Day of Praise

Tues, 08/01/17, "Day of Praise" 

Yesterday was one of those days that many faithful followers of Jesus told me that they felt the evil one coming at them with every weight, wile, and deception. So, I thought I'd resend this little reminder of the fact that every believer and follower of Jesus does indeed get Satan's best shot on a regular basis. But every believer and follower of Jesus also walks in the full authority and power of the sovereign and victorious living God through faith in Jesus Christ and the power of Holy Spirit. So, let's go into the day, Friends, in the strength and power of The One who alone is Lord of all and over all. To God be the glory!!!

Here's the deal! 

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." - 2 Corinthians 5:20 

You are the story today. 

Look in the mirror sometime today, and read the following script. 

"____(your name)____ is our top story today. In an amazing turnaround, ____(your name)____, who used to be an enemy of Almighty God because of her/his sinful nature, is now, believe it or not, an ambassador of the very same God. Because of his/her faith in God's Son, Jesus, ____(your name)____ now lives and walks into every situation with the full authority, power, and benefits of the Living God. This turn of events all started when God sent his Son to restore harmony to His relationship with ____(your name)____ by trading places with ____(your name)____. God's Son took the place of ____(your name)____ on the shameful death instrument of a cross, which publicly humiliates and tortures to death anyone who is so audacious as to challenge the One who is rightfully in authority. However, even the worst death could not keep its hold on God's Son, since, in actuality, he himself had done nothing wrong. Therefore, God's Son broke free from death, rose from the grave, and now lives at God's hand of blessing. And, because ____(your name)____ has fellowship with God's Son through faith in Him, ____(your name)____ also has the indwelling and power of God's Holy Spirit available to her/him if she/he will ask God to give it each day. So blessed is ____(your name)____, that ____(your name)____ shares with God's Son both in the good standing that the Son has with the Father and also in every blessing that streams from God's hand. We will continue to follow this story, as we are all interested to see the new confidence that ____(your name)____ has while meeting the challenges and enjoying the peace-filled moments of this new day." 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Monday, 07/31/17, "Day of Praise" 

"Jesus said, 'It is I; do not be afraid!'" - John 6:20 

Yes, there will always be storms in life. 

And yes, Jesus will always be with you. 

So do not be afraid. 

Meet the day and everything within your day with courage, believing that Jesus is with you, giving you peace in the midst of the storm and guidance to find your way through it. 

And encourage others to trust the same. 

Praise God! 

Feedback Day of Praise

Partial Feedback Friday, 07/28/17, "Day of Praise"

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." - John 4:34-35 

Thank you, ALL! Your replies really ministered to me as I know they'll minister to all of you as you read through them. There were so many, though, that this will need to be in at least 2 lists, so please forgive me if yours isn't on yet. Additionally, I included some of my favorites from a couple years ago that y'all sent, so to many of you, thank you for sending your replies and encouragements now and then! And please remember that we created this list to encourage each other with a list of things we can say to others to give them the Spiritual Food of Jesus. Here ya go --- 

1. Without Jesus I wouldn't have renewal day by day. 

2. Without Jesus we wouldn't have each other. 

3. Without Jesus we wouldn't carry peace and joy. 

4. Without Jesus I wouldn't know what it means to truly love others.

5. Without Jesus I wouldn't know how to have compassion for others.

6. Without Jesus I wouldn't know that God forgives our sins.

7. Without Jesus I wouldn't have my passion for animals and all Gods creatures.

8. Without Jesus, I wouldn't have someone that I could lay my problems on and let him ease my burden. 

9. Without God who would I go to when life seems hopeless.

10. I think if it wasn't for Jesus in my life I would struggle to make hard decisions. 

11. With Jesus, God provides peace!

12. A part of God, The Holy Spirit, lives inside of little, imperfect me, all because Jesus made me clean!

13. Community, definitely better with Christ.

14. Without Jesus, I wouldn't have Hope! And I wouldn't have a healing heart/my heart is healing with Jesus!

15.  I wouldn't have peace!

16.  I wouldn't have Forgiveness!

17.  Without Jesus I wouldn't have joy!

18. Without Jesus, I would be alone.

19. No peace!

20 - No everlasting life in Heaven!

21 - I wouldn't know how to love!

22 - I would not know what TRUE love is.

23 - Without Jesus I would not have hope of resurrection.

24 - No hope. Life would just be passing time until I die.

 

25 - I would not have my family. 

26 - Jesus gives me hope!

27 - My children's future!

28 - "I have a new beginning every morning"

29 - I will have eternal life in heaven.

30 - The assurance of everlasting life with my LORD and savior. 

31 - Without Christ I wouldn't have a light to my path!

32 - HOPE

33 - I wouldn't have the grace of God!

34 - My life would be worse if I didn't have the "assurance" Jesus gives. 

