Category: Good Life Journal

Journal Mk 13 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: (Jesus): “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Mark 13:31

 

Observation: The bulk of this chapter is about signs at the end of the Age (End Times).  This verse is about the Unchanging, Immutable, Everlasting Word of God.

 

Analysis: A principle of the Bible that I don’t specifically think about much is the Everlasting and Supreme Word.

 

Even changes in particular words due to translating efforts doesn’t change the Word being the Word.

 

I must consider this: The Bible as we know it is God’s self-revelation—outside of Creation itself, Man doesn’t know, cannot know, the mind of God without the Scriptures.

 

We can know ABOUT God through creation: “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”  (Ro 1:19-20)

 

Man cannot claim “I do not know God exists…” because creation refutes that argument.

 

But Scripture…scripture puts a narrower focus for me on the power and supremacy of God’s Word: “All Scripture is breathed out by God…” (2 Tim 3:16a) This Holy Word is effective at bringing the Mind of the Trinitarian God to mortal Man.

 

The psalmist of Psalm 119 is fluent in proclaiming written Law, Precepts, Doctrines, Testimonies, etc. as being God’s Word, and something to diligently seek and keep so that his life will be changed: “I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set (a purposeful statement) your rules before me.  I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame!  I WILL run in the way of your commandments…” (Ps 119:30-32a)

 

If Jesus’ words will not pass away, even if heaven and earth do, then I can trustfully dedicate my life into knowing Him through His Word.

 

Prayer:  Father, I do not do this subject justice in 350 words.  Make what I wrote stimulate my mind and thoughts so that I am prodded to seek you diligently today.

Bring revival.

AMEN

Mark 12:32-33 – And the scribe said to him, “You are right teacher, Teacher.  You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him.  And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Observation –  

Jesus answers a question from a scribe as to what is the greatest commandment.  In his response, this scribe understands what Jesus is saying about how to love the one true God.  He understands to love God with all heart, mind and passionately!  He also understood to love others as much as we love ourselves.  These two commandments are far greater than religious ritual.

 

Application –

Love God and love others is a great summation of how we are to live!  If we are loving God we are following Him.  If we are loving others we are not going to be jealous, have animosity or malice towards them. We are going to love them to let them see/hear the gospel in and through us. This is not accomplished by religious practice or even merely church attendance.  This love is only by heart change when we first receive the love of Christ and in turn share it with others.  We are to be humble before God, but be passionate in our pursuit and representation of Him!

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for your love you have for me first in sending Jesus to pay for my sins so I can have a relationship with you.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit lead me to love you, love others and live a life to honor you.

Journal Mk 11 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.

 

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass—it will be done for him.

 

Therefore, I tell you: Whatever you ask in prayer believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

 

And, whenever you stand praying, forgive (if you have anything against anyone), so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”  Mark 11:22-25

 

Observation:  Faith to receive things prayed for aligned with faith to forgive. Isn’t that something to think about?

 

Analysis: I remember this from a teaching a while back—the power of Faith.

 

When a youngster in the Faith, faith was a “super-power”: something to move mountains with; to curse fig trees with; to name a want and believe I have (or will) receive what I prayed for “in faith.”

 

As a youngster: I prayed for stuff for my young family; I prayed for finances; I prayed for a local strip joint to be closed; I prayed for divine intervention to cause revival, and more.  When it didn’t happen immediately, I prayed for “stronger faith”—“Pump me up, Lord, with super-Faith.”

 

Some of these things had (have) merit; some were prayed in desperation; others were just plain feeding my flesh (and that may have included some that sounded “biblical” but my motives were yuck).

 

But, years later, it was pointed out to me that the faith to move mountains, etc., was really needed for forgiveness.

 

Forgiveness is probably more difficult than to move mountains.  Man is inclined to wanting recompense, wanting justification on being angry, wanting someone else to grovel and pay even if it is only emotionally.  “God, I was RIGHT, right?  Even You can see that. I DESERVE AN APOLOGY.”

 

Let me review: Move mountains or root out self-importance?  Which is more difficult?  I think it is evident if only for this: I move a mountain in faith, and it is done; it isn’t going to jump back into the hole where it came from.

