Prayer Request Day of Praise

Hi, Friends!

Amanda and I kindly ask that you pray for our oldest daughter, Calley, tomorrow/Friday, April 1, from 8 am to 3 pm and anytime before as she takes the MCAT, which is the Medical Schools standardized test. Calley is studying to be a medical missionary in rural America or in the nations of the world where the Christian faith is a minority.

God has already been doing amazing things to heal people through Calley's discernment and prayers. One such instance was less than three weeks ago at a healing prayer service where Calley discerned that someone was present with neck pain on the back left of their neck. Someone did indeed acknowledge the condition, and after being prayed over, the person went home painless after having had pain for 29 years. Now almost three weeks later, the person remains painless and without withdrawal symptoms, having stopped taking the 29-year pain medicine the night they were prayed for.

Friends, we don't understand all of God's ways, but we know in Jesus that God wants to work mightily through those who believe and will use their gifts to bring glory to God and renewal to others.

You too have such gifts. God's word tells us we all have different gifts, but nonetheless we all have various spiritual gifts. It is given to us all only to believe as Jesus says in John 6:28-29.

Let's pray for one another to have an eagerness to discover and employ our God-given spiritual gifts.

And please pray specifically for Calley tomorrow as she continues to grow into hers.

Thank you!

And Praise God!

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Day of Praise

Fr, 04/01/16, Easter Day #6, "Day of Praise"

Luke 5:33 - "And [the Pharisees] said to [Jesus], 'The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.'"

You are about to live a parable. The parable is called Friday.

Let me explain.

A dear friend of mine once told me that the great Warren Wiersbe said, "A parable begins as a picture and then becomes a mirror in which we see ourselves and then, through faith, becomes a window, through which we see God."

So you're about to live the parable called Friday. The picture of Friday is HAPPY! Then that happy picture becomes a mirror, namely, when you look in the mirror on Friday, I bet you see happy a lot more than on Monday! And now the mirror reflecting your Friday happiness becomes a window, through which we see God. 

Don't you see God? That's what today's Bible verse is about. Jesus and his disciples eat and drink. In other words, they're happy, happy, happy! Oh sure, Jesus fasted some, like in the wilderness at the start of his ministry. But Jesus feasted more than he fasted. I mean his first miracle was at a wedding with dancing and laughing where he turned yucky water into 180 gallons of happy, happy, happy wine! How 'bout we say that Jesus made a significant contribution to everyone's happiness at the wedding!

Just as he contributes to ours.

I mean, here's the deal. Jesus is alive, People!!!!!!!!!! He conquered death and sin!!!! They have no power over us anymore. Putting it back in parable form, we can rightly say that Jesus conquered Monday! The parable of Monday has no power over us! Because Jesus rose from the dead, there are no more Mondays! Now everyday can be Friday! Everyday can be happy!

Oh sure, there are times for Monday, times for mourning and grieving and confessing. But because Jesus feasted more than he fasted, ya might say that Jesus sprinkled some Friday into Monday and invites us to do the same because whatever life serves up, you can't change the fact that Jesus is alive, transforming grieving into joy and Monday into Friday!

So, Happy Friday today! And Happy Friday tomorrow! And Happy Friday forevermore!

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Thur, 03/31/16, Easter Day #5, "Day of Praise"

2 Chronicles 7:3 - "When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, 'For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.'"

This coming Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter, is sadly known as Low Sunday because historically, throughout the whole church, there are fewer people in worship than on a regular Sunday. It's quite a contrast from the overflow attendance of Easter Sunday. And it's also very sad because God's word tells us in today's verses, and in all the Easter accounts in the New Testament, that the natural response of all who know the love of the Lord and believe the resurrection of the Lord is to fall humbly before the Lord and worship him.

Realistically, Pastors contribute to the sad reality of Low Sunday by often taking vacation the week after Easter Sunday. Additionally, right after Easter Sunday, people in general go into "end of the school year" and "summer" modes, which translates into a different rhythm to the week, so worshiping the Lord is not a priority. I understand these things.

However, I appeal to all of you to recognize that the testimony of God's word never changes as to why our hearts hunger for worship and are motivated to worship:
1) God always remembers us and shows he's with us,
2) In remembering us and visiting with us, God tells us he knows our afflictions, which are all the things that we need God to set straight and provide for in our lives, and
3) God promises to set our afflictions straight.

Hungering for these treasures that God provides and that are emphatically poured out in the cross and resurrection of Jesus, I encourage you not to cut back on your worship of God for the next few months but instead to increase it seven times over. In sum, worship God daily, and, in so doing, feed the hunger of your heart and be ready to feed your family, ball teams, coworkers, and fellow humanity. Read your Bibles together each day in your homes. Take your Bibles with you in your cars to work and to ball games. Tell your coworkers and ball teams when and where you're going to read your Bible out loud and share a prayer so they can join you in your worship. If you're not in your town on the traditional worship days of Sunday and Wednesday, then find and attend another church. 

The bottom line is that your heart is just as hungry for God's remembrance of you, God's knowledge of your woes, and God's promise to minister to you during the days and months after Easter Sunday as your heart is hungry on Easter Sunday itself. So feed on God's word. Bow humbly before the Lord, worship him, and hold fast to his word.

