Lent 2019 Day 33 “Room To Breathe”

Sun 5 Apr 7

Psalm 118, 145

Jeremiah 23:16-32

1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Mark 8:31-9:1

^{Psalm 118:5} When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
⁶ The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
⁷ The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.

Room To Breathe

Your back is against the wall. Your heart is beating fast and your breaths are shallow. There’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. FEar and trembling is a constant companion. What do you do? Your mind is filled with one simple thought, breathing room. You want to stretch. You want a minute to yourself and maybe then you can think of a plan. But you can’t find relief. Many people live in various manifestations of this scenario. Financially stressed from paycheck to paycheck working two jobs to make ends only almost meet. Can’t sleep without tossing and turning. Just a couple more dollars would help but then its always something to take them away. Flat tire. A CHild in trouble. You are hard pressed on every side and all you want is some breathing room.

The PSalmist describes the response that worked. I cried out to the LORD and the LORD brought me into a spacious place. The LORD knows just what we need and when we need it. A spacious place is provided as a remedy for being hard pressed. In a spacious place, one can breathe. In a spacious place, one can dream. In a spacious place, one can see all around them and chart a course in multiple directions. Spacious places provide options and choices. Trusting humans to provide this spacious place will only lead to disappointment. The only way out is to go into the safe place only GOD can provide. The safe place that takes away fear. The spacious safety of the arms of YHWH. The LORD is our helper. So when we are hard pressed we are not forsaken. We may be cast down but we are not destroyed. GOD provides room to breathe.

Point to Ponder: In what ways do you feel limited? What stressors are stretching you right now? What would a spacious place look like for you? Today be intentional about making a spacious place for others to experience GOD.

Lent 2019 Day 24 “Truth or Dare”

Fri Mar 29

Psalm 88, 91, 92

Jeremiah 11:1-20

Romans 6:1-11

John 8:33-47

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+88+%2CPsalm+91%2C+Psalm+92%2C+Jeremiah+11%3A1-20%2C+Romans+6%3A1-11%2C+John+8%3A33-47&version=NIV

^{John 8:34} Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵ Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ³⁷ I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me because you have no room for my word. ³⁸ I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.

Truth or Dare

I once had a humurous exchange which ended in my friend saying, “Lying to yourself will get you sent to the crazy house”. Now I realize there is nothing funny about mental illness, however there is a certain irony in convining oneself that all is well when in reality everything is in shambles. We live in an age where we are told we can handle any and every situation by thinking a certain way. Truly there is power in positivity. The mind is truly a powerful gift given by GOD for humanity to utilize. Unfortunately the mind can play tricks on us. We can convince ourselves that we are free and actually we are trapped in a viscious vortex. We can walk around blind to the truth and dare not place ourselves in any proximity to having our bubble burst.

In our text Jesus addresses the decendants of Abraham who are so caught up in who they think they are that they miss the truth in their midst. Jesus says, “³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ³⁷ I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me because you have no room for my word.” Jesus offers freedom to a people who can’t handle the truth of their slavery to sin. They had no room for his word. Truth or dare? Can you handle the message of truth or do you dare to try to kill the messenger? 

Point to Ponder: Is there an inconvenient truth you will not acknowledge? How do you handle it when someone sees through the facade of your self deception? How can you speak truth to power?

Lent 2019 Day 18 ” Love Endures”

Sat Mar 30

am: Psalm 87, 90 pm: Psalm 136

Jeremiah 13:1-11

Romans 6:12-23

John 8:47-59

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+87%2C+Psalm+90%2C+Psalm+136%2C+Jeremiah+13%3A1-11%2C+Romans+6%3A12-23%2C+John+8%3A47-59&version=NIV

^{Psalm 136″1} Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

                                                              ⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,                                        His love endures forever.

^{Romans 6:22} But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We all have a tendancy to struggle at times doing the right thing. Think of the days you began with every intention to do right. After beginning your pursuit before you knew it life happened. A cross wordwas spoken to you and your response was even sharper. Who do you think you are talking too? You get cut off on the road and you CREATORrespnd with the middle digit salute. You pass by the homeless and dont even look, you simply miss the mark, and still you are loved.

