Day of Praise

Th, Feb 28, "Day of Praise"

"for the battle is the Lord's" - 1 Samuel 17:47

Little David knew it and shouted it for all to hear, as huge Goliath stood before him in today's verse. Whatever is before you today, God is on top of it, ahead of it, bigger than it, Lord over it.

So give it to God! For the battle is the Lord's. He will conquer the matter and lead you through.

Trust him. Look for him. And you will see!

So have a great day!

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, Feb 27, "Day of Praise"

"A cheerful heart is good medicine" - Proverbs 17:22

Ok, Gang! Here's your list of 88+ phrases that are like medicine for the soul. Thank you to all of you who replied so we all could be blessed by you! (A BONUS Smile is at the end thanks to Bill Pinciotti in Pittsburgh! The rest are in my probably-mistaken understanding of alphabetical order. :-(l) )

1) A smile says it all!

2) Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound. Grace covers it ALL.

3) Beloved, I am with you.

4) Bless you.

5) Christ is Savior - For my husband to "profess that Christ is his savior"!

6) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith"...

7-8) God bless you. (2 times)

9) God loves you, no matter what.

10) Good call.

11) Good Job!

12) Good Morning Sweet Hubby Dear!

13) Good Morning Sweet Wifey Dear!

14) Have a wonderful weekend --- hearing that, after a long, tough week, makes the weekend more enjoyable.

15) Hearing my parents say "I'm proud of you!"

16) Hearing the little kids at school call me Mary Elizabeth's mommy.  Still brings tears to my eyes and blessings to God for his gift of love.

17) I am here for you.

18) I am with you!

19-20) I'm praying for you. (2 times)

21) I'm proud of you.

22) I'm so proud of you!

23) I'm sorry!

24) I Appreciate What You've Done!

25) I could never repay u for all u have done for me, thank u

26) I forgive, and close first is I love you.

27-32) I Forgive You! (6 times)

33) "I forgive you," and knowing it will never be brought up again.

34) "I forgive you" is the sweetest. But I also like "I've got your back" from Caden, and "You are my sunshine" or whatever you say, Daddy. (From my daughter, Cassidy)

35) I got your back.

36) I have been thinking so much about you lately and how much I miss you.

37-40) I love you!! (4 times)

41) I love you. - Although it must be said intentionally not just casually, if you can't stop texting etc. long enough to look you straight in the eye as it is being said it doesn't mean much.

42) I love you. - So many implied meanings with those words. :)

43) I love you and always will.

44) I love you, and the Lord be with you! - Bruce and I both say to each when one is leaving the other "I love you and the Lord be with you!" the other responds "And also with you!" I(Lynn) also love it when Bruce says to me "You take such good care of me."

45) I love you all the way to the moon and back.

46-47) I love you to the moon and back. (2 times)

48) I Love You with my heart and soul!

49) I love your face.

50) I praise God for hearing me when I call on him. And not only hearing me but answering my prayers and proving that he's the same yesterday, today and forever.

51) I thank God for your love.

52) I want to hear all about it.

53) I was thinking about you.

54) "I will pray for you"...especially when you know that the person saying it really means it!!

55) I'll be there for you.

56) It's my pleasure.

57) Jesus loves me; this I know.

58-59) Jesus loves you! (2 times)

60) Jesus loves you/me - "I love you" is sweet but "Jesus loves you/me" is even better!

61) May God be praised!

62) May you sleep well and wake up with a smile.

63) MOM, Jesus Loves Me - My son was 5 or 6 years old and he was being very naughty. I sent him to his room he slammed the door, which made me even more upset. Like most mothers I had to get the last word, or so I thought. So I yelled up the stairs, "Steve, you're so bad, no one is going to like you." A second later he opened the door and shouted back "MOM, Jesus Loves Me" and slammed the door again. He is 35 now, but that incident never left me. It made my day. So when things get difficult I think of that little boy, and it fills me with joy. I hope it makes you smile.

64) Mommy, can I snuggle with you?

65) "Pet names" that couples call each other, especially when they are first married.

66) Praise the Lord!

