Holiday stress

It is so easy to get stressed out over things, especially in this time of year on a normal year when you are going over when and how are you celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years? How you are getting to the places you want to celebrate each of those Holidays and where you will stay when you get there? This year we have upped the stakes a little. On top of the normal holiday stuff and work, we have been trying to refinance our house for almost three months and on the day before Thanksgiving my Nine-month pregnant wife gets in a car accident and the car gets totaled. 

Our second child has a due date of the 26th and we don’t know if we are going to be able to celebrate much. To culminate everything some of the money we were going to use to refinance the house we found out that it may take longer to get and that our time frame for the loan in quickly closing. When I find our that our information shows they received my stuff on a date and that the person I talked to said that they have not received anything and are not paying us until they have this from us. I got very stressed and said things i shouldn’t have.

I get home pull together all the information we have to verify that we are doing what we should and have proof that we sent off what we need (at this time I'm fuming and rushing around like a bull). When I get a little reminder from my wife God has us, He loves us and wants to take care of us always. He has provided so many things to us and has blessed us more then we could know. There are so many things that he has protected us from without us even knowing that wee need it. 

In this last couple weeks I been finding it hard to spend time with God and in his word. I want to encourage you to seek God even when everything is going good and when it goes sideways. Jeremiah 12:5a says, “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?” and a great pastor from Fresh Life Church in Montana put it this way “We need to prepare for the trials we are not yet in.” Yes I flipped out a little when I heard that because of things getting lost or misplaced I may not be able to refinance my house when I though I was. My wife and I are a great team when I'm freaking out she is my rock pointing back to God and there are times when the roles are reversed and I get to be the rock. 

Father I thank you for all that you give to me and provide for us each and every day, work, family and friends. I am thankful that you send your help in all its forms. As the normal stresses of the holidays get to people help us to love our neighbors and spread your love. 

November 30, 2016 Watchmen are you out there?

Reading: 1 Timothy 2, Ezekiel 33-34 and Psalm 114

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:1-6, The word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.

Observation: As I was going though the reading this entire section stuck out at me. I have always had a hard time speaking to people face to face about God. I speak worse then I write. The idea that God not only watches what we do but also what we don’t do. Yes we are saved by the grace given to us by Christ Jesus but we do have a responsibility to call others. 

Application: Ezekiel said that if we share the knowledge we have been given with others and they choose not to change then its on them but is we keep it to our selves then their blood is on our hands. God desires all to be saved and come to know the great gift of God though his son Jesus. We are to be his watchmen, we have the knowledge that God has forgiven us and that he has a place for us in Heaven. Penn Jillette a devout atheist had this to say after a man gave him a Bible, “If you believe in heaven and hell or eternal life, how much do you have to hate someone to not share it with them.” We have been called to love this world to God though sharing the knowledge we have and to great gift of salvation. 

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful I stand amazed by your love and grace extended to me and I'm blown away that you can have that for everyone. I thank you that you have given us that grace, I thank you for the provisions and blessings that you give us each day. I ask that you help me to open my mouth to those who need to hear your love and your greatness. help me to be a light at my work and to those around me.

November 28, 2016 Where is your Joy now??

Reading: Philippians 4, Danial 1-2 and Psalm 137

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7, 12, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 

Observation: It is hard to rejoice and find the joy when things are going sideways. This last week here in the USA we celebrated Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving was started as a way to each year to remember the prosperity or even just making it though the last year. In this last couple weeks I have been going though some rough times with work scheduling stuff, my pregnant wife having a car accident, the holiday and finding part of my fence knocked down from a wind storm. In this it would be easy to just throw my hands in the air, scream hell and curse. Looking at my life in comparison to Paul and what he has gone though and was able to find joy. 

Application: Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians from prison and not a nice cushy American prison. Everything he knew and had from being a roman and a Pharisee had been taken from him and he was thrown into a prison that was most likely no more then a hole in the ground. In all these situations I have been trying to see God in them. God has protected my wife and unborn son, we had been talking about what we were going to do being that our family was getting ready to our grow our car no matter if the insurance company totals or repairs it we know that its the way it’s meant to be. God’s provision for us each day is so amazing he not only gives us the things we need just to live but he also shows his loving kindness to us each day. We all need to open our eyes and ears to the joy of the Lord.

Prayer: Father I stand in awe of your great power and love for me. You have the power to do any and all things and you choose to love me. I thank you for your love and provisions you pour out on us each day providing the things we need and the blessings you have for us. I ask you to help us to see the Joy you have for us even in the mist of a trial that if we relied on our own understanding and strength we would fall on our face. I thank you Lord for all you have done. 

November 14, 2016 Its not my fault I was raised this way.

