Category: Good Life Journal

Journal 2 Pet 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

 

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises—so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

 

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your:

Faith with virtue,

Virtue with knowledge,

Knowledge with self-control,

Self-control with steadfastness (dedication),

Steadfastness with godliness,

Godliness with brotherly affection, and,

Brotherly affection with love.

 

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Pet 1:2-8)

 

Observation: Who, what, why, when, where, and how—the Holy Spirit is thorough in giving instruction on how to progress in maturity.

 

Too bad I don’t pay as intense attention as I ought.

 

Application: I have been paying attention to the Asbury Revival. It is very similar to the Revival of the late 60’s and early 70’s that led to the Jesus Movement.

 

Will this move of the Holy Spirit spread, even to Manatee County? I dunno, it is up to the Spirit.

 

What is pertinent and relevant is that a spirit of revival isn’t limited to a particular location or locale: it is the visible evidence of longing hearts.

 

What happened at Asbury today and other locations is what happened at Calvary Chapel, Asbury, and other places back 50 years ago. It happened at Azuza Street Mission at the turn of the 20^th Century, and what is called the Great Awakening in the mid-1700’s.

 

From my experience, there are four attributes: A desire to be godly, or holy; grow in knowledge and expression; share; sing to confirm doctrine and celebrate the Savior.

 

Peter emphasized and repeated one word more that any other in this Letter: Knowledge.

 

The Jesus Movement back then had folks who emphasized the “sizzle over the steak”, but there were core folks who preached and taught that if I were to worship God, then begin to grow in the knowledge of what I am worshipping about. Beginning as a child with childlike knowledge and understanding is good; staying at a childlike knowledge and understanding is not.

 

I want to grow in knowledge but not lose any enthusiasm; in fact, I look to have growth in knowledge fuel enthusiasm—just like Pete wrote.

 

Prayer: Lord God, let my confession and intent be as I wrote—only in You and to celebrate You.

 

Bring revival, O God. Holy Spirit rain and reign.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal 1 John 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: If [I] say [I] have fellowship with [Jesus] while [I] walk in darkness, [I] lie and do not practice the truth.

 

If [I] say [I] have no sin, [I] deceive [myself] and the truth is not in [me].

 

If [I] say [I] have not sinned, [I] make [Jesus] a liar and his word is not in [me].

 

[However], if [I] walk in the light as [Jesus] is in the light, [I] have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (Sovereign and Justifying Grace)

 

If [I] confess [my] sins, He is faithful and just to forgive [me] [my] sins and to cleanse [me] from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:6-10 all mixed up but not mis-quoted)

 

Observation: Interesting on how these verses read when I rearrange them a little and personalizing the text, putting my actionables clearly separated from the grace of a Sovereign God.

 

Application: When I look in the mirror, do I allow myself to be convicted by my sin?

 

When I look in the mirror, do I hurriedly acknowledge sin and/or the guilt of sin and quickly move on to a comforting thought of being forgiven, cleansed, and my sin no longer counted against me? (key thought is “quickly moving on”)

 

Does personal sin bother me down deep?

 

John wrote this tiny letter using strongly worded and confrontational phrases, especially in this 1^st chapter, speaking about the presence and practice of sin:

• You lie.
• You deceive yourself.
• You don’t practice truth.
• Truth is not in you.
• You make Jesus a liar.
• Jesus’ word is not in you.

This is basically asking, “If Jesus’ word and life is not in you, what IS in you?”

 

John presents and reminds his readers of God’s Sovereign Grace in redemption; He is not practicing condemnation through writing—but he IS making INFERENCE that I ought to think about this strongly. And with gritty, fierce, bottom-line thought.

 

Nope, inference is too light a word. John is using a 2×4 to my mulish, thick head—mostly because I am too easy on myself; I want to excuse my actions, thoughts, words, and deeds by quickly claiming the “blood covers all my sins.”

 

I end up soft pedaling the ACCURATE fact that my sin nailed Jesus to the cross.

 

Jesus described it, “…for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanliness. So, you outwardly appear righteous to others but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matt 23:27-28)

 

Paul described it, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Ro 6:1-2)

 

What do I do? What should be my response? I don’t want to live a lie.

 

One significant word: Confession; accurate and habitually as the Holy Spirit reveals it and I acknowledge it.

 

“I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin…” Ps 32:5

 

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Prov 28:13

 

I wrote the following for myself so that I would keep a standard front of mind:

 

Be open, honest, candid with honorable concern,

merciful practice, and with fierce personal transparency.

 

Nobody is positioned to demand confession. Confession of personal sin must be from a position of personal conviction. There may be folks, gifted by God, to realize there is a “covering of sin”, but even then it is subject to the increasing measure of the process involved in Matthew 18. (Note: there is always Ananias and Sapphira referenced in Acts 5 to account for, I suppose.)

