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.
Monday, October 22, 2007
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.
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Loving Warrior Who Rejoices Over You
A great truth from the biblical book of Zephaniah
“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
When was the last time you studied the book of Zephaniah in depth? Yeah…me too. But I recently heard a brief message from this powerful little (three-chapter) account that’s tucked near the end of the Old Testament. The book contains two promises: a punitive promise to those who have sought to destroy God’s people that they themselves will be destroyed; and a precious promise to the scattered, exiled children of Israel who have kept faith in God, that He will tenderly gather them home to Jerusalem. In the midst of the latter promise we find the comforting words of 3:17.
Although these words were addressed to the Israelites, they reveal the loving character of the same God who continues to feel this way about all who belong to Him in 2007. The Message renders that same verse this way: “Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.” If you are a believer who has ever doubted the truth of those words, or if you’ve ever gone through a season of “exile,” wandering from the LORD as I have, then please read them again and let them soak in: Our Heavenly Father delights in you. He sings over you. He protects you with a warrior’s might. He loves you tenderly. He gathers you home.
O LORD our God, thank you for these comforting words, this great promise that for all who turn to You in humility, You are mighty to save, tender to comfort, and loving to rejoice over us with singing. Amen.
“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
When was the last time you studied the book of Zephaniah in depth? Yeah…me too. But I recently heard a brief message from this powerful little (three-chapter) account that’s tucked near the end of the Old Testament. The book contains two promises: a punitive promise to those who have sought to destroy God’s people that they themselves will be destroyed; and a precious promise to the scattered, exiled children of Israel who have kept faith in God, that He will tenderly gather them home to Jerusalem. In the midst of the latter promise we find the comforting words of 3:17.
Although these words were addressed to the Israelites, they reveal the loving character of the same God who continues to feel this way about all who belong to Him in 2007. The Message renders that same verse this way: “Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.” If you are a believer who has ever doubted the truth of those words, or if you’ve ever gone through a season of “exile,” wandering from the LORD as I have, then please read them again and let them soak in: Our Heavenly Father delights in you. He sings over you. He protects you with a warrior’s might. He loves you tenderly. He gathers you home.
O LORD our God, thank you for these comforting words, this great promise that for all who turn to You in humility, You are mighty to save, tender to comfort, and loving to rejoice over us with singing. Amen.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Shine!
Jesus said, “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, The Message)
Reading again these stirring verses from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount,” the word that jumps out to me is “Shine!” Those five letters sum up our calling as God-followers: to shine brightly, carrying the light of Christ into a darkened world. John Wesley (1703-1791) once remarked, “I set myself on fire and people come watch me burn.” He was talking about spiritual immolation—about letting Christ rule in his life to such an extent that his heart would ignite with a passion for the Savior…a passion that would draw others to the warmth and light of Jesus. The Newsboys expressed this same concept well in a song: “Shine! Make ’em wonder what you got; make ’em wish that they were not, on the outside looking bored.” O that my heart, that your heart, would be set ablaze by a love and devotion to Christ, so that the lost and hurting in our midst would see, and feel, and come into the inviting fire of His life shining through us.
O Lord, at times the “flame of faith” that You would have burning in my spirit and soul looks more like a tiny flicker. Reignite my heart, O God! Shine through me. Set me on a hilltop, and let my life show forth Your marvelous light to the world. Amen.
Reading again these stirring verses from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount,” the word that jumps out to me is “Shine!” Those five letters sum up our calling as God-followers: to shine brightly, carrying the light of Christ into a darkened world. John Wesley (1703-1791) once remarked, “I set myself on fire and people come watch me burn.” He was talking about spiritual immolation—about letting Christ rule in his life to such an extent that his heart would ignite with a passion for the Savior…a passion that would draw others to the warmth and light of Jesus. The Newsboys expressed this same concept well in a song: “Shine! Make ’em wonder what you got; make ’em wish that they were not, on the outside looking bored.” O that my heart, that your heart, would be set ablaze by a love and devotion to Christ, so that the lost and hurting in our midst would see, and feel, and come into the inviting fire of His life shining through us.
O Lord, at times the “flame of faith” that You would have burning in my spirit and soul looks more like a tiny flicker. Reignite my heart, O God! Shine through me. Set me on a hilltop, and let my life show forth Your marvelous light to the world. Amen.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Grace For Every Moment
Growing daily, smashing “worthless idols”
“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD.” (Jonah 2:8-9)
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
A colleague at the YMCA closes her voicemail message with the thought, “Have a great day, and grow in grace.”* It’s an encouraging reminder based on Peter’s words above. A life of following Jesus is not designed to be a stagnant, backwater life, but a steady stream of growth, day by day, into the grace and knowledge of our Lord, reflecting more and more of “Christ in us, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). And what of Jonah’s sobering, penetrating words about the “worthless idols” that keep us from growing into grace? Perhaps a heart examination is in order. Are any “weeds” wrapped around our souls, blocking out the sun, keeping us from blossoming? Are we clinging to any destructive thought patterns or habits—pride, fear, materialism, the pursuit of fleshly “comforts”—that are hindering us from opening fully to the joy, peace and strength that our gracious God intends for us?
Lord Jesus, Peter said it well in his letter: GLORY to you both now and forever! Help us, O God, to grow in grace today, stronger and more confident in You. And show us, we dare pray, any “worthless idols” that need to be shattered and cleansed from our lives. Grant us strength to smash them, for we would not forfeit the grace that could be ours. Amen.
*Dawana Wade, a.k.a. ‘Young D.W.’: Thanks for the inspiration.
“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD.” (Jonah 2:8-9)
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
A colleague at the YMCA closes her voicemail message with the thought, “Have a great day, and grow in grace.”* It’s an encouraging reminder based on Peter’s words above. A life of following Jesus is not designed to be a stagnant, backwater life, but a steady stream of growth, day by day, into the grace and knowledge of our Lord, reflecting more and more of “Christ in us, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). And what of Jonah’s sobering, penetrating words about the “worthless idols” that keep us from growing into grace? Perhaps a heart examination is in order. Are any “weeds” wrapped around our souls, blocking out the sun, keeping us from blossoming? Are we clinging to any destructive thought patterns or habits—pride, fear, materialism, the pursuit of fleshly “comforts”—that are hindering us from opening fully to the joy, peace and strength that our gracious God intends for us?
Lord Jesus, Peter said it well in his letter: GLORY to you both now and forever! Help us, O God, to grow in grace today, stronger and more confident in You. And show us, we dare pray, any “worthless idols” that need to be shattered and cleansed from our lives. Grant us strength to smash them, for we would not forfeit the grace that could be ours. Amen.
*Dawana Wade, a.k.a. ‘Young D.W.’: Thanks for the inspiration.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)