Aug. 31: What is your will?.....

Hebrews 10:7 “I have come to do your will, O God.” (NAB, NIV)

John 6:40 “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day.” (NIV)

John 6:40  “This is the will of my Father: that everyone who looks upon the son and believes in him shall have eternal life. Him I will raise on the last day.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father, 

What is your will, that I may do it? I think all Christians wrestle with this constantly. We want to make this whole-hearted commitment, but are never sure we know exactly what your will is for us personally. Jesus gives us a statement about your will in John 6:40 “My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day.” (NIV) Your will is for us to trust in Jesus, to believe in him as your Son and our Savior. You have put our destiny in his hands…”and I will raise him up….” Jesus is the One who can raise us in victory over sin and death. He is the Way to eternal life. He is the very Truth of eternal life. He is Life itself because we have this Life only through him. 

Because he perfectly followed your will for him, he arose victorious. Now as the only risen one, he has the right to raise us up also. Your will is that we look at Jesus and believe in him. When we “come to do your will” we come to follow Jesus. Jesus knows the Way because he has already been there. Jesus has opened up the possibility of our also being raised up by becoming our Door into eternal life. 

We are heavy with sin and death…only Jesus can “raise us up”. Where we are bowed and helpless and mired in confusion, he comes in and takes our hand and pulls us up. He is our hope! He is our freedom! He is our stronghold! When we promise to “do your will”, we promise to stay focused on Jesus and follow him. Your will is for all to be saved, but we must trust the Savior who came for us.

 We don’t get to choose how we are to be saved, but only who we will follow to receive that salvation. Your will is very clear on that point. We may not always understand your will in the details of our life, but we can always trust that your will points to Jesus as our Savior. Thank you! Amen.

jAug. 30: Learning obedience through suffering....

Hebrews 5:8-9 “Son, though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” (NAB) 

Heavenly Father, 

Obedience perfected through suffering. Being the Son of God didn’t make Jesus perfect. He was also Son of Man. Just as our children aren’t perfect just because they are ours, Jesus had to reach this perfection by being totally obedient to your will. This came through suffering. Not just physical suffering but the suffering we all endure in making our will come in line with yours. That’s what obedience is…realizing that you and your will are supreme and that our free will and choices must become lined up with yours. We give up control of our destiny to our Creator, our Father, who knows what our destiny should be. 

It may require physical suffering, as Jesus’ did, or it may not. But there will be mental, emotional, and spiritual suffering and trials as I yield every bit of my will to yours. Some parts yield easily, but other parts require tearing away masks and facades, and pride and nonspiritual longings and desires. Every step I make forward in removing the sin and willful disobedience of my worldly life, hurts and causes me suffering. Some things don’t seem wrong to me, and those are hardest to give up. 

My will is a strong enemy and only the grace of your love helps me to do battle and limp away towards new life. Jesus learned this lesson of obedience first and completely. His victory through his sufferings becomes the source we draw upon for our battle…..he is our salvation through his perfect obedience. He is a fountain of hope that assures us of success. He is a guiding Light, always shining out of our darkness. He is a Rock to build our foundation on. Without his obedience to your will we could not be freed from the weight of our inability to conquer sin on our own. He has lightened our load so that we may persevere and win the race. 

Thank you, O LORD! Bend my will, even though I suffer, that I may be obedient to your will. Amen.

Aug. 29: Wearing the crown of life....

James 1:12 “Happy the man who holds out to the end through trial! Once he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (NAB)

 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (NIV)

 “The man who patiently endures the temptations and trials that come to him is the truly happy man, for once his testing is complete he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to all who love him.” (Phillips)

 (Vs. 14) “Mans temptations are due to the pull of his own inward desires, which greatly attract him.” (Phillips)

 Heavenly Father, 

The “crown of life” is promised to those who love you. A crown is given to members of a royal family to designate their sovereignty and place in the family. When we receive the “crown of life” we are shown to be the King’s children. We wear the crown proudly…it is our treasure to own it. “Life” is our crown. Escape from sin and death. Eternal life with you in heaven. We enter this life; receive this crown through the King’s Son, Jesus Christ. 

This verse says we are blessed when we patiently endure our trials and temptations. What are those trials? Verse 14 tells us that: “Man’s temptations are due to the pull of his own inward desires which greatly attract him.” (Phillips) You do not tempt us. (vs. 13) Our trials and temptations are an inward battle. We are fighting our worldly nature, our worldly desires, our attraction to things that are not in line with your will. When we stand firm and fight off this pull and remain true to Jesus Christ, we receive the crown. 

Without Jesus we can’t fight the battle. We have to be rid of the condemnation of our sins so that their weight in guilt does not hold us back. We can’t be free of the pull that the world has until we focus on grace and salvation in Christ. Persevering is taught over and over in scripture. We can’t give up! We must finish what we started when we came to Christ. He will move us onward and upward through each trial, each temptation, each battle. His strength becomes our strength. His power to overcome becomes our power to overcome. His victory over sin and death becomes our victory. We die and arise, as he died and arose.

 Reborn, renewed, redeemed, a new life with a crown to mark our welcome into the family. You gave this promise to “all who love him.” Single-hearted devotion to our Lord and Savior wins the crown of life! Help me persevere through every trial, that I might wear your crown of life, O Savior! Thank you! Amen.

Aug. 28: "If it is your will....."

