August 31, 2014

Revelation 5: 13. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

 John is telling about the scroll which God is holding. No one is worthy to open it until the Lamb steps up. The Lamb looks pathetic, but appearances are deceiving. The Lamb causes quite a commotion! The heavenly residents praise God and the Lamb.

 Praise is the name of the game. God's will is about to be done, and it won't be pretty. But for now, let's take some time for praise. The most honorable, the most glorious inhabitants of the universe stand before all the heavenly creation. What could be more fitting than a time for joyous praise?

 Prayer: Lord, I, too, join in singing Your praises. You have been there for me so many times. I know that You will always be there when I call out to You. And Your son, the Lamb, gave everything for my salvation! Praise be to God! Amen

August 30, 2014

Ezekiel 11: 19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

 Ezekiel sees the creatures he first saw by the river. Now they are by the temple. God orders 1 man among them to mark the faithful. Then the cherubim will destroy the rest of the people. He is asked whether a remnant will remain. There will be survivors who will someday return to Israel with a new heart.

 This reminded me of the church camp song. "I will change your hearts of stone." Having a stone heart is something I can relate to. My heart has been really hard at times. I want to protect myself from more hurt. I am beginning my new life after so many years of teaching, and I want to lose the stone heart to be more accepting of and ready to love.

 Prayer: Lord, remove my heart of stone. I will need You to stand by me, ready to comfort me when the inevitable hurts come. I am willing to be vulnerable, so long as You are with me. Amen

August 29, 2014

Revelation 3: 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

 This is the message to the church in Laodicea. God doesn't like their lukewarm attitude. They are relying on the riches they have acquired. God wants them to come to Him for the real riches. They should be ashamed and repent. Then they will see the truth. He invites the righteous to join Him on His throne.

 I recall a picture I saw as a child. Jesus is standing with his hand raised to knock on a heavy wooden door. It must have been a Catholic picture, because his heart was visible. I would love to have Jesus as a guest to a shared meal. In my mental picture, he looks so humble and welcoming. I want to relax with him and tell him all my concerns.

 Prayer:Jesus, I am listening for your knock. Please come in and sit down with me. I'm holding that door open for you. I can't wait for the time we will spend together.Amen

August 28, 2014

Ezekiel : 28. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

 Ezekiel has seen a vision of God. A windstorm came, with a fire in the middle. Inside the fire were 4 creatures carrying a vault with a throne with a figure made of fire and fiery metal.

 Imagine being Ezekiel. He's a good guy; he wants to follow God. But all of this appears to him while he is out by the river! When the Lord has finished His message, Ezekiel is taken by the Spirit to a place among the exiles, where he sits for 7 days in deep distress. Of course, he is upset! The fate of everyone around him depends on his response to them and their changes or lack of change when they hear his warning. It's an unbelievable burden.

 Prayer: Lord, I am afraid that I could not tolerate the burdens You placed on Ezekiel. I want to serve You, but I fear being responsible for the response of others. I will carry Your word to others for You if that's what You need. Make me a worthy messenger for You. Amen

August 27, 2014

Psalm 143: 5. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

 David's enemies are after him. He considers all that God has done in the past, and he calls on God for hope of better days to come. He prays for a quick answer and guidance to find the path away from his troubles.

 As I read about the capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, this verse spoke to me. It's not always easy to read about the action in the OT. We had our share of worries yesterday, with keys locked in the car and the spare in Huntington. Then the news that PEIA rejected all the people who need the hepatitis C cure including Ron. But I know how mighty my God is. I believe that He can bring us through any kind of trouble.

 Prayer: I acknowledge all Your hands have done, Lord. I know Your power is unlimited. I pray for relief from Ron's illness. I pray for those who hold the fates of so many who suffer in different ways. Help all Your people, myself included, to do the things that will aid the suffering.
Amen

August 26, 2014

Jeremiah 50: 6. “My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place."

