Reading:  John 9

Scripture:  John 9: 30 – 33

30 The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33 If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

Observations:


The man was blind, and had been since birth.
His friends and neighbors, rather than embracing a miraculous healing,  a marvelous gift in the life of their friend, dragged him to the Pharisees because he had been healed on the Sabbath.
His own parents left him to face the Pharisees by himself, rather than admitting the truth and being permanently removed from fellowship.

But he knew.  It was no ordinary man that healed him.
He had felt power from God.


And even though he was not a disciple of Jesus yet, when the Pharisees derisively made that comment (verse 28), it seemed like a pretty good idea.

Application:

Help me not to dismiss things that are from You just because they are happening in ways that are different than I expect.

Help me not to assume that my knowledge of you, and my experiences, are the only ways that you would reveal Yourself.

Help me to recognize Your handiwork, in the mundane and the marvelous.

Prayer:


You are amazing.
How does your heart not explode from the love that you feel for everyone, and the sadness at the ones who are lost?

Lord, give me Your heart to see everyone that I encounter.

Help me to accept the miraculous as part of the every day.

Amen.

Reading: John 7

Scripture:  John 7: 6-8

6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.”

Observations:

In the preceding verses, we learn that Jesus’ brothers are goading him to go to the Festival of the Tabernacles in Judea.  They are taunting Him – “if your such a Big Man, then why aren’t you seeking the fame and attention, and showing the world what you can do?”

Even His brothers didn’t believe Him.

But He remained calm, and simply told them that there was a plan, and they were not privy to the details. He assured them that when His time came, He would go public.

The most important part of His ministry might just have been the waiting.


Application:


Oh wow.

These verses, these observations are exactly where we are right now.

Over the past two weeks, the Lord has been revealing little pieces of the ministry that He is going to do here.  He gave us the name of the future church.  He has put contacts in our life for these certain purposes.

And then there have been things that seemed like they were from God, but…. well- let’s just say they were from the Lord, but not for the purposes that we thought.

Let’s talk about waiting for a second.

Noah received the word to build an ark.  He then built the ark for 100 years before the redeeming work was done.

Abraham was given the promise of a son, and then waited for twenty five years — long enough for a son to grow up and be an adult in the mean-time, before Isaac was born.

Jesus was born to Mary, and then waited thirty-three years before starting to reveal His ministry.

And then there were Randy and Meredith. We received the call less than a year ago. Yes, things are moving forward. Yes, we have a monthly prayer meeting with people that are invested in this church plant.  Yes, the Lord has blessed us with a home in  the town that he has called us.  Yes, the Lord is working (overtime, we sometimes think) in our hearts, minds and lives.

But — the truth is, we don’t have a clue what it means to wait. 

Prayer:


Lord,
We have experienced the beautiful way that you reveal Truth to both of us before moving us forward.
Help us to continually seek confirmation, so that we do not do things out of your timeline.

We are grateful for the gentle rebuke. We are grateful that you care enough to put us back in our place.

Thank you so much for not giving up on us, and for stopping us before we went down the wrong path.

Help us to wait.  Teach us to listen with discernment.

And thank you. We are truly humbled.

Amen.

Reading: John 6

Scriptures:

John 6: 26 – 27A
26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.

John 6:51
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Observations:


The first verse:

It is the day after the first miraculous feeding. Jesus and the disciples had managed to get to the other side of the lake without any of the thousands of people noticing.  They jump in the boats that are there, and cross the lake to find Him.

When they find Him, he calls them out.
“You are looking for me because you are hungry and know that I can feed you, when you SHOULD be looking for me because of the miracle that you witnessed. You know… that whole five loaves feed five thousand thing?   Wake up!  It’s not about food!  And for crying out loud, it’s NOT ABOUT YOUR STOMACH!!!”

The second verse:

He is comparing Himself to manna from Heaven.

Manna came down every day, and they could only take enough for that day.
Jesus is our manna, and what we take in each day is only enough for each day.  To truly be feeding on Him, we need to be in the Word, daily,  meditating and feeding on the Truths, and the reality of our Savior.

