[Blogger's note: please forgive the lateness of today's post. We are in the process of moving our offices and the recent heat wave has created a very tight window for completing the move. Today we got the bulk of the move completed. Thanks for understanding.]
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 57; Isaiah 58; Isaiah 59; Psalm 103; 2 Peter 3
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.
Observation: It is a simple purpose that Peter shares with his readers. The letters he writes serve "as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking." I totally identify with this purpose for that is the purpose of my blog. As I have written in the above description, "let's use this blog as a tool to stimulate discipline and dedication to God's word and prayer." I want to encourage and motivate all of my friends and family to wholesome thinking by spending more time in reading and studying the Bible, and by journaling. Peter wrote his letters for much the same purpose.
Application: When we read the word, we should realize that those who penned the Bible were people like us who recognized the need for the word of God in their own lives and in the lives of the people they served. And as Peter indicates, there is a health-producing effect of spending time in the word. Wholesome thinking is not something that just happens on its own. On the contrary, there are plenty of stimuli promoting unwholesome thinking. Then, and even more now, the world is filled with crass, crude, rude, filthy, and inappropriate words and images that promote anything but wholesome thinking. It is especially important that we who are true believers in God and servants of Jesus Christ do not expose our minds to those things that lead to unwholesome thinking. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things." In this Peter and Paul and Pastor Mike all agree. :)
Prayer: Lord, help us to take seriously the task of wholesome thinking and to carefully consider what we allow ourselves to see, hear, and read. Lord, the entertainments and amusements of this world are trending more and more to the base and immoral and You are looking for a people who are set apart for You purposes. Help us to keep ourselves from those things that corrupt our minds and hearts. May we spend time with Your word and other things that elevate our thoughts and give us soundness of mind, speech, and action.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Title: The Tender Gift / Topic: Grace
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 53; Isaiah 54; Isaiah 55; Isaiah 56; 2 Peter 2
Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Observation: These verses touch me as I read them. They speak of the first thing that we who are redeemed have in common. It's our sin and brokenness. And our loving Lord saw our brokenness and in His compassion, He took it upon Himself. Our infirmities, sorrows, transgressions, iniquities, punishment, wounds -- he bore them all. These things would have crushed us -- they crushed Him. I am so grateful for the willingness of God to spare me from what I had coming and take my consequences upon Himself.
Application: This is the one attitude that marks a true Christian: the knowledge that I am a sinner -- broken, unworthy, without hope apart from God. That knowledge produces two things: a humility and great gratefulness for what our Lord has done.
(Those who think themselves "good people" cannot truly appreciate or receive this precious gift. Good people don't need saving. I have had people tell me that they did not need anyone to die for them. How wrong they are -- and how sad that their pride keeps them separated from their Redeemer.)
Prayer: Lord, thank You for saving me. Thank You for Jesus Who took the bitter harvest of my brokenness upon Himself, and gave me His righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. I want to be used to help so many others who need to understand this amazing gift. Help me, Lord, to discover ways to break through all the negative objections that people have that keep them from receiving You. Make me a soul winner and help Your people to bring in a great harvest.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Observation: These verses touch me as I read them. They speak of the first thing that we who are redeemed have in common. It's our sin and brokenness. And our loving Lord saw our brokenness and in His compassion, He took it upon Himself. Our infirmities, sorrows, transgressions, iniquities, punishment, wounds -- he bore them all. These things would have crushed us -- they crushed Him. I am so grateful for the willingness of God to spare me from what I had coming and take my consequences upon Himself.
Application: This is the one attitude that marks a true Christian: the knowledge that I am a sinner -- broken, unworthy, without hope apart from God. That knowledge produces two things: a humility and great gratefulness for what our Lord has done.
(Those who think themselves "good people" cannot truly appreciate or receive this precious gift. Good people don't need saving. I have had people tell me that they did not need anyone to die for them. How wrong they are -- and how sad that their pride keeps them separated from their Redeemer.)
Prayer: Lord, thank You for saving me. Thank You for Jesus Who took the bitter harvest of my brokenness upon Himself, and gave me His righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. I want to be used to help so many others who need to understand this amazing gift. Help me, Lord, to discover ways to break through all the negative objections that people have that keep them from receiving You. Make me a soul winner and help Your people to bring in a great harvest.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Title: Participate / Topic: Growth
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 50; Isaiah 51; Isaiah 52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-5
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge...
Observation: God has given us "everything we need for life and godliness". End of story, right? Not exactly. We may have what we need, but it's kind of like a kit! That is, some assembly required! We have to actually participate in the process. The really cool thing is that we're not participating in some lame science experiment. Nope. We get to "participate in the divine nature." That means we get to take part with God in who He is and how He operates. Very cool.
Application: It's up to us to engage our being in the process of becoming more like God by actually participating in the very nature of God. His "great and precious promises" are kind of a combination of a guarantee and instructions in how it's supposed to work. So don't just sit back and contemplate God. Activate your body, soul, and spirit in the process. In verse 5, we are further encouraged to "make every effort" -- that means we should really get into it. Give it all we've got and we will grow. (That's what the word "add" means.) Let's go for it!