 

I confess a spirit of self-importance and repent and…it jumps back into my heart the first chance it gets (usually by the next day if not sooner).  It may not have ever left because my words were just that—empty words with no faithful intention behind them.

 

Prayer:  Lord, the older I grow, the more I realize where Faith is really needed.  I succumb to the thinking that “I was done so wrong and someone needs to pay.”  Or, “Not my fault the fight began, and hard feelings were the result—they did it first!”

You gave yourself for the deserved punishment of Men, in order to redeem me.  You didn’t deserve that.  But you did it because you loved the world—despite there being nothing inherently lovable in us.

Help me to follow faithfully in your example.

Bring revival.

AMEN

Journal Mk 10 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “And as (Jesus) was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Mark 10:17

 

Observation: Sometimes words stick out and cause my head to tilt to the side and I murmur, “Huh?”  Studying a word first comes from questioning a word.

 

Analysis:  Reading Mark 10 this morning, this quote stuck out for a single word: Inherit.

 

This is the story commonly known as the Rich, Young Ruler.  The guy talking to Jesus self-identifies as: righteous, doing good, not getting into any trouble, following the 10 commandments from his youth until now.  I would call it “polishing his halo.”

 

But this guy has a question about “eternal life”: what does he have to do to “inherit” it?

 

Strange question, at least to me, especially with the “inherit” word.

 

When journaling, I don’t always reach up, take down, and look words up in my Hebrew/Greek dictionary.  But I do have access to a handy-dandy Microsoft Thesaurus.  One of the synonyms for “inherit” is “succeed to”, as in the manner of a family member “inheriting” an estate—receiving a prize only earned/bequeathed by association.

 

So, I am wondering what this guy was up to?  Was he looking for a verification from Jesus that he was doing all that was needed?  Jesus told him, “You know the commandments: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.”  The reply?  “Teach, all these I have kept from my youth…”

 

I wonder about this guy.  He wasn’t dumb.  He was rich.  He ruled something—he was a SOMEBODY.  I wonder whether he thought he Clep’d the course to eternal life and needed the admission counselor to verify that.

 

Is that what other people do?  I have done this and that and “of course I am in—how could I not be?”  Then, Matthew 7:21-22 kicks in: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven—‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do mighty works in your name?”

 

Is this the attitude like the ones in Matt 7?  It is more than earning my way into the Kingdom, it is the attitude of “Of course I will not be denied entrance—do You not know who I am and what I have done?”

 

I have succumbed to the “check off” approach to my Christian faith before; that attitude that says, “On this so and so day, I accepted Christ.”  I wonder if that approach keeps me from preaching the Gospel to myself effectively.  Seriously, if that would be my attitude that I already have “assurance”, if I punched that ticket and can identify the date and time, why then do I need the Gospel for myself daily?

 

If I “punched the ticket” way back when, what good is the fresh, humble reminder, that Jesus died for me—an unworthy sinner?

 

From the other side of the coin, I “inherit” eternal life from the Atonement for my Sin by the sacrifice of the Son—the ransom for the captive; that same captive, whom by the decree of the Holy God, deserves nothing but the Wrath of the same Holy, Trinitarian God.

 

So, my “inheritance” is not because of association to a particular family relationship—for I have none.  I have been given adoption by Grace, the UNMERITED favor of the Trinitarian God.

 

Jesus loved the rich, young ruler, who lacked one thing.  He desired his riches over humility, thinking that he could obey himself into heaven.

 

Preaching the Gospel to myself is to first recognize my innate depravity and then celebrate the astounding Mercy of God by the unfathomable instrument of the Cross.

 

Prayer:  Father, one day I will do the description of “preaching the Gospel to myself” justice.  I appreciate, Holy Spirit, that you point out different aspects of the Gospel for me to meditate upon; that the Gospel isn’t just one thing, it is a Jewel of many facets.

Help me repudiate the idea, the inclination, that I don’t have to pursue You because of the attitude that my “ticket is already punched.”

Persevering to the end is not an exercise in stubbornness; it is an intentional approach of determination to excel in You as a disciple, to show progress in Godliness (1 Tim 4:15).

Bring revival,

AMEN

Journal Mk 9 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “And (Jesus) asked them (the disciples), “What are you arguing about with them (the scribes)?”  And someone from the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute.  And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So …. I asked your disciples to cast it out and they were not able.”

