Thursday, August 30, 2018

Day of Praise

Fri, 08/31/18, "Day of Praise"

Hebrews 5:8-9 - "Son though he was, [Jesus] learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him."

I remember a time I was driving, and the interstate looked dry as a bone. And yet, a spray of water was springing up from under every tire that rolled down the freeway. The weight and pressure of cars and tires was revealing that which otherwise was hidden.

And so it is with suffering, according to God in today's Bible verse. The weight and pressure of suffering on the soul reveals the depth of our trust in the Lord. And in fact, God's telling us even more. The weight and pressure of suffering in our life is a way that God intends to work in our soul a deeper trust in Him. Such was the case for the Son of God himself, Jesus Christ, and so it must be for us all. God says, "Son though he was, [Jesus] learned obedience from what he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). 

Obedience is merely "supposed trust in action." Obedience is an outward sign of the trust we profess to have in our heart. If someone says they trust the Lord and they really do, then that trust will show itself in obedience when the weight of life comes at us and says, "Okay! Let's see if you trust like you say you do! Here's a situation where you can show us."

I feel so blessed. I have models of trust all around me. My wife and three children, aged 25, 23, and 19, have rarely, if ever, disrespected me in their lives. The very real physical and emotional suffering they've endured has, by God's grace, revealed a deep, abiding trust in the Lord. My wife, Amanda, blows me away with her calm and trust in the face of difficulty. My church friends, a young man named C a couple nights ago and women named J and V and C and K, all have displayed a deep abiding trust in the Lord when the weight of suffering and difficulty has pressed down on the freeway of their soul, spraying up praises to God and testimonies that God is their strength. 

When life weighs down on you today, turn to the Lord and also make time for people. Ask God to be your strength, and ask others how they're doing and how they endure in the face of difficulty. 

Jesus is our greatest example of trust and obedience in the Lord. But there's some pretty amazing examples in the people around us too because God has worked what he promises, namely, a deeper trust in him in the lives of all who will trust him when inevitable suffering and difficulty come along.

Pretty amazing!!! Don't you think?

Hebrews 5:8-9 - "Son though he was, [Jesus] learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him."

Praise God!


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

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Day of Praise

Thur, 08/30/18, "Day of Praise"

"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation." - Psalm 95:1

Some things just stick with ya. Like childhood friendships and memories.

Other things, well, ya just wish they didn't. Stick, that is. Like regrets, guilt, grief, grudges, and loneliness that aches to your bones.

My football coaches used to say, "Get up. Shake it off."

But what do ya do when, no matter how much ya shake, stuff just keeps sticking?

I have a hunch.

The reason David wrote so many Psalms, like today's verse from Psalm 95, is not just because God inspired them, but also because David needed inspiring.

In other words, he had a lot sticking to him. Regrets, guilt, grief, grudges, and loneliness that ached to his bones.

No matter how much he shook, he couldn't shake it off.

So...he grabbed hold of something more.

That would stick.

Something greater that would stick to and cover, even wipe away, the lesser sticky stuff.

Ah, yes, the Word of God.

From deep within my soul, I can remember Bible passages I learned as a kid in the church choir. Over and over, Bob "Hon" Andrews would make us sIng the greater stuff until it stuck to our soul and covered the lesser stuff that might be sticking and aching to our bones.

As it was, he made us sing, as it is, today's verse from Psalm 95, over and over again, so that, even now, I remember it deep in my soul. "Oh Come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. Oh come into his presence with thanksgiving, let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise. For the LORD is a great God and a great king above all gods."

We serve a truly awesome God, who blesses us with a truly awe-inspiring word!

May God's word stick with you today. And forever!

Praise God!


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

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Day of Praise

Wed, 08/29/18, "Day of Praise"

"Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer." - Psalm 4:1

It's probably a silly question, but I'll ask it anyway. Have you ever felt relieved?

Relieved that a loved one was safe. Relieved that a medical test came back clear. Relieved that you kept your job. Relieved that a burden was removed.

The feeling of relief has got to be on some sort of "Top 10" or at least "Top 50" list.

In today's verse, God inspires the Psalmist to cry out for relief, praying, "Give me relief from my distress."

But what happens when relief doesn't come? What should we do when the prayer isn't answered? When the loved one isn't safe? When the medical test doesn't come back clear? When you didn't keep your job, and you still haven't got the job? When the burden was not removed?

In the Bible, there are lots of cries specifically for "relief," but there are very few promises for "relief."

What actually is in the Bible, related to the word "relief," are calls for courage (as in Esther of the Old Testament) and hope (as in 2 Thessalonians).

The sum of it is this.

When you're longing for relief, first, trust that God is present with you through his word and by his spirit. Trusting in God's presence is a way to tap into his strength and to find courage to carry the burden.

Second, trust that God, who is right now present, is also the God who will come at the right time. Trusting in God's coming is a way both to find strength in the Lord right now and also to find hope that God will come and grant relief.

Today's another workday, a "mini burden." We'd love to have relief. But nothing's going to change all that comes with work.

So let's see today as an opportunity, as a mini burden, as an opportunity to trust that God is present and that God is coming. For when we trust the Lord, we'll find courage for today and hope for what is surely to come, namely, "Relief!"

"Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer." - Psalm 4:1

Praise God!


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

Monday, August 27, 2018

Day of Praise

Tues, 08/28/18, "Day of Praise"

"The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil." - Isaiah 57:1

Years ago, Rabbi Harold S. Kushner wrote a book called "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" (1981). His conclusion was that God is indeed all compassionate but that God is not all powerful.

Rabbi Kushner and the God of the Hebrew Bible do not agree. Sorry, Rabbi.

Elie Wiesel, recounting his concentration camp experience as a boy in the book "Night," tells of the Jewish prisoners being marched past a young boy who had been hung by the Nazis. Someone cried out "[Where is your God now?] Where is He?", and someone responded "Here He is--He is hanging here on this gallows." (Elie Wiesel, Night, Ch. 4)

"He is hanging from this gallows" can mean "God is dead" or "God is right there with the young boy."

"God is dead" was Friedrich Nietzsche's teaching.

"God is right there with the young boy" is what we as Christian followers of Jesus believe and teach.

Ultimately, today's verse from Isaiah 57:1, "The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart," raises questions. Does anyone, in any generation, care if a boy is hanging from a gallows? Does anyone today care that Christians, especially Christian leaders, are persecuted in countries where Christians are a minority...and sometimes in countries where Christians are supposedly the majority.

"Does anyone take this to heart?", God says through Isaiah. "Does anyone have time to think about why these things happen?"

God does.

God takes these things to heart.

God makes time to think about why these things happen.

It's probably, therefore, a good thing for us to do the same.

Namely, care, take these things to heart, think about why these things happen.

In Jesus, God does something about it.

When Jesus is in us, we do too.

Think about it.

Praise God!


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

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Day of Praise

Mon, 08/27/18, "Day of Praise"

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4

I'm guessing many of you are saying, "Wait! That's not how Psalm 23 goes; it's 'the valley of the shadow of death.'"

Actually, the King James Version did translate it as you remember. But the Hebrew is as you see in the verse above: "the darkest valley" or even "the valley of deep darkness."

King James was capturing what you feel like when you go through the darkest valley, through the valley of deep darkness, namely, you feel like death must be lurking near because it feels like the valley of the shadow of death. It's a darkness so deep you literally can't see your hand in front of your face. 

But, in spite of the darkness, we have peace. Because we have a promise. From God. Through David in Psalm 23. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the deepest darkness, a darkness so deep that you can't see your hand in front of your face...I will fear no evil...for thou art with me, God...your rod and your staff...they comfort me."

Many of you, who I'm aware of, have recently shared things you're worried about, unsure about, wondering about, afraid about.

You're totally in the dark.

You have no idea what today holds, let alone tomorrow. How could you? You can't even see your hand in front of your face.

God has a promise for you. He says to you, "I am with you. I comfort you. With my rod and my staff, I'll protect you and guide you."

Even in the deepest darkness, trust God's promise, and you will see...

Praise God!


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

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Day of Praise

Sat, 08/25/18, "Day of Praise" 

"Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" - Isaiah 21:9 

It's wonderful to see the enemies of faith come crashing to their end. Today's verse says it all, ""Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" (Isaiah 21:9) Hooray! The enemies of faith come crashing to the ground wherever God's word goes forth. 

That's the common thread between today's reading and the day that's ahead of us. The enemies of God's word and the enemies of our faith in God's word are defeated. ""Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" (Isaiah 21:9) 

The enemies of your faith in God and the enemies of his word cannot endure. Jesus himself encourages us best, saying, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority...to overcome all the power of the enemy." (Luke 10:18-19

And that's a reason for everyone to say...Praaaaaaaise God!!! 

Praise God! 


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

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Day of Praise

Fri, 08/24/18, "Day of Praise"

Here's another one of the favorites.

From Tu, 07/30/13, "Day of Praise"

Acts 15:32 - "And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words."

I was in a Ruby Tuesday restaurant, which gives me an opportunity to say "Hi!" to my friend Mark Ingram and his family, as Mark was amongst the few early leaders of Ruby Tuesday who helped make it what it is today, both here in the U.S. and also abroad.

So I'm in this Ruby Tuesday, catching up with a church member, Ilene, who for years faithfully cared for her Korean War hero, bed-bound husband. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice this 18 year old guy, flexing his bicep as if he were performing for a Mr. Universe contest. I look over just in time to see the 17 year old girl across from him, as she's reaching over to check out his bicep and feel exactly how big it is. He smiles even bigger and nods his head like a Bobblehead doll that's saying, "Yaaaayu, I'm strong."

And he was.

But she made him stronger.

He was strong. Like Popeye. Ya know, the sailor man, who lives in a garbage can. (Is that really the way that song went?)

But she made him stronger. Like Popeye's love, Olive Oyl
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_Oyl), who was a main cartoon character created by Elzie Crisler Segar in 1919 (10 years before Popeye!) for his comic strip Thimble Theatre.

As in today's verse from Acts 15:32, the little lady in Ruby Tuesday "encouraged and strengthened the brother with many words."

