Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture

Matthew 11:4-6 –   And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them.  And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Observation

Jesus answers the question from John the Baptist about whether he is the Messiah by recounting the miracles and deeds of His earthly ministry.  The answer Jesus gives also fulfills prophecy from Isaiah 29:17-19 about the future restoration of God’s people.  The poor and meek will hear the message of the good news of Jesus Christ.  Those who recognize their sinful nature will not be offended by the gospel and will be blessed to hear and receive.

Application

Jesus is the Son of Man, the alpha and omega.  Jesus demonstrates his powers to show He is the Messiah here to establish the Kingdom of God.  We know not only Jesus’ miracles but the finished work of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection.  I need to receive the good news of the gospel in my heart and share it with all.  We can’t be ashamed of the gospel for it is the only thing with the power to save, when we realize we are all sinners and that is our greatest need and only hope.  There will be some who are offended by the gospel as they are blind to their own need for a savior.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for sending Jesus to save us so we can be reconciled with you.  Let me stay focused on you and not question who you are.  Help me be humble, meek to receive your love and share it with others to glorify you.

Scripture: “Do not think I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.  I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”  Matt 10:34

Observation:  An often-overlooked statement by Jesus.  Doesn’t sound like what we would tell each other, much less tell rookie disciples…

Application:  How does this statement change the way I look at evangelism?

I hardly ever think about it except when I think about how Christianity is counter to the culture of the World.  Really, if I take it to a logical conclusion like Jesus did in the subsequent verses in Matt 10, every contact that a Christian makes has a potential to be a conflict.  Not a Live and Let Live conflict, but a battle, a war—a “take no prisoners” type of battle.

I expect a little bit of respect as a Christian I think.  I want to do good for everyone I see.  Loving, being gentle, doing a little healing and raising the dead along the way…(bad joke).  Not being a bad dude should get some kind of respect, right?

Shows the attitude of my heart.

“A servant is not above his Master…”

Prayer:  Father, I know that I am tussling with the concept of evangelism and candidly protecting my foolish pride.  Kel talked about jumping in yesterday.  That pricks my heart and I think more.  Today I am thinking about the “being the moral police” side of evangelism.  You didn’t.  You proclaimed the Kingdom, the Gospel of my Sin being forgiven because of the Blood of the Lamb.

Why don’t I talk about that more?  AMEN.

Scripture:  “And as Jesus reclined at table in (Matthew the tax collector’s) house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.

And when the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples: “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

But when (Jesus) heard it he said: “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick.  (Tell you what…) Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’—For I came not to call the righteous but sinners.”  Matt 9:10-13

Observation:   I have often wondered what I am supposed to do—avoid sinners or embrace them.  I don’t know that the Word of God is black and white clear here.  I think there is something in the background that I am supposed to know…

Application:   Once upon a time someone I know “dared” me to take my Christianity and go evangelize—inside a local “gentleman’s club.”

I didn’t go.

That was still a good decision.  I wouldn’t change that decision even today and, in fact, I would emphatically counsel against that—if anyone asked.

Here is a definitive story about the new disciple Matthew, gathering at Matthew’s home for pizza and snacks, with a number of Matthew’s current circle of friends–and presumably having a good old time.

Pharisees snooping around caught wind of this and asked the disciples (not Jesus), “Uh, huh—I see your Master eating and drinking with sinners…what’s up with that?  Doesn’t look real godly to me…”

Isn’t that just like some folks?  Looking for the “gotcha” moment and addressing some weak link in the group?  Pharisees are not just some snobby religious dudes, they are smart fellows—and they were asking a bunch of fishermen what is going on?

This is an example of shepherd caring for the sheep under his care; exhibition of care for the disciples.  Sometimes I have to relax and let the one in charge answer the questions while I learn.  When I want to be thought a fool, all I have to do is open my mouth.

Jesus answered the Pharisees with the Word of God—quite in the same way He answered the devil in the wilderness.  Clear.  Compact.  Succinct.  No arguing, no stretching out of a discussion, also didn’t look for that “edge” into trying to “minister” to the Pharisees—just saw the situation, and was ready with an answer.

I want to be like that, ready with not only an answer for the Hope that is in me, but a good answer.

