Author: Good Life

Scripture:

vs 51-54, 57-60

[51] “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

[52] Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— [53] you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

[54] When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.

[57] ..they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, [58] dragged him out of the city and began to stone him..

[59] While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” [60] Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Observation:

Stephen had a close relationship with Jesus.  He was guided by, and got his strength from the Holy Spirit.

As Jesus did, Stephen spoke the truth when the truth needed to be heard.  He spoke truth knowing his fate if he did not let up.  The Sanhedrin were spiritually lost and needed to hear it.  Stephen was in fact relentless – telling them truth that burned at their souls.  So much so that they were like evil creatures “gnashing their teeth at him”, rushed him like wild animals and finally stoned him to death.

Stephen knew where he would spend eternity and very much like Jesus, he asked for mercy on the people who would stone him to death.

Application:

As we each allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel, we will undoubtedly be faced with circumstances where we will have a choice – to speak truth, or to be silent;   to stand for Jesus or sit down and be quiet.  Expect pushback.  We’re not always going to be talking to people who are wide open to hearing the Gospel.  Some people who are not yet filled with the Spirit are incapable of understanding things of the Spirit, so the task is not always easy.

It’s unlikely any of us will actually be stoned to death if we stand for Jesus and speak the Gospel to undeserving people in this fallen world, but it’s also not unlikely that, if we do this relentlessly with passion as Stephen did, that we won’t be persecuted in some form either.  But listen, we didn’t deserve God’s grace either and yet Jesus died for us!  If we are persecuted in some form because of our passion to share the Gospel, try as Stephen did to be like Jesus and forgive them.  With hardened hearts, some people are incapable of understanding yet.  Share, keep it simple, and forgive them if they get infuriated and fail to understand.

Prayer:

Lord thank You for You’re grace – for sending Jesus to die for us.  Help us to keep the message simple and to share the Gospel with those who are open to hearing it and to those who are not.  If the message burns to cut through hardened hearts and the reactions are to lash out at us in some way, help us stay strong.  If they do lash out at us, forgive them because the are incapable of hearing Your Word at this time.  Let us be Your messenger Lord.  We know we don’t have the power to change those hearts but You do.  In Jesus name we pray this.  Amen.

Scripture:  

“And the word of God continued to increase and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”  Acts 6:7

Observation:  

This is an “if/then” type of chapter.  There was a problem brought up; a solution was found, implemented, and aligned with by all.  Result?  The word of God increased, disciples grew in number (multiplied, not additive) and priest became obedient to the faith.  What do I take away from this?  PS: We got Stephen out of this.

Application:

This entry is a bit difficult to write today. 

I have been in conversation with a few guys in the congregation about the Word of God v. the Love of God—essentially “What should come first: the Chicken or the Egg?”  The difficulty rides on trying to avoid contentiousness on my part attempting to make a particular case.  Which side of the discussion I am taking is irrelevant.  In fact, some of the things I have been attempting to say are pretty silly.

In Acts 6 there is a similar issue (and note that I am stretching a point here).  The Greek Christians are complaining that the Jewish Christians are showing favoritism to the Jewish widows and orphans over the Greek.  The basic idea is that one side is practicing a position (whether they are aware of it or not) and another side is saying “Wait a minute!”

This “one against the other” can (and does) happen within the Body of Christ (and especially the Local Church).  Many times this calls for wise men exercising conflict resolution.  There are times where out of the box, never before used, solutions are presented and executed.  There are times where reduction to the lowest common denominator to remove the conflict issues are employed—maybe not the best solution in the long run—the underlying conflict doesn’t get resolved and the result could be a softening of the Gospel. 

The Acts 6 conflict was resolved by adding deacons and taking the Apostles out of the day to day stuff so they could devote themselves to the Word.  The congregation applauded.  Another result?  The Word of God increased exponentially—and of note: “a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”  I would say that counts for a “win-win.”

