Psalm 63
Reflection
"My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast..." Monday morning I woke up completely satisfied with my life... I woke up at 5am... completely content... my wife... my children... my day... my yesterday... my tomorrow... my work... my friends... my church... my LORD... I am so very thankful and grateful for it all! I just stayed there in bed thinking about it all... it is to me a rich feast this life that I have. Is everything peachy keen? no. Do I have any problems and challenges in my life and ahead of me... boy do I ever! But am I satisfied with it all... the good and the bad? Yes I am. How I got here to this day and today... completely content, has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the Spirit. When I am kept in Him, all bodes well even when nothing goes right, I still am content, because companionship is the key to happiness. Being with others and enjoying them at the very moment that you have with them as with a gift. Does this contentment keep me from charging ahead to make improvements or a difference in what I can make a difference with... no. In fact, this satisfaction I feel compels me even more to work for the contentment of those around me... as a gift. I thank God for it all today... I give it all over to Him.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
My Devotion
Jesus said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid" Peter replies, "Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water." and Jesus replied, "Come" So what is the Lord telling you this day? What boat is he calling you to step out of? Will you do it? Peter is so compelled by the Lord's voice that he wants to be closer... he is willing to step out on the waves. Today I am going to ask myself if I am willing to step out unto the waves at his invitation... will I give up my security for the sake of the call? "Take courage! It is I. Don't be Afraid" Read about it in Matthew 14:22-36
Friday, April 11, 2008
My Devotion
Prayer
Dear God, mighty and awesome Savior. I pray thee to tip the scales in my favor this day, that I might know the weight of Thy salvation. In Jesus name. Amen.
Psalm 62
Reflection
"Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath..." Life is a delicate balance... so they say, but the psalmist says we are "... lighter than a breath" in other words, we don't have enough weight to make the difference. We do not balance our lives. God does. The Spirit of God that is at work in us who believe sets the scales to our favor. We could never do this alone. How is this good news? We don't have to worry so much... we don't have to fight so hard... we don't have to try to control it all and everyone and everything around us. Rest... rest... rest assured that God will do it, therefore, your soul can "wait in silence" because from God alone "comes your and my salvation". Build your hope on the Lord and you will not be dissapointed... not in this life... and certainly not in the next. "On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times... pour out your heart before him..." For he tips the balance in our favor at just the right time for our salvation and for the salvation of those around us.
Dear God, mighty and awesome Savior. I pray thee to tip the scales in my favor this day, that I might know the weight of Thy salvation. In Jesus name. Amen.
Psalm 62
Reflection
"Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath..." Life is a delicate balance... so they say, but the psalmist says we are "... lighter than a breath" in other words, we don't have enough weight to make the difference. We do not balance our lives. God does. The Spirit of God that is at work in us who believe sets the scales to our favor. We could never do this alone. How is this good news? We don't have to worry so much... we don't have to fight so hard... we don't have to try to control it all and everyone and everything around us. Rest... rest... rest assured that God will do it, therefore, your soul can "wait in silence" because from God alone "comes your and my salvation". Build your hope on the Lord and you will not be dissapointed... not in this life... and certainly not in the next. "On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times... pour out your heart before him..." For he tips the balance in our favor at just the right time for our salvation and for the salvation of those around us.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
My Devotion
‘Vision & Voice’ by P. Chuck Sabin
There is a vision I just can’t get out of my thoughts these days … just think what it will be like when our children go into OSLC Gymnasium for the first time… what joy they will feel… what pride we will have… what it will mean for the countless dozens of young families that will come to our services, sporting events, concerts, conferences, banquets, musicals, movies, theatre productions, receptions, festivals, and the like… BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME. Larry Harlan shared with our Lay Ministry team that he cannot imagine that we are not going to grow numerically and spiritually as a church family over the next decade… and to the point that our present facilities are not going to be adequate. I’ve said it before and I will say it again… we are not building this new facility and all the ministries that it will facilitate for ourselves… we are dreaming of this facility for those who will come and join our church family because of it and the ministries it will provide. We are building for a people that have yet to come! We dream of a greater impact for the gospel in this community than we are presently launching… not that what we are and who we are and what we are doing is not good and right and wonderful… because it is. But we are dreaming of putting ourselves in a position to better serve our community and thus further enhance the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of tomorrow. We are dreaming today of a better tomorrow. I can hardly wait to see the ribbon cut and the doors open and the children rushing in. Dream with me! Dream with God! Dream for what isn’t, but could be.
Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord, help us to see what you see, and to be about what you are about, and to dream your dream for this place and these people and for those you have yet to reach in this community and throughout your world. May we truly be your disciples, willing to sacrifice self in behalf of our neighbors and especially those who still do not know that there is a God who loves them and has died for them, and that they can know and enjoy now and throughout eternity, for we pray it in Jesus name. Amen.
