Day of Praise

Sat, 11/12/16, "Day of Praise"

"While he was still young, [Josiah] began to seek the God of his father David." - 2 Chronicles 34:3

King Josiah was in love. So he pursued the love of his life. He pursued God.

John Eldredge, in his best-selling book, "Wild at Heart," says that part of pursuing the love of your life includes showing the love of your life that they're the only love of your life. So you need to send the other competitors for your heart packing.

So that's what young King Josiah did. Since God was the love of his life, Josiah sent the other competitors for his heart packing.

God's Word in the Bible describes Josiah's casting out of the competition in this way. "[Josiah] began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols... The altars of the Baals were torn down; he cut to pieces the incense altars...and smashed the Asherah poles and the idols... He burned the bones of the priests on their altars... He tore down the altars and the Asherah poles and crushed the idols to powder and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout Israel. Then he went back to Jerusalem." - 2 Chronicles 34:3-7

So, what are the competitors for your heart? They're probably not "high places, Asherah poles and idols, altars of the Baals, incense altars, and Asherah poles and idols." But whatever the competitors for your heart may be, do the following:

Send them packing.

"Why?," you ask, "And what do you mean?"

In Matthew 22:37-39, we hear Jesus say: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself."

Note, in quoting the Hebrew Bible, Jesus does say "As your first love, God is to be loved "with all your heart," that is your whole heart.

So send the competitors packing. For it is only by completely loving God, who first loved us, that we find that God then gives back to us enough love and wisdom to rightly love the people in our lives and enough wisdom to rightly oversee the things in our lives.

The way it shakes down is this: 1) pursue the love of your life, God, with all you've got and 2) keep everybody and everything else in perspective!

So, "While he was still young, [Josiah] began to seek the God of his father David." - 2 Chronicles 34:3

God will surely provide, as we seek to do the same.

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

Veterans Day of Praise

Fri, 11/11/16, Veterans Day, "Day of Praise"

"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'" - Matthew 25:19-20

If you are a "The Cup Is Half Empty" person, then you would say, "If you don't use it, you lose it." And that perspective is indeed a part of the parable in today's verse. 

However, I prefer "The Cup Is Half Full" outlook, which leads you to say, "When you use it, you get more." And that perspective is the part of the parable that is today's verse, 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

One of the classes we've done a number of times at church is studying Arthur Burk's Biblical study of the redemptive spiritual gifts. (Google it! It's fascinating stuff.) One of the primary truths about spiritual gifts that Burk points out is "When you use it, you get more." Specifically, when you use the primary spiritual gift that God's given you, you get more spiritual gifts from God.

I'll let you explore that spiritual gifts application more on your own.

What I want to close with is another application of the "When you use it, you get more" principle, which applies both to the use of God-given gifts and also to Veterans Day.

Veterans have a special God-given gift, namely, a courage and conscious willingness to stand in harm's way for the sake of other people, and not only for the sake of other people, but also for the benefit of other people. In other words, "When they use it (their gift), we get more."

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I had the freedom to assemble (with other Christians) on Sunday.

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I had the freedom to practice my religion (with those other Christians) on Sunday.

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I have the freedom to speak (from a pulpit to those other Christians) on Sundays.

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I had the freedom to vote in the election for the President of The United States of America.

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I have the freedom now to publicly talk about the President and the President-elect and also publicly pray for both of them too. 

And so on. And so on. And so on.

I'm not exaggerating to say that every single day I thank God for the only two people who have died for me: the American soldier who died for my earthly freedoms in this great land and the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who died for my spiritual freedom in the kingdom of heaven that we have even now through a simple faith relationship with Jesus Christ.

Thank a Veteran today.

And tomorrow.

And as often as you can.

"When they use their talents, we get more."

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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Veterans Day of Praise

Fri, 11/11/16, Veterans Day, "Day of Praise"

"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'" - Matthew 25:19-20

If you are a "The Cup Is Half Empty" person, then you would say, "If you don't use it, you lose it." And that perspective is indeed a part of the parable in today's verse. 

However, I prefer "The Cup Is Half Full" outlook, which leads you to say, "When you use it, you get more." And that perspective is the part of the parable that is today's verse, 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

One of the classes we've done a number of times at church is studying Arthur Burk's Biblical study of the redemptive spiritual gifts. (Google it! It's fascinating stuff.) One of the primary truths about spiritual gifts that Burk points out is "When you use it, you get more." Specifically, when you use the primary spiritual gift that God's given you, you get more spiritual gifts from God.

