Day of Praise

We, Oct 31, Reformation Day, "Day of Praise"

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" - Matthew 9:35-38

What do the names Sandy, Nelson, Buck,
Keith, Obaldo, Troha, Levio, Hunt, and Loyacano have in common?

They're all names that flesh out what Jesus makes plain in today's verses--HELP IS NEEDED!

On this Reformation Day, we, in the Lutheran tradition of the Christian Church, celebrate God working through Martin Luther to tell the world that our freedom from sin and freedom for acts of love is by God's grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone. And God chooses to work through the means of real people to spread the news of His grace in Christ.

God chooses to need and work through teachers and preachers of the good news, people who are prayer warriors for and healers of disease and sickness, those who are compassionate for both those who are harassed by chronic illness and also those who are helpless in the face of Perfect Storms.

Sandy - Perfect Storm Sandy has probably wreaked more havoc than any storm since the Biblical flood. Please give gracefully, in response to God's grace, to help the millions whose lives are torn apart. Our church here in Birmingham will work in partnership with our sister congregation, Redeemer Lutheran in Damascus, Maryland.

Nelson x 2 - Tom is a capable volunteer who will preach on God's saving grace through Jesus and lead prayer for Perfect Storm Sandy at tonight's 6:30 p.m. worship at our church. Maizie's a volunteer who will teach choirs to sing of God's grace.

E.J. Buck - The great man, who was Sherry Russell's dad, died in Christ yesterday. His Thursday morning viewing and funeral will be a celebration of everlasting life that Jesus won for us by his grace on the cross.

Keith - Brenda Keith will lovingly frame 1st Communion celebration certificates for 5th graders who will receive God's grace in Holy Communion this coming Sunday.

Obaldo and Troha - Laurie Obaldo and Cathy Troha are volunteers who haven't even joined our church yet but who have already fed many in grace.

Levio - Joy Levio also hasn't joined yet but has coordinated a grace ministry for parents of children with autism.

Hunt and Loyacano - Regan Hunt has just discovered God has given her a gift of healing that she's begun to use in a prayer ministry that Larry Loyacano has been dedicated to for years so that immediately after each worship service people can receive the word and power of God's grace through prayer.

God chooses to need and work through teachers and preachers of the good news, people who are prayer warriors for and healers of disease and sickness, those who are compassionate for both those who are harassed by chronic illness and also those who are helpless in the face of Perfect Storms.

Please offer yourself in faithful service as a thanks to God for His grace to us in Jesus Christ.

"Then [Jesus] said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" - Matthew 9:38

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tu, Oct 30 "Day of Praise"

"Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, 'My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.'" - Mark 5:22-23

"When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.'" - Mark 5:27-28

The long sequence of the Bible which includes the two little sections above is often subtitled by translators as "The Dead Girl and The Sick Woman" for that is who needs the healing that Jesus will give. It reminds us that God values young and old alike and will bring healing to both when it's in the bounds of his will.

However, I myself prefer another subtitle for the sequence that includes "The Dead Girl and The Sick Woman." I prefer "The Rich Man and The Poor Woman." My reason is that just yesterday, in our Day of Praise devotional, we celebrated how God is the giver of faith. Today we are given to celebrate that God, in addition to giving faith, works to lead us as to where we place the faith that God gives us.

I actually know a guy who was so down on God that he told me that it was just as useful to place my faith in "that doorknob over there as it is to place it in 'some god.'"

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing when that guy said that, it was another time that "Jesus wept."

Friends, whether you're rich or poor, we are constantly being assaulted in this world as to where we place our faith. A good barometer for where you've placed your faith is to think about what changes your mood.

The movements of the stock market change some people's mood.

The outcome of a game changes others.

The result of an academic test changes the mood of some homes.

Some people's moods are really going to be affected by the upcoming presidential election.

Some moods are understandably being affected by weather on the coast of the northeastern United States.

The size of the stack of Christmas gifts changes some moods.

The list could go on forever because the list for objects of misplaced faith is endless.

But Friends, God works to lead us as to where we place the faith that God gives us. And God would lead us, as "The Rich Man and The Poor Woman" in Bible days, to place our whole faith in God's Living Word, who is His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. For, come what may, in Christ alone is there peace for the present moment and hope for the moments to come.

God gives faith. And God leads us to place that faith in Jesus.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo, Oct 29 "Day of Praise"

"[Jesus said,] 'But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.'" - Matthew 13:16

Faith, which is to trust in what is only seen with the eyes of the heart, is a simple but profound mystery.

Faith is truly a gift from God, as God says plainly in Ephesians 2:8-10 through Paul.

And faith, which is to trust in what is only seen with the eyes of the heart, is the way that we receive the abundant life that God gives through Jesus alone by God's grace alone.

The point in all this is this. If you have faith in Jesus and his life-giving work, then praise God, for God alone can work such simple, yet profound, faith in us.

That same faith is God's gift to help you see that even "back to the grindstone Mondays" are happy days because God is in our midst! May God bless you in your labors so that your labors may be a praise to God.

"[Jesus said,] 'But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.'" - Matthew 13:16

Praise God!




Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, Oct 27 "Day of Praise"

"Jesus said to him, 'I will go and heal him.' The centurion replied, 'Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.'" - Matthew 8:7-8

As with the centurion, the one who was in charge of 100 men, believe it because it's true -- Jesus needs only to say the word, and it will be.

In the beginning, God only said "Let there be light," and there was light.