But– then the similarities stop.
God never claimed that manna would make those who ate it live forever!
But Jesus does claim that those who feed on Him will live forever.

Feeding on Jesus:
Meditating daily, hourly (even more frequently), on the acts of our Savior.
Savoring scripture, memorizing verses.
Surrendering completely to the will of our Father.
Fasting: feeding only on the Word instead of actual food.  (Experiencing the true meaning of Bread of Heaven and Living Water.)

Application:


Several years ago, when my oldest one was 18 months old, I took an online Bible study course about weight loss, called The Lord’s Table.   It was truly amazing.  I grew in my faith and shrank in my clothing size.  I became a mentor for the course.  It was a wonderful time in my life.

Then my body started playing tricks on me, and I was convinced I was pregnant. So I stopped being as diligent about waiting for true hunger, and started snacking, and eating more than I needed.

I wasn’t pregnant.  And I was also no longer in the Word as much as  I had been.

Then we tried for 6 months to get pregnant.
It worked.
But we lost that baby, through a heartbreaking sequence of events that involved making the most difficult a decision that a mother should ever have to make.  It ended with a surgery, removing my right fallopian tube and the child of my heart along with it.

And then, before I even had a period after the surgery, I became pregnant again, with my second son, whose name means gift of God, since he truly was a gift from God.

He is now 15 months old, and I am back in the Word, and have been, consistently, since some time in April.  And now it is time for me to get back on the discipline of my eating.

Food is for nourishment.
Not for emotional hunger.  Not for boredom.

The Word of God is my True Food.
My SOUL is what hungers– not my physical body.

Today, my God is confirming what I have been hearing over the last couple of days.
It is a day for me to fast.
To choose my God, to make him my priority.

I think that I need to read A Hunger for God, by John Piper again.

Prayer:
Lord,
Help me.
I know that You will.  You are calling me to do this.  It is my turn to call on You for strength.
It is my turn to CHOOSE YOU over the food.

I have found a poem that I wrote about this very struggle, that I seem to always be wrestling with.
Letting the words of my heart from June 2008 cry out to You again.

Jesus or a donut

I wake up each morning,
open my Bible and
wait for the truth that will
sustain me through another day.
Whether it is a reminder from Solomon
that all under the sun in meaningless
and to put my hope in Christ,
or an urge to find balance
between work, family, and God,
I trust that these pearls or Truth
will take root in my heart and bear fruit.

So why,
after you brought me through the trial,
do I forget to cling to you,
do I forget to run to you?
I take a moment to rest,
and a moment to recover
and all of a sudden my hand is in the cookie jar.

Mindlessly eating,
mindlessly munching . . .
forsaking my Savior
in favor
of a donut.

Oh my heart cries
to realize that once again
I am putting my trust,
my hope,
and my worship
in a pastry.

I want to laugh because
it is so
ridiculous.
I want to cry for the nails
that pierced His side
because of my sin.

Again.

Forgive me, my God.
My actions are speaking much louder
than my words.
My heart,
who pledged allegiance,
and obedience,
has betrayed you.

I want to run to you.
I want forgiveness.
I want wholeness and healing.
Yet fear is blocking my way.
My hand is on the doorknob
and it won’t turn.

Obedience demands that I take the step.
Love demands obedience.
So what do I do?
I stand here,
at a precipice of faith,
and step out-
trusting in You to catch me.

My old life,
my old habits,
they hold nothing for me.
I turn away,
never looking back.
I will not be a pillar of salt.
I turn to you.

This journey is one of fiath,
and there have been
tears,
sorrow,
joy,
anger,
and hope.

You promised to walk with me.
“Yea though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for thou art with me.”

I choose life,
I choose love,
I choose hope. . .
I choose Christ.
Leave the donut for someone else.

———

Amen.

Scripture:  John 5: 39-40




39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Observations:


Jesus is talking to the Pharisees and Saducees — the religious leaders of the time.
But the words still ring true today.

If any of us relies too much on the Scriptures, and forgets the message of the Savior, and the person of Jesus Christ, then we are missing the point.

Application:


Let my studying of the Scriptures always be to learn more about you, to deepen my relationship with you.