Oh, yeah, the whole time Ilene and I talked, we never noticed Popeye nor Olive Oyl pick up a cell phone. Like my friend, Art Fries, is always saying, "the most important person in the world is the one right in front of you."

Oh sure, there's a few off-the-chart egotistical people in the world. But for the most part, most people are just looking for someone who will celebrate with them when they "flex their muscle." In other words, invite people to tell you something they like about themselves. After the shock wears off of them because they can't believe you want to hear something great about them and then they "flex their muscle", tell em how great they are.

And make them stronger.

We need more strong people in the world. So, let's "encourage and strengthen [one another] with many words." (Acts 15:32)

Praise God!


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

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Day of Praise

Thur, 08/23/18, "Day of Praise"

Y'all were kindly affirming of some repeats. So here's another one of my favorites. Thank you!

From Thursday, April 18, 2013

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" - Isaiah 52:7

When getting ready to speak comfort in Christ to someone, in order to cover the looooooong distance from our head to our heart you don't need the internet but you do need a "www".

1) Give your "wonder" to God, as in "I wonder how I can do this?". Answer? You can't, but God can, so give your wonder to God.

2) Give your "wounds" to God, as in don't try to look strong by hiding your wounds, but recognize that God wants to work through your past wounds to minister to someone's present wounds so they know that you can truly understand just like God can.

3) Give your "words" to God, as in trust God to speak through you, as Jesus says in Matthew 10, "do not worry about what to say or how to say it, for at that time it will not be you speaking but the Spirit of your Father in heaven speaking through you."

Praise God!


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

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Day of Praise

Wed, 08/22/18, "Day of Praise"

I had reason to think back today to one of my favorite devotions that I wrote more than 5 years ago. Thanks for putting up with a repeat now and then!

From Wed, Holy Week, Mar 27, 2013, "Day of Praise"

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" - Ephesians 2:8

Ok, y'all.

Just stop.

Deeeeeeeeep breath.

Breathe iiiiiiiiiiin.

Breathe ouuuuuuuut.

Iiiiiiiiin.

Ouuuuuuut.

Close your eyes.

Deeeeeeeep breath.

Picture a river. The Jordan River it is.

Look out over it. All you can see is a band of angels. Comin' after you.

To protect you.

But, when an arrow is permitted through, then those angels are there to encourage you.

To turn your heart from the troubles and sorrows of the world. To gently touch and turn your face into the wind.

It's the movement of God. Coming. And yet always present. Mighty to save.

To save you.  

By his grace.

From despair.

Which is hopelessness. Ya know. Throwin' in the towel.

No. Don't throw in the towel.

Just be still. And believe.

It's true. Just a bit of faith. As much as a mustard seed. Just a wee bit. Of faith. Is enough to tap into. To receive. The salvation. The right hand. The strong arm. Of the living God.

It's there. For you.

He's there. For you.

Here. For you.

To lighten the load. To give you a hope. A purpose. To hold up your arms. And strengthen your knees.

It's true. Somehow faith. In receiving the grace of God that saves.

Things just get bearable. Even peaceful. Like it's all gonna be ok. Because they are ok.

Yes, there's still a storm. But God is in the midst. Of the storm. Holding your hand. Looking in your eye. Calling you. Not with his voice. But with his eyes. His heart. A whisper to the soul. "Dance with me."

I will lead you.

In the dance.

Through the storm.

To your salvation.

Your freedom.

From thinking that your life is defined and measured and able (or not) to be enjoyed. Based on your problems and debts and regrets and challenges.

No. Instead your life is defined by the One.

Who loves you. Who died for you. And more. And was raised. To be with you. And to strengthen you. With the Holy Spirit that he pours out on you and in you. Everyday. 

Both to encourage you. That the strength and power available to you everyday is beyond your own. 

And also to remind you. That the Father has made great and precious promises to you. To come through for you. And to never leave you nor forsake you. Even when you leave Him. 

And to gift you.

With grace.

Upon grace.

Upon grace.

You need only believe.

Praise God!


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

Monday, August 20, 2018

Day of Praise

Tues, 08/21/18, "Day of Praise"

"So in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. He encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it." - 2 Kings 25:1

Have you ever been surrounded?

Yesterday, I listened to multiple people at church who described what surrounded them. Most did so with tears in their eyes. And they weren't tears of joy. 

They felt surrounded by demands
Or disappointments
Or challenges
Or anxiety
Or a sense of unsettledness. 

And yet these were the same people who filled the sanctuary on Sunday to worship in a way that the sanctuary felt surrounded and filled by the presence of God.

This is why worshiping with others weekly is so important. 
Life comes at us, 
surrounds us, 
sometimes because of our own poor choices (as with King Zedekiah and the
whole people of Israel in today's Bible verse), 
sometimes because of the brokenness of the world, 
sometimes because of the evil in the world, 
sometimes because of...well, the possibilities are endless.

But the bottom line is this, worship is God's gift to us to hear again that God wants not our destruction but instead that God wants us to wake up and trust Him as our Shield, our Protector, our Sovereign, on Sunday, on Monday, on each day and moment that God grants us. 

