Psalm 136: 1-3
"Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits. Thank the God of all gods, His love never quits. Thank the Lord of all lords. His love never quits."
This is a little psalm of my own:
Some days it gets so bad. Some moments I feel like I have nothing to be thankful for. So right now I will find something for which to praise His beautiful and holy name. He is so precious and His love for me is way over the top and extravagant. His love for you never ends and just when you think His love has forgotten you, something happens and you smile as you remember that indeed it has not. He is everywhere. He truly deserves all of our praise, He is very worthy and all perfect.
I love Him to pieces, (more than this silly vocabulary can express) and of all the gods this broken and desperate world has created, and unfortunately worships, there is none like You, my beautiful Lord and Saviour. There is NO one like our God. Praise Him all day every day. You can escape some things, but you can't escape His love for you and the world. Every time you think of Him, love Him out loud.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
74
Luke 11: 11-13
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Jesus came and started a revolution. A revolution of crazy love from God in Heaven, as opposed to the do's and don'ts of a distant withholding presence in the sky. Once again, the crowd are gathered around Him. He has just told them that they needed to only ask their sweet, over-generous Father in Heaven for all that is in their hearts. Despite what the religious big wigs of the day preached and scared the people with, Jesus came and told them that, in fact, his Father was a DAD. He was a dad who adored his kids.
If you don't have a good dad here on earth, then maybe watch a good one around you, or give yourself the liberty to dream for a second, and imagine the best possible earthly Father you can. Take what you have imagined and multiply it by about a trillion, and that is how much your Father in heaven adores you and wants more than anything to give you all that you want. Earthly Father's, even the good ones, are lacking in their ability to give and to love and even in their desire to give to their kids. So take a moment and think about all that you need and desire, and ask your Heavenly Father for them. He wants to load you with stuff. You are not fighting Him for your destiny, and for the things you need- He is on your side. Ask Him for things.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Jesus came and started a revolution. A revolution of crazy love from God in Heaven, as opposed to the do's and don'ts of a distant withholding presence in the sky. Once again, the crowd are gathered around Him. He has just told them that they needed to only ask their sweet, over-generous Father in Heaven for all that is in their hearts. Despite what the religious big wigs of the day preached and scared the people with, Jesus came and told them that, in fact, his Father was a DAD. He was a dad who adored his kids.
If you don't have a good dad here on earth, then maybe watch a good one around you, or give yourself the liberty to dream for a second, and imagine the best possible earthly Father you can. Take what you have imagined and multiply it by about a trillion, and that is how much your Father in heaven adores you and wants more than anything to give you all that you want. Earthly Father's, even the good ones, are lacking in their ability to give and to love and even in their desire to give to their kids. So take a moment and think about all that you need and desire, and ask your Heavenly Father for them. He wants to load you with stuff. You are not fighting Him for your destiny, and for the things you need- He is on your side. Ask Him for things.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
73
Proverbs 4:8
"Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her."
Wisdom. Let wisdom have a place of honor and exaltation in your life. Put wisdom above other things that your life has become focused upon, and she will lift your life to high places. This is a no brainer argument for why we should get wisdom, reach out and take hold of her, and for the life of you, never let her go. What a beautiful promise of peace for those who figure out what wisdom is, beg God for it. The benefits of a life full of wisdom, according to this proverb, is breathtaking. High places. Honor. Take hold of wisdom and you will be flying.
"Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her."
