Eternal realities (6) 10/3

 If the thrill of His presence, comfort and hope are real in this life, how much more will they be in heaven. The slowdown of the pandemic has given me more moments to rethink priorities. 

I want to be more intentional with my time to prepare for heaven but also help others rethink priorities as well I want to encourage others in whatever way I can but I’m not sure what that will look like. I so appreciate our time reading and reflecting together!

“What we love about this life are the things that resonate with the life we were made for. The things we love are not merely the best this life has to offer—they are previews of the greater life to come.” - Randy Alcorn, Heaven

Eternal realities (5) 10/02

 If I’m really honest, most of my thought time is about myself and the surrounding circumstances. My thinking time is not about seeing God in the present or the future. I like the statement in today’s reading - that when we experience God’s presence fully, it will seem like we never lived prior to that experience. I’m learning to give more thought time to Him, but I get distracted easily. One verse comes to mind:

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, - 2 Corinthians 10:5

Let’s allow Christ’s presence rule over our distractions. 

“Most of us find it very difficult to want “Heaven” at all—except in so far as “Heaven” means meeting again our friends who have died. One reason for this difficulty is that we have not been trained: our whole education tends to fix our minds on this world. Another reason is that when the real want for Heaven is present in us, we do not recognize it. (C. S. Lewis)” - Randy Alcorn, Heaven

Eternal Realities (4)

 One take away from today’s reading is that we cannot imagine what God has planned for those who love Him. If this is true, how important it is to love Him all the more, not because of what we can get, but because He loves us that much. We see a glimpse of how much He loves us through the cross but we really have no idea with our limitations. Imagine what it will be like to experience heaven together!!

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God’s thoughts are indeed higher than ours, but when he reduces his thoughts into words and reveals them in Scripture, he expects us to study them, meditate on them, and understand them—again, not exhaustively, but accurately.” - Randy Alcorn, Heaven

Eternal realities (3) 9/30

 Today’s reading is so important and I’m thrilled to no end that you have chosen to follow Christ. The path we are following can be lonely at times but God Himself provides the strength and wisdom one step at a time. Some criticize that a person can be so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good. But the opposite can be true, you can be so earthly minded that you will be of no heavenly good. Our short life here is nothing compared to being together with Christ for all eternity. Sometimes I think we reduce these truths down to a fairy tale story in a children’s book, rather than this truth redefining everything we do. 

“The most tragic strain in human existence lies in the fact that the pleasure which we find in the things of this life, however good that pleasure may be in itself, is always taken away from us. The things for which men strive hardly ever turn out to be as satisfying as they expected, and in the rare cases in which they do, sooner or later they are snatched away.... For the Christians, all those partial, broken and fleeting perfections which he glimpses in the world around him, which wither in his grasp and he snatches away from him even while the wither, are found again, perfect, complete and lasting in the absolute beauty of God.” - Randy Alcorn, Heaven

Eternal realities (2) 9/29

 It’s difficult to even imagine what heaven will be like, but there is enough evidence to believe it will be far beyond our wildest imagination. To me, it makes sense to do what we can in the here and now to be the best citizen for heaven because it will make a difference when we are there. Our love for Christ now will make a difference then. The way we handle our possessions, treat others, help others to grow or find faith will make a difference then. How I live my life now shows how much I want the presence of Christ in my life forever. 

 “Nothing is more often misdiagnosed than our homesickness for Heaven. We think that what we want is alcohol, a new job, a raise, a doctorate, a spouse, a large-screen television, a new car, a cabin in the woods, a condo in Hawaii. What we really want is the person we were made for, Jesus, and the place we were made for, Heaven. Nothing less can satisfy us.” - Randy Alcorn, Heaven

Eternal realities(1) 5/13/20

 I’m not sure about you but I don’t think enough about heaven. If that’s where we are headed, it should be our purpose for making decisions and provide meaning for everything we do. It’s where the dividend and profit exist for what we have invested in. Building bigger barns, having a fat 401k will not cut it. Imagine the thrill of being together in His presence with no regret or reservation of joy. We will have new definitions to the words good, awesome, blessing, reward and many more. 

