Monday, December 31, 2012

Revelation 20-22

Daily Reading
Revelation 20-22

Daily Thought

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." ~Revelation 22:13 

In Genesis, Jesus is the Ram at Abraham's altar. In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb. In Leviticus, He's the High Priest. In Numbers, He is the Cloud by day and pillar of fire at night. In Deuteronomy, He is the City of our refuge. In Joshua, He's the Scarlet Thread out Rahab's window. In Judges, He is the Judge of the World. In Ruth, He is our Kinsman Redeemer. In 1st and 2nd Samuel, He's our Trusted Prophet. In Kings and Chronicles, He is our Reigning King. In Ezra, He is our Faithful Scribe. In Nehemiah, He is the Rebuilder of everything that is broken. In Esther, He is Mordecai sitting faithful at the gate. In Job, He is our Redeemer. In Psalms. He is my Shepherd and I shall not want. In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, He is Wisdom. In the Song of Songs, He is the Beautiful Bridegroom. In Isaiah, He is the Suffering Servant. In Jeremiah and Lamentations, it is Jesus who Weeps over His People. In Ezekiel, He's the Fearful and Wonderful Four-Faced Man. In Daniel, He is the Fourth Man in the fiery furnace. In Hosea, He is my Lover, forever faithful. In Joel, He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. In Amos, He's our Burden Bearer. In Obadiah, He is our Savior. In Jonah, He is the Missionary that takes the Word of God to the world. In Micah, He is the Messenger with beautiful feet. In Nahum, He is the Avenger. In Habakkuk, He is the Watchman that is ever praying for revival. In Zephaniah, He is the Lord mighty to save. In Haggai, He is the Restorer of our lost heritage. In Zechariah, He is our Fountain. In Malachi, He is the Son of Righteousness with healing in His wings. In Matthew, He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. In Mark, He is the Miracle Worker. In Luke, He is the Son of Man. In John, He is the Door by which every one of us must enter. In Acts, He is the Shining Light that appears to Saul on the road to Damascus. In Romans, He is our Justifier. In 1st Corinthians, He is our Resurrection. In 2nd Corinthians, Jesus is our Sin Bearer. In Galatians, He redeems us from the law. In Ephesians, He is our Unsearchable Riches. In Philippians, He supplies our every need. InColossians, He is the Fullness of the Godhead Bodily. In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, He is our Soon Coming King. In 1st and 2nd Timothy, He is the Mediator between God and man. In Titus, He is our Blessed Hope. In Philemon, He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother. In Hebrews, He is the Blood of the everlasting covenant. In James, He is the Lord that heals the sick. In 1st and 2nd Peter, He is the Chief Shepherd. In 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, it is Jesus who has the tenderness of love. In Jude, He is our Lord coming with ten thousand saints. And in Revelation, lift up your eyes, for your redemption draweth nigh, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Daily Prayer

And now unto Him Who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.

Amen

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Revelation 17-19

Daily Reading
Revelation 17-19

Daily Thought

There is a strange and sad scene at the end when all those who had placed all hope in this world watch as the smoke rises after destruction, "Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste" (Revelation 18:16-17). The great city was Babylon, representing the commerce and culture of this world, and the Bible calls her "the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality" (Revelation 19:2). She is rightly destroyed, for none is less welcome at a wedding than a prostitute, and it is time now for the marriage supper of the Lamb.

The Lamb is Jesus Christ, and his bride is the church. She has purchased her gown, but rather than a gaudy purple and scarlet, her fine linen is bright and pure, "for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints" (Revelation 19:8). The world began with a wedding, "a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). God called it very good. At the end of history, there is a new beginning and another wedding, and it is even better and forever. 

Daily Prayer

My God Eternal, You have given me a glimpse of the future and it fills me with anticipation - a world pure and good, filled with Your love and holiness. I live now in preparation for an everlasting Kingdom with Your Son on the throne reigning in righteousness. 

May my life reflect now what is to come, displaying the goodness and godliness of eternity with You, and may it attract others to desire You.

Amen 

Friday, December 28, 2012

Revelation 9-12

Daily Reading
Revelation 9-12

Daily Thought

God was, and is, and is to come; his Kingdom is forever. The judgment that dominates the Revelation endures only for a time. When angels sound their trumpets, locusts are released and "allowed to torment for five months, but not to kill" (Revelation 9:5), and plagues "prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind" (Revelation 9:15). The torment, though terrible, is limited "by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it" (Revelation 10:6). 

