Life Journal August 31, 2007
Today's readings: Ezekiel 12-15; Revelation 5

Heavenly Worship

Topic: Worship

Scripture

And when he [the Lamb of God] took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people. And they sang a new song with these words.

"You are worthy to take the scroll

and break its seals and open it.

For you were slaughtered, and your blood

has ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and

people and nation.

And you have cause them to become

a Kingdom of priests for our God.

And they will reign on the earth."

Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered--

to receive power and riches

and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and blessing."

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

"Blessing and honor and glory and power

belong to the One sitting on the throne

and to the Lamb forever and ever."

And the four living beings said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

Revelation 5. 8-14 (NLT)

Observation

True worship--our only worship--belongs ONLY to "the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb."

Application

These Scriptures paint an amazing picture of worship. . . .Heaven-style. I cannot imagine what it will be like to have my entire focus on worshiping God and Christ. Nothing else will matter. No idols will get in my way. No other thoughts will flood my mind. I was created for worship and will live that out in Heaven in an amazing way.

The Ezekiel reading today, though, reminds us of how quickly we are to worship other things--idols--now. Instead of putting our full focus on God while we are here on earth, we worship everything else. We even worship our style of worship. Once again I have to stop and take inventory of the idols in my life. What am I putting before God? What are my worship priorities? On Sunday mornings (or any time), do I focus only on worshiping God--or on all that is going on around me? [who is saying what to whom, those who choose to not worship outwardly, those who speak, those who don't speak, my message, other's responses . . . the list goes on and on and on]

I was created for one thing--to be in relationship with God. To love Him. To demonstrate my love for Him by worshiping Him--not just for an hour on Sunday morning but 24/7. If I did that . . . if we all did that . . . how different would the world look today? It might give us a glimpse of heaven. [smile]

Prayer

Father God and Holy Lamb of God, I want to place You at the center of my thoughts and all I do. I want to love you and worship You through my every word, thought, and action. But, I know that I am a long way from that. I look forward to the day, when in Heaven there will be nothing else to get in my way! But, may I learn to be more of a worshiper every day. amen

Life Journal August 30, 2007
Today's Readings Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4
[I'm back from vacation]

Turning Our Hearts Toward Home

Topic: True Worship

Scripture

"When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their detestable idol worship. And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts [Hebrew: hearts of flesh] instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my peole, and I will be their God. But as for those who long for idols, I will repay them fully for their sins, says the Sovereign Lord."

Ezekiel 11.18-21 (NLT)

Observation

When we return to our "homeland"--to God--and cast aside our idols [even those that appear to be Godly] then, and only then, can we truly give ourselves completely to God.

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

What idols do I worship? It is easy for me to name those things that are in the world that I have to really watch myself about or else I can easily find myself worshiping them. Those are things that are common to most of us--money, power, possessions, people, etc.

But, if I read the chapters before these verses, I see that the idol worship that God was speaking against was actually happening in the Temple! That changes the focus.

So now the question is--what things within the church do I worship? Do I worship the organ? A certain style of music? A specific version of the Bible? Certain elements used in the Lord's Supper/Communion [bread vs wafer vs unleavened bread vs crackers]? The real question is--what do I focus on instead of God during my worship? Anything that gets between me and God takes our worship away from God.

Example: We see someone who we feel isn't dressed appropriately for church--and that is different for each one of us. I am not saying we are worshiping that person and their style of dress--but we are worshiping the style of dress that we believe is correct. We are focused on what they are not doing right--because we know what is right. Our focus moves from God to what pleases us.

So, what do I need to do? I need to fix my eyes and my thoughts on "Home"--in other words, on God. He needs to be what I worship. He needs to be all that I see. When I focus on Him all other things fade away and my heart is where it needs to be.

In the Revelation 4 reading--we get a glimpse of what worship will be like when we are Home, truly Home. There will be nothing else to pull our attention away from the King of kings:

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty--

the one who always was, who is,

and who is to come."

Whenever the living begins give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one who lives forever and ever. And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

"You are worthy, O Lord our God,

to receive glory and honr and power.

For you created everything,

and it is for your pleasure that they

exist and were created."

Revelation 4.8b-11 (NLT)

We were created to worship God. He is our Home. He alone is worthy of our worship.

