Day of Praise

Tues, 05/24/16, "Day of Praise"

Colossians 1:9-10 - "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

I once saw a church sign that on two lines read, "Is your life pleasing to God?" And then on the next line, it said, "Zumba - Wednesday 7:30." You can do all sorts of things with the sequence on the sign, but when I first read it driving by, it sounded as if a Zumba exercise class was their suggestion for pleasing God. So I chuckled.

Setting all humor aside, today's verses from Colossians are amongst sixty or so Bible verses that tell us what does and does not please God about our lives. In sum, God is pleased with our lives when we walk with Him and therefore walk in His blessings.

Walking with God is not difficult. Walking with God means surrendering to the faithful work of God's Holy Spirit so that we:
1) have faith in Christ, (both in Him personally and in His saving work),
2) look for Christ, (for example, look for the many chances to serve him daily by serving people in love), and
3) listen for Christ (for example, daily Bible reading, prayer, and at least weekly worship).

The result of such a walk with God, according to today's verses, is that we are:
1) filled with Christ and, therefore, his spiritual wisdom and power,
2) increasing in the knowledge of God, and
3) bearing fruit in every good work.
In sum, we are blessed. The result of walking with God is that we are blessed in such a way that we become a blessing to others and a glory to God.

To bring it full circle, when, through faith in Him, we are a blessing to others and a glory to God, then God is pleased indeed.

Happy day!

Praise God!


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

Day of Praise

Mon, 05/23/16, "Day of Praise"

Luke 23:43 - Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

So today is Monday. I remember a Monday in my recent past when I was at the room in a hospital where pastors go to sign in, and it happened again. A person greeted me, nice and cheerful. But, when I asked how they were, they said, "Well, I've almost made it through Monday, and I hope God will help me make it through Tuesday."

And I thought, "Here's another who doesn't understand." So I said, "Ya know, God wants us to more than just make it through a day. That's a weary existence. God wants us to be genuinely joyful in every moment as he lives in us by His Holy Spirit."

The person stopped and said, "Wow! That's exciting! I feel better already! I guess I was just thinking about normal days where it seems we go it alone."

Ah, it seems! 

Friends, whatever may seem true to you, here's the truth in today's Bible verse: Today, you will be with Jesus in Paradise.

We tend to hear this as, "Well, someday down the road, when I die, I'll get to be with Jesus. But for now, I hope I can make it through the day like I did yesterday."

But this is what Jesus wants us to hear, "Dear Children of God, whenever I tell you something will be today, it's my promise to you for today. And when you believe my promise, it's immediately your reality in that moment. So, when I promise that today you will be with me in Paradise, if you will believe it, you'll immediately have a joyful Paradise with me. And your weary existence is no more."

And that's the way it is in the whole Bible. Whenever God speaks and uses the words "will" and "today" together, God is making a promise that immediately becomes reality when we believe. God's blessings are right in front of us to claim in faith: His Victory, His Presence, His Preparing the Way, His Prosperity, His Providence, His Provision, His Paradise and more, as are listed in the Bible verses after today's "Praise God!"

So, don't just survive the day; instead, you can thrive today! All you need to do is believe the promises of God, and you will!

Praise God!

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Day of Praise

Mon, 05/23/16, "Day of Praise"

Luke 23:43 - Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

So today is Monday. I remember a Monday in my recent past when I was at the room in a hospital where pastors go to sign in, and it happened again. A person greeted me, nice and cheerful. But, when I asked how they were, they said, "Well, I've almost made it through Monday, and I hope God will help me make it through Tuesday."

And I thought, "Here's another who doesn't understand." So I said, "Ya know, God wants us to more than just make it through a day. That's a weary existence. God wants us to be genuinely joyful in every moment as he lives in us by His Holy Spirit."

The person stopped and said, "Wow! That's exciting! I feel better already! I guess I was just thinking about normal days where it seems we go it alone."

Ah, it seems! 

Friends, whatever may seem true to you, here's the truth in today's Bible verse: Today, you will be with Jesus in Paradise.

We tend to hear this as, "Well, someday down the road, when I die, I'll get to be with Jesus. But for now, I hope I can make it through the day like I did yesterday."

But this is what Jesus wants us to hear, "Dear Children of God, whenever I tell you something will be today, it's my promise to you for today. And when you believe my promise, it's immediately your reality in that moment. So, when I promise that today you will be with me in Paradise, if you will believe it, you'll immediately have a joyful Paradise with me. And your weary existence is no more."

