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.

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.