Headed for middler camp--back in a week!

Life Journal, July 10, 2008
Today's readings: Micah 5-7; Hebrews 7

What Should I Do?

Scripture

What can we bring to the Lord? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:

to do what is right, to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6.6-8

Observation

We don't have to guess what God wants from us--He tells us what he requires of us. . . . to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.

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

It is so much easier when there is some specific things for us to do--offerings, sacrifices, etc. It is something we can do and get it over with--pay our "fine" and move on. We want something measurable--so we know when we have done enough.

But, that is not what God requires of us. That's why He sent His Son--was to pay the fine for my sins for me. And because of that, all He requires is that I do what is right (following Christ's example--not my own inclinations), that I love mercy (afterall, it was given freely to me), and that I walk humbly with God (that I put Him first and always point to Him--not think of myself first).

So today, I will quit "doing" and begin living the way that God requires. Today I will lean on Jesus, knowing that on my own I cannot do what is right. Today I will extend mercy to one and all, with the help of the Holy Spirit. And, today, I will make it about Him--not about me.

Prayer

Father God, thank You once again for Your Word and Your guidance. Today I want to live the way that You want me to live--to do what You require--not just what I want. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who helps me everyday to walk with You. Thank You for the gift of Jesus and the gift of grace I receive because of Him. Today may all I do and say point only to You!

Life Journal, July 9, 2008
Today's readings: Micah 1-4; Hebrews 6

Meant For Better Things

Scripture

We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance.

Hebrews 6.8b-12

Observation

We are meant to work--serving the Lord--while here. . . and that work is loving others and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

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

It is so easy to read Scripture and have different folks come to mind who need to hear this. [smile] I find myself thinking--I need to preach this--there are some folks I know who need this! But, then I hear God laughing and see Him smiling and shaking His head--yes child, this is for you. Me????

So, I have to stop and reread the Word and see what God is telling me.

It is easy to become spiritually dull and indifferent. We can be in the Word--we can be praying--but if we are not living it out everyday in a real way, then we don't produce a good crop--instead our field bears thorns and thistles and is useless. We don't see our "work" bearing fruit--so we become lukewarm. We quit trying--blaming others for our lack of enthusiasm and commitment.

We have to be intentional about not becoming spiritually dull and indifferent. It is so easy to slip into a ho-hum life. But, God did not call us to a ho-hum life. He called us to abundant life--and that only happens when we are living it fully in Him. . .loving Him with all our hearts, minds and souls and then loving others. When we do this our lives are full--full of God and there is no room for dullness or indifference.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for Your word and reminding me that I need to continue to loving others and working the field for You. There is no time for indifference or spiritual dullness. Lord, I want my life to be productive for You. Thank You for Your promises. May I be found faithful.

Life Journal, July 8, 2008
Today's readings: Hosea 13,14; Psalms 100, 102; Hebrews 5

Time to Return

Scripture

Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for your sins have brought you down. Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord. Say to him, "Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises. Assyria cannot save us, nor can our warhorses. Never again will we say to the idols we have made, 'You are our gods.' No, in you alone do the orphans find mercy."

The Lord says, "Then I will heal you of yoru faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever. I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon. Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees, as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon. My people will again live under my shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.

"O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me."

Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.

Hosea 14.1-9

Observation

God offers healing and life for the repentant.

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

This would be an easy Scripture to just read and move on. But, it is powerful when I change it and personalize it.

"Return, Melinda, to the Lord your God, for your sins have brought you down. Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord. Say to him, "Forgive all my sins and graciously receive me, so that I may offer you my praises. No one else can save me, not even our instruments of war. Never again will I say to the idols I have made, 'You are my gods.' No, in you alone do I find mercy."

Today I need to pray this prayer--today I need to acknowledge the idols I have made. For if I start with myself--then maybe in time the church will do it . . . . and then maybe someday our country will be able to pray this. But today, it must begin with me.

Prayer

Father, forgive all my sins and graciously receive me, so that I may offer you my praises. No one else can save me. Help me to recognize all the idols in my life--all those things that come before You in my life--and turn away from them. Lord, I know that it is in You alone that I find salvation and mercy. Lord, I know that Your paths are true and right and that righteous people live by walking in them. Lord, help me stay on Your path.

Life Journal, July 7, 2008
Today's readings: Hosea 10-12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4

Sabbath Rest

Scripture

God's promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news--that God has prepared this rest--has been announced to us just as it was to them. But, it did them no good because they didn't share the faith of those who listened to God [they didn't combine what they heard with faith]. For only we who believe can enter his [God's] rest. As for the others, God said,

"In my anger I took an oath;

'They will never enter my place of rest,'"

even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: "On the seventh day God rested from all his work." But in the other passage, God said, "They will never enter my place of rest."

So God's rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. . . . So there is a special rest [a Sabbath rest] still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God's rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

Hebrews 4.1-11

Observation

We are called to rest in God regularly--Sabbath rest.

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

We live in a world of tired and driven people. If we stop--we might lose--we have to do more and more and more. No time for time off. And then when we take time off--even it is driven to accomplish more and more. How different the world might be if we actually took time to just be in the presence of God--to rest in Him--to find refreshment and renewal in Him.

It is funny--we think we can't "afford" to rest--that we must constantly be going and doing . . . and yet, God when He created the world and everything in it--rested! He set a pattern for us to follow. We were created for a rhythm. Think how much less stress we would have in our lives if we lived the way that God created us to live. But, we don't trust God enough to just stop the craziness and rest. I am so guilty. I give in to the pressures of my "job" and life and expectations and it seems that there is never just time for God and rest. There is always more to do --more to accomplish. But the question is--is it things that God is asking me to do--or the expectations of others/myself??

I must learn how to rest. If I can't do it how can I encourage others to do it? How can I respect those who do it without feeling resentful? God has not called us to a life of craziness--but to a life of peace. It is up to me to draw the boundaries. Am I willing to slow down and listen to God? Am I willing to give God first place in my life--not activity? Today is the time for my first steps in to the arms of God's rest.

Prayer

Father, I am tired. I need to learn to take a Sabbath rest. I need to learn to pull away and spend time with You and just be--not just doing. Help me Lord to be better at drawing my boundaries. Help me to bring joy to You by loving You enough to spend time with You.

Life Journal July 3, 2008
Today's readings: Isaiah 6, 7; 2 Chronicles 26, 27; Philemon

Action

Scripture

And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

Philemon 6

Observation

Our faith should result in action.

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

A good reminder today that I need to always live out my faith--God has given me so much--it is not mine to hold on to, though--it is given to me to give away. So, today I will open my hand and give.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for all the good things I have in Christ. Thank You for being so generous to me. Lord, may I freely give out of what has been freely given to me.

Life Journal July 2, 2008
Today's readings: Isaiah 4, 5; Psalms 115, 116; Jude

Remaining Faithful

Scripture

But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God's Spirit in them.

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love.

And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

Jude 17-23

Observation

We must always be intentional in our walk.

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

It is easy to get sidetracked in our everyday coming and going. . . . and often we don't even realize it. . . . and before long we slip into old sin habits--or begin new ones. And it happens so easily, so naturally that we don't even notice.

To keep from falling away, I have to be intentional everyday at being faithful. I have to keep watch over my words, my actions, my heart. I have to make good choices--not necessarily easy ones.

My human nature is sinful--I have to allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life everyday if I am going to walk the holy path that God has called me to.

Prayer

Father, it is easy to get side-tracked. Please help me to keep my eyes and ears and heart open to the Holy Spirit--so that I am faithful to remain on the path You have put before me. And Lord, if I begin to wander off the path, please take my hand and bring me back to Your path.