I'll let you explore that spiritual gifts application more on your own.

What I want to close with is another application of the "When you use it, you get more" principle, which applies both to the use of God-given gifts and also to Veterans Day.

Veterans have a special God-given gift, namely, a courage and conscious willingness to stand in harm's way for the sake of other people, and not only for the sake of other people, but also for the benefit of other people. In other words, "When they use it (their gift), we get more."

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I had the freedom to assemble (with other Christians) on Sunday.

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I had the freedom to practice my religion (with those other Christians) on Sunday.

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I have the freedom to speak (from a pulpit to those other Christians) on Sundays.

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I had the freedom to vote in the election for the President of The United States of America.

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I have the freedom now to publicly talk about the President and the President-elect and also publicly pray for both of them too. 

And so on. And so on. And so on.

I'm not exaggerating to say that every single day I thank God for the only two people who have died for me: the American soldier who died for my earthly freedoms in this great land and the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who died for my spiritual freedom in the kingdom of heaven that we have even now through a simple faith relationship with Jesus Christ.

Thank a Veteran today.

And tomorrow.

And as often as you can.

"When they use their talents, we get more."

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, 11/10/16, "Day of Praise"

"Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near." - Zephaniah 1:7

A friend of mine, the late Orville Scribner, always said that a talk was incomplete without some humor. So, here's to you, Orville! How about a humorous question?

Have you ever done something that you wish you hadn't?

Ha! That's hilarious!

Well, then, specifically, have you ever said something that you wish you hadn't?

Yeaaaa, funny guy!

Ok, have you ever laughed at something and you suddenly wished you hadn't?

Uuuuusually, that's not funny. Oops.

My brother and I sure weren't laughing, if I remember it correctly, when our granddad said he wanted to teach us to Pow-Wow, i.e. faith heal.

And we laughed. Oops.

He swore then to never teach us, and, true to his word, he never did.

We should've stayed silent, but because we didn't, we missed out on a blessing.

That's why we'd do well to heed God's word in today's verse, ""Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near." (Zephaniah 1:7)

When God calls us to be silent, it's not quite that he wants to teach us to faith heal, but it is because he wants to heal us in faith and pour out countless blessings. 

Namely, when God calls us to be silent, a study of scripture shows us that the silent get a divine promise, a divine touch, a divine cleansing, a divine healing, a divine rebuilding of our lives, a divine shield. 

On the other hand, when God calls us to be silent, a study of scripture shows us that those who speak, maybe even laugh, when they should be listening get, well, trouble.

And lots of it! 

God might still pour out the blessing, but when you're busy talking or laughing, when you were asked to be silent, it's pretty hard to hear what the master has to say.

Maybe that's why our Pap wouldn't teach us to Pow-Wow. Yep, it's pretty hard to hear what the master has to say, when you're making all that racket, chatter, and laughing.

Sooooooo, "Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near." - Zephaniah 1:7

Blessings and power await!

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

Thur, 11/10/16, "Day of Praise"

"Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near." - Zephaniah 1:7

A friend of mine, the late Orville Scribner, always said that a talk was incomplete without some humor. So, here's to you, Orville! How about a humorous question?

Have you ever done something that you wish you hadn't?

Ha! That's hilarious!

Well, then, specifically, have you ever said something that you wish you hadn't?

Yeaaaa, funny guy!

Ok, have you ever laughed at something and you suddenly wished you hadn't?

Uuuuusually, that's not funny. Oops.

My brother and I sure weren't laughing, if I remember it correctly, when our granddad said he wanted to teach us to Pow-Wow, i.e. faith heal.

And we laughed. Oops.

He swore then to never teach us, and, true to his word, he never did.

We should've stayed silent, but because we didn't, we missed out on a blessing.

That's why we'd do well to heed God's word in today's verse, ""Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near." (Zephaniah 1:7)

When God calls us to be silent, it's not quite that he wants to teach us to faith heal, but it is because he wants to heal us in faith and pour out countless blessings. 

Namely, when God calls us to be silent, a study of scripture shows us that the silent get a divine promise, a divine touch, a divine cleansing, a divine healing, a divine rebuilding of our lives, a divine shield. 

On the other hand, when God calls us to be silent, a study of scripture shows us that those who speak, maybe even laugh, when they should be listening get, well, trouble.

And lots of it! 

God might still pour out the blessing, but when you're busy talking or laughing, when you were asked to be silent, it's pretty hard to hear what the master has to say.