67) "Silent" words - I am most affected by the "silent" words spoken through a touch, or a look on when words just can't express what the heart is feeling. For those of us who has seen the movie "Passion of the Christ", while it was difficult to watch, the scene that most got to me was when the actor who portrayed Christ was given the cross to carry...the look on his face when he was presented the cross welcomed the closure of His suffering, and the completion of His mission on earth...It just spoke Thank God! to me.

68) Sweet Day Dreams.

69) Sweetdreams.

70-71) Thank You! (2 times)

72) Thanks for all that you do and the great attitude with which you do it.

73) That's alright, no harm done.

74) Welcome home, my son. # 1 - "Welcome home my son"... The phrase heard when you appear at Heaven's Gate.  Our life on Earth is a struggle day by day, and we do the best we can.  But that moment when our life tasks are finished, we are rewarded with a place back home where followers of Christ belong. # 2 of course is "Go Vols"

75) What's mine is yours.

76) You are a blessing to me.

77) You are beautiful.

78) You are loved.

79) You are one of the most genuine and kind-hearted persons I know.

80) You are safe.

81) You are so sweet and thoughtful - 1. You are so sweet and thoughtful. 2. You are the love of my life. 3. I thank God for you everyday. 4. You complete me (I had to throw in a Jerry McGuire reference) :=)

82) You are the best grandma in the whole world.

83) "You're in my prayers" when delivered with heartfelt love is up there with "I love you" said with true emotion.
 
84) Your foot is not broken! (Flo has had multiple breaks and surgeries on both feet in recent years.)

85) Your sins have been forgiven.

86) Your smile (or laughter) melts my heart.

87) Can't get online this evening, but I wanted to respond to DOP..... I'm grateful anytime someone says they forgive me. But nothing compares with someone saying they love me. When someone tells me they forgive me, it is a response to an act, something I have done. Their responsibility to me can end - the door may shut. When they tell me they love me, the door remains open. There is a promise that they will love me today, tomorrow and always. I don't remember exactly how you phrased it, but I think you asked what we want to hear more than anything...that would be my children telling me they love me, Taylor (my son, who was tragically killed when he was 5 almost 16 years ago) or my mom telling me they loved me one more time, and hopefully, at some point, someone God places in my life to tell me they love me.

88) Bonus smile - An old nun who was living in a convent next to a construction site noticed the coarse language of the workers and decided to spend some time with them to correct their ways. She decided she would take her lunch and sit with them, so she put her sandwich in a brown bag and walked over to the spot where the men were eating.
Sporting a big smile, she walked up to the group and asked: "Any of you men know Jesus Christ?" They shook their heads and looked at each other, very confused.
Then, one of the workers looked up into the steelworks and yelled out, "Anybody up there know Jesus Christ?" One of the steelworkers yelled back down, "Why?" The worker yelled back, "'Cause his mom's here with his lunch."

Praaaaaaise 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, Feb 26, "Day of Praise"

"Son, your sins are forgiven." - Mark 2:5

Is there any sweeter sound than the words "I forgive you"? Especially when, as in today's Bible verse, Jesus the Son of God is speaking those words to us, is there any sweeter sound than "I forgive you"?

Okay, let's have some good, clean fun.

Y'all push "reply" and send me your one nomination for the sweetest phrase that the human heart can hear. I'm guessing that "I love you" and "Thank you" will be up there, but let's see. I'll compile your responses and send out the list on Wednesday.

For those of you who read Day of Praise on the internet, please send your suggestions to me at pastor2553@tmo.blackberry.net.

And while we're thinking about and sending in your sweetest phrase, don't forget to speak some of that sweetness today to the people around you.

"Son, your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2:5).

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

Mo, Feb 25, "Day of Praise"

"A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?" - Proverbs 20:24

We don't need to understand. We only need to believe what God has made plain through His Son, namely, Almighty God is for us.

Barely two weeks ago, an old friend from 28 years ago just showed up out of the clear blue. It was more like out of thin air. And in these two weeks, my old friend's family and mine have discovered a bounty of things to be shared from church to music to meals.

And all this started when my old friend heard my name in the grocery store that is less than a mile from our church.

We've discovered that our families have lived ten miles away for almost twenty years. But a few months ago, they moved to a house just two miles from the church. And then God started directing some steps and blessing our already-blessed lives by weaving our families back together. Amazing.