35 - I have "HOPE" because I have Jesus in my life.​

36 - Without Jesus, I would be on my own for direction. With Him, I can ask for His guidance and know He wants the best for me. 

37 - Without Jesus, I would have no hope or belief for the day or the rest of my life!

38 - Without Jesus, I'd be in the dark, without direction!

39 - I would feel desperate, and helpless, to face all the challenges of each day. And, my life would be filled with fear.… Fear of the future.

40 - With Jesus I have hope for both eternal and everlasting life. 

41 - Without Jesus, I would have no one to go to for spiritual healing.

42 - We wouldn't have HOPE for everlasting Life ... or anything else for that matter!

43 - Without Christ in my life I wouldn't have the power to bring hope, healing and salvation to a lost and dying world.

44 - Without Jesus I'd still be living in sin and death under the Law. With Jesus I have freedom and life! Praise God that He sent Jesus!

45 - Without Jesus I wouldn't have eternal joy and hope!

46 - Without Jesus in my life, I would not know the Rock and the foundation that Jesus provides me through his grace and salvation.

47 - Without Jesus I have no hope for freedom from the power of sin & death 

BUT

With Jesus I have the power of Jesus to be free from the power of sin & death! Praise God!! :)

48 - With Jesus, I am better because in Him all of this (life) past and present makes more sense when we know He is in control and the battle has already been won!

49 - Life is better with Jesus because Jesus loves me 100% and knows how many hairs are on my head and knows what is best for me at all times. I know he is in my corner and will always be there. 

50 - Without Jesus, I would be the "old" me. I would be full of self doubt, pain and anguish over my past. I would be angry at the world. I would still be searching for the "thing" that would heal my heart. Now in the words of Chris Tomlin's remake of Amazing Grace... "My chains are gone. I've been set free. My God my Savior has ransomed me..." I am free. I am Shelley made whole by the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

51 - Without Jesus I wouldn't have peace and love but, mostly, without Jesus I just "wouldn't have".

52 - The ability to put things I've done and feel badly about behind me.

53 - My feeling, without Jesus, we would have no reason for hope and forgiveness.

54 - Without Christ, my life would be worse because I wouldn't have hope when things get rough.  With Him, I have hope knowing that the story ends in victory!

55 - Jesus is my all... I would be nothing and have nothing without Him......He protects me each and every day....Praise God!!!

56 - Because of Jesus, I have a constant friend with me at all times - no loneliness - and He's one who knows everything about me and loves me anyway!

57 - Without Jesus I would not have the heart or common sense to not trash our earth or to physically hurt others.

58 - Without Jesus I wouldn't know how real love feels. My life is better with Jesus because I was born to serve the Lord. Therefore I'm fulfilled daily as I do His will.

59 - Without Jesus in my life I wouldn't have anyone to rely on and trust purely out of love. I have been used and taken advantage of so much in my life already and Jesus is the only one I can trust who truly loves me for me and isn't there for his own self gain.

60 - Without Jesus I would not have a life. I cannot live without our Saviour Jesus Christ.

61 - Without Jesus my life would be without meaning.

62 - Without Christ, I would NEVER have made it thru some major personal crises. With Christ, I have joy, and a chance to improve myself, and live better, each day!

63 - My life would be worse without Jesus because I would have to depend on the world for my happiness. Without Jesus there would be no hope and no happiness, The world will provide some temporary happiness, some good times, and some down times, and ultimately will fail you, but Jesus will never fail you or let you down. So, without Jesus, I would have to depend on the world for my happiness.

64 - With Jesus: 1.  Our marriage is better with Jesus in it (both of us love Jesus)
2.  The loss of a son/loved one is easier to reconcile knowing that Jesus died and was resurrected.  Basically believing in God's promises that Jesus lived out as our living God.

65 - Without Jesus I would not have nourishment for my soul. I believe this is what Jesus was talking about. He had just encountered a woman and spoke truth to her. Ever spoke truth, had your soul nourished, and been too full to eat food? Jesus responded to the disciples statement of "You must be hungry."

66 - With Jesus, I have - 1. The promise of eternal life. 2. Grace and forgiveness. 3. I'm such a better husband/parent with him in my life. 4. Doing work for Jesus is always great. 5. Jesus never changes and never lets me down.

67 - I can't imagine my life without Christ in my life. Not knowing that I will have an eternal is unimaginable. I thank God each day for the beauty that is shown to me each day! The harvest continues!

68 - My life would be empty and depressing without Christ. My life is enriched daily from the love of Christ through his word and through those who serve him.

69 - Without Christ and His peace, my anxiety would be unbearable. 

70 - Without Jesus I wouldn't have Love.

71 - Sorry Pastor, can't limit it to one thing. EVERYTHING about our lives would be worse!!!

