Temptation

Today’s Reading: Matthew 6:13 and Psalm 76

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Matthew 6:13

 Good morning Monday readers. As the temps finally begin to rise and we are seeing God’s work in the blooming tulips we have the opportunity to dive deep into the next verse of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Today, we’re focusing on temptation. As soon as I hear that word, I start thinking about tasty chocolates and expensive purses! Our family is moving to a new home this week and I’ve been forced to face the reality of my sin when it comes to materialism. I’ve given away and yet it still seems as if we have so much. It’s taken so much discipline to avoid purchasing more things! How many of us are filled with wordly desire when we walk into the store? This may lead us to ask, why did God bring temptation to our lives? The Bible teaches that God doesn’t lead us to temptations but he does allow us to be tested by them. Of course, we’re not alone in it. All Christians struggle with temptation. The enemy often chooses to tempt us when we are vulnerable. When we are under physical or emotional stress he uses that opportunity to convince us that we can get reassurance and comfort from things other than God. When we are lonely, tired or faced with a difficult decision it can be easy to look to food, shopping, the computer or phone for comfort. As we meditate and pray on the role of temptation in our life, I invite you to spend some time writing and reflecting on the three areas in which the enemy tempts us:

  • Physical Needs and Desires
  • Possessions and Power
  • Pride

Take some time to write down the ways in which you are personally tempted in these three areas. Ask God to forgive you for the times you’ve given in to temptation. By making ourselves aware of how subtle temptations start us down the path of sin, we can begin to change.

Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them;
let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared, who cuts off the spirit of princes, who is to be feared by the kings of the earth. Psalm 76:11-12

 

From Forgiven to Forgiver

Mathew 6:12 and Psalm 75

I have LOVED the past week’s focus on prayer. Ever since BJ shared ‘for the next several days, we get to assess our theology and see how it is revealed through our prayers’, I can’t stop thinking about what my prayers say about my theology. It’s been equally humbling and challenging for me to ponder.

As we move through the Lord’s Prayer, verse 12 STOPPED ME IN MY TRACKS. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

This feels like one of those perfectly timed, witty, strategic responses that Jesus would use to turn hearts in an instant. You know… you who have no sin, throw the first stone. {insert emoji with big shocked eyes}

The first half of the verse – YES, PLEASE – we all want the perfect forgiveness that God promises.  The second half – YIKES – I do NOT want God to forgive me AS I forgive others.  Wait…does the “as” mean “like” or does the “as” mean “at the same time”? Either way, NOT IDEAL!!!  Jesus hits me right between the eyes with this one.

We have the first half of this where we need to verbally ask God for His forgiveness, and the second half calling us to forgive like He does. But how? How do we model His forgiveness? And how do we seek forgiveness from God (and others)? God doesn’t require perfection when we seek forgiveness from Him…yet we can struggle forgiving others when they don’t seek our forgiveness in a perfect way.

Forgiveness comes easier when the trespasser asks for it, shows true sorrow, and wants to change. Forgiveness flows more freely when they humbly come with an understanding of how their offense harmed you, and they seek restitution or some way to make things right.  There aren’t excuses, justifications, or accusations. Wow, if every sin against us could be committed by a perfect forgiveness seeker, this would all be so much easier!

At the same time, our own forgiveness-seeking conversations with God can be pretty pathetic, would you agree? I know mine are! And yet, He forgives us. Every time! Immediately! God forgives us amidst our imperfect forgiveness-seeking!  He blots out our sin (Acts 3:19) and removes it as far as the east is to the west (Psalm 103:12).

When we are on the other side of this, acting as a forgiver, it can be much harder when the trespasser doesn’t perfectly seek forgiveness, or even worse, they don’t acknowledge the trespass at all. And yet, we are still called to forgive.

Why? Why does God care if we forgive others? I believe it’s because He knows that an unforgiving heart harms us more than it ever will the person we aren’t forgiving. God calls us to forgive others, for our own benefit. You remember as a kid when your parents would give a consequence and say it’s because they love you? Yeah, this feels like one of those times. God calls us to forgive others, not just because He loves them and forgives them too, BUT BECAUSE HE LOVES US. He wants unity for us. He wants peace for us. It’s for our own good, even though in the moment it is HARD.

And How? How do we forgive people in our world?  The only way is with the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s not in our sinful nature to forgive, but by the grace of God, we can extend His forgiveness to others. We can’t go solo on this one… I know when I have tried it on my own, it is imperfect and short lived.  My version of forgiveness becomes a cheap imitation. It’s like lipstick on a pig – and the lipstick WILL COME OFF. And my unforgiving, vengeful, pig heart is what’s left. Do you know what I mean?

