Life Journal, August 5, 2008
Today's readings: 2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35; John 7

Is Jesus the Messiah?

Scripture

When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, "Surely this man is the Prophet we've been expecting." Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born." So the crowd was divided about him. Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.

John 7.40-44

Observation

When Jesus was in their midst, people still could not agree on who He was.

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

The argument continues about who Jesus was/is. It always will. What is important is for me to decide who He is in my life and then live like I believe it.

I know who I believe He is--but do I live like it? What areas of my life need to change if I truly believe it? Or is my life a contradiction to what I believe about Jesus?

Prayer

Lord God, I believe that Jesus is the Messiah, sent to pay the penalty for my sins. I have accepted Your free gift of grace--now may I live in such a way that my life is a reflection of Jesus and what I believe!!

Life Journal, August 1, 2008
Today's readings: Isaiah 65-66; Psalm 62; John 3

Celebrating Success

Scripture

Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.

At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. (This was before John was thrown into prison.) A debate broke out between John's disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. So John's disciples came to him and said, "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us."

John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, 'I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.' It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less."

John 3.22-30

Observation

It's about reaching people for the Kingdom--it's not about me and my "success."

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

The world's version of success and the Kingdom version of success are very different. The world tells us that our value/success comes from "how many"--how many come to church, how many baptisms, how many . . . . how many . . . . how many.

Numbers are important--they do tell us if we are doing anything . . . at least on some levels. But, why is it so hard to see other's "success" (large numbers in church) and celebrate the fact that they are reaching people. Why am I not always filled with joy at their success? I should be if they are reaching the lost for Christ. But, I find myself asking why not me?? What am I doing wrong?? Why can't I be successful--ouch--there is that word again.

Mother Teresa once said, "I wasn't called to be successful. I was called to be faithful." I know the truth in this, but--if I am honest--it is still difficult to watch the success of others and wonder why not me.

So, today, how will I be different?? I will be who God has called me to be--doing my best to fulfill that call. I will not look at others, but at Him alone. I will not look to others for accolades. I will trust God and serve faithfully--knowing that He is the Lord of the Harvest. It is not my place to question what He does, how He does it, or who He blesses. He loves me and has called me to serve Him . . . and that is enough.

Prayer

Lord, that all sounds good, but You know it isn't easy. So, I give it to You. I look to You only. Thank You for loving me so much that You sent Your one and only Son, Jesus, to redeem me. May I faithfully live out my life in a way that demonstrates and shines with this love--Your love.

Life Journal, July 31, 2008
Today's readings: Isaiah 63-64; Psalm 107; John 2

Ever Faithful, Ever Loving

Scripture

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. . . .

Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. "Lord, Help!" they cried in their trouble and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery. They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one was there to help them. "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he as done for them. For he broke down their prison gates of bronze; he cut apart their bars of iron.

Psalm 107.1, 4-16

Observation

God rescues us--even from our own rebellion--when we cry out to Him.

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

Today's reading reminds me of God's great faithfulness and His unfailing love--how He rescues and redeems us--even from ourselves. All we have to do is to ask for His help. He steps in and saves us . . . maybe not always the way we would want Him to, but He knows what we truly need.

Today's reading also reminds me of the importance of praising God for His great love and for all that He does for me. I cannot take it for granted--or believe that I deserve to be rescued. God does it because of His love for me and His faithfulness--not because of my righteousness. Praising God in all things is so important, so why don't I do a better job of it????

Today I will remember God's faithfulness and His unfailing love and I will praise Him for all that He does for me!

Prayer

Thank You Lord for saving me--often from circumstances that I bring on myself. Thank You Lord for Your unfailing love and great faithfulness. Thank You for redeeming me! Lord, I praise You for all that You do for me--but most of all for Your unfailing love for me and Your faithfulness. I would be lost without You.

Life Journal, July 30, 2008
Today's readings: Isaiah 60-62; John 1

Prepare the Way

Scripture

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed and the blind will see.

Isaiah 61.1

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

"Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?"

John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:

"I am a voice shoulting in the wilderness,

'Clear the way for the Lord's coming!'"

[Isaiah 40.3]

John 1.6-9, 22-23

Observation

We should all be giving witness to the Light in our life.

