Spring Training – Spaces of Beauty, Grace, Prayer, and Mercy

With Us in Suffering

March 2, 2021 Jeff

Today is Tuesday, the second of March, 2021, in the second week of Lent.

Peace be with you!

Day 23,000!! Today, I have been alive on this earth for 23,000 days!

33 days until Resurrection Sunday

C’s first day back at work was okay, but she said she got less accomplished than she normally did on a day working from home. That figures, because some of her previous work time was spent driving to the office, and, when working from home, she would stay on her work computer later in the day.

There’s not a lot to share, this morning, no real significant news or anything. It’s 40 degrees outside, which is, in my opinion, close to where it should be. We are expecting a high in the low sixties today, with plenty o’ sunshine.

Baseball is being played at the Spring Training locations. The rules are weird, though. I listened to part of a game Sunday afternoon, Rangers v Royals. They only played six innings, and when the Rangers did not catch up in the top of the sixth, instead of the game being over, the continued to play the Royals’ half of the inning. It was explained that this was so the Rangers could have another pitcher get in some work. That makes sense, being that is what Spring Training is all about. It’s just weird.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know you, and desire nothing save 
only you. 
Let me hate myself and love you. 
Let me do everything for the sake of you. 
Let me humble myself and exalt you. 
Let me think of nothing except you. 
Let me die to myself and live in you. 
Let me accept whatever happens as from you. 
Let me banish self and follow you, and ever desire to follow you. 
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in you that I may deserve 
to be defended by you. 
Let me fear for myself, let me fear you, and let me be among 
those who are chosen by you. 
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in you. 
Let me be willing to obey for the sake of you. 
Let me cling to nothing save only to you, and let me be poor 
because of you. 
Look upon me, that I may love you. 
Call me that I may see you, and forever enjoy you. 
Amen.
(Prayer to Forsake Myself for Jesus, by St. Augustine of Hippo)

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
(Psalms 97:1-2 NIV)

Today I am grateful:

That I am alive and breathing
That righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne
That, if I walk humbly before You and fear You, You will instruct me, guide me, and confide in me
For the places where Your glory dwells
That You, Jesus, are always with us, most especially should we have to suffer

Scriptures and Prayers from Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year

LENT – DAY 12

INVITATION

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
(Psalms 145:13 NIV)

Meditate for a moment on the enduring kingdom and dominion of YHWH.

BIBLE SONG

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land. The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
(Psalms 25:8-14 NIV)

BIBLE READING

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”
(Genesis 17:1-7 NIV)

DWELLING: SILENCE AND MEDITATION

There are several words in the psalm that catch my eye. “Instruct,” “guide,” “confide.” All of these things that the Lord will do with those who humble themselves and fear Him. Twice, it is said, of those who fear the Lord, that He will instruct them and confide in them. And in the middle of this passage, the psalmist shows his own humility by interjecting a prayer for forgiveness for his “great” iniquity.

Abram, as he became Abraham, showed equal humility, falling facedown before the Lord when it was declared that God was making a covenant between them and that his (Abram’s) numbers would increase. Abraham would be the father of many nations, and God would be the God of Abraham’s descendants for many “generations to come.”

Abraham walked humbly before the Lord, and the Lord kept His promises. If we walk humbly before God, and fear Him, He will, according to Scripture, instruct us in His ways, guide us in what is right, instruct us in the ways we should choose, and confide in us, making His covenant known to us.

Father, I thank You for these promises and truths, this morning. Help me to be one who walks humbly before You all the day long. Some days I fail miserably in this quest for humility, getting agitated and aggravated when my work is interrupted by more work, or when I get requests from people that I think are silly. It is not up to me to decide what requests are silly or what is or isn’t important. Grant me humility today, as I work, that I might fear You, and that You might instruct, guide, and confide in me throughout the day. Teach me Your way, that I may walk in Your truth. Unite my heart to fear Your name, O great YHWH!

"Covenant God,
thank you for your promises,
which are full of blessing and life.
Thank you most for your promise to send your Son,
the powerful Jesus,
to crush the head of the devil
and to bring my life blessing.
In the strong name of Jesus,
amen."
(Belgic Confession 17)

BLESSING

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
(Psalms 130:5 NIV)

LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.
(Psalms 26:8 NIV)

“Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.”
(Isaiah 58:5-8 NIV)

She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?
(1 Timothy 5:10 NLT)

Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
(Revelation 2:10 NLT)

Recently, we talked about how we speak to people who are suffering, and that sometimes, the words we might say could be resented, as we do not share the experience of those who suffer.