This is why the psalmist is inspired to sing, "Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)

If you're reading this, you're alive in this fallen, broken, sinful world on this day, which means that you're surrounded by the demands
and disappointments
and challenges
and anxiety
and unsettledness that go with the world.

But you're also surrounded by the LORD who "surrounds you with His favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)

Worship Him this Wednesday and this Sunday but also today in each segment of your day by remembering Him, looking to
Him, calling on His name, listening for Him, trusting His word, walking in His truth, and encouraging others to do the same.

He will deal with all the ill that surrounds you...and He will surround you with His favor, His shield, and His peace.

Praise God!


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

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Day of Praise

Mon, 08/20/18, "Day of Praise"

After having all three kids (ages 25, 23, and 19) now move far (2 hours), farther (9 1/2 hours), and farthest (10 hours) away, I just want to share again the following devotion from June 19, 2013.

"And a little child shall lead them." - Isaiah 11:6b

I hurt my left shoulder very badly months ago and like any good man, who never asks directions, I still haven't been to the doctor about it. Furthermore, I'm still terrified of heights, and I still think the only three uses of water are rain, getting clean in a shower, and Holy Baptisms.

So!

Why in the world would I even consider sliding down a 60 feet high, 100-yard long zipline and crash back-first (if I hit it just right, otherwise it's the injured left shoulder first) into a manmade lake at camp last week?

Why?!?!?!

Because my 17-year old daughter, Cassidy, asked me to.

"Daddy," she says, "do you wanna go down the zipline with me?"

She's 17! Not 7.

I'm 48.

There aren't many of these invitations left in life.

So we gear up; we walk up; we climb up; we get hooked up; we get instructed; we stand backwards on the platform; they open the gate; and she starts singing.

"Jesus loves me! This I know..."

She looks at me, still singing; she bends her knees; she says, "Bye, Daddy!"; and there she goes.

What's a real man to do?

Well, let's just say that, with the exception of losing my swim shoes when I hit (and thankfully not my swim trunks...well, not completely, anyway), it was an incredibly smooth landing in the lake.

And what else should I have expected?

After all, God promised, didn't he? "And a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6)

Hey, Gang, do something with a kid today. You'll be blessed!

Praise God!



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

Friday, August 17, 2018

Day of Praise

Sat, 08/18/18, "Day of Praise"

"Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, 'Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here?'" - Numbers 32:6

Oops! Did I just say that?

Ever said something and wished you hadn't? Duh!? Or ever said something with a tone and wished you had a "do-over"? Got me again.

Sometimes ya just have to feel bad for Moses. Poor guy. He's just trying to get God's people intact to God's land. And lo and behold, here come the tribes of Gad and Reuben, who don't want God's land west of the Jordan. They want land on the east; land already conquered.

So Moses jumps to conclusions and accuses them of cowardice and unwillingness to fight for God's land to the west.

Oops! Moses is wrong, guilty of false judgment.

In our church, we worship God and regularly confess "all false judgments" and other oopses.

I'm thankful for Jesus who gives us some major do-overs. You?

Praise God!


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

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Day of Praise

Fri, 08/17/18, "Day of Praise"

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you." - Deuteronomy 8:10

"Feast!" For as long as I can remember, that's what I say after every good meal. And as best as I can remember, I've said "Feast!" quite a bit.

In fact, in all my years I only remember 3 unsatisfying meals. There was one when I was still sitting in a booster chair where I had to eat my green beans before leaving the table. It got really late. I finally took a bite. What followed was not a pretty sight.

There was another at the home of some visitors to church. The main course was liver ball soup. Yes, liver balls. I talked a lot at that meal. Ya know, stalling. Hoping for dessert to be offered. Sorry, no dessert.

And finally, there was this grass casserole dinner. I'm serious. It looked like grass, smelled like grass, and tasted like grass, freshly mown from the lawn. Hmm, come to think of it, I had just mown...nah, couldn't have been, could it?

Well, you get the point. Other than those 3 meals, I've had countless feasts. And after every one, by God's grace, I've consciously felt like the most blessed man in the whole world.

It makes me think of all you wonderful people who have been "God's hands" and fed me, even green beans, liver balls, and grass. For you, I give thanks to God. And to God, I say, "Feast!"

What about all of you?

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you." - Deuteronomy 8:10

Praise God!


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

Re: Great inspiration

Awesome video!

On Thu, Aug 16, 2018 at 7:15 AM Chris DeGreen <pastorchrisdegreen@gmail.com> wrote:


Dad

Day of Praise

Thur, 08/16/18, "Day of Praise"

Lots of driving ahead for some of my family today. It reminded me of the following devotion I wrote on 2/22/12, which was Ash Wednesday that year. It also seems a lifetime ago with the reference to my using a Blackberry!!! So here it is, as it was...

"If a member of the community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands, he is guilty." - Leviticus 4:27

"Ignorance is bliss!" Uuuuh, no it isn't. In 1742, Thomas Gray actually wrote "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."

Didn't know that? Doesn't matter. You're guilty of a half quote, which is a misquote. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

In Mitch Albom's fictional book, "Five People You Meet in Heaven" he tells of meeting someone in heaven who was killed by a person who didn't even know they killed someone. Based on "distracted driving" stats, Albom's book probably isn't fiction.

