Tag: God’s love

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Psalms Devotionals 2

The joy of calling Jesus “Lord”

Jesus is Lord

I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good besides you.” (Psalm 16:2)

I was reflecting on David’s words this morning and thinking that there is a joy to calling Jesus “Lord.”

But we only know that joy if we believe he is good. That he cares about us. And that he deeply loves us.

Without that confidence, calling Jesus “Lord” can be frightening.

David had definitely tasted the joy of calling God “Lord.” You see it throughout this psalm.

I’ve tasted that joy too.

But I want to fill up on that joy more every day.

How about you?

Do you know the joy of calling Jesus “Lord”?

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Colossians Devotionals

Hold on to Jesus

Cross

They don’t hold on to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, grows with growth from God. (Colossians 2:19)

“They don’t hold on to the head.”

Those words struck me this morning.

I want to hold on to Jesus.

I don’t hold on to Jesus by merely trying to keep a bunch of rules, as if I have somehow need to earn his acceptance. (20-23)

I am already accepted. My certificate of debt was canceled at the cross. (14)

I hold on to Jesus by reminding myself:

  • He is good
  • He already loves and accepts me.
  • He knows and desires my best.

And so with a heart filled with gratitude, I choose to live moment to moment, day to day, believing and following my Lord.

So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude. (Colossians 2:6-7)

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Philippians Devotionals

Do I have your heart?

Prayer

For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:8)

Father, do I have the same affection for your people that Jesus has? Would you be able to say of me, “Bruce feels the exact same way for my people as my Son does.”

Father, give me your heart. Give me the heart of your Son toward your people.

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Ephesians Devotionals

Rooted and established in God’s love

Deeply roooted

I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17–19)

Recently, I gave a message on “first love” talking about how vital it is to maintain our first love for Jesus.

But maintaining our first love isn’t first and foremost about anything we do. It’s not about reading our Bible more, or praying more, or serving more.

Rather it’s rooting ourselves in this one truth: God first loved us.

It’s daily coming to a deeper understanding of how long, and wide, and high, and deep his love is for us.

But we can’t root ourselves in things we take for granted. We can’t root ourselves in things we never ponder anymore.

Put another way, it’s easy to read the things Paul has been talking about it in the first three chapters of Ephesians, and just say, “I know, I know I know.”

But here are three thoughts I’m pondering. That I’m trying to grasp more fully in my heart. 

God chose me before the world began to be his child. (1:4-5)

I’m forgiven of all the filth in my life. God sees me as holy and blameless in his sight. (1:4, 7)

I’m God’s masterpiece. And he has already planned out things for me to do to serve his kingdom. (2:10)

As I think of these things, and how unworthy I am of them all, I can’t help but say, “Wow.”

I think Paul felt the same way. (3:8)

As you’ve been reading these chapters, have you been saying “I know, I know, I know?” Or have you been taking the time to wonder at these truths?

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Judges Devotionals

When we forget

Never forget the cross

When Gideon died, the Israelites turned and prostituted themselves by worshiping the Baals and made Baal-berith their god.

The Israelites did not remember the Lord their God who had rescued them from the hand of the enemies around them. (Judges 8:33-34)

Those verses epitomize the problem with the Israelites in the book of Judges: they so quickly forgot God’s grace and mercy to them.

For that matter, they didn’t seem to realize where their blessings came from in the first place, giving credit to Gideon for their salvation. (22)

The result? No heart of love and gratitude to the God who saved them.

It’s so easy to lose our first love for God when we forget the love and grace he has shown us, when we lose our gratitude and joy for all he has done for us.

Father, let me never forget or take for granted the love and grace you have shown me.

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Acts Devotionals

Fervent?

Prayer

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was praying fervently to God for him. (Acts 12:5)

I was thinking today  about how even after God didn’t answer the Christians’ prayer for James, they prayed for Peter when Herod imprisoned him. Not only that, they prayed fervently.

It made me think, “How fervent am I in my prayers when God seems slow to answer? Or when God has said no to other prayers?”

I’m thinking of two friends now, both of whom I’ve been praying for a long time. And for whatever reason, God doesn’t seem to be answering.

Sometimes I’m fervent in my prayers for them. But many times I’m not.

Of course, fervency in prayer doesn’t necessarily mean that God will say yes to my requests. Nor does it necessarily show how great my faith is. (The church sure didn’t seem to have much. See verses 15-16).

But fervency does say, “God, this is important to me. And I believe you hear me. And I believe you care. So I’m putting my trust in you and laying this in your hands.”

That’s the attitude I want to have as I pray for my friends today.

How about you? Are you praying with fervency?

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Deuteronomy Devotionals

To hear your voice

Listening to God

Indeed he loves the people.

All your holy ones are in your hand,
and they assemble at your feet.
Each receives your words. (Deuteronomy 33:3)

Father, your words are not meaningless babble. They are my very life. So let me take each one to heart. (Deuteronomy 32:46-47)

Let your teaching fall like rain on my ears and heart. Let your word settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, and showers on tender plants. (Deuteronomy 32:2)

I believe that you truly do love me, and I am in your hands. So I come to you now and sit at your feet. I receive your words to me today.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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John Devotionals

But what does God really think about me?

Mary and Martha

Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. (John 11:5-6)

Many people, including Christians, often have this nagging doubt in the back of our minds in which we ask, “But what does God really think about me?”

When Jesus delayed in coming and Lazarus died, I’m sure that Mary and Martha were thinking the same thing about Jesus.

“Does Jesus really love us? Why didn’t he come? Why didn’t he heal Lazarus.”

But what was the truth? What did Jesus really think about them?

He loved them.

When we’re going through struggles and God seems to be silent, it’s easy to start questioning what he really thinks of us.

But let us always remember: He is for us. And he deeply, deeply loves us. (Romans 8:31-32)

And nothing, not even the sting of death can separate us from his love. (Romans 8:38-39, John 11:25)

The only question is, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26)

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John Devotionals

First loved

God's love

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

I reallly like this translation.

Most translations read, “For God so loved the world…” and it can be translated that way. But usually, the Greek word for “so” would be read not as “so much,” but as “in this way.”

John uses different words in his letter, but expresses the same idea.

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him.

Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice, for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)

Paul says something similar in Romans 5:8.

But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The amazing thing is that God didn’t wait for us to turn to him before he showed us his love. Rather, he first turned to us. Not in judgment, but in mercy.

I wonder. How shocked was Nicodemus that Jesus said God demonstrated his love for the world by sending his Son.

It’s possible that his only concept of God sending his Son was to judge the world for its rebellion (Psalm 2).

Had Nicodemus ever considered that the blessed people in Psalm 2:12 could apply to those nations who had once been rebellious but had repented because of God’s love for them shown through his Son? Had the psalmist?

I don’t know. But let’s always remember the most amazing thing about John 3:16. God first loved an unrepentant, rebellious world, and sent his Son to save it.

And that includes us.

Take time to ponder that today. Ponder John 3:16. Ponder 1 John 4:9-10. Ponder Romans 5:8.

Ponder this truth and bathe in it: “God first loved me.”

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Acnowledging God as God

Acknowledging God as God

Acknowledge that the Lord is God.
He made us, and we are his,—
his people, the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:3)

Last week, I was preparing a message on the book of Job. And perhaps because of that, when I came across Psalm 100 in my quiet time, it really struck me that this was a song Job could have sung after all his experiences.

Because verse 3 was the main thing that he learned.

God is God. We are not.

He made us. We are his people, his sheep.

And that’s a good thing.

Why?

Because ultimately, he is good, his faithful love is forever, and his faithfulness through all generations. (5)

There’s a lot in this world that we can’t understand. And because of that, it’s easy to start questioning God. To start questioning his goodness. To start questioning his love toward us.

But the key to finding joy in the midst of our trials is acknowledging the Lord as God. That he is wise. That he is powerful. And most importantly, that he is loving to us.

