May 19, 2010- Praise You in the Good Times

Scripture to read today:
1 Kings 4; 1 Kings 5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Thessalonians 3

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Kings 5:3-5
“You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies under his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God, as the LORD told my father David, when he said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’

Observation:
Solomon is preparing to build the temple that his father, David planned. The Lord told David that he had seen too much bloodshed- had been too long in war- to build the temple. The Lord wanted Solomon to do it. Now Solomon is experiencing peace and goes about the work that has been planned.

Application:
Solomon could have just enjoyed the peace. Usually when things are going well we forget to work toward our goal. We tend to sit back and relax and enjoy. We also forget to praise God for the good times we are experiencing.

Prayer:
Lord, please forgive me for becoming happy and complacent in times of prosperity. I always need Your blessing; You always deserve my praise. Thank You for loving and blessing me. Amen.

May 1, 2010- Gathering Together

Scripture to read today:
1 Chronicles 14; 1 Chronicles 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Observation:
Jesus meant for us to be together in work and in worship. Our relationship with Him is personal, but it is also meant to be shared with others.

Application:
I hear a good excuse from some people for not going to church. They believe you can worship God at home just as well. But (as a friend who has recently returned to church after a 2 year break) you often don’t. Satan knows that he can weaken us by dividing us. If he can convince us that we don’t need to be together, then our faith, our worship, and, according to this verse, our very presence is threatened. Jesus is there when we gather together in His name.

Prayer:
Lord, forgive us when we get lazy and try to cut corners. Some things are just meant to be done right- and that definitely includes worshiping You! Help us always to remember that gathering with other believers is a good thing. Amen.

February 26, 2010- WWJD?

Scripture to read today:
Numbers 19; Numbers 20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

Scripture that spoke to me:
Mark 5:18-19; 43
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.”

Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened,

Observation:
This chapter is full of miracles. The first, the healing of a man possessed by many demons. Jesus’ orders him to go home and tell everyone about what has happened to him. The other, a little girl raised from the dead. Jesus’ instructions to the family are to tell no one.

Application:
Why the difference? Why did he tell one to spread the word and the other to be quiet? Honestly, I don’t know. Sometimes I see WWJD and wonder what WOULD Jesus do? Do we really know? I do know he would heal, and he would love. And he would pray and worship God. Other than that, I don’t know. So how am I going to be like Jesus if I don’t know what He would do? Simple. I’m going to love, and pray, and worship God, and maybe not heal, but try to make people feel better. That’s what Jesus would do.

Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for maybe being way off the mark here. Some things that Jesus did surprise me. Help me to know Him so that I can be more like Him. Amen.

February 9, 2010- God Everywhere

Scripture to read today:
Leviticus 10; Leviticus 11; Leviticus 12; Acts 16

Scripture that spoke to me:
Acts 16:25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Observation:
Paul and Silas are in prison after being severely flogged. They didn’t have a trial, weren’t treated the way a Roman citizen should be treated. Yet here they are, in prison, praying and singing to God. It doesn’t matter their circumstances, they are still praising God and telling others the Good News.

Application:
I tend to keep God in compartments. I don’t mean to, but often I think things have to be perfect in order to pray, praise God, or tell others about Him. Paul and Silas remind me that it doesn’t matter. You can keep God with you everywhere- when things are right and when they’re wrong, when you’re in good places and when you’re in bad places. He shares every part of our life, not just the ones we’re pleased and happy with.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being in my life. Please bless me, even in the dark places. Amen.

February 7, 2010- Taking Credit

Scripture to read today:
Leviticus 4; Leviticus 5; Leviticus 6; Acts 14

Scripture that spoke to me:
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

Observation:
Paul and Barnabas have performed miracles and the people of Lystra think that they are gods. To have performed this miracle, they must have special powers like the gods they are used to worshiping. Paul and Barnabas tell the people that no, they are only human.

