Day of Praise

Thur, 08/01/19, "Day of Praise"

"But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children—" - Psalm 103:17

When I was a kid, I feared all my teachers. Ms. Deakins, Ms. Scott, and Ms. Peterson, and others, all had the power to send me to the principal's office! And every single one of them had reason to do so. :-)

But only one of them had the power and the reason to send me to the principal's office, but didn't. 

She dealt with me directly. She dealt with me eye to eye. She dealt with me clearly. She dealt with me, making sure I knew what should've happened to me because of what I did, but instead what was going to happen because of what she chose to do. It would have been much easier for her just to send me to the principal's office, but she chose to deal with me sacrificially, that is, she gave to me out of her own time and energy to deal with my mistake and show me a different way to live, namely, a way of love. 

Remember, I feared this teacher too. But she was the only one of them that had the power and the reason to send me to the principal's office, but didn't. 

This one teacher was like the LORD, who I also rightly fear because the LORD has the power and the reason to send me to the principal's office (that is, to hell, which is the office of the Destroyer), but doesn't. 

Instead, the LORD deals with me directly, eye to eye, clearly, making sure I know what should happen to me because of what I did, but instead what is going to happen because of what the LORD chooses to do. It would be much easier for the LORD just to send me to the principal's office, but the LORD chooses to deal with me sacrificially, that is, the LORD gives to me out of the LORD's own time and energy to deal with my mistakes and show me a different way to live, namely, a way of love, that is, The Way of The Cross.

I had faith in that teacher. I have Faith in the LORD. 

To this day, my life is different because of that teacher. And my Life is different because of the LORD. 

She inspired me to live differently, a different way. The LORD inspired me to live differently, a different Way, in the Spirit of the LORD, in the Power of the Holy Spirit. 

Remember, I feared this teacher too. I feared the LORD. 

But she was the only one that had the power and the reason to send me to the principal's office, but didn't. Instead, she dealt with me out of her own flesh. 

And the LORD had the Power and Reason of my sin to send me to Hell, but didn't. Instead, the LORD took on my own sin in His own body, the body of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 

I tell my kids about that teacher from time to time.

I tell my kids about the LORD everyday, so they can learn and celebrate that the LORD deals with them just the same. 

"But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children—" - Psalm 103:17

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Wed, 07/31/19, "Day of Praise"

"Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'" - John 6:29

A popular cheer is "We're number one!"

Me?

I prefer "We're number two!"

Oh sure, I enjoy it when my team wins a ballgame. Hey! We're number one!

But, of course, we're not talking about a ballgame, we're talking about the game of life. And to win at life, the cheer is, "We're number two!"

It goes like this. In today's Bible verse, the disciples have just asked Jesus what work God requires of us. See? They want to know what they're supposed to do to please the ultimate coach, who is God, before they waste their time doing something else. 

And we're just like them. Deep inside, we all want to live lives that count, that matter, that have purpose and meaning, that make a difference. Deep inside, we all have the question, "What should I be doing with my life?" And it's not just a philosophical question; I hear multiple people everyday grappling with what they should do with their life, and within their life, what they should be doing with a season of life, or with an educational pursuit, or with the use of time. What should they do with this day?!?!?! And the next day? And the next?

Wouldn't it be awesome if we knew exactly what we're supposed to do to count, to matter, to have purpose and meaning, to make a difference? Wouldn't it be awesome if someone could assure us that we're getting the most out of life? And if someone knew, wouldn't it be great if they'd just tell us?

Well, someone does! God does! "So, God, will you please tell me what to do to get the most out of life? What is the work that I need to do to make a difference and make my mark in this world?"

Gang, those aren't questions from someone who's in charge. Those are questions from someone who's taking orders. They're from someone who's number two. 

And when we're Number Two, it makes perfect sense for us to follow Number One, which is why Jesus says, "Follow me!" 