Prayer:


Father God,

May I never lose sight of who You are.
May the focus be always on deepening the relationship,  and not just increasing my knowledge.

Thank you so much for…..
everything.
You are too much to comprehend.
I am filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, at the mention of your name.  (Revelation Song)

Amen.

Reading:  John 4

Scripture:  John 4: 13 -14

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Observations:


Living water.
Never thirst again.
Jesus is making quite the claim here.

Application:


I feel the conviction.
I have tasted the Living Water.
I have  had my thirst quenched in such a way.

And even now, with a consistent discipline in the Word, and spending time with You, I am not experiencing that same thirst quenching, soul filling satisfaction.  Well — I am, but not to the same degree that I remember.

Show me, Lord….
What am I missing?
What am I not doing?

The time that I remember truly feeling like I was feeding on You was when I was dealing with my physical body, and the god that is my stomach.  And the conviction that I am feeling at this realization is a bit uncomfortable.

Okay Lord.
I am trusting you to show me the plan, to show me the book or study that you want me to use.

Made to Crave?
The Lord’s Table?

My own topical study on the subject?

Lord, reveal to me what you want me to do.
I am ready for a change.

Prayer:


Lord,
Show me the path you want me to take.
There are lots of resources out there, and some I already own.
Help me to be a good steward, and to pray and wait for you to reveal what you want me to do before I buy a new book (or 5).

Lord, if self-control is a fruit of the Spirit….
then I am in sin.
Please forgive me.

Amen.

Scripture:  John 3 : 12

12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

Observations:

Jesus is talking to Nicodemus, who is trying to wrap his head around the concept of being born again.

Another observation: Jesus starts every response to Nicodemus with, “I tell you the truth.”  (Or an equivalent, based on translations.)

Application:


I knew that this was the verse that God was showing me, but I didn’t understand why. It was something I would have taken notes on in a Bible study, but I didn’t know how to apply it to my life.

So, I dutifully set my timer (something I have been pretty lax about) for five minutes, and just listened.
And then I understood.

I am a teacher. I have 100 band students ranging in age from 5th grade through 12th grade.
What I felt in my heart was the Lord re-affirming to me my callings — both as a teacher, and now as a missionary of sorts in the same town.  I have wrestled with how the two roles were supposed to interact. What I heard today was that the two callings are separate.  But I am the same.  The same crazy, wild about Jesus, singing lady will be teaching in the schools, as well as starting a church plant.  The same lady will be grocery shopping in the tiny, overcrowded grocery store, taking the boys to the playground.

My focus at school is earthly things.  The nuts and bolts of reading music. Playing an instrument.  Keeping commitments.  Being a part of a team.  Believing in yourself. Dedication.  Focus on one thing, as part of a whole thing, at the same time.

Because I am me, living out my faith in the open, the Lord has opened doors with students who already have faith, and we have been able to discuss spiritual things.

Because I am His, he has given me discernment at times to know who is hurting and needs prayer.

My focus in my community is the people.  To interact with all with the love of Christ.  To let the light that is within me, shine…  Even when dealing with a disobedient almost 5 year old, and a hungry 15 month old.  Even when dealing with people who are only here for a few weeks and spend the whole time complaining.  Even when I have nothing left to give.  My job is not about my strength.  It is about letting Jesus loves these people through me.

So while the application doesn’t really seem to really have much to do with John 3:12, it is the verse He used to answer, and lay to rest an internal struggle.

Prayer:

Wow, Lord.
Thank you for giving me the extra time this morning before almost 5 year old wakes up to hear from you so clearly.

I can feel you reassuring, reaffirming.  To keep doing what I am already doing.
You brought to mind the face of a precious colleague, and you showed me that I am already letting you love through me at school.  And then you brought to mind another scenario that I still need to work on. Please forgive me for being part of some of the gossip.  Help me to withstand, and to remove myself when necessary.

Thank you for the ways that you are preparing me for ministry– or life in general, as I am beginning to see it.

I am humbled by your love. I am completely overwhelmed.

Amen.

Scripture:  John 1:10

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

Observations:


In Jesus’ time it was a case of not looking beyond the surface.
He was an ordinary man.
Isaiah tells us there was nothing about His form that would clue us in to His greatness — nothing that would even warrant a second glance.

