Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture: “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.  For I am not ashamed of the Gospel; for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and, also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed…”  Ro 1:11-17a

Observation:  It takes a lot of reading to disseminate, unpack various subjects from Scripture at time; especially from the introduction or preamble of a Letter.  Today, I think I see Paul speaking of his heart’s motivation to the church of Rome…

Analysis: I will bet Kel struggles at times to discern what the Spirit would have him speak to the congregation.

Today, with technology, these messages can be saved for years and, if someone wanted, to pull out and nitpick in detail.

Anybody writing has the same issue to face. Most of the writers are not on a saved, publicly accessible, website.

I wonder if Paul had misgivings about putting his thoughts on paper in the form of a letter?  Here we are, 2,000 years later, pouring over his words, trying to understand them and embrace them.  After all, I am confident that this letter, with other documents, is the Word of God.

The introduction to Romans shows me, in part, Paul’s heart.  I see this mighty man of God, humbly identifying with other believers: “…that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith…”

I notice that when he talks about preaching the Gospel, he is writing to the Roman local church. How is it, that when I think of the Gospel being preached, I automatically and in reflex think about the unsaved?

I think that my unspoken tendency is that “that box has been checked off, I don’t need the Gospel anymore, now I need either more “truth” to grow with or stuff to be armed to face the great enemy and present the hordes of unbelieving opposition—sinners.

I don’t think that Paul is like that.  Sure, he knows what he is talking about…and as I read further into Romans he is eloquent, succinct, and thorough.  But his heart…

Yes, Paul states clearly, he is “not ashamed of the Gospel” but why?  Because of three things:

1. He is there with us in the power of God for salvation.  No more, no less.  He stands before the throne of Grace in faith of the Atonement just like I will.
2. My growth in faith encourages him as well as me—and as it should in each believer in our local church.  Growth should not be hidden but displayed.
3. Growth comes from and through the Word of God in the Gospel.  To separate the Gospel from other study subjects is shortsighted.  “For in it (the Gospel) is the power of God revealed…”

Hammer point: Writing is a growth experience, not an arrival experience.  We grow in the understanding of the Gospel.  The Gospel should be the catalyst for increasing humility…

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I want to be like Paul says and “impart some spiritual gift…”  Sometimes I wonder if I have these thoughts and they fall like lead balloons to the ground.  I suppose that’s ok, been that way for 40ish years, and I am growing in understanding through the experience.

I pray for Kel and his family and the elders and deacons.  Please give them clear thoughts and noggins full of rejoicing in the Gospel today. AMEN

Journal Ps 69 and 118 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.  At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me in your saving faithfulness.” Ps 69:13

“I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.”  Ps 118:17

Observation: Are these the scripture references that jumped out at me today?  Patience in affliction and being thankful through it?  Am I nuts?

Analysis: Yes, my wife says I am nuts.  Usually.  When even slightly pressed, gives me up.  I adore her for that while I cringe in embarrassment.  She is the sandpaper that God uses to rub off my sharp edges.

When I pray, I struggle with patience.  Asking God for answers to any situation and recognizing He may have a timeline that I don’t doesn’t always equal faithfulness in me.

Take, for example, work.  I like to see fruit of my labor recognized.  It is good to get a clap or two when something goes well or according to plan.

In prayer like the above it is: Laying burdens at the foot of the Cross, asking for relief or answers and then saying, “It is my pleasure to wait upon Your eventual decision.”  Hard to choke those words out of the throat.  After all I would really like to see answers by an accountable date.

Of course, I would.  I worship me, not God.

“Not my will, but Yours, O God” is not a throwaway line to conform to some sort of piety. David grasped that and held it fiercely.  How?  He understood that at the end, “I will recount the deeds of the Lord.”

Now, I need to look in the mirror.  I am not where David is.  Far from it.  But I have a target now to aim for.  If I am going to thoroughly embrace this attitude, cultivation is called for; plow my stony heart deep so that good, solid, fruit grows from it.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither will holiness be built in me in a day.  It is a lifetime of pursuing God.  Got a target, now…make a plan.

Hammer point: Recount the deeds of the Lord. Be intentional.

Prayer: Lord God, how awesome you are. Unfathomable is realizing your love toward me. This is a day of dragging my mind through minefields, trying to remember Your patient ways where I am involved.  So much to think about and what I want to do is bury my head in the sand.  At an acceptable time, answer me in your faithfulness, O God.  AMEN.

