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Today’s Readings: Genesis 43; Mark 13; Job 9; Romans 13 

I’ve been knocked down more times than Glass Joe in the boxing game Mike Tyson Punch Out. Every time God would get me back to my feet before that final bell rung.  He provided me with support and love that I needed.  Unfortunately, I would go right back in the ring with my guard down trying to do things my own way again.

About 4 years ago I was delivered a hard blow that made me realize doing it on my own wasn’t working anymore and I’m losing the people closest to me in my corner. I cried out to God and he picked me up one more time and placed me in a church, small group, and in a relationship with Him that I gratefully accepted and really didn’t deserve.

Today’s reading in Mark & Romans reminds me of the listening we must do when in a relationship with God.  One thing I have grown to truly enjoy is being in the Word daily.  Everyday when I get to dig into the scripture I pick up something new that I hadn’t thought of before. Reading these journal entries has been inspiring and another daily reflection on His Word I love waking up to. If your not in the Word daily following along with these daily readings is a great way to start.

So what does the Word and Boxing have in common?  In Mark 13 we are told to “Be on your guard” 6 times in 36 versus.  In myself I find that without being in the Word its like walking into the ring with your arms behind your back.  The dance can only last so long.  God’s truth through the Word provides our way to “be on guard” while living in your present life.  Nobody would go into a title fight without training. Months of preparation is put into training and getting ready. Do we put the same preparation into the return of Jesus? Here are the 6 versus that are reminding us to “stay awake”.

Mark 13:9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness for them.  – Our mission to be a dangerous witness for God. This can put you in hard situations. We are here to share the Word with others. Mark 16:15 “And he said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Matthew 10:17-20 talks about this statement and to not be anxious about how you are to speak or what to say, because the Spirit of your Father will speak through you.

v. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. – The Bible has all the resources to live your life for Him. God has sent a perfect example for us in Jesus.

v. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. – We don’t know when it he will return.  Are you prepared? Romans 13:11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than we first believed.

v. 35 Therefore stay awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, – Follow God’s instructions, this preparation is for eternity.  1 Thessalonians 4:2 For you know what instructions we give you through the Lord Jesus.

v. 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. –  Also in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

v. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake – This is for all, we need to be confident in sharing the Word with others.Being on guard is for the present. Jesus foretells how we will be led astray.  Ephesians 6:11 Therefore put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the devils’s schemes. Through His Word we are provided a plan of how we should live. 

Romans 13 also reinforces the message to stay awake by reminding us to walk properly. Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Dear God, Thank you for picking me back up when I needed you most. Lord, I need you, every hour I need you.  When I am weak you are strong.  I surrender it all to you and understand my protection comes from you. I pray you tug on our hearts when we are falling asleep and to always keep our guard so someday we will spend eternity with you.  Amen

Today’s reading link: Genesis 40; Mark 10; Job 6; Romans 10

How should we receive the kingdom of God? Like a child.

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” – Mark 10:15

This verse actually scared me because it was very specific saying that if we don’t receive the kingdom like a child we shall not enter it. Hopefully you’re with me and are planning on entering it, so I thought it worthwhile to spend some time considering what it means to receive the kingdom of God like a child.

The word receive is a verb so this provides reasoning that receiving the kingdom requires active participation. God is always near us and is seeking a relationship with us, but we need to receive him, we need to let him in. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

These thoughts come to mind when I think about the minds and actions of children and some correlating verses that speak to these attributes:

1. Receive fearlessly; if you give them something, they just take it without hesitation. We too should be fearless. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
2. Children seem to always be hungry and thirsty. Like a child hungering and thirsting for food, we should hunger and thirst for righteousness. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6) 
3. Receive joyfully. Luke 19:1-10 tells the story of Zacchaeus, the cheating tax collector who turned to follow Jesus. Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully; like us, he had much to be thankful for when he recognized salvation in repentance and trust in Jesus.
4. Children are meek. Merriam-Webster defines meek as “having or showing a quiet or gentle nature” (keyword here is “nature”… it is fully understood that children can be extremely loud, but their nature is generally quiet and gentle). “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
5. A synonym for meek is the word humble and we need to humble ourselves like children. Matthew’s account of Jesus teaching about receiving like children includes the verb “humbles”. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3-4)
6. Children do not have the weight of the world on their shoulders. They don’t have worries piled up. They’re not worrying about their future (marriage, retirement, their own children) or their past (mistakes, sins, or when they were harmed by others). They’re focused on “right now”. Jesus has it covered and said, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)
7. Children fully depend on their caregivers for sustenance. Jesus reminds us of our value to God and is telling us to trust God for sustenance as he said “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26)
8. Children want to be taught and led. While children may often resist teaching and leadership, I believe humans have an “inner program” designed by our creator where we crave learning and we long for someone to lead us. How wonderful it would be to have leaders of nations who are solely for us. “This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.” (Isaiah 48:17)
9. Children want a father. While we all have differing experiences and relationships with our earthly fathers, we have one consistent, loving, Heavenly Father who made us, shaped us, and will never leave us. “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)
10. Children want to be loved, held, and given attention. What greater proof that we are loved than the fact that our creator, God in Heaven, sent his own son to die for us? “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8)

