I have been reading from the book of James this week. As part of my studying, I read through the footnotes in my Life Application Study Bible. I want to share some with you all. I hope these (all from chapter 1) can give you something to meditate on as you spend time with God.
***
Wisdom is the ability to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances.
We can't really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure.
God does not tempt us. He tests us. He allows Satan to tempt us so that we can refine our faith and grow in dependence on Christ.
If your faith is weak or struggling, remember that you can trust God. Then be loyal to him. To stabilize your wavering or doubtful mind, commit yourself wholeheartedly to God.
To learn God's will, we need to read God's Word and obey it. Then we must do what what he tells us.
It is important to listen to what God's Word says, but it is much more important to DO what it says.
We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect is has on our behavior and attitude. Do you put into action what you have studied?
Thank God for being with you in rough times. Ask him to help you solve your problems or to give you the strength to endure them. Then be patient. God will not leave you along with your problems; he will stay close and help you grow.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Prayer Requests and Praises
Here are our requests and praises from tonight. Please take these notes as reminders of what was shared and maybe a launching point for prayer. Pray as the spirit leads you, remembering all that was shared and the heart with which it was communicated. If I miss something, please add it in comments.
Let us not take a moment for granted. Thank God for the blessings that we have.
Pray for the Cretsingers as they continue to seek God's guidance for their next steps. Pray for discernment and clarity for their role in missions as they grapple with the decision to resign or continue on. Pray that God would give them peace in the struggle, ears to hear his voice, and eyes to see how he is working in their lives right now, as they seek him.
Pray for Malachi as he fights physical and emotional battles. Pray that God guide doctors in wisdom and that the Holy Spirit rests on Mali and brings him peace.
Aaron's mom is awaiting word from the doctors regarding upcoming surgery. Pray for God's hand in the situation so that she can get the treatment she needs. Pray that through this, she continues to bring glory to God, as she has throughout her battle.
James has a second interview for a specialist position with NHA at 10:00 Monday morning. This is a great opportunity, but comes with a lot of changes. Pray for an ability to be direct, to ask tough questions, and for clarity on what to do next.
Danee's mom got a temp job working for Allegiance doing exactly what she wants to do. She is hoping this will turn into a full time job by the end of September. Praise God for this opportunity. Pray for his blessing on her work.
Jessica passed her Boards. Praise! She gets to start her next phase of schooling in the Fall.
Pray for our church. For unity in leadership, security in finances, and support from members. Pray for the staff. Pray for believers. Pray for seekers. Pray for doubters. Pray for ministries. Pray that the board works in unity as its committees do a lot of work in between each board meeting. Pray that the Holy Spirit would work mightily in every component of what happens at and through our church building.
Pray for the Giroux family, Brian, Billie, and Brody. Praise God for the outpouring of love the Body of Christ has given. As we move on, pray for the Body to continue to work because adjusting to being a family of three will be very hard. Pray that God will draw people close to him through Birklee's death and the celebration of her life.
Let us not take a moment for granted. Thank God for the blessings that we have.
Pray for the Cretsingers as they continue to seek God's guidance for their next steps. Pray for discernment and clarity for their role in missions as they grapple with the decision to resign or continue on. Pray that God would give them peace in the struggle, ears to hear his voice, and eyes to see how he is working in their lives right now, as they seek him.
Pray for Malachi as he fights physical and emotional battles. Pray that God guide doctors in wisdom and that the Holy Spirit rests on Mali and brings him peace.
Aaron's mom is awaiting word from the doctors regarding upcoming surgery. Pray for God's hand in the situation so that she can get the treatment she needs. Pray that through this, she continues to bring glory to God, as she has throughout her battle.
James has a second interview for a specialist position with NHA at 10:00 Monday morning. This is a great opportunity, but comes with a lot of changes. Pray for an ability to be direct, to ask tough questions, and for clarity on what to do next.