Prayer

Lord God, the Almighty One, Creator, Savior, Lover of my soul, to You and You alone belongs all worship. To You and You alone does my heart belong. I pray for singleness of heart. I pray for a new spirit--Your Spirit--to live within me. Father, take away my heart of stone and give me a tender heart--a heart after Your heart. Lord, help me to obey, give me the wisdom to obey your commands. May I love You with all my heart and all my mind and all my strength. And, may I love my neighbor--each one of them--with Your perfect love. And may I be stirred to action--to point others Home. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Life Journal August 8, 2007

Today's readings: Jeremiah 1,2; John 10

Chosing

Scripture

The Lord gave me a message. He said, "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world."

"O Sovereign Lord," I said, "I can't speak for you! I'm too young!"

"Don't say that," the Lord replied, "for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!"

Then the Lord touched my mouth and said, "See, I have put my words in your mouth!"

Jeremiah 1.5-9 (NLT)

Observation

God knows each of us intimately and calls us to service.

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

I believe that the words in Jeremiah are for me, just as they are for everyone. As I read God's word to Jeremiah, I can hear Him saying it to me. It is an amazing thing for me to think that God knew me before I was formed--that He set me apart to serve Him.

But, what excuses, like Jeremiah, do I use? "O Sovereign Lord, I can't speak for you! I'm too _____________!" I can fill in the blank with many different things. Reasons and excuses why I certainly can't do what He has called me to do. Jeremiah said he was too young. Am I too old? My excuses for not doing what God calls me to do are often numerous.

While God sets me apart to serve Him--I am still given a choice. I can still say "no." Or, I can say "yes!" and be the servant He has called me to be.

If I say "yes!" to God, I can trust that He will do His part. That doesn't mean that it will be easy, that the message will be one that everyone will want to hear, that my life will be without problems. On the contrary . . . I can count on it being just the opposite. But, at the same time, I will have a sense of being faithful to what the Father has called me to do. I can rest in the assurance that I am not alone. I can live the life that I was created for--serving my Father . . . wherever He sends me and doing whatever He commands.

Prayer

Father, I am amazed that You would set me apart and appoint me as Your spokesman to the world. May I be found willing, faithful, and passionate as I share the Good News of Jesus Christ wherever You put me. Amen

Life Journal August 7, 2007
Today's readings: Zephaniah 1-3; John 9

Born Blind

Topic: Disicpleship

Scripture

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. "Teacher," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?"

"It was not because of his sins or his parent's sins," Jesus answered. He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him. All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end. But while I am still here in the world, I am the light of the world."

Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and smoothed the mud over the blind man's eyes. He told him, "Go and wask in the pool of Siloam." So the man went and washed, and came back seeing!

John 9.1-7 (NLT)

Observation

Often those things that we see in our lives as handicaps are actually meant to bring glory to God. God can use everyone--no matter what shape we are in--to demonstrate His power and to accomplish His mission.

Application

So often I use the excuse that I can't do something because of my "handicaps." I allow the enemy to convice me that God couldn't use me--and I become powerless.

God uses my weaknesses--my handicaps--"so the power of God" can be seen in me. The weaker I become the more of God others will see in me.

Paul writes to the Corinthians, So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." [2 Corinthians 12.8b-10]

The enemy would tell me that if God really loved me, really cared about me, I wouldn't have any problems. When in truth, the more problems I have, the more I rely on Him--and the more I rely on Him, the more others will see of Him in my life.

You see the enemy, Satan, wants me to believe that I am powerless so that I won't carry out the tasks that God assigns to me. Time is short--God has work for me to do. If I sit around and whine and complain about how I can't do it because of my weaknesses--then there are folks that might not hear the Truth . . . . . the Good News, before darkness falls.

Jesus is the Light of the world and He has called me to use me as a carrier of the Light. The Light is not me--but it lives in me because Christ lives in me through the Holy Spirit.

It is time for me to set aside my excuses and to embrace my weaknesses with joy--"For when I am weak, then I am strong!"

Prayer

Lord God, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and with Your Light. May I become less and less as you fill me more and more. Lord, I am weak--You alone are my strength. May I walk and serve in Your Light and Your strength. Amen.

Life Journal August 6, 2007
Today's readings: Habakkuk 1-3; John 8

Rejoice!

Topic: Discipleship

Scripture

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.

Habakkuk 3.17-19 (NLT)

Observation

No matter what happens--the Lord is enough.

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

"Even though"--two really powerful words. . . . especially when followed with "yet." In these verses, Habakkuk basically says that even if everything is taken away--even though it is all gone. . . . yet he will rejoice in the Lord!