All of this is to say that God is good. All the time, God is good. God is good, directing our steps, leading us to doors and windows of blessing. Sure, we can do what we want. But what God wants is always better. And we know this through the sin-forgiving cross and the life-giving resurrection of God's Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Enjoy! It's gonna be a great day! God is planning on it!

"A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?" - Proverbs 20:24

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, Feb 23, "Day of Praise"

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17

When I was in high school, my two best friends were Barry and Lisa. They wound up marrying each other and are still happily married to this day. I'm happy for them; after all, they were my best friends, and they still are very dear to me.

That's the way it is with friends. Ya love each other at all times.

Barry doesn't remember it. But he kinda bullied me before we knew each other. We were in elementary school, and our respective schools were participating in a city-wide celebration of our nation's bicentennial. Our schools sat next to each other, and he and I sat close to each other. He didn't want anyone around him to sing, but I wanted to sing. We tangled.

A couple years later, we both tried out for the 7th grade football team. He had never played. I got some revenge when we lined up against each other. So our first two encounters weren't very friendly.

But one day, he got a bloody nose after school, and all his friends abandoned him. I had a chance to be a friend. And for the next six years, Barry and I were inseparable.

And even though we live a six-hour drive apart, when, by whatever means, we get to chat, it's as if we were never apart. That's the way it is with friends.

And that's the way God is with us. The Lord is always near us, but sometimes we stray. Yet when, by whatever means, we get to chat, it's as if we were never apart. Because, through Jesus, God is a friend who loves at all times.

So, delight in God's friendship today. And reach out to an old friend that you haven't talked to in a while. And celebrate again the good things, namely friendships, that God has given us by his grace.

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17

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, Feb 22, "Day of Praise"

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." - Proverbs 15:13

In the 12th Century, Bernard of Clairvaux wrote some words that would become the lyrics to one of the greatest hymns ever. It goes like this:

"Jesus, the very thought of you
fills us with sweet delight;
But sweeter far your face to view,
And rest within your light."

If, as in today's verse, a cheerful face is the result of a happy heart, then we're blessed to know from one of God's faithful, Bernard, how to have a happy heart:
1) stop and think of Jesus,
2) Picture the face of Jesus, which was one of our Days of Praise, where we encouraged seeing him Shepherding and his face shining radiantly from within, and
3) Rest in Jesus.

Try those three things today, multiple times, especially when you realize that you're not as happy as you want to be. Think of Jesus. Picture Jesus. Rest in Jesus.

In closing, I commend to you the wonderful, practical, thankful and happy heart song from the children's videos Veggie Tales episode with Madam Blueberry:

I thank God for this day,
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
For my piece of apple pie!
For our home on the ground,
For His love that's all around,
That's why I say thanks every day!
Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
That's an easy way to start!
For the love that He shares,
'Cause He listens to my prayers,
That's why I say thanks every day!

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." - Proverbs 15:13

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, Feb 21, "Day of Praise"

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." - Psalm 30:11-12

Today's verse is for all of you who asked for prayer yesterday.

Claim the promise, Friends. Please, don't give up. Claim the promise.

Please join me in the following prayer:

Dear Lord, You know the burdens that have created anxiety or tears or wailing in my soul. But I am claiming your promise because you never break a promise. You promise to turn my wailing into dancing; you promise to remove my sackcloth and clothe me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.

Now, Friends, as you go through your day. Meditate on the promise, think about it, claim it all day with the simple phrase, "Wailing into Dancing. Wailing into Dancing. Wailing into Dancing."

Then, believing and claiming God's promise, look for God. Listen for him.

He will bless you.

And each time he does, simply look up and pray, "O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."

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, Feb 20, "Day of Praise"

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." - 1 John 4:11

Love CARES.

C - Costs - Cost Jesus his life. Us too.

A - Answers - Answers the Father's call to serve. Jesus answered so that we can too.

R- Reaps - Reaps rewards. As we sow, so shall we reap.

E - Expresses - Expressions of love flow naturally, like Jesus washing the disciples feet. So we can too.