Scripture:

19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
[20] He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
[21] Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
[22] The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Observation:

Even the righteous will be afflicted.. a lot
But God.. but by His timing, the Lord delivers the righteous out of all pain and suffering

True believers have been released from the bondage of sin and death

Application:

How often to we question God when we’re going through pain and suffering?  We may ask – Why me?  I love and worship You.  I have been trying to follow Your will.  Why am I being afflicted when it seems that so-and-so is living the high life and he doesn’t even know You, much less revere You?

The answer to why me? may have something to do with what God is having me learn from the pain.  As much s we may hate to hear it, we know that we grow stronger through our pain and suffering.  We may be growing into the person God wants us to be.  This will be different for each of us but use the experience, use the pain, use the suffering to strengthen the Kingdom.

As far as so-and-so goes, we should probably not worry about that person but as David says in verse 21, that person will be condemned if they don’t repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord.

We won’t read anywhere in the Bible that the righteous will not be afflicted.  In fact, we read the opposite.  As true believers, we will endure much suffering.  But God is omnipotent and always in control, even when allowing us to suffer.  We need to use it, grow from it, and praise Him through it.

Find peace and comfort in knowing what we are redeemed.

Prayer:

Lord I love You.  You are my refuge and my strength.  Lord I expect affliction in this life.  Help me find Your purpose as I go through the pain and suffering you allow.  In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, amen

Scripture:  Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Ps 34:11

Observation:  I have noticed that this is not the phrase that is normally in my mouth, nor in other folks’ mouth.  I wonder why….

Analysis:  Believe it or not, my wife and led Children’s Ministry once upon a time.

I had the older kid’s (5-11); broad spectrum of ages and all at one time.  It was a small church and obviously dedicated to family evangelism…there were a lot of babies, not many conversions from the outside.

While this scripture reference wasn’t top of mind then, it was the direction of our ministry to the children.  I figured that if I could effectively communicate the Gospel to these children, then adult-ish wouldn’t be an issue.

I found that children are sharp, inquisitive, obedient, and…. easily distracted, have a short attention span, and rebellious all at the same time, or can show these symptoms any time right out of the blue.  From them I realized they are just like adults.

Therefore, I needed to tailor my message to communicate the full Gospel to the ears of children and, in preparing in those ways, learning how to be a school teacher, systematically breaking down the facts of the Gospel (even the scary parts) and building line upon line, precept upon precept, thinking and acting like a master builder.

The point?  Every believer has the same opportunity and commission.  “Come here, boys: Let me teach you how to pray and pray effectively.  Girls, do you want to join?”  That is how I began my tenure in children’s ministry—just pulling the kids aside into an adjoining hall and sitting in a circle, teaching them how to pray.

“Follow me as I follow Christ.”  That is the attitude to have, first to the face in the mirror, then to your spouse, then children, then others; so that it can be said:

Come, listen, and I will teach you the Fear of the Lord in the Gospel.

Hammer point: The Gospel is eloquent in all its facets.  Do not be afraid to talk about Wrath as well as Love because both are the Good News of God.

Prayer:  Lord, I remember Beth and Kayla fondly.  I also remember Andrew and Michael sadly but with expectant hope for the future.  Help me to trust in your Word that You know who are Yours and they will never fall from your fingers.  AMEN.

Scripture: (The Psalmist) “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the Lord, praise him!  All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.

From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.  The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord!  May your hearts live forever!”  Ps 22:22-26

Observation:  There was so much in Ps 22 that the Psalmist was laying out.  Remembering that these are prayers and songs and not strict theological studies but what was personally pouring out of his heart, makes a huge difference in reading…I long to be just like that…

Analysis: I could be such a dry theological fellow without much effort.  A wanna be scholar, heavenly minded, no earthly good.

I have met a bunch of folks over the years who go the other way: No or minimal theological inclinations, minimal study (just enough to keep a heading or just to confirm that they do study…sort of…) and a bunch of earthly good and not much heavenly mindedness at all.

And yet, that is not what I have learned.

Theology without a desire, a love of God is lifeless.  Works without knowing God is lifeless.  Good theology deepens and causes action in a soul; multiples actionable love, makes accountable obedience…and growth in personal holiness is evident to those looking.