Sin is sin whether we meant to sin or not.

I'll be honest; it scares me to think what I've unintentionally done. Ya know, driving down the road, looking down at the radio...or Blackberry. Next thing ya know, I'm a mile down the road, and I don't even remember the last mile. Did I run somebody off the road? I don't know. I was looking at the radio...or my Blackberry. But if I did run somebody off the road and hurt them (or worse), even if it was unintentional, then I'm guilty. That's what God says in today's Bible verse. "[Even] if a member of the community sins unintentionally...he is guilty." - Leviticus 4:27

I suppose then that I should be grateful for Officer Wooten. Who's Officer Wooten? He's the nice Police Man who pulled up behind me with his blue lights on just in time to park behind me at church yesterday. He said he was worried that there was something wrong with me because I kept "bumping the yellow line." Really? Me? I didn't know I was doing that? I was looking down at the radio...or my Blackberry.

Doesn't matter. Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!

Ya know, we Christians say we're thankful that Jesus died for our sins. Ya know what? I bet we don't know the half of it!

Oh, before I unintentionally forget to tell you, today is Ash Wednesday, a day to go to church and confess a bunch of sins we know and ask God for mercy for a bunch more we don't. See ya there. And oh...drive carefully...or tell Officer Wooten I said hello.

Praise God!


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

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Day of Praise

Wed, 08/15/18, "Day of Praise"

Football season is in the air. I'm so excited!!! So I pulled up this old devotion to help us get ready for the season. 
 
"Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said: 'Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.'" - Job 38:1-3
 
All I remember is that he looked as big as the Biblical Goliath, and all I could do was laugh.
 
I was a non-scholarship, practice player with The University of Tennessee football team, commonly known to the public as a "walk-on", but commonly known to the scholarship football players as a "blocking dummy".
 
He, by contrast, was the all-time sack leader at Tennessee and was on his way to being the all-time sack leader in the National Football League, who would have his number retired at the University and enter the Pro Hall of Fame.
 
When we ran our conditioning tests at the start of training camp, we ran side by side, and he ran them faster than me, even though I was 5'10" and 174 lbs, and he was 6'3" and 295 lbs.
 
His name was Reggie White, aka, The Minister of Defense because he was also ordained as a Baptist Minister about the time he finished high school.
 
Tragically he tasted a premature death from a heart condition, but he did a lot of great things with his life.
 
One thing he did was humble me, along with a lot of other people. In my case, I was supposed to block him, as he was on the punt return team and I was on the practice-squad punt team.
 
He said, "C'mon Chris, give me some more resistance!" I said, "Reggie, it takes three guys, twice my size, to try to block you in real games, and they can't do it. So what do you want me to do?"
 
It was humbling. And Reggie was merely a man.
 
Imagine how humbled Job felt in today's verse when God says, "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me." (Job 38:1-3)
 
I was humbled by a mountain of a man. Job was humbled by the God who made every mountain!
 
And yet if you read the balance of the book of Job, you see some great things come from being humbled: 1) Job's prayers are rich toward God and others, 2) Job's prayers are effective, 3) Job and his life are restored in a multitude of ways.
 
There is some mountain or mountain of a person that is waiting for you today that will humble you.
 
Trust the God who made every mountain!
 
He will work with your humility and bless you!
 
Praise God!


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

Monday, August 13, 2018

Day of Praise

Tues, 08/14/18, "Day of Praise" 

"If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse. You must not desecrate the land the LORD your God is giving you as an 
inheritance." - Deuteronomy 21:22-23 

Oh, that's where that comes from! 

Remember how all four Gospels tell us "Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went 
boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body." - Mark 15:43 (also Matthew 27:57, Luke 23:51, John 19:38) 

The reason that Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus' body is because of today's verses from Deuteronomy 21. To leave Jesus' dead body on the "tree" (the wood of the cross) overnight would have desecrated (made unclean) the land God gave them. 

Very practically, what I hope you're seeing from today's verses is the magnitude of Jesus' sacrIficial love for us. He himself, who was without sin against Father God, took on our capital offenses (sins, cf Romans 6:23), sat under God's curse for us, and took on our uncleanness, which, like a spiritual leprosy, separated us from fellowship with God and people. In taking on these burdens that belonged to us, Jesus fulfilled, not abolished, the Law of God (Matthew 5:17) so that we could be restored to the abundant fellowship with God both that God made us for and, therefore, also that we long for. 

He did all that, and more, for you and for me...so that we, believing in Him and His saving work, would not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). 

Praise God! 


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

Day of Praise

Mon, 08/13/18, "Day of Praise"

"But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth..." - Exodus 21:23-25

It makes you wonder, doesn't it? Ya know, how could the loving God of the New Testament say such things in the Old Testament? And doesn't Jesus change that in the New Testament.

It's okay. A lot of people wonder.

But don't just wonder, please. Check it out.

In actuality, "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth" was a very loving thing for God to command at that time. Why? God's people were surrounded by other people who said, "You took my eye, so I'm going to kill you!"

