Heart of Praise

 Reading: Daniel 3-4 and 1 Timothy 1  

Scripture: Daniel 4:37, Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

 

Thoughts: After all the humiliation that Nebuchadnezzar went through in his humbling, eating grass and walking on all fours for 7 years. When his mind came back to him, he was able to praise the Lord. When we go through trials or times of humbling are we still praising God for who He is and what he has done in our lives. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful. Your love flows over me and runs over me to the world. Your creation shouts your glory in its beauty. Your grace is abundant and call us to you. I thank you for your provisions and blessing that you pour out on us every day. I ask that you put a heart of praise in us that we may praise and worship you all our days.

The Word written on our hearts.

Reading: Judges 3-4, Psalm 14, and Colossians 3

 

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-3, If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

 

Thoughts: Last night when I got home from work, there were no children running around and I could tell something was up. I found out what my kids had done and had the thought of yes I will go kill the children.  Over the last wile, my children 6 and 8 have been getting more bold in their lying, and in their attitudes toward my wife and I. Both at times have stated their belief in God and Jesus, talking about baptism, but just last night their anger and attitudes came out larger then we have seen it before. Then this morning’s passage in Colossians jumped out at me. Not because this was the scripture I needed to hear but because without using the exact scripture this is what I told my children who had been sent to bed early. I am thankful that even though I don’t have large portions of scripture memorized, Holy Spirit brings to mind the scripture that we need. Open your heart, mind and ears to hear what Holy Spirit is telling you. Be it in scriptures brought to mind or how much love God has from you. God is speaking to us let us set are minds on the things above that we can focus and hear what God has for us.

 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for sending Holy Spirit to dwell with us that we can know your heart and your mind better. I thank you that you have given us the written word and the authority to speak it into this world. You lead and guide us. I thank you for your provisions and the blessings that you pour out on us that we are called to steward. I thank you that in that stewardship you are molding and refining me. Help me to keep the open heart mind and ear to hear you and seek you every day. 

The Shelf of Shame

Reading: Judges 1-2, Psalm 133, and Colossians 2

 

Scripture: Judges 2:2, and you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done?

 

Thoughts: I have heard it called the shelf of shame or the one-day games. When you are a gamer, you have all those games that you have bought over the years that have have had every intention of playing but have never gotten around to it. Does not matter if it is video games or board games, I’m sure we have all done this. If you are not a gamer, then I’m sure there are projects or books or something that remains undone or unfinished somewhere in your life. We all have a tendency to get distracted and forget about things or just plain decide we don’t want to do it. The nation of Israel was told to drive out all the inhabitants of the land. For a myriad of reasons, they let some of the inhabitants stay. Besides the games and projects that we have not checked off our to do lists, what has God called you to that you have not finished? Has the covenant that you made with God to do this thing been broken by you and now you are in the stage of can this be salvaged or is it gone? Israel was broken and restored many times because they were allowing those things that God told them to drive out, to remain. What do you need to check off on your check list?

 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for all that you have done, I thank you that you are offering forgiveness. I thank you that you are molding and refining me every day. I thank you that you give me the opportunity to come before your throne and hear your voice. I ask that you help me to remember the projects that I have set aside. Help me to continue with those things you have called me to. Lord open my heart and mind to your movement in my life. 

Better together

Reading: Joshua 21-22 and Philippians 4

 

Scripture: Philippians 4:2, I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

 

Thoughts: In my men’s group last night, the idea if unity in the church was brought up. In many past war and conflicts the armies we unified in that every man know what to do and who to follow. Their centurion or leaders were noted by the plums on their head. In western society we are so focused on the individuality we don’t remember or seek the unity that God calls us to. That unity is not just everything and everyone being the same like to Borg of Star Trek, “you will be assimilated, We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile” We are not assimilated into God’s collective, but we are all given a portion of the plan. We are unified in our relationship with God through Christ.

