, trying to minimize it or avoid it, but rather willingly enduring through it, knowing that God has a plan on the other side? I guess this comes down to knowing God's will. Wow! Another easy thing for a mere human to attempt to discern! What all this tells me is that my relationship with God is a very critical thing. The more time I spend with him, the more I KNOW him. The more I know him, the more easily I can understand and discern his will. Funny how it always comes back to basics.

God, thank you for the way your word always reveals the truth I need to grow into the person you want me to be. Give me the strength to embrace hardship when you send it my way.

Today's reading: Is. 53-55; 2 Pet. 2

No Fear - Is. 43:1-7

"But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba as a ransom for your freedom. Others died that you might live. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you." Is. 43:1-7

Some words should not be tainted by human commentary. I am simply speechless.

God, thank you for these promises. Thank you for loving me this much.

Today's reading: Is. 43-45; 1 Pet. 4

Partners - 1 Pet. 3:7

"In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard." 1 Pet. 3:7

Funny how scripture is, I don't ever remember reading that last sentence. I write on this verse as much for my sons as for myself. We, as men, are always working on self-improvement. We pride ourselves on our ability and willingness to self-evaluate. What can make me better? How can I excel at what I do? What areas of my life need focus? And we pray diligently for God to give us wisdom, direction and answers to our prayers. BUT, how am I treating my wife?? If I am not treating her as I should, my prayers will not be heard, let alone answered! Not may not, WILL not. Hmmm, I'm a smart guy, process oriented, systems focused. What is God trying to show me with regard to my priorities? It's interesting that there is so much written on men's self-improvement in the Christian world, much of it revolving around prayer, discipline, etc. Yet I am not sure I have ever seen a focus on the idea that if you do not treat your wife properly, that your prayers will not even be heard! Sounds like a pretty important aspect of the whole discussion to me! I absolutely love my wife, but can I be better? Absolutely. I am all about looking for absolutes in God's word, and working to incorporate them into my life--this is one that always needs to focus, not because it is hard, but because it seems obvious. And that which is obvious does not always get the priority that it should. I also have to believe this is a major weapon that the enemy uses quite successfully against us men. I know that if I focus on what God wants me to that I can live with no fear. I love it that one of those things is my wife!

God, thank you for blessing me with an amazing partner. Perfect for me in every way, and I would expect no less from the Author Of All Things. Keep my focus on her and her needs; make me ever more aware of what it takes to really communicate with her; thank you for a relationship that seems to only get better with time!

Today's reading: Is. 40-42; 1 Pet. 3

Consider The Source - 2 Ki. 19:22

"Whom do you think you have been insulting and ridiculing? Against whom did you raise your voice? At whom did you look in such proud condescension? It was the Holy One of Israel! 2 Ki. 19:22

God's response through Isaiah to King Sennacherib's insults should be a wake up call to all of us. Sometimes we can begin to think way too much of ourselves. Like we actually mean something; as if our accomplishments make us something special; as if anything we have done was by our own hand--and not ordained by God long ago! I must always remember that I am here to serve HIM, and not the other way around; that EVERY good thing and blessing in my life was a gift from God simply because he loves me. Wow! AND I must certainly not be intimidated or put off by anyone who rages against God, because they are no different from the Assyrian King--they have no idea what they are doing and whom they are addressing. They are paving their own path of destruction.

Father, you are the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and THE only God. You are the author of everything, the beginning and the end. I will worship you and you alone--I bow before you.

Today's reading: 2 Ki. 18-19; 2Ch. 32; Ja. 5

Who Do you Serve? - Ja. 4:7, 10

"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you... When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor." Ja. 4:7, 10

When I was reading about King Hezekiah's reforms in 2 Chr. today, I was really wondering how God was going to respond to some of the liberties he was taking with God's law. From allowing relatives of the Levites help prepare the sacrifices, to changing the actual day of the Passover celebration, to even allowing people who were not properly purified to eat the Passover meal. All I could think about was that guy who was worried that the Ark would fall off the cart, reached out to steady it, and was killed by God on the spot! It was comforting to read, "And the Lord listened to Hezekiah's prayer and healed the people." 2Ch. 30:20 Hezekiah did exactly what was prescribed in this verse in James: He humbled himself before God by recognizing his ancestors' past sins, resisted the devil by implementing some very unpopular reforms (he was laughed at!), kept his focus on what God desired and put his dependence completely on him. God honored Hezekiah. It appears that God's focus was on the attitude of his heart, not simply the letter of the law--I am not used to seeing this in the O.T. Maybe, through their actions, the people just didn't give God a chance to reveal this aspect of his personality as much! God always told them that if they turned to him, he would save them and provide for all their needs. Here he showed it.

God does not expect me to be perfect, he expects me to recognize who is boss; he expects me to increasingly turn toward him and away from the desires of the world that draw me away; he expects me to admit my dependence on him and bow down before him. I know I am not perfect, but I KNOW I can do these things! Hezekiah's HEART was in the right place, that is what God honored. I must examine my heart and motives on a daily basis. I must be seeking what God wants MORE than what I want. I know this can be hard, I know I can be a selfish person.