However, the words of Jesus in these letters are not like those words. He has felt everything that we could possibly feel. He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end. He is the Source and He is the destination. He knows what has gone before, and He will be with us in the days to come, whatever they may bring.

This is the One who speaks to those who are suffering. He has the authority to speak, because He has endured the suffering.

In the case of Smyrna, we can piece together the nature of their suffering. They lived in the Roman Empire. They were pressured to worship Caesar. They could do anything they wanted, worship any other “gods” that they wanted, as long as they proclaimed their initial allegiance to Caesar.

The Christians at Smyrna refused to do this. “Christ is Lord,” they proclaimed and would not compromise to even give Caesar “half a place.” This created an atmosphere of persecution and extreme anxiety. They suffered economically, as well, finding it difficult to do business as merchants.

One of the hardest parts of suffering is thinking that we are suffering alone. No one wants to suffer or die alone. Jesus assures His people that this is not the case. He is with them, because He has experienced it. He will never leave or forsake anyone. “We are not isolated. We are not separated either from God or from his people. He knows, and he is with us.”

(From This Hallelujah Banquet, by Eugene H. Peterson)

Father, I have not gone through anything, recently, that I would call “suffering.” Even the time that we were without power in the sub-freezing temperatures week before last, I would not consider suffering, especially since there were many, many people who had it much worse than we did. But I thank You greatly that You are always with Your people during our suffering. Help us, though, to know this truth. Help us to have the constant knowledge of Your presence, so that, should we have to suffer, we will not forget, and we will not complain, nor will we give up hope, thinking that You have abandoned us. Praise Your great Name, that You will always be with us, and that You, Jesus, have suffered everything that we could possible go through, and that You will always share this in our lives with You. All glory to You, our great King!

Lord, I pray that we, Your children, would love and commit our best to the communities in which You have placed us. May You equip us to serve in unique ways as we live in these communities, helping us to not hide our light under a basket. I pray especially today for teachers, administrators, and all others who work in education. Give the teachers strength and patience. Give the administrators wisdom (some of them need a lot of this). Give aides and other workers love and compassion for those whom they serve.

I pray for peace in our nation, peace in our world. I pray for racial injustice to end, and I pray for the pandemic to be over. Above all else, though, I pray for Your will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Grace and peace, friends.

The Earth Is the Lord’s

“All money, talent, health, power, and pleasure in the world are God’s. But the greatest treasure he can give us is life in his presence. His face–not the gifts of his hands, though they are welcome–is where we find the glory that other things fail to provide.”

February 11, 2020 Jeff

Today is Tuesday, February 11, 2020. Peace be with you.

Day 22,615

Two days until I visit the hand specialist.

Pitchers and catchers begin reporting to spring training today. If I were a betting man, I might be that a good number of them are already there. The Rangers do their spring training in Surprise, Arizona.

That’s really about all I have to report. It’s cold and rainy today, but not freezing. Just yucky.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD, give praise, O servants of the LORD,
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!
For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
(Psalms 135:1, 3, 5)

Today I am grateful:
1. That, while it may be raining, it is not freezing
2. That baseball Spring Training begins this week
3. That everything in the world, including all who live in it, belongs to the Lord (Psalm 24)
4. That God loves unconditionally, and teaches us to do the same
5. That before the Lord, all people are on level ground

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
(Psalms 90:14)

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah.
(Psalms 50:2, 6)

Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!
(Psalms 108:2)

He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”
(Luke 12:54-56)

Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!
(Psalms 148:7-14)

Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

“O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept my prayers; and because in my weakness I can do nothing good without you, give me the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments I may please you in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
(The Diving Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet. Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home. Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.
(Proverbs 27:1-10)

Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?
(Malachi 2:10)

The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all.
(Proverbs 22:2)

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
(1 John 3:18)

Of David. A psalm.
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.
(Psalms 24:1-6)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

When we know his presence, we are, in effect, ascending “the mountain of the Lord” (Psalm 24.3). This is always a struggle, because there are conditions. We have to have a clear conscience and reject all “idols” (Psalm 24.4). And we must, like Jacob, “wrestle in prayer” and seek God’s face (Psalm 24.6). Remember what Jacob said in Genesis 32.26? “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Prayer: “Lord, you alone are the fountain of the life and love I have looked for in other places, to my misery. I want to love you for yourself alone and know your fellowship and presence. That will be a long journey and a struggle. But I commit myself to it today. Amen.”

Father, I seek your presence and nothing else today. Let my day exist in nothing but rejoicing in your holy presence in my life and in the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that all of them know your presence today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(Psalms 16:11)

Grace and peace, friends.