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You supply everything we need. We just have to participate to make it happen. May we be fully engaged in this process of growing through the partnership with Your divine nature. Lord, help us to see how fantastic this is and to make this process what we are all about.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-5
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge...
Observation: God has given us "everything we need for life and godliness". End of story, right? Not exactly. We may have what we need, but it's kind of like a kit! That is, some assembly required! We have to actually participate in the process. The really cool thing is that we're not participating in some lame science experiment. Nope. We get to "participate in the divine nature." That means we get to take part with God in who He is and how He operates. Very cool.
Application: It's up to us to engage our being in the process of becoming more like God by actually participating in the very nature of God. His "great and precious promises" are kind of a combination of a guarantee and instructions in how it's supposed to work. So don't just sit back and contemplate God. Activate your body, soul, and spirit in the process. In verse 5, we are further encouraged to "make every effort" -- that means we should really get into it. Give it all we've got and we will grow. (That's what the word "add" means.) Let's go for it!
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You supply everything we need. We just have to participate to make it happen. May we be fully engaged in this process of growing through the partnership with Your divine nature. Lord, help us to see how fantastic this is and to make this process what we are all about.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Title: If Only / Topic: Opportunity
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 46; Isaiah 47; Isaiah 48; Isaiah 49; 1 Peter 5
Scripture: Isaiah 46:17-19
17 This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
18 If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
19 Your descendants would have been like the sand,
your children like its numberless grains;
their name would never be cut off
nor destroyed from before me."
Observation: Hear the longing voice of the Lord: "If only you had paid attention to my commands..." If only. Our Lord is compelled by His love to reach out to us -- to shine His loving-kindness upon us. He so desires to bless us. If only we will listen. If only we will pay attention. If only we will surrender. If only we will obey. "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" (Romans 2:4)
Application: We have a wide window of opportunity to turn to God. But it will not be open forever. Isaiah's prophecy is written to people who waited too long and their opportunity had passed. They could have had great blessings (peace, righteousness, descendants, secure future) but because they did not pay attention, they missed those blessings and all the Lord can say is "if only..."
This is sad. But we can still respond. Now -- today! Hear the kindness in God's words, "if only..." He aches for us to respond and follow the ways of life by following Him. Let us receive God's kindness and let it lead us to repentance, and to the life of blessing.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your loving-kindness that draws us to seek You. Assist us to pay attention to what You want for us -- to what You want to say to us. Give us ears to hear, hearts to receive, and the will to follow You fully.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Isaiah 46:17-19
17 This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
18 If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
19 Your descendants would have been like the sand,
your children like its numberless grains;
their name would never be cut off
nor destroyed from before me."
Observation: Hear the longing voice of the Lord: "If only you had paid attention to my commands..." If only. Our Lord is compelled by His love to reach out to us -- to shine His loving-kindness upon us. He so desires to bless us. If only we will listen. If only we will pay attention. If only we will surrender. If only we will obey. "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" (Romans 2:4)
Application: We have a wide window of opportunity to turn to God. But it will not be open forever. Isaiah's prophecy is written to people who waited too long and their opportunity had passed. They could have had great blessings (peace, righteousness, descendants, secure future) but because they did not pay attention, they missed those blessings and all the Lord can say is "if only..."
This is sad. But we can still respond. Now -- today! Hear the kindness in God's words, "if only..." He aches for us to respond and follow the ways of life by following Him. Let us receive God's kindness and let it lead us to repentance, and to the life of blessing.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your loving-kindness that draws us to seek You. Assist us to pay attention to what You want for us -- to what You want to say to us. Give us ears to hear, hearts to receive, and the will to follow You fully.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Title: Prayer Prerequisites / Topic: Focus
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 43; Isaiah 44; Isaiah 45; 1 Peter 4
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Observation: "Clear minded and self-controlled" -- Peter tells us that these are characteristics we need to implement in order to have effective prayer. I think of all the muddled thinking that people have -- and even of the confusion and distraction that I often deal with. Being clear minded requires a real focus on what is truly important when dozens of details clamor for my attention. I think it is the self-control that is the means of attaining the clear mindedness. And self-control is one of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5. Therefore, this is not attained by mere human activity -- you don't just gut it out. This kind of self-control is a product of surrendering to God's activity and letting the Spirit have His way in our hearts and minds.
Application: Surrender to God. Pray in the Holy Spirit and spend time in the word to reinforce Godly priorities. The impetus for all of this is in the first phrase of the verse "the end of all things is near." I believe that this to is true -- we are in the last days -- and that should motivate us to get serious about attaining a "clear minded and self-controlled" focus. Let's all get serious and seek to clear our minds and control ourselves so we can pray effectively for a lost world that is in its last throes.