72 - Growing old is better with Jesus for believers who are ready to turn away from our own preference and let the Holy Spirit lead the way.

73 - It's hard to send just one....so how about in Christ Jesus we have Assurance!! And with this comes freedom in Him and thankfulness in Him. It's hard to beat being overwhelmed in thankfulness. It leaves no room for fear or worries.

74 - Without Christ in my life I wouldn't be here. People kept sending me words of encouragement and in my darkest hour He was there. I wouldn't have had the courage and strength to go on. I would have turned to drugs, alcohol or food (which would have done me in) or worse.

Day of Praise

Thur, 07/27/17, "Day of Praise" 

The Lord said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 
"The Lord bless you and keep you; 
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."'" - Numbers 6:22-26 

May God bless you and yours on this day and always. Happy Thursday! 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Wed, 07/26/17, "Day of Praise"

Since so many Day of Praisers have been having fun with the "sweet" devotion from a couple days ago. I decided to dig up and repost another sweet devotion from the past. This was from April of 2013, but ironically we just had our annual Dessert Auction benefitting Christian Service Mission this past Sunday, July 23. So here's the sweet Dessert Auction devotion. 

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind." - Philippians 2:1-2

It may have been the sweetest, most innocent, act of love that I've ever seen. 

Yesterday, our church had it's annual Dessert Auction. It's a fun fellowship event to raise money for a ministry in the community. This year we actually had an auctioneer. 

The auctioneer looked over the dessert table and said something to the effect of, "Okay, it's time for us to take bids on pieing Pastor Scott. Who wants to give a pie to Pastor Scott?" 

Everybody cheered, and our Associate Pastor chuckled loudly as he always does because he's just like that, having a fun-loving personality that also taught our Confirmation Class youth on Saturday how to get a noodle up their nostril and out their mouth. 

So this fund-raiser was going great, and it was about to get even better because bids were now coming in to give a whipped cream pie to Pastor Scott. Ya know, somebody was gonna give it to him. 

So people are waving their whatever-they're-called bidding things made of tongue-depressors glued to a big index card with "Christ the King Lutheran" printed on it, and in one dollar increments, the bids are now over $20 to "give a whipped cream pie to Pastor Scott!!!"

"$21, I have 21. Is there 22. $22. Is there $23. 23. 24. 25. $25. Do I have 26? 26? 26? Going once, twice, three times. Sold to the young man for $25. C'mon up here Pastor Scott. Conner is gonna give you a whipped creme pie."

So Pastor Scott comes up with his big smile and loud chuckles, saying "Ok Conner, give it to me!!!" 

Pastor Scott turns and faces everyone. The Dessert Auction leader puts a big towel around Pastor Scott's chest and shoulders so the whipped creme doesn't ruin his pastor shirt...too bad. And everyone's yelling, having a great ol' time. "Give it to him, Conner!!! Give it to Pastor Scott!" And here comes Conner with the pie. Pastor Scott has his eyes closed. 

And Conner gives it to him. 

It was a sight that many of us will never forget. Here's this kind-hearted, always hugging, 4th grade boy, who's just standing in front of Pastor Scott with a huge smile and two hands under the whipped-cream-filled pie tin, holding it front of Pastor Scott, as if to say, "Here! I'm giving it to you. When are you gonna take it?"

Everybody's yelling, "Give it to him!!! Give it to him!!!" And Conner's smile is just growing as he inches the tin closer to Pastor Scott, waiting for Pastor Scott to take it! 

He had no idea that he was supposed to smack Pastor Scott in the face with it. No idea!

Which means that this little boy had spent $25 (which I know is huuuuuge to him) simply to give a pie to his friend, Pastor Scott. 

Amazing. Innocence. Fun-loving, kind-hearted, sacrificial love. 

We need more of that. 

Give it to us, Lord! We'll even take it, right in the face. 

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind." - Philippians 2:1-2

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Tues, 07/25/17, "Day of Praise" 

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." - Matthew 9:36 

There will be lots of opportunity to practice having compassion for others today. Every single one of us needs it. 

Let us pray for one another. 

And may God, who has compassion for us all, help us all have compassion for one another. 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Mon, 07/24/17, "Day of Praise"

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." - Proverbs 16:24

As I begin to write this, I wonder if I should because I can hear multiple replies coming back to me, asking me if I'm talking about a revelation in the world of sport, or a court decision on marriage, or about a comment that was made to me recently. 

No. I'm not talking to anybody or any situation in the news or any comment in particular. The scriptures I "pick" come from random sources, so I have no idea what scripture is going to pop up. 

What popped up is "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24). 

And what immediately popped into my mind is that I do not like to be called "sweet," except by my wife and daughters and a very few others. 

I have hard conversations with my son from time to time. I try to be calm and clear about my sentiments and what needs to be done. I am calm and clear. Not sweet. 