Maybe that's why our Pap wouldn't teach us to Pow-Wow. Yep, it's pretty hard to hear what the master has to say, when you're making all that racket, chatter, and laughing.

Sooooooo, "Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near." - Zephaniah 1:7

Blessings and power await!

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

Wed, 11/09/16, "Day of Praise"

"'Manasseh's prayer and how God was moved by his entreaty, as well as all his sins and unfaithfulness...all these are written in the records of the seers." - 2 Chronicles 33:19

Yikes!

What a way to start a day, any day. Knowing that all your sins and unfaithfulness are written in the records of the seers.

Even worse, God, being omniscient, obviously also knows all of Manasseh's sins and unfaithfulness.

And yours and mine too.

Yikes!

Here's hope.

"I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of [Jesus'] name." - 1 John 2:12

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, 11/09/16, "Day of Praise"

"'Manasseh's prayer and how God was moved by his entreaty, as well as all his sins and unfaithfulness...all these are written in the records of the seers." - 2 Chronicles 33:19

Yikes!

What a way to start a day, any day. Knowing that all your sins and unfaithfulness are written in the records of the seers.

Even worse, God, being omniscient, obviously also knows all of Manasseh's sins and unfaithfulness.

And yours and mine too.

Yikes!

Here's hope.

"I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of [Jesus'] name." - 1 John 2:12

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

Special Day of Praise

Please care, please pray, please vote! God reigns!

Chris DeGreen

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

Special Day of Praise

Please care, please pray, please vote! God reigns!

Chris DeGreen

Day of Praise

Tues, 11/08/16, "Day of Praise"

"I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'" - Isaiah 65:1

Have you ever found something that you weren't looking for?

For example, you're walking through a parking lot to go into a grocery store and you see a quarter on the ground. You're weren't looking for a quarter; you were looking to get groceries. But you "found" the quarter that was there all the time because you value money.

On the other hand, let's say you're walking through a parking lot to go into a grocery store and you see a piece of chewed gum on the ground. Actually, there are pieces of chewed gum all over the ground. But you're not looking for chewed gum, AND you don't value chewed gum. So even though chewed gum is everywhere on the ground in the parking lot, because you don't value it, you never "find" it.

One quarter in a huge grocery store parking lot that you "find" because you value money. Many pieces of chewed gum in a huge grocery store parking lot that you don't "find" because you don't value chewed gum.

I remember when a member of our church went to a doctor for a "scope" to remove some stones from a body part. The doctor made a big mistake and perforated an internal organ that made a huge problem requiring immediate surgery. However, because these people are always looking for God to work through all things together for good, as God promises, they had peace even after the doctor's big mistake. They weren't looking for the mistake, but they value God. So they were looking for God to work through the mistake.

They "found" what they valued, as the surgery became God's means to not only remove as many stones as there were chewed pieces of gum in a parking lot. But since the doctor had to do surgery because of the perforation, he was also able to do some other helpful things because of the surgery that he could not have done without the surgery.

The family rejoiced.

In sum, the family wasn't looking for "trouble" (the perforation), but because they value God and God's promise, they "found" and received a blessing of God through the trouble. They also had peace throughout the trouble.

What do you value?

If you value money, you'll find a quarter in a grocery store parking lot from time to time, even when you're not looking for it. If you value chewed gum, you'll find lots of chewed gum in a grocery store parking lot, even when you're not looking for it. If you value God and his promises, you'll find God working through all sorts of trouble, even though you weren't looking for the trouble. 

Value God and his promises, you'll find him everywhere.

Think about it.

"I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'" - Isaiah 65:1

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, 11/08/16, "Day of Praise"

"I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'" - Isaiah 65:1

Have you ever found something that you weren't looking for?

For example, you're walking through a parking lot to go into a grocery store and you see a quarter on the ground. You're weren't looking for a quarter; you were looking to get groceries. But you "found" the quarter that was there all the time because you value money.

On the other hand, let's say you're walking through a parking lot to go into a grocery store and you see a piece of chewed gum on the ground. Actually, there are pieces of chewed gum all over the ground. But you're not looking for chewed gum, AND you don't value chewed gum. So even though chewed gum is everywhere on the ground in the parking lot, because you don't value it, you never "find" it.

One quarter in a huge grocery store parking lot that you "find" because you value money. Many pieces of chewed gum in a huge grocery store parking lot that you don't "find" because you don't value chewed gum.