 

And (Jesus) answered them, “O faithless generations, how long am I to be with you?  How long am I to bear with you?  Bring him to me…

 

And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”  And he said, “From childhood.  And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him.  But…. if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

 

And Jesus said, “If you can?  All things are possible for one who believes.”

 

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”  excerpts from Mark 9:16-24

 

Observation: There are two things found in this section of scripture by a keen-eyed observer: 1) the subject of Miracles and are they applicable, and; 2) the subject of “belief” and “faith” and the differences…

 

Analysis: Earlier in this chapter, right after the Transfiguration event, the Disciples were walking along down the mountain, discussing, gasp!  Doctrine.

 

Discussion about Doctrine isn’t bad; it isn’t something to avoid.  Most times it is where: 1) Our weaknesses are displayed safely, and; 2) whether or not we have biblical, godly faith or a non-biblical, fleshly counterfeit.

 

I have been associated with folks who avoid discussion about Doctrine, believing that doctrine is perhaps the largest cause of division in the church.  I might agree with that for the only reason that I think many folks would rather see a “lowest common denominator” agreement in peace and avoid turmoil and disagreement.  There are certain subjects that are currently taboo (such as charismata and Election to name two) and get avoided for the sake of peace.

 

However, the things of Scripture should be discussed—daily.  It is a part of having the Word of God on my mind all the time.  There are statements in the Bible that I plain cannot answer well.  Yes, I might have an off the cuff thought of them…but to drill down, savor the Life found in the living Word…that takes effort to think and ponder and talk with trusted friends with whom learning is possible.

Challenge should be desired and pursued.  Force of personality is not a substitute for conviction, nor is position a substitute for authority of conviction.

 

Berea—faithful brothers there—always searching the Scriptures to see what is there and what is right.

 

I am of the thought (note I said thought and not conviction) that the word “Belief” and “Faith” get conflated—it is reckoned as the same thing.  Certainly, defined similarly.  I contend that “Belief or Believe” can be the watered-down version of generic Faith: “I believe in God”, for instance.  Big deal, Jesus said.  The demons also believe—with this difference: They fear.

 

Do I cultivate properly and in accordance with the Scriptures the “fear of God” in parallel with thankfulness of His Grace?

 

Trying.  Trying daily.  Resting in Him and vigorously pursuing at the same time.

 

Prayer:  Lord, why isn’t there more talk between believers?  Not truce pursuit; not boundary setting, but wholesome, honest, conversation about pursuing You?  You gave a command to preach the Gospel.  Some take that and only look outside and neglect to bring the Gospel to the church so that the Church may learn to walk in Your Ways.

I am thinking that most of the New Testament is about the individual and the church in community to pursue You in holiness and only a fraction is about reaching the lost.

Help even that out, please.

Bring revival.

AMEN

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

Scripture: “And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

 

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.

 

And (Jesus) said to them, “Whenever you enter a house stay there until you depart from there.  And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

 

So, they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.”  Mark 6:7-13

 

Observation:  Shaking off the dust on my feet; is this like shrugging my shoulders?  And if so, is it because of the message?  And if so, what message?

 

Analysis:  If there is such a thing as being a rookie Christian, I think it both applies and doesn’t apply to the Twelve.

 

Here are twelve guys; from different backgrounds and education; all eager in the Faith—some perhaps more than others—and one destined to be the designated traitor (to fulfil prophecy).  Still there is no indication that Judas Iscariot was no less eager for this assignment than say, Peter.

 

Message?  Repent from evil ways and seek the Kingdom of God.  Authority?  From the establishment, none.  But here is the mark of authority: Casting out demons, healing the sick.

 

So, there are these guys, sent out by Jesus, to DECLARE a particular message, and He gave them a toolbox of Gifts to use.

 

And He sent them prepared to fail.

 

Am I prepared to fail?  No, I am afraid I will fail.  Worse yet: I am afraid of succeeding (more on this another time).

 

Most times I confess or exhibit fear, well meaning folks start citing verses “casting out fear”, or, “fear not”, or verses similar.  But Jesus prepares the Twelve by telling them, “There is a chance that you will not be heard.  If that happens, turn around, don’t waste your time.  Shrug your shoulders, dust off your feet, and move along.”