 

Prayer: Father, I am convicted that confession is a form of surrender to your rule and reign. If I sidestep confessing, then I am elevating myself to be an equal to you, not acknowledging my fault—me, created, trying to pardon myself in the view of your Holiness—what a laugh!!

 

Bring revival, O God. Holy Spirit rain and reign.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal 1 Pet 5 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: Clothe yourselves, all of you with humility toward one another—for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you; casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Pet 5:5b-6)

 

Observation: I have heard of this thing called “humility.” What is it? More importantly, what does it look like if I want to see it in action?

 

Application: I would be fooling myself if I didn’t acknowledge that there have been times when I thought, “I am proud that I am so humble.” In doing so, I certainly failed the pop-quiz.

 

I have a problem with the function of humility—not the concept because the Bible states the need of functioning in humility very well and extensively. Humility is not usually on the “Top Ten Biblical Subjects to Pursue” by category. It is the “how to do it”, the finding of an “Idiot’s Guide to Humility” that trips me up.

 

This is how it works for me: if I am thinking, “What do I need to improve in?”, I can think of, “I need to pray more”, “I need to evangelize more”, “I need to serve more”, and so on and on. Hardly ever do I review the syllabus possibilities and come to, “I need to learn how to be humble”, much less more humble.

 

One of the issues facing most folks is that it is hard to point at a role model in humility. I am thinking “why” and I think that it is because I am not sure (in a concrete manner) what the building blocks of Biblical Humility are.

 

I know what they are not:

• Pride, and overt conduct of pride
• Selfishness
• Self-aggrandizement (making myself look good)
• Self-depreciation—this is the one that a ton of folks fall victim to; they default to this mind-picture of what humility is supposed to look like and conduct themselves according to this vision.

 

Being self-deprecating is what I tussle with a lot. I will bet most folks do when they think “I need to be more humble.” Looking humble and being humble in the sight of the Lord is not the same thing.

 

Scripture says this, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit [arrogance, pretentiousness, snobbery…], but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

 

[Further] “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

 

[And more] “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped—but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Phil 2:3-7)

 

Folks who are looking to be great are also having the greatest issue with humility. I remember this story about the disciples:

“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And [Jesus] said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority are called benefactors. But not so with you—rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

 

For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not (considered) the one who reclines at table? But (take note of this fellas) I am among you as the one who serves…’” (Luke 22:24-27)

 

James was not one to talk around subjects: “God opposes the proud.” I don’t want to be opposed by God. That doesn’t sound like a good place to be. “…but he gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6b) James continues, “Humble yourselves before the LORD, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10)

 

Humility, being humble, resisting pride, and all its component parts is destined to be a lifelong pursuit—as is everything about being a Christian.

 

Me? I want to learn to humble myself before God sees fit to humble me…

 

Prayer: Lord, putting on the lenses of finding out about humility shows that every passage in the New Testament has some flavor about putting on humility in some manner, some context of humility.

 

Therefore, I am beginning to conclude that the Gospel may be what humility is about. Let me understand AND EMBRACE true biblical humility, not the false humility I have been peddling to myself all these years.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal 1 Pet 4 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God.

 

And if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God? And,

“If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (1 Pet 4:18 referenced by Peter from Proverbs 11:31)

 

Observation: If I read carefully—shucks, if I read carelessly but I read to the Face in the Mirror—Peter is playing hardball with the churches and specifically believers he is writing to.

 

This is not a chapter of condolence, but it is a call to personal integrity before the Judge of all things—specifically to the ones who call on the Name of Christ.

 

Application: “Please, can I have more sprinkles?”

 

Sometimes that is what I ask for in my Christianity. I don’t want the hard call, I want the easy joy, to bask in forgiveness, to know I am forgiven, etc. A guy named Bonhoffer back in the middle of the last century alluded to a concept of “greasy grace”—a grace received without costing anything and allowing my actions to go on without change—all I have to do is have “faith” and I will enjoy the benefits of being a Christian.

 

Peter writes earlier in 1 Pet 4, “Since therefore, Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking…so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.” (1 Pet 4:1-2)

 

Paul wrote it this way to the church at Ephesus, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…” (Eph 4:1)

 

And to the church at Colossae, “…we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will (in all spiritual wisdom and understanding) so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord—fully pleasing to him—bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Col 1:9b-10)

 

The scripture is consistent. The primary expectation of a Christian is to “Conduct myself in a manner worthy of God.”

