January 31, 2018 Murderer

Reading: Acts 7 and Genesis 20-21

Scripture: Acts 7:24, And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian.

Thoughts: I know i have had times where I was thinking, “How can God use me with what I have done?” I sure we all have had that thought, we look at our past and see this or that mistake or a time where we walked away from God. Moses one of the big names in the Christian faith was unsure of himself saying he was slow of speech (many believe that this meant he had a stutter) and a murderer. God has great work planed for each of us and no matter what our past is he can fix it and use it to his Glory. 

Once we accept what God has done for us we are washed clean in the eyes of the Lord and are brought into relationship with him. Our past may or may not look like Moses or any other big names in the Bible but who we are and what we have been through unequally qualifies us to people that no one else can reach. Just like Moses was really the only one who could bring Israel out of Egypt you or I could be the only one able to plant a seed in someones life. 

Prayer: Father I long to sit in your presences and be still and know you are God. I thank you for the opportunities you place before me and I ask that my eyes be opened and I take these opportunities to touch the lives of those around me. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day. 

January 30, 2018 Nice tent

Reading: Acts 6, Genesis 18-19 and Psalm 61

Scripture: Psalm 61:4, Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!

Thoughts: As I came across this passage I have been watching the show Survivor and all these people are out on an island somewhere and they have no shelter then what they build them selves and they were just given the opportunity to give up a chance at security in the for of immunity for a new shelter. God is offering to us every day his wing to get in out of the rain and to cover us just at a mother bird dose. We still have the free will to walk out and get into things but God gives us a place to come to. David had brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and set up the tent the it was kept in, when David said “let me dwell in your tent” it was literal he wanted to be in the presences of God. We are now given the Holy Spirit to bring us into the presences of God, but because it’s not just a physical place we need to seek the quiet place in our lives where though the Holy Spirit come into the presences of God. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for the time I have to see you each morning and I ask that you increase my fortitude to get up and seek you every day. I long to be in your presences. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you have for us this day. I place my family in your hands. I ask that you help us to seek you and long to seek you more. 

January 29, 2018 Thats inconceivable?!?!?!?

Reading: Acts 5 and Genesis 15-17

Scripture: Genesis 15:6, And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Thoughts: As I was reading this a question came to me, “What imposable thing are you having a hard time believing God for?” At this time Abraham was about 86 years old, Im guessing he was decently healthy with no kids and God tells him your descendants are going to be so numerous that they can’t be counted, and at that age and point in his life he basically said “OK bring it on.” I have been struggling on how/if God was going to heal my body from an issue that I found out about. I know in my head and I have had many people pray over me, then here I am still struggling to breath from time to time. Believe that what God says he will do will be done and not just done but done in abundance. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for all you have done in my life and the healing that is in process now. I thank you for the opportunities to help others and to love on them as you have called me to love on them. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out each day. I ask for the faith and belief in my life to grow. 

January 25, 2018 How big of a room do you need???

Reading: Acts 1 and Job 37-38

Scripture: Acts 1:15, “In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,”

Thoughts: I have to say that Job 38 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible in that you get to see God’s sarcastic side. To me that opened my eyes to the Idea that God still being holy and in perfect Love also has moods and a sense of humor. Back to this verse, this is one I know I have glossed over I don’t know how many time and never thought about. There were about 120 people in this upper room, even though Luke named a few women with the tradition of only counting men means that there could be up to four times as many there. 

Through our traditions and images like Michelangelo’s Last Supper we think there was only the 12 and Jesus there, I believe that the group that was at the upper room when Peter got up to raise up the Matthias to fill the place of Judas, was at least the same group if not a larger group. Once Jesus was crucified is did say many turned away. There was the Core 12 who were Jesus’s closest. When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples at the last supper that was most likely a bigger act of service then most think and we are called to serve and to love as Christ was the example.

Prayer: Father, I thank you that you provide another day to worship you and seek your glory. I thank you for my family and the opportunity to serve them, I place them in your loving hands. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you have for us today. I ask that you help me to see the opportunities to serve and to be the leader that6 you have made me to be. 

January 22, 2018 Squirrel!?!?!?!