Psalm 136 says, “give thanks to the LORD, His love endures forever.” When I read this, I pick up on words love and endures. To endure means to be presented with a challenge that tests the will and strength of someone who does not quit or give up. To think that our actions are an assault on the CREATOR is humbling and convicting. It is humbling to know that YHWH loves us in an enduring way. Even though we seem to be naughty by nature when we miss the mark GODS love endures and repositions us for success. The PSalmist exhorts us to give thanks for all the ways GOD reveals GODSELF to us. The greatest way is the gift of grace and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Be grateful and work to live holy

Point to Ponder: When does eternal life begin for you? In what ways will you commit to righteous life? Who can you share the grace of GOD with in word and or in deed?

Lent 2019 Day 13 “Naked and Unafraid”

Scriptural Readings for today:

Psalm 56, Psalm 57, Psalm 58, Psalm 64, Psalm 65, Jeremiah 1:11-19, Romans 1:1-15, John 4:27-42                  Click link below to open scriptures

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+56%2C+Psalm+57%2C+Psalm+58%2C+Psalm+64%2C+Psalm+65%2C+Jeremiah+1%3A11-19%2C+Romans+1%3A1-15%2C+John+4%3A27-42&version=NIV

^{Psalm 57:1} Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,  for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. ² I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. ³ He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me— God sends forth GODS love and GODS faithfulness.

^{Jeremiah 1:17} “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.¹⁸ Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. ¹⁹ They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Naked and Unafraid

There is a popular television show on Discovery channel called Naked and Afraid. In this show contestants are placed in wilderness situtions to live off the land and they are given no clothes. They are naked and must fight off the elements using only one personal item and their knowledge. Needless to say this is a challenging environment. Many of us although not on a television show may be living a life in which we feel naked to the problems and challenges of the world. We often feel overwhlemed by a series of ups and downs. During Lent may may feel even more vulnerable as we examine our hearts and realize some of our messes are self made. We may feel like everybody sees our flaws and recognizes the facade has fallen. We tried to wear the mast that grins and sighs like Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote of but now we are naked.

The writer of the Psalms is crying out for mercy and shelter. The writer expresses a sense of being exposed and chased. He wants a hideaway until the disaster has passed. I am sure we call all relate to this. WE just want a break from all this stuff. From Jeremiah 1 we find a word of encouragement given to the young weeping prophet. GOD tells him to get ready and stand up. Don’t be terrified I have built protections all around you and I will rescue you. In others words, “You can be naked and unafraid”.

Points to Ponder: How do you handle your vulnerability? In what ways can you relate to being naked and afriad? How can you provide shelter or support for others in our midst who are vulnerable. Help someone today.

We Wear the Mask

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

We wear the mask that grins and lies,

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—

This debt we pay to human guile;

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,

And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise,

In counting all our tears and sighs?

Nay, let them only see us, while

       We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries

To thee from tortured souls arise.

We sing, but oh the clay is vile

Beneath our feet, and long the mile;

But let the world dream otherwise,

       We wear the mask!

 

Lent 2019 Day 4 “Morning Joy”

Sat Mar 9

Psalm 30, 32 Psalm 42, 43

Deut 7:17-26

Titus 3:1-15

John 1:43-51

 

Psalm 30 (NIV)

¹ I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths
    and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
² Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
³ You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
    you spared me from going down to the pit.

⁴ Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
    praise his holy name.
⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 32  (NIV)

¹ Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
² Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

³ When I kept silent, my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.^[b]

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

⁶ Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.
⁷ You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.

¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love
                                           surrounds the one who trusts in him.                                                                 ¹¹ Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;

    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Morning Joy

I once read of an experiment done by a college professor. The professor had students carry around a 5-pound sack of potatoes with them everywhere they went for a week. The first day, although awkward was pretty easy. The potatoes remained intact and the students recorded little difficulty. As the week wore on the bag began to feel heavier and heavier and on top of that the potatoes began to carry an odor from all the rubbing and moving. By the end of the week, the students were carrying around dead smelly weight that not only they were affected by but so was everyone else they encountered. Sin and transgressions can be very much like the potatoes in this experiment. At first, we handle it with little effect. But as we keep going without confessing the burden gets heavier. The thoughts about our transgressions start to weigh us down and we begin to export our internal misery to others through being short-tempered and irritable.