If you never heard Him speak, you might never know.
And even those who did hear Him speak — they were quick to explain away the incredible.

In our time, with the benefit of historical accounts and the full canon of Scriptures, it is no longer a case of “not recognizing” a Savior.

It is a rejection of that Savior, and everything that He stands for.

Humanity worships the Earth, and not the ONE who created it.
Humanity worships industry, and commerce, and not the ONE who designed it all.
Humanity worships human strength, human emotion…. all the while denying the CREATOR.

Without a Creator:
There are no absolutes.
There is no truth.
Moral relativism makes sense.
There is no hope.
Life is an accident of molecular combustion.

With a Creator:

Each person has a unique purpose.
There is truth.
There is hope.
There are absolutes — right, wrong.
There is LOVE.
Before the foundation of the Earth, we were known by God.

Application:

It is more than a case of mistaken identity — of not seeing the deity and recognizing the Holy and Perfect.
It is rejection of the Christ, and all that He stands for.

Help me to live the truth, and paint an accurate picture of the love that you have for your creation.

If I had not felt your love that Sunday morning, I would still be in chains.
Because it does not makes sense.
It does not compute.

But…. your love is better than anything that this world has to offer.
And the amazing thing, is that in choosing you, I have been given that which I held dear.

You didn’t just call me– a sensitive, funny girl, and then decide to use me where you have planted me.
You created me to be the sensitive, funny girl.  And then you waited…
for me to choose You.


Prayer:


Lord.
I am inadequate to be sharing truth.

I pray that you would give me the words to share with those that you put in my path.
Give me the heart, the compassion, the words, and the wisdom.

And most of all — you have not given me a spirit of fear. So help me be brave, and bold when needed.

Your love is amazing, and I hope that my life reflects your awesome love.

Amen.

Reading: Luke 21

Scripture:   Luke 21: 16 – 19

16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

Observations:


It’s about to get gnarly, folks.
I think that we can all see the writing on the walls.

(Just an aside…. have you ever noticed that the people preaching “tolerance” are only tolerant of things that they think are worthy of tolerance?)

The message of Truth sears and burns, and scalds and cuts. People, not understanding conviction, are quick to attack.  And often, the people closest to us, who don’t understand a fear for their eternity is trumping “tolerance,” reject, and curse and ridicule the messenger.

But-  even if we are imprisoned.  Not one hair on our head will be harmed.
If we stand firm to the TRUTH, we will gain LIFE.

Application:


In our little corner of the world, we have always been drastically in the minority.
But since moving back here, and feeling God’s provision, and protection, there is a sense of excitement that the balance might shift a little bit because of the work that God is going to do here.

However — for every one person that comes into the fold and finds the Truth, there will be dozens that reject and malign and hate the message, and the messenger.

I hate when people are angry with me.  I try to avoid confrontation.
So this warning — this black and white prediction of absolute certainty that I am going to be hated for the Truth– is probably the thing that I am most fearful of.

But…. my God has been faithful to provide for every need, every step along the way.

I have felt His peace in my heart, while everything was uncertain.
We have experienced His ability to provide in ways that we certainly didn’t expect.

He has proved Himself faithful.
So….  now it is my turn to believe.

Prayer:


Lord, help me to get out of your way.

I have this idea of how everything is going to work….  and it is pretty prideful, to be honest.
I imagine that my standing in the community, as the band director that brought a struggling program back to life, is going to help our ministry.  (see? I told you it was prideful!)

When the reality is….
The ministry might lead to the loss of my precious career.

However –
Since you have proven yourself faithful, and we have been hearing over, and over again that You Will DO This….
It is not my job to understand how, or when.

It is my job to do what is before me.
And for the time being,  I am a band director that loves Jesus.

Help me to focus on the now, and trust you for the tomorrow.
Thank you for not giving up on me.

Amen.

Reading: Luke 16

Scripture: Luke 16: 27 – 31

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Observations:


My heart aches as I read this passage.  Nearly all of my family on both sides are unbelievers.    Abraham’s response to the heartfelt plea for someone to warn them is a wake up call.

