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Grace isn’t Cheap

Today’s Manna – Our Daily Bread
http://bible.com/116/dan.11.35.nlt

And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.

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Life Application Devotional
God’s messenger described a time of trial when even wise believers may stumble. This could mean (1) falling into sin, (2) being fearful and losing faith, (3) mistakenly following wrong teaching, or (4) experiencing severe suffering and martyrdom. If we persevere in our faith, any such experience will only refine us and make us stronger. Are you facing trials? Recognize them as opportunities to strengthen your faith. If we remain steadfast in these experiences, we will be stronger in our faith and closer to God.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
We will face trials and tests and sufferings and persecution in our walk of faith. This is why we equip ourselves daily with the Word of God. This is why we eat the Bread of Life and drink from the Living Waters. This is why we put on the full armor of God.

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My 4 Year Old, “You don’t fly to heaven, you walk.”

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As we were sitting down at dinner tonight, we were explaining to our 4 year old daughter that everyone has a mommy and a daddy. She replied that her Daddy Jim doesn’t have a daddy. You see, my dad’s dad,  my grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly before Mia was born and was headed into hospice as we were bringing Mia home from the hospital. Their lives overlapped for exactly two weeks. Mia just understands that he is missing from the table at our family gatherings. We explained that granddad is in heaven.

To which my daughter boldly replied,

“You don’t fly to heaven,  you walk.”

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Hungry Lions

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We find such a beautiful reflection of the law and of faith in Daniel 6.

http://bible.com/116/dan.6.20-23.nlt
When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

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Who Am I?

Who Am I?
by Deitrich Bonhoeffer

Who am I? They often tell me
I stepped from my cell’s confinement
Calmly, cheerfully, firmly,
Like a Squire from his country house.

Who am I? They often tell me
I used to speak to my warders
Freely and friendly and clearly,
As thought it were mine to command.

Who am I? They also tell me
I bore the days of misfortune
Equably, smilingly, proudly,
like one accustomed to win.

Am I then really that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I myself know of myself?
Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,
Struggling for breath, as though hands were compressing my throat,
Yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds,
Thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness,
Tossing in expectations of great events,
Powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,
Weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,
Faint, and ready to say farewell to it all.

This or the Other?
Am I one person today and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,
And before myself a contemptible woebegone weakling?
Or is something within me still like a beaten army
Fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am thine!

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Under seige

Lord, on a day of so much pain and struggle and trial and persecution and suffering in Charleston, we seek you,  Lord.

http://bible.com/116/ezk.18.23.nlt
Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign lord . Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.
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Wow, He told them to STOP GIVING, really? Which church are we talking about again?

http://bible.com/116/exo.36.3-7.nlt
Moses gave them the materials donated by the people of Israel as sacred offerings for the completion of the sanctuary. But the people continued to bring additional gifts each morning. Finally the craftsmen who were working on the sanctuary left their work. They went to Moses and reported, “The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the lord has commanded us to do!” So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: “Men and women, don’t prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!” So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings. Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project.

Our level of generosity is a pretty strong reflection of either how strong of a hold we are clutching onto our money with,  or how open handed we are with the blessings of God as we seek to be good stewards of what He has entrusted us with.

How often do we give with abandon in our lives?  And not just with our money,  but with our time and our attention?

Can we imagine someone saying to us, you have given enough already,  we have all that we need. Please, you don’t need to give more.

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Pleading takes Investing Ourselves

Today’s Manna – Our Daily Bread
http://bible.com/116/lam.2.19.nlt
Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children, for in every street they are faint with hunger.

Today’s Observation
What am I supposed to do?
Why am I doing it?

When I read the Word,  am I listening and applying it to my life? I should be.

And what does this passage tell us to do? This passage is about sin and how it separates us from God, and about how God’s judgement will be poured out upon those that are not His. Yes,  there is judgement. Yes,  there is punishment. Yes, there is consequence for our choices. Yes, we will account for our lives.

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Are you ready to travel

It’s summertime,  and many of us at one time or another this summer will be packing our bags to go on a trip. We will plan out what we need to take with us and how much money we need to take with us. We may even plan an itinerary in advance fir what we are going to do.

We will make our preparations.

http://bible.com/116/jer.10.17-18.nlt
Pack your bags and prepare to leave; the siege is about to begin. For this is what the Lord says: “Suddenly, I will fling out all you who live in this land. I will pour great troubles upon you, and at last you will feel my anger.”

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Boast! Yes, Be Bold, Stand Firm!

http://bible.com/116/jer.9.23-25.nlt
This is what the Lord says:
“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.
But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord , have spoken!
“A time is coming,” says the Lord , “when I will punish all those who are circumcised in body but not in spirit—

Life Application Notes
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“People tend to admire four qualities in others: human wisdom, power (strength), kindness, and riches. But God puts a higher priority on knowing him personally and living a life that reflects his justice and righteousness. What do you want people to admire most about you?”

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Can I worship?

http://bible.com/116/psa.15.1-5.nlt
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.
Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord , and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.

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