Christmas 12/11

 Walking alone in faith without much support from fellow believers can be difficult, causing us to doubt what we are doing.  But as the culture changes and church goers not always agreeing, following Christ can be a lonely journey at times.  His presence, the mystery of His urging in our heart, the command of Scripture, and our love for Him will accompany us during those times.  He knows us far better than we know ourselves.  He knows our weakness and fragility, but His strength will provide.

“Advent means we begin with the end in view; after all, 'the end is always where we start from' (Eliot). The long slow journey to Bethlehem reminds us of our own often painfully slow journey to where we too will see the arrival of the Lord. But we are Advent people - and rejoice!”  David Cassidy

“If it matters more what your faith looks like than what it is, it’s time to start all over again.” - Bob Goff

Christmas 12/10

 Mary’s worship and praise to God overruled her fear and anxiety.  I can’t think of many words that would describe her worship other than humble obedience.  Her focus was on Him, not her.  We are wired to worship Him, not ourselves or what the Creator created.  When I find myself distracted away from the awe of who He is, I find myself discouraged and disappointed.  May we truly worship Him deeply during this Advent.

“Only awe of Him can define in you and me a true sense of what we actually need. So many of our prayers are self-centered grocery lists of personal cravings that have no bigger agenda than to make our lives a little more comfortable. They tend to treat God more as our personal shopper than a holy and wise Father-King. Such prayers forget God’s glory and long for a greater experience of the glories of the created world. They lack fear, reverence, wonder, and worship. They’re more like pulling up the divine shopping site than bowing our knees in adoration and worship. They are motivated more by awe of ourselves and our pleasures than by a heart-rattling, satisfaction-producing awe of the Redeemer to whom we are praying.” - Paul David Tripp, Awe: Why It Matters for Everything We Think, Say, and Do

Christmas 12/09

 Mary had to be afraid of what people would think of her, let alone what Joseph and her family thought.  The anxiety and fear might have kept her sleepless, I suspect.  At least that is what I do when I’m worried about the future.  But Gabriel’s message to her have her a humble but courageous fortitude to trust God’s provision, no matter what. May you and I develop a deep trust in our Lord, that we will do what He wants us to do and be.

“I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient.” - J. Hudson Taylor

Christmas 12/08

 Mary’s encounter with Gabriel had to be an awe inspiring, intensely personal moment.  Her humble obedient response was either based on her character, or the life changing experience with Gabriel; but perhaps both.  I wonder if I’m ready for God gripping my heart through a divine encounter.  Am I too self absorbed, distancing myself from His communication to me?  Am I like Zacharias?  May God prepare us for what He would like to do in us.

Forgetting the awesome and glorious One who made it all and holds it all together by the sheer power of his magnificent will, will always insert me into the center. This means that no story will be more important to me than my story. I will ask no bigger question than the question of how I am doing. I will have no bigger concern than my satisfaction and comfort. I will ask life to serve me, to submit to my interests, and to deliver whatever I demand. This viewpoint will guarantee me a life of huge disappointment. And not only that, it is also an insane way to live. I am not the center of all things. The world will not do my sovereign bidding. God will not offer his awesome throne to me. Awe of self, worship of self, underlies every form of self-destructive living.

Paul David Tripp, Awe: Why It Matters for Everything We Think, Say, and Do

Christmas 12/07

 As we do our Christmas shopping and prepare for our traditions, I’m wondering what God thinks.  Does He view our efforts as an attempt to trivialize our worship of Him?  For me, it’s probably no different than any other time of the year.  As our devotional indicated, we often limit our view of Christmas to the baby Jesus and limit our view of Him as the King of kings and Lord of lords.  May we deepen our awe of Him as we worship Him.