Danee's mom got a temp job working for Allegiance doing exactly what she wants to do. She is hoping this will turn into a full time job by the end of September. Praise God for this opportunity. Pray for his blessing on her work.
Jessica passed her Boards. Praise! She gets to start her next phase of schooling in the Fall.
Pray for our church. For unity in leadership, security in finances, and support from members. Pray for the staff. Pray for believers. Pray for seekers. Pray for doubters. Pray for ministries. Pray that the board works in unity as its committees do a lot of work in between each board meeting. Pray that the Holy Spirit would work mightily in every component of what happens at and through our church building.
Pray for the Giroux family, Brian, Billie, and Brody. Praise God for the outpouring of love the Body of Christ has given. As we move on, pray for the Body to continue to work because adjusting to being a family of three will be very hard. Pray that God will draw people close to him through Birklee's death and the celebration of her life.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Devotions Week of 8-5-12
DAY 1
Read: Matthew 7:1-6
Consider: "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy," (NLT) or "Don't give what is sacred to dogs." Coming off of the spec and plank lesson, what does this mean? If we are meant to save the lost and be light to the darkness, why would Jesus give this instruction? Obviously these is meaning behind this richer than what we gather scratching at the surface.
What is it?
Pray: Ask God to speak to you about Matthew 7:6. Ask for his guidance into study tools and resources so you can learn more about what this means. Read the scripture around this verse and take it in its entire context. Ask God to speak to you about this verse this week.
DAY 2
Read: Matthew 7:7-11
Consider: Imagine it is your son's birthday. He is excited to open the presents he sees piled up in the corner. As he tears through the wrapping paper, giggling and looking at you with loving anticipation, he finds an moldy, stinky, old piece of bread. "But, Dad, I wanted _________." Whatever fits the blank for your son, it probably isn't moldy old bread.
God isn't going to delight in pranking you. He doesn't give us rotten gifts when we ask for things we genuinely need. When we come to him in earnest and ask for things in his name, we will deliver. It's not always in the way WE want and we don't always get exactly what we pray for. However, our Father in heaven knows what we need and will give us what he knows in his sovereignty to be what is best for us.
The next time you give your child a gift and watch him or her delight, or the next time you answer his or her petition for something a little different than your precious little one would prefer, think about the way your Heavenly Father cares for your needs.
Pray: Ask God to send his Spirit to you. Ask for increasing awareness of His presence with you every moment. Pray for the commitment to stay in step with the Spirit in the day to day, knowing that He will give you everything you need.
DAY 3
Read: Matthew 7:12
Consider: How many times have we all used the Golden Rule retroactively to say, "Would you like getting kicked in the shins? No? Well, then don't kick your brother." This is not how the lesson was originally delivered, though. This is a lesson about how to live, not how to react. Jesus already taught about forgiveness.
Jesus follows this simple, yet powerful statement by linking it with the new commandment, "this is the essence of the law and the prophets," which he already said he came to fulfill. Love God, love others.
Pray: Living out the new commandment through the way we treat others is "the essence" of God's will for our lives. Pray that God's love and grace will manifest itself in the way you treat others.
DAY 4
Read: Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23
Consider: "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car." I read this on my niece's Facebook page recently and thought that it could be interpreted two ways. 1) You don't have to go to church to be a Christian, and 2) it is not okay to say you are a Christian just because you go to church.
Both of those interpretations scare me because they capture prevalent thinking in our culture that are related the these verses from Matthew. So many people around us say they are Christians, but don't follow Christ. So many people think they are in the light, but are actually in darkness (and Matthew 6 says, "then, how great that darkness"). When I think of the millions of people to whom this applies, I feel sick. I am scared for them.
What makes the gate that leads to life narrow? Why is the road difficult to travel? If prophesying and casting out demons don't cut the mustard, what does? What does it look like to travel the road and enter through the narrow gate?