And so it has been ever since, in that God only needs to say the word, and it is.

So when Jesus, on the cross, says "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," then we are forgiven. He said it, and it is done.

What need ye today?

Believe that God need only say the word, and it will be.

Such is the power and blessing of God's word in our lives.

Dear God, send your Holy Spirit to work such a simple and yet profound faith in us. Give us radical confidence in your word. And give us radical faith to believe that whatever you say, it will not only be, but it will be best for us, as you lead us in eternal and everlasting life. Amen.

Praise God!




Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fr, Oct 26 "Day of Praise"

"Now when [Jesus] saw the crowds, he went up on a mountain side and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying:

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:1-12

Here's why I love the above passage, traditionally known as the Beatitudes, so much.

Through it, God's Son, Jesus, tells me that whatever your longings for God, your hunger for the world to be as God made it to be to begin with, your pain, weakness, deficiency, limitation, challenge, hardship, heartache, or anything else that weighs you down, Almighty God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, has got you covered.

Now that's hope and strength for the day!

Happy Friday!

Praise God!




Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, Oct 25 "Day of Praise"

"On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" - Mark 2:17

Tricky. So please bear with me.

In today's verse, Jesus says that he didn't come to call the righteous. However, God's own word in the Bible book of Romans tells us that no one is righteous, except God.

So when Jesus says that he didn't come to call the righteous, there is an implicit phrase, namely, "those who think they are." So what Jesus is saying is that he didn't come to call [those who think they are] righteous [but really aren't because no one is righteous, except God].

The heart of this matter is this: the people who think they are righteous (but really aren't because God alone is righteous) are people who have a confidence problem. Oh, yes, they have confidence, but their confidence is seriously misplaced.

God makes it clear that our confidence is to be placed in God.

Having a great day and a great life is directly tied to how much you put your faith and confidence in God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

Here's a few Bible passages to illustrate.
2 Chronicles 32:8
With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

Nehemiah 6:16
When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

2 Corinthians 3:4
Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.

Ephesians 3:12
In [Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Praise God!



Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, Oct 24 "Day of Praise"

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…" He said to the paralytic, 11 "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" - Mark 2:1-12

Dear Friends, each day, awaiting you from the Lord is the forgiveness of your sins, the imparting of strength for you to walk with God through your day, and the amazing presence of God that moves us to thanks and praise. Trust God, and you'll see. Have a great day with Jesus!

Praise God! Indeed, Praise God!




Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tu, Oct 23 "Day of Praise"

"Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?'" - John 1:38

This past Sunday, a five year old boy came up to me with two things: a smile and one of his parents. He had a request. He wanted me to hear him answer nineteen faith questions that his parent was about to ask him. The questions ranged from understanding creation as the handiwork of God to describing the faith concept of one God in three persons, otherwise known as both the Trinity and also the greatest mystery of the Christian faith.

This was a five year old, remember.

I listened. He perfectly recited the responses to nineteen faith questions.

And he never once stopped smiling.

Why?

Because he's been taught to love and want God's Word.

When you couple the two things that God made us to hunger for (1 - the pleasing of our parents in accord with God's Word and 2 - knowing God intimately by way of knowing His Word), then you get a young kid who loves to make his parents happy by showing others how much he knows God's Word.

This young boy will become an adult who will love to make His Heavenly Father happy by sharing the Word of God with others.

This will be because this young boy has been taught to want what we was made by God to want. He wants to please God and know God through His Word.

What do you want?

Jesus not only asks the question in today's verse, but he asks the question strategically as does any good counselor. And Jesus is a good counselor. Indeed the best.

What do you want?

Though it may be worded slightly differently, in substance Jesus asks the same question ("What do you want?") at three critical places according to God's Word in the Gospel of John. Jesus asks, "what do you want?", 1) as the first words out of his mouth at the start of his public ministry, 2) as basically the first words out of his mouth at the start of his passion when the leaders come to arrest Jesus, and 3) as basically the first words out of his mouth at the start of his resurrection life.

Hmmm.

Do ya think the question "What do you want?" is critical to good beginnings?

Do ya think the question "What do you want?" is critical to getting off on the right foot?

The vast majority of people reading this Day of Praise are not little kids. So that beginning that is the beginning of our lives has passed us by.

But the vast majority of people who are reading this devotion are doing so at the start of this day. Jesus teaches us today that there's a critical question for good beginnings and getting the day off on the right foot, namely, the question, "What do you want?"

Sooooooo? What will it be? What is it? What do you want?

A smiling little boy has already answered the question for all of us.

In our heart of hearts, what God made us to really want is to know God our Father and to please Him by knowing His Word.

So, as the demands and requirements of life in this world come at you today, don't forget to make time for what you really want.

Pursue the Word of God.

"Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?'" - John 1:38

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Bonus Day of Praise

Here's an encouraging word from Neil Gustafson of Raleigh, NC in response to today's Day of Praise.

John the Baptist is an interesting (and encouraging) figure in the Bible for
me.

Here is a guy that was sent by God to announce Jesus' coming. He was
clearly a believer and follower of Jesus. He was called by God for God's
purposes. He did all of the right things. And yet, he found himself in
Herod's prison. He sent some of his friends to ask Jesus if, in fact, Jesus
was who John the Baptist had said he was.

Even those who follow Jesus the closest can have doubts sometime. And
questions. Jesus did not rebuke him but answered John the Baptist's
questions.

Following God's calling ended up costing John the Baptist his life.

