Not Alone

S ~ Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. Proverbs 14:13

O ~ This has been the story for so many - including me. Robin Williams. So many famous people who can make others laugh, while they are hurting/crying on the inside.

A ~ Sometimes I make people laugh or say funny things, but it's only to hide the hurt - or disappointment - or being truly seen.  Grief remains. It's important to not be vulnerable with everyone, but it must happen with someone(s). 

P ~ Lord, I'm so thankful for my family, and a few close friends, that I can really open up and share with. Thanks for the gift of these people - who do not flee at the sign of grief or sorrow or struggle, but they too remain. It makes all the difference.

A Curse Fulfilled

S ~ In this way, God punished Abimelech for the evil he had done against his father by murdering his seventy brothers.  God also punished the men of Shechem for all their evil. So the curse of Jotham son of Gideon was fulfilled.  Judges 9:56-57

O ~ Ablimelech killed 69 of his half brothers, and eventually levelled the town of the people who made him their leader. He was then killed by a woman dropping a millstone on his noggin, as he was attempting to burn down the strong tower she and the people had fled to. A whole lot of death. And in it all, God was punishing them all. They didn't get away with their sin.

A ~ God is just. He is a God Who punishes sin. Thankfully, there is a choice - instead of being punished for sin, we can be forgiven for sin, as Jesus was punished already for our sin. I don't know how it works - how it all counts that Jesus paid the price for all our sin - but I am grateful it does! Sin doesn't go unpunished.

P ~ God, thank You that You punish sin. I would often like to 'get away with it', but in the end, that is a death trap. Thank You for being just - Your justice is part of Who You are. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Faithful

S ~ He had seventy sons born to him, for he had many wives.  He also had a concubine in Shechem, who gave birth to a son, whom he named Abimelech. Judges 8:30-31

O ~ This one son would kill all of the other seventy sons (except for the youngest who escaped). Gideon fought and won a victory over Midian, but he sure lost the victory of idolatry and home life. 

A ~ Of all the things that are important, it is my faithfulness to God and my faithfulness to my family. Judges was such a wicked time in the history of Israel - and we live in a pretty wicked time now.

P ~ Lord, may I be found faithful, and I pray Your faithfulness over my life and my household.

A Surprise Test

S ~ Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream. Judges 7:6

O ~ This means that 9700 men drank with their mouths in the stream. I have never done this on purpose - I have swallowed some pool/ocean water accidentally, but never put my face in the water to drink. It just doesn't seem like the way to do things, but 97% of the soldiers did this.

A ~ When I was in Israel, I went to this stream. We stood in the water, and Steve and Patty (Lizzy's parents) and Rob and Debbie took pictures of pretending to drink. Way too many feet in the water to actually have a sip. I bet there were many feet in the water with Gideon too. 97% of the people God chose to not use, and the deciding factor was how they drank water at the stream. We can do all kinds of things to posture ourselves to be used by God, but in the end, He still chooses.

P ~ Lord, may I do my part to follow You, and be available, and willing - but I still leave the decision up to you.

Firewood

S ~ Sacrifice the bull as a burnt offering on the altar, using as fuel the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down.” Judges 6:26

O ~ Gideon created a holy altar, but used a very unholy idol as fuel. It's amazing that something so wicked could be used for something to worshipful. God is a redemptive God. 

A ~ It certainly shows how little we know about what God can use. If He can use that, he can use the things in my life to bring Him glory. 

P ~ Lord, please show me anything in my life that you would like me to get rid of, and as you do, may I get rid of them for good, and in doing so, may it be an act of sacrifice and worship to You.

A Large Harvest

S ~ Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. Proverbs 14:4

O ~ NKJV says that much increase comes from having the ox - but this version is very helpful - it's not about increase, it's about a large harvest.

A ~ It's time to strengthen the ox - for the purpose of bringing in a large harvest. I'm not so sure Jesus would be thrilled with me calling His 'bride' and ox - but it's time to really look at strengthening the church, preparing her for a large harvest. It's gonna get messy (as ox's always do), but it's gonna be worth it - for the sake of the harvest.

P ~ Lord, please help me lead our church, as You lead me, to be strong enough to handle and see a large harvest.

I Am Among You...

S ~ For I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:27

O ~ Jesus was demonstrating the difference between His kingdom, and the kingdoms of this world. He was teaching his disciples what leadership really looks like.

A ~ May I remember to look for Jesus among those who serve. And may I be found following Jesus' example, by serving.

P ~ Lord, sometimes life and ministry can get so complicated and overwhelming - but may I never forget how I simply need to be a servant - Your servant - and demonstrate that by serving others. And as I do, may I find You in it all.

A Brief Moment

S ~ Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12

O ~ The brevity of life. KJV will say ‘Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”. It’s not just that our days are numbered, but because they are, may be learn to be wise.