So with those truths firmly in mind, let us shout triumphantly to the Lord. (1)

Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him with joyful songs. (2)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. (4)

For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever;
his faithfulness, through all generations. (5)

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Colossians Devotionals

That you might be first

Surrender to God

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.

He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. (Colossians 1:15-18)

Lord Jesus, I was created by you. I was created through you. I was created for you. Have first place in my life. You are worthy to be first in my life.

Fill me with the knowledge of your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding so that I may walk worthy of you, fully pleasing to you, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in my knowledge of you.

Strengthen me with all power so that I may have great endurance and patience, filled with joy and thanksgiving.

Your grace to me is incredible. You have given me an inheritance with your people. You rescued me from the domain of darkness and brought me into your kingdom.

By your death on the cross, you present me before the Father holy, faultless, and blameless.

By your grace, let me remain grounded and steadfast in faith, never shifted from the hope I have through your gospel.

In your name I pray, amen.

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Bible Original

Throwback Thursday — Prayers every believer needs

Throwback Thursday

A litle something that I wrote a few years ago, but God is really impressing on my heart in recent days.

Prayers that every believer needs
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1 Thessalonians Devotionals

Loved and chosen

Loved and accepted by God

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you… (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

Those are the words I was mulling over this morning.

“I am loved by God.”

“He has chosen me.”

Those words never cease to astound me.

God chose to set his love on me?

Why?

I have no answers. But it provides me great comfort.

I don’t have to strive to earn God’s favor. I already have it.

I don’t have to somehow prove myself worthy of his love. He’s already given it to me.

And so despite all the weaknesses and failings I see in me, I can rest, knowing he has accepted me.

Let those words sink into your hearts today.

“I’m loved by God.”

“And he has chosen me.”

Don’t try so hard
God gives you grace and you can’t earn it
Don’t think that you’re not worth it
Because you are

He gave you His love and He’s not leaving
Gave you His Son so you’d believe it
You’re lovely even with your scars
Don’t try so hard — Amy Grant

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Matthew Devotionals

I must tell Jesus

grave

For some reason, verse 12 really struck me today.

Then [John’s] disciples came, removed the corpse, buried it, and went and reported to Jesus. (Matthew 14:12)

After burying John, his disciples’ first thought was, “We must tell Jesus.”

Why?

I suppose one reason might be to warn Jesus about Herod. (Luke 9:9)

But just as importantly, they knew Jesus cared about John.

I wonder, though. Did they know Jesus cared about them? Not this general, “Jesus loves everybody.” But, “Jesus knows my grief, and he cares about me.”

What about you? Do you know Jesus really cares about you? Again, not this general, “Jesus loves everyone,” but “Jesus really does love me.”

When you go through trials and hard times, is your first response, “I must tell Jesus”?

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone. — Elisha Hoffman

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Matthew Devotionals

Memory Monday: Following Jesus’ example

child of God

Revisiting a blog from a few years ago, with a few minor revisions.

May we all follow Jesus’ example as we walk with the Father moment to moment, day to day.

Following Jesus’ example
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Genesis Devotions

When you’re sitting in the pit

Depression

Today, along with reading Genesis 37, by chance, I was also praying Psalm 118.

And as I read it, it struck me that it could have been Joseph’s song as he looked back on the darkest time of his life. (To be clear, this psalm was actually written hundreds of years later.)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)

I called to the Lord in distress;
the Lord answered me
and put me in a spacious place,

The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid.
What can a mere mortal do to me?

The Lord is my helper;
therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me. (Psalm 118:5-7)

They pushed me hard to make me fall,
but the Lord helped me.

The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:13-14)

The interesting thing is that Joseph’s life mirrors Jesus’. And a prophesy about Jesus could also be said of Joseph who would later save his brothers who had rejected and betrayed him.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. (Psalm 118:22)

All this would have been easy to sing for Joseph looking back. But in that moment, first sitting in that pit, and then being sold into Egypt as a slave, it would have been hard for Joseph to sing any of that.

And yet somehow, he held on to his faith. He kept believing God was good and that his faithful love endures forever. And his actions reflect that throughout the next few chapters. The result? He learned what Paul did.

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

It’s easy to say, “God is good” and believe in his love when things are going well. But when we’re in that pit, can we still say that?

Can we sing with Joseph,

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.

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Jude Devotionals

Called, loved, and kept: Our starting point

starting line

But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. (Jude 20-21)

“Build yourself up in your most holy faith.”

“Keep yourselves in the love of God.”

I was pondering those phrases today and what they meant.

And then, as usual, I started to pray one of the Psalms. Since it’s the 29th, I was praying Psalm 29.

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness
(alternate translation in footnote: “Worship the Lord in holy attire”)

…The God of glory thunders—
the Lord, above the vast water,
the voice of the Lord in power,
the voice of the Lord in splendor…

In his temple all cry, “Glory!”
…the Lord sits enthroned, King forever. (Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10)

As I read that, I couldn’t help but think about the passage from Revelation 4 where the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders worship before God’s throne.

We see the living creatures praising his holiness and the twenty-four elders ascribing to him glory, honor, and power. (Revelation 4:8-11)

And John was watching all this, no doubt trembling, but knowing that by Jesus’ blood, he was accepted and loved by the Father (Revelation 1:5-6).

And then I thought about Jude’s greeting.

To those who are the called, loved by God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. (Jude 1)

That was Jude’s starting point.

That was John’s starting point.

And that’s our starting point as well.

We are called by the Father, loved by him, and kept by and for Jesus Christ.

That’s our motivation for building ourselves up in our faith, reading his Word and praying, growing in his grace and knowledge.

That’s our motivation for staying in the love of God, trusting and obeying him each day, crying out with the 24 elders, “You are worthy to receive glory and honor from me. You are worthy to reign in my life.”

That’s our motivation for clothing ourselves in holiness, worshiping God not only with our mouths, but with our lives. (Revelation 4:10, Romans 12:1)

That’s far from the attitude of the people Jude warned against. (Jude 8-19)

But as God’s beloved children that’s our attitude. At least it should be.

And it will be if we keep in mind who we are.

Called.

Loved.

Kept by and for Jesus Christ.

And remembering these things, we sing with Jude,

Now to him who is able to protect [me] from stumbling and to make [me] stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25, personalization of the verse mine)

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2 John Devotionals

The mark of a true disciple

Holding a Bible

This is love: that we walk according to his commands…Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son (6, 9).

As you read John’s letters, you can see that he spent a lot of time reflecting on Jesus’ words because a lot of what John writes is based on Jesus’ words.

And what John writes in this letter reflects what Jesus taught about loving him and truly being his disciple. What did Jesus say?

If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32).

The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him…If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him (John 14:21, 23).

What is the mark of a disciple of Jesus? What shows that we truly love him?

We trust him enough to obey him.

In doing so, we find freedom. But more importantly, our fellowship with God deepens. He reveals more of himself to us, and we understand more deeply his love and goodness toward us.

I can honestly say that I’ve tasted these things in my life, and I have found that God is good. And because of that, I want more of him.

How about you? As you have followed Jesus’ words, have you come to taste the love and goodness of God in your life?

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Mark Devotionals

Losing our saltiness?

losing our saltiness

There’s a lot to think about in this passage, but it was Jesus’ last words of this chapter that really hit home today.

Salt is good, but if the salt should lose its flavor, how can you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another. (Mark 9:50)

Jesus has called us to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). To flavor the world with God’s love and grace.

But the church can lose its saltiness if we can’t even love each other.

Pride, bitterness, unforgiveness, and selfishness all cause us to lose our saltiness. You see the disciples struggling with these issues in this chapter and in its companion passage in Matthew 18.

But truth be told, so do I. Just thinking about yesterday, pride and selfishness were definite issues. And so as I read Jesus’ words, I had to repent.