Green Pastures and Quiet Waters

February 10, 2020 Jeff2 Comments

Today is Monday, February 10, 2020. Peace be with you.

Day 22,614

ONE DAY until Spring Training!! Pitchers and catchers begin reporting this week. Admittedly, there are different days, depending on the team you follow.

Yesterday was a ball of emotions! When the gathering time arrived (10:15), there were only eight of us there. C and I, the pastor, our two other worship leaders, and their families. Others started trickling in, however, including a few that were late. Still, we had a disappointingly small group for our last gathered service. There were lots of tears, especially when we sang our last song, which was written exclusively for The Exchange by Brandon. Oh, and the guys invited me to stand and sing with them, yesterday, since it was our last time. So I sang harmony on the songs, and read Psalm 96 from The Message during an instrumental break in that last song, which is called Psalm 96.

Next Sunday, we will meet at Brandon’s house, where we will have the vote to dissolve the organization, take the Supper together, after which we plan a celebration. It will be a celebration of the past and the future, as well as “thank you” to our pastor for the last eight years.

WW is working! I’ve dropped over five pounds already. Of course, that’s the way it always goes. Every time we have started Weight Watchers, I have lost close to ten pounds in the first week. Their concept of “zero point foods” is really helpful.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
(Psalms 97:1)

Today I am grateful:
1. That the Lord reigns. It may not look like it sometimes, but he does, and he is working his plan.
2. For the communion of saints, in which we share our joy, our pains, our sorrows, and our victories.
3. That the Lord delivered me from “sinking in the mire” (Psalm 69.14).
4. For green pastures and quiet waters (Psalm 23).

I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.
(Psalms 119:174)

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation—
(Psalms 18:46)

To the choirmaster. Of David.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
(Psalms 14:1)

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there.
(John 10:40-42)

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
(Psalms 69:13-16)

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
(Romans 12:9-16)

Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people! Selah.
(Psalms 3:8)

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
(Psalms 27:13)

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
(Romans 15:14)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
(Psalms 23:1-6)

“God has a celebration meal with us not after we finally get out of the dark valley but in the middle of it, in the presence of our enemies. He wants us to rejoice in him in the midst of our troubles.”

Some might think that our God is out of touch with reality. However, we might want to remember that “Jesus is the only shepherd who knows what it is like to be a sheep (John 10:11).” While the “hired hands” will run away when the wolf comes, our Savior will never leave us, and is with us “every step of the way, even through death itself.”

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39)

Prayer: “Lord, if I fed on your love, grace, and truth, i would not be in any want. In this life I will never attain that, yet you are always with me, and someday you will lead me to my true country, the home I’ve been looking for all my life. Help me rest in that. Amen.”

Yes, Lord, yes! Help me to enjoy your “celebration meal” in the midst of the dark days and troubles. As our little band of believers meets together for that celebration meal, next Sunday, remind us that you are walking with us in the midst of these dark days, and that there is Light to guide us into the green pastures and quiet waters.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” Job 5.8-9

Grace and peace, friends.

Pride and Self-Loathing

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
(Psalms 133:1-3)

February 9, 2020 Jeff

Today is Sunday, February 9, 2020. Peace be with you.

Day 22,613

It’s the fifth Sunday after Epiphany.

TWO DAYS until Spring Training!!

Our WW workshop went great, yesterday. We got our initial weigh-in and the group appears to be a fantastic group. Very encouraging bunch of people. And there were men there! I know that sounds funny, but it has been an issue in the past. We loaded up on WW snacks, which seem to have gotten more tasty over time. I just had a cup of their Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal for breakfast, and it was decent. No more Sonic/donuts for breakfast on the way to church!

We went to the grocery store after that. Oh. Wait. There was a side trip. C had asked if we could stop by a jewelry store on the way, to get her wedding and engagement rings re-sized. When she went to get X-rays on her hands, she had to take them off and could barely get them off. In fact, she bruised that finger in the process. So she had not been wearing them since. I now know that this was all a ruse. During the visit with the jeweler, she observed that C’s engagement ring needed to be reset. She also noted that the diamond had a pretty severe chip in it. After about another half hour, we had bought C a new diamond ring. Happy Valentine’s Day!! (I’m joking about the “ruse.”)

Then we went to the grocery store. Our trip to the store took a while, because we kept stopping to scan foods to see how many “points” they were. It was fun, though, and we have more healthy foods in the house, as a result. We are looking forward to this journey.