I had a hard conversation with my next door neighbor one time. I was calm and clear about my sentiments and what I hoped would be done. I was calm and clear. Not sweet. 

I was encouraging to a sister in Christ recently. I was calm and clear about God's sentiments toward an injustice done to her...an injustice done to her in the name of Jesus, no less. I was calm and clear and encouraging. Not sweet. 

I don't take myself too seriously though, so I laugh, as I know at least four people who are going to read this and then come to me today and call me "sweet." Just to get under my skin. We'll laugh. And I'll poke some fun back at them. But that's fun, not sweet. 

But as much I don't like to be called "sweet," it is just that much that I do like to speak sweet words. Gracious words. Healing words. After all, like God says, "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24).

I know from experience how sweet words, gracious words, healing words are game changers. Life changers. 

Now, don't get me wrong. My flesh doesn't always like to hear these sweet, gracious, healing, and life changing words. I mean, who wants to be told they're a sinner, even if you tell me in a sweet way?!?!?!?

I've stopped counting how many times I've talked to someone and said, "God says that what you're doing doesn't work. And as such, it's sin." 

What I've stopped counting is how many times a person responds with, "I'm not a bad person." 

So I have to say, "I didn't say you were bad. I said you're sinning. And you're not going to see all the awesome things that God has prepared for you unless you repent and ask God to keep sending His Holy Spirit to change your heart and your ways."

I mean, who likes to hear that, no matter how sweet you say it to me or me to you?

And yet, I am so thankful for people who were in my life (God, give rest to their souls) and people who are in my life who, well...who were calm and clear and spoke to me. Words that, ironically, I didn't want to hear. Because they were hard to hear. Because they went against the grain of what the world might accept and support. 

They were words that went against what, on the one hand, are actions that may seem harmless to me, but, on the other hand, are actions that God says plainly are the ruin of my soul. 

And when those hard words, God's words, were spoken calmly and clearly to me, they became sweet words, gracious words, healing words. Game changers. Life changers.

So ya see, because sweet words have been spoken to me, I am, like you are, honored to have the opportunity to calmly and clearly speak sweet words to somebody else. 

Just, please, please, don't call me sweet. 

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." - Proverbs 16:24

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Sat, 07/22/17, "Day of Praise"

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." - John 4:34-35 

I want to eat the same good food as Jesus. I bet you do too. 

What is his good food? In today's verses, Jesus makes it plain. His good food is to do the will of Father God who sent him. And the will of the Father is gathering the harvest, which is bringing people to a saving, life-changing, eternal relationship with the Lord through Jesus. 

In sum, we'd say, if we want to eat Jesus' food, then we must bring people to Christ. 

Now, don't get scared. All we need to do is make a list like we did a couple years ago. On this new list, we're simply going to put the 75-100 things that would be worse about our lives without Christ, such as "without Jesus I wouldn't have forgiveness" or "I wouldn't have hope" or "I wouldn't have a reason to live." 

Seriously, let's make a list. Right now. Hit "reply", and send in one thing that would be worse about your life without Christ, or make it positive with one thing that is better in your life because Jesus is in it.

And then, sometime this week, we'll send out your 75-100 reasons why people need Jesus, which will be the same 75-100 reasons why we're compelled to share Jesus with the world, one person at a time. 

I look forward to hearing one thing from you. This will be fun and encouraging to us all so that we'll be a team in sharing Jesus with all people. 

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." - John 4:34-35 

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Fri, 07/21/17, "Day of Praise"

"...and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ." - 1 Corinthians 10:4

Some of you really need this verse from God's word today. All of God's word is useful (2 Timothy 3:16), but I just know many of you need this because you've kindly shared, and I pray for the hard spots that are before you today. I suppose it's kinda poetic, but it's straight from scripture. So call it what you will. 

Ok, here's the deal. This is what today's verse means for your day. 

Picture this. You're walking in a wilderness. A very big, dry, hot wilderness. You've been walking in that very big, dry, hot wilderness for quite a while. 

You're thirsty. 

Very thirsty. 

God says, "Hey, there's a rock. Speak to it, and it will pour forth all the sweet, cool, satisfying water that you could ever dream of."

But you're so thirsty and sweaty hot and tired and frustrated and irritated that your will asserts itself over God's word. So you strike the rock instead of speaking to it. Yes, water comes out, but it's bitter instead of sweet. It's hot instead of cool. And it's less than satisfying instead of totally satisfying as God had promised. 

This really happened with Moses and Aaron long ago, as recorded in Numbers 20. 

And this is what it means for you. 

Sometime today, maybe at the start of your day, you're going to reach your limit. Frustrated. Irritable. You'll be in the spot between the proverbial rock and the hard place. The hard place is, well, a hard place. The rock is Christ; (remember today's verse from 1 Corinthians 10:4, "that rock was Christ.") 