God is alive daily and eager to feed you with his word. Come daily to the table of his presence and eat.

Trust Christ, and you'll see.

Praise God!

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Day of Praise

Thur, 03/31/16, Easter Day #5, "Day of Praise"

2 Chronicles 7:3 - "When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, 'For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.'"

This coming Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter, is sadly known as Low Sunday because historically, throughout the whole church, there are fewer people in worship than on a regular Sunday. It's quite a contrast from the overflow attendance of Easter Sunday. And it's also very sad because God's word tells us in today's verses, and in all the Easter accounts in the New Testament, that the natural response of all who know the love of the Lord and believe the resurrection of the Lord is to fall humbly before the Lord and worship him.

Realistically, Pastors contribute to the sad reality of Low Sunday by often taking vacation the week after Easter Sunday. Additionally, right after Easter Sunday, people in general go into "end of the school year" and "summer" modes, which translates into a different rhythm to the week, so worshiping the Lord is not a priority. I understand these things.

However, I appeal to all of you to recognize that the testimony of God's word never changes as to why our hearts hunger for worship and are motivated to worship:
1) God always remembers us and shows he's with us,
2) In remembering us and visiting with us, God tells us he knows our afflictions, which are all the things that we need God to set straight and provide for in our lives, and
3) God promises to set our afflictions straight.

Hungering for these treasures that God provides and that are emphatically poured out in the cross and resurrection of Jesus, I encourage you not to cut back on your worship of God for the next few months but instead to increase it seven times over. In sum, worship God daily, and, in so doing, feed the hunger of your heart and be ready to feed your family, ball teams, coworkers, and fellow humanity. Read your Bibles together each day in your homes. Take your Bibles with you in your cars to work and to ball games. Tell your coworkers and ball teams when and where you're going to read your Bible out loud and share a prayer so they can join you in your worship. If you're not in your town on the traditional worship days of Sunday and Wednesday, then find and attend another church. 

The bottom line is that your heart is just as hungry for God's remembrance of you, God's knowledge of your woes, and God's promise to minister to you during the days and months after Easter Sunday as your heart is hungry on Easter Sunday itself. So feed on God's word. Bow humbly before the Lord, worship him, and hold fast to his word.

God is alive daily and eager to feed you with his word. Come daily to the table of his presence and eat.

Trust Christ, and you'll see.

Praise God!

Day of Praise

We, 03/30/16, Easter Day #4, "Day of Praise"

John 20:22 - "And when [Jesus] had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'"

My mom grew up on a farm. Lots of critters. Though I grew up in a suburban neighborhood, our house was often like a farm. One time, we had 22 critters, counting dogs, cats, gerbils, birds, fish, and rabbits. Yesterday, I saw a guy who might've grown up on a farm. He sure looked comfortable catching the critter and putting it in his "Animal Control" truck. 

Animal Control is different from Pest Control. Animal Control puts critters back in the right place; Pest Control usually gets rid of critters.

When Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples in today's verse, he was like Animal Control, not Pest Control. He didn't want to get rid of anybody. He just wanted to get people back in place. That's what the Holy Spirit does; it works on us in the Spirit of Christ to get us back where we're supposed to be.

When Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples in today's verse, they had locked themselves in a room with fear. That's not where they were supposed to be. They were supposed to be out in the world, living in the strength and power and conviction and assurance and love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and faithfulness and gentleness and self-control of the Holy Spirit. So Jesus was kind of like the highest level of Animal Control and sent them on out in the world to live with all that strength and power and conviction and stuff. And immediately that's where they went, out of the locked room and back into the world to make a difference in other people's lives as instruments of the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus had done in theirs. Because that's where they were supposed to be. And that's what they were supposed to do. 

Just like us.

So come on, Friends. Let's go have a day like we're supposed to have and be where we're supposed to be and be what we're supposed to be! After all Jesus is alive! And he has poured out the Holy Spirit so we can go into the world to live with all that strength and power and conviction and stuff of the Holy Spirit and testify to others that Jesus has a wonderful place in his family and kingdom for them too!

Trust Christ, and you'll see!

Praise God!

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Day of Praise

We, 03/30/16, Easter Day #4, "Day of Praise"

John 20:22 - "And when [Jesus] had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'"

My mom grew up on a farm. Lots of critters. Though I grew up in a suburban neighborhood, our house was often like a farm. One time, we had 22 critters, counting dogs, cats, gerbils, birds, fish, and rabbits. Yesterday, I saw a guy who might've grown up on a farm. He sure looked comfortable catching the critter and putting it in his "Animal Control" truck. 

Animal Control is different from Pest Control. Animal Control puts critters back in the right place; Pest Control usually gets rid of critters.

When Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples in today's verse, he was like Animal Control, not Pest Control. He didn't want to get rid of anybody. He just wanted to get people back in place. That's what the Holy Spirit does; it works on us in the Spirit of Christ to get us back where we're supposed to be.

When Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples in today's verse, they had locked themselves in a room with fear. That's not where they were supposed to be. They were supposed to be out in the world, living in the strength and power and conviction and assurance and love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and faithfulness and gentleness and self-control of the Holy Spirit. So Jesus was kind of like the highest level of Animal Control and sent them on out in the world to live with all that strength and power and conviction and stuff. And immediately that's where they went, out of the locked room and back into the world to make a difference in other people's lives as instruments of the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus had done in theirs. Because that's where they were supposed to be. And that's what they were supposed to do. 

Just like us.

So come on, Friends. Let's go have a day like we're supposed to have and be where we're supposed to be and be what we're supposed to be! After all Jesus is alive! And he has poured out the Holy Spirit so we can go into the world to live with all that strength and power and conviction and stuff of the Holy Spirit and testify to others that Jesus has a wonderful place in his family and kingdom for them too!

Trust Christ, and you'll see!

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Tu, 03/29/16, Easter Day #3, "Day of Praise"

Psalm 116:2 - "Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live."

Have you ever been talking to someone and it was as if they were looking right through you? Or, with those new cell phone ear buds, have you had someone looking right at you, but they are talking to someone else?

Neither of these ever happen with Jesus.

When Jesus was raised from the dead he showed the disciples that he was listening to them and speaking to them.

Remember yesterday's devotion and the celebration of peace from Christ? Well, right between the two times that he said "Peace be with you," he also breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit!" In other words, Jesus wasn't giving them peace as if he was doling out chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. He was also giving them himself. By the power of the Holy Spirit, which was just as he'd taught them, Jesus was assuring the disciples that he himself was and always would be with the disciples, personally dwelling in all who would believe.

Ya see, when somebody listens to you, that's what they're giving you, namely, themselves. When somebody really speaks to you personally, that's what they're giving you, namely, themselves. It's a rare thing nowadays for someone to take even a short time and give us him or herself. People have so much going on and therefore their hearts and minds are pulled in a million different directions like they're trying to watch every cable channel at once.

But with Jesus, he has one interest, namely, you and your salvation and your network of healthy relationships in the Body of Christ. Jesus is focused on you. He listens to you. And he speaks to you. Always has. Always will. That's why, even long ago, the psalmist was inspired to write in Psalm 116:2, "Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live."

Trust Christ! And you'll see!

Praise God!

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Day of Praise

Tu, 03/29/16, Easter Day #3, "Day of Praise"

Psalm 116:2 - "Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live."

Have you ever been talking to someone and it was as if they were looking right through you? Or, with those new cell phone ear buds, have you had someone looking right at you, but they are talking to someone else?

Neither of these ever happen with Jesus.

When Jesus was raised from the dead he showed the disciples that he was listening to them and speaking to them.

Remember yesterday's devotion and the celebration of peace from Christ? Well, right between the two times that he said "Peace be with you," he also breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit!" In other words, Jesus wasn't giving them peace as if he was doling out chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. He was also giving them himself. By the power of the Holy Spirit, which was just as he'd taught them, Jesus was assuring the disciples that he himself was and always would be with the disciples, personally dwelling in all who would believe.

Ya see, when somebody listens to you, that's what they're giving you, namely, themselves. When somebody really speaks to you personally, that's what they're giving you, namely, themselves. It's a rare thing nowadays for someone to take even a short time and give us him or herself. People have so much going on and therefore their hearts and minds are pulled in a million different directions like they're trying to watch every cable channel at once.

But with Jesus, he has one interest, namely, you and your salvation and your network of healthy relationships in the Body of Christ. Jesus is focused on you. He listens to you. And he speaks to you. Always has. Always will. That's why, even long ago, the psalmist was inspired to write in Psalm 116:2, "Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live."

Trust Christ! And you'll see!

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Mon, 03/28/16, Easter Day #2, "Day of Praise"

John 20:21 - "Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you.'"

On the day of his resurrection, the word "again" is just as important in Jesus's encouragement to us as is the word "peace." Very simply, when Jesus says, "Peace be with you" again (and therefore twice) to the disciples, then he's saying that he's determined to give peace to them and to us. Wow!

Friends, with whatever is going on in your life, no matter what is unsettled, no matter how big the storm, you can take this to the bank: Jesus is determined to give you peace in the midst of your storm.

Easter is not a day; it's a reality. And the peace of Christ in the midst of your storms and difficulties is as real as your storms and difficulties. Jesus conquered the ultimate storm, namely, the penalty of the sin of the whole world. So, he is more than capable of breaking into your storm and imparting peace to you too!

Trust him and you'll see!

Praise God!

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Day of Praise

Mon, 03/28/16, Easter Day #2, "Day of Praise"

John 20:21 - "Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you.'"

On the day of his resurrection, the word "again" is just as important in Jesus's encouragement to us as is the word "peace." Very simply, when Jesus says, "Peace be with you" again (and therefore twice) to the disciples, then he's saying that he's determined to give peace to them and to us. Wow!

Friends, with whatever is going on in your life, no matter what is unsettled, no matter how big the storm, you can take this to the bank: Jesus is determined to give you peace in the midst of your storm.

Easter is not a day; it's a reality. And the peace of Christ in the midst of your storms and difficulties is as real as your storms and difficulties. Jesus conquered the ultimate storm, namely, the penalty of the sin of the whole world. So, he is more than capable of breaking into your storm and imparting peace to you too!

