Life Journal, January 30, 2011

Life Journal, January 30, 2011
Today's readings: Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY

Scripture

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

Acts 6.1

Observation

There is always something to be discontent about--even for believers.

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

As I read the Scripture, I knowingly was shaking my head thinking--church folks always find something to be unhappy about. That's why I have a problem with church--nobody is happy, everybody finds something to whine and complain about.

Then God slaps me up the back of the head and points out that I am complaining and whining about church . . . the very thing that breaks my heart about church. I am just as guilty as everyone else and help to make church as miserable as everyone else. I watch others and judge them--I judge whether I think they are worshiping or not, whether they are acting appropriate or not, whether they are reverent enough . . . sadly, the list goes on and on.

What would happen if I just went to church to just worship God?!?! What if I didn't even notice others (other than to say hello, smile and be friendly)? What if instead of complaining about how the service is done, the music, the preaching, etc., I went and put my entire focus on God? What if I was determined to worship, to enjoy the service, to rejoice, to be so filled with God's Spirit that it just over-flowed that I didn't pay attention to what I was allowing to distract me from why I am there?

Instead of blaming others I have to accept responsibility for my time with God. Maybe if my attitude was different then I would act differently and my experience might be different.

Today as I go to church, I will go and not worry about or judge anyone or anything else--I will go to worship my Jesus. Imagine that!

Prayer

Lord forgive me. May I go to church today with an open heart to worship You and You alone. Help me to focus on what is truly important--You! Help me to not complain or judge and not make the service about me. I am the problem Lord, not others. If I can't worship it is no one elses fault but my own. No excuses. Today I go to worship You!!

Life Journal, January 29, 2011

Life Journal, January 29, 2011
Today's readings: Exodus 23, 24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

WORTHY TO SUFFER

Scripture

They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: "Jesus is the Messiah."

Acts 5. 40-42

Observation

The apostles rejoiced in being flogged/beaten because that meant that God counted them worthy to suffer for Jesus.

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

I read those verses and I am amazed. Would I rejoice for being beaten for Jesus? I don't even like to have people talk badly about me--let alone be beaten.

I guess as I reread it, they didn't rejoice over the beating, but rejoiced that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. Still . . . . I don't know that I could do that. Then I have to ask myself, does that mean that Jesus does not mean enough to me that I am willing to suffer disgrace--or anything else--for Him?? Ouch. I would want to believe that He would.

If I am honest, the thought of suffering doesn't excite me. . . and I don't seem to do it very well. Is that because I am so wrapped up in myself and so self-centered that I don't believe I deserve it? The very things that I talk against--I am guilty of. Imagine that.

So, what that means is that I have not died to myself yet. I have not allowed God to consume me through His Holy Spirit. If I am still that concerned about myself, then I am not concerned enough with God. I have a lot more work to do--or rather, God has a lot more work to do in me.

Today, I will continue to give more and more of my life over to God, allowing Him to fill me more and more. Maybe one day I will be able to, along with the apostles, rejoice that God has counted me worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.

Prayer

Lord God, today's lesson was a hard one. It shines the light on all the areas in my life that I have not given over to You. Forgive me Father for holding on so tightly to life and not giving it over completely to You. Take it God. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Help me to rejoice in all circumstances--especially when I am given the privilege to suffer for the name of Jesus.

Life Journal, January 28, 2011

Life Journal, January 28, 2011
Today's readings: Exodus 21, 22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

BE BOLD

Scripture

". . . And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

After this prayer, the meeting place shook and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4.29-31

Observation

God heard their prayer and answered it through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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

WOW! That needs to be our prayer everyday. . . and then expect it to be answered.

But, it requires that we be willing to be used by God in amazing and supernatural ways and that we are willing to preach the Word of God with boldness. Nothing changes if we do not allow God to change us and use us. We must open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit and be willing to be bold.

Not as easy as it sounds. Afterall, what will others say?!?!

That is why we are called to die to ourselves--then it won't matter what others think.

So, today, I pray the prayer of the disciples and ask for Your Holy Spirit. I ask that You use me in miraculous ways and that I share/preach the word of God with boldness.

Prayer

"O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them--you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant saying, 'Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.'

"In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." May it be so, Lord.

Life Journal, January 27, 2011

Life Journal, January 27, 2011
Today's readings: Exodus 17-20; Acts 3

KEEPING THE SABBATH HOLY

Scripture

[God speaking] "Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy."

Exodus 20.8-11

Observation

Observing the Sabbath and keeping it holy is one of the Ten Commandments.

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

One of God's commandments that I often overlook. I wonder why it has become so unimportant to us?

Where I live now, in Orem where it is 90+% Mormon, most of the stores and many of the restaurants are closed on Sunday. The Mormon's do work at keeping the Sabbath. I don't know what they do with their day, but for the most part they don't go out and shop, etc. It's funny what a shock it was to me to see the mall closed on Sunday.