Prayer:   Spirit, keep me from being arrogant with biblical answers, nor flippant, non-committal, or shy and fearful.  I want to look a person soberly in the eyes and be able to say “Tell you what.  Let me tell you of the God of all Creation and his Gospel for the world.”  I want to be able to communicate the whole Gospel and all it entails.  AMEN.

Scripture:  “When (Jesus) had entered Capernaum a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ‘Lord my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.’  And (Jesus) said to him ‘I will come and heal him.’

But the centurion replied, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof…but only say the word and my servant will be healed.  For I too am a man under authority with soldiers under me.  And I say to one ‘Go’ and he goes and to another ‘Come’ and he comes and to my servant ‘Do this’ and he does it.

When Jesus heard this he marveled and said to those who followed him: ‘Truly I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.  I tell you many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness…” Matt 8:5-12a

Observation:   Faith.  Faith about miracles or about the Gospel?  Wait a minute: isn’t that the same thing?

Application:   I have noticed early in my walk I would segment aspects of Christianity into chunks.

“This is about evangelism; that is about community.”  “Here is laying on of hands, this is about gifting, that is about leadership, the other is about followership, etc.”  Doctrine of the End Times, doctrine of demons, OT vs. NT, Law vs. Grace, and so on and so on…

Fact is all of these facets and segments are part of the same whole, which is the Gospel—everything from before time began to well after That Day is the Good News.

In the above reference there is: the Centurion exhibiting faith in explanation; the Servant who is sick and may not have any idea what his master is doing; Jesus’s followers who get to observe what is going on, and Jesus—who is astounded by this Roman officer’s character and response.

There wasn’t any hesitation on Jesus’ part to go take care of the servant—the deal is sealed.  Centurion: “Please come.” Jesus: “OK, let’s go.”

Then the curve ball: Centurion: “Uhh, sir. I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.”  Not: “Sir, you don’t have to do this.”  Not: “Please don’t bother, house is a mess…”  Or: “Excuse me, I am Roman, you are Jewish…know what I am saying here?”

What is being communicated is deep humbleness and a serious vision of worth between the Centurion and Jesus.  The Centurion is not being self-deprecating, not putting on an act for the audience, but as if he was in a Cone of Silence talking only to Jesus, revealing with extreme transparency his heart attitude coupled with a trained and disciplined mind—“I am not worthy.”

Jesus marveled at the Centurion’s response, he was astonished at the clarity of the soldier’s reasoning and faith–so much so that the followers were given a glimpse of the Gospel and the coming Kingdom.

One day I want to astonish Jesus.

Prayer:   Lord, the thought I am twirling about in the empty space between my ears is there is no such thing as being a quickly arrived, fully equipped disciple.  I am dumbstruck.  Please lead me, push me, into being a trained disciple.  AMEN

Scripture

Vs 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Vs 16 You will recognize them by their fruits.

 Vs 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Vs 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

Vs 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

 Vs 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Vs 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

Observation

Jesus is telling the closing thoughts of His famous Sermon on the Mount.

He speaks of false leaders, false believers, and true believers.

The striking difference between each is the difference between their words and their actions.

The hearers of Jesus’ words, if we are to be true believers of Jesus, have two responsibilities:

“Beware of the false prophets” and “Hear these words of Jesus and do them”

Jesus also has the starkest of warnings for those who do not do so.

They will be “departed” from Jesus and destroyed as if by a storm.

Application

These verses from Jesus contain some of the scariest words in the Bible:

“I never knew you” and “Depart from Me”!

How will I be sure to never hear such terrible words from Jesus?

I must be changed from the inside out.

How will others know that I have been changed from the inside out?

I will hear Jesus’ words and do them! … They will see my “fruit”.

Everything comes from the inside out … the good and the bad.

Jesus said of the false prophets “inwardly they are ravenous wolves”.

They are recognized by their fruit, but where does the fruit come from?

Fruit is external, but it doesn’t just appear instantly from an external source.

The fruit grows slowly from its internal source.

So, people will recognize who I am by my external actions, but my actions stem from inside me.

And Paul later lists for me what “bad fruit” is (“acts of the flesh”) … hatred, discord, jealousy, selfishness, envy, anger and rage, and plenty of others.