And that's the way it is in the whole Bible. Whenever God speaks and uses the words "will" and "today" together, God is making a promise that immediately becomes reality when we believe. God's blessings are right in front of us to claim in faith: His Victory, His Presence, His Preparing the Way, His Prosperity, His Providence, His Provision, His Paradise and more, as are listed in the Bible verses after today's "Praise God!"

So, don't just survive the day; instead, you can thrive today! All you need to do is believe the promises of God, and you will!

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Sat, 05/21/16, "Day of Praise"

Luke 15:20 - "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

When I was a kid, just 3-4 years old, living with my family in the Fox Meadows section of Memphis, Tennessee, one of my favorite activities in all the world was standing on the front porch of our house at 3117 Flint Drive and watching my older sister, Cathy, and brother, Ben, Jr., walk home from school. I loved spotting them in the distance of our long, straight, treeless street. As if it was yesterday, I remember how excited I was for them to get home, after their long, hard day at elementary school, so my mom and I could greet them and welcome them home. 

How much more does God, through Christ, eagerly wait to welcome us home?

In today's Bible verse, from Luke 15:20, the story has gotten to the point where a son who, in essence, had told his father, "you're as good as dead to me, so I want my inheritance," has come to his senses, realizing that it's better to be a slave in his loving father's house instead of being free in his own pig pen and pig slop. So the son "arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

I, as a young child, eagerly watched everyday for my sister and brother to appear in the distance so I could greet them and welcome them home. So too, God, who is the father in today's Bible verse story, eagerly watched everyday for the son to appear in the distance so he could greet him and welcome him home.

Ya see, Friends, we all know people who have been away from the Lord, maybe their whole life, maybe just for a season. Maybe that person is you.

But no matter who it is or how long they've been away, God is eager to welcome you home and spread his arms wide as we see on the cross of God's Son, Jesus Christ. God loved you enough to let you go and explore and see for yourself that there is nothing as joyful and satisfying and lasting and life-giving as daily fellowship with our God through His Word. 

Have you been away from daily fellowship with our God through His Word? It's about more than reading a devotion at the start of the day. Do you know His presence and listen for Him and call on Him through the day? As His child, you have been given access, through faith in Jesus, to all the power and wisdom and riches that belong to God. 

Arise and come to Him.

He will welcome you home. 

He will eagerly greet you.

And he will shower you with gifts in Jesus Christ. 

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

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Day of Praise

Sat, 05/21/16, "Day of Praise"

Luke 15:20 - "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

When I was a kid, just 3-4 years old, living with my family in the Fox Meadows section of Memphis, Tennessee, one of my favorite activities in all the world was standing on the front porch of our house at 3117 Flint Drive and watching my older sister, Cathy, and brother, Ben, Jr., walk home from school. I loved spotting them in the distance of our long, straight, treeless street. As if it was yesterday, I remember how excited I was for them to get home, after their long, hard day at elementary school, so my mom and I could greet them and welcome them home. 

How much more does God, through Christ, eagerly wait to welcome us home?

In today's Bible verse, from Luke 15:20, the story has gotten to the point where a son who, in essence, had told his father, "you're as good as dead to me, so I want my inheritance," has come to his senses, realizing that it's better to be a slave in his loving father's house instead of being free in his own pig pen and pig slop. So the son "arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

I, as a young child, eagerly watched everyday for my sister and brother to appear in the distance so I could greet them and welcome them home. So too, God, who is the father in today's Bible verse story, eagerly watched everyday for the son to appear in the distance so he could greet him and welcome him home.

Ya see, Friends, we all know people who have been away from the Lord, maybe their whole life, maybe just for a season. Maybe that person is you.

But no matter who it is or how long they've been away, God is eager to welcome you home and spread his arms wide as we see on the cross of God's Son, Jesus Christ. God loved you enough to let you go and explore and see for yourself that there is nothing as joyful and satisfying and lasting and life-giving as daily fellowship with our God through His Word. 

Have you been away from daily fellowship with our God through His Word? It's about more than reading a devotion at the start of the day. Do you know His presence and listen for Him and call on Him through the day? As His child, you have been given access, through faith in Jesus, to all the power and wisdom and riches that belong to God. 

Arise and come to Him.

He will welcome you home. 

He will eagerly greet you.

And he will shower you with gifts in Jesus Christ. 

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

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

Day of Praise

Sat, 05/21/16, "Day of Praise"

Luke 15:20 - "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

When I was a kid, just 3-4 years old, living with my family in the Fox Meadows section of Memphis, Tennessee, one of my favorite activities in all the world was standing on the front porch of our house at 3117 Flint Drive and watching my older sister, Cathy, and brother, Ben, Jr., walk home from school. I loved spotting them in the distance of our long, straight, treeless street. As if it was yesterday, I remember how excited I was for them to get home, after their long, hard day at elementary school, so my mom and I could greet them and welcome them home. 