How about you? What relationship issues, especially with your brothers and sisters in Christ, are causing you to lose your flavor?

Jesus said,

Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34-35)

Let’s remember Jesus’ command to us and love each other. In doing so, we will keep our saltiness, flavoring this world with God’s love and grace.

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

First day of Christmas

Jesus' birth
www.LumoProject.com

Merry Christmas all!

Starting today, I will be doing a special Christmas meditation for the 12 days of Christmas. These are based on a message I gave at my church recently, which you can hear here.

In it, I basically took the names of Jacob’s 12 sons, names born largely out of the pain of Rachel and Leah, and reinterpreted their meanings in light of Christmas, and God’s message toward us.

Today, Reuben.

When the Lord saw that Leah was neglected, he opened her womb; but Rachel was unable to conceive. Leah conceived, gave birth to a son, and named him Reuben, for she said, “The Lord has seen my affliction; surely my husband will love me now.” (Genesis 29:31-32)

The name Reuben means, “See, a son.”

It seems Leah was crying out to Jacob, “See, I’ve given you a son. Love me!”

But now God looks down at us, and says, “See, my Son! I do love you.”

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9)

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Titus Devotionals

Because God showed his love and kindness to us

But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:4-5)

“His love for mankind.”

That phrase stuck out to me because in some English translations, it’s just translated “his love.”

But the Greek word there actually refers to a specific love for mankind and is where we get our word “philanthropy” from.

It also struck me because of other things Paul said in this chapter.

Remind them…to be ready for every good work. (Titus 3:1)

I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. (8)

Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. (14)

Why do we do these things? Because God first showed his love and kindness to us.

And so just as he loved us, not just in word but in deed, we are to love others by our deeds as well.

The question God was asking me this morning was, “Do you love the people around you as much as I do?”

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1 John Devotionals

Do I know Your love?

And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us…We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:16, 19)

Father, I do know your love. And I do believe you love me. I love you because you first loved me.

And yet.

There are so many times I struggle to love others as you have loved me.

And so it makes me wonder, “Have I truly come to know and believe in your love for me?“

I would think that if I have, it would show in my love for others. In the way, I accept them. In the way I forgive them. In the way I deal with them.

So while I do know and believe in your love, it is so apparent to me that I need to know it so much deeper. Because right now, my love is so imperfect.

I want to love as you do. I want your love to be made complete in me. Make me like you.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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1 Samuel Devotionals

No one cares?

None of you cares about me… (1 Samuel 22:8)

Such were the words of Saul who was convinced everyone was conspiring against him when no one was.

And then there are the words of David as he was hiding from Saul in a cave.

Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me. (Psalm 142:4)

David definitely had Saul conspiring against him, but his words weren’t entirely true either.

Jonathan had stood up for him very strongly.

Michal had risked her life to save him as well.

The king of Moab also took care of his family for a time. And that’s not even mentioning the 400 men who had joined him.

Still, being on the run as he was and hiding in a cave, you can understand the exaggeration.

But unlike Saul, David put his trust in the Lord. He poured out his heart to God, confessing his weakness. And all the while, he was saying things like,

Although my spirit is weak within me, you know my way. (Psalm 142:3)

I say, “You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.” (Psalm 142:5)

The righteous will gather around me because you deal generously with me. (Psalm 142:7)

Do you feel that no one cares about you?

Look a little more carefully. More people care about you than you think. And even if everyone does abandon you, God never will.

He knows our way. He is our shelter. And he will deal generously with us.

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Mark Devotionals

Because God loves us

Mark

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.

As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”

Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. (Mark 1:9-13)

It always strikes me that just one sentence after we see the Father saying to Jesus, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,” it says the Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.

Sometimes we think, “Though God loves us, he sometimes lets us go through deserts.”

But the thought that came to me today was this: “Because God loves us, he sometimes drives us into the deserts.”

Why?

I think we see the answer in Hebrews 12:6-7.

for the Lord disciplines the one he loves
and punishes every son he receives.,

Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?

Even Jesus, who never sinned, experienced the Father’s discipline. And we see it here in Mark. But why did Jesus have to undergo discipline if he never sinned? 

That answer is also in Hebrews.

Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him... (Hebrews 5:8-9)

As a man, Jesus had to learn obedience just like we do. And obedience is tested not in the easy times, but in the difficult.

It’s easy to obey God when all is going well. It’s hard to obey God when we’re going through a desert. Through his time in the desert, Jesus learned obedience. It was an obedience that would be tested again in Gethsemane. (Mark 14:36-40)

But now, because Jesus has learned obedience, the writer of Hebrews says,

For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

So don’t get discouraged when you go through deserts. God doesn’t drive you there because he hates you. He does it because he loves you.

Just as he disciplined Jesus, he disciplines us. Not to destroy us. But for our good. (Hebrews 12:10-11)

And if you’re struggling through a desert right now, know that Jesus understands you. Because he has experienced the Father’s discipline too.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Categories
Psalms Devotionals

Thinking on God’s love

Psalms

As I read this psalm this morning, it was verse 9 that arrested my attention.

We have thought on your steadfast love, O God… (Psalm 48:9, ESV)

How often do we take the time to stop and think on, contemplate, and mediate on God’s steadfast love for us?

We often say, “God loves me.” But how often do we reflect on the myriad ways God has shown his love in our own lives?

There was a song I used to sing in church.

Think about his love.
Think about his goodness.
Think about his grace that brought us through.

For as high as the heavens above,
So great is the measure of our Father’s love.
Great is the measure of our Father’s love.

Can I encourage you to do something? Don’t just skim past these words and go on with your day.

Stop.

Think on these things.

In what ways has God shown his faithful love to me?

In what ways has God showed his goodness to me?

Through what trials has God’s grace brought me through?

And as we meditate on these things, let’s not just keep them to ourselves.

Let us instead tell the future generations, our children and all those who come after us,

This God, our God forever and ever—
he will always lead us. (14)

Categories
2 Thessalonians Devotionals

Keep on keeping on

2 Thessalonians

In these difficult times, Paul’s words really struck me.

But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

In these times of pandemic, in these times of fear and anger because of all the evil we see around us, it is easy to just get tired.

To get tired of doing what’s right.

To get tired of doing good, serving the Lord and ministering to others.

To instead become self-centered and idle.

That’s the temptation the Thessalonians faced in the midst of persecution.

But Paul says, “Don’t get weary. Keep on keeping on.”

The key to being able to do this?

May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance. (5)

Ultimately it’s God’s grace and his faithfulness that allows us to keep on keeping on.

That’s one reason why it’s important to pray for each other in these times.

We pray that the Lord will direct our hearts to God’s faithful love to us. A love that Christ proved by enduring far more than we ever have by going to the cross.

But when we are tired and struggling, it is so easy to lose sight of these things.

So let’s intentionally take the time to encourage each other, reminding each other of God’s faithfulness, and praying for each other as Paul did.

And for you, I pray as well.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you…The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (16-18)

Categories
Romans Devotionals

Though we may not all understand all the whys

Romans


When authors in the New Testament quote the Old Testament, it’s always a good idea to read the original passage.

In verse 36, Paul quotes from Psalm 44.

Psalm 44 is kind of a depressing psalm. It starts out by talking about God’s faithfulness and goodness, but suddenly changes to asking why they were suffering defeat against their enemies.

Unlike many psalms where the psalmist confess their sins, in Psalm 44, there seems to be no sin to confess. Rather, despite their faithfulness to God, the Israelites were struggling, leading them to say,

Because of you we are being put to death all day long;
we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. (Psalm 44:22)

The psalm ends by asking God why he was sleeping, and asking him to rise up and help them.

Sometimes we feel the same way. We feel abandoned by God. But are we? Are we doomed to defeat? Not according to Paul.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

As Paul pointed out, God showed his love for us by predestining us, calling us, justifying us, and glorifying us. (29-30)

And in order to accomplish all this, he sent his Son to die for us. So Paul says,

What, then, are we to say about these things?