God, you know my heart. It loves you, but it also enjoys the things of this world. Forgive me if I allow things to get out of balance--keep my focus and dependence on you.

Today's reading: 2Ch. 29-31; Ja. 4

True Love - Ja. 1:18, 21

"In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession... So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls." Ja. 1:18, 21

How much does God love me? When I read these words it is just overwhelming! He chose me as his child by giving me his word, and somehow I became his choice possession. If that wasn't enough, he planted a message in my heart that has the power to save my soul! He asks me to "humbly accept" this message, which I can only assume means that it was a gift from someone greater to someone who is lesser, who by no means earned the gift. God simply took the initiative to plant this message in my heart to make me his choice possession because he loves me! To humbly accept, I must recognize that the work is done and complete whether or not I feel worthy. As he says in the next verse, "...it is a message to obey and not just to listen to." It is a message to ACT! There is no time to be bemoaning my weaknesses or God's reasons for doing what he did. Put blinders on and move!

God, help me to think less and act more. Thank you for loving me as much as you do.

Today's reading: Is. 29-31; Ja. 1

Worship The King - Heb. 12:28

"Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe." Heb. 12:28

I seem to keep coming back to the same theme, that we MUST give God the honor and respect that he is due. And for the most part we don't. Like the verse a couple of days ago, I think we may be at risk of treating the things of God as common and unholy. Do I become too familiar? Do I approach him with fear and awe? Do I live every day recognizing that I actually have a relationship with THE God of the universe, that he has chosen me to be his son, that he has given me an eternal life with him? The things of this life can be so consuming, but God is calling me to live today while focusing beyond this life. Reading Isaiah today, I interpreted 23:9 as saying that God humbles me to destroy my pride and show his contempt for all human greatness. Wow.

Lord, help me keep who you are in perspective every day. Always recognizing your greatness, your love for me and your gift to me. I worship you with holy fear and awe.

Today's reading: Is. 22-24; Heb. 12

Faith - Is. 20:3

"Then the Lord said, 'My servant Isaiah hs been walking around naked and barefoot for the last three years. This is a sign -- a symbol of the terrible troubles I will bring upon Egypt and Ethiopia.'" Is. 20:3

Every time I read this I wonder if it was true. Naked for three years? How much faith would that take?! I like to believe that I have the gift of faith, but I just don't know what I would do if God told me to do this--then again, he wouldn't ask me to do more than I could handle now would he? In all seriousness, how far am I willing to go to be obedient to God? I moved to NC, so I guess pretty far, but what if what he asked was embarrassing, humiliating, or degrading? What God asked of Isaiah was all of these things, yet he obeyed. I guess I can't worry about this, but it does make me wonder. There was a comforting verse in today's reading in Hebrews: "...Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Heb. 11:6b" I know that I do this, all the rest has always followed. The key for me: always keep seeking Him.

God, thank you for the faith that you have blessed me with. It carries me through the uncertainties in life and keeps me focused on the what is solid and true. I know that I can depend on you, please keep revealing yourself to me.

Today's reading: Is. 19-21; Heb. 11

Holy - Heb. 10:29

"Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God and have treated the blood of the covenant as if it were common and unholy. Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy Spirit who brings God's mercy to his people." Heb. 10:29

Originally I was going to write on verse 19 where "we can boldly enter heaven's most holy place...," but after I read verse 29, I got to thinking that maybe sometimes I can be too bold with God because of my faith. Because of my confidence in the work of Jesus, is it possible to treat the things of God with too much familiarity and not enough reverence? I am certain that given the context of the surrounding verses John is talking about people who completely turn their back on God; however, the verse does specifically talk about God's attitude toward those who treat the blood of the covenant "as if it were common and unholy." What does this mean in the context of the way we worship at Hope? We are proud of our "casual" dress and relaxed environment, but can it go too far? Can it have unintended consequences? I don't know the answer to this for the church as a whole, but I can be responsible for my actions. While I truly enjoy thinking of God as a family member, and approaching him with that kind of love and intimacy, I must remember also that this is the God of the universe, the King of kings. There is absolutely a reverence that is due him, a recognition of his holiness. While we may be a "casual" church from a dress perspective, I must be careful to not allow this casualness to bleed into my worship of God. There is nothing "common" about complete Holiness.

God, thank you for your Son's one and only perfect sacrifice that allows me to approach you in the most Holy place with boldness. Thank you that there is nothing that separates me from a relationship with you. Keep my perspective on the things you deem holy; please always keep the incredible nature of your Righteousness fresh in front of my face; don't ever allow me to insult the Holy Spirit.

Today's reading: Is. 15-18; Heb. 10

Keep It Simple - Mic. 6:8

"No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Mic. 6:8

People always try to complicate what God wants from them. It must be human nature to believe that the God of the universe MUST demand something very complex/difficult/overwhelming from us in order to satisfy him. Then, straight from the Prophet's mouth, comes the simplicity of Micah 6:8. When you read it, it makes so much sense that this is what God would desire. It is so loving, peaceful and relational. And the best part is that is SO simple! It is THREE things -- I can do that!