How much more does God, through Christ, eagerly wait to welcome us home?

In today's Bible verse, from Luke 15:20, the story has gotten to the point where a son who, in essence, had told his father, "you're as good as dead to me, so I want my inheritance," has come to his senses, realizing that it's better to be a slave in his loving father's house instead of being free in his own pig pen and pig slop. So the son "arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

I, as a young child, eagerly watched everyday for my sister and brother to appear in the distance so I could greet them and welcome them home. So too, God, who is the father in today's Bible verse story, eagerly watched everyday for the son to appear in the distance so he could greet him and welcome him home.

Ya see, Friends, we all know people who have been away from the Lord, maybe their whole life, maybe just for a season. Maybe that person is you.

But no matter who it is or how long they've been away, God is eager to welcome you home and spread his arms wide as we see on the cross of God's Son, Jesus Christ. God loved you enough to let you go and explore and see for yourself that there is nothing as joyful and satisfying and lasting and life-giving as daily fellowship with our God through His Word. 

Have you been away from daily fellowship with our God through His Word? It's about more than reading a devotion at the start of the day. Do you know His presence and listen for Him and call on Him through the day? As His child, you have been given access, through faith in Jesus, to all the power and wisdom and riches that belong to God. 

Arise and come to Him.

He will welcome you home. 

He will eagerly greet you.

And he will shower you with gifts in Jesus Christ. 

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

Fri, 05/20/16, "Day of Praise"

Psalm 34:14 - "Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

1 Timothy 6:11 - "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness."

What shall we pursue today and this weekend? May God help us to pursue what is truly valuable! 

Our young church member, Sydney Estill left last Saturday, May 14th to go to Delhi, India to teach English in Delhi's slums and then in June to Rabat, Morocco to teach and love underprivileged children and then in July to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to work in a protection zone for the critically endangered Black Rhino. (She'll be snapping pictures and writing about her experiences at www.residentoftheroad.com.) Sydney's trip reminded me of what I learned years ago as to why Black Rhinos are almost extinct in the wild, with barely 5,000 remaining. The reason for their downfall is that people keep pursuing and killing the Black Rhino to get its large, front horn, and the tragedy in this is that the Black Rhino's horn is worthless in substance because it's made of the exact same material as human hair and finger nails. In essence, people are wasting a lot of time, endangering their own lives, and threatening the end to a beautiful creature because they're pursuing something that, in substance, is worthless. 

Such pursuit of the Black Rhino's horn is a tragic parable for what many people will do today and this weekend, namely, waste a lot of time, endanger their own souls, and threaten the end of the beautiful creatures they influence by pursuing things that are worthless.

But God calls us, in today's Bible verses, to turn away from, even flee from, worthless pursuits, and calls us instead to pursue peace, righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness.

Every man, woman, boy, and girl, should ask the question each morning, "What am I ultimately pursuing today?" And if we go a small step farther each day and ask God to help us see the true worth of our pursuits, the Living God, who is a God of clarity, will help us to truly see our pursuits for what they are, namely, a worthy and lasting pursuit or not. And then if we ask Him, God will gladly help us to not only shape and mold what we pursue but also our motives and reasons for our pursuits so that our own lives both are truly worth living and also serve to encourage the same substantial reasons in others!

Dear God, please help us to "turn away from evil and do good; [to] seek peace and pursue it" (Psalm 34:14) and to "flee [worthless] things [and instead] pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11). 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

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

Day of Praise

Fri, 05/20/16, "Day of Praise"

Psalm 34:14 - "Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

1 Timothy 6:11 - "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness."

What shall we pursue today and this weekend? May God help us to pursue what is truly valuable! 

Our young church member, Sydney Estill left last Saturday, May 14th to go to Delhi, India to teach English in Delhi's slums and then in June to Rabat, Morocco to teach and love underprivileged children and then in July to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to work in a protection zone for the critically endangered Black Rhino. (She'll be snapping pictures and writing about her experiences at www.residentoftheroad.com.) Sydney's trip reminded me of what I learned years ago as to why Black Rhinos are almost extinct in the wild, with barely 5,000 remaining. The reason for their downfall is that people keep pursuing and killing the Black Rhino to get its large, front horn, and the tragedy in this is that the Black Rhino's horn is worthless in substance because it's made of the exact same material as human hair and finger nails. In essence, people are wasting a lot of time, endangering their own lives, and threatening the end to a beautiful creature because they're pursuing something that, in substance, is worthless. 