If God is for us, who is against us?

He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all.

How will he not also with him grant us everything? (Romans 8:31-32)

And that’s why we can conclude,

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Like the psalmist, we may not understand the whys in our lives. We may not understand until heaven. Actually, by the time we get there, we may not even care anymore.

But in the meantime, let us hold on to these precious promises of God.

And remember: he is faithful.

Categories
Job

To truly know God

Job

I had heard rumors about You, but now my eyes have seen You. (Job 42:5)

I’ve been thinking about these words of Job recently, as I’ve been reflecting on what it means to truly know God.

Paul prayed in Colossians 1:10 that we would grow in our knowledge of God. But what does that mean?

It’s certainly not just head knowledge, important as that is.

It’s actually seeing his work in our lives. It’s actually hearing his voice as we read his Word, as we pray, and as we live our daily lives.

It’s experiencing his love, grace, and power firsthand in our lives, not just hearing about these things in the lives of other people.

Is that you? Do you truly know God?

May we all be able to say like Job, “I had heard rumors about you, but now my eyes have seen you.”

Categories
Mark Devotionals

A+? F?

Mark

I wrote something very similar to this some time ago, and it probably gives a better explanation of  this passage’s context and what it is about. But today, I wanted to focus on something a bit different.

Last Sunday, a former of pastor of mine was giving a message on “A+” people.

So often, we look at ourselves, not as A+ people, but as “F”s. And because of that, we think God sees us the same way.

But that’s not true. He sees us as A+ people. Why? Because we are more special than others? No. But because in his grace, he has adopted us as his children. And he loves us.

We see a glimpse of that truth in this passage.

In talking about taxes, Jesus talked about how Caesar’s likeness and inscription were engraved on the Roman coins, marking them as belonging to Caesar.

But in the same way, God’s likeness and inscription are engraved on us. We were all created in God’s image. (Genesis 1:26)

And when we become Christians, his inscription is written in our hearts. Paul tells us,

“You show that you are Christ’s letter delivered by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God—not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” (2 Corinthians 3:3)

What does that inscription say? What does the Holy Spirit say of us?

He tells us, “You are God’s child. You belong to him.” (Romans 8:16)

And so as we offer our lives to God, we do so not as oppressed, fearful slaves.

We do not need to wonder, “Does God really love me? Does God really accept me? Am I really an A+ in his eyes?”

Rather, we say with joy, “Yes! I am your child. I belong to you.” And it’s in that joy, we offer to him our all.

Maybe you’re still struggling with feeling you’re an F. You look at your life, and you say, “I sure don’t feel like God’s likeness and inscription are written on me.”

But they are. And though we are not yet perfect, Paul assures us,

“We all…are being transformed into the same image as (Jesus) from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The same God that joyfully said “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” looks at you with that same love and joy and says, “I am your God too.”

The Lord your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.

He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will be quiet in his love.
He will delight in you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Categories
2 Thessalonians Devotionals

Prayers that every believer needs

Worship at the cross

As I was reading 2 Thessalonians today, Paul’s prayers really touched me.

The things that he prayed for the Thessalonians is what I need prayer for.

They’re what every Christian needs prayer for.

He said,

We always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

So often we think that we have to make ourselves good. To change our lives by our own strength and will.

But here Paul prays that God would make us worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill our every desire to do good, and to bring to fulfillment every work we do by faith.

And as we do so, Jesus will be glorified in us, and us in him.

Not because of how good and wonderful we are, but because of the grace of the Father and the Son operating in our lives.

He then prays,

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word. (2:16-17)

And again,

May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance. (3:5)

At the root of our Christian faith is one basic fact: God loves us.

And Paul prays that Jesus would drive us to the Father’s love each day, so that we can receive the encouragement and hope we all need. As we do, he will strengthen us in every good work we do and every word we speak.

More, Paul prayed that when we face trials and afflictions as the Thessalonians did, that we would look to Christ and take courage from the endurance he showed in going to the cross for us to pay for our sins.

Like I said, so often we look inwardly as we walk this Christian life, trying to live in our own strength.

But let Jesus direct you to the Father’s love.

Remember the cross on which Jesus died.

And as you meditate on these things, let these be the things drive you each day in everything you say and do.

Categories
1 John

When we have confidence in God’s love

Child praying

I have to admit, it seems at times that John jumps around a lot in his thoughts. And the jump between verses 13 and 14 seems a bit startling as well.

How do we go from talking about the confidence we have in our salvation and God hearing our prayers and answering them.

But in this case, perhaps the jump isn’t as big as we might first think. The apostle Paul wrote,

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

In other words, if God loved us so much that he would give what was most precious to him, his Son, won’t he give us all things we need?

And I think John is making the same point here. He says,

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

And if we know he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:13-15)

Sometimes we are reluctant to come to God with our requests. Perhaps we feel we are being too selfish or self-centered.

But as children of God, we should come before God with confidence no matter our request. Why?

Because if we loved us enough to save us when we cried out to him, he will love us enough to listen to us whenever we come before him with any request we may have, large or small.

And because he saved us, we can be confident that he is looking out for our best. That means he will never give us anything that would harm us, but only the things that would benefit us.

That’s where the caveat comes in. If we ask anything according to his will, he will hear us. If what we ask for is something he knows is for our good, he will hear us and grant our request. If it is not, he will not.

So let us not hesitate to come before God with our requests. But let us come before him as trusting children. And as his trusting children, let us always believe that he desires our best through his yeses and nos.

After all, through the cross, he has certainly proved himself worthy of that trust.

Categories
1 John

The love God has for us

1 John

I said yesterday that I wanted to get back to some verses from chapter 4 that I skipped a couple of days ago. And they are absolutely vital because it goes back to something I said yesterday.

I said yesterday that as we come to drink more deeply of the love, our whole perspective on ourselves and others change.

Let’s take a deeper drink of that love today.

John writes,

This is how God showed his love among us: he sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)

Think about these verses for a minute.

God could have let us all go to hell. He would have been perfectly within his rights to do so. He didn’t have to save anyone.

He certainly didn’t send Jesus to save any of the angels that sinned against him.

And when he sent his Son into the world, he could have sent him in judgment. To destroy all of us who had rebelled against him. But that’s not why he sent Jesus. He sent him that we might have life.

The amazing thing is, it’s not like we were looking to be saved. It’s not that we said, “God I really messed up. But I truly do love you. Please save me.”

Rather, we were perfectly content living in our sin. We had no intention whatsoever of turning our eyes toward him.

But God’s eyes were already turned on us. Not to judge us. But to save us.

And so he sent his Son to be an atoning sacrifice for us.

I’ve mentioned before that atoning sacrifices were usually made by people to appease an angry God. But God didn’t even wait for us to do that. The truth is, we didn’t care enough to make one, nor could we make any sacrifice that could appease him even if we wanted to.

But God made that sacrifice for us. John’s words here echo Paul’s when the latter said,

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

As I write this, Good Friday and Easter are coming up soon. And it would be so easy to just take for granted all that God has done for us.

Don’t do that. Memorize these verses in I John and Romans. Meditate on them. Drink them in.

And they will transform you forever.

Categories
Romans

What grace is all about

cross

I have memorized many Bible verses in my lifetime. But one of the first passages I memorized was this one.

And though I haven’t really tried to recite it in some time, I’m pretty sure I can still get it word for word (although maybe not the punctuation).

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man, someone might possibly dare to die.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

A few punctuation mistakes, and a missed capitalization, but other than that, pretty good if I do so say so myself. 🙂

So many things struck me about that passage way back when and still do now.

It wasn’t as though God did for us something that we could do ourselves.

We could not save ourselves. We were drowning in our sin, with no escape, no life preserver, no boat in sight. We were powerless.

In spite of all that, we weren’t even searching for help, no less searching for God.