Prayer: Lord, help me to discipline my mind and thoughts to produce the kind of focus that allows me the clarity of thought and self-control to concentrate and labor in prayer. I am weak and wimpy in prayer, but I want to change. I know that it is important for me and all of Your people to take it to the next level in our intercession and our petition in prayer. Lord, help us to do what we need to do to become powerful in prayer so that we can be the force that stands in the gap during these days of difficulty in our world.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Observation: "Clear minded and self-controlled" -- Peter tells us that these are characteristics we need to implement in order to have effective prayer. I think of all the muddled thinking that people have -- and even of the confusion and distraction that I often deal with. Being clear minded requires a real focus on what is truly important when dozens of details clamor for my attention. I think it is the self-control that is the means of attaining the clear mindedness. And self-control is one of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5. Therefore, this is not attained by mere human activity -- you don't just gut it out. This kind of self-control is a product of surrendering to God's activity and letting the Spirit have His way in our hearts and minds.
Application: Surrender to God. Pray in the Holy Spirit and spend time in the word to reinforce Godly priorities. The impetus for all of this is in the first phrase of the verse "the end of all things is near." I believe that this to is true -- we are in the last days -- and that should motivate us to get serious about attaining a "clear minded and self-controlled" focus. Let's all get serious and seek to clear our minds and control ourselves so we can pray effectively for a lost world that is in its last throes.
Prayer: Lord, help me to discipline my mind and thoughts to produce the kind of focus that allows me the clarity of thought and self-control to concentrate and labor in prayer. I am weak and wimpy in prayer, but I want to change. I know that it is important for me and all of Your people to take it to the next level in our intercession and our petition in prayer. Lord, help us to do what we need to do to become powerful in prayer so that we can be the force that stands in the gap during these days of difficulty in our world.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Title: Live For Heaven / Topic: Eternity
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 40; Isaiah 41; Isaiah 42; 1 Peter 3
Scripture: Isaiah 40:6-8
6 ..."All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever."
Observation: It's a sobering fact and something that we need to remember. We feel like we will be here on this planet indefinitely, but in reality our time here is short. We live quite isolated and separate from other people and our exposure to the dead and dying is quite limited or nonexistent. So we think we will live forever (especially when we're young).
Application: Live for eternity. What we do based on the four motivations of this earthly realm (power, pleasure, fame, fortune) will not have eternal meaning. What we do for Christ will last. If we want our lives to have true significance, we must live with our eyes on Jesus and our hopes set on heaven.
Prayer: Lord, help us to see reality. We want to function in the only realm that will endure forever, which is the spiritual dimension. We want to live beyond our four senses and have our lives make a difference for all eternity.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Isaiah 40:6-8
6 ..."All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever."
Observation: It's a sobering fact and something that we need to remember. We feel like we will be here on this planet indefinitely, but in reality our time here is short. We live quite isolated and separate from other people and our exposure to the dead and dying is quite limited or nonexistent. So we think we will live forever (especially when we're young).
Application: Live for eternity. What we do based on the four motivations of this earthly realm (power, pleasure, fame, fortune) will not have eternal meaning. What we do for Christ will last. If we want our lives to have true significance, we must live with our eyes on Jesus and our hopes set on heaven.
Prayer: Lord, help us to see reality. We want to function in the only realm that will endure forever, which is the spiritual dimension. We want to live beyond our four senses and have our lives make a difference for all eternity.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Title: Get It Out / Topic: Honest Living
Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38; Isaiah 39; Psalm 75; 1 Peter 2
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Observation: It's just a simple word that challenges us at the core of our being. We live in a world filled with ugly interactions between people. And we can easily get drawn into the cesspool. Of course, humanity is polluted by sin, and selfishness rules the unregenerate man. But we are the redeemed people of God and we are supposed to be different. Notice that Peter instructs:
Prayer: Lord, we need to take seriously our attitudes, emotions, responses, and interactions with others. Help us to see when we are not living up to Your expectations and empower us to take responsibility to make changes by getting rid of these toxic behaviors. Purify for Yourself a people that are truly reflective of Your grace and truth.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Observation: It's just a simple word that challenges us at the core of our being. We live in a world filled with ugly interactions between people. And we can easily get drawn into the cesspool. Of course, humanity is polluted by sin, and selfishness rules the unregenerate man. But we are the redeemed people of God and we are supposed to be different. Notice that Peter instructs:
- "rid yourselves..." -- it is each person's individual responsibility to get this stuff out of his or her life
- "of all malice..." -- ALL ill will toward others
- "and all deceit, ..." -- EVERYTHING false
- "hypocrisy, ..." -- anything that is not 100% genuine and honest
- "envy, ..." -- wanting what others have
- "and slander of every kind...." -- ALL evil talking about other
Prayer: Lord, we need to take seriously our attitudes, emotions, responses, and interactions with others. Help us to see when we are not living up to Your expectations and empower us to take responsibility to make changes by getting rid of these toxic behaviors. Purify for Yourself a people that are truly reflective of Your grace and truth.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday Morning Prelims
Good morning! It's Sunday and I am finishing my preparations for our gathering at Fountainhead. I will be doing my devotional journaling after church today but I wanted to greet you before church and encourage you to be there. Regular attendance at church is one of the basic building blocks of a sound Christian life. So go to church. Go regularly. Go expectantly. Go to serve. Go to be a blessing. And go to receive.
See you at church.
Pastor Mike
See you at church.
Pastor Mike
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