A ~ I am 52 years old. I am old enough (some would say very old) to have not only seen older people die, but many younger people, and now the beginning stages of friends. Because life is like a fleeting vapor - a morning fog - I want to grow in wisdom, specifically how I spend my days. Love and honor the Lord. Love and show kindness, provision and protection to my family. Love others with compassion, generosity and eternity in mind. 

P ~ Lord, please help me to treat each day as a gift, and to not waste any of them in depression, discouragement, failure, fatigue, or discontent. May I live in, and out of, the peace and joy you provide.... donde?... down in my heart.

Whatever You Need

S ~ I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.  For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Luke 21:3-4

O ~ It’s not the amount - it’s the percentage. Or, it’s how much you have left after you have given. Have you given most, some, lots, little, or all.

A ~ I want to be like the widow, giving everything to Jesus. Yet, I’m quite sure I only want to give it in my heart, not actually give it. “Oh Lord, I give You everything” , but I fully expect to continue to enjoy all my stuff. My house, my car, my motorbike, this ipad, yada, yada, yada.   I wonder what it would be like to give it all, not just in my heart.

P ~ Lord, just like the donkey’s owner on Palm Sunday, whatever You need, it’s Yours.

Deep In Your Hearts

S ~ Soon I will die, going the way of everything on earth. Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed! Joshua 23:14

O ~ Deep in your hearts. No matter what the enemy, or your own mind may try and tell you - deep in your hearts you know - every promise of the Lord has come true.

A ~ If there is a promise that has not come true, it is because a) it was a failed condition on our part, b) the timing in not yet right - it is going to be fulfilled, c) we misunderstand the meaning, or d) other. In any case, the Lord is Faithful, and He keeps His promises.

P ~ Lord, deep in my heart I know You are a promise keeping, covenant keeping, loving God. When I don’t see prayers answered, and promises fulfilled - please help me the continue to have trust and hope and courage. Your promise still stands, great is Your faithfulness - You’ve never failed me yet....

Listen FIRST

S ~ So the whole community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and prepared to go to war against them. First, however, they sent a delegation led by Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to talk with the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Joshua 22:12-13

O ~ Prepare to go for war, but talk first. These people were part of their family - better to ask good questions, and listen first.

A ~ It’s important to not just jump to conclusions, with partial information, or even distant observations. The whole community of Israel gathered - the whole community.  Everyone had come to the same conclusion, but they were wrong.  There is nothing wrong with preparing for war - it’s a wise move. Yet it is quite different to actually go to war.  Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

P ~ Lord, please help me to wait before warring, especially when it is with the family of God.

Joshua’s Town

S ~ After all the land was divided among the tribes, the Israelites gave a piece of land to Joshua as his allocation.  For the Lord had said he could have any town he wanted. He chose Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. He rebuilt the town and lived there. Joshua 19:49- 50

O ~ Good ol’ Joshua not only got a piece of land, he got a whole town!  How nice that he received any town he wanted. There was still work involved - it wasn’t the ‘golden pocket watch’ after 25 years of service; he had to rebuild the town. God did not forget Joshua. As the people were receiving their inheritance, Joshua was receiving his. So many years after he had first spied out the the land with Caleb, he inherited what the Lord had for him. 

A ~ I’m grateful that the Lord does not forget His faithfulness to me. So many years after I had first seen what the Lord has had for me, may I too receive my inheritance.

P ~ Lord, I await Your timing. May I be found faithful.

Mine - Not Mine

S ~ 'But, master,’they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’  ‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away'.  Luke 19:25-26

O ~ But he already has enough!  The issue was that he was not an owner, he was a steward. It was an issue of management - thus he was entrusted with more. What he had (10) was not his, and so in giving him more (1), didn't increase what he had - it only increased what he had to manage.

A ~ It is a very important perspective to have - our 'stuff' is not our own. Life does not consist of the possessions we have. We must remember that none of it is ours - it is all the Lords, and we need to be faithful managers of whatever He had entrusted to our care.  More is not always better. Faithfulness is the key.

P ~ Lord, help me to be faithful in the little things, and in the big things. May I demonstrate that not only do I trust You, but that you can trust me.

Give Me Happiness

S ~ Give me happiness, O Lord for I give myself to You. Psalm 86:4

O ~ An exchange - my life for happiness.

A ~ I wonder how many people would make this trade. Happiness is so key to life. Not just a deep and hidden joy in our hearts (donde?), but a real sense of happiness. Happy are the people who’s God is the Lord.  Seems like a good offer - for what is life without happiness. All the things in the world, all the money, all the health, all the stuff that is chased after, doesn’t seem to make people happy - or if it does, it is fleeting. All the people who are so deeply depressed, would they not trade their life for happiness - probably in a heart beat.

