Idols In The Heart

Scripture
Ezekiel 14:4
Tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message. So I, the Lord, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves.

Observation
This is a great example of God looking in the inside. Idols in their hearts. This is something that would show up on the outside, but begins in the heart.

Application
So, I need to discover what idols might be in my heart, and ask God to remove them. I would define an idol as something that either I worship (I hope not), or something that comes between me and my relationship with God (even good things). I should look at my priorities, my conversation, my time, my money - what in these are dominating my life? Is joking more important that praising? Is recreation more important than serving, or praying? Is getting more important than giving?

Prayer
Well Lord, this is quite an unexpected morning devotion. The only thing I can say right now is I'm sorry for the idolatry in my life. I'm not sure how to repent as I don't know what to turn from, but please search me and try me, and show me, and help me to repent and be free. To You be all glory. Amen

Caring Enough To Listen

Scripture
Jeremiah 23:18 “Have any of these prophets been in the Lord’s presence
to hear what he is really saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen?

Observation
This was written in the midst of a strong rebuke to the false prophets and wicked shepherds. Jeremiah focuses on actually being in the Lord's presence, and not only listening, but caring enough to listen.

Application
This whole chapter is a good one to read regularly. I can certainly be reminded that I need to really be in the Lord's presence. I need to take time to listen, because I care.

Prayer
Dear Lord, please help me to wait in Your presence, hear Your voice, and minister to Your people out of that relationship.

We Don't Need Another Ark

Scripture

Jeremiah 3:16 “And when your land is once more filled with people,” says the Lord, “you will no longer wish for ‘the good old days’ when you possessed the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant. You will not miss those days or even remember them, and there will be no need to rebuild the Ark.

Observation
The need to remember the good old days will begone because the present is better than the past. Also, there will be no need to rebuild something that represents the power and presence of God, for the power and presence of God will be among the people. God among them.

Application
As fascinating as all the old testament tabernacle was, it was only a sybol/a type of things to come. Indiana Jones would be saddened to hear we don't need the ark, we need the Lord. I need to be careful to make sure I am not looking back to what was, or attempting to rebuild a symbol of God's presence or power, but instead live in an awareness of His presence and a demonstration of His power.

Prayer
Lord, thank You for this great scripture. Please help me to look forward, to enjoy Your power and presence today.

A Caring Shepherd

The weather has been so beautiful here these past few days, over 30. As nice as it has been, even no mosquitos, it has been unbearably hot in the evenings to sleep. Thus, it's been late nights and tough to get going in the morning. However, going in to the office at 10 helps..
Scripture
John 10:13
The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

Observation
I have realized that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and I am only the under shepherd. Years ago I heard that 'Jesus has laid down His life for the church so I don't have to". But I have never wanted to be a hireling.

Application
Simple: make sure I am caring for the sheep. Even thought I am not THE shepherd, I am working for Him, and I know He wants me to care about the people. Although I don't think I've ever been about the money, I do think I an be distracted by the operation of the church and overlook the people.

Prayer
Father, please help me to never miss caring for the ones You have entrusted to my care. They are Yours, and I want to take good care of them.

Show Your Power

Scripture
John 9:3. “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.

Observation
Sickness does not always point to a persons sin. It reminds me of Moses, this phrase that the power of God might be seen. God spoke to Moses like that, using the Egyptians to show His power. But this was showing Gods power over a different physical oppressor, the blindness.

Application
I need to look for ways around me, and in me, that the Lord wants to show His power in. And then be sensitive to His timing. This man waited a lot of years for this testimony, and when he was healed, his testimony got him excommunicated. Not all people respond well to the demonstration of Gods power.

Prayer
Father, please help me to have a heart that is willing to be a vessel You can demonstrate Your power through, even if it means waiting uncomfortably for Your timing.

Believe

Saturday morning with the Lord. SOAP will be a little more difficult this morning as I see there were so many things to write about. It seems as if the Bible had so many things to say to me this morning. Thank you Lord. I'm not sure what to take away from it all. But here is a start:

Scripture
John 6:28-29
They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”
29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

Observation
The context is the feeding of the five thousand. "We want to do the miraculous". Ah, but the greatest miracle is the transformation of a life when a person believes, truly believes, in Christ.

