February 28, 2014

⁷ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

Two translations, slight shift in thinking.

Both discuss the confidence and love the Holy Spirit gives believers.  However, in my mind, the translations' word choice at the end of the verse have a slight variation in nuance.

The ESV speaks of "self-control", while the NIV chooses "self-discipline".

I think of self-control as choosing not to do the wrong thing.  Not to get angry.  Not to eat that extra piece of cake.  Not to visit that web site.  Self-control speaks of refraining from what is wrong.

Self-discipline, however, leads my thinking to doing that which is right.  A daily time of prayer and Bible study.  Exercising on a regular basis.  Tithing.  Witnessing.

I think both mind-sets are applicable and a necessary for Christian growth and maturity.

Technically, self-discipline and self-control are synonymous, but it is important we refrain from what is wrong and strive for that which is right.  Self-control and self-discipline.

Pray that God will empower you to turn from that which wrong and embrace those things that please Him.

S-C and S-D.

 

February 25, 2014

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)

God beholds thee individually, whoever thou art. "He calls thee by thy name." He sees thee, and understands thee. He knows what is in thee, all thy own peculiar feelings and thoughts, thy dispositions and likings, thy strength and thy weakness. He views thee in thy day of rejoicing and thy day of sorrow. He sympathizes in thy hopes and in thy temptations; He interests himself in all thy anxieties and thy remembrances, in all the risings and fallings of thy spirit. He compasses thee round, and bears thee in His arms; He takes thee up and sets thee down. Thou dost not love thyself better than He loves thee. Thou canst not shrink from pain more than He dislikes thy bearing it, and if He puts it on thee, it is as thou wilt put it on thyself, if thou art wise, for a greater good afterwards.*

J.H. Newman

God is personal.  God is the god of individuals.  Yes, He created the universe, but He also "knitted me together in my mother's womb."  Psalm 139:13 (ESV)  

God watches over nations, but He cares for individuals.  When Jesus was hanging on the cross after having been mocked, beaten, and had spikes driven through His hand and feet, with the balance of salvation hanging on His shoulders, He saw and reached out for an individual person, his mother.  John 19:25-27 (ESV) 

Even when pressed in upon by crowds, Jesus' focus was on the individual needs of those surrounding Him.  One woman, one need.  In Mark 5:25-34, Jesus had been summoned to the home of a local ruler.  A great crowd was following Him has He started toward the ruler's house. 

One woman with one need fights her way through the crowd.  Pushing.  Jostling.  Hoping.  She stretches out her hand, fingers extended.  

There, barely.  Just enough.

Index finger merely brushing the coarse material of Jesus' cloak.  But out of the dozens of people surrounding Him, Jesus senses a need.  A longing for healing.  A desperate cry for help.

He stops and turns.  "Who reached out to me?"  Recognizing the individual.  Responding to a singular need. 
Immediately the woman was healed from her disease.  IMMEDIATELY.  Right then and there.  Jesus' focus was on one person.  He had created her.  He had "knitted her together in her mother's womb."  Now He healed her.

There is a danger in misinterpreting this passage.  Not all who come to God for physical healing will walk away with a clean bill of health.  Disease, deformity, and death are all a part of this imperfect world.  But 100% of all who reach out to Jesus for spiritual salvation and healing will be given that.  We only have to believe in Him to become coheirs with Him in heaven.  

 *Daily Strength for Daily Needs- February 25
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8534/pg8534.html

February 23, 2014

²² Do they not go astray who devise evil?
    Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
Proverbs 14:22 (ESV) 

Although the expression "no-brainer" has been used and overused for the past 60 years, it is very applicable to the first part of today's verse.  Of course people to "devise evil" go astray.  They wander off the path that God has planned for their lives.  While God might choose to use the evil plans of people (e.g., Judas Iscariot), the individual has most assuredly strayed from God's perfect will.

But the second  half of Proverbs 14:22, now that gives one cause for pause.  "Those who devise good. . ."

My plan is to begin each day with a quiet time alone with God.  While the routine varies slightly, prayer and Bible study are generally a part of those morning times.  In looking back on these a.m. sessions, I don't remember "devising good".  

Prayer for others.  Check.  Prayer of confession.  Roger.  Prayer for guidance.  Yep.  But a conscious prayer for and plan for doing good?  Hmmm. . .