Song of the Week: One of these days I'm gonna fly Over the mountain One of these days I'm gonna ride On the silver lining One of these days I'm gonna witness All I've been missing One of these days Chorus: One of these days I'm gonna see the hand That took the nails for me One of these days I'm gonna hold the key To the mansion built for me One of these days I'm gonna walk the streets of gold That were paved for me One of these days I'm gonna see my Savior face to face One of these days One of these days I'm gonna do All the things that I've never done I'm gonna finish all the racesThat I've run but I've never won And I'm gonna see a million faces And recognize everyoneOne of these days Chorus: One of these days I'm gonna say Just what became of meOn the day that I believed When You took myself from me And I believe I will say What I would have beenIf You didn't save me One of these days Chorus: And one of these days I'm gonna talk With all the saintsThat have gone before And in their sandals I will walk And we will sit along the shore And I will learn all the things That I never knew before All this and more Chorus: One of these days I'll finally be In a place where There's no more need No more pain and no more grief No more foolish disbelief And all the joy there will be When at last we finally see One of these days Chorus:
There is a vision I just can’t get out of my thoughts these days … just think what it will be like when our children go into OSLC Gymnasium for the first time… what joy they will feel… what pride we will have… what it will mean for the countless dozens of young families that will come to our services, sporting events, concerts, conferences, banquets, musicals, movies, theatre productions, receptions, festivals, and the like… BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME. Larry Harlan shared with our Lay Ministry team that he cannot imagine that we are not going to grow numerically and spiritually as a church family over the next decade… and to the point that our present facilities are not going to be adequate. I’ve said it before and I will say it again… we are not building this new facility and all the ministries that it will facilitate for ourselves… we are dreaming of this facility for those who will come and join our church family because of it and the ministries it will provide. We are building for a people that have yet to come! We dream of a greater impact for the gospel in this community than we are presently launching… not that what we are and who we are and what we are doing is not good and right and wonderful… because it is. But we are dreaming of putting ourselves in a position to better serve our community and thus further enhance the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of tomorrow. We are dreaming today of a better tomorrow. I can hardly wait to see the ribbon cut and the doors open and the children rushing in. Dream with me! Dream with God! Dream for what isn’t, but could be.
Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord, help us to see what you see, and to be about what you are about, and to dream your dream for this place and these people and for those you have yet to reach in this community and throughout your world. May we truly be your disciples, willing to sacrifice self in behalf of our neighbors and especially those who still do not know that there is a God who loves them and has died for them, and that they can know and enjoy now and throughout eternity, for we pray it in Jesus name. Amen.
Song of the Week: One of these days I'm gonna fly Over the mountain One of these days I'm gonna ride On the silver lining One of these days I'm gonna witness All I've been missing One of these days Chorus: One of these days I'm gonna see the hand That took the nails for me One of these days I'm gonna hold the key To the mansion built for me One of these days I'm gonna walk the streets of gold That were paved for me One of these days I'm gonna see my Savior face to face One of these days One of these days I'm gonna do All the things that I've never done I'm gonna finish all the racesThat I've run but I've never won And I'm gonna see a million faces And recognize everyoneOne of these days Chorus: One of these days I'm gonna say Just what became of meOn the day that I believed When You took myself from me And I believe I will say What I would have beenIf You didn't save me One of these days Chorus: And one of these days I'm gonna talk With all the saintsThat have gone before And in their sandals I will walk And we will sit along the shore And I will learn all the things That I never knew before All this and more Chorus: One of these days I'll finally be In a place where There's no more need No more pain and no more grief No more foolish disbelief And all the joy there will be When at last we finally see One of these days Chorus:
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
My Daily Devotion
Prayer Dear God, we pray today that you not only protect us from our enemies, but that you win them over to your gospel... to your truth... to your peace... to your righteousness... to your heart... to your manner... to your way... to your Kingdom... where you rule, and no man has any authority over any other man. We pray that none would look upon another human being with any lense save yours Lord... therefore we ask you to stand against those who take a stand against you... we ask you to have your way all of us... have your way with me this day... we pray... "THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN... for THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN". Psalm 59 Reflection "Awake to punish all nations... make them totter by your power, and bring them down" Some psalms are rehearsed more than others. Take this psalm for example, Psalm 59, you will not hear this psalm chanted in church very often, if ever. Here David is looking for revenge and control. Power is in his words. He wants the Lord to humiliate those who are looking to destroy him. He is not asking for peace, but destruction. He is asking his God, the Creator of all humankind, to "consume them... consume them until they are no more". May our enemies only be those who are the Lord's enemies. I wonder what David would do with the Ephesian passage that reads, "... for our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places..." Could David have missed the true enemy of God? It's time my brothers and sisters to put on the armor of a different kind than David is speaking of in this psalm... it is time for us to put on the "armor of GOD" It consists of... truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God.
