Today's
scripture: Psalm 40:4
Since the fall in the Garden of Eden, mankind has had idols. Some idols have
been of wood or gold or bronze. Others have been of flesh.
We still have our idols today. We hoard our stuff. We pay homage to our credit
cards. We revere celebrities or sports icons. We respect the successful in
business. We spend more time worshipping at the altar of television or the
Internet than we do at the foot of God's throne.
We don't trust God; we trust our things or other people.
Then we wonder why we're so discontent.
Last week, I spoke at a "MomsNext" group about "Joy
Stealers," those thing that are lurking about every corner that want to
steal our God-given joy. One of those "thieves" is discontent. No
matter how much we have, we find ourselves wanting just a little bit more. We envy
those with a bigger house, a better car, or a more prestigious career. I told
those moms that there are a couple of ways to "arrest"
discontentment.
The first is to spend time with those less fortunate than we are. For example,
it's difficult to be discontent with our more-than-adequate houses when we
volunteer at a homeless shelter.
The second is to trust God. If we believe His word and trust that He has a plan
for our lives (see Jeremiah 29:11, AMP)—and we surrender our lives to that plan—then
we can rest in the knowledge that whatever we have, whatever we do, is part of
that plan.
We really are blessed when we "make the Lord [our] trust." He is
faithful and will never let us down. Never.
Today's scripture: Psalm 40:3
One of my favorite ways to worship and praise the Lord is through song. Old
hymns. Contemporary praise. Scripture put to music. My heart seems somehow
closer to Him when I sing.
Sometimes, I'll read a verse, and a unique melody will flow. It truly is "a new
song in my mouth ..." I feel such peace and joy in music that I just can't
feel blue or stressed when I'm singing praises to the Lord.
There are times, though, when I get caught up in "life" and the song
begins to dim, and for me, at least, my faith dims ... just the tiniest bit.
And so I crank up my favorite playlist, and whether it's the smooth harmony of
the Gaither Vocal Band (who happens to be singing an a cappella version of "Gentle Shepherd" as I'm writing)
or an upbeat MercyMe tune or the profound words of Chris Tomlin, I'm drawn
closer to my Lord.
The renewed joy I feel permeates my heart and soul ... and it shows.
I think that's what the psalmist meant when he wrote, "Many will see it
and fear/And will trust in the Lord."
Music is a barrier-breaker, a bridge-crosser. It
speaks an international language. When we're full of music that honors and
glorifies God, people can see our joy, and they might just find themselves
attracted to the music ... and to the One who gives the music to us.
So sing a new song—or an old favorite—in praise to our Lord. Your heart will be
full, and you may just touch someone else's life too!
Today's scripture: Psalm 40:1-2
In the "perfect storm" that is my current life, I need to spend some
time in the Psalms. I invite you to spend some time with me as I meditate on a
couple of my favorites. For the next few days, let's look at Psalm 40.
I feel so tremendously blessed that we Christ-followers serve a personal God.
Unlike other belief systems where the god or gods they serve are out
"there" somewhere, our God is with us, and He hears us when we call
to Him. He hears our cries.
When we feel like we've descended to the bottom of a "horrible pit,"
He lifts us up and sets us on a solid "rock," the rock of faith and
grace and strength that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.
I mentioned the "perfect storm" I'm in, and yesterday, I felt rather
"pit-ish." Stress and an over-loaded plate made me more emotional
than usual, and even the smallest things set me off. I grumbled and complained
... if only to myself.
Then I recognized something very, very important: I hadn't spent time with the
Lord. While I had meditated on the last verses of John for the morning's
devotional, I hadn't had my quiet time, just sitting at the feet of my Lord. So
I stopped what I was doing and rested in His presence for a while. In those
moments, He reminded me how blessed I am, how I am able to do something I love,
and how this "perfect storm" is temporary.
He lifted me out of that "horrible pit" of stress and frustration,
and set me on the solid rock of His faithfulness.
What pit are you in today? Cry out to God, lift up your hands, and let Him set
you on His solid rock.
Today's scripture: John 21:24-25
I tell my writing students that there are two kinds of sources: primary and
secondary. Primary sources include autobiographies and eyewitness testimonies;
secondary sources include biographies and analyses or interpretations. As often
as possible, I tell them, use primary sources.
John was an eyewitness to Jesus' tenure on earth. He walked with the Master for
three years and was part of His most intimate inner circle. His is definitely a primary source.
He and Jesus ate together, laughed together, cried together.
John saw miracle after miracle: the blind given sight; the deaf hearing for the
first time; the lame walking on newly-strong legs ... the dead breathing again.
So when he ended his gospel with the words "we know that His testimony is
true," John meant what he said. Everything about which he wrote was true
... because he witnessed it firsthand.
John's gospel is a primary resource, and we can trust his words. And what's
amazing about his very last sentence? Even though he wrote a thorough, detailed
account of Jesus and His earthly ministry, he didn't capture it all. If he had
attempted to do so, "even the world itself would not contain the books
that would be written."
I'll admit: I'm sure John was using a literary device we call hyperbole. He was certainly exaggerating,
but his point is clear. Mere words cannot contain the wonder of Jesus.
I have to say, however, John did an amazing work. Many people claim that his
gospel is a beautiful illustration of Jesus' love for us ... and I agree. We
learn more about Jesus' heart and passion for God's children than in any other
book in His word.
I pray this journey through the book of John has blessed your heart. It's
certainly blessed mine!
Today's scripture: John 21:15-23
"Do you love Me?" Jesus asks Peter ... three times. Commentators have
debated Jesus' purpose in doing so. As I researched the various theories, I
found the following:
Jesus
used this opportunity to encourage and exhort Peter about his upcoming
responsibilities and even prophesies the manner in which Peter will die. By
asking Peter “do you love me?” three times, Jesus was emphasizing the importance
of Peter’s love and unswerving obedience to his Lord as necessary for his
future ministry.
Jesus begins by questioning Peter about His love for Him, and each time Peter
answers in the affirmative, Jesus follows up with the command for Peter to feed
His sheep. His meaning is that if Peter truly loves his Master, he is to
shepherd and care for those who belong to Christ.
It is possible that by His repeated question Jesus is subtly reminding Peter of
his three denials ... It wasn’t lost on Peter that Jesus repeated His question
to him three times, just as Peter previously denied Him three times.
Whatever the reason for the three-fold “do you love me?” question, Jesus was
impressing on Peter how important his new role of tending the flock of Christ’s
followers would be. When someone repeats instructions to us over and over, we
quickly understand that it’s extremely important for us to heed them. Jesus
wanted to make sure Peter understood this vital charge He was tasking him with
and the ultimate reason for it, to follow Him and glorify God (John 21:19). (gotquestions.org)
Our greatest takeaway? Jesus asks us the same question, "Do you love
Me?" "Do you love Me enough to give up everything and follow
Me?"
What's your answer?