Or can I?

Do I always do what is right? hmmm...
Do I love mercy? weeellll... yes, but do I always offer it? hmmm...
Do I walk humbly with my God? I walk with him, but how humble am I? hmmm...

What I conclude from this is that while I may not execute perfectly, I know my heart strives for all three most all of the time. And I hate it when I stumble! I know that I must do better because this is all that my God is asking of me. It is not that hard, and yet it is. Jesus DIED for me, and all he is asking for are these three things? I simply HAVE to do better!

God, thank you for keeping it simple for a simple person like me. Please help me to not only do better with the three tasks you have given me, but I pray that you change my heart so that they come more easily... so that it becomes human nature for me.

Today's reading: Mic. 5-7; Heb. 7

Been There - Heb. 5:2, 8

"And because he is human, he is able to deal gently with the people, though they are ignorant and wayward. For he is subject to the same weaknesses they have." Heb. 5:2

"So even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered." Heb. 5:8

After reading about God's judgment on Israel in Hosea, it felt good to read these verses in Hebrews today. Even though theologically it doesn't hold up, it almost makes me feel like God hits a point of frustration in the O.T. where he says, "They just don't get it, they definitely aren't listening to me, I need to send someone they can relate to, I'll send my Son." ...and because he is human, he is able to deal gently... I serve a God who gets it. He understands that his ways are different from mine, and I struggle with things that he never will. But through his Son he gets it, he IS human. He understands my ignorance and waywardness, and he definitely deals gently with me. As awesome as God is, as loving and patient as he is, as much as he desires the deepest of relationships with me, shouldn't I have more devotion to him? Shouldn't I think more about what he wants and less about me? Shouldn't my focus be him before anything else? Why can't I more greatly embrace how temporary this world is? Why are my desires SO carnal?!

Has anyone else ever died just to have a relationship with me? Wow, if that perspective doesn't shape actions, nothing will.

I cited Heb. 5:8 simply because I don't feel like I have suffered a lot in this life. I am always afraid to blog about this or even pray about it for fear of God saying, "OK, well here you go!" I know, stupid, but I am ignorant and weak. But truly, what does this mean? At this moment, I am writing from our beach house. Waves are crashing in the background, we just celebrated Alice's 45th birthday, we are about to celebrate our 22nd anniversary, Bill and Marcia just left to go home after spending four days with us (we couldn't be blessed with better friends), Brandon and Evan are asleep in their rooms, Dave and Jonny left last night to go home so Dave could do his shift at Starbucks this morning, everyone is healthy, my business is thriving in a recession... Suffering? I don't really know the meaning of the word -- and I don't want to. But then what does this mean? All I know is that I am blessed, and that I am thankful.

God, don't EVER let me take your blessings for granted. I praise and thank you for all that you have blessed me with. I know there are categories of suffering, and that I have experienced some of them. My prayer is that I will always learn from whatever lessons you teach in whatever form, and that I don't have to experience more suffering for you to make your point. I pray that I will always recognize you in everything that happens everyday, and that I can always give you the credit. It is all about you. Even though I fail to recognize this too often, I thank you for your patience, your love and your Word that always helps me regain my focus. Keep me far from idols, you are all I want.

Today's reading: Hos. 13, 14; Ps. 100, 102; Heb. 5

He Means What He Says! - Hos. 1:2

From 7/4/2009 reading:

"Go and marry a prostitute, so some of her children will be born to you from other men. This will illustrate the way my people have been untrue to me, openly committing adultery against the Lord by worshiping other gods." Hos. 1:2

This is a hard verse, but what it tells me is that God is serious about what he asks us to do. AND, he may ask me to do some very hard things. How often do I say, "God wouldn't ask me to do something like that..." I wonder if Hosea ever thought that God would ask him to marry a prostitute?! Worse yet, the purpose was to illustrate to others what God feels about their disobedience--it had NOTHING to do with Hosea! Things become difficult because God's ways are SO different from my ways, and he may choose to use extreme measures to make his point. Always best to be obedient, staying in the Word and as focused as can be on what HIS will is versus mine.

Lord, as I add on to yesterday's prayer, renew my focus on your will. Give me the desire to do what you want always.

Today's reading: 2 Ki. 15-16; Hos. 1; Heb. 1

Excuses, Excuses... - Titus 3:3

From 7/1/2009 reading:

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures." Titus 3:3

Paul writes to Titus about attributes that were part of a PAST life. Things that I should no longer be entangled by; things that I devoted myself to and immersed myself in because I did not have God to direct me. What is my excuse now? Why am I still so often driven by things that have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with God? That, in fact, drive me away from godly pursuits? I must always live in recognition of, and never underestimating, the power of the enemy. Thanks be to God that that enemy is defeated!

God, help me to see what you see and feel what you feel everyday. Compel me to make the decisions that you would make.

Today's reading: Is. 1-3; Titus 3