This morning, we have our last “gathered” worship service as The Exchange Church. Our meeting last night was very productive, as we made decisions on how to go about liquidating assets, on what we are planning next Sunday after the vote (we are going to celebrate together at Brandon’s house), as well as what we think the future looks like, at least for now. This morning will be mostly taken up by discussion about what we are doing with the organization called The Exchange.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
(Psalms 67:3-5)

Today I am grateful:
1. For the wonderful spirit of the leadership meetings we have had in the past couple of weeks
2. For the presence of God in every aspect of our lives
3. For the opportunity to gather in worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ
4. That our salvation is something that is done by God, not something that we have attained
5. That the Lord is my strength, my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer (Psalm 18)

Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life.
(Psalms 119:149)

Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.
(Psalms 118:25-26)

A Song of Ascents. Of David.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”
(Psalms 122:1)

And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
(Mark 2:27-28)

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
(Psalms 103:8-14)

Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
(Luke 6:47-48)

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD rescued him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:
I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
(Psalms 18:1-3)

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,
(Matthew 7:24-28)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!
(Psalms 22:27-31 NIV)

“Our mission to the world tells the good news of God’s salvation to all classes (the poor in verse 26 and the rich in verse 29), to all races and nations (verse 27), and to all generations (verse 30).” Part of this message is that our salvation is not something that we attain or accomplish, rather, something that God does. “‘He has done it!’ cries David. ‘It is finished,’ cries Jesus (John 19:30), using the Greek tetelestai, a term that has the connotation of payment.”

“‘I have paid your debt to the last penny; I have drained your cup to the last drop,’ he says. There is now no condemnation left for us (Romans 8:1).”

Hallelujah and Amen!

Prayer: “Father, my mind knows the doctrine–that my salvation and standing with you depend not on my works but on Christ’s works. Yet my heart doesn’t fully believe it, and so I go back and forth between pride and self-loathing, depending on my performance. Let my heart fully grasp that ‘salvation is from the Lord’ (Jonah 2:9). Amen.”

Father, I have had plenty of pride and self-loathing in my life, probably heavier on the self-loathing side. Forgive me when I slip into these modes instead of relying on what you have done for me. Help me to always remember that my salvation is a gift, pure and simple, with no strings attached, other than that my life belongs to you. We mistakenly call it a “free gift,” sometimes. There’s nothing free about it. It cost everything for our Savior.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Blessed To Bless

February 8, 2020 Jeff2 Comments

Today is Saturday, February 8, 2020. Peace be with you!

Day 22,612

THREE DAYS until Spring Training!!

It turns out that S has strep throat. So now we pray that the rest of us don’t get, it, too. So, sadly, she will not be going to the first WW meeting, I mean “workshop,” with us, this morning. We are going to one at 10:30, and are supposed to be there at 10:00, since we are “new.” We aren’t actually “new,” as we have been members of Weight Watchers at least three time, now.

I do believe that it’s a totally mental thing, but it’s a mental thing that I need. I’ve been tracking points for two days, now, on the WW app, and I have lost weight both days. Not a lot, but some at least. And, from what I remember, the group support is nice. So there’s accountability and support, both in group settings, and from the app. All for around $10 a week.

We have also moved the meeting of the “Emergency Leadership Team” to someone else’s home. It was supposed to be at our house at 5:00 PM today, but, due to S’s strep throat, it was pretty much unanimous that we should move the meeting.

It is also doubtful that S will make tomorrow morning’s last “gathered” time. She will be sad about that, I’m sure. There will be one more time at the house church, though, when we take the final vote.

Last night, Tessie (dog) kept coming in through the dog door and barking/whimpering, obviously wanting us to come outside and see something. Usually, if we fall for that, she runs to the back left corner and noses around, and we don’t see anything. Finally, when she didn’t stop, I got up and went outside with her. This time, she immediately ran to the back right corner. Different direction. Actually, at first, I couldn’t see where she went. While we do have a porch light, it only reaches about halfway into the yard. I finally figured out where she was. The yard slopes downward quite a bit, back there, and she was sniffing around in that corner, nose to the ground. I couldn’t see anything, so I went back in and got a flashlight. I pointed it down to where Tessie was, but didn’t see anything. That’s when something on top of the fence caught my eye.