Wisdom. Let wisdom have a place of honor and exaltation in your life. Put wisdom above other things that your life has become focused upon, and she will lift your life to high places. This is a no brainer argument for why we should get wisdom, reach out and take hold of her, and for the life of you, never let her go. What a beautiful promise of peace for those who figure out what wisdom is, beg God for it. The benefits of a life full of wisdom, according to this proverb, is breathtaking. High places. Honor. Take hold of wisdom and you will be flying.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
72
2 Chronicles 1:7-12 (The Message)
That night God appeared to Solomon. God said, "What do you want from me? Ask." Solomon answered, "You were extravagantly generous with David my father, and now you have made me king in his place. Establish, God, the words you spoke to my father, for you've given me a staggering task, ruling this mob of people. Yes, give me wisdom and knowledge as I come and go among this people—for who on his own is capable of leading these, your glorious people?" God answered Solomon, "This is what has come out of your heart: You didn't grasp for money, wealth, fame, and the doom of your enemies; you didn't even ask for a long life. You asked for wisdom and knowledge so you could govern well my people over whom I've made you king. Because of this, you get what you asked for—wisdom and knowledge. And I'm presenting you the rest as a bonus—money, wealth, and fame beyond anything the kings before or after you had or will have."
If He were to ask right here, right now, I would most probably answer to God that I wanted lots of money. I don't want to believe that I would in the heat of the moment, but I don't want to kid myself and where my heart and mind is right now. It makes me sad, but it also drives me to my knees in desperation for a heart like Solomon's. He had a heart to worship (like his dad, David) and more than that, a deep down desire to do the thing he had been called to do in the best way he could possibly do it. And all along he was very honest that it was going to take the wisdom of God to it.
The good thing is, we are all in the exact same situation as Solomon. Although most of us are not kings of millions of important people and empires, most of us are living and breathing for at least one other person's well being, and some of us are called to big tasks that we feel are too daunting, even if it's just life itself. Put yourself in Solomon's shoes and test your own heart. Are you so focused on pleasing God and fulfilling your calling that if God offered you ANYTHING IN THE WORLD, you would ask for wisdom for the job? Nothing is more annoying than the person who is really good at everything, has every ball they are juggling in perfect control and is happy all the time. And nothing is more refreshing than someone who isn't a sloppy-pathetic-feel-sorry-for-themselves-mess all the time, but walks in confidence with a thankful heart completely aware that God and His beautiful wisdom holds every piece of their lives all together.
I don't know what you're doing right now. I don't know what God is currently got you busy handling: raising kids, finishing school, leading youth group, pastoring a church, CEO of thousands of employees, trying to stay married, fighting an illness, loving an unlovely person... the list goes on. The Bible says that God will give you very liberally all the wisdom you need if you just ask Him (James 1:5). I can guarantee you, just like He was with Solomon, His heart will burst with pride and He will give you the desires of your heart as a bonus. He is with you now, so go ahead and ask.
That night God appeared to Solomon. God said, "What do you want from me? Ask." Solomon answered, "You were extravagantly generous with David my father, and now you have made me king in his place. Establish, God, the words you spoke to my father, for you've given me a staggering task, ruling this mob of people. Yes, give me wisdom and knowledge as I come and go among this people—for who on his own is capable of leading these, your glorious people?" God answered Solomon, "This is what has come out of your heart: You didn't grasp for money, wealth, fame, and the doom of your enemies; you didn't even ask for a long life. You asked for wisdom and knowledge so you could govern well my people over whom I've made you king. Because of this, you get what you asked for—wisdom and knowledge. And I'm presenting you the rest as a bonus—money, wealth, and fame beyond anything the kings before or after you had or will have."
If He were to ask right here, right now, I would most probably answer to God that I wanted lots of money. I don't want to believe that I would in the heat of the moment, but I don't want to kid myself and where my heart and mind is right now. It makes me sad, but it also drives me to my knees in desperation for a heart like Solomon's. He had a heart to worship (like his dad, David) and more than that, a deep down desire to do the thing he had been called to do in the best way he could possibly do it. And all along he was very honest that it was going to take the wisdom of God to it.
The good thing is, we are all in the exact same situation as Solomon. Although most of us are not kings of millions of important people and empires, most of us are living and breathing for at least one other person's well being, and some of us are called to big tasks that we feel are too daunting, even if it's just life itself. Put yourself in Solomon's shoes and test your own heart. Are you so focused on pleasing God and fulfilling your calling that if God offered you ANYTHING IN THE WORLD, you would ask for wisdom for the job? Nothing is more annoying than the person who is really good at everything, has every ball they are juggling in perfect control and is happy all the time. And nothing is more refreshing than someone who isn't a sloppy-pathetic-feel-sorry-for-themselves-mess all the time, but walks in confidence with a thankful heart completely aware that God and His beautiful wisdom holds every piece of their lives all together.
I don't know what you're doing right now. I don't know what God is currently got you busy handling: raising kids, finishing school, leading youth group, pastoring a church, CEO of thousands of employees, trying to stay married, fighting an illness, loving an unlovely person... the list goes on. The Bible says that God will give you very liberally all the wisdom you need if you just ask Him (James 1:5). I can guarantee you, just like He was with Solomon, His heart will burst with pride and He will give you the desires of your heart as a bonus. He is with you now, so go ahead and ask.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
71
Proverbs 4:7
"Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding."
Above and beyond it all: get wisdom. This proverb is dedicated to beating into our often thick skulls that wisdom is the basis of a whole, Godly and rich life. We spend our whole lives driven by a desire to go places, to get stuff. From babies reaching out their hands for things on adult coffee tables, or using all the energy their little bodies can muster up to crawl to their destination, to adults climbing up the ladders of their occupational industries, to couples trying to conceive a baby, to parents trying to get food on the table for their families... we all want things. And here, the Bible explains to us that getting stuff is fine and obviously a normal human function, however the thing we should put most of our energy into getting is WISDOM. WISDOM. WISDOM. WISDOM. I wish I had room to write out this entire chapter of Proverbs because the wonder and magic of wisdom is breathtaking. The liberty, the protection, the grace, the happiness, and the abundance of a life with wisdom at the helm is the richest life God has to offer. Don't play dumb and make bad choices because it's the easy way out and it seems cool. Stupidity and consequences that result from poor choices lead to a dark and lacking life. You have the Holy Spirit in you, and He will give you wisdom if you ask Him for it.
Where do we find wisdom? I think a good place to start is being a little bit scared-in-a-good-way of God. Psalm 111:10 says that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom." Start with that and build from a little healthy fear of God. Among all the things you feel God calling you to get in this life, go hardest after wisdom. She will keep you.
"Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding."
Above and beyond it all: get wisdom. This proverb is dedicated to beating into our often thick skulls that wisdom is the basis of a whole, Godly and rich life. We spend our whole lives driven by a desire to go places, to get stuff. From babies reaching out their hands for things on adult coffee tables, or using all the energy their little bodies can muster up to crawl to their destination, to adults climbing up the ladders of their occupational industries, to couples trying to conceive a baby, to parents trying to get food on the table for their families... we all want things. And here, the Bible explains to us that getting stuff is fine and obviously a normal human function, however the thing we should put most of our energy into getting is WISDOM. WISDOM. WISDOM. WISDOM. I wish I had room to write out this entire chapter of Proverbs because the wonder and magic of wisdom is breathtaking. The liberty, the protection, the grace, the happiness, and the abundance of a life with wisdom at the helm is the richest life God has to offer. Don't play dumb and make bad choices because it's the easy way out and it seems cool. Stupidity and consequences that result from poor choices lead to a dark and lacking life. You have the Holy Spirit in you, and He will give you wisdom if you ask Him for it.
Where do we find wisdom? I think a good place to start is being a little bit scared-in-a-good-way of God. Psalm 111:10 says that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom." Start with that and build from a little healthy fear of God. Among all the things you feel God calling you to get in this life, go hardest after wisdom. She will keep you.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
70
Psalm 1:4 (the Message)
"You are not at all like the wicked..."
