Life Journal July 31, 2007
Today's Readings: Isaiah 63, 64; Psalm 107; John 2

Saved!

Topic: God's Character

Scripture

"Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble,

and he [God] rescued them from their distress.

Psalm 107. 6, 13, 19, 28 (NLT)

"I will tell of the Lord's unfailing love.

I will praise the Lord for all he has done.

I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel,

which he has granted according to his mercy and love. . . .

And he became their Savior.

In all their suffering he also suffered,

and he personally rescued them.

In his love and mercy he redeemed them.

He lifted them up and carried them through all the years."

Isaiah 63.7-9 (NLT)

Observation

God is ever faithful to step in and save us!

Application

The verses from Psalm 107 each follow verses where the people of God were in trouble-- because of their own choices. But, God stepped in when He was called upon. He didn't intrude on them--He waited and waited, knowing someday that they would get into some mess and call on Him to help.

He does the same thing today--He patiently waits for me to ask Him to step in. He doesn't barge in. . . . He waits. . . . He listens . . . . And as soon as I say, "Lord, help!" He's there. He always was there . . . . He doesn't ever leave me . . . . But He does wait for me to reach out to Him.

Why do I wait until I'm in a mess to call on Him? Why do I think I need to prove that I can do it on my own? I can't. He doesn't even expect me to. As a matter of fact, He doesn't want me to--He knows it will be easier if I call out ahead of time. . . . Not wait until I'm in trouble.

Sometimes I do better than other times. Sometimes I do ask for His help in the beginning--and it goes so much better when I do. Sometimes I remember that He wants to help . . . . it makes Him smile when I ask Him to help me. Sometimes . . . . should be all-the-time.

I am thankful that He is patient . . . . that He never leaves me . . . . never stops loving me . . . . continues to rescue me . . . . that in His love and mercy He redeems me . . . . that He lifts and carries me.

"I will tell of the Lord's unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done. I will rejoice in his great goodness to me, which he has granted according to his mercy and love!!" [Isaiah 63.7]

Prayer

To You, O Lord, do I give thanks! To You, O Lord, do I give my praise! You alone are worthy! You have saved me! You have redeemed me! You have called me Your child! You have rescued me! You love me!! Thank You, my Father. Thank You, for loving me too much to let me go! Thank You for Your Son, Jesus! It is in the name of Your Son, Jesus, my brother, my redeemer, my friend, that I pray this, Amen and amen!

Life Journal July 30, 2007
Today's readings: Isaiah 60-62; John 1

True Light

Topic: Jesus

Scripture

"Arise Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is shining upon you. Darkness as black as night will cover all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord will shine over you. All nations will come to your light.

Mighty kings will come to see your radiance....

"No longer will you need the sun or moon to give you light, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and he will be your glory.The sun will never set; the moon will not go down.

For the Lord will be your everlasting light."

Isaiah 60.1-3,19-20 (NLT)

"Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.

The light shines through the darkness,

and the darkness can never extinguish it.

"God sent John the Baptist to tell everyone about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was only a witness to the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world."

John 1.4-9 (NLT)

Observation

God sent His Son, Jesus, to light the way that leads to Him.

Application

One only has to read the newspaper or listen to the news to realize how dark the world truly is. 1 Peter 5.8 tells us that "...the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour." In other words, the enemy walks on this earth, bringing with him death and destruction and darkness. It is a scarey place to be--if you are alone without the Light.

I know what it is like to walk in the darkness--the sense of hopelessness and the endless darkness that comes with it. It is a very scarey place to be. I know what it is to be lost in the world's darkness--but I also know what it is to find the Light!

God wants us to walk in the light with Him--that is why He sent His Son, Jesus. He is the Light that leads to the Father of Lights! When we reach out to Jesus, He lights the path that leads to God.

I am so thankful for God's promise--"The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."

The Light is always there for us--we only need to step into it!

