Read Philippians 2:5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5)
Everyone seems to have an opinion about everything these days. All day long, the radio and television buzzes with talk shows hosts dissecting the latest issue or scandal. Internet news and sports sites update information by the minute. Countless blogs defend more viewpoints that stir up more discussion. Lines are drawn, sides are taken, and the talking begins. And the best part is that we all think our way of thinking is right. Thus, the war of words rages on and on.
Compare this with the attitude of Jesus and you find a radically different picture. Jesus, who of all men had the most to say, knew that actions speak much louder than words. As the religious leaders debated all around Him, He spoke His message with love rather than words. In obedience to His Father’s will, Jesus gave His life for us so that we can experience the blessing of the abundant life He promised.
In a world of so many words, we can embrace the humble attitude of Jesus. When He had every right to defend Himself, He was silent. He let His love do the talking for Him. Like Jesus, we can choose to love others and lay down our right to our own ways. Sacrificially, we can give our lives to see others experience the life-giving love of Jesus.
Today, let your love speak louder than your words.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
A Light in the Darkness
Read 1 Peter 5:5-9
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
Raising six children(soon to be seven), darkness is a big issue in our house. Like most children, my children are afraid of the dark. Monsters and robbers hide in the shadows of the darkness. Each night, the bathroom and closet light is left on and the nightlights are plugged in to keep the darkness at bay. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, one of our children will wake up crying from a bad dream and call out for us. As I sit on the bedside holding my trembling child, I whisper that everything is fine, Daddy is right here. Soon, that child is tucked soundly asleep in bed once again, reassured that Daddy has everything under control.
As I stumble back to bed, I can’t help but think that this is such a powerful picture of the way God cares for us. As we struggle to find our way through the shadows of this dark world, Jesus is the light that shines in our darkness. At every crossroads, He whispers, “Do not be afraid for I am with you child. I have everything under control.” In every dark valley of life, He faithfully walks with us and eases our fears. Through every painful circumstance, He calls us to trust Him with our burdens and heartaches. May we celebrate to today the blessing of having a Heavenly father who cares for us!
Trust today that God loves you and has everything under His watchful eye.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
Raising six children(soon to be seven), darkness is a big issue in our house. Like most children, my children are afraid of the dark. Monsters and robbers hide in the shadows of the darkness. Each night, the bathroom and closet light is left on and the nightlights are plugged in to keep the darkness at bay. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, one of our children will wake up crying from a bad dream and call out for us. As I sit on the bedside holding my trembling child, I whisper that everything is fine, Daddy is right here. Soon, that child is tucked soundly asleep in bed once again, reassured that Daddy has everything under control.
As I stumble back to bed, I can’t help but think that this is such a powerful picture of the way God cares for us. As we struggle to find our way through the shadows of this dark world, Jesus is the light that shines in our darkness. At every crossroads, He whispers, “Do not be afraid for I am with you child. I have everything under control.” In every dark valley of life, He faithfully walks with us and eases our fears. Through every painful circumstance, He calls us to trust Him with our burdens and heartaches. May we celebrate to today the blessing of having a Heavenly father who cares for us!
Trust today that God loves you and has everything under His watchful eye.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Learning to Trust God's Timing
Read Psalm 90:1-12 NIV
For a thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:4)
As a child, I loved the Christmas season. I loved decorating the tree, driving to see the lights, singing carols, and watching the Christmas specials on TV. The one thing I didn’t like was waiting for Christmas to come. Weeks seemed to pass like years as my brother and I waited for Christmas morning. My brother and I would wake before the dawn and beg our parents to come to the tree so that we could open our presents. The rest of the day was spent playing with the toys I had been dreaming of the day before.
Now that I am grown and have wide-eyed dreamers of my own, I have learned that waiting is part of life, especially in my walk with God. I have to remind myself often that God does not work on my schedule nor does He count time the way I do. What seems like a long period of waiting for me is merely perfect timing with God. When I grow impatient, I am learning to trust that God is working out all things according to His plan in His time.
Father, teach me to trust that You are working out all things according to Your will in Your timing. As I wait for You to move in my life, grant my heart patience and contentment in every circumstance. In Jesus’ name, amen.