Yet though our backs were set firmly against him, God sent Jesus to die for our sins that reconciliation between us might be made possible.

Very rarely will a person die for a “morally correct person,” such as a Pharisee. One who keeps the rules and looks down on anyone who doesn’t.

Some people, though, might die for a “good guy.” A person that is kind and caring.

But we were neither “morally correct” nor “good guys.”

We had rebelled against God, turning our backs on him, and living our own way. And by doing things our own way, we hurt God, we hurt others, and we even hurt ourselves.

Yet God didn’t simply turn his back on us and say (literally), “To hell with you.”

Instead, he came down as a man and died in our place.

That’s what grace is all about. That though we deserved nothing good from God, indeed, though all we deserved was punishment, nevertheless, he loved us and reached out in love to save us.

And it’s the grace that God grants to us who believe in him.

We who are guilty. We who are unworthy of his love. We who have been utterly stained by sin. We who were wretches before him.

It truly is, as the song says, amazing grace.

Amazing grace,
How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me,

I once was lost,
But now I’m found.
Was blind but now I see.

Categories
Luke Luke 7

The God who has come, the God who is near

Luke

“Where is God?”

In the midst of tragedy, people often ask this question. I’m sure the widow in this story asked the same.

Her husband had already died, and now her only son was gone. Not only were these the people she loved, but they were also her only means of support.

In those days, without a husband or son to take care of her, she was doomed to a life of destitution.

And so as she wept, I would not be surprised if she asked, “God where are you? Do you really care? Why did you allow this to happen?”

Then God came.

One crowd gathered around a dead man came face to face with another crowd gathered around the Author of life. And when Jesus saw the mourning mother, his heart went out to her, and said, “Don’t cry.”

He walked up to the dead man and raised him back to life.

When the crowd saw it, they were stunned, and then exuberant, shouting,

“A great prophet has appeared among us…God has come to help his people.” (Luke 7:16)

Where is God? He has already come. And he is near. You may not see him. You may not sense him. But he is here. He sees your weeping. He sees your sorrow. And he cares.

He proved that on the cross 2000 years ago when he gave his own life for a world that was broken by sin.

And by rising from the dead, he proved he has the power to save us from whatever problem we may face, just as he helped that poor widow in Nain. All we have to do is ask.

As David put it,

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

Categories
Luke Luke 5 Mark Mark 2 Matthew Matthew 9

Never beyond redemption

The gospels

I love these passages because it teaches us one thing. We’re never so far gone that God’s love can’t reach us.

One day, Jesus was walking past the tax collecting booth of a man named Matthew. I kind of wonder what was going through Matthew’s heart as he saw Jesus approaching.

I’m not sure, but at a guess, there was probably regret. Long ago, Matthew had “sold his soul.”

Tax collectors were among the most despised people in Israel. Not only were they considered collaborators for collecting taxes for the hated Roman government, they were also considered cheats for taking more money in “taxes” than they should have, and pocketing the excess.

Why Matthew took this path, we will never know. But perhaps as time went on, he discovered that the money he was making wasn’t worth the price. It wasn’t bringing him joy just having money and things. Instead, it was bringing only despair.

It’s possible that as he saw Jesus was approaching, Matthew felt a sting of jealousy for the throng that was following Jesus. Maybe a part of him wished that he too could follow after Jesus.

He had heard of all the things Jesus taught. He had heard of the miracles. And perhaps in Jesus, he thought there might be a way out from the hell he was in.

But he thought, “There’s no chance. There’s no way Jesus could accept me as a follower. I’m too far gone.”

Suddenly Jesus stopped at Matthew’s booth and looked at him. As he did, Matthew probably felt that everything in his heart was laid bare before that piercing gaze, and his head dropped in shame and guilt.

But then Jesus said, “Matthew.”

And when Matthew looked up, he didn’t see condemnation in Jesus’ eyes. He saw compassion. He saw forgiveness.

And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”

Two simple words. “Follow me.”

But in those words were a wealth of meaning. “It’s not too late for you. There is forgiveness available to you. There is hope. There is redemption. Just follow me.”

And Matthew left all to follow Jesus. To be sure, there was a lot still that needed to be dealt with in Matthew’s life. But that day, he took a first step into a new life.

How about you? Do you feel that you are beyond redemption? That you’ve gone so far that God has given up on you.

He hasn’t. He still loves you. He looks upon you with compassion. And he offers you forgiveness and mercy. All you have to do is to take that first step and start following after him.

Change will take time. Like Matthew, you will not become perfect overnight. There will be struggles with sin. There will be times you will fall.

But when you take that first step and say, “Jesus I want to follow you. Please be my Lord,” Jesus will give you a new heart that can follow him, and he will change you from the inside out.

Will you take that first step today?

Categories
Luke Luke 4 Mark Mark1 Matthew Matthew 8

The One who heals

The gospels

Here we catch a glimpse of the healing ministry of Jesus as it kicks into full gear.

It starts with Jesus visiting Peter’s home, and healing Peter’s mother-in-law. It strikes me here that this was the first time Jesus healed on the Sabbath, although it was in a private setting, so he caught no flack for it.

Looking back, I kind of wonder about the casting out of the demon back in the synagogue. Would the Pharisees and teachers of the law considered that “work” and criticized Jesus for that too had they been there?

I can just imagine them saying, “Hey, what are you doing? Cast out demons some other day. It’s the Sabbath!”

Jesus would soon get into trouble for healing on the Sabbath, but not on this day. After the Sabbath was over, people flocked to Peter’s house to ask Jesus for healing, and Jesus healed each one.

Matthew says of this,

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.” (Matthew 8:17)

It should be pointed out that Matthew clearly states that this prophesy was fulfilled in the healing ministry of Christ while he was on earth. There is no guarantee of healing now.

Jesus, of course, can and does still heal. But unlike what some preachers teach, it is not guaranteed.

Anyway, what can we take from this passage? First, the compassion of Jesus. He not only cares about the crowds, he cares about the individual.

Here was a woman in Peter’s mother-in-law, who is otherwise nameless. And yet Jesus took her by the hand and healed her.

You may be nameless in this world. People may not know who you are. But Jesus knows. And when you’re hurting physically or emotionally, he sees and he cares.

Like I said, there is no guarantee for physical healing. Sometimes God has plans that we can’t see that don’t involve the physical healing of our bodies, but Jesus does tell us to ask, and we should.

But where there are emotional hurts or scars, Jesus will definitely bring healing to those if we will just come to him.

While I’ve seen Jesus use physical ailments for his glory, I don’t believe there would be any reason that Jesus would desire you to carry those emotional hurts throughout your life. So bring them to him. And he will heal you.

The other thing that strikes me from this passage is Peter’s mother-in-law’s response to her healing. She immediately started serving Jesus.

We should do the same. When Jesus heals us, whether from physical ailments or from emotional ones, or from the scars that come from sin, our response should be to serve him out of our gratitude and love for him.

Not because we have to, but because we want to.

And in many cases, he asks us to help others who are in the very same kind of trouble we were in.

Jesus doesn’t just heal us so that we will be healed, but so that we can bring his healing to others as well.

Are you bringing the healing of Jesus to those around you?

Categories
John John 1 Luke Luke 3 Mark Mark1 Matthew Matthew 3

Loved by the Father, Filled with the Spirit

Jesus baptized by John the Baptist
www.LumoProject.com

During the time that John was baptizing multitudes of people, Jesus also came up to him to be baptized.

I wonder just how well John knew Jesus and exactly who he was when he did. How much did his parents tell him about his cousin? How much did God tell him?

John had been living in the desert probably from the time he was old enough to survive on his own. Did he even recognize Jesus?

