Yesterday was a big day. We attended Mckenzie’s Vacation Bible School program. She went all by herself! It was great to connect with Nathan’s mother, Linda, who joined us for lunch. Last night we attended an Atlanta Braves baseball game at the new stadium, SunTrust Park.BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had.” 1 Chronicles 13:14 ESV

The Ark of the Covenant became the physical symbol of the presence of the Lord. It was built by standards given by God to contain the tablets of the commandments the Lord gave to Moses on Sinai. The center of the covering or lid on the box, was the “mercy seat.” It was that place where the blood of the sacrifice was placed as the Lord instructed.

In time it became a symbol of God’s power. In reality it was a symbol of God’s holiness and judgment and presence. When the wicked sons of priest Eli took the ark into battle, it was taken captive by the Philistines. (1 Samuel 4)

The ark which was of no value to the Israelites when they attempted to use it presumptuously, became a curse to the Philistines and their god.

The Philistines returned it to Israel and when some of the men of the city looked into the ark, they were killed. The ark remained at Kiriath-Jeariam until David became King and his heart’s desire was to bring it back to Jerusalem into the center of God’s people.

As the ark was being transported on a cart (like the Philistines had done), the oxen stumbled and Uzzah one of the priests reached out and touched the ark and died. David was angry. He found himself doing the “right thing the wrong way.” Not only that his heart was right, but his methods were wrong.

Three months later, David “tried again” this time in accordance to what the law had instructed. The ark was carried with poles on the shoulders of the priests. This was a cause of rejoicing and celebration with David leading the procession.

In the record of the ark, one of the most fascinating observations is when the ark was shuffled to the house of Obed-edom after the failed attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. We read, “The Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom mand all that he had.”

This object that has been the center of mystery and wonder, judgment and death, is a blessing on this man, his house and “all that he had.” I believe it is important to see that is God’s desire above all else. The acts of judgment are riveting and at times confusing. God’s is not to be manipulated and disrespected. We should not knowingly expose ourselves to God’s judgment (like removing the lid of the ark. When the mercy seat is removed, there is only a broken law inside of the ark.)

But as David would declare, “…you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11 ESV) David also realized that his greatest treasure was the Lord’s presence. He prayed, “Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11 ESV) Perhaps he remembered the downfall of Samson came with the Lord removing His anointing from him.

One of the great provisions of the work of Christ is not only the Lord’s presence with His people, but in His people. May we be those who seek, respect and honor God’s presence and the blessing that comes from the Lord’s gracious hand.

Prayer for today….. Lord may we not treat Your presence in our life casually, take it for granted or fail to recognize the privilege that is ours because of what Christ had done for us. Allow Your presence in our life to be that source of needed blessing in our lives, our house and in all that we have.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” Job 1:21,22 ESV

Job did his best to avoid what happened to him. It is from Job that we get the statement, “For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me.” (Job 3:25 ESV) We see Job’s insecurity (of sorts) when we read how that he routinely offered sacrifices for his children after their “parties” over his concern that they may have sinned or “cursed God.” (Job 1:4,5)

When Job lost his possessions and children it is his words and response that arrests our attention. We read that he first “worshiped.” His grief was real and intense. This was no “easy come, easy go” approach to life. But in the midst of the pain, sorrow and loss, He focused His attention upon the Lord.

In his words, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return….” (Job 1:21 ESV) we see that Job held the “things” of life loosely. While had much, what he had did not have him. He recognized what he had came from the Lord and if “the Lord took it” from Him, he was willing to accept that.

The commentary of Job’s response is that in his grief and loss, “he did not sin or charge God with wrong.” There have been so many who in the time of grief and crisis, turned from the Lord instead of to the Lord. Job reveals that he was turning to the Lord. He did not blame God, he did not “give up” on God.

This seems to be the prevailing anticipated response of the day. In a time when God-centered worship was not common, the gods people recognized and worshiped were more to serve humanity than to be served by humanity. Job demonstrates an attitude and approach contrary to the prevailing attitude or understanding.

We see this when after a blow big enough to destroy most, Job was personally attacked by Satan with the destruction of his own health and extreme suffering. Job’s wife had enough, even if Job did not. We see it in her words, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” (Job 2:9 ESV)

After my own health crisis, I developed a different view of Job’s wife. She was in suffering as well. What he lost, she lost. She lost the children to whom she gave birth. Then to see her husband in suffering was just adding more and more to her life. The “suffering” of a spouse or family members in a family member’s crisis is real and I believe often misunderstood.