Reading: Luke 22 and Job 34

Scripture: Luke 22:23-24, And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

Thoughts: This couple verses to me seems to typify the way we think, we ether hear the bad news and dwell on it or we start arguing something totally different, trying to ignore the issue that is staring us in the face. How often do we ignore a problem we can see let alone one we may not. For example when your car has an indicator light in telling you something is wrong or needs checking many people will continue to drive and not think about that light I have even heard of people covering it so they don’t have to see it. Instead of ignoring it we need to accept there is an issue and seek help from God and his direction to that help.

Prayer: Father I think you for all that there is, you have prepared a place for me and a path to walk. I thank you for my family and the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day. I ask that you help me to focus more on your path and your solutions and not just ignore the issues around me.

January 19, 2018 Hey Look a tree!!!

Reading: Luke 19, Job 29 and Psalm 121

Scripture: Luke 19:3, And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.

Thoughts: Growing up one of the songs we would sing was about Zacchaeus being this wee little man and he climbed a tree to see Jesus. I hear all the time and I’m sure I have said it, something along the lines of “I don’t hear God right now.” As I was reading and rereading because nothing stood out to me first thing, my wife started singing that old children’s song about Zacchaeus climbing a tree. I started to think about even being only say six inches shorter then everyone else how exponentially harder it would be for someone to climb a tree. He put lots of effort into just to be able to see Jesus, not expecting to hear, touch or ask anything of this man of God. How much effort are we putting into hearing God, do you just expect a voice from heaven or are we seeking after him and taking time to quiet ourselves and listen for that still small voice deep within us.

Prayer: Father I thank you for the reminders to seek you, I know that I fail to seek you at times and chaise after my own thoughts. I thank you for the provisions for the day and that blessings you have for us each day. I ask that you help me to prioritize and seek you more Lord. 

January 17, 2018 This thing is heavy...

Reading: Luke 17 and Job 24-25

Scripture: Luke 17:1, And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

Thoughts: This morning when I saw this verse I was thinking should I have a millstone around my neck. I know that I do stupid things and fall into temptations myself but have I been the bringer of temptations without realizing it. From what I was seeing the smallest ones were still 50-100 pounds. I would not want an extra 20 pounds let alone much more to pull me down when I go swimming. I have been rebukes and brought back to God, as we seek God each day and spend more time in his presence the more we become like him and find ourselves acting and reflection him more. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for the opportunity to return to you when we fall and that you call us. I thank you for your provisions and blessings and the family you have given me. I ask that you remove any millstone that I have put on and help me to point to you and not the distractions and sin of the world. 

January 16, 2018 Its Dark in here

Reading: Luke 16 and Job 22-23

Scripture: Job 23:16-17, God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face.

Thoughts: Job was in his darkest days, after the evil one got permission to test him, he lost everything kids, property, everything. How often in the middle of a storm do we find ourselves staring at the problem yelling at God instead of looking to him. Job spends lots of time in despair, possibly borderline depression. Over the course of Job’s ordeal and all that the evil one did to him he was able endure it all and overcome it. God has given us the strength to overcome anything that can come our way. Darkness may try to overcome us and cover our face but the light of God through Jesus Christ his Son shines through and helps us to see in that darkness.

Prayer: Thank you, Father for the Light of your Son. I am amazed anew each day by the things you do. I thank you for your daily provisions and blessings you pour out on us and the things you allow me to be a steward over. I ask that you help me to see you love and light more each day and help me to seek you more. 

January 15, 2018 Party Time!!!!!!!!

Reading: Luke 15 and Job 20-21

Scripture: Like 15:10, Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Thoughts: For me it is so easy to get distracted by life and the world that I forget about the Joy of God when we turn back to him. I know that there are still sins that I struggle with. I have come to the realization that being a disciple is not the cure for being a sinner but it is a process of facing those sins and through God’s power and directions in my life. As I work through these thing such as lust and selfishness (two of my biggies) the more I see God in my life. Each time I fall get up and turn back to God (Repent) there is a party going on in Heaven. It’s not a salvation thing because I feel that the only way to not be saved is to turn on God and deny the Gift of salvation. 