It is not easy to rejoice and be joyful through the "even thoughs" of life. It is then that I cry out to God, questioning where He is . . . . why isn't He doing something about my circumstances. I don't understand how He could allow bad things to happen to me. It is easy to turn inward and focus on myself.

Habakkuk's prayer song reminds me that even if I lose everything--that I still have much to be joyful about--I still have my salvation in the Lord. I still have my strength that comes from God alone. And that should be enough--for it is all that matters.

Not how the world thinks. But, praise God, my salvation is not of this world. My salvation is not dependent on what I have--but rather, in whom I believe.

The Scripture today reminds us that no matter what life throws at us--we have much to rejoice in and much to be thankful for.

Prayer

Lord God, even though my world sometimes appears to be falling apart--yet, I will rejoice in You! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! You, O Sovereign Lord, are my strength. Help me to remember that the "even though's" of life don't really matter. You alone are all that is important. Thank You for Your love and salvation and strength. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Life Journal August 3, 2007

Today's readings: Nahum 1-3; John 5

Move

Topic: Discipleship

Scripture

Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people--blind, lame or paralyzed--lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew how long he had been ill, he asked him, "Would you like to get well?"

"I can't, sir," the sick man said, "for I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I am trying to get there, someone else always gets in ahead of me."

Jesus told him, "Stand up, pick-up your sleeping mat, and walk!"

Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up the mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath day. So the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, "You can't work on the Sabbath! It's illegal to carry that sleeping mat!"

He replied, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Pick up your sleeping mat and walk.'"

"Who said such a thing as that?" they demanded.

The man didn't know. for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well, so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you." Then the man went to find the Jewish leaders and told them it was Jesus who had healed him.

John 5.1-15 (NLT)

Observation

Jesus knows just what we need and when!

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

Jesus' first question to the man was--"Do you want to be healed?" Seems like a silly question considering the man's condition and where he was. The man came back with excuses--none of them were his fault. I don't think he knew that whining is not a spiritual gift.

How often do I sit and whine about circumstances--instead of looking to God for the answer?

Jesus then tells him, "Pick up your sleeping mat and walk." It was what he needed to do.

Do I listen when Jesus tells me what I need to do to move out of the circumstance I am in?

The man did what Jesus told him to do--and "instantly" he was healed! I wonder what would happen if I would respond to Jesus that quickly?

In Jesus I have the answers I need to move out of my circumstance. I just need to listen and obey. Not listen to those around me telling me why it's not right. I have to trust the one in whom I have put my faith--Jesus. He knows just what I need--and is glad to help me. It is up to me to move.

Prayer

Father God, thank You that You do not leave me in my circumstances--that You offer me a way out--Jesus. Help me to not sit and whine, but to look to Jesus for my salvation and help. In Jesus name, Amen.

Life Journal August 1, 2007
Today's readings: Isaiah 65, 66; Psalm 62; John 3

Living In the Light

Topic: Discipleship

Scripture

[Jesus speaking]

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

"There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished. But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants."

John 3.16-21 (NLT)

Observation

Jesus is the Light of the world. If we put our trust in Him and believe and walk in the Light, then we have nothing to fear.

Application [How will I be different today because of what I have just read?]

I remember what it is like to walk in the darkness--and to see the Light and be drawn to it, yet be afraid of it. I remember thinking that this "Good News" could not be fore me--I had fallen too far, God would not want me. So much had happened in the darkness--how could the Light come in and fill it?

But the LIght did come--it dispelled the darkness. God did want ME! To Him I was worth saving!

So, why do I still have areas of my life that are in the darkness? Why have I not allowed the Light to fill those spaces too? Why do I hold so tightly to those places? What am I afraid of losing?

I hope that there are fewer and fewer spaces of darkness in my life--that God continues to reveal and shed His Light on them--and together we claim them as His and overcome them. God has already paid in full for my life. How can I hold anything back? He has redeemed every area of my Life and they all belong to Him--I just have to let Him into those places. He will come--not with judgment and condemnation--but with the gifts of healing and wholeness and love--and fill each of those places with His marvelous Light!

Prayer

My precious Savior, thank You for bringing Your Light into my life. Thank You for filling the darkness with Your amazing Light. Lord, You know the areas that I hold back--those that are still in the darkness. I give them to You--Come Lord Jesus--bring Your healing Light into each area and restore it--redeem it--fill it. I belong to You--I don't want to hold anything back from You! You alone are my all in all. Thank You for loving me so much! I receive Your love anew today! In Jesus name, Amen.