For a thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:4)
As a child, I loved the Christmas season. I loved decorating the tree, driving to see the lights, singing carols, and watching the Christmas specials on TV. The one thing I didn’t like was waiting for Christmas to come. Weeks seemed to pass like years as my brother and I waited for Christmas morning. My brother and I would wake before the dawn and beg our parents to come to the tree so that we could open our presents. The rest of the day was spent playing with the toys I had been dreaming of the day before.
Now that I am grown and have wide-eyed dreamers of my own, I have learned that waiting is part of life, especially in my walk with God. I have to remind myself often that God does not work on my schedule nor does He count time the way I do. What seems like a long period of waiting for me is merely perfect timing with God. When I grow impatient, I am learning to trust that God is working out all things according to His plan in His time.
Father, teach me to trust that You are working out all things according to Your will in Your timing. As I wait for You to move in my life, grant my heart patience and contentment in every circumstance. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Jogging with God
Read Psalm 90:13-17
Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Psalm 90:14)
Several mornings a week, I wake up early and crawl out of bed, put on my running shoes, stretch my tired muscles, and head out for a jog. My main motivation for this exercise is to attempt to stay in shape and to control my growing waistline. Being the father of six children, some mornings I wake up tired and mull over sleeping in that day. (Some days I do!) Yet, most of the time, another motivating factor leads me out my garage door and onto sidewalk.
In the cool of the morning, I know that God is waiting for me to come and talk with Him. Like the rhythm of my feet on the pavement, there is a rhythm to the way that God invades my thoughts and prayers. He speaks to me deep in my heart and renews my spirit to live my life for His glory each day. As I drive to work on these mornings, I have a strong sense that my heart is satisfied in God’s unfailing love.
God, may my heart be satisfied in Your unfailing love this morning. Fill my heart with songs of joy and praise for Your Holy name! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Psalm 90:14)
Several mornings a week, I wake up early and crawl out of bed, put on my running shoes, stretch my tired muscles, and head out for a jog. My main motivation for this exercise is to attempt to stay in shape and to control my growing waistline. Being the father of six children, some mornings I wake up tired and mull over sleeping in that day. (Some days I do!) Yet, most of the time, another motivating factor leads me out my garage door and onto sidewalk.
In the cool of the morning, I know that God is waiting for me to come and talk with Him. Like the rhythm of my feet on the pavement, there is a rhythm to the way that God invades my thoughts and prayers. He speaks to me deep in my heart and renews my spirit to live my life for His glory each day. As I drive to work on these mornings, I have a strong sense that my heart is satisfied in God’s unfailing love.
God, may my heart be satisfied in Your unfailing love this morning. Fill my heart with songs of joy and praise for Your Holy name! In Jesus’ name, amen.
God, Me, and Hurricane Charley…and Francis…and Jeanne
Read 2 Corinthians 4:13-18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
In 2003, when I lived in Florida, three major hurricanes passed over our small town in just under 6 weeks. Houses were damaged, trees were down, and the power was out for almost two weeks. The worst part of those weeks was the waiting and watching. As each storm approached, our community would rush to the gas pumps and grocery stores to stock up for the days after the storm. Then we would watch the weather forecast and wait(sometimes for days) for the storm to finally come ashore. As we focused on the coming storms, it was easy to lose perspective and begin to imagine the worst and lose heart.
The same is true in our daily lives. If we chose to focus or “fix our eyes” on our present troubles and problems, we will surely feel a sense of despair and “lose heart”. It is during these times that we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and trust Him to carry us through the storms of our life. As we cast our cares on Him, we can be assured that our spirit will be renewed by the love of our eternal Savior.
Jesus, help me today to fix my eyes on You instead of the momentary troubles of my life. When the storms of this life seem to overwhelm me, renew my heart with Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
In 2003, when I lived in Florida, three major hurricanes passed over our small town in just under 6 weeks. Houses were damaged, trees were down, and the power was out for almost two weeks. The worst part of those weeks was the waiting and watching. As each storm approached, our community would rush to the gas pumps and grocery stores to stock up for the days after the storm. Then we would watch the weather forecast and wait(sometimes for days) for the storm to finally come ashore. As we focused on the coming storms, it was easy to lose perspective and begin to imagine the worst and lose heart.