But God said to his people, "Life for eye is not fair; eye for eye is. Life for tooth is not fair; tooth for tooth is." God was teaching his people about justice.

And furthermore, though God had pointed to the Savior Messiah since Genesis 3 when he covered the man and woman with the blood sacrifice of an animal skin and though the prophets would be inspired to foretell of the coming Savior Messiah, God's people had not yet seen the Messiah, our Lord and Savior, Jesus. So being a people of justice was about as much as they could do.

But when God's people saw Jesus, everything could change. So moving is seeing Jesus that Simeon (Luke 2:25+) says, "This is as good as it gets. Now I can die." So moving is seeing Jesus that Saul (Acts 9+) was blinded by holiness, given new "eyes" of faith, and led to see life in a totally new way so that now he'd live as the great Saint Paul. So moving is seeing Jesus that Jesus in essence says (Matthew 5:38+) that we can say, "I know you took my eye, but I don't need your eye. I need to give you the grace that I was given, so I will love those who hurt me by praying for them. I will forgive, letting go of my stranglehold on those who hurt me, as I have been forgiven."

Seeing Jesus, the Messiah who saves, moves us from being the great people of God who give justice even though we're surrounded by injustice to being the great people of God who give grace because we're surrounded by God's grace.

Dear God, we're surrounded by injustice, to be sure in this sinful world but, as with Simeon and Saul turned to Paul, give us eyes of faith to see Jesus and your grace so that, even when we must administer justice, we can do it in Christ with your love and grace. Amen.

Praise God! 


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

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Day of Praise

Sat, 08/11/18, "Day of Praise"

Matthew 17:20 - Jesus replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Ya know how things can be so quiet in your life, and then, all of a sudden, all sorts of things start to happen? It's kind of how seeds are. If you planted 'em, you know they're down there in the dirt, but it can take a while before you see anything happen. And then, all of a sudden, well, as Jesus puts it in today's Bible verse, mountains start moving and nothing seems impossible. All from a little, mustard-seed-sized faith.

Today's Saturday. I believe that God's going to do some awesome things this weekend in the hearts of all who rest in Him and worship Him this weekend. And let's all believe that our seed-planting labors from this past week will also have a mountain-sized impact soon. All that's required is taking some time in worship to look back on and smile at your good ol' hard work, and a little mustard-seed-sized faith in the promises of Jesus to do mighty things through the things we did to both bring glory to him and also his blessings to others.

Praise God!


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

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Day of Praise

Fri, 08/10/18, "Day of Praise"

"Moses...said to them, '...They are not just idle words for you--they are your life. By them you will live long in the land...'" - Deuteronomy 32:44-47

I wonder if this is where our grandmothers got that old saying. Ya know, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." I'm not even sure if my two grandmas ever even said it, but the whole world seems to attribute the phrase to "Grandma."

Aaaaanyway, one dictionary, right out of the chute, says that "idle" means "not working or active."

In today's verses, Moses is hilariously plain in saying that the words God gave him to say "are not just idle words." God's words are not "idle." They are not "not working or active."

It's just as God says in Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

So, what are your "thoughts and attitude" towards God's word? Do you believe God's word is idle? Or do you believe God's word is alive and active? And if you say "alive and active," do you live that attitude? Do you live, believing that God's word is "alive and active"?

I remember the late summer when I'd started my junior year in high school. I was bummed because my brother, Ben, had just gone off to college with my sister, Cathy. I adored and do adore my younger sister, Cheryl, but there's nothing like the bond of brothers.

Aaaaaanyway, I was bummed, and I was mowing our lawn. As I neared the street I saw a wad of paper in the yard. Instead of mowing it and making a mess, I picked it up. Now, I don't care if you think I'm looney-tunes or not; I'll tell you that "a voice" said, "read it." So I unwadded it, and this is what it said, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6"

Where did that note come from? A car passing by or a walker? Or maybe was it as Holy-Spirit-filled author, Bill Johnson, would say, "Feathers from Heaven"? Who knows? But no matter, why would anybody throw a wadded up Bible verse into my yard, and a Bible verse that said just what I needed? Maybe it wasn't ultimately from a car or walker, maybe it actually was "feathers," ya know, like angel wing feathers, from God. In fact, that's what I did believe, and that's what I do believe to this day. And I don't really care what anybody else thinks.

Because my God is not idle.

My God is living and active, just like his word. My God and your God has shown us his face and his heart through Jesus, who is alive and active in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. My God and your God is mighty to do supernatural things (like get a wad of paper with an encouraging Bible verse thrown into a lawn in a neighborhood which otherwise has no other litter). My God and your God is mighty to save us from despair with a word of hope when we'd be otherwise bummed out.

So the question remains, "Do you believe?" Are your hearts and minds alive and active, searching for encouragement from the living and active God and his word?

Or has your mind actually become idle in unbelief? Just remember, Grandma has a warning about that, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." Praise God for Grandma!

Praise God!


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

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Day of Praise

Thur, 08/09/18, "Day of Praise"

I know most of y'all have heard this one, but it makes me happy so here it is...again. 😀

"Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'Tell the Israelites to designate cities of refuge...so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.'" - Joshua 20:1-6

Accidents happen. Even really bad ones.