I got a little closer to it, and it didn’t run off, so I eventually just left it alone. I hear they eat ticks. Not that that’s ever been a problem around here.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
(Psalms 29:2)

Today I am grateful:
1. That, even though S has strep throat, the flu test was negative
2. That we have a record of the works that God did on behalf of his people “in the days of old” (Psalm 44.1)
3. That the Lord cares for the needy, widows, and orphans, and expects us to do the same
4. That the Lord directs my steps, no matter what my plans may be (Proverbs 16.9)
5. That though my earthly “tent” is decaying, I have a “building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5.1)
6. That the Lord has blessed us so that we, in turn, can bless others

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
(Psalms 63:1)

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.
O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:
(Psalms 44:1)

Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
(Psalms 82:4)

He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
(Psalms 107:33-43)

Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

“Set me free, O God, from the bondage of my sins, and give me the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to me in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress. For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together. As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight. Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor. By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah. We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness. Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments! Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.
(Psalms 48:1-14)

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
(Hebrews 11:8)

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
(Proverbs 16:9)

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
(2 Corinthians 5:1)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him— may your hearts live forever!
(Psalms 22:19-26 NIV)

In verse 22, everything shifts to praise. And this is something we see in many of the psalms. The Lord has not “scorned the suffering of the afflicted one.” There is, no doubt, a dual meaning, here. In one sense, the “afflicted one” is our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The message, here shifts to one of the “good news of God’s salvation to others.” We know that this is also the mission of our resurrected Christ (Matthew 28.18-20).

“God never calls us in to love and change us without then sending us out to reach and serve others. We are blessed to bless.” How true this is. We do not hoard our blessings. If we do, we become like the Dead Sea, all intake and no outgo. Stagnant and stinky.

Prayer: “Lord god, you love all you have made and want all to turn to you and live. So show mercy to the many across the world who do not know you, removing any ignorance, hardness of heart, and disdain for your Gospel and so bring them home to yourself. Amen.” (Adapted from Thomas Cranmer, The Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent)

Father, thank you for your blessings. Also, thank you that we do not hoard our blessings. You have put generosity in our hearts, that we might serve/bless others and glorify you. We seek no honor for ourselves, but only for you and your Gospel. May your will be done on earth as in heaven, in all things.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Grace and peace, friends.

Standing On Holy Ground

February 7, 2020 Jeff2 Comments

Today is Friday, February 7, 2020. Peace be with you!

Day 22,611

FOUR DAYS until Spring Training!!!

The weekend is nigh. We will go to our first WW “Workshop” tomorrow morning at 10:30 AM, for our first official weigh-in. Then we have an “Emergency Leadership Team” meeting for our church tomorrow evening at 5:00 PM. It’s at our house, so I won’t have to go anywhere. I should probably put on pants, though.

Sunday morning will be our last “gathered” service, and it will likely be largely taken up discussing the pending vote to dissolve the church as an entity. Sunday afternoon should be free for rest and relaxation.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!

(Psalms 99:9)

Today I am grateful:
1. For the holiness of our God
2. For the constant, sustaining presence of the Holy Spirit
3. That the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 103.8)
4. For the eerie depiction of Jesus’s crucifixion in Psalm 22
5. For the sacrifice of my Savior

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!
(Psalms 40:13)

But you, O GOD my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me! For I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me.
(Psalms 109:21-22)

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
(Psalms 103:8)

“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.'”
(Luke 14:28-30)

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
(Psalms 145:18-20)

Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.
(Psalms 55:17)

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
(1 Corinthians 10:31)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:12-17)

While it may matter what we do, our motivation for what we do matters more. We can do all the right things for all the wrong reasons, and it’s not much better than doing all the wrong things.

Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
(Proverbs 20:17)

Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
(Proverbs 12:17)

These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;
(Zechariah 8:16)

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
(Ephesians 4:15)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.
(Psalms 22:9-18 NIV)

The things that are described in this Psalm are puzzling. The writer speaks of having his hands and feet pierced. His bones appear to be exposed, sticking out of his flesh. He is dehydrated to the point of death. “This is not describing illness or persecution but rather an execution. Not only has nothing like this ever happened to David, there are no cries for justice in the midst of these descriptions.

In Matthew 27.46, Jesus quotes from this psalm, giving us the indication that he knew that it was a foreshadowing of his death.

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
(Matthew 27:46)

“Here, then, we have something remarkable–a look into the horror and agony of his heart, described by Jesus himself. Reading the psalm is like standing on holy ground.”

Prayer: “Thank you, Father, for disclosure of what Jesus went through for me. ‘O wondrous love! to bleed and die, to bear the cross and shame; That guilty sinners, such as I, might plead They gracious name.’ Amen.”
(Hymn quote, John Newton, “Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat”)

My Father, I thank you for this psalm, that gives us such a vivid description of what Jesus went through. I thank you for the mystical way in which David seems to have been transported to the scene and given the words of Christ to write down. May I always read this with awe and wonder at the mystery and sacrifice of Jesus, my Savior.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” Job 5.8-9

Grace and peace, friends.

God’s Word Sustained God’s Incarnate Word

“God’s Word was what sustained God’s incarnate Word when he lived and when he died.”