But we see Job once again commended, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” (Job 2:10 ESV) What we “say” about ourselves, God and our situation reveals much about us and it does impact our life. In my crisis the words of my friend Tim Brotzman, who has a history of immense suffering, echoed in my mind, “I have a condition, but my condition doesn’t have me!”

Job was not “above it all.” In his first words he laments the fact the he was even born. So honest expression of pain and suffering is not sin. Job had confusion and questions and in the end had a greater revelation of God. That is often what we can anticipate in our own times of suffering if we maintain a righteous response.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You for the strength that You provide when faced with suffering. Help us to be “real” and “steady” at the same time. Help us to always turn to You, not from You when life doesn’t make sense.

It was a short night as the alarm sounded at 2 a.m. and I prepared for a trip to Atlanta. Debbie was here for Mother’s Day, so I decided to visit for Father’s Day weekend. I am getting caught up on the short night and the time adjustment and getting back on track with a devotional after a few days of absence. Not sure if I have missed two consecutive days of entries before!

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “For behold, I create new heavens  and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create…” Isaiah 65:17-18 ESV

When God creates it is not only good, but it surpasses anything that has been known or existed. These verses written by Isaiah the prophet thousands of years ago, are echoed by John on the Isle of Patmos.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:1,2 NIV)

While the Lord did restore His people to Jerusalem and provided them a “new” start following their 70 years of captivity; that was not the full or final fulfillment of what Isaiah  saw and prophesied. As we can see in John’s vision, that Lord has something planned and in store that is greater than earth has ever seen. He is not just “re-creating” that which has been, He is “creating” or bringing about that which has never been before.

The grandeur of that which the Lord creates causes that which was in the past to be forgotten. When God’s people returned to a rebuilt Temple under Ezra they wept, because its glory was not the same as what had been under Solomon. That is not and will not be the case when the Lord brings His “new heave and new earth” into existence.

The promise of a new heaven and a new earth will result in continuous praise and glory to the Lord. It will be praise to the Lord for His greatness, His faithfulness and His majesty. That is what we see revealed in the Book of Revelation.

The new heaven and the new earth is a promise that causes us to anticipate and to hold lightly that which is now or that which has ever been. Peter wrote, “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13 NIV) Since Peter wrote before John’s vision, he undoubtedly was referring to the promise of Isaiah’s prophecy. 

Even though Peter was an eye witness of the miracles and majesty of the Lord, he pointed his fellow believers facing persecution and suffering to that which the Lord has promised and that which one day would be fulfilled.

The Lord who created in the “beginning” will create once again in the “end.” The Lord has not stopped His creative work. His creative work will be manifested in the world, just as His creative work is revealed in the lives of individuals who surrender to His will.

We can be confident that the Lord who creates and “makes all things new” is able to do that in each life that needs a new hope and a new future.

Prayer for today…. Lord, Your work in creation as well as Your promise of creation, not only makes us stand in awe of what You have done, and what You will do, but gives us hope that Your work is available for each individual who needs to leave the past behind and to experience a new start and a new life.

This morning I spoke at Glad Tidings Church in Greeley. It was another opportunity to share my story and encourage people in the challenges of life that they may be experiencing. It was a special treat for Debbie and me to reconnect with our friends John and Linda Harris. We have known John and Linda and their family for years and they served with us for a time when were at Dakota Ridge Church in Littleton.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.” Isaiah 62:11,12 ESV

When many read the Old Testament, they just see the harshness and judgment of a Holy God. The more I read the Old Testament, I see the mercy and longsuffering of a God who works in behalf of His people.

God could have been much more severe with His people than what we see. Instead, what we observe in the ages past is what we see in the present; God allows us to experience the natural consequences of our own actions. When God’s people rejected the Lord, they lost their way and would be over-run by their enemies. When they sought the Lord and put Him first they would be victorious and secure. It is unfortunate that they failed to understand the connection and were so easily drawn away in times of peace and prosperity.

Isaiah is a prophecy about salvation. We not only see the reference to the salvation of God’s people as a nation, but we see the promise of salvation from the “sin that wars against the soul” through a coming Messiah and Savior.

We see it in verses like, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6 ESV)

Verses like, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live…” (Isaiah 55:1-3 ESV)

Then we see the promise of the Lord’s salvation in Chapter 62. The Lord taking action to show Himself faithful to His unfaithful people. We see the promise of restoration. The Lord is coming not with a sword to destroy, but as a triumph King who rewards. He turns the condition and destiny of His people on its head. From captivity and a loss of home and identity, the Lord declares His people as a “…Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord…Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.”