And yet, for his short time (years?) of suffering, he is being eternally
rewarded.

I tell my Sunday school students, God loves questions from people who are
truly pursuing Him. He loves questions from believers. Doubts and
questions are OK; just continue pursuing Him. He is always pursuing us!

Another follower of Jesus I love is Mother Teresa. She spent her life
taking care of children with difficulties thrown into the streets of India
by their parents; discarded children. All she saw in her life were
difficult times and circumstances.

When she died they found her diary and in it she expressed doubts about God.
The media had a field day exposing her doubts but I felt it to be one of the
great testimonies of faith.

All she saw was the bad in life and that caused her to question God (and who
in her circumstance wouldn't). And yet, she still followed God's calling.
That is faith: doing what God wants even when I don't know why
circumstances are the way they are or why life seems so unfair.

Neil C. Gustafson
Raleigh, North Carolina
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo. Oct 22 "Day of Praise"

John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." - Luke 3:16

This is John the Baptist speaking. He is different from John the Apostle, who wrote the Gospel of John. John the Baptist most likely knew what he knew about Jesus through special revelation. John the Apostle most likely knew what he knew about Jesus directly from Jesus.

Special revelation is when you know something but you don't know how you know it.

God has always wanted to give us the treasure of special revelation. God gives it in the form of wisdom that helps us counsel our children and friends and in the form of knowledge that we often call discernment. The fruit of such wisdom and knowledge is peace, which like the wisdom and knowledge is a peace that passes all understanding.

In sum with special revelation, we have wisdom and knowledge and peace, but we don't know how we have it. It's beyond explanation. It's a "God thing".

God wants to give these spiritual gifts today. For you to receive them as God gives them, there are two things that you need to do, both of which are acts of surrender to the work of God's Holy Spirit. In other words, when you do them, you must realize that you couldn't do them unless God had worked them in you by His Holy Spirit. So praise God for them.

That being said, the two things you must do to regularly receive the special revelation of wisdom, knowledge and peace is to believe that they exist and to pursue them more than you pursue material treasure.

Here are some key Bible verses to encourage you to believe in and to pursue these spiritual gifts, remembering always to give credit and praise to God.

2 Chronicles 1:10
Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

Psalm 49:3
My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding.

Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD—

Daniel 2:21
He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Luke 21:15
For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

1 Corinthians 12:8
To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,

Colossians 1:9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, Oct 20 "Day of Praise"

"4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." - Luke 2:4-7

God is with us through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Blessed are all who believe and receive him personally into our hearts.

May God bless you today and always.

Praise God!



Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fr, Oct 19 "Day of Praise"

"A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ" - Matthew 1:1

You're in.

You got the job.

You have a place in the world.

And it's important.

There's no reason to reinvent the wheel in explaining what I mean. The Daily Bible says it really well. And succinctly to boot.

"Matthew's genealogy contains several happy surprises. Back in Jesus' early roots are not only such notable righteous men as Abraham and David, but also several who stand out in history as being particularly unrighteous, including wicked King Manasseh. Not only are there Jews, as would be expected, but also Gentiles, including a Canaanite and a Moabite, whose respective countrymen have been notorious enemies of God's people. Also somewhat surprising, in view of their social status at this time, is the listing of women as well as men. Furthermore, at least two of the women are known best for sins which they had committed." (The Daily Bible, 1984, Harvest House, commentary by F. LaGard Smith, p.1353)

See! You're in! Jesus' family includes righteous and wicked and Jews and Gentiles and friends of God's people and enemies of God's people and men and women and those with good reputation and those with bad. Surely you're in there somewhere. You're in Jesus' family and lineage.

So you've got the job! You get to tell the world about Jesus! After all, since the Holy Spirit has opened the way for you to know Jesus personally, to be over at his house all the time, and to eat a meal with him regularly, then telling others about Jesus is a piece of cake.

Oh! What did you say? You don't know Jesus as well as you should? You don't sit at the table of Holy Communion with him as often as you should? You don't go to his house of worship as much as you should?

Well, all isn't lost.

No, to the contrary, you share in the victory over death and the grave. Jesus won, so you won...if you believe. It's there for you to claim...in faith.

After all, you're in.

You got the job.

You have a place in the world.

We're in God's family together. Matthew, er, God, says so. Right there in the genealogy.

So let's get out there today and tell the world about Jesus!

And later then, I'll see ya at the house. God's house. Where I look forward to being next to ya at the table, the Lord's table. Where we'll grab a bite of supper, the Lord's Supper.

Isn't it great to be in the family together?
"A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ" - Matthew 1:1

You're in.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, Oct 18 "Day of Praise"

"No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known." - John 1:18

What does it mean that Jesus, the One and Only, has made God the Father known? Let's let the beloved song below help us to see.

"Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?"
Words and Music by John Fischer
(Written during his summer as the first music director at Ponderosa Lodge, the new high school camp at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center.)

Refrain: Have you seen Jesus, My Lord?
He's here in plain view.
Take a look; open your eyes.
He'll show it to you.

Verses: Have you ever looked at the sunset, with the sky mellowing red?
And the clouds suspended like feathers.
Then I say, you've seen Jesus, my Lord.

Have you ever stood at the ocean, with the white foam at your feet?
Felt the endless thundering motion.
Then I say, you've seen Jesus, my Lord.

Have you ever looked at the Cross, with a man hanging in pain?
And the look of love in His eyes.
Then I say, you've seen Jesus, my Lord.

