Exodus 14:15-16 ESV
The Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.
There I was, huddled in a mass with my wife in my arms, crying because there was nothing else to do. I was a young youth pastor, newly married, barely graduated, newborn daughter in the room next door, working as a waiter at Red Robin and completely and utterly defeated. Despite everything I tried. Despite all the hours I worked. Despite all the things my wife did to bring in money. We were broke. We had no money. None. We didn't know how we were going to buy food. In front of me was a bill for an amount that seemed so impossibly far away from achievable. All I could do was sit there... defeated. Weeping.
Then we prayed.
We prayed because we knew that no matter how hard I tried. No matter how great the effort. I had failed and could not do this on my own. We prayed...hard.
Then there was a knock on the door. Right then. A knock. I almost didn't answer the door because I didn't want anyone to see me like this. I didn't want to admit my defeat to the world. But, I slowly got up and opened the door. Standing there was a man from our church. Not a great friend. Not someone we were particularly connected to. Not anyone that would know or even suspect our troubles. Mr. Curt Powers stood there with a huge smile on his face.
He didn't mince words. I just said, "God told me to come over and give this to you." He handed me an envelope, shook my hand, and walked back to his car.
I opened the envelope and burst into tears. There in my hand was a check for just the amount of money we needed for that bill that I was defeated over. God, through that obedient Christian man, had saved me from defeat. I will never forget that man and his family. I will never forget how when I was pressed against the red sea of my life, God parted the waters in front of me. He didn't give me more than I needed but, exactly what I needed.
What do you need today to get through your struggle? What is it that has you defeated? Call out to God, lift your head, and watch God work. Maybe God has called you to be the Curt Powers to someone else in your life. Obey. Because you never know when something small to you will mean the world to someone else. Do not despair. Do not give up.
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
28Apr16
Ephesians 5:15-16
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil.
Today I want to share a devotional that I read from Max Lucado's new book "God Is With You Every Day." It lifted my spirit to say these words out loud and I encourage you to do the same.
TODAY I WILL
"Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through the trash heap of my failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's ok to stumble... I will get up. It's ok to fail... I will rise again. Today I will make a difference."
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil.
Today I want to share a devotional that I read from Max Lucado's new book "God Is With You Every Day." It lifted my spirit to say these words out loud and I encourage you to do the same.
TODAY I WILL
"Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through the trash heap of my failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's ok to stumble... I will get up. It's ok to fail... I will rise again. Today I will make a difference."
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
27Apr16
Psalm 24
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
I love the song "Give Us Clean Hands" (especially the Kutless version). It's an older song that I grew up singing in the church. It's got a catchy tune but, more than that it is pure Scripture from Psalm 24. Singing Scripture can be a really powerful practice. I don't have to worry about whether I am asking the right questions or seeking after the right course of action. I am also reinforcing the memorization of Scripture in my heart. For me this is about the only way that I memorize things. Song. Isn't amazing how music has the ability to completely alter our mood, change our day, and define moments in our lives? I don't think this is an accident. I also don't think that it's an accident that the largest book of the Bible is full of... music. Music written mostly by a man that is said to be a "man after God's own heart," David. How long has it been since you listened to the promises of God in song? How long has it been since you sang the praises of the Lord from your own lips with everything you have inside you? It will change you "from the inside out" (which is also the title to a fantastic song by Hillsong that you should check out).
I still really enjoy listening to all different kinds of music that is out there. But, when I was young my mom used to always say, "garbage in, garbage out." Music grips our hearts. It changes us. What are you letting it change you into? What are you allowing to influence you? Need some examples of great music that focuses on God? Are you part of the generation that seeks Him, seeks His face, and will stand in His holy place? Let the praises of God forever be in your heart, on your lips, and in your ears.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
I love the song "Give Us Clean Hands" (especially the Kutless version). It's an older song that I grew up singing in the church. It's got a catchy tune but, more than that it is pure Scripture from Psalm 24. Singing Scripture can be a really powerful practice. I don't have to worry about whether I am asking the right questions or seeking after the right course of action. I am also reinforcing the memorization of Scripture in my heart. For me this is about the only way that I memorize things. Song. Isn't amazing how music has the ability to completely alter our mood, change our day, and define moments in our lives? I don't think this is an accident. I also don't think that it's an accident that the largest book of the Bible is full of... music. Music written mostly by a man that is said to be a "man after God's own heart," David. How long has it been since you listened to the promises of God in song? How long has it been since you sang the praises of the Lord from your own lips with everything you have inside you? It will change you "from the inside out" (which is also the title to a fantastic song by Hillsong that you should check out).