So how do I see the Sabbath?? I tend to see it as any other day and do pretty much whatever I want. Oh, I go to church and have my quiet time, but that's it. What should my Sabbath look like? What am I to do with my time that helps in making/keeping the Sabbath holy??

I am commanded by God to keep the Sabbath, to sit it aside, to make it Holy. It is not something that is just going to happen, but something I must be intentional about.

I think there are some things that I can do on my Sabbath that help to make it a Holy day. Time with friends can make it holy. Time just being can make it holy. It is about resting in God and focusing on Him.

My Sabbath should not look like any other day--it needs to be set apart . . . as God commanded. So, I am going to work at being intentional with my Sabbath--at giving the day to God and listening and watching what He would have me do with it. I want to be faithful to His commands and this is one of them. If I want to please God, then I must keep all 10 commandments, not just the ones that are easy.

Prayer

Father God, forgive me for what I have done to the Sabbath--how I ignore it and make it just like any other day. You have called for me to sit it aside and make it Holy--so that means I need to fill it with You! Help me be aware of what I am doing. Help me to make it Holy--show me what it is You want me to do . . . or what You don't want me to do. May I make You Lord of my Sabbath!

Life Journal, January 26, 2011

Life Journal, January 26, 2011
Today's readings: Exodus 14-16; Acts 2

A SHORT MEMORY

Scripture

As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, "Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren't there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn't we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, 'Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It's better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!'"

Exodus 14.10-12

Then the people complained and turned against Moses.

Exodus 15.24

There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.

Exodus 16.2

The Lord asked Moses, "How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?

Exodus 16.28

Observation

Even though God had answered their cries for help and freed them from the Egyptians, even though they had crossed the Red Sea on dry land (saving them from the Egyptians), even though God brought them to safety . . . they complained and whined. When anything difficult came at them they "forgot" all that God had done and was doing for them.

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

I read all that God did for the community of Israel--all the miracles He performed, freeing them from Pharoah, the parting of the Red Sea, the angel that led them, the pillars of cloud and fire that led them and protected them, the manna and quail--and I wonder how they could forget all that He did so quickly and cry out against God and refuse to obey His commands and instructions.

Then I look in a mirror. How quickly I forget God's faithfulness and His miracles in my life. How quickly I question God and whine because things aren't going my way. How quickly I feel sorry for myself. What a short memory I have!

So, today, I will remember what God has done for me when I feel myself slipping into old habits of whining and forgetting. Today, I will choose to obey God's commands and instructions . . . not using what I perceive as difficult circumstances as an excuse not to. Today I will celebrate God's work in my life--all of it, whether I like what He is doing or not.

Prayer

Father God, please forgive my short memory. You do so much for me, Your faithfulness is beyond measure, and yet I am never satisfied--I am constantly whining and blaming and forgetting. Today, Lord, I choose to remember and celebrate and obey. Thank You for Your patience with me!! Thank You for not giving up on me and putting up with all my whining and questioning. Thank You for loving me enough to discipline me and guide me and sending Your Son Jesus!

Life Journal, January 25, 2011

Life Journal, January 25, 2011
Today's readings: Exodus 12, 13; Psalm 21; Acts 1

ACTIVE WAITING

Scripture

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?"

He replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go."

Acts 1.6-11

Observation

We have been given the Holy Spirit so that we might be witnesses for Jesus throughout the world until He returns.

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

The apostles were ready for their job to be done--they were ready for Christ's Kingdom to come. But Jesus tells them (and us) that there is work to be done until that time and that God, the Father, is sending us the Holy Spirit so we can do it. We aren't to sit back, twiddling our thumbs waiting for Christ's return--we are to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit telling about Jesus.

So, first of all, am I depending on and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit and not my own? I cannot do it in my own "strength" and "wisdom." I must depend on the Holy Spirit.

Next, am I sharing the Good News as I wait for Christ's return--am I being faithful to what He has called and commanded me to do?? If I try to do it on my own, I will fail--but if I do it with the Holy Spirit at work in me and through me, I will not fail!

I need to take inventory of what I am doing and how I am doing it--and then turn to the Holy Spirit to fill me and lead me and use me to accomplish all that God has for me to do . . . and not sit idly by waiting for Christ's return.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for the Holy Spirit. Fill me anew with Your Spirit today. Use me today! Give me the words and a boldness to be Your witness!! Thank You Father!!

Life Journal, January 24, 2011

Life Journal, January 24, 2011
Today's Readings: Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

MISSING JESUS

Scripture

As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. . . .

As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.

Luke 24.14-16, 30-31

Observation

They didn't expect to see Jesus and didn't recognize Him when He was in their midst.

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

How often do I miss Jesus because I don't expect to see Him??

So, today, I will keep my eyes and my heart open and actively look for Jesus--knowing that He appear differently than I might expect and show up in unexpected places!

Prayer

Lord, I don't want to miss You--so open my eyes and let me see You!! Open my heart to Your Spirit, so I don't miss You!! Surprise me today! Thank You Jesus!!