 

I haven’t paid attention to the Parable of the Soils.  If I did, I would understand that only about 1/8^th (approximately 12.5%) of all that have some response to the Gospel will bear deep, abiding, good fruit.  Is that a hard and fast rule?  Nope—but what is hard and fast is that no one responds to the Gospel unless Jesus calls them first—and not all will respond.

 

What do I do?  How do I respond?

 

This morning, I think of the word “hypocrisy.”  Am I willing, eager, and able to declare the Kingdom of God in my own house?  Do I practice “being a fool for Christ” in my home?

 

Or is that something that I am prepared to perform hypocritically to strangers alone?

 

Prayer:  Father, if I don’t practice Your Word in the confines of my home, before my wife and children, before my comrades in Christ and in the local church…because I am either lazy or afraid, what good am I before strangers?

AMEN

 

Mark 5:19-20 – And he did not permit him but said to him, Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”  And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him and everyone marveled.

Observation –  

The demonic spirits that possessed the man known as Legion knew that Jesus was the Son of God.  Jesus has power over the demonic spirits and he cast them out into a herd of pigs thereby healing the man.  The man really wanted to travel with Jesus after he was healed.  Jesus told the man to return home and began to tell your friends what the Lord has done for you.  Legion went and proclaimed what Jesus had done and everyone was amazed.

Application –

First we need to recognize that Jesus is the Son of Man.  Then we need to realize what Jesus did for us that we are unable to do for ourselves.  Jesus had love and mercy on each and every one of us when he died on the cross for us then overcame death while we were still sinners.  We need to have a relationship and walk with Jesus by being in the word, in prayer and part of a local body.  Our walk with Jesus prepares us to go share with our friends, neighbors, family and everyone what Jesus has done for us in a winsome loving way!  Our story is His glory and when we share how love of Jesus has changed our lives the Spirit will convict people.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy in sending Jesus to save us while we were still sinners.  Let me realize that every day and share my story in a winsome way to make you known.

Journal Mk 4 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

 

And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that:

 

‘…they may indeed see but not perceive,

and may indeed hear but not understand,

lest they should turn and be forgiven…”

 

Observation:  I wonder why Jesus spoke in parables?  Did he not want all folks to understand so that they would repent and be forgiven?

 

Wouldn’t speaking and teaching plainly—no parables– accomplish that?

 

I have to wonder…

 

Analysis:  There has to be a purpose behind God’s ways in this…

 

Even Isaiah prophesied:

 

“And (God) said, “Go and say to this people: Keep on hearing, but do not perceive.  Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and turn and be healed…”” Is 6:9-10

 

Why did Jesus quote Isaiah here?  Why would God want this?

 

I think it comes in the following parable: The Parable of the Soils.

 

Is God’s desire “shallow Christians?”  No, I think not.  In the Soils parable, the smallest fraction of what is described is the “seed falling on rich soil, producing fruit.”  And do I want to produce “fruit?”  If so, what is the fruit I should produce?

 

That’s the question, isn’t it?  There are so many voices saying, “The fruit is this”, or “the fruit is that.”  Even my own mind wants to describe what “fruit” means—and I don’t take the time to find out from God’s Word.

 

Do I have the desire to find out daily, or do I let the cares of this world snuff the fire out?

 

Prayer:  Father, is there wisdom in plain speech or in clouded speech?  Or do I even have to think about it?

I know when I speak plainly and pointedly, defenses are drawn up.  When I speak otherwise, eyes roll back in their head, obviously not understanding.

How can I make my words “Apples of Gold in settings of Silver?”

Bring revival, O God.

AMEN

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

Scripture: “Again he (Jesus) entered the synagogue and a man was there with a withered hand.

 

And they (the Pharisees) watched Jesus to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath (so they might accuse him).

 

And (Jesus) said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.”  And he said to (the Pharisees), “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or…. to do harm; to save life, or….to kill?”  But they were silent.

 

And (Jesus) looked around at them WITH ANGER, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man: “Stretch out your hand.”  He stretched in out and his hand was restored.”  Mark 3:1-5

 

Observation:  This is a significant story, like most all the stories of the Gospels are.  But what do I think of it?  Am I thinking “those dumb Pharisees” or am I thinking “Is that how I react?”