He must have, at least to some degree, for when Jesus came to be baptized, John saw in his eyes someone unlike any other he had ever met. Someone who had no need of repentance. And so he told Jesus,

I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? (Matthew 3:14)

But Jesus told him,

Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. (Matthew 3:15)

Why did Jesus get baptized? For two reasons. One was to make clear to John with no room for doubt just who he was preparing the people for. Later, when John saw Jesus, he gave this testimony:

Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’

I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel…

I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.

I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God. (John 1:29-34)

From his words, it seems clear that up until that point, that though he recognized something different in Jesus, nevertheless, he didn’t know he was the One God had promised, the one that he was preparing Israel for.

The second reason Jesus got baptized was to identify himself with us as fallen people in need of repentance.

Although Jesus himself never sinned, he would take our sins upon himself at the cross, and die for us. By his birth, he identified with us as being human. By his baptism, he identified with our sinfulness.

But the thing that strikes me is what happened when he got baptized, something that John the Baptist alludes to.

Namely, that when he got baptized, the Spirit came upon Jesus in power. Not only that, the Father affirmed his love for him.

If we are to be effective Christians, we need these things in our lives. If Jesus, the only unique Son of God, needed these things, how much more do we?

To know that the Father loves us. If we do not know this, we will always fear to draw near to Him. We will always be afraid of his words of rebuke, and so we’ll hesitate to draw into a close relationship with him.

But also, if we are not secure in the love of the Father, it makes all our other relationships much more difficult.

It becomes difficult to love others when they don’t return that love, or at least as much as we would expect or hope.

It becomes difficult to forgive when people hurt us.

The reason so many people find it hard to love as God does is simply because they don’t know God’s love for them.

But because Jesus was so completely filled with his Father’s love, he could love others despite their failings.

At the same time the Father affirmed his love for Jesus, however, the Spirit empowered him. Jesus didn’t start his ministry until that happened.

In the same way, if we want to be effective servants for God, we need to be filled with his Spirit. According to John, that was what Jesus also came to do. To baptize us with his Spirit.

How about you? Do you know God’s love in your life? Are you filled with his Spirit?

Categories
Psalms

The God who knows and loves me

Psalms

Psalm 139 is one of the most famous psalms, and probably the favorite of many along with Psalm 23.

Why are these two psalms so beloved?  Probably because they show the loving care of God

Actually, this psalm could either be very scary or it could be very comforting depending on the view that you take.

In the States, everyone is worried about “big brother.”  They worry that the CIA can track us all with their satellites and watch everything we do.  But that’s nothing compared with what God can do.

As David writes, he knows when we sleep and when we rise.  He knows when we go out or just relax in our living rooms.  He knows everything that we do.

Even the darkness can’t hide us from him.  And no matter where we go, he always knows exactly where we are.

More than that, he not only knows every word that we speak on our cell phones.  He knows every word that we speak at home or at work.  He even knows every word that goes unspoken in our minds.

Now if God were someone who was just waiting for us to do something wrong so he could whack us, that would be scary.  If he looked upon us with hostile intent, that would be terrifying.

But instead, God looks upon us with mercy and love.

He was there when we were in our mother’s womb.  He in fact was the very one knitting us together there.  And as he created us, he had dreams for us.  Plans for what we could be.

As David said, were we to count all his thoughts concerning us, we’d find that they outnumber all the grains of sand.

Not only that, from the very beginning, he knew what we would do, what decisions we would make, and he wove us into his plans for his kingdom.

Nothing catches him by surprise.  He has no need for a plan B.  He only has plan A.  And his plans have not changed from the time he first conceived them.

So no matter what we do or how we fail, his thoughts toward us never change.  He will weave whatever we do, whether good or bad, into his plans.

The only question is, will we cooperate with him willingly, or will we find ourselves woven into his design kicking and fighting the whole way?

For David, his decision was clear.  Although his words may seem harsh, nevertheless, it was clear that he had a hatred for evil, because he knew that God hates evil.  He wanted nothing to do with it, nor with the people who perpetuate it in our world.

On the contrary, he wanted to keep a heart that was holy and pleasing to God.  A heart that was submissive to his Lord’s will.  And so he closes the psalm by praying,

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.  (23-24)

Lord, thank you that you know and love me.  That from the time I was in my mother’s womb, you already knew me and had plans for me. 

Use me for your purposes.  My life is yours.  Wherever I go, and whatever I do, may your hand guide me. 

Change me where I need to be changed.  Take out the evil that is within me and purify me.  And lead me in the way everlasting.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Psalms

The God who fulfills his purpose in me

Psalms

After the depressing nature of Psalm 137, this psalm is quite refreshing.  Why?  I suppose it’s because the focus is back where it should be:  on God.

When David composed Psalm 138 is uncertain, but I suppose it’s possible he wrote it sometime after his ascension to the throne of Israel.

Perhaps as he wrote it, he was looking back on just how far he had come, and how God’s hand had been on his life.

He starts with praise, singing,

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.  (Psalm 138:1)

The word “gods” is a bit obscure in the Hebrew.  Whether he was proclaiming God before the false gods of the nations, or simply the kings of the nations is not clear.  Some ancient translations have even rendered it “angels.”

But whoever David meant, it’s clear that he places God over all,  even before the “mighty ones,” whether on heaven or earth.

Why?  Because of God’s love and faithfulness to him.  That when he called out in his distress, God reached down from above to deliver him.  And whenever David was afraid for his life, God gave him courage to stand once again.

Now as David looked back on his life, he saw just how great God was, and how faithful He was to His word.

So he sings in praise,

May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth.

May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.  (4-5)

And because of God’s faithfulness to him the past, he could say with confidence,

The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever.  (8)

Are you struggling with doubt in your life now?  Are you feeling lost and abandoned by God?

Think of the times God has been faithful to you in the past.

Think first to the cross and what Jesus did for you.

Think to the people who first brought you to Christ and the circumstances surrounding your salvation.

Think of what God has done for you since.

Then remember that the same God who was with you then, has not abandoned you now.  His love does endure forever, no matter how many times we may fail him.

And God will fulfill his purposes for you in your life.

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Psalms

Remembering the goodness and love of God

Psalms

The first verse pretty much sums up all of Psalm 136.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
“His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)

This whole psalm is about God’s goodness and love toward his people.  But as we look at it, we see just who God is to us.

It begins by talking about how he is the “God of gods” and “Lord of lords,” continuing one of the main themes of Psalm 135.  (verses 2-3)

It then talks about him as Creator, the one who created the heavens and earth.  How in his wisdom and power, he created all things.  (4-9)

God is then worshiped as the Redeemer.  The one who delivered the people of Israel from Egypt, by striking down the Egyptians, and bringing the Israelites through the Red Sea.  (10-15)

The psalmist then remembers God as Shepherd, leading the people through the desert, providing for their every need.   (16)

We next see him as the Mighty Warrior, defeating powerful kings and great cities, as he brought Israel into the promised land, and giving it to them as an inheritance.  (17-22)

In verses 23-25, the psalmist proclaims God as the God of grace and mercy.  As one who saw the lowly state of his people, and delivered them.  Who not only provided for their needs, but provides for the needs of every creature he has created.

And finally, we see God as the Lord of heaven.  The one who reigns over all.  (26)

I mentioned in an earlier blog the dangers of cynicism.  One of the weapons against cynicism in our lives is thanksgiving.  Remembering who God is and what he has done for us.

Remembering that he is God and he is in control, even though we can’t see it sometimes.

Remembering how he redeemed us from Satan’s kingdom and eternal death.

Remembering how even now, he is leading us as pilgrims on this earth and will bring us into the kingdom he has prepared for us.

How he is the mighty warrior and will help us in the battles against the spiritual forces that we face every day.

How when we fall, he shows grace and mercy to us, and lifts us back up.  That he never leaves us nor forsakes us.

So every day, let us remember these things.  Let us focus on these things.  And let us sing with hope as the psalmist did,

His love endures forever.