I still really enjoy listening to all different kinds of music that is out there. But, when I was young my mom used to always say, "garbage in, garbage out." Music grips our hearts. It changes us. What are you letting it change you into? What are you allowing to influence you? Need some examples of great music that focuses on God? Are you part of the generation that seeks Him, seeks His face, and will stand in His holy place? Let the praises of God forever be in your heart, on your lips, and in your ears.
Monday, April 25, 2016
26Apr16
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
This is, quite possibly, the most misquoted verse in the entire Bible. Right next to 1 Timothy 6:10 "For the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evils." Some people look at this verse and paraphrase it to say, "God will never give you more than you can handle." That's just wrong and a wrong view of God and His power. Notice what it actually says, in context. It doesn't say that if I sit in the middle of temptation and sin that God is going to give me the strength to endure it... It says that God provides the way of escape. Who provides the way of escape? But, if I try hard enough I can conquer any temptation that comes my way right? If I just do this thing or believe that thing or say the right magic words then the temptation will just go away right? Wrong again. God provides a way out. God does. Yup. God. Not me. Not you.
The problem with thinking that temptation is something that we personally have the strength to overcome and that God wont "give me more than I can handle" is that it downplays the role of God in your life. Of course God's going to give you more than you can handle on your own! If He didn't then we wouldn't need Him. We wouldn't turn to Him. This verse has so much truth in it that we don't like to acknowledge like: 1) The temptation you are going through is not unique to you... it's common. Other people are dealing with it and finding escape through God. 2) That God only promises endurance in our escape. Endurance. That doesn't mean there's going to be a victory party at the end of every temptation. It means that sometimes you're lucky just to keep on walking after it.
All of this is possible because God is faithful. He is faithful in our trials and in our temptation to provide us with a way out and He won't allow it to overwhelm us if we turn to Him in our pain and sorrows. Are you looking for a way to escape your temptations or are you sitting in them, enjoying the worldly benefits, and hoping that one day you can power your way through it? Are you leaning on YOUR power or God's grace?
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
This is, quite possibly, the most misquoted verse in the entire Bible. Right next to 1 Timothy 6:10 "For the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evils." Some people look at this verse and paraphrase it to say, "God will never give you more than you can handle." That's just wrong and a wrong view of God and His power. Notice what it actually says, in context. It doesn't say that if I sit in the middle of temptation and sin that God is going to give me the strength to endure it... It says that God provides the way of escape. Who provides the way of escape? But, if I try hard enough I can conquer any temptation that comes my way right? If I just do this thing or believe that thing or say the right magic words then the temptation will just go away right? Wrong again. God provides a way out. God does. Yup. God. Not me. Not you.
The problem with thinking that temptation is something that we personally have the strength to overcome and that God wont "give me more than I can handle" is that it downplays the role of God in your life. Of course God's going to give you more than you can handle on your own! If He didn't then we wouldn't need Him. We wouldn't turn to Him. This verse has so much truth in it that we don't like to acknowledge like: 1) The temptation you are going through is not unique to you... it's common. Other people are dealing with it and finding escape through God. 2) That God only promises endurance in our escape. Endurance. That doesn't mean there's going to be a victory party at the end of every temptation. It means that sometimes you're lucky just to keep on walking after it.
All of this is possible because God is faithful. He is faithful in our trials and in our temptation to provide us with a way out and He won't allow it to overwhelm us if we turn to Him in our pain and sorrows. Are you looking for a way to escape your temptations or are you sitting in them, enjoying the worldly benefits, and hoping that one day you can power your way through it? Are you leaning on YOUR power or God's grace?
Sunday, April 24, 2016
25Apr16
Luke 22:14-15
And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."