Such pursuit of the Black Rhino's horn is a tragic parable for what many people will do today and this weekend, namely, waste a lot of time, endanger their own souls, and threaten the end of the beautiful creatures they influence by pursuing things that are worthless.

But God calls us, in today's Bible verses, to turn away from, even flee from, worthless pursuits, and calls us instead to pursue peace, righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness.

Every man, woman, boy, and girl, should ask the question each morning, "What am I ultimately pursuing today?" And if we go a small step farther each day and ask God to help us see the true worth of our pursuits, the Living God, who is a God of clarity, will help us to truly see our pursuits for what they are, namely, a worthy and lasting pursuit or not. And then if we ask Him, God will gladly help us to not only shape and mold what we pursue but also our motives and reasons for our pursuits so that our own lives both are truly worth living and also serve to encourage the same substantial reasons in others!

Dear God, please help us to "turn away from evil and do good; [to] seek peace and pursue it" (Psalm 34:14) and to "flee [worthless] things [and instead] pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11). 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

Day of Praise

Thur, 05/19/16, "Day of Praise"

Ephesians 5:21 - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Jesus Christ."

In my silly moments, thinking about today's Bible verse, I picture two people endlessly bowing in honor back and forth to each other. How does anything ever get done if all they're doing is bowing and submitting to each other? Doesn't someone need to take charge and make something happen?

However, in God's economy, submitting to one another is not an endless waste of time where people constantly bow and do nothing while waiting for the other to act. To the contrary, submitting to one another is a mutual affirmation and a mutual encouragement. Submitting to one another is a way to say to the other person, "I value the gifts that God has given you. Please use them so that we'll both be blessed. I value the perspective that God has given you. Please speak so I can see what I'm missing. And I value the work you do. Let's work together so we can do what needs to be done."

Mutual submission works when two people share Jesus Christ, because it's not about knocking yourself down, but, instead, it's about valuing, building up, and celebrating the other person. And when both people are doing this, as I like to say, "Everybody wins!" And so it is, when Jesus is in it: Everybody Wins!

So in our society where everybody loves to win, let's be found heeding the Great Coach's strategy for victory in Ephesians 5:21, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Jesus Christ."

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


Sent from my iPhone

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

Day of Praise

Thur, 05/19/16, "Day of Praise"

Ephesians 5:21 - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Jesus Christ."

In my silly moments, thinking about today's Bible verse, I picture two people endlessly bowing in honor back and forth to each other. How does anything ever get done if all they're doing is bowing and submitting to each other? Doesn't someone need to take charge and make something happen?

However, in God's economy, submitting to one another is not an endless waste of time where people constantly bow and do nothing while waiting for the other to act. To the contrary, submitting to one another is a mutual affirmation and a mutual encouragement. Submitting to one another is a way to say to the other person, "I value the gifts that God has given you. Please use them so that we'll both be blessed. I value the perspective that God has given you. Please speak so I can see what I'm missing. And I value the work you do. Let's work together so we can do what needs to be done."

Mutual submission works when two people share Jesus Christ, because it's not about knocking yourself down, but, instead, it's about valuing, building up, and celebrating the other person. And when both people are doing this, as I like to say, "Everybody wins!" And so it is, when Jesus is in it: Everybody Wins!

So in our society where everybody loves to win, let's be found heeding the Great Coach's strategy for victory in Ephesians 5:21, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Jesus Christ."

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


Sent from my iPhone

Day of Praise

Wed, 05/18/16, "Day of Praise"

1 Corinthians 13:12 - "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

It's wedding season around here and most everywhere else. And 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the all-time favorite Bible chapters that brides and grooms choose to have read at their weddings. 

You know 1 Corinthians 13 - Love is patient; Love is kind; Love keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13 is all about love. That's why couples choose it. It's clearly about love.

But towards the end of 1 Corinthians 13 is this part in today's verse that is not so clear, "For now we see in a mirror dimly." Say what? That's not clear. And that surely isn't about love. 

As they say, "Not so fast."

Some, hey, maybe all of you may know that seeing "in a mirror dimly" refers to the quality of mirrors that they had in Bible days. My training on the matter was that mirrors in Bible days were like pieces of glass that people often use decoratively today where you can see both a little reflection of yourself and also a foggy view of things on the other side. I think they call it bubble glass nowadays. Bottom line is that your own reflection in that kind of mirror is dim, at best, and you actually can also see through it, but dimly also at best. In sum, as the verse goes on to say, the mirror glass of Bible days only let you "know in part" both your present (your reflection in the glass) and your future (your seeing through the glass). 

Such dimness and knowing in part is also, like the rest of 1 Corinthians 13, about love - God's love. 

