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!

I had an early morning workout at the fitness center which went well. I rode my bike to and from my workout which gave me some extra exercise. I then attended a monthly ministers meeting and over did the barbecue, but it was good.

This evening I am attending and speaking at the Northern  Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital 10th Anniversary. This was my home for 100 days in 2013 and 10 days in 2014 as well as six months of outpatient visits. The staff has continued to be supportive and encouraging in my ongoing recovery. My niece Kate Summers who is an Occupational Therapist intern at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood came up to join us for the event and a tour of the hospital.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “They will call to me, and I will answer them. I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them.” Psalm 91:15

Missionaries have a difficult time getting pastors to return their calls. Citizens call their legislators and sometimes don’t get the response they would hope for. Parents call their children and don’t hear back and children call their parents and don’t find them available. I recently call a legislator friend and found that I couldn’t even leave a message because his inbox was full.

I am thankful in spite of all the human frustrations that there can be in making contact with someone we love, or someone we need help from that we don’t need to experience that with the Lord. As least three well-known verses of the Old Testament reveal a God who invites us to call and a promised response. In addition to the verse above we read in Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” We read in Psalm 50:15 “…call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”

In the New Testament Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  (Matt. 7:7) James said, “…You do not have because you do not ask God.”  (James 4:2) Psalm 34:5 gives the assurance, “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry…”

When we call on the Lord we have the assurance that He hears us and that He will act in our behalf. In the context of Matthew 7:7 the verb tense communicates the invitation to, “ask and keep on asking….knock and keep knocking….seek and keep seeking.” As we ask the Lord for His help, we need to continue to seek the Lord for His provision and wisdom.

Asking is a key receiving the promises of Psalm 91:1,2, “Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you.”

While we rest secure in the Lord’s protection and presence, we can ask Him for what we need. Not out of selfish motivation or a sense of manipulation, but from a sense of confidence that He is available and invites us to simply “call on Him.”

My less hectic day seemed to be fairly quickly. After some early morning yard work, I had my last twice a week Chiropractor appointments. He felt that I am showing improvement and my frame was the most stable since I have been in the treatment program. He mentioned that it looked with my leg muscle mass was beginning to balance out. Next week I have my six month check up with my neurologist.

After some office work and a rest, I did get in a good workout at the pool. I then attended a community event at CSU. I met a few of the women on the volleyball team. I believe the volleyball team has taller women than the basketball team. All of them were well over six feet and I was told the tallest was 6’7″!

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… The people of Joseph said, “It is true. The mountain country of Ephraim is not enough for us, but the land where the Canaanites live is dangerous. They are skilled fighters. They have powerful weapons….Joshua said to the people of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh, “There are many of you, and you have great power...You will own all of it because you will force the Canaanites to leave the land even though they have powerful weapons and are strong.”  Joshua 17:16-18 NCV

After the initial campaign to conquer the promised land, Joshua finds himself too old to continue to lead the Children of Israel in their conquest. The land is divided among the tribes of Israel and they are given the charge to “possess the land.” But we begin to read the results of their efforts.

“The army of Judah was not able to force out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem, so the Jebusites still live among the people of Judah to this day.” (Joshua 15:63)

“The Ephraimites could not force the Canaanites to leave Gezer, so the Canaanites still live among the Ephraimites today…” (Joshua 16:10)

This takes places with tribe after tribe, as a result this verse summarizes the Children of Israel in the promised land:

“When the Israelites grew strong, they forced the Canaanites to work for them, although they did not force them to leave the land.” (Joshua 17:130)

After a string of stunning and successful victories this new season for the Israelites is a reversal. We read about tribe after tribe that “couldn’t” completely conquer their enemies and so they allowed the people the Lord had devoted to destruction to remain alive and live among them. At time the Canaanites became their slaves, but in the course of time the Israelites became dominated by the Canaanites.

Although we don’t have all the details, we know what the instructions were and we see the Lord’s faithfulness under Joshua’s leadership. Cities were conquered and God’s people became enriched from the “spoils of war.” The failure to succeed was not a failure on the Lord’s part, it was a failure of leadership, a failure to trust, a failure to obey.