But he also tells me what “good fruit” is (“fruit of the spirit”) … love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”.

Paul adds “against these things there is no law”.

In other words, it’s always the will of God to do these things.

If I ever try to “show off” my works or “fruit”, Lord help me …

“prophesy” or “cast out demons” and even doing “mighty works” may well not be the will of the Lord even if I am crying out “Lord, Lord” while doing them!

My external “doing” must flow from an internal “being” that God has changed!

And Jesus said whoever “does” the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus often connects the will of God with the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God seems to be where what gets done is what God wants done.

“You Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”.

Prayer

Thank you, again, God for your Word

Thank you for your warnings against myself

Lead me to live and do from a changed self

Help my fruit be yours

Help me know what is true

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture:   “Now, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews; for we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him…

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, (the wise men) departed to their own country by another way…

Now when (the wise men) had departed behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said…

But when Herod died behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying…

But when (Joseph) heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, (Joseph) was afraid to go there and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.”  Excerpts from Matt 2:1-2; v 12; v 13; v 19-20a; v 22.

Observation:   Is the Lord the same yesterday, today, and forever?  I think so, my faith rides on that He is unchangeable in all of His aspects, attributes, and promises.  Why don’t I dream like these guys?  What do they have that I don’t?

Application:   Well, one answer could be they have a need.  Insufficient answer, though.

Part of the believer’s tool box are signs and wonders—the supernatural aspect of Christianity.  The prophet Joel: “And it shall come pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions…” Joel 2:28.  Luke repeats the same reference by Peter, talking to the local crowd in Acts 2 in his first sermon.

The wise men studied and while it is not indicated they were Jews, they saw the sign in the heavens.   And then there were a series of dreams:

• Wise men: get out while the getting’s good;
• Joseph: Scram.  Scram now.
• Joseph again: Your Egyptian vacation is over, pack up and come home BUT why don’t you relocate to Galilee while you are at it?  It suits My Purpose…

Are dreams a part of the prophetic gifting package?  Guys like Wayne Grudem seem to think so.  Outside of a few brothers and sisters who are such enthusiastic practitioners they kind of give Gift stuff a sour taste in most folks mouth, there is a tremendous lack of SERIOUS and SOBER minded pursuit by Believers today.

Why then is this kind of intervention missing from my life?  Who’s to say that it is missing?  Maybe I am just deaf…

“He who has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying…”  From God’s lips to my stoney ears.  This phrase isn’t just indicating a penchant for understanding—it is cultivating and directly encouraging my heart to hear his whisper.

Dreams can be visionary; visions.  Dreams can also be indicative of directions.  What is for sure from my perspective is that stuff like this need a few things: an earnest desire (see I Cor 14:1), and; a place and local church community to practice in.

For those folks who want to play at home, find someone to mentor with.  Don’t take yourself seriously at first—a rookie, however talented and regarded, is still a rookie.

Prayer:  Father: I appreciate the opportunity to see these phrases in Matt 2.  And I thank You that once again You stir up my rocky heart to see visions of what can be.  Like the other day I saw in Psalms 126, I can dream and when I see Your Hand, my mouth will drop and I will be filled with laughter, rejoicing in Your unstoppable move.  I want to continue to soberly pursue, not to be deterred, what You say to chase in 1 Cor 14—whatever that means, and without preconceived notions.  Help me, O God.  AMEN.

Scripture

Matthew 4:17 – From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Observation

Jesus has just resisted the temptations of Satan in the wilderness and thereby we are able to see the sinless nature of Jesus.  Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah by being a shining light among darkness in Galilee.  The first words Jesus begins to preach in His earthly ministry is repentance.  The time has come to repent and believe in the gospel.

Application

Jesus first words in His earthly ministry are not catchy, nor does he say follow me and it will be all good.  Jesus opens with repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.  Step 1 is I have to recognize my sinful nature and how that separates me from our holy God.  I then have to repent and turn from my sin towards a loving God through the sacrifice His perfect son, Jesus, made for me.  Jesus first words of His ministry to His neighbors in Galilee is the same truth for our neighbors in Manatee County, the United States and to the ends of the earth.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for your love, undeserving, grace and mercy in sending a perfect, sinless Jesus to pay for my sin so I can, repent, be reconciled and have a relationship with you.  Help me to live out your truth in a way that points others to you.