Prayer

Father God, thank You for the Light of Jesus Christ. Thank You that He lights the path that leads to You! Thank You that even when I might stray from the path, the Light can always lead me back to Your path. May Your Light shine brightly in my life. In Jesus name, our Savior, Redeemer and Friend, we pray this, Amen.

Life Journal July 17, 2007
Today's Readings: Isaiah 29-31; James 1

More Than Lip Service

Topic: Discipleship

Scripture

"And so the Lord says, 'These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. And their worship of me amounts to nothing more than human laws learned by rote.'"

Isaiah 29.13-14 (NLT)

"And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law--the law that sets you free--and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it."

James 1.22-25 (NLT)

Observation

Whether we truly "get it"--believe--is demonstrated by how we live our lives.

Application

Knowing all the right words is easy--I guess that is why we gravitate in that direction and find ourselves comfortable with religious traditions. But, living the life that God calls us to requires us to die to our old selves and be obedient to what He calls us to.

Our Churches today are dying . . . Why? Because we have been just listening and not obeying and living the life that God has called us to. We are so inward focused and worried about if things are done our way (which of course we have determined must be the right way)--that in many cases it is the tradition and the words that we worship--not God. We say we worship God, but we are concerned about all the wrong things--style of music, getting our way, dress, etc--we don't care about all the lost.

We are called to obey God's law--Jesus tells us what the most important commandments are: 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important. Love your neightbor as yourself. All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." (Matthew 22.37-40, NLT) Loving God and loving others. That is what we are commanded to do. And everything else that we do should come as a result of those two commandments.

Living out the lives that God has called us to is not some religious practice--it is a life lived sacrificially and radically. It is hard and dirty work--but it is the work we have been called to in serving God.

It is time that we quit giving lip service to the religion we practice and embrace the call of God on our lives.

Prayer

Loving God, You love us and created us to love in return. Help me to love more--to love better. I pray that you will continue to stir within my heart a desire to love my neighbors--and to reach out to the lost. Change me--help my focus be on You and loving and reaching those outside the church so that they can know You. Thank You for not letting me remain the same. It is because of Jesus that I can pray this--Amen.

Life Journal July 16, 2007
Today's readings: Isaiah 25-28; Hebrews 13

Only With Jesus' Help

Topic: Sacrificial Living

Scripture

"With Jesus' help, let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of his name. Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God."

Hebrews 13.15-16 (NLT)

Observation

That without Jesus we have no sacrifice to offer--it is only because of His sacrifice, ours are acceptable.

Application

I often forget that the only reason that I can come before God is because of what Christ did for me. Otherwise, I would not be able to offer any sacrifice. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for me--it's amazing. And, it is because of His sacrifice that I am able to do any good and share with others. It is not a matter of "works" but rather, living a sacrificial life and pouring it all out for God. My "good deeds" and "sharing" are an outpouring or response to what He has done for me and His love that lives within me. When I sacrifice my life--giving myself totally to Him--He is then able to use me. His love is able to pour through me and touch others.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You for who You are. I worship You because You created me to worship You and because of what You have done for me. Lord, may Your name be glorified in all the earth. You alone are worthy of my praises. You alone created the world and the heavens and all that is in it. You created me. You loved me before I was born. You gave Your Son, Jesus, for me--a sinner--so I could live with You forever. May my life be a reflection of You. May You shine brightly through me. May my sacrifices be acceptable to You, O Lord. Thank You for loving me. It is in Jesus' name, my Savior, Redeemer, and Friend, that I pray this. Amen.

Life Journal 15 July 2007
Today's Readings: Isaiah 22-24; Hebrews 12

Discipline In Love

Topic: Growth

Scripture

And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words

God spoke to you, his children? He said,

"My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you,

and don't be discouraged when he corrects you.

For the Lord disciplines those he love,

and he punishes those he accepts as his children."

As you endure this divine discipline,

remember that God is treating you as his own children.

Hebrews 12.5-7 (NLT)

Observation

We are God's children--and as with any child, we need to be disciplined. It is not discipline that is done out of anger, but out of a parent's love for their child--to teach us, mold us, grow us to be more and more like Jesus.