P ~ Lord, I give You my life - to serve You and follow You and love You.  Please give me this happiness.

Frank Was Wrong

S ~ I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for He speaks peace to His faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Psalm 85:8

O ~ He speaks peace. In the midst of the storm, He speaks peace.

A ~ God speaks peace to us - that we are in a peaceful relationship with Him. He also speaks peace into us, as the storm rages around us. However, we lose that sense of peace when we return to a foolish life without a living relationship with God. 

P ~ Lord, even though my eternity is secure, I want to walk with You, my source of peace - and not return to foolishly walking through life without a deep sense of Your presence. Frank was wrong - best to not do it my way.

Not Withholding....

S ~ For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.  Psalm 84:11

O ~ I love this psalm, and this song. God is not a withholder of good. He gives grace, glory and good things. It is His very nature to give, and He is good.

A ~ How important it is to trust the Lord, and remember Who He is, and look to Him as our source.

This psalm is a great declaration of truth, and can cause hope and joy to abound in our lives, in the midst of whatever we face. 

P ~ Lord, thank You for lighting up my life (sun) and for being my protection (shield). Thank you for giving grace (when I fall) and glory (Your evident presence), and for not withholding and good thing (provision) as I follow you (the righteous path).

Read It

S ~  “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ Luke 16:27-29

O ~ They can read what they wrote. There it is - read the bible. It's all there.

A ~ How many times do we ask God what to do, or what we should do? And yet, it is all written down for us. Sometimes it does take a little effort, like a miner with a pick - but the rewards are worth it. Read the Book - don't wait for the movie.

P ~ Lord, thank You for Your Word. May I read it, know it, believe it, and live it.

Ruined Again

S ~ Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. Proverbs 13:3

O ~ Opening my mouth often ruins everything. I wish I could learn this proverb in advance.

A ~ Even on Easter Sunday, visiting with my family online, in an attempt to be funny - I ruined everything. Again. Clearly I never, ever learn.

P ~ Lord, please deliver me from my own words. 

Daily Bread

S ~ No manna appeared on the day they first ate from the crops of the land, and it was never seen again. So from that time on the Israelites ate from the crops of Canaan. Joshua 5:12

O ~ No manna has ever been seen since. This was not some dessert anomaly that shows up every 60 years when the moon is full. Never. Manna has never been seen since they day they ate in the promised land.

A ~ Just as the provision of Manna was miraculous, so was it's disappearance. I wonder if they ever considered they would not see it again. God's provision through Manna was done. Now He would provide in another way. May my eyes be on the Lord for His provision, and even though the method and specifics may change, He is still my Provider. 

P ~ Father, please give me this day, my daily bread. Amen.

Guide the guide!

S ~ Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.  Joshua 3:4

O ~ Joshua told the people to follow the priests - since they had never been the was before.

A ~ Here we are, in the midst of a Covid-19 crisis, and clearly, we have never been here before.

As much as I have wanted to encourage people to keep their own eyes on Jesus, and get into their own bibles, and feed themselves, and share what they know - I'm thinking there is a place for the priests. Yes, everyone is now part of the royal priesthood - so we all have direct access to God. Yet, it is time for me to help guide the people, since we have never been this way before.

P ~ Lord, please give me the sight, and insight, I need to guide Your people - and the words and ways to communicate that.

FaceTime

S ~ There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. Deuteronomy 34:10

O ~ The Lord spoke face to face with Moses. The implication is not that He did this once, but this was what defined their relationship. Face to Face. 

A ~ When I look at the life of Moses in separate instances, I sure see a lot of anger, frustration, conflict, doubt, etc. Yet the Bible says that he was the most humble man on the earth. Either others were so filled with pride that the bar was set pretty low, or Moses was truly aware of his inadequacies, and dependance on God. I’m sure it was the latter. If people look at my life, they may not see humility and vulnerability, and a tremendous sense of inadequacy. But they are all there. Deeply rooted. Desperately needing God. Desperately wanting to be different.

P ~ Lord, I want to be like Moses, the man who knew You face to face. It’s only in Your presence that I can be changed.

The Promised Land

S ~ So you will see the land from a distance, but you may not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.”. Deuteronomy 32:52

O ~ Because of his betrayal, Moses did not get to enter the promised land. It’s important to remember that God’s purpose was never to get Moses into the Promised Land - it was to get His people into the promised land. It was never about an individual, but a people. 

A ~ I need to remember to be faithful to God, no matter what. I need to obey, and regard Him as holy. So many times our Nigerian families have prayed that I in laboring for all our people, I myself would not miss heaven.  I certainly understand this in light of this verse.

P ~ Lord, may I honor You, obey You, and follow You... right into all the promises that You have for me.