 Jeremiah is proclaiming God's ultimate intent for Babylon. They have taken pleasure in the destruction of God's people, and they will be wiped from the Earth. God's people will be punished too, but there will be a time when they return to God.

 I know so many who have forgotten their resting places. Sometimes I do that too. We get caught up in day to day life, and when we look up, we find we have gone astray. I need to be sure my eye is always on the one true God. When I do that, I find myself in harmony with Him.

 Prayer: I will try to keep myself from going astray, Lord. I will will keep my eye on You, and You will show me the best path to follow. My safe resting place is always with You. Praise be to my glorious God!
Amen

August 25, 2014

2 John 1: 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

 John addresses a woman. Some of her children are followers too. He loves them, and he repeats that their love of God is demonstrated by their actions. He is concerned about those who think they can teach about God without mentioning Christ's contribution.

 I'm wondering about the people who think they connect with God in a way unrelated to Christ too. If they were raised in another culture, is that all right? What if they are connecting with Christ, but they don't recognize him by name? Is he saying that you could be unaware of Christ as long as you don't deny him? If someone denies Christ, do not listen to the rest of their message.

 Prayer: Lord, help me to understand the question of those who don't know Christ but seem to have a spiritual connection. I will be in contact with those who question Christian faith, and I want to be secure that my interactions with them follow your will. Amen

August 24, 2014

1 John 5: 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.

 John is writing about faith and the relationship between Jesus and God. If we believe in Jesus, we are with God. We can't love God without loving His son. If we love God, we keep His commands about loving His people, and it's easy really. We overcome the world with our love.

 Sometimes John is hard to follow. When I chose this verse, I had misread it. I thought it said that we knew we loved God by our response to His commands. That is true, but this goes farther. We love His people, because that is one of His commands too.

 Prayer: Lord, guide my life to follow Your commands. My love for You will be apparent when others see the love I demonstrate to Your children, so guide me towards loving kindness for my fellow man.
 Amen

August 21, 2014

Psalm 118: 27. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up[c] to the horns of the altar.

 This psalm has the quote about choosing the cornerstone that the builders rejected. It starts and ends with "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever." It reminds us how available God has been, both historically and personally.

 I was drawn to the overreaching message of this Psalm. Then I chose this verse because I liked how God chose us. We recognize all the blessings He has given us, and we join His festive procession. Good times!

 Prayer: Lord, I have been so greatly blessed. Your gift of faith is my greatest blessing. I will join Your holy parade, and I will let others see what you have done.
Amen

August 20, 2014

1 John 1: 5. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

 John begins his letter with the big picture. God is love, He is the light. If we walk with him, we will share in the light. We will always sin, however, and we must acknowledge that and ask for forgiveness.

 I am singing the song, "In Him there is no darkness at all...." I need that message right now. Ron has awakened with the vertigo. He is deciding whether to cancel our end of summer camping trip. My stomach is upset. Lord, send us some of Your light.

 Prayer: Lord, I know that everything about You is good. I want to follow Your path for me. I am weak, and I need Your help. Please guide my steps today and every day. Amen

August 19, 2014

John 21: 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

 Jesus has come to the disciples who have gone out in a boat to fish. The fishing was lousy until they saw a man on the shore who told them to drop the net again. It was full of fish immediately, and John realized that the man was Jesus. Peter jumps out of the boat to swim to Jesus. Later he asks Peter 3 times whether Peter loves Jesus. Peter had denied Jesus 3 times, so asking the question 3 times refers to that.

 Peter truly loved Jesus, but he is weak. I can relate to both sides of Peter. I know I love God and His only son, but I am weak too. I just love this whole story. It feels like the last time the disciples will hang out together as a group before the tough work ahead. And Jesus is waiting with a fire, ready to grill and eat fish with them. Good times.