Pray: What does it mean to follow Jesus? How do we make disciples of the nations? Ask God to speak to you clearly about
DAY 5
Read: Matthew 7:24-27, then reread the entire Sermon on the Mount (chapter 5-7)
Consider: What perspective do Jesus final words from the Sermon on the Mount give to the entire message? Why would these be the final words recorded for this important collection of teachings?
Pray: There is so much to learn from Jesus words in these chapters in Matthew and Luke. Pray that God will bring you back to the words of our Savior in these and other places throughout scripture. Pray that he would give you renewed perspectives and insights as you continue to grow in depth of knowledge of our Lord.
Read: Matthew 7:1-6
Consider: "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy," (NLT) or "Don't give what is sacred to dogs." Coming off of the spec and plank lesson, what does this mean? If we are meant to save the lost and be light to the darkness, why would Jesus give this instruction? Obviously these is meaning behind this richer than what we gather scratching at the surface.
What is it?
Pray: Ask God to speak to you about Matthew 7:6. Ask for his guidance into study tools and resources so you can learn more about what this means. Read the scripture around this verse and take it in its entire context. Ask God to speak to you about this verse this week.
DAY 2
Read: Matthew 7:7-11
Consider: Imagine it is your son's birthday. He is excited to open the presents he sees piled up in the corner. As he tears through the wrapping paper, giggling and looking at you with loving anticipation, he finds an moldy, stinky, old piece of bread. "But, Dad, I wanted _________." Whatever fits the blank for your son, it probably isn't moldy old bread.
God isn't going to delight in pranking you. He doesn't give us rotten gifts when we ask for things we genuinely need. When we come to him in earnest and ask for things in his name, we will deliver. It's not always in the way WE want and we don't always get exactly what we pray for. However, our Father in heaven knows what we need and will give us what he knows in his sovereignty to be what is best for us.
The next time you give your child a gift and watch him or her delight, or the next time you answer his or her petition for something a little different than your precious little one would prefer, think about the way your Heavenly Father cares for your needs.
Pray: Ask God to send his Spirit to you. Ask for increasing awareness of His presence with you every moment. Pray for the commitment to stay in step with the Spirit in the day to day, knowing that He will give you everything you need.
DAY 3
Read: Matthew 7:12
Consider: How many times have we all used the Golden Rule retroactively to say, "Would you like getting kicked in the shins? No? Well, then don't kick your brother." This is not how the lesson was originally delivered, though. This is a lesson about how to live, not how to react. Jesus already taught about forgiveness.
Jesus follows this simple, yet powerful statement by linking it with the new commandment, "this is the essence of the law and the prophets," which he already said he came to fulfill. Love God, love others.
Pray: Living out the new commandment through the way we treat others is "the essence" of God's will for our lives. Pray that God's love and grace will manifest itself in the way you treat others.
DAY 4
Read: Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23
Consider: "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car." I read this on my niece's Facebook page recently and thought that it could be interpreted two ways. 1) You don't have to go to church to be a Christian, and 2) it is not okay to say you are a Christian just because you go to church.
Both of those interpretations scare me because they capture prevalent thinking in our culture that are related the these verses from Matthew. So many people around us say they are Christians, but don't follow Christ. So many people think they are in the light, but are actually in darkness (and Matthew 6 says, "then, how great that darkness"). When I think of the millions of people to whom this applies, I feel sick. I am scared for them.
What makes the gate that leads to life narrow? Why is the road difficult to travel? If prophesying and casting out demons don't cut the mustard, what does? What does it look like to travel the road and enter through the narrow gate?
Pray: What does it mean to follow Jesus? How do we make disciples of the nations? Ask God to speak to you clearly about
DAY 5
Read: Matthew 7:24-27, then reread the entire Sermon on the Mount (chapter 5-7)
Consider: What perspective do Jesus final words from the Sermon on the Mount give to the entire message? Why would these be the final words recorded for this important collection of teachings?