The writer of these two Psalms shares the experience of guilt and relief. In Psalm 30 the verse I focus on today is, weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. This verse reminds me that the night may be long but it does not last forever. The hurt and the pain, the guilt, and the shame do not have to remain. The faithfulness of YHWH overrides the foolishness of humanity. Rejoicing comes in the morning after we finally confess the ways we miss the mark. In the church I pastor each week we have a confession of sin in the worship service. This provides an opportunity to be real with ourselves and GOD. In the same way, Lent is a season in which we become more intentional about cleaning our spiritual house. We are encouraged to leave the stinky bag of sin potatoes we have been carrying and open our lives to receive the blessing of a breakthrough. When we are free of the burden of guilt we can rejoice in the songs of deliverance reserved for the forgiven.

Points to Ponder: What sins are you carrying in your potatoe sack? In what ways are you weighed down. Think of a regret or guilt, address it, confess it, and watch GOD bless your life.

Lent 2018 Day 38 “Nevertheless”

Jeremiah 33:1-9 (NIV)

Promise of Restoration

33 While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: ² “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: ³ ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ ⁴ For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the houses in this city and the royal palaces of Judah that have been torn down to be used against the siegeramps and the sword ⁵ in the fight with the Babylonians^[a]: ‘They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in my anger and wrath. I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness.

⁶ “‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. ⁷ I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity^[b] and will rebuild them as they were before. ⁸ I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. ⁹ Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’

Philippians 2:12-18 New International Version (NIV)

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Nevertheless

Outdoor life can be unpredictable. One experience the outdoors produces occurs when you start turning over rocks. Rocks can be obstacles and at other times they are stepping stones. They can also be hiding places for creepy crawlies. When we start moving rock we reveal the unseen hidden things in our midst. They were there all along, but we easily overlooked them because they were covered. Moving rocks can expose snakes. In similar ways that moving rocks can reveal snakes so too can moving the illusions we may be living with. We often look out the window and we can see all that is right and wrong with the world. The window is about others. The mirror, on the other hand, is about us. When we look close enough into the mirror we see our blemishes. We see the things we wish could be hidden but honest reflection exposes inconvenient truths. The truths have consequences we may be dealing with, and until the source is addressed we may feel powerless, fragile, and broken. Nevertheless…

In our text from Jeremiah the Prophet is addressing the exiled Israelite community. The prophet himself is writing from confinement. In other words he is not free to come and go as he pleases. He is on lockdown. From this state the prophecy goes forth, in verse 3 “‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ We may be exiled from our land but not from our LORD. GOD is saying I am available to share with my people in pain things that they have long wondered about. If the text stopped here it would be encouraging. But it doesn’t stop there. In verse 5 after describing the fate of the city, broken down and filled with rubble, the prophet says, “I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness.” The mirror will reveal levels of wickedness and inconsistencies we thought were hidden. Like turning over the rocks, the mirror lets the snakes come out. Most of us don’t like the snakes. The snakes are our bad habits. The snakes are the lies we tell ourselves about ourselves. The snakes are the jealousies we harbor. The snakes are the sins we have covered up and now they are out. Thankfully, the prophecy continues with the most exciting word I have heard. The word is, Nevertheless. Even though we have been wicked, even though we have been treacherous, even though we have been unloving, even though we have been bathing in mud and are covered head to toe in our mess, Nevertheless, I will bring healing and health to the land. That is a shouting cue for me. When we get exposed for who we are, it is good to know that GOD is a healer. GOD will look past our faults and meet our needs. GOD will fix us even when our illness is self-inflicted. Nevertheless.

As our season of Lent may have revealed the snakes in our lives, when we cry out to GOD for help, GOD will hear us. The CREATOR is able to make all things new. If we are hurting, there is a healing. Not only will there be healing there will also be health. Healing is situational, health is long term. From our brokenness, there will come a blessedness that sustains us and makes us better. Let us call for hope with the confidence of knowing our past has not disqualified us from the promises of GOD. Live In Victory Every Day BIG. LIVEBIG.

