Backed into a Corner

9-29-08

SCRIPTURE
"Then he answered and said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts." (Zech. 4:6)

OBSERVATION
The rebuilding of the temple had been temporarily interrupted by opposition. Protesters appeared on the scene to harass and discourage Zerubbabel and the returning exiles from continuing their work. They had every intention to fulfill the Lord's mandate to rebuild His house, but they were tired and weak from the journey, and now discouraged.

When we're backed into a corner, isn't it a natural tendency of ours to resort to our own strength? Our survivorship instinct kicks in and they call upon our inner being to fight toughness with toughness, to respond harsh word for harsh word, to stand toe-to-toe against any threats to our self-worth. But, the Lord's reminder to Zerubbabel is one we must take to heart.

The Lord's work can never be fulfilled, unless it's by His Spirit. It's only by His Spirit that anything of lasting value be accomplished. Whether it's building a lasting relationship in a marriage, or rebuilding a family, we will fail if it's by our might, or by our own strength. Whether it's rebuilding a life that has been torn apart by addiction, uncontrolled anger, or by broken dreams and regrets, it will only be by His Spirit that we can reconstruct our lives.

APPLICATION
Much of our frustration in life lies in unmet expectations, especially when we've tried our hardest to do what we believe God has asked of us. We've tried to keep our marriage from falling apart, we've tried to keep our children on the right path, we've tried to keep ourselves walking on "the straight and narrow path of life," but our energy has been sucked dry from discouragement and opposition that has met us along the way.

But, many times discouragement and opposition are found in no one other than ourselves. We've set our own goals. We've developed our own agendas. We've established our own expectations all to occur in our own timing. And when they fail, we fall discouraged and defeated.

But, God once again reminds us, it's not by our might, or by power, but it must be by His Spirit that we will be able to rebuild our lives. It's not just in believing He is Lord, but trusting that He is indeed Lord – Lord over my every part of my life: my marriage, over my children, over my finances, over my plans and desires.

PRAYER
Father, in all that I must accomplish today, may You be Lord over my life. I will trust You with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways I will acknowledge You that You may set the paths straight before me. I love you.

My Eyes

9-28-08

SCRIPTURE

"Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness." (Luke 11:34)

OBSERVATION

Jesus didn't pull any punches when He communicated the dangers in life and the way to live life. That’s because Jesus came to give us LIFE abundantly. Our eyes, He says, are the lamp to our souls--to our inner life. Through my eyes, I can allow distrust, pride, judgment, cynicism, anger, love, peace and patience...to enter my heart. What I 'see' affects my thought life, attitudes, perceptions of people and situations - my eyes can light up my heart…and it certainly can darken it.

APPLICATION

This morning I woke up with a bad attitude. I was upset with our kids for leaving a trail of a mess wherever they went. I was frustrated that I had to spend more and more of my time just putting stuff back in its place. I was acting like an 'army of one' and I wanted my whole family to know I was upset. I’m not sure what triggered it. I was tired and my filter was weak, I guess. I had allowed my eyes to go bad for a moment. My eyes were deceiving me into believing that I had the right to carry around this bad attitude. Certainly 'seeing' can be life giving. Seeing (if left unchecked) can also bring death. This "seeing" isn't referring to just ‘what’ I see but ‘how’ I see. Honestly, all I was seeing, this morning was me. It was all about me. I couldn’t see it at the time, though. I felt justified.

I need to be very cautious, watchful, and intent on "How I Process What I see." When I see myself getting a bad attitude, I need to have my eyes rechecked to see what’s at the root of my attitude. Without God’s Life in me, my sight is not real good. My actions may be to quickly judge, be angry or take offense and sides. My response should be - take a step back and process through God's heart and eyes, asking Him, "What do you see Lord?"

After I got a nap our family was around the dinner table and I made sure they knew I was sorry for my bad attitude this morning. I asked them to forgive me. I asked God to give me His eyes for today and tomorrow.

PRAYER

Lord - I want to be different by asking You more often, what You see. Forgive me for responding to quickly with impure thoughts and bad attitudes in my challenges. What do You see in me Lord? May You see a lit up heart, fully devoted to You! May You see a Dad that’s full of patience, joy, gentleness, self-control and love. May You see a Husband that’s full of grace, patience, joy, peace and love.

