New Year’s Resolution

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (ESV)

²⁶ So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

²⁷ But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

New Year’s resolutions…I make them each year, always with good intentions.  Sometimes I do well and keep some of them, usually by March I am back doing what I resolved not to do in January.

One of my regular resolutions is to do a better job exercising.  I like exercising actually.  The problem is finding the time to do it right.  If I’m just jogging for 20 minutes on the treadmill I don’t feel like I’m doing enough, so I often don’t bother at all.  It doesn’t make much sense, I know.

Children obey your parents

Ephesians 6:1-3 (ESV)

¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), ³ "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."

The bible is very clear about admonishing children to obey their parents.  In fact, this precept made God's top 10 list.  Most people that read this blog may say "Amen" to this commandment, as many of us are parents.  But, why is this precept so important to God?

I can think of a couple of reasons.  One is that a rebellious heart is a sinful heart and rebellion often starts in the home.  While all children of all ages should be obedient to their parents, I think this commandment is especially directed at older children, those that are starting to reach adulthood and starting to think they know more than mom and dad.

God first gave this command to the Israelites.  He knew that the new generations would be tempted by the other peoples in their land.  He had warned their parents to teach their children about Him and how He led them out of Egypt.  However, if the children did not care to listen to their parents, these lessons would be lost.  As you read the book of Judges you see this happening on an ongoing cycle.

What about us older children?  Do we still honor and obey our parents or are we exempt once we get married and have our own children?  I think as mature adults it is easy for us to forget the wisdom of our parents.

The other reason I think this command is so important to God is because if we do not honor our earthly fathers and mothers, we may have a hard time honoring our heavenly Father.  How often do we choose our own way over God's ways?

A couple of other points about my thoughts on this passage...

Sometimes, parents can be ungodly parents, even evil parents.  It's a sad and shameful reality of our broken world.  I had loving parents so it is hard for me to imagine the pain of those whose parents really let them down.  I think God would still have us honor our parents regardless of the pain they may have caused.  However, I know that is easy for me to say, not having to experience that kind of pain myself.

The other point I want to make about this passage is the commentary added by Paul.  He says this is the first commandment with a promise.  Just what is this promise?

Some translations like the NIV and even NASB read the promise as, "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."  This makes it sound like a promise for a long life if you are an obedient child that honors your parents.  However, does this mean that children, teenagers, or young adults that die at a young age were disobedient and dishonoring to their parents?

Paul is quoting Exodus 20:12 here, which is actually being given as the sixth of the ten commandments.   The promise is that if the young Israelites obey and honor their parents it will go well for them in the new land.  Even in the NIV and NASB the word used is land rather than earth in Exodus.  I think this makes the ESV version more accurate and we should assume that Paul is quoting the commandment as stated in the Old Testament.

So the promise is not a long life on earth but a long life in the land.  As mentioned above, we find the young Israelites unable to live up to this commandment and all is not well for Israel.

The point is that this is not necessarily a "promise" for every child that obedience and honoring your parents will lead to a long life.  An early death does not mean a young person was a rebellious child.  That said, I do think this is a Christian principle.  A child that obeys and honors his parents will have a life that honors God, regardless of the the number of days on this earth.  A rebellious, disobedient child that dishonors his or her parents is more likely to have a life that can lead to an early destruction, again, regardless of the number of days on this earth.

When wisdom calls

Proverbs 1:26-28 (ESV)
²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, ²⁷ when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. ²⁸ Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

I confess.  I actually searched the scriptures for a passage that I could use with this awesome picture.  Our family was camping this week at Inks Lake near Burnet, TX.  This is a picture I took of my 9-year-old daughter hamming it up as a twister headed our way over the lake.  This funnel cloud fizzled out before it reached us so we were able to avoid taking cover in the public restroom.

We left the lake after our camping trip and we're back in Hockley Texas, 85 miles from the coast and in the direct cross-hairs of Ike.  Needless to say, I will not have any of my children out posing for pictures in the sustained 80+ mph winds on Saturday.  We'll be hunkered down with our windows boarded up.

Please pray for those much closer to the coast.  It looks like this is going to be a nasty one.

Back to today's scripture...