God's love reminds us that we often don't see ourselves too clearly. We often kick ourselves over things that God (and others) have long ago forgiven and/or forgotten. We often see ourselves as far less beautiful and handsome than the child of God that our Heavenly Father adores. And we often see ourselves as far less worthy than the worth that God obviously attaches to us by deeming that we're worth it to him to send His Only Son to die for us and our sin! We have a dim view of ourselves, but God sees us clearly as His own, so he calls us to listen to his voice about us instead of our own voice about us. God loves us far more than we could ever love ourselves!

Similarly, God's love reminds us that we don't see our future too clearly either. The future looks unclear to us, but it's perfectly clear to God. We look through the bubble, and our future looks most uncertain, but God certainly knows what's ahead, namely, He Himself. In other words, God doesn't want us to see clearly all the details of our future. Instead, God wants us to see Him! God wants us to focus on the fact that, though the "whats" of our future are unclear, the "who" of our future is very clear, well, when we look in faith, because nothing about our future is clear apart from faith. But, in faith, we clearly see who is in our future, yay, the Sovereign Loving God. And since God is already there, our future will clearly be blessed.

So right now take a look in the mirror or better, before you hop in your car today, look in your car window, which is kind of like the dim mirrors of old. And, as you see a dim reflection of yourself and a little bit through the glass, remember the love of God that sees you and your future clearly. He loves you right now and will be present in all that's ahead to clearly guide your ways.

Trust Him, and you'll 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

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

Day of Praise

Wed, 05/18/16, "Day of Praise"

1 Corinthians 13:12 - "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

It's wedding season around here and most everywhere else. And 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the all-time favorite Bible chapters that brides and grooms choose to have read at their weddings. 

You know 1 Corinthians 13 - Love is patient; Love is kind; Love keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13 is all about love. That's why couples choose it. It's clearly about love.

But towards the end of 1 Corinthians 13 is this part in today's verse that is not so clear, "For now we see in a mirror dimly." Say what? That's not clear. And that surely isn't about love. 

As they say, "Not so fast."

Some, hey, maybe all of you may know that seeing "in a mirror dimly" refers to the quality of mirrors that they had in Bible days. My training on the matter was that mirrors in Bible days were like pieces of glass that people often use decoratively today where you can see both a little reflection of yourself and also a foggy view of things on the other side. I think they call it bubble glass nowadays. Bottom line is that your own reflection in that kind of mirror is dim, at best, and you actually can also see through it, but dimly also at best. In sum, as the verse goes on to say, the mirror glass of Bible days only let you "know in part" both your present (your reflection in the glass) and your future (your seeing through the glass). 

Such dimness and knowing in part is also, like the rest of 1 Corinthians 13, about love - God's love. 

God's love reminds us that we often don't see ourselves too clearly. We often kick ourselves over things that God (and others) have long ago forgiven and/or forgotten. We often see ourselves as far less beautiful and handsome than the child of God that our Heavenly Father adores. And we often see ourselves as far less worthy than the worth that God obviously attaches to us by deeming that we're worth it to him to send His Only Son to die for us and our sin! We have a dim view of ourselves, but God sees us clearly as His own, so he calls us to listen to his voice about us instead of our own voice about us. God loves us far more than we could ever love ourselves!

Similarly, God's love reminds us that we don't see our future too clearly either. The future looks unclear to us, but it's perfectly clear to God. We look through the bubble, and our future looks most uncertain, but God certainly knows what's ahead, namely, He Himself. In other words, God doesn't want us to see clearly all the details of our future. Instead, God wants us to see Him! God wants us to focus on the fact that, though the "whats" of our future are unclear, the "who" of our future is very clear, well, when we look in faith, because nothing about our future is clear apart from faith. But, in faith, we clearly see who is in our future, yay, the Sovereign Loving God. And since God is already there, our future will clearly be blessed.

So right now take a look in the mirror or better, before you hop in your car today, look in your car window, which is kind of like the dim mirrors of old. And, as you see a dim reflection of yourself and a little bit through the glass, remember the love of God that sees you and your future clearly. He loves you right now and will be present in all that's ahead to clearly guide your ways.

Trust Him, and you'll 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

Day of Praise

Tues, 05/17/16, "Day of Praise"

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths."

What does God mean by "all your ways"? God has taught me, through his word, that "all my ways" can be summed up as follows. Knowing and trusting God through Jesus is the only "Way" (John 14:1-7) for us to live if we want to live abundantly now and forever. And then, within the overall Way of Jesus, there are two smaller "ways" that cover everything also, namely, the way of praising God and the way of thanking God.