February 6, 2020 Jeff5 Comments

Today is Thursday, February 6, 2020. Peace be with you.

Day 22,610

FIVE DAYS until Spring Training!!

S’s new doctor visit went quite well, yesterday afternoon. She likes the new doctor a lot, so that’s good.

In related news, I decided, once again, to join Weight Watchers, which has now re-branded itself as “WW.” We keep saying, “We know what we need to do,” but then we don’t do it. All of us are overweight, S and I significantly. We have had great success with Weight Watchers in the past, so I started looking into it again. They have great online support, along with a well-done (at least at first appearance) app for our phones. They still work on a “point” system, assigning points to various foods. But there are certain foods that we are not required to track at all. They call them “Zero Point Foods.” Bananas is one of those. I’m going to be eating a lot of bananas. Hahaha!

We will probably be going to the “workshop” (that’s what they are calling them, now) that meets on Saturday mornings at 10:30.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
(Psalms 99:1)

Today I am grateful:
1. That we were able to find a doctor for S, one who takes adult Medicaid
2. That we have a plan in place for our health
3. That the Lord promises to deliver and protect us, if we hold fast to him (Psalm 91)
4. For the Word of God, both written and incarnate, which dwells within us
5. That there doesn’t appear to be any ice on our roads, this morning

Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you; over it return on high. The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.
(Psalms 7:7-8)

Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.
(Psalms 106:47)

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
(Psalms 33:8)

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
(Matthew 6:2-4)

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong.
(Psalms 125:1-3)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
(Revelation 1:8)

The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence; they have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth; the young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.
My eyes are spent with weeping; my stomach churns; my bile is poured out to the ground because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, because infants and babies faint in the streets of the city.
They cry to their mothers, “Where is bread and wine?” as they faint like a wounded man in the streets of the city, as their life is poured out on their mothers’ bosom.
What can I say for you, to what compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? What can I liken to you, that I may comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? For your ruin is vast as the sea; who can heal you?
Their heart cried to the Lord. O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears stream down like a torrent day and night! Give yourself no rest, your eyes no respite! “Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint for hunger at the head of every street.”
(Lamentations 2:10-13, 18-19)

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(Psalms 16:11)

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
(Deuteronomy 31:6)

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
(Psalms 91:14-16)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in the LORD,” they say, “let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
(Psalms 22:1-8)

A Word-Saturated Life

“Jesus answered every one of Satan’s assaults with passages from Deuteronomy. As he was carrying the cross he cited the prophet Hosea, and as he was dying in agony he quoted both Psalm 21:1 and Psalm 31:5. Jesus was so saturated in the Word of God that it spontaneously came to his mind, enabling him to interpret and face every challenge.”

There are many imitations of the things that Jesus had, in our modern day, but if they do not include the Word of God, they fall short. The truth is that “God’s Word was what sustained God’s incarnate Word when he lived and when he died.” We should accept no less for our own lives.

Prayer: “Lord, let your word be not merely something I believe but something that dwells richly inside me, so it reshapes all my thinking and feelings and even the very foundations of my heart. Let your promises, summonses, and declarations be my strength. Amen.”

Father, yes, yes, and amen! I have loved your Word since I was a child, but it has yet to permeate my being they way it did your Son’s. Please help me to eat, chew, and digest your Word. Let it be the very sustenance of my life!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3.20-21

Grace and peace, friends.

Jesus, the Infallible Judge

February 5, 2020 Jeff

Today is Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Peace be with you.

Day 22,609

SIX DAYS until Spring Training!

C is working from home today. It’s good that she gets to do that, from time to time. One reason for today is that S has an appointment with a new doctor this afternoon. Her most recent one is closing his clinic and moving somewhere else, which is sad, because he seemed to be a good one who actually cared. The problem is that, due to her autism disability, S is on Medicaid. She is also an adult, and finding doctors who will accept adult Medicaid patients is very difficult, these days. But we did manage to find one, and it’s not too far from home, so they are going to see her at 4:00 today.

Weather-wise, I think we are missing the bad stuff today. All the ice and snow seems to be a bit west of us. It looks like my mother might get some of it, but I don’t think she is in the worst part of it. Here, it’s just going to rain this morning, and be cold. By the time the temp drops below freezing, it will be relatively clear of clouds and precipitation.