Who's Building & Watching

9-26-08

SCRIPTURE

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127:1)

OBSERVATION

I don’t like laboring in vein. I don’t like standing guard in vein. Yet, I probably do it a lot. This Scripture reminds us that unless the Lord works through us in what we do, and prompts and leads us in what we think and say, all is in vain. Yes, accomplishments can still take place, however, the essence of God in relationships and in our heart can suffer. LIFE suffers. If I’m submitting to the Lord’s “building” my heart and “Watching” over the city of people that are in my sphere…then my life will be filled with LIFE and LOVE.

APPLICATION

We often see in the world where people can hate each other but still work to accomplish an assignment, job or project. In the world, people don't always have to care about one another or even relate to one another in order to "do their job." It’s just a job. They can put on their best facade, only to have a sewer behind the façade.

As we faithfully follow God’s leadership at Radiant Life Fellowship, if we are not growing in character, walking with a Godly attitude and establishing healthy loving relationships, then we are just a “show” and not the ministry God calls us to be. It's easy to put on a “show”, yet tougher to be a person God is shaping. We all have to be consistently sitting at the feet of our Savior, reading His word and walking in His ways. It really is only when we grow in character, attitude and relationships that we are a witness to God "building the house" and "watching over the city."

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for the talents and gifts you give us at our birth. I want to steward them well. Thank you for the reminder that it is actually You who are doing the Building and the Watching. Forgive me. Sometimes I selfishly act like I’m the one who’s doing the Building and Watching. I am your servant. Use me wherever, whenever, however you see fit.

Cool Lyrics about a Double Wedding

9-24-08

SCRIPTURE
"Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other." (Psalm 85:10)

OBSERVATION
I was thinking of telling Jacob that this would make for great song lyrics. In the context it seems like these are words the people as a result of their deliverance and restoration. The people of God live with the marriage of love and faithfulness. Actually it's a double wedding because God desires righteousness and peace to flow out of my life as well. I’m wondering if the people who know me would use these lyrics to describe me???
APPLICATION
This morning I yearn to live a life of love and faithfulness. I don't want discord to live in me. There’re always people who will test my love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace. It's in these situations, though, that God wants to fulfill my yearning. I realize how impatient I am - how conditional my love is - how unrighteous my thoughts can be and how disturbed my heart can get, lacking peace.

This morning I want to covenant with these characteristics - for love and faithfulness to meet and dwell in my heart - for righteousness and peace to intimately make its home in the darkest parts of my heart. So today and this week, I plan to live with an eye on my heart evaluating my righteousness, peace, faithfulness and love quotient.

PRAYER
Dear Father-
Again, today, I choose to yield to You. I need You leading and shaping me in order that I can actually live LIKE You. Thank You for the trials of serving and shepherding people. I want to be a blessing to You - thanks for being faithful loving to me - for being my righteous and peace. Thank you mostly for loving me.

Proportionate love

9-23-08

SCRIPTURE

"…Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:37-38)

OBSERVATION

Whenever I read this verse, in context, it makes me want to grow in character - to love like Jesus and treat everyone with grace. I want to forgive and I want to give generously. Of course the context instructs me how to treat my enemies: those who are mean, those who dislike me, those who talk bad about me and don’t even know me. This verse explains to me that the amount of love and forgiveness I show (in my life) will be proportionately returned back to me from others. Love always wins.

APPLICATION

The Lord is saying to me to show and offer grace and mercy to people. Especially with people who tick me off or disappoint me. I don't know that I have many enemies, but I KNOW that I disappoint people. I also KNOW that I let people down because I haven't met their expectations. I'm not being treated nearly as bad as the people that are written about in the context of Luke 6 - but I still need to learn to Give and Forgive.

To Forgive and Give Big.

To use grace and love with great with great measurement.

To freely (generously) spill out grace, love, mercy, forgiveness and kindness to everyone.

I need to start with my own family.

PRAYER

Lord - You have poured out so much grace and kindness on my heart and life. I am so blessed. Thank you for forgiving me for my mess. Thank you for offering me Your grace and multiple new beginnings. Help me to be a leader (husband, dad, friend, neighbor, pastor) full of kindness, grace, forgiveness and mercy. How I long to never lose my first love for you and my family. Help me to always remember the ways in which you continue to bless me.