I don’t know where this scripture lands on you today. Maybe you’re in one of these places – or maybe all of these places (hello, self):

  • What sin do you need to confess to God today? Let’s die daily to sin, call it what it is and confess it.
  • Do you need to TRULY BELIEVE in His promise to forgive you? If you’re seeking forgiveness over and over for the same sin, TRUST HIM. He wants you to believe that He forgave you the moment you first repented and sought forgiveness.
  • Are you struggling to forgive someone today? We may choose and work toward forgiving someone (on the daily!), and the healing and reconciliation still take a lot of time and effort on this side of heaven.
  • Do you need to seek forgiveness from someone today? Romans 12:18 calls us to live peaceably with everyone as much as we are able, and to be reconciled to one another (Matt 5:23-24).

Thank you, God, for your forgiveness, even in the middle of my own imperfectly forgiving heart and imperfect forgiveness-seeking. Thank you for modeling forgiveness for us. God, I need YOUR POWER to truly forgive with my whole heart + mind. I confess to you that I imperfectly forgive and I need your help. Create in me a pure heart!  Move me from being Forgiven to also being a Forgiver! 

 

 

 

Bread, Daily

This web site has been delivering daily bread to our readers since 1/1/2016 (daily in 2016 & 2017, and six days per week in 2018). Today’s post is number 836 and so far there have been 49,279 page views (add one more for your viewing)! God is good!!!

The primary reason for creating this site was to facilitate Christian spiritual growth with the mindset that we grow through daily habits. We grow through prayer and allowing God’s word to penetrate our every thought, decision, and action.

Give us this day our daily bread, (Matthew 6:11)

Seven words, a request that sounds simple, yet it speaks volumes about who God is. He is our sustainer, the ultimate giver.

A few days ago I was feeling down and overwhelmed, then a friend spoke some unexpected words of encouragement to me. It wasn’t like “nice job on that project”. It was out of the blue, unrelated to existing topics which is why I so deeply appreciated it. This act of giving changed everything in a single moment. It lifted my spirits and corrected my attitude. Ultimately I saw this situation as sustainment, as the bread my heart and soul needed at the perfect timing.

Today I am thankful for Jesus showing us how to pray. For God being an interactive God, seeking relationship with us. He wants us to talk to him, to ask him to meet our needs. He wants to show us that we can trust him and lean on him for everything; for each breath, for each morsel of food, for salvation, for eternity with him.

Forgive me Lord for taking so much for granted. Thank you for sustaining us physically and spiritually. Thank you for friends and family who speak out of love and encouragement. Thank you for speaking to us and thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for our daily bread. Amen.

I’ll close with a few verses from Psalm 74 as it has a beautiful and poetic description of God as king, savior, creator, sustainer, and ruler…

12 Yet God my King is from of old,
    working salvation in the midst of the earth.
13 You divided the sea by your might;
    you broke the heads of the sea monsters[d] on the waters.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan;
    you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
15 You split open springs and brooks;
    you dried up ever-flowing streams.
16 Yours is the day, yours also the night;
    you have established the heavenly lights and the sun.
17 You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth;
    you have made summer and winter. (Psalm 74:12-17)

As You Wish

Today’s reading:  Matthew 6:10, Psalm 73

As you wish – a formal expression of agreement to something, especially with the connotation that one does not really agree (Wiktionary).

Do you remember the movie The Princess Bride (1987)?  If you do, I suspect you thought of it when you read the title of my post today.  This fairy tale adventure is about a beautiful young woman (Buttercup) and a farm boy (Westley).  Throughout the story, Westley responds to Buttercup’s every command with the words “as you wish”.  Over and over again, his completely submissive approach led him to endure many ridiculous challenges until he was finally able to save Buttercup, his one true love, from an evil kingdom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbX1U1tx9aw

This is really a pretty dumb movie, but I love it nonetheless.  (I know some of you do too!)  Does today’s passage in Matthew 6:10 feel a little bit like the phrase “as you wish”?  Like we are resigning ourselves to fate, or perhaps just formally agreeing to something that isn’t really what we want?  This couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