Scripture:   John the Baptist: “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand….But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism (John) said to them: ‘You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

(And) Do not presume to say to yourselves “We have Abraham as our father…” for I tell you God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham….” Matt 3:2 and 7-9

Observation:   John the Baptist is a pill.  Who could get away with preaching like this and not be thought of as craaazzzy?  This is who: someone who has sought deeply in the Doctrines of God (including the Gospel) and is cultivating the presence of the Sovereignty of He who saves.

 Application:  Yep, Cousin John is a pill.

I wonder if Jesus cringed at John’s delivery at times.   “Goodness, John: Could you tone it down just a little?  I am trying to convince them to give up their wayward ways…”

Nah, probably not:  Jesus might have just nodded and thought: “Good job serving Dad, buddo.”

There are some folks in my past that got all into the “condemnation” type of preaching.  They liked being the image of the OT prophets with the “You brood of vipers” type of thinking and delivery.  But is that a valid characterization to imitate?  More than likely not.

The Gospel is a bunch of things to this world.  What the Gospel isn’t is a “live and let live” message.

The Gospel calls the folks of this world to a counter cultural way of life.  One based on God as Supreme and none based on a shared prerogative of respect of choice; that is: I can do whatever I think is OK and God respects that and orchestrates physical reality to my benefit.

Heady words.  Sorry, it is the way I think.  Let me break in down a bit.

John said two things of note: “Who warned you about the Wrath to Come” and “Not only repent but bring results of repentance (Bear Fruit).”

The “Wrath to come” reference is still a valid statement for today.  The Gospel is about the Wrath to come; it is not about acting morally.  The Gospel is about recognizing who I am in the View of Holiness and acknowledging deserving His Wrath (Need of Justification).   Repentance is getting (among other things) mentally serious concerning Sanctification.

Being a Disciple of Christ is counter to the ways of this world.  Fact.  The world does not operate as a reflection of the Kingdom.

Another fact: the process of Sanctification is a long term project only finished at That Day when sight replaces faith.  My job?  To keep at it day by day, as long as it is called Today.

After all, I am neither an OT prophet to get away with condemning anyone, nor do I want to be a snake, hiding in the fringes of the Kingdom.  I want to be a servant in His House proclaiming the Kingdom.

PS: the proclamation of the Kingdom is practiced, polished and improved in His house (the Local Church), then outside.    Just a view…

Prayer:  Thank you Lord Jesus.  Goodness, I chomp at the bit at times.  Open your doors for me at the right time that serves Your purposes.  Until then, I try to perfect patience by waiting. Be my master, O Lord. AMEN

Scripture:   “Now, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews; for we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him…

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, (the wise men) departed to their own country by another way…

Now when (the wise men) had departed behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said…

But when Herod died behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying…

But when (Joseph) heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, (Joseph) was afraid to go there and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.”  Excerpts from Matt 2:1-2; v 12; v 13; v 19-20a; v 22.

Observation:   Is the Lord the same yesterday, today, and forever?  I think so, my faith rides on that He is unchangeable in all of His aspects, attributes, and promises.  Why don’t I dream like these guys?  What do they have that I don’t?

Application:   Well, one answer could be they have a need.  Insufficient answer, though.

Part of the believer’s tool box are signs and wonders—the supernatural aspect of Christianity.  The prophet Joel: “And it shall come pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions…” Joel 2:28.  Luke repeats the same reference by Peter, talking to the local crowd in Acts 2 in his first sermon.

The wise men studied and while it is not indicated they were Jews, they saw the sign in the heavens.   And then there were a series of dreams:

• Wise men: get out while the getting’s good;
• Joseph: Scram.  Scram now.
• Joseph again: Your Egyptian vacation is over, pack up and come home BUT why don’t you relocate to Galilee while you are at it?  It suits My Purpose…

Are dreams a part of the prophetic gifting package?  Guys like Wayne Grudem seem to think so.  Outside of a few brothers and sisters who are such enthusiastic practitioners they kind of give Gift stuff a sour taste in most folks mouth, there is a tremendous lack of SERIOUS and SOBER minded pursuit by Believers today.