Monday, April 7, 2008
My Devotion
Prayer
Dear Lord, what is all this violence that we see in our world today? Where are you in the midst of all of this? What can we expect of the rest of our days here on this earth? I can only ask of you that you protect us and deliver us from this blood letting for power and position. Help us all to realize the foolishness in unequal scales and inhumane treatments of one another. Lift up your word LORD... lift up your voice that the violent of heart and mind might hear a new gospel and repent of their violent notions and uncivilized manner and find a new way of life. Help us all LORD... help us all to live at peace with one another and treat each other as brothers and sisters, no matter our differences. Dear LORD, do what only YOU can do, bring peace to our world and to our communities, in Jesus name. Amen.
Psalm 58
Reflection
"The righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance done; they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked" As a song writer myself, it is hard for me to imagine singing this psalm. The imagery presented here is overtly graphic. Of course this is spoken from a man that has never seen any of his loved ones shot down in pool of blood. Nor have I witnessed the murder of any of my friends. How would I read this "hymn" if I lived in Baghdad where violence is an everyday event? There are parts of our world that reek with bloodshed. Even the innocent are ruthlessly displayed as prizes for those who would lope off heads! Graphic enough? To be sure... today I will ponder whether or not there is such a thing as a "Holy War". According to this psalmist, there is... and it will come when the wicked lie dead at our feet. I live a sheltered life... and I am thankful for that and am indebted to those who would put themselves in harms way that I might live such a peace possible existence... I can only speculate how I would "sing" if I were forced to live face to face with the horror of war... today, I pray for world peace... and peace for the city... and peace within all and in each of everyone who now lives or who will ever live.
Dear Lord, what is all this violence that we see in our world today? Where are you in the midst of all of this? What can we expect of the rest of our days here on this earth? I can only ask of you that you protect us and deliver us from this blood letting for power and position. Help us all to realize the foolishness in unequal scales and inhumane treatments of one another. Lift up your word LORD... lift up your voice that the violent of heart and mind might hear a new gospel and repent of their violent notions and uncivilized manner and find a new way of life. Help us all LORD... help us all to live at peace with one another and treat each other as brothers and sisters, no matter our differences. Dear LORD, do what only YOU can do, bring peace to our world and to our communities, in Jesus name. Amen.
Psalm 58
Reflection
"The righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance done; they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked" As a song writer myself, it is hard for me to imagine singing this psalm. The imagery presented here is overtly graphic. Of course this is spoken from a man that has never seen any of his loved ones shot down in pool of blood. Nor have I witnessed the murder of any of my friends. How would I read this "hymn" if I lived in Baghdad where violence is an everyday event? There are parts of our world that reek with bloodshed. Even the innocent are ruthlessly displayed as prizes for those who would lope off heads! Graphic enough? To be sure... today I will ponder whether or not there is such a thing as a "Holy War". According to this psalmist, there is... and it will come when the wicked lie dead at our feet. I live a sheltered life... and I am thankful for that and am indebted to those who would put themselves in harms way that I might live such a peace possible existence... I can only speculate how I would "sing" if I were forced to live face to face with the horror of war... today, I pray for world peace... and peace for the city... and peace within all and in each of everyone who now lives or who will ever live.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
My Devotion
Prayer
Dear Lord, watch over me I pray Thee this day. My hope is in you. I run to you for safety. I run to you for hope. I run to you for favor. I run... because I love you. I love being in your care. I love knowing and experiencing your saving grace within and around me. May I never forget your endless and unfailing love, for I know that we live in the midst of certain danger, toils, and snares... if it were not for you, we would certainly fall prey to each and every one. Thank you Lord for your saving arms. Amen.
Psalm 57
Reflection
"... until the destroying storms pass by" Did you know that their are "destroying storms" in our midst? Do you recognize the dangers that exist around you? According to the Psalmist there are those who would trample us... those who set a net for our feet... those who dig a pit in our paths... and we need not mention the storms themselves... more then one... and they are destroying storms at that... recently I was given a precious wrist band that reads "Keep the Faith!" The 'Faith' is all about our God. He will have mercy. He will tuck me in the shadow of his wing. He will send his steadfast love and faithfulness. We are saved. We are saved because God is devoted to our care... we might ask why... and our only answer can be because of his great love and mercy. So... like the psalmist we exalt the Lord our God... we give God the Glory! "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory remain over all the earth"
Dear Lord, watch over me I pray Thee this day. My hope is in you. I run to you for safety. I run to you for hope. I run to you for favor. I run... because I love you. I love being in your care. I love knowing and experiencing your saving grace within and around me. May I never forget your endless and unfailing love, for I know that we live in the midst of certain danger, toils, and snares... if it were not for you, we would certainly fall prey to each and every one. Thank you Lord for your saving arms. Amen.
