Life Journal, October 23, 2008
Today's readings: Job 13, 14; Acts 17, 18

No Doubts

Scripture

As was Paul's custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people.

Acts 17.2

When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

Acts 17.10-11

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.

Acts 17.16-17

Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike.

Acts 18.4

They stopped first at the port of Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. While he was there, he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews.

Acts 18.19

Observation

Paul knew what he had been called to do--and did it wherever he went.

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

Paul knew what God had called him to do, and he faithfully did it--no matter what obstacles he might face . . . even prison or beatings or death.

Do I do what God has called me to do--He has called each one of us to love Him with all our hearts, with all our minds, and with all our strength. He has called each one of us to love our neighbor. He has called each one of us to go and make disciples. He has called us to use our gifts to serve Him and the Church. . . He has made it very clear what we are called to do.

And, He calls each one of us to do something that only we are gifted for---to reach certain people with the Good News, to love certain people for Him, to be His hands and feet in specific ways. Am I doing it? Or do I close my ears (and my heart) because it makes me uncomfortable or it is inconvenient or because I am fearful of what others might think or act toward me?

Today I will listen to God's voice and follow what He calls me to do--I will be faithful and love those He puts in my path. I will be bold when He asks me to be in helping or in sharing the Good News. Today is a new day--filled with hope.

Prayer

Father God, I am not always faithful to do what You have called me to do. There are times when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable to do what You ask. Today, Lord God, I will set aside me and allow You to work in me and through me. Help me Lord, I cannot do it on my own. But, with You--I can!

Life Journal, October 22, 2008
Today's readings: Job 11,12; Acts 15,16

The Right Heart Attitude

Scripture

A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, "Stop! Don't kill yourself! We are all here!"

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household." And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

Acts 16.22-34

Observation

We are not to focus on our circumstances--but on God--patiently waiting and watching for what He might do.

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

After being falsely accused, severely beaten, thrown into jail and placed in stocks, Paul and Barnabas are worshiping! They even have an audience--a group who are watching and listening to them . . . no doubt to see how these followers of Christ will act after being beaten and thrown into jail. And the outcome is amazing.

How do I react to difficult circumstances? When things don't go as I think they should? Do I worship or do I grumble? Am I an example to those around me--lifting my head, my hands and my voice to heaven praising God for who He is and what He is going to do (even if it isn't what I might want or it might be difficult)? You can bet that others are watching us and how we handle difficult circumstances. They want to know if we really live what we believe. If God is really there in the difficult times. If it makes a difference. What do they see when they look at me?

I need to keep my focus on God--worshiping and praising Him, no matter my circumstances. I need to trust that He is in control. That He will take care of me in all things. . . . even when it doesn't look like it or feel like it.

Today, I need to live out my faith--knowing that others are watching. Today I need to not be whiny--but worship-filled. Today, my focuse needs to be on the One who created me, who loves me, who redeemed me, who sustains me. Today my eyes will be on Jesus, the Christ.

Prayer

Today, Lord God, may I keep my eyes only on You--not on my circumstances--not on anything else. May I worship You in all I do, with a joy-filled heart. May I not focus on the unimportant--but instead, focus only on You and others. May I sing when I want to whine--may I pray when I want to grumble. May I be more like You this day.

Life Journal, September 3, 2008
Today's readings: Ezekiel 20, 21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

True Wisdom

Scripture

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom

All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.

Praise Him forever!

Psalm 111.10

Observation

Reverence of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.

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

How quickly we try to make God in our image--rather than recognize who He is--Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Healer, Provider, Savior, . . . the list goes on and on. Instead of giving Him godly traits and be in awe of Him--we try to make Him like us. I guess a God we can imagine is "safer" than the One who is in control.

Recognizing God for who He really is--that truly is the foundation of wisdom. We can build our lives from there, being who He calls us to be. Knowing that He can do it, we just have to let Him. Instead we fight for control of our lives.

Our obedience comes from our recognition of who God is. Obviously, looking at the world and the Church and the lives of many Christians--God isn't feared and obedience is not important. How this must break God's heart.

So today, I will remember who God is and I will strive to be obedient to all that He calls me to, recognizing that He gives me the strength and power and wisdom to do whatever He calls me to do!

Prayer

God of all, I stand in awe of You and all that You are. Forgive me for trying to make You in my image. Forgive me for not being obedient to You and all that You ask. I get scared--but it is because I lean into my own "strengths" rather than Yours. Today, I will walk in Your strength, Your power, and Your wisdom.

Life Journal September 2, 2008
Today's readings: Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7

A Glimpse of Heaven

Scripture

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout,

"Salvation comes from our God

who sits on the throne

and from the Lamb!"

