Today was an enjoyable day. I spent the morning preparing for a conference call interview related to my new position with a group educating the public about the energy industry. I did get some work accomplished outside and had a good swim at our neighborhood pool.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “Whoever is your servant is the greatest among you.  Whoever makes himself great will be made humble. Whoever makes himself humble will be made great.”   Matthew 23:11,12 NCV

Jesus created consternation in many ways for the religious elite of His day. He taught with authority. The crowds loved Him. He healed on the Sabbath. He went places He was not expected to go, with people He should not be around.

John the Baptist was unique with His dress, lifestyle and confrontational preaching and this new ritual called baptism. However, Jesus whom John introduced as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” was not one who would be described as “main stream” for His day.

One of the greatest ways we see this is in the priorities that Jesus taught. He said to enter the Kingdom of God, you have to become like a child. I know our culture is different, but in Jesus day as important as children were, it was not a “child-centered” culture.

Jesus taught that the first shall be last and last first. He said, servants are the greatest. He even said of Himself, “the son man came to be served, but to serve….” He said the way to greatness is through humility and that the “meek shall inherit the earth.” He said that it is hard for the “rich to inherit the kingdom of God.” To which even His disciples asked, “who then can be save?!”

When Jesus selected His disciples He ended up with a mixed bag of fishermen, zealots, a tax collector and those that would not have been on anyone’s “most likely to succeed list” let alone be world changers.

Jesus told a parable about “workers in the vineyard” and in the parable the landowner gave the same wage to those worked only an hour as He did to those who had worked the entire day. As a matter of fact Jesus teaching through parables challenged, confused and created consternation, especially for the religious leaders when they knew Jesus was talking about them.

When the Pharisees asked Jesus a hypothetical question about a women who ended up being married to seven brothers because each brother died with no children, Jesus said, “You don’t understand, because you don’t know what the Scriptures say, and you don’t know about the power of God.” (Matt. 22:29) Ouch!! Then Jesus really told them what He thought about them by calling them snakes and “white washed tombs.”

We can readily see that Jesus is One who acts outside of “the norm.” You can’t put Him in a box or feel confident that you have Him “figured out.” He upsets the “status quo” and leaves people scratching their heads. That is why we are called to be “yoked with Him and learn of Him.” (Matt. 11:29) That is why we are to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

That is why Jesus is to be followed, worship and obeyed. The greatest adventure of life is found in following Christ. Perhaps like Thomas the disciple, you want to know “where Jesus is going?” “What is He up to?” Jesus simply told Thomas “I am the way….” (John 14:6) Our call is not to go “where Jesus is” but to follow Jesus to where He is going, and anticipate a forever future in His home that He will lead us to. In Jesus’ world everything is “right side up!”

After a busy day yesterday, more of a normal day today. I had a morning Chiropractor appointment and the took care of some office work before heading to the pool in the afternoon. I am continuing to work on my full recovery.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Be glad that you are his; let those who seek the Lord be happy. Depend on the Lord and his strength; always go to him for help. Remember the miracles he has done…” Psa. 105:3-5 NCV

God chose Abraham and from Abraham He created a nation. A nation that would know Him and His provision and protection and receive the blessings of what He promised. We this emphasized at the end of Psalm 105 after a recounting of all the ways the Lord provided for His people.

“So God brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. He gave them lands of other nations,  so they received what others had worked for. This was so they would keep his orders and obey his teachings.” (Psa.105:43-45)

However, God’s people were quick to forget what the Lord had done. They did not fully obey the Lord and they became ensnared by the idols and false gods of other nations. As I read the verses above from Psalm 105, I recall Psalm 121:1  “I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from?” What we are to remember is that our help does not come from “the hills” dotted with the shrines of idols. Our help comes from the Lord.

Because the Lord is a reliable and sure source of help, it is a cause for joy. The psalmist says, “be glad you are his, let those who seek the Lord be happy…” There is no reason to be anxious or discouraged when the Lord is your source of help.