“The best of life on Earth is a glimpse of Heaven; the worst of life is a glimpse of Hell. For Christians, this present life is the closest they will come to Hell. For unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven.” - Randy Alcorn, Heaven

Tozer 7, 9/27

 Our culture does not use the word repentance, or sin, even though many consider themselves Christian. Our righteousness is really like filth, compared to our holy God. No matter who the person, how humble or arrogant, we all need a repentant heart. The closer we are to that lifestyle, the more compassion and love we will have for others and for doing His will. Our fellowship and love for each other is far deeper and closer if we have a repentant heart. 

“Jesus Christ came not to condemn you but to save you, knowing your name, knowing all about you, knowing your weight right now, knowing your age, knowing what you do, knowing where you live, knowing what you ate for supper and what you will eat for breakfast, where you will sleep tonight, how much your clothing cost, who your parents were. He knows you individually as though there were not another person in the entire world. He died for you as certainly as if you had been the only lost one. He knows the worst about you and is the One who loves you the most. 

If you are out of the fold and away from God, put your name in the words of John 3:16 and say, “Lord, it is I. I’m the cause and reason why Thou didst on earth come to die.” That kind of positive, personal faith and a personal Redeemer is what saves you. If you will just rush in there, you do not have to know all the theology and all the right words. You can say, “I am the one He came to die for.” Write it down in your heart and say, “Jesus, this is me—Thee and me,” as though there were no others. Have that kind of personalized belief in a personal Lord and Savior.” - A.W. Tozer, And He Dwelt Among Us: Teachings from the Gospel of John

Tozer 6, 9/26

 Our culture craves the big crowd / celebrity mentality. But an encounter with God is often a private experience or with those who mean the most to us. God teaches us that our lives are Mkt about us but about glorifying Him. Our purpose in life is not to build up our resume and reputation, but it is about loving Him and obeying Him, that His name, not our name, will be spread throughout the globe.  

“You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him.” - A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine

Tozer 5, 9/25

Our culture wants quick fixes and we love to follow the herd mentality. Celebrities get a lot of attention and we often do not want the quiet unnoticed lifestyle. But as Tozer points out, those who truly admit their hunger and come to Him find rest. Finding rest is not in a big crowd with lots of noise and fireworks. 

“An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others.” - A.W. Tozer

Tozer 4, 9/24

 I’m so grateful and thankful for the sacrifice made on the cross. How dreadful to think that there would be no hope of Heaven, or that my only hope rested on my efforts to do better the next time. How would I ever know that I’ve done enough to pay off my offenses morally?  Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice of atonement, making me clean, working out my love by showing how much I’m thankful for His sacrifice. Not only that, I don’t think we fully grasp how much He loves us. If we did, how much more passion we would have to tell others of His love. 

Tozer 3, 9/23

 It’s hard to get a grasp of what God’s love is really like. He is the ultimate and infinite God of the universe yet His love is intimate by dying for us and having His Spirit live in us. We still live by faith, seeing in part what His love is, and are being changed into His character. His love cannot be stopped as we trust and obey Him. I am so thankful to be walking in this journey alongside others who desire to grow deeper in faith, hope and love. 

Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers met together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become 'unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.

A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine

Tozer 2, 9/22

 Having a holy passion to know God in the depths of the heart is needed. Wanting that depth of passion gets roadblocked by my own self absorption and comparing myself to the world’s standards. I want to do better, be better, detecting the distractions that get me off track.  Praying about everything, placing Him in my mind and in front of all decisions are key components, because He is with me.  David and Moses each had the desire and boldness to pray, asking God to move in their lives. I pray that each of us dive deep into God’s presence. 

“We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts.” - A.W. Tozer

Tozer 1, 9/21

 It’s better to be obedient and faithful in the small things of our lives, allowing Him to take up residence in every aspect, rather than trying to do something great and famous on our own. Allowing Him to change our character will bring salt and light to our surroundings. I often thirst for what will never satisfy, but the Living Water from the eternal stream of grace and mercy is what I need. Revival starts with a flame which spreads a fire that no person can stop. 

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” - A.W. Tozer

Sub counseling

 

Should I sub as a school counselor?  Winter days are long but so is illness and anxiety. Missing grandkid activities and worry about bringing home germs is not worth it. The negativity and stress of no solutions for negativity and division can be a set up. 