 

Possible? Probably not completely because Sin still has hold on me. All I have to do is take note of what comes out of my mouth, because what comes out of my mouth is indicative of what is in my heart. Jesus said that,

“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart…” (Matt 15:18)

However, it was laid out for man by God, way back when, “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil…continually.(my emphasis of Gen 6:5)

 

It is a very good thing that I am set free from the dominion of Sin because of the Atonement—it does not absolve me from making an effort to fight sin in MY LIFE—not in other’s life, my life.

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.” (Ro 6:12-13)

 

What got me on my soapbox this morning is the thought, “Follow me, as I follow Christ,” as applied to a parallel thought, “What came first, the chicken or the egg?” Do I evangelize, neglecting my own pursuit of God; or do I pursue godliness until I reach a point of confidence to say, “Follow me, as I follow Christ?”

 

I conclude from Scripture it is a two-sided coin; I must do both with all the fervor I can muster and not leave either side slacking. I do wrong by pursuing holiness and not being ready to present the Gospel. I also do wrong by presenting the Gospel and not pursuing godliness, saying, “Don’t look at my life; look to Jesus alone” and finding that sufficient and honorable—it is not.

 

Prayer: Father, you had my wife to remind me not to get on a high horse of self-righteousness. If I did that, please convict my heart—I only try to follow where the scriptures lead by the Holy Spirit, and I am not trying to excuse myself with that statement.

 

Help me, O God…

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

 

VS 7 … husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way … so that your prayers may not be hindered.

 

Vs 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Vs 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 

 

Vs 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

VS 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,

always being prepared to make a defense … with gentleness and respect,

VS 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 

 

VS 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Vs 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God,

 

Observation

 

Peter is making an appeal for how his fellow Christians should live and act.

This is for those in a particular role, “husbands”, and then “all of you”.

The “how” of this living and behaving is fascinating coming from Peter.

 

Peter is the abrupt apostle … the one who interrupts Jesus when He’s talking.

Peter is the acts without thinking apostle … the one who jumps to attack a soldier while Jesus is standing still.

 

But Peter is not that person anymore.

And now Peter encourages us to live out in ways that are:

“understanding”, “unity of mind”, “sympathy”, brotherly love”, “tender heart”, “humble mind”, “gentleness”, “respect”

 

And what jumps out is that Peter provides the effects of such living.

He doesn’t simply say “do it because I said so”!

 

And Peter indicates our natural living has supernatural consequences.

Notice the “that’s” following his encouragements:

“that your prayers may not be hindered”

“that you may receive a blessing”

“that those who revile you may be put to shame”

“that he might bring us to God”

 

Application

 

Do I recognize in every way I am a new creation?

When I mess up, act out, in other words “sin”, I can’t just say “that’s who I am”.

That’s no longer who I am.

Just as Peter’s old ways are dead … so should mine be.

 

Do I recognize my actions have supernatural consequences?

My prayer may be hindered if I am not understanding with my wife??!!

This is quite the statement!!

May it encourage me all the more to live in understanding with my wife!

 

Repay evil with blessing. Why?

“that I may obtain a blessing”

And

“that those who revile you may be put to shame”

 

So, I don’t have to go about getting a blessing for myself.

And I don’t have to go about shaming others.

 

That’s not my job. My job is to “bless” … always.

Blessing will come my way in return.

And others will bring shame upon themselves. I don’t have to do that for them.

 

What blessings come?

When living out these truths, I have “no fear” and can “not be troubled”.

What a blessing!

And I get the blessing of “a good conscience”.

 

And might it even be God’s will that I suffer? Do I even have a theological category for that?

Still, I must not be troubled.

God willed it for His own Son.

 

And the greatest blessing is the one brought about by Jesus “repaying evil with blessing”.

And this is the best cause and effect … Peter’s best “so that” … “so that He might bring us to God”.

 

Peter knows he is a new creation now.

He doesn’t have to live like his old self.

And Peter knows it’s because he has been “brought to God” by Jesus Christ.

 

I must not only believe this but live it out, as well … to my natural and supernatural benefit.

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, for Your Word

And Your Blessing

May I live out the blessing

May I know and live the cause and effects

Through the Spirit

In Jesus name

Amen

Journal 1 Pet 2 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: For this is a gracious thing, when, (mindful of God) one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.

 

For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure?

 

But, if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called because Christ also suffered for you—leaving you an example—so that you might follow in his steps. (Remember):

• He committed no sin.
• Neither was deceit (deception, pretense, duplicity) was found in his mouth.
• When he was reviled, he did not revile in return.
• When he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

 

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree that we may DIE to sin and live to righteousness. (1 Pet 2:19-24)

 

Observation:  Perhaps the most difficult thing to overcome, the reflex to not defend myself.

 

It is more than just “taking it on the chin.” It is handing over our natural reaction to the Cross—and trusting His Peace about it.

