Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..."
Solomon begins his book of Proverbs discussing the importance of wisdom. He personifies wisdom as a "she" and claims she "calls aloud" in the streets for people to pay attention to her. In chapter three, Solomon claims she (wisdom) ultimately comes from the Lord. And here in verse five, he encourages the reader to trust in the Lord and not our own understanding.
I'm sure I memorized this verse when I was seven or eight. When exactly will I learn it!? When will I completely and faithfully practice it!? I lean on my own understanding all the time. How dumb is that? I don't have complete wisdom. I am finite. Today I will trust in him for everything...my finances, my family, my house, my job, my health. I'm sure he knows more than I do...
Dear Jesus, help me trust with all my heart in all matters. Amen.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Sabbatical: Day Fifteen
Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."
The one hundred and fiftieth and final psalm ends with this verse commanding everything that has breath to praise the Lord. Going further, Jesus later says in Luke that if we do not praise the Lord, the very rocks will cry out to him. One of the main reasons we were created was to praise and glorify God.
How well do I do praising God? Singing in church on Sunday is just one small portion of praising the Lord. In my day to day life, through my actions and words I can praise God. How can I praise him tomorrow? I get to spend time with my family at the Twins game and going to Ellie's open house. I can praise God tomorrow for the beautiful weather (near 100!), and my awesome and intelligent kids! I'll start there tomorrow.
Dear Jesus, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Amen.
The one hundred and fiftieth and final psalm ends with this verse commanding everything that has breath to praise the Lord. Going further, Jesus later says in Luke that if we do not praise the Lord, the very rocks will cry out to him. One of the main reasons we were created was to praise and glorify God.
How well do I do praising God? Singing in church on Sunday is just one small portion of praising the Lord. In my day to day life, through my actions and words I can praise God. How can I praise him tomorrow? I get to spend time with my family at the Twins game and going to Ellie's open house. I can praise God tomorrow for the beautiful weather (near 100!), and my awesome and intelligent kids! I'll start there tomorrow.
Dear Jesus, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Amen.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Sabbatical: Day Fourteen
Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
This phrase is repeated several times throughout scripture. Here in Psalm 111 David quotes it and later his son Solomon uses it as he begins Proverbs. Surely it was something he heard from his dad.
What does it mean to fear the Lord? I've heard it means everything from straight up fearing the Lord like I fear spiders, to respecting the Lord like I respect a veteran. I'm sure like most things it's somewhere in the middle or a bit of both! The key here is that it "is the beginning of wisdom." If that is the case, I want to fear the Lord more no matter what it means! I sure could use some more wisdom in my life. So how do I fear the Lord more?
Dear Jesus, teach me what it means to fear you. Amen.
This phrase is repeated several times throughout scripture. Here in Psalm 111 David quotes it and later his son Solomon uses it as he begins Proverbs. Surely it was something he heard from his dad.
What does it mean to fear the Lord? I've heard it means everything from straight up fearing the Lord like I fear spiders, to respecting the Lord like I respect a veteran. I'm sure like most things it's somewhere in the middle or a bit of both! The key here is that it "is the beginning of wisdom." If that is the case, I want to fear the Lord more no matter what it means! I sure could use some more wisdom in my life. So how do I fear the Lord more?
Dear Jesus, teach me what it means to fear you. Amen.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Sabbatical: Day Twelve
Psalm 103:10 "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities."
David wrote Psalm 103 and uses it to praise the goodness and compassion of God. In verse 10 he claims that God does not treat us how we deserve to be treated. He chooses to have mercy on us, despite our sins.
We often claim life is not fair. We often question where God is during difficult times. But in the big picture, God has treated us far better than we deserve! Instead of treating us "fairly" and punishing us for our sins, or simply letting us deal with our sin on our own, he went the extra mile and died for our sins! Jesus paid my price and loves me more than I will ever know! So what is my response to this great compassion? I need to treat others better than the deserve. I need to treat others well despite how they treat me.
Dear Jesus, thank you for not treating me how I deserve to be treated. Amen.
David wrote Psalm 103 and uses it to praise the goodness and compassion of God. In verse 10 he claims that God does not treat us how we deserve to be treated. He chooses to have mercy on us, despite our sins.
