September 30, 2014

Luke 13: 18. "It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”

 Jesus is asked what faith is like. Besides this verse, he cites a woman who works yeast throughout a large quantity of dough. In the OT reading, the predictions are there about Jesus coming on the colt of a donkey. Faith is the basis of Christianity, even before Christ came to be with us.

 I have been praying for the nonbelievers. We see some hope, our very own mustard seed, in recent comments by family members. I'm praying that the seeds take hold, and that a great new faith blossoms from the faithless ones.

 Prayer: I am praying for those who have a mustard seed of faith. Please watch over them and nurture this small amount of faith until it grows into something that shines Your light on all Your people. Amen

September 28, 2014

Luke 11: 23. “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."

 Jesus is surrounded by people who don't "get it." There are some who say he is channeling the power of Satan to drive out demons. There are others who are demanding a sign from heaven. Jesus tells them about a house divided against itself which cannot stand. He says the only sign they will be getting is the one Jonah brought to Nineveh....his own testimony.

 Jesus draws a line in the sand with this verse. I am still thinking about nonbelievers. I watch Bill Maher because his show is both informative and entertaining as he covers the issues of the week. But I am afraid that he is becoming more and more a mouthpiece for the devil. I feel really strange saying that. It seems so radical, but it rings true in my soul. He has always been smug and dismissive of people of faith, but when he speaks, my internal alarm goes off. I'm afraid he is literally doing the devil's work.

 Prayer: Lord, I am listening. I believe I am detecting the work of Your enemy in this world. Guide me to correctly interpret the signs, and show me the response You would want me to make. You are my shepherd, and Your rod and staff do comfort me. I will follow where You lead. Amen

September 27, 2014

Luke 10: 16. Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

 Jesus has sent out the 72. He tells them to travel and spread the news, staying where they are welcomed and shaking the dust off their feet before leaving a place where they aren't welcome. Those places will be cursed. The 72 are amazed by the power they have.

 This is a tough lesson. Those who reject God are not the bad guys of the movies. Many are good people who do their best and who show their love for people around them. But in the end, their rejection of God will be their undoing. Is it pride? What can I do or say to let them see all that they are missing?

 Prayer: I pray for the nonbelievers. Guide my life so that I am a good representative of my faith, so that others may come to believe in my God. Amen

September 26, 2014

Luke 9: 17. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

 The feeding of the 5000 was only one of the topics in Luke 9. There was sending the disciples out with the "shake the dust off your feet" when you are not welcomed. There is the appearance of Moses and Elijah. There is Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Messiah.

But the wonder of 5 loaves and 2 fish feeding so many with baskets of leftovers is such a powerful story. I am so grateful for the outcome of Sherri's PET scan. It kind of feels like the scale of feeding 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish. So much good has come out of this experience. I am remembering Elaine's experience at Sacre Coeur. I am thinking of Jenny's organization of the successful fund raiser. I am recalling all of the messages of faith Sherri and her mother posted. I don't want to minimize the suffering that Sherri and those closest to her have endured, but God is good all the time!

 Prayer: Lord, I am full of praise and gratitude for Your presence during Sherri's trials. The comfort You offered has brought us to the day of thanksgiving as we look forward to seeing Sherri restored to health. You are our mighty God!
 Amen

September 25, 2014

Luke 8: 47. Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.

 So much happens in this chapter. I was torn between the woman who was bleeding or the seeds scattered on different kinds of ground. The woman who knew she would be healed if she touched "but the hem of his garment" won out. Such faith! She didn't want to bother Jesus, but she knew his power and was desperate enough to try anything to access it.

 On the day when we found out that Sherri is in remission, that is a great choice for me. I never felt so certain about the answer to my prayers as I did with her cancer diagnosis. I was certain what the outcome would be....just like I heard the voice of God in my soul!