Not all conflicts result like that (check out Acts 15 with Barnabas and Paul).  But the scripture is clear: God uses all things for good…according to His purpose.  (Ro 8:28 butchered)

So, why is this difficult today?  I recognize that I got “buck fever”, “target fixation.”  My “target” was so large in my eyesight that I forgot the main thing: God is sovereign and doesn’t need me for His defense.  So do I abandon whatever position I was taking?  No—I keep studying and praying and writing (yes, there are times I have to put thoughts on paper to see if I can make sense of the thing my head is swirling with) and praying and writing more.  Also, meeting with trusted brothers to bounce ideas off is highly profitable.  I should be wondering about the Word of God, I should be contemplating it, analyzing what it is saying (different from interpretation), and savoring the result of being built up in the most holy faith (Jude). 

So, what am I doing?  Backing up a bit, I am confessing my sin (basically self-importance), and repenting.  Then put my hand back to the plow and see what the Holy Spirit opens up through the Word and His Spirit.  The Gospel is beautiful, as it should be from God.  As multifaceted as God is, so is the Gospel and deserves a lifetime of study. 

Prayer:

Thank you Lord for allowing me the Grace from You to put pride in its proper place—at the foot of the Cross.  Pride can be savored, swirling about in my mouth, and I think it can be delicious.  Actually pride (exalting my own wisdom in this case) is bitter as wormwood (Prov 5).  I do not want a root of bitterness existing in my heart.  Thank you, O God, for setting me free from the dominance of sin.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Acts 5:29-32 – But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.  The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and for the forgiveness of sins.  And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Observation:

Peter and the apostles are being persecuted by the council for proclaiming the name of Jesus.  Peter, speaking with boldness from the power of the Spirit lays out an apologetic defense for Jesus.  Our first response is to be in line with God not man. God raised Jesus from the dead to be our savior and have forgiveness over sin.  Peter and the apostles were witnesses to the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus as is the Holy Spirit to those who believe in Jesus name.  

Application:

Jesus was persecuted, the apostles were persecuted in Jerusalem and believers are persecuted in many parts of the world every day for their faith in Jesus.  Step one is for me to be obedient to God not man. God is sovereign and he raised Jesus from the dead to be our Savior and offer the only way to have a relationship with the Father.  Jesus last words before he ascends into heaven are that, “He has all authority in heaven and on earth and we are to go and make disciples baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit teaching them to obey the commands I have taught you.  And know that I will be with you to the end of the age.” As Peter is given power through the Holy Spirit, we too as believers are called to be witnesses for Jesus by the power of the Spirit.

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy.  Let me obey you not men. May the power of the Holy Spirit guide me to be a witness for Jesus.  

Scripture:

Acts 4:8-12
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Observation:

The fullness of the Spirit in Peter gave him a boldness to clearly present the gospel in a difficult situation to intimidating people.

Application:

Acts 4:12 is one of the clearest statements about salvation through Christ in all scripture. It is crazy that it comes from the mouth of Peter, someone who was earlier terrified of persecution before the Holy Spirit came upon him. A few things.

-The Holy Spirit equips believers toward the mission of making disciples. Peter’s life was now resolute on preaching the cross and resurrection of Jesus for salvation of all who would believe. This is the Spirit’s work and mission through believers. (The Spirit will always lead me into the mission)

-Peter is giving an answer to a question. They are asking the question because Peter was part of a supernatural healing. Sometimes believers find themselves arguing with people who don’t believe. Why? Because we are attempting to answer questions they don’t ask. The best spiritual conversations I have ever had are when a person asks me why my life, attitude or experience is different than theirs. This gives me the chance to answer with the gospel. The best conversation starter is living out a spirit-filled and spirited-directed life that stands out in a dark and depraved world. When they ask, you have an answer. (Live out a life that demands an answer)

-The Spirit uses normal people who have failed in the past. Without the Spirit, Peter denied Christ three times to a young girl for fear of persecution. Now, filled with the Spirit, Peter boldly preaches Christ as Lord and Savior in front of some of the highest ranking Jews of the day. Peter hasn’t grown up on his own. His boldness comes from the power and presence of the Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. (May my boldness be Spirit-filled and Spirit-directed instead of experience or self-confidence directed.)

