Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back. James 5:16, 19; Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25 Saturday I met with my Kairos brothers. I have skipped the last two Kairos retreats so I have been many months away. I didn’t realize how much I missed the interaction. Kairos is a ministry, but the gathered participants are really a Christian Accountability group in the best sense of that term. It was great to be back together. There’s much scriptural support for […]
Footprints – Devotional for Sunday, May 16, 2011
Footprints in the Sand One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?” The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you.” Mary Stevenson Yesterday I attended the first preparation meeting for Kairos #52. We did the Footprints in the Sand exercise. I have done this many times before and its various lessons always come through: 1. God […]
Holy Boot Camp – Devotional for Saturday, May 14, 2011
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 What do you want in a church? Don’t read any further. Think about that for a second and come up with an answer. Our answer to that question says more about us than it does about what church should be. What was your response? Do you want your church to be a place you can feel at home, kind of a holy “Cheers?” Should it be a place where you can hear a nice sermon, be with friends, have your needs met? As good and proper as these goals sound, they don’t resemble the church God intended. It was never supposed to be a place we go to, but […]
No Devotional for Friday – May 13, 2011 = Whose to Blame?
Blogger – The service through which I do my daily postings has been out for about a day. This worked out well for me since I was struggling with something good to post yesterday. God works in mysterious ways. So it wasn’t because it was Friday the 13th. Blame it on Blogger or Blame it on Nick. Nick
Promise of a Safe Arrival – Devotional for Thursday, May 12, 2011
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.—Isaiah 43:2 Rose and I are in Houston tonight. Her sister had a training session here and we agreed to drive with her. On the way into town I saw a billboard which reads something to the effect that God didn’t promise smooth sailing just a safe arrival. This is a point the disciples missed as they tossed in the violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. They had gotten into the boat in response to Jesus suggestion that they cross over to the other side. When the storm came up, they forgot all about the promised destination and, not surprisingly, focused on the immediate danger. Jesus responds “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). God promises not only a wonderful destination but safe passage. The passage may not alway seem safe but His presence guarantees it. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you […]
Fear God – Devotional for Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Romans 3:11There is none who understands,There is none who seeks for God;12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;There is none who does good,There is not even one.”13 “Their throat is an open grave,With their tongues they keep deceiving,”“The poison of asps is under their lips”;14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood,16 Destruction and misery are in their paths,17 And the path of peace have they not known.”18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” “Fear of God” seems like such an antiquated, Old Testament phrase. Something that is out of sync with the modern world. After all, our God is a God of Love. This fear of God thing may be appropriate to Muslims and their Allah, but certainly not the God who provides our every need and just wants us to be rich and famous. (can you read the sarcasm?) And yet the first 17 verses of Chapter 3 of Romans is such an accurate description of our world: no understanding, no seeking of God, uselessness, lack of do gooding, deceit, cursing, bitterness, shedding of blood, destruction, misery and lack of peace. Yes, check; […]
Grab the Oxygen Mask – Devotional for Tuesday, May 10, 2011
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Psalm 23 I used to fly often. After just a few flights the instructions given by the flight attendant as the plane moves out to the runway are ignored. One of the things I am told is that if the cabin lost pressure, I should put on my mask and then put the mask on any children traveling with me. This seemed a bit strange to me at first. Shouldn’t I take care of the kids first, then put on my mask. But there is an important concept here. If we don’t make sure we are hooked up, we will be in no condition to take care of anyone. We need to be rested and connected to be of any good. The Good Shepherd knows the importance of rested sheep. He makes me lie down for the important rest I need. As Christians we need rest for at least five reasons: 1. Nourishment. We have all […]
ABCs of Parenthood – Devotional for Monday, May 9, 2011
While researching for my Mother’s Day devotional I came across the ABCs of Parenthood. I am always cautious about parenting tips. Parents are so different as are kids. We are often sensitive about our parenting, perhaps thinking deep down that it should come naturally and yet we so often don’t have a clue. So consider these thoughts: Do you know what children need? A – B – C: Acceptance, Belonging, Confidence ACCEPTANCE We all need to feel that people love and accept us for who we are. This requires that we know others and that we are known. It seems obvious that we should know our kids, but they often surprise us. Like with other people, we often make assumptions. If they aren’t doing well in school, we can assume that they aren’t applying themselves, when maybe they are reacting to a bullying situation. We can adopt a “squeaky wheel” approach thinking if they aren’t saying anything everything must be fine. Kids need to trust their parents, to know that they can tell them anything. That takes time, quality time, time when the child is the only focus, not today’s concerns or tomorrow’s plans. BELONGING I had eight brothers and sisters. My folks never […]