We often claim life is not fair. We often question where God is during difficult times. But in the big picture, God has treated us far better than we deserve! Instead of treating us "fairly" and punishing us for our sins, or simply letting us deal with our sin on our own, he went the extra mile and died for our sins! Jesus paid my price and loves me more than I will ever know! So what is my response to this great compassion? I need to treat others better than the deserve. I need to treat others well despite how they treat me.
Dear Jesus, thank you for not treating me how I deserve to be treated. Amen.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Sabbatical: Day Six
Psalm 84:3 "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young-a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God."
The writers of Psalm 84 are describing the joy of the house of the Lord. They say even the sparrows and swallows have been thought of and have a home near God's altar. The writers claim there is no greater place to be than in the house of the Lord.
Today I visited the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. It was a beautiful afternoon as I walked among the rock formations and sat a few times and read scripture. There were many birds there-Kestrals, Swifts, Pigeons and more. They made their homes high in the rocks in the many holes they had carved. I read this psalm while sitting there watching these birds and was reminded that God cares for these birds and even more for us. He has a home for us and it is wonderful. Today I feel at peace that God has thought of me enough to prepare a place for me. One day I will join him there!
Dear Jesus, thank you for inviting me to your dwelling. Amen.
The writers of Psalm 84 are describing the joy of the house of the Lord. They say even the sparrows and swallows have been thought of and have a home near God's altar. The writers claim there is no greater place to be than in the house of the Lord.
Today I visited the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. It was a beautiful afternoon as I walked among the rock formations and sat a few times and read scripture. There were many birds there-Kestrals, Swifts, Pigeons and more. They made their homes high in the rocks in the many holes they had carved. I read this psalm while sitting there watching these birds and was reminded that God cares for these birds and even more for us. He has a home for us and it is wonderful. Today I feel at peace that God has thought of me enough to prepare a place for me. One day I will join him there!
Dear Jesus, thank you for inviting me to your dwelling. Amen.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Sabbatical: Day Five
Psalm 77:13 "Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?"
The psalms make it clear that our God is very powerful, mighty, and great. Psalm 77 lists some of the ways God is great. He performed miracles and led his people. He has power over creation. God is great and there is no one that compares to him.
Tonight I arrived in Colorado Springs. The view of the mountains is remarkable. Pike's Peak hovers over the landscape like a silent giant. It is truly beautiful here. There is something majestic and dare I say "holy" about the mountains. They point to the great creator God who formed them. If God can design all of this, he surely can take care of any issues or "problems" I have. Why do I not trust in him more? He is holy and mighty and after all what god is so great as our God? There is none.
Dear Jesus, you are holy and you are great. Help me to trust in you this week. Force me to rely on you. Amen.
The psalms make it clear that our God is very powerful, mighty, and great. Psalm 77 lists some of the ways God is great. He performed miracles and led his people. He has power over creation. God is great and there is no one that compares to him.
Tonight I arrived in Colorado Springs. The view of the mountains is remarkable. Pike's Peak hovers over the landscape like a silent giant. It is truly beautiful here. There is something majestic and dare I say "holy" about the mountains. They point to the great creator God who formed them. If God can design all of this, he surely can take care of any issues or "problems" I have. Why do I not trust in him more? He is holy and mighty and after all what god is so great as our God? There is none.
Dear Jesus, you are holy and you are great. Help me to trust in you this week. Force me to rely on you. Amen.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Sabbatical: Day Four
Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
This psalm by Asaph, one of the three choir leaders of the Levitical choir shows man's weakness and God's strength. Asaph's body and heart may fail, but it doesn't matter because God is his strength and "portion."
I need God to be my strength and portion today. I need to rely on him more and more. These first four days of my sabbatical have kicked my butt! My flesh is literally failing. I've worked too hard and have rested too little. Tomorrow I head to Colorado to rest. No work to be done. I'll be reading, hiking, praying, and resting. I will finally let God be my strength and my portion...for five days. After that, who will I be and how will I do with this?
Dear Jesus, thank for for the productive start to my sabbatical. Now please help me rest. Amen.
This psalm by Asaph, one of the three choir leaders of the Levitical choir shows man's weakness and God's strength. Asaph's body and heart may fail, but it doesn't matter because God is his strength and "portion."