 

Application: Obedience to the Scriptures is a tricky thing.

 

When I think about being obedient, I think about the “do’s” that are usually emphasized: Prayer, witnessing, reading the Scriptures daily, giving, loving one another, and so on…

 

When was the last time I heard or read about “suffering for His sake” in my everyday life? Especially this: Don’t have the last word.

 

I don’t blow my top often, but when I do, I am a sight to behold. I am scary and funny at the same time—mostly because it is so out of character for me. I hate confrontation and arguments. When I am goaded into responding (me being weak, not anybody else’s responsibility) I start pounding with my words. It seems the older I get the weakness shows more.

I reminded myself this morning, that when God tests me (and He does—it indicates this in the Scriptures) it is NOT for God to grade me like in a pop-quiz, it is for Him to show me where I need to work upon—bringing clarity to the low-hanging fruit of my Sin nature.

 

God knew from before I was born where I would fail and doesn’t need to know any more than that. Me? Since I am blind to my sin, the Holy Spirit is gracious to make evident my sin to the face in the mirror. Process after this?

• Review and acknowledge.
• Confess to the One the primary sin was committed to: the Triune God.
• Confess to the one the sin happened against.
• Confess to a brother/sister in the LORD.
• Repent.
• Hitch up your belt and go again…

 

In this, it is only right to be as thorough as I can be—no shortcuts in confession. It is too easy to say “Yep, could have done that better…” and go on like this did not resound like a sour note in Eternity’s halls…

 

I just had a thought. Like Peter writes above, Jesus did not revile in return when He was reviled. What does that mean?

 

When I get reviled or despised or flatly done wrong (in my estimation) in any kind of measurement, and I take offense BUT I suffer quietly—do my eyes burn with rebellion and anger? Does smoke come out of my ears? Do I stoically keep my composure outside only to be whirling with rage on the inside? Jesus did none of that. NONE.

 

That is not “laying my life at the Cross.”

 

I have a lot, repeat, a lot of work to do if I want to be “conformed to the image of the Son.” (Ro 8:29) No issues; He is faithful.

 

Prayer: James says the tongue is a raging fire, laying waste to all around me, murderous, and cannot be tamed in the natural. Shucks, it can hardly be tamed in the supernatural. (c. James 3)

 

Father, grant me strength of purpose and meekness of life. Let humility reign over me. Forgive me my sin.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture – 

Peter writes 1 Peter 1:13 – Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being 

sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  

Observation – 

Peter writes his first letter to a church combined of Jews and Gentiles to remind the believers of the triune God and that we are born again to hope in Christ.  Because we are saved by the blood of Christ for our sins, we are   to be holy before our God.  We are called to action by preparing our minds.  Our hope is not in ourselves or things of this world but only on the grace that we will see in the return of Christ.

Application – 

As a result of God loving me and by His grace sending Jesus to provide a way for my salvation, I am to place my faith and trust in Jesus and let the Spirit work in my life to be more like Him.  I must prepare my mind to be active in right theology and service to others.  I can best prepare my mind by being being in the word daily and following sound Biblical teaching.   I need to preach the gospel to myself everyday and have my hope be in Christ not in things of this world.  Peter give me a great reminder that the full grace of God will be revealed at Christ’s return when I see him face to face.  That gives me a sense of urgency as the day draws near to love and serve people well who are lost, hurting so they will know Jesus.

Prayer – 

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy in sending Jesus to save me.  Please let the power of the Spirit place my hope fully on Jesus and live to extend your glory.

Journal Ps 33 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: “Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits (is fitting, suits, is becoming for) the upright.

 

Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

 

For (because) the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the (evidence of) the steadfast love of the LORD. (Ps 33:1-5)

 

Observation: David writes a ton in this Psalm, and to get it all I must read carefully and be able to switch tenses.

 

No matter what, this Psalm is about God and my attention to Him.

 

Application: I heard a sermon referencing a professor who was asked, “What is the most succinct statement of the Gospel you know of?”

 

The professor thought for a moment and replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so.”

 

This was taught to my children, and I did not follow up on that well. Even adults, while remembering this ditty, don’t follow up on it well in their own life.

 

Why is that? What evidence do I see? Back to this later…

 

At the beginning of this Psalm, David admonishes folks to praise God and praise him with gusto and full of emotion. To the musically inclined, play whatever instrument we are trained in and play skillfully but also with vocal gusto (loud shouts).

 

Why? Why am I being admonished from the centuries past? Why is the Holy Spirit speaking to me today?

 

“For (because) the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the (evidence of) the steadfast love of the LORD.”

I can praise God (rightfully and properly) because I sense and am aware of his Love towards me; that his Love put him on the Cross, etc. But, even with that awareness, how do I KNOW that?