I remember when a member of our church went to a doctor for a "scope" to remove some stones from a body part. The doctor made a big mistake and perforated an internal organ that made a huge problem requiring immediate surgery. However, because these people are always looking for God to work through all things together for good, as God promises, they had peace even after the doctor's big mistake. They weren't looking for the mistake, but they value God. So they were looking for God to work through the mistake.

They "found" what they valued, as the surgery became God's means to not only remove as many stones as there were chewed pieces of gum in a parking lot. But since the doctor had to do surgery because of the perforation, he was also able to do some other helpful things because of the surgery that he could not have done without the surgery.

The family rejoiced.

In sum, the family wasn't looking for "trouble" (the perforation), but because they value God and God's promise, they "found" and received a blessing of God through the trouble. They also had peace throughout the trouble.

What do you value?

If you value money, you'll find a quarter in a grocery store parking lot from time to time, even when you're not looking for it. If you value chewed gum, you'll find lots of chewed gum in a grocery store parking lot, even when you're not looking for it. If you value God and his promises, you'll find God working through all sorts of trouble, even though you weren't looking for the trouble. 

Value God and his promises, you'll find him everywhere.

Think about it.

"I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'" - Isaiah 65:1

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, 11/07/16, "Day of Praise"

"All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace." - Isaiah 54:13

I really, really love my three children. That's why I'm so glad that God loves them far more.

As much as I love my children, I've made mistakes. I need God to love my children and teach them and serve them because as much as I love my children, I've made mistakes.

Like when my oldest, Calley, was about four. She was wearing a wet swimsuit after "swimming" in the little plastic pool on our back porch. She asked if I'd push her on the swing in our backyard. "Sure!" I said sincerely.

So sweet daughter with wet bathing suit gets on slippery backyard swing. I push gently to get her started. Then a little firmer push to get higher. Then exuberantly I push so my daughter can feel the wind.

Oops! Wet bathing suit, slippery backyard swing, and daddy's exuberant push add up to sweet four year old daughter sliding off the swing, flipping upside down, little feet straight up, and sweet head with her cute face skipping across the backyard for 30 feet like the smoothest stone skipping across a lake.

I thought I'd killed her. Fortunately, she was (and is) a tough little cookie and bounced right up.

Just like she did when I broke her collarbone. That's a story for another day.

All I know is that I love my kids so much that it literally makes me cry right now to think how much I hate to hurt them in any way, shape, or form.

But as much as I love my now 17, 21 and 23-year old, God loves them more.

What a blessing! That God loves my children and yours far more than we ever could.

Let's tell them.

Everyday.

Let's tell our children everyday how great God's love is for them.

That would truly be loving them as much as we possibly could.

"All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace." - Isaiah 54:13

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

Mon, 11/07/16, "Day of Praise"

"All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace." - Isaiah 54:13

I really, really love my three children. That's why I'm so glad that God loves them far more.

As much as I love my children, I've made mistakes. I need God to love my children and teach them and serve them because as much as I love my children, I've made mistakes.

Like when my oldest, Calley, was about four. She was wearing a wet swimsuit after "swimming" in the little plastic pool on our back porch. She asked if I'd push her on the swing in our backyard. "Sure!" I said sincerely.

So sweet daughter with wet bathing suit gets on slippery backyard swing. I push gently to get her started. Then a little firmer push to get higher. Then exuberantly I push so my daughter can feel the wind.

Oops! Wet bathing suit, slippery backyard swing, and daddy's exuberant push add up to sweet four year old daughter sliding off the swing, flipping upside down, little feet straight up, and sweet head with her cute face skipping across the backyard for 30 feet like the smoothest stone skipping across a lake.

I thought I'd killed her. Fortunately, she was (and is) a tough little cookie and bounced right up.

Just like she did when I broke her collarbone. That's a story for another day.

All I know is that I love my kids so much that it literally makes me cry right now to think how much I hate to hurt them in any way, shape, or form.

But as much as I love my now 17, 21 and 23-year old, God loves them more.

What a blessing! That God loves my children and yours far more than we ever could.

Let's tell them.

Everyday.

Let's tell our children everyday how great God's love is for them.

That would truly be loving them as much as we possibly could.

"All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace." - Isaiah 54:13

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, 11/05/16, "Day of Praise"

"The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins." - Isaiah 51:3

"The Lord...will look with compassion on all her ruins."

What does that mean? What does it mean that the "The Lord will look with compassion on all her ruins."

We want to run straight to the encouragement that God will have compassion on anyone whose life is totally or partially or even a wee bit in ruins. And that's great because God certainly wants to rebuild us all personally, along with the relationships and matters in our lives.