 Prayer: I want to find Jesus waiting for me someday. I will jump and run to him. I will enjoy his company. We will talk and everything will become clear to me. I will be sad for the times my faith has wavered, but mostly I will be glad to spend eternity according to Your plan. Praise be to God!
 Amen

August 18, 2014

John 20: 18. Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb before daylight and saw that the stone was rolled away from the opening. She went to get Peter and John. They went into the tomb and saw the discarded grave cloths. She was standing outside crying when she spotted 2 angels. Then Jesus was behind her, but she thought it was a gardener. Once she recognized him, he told her that he had to go. He hadn't ascended yet, but he would be back later to see the disciples, and she should go tell them.

 What a scene! We have the open tomb, the running disciples, the crying woman, angels and the resurrected Jesus! Mary Magdalene must have been in shock! I like visualizing everything that led to this verse, and I like visualizing the scene around her as she spoke to the disciples. The new covenant has begun! The incredible sadness and loss are replaced by hope. That hope is still with believers 2000 years later.

 Prayer: Lord, I give You praise for the hope Christians feel today based on the hope of the disciples and of Mary Magdalene. She brought them and us the eternal message that Jesus is always with us. I need him and You to become the best me I can be. Guide my life to Your glory. Amen

August 17, 2014

John 19: 40. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

Both the OT and Gospel readings were full of bad news today. Jeremiah has failed to alert God's people to the need to change their ways. And Jesus is crucified and dies. Then along came Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Joseph has used his position to get Jesus's body. The men bring what is needed, and they prepare the body for burial, leaving it in a tomb belonging to Joseph.

 I like the image of these faithful followers, working so hard to honor their fallen leader. Joseph is clearly a man of thought, and he has considered what should be done. Nicodemus brings the necessary materials. Together they prove their faithfulness. Would I have done the same?

 Prayer: Lord, I want to believe that I would have stood by Your son to the end, like Joseph and Nicodemus. I know all that he endured for me. Yet I suspect that I, like Peter, would have been more likely to cut and run rather than to finish the dirty business of preparing his body in an honorable way. Please forgive me when I take the easy way out. I will try to be a better servant. Amen

August 16, 2014

John 18: 23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”

 Jesus has been betrayed by Judas and taken to the high priest for questioning. They asked what he had been saying. He told them that he had said all of it in public, where there were plenty of witnesses. He was slapped, with the remark that he was being disrespectful to the high priest. This verse is Jesus's response.

How frustrated and fearful Jesus must have been! He has committed to following God's plan for his crucifixion and resurrection, but he must know how difficult it will all be. His human body will take a lot of punishment before death. And yet his response is reasonable, not angry. He must feel the agony of every person falsely accused.

 Prayer: Lord, I am so sorry for all Your son endured. I am so eager to meet him in person when I come into Your kingdom. The love that You feel for me and all Your people is unending. Please be with me as I move through this world, and prepare for life eternal with You.
Amen

August 15, 2014

John 17: 20. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message

Jesus is preparing for the crucifixion. His prayer is recorded by John. He prays for the disciples he is leaving behind in a wicked world. Then he prays for US, the generations of believers to come. He wants unity between believers and unity with the Trinity also.

 I am touched that Jesus was thinking of us as he prepared to suffer and die. We were the reason why he would suffer, and yet he is looking ahead to our best interest. People were the reason his ministry would stop, and other people were the whole reason for this ministry at all. We are unworthy, yet we are loved and forgiven. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank You again for the gift of Your son for my sins and the sins of so many others. We don't deserve Your grace, but You gave it to us anyway. I am especially touched by the thought that Your son prayed for me as he prepared to die by the hands of my fellow man. Praise be to the only living God!
Amen

August 14, 2014

Jeremiah 17: 8: "They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

 Jeremiah has warned the people of the disaster to come. The faithful are not even allowed to mourn all those who will die due to God's wrath against a faithless people. The faithful must take consolation in God's promise for a future in the Promised Land.

 We are so often faithless too. We must take the time to consider that we have an awesome God. We must turn to Him for the peace we long to find. He is always present, even when we don't feel Him.