Prayer:

Thank you for showing me how much your presence and indwelling Spirit can change a life. I know you changed me. May I have confidence and boldness today to live a life that demands an answer, step fully into the mission, and remember that it is only your Spirit that makes me who I am.

Scripture:  

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer (the ninth hour).  And a man lame from birth was being carried (whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate) to ask alms of those entering the temple.  Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple he asked to receive alms.  (And) Peter directed his gaze at him (as did John) and said: ‘Look at us.’  And he (the lame man) fixed his attention on them expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said “I have no silver and gold but what I do have I give to you.  In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk!”  And he (Peter) took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

…all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.  And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel: Why do you wonder at this or why do you stare at us as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?”  Acts 3:1-7; vs. 11b-12

Observation:  

This is not a record of a first miracle by any of the disciples—probably not the first by Peter or John.  It is a record of one of the first miracles done when Jesus wasn’t physically around.  What does this mean to a knucklehead like me?

Application:

When I read through the Scriptures I begin to wonder about how folks I read about decide to do what they do?  What triggers them?  At the extreme how spooky do they get? 

As a card carrying Charismatic from way back, I think this is stuff I ought to be doing.  But the flip side of my “card” reads Chicken as well.  Candidly, the times I have stuffed down my man-fear and reached out in courage in Jesus, I can count on the fingers of one hand how many times I have been in the presence of an immediate miracle like the lame man: ZERO. 

I have searched out, thought about, periodically prepared myself (deep breathing exercises, practicing in the mirror, and other silly things), and decided that the next time I am in the grocery store and see a wheelchair, I am going to stop and pray.  Did that a couple of times, more often than not I do like the old song “Walk on by…” 

So what should I be doing?  Again, candidly, this falls into Biblical understanding and consciously mirroring the Word of God—when I fail in doing something, confess, repent, and get going again.  Repeat until becomes habit. 

Here is what I am after in myself: I want what I see in Peter and John and indeed the whole Bible to become reflex in me.  I want what I learn and become convinced in to be seamless in my life from the time I wake up every morning to the moment I lay my head on the pillow at night.

I can’t help but think Peter and John did not have an idea that the lame man was going to be in their way.  They just had a nice lunch, talked about the scriptures, the local middle school sports, the weather… and then 3pm came around and they said “Let’s go up to the temple and pray.”  However, this may have been the difference: they were prepared, not in any overt or specific way, but they have been practicing “putting on the Lord Jesus and making no provision for the flesh.”  Peter and John did not switch into Christian gear; they were purposeful in pursuing seamless integration of the Scriptures in their life.

That’s what I want… 

Prayer:

Lord, do I reach too high?  I don’t think so.  It had been said of Charles Spurgeon “He bleeds the Bible.”  When I think of Charlie’s example I want to be like that—including Jesus’ life integrated into mine.  I am so disappointed in myself when I find myself “being religious”, as if an artificial cloud dropped over me.  Please make me holy in my secret places, in my house and around my wife, well before my footsteps outside in public.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Acts 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Observation:

The promise of forgiveness, salvation and the seal of the Holy Spirit is for Jew and Gentile, near and far, anyone the Lord calls to Himself. This promise that Peter shares is counterintuitive to his mindset. He struggles with prejudice towards gentiles and foreigners throughout his life. Therefore you know this message is the Spirit’s.

Application:

A few things…

-The sacrifice of Jesus, His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of a promise. All were an act of God that he had planned from the beginning. The story of our faith is not a man made religion to address a problem. The story of Christianity is the fulfillment of God’s plan and promise. (Trust His plan over any self-help plan)

-Everyone (near and far off) means exactly that. Some people are so close and others seem too far away. Regardless they both have hope. No one I meet today, regardless of how sideways they are at God and how dark their life is, is too far gone. The only people too far gone are people who have already gone to the grave. (Treat everyone like they have hope)