Seriously God

S ~  When God began killing them, they finally sought him. They repented and took God seriously. Psalm 78:34

O ~ Sometimes, as a last resort, God would get their attention. Not until they were faced with their mortality, did the people of God repent and take God seriously.

A ~ The death toll has risen to 75,963 as of this morning. People are scared. Well, smart people are scared. When faced with death, people look to God. Some with anger, some with desperation, some with questions. And some... with worship.  This life is temporary. Doug Roth - Rob Nickerson - Doug Marsten. And we face the struggle of Audrey’s dad’s health. Jesus didn’t come to kill us - but to save us. Death is certain, but so is life in Him. God wants us to take Him seriously - because He is serious about wanting to save us.

P ~ Lord, for all those who are still not paying attention, please help me and Cornerstone to be a voice of hope in these dark days. May there be light in our lives and light in our homes.

God Cares

S ~  They even spoke against God himself, saying, “God can’t give us food in the wilderness. Yes, he can strike a rock so water gushes out, but he can’t give his people bread and meat.”
When the Lord heard them, he was furious. The fire of his wrath burned against Jacob. Yes, his anger rose against Israel, for they did not believe God or trust him to care for them. Pslam 78:19-22

O ~ Israel had eaten manna and drank water from a rock - but they have determined that meat was beyond God. His power was limited, and so was his ability to care for them.

A ~ It made God mad - that his kids did not believe or trust Him to care for them. Needless worry - and hurtful doubt. Clearly they did not know Him, nor His power. And yet they had seen so many miracles, and He had provided for so many years. Much like today, we need to look to God, believing and trusting that He will care for us.

P ~ Lord, I don’t want any lack of trust or belief in you to cause you anger - which un-doubtedly is connected to hurt. May I simply live a life of trust, knowing in your power to provide, and your constant care for me and my family.

John’s Doing It...Why Aren’t You?

S ~ Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1

O ~ Even though Jesus had done so many things, a disciple came to remind Him that He wasn’t doing enough. John taught his disciples to pray,  how come you haven’t taught us to pray?  Exhausting.

A ~ The problem is ‘just like someone else did’. It would have been fine if they had witnessed Jesus praying and wanted to learn how to do that, and that may be a part of it, but the comparison to John is what bugs me. This church is doing that, this pastor is saying that, etc. I can’t keep up - nor could Jesus. He didn’t go with the demands of the crowd. He did respond to this disciple’s request, but I doubt it was because of John the Baptist School of Ministry.

P ~ Lord, I get caught up in so much that others are doing, and it makes me feel inadequate, insecure and like I am ‘not enough’. Please help me to do what I can, and follow You. Especially when people come with ideas based on what others are doing, please help me to not be defensive, self centered, or snotty. May I keep my eyes on You in it all.

Huh?

S ~ You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain. Deuteronomy 25:4

O ~ Interesting in all the regulations in the Old Testament, this little beauty shows up seemingly out of place. And of all the scriptures that refer to ‘pay the preacher’, this is one that tops the charts.

A ~ So many times I read verses in the Old Testament - specifically in Exodus - Deuteronomy, and think ‘How in the world can this ever apply to my life?  - how to seed my field, or who should be stoned for a seemingly little offense, or many other things that appear to just be superstitious. The God of the Old Testament is still the God of the New Testament - and He says He does not change. So the perfect view we have of Jesus (the clearest understanding of God revealed), is how I must look through to see God in the Old Testament. 

P ~ Lord, just as this little line about letting the ox eat while he works has application for today, please open other scriptures to me which are currently hidden, that I might understand how to apply them to 2020.

Plow On

S ~  But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

O ~ Sign up, or don't. Get married, or don't. All in, or not. Be committed, or don't. Do or do not do - there is no try.

A ~ Years ago I came to the decision that I would not quit pastoring, but that God would have to fire me. Hopefully lay me off, or retire me, but even if it is firing from His hand - ok. However, I'm not going to quit. I believed he called and commissioned me, and clearly He has confirmed that for 33 years. 

P ~ Lord, may my hand be still on the plow, looking forward, looking for Your direction as I am a worker in Your field, with
my eyes on the harvest.

God is My Strength

S ~ Psalm 73:25-26

Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire You more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
He is mine forever.

O ~ God remains the strength of my heart, no matter what else loses strength.Things that were once so strong, fade, weaken and fail - but my God will never fail. He remains constant.

A ~ Today, my health fails. Gout again. My spirit is weak - there is so much effort to try and lead our church in this very uncertain time. Yet, my heart is full - for God is the strength of my heart forever.

There is a fullness and depth and completeness in my heart, even though health and spirit fail. My heart is strong, for God remains.

P ~ Lord, thank You for Your unending love, Your constant faithfulness, and Your ceaseless strength. Please bring health to my body, endurance to my spirit, and continual joy to my heart.