 Prayer: Praise be to the one true God! Sherri is looking ahead at her life to come. She is going to enjoy the time she has in a new and wiser way, and along the way my faith was strengthened. Hallelujah! Amen

September 23, 2014

Luke 6: 28. bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you

 This is truly a greatest hits chapter. There is trouble for doing things on the Sabbath as the Pharisees began to plot Jesus's death. There are the Beatitudes. There is turning the other cheek. There is the speck in your brother's eye, and the wise man building his house on the rock.

 I picked this little verse to remind myself. I pray for people I like, but I need to pray for those who are mean or negligent too. I am not the judge, but I can hope and pray for God's good will to be done in every life with a special word for those I find most challenging.

 Prayer: Lord, be with those I love, but keep an eye out for those who curse and mistreat others as well. Let Your will be done in their lives and mine. Amen

September 21, 2014

Luke 4: 18. The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind.

  Jesus is speaking in his home temple. He is beginning to be well known, but the hometown people are unimpressed. They can't believe that Joseph's boy is the Messiah. They get angry and try to drive him off the cliff. Jesus walks through the crowd and moves on to other towns.

 What a plan God had for His son! Jesus has already endured the temptation in the wilderness. He will end his life with incredible suffering. And yet the few short years of ministry will accomplish so much. He left us a legacy of good news and freedom. We who follow him see the way to eternal life.

 Prayer: Lord, I give You thanks for all Your son did for me. I can find peace because I know You are always there for me. I can rely on You no matter what my needs are. The news Your son brought was good indeed! Hallelujah! Amen

September 20, 2014

Daniel 6: 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

 King Darius is not like his predecessors. He admires Daniel's faith. He can see how powerful Daniel's God is. Nonetheless, he is tricked by jealous advisors into making a decree that anyone who prayed to anyone besides the king would be put into the lion's den. The advisors caught Daniel praying like he did every day. Then the king had to send him into the lion's den. He told Daniel that he hoped his God would protect him. Then he worried all night before returning to find Daniel alive. These are the king's words.

 King Darius is weak, but at least he recognized the power of Daniel's faith. He doesn't buy into the idea that the king knows more than everyone else. He can see how good Daniel is, and he knows where the strength of character comes from. I wish people with no faith today could do the same. Even if they aren't feeling it, I would like them to recognize that people of faith have something desirable in their lives.

 Prayer: I pray that You would open the eyes of so many people in this world, even just enough to see that faith is a good thing. I would like them to entertain the idea that King Darius had -- that there is a power they don't understand but admire. Then perhaps You could enter their hearts and show them the way to You. Amen

September 18, 2014

Luke 1: 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

 Gabriel has been a busy angel. He appeared to Zechariah in the temple. Zechariah was "alarmed and full of fear." Zechariah listened to the announcement of Elizabeth's pregnancy, but then he asked how he could believe it. He and Elizabeth were too old. When Mary hears Gabriel's words, she is troubled. How can a virgin have a baby? Mary accepts Gabriel's prediction and indicates she is willing to follow God's will.

 I was struck by the reactions of the 2 people Gabriel visited. Both were in shock. Even the details of John's ...well, I never finished that thought. Two days later this comes up...whoops!

September 17, 2014

Revelation 22: 21. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

 The revelation has come to an end. There is the holy city, with no night. The light of God keeps it bright, with neither lamps nor the sun. There is a crystal-clear river with the water of life running through the city. There is the tree of life too. And God's people are gathered, with joy and thanksgiving. These last words bless those who read them.

 I never look forward to reading Revelation. I am terrified by much of the imagery. I hate to think of the suffering described in so much of this book. But in the end, all is good. The faithful live for eternity as God intended them to live. There is beauty without pain.

 Prayer: Lord, I long to live in Your holy kingdom. I want to experience all that the tree and river of life have to offer. I believe in Your goodness and trust in Your will for me. Amen

September 16, 2014

Psalm 128: 6. May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel.

 The writer tells us what it is like for the faithful man. Blessings will follow him. He will be prosperous with a loving family. And *sob!* there will be grandchildren.