"But because You say so"

9-22-08

SCRIPTURE
"And Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break." (Luke 5:5-6)

OBSERVATION
They weren't just casual fishermen; Simon (Peter) and his fishing partners fished for a living. They were professionals. And there is one thing about men who take their fishing seriously – they know their stuff. They weren't hesitant to invest in the right equipment. They studied the tides, the currents and the pattern of fish movements. They know the right bait for the right fish for the right conditions. Their livelihood depended on it.

They were also men who persevered and patiently waited for the right time and place to cast their lines or lay their nets in order to maximize their efforts. But here they were, washing their nets on shore after a hard night of fishing, returning to the docks empty-handed.

It's in this scenario that Jesus shows up and told them to set out once again. And it didn't take much to convince Simon Peter to do so. Notice he offered no complaints or excuses such as:
"we're too tired to try once more; can't you see we've been there,
“done that and failed;”
“we've been doing this all our life,”
“we know what we're doing, so why are you telling us what to do;”
“what you're asking is impossible;”
“we'll just come back tomorrow and try again later."
He simply obeyed the Lord's Word, and the results were phenomenal, exceeding their wildest imagination. Their obedience (despite the circumstances) brought blessings.

APPLICATION
Sometimes I wonder just how much of God's blessings we forfeit (miss out on) when we fail to simply obey God at His Word. We look around at our circumstances and assume we know more than God. We'll analyze God's instructions.
Are you really asking me to submit to her in our marriage?
You mean I should start doing daily devotions?
I’m not too sure how to lead our family spiritually.
Are you sure you want me to serve in the church in that area?
Start a Life Group for my neighbors? Are you kidding?
You mean we’ve got to get our finances in order so that we can give more away?
We analyze God’s instructions and assume we know more and eventually after all our efforts we've ended up empty handed and frustrated. We trust more in our past experience and our own accumulated knowledge. Then, if we can't see the results, we return to shore and miss the blessing God has waiting for us.

God's blessings are often hidden in treasure chests which can only be unlocked by faith; a faith where we willingly step forward at His Word, without regards to results, without regards to our past, without regards to whether it makes sense. It's a "But, because you say so" type of faith. And that’s the type of faith that I want.

PRAYER
Father, forgive me for being too analytical in my faith. That has kept me on the shore, rather than being willing to follow Your Word to step out into the unknown. Forgive me for finding safety in my own ways, rather than being willing to trust in Your Word. In whatever area of my life and ministry You are asking me to step out into the deep, may my answer always be, "Lord...because you say so." Help me to develop the “but, because you say so” type of faith in You. Then help me as I model it for my family, church and neighbors.

Where the River Flows

9-19-08

SCRIPTURE

"And it will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there, and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes... But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt." (Ezekiel 47:9-11)

OBSERVATION

The Bible uses rich metaphors to describe (in ways we understand) what God is like. This metaphor is no different. It compares our God with a river. We all know that without fresh water flowing through various pockets of land, life would eventually cease to exist.

In a similar way, Ezekiel paints the picture of a river with every living creature swarming in every place the river goes, contrasted against the swamps and marshes which stagnate and are left to dry into beds of salt.
Where the river flows, therein lies life to the fullest. Without its flowing waters, therein lies death. The river is the very breath and life of God where…“everything will live where the river goes.”

APPLICATION

The same must be said about our hearts. Going with the same metaphor…where the "River of Life" (the Holy Spirit) flows in our hearts, life is experienced to the fullest. However, where dams and dikes stand against the free flowing River of Life, our hearts begin to stagnate, providing a playground for the enemy to live in the stale tide pools. We set up barriers that channels the River away from our hearts in many ways:
Barriers might include:
Unresolved sins;
Unforgiveness;
Undesirable and immoral thoughts and feelings;
Undisciplined lifestyle habits;

Greed;

Lack of compassion;

Worry;
All of these barriers bring death where there once was life.

Jesus said in John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." Our lives weren't designed to live in stagnant pools, swamps and marshes. But we will only experience life to its abundance if we allow the River to flow in and through our hearts.

PRAYER

Jesus, let your River of Life flow through my heart today. And as You flow through my heart, cleanse it and wash it from anything that may stand in the way of Life that you have reserved for me. Flow River Flow. Bring life into me so that …“everything will live where the river goes.”