Pray: There is so much to learn from Jesus words in these chapters in Matthew and Luke. Pray that God will bring you back to the words of our Savior in these and other places throughout scripture. Pray that he would give you renewed perspectives and insights as you continue to grow in depth of knowledge of our Lord.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Jonah's surgery
Hi all,
I hope all is well with you and your families. I just wanted to update you all on Jonah's surgery. He is getting tubes put in both ears at 8:45 tomorrow morning. The doctor said the surgery should be no longer than 15 minutes. Please just pray for a quick, successful surgery and for our little Jonah's healing.
I hope all is well with you and your families. I just wanted to update you all on Jonah's surgery. He is getting tubes put in both ears at 8:45 tomorrow morning. The doctor said the surgery should be no longer than 15 minutes. Please just pray for a quick, successful surgery and for our little Jonah's healing.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Who's the Boss?
So I got the big packet in the mail while we were on vacation. It comes every July. The 10x12 envelope, branded with NHA's logo and the name of my beloved school. Inside? The calendar for the upcoming year and a form letter containing the all-important salary and bonus information.
Usually, I know what's coming, how I fared, and have had time to process. This year, no information was shared before the arrival of the all-important envelope. I forced myself to read through the universally-applicable nature of the letter and ignore the boldface type pulling my eyeballs down the page.
When I finally got to the magic number, it was equivalent to 50% less than the lowest compensation I have ever received from NHA (minus my transition year from dean to teacher). My initial reaction was less than Biblical. While I refrained from vocalizing the words that were swimming through my mind, I was confronted with a real conflict of priorities.
So, gut-check time set in about ten minutes after I seriously thought about sending a letter to my boss for a "help me understand" conversation. I decided to check my email (work and personal) as a means to keep myself from stewing. I don't know if it was reading emails from Phil, Dalton, and Dave and thinking about the ways I serve through the ministries they oversee, if it was just God's still small voice, or if it was a combination of these things, but I quickly settled down and said aloud (in an empty room at 11:00 pm), "you can't serve both God and money." This came so shortly after I said to Danee, "I have never felt so insulted and unappreciated in my entire career."
Perspective is everything. Who do I work for? For who's approval to I strive? How is His approval measured? What compensation does he offer?
Honestly, right now (and I imagine from now on) I don't even care what the bottom line says. I have been given everything I need from "him who is able to do more than [I] can ever hope or imagine."
My peace isn't in the "be grateful for what you have, lots of people don't have a job, that's more of a raise than others get" kind of worldly thinking. My peace comes from the reminder I got tonight that I don't work for man or for myself. The more I look to men for the measure of my worth, the more I limit myself to this earth. To truly seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, I must honestly and fully work for the King.
Usually, I know what's coming, how I fared, and have had time to process. This year, no information was shared before the arrival of the all-important envelope. I forced myself to read through the universally-applicable nature of the letter and ignore the boldface type pulling my eyeballs down the page.
When I finally got to the magic number, it was equivalent to 50% less than the lowest compensation I have ever received from NHA (minus my transition year from dean to teacher). My initial reaction was less than Biblical. While I refrained from vocalizing the words that were swimming through my mind, I was confronted with a real conflict of priorities.
So, gut-check time set in about ten minutes after I seriously thought about sending a letter to my boss for a "help me understand" conversation. I decided to check my email (work and personal) as a means to keep myself from stewing. I don't know if it was reading emails from Phil, Dalton, and Dave and thinking about the ways I serve through the ministries they oversee, if it was just God's still small voice, or if it was a combination of these things, but I quickly settled down and said aloud (in an empty room at 11:00 pm), "you can't serve both God and money." This came so shortly after I said to Danee, "I have never felt so insulted and unappreciated in my entire career."
Perspective is everything. Who do I work for? For who's approval to I strive? How is His approval measured? What compensation does he offer?
Honestly, right now (and I imagine from now on) I don't even care what the bottom line says. I have been given everything I need from "him who is able to do more than [I] can ever hope or imagine."