-The Lord calls them to Himself. This is huge. Though I am called to treat everyone alive like they still have hope, the pressure is not on me to win them or persuade them. The scripture says that Lord calls them to Himself. He is the one that opens their eyes, softens their hearts and draws them in. The job of the believer is to love people and model and share the truth. I don’t have the right to pick and choose, that is Jesus’ job. I have the responsibility to treat everyone like they are being drawn and trust God with the rest. (Don’t carry a weight that isn’t mine (drawing and choosing) but faithfully carry the weight that is mine (loving, modeling and sharing)

Prayer:

I love the story of the church’s birth. It started with people stepping out in faith, the truth of the gospel and a movement of your Spirit. The same applies today. May I be faithful with what you called me to do and trust you with what you have promised that you would do.

Scripture:

Vs 6 So when they had come together, they (the apostles), asked Him (Jesus), “Lord, will you at this time …?”
vs 7 He said to them “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
Vs 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses …
vs 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women …
vs 23 And they put forward two …
Vs 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take the place in this ministry and apostleship …

Observation:

The Apostles have their final encounter with the risen Jesus. They want to know “What’s next?” … “Will you …?”

Jesus redirects their question from what they want to know to what they will have, the power of the Holy Spirit, and what they will do, be witnesses of Jesus.

The followers of Jesus come together to pray and ultimately choose a new apostle for their ministry.

Application:

I have heard and said many times the cliché of, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. In reading Acts 1, this statement rings entirely true in the best possible way.

I completely undeservedly know and have the best “Who” possible … the Holy Spirit and His power. This is infinitely better than any “what” I could know.

So, then why do I constantly run after the “what” of knowledge, rather than the “who” of the Holy Spirit? Is it because I believe that other cliché, “Knowledge is power”?

Jesus promised something much greater than knowledge.

When the apostles wanted knowledge, Jesus said, “It is not for you to know … but you will receive power of the Holy Spirit”. If I am filled with the Holy Spirit, then why would I want to be filled with mere information?

I am selfish. I think knowledge will give me power.

So, I have to ask myself then, what “power” am I devoted to? The power of knowledge or the power of the Holy Spirit? The first followers of the Resurrected Jesus, “with one accord devoted themselves to prayer”. What am I more devoted to? Seeking knowledge or seeking the power of the Holy Spirit? The Apostles were at the height of a “what’s next” time in their life … “Jesus, what’s gonna happen now?”

I find it incredibly relevant to myself and to our church … “Jesus, what’s next?!”

We are looking for the next leader of this ministry of Good Life. I am blessed to participate in the process … as the apostles did … to “put forward” individuals.  And I can know as much as I can about the individuals we are choosing among.

But I must “pray and say, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these You have chosen”.

I will imitate the apostles in putting forward individuals based on knowledge.
Will I imitate the apostles in being “devoted to prayer”?
Will I imitate the apostles in acknowledging a more important knowledge? “You, Lord, know the hearts of all”.

What a beautiful testimony the early apostles give to the sovereignty of God.

And what a sweet relief it is to me to know I do not do the choosing … “You, Lord, have chosen”!

Prayer:

Help me, Lord, be devoted to prayer Help us, Lord, be in one accord Show us, Lord, who You have chosen Amen

Scripture:

[16] He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
[17] He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.
[18] They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support.
[19] He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Observation:

This psalm was written long before Jesus was born but the theme is the same as what we know today. God is supreme and the most high.  David got his strength from the Lord, whom he loved.

God loved David as only the Lord can, and as David called to God for help, God listened and rescued him from his powerful enemies.

Application:

This is the Gospel found in the Old Testament. Almighty God is supreme and the most high.

When he sent his Son to die for our sins, we were offered salvation.  As we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, he drew us up out of the deep waters of addiction, lying, and all the rest.

He rescued us from the powerful enemy – satan; without God we are in satan’s strong grasp of worry, fear, addiction, or whatever..

The enemy loves to hit us when we are down (day of my disaster); he lies to us saying we can’t do it, we can’t quit our sin, we are weak, we are worthless, and other lies.