Trust him and you'll see!

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Sat, 03/26/16, Holy Saturday, "Day of Praise" 

Psalm 74:10 - "How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?" 

Today is Holy Saturday. In sum, we remember how Jesus lay dead in the grave and the forces of evil thought they'd prevailed. However, the Sovereign God was, is, and always will be Sovereign, so the "victory" of darkness over Jesus would be short-lived. Jesus, the Light of the World, was soon to be raised up by the Glory of the Father. 

And so it is true for you who believe in the power and grace of the Living God. There may be something in your life that seems dead in the grave, like your marriage, some other relationship, your job, your own health, a loved one, your peace about life, or your hope for the future. And it may seem as if the forces of evil have prevailed. However, the Sovereign God was, is, and always will be Sovereign, so the "victory" of darkness in your life will be short-lived. Jesus, the Light of the World, was raised up by the Glory of the Father. And He will transform your griefs and sorrows into joy and dancing. 

Do not lose heart, friends. 

The Lord is near. 

Praise God!

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Day of Praise

Sat, 03/26/16, Holy Saturday, "Day of Praise" 

Psalm 74:10 - "How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?" 

Today is Holy Saturday. In sum, we remember how Jesus lay dead in the grave and the forces of evil thought they'd prevailed. However, the Sovereign God was, is, and always will be Sovereign, so the "victory" of darkness over Jesus would be short-lived. Jesus, the Light of the World, was soon to be raised up by the Glory of the Father. 

And so it is true for you who believe in the power and grace of the Living God. There may be something in your life that seems dead in the grave, like your marriage, some other relationship, your job, your own health, a loved one, your peace about life, or your hope for the future. And it may seem as if the forces of evil have prevailed. However, the Sovereign God was, is, and always will be Sovereign, so the "victory" of darkness in your life will be short-lived. Jesus, the Light of the World, was raised up by the Glory of the Father. And He will transform your griefs and sorrows into joy and dancing. 

Do not lose heart, friends. 

The Lord is near. 

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Fri, 03/25/16, Good Friday, "Day of Praise"

Matthew 5:44 - "[Jesus said], But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Luke 23:34 - "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'"

May I be honest? Brutally honest. No, I don't want to tell you about you. I need to tell you about me.

Here's the thing. As I look at my life of fifty plus years, I see that I'm not good at all about loving my enemies. There. Now it's out there. 

Ya see, I hear Jesus telling me in one of today's verses to "love my enemies" (Matthew 5:44). But what I find myself doing is not caring about my enemies. Ya know, I feel good about not being bitter and resentful towards them because I've gotten to a point over time where I don't care about them. Remember, the opposite of love is not hate; it's apathy and not caring. So, I don't really love my enemies, as Jesus commands; I just don't care about them anymore. 

There are two reasons that it's important for me to confess. One is that, I don't know, maybe you need to confess that too, and hearing somebody else confess something sometimes makes it easier for us to confess the same. 

But the other reason to confess it is to point out the contrast. On the one hand, Jesus commands me to love my enemies. He commands me to actually care about my enemies. Ya know, care about their salvation. And I find it hard. I mean, they're my enemy!!! And yet, in contrast, on the other hand, there's Jesus in today's other verse from Luke 23:34, showing that he cares by praying "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Wow! That's amazing. He's hanging on a cross, the cross that I deserve. And he cares. He really cares. To his last breath on the original Good Friday, Jesus cares about his enemies. Jesus cares about us sinners. Man, that's love. True love. Divine love. The kind of love that I'm clearly incapable of. The kind of love that I'm only capable of having come out of me, if Jesus, who is capable, comes into me. So, he loves me, his enemy, so much, that he dies, asking forgiveness for me so that he can come live in me so that I can pass on his love. Because by myself, there's no way I'm passing on his love. But if he'll die so he can pour out his Holy Spirit and come live in me, then he can pass on that amazing love through me.

Try wrapping your head around all this. May I be honest? Brutally honest. You can't. You can't wrap your head around the mystery of Christ's love for you, a sinner and his enemy, on the cross. You just can't.

What you have to do is this. Instead of trying to wrap your mind around his amazing love, you have to believe him in your heart. You have to believe that he cares. That he truly cares about you. That when he prays "Father, forgive them," then he means it. Because he loves you. Because he cares about your soul.

And if you do, if you truly believe that he wants you to be forgiven, then you will be saved. Ya know, from yourself and your sin, sins like not praying for your enemy.

Wow, Jesus cares about me and about you and about all us poor sinners. That's why he prayed "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And that's why it's called Good Friday.

May God continue to bless you as you take time today, Good Friday, and everyday to remember and believe and pass on God's amazing love for you through Jesus.

Praise God!

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Fri, 03/25/16, Good Friday, "Day of Praise"

Matthew 5:44 - "[Jesus said], But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Luke 23:34 - "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'"

May I be honest? Brutally honest. No, I don't want to tell you about you. I need to tell you about me.

Here's the thing. As I look at my life of fifty plus years, I see that I'm not good at all about loving my enemies. There. Now it's out there. 