Reading: Galatians 2, Ezekiel 17-18 and Psalm 20

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:20, The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Observation: Lately I have been struggling with my anger more. I get snippy and will pour gas one the fire of my anger until I and yelling at the ones I love the most. I struggle with calming down in the most of the situation. Once I have finished with what ever rant I was on I can drop it. I have for most of my life have blamed my father for teaching me how to have this reaction. In some ways I think I was one of his best students. As I intellectually want to change and be a better husband and father I allow my emotions to remain unchecked and volatile. 

Application: This scripture spoke to me in that back in the day and it has crept into some churches today, the thought that we inherit our fathers sin. Inheriting sin is why many of the churches who practice infant baptism do so. This scripture in the Old Testament tells us even though sin entered into the wold through one man Adam we are not going to die because of his sin we have inherited a sin nature. As much as I blame my father for making me someone who can’t control his temper and be a volatile man God said that the son will not suffer his father’s iniquities and the father will not suffer the son’s. The opposite is true as well we can not skate by on the righteousness of our parents or grandparents. We are responsible for our own actions. 

Prayer: Father I love you and stand in awe and wonder on how you can love me even though I fail so spectacularly. I thank you for each and every day I get to wake up and enjoy your creation and the family you have given me. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you give us each and every day. I as that you help me and any one else who is like me to stop blaming others and help us to learn what are our triggers and how to defuse them before they blow. 

November 7, 2016 Tearing down nations!!!!

Reading: Romans 11 and Jeremiah 51

Scripture: Jeremiah 51:20-23, "You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms; with you I break in pieces the horse and his rider; with you I break in pieces the chariot and the charioteer; with you I break in pieces man and woman; with you I break in pieces the old man and the youth; with you I break in pieces the young man and the young woman; with you I break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; with you I break in pieces the farmer and his team; with you I break in pieces governors and commanders.

Observation: Today is the eve of Election day in the United States of America as proud of being a citizen here as I as I am. I am also so ashamed of what the election seasons have become. Jeremiah may have been talking to the nation of Israel after they had been taken away into Babylon but the Living Word of God speaks to us as well. 

Application: Here we all are called hammers and weapons of war. A hammer is a tool used for building and creating but it can also be weald as a weapon. Here in the USA we are the hands and tools in the government more then in many other nations being we get to vote. If we want God in our government and have Godly people in government we have to do the work. We have to be involved no matter who we vote for we need to pray and consider all the options and vote, not just on the big stuff but vote on all the position and all the issues. With all Christians rising up and voting for what God has placed on their hearts we will not see a change. Pray for our leaders and our country.

Prayer: Father I stand in awe of you and how you can rase up nations and cause them to fall. I thank you each day that your provide all our needs and many of our wants in your great blessings. You are so amazing and I thank you for all you have done. I ask that your will be done, open the hearts of those who are to vote in the next couple days and help them to see the way you want them to vote. I ask you to work on the hearts of whomever it is that will be elected in each position. Place a proper fear of you in their hearts and bring them Godly council. 

November 3, 2016 Feed the wolves!!!

Scripture: Romans 7:19-20, For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 

Observation: I can so relate to Paul on this one My heart and spirit want to do good and be kind to those around me like my family and coworkers and even those I interact with on a daily basis. With all my good intentions to be good and kind I have a great ability to be a jerk and think if only myself. Even though I she would not my wife has stories of times I have been a jerk.

Application: Paul is telling us about our two natures here first is the nature to follow after God and be love and to love as he loves. The second is our sinful fallen nature that we got though the fall of man. These natures are apposing forces we can look at them as wolves chained together but trying to go two different directions and you get to choose witch one is going to win by witch one you feed. You can feed the wolf that represents your relationship with God or you can feed the one that represents the sinful nature and chasing after the things of this world. The choice is yours do you pour good things into your heart and soul and seek after God or do you chase after the things that are of this world. 

Prayer: Father I stand in awe of your love and patience you have with me as I sometimes feed the wolf of this world. I thank you for sending your son to die on the cross and offer us the gift of forgiveness and a personal relationship with you. I thank you for the provisions you give us each day and the blessings you pour out on us each day. I ask that you help convict us when we are looking to feed the wrong wolf and help us to want to and enjoy feeding our relationship with you Lord. 

November 1, 2016 I don't know about that other guy!!

Reading: Romans 5, Jeremiah 21, 24 & 27 and Psalm 33

Scripture: Romans 5: 19, For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 

Observation: This is a great reminder that there are times where I forget or don’t think about how much Jesus did. Sure I remember that he died for my sins and that you can be saved too. Some times we forget that the true magnitude of what Jesus did. Just as the fall of man into a sinful nature though Adam and Eve eating of the fruit that they were told not to. 