Points to Ponder: Think about the rocks in your life. What are they hiding? What does it mean to you to call on GOD? The Israelites were in their situation due to their own disobedience and the bad behavior of others. How do you acknowledge your role in your demise without becoming hopeless and totally consigning yourself to the consequences? Who do you need to forgive to free yourself from mental bondage?

Lent 2018 Day 25 ” Spirit Born”

Numbers 20:22-29 (NIV)

The Death of Aaron

²² The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor. ²³ At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ²⁴ “Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. ²⁵ Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor. ²⁶ Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there.”

²⁷ Moses did as the Lord commanded: They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. ²⁸ Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain,²⁹ and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, all the Israelites mourned for him thirty days.

John 3:1-13 (NIV)

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” ³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.^[a]” ⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^[b] gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You^[c] must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”^[d] 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. ¹⁰ “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ¹¹ Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.^[e

Spirit Born

I’m only human. What you see is what you get. Apples don’t fall too far from the tree and my tree is rotten. That doesn’t make any sense, it defies logic. If I can’t see it taste it touch it, smell it, or hear it, then it isn’t real. Many people live their entire life locked in the prison of their mind. Somehow many of us have been convinced of limitations and have lowered our life’s expectations accordingly. After settling for the life that we have, going along to get along we may just figure this is all there will ever be and we settle. Even as we settle we find ourselves often suppressing that feeling deep within us that there has got to be more to life than this. We know it but we suppress it until one day, like the phoenix it rises within us and says, “I will not be denied”. We can’t sleep deeply or rest completely. Something has to change.

Our text in John reveals such an account. Nicodemus a leader in the Jewish council, is no longer satisfied with this feeling. He is tired of sleepless nights, so one night he goes to visit Jesus. Jesus has been on his mind because he recognizes there is something different about Jesus. Something about Jesus is challenging, convicting, and calming all at the same time. Nicodemus recognizes the presence of GOD moving in the life of Jesus and wants to understand, how he can do the things he does and be the way he is. He says, “We know you are sent from GOD”. Jesus responds unconventionally by saying, “No one can see the Kingdom unless they are born again. This is confusing, I believe because Nicodemus was still looking through the lens of the flesh. He was still locked in this realm while Jesus was speaking of the SPIRIT realm.

Many of us today like Nicodemus need a new lens through which to view the world. We can hear the MASTER saying we must be born again. We need to release the stinking thinking of the past and embrace the fragrance of the impossible made possible. The challenge many of us face, however, is the unpredictable nature of the SPIRIT and our need for control. We have grown confident in our comfort zones and often cling to them in the presence of an unknown outcome. Nicodemus does not come to Jesus at midday possibly because he feared the views of others. Still, he came, and coming was a risk.

When we are born of the SPIRIT we become like the wind. We will be persistent. We will be free. This wind can be powerful and tear down strongholds. This wind can be focused bringing cool breezes on hot days. This wind can power boats across oceans and this wind will respond to the voice of GOD. When we are SPIRIT born we are under the control of the CREATOR.

This Lenten meditation is encouraging each of us to abandon any idea or thought process that causes us to cling to comfort over Christ. With GOD we may not always know where we are going to end up but we will know, there is never a time or place where GOD cannot see our face and with that, its already all right. We are spiritual beings having human experiences not the other wy around. LIVEBIG

Points To Ponder: What dream have you been suppressing due to fear? Who have you met that challenges you to be better? What are you willing to let go of in order to reach the next level in your life? Who will you inspire on your way?

 

 

Lent 2018 Day 23 “Tell Your Story”

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

² Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, ³ those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.^[a]  Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. ¹⁸ They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. ¹⁹ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. ²⁰ He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. ²¹ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. ²² Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

Genesis 9:8-17 (NIV)

⁸ Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: ⁹ “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you ¹⁰ and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. ¹¹ I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

¹² And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: ¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

¹⁷ So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

Ephesians 1:3-6 (NIV)

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Tell Your Story

Everybody loves to marvel at the excellence of others. When we think of Michael Jordan hitting a game-winning shot we celebrate him as the greatest. We celebrate the accomplishment. The same is true of music and most people we consider successful. We see the product without the perspiration it took to get there. We see the shot, we hear the symphony, we take in the art, buy the Apple products and Microsoft products. We enjoy the end story, but behind the glory, in the story, there may be something gory. Malcolm Gladwell writes that it takes about 10,000 hours to reach mastery of most things in life. 10,000 hours when no one is watching. Hours of blood sweat and tears. Hours of playing for the audience of one. Hours of not making the team and not quitting but working harder. And so it is with each of us. Whoever we are, whatever station in life we find ourselves, We have a story to tell.

The writer of the Psalms says, “ Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story”. The story was a critical part of communicating in a semi-literate society. The Bible as we have it was first communicated through stories. When we reference certain scriptures we say the Creation story, the story of the flood, David and Goliath, the good Samaritan, the feeding of the five thousand, all were first shared through stories. Communicated from one generation to another by word of mouth. When we tell our stories we are able to share not just what we heard but also what we have experienced. The Psalmist does not encourage glossing over the rough stuff. It is easy to skip the pain and just focus on the prize. The Psalmist says share the times when your money was funny and you did some things you are not proud of today. Share the story of your abuser that caused years of depression. Share your story of fear and failure. Share your story of shame. Share these stories, but don’t stay there. Share not just where you have been but also where you are. People need to know that the past is not the present. You cannot change what happened so sharing our struggles also shares the faithfulness of GOD.

Our story lets others know there is hope. Our story lets others know that in our weakness GOD has been strong. Our stories let others know weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. YOUR story YOUR testimony is powerful and can change someone’s life. This Lenten season as you build more spiritual resolve be yourself. Let your light shine by telling your story. You may not be all you can be but you are not what you used to be. To GOD be the glory. And remember There would be no glorious Resurrection had there been no gruesome cross.

Points to Ponder: Reflect on your journey. Think of the good and the bad. How has GOD brought you to this point in your life? In what ways have the stories of others made a difference in your life? Commit to sharing your story with three people in the next month.

 

Lent 2018 Day Nineteen “Rules and Regulations”

Exodus 20:1-17
20:1 Then God spoke all these words: 20:2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 20:3 you shall have no other gods before me. 20:4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
20:5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, 20:6 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. 20:7 You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 20:9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 20:10 But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work–you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 20:13 You shall not murder. 20:14 You shall not commit adultery. 20:15 You shall not steal. 20:16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 20:17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Psalm 19
19:1 The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 19:2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
19:3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; 19:4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, 19:5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. 19:6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hidden from its heat. 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; 19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; 19:9 the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. 19:11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 19:12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. 19:13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock, and my redeemer.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25
1:18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1:19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 1:20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 1:22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 1:23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 1:24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1:25 For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

John 2:13-22
2:13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2:14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 2:15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 2:16 He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 2:17 His disciples remembered that iatot was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 2:18 The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 2:19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 2:20 The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 2:21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 2:22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Rules and Regulations

In this house there are rules and regulations. I cannot tell you how many times I heard this line from my parents. They were usually spoken after I had tested the boundaries and found them undesirable. After such a transgression, my parents felt it necessary to reinforce, the rules of the house and then let me know as long as I lived under their roof these rules would be followed or there would be….thats right, consequences and repercussions. I did not know it at the time but they were merely following the lines of the DIVINE PARENT.

In our Exodus text DIVINE PARENT gives instructions to the children of Israel. These instructions are vital because they are in a new location and with this comes new expectations. When you enter a new situation it is important to get an understanding of how to act. This is especially true when you have been in bondage to a person, lifestyle, or way of thinking. The Israelite’s had been recently granted an answer to their prayers and the prayers of their ancestors. They are in unfamiliar territory. One of the greatest fears in humanity is fear of the unknown and there was a lot of unknown in this scenario. “How will we eat? What do we do from day to day? Who is this GOD? What does GOD want from us? Have we traded Pharaoh for another task master just as ruthless? So many unknowns, with fear and its residue was all over them the recently emancipated are being ensnared from within. DIVINE PARENT knowing this. “as parents seem to know things” makes clear the rules and regulations. Half of the rules deal with the vertical connection between GOD and humanity and the other half deal with the horizontal relationships of dealing with each other.

Lent has the opportunity to bring about new revelations and new destinations. With the newness it will be important to know how to act. Knowing how to act will always have its start in keeping the connection with the CREATOR strong. Staying spiritually focused, especially when we are tested and tried by the unfamiliar nuances of the next level. We must not trade the GOD of now with the GOD of then. When I write this I mean the Israelites ultimately were afraid of GOD and not in the reverence type of way. This was a conditioned response from years of life under the rule of the Pharaohs who fashioned themselves as gods. They carried the god of then (past) into the GOD of now. This transference of attributes caused them to see GOD like they saw Pharaoh. As you pursue all that DIVINE PARENT has for you, remember the rules. Love the LORD your GOD  with all your heart, mind, soul and strength: and love your neighbor as yourself. We must caution ourselves against stinking thinking, shackled to yesterday trying to live today. Essentially trying to drive forward looking in the rear view mirror. I read a quote, “If the past comes calling, let it go to voicemail because it has nothing new to say. LIVEBIG

Points to Ponder: Are there any memories that are keeping you from embracing where you are? Do you view rules as liberating or restrictive? What will you do today to share the rule, love one another?

 

Lent Day 37: Breaking Chains

^{PSALM 142:5-7} I cry to you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,
    my portion in the land of the living.”

⁶ Listen to my cry,
    for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong for me.
⁷ Set me free from my prison,
    that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.

Have you ever wondered how elephants at the circus can be held captive by such little ropes? How can a four ton elephant be help by rope? This is how, his spirit and mind have been broken. When the elephant was very young he was held by very thick chains. Nothing he did could free him. After time the chains became thinner and thinner until the will of the elephant was broken. And amount of resistance made him stop pulling. Have you ever felt trapped? Have you ever sensed that nothing you did would change anything? Have delayed dreams and desires given birth to doubt and despair? Over time, we can begin to think that we are not capable of doing a particular thing and we accept this as the truth and limit ourselves to a very confined world. We think to ourselves ‘ah I tried that before and it didn’t work out, what is the point in trying it again and wasting my time, I don’t want to look like a fool!’ I am convinced that there is no greater tragedy than to be locked in a room with open doors. There is no sadder situation than to be so defeated internally that chains are no longer necessary to lock you in. The Psalmist seems to resonate with this experience.

Psalm 142

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20142&version=NIV

The Psalmist cries out for relief. He is being chased and needs to be rescued from those who are chasing him. This is a normal request. Being chased is a scary feeling and nobody really likes that feeling. The cry to be rescued when in imminent danger is instinctual and knowing GOD is listening can be comforting. It is the next line that fully caught my attention. The Psalmist writes, “Set me free from my prison,”. My prison is a unique reference here. It is as though the Psalmist realizes that our greatest enemy is our “inner me”. The most secure and inescapable prison is the prison we voluntarily enter into by yielding our mind to it. No prison can totally hold a person whose spirit remains alive, and no army can rescue and person who chooses to remain in mental chains.

Today is a great day to remove the shackles of our mind. Whatever it is that may be inhibiting our praise we must let go. we must believe that there are no odds that GOD cannot beat. There are no chains that can hold us for we are more than conquerors through Christ who sets us free. Whatever appears to be holding you back, recognize that it is an illusion and as scary as it may appear, IT IS NOT REAL.

PRAYER: LORD deliver us from the prison of our minds. Release us from the trappings of a past that may have included shame and pain, by reminding us of who you are and how much you love us. We apologize for disobedience and ask for deliverance. AMEN

Point To Ponder: What is holding you back? How has F.E.A.R. (False Expectations Appearing Real) locked you into a prison of disillusionment and defeat? How will you fight back today?

Additional Scriptures: John 10

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10&version=NIV