Luke 24: 32 'They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"'
A few of Jesus' disciples were on their way home from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were sad and confused as they did not understand what had happened to Jesus and from what they had heard, he was now missing! As they were walking, Jesus appears to them and begins explaining all that has happened to him and why, although they did not realize it was him. Later at dinner, he reveals himself and they say "Were are hearts not burning within us while he talked with us on the road?"
These disciples comment on their burning hearts. Apparently, as Jesus was walking with them and teaching them, their hearts burned. I have Jesus with me everyday. I have his scriptures which I can read every day all day if I wish. Does my heart burn? Does my heart burn for him and his kingdom? I must confess it does not always burn. Maybe I need to take more time? I need to take more time to walk, more time to listen and more time to reflect on Jesus. Maybe then my heart will burn more?
Dear Jesus, help my heart to burn for you and others. Amen.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Solomon's Wisdom
1 Kings 3:9 "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
Solomon is a young king ruling the very large nation of Israel. In a dream, God asks him what he can do for him. God tells him whatever he wants, he'll provide. Solomon sees the enormous job ahead of him and realizes his lack of knowledge and ability. So, instead of asking for riches, wealth, or long life, Solomon asks for wisdom. God is so pleased with his request he grants Solomon wisdom plus long life and riches.
Solomon was very wise even before God grants him wisdom. Solomon in a very humble moment realizes his lack of understanding and knows he does need wisdom before all else if he is to succeed as king. This humility and wisdom, even at a young age, is rewarded by God. I too feel like Solomon many days. Last week we saw nearly 300 students come to HangTime and OneEighty-190 at HangTime alone! Many days I feel unqualified and unprepared to work with these students. I need wisdom from God to do this. I need to rely on him and his understanding to lead these kids.
Dear Jesus, give me your wisdom and your understanding. Amen.
Solomon is a young king ruling the very large nation of Israel. In a dream, God asks him what he can do for him. God tells him whatever he wants, he'll provide. Solomon sees the enormous job ahead of him and realizes his lack of knowledge and ability. So, instead of asking for riches, wealth, or long life, Solomon asks for wisdom. God is so pleased with his request he grants Solomon wisdom plus long life and riches.
Solomon was very wise even before God grants him wisdom. Solomon in a very humble moment realizes his lack of understanding and knows he does need wisdom before all else if he is to succeed as king. This humility and wisdom, even at a young age, is rewarded by God. I too feel like Solomon many days. Last week we saw nearly 300 students come to HangTime and OneEighty-190 at HangTime alone! Many days I feel unqualified and unprepared to work with these students. I need wisdom from God to do this. I need to rely on him and his understanding to lead these kids.
Dear Jesus, give me your wisdom and your understanding. Amen.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Today is the Day
Proverbs 3:28 "Don't tell your neighbor to come back tomorrow, if you can help today."
The writer of this proverb says if we can help today we should do it and not put it off until tomorrow.
Today is the day! There is no guarantee we will even get to tomorrow. I need to recognize the work set before me today and get it done. Dragging my feet and procrastinating will never help anyone. I cannot advance the kingdom of God by sitting around and waiting for tomorrow. If a neighbor needs help, I need to help today. If a friend needs prayer, I need to pray today. If my family needs love and encouragement, I need to do it today. And I must admit, I do drag my feet. I do sit on my butt a bit too long some days. I really could use this verse every day.
Dear Jesus, remind me of today. Help me not let today go to waste. Amen.
The writer of this proverb says if we can help today we should do it and not put it off until tomorrow.
Today is the day! There is no guarantee we will even get to tomorrow. I need to recognize the work set before me today and get it done. Dragging my feet and procrastinating will never help anyone. I cannot advance the kingdom of God by sitting around and waiting for tomorrow. If a neighbor needs help, I need to help today. If a friend needs prayer, I need to pray today. If my family needs love and encouragement, I need to do it today. And I must admit, I do drag my feet. I do sit on my butt a bit too long some days. I really could use this verse every day.
Dear Jesus, remind me of today. Help me not let today go to waste. Amen.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sleep in Your Bed
Proverbs 1:31 "This is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen."
Solomon personifies wisdom in Proverbs 1. She calls out to the people to listen to her. She begs people to take her advice and heed her warnings. And when they don't and trouble comes their way, she admonishes them and says, "you must now eat your bitter fruit."
