Psalm 30:11-12
"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever."
God's promise is not exemption from mourning. We will face trials, loss and deep sadness in life. In fact, that is Jesus' promise, "In this world you will have trouble," (John 16:33b). Christ Himself mourned at the death of Lazarus and anguished over His own death as He prepared in the garden of Gethsemane.
But even as Christ promised that "In this world you will have trouble," He completed this promise by reminding us, "take heart! I have overcome the world," (John 16:33).
It is only by the mighty work of God that we are able to overcome the trials and loss of this life. It is only in the light of the cross that our mourning is turned to dancing, our sackcloth is turned to gladness and our grief to singing songs of glory and gratitude.
Through the cross I have reconciliation with my God and Maker. I have access to the source of all joy and gladness. The mourning of this life is not my only option.
Through the cross, I can be certain that my God and Savior, my Lord understands and identifies with my trial. He is fully able to sympathize with my situation because He has been there (Heb. 4:14-16). I am not alone.
"Though my sorrow may last for a night, His joy comes with the morning," (Psalm 30:5).
Mourning will cease. Morning is coming. Joy and dancing are on the horizon.
Father, thank You for the morning and new days filled with dancing and singing. Thank You for the cross because of which You walk with me. May my life be filled with singing and dancing for Your Glory. Make me a man of gratitude. Make me to teach others to sing and dance as well. Amen.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Mornings with God
Psalm 5:3
"My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up. "
Coming to the Lord int he morning is a common theme in Scripture. Jesus rose up early in the morning to spend time with the Father in prayer.
However coming to God in the morning is about more than the AM side of the clock. Coming to the Lord in the morning means early in life when we are developing our habits, patterns and skills. It means calling upon Him before the storm hits. It means seeking His wisdom before it is needed. It means praising Him before the blessing - anticipating His goodness. It means looking up when everything within me wants to hang my head. It's blessing the Lord at all times - even when I can't see what lies ahead.
By this we are strengthened to stand, prepared for battle, equipped in thought, ready for action. Life will not hold me down because I rise up early in the morning and seek Him.
Lord, meet me in the mornings of my life. Teach me to seek You at all times. Keep my head up and my eyes on You. Amen.
"My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up. "
Coming to the Lord int he morning is a common theme in Scripture. Jesus rose up early in the morning to spend time with the Father in prayer.
However coming to God in the morning is about more than the AM side of the clock. Coming to the Lord in the morning means early in life when we are developing our habits, patterns and skills. It means calling upon Him before the storm hits. It means seeking His wisdom before it is needed. It means praising Him before the blessing - anticipating His goodness. It means looking up when everything within me wants to hang my head. It's blessing the Lord at all times - even when I can't see what lies ahead.
By this we are strengthened to stand, prepared for battle, equipped in thought, ready for action. Life will not hold me down because I rise up early in the morning and seek Him.
Lord, meet me in the mornings of my life. Teach me to seek You at all times. Keep my head up and my eyes on You. Amen.
Gladness
Psalm 4:7
"You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased."
What makes me glad? What puts a smile on my face and lightens my heart? Is it the Lord? Do the things of God bring me joy? While there is nothing wrong with the gladness that comes from other things (grain and wine) the Joy of God should be noticeably greater. All good and perfect gifts come from God (James 1:17). Therefore, I when I take pleasure in anything I should be able to find God within and through it. The key is to live according to Psalm 1:2 - delighting in the law of the Lord, meditating on His Word day and night. God's Word gives me the perspective to delight in life and see the Lord in each delight. This perspective brings gladness - gladness that surpasses common pleasures and common things.
God - write Your Word on my heart and let me delight in Your ways. Fill me with gladness and make me a testimony to Your constant goodness. Amen.
"You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased."
What makes me glad? What puts a smile on my face and lightens my heart? Is it the Lord? Do the things of God bring me joy? While there is nothing wrong with the gladness that comes from other things (grain and wine) the Joy of God should be noticeably greater. All good and perfect gifts come from God (James 1:17). Therefore, I when I take pleasure in anything I should be able to find God within and through it. The key is to live according to Psalm 1:2 - delighting in the law of the Lord, meditating on His Word day and night. God's Word gives me the perspective to delight in life and see the Lord in each delight. This perspective brings gladness - gladness that surpasses common pleasures and common things.
God - write Your Word on my heart and let me delight in Your ways. Fill me with gladness and make me a testimony to Your constant goodness. Amen.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Examine Yourself
2 Corinthians 13:5
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified."
How would I examine and test myself to see if Christ is truly living in and through me?
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified."
How would I examine and test myself to see if Christ is truly living in and through me?
- Is there blatant sin in my life?
- Am I in daily communication with God in prayer?
- Have I been loving my bride in a way that reflects the Trinity (Eph. 5) and proclaims the Gospel of reconciliation?
- Have I forgiven others or do I harbor bitterness and resentment in my heart?
- Are His words on my heart, mind and lips?
- Have I felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do that which is contrary to my flesh and worldly reason?
- Am I serving sacrificially - giving myself away daily?
- Do I hold loosely to my earthly treasures for the sake of the Gospel ministry... giving generously, daily?
- Do I complain or rejoice in trials and struggles?
- Are my days marked by joy or marred by resentment?
- Do I boast in my work or God's work?
- What compels me?... love, truth, Christ... pride, greed, guilt...?
- Am I winning the battle of thoughts in my mind?
- Am I actively guiding my family to walk closer to Christ?... or am I lazy in leading?
- Would others see Christ in my actions?
- Would others hear Christ in my words?
If Christ is truly in me, He must also be through me - constantly and clearly evident in each area of my life.