However, God's word teaches us that it doesn't do a whole lot of good for God to rebuild our lives if, like a two year old, we simply just tear it down again. What's the old saying? Only a fool keeps doing the same thing and expects a different result!

So what does God want us to hear about ruins in our lives, in addition to his compassion?

In Proverbs 24, there are a number of "building, ruins, rebuilding" sayings, such as "Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house."

Translation - Keep your priorities straight.

If we continue to ignore God and His Word by giving more time and importance to other things, then we will continue to knock down whatever God builds or rebuilds.

The priority of God's word makes it possible to see how things came to ruin to begin with and how God will compassionately lead the rebuilding.

"The Lord will surely comfort Zion
and will look with compassion on all her ruins." - Isaiah 51:3

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, 11/05/16, "Day of Praise"

"The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins." - Isaiah 51:3

"The Lord...will look with compassion on all her ruins."

What does that mean? What does it mean that the "The Lord will look with compassion on all her ruins."

We want to run straight to the encouragement that God will have compassion on anyone whose life is totally or partially or even a wee bit in ruins. And that's great because God certainly wants to rebuild us all personally, along with the relationships and matters in our lives.

However, God's word teaches us that it doesn't do a whole lot of good for God to rebuild our lives if, like a two year old, we simply just tear it down again. What's the old saying? Only a fool keeps doing the same thing and expects a different result!

So what does God want us to hear about ruins in our lives, in addition to his compassion?

In Proverbs 24, there are a number of "building, ruins, rebuilding" sayings, such as "Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house."

Translation - Keep your priorities straight.

If we continue to ignore God and His Word by giving more time and importance to other things, then we will continue to knock down whatever God builds or rebuilds.

The priority of God's word makes it possible to see how things came to ruin to begin with and how God will compassionately lead the rebuilding.

"The Lord will surely comfort Zion
and will look with compassion on all her ruins." - Isaiah 51:3

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, 11/04/16, "Day of Praise"

"The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary." - Isaiah 50:4

Let's change the world today. It won't be hard.

Step 1 - Find a weary person. It's a weekday. It's a broken, fallen world. Finding a weary person on a weekday in a broken, fallen world shouldn't be hard.

Step 2 - Tell the weary person some good news. In Proverbs 25:25, God says, "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." Telling the good news shouldn't be hard. Finding some good news though in a broken, fallen world might be hard.

Step 3 - If you have trouble finding some good news for the weary person, tell 'em you haven't lost hope. Grab a post-it note, and jot down God's word in Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Let's change the world today, one person at a time. It won't be hard because there are lots of weary people.

God has taught us "the word that sustains the weary" (Isaiah 50:4). It's the good news that those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary.

God bless you all!

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, 11/04/16, "Day of Praise"

"The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary." - Isaiah 50:4

Let's change the world today. It won't be hard.

Step 1 - Find a weary person. It's a weekday. It's a broken, fallen world. Finding a weary person on a weekday in a broken, fallen world shouldn't be hard.

Step 2 - Tell the weary person some good news. In Proverbs 25:25, God says, "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." Telling the good news shouldn't be hard. Finding some good news though in a broken, fallen world might be hard.

Step 3 - If you have trouble finding some good news for the weary person, tell 'em you haven't lost hope. Grab a post-it note, and jot down God's word in Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Let's change the world today, one person at a time. It won't be hard because there are lots of weary people.

God has taught us "the word that sustains the weary" (Isaiah 50:4). It's the good news that those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary.

God bless you all!

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, 11/03/16, "Day of Praise"

"This is what the Lord says,...'Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you.'" - Isaiah 44:6,21

How important is remembering?

In today's verse, God calls his people to remember, and God promises not to forget.

How important is remembering?

I've been in Birmingham for 26 years. Briarwood Presbyterian was founded many years before that by Frank Barker. When people recount to me why Briarwood grew to the mega-church it is, one thing is always mentioned, namely, Frank and his wife remembered. They remembered people and things about people. They cared by remembering.

How important is remembering?

The root of the Hebrew word for remembering is the same root as the Hebrew word for visiting. Visit someone with a phone call or note or stopping by their house...especially if they live alone...and you'll see how important remembering is.

How important is remembering?

Jesus says that we actually receive him personally when we drink the cup and eat the bread "in remembrance" of him.

How important is remembering?

A guy crucified next to Jesus finds peace merely by asking Jesus to remember him when Jesus came to his everlasting kingdom.

