Want others to Know

"Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Daniel 3:15-18

Lord, do things get worse than that?  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in a terrible situation.  They had refused to worship the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had raised up.  The magnanimous king gave them a second chance: worship the statue or die.


Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had no specific promise from You, Lord, that you would save them from this threat.  Yet they didn't flinch.  They didn't even TRY to defend themselves, because of their understanding of  your power and your worth. They were armed with the  knowledge that You could save, and they knew that you do not forget your own.   


Despite their dire situation, their priority was wanting the king to know about their loyalty to the Living God. They wanted their enemy to have a very clear picture of the truth: these 3 men would give the king civil allegiance, but they would not worship his gods.  Only the Living God would receive  devotion from them.


I think there are two things going on here.  1) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego  honored You by offering themselves as living sacrifices. Give me this boldness to actively cherish You above all else no matter what the cost. 2) Speaking Your truth in the midst of difficulty created a platform for the King and his court to understand your power and greatness. I also want others to know about my faithfulness to You. 

Keep Silent

"The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent."

Exodus 14:14 (and see Exodus14:25 as well)

Keep silent.  Be still...


OK, Lord.  I do this best when I'm sleeping.  Otherwise, whew!  I'm so full of myself, my opinions, my agenda that words just spew out all the time.  It's like I've always got a reservoir of remarks waiting to push over the spillway...


Keep silent. Be still...


OK, Lord.  You're telling me you've got it under control.  You don't need my help.  You don't want my help.  You want my attention.   


Keep silent. Be still... 


OK, Lord.  Otherwise, I'll miss seeing your deliverance.

Stand By

"Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today..."

Exodus 14:13

Lord, we Americans are really good at standing by and seeing things like college football, for instance.  In some ways, our culture is all about being a spectator. However, in the realm of crisis, we find that simply standing by and watching makes us crazy.   We hate that feeling of helplessness when calamity strikes.  We feel frantic if we can't do something to help.


Those Israelites standing at the edge of the Red Sea with the Egyptian army rumbling toward them in chariots must have been beside themselves.  Yet, Moses' advice was, 'Don't worry; watch and see what God's going to do.'   


Holy Father, sometimes there is nothing we can do to save.  But we know You, the good, powerful, and living God who is in charge of it all. So Moses' counsel still rings true, no matter what the situation.  Let us marshall our emotions and thoughts, clinging to the truth that You can save.*  


Sometimes you reach in and deliver us in the most astonishing ways!  Sometimes you free us from our circumstance.  Sometimes you free us in and through our circumstance.  Either way, let us stand by and see  your saving work.


* God is with us when we suffer and He promises that those believers who suffer don't do it for nothing. So what happens when the rescue we're looking for doesn't occur?   Check out my brother's video called "Is God Good?" for more on this difficult topic:


 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfd_1UAjeIA&feature=related

Take Captive

‘We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’

2 Corinthians 10:5

Father, you desire  outward and inward obedience.  Both actions and thoughts are involved in this kinetic submission to your Lordship. My natural tendency is to let my thoughts wander... drift... daydream.  Passive rebellion?

It's astounding how much time can be wasted brooding in 'the drift'.  What if blah, blah, blah...then I could blah blah blah.  If only I hadn't blah blah blah.  I also marvel at how far astray I can end up if I deviate even slightly from Your solid truth.  Christ crucified and risen must be my center.


Paul, on the other hand, seems very purposeful and intentional with his thinking. It's almost like he's staged a coup in his mind that establishes the priority of immediate obedience to Christ.  Paul entertains no wishful musings, what ifs, false rationalizations, or vain notions.  He measures life by the standard of the Gospel of Christ.


Lord, remind me to measure every thought against your truth.  Bring me back when You see me distracted or dissipated in my views.  Give me the guts to aggressively tear down systems of thought that set themselves up against knowledge of You.  Empower me to constrain my thought-life to conform to Your way, Your truth, and Your life.

Want to do Good

"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me."  

Romans 7:21

Do I REALLY want to do good?  Yes!  And... no.  Paul dialogues the inner struggle so well!  Like him, my heart is corrupt.  And down deep, I think we'd all rather be God than be good.  That's sort of the Garden of Eden dilemma, isn't it?


Thanks be to You, God, that you rescue me in this continual struggle.  Give me the power to both want and do your will moment by moment!