“I came to see that I was wired for awe, that awe of something sits at the bottom of everything I say and do. But I wasn’t just wired for awe. I was wired for awe of God. No other awe satisfies the soul. No other awe can give my heart the peace, rest, and security that it seeks. I came to see that I needed to trace awe of God down to the most mundane of human decisions and activities.” - Paul David Tripp, Awe: Why It Matters for Everything We Think, Say, and Do

Christmas 12/06

 The humility of God’s character to intervene in history as a child born to a humble young girl is good for much thought and devotion.  Mary’s humble, trusting, and obedient response is inspiring for us to live in a likewise manner.  The celebrity status of today’s powerful and proud is a stark contrast to Mary.  I’m reminded that I do need to compare myself to the those in the limelight, but rather to trust ghe humble but mighty leading of God’s hand.

“All God's giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reackoned on God being with them.” - J. Hudson Taylor

Christmas 12/05

 I want to do better at reminding myself of His faithfulness in the past.  When I grumble, and worry about unanswered prayer, I need to remind myself that He is always faithful.  He has given enough evidence to fully trust Him regardless of the situation.  All things are moving in a linear pattern to a full conclusion in history that will bring Him honor and glory  

“What does Advent mean? It means that death, disease, despair, drug addiction, homelessness, murder, hate, war, orphanhood, poverty, hunger, thirst, tears, and grief have an expiration date. These are not the original intention for the world and won't see the dawn of the new creation.” -  David Cassidy

Christmas 12/04

 A much as I would like to see a dramatic miracle to cure someone’s health problem, or to see peace in specific conflicts, God has given evidence that He is working to being all things to a conclusion, which will bring Him glory and honor. We cannot see the outcome of His behind the human vision of His work.  We may not feel the dramatic work in another person’s life, but we have His presence and the credible evidence of the power of the resurrection  

Jesus is “the desire of every nation, the joy of every longing heart,” because God put “eternity in our hearts” (Eccl.3:11). We ache for Jesus and don’t realize it. God “shakes things up” (Haggai 2:6-9) to free us from misused desire/longings. Welcome the shake, and more of Jesus.” - Scotty Smith

Christmas 12/03

 I often wonder if I fully understand the gravity and weight of what God has promised in Scripture.  I’m certain that I have viewed His promises as nice truisms, or wisdom to live by.  But the impact His truth will have will shake the earth to its core as every person, rich or poor, wealthy or powerless, gives an account for their lives, bowing to worship Him.  

I love the season of Advent culminating with Christmas. During the next several weeks, may we ache with hope. And may we taste the wonder of harking angels, shocked shepherds, a treasuring Mary, a worshipping Anna, a peace-filled Simeon, and Magi who scattered with good news.“ - Scotty Smith

Christmas 12/02

 Jesus was born during a turbulent time of history with so many things to fear.  Anxiety ran high among so many people, yet Jesus came as the Prince of Peace.  There are so many who live with anxiety and uncertainty today, but Jesus still reigns as the Prince of Peace.  May we strive to be at peace with everyone, pointing to Him who creates the miracle of peace in our hearts  

“You can laugh at Christianity, you can mock it and ridicule it. But it works. It changes lives. I should say Jesus Christ changes lives. Christianity is not a religion; it’s not a system; it’s not an ethical idea; it’s not a psychological phenomenon. It’s a person. If you trust Christ, start watching your attitudes and actions because Jesus Christ is in the business of changing lives.” - Josh McDowell, More Than a Carpenter

Christmas 12/01

 How do you and I know that our faith is real and full of truth in our lives?  The Scriptures are alive and full of examples of those who were changed by God.  The truths presented know us better than we know ourselves. The changes happening inside us are not coincidental, but a mystery of the Spirit’s work through His Word  May this Christmas come alive in each of us more than ever before.

Christianity is not a religion. Religion is humans trying to work their way to God through good works. Christianity is God coming to men and women through Jesus Christ.

Josh McDowell, More Than a Carpenter

Thanksgiving 11/30

 My crankiness and ingratitude surface when I have lost focus on the awe of who God is. He is firmly in control of the universe and in all humility, sent His Son to suffer and die for each of us. My response should never be ingratitude or a sense of being victimized.  The awe of His love drives us to a childlike faith, trusting in His goodness, purpose and intimate love for each of us. 