How important is remembering?

Look up, and believe God when he promises never to forget you. See how good that feels.

"This is what the Lord says,...'Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you.'" - Isaiah 44:6,21

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

Thur, 11/03/16, "Day of Praise"

"This is what the Lord says,...'Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you.'" - Isaiah 44:6,21

How important is remembering?

In today's verse, God calls his people to remember, and God promises not to forget.

How important is remembering?

I've been in Birmingham for 26 years. Briarwood Presbyterian was founded many years before that by Frank Barker. When people recount to me why Briarwood grew to the mega-church it is, one thing is always mentioned, namely, Frank and his wife remembered. They remembered people and things about people. They cared by remembering.

How important is remembering?

The root of the Hebrew word for remembering is the same root as the Hebrew word for visiting. Visit someone with a phone call or note or stopping by their house...especially if they live alone...and you'll see how important remembering is.

How important is remembering?

Jesus says that we actually receive him personally when we drink the cup and eat the bread "in remembrance" of him.

How important is remembering?

A guy crucified next to Jesus finds peace merely by asking Jesus to remember him when Jesus came to his everlasting kingdom.

How important is remembering?

Look up, and believe God when he promises never to forget you. See how good that feels.

"This is what the Lord says,...'Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you.'" - Isaiah 44:6,21

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

Wed, 11/02/16, "Day of Praise"

"The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing" - Isaiah 19:3

You would look at me as if I were crazy.

Imagine we're playing a friendly game of Jeopardy. Ready?

Answer: Foiled, Futile, Frustrated, Nothing, Shattered, Thwarted.

Question: What do most people want out of life?

You would look at me as if I were crazy.

But what is a life? Isn't it made up of years? And aren't those years made of months? And months made of weeks?

So, uh, what are you planning for this week? And more importantly, with whom are you planning this week? By yourself? With your family? With a team of coworkers?

In today's Bible verse, the southern kingdom of Israel, called Judah, is in the process of making plans for the week. And longer.

Judah's leaders are trying to maximize the possibility of a good life. So they make plans. After all, isn't the old saying, "No one plans to fail; they just fail to plan"?

The problem is not in their planning. Judah's problem is their partner in planning. Judah's partner in planning is  the Egyptians.

And God has something to say about that, as in today's verse: "The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing" (Isaiah 19:3).

In fact, through the whole of scripture, here are the words God uses to describe plans that leave God out of the planning: Foiled, Futile, Frustrated, Nothing, Shattered, Thwarted.

Sounds to me like our little game of Jeopardy from earlier.

But this is not a game. It's life. And the question remains: What do most people want out of life? Or how about, what do you want out of life?

The outcome depends on who you include in the planning.

There's certainly nothing wrong with including others in your planning. Just be sure to ask the LORD to be the lead. After all, "the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations" (Psalm 33:11).

Therefore, with intentional head-bowed prayer, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans" (Proverbs 16:3).

So, if a life is made of years, months, and weeks, then planning for a good life starts this week...with the LORD.

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, 11/02/16, "Day of Praise"

"The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing" - Isaiah 19:3

You would look at me as if I were crazy.

Imagine we're playing a friendly game of Jeopardy. Ready?

Answer: Foiled, Futile, Frustrated, Nothing, Shattered, Thwarted.

Question: What do most people want out of life?

You would look at me as if I were crazy.

But what is a life? Isn't it made up of years? And aren't those years made of months? And months made of weeks?

So, uh, what are you planning for this week? And more importantly, with whom are you planning this week? By yourself? With your family? With a team of coworkers?

In today's Bible verse, the southern kingdom of Israel, called Judah, is in the process of making plans for the week. And longer.

Judah's leaders are trying to maximize the possibility of a good life. So they make plans. After all, isn't the old saying, "No one plans to fail; they just fail to plan"?

The problem is not in their planning. Judah's problem is their partner in planning. Judah's partner in planning is  the Egyptians.

And God has something to say about that, as in today's verse: "The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing" (Isaiah 19:3).

In fact, through the whole of scripture, here are the words God uses to describe plans that leave God out of the planning: Foiled, Futile, Frustrated, Nothing, Shattered, Thwarted.

Sounds to me like our little game of Jeopardy from earlier.

But this is not a game. It's life. And the question remains: What do most people want out of life? Or how about, what do you want out of life?

The outcome depends on who you include in the planning.

There's certainly nothing wrong with including others in your planning. Just be sure to ask the LORD to be the lead. After all, "the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations" (Psalm 33:11).