“If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”

And that was proven SO true a short time later when Jesus went to the cross for our sins, and rose again from the dead.  Did they believe?  We don’t know.  But we know that the majority did not believe.

Applications:


Do all that I can NOW to show that my life is for an eternal purpose.
Lovingly speak the truth…. and when I can’t speak the truth, live the truth.  Let my life, my actions, my words, my relationships and interactions, all be a window into this heart that is sold out for Jesus.

Prayer:


Lord…
The time has come.  Boldness is needed.  Give me the words, the courage and the opportunities to proclaim your truth to my family, and extended family.

Amen.

Scripture:  Luke 9: 35

35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

Observations:


What an endorsement.
From heaven a cloud descends, and a voice booms.
“This is my SON.”


How blessed are we to have the accounts of these four Gospels.  We have the benefit of knowing the end of the story before we even get to the middle of the story.  The disciples, and the other people who decided to follow Jesus had only his words and actions, and often times they didn’t understand what he meant.

We can look at the whole picture and see clearly the plan that God orchestrated from Genesis 1:1 through the crucifixion and ascension.  We have it so easy.

The followers in the time of Jesus believed that He was Messiah.
But they all had different ideas of how He would save them.

They listened to Him.
But their own expectations of how Messiah would save their people prevented them from hearing Him.

Application:


I need to not just listen.
I need to hear, and understand.


Lord, may I not be satisfied with just reading the words.
May I always seek the true meaning of the Gospels, the epistles, the whole counsel of Your word that you have left for us.

Help me to hear, and understand.




Prayer:


Lord,
I have it so much easier.
I don’t have to guess what the parables were supposed to mean.
I don’t have to guess what you were talking about when you were painting a picture of your crucifixion.

I want to take advantage of the knowledge of whole story that we have been given.

Help me choose to listen.
Help me choose to hear you.

Above all….
help me to continually choose You.


Amen.

Reading:  Luke 9: 1-27

Scripture:  Luke 9: 23

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Observations:


Deny myself.
Take up my cross daily and follow.

The true Christian life is both wonderful and difficult.

Wonderful?
The Savior of the World loved me enough to die for me, to call me His own.
I am not my own, I am a dearly loved and provided for child of the most High God.

Difficult?
Getting out of my own way.
Dying to myself….
Denying myself.
Realizing that pride in myself and my accomplishments while “normal,”shouldn’t be my default.
Realizing that when I am feeding my ego, my pride, or my emotions that I am choosing those things over my God and Savior.

Wonderful?
Seeing the way God has provided for our relocating back to the town I teach in.  All of the pieces fell together.  (Oh … and we have hot water now!! Yay!!)  The timing was hurried in our eyes, but perfect now that we are getting settled.
Feeling that deep heart peace that we are right where we are supposed to be.

The things about our new home that were things that we had always wanted but never put on a list, because we didn’t want to be tied to a list that might make us miss the right place for us.
Example?
Bay window in the kitchen.  Beautiful deck.  Beautiful back yard. Proximity to school/town.  Nice water pressure!!!  Beautiful warm yellow color (that we didn’t even know we liked) on the walls. A chance to make this place a true home!!

The Difficult?
Fighting with my self to be kind and gracious in all situations.
Remembering that while I am living this life, this life is not about me.

The Wonderful?
Knowing that I have a purpose, even if I don’t understand it.

So….
It is hard, but the daily effort- the daily choice to put myself last and put Christ first, is so very worth it.

Application:

Every single day.
Every decision.

I have thousands of opportunities every day to put Christ first.
I don’t really want to take an in depth look and see how many times I fail.

Help me, Lord.

Prayer:


Lord,
I have this insane joy.
This unspeakable peace.
This certainty that you are who you say you are, and that you are worthy of my praise, my trust, my faith, and my own life.  After all, you gave yours so that I might live.

Help me see the opportunities in each decision.
Help me to choose you.
Let my words, my actions, and my facial expressions bring you honor and glory.
Even when I can’t speak your name.

I am overwhelmed…
Amen.

Reading: Luke 8 : 26 – 56

Scripture:  Luke 8: 47 – 48

47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

Observations:


Think about this woman.