Why then is this kind of intervention missing from my life?  Who’s to say that it is missing?  Maybe I am just deaf…

“He who has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying…”  From God’s lips to my stoney ears.  This phrase isn’t just indicating a penchant for understanding—it is cultivating and directly encouraging my heart to hear his whisper.

Dreams can be visionary; visions.  Dreams can also be indicative of directions.  What is for sure from my perspective is that stuff like this need a few things: an earnest desire (see I Cor 14:1), and; a place and local church community to practice in.

For those folks who want to play at home, find someone to mentor with.  Don’t take yourself seriously at first—a rookie, however talented and regarded, is still a rookie.

Prayer:  Father: I appreciate the opportunity to see these phrases in Matt 2.  And I thank You that once again You stir up my rocky heart to see visions of what can be.  Like the other day I saw in Psalms 126, I can dream and when I see Your Hand, my mouth will drop and I will be filled with laughter, rejoicing in Your unstoppable move.  I want to continue to soberly pursue, not to be deterred, what You say to chase in 1 Cor 14—whatever that means, and without preconceived notions.  Help me, O God.  AMEN.

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David and son of Abraham…

Observation: I often wondered why Matthew wrote this first verse. 1 – 17 is a litany of crazy names and people, some of whom I have never heard of. And then I remember that: God’s word is sharper than a two-edged sword – Hebrews 4:12 and that everything in the Bible is relevant and meant to be heard and understood by us.

Application: I vaguely remember the first time I read this passage as a young Christian, and all I could think about was how hard the names were to pronounce and really, do we have to name every relative that Jesus ever had and if we do then why? But reading it today as a more mature Christian, I realize that every word in God’s Word has meaning. It is there for a reason. Now I like history, and I also love genealogy – it is one of my hobbies (love tracing my family tree and learning about DNA and where “My people came from.” But why would God put all these crazy to pronounce names of Jesus’ ancestry in the Bible? Well, if I genuinely think about it, I believe it is because He wants us to understand the whole of Jesus’ essence. His earthly life is like ours; it has relatives and ancestors who, in some cases, play a significant role in history and prophesy. If I think about it, Jesus’ genealogy (just like mine) goes back to Adam and Eve. This is part of God’s great plan for the world. Beginning with creation (Genesis)and then ending with end times (Revelation).

Prayer: Father, you encompass so many things: you are Sovereign God, Holy Trinity, Abba, Father, Daddy, Teacher, Historian, etc. etc etc… Please help me remember to rely on you more and to remember that you hold all the answers to our lives. “You have the whole world in your hands,” a song from my Sunday School Days, which verifies you HOLD US UP – You CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD – YOU ARE ALL MIGHTY GOD! I AM SO THANKFUL TO BE ONE OF YOUR CHOSEN FOLLOWERS. Help me remember who you are in my walk with you. Amen

Scripture

131

Vs 1 … I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
vs 2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul

Vs 3 O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

The Lord Has Chosen Zion

132

Vs 13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place:
vs 14 “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
vs 15 I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
vs 16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy.

Observation

The psalmist has reached a place of inner peace and calm.

Whatever was creating anxiousness, worry, and strife previously is no longer doing so.

How did this happen?

It was not by “fixing” the circumstances that were creating the turmoil.

It was by changing his focus.

The psalmist no longer “occupies himself with things too great for me”.

But he does not simply become aloof or fill his mind with nonsense to distract himself.

His soul is “calmed and quieted” now because his “hope is in the LORD”.

And this is not a temporary decision to have settle himself for the moment.

No! Now his hope is “from this time and forevermore”!

Most importantly, the psalmists hope is in who the LORD is and the work that the LORD has done!

The “LORD has chosen”!

Application

It seems a constant and steady pattern of behavior is:

“If I can just get this “______” fixed, then everything will be Ok in my life or world.

Of course there’s a glaring problem with this type of thinking!

I am a sinful person living in a broken, sinful world.

As soon as what I want resolved is “settled”, another “problem” is right around the corner.

I will always “occupy myself with things too great” until I do one thing …

“Hope in the LORD”!

My inner self will never be “quieted” … my soul will never be “calmed” … Until …

I hope in the LORD!

And my hope is in Who He is and WHAT He has done!

HE has chosen me! … HE desires me!