Teach New Disciples

"Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given to you."

Matthew 28:20

That seems easy.  If I just tell young believers the principles in Your Word , they'll do it, right?  Not so much...  Teaching and telling are not synonyms.  And simple commands often contain hidden levels of complexity.


"Put on your shoes!"  Lord - it's something I tell my kids every day.  You'd think it was a no-brainer command.  However, that is not the case.   What's involved?  First, the kid has to FIND the shoes.  No, no - first, the kid has to be WILLING to find the shoes now instead of continuing in his present course.  So, when the child hears a command like that from me, in his heart he has to say something like, "OK, because Mom told me  and I love her, I'll be glad to do it.  I'll  make her agenda my priority now." 


First he has to be willing.  Second, he must recognize the unspoken subcommand - he has to find the shoes.  Compliance comes more easily when he has established routines.  My kid has to have the  habit of putting his shoes away in a certain spot if he wants to be ready obey the command that he knows will come at some point in the day.  


Lastly, the kid's got to follow through; actually get the shoes on his feet.  He can't be distracted by the marbles on his closet floor, or by the telephone ringing.  He has to be on it!


People need practice at obeying even simple commands.  Telling isn't enough; teaching involves one person giving practice and patiently correcting problems, and the other person offering a willing heart and immediate action.   Teaching involves time.  Teaching a new disciple is an investment.   Lord, I  am willing.  Show me new routines to establish in my daily life that will put me in a position to obey at the drop of a hat. Help me to follow through, because your commands are my priority.   Lord, renew my dedication to teaching the younger disciples in my life.  

Do As Jesus Did

"For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did."

John 13:15

Lord Jesus, You spoke these words to your disciples right after you washed their feet.  You came to serve;  You came to love your own to the fullest extent.  And You called them (and by extension, me) to do as You did.  Washing feet is humble work, especially for a teacher who washes the feet of his rather dense students.  Yet in this case, astoundingly, You also washed the feet of one student whom You knew to be plotting your demise AND one student whom You knew would deny You.  


The love you call your disciples to imitate is not always  warm & fuzzy love.  It's self-sacrificial and demanding. In this humble service, you loved your disciples in a peculiar and particular way that provoked consternation, questions, and thought.    You even asked them, "Do you know what I have done to you?"  In other words, 'Why do you think the Son of God would perform this lowly task?'   Maybe your act seemed reckless or foolish... prodigal even...  Certainly it was baffling, and the disciples gave no answer at the time. 


I think I know what you did to them.  You gave an example of loving and serving with grace and without pride.  The disciples didn't deserve your service.  You loved them despite their lowly position, despite their impending betrayals and denials.  You loved them fully, no holding back.  You love me fully, no reservations; not because I deserve it, but because of your astonishing grace.


Lord Jesus, empower me to love and serve others profoundly, not looking to reward those who deserve it; but rather seeking to imitate and be a conduit of your love and grace so that others would know You.

Have No Other Gods

“ You shall have no other gods before Me."

Exodus 20:3

Lord, You're not some cosmic kill-joy.  No.  When you issue commands you've got good in mind, not drudgery.  Actually, you've got BEST in mind.  Some of the things that get between me & You are good: family, exercise, cooking, work, reading, music, etc.  But they're really not even close to best.  You are best.    "Sin is not just the doing of bad things, but the making of good things into ultimate things."*

I confess that I make good things into the ultimate thing. Often my appetite for Your good gifts overshadows my love for You, the Giver.  But I was made to love You and build my whole life on You - not on work, education, talents,  kids, home, hobbies, vacations, or friends.  You.  Peerless.  You.

Forgive me and please continue to reveal Yourself to me.  Show me how to live this command day by day.

* Timothy Keller p.168 Reason for God

Ask in Prayer

'All the things you ask in prayer, believing,  you will receive.'

Matt 21:22

It's not fashionable to ask for things, even in prayer, Lord.  I was taught several formulas for prayer (like ACTS: Acclamation, Thanksgiving, Confession, Supplication) that stress praise & minimize requests.    These formulas are valid - I see them modeled in the Psalms and in the Lord's Prayer. 