For example, I think about how I often am with a big meeting. Through the day, God stops me at various times to pray for the meeting and entrust it to him, I find myself either being quite calm and peaceful about it. Or I find myself becoming a little nervous and anxious about it. When I'm calm and peaceful, I thank God, for God alone can give peace (Galatians 5:22-23). And when I'm a little nervous and anxious, I praise God as the One who alone can promise to give peace (Galatians 5:22-23) and then does! In other words, I either thank God for what he does (give peace). Or I praise God for who He is and, therefore, what He alone can and will do (give peace).

Ya see, when we're in Jesus Christ, through faith, in everything that comes upon us in the course of a day, there are only two possible ways to see it, namely, thank God for the good thing he's already done or praise God for the good thing that he will do because he is a good and gracious and mighty God all the time!

So, may we be found acknowledging the Lord in all our ways today! May we taste the Way that is the Life of Truth in God through Jesus Christ as we thank him for the good thing that we're tasting or as we praise him for the good thing that he'll surely bring about!

Trust him in these ways, and you'll see!

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths."

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

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

Day of Praise

Tues, 05/17/16, "Day of Praise"

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths."

What does God mean by "all your ways"? God has taught me, through his word, that "all my ways" can be summed up as follows. Knowing and trusting God through Jesus is the only "Way" (John 14:1-7) for us to live if we want to live abundantly now and forever. And then, within the overall Way of Jesus, there are two smaller "ways" that cover everything also, namely, the way of praising God and the way of thanking God.

For example, I think about how I often am with a big meeting. Through the day, God stops me at various times to pray for the meeting and entrust it to him, I find myself either being quite calm and peaceful about it. Or I find myself becoming a little nervous and anxious about it. When I'm calm and peaceful, I thank God, for God alone can give peace (Galatians 5:22-23). And when I'm a little nervous and anxious, I praise God as the One who alone can promise to give peace (Galatians 5:22-23) and then does! In other words, I either thank God for what he does (give peace). Or I praise God for who He is and, therefore, what He alone can and will do (give peace).

Ya see, when we're in Jesus Christ, through faith, in everything that comes upon us in the course of a day, there are only two possible ways to see it, namely, thank God for the good thing he's already done or praise God for the good thing that he will do because he is a good and gracious and mighty God all the time!

So, may we be found acknowledging the Lord in all our ways today! May we taste the Way that is the Life of Truth in God through Jesus Christ as we thank him for the good thing that we're tasting or as we praise him for the good thing that he'll surely bring about!

Trust him in these ways, and you'll see!

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths."

Praise God!

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

Day of Praise

Mo, 05/16/16, "Day of Praise"

Deuteronomy 4:29 - "But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."

It happened again, just like it has before! It's a little over-dramatic to say that I was in a panic, but how about we say that it was not comforting that I couldn't find my red stole yesterday morning before our 8:00 a.m. worship service? Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, which is the celebration of God pouring out the Holy Spirit on Jesus's disciples, and worship leaders traditionally wear a red piece of fabric, called a stole, over their robe. Furthermore, the whole congregation tries to wear red. So when I couldn't find my red stole in the little closet of my office, I started a singsongish, "Ooooooh nooo-ooooo, thiiiiiiis is not goooooood." I even started to think of alternative plans, but none were really viable. None were capable of working successfully.

And that's when I heard God speak as plainly as if He were standing right next to me and thinking with me what to do. God simply said, "Keep searching; it's there."

And sure enough, there, stuffed at an angle in the back corner of the hanger rack, was the hanger with my red stole. And I shouted to the Lord, "Thank you, Jesus!"

Now here's the point, yesterday in worship, I preached from the scripture about Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I preached that many Christians have a sense that something is not quite complete and fulfilling about their life. And God's testimony at Pentecost is that the missing piece is the personal reception of the Holy Spirit, which brings all sorts of previously unknown treasure, such as a daily ability to see God working wondrously in our lives. And just as God spoke to me yesterday to keep looking for what, in the grand scheme of things, is an unnecessary piece of fabric, God speaks to you today to keep looking for what, in the grand scheme of things, is the most important piece of your life, namely, the daily presence and blessed work of the Living God in your life.

God wants to be a present help for you with your daily work. God wants to encourage you and cheer you on with each situation that arises. God wants to counsel and guide you with each person and conversation that's before you today.

The question is, have you gotten so used to doing the day on your own that you don't even think about God's presence and help? Or maybe you "wish" God would help, but you feel so pressured to get it aaaaaaall done that you don't leave enough time for God to speak.

Friends, in God's economy, taking more time to heed God's call in today's Bible verse ("you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul") is much more efficient than taking less time to leave him out.

It's a faith proposition.