I’m a little bit miffed at the Red Sox, right now. Yesterday, they traded Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers. To add to this, they still don’t have a manager, after firing Alex Cora over the sign-stealing business that Houston got busted for. There were allegations that it was all his idea. Oh, well. All of this will make it that much easier to cheer for our Texas Rangers, I suppose.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!
(Psa 113:1)

Today I am grateful:
1. That we seem to have missed out on the “winter weather”
2. For the promise that the Lord has made to us–eternal life (1 John 2.25)
3. That vengeance and justice belong to the Lord and not me
4. That the Holy Spirit teaches me truth
5. For Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life

Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
(Psa 26:2)

All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,
(Psa 145:10-11)

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
(Psa 126:5-6)

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
(Luke 2:36-40)

Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? 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. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. 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. My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. 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.
(Psalms 71:19-24)

Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.
(Psalms 55:17)

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
(1 John 2:18-27)

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
(Mark 16:15)

To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
(Proverbs 15:23)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
(Proverbs 25:11)

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:18-20)

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
(1 Peter 3:15)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace. The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed. You will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow. Be exalted in your strength, LORD; we will sing and praise your might.
(Psalms 21:8-13)

The first half of this psalm is stuff that we like to hear. Rejoicing in the strength of the Lord, our heart’s desires granted, the requests of our lips given to us, rich blessings, crowns of gold, and so on. But then comes the second half, which is just as much a part of God’s Word as the first part. Here, “God’s King punishes his enemies.”

Says Keller, “If we have lived comfortable, untroubled lives, these verses may trouble us; to anyone who has experienced injustice or oppression, they are a comfort.” Jesus is the “infallible judge,” so we don’t have to be. In fact, we should not even want to be. But what is one of our biggest weaknesses, as individuals and a society? Judgment. We are constantly judging one another. Just look at some of the popular afternoon TV shows. The Talk, The Real, TMZ . . . nothing but gossip and judgment. Look at the political division in our nation right now . . . filled with judgment.

Our Lord is THE judge. He is judge, not me. Therefore, I need to relinquish grudges and thoughts of revenge. I need to stop judging.

And this prayer that follows? Lines right up with yesterday’s topic, and the thing that God has been drilling into me of late. As followers of Christ, we need to stop the anger. One of my favorite quotes from Dallas Willard is, “I believe that everything you can do with anger you can do better without it. You may have to learn how to do that.” If we are truthful, which we frequently are not, we are angry for all the wrong reasons. We might think we are angry about the right things, and that may be so, but what is the reason for the anger?

Prayer: “Lord, I praise you for being a God of justice, who will not let any wrongdoings go unaddressed or unpunished. Instead of being angry at those who wrong me, let me be compassionate, praying that they find mercy through repentance. Amen.”

Father, help us as your children to let you be the God of justice and not worry about enacting it ourselves. Yes, we have a justice system, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Help us to relinquish any anger we might have toward anyone we feel has wronged us. Help us to stop worrying about our “rights.” We surrender any “rights” we might have when we begin to follow you. We trust and believe that you will hold us up, protect us, and take care of us. Any sense of vengeance or justice belongs to you, not me. Help me to remember this today, and walk in love toward all men.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” Job 5.8-9

Grace and peace, friends.

Divided We Fall

February 4, 2020 Jeff

Today is Tuesday, February 4, 2020. Peace be with you!

Day 22,608

SEVEN DAYS until Spring Training!!!

I’m continuing to feel better every day, so that’s good. Not much else going on, though. We toyed with the thought of going to the gym last night, but by the time we both got home from work, neither one of us felt like doing it. So I cooked chili, we watched last Saturday’s PBA presentation (Kyle Troup won the Jonesboro Open with a 290 game in the final match against Chris Barnes), then went to bed.

Between tonight and tomorrow, we might have a little bit of winter. Or not . . . who knows. It will be cold tomorrow, at least by Texas standards, and there is a slight possibility that we might see some snow. But I don’t think there will be enough to keep us from work. I hope not, at least.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
(Psa 84:11-12)

Today I am grateful:
1. That baseball spring training begins in a week!
2. That the Lord will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84.11)
3. That the Lord has made my heart trust in his steadfast love (mercy) (Psalm 13.5)
4. That we can be united in Jesus Christ, regardless of other points of view
5. For a small band of believers that has had such an impact on my life

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.
(Psa 119:147)

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
(Psa 13:5)

The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
(Psa 89:11)

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
(Luk 2:25-35)

Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off. I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree. But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found. Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off. The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
(Psa 37:34-40)

“Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Concluding Prayer of the Church)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
(Mat 5:43-48)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
(Psa 46:1)

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
(Pro 17:17)

For the director of music. A psalm of David.
The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How great is his joy in the victories you give! You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked you for life, and you gave it to him— length of days, for ever and ever. Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.
(Psa 21:1-7 NIV)

I am, once again, moved and stirred by the verses from Matthew 5, above. In this day and age, we, the Church, are failing to abide by these commands. And what is worse, we are throwing bricks at each other! I pray that we can drop the political grandstanding and get back to the truth of the gospel, which has no political boundaries or allegiances. Because I am trying to be a true follower of Jesus Christ, I have no political allegiances. I would even go on record to say that I have no national allegiances. Yes, I am a legal citizen of a country, a nation. But my primary allegiance is to Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. I put no faith and trust in men to save me, only in my Savior. And, by his grace, I will do my dead-level best to obey his commands to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. And even to pray for people who disagree with me.

