Today I was working on some loose ends preparing for my trip to Atlanta. I started the packing process and was interrupted by a phone call from my daughter Stephanie. When I finished the call and turned around to put more clothes in my suitcase I notice our dog had jumped in  and made himself at home. I’m not sure if he really understood that I would be leaving or it just looked like a comfortable nest.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going his own way. But the Lord made the punishment fall on him, the punishment all of us deserved.” Isaiah 53:6 (GNT)

This afternoon I went with Pastor Steve from Timberline Church to visit Phyllis and Gwen Kovac. Phyllis is 94 and growing weaker so we went to share communion and have prayer. During our visit, I read from Isaiah 53. This prophecy about suffering savior arrested my attention. What stood out to me was how the death of Christ was view, in contrast to what we truly happening.

First of all it is clear that Christ came to identify with us. We see the words, “despised, rejected, a man of sorrow, acquainted with grief.” What you experience Christ can related to and that should allow you to draw close to Him in our time of need.

Next I notice how the suffering of Christ was viewed by people. “We despised him and rejected him…No one would even look at him—we ignored him as if he were nothing….we thought that his suffering was punishment sent by God.” (Isa. 56:3,4)

Then we see the contrast on what was really happening. “…he endured the suffering that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne….because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did…the Lord made the punishment fall on him, the punishment all of us deserved.” (Isa. 53:4-6)

But Christ was more than just a martyr; more than someone who suffered unjustly for the wrongs of others. What was the result of His agony and death?  “We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received.” (Isa. 56:5) Out of Christ’s suffering comes our wholeness our healing from sin and despair.

Finally, I am struck by the contrast between human understanding and divine plan. Isaiah 53 clearly shows human understanding and perception will “get it wrong.” We need the Lord’s wisdom and provision to help us entered into the divine plan of God that is being worked out in way that is contrary to our view and perception.

When challenges come our way, when the bad news comes, when the road of life gets rocky, it is easy to make a quick assessment from a human perspective. But in the midst of it all the One who knows sorrow, grief and rejection is with us to work out His plan and purpose for our life. Trust the Lord for that work of faith in your life.

This morning I attended the morning prayer time with some leaders and county officials. The “quote of the day” that stood out to me during the devotional was something like this: “people are not offended by your position as much as your disposition.” Since the Colorado Legislature officially begins tomorrow I am reminded of all that is involved in the debate over bills and public policy. If I have the opportunity to pray for the opening of a session, I will try to remember this quote.

We were excited to hear that our grandson Mason’s basketball team not only won a Holiday Tournament but Mason was selected as the Most Valuable Player for the tournament. That of course makes us all proud, but none more than dad Nathan whose favorite sport is basketball. I am looking forward to seeing all of the family when I travel to Atlanta this week.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you, O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer! “ Psalm 19:14

This morning I took note of the final verses in the three Psalms that I read. Each provided a fitting summary of the Psalm or the section of the Psalm where they are found.

Psalm 19 contains  two distinct sections. The last one in the Good News Translation is entitled, “The Law of the Lord.” What I noticed was the benefits of God’s law. Yes the law of the Lord is “perfect, trustworthy, right and just.” But what about the benefits. The Law of the Lord is designed give “…new strength….wisdom to those who lack it…[make] those who obey them…happy….and give understanding to the mind.” These are all positive characteristics of life  that people seek today.

The Psalm then recognizes the challenges that come to life through “hidden faults and willful sins.” These two have been a struggle for people from the earliest of days and still challenge us today. What is the answer? Where can help be found? In the simple daily  request to the Lord, “May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you, O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer!”  We need to ask the Lord for that which is within and that which comes out to be guided by that which is pleasing to Him. But take note that the Psalm doesn’t end there. David reminds us that the Lord is our refuge and redeemer. Not judge and executioner.