Application
In the midst of stories of cancer and sickness, I have too cried out "I want to do these miraculous works". But I see that cannot be my focus. My focus must be to get close to God, and to not let anything erode my belief in Jesus. Not just in His existence, Who He is, or even saving faith, but, the belief in Him that shapes how I live my life ~ a life transformed by the authentic and genuine belief in the Son of God.

Prayer
Lord, please help me to settle my heart on this. It's so hard to not seek the miraculous when my friends are in trouble, when cancer stands like a giant and mocks the living God. I need to believe in You, and out of that belief, grow in relationship with You, and allow your presence and power to fill me to overflowing. These signs will follow those who believe.....

Do What God Does

What an incredibly difficult day yesterday was. I'm writing of the news I received via email about cancer in a good friend's family. His family does not know (his extended family that is), so I've been asked to keep silent until that time. I'm honoring that request, but I have not been silent with God. Audrey and I are trying to support them in prayer, but not sure how to pray. May God lead us in that. I did read God's Word yesterday, and this is my SOAP for yesterday.

Scripture:
John 5:19
So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

Observation
Jesus was very clear on this point. He was doing the will of God on earth. So much so, that He was watching the Father for what to do, a perfect example of being led by the Spirit.

Application
I need to sit closely to the Father, reading His Word, praying in the Spirit, worshipping - all of these things drawing close to God so I can know Him, and see what He is doing.

Prayer
Father, I have no idea what my life is going to look like in this next year. I pray it will be a year of transformation. As I behold You, I will be changed. Help me to behold You, and then reflect you to others. May Your Kingdom come in my life, and through my life.

Doing His Will, Finishing His Work

Scripture
John 4:34
Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.

Observation
Doing His will, finishing His work. I'm reminded of Ken Ulmer speaking on Jesus glorifying God by 'completing His assignment'. Jesus says here is a nourishment that comes from this. It seems this is more than a satisfaction, but that must be part of it. And then Jesus wasn't focused on food when the disciples got back.

Application
I'm am not called to merely to work at the church office, but to do His will and finish His work that He has for me.

Prayer
Lord, please help me today to do Your will. Help me to know it, and do it. May I not be distracted by other things.

Pouring Out Your Heart

I am just coming back from holidays. It has been a month since I was in the office. It's been wonderful to take a break, but I am ready to be back in 'the game'. It's good to sit on the bench, or in the locker room, or the clubhouse for a while, but I'm really happy to be feeling strong and healthy and ready to work.
I am running a little bit later than I had planned this morning. It seems as my bed had too much power over me :)
I'm looking forward to this next year of ministry. I came to a decision this holiday that I would no longer be double minded about being in the ministry. I am closing the door on 25 years of wondering if I should be a pastor. Wait, I have closed the door. Until the Lord removes me, I am going to pastor. My hands are on the plow, my eyes are on the goal, my heart is set on following Jesus. And so here we go...

Journal Entry #1 after holidays:

Scripture
Psalms 62:8
O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude

Observation
David wrote this. Trust the Lord at all times. When things are good, and when things are difficult. And in the midst of the trusting, pour out your heart. Don't just communicate information, merely bringing your requests to the Lord. Pour out your heart. There is a depth of relationship here ~ pouring out your heart not only to a God who cares, but a God who can do something about whatever you are bringing to Him. David writes 'for God is our refuge'. A safe place. God is a safe person to pour your heart out to. Not everyone is a safe person. Sometimes you can pour out your heart to someone and have it go terribly bad. Not so with God - He is our refuge.

Application
The best part of the application I think is what is written after this verse: interlude (selah).
Ponder, meditate, think on this. David not only wrote what we are to do, but then said we need to think on this. And so I do. I take time this day to think about trusting the Lord, pouring out my heart to Him, and waiting on Him.

Prayer
Point form things to pour out to God: DJ/A, Robyn's health, Church Building, Church Growth, Church Impact.