God is with you, whether you acknowledge him or not. And God is eager to help you whether you accept his help or not.

So, just like He encouraged me yesterday morning with a piece of fabric, He encourages us all today with His presence and blessings, saying, "Keep searching; it's there."

May God bless us, as He promises, that as we patiently look, we will indeed 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

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

Day of Praise

Mo, 05/16/16, "Day of Praise"

Deuteronomy 4:29 - "But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."

It happened again, just like it has before! It's a little over-dramatic to say that I was in a panic, but how about we say that it was not comforting that I couldn't find my red stole yesterday morning before our 8:00 a.m. worship service? Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, which is the celebration of God pouring out the Holy Spirit on Jesus's disciples, and worship leaders traditionally wear a red piece of fabric, called a stole, over their robe. Furthermore, the whole congregation tries to wear red. So when I couldn't find my red stole in the little closet of my office, I started a singsongish, "Ooooooh nooo-ooooo, thiiiiiiis is not goooooood." I even started to think of alternative plans, but none were really viable. None were capable of working successfully.

And that's when I heard God speak as plainly as if He were standing right next to me and thinking with me what to do. God simply said, "Keep searching; it's there."

And sure enough, there, stuffed at an angle in the back corner of the hanger rack, was the hanger with my red stole. And I shouted to the Lord, "Thank you, Jesus!"

Now here's the point, yesterday in worship, I preached from the scripture about Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I preached that many Christians have a sense that something is not quite complete and fulfilling about their life. And God's testimony at Pentecost is that the missing piece is the personal reception of the Holy Spirit, which brings all sorts of previously unknown treasure, such as a daily ability to see God working wondrously in our lives. And just as God spoke to me yesterday to keep looking for what, in the grand scheme of things, is an unnecessary piece of fabric, God speaks to you today to keep looking for what, in the grand scheme of things, is the most important piece of your life, namely, the daily presence and blessed work of the Living God in your life.

God wants to be a present help for you with your daily work. God wants to encourage you and cheer you on with each situation that arises. God wants to counsel and guide you with each person and conversation that's before you today.

The question is, have you gotten so used to doing the day on your own that you don't even think about God's presence and help? Or maybe you "wish" God would help, but you feel so pressured to get it aaaaaaall done that you don't leave enough time for God to speak.

Friends, in God's economy, taking more time to heed God's call in today's Bible verse ("you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul") is much more efficient than taking less time to leave him out.

It's a faith proposition.

God is with you, whether you acknowledge him or not. And God is eager to help you whether you accept his help or not.

So, just like He encouraged me yesterday morning with a piece of fabric, He encourages us all today with His presence and blessings, saying, "Keep searching; it's there."

May God bless us, as He promises, that as we patiently look, we will indeed 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

Day of Praise

Sat, 05/14/16, Easter Day #49, "Day of Praise"

Psalm 126:2 - "Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.'"

May God bless you with a laugh-filled, joy-filled, hope-filled, rest-filled, praise-of-God-filled Saturday!

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

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

Day of Praise

Sat, 05/14/16, Easter Day #49, "Day of Praise"

Psalm 126:2 - "Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.'"

May God bless you with a laugh-filled, joy-filled, hope-filled, rest-filled, praise-of-God-filled Saturday!

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

Fri, 05/13/16, Easter Day #48, "Day of Praise"

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

Memory is a powerful tool in life that God has given us.

The thought of where I group up in Tennessee brings back a flood of memories. Mostly good. But some that I wish were different. Like I have this memory of throwing an ice ball at an unsuspecting friend who really got hurt from my antics. At the time, as teenagers, all of us, except Brad, who got pelted, thought it was hilarious. Now I'm not laughing so much. 

When we remember things that we regret, memory has the power to invoke that wonderful feeling called guilt.

When you remember your past, do you ever have guilt stirred up? Or what about that self-destructive memory that's called a grudge?

Jesus knew the power of memory. That's why in today's verse he calls us to use the best memory. He calls us to remember that He, as the Son of God, has poured His life out for us in order that the most powerful memory might rule in our lives, namely, that God's love and forgiveness have no limit in our lives. Well, actually, our unbelief can keep God's love and forgiveness at arms length in our lives. But when we remember daily, and multiple times through a day, that God sent Jesus to pour out love and forgiveness, then the memory of Jesus trumps all others.

God's love and forgiveness trumps guilt. God's love and forgiveness trumps grudges. God's love and forgiveness trumps regret. God's love and forgiveness is a memory of the past action of Christ that is powerfully present in this very moment because the Christ who died to give that love and forgiveness is with us now, risen from the dead, and dwelling in the hearts and minds of all who will believe that the memory of Jesus's love and forgiveness is greater in lifting us up than any past memory that would pull us down.