Application

As adults we don't like to be disciplined. We seem to think that discipline should only be for children. And yet, we act as children so often--demanding our own way, whining, throwing temper tantrums, and being disobedient. If God, our heavenly Father, let us go our own way, we would soon be out of control and lost. Allowing a child to be willful and to do whatever they want is not love. Love guides, protects, and disciplines.

It is not easy for me to watch my grandchildren being disciplined. And yet, I know that it is for their own good--so I keep quiet. And then I see the benefits of the discipline--they are a joy to be around--well behaved, good manners, thoughtful and considerate. When I see children who are not disciplined--I find that I am even more thankful that my daughter and son-in-law love them enough to help them become what God wants them to be.

While I don't always like it, I am glad that God loves me enough to discipline me. I want to grow and be the person he wants me to be--and I know I cannot do it on my own. I love being a child of the King!

Prayer

Father, thank You for loving me enough to discipline me. I pray that I would learn and grow from it. I know that I am sometimes rebellious, demanding my own way--thank You for saying no to me. Guide me, teach me, grow me into Your child--bringing a smile to Your face! In Jesus name, Amen.

Life Journal 14 July 2007
Today's readings: Isaiah 19-21; Hebrews 11

Faith Enough

Topic: Faith

Scripture

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. . . . . So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. . . . By fiath these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength.

Hebrews 11.1, 6, 33-34 (NLT)

Observation

Faith is the foundation to all we believe and do. Without it, we have nothing.

Application

Real faith is lived out--not just something that we talk about. I may not see the end result, but I can trust God that his purpose will be accomplished--no matter how things appear. Faith is believing that God will do all that he has promised. Faith is trusting that it doesn't have to be my way or look how I think it needs to look to accomplish all that God has in mind.

Faith is persevering even when everything around me is telling me to quit. Faith is believing that God's Word is true.

Faith is passionate. Faith is not meant for setting on the sidelines--it is meant to be lived in the midst. Faith is active. Faith is not for the faint-of-heart. There is a price with faith. Faith means giving up my priorities for His.

Faith means waking up each morning and asking God (even before rising out of bed)--what do you have in store for us today? How can I serve You? How can I make a difference for You? Use me today!

Prayer

Father God, today fill me with faith. Help me to step-out and be used by You. Give me Your eyes and Your heart so I can live out my faith for You. Use me today! In Jesus name, Amen

Life Journal 3 July 2007
Life Journal readings today: Isaiah 6,7; 2 Chronicles 26, 27; Philemon

Letting Go

Topic: Forgiveness

Scripture: Philemon 10a

"show kindness to Onesimus."

Observation

In this short book Paul reminds us of our need to let go of those things that we hold against others--their "sins" against us, especially when they have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

How often do I continue to hold on to others sins against me? It is so easy to do--too easy to do. Why do I refuse to let go of those things that someone does "against me" when they are a brother or sister in Christ? If Christ can forgive them (and has forgiven me for all the times I have sinned against Him) who am I not to forgive them. If Christ truly lives within me, as I claim He does, then I have to forgive others and let go of their sin(s) against me. By forgiving, I am not saying that what has happened is right or okay, but I am demonstrating the love of Christ at work in my life.

Who do I need to forgive today . . . . and welcome back into my life? Who do I need to reach out to and love with God's love? What brother or sister in Christ have I turned my back on--or turned against--that I need to forgive and ask them to forgive me for harboring these feelings?

Paul paints a clear picture of how we should treat those who have come into the family of God--even if they have sinned against us. He reminds us that God's family is about God and His forgiveness--it's not about us--and we need to get over ourselves.

Prayer

Father God, I would like to think that I do this pretty well, when, in truth, there are some that I hold on to hard feelings about. You have forgiven me for so much--help me to have Your heart and to forgive others . . . . and then to return to fellowship with them. Lord, help me to keep things about You--to take myself out of the picture, other than when you can use me as a vessel of your love and grace. Thank You for forgiving me. Thank You for loving me. In Jeus name, amen.