This past weekend I was able to go to my first Passover Seder with some of the Jewish Soldiers in the Battalion. My exposure to this holiday throughout my life had been connected only to "the Lord's Supper." To me, as a Christian, Passover took on a very sorrowful and solemn meaning as it was taught to me in this context. Once a month I took communion at church and was reminded that the bread and the wine were linked to the crucifixion of my Savior. So, I walked into that Seder with some pretty deep-rooted pre-conceived notions of what I was going to experience. But, it was nothing like I thought it would be! It was a party!
We had a great time talking, laughing, singing, eating, and learning together as we reclined at the table. There was wine flowing freely and food in abundance as the Jewish congregation recounted their history as a people and celebrated their freedom from oppression. Experiencing this suddenly put the "last supper" into a whole new context and gave it so much more depth. They weren't mourning and somber. They were celebrating! They may have even been a little intoxicated together! These were fishermen celebrating one of the biggest holidays of their faith! They were singing and laughing and having a great time together. How did I manage to suck the joy out of something that was so rich in life and fun? I needed my Jewish brothers to help open my eyes.
Sometimes when we are stuck in a rut of tradition and habit we need the eyes of someone outside our normal life to shed light on where we are sucking the joy out of something God meant to be fun. Sometimes we need to be open enough to receive this from people from which we may have differing viewpoints. You lose out on so much of life when you close your heart to the experiences of others. What are you stuck in today? Who can help you see from a different perspective?
And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."
This past weekend I was able to go to my first Passover Seder with some of the Jewish Soldiers in the Battalion. My exposure to this holiday throughout my life had been connected only to "the Lord's Supper." To me, as a Christian, Passover took on a very sorrowful and solemn meaning as it was taught to me in this context. Once a month I took communion at church and was reminded that the bread and the wine were linked to the crucifixion of my Savior. So, I walked into that Seder with some pretty deep-rooted pre-conceived notions of what I was going to experience. But, it was nothing like I thought it would be! It was a party!
We had a great time talking, laughing, singing, eating, and learning together as we reclined at the table. There was wine flowing freely and food in abundance as the Jewish congregation recounted their history as a people and celebrated their freedom from oppression. Experiencing this suddenly put the "last supper" into a whole new context and gave it so much more depth. They weren't mourning and somber. They were celebrating! They may have even been a little intoxicated together! These were fishermen celebrating one of the biggest holidays of their faith! They were singing and laughing and having a great time together. How did I manage to suck the joy out of something that was so rich in life and fun? I needed my Jewish brothers to help open my eyes.
Sometimes when we are stuck in a rut of tradition and habit we need the eyes of someone outside our normal life to shed light on where we are sucking the joy out of something God meant to be fun. Sometimes we need to be open enough to receive this from people from which we may have differing viewpoints. You lose out on so much of life when you close your heart to the experiences of others. What are you stuck in today? Who can help you see from a different perspective?
Thursday, April 21, 2016
22Apr16
1 Samuel 15:24
Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice."
When I was a youth pastor I used to play a game with the teens that would be set up like this... I would have them stand in a circle and then I would give each of them the name of an animal. No matter what size of group I had there would be only two people with the same animal. Then, when I said "go," they would all start making their animal noise at the tops of their lungs trying desperately to find their partner in a sea of noise. It was a ridiculous sight. But, it taught an important lesson. Sometimes it is really hard to hear the voice you are supposed to be listening to.
The Bible says that God speaks in a "still, small, voice." I definitely don't think that's the only voice He uses though because He has definitely shouted at me before. But, in a world that vies for our attention every second of the day it is really hard to hear the voice of God. It's even harder if we're not even listening for it. Saul knew what the right thing to do was but, he was swayed by the pleading of the people. If we don't have our priorities right it is too easy to lose track of the voice of God. What if you're trying to find a duck sound but, you really like ponies? I really want to be a pony... let's follow the pony noise. Nope. Doesn't work.
Take the time to pause today and hone in on God's voice. Try to take 5 minutes. Seriously... time yourself. 5 minutes to block out everything else and listen for the voice of God about your direction and choices. If we go too long without that we may even forget what the voice of God sounds like. Don't follow the pony noises... listen for God. Who are you listening to today?
Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice."
When I was a youth pastor I used to play a game with the teens that would be set up like this... I would have them stand in a circle and then I would give each of them the name of an animal. No matter what size of group I had there would be only two people with the same animal. Then, when I said "go," they would all start making their animal noise at the tops of their lungs trying desperately to find their partner in a sea of noise. It was a ridiculous sight. But, it taught an important lesson. Sometimes it is really hard to hear the voice you are supposed to be listening to.
The Bible says that God speaks in a "still, small, voice." I definitely don't think that's the only voice He uses though because He has definitely shouted at me before. But, in a world that vies for our attention every second of the day it is really hard to hear the voice of God. It's even harder if we're not even listening for it. Saul knew what the right thing to do was but, he was swayed by the pleading of the people. If we don't have our priorities right it is too easy to lose track of the voice of God. What if you're trying to find a duck sound but, you really like ponies? I really want to be a pony... let's follow the pony noise. Nope. Doesn't work.
Take the time to pause today and hone in on God's voice. Try to take 5 minutes. Seriously... time yourself. 5 minutes to block out everything else and listen for the voice of God about your direction and choices. If we go too long without that we may even forget what the voice of God sounds like. Don't follow the pony noises... listen for God. Who are you listening to today?
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
21Apr16
1 Kings 8:61
"And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time."
Commitment. That can be a really heavy word. To promise and then complete, or continue to try to complete, something can sometimes seem such a daunting task. Yesterday I got the great opportunity to re-enlist my younger brother in the Army. For the third time he is swearing to "support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic...so help me God." Commitment. It was such an honor to stand there with him as he continues to follow the path he has chosen and promise another two years of his life to that cause. Although he's nine years younger than me and we basically didn't know each other growing up because I was out of the house before he became cool, I was standing face to face with a man I admired. A man I knew would fulfill his obligation and commitment even if it cost him his life.
Most of us know what that means. We swore the same oath, or something very similar, when we entered the Army. We made a promise. We made a commitment. I've also known a lot of people who would not fulfill that oath and would fall short of that commitment. Commitment is far from convenience. They both start with the same letter but, could not be further apart. Commitment is tested in the fires of adversity and hardship. Commitment isn't swayed by emotion or sentiment. Commitment is a choice. It's one we make over and over again to maintain our integrity and to be able to look in the mirror and say, "I have honor."
We make a lot of commitments in this life. To God. To our spouse. To our loved ones. To the Army. It is imperative that we remain "fully committed" regardless of the trials and hardships of life. I had a pastor once tell me, "Under promise. Over produce." Don't make a commitment you aren't ready to follow through with. Produce more than you promise. But, if you have sworn to something... keep your oath. Keep your honor. What are you committed to?
"And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time."
Commitment. That can be a really heavy word. To promise and then complete, or continue to try to complete, something can sometimes seem such a daunting task. Yesterday I got the great opportunity to re-enlist my younger brother in the Army. For the third time he is swearing to "support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic...so help me God." Commitment. It was such an honor to stand there with him as he continues to follow the path he has chosen and promise another two years of his life to that cause. Although he's nine years younger than me and we basically didn't know each other growing up because I was out of the house before he became cool, I was standing face to face with a man I admired. A man I knew would fulfill his obligation and commitment even if it cost him his life.
Most of us know what that means. We swore the same oath, or something very similar, when we entered the Army. We made a promise. We made a commitment. I've also known a lot of people who would not fulfill that oath and would fall short of that commitment. Commitment is far from convenience. They both start with the same letter but, could not be further apart. Commitment is tested in the fires of adversity and hardship. Commitment isn't swayed by emotion or sentiment. Commitment is a choice. It's one we make over and over again to maintain our integrity and to be able to look in the mirror and say, "I have honor."
We make a lot of commitments in this life. To God. To our spouse. To our loved ones. To the Army. It is imperative that we remain "fully committed" regardless of the trials and hardships of life. I had a pastor once tell me, "Under promise. Over produce." Don't make a commitment you aren't ready to follow through with. Produce more than you promise. But, if you have sworn to something... keep your oath. Keep your honor. What are you committed to?
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