Psalm 57
Reflection
"... until the destroying storms pass by" Did you know that their are "destroying storms" in our midst? Do you recognize the dangers that exist around you? According to the Psalmist there are those who would trample us... those who set a net for our feet... those who dig a pit in our paths... and we need not mention the storms themselves... more then one... and they are destroying storms at that... recently I was given a precious wrist band that reads "Keep the Faith!" The 'Faith' is all about our God. He will have mercy. He will tuck me in the shadow of his wing. He will send his steadfast love and faithfulness. We are saved. We are saved because God is devoted to our care... we might ask why... and our only answer can be because of his great love and mercy. So... like the psalmist we exalt the Lord our God... we give God the Glory! "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory remain over all the earth"
Friday, April 4, 2008
My Devotion
Psalm 56
Reflection
"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle" The Psalmist is capturing a bit of history and tradition here... grandmothers and mothers of that people used to and still do collect their tears in a bottle. These tears are passed on to daughters and granddaughters who do the same... I wonder how many gallons have been collected and still exist... so somewhere in Jewish homes are bottles of tears from past generations on their shelves... I wonder what that feels like to know that you hold in your hands the tears of those from your family who have gone before you... Here in this psalm the Psalmist is captureing God's involvement in our personal worries and fears and grief... God knows... God knows every tear and what or who it was shed for. He is the great collector of tears... he has our every concern and care in his hands.
Reflection
"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle" The Psalmist is capturing a bit of history and tradition here... grandmothers and mothers of that people used to and still do collect their tears in a bottle. These tears are passed on to daughters and granddaughters who do the same... I wonder how many gallons have been collected and still exist... so somewhere in Jewish homes are bottles of tears from past generations on their shelves... I wonder what that feels like to know that you hold in your hands the tears of those from your family who have gone before you... Here in this psalm the Psalmist is captureing God's involvement in our personal worries and fears and grief... God knows... God knows every tear and what or who it was shed for. He is the great collector of tears... he has our every concern and care in his hands.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
My Devotion
Prayer
Dear Lord, I cast all my cares upon you. I lay all my burdens down at your feet... and anytime that I don't know what to do... I'll cast my burden unto you... for I have known your mercy and grace; I have tasted your love and faithfulness, and I am reassured this day that you will not let me be moved beyond your will and love, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
Psalm 55
Reflection
"Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved" Whenever I see this verse I cannot help but ask, "What about the unrighteous?" What will He "permit" for them? It is hard for me to see myself as righteous? I know that through the precious and loving sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross that I am made righteous... therefore, I hope this Psalm applies to me. I've always loved that song, "Cast Your Burdens, unto Jesus, for He cares for YOU!" I sing it often and of course when I read this Psalm this morning I couldn't help but sing it into the fabric of my soul this day... how many burdens are there that need the Lord's care... there are piles and piles of them. The Psalmist is reassureing that the Lord will sustain us when we do that casting... I used to fish and I always wanted to cast as far as I could or as far as the banks would allow. As my life deepens and my love widens for others and for my own... the casting reaches further and further... the LORD knows... the LORD cares... the LORD is active in my behalf and in yours this day... rejoice... "He will never permit you to be moved"
Dear Lord, I cast all my cares upon you. I lay all my burdens down at your feet... and anytime that I don't know what to do... I'll cast my burden unto you... for I have known your mercy and grace; I have tasted your love and faithfulness, and I am reassured this day that you will not let me be moved beyond your will and love, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
Psalm 55
Reflection
"Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved" Whenever I see this verse I cannot help but ask, "What about the unrighteous?" What will He "permit" for them? It is hard for me to see myself as righteous? I know that through the precious and loving sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross that I am made righteous... therefore, I hope this Psalm applies to me. I've always loved that song, "Cast Your Burdens, unto Jesus, for He cares for YOU!" I sing it often and of course when I read this Psalm this morning I couldn't help but sing it into the fabric of my soul this day... how many burdens are there that need the Lord's care... there are piles and piles of them. The Psalmist is reassureing that the Lord will sustain us when we do that casting... I used to fish and I always wanted to cast as far as I could or as far as the banks would allow. As my life deepens and my love widens for others and for my own... the casting reaches further and further... the LORD knows... the LORD cares... the LORD is active in my behalf and in yours this day... rejoice... "He will never permit you to be moved"
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