But, here's the thing - You teach me to ask, and even to be persistent as I pray. I sometimes resist, in my foolish pride, because I hate to acknowledge my need. I want to take care of the 'little things' on my own without 'bothering' You. Yet James tells me that 'you do not have because you do not ask'.  Paul says to make requests with thanksgiving when I'm anxious.  And Jesus, in the book of Matthew, You promise that 'all things you ask in prayer, believing,  you will receive.'  


So... why don't I ask more?  Asking implies change.  Asking takes focus. Asking takes time.  Asking takes humility.    Asking takes believing.  Ahh.  There's some inertia to be overcome.  I resist change; even good change!


Lord Jesus, thankfully, you provide the faith to believe. (Ephesians 2:8,9)  That's the hinge on which this whole prayer-thing turns.  For my part, I must take the time to focus AND yield to my humble position as a petitioner approaching Your throne of grace.  Lord in Your mercy, hear my prayer.

Don't Lose Heart

"We do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

2 Cor 4:16

Why do we not lose heart, Lord?  Why should I continue to hope in the face of pressing,  perplexing need and sadness?   What keeps the Apostle Paul from despair when he's persecuted and struck down?  Why should I keep believing I can succeed? 


I guess the answer's in the verse: 'inwardly we are being renewed day by day.' It's true. Because the verb is passive - 'are being renewed' -  the grammar begs the question: who is doing the renewing?  You, of course, Lord God, are the active one here.  You are the Renewer. Despair has no claim on a believer's heart.  You equip me with your spiritual armor so that my mind and heart ever cling to the hope that is in You. 'We do not lose heart' because You are acting in our lives day by day.  

Be Faithful with Money

"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much...if you haven't been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon*, who will entrust the true riches to you? 

Luke 16:10,11

So here's the thing... In this chapter, Jesus tells the story of the dishonest manager and the 'very little thing' Jesus refers to is MONEY. 

This is revolutionary!  Already, Lord,  I suspect that my priorities are not your priorities, because to me money is not a 'very little thing'.  "Well, alright," You might be saying to Yourself,  "Since Jane views money as a big deal thing, she's surely faithful in it.  Right?"  Uh oh, again. 

There's a constant struggle going on in me about money.  I'm not a total slacker  in the financial stewardship realm, and I am faithful in a general sort of way:  tithing, giving, spending carefully, no debt, etc.   Yet, though I'm often openhanded, I'd often rather be tightfisted.  I get nervous - will there be enough?  I go back and forth between freedom and fear. Generosity and greed. Yet  this whole discussion misses the point.  Everything I have is your property  anyway, Heavenly Father, to be used as You direct.

 Holy Spirit fill me so full of confidence in Your provision that I recognize that money truly is 'a very little thing' which can't be compared to 'true riches'. Then I'll be released from the grip of fear and lean toward obedience remembering that  You entrust us with things expecting us  to serve you with them.   

Your real point here seems to be that stewarding money isn't the end-goal. It's a baby step along the way toward becoming a steward of your grace.  So the question I ask is the same as that of the manager, "What shall I do?"  Your answer is, "Better late than never!"  

OK, Lord.  The time to make good use of my material possessions and money in this world is now. And my ambition is that the investment I make now in this physical world for your kingdom will provide me a grand welcome in the heavenly world in the future. Is this line of thought theologically sound, Lord? It almost feels greedy to hope for reward, yet You seem to commend this way of thinking... Hmm.

*mammon = money and material possessions

Cut it Off; Throw it Out

"Cut it off... cut it off...throw it out"

Mark 9:43, 45, 47*

What captures my attention in that passage, Lord Jesus, are Your imperatives: "Cut it off... cut it off...throw it out" They're like the Nike commercials, "Just Do It." But, I think that You're really after my scrutiny of sins that cause me to stumble. The word 'stumble' comes up 4 times! You're telling me, "Sin matters! Don't ruin your own soul!"

So, it seems like you want me to choose pain rather than sin. You want me to contemplate and recognize, then avoid and part with things which lead to my destruction. And it doesn't sound like You advocate a slow and gentle weaning process. Cut off the sin! Starve it! Get rid of it! Deny it! Yikes!

I don't like to inspect my own sins and temptations. Of course, You know this is hard and I'm sure that's why You show me the stakes here, Lord. Thank you. The reward for taking radical action is entering life. The danger for ignoring Your warning is eternal death.

I have respect for veterans, especially those wounded on the lines in patriotic service. They served their county, they held nothing back.  Perhaps the scars I bear from cutting off my sins will bring honor to You. 