S - Sees - Seeing with the eyes of the heart, love responds to countless opportunities to help others see God's love too.

Love CARES.

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." - 1 John 4:11

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, Feb 19, "Day of Praise"

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." - Psalm 4:8

Kisses on the cheek. A blessing on the forehead. Praying together. The magic words, "Sweet Dreams."

All of these (and more) are treasured bedtime rituals.

But they're all vain and meaningless and empty, even the prayers, if they're not coupled with 1) a personal relationship with the Lord, 2) calling on the name of the Lord, and 3) claiming the promises of God. All 3 of those elements (relationship, calling, claiming) are implied or explicit in today's verse from Psalm 4:8.

I remember going through a season of my life (years actually) where I couldn't sleep. Some may call it insomnia, but it wasn't a condition of my body. It was a condition of my mind. I couldn't shut the crazy thing off.

And then one day, God spoke some ancient and everlasting truth to me, saying, "Hey big guy, ya think you're so smart and strong, but all you're getting is exhausted. How 'bout you let me do the heavy lifting? I know you hold onto all that stuff in your mind because you're worried that it won't get done or it won't get done well enough or it's the wrong thing to be getting done. But holding onto it through the night isn't getting it done. To the contrary, holding onto all that stuff through the night is making you your own worst enemy. And that's the threat to you that I want to defeat. Indeed, I promise, that's the threat to you that I will defeat; namely the threat that you pose to yourself when you think that you can do a better job of bringing peace to projects or conflicts or bedtime than I can. So give it all to me. Put your mind and your fears to rest. I've got you covered. Go 'lie down and sleep in peace'. And oh, don't forget...Sweet dreams."

So now, waking or sleeping, that's what my life is by God's grace and what God wants all our lives to be...a dream, a beautiful unending dream, that just keeps getting better everyday.

A Sweet Dream indeed.

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." - Psalm 4:8

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, Feb 18, "Day of Praise"

"But you are a shield around me, O Lord" - Psalm 3:3

One of my all-time favorite movies is "Gladiator." I honestly do not think it's because of the violence. Instead, "Gladiator" is one of my all-time favorite movies because of the themes of hope and perseverance by the protagonist, Maximus.

I also love how Maximus never meets a stranger when it comes to those who are willing to work together with him for the sake of both surviving and also defeating the enemy.

In one scene, Maximus, and many others who've been enslaved, are about to be thrown to the "lions" of the gladiators for the sheer sport of it in the 2nd century.
The following is the dialogue as Maximus and the slaves are in an arena, waiting for some gates to open and release vicious and overpowering animals or men, which will mark the death of most of the slaves but also becomes a ray of hope and perseverance for the slaves who will stick together.

Maximus: [while Cassius continues his introduction] Anyone here been in the army?
[an unknown slave responds yes and tells Maximus he served under his command at Vindobona]
Maximus: You can help me. Whatever comes out of these gates, we've got a better chance of survival if we work together. Do you understand? If we stay together we survive.

Basically, what they do, in working together, is they form "a shield around" each other, which is the image of what God does for us in today's verse from Psalm 3:3.

It's an image of daily life for believers as we walk by faith in a fallen world. Each day and each moment, we never know what's going to be thrown at us by life, but if we stick with God and one another, we find that God is eager to be "a shield around me, O Lord" (Psalm 3:3). We also discover the power of believers who will work together in the face of overwhelming odds, and in so doing we learn again the power of friendship and the power of the Body of Christ, when what binds us together is love for one another and honor of what is right and faith in the living, mighty God.

So, as life comes at you and throws all sorts of arrows and animals and gladiators at you, stick with God and stick with others who are committed to God and God's Word. And, with those other believers and the one true God in whom you believe, you'll discover again and again the power of strength and honor.

"But you are a shield around me, O Lord" - Psalm 3:3

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, Feb 16, "Day of Praise"

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:10

When I was in seminary, I had a professor who used to say the same thing all the time -- so much so that many students made fun of him.

But he was right.

What he said all the time was "grace, recipiency, thanksgiving."

"Grace" is undeserved love, namely, God's love for us. "Recipiency" is simply the reception of God's grace. And "thanksgiving" is the response to God's grace; we say, "Thank you, God!"