God understands that there's a difference between accidents and acts of violence that are thought out in advance. So God makes provision of protection and mercy for those who do tragic things accidentally.

I remember when I was a kid. My brother and I were with our family at our grandparents in Pennsylvania. Ben and I were being brothers (translation "wrestling") on a really old bed at our Gram and Pap DeGreen's. The bed wasn't made for wrestling. The ensuing crash just about sent us and the bed through the floor to the downstairs.

We looked at each other like, "Oh, man. We are in big trouble now." And we should've been. In trouble, that is. We never once gave thought to the possibility that anyone would see it as an accident.

But our Pap DeGreen did. He calmly walked in the room. (I still don't know how he got there so fast.) He took apart the bed, calmly telling us what to do to help. Then he put the bed back together, calmly telling us what to do to help.

"Sorry, Pap-pap," we said.

"It's ok," he said. "It was an accident."

Mercy, as from God himself.

Friends, your day today will be filled with real people, who will make mistakes. Accidents will happen.

In the strength and calm of the LORD, let's deal mercifully with others, as God in Christ, (and people like Pap DeGreen), has dealt with us.

Praise God!


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

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Day of Praise

Wed, 08/08/18, "Day of Praise"

"My father," she replied, "you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me just as you promised, now that the LORD has avenged you of your enemies" - Judges 11:34-40

Malcolm X, in his biography, finished posthumously by Alex Haley, once said, "Never ask a question for which you might get a response that you really don't want."

A slightly different saying can be set forth In today's Bible verses about Jephthah the Gileadite, namely, "Never make a deal or promise that you're not ready to keep."

However, because of Jephthah's daughter's faithfulness to God, Jephthah's promise to God is kept. "My father," she replied, "you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me just as you promised, now that the LORD has avenged you of your enemies". (Judges 11:34-40)

Talk about an unsung hero! We aren't even told her name. Sure we remember Abraham and Isaac and their willingness to do as God commanded with the sacrifice of Isaac, but what about Jephthah and what's-her-name?

They not only did the deed, but it was the innocent child, what's-her-name, who made sure they did!

And just as what's-her-name went to the greatest length to help Jephthah stay faithful to God, there are people in all of our lives who go to great lengths to help us stay faithful too.

Maybe you don't even think about or remember the name of ol' what's-her-name or what's-his-name.

But God does.

How about we all slow down today for a few minutes and ask God to help us remember and give thanks for the what's-her-names in our lives who have helped us have some semblance of faithfulness to God?

Ol' what's-her-name clearly doesn't care from the standpoint of needing to be remembered.

But God does...from the standpoint of wanting us to be people of thanks!

Praise God!


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

Monday, August 6, 2018

Day of Praise

Tues, 08/07/18, "Day of Praise"

"The LORD said to Moses, 'Say to the Israelites: "Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the LORD is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged."'" - Numbers 5:5-7

Have you ever said, "It's more than I can bear!"? If you haven't, you should. Because it is.

In today's verses, we hear that if you've wronged another person in ANY way (people, that's ANY way!) then you 1) are unfaithful to the LORD, 2) are guilty, 3) must confess that sin, 4) must make full restitution, 5) must ADD a fifth of the value of the offense, and 6) must give all that restitution to the particular person you've wronged.

Moreover, #3's requirement to confess ANY wrong as sin is impossible, for God's word says nobody can even know all their wrongs, as in Psalm 19:12, "But who can discern their own errors?"

It's enough to make us all cry out, "It's more than I can bear!"

Hmm! Sounds like Genesis 4:13, "Cain said to the LORD, 'My punishment is more than I can bear'" or John 16:12 where Jesus said to his followers "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear."

In Psalm 130:3, God gives us another way to speak of our burden, "If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?" Are our knees starting to buckle yet under the weight of sin?

However, God desires not the crushed soul or everlasting death of us poor sinners.

In Psalm 32:1, we hear, "Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered."

"Forgiven," as in 1 John 1:8-9, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

And "covered," as in God got an animal skin, a blood sacrifice, and covered the first sin in Genesis 3.

Through confession that we are sinners and then faith in Jesus Christ and his shed blood on the cross, we are forgiven and covered in his righteous love forever.

Spread the word because there's a lot of people out there who don't know Jesus and are still crying out, "It's more than I can bear!" Tell them, "Jesus is our Savior."

Praise God!


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

Sunday, August 5, 2018

Day of Praise

Mon, 08/06/18, "Day of Praise"

"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'" - Ruth 1:16

Today's verse has got to be one of the most famous quotes, Biblical or otherwise, in all of human history. The only question is, "Why?" Why are Ruth's words so dear and enduring to humanity?

Do we really need to ask?

We all long for faithful friends, for people who will stick with their commitment through...well, better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness or health.

And, as today's verse and the Bible Book of Ruth make clear, such faithfulness is longed for in every kind of relationship. Our flesh might like affection, but our souls are definitely starving for faithful relationships.

I love contemporary music, but there is nothing like the words of faithful friendship found in the Golden Oldie, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

"Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you,
You will find a solace there."