It has been said that in the New Testament doctrine is grace; and ethics is gratitude; and something is wrong with any form of Christianity in which, experimentally and practically, this saying is not being verified. Those who suppose that the doctrine of God's grace tends to encourage moral laxity are simply showing that, in the most literal sense, they do not know what they are talking about. For love awakens love in return; and love, once awakened, desires to give pleasure.

J.I. Packer, Knowing God

We can eat bitterness for breakfast and go to bed at night with anger, but not without enduring the corrosive effect of both on the soul. Let's enter the day with thanks, walk through it with love, and end it with forgiveness.  David Cassidy

Thanksgiving 11/29

 Living a lifestyle of gracious gratitude requires a courageous childlike faith. Regardless of the situation, outrageous noise of the world, or turmoil that we are in, His grace is sufficient to lead us forward. His Him for us and our future is secure. 

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

Thanksgiving 11/28

 Thinking and believing in the power of His love is an everyday challenge. I need the gospel each day just as much as the day I first came to Christ. Surrendering to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to His Word takes a courageous commitment, in child like faith. It is counter cultural, resisting the cowardly call to bicker, complain and grumble about most any topic that is discussed. His love over rules what is wrong in the world. He is what is right about life and eternity. 

God was happy without humans before they were made; he would have continued happy had he simply destroyed them after they had sinned; but as it is he has set his love upon particular sinners, and this means that, by his own free voluntary choice, he will not know perfect and unmixed happiness again till he has brought every one of them to heaven. He has in effect resolved that henceforth for all eternity his happiness shall be conditional upon ours.

J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Thanksgiving 11/27

 Grumbling and complaining are easy habit to develop and maintain. I fit the role of the elder brother in the parable of the two sons and the role of a Pharisee. I tend to think that I know better than most rather than surrender to the Holy Spirit’s leading in humility, I find it far too easy to dismiss the awe of God and the blessings of His Kingdom as I try to build an illusion of my own kingdom. 

There is tremendous relief in knowing His love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me , so that no discovery can disillusion him about me , in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench his determination to bless me.

J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Thanksgiving 11/26

 To consider the invitation by the Creator of the universe to each of us is amazing. His call to accept His invitation into the Kingdom is humbling. His holiness and perfection compared to our sinfulness is a chasm greater than the Grand Canyon. How amazing is His wisdom, love and powerful humility. 

There is no peace like the peace of those whose minds are possessed with full assurance that they have known God, and God has known them, and that this relationship guarantees God’s favor to them in life, through death and on for ever.

J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Thanksgiving 11/25

 Developing a thankful heart and lifestyle is based on knowing that God loves us far more than we deserve. I’d like to think that I am a self determined independent type person but much of life is out of our control. How we handle difficulties and predicaments demonstrate where we are with our love for Him. It’s easy to be angry, resentful, divisive, and victimized. It takes courage, determination, and child like faith to rest in His love. 

The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place, and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business, for those who do not know about God. Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfold, 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

Prayer is NOT telling God things he doesn’t know.

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. —Psalm 139:4

Your Heavenly Father knows that you need all this. He knows what you need before you ask. —Matthew 6:32

Prayer is NOT encouraging God to do what he has promised to do.

Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?—Numbers 23:19

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. —Hebrews 10:23

Prayer is NOT urging God to do what he doesn’t want to do.

The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” —Isaiah 14:24

Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear. —Isaiah 59:1

This, then, is the truth: God doesn’t need me to explain to him what is happening in my world. He knows my needs better than I even know them myself. God is a covenant making, covenant keeping God. He is willing and able and committed to keeping his promises. I do not have to get his attention and remind him. God will do all his holy will. I am not able to get him to do something against his will nor stop him from doing anything that is his will.

Thanksgiving 11/24

 Many of life’s experiences seem to require endurance and perseverance. Being thankful and grateful for the those times may not be on the radar, but His presence so needed and appreciated. Jesus endured the hardest of times, all for our benefit. He persevered with humility and submission to His Father. Too many times I’ve had a disgruntled and disappointed attitude, which leads to discouragement. But He promised to never leave us or forsake us. 