The wrath of God has purpose, to bring the question of repentance before humanity. God is sovereign, yet he presents himself to us as a choice, and despite the majesty that should lead us to worship, or the wrath that should drive us toward grace, we may yet choose poorly. And we do, "the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk" (Revelation 9:20). The idols are as dumb as we. 

Daily Prayer

Almighty God, You had to shout loudly for me to hear, but I did hear, and I am Yours. You keep turning my heart toward You. I long to have that deep desire to listen to You, so You can speak with the still soft voice and I will pay attention. But please, shout when You need to, when I'm distracted by the noise and the clutter that I surround myself with in this world.

Your eternity has changed my life today. I can bear the trials, because I know You, and in You my heart finds peace. 

Amen

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Revelation 4-8

Daily Reading
Revelation 4-8

Daily Thought

Jesus Christ had letters delivered by the apostle John to cheer and challenge seven churches of Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, each small next to Rome. Lest the churches feel overwhelmed by the might of man, John is led next through a door and discovers a throne cascading "flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God" (Revelation 4:5). Upon the throne sits God, holding a scroll "sealed with seven seals" (Revelation 5:1), unfolding a certain future, "what must take place after this" (Revelation 4:1). Only Jesus, at the same time the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God, is able to open the scroll and usher forward what is to come. 

"Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and they shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:9-10).

Come they will, the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, the white horse of righteousness before the bright red of bloodshed, the black of famine, and the pale horse of death. The white horse leads, and this is Christ, who "came out conquering, and to conquer" (Revelation 6:2). The imagery is wild and wonderful, promising redemption and wrath; and redemption arrives first to 144,000, twelve thousand each from the twelve tribes of Israel. This is God's way of proclaiming that "a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" will stand before the throne, clothed in white, and cry out, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:9-10). 

Nevertheless, when mama ain't happy, ain't no one happy, and although we chuckle at this, there is a proper wrath from an angry God upon a rebellious humanity. Seven angels blow seven trumpets of destruction, and before anyone might accuse God of offense, we are reminded that we have been forewarned, "Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets" (Revelation 8:13). The Latin is Praemonitus praemunitus, "forewarned is to be forearmed," and to be armed is to put on the grace and mercy of "him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" (Revelation 5:13). 

Daily Prayer

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. ~Jude 24-25

Amen

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Revelation 1-3


Daily Reading
Revelation 1-3

Daily Thought

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8). The purpose of the Revelation of John is to assure us that Jesus Christ is and always will be on the throne. No matter what is happening, or will happen, God is in control. "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades" (Revelation 1:17-18). 

"I am the Alpha"; in the beginning, God. The Bible starts with God, and without knowing God, I will never know myself. If I am created by nothing, then I make up my own rules, I create my own meaning and purpose and truth. But God "formed my inward parts; and knitted me together in my mother's womb." Therefore, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:13-14). I have a choice to make, do I delight in God and his Kingdom, or do I go with the world and its ways?

Jim was a high school senior, a nice kid who decided to ask the most popular girl in the school to Prom. He wasn't sure, however, she knew who he was. Undeterred, he picked up the phone, "Hi Shari, this is Jim Britts." It was silent for a moment. "I sit behind you in History." She remembered. "Would you like to go to Senior Prom?" Silence. "With me?" he added. More silence, then, finally, "Sure, why not." The most popular girl said she would go. 

But, really, that wasn't good enough, and Jim knew it. "I'm sorry Shari," Jim insisted, 'Sure, why not' just won't do. "It has to be either, 'Jim, I'd be delighted to have you escort me to my Senior Prom,' or 'Jim, you're the last person on earth I'd want to be seen with.'" 

Jesus said to the church at Laodicea, "Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16). "Sure, why not" just won't do.

It was silent again. A longer silence. And then, "Jim, I'd be delighted to have you escort me to my Senior Prom." They had a fabulous evening. 

Daily Prayer

Father God, I am all in. You are worth my everything and more. All that I have is from You and for You.

Forgive me for and protect me from my half-hearted efforts. I want You to be part of everything in my life. I want everything in my life to point to You and give You pleasure. You are my God.