This passage in Proverbs is referring to the call of wisdom and what happens to those that ignore it.  The wisdom is the Gospel.  The message from God to a fallen and sinful people that there is hope, if only you turn from your own selfish, prideful, evil desires and turn to God.  A God that gave his own Son to pay the price for our sins.  A Son that has been raised for our justification and to be our King.

The verses above are for those that refuse this wisdom.  Proverbs 1:22 tells us the ones that refuse this wisdom are the simple, the scoffers and the fools.  However, I don't think it is for me to assume that anyone is in one of these categories and is refusing the wisdom of God.

This Proverb says that wisdom is crying aloud in the noisy streets and in the market (Proverbs 1:20-21).  The point is that those ignoring God's wisdom cannot claim they have never heard it.  However, the wisdom of this world is also very loud and often much more appealing to our human nature.  Rather than assuming that those that do not know Jesus as their Lord are simple, scoffers or fools, I should do what I can to help deliver this message of wisdom so that it can be heard.

If I plan on sharing this wisdom through billboards, bumper stickers, or tee-shirts, the message is blurred in with all of the other messages in this world.  If I want to help someone understand the message of wisdom from God, the best place to usually do that is where they can hear me, where God's words are the only message ringing in their ears.

What's the best way to deliver this type of message? 

In person, as a friend, as someone that cares.

There are people that will hear the Gospel among the clutter and noise in our world and find God's truth.  However, there are many that cannot pick out the message over all the other noise around them.  If I have this wisdom, I should look for ways to share it so that others can actually hear it.

Let God decide who is simple, a scoffer and a fool.  I should see everyone who has not yet found the wisdom of the Gospel as a future brother or sister in Christ.  I should see them waiting for someone to love them enough to share God's wisdom, in person, as a friend, as someone that really cares.

Romans 10:14 (ESV)
¹⁴ But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Judge me, O Lord

Psalms 7:8-12 (ESV)
⁸ The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. ⁹ Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous— you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God! ¹⁰ My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. ¹¹ God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. ¹² If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;

As I read this Psalm, I ask myself, am I bold enough tell God to judge my righteousness and my integrity?  I know for the most part I'm a pretty good guy.  I try to live with integrity.  However, what about the little white lies that come out sometimes without even thinking about it?  How about when I get annoyed or lose my temper, even if I don't show it?  What about driving 75 when the speed limit is 65?

These may seem like small things.  However, If I pray this Psalm, I'm telling a perfect and holy God to judge me.  It's not even just my actions that this Psalm is asking God to judge.  It's the integrity that is in me, it's a heart issue.

When it comes to salvation of my soul, I know I am saved by faith alone.  My faith in Jesus as Lord means I was justified when He rose from the dead (Romans 4:25).  However, I don't know that this Psalm is necessarily about my eternal salvation.

David was asking for protection from his enemies.  He was asking God to judge him, and then based on that judgment, save him from his wicked enemies.  We know David was just a man.  While a man after God's own heart, he was able to fall to some serious sins in his life, like adultery and murder.  So how was he able to be so bold as to ask God to judge him before rescuing him?

I think the key is Psalms 7:12, "If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;".  Before I seek God's protection, I should first seek his forgiveness.

So what is the life application here for me?  At the beginning of this Psalm (Psalms 7:1-2), David is pleading with God to save him from his pursuers that want to tear his soul apart like a lion.  Can I really relate to this plea?  I don't think I have anyone pursuing me like a lion.  Or do I?

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Maybe I better get down on my knees and repent so that when I ask God to judge me and deliver me, he will find an upright heart.

Rescue Me

Psalms 6:1-10 (ESV)
¹ To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to the Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. ² Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. ³ My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord—how long? ⁴ Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. ⁵ For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? ⁶ I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. ⁷ My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes. ⁸ Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. ⁹ The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer. ¹⁰ All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

It has been a while since my spirit has grieved like David talks about in this Psalm.  However, I have been there.  Maybe not with men wanting to kill me, but certainly with Satan wanting to destroy me and my family.

It's interesting to note that in many of David's psalms of distress, he starts with painful and fearful laments, but he ends with confidence and encouragement. He knows God is still listening and God will answer his prayers. I think that's how God wants us to come to him.