These desirable childlike attributes remind me that I’m often quite the opposite, I’m like a problem child, but in my repentance through Jesus Christ I am forgiven.

“But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. (Nehemiah 9:16-17)

Heavenly Father, I’m stubborn and I often disobey your commandments. I often selfishly choose to forget what you’ve done for me, even though you remind me every day how you rescued me and how you love me. Thank you for dealing with me with grace and mercy. Thank you for being slow to anger even though I am not. Thank you for loving me even when I don’t show love. Thank you for not forsaking me even when I have forsaken you. Amen.

Today’s reading: Genesis 38; Mark 8; Job 4; Romans 8

February 5th, 2016

In the past when I have gone through, what some may refer to as difficult times, I do my best to listen to the Spirit and seek out what God is trying to teach me. Wednesday night was one of these times. A time when a situation, so gripping on the soul, that a moment’s loosening can create so much hope that it will end. During one of these flash of relief I found myself, in prayer, begging God that the relief would continue through the night. When the relief ceased, I began to beg its return. But, by the grace of God, being of sound mind, the Spirit returned my thoughts to the question at hand; “what are You trying to teach me LORD?”

An answer came, “Perseverance”. Whenever answers come clear, I can not help but be overwhelmed with thankfulness that God would consider a wretch like me. I praised God from my heart for keeping His loving eye on me and it was at that moment I believe my lesson in perseverance began. Thankfulness, contagious as it is, spilled over and took hold the situation.

Instead of begging God that relief would return I began to praise Him for the relief that had come. Thanking Him for the sweetness of it. Then realizing His goodness, I began thanking Him for the next wave of relief that I knew would come. I was at this moment I felt a strong sense of the difference between hope and faith. Praying for something in hope being different than certainty of receipt thereof and thanks therein. He is good! I began to understand how trusting in God’s goodness breeds the faith in deliverance and how perseverance is rooted deep in a holding fast on certain goodness to come. Knowing that relief was coming made turned the moments grip on my soul from bearable to gone. It was already gone. I was already in the future where it was gone. Faith had mounted me up on wings like eagles; my strength had been renewed.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry miracles are preceded by faith. From today’s reading following Jesus feeding 4,000 we have the Pharisees demanding a sign. Jesus’ response:

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. – Mark 8:12

This word generation γενεά means: same generation; people of the same kind; descendants; age. I do not believe that generation here used means what we commonly use the term for now; baby boomers, millennials, etc. Particularly so because a miracle had just been performed, which, in my estimation, could easily have been taken as a sign from heaven. But rather meaning more: people of the same kind.

God may we be a people whose trust in You gives us faith like a child. May this faith unlock the miracles You give to Your generation. May You be glorified and may we witness to all the earth the Good News the miracle of saving grace. Amen.

Today’s Readings:  Genesis 37; Mark 7; Job 3; Romans 7

There are many times when I catch myself saying something not Christ-like. I can act in a way that I know I shouldn’t, or have a thought that makes me wonder. Why God? I then reflect and proceed to pray and ask for forgiveness and wisdom to not repeat my shortcoming.  There has been many times where I make a bad decision and would point the blame somewhere else.  I now understand my insecurity a little more and try to just own it.  In today’s readings I’m reminded about my poor actions and thoughts.  I’m so grateful for our God who gives us Grace we don’t deserve. My desires to do right are always there, my mind and “flesh” have different plans sometimes.

Romans 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

I now try to pray throughout my day knowing any moment I could be led astray. I also try to pray in the moments before, during, and after my “flesh” is only thinking about myself and not around God.  Unfortunately, sometimes  my response is – “I’m sorry God, I failed again”. My wife Jennifer and I were baptized at Eastview in the last few years. It has dramatically changed our lives. Being born again through faith happens in seconds, becoming like Christ is a lifelong process.  I tell kids all the time, one of the hardest things we do in life is admit when we do something wrong.  We always want to be right and please yourself or others.  The truth is our actions and thoughts need to be more focused around God. The more we focus on Him, the less likely we will revert to our own ways.  He has given us a story that provides numerous examples of the way we should love others. We must depend on Christ to guide, support, and direct us in ours.