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang,

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

and thanksgiving and honor and power

and strength belong to our

God forever and ever! Amen."

Then one of the tewnty-four elders asked me, "Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?"

And I said to him, "Sir, you are the one who knows."

Then he said to me, "These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

"That is why they stand in front of God's throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty, they will bever be scorched by the heat of the son.

For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 7.9-17

Observation

Worshiping Jesus will be the center of all we do and are in heaven--and should be while we are here on earth!

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

I love this picture of worshiping Jesus. I can close my eyes and catch a tiny glimpse of what it will look like--because I know that I can not wrap my mind around how amazing it will be.

Today, I can begin and have a taste of heaven--worshiping God today in all that I do! Sing His praises throughout the day! Keep my eyes on Him!

Heaven will be an amazing thing--beyond anything I can imagine . . . but I can have a taste of it today if I turn everything I do into worship!

Prayer

Today, Lord God, I offer all that I do and say to You as worship. May I stay focused on You, may my lips give You praise, may my heart sing to You.

Life Journal, August 30, 2008
Today's readings: Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4

What Are We Worshiping?

Scripture

"Son of man," he [God] said, "do you see what they are doing? Do you see the detestable sins the people of Israel are committing to drive me from my Temple? . . . "

[God speaking again] ". . . For you have refused to obey my decrees and regulations; instead, you have copied the standards of the nations around you."

[Still God speaking] "And I will give them singlenss of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God."

Ezekiel 8.6, 12, 19-20

Observation

We are to obey God . . . and God alone--He is our all in all.

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

I can read the Scripture today and shake my head and say "How could they do that?" But instead God is calling me to look inward and ask: What detestable sins are we committing in God's Temple (our bodies) and in His Church? Where do we copy the standards of the nations around us, rather than the standards of God? In what areas is my heart stony and stubborn?

Some tough questions to wrestle with today. Some of them I can answer easily (maybe a little too easily) and some of them will take some time and soul-searching. The important thing is that I don't look at them and think, glad that was for them . . . and not for me.

What do I need to change in my life today--what is God calling me to change??

Prayer

God, today Your Word is convicting--it would be easy to ignore it, seeing it for 'another time and place'--but Your Word is living and is for today. Help me to ingest it and make it part of me. Help me to wrestle with it and see what I need to change today. Lord God, I thank You for Your Word. I thank You that You do not leave me the same, but change me everyday--or at least You attempt to when I let You in. Today, continue to shape me and grow me with Your power and Your love. May I reflect You in all that I do and say!

Life Journal August 28, 2008
Today's readings: Ezekiel 1-3; Revelation 2

Listen

Scripture

Then he [God] added, "Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself...."

Ezekiel 3.10

Observation

When God gives us a word for others--we need to listen to it first and apply it to our own lives before we pass it along.

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

It is so easy to read God's Word and think of who needs to hear this. . . it's much easier than asking "what is God saying to me in this?" The Scripture today reminds us that we need to apply God's Word to our own lives first--even when we "have a Word for someone else." We need to stop and make it a part of our life.

That's why I have found the Life Journal so helpful in my walk--it makes me ask myself "How will I be different today because of what I have just read?" It makes me apply God's Word to my life--not just to the lives of others. It makes me look at the areas I need to change--before I worry about what others need to change in their lives.

I cannot change others--I can only work to change myself . . . and only with the help of God's Holy Spirit at work in my life.

Prayer

Thank You Father for loving me too much to allow me to remain the same. Thank You that Your Word is for me--even when I don't want to hear it and apply it. Thank You for Your patience with me. Lord, may I hear Your voice today and apply Your Word to my life--relying on You and Your Holy Spirit to accomplish it in me.

Life Journal, August 21, 2008
Today's readings: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalm 118; 1 John 2

His Faithful Love Endures Forever

Scripture

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!

His faithful love endures forever.

In my distress I prayed to the Lord,

and the Lord answered me and set me free.

The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.

What can mere people do to me?

Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.

I will look in triumph at those who hate me.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord,

than to trust in people.

The Lord is my strength and my song;

he has given me victory.

Psalm 118.1, 5-8, 14

Observation

No matter what, I can hang on to the truth "His faithful love endures forever" and in that find FREEDOM!

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

This is such an important truth to remember--it is what gets me through the good times and sustains me during the hard times. It does not matter what comes at me--none of it matters. God's love is faithful . . . and is forever! And in Him is where I find my freedom--true freedom.

So, it is a matter of focusing on Him--not on circumstances or anything else--intentionally focusing on Him.

Today I will not live in fear--instead I will live in the freedom that I find in my relationship with the living God--the God whose faithful love for me endures forever.

Prayer

Father God, I thank You for this truth. May I walk in Your freedom and Your love today.