Author: David LaFrance

I love music. The arrangement of sounds to create harmony, melody, or rhythm to express words can impact us all differently. On Sunday, with hands raised, we can praise our Lord, who speaks into our lives daily. We can feel joy and gratitude in our hearts as we sing, knowing what He is currently doing and promises we will one day see.  Some songs bring tears of joy as your brain connects back to experiences that changed your life.  Songs that can pump us up to conquer anything in front of us.

Music is a part of all human societies and is a communication tool that can culturally connect us all.  In Deuteronomy 32, Moses turns his message into a song for the congregation of Israel.  Songs can make things easier to remember. ( I want to sing the United States song as this was the only way I remembered.) This song gives us a brief history of Israel. It reminds us of their mistakes, warns us about repeating the same mistakes, and offers hope that can only come from trusting God.  It sounds like something we can still use today.  Imagine or go ahead and sing these first few verses.

We can experience so many emotions when we sing or listen to a song. Behind this song is a truth about the greatness of our Lord—the hope that we remember as we move closer to Easter. As Moses finished this song, he proclaimed these words.

⁴⁶ he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. ⁴⁷ For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

Today’s Readings: Numbers 30-33, Psalm 35, Luke 3

This past week, I talked with my daughter Gianna about Easter. She said that Easter and Christmas were her favorite holidays, and I agreed. We talked about the Easter Story and how Jesus had given up His life for all of us. She said she loved him so much for dying for us and that she can’t wait to see Him in Heaven. Again, I agreed.

As we prepare for Easter in a couple of weeks, I connected with the story of John the Baptist Preparing the Way for Jesus.  Luke 3: 4-6

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
⁵ Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
⁶ And all people will see God’s salvation.’”^[

Today’s Readings: Leviticus 26-27, Psalm 112, Hebrews 10

There have been times when I try to do as much as possible for the Lord.  Reading, praying, serving, and appearing to have it all together in the presence of others.  I think doing these things might make up for the litany of inequities I carry daily.  I’m wrong.  The sufficiency, superiority, and perfection of the sacrifice of Christ were all part of God’s plan.  He knows there is nothing that we can say or do to draw closer to Him.

Reading Hebrews 10 reminded me that it was all part of God’s plan.  He knew there was nothing I could ever do, but I had to remember and believe it was what He did for me.  I need to trust and have faith more each day.  The redemption plan designed by God is pointed to throughout the Bible, starting in Genesis.  Christ’s sacrifice was perfect, complete, and sufficient because it replaced the old, inadequate system.

Christ’s sacrifice is better because it sanctifies the believer.

“By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Thank you Lord for taking away my sins.  That through my earthly shortcomings of thinking there is something I can do to make this up, the only thing You want from me is to believe. To submit my heart to you.  Lord, I ask You to continue to destroy the enemies in my life that keep me from drawing closer to You.

“footstool for His feet.”

Father, thank You again, as always, when we come into Your presence because the first thing that comes to my mind is the need to express gratitude. Thank You for Your Son Jesus who followed Your perfect plan to redeem humanity and be glorified by His death. Lord help us to know You more each day.  Help us to be obedient to Your  Words. Let us confess and let go of all sins we are holding onto. Thank you for cleansing us!  We love You, Lord. Amen

Psalm 112:1 Praise the Lord.  Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.

 

Today’s Readings Exodus 35-37, Psalm 96, Philippians 4

There are so many things that grab our attention daily.  The world has so many things that can make us discontent.  The newer version of a car, the newest style of clothes, a new job, an upgraded look to match the TV, new friends, a new car, or a different significant other.  Just about all we see daily can leave us in a discontented state. Discontent can take your joy and bring you anxiety, leading to fear.

It’s hard to find people who are content with where they are.  ( I know I suffer myself.)

Know that the human heart cannot be satisfied without God.

Philippians 4:1, “Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Paul is in jail, on death row…still, he is content.

In verse 11 Paul  is saying, “I’m satisfied, I have enough.” And saying you have enough is saying, “God, I am content with what You’re now doing in my life.” In other words, it’s really an act of worship to be content. You are bowing before the Lord and saying,

The familiar words of Psalm 23 begin this way: “The Lord,” or, “Yahweh is my shepherd, I shall not want.” A satisfied heart should be the experience of every believer because God promises to satisfy us with everything we need.

May we shine as lights by being content with God’s plan today and in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Today’s Reading: Exodus 4-6, Galatians 6

Why? I’ve asked this question often.  I’ve asked it of others, and I’ve asked it of God.  In recent struggles, I’ve asked it again and again. In today’s reading of Exodus, Moses struggled with various things.  I thought of insecurity as I read Exodus 4.  I could relate to times of inadequacy.  Moses had said, ”  “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” Of course, the Lord answered and told Moses ways to move forward.   Then, in Exodus 5, Moses felt like he and Aaron had struggled to get the message from the Lord across to Pharaoh.  Moses then asks the question in Exodus 5:22, “Why, Lord, did you bring trouble on these people?” 

Why? How many times have you asked Why?  As I mentioned earlier, I recently cried this word to God.