That's what God's getting at in today's verse, namely, that God loves us, and all we can really do is receive it and say, "Thank you!"

Some friends of mine had grandparents who would wake up each morning, and the first thing they'd do was shout to God, "Thanks, God!"

And that's a good game plan for us all, namely, wake up, and then let everything we do through the day be a great big "Thanks, God!" for all his great love for us.

Have a great day!

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:10

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, Feb 15, "Day of Praise"

"To this John replied, 'A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, "I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him." The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.'" - John 3:27-30

It has nothing to do with my being a preacher. But I must say that, without exception, the happiest people I know are the ones who admit that Jesus is greatest, who praise Him, who speak of Him to others, and who show them His love.

In today's verses, when John the Baptist says that Jesus must become greater and he himself (John) must become less, it's not because John has low self-esteem. To the contrary, John the Baptist loved himself enough to "receive [what was] given him from heaven," namely the unmatched joy of being the "friend who attends the bridegroom," getting the groom ready to be joined to his bride.

Okay, I know this is heavy stuff this early in the morning. So let's boil it down.

1) John is glad for Jesus to be greater than John is.

2) John sees that it's a joy and a gift from God that John gets to serve Jesus because Jesus is indeed greater.

3) John also sees that the greatest way to serve Jesus is by helping him to connect with his bride, the Church, which is made up of many people/members.

4) Finally, John sees that the greatest way to serve Jesus so that he can connect with his bride, the Church, is by listening for Jesus, listening to Jesus, and speaking of Jesus to others.

So, what does this mean for us today?

In sum, if you listen for Jesus and to His word, then you'll have the God-given joy of knowing how to bring others to Christ.

Admit that Jesus is greatest. Praise him. Speak of Him to others. Show them his love.

Joy awaits you.

And who doesn't want more joy?

Have a great day sharing 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

Th, Feb 14, "Day of Praise"

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." - Psalm 103:8

Have you ever met a hot-head? Someone who got mad at the drop of a hat?

Well, the only true God, who has revealed himself perfectly through Jesus, is not a hot-head.

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." (Psalm 103:8)

"Slow to anger" does not mean "never gets angry." But "slow to anger" is very different from a hot-head.

You feel safe around "slow to anger." On the other hand, you walk on eggshells with a hot-head.

You are safe with God. Always safe. So, live in him. Rest in him. Share your heart with him. Your fears. Your worries. Your joys. Your victories. Trust him.

God is here.

For you.

We know this through Jesus Christ.

May your day be filled with his peace.

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." - Psalm 103:8

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 - Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday. Worship someplace if you possibly can so that you can be reminded of your mortality, hearing God's Word, "Remember that you are dust. And to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). But as many churches share the imposition of ashes (reminding us of our mortality), they are imposed in the shape of the cross, reminding us that, through faith in Christ, our mortality is covered in immortality.

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, Feb 13, "Day of Praise"

"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." - John 1:9

I think I was 11. It was my first time to Boy Scout Camp Davy Crockett. I think it was in Rogersville, TN. I'm not sure though. I was 11. And what 11 year pays attention to where you're going or how you get there.

I came to be really glad though that somebody paid attention to directions.

I think his name was Mr. Caffey. He was the guy in charge of waking up all the first year campers in our troop at about 4:30 am so we could get to this big field and do our sunrise observations for our Environmental Science merit badge.

If you're observant like my just-turned-14 son, then you're recognizing that the timing of waking up and getting someplace before sunrise at a Boy Scout camp in the mid-'70's means that we were walking in the dark.

Total dark.

No flashlights. No nothin'.

(I'm sure I remember this correctly.)

But somehow, Mr. Caffey knew the way. And, if we stayed close to him, like he told us to, then we not only got where we were supposed to go, but it was kinda fun and kinda adventurous getting there.

This is how we're supposed to see Jesus. Everyday is a new adventure with the potential for us to wind up someplace where we have no idea how we got there to begin with. And then Jesus comes along, like Mr Caffey, and kinda jiggles us, telling us to get up and follow him to some big open field to observe birds and all sorts of critters.

"But it's dark in this world, Jesus!," we say. "We can't see. And we have no idea how to get where you're describing."