Through grace He rescues us from the enemy to a place of joy, knowing that our strength is from Him and believing His promise of spending eternity with Him.

Why did he rescue us?  He DELIGHTS in us!  That’s a wonderful feeling!

Prayer:

Lord I love you.  Thank you for loving me.  I find great joy in knowing you delight in me as I delight in you.  Thank you for pulling me from my depths and as I am tempted with sin daily, I know You will lead me from it if I focus on You.  In Jesus mighty name I pray this.  Amen

Scripture:

(Point) “The fool says in his heart there is no God.  They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.  The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God?  They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt.  There is none who does good, not even one…

(Counterpoint) “Who shall dwell on your holy hill?  He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue; (who) does no evil to his neighbor nor takes up a reproach against his friend….”  Excerpts from Ps 14:1-3 and Ps 15:1b-3 

Observation:  

See above.  These pair of Psalms looks like Point and Counterpoint: 14 describe folks who don’t make the grade and 15 describe folks that do. 

But there appears to be a conflict.  Which one of these describes me, right now, today?

Application:

I remember the cartoon where the little “Not me” spirit is invisible in the corner when Mom asks their son “Who did this?”  Family Circus is what I recall as the name of the cartoon. 

That is what I think about Ps 14: This does not describe me at all.  I neither am nor have ever been as despicable as that.  Ps 15: Ah, that is me.  All I do is seek after you O God.  Blameless: that is my prefix, my middle name, and my suffix.

Boy, how deceived I am—back then, now, and probably in the future.

I write my address as living in the State of Florida; really, if I am not ruthless with the truth concerning myself, I live in the State of Deception. 

I always want to think better of myself, especially before God.  Fact is if it wasn’t EXCLUSIVELY for Jesus’ atonement for my sin, I deserve every bit of God’s wrath.  That is the gift of Adam way back then:  all of man has an ability to fool himself to think of himself better that he is; not acknowledging the unbearable truth that he doesn’t do good, incapable of doing good, completely corrupt.

Speaking truth in my heart (like the guy in Ps 15) courageously and fearfully acknowledges the truth of Ps 14 that it is describing the man in the mirror.

I am looking forward to the new sermon series “The Simple Gospel.”

However the Gospel is responded to, however one bows their head in grateful faith for the Atonement, we all will come to the Fact that only He could redeem traitors to His rule—folks like the face in the mirror. 

Prayer:

Lord God, how I wonder at your ways.  I remember a song:  “Why would the Pure give your life for the vile; the Innocent seeking the guilty to be reconciled?  I can’t comprehend this fathomless love.  I am gripped and amazed at what You have done.  Why would the Adored become the Despised to bear all the furious wrath that was mine?  How awesome this mystery of Your fathomless love for me.”  AMEN.

Scripture:

Psalm 13:5-6 – But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Observation:

In the beginning verses of Psalm 13, David asks the Lord if He will forget him forever.  He asks God for an answer so his enemies don’t prevail. Verse 5, David trusts in the steadfast love of the Lord.  David’s salvation comes from God and he rejoices in song for God is good.

Application:

I need to trust in the Lord and rely on Him as my only hope for salvation.  God allowed David to suffer and even question Him to draw David nearer to Him.  God will do the same for me and put circumstances in my way that keep or redirect me on the path to Him.  I must remember that whatever I am facing, God has loved me so much that He has met me greatest need in salvation through faith in Jesus. That is the greatest news and cause for celebration and joy even before the situation may be resolved.

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your steadfast love and salvation through Jesus.  Help me to resonate on that and rejoice in you knowing trials can bring me closer to you.  

Scripture:

“Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” 10:1

Observation:

The writer of the Psalm, a righteous, holy man is struggling with seeing so much suffering, so many afflicted and even himself struggling and afflicted and asks God, “Why do you feel so far?” The Psalmist felt like God was far in his time of need.

Application:

God will feel far. That doesn’t mean he is. God will feel distant and unloving and like he left you hanging, that doesn’t mean he has. God is still on his throne, and most importantly, God’s promises are true no matter how they feel.