In this verse, Jesus suggested that we pray for God’s perfect purpose to be accomplished.  As our creator, God knows what is best for us and has a plan for our lives.  He designed everything to work together for good and to bring glory to him.  Is there ever a situation where you wouldn’t agree with that?  God’s plans do not promise happiness, but they do promise hope and purpose.  When left to my own devices, I could never come up with a plan that is better than the omniscient, perfect creator of the universe.  I pray his will be done.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Our Father

Today’s  reading is from Matthew 6:9 and Psalm 72

I remember saying the Lord’s prayer in church as a child. We stood in the big sanctuary with stained glass windows and recited the prayer together. Everyone joined in the low monotone mumbling of the verses as we became one voice. I memorized it at a young age from being in church and listening. It didn’t mean anything to me at the time. I was proud for knowing the words until I realized there were different versions with different words and then the confusion set in.  I was suddenly not able to join in the beautiful monotone for fear I might mess up the cadence with a 3 syllable word instead of a 2 syllable one. The opportunity to recite this prayer has been less often but when it does arise I try to assess the crowd for what version I should use. I’ll admit I’m never right and end up mumbling through most of it. I asked my 13 year old son if he knows the Lord’s Prayer and he admitted he couldn’t recite it but he knew it was when Jesus taught people how to pray. He probably has a better understanding then I did at his age as I was just memorizing words. These past few days I spent time with the first 9 words of this prayer. It’s just the introduction to the prayer but it sets the tone and prepares our hearts for time with God.

Our Father……..addressing to whom our prayer is directed. The word ” Father ” expresses an intimate relationship that is not reserved for holidays and Sunday’s. We are His children and He knows us and loves us as a Father does. He is ours and we are His.

In heaven…….. He is not of this world. His ways are not our ways. His plans are perfect. I am in awe of His position and that I am able to pray and be heard by the creator of the universe through Jesus Christ.

May your name be honored……He is worthy of honor and praise. In all that I do, say, and think. How am I honoring God today?

I’m convicted to be more thoughtful about WHO I’m praying to and to spend more time honoring His name. I often skip the reverence part and get right to the asking or complaining. In doing this I’m forgetting how big and awesome He is. I have found a peace when I sit in reverence of who God is and it changes my heart.  There is a time for asking but it comes after acknowledging Him as our Father in heaven.  As we spend the next few days going through the Lord’s Prayer, spend time with each phrase. He reveals Himself through His word when we listen. Go slow and let the words rest on your heart throughout the day.

 

 

Heartfelt or Hypocrite

I have a desk in our unfinished basement tucked away in the corner just out of the way of most flying balls or pucks. This is a usual spot for reflection and prayer. At my desk, dinner table, bed, car, school or church how are my prayers? In the longest recorded sermon given by Jesus, He describes the traits He was looking for His followers.  Jesus requires consistent heartfelt prayer.  He is not looking for a series of words but a true confession of the heart.  This confession can be anything, because He already knows.

Matthew 6:8 says, “Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”

As I reflect on my various daily prayers there are times when I read this verse I pause to think am I always honest and sincere? At times do I babble? Do I take for granite the fact that God is right there listening to every prayer.  Even the dinner prayers were I’m attempting to keep the boys from calling each other out for having their eyes open.   I believe as our relationship with God grows closer so does our prayer life .  We are reminded that our Father who is mentioned 17 times in the Sermon on the Mount knows what is truly on our hearts.  My flesh side of my self can be at times fearful, while at opposite times it can be full of pride.  This lacks the closeness and the honest heartfelt prayers our Father desires.

Pastor Mike Baker a couple weeks ago shared four prayer killers that can take away from a sincere closeness to my Heavenly Father.

  1. Not abiding in God or His word ( John 15:7 )
  2. Not asking ( James 4:2)
  3. Not believing what you’re asking for ( James 1:6 )
  4. Not asking with the right motives ( James 4:3)

Which one of these can get in my way of the genuine one on one intimacy God desires no matter my location or circumstance?

Today’s Reading Matthew 6:8, Psalm 71

Dear Father, You know our hearts, minds, and soul.  I ask that you help us to not let any of these prayer distractions get in the way of a closeness with you.  God we don’t deserve this amazing promise and grace but it’s not about us, its about you.  You hear all our prayers, you answer them all according to your perfect timing.  Thank you for your love that only our eternal Father can give.  I pray to always be open and honest with you admitting that I need you always.  Jesus, we come to you with our hearts wide open.  Help us to share the truth you already know, asking to come into our hearts and trust a promise you already gave us through your son Jesus.  We love you. Amen

Psalm 71:5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.