In today's verse, Ruth embodies, ideally, what Jesus is perfectly, namely, faithful. And because Jesus is perfectly what our souls are starving for, then we can be like Ruth, faithful, to the people in our lives.

Dear God, thank you for Jesus. In him, you give us both the longing of our hearts and also strength to be the same for others, namely, faithful friends. Amen.

Praise God!


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

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Day of Praise

Fri, 08/03/18, "Day of Praise"

Romans 8:26 - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."

I have plans for today. What about you? I have plans and thoughts as to how my day and, on a larger scale, my life should go.

But what do I know? I mean, really, come on now. Do I have a crystal ball into the future? Somebody may, and probably will, cancel or postpone or revise an appointment, or more tasks will come my way, or I'll get something done faster than I expected. Bottom line is that I have a plan for my day, just like you, so we're going to pray right now for our plan to be blessed. 

But God only knows how it's really going to unfold, so God's telling us in today's Bible verse to look to the Holy Spirit to guide our day and therefore our prayers for this day. 

I can plan all I want, but God only knows. So, Lord, please bless this day for whatever you know that it's going to hold. 

Furthermore, to an even greater extent, we're all alike. We all think we know what's good and not so good for us. So we pray for this good thing to happen and that bad thing not to happen. 

But what do I know? I mean, really, come on now. Do I have a crystal ball into the future? I've had days where I dreaded one or more meetings that were scheduled for that day. And, like recently, God did some of the most amazing things through what I had dreaded. Minimally, God effected the old family truth, namely, relationships grow when people work at things together and work through things together. So, people may still not see the matter the same way, but if we keep loving each other and working at it together and working through it together, then God always deepens our relationships. It's just a God thing. 

God tells us to look to the Spirit to guide our prayers because what we think is bad, and therefore pray against, may be the very thing that God chooses to work through for amazing good. 

In the end, pray! Make plans for the day, and pray! Assess the good or bad of what's ahead, and pray! But remember that God's saying today that none of us mortals ultimately know the future or the actual good of what's ahead, so we really don't know "what we ought to pray for." (Romans 8:26) So whatever we may plan and assess and pray for, trust that "the Spirit himself intercedes for us" (Romans 8:26), and believe that God will bless your day and you yourself and all parties involved more than any of us could ever desire or deserve. 

So ultimately, we pray believing the one thing we know for sure through faith in Jesus Christ, namely, God is good!!! All the time!!!

Praise God!!!


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

Day of Praise

Thur, 08/02/18, "Day of Praise"

2 John 1:6 - "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."

When I was a kid, my dad made it clear that obedience involved something I needed to do, such as take out the garbage, mow the grass, or be nice to my little sister. But I also remember my dad saying things that made it clear that obedience involved believing, namely, believing that my father had the power to show us the consequences of disobedience.

In the same way, in today's Bible verse from 2 John 1:6, God tells us that "love [is to] walk in obedience to his commands." And in the verses that follow, God makes it clear that obedience involves believing, specifically, a belief in "Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh." So important is this belief in "Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh" that anyone who does not believe it is said to be a "deceiver and the antichrist." Furthermore, not believing in "Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh" is associated with "running ahead," but believing in "Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh" is celebrated as having "both the Father and the Son." Finally, God says that what we believe about "Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh" is so critical that it determines whether or not we take people "into your house or welcome them."

Wow! So is there a simple way to sum up all this? Yes! In sum, God is teaching us that it is impossible for us to love if we don't believe that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. The reasons are simple. One, if Jesus Christ didn't come in the flesh, then God in Christ didn't die for our sin, so we're all still dead in our sin, which makes it impossible for us to love. And two, if Jesus Christ didn't come in the flesh, then God in Christ cannot live in our flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit, so we cannot possibly love because we have no strength from Christ to be able to love.

There were many people in Bible days who believed that Jesus Christ did not come in the flesh. They were known as Gnostics and, in essence, believed that Jesus was an idea in your mind but not a real person to have a relationship with. Because they believed this way, they were stuck in sin and could not truly love as God commands in today's Bible verse.

Today, there are many people who believe that Jesus Christ did not come in the flesh. They are known as religious people who go to church but, in essence, believe that Jesus is an idea in your mind but not a real person to have a relationship with. Because they believe this way, they are stuck in sin and cannot truly love as God commands in today's Bible verse.

How can you know then if you're a true believer? A few simple questions help us. 

Do you daily call on the name of the Lord believing that he's not an idea but he's a Living God who is with us? A believer does. 

Do you believe that God in Christ personally died on that cross for our sin? A believer does. 

Do you ask Jesus to come personally into your heart anew each day? A believer does. 

Do you believe that Jesus personally lives in you to give you strength and guidance and wisdom? A believer does.

In the end, Jesus is a real being with God the Father and the Holy Spirit through whom we have a relationship with God and others. Jesus is not just a name in a religion or an idea in your mind.

Believe in Jesus personally. Call on him personally. Trust and obey him personally. Your life and relationships are counting on it because apart from a personal relationship with Jesus, it is impossible for you to love.

God is personally here in Jesus to be your salvation and your strength to love!

Praise God!


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