The same is true in our daily lives. If we chose to focus or “fix our eyes” on our present troubles and problems, we will surely feel a sense of despair and “lose heart”. It is during these times that we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and trust Him to carry us through the storms of our life. As we cast our cares on Him, we can be assured that our spirit will be renewed by the love of our eternal Savior.
Jesus, help me today to fix my eyes on You instead of the momentary troubles of my life. When the storms of this life seem to overwhelm me, renew my heart with Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God's Private Office
Read Romans 1:18-24
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- His eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)
A number of years ago, I had the privilege of visiting the Grand Canyon one weekend while speaking at a retreat in Arizona. As we made the drive up from Prescott, I pictured in my mind what the “big hole” would look like. I had seen pictures and heard stories, and I was excited to finally see for myself. My wife and I caught our first glimpse as we rounded a corner while approaching the south rim of the canyon. We were speechless. After parking and walking up to the rim of the canyon, we stood in silence as we took it all in.
Later that day, as the sun set over the canyon and the painted desert stretched out in the distance, my heart was filled with praise for God, the Creator of unspeakable beauty. I couldn’t help thinking that it would be hard to deny the existence of God standing at the edge of such a breathtaking view. I reluctantly drove away that day feeling as if I had just met with God in His private office.
God, remind me each day of Your unfailing love through the simple beauty of Your creation. In each sunrise and sunset, river and stream, songbird and sonnet, let me find You in all of Your glory! In Jesus’ name, amen.
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- His eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)
A number of years ago, I had the privilege of visiting the Grand Canyon one weekend while speaking at a retreat in Arizona. As we made the drive up from Prescott, I pictured in my mind what the “big hole” would look like. I had seen pictures and heard stories, and I was excited to finally see for myself. My wife and I caught our first glimpse as we rounded a corner while approaching the south rim of the canyon. We were speechless. After parking and walking up to the rim of the canyon, we stood in silence as we took it all in.
Later that day, as the sun set over the canyon and the painted desert stretched out in the distance, my heart was filled with praise for God, the Creator of unspeakable beauty. I couldn’t help thinking that it would be hard to deny the existence of God standing at the edge of such a breathtaking view. I reluctantly drove away that day feeling as if I had just met with God in His private office.
God, remind me each day of Your unfailing love through the simple beauty of Your creation. In each sunrise and sunset, river and stream, songbird and sonnet, let me find You in all of Your glory! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Passion of Renewal
Read Nehemiah 9:1-5
They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God. (Nehemiah 9:3)
I recently attended a traditional wedding in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. The groomsmen wore tuxedoes and the bridesmaids all wore beautiful gowns. Everything was perfectly in place and the attendees were anxious for the moment when the stunning bride would appear. When the wedding march was finally played, we all stood to our feet to get a glimpse of the bride and her father. After some initial comments from the minister, we all sat back down in comfortable padded chairs.
In contrast, I am always inspired and challenged when I read these verses that tell how the Israelites stood for hours as the word of God was read aloud and how they spent hours in confession and worship. What a renewal of heart and commitment this day must have been! Deep in my soul, I long to have this kind of passion for worship and reading God’s word. I long for my daily time of Bible reading and prayer to transform and turn my heart towards God.
God, give me a passion to spend time each day in worship, scripture reading, and prayer. May my life reflect the transforming power of time spent with You! In Jesus’ name, amen.
They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God. (Nehemiah 9:3)
I recently attended a traditional wedding in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. The groomsmen wore tuxedoes and the bridesmaids all wore beautiful gowns. Everything was perfectly in place and the attendees were anxious for the moment when the stunning bride would appear. When the wedding march was finally played, we all stood to our feet to get a glimpse of the bride and her father. After some initial comments from the minister, we all sat back down in comfortable padded chairs.
In contrast, I am always inspired and challenged when I read these verses that tell how the Israelites stood for hours as the word of God was read aloud and how they spent hours in confession and worship. What a renewal of heart and commitment this day must have been! Deep in my soul, I long to have this kind of passion for worship and reading God’s word. I long for my daily time of Bible reading and prayer to transform and turn my heart towards God.
God, give me a passion to spend time each day in worship, scripture reading, and prayer. May my life reflect the transforming power of time spent with You! In Jesus’ name, amen.
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