Have you seen Jesus, My Lord?
He's here in plain view.
Take a look; open your eyes.
He'll show it to you.

Praise God!




Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, Oct 17 'Day of Praise"

Before sharing today's devotion from six months ago to the day, l thank you again for your responses yesterday.

In responding to my note that the Daily Bible is taking a few days to teach on the writings between the Old and New Testaments, more than one of you pointed to "The Apocrypha: The Lutheran Edition with Notes".

Here's an endorsement for that book: "Scripture in Jesus' Judaism and in the Early Church included more documents than those found in the Protestant canon. Some of these works, called 'Apocrypha' by Protestants and 'Deuteron-canonical Works' by Roman Catholics are expertly and attractively collected in 'The Apocrypha: The Lutheran Edition with Notes'. In these writings you will find a deep expression of the need for God's forgiveness (the Prayer of Manasseh) and a vision of the future with the coming of the Messiah (2 Esdras or Ezra Apocalypse = 4 Ezra). The introductions are superbly well written and engaging. One can see how the Apocrypha...bridges the "Old" Testament with the "New" Testament. Highly recommended, as Athanasius said in 367 "for instruction in the word of godliness."
—James H. Charlesworth
Director and Editor, Princeton Dead Sea Scrolls Project
George L. Collord Professor of New Testament Language and Literature
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

Now here's the Tuesday, April 17 "Day of Praise" to which many of you responded.

"David said, 'Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the LORD and six thousand are to be officials and judges. Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the LORD with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.'" - 1 Chronicles 23:4-5

Have you ever felt like the statue?

Surely, y'all have heard the saying, "Some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue."

C'mon, I hope you're smiling just a little. Life is hard enough without a little sense of humor.

For some people, it's real hard. Some people feel like the statue all the time.

Take the gatekeepers, for example, in today's verse.

King David makes a bunch of people "in charge;" they get to tell it like it is. Others get to be "officials and judges;" they get to sit on the high seats. Some get assigned to "praise the LORD;" they get to be happy, happy, happy.

And then David makes some to be gatekeepers; they're not in charge or on high seats or assigned to be happy, happy, happy. The gatekeepers are kinda like greeters at Walmart; they have to be happy while dealing with the public. Have you ever dealt with the public? Look around. The public ain't too happy. So the gatekeepers have to put on their happy face for people who ain't happy. And then the poor gatekeepers have to ask those unhappy people what they're bringing into the city. Ya know, so they can put a yellow Walmart smiley face sticker on it. Just watch sometime when you go to Walmart. Kids like stickers. Generally speaking, the public does not.

Poor gatekeepers; everyday is a statue day. They never get to be the pigeon. Cuz, of course, if a gatekeeper acts like a pigeon you'd be quite sure to lose your job!

But take heart, all you gatekeepers. Be encouraged, all you statues. Hang in there, all of you who get, uh, shall we say, splatted on everyday by all the pigeons, dumped on by those who are in charge and sit on the high seats.

God has a word for you, gatekeepers, statues, and greeters at Walmart.

In Psalm 84:10, God speaks through the Psalmist, "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked."

I know, I know. Technically "doorkeepers" and "gatekeepers" aren't exactly the same. But both of them deal with an unhappy public. Both of them are statues most days, if not all. Both of them are like most of you, dealing with the "stuff" that "falls your way" and "splats" square on your head.

Take heart; the LORD is with you! And where the LORD is present, one day as a statue is better than a thousand as a pigeon. So, keep your chin up in spite of the pigeons, and have a marvelous day with the LORD!

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tuesday, Oct 16 "Day of Praise"

The Daily Bible, from which we work to pick the Day of Praise verse each day, is taking a few days to explain the historical period and writings between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Therefore, what follows is a Day of Praise (DoP) from back in March that got a lot of feedback, so we'll run it again today. For many of you who are new to DoP over the last six months, it's the first time you've seen this one. To all of you dear friends in Christ, have a great day!

Wednesday, Mar 28 "Day of Praise"

"Saul answered, 'But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?'" - 1 Samuel 9:21

Have you ever felt small and unimportant?

When I was a kid, I was quite overweight. I liked sweets waaaaaay too much. (And I still do.) Not everyone, but there were a number of students who were very good at pointing out my deficiencies. Almost everyone else joined in.

I felt small.

But God, as always, was good. Amongst my peers were a few kind and encouraging voices. A very few. But my brother, Ben, my younger sister, Cheryl, and a girl named Billie Sue Dickson, were very encouraging.

God helped me to hear their encouragements. I will always be grateful to God for them.

In today's verse, Saul felt small. But Samuel was a lone encouraging voice. And out of Samuel's encouragement, Saul came to see how God could take smallness and turn him into a man with a changed heart, a man on whom God's Spirit would come with power, a man who could prophesy God's Word, a man who could strongly remain silent in the face of his detractors, a man who could be an instrument of victory over the enemies of others who felt small.

One voice, speaking with an ear toward God, can change a person who feels small into a person who lives large to the glory of God.

God has given at least one voice to encourage you to live large to God's glory. Listen to them. Thank God for them.

And God has placed someone in your life so that you can encourage them to live large too.

Dear God, help us to see them and to speak. To your glory. Amen

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo, Oct 15 "Day of Praise"

"They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning." - 1 Chronicles 9:27

There were four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, who were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. Their work of guarding the house of God is a parable of sorts.

God calls us to guard our hearts, which is the house of God in us, the house of God's Son, Jesus, in us, the house of the Holy Spirit of God in us, and the house of God's Word in us. Your heart is very important as the home of the treasures of God.