The Psalmist shows that he takes one action in particular: confesses, praises, etc. his Name in the local congregation, the local church.  He declares for the congregation to “stand in awe of him.”  He determines to “perform before those who fear him” or, like Paul writes to Timothy, “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” (1 Tim 4:15)

Ps 22 is personal; most of the Psalms are.  They are best read in the 1^st person, not clinically as if they do not apply to me except for the good stuff, the eye-candy.

Hammer point: Read the Scriptures as if they were written specifically to me, the Creator’s words of Life.

Prayer:  Father, this reading in the 1^st person is a difficult practice.  Yet, I know that it bears fruit.  It also shakes my perception of things.  Am I a “worm” like David writes in the beginning of 22?  Compared to You, I am.  It shames me that I resist that description of myself; that I want to deal with my “self-image” a bit more positively.  But it isn’t the Truth.

Guide me in Your Truth.  Help me to love your Word until the End.  AMEN.

Scripture

Psalm 22:27- 28 – All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.  For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.

 Observation

The psalmist is reminding us of the Abrahamic promise that will bring salvation to all the nations.  From the ends of the earth all the families of the nations will worship before the Lord.  The Lord is king of kings and ruler of over all nations of the earth.

Application

Jesus fulfills the Abrahamic promise to bring salvation to the nations through his sacrificial, redemptive death and resurrection for us.  Jesus tells his disciples in Mark 13:27 what it will be like when the Son of Man returns.  “And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”  I must remember Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  He is alive and with us now in this uncertain time of crisis.  My response is to turn to the Lord and worship Him in His sovereignty in the midst of what looks like chaos.  Draw near, have faith and trust in Jesus.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy you have for us.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit give me courage to have faith, trust in you to guide me through these times to know you and share your gospel with a world that needs it.

 

Scripture:   O Lord, our Lord: How majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?  Ps 8:1-4

Observation: Ever notice that some statements that the Psalmist makes don’t seem like the belong in a consistent thought?

Analysis: The cry of babies and infants; strength is established.  Why?  Because of the foes, the enemy, the avenger.

Why is that?  The thought comes to my noggin that God is mindful of the helpless.

It isn’t that the Psalmist is recording the whys and wherefores, or the how’s and what a person should expect point by point.  It is that He is overall involved.

John Piper pointed this out in one of his messages: “When I look at your heavens” and all of the heaven’s majesty and complexity, they are “finger work”— “…the work of your fingers.”  The implication is that the heavens were formed with minimal work effort.  Impressive.  And look at this: God is mindful of Man.  And so much more that it surpasses the “finger work” of the heavens.

The Psalmist is in awe.

Am I “in awe” or am I presumptuous of God?  Depends on my attitude of what I deserve, I suppose.  If I think I deserve being “minded” about, then I start to think that God is obligating Himself to treat me favorably.  I hear echoes of this in the folks who parade about “I am made in the image of God!  Hoorah!”

Hammer point:  The “in awe” guy thinks like the taxpayer: “Be merciful to me O God, a sinner.”

Prayer:  O Lord, how majestic is your Name in all the earth.  How I want my eye to be clear in this and wake up every morning declaring that.  You are awesome, O God.  AMEN

Scripture:  After this, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and revealed himself in this way:

Simon Peter, Thomas (the Twin, the doubter), Nathaniel…, the sons of Zebedee and two others of his disciples were together.  Simon Peter said, “I am going fishing.”  They said, “We will go with you.”  They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?”  They answered him, “No.”  He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”  So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.

That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”  When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he…threw himself into the sea.  The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish…John 21:1-8

Observation: In the annuls of the Church, has there been any more impressive fishing story?

Analysis: I really like expounding on these stories.  My imagination goes wild.

Well, not really wild, but I imagine a lot.

How many days has it been since the guys last saw Jesus?  Must have been more than a few.  Here are the guys, sitting around.  Getting dark outside.  Bored to tears.  Peter rises, “I don’t know about you guys, but I am going fishing.”  “Good idea let’s all go.  Nothing to do around here anyway, it is all reruns on the telly.”

Out for a 3-hour cruise.  No Gilligan’s Island here.

Morning comes, no fish.  Stranger on the shore, “Hey boys, how’s fishing?”  “Stinks.” “Tell you what, throw the net on the right side of the boat, you will get plenty.”