Application:
How many people would take the credit for themselves? How many of us do? We do something great that God has given us the ability to do, and we get all the credit. We forget to give the honor and praise to Him.

Prayer:
Lord, You deserve all the praise. Let us be Your hands and feet, carrying the word of Jesus to people. Amen.

February 6, 2010- Offering God Our Best

Scripture to read today:
Leviticus 1; Leviticus 2; Leviticus 3; Acts 13

Scripture that spoke to me:
Leviticus 2:5-7
If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle, it is to be made of fine flour mixed with oil, and without yeast. Crumble it and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. If your grain offering is cooked in a pan, it is to be made of fine flour and oil. Bring the grain offering made of these things to the LORD; present it to the priest, who shall take it to the altar.

Observation:
I groaned when I realized we were reading in Leviticus today. These teachings and ancient laws are so tedious to read. I wondered if I could read anything that would speak to me. But this passage did- as I read it and saw how precise the Lord was about His offerings. He wanted the best from the people, and not just anything they might have wanted to throw together as an offering.

Application:
God doesn’t want our leftovers, He wants our best! He wants our full tithe; our faithful prayers; our consistent acts of service and worship. And what do we do? Pray when we think about it; worship when it fits our schedule; give if there is something left over at the end of the month. This is backward- we should give God the first serving, not scrape the pot for what might be left at the end.

Prayer:
Dear Lord forgive us. We get things so wrong sometimes. You should come first above everything, yet often we save You for last. Forgive us Lord and accept our offerings to You. Amen.

12 Days of Grace- Day 7- Means of Grace

“Means of Grace” is a sacred moment, reminding us of the presence of Christ. We have one grace that comes from the Lord, but it can be experienced in many different ways. In a “means of grace” moment, Jesus Christ is re-presented to us, He is made real, or becomes present to us anew.

Sacraments are sacred moments. They involve the senses in outward and invisible signs. They involve your spiritual senses through inward and spiritual works of grace. The sacraments in church vary by church and by denomination:
Catholics-
1- Penance
2- Marriage
3- Holy Orders
4- Confirmation
5- Healing

We may not all believe alike, but we can love alike. Most Christians follow the sacraments of baptism and communion.
Baptism: represents the human need to beling to the family of God
- marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry
- trusted to disciples (Acts 2: 38-39) it is for everyone whom the Lord calls to Him)
- baptism comes in different modes, usually depending on denomination
1- immersion (in a body of water or in a tank placed in the church)
2- Pouring- (from a pitcher or cup) became popular in the 3rd century
3- Sprinkling- most common among Protestants

The age of baptism varies:
Adults celebrate God’s love and grace
Children celebrate God’s love and promise in their lives
Parents answer for their small child and themselves.
Confirmation is where children “confirm” the promises that their parents made at their baptism. This is their chance to accept God for themselves.

The congregation is usually involved, promising to support the baptized in Christ.

Communion: the human need for Forgiveness of sins. May also be called the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s Table, the Eucharist (which means grateful), Mass, or Divine Liturgy.
-Jesus gave this sacrament directly to His disciples. This is where Christ is re-presented to all Christians.

Both baptism and communion allow us to say “yes” to God.

Sacred moments are not always sacraments but can be means of grace. There are sacred moments in the life of the church- rites, ordinances, or ceremonies. Through worship, prayer, giving, visiting, anointing, confirmation (the human need for rite of passage), baptism, communion, all offer the opportunity to say “I love you, Lord, and I accept our new relationship and responsibility.

Every Christian is called to ministry but not all are called to ordination. Ordination is a human need to confirm a person’s call to the ministry of pastoral care. This affirms those called by God. Participation of others to support those called is very important. Most ministers need those prayers and suppoer.

Marriage is another moment that fulfills the human need for life-long companionship. However, singles can find in Christ and Christian community all that they need. Marriage, mutuality, love, are means of grace for the extended family. Not a life long attraction, but a call for two people together to witness to God’s love.