This is why God both calls us to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.") and God also calls us to trust God to be the primary gatekeeper of our hearts (Philippians 4:7 - "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.").

If you'd like to read extensively on this matter of guarding your heart so your life can abound in Christ, I highly recommend John Eldredge's "The Sacred Romance", T.D. Jakes' "He-motions", Andy Stanley's "Enemies of the Heart", or Joyce Meyer's "Knowing God Intimately".

But to go ahead and wrap for today on this matter of guarding your heart, I recommend giving thought to an old, simple children's song, 'Oh Be Careful Little Eyes'

Lyrics:

Oh, be careful little eyes,
what you see (repeat)
For the Father up above,
is looking down in love,
So be careful little eyes
What you see.

Oh, be careful little ears,
what you hear (repeat)
For the Father Up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little ears
what you hear.

Oh, be careful little hands,
what you do (repeat)
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little hands
What you do.

Oh, be careful little feet
where you go (repeat)
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little feet,
Where you go.

Oh, be careful little heart
whom you trust (repeat)
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little heart,
whom you trust.

Oh, be careful little mind
what you think (repeat)
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little mind,
What you think.

Actions:

"eyes" – point to eyes
"Father" – point up
"looking down" – shade eyes
"love" – give self a hug
"ears" – point to ears
"hands" – hold out hands
"feet" – march in place
"heart" – point to chest
"mind" – point to forehead

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, Oct 13 "Day of Praise"

"I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" - Psalm 122:1

Thank you for the great dialogue yesterday pertaining to worship. Thank you also to you who gave permission to pass along your comments.

Today's verse from Psalm 122 keeps the dialogue going and the encouragements coming. So does the following response that came yesterday from my greatest encourager through my whole life, my brother, Ben DeGreen, who lives in Kingsport, TN and worships weekly with his family. Ben gives us food for thought, saying:

Some questions for myself and others that desire to worship God.

1) Have you sinned against a brother and sister in Christ without making it right?  If not, your worship will be distracted.

2) Do you think about and meditate on the words of a song or praise song or are you just carried away by the rhythm of the song?

3) Do you concentrate and pray along with the words of a public prayer or are you distracted by other things? 

4) Do you come into the sanctuary before worship with the heart and mind to worship, quietly reflecting and praying on what worshiping God is, or are you distracted by talking and socializing with others?

5) Are you prepared to give of yourself in worship and by worship?  Will you offer a sacrificial gift (tithe/offering) to the Lord? 

6) Are you prepared to be used by God after worship to serve Him and others? 

7) Are you mindful of others in attendance at worship?  Do you act up, talk, use your cell phone, eat, drink, wear inappropriate clothing, etc. that distracts others from properly worshiping God?

8) Do you listen to the words of the sermon/message given by the pastor?  Do you take notes to help your understanding? Did you bring your Bible to follow along with referenced Scripture verses?

Ben, thanks for encouraging all of us to think more deeply about our worship life so we can say with the Psalmist, "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord'" (Psalm 122:1).

Praise God!





Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fri, Oct 12 "Day of Praise"

"I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?"" - Nehemiah 13:11

When God calls us to worship Him in the Ten Commandments, the book of Leviticus, and the Psalms, it's because God has ordained that blessings would flow to us from Him when we do.

And, therefore it makes sense, that when we neglect to worship, as today's verse calls us to consider, then we miss out on the blessings that God would give.

Furthermore, neglect of worship, as Joyce Meyer talks about in her book, "Knowing God Intimately," isn't just not going to worship. Neglect of worship is also having your body in a sanctuary while your mind is miles away, thinking about mowing the lawn or anything else that is not God and his wonderful grace.

The reason this is such a big deal is because God has chosen to work through the spoken Gospel of his sacrificial love, along with the Gospel ministries of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, to tell us again and again what we regularly tend to forget, namely that God and His grace are the power by which we have the life for which we always yearn.

And when we forget that God and His grace are our power, we start, what is called, striving. Striving is simply living out of your own limited strength instead of living out of the strength of the Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus Christ.

And striving makes us tired. Weary. Bone tired. Weary existence tired. So that we become irritable. And snappy. And very unpleasant to be around.

And even if you say that you're not irritable and weary when you don't worship God, then I'd still ask you if you're joyful.

Yesterday, with the devotion, "The joy of the Lord is my strength," I was flooded with replies and requests for prayers, asking for more of that strength. We are all honored to pray for each other to be sure. Honored beyond measure.

But please remember this, the "joy of the Lord" that is your strength is that God loves to be with you. It is God's joy to be with you. And God has ordained that the worship of God is the place where we are guaranteed to be reminded of that truth that "It is God's joy to be with you." So, hearing that truth again in worship, AND BELIEVING THAT IT'S TRUE, we leave worship strengthened to face the world and all that comes with it.

The two verses go hand in hand. Yesterday was "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10), and today is "Why is the house of God neglected?" (Nehemiah 13:11).

Dear God, thank you for loving us as you do so wondrously through your Son, Jesus, by the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for not just telling us like it is, but also helping us to understand why you command the things that you do. Thank you for filling your commands with blessings that become ours when we trust you, follow you, and do what you call us to do in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, specifically, for the gift of worship where you remind us again and again that your joy is to be with us and that your presence with us is our strength. Increase our hunger to worship you as only you can do so that our strength and joy in you might abound more and more each day. To you be praise and honor and glory, the One True God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, Oct 11 "Day of Praise"

"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'" - Nehemiah 8:10

I had some big ol' long thing written up.