Jesus replies, "that's good, if you stay close to me, like I'm asking you to, then we not only will get where we were supposed to go, but it will be kinda fun and kinda adventurous getting there."

In sum, whatever way you think you're heading today. Jesus wants to be the light on your path and make it far more fun and adventurous.

All you have to do is say, "Ok, Jesus! It's dark in this world, but here I am. Jesus lead the way."

"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." - John 1:9

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

Tu, Feb 12, Shrove Tuesday, "Day of Praise"

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." - John 8:36

A couple of my recently favorite ("Flight" with Denzel Washington) and older favorite ("Les Miserables") stories/movies keep making the same point that's been made a million times in various other stories because people can't hear it enough.

And that point is that true freedom is a condition of the heart.

When the heart is free, it is a far greater freedom than any external or physical or material or earthly chain or prison or oppression.

When the heart is free, you are free indeed.

It was long, long ago, before the beginning of creation that the Almighty and Living God established the truth of the power and hope and peace and joy and abundant Life that goes with a heart that is free.

The reason, though, that people can't hear enough of the message that true freedom is a condition of the heart is because way too many people don't have it. Way too many people don't have true freedom because their hearts are slave and captive or maybe just a little bit clingy to something other than the truth. Too many hearts are slave and captive or maybe just a little bit clingy to external or physical or material or earthly things that never did, never do, and never will set anybody free.

But before we get too preachy and long-winded (because, as one of my dear friends rightly says, "the Day of Praise is a mint to start your day and whet your appetite for God"), let me connect the dots.

We cling to anything because we think it will make our life better. But ultimately, there is one and only one thing that makes our life the best, and that is knowing that we're loved unconditionally and forever by the everlasting and almighty giver of abundant Life! And this best thing is given to us in the person and God-Man whose name is Jesus and title is Christ!

Just try this. Turn your heart (not your mind) to the love of God in Jesus Christ. C'mon. What do you have to lose, except maybe a few things you're holding that are occupying your hands...and your heart, and therefore binding your heart to the world?

Just try this, (unless you're driving a car in motion). But even if you're at a red traffic light, you can do this. It'll only take a few seconds, and you can do it a bazillion times each day.

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. And say this like you believe it, "Lord! Are you there? You promised to be there. So here ya go; I'm giving my heart to you. With whatever burden is on me, my heart is in your hands. Resting. Knowing that everything's gonna be ok, because it is ok, because it's in your hands. And since it's all in your hands, I'm just gonna go ahead and give ya what's still in my hands too--the stuff I'm still holdin' onto, as if somehow it can make my life better, when it really can't. I'm givin' ya what's in my hands. That way, it's all in your hands, the hands that you stretched out on the cross, the hands of Jesus Christ, that took the heaviest and hurtingest and stressingest and deceivingest and worst that the world has to offer. Here ya go. It's outta my hands. It's all in yours. Alright, now that all that's (back in) your hands, it's all good. And I'm good to go. Free to go. Where your hand will lead me."

Then take a deep breath. And smile.

As if you're free.

Because you are.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." - John 8:36

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, Feb 11, "Day of Praise"

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." - Psalm 145:18

I remember the first time I tried to use a telephone to call a girl that I liked. Fortunately, no one was looking.

I suppose it didn't matter though because the mess wasn't on the outside of me. It was on the inside. I was a nervous wreck!

I never made that call. At least, not for a long time. So the girl might as well have been a million miles away.

Good thing it's not that way with God. God is never a million miles away. Even when we're nervous to call on him.

In fact, I'd dare say that God is even glad when we're a little nervous when we call on him. It probably means that we're praying really big and really real. Ya know, like really honest, like really in tune with our feelings, like Nathanael, who was the "Israelite in whom there is no guile" or "a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false" (John 1:46). Can you even begin to possibly imagine Nathanael's prayers?

Nathanael's prayers needed to be heard. Because they were true. There was nothing false about them. They were honest and real and raw. And when Nathanael prayed, God did not get impatient or angry or defensive or accusatory...but God let Nathanael feel. There was no "now, now Nathanael, it will be fine, now just go on, and get over it."