Luke 22:42 “Father, if it is your will, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.” (NAB)

 Heavenly Father,

 “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) We are to pray this, but I wonder how often we mean it. This is acknowledging your control, your authority in all things and basically saying “I relinquish my free will and bow to your will”. Jesus did this. Jesus prayed “If it is your will…not my will, but yours be done.” At his most agonizing moments, his deepest trials, he was able to relinquish his control to you. He didn’t fight it, but humbled himself completely. He gives you the control of “this cup”….his death. If you chose to take it from him…OK. If you chose not to…OK. He would not give it up himself but leaves its control to you. 

It is very hard to bow to the will of another….even to our supreme God, our Father. We spend most of our lives being “independent” in this world, so to give that up to be “dependent” is difficult. This isn't just allowing someone control over situations where we don’t want control or don’t know what to do anyway. This is allowing our will to become one with yours…a meshing of our wills in agreement, but with yours as the control or pattern. It is falling in step with your perfect purpose for our lives.

 The term “blind obedience” comes to my mind. The blind allow other senses to take over for their lack of sight, and they follow the guidance of those they trust. They re-learn how to live without visible markers to guide them. We become blindly obedient to your will by allowing the Holy Spirit to fully develop our spiritual senses. We see and hear through him. He is our inner guide to knowing your will. 

What we see and hear in the world won’t help us. What we see and hear in the Spirit will. We give up our known senses for this heightened sense that is spirit empowered. We “hear” your words and understand. We “see” your face in others. We “taste” the Bread of Life and are filled. We “smell” the incense of prayer and praise. We “touch” the heart of our Father and his will. Give me Holy Spirit empowered senses to do your will in all things. Amen.

Aug. 27: Are you good soil?.....

Luke 8:15 “The seed on good ground are those who hear the word in a spirit of openness, retain it, and bear fruit through perseverance.” (NAB)

“The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (NIV)

“The seed sown on good soil means the men who hear the message and grasp it with a good and honest heart, and go on steadily producing a good crop.” (Phillips) 

Heavenly Father, 

The seed is the Word of God” (vs.11). There is no question about the seed. The seed is the Word, the Message, the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are starting with prime product…perfect seed suited to grow and produce fruit. We are the soil. Which type of soil are we? 

There are 4 choices. The path is so hard it rejects the message and it never even gets inside. The message is snatched away by the Evil One and wasted. 

The rocks allow the message in but once the initial welcome or enthusiasm is over at hearing and accepting the Word, we neglect it. The Word can’t get deeply rooted because we don’t bother to tend it or make a real home for it. We drift away through apathy and laziness. 

The thorns are perhaps the worst. We accept the Word, but then we allow the world to keep crowding it out. We become involved with too many other things….work, play, worries, interests…and choke the word to death. We kill it through our devaluing of its importance. It becomes one of many things, rather then the One and only thing we need. 

The good soil appreciates the Word. This seed of grace is so precious we baby it, care for it, love it, nourish it. It takes a “good and noble heart” to give the Word the home it deserves. We “retain it”…keep it close, abide with it, “grasp it”. This is our Life! This is our hope! This is the meaning and purpose to center our life on. By persevering, we produce fruit. It takes patience. It takes work. It takes a single-minded focus. 

The Word permeates all we think, say and do. The Word guides us and transforms us. We become “vessels”, or containers carrying the seed…it is important and supreme and we are the caretakers or medium to “grow” the Word. The purpose is fruit. The purpose is to feed others and grow more seed in more containers. Spreading the Word, feeding upon it, until all the world is “good soil” full of fruit! Thank you! Make me good soil. Dig me deeply. Tear out the weeds and thorns. Amen.

Aug. 26: Living a fruitful life.....

Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient under trial, persevere in prayer.” (NAB)

 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (NIV)

 “Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come endure them patiently; steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.” (Phillips)

 “Cheerfully expectant, don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder.” (MSG)

 Heavenly Father, 

This verse is part of a passage that seems to “expand on” the Fruit of the Spirit. Paul takes each term and gives an example of how the fruit is manifested in our lives. This particular verse is an example of joy, patience, and faithfulness. We “rejoice in hope” or as the Phillips explains it…”base your happiness on your hope in Christ.” Hope is always connected to Jesus. We have hope…expectant faith…because Jesus died for us and arose to new life. Our hope rests on him as the “first born” of the kingdom. His life guarantees our life.

 This also allows us to be “patient in affliction” or “when trials come endure them patiently.” Our hope in Christ gives us an anchor to hold fast in any trial. We can endure patiently because we know Christ goes before us and is within us. 

Finally we must “persevere in prayer” or “be faithful in prayer” or “steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer” or “pray all the harder.” Prayer is our lifeline, our permanent connection to you. Because of our faith in your son, we have the right to “ask and receive”. We must be faithful in this habit of prayer. Our life depends on staying in your will and being guided in your purposes. 

The rest of the “fruit” characteristics can also be found in these verses.

‘Love must be sincere” (vs. 9…love)

 “Bless those who persecute you” (vs. 14……love, peace) 

Honor one another above yourselves” (vs. 10…peace)

 “Share with God’s people who are in need” (vs. 13….kindness)

 “Hate what is evil, cling to what is good” (vs. 9….goodness)

 “Practice hospitality” (vs. 13….gentleness, kindness, peace)

 “Live in harmony with one another” (vs. 16….all of above)

 “Don’t repay evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.” (vs. 17…self-control)

There are many examples of over-lapping characteristics, but they all show our “fruit” and that Christ is in us. Rejoice! Our hope will give us patience for anything and our prayers will be answered always and keep us fruitful. Thank you, LORD! Amen.

Aug. 25: "You did it for me".....