He blesses me … He satisfies me …

He clothes me … with salvation!

And what is my response? … What is my “application”!

I “shout for joy”!!

My response is … WORSHIP!!

Prayer

Thank you, God, that you have chosen

You have blessed me and dwelled in me

You have clothed me is salvation

Help me to not be occupied by smaller things that I make into greater things

Help me hope in you

Calm my soul … Quiet my soul

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture:

[1] Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!

Observation:

The psalmist doesn’t leave it at “Blessed is everyone”.  There is a qualifier.  He emphasizes that those who fear him and walk in his ways are the ones who are blessed.  Not those who have heard of him but really just want a genie in a bottle to bless them when they get in trouble.

Application:

Everyone – your past doesn’t matter; your social status doesn’t matter; your race doesn’t matter.  All that matters is that you fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

To fear God is to know the he is almighty; to revere him; to be in awe of him, and to honor him.

To walk in his ways is to obey him; to work at being more and more like him; to walk with him all the time, not just some of the time or when you need him to bail you out of a bad decision.

If you are that person, you are part of the everyone who will be blessed.  Yes, you will still have hard times in this life but with blessed by him you will find joy no matter your circumstances.

Prayer:

Lord I love You.  You are almighty God, the creator of the universe; the One who gives me breath in my lungs.  Thank you for my joy Lord.  My joy comes from loving You and walking with You in my trek to be more and more like You.  In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

Journal Ps 126-127 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture:   “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations: “The Lord has done great things for them!”

The Lord HAS done great things for us—we are glad.

Restore our fortunes O Lord, like streams in the Negeb!  Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!  He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps 126

Observation:    What is it about dreamers that make dreams seem so real and attainable?  Come and climb the Mount of the Lord with me—come see He who takes away the sin of the world.

Application:  There has always been a part of me that is a dreamer.  How else can I look beyond this world?  How else can I imagine something different?

When I read the testimony of God (the Bible) I have two ways I can see it: Dry and difficult or pulsating with life and wonder.  Sometimes it is a bit of both at times.  But I remember that He says of His own Word that it is living and active.  It is sharper than a two edged sword.  It is able of big cuts and micro surgery.  It is active in my life and my spirit.  And nothing can stand in opposition or can hide from it.  (Heb 4:12-13)

What Jesus has planned for this world should make my jaw drop in astonishment every time I read or ponder.  And the plan IS the Gospel.

I look around and I am struck with wonder.  I marvel at what He has done, will do, and is doing.  And then I realize that all of it is the Gospel.

Just like the Psalmist I rejoice with laughter, shouting, joyful singing, and encouragement—spoken encouragement not only to each other but in adoration and praise to the Most High!

I cry and weep; He tenderly captures each of my tears—not a one is lost to His careful collection.  He reminds me that He promises to wipe each tear away.  My tears sow for the promise to come.

How glorious, how wonderful, is His tender love for me—someone forever undeserving.  May His Name be glorified forever.

Prayer:    Father, allow me, make me see in Your Eternal Hand in this admittedly non-eternal world.  I want to see through the eyes of my heart, like one who has the blinders lifted, curtains drawn back—struck with dumbfounded awe at what You do.  And then allow me to be however briefly a part of the throng of Heaven, rejoicing, dancing, shouting, and all those undignified expressions that will explode from my heart.  AMEN.

Scripture

Psalm 125:1 – Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

Observation

The Psalmist is encouraging the people of Israel to place their trust in the Lord.  Trust is the Lord in like being protected by mighty mountains which are unchanging and immoveable. Trust in the Lord does not expire but lasts eternally.

Application

The Lord remains faithful and unchanging with steadfast love for His people.  The analogy of being protected by strong mountains that are not moving provides hope and confidence when there is evil all around.  There is never a better time than now to trust in the Lord as worldly positions on marriage, sexuality and the dignity of human life continue to disintegrate at an alarming rate.  Without trust in the Lord, I would not have discernment and be subject to changing views based on whatever was new today.  God made the way for us to have a trusting eternal relationship with Him by sending Jesus to pay for our sin and thus be reconciled with Him.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word and loving me enough to send Jesus so I can have a relationship with you.  Let me to place my trust in you, love you and abide in your protection.