As the Apostle Paul declared salvation available to those who “call on the name of the Lord” he quotes several Old Testament verses including Isaiah’s words,  “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” (Romans 10:20 NIV)

We can read in Revelation words that echo back to Isaiah of old, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me…..” (Revelation 22:12 NIV) Revelation 19 reveals the resurrected Christ as the “rider on the white horse” coming in the clouds with the “armies of heaven” to bring about His final salvation to the earth.

Regardless of what is taking place in our world today. Regardless of what we see, it does not negate the plan and purposes of God that are taking place and will be fulfilled in their proper time.

Paul declared of Jesus birth, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law…” (Galatians 4:4 NIV) We can have confidence that at the “right time” God will signal His  Son to return to bring a final salvation to the world. Those who acknowledge Him like God’s people of old will be know as, “…Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord…[those] Not Forsaken.”

Prayer for today….. Lord thank You that You do act in response to the cries of Your people. But allow us to remember that You act as well by Your sovereign will and plan. Allow that to encourage us to be faithful to You regardless of what we see, knowing that You are a God of personal salvation and the One who is working out all things according to Your good purposes. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;  he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord‘s favor…” Isaiah 61:1-2 ESV

These verses are familiar because they are the ones that Jesus read in the Temple at the beginning of His ministry. They are verses of hope and promise fulfilled. When Jesus read them they stirred controversy because after reading the scripture the first words of His “sermon” were, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21 NIV)

Instead of bringing celebration, those words brought scorn. The religious of Jesus’ day had their own ideas of how God would intervene and when. But not only that, it seems they were stuck in such a state of perpetual longing and anticipation that they couldn’t accept any good news or recognize the intervention of God in their midst.

God’s Spirit brings life, changes life, delivers, heals and fulfills hope. In these verses we see God’s Spirit is not for nice sounding words, it is action. Look at those who are the objects of God’s intervention. The poor, the brokenhearted, the captives and those who are bound. Those who are confronted with the most challenging circumstances of life can take hope and receive the Lord’s attention when God’s Spirit is alive and active through His “anointed” ones.

As New Testament believers, we have the opportunity to “follow in Jesus’ footsteps” and to do and make a priority His call and work. Those who are in need are the recipients of the Lord’s favor.

As we look at the verses of Isaiah 61, we see that the Lord’s favor restores and makes whole. It lifts up and rejuvenates. God’s Spirit and favor brings….comfort all who mourn; [it] grant[s]….a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;”

This takes place so that those who are poor, in prison, brokenhearted and bound “may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified…” (Isaiah 61:3 ESV) 

Talk about a reversal, a restoration, a divine intervention. From isolated and in need to having all needs met. From being despised and weak to “oaks of righteousness.” 

The result is that the Lord “may be glorified.” When restoration takes place in the lives of the needy it is for God’s glory. What happens is not by happenstance it is a result of God’s intervention that He might be glorified.

Prayer for today…. Lord thank You for the work of Your Spirit through Your “anointed ones” and in the lives of those who are in the greatest of need. We ask that You work in us and through us for Your glory. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:14-15 ESV

The words of the prophet  Amos are powerful and compelling. They seem to strike at the heart of those who don’t know God or His ways. However, that is not the case. His words are to God’s people. They are to God’s people who had lost their way.

Over the course of time, compromise and complacency in obedience to the ways of the Lord, lead to being overtaken by the ways of the “world around.” The idolatry of the nations God’s people did not conquer, began to conquer them.  The clock of impending judgment was clicking.

The Lord calls an unlikely prophet named Amos. Amos was from Judah, but spoke to the northern tribes. He told King Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.” (Amos 7:14 NIV) Once again we see God using an unlikely object of His mercy, grace and will.

Like Jonah of old preaching to Nineveh, Amos calls for a return to the Lord manifested in righteous living and justice in order to stay the hand of God.

Amos spoke to the evil of God’s people, “For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins—you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate.” (Amos 5:12 ESV)

The remedy to their situation was to STOP! It was a call to repent. To change the way they were acting. They were to seek good to hate evil to establish justice for all.

The assurance we have in the history of God’s people and in the whole of scripture is that the Lord is more willing to forgive and relent, then were are to seek Him, turn to Him and change our ways.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV)

“God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.”  (2 Peter 3:9 CEV)

The Lord is seeking action, not empty words, or shallow worship. One of Amos’ final pleas is, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24 ESV)

We at times may “lose our way” but there is a path back, if we are willing to turn and return to the Lord and His ways.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank you for your compassion and mercy. You call the wandering home and provide the path back to You. When we wander, help us to see the error of our ways and be quick to make the corrections that are needed.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”   Luke 18:1 ESV

Perseverance is an important Christian virtue. We see it in Peter’s list of Christian virtues. “…make every effort to add to your faith, goodness….and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness….”  (2 Peter 2:5-6 NIV)

Hebrews declares, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36 NIV)

Jesus modeled consistency and persistence in prayer, He instructed His disciples in prayer and he tells them a parable about the importance of always praying and not “losing heart.”