We can trust the Lord and the strength He provides. Psalm 125:1 says, “Those who trust the Lord are like Mount Zion, which sits unmoved forever.” The Lord is faithful and will not fail as we put our trust in Him. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.“ (Isa. 40:29)

There is no source of help like the Lord. “…always go to Him for help.” This short phrase has two points of emphasis. One is to “always go to Him for help.” The Lord does not become weary with our seeking His help. That is why Jesus said, “ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking…” (Matt. 7:7) The second point of emphasis is to “always go to Him for help.” At times people in their desperation will be tempted to seek help from all kinds of sources, natural and spiritual. While the Lord uses modern medicine it is not to replace for seeking the Lord. Also, other sources of “spiritual” help can prove to be traps that bring confusion.

The Lord has a good track record. “Remember the miracles He has done.” In many of the Psalms we see a recounting of the works and wonders of the Lord. Often times we suffer from a short memory when it comes to the help the Lord has provided. It is important to not only review what the Lord has done as recorded in the Bible, but also our own lives and in the lives of those we know. As we do the Lord’s actions in the past encourages our faith in the present.

I am thankful for the confidence that comes in times of trial and testing when we know we belong to the Lord and that He is a sure and dependable source of help. When we grasp this we can lift our hearts in gratitude and praise to the Lord.

“Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him...Sing to him; sing praises to him. Tell about all his miracles…Praise the Lord.”  (Psalm 105:1,2,45)

This morning I made my way to Denver for some meetings. These meetings were related to some work that I will be involved with in Larimer County related to the energy industry. This seems to be a good fit and I look forward to this new challenge and venture. I also had an opportunity to visit my mother and some friends in Lakewood that I always enjoy seeing.

This morning I actually woke up feeling rested, which I haven’t felt in several days. That was a nice change especially since I was feeling poorly last night.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “He showed his ways to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.” Psalm 103:7

As you move through Psalm 103 and see the reasons the Lord is to be praised; from His faithfulness to His character, to the miracles He has performed. So it is easy to gloss over the simple words of verse seven.

The Lord was known in a different dimension to Moses than to the people of Israel as a whole. The Children of Israel saw the plagues visited on Egypt. They saw the Read Sea part and the Cloud and ate of the manna and saw the glory of the Lord on top of Mount Sinai. They knew God through His actions, deeds and miracles. But did they really, “know” God? They sought God’s deliverance and miracles but were satisfied with that.

The psalm says that, “He showed His ways to Moses…” or “He revealed His plans to Moses…” (GW) or “He showed Moses how He went about His work…” (The Message) These translations and paraphrases communicate that the relationship between Moses and the Lord was unique and special.

Exodus 33:11 says, “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” We see that Moses spent time with the Lord, He listen to the Lord, receive strength and guidance from the Lord. As Moses was preparing to lead God’s people to the promised land his request was, “show me your glory…” (Ex. 33:18) It was not a request for a miracle or more proof of God’s call, it was, “I want to see you for who you are in your essence.”

Jesus told those who only sought miracles, “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign…” (Matt. 16:4) But to the sincere of heart He said, “Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.” (Matt. 11:29 GNT)

Are you one who seeks to “know the Lord” or to only “know what He does”?  Do you only seek His hand or do you seek His heart? I’m thankful we can believe the Lord for great miracles and answers to prayer. But it is the relationship that we have with the Lord through Christ’s forgiveness and the presence of the Holy Spirit that sets us apart.

This morning I had my appointment with my Neurologist. He said he had been thinking about me, so it was good timing for my six month follow up. He felt my muscle mass was improving, however the reflects in my right leg are still pretty weak. Overall, he was pleased to note some progress. I will be following up with some nerve conduction studies and a cat-scan on my neck.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…I will be careful to live an innocent life. When will you come to me? I will live an innocent life in my house.” Psalm 101:2

This psalm of David is entitled, “A Promise to Rule Well” it reflects his commitment to be a person of integrity and to rule from an “innocent life.” Even though human perfect is not possible there are some commitments that enable us to live the life that pleases the Lord.

An Innocent life has a focus on the Lord. “I will sing of your love and fairness; Lord, I will sing praises to you.” (Psa. 101:1) A life built upon the foundation of understanding the Lord’s love and faithfulness provides the motivation and focus to live an innocent life. David understood his need of the Lord.