Psalm 20 is entitled, “A Prayer for Victory.” David recognizes that some trust in chariots and horses and the power of man, yet these will stumble and fall. In contrast those who follow the Lord, trust in Him and rise and stand firm. He then closes the Psalm with this request. “Give victory to the king, O Lord; answer us when we call.” Psalm 20:9

Psalm 21 is titled, “Praise for Victory.” David declares the glories, victory and security that comes from trusting the Lord and knowing that He is on his side. He ends the Psalm with the words, “We praise you, Lord, for your great strength! We will sing and praise your power.”  Psalm 21:13

Psalm 21 is a follow up of to the prayer of Psalm 20. As we allow God’s Word to challenge us we see that God desires that which is best of our lives. That is why He gives us guidelines to help us through life. But what separates people are those who trust in the Lord and those who trust in themselves. You can’t go wrong if you place your trust in the Lord. When you do He reveals His strength as He provides for you all that you need.

The Christmas decorations are down (at least on the inside) and we are ready for the new year. Yesterday, I tried to remove some snow from my drive way with my riding lawn mower. It seemed to work pretty good. It removed most of the snow. Just after I got suck my neighbor saw me and helped me out. I’m glad the mower is starting in the cold. But if the snow gets too deep, I will still need help.

I returned to the fitness center today and incorporated a little swimming into my workout. It has been a long time since I have done that and it went well. Outside of that I have tried to complete some office work in getting ready for the new year.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands.How wonderful are your gifts to me; how good they are!”  Psalm 16:3,4

As I was in my morning Bible reading this verse stuck out to me. It speaks so directly to the provision and sufficiency of the Lord. The first verse of the Psalm declares, “You are my Lord; all the good things I have come from you.”

When the Lord is all you have, you have all you need! He is our provider, protector the one who sustains us. This Psalm declares  the power of the presence of the Lord.  “I am always aware of the Lord’s presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me.” (Psalm 16:8) This verse reminds me of Psalm 118:6 “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

The final verse of Psalm 16 reminds us of another benefit of the Lord’s presence, “…your presence fills me with joy
and brings me pleasure forever.” In your life you will find no greater satisfaction than that which comes from the presence of the Lord.

When we commit our lives to the Lord, we never have to worry about being “God forsaken.” Review Psalm 16, look at the what the Lord does for those who live by faith in His presence. Remember, “when you have the Lord, you have all you need.”

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This morning I attended the funeral service for Edna Lynn who died the day after Christmas at 101. This is someone that Debbie and I have known for many years. She was a long time member of Timberline Church and had almost 60 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild. When people of this age pass it causes a lot of reflection on their life and the changes they experienced over the decades. Edna left a legacy of faith and love for family.

This afternoon I had a visit from two high school classmates. Debbie Proctor, who was such a support during my hospitalization and Kamal Abed who attended school with me from junior high through high school. I enjoyed their visit and the opportunity for them to see me doing much better than last time they saw me.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…   “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive….If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” 1 Corinthians 15:22,44-45

As the new year begins I have started my “read through the Bible” schedule once again. Genesis is the “Book of Beginnings” and I have taken note of the beginnings that form the basis for God’s redemptive plan.

The first man Adam was the beginning of the human race. He was given honor and responsibilities as the one who would be God’s steward over all creation. As sin entered the world and evil began to prevail it brought the wrath of a righteous God. So we see God calling Noah, a righteous man and his family to begin again. So we see Noah delivered from death through the ark and he and his family become the beginning of the repopulation the earth.

Through Noah’s offspring comes Abraham. God calls Abraham and promises him that his descendents will be like the “stars of the skies.” So through Abraham and his offspring we see the beginning of a nation. A nation that would provide an avenue for the coming of Christ the Messiah and Savior.

What we see beginning in Adam, finds it culmination in Christ; a people that will walk in righteousness and fellowship with God. But Christ did not come to form a natural family, but a spiritual family. It would be a people like Adam, Noah and Abraham that will walk before God in righteousness. But this righteousness will not be of their own doing but through that which comes from relationship through Christ and faith in Him. As Paul the Apostle would write, “…you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Paul in writing to the Corinthians refers to Christ as a, “life giving spirit.” Through Adam a human race came into existence, through Christ a spiritual “nation” came into existence. As Peter would write, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Beginnings new or renewed can be exciting and challenging events. As you begin a new year, are you ready to begin a new life, or a new dimension of obedience or service through Christ?