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

Am I clearly pointing the way to the Lord? Does my life shine brightly with His Light? We are all called to be His witnesses--to prepare the way for His return--to share the Good News with others. So, my question this morning is--how's it going???

I must be more intentional about being a voice for God and all that He has done for me. We are all called to be His witness--my life needs to be so filled with God that my life is a witness. I cannot do that alone--I need God's strength and power. I need His eyes so I can see.

I recently heard somewhere that God doesn't want first place in our life. . . .He wants our life. He wants to infiltrate and fill and possess each and every area of our life and all that we do.

So, today, I will be a light--pointing to the One true Light, Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Lord, You are the Light of the World--fill me and use me to spread Your Light, Your Love, and Your Good News.

Life Journal July 29, 2008
Today's readings: Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2 Peter 3

Fasting

Scripture

"No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hid from relatives who need your help.

"Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. 'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply.

"Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."

Isaiah 58.6-11

Observation

Rather than be "religious" we are called to live out our faith in very real and tangible ways.

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

It is easier to be religious than it is to serve God and obey His commandments. Following a set of rules is measurable--we know what to do and how to measure whether we have completed our task or not. But the commandments that God wants us to obey is to "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 neighbor as yourself." [Matthew 22.37-39] These are not as easy to measure and require us to love and be in relationship. It means caring about people we would probably rather not care about and doing things that we would rather not do.

The Scripture today reminds me what God calls me to do--how I am called to live in a dark world. And it reminds me that I don't do it alone--"The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."

Today I will rely on God to guide me and to give me all that I need as I look for ways to reach out and love others in very tangible ways--letting my light shiine out from the darkness--recognizing that it is God's light in me that removes the darkness.

Prayer

Creator God, thank You for creating me to be in relationship with You! Thank You that You created me to love and be loved. Help me to live out that calling today with all those that I come in contact with. Open my eyes and help me to see others as You see them. Help me to stay rooted in You so that I strong, because on my own I can do nothing. Lord, today may I fast "Your way"--by living out my faith. Thank You for using me to bring light--Your Light--into the darkness.

Life Journal July 28, 2008
Today's readings: Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2

The Promised Savior

Scripture

Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord's presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground.

There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turn our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighted him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our won. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had one no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.

But it was the Lord's good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord's good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

Isaiah 53.1-12

Observation

God loves us so much and wants to be in relationship with us so much that He sent the perfect sacrifice to pay the price of our sins and redeem us.

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

How can I not be different after reading Isaiah 53--God's tremendous love for me and His amazing desire to be in relationship with me--no matter the cost. And yet, I take it for granted. I continue to be self-centered and to live for me--not for God. I want things my way. I want to be "happy." How it must break God's heart to have me live this way. I know what I should do, how I should live, the choices I should make--but I don't. Sigh.

Today, may I find the strength in God to live the life He has called me to live.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am overwhelmed when I think of Your love for me--how deep, how wide, how amazing it is. Forgive me for taking it for granted. Forgive me for being so self-centered and not as Christ-centered as I should be. Forgive me for not loving You or others as You have called me to. Forgive me for judging You and others. Forgive me for not living out my faith in a sacrificial way. Lord God, I want to be consumed by You. Come and fill me with Your Spirit, Your Power, Your Strength . . . . and most of all Your love.

Life Journal July 24, 2008
Today's readings: Isaiah 40-42; 1Peter 3

One Heart, One Mind

Scripture

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has call you to do, and he will bless you for it.

1 Peter 3.8-9

Observation

It's about love and relationship.

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

God gave His Son, Jesus, because He wanted to be in relationship with me. . .because of His love for me. It is an amazing--and difficult--thing to understand. Someone loved me enough--even before I was born--to give themself for me so they could be in relationship with me.

And what is asked in return for this amazing gift--that I love and seek to be in relationship with others. God loves me--I love God and demonstrate this love by loving others--unconditionally. God wants to be in relationship with me--I choose to be in relationship with Him when I choose to be in relationship with others. . . when I put others first.

Following God's example is what I am called to do--to love and seek to be in relationship with others--no matter the cost.

Prayer

Father God, I am amazed by Your love for me and Your desire to be in relationship with me. May I walk in that love, may I enjoy that relationship--and may I live it out through my love and relationships with others. Give me Your love and Your desire to connect and be in relationship with others. May I help others to find the path that leads to You through my actions and words--may they all point to You!