An innocent life begins at home. “I will live an innocent life in my house.” (Psa. 101:2) Much is discussed about the importance of the consistency between the “public” and “private” life of a leader. We see this reflected in the words of David who was a leader of men before becoming a ruler of men. True leadership begins with oneself and in ones own home.

An innocent life is supported by the company you keep. “I hate those who turn against you; they will not be found near me. Let those who want to do wrong stay away from me; I will have nothing to do with evil.” (Psa. 101:3,4) David realized that the strength of his own integrity was dependent upon those closest him. He need wise and god-honoring advisers.  There is a leadership adage that says, “those closest to you determines your level of success.” David recognized this when he said, “I will look for trustworthy people so I can live with them in the land. Only those who live innocent lives will be my servants.” (Psa. 101:6)

An innocent life holds others accountable. “If anyone secretly says things against his neighbor, I will stop him. I will not allow people to be proud and look down on others.” (Psa. 101:5) It takes courage and strength to stop someone who is “talking down” about someone else. I have appreciated those in my life who were willing to stop someone in this kind of act and say, “I know Ken Summers and what you are saying is not true!” I was visiting recently with a leader who mentioned the challenge of people disagreeing with him, but talking to others, and not him. When that happens a person with integrity will ask the complainer, “have you discussed you feelings with______?”

Living a life of innocence, a life of integrity is a challenge. But the steps we take and the commitments we hold can make a difference. The issue is not our perfection, the issue is our commitment to a life that is honorable and on that acknowledges the Lord and trusts in His love, forgiveness and fairness.

I find it interesting that I can seem to sleep well, but then wake up tired. Such was the case today. However, our dog is always ready to be my companion if I need extra rest. Today was an overcast and cool day. I had some meetings that took up most of my day,  so with the weather and my schedule I didn’t get my normal workouts in. But I am also trying to be in good shape for tomorrow’s neurologist appointment. This will be my six month follow up and I hope that he notes some improvement since my last visit.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… John came and did not eat or drink like other people. So people say, ‘He has a demon.’  The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and people say, ‘Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine, and he is a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved to be right by what she does.” Matthew 11:18,19

There is an adage that I use at times which says, “if people can miss the point, they certainly will!” Perhaps that becomes true because, people don’t listen to what others are really saying. I learned that from reporters in politics. They usually didn’t ask follow up questions to clarify meaning, they only took sounds bites that made a good story. At other times people are so quick to judge it is like, “you can’t win for losing.”

That is what we see in these verses that contrast John the Baptist and Jesus. John the Baptist was very disciplined and yes “odd” in his dress and diet. People accused him of having a “demon.” Jesus came and was criticized for eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners. Today you could say, “politicians” and sinners.

The bottom line is that you can’t look to the opinion of people to determine your actions. It is God’s wisdom and direction that is needed. John and Jesus had distinct ministries and roles. We see that John served the fulfillment of the “Elijah” that was to come before the Messiah. So his posture and ministry was similar to the prophet of old.

Jesus came to “seek and save the lost” so he associated with the “up and outers” as  much as the “down and outers.” What Jesus says is important is the fruit and faithfulness of the call of our life and the actions we take. Jesus knew His mission, just like John did and the way they lived their life brought the results of their obedience to the Lord.

Just before these observations about John the Baptist and Jesus, Jesus makes the statement, “let those who have ears, listen!” He goes on and gives this assessment of the people…

“What can I say about the people of this time? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, who call out to each other, ‘We played music for you, but you did not dance; we sang a sad song, but you did not cry.’  (Matt. 11:16-17)

I must admit that for a long time, I didn’t really take notice of what Jesus was saying. But He is letting the people know that they consistently “miss the point or the timing.” They don’t sing or dance when it is time to sing and dance. They don’t mourn when it is time to mourn. They remained in their “own world.”