 

Prayer: Father God you are the uniter of all things. You bring us together to in purpose and love to share the good news of that you offer through your Son. I thank you for all that you are doing in me and in my life. I ask that you help me to walk in your plan and seek after every day. I ask that yo continue to refine and mold me into the man and father you are calling me to be. 

More Words

Reading: Joshua 10-11 and Ephesians 5

 

Scripture: Ephesians 5:4,Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

 

Thoughts: Working in manufacturing most of my adult career I have fallen into the filthy talk and bad humor that comes with the working with lots of guys. Some environment are more apt to dive deeper into those things then others but it is common for places where men congregate. Locker rooms, sport teams and heavy manufacturing have been some of the worst due to the type of men typically draw to or forced into that work. We are called to a higher place and to bridle our tongue. In my time chasing the world instead of seeking God I found that I let much of the foul language that has come so common in this world into my daily language. What is sneaking into your vocabulary?

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are the creator of all, you lead and guide. I thank you that you are working in my life. I thank you that you are molding and refining me. I ask that you continue to remove these foul and foolish words from me and fill me with your joy and peace so that is what pours out of me and not the things of this world. Be with me and help me to overcome the temptations of this world. 

Every Word

Reading: Joshua 8-9 and Ephesians 4

 

Scripture: Joshua 8:35, There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them.

 

Thoughts: When reading this passage, I thought about my home. Every day I have my quiet time, I read the word I try to journal and I’m getting the word of God into my heart and mind every day but what am I doing to get the Word of God into the hearts and minds of my children. Sure, we go to church every week we talk about God and try to keep him as the center of our lives but is that helping out kids have God’s Word written on their heart. We can let the Bible show and Sunday school teach them the word but how much more are we to do to steward the precious gift that our children are?

 

Prayer:  Father God, creator of all things, ruler of the universe, your grace abounds and your love pours over me and and drenches me. I thank you that you love me enough that you sent your Son to die on the cross that I can be with you. I thank you for the opportunity to come before you and lead this family. I ask that you help me to see the opportunity and to pour your love and your word into the hearts of my children. Be with my children and continue to draw them to you as they grow and develop a faith that is their own. 

Walking in the victories set before us.

Reading: Joshua 6-7, Psalm 6, and Ephesians 3

 

Scripture: Joshua 6:2, And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.

 

Thoughts: There are victories in out lives that God had given us and we are not walking in them. There are victories that I have had that may no look like victories and then there are victories like Jericho where walls have fallen and they was a defeat that was obvious to anyone who knew you. The thing is Joshua was told of this victory when they were still standing outside. He was told to do this ridiculous thing and in his obedience the walls fell and they were able to walk in and take the city. There were no pounding on gates or building things of war to take our this city but the marched around it for seven day and on that last day they blew their horns and shouted. What do we have in our lives that God has told us that you have victory yet you have not done the marching to overcome. There is a release and a freedom that God is offering to you but that is your part in accepting that freedom? 

 

Prayer: Lord God, there are Freedoms in my life and victories in my life that you are calling me to. Hello me to hear your voice. To seek your plan on the release and freedom that you have said is al ready there. Help me to see the next steps and the release that you have for me. I thank you that you have called me that you are molding and refining me. I thank you that I a get to steward my family and the blessings that you pour out on us. 

Playing Follow the Leader.

Reading: Joshua 1-3 and Ephesians 1

 

Scripture: Joshua 3:4, Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.

 

Thoughts: With a cubit being about 18 inches that put about 3000 feet between the ark of the covenant the it that was referred to in the above passage. God had told Joshua to have all of Israel to stay back about a half mile from the ark so that the would know the way to go. In a practical sense having this much space and leeway would give those caring the ark to adjust corse if needed as they marched out and give Israel the ability to see the route. I think given the opportunity just like I know I do on my own I try to get ahead of God. He has given me a path and he has given me a light on that path but I don’t always take that lamp with me or even though I have it I wander from the path. Are we giving God the leeway to lead us or are we pushing so hard to get what we think he wants for us that we are not waiting for his timeline. 