Knowing Him 14, 8/20

 Our sin debt has been paid in full. We have been bought at the slave auction and set free. Our only debt now is to love God with everything we have and love others whole heartedly. This may be difficult as the world is still on the auction block of sin with bids and actions carried to the extreme. But by His grace we can live in freedom, looking forward to seeing Him at work, building a Kingdom that is unlike any earthly realm. The more we realize His presence, the less likely we will wander off into temptation  

“ We have an allergic reaction to dependency, but this is the state of the heart most necessary for a praying life. A need heart is a praying heart. Dependency is the heartbeat of prayer.” - Paul Miller, A Praying Life

Knowing Him 13, 8/19

 It is so comforting to know, not just intellectually, but in the heart, that God is present in all we do and face each day. Nothing is a surprise to Him. The Spirit calms and directs us to say or not say things at times, but He reassures us that nothing we are facing is leaving us in the dark. I’ve tried to write down prayers that I want to repeat over and over, helping me to be focused in a worshipful attitude. This has helped me to stay focused on a few priorities - but I need to pray them regularly. May you and I dive deeper into  prayer walk with our Lord. 

“What do I lose when I have a praying life? Control. Independence. What do I gain? Friendship with God. A quiet heart. The living work of God in the hearts of those I love. The ability to roll back the tide of evil. Essentially, I lose my kingdom and get his. I move from being an independent player to a dependent lover. I move from being an orphan to a child of God.” - Paul E. Miller, A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World

Knowing Him 12, 8/18

 I do not want to develop a hardened heart as many have. I don’t think one realizes how easy it is to let our sensitivity to the Spirit become calloused and  indifferent. When I think I’m right with all of my opinions and I only seek out information to verify how right I am, I lose my sense of sin and need for repentance. The trauma that Jesus endured on the cross should soften the harder of hearts as we consider His profound love for us. 

“Prayer is a moment of incarnation - God with us. God involved in the details of my life.” - Paul E. Miller, A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World

Knowing Him 11, 8/17

I get so distracted that it’s like I have attention deficit disorder. But I think it is worldly trivia disorder - if there is such a thing. A friend recently said that he has developed the habit of a using a prayer chair. He spends one hour sitting in the chair only for praying through his prayer list. I need to do better!

“Prayer is asking God to incarnate, to get dirty in your life. Yes, the eternal God scrubs floors. For sure we know he washes feet. So take Jesus at his word. Ask him. Tell him what you want. Get dirty. Write out your prayer requests; don't mindlessly drift through life on the American narcotic of busyness. If you try to seize the day, the day will eventually break you. Seize the corner of his garment and don't let go until he blesses you. He will reshape the day.” - Paul E. Miller, A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World

Knowing Him, 10, 8/16

 The more you and I know the Bible, the more the Bible knows us. We are known by the Holy Spirit far more than we know ourselves and it is humbling to find out that He is infinite and beyond understanding. The Psalm 139 verse has a plea with these verbs:  Search me; know me: try me; and lead me. It’s as if the writer is challenging God to thoroughly examine and test him to make sure that he is following God - very humbling. I often want the status quo and nothing to rock my boat, but that is not in God’s Manuel for life. 

“The Christian’s motto should not be ‘Let go and let God’ but ‘Trust God and get going.” - J.I. Packer

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Knowing Him 9, 8/15

 Experiencing the truth of Scripture in our hearts is an amazing miracle that words do not express adequately. It’s one thing to know more Biblical information and doctrinal truth. It’s another thing to sense the Spirit’s work in us, seeing a verse come alive in a conversation, knowing peace and joy during a traumatic time, or seeing a life changes after much prayer are all demonstrations of the Holy Spirit working through His Word. 

Wait on the Lord" is a constant refrain in the Psalms, and it is a necessary word, for God often keeps us waiting. He is not in such a hurry as we are, and it is not his way to give more light on the future than we need for action in the present, or to guide us more than one step at a time. When in doubt, do nothing, but continue to wait on God. When action is needed, light will come.

Knowing Him 8, 8/14

 There is no one we can talk to like our Father. He knows every detail in our lives with nothing hidden. He wants us to come to Him with everything, nothing held back. The only thing holding me back in prayer is me. I can blame so many distractions, but He knows my schedule and my decisions. 

