“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
A week ago, the Tennessee Titans had their game against the Houston Texans “on ice.” They had a seemingly insurmountable lead in the fourth quarter and needed only to stay focused, keep playing well, and close out the contest. But what happened? The Texans increased their intensity, while the Titans relaxed a bit. In sports lingo, they started “playing not to lose” rather than playing to win. The Texans caught up and took the lead. The Titans escaped by kicking a last-second field goal to win, 38-36. For you and for me, the fourth quarter of 2007 is well under way; it’s hard to believe November is upon us. As we look to finish the year well, how focused are we on what matters most? What are we still “pressing on” to see achieved this year—spiritually, physically, relationally, vocationally, financially? What distractions might have captured our focus along the way? What “good work” has the Lord begun in each of us that we can trust Him to complete, as we fix our attention fully on His good plans?
Thank You, Lord, that Your mercies are new every morning. Thank You that regardless of how we might have missteped, or allowed distractions to enter our lives, You are more than able to help us get back on track. Thank You for the good work that You have begun in us during 2007, and thank You that You are faithful to complete it as fix our eyes on You in the coming weeks and beyond. Amen.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
God's Creative Flair
A brilliant autumn weekend exposes His handiwork yet again
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it—the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
On a scout campout this weekend at Boxwell, a wooded getaway on Old Hickory Lake near Gallatin, every moment seemed to crackle and pulse with a beauty that defied mere words. Stars blazed white against a late-night sky. Morning sun cast millions of diamonds on the water and peeked through trees whose leaves have begun to show off brilliant colors. The haunting music of a skilled guitarist and violinist resonated around our campfire. On Sunday, singing “How Great Is Our God” and “Indescribable” at a lakeside amphitheatre gave us at least a hint of well-formed language to express the creative genius of the One we believe has crafted all of this and so, so much more. Wherever you were this weekend, I hope you were able to taste the flavors of early-fall and to reflect on the Creator who not only made it all, but who also hand-crafted each of us with the same loving, caring attention to detail.
Word fail us, O God, when we behold your intricate handiwork in all that you have created. We are truly in awe of all that we take in around us, and we thank You for how well it reflects Your love and care for us. Amen.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it—the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
On a scout campout this weekend at Boxwell, a wooded getaway on Old Hickory Lake near Gallatin, every moment seemed to crackle and pulse with a beauty that defied mere words. Stars blazed white against a late-night sky. Morning sun cast millions of diamonds on the water and peeked through trees whose leaves have begun to show off brilliant colors. The haunting music of a skilled guitarist and violinist resonated around our campfire. On Sunday, singing “How Great Is Our God” and “Indescribable” at a lakeside amphitheatre gave us at least a hint of well-formed language to express the creative genius of the One we believe has crafted all of this and so, so much more. Wherever you were this weekend, I hope you were able to taste the flavors of early-fall and to reflect on the Creator who not only made it all, but who also hand-crafted each of us with the same loving, caring attention to detail.
Word fail us, O God, when we behold your intricate handiwork in all that you have created. We are truly in awe of all that we take in around us, and we thank You for how well it reflects Your love and care for us. Amen.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Beyond 'Nominal' Faith
“But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are — wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon Him].” (John 3:21, Amplified Bible)
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, New Living Translation)
“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” (Philippians 1:21, New Living Translation)
“If I know my own heart today, I would rather die than live as I once did, a mere nominal Christian, and not used by God in building up His kingdom. It seems a poor empty life to live for the sake of self. Let us seek to be useful. Let us seek to be vessels meet for the Master’s use, that God, the Holy Spirit, may shine fully through us.” (Dwight L. Moody)
Yes, Heavenly Father, that is our prayer: to live, fully alive, with You; to be used as vessels for Your divine purposes; to be set free from self-centered pursuits and pleasures, dedicated instead to the higher call of honoring and glorifying You. Thank You for the love and grace that You pour out on us as we push past nominal faith and seek to follow hard after You as Lord of our lives. Amen.