Matthew 25:40 “I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.” (NAB)

 “And the king will reply, “I assure you that whatever you did for the humblest of my brothers you did for me.” (Phillips) 

“Whenever you did one of these things to someone over-looked or ignored, that was me….you did it to me.” (MSG)

 Heavenly Father, 

Good works….even though they don’t save us, they are still a part of the Christian life. Salvation depends on Jesus Christ. Only he is pure enough to pay for our sins and redeem us. Grace! Being set free through Christ, through no merit of our own. We can’t buy our way in. We can’t earn our way in. We come through Jesus’ blood and are reborn in his likeness. 

How do we know that for sure? Besides scripture telling us it is true, we see evidence of this new birth in our lives. Good works are the fruit we produce. Paul “named” the fruit of the Spirit as 9 characteristics…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control. This fruit is the heart of “good works”. We do good works in the lives of others because we have love and kindness and peace and patience, and all the rest. The fruit is manifested as good works…feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, giving hospitality to strangers, clothing the naked, visiting the prisoners. 

Jesus makes it clear that we do these things for or to him. Each downtrodden person we help has Jesus’ face. They give evidence that Jesus is abiding within us. His command to us was: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Loving others is “good works”. The fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in us enables us and encourages us to do good works at all times. The “sheep” in this parable were not aware that they had done anything for Christ. Their good works were a natural part of their character and unnoticed by them. True good works happen through our Spirit-given character and Spirit-given fruit. 

We may be perplexed to think that we've done anything worthwhile for our “King”, but he will know if we have and reward us. The reward is for later, not now. Now is the time for doing. Paul tells us never to tire of doing good works. We shouldn't tire of doing what is part of our character. Good works should just happen in our lives the same as breathing now that we are reborn. Thank you, amen.

Aug. 24: Measuring greatness......

Luke 7:28 “I assure you, there is no man born of a woman greater than John.” (NAB)

 “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (NIV)

 “No one ever born on this earth is greater than John. But whoever is least important in God's kingdom is greater than John." (CEV)

Heavenly Father, 

I find this passage a difficult one to understand. John was “born of a woman” but so was Jesus. This statement about John: “no one ever born on this earth is greater…” seems to rank John above or equal to Jesus. How can that be? John‘s was a special birth just as Jesus’ was. John was a “messenger” sent by you. John fulfilled what he was sent to do in a very single-minded manner. All evidence points to him growing up in a very lonely meditative way, seeking to do all to obey you. He was given a purpose by you and he went straight at it…preaching repentance of sin, and the coming of your kingdom, and Jesus as the Messiah who would bring that kingdom. 

He was great because he lived in obedience to your will and he recognized that Jesus was more important than he was and accepted it willingly. But the last part of this verse seems to be the most important part…”whoever is least important in God’s kingdom is greater than John.” Jesus had not died and risen yet, so the kingdom was not fully in place. Jesus wanted to emphasize that just repenting and being baptized…John’s message….was not enough. 

We have to go beyond John’s message and find Jesus, who John is pointing to. Without Jesus we are still outside the kingdom. But once we accept Jesus as our Savior we step into the kingdom, and beyond any earthly realm or preaching. John, too, would need to step into the kingdom to become “greater”. 

Jesus’ death and resurrection established a new reign where all would be on equal footing as part of Christ’s body. John was the forerunner, leading the way in total obedience to your will. He “handed over the baton” to Jesus who would become the Door, the Way, the Truth, the Life! Now the Kingdom is come! No matter how “low” we are, if we step through that Door, we become great! We will be blessed forever as part of the Kingdom of God! Thank you, amen.

Aug. 23: Holding out the word of life to others.....

Philippians 2:14-15 “In everything you do, act without grumbling or arguing; prove yourselves innocent and straight forward, children of God beyond reproach in the midst of a twisted and depraved generation….among whom you shine like stars in the sky while holding fast to the word of life.” (NAB)

 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God, without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…” (NIV)

 “Do all you have to do without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and harmless, faultless children of God, living in a varied and diseased age, and shining like lights in a dark world. For you hold up in your hands the very word of life.” (Phillips)

 Heavenly Father, 

Do we shine…”lights in a dark world”? These verses follow Paul’s well-known passage: “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his purpose.” (vs. 12b-13) We don’t just become Christians and stop…all done. We must work out our salvation…allow Christ to continue to change us, to grow in our faith, to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. You, O LORD, are working in us that we will become part of your will and purpose. 

Now Paul tells us to do this without complaining or grumbling. Growth and change are necessary. Leaving the world behind and taking on Christ’s character will make us “innocent and straight forward”…”blameless and pure”. We are your children and as such need to be “faultless or “beyond reproach” in a world where we no longer fit in. If the world can’t see a difference between us and anyone else, then something is wrong! 

If we are your children we should “shine like lights in a dark world” reflecting Christ’s light in this world of decadence and warped values and depraved morals. Children of the Light! Jesus Christ is the “Light of the World” and we are now carrying that light. Where there is darkness we must shine truth and hope. The Phillips translation says: “For you hold in your hands the very word of life.” Wow…that’s a great responsibility! 

This phrase seems to have two possible meanings…some translations refer to “holding fast to the word of life.” We must first hold tightly ourselves before we can hold out this light to others. You will work in us according to your will and purpose if we allow you free reign of our lives. Then we will be vessels of light shining into the world’s darkness. The light we found will be passed on to others. The darkness will begin to disappear everywhere we take the Light, Jesus Christ, the Word of Life! Help me spread the light! Thank you! Amen

Aug. 22: Who is our God?......

Acts 17:28 “In him we live and move and have our being.” (NAB)

 Heavenly Father, 

Paul found an altar inscribed “to an unknown god”. This is truly “stumbling around in the darkness”! These people wanted to cover every base. Their superstition led them to erect altars to gods they had no knowledge of…”just in case”. 