 Prayer: I vow to be more aware of Your presence in my life, Lord. I will praise You every day and not wait until I am in need of guidance and comfort. Amen

August 12, 2014

John 14: 23. Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. "

 Jesus is talking to the disciples about leaving them. He tells them about the Holy Spirit, who will stay with them. The nonbelievers will scoff, because they can't see or hear the Spirit. But the disciples and other believers will feel the Spirit. God will live in them.

 It isn't easy to face those who ridicule your faith. They can't see or hear God, and they are doing just fine without your quaint superstitions. I know that their lives would be better if only they would let the Spirit guide them, but I am helpless to show them the path to peace. We are at an impasse. I can only love them and pray that they find the path on their own. "If I knew the way, I would take you there."

 Prayer: Lord, help Your people people to find their way to You. Let me hear the Spirit's voice, telling me how to follow Your best path for me.. I am unsure, and I acknowledge that You have the answers I need.
 Amen

August 11, 2014

John 13: 33. My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

Jesus has washed his disciples's feet, as an example of the life of service he expects them to follow. He has told them he will be betrayed by one of them and sent Judas to set the plot into action. Now he is preparing them for the separation which his arrest and death will cause.

 I have several reasons for choosing this verse. I seriously considered one from Jeremiah, which has God incredulously telling his people that they can't do detestable things and then come to the temple like that makes everything okay. Poor Jeremiah...and poor Jesus too, trying to school people who just don't get it. I also like this one just like I like "Ripple," because it says that we must each follow our own path in the end. No matter how much we care for someone, we can't carry them to eternity. They must find their own path.

Prayer: Lord, I am so sad when I see all the wrong thinking in Your world. I know that Your people choose the wrong paths, and I know I do that too. We think we can shortcut our lives of faith by doing whatever pleases us and then praying for forgiveness. Our faith is weak, and we don't follow Jesus in our everyday lives. I want to spend eternity with You, and I promise to be more faithful.
Amen

August 10, 2014

John 12: 28. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

Jesus is with the disciples when some Greeks showed up and wanted to meet him. Somehow Jesus recognizes this as a sign that his life is nearly over. He calls out to God, saying that God's will needs to be done. Next comes the quoted verse, followed by the crowd's interpretation of God's voice as being thunder. Others thought they heard an angel.

 It's the response to God's voice that made me choose this verse. Why did some people hear words while others heard thunder? The exchange itself is also heartening. Father and son understand each other completely. The rest of us are often puzzled when God communicates with us.

 Prayer: Lord, I want to hear Your words, not just a thundering voice. I want to be in a relationship with You where there is total understanding and clarity. I want Your name to be glorified in all I do and am.
 Amen

August 9, 2014

John 11: 35. Jesus wept.

 Jesus and the disciples have left Jerusalem under the threat from the Pharisees. They get word that Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, is ill. Jesus declares that the illness will not end with death-- that this event will result in the glorification of God. Then he waits 2 days before going back. Both women tell him that he could have prevented the death. He asks to go to the tomb. Then he cries before having the tomb opened and raising Lazarus from the dead.

 I have always loved this verse. This one and the story of Jesus asking for and eating fish with the disciples after his resurrection make his humanity so clear to me. This time I am meditating on the timeline. Jesus knows Lazarus has fallen sick. He knows how he, his sisters and their friends will suffer as he dies. Yet he waits, so that the maximum impact will result from the resurrection. No wonder he cries. He knows that the story will end well, but his compassion for all the people have gone through causes such a human reaction.

 Prayer: Lord, I love Your son. He is the ultimate role model in our troubled world. I need to learn to wait, to be patient that You know what You are doing. Your plan for me, like Your plan for Lazarus, may take time to unfold. Guide me to let things happen in Your time.
Amen

August 8, 2014

John 10: 3. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

 The Pharisees are still questioning Jesus. He tries to explain to them what his role is. They don't get it. They are not part of the flock; they are an angry mob. At one point, they pick up stones to throw at him. He asks which of his actions deserves stoning. They say it is his words and not his actions which anger them.