*Here's the full passage from Mark 9:42-47:

⁴² “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. ⁴³ If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, ⁴⁴[where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.] ⁴⁵ If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, ⁴⁶ [where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.] ⁴⁷ If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell"

Receive Children; Don't Despise Them

"Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me."

Mark 9:37

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones..."

Matt 18:10

This seems like an odd one, Lord.  When I look for Your will and direction in my life, I guess I have preconceived notions.  In my way of thinking, Your will for me should include bigger things.  Yet you're very careful to include receiving kids in your commands to your disciples.  It's not a suggestion.


But, Lord,  receiving little children means wiping noses,  getting sweaty and dirty,  endless games of Candyland, doing crafts, and TIME.  So much time invested in little people who don't even appreciate it!  Besides, little kids are just not my thing.   Hmm - or do I despise them?  Despise means to feel contempt or disgust for something. Uh, oh.  I now see that what I've really been trying to tell You is I'd rather do something else.  In fact, something more dignified that brings accolades would be nice.   


What You're trying to tell me is if I want be great in God's kingdom,  I better roll up my sleeves, and break out the Kleenex.  You've got noses that need to be wiped, basketball games that need to be played, and paper that needs to be glued.  And - wonder of all wonders - I've seen You do this before:  as I obey, You often  convert me, making me into a person who wants what You want. In this case, You want willing,humble service to children. Let it be so.




* Mark 9 and Matt 18 both talk about Jesus's disciples wanting to be the greatest.  He responds by teaching them about humility.  Receiving kids is just one of the examples Jesus uses.

Say to the Lord, "Command me"

"[Jesus] came to them walking on the sea... Peter said to Him, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You...'" 

Matt 14:25, 27

Lord, give me Peter's zeal  that says, 'Lord, command me to do the impossible,' and then obeys the command without hesitation.  Under Your authority,  all things are possible.   Let me shift my thinking - make a leap beyond the confines of what's safe.    Sometimes, when I get an idea, I'm not sure it's You.  Maybe it's just another one of my nutty whims.  But I'll never know if I don't  take the risk to find out.  I need to say with Peter, 'Lord, if it is you...' and then obey promptly when I hear you respond with 'Come!' I wonder how often I miss out on opportunities to grow my faith because I'm too fearful or apathetic to ask for your marching orders! God, grow my faith by making me bold knowing You are with me!

Be Merciful

"On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9:12,13

Father, You desire mercy, however I lean toward sacrifice.  I derive pride and satisfaction from accomplishing tasks that seem hard and religious thinking, 'I am sooo awesome because I tithe, I study my Bible, I home-school, I (insert task here).' The stuff I'm doing is fine, but my attitude is crap sometimes.

Lord, the mercy you desire is quite a contrast to the list of duties I pridefully check off. You’re interested in mercy that only flows from a humble heart. Mercy is a compassionate and forgiving way of thinking that my behavior should reflect.  Mercy finds ways to provide relief from suffering.  Mercy absorbs debts.  Mercy involves people, not just tasks.  

Who are these people, Lord, to whom I can be merciful? Who within my sphere of influence is suffering or needs my compassion or forgiveness? It's hard to know if I don't speak to folks, isn't it?  What about the guy who bags my food at the grocery?  How is he doing today?  And my neighbor?  Oh - her dad died a couple of weeks ago.  Hmm, how about my family?  Have I 'had it up to here' with them?   What about the Somali refugee who lives 10 minutes from my home.  There's an obvious opportunity - but yikes!  She doesn't even speak English.  

The tug of spiritual inertia seems overwhelming at times to selfish me.  But what’s going on inside my soul? I forget that being concerned chiefly with my own pleasure and profit brings misery, but selflessness brings joy.   Usher my will back into line with yours so I walk in mercy, not self-righteousness.

  

Bless

"And I will make you a great nation, 

And I will bless you, 

And make your name great; 

And so you shall be a blessing..."

Genesis 12:2

Father, I was saddened to read about how some tsunami-aid workers in Japan are being hampered by a cultural norm that we call 'pay backs'.   Some victims there are unable to receive, in good conscience, the help that's offered because it puts them even deeper in debt than they already are.  Social obligation chains them to poverty.