God's going to say to you, "Hey, there's a rock. Speak to it, and it will pour forth all the sweet, cool, satisfying water that you could ever dream of."

What God means is this. Look at your hard place. Smile. Then look at Jesus, your rock, and then speak to him, (you don't have to yell at Jesus, which is tantamount to striking the rock). You calmly say, "Lord, you're the Lord. Please do something about this."

And he will. 

Your job is to believe that he will, to watch him do something about it (in his time!!!), and to chuckle, saying, "Cooooool!"

As in "sweet, cool, satisfying water" like you never could imagine or dream of. 

Because it came from a rock. 

"...and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ." - 1 Corinthians 10:4

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Thur, 07/20/17, "Day of Praise"

"[Jesus said,] Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." - John 14:1

I loved being a kid. Everyday, for the most part, was fun. I really don't remember ever planning anything. I just woke up, and then I either played or did what I was told to do. Of course, when I finished what I was told to do, then I could go back to playing. 

What a wonderful life--being a kid and all. 

And then one day, (I don't quite remember when), I grew up. 

Every single day had a plan. I had to do this. I had to study for that. I couldn't forget that one thing. And I had to help out with the other thing. 

Now life was filled with things that others told me to do. And then when I was done with their things, I didn't go back to playing. I needed to do my things. 

I was a grown up.

There was one thing, though, that I didn't ever plan for, but it seemed to always find it's way into my schedule, namely, trouble. Heart trouble. No, not physical heart trouble, though in October 1999, I flat-lined twice, but that's a story for another day. 

No, the heart trouble that found its way into my schedule was not physical. It was spiritual, relational-to-God heart trouble. 

The reason the heart trouble would find its way into my schedule is because I would pretty much leave the Lord out of my schedule. 

Unless, of course, the Lord was scheduled into my schedule. 

Ya know, like "I gotta go to church." Or "I gotta go to Bible study." Or "I gotta...". You get the point. 

But here's God's point in today's verse: God doesn't want to be scheduled into our life. He wants to be our life. He doesn't want to be, "If all else fails, then I'll try God." He wants to be our Plan!!! As in "Here's the way my day's gonna go; it's gonna go God's Way." That's why Jesus said (shortly after today's verse), "I am the Way!"

And if God is my plan for the day, if God is my Way through Christ, then when something tries to find it's way into my schedule that's not planned, namely, trouble, then guess what? I'm not gonna let it in. I'm not gonna let my heart be troubled because if God is leading my schedule, then trouble's gonna have to get through The Scheduler. And if The Scheduler lets something in, then he will also put boundaries on whatever he lets in because God is in charge of trouble and anything else that might come our way. 

We need only to believe. 

"[Jesus said,] Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." - John 14:1

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Wed, 07/19/17, "Day of Praise" 

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." - James 1:22 

Whenever you face trials... 
When your faith is being tested... 
Whenever you need faith... 
When you have to persevere... 
Whenever you're being pushed to mature... 
When you're lacking... 
Whenever you need wisdom... 
When you feel unstable... 
Whenever you find yourself in humble circumstances... 
When you feel humiliated... 
Whenever you feel "under the heat".... 
When you're under trial... 
Whenever temptation comes... 
When anger is welling up... 
Whenever evil is lurking near... 
In sum, when the next round of dIfficulty and trouble come... 

I have never heard anyone cry out... 
Oh, I just want to study. 
And I've never heard... 
Oh, I just want to think. 
And I've not heard... 
Oh, I just want more information. 
And I don't hear anyone say... 
Oh, I just want to listen. 

No. 

Whenever you feel "under the heat".... 
When you're under trial... 
Whenever temptation comes... 
When anger is welling up... 
Whenever evil is lurking near... 
In sum, when the next round of dIfficulty and trouble comes... 

I always hear people say... 
In some way, shape, or form... 
I want to live. 

That's why, God, in today's verse, says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22) 

So you can. 

Live, that is. 

Because to live is to live God's word. 

Not just study it, think about it, get more information about it, or listen to it. 

To live, when it's good times or bad, is to believe God at his word and then to, the proverbial, put your money where your mouth is and live what you say you believe. 

I'm not making this stuff up. Read the Bible for yourself, specifically the whole of the book of James, chapter 1. 

And there you'll see, in sum, whether it's hard times or good, if you want to live and live well, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22) 

Dear God, please help us to do so today. 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Tues, 07/18/17, "Day of Praise" 

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." - 1 John 2:1 

Whew! Now we can enjoy our day, knowing that if we mess up, then Jesus has got us covered! 

Happy Day! 