My peace isn't in the "be grateful for what you have, lots of people don't have a job, that's more of a raise than others get" kind of worldly thinking. My peace comes from the reminder I got tonight that I don't work for man or for myself. The more I look to men for the measure of my worth, the more I limit myself to this earth. To truly seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, I must honestly and fully work for the King.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Devotions Week of 7-15-12
DAY 1
Read: Matthew 5:48
Consider: Recall what we discussed about the word "perfect" when we last met. God wants his people to be set apart, noticeably different from the culture in which we reside. After all, we are alien residents of this world if we truly live in (and for) the Kingdom of Heaven.
Pray: Ask God to reveal how Jesus' words show us how to be different, set apart, holy. Pray that his truth resonate with you as you live your life for him this week.
DAY 2
Read: Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18
Consider: Jesus identifies three different practices here that, in their truest form, are beautiful acts of worship. He also gives a warning with each. How are these warnings similar? Why are they important? Have you ever put yourself in a position so people would notice you praying, giving to the needy, or fasting? Have you ever been disappointed when you didn't receive accolades for doing these things?
Pray: Listen to "Garden" by NeedtoBreathe. If you don't have the song handy, look it up on YouTube. The words speak from a sincere desire to give yourself to Christ, modeling his own example of obedience.
As you listen, pray that God would grant you an attitude of humble obedience and the ability to deny yourself so that he may be glorified through your words and actions.
DAY 3
Read: Matthew 6:9-15
Consider: The word "as" in 6:12 means, in the original language, "in the same manner." Therefore, when we pray, we are to ask God to forgive our sins in the same manner in which we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.
Think for a moment about what that means. We know that our sins are separated from us as far as the east is from the west. God counts forgiven sins as forgotten. He doesn't hold grudges, remind you of when you messed up in the past, or save your past sins to use as leverage when he needs something from you. He doesn't lord sins over you, look at you shamefully when you repeat a previously forgiven sin, or tell everyone about how you wronged him.
When God forgives you, he wipes the slate clean and thinks about it no more. THAT is how we are to forgive others. Powerful, releasing, self-denying forgiveness.
Pray: Thank God for his amazing grace and loving forgiveness. Pray for the ability to forgive others with your whole heart. Pray for the ability to release the sin and never think of it again. Pray that you can give with the same measure that was given to you.
DAY 4
Read: Matthew 6:25-33
Consider: Who of you by worrying has added one day to your life? When we worry, we display a lack of trust in God. Do you trust him with your kids? Your spouse? Your drive to work? What about your bills? Your schedule? Your in-laws?
What if we replace the word worry with the word stress? Stress reveals the same lack of trust in God's provision.
Think back over your past five days. What has stressed you out? What has worried you? How often did you go to God about those things? How often did you go to him before you started stressing or worrying?
Pray: Pray for trust. Ask God to reveal what it is that causes you stress and give that to God. Ask him to take it and do with it whatever he wants. Thank God that he is in control so you don't have to be.
DAY 5
Read: Matthew 6:33
Consider: What are your priorities? After what things in life do you chase? Look at your calendar and your checkbook. What do these tell you about your priorities?
The word "first" in Matthew 6:33 refers to primacy, priority. It is not an ordinal number, like "do this first, do that second." Jesus is telling us that seeking God's Kingdom and his righteousness needs to be the number one priority in our life. It needs to take precedence over everything else. When we do that, everything else will be taken care of. He will clothe us, feed us, supply our every need.
Pray: Pray for God to fill you with a desire to seek FIRST his Kingdom and his righteousness. Pray for the desire to long for Jesus above all else. Pray for the Holy Spirit to awaken in you such a longing for the Kingdom of God that all else will leave you empty, reminding you that He is the only thing in life that can fully satisfy.
Read: Matthew 5:48
Consider: Recall what we discussed about the word "perfect" when we last met. God wants his people to be set apart, noticeably different from the culture in which we reside. After all, we are alien residents of this world if we truly live in (and for) the Kingdom of Heaven.