 

Prayer: Father God you are the light to my path, you lead and guide me. You are the creator of all things the provider of all things. I thank you that you are refining me and molding me into that man you have called me to be. I ask that you help me to follow you and let you lead. Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear and my mind to perceive. Lead me and guide me in your will today. 

Are you seeing the Promise or Entering into it?

Reading: Deuteronomy 31-32 and Galatians 5

 

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:52, For you shall see the land before you, but you shall not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel.

 

Thoughts: With so much going on and the constant distractions from work, social media, streaming services, and even family it is easy to let God drop from the priority and being the one who brings all things into alignment, to just making God into another priority. Even with all that Moses did because of not listening to God he was only able to see the promised land. I’m Matthew 7:23 after talking about people coming to the Father and saying they did all these things in His name he said, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Our faith in Jesus and what he did on the cross will save us but are we going to be brought in being told “well done good and faithful servant” or will we be getting in by the skin of our teeth. Are there going to parts of heaven or blessings we will miss out on because like Moses we didn’t listen. We have the opportunity to seek him first and confess our failures and start listening to that still small voice that God speaks with.

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are gracious and merciful, I thank you for not giving me what I deserve. I thank you that you do speak. I thank you that your are leading me, molding me, and refining me. You are the orchestrator, the one who brings things into alignment. I thank you for the opportunity to steward the blessings you are pour out on me. I ask that you help me to open my ears more, soften my heart and help me to keep you are The priority and that all things will fall into alignment under you. 

Need vs Want

Reading: Deuteronomy 29-39, Psalm 15, and Galatians 4

 

Scripture: Deuteronomy 29:5, I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet.

 

Thoughts: It is common for me to want the newest thing, the latest and greatest vehicle or computer. Yet God will give us what we need. Israel when wondering in the desert had the food they needed in the mana and their clothes and sandals didn’t wear out. No I have not seen that much provision in my life but I have a large SUV for towing and hauling that is over 20 years old and has about 235 thousand miles on it. Sure it has its issues but so many people keep trying to tell me to get rid of it because it is getting ready to have a catastrophic failure that will cost me more then the vehicle is worth. But this things keeps going God is faithful to provide what we need. We may be walking into a new desert where we are going to need to be more reliant on God just as Israel had to fully rely on God during the 40 years in the wilderness we need to be willing to walk in what ever provision God has for us, be it financial or the longevity of things he given us. Listen to the voice of God there may be a blessing in something you didn’t expect. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are the great provider, you supply our needs through so many different ways. I thank you for those things that you have allowed me to steward and the I ask that you give me the wisdom to steward things well and seek you in that stewarding. I thank you that you are working in me, molding and refining me. Melt this cold heart of stone and replace it with one that seeks you first all the days of my life. 

The great green god

Reading: Deuteronomy 25-27 and Galatians 2

 

Scripture: Deuteronomy 27:15, cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hand of a craftsman, and set it up in secret, and all the people shall answer and say, Amen

 

Thoughts: In that time it was common to have many gods and to make then out of things, be it gold, silver stone or wood. In that they would have gods for every aspect of life. Yahweh God called Israel out of that and told them to stop with those other gods and to not make a image of him. Today our gods are still there. In America on of the biggest gods that worshiped is the god of keeping up with the Jones or the god of fame or the god of money. In a way I think that those three are all the worship of mammon. Many translations translate mammon as money, others translate it as treasures and riches. What is this mentality of having the nicest car on the block but the worship of money and the things it will get you. Similarly seeking fame is worshiping what that fame will give you. What gods do we have in our lives that many people would not see as gods and what are we secretly sacrificing before them.

 

Prayer: Lord God, creator of all things, giver of life and comfort to my soul. I thank you that you are my all I need and all I want. I thank you that you allow me to steward a portion if your great wealth. I thank you that you are refining me and molding me into the man you have called me to be. I ask you help me to overcome the anger and frustration in my heart the pain that leads me to want to jump to the inappropriate reaction instead or responding the way you would have for me to respond. 

Who raises you up.