Moses prayed, “Why, Lord, have you brought trouble?” in Exodus 5:22

Joshua cried, “Why did you ever bring these people across the Jordan?” in Joshua 7:7

Gideon cried, “Why has all this happened to us?” in Judges 6:13

Nehemiah asked, “Why is the house of God neglected?” in Nehemiah 13:11

A Psalmist wrote, “Why, Lord, do you stand so far off?” in Psalm 10:1

David prayed, “Why are you so far from saving me?” in Psalm 22:1

Jesus cried out, “Why have you forsaken me?” in Matthew 27:46

I don’t understand. I pray for this trust daily.  Not a sparrow falls from the sky without Him seeing it. (Matthew 10:29) I have to remember and trust that there is no problem in my life that God does not know about. Even though I may not understand…I can trust that God is in control and will work all things out based on His desires, not mine.

Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. Ephesians 1:11

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

One of Billy Graham’s daughters, Anne Graham Lotz, wrote, “Life is about more than temporary safety, health, happiness, and prosperity. It’s about a relationship with Him that transcends those things. He never, ever has promised to protect us from suffering, pain, and death.  But He has promised to be with us and bring us through…when we place our faith in Him.”

So when you ask, Why – today…trust His love He has for you and the plan He has for you.

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^[e] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

The greatest commandment.  Let’s go! We got this right.  It seems pretty simple: Love God! How am I doing, though?  How are you? I love Him, but do I truly believe, think, act, trust, and follow?

Let’s break it down a little and chew on it.

Love = Love with all my heart.  I think of things I love.  My wife, kids, family. Those whom I felt I needed to lay my life on the line for.  Do anything for the person.  John 15:13 2 Thessalonians 3:5

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Soul = my consciousness, desires, and emotions.  Are my thoughts thinking about His promises? Do my desires of Him wake me up, keep me engaged, and allow me to lie down at night with a peace that only He can provide?  Psalm 62:1  Jeremiah 29:13

¹ Truly, my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Mind = Where do my brain and thoughts go throughout the day? How do I remain inspired as the world attempts to pull us in different directions?  Can I remain less distracted?

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23-24

Strength = Hah! What I have left, can I give it to Him? When the body wants to shut down or not get out of bed, can I keep myself going to praise Him another day?  Raise our arms as we praise, dropping to my knees as I pray.  With whatever we have, can we give it all for His glory?

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

The greatest commandment.  How can we all grow more obedient today? This year? Till He returns or He calls us home?

 

 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16

Yesterday, our house was up early, excited to see what was under the tree.  The joy of specific gifts made me smile as Mom and Dad sat back with their coffee in hand.

As we turn the page on a day we celebrate worldwide, I pray for us to find daily moments to remember His birth.  The birth of Jesus was not only about a baby being born in the manger but also a plan that God had the whole time for a savior to come to save us from the ways and life He knew we would live. In between the returns, vacations, and excitement of new gifts. His birth provided me a transformation from a life once lived to an eternal life we are promised.

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

Jesus was willing to do what God asked. He was willing to make the sacrifice.  Christmas is a great time to remember the birth and the sacrifice.  Jesus came to do everything necessary to guide, sustain, and protect us until eternity with Him is our final home.

Celebrate that today!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The job promotion we thought we should have received.  The argument that left you saying and doing things that you later regret. The loss of a loved one that came out of nowhere. The diagnosis of a medical condition that alters the life you were used to. The betrayal of a friend whom you had trusted. The expectations were set on a holiday season that didn’t go according to plan.

Job’s story helps us look and think about our human sufferings and how we can remain faithful in the midst of suffering.  Job was going through tremendous suffering. He had lost everything he thought was dear to his life. He didn’t know the answers to why he was suffering, and the advice shared by friends was a mixture of truth and error, providing no answers and intensifying his pain.

Job 17:15 where then is my hope— who can see any hope for me?

How about you? Any suffering? Are any questions not answered causing more physical or mental anguish? I can confess I have had and currently struggle and will probably run into something new tomorrow.

I know my suffering is not comparable right now to what Job endured. Yet even in these times of pain, frustration, and loss, Job never gave in.  After being encouraged to throw in the towel, he fought back.

I wrestled in HS and college.  Throughout those years, the tougher competition in practice and during a wrestling meet made me better.  The more challenging competition helped me to train harder, be more intentional in my preparation, and challenged me to have more grit. Job wrestled with God.  Jacob fought with an angel of the Lord all night. (Genesis 32:24-30) Peter argued with God. Acts 10:9-16) Job dug deep and asked hard questions, prayed with purpose, repented his sins, and never let the world talk him into giving up.  The world wants us to give up. God wants us to grow.  He gives us these moments of fear, pain, questioning, and doubt, not to give in but to wrestle.  To grow in our spiritual walk.  This wrestling can help me grow from a less mature understanding of God than before.

In the end, Job, even though he suffered much, trusted God to rescue him. Will I? Will you?

Job 19: 25-26  I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth.  26. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.

Today’s Reading: Job 15-17 & Revelation 14