The challenge for us today is to be “wise” and listening to what God’s Spirit is saying and doing in our time. Just as prophecy was fulfilled with the coming of John the Baptist, there are prophecies that still need to be fulfilled. Just as the Lord had a different role for John than He did for Jesus, the Lord has a unique role for each believer and for the Church at different times. Let’s not be quick to judge and fail to understand, as the New Century Version states it, “Let those with ears use them and listen!”

Had a great breakfast with cheesy grits and two poached eggs. May be my new favorite breakfast. I might of well have been in Georgia! I then conducted the chapel service at the MacKenzie Place here in Fort Collins. We had a group in attendance this morning and they were a cooperative and supportive group.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. The man bowed down before him and said, “Lord, you can heal me if you will.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, “I will. Be healed!” And immediately the man was healed from his disease. Matthew 8:2,3

Following Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” and the teaching about the Kingdom of God, we find a series of miracles Jesus performed in the following two chapters. There is a wide range of miracles and some common observations that can be made from each of them.

We read an account of healing of man with leprosy, the healing of the Centurion’s servant who was paralyzed and in pain. Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law of a high fever, and then delivers those who were possessed by demons. After leaving Capernum, Jesus calms the storm on the sea and then arriving in the area of the Gadarenes he drives the demons out of two men who had terrorized the community. Jesus travels back across the sea and heals a paralyzed man brought to him by friends, Jesus then heals a women with an “issue of blood” before He raises the daughter of a ruler of the synagogue from the dead and then as he leaves the city He heals two blind men. Jesus then heals a man who was mute because of a demon and scripture records He healed, “all kinds of diseases and sicknesses.”

In all of these we Jesus reaching out to the rejected, the despised, those who had no hope, He delivered those bound by demons and gave physical and spiritual life. His motivation is referenced in Matthew 9:37-38  “When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them because they were hurting and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Jesus said to his followers, “There are many people to harvest but only a few workers to help harvest them.  Pray to the Lord, who owns the harvest, that he will send more workers to gather his harvest.”

We can  note Jesus compassion for people in need, but because of the enormity of the need, there were more people than even He could reach and touch. As a result, He said the need was to “pray…for more workers…” What Jesus immediately does is to send out His disciples to preach and to heal those in need. We need to remember that the Lord continues to use “workers” called by Him and willing to be used by Him to touch others with the compassion of Christ.

In all of these miracles we see people coming to Jesus and expressing their faith in Jesus’ power to bring healing and meet them at their point of need. Some of them literally, “cried out” others fought through the crowd, others had the help of friends.

We see Jesus affirming their faith, encouraging faith and rewarding faith. We see on two occasions that it was the “faith of someone else” that was the key to a miracles. Jesus does honor “faith for others” to be healed.

In each of these lives, their future was radically changed. Jesus’ touch brings a new life. The dead are raised, outcasts are embraced by the community, the blind and destitute have a new purpose in life, as do the lame and those delivered from the bondage of demons.

I have mentioned at times how you can observe the similarities in people over the centuries. May those similarities not just be related to that which reflects the frailties of the human condition, but also a faith and a hope that says, “if I can get to Jesus, if I can get my friend to Jesus, their life will be changed.”

Judging by how long I slept in this morning, I must have worked harder yesterday than I realized. We had another hot day and I could really tell it when I was outside trying to do some yard work. I was sympathetic when a crew showed up to trim some shrubs and removed some dead and diseased trees.

While the heat tends to sap my energy, I was able to get down to the pool later in the afternoon for a good swim. Debbie and I attended the Saturday evening service and then enjoyed a meal on the patio at Old Chicago’s.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!” Then Gideon said, “Sir, if the Lord is with us, why are we having so much trouble?” Judges 6:12,13 NCV

Each time I read the account of the call of Gideon, I can’t help but chuckle. His blunt and rational reply seems an obvious response to the message of the “angel of the Lord.” God’s people were being oppressed. It was difficult for them to even raise their own food, the were living in terror of the Midianites. So when a man in hiding in fear is told he is a “mighty warrior” and that the “Lord is with you” It is easy to see an almost, “yea, right!” response.

We see this type of perspective reflected in many places in scripture. We see it in the lives of the Children of Israel, who even though each day they had the presence of the cloud and the manna, still had a difficult time believing the Lord was with them, when challenges came their way.