God wants us to lay it all out there, our pain, our sorrow, our fears, and our doubts.  As we pour out our hearts, if we also take the time to pause and just listen, God is faithful to respond.  Your worldly troubles will probably not vanish instantly, although they may, but God's Spirit will comfort  you, so you too can end your prayer with confidence, encouragement, and praise.

I do wonder, does God respond when we hold back?  If I talk to Him like an acquaintance, that I don't want to bother with how much I really hurt, will I be able to receive His comforting presence?  Or, will He hold back, until I bring Him everything?

Father, forgive me for my unfaithfulness, and sometimes my pride, that keeps me from pouring out my heart to you.  Thank you for always being faithful, for always hearing my plea, and for accepting my insufficient prayers.

Prayer for the Church

John 17:20-21 (ESV)
20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Are you ever awestruck that the Son of God, who holds the entire universe together, prayed for you and me before we ever existed.  Jesus prayed for those of us who would believe in Him through the words of the apostles.  Amazing.  Of course not long after this prayer He did an even more amazing thing for you and me.  He allowed Himself to be crucified for our sins.

I am frustrated sometimes because of the lack of unity in the Church.  I guess it should not be too surprising. While we are forgiven sinners, we are still sinners.  However, we do have the Spirit within us, so we have a great hope.

I read an encouraging post on Sheepleblog where the author, Derek, shares the struggles he faced as a pastor.  He makes a statement in his post that I want to share here:

“I am anticipating the days ahead because I know that Jesus is still the head of His church; He is actively building His church; and it is He who is the author of that desire within each true believer to connect with His people in order to become that “house of living stones”.

This is my hope and my dream.  I am confident in this hope because it is my own Lord's prayer.

What is Abundant Life?

John 10:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

God has really been working on my heart lately about my own excess and the poor.  Maybe it's good to go through these struggles from time to time.  Otherwise, it might be a sign that my heart is getting too calloused. 

I spent this past week at a Baptist preteen camp.  I was really looking forward to this trip because last year I had great spiritual experience.  I not only had a spiritual high for a few days but the experience altered my course of thinking for the long-term as well.

This year we went to a different camp and this year the camp only served to heighten my current spiritual struggles.  The camp theme this year was "living the dream" and John 10:10 was the key verse.

I loved the "camp" atmosphere.  There were canoes, BMX bike trails, a great pool, rock-climbing, and bungee jumping among other activities.  I loved the time with the kids.  I got to minister to a few of them, including my own son.  We had some great bible study and devotional times as a small group.

The part that I really struggled with was the way the kids took to the snack shack and gift store during free time.  Buckets full of money were being poured into candy, sodas, and trinkets.  As I'm struggling with how I should respond to the fact that a child is dying every 7 seconds due to lack of food, watching the indulgence by our kids at a Christian camp was seriously intensifying my struggles.

The teaching lessons to the kids was on living the dream, as in living your life for Christ and the promise of a fulfilled life and eternity in heaven (hmm, what about the resurrection - that's another topic).  So, the message being taught in the worship services and the small group discussions was good.  However, what was the lesson we were sending on their hours of free time each day with pockets full of money and free reign on the junk food and souvenirs?

This leads me back to my own struggles.  How much is too much?  God has blessed me to live in this great country and he has blessed me with a great job, health, and money.  When is it wrong to spend this money on myself?  Where is the line where I say, rather than feed that one child for a month, I'm going to spend this $30 on a non-essential item for me or my family? 

On the other hand, does this mean I sell everything, move into a small house somewhere, only buy the bare essentials, and give everything else away?  Do I live as if I were in poverty even though God has blessed me with much?

Where do I draw the line?  Is this what it is like getting a camel through the eye of a needle?

Matthew 19:24 (ESV)
²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

Prayer, Sacrifice and Expectations

Psalms 5:3 (ESV)
³ O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

David is confident that God hears his prayers.  He knows God is listening and he is confident that God will answer.  He prepares a sacrifices and watches for God's answer.

Is this how I pray?  Do I pray with the confidence that God is listening?  Do I sacrifice to God each morning and then watch for His answers?

If you were to ask me, my intellectual answer will be that I know God hears my prayers.  However, I question how my faith matches that belief.  If I really had faith that the God of the universe is listening, praying without ceasing would be much easier.

How about that morning sacrifice? 