Amen

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

2John; 3John; Jude

Daily Reading
2John; 3John; Jude

Daily Thought

Mr. Hooper taught Sunday School, 6th grade boys. They were not in the habit of bringing Bibles, but Mr. Hooper thought they should. "Bring your Bibles next Sunday." 

The next week, all had obeyed. "Okay, hold your Bibles up," commanded Mr. Hooper. All ten held their Bibles in front of them.  Nine were very nice, cool covers, white clean pages. They looked almost new, except Billy's, old and tattered, rabbit-eared pages with lots of writing and underlining, and a frayed cover. He was embarrassed.

Mr. Hooper said, "Every one look at Billy's Bible." Really embarrassed!

"That's what a Bible should look like. Well used and well worn. When it falls apart, buy a new one and start all over again. Well done, Billy."

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3John 4).

Daily Prayer

God, I love Your Word. It is the Word of life. In it, I see what You are like. I also see what I am like and what I should be like. Keep me in Your Word, God. The devil will keep me from Your Word, but Your Word will keep me from the devil. It is the Truth.

May I not only know Your Word, but live it, too. May my life be Your Word to others, leading them to Your Word, the Bible, leading them to Your Word, the Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Monday, December 24, 2012

1John 1-5

Daily Reading
1John 1-5

Daily Thought

Growing up, I was taught that once you are saved, you are always saved, and so I began college secure that I could do anything without jeopardizing my eternity. And so I did anything. Then I read 2Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" I did not know the test; I only knew I was failing. I discovered there is a difference between being secure in my faith, which is God's business, and being sure of my faith, which is mine; and I was no longer sure.

The apostle John helped by offering an exam with three parts. A doctrinal question, do I believe Jesus is God, "every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God" (1John 4:2-3). An ethical question, do I follow God's ways, "by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments" (1John 2:3). And a social question, do I love, "we know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers" (1John 3:14). I believe, I obey, I love; I'm sure.

Daily Prayer

God, Your Son came to this world and endured the shame of the cross for my sake. May I endure its shame, as well. I would gladly boast of Your sacrifice, no matter the cost, because Your shame is the power of my salvation. You took my sin and bore its penalty by dying on the cross. The cross of a criminal. The cross I deserved.

This is Your glory, the glory of love so strong that You suffered the cross for me, a sinner. I will lift up Your Name, no matter the consequences, because it is Your Name, and Your Name alone, by which I am saved.

What a wonderful cross. What a wonderful Savior.

Amen

Sunday, December 23, 2012

2Peter 1-3

Daily Reading
2Peter 1-3

Daily Thought

When Jesus died on the cross, he said, "It is finished" (John 19:30) - all sin was paid for. Now a new work began, a work in us, "for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). 

It's the true Christmas. When Jesus enters a life, he gives everything that is needed to follow him forever; "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence" (1Peter 1:3). Then you check the box - Some Assembly Required. "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love" (2Peter 1:5-7). 

Don't worry, it comes with instructions, "and we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place" (2Peter 1:19). And your Father always helps.

Daily Prayer

Father God, thank You for all You've done, and You did everything. You have given me all I need. Salvation in Your Son. Power to live a godly life through Your Spirit. And You promise to bring Your work to completion. Someday, I will live in perfect holiness with You forever. I can't wait for that day.

In the meantime, I submit myself to Your leading. Whatever You ask, my answer is Yes. You have my heart, all of it, and my mind and soul and strength. I am Yours. And You are mine!

Amen

Saturday, December 22, 2012

1Peter 1-5

Daily Reading
1Peter 1-5

Daily Thought

Peter reminds those who choose to follow Jesus that they are a people set apart to God, "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy'" (1Peter 1:14-16). That's what holy means, to be set apart, to be something other, to live on earth and display heaven. 

"Dad, I'm getting a tattoo."  Adam is a college sophomore; 'No you are not,' is no longer useful. "A cross with Romans 8:31 under it," Adam described the design, "If God is for us, who can be against us."

"How big?" asked Dad. Adam stretched his fingers out. "Big. Right here on my arm."

"Adam, that tattoo will declare your faith to everyone, which is great. But remember, you are in a fraternity, a fraternity that parties - a lot. You may be the only picture of Christ your brothers see."

"Dad, I'm getting the tattoo."

"I know, Son, and it's okay, but I want to challenge you, if you are going to get it, be ready to live it."

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1Peter 2:9).

Daily Prayer

Father God, You Son came into this world to be a light in a dark place. Thank You for shining that light on me, because I was a dark place! I love Your Son.