Application: Being that we are living in a fallen world and in a day and age where distractions are so prevalent as well as the sin if selfishness, I have found myself knowing I am saved but thinking “I don’t know about that guy over there.” Paul was sharing in this letter to the Romans that just as the one act caused the world to become fallen the one act of obedience offered redemption and righteousness to the world. Romans says that many will be made righteous and we are covered by Christ’s righteousness.

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful and I thank you for sending your son and his Obedience that allows us to be covered by grace and righteousness. I also thank you for the provisions and blessings you have for us each and every day. I ask you help us to open our eyes and ears to how to live in the righteousness that you offer us though your son. 

October 31, 2016 I can do it!!!!!!!

Reading: Romans 4 and Jeremiah 48-49

Scripture: Romans 4:2-3, For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."

Observation: I have had times in the past where I though that because I was better then that guy and I at least believed in God and I didn’t do the don’ts and did some of the dos, that I would go to heaven. I also spent time thinking like many Americans if my good stuff out weights my bad stuff I will make it into heaven. 

Application: Paul here was talking about how in Geniuses when God called Abraham and promised him these blessings, God didn’t say you have to do all these things to get them he just had to believe and they were his. Salvation Is a Gift from God and as a gift you cant earn it because then it becomes your wage and it is due to you. The blessings that God has for us all we can do is accept them. Therefore our salvation and blessings from God are given to us freely all we have to do is receive them and live the life we are called to. 

Prayer: Father I stand in awe of your great love and the offer to take care of us each and every day. I thank you for your provisions and blessings you pour out on us and the opportunities you give us each day. I ask that you help us to see your love and not fall into the thought that I can earn my way into heaven 

October 26, 2016 Burning fire shut up in my bones

Reading: Acts 27, Jeremiah 19-20 and Psalm 146

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:9, If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

Observation: The thing that caught my attention with this passage was "there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones.” I have been burned on my skin and had heartburn but the idea of a fire in my bones sounds excruciating and makes me think of Wolverine having the Adamantium infused into his bones (Geek Flag). It seems like the pain that Jeremiah would feel when he would try to hold in God’s word for the people would be worse then anything I have ever experienced. 

Application: As this sounds like it could have been a physical pain to keep him sharing the news that if they would not straiten up and fly strait there would be death and destruction. Today we have the Holy Spirit in us to convict us and let us know that we are to be sharing the Gospel with those around us. We are blessed that this conviction is not physically painful but we are not sharing a bad news. We are to be sharing the Gospel and that means Good News. I believe that this conviction will come in different forms for some it’s the calling to missions some it’s the calling into paid ministry but for most of us it is a calling to share our story of what God and Jesus did for us and how we change. 

Prayer: Father I love you and I stand humbly before you. I thank you for the gift of your Son and his death on the cross. I also thank you for the provision and blessings you give us each day. I ask you to help us to act upon the callings we have on our lives and to not allow ourselves get to the point where we need a fire in our bones but give us a fire in our soul to reach the world. 

October 25, 2016 I am such a Lump of clay

Reading: Acts 26 and Jeremiah 17-18

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:3-4, So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.

Observation: I have many times felt like vessel that was spoiled that I was not worth anything. I also have had times where I have thought there was no repairing the damage I did to relationships or my walk with God. 

Application: This passage is a great reminder to me that we are all clay and we are all still a work in progress. Continuing with the analogy of pottery I feel like we as the pot are not going to be fired into our permeant shape until we get to heaven, we are going to be continually broken down reformed and reshaped by God (the potter). Just after our passage today in verse 7-8 God said that he can tear down nations and build then up, just like he can with us as lumps of clay. 

Prayer: Father I stand in awe of your great power, you have the power tear down and build up not only things in my life but in the nations of the wold. I thank you that even though you can see and control all that you love and are concerned with me. I thank you for the provisions and blessing you have for us each and every day. Lord I ask you to tear down anything my my life that is not edifying you and build up and repair any damage I have don’t to the masterpiece that you are creating in each of us. 

October 24, 2016 Delivered and Redeemed

Reading: Acts 25, Jeremiah 15-16 and Psalm 10

Scripture: Jeremiah 15:21, I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."

Observation: It is interesting to me that so many people look at the God of the Old Testament and think He is this wrathful god who is only here to smite me when I mess up. Many people think that is who God is, like Zeus of Greek mythology he is just sitting in heaven waiting for us to mess up so he can throw a lighting bolt at us. 

Application: That is not so God has always been a God of justice and love, just before the passage I chose today God was telling Jeremiah about the punishment he was going to pour out on Israel if they didn’t shape up. He also told them that he would deliver them and redeem them. Back then the system they had was the mosaic law and sacrifices, today God is still the God of justice and love but he sent Jesus Christ to come and pay the price. we don’t have to do anything but accept the love and gift of salvation. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for sending your son to be the payment and to be a picture of you that we could see what it is to follow you. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you give us each day. I ask that we look at you with eyes to see and ears to hear and no longer see the anger of the old testament and but the love that you are. 