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." - 1 John 2:1

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Mon, 07/17/17, "Day of Praise" 

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

When I was a kid, I liked going to the doctor and the dentist. Dr. White and Dr. Montgomery apparently were great at their trades. All I knew was they were nice. They never made me feel bad when something needed healing or fixing, even if it was my fault for its condition. But the bottom line, they made sure I knew if something was out of whack, and they took care of it. 

Jesus does the same thing. Tell your unbelieving friends that there's no need to run from Jesus. Jesus doesn't make us feel bad when something needs healing or fixing, even if it is our fault for its condition. He makes sure we know if something is out of whack, and he takes care of it. 

In sum, there's no need to act like we've got it all together, when we don't. God (in Romans 3:10) makes it clear, "There is no one righteous, not even one." We all need a doctor, the Great Physician. 

I know from experience, and I hope you do too, that Jesus can make things a whole lot better. So bring him your messes, your wounds, your mistakes, your broken hearts. The Great Doctor is here for you! 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Sat, 07/15/17, "Day of Praise"

"[The father said,] 'But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.'
'"If you can"?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'
Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'" - Mark 9:22b-24

When I was a kid, a very little kid, I was in love with Hayley Mills. Ya know, Disney, Pollyanna, Parent Trap. That Hayley Mills. (If you still don't know her, Google her.)

Anyway, never mind that she was eighteen years older than me, and I was like six years old, I thought Hayley Mills was the best. 

So I asked God to do something about it. I believed that God could. 

God didn't. 

And I got over it. 

Because God did do something. God made sure I didn't wind up with Hayley Mills. 

I know this all sounds crazy. 

It's supposed to. 

Ya see, what God wants from us is a radical faith that God hears our every prayer. And moreso, God wants us to have a radical faith that God knows every movement of our heart. 

And God wants us to have a radical faith that God wants what is best for our heart. And God wants us to have a radical faith that God will use God's almighty power to do or not to do whatever God chooses because whatever God chooses to do or not to do is best for me and my heart. 

And for everybody I care about and their hearts. And for everybody God cares about and their hearts. 

Which is everybody. God cares about everybody. 

And it's a good thing that God cares about everybody because caring about everybody is far more than I myself can keep up with because I miss out on way too many things to be able to keep up with everybody because (yes, I'm human, but) I'm too busy in some silly daydream about Hayley Mills. Well, at least when I was six. I think it was some actress out of Doctor Zhivago (Google it) when I was seven. 

But God can. 

Care about everybody, that is. 

He showed it, the proverbial plain as day, when he died for everybody on a cross through Jesus. And then raised Jesus from the dead so that we'd all know that God's even got all the yucky stuff (sin, death, despair, difficulty, disappointment, dumb decisions, ridiculous day dreaming about Disney actresses, and on and on and on) in his care. 

And that's all I need to know. 

God can.

And God does. 

Care. 

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Fri, 07/14/17, "Day of Praise"

"'"If you can"?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" - Mark 9:23

I will never forget this week. Today is our last day of having Camp Noah for a group of elementary-aged children in Rainelle, West Virginia who were touched by loss of homes, personal injury, and death of loved ones when flood waters swept through this area last year, June 23, 2016. 

Our team is comprised of men and women from our church in Alabama and our sister church, Redeemer Lutheran, in Damascus, Maryland, along with the clear presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

Who would think that year after year you could drive from Maryland and Birmingham to another part of Birmingham or further to South Carolina or New Jersey or elsewhere and engage a group of kids who've been touched by disaster and who you've never met before, and have camp with them for 5 days, and see anything of lasting substance happen?

Well, we can't, but Jesus can; well, Jesus can "for one who believes" that he can! Jesus can make lasting substance happen for all to see; and it doesn't even take one day, let alone five, as we've seen again in this mission. 

Our mission trip leader, Karen, encourages us to look for God sightings each day, and we talk about the God sightings as a part of our Bible study at the end of each day. God's been sighted all over this place; the love of Jesus is overflowing; and the Holy Spirit is filling the air! Children, who came the first day with their guard up, by lunchtime their guard was down. Children who kept their distance were hugging camp servants by early afternoon of the first day and were inviting friends to come the second day! Parents were in tears of joy about Noah and Camp Noah's impact. People are saying the surrounding community is buzzing with joy. Jesus makes things happen, and fast!!!

Do you believe?

"'"If you can"?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" (Mark 9:23)

May your day be filled with anticipation as you look in faith for what God has in store for you and also for those that you yourself invite to believe that Jesus can make things happen, and fast!!! 

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Thur, 07/13/17, "Day of Praise" 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." - Ephesians 6:10-11

A popular ad campaign asks if we've got milk. Ya know, to be strong. For the day. 

A popular Bible verse (today's) asks if we have true strength. Ya know, God's strength. For the day. And for all that the world and the evil one will throw at us. 