Father, by your Holy Spirit, I pray for strength to love those who are my “enemies.” While I acknowledge that no one that I know of is trying to kill me, I know that there are people with whom I do not agree on certain issues. These people are NOT my enemies, though. Help us to realize that people with opposing points of view are not enemies, especially if they, too, are followers of Christ. We need unity in these times, because our enemy is out there, running rampant in our world, and he rejoices when he can divide your Church.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” Job 5.8-9

Grace and peace, friends.

Of Chariots and Horses

February 3, 2020 Jeff2 Comments

Today is Monday, February 3, 2020. Peace be with you.

Day 22,607

EIGHT DAYS until Spring Training!!

Yesterday was just what the doctor ordered. After church, we had lunch, then C finished painting the bedroom. I planted myself in front of the TV and played Days Gone for most of the afternoon/evening, with a couple episodes of The Expanse sprinkled in.

In somewhat sad news, we have had some church developments. During the last two weeks, there have been a couple of leadership meetings. Some decisions have been made. Due to multiple concerns, one of which is financial (the organization is losing money), another being that we are not meeting the qualifications of our own by-laws in terms of leadership, we have decided that the best course of action is to dissolve the organization known as The Exchange Church. In addition to that, our pastor tendered his resignation yesterday morning, effective in two weeks, February 16. On that day, the membership will vote on whether to dissolve the “church.”

Now for the good news. There are at least ten to a dozen of us that have no intention of stopping our worship gatherings together. We will simply be a true “house church.” None of us knows what the future holds, but we do believe that it will be advantageous to shuck the legal baggage of the “non-profit organization,” so we can carry on with our worship/ministry without those hindrances. We will have no “assets,” nor will we have any “liabilities.” To be honest, while we are sad that this one thing is ending (though it really isn’t), we are somewhat excited to see what God has in store for us. We know that the road won’t be easy. We are also aware that God may take is in a totally unexpected direction. And that’s okay. I will certainly provide updates as they are available.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
(Psa 84:10)

Today I am grateful:
1. For my brothers and sisters in Christ
2. That the Church of Jesus Christ does not consist of buildings and budgets, but of people, of souls
3. That I don’t need to trust in family, money, doctors, or programs, kings, princes, or presidents, but only in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ
4. That God teaches me to love
5. That Jesus Christ sets us free from the bondage of sin

O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah.
(Psa 84:8)

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation—For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name.
(Psa 18:46, 49))

The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.
(Psa 115:16)

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
(Luk 2:22-24)

A Song of Ascents. Of David.
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.
(Psa 131:1-3)

“Show us your mercy O Lord; and grant us your salvation.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness; let your people sing with joy.
Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; for only in you can we live in safety.”
(The Divine Hours, The Small Verse)

“Set me free, O God, from the bondage of my sins, and give me the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to me in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and for ever. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.
(Luk 3:15-18)

Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it.
(1Pe 4:8 The Message)

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
(Joh 15:13)

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
(1Pe 4:9-10)

For the director of music. A psalm of David.
May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. LORD, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!
(Psa 20:1-9)

How do we prepare ourselves for a great challenge? The people involved with David in this psalm are on the eve of a great battle. The temptation is to trust in military strength (verse 7). But they do not put their trust there. David trusts in the Lord, so his people trust in the Lord. This psalm seems to be a prayer for the king.

“How easy for us to place hope in analogous things–family, money, doctors, programs.” We, as followers of Christ, do not look to those things. We look to our King, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: “Lord, I am so anxious because I look to human wisdom, talent, and resources. They can let me down, but you cannot! Even if things don’t go as I wish, if they are in your hands I am safe. And I know you will hear my prayer because you always hear my Savior’s prayers. Amen.”

Father, there are far too many “Christians” who are, this day, placing their faith and hope in men. I will not do that. My trust is in you. Only you can save us, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. I will not trust in chariots and horses, in kings, princes, or presidents. I will trust in Jesus Christ and him alone.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” Job 5.8-9

Grace and peace, friends.