Remember Christ today so that your past, present, and future may be filled with positive, life-giving memories!

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

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

Day of Praise

Fri, 05/13/16, Easter Day #48, "Day of Praise"

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

Memory is a powerful tool in life that God has given us.

The thought of where I group up in Tennessee brings back a flood of memories. Mostly good. But some that I wish were different. Like I have this memory of throwing an ice ball at an unsuspecting friend who really got hurt from my antics. At the time, as teenagers, all of us, except Brad, who got pelted, thought it was hilarious. Now I'm not laughing so much. 

When we remember things that we regret, memory has the power to invoke that wonderful feeling called guilt.

When you remember your past, do you ever have guilt stirred up? Or what about that self-destructive memory that's called a grudge?

Jesus knew the power of memory. That's why in today's verse he calls us to use the best memory. He calls us to remember that He, as the Son of God, has poured His life out for us in order that the most powerful memory might rule in our lives, namely, that God's love and forgiveness have no limit in our lives. Well, actually, our unbelief can keep God's love and forgiveness at arms length in our lives. But when we remember daily, and multiple times through a day, that God sent Jesus to pour out love and forgiveness, then the memory of Jesus trumps all others.

God's love and forgiveness trumps guilt. God's love and forgiveness trumps grudges. God's love and forgiveness trumps regret. God's love and forgiveness is a memory of the past action of Christ that is powerfully present in this very moment because the Christ who died to give that love and forgiveness is with us now, risen from the dead, and dwelling in the hearts and minds of all who will believe that the memory of Jesus's love and forgiveness is greater in lifting us up than any past memory that would pull us down.

Remember Christ today so that your past, present, and future may be filled with positive, life-giving memories!

Praise God!

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

Day of Praise

Th, 05/12/16, Easter Day #47, "Day of Praise"

Right before putting this devotion together, I was on the phone with another one of you who's going through a very hard reality. There's been an extraordinary number of these realities shared in the last few days. What that means, unfortunately, is that today will be an extremely hard day for many of you. The burdens that many of you have shared make me think of my most difficult season in life and the Bible passage from Psalm 71 that someone sent to me during my roughest season. In that season, God spoke to me through Psalm 71 in a way that I felt encouraged to press on even though I was heart-broken and body-weary. 

May God bless you all to press on even in your sorrows and difficulties, as I commend Psalm 71 to you. Trust God himself to speak to you through His Word. Listen for his voice. God himself promises that His voice and His words will comfort you. 

Psalm 71 - In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame!
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
    incline your ear to me, and save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge,
    to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope,
    my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
    you are he who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.
7 I have been as a portent to many,
    but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
    and with your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
    forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me;
    those who watch for my life consult together
11 and say, "God has forsaken him;
    pursue and seize him,
    for there is none to deliver him."
12 O God, be not far from me;
    O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
    with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
    who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually
    and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
    of your deeds of salvation all the day,
    for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
    I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,
    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs,
    O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
    your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God,
    reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
    O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
    will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
    you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness
    and comfort me again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
    O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy,
    when I sing praises to you;
    my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,
for they have been put to shame and disappointed
    who sought to do me hurt.

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

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

Day of Praise

Th, 05/12/16, Easter Day #47, "Day of Praise"

Right before putting this devotion together, I was on the phone with another one of you who's going through a very hard reality. There's been an extraordinary number of these realities shared in the last few days. What that means, unfortunately, is that today will be an extremely hard day for many of you. The burdens that many of you have shared make me think of my most difficult season in life and the Bible passage from Psalm 71 that someone sent to me during my roughest season. In that season, God spoke to me through Psalm 71 in a way that I felt encouraged to press on even though I was heart-broken and body-weary. 

May God bless you all to press on even in your sorrows and difficulties, as I commend Psalm 71 to you. Trust God himself to speak to you through His Word. Listen for his voice. God himself promises that His voice and His words will comfort you. 

Psalm 71 - In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame!
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
    incline your ear to me, and save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge,
    to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope,
    my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
    you are he who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.
7 I have been as a portent to many,
    but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
    and with your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
    forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me;
    those who watch for my life consult together
11 and say, "God has forsaken him;
    pursue and seize him,
    for there is none to deliver him."
12 O God, be not far from me;
    O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
    with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
    who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually
    and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
    of your deeds of salvation all the day,
    for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
    I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,
    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs,
    O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
    your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God,
    reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
    O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
    will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
    you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness
    and comfort me again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
    O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy,
    when I sing praises to you;
    my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,
for they have been put to shame and disappointed
    who sought to do me hurt.

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