“The good news of the kingdom is not freedom from hardship, suffering, and loss. It is the news of a Redeemer who has come to rescue me from myself. His rescue produces change that fundamentally alters my response to these inescapable realities. The Redeemer turns rebels into disciples, fools into humble listeners. He makes cripples walk again. In him we can face life and respond with faith, love, and hope. And as he changes us, he allows us to be a part of what he is doing in the lives of others. As you respond to the Redeemer’s work in your life, you can learn to be an instrument in his hands.”  - Paul David Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands:

“There is nothing more irreligious than self-absorbed religion.” - J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Knowing Him 7, 8/13

My natural sin polluted thinking is that I need to work it out on my own before laying everything out before our Father. I think that I need to figure an issue out before I submit to His leading in total obedience. Praying becomes secondary, looking for His grace is third, while my self sufficient independence is top priority. I’m slowly learning that acceptance of His will, obedience to Him, and prayer time are to replace my independence. 

“Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you. This way you can waste your life and lose your soul.” - J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Knowing Him 6, 9/12

 If I want to be all in for Christ, I need to be all open and vulnerable before Him. If I’m to change, to be more like Christ, I must allow Him into my daily thinking and being, which is conversing with Him. My self sufficient and independent mindset has to go. My list of worries and ‘what if…” thoughts must change into “May God be honored and glorified” through each issue. Praying whole heartedly the way to love Him with my whole self. May God help you and me to be all in!

“What makes life worthwhile is having a big enough objective, something which catches our imagination and lays hold of our allegiance, and this the Christian has in a way that no other person has. For what higher, more exalted, and more compelling goal can there be than to know God?” - J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Know Him 5, 9/11

Just like the Hebrews walking through the desert, the mana provided each day was the food they needed. The mana could not be stored up, or saved for the next day. We need His grace each day and it cannot be stored up or saved. The habit of seeking Him in prayer each day as we walk our journey is so important as we meet the challenges right in front of us. Each day has new challenges, presenting us with the choice to deepen our trust in Him, or make unwise decisions that disappoint or lead to being disillusioned.

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me”’ (Jer 9:23-24).” - J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Know Him 4, 9/10

I can easily list all of the issues I worry about and fear - a long long list!  But do I pray earnestly for those issues to be resolved?  Not nearly as much as I worry about them. This devotional challenges me to invest far more effort into praying than worry and fretting. Most of the issues on my list are things I cannot control but our Creator and King can. He knows every detail and is working to bring all issues to completion and for His glory, not mine  

“Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God.” - J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Knowing Him 3 9/9

 The human authors of the Bible must have known God intimately, that His anger and righteousness were definitely to be feared. They also knew that God would listen to their praying. I do not pray enough nor with as much passion and perseverance. Perhaps I do not recognize how God’s moving depends on prayer. Perhaps I’m too indifferent because I imagine that God has already set decisions into motion without the possibility of His intervening again. I get much too discouraged (impatient) in my praying because I do not believe my praying makes a difference. How wrong I am. He is the infinite Creator who cares deeply about every detail of His working and moving. Rick Warren says that there are a ix ways God answers prayer: “Yes; No; Not yet; You be the answer; Trust Me, and; Are you kidding me.”

“How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? The rule for doing this is simple but demanding. It is that we turn each Truth that we learn about God into matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God.” - J.I. Packer, Knowing God

“How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? The rule for doing this is simple but demanding. It is that we turn each Truth that we learn about God into matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God.” - J.I. Packer, Knowing God 

Knowing Him 2 9/8

We have no greater goal, no greater joy or fulfillment than knowing God.  No program or set of rules will change the way we think and live like our relationship with Him. I often think I need to try harder and be more motivated to be better. I often blame my up bringing, circumstances or others for not doing better. But such whining will never be acceptable on the day we give an account for our lives. Only Christ living in us and through us is the secret of character change.  I need to put all distractions aside and focus on Him.

This is a great quote:  “No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few pray-ers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere.” - Leonard Ravenhill

Knowing / Enjoying God 9/7

In the end, will anything be as important as knowing God and being known by Him? We can get so attracted by a rabbit trail that we lose perspective, or at least I do. We are discouraged by today’s news and sidetracked by pleasures and thinking we know it all.  We are disappointed by trouble and pain, not seeing that God is trying to get our attention. Without Christ, we are tempted to feel isolated and victimized. But His presence produces gratitude and joy as we gaze on the awe of His love for us.  

“Wait on the Lord" is a constant refrain in the Psalms, and it is a necessary word, for God often keeps us waiting. He is not in such a hurry as we are, and it is not his way to give more light on the future than we need for action in the present, or to guide us more than one step at a time. When in doubt, do nothing, but continue to wait on God. When action is needed, light will come.” - J.I. Packer, Knowing God