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
¹ I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Each and every morning I should present myself again to God as a living sacrifice.  I need to give each day to him.

Of all the lessons in this verse, watching may be the toughest.  At least it is for me.  Maybe it is a faith issue again.  However, even if I believe God is listening, I often wonder if I really expect God to answer my prayers. 

It's not that I don't think God is active in this world or capable of directly answering my prayers.  It's just that rather than expect an answer, I expect no answer.  It's like if I expect no answer, I will never be disappointed.

David sacrifices and then watches.  Watching here denotes an expectation.  He's prayed to God and watches in expectation for God to answer His prayers.

I wonder how often I miss God's answers because I do not watch expectantly for His answer.

God hears me even when he lets me struggle

Psalms 4:3 (ESV)
³ But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.

In my devotional, this Psalm about confidence in God hearing my prayers, made me think of when it appears God is not listening.

God loves me, he has set me apart, he hears me when I call to him.  However, sometimes he doesn't intervene when I'm struggling.  Sometimes, I think He anxiously watches me struggle, as He purposely holds himself back.  He knows that, sometimes, I need to endure the disappointment and feel the pain in order to grow.

This year my oldest son participated in baseball tryouts for the first time.  His only previous experience with baseball had been playing with me in the yard and tee ball about five years ago.  He did great under the circumstances.  But for a little boy that is a perfectionist, he struggled.

As I watched, I knew it was painful for him.  I knew every missed catch and every missed swing discouraged him.  However, I also knew he had to learn from the experience.  He had to learn more than baseball that night.  He had to learn how to struggle and get back up and try again.

I wanted nothing more than to be out on that field with him.  I wanted to hug him after every misstep and tell him it would be ok.  I had to hold myself back for his sake.  At the end of the tryouts, while I know he was discouraged, I was proud.  My little boy had struggled through disappointment, picked himself up, and kept going.

So, when I'm struggling and I'm wondering why God is not making all of my issues vanish before my eyes, it may be because He is holding himself back for my sake.  I only hope I can make Him proud when I struggle and I am able to keep going by leaning on His promise.  His promise that I am set apart and He does hear me when I call to Him.

A New Day

Psalms 3:5 (ESV)
⁵ I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.

I have often struggled reading the Psalms in the past.  Mostly because many are laments of David's struggles and I often feel like I can't relate to people wanting to kill me.

However, I'm getting better at appreciating God's voice in these Psalms.  This verse hits home for me.  Everyday that I wake up is a new day God has given me.  Why has God blessed me with a new day?  So that He can work through me today for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13) which in turn blesses me with pleasure as well.  One day it may be to face a horrific challenge.  One day it may be to just enjoy the day that He has given me.

The point is, I went to bed and I awoke again, only by the grace of God for his good pleasure.  How do I please God today so that I may join Him in His pleasure?

Fear and Rejoicing

Psalms 2:11 (ESV)
¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

If God is love, why would I need to serve Him with fear or rejoice in Him with trembling?  This does not sound like love.  I certainly don't want my children being obedient to me only because of fear?

The context of this verse is God looking at an evil world with evil rulers.  God sends his Son, Jesus Christ, to establish a new kingdom and the world's rulers need to recognize the Son as their ruler, or face God's wrath.

Since I'm not a king, does this verse apply to me?

You bet it does.  In my sinful nature, who is "the man"?  I'm the man.  It's about me.  Even if I am a generous man, it is about my causes.  In my sinful nature, it's not about God.

In my sinful nature (that I struggle with daily):

God is there.  Jesus is there.  However, I take both for granted, because I am "the man."  God loves me because that is who He is. He has to love me, regardless of my choices and my lifestyle.  That's why he died for me.  Because he loves me and of course, a loving God, will save me.

Now, I may not really be so bold in my minimizing who God really is, as in my sarcastic dialog above.  However, do I really sit back and meditate on how awesome, gigantic, inspiring, perfect and powerful God really is?

I have no right to any grace and mercy from God.  I shun him every time I have a selfish thought, every time I have a jealous impulse, every time my eyes linger on a provocative billboard, every time I speak a word that breaks down someone rather than edify them, every time I make myself and my cause the main thing. 

Yes, God has given me grace and mercy by the sacrificing of His own Son.  But I don't deserve it.  Everyday, I need to hold onto that grace and mercy with fear and trembling - and rejoice!