Paul writes this passage to tell them who their “unknown god” really is! He wants them to worship in knowledge and wisdom. He wants them to become aware of who their God is and that he is One God, only. You are the God who created us! You don’t live in temples or shrines. You don’t need anything. You created all the nations and placed them where you wanted them. 

Why? Verse 27 reads: “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being”…..we are his offspring. We are connected to you as children to their Father. You aren’t some “unknown”, but a living Spirit who formed us in your image and breathed life into us. We live, move and exist “in you”. Without our God, we are nothing and have no purpose. 

When we seek you…when we desire a relationship that gives a name to our “unknown God”….we strive to please you. You will always be found by those who seek you. Scripture assures us of that! Your name is Father…Creator…Almighty God…I AM! Seeking you will lead us to Jesus Christ who makes our relationship possible. 

By repenting our waywardness, our sin, we seek to come back to this relationship: “In him we live, move and have our being.” Jesus makes it possible for us to be one with you, just as he is one with you. Abiding in our source of life….real Life, eternal Life! No more an unknown god made to our own design, but the One True Living God! Our Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit! Our Life! Our Truth! May I always abide in your presence. Amen. 

Altar to an unknown god: a response

 No “unknown god” for me, with an altar made of stone 

Or a building of bricks that I think is your real home!

 But the One True God…the Father of Love! 

Whose presence is everywhere, your “home” far above! 

Father, Creator! Savior, Son!

 Holy Spirit! Three in One! 

In you alone, I live, and move and “be”

 Your everlasting love embraces and sets me free! 

(Mary Freeman 8-22-2008)

Aug. 21: "Live on in my love....."

John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Live on in my love.” (NAB)

 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (NIV)

 “…..You must go on living in my love.” (Phillips)

 “……make yourselves at home in my love.” (MSG) 

Heavenly Father, 

Jesus loves us just as the Father has loved him. What does that mean? You loved your Son enough to send him to earth to save all of us. You loved him enough to trust him to obey you. You loved him because he did obey you. Jesus is what the Father is. You are love. Jesus is love. Your love is aimed at us…your created beings. You don’t see us as hopeless causes, but as redeemable children. You don’t see our sin when it’s filtered through Jesus’ blood. Your perfect Son who you loved, with whom you are “well pleased” has passed that love on to us by dying to redeem us. 

The greatest love is giving up your life for another. Jesus did that for all of us. Now we are to “live on in my love” or “remain in my love” or ”make yourselves at home in my love.” This is abiding. Staying somewhere, making ourselves at home. We become comfortable there and don’t want to be anywhere else. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” We can “live on” in his love because he has become the very life we live. Our life is now his. There is no separation. He has become part of us and we have become part of him….abiding. 

“We will come and make our home in you.” Our life strengthens and lengthens in Christ. We have his life empowering us and lasting forever. We must remain in this love to have life. We feed on this love: “I am the Bread of Life.” It is our source of nourishment. Jesus showed us what the Father’s love is and now we are to live as he did. “My command is that you love one another.” Help me truly understand this love and how to love all who I meet. Fill me with your love and pour me out for others. Thank you, Father, Son, Holy Spirit for your love! Amen.

Aug. 20: The true light to follow.....

1 John 2:10 “The man who continues in the light is the one who loves his brother; there is nothing in him to cause a fall.” (NAB)

 “Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” (NIV)

 “The man who loves his brother lives in the light, and has no reason to stumble.” (Phillips)

 Heavenly Father, 

Do we live in darkness or light? “The man who loves his brother lives in the light.” Jesus is light. When we follow Jesus we live in the light. The evidence that we follow him is loving our brothers and sisters. The light of Jesus Christ will show us if we truly love others or not. We can’t love some and hate others. We can’t love only partially. We are to “love others as ourselves.” Loving ourselves is accepting ourselves and recognizing we are your children if we obey you. We have a natural sense of self-preservation that makes us care about ourselves. We have to care just as much about others. What we need, they need. What we want, they want. 

The greatest love is laying down our life for others. That type of love substitutes their wants and needs for ours to the point of giving up our very life for them. Jesus loves like that. Jesus died for us. He is our example to follow. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus is the Light of the world but he told us to become light also. If we are in his light we will reflect it to others. The Light makes things clear and easy to see. No need to stumble. If we are still stumbling around uncertain or still willfully sinning, then we are not in the Light. We know the difference if we are in the Light. We see where to go and what we should do. We know what voice to obey. Where the Light goes, we follow.

 Darkness makes us blind. We become confused, disoriented, frightened and come to a complete halt. We need light. We need Jesus. Verse 8 says: “…the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.” If we are in that true light, we will love our brother just as Jesus Christ loved us. Shine, Jesus shine! Show us the Way through the darkness in which we dwell. Light up the night with your beacon of hope. Amen.

Aug. 19: Make sure you understand.....

Ephesians 5:17 “Do not continue in ignorance but try to discern the will of the Lord.” (NAB)

 “Therefore do not be foolish, but understanding what the Lord’s will is.” (NIV)

 “Don’t be vague, but grasp firmly what you know to be the will of the Lord.” (Phillips)

 “Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.” (MSG)

 Heavenly Father, 

Vague, careless, unthinking, foolish, ignorant. Too often I live like this! What I don’t know or understand I don’t have to face. If I remain “vague” I don’t have to take a stand. I feel Christianity in general is falling into this pattern of careless, unthinking vagueness. We don’t want to “offend” anyone. We don’t want to call sin by its name or list things that are sins. If we say, “I’m not sure” or “I don’t understand this completely” we feel we are safe in not judging anyone or anything. We plead ignorance rather then take time to read the scriptures, learn from them, and take a stand.