Ya see, I hear Jesus telling me in one of today's verses to "love my enemies" (Matthew 5:44). But what I find myself doing is not caring about my enemies. Ya know, I feel good about not being bitter and resentful towards them because I've gotten to a point over time where I don't care about them. Remember, the opposite of love is not hate; it's apathy and not caring. So, I don't really love my enemies, as Jesus commands; I just don't care about them anymore. 

There are two reasons that it's important for me to confess. One is that, I don't know, maybe you need to confess that too, and hearing somebody else confess something sometimes makes it easier for us to confess the same. 

But the other reason to confess it is to point out the contrast. On the one hand, Jesus commands me to love my enemies. He commands me to actually care about my enemies. Ya know, care about their salvation. And I find it hard. I mean, they're my enemy!!! And yet, in contrast, on the other hand, there's Jesus in today's other verse from Luke 23:34, showing that he cares by praying "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Wow! That's amazing. He's hanging on a cross, the cross that I deserve. And he cares. He really cares. To his last breath on the original Good Friday, Jesus cares about his enemies. Jesus cares about us sinners. Man, that's love. True love. Divine love. The kind of love that I'm clearly incapable of. The kind of love that I'm only capable of having come out of me, if Jesus, who is capable, comes into me. So, he loves me, his enemy, so much, that he dies, asking forgiveness for me so that he can come live in me so that I can pass on his love. Because by myself, there's no way I'm passing on his love. But if he'll die so he can pour out his Holy Spirit and come live in me, then he can pass on that amazing love through me.

Try wrapping your head around all this. May I be honest? Brutally honest. You can't. You can't wrap your head around the mystery of Christ's love for you, a sinner and his enemy, on the cross. You just can't.

What you have to do is this. Instead of trying to wrap your mind around his amazing love, you have to believe him in your heart. You have to believe that he cares. That he truly cares about you. That when he prays "Father, forgive them," then he means it. Because he loves you. Because he cares about your soul.

And if you do, if you truly believe that he wants you to be forgiven, then you will be saved. Ya know, from yourself and your sin, sins like not praying for your enemy.

Wow, Jesus cares about me and about you and about all us poor sinners. That's why he prayed "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And that's why it's called Good Friday.

May God continue to bless you as you take time today, Good Friday, and everyday to remember and believe and pass on God's amazing love for you through Jesus.

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Th, 03/24/16, "Day of Praise"

Hebrews 12:3 - "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

I was maybe eight years old, so it was four decades and more ago. But I will never forget what I remember as my first Maundy Thursday worship service. There were thirteen men at our church, Holy Trinity Lutheran in Kingsport, Tennessee, who reenacted the Last Supper of Our Lord with his disciples. I especially remember Mr. Frank DeNobriga. He was a tall, big-boned man with a deep voice that filled our beautiful sanctuary when he spoke. Whenever I think of their reenactment, and I have thought of it frequently through the years, it stirs my heart to a warmth and love and thankfulness and inspiration for the amazing sacrificial love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I feel energized to keep looking to Christ and living thankfully for Christ.

And that impact of one night, forty years ago shouldn't surprise. After all, God's promise, in today's Bible verse, is that we will not grow weary whenever we consider the events surrounding the death and resurrection of "him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself." (Hebrews 12:3)

Friends, today is Maundy Thursday. Tomorrow is Good Friday. Find a way to consider him. Emphatically. More than you usually do. Many churches like ours help you to do that with, if I may say so, some amazing and well-prepared and moving considerations of the Passion events of our Lord. If you live in the Birmingham area, just "reply" and I can give you more info. If you live elsewhere, find a church that does something to help you and your community "consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." (Hebrews 12:3)

May God continue to bless you with strength as you consider the loving sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Praise God!

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Day of Praise

Th, 03/24/16, "Day of Praise"

Hebrews 12:3 - "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

I was maybe eight years old, so it was four decades and more ago. But I will never forget what I remember as my first Maundy Thursday worship service. There were thirteen men at our church, Holy Trinity Lutheran in Kingsport, Tennessee, who reenacted the Last Supper of Our Lord with his disciples. I especially remember Mr. Frank DeNobriga. He was a tall, big-boned man with a deep voice that filled our beautiful sanctuary when he spoke. Whenever I think of their reenactment, and I have thought of it frequently through the years, it stirs my heart to a warmth and love and thankfulness and inspiration for the amazing sacrificial love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I feel energized to keep looking to Christ and living thankfully for Christ.

And that impact of one night, forty years ago shouldn't surprise. After all, God's promise, in today's Bible verse, is that we will not grow weary whenever we consider the events surrounding the death and resurrection of "him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself." (Hebrews 12:3)

Friends, today is Maundy Thursday. Tomorrow is Good Friday. Find a way to consider him. Emphatically. More than you usually do. Many churches like ours help you to do that with, if I may say so, some amazing and well-prepared and moving considerations of the Passion events of our Lord. If you live in the Birmingham area, just "reply" and I can give you more info. If you live elsewhere, find a church that does something to help you and your community "consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." (Hebrews 12:3)

May God continue to bless you with strength as you consider the loving sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Wed, 03/23/16, "Day of Praise"

Hebrews 12:1c - "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Hey, you! Yes, you, the one who's discouraged. The one who's ready to give up and about to throw in the towel. Don't do it. These words are for you! To help you keep going.