Psalm 71: 18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all that are to come.

No Words

Todays Reading: Matthew 6:7 ; Psalm 70  

Matthew 6: 7

 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

How many words are enough? How loud or soft, should I pray? Will He hear me?  God has not heard me, should I pray more or increase in my frequency or intensity?   I have struggled with and grown in my prayer life over these last 36 years.  I still find myself wrestling with these thoughts and others as I pray.  Through this journey, I have learned  it is not about the perfect words or phrases, but it is about the relationship.

 

Prayer can be broken down into three areas: presence, relationship, and alignment.  Over the years, I have prayed to have a better relationship and prayer life and these are the areas that have helped me to grow.

 

Presence.  We have to allow our mind, body, and spirit to become reserved and in reverence of the awesomeness of God.  We have to place ourselves actually in the presence of God.  We have to literally see Him for all that He is.  In Revelation, John states that when he saw Christ, he fell down and worshipped.

 

Revelation 1: 17-18

“17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

 

May we fall down and humble ourselves each time we make a petition to God.  I don’t literally fall completely down in the streets every time I pray, but I submit my heart and soul to Him.

 

Relationship.  The relationship that we have with God is our own personal connection with him.  I have heard many pastors and clergy speak about the relationship with God should be “this” or “that”, but the relationship is up to the individual and is always a working progress.  The relationship dictates the interaction that you have with God. I have many relationships with friends and family and there are times that you can talk for hours and other times you can be silent for long periods of time.  The relationship with God can be similar, there can be times that you are in awe of all that He has given you and cannot stop thanking him with your words.  In other times, there can be times where you are so overwhelmed by His presence that you are at a lost for words.  The great thing about God is He loves the time you.  No matter if you have many words or no words.

 

Alignment.  The proper placement of our lives, attitudes, and emotions allows us to hear and interact with God better.  For example, I have a wonderful seven-year-old on who is always running around and finding things to make, play or do.  If I am inside the house and he is outside the house, when I call him, he might be able to respond. But if I am in the same area, either the house or outside and I call him, he will respond quickly.  This is the same with our Heavenly Father, if we are in the same mindset or atmosphere; we are better aligned to respond to His calling and His voice.  If we are not aligned then the slight whispers of protection and prosperity might be obscured, but He is a loving Father and will continually pursue us.

 

While being in the presence of God, and creating a relationship with God, and aligning ourselves with God we will be able to connect with him throughout the day and in the midst of daily living.  As Matthew states, we do not have give many words to God as prayers, but be earnest and sincere and connect with the Father and He already knows your desires and petitions of your heart.

 

Dear God,

Allow us to speak and hear your will. Amen

Where do we pray?

Matthew 6:5-6 highlights the importance of where we pray and why. The purpose of prayer is to communicate with God. Our concern should be what God thinks of us and not what others may think. Jesus tells us in verse 6 to pray in secret so that there would be no temptation to impress other people and so that we can receive the Father’s full reward.

Jesus gives us these directions because he saw people praying for the wrong reasons. The hypocritical Jewish leaders pretended to be something they were not. That is what a hypocrite is – someone who acts out a part that is not true in reality. They gave the appearance that they were close to God, but in reality they did not really care what God thought of them. What was important to them was what the people thought. The Scribes and Pharisees wanted the people to think they were pious and close to God, so they made it their practice to pray in such a way as to be seen by men. They made a show out of their prayers. Their prayers did not reach God because they were not meant for God.

Matthew 6:6 says, “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father who knows all secrets, will reward you.”
Do you have secret place that you can go to be alone with God? Mine is not too secret. It is just the corner of my couch with my Bible, my journal, and usually a cup of coffee. Secret prayer is actually not about the place where we pray. It is about praying, no matter where we are. Look at Jesus’ life of ministry. He did not have a home that he retreated to every night so that He could wake up every morning and have His prayer time on His couch. Matthew 14:23 shows us that Jesus would often withdraw from the crowds and his disciples and pray by himself; “After Jesus said goodbye to the people, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. It was late, and he was there alone”. He was always traveling and finding His secret place of prayer, up on the mountainside (as this Sermon on the Mount began), the Garden of Gethsemane, the wilderness, or a deserted place. It seems the Bible points out that Jesus had most of His alone time with God outside!!! When we are outside, we leave behind many distractions (family members, internet, phones, food, the massive list of to-dos) and we are surrounded by God’s glorious creation. Especially now that the snow is gone and the birds are singing! Jesus lived the habit of secret prayer outside.