 

“For the Bible tells me so…”

 

Therefore, today I am thankful, grateful; I will give praise quietly in my study and I will sing loudly in my car BECAUSE IN HIS WORD I HAVE MY HOPE.

 

I will put the music of this world back in its case and fill my mind with lyrics that are strong doctrine. I do not want my mind being diluted any more than it already is. I want to satisfy my inner man with music that challenges me to worship deeply.

 

This doesn’t come easily. I am a man of my generation: I am drawn to Elvis, Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, the Beach Boys, Three Dog Night, CCR, Motown, and of course, the Beatles, etc.. However, (except for Centerfield by John Fogarty) if I take the music away and read the lyrics, I more than likely can find Christian compromising statements salted within.

 

Shucks, I have found lyrics in Christian music that are mediocre and immature at best. Personally, I look for excellence and biblical maturity in the music I listen to—and it can be difficult to find.

 

David writes, “Sing a new song.” I am sure that the Holy Spirit is providing from within hearts of maturity to bring solid, upright, verse that another can put to cool, catchy music. Maybe even in this local church.

 

“…for the Bible tells me so…” As young parents, all we can do is try to lead our children into the everlasting Way.

 

Therefore, I remind, that Hope is found in Him because of His Word!

 

Prayer: Father, my Hope is in You because you said, via your Word, to place my Hope in you.

 

Revive your Word in my heart and mind. Let it drive my intentions in my life. Help me recognize and acknowledge and consequently repent from the stuff that entangles me daily and follow you fully.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Ps 30-32 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: (various from David) As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” (reflecting) By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; (however) you hid your face—I was dismayed. (Ps 30:6-7)

 

Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD! (Ps 31:23-24)

 

(the Holy Spirit) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, (a horse or a mule) which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you… (Ps 32:8-9)

 

Observation: Pride. Admonition and encouragement. Lastly, a clear picture of prideful stubbornness.

 

All together is showing what kind of state my heart struggles with daily.

 

Application: I don’t usually take three examples from the Daily Bible Reading Plan and combine them in a posting. Today, it appears that the Holy Spirit clumped them together for a reason.

 

In each selection, I recognize I struggle with a particular issue. (For those reading, these are not little issues—I am following the principle Jesus taught in the Beatitudes, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart…” (Matt 5:28) In other words, if I am committing X sin a little bit in my eyes, it is enough in God’s justice to condemn me as if I committed the maximum.)

 

1. As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” How often do I take comfort in having enough money in my pocket, or having enough this or that—so that I neglect remembering that all I have is from the mercy of the Most High God?

 

Eventually, God will hide his face; my prayers will feel like they are rocks thudding to the ground, never reaching past the ceiling in my room. Will I go from feeling safe in my prosperity to dismay calling, “Where are you, Lord? When will you show your Face again to me?”

 

2. Love the LORD, all you, his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. “I love the LORD, because He hears my prayers and answers them,” is a verse from an old worship chorus from my youth. I also remember from James, “…Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble…” (James 4:6b) Huh! Humility is the opposite of pride? How then do I cultivate humility? Time to ask from God, who will abundantly answer these kinds of prayers—again, another principle: “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he WILL hear us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we KNOW that we have the requests that we have asked of him…” (1 John 5:14-15)—like asking for humility…

 

3. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, (a horse or a mule) which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you… The Holy Spirit is good with word pictures (similes). I automatically change “mule” to “jackass” in my mind because I think that describes me more accurately. Look how Isaiah calls Israel out (in the Holy Spirit): “Because you have RAGED against me and your COMPLACENCY has come to me ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came…” (Is 37:29)

 

I must look at the two bookends Isaiah illuminates: RAGE and COMPLACENCY. I can be overt in opposing God by feeding my sin (Rage) or covert by just not thinking or considering my sin (Complacency).

 

Prayer: Triune God, I ask you for humility and to make me want humility. My character opposes your will (the inner man) and I don’t want that. Thank you for your redemption; thank you for setting me free from the chains of Sin. I ask for an increasing ability to resist sin and grow in obvious godliness.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Ps 27-29 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: “One thing have I asked of the Lord,

(one thing) that I will seek after: that I may–

dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to

inquire (ask, investigate, to find out) in his temple…

 

(skipping to verse 6) And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer (in his tent) sacrifices with shouts of joy;

 

I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

 

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!

 

You have said, “Seek my face.”

 

My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”” (Ps 27:4-8)

 

Observation: What does it mean to be a man after God’s own heart? What does it mean to pursue God all the days of my life; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD—Forever?

 

Application: I continue to assert that the Psalms are given to help me to understand and mimic what being an authentic Christian is all about.