 It's a running (but not so funny) joke in our family that I want grandchildren. It seems like everyone else my age and even some much younger have them! I know how blessed I am. I understand that neither of my children are in a good position to parent. But the verse makes me feel better about my longing. It's a universal desire to want grandchildren.

 Prayer: Lord, You have blessed me in so many ways. I'm grateful for all that I have received. I feel so fortunate. Yet I know You understand my longing for grandchildren of my own. Please bless me in this way when the time is right. Amen

September 14, 2014

Ezekiel 36: 26. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

 Everything is coming to an end. The people will be restored to their land, not by their deeds, which were sinful, but by God's grace and good will. The people will not take God for granted. They will be more faithful. A new line of David will be established with Judah's people and Joseph's united. Jesus will come from this line.

 The Psalm and the scriptures from Revelation also refer to the ongoing lineage of David which results in the birth and triumph of the Messiah. "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" is written on the Messiah of Revelation. It is an awesome story, truly the greatest story ever told. The people move from slavery and oppression to the throne of God through this line.


Prayer: Lord, I am so privileged to join the generations of Your faithful people. I will praise You forever. Be with me and guide me to represent Your people well. Amen

September 13, 2014

Ezekiel 34: 31. "You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

 Ezekiel has been ordered to tell the people what they don't want to hear. Now the message turns positive for those who listened. God is going to separate the sheep from the goats. Those who have been uncaring will suffer, but the faithful flocks will be sheltered. God will be their loving shepherd.

 I'm ready to move past the destruction of Jerusalem and of the unfaithful people. I'm ready for a shepherd who loves his flock and cares for them. This is a tough part of the Bible to read. God is so angry, and the people are so stubborn. Can't we just get back to being the people God wants us to be?

 Prayer: Lord, please look at us with love. We are weak, we are disobedient, and we don't deserve to be in Your flock. Love us anyway. I am praying for Your people. Give us patience with each other and love for our creator. Amen

September 12, 2014

Daniel 3: 18. "But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego speak to the king like this! They have been favored, put in charge by the Babylonians who enslave them. The king has been told that they won't worship his giant golden idol. They won't, and they let the king know that in no uncertain terms. He has them thrown into the fiery furnace, but they survive, thanks to the one true God.

 I just love the absolute commitment of these men. Even if God didn't save them, they still want the king to know that they serve someone more powerful. They will not compromise on something this important. I want that kind of strong faith!

 Prayer: Lord, strengthen my faith. I want every prayer, every thought, every action or word to be what You would want for me. Be with me every second. Amen

September 10, 2014

Lamentations 3: 25. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

 First we hear about the hard times that the chosen people have suffered. Then we get a few verses about better times to come before more about suffering. Maybe the writer saw what needed to be done once it was too late.

 I do worry about the people today who don't seek spiritual guidance. They are so sure that they can satisfy every need they will ever have. I hope that they won't find themselves in the same situation as the people of Lamentations.

Prayer : I seek You, Lord. I know my best future is with You. I have heard Your voice, and I will follow. Amen

September 9, 2014

Lamentations 2: 18. The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. You walls of Daughter Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest.

 Things are really bad in Jerusalem. The people and their rulers didn't listen to the prophets, and the day of reckoning has come. There is death and hunger. The grand buildings are just a memory. The people are in despair. But they are still not really getting it.

 I feel the pain of the unfaithful. They have suffering around the clock. You would think that they would repent, but they have passed by the opportunity to do that several times already. God has a good plan for all people, but we moan and complain without really changing our focus.

 Prayer: Lord, I cry for Your people who don't know Your love. They are blind to Your son and the sacrifice he made for them. Give me the words and actions to lead them to You. And help me to keep my focus on Your holy will for me. Amen

September 8, 2014

Psalm 48: 10 Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. 

A lot of praises are given in this Psalm. God's holy city on the mountain is the awe of the world. Enemies have been vanquished. Now secure, the followers of God praise Him in the temple.