Prayer can be a challenge for many. Consistency in prayer can be a challenge and being persistent in prayer and not becoming discouraged is all part of our life of prayer.

In the parable that Jesus tells he uses a story of human persistence. A widow who demanded justice from an unjust ruler. The woman’s persistence finally results in turning the heart of this insensitive ruler.

Jesus uses the parable to contrast how persistence  moved the heart of an unjust human ruler to help them understand that they need to continue to seek the their heavenly Father who is a willing and just God. One one occasion Jesus said, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11 NIV)

When it came to meeting their needs Jesus said, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:31,32 NIV)

We need not be afraid to ask and we must not be afraid that our heavenly Father will treat us in an unjust manner. He will make sure that all of our needs are met as we trust in Him and seek Him.

So Jesus tells His disciples to “always” pray. It is important to pray about everything. That can often be a challenge in a rush to get things done, take action and be the one who controls our life and destiny. Paul’s advice, “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything.” (Philippians 4:6 CEV)

Then we need to keep praying, yes even about the same thing. We can pray until the issue is resolved or the answer we seek is given. We see this in Jesus prayer in the garden, as He faced the cross. His simple repeated prayer was, “Let this cup pass from me, nevertheless they will be done.” (Matthew 26:39)

It is in this commitment to persistent prayer that it is easy to “lose heart.” That is what Jesus recognizes and that is what He is addressing in this parable. We don’t know the reason for the timing of answers to prayer. That is outside of our understanding, rationale or comprehension. We do know that we are to keep on praying and to resist the temptation to become discouraged and give up.

Keep mind this acrostic for the word, “PUSH” – Pray Until Something Happens.

Prayer for today….. Lord help us to pray consistently. Help us to prayer with perseverance. Help us to pray and not to give up or lose heart. May we be reminded that when we do our part, you are more than willing and faithful to do Your part.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” Luke 16:10,11 ESV

The parable of the “Dishonest Manager” can be a difficult one to understand. This is because Jesus seems to commend the manager who was wasting his master’s possessions. The manager when he knew he would lose his job quickly had those who owed the landlord money reduce their bills in order to gain friends when he was without his job and on the “street.”

But what I notice in Jesus’ words is the value of consistency and establishing a “track record” that provides credibility and trust. In other words, you don’t change your character or your responsibility based on the level or the importance of the job or position.

Paul said, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2 NIV) He did not put any parameters on the level of responsibility or the degree of trust given. The one who is faithful in little, will be faithful in much. If you can be faithful as a busboy you will be faithful as the restaurant manager.

I have seen this concept come up in one way or another over my life.

When I served on the education committee in the State House, it seemed the complaint was that teachers were not effective because they didn’t get paid enough. Once I asked (tongue-in-cheek) my fellow committee member, now US Senator, Cory Gardner, “How much do you need to pay a bad teacher to turn them into a good teacher?”

As I have worked on issues of poverty and homelessness, I have pointed out that giving more money to someone who is not responsible does not solve their financial problems. Just recently a friend told me of working with an individual who was experiencing financial problems and had to move from her home. He confided that it seemed, “she was her own worst enemy.” He went on and told me that at one point she had inherited $100,000 and a house, but that was “all gone.”

I remember the somewhat poetic words of my old high school baseball coach. Toward the end of his career he found himself working with a far different group of students than he had in the past. They seemed to have athletic talent, but their personal discipline was challenged and it showed up under the pressure of competition. The coach quipped, “I have found if a student can’t ‘bear down’ in the classroom, he won’t ‘bear down’ on the field.”

It has to do with reputation. It has to do with character. Does a person have a track record of consistency? If you are looking for someone to manage your finances you look for someone who has a track record of being faithful and successful in handling the finances of others. Do they treat the one with little the same as the one with much? Are they consistent, are they diligent?

If we look for faithfulness and consistency why wouldn’t we expect the same from the Lord? That is why we see in the parable of the talents the one who was unfaithful had his one talent given to the man who produced the greatest return.

I like the challenge of Solomon, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV)

Prayer for today…. Lord help us in our lives to be consistent and persistent in what we “take on.” May our love for You be demonstrated by doing all the we do for your glory and in a way that reflects Your excellence.