To the contrary when Nathanael prayed God said, "Bring it on Nathanael. Let it all out. I'm right here with you!"

In fact, God says the same thing to you, "Bring it on. Let it all out. I'm right here with you!"

How do I know?

Because God said so in today's verse. "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." - Psalm 145:18

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, Feb 9, "Day of Praise"

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16

When I was a kid, either 3 or 4 years old, my brother, Ben, got the coolest race car track for Christmas. It was curvy and red. When our family shared mealtime prayers, we'd all add a "P.S." after the group prayer, and for weeks, maybe months, I'd pray, "P.S. Dear Jesus, thank you for Ben's red race track."

I think this must be why Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).

Children can be happy with the simplest things. Yes, I believe in today's verse from James 5:16 that God can and does work physical healing through the prayers of those who trust in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. But I also believe that there is a powerful healing that happens when we have a child-like happiness in the "simplest thing" of being prayed for.

I don't know about you. But I thank the Lord that when somebody tells me that they pray for me, I feel happier than if they'd told me that I'd just won a bazillion dollars.

Or when someone tells me they appreciate me. Wow! That's better than a gazillion dollars, which is like a bazillion bazillion.

Or when somebody keeps a letter you wrote. Or wishes you sweet dreams before you go to bed. Or like I tell my kids who are aged 14-20, "Jesus is with you all night long."

These are the simple things. The child-like things. The kingdom of heaven things. The righteous things. The things that heal. The things of God.

They don't cost a penny.

And yet they're worth more than all the gold and silver in the world.

But, of course, a little red race car track to a 4-year old might come close. Indeed, "P.S. Dear Jesus, thank you for Ben's red race track."

And for all the simple things that bring heaven to the heart of a child...

and to every adult who hasn't lost touch with the healing power of the simple prayers and ways of a child.

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16

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

Fr, Feb 8, "Day of Praise"

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses" - Acts 1:8

Anyone who has faith in Jesus is someone who has meaning and purpose in life forever. We are needed. We have something of eternal importance to share. And people are counting on us to share it. In fact. Jesus is counting on us to share with others that it means the world to us that Jesus died for our sins. Jesus is counting on us "to be his witnesses" (Acts 1:8).

Now if we could just convince ourselves...that witnessing is not hard and embarrassing. Instead witnessing, according to God in today's verse, is fueled by the Holy Spirit. And witnessing to Christ is the greatest glory that one can be associated with.

Anyone who has faith in Jesus is someone who has meaning and purpose in life forever. We are needed. We have something of eternal importance to share. And people are counting on us to share it. In fact. Jesus is counting on us to share with others that it means the world to us that Jesus died for our sins.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8).

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, Feb 7, "Day of Praise"

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" -
1 Corinthians 10:13

It's very easy to get down on yourself. It's very easy to get down on life.

Life and the world can come at you and weigh on you from all angles.

Be encouraged. God promises to provide a way for you to stand up under the onslaughts of the world.

God will provide a way out.

Your job is to believe that God's promise is true and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus makes that plain in John 6:28-9 when the disciples asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

Putting the proverbial two and two together, Jesus is The Way out that God provides. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is with each one of us. And when temptation assaults us, Jesus says, "This way. Come. Follow me!"

I personally give praise to God for the truth that I can consciously remember since the time I was 15. When I was a kid and even now as an adult, God is constantly faithful in pouring out his Holy Spirit to prepare my heart to hear the voice of Jesus, leading me out of temptation and delivering me from the evil that I would bring upon myself.

Some of you might think I'm talking foolishly that Jesus would speak to us today. Unfortunately, many people are thinking foolishly when they think that Jesus cannot speak to us today.

Haven't you ever noticed that your mind can get lured into something that's altogether unhealthy like bitterness for the past, grumbling about the present, or some other sin of the flesh? And then haven't you ever noticed how the phone rings or you bump into someone or some other distraction occurs?

Some call it coincidence.

I call it a way out of my bitterness or grumbling or whatever sin is stirring in me. And I refuse to credit the great not-a-god "coincidence" with the blessing of my way out. Instead, the Holy Spirit prompts me. Just like the Holy Spirit prompts us all, if we'll listen, to credit the great only true-God, Jehovah-jireh (or more accurately Yahweh-yireh, which means the Lord will provide).