 The right hand full of righteousness grabbed my attention. I used to dislike the word righteousness. I think I had it confused with self-righteous. Righteousness is doing what is right simply because it is right. It isn't self-serving at all.

 Prayer: I will praise my Lord. I am out in his wonderful world, as the day ends. This is my Father's world. His righteousness is always present. Hallelujah to the one true God! Amen

September 7, 2014

2 Chronicles 26: 15 The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place.

 The time has come. God sent the prophets, but the Israelites and their leaders wouldn't listen. No amount of reasoning nor threats moved them. Now they are under siege. The Babylonians surrounded the city, and the people are starving. When the king and his soldiers try to sneak out, they are captured or killed.

 You have to feel badly for God and His prophets. They have tried so hard, but everyone is so sure of themselves. God takes pity on them, but they won't listen. These people are so totally human. They are full of pride and are immune to messages from a higher power. They just can't believe they aren't the highest authority in their own lives. Sounds about like today....

 Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that You are the Lord of my life. Don't let pride separate me from Your will for me. Guide my thoughts and actions according to Your holy plan for my life. Amen

September 6, 2014

Ezekiel 29: 7. When they grasped you with their hands, you splintered and you tore open their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke and their backs were wrenched.

 God is talking to Egypt. They have been a powerful nation, but they treated the Israelites badly. When God's chosen people needed a hand, they let them fall. Now Egypt will feel God's wrath. Never again will they be mighty. They will become a wasteland.

 The let-down feeling is what drew me to this passage. I am relating to the Israelites who needed so much and were left wanting. Maybe I should consider the Egyptians too. Am I more like them? Could I be the hard-hearted one who turns my back to the needy? I surely hope not, as I know a time of judgment is coming.

 Prayer: Lord, make me aware of the needy around me. Help guide me to respond in the way You would want me to respond. Guide me to be the best person I can be....a lighthouse to those of Your people who are in need. Amen

September 4, 2014

Ezekiel 24: 27 At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord.”

 Poor Ezekiel has suffered so much. No one will listen, even if they believe he is a prophet, they ignore his advice in favor of their own desires. He now loses his wife, and he can't even mourn. He has to be God's role model. Eventually he will be released from his silence, but not before he suffers some more.

 The prophets had such a bad time of it. Sometimes it feels like the world we live in is like the one God abandoned. We are guilty of many sins. What if God spoke to us like he did to Jeremiah or Ezekiel? Would we be faithful followers?

 Prayer: I am in awe of the faith Ezekiel showed You, Lord. I know how unworthy I am. I would cave with much less provocation. I am grateful for the lessons Your book provides me. The stories of faith keep me motivated to feed my own faith. Amen

September 2,2014

Revelation 7: 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.' ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'

 John's vision continues to unfold. He sees the angels, who admit the tribes of Israel. There is a multitude in white robes praising the Lord on His throne. An elder tells him about the multitude.

 O, happy day when I join the multitude. Jesus will give me everything I need, and I won't have any more sorrow. I will be in peace with my Lord forever.

 Prayer: I long to join the faithful at Your throne, my God. I look forward to feeling Your peace for the rest of time. I will follow Your son and my savior wherever he leads. Amen

September 1, 2014

Psalm 70: 4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”


 David is asking for God's help again. His enemies would like to ruin or even kill him. David admits his need and calls upon his savior. He pauses a moment in the middle to acknowledge that there are others like himself. They also cry out to God. David prays that he and they find joy and help.

 I used to wonder why God was so crazy about David. That whole killing Uriah to get Bathsheba thing bothered me. And he verges on paranoia about these enemies--or does he? After much Bible study, I think I get it. Nobody ever needed God more, and no one was as willing to call upon Him either. David is God's boy first and foremost, even though he sins. That makes him like me in a way.

 Prayer: I am grateful for like-minded followers of God today. I pray that they feel Your presence when they call on You. I'm also grateful for Your holy Bible, which shows me the long history of faithful people. Hear me, O Lord, and help me to know You are near. Amen