It was too much.

Let's just say that today's verse is an encouragement for times when you feel like all is lost, and you want to grieve.

In those times, God has a word for you, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

Just say it over and over again. "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

And in the light of God's promise, hum, pray, say, sing, whatever works for you, this uplifting song by Chris Tomlin, "Our God!"

Water You turned into wine
Open the eyes of the blind
There's no one like You
None like You

Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like You
None like You

CHORUS
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

Into the darkness you shine
Out of the ashes we Rise
There's no One like You
None like You.

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
What can stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who can ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
Then what can stand against?
Then what can stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

Praaaaaaaise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, Oct 10 "Day of Praise"

"So my God put it into my heart" - Nehemiah 7:5

A credit card company asks, "What's in your wallet?"

God asks, "What's in your heart?"

I've been listening to a Joyce Meyer book. She aptly illustrates what Jesus Christ sees when he takes up residence in our hearts. Bitterness, anger, despair, rage, malice, greed, gossip, and coveting often leave little room in our hearts for the King of kings to find a throne on which to be seated in our hearts.

But make no mistake. God is faithful and works diligently to cast out the above-listed ills and replace them with the following: Concern for others, Wisdom, Honor, Action, Eagerness to Gather with Other Believers, and the Promise of God to be Faithful!

Bitterness, anger, despair, rage, malice, greed, gossip, and coveting are poured into our hearts by the evil one, our sinful flesh, and the world.

Concern for others, Wisdom, Honor, Action, Eagerness to Gather with Other Believers, and the Promise of God to be Faithful are poured into our hearts by the Author and Giver of Life through His Son and by His Spirit.

Dear God, you know what chokes our hearts and leads to a weary existence. And you know what strengthens our hearts and leads to abundant life even now. Pour into our hearts the treasures that you alone can give so that we may praise your name together, now and forever. Amen.

"So my God put it into my heart" - Nehemiah 7:5

Praise God!





Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tu, Oct 9 "Day of Praise"

"When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God." - Nehemiah 6:16

God wants us to live with peace and joy that are born from confidence in Him, from certainty in His call to us, and without fear of our enemies.

Peace, joy, confidence, certainty, and no fear.

All these filled the heart of Nehemiah in days of old, and God works to fill our hearts with the same today.

As I preached this past Sunday, God makes these treasures of the heart possible by giving us eyes of the heart (Ephesians 1:18). The eyes of the heart are able to see things as they really are.

What Nehemiah saw with the eyes of his heart was that God is Sovereign over all things. Therefore, Nehemiah knew that his enemies were only a temporary distraction and that God would deal with them so that Nehemiah could fulfill the calling God had given him.

This is the same lesson that God taught Elisha's servant in 2 Kings 6:15-17 when the servant was worried because the enemy surrounded them. But Elisha assured the servant that those who were for them were greater than those against them. And then Elisha prayed to God that God would open the servant's eyes, and sure enough God did so that the servant was able to see into the spiritual realm where the armies of God stood ready to defeat their enemies.

How did Nehemiah and Elisha see these things? How can we see the victory of God when we're threatened by people and things that would steal peace, joy, confidence, and certainty from us?

In Matthew 5:1-10, Jesus gives us The Beatitudes, specifically in 5:8 we receive the beatitude, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

Through faith in Jesus and his saving work for us on the cross, God cleans our heart and makes it pure. With our heart clean through faith in Jesus, we can see God. We can see things as they really are with the eyes of the heart. We can see that God is Sovereign over all things. Like Nehemiah, we can know that enemies are only a temporary distraction and that God will deal with them so that, like Nehemiah, we can fulfill the calling God has given us. And we, like Nehemiah, can taste peace, joy, confidence, certainty, and no fear.

God helped Nehemiah long ago. And God will help you today too.

"When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God" (Nehemiah 6:16).

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo, Oct 8 "Day of Praise"

"And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests." - Nehemiah 2:8

Ta daaaa!

Ya know, the expression you say whenever you accomplish something.

Nehemiah could've said "Ta daaaa!" a whole bunch.

As noted in The Daily Bible intro to today's reading, "It takes little time to see that Nehemiah is a man of action. He immediately travels to Jerusalem, assesses the situation firsthand, devises an ingenious plan for working on the wall [of Jerusalem that's been sabotaged], sidesteps his opponents, and completes his primary mission within six months of receiving his commission from the king!"

Ta daaaa!

Nehemiah accomplished a whole bunch in quick fashion!

Ta daaaa!

A number of years ago, my friend Larry Loyacano and I noticed that when most people say "Ta daaaa!" they usually have one hand out towards others and one hand pointed up to the sky. To us, it looked like the hand out towards others was saying "Thank you" to someone who was complimenting a job well done. Whereas it looked like the hand pointed up to the sky was saying "But give credit where credit is due, so Praise God!"

And so it seems with today's verse, when Nehemiah says, "And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests." (Nehemiah 2:8)

Nehemiah is indeed saying "Ta daaaa!" But Nehemiah's not saying, "Look, y'all! I've accomplished a whole bunch and in quick fashion too! Are you impressed with me?!?!"