I remember a couple years ago, and I distinctly remember it was April 15. Ya know, the income tax filing deadline. I went by the Post Office after our nightly, Holy Week worship to get a mailing box for Easter. But no sooner had I gone in, then there was this stream of people who came in and asked me, "Can I get this postmarked for April 15?" They, of course, had an envelope with their tax return inside. I told them that they'd need to go to the downtown branch, which is only fifteen minutes away. Surprisingly, all but one of them said, "Aaaaaa, I don't care if I get the penalty." And then they just put their tax returns in the mail slot. In other words, they had done all the work to get their taxes in on time, and just fifteen minutes from their goal, they quit. They quit. So close. But they quit.

This is what today's Bible verse is about. God tells us to keep running the race of faith. Run with endurance. Don't quit. Whatever's going on in your life, the Lord is working on it and walking with you. And therefore you are always so close to seeing God's encouragement with your situation and maybe even God's resolution that brings your problem to an end.

So don't just "mail it in." Hang in there. Keep going. The Lord is with you to be your strength so that you can "run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1c)

Praise God!

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Day of Praise

Wed, 03/23/16, "Day of Praise"

Hebrews 12:1c - "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Hey, you! Yes, you, the one who's discouraged. The one who's ready to give up and about to throw in the towel. Don't do it. These words are for you! To help you keep going.

I remember a couple years ago, and I distinctly remember it was April 15. Ya know, the income tax filing deadline. I went by the Post Office after our nightly, Holy Week worship to get a mailing box for Easter. But no sooner had I gone in, then there was this stream of people who came in and asked me, "Can I get this postmarked for April 15?" They, of course, had an envelope with their tax return inside. I told them that they'd need to go to the downtown branch, which is only fifteen minutes away. Surprisingly, all but one of them said, "Aaaaaa, I don't care if I get the penalty." And then they just put their tax returns in the mail slot. In other words, they had done all the work to get their taxes in on time, and just fifteen minutes from their goal, they quit. They quit. So close. But they quit.

This is what today's Bible verse is about. God tells us to keep running the race of faith. Run with endurance. Don't quit. Whatever's going on in your life, the Lord is working on it and walking with you. And therefore you are always so close to seeing God's encouragement with your situation and maybe even God's resolution that brings your problem to an end.

So don't just "mail it in." Hang in there. Keep going. The Lord is with you to be your strength so that you can "run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1c)

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Tues, 04/22/16, "Day of Praise"

Luke 22:19 - "And [Jesus] took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'"

Yesterday, I saw my brother and me on a neighbor's front lawn, playing catch with a ball and gloves. Well, it wasn't actually us. But that seven year-old boy sure did look the height and build of my brother forty-six years ago. He was tall and slender. And that five year-old boy sure did look like me. He was, well, not tall and not slender.

Isn't it amazing how we can see something, like kids playing, or smell something, like freshly cut grass, or hear a song, like Billy Joel's "Movin' Out," and it takes us to a memory as if we are actually in that place in time and with those people that we shared those days?

That's what Jesus established in today's Bible verse, which took place a few days before Jesus's death and resurrection that we remember emphatically this Holy Week. Jesus established a memory. Jesus spoke of bread and how it would be a powerful memory tool when they ate the bread remembering Jesus.

The memory that Jesus established was very much like my seeing those boys playing ball and the flood of memories that spilled forth.

With one huge exception.

Jesus does not tell the disciples that it's as if he is there when they give thanks and eat bread in his memory. Jesus says that he actually is indeed there with them when they give thanks and eat bread in his memory. Note the words in the verse! "And [Jesus] took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you.'" (Luke 22:19)

Friends, may you know Jesus's presence and his fellowship with you as you remember his great love poured out for you both on his cross, once and for all, and also when the fellowship of believers shares the gift of Holy Communion as many churches do on Sundays and on this coming Maundy Thursday of this special Holy Week.

Praise God!

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Tues, 04/22/16, "Day of Praise"

Luke 22:19 - "And [Jesus] took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'"

Yesterday, I saw my brother and me on a neighbor's front lawn, playing catch with a ball and gloves. Well, it wasn't actually us. But that seven year-old boy sure did look the height and build of my brother forty-six years ago. He was tall and slender. And that five year-old boy sure did look like me. He was, well, not tall and not slender.

Isn't it amazing how we can see something, like kids playing, or smell something, like freshly cut grass, or hear a song, like Billy Joel's "Movin' Out," and it takes us to a memory as if we are actually in that place in time and with those people that we shared those days?

That's what Jesus established in today's Bible verse, which took place a few days before Jesus's death and resurrection that we remember emphatically this Holy Week. Jesus established a memory. Jesus spoke of bread and how it would be a powerful memory tool when they ate the bread remembering Jesus.

The memory that Jesus established was very much like my seeing those boys playing ball and the flood of memories that spilled forth.

With one huge exception.