I love the idea that God and the angels are in heaven and all around us celebrating when we come back and have our victories. I long to join in those parties, I think that is why I enjoy baptism weekends we are able to have an earthy party that is only a foreshadowing of the party in heave.

Prayer: Father I long to join your party, I thank you for the opportunities to gather and party with others as they have made the choice to fallow. Thank you for the provisions and blessings you have for us each day and the plans you have for our lives. 

January 11, 2018 The Door is Shut

Reading: Luke 11 and Job 11-12

Scripture: Luke 11:8b, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 

Thoughts: I found it was interesting that even though they are our friends they don’t want to help but because of his shame he will get what is needed. How often do we do about only doing what will keep the shame at bay. Are we being a good gift giver and a servant or are we helping and doing out of obligation? Doing with the right heart is just as if not more important that the actual doing. Just like lighting a lamp we want to have it where it will do the most good, when we just do because of obligation and not with the proper heart the impact on others lives will be diminished. God wants to show his love through us but if we are only doing because we have to then we are not spreading the love of God we may even be spreading discontentment.

Prayers: Father you are so wonderful, each day is a gift from you. I thank you lord for the great gifts you give us. I thank you for the family that you have allowed me to be a steward of. I thank you for the blessings and provisions of this day and ask that you help us to have a proper heart and motivations in our life and our interactions with the world. 

January 10, 2018 Who will stand in the gap??

Reading: Luke 10 and Job 9-10

Scripture: Job 9:33,  There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both.

Luke 10:29, But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Observation: As I was going through the reading today, when Job said,”there is no arbiter between us,” it hit me that before Christ there was not an arbiter or mediator. We would be on our own to try to justify ourselves to a perfect God who could not be in the presence of sin. Just like the man asking Jesus how to get eternal life, we want to justify ourselves saying I’m a good person look at all the good things I have done. 

None of the good we have done even in the name of God mean anything if we have not accepted Jesus as our arbiter. God knew that the entire world was lost without an advocate and he prophesied about him in Genesis 3 talking about the evil one bruising his heel. Without someone to go before us to God the most we could do would be to try to cover our sin with the blood of goats and sheep and that is not sufficient.  

Prayer: Father I am in awe of how you open my eyes to new things every day. I love you so much, even though it pales in comparison to the love you have for us. I thank you for the provisions for the day and the blessings you are wanting to pour out on us today. I thank you for sending your son to be the arbiter that we need so that we can enjoy your presence in our lives. 

January 9, 2018 Open mouth insert foot

Reading: Luke 9 and Job 7-8

Scripture: Luke 9:33, And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah"—not knowing what he said

Observation: I know that everyday I have a tendency to open my mouth without thinking or as this passage says, “not knowing what he said.” Like Peter I’m a doer so if I was there I may have said something similar. Later when the village rejects Jesus here we are sooting off our mouths again, saying kill them for rejecting you. 

Application: Are we so different, we get passionate about something to the we act as if we would die for whatever that thing is we have gotten passionate about. God wants that passion and that drive in our lives but not at the expense of driving others away. There are groups out there that spread hate in the name of god when that is not God’s heart. The Bible tells us that God is Love and as I see it we are to Love people into the Kingdom. No amount of finder waving or yelling will bring someone to God but if we love them no matter who or what they are then they will see God’s love through us and eventually want to know why we are the way we are. That is being God’s hands and feet to the world.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for your love and that you love me through my times of rebellion. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day. I place my family in your hands. I thank you for the breakthrough in my life. I ask that breakthrough flow through your kingdom and through this world. I ask that your love flow through us to those around us that need you. 

January 8, 2018 What Storm

Reading: Luke 8 and Job 5-6

Scripture: Luke 8:24b, And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.

Observation: I allow myself to run into storms, where things seem like they will rage over me. Then when I am sufficiently scared and crying out to God I am reminded He was always with me. I don’t know how often I have run into a situation I was not ready for. If we open our ears to hear what God has for us he will tell us, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” Verse 22, we can look at this as Jesus saying, “Hey let’s check out the other side of the lake” or as I have come to see it as a prophetic statement. Jesus had something that needed to be done and he knew what was going to come during the trip over the lake. Many of these men were seasoned sailers on this lake. Once they were to the point where they thought they could not handle it any more they went to Jesus.