I believe we see that in the exchange between the elders of the tribes of Joesph and Joshua. The two tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh required more space. Joshua gave them instructions and assigned them the territory and they in turn gave excuses. “It’s a dangerous land, they have skilled fighters and powerful weapons…” The tribes had Elders, but not leaders. They had men who had seen the victories the Lord had won, but they didn’t know how to trust and follow the Lord to fight their battles and to see the victories continue.

Look how the words of Joshua contrast with the words of the Elders of the tribes, “There are many of you, and you have great power...You will own all of it because you will force the Canaanites to leave the land even though they have powerful weapons and are strong.”

Joshua tells them, “you can do it!” But they couldn’t or they wouldn’t. This failure at this critical time of transition, leads to the time of the judges. A time when the Israelites would be oppressed, they would cry out to God and God would send a leader….a leader who would trust God and that God would use to rescue them.

The Children of Israel were given the promised land, but they were not able to conquer the promised land. They gained an initial sense of prominence, but not the dominance the Lord had in mind for them. They settled for less than God’s best. They did what they could in their own strength. As a result, they became intimidated by their enemies and they settled for a policy of “peaceful coexistence.” But the peaceful coexistence turned into them being oppressed and conquered.

The challenge for us today is to be a “people of God” who will not “take our eyes off the prize.” We often view leadership as organizational, but remember, we must lead ourselves. That often comes from what is in our hearts and minds. Do we look at obstacles and become intimidated or do we look at those obstacles and affirm our faith in the Lord who “always causes us to triumph through Jesus Christ”? Are we willing to settle for less than God’s best because we failed to trust and put forth the the effort or take the steps of obedience that are required achieve the ultimate goal?

The Lord brought the Children of Israel to the promised land to conquer and possess, not to compromise and comingle. In their minds they “couldn’t” but when we take a deeper look  at what the Lord promised and what He had done for them, as they moved into their possession, we realize they “wouldn’t” take the steps necessary to accomplish God’s best, so they accepted what they could live with, and turned their backs on the One they were to live for.

Today ended up being  a full day. I began my morning with a meeting concerning an opportunity to engage in an area of interest to my and one that fits my political background.

I was able to make it to Greeley in time for most of the funeral service for Doris Buxman. Doris was a part of First Assembly in Greeley for the vast majority of her 90 years of life. The Buxman family were close friends of my wife’s family. Debbie and I were part of Doris’ Sunday School class when we were in college (a class she taught for 36 years) and I’m sure that she took credit (undoubtedly deserved) for connecting me with Debbie. She represents a life well-lived a great legacy of impact on her family and generations of others she treated like family.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “The Lord God is like a sun and shield; the Lord gives us kindness and honor. He does not hold back anything good from those whose lives are innocent.  Lord All-Powerful, happy are the people who trust you!”  Psalm 84:11,12 (NCV)

These verses are found at the end of Psalm 84. A Psalm that begins with extolling the value of the presence of the Lord.

“Lord All-Powerful, how lovely is your Temple! I want more than anything to be in the courtyards of the Lord’s Temple. My whole being wants to be with the living God.” Psa. 84:1,2NCV

So we see the Psalm begins and ends with a declaration to the “Lord All-Powerful.”

In ancient times there was nothing more powerful and mysterious than then sun. This ball of fire captivated mankind from the beginning. It became the object of worship of many cultures, most notably the Egyptians. That is why we see “darkness” as one of the plagues the Lord visited on the land when the Hebrews were captive slaves.

The sun was consistent, it came up every morning. The sun was vital for life. The sun was your greatest friend and in the desert could be your fiercest enemy. The Psalmist declares that the Lord God is “like a sun” in all its brilliance, majesty, mystery and power.

The Psalm also declares the Lord God is a “shield.” A shield is an obvious form of protection. It could provide shade from the heat of the sun, as well as protection from the attack of the enemy.

In both of these metaphors we see the Psalmist uses them in a declaration of the kindness and honor the Lord bestows on those who honor Him. Honoring the Lord, trusting in the Lord is the path to receiving the good things that come from His hand. We don’t understand all that there is to know about the majesty and greatness of our God. But as sure as you can trust the sun will rise in the east, you can trust in the faithfulness of the Lord God. As much as a soldier would trust in his shield in battle to spare his life and give him victory over his foes, you can trust in the strength and protection of the Lord in your life.