What would that look like?  Perhaps there might be a prayer for a specific person or situation at work where a you need to make a conscious prayer to do good.  Or maybe the prayer is for a heightened spiritual sensitivity to any situation throughout the day where you go that extra mile or offer that needed word of encouragement.

 Benjamin Franklin wrote, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

"Devise good."  Intentionally plan to be kind, reasonable, nice.  Pray about those people and situations where a little extra goodness might be needed. What daily plan you develop to help you do more good? 

February 21, 2014

¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  Matthew 7:11 (NIV)


If memory serves correctly, each time I have heard today's verse taught or preached, the focus has been on the gifts/good things our Father will give to His children.  And I believe that was where Jesus would have wanted the focus when He spoke the words.  

But look at how the verse begins. 
¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil,   (NIV)
¹¹ If you then, who are evil,  (ESV)
¹¹ If ye then, being evil, (ASV and KJV)

I wonder how that phrase set with the original hearers of this passage.  Jesus- mentor, rabbi, friend-  referring to those in the audience as "evil".  Were there gasps of shock?  Murmurs of indignation?  Did the puffed up get up and walk out?   

The recent events right here in Springfield involving the kidnapping and murder of 10-year old Hailey Owens lend support to Christ's assertion that evil does exists.  I find it hard to accept that mental illness, PTSD, chemical imbalance, or any other medical or psychological diagnosis alone could explain why a 45-year old man would grab a young girl off the street and within hours have ended her life.

Satan is alive and well in our world.  He is the "god of this world".  (2 Corinthians 4:4)  In John 12:31, Jesus refers to satan as "the prince of this world".  Satan's influence and the damage he seeks to inflict on God's creation is tempered only by God's hand. 

There are happenings throughout the world that are caused by the natural order of things.  Others are a part of living in an imperfect world.  But such heinous crimes as we have recently witnessed in Springfield, I believe, are the result of a more directed attack and influence of the "spiritual forces of evil". Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

In the end, regardless of why such an act was perpetrated, all those affected by this senseless tragedy need our love and prayers.

February 19, 2014

According to a recent Gallup poll,  Americans spend, on average, over $7800 annually on food.  We love to BBQ, fondue, saute, boil, and broil.

Three meals a day.  Then there are the between meal snacks.  Occasionally a midmorning doughnut at work.  Microwave popcorn with some late night television.

Americans love their food.  In fact we have an entire television network dedicated to the subject.  Guy Fieri will teach us about Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  The pioneer woman, Ree Drummond, will share her "special brand of home cooking, from throw-together suppers to elegant celebrations."  Giada De Laurentiis "shares her love for entertaining California-style."


Contrast this food mania with these verses from the fourth chapter of John's gospel.

³¹ Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” ³² But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” ³³ So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” ³⁴ Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
John 4:31-34 (ESV)

Obviously Jesus ate and drank, just as we have to in order to survive, but is doing God's will each day as important to us as food?  Do we plan our spiritual day like we plan the next trip to the grocery store?  Each week shopping lists around the country are jotted down on Post-it notes, scrap paper, and note pads.

Three meals a day- minimum.  How about three prayer times a day?  Coffee breaks.  How about a Bible verse break?

Food is a necessary part of life.  Doing God's will each minute of each day should be even more important to His Followers.
 

February 18, 2014

In 1837, John Deere developed and manufactured the first commercially successful cast-steel plow.  This departure from the standard cast-iron plow along with a modified design of the plow blade, helped earn Deere a place in history. 

While living in Grand Detour, Illinois, Deere noticed the plows of the day were having a hard time with the sticky, clay-based soils of the area.  He recalled the needles he had previously polished by running them through sand as he grew up in his father's tailor shop in Vermont.  The plow he developed as a result was known as "The Plow that Broke the Plains."

With springtime just around the corner, farmers across the country will soon be using plows, tillers, and harrows to prepared the land for planting.  Hard, compacted soil is of little use for farmers.  While the seed could be spread little, if any, would take root.   Jesus' parable in Mark 4 makes this spiritual comparison.  ^"15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them."  The soil along the path is compacted to the point where nothing can take root.

So often the Parable of the Sower, is used to illustrate how nonChristians react to the Gospel message.  I believe there is a message within for Believers.