What he is saying is, "Thank you, to all of you who are complimenting me on a job well done. But let's give credit where credit is due, so Praise God! Ta daaaa! 'Because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.'" (Nehemiah 2:8)

Friends, it's Monday. Lots of work to be done this week. When people compliment us on a job well done, we can indeed smile and thank them. But let's also remember to give credit where credit is due! Let's praise God for the skills and abilities and wisdom and strength that made it possible for us to get those things done well.

Indeed let's all say it together, "Ta daaaa!"

Praise God!!!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sa, Oct 6 "Day of Praise"

"Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage..." - Ezra 7:27

They called it TLD, Troop Leader Development. It might as well have been called Wilderness Survival, as in the merit badge that you were at least implicitly expected to earn if you hoped to be nominated for TLD. And both of them might as well have been called Misery Training.

With both TLD and Wilderness Survival, there was a requirement, at least when I was in Boy Scouts, to take a scrape of food, a compass and coordinates, and a match and go spend the night in the wild.
As the luck of the Divine draw would have it, both overnights were accompanied by rain. Lots of rain. Biblically-sized lots of rain. I'm not exaggerating or kidding.

It was miserable. Just what was needed for Misery Training.

Both times we had to build lean-tos from whatever wood we could scrounge together, but in pouring rain a lean-to was little if any shelter from the storm. And building a fire with one match was a hilarious proposition, so our food either went uncooked or uneaten or both. It didn't matter because there wasn't much food anyway.

So in sum, we stayed up all night, soaked, and hungry. A bunch of teenage boys. Troop Leader Development. Wilderness Survival. Misery Training.

But it's funny how God helps us remember, because I do remember. "Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage..." (Ezra 7:27)

God did it in Bible days with Ezra and the gang. God did it 30+ years ago wIth a bunch of teenage boys.

God will do it for you today.

Come what may. Whatever your Misery Training may look like, take heart. "Because the hand of the LORD my God [will be on you, have] courage..." (Ezra 7:27)

The LORD will help you and be your strength.

Praise God!




Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fr, Oct 5 "Day of Praise"

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." - Malachi 3:10

Good morning! How ya doin'? Can we have an objective chat? Maybe over a cup of coffee? I understand that the issue in today's verse is a sensitive one. The issue of tithing. So I promise not to get all excited. Let's just have a little chat. Can we? Thanks.

I remember how I got started. I was in high school. I'd experienced some challenges that even then, I knew, had stirred a deeper hunger and thirst for God in my heart. I had been drawn to read my Bible. And when I came across an encouraging verse, I'd write it on an index card and tack it on my desk top or bulletin board.

I was drawn in by God's promise in Malachi 3:10 (today's verse). At the time, I didn't know that this verse is the only verse where God invites us to test him. I did know that Jesus tells us not to test God. So I was curious why God would invite us to test him and also promise to pour out unimaginable blessings through the act of tithing.

I did know that God means "give 10%" of what you receive when God, in the Bible, says to tithe. I came to see later that 10% is a starting point that goes hand-in-hand with spontaneous giving beyond 10%.

But through it all, I've discovered that, while there are indeed many blessings that God pours out with tithing, there are two that I value the most: detachment and thankfulness.

Yes, there have been times when I've been surprised by "unexpected money from heaven." But I no longer see that money as a reward from God in heaven. Such "surprise money" seems to happen to everyone, so it's not necessarily connected to tithing. Besides, it seems strange to me that, if God wants my heart and wants me to have his heart, then why would God tempt my heart to tithe money so I could set my heart on getting "surprise money"? That seems backwards to the ways of God. So I don't see getting money as one of God's blessings for giving money through the tithe.

So let me just wrap up here by saying a few words about the blessings of detachment and thankfulness that God always does give through tithing.

Detachment is simply this. I am able to see money and the things I can get with money for what they are. They are not my life or happiness. God is my life and happiness. Let's say I give 4%. (And it is give 4%, not tithe 4%, because that would be like saying that I 10% 4%. Tithe means 10%. So I tithe 10%. I give 4%.) Ok say let's say I give 4%. That means I'm not giving 6%. If I make, $50,000, that means I'm not giving $3,000. My conclusion has always been that $3,000, or the things I can get with it, are not going to secure my life or my happiness. It may "hurt" my budget to give that $3,000, but what it does even moreso is detaches me from the $3,000 and the stuff I might buy with it, and it nurtures an even greater trust in God, which is exactly what my heart is hungry for--a greater trust in God. So tithing hurts my budget, but it feeds my heart by detaching me from the money and the things it might buy, therefore driving me closer to God. Detachment is always a blessing.

And since my heart is nurtured, it feels greater peace, so my heart wants to say "thank you" to someone. And the obvious one to give thanks to is God. It's as plain as that. My heart is freed from things that will always wear out and freed for the God who never fails. Thankfulness is a blessing that God always gives through tithing.

There's so much more. But that's enough for today. Thanks for sharing a cup of coffee.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, Oct 4 "Day of Praise"

"Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews." - Esther 10:3

Mordecai recognized a very important truth: freely grace was given to him by God, so freely he passed grace along.

And just as Jesus tells us in Luke 16, when we pass along God's grace by "working for the good of people and speaking up for the welfare of all" (Esther 10:3), then we come to be "held in high esteem by many other people".

It's a simple relationship principle. Good works can only be a thank offering to God because all that God gives us is grace. But good works have the power to change things with other people, namely, good works have the power to open the door of someone else's heart so that they'll be open to a word of truth.

And when they're open to a word of truth, we can share with them the ultimate truth that will change their lives forever: God gives us his love and goodness through his Son, our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Happy Thursday, Friends! God loves you! So spread the love, Friends. Spread the love.