Solomon says people must deal with the consequences of their actions. We can choose to live wisely or foolishly and each has it's repercussions. If we choose foolishly, we must deal with those choices. There is no getting out of them. There is no complaining and we can point the finger at no one but ourselves. Put another way, "you've made your bed, now lie in it." This is so true. Too many people today want to pass the buck and blame someone else for their problems. Certainly there are some situations beyond our control but overall, we get ourselves into most of our trouble all on our own. We must think ahead, heed wisdom's call and learn to deal with the results-good or bad.
Dear Jesus, help me hear wisdom's call so she cannot mock me! Amen.
Solomon personifies wisdom in Proverbs 1. She calls out to the people to listen to her. She begs people to take her advice and heed her warnings. And when they don't and trouble comes their way, she admonishes them and says, "you must now eat your bitter fruit."
Solomon says people must deal with the consequences of their actions. We can choose to live wisely or foolishly and each has it's repercussions. If we choose foolishly, we must deal with those choices. There is no getting out of them. There is no complaining and we can point the finger at no one but ourselves. Put another way, "you've made your bed, now lie in it." This is so true. Too many people today want to pass the buck and blame someone else for their problems. Certainly there are some situations beyond our control but overall, we get ourselves into most of our trouble all on our own. We must think ahead, heed wisdom's call and learn to deal with the results-good or bad.
Dear Jesus, help me hear wisdom's call so she cannot mock me! Amen.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Pure Eyes
Matt. 6:22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light."
Jesus is teaching and he says that our eyes are the lamps of our bodies. If they are good, our whole body, our entire life will be full of light.
As one of our five senses, our sight through our eyes is one way we receive information. As a man I am a very visual creature. I rely on my eyes for everything. Daily I am bombarded visually by millions of images. I do have a choice as to what I look at and view. And I have to remember that I have a choice in this. I can choose to look at beautiful, pure and holy things, or I can choose to look at ugly, filthy and dark things. What I look at, I take into my body and into my life. These images become memories and begin to form who I am. I must be very careful and wise at to what I allow in to my lamps.
Dear Jesus, help me to have pure eyes who only see light. Amen.
Jesus is teaching and he says that our eyes are the lamps of our bodies. If they are good, our whole body, our entire life will be full of light.
As one of our five senses, our sight through our eyes is one way we receive information. As a man I am a very visual creature. I rely on my eyes for everything. Daily I am bombarded visually by millions of images. I do have a choice as to what I look at and view. And I have to remember that I have a choice in this. I can choose to look at beautiful, pure and holy things, or I can choose to look at ugly, filthy and dark things. What I look at, I take into my body and into my life. These images become memories and begin to form who I am. I must be very careful and wise at to what I allow in to my lamps.
Dear Jesus, help me to have pure eyes who only see light. Amen.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
On the Edge of My Seat
1 Peter 1:12 "It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen."
Peter is writing about the Gospel of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. He says that what is taking place on earth is so amazing and wonderful even the angels are eagerly watching events unfold.
Football season is here and the other night I was on the edge of my seat on the couch watching Brett Favre hand off to Adrian Peterson. Adrian took the opening hand off (first play from scrimmage) 75 yards for a touchdown. It was so cool and so wonderful to watch! Apparently, the angels have the same experience watching Jesus. They sat on the edge of their seats and watched the savior of the world win the game. I should have the same view of things. I should be on the edge of my seat watching what Jesus is up to in his kingdom.
Dear Jesus, help me to eagerly watch what you are up to. Amen.
Peter is writing about the Gospel of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. He says that what is taking place on earth is so amazing and wonderful even the angels are eagerly watching events unfold.
Football season is here and the other night I was on the edge of my seat on the couch watching Brett Favre hand off to Adrian Peterson. Adrian took the opening hand off (first play from scrimmage) 75 yards for a touchdown. It was so cool and so wonderful to watch! Apparently, the angels have the same experience watching Jesus. They sat on the edge of their seats and watched the savior of the world win the game. I should have the same view of things. I should be on the edge of my seat watching what Jesus is up to in his kingdom.
Dear Jesus, help me to eagerly watch what you are up to. Amen.
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