Jesus does not tell the disciples that it's as if he is there when they give thanks and eat bread in his memory. Jesus says that he actually is indeed there with them when they give thanks and eat bread in his memory. Note the words in the verse! "And [Jesus] took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you.'" (Luke 22:19)

Friends, may you know Jesus's presence and his fellowship with you as you remember his great love poured out for you both on his cross, once and for all, and also when the fellowship of believers shares the gift of Holy Communion as many churches do on Sundays and on this coming Maundy Thursday of this special Holy Week.

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Mo, 03/21/16, "Day of Praise"

Leviticus 16:30 - "For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins."

I am very grateful for all the people who, in various settings, clean up after me. Really.

The problem sometimes, though, is that I can't find something because I knew where it was, but after somebody cleans up after me, then I don't know where it is. Like yesterday in our morning worship. I had a scripture sheet in the pulpit that I needed for both worship times. At the beginning of our second worship, I noticed that someone had cleaned up after me. That was a problem because I needed my scripture.

On the other hand, the good thing sometimes is that I can't find something because I knew where it was, but after somebody cleans up after me, then I don't know where it is. Like in today's Bible verse. God tells how he cleans up after me, namely, how he cleans up my sin. My sin was there. But, pooooof!!! God cleans up after me, and it's gone. So I can't find it anymore. Ya know, to worry about it, to feel guilty about it. My sins are gone. I've been set free. My sinless Savior has died for me. And that's a good thing.

Today is Monday of Holy Week, which is the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Many people take each day in Holy Week to focus on the work of Jesus, who went to the cross for us all.

Let's start Holy Week by thinking about and thanking God for cleaning up after us through the cross of Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Jesus.

Praise God!

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Mo, 03/21/16, "Day of Praise"

Leviticus 16:30 - "For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins."

I am very grateful for all the people who, in various settings, clean up after me. Really.

The problem sometimes, though, is that I can't find something because I knew where it was, but after somebody cleans up after me, then I don't know where it is. Like yesterday in our morning worship. I had a scripture sheet in the pulpit that I needed for both worship times. At the beginning of our second worship, I noticed that someone had cleaned up after me. That was a problem because I needed my scripture.

On the other hand, the good thing sometimes is that I can't find something because I knew where it was, but after somebody cleans up after me, then I don't know where it is. Like in today's Bible verse. God tells how he cleans up after me, namely, how he cleans up my sin. My sin was there. But, pooooof!!! God cleans up after me, and it's gone. So I can't find it anymore. Ya know, to worry about it, to feel guilty about it. My sins are gone. I've been set free. My sinless Savior has died for me. And that's a good thing.

Today is Monday of Holy Week, which is the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Many people take each day in Holy Week to focus on the work of Jesus, who went to the cross for us all.

Let's start Holy Week by thinking about and thanking God for cleaning up after us through the cross of Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Jesus.

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Sat, 03/19/16, "Day of Praise"

John 10:10 - "[Jesus said,] I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Here's a summary of what Jesus just did with what Jesus just said -- "Know yourself and get better at being you." 

What is the one thing you're here to do? Do that well! And tell other people how you can bless their lives with that one thing that you're about.

That's what Jesus did. He knew himself and the one thing he was here to do. He did that well! And he told us how he can bless our lives with that one thing that he's about. Jesus said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

So, are you a church? Help people to take their next step in knowing God personally through Jesus. It may be inviting someone to take the first step in knowing God personally, which is to put their faith in Jesus as their Savior. It may be inviting someone to take a further step in knowing God personally, which is to follow Jesus as their Lord, surrendering some area of life to the Lord where they themselves have previously held control.

Are you a husband? Learn to be blessed and receive love from the greatest husband, which is both God to the bride of his people and also Jesus to the bride of his church, and then be blessed by giving that love to your wife.

Are you a student? A parent? A boss? An employee? Learn from God and his word how to be you and what it means to be you. Know yourself in the light of God's word, and do well the one thing you're here to do. You will bless the lives of many, which God made us eager to do!

Dear Lord, you made each of us in a unique and wonderful way. You bless us. Help us to know our own selves in the light of your word, which shapes and molds and prunes and matures us so we can be what you made us eager to be, namely, a blessing to others. We love you, Lord. Thank you for being our great and wonderful God, who daily shows us your perfect love in Jesus Christ. Amen!

Praise God!

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Sat, 03/19/16, "Day of Praise"

John 10:10 - "[Jesus said,] I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Here's a summary of what Jesus just did with what Jesus just said -- "Know yourself and get better at being you." 

What is the one thing you're here to do? Do that well! And tell other people how you can bless their lives with that one thing that you're about.

That's what Jesus did. He knew himself and the one thing he was here to do. He did that well! And he told us how he can bless our lives with that one thing that he's about. Jesus said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

So, are you a church? Help people to take their next step in knowing God personally through Jesus. It may be inviting someone to take the first step in knowing God personally, which is to put their faith in Jesus as their Savior. It may be inviting someone to take a further step in knowing God personally, which is to follow Jesus as their Lord, surrendering some area of life to the Lord where they themselves have previously held control.