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, New Living Translation)
“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” (Philippians 1:21, New Living Translation)
“If I know my own heart today, I would rather die than live as I once did, a mere nominal Christian, and not used by God in building up His kingdom. It seems a poor empty life to live for the sake of self. Let us seek to be useful. Let us seek to be vessels meet for the Master’s use, that God, the Holy Spirit, may shine fully through us.” (Dwight L. Moody)
Yes, Heavenly Father, that is our prayer: to live, fully alive, with You; to be used as vessels for Your divine purposes; to be set free from self-centered pursuits and pleasures, dedicated instead to the higher call of honoring and glorifying You. Thank You for the love and grace that You pour out on us as we push past nominal faith and seek to follow hard after You as Lord of our lives. Amen.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Swear Word or Savior?
“Therefore God exalted [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (Hebrews 13:15)
“…so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11b)
I was jolted the other day when a woman beside me in a crowded room said to someone else, “JE-sus Christ, that must’ve been rough!" No, it certainly wasn’t the first time I’ve heard my Savior’s name spoken in vain. But for some reason it struck me just how nonchalantly the words rolled off her tongue. Because of the circumstances, I didn’t get the opportunity to say, “Hey, excuse me, but that name you just said — Jesus Christ? — is much more than a curse word, you know, and I’d love the chance to tell you what it means to me.” In that moment I could only do what a friend once told me he did whenever he heard Jesus’ name spoken as a cuss: I said, quietly, “Be praised.” It didn’t take away the sting of hearing the name of One so dear to me used in such a casual and derisive manner. (Imagine if you overheard someone speaking your child’s or spouse’s or mom’s name in the same way.) But it did provide an opportunity to lift up the name that is above every name — the name before which, eventually, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is LORD.
Jesus Christ…be praised. I will keep your glorious name on my lips today. My tongue will freely confess that you are LORD — my LORD — and I will speak of the glory and power that is due Your matchless name. Amen.
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (Hebrews 13:15)
“…so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11b)
I was jolted the other day when a woman beside me in a crowded room said to someone else, “JE-sus Christ, that must’ve been rough!" No, it certainly wasn’t the first time I’ve heard my Savior’s name spoken in vain. But for some reason it struck me just how nonchalantly the words rolled off her tongue. Because of the circumstances, I didn’t get the opportunity to say, “Hey, excuse me, but that name you just said — Jesus Christ? — is much more than a curse word, you know, and I’d love the chance to tell you what it means to me.” In that moment I could only do what a friend once told me he did whenever he heard Jesus’ name spoken as a cuss: I said, quietly, “Be praised.” It didn’t take away the sting of hearing the name of One so dear to me used in such a casual and derisive manner. (Imagine if you overheard someone speaking your child’s or spouse’s or mom’s name in the same way.) But it did provide an opportunity to lift up the name that is above every name — the name before which, eventually, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is LORD.
Jesus Christ…be praised. I will keep your glorious name on my lips today. My tongue will freely confess that you are LORD — my LORD — and I will speak of the glory and power that is due Your matchless name. Amen.
Monday, October 1, 2007
'The God of Hope'
Compelled to place our full trust in the living God
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
“…godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:8-10)
“What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.” (1 Peter 1:3-5, The Message)
Almighty Father, thank you that we have HOPE today, whether we face difficulty or ease, plenty or want. As we place our trust in You afresh today, we rejoice that we may rest secure, trusting in the living God to meet every need, to comfort every hurt, to complete every good work that You have begun, within Your perfect timing. God of hope, we receive Your promised measure of joy, peace and power today. And we thank You for it, in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
“…godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:8-10)
“What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.” (1 Peter 1:3-5, The Message)
Almighty Father, thank you that we have HOPE today, whether we face difficulty or ease, plenty or want. As we place our trust in You afresh today, we rejoice that we may rest secure, trusting in the living God to meet every need, to comfort every hurt, to complete every good work that You have begun, within Your perfect timing. God of hope, we receive Your promised measure of joy, peace and power today. And we thank You for it, in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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