I have gone through times in my spiritual life where my heart has become like the soil along the path-  hard and compacted.  New spiritual insight and learnings have not taken root because of the hardening of my heart and mind.  On occasion, God has chosen to use the cast-steel plow of discipline to break up the hard soil of my heart and mind.  

At times we need to have deep furrows cut in our spirit to allow a new harvest of insight, blessings, and  a renewed relationship with Him.  It is through this softening of our heart's soil that allows for growth.  

 

 

February 13, 2014

^{26 "}let him (God) do to me whatever seems good to him.”
2 Samuel 15:26b (NIV) 

 

O Lord, Thou knowest what is best for us; let this or that be done, as Thou shalt please. Give what Thou wilt, and how much Thou wilt, and when Thou wilt. Deal with me as Thou thinkest good. Set me where Thou wilt, and deal with me in all things just as Thou wilt. Behold, I am Thy servant, prepared for all things: for I desire not to live unto myself, but unto Thee; and oh, that I could do it worthily and perfectly!

Thomas A Kempis

Dare to look up to God, and say, "Make use of me for the future as Thou wilt. I am of the same mind; I am one with Thee. I refuse nothing which seems good to Thee. Lead me whither Thou wilt, clothe me in whatever dress Thou wilt. Is it Thy will that I should be in a public or a private condition, dwell here, or be banished, be poor or rich? Under all these circumstances, I will testify unto Thee before men."

Epictutus

How many of us are brave enough to pray that prayer?  Is it courage or faith we lack?  

 

 *Daily Strength for Daily Needs- February 13
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8534/pg8534.html

February 12, 2014

Psalm 68:19

 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
    who daily bears our burdens.

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁹ Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Interesting to note how two widely used and respected translations put a different spin on the same verse.

The NIV translation speaks of the burdens we will face each day and how God bears those burdens for us.  I am deeply thankful that God is there to shoulder life's burdens for me.  It is only through His strength that I get through each day.

But the KJV version of the same verse is more positive.  It speaks of daily "benefits".  KJV brings to mind a God who is blessing us.  He "loadeth us with benefits".  

Both aspects of God are a true and necessary part of each Christian's life.  God "bears our burdens" and "loadeth us with benefits."  Some days one will be more apparent than others, but let us never forget that both are operating 24/7 for each believer.

God never sleeps.  He never takes a coffee break.  He never gets distracted.  He is continually bearing and blessing each one of His children.

February 11, 2014

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)

Ah, yes.  The wedding chapter.  Love is. . .   Love is not. . .  Rings please.  Cue the wedding march.  Tissues all around. 

The thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians has been the basis for countless wedding sermons, and rightly so.  If each marriage were based on and grew in the maxims outlined in 1Corin. 13, fights would be avoided, dishes would remain unbroken, and many attorneys would be looking for other lines of work.

But 1 Corin. 13 should not be reserved for weddings and married couples.  What if the principals were applied to parenting?  The church?  The workplace?  The halls of Congress?

Imagine an office where each person was patient, kind.  Politicians who were not envious, proud, and boastful.  How different churches would look if their members were not self-seeking, easily angered, and kept no record of wrongs.

1Corinthians 13 must not be left at the marriage alter.  Our prayer should be to show this type of love not just to our family, but to all those we come in contact each day.  We should pray that our leaders would be lead by the Holy Spirit into this type of love.

In 1965, Jackie DeShannon recorded and released a song, "What the World Needs Now is Love".  I would agree with that if it were the 1 Corinthians 13 love. 

In honor of African American History month, take 6 minutes to watch this video.

February 10, 2014

⁹ In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;
    we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
    let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.
Isaiah 25:9 (NIV) 


Lay aside this ardor of mind, which exhausts your body, and leads you to commit errors. Accustom yourself gradually to carry prayer into all your daily occupations. Speak, move, work, in peace, as if you were in prayer, as indeed you ought to be. Do everything without excitement, by the spirit of grace. As soon as you perceive your natural impetuosity gliding in, retire quietly within, where is the kingdom of God. Listen to the leadings of grace, then say and do nothing but what the Holy Spirit shall put in your heart. You will find that you will become more tranquil, that your words will be fewer and more effectual, and that, with less effort, you will accomplish more good.

Francois De La Mothe Fenelon

Throughout the Bible God instructs His children to be calm.  Quiet.  Peaceful.  Watchful.  Still.