Whatever else in the Bible catches your eye, do not let it distract you from Him.

J.I. Packer, 18 Words: The Most Important Words You Will Ever Know

Real Hope 11/22

 It’s hard to grasp the fact that God knows us so well individually that He provides just what we need. There is. I use comparing myself to others because He knows who I am and what I need. He is the Creator of every detail in life, and is infinite in all His ways to help us bring Him glory. He rules the universe yet lives in our hearts. 

The healthy Christian is not necessarily the extrovert, ebullient Christian, but the Christian who has a sense of God's presence stamped deep on his soul, who trembles at God's word, who lets it dwell in him richly by constant meditation upon it, and who tests and reforms his life daily in response to it.

J.I. Packer

Real Hope 11/23

 Living in a broken world, we are either coming of a crisis / dilemma, or we headed for one. The tests we face prepare us for the next ones, deepening our dependence upon Him for His glory. That may sound negative but we are enabled to experience His presence, His wisdom, and leading. Holding on to the temporary things of this life will fade quickly. Grasping the eternal realm will produce joy that no earthly words can describe. 

I need not torment myself with the fear that my faith may fail; as grace led me to faith in the first place, so grace will keep me believing to the end. Faith, both in its origin and continuance, is a gift of grace (Phil 1:29).

J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Real Hope 11/21

 We can pursue so many idols to worship in our culture, thinking any one of them can bring better pay, happiness, or power. Each is a temporary fix to our anxiety. The Lord’s presence is with us every step of the way, with our best interest in mind, which may be counter the cultural standard. Relying on the Spirit is key, being in fellowship with Him, rather than chasing after what our flesh wants for the moment. 

Optimism hopes for the best without any guarantee of its arriving and is often no more than whistling in the dark. Christian hope, by contrast, is faith looking ahead to the fulfillment of the promises of God, as when the Anglican burial service inters the corpse 'in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Optimism is a wish without warrant; Christian hope is a certainty, guaranteed by God himself. Optimism reflects ignorance as to whether good things will ever actually come. Christian hope expresses knowledge that every day of his life, and every moment beyond it, the believer can say with truth, on the basis of God's own commitment, that the best is yet to come.

J. I. Packer

Real Hope 11/20

 Our fears can get the best of us at times, but He hasn’t brought us this far to leave us in the dark. Life is full of challenges, problems, and crises. I don’t think this is negative thinking but being realistic. We live in a sinful place, but God’s presence will lead and guide us through whatever we face. I want to have a strong mentality that says ‘let’s see what the Lord will do.’  I like the verse:

“The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.””

Exodus‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭

My interpretation - Shut up, quit mumbling, and watch Him work. 

Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord.

J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Real Hope 11/19

 How quickly we forget God’s provision and protection. But we are to remember all that He has done and is doing. Our memories of Him working can build into more moments when we see His hand in our experiences. It’s like we are being told to have 20/20 hindsight and not develop amnesia. Our hindsight can help us learn better vision ahead, discerning pitfalls and roadblocks, and the confidence to take risks for His glory. 

God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as his chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens dependence on Christ for strength each day. The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually, even while our bodies waste away. To live with your ‘thorn’ uncomplainingly — that is, sweet, patient, and free in heart to love and help others, even though every day you feel weak — is true sanctification. It is true healing for the spirit. It is a supreme victory of grace.

J.I. Packer, God's Plans for You

Power in Prayer 11/18

 Lord God, You care about every decision we make. You are the Lord of the universe and we want you to be the Lord of our lives. Thank you that you allow us the freedom to make decisions and trust You with the wisdom You provide. Empower us with Your wisdom that we make make decisions that honor You and demonstrate love to others. Amen. 