Yes He will.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" -
1 Corinthians 10:13

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, Feb 6, "Day of Praise"

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." - John 1:16

From where I sit, my parents have always been very generous. Christmas and every possible chance for gift-giving has always been exciting.

But the best blessings from my parents have always been the stories. True stories from their upbringing about modest clothes and dangerous roads. About fireworks on the old lady next door's porch when dad was a kid and baseball games at the school that's now torn down. My dad's been writing down a lot of his stories in recent years. I really appreciate that. Just as I appreciate my mom's story telling too.

Stories are blessings that help us to know someone's heart and their life and their treasures.

When, in today's Bible verse, we hear that "we have all received one blessing after another" from the fullness of God's grace, the greatest blessing that God has given us is God's stories. Ya know, the ones in the Bible. The stories are blessings that help us to know God and God's heart and God's life and God's treasures. They also help us to see God wondrously at work in the story of our lives today.

If you're reading this devotion, thank you. I'm honored. But please remember two things in no particular order: 1) almost all of you who reply to me always thank me for sending God's word to you because it's God's stories that touch our hearts like no other story can and 2) I started this devotion to pass God's stories to my kids as I tried to speak God's stories into the story of their own lives.

I ask you to remember those two things because I want you to remember that all those blessings from God's grace (John 1:16) are most vibrant when you are, what the great modern day radio preacher, Alistair Begg, calls, a self-feeder. A self-feeder is someone who certainly reads devotions like this, but they also go directly to the Bible for themselves and then look for God in their own lives so they can tell others their personal story, which is otherwise known as their witness or their testimony.

Hey, I hope I can write this thing for many years and that you keep reading it and passing it along to others. But rest assured that I have failed and you will spiritually starve if our original source and ultimate end for strength and hope and inspiration is not the living God himself, who wants to work most of all through his stories in his Bible and through the story of your life.

Read your Bibles; look for God; receive his grace; tell your stories; pass it on.

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, Feb 5, "Day of Praise"

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." - Proverbs 16:3

I commit to the Lord that any explanation of today's Bible verse is going to be kept very simple.

Hooray! Success!

Next item?!?!

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, Feb 4, "Day of Praise"

"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." - Proverbs 3:11-12

When things get tough today and with whomever things get tough today, remember how God the Father was and is ever faithful to God's Son, Jesus. The fruit of Jesus' hard times included amazement, authority, power, healing, miracles, and resurrection.

God the Father will work the same through your hard times too.

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, Feb 2, "Day of Praise"

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

It's a simple yet profound word from God.

First, we praise God because God comforts us in all our troubles.

Second, we praise God because we're able to comfort others with the comfort that God gave us in our troubles.

I know that some might say, "Well, why doesn't God just keep all the troubles away to begin with?"

Well, think about it. When's the last time you reached out to serve someone for whom everything was going well? Really? Ya need a minute to think? Oh, rarely? Maybe never?

Let's face it. God is quite wise in permitting troubling things to come our way that remind us of our need for God and our need for one another.

As a long-time friend said to my family yesterday, "Wow--lots going on w/ your family! Calling on God through prayer is crucial and asking friends for help is justified. Let us know if you need help w/ anything!"

Indeed. Let's praise God for God-With-Us (Jesus) and God's gift of friends to whom we reach out in comforting love.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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, Feb 1, "Day of Praise"

"Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:11-12

I laugh now.

But when I was a kid, it drove me nuts when my classmates called me Chris DeBlue or DeRed or, the worst, DePurple. My name was, is, and always will be Chris DeGREEN!!!

And therein lies the point: it didn't matter what teasing classmates called me then or anybody calls me now.

I am who I am. My name is Chris DeGreen. No matter what anyone else calls me or says.

You are who you are.

And Jesus is who he is.

He is Jesus. His name literally means "The One who Saves."

And that is who he is. Jesus is "The One who Saves."

And there is no other.

No matter what anybody else says or mocks or doesn't believe. Jesus is "The One who Saves."

That's why God's word says plainly, "Jesus...there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:11-12).

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