 

Analysis: Most folks don’t like to think of Jesus demonstrating anger—or any “foul” reactions at all.  After all, Jesus is “love”, right?  That means He is always…. what?

 

To read the Scriptures is to shift my perception of the nature of the Trinity as appropriate.  Because the Triune God is so many things (Communicable and Incommunicable—suggestion: dive into a good systematic theology book this year.  Recommended: Bible Doctrine, ed. Wayne Grudem), poor mortal man like I am must think about God as He presents himself.

 

Here, Jesus is schooling the group of Pharisees in what is right and what is wrong.  Here, He is Headmaster and Teacher—think about him as a Vocational instructor.

 

There is a right way and there is a wrong way to do stuff; and a wrong way is to not do anything.  As a shop instructor would teach “measure twice, cut once”, so Jesus is teaching, “Are you to do good, or to withhold?”  “If you see something that needs fixing (like a lame guy), are you to wonder whether it is ok to do that, or not?

 

Vocational, as it applies in this posting to myself, is not being a Professional in the sense of being a pastor or some such, I am referencing being a vocational disciple.

 

Being a Christian Disciple is not like having a full-time job (or many part-time jobs).  It is not even what I do after my workday is over.  It is certainly not what I become on Sundays and Wednesdays.

 

Being a disciple is learning, training, practicing all those things that the Bible wants me to learn and to be.  It can be structured (like in a classroom), or unstructured (like learning woodcraft or fieldcraft).

 

Maybe Jesus was angry and grieved because of the thought, “Have not learned anything from my Father?  Have you cloaked His Word under your hardheartedness and traditions … and failed to respond to my Spirit?”

 

Writing this to me, the face in my mirror…

 

Prayer:  Lord, if there is one area I am released to be angry about, it is concerning me and my performance.  It is about putting into practice that stuff I know and have learned from You?  It is getting it out of my head and putting it into exercise.

Learning to be a disciple is multifaceted: I don’t tackle everything you send my way with the same hammer.  Sometimes I pound, sometimes I tap, sometimes I must wait to see the image in the stone before proceeding.  All the time, I need to pursue being a Trained Disciple.

Bring revival

AMEN

Journal Mk 2 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment.

 

If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.

 

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins.  If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins.

 

But new wine is for fresh wineskins…” Mark 2:21-22

 

Observation:  New wine—fresh move of the Spirit of God?  Sounds right.  If that is, then what are old wineskins?  And what do I do with New Wine?

 

Analysis: I think these are a couple verses that fall into the bucket of “If anyone has ears to hear…”

 

As a new Christian in my teens, I thought I knew what this meant about Old Wineskins: Old traditions, old organizations, old structures equated with old garments and old wineskins.  With the Charismatic movement in full swing it seemed there was no room for the move of the Spirit and new enthusiasms of newly born souls.

 

It was easy to get into a church and blend in…no change wanted or demanded…just say “I believe” and I am in the club.

 

That was nothing I wanted.  If I were to give my life for something, I needed to be “all in.”

 

“All in” from what was demonstrated to me was: Go to church, give, and witness.  If I wanted to really be serious, go to school and get a Reverend in front of my name.

 

The more I read the Bible, the less those two options were obvious.  In fact, neither made sense when I was encountering daily life.  Did I want to be a Christian in name only or did I want to be a “Sky Pilot” (as my grandfather called it)?

 

Neither.  I wanted to be committed in being a “boots on the ground”, serious everyday Believer—a person who “studied to show himself approved, rightly handling the Word of Truth”, making headway everyday in doing it right, walking worthy of the Gospel, honorable, and humble before his God—public when needed, in secret most times, but certainly walking different than the world around me.

 

Serious, effervescent, lively, practicing the Gifts, immersing myself in the Word, working to surrender every part of my life as I took strength to do.  “Renewing my mind” was at the top of my list.

I think that is what New Wine is about.

 

Prayer:  Lord, older now, but no less serious—at least in my mind.  Too somber, though.  Too sad for my circumstances; prone to tears in that I still struggle to make an impact of my life.

Maybe the circle of influence that you have decreed is supposed to be small.  So be it!  I follow you and not my wants and desires.