I have heard prayers that have seemed to me like dictating to God, rather than the humble, reverent petitions which should be presented by the creature to the Creator, or by the children of God to their loving Father in heaven. We are to come boldly unto the throne of grace, yet always with submission in our hearts,“ - Charles Spurgeon

Power in Prayer 11/17

 “The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees.  He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day.” - E.M. Bounds

We often pray best when we stammer and stutter, and we pray worst when words come rolling like a torrent, one after another. God is not moved by words; they are but a noise to him. He is only moved by the deep thought and the heaving emotion which dwell in the innermost spirit.“ Charles Spurgeon

Power in Prayer 11/16

 God is love. God is NOT rejection, prejudice, or tainted with the slightest resentment. He is the most loving and wise Father imaginable. He is full of acceptance and forgiveness, always available to listen to us. He is the rock that we can trust without fail. 

“Not to pray because you do not feel fit to pray is like saying, “I will not take medicine because I am too ill.” Pray for prayer: pray yourself, by the Spirit’s assistance, into a praying frame.“ - Charles Spurgeon

Power in Prayer 11/14

 Reverence for who God is is essential if we are going to follow Him.  Resisting His character, choosing to minimize Him, leads to our chaos and confusion. He is the Creator of the universe, King of kings, Ruler of physics, chemistry and mathematics. He knows all the facts with no surprise to Him. 

“The best praying man is the man who is most believingly familiar with the promises of God. After all, prayer is nothing but taking God’s promises to him, and saying to him, “Do as thou hast said.” Prayer is the promise utilized. A prayer which is not based on a promise has no true foundation.“ - Charles Spurgeon

Power in Prayer 11/15

 Our Father wants us to trust Him with every detail, not sort of trust Him. So many issues require more than we can understand or handle. Life is beyond our control and it is not about us, but Him and His glory. 

“If everybody believed as Job believed—that God does not always punish the wicked and reward the godly—then what motive would people have for obeying God? Religion would not be worth it! But this is the Devil’s theology, the very thing that God was using Job to refute! If people serve God only for what they get out of it, then they are not serving God at all; they are only serving themselves by making God their servant. Their “religion” is only a pious system for promoting selfishness and not for glorifying God.” - Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Patient

Power in Prayer 11/13

 My rebellion usually surrounds the my selfish sufficiency and independence. My method of operation is that I can handle my issues just fine and I done need help. But as God shows me again and again, I’m weak, prideful, arrogant and rebellious. I need my Savior everyday. I need to trust Him with the details of life and thank Him that He is ever present and available. He loves us unconditionally, willing to take us back, despite the failures. 

“True prayer is measured by weight, and not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length.” - Charles Spurgeon 

Power in Prayer 11/12

 I often feel guilty and ashamed for my lack of prayer time  but the times that I’m most connected to our Savior through gratitude and love, I find myself praying naturally and with boldness  I’m thinking my problem is not trying harder or scheduling prayer time, it’s my relationship and communication with Him  

Father God, You are our Creator and King. No other authority deserves our attention and focus. Your Kingdom come, please. May Your presence take full residence in our hearts, minds, and actions, that You would receive all honor and glory in what we do and say. 

Amen. 

“Prayer is the natural outgushing of a soul in communion with Jesus. Just as the leaf and the fruit will come out of the vine-branch without any conscious effort on the part of the branch, but simply because of its living union with the stem, so prayer buds, and blossoms, and fruits out of souls abiding in Jesus.” - Charles Spurgeon

Power in Prayer 11/11

 I can’t say it any better than this (by Vance Jackson):  

Search my heart, O God. Father, search me. Search every aspect of my life. Lord, search the inner framework of my thoughts and remove anything that’s not like You. Father, search me, O Lord, and take away anything that doesn’t reflect Your Heart and Character. Search me, O Lord and lead me in the Way of Righteousness.

Father, search my heart through and through. Lord, purge me. Father, renew me. Father, heal me. Lord, restore me. Remove anything in me that’s not like You. Father, let my heart reflect Your Heart and Character in every season of life. Lord, lead me and let me reflect Your Love. Father, search me and let me reflect Your Principles and Precepts. 

Amen

Our God cannot be unkind to us; he cannot forsake us. If we would see his goodness  and his justice blended, we must look at the Son of God on the cross, dying in our place. Let us not doubt the tenderness of him who gave his only Son. - Charles Spurgeon