My Jesus - live through me. Make Your presence known in me; and in me known. Teach me to sense Your voice - to know Your Spirit's moving. Make me more sensitive to You, more conscious of sin, more loving to others and more true to who You are calling me to be. Amen.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Suffering... for Christ's Sake
2 Corinthians 12:10
"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
I understand the concept Paul writes about here. I know that His grace is sufficient for me and that I'll never know, receive or reflect that grace apart from my weaknesses and trials. However I still avoid, in action and thought, all signs of trial; infirmities, reproach, needs, persecution, distress. I am not pleased to suffer these things as Paul wrote. And the more that I meditate on this verse I am convinced the reason (and lesson) is found in the short and overlooked phrase "for Christ's sake." More often than not I live for my own sake. And the trials I find myself in are not for His sake but because I chose to live for my sake. In this case I am weak... period. I should not expect sufficient grace but sufficient discipline - "for God disciplines those He loves, (Prov. 3:12, Heb 12:6). And I must never confuse the two; trials for Christ's sake and trials of discipline. And yet, I should desire and boast in both; for they are both a work of God for my continued sanctification.
Lord - bring me trials for Your sake. Teach me to life this way... for Your sake. Amen.
"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
I understand the concept Paul writes about here. I know that His grace is sufficient for me and that I'll never know, receive or reflect that grace apart from my weaknesses and trials. However I still avoid, in action and thought, all signs of trial; infirmities, reproach, needs, persecution, distress. I am not pleased to suffer these things as Paul wrote. And the more that I meditate on this verse I am convinced the reason (and lesson) is found in the short and overlooked phrase "for Christ's sake." More often than not I live for my own sake. And the trials I find myself in are not for His sake but because I chose to live for my sake. In this case I am weak... period. I should not expect sufficient grace but sufficient discipline - "for God disciplines those He loves, (Prov. 3:12, Heb 12:6). And I must never confuse the two; trials for Christ's sake and trials of discipline. And yet, I should desire and boast in both; for they are both a work of God for my continued sanctification.
Lord - bring me trials for Your sake. Teach me to life this way... for Your sake. Amen.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Credit to God
2 Corinthians 11:30
"If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. "
The older I get the more I realize just how little I can truly take credit for. My accomplishments are at best accidental; and in reality the very intentional blessings of God. My whole life is truly a blessing from God.
And, more often than not, this realization comes through my failures; being in need, breaking a relationship, leaving a job, making a bad decision, being a poor steward, etc.... It is when I am weak or foolish that God seems to show up most and speak most clearly.
At one time I would pray to avoid trials and struggles. Now I pray that God would bless me with more opportunities to see Him and experience His fullness no matter what it takes. I pray for discomfort so that I don't stay the same or think too highly of myself. I'm not strong enough to be humble or gentle or meek on my own... so I ask God to bring me to that place by whatever means necessary.
And praise be to God, He's got me where He needs me. He has continued to open my eyes and reveal Himself to me. He continues to fight on my behalf and bless me beyond measure.
God - thank you for blessing me and molding me through my weaknesses and trials to see and know You more. Bring me more opportunities to rely on You and experience Your goodness each day. Make me humble and give me more opportunities to point to You. Amen.
"If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. "
The older I get the more I realize just how little I can truly take credit for. My accomplishments are at best accidental; and in reality the very intentional blessings of God. My whole life is truly a blessing from God.
And, more often than not, this realization comes through my failures; being in need, breaking a relationship, leaving a job, making a bad decision, being a poor steward, etc.... It is when I am weak or foolish that God seems to show up most and speak most clearly.
At one time I would pray to avoid trials and struggles. Now I pray that God would bless me with more opportunities to see Him and experience His fullness no matter what it takes. I pray for discomfort so that I don't stay the same or think too highly of myself. I'm not strong enough to be humble or gentle or meek on my own... so I ask God to bring me to that place by whatever means necessary.
And praise be to God, He's got me where He needs me. He has continued to open my eyes and reveal Himself to me. He continues to fight on my behalf and bless me beyond measure.
God - thank you for blessing me and molding me through my weaknesses and trials to see and know You more. Bring me more opportunities to rely on You and experience Your goodness each day. Make me humble and give me more opportunities to point to You. Amen.
Spiritual Warfare
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."
What are my weapons of spiritual warfare?... prayer, Scripture, meditation, stillness, serving, giving, confession, accountability, the Holy Spirit and the very presence of Christ to start. I have no need to comfort or strengthen (for lack of a better term) myself with substance, alcohol, pornography, inappropriate relationships, power, prestige, accomplishments, material wealth or pride. I don't have to wage war using manipulation, lies, deceit, dominance, harsh words, unfair comparisons or prideful defenses.
When I rest in the blessings of God they alone are mighty enough to strengthen my heart and mind and give me victory over whatever I face.
Father, teach me to fully use the weapons you have given me to fight back temptation, unhealthy thoughts and untruths. Strengthen me and help me master my own thoughts and emotions. Protect me and keep me safe so that I may continue faithfully promoting Your kingdom. Amen.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."
What are my weapons of spiritual warfare?... prayer, Scripture, meditation, stillness, serving, giving, confession, accountability, the Holy Spirit and the very presence of Christ to start. I have no need to comfort or strengthen (for lack of a better term) myself with substance, alcohol, pornography, inappropriate relationships, power, prestige, accomplishments, material wealth or pride. I don't have to wage war using manipulation, lies, deceit, dominance, harsh words, unfair comparisons or prideful defenses.
When I rest in the blessings of God they alone are mighty enough to strengthen my heart and mind and give me victory over whatever I face.
Father, teach me to fully use the weapons you have given me to fight back temptation, unhealthy thoughts and untruths. Strengthen me and help me master my own thoughts and emotions. Protect me and keep me safe so that I may continue faithfully promoting Your kingdom. Amen.
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