He is the Lord “All Powerful” and He is prepared to bestow His grace and honor on your life as  you seek His presence and commit your life to His ways. Remember the Lord does not hold back, from those who do not hold back from trusting Him.

My morning started out earlier than most Mondays, with my trip to Johnstown for the Larimer County Republican Breakfast meeting. The program was on Colorado’s mining industry and was very interesting and informative.

I did have my Chiropractor appointment and am getting to the end of my scheduled appointments. I was able to get to the pool for a good workout, before a nice afternoon rain shower.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you great in the opinion of all the Israelites so the people will know I am with you just as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Agreement to go to the edge of the Jordan River and stand in the water.” Joshua 3:7,8

It is interesting how the Lord reveals Himself to His leaders and the His people at critical times in the Bible. We see this in the parallels between the call and leadership of Moses and Joshua.

The Lord called Moses at a burning bush in the wilderness. The Lord told him, “take off your sandals for  you are on Holy ground.” After the crossing of the Jordan, Joshua sees a man standing with a sword. Joshua becomes aware this is an “angel of the Lord” and receives these instructions, The commander of the Lord’s army answered, “Take off your sandals, because the place where you are standing is holy.” (Joshua 5:15)

Each received God’s call, each found themselves in the presence of the Lord in a unique and special way, each one had the Lord part waters for them. For Moses, it was the Red Sea, for Joshua it was the river Jordan.

These similar miracles had to get the attention of the people and the miracle served two purposes, besides getting the people across a major obstacle to the promised land. It confirmed that the Lord was with Joshua as He was with Moses, and it demonstrated God’s power is still with His people.

 “The Lord your God caused the water to stop flowing until you finished crossing it, just as the Lord did to the Red Sea. He stopped the water until we crossed it. The Lord did this so all people would know he has great power and so you would always respect the Lord your God.’” (Joshua 4:23,24)

The time was near for Elijah to be taken to heaven. Elisha had been chosen as his successor. Interestingly enough they find themselves at the Jordan River. Here is what happens, “Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground                (2 Kings 2:8)

After  Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha picked up his cloak and found himself needing to cross back over the Jordan river, “Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over                        (2 Kings 2:13,14)

These events are unique in the Biblical narrative but should be of encouragement to us in our lives. We see that the Lord is faithful to confirm His call and His presence with His people; whether leaders, prophets or the entire congregation.

Also, take note that both the Red Sea and the Jordan represented obstacles that needed to be overcome in order to move forward in God’s plan and to receive God’s promise. We need to remember that the God of Moses, Joshua, Elijah and Elisha is still alive today. He is able to help us overcome every obstacle that stands in our way as we commit our lives to follow Him and to arrive at our final “land of promise.”

It was enjoyable to be with the Foothills Republican Club at their event last night in Morrison. It had been more than two years since I had seen many in this group. It was a nice “reunion” of sorts and everyone was very supportive and gracious. There were several current and former local, county and state elected leaders present, and I was humbled to be with them once again.

After a big day yesterday, we had a leisurely morning. We attended the late service at Timberline and then joined Doug and Ruth Clark and some friends to honor Doug and wish him a happy birthday. I made Doug’s acquaintance on Wednesday nights at Timberline this past winter and spring. Doug is the first Assemblies of God Missionary to Turkey and served in a leadership position for Assemblies of God World Missions for a number of years.

As much as it is an honor to be among and known by some publicly elected officials, it is even a greater honor to share the company of those who have impacted the world for the cause of Christ.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…“Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in front of the people, “Be strong and brave, because you will lead these people into the land the Lord promised to give their ancestors, and help them take it as their own.”  Deuteronomy 31:7 .

[The Lord said] “Joshua, be strong and brave! You must lead these people so they can take the land that I promised their fathers I would give them. Be strong and brave.” Joshua 1:6,7

“Then the people answered Joshua….We ask only that the Lord your God be with you just as he was with Moses. Whoever refuses to obey your commands or turns against you will be put to death. Just be strong and brave!” Joshua 1:16-18

The challenge of leadership can be great. The challenge of succeeding a great leader is even greater. Those who are wise seek out and listen to the advice of others as they assume a position of leadership. I can recall when I served in the Colorado House and the Republicans took over as the majority party. It was time for our members to step up into leadership positions. I remember Amy Stephens, who was the new Majority Leader, sharing about conversations and input she had sought from several former majority leaders. I remember that the impression was, “she is taking this seriously and she is prepared!”