Consider the Source

9-18-08

SCRIPTURE
"And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time." (Luke 1:20)

"For nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37)
OBSERVATION
In these days of "Final Countdown to November", you can't avoid all of the political commentary and speculation as to who will be the next leader marching to a processional of "Hail To the Chief." It can be overwhelming to keep up with all of it.

All of the words used to cast visions of promises for change, a new direction for our country, a better healthcare plan, amongst so many others, are thrown out liberally leaving the media, and the rest of us to decide for ourselves who is speaking truth.

Can you really believe everything you hear... of course not. So then the question becomes, who can you believe?

When Gabriel explained to Mary the details of Jesus' origins, he ends his visit with a profound pronouncement: "For no word from God will ever fail."

I wonder if Gabriel had closed his announcement to Zachariah in the same way, he wouldn't have been so "speechless."

I've made some of dumbest decisions based on input from sources that I thought were being truthful. At times I've put my trust in people only to find out they had ulterior motives, and the things they promised or said were not true.

Mary was given news and details of something that was going to radically alter her life as she knew it. Whatever dreams and plans she had up to this point for her life were going to need to yield to an eternal agenda. Her only comfort... the fact that Gabriel's words were not her parents, or Joseph’s, or even those in her village, but the very words of God himself.

Who can you believe? Always consider the source!

APPLICATION
I'm trusting God right now for very specific direction in my life. I know the Lord has spoken in very clear and direct ways to me. When I say "the Lord has spoken", I'm referring to His will revealed through the Bible, as well as through others that provided additional confirmation. Even through all of this, when I don't see my things working out the way I think they should be, my emotions and imagination begin to work against me.

”Did God really call me to this or that?”

”Did God really say this was His plan?”

"Maybe I didn't hear God and I'm about to fail?"

It seems that the first order of business is to determine whether or not "the words" we receive are from God. Then if the word is determined as "legit", it comes down to a matter of trust.

Can I trust God, even in the midst of uncertainty, that what he said will be, will be!

Gabriel told Zachariah "...my words which will come true at their appointed time." Luke 1:20

The application I draw out of my devotional today is simple...

If God said it... I will believe it... I will act according to His will and leave the rest of the details up to Him. In other words, I will trust Jesus completely.

What a moment it was to go from not having a voice to express his jubilation over his wife becoming pregnant, to Zachariah writing on the tablet that "his name is John" and his voice returned, when Zachariah was able to see God's word "come true."

When it comes to hearing from God, the only thing I should be left to wonder is the question of "when". But even with this, the reassurance from scripture is that the "appointed time" is completely in God's control... not my own.

How do I avoid the aimless speculation of discovering God's will?

The Bible (Scripture) is filled with words from God about how we ought to live and how we ought to love. That is God’s will or you and I. As you daily live and love in that way, trust God to do what He said He would do and leave the details up to God.
Praise God when you experience the fulfillment of His word.

Can you believe everything you hear... you can when it's God your hearing.

The next time I hear something that effects me deeply and I'm feeling a shift in direction or vision, or circumstances or emotions begin to steer my life... I must always Consider the Source. Is this from God?

PRAYER
Dear Lord,
You have always been faithful. You have a perfect plan for my life, and I know it's a great one. Thank you for inviting me to partner with You in this life. Help me with my unbelief. I have spent too much time in idle speculation and wonder, and not enough time in praising You for Your faithfulness, Your grace, and Your patience. I thank You for Your Word that assures me that I can put ALL my trust in You. Help me to discern when the enemy is attempting to pull me off course with unbelief, fear, worry, guilt. Help me to realize the error of making my plans first, and only after that, asking You to approve them. Help me to be patient and still filled with praise as I'm waiting for the "appointed time."

I thank You for the gift of Galatians 6:9 that says "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

I thank You for not giving up on me, and I am determined in my heart that I won't give up on You.

Trusting in Your plans for my life,
Amen

God Is Enough

9-17-08

SCRIPTURE
Ezekiel 44:28 I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession.