She had been dealing with an unclean disease for years.  She had probably been treated very badly because of it.

But she braved the crowds– and got right up there in the middle of it, taking the chance of being shunned and shamed in public.

She believed that Jesus could heal her.  She believed that she didn’t even need to speak to him, to look him in the eye.  A touch of his garment.

Application:


While I do not have the physical presence of the the Messiah, I have the Holy Spirit within me.

The same power to heal sickness, vanquish demons, and forgive sins resides within me.

What is my problem??
I need to be living like I believe that the All-Powerful God not only exists, but is with me.

We have been in our new home since Saturday.  We still do not have hot water.  We do not have things that were promised us. And are not able to connect our washer and dryer because of a dryer hose issue.  Our sink is overflowing with dishes that we are too exhausted to clean when it means boiling water on the stove to get it hot enough.  On Sunday night I did boil water so that I could wash my hair before my Memorial Day Parade commitments with my school bands.

My first reactions have not been patience, or love.
I have not been living as if all things are under the control of my Father.
I have not been living as if there might be an opportunity or a purpose for these inconveniences.

Prayer:


My Savior, my God who sees me, my God who heals me:

Please forgive me for being wrapped up in all of the nonsense.
Deep in the midst of all of the minor issues, we have a deep sense of home-ness. We feel at peace, knowing that we are right where you want us to be.

Please help me to remember that my life is not about me.
My life is to always be pointing others to you.


I am not good at this.
I am desperately wicked, and I need you.

Thank you for your mercy, thank you for the gentle reminders….
and for not squashing me like a bug when I get too full of myself.

I love you, Lord.

Amen.

Reading:  Luke 8: 1 – 25

Scripture:   Luke 8:8

8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Observations: 
I love this parable.  It is comforting, as one who has worked with youth ministry, and as a family embarking on a ministry, to be reminded that how people receive the message is in large part due to their “soil.”

We are not responsible for the condition of anyone else’s soil.
But I am responsible for mine.

Application:


When I read through this first part of the chapter, it was as if a highlighter with trumpet sounds enabled were attached to the phrase “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

And I knew what it meant.
It was a gentle rebuke for letting my morning quiet time slip away during the crazy hectic moving days.
It was a reminder that He is my portion, and that He has things to show me, to teach me…. but if I am not meeting Him, then I am just continuing to struggle and be overwhelmed.

I am called to an abundant life.
Lord… let me have ears to hear you, and the discipline to seek you.

Prayer:


Lord,

I still need you to get me through.
Help me to establish a new routine in a new home.

Help me to lean on you, cling to you, and really trust you more.

Amen.

A Royal Invitation
(subtitled:  He Could Have Revealed it to Anyone…)

Reading: Luke 2


Scripture:  Luke 2 :  8 – 15

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Observations:


The Lord revealed the birth of Jesus to shepherds in the field.
Shepherds!

Not the Pharisees,  not the Saducees.

Not even the elders of the line of David — they were right there, after all!

The wise men?  That makes sense.  They had spent years studying the scrolls, the words of Isaiah and other prophets, combing the texts for the words concerning Messiah.  So they knew. 

But God chould have chosen anybody to reveal the birth of His Son, the Redeemer of all humanity.
He chose shepherds in the field.

Applications:


Even the humble, frail, modest and seemingly insignificant have a purpose and a plan in the Father’s design.

My standards of what makes a person important are not the same as my Heavenly Father’s.

And for that?
I am grateful.

Help me not to put God in a box  - – - limited by my own expectations of what He will do, or who He will use.

Prayer:


Lord, you could have called ANYBODY to build a church in the town I teach in….

But you are calling us.


I get it.
Your plan, your design.
Your will…
Not MINE.

Amen.

Reading:  Luke 1 : 1 – 38

Sripture:  Luke 1: 38

Observations:


I adore the first chapter of Luke!!  Ever since I saw the movie The Nativity Story the,  I can really see Elizabeth and Zecharaiah.  I can picture Elizabeth, dealing with the shame of barrenness in a culture that reveres having children above nearly all else.  I can see Zechariah trying to communicate that he had just see an angel.