Now I am a light shining in a dark place. I will not hide the light, but I will hold it up so that people can see. So that they can see Your Son. So that they can receive Your Son and be light, too. So that the world may know that You are God. My God. The only God.

Amen

Friday, December 21, 2012

James 1-5

Daily Reading
James 1-5

Daily Thought

The problem with kittens is they grow up to be cats. My dad used to say that a lot. Montecore was born in captivity and raised by humans. A cute little cub, Montecore  grew into a 600-pound white tiger, part of the Las Vegas circus act of Siegfried and Roy. Roy Horn would command and Montecore would obey, and the highlight came when Roy put his head inside the yawning mouth of the tiger. Until one day when the tiger chomped Roy Horn's neck and dragged him offstage. 

Have you heard of venial and mortal sins?  Slight, forgivable sins are venial. They sound almost tame. Mortal sins kill your soul. My friend calls them "good sins and bad sins." The problem with "forgivable" sins is they grow up to be 600-pound sins.

"Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death" (James 1:15).

Be careful of keeping sins around like pets, giving them cute names like flirting or fibbing. Or venial. They grow up.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for this world which displays Your glory and wonder. It displays Your goodness. It shows off Your power and majesty.

God, You said the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. God teach me to fear rightly, to understand that You are holy and good, and that sin is evil and death. I invite You in, God, to clean house, to make my heart right, that I would be holy as You are holy. God may I hate sin as You hate sin. If I truly love You with all of my heart and soul and mind and strength, there would be no room for sin.

Amen

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Hebrews 11-13

Daily Reading
Hebrews 11-13

Daily Thought

The Greek Games were a vibrant piece of the Roman world. Cities had stadiums, and stadiums were filled with spectators cheering the chariots and the runners, the fighters and the tossers of javelins. The writer of Hebrews lifts this familiar Olympic imagery to heavenly heights, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2). The spectators, the cloud of witnesses, include the titans of faith from the previous chapter, Abel and Noah and Abraham and Moses and the others. They have run their races, inspiring our efforts now. 

But I hate running. When Debbie turned 40, she suddenly thought a marathon was a good idea. I hate running, but I love my wife, so we bought a book, The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer, and did what it said. A 16-week training guide to run 26.2 miles, but before you could even begin, you had to run 3 miles, and I couldn't run 3 miles. I couldn't run around the block. Took me a month to get to the point where I could start training. 

During the next 16 weeks, you work up to 18 mile runs, but the week before the marathon, your body needs to rest. The book says to take it easy, just run 3 miles. Run 3 miles? Piece of cake! "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:11).

Daily Prayer

Lord God, You began a work in me that You promise to complete. Do what it takes. I'm not saying I will like it, but I want it. There is this joy in front of me, and I will endure whatever it takes to reach it.

Right now it seems like a lot of work to live rightly. Someday, it will come naturally. God, I will continue to throw off whatever is holding me back, and keep my eyes on Your Son Jesus Christ. He is my goal. I want to look like Him.

Amen

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Hebrews 7-10

Daily Reading
Hebrews 7-10

Daily Thought

Bru is a crazy, brilliant, amazing guy I served with in youth ministry. Whenever Bru meets you, he spells your name backward in his head, just to see if it does something interesting. He's fun like that, so we put him in charge of introducing first-time visitors to youth group. We never knew what was going to happen

One week he handed out a piece of paper with a hole cut in it to each new person. He told them it was a knothole and asked each to hold the paper up to their face and peer through it. Why? Bru explained, "Because we are glad each of you are here, and we consider ourselves not whole without you."

We cringed at the pun, then admired the point. I often choose to come to youth group/church because it will be good for me. Or I can focus on God, because it is the right thing to do, to worship God. But Bru reminded each of us of a very important truth. When you don't show up to something, you are robbing everyone of something that is very important. You are robbing everyone of you. When you are not here, you may lose out, but so does everyone. We are not whole without you. 

"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24-25). 

Daily Prayer

My God, the only God, God of all things, there is no question that You are worthy of my worship and trust. I place my life in Your hands. You are my Lord and Savior, and all that I am, all that I do, I give to You.

You have changed my life, and have placed me into a community of others that You have touched, as well. May we grow close, learning to love unselfishly, sacrificially, like You, and may our love escape the walls of our church buildings and flood into the streets and neighborhoods of our towns and cities. 