OBSERVATION

Jenny and I were talking to a couple recently who were not married but having difficulty in their relationship. Essentially, she feels like Jesus is not his main focus and main possession. They were each other's possession without both of them having a covenant relationship with Jesus first. This continues to be the source of their difficulties.Ultimately their question is; “should we get married, without resolving this issue?”
Like Ezekiel's instruction to the priests, we should take notice that God should be our first and main prize possession. Not with a "serve me" and "God is at my disposal" kind of attitude. God is my Shepherd - I shall not want and I have no other need - because He (My Good Shepherd) becomes my full and complete inheritance. Our ultimate questions are “Is God good?” and “Is God enough?” So, can we really “get married” in a covenant relationship with God without resolving these questions? The heart that believes that God has 'ripped you off' can justify anything. I have a sneaking suspicion that we will come to know and love God on His terms or we will not come to know or love him at all.

There’s a quote that I’ve seen on some of my friends’ Facebook pages that goes something like this: "A woman's heart should be so close to God that a man has to seek Him to find her." That sounds like a person who believes and lives like “God IS good” and “God IS enough.”

APPLICATION

When I make Jesus my inheritance; I'm not dependent upon money, material things or what people think about me. Jesus then becomes my true inheritance – my all in all. That is when my trust is strong and my reliance great - when He IS enough!
I develop sloppy attitudes that make me feel like the world owes me something - I deserve more, better, bigger, newer, etc. How wickedly self centered is that!!! Ezekiel 44:28 confronts my sloppy-selfish attitude and reminds me that God is ALL I need!
So how will I live differently today?
Ask for forgiveness for my sloppy, self-centered, horrible attitude!
Speak of my gratefulness to God, at home around my family and around others. Be more thankful in word and deed!

PRAYER

Forgive me Father! Thanks for not forsaking me when I get sloppy and self-centered! You have been, and are, a great Provider - I am so-o-o-o-o-o-o Grateful. I love You!

Emmanuel -- God is with Us

9-16-08

SCRIPTURE
Revelation 21:3-5 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

OBSERVATION
It’s almost like the Bible ends with heaven crashing to earth and God saying; “I’ve been waiting so long to come down here and completely be with you.” The Bible begins with God walking in the Garden with Adam and Eve – His prized creation. Adam and Eve decide to go their own way, independent of their Creator (which separates them). God comes into the Garden and calls out to Adam and Eve “Where are you?” The rest of the Bible is a story about this God who desperately wants to be with His prized and loved creation – people (you and me). In fact our God goes to great lengths including sending His only Son, Jesus (who was called Emmanuel, which means, God With us) to make a Way for God to be with His people.

Then in verse 21 of the last book of the Bible…The Bible ends with God coming down. I think about Genesis (the beginning of it all) and God’s heart for people. It’s almost like God can’t get close enough to us. And then when He comes among us, as Jesus, what does He teach us? Jesus teaches us about the Kingdom of God. And what is the central prayer Jesus teaches us of the life of a disciple? “Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.” So Jesus says: Things are a certain way in heaven. And when you obey God, and you do things as He desires them to be (because you love Him) then you are doing things as they are done in heaven. And so if I’m doing things as they are done in heaven…then by my actions, I’m bringing heaven to earth...now.

So when God comes down among us, and teaches us the central message of Jesus: That the kingdom of God is near, here, now… You, by your actions, can bring heaven to earth. The Bible is a story of an almighty God who wants to come down and live among us because He loves people (you and me) that much. And think of how many of our theological systems are built around us getting out of here. Is the dominant question, “How do I get into heaven?” Or “How do I get heaven here?”

It’s not that when we die (if we follow Jesus) we don’t go to heaven. It’s not that. Salvation is about the world to come, but salvation is also about making this world the kind of place that God can come to now?

Revelation 21:5 says "I am making everything new!" When we act, in this world, like; “Well it doesn’t really matter, it’s all going to burn and 'some glad morning, I’ll fly away'.” You come down front (at church) say a prayer and when you die, you’re out of here. Let’s be honest, what does that say about this life, we’re living, now? Over time what it says is that this life really doesn’t matter. Correct? And then we wonder why so many Christians feel powerless.

We pursue right living…because we understand that when we live in wholeness and health…
when we forgive each other
and we get rid of rage
and self-centeredness,
and bitterness
and lack of forgiveness.
When we have a heart like God’s, for those who are needy and marginalized…
When we live rightly, as it says in Psalm 14; “God is present in the lives of those who live rightly.” Love Wins!

Revelation 22:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

Our God is good and ultimately we believe that LOVE WINS!