In fact, during my first read-through, I chose these verses.

6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

They were righteous in the sight of God.  The reason Elizabeth was childless was because of the blessing that He was holding for them!

But then I read further, and my heart again trembled with the bravery and faith of a young girl.  She didn’t question God’s ability— only the logistics, and I love that the angel simply answered her, without rebuke.  There are no further details, but you can infer that when Zechariah was asking his question, it was incredulous, bordering on doubt.  When Mary asked, there was no doubt.  Just a wondering of how it was to take place.

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

There are so many simply amazing things in this account.

1)  A young girl, finding favor  with God.
2) Hand picked by God to bring the Savior of the WORLD into the Earth.
3) Accepting what was foretold with faith.
4) Being afraid, yet knowing that what God was doing was more important than the culture’s standards and ideals, and eventual accusations.

She takes my breath away.

Application:


She was young enough to still have her child-like faith.
An older, wiser woman might have thought too much of the cultural implications and balked in fear.
But a young girl, just approaching the season of womanhood, perhaps was open enough to accept the truth when the angel presented it to her.

Her faith….
It astounds me.

Prayer:


Lord,
Help me to have the unfettered, undistracted faith of Mary.  Help me not to be weighed down by what I know to be true of this world.  Help me to be free because of what I know to be true of YOU.

Amen.

—-

Reading:  Mark 14: 43 -72


Scripture:  Mark 14: 61-63

61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death.

Observation:


Jesus wouldn’t defend himself, but he did not deny himself either.

The saying   ‘If you can’t handle the answer, then don’t ask the question’ comes to mind here.  The Pharisees and Saducees were WAITING for the Messiah.  The entire Hebrew nation was WAITING for the Messiah.

When Jesus answered ” I AM,” the reaction should have been celebratory.  The whole place should have filled with leaping, dancing, cheering — pinatas, streamers and party whistles!

They were so sure that the Messiah would be like them, that they couldn’t see the reality of their Redeemer right in front of them.

Application:


I do not ever what to be so adamant about my plan, or my expectations, that I do not see what God is trying to do right in front of me.

Prayer:


Thank you, Lord, for your patience.
Thank you for sustaining me through the busiest week professionally that I remember having — ever.
Thank you for giving me the gifts, blessings, and opportunities that you have given me.  Help me to have the wisdom and discernment to see what you want me to do.

You are my lifeline.
Amen.

Reading: Mark 14: 1 – 42

Scripture:


Mark: 14 0 35 – 36

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “ Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Observations:


Jesus knew the plan.  He was part of the triune committee that designed the plan.
But when faced with the reality of it, he prayed for a way out.

It is okay to be overwhelmed in our situations.  But the bottom line is whether or not we are going to surrender and trust.

Application:

Reading:  Mark 13

Scripture:  Mark 13 : 35 – 36

35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Observation:


We have no idea when Jesus is going to return.
We have no idea what the day is going to bring.

The one thing that we can be sure of is: We will not last forever, and we are nearing the end of this chapter of Earth’s existence.

We must not ALLOW ourselves to be distracted from our focus on our MISSION to bring the Gospel to all people, whether our influence is in our neighborhood, city, state, country or world.

We must not ALLOW ourselves to be distracted by the cares and trivialities of this life.

Application:


I am exhausted this morning.  This is the busiest week that I have ever had professionally, and as a mother of two with a husband that is working nights, having to arrange childcare and child transportation and juggling a lot of details, I am wiped out– and the week is not even half over yet.

While I was LISTENING I decided to try keeping my eyes open so that I wouldn’t fall asleep. (Although I am sitting on a couch, with a foam roller wedged up against my spine, so I am not exactly comfortable… but I am that tired.)   All of a sudden I was looking at the movies on the table in front of me and how guilty I feel for not exercising.  Then I shook it off and looked up at the blinds.  Then I started thinking about how we have to clean the blinds, windows and wash the curtains before we move.   At that point the divine light bulb went off, I closed my eyes, and listened to my God warn about distraction.

In this passage, it is talking about watching and waiting expectantly for the return of our Savior.  But in our walk with the Lord, we need to be watchful, attentive and focused.  I know myself, and my bed felt so comfortable this morning, but I KNEW that I needed to hear from my God today.