And when we're Number Two, it makes perfect sense for us to love Number One, which is why Jesus says, "Love God with all ya got!"

And when we're Number Two, it makes perfect sense for us to believe in and to put our confidence and faith in Number One, which is why Jesus says, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." (John 6:29)

So please, today, whether you're a ruler or owner or supervisor or employer or trainer or coach or teacher or principal or just someone who got put in the position of "leader" because it just kinda fell your way, before you do each thing (yes, each and every thing), take a breath and say, "Lord, you're Number One! I have confidence in You! So guide me in the task or talk that's right in front of me."

And, oh, one last thing. I have a dear friend who's in charge of, let's say, a lot, a whole great big lot. They're number one in an earthly sense, to be sure! Some time ago they asked me to pray for their team because they'd lost about 23 million units of the stuff they work with. We prayed together that God would be Number One in their meeting and lead them to quickly find what they'd lost. You know where this is going; they found the 23 million units in, the proverbial, no time flat, which is the kinda stuff that happens when God's Number One. 

And we're number two. 

"Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in The One he has sent.'" - John 6:29

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Tues, 07/30/19, "Day of Praise"

"For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done." - Psalm 92:4

Forrest Gump had it right, "Stupid is as stupid does." What that means is that stupid people do stupid things. In fact, even people who aren't really stupid do stupid things. The bottom line is that people do stupid things. 

Forrest Gump could've also said, "God is as God does." What that means is that God is great and does great things. In fact, even the things that God does that may not seem so great are actually amazingly great, if you'll stop and think about 'em. The bottom line is that God does really great things. 

You may want to read what follows because people who want to be inspired read inspiring things. So, in accord with today's verse from Psalm 92:4, here's kind of a montage of scripture quotes about the things "the Lord has done" that make us glad and sing for joy. 

So with a Billy Graham style opening, here ya go! 

The Bible says...

Consider what great things he has done for you.

The Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you.

It was the Lord your God who fought for you.

We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation.

The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things.

Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord—with the first of them and with the last—I am he.

So that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

The Lord has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word.

Do not be afraid, land of Judah; be glad and rejoice. Surely the Lord has done great things!

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."

"For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done." - Psalm 92:4

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Monday, 07/29/19, "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! 

Day of Praise

Fri, 07/26/19, "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

Thur, 07/25/19, "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, 07/24/19, "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 24, as of last Thursday, and my youngest is 20, 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, 07/23/19, "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, 07/22/19, "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

Fri, 07/19/19, "Day of Praise" 

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

My 20 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

Thur, 07/18/19, "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

Wed, 07/17/19, "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

Tues, 07/16/19, "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

Mon, 07/15/19, "Day of Praise"

"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!

Day of Praise

Fri, 07/12/19, "Day of Praise"

"Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, 'You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.'" - John 11:49-50

Caiaphas has no idea. 

He thinks that by getting rid of Jesus that he's getting rid of a political enemy.

Caiaphas is in his own little world and, therefore, has no idea of the spiritual truth that one man must die for sin so that all people could be saved through faith in the one who dies. 

Caiaphas had no idea of the great sacrifice that was made for him. 

Usually, I don't either. You know what I mean; I don't have any idea of the great sacrifice that was made for me. Oh sure, from time to time, usually in Lent, I'll stop and think about it, especially on days like Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. But there are so many days that I just blow through without considering how much Jesus has done for me so that I can even have that day. 

By God's grace, I woke up and have this day. What that means is that God's given me another chance to consciously live thankfully. To think about and be thankful for the one who died so all the rest of us didn't have to die "permanently."

There are even chances for me to worship him today, to worship Jesus, to adore him, to remember him thankfully, to read scripture about him, to pray to him, to listen for him, to listen to him, to joyfully obey him, and to share him personally with any one or more of the many people that I'll be interacting with today. 

Maybe you could consider doing some or all these things with Jesus also today. 