That is the type of situation Joshua found himself in when Moses died and he assumed the leadership over God’s people. He had the responsibility of finishing the task of conquering the promised land. It was no small assignment, and even though he had been by Moses side for forty years, it was difficult to be fully prepared for the challenge.

What I noticed that caught my attention was not just the admonition, “to be strong and courageous”; but how it is repeated by three different sources. The challenge is first spoken to Joshua by Moses during the “transition of power” ceremony. Next the message is spoken by the Lord Himself, when Moses is dead, as He affirms His presence being with Joshua. Finally, the people pledge to follow Joshua’s leadership and together they say, “be strong and courageous.” 

I have received a lot of advice and input regarding my leadership as a pastor and a legislator over the years, but I never heard the same words from different sources. So. I’m confident that as Joshua began his leadership he knew if nothing else, he needed to be “strong and courageous.”

Joshua knew the challenges Moses faced in leading a reluctant and fickle group of  wilderness nomads and that would require strength of leadership, character and patience. He knew that before him would be one battle after another and that this would require a courage for himself and the people that was only possible through the Lord’s help.

After reading Joshua 1 this morning, I listen to Missionary Doug Clark this afternoon as he shared with me his own experience. Doug was a veteran and pioneer missionary to Turkey. He was in the midst of preparing for a role in a major Bible translation project. However, over the course of several months, he had three different individuals tell him that he would be the next Area Director for the Mid-East and Northern Africa. This was not a position he was seeking or even feeling that he wanted to fill. But when he received a phone call asking him to accept the position, he felt like the Lord had prepared him to be willing to accept the opportunity. He faithfully served in this leadership position for 24 years!

The Lord doesn’t always speak as vividly as three different confirmations of the same message, but when it happens, it should get our attention. If may be a call, position or challenge that we are not seeking; it may be one that we are accepting as a result of the request or selection process of others; or one that “just comes our way.” Regardless of the circumstances it is important for us not to “miss the message” and thereby miss the opportunity to be used strategically of the Lord. You can be confident that where the “Lord guides, He provides.”

Today we are headed to Denver to visit with some friends and to connect with family. This evening Debbie and I will be attending an event with one of the Jefferson County Republican clubs for an event. I will be giving the invocation. This will be the first time for me to be in a group meeting back in my “home turf” since my move the Fort Collins and my illness.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Obey the Lord your God so that all these blessings will come and stay with you…The Lord will make you like the head and not like the tail; you will be on top and not on bottom. But you must obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, being careful to keep them.” Deuteronomy 28:2,13

As Moses prepares  God’s people to enter the promised land, he lays out to them the path of success and blessing. He makes it clear the life of blessing and abundance that the Lord will provide as they put the Lord first in their life and honor and obey Him.

When you review the list of “blessings” and “curses” and then say, “make your choice”  no one would say, “I think I will take the hardship, sickness, and poverty.” But they did!

That is because the issue was not a decision of the mind, but of the heart. The decision that was not hard to make, became hard to make. Moses told the people to “choose life” and then told them what that choice involved,

“I am offering you life or death, blessings or curses. Now, choose life! … To choose life is to love the Lord your God, obey him, and stay close to him. He is your life….” Deuteronomy 30:19,20

Moses told the Children of Israel that the wandering in the wilderness was a “heart exam.” “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” (Deuteronomy 8:2)

This is why the first commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart….” But we all have a heart problem, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”  (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT) So, we see the condition of the heart determines the decisions of the mind.

That is why we see the promise of the Lord, “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” (Heb. 10:16)

This is why we use the word picture of “inviting the Lord into our heart” or “surrendering our heart to the Lord.” We can’t serve the Lord on our own strength we need help that only Jesus Christ can provide. The Apostle Paul recognized that when he wrote the Romans and said,

“I find then a law, that evil is present with me…For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  (Romans 7:21-25 NLT)

So we find that the pathway to blessing is not just understanding our choices, it is a heart that directs our thoughts and our actions. That choice of life is to choose the life that Jesus Christ offers and makes available to all. “He is your life!”