God has promised us to never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
God can’t lie. (Hebrews 6:18)

God cannot leave us nor forsake us. No matter how it feels, God is with you, he is with those who have put their trust in him. Don’t let th eenemy lie to you and make you believe that what you are feeling is actually the case. God is near you. Even in suffering, God is good & near you. Trust him.

And lastly, it is OK to struggle with God and ask him questions like, “Why do you feel so far away?” The Psalmist did it. We can do it. Do it. Wrestle with God, but trust in him as you do it.

Prayer:

God I thank you that your ways are higher than mine. Sometimes that really stinks. Sometimes I don’t understand. Sometimes you feel a million miles away but I pray that when that happens I wouldn’t trust my feeling, but I would trust what you have promised, what you have said to me. Give me the grace and power to do that.

Scripture:  

The Psalmist: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all your wonderful deeds…Sing praises to the Lord (who sits enthroned in Zion); Tell among the peoples his deeds…O you who lift me up from the gates of death, that I may recount all your praises…” excerpts from Ps 9: verses 1, 11, and 13b-14a.

Observation:  

Recounting deeds of God…this is a pretty consistent sub-theme in Psalms.  When I praise God, I will bet it sounds most of the time like cheering at a sports event.  On the subject of praise in Psalms it isn’t like that at all.  It is more focused, mindful, engaged.

Application:

I saw a lot of things to journal about this morning in Psalm 9.  But the plain took second place in jewel digging today.  During all my reading through the Reading Plan, this thing about “remembering the deeds of the Lord”, recounting all his works”, etc. comes up steadily and consistently in the undercurrent of the Scriptures.

I wonder why?

Not “why is it in the undercurrent” but “why the stealth suggestion on recounting his deeds” (or the related “ways” and “works” of God).

When I was growing up in Christianity (the Jesus Movement of the “70’s), the practice of praise was consistently demonstrated.  The basis of praise was “because He is, I praise Him.”  That works and wouldn’t change that for a second and can’t argue with the premise.

But God, through the Scriptures, suggests a further development: “Why do I praise thee?  Let me count (or recount/remember) the ways…”

I can really, really embrace this.  Boy, I get it way down deep in my soul.  But practicing it?  There is where the rubber meets the road and I just slid into a ditch.

I know why I don’t do well in this: I am lazy.  It is hard work to recount the deeds of the Lord.  It certainly is hard work to sound like the Psalmist, all Christian sounding and accomplished.  When I do try that “recounting” stuff it sounds so plastic and unreal—like I am on a stage or something—unless I am prepared.

My “preparing” isn’t like studying for a role in a play; my preparation is doing what I am writing about above in the dark, by myself, where only God can hear my voice.  It is taking the time to write stuff down, organize it to remember, share with your spouse in your devotional time together.  And it takes practice, practice, practice.  It takes me asking the question to the “man in the mirror.”  It takes a trusted companion to ask “tell me what God is doing in your life—specifically the ways and the works.”  And it takes understanding failure will happen at the most embarrassing of times but keeping the objective clearly in front with a determination to pursue.

Oh, yeah: Recounting implies speaking.  Remembering can imply thinking.  I have to remember to be able to recount the ways and works of God to be able to tell it to the next generation.  Mind melding the Gospel to others isn’t in the biblical bag of tricks.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus.  Thank you for letting me dig myself into a hole of things to do.  Every time I write there is one more thing to add.  You are good to bring this to my attention.  I know that you do this so that I could be conformed to your Image.  I know that you are being my support in pursuing you.  I know that salvation isn’t any of my doing or effort—I can rest in your arms.  I also know that you point me up the mount of God and have me pursue you all my days.  Please help me go consistently forward in you. AMEN

Scripture:
[3] But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
[4] I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
[5] I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
[6] I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

Observation:
As David wrote this, he was running from his own son who conspired against him with armies.  He had plenty of reason to despair and be afraid but what does he do?  He gives glory to God as his protector.  He calls out expectantly.  He gives glory to God for his sleep, for his sustenance, and for his waking breath.