 The Pharisees can't enter through the gate. They don't even see the gate. They don't recognize Jesus's voice, and they aren't part of his flock. We who have faith can hear him. We have a promise to walk with him through eternity. Why is it that I get lost in my own head instead of listening for his loving voice, directing me? I will seek the gate, and I will follow my shepherd. He knows what I need.

Prayer: Lord, guide me where You know I need to be. I promise to listen for Your voice in the crowd of thoughts in my head. I will accept Your will for me, and I will follow where You lead.
 Amen

August 7, 2014

John 9: 34. To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

 This is the Pharisees talking to the blind beggar. They are the blind ones; they see an answer to the Jesus problem instead of a miracle. They are more concerned with using the fact that the man was healed on the Sabbath against Jesus than they are in celebrating the sight given to someone who had never been able to see. They revert to the original charge that the man's blindness was caused by sin to dismiss his testimony.

 This verse is outrageous! Even if you thought that the recovery of sight was something short of a miracle, surely you could rejoice with the man who could see for the first time in his life. Instead they reject him and try to bring him down. Jesus was really good to love us even in the face of people like these guys.

 Prayer: Lord, I am asking you to school me when my behavior descends to the level of these Pharisees. I know there are times when my actions are motivated by something other than loving kindness. Help me to see myself more clearly, that I may better represent You in this world.
Amen

August 6, 2014

John 8: 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

 The Pharisees are after Jesus. They are trying to outsmart him--to get him to say or do something illegal so that they can have him killed. He knows that, and he tries to explain himself. They don't get it. They want to believe that he is an egomaniac, someone who wants to be famous. He doesn't deny who he is--that would be wrong-- but he can't get the truth to resonate with them. They are not in a relationship with God, so they can't hear the truth in Jesus's words.

 I know who Jesus is. I am humbled by the gift of faith given to me and nurtured by my church and my family. I am upset with those who, like the Pharisees, can't or won't hear the truth. Seeing the way people act at the great cathedrals of Europe makes me more upset. I am worried about this world and the people in it.

 Prayer: Lord, Your people are so unfaithful. I include myself in that number, but my lack of faith is transient. l allow the distractions of this world divert me from the truth. I don't deny Your power and glory. I pray for those who don't hear You in their lives. I pray that they will turn to You and accept all You offer. I pray for myself as well. I need You, and I need to be more cognizant of that in my daily life. Guide my thoughts, words and actions to Your will for me.
Amen

August 5, 2014

2Kings 23: 25 Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.

Josiah was one of a kind. He clearly saw all the ways his predecessors had gone wrong. He tore down altars to false gods and asherah poles. He removed idolatrous statues from the temple. He got rid of priests who had led ceremonies to false gods. When he died, sadly his son and successor went back to the bad old ways.

 My trip to Europe left me discouraged about faith in the world. It seems as though so many treat faith as a quaint superstition from the past. The builders of the great cathedrals may have been blind to the suffering of their fellow man, but at least they acknowledged a higher power. Are we the people so proud that we think there is no God behind all the glory around us? I am pleased that Americans are more likely to have faith, but too many even here are living with blinders on.

 Prayer: Lord, I am sad for so many of Your people who are not trying to find You. Even in the glory of the beautiful houses of worship in Europe, there is no reverence. Help those prideful people to feel Your presence. Guide them in the way that leads to life. Amen

August 1, 2014

Isaiah 65: 24. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

 Isaiah speaks of a time to come when God will gather His people. He will forgive their unfaithful ways and give them a future with plenty of blessings. The people will live to a ripe old age. There will be peace.

 I know that I, like the chosen people, have not been faithful. I have been wrapped up in the day to day. In the presence of the great cathedrals of England and Europe, my thoughts were not on God, but on my own activities. I was too busy in this world to be in touch with my faith. I am so blessed that my God answers my prayers even when I forget to send them out.

 Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I stray from my faith. You know my heart. Praise to You for your faithfulness when I am so forgetful. Amen