APPLICATION
Look for ways, today, to bring Heaven to Earth and show that Love really does win.

PRAYER
It excites me, Father, to know that the story ends with You being with us: completely and forever.

Pass It On

9-15-08

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 145:4 One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts.

OBSERVATION
It's crucial to make sure the next generations understand what God is like. I don't have to use abstract verbiage to make sure my kids understand that God is good. I just tell them the stories from the Bible on most nights as they are getting settled in their beds at night. I help them enter into the stories like Moses and the Israelites in the desert.
"We were hungry and we got food."
"We were thirsty and God provided us with water."
"We were hunted & chased, and God protected us."
I want the next generation to get it and I've been given the responsibility of passing that baton to Cole, Noah, Sara & Jake. I don't want to drop that baton. Hopefully, in Jenny and me, our kids will see how good God is and they’ll pass it down to the next generation.

APPLICATION
Continue telling the stories to my kids in a way that they easily see that God is good and can be trusted.

PRAYER
Thank you God, for using something as simple as story to enable us to pass Your mighty acts and works on to a whole new generation of Jesus worshipers.

Bad Shepeherd, Good Shepherd

9-13-08

SCRIPTURE
Ezekiel 34:2, 4-5 ...Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.

OBSERVATION
I guess I would be considered a shepherd, right. I am the dad to Cole, Noah, Sara & Jake and no one can replace me in that role. I am the husband to my best friend and lover -- Jenny and no one can replace me in that role either. I pastor a church called Radiant Life Fellowship. That's also a shepherding role. As a shepherd, I do not want the above verses from Scripture said of me and my shepherding roles. I want to be a GOOD shepherd. I want to be known as a shepherd who 'takes good care of the flock'. A good shepherd that loves his sheep (my family, my church and my neighbors) enough to not only die for them...but to show them how to live well. As a shepherd...I am also a sheep. Jesus is my Good Shepherd. I need my Shepherd.

APPLICATION
This week, I am going to ask for some feedback on how I'm doing as a shepherd. I'm going to ask my kids how I am doing as their dad. I'm going to ask Jenny, my wife, how I am doing as her husband. I'm going to ask our church how I am doing as one of their pastors. I'm even going to ask my neighbors if they think I am a good neighbor. Then I will listen to their responses and make appropriate changes.

PRAYER
Thank you God for trusting me with such precious people to care for. I am a blessed man.

Even If He Does Not

9-12-08

SCRIPTURE
Daniel 3:17-18 "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O King. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O, King, that we will not serve Your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.

OBSERVATION
I'm impressed with the confidence and courage of these 3 young men. "God will save us...But even if He does not, we want you to know..." That is inspiring. Kind of like the underdog, in a movie scene, finally standing up to the overpowering, abusive, bad guys. We get inspired by scenes like that. It inspires me to believe that I could actually do something that courageous and end up making a difference that even transcends little me. "we know God CAN save us." But that's not our only motivation for making this decision not to bow down to your idols or give allegiance to a pretend god. Our God is real and therefore worth giving our lives to serve Him and Him alone. Like a wedding vow, "We choose to forsake all others and give ourselves (our hearts) fully to God." I am inspired by this sort of focus.

APPLICATION
I want to be a "but even if He does not" kind of person. My heart fully belongs to God. Therefore my actions and decisions, to do the right thing, should flow out of my love relationship with my Savior -- Jesus.

PRAYER
God. I am inspired and challenged by this sort of confidence and courage. I want this reflected in my life. Help me not to let fear drive or paralyze me from living life with a heart that's fully Yours.

Leadership of Daniel

9-11-08

SCRIPTURE:
Daniel 1:15 At the end of the 10 days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.

OBSERVATION:
It only took 10 days to see physical results like this? Wow! And as a result of that, (verse 16) the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. Knowing the way my family feels about vegetables, my guess is there were some peers of Daniel who were now totally bummed out. They probably were frustrated that now they had to eat vegetables. Maybe they hated vegetables as much as my kids do. And now it's forced on them. They now have to change their eating habits as a result of Daniel's actions...his leadership. And it's not even their idea. I bet they were ticked. Leadership has that kind of effect. Leaders tend to shake things up. They rattle the status quo, with the vision that drives them to believe "things can be better, more effective and more healthy." Leaders are so convinced of this that they are willing to stand alone, if that's what it takes. Leaders take risks, but they also take hits. I'm sure, at the beginning, Daniel took some hits from his risky initiative to do what was right. But it paid off.