Sacred moments that help us get closer to God include:
1- Prayer- the human need for fellowship with Christ and community. The most significant framework for our life. Can bring Christ’s power to others
2- Searching the Scripture- the human need for spiritual guidance
3- Worship- the human need for communion with God. If we do not worship God, we will worship other things. Allows for mutual accountability and is an essential means of grace, provides spiritual nurture and support and calls us to share together.
4- Finding spiritual friends
5- Being an active part of the body of Christ
6- fasting- fasting from earthly things to give time for heavenly things, they are sacrifices that bring us closer to God. This may not be food-oriented but may be the fasting from activities that keep you from God (TV, computer, hobbies, complaining, etc.)
7- generosity- the human need to help others. Jesus took on the role of servant. Humility and grace are required for servanthood.

Sacred moments occur in reconciliation, confession, etc. Means of Grace restore us to health. In Greek, HEALING and SALVATION are the same word.

God wants to make us whole. We are supposed to confess our sins and pray for each other’s healing. God prunes away parts of our life to make us more productive.

December 14, 2009- A Sacrifice of Praise

Scripture to read today:
Hebrews 12; Hebrews 13; Jude 1

Scripture that spoke to me:
Hebrews 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Observation:
Continually offering praise to God- how many people can really do that. That is, praise God in all circumstances. The writer calls it a “sacrifice of praise.” But what are we sacrificing? Maybe it is different for each of us- maybe some have a hard time giving up control to God and by praising continually, we acknowledge the power and might of God. Or we may be sacrificing something to put God first.

Application:
I think of how hard we cheer for our favorite teams. I see the New Orleans fans all over Facebook as they put “Geaux Saints” on their banners. We spend time and energy cheering our favorite team, race car driver, golfer, boxer… but do we spend that much time on praising God? Do we spend that much money. I want to challenge everyone over Christmas to say a cheer or praise to God every time you offer a cheer for your favorite team. I will try to remember to do the same. Because God deserves praise more than any of these.

Prayer:
Lord, help us to put You first. We like to think we do, but when we look around, we realize that so much of our time and energy, thought and action is put into other things. Let us remember and praise You always. Amen.

November 11, 2009- All for His Glory

Scripture to read today:

Psalm 122; 1 Corinthians 9; 1 Corinthians 10; 1 Corinthians 11

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Observation:
Eat for God- drink for God- do everything for the glory of God.

Application:
I say grace before most every meal. I am thankful to God for all that He has blessed me with. But I’ve never thought about eating to honor Him. Drinking for the glory of God. I’m usually eating and drinking for my pleasure, or nourishment, or contentment….. I wonder how things are if you eat for God’s glory? Drive a car for God’s glory (bet you’d drive a lot differently!)? Wash dishes for God’s glory? I’m going to hold this verse close this week and see what becomes of it.

Prayer:
Lord, I don’t know that I understand how to eat and drink for You. I know that we are supposed to worship You always, but I’ve never thought about the mundane things we do in our day- bathing, washing dishes, eating- help me do everything for You, Dear Lord. Amen.

October 13, 2009- Learning from History

Scripture to read today:

Nehemiah 9; Nehemiah 10; Acts 2

Scripture that spoke to me:
Nehemiah 9:16-17
“But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands. They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them.

Observation:
I’m reading this thinking that “our ancestors” could be us now! The Jews messed up so often, turning to other gods, letting their daily lives distract them from worship, and forgetting all the good things that God had done for them. But God was always forgiving- slow to anger and rich in love. He was giving grace then and He still offers us grace now.

Application:
I get so caught up in what has to be done today that I don’t look toward heaven. I’m sure I miss many blessings along the way. Thank goodness God is slow to anger- I’m sure  He has been mad at me more than once! And He is forgiving. More than that, He knows me and understands me. He can help me become the Christian He had in mind for me to be!

Prayer:
Dear Lord, keep shaping me into the person You want me to be. Help me see that things in this life are secondary to loving and worshiping You. Amen.