We all do this to some degree.  We hate to owe hospitality or help to anyone.  But it's a rough way to live!  How much better to pay forward* instead of keeping a tally of IOU's. What if I receive a favor with an open hand and instead of returning the blessing, I simply say, "thank you," then send some grace on to someone else?  Eventually, you change whole communities with this paying forward way of life that has it's source in Christ.  "We love because he first loved us."


Lord, you fill us up so we can bless others, not so we can play some kind of mutual happiness game of ping-pong with our buddies. Our pride is often the source of this whole trying to keep even scenario.  Help us swallow our pride and, rather than paying back, pay forward with blessings that you supply.




*From the commencement speech that Woody Hayes delivered at OSU in 1986, where he (mis)quoted R.W. Emerson:  "You can pay back only seldom but You can always pay forward, "Beware of too much good accumulating in your palm..."   

Hope

  "The LORD delights in those who fear him,

       who put their hope in his unfailing love."

Psalm 147:11 

So here's thing, Lord:  fear and despair always seem to be 'on the creep' in my life.  These two are the exact opposite of hope.  They have no place in a heart that is loved by Jesus.  Yet often I feel apprehensive about the future; I wonder if I measure up; I worry about failing.  I sometimes grow weary of the daily grind; I feel oppressed by the pain, cruelty, and disease in the world.  What is my problem?!

I think the answer is in the first part of the verse.  The psalmist writes that there IS one kind of fear that actually complements hope.  Holy Father, you DELIGHT in those who fear you!    That's it!  I'm fearing the wrong stuff. 

And if I'm fearing the wrong stuff, I bet I'm pinning my hopes on the wrong stuff, too.   I often depend on myself.  I hope  that my portfolio, my skills, and my winning personality will take care of my needs.  I  have a knack for leaning too much on others thinking that their advice,  talents, and presence will guard and guide me.  But you say to place my hope in your unfailing love.   You even say that I give you great pleasure  when I do this.  Wow.  Whenever your Word tells me about a way to bring you joy, I'd better pay attention!

Lord, remind me to continually expect good from you.  When I take time to consider You and the work of Your hands,  I find myself completely lost in wonder and admiration for You. I can walk through my days with joy and hope because Your love never fails.  

And how cool is it,  Lord, that MY hope and awe please you!  

Fear, Give, and Pray

 Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to theJewish people and prayed to God continually. 

 Acts 10:1,2 

Father, Cornelius feared you, gave generously to the poor, prayed continually, and responded to divine direction. He was a man who had offered his life as a living sacrifice to you before he even knew Christ! The beauty of this man’s worshipful life and of your reception of his love touches my soul. You are so pleased by faith. Let me fear you more than I fear my peers, my family, my employer, my culture.  Open my hands to the poor so that the gifts you give me bless others.  Holy Spirit, let me view every experience I have as opportunity for communion with You so my prayers flow in a continuous stream. Make me sensitive to your Spirit so I’ll hear your voice and act without delay, just like Cornelius.

^{For Context, see Acts 10:1-45:}

¹ Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, ² a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to theJewish people and prayed to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” ⁴ And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. ⁵ Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; ⁶ he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.” ⁷ When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, ⁸ and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa...  ³⁰ [When Peter arrived,] Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, ³¹ and he *said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. ³² Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’ ³³ So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”...While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. ⁴⁵ All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

Take Refuge

  "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man."

 Psalm 118:8

Lord, You are a powerful provider and defender.  I’d rather come to You for safety than trust anybody else to cover my tail.  You protect, shelter, and provide for all Your people. 

You've given me people in my life to help, but since they're people (not God) they're not always reliable.   Sometimes my husband isn't with me when I need him.  Sometimes my friend doesn't know that I'm hurt. Sometimes my insurance company can't cover the damage.  Sometimes a teacher misguides me.  Sometimes I deceive myself.  When I depend on people to provide real refuge, I'm bound to be disappointed.

But you! You're totally reliable. You're omni-everything!   You're omnipresent so you're everywhere all the time; wherever I am, you're with me.  You're omniscient so you know it all; nothing escapes you.  You're omnipotent so you've got the power to shelter me.   AND you're good so I can be sure that you will provide refuge when I seek it.  

You know even better than I do the things that threaten me.  I trust You to help more than I trust friends, relatives, insurance men, teachers, or even myself!  Hold me in the palm of your hand, Lord!