APPLICATION:
I need to be willing, as a leader, to stand alone, take wise risks and receive hits. I can't do any of that without a deep, abiding, rooted connection and intimacy with my Savior and God, Daddy.

PRAYER:
Lord. Give me confidence in myself. I want the kind of confidence you have in me. I want to be sensitive to your leadings and respond appropriately in spite of the risks.

Stand in the gap

9-4-08

SCRIPTURE:
Ezekiel 22:30 I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but found none.

OBSERVATION:
This is pretty disappointing and sad. Reading through Ezekiel you get the sense that God has put up with a lot from His people. Time and time again, they have turned away from the Life God called them to live among the nations. They were blessed in order to be a blessing to those around them. So God judges His people harshly. In the midst of His judgments, we find this verse where God indicates that if just one person who would be willing to help secure the wall and stand before Him in the gap on behalf of the land. This would have been enough for God. One person, willing to fully follow God and stand before Him on behalf of others. I really want to be that kind of man. I want to secure the spiritual walls around my family, my church and my community. I want to stand before God, regularly, on behalf of the people in the land in prayer.

APPLICATION:
Part of my motivation for doing the daily habit of Life Journal, is so that I can find myself consistently in God's Word and Praying on behalf of His people. So I journey onward. This does not come easy for me, but the more I do it, the more I look forward to my daily time with my Divine Mentor.

PRAYER:
Thank you, Father, for the opportunity to be that man who stands before you on behalf of Your people. Have mercy on us. Remember us. Continue to bless us, for we are grateful. We want to be a blessing to those around us.

My Gracious and Compassionate Friend

9-3-08

SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 111:4 He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.

OBSERVATION:
When I read this Psalm, I get why the Bible is so important to our relationship with God. Without all the stories, poems, letters, parables, prophecies, and such that radiate out of the pages of the Bible, we would have limited knowledge of God's wonders. It helps us even when we're reading these obscure, odd-like and sometimes bazaar passages in Ezekiel (what was Ezekiel thinking?).

God has given us the gift of "causing His wonders to be remembered" throughout generations. It's our responsibility to pass on the text to the next generation and to the next... The Good News that our Lord really is gracious and compassionate. I get to pass it on to my children and you get to pass it on to yours. This is one of the reasons we are valuing the habit of doing our Life Journals daily.

APPLICATION:
Last Sunday, I made the statement that if we believe that God is really not good (that He has somehow scammed you or is holding out on you) that we can justify anything. The heart that believes God is not good or is unfair can justify any behavior. Most sin can be traced back to this sort of thinking.

That's why I need to be consistently reminded of God's goodness. God is good. yesterday, today and tomorrow. I want to consistently remind my family that God is good. I can do that by passing on the stories from Scripture that express God's goodness.

This morning I am grateful for who God is to me - in me! He is faithful and fair. My God is so trustworthy. When I am hurting, growing hard hearted, sick in thoughts, wounded in soul, self-centered in my actions... my Daddy is there as a faithful listener, fair counselor and a trustworthy accountability friend.

PRAYER:
I so grateful to You, my good, gracious, compassionate and faithful Father and Friend! God, you are good. I pray for those I serve and live with and among would experience You and Your grace, compassion, faithfulness and goodness personally! I want them to know Your character - who You are, is who I love! I ask that You lead us (Your people at Radiant Life Fellowship) to fully follow You with every part of us. Help us to get clarity on decisions about moving locations. Continue to bless us. Thank you for Your blessings.

New Location for Radiant Life Fellowship

Join me in praying about the possibility of a location change for Radiant Life Fellowship. Always remember that the church is not a building or a program. It is the people of God gathered and scattered.

This new location would be in a space that we would share with another church. Therefore our worship time would also be affected. We're evaluating our options and seeking the leadership of God in this.