Praise God!






Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, Oct 3 "Day of Praise"

"Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 'Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.'" - Esther 4:15-16

Here's some morning coffee. Thinking about the following question will probably wake you up!

What is held in common by the following list of people? Biblical Persian Queen, Vashti; Biblical Jewish man, Mordecai; Biblical Jewish woman, Esther; John the Baptist; Martin Luther; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Dale Carnegie; T.D. Jakes; and my daughter, Cassidy DeGreen.

Anyone?

Anyone?

Bueller? (That's a movie reference when a question was asked, and no one responded.)

Anyone?

Answer: They all believe in speaking up!

I love the way T.D. Jakes says, "Speak up!"

I don't know about you, but for as many times as speaking up has gotten me in trouble, I've gotten in trouble a whole lot more for not speaking up.

Speak up!

But let's take a quick lesson on speaking up from Esther in today's Bible verse. When speaking up:
1) Prepare: get prepared to speak up instead of just "winging it";
2) Look to God: the best preparation is something that sets our mind on spiritual things while at the same time turning us from the desires of our flesh, which is why Esther called for and carried out a fast;
3) Ask Others for Prayer Support: Esther asks Mordecai to "Gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me";
4) Count the Cost: Esther's speaking up will not become muddied by fear because she's acknowledging the potential consequence before she speaks. Counting the cost in advance makes it possible to speak up clearly;
5) Trust God's Holy Spirit to Guide: remember what the Book of Esther does not say. That's right! The Book of Esther does not talk about religious things like you'd expect from a religious book. But the very absence of religious language makes a huge point, namely, as helpful as religion should be, it is only helpful if it points us to God! Trust God to guide;
6) Just Do It!: the time will come when it's time to speak. Esther says, "When [the prep] is done, I will go to the king." Speak up!

So there's a few things we can learn from Esther about speaking up.

And how about we grab number three up there before we close? Let's pray for one another.

Dear God, many will need to speak up today. Grant that our speaking up will be moved by, inspired by, lead by, empowered by, blessed by, and, when necessary, corrected by you, our great God and LORD of heaven and earth. Amen.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tu, Oct 2 "Day of Praise"

"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." - Zechariah 9:9

Thank you! Many of you responded yesterday, saying why you're not "morning people" and how it's hard to be happy in the morning, let alone sing! The thing that tickled me, though, is how many of you have such a sense of humor about it all. I was laughing throughout the day from your responses.

And I'm glad you all had such a sense of humor yesterday about happy mornings because today's Bible verse comes right back at us with the same appeal, saying, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!" (Zechariah 9:9).

It's as if God is saying, "I'm determined for all you people to be joyful and happy."

Even in the morning.

And this time God offers the chuckle, saying, "See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). And you know what I'm talking about if you've seen the movie, "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" (2011).

In the movie, there's a scene where all the good guys get a regular horse, except Sherlock Holmes, who gets a mini horse that looks like what's described in today's verse. It looks as if Sherlock Holmes is riding "on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

It's hilarious!

And yet he's the hero. The genius. The warrior who overcomes evil.

And so it will be with Jesus, according to the prophecy. And so it was fulfilled. On Palm Sunday, Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, as noted in John 12:14-15, "Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, 'Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt'" [fulfilling today's verse from Zechariah 9:9].

Can you picture it?

It's hilarious! A king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt!!!

And yet Jesus truly is the hero. The genius. The king. The warrior who overcomes evil. Far greater than Sherlock Holmes or any other hero for that matter. For Jesus is mighty God in man, riding on a baby donkey, on an itty bitty, beast of burden.

Eeeyaw! Eeeyaw!

It's enough to make you smile, chuckle, even be happy, isn't it?

Even in the morning.

"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." - Zechariah 9:9

Praise God!

Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mo, Oct 1 "Day of Praise"

"Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!" - Psalm 147:1

Somebody long ago impressed on me that if you have to get up in the morning, you might as well get up happy.

I mean, what's the alternative? Mopin' around? I can see the cow holdin' the sign in the ChikFilA ad, speakin' to the moper, sayin', "Reeelly?"

I do realize how Dr. Gary Chapman, in his many books on relationships, talks regularly about morning people versus night owls. I honor that.

But, I still contend that, if you have to get up in the morning, you might as well get up happy. After all, in my 48 years, I've only met one person who responded to considerate happiness with surly miserableness. And I think they were trying to be surly.

Everybody else was clearly blessed by the happy morning person to some degree or another. In response, some give a little smile. Some chuckle. Some get downright happy.

Smiles and happiness change things, especially when they flow from thinking about the goodness of our God. That's why the psalmist, in today's verse, is inspired to write, "Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!" (Psalm 147:1)

Since it's Monday, we'll keep it simple. But here's a great "happy, sing-praises-to-our-God" song to take into our day. If you can't carry a tune, at least carry it in your heart. It'll change your outlook on the day, and probably aaaaaalmost everybody else too.

By the way, there are a gazillion little phrases like "God hears our prayers," or whatever else you like, that you can use to create and add verses, so be happy and have fun with it! Here's the song:

"God is so Good"

God is so good,
God is so good,
God is so good,
He's so good to me!

He cares for me,
He cares for me,
He cares for me,
He's so good to me!

I love Him so,
I love Him so,
I love Him so,
He's so good to me!

I praise His Name,
I praise His Name,
I praise His Name,
He's so good to me!

Praise God!





Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson