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Filmmakers use a camera technique called focus pull where they switch focus from the back to the front of the frame (or visa-versa); in so doing blurring the images no longer in focus. It’s a wonderful effect to quickly isolate attention to a single object.
Philippians 4:8 directs us as believers to refocus our gaze, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
When we hone in on something specific, it’s amazing how everything else around fades to the background. God knows we crave purpose and direction and has abundantly provided us many true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy things to embrace. Throughout the course of our day, we will invest our time, energy and effort into something, God simply encourages us to choose the right things.
We have all heard the saying, “garbage in, garbage out.” This means that we will reflect back that which we take in. When our focus is on the pure and righteous things of this world than our entire life will display God’s goodness.
(Prayer): Father, there is no higher aspiration than to be like you. Help us to adjust our life focus from the things of this world to things of your kingdom. May we submerge ourselves in the lovely and praiseworthy aspects of who you are and share this excellence with others. In Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Friday, January 25, 2019
Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto
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We should all remember, even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. In Genesis 2:18 (NIV) “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” God created us not to dwell in isolation. This doesn’t dictate we must be married (although this is a wonderful option) but does indicate that we are encouraged to cultivate close meaningful relationships with one another.
Recently, I had an inpatient dental procedure requiring my wife to remain at the dentist office while I underwent the tooth removal, as she needed to drive me home, since I was given anesthesia, and couldn’t drive myself. I wondered what I would have done if I didn’t have her, I thought I would probably have to hire an Uber driver to wait at the dentist’s office and then drive me home.
We all need friends for more than transporting us to the dentist and helping us move furniture. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Friends, Mates and Amigos are vital, as we all need people to whom we can be real and who in turn will share the truth in love with us. God intended for us to grow in Him and see the reality of this growth as we love and relate to one another.
(Prayer): Lord, thank you for the people you have put in my life. Help me grow deeper in my relationships, so I too may draw closer to you in more meaningful ways. Thank you, in Jesus name. Amen.
We should all remember, even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. In Genesis 2:18 (NIV) “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” God created us not to dwell in isolation. This doesn’t dictate we must be married (although this is a wonderful option) but does indicate that we are encouraged to cultivate close meaningful relationships with one another.
Recently, I had an inpatient dental procedure requiring my wife to remain at the dentist office while I underwent the tooth removal, as she needed to drive me home, since I was given anesthesia, and couldn’t drive myself. I wondered what I would have done if I didn’t have her, I thought I would probably have to hire an Uber driver to wait at the dentist’s office and then drive me home.
We all need friends for more than transporting us to the dentist and helping us move furniture. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Friends, Mates and Amigos are vital, as we all need people to whom we can be real and who in turn will share the truth in love with us. God intended for us to grow in Him and see the reality of this growth as we love and relate to one another.
(Prayer): Lord, thank you for the people you have put in my life. Help me grow deeper in my relationships, so I too may draw closer to you in more meaningful ways. Thank you, in Jesus name. Amen.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
A Soft Word
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Proverbs 15:1 (ESV) advises us that “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” It is truly amazing how our simple choice of words (and tone) can escalate or diminish the nature of any discussion. When my wife and I are having a serious talk and I’m feeling a little feisty, I’m sometimes tempted to offer key responses that I know can truly change the course of our conversation. Thankfully, in most cases, wisdom prevails and I hold my tongue. When I don’t, it is like throwing fuel on a fire.
The Bible speaks often about the power of our speech and how we are to wield it carefully. Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) warns, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it eat its fruit.” There is so little in this world that we actually have the opportunity and power to influence, however, what we say and how we say it is an area, that if exercised wisely, can impact others with amazing results.
I’ll conclude with an encouragement from James 3:2 (ESV) “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to also bridle his whole body.”
Proverbs 15:1 (ESV) advises us that “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” It is truly amazing how our simple choice of words (and tone) can escalate or diminish the nature of any discussion. When my wife and I are having a serious talk and I’m feeling a little feisty, I’m sometimes tempted to offer key responses that I know can truly change the course of our conversation. Thankfully, in most cases, wisdom prevails and I hold my tongue. When I don’t, it is like throwing fuel on a fire.
The Bible speaks often about the power of our speech and how we are to wield it carefully. Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) warns, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it eat its fruit.” There is so little in this world that we actually have the opportunity and power to influence, however, what we say and how we say it is an area, that if exercised wisely, can impact others with amazing results.
I’ll conclude with an encouragement from James 3:2 (ESV) “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to also bridle his whole body.”
(Prayer): Lord, help me to be slow to speak, quick to listen and careful with my response. May my words be seasoned with grace so that all who may hear will be blessed and built up by the things I share. Thank you, in Jesus precious name I pray. Amen.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Angry like the Almighty
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I must confess that I often get angry but rarely how the Bible describes in Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” My anger is usually in response to personal inconveniences not righteous injustice, which is a worthy cause for wrath according to God’s Word.
My tyranny most often flares up when I’m driving and those around me don’t meet up with my selfish standards for automotive etiquette. This kind of rage definitely roars down the road toward sin instead of righteous indignation, which is slow to build as it is tempered by the Father’s heart of grace.
Avoiding anger that leads to sin is really a matter of being angry at the right things, that which maligns God’s goodness and attacks His holiness. When our hearts become filled with concern over the perversion of God’s perfection than our anger will be rightly placed when expressed. In so doing, our focus on personal matters, and the resulting sin that comes from self-centeredness, will diminish as we instead focus on God’s righteousness.
(Prayer): Lord help us to love the things you love, hate the things you hate and express anger only in righteous ways. Let selfish concerns decrease as we focus on your goodness and truth. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
I must confess that I often get angry but rarely how the Bible describes in Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” My anger is usually in response to personal inconveniences not righteous injustice, which is a worthy cause for wrath according to God’s Word.
My tyranny most often flares up when I’m driving and those around me don’t meet up with my selfish standards for automotive etiquette. This kind of rage definitely roars down the road toward sin instead of righteous indignation, which is slow to build as it is tempered by the Father’s heart of grace.
Avoiding anger that leads to sin is really a matter of being angry at the right things, that which maligns God’s goodness and attacks His holiness. When our hearts become filled with concern over the perversion of God’s perfection than our anger will be rightly placed when expressed. In so doing, our focus on personal matters, and the resulting sin that comes from self-centeredness, will diminish as we instead focus on God’s righteousness.
(Prayer): Lord help us to love the things you love, hate the things you hate and express anger only in righteous ways. Let selfish concerns decrease as we focus on your goodness and truth. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Redemption
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When I was a kid I used to collect empty soda and beer cans because growing up in Iowa we got five cents for every can recycled. One time, I received over $85 from the redemption center from collecting hundreds of cans that filled up nearly five four-foot tall garbage bags. I rescued cans from the bottom of garbage bins and along ditches beside the road where people carelessly discarded them, unaware of their intrinsic value. Is it any wonder I later became a pastor, practicing redemption from such a young age?
Not that I did the redeeming, that is Jesus department as Ephesians 1:7 says “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Yet, like Christ, I saw value in what the world considered refuse. The word redemption means to “regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment.” Through the payment of Christ’s life we regain our lost possession of an unhindered relationship with God.
The saddest part of our unredeemed condition is we don’t even know what we have lost and that we are lost. We live in ignorance that we once possessed a glorious connection to the God of the universe. It’s only through the Holy Spirit that we become aware of our true condition. John 16:13 proclaims, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” The Holy Spirit shows us that we are not worthless debris to be thrown away, but instead a priced possession to be redeemed. Christ’s primary purpose is revealed in Luke 19:10 which says, “ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
(Prayer): Thank you Holy Spirit for revealing the truth. Thank you Jesus for loving us, for coming after us, for giving your life for us and paying the price so we could regain possession of our eternal relationship with God the Father. Amen.
When I was a kid I used to collect empty soda and beer cans because growing up in Iowa we got five cents for every can recycled. One time, I received over $85 from the redemption center from collecting hundreds of cans that filled up nearly five four-foot tall garbage bags. I rescued cans from the bottom of garbage bins and along ditches beside the road where people carelessly discarded them, unaware of their intrinsic value. Is it any wonder I later became a pastor, practicing redemption from such a young age?
Not that I did the redeeming, that is Jesus department as Ephesians 1:7 says “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Yet, like Christ, I saw value in what the world considered refuse. The word redemption means to “regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment.” Through the payment of Christ’s life we regain our lost possession of an unhindered relationship with God.
The saddest part of our unredeemed condition is we don’t even know what we have lost and that we are lost. We live in ignorance that we once possessed a glorious connection to the God of the universe. It’s only through the Holy Spirit that we become aware of our true condition. John 16:13 proclaims, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” The Holy Spirit shows us that we are not worthless debris to be thrown away, but instead a priced possession to be redeemed. Christ’s primary purpose is revealed in Luke 19:10 which says, “ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
(Prayer): Thank you Holy Spirit for revealing the truth. Thank you Jesus for loving us, for coming after us, for giving your life for us and paying the price so we could regain possession of our eternal relationship with God the Father. Amen.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
The Deaf Shall Hear!
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Jesus performed many miracles, Mark 7:37 records that the “People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” In Jesus day, the crowds were truly astounded when they witnessed his actions.
In our day, we are rarely impressed, however if you do a search on YouTube for “baby hears for the first time” you can watch videos of small children receiving hearing aids and their reactions when they hear the sounds of their loved ones for the very first time. It is truly priceless and evokes a similar response as those who witnessed Jesus perform miracles.
This is not to say that technology has replaced Jesus, it just means that Father continues to bless us through science, medicine as well as modern day miracles. We shouldn’t discount one avenue just because another is utilized to deliver the same gifts of grace.
Jesus performed many miracles, Mark 7:37 records that the “People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” In Jesus day, the crowds were truly astounded when they witnessed his actions.
In our day, we are rarely impressed, however if you do a search on YouTube for “baby hears for the first time” you can watch videos of small children receiving hearing aids and their reactions when they hear the sounds of their loved ones for the very first time. It is truly priceless and evokes a similar response as those who witnessed Jesus perform miracles.
This is not to say that technology has replaced Jesus, it just means that Father continues to bless us through science, medicine as well as modern day miracles. We shouldn’t discount one avenue just because another is utilized to deliver the same gifts of grace.
Mark 7:34-35 recounts the moment of Jesus actual miracle as “He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.” Jesus words are simple instructions for us today, “be open to the move of Christ in any way and through any means he chooses to act and we too may excitedly exclaim, “The deaf shall hear!”
(Prayer): Lord, work in my life in any way you desire. Reveal any barriers that have prevented you from moving fully and freely, and help me to remove them. In your mighty name I pray. Amen.
(Prayer): Lord, work in my life in any way you desire. Reveal any barriers that have prevented you from moving fully and freely, and help me to remove them. In your mighty name I pray. Amen.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Being Present in the Now
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It is easy to be concerned about tomorrow (how will I pay my bills or when will I meet that special someone?) that sometimes we forget to be present in the now. When our thoughts for the future consume us, concern turns to worry, worry turns to anxiety and anxiety can render us utterly ineffective in being able to address the tasks at hand. I often find my gaze stuck in the forward position, always dreaming of what will be and absent from what actually is. In order to re-align my perspective I latched onto the phrase “being present in the now”.
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The “all these things” spoken of here concerns “life, body, food and clothes,” the same things we strive after. We are encouraged that our worry for them will diminish when we instead focus on the life of our soul and the purposes of Christ in us. When our priority is kingdom business and walking in obedience to God’s plan, than the blessed by-product is the release of God’s provision for life’s necessities.
Being present in the now is an awareness of what God requires of us today so we can adequately build for tomorrow. Matthew 6 goes on in verse 34 and reminds us: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” When we focus on the future it’s as though we are inviting the problems of tomorrow to be added to the challenges we are already facing today. This of course, would be silly, a waste of time, and highly unproductive. Let us instead, be fully present in the now and seek only those things that concern what Christ is doing in and through our lives today.
(Prayer): “Lord we ask you to would help us keep our gaze fixed upon you so we don’t miss a single opportunity to walk in your purposes and to partner with the promise of your provisions. Thank you and we pray this in Jesus name. Amen.
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