Look to the Lord. Constantly. He'll be your strength. 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." - Ephesians 6:10-11 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Wed, 07/12/17, "Day of Praise" 

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Galatians 1:3 

Now that my second oldest is twenty-one, I can say that, for decades, I've been asking my kids "Who's with you all day (night) long?" They reply, "Jesus!" 

However, if I ask the same question to a group of preschoolers at our church, then they will say, "God and Jesus." 

It's okay, and it's good. After all, Jesus is "Emmanuel" which means "God with us." And God is with us, (God makes himself known to us), through God's Son, Jesus, by the power of Holy Spirit. 

This may all seem like a bunch of intellectual gobbledygook. But let's remember that Jesus, in John 17:3, says that eternal life is "knowing the one true God and His Son, Jesus Christ, whom He has sent." 

So, may God help us to have a full and abundant life, indeed an eternal life, by continuing to help us understand and know God personally so that we can personally help others to know Him just the same. 

Think about it! 

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Galatians 1:3 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Tues, 07/11/17, "Day of Praise" 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23 

The story goes something like this. I have liked sweets (a whole lot) since I was a little kid. The pediatrician said it was because my mom gave me baby food fruits before she gave me baby food vegetables. 

When I got past baby food the trend continued. I liked my mom's fruit salad a whole lot more than any vegetable salad she could make. I especially came to like my mom's fruit kind-of-salad called Watergate Salad, which has pineapple (fruit!), pistachio pudding (sweet!), cool whip (suuuuweeeeeeet!), and cottage cheese (so it qualifies as a salad!). 

But my favorite of all that's named above would have to be my mom's Holiday Fruit Salad. It may be exactly the same in content as her Non-Holiday Fruit Salad, but it just has to be different because it just seems tastier (sweeter) and more colorful during the holidays. There's black-red stuff and yellow-red stuff and green stuff and light purple stuff and dark purple stuff and yellow stuff and white stuff and orange stuff. Aaaah, sweeeeeet fruuuuuit salad. 

I trust you get the idea that I like my mom's sweet fruit salad. 

But as much as I obviously like my mom's sweet fruit salad, it cannot even begin to compare to God's sweet fruit salad, which is made up of nine sweet fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Mmmmm good! Pull out the serving spoons. Let's dig in and share the heavenly feast! 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Mon, 07/10/17, "Day of Praise" 

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2 

Is there anyone who knows all that Jesus has done for us who doesn't want to make him happy? 

In our heart of hearts, we all want to make Jesus happy. As a way of saying thank you. 

In today's verse, God tells us how to make Jesus happy, which is tantamount to "fulfilling the law of Christ." 

All you have to do is do something for somebody that they can't do for themselves. Or help them to do something that is more than they can do by themselves. That's what it means in today's verse to "Carry each other's burdens." 

A "load" is what someone can carry by him/herself. A "burden" is too much. 

That's what Jesus does for us. He helps us where it's more than we can do by ourselves, like giving us a way out of temptation. And he does for us what we can't do for ourselves, like paying for our sins. 

So make Jesus happy; carry somebody's burden today. Maybe two people's. There's easy ones like, if somebody lost their house in a fire, help 'em. And there's more creative ones like, if somebody's having trouble smiling, then help 'em out--maybe say a word of encouragement or act like a fool and dance like Elaine on Seinfeld. 

And just imagine if every person just did one thing a day to help somebody else with a burden. Wow! 

Now that would really make Jesus happy! 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Sat, 07/08/17, "Day of Praise" 

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." - Ecclesiastes 9:10 

My 18 year-old son and I have a running joke -- I scored 28 points in a basketball game once. 

I really did score 28 in a basketball game once. But we laugh about it because I'm not very good at basketball. My dad used to say that I played with brute strength and awkwardness. In other words, I tried hard, but I wasn't smooth and talented. 

This is what I understand God to mean in today's verse, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). 

God knows that we're not going to be smooth and talented at everything we do. But, for heaven's sake, if you're going to do something, at least try hard. And give it the best that you've got, believing that effort really does mean something to God. 

So today, if you're at work, do your job with all your might. But also if someone needs a word of encouragement, even if you're shy, then at least try. When you're out and about, try with all your might to do things in a way that's pleasing to God with kindness and honesty and cheerfulness. If your church meets on Wednesday, as ours does, then try with all your might to get there, and then try with all your might to participate and speak up in the fellowship time and in the Bible study. And sing with all your might in worship. (Please do not do like somebody I used to know who used their might to tell the people around them not to sing so loud!) 

In sum, you may not be very good at some of the things you have to do, but give God a chance to work through you. And "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). 

Who knows? Maybe, as with my 28-point basketball game, you'll have one of the greatest times of your life. But you'll never know, unless you try. 