We are the same way, we go about our live going I can handle this or that. Then something big comes and here we are knocked to our back saying, “I have fallen and I can’t get up” to God. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for all you do for me, picking me up when I fall guiding me around pits and taking care of enemies I didn’t know where there. I and you for the blessings and the provisions you pour out on us every day. I lay my life and that of my family in your hands. I ask that you help me to open my eyes to your directions.

January 4, 2018 You want to heal WHO!!!

Reading: Luke 4 and Genesis 6-8

Scripture: Luke 4:38, And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 

Observation: I know that I am blessed with in-laws that I to the most part agree with and get along with and my wife gets along with my family. The first thing that I though about in this was the stereotype of sons and daughters in-law are always at odds with their in-laws. I know there is always a grain of truth within those stereotypes. With that said I know that I would find it very difficult to live with my in-laws, there are enough differences that I could see conflict coming a mile away. 

Application: Jesus goes to Simon’s house and heals her of her illness. Society in some ways tells us that we should be happy for the miracle but be sad that we were not rid of the in-law. How many of us pray for others in general? We by nature are selfish and have a pray the I prayers, I need, I want, I I I. Simon appealed to Jesus on behalf of his mother in-law. 

Prayer: Father I fall before you longing to feel your love and grace more each day. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day. I thank you for bringing me into a family that does not cause strife. I ask you bless my mother in-law and help her with the choices she has on her plate this day. Open her eyes and ears to your leading in this situation and grow her faith and he witness. 

January 3, 2018 I Want More

Reading: Luke 3 and Genesis 4-5

Scripture: Luke 3:14b, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."

Observation: The first thing I saw today was Be content. This is so counter intuitive to what the world tells us every day. Every day we are bombarded with the you have to have this or you need that and you need to better yourself and work your way up the corporate ladder to make more so you can get all the things the “Rich” people have.

Application: The world tells us every day that we need more and we always need the latest and the greatest what ever it is. I know I fall for it and will loose focus and go spend money on things I really don’t need. Here we are being reminded that as much as God wants to bless us he also wants us to be content or satisfied with where we are at and what we have because he as a plan for us. This morning on a radio show I listen to they were talking about having a word for the year. This year I think mine should be content. I need to stop thinking about how to advance my career or what I’m going to do with the next bit of money I'm getting. I need to focus that energy on doing what God has for me to do and to seek his plan. 

Prayer: Father I am in awe of the way you touch my life with words spoken more then 2000 years ago. I thank you for all you have done for me and the grace and mercy you pour out on me each day. I thank you for the provisions and blessing you give us each day and I place my family in your loving hands. I ask that you help me to seek you and not the things of this world. help me to be satisfied with where I am and what I have and be the best steward of what I have. 

January 2, 2018 Im not done Yet.

Reading: Luke 2, Genesis 2-3 and Revelations 1

Scripture: Luke 2:49 & 52, And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. 

Observation: When reading this I was thinking about the class I have taught for Sunday school the preteen class is called J12 referring to Luke 2 where even at 12 Jesus was looking to be in his fathers house. I have enjoyed working with this age group in that they seem to grasp some of the larger things of God that the younger kids are just not ready for and I feel I can teach and not just be a childcare provider. 

Application: Then as we get down to the end of the chapter we get the verse about Jesus increasing in Wisdom, Stature and Favor with God and man. I know I have so many times though, “Why has God not Just Fixed me?” As perfect and sinless as Jesus was he was still a child and had to grow in his wisdom, stature and favor. Even though we are covered in what He as done for us dose not mean that everything is just fixed. Ever since hearing this at Boise Bible Collage near 20 years ago there are times like this that is keeps coming back to me. “Be patient with my me I'm a work in progress.” 

Prayer: Father I thank you for all you have done for me and all that you will do through and for me. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day and I lay my family in your loving care. I ask that you continue the work you started in my so many years ago and help me to be the man you have called me to be.