Pray: Ask God to reveal how Jesus' words show us how to be different, set apart, holy. Pray that his truth resonate with you as you live your life for him this week.
DAY 2
Read: Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18
Consider: Jesus identifies three different practices here that, in their truest form, are beautiful acts of worship. He also gives a warning with each. How are these warnings similar? Why are they important? Have you ever put yourself in a position so people would notice you praying, giving to the needy, or fasting? Have you ever been disappointed when you didn't receive accolades for doing these things?
Pray: Listen to "Garden" by NeedtoBreathe. If you don't have the song handy, look it up on YouTube. The words speak from a sincere desire to give yourself to Christ, modeling his own example of obedience.
As you listen, pray that God would grant you an attitude of humble obedience and the ability to deny yourself so that he may be glorified through your words and actions.
DAY 3
Read: Matthew 6:9-15
Consider: The word "as" in 6:12 means, in the original language, "in the same manner." Therefore, when we pray, we are to ask God to forgive our sins in the same manner in which we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.
Think for a moment about what that means. We know that our sins are separated from us as far as the east is from the west. God counts forgiven sins as forgotten. He doesn't hold grudges, remind you of when you messed up in the past, or save your past sins to use as leverage when he needs something from you. He doesn't lord sins over you, look at you shamefully when you repeat a previously forgiven sin, or tell everyone about how you wronged him.
When God forgives you, he wipes the slate clean and thinks about it no more. THAT is how we are to forgive others. Powerful, releasing, self-denying forgiveness.
Pray: Thank God for his amazing grace and loving forgiveness. Pray for the ability to forgive others with your whole heart. Pray for the ability to release the sin and never think of it again. Pray that you can give with the same measure that was given to you.
DAY 4
Read: Matthew 6:25-33
Consider: Who of you by worrying has added one day to your life? When we worry, we display a lack of trust in God. Do you trust him with your kids? Your spouse? Your drive to work? What about your bills? Your schedule? Your in-laws?
What if we replace the word worry with the word stress? Stress reveals the same lack of trust in God's provision.
Think back over your past five days. What has stressed you out? What has worried you? How often did you go to God about those things? How often did you go to him before you started stressing or worrying?
Pray: Pray for trust. Ask God to reveal what it is that causes you stress and give that to God. Ask him to take it and do with it whatever he wants. Thank God that he is in control so you don't have to be.
DAY 5
Read: Matthew 6:33
Consider: What are your priorities? After what things in life do you chase? Look at your calendar and your checkbook. What do these tell you about your priorities?
The word "first" in Matthew 6:33 refers to primacy, priority. It is not an ordinal number, like "do this first, do that second." Jesus is telling us that seeking God's Kingdom and his righteousness needs to be the number one priority in our life. It needs to take precedence over everything else. When we do that, everything else will be taken care of. He will clothe us, feed us, supply our every need.
Pray: Pray for God to fill you with a desire to seek FIRST his Kingdom and his righteousness. Pray for the desire to long for Jesus above all else. Pray for the Holy Spirit to awaken in you such a longing for the Kingdom of God that all else will leave you empty, reminding you that He is the only thing in life that can fully satisfy.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Update
I just wanted to send an update on my praises and prayer requests. I have an interview at SAU tomorrow morning at 10:00. Please pray that God's will be in full command of that meeting and that, whatever his will is, that I am able to glorify him in my pursuit of it.
I also just finished my application to NNU. I am super excited!
Chris - this is the link for the page you will need. The application can be found by following the appropriate link on the left margin of the page.
http://www.nnu.edu/index.php?id=cos
Blessings.
I also just finished my application to NNU. I am super excited!
Chris - this is the link for the page you will need. The application can be found by following the appropriate link on the left margin of the page.
http://www.nnu.edu/index.php?id=cos
Blessings.
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