 “Unthinking”….what a perfect word to describe our condition! We don’t think about it…we “un-think” or avoid thinking. Our faith isn't meant to be one of “un-thoughts” and vague opinions. We are to obey your commands and follow your will. You are a God of right and holiness. You have rules and standards. They aren't hidden from us. 

Our vagueness comes from disobedience. We don’t “understand” because we don’t like what it says and don’t want to obey it. Two of these translations are very emphatic….”grasp firmly what you know to be the will of the Lord” or “Make sure you understand, what the Master wants.” Stop being wishy-washy and vague! Think carefully! Seek understanding! Wrestle with scripture until the clear voice of God breaks through! We don’t have time to waste. We can’t tell others the “good News” if we are still being vague, careless, unthinking, foolish, ignorant. 

Verse 10 says: “…find out what pleases the Lord.” We have to desire to know and once we know we must obey. Pleasing you, knowing your will, makes us children of light who can shine into the darkness of the world. Bright light from Jesus Christ, not vague flickering weak and ineffective ones. Strengthen my understanding of your word and your will! Amen.

Aug. 18: Knowing your will.....

1 John 5:14 “We have this confidence in God: that he hears us whenever we ask for anything according to his will.” (NAB)

 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (NIV)

 “We have such confidence in him that we are certain that he hears every request that is made in accord with his own plan.” (Phillips)

 “We are certain God will hear our prayers, when we ask for what pleases him.” (CEV) 

Heavenly Father, 

You hear us when we ask for what is in accord with your will. It must please you greatly when we get it right and understand your will in a situation. Knowing your will is where we constantly struggle. No matter how much scripture we read, we remain uncertain at times as to what your will is. We always know what we want, but knowing what you want is confusing. We make most prayer decisions based on our love for another person, or the amount of danger we are in, or the kind of help we need that we can’t provide for ourselves. 

That’s the main issue in most of our prayers…helplessness. We turn to you, because we have nowhere else to turn. Is that praying in accordance with your will? I would say both yes and no. Yes, that you want to be the Father we turn to for all things. No, you aren't just there to be a “Santa Claus” for all of our wants. To know your will we must know you. We must have knowledge of your character and have an on-going relationship. 

We need your Holy Spirit within us forming a connection to your will. The Holy Spirit will not allow us to pray against your will, if we listen to him. We will be aware that something is wrong. We will not feel your presence. The confidence and certainty spoken of in this verse will not be present. Allowing your Holy Spirit to freely guide our prayers is hard. We pray for many things. We are always learning more in prayer. We keep coming to you. We keep asking. We keep pouring out our hearts to our Father. We gain in trust and confidence. We gain in knowledge and wisdom. We see your faithfulness and chart your “answers”. 

It all teaches us and we discern more of your presence. Listening is so important to knowing your will! We struggle most with the ability to listen. To sit quietly in your presence and give you a chance to speak to us.  You speak to us when we show a desire to seek and hear. We rely on you! We thank you! We want to know your will! We want to see clearly our Father. Hear us, O LORD! Amen.

Aug. 17: "For to me, life means Christ"....

Philippians 1:21 “For, to me, life means Christ; hence dying is so much gain.” (NAB)

 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (NIV)

 “For living to me means simply ‘Christ’, and if I die I should merely gain more of him.” (Phillips)

 “….life verses even more life. I can’t lose.” (MSG) 

Heavenly Father,

 Single-hearted. Paul was very single-hearted. His whole life meant “Christ” to him, and he knew that dying would just mean even more Christ in heaven forever! He never feared death or persecutions as he preached, because he was in a “win-win” situation at all times. The Message sums it up as: “Life verses even more life!” It’s hard not to imagine Paul with a huge smile as he says that! His joy, his entire being was caught up in his “Christ life”. He didn’t have compartments, like we do….work life, home life, church life, vacation life, etc. He lived it all the same and saw every aspect of his life as being lived in Christ. 

We too often want to leave Christ at church and go home to a totally separate life. We were told that we should live “in the world” but not be “of the world”. We fail at that. We embrace too much of the world and our enjoyment of it. We don’t connect it to Christ at all. We've made Christ a “religion” rather than a “life”. Paul’s attitude was one of having all of Christ now, and even more of Christ in death! Never too much! We seem to want to take a break or rest from our “Christ life”. We limit it to certain times, certain places, certain situations. If Christ is abiding in us, we have him at all times….not to be set aside temporarily or excluded from parts of our “life”. 

Paul knew that Christ equals life. Not either/or, but one and the same. We can’t exclude him from something he is. We must learn to say and mean: “For to me, to live is Christ”. We must draw our every breath from his being. We must make him our life and feel the joy that comes from that oneness of spirit. We need to truly understand the phrase “he is my all in all”. Life! The pure in heart see him! Thank you, amen.

Aug. 16: "Thy will be done on earth....."

Matthew 6:10 “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (NAB)

 “….so that everyone on earth will obey you, as you are obeyed in heaven.” (CEV)

 (“Come set up your kingdom so that….”) 

Heavenly Father, 

We pray the Lord’s Prayer so often we don’t think too much about what it says. We begin by calling on “Our Father, who is in heaven.” We acknowledge the holiness of your name. You are pure and holy. This month’s focus is being “pure in heart” or single-hearted. Those who are pure in heart recognize and call on the One who is the source of holiness and purity. Yesterday was about “hearing” you speak and today we read that being pure in heart is rewarded by “seeing” you. You are so far beyond our human senses of hearing and sight, but our hearts can hear and see your holiness through our Savior, Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit abiding in us. 