Categories
Psalms

The God who watches over us

hills in Israel

Psalm 121 is one of the most beautiful psalms in the book, and was my father’s favorite.  I can see why.

It is a psalm of utter trust in the Lord.

It starts out,

I lift up my eyes to the hills —
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.  (Psalm 121:1-2)

This is another of the psalms of ascents, sung when people made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

And I can just imagine that as they looked up to where Jerusalem was, hope and joy sprang in their hearts.  For there, they knew the presence of God resided in his temple as he had promised Solomon.  (I Kings 9:4)

The temple, of course, could not contain God, as Solomon himself admitted.

Nevertheless, God promised to come and meet his people there.  And he promised that when people would pray towards the temple, he would hear them.  (II Chronicles 7:15)

And as the pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem, they took comfort in the knowledge that God would watch over them and protect them because he is a God that never sleeps.  That he would be their shade during the hot days, and their protection at night.

But it went far beyond that.  They knew that he was not only with them during their pilgrimages to Jerusalem, but during their pilgrimage through life.  And so the psalmist wrote,

He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.  (7-8)

Let us also take comfort in those words.

Nothing ever happens to us that doesn’t first pass through the hands of God.  And he will never let us endure anything beyond what we can bear.

He will guard our lives while we are on earth.  And then he will bring us into glory.

Categories
Psalms

The God who never fails

Psalms

After such a depressing psalm in Psalm 88, Psalm 89 starts off on a much brighter note.  Nevertheless, it too was also written in a time of trouble.

The psalmist starts by singing,

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.  (Psalm 89:1-2)

He then remembers the Lord’s greatness, singing,

The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.

For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?

Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?

In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.

Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?  You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.  (5-8)

He goes on to sing about the joy of those who follow him (15-17) and remembers God’s promises to David that he would establish his line forever as kings in Israel.  (3-4, 19-37)

But then we have a sudden change of tone.

Right after he talks about all these things, he talks about how all of these things seemed to have failed.  That God had rejected and turned his back on the descendants of David and on Israel because of their sins.

So the psalmist cries out,

How long, Lord?  Will you hide yourself forever?  How long will your wrath burn like fire…

Lord, where is your former great love, which in your faithfulness you swore to David?  (46,49)

But though things seemed bleak, God had never changed.  He eventually brought back the Israelites to their land, not just once, but twice.  And one day, Jesus will take the throne, fulfilling the word God gave David thousands of years ago.

Let us never remember that though we can’t always see it, God’s love and faithfulness towards us never changes.  When he makes a promise he will keep it.

He proved it to the Israelites in the past.  He will prove it again in the future.  And he will prove it to us as well, if we’ll just keep putting our trust in him.

So let us sing as the psalmist did,

Praise be to the Lord forever!  Amen and Amen.  (52)

Categories
Psalms

Guarding our hearts in times of trouble

Psalms

Solomon once wrote “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”  (Proverbs 4:23)

This is always true, of course, but especially in times of trouble.  And Solomon’s father David certainly had his share of it.

Yet in his times of trouble, we can see why God called him a man after his own heart.

He starts out the psalm by crying out for God’s help.  And in doing so, we see where he placed his trust.  Not in his own wisdom and strength to get him through his problems.

Rather, he said,

 I put my trust in you.  (Psalm 86:4)

Then he turns his thoughts to the nature of the God in whom he trusted.  He prayed,

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.

Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.

When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.  (5-7)

In other words, “In spite of my problems, I know that you care for me.  And that you are good.  What’s more, I believe you will answer me when I call.”

I suppose as Christians, we should all believe these things, but when we’re facing trials, it’s easy for doubt to creep into our hearts.  But despite his problems, David held fast to these truths.

He then focused on the greatness of God.  On how God was so much greater than his problems.  He sang,

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.  (8-10)

After focusing on God’s greatness, David turned to his own heart.  And he prayed,

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  (11)

The new NIV (which to be honest, I don’t particularly care for — bring back version ’84, Zondervan!) puts it, 

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness.

I think this verse is so important as we face trials in our lives.  Life’s problems can tend to cause our hearts to fray and unravel.

But David prays in the midst of trial, “Lord, teach me your way.  Give me a heart that’s undivided.  A heart that’s united (NASB) in its desire to follow you.  May I walk in your truth and trust in your faithfulness in spite of all I’m going through.”

That’s the attitude we need to have too.  To never lose focus or trust in God.  But to have a heart that’s totally united in its desire to follow him.

Let us be like David, constantly focusing on God and his goodness and his faithfulness toward us, even in times of trouble.  Like him, let’s continue praising him singing,

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your love toward me.  (12-13)

Categories
Psalms

Our Shepherd

Sheep and shepherd Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is probably the most famous psalm in the book.  Probably because of the intimacy it displays between God and us.

In other psalms, we see God as king.  As judge.  As avenger.  As warrior.  But in this passage, we seem him as a shepherd.

It has been pointed out that being called sheep is not exactly a compliment.  Sheep are among the stupidest animals in the world.  They are completely lost without their shepherd.

And that’s what we are. We’d like to think of ourselves as smart and better than others.  That we don’t need God.  But without God, our lives will go to pieces.  We are hopelessly lost without him.

David starts by saying, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Not just “our shepherd.”  But, “my shepherd.”

In other words, though we may be one of many sheep, God cares intimately for us.  And as in the story of the lost sheep, when one of us strays from him, he cares enough to pursue us and rescue us.  (Luke 15:3-7)

And because he cares for us, David says we shall lack nothing we need.

Jesus reiterates this saying that if our Father takes care of the birds of the air and clothes the flowers of the field, how much more will he take care of us?  (Matthew 6:25-30)

Not only that, he gives us peace and rest.  Sheep will not lie down unless if they are anxious or afraid.  But a good shepherd soothes their fears and anxieties and allows them to lie down in peace.

And when we’re tired and exhausted, when we’re feeling burdened by life’s problems, David writes that he restores our soul.

He gives us what we need not to just make it through the day, but to be totally refreshed as we face the new day and its challenges.

As our shepherd, he also leads us.  He shows us the right path to walk upon, a path that leads us where we need to go in life.

This is not to say that the path will always be pleasant.

The interesting thing here is that David says that the path sometimes leads us right into the valley of the shadow of death.  Through times when things seem dark.  Through times when there seems to be no hope.

But David says, “Even though I go through these dark places, even as I face death itself, I will not fear.”

Why?

“Because you are with me.”

He writes,

“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4).”

Shepherds often used their rods to protect the sheep from predators that would attack them, and he would use the staff to guide the sheep.

And so even as David went through the dark times (and he had many), he says, “I see your protection and your guidance even then.”

And though God may not take all adversity from us, David says that even so, he provides all we need and more.  He sings in verse 5,

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Because of all these things, David sings with confidence and joy,

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.  (6)

How about you?  Have you made God your shepherd?

Only in him, will you find the peace, joy, and contentment that we all seek.

Categories
Psalms

A prayer from the Psalms: Who am I?

Psalms

Whenever I go back to Hawaii, I love to look at the stars at night.  You just can’t see them so clearly from where I live in Japan.

On a normal night, you might see two or three, if that many.  If you’re lucky, you might actually get to see Orion’s belt.

But whenever I see the stars in all their glory, I marvel at them as David must have as he wrote this psalm.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.  (Psalm 8:1)

Then like David, I think of how big God is, and how small I am.  And I marvel at how the God who created all this could actually care about me.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.  (Psalm 8:3-5)

On my way to work this morning, I was listening to a song that was based on this psalm and it totally captures my feelings.

Who am I that you are mindful of me
That you hear me, when I call

Is it true that you are thinking of me
How you love me, it’s amazing.

Lord, thank you that you are mindful of me.  That you actually bend down and listen to me when I pray.  That you actually think of me.  That though I am lower than the angels, yet you crown me with glory and honor. 

Not because I deserve it.  But because you love me. 