Distractions come in all forms.
TV Shows.
TO DO Lists
Busy Schedules
Lazy Schedules
Music — even Christian music
Family
Friends

It is so easy to lose our focus, and forget our mission —  even sometimes when we are doing good things.  It is so easy to get distracted.

What I heard from my God today was to control my mind.  Take captive every thought, and not to ALLOW my mind to get distracted.

Prayer:


Lord — help me.  This is a big area for me.  I know that we have been trying to deal with it half-heartedly for some time.  But I sense the urgency.

Thank you for meeting me here again this morning.
Amen.

Reading: Mark 12


Scripture:    
Mark 12 : 40

Reading:  Mark 11

What I heard today:  Believe with confidence!

Scripture:  Mark 11: 23 – 24

I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

Therefore I tell you,  whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Observations: 


Believe, even in the impossible.  Nothing is impossible for God!
Doubt is the opposite of belief.

Application:


The last month has been an education in just how much I can truly trust God with EVERYTHING.

We prayed, believing fully that He would show us where He wants us to live.
He has.

We prayed, believing fully that HE would work the financial details out.
He has.

I prayed, fully trusting on my God to get me through a difficult situation.
He did — and in a beautiful and unexpected way.  A woman that I HAD NOT MET or even SPOKEN to at church stopped me yesterday, informing me that the Lord had brought my face to her mind in my very time of need last week.  She prayed.  I felt peace.

My God really, really does care about every detail.
I approach my Father with CONFIDENCE, knowing that I am not insignificant to Him.
I approach my Father with CONFIDENCE, knowing that He has been waiting with the solution, waiting with the peace that I am seeking.

I have no reason to doubt Him. He has proved Himself faithful.
Even though it is incomprehensible - that the creator of the Universe would pay detailed attention, and make detailed PROVISIONS for our lives…

We can believe with confidence!


Prayer:


Wow, Lord…
Thank you so much for the reminder.  I still cannot wrap my head around you, and will never be able to understand how you are able to be ALL things to ALL people.
Thank you for reminding me that not only am I significant to you, I am beloved.


What a great way to start the day.
Thank you, Lord.

Amen.

Reading: Mark 9

Scripture:  Mark 9 :21 – 24

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Observation:

This poor man has watched his son be possessed by a demon, or “impure spirit,” as the NIV calls it, since his childhood.  I imagine, like any parent desperate to help a hurting child, that he tried many different avenues for help.  When he had heard about Jesus, and that the men who were his disciples, performing miracles, and healing people day after day, I wonder if he was afraid to hope, but even more afraid not to try?

When the disciples were unable to cast out the spirit, the poor man must have seen the final possibility and hope of a cure slipping away.

In humility, and possibly desperation, he asks, “if you can do anything, please take pity on us and help us.”

I imagine at Jesus’ next words, the man’s posture completely changing, and hope coming back with full force.

“I do believe!  Help me overcome my unbelief!”

Application:

My God wants me to trust Him with everything, and FOR everything.

It’s not:

“Lord, if you can provide-”

or

“Lord, if you could help me-”

I need to believe Him with absolute confidence and certainty that He loves me intimately, carefully and watchfully– even though He is the God of this universe of billions of people.  I don’t need to understand how He can be all things to all people, I just need to actively make Him my ALL in ALL.

As a woman in a very self-sufficient day and age, I learned quickly to solve my own problems.  I need to remember that in every area that I have completely trusted my God, He has never failed me.  But there are some areas that are quite a bit more scary to let go of…. especially in those last few days before the next paycheck.  Today my God is telling me:

“If I can provide?”

So I surrender.
I do believe.
Forgive my unbelief.

Prayer:


My Gracious God,
You are so patient with me.
I know that I am going to look back and feel so foolish for the little pockets of fear and worry that I have clung to for so long.  I know in my head that you love me more than I could imagine.  Help me to feel it in my heart, and let it seep into every corner or my mind, and into every pocket of fear and worry that I hold.  Help me to let go.

I do believe.
Forgive my unbelief.

Amen.