 

The emotional and lyrical language of the Psalms is full of Firm, Rock Solid, Descriptive biblical facts/truths for me to latch upon in full confidence that somehow, if I pursue it, the Holy Spirit is DELIGHTED to install in me.

 

But that’s the kicker (I say to the face in the mirror), do I want to pursue it, or am I hoping that I will gain these holy, godly things through osmosis—absorbing holiness in the comfort of age, relationships, and shared experiences?

 

Every day I wonder about my life before Him.

 

I don’t wonder about His Grace and Mercy towards me; there is a hope that I have to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. I don’t wonder that He made atonement for my sin(s) and that He is my redeemer—I don’t wonder about that. My confidence is in His Word.

This is what I wonder about myself: Am I actively, consistently, primarily, and PREDOMINANTLY seeking after Him?

 

David wondered that about himself as well.

 

He got right out there and said, “One thing, O God, one thing. I am only asking one thing!! Only seeking one thing!!” I can imagine David, in the boonies, beating his chest in prayer, crying out with a loud voice, “One thing, God!! Hear me, please!”

 

And then David broke down the one thing he was asking for from the different facets of that Gospel Jewel: Dwell in your presence; Gaze upon your beauty (which is way more than just sitting around); make inquiry (don’t think that I have it all together knowledge wise).

 

Sacrifices of praise (Heb 13:15—“…let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name…” is a beginning and part of the foundations of a Christian’s walk. But there is more to understand:

“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Ps 50:23)

“In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering you have NOT required…I DELIGHT to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart…” (Ps 40:6-8)

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise…” (Ps 51:17)

 

What kind of heart do I have?

What kind of heart do I throw on the altar?

What kind of heart do I lay at the foot of the Cross?

What kind of heart do I constantly want changed from rock hard to soft before Him?

 

David, the man testified in the Holy Word of God as being a man after God’s own heart, always acknowledged his need of being changed and continually expressed his intention of seeking His Face.

 

With that as my example, should I be comfortable with any less?

 

Prayer: Make it so in my life, O God. Help me to declare your goodness and your holiness all the days of my life. Don’t let me shortcut the Gospel to the candy.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Ps 23 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: The LORD is my shepherd;

 

I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters…

 

He restores my soul.

 

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you (O God) are with me.

 

Your rod and staff—they comfort me… (Ps 23:1-4)

 

Observation: How this became the top of the chart scripture for funerals beats me. I think this is one of those “Get your head on straight and remember My Grace” psalms from David.

 

Application: I rewrote the Psalm, not changing words, but changing how I would read it: like sentences instead of lyrical verse (how is it displayed in the Bible). Making these modifications in a visual sense assists me to understand the Psalm and read it out loud coherently. [Note: I do this frequently, usually to help me not gloss over or speed read through stretches of prose. All Scripture permeates with Life, even including the stuff that are not wall hanging quotes.]

 

I pick out three significant sentences in Ps 23:

1. “The Lord is my shepherd.” He is Divine and I am de branch; He is the Potter, and I am the clay; He is the Shepherd, and I am the sheep. He cares for the sheep.
2. “He restores my soul.” In the previous section, the Holy Spirit illustrates how my soul is restored:
3. I shall not want: Jesus is all I need, and it takes a lifetime to understand and embrace that while I am sloughing off the Old Man chained to Sin.
4. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
5. He leads me beside still waters.

 

Even during turmoil, relax with vigilance—He is my shepherd.

 

3. “Your rod and staff, they comfort me…”
4. How are sheep herded into the direction that the Shepherd wants them to go? With a rod. And with a staff (this staff has a hook on it, right? Picture the “Gong Show…”)
5. The rod and staff are pictures of discipline and, according to the Scriptures, have somewhat of a double meaning—but in the end they are not a picture of disappointment by God, but of loving diligence to lead me in paths of righteousness. From Solomon, son of David:

“On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found; but

a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.” Prov 10:13

“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is

diligent to discipline him.” Prov 13:24

And from the wise testimony of Job:

“Behold! Blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore,

despise not the discipline of the Lord…” Job 5:17

 

While Psalms 23 is used extensively as a benediction for the dead, I think that David composed this Psalm as a meditation to remember the God he serves and the God who cares for his soul.

 

Praying scripture is a good practice; there are times that words and thoughts are jumbled in my mouth and praying in spiritual language seems inadequate at that moment—because my gray matter is scrambled. The following is what came to mind while writing this instalment:

 

Prayer:

• “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving my soul;
• the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
• the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing my heart;
• the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
• the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

 

More to be desired are they than gold—even much fine gold.

 

Sweeter also than honey and dripping of the honeycomb.