Psalm 94:4-7 speaks of the wicked and says, “They are full of proud words; those who do evil brag about what they have done.  Lord, they crush your people and make your children suffer…. They say, “The Lord doesn’t see; the God of Jacob doesn’t notice.”

We read David’s lament in Psalm 10:1 “Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?“ The psalmist observed, “These people are wicked, always at ease, and getting richer.” (Psa. 73:12) David recognized, “O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” (Psa. 3:1,2)

It is easy in times of trouble and difficulty to wonder, “where is God” and we must admit that at times, we may say the same thing about ourselves, “God will not rescue me.” So I guess that we can say that there is a little of Gideon in us all.

However, we see that the Lord is aware and present, even when we are not aware of it or don’t believe He is. And we usually believe that if He is aware, if He is present with us, bad things won’t happen. But Gideon was living in a land of God’s people who were not following the Lord, yet the Lord had not abandoned them. The Lord was looking for an opportunity to use a reluctant and unlikely “hero” to demonstrate His power and presence.

Gideon like many throughout time, have felt “God forsaken” but found out that he and God’s people were not. Also we read in the Psalms that though the “wicked” may prosper and mock God, their day of reckoning is coming. This is a challenge for us to keep our eyes on the Lord and follow Him regardless of what the environment we live in looks like.

When we look at our culture it is easy to question, “where the Lord is in all of this?” We need to remember that He is aware and that He is looking for “modern day Gideons” who will allow the Lord to us them to show His power and to stand for Him and to call people to Himself.

Today was certainly a less busy and exciting day than yesterday. It was good to get some work done in my garden that I needed to address. After some office work, I was able to get in a good workout at the pool and a ride on my bike. Somewhat of a “normal” day for me.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “If the Lord had not helped me, I would have died in a minute. I said, “I am about to fall,” but, Lord, your love kept me safe. I was very worried, but you comforted me and made me happy.”             Psalm 94:17-19

Psalm 94 is about the assaults of the wicked. The psalm reveals the relentlessness of the assaults and the questions that can arise when it seems that evil prevails and the Lord is silent.  But we see the psalmist affirming the righteousness of the Lord and that the Lord will hold the wicked accountable and discipline them.

He also affirms the Lords care for His own in these words, “The Lord won’t leave his people nor give up his children.” (Psa. 94:14) I like those affirming words. We may feel forsaken, the circumstances of life may be overwhelming, but we are never forsaken or abandoned.

As I read this Psalm this morning, verse 17-19 caught my attention. After returning to Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital and sharing some of my experiences with my guests these verses served as a reminder of the Lord’s intervention. I wasn’t assault by “the” wicked but was assaulted by “a” wicked infection.

In many respects I’m not sure if I can fully appreciate just surviving some of the challenges that I faced. It certainly gets the attention of those who hear my story and even of medical people. This was certainly true on February 22, 2014 when I went into septic shock from an infection. Debbie makes the observation, “I could tell I was losing you before my eyes.” But because of my wife’s quick actions and the Lord’s help, my life was spared.

During my recovery one of the greatest fears I faced as that of falling. With my weakness and equilibrium that was thrown off by a brain injury, the fear and sense of falling was something that I experienced almost daily. But through it all the Lord kept me safe; even later in my recovery when I did have some falls He kept me from serious injury. As a matter of fact last night I had a small fall (I called it a slide) when the table I was trying to rest on tipped over.

Prolonged illness and recovery and the relentless attacks from the enemies of life can create anxiety and worry. But the psalmist affirms with confidence that the Lord, “comforted me and made me happy.” I can testify to the comfort, peace and joy the Lord can bring even in the most challenging circumstances.

One of the legislators I was sharing my story with made a comment that I often hear, “how were you able to cope with all of that?” The answer is found in the experience of the psalmist, “the Lord helped me and kept me from death…He kept me safe and He brought comfort and happiness into my circumstances.”

Whatever the source of the challenges that confront your life, you can count on the Lord’s help, safety and comfort. Remember, the Lord won’t leave you or give up on you!