We are led beside still waters- Psalm 23.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 reminds the reader that God will give Christians His peace in all situations.
Phililppians 4:7 speaks of a peace the "transcends all  understanding".
Christ leaves His disciples with the gift of peace, His peace. John 14:27

Why then does that peace so often seem fleeting at best, and many times nonexistent?  Anger.  Worry.  Insecurities.  Regret.  Those are easy to come by.  Self-doubt.  Pride.  No shortage of these.

I think the secret lies in the highlighted sentence from Felelon's passage.  "Retire quietly within, where is the kingdom of God."  As New Testament Christians, we don't have seek out a priest, pastor, or holy man.  The kingdom of God is within.  It resides in us!  No Ark of the Covenant needed.  No Holy of Holys necessary.

When the world gets too big (and it will- for most of us multiple times a day), retire to the kingdom of God.  Enter into His presence.  Kneel at the feet of the Creator of All.  Touch the hem of the Alpha and Omega.

You can meet El Shaddai at your desk.  In your car.  At the lunch table.  He resides within.  Go to Him for strength, comfort, guidance, and peace.  He will quiet your raging mind.  He will slow your racing heartbeat.  He will calm your butterfly-filled stomach.

 *Daily Strength for Daily Needs- February 10
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8534/pg8534.html

February 6, 2014

February 5, 2014

In just two days the Winter Olympics will start in Sochi, Russia and the world's eyes will turn to the finest winter athletes on the planet.  Television sets will be tuned in to catch many of the 15 different events.  Thanks to 24-hour television channels, we can even watch the curling matches.

As I pondered the various events it occurred to me the most watched events, at least in America, were the ones with speed and flash.  Ski jumping, figure skating, snowboarding, etc.  I imagine the viewership drops way off for cross country skiing and biathlon.  These events require the same level of skill and training, but are lengthy, endurance events.  Not the blaze of speed down a hill or the flash of a triple Salchow.

The Christian life is more like cross country skiing than freestyle skiing.  Prayer, meditation, Bible study would not make for good television.  Kind words at work, a sympathetic ear for a neighbor, exhorting your spouse are not the stuff of Nielson ratings.  Much of the Christian life is about self-discipline, endurance, and day-in-day-out consistency.

But perhaps it is in this day-to-day, week-to-week, year-to-year consistency we reflect one of our Father's most important attributes.

He is the "same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
He "is faithful in all He does." Psalm 33:4-5 (NIV)
“For I the Lord do not change."  Malachi 3:6 (NIV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (NIV)

God may choose to provide our Christian lives with some Ollies, Nollies, and Shifties, but it is through the daily consistency of spiritual disciplines where we will experience the most growth and strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

February 4, 2014

² We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. James 3:2 (NIV)


³ Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

When we remember our temptations to give quick indulgence to disappointment or irritation or unsympathizing weariness, and how hard a thing it is from day to day to meet our fellow-men, our neighbors, or even our own households, in all moods, in all discordances between the world without us and the frames within, in all states of health, of solicitude, of preoccupation, and show no signs of impatience, ungentleness, or unobservant self-absorption,—with only kindly feeling finding expression, and ungenial feeling at least inwardly imprisoned;—we shall be ready to acknowledge that the man who has thus attained is master of himself, and in the graciousness of his power is fashioned upon the style of a Perfect Man.

 J.H. Thom

The old dudes could turn a phrase.  J.H. takes the two scriptures from today's entry and provides some wonderful elaboration.

The mirror was turned inward when Thom lists the various audiences of our "disappointment or irritation or unsympathizing weariness".  Fellow-men--usually I do a good job of keeping my tongue bridled at work.  Neighbors never suffer my ire.  Ah, but "household".  Therein lies the rub.  

Social conventions dictate we speak kindly to our neighbors.  Unions and grevience threats help us self-monitor our speech at work.  But those safeguards seem to fall away in the four walls of the home.

Can't unload at work?  Let the spouse have it about the Discover bill.  Gotta' bite your tongue when the boss jumps you because of a deadline HE missed?  That's okay, the kids needed yelled at for those muddy shoes.

While our ultimate goal should be to have a bridled tongue in all situations, our family, those who are the nearest and dearest to us, should certainly be just as protected from our verbal vomit and ourbursts as the next door neighbor with the yapping Pekingese.

 

 *Daily Strength for Daily Needs- February 4
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8534/pg8534.html

 

February 3, 2014

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16 (NIV)