Amen

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Hebrews 1-6

Daily Reading
Hebrews 1-6

Daily Thought

"For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt" (Hebrews 6:4-6).

This passage describes the lover of religion who delights in the Law. Moses taught the Israelites to offer regular sacrifices for repeated sins exposed by God's written Law. Jesus offered one sacrifice, himself, and "we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). The writer of Hebrews compares the new to the old, the cross of Christ to the Law of Moses, and it is not even close, "Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses" (Hebrews 3:3). It is called grace, and the problem with grace is it requires absolutely nothing from us. It offends the pride of the religious who insist on contributing to their own salvation. One sacrifice is not enough for their sin.

The lovers of legalism have not discovered the delight of grace. They nibble at the edges, but the freedom frightens them, so they go back to the safety of rules and regulations. They refuse to bite deeply into grace, but if they ever do, they will never again be satisfied by the Law. 

Ask any kid, "What is the best sandwich ever made?" It's the Peanut Butter and Jelly, no competition. Unless you were a kid in my youth group. A kid who was served my wife's Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich.

I run into these kids, 5, 10, 20 years after graduating. You know what they remember? They remember when they were introduced to the Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly. I hear it all the time. They liked the old PB&J, but it doesn't stand up to the new. Ask anyone who has tasted one. There is no going back.

Daily Prayer

God, You are so good. To be welcomed into Your family, to experience Your warmth and love, to understand what life is all about, to really live - what more could I ever want? (The answer is nothing more. You are above and beyond my deepest desires.)

Thank You for the blessings of heaven, of Your Kingdom. There is a better life than this world offers. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done. I look forward to the day when Your Son reigns over the heavens and the earth in perfect peace and righteousness.

Amen

Monday, December 17, 2012

Titus 1-3; Philemon

Daily Reading
Titus 1-3; Philemon

Daily Thought

Paul reminds Titus of the task left to him in Crete, "that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you" (Titus 1:5). Look at the home. Is he a one-woman kind of man, devoted to his wife? Do his children believe and behave? If he cannot care for his own household, don't give him charge over God's! 

Paul provides a checklist of virtues: "He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined" (Titus 1:7-8). These qualities must not only be present, but public, evident to others. 

Finally, a leader must be mighty with sword, meaning "he must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it" (Titus 1:9). The sword is double-edged, it teaches truth and it exposes lies. 

Take care in commissioning, warns Paul, because the conduct of a church will be a reflection of the character of its leadership.

Daily Prayer

My God, raise up godly men and women to lead well. Keep them holy and true, devoted to Your Word, sharing its wisdom with Your church, so that Your people will be equipped to live rightly and well, and do good to all they meet. 

May I be constant in prayer for the leadership, for they will know the attack of Satan. May they stand, and may I stand with them, as we all hold fast to what is true and godly and good, in a world that desperately needs to know God.

Amen 

Sunday, December 16, 2012

2Timothy 1-4

Daily Reading
2Timothy 1-4

Daily Thought

Seinfeld, Season 9, Episode 10: Frank Costanza, father of George, explains the holiday of Festivus to Kramer. "Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way."

"What happened to the doll," asked Kramer.

"It was destroyed... but out of that," Frank's face lit up, "a new holiday was born. A Festivus for the rest of us!"

The teacher Paul is approaching the end of his life, and warns the student Timothy, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths" (2Timothy 4:3-4).

Festivus is a myth. But so is a holiday about iPads and Halo and Batmans and Barbies. Because of the madness, Frank Costanza invented something new, but he would have been better off celebrating something old. 

"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'" ~Luke 2:10-14

Daily Prayer

Wonderful God, Savior of the World, You are King of kings, Lord of lords, born in a manger, died on a cross, raised on the third day, coming again to bring Your Kingdom of peace and righteousness.

You are the reason for the season. May every knee bow and every tongue confess that You are God, Savior and Lord.

Amen

Saturday, December 15, 2012

1Timothy 1-6

Daily Reading
1Timothy 1-6

Daily Thought

Paul left Timothy to pastor the church in Ephesus, and though young in years, he challenged him, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1Timothy 4:12). Paul knew if Timothy took the time to dig deep into God's Word and paid close attention to his own character, he would provide a solid foundation for a godly life and a strong church.

It is not unlike the retaining wall I built in my backyard, 40 feet long, 36 inches high was my first measurement. Each block weighed 50 pounds and each block was surprisingly expensive, and I did the math. Then my landscaper explained, "You'll need to put one row below ground as a foundation." 40 feet long, 36 inches high, and 9 inches deep.

"I have to spend money and effort on a row of blocks that will never be seen?" I complained. 

"Oh, you will know they are there. Ten years from now, when the wall is still standing."

Daily Prayer

God, the victory is Yours. You accomplished it on the cross, defeating the works of Satan and removing the sting of death. You now offer life, a full life that will stand on the firm foundation of the work of Your Son.

May I place my trust in that foundation, knowing that nothing can move me as long as I depend fully and solely on You. Not by my strength, but by Yours will I live victoriously in the world.

And the next.

Amen

Friday, December 14, 2012

2Thessalonians 1-3

Daily Reading
2Thessalonians 1-3

Daily Thought

Sloth is the least noticed of the Seven Deadly Sins of Christian tradition; the sin of doing nothing, and as such, becomes a breeding ground for the others: envy, gluttony, greed, anger, lust, and pride. Paul warns the church at Thessalonica, "We hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies" (2Thessalonians 3:11). When people are not busy doing what they should, it ought not surprise to find them doing what they shouldn't. 

So Paul advises, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (2Thessalonians 3:11), connecting behavior and consequences; always a good idea. "Stand firm," exhorts Paul, "and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter" (2Thessalonians 2:15), knowing tolerance is also sloth, a laziness of mind and will, standing for nothing. But the best antidote to sloth is the service we do toward one another, "do not grow weary in doing good" (2Thessalonians 3:13). There is no laziness in love. 

Daily Prayer

My God, may I live life fully, actively, passionately serving others in the Name and to the glory of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May love drive me toward people, toward forgiveness and reconciliation when called for, toward charity to those in need, toward encouragement to the discouraged. 

May I have no time for gossip, may there be no room for bitterness, may my life be too full to allow for either idolatry or idleness. May I stay single-focused on love, toward you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength, and toward others seeking their best.

Amen

Thursday, December 13, 2012

1Thessalonians 1-5

Daily Reading
1Thessalonians 1-5

Daily Thought

This letter, earliest of all the New Testament letters, Paul wrote to encourage this young church in Thessalonica, "We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Thessalonians 1:2-3). An emphasis on attitude...

The interviewer asked the applicant, "Tell me about your last job."

Applicant #1: "Not good. Not good at all. The boss was unfair, moody, played favorites. The employees were mean and petty. You couldn't trust anyone. That's why I am applying here. I'm looking forward to a change."

"Well, you are qualified, so you are hired. But I do have bad news. I am afraid you'll find the same environment here."

Next applicant; "Tell me about your last job."

Applicant #2: "Wonderful. I was sad to leave, but it couldn't be helped. My boss was fair, a good man, encouraging. The office was like a family. Everyday was a pleasure."

"Well, you are qualified. Congratulations, you are hired. And I have good news. I think you'll find the same kind of work environment here."

...because attitude affects everything. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1Thessalonians 5:16-18). 

Daily Prayer

My God, each and every day is a gift. I delight in them. I love waking up, anticipating the joy of living fully for You. May this be my daily mindset. May my attitude reflect the life Your Son has given me, a life of joy and purpose, hope and love.

Thank You, God, for giving me life and changing my eternity.

Amen

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Colossians 1-4

Daily Reading
Colossians 1-4

Daily Thought

She came with her mom to the Wednesday night prayer meeting, every week. She was twelve, the youngest in the room, but she liked to pray and she liked the prayers of the people who came. Except one man. He prayed long every week, and every week finished with, "And now, Lord, clean all the cobwebs out of our lives. Amen."

At long last, she could take no more. The man, as always, prayed what he always prayed, finishing, as expected, with "And now, Lord, clean all the cobwebs out of our lives." But before he could say "Amen," she jumped to her feet and shouted, "Don't do it, Lord! Kill the spider!"

That's exactly what Paul is telling the Christians at Colossae, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth" (Colossians 3:1-2); the cobwebs, "sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk" (Colossians 3:5, 8). There is a God-sized life you were created to live, to "have life and have it abundantly," said Jesus (John 10:10), overflowing, heavenly, eternal. Quit cleaning the cobwebs; kill the spider. "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you" (Colossians 3:5).

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are holy and good. Your Son has taken the penalty of my sin and given me his righteousness. Thank You so much!

May I rid myself of the desires, the thoughts, the habits of old. May I put them to death. Help me kill them. I don't want to think and act the way I used to, but rather, to live the life You created me to live. A life of service and love, of goodness and peace, that gives You glory and pleasure. 

Amen

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Philippians 1-4

Daily Reading
Philippians 1-4

Daily Thought

Paul found joy in purpose and partnership. Listen to how he begins his letter to the church in Philippi, "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now" (Philippians 1:3-5). 

There was never a better coach in NCAA basketball than John Wooden. He had the stars, but that's not why he won. He understood the team and the game. "No UCLA basketball player's number was retired while I was coach. Later on, certain numbers were retired, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's number (33), and Bill Walton's number (32). I was against it in both those cases (and any other case) not because Kareem and Bill weren't outstanding players, but because other fellows who played on our team also wore those numbers. Some of those other players gave me close to everything they had, even though they weren't as famous and perhaps didn't have the natural gifts."

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others," wrote Paul (Philippians 2:3-4), but the words sound like Wooden. "The jersey and the number on it never belong to just one single player, no matter how great or how big a 'star' that particular player is. It goes against the whole concept of what a team is." 

Partnership, "being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind" (Philippians 2:2); and purpose, "to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:11). 

"Have this attitude in yourselves which is also in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 2:5 (NASB)

Daily Prayer

God, Your ways are so beyond me. You are holy and good and just and righteous. I am a sinner, yet You come for me. My world does not work that way. Yours does. In my world I chase what matters to me. In Your world, You chase... me! You came to seek me and to save me, and You left everything to do it.

What kind of love is that? It's a love I want more than anything in the world. It's that love that compels me to leave everything and follow You.  I can truly love others now, because You first loved me.    

Amen

Monday, December 10, 2012

Ephesians 4-6

Daily Reading
Ephesians 4-6

Daily Thought

You don't put out a beach bonfire by shoveling sand on the flames. The smothered coals get hotter and hotter. I learned this the hard way when I stepped on a hot spot and scorched my foot, and there is a picture of bitterness. Paul says, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice" (Ephesians 4:31), each word inflicting more damage. Bitterness is buried hurt, a wrath waiting to ignite, often toward the innocent and unsuspecting who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and said the wrong thing. The burst of anger seems to come out of nowhere, but it was laying in wait just under the skin. Left unchecked, comes clamor, which is the outward expression of anger. I want to hurt you physically. Then slander, I want to hurt you emotionally. You know, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me." The guy that made up that little poem was an idiot. I know I shouldn't say that, but, oh well - apparently it doesn't bother him. Meanwhile, for the rest of us, words do the greater damage. And finally, there is malice. I just want to hurt you. Period. 

The point: stop it early. "Be angry and do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26). Don't bury bitterness. You put out a beach bonfire by letting it burn in the open air. "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone," says Jesus. "If he listens to you, you have gained your brother" (Matthew 18:15).

Daily Prayer

My Father, when You said where two or three are gathered together, You are with them, You were talking about those times when we've wronged each other and we are working it out. Those are the times when I need You most, so thank You for being there.

Help me be one who imitates You, who is ready to forgive, as You forgave me, who is tenderhearted, who seeks unity. May I walk in love, may I look like You.

Amen

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Ephesians 1-3

Daily Reading
Ephesians 1-3

Daily Thought

I was a kid taking guitar lessons, and Jack was my teacher. Jack was a master on the classical guitar. Torroba's SonatinaEtude #5 by Villa-Lobos,Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie, I practiced and I played as best I could.  

Then Jack would take my guitar. The same music, full of plunks and scratches when I played, became rapturous, heavenly, beautiful. The guitar was in the hands of the master now.

Paul, in verse 10 of Ephesians 2, calls us God's workmanship, which is, in the Greek, poiema; in English, poem. God the poet, and we "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). In the hands of the Master now.

Daily Prayer

Father in heaven, You are wonderful. Truly wonderful. What a world. What a creation. The heavens, the oceans, the mountains. Fabulous. And me, too. Fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image.

As I return myself to Your hands, making You master of my life, may I respond to Your leading and reflect Your wisdom and truth and love. Mold me again into a vessel for Your glory. Make my life count because it is lived for You.

Amen