I need God to be my strength and portion today. I need to rely on him more and more. These first four days of my sabbatical have kicked my butt! My flesh is literally failing. I've worked too hard and have rested too little. Tomorrow I head to Colorado to rest. No work to be done. I'll be reading, hiking, praying, and resting. I will finally let God be my strength and my portion...for five days. After that, who will I be and how will I do with this?
Dear Jesus, thank for for the productive start to my sabbatical. Now please help me rest. Amen.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Sabbatical: Day Three
Psalm 71:15 "My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not of its measure."
In this psalm, the psalmist asks God to not forget him even in his old age. This probably means this was written by an older person, maybe David in his later years. And even in his older age, with all of his maturity, the psalmist says he cannot speak of the measure of God's salvation. It is too large, too wonderful, and too amazing to even speak of. It is beyond words.
My salvation in Christ is too grand to speak of sometimes. I am such a wretch and yet Jesus died for me. He paid my price even though I turn my back on him. God's love for me is so amazing! Even though it is difficult, I will try to put to words the greatness of God's love this month. And hopefully, as I age and grow I will understand and comprehend God's love for me better.
Dear Jesus, help me understand your great love for me this month. Help me realize the true power of the cross. Amen.
In this psalm, the psalmist asks God to not forget him even in his old age. This probably means this was written by an older person, maybe David in his later years. And even in his older age, with all of his maturity, the psalmist says he cannot speak of the measure of God's salvation. It is too large, too wonderful, and too amazing to even speak of. It is beyond words.
My salvation in Christ is too grand to speak of sometimes. I am such a wretch and yet Jesus died for me. He paid my price even though I turn my back on him. God's love for me is so amazing! Even though it is difficult, I will try to put to words the greatness of God's love this month. And hopefully, as I age and grow I will understand and comprehend God's love for me better.
Dear Jesus, help me understand your great love for me this month. Help me realize the true power of the cross. Amen.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Sabbatical: Day Two
Psalm 62:11, 12 "One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving."
David writes this song and claims he's heard two things from the one thing God has spoken. Weird. Either way, David speaks of God as strong and loving.
Christ is my strength and Christ is my love. These first two days of sabbatical have been difficult-for several reasons. Fortunately, I've had a great peace these past two days. Christ truly has been my strength and I have truly felt his love. I am working hard to rely on Him throughout this season in my life. I need to rely on his strength tomorrow!
Dear Jesus, thank you for your strength and your love. Amen.
David writes this song and claims he's heard two things from the one thing God has spoken. Weird. Either way, David speaks of God as strong and loving.
Christ is my strength and Christ is my love. These first two days of sabbatical have been difficult-for several reasons. Fortunately, I've had a great peace these past two days. Christ truly has been my strength and I have truly felt his love. I am working hard to rely on Him throughout this season in my life. I need to rely on his strength tomorrow!
Dear Jesus, thank you for your strength and your love. Amen.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Sabbatical: Day One
Psalm 57:10 "For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies."
David is hiding in a cave from Saul and he writes this song. He cries out to God, who alone can save him from his enemy. Despite his circumstances he praises God and sings of his great love.
It is Day One of my sabbatical. I have four weeks to rest and refocus. On Saturday I am heading to Colorado Springs for five days on a personal retreat. On Monday I intend to go to the top of Pike's Peak. Here, where the mountain literally reaches to the sky I will read scripture, pray, and listen for God. I can't wait! I can't wait to look out into his creation and be reminded of his love and his faithfulness.
Dear Jesus, during these next few weeks, remind me daily of your great love and faithfulness. Amen.
David is hiding in a cave from Saul and he writes this song. He cries out to God, who alone can save him from his enemy. Despite his circumstances he praises God and sings of his great love.
It is Day One of my sabbatical. I have four weeks to rest and refocus. On Saturday I am heading to Colorado Springs for five days on a personal retreat. On Monday I intend to go to the top of Pike's Peak. Here, where the mountain literally reaches to the sky I will read scripture, pray, and listen for God. I can't wait! I can't wait to look out into his creation and be reminded of his love and his faithfulness.
Dear Jesus, during these next few weeks, remind me daily of your great love and faithfulness. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)