Therefore, with intentional head-bowed prayer, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans" (Proverbs 16:3).

So, if a life is made of years, months, and weeks, then planning for a good life starts this week...with the LORD.

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, 11/01/16, "Day of Praise"

This was from a couple years ago at Halloween, but it's so memorable for me that I really want to share it again. Here it is...

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." - Romans 8:25

So I'm giving out ice cream and a "Jesus loves you" to every child and adult who came to our door last night. Once I found a rhythm, I'd start by giving a plastic spoon to a couple folks at a time, saying, "Here's a spoon," while they all were noticing the big bucket of Blue Bell ice cream that was clearly sitting in front of me.

Well, one boy, about eight, clearly did not notice the ice cream. As he approached my porch stairs where I was sitting, I reached over the Cookies 'n Cream and said, "Here's your spoon." As I turned to grab his kid cup and the scooper, I noticed him look curiously at the spoon, and then he turned to leave, saying, "Thank you!"

I started to chuckle and said, "Wait! What about your ice cream?" He turned back and with genuine astonishment said, "Oh! Wow! And there's ice cream?"

So, I scooped some up, told him "Jesus loves you!", and sent him on his way, as again he said for the second time what 95% never said at all, namely, "Thank you!"

Two quick things to take with us today, November 1st, which is All Saints Day. First, whatever comes your way, learn from the spoon-boy, and be thankful. It might be small. It might be strange. But, be like the boy, and be thankful. After all, a thankful heart is a happy heart. And all the saints, who've truly encouraged me through the years have been characterized by a genuine faith in Jesus and a thankful heart, no matter what came their way, even if it was just a plastic spoon.

And second, learn again from the spoon-boy, but this time by his mistake. Don't be in a rush and so quick to presume. Again, like all the believers who've genuinely inspired me, when something first comes your way, take a deep breath; wait at least a moment; and see if there's more to the story or the gift. We live in a world where everything is fast, and everyone's in a rush. But today's Bible verse is clear: hope, wait, and be patient. Something more is often on the way.

But if not, be thankful for the spoon!

And remember! Jesus loves you too!

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." - Romans 8:25

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, 11/01/16, "Day of Praise"

This was from a couple years ago at Halloween, but it's so memorable for me that I really want to share it again. Here it is...

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." - Romans 8:25

So I'm giving out ice cream and a "Jesus loves you" to every child and adult who came to our door last night. Once I found a rhythm, I'd start by giving a plastic spoon to a couple folks at a time, saying, "Here's a spoon," while they all were noticing the big bucket of Blue Bell ice cream that was clearly sitting in front of me.

Well, one boy, about eight, clearly did not notice the ice cream. As he approached my porch stairs where I was sitting, I reached over the Cookies 'n Cream and said, "Here's your spoon." As I turned to grab his kid cup and the scooper, I noticed him look curiously at the spoon, and then he turned to leave, saying, "Thank you!"

I started to chuckle and said, "Wait! What about your ice cream?" He turned back and with genuine astonishment said, "Oh! Wow! And there's ice cream?"

So, I scooped some up, told him "Jesus loves you!", and sent him on his way, as again he said for the second time what 95% never said at all, namely, "Thank you!"

Two quick things to take with us today, November 1st, which is All Saints Day. First, whatever comes your way, learn from the spoon-boy, and be thankful. It might be small. It might be strange. But, be like the boy, and be thankful. After all, a thankful heart is a happy heart. And all the saints, who've truly encouraged me through the years have been characterized by a genuine faith in Jesus and a thankful heart, no matter what came their way, even if it was just a plastic spoon.

And second, learn again from the spoon-boy, but this time by his mistake. Don't be in a rush and so quick to presume. Again, like all the believers who've genuinely inspired me, when something first comes your way, take a deep breath; wait at least a moment; and see if there's more to the story or the gift. We live in a world where everything is fast, and everyone's in a rush. But today's Bible verse is clear: hope, wait, and be patient. Something more is often on the way.

But if not, be thankful for the spoon!

And remember! Jesus loves you too!

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." - Romans 8:25

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, 10/31/16, "Day of Praise"

Here's one I wrote years ago for this occasion. 

"And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them." - Genesis 3:21

I've seen some good Halloween costumes in my years.

There was the year that my sweet daughters, about six and four at the time, were dressed as Dorothy and Toto from "The Wizard of Oz." They were absolutely adorable.

There was the year that I'm sure that I saw both Jabba the Hutt and Herman Munster. Whew!