October 20, 2016 Imprisonment and Affliction

Reading: Acts 20 and Jeremiah 5-6

Scripture:Acts 20:22-23, And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

Observation: I remember when the thoughts about coming to Christ and becoming a Christian was more about getting God to be this great piggy bank in the sky. Everything was going to be great, sunshine and roses they say but this is a warning not just to Paul but to us as well. 

Application: Jesus had said, “They will hate you because they hated me first.” There are going to be trials and tribulations just because we are Christians, just as Paul was  saying that imprisonment awaited him and God had a plan for that imprisonment God has a plan that will use the trials for good. I also want to be clear God does not cause the bad things to happen, the are a product of living in a fallen world and having the evil one against us, God just repurposes these bad things to help us grow closer to him and give another microphone to speak into others lives.

Prayer: Father I think you for all you have done, for us giving us your son as a payment for my sins. I think you for the blessings and provisions you have for us. I ask you to help us to see your great love properly, not as the great bank of God but as a God of love that takes care of us even though we screw up. 

October 18, 2016 I'm such a whore.

Reading: Acts 19 and Jeremiah 3-4

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:1, “If a man divorces his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man's wife, will he return to her? Would not that land be greatly polluted? You have played the whore with many lovers; and would you return to me?declares the Lord.

Observation: This is a bit of a punch to the gut for me in that there are still things in my life that I struggle with like lust, pride and anger just to name a few. As much as I love the Lord and seek to go deeper with my relationship with him, I feel like I'm a whore chasing after things that I shouldn’t. Sure Jeremiah was speaking at the time to Israel and Judah and their running after other gods but it is still a good reminder that we need to be careful to not chase after other gods ourself.

Application: I am thankful that later in verse 12 God tells Jeremiah to “Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, "'Return, faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the Lord; I will not be angry forever.” When I let some of the things I struggle with get a hold on me I start having the thoughts of inadequacies and not being enough but we all need to remember no matter what we have done he calls us back we need to turn from what we were doing and come back to him. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for you mercies and grace you pour out on us each day. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you give us each day. I ask that you help us to open our eyes and ears to where we are whoring and help us to turn back to you. 

October 17, 2016 What are you wearing?

Reading: Acts 18 and Jeremiah 1-2

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:17-18, But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 

Observation: The Job I have I wear a uniform I get up every morning and put this uniform so I am ready for my job here God is telling Jeremiah to get ready for is work. I know that there have been many times where I have gotten up and gotten ready for my earthly job but I neglect to get myself ready for God’s work.

Application: Not only is this passage saying to get ready and to me that is putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6), put on the belt, the sandals, the breast plate, and helmet then take up the shield and the sword. We are called to be ready for out work and our job from God is warrior. Daily prepare yourself for battle for the evil one will attack you. But this passage goes on to says he will make us a fortified city with his power standing behind us we will stand against anything the evil one brings against us.

Prayer: Father I thank you that you are here to back us up and have our back even though we don’t deserve it. I thank you for sending your son to pay the price for us. I thank you the provisions and blessings you give me each day. I ask you to help me to understand and remember to daily put on your armor and prepare for your work. 

October 16, 2016 Waiting on the Lord

Reading: Acts 17 and Zephaniah 1-3 

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:8, "Therefore wait for me," declares the Lord, "for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed.

Observation: I have been struggling with waiting on God, waiting for things to happen, waiting on provisions that I thought would come and wondering if he was there. It is easy to allow my head and the evil one to get me distracted and start thinking that God is too busy for me or I'm not worth his time. How often to we all let fear and doubt into our lives letting to evil one get a foothold. 

Application: To me the first portion of verse 8 was a reminder that its all in God’s timing not ours, as much as I think I know what timing is better he has proven I am just a fool. The second half of the verse reminds me that he is the one assembling the nations as followers of Christ we are a Kingdom above all other nations and kingdoms, being that one day God is going to pour out the anger, jealousy and indignation out we need to be praying from our nations, our leaders, and in the case of the United States pray for the voters who are going to elect the next leader of our country. On a morning show I listen to called The Wally Shop on Way FM they had mentioned at one of their church services their pastor two questions first was “What is more effective Praying or complaining?” and the second was “What do you do more?” Lets Pray more and complain less.

Prayer: Father I love you and stand in awe of your great power. You are so wonderful and I thank you for everything you have given me; Family, friends, work and the strength to cary on each day. I know you give me everything I need and sometimes even bless me with things I want. I thank you for all you do for me each and every day.  I ask you to help us to be open to hear your small voice speaking to us in your word and the patience to wait on you.