Are you a husband? Learn to be blessed and receive love from the greatest husband, which is both God to the bride of his people and also Jesus to the bride of his church, and then be blessed by giving that love to your wife.

Are you a student? A parent? A boss? An employee? Learn from God and his word how to be you and what it means to be you. Know yourself in the light of God's word, and do well the one thing you're here to do. You will bless the lives of many, which God made us eager to do!

Dear Lord, you made each of us in a unique and wonderful way. You bless us. Help us to know our own selves in the light of your word, which shapes and molds and prunes and matures us so we can be what you made us eager to be, namely, a blessing to others. We love you, Lord. Thank you for being our great and wonderful God, who daily shows us your perfect love in Jesus Christ. Amen!

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Fri, 03/18/16, "Day of Praise"

1 Kings 17:14 - [Elijah said to the widow,] "For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.'"

Have you ever wondered if you were going to run out? Ya know! Are you going to run out of patience? Or courage? Or money? Or food? Or strength?

I remember a time I thought I was going to run out of gas. My car dashboard meter said I had fifteen miles of gas for the eight miles I needed to go. In less than a mile, the meter said I had two miles of gas remaining. Do the math! Problem! And lots of praying, since part of the trip was getting my son to his high school football team workout at six a.m. on dark lonely roads. I thanked God when we didn't run out. I mean, who else would you thank when your fears of running out don't come true?

Have you ever wondered if you were going to run out? Of anything? Today's Bible story is about a widow and her son who were sure they and their provision were done. But God spoke through Elijah and told her "The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty." God's call was for her, and God's call is for us, to stop living as if our provision is done.

Because we think we're going to run out.  

Ultimately, none of us knows if we'll have enough, but we do know the Lord who provides. 

Sometimes I myself wonder if I'll have enough Day of Praise stories to keep this thing going.

And then, I'll step off an hospital elevator and someone asks, "Did you see anyone in a wheelchair down there?" I stop for a moment and say, "Is this a trick question? This is a hospital. It has lots of wheelchairs!" Now, that would be a good story to go with a Day of Praise.

And then, I'll bump into someone who tells me they went shooting chickens earlier that day. I ask 'em if indeed they'd killed any. They look at me funny and say they were taking pictures, shooting a camera, not a gun. Hey, how was I to know that people do photo-ops with chickens? Now, that would be a good story to go with a Day of Praise.

And then, yesterday, somebody else's huuuuuuuuge mistake erased my work. Aaaaaaa, frustrated! I wanted to grab from my chocolate stash in my desk. But I gave up chocolate and sweets for Lent, so the Holy Spirit tells me to reach for Christ instead. And that would be a good Day of Praise story too.

Oops! I just used my stash of Day of Praise stories.

Will I have something come to mind for tomorrow? Will I have enough?

Ya know, I don't know!

None of us ever really knows if we're going to run out of patience. Or courage. Or money. Or food. Or strength. Or stories, but we do know the Lord who provides!

Praise God!

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Fri, 03/18/16, "Day of Praise"

1 Kings 17:14 - [Elijah said to the widow,] "For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.'"

Have you ever wondered if you were going to run out? Ya know! Are you going to run out of patience? Or courage? Or money? Or food? Or strength?

I remember a time I thought I was going to run out of gas. My car dashboard meter said I had fifteen miles of gas for the eight miles I needed to go. In less than a mile, the meter said I had two miles of gas remaining. Do the math! Problem! And lots of praying, since part of the trip was getting my son to his high school football team workout at six a.m. on dark lonely roads. I thanked God when we didn't run out. I mean, who else would you thank when your fears of running out don't come true?

Have you ever wondered if you were going to run out? Of anything? Today's Bible story is about a widow and her son who were sure they and their provision were done. But God spoke through Elijah and told her "The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty." God's call was for her, and God's call is for us, to stop living as if our provision is done.

Because we think we're going to run out.  

Ultimately, none of us knows if we'll have enough, but we do know the Lord who provides. 

Sometimes I myself wonder if I'll have enough Day of Praise stories to keep this thing going.

And then, I'll step off an hospital elevator and someone asks, "Did you see anyone in a wheelchair down there?" I stop for a moment and say, "Is this a trick question? This is a hospital. It has lots of wheelchairs!" Now, that would be a good story to go with a Day of Praise.

And then, I'll bump into someone who tells me they went shooting chickens earlier that day. I ask 'em if indeed they'd killed any. They look at me funny and say they were taking pictures, shooting a camera, not a gun. Hey, how was I to know that people do photo-ops with chickens? Now, that would be a good story to go with a Day of Praise.

And then, yesterday, somebody else's huuuuuuuuge mistake erased my work. Aaaaaaa, frustrated! I wanted to grab from my chocolate stash in my desk. But I gave up chocolate and sweets for Lent, so the Holy Spirit tells me to reach for Christ instead. And that would be a good Day of Praise story too.

Oops! I just used my stash of Day of Praise stories.

Will I have something come to mind for tomorrow? Will I have enough?

Ya know, I don't know!

None of us ever really knows if we're going to run out of patience. Or courage. Or money. Or food. Or strength. Or stories, but we do know the Lord who provides!

Praise God!