Net’s tossed.  Umph, must have caught on a wreck or something. Everyone is tugging hard and the first flopping, thrashing bunch of fish is seen.  Excitement starts to build, then griping and complaining about the heavy load.

“That’s Jesus!!” says John.  Peter whips his head around and goes, “What?”  And in his excitement (doesn’t forget his land clothes), jumps and swims all the way to shore—leaving the other guys to do the work, by the way.

Am I that excited to see Jesus?  I would hope that when the time comes, I would react just like Peter.

Hammer point: There are fish stories that are all about living the Gospel.  I would do well to remember some of my own.

Prayer: Lord, this posting today shows me how much I segregate you from my life.  When I am doing chores, hobbies, reading, working, etc. I am generally not primed to see You or to hear from You.  I want that to change in me.  I don’t want to wallow in boredom but jump up excited to see You.  AMEN.

Scripture:  Now Thomas, one of the twelve (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he (Thomas) said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them.  Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side.  Do not disbelieve but believe.  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed….

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples (which are not written in this book); but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his Name.  John 20:24-31

Observation:  I can be just like Thomas.  And, eventually, Jesus will call me on it…

Analysis: “You guys are nuts!!  The Man is deader than a doornail.”  “Thomas, really, we saw him, talked with him, walked with him, and more.”  “Mass hallucination.  I am going to require proof, touchy feely kind of proof.”

8 days later, Jesus appears.  “Oh, Thomas?  Thomas?  Do you want to touch me now?  How about your fingers in the nail holes, your hand in my side…is that enough for you, buddo?”

When does my faith wain?  Usually when my eyes are not on Jesus.

I have been in a position before praying, “Let me see something, God!  A miracle or two, something to stir me up!”  And I am thinking, “…just like Thomas.”

I am there right now.  I want to see the promise of good things from the Lord before I take a major step out of my uncomfortable comfort zone—you know, that place where I know that bad things are there, but they are, maybe not comfortable and but are better yet, predictable.

And here’s my wife, my one disciple, reminding me of what I teach: “Look at the history of us, husband.  Has God ever let us down?  Has He not brought us through storms?”  And she rubs my nose in the Truth (like a faithful disciple) and I go gather her up in my arms and say, “I hate you right now, my true love” smiling all the way.

No, I do not hate my wife.  I am proud of her that she reminds me, in the midst of my unbelief, to place my eyes on Jesus, remember His goodness towards me all of my days, and because of His faithfulness in my past, I can count on His faithfulness for my future.

Hammer point: History is the reminder of God’s faithfulness.  Don’t ask for a hole in the Hand to put fingers in before believing.

Prayer:  Lord God, please give me peace in these decisions coming up.  Arrest my quaking heart and give it courage.  I don’t want to be presumptuous on Your Mercy.  Guide me, please.  AMEN

Scripture:

 

[3] So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

[4] Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” [5] “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) [6] When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

 

Observation:

 

The Pharisees and chief priest were obviously expecting trouble, that’s why they sent soldiers along to get Jesus.

 

Jesus knew that his hour had come and gave them no trouble.

 

When Jesus said “I am he” they drew back and fell to the ground.  Why? They knew Jesus as a prophet and healer but still didn’t believe in Him as Son of Man. Suddenly with His words at that time did they have a revelation that He was who He said He was?

 

Application:

 

Are there doubters and skeptics out here who will not accept Jesus as Son of God until they are face to face with Him?  Time is running out.  There will come a time when it IS too late so we have to spread the Word with a sense of urgency.  Knowing the end of the story, my heart breaks for the skeptics and scoffers.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord, thank You for my salvation.  Thank You for taking me as broken as I am, the sinner that I am, underserving, and offering me eternity with You.  Help me to stand apart from unbelievers when times get tough.  Help me spread the Good News with my words and actions.  In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Journal John 17 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture:  When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.

 

And this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”  John 17:1-3

 

Observation: What consumed Jesus’ heart to pray for?  From this reference, that the Father may be glorified.  If Jesus began prayer with this, I should as well, right?

 

Analysis:  I often begin prayer with a perfunctory “Thank you, Jesus.”

 

Other folks go, “Dear Heavenly Father…” or something similar.  My point is that my prayer can fall into a sing song, repetitive, void of meaning, rote.