 

Moreover, by them [The law, the testimony, the precepts, the commandments, and the rules of the Lord] is your servant warned and in keeping them there is great reward.” Ps 19:7-11

 

Make it so in my life, O God. I don’t want this to be mere lip service, but reality!

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Scripture –

Psalm 19:7- 9 – The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether

Observation –

God’s revelation in nature allows all to see the glory of HIs creation. 

 In verses 7-9 of Psalm 19 we see and learn all we can receive from being in the living Word of God.  God’s word is perfect and can provide restoration to our soul.  We gain wisdom when reading and studying the Word.  God’s way is right and and we can rejoice in our hearts when following God’s plan.  When we are in the Spirit and following God are eyes are open to His truth.  Fear of the Lord is pure and the beginning of wisdom.  Jesus is the way, the truth and the Life and is everlasting.

Application – 

These three verses remind me of all the reasons I need to be in the word to renew my mind and preach the gospel to myself daily.  I am either in the Word or the world.  The world is filled with lies, hate and the next cultural trend to deceive and kill. In contrast when I am in the Word I am focusing on His ways  and can see things to grow in wisdom.  I must be reverent to God and not fear man and all he has conjured up. God’s way is right and all  alternate paths lead to eternal destruction separated from a loving God who wants us to be with Him.  Eternity is forever and that is too long for those lost to be wrong.  People are hurting and fearful and we have have the answer to everyone’s greatest need in a relationship with Jesus.  This gives  me a real sense of urgency to share my testimony and tell others about Jesus in service and love to glorify God.

Prayer – 

Father,

Thank you for your prefect infallible Word. Let the Spirit guide me to renew my mind, my soul, to rejoice in you and live to know you and make you known to extend your glory! 

Journal Acts 27 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: [Speaking to the people in the ship] Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss.

 

Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

 

So, take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.”

 

(jumping to verse 27) [Two weeks later, measurements indicated they were approaching land]… And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under the pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”

 

Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go. (excerpts from Acts 27:21-32)

 

Observation: Do the acts of the centurion and his soldiers constitute faith?

 

Application: This is puzzling, and difficult to place a biblically supported explanation to it that is satisfying.

 

What was the attitude of the Centurion?

 

In the previous chapter, Agrippa and Festus didn’t think that Paul did anything worthy of imprisonment. Perhaps that rubbed off on the Centurion and his accompanying soldiers.

 

Right at the beginning of the journey, the Centurion was reported to be inclined to treat Paul kindly, and when put in at Sidon, let him go to be with the brothers/friends and be cared for (Verse 3; It doesn’t say if Paul was assigned an escort and so perhaps an escort should not be inferred. Nevertheless, Paul returned to the ship without incident or issue.)

The only time Paul might have shown an attitude, was when he said, “Nanny, Nanny, boo, boo: I told you so—you should have listened to me; I told you this was going to happen! But, the God to whom I belong and worship, said…”

 

From this, Paul’s word was firmly believed by the soldiers—they showed faith in the God who Paul served to the point that they cut off their worldly conceived manner of escape (the lifeboats).

 

What kind of faith did the soldiers exhibit? They had the word of a contested, but very learned, preacher of a cultish offshoot of Judaism, who said:

• “I have a word from God, let’s wait out the storm…”
• “I have another word (since you ignored me the first time) and a visitation from an angel of God, who told me…”

and they responded in operational faith, probably shaken, but not stirred in deadly fear.

 

What bothers me is that if I insert my name where the Centurion’s or the soldier’s reference is in this passage, would I have demonstrated faith in what Paul said?

 

Would I be a soldier or one of the sailors?

 

As a professing Believer in Christ, what is it about the supernatural that causes me to stop and dull my “believer-thingy” from responding in faith? Why do I talk myself out of exercising faith?

 

Prayer: Lord God, I sure hope I am drawing from your Word accurately.

 

Expand and enlarge my faith, Lord. Please.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Acts 26 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: [Paul speaking] “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision (Acts 9), but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles—that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

 

For this reason, the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

 

To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that (by being the first to rise from the dead) he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

 

And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”

 

But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words…” Acts 26:19-25

 

Observation: “…speaking true and rational words…”

 

How much must I learn and be mindful of that my testimony doesn’t sound optional and irrational to those I speak to? How do I gain that confidence that the testimony of Jesus, spoken to others, is RATIONAL?

 

Application: This is a subject that has bothered me for a long time and is my pursuit: not only for myself, but for the ones that God brings in my way.

 

In my accidental profession (industrial supply chain stuff) , the goal is to know my subject inside and out and be able to apply that knowledge to the experience that God brings my way.

 

That “inside and out” reference is called doctrine—no matter if it is secular or biblical.

 

So, if the optimum supply chain path has a deviation, and I want the deviation to go away, then knowing supply chain optimal doctrine helps me to identify the deviant issues and correct them.