Reading: Deuteronomy 23-24, Psalm 91, and Galatians 1

 

Scripture: Galatians 1:1, Paul, an apostle-not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the father, who raised him from the dead. 

 

Thoughts: As I sit and go over the passages again and again, seeking what God has for me, Paul’s declaration of who he was stood out. It is not lots of I did or I overcame, I was not I was raise up by this person or that person, but it was not because of anything I did or anything I said but because of the work that God did through his Son. Are we coming to do the work that God has called us to with the puffed up ego of here are all the things I have done for God and that is why I have authority, or are we coming going I’m nothing without God yet through the work of His Son I have been deemed worth to do the work I have been called to.

 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you are leading and guiding me. You are the provider of all things. I thank you for the opportunity to steward the things you have before me. I thank you for my family and the blessings that you are pouring out on us every day. I ask that you help me to steward those things in a way that honors you. I ask that you help me to keep you first in my life and that you are the director of my priorities and not just a priority to fin in. 

You can mock me later!!!

Reading: Job 20-21 and John 15

Scripture: Job 21:2-3, Keep listening to my words, and let this be your comfort. Bear with me, and I will speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.

Thoughts: When we get confronted with opposing points of view or someone with a different opinion from our own. I know that I have this tendency to take it as an attack on who I am. So, do we sit down and let the view be spoken or are we quick to jump in with our rebuttal before the controversial or opposing view has been fully stated. Do we actually listen before we speak or are we coming up with what we are going to say as they are speaking? Job sitting here listening to the mocking of himself and God finally speaks up and what does he said, “Hold on and listen to me before you start you mocking again.” He did not tell them to shut up, but that they had their time and now it is his. I feel like there are times that I’m needing to be reminded to sit and listen to God. I hear something from God and because we only hear and see in part once I hear something, I feel like I need to respond. God is not always done speaking when I feel the need to interrupt him and start putting my two cents in. Not only is active listening good when you are in a conversation with people, but it is good when trying to listen to God. 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you hear us and listen to us even when we are off base and running after things that may not be for us. I thank you that you are always there to lead us and guide us. I thank you the you are refining and molding us every day. I ask that you help us to quiet ourselves, open our hearts and ears to hear all of what you have for us. I ask that you help us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. 

My way or the Highway

Reading: Job 9-10 and John 10

 

Scripture: Job 9:12, Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’

 

Thoughts: As I went over my reading today several times seeking something, listening for something to stand out. On the third time through Job 9 this section of Job where he is asking who can change God’s mind. There are so many controversial topics out there both inside the church and out in the world. Humans have a tendency to have such a high opinion of their way of thinking and about what they think is right or wrong that instead of asking the Fathers will be done or his insight into a situation, we try telling him in our requests what we think is right. I know that there are those out there who think differently then I do. God is the creator and the judge He knows how it was created to be and what is sin. Let us listed more and ask that we be transformed into his image instead of trying to stuff him in a box we marked God.

 

Prayer: Father God you are so wonderful, your ways are higher than my ways your thoughts are greater than my thoughts. I thanks you for all you are doing in my life. I ask that you open my eye and ears to see and hear you more clearly. I ask that you soften my heart of stone and help me to be your hands and feet. 

Why are you talking to me???

Reading: Genesis 6-8 and John 4

Scripture: John 4:9, The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

Thoughts: We as Gentiles are seen nearly as low as the Samaritans and if you were a woman in that time you, we not seen as much, yet Jesus asked her for a drink. Before truly knowing God and the gift of Christ’s forgiveness I felt just as unworthy and unclean and probably asked a similar question. Why would God want to be in a relationship with me when schools and pears have tried to beat into me all the inadequacies? God does not look at what we have done or where we have been but calls us to come into relationship with Him. As we spend more time with Him and in His Word seeking Him the more, we want to change.   

Prayer: Father God you are so wonderful, your creation cries of your existence and your wonder. I thank you for all you have done for me and through me. I thank you that even though I do not deserve anything you still call to me and welcome me into your family. I ask that you help me to hear when you say go and when you say stop that I can walk in your ways.