Application:
We may not be running from armies of thousands chasing us, but it may seem like that sometimes.  Like everywhere we turn someone or something is against us, trying to steal our happiness – troubles with our job, troubles in our families, seeing loved ones in pain, or whatever the case may be.  But our joy comes from the Lord at all times.  Let us turn to Him, knowing that even in the midst of our troubles He can give us peace that allows us to sleep at night, and the strength to get up in the morning to face the world.

Prayer:
Lord help me turn to You in times of trouble and pain.  I know You are my strength and my source of joy.  Help me Father to sleep well tonight knowing that you are my strength.  Amen

Scripture:   “And they (the ladies) went out and fled from the tomb for trembling and astonishment had seized them and they said nothing to anyone (for they were afraid)…But when they (the disciples) heard that he was alive and had been seen by her they would not believe it…After these things he (Jesus) appeared in another form to two of them (probably the Road to Emmaus incident) as they were walking into the country.  And they went back and told the rest but they (the disciples) did not believe them… 

Afterward he (Jesus) appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at table and he (Jesus) rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart—because they (the disciples) had not believed those who saw him after he had risen…” excerpts from Mark 16; verses 8; 11; 12; and 14.

Observation:   I see a common theme here: Unbelief.  Jesus related it to hardness of heart as well.  This is about folks (disciples) who hung out with Jesus for the past 3 years—and they had issues with belief?  What makes me think I am above them?  What makes me think I don’t have issues with believing?  What makes me think I am not carrying around a hard heart?

Application:   And it is said that high blood pressure is a silent killer… 

Ok: Unbelief may not be in that same category but in some ways it could be.  Unbelief hides—mostly in plain sight (only if I am looking for it).

Where does it hide?  It could hide in activity; knowledge; excuses; lack of humility; all the “self’s—self-determination, self-reliance, self-atonement; selfishness, etc.    I know that I can and have and am encountering these on a daily basis.  I rely on me—I say I rely on Him who is my Lord buy in a number of ways I do not acknowledge all my ways as belonging to Jesus.

There are a few things I should do to combat unbelief.  One thing that certainly does not work is “Believe harder…” as if physical or mental effort exerted can increase belief.  My experience is that it just gives me a headache…

1.       Plant the Word of God in my heart.  No, strike that—Pound the Word in my heart.  Consider the Scriptures as more true than what my eyes see and my mind conceives.  This is hard work and takes years—only because there is sooooo much sin and rebellion lodged in my heart that has to be supplanted.

2.       Cultivate humility.  I have a little wall document in my cubical “How to weaken Pride and Cultivate Humility.”  I review this every day—sometimes I review deeply, most times I just gloss/speed read over it.  But it is a useful reminder of how I should approach growth in righteousness—incrementally and take the long view.

3.       Diligently practice the Spiritual Disciplines.  I am writing or journaling like this.  I am also making sure I write to the “man in the mirror”, being transparent and fierce with my own heart only.

4.       Continually acknowledge that I must preserve to the End to be saved.  To do that I don’t whip up my heart to a bonfire, I must stoke the embers of my heart to produce a consistent flame. Fellowship with brothers/sisters I trust enough to confess the depth of my dark, dark heart may be the best way to start.

The disciples were REBUKED by Jesus—not scolded, not downplayed, not met with “oh, I totally understand your temporary doubt”—they were rebuked.  I deserve every bit of that rebuke on a daily basis—and I press in to avoid the need for that rebuke from my Lord.

Prayer:   Father, I hope that I don’t communicate condemnation with the above.  I don’t feel or think I am condemned when I fall short—I am continually reviewing the Gospel to combat unbelief in that area and getting up, brushing off the dirt, and getting back on the road.  The older I get I experience more difficulty—only because I am getting into more detail and depth—it is harder to remove and put to death those bitter roots of indwelling Sin.  You have unshackled me from the dominion of Sin; help me to mortify Sin in my body (and mind) daily.  I want a soft heart, fertile for your Word…AMEN.