Once we establish our faith in your sovereignty and authority as our holy Father, we then seek your kingdom and your will. We want them to “come” to be established here on earth just as they are in heaven. We welcome your “rule” as our King, our God. We want everyone else to do the same. We want the oneness of heaven to also be oneness on earth. You created the earth! You created us! Your presence and authority are necessary for our existence. We need an abiding relationship with you to create this oneness.

 If your perfect will is done here just as in heaven we will all be as one in obedience and thought and action. What is right in heaven was meant to be right for earth. We want that relationship with you back! We want you to come to us and teach us and reestablish the relationship we were meant to have. We invite this, we welcome this, we ask in prayer for it. Jesus came to begin the process by removing the punishment for our sins and drawing us back to you. Now we cry, “Abba Father!” Come! We want your will! We want to know you! We want to hear you and see you.! Heaven on earth! Come! Thank you! Amen.

Aug. 15: He who belongs to God.....

John 8:47 “Whoever is of God, hears every word God speaks.” (NAB)

 “He who belongs to God hears what God says.” (NIV)

 “The man who is born of God can hear the words of God.” (Phillips.)

 Heavenly Father, 

Jesus is arguing with the Pharisees about who he is, who sent him, and where he gets his authority. The Pharisees take pride in being “sons of Abraham”. They seem to consider this designation to be all that is necessary. They are “the chosen ones”….enough said. But they seem to have forgotten that being the chosen ones is about being your children and you being their God. Being chosen ones or a son of Abraham only has meaning in the context of their relationship with their God….their real Father. 

Jesus tells them that if they were Abraham’s children they would do what Abraham did. Abraham listened to God and obeyed him. They are showing no evidence of being Abraham’s children by trying to kill Jesus and by refusing to hear his message. Our actions show who we follow. “He who belongs to God hears what God says.” Our ears are tuned to our true master. They would “hear” the truth of who Jesus is, if they were truly your children. You sent your Son. You affirmed him several times…”This is my Son, listen to him!” They would hear this if they were listening to you and “belonged “ to you. 

These words make me think once again of titles: “The-man-who-is-born-of-God”. Who is this man born of God? Jesus! Substitute that in the verse: “Jesus can hear the words of God”. Jesus hears you because he is “born of God. Perfect harmony. Jesus hears only one voice, obeys only one master, represents only one God, his Father.

 Saying “we are sons of Abraham” is much like us saying, “ I’m a Christian”. It only has meaning if we truly listen to only one voice…Christ’s …and follow him. The title “Christian” is only an accurate identification, if it leads to single-hearted devotion to Jesus Christ. We will hear his words, if we truly belong to him. We will be born anew into your family and exhibit your likeness, and follow the one voice we hear…yours! Let me hear clearly “the-one-who-is-born-of-God” and follow his voice!  May I too, be born of God through Jesus Christ in me.  Amen.

Aug. 14: Hear the Word, keep the Word.....

Luke 11:28 “Blest are they that hear the word of God and keep it.” (NAB)

 “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (NIV)

 “Yes, but a far greater blessing is to hear the word of God and obey it.” (Phillips) 

“Even more blessed are those who hear God’s word and guard it with their lives.” (MSG) 

Heavenly Father,

 In the middle of Jesus’ preaching a woman yells out that the woman who bore and raised him is blessed. This is a compliment to both Mary and Jesus…basically saying: “What a lucky mother to have raised such a wonderful son!” Jesus counters that it is an even greater blessing if we actually “hear the Word of God and obey it!” He is the Word of God. Recognizing who Jesus is…not just a nice young man, or a good teacher, or a mother’s favorite son, or even a leader of men…is the key to our being blessed. 

Blessings flow from your throne to us. Jesus blesses us because of who his Father is. We are to “hear” him…..listen, understand, heed, pay attention to. He is delivering your words to us. Jesus shows us the grace and love you have for us, when he dies for our sin and provides a means of forgiveness and new life. Hearing this message and understanding that Jesus is the authoritative source that we can trust….the Truth….and the means of receiving your blessing…the Way…is of far greater importance than any human connection he may have. 

Focus on Jesus. Concentrate on “the Word”. We are back to the idea of being “single-hearted”. The last part of this verse says to not only “hear” but also “keep”. Keep can mean 2 things…”obey” and “hold on to”. We need to “keep” Jesus in both senses! The Word is to be “guarded with our lives” according to the Message translation and other translations stress obeying it…following closely and making this our habit and our guiding way of life. This is great blessing! 

Being so close to Jesus, the Word of God, that we follow and abide at all times. It leads to eternal Life! Hearing and keeping your Word puts us in right relationship as your children. It’s where we need to be at all times. Thank you, for your Word! May I hear and keep it close always. Amen.

Aug. 13: "You are my friends"......

John 15:14 “You are my friends, if you do what I command you.”(NAB)

 Heavenly Father, 

Jesus defined the greatest love as being willing to lay down your life for your friends. He immediately tells the disciples: “You are my friends….”. Jesus was about to lay down his life in a very obvious manner….dying on a cross. He wasn’t doing this because he deserved this death, but out of love for all who come to him. He wants all of us as his friends. He tells us here that we are his friends when we do what he commands. 

