Day 22 – Psalm 100

Looking down through the days that are remaining in this study, all but the last day focuses on serving. Today’s topic simply says “Serve with Gladness”.

I find these days that I may get nervous or fearful about serving God, but it is with all joy and gladness. We serve a risen Savior that bore all of our sins on the cross at Calvary. Regardless of how difficult the task I am given, I know that the cost is not comparable to the suffering that was poured out on him.

James told us to count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. All of our experiences are found to be trials, and like James we are to count it all joy to be part of the process. Why God uses men to be part of his redemptive process, we many never fully understand.

We are to know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. The potter is still forming the clay.

Day 15 – Numbers 13:25-33

I come to the midway point of this study today and find that the tone of this passage reflects my mood. I have and am still struggling with my place in God’s plan. Like the people of Israel, I feel like a grasshopper within my own sight and within the sight of our people.

Today’s passage reminds me that I have been called by God and that He will be my strength for his purpose. With that strength, I will be able to stand and proclaim the word of God. Whether it is leading the people through God’s calling to preach or the more daunting task of continually exhorting the people like Joshua and Caleb, I will serve Him.

This people that we live among are very much like the Israelites. They too are a people who have been led to a Land of Milk and Honey, but refuse to cross over. The Giants are different, but the temptation of the world outside remains. Such abundance they have had in this world that there is not a sense of longing for better things. They have never known the wilderness and hunger. They simply want to stay in the world and then die.

I fear however that they too will soon discover that their fears will soon enough be realized. There will come a day when God will close the doors and the opportunities to enter the Promised Land will no longer be open. All can walk up to the gates of the land but only the children of God will be allowed to enter.

This world truly is a land that devours its inhabitants and all the opposition in this land is truly of great stature. We have been commanded however to subdue it. So come let us follow the words of Caleb “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” If God is with us, who can be against us.

Day 8 – John 6:1-14

A lad comes forth holding his meager lunch. A Hebrew Happy Meal some have called it. It was only five small loaves of bread and two small fish. I have heard people ramble on continuously about the type of bread and the size of the sardines that a typical lad for this region might have had, but I think the focus should stay on Jesus and those willing to serve him.

Items to note. (Some of these come across more as sermon outlines…. So be it)

• Jesus let the disciples realize that they could not feed these people with their own possessions.
• Jesus sought someone willing to supply everything they had without reluctance. Do you find it unusual that there was a child near enough to the group that he was singled out? The children always tend to come closer to God.
• The lad didn’t have much, but he gave it all to Jesus. What was given to Jesus was then multiplied.
• Everyone near to God shared in this blessing, regardless of what they believed about Jesus.

Jesus sought. Jesus received. Jesus multiplied. Oh how often is the circumstance ripe for the same to happen in our lives? “What we give him” isn’t as important as the motive and intent from our heart. If we give all for the glory of God, then he will surely use it according to His will.

How often too however are we the “Phillip” in the bunch? Notice what he says in verse 7. He is basically saying that they do not have enough money to feed so many. They just don’t have the resources. When he was counting their resources, he forgot to include Jesus in the equation. Sometimes being too practical is a negative. Faith in God can stretch everything we have when he sets out to bless us. I notice also that Jesus didn’t ask him “How” we might afford enough bread to feed the multitude; he was asking “where” they were to get it.

When we see/know the will of God in different situations, we must work to see it through. Just like the lad, we need to make ourselves available to God and give him everything we have. It may be something meager like the a few loaves and fishes, but he already owns it, how could you possibly deny him of it.

Lastly I notice that when God sets out to bless a people, there is more than enough to go around. When I think of what the Lord has done for me, I can only sit amazed and wonder why.

Monday, July 27, 2009


Today, I start on a spiritual journey in preparation for our Sept 28th mission trip to Romania.

Over the past month I have struggled significantly with the person I am, and my position in Christ. It all came to a head yesterday and I am now seeking God to help me through my dry season.

For the past 2 years I have studied non-stop, but just realized yesterday that I was doing it all for the wrong reasons. I have little doubt that I have a calling from God to teach/preach, but my study and preparation was done for the purpose of knowledge and not for the worship of God. So much time I have spent trying to fill the void between my ears and neglecting my duty to foster the relationship that God wishes me to have with him. My search for knowledge bloomed into an Idol. I went from worshipping the magnificent Word of God to worshipping the knowledge I had of him.

I look back on the days of my studies and see all the times that God has pressed my heart into a personal time of worship and regret the opportunities that I have undoubtedly missed because of my short sightedness.

Using a list given to me by our Mission’s Director, I will postpone the systematic studies that have enveloped me over the past year and begin a 30 day spiritual prep study.

Pray for me. Times are tough.




Day 1 - Psalm 51

What a place to start and oh so appropriate. This is the text I used for the 2nd sermon I ever preached. I should practice what I preach.

God sees no difference between Lust and Adultery and it applies to more than flesh and blood.
David laments here over his sin. His spirit is broken and the conviction of Sin obviously unbearable. His bones are broken. God broke them. Blessed are those who are poor in spirit. He has a need and knows it. He has sinned against God alone and is need of cleansing.
Isaiah 1:18
Matthew 5:3
Only the Blood of Jesus can cleanse us white as snow. Only the poor in Spirit realize the absence of his presence. Like Cain we often leave his presence, even if it’s not intentional.
Justified in the blood, but we must put on Christ to continually be sanctified. The sacrifice of the Lamb means nothing without the broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. Isaiah 1:11
You can carry a cross and it just be manual Labor.
The Lamb can be killed, but you must have placed your hand on its head. The herbs are bitter, but you must eat it all before the day dawns. The skin goes to you, you are now a priest and its memorial should not be a thing to be arbitrarily displayed. You must throw off the old man and put on Christ.
Not a knock-off North Face Jacket. Not the knock-off Reboks. We need to put on the heir of God, not an air of resemblance. Know God, cast down your Idols.

It was in sin that my mother conceived me, but Oh God make me hear joy and gladness of your thoughts about me. Let me read those words on a white stone in my name. Search out all the hidden parts of me also. Even if they need to cry out within my soul, leave no stone left unturned. Let every part of my stony heart cry out Your name.

Create a clean heart me God and renew a steadfast spirit. Restore to me the Joy of Your salvation. By your grace, lift my heart to you.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways and sinners will be converted. It’s the need to give you Glory that drives me to work for you. You are the God of my salvation.

Do good, in your good pleasure. Keep clean this temple. Declare Holy ground within this heart and abide there till we meet face to face.