Romans 7:25 I serve the law with God in mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. In our weak earthly moments turn to God and give thanks to God for who He is.

In Mark 7:15 it reads There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. 

This verse reminds me of the my choices I have in allowing what goes into my heart, mind, and body. But, it also reminds me what comes out is also from me. I pray in my responses and actions in our earthly life I act in a manner that was set by our greatest example Jesus.  It’s easy to say and can be encouraged when you start your day with the Word.  But our flesh doesn’t always allow this to happen.  The more you are reading and living in Christ your works will mirror your faith. Philippians 4:8 tells us whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything  worthy of praise, think about these things. Practice these things.

In Genesis 37 Joseph’s brothers sell him because of their “flesh” responses to his dreams. In Job 3, Job’s “flesh” response from the attack by Satan has Job question his own birth. In the unbelievable story of Job, he later goes on to confess and repent for his thoughts and actions.  We to need to do the same.

Job 42:2 I know you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.  

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 

Dear God, I am humbled, grateful, and broken.  You restore, comfort, and love us us like children.  Help us to be centered around you and not our own desires. Thank you for being the Father who picks us up when we are crying out. Thank you for being such a grace-filled  Father.  Amen

Today’s reading: Genesis 35–36; Mark 6; Job 2; Romans 6

The paradox of freedom, is the power to choose that to which we subordinate our lives.

I didn’t consider the “important” things in my life to be distractions until I found my true purpose.  My hobbies, pursuits and passions seemed so worthwhile, even noble at times, but they were the very things that held me captive.  Vigorously I pursued work, family relationships, fitness and causes; but mostly just work.  My obsession with work often left me physically and mentally depleted and I struggled to find balance.  As it turned out, even balance was just another thing to distract me from the truth.  Then one day, while reading from the book of Ecclesiastes, a light went on — everything was vanity.  Everything that is, except the pursuit of God.  If I wasn’t pursuing God first and foremost, following his law, learning his ways, then I was missing the big point of life.

It wasn’t that my pursuits were bad, though some certainly were; but anything that I preferenced above God was idolatry.  I foolishly put my trust and hope in things that were inferior.  Everything that wasn’t fully subordinated to God’s will was a problem.  Trusting anything more than God was potentially idol worship.  Idolatry.

We can choose to devote ourselves to idols: self, money, sex, power, causes, enterprise, even religion.  We can construct our awesome theories about how the universe works, perhaps even striving to yield our lives in brilliant transcendence to some impersonal force or power that seems to be behind everything.  Then we might even say we have found God and we are spiritual, and perhaps we have and we are.  Alternatively if we intentionally pursue the knowedge of God we can experience real power, and true hope, in a relationship with the personal, living, eternal God who is the creator of everything.  This is the same God whose truth and wisdom is written on our hearts and revealed through our prayers; and in the understanding of God’s Word, which is also found in the Bible, He is revealed!

We will always choose something to worship — we were made to worship.  When we choose to put God first, all other things in our lives find their rightful place.  Some are purged while all others find their order in the prioritities of God’s will.  For most of us this can only happen when we ask, seek and knock.  Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened… (Mathew &:7-8)

As I began to trust God, placing Him instead of me on the throne of my life, everything else started to work out.  Not all at once, and not always how I expected — but always perfect.  Looking back, this became easier to see and understand.  I had found real freedom from trusting God, from yielding my ego and intentionally following Jesus Christ.  He is, and was, and is forever the messiah, offering everyone freedom in the deliverance from the fear of loss, death, abandonment, humiliation and scarcity.  I learned that the Lord gives and takes away with purpose and love.  And the more I prayed, and read God’s word, the more I learned about God. The more I learned about God the more I changed.

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).

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1John 4:18).

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the spirit of sonship. And by him we cry Abba Father. (Romans 8:15).

I was no longer bent on constructing my own imperfect reality.  No longer trying to become the master of my kingdom built upon the sin of self worship.  I was no longer seeking out personal glories and pleasures which had become the broken records of my disappointment.

As I read and prayed and listened, I found ears to hear, and the futility of “doing it my way” (no disrespect to Frank Sinatra but…) was revealed, and in its place I discovered the truth of the freedom of righteousness.  I had been a prisoner to sin.  Now I would become a slave to righteousness, and in that glorious bondage I finally found real freedom.

God I pray that I would never be a slave to sin again, and that I would continue to discover the depths and abundant blessings you have bestowed upon me in the incredible freedom offered through your amazing grace and by the power of your Holy Spirit.  Amen.