 

Not that the prayer isn’t heartfelt and sincere, but on some level that I readily acknowledge in my heart, it isn’t heartfelt or sincere.  It is perfunctory (like table Grace) or insincere—just praying because prayer is the right thing to do.

 

That isn’t right.  That needs to change in me.  But, how?

 

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?  Practice, practice, practice.

 

In the case of practicing how to pray, I have found that using Psalms to practice with is totally invaluable.

 

Another practice of value: Praying the declaration of the Gospel: Start with the Trinity from before Time and walk through it, using it to declare the Glory and Mercies of God.

 

A good biblically based resource that isn’t the Bible is the book “Valley of Vision.”  Reading how Puritans pray concerning various subjects is so very interesting and convicting.

 

In any case, learning to pray effectively is hard—not just difficult, but hard.  I guess that falls into the principle of praying unceasingly (1 Thes 5:17).

 

I have found that putting my nose to the grindstone on this (and a few other principles of effective and actionable discipleship) bears a ton of fruit.

 

Hammer point:  Copy Jesus.  Imitate men of God and leaders of the faith that have come before.  Bear fruit.  Read old dead guys and some of the still living more.

 

Prayer:  Thank you, Jesus.  Hah, what a kidder I am.  Lord, I thank you that you are broadening my prayers.  At the same time I confess that I am struggling with laziness in prayer.  It is time to get back in the saddle.  To your glory, Lord, AMEN

Scripture: (Jesus is praying) “And this is eternal life: That they know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent…

I am praying for them.  I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours… (excerpts from John 17, verses 3 and 9)

Observation: What is the objective of Jesus towards me?  It is that I might know the Triune God.  What is the protection from not achieving this?  Jesus prays for the ones given him.

Analysis: I think that John 17 can be a whole year’s worth of study all by itself.  And, I think that I could not ever fully plumb its depths.

Look at these top notes.  Definition of eternal life?  That I know God.

How does that jive with all the directives of doing, obeying, alignment, mission, and more?  Just this: If I don’t make it a point of knowing Him who sent His Son, what good is doing all this other stuff?

Goodness, that reads harsh.  Yeah, does to my eyes as well.

How can I fully know God?  Here is the circular argument that I have come up with: By doing all this other stuff—but putting this “other stuff” in the proper context.  Because I seek His Face, all of this “other stuff” now means something.

At the End of Days, will an accounting be held of me and my doings?  Yes, it will.  Is it a ledger sheet of balancing rights and wrongs, pluses and minuses, positives and negatives?  I don’t think so and Scripture doesn’t lend itself to these kinds of conclusions.

Look at Matt 7:20-25: “Lord, Lord: Didn’t I do this and that in Your Name?  Jesus says, “Begone—I never knew you.”

Knowing Him, his Cross and his resurrection; seeking His face—I scratch the surface of this daily.  It is so much easier to do something than to “be still I know I am God.”

What do I have going for me, then?  Jesus prays for His, the ones given him.  Is that me?  I would like to think so, I have my trust in Atonement for my sin.  I suppose this is the area of “working out my salvation in fear and trembling…”

Hammer point: Don’t be faithless but be faithful.  Pursue Him all my days.  He is the Pearl of Great Price, the Treasure hidden in the field.

Prayer:  Father, I want these words to be driven deep in my heart and soul.  Reorient my mind to pursue You all my days.  Guard me from the temptations and the whispers of the evil one.  Show me joy in You.  AMEN.

 

Scripture

John 17:20 – 21“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

 Observation

Jesus is praying for his disciples to be kept from the evil one and be sanctified in the truth of the word.  Then Jesus asks for all who believe in Him through the word be united as one with the Father and Jesus.  In verse 21, Jesus tells us that the reason that all believers in Jesus are one with he and the Father is that the world can believe the Father sent Jesus.

Application

Jesus prays an intercessory prayer for all who believe in his name through his word to be united as one with He and Father so the world will know why Jesus was sent.  I need to be in prayer for others to believe in Jesus through the truth in His word.  This is a prayer for the Great Commission and a call to action.  We know Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth.  In his last words, before ascending to the Father, he called us to go and make disciples of all the nations.  We are to teach them to obey the commands he has given us.  We also have the assurance that Jesus is with us, no matter what we are facing, to the end of the age!