Scripture Thursday Participants

1. GPARTHA 2. vikki at Livin' the Life

3. carol 4. mel avila alarilla

Learn more about Scripture Thursday here.
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Joyful Meditation

I have seen blog posts dedicated to Wordless Wednesday. I think this is a type of meme but then I'm not 100% sure I understand what a meme is all about. In any case, similar to Wordless Wednesdays, welcome to Scripture Thursday.

At least for the time being, I am going to dedicate Thursdays to a post on a particular bible passage. One of my goals will be to help improve my own discipline of reading my bible and then meditating on what God is telling me. If I can do this daily, I should have something worth sharing at least once a week.

This is not a meme, in that I'm not asking anyone to post their own Scripture Thursday (although anyone is welcome to it).  This is just a devotional post with the benefit of allowing you to promote your link.  Leave your name and link if you enjoy what you read here. Please post a comment as well and share your thoughts. Commenters are more likely to have others check out their site.

What better scripture to start off Scripture Thursdays than Psalm 1:2.

Psalms 1:2 (ESV) 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

There are two sides to this verse and it is easy to miss one or both sides.

1. You can read God's Word everyday, memorize scripture, and meditate on it. However, does it "delight" you? Or is this a discipline that is a burden?

2. You can delight in God's Word but fail to meditate on it day and night. Life can get too busy and even though you delight in God's Word you don't have time for it.

I usually fall into the second camp. I delight in reading and studying the bible but I often neglect it for life's other "must do's".

• I miss in the morning because I had to leave the house by 5:30am.


• I fail to stop and pray during the day because I drown myself in email and meetings from the time I walk into the office until I leave.


• I don't spend time in the evening in God's Word because time is already short with my family and after the kids are in bed I'm too tired.

None of these are good excuses.

Father, thank you for "delighting" my heart with your Word when I do spend the time in it. Forgive me for not giving you the time that I should. All 24 hours are yours to give and take away. Help me to remember to start my time each day with you.
Amen.


Scripture Thursday Participants

1. Mandy 2. Jena Isle

3. Christina W. 4. GPARTHA

5. BunGirl 6. carol

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Did God tempt Abraham to sin and kill his son?

A great question was raised in class on Sunday morning. Did God tempt Abraham to sin by asking him to sacrifice Isaac? When tough questions are raised about the Bible, the best place to look for answers is the Bible itself.

The first question to ask is, does God ever tempt anyone to sin? We don't always get black and white answers in the Bible to our questions. However, James could not be clearer when he addresses this issue.

James 1:12-15 (ESV) 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Ok, so God does not tempt us to sin. But would it not have been a sin if Abraham had killed Isaac to sacrifice him to God? The answer, is no. If God had never called off the sacrifice and allowed Abraham to go through with it, that would not have been a sin. The definition of sin is literally to miss the mark. The mark is the standard laid out by God. If God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham would not be missing the mark by obeying God.

This leads then into another troublesome question. How could a righteous God call for someone to shed innocent blood? First, none of us are innocent before God. We're all sinners, including Abraham and Isaac and the wages for sin is death (Romans 6:23). However, we do have a righteous and gracious God. The only human sacrifice he has ever called for is the sacrifice of His own Son for our sins (Romans 5:6-11, Hebrews 10:10). An omniscient (Isaiah 46:8-11, Jeremiah 1:5, John 21:17, 1 John 3:20) God knew that Isaac would never be sacrificed (1 Corinthians 10:13).

So if anyone ever commits an act that is contrary to God's standard as laid out in His Word, that person can never claim they were acting on God's direction. Even in the case of Abraham and Isaac, where God has the right to claim any life he chooses (Job 38-41), God called it off.

Abraham's faith is not that he was willing to kill his son. His faith was that he believed in God's promise that through Isaac his offspring would be as numerous as the stars. His faith, in the midst of testing, was looking forward and depending on God's promise. His faith was that God was trustworthy and what God had promised God would ensure happened.

God will never tempt us to sin. We have His word on that (James 1:13). God will allow us to be tested and in that testing, Satan and our own fleshly desires may very well tempt us. In our time of testing, let us keep our eye on God's promises and not on Satan's lies or our own worldly understanding.