The first Psalm of this precious jam-packed book (Psalms) sets up the differences between the wicked and the Godly. It establishes how the Godly (you and me) should live our lives, and the beautiful consequences we get to enjoy. This is one of my top fave's of the book of Psalms. It very simply says how our lives are to be enmeshed in the company of God and the things that He loves. It promises us a rich, delicious life full of life and love and prosperity as we day and night feed off the precious holy Word of God.
And this little line that I have highlighted caught my eye. "You are not at all like the wicked..." Chew on that for a little while. It's a beautiful reality in an evil world we have to live in. Ask yourself if you love Jesus, and thank Him that you are not like the wicked. Then ask yourself if you are in fact a little bit like the wicked in any or a few ways. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can be more centered on and devoted to and thrilled by God's Word, like the psalmist describes you to be.
Then the kicker is that everything you do will prosper. God will chart the road you take.
"You are not at all like the wicked..."
The first Psalm of this precious jam-packed book (Psalms) sets up the differences between the wicked and the Godly. It establishes how the Godly (you and me) should live our lives, and the beautiful consequences we get to enjoy. This is one of my top fave's of the book of Psalms. It very simply says how our lives are to be enmeshed in the company of God and the things that He loves. It promises us a rich, delicious life full of life and love and prosperity as we day and night feed off the precious holy Word of God.
And this little line that I have highlighted caught my eye. "You are not at all like the wicked..." Chew on that for a little while. It's a beautiful reality in an evil world we have to live in. Ask yourself if you love Jesus, and thank Him that you are not like the wicked. Then ask yourself if you are in fact a little bit like the wicked in any or a few ways. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can be more centered on and devoted to and thrilled by God's Word, like the psalmist describes you to be.
Then the kicker is that everything you do will prosper. God will chart the road you take.
Monday, March 1, 2010
69
Lamentations 3:22-23
"Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
Whether you believe it or not, God is holding every piece of this whole thing together. He sees the world and our little lives from a perspective much higher than ours. His compassion toward the human race is more radical than anything we can fit into our little bitty minds. He adores you, and every time He looks at you He falls more in love with you. When you come to Him broken because of the darkness and evil upon which you acted out, His heart is broken.
And when we wake up every morning all the bad stuff that we did the day before is gone. Gone. Our sweet Bible says He throws all of our evil and mistakes and shortcomings into the depths of the sea where it is forgotten... Humans are unable to forgive like He forgives. Humans are unable to completely forget and renew such powerful and perfect love. Humans are incapable of mercy and grace as grand as this. But He is kind and loyal and He is the ultimate Savior King. Because of His undying faithfulness and loyalty, every morning He pours buckets of love and mercy on our precious little souls.
We are free because He sticks close to us and never stops believing in us and our hearts. Keep short accounts with God. Pour out the bad stuff (big and small) before Him everyday, be done with it and try not to do it again. He hears, forgives and it is gone forever.
"Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
Whether you believe it or not, God is holding every piece of this whole thing together. He sees the world and our little lives from a perspective much higher than ours. His compassion toward the human race is more radical than anything we can fit into our little bitty minds. He adores you, and every time He looks at you He falls more in love with you. When you come to Him broken because of the darkness and evil upon which you acted out, His heart is broken.
And when we wake up every morning all the bad stuff that we did the day before is gone. Gone. Our sweet Bible says He throws all of our evil and mistakes and shortcomings into the depths of the sea where it is forgotten... Humans are unable to forgive like He forgives. Humans are unable to completely forget and renew such powerful and perfect love. Humans are incapable of mercy and grace as grand as this. But He is kind and loyal and He is the ultimate Savior King. Because of His undying faithfulness and loyalty, every morning He pours buckets of love and mercy on our precious little souls.
We are free because He sticks close to us and never stops believing in us and our hearts. Keep short accounts with God. Pour out the bad stuff (big and small) before Him everyday, be done with it and try not to do it again. He hears, forgives and it is gone forever.
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