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word and loving us so much that you sent Jesus to save the world.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit give me strength, courage to share your gospel as the only hope we have to make you known.

Scripture: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.  No longer do I call you ‘servants’, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

 

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give to you.

 

These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”  John 15:14-17

 

Observation:  I should pay attention to “if/then” type of statements in the Word of God—not as a formula for getting something (like many want to make them), but to see what is expected of me…

 

Analysis:  Fall on my face and declare, “I am not worthy!”

 

That should be my predominate response to any of the Promises.

 

It isn’t.  Not even close.  Even when I remember, “Oops”, my worthiness is not the first (second, third, or even 100^th) mental response concerning God’s mercy in promising things.  Most of the time my response is “Cool.  Let me file that away for a time when I will need it.”

 

Why should I have the attitude of “falling on my face?”  Jesus calls me a friend.  Do friends fall on their face to each other?  Answer: Where did I forget the price paid for me?

 

My attitude has to do with how I perceive the situation of my relationship with Jesus—what do I deserve vs. what has been granted.

 

Take Jesus’ blunt statements: “You did not choose me.  I chose you.”

 

In my experience, when I “choose” something, I think I retain some measure of control.  However, in this case I have been “chosen.”  What is that hairs breath of difference?  My attitude.  Look at the scene of Revelation (starting in chapter 4 and continuing) and the folks before the throne.  Presumably they are “friends” like Jesus calls us.  While all those guys acknowledge Jesus calling them friends, they don’t presume on that friendship but practice falling on their face, tossing crowns, etc.

 

I habitually forget I am a servant, really a servant, and not some privileged creature.  Part of being a sinner, I suppose.  Here are a few things that I try to keep front of mind:

• Chosen does not mean special (as in value comparison).  After all, that selection is all the Triune God’s decision and only He knows what criteria He used.
• I have been called a friend.  I still consider myself a servant.
• I am commanded to bear fruit.  Still working on that lifetime assignment.

 

Hammer point:  My relationship with Jesus is clear: He calls me friend.  Do I deserve being called friend?  From my POV, probably not—servant is all I deserve.  Jesus is much more full of Grace than I am.

 

Prayer:  Jesus, that you call me friend is more than I deserve.  I have said that repeatedly in this post.  Please help me not to presume on Your Mercy and Grace towards me.  AMEN.

 

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

Scripture: (Joshua speaking to the 12 selected men from each tribe) “…that this may be a sign among you.  When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’, then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.  So, these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”  Josh 3:6-7

Observation: It is hard to pick up anything but the facts of the record sometimes.  But there are jewels of Godly principles to be unpacked everywhere the Living Word is recorded.

Analysis:  Reading Joshua 3-4, I wondered if the writer was trying to fill up a word count, as if he got paid by the word.

Seriously, look how many times scenarios were repeated in these two chapters: the priests on what they were supposed to do; the congregation on what they were supposed to do; the 12 guys cherry-picked from the Tribes to find and carry rocks for a monument from the bottom of the Jordan, etc.

Then I understood: How do I remember anything?  If I want to drill something in the gray matter between my ears, what do I do?  Repeat, repeat, and repeat again.  Repetition is the mother of knowledge, right?

That is what God is hammering: REMEMBER.  And not only remember but remember with purpose: So that in generations to come, I will be faithful to tell of His mighty deeds.  David:

• “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.” Ps 77:11
• “We will not hide them from their children but tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that He has done…so that they shall set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments and not be like their fathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.” Ps 78:4-8

How faithful am I about telling my children of the mighty works and wonders of God?  I can check off the box saying that presented the Gospel (or a semblance thereof) to them once upon a time; but having the daily recognition of His deeds in my mouth?  Shucks, I hardly tell them to myself, much less anybody in my family.

It is erecting (figuratively maybe) a monument that I can say; “See?  See what the hand of the Lord has done!!  Oh, sorry, have I already said this?  Too bad: I am going to say it again and again.  It deserves to be faithfully repeated all my days.”

Hammer point: Faithfulness comes in remembering and doing what I am supposed to do over and over again.

Prayer:  Lord, how can I increase in faithfulness?  One way is by remembering Your works and Your ways AND talking about them, starting with the face in the mirror, and extending to my spouse, then to my children, then to the local church, then to strangers unknown.  When I meet exasperated opposition, keep on talking, gently and persuasively.  AMEN.