No matter what, we all can stop today and think deeply, and gratefully, for what it means that one man, Jesus Christ, died, so that the rest of us don't have to die, at least not permanently. But instead of dying forever, we can believe that he took our place in death. And overcame it. So that we could join him in life. True Life. Abundant Life. 

And indeed we want to know what he did for us so we can Live with Him Abundantly today and forever. 

Knowing and believing start by doing what Caiaphas didn't do long, long ago. Knowing and believing in and being thankful for and enjoying that one man died so the rest of us wouldn't perish, it all starts by surrendering to the Holy Spirit, who touches our hearts gently, but clearly, and whispers, "Stop! And think about the gift that is your life. Today. Think about the price that was paid so that you can have the gift."

God help me to do so. 

May God, in grace, help us all. Again. 

"Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, 'You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.'" - John 11:49-50

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Thur, 07/11/19, "Day of Praise"

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit." - 1 Peter 3:18

When I was a teenager, I slept in a basement room with no windows. Cool. 

When I was a little kid, if I'd had a basement room with no windows, that would not have been cool. I was a scaredy-cat. 

I thought everything that was down low and dark had a monster or a big bad wolf living in it. 

Apparently, that kind of thinking is not too far off. After all, Jesus went into a place that was down low and dark and had the worst monster ever living in it. 

And Jesus went down into that low and dark place for me. And for you. And for all people. (Although tragically, not everyone believes in that place nor believes that Jesus went down there and took care of that big bully monster for us.)

Actually, the big bully monster has a legitimate claim, just as the White Witch does in the Chronicles of Narnia. When we sin, when we rebel against the way that God made things to work, then we have to appear before The Accuser, The Big Bully, and we have to pay the penalty. And you get what you deserve. 

Hmmmm. What's that sound like to you? You must 1) appear before an Accuser, 2) pay a penalty, and 3) get what you deserve. 

Sounds like hell to me. A living hell.

But through the cross and resurrection of Jesus, we celebrate that Jesus 1) took our place, 2) paid our penalty, and 3) taught us about mercy (not getting what you deserve) and grace (getting what you don't deserve).

All this Jesus did when he went into a place that was down low and dark and had the worst monster ever living in it. 

And he did it all for you!

And for me! 

And for us all as God's dearly beloved children, who, if we have any sense about us, might still not want to go to the place that is down low and dark and has the worst monster ever living in it. 

But as we hear in 1 Corinthians 15:57, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

So thanks be to God for the truth of today's verse, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit." - 1 Peter 3:18

Praise God!!!

Day of Praise

Wed, 07/10/19, "Day of Praise" 

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

I laugh now. 

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

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

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

You are who you are. 

And Jesus is who he is. 

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

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

And there is no other. 

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

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

Put your faith in Jesus, all your faith, for everything on your heart, for everything you need, for everybody on your heart, for everything they need, for all the things and people in front of you today. Put your faith and prayers in Jesus. He will not fail you or them. For he is the one, the ONLY One, who saves. 

Trust him, call on him, look for him. All day. Everyday. And you'll see!

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Tues, 07/09/19, "Day of Praise" 

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

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

Hooray! Success! 

Next item?!?! 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Mon, 07/08/19, "Day of Praise" 

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

It's a simple yet profound word from God. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Sat, 07/06/19, "Day of Praise" 

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

When things get tough today and with whomever things get tough today, remember how God the Father was and is ever faithful to God's Son, Jesus. The fruit of Jesus's hard times included amazement, authority, power, healing, miracles, perseverance in suffering, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that empowers us to live abundant lives. 

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

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Fri, 07/05/19, "Day of Praise"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Thur, 07/04/19, 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

Wed, 07/03/19, "Day of Praise"

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

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

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

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

God will provide a way out. 

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

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

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

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

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

Some call it coincidence. 

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

Yes, He will. 

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

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Tues, 07/02/19, "Day of Praise" 

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

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

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

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

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

Praise God!