Lord, may I never take your love for granted, but may I always stand in awe of your love for me.  In Jesus name, amen.

Categories
Job

Incomplete and distorted

Job

We finally come to the last of the speeches by Job’s friends.

Essentially, Bildad totally ignores all that Job said, and just says, “God’s great.  God’s pure.  But you.  You’re just a dirty worm.  Dirty.  Impure.  A mere maggot in his sight.”

Job retorts, “Wow!  What great wisdom!  I’m just stunned by your insight.  Of course God is great and awesome.  His power is beyond imagining.  I’m nothing compared to him.  But I still don’t deserve all this suffering, and nothing you say can make me say that I do.”

As I look at Bildad, I see two things.

First, his idea of God was incomplete and distorted.  While it is true that God is great and we are nothing compared to him, and while I suppose from our view, we are but maggots and worms compared to him and his holiness, nevertheless, he doesn’t see us that way.

How do I know?  Because when God took on flesh, he spent most of his time ministering to those whom others considered “worms” and “maggots.”

He reached out to the prostitute who was about to be stoned and granted her mercy and a second chance.

He extended the hand of fellowship to the cheating tax collector whom everyone despised.

He ate with and gave his time to the other notorious “sinners” in Israel.  And because of that, their lives were changed.

But even more than that, he went to the cross for us when he didn’t have to.

He was pure.  He was holy.  He didn’t deserve to die.  But he went to the cross anyway.  Why?  Because he saw us as worms?  Because he saw us as maggots?

No.  Because he saw us as pearls of great price, and he was willing to pay any price in order to save us.

I once heard a Christian comedian talk about his favorite song, which to him incapsulated the message of Christianity.

“What song is that?” he asked.  “It must be one of the great songs of the church.  Something like…” (taking a deep breath, and singing in a very solemn tone…)

I come before thy throne of grace…
And throw myself upon my face.

I know that I am but a worm.
So step on me God and watch me squirm.

(With apologies to Martin Luther’s “A mighty fortress is our God.”)

“No,” he said.  “I believe it can be summed up in one phrase.  One song.”

Jesus loves me this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong.
They are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.

Granted, it is not the whole of the gospel.  But it’s where it starts.  Because if God didn’t love us, there would be no gospel at all.

And it’s this love that we need to take to a world that is hurting.

That is what Bildad failed to do for Job (and this is the second thing I note concerning Bildad).

For while Bildad simply telling Job, “God loves you” would have probably done no good, Bildad showing the love and compassion of God would’ve done Job a world of good, and let him know that yes, God is still here.  And God still cares.

How about you?  Is your view of God incomplete and distorted?  Do you see God’s greatness, and see yourself only as an insignificant worm in his sight? 

God doesn’t see you that way at all.  He loves you.

And he wants you to take that love to the people around you.  Not just through your words.  But through your actions.

Do you know God’s love in your life?  And do people see God’s love through you?

Categories
Job

What we cannot see

Job

In this chapter, Job is really at a point of despair.  Almost all that was dear to him had been stripped from him.

His children were dead, his wife was of no comfort, he had lost his possessions, and now he was covered with sores from head to foot. I think that would’ve been enough to break any man.

And here, Job pours out his soul.  He curses the day he was born, and wishes that he had been stillborn.

Although he was by no means suicidal, nevertheless, he did wish that when he finally fell asleep at night, that he would never wake again.

But each day, he did awake, and things were no better.  And he wondered why it is that people have to live like that.  Living only to see misery and bitterness in life.

He then asked,

Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?  (Job 3:23)

In other words, “I can’t see the purpose of my own life.  Why has God given me life, when all I have is trouble and there seems to be no way out?”

He concludes by saying,

For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water.  What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.

I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.  (24-26)

That was his view from down on earth.

But what of heaven’s perspective?  This is something, interestingly enough to me, that is never shown to Job.

He never knew that God was actually very proud of him.  That God actually boasted about him among the angels and to Satan himself.

He never knew that God allowed these trials not because God was against him, but because God was so confident that he’d make it through.

And he also never saw the fact that despite all that happened to him, God’s hand was still very much upon him.  That though Satan would have destroyed him, God refused to let him do so.

So often as we face trials in our lives, we can’t understand why things are happening to us.  It seems like God is against us.  That he either no longer loves us, or that he simply no longer cares what happens to us.

But let us never forget that God never stops loving us.  That he instead looks upon us as a proud father and that he believes in us.

More than that, let us never forget that he will never take his hand of protection from us despite all that happens to us, and will never, ever let us go through trials beyond what we can bear.

As Paul wrote,

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  (I Corinthians 10:13)

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Isaiah

A people God loves

Isaiah

Does God love me?

Sometimes we look at our lives and we wonder. 

We go through hard times, and wonder if God really cares.  Or we mess up our lives, and wonder if God has given up on us.

And perhaps Israel felt the same way.  But God told them,

“Sing about a fruitful vineyard:  I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it. 

I am not angry.  If only there were briers and thorns confronting me!  I would march against them in battle; I would set them all on fire. 

Or else let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me.” 

In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.  (Isaiah 27:2-6)

Here God compares Israel to a vineyard that he is tending.  And what he told them, he  tells us.

“I watch over you.”  My eyes are on you, and I see everything that is going on in your life.  Nothing escapes my notice.  Every smile, every tear, I see it all.

“I water you.”  When you are feeling dry, I will refresh you.  When you are thirsty, I will quench your thirst.

“I guard you.”  When your enemies come against you, I am your shield.  When fear strikes you, I am your refuge.

“I fight for you.”  When you are overwhelmed by the enemy and all seems lost, I will fight for you and help you overcome.

“I will make you fruitful.”  Your life will blossom and all the world will be blessed because of you.

“But what if I sin?  Will God reject me?”

Even then, God does not cast you aside.  Isaiah writes,

Has˻the Lord˼ struck her as he struck down those who struck her?

Has she been killed as those were killed who killed her? 

By warfare and exile you contend with her– with his fierce blast he drives her out, as on a day the east wind blows.  (Isaiah 27:7-8)

The Lord will discipline us when we sin and rebel against him.  But as he did not wipe out the Israelites, neither will he wipe us out.  And when we repent, he will restore us. 

God told Israel,

In that day the Lord will thresh from the flowing Euphrates  to the Wadi of Egypt, and you, O Israelites, will be gathered up one by one. 

And in that day a great trumpet will sound.  Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.  (12-13)

God’s anger toward us does not last forever.  Neither will we be annihilated for our sins.  He only waits for us to turn to him, and he will restore us and make us his fruitful vineyard once again.

As David wrote,

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.  (Psalm 30:5)

Categories
Hosea

The unfailing love of God

God's love

Does God love me?

That’s a question that echoes within the hearts of millions.

But there’s another question that aches within the hearts of many.

Does God still love me?

So often, we see the love of others and how quickly it can fade away, especially as they see our failings and our weaknesses.

And so we ask, if they are like this, what of God?  Will he leave me too?

I think we find the answer here in this passage.

God talks about how he led them out of Egypt, how he led them with kindness and love, guiding them and healing their wounds.  How he lifted the yoke of slavery from them and provided for their every need.

Yet in spite of all this, the people turned away from him, worshiping the Baals.

Instead of following God, they determined in their hearts to turn away from him.

And so God warned them of the judgment to come.

But in the midst of it all, he bares his heart saying,

“How can I give you up, Ephraim?  How can I hand you over, Israel…

My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.

I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.

For I am God, and not man– the Holy One among you.”  (Hosea 11:8-9)

In other words, no matter how far we fall away from him, though he may discipline us, he will never give us up.  He will never hand us over to another.

He isn’t a man whose love changes and fades away.  His love is constant, and continually reaches out, waiting for us to return.

Do you ever wonder at the love of God?  Do you ever think that he couldn’t possibly still care for you?

Always remember the words of Jeremiah,

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  (Lamentations 3:22-23)