And then there was yesterday, the day before Halloween, mind you. I was sitting in my car, finishing a call in a parking lot, when this guy walked by me in a "pants-on-the-ground" costume. The strange thing was that this guy had a 3-inch Ace elastic bandage wrapped around the outside of his right, blue jean, pant leg from his shin to his thigh. I'm sure. I am absolutely sure that if it hadn't been for the Ace bandage that I would've been hearing Ray Stevens sing "The Streak." But even with the Ace bandage, the poor guy's "costume" was totally, uuuuuh, shall we say, inadequate. 

Kinda like, the first man and woman who ever lived. 

That first man and woman were doing just fine living "un-costumed" until they decided that they knew more than Almighty God himself, who made them, and they decided to eat the forbidden fruit, which was the fruit of wanting to be their own God. Their tragic decision exposed them. And, unable to find a Walmart or ToysRUs in those days, they put together a costume of fig leaves so as to hide themselves, which is what a costume is for, is it not? 

But their fig-leaves costumes were altogether inadequate, not because the costume didn't cover their bodies, but because the costume didn't cover their shame. 

Shame, mind you, is feeling bad about who you are, which is altogether distinct from embarrassment, which is feeling bad about what you've done. Embarrassment always eventually wears off because it's only on the outside, like an invisible costume. But shame? Oooooo! Shame goes deep within our soul and challenges our very self-worth, along with challenging our will to even continue on in life since shame whispers to us that we're worthless and no one would even notice if we were gone. 

Shame cannot be covered with a costume. 

Shame can only be truly covered in blood. That's why "the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them." (Genesis 3:21) In essence, God covered the first people with animal skins, which were the first blood sacrifices. But even those animal-blood sacrifices and coverings were inadequate and had to be repeated year after year. 

That's why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us. Jesus's death was an everlasting blood sacrifice. That's why God's Word, in Romans 13:14, says, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ." All who put on the Lord Jesus Christ will truly be covered forever and have their shame removed. 

Everything else is just a costume. 

"And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them." - Genesis 3:21

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

Mon, 10/31/16, "Day of Praise"

Here's one I wrote years ago for this occasion. 

"And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them." - Genesis 3:21

I've seen some good Halloween costumes in my years.

There was the year that my sweet daughters, about six and four at the time, were dressed as Dorothy and Toto from "The Wizard of Oz." They were absolutely adorable.

There was the year that I'm sure that I saw both Jabba the Hutt and Herman Munster. Whew!

And then there was yesterday, the day before Halloween, mind you. I was sitting in my car, finishing a call in a parking lot, when this guy walked by me in a "pants-on-the-ground" costume. The strange thing was that this guy had a 3-inch Ace elastic bandage wrapped around the outside of his right, blue jean, pant leg from his shin to his thigh. I'm sure. I am absolutely sure that if it hadn't been for the Ace bandage that I would've been hearing Ray Stevens sing "The Streak." But even with the Ace bandage, the poor guy's "costume" was totally, uuuuuh, shall we say, inadequate. 

Kinda like, the first man and woman who ever lived. 

That first man and woman were doing just fine living "un-costumed" until they decided that they knew more than Almighty God himself, who made them, and they decided to eat the forbidden fruit, which was the fruit of wanting to be their own God. Their tragic decision exposed them. And, unable to find a Walmart or ToysRUs in those days, they put together a costume of fig leaves so as to hide themselves, which is what a costume is for, is it not? 

But their fig-leaves costumes were altogether inadequate, not because the costume didn't cover their bodies, but because the costume didn't cover their shame. 

Shame, mind you, is feeling bad about who you are, which is altogether distinct from embarrassment, which is feeling bad about what you've done. Embarrassment always eventually wears off because it's only on the outside, like an invisible costume. But shame? Oooooo! Shame goes deep within our soul and challenges our very self-worth, along with challenging our will to even continue on in life since shame whispers to us that we're worthless and no one would even notice if we were gone. 

Shame cannot be covered with a costume. 

Shame can only be truly covered in blood. That's why "the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them." (Genesis 3:21) In essence, God covered the first people with animal skins, which were the first blood sacrifices. But even those animal-blood sacrifices and coverings were inadequate and had to be repeated year after year. 

That's why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us. Jesus's death was an everlasting blood sacrifice. That's why God's Word, in Romans 13:14, says, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ." All who put on the Lord Jesus Christ will truly be covered forever and have their shame removed. 

Everything else is just a costume. 

"And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them." - Genesis 3:21

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