When we withdraw from the public to our private place of prayer we can be sure that God is there with us. He comes near to us when we come near to Him (James 4:8). There are benefits to be had for coming to the private place and communing with God. Hebrews 11:6 says that God “rewards those who sincerely try to find him.” When we turn to God instead of turning to anything or anyone else, He is pleased with us and rewards us.

What a blessing to set aside a time of prayer in a secluded place. A place where you can pray without being interrupted. A place where you can pour out even the secret things of your heart. Do you have a place designated that you regularly visit to pray?

We are all SO ready for spring and warm weather. Get outside this weekend and have some secret prayer in God’s creation. Go for a walk, notice the beauty around you and listen to how God speaks to you through His creation.

Psalm 69:16
“Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Turn and take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful.”

The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15, Psalm 68

Why do you pray?  If you paused long enough to answer that question, take a close look.  Think about the last prayer your offered up.  What was it about?  Commonly, we pray from the worry and anxiety that fills our day.  Often, we pray because of the scarcity that shows up in our lives.  I think that it is time to consider what our prayers really say about us.  More so, what do our prayers reveal about our beliefs in God?

In his book about the Lords prayer, Dr. Albert Mohler, Jr. suggests that everything we believe about God is revealed in our prayers.  He says, “When we pray, we convey our entire theological system. Our theology is never so clearly displayed before our own eyes and before the world as in our prayers. Praying forces us to articulate our doctrines, convictions, and theological assumptions. These aspects of our Christian life come to a unique focus in prayer because when we speak to God we are explicitly revealing who we believe he is, who we believe we are, what his disposition toward us is, and why he has that disposition.”  Mohler’s comment is worth considering as we begin a deeper study of the Lord’s prayer. 

For the next several days, we get to assess our theology and see how it is revealed through our prayers.  Jesus tells us how.  As we listen, I pray, dear Holy Spirit, reveal your Truth to us.  Provide us with the courage to take an honest assessment of ourselves and equip us with a true understanding of who you are that we may exult and glorify you, as you deserve.

Mohler, Jr., R. Albert. The Prayer That Turns the World Upside Down: The Lord’s Prayer as a Manifesto for Revolution (p. 10). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

To Him Be The Glory

Today’s reading is Matthew 6:1-4 and Psalm 67.

The title of these verses in Matthew is “Giving to the Needy” in my Bible. The Bible tells us in many occasions we are called to help those in need.

“Give justice to the week and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the week and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”  

Psalm 82:3-4

“if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday soon.”

Isaiah 58:10

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

Matthew 25:40

However, I feel like the title should really read, “Whose Glory Are You Really Seeking?” Pastor J.K. Jones always says something to the effect that, “There is a God shaped hole in all of hearts.” When God fills that hole and we develop a relationship with Jesus, our hardened heart softens, and we become more like Him. Why did Jesus do what He did during His life on Earth and ultimately suffer the ultimate pain and affliction of the cross when He didn’t have to? He did it to show the love our Father in Heaven has for us..to be the reflection of His light in the world and to glorify Him. These verses in Mathew 6:1-4 clearly tell us to do the same. Every single one of us was put on this Earth to glorify Him. Many of us have read The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman which are touch, service, gifts, quality time, and words of affirmation. I believe words of affirmation are near the top for most of us. Who doesn’t like it when someone tells them “good job?” In fact, much research has shown many men in prison will admit they still yearn today to hear words they unfortunately never heard their dad say, “I love you , and I’m proud of you.” I’ll be transparent in that I like it when someone says to me “Good post today..” when writing for Bible Journal. This is my human, self-serving, and sin filled natural emotional reaction.  I then stop, think, and respond by borrowing the words of I heard author Jon Gordon say at the Christian Fellowship Breakfast for Northwestern Mutual a few years back, “God is the author. I just hold the pen.” This puts me in check, and reminds me I’m striving to live a life where truly everything I do is for His Glory..to be the reflection of the Father’s light like Jesus.

When we fully comprehend the love Jesus showed on the cross and the love the Father showed by sending Him to do so when He didn’t have to, and we develop a relationship with Him…our hearts will soften and we will give to the needy and do everything in our life for His glory rather than ours. This will in turn, draw others to Him through seeing His love in us. The God shaped hole in their heart will be filled, and they will in turn, do the same for others who will see the same. Then, we will be living out The Great Commission Jesus gave us in his last words in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

To Him be the Glory…