Make me fulfill your purposes all my days.

Bring revival,

AMEN.

Journal Ps 149-150 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Praise the Lord!!

 

Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!  Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!

 

Let them:

• Praise his name with dancing;
• Making melody to him with tambourine and lyre;

 

For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

 

Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds—Let the high praises of God be in their throats…”  Ps 149:1-6a

 

Observation: “Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!  Praise befits (suits) the upright.” Ps 33:1

 

There are probably hundreds more verses like these.  What is the main occupation of a Believer?  Praise, and the synonyms: admiration, commendation, approval, acclaim, give tribute, applause, compliment, worship, honor, ADORE, celebrate, and more.

 

This is a good reminder for me today.

 

Analysis:  Holidays are my nemesis.  They are not fun.

 

One of the things that I have learned (or tried to learn) over my years is that Praise must override my emotions and/or feelings; that is, being happy is not related to praising God.  Oh, it can be, and it is wonderful when it correlates that way.  But real praise, the praise that God takes notice of is praise through my tears.

 

“My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”  These things I remember as I pour out my soul: How I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.  Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Ps 42:3-5

 

“…to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord…” Is 61:3

 

Praise is closely related to thankfulness.  When circumstances invade and conquer my wants and desires, thwart my plans, and cause chaos where my vision thought should be otherwise, praise to God (who holds all things in his hands) is warranted—despite my wanting otherwise.

 

I show how much I trust God when complaints supplant praise.

 

How hard is this?  Muy difficult.  Defaulting to praise instead of complaint is a reflex trained in times of goodness and not turmoil.  And, like training my muscles to stay toned, this reflex must be trained daily—otherwise it will fail when I need it the most.

 

Prayer: Save me, O Lord, from being morose.  I am not looking forward to all the discussions I am due to have with my family because I failed to prepare adequately.  I don’t know how to proceed with wisdom.

Prepare humility in me; make my words full of truth and not self-protection.

I want the oil of gladness poured over me, please.

Cause revival,

AMEN.

Journal Mal 3-4 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.  He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver…” Mal 3:2b-3

 

Observation: Remember He is after a people for his own possession…

 

Analysis:  Holiness.

 

This is a difficult subject for many.  It is difficult for me and I have been trained all my life to pursue it.

 

“Take away the dross (the impurities) from the silver and the smith has material for a vessel…” Prov 25:4

 

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts…” Prov 17:3 Using another analogy: Isaiah 29:16 refers to me as clay (c. Ro 9:19-21; Is 45:9).

 

So, as a guy who has surrendered his life to God, does He then have the right to rid me of my daily impurities; pound out the lumps of resistance in the clay?  Oh, yes, He does.

 

The point for me to remember: It is not what I do (as tasks) but what am I pursuing?  Am I pursuing to be “holy as He is holy?”  To walk “worthy of the Gospel?”  Or am I looking to do as the guys in Matt 7, “Lord, Lord, didn’t I do (this and that” in your Name?”  And Jesus’ response: “Go away, I never knew you.”

 

None of this is easy.  I am in a valley, looking to climb out—but having to trudge through the mud of life now.

 

There may be more reading this that are in the same boat with me.  You are not alone.  But, keep your head up for the Holy Spirit wants to draw near.

 

You draw near, first.

 

Prayer:  Father, why is life difficult today?  I cry out to you, O God; deliver me from this situation.  Open my ears so I can hear your voice and obey.

I am digging out everything that I can remember from your Word; trying to toss aside my wants and desires; repudiating the desire to self-protect and justify my thoughts and actions—because I know that I cannot make this right on my own.

I want to be made in the image of my Lord; if that is foolish to the world then let it be…

Bring revival.

AMEN

Malachi 2:1-2 – “And now, O priests, this command is for you.  If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, say the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings.  Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you did not lay it to heart. “

Observation –  

One of the duties of the priests is to honor God by leading the people in heartfelt instruction. The priests were just going through the ritual motions and leading the people astray lacking a love for God in their hearts.  This is a command of the priests which God takes seriously and will curse them in the abandonment of their duties.