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Fri, 07/07/17, "Day of Praise" 

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up." - Proverbs 12:25 

Father in heaven, for Jesus's sake, give us glad and cheerful hearts this day so that we can enjoy sweet fellowship with you and your people. And yet we also pray for those whose hearts are weighed down and who need your strong and gracious hand. Grant to us, O Lord, a depth of compassion and a heart overflowing with cheer and kindness so that we may be eager and able to speak in love and lighten the load for those people whose hearts are weighed down. All this we ask in the name of your dear Son, Jesus, whose death on the cross made a way for all our hearts to be gladdened and renewed. So please, Lord, stir our hearts to receive your Son in faith anew this day so that Jesus would be our strength and our cheer and Holy Spirit would be our guide, always leading us to you and your people in need. Amen. 

May God bless you all to have and to share a day full of cheer and gladness with the Lord. 

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up." - Proverbs 12:25 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Thur, 07/06/17, "Day of Praise" 

[Jesus said,] "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." - John 9:4 

When I was a kid, I didn't like to sit on the bench for any team for any sport for any game. Game time was precious, and I wanted to experience all of the game time that I could. 

Jesus says that it should be the same for us as adults. 

The clock is ticking on the game of life, so game time is extremely precious. 

Jesus surely would've known Psalm 90, verse 12, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." 

We do not have an infinite number of days, so God wants us to number our days. For where we know that the clock is ticking, we want to experience and to live each possible moment, with wisdom, not foolishness, guiding the way. 

And it is wise for us to recognize that we don't have infinite days, so we'd best be making the most of the ones that we're blessed by God's grace to have. 

So walk with God. Worship him daily. Honor his word. Love yourself as one who is loved by God. Love your neighbor as yourself. Encourage goodness. Be courageous to speak when goodness can't be found. Give your boss an honest day's work. Look for windows to invite others to Christ. Feel the rain instead of just getting wet. And add to this list as you are compelled, but add to this list within the bounds of God's word, as one with a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). 

For remember, the clock is ticking. As Jesus himself clearly said, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work" (John 9:4). 

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Wed, 07/05/17, "Day of Praise"

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

It's a good thing that God is for us. 

Because we are totally at the mercy of God. 

In today's verse, God tells us that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). 

But where does faith come from? God tells us in Ephesians 2:8-10 that faith is a gift from God!

And why do we need this faith that God gives us? 

We need this faith:
1) To believe that God even actually exists so we can believe that someone is actually there when we pray,
2) To believe that God, who exists, actually cares about what we're praying,
3) To believe that God, who cares, can actually do something for the people and about the situations in our prayers,
4) To believe that God, who can do something, may choose to actually do something that doesn't align with our timing or our will or our plans,
5) To believe that God, who may choose to do something that doesn't align with our wishes, is true to the promise of his word to actually work through all things together for good (AND THAT MEANS ALL THINGS!!!), and
6) To believe that God has confirmed all the above through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ whose shed blood made us clean from sin and whose resurrection made the Way for Almighty God to live in us so we can live a new life, the Abundant Life, by the empowerment and personal guidance of Holy Spirit. 

Without faith (that God works in us through Holy Spirit), there is no forgiveness or divine indwelling, so there's no confidence in God's promises, so there's conflict between our plans and God's, so there's no confidence that God will act, so there's no sense that God cares, so there's little reason to believe that anybody's even listening because who knows if he even exists?

And I don't know about you, but if all the above is missing from my life, I sure don't want to ask God to bless my enemies which is the only way to be free of all bitterness and resentment which eats up my insides far more than it hurts my enemies. 

And if all the above is missing from my life, I sure don't want to live generously and see the reality that even Canadian secular studies have shown where generous people have a chemical reaction in their body that actually makes them happier and calmer and more fun to be around. (Do ya think that's what God knew long before the rest of us when in 2 Corinthians 9:7 God says, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver"?)

I'll admit. It's a strange life that we believers live. It truly requires faith. But once you've tasted it, is there anyone who really doesn't want more?

And that's exactly what God wants to give us.

More!

Aaaaah, so that's what God means by "he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Tues, 07/04/17, Independence Day, "Day of Praise"

Today's devotion is a call to simplicity, prayer, and thankfulness. May such be renewed and abound in This The Greatest Country in the World! Here's today's devotional: 

"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. And 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 18-24, "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...

and to every nation who hasn't lost touch with its need for God, God's word, and God's simple promise to every nation that will pray as we hear in the Bible in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

Today's devotion is a call to simplicity, prayer, and thankfulness. May such be renewed and abound in This The Greatest Country in the World!

"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!

Day of Praise

Mon, 07/02/17, "Day of Praise"

I'm assuming some of you won't be checking email over the next couple days, so even though I'll still send out devotions each day, here's one today in the Fourth of July theme. 

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

More recent ("Flight" with Denzel Washington) and older ("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!