What are his commands? “This is my commandment: that you love each other as I have loved you.” (vs. 12) When we love others, we are Jesus’ friends. Loving others is following Jesus’ example. Jesus made himself available to all who sought him. He spent individual time with anyone who came to him in faith, and he healed their troubles. He didn’t ask for their qualifications or worthiness, he only looked at their need and their faith. He loved them with every word and action…even when he was rebuking or correcting them. Jesus was seeking lost sheep at all times and always brought them back home. 

Jesus speaks here about the difference between servants and friends. Servants don’t fully know the Master’s will or have all of the Master’s confidence. Friends have a love relationship….all is shared between them. The friend knows the Master, knows his will, longs to please the Master, loves the Master. The Master hasn’t hidden anything from the friend and trusts him completely. 

Jesus shared your love with us, he “gave up his life” for us, and now he expects us to do the same for all of our “friends”. Our friends are to be “others”….everyone we meet….just as Jesus loved everyone he met. Your love is for all, not to be withheld for a few. Teach me to obey your commands that I might be your friend! Thank you, for your love. Amen.

Aug. 12: Loving your law, loving you......

Psalm 40:8 “To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart.” (NAB)

 “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (NIV)

 “I enjoy pleasing you. Your law is in my heart.” (CEV)

 Heavenly Father, 

Loving your law, desiring your will. This is how Jesus was portrayed throughout scripture. The term law denotes your words, your commands, your instructions for us. All of these are personified in “The Word”, Jesus Christ. Jesus lived your perfect will and became the Word spoken for all to hear. Holding your law within our hearts is our goal. If we substitute Jesus…the Word…for the law, then we delight in your will and hold Jesus within our hearts. Jesus is our key to this abiding peace and harmony with your will. 

He, who always did your will, can change our lives from within, so that we too obey your perfect will. “Within my heart”….deep inside the place of life and love. When someone dies I like to quote: “to live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” What we hold in our hearts lives on forever. If I hold your law, Jesus Christ, within my heart, he will live there forever and impart new life to me. I will “enjoy pleasing you” because the source of perfect love, perfect harmony with your will is residing in my heart. I have to know Jesus, know this perfect example of your Word and cherish him within me. He cries out always to his Father and obeys your will. 

I will learn to sense his obedience to your will in my own will. I will desire to do your will to please the One within my heart giving it life. “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Jesus lives and guides from within all who believe on him. David sang many psalms of praise to your law. He understood that loving your law, was the same as loving you. We love your Word, who came to show us his Father, and thus we too love you through him. Thank you, Father God, for your perfect law, your Word, Jesus Christ, and your Holy Spirit within us! I delight in doing your will! I desire to hold you within my heart always! Amen.

Aug. 11: Whatever......

Philippians 4:8 “Your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise.” (NAB)

 “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable….if anything is excellent or praiseworthy…think about such things.” (NIV)

 “…things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious,…the best not the worst, the beautiful not the ugly, things to praise not things to curse.” (MSG)

 Heavenly Father, 

I always think of these as “the whatever’s” because of the NIV translation. Each of these things is what we should use as criteria of what is worthy to spend our time and thoughts on. If only we held everything up to the light of this list, the world would be a different place! So much of our world is held to the lowest rather than the highest standards. We’ve allowed our standards of what is acceptable to fall far short of this list! We are constantly bombarded on TV, in movies, music, ads, magazines, newspapers, and everywhere we go with things that are not honest, pure, noble, virtuous, right, etc. 

We turn a blind eye and tell ourselves that it is others and not ourselves who want these things. That is not honest. Each one of us has lowered our own standard of what is acceptable. The gist of this list is the phrase: “Your thoughts should be wholly directed…” or “think about such things.” We are commanded to drag our minds and our standards out of the gutter and focus on these things. Turn off the questionable TV shows. Skip the movies and books that approve things that we really don’t approve of. Don’t buy the toys, magazines, games, and clothes, which lower our standards. Don’t pass on the dirty jokes and risqué e-mails. 

Memorize the list: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Compare the things you like or think about or read or watch on TV. Do they reach this standard? Why not? What draws you to the lower things? Where are your thoughts most often? I fail this test right along with everyone else. I’ve lowered my standards on some levels. Forgive me! Draw my heart and mind upwards and outwards. Remind me of this list often! Teach me to “think about such things” at all times. Thank you, O LORD for all that is good and right and worthy! Amen.

Aug. 10: Whoever does the will of the Father......

Matthew 12:50 “Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is brother and sister and mother to me.” (NIV)

 Heavenly Father, 

Jesus always made it plain where his allegiance lay. At the age of 12 he showed a preference for “being in my Father’s house”, to being with family. Once again he makes it clear that obeying you…his heavenly Father….is the most important relationship in his life and that it effects his relationship to other peoples as well. Anyone who obeys you is his family and equally as important are his “blood relatives”.

 Verse 46 says that his mother and brothers “stood outside” wanting to speak to him. They were not part of the crowd that he was teaching. They weren’t his “followers” at this point in time, although we know Mary follows him everywhere later and that his brother James becomes an important Apostle in the young church. Even those closest to Jesus had trouble understanding his purpose in the beginning. It must have been very difficult as mother and brother to realize that Jesus was following a more important path…one they didn’t understand…and that he had a different view of relationships with others. 

Most of us are drawn first to our relatives and our best friends, but Jesus was here on earth to save all of us and he had a limited time to teach and train disciples and to set everything in motion. He “honored” his mother, but her claim to his attention was no more important than anyone else who “does the will of my Father”. Jesus embraced everyone, loved everyone, died for everyone, and saved everyone. No favorites, no blood ties, no ranking or rating. 