 

So it is with Biblical Doctrine.

 

Why, then, is the subject of Biblical Doctrine resisted? Why aren’t the various Doctrines learned and espoused and advocated?

 

I am envious of the description of Paul in this reference. I want my testimony and presentation of the Gospel to be faithfully TRUE and presented RATIONALLY. God is the most rational being in all of Creation and beyond.

 

A few years ago, I encountered a pair of Jehovah Witnesses come to my door—an older woman and a young apprentice. They opened with the normal appeal customary to JW’s. I listened respectfully and tried not to interrupt nor squirm internally awaiting my turn with anxiousness.

 

After the older lady finished her pitch, I offered an alternative view leading with “this is what I believe and am convinced of”. At that point, I presented the Gospel starting with, “…from before time began, the Triune God devised a Plan of Redemption that started with the foreknowledge of Adam’s treachery and rebellion (sin), Adam and his progeny deserving of God’s total Wrath but with the Triune God providing Redemption through the Cross (not as a Plan B due to Adam’s sin, but always Plan A), and so on…

 

I got to the point that Man could never gain the Triune God’s approval through moral actions, and they excused themselves and left, saying “We don’t believe that.”

 

I guess my point is that I practiced that presentation through the study of Doctrine, confirming such doctrine through the Bible and standing on the shoulders of gifts of faithful men that have come before me.

 

It was Festus who exclaimed to Paul, “…your great learning has driven you mad…” Paul replied, “Au contraire, Festus…”

 

Do I desire to follow in the footsteps of Paul and study and/or train my can off, like the Bible says to do? Re:

“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather, train yourself for godliness…” 1 Tim 4:6-7a

 

I gotta review Ps 119 and the words: Doctrine, Precepts, Rules, and Principles today.

 

Prayer: Lord, you drive this in me. I don’t want to miss stuff, miss your whisper and guidance, in this quest for godliness and maturity. Keep sharpening me, O God, that I may be a ready instrument of your Grace.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Acts 25 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture:  Now when some days had passed (after 2 years passed when last interrogated by Felix; c. Acts 24:27), Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus (the new governor).

And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, and when I was a Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him asking for a sentence of condemnation against (Paul).

I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.

So, when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man (Paul) to be brought.

When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed, rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead but whom Paul asserted to be alive.

Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked (Paul) whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding (these accusations and questions).

But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” (Acts 25:13-21)

 

Observation: A clear and concise report from a manager to his boss.

How would I have reported, and could I have given a clear and concise defense of the Faith as Paul did?

Application: I remember Paul being hauled in front of Felix and his wife, Drusilla. Luke reports that presumably they had an accurate knowledge of the Way. (Acts 24:22-25)

So, perhaps to have an intellectual and philosophical discussion, Felix started talking and asking questions, maybe to get an “I gotcha” moment out of Paul.

Paul spoke about faith in Christ Jesus and reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment. The result? Felix was alarmed and sent Paul away for 2 years until his term as governor was up. (c. Acts 24:24b-25) [Personal note: I can speak a little bit about the Faith, but can I reason about various doctrines in relation to the Gospel?]

So, Felix kicked the can down the road.

Festus shows up and reviews all his predecessor had done, what was left over and finds the file on Paul. “What’s up with this guy and why is he in my prison”?

Let me review the hand:

• Saul is a Pharisee and is totally bought into defending the traditions of the Pharisee, to the point of persecution and murder of the followers of the Way as being heretical to the Jewish tradition.
• Saul is sovereignly chosen by Jesus to carry His name to the Gentiles.
• Saul didn’t know this, but Ananias (a prophet in Damascus) was told (because he complained to Jesus): “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.”
• Suffering and affliction was part of the “calling” and selection. Saul will be shown “…how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Acts 9:15-16)
• Paul was reminded by Jesus, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the FACTS (a significant word that I should firmly remember) about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome).

By this time, Paul has been in custody by the ruling authorities for at least 3-4 years if not longer. From Felix to Festus there were 2 years confirmed by Luke.

Here is my question to the face in the mirror: Would I have been found content and thrivingin the Faith being in captivity, able to answer complex questions about the Faith and be persuasive, or would I have been found just holding on to the bare minimum of being a disciple?

What am I doing now? Some days it feels like the bare minimum. How can I change that?

If these are not the questions I ask the face in the mirror every day, then how do I grow in the Faith? Answer, I can’t.

 

Prayer: Father, I write to ask myself hard questions. I also write to present hard questions for any readers. Is this my contribution to the ministry of the local church and for disciples anywhere?

Help me grow in clarity of sound doctrine and of persuasiveness, without being contentious.

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes