Category: Good Life Journal

Psa 60

 

Scripture:

 

[1] O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us.

[2] You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters.

[3] You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.

[4] You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow.

[5] That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us!

 

Observation:

 

As David writes this, his life was not all victories. He was describing painful times where God allowed things to be torn apart around him.

 

David knew God was in control, not himself. He figured his losses were due to God’s disapproval of Israel.

 

God gave them a banner of faith to fly.

 

David cries out – we know you still love us God, give us mercy and answer us.

 

Application:

 

I know the problem is far bigger than just in this country but I feel lately as though God is rejecting us in this country. We have not been faithful to him and he is allowing us to be torn apart.

 

Faithful Christians and our deep faith in the Lord and his Word are being pushed aside. While we know God is still in control, he allows us to be fractured. He is even allowing his Church to be fractured. We need to stay faithful and rise up stronger than before. He is allowing us to be torn apart and yes, we teeter on the brink of total destruction of faithfulness to God and his Word.

 

As an example, some alleged catholic leaders in this country believe that abortion is fine and that they should be able to coerce the catholic church into changing their orthodox beliefs on the sanctify of life, in order to fit with these new unbiblical beliefs. Really? In what true Christian view would that be okay?

 

We listen to sweet talk to hear what makes us feel good with ourselves. Our minds get fogged by it as if we were drinking too much wine. So even if we don’t join into the madness, we let it happen around us. We are turning our back on the Lord. Read the history in the bible and you’ll see that never ends well.

 

All the while, we have our Christian banners and we can wave them high. As Christians who believe that the bible is God breathed and is without error, we need to stand up, stand out, and speak up.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord I love you. Thank you for my faith and for the grace of salvation. I pray that you keep us strong as Christians in this country and this world. I pray for revival, the awakening of our hearts, and strength to stand together against the evil one penetrating society with his lies. Let us fly our banners high in your name and truly glorify you in all we do. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

Journal Ps 56-58 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture: “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!

 

I will sing and make melody!  Awake, my glory!  Awake, O harp and lyre!  I will awaken the dawn!  I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.  For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

 

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!  Let your glory be over all the earth!!”  Ps 57:7-11

 

Observation: Do I think that the Psalmist is exuberant here, or do I think he is preaching to himself?  Maybe a little of both.

 

There is a lesson for me in this passage.

 

Analysis: When I compare Ps 56 to Ps 57, why do I think God placed them in this order?

 

Ps 56 seems a little plaintive: lamenting, complaining, pitiful about himself.  He does speak many truths, and that probably is not accidental.  My take is that the Psalmist has taken time to fortify himself with foundational facts:

• “When I am afraid, I PUT my trust in You.  In God (whose word I praise); In God I trust.
• I shall not be afraid.  What can flesh do to me?” Ps 56:3-4
• “You have kept count of my tossings, put my tears in Your bottle.
• This I know, that God is for me…In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust—what can man do to me?” Ps 56:8-11

 

I remember in my complaints, that God is so near, and so fully concerned and jealous for my heart, that He collects all my tears—not a one falls without God gathering it and saving it.

 

My response?  I WILL sing, I WILL praise, I WILL remember God, the Lord whose care for me is beyond imagination.

 

Except…I forget.  Man can trample on me…I can turn to self-pity and forget.  Man can beat me, physically but especially verbally…and I ask “why me?”  My spouse, whom I have committed my life to…can ignore me, freeze me out, and even abandon me, and I despair.

 

Nevertheless: God is my portion, my strength, my treasure forever.  No matter what befalls me.

 

Confession: I have experienced all of the above paragraph, and I must remember that God is to be glorified in all the heavens—by my voice, by my exuberance (even if that exuberance is forced from my throat through my tears streaming down my face).

 

Prayer: Father, you know I subscribe to the “grit my teeth, set my face” towards You principle.  There are too many times where I succumb to the pity party life; knowing this inspires me to seek You when I am not distracted with fear.

 

It’s like the ant and the grasshopper parable: Gather and strengthen my heart when it is not stressed so that, when it does become stressed, in You, I can prevail.

 

AMEN.

Journal James 5 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another—that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

 

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for 3 years and 6 months it did not rain on the earth.  Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain and the earth bore its fruit.

 

My brothers: If anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wanderings will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”  James 5:16-20

 

Observation:  Where is my “to do list?”  Where should my focus be?  What should I be emulating/copying?  What is my objective?  Why?

 

Analysis:  I will never stop saying that the Word of God is wondrous and causes me to wonder all the day long.

 

The largest error I commit is “snipping” power verses and that out of context.  There are times where I latch upon a verse and hold it up before my eyes like a jewel—just to forget that all the words around that verse is as jewel-like as the verse, and perhaps more so as it gives important context.

 

For example:

• Prayer of a righteous man: Power verse.  Causes vision.  Gives courage.  But: what about confessing my sin to another?  What about being transparent with my life?  When I receive confession, am I sitting in judgement or aligning with personal understanding?
• Elijah is described as having a nature like me.  If that is so, why did he appear on the mount of Transfiguration with Moses?  Why was he selected to return in the Last Days as part of the Two Prophets?  And Elijah and I share the same nature?

 

Both of these have to do with the Prayer of a Righteous man.  Can I then pray like it is described?  Do I even pursue that kind of prayer?  (Note: I carefully avoid the word “power” on purpose.  Somehow in me, I separate Power of what I do from the Power of God and I am still working on getting myself right on that….”

 

When I think of going outside myself, do I care about those who have confessed believing but are observably not “on fire”, or do I pay attention to unbelievers first?  Preach the gospel to strangers but not to my friends in the local church?  Is the Word of God lively on my lips?

 

When I am journaling, this is the stuff I try to put down on paper.  I am trying not to teach anybody but myself.  Doesn’t always work like that because over the years I am intentionally introducing concepts and principles that hopefully takes root in readers, but I am also intentionally reinforcing these same concepts and principles in myself.

 

A journal should be a history of my walk with Jesus.  It should have ups and downs; I should be wondering, musing on scripture, and… confessing my failures in my own writing so that I can see them in the future.

 

Prayer: “Is the Word of God lively on my lips?” Pretty good phrase there, Holy Spirit.  I would like that to be banging off the walls of my skull frequently.

 

Please make it so, Lord.

 

Be with the folks I know today.  Let them be reminded of You no matter where they are.  Cause wanderers to confess to another in Christ and let that person respond with mercy in prayer.

 

AMEN

Scripture: “Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealousy over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?”  James 4:5

 

Observation: Sometimes the important is missed over the obvious…

 

Analysis: In the first paragraph of Chapter 4 are these:

• What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?
• God opposes the proud; gives grace to the humble.
• Resist the devil and he will flee.
• Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.
• Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.

 

I have underlined these in various copies of my bible over the years; I have written memorization cards to put in my car, on my wall, in my pocket, etc.  These are all positive affirmations of the results of my actions towards God—plenty of verbs and to do’s to account for; a bunch of “if/then’s”: If I do this, then this will occur…

 

Good stuff all around.

 

But I noticed (just today) something stuck in the middle of what James is saying, something that specifically escaped me reading James but had to be there.  It is the “Why.”  Why is God enabling this, why is He forming me in this way, why does He want me in this way?

 

I cannot help but think that many Christians skip over this—the INTENSITY of the Love of God; that He is Jealous of our Heart and where it may be tilted to.

 

Jealous is a strong word, usually a negative indicator, indicating a less-than-pure emotion towards someone.  God is the only Person that this CANNOT be applied to.  His Jealousy is Right and Righteous, Pure in all things imaginable and unimaginable, and something Man cannot share the way He experiences it.

 

But, recognizing how generally Man skips over this, I definitely skipped over this lately.  I heard it once said, “The sin of Israel was—they soon forgot”, and Israel repeated this over and over.  I do the same and can identify the last 4 weeks as a major “forgot”—my bad.

 

What did I forget?  I forgot the love of God, that love that I cannot understand the depth, width, and intensity of.  What did I substitute?  Despair, depression, myopic focus upon myself.  I tried to salt it with memorized verses, principles, platitudes—but it only softened the blow.  My wife and a few friends tried to rouse me out of my forgetfulness, and it helped and started me back on the narrow path.

 

But what really kickstarted was singing—singing worship songs that were about God; not about me living in God’s provision or the benefits of living for God (which is kind of silly sounding, seeing that all Mankind lives dependently upon God’s common grace), but singing about His Character, His Purposes, His Being, etc., and being able to sing loudly, softly, remembering poignant verses.

 

Good worship songs, songs that stick to my bones, are songs about Him.

 

Anyway, I apologize to any reader that noticed I was away.  I hope I get back into the saddle consistently again.

 

Prayer:  Father, even though I kind of wrote upbeat here, I am still struggling—and I will depend upon you to bring it out into the open.  Thank you for every provision I enjoy, despite my not deserving one whit of it.

 

You are my God, and I worship You.

 

AMEN.

 

Scripture

 

Vs 13 Who is wise and understanding among you?

By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

 

Vs 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,

there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Vs 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason,

full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

 

Vs 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

Observation

 

How can I tell if someone is wise or foolish?

James says to look around them … what can you see?

James wants the wise and understanding person to put it on display?

“good conduct” … “show his works”

 

What is the result of their actions?

“Disorder” or “Purity”?

“Vile practices” or “Mercy and good fruit”?

 

James is taking me back to the Garden here …

Adam and Eve’s “selfish ambition” led to eating from the forbidden tree of Knowledge.

The order of creation became disorder …

The purity of their nakedness became wide-eyed shame.

 

Cain’s murderous “jealousy” led to an utter lack of “peace, gentleness, mercy, and openness to reason”.

 

Mere Knowledge without the wisdom of the fear of God will reap a harvest of chaos, not righteousness.

 

Application

 

Am I more interested in being a theologian or a disciple of Jesus?

Perhaps that’s too broad a question.

 

My point is … What am I more interested in?

Accumulation of knowledge about God?

Or application of wisdom from God?

 

What do I want more: “Information” or “Transformation”?

Just taking in more information will give me knowledge … but I’ll just get “jealous” and “selfish”.

Paul says it will “puff me up”.

 

Paul also says I can be “transformed” … by the renewing of my mind.

This is an act of the Spirit’s power, not my will power.

Then I can discern God’s perfect will.

And then, when I live this out … or as James says “by his good conduct show his works” …

the fruit of the Spirit is the result … “good fruit” … Peace!

Shalom! … The intended purpose and result of Creation itself!

 

So, when my life seems chaotic … when things seems “disordered” around me …

I must look in the mirror … in my own heart and mind …

Am I acting in wisdom from above …. or jealousy and selfish ambition?

 

Am I allowing The Word to transform me?

Or do I want more words to inform me?

 

Do I want The Word more, or more words? … Wisdom or knowledge?

James tells me that the wise person is not the one who knows the word, but the one who applies it.

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, for Your Word

Thank You that the Word become Flesh

Thank You, Jesus, for applying the Word perfectly for me

Help me, Holy Spirit, to be transformed by it and to live it

In Jesus name,

Amen

Scripture –

James 2:8– If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

Observation –

James is cautioning the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem not to show partiality towards people of wealth versus those that are poor.   In verse 8, James tells the believers to follow the second part of the great commandment and love your neighbors as yourself.  If you love others unconditionally and sacrificially you are doing well!  If we are loving others well we probably won’t get down to verse 11 where James warns against adultery and murder.

Application –

If I am loving my neighbors as myself then I am following Jesus.  Within that, I don’t have the option to pick and choose which neighbor to love on and those to exclude based on whatever criteria I may wrongly apply.  Love God, love others.  This is what Jesus did and modeled as a servant leader for us.  Loving others is the translation of our faith in action as James discusses in the second part of chapter 2.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the convicting truth in your word and for you loving us so much you sent Jesus for our salvation.  Let the Spirit lead me to love you and all my neighbors to bring honor to you.

 

Rom 16

Scripture:

[17] I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. [18] For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. [19] For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. [20] The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Observation:

Watch out for those who cause divisions and the obstacles they put in your way. The people who cause division are serving themselves, not Jesus Christ.

As Christians we can rejoice over one another who are obedient, but we still need to be watchful and careful.

To be fooled is naive. It is our responsibility to stay true to the Word and not be fooled. Be innocent of what is evil.

Application:

One thing is certain, God’s Word is as applicable today as it was when it was God breathed .

There are examples all around us of deceitful people causing division and trying to change things to  suit them personally. A prime example in the forefront right now in this country is the  Equality Act being pushed through the US congress. Talk about causing division. This is a huge chasm between orthodox biblical beliefs and totally secular atheistic beliefs. This is secularization of our society and our churches veiled in equality. Who doesn’t want equality, right?

Educate yourselves. Don’t turn a blind eye and be so naive to think that this mess will just go away. Contrary to what they may say, the people pushing this bill do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, they serve only their own power and self interests. We can rest in the assurance that God will use this for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose, but we cannot be naive.

The Lord loves our obedience to Him, but we must be wise and look around us at changes that affect our Christian liberties and rights. We have a right to apply our orthodox Christian belief that marriage is between one woman and one man. We have a right to apply our orthodox Christian belief that we should not be forced to accept LGBTQ individuals as pastors of our churches or teachers of our youth. These are not just privileges, they are our rights as Christians in this great country. We are all sinners, there is no question about that. We need to love one another through our sins but if we truly love someone we also need to confront with the Truth. We should not be coerced into changing our orthodox biblical beliefs to conform with this secularizing society.

This has been happening for years but is now picking up pace where major churches and denominations are caving in to the coercion of unorthodox Christian liberalism and modifying their church doctrine to be more acceptable to this demented society. The United Methodist Church split is a prime example.

Do not be naive. Educate yourself about how society is changing around you and speak up. If we don’t we will end up like frogs in a slowly heating pot of water, not jumping out because the change is so slow and then when they notice how hot it is, it is too late.

As followers of Jesus Christ we are not called to sit and wait. We are called to action. I believe this attack on our Christina beliefs and liberties is a case where we are called to action to the point that silence and complacent inaction may not only be naive, it may in fact be action for the enemy.

Prayer:

Lord I love you. Thank you for the blessings you continually provide to me every single day. Lord give me wisdom and help me to discern evil masquerading as good. Keep me well grounded in your Word. Without your Word and the Holy Spirit in me it would be impossible to tell the difference between objective good and bad as this world changes to subjectively calling evil good and good evil. Lord keep me strong and I pray that I glorify you in all I do. In Jesus holy name I pray. Amen.

Scripture

 

Vs 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice …

 

Vs 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

 

Vs 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them …

 

Vs 9 Let love be genuine.

 

Vs 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Vs 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Vs 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

 

Vs 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

Observation

 

Paul is telling the Christians how they are to now live out their faith.

He first emphasizes repeatedly that there is no room for ego in this living out …

Because everything they are to live out was first from God!

 

“mercies of God” … “grace given to me” … “God has assigned” … “grace given to us” …

 

So, there is no room for ego, but there is also no room for idleness!

I do not just sit back and rest on these gifts from God.

 

What do I do with the gifts?

Paul says to “use them” … and “let love be genuine” … and “overcome evil with good”!

 

Application

 

I never stop being amazed that it’s Paul writing some of these words.

Paul … the guy so proud of his life achievements and resume, now says. “Don’t think of himself more highly than he ought”.

Paul … the guy who went around persecuting others, now says, “Bless those who persecute you”!

Paul … the guy who sought to kill people who did not think the way he thinks, now says, “Live peaceably with all.”

 

This is a changed person from the inside out. … This is Gospel driven life change!

Is my life changed in the same manner, by the same Gospel power?

 

Sure, I can do “good” things …

But is it because I want to be seen as good, or because I can’t help it because of the good that God has done in me?!

 

And, more importantly, is the “good” I do that “overcomes evil” actually … “good”??

It seems in today’s world that getting angry at the right people is seen as “good”.

I see “outrage” at certain groups or cultures seen as a virtue for much of today’s Christian culture,

 

I’ve had plenty of conversations with “good Christian believers” who actually get mad at me if I’m not sufficiently angry about whatever they’re angry about in culture.

 

But I need to live out the command of Paul … who lived out the example of Jesus … to bless those who persecute.

While “cancel culture” may be the hot button issue … I must “live peaceably with all”.

 

And this is not about ignoring the need for justice.

This is a recognition that “vengeance is the Lord’s”.

 

So … if I recognize that every good thing in me is a gift and grace from God … not my own doing …

And if I allow evil to be ultimately dealt with by God, …

It is then that I am finally free to … “Let me love be genuine”!

 

Prayer

 

Thank You, God, for your Word

Help me see any gift I have as from you

Help me see others, even those I see as evil,

As people I should bless

Holy Spirit give me the willingness and ability to do this

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture –
Romans 11:20- That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.

Observation-
Paul is writing to the church in Rome and discussing how God is working with both the Israelites and gentiles.
Many Jews follow the law and don’t believe Jesus is Messiah. This allows gentile branches to be grafted in by faith in Jesus. A believer must remain humble and fear God, not receiving his grace in arrogance to others.

Application-
Paul’s words of warning to the 1st century church in Rome are equally applicable today. I was saved by the grace of God. Through my belief in the name of Jesus I have the right to be grafted in as a child of God. There is no work I have done or nor anything that I deserve. Therefore, I have no reason to act in pride towards anyone or group. I need to fear God not others and as such seek to explain the reason for our hope in Jesus to those who are blinded whoever they are for whatever reason.

Prayer –
Father,
Thank you the truth in your word and your grace in sending Jesus. Let me fear you, love you and live to point others to you by my love.

Rom 9

Scripture:

[17] For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” [18] So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

Observation:

This is all about glorifying God. God was in control then as he is now and as he will always be. God allowed Pharaoh to pursue what was natural to him – a hardened heart. God was later glorified in later displaying his power against Pharaoh. Conversely God will show mercy when there should be none, to whom he wills, further glorifying him. In either case God is glorified.

Application:

As Christians living our lives to glorify God and with open hearts filled with the Spirit, we won’t be treated like that where God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and used his wrath to his glory.

We are called to live our lives to glorify God. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31, ESV) Given that we do indeed to that, God will use us to glorify him with his mercy, even in our pain.

Prayer:

Lord I love you. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for my salvation and for filling my heart with your Spirit. I pray I glorify you in all I do. In Jesus’ holy name I pray, amen.

Journal Ro 6 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again—death no longer has dominion over him.  For the death he (Jesus) died, he died to sin (once for all), but the life he (Jesus) lives, he lives to God.

 

So (likewise) you also must consider yourselves dead to in and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

 

• 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.

 

For sin will have no dominion over you since you are not under law but under grace.” Ro 6:9-14

 

Observation:  What is the basis of my conduct?  It is how I deal with sin in my life.

 

Analysis:  Romans is the shorthand presentation of the theology of Justification and Sanctification.

Modern folks have written volumes about this subject, but none have done it better than Paul.  There’s this one guy, John Owen (Puritan theologian in the 1600’s) who wrote the definitive book on Sin (Doctrine of Sin, Chapter 6)—huge book.  The easiest to read so far (outside of Romans) is “The Enemy Within” by Kris Lundgaard—a book recently reviewed at Saturday AM Coffee at IHOP.

“For sin will have no dominion over you…”  I remember this often and tell myself that, but lately it seems that sin does have dominion over me.  It is disheartening and discouraging: where and how am I failing?

Then I remember who has overcome the world.

Confess, repent, and get after it again.  Remember the Cross and where my dependence lies.  Remember that I am not independent, but dependent on Him; I am being formed into the image of my Lord Jesus and there are still imperfections that need to be pinched out of the clay.

I am being confronted with a situation I thought would never have happened.  Among other things (which are way more important but cannot be shared here), my character has been assaulted by a member of my own family.  As I write this, I am thinking how petty I am because Jesus endured so much more and that on my behalf—so that I could be set free from the dominion of sin.

That endurance is my example of character to imitate.  My freedom from the dominion of sin is not “freedom from sinning”, it is about “I am not bound by the dictates of sinning”—I don’t have to sin.

This freedom from the dominion of sin is not in the power of my might, but it is in the dogged perseverance of leaning hard on the Holy Spirit.  My effort, leaning dependently on God, knowing that the Power to overcome sin is directly His, is the key.

Prayer:  Lord God, all the struggle right now is what is bouncing between my ears, and repudiating those thoughts that I know You don’t like—but in parallel pity me for and have Mercy for me available always and forever at the Cross.

Help me cling to the Cross, for I am beat and lonely in this matter You know about.  Deliver me, O God.

AMEN

 

Romans 4:16 – That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring- not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who  is father of us all

Observation –

Paul is explaining to the believers in Rome that the promise to Abraham did not come from the law but through faith by God’s gracious gift to all who believe.  It is not the law that saves us rather the law shows sin.  Abraham had faith and trusted in God and His promise to make him father of all nations.  When we have the faith in God through Jesus, we are united to Abraham in our faith.

Application –

Jesus was around before creation and everything was created by and through Him. Therefore, Jesus knew Abraham and this is God’s gracious plan of salvation for mankind from the beginning.  There is no amount of works, record for me to keep or thing I have to do to be united to Abraham.  I have to trust the grace of God in His gift to send Jesus to save me from my sins and place my faith in the name of Jesus in the promise to redeem me.  Faith is a complete trust in God and receiving a new life in Jesus and following his path for our life to tell and disciple others.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for your grace in sending Jesus so I can repent and have a relationship with you.  Let me trust you completely, follow you faithfully to share your love and gospel to glorify you.

Journal Ro 3 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.

 

All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.

 

Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.  The venom of asps is under their lips.  Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.  Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known….

 

There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  Ro 3:10-18

 

Observation:  It is too easy to read these verses and think of other people.  It is much, much more difficult to understand this is referring to the face in the mirror…

 

Analysis:  I engaged in an exercise a number of years ago.  It was personalizing the Scriptures, replacing the 2^nd/3^rd person pronouns of “all, they, their, we, etc. with 1^st person, like I, me, mine, etc.

How different does the Scriptures read doing that?

“I am not righteous, no, not at all; I don’t understand; I don’t seek for God…My throat is an open grave; I use my tongue to deceive…My mouth is full of curses and bitterness…There is no fear of God in my eyes…”

Knocks any image of righteousness right off my personal pedestal.

As much as I pursue God, this is always bouncing around in my mind.  I pursue God as a function of the Holy Spirit given in Grace.  I cannot seek, pursue, find, fear, love, without the power of the Spirit.  And what fights against it?  My indwelling sin.

Everyone feels the conflict.  Everyone.

For the past number of days, I have been gripped by a spirit of bitterness.  Doesn’t matter what it is about, it is still bitterness—and I physically feel it.  It is a heaviness in my being, clouds my vision, clinches my jaw, and grinds my teeth.

There is no bitterness that is righteous, and no one is responsible to deal with my bitterness except myself, the face in the mirror, and that before the Cross.  I might need to be pointed to the Cross and the Throne of Grace…

Because I am confronted with my indwelling Sin every day, it means I have to go to the Cross everyday and become increasingly dependent on the Grace that is found in Jesus Christ every day, every moment.

Prayer: Forgive me, O Lord, for the bitterness I am experiencing.  It does not honor you at all.  Help me to lay this down at the Cross; increase my utter disdain of my sin.  Help me to seek peace.

AMEN

Scripture:

[1] Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. [2] We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. [3] Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? [4] Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? [5] But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

 

Observation:

Writing to the Christians in Rome about various sins, the Apostle Paul is reminding them that they too are sinners. They are not called to judge others for their sins. They are told to look inside at their own sin, turn from it in repentance, and leave judgement to God.

 

Application:

I like this as a reminder that in many ways I’m no different than those I may tend to judge. We all probably have a tendency to cast judgement on others displaying what we feel are obvious sins. Sins outwardly obvious. Yes, we are sinners too but its obvious that our sins aren’t as bad as theirs.  Our sins are more acceptable – like pride and jealously. But we also know that is not biblically sound thinking. That sounds like secular thinking creeping into our orthodox biblical teaching.  Not only is that thinking not biblical, verses 4 and 5 serve as reminder  that if we don’t repent of that improper way of thinking and judgement, thinking that God will have more patience, tolerance, and kindness for us in our sin that to those we judge, then we are storing up terrible wrath from God when he judges us.

 

Prayer:

Thank you Lord for the reminder that I am no less a sinner than those I tend to judge. Lord forgive me for passing judgement on others. I know that’s not my purpose. My purpose is to glorify you and when I judge others I am prideful and listening to the enemy’s lies. Lord help me ignore those lies and to focus on you and building your kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Journal Ro 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes… (Ro 1:16a)

 

…through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name…

 

…including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ… (v6)

 

…because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. (v8b)

 

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual give to strengthen you–that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (v11-12)

 

Observation: I am reminded of the power and purpose of the Gospel once again…

 

Analysis: What is the Gospel for?

I have focused on “preaching the Gospel to myself” for some time. I first read this phrase in “Discipline of Grace” by Jerry Bridges (highly recommended for a personal library) but it didn’t click until I heard it emphasized in a Men’s Conference.

Since then, it has stuck in my mind: “What does that mean?  What makes it more than a trite phrase?”  I concluded, even if I couldn’t define the above two questions, that the Gospel isn’t just a message to save unbelievers because, Paul wrote: “…for (the Gospel) is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”

I believe; therefore, the Gospel is the power of God concerning me. It is vitally important.

Here are tidbits I am picking up (not reading over to get to the “good stuff”—beware of skimming), the Gospel:

• Directs me, in the power of the Gospel, to bring about the obedience of Faith for the sake of His Name.  That not only is a subject preaching to others, but to the face in the mirror.
• The Gospel is the power of His calling me, and for me to persevere.
• The Gospel, exhibited by my Faith in obedience, is cause for publication—people talk about what they see, not what they hear.
• The Gospel is the vehicle and cause to want to impart “some spiritual gift”, so that a result is to be beneficially encouraged; both as a recipient and a contributor to encourage one another in the Faith

If I am only gearing myself to consider the Gospel as something for unbelievers, I am denying the Power of God meant for my growth, maturity, and for my brothers and sisters.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the Gospel.  The Gospel illuminates your Word.  It brings life to the dead; understanding to the simple; it is related to and synonymous to your Wisdom.  If I think about it deeply, it gives me understanding of the fear of God, and praise erupts in my soul.

I am such a shallow man.  Deepen me, O God—let the waters of your Spirit run through my soul.

AMEN.