Application –

We are priests in the new covenant through the sacrificial atoning work of Jesus.  As such we are called to fear God and honor Him.  Jesus’ last words before his ascension is the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey the commands he has given.  This is our command to fear God and share the love of Christ with all and disciple others.  We must not simply do church or think this is the pastor’s job.  When we consider the gospel and the enormity of the love God showed us, our change in heart can only compel us to love others with the Good News of the gospel of Jesus.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the love, grace and mercy you have for us.  Let your Spirit guide me to fear you, love you and love others enough to share you gospel in a winsome way.

Journal Ps 144-146 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.

 

On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

 

They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds and I will declare your greatness.  They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.” Ps 145:4-7

 

Observation:  Part of the Gospel shown right here, and the part that has fallen out of favor with his followers…

 

Analysis:  I note that it is a struggle to absorb myself with “commending his works and declaring his mighty acts.”

 

I don’t tend to think about my life in Christ except from the binary “us verses them” point of view.  Candidly, I succumb to the “what have you done for me today?” frame of mind.

 

I think it is a measure of my gratefulness—of which is limited at best.

 

Example:

1. Do I think about times where God has supernaturally intervened to save my life from traffic?
2. About where He has saved me financially in a time of what I thought was severe need?
3. I had a divorce: Do I remember and savor those times where He delivered my family?  And now, decades later, where His hand is seen influencing the growth of the children?
4. Do I see the stars and sky and really reflect: “Whom am I that you would have consideration for me?”

 

Whatever the works, ways, acts of the Triune God in my life, do I recognize them, remember them, and commend them to other generations?  Do I declare His Majesty as a reflex, something that is on the tip of my tongue every day?

 

Often, I reflect on his love and mercy shown me—but I don’t go much further than that.  Somehow, that translates that my objective doesn’t go much past the mirror.

 

Prayer:  Lord, journaling is such an exercise.  Let those who read these be aware of your whisper.

Bring revival,

AMEN.

Journal Ps 141-143 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door to my lips!  Do not let my heart incline to ANY evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds…” Ps 141:3-4a

 

“When my spirit faints within me, you know my way!  In the path where I walk, they have hidden a trap for me.  Look to the right and see: There is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul….” Ps 142:3-4

 

“Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy!  In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!  Enter not into judgement with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.”  Ps 143:1-2

 

Observation: The cry of the burdened, the stricken man; wallowing in despair and struggling with the absence of hope—hold on, this is a Believer talking, not an unbeliever…

 

Analysis: Good stuff belongs to the victorious in Christ; bad stuff belongs to the Unbeliever: That is the way to read the Bible, right?

 

Wrong.

 

The Word of God exists so that God’s Ways can be known—objectively AND subjectively.  Psalms is a good case in point: It is not written with doctrine primarily in mind—it is the thoughts, feelings, musings, and emotions of the Psalmist out there…SO THAT, people who are coming behind can know how to feel and (when off the track) can SEE where the Psalmist got back on track…and follow his footsteps.

 

I read all three of these Psalms today.  I am aware of these truths in my mind; not so much when the rubber meets the road.  My reaction to the everyday challenge?  “Why should I change?  Why shouldn’t THEY change?  Why should I give up stuff?  Why shouldn’t I be victorious?”

 

As a servant is not above his master, so it is with me: Jesus had all the right in the world, no…creation, to rise and say, “NOT me.  Sin is not MY issue; Man—fix yourself.”  Satan tempted Jesus (in the Wilderness episode) to rise up for himself; to look out for Number One; to not consider ANYBODY else as more important than himself.  Paul wrote about it this way:

 

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Phil 2:3

 

This is getting my head on straight about what God expects from me, a wanna be disciple.

 

After all, I cannot be a disciple without showing or going through the bumps and bruises that it took to get there.

 

Prayer:  Father, In these 3 verses I am aware of the constant battle I go through in implementing them.  In your Word there is life; a life that is not defined the way the world defines it.

I succumb to the feeling of “no one cares for my soul” even when I know that is not true.  But I fall just the same.

Hear my cry, O God!  Hear me when I am faint; hear me when I am choked up beyond all ability to communicate or talk about the war inside me; hear me when none of my plans, wants, or desires goes the way I dream.

Only You, O God; be my focus all my days.  Make me serve your purposes in this, my generation.

Bring revival,

AMEN.