We are considering a new location. If you are interested in 'where?'... please feel free to email me

cthompson08@bellsouth.net

Thank you for your prayers,
Chris

Every nation, tribe, people and language

9-2-08

SCRIPTURE:

"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." (Revelation 7:9)

OBSERVATION:

John's vision of a multitude of ethnicity before the throne of God must have been colorful. Brilliant. Although, they were all wearing white robes signifying their purity by the blood of Jesus, there must have been a rainbow of colors represented in the people. From every language, worshiping with all their hearts - What a symphony that must have been! I wonder how prepared I am for that kind of worship?

APPLICATION:

I'm not worried about how crowded it might be at that worship celebration. I'm just thankful to be among the colorful picture of celebration, people of every nation, tribe, people and language. All of us singing - Glory to God! I want to experience this now through my worship among the people of Radiant Life Fellowship! I want to live with eager expectation to be with the Lord. For me to live is Christ - to die is gain! That means that today I want to live less attached to the cares of this world. I want to speak with a confidence, sharing the gospel with others who are searching. My neighbors. This passage gives me a desire to invite others to this sort of celebration!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord! You are so good and I can't wait to see You in person. Thanks for allowing me to know You by Your Holy Spirit living in my life. I know You, feel You, experience You - I love You! I ask that you continue to water and nurture the seeds that have been planted in the hearts of our neighbors. I want to see them at the celebration in Heaven. Please help our church to begin to look more and more like that celebration in Heaven -- every nation, tribe, people and language -- present and worshiping God together.

Help the poor and needy

9-01-08

SCRIPTURE:
Ezekiel 16:49 "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy."

OBSERVATION:
I never heard this until I was an adult. Most of my growing up years, in the church, it was emphasized that the immoral behavior of those in Sodom was all about their sexuality. I know that was part of the reason why God destroyed Sodom. But here, it's clear that Sodom was destroyed because they were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned (I'm assuming unconcerned for anyone but themselves). They did not help the poor and needy. I am realizing that if I stay in drift mode (with my life and heart) this could be me. It could be us. It could describe the church, if left unchecked.

APPLICATION:
This is why it is crucial for me (and the people of our church) to make it a habit to help the poor and needy. Not just 'help' them, but 'know' them too. That's why I look forward to going to Urban Restoration on Tuesdays.

PRAYER:
God. Forgive me for my unconcern and apathy. Wake up my heart to the needs of those around me.

He has Triumphed

8-31-08
SCRIPTURE:
Revelation 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.

OBSERVATION:
This is like the 'hero' showing up at just the right time in a movie, alleviating fears and giving hope. This hero -- JESUS -- has already triumphed and He is still on the scene alleviating my fears and giving me hope. I should be able to fully trust Jesus as my hero with my life.

APPLICATION:
Do I trust Jesus to be my hero today? Here? Now? With every part of my life? This is the question I should ask myself often.

PRAYER:
God. Thank you for being my hero. Teach me to trust you without fear. Thank you for the hope that you give me today.

Undivided Heart

8-30-08

SCRIPTURE:
Ezekiel 11:19-20 "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new Spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God."

OBSERVATION:
It's obvious that God's judgments on His people (in these passages) are severe. They've perverted their relationship with God by not following His decrees and laws. They've "conformed to the standards of the nations around them" (11:12). God even, at one point, asks Ezekiel to consider this: "Is all this they are doing a trivial matter?" God's judgments are severe for those who have had the opportunities and turned away from Him. But His promises are sweet for His people. The people who are truly His.

APPLICATION:
I want to regularly make sure my heart is completely His: moldable & obedient. God is enough.

PRAYER:
God. Forgive me for my divided heart. Give me an undivided heart, a new Spirit and a heart of flesh. I want your heart.

You Will Know

8-28-08

SCRIPTURE:
Ezekiel 6:7b "...and you will know that I am the Lord."

OBSERVATION:
God is more than an gentle old man who ignores our disobedience. He is a 'follow-through', 'mean it', God. He provides for His people. He leads them. He protects them. He loves them. He is with them. And it seems like that is not enough. They wanted more. They wanted what their neighbors had -- idols. fierce independence from God. So to make His point clear, God gave Ezekiel a message that included devastating results for His people. "ENOUGH!" In the end, you (and all peoples) WILL know that I am Yahweh.

APPLICATION:
I want to admire, respect and obey God fully with my whole life.

PRAYER:
Thank you God, for Jesus. Reading Ezekiel gives me a better glimpse of the price Jesus paid. I owe you my life. Take it. I am Yours.