He chose disciples for their willingness to follow faithfully and persevere in the face of great persecution. Their witness would launch a mighty Body to spread his word. He didn’t choose by blood relationship, but by devotion to his Father……anyone who obeys your will. We become brothers and sisters when we choose to follow Jesus and listen and obey and do your will. The pure in heart, the single-minded, become your children. Thank you, Lord, for letting me be in your family through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Make me a stronger member of your family, ready to do your will at all times.  Amen.

Aug. 9: Tripping over my own feet.....

Psalm 25:15 “My eyes are ever toward the LORD.” (NAB)

 “My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” (NIV)

 “If I keep my eyes on God, I won’t trip over my own feet.” (MSG) 

Heavenly Father, 

Am I looking up at you, or down at my own feet? Watching my own feet will provide some protection from falls, but sooner or later I will become distracted or in too much of a hurry and fall flat on my face. If my eyes are on you, my feet will find their own way safely. Like Peter walking on the water, I have to stop trusting my own steps and look only at you. This is hard, and like Peter, the winds and waves of life will cause me to panic and lose my focus. 

Walking on water and walking with eyes upwards rather than down, take a strong focus. It requires great faith and trust. Over and over in scripture you reward those who have great faith. They receive healing, sight, being ‘made well’. I must learn to raise my eyes upwards at all times! Inner eyes and outward eyes, both need to focus on you. My inner eyes tend to focus on questions, worries, and unseen things of the future. I have to trust that you will “release my feet from the snare.” Nothing will hold me, if my eyes are on you in trust of your deliverance. You are faithful. Just as you have rescued me in the past, you will rescue me now and always when I trust you. 

My outward eyes see actual stumbling blocks…worldly danger, present circumstances, obstacles in my path. Again, I must trust that you can overcome them. I must develop a “world blindness” that doesn’t see these things as obstacles, but merely stepping stones on a path where you are guiding my feet. If I watch you, they will disappear. 

My own feet are my greatest obstacle! I focus too much on myself….independence and self-control….to move me from place to place. Keeping my eyes on you, keeps them off of my own self-reliance. You must lead, you must guide, you must cushion each step and place it correctly. Help me strengthen my focus on you! Teach me to trust and have faith in the One who has never failed me to guide every step that I take! Amen.

Aug. 8: "By myself I can do nothing".......

John 5:30 “I am not seeking my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” (NAB)

 “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” (NIV)

 “….I do not live to please myself, but to do the will of the Father who sent me.” (Phillips)

 “….I obey him and don’t try to please myself.” (CEV)

 Heavenly Father, 

This verse begins with the words: “By myself I can do nothing”. We all need to say this each day. But it’s just as important to continue with, “I seek not to please myself, but him who sent me”. Jesus knew where his strength lay. His oneness with his Father, his relationship of abiding, listening, trusting, and obeying was his guiding principal. His life depended on this, and he knew it. 

We struggle to learn this! We think that we have to do it on our own…be strong, make decisions, act now, choose, exercise our free will and be independent, earn our way, owe no one. We don’t know how to just abide in your presence and allow you to speak to us and guide us. We don’t know how to quit trying to be strong in our own strength, but instead relax in the knowledge that you are our Rock, our Defender, our Strong Fortress. We don’t know how to stop trying to make our decisions without your help….you are wise, all-knowing, Creator and you have a plan, if we let you guide us. 

I guess our biggest problem is not listening, not waiting for you to speak and guide. We rush ahead on our own and make snap decisions, just so we can “act”. Waiting in silence and patience has become unheard of in this fast paced world. If we have a spare moment, we think we must fill it. No time to climb the mountainside and sit quietly in your presence. No time for prayer and being filled up. Always pouring out, never taking in your strength! 

Help me live as Jesus lived….not seeking to please myself, but wanting to hear and to know and to do your will. Slow me down long enough to abide in your presence! Help me push out the unnecessary and make more room for you! Make your will, my will. Teach me greater obedience and love. Thank you, in all things. Amen.

Aug. 7: Not I, but Christ in me....

Galatians 2:20 “The life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me.” (NAB)

 “And I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (NIV) 

“And my present life is not that of the old ‘I’, but the living Christ within me.” (Phillips) 

(vs. 21) “I refuse to make nonsense of the grace of God!” (Phillips) 

Heavenly Father, 

Who am I? This verse says that as a Christian I am no longer who I was. The Phillips puts it most clearly…”my present life is not that of the old ‘I’”. I am gone….I no longer exist. The ego, the self-love, the self-focus is gone and Christ has moved in. I can’t have both. Only one can be in charge of my life. “I” and Christ are not compatible. 

Jesus’ focus, his life was always one of complete obedience to his Father. Obedience to your will, your plan, your authority was how he lived his entire life. Not his own choices, his own desires, his own way. Complete harmony with you. My life has to be replaced with Christ’s life. I must make the choices he would make. I must identify with him completely. This becomes the abiding relationship that I seek. Christ in me, You the Father in Christ, all abiding in oneness. 

If my life doesn't look any different from the rest of the world, something is wrong. My life should be characterized by the fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. These things give evidence that Christ and I are now one. These were part of his life. This is how he lived and loved and served. Seeking this relationship at all times is my goal. The world is still there. The ‘I’ of my old life is lurking and trying to come back. But through faith in Christ Jesus, through grace and forgiveness, Christ will win out in living within me. “Not I but Christ in me”. 

I dishonor him and you when I allow the world to lure me back and when ‘I’ takes over control of my life. Christ can only rule where I let him. I have to give it all away to gain the prize!…”Christ in me”. It’s worth it. Thank you, O Loving Father, for sending your Son, Jesus Christ to dwell within me and change my life. “I refuse to make nonsense of the grace of God!” Amen.