Date: 01/20/2020

Title: A Proper Perspective

(S) cripture:
    Psalm 8:1 (ESV) O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

(O) bservation:
    The psalmist opens and closes this psalm with the same phrase. “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name…”

(A) pplication:
    I remember hearing this verse put to music by Michael W. Smith. It is one of his earlier pieces and in my opinion his best. I wish he was writing more songs like that today. Every time I sing it my heart is lifted and I am drawn into God’s presence. It is a song that I want to hear in my heart each day. It reminds me that God is in charge and nothing escapes his sight. Nothing comes my way that can change the truth of this verse. The psalmist gives us a good example of beginning and ending with this phrase. Each day of my life should be the same – beginning and ending with this verse ringing in my heart.

(P) rayer:
    Lord let me sing this song every day. Make it the theme of my heart and life. Amen

Date 01-19-2020

Title: Amazing Words

(S) Scripture:
Luke 19:47-48 (NASB77) And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him, 48 and they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging upon His words.

(O) Observation:
Jesus’ teaching and the cleansing of the temple riled the temple leaders to the point of needing to eliminate Jesus. But Jesus had captured the hearts of the people with His teaching. They were drawn to Him because of His words. They must have been amazing words.

(A) Application:
I wonder how passionately I hang onto Jesus’ words. When my quiet time is erratic, am I really hanging onto His words. When I misquote Jesus or misuse His words am I really hanging on them? In this passage I sense a breathless reverence as people longed to hear Jesus speak. Today I want to develop that kind of “hanging” onto His Words.

(P) Prayer:
Lord, let me hear you clearly today and then obey you completely. Let me be caught in absolute awe of you. Amen

Date: 01-18-2020

Title: Responsibility

(S) cripture:
    Genesis 44:32-34 (NASB77) “For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then let me bear the blame before my father forever.’ 33 “Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. 34 “For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest I see the evil that would overtake my father?”

(O) bservation:
    Joseph seems to be taking great delight in making his brothers sweat. They are clueless to his identity and he is making them pay for selling him into slavery. Although Joseph knows it was God who had sent him to Egypt in order to provide for his people during the famine. Judah has promised his father that he would take care of Benjamin. When Joseph takes Benjamin as a slave Judah must step in. Judah takes responsibility for his brother and offers himself as a substitute.

(A) pplication:
    It is from Judah’s line that Jesus comes. It is interesting to me that as Judah offers to be Benjamin’s substitute. Jesus has offered himself to be ours. What we could not do for ourselves Jesus did for us. He died that we might live. We are forgiven and have a relationship with God because of His act on our behalf. I cannot be the substitute that forgives or pardons another. I cannot do what Jesus did. I cannot make another right with God but I can follow Judah’s example and take responsibility for my actions and step up to show another the provision God has made for them. In conversations today I will seek to point others to the provision God had provided in Jesus’ death and resurrection for them.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, forgive me when I try to cover up my sin. Let me confess to you and make right whatever I need to make right. Let my life reflect your glory to the people I meet. Amen

Date: 01-17-2020

Title: My Quiet Time

(S) Scripture:
    Psalm 5:3 (NASB77)
In the morning, O LORD, Thou wilt hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch.

(O) Observation:
    The psalmist is describing his personal time with the Lord. It comes early in the morning and then the day is filled with expectation of what God will do.

(A) Application:
    This psalm reminds me again of the benefit of a morning time with the Lord. It is a great way to start the day and a great way to live. When my life is filled with the expectation of what God will do in and through me, that is a full and exciting life. It begins with a time with God in the morning. This is what the structure of the “Life Journal” has done for my devotional life. Each day I read a portion of Scripture and then answer the question, “How will I be different because of what I have just read?” As I spend time each morning with the Lord I am energized for the day. I live expectantly, looking for God to work. It makes a difference when I begin the day this way rather than waiting until later for my quiet time. I use this devotional time to complete reading the Bible through in a year.

(P) Prayer:
    Father, I thank you for your word and its work in my life. Let me live expectantly today. Amen

Date: 01-16-2020

Title: Blind to Needs

(S) Scripture:
     Luke 16:19-21 (NASB77) “Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day. 20 “And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.

(O) Observation:
    Jesus is teaching in parables about being faithful. Here he tells about a rich man who ignores a poor man right at his door. The rich man either does not see Lazarus or he chooses to ignore his need. Jesus has some harsh words for the rich man and comforts Lazarus after they die. The rich man wants God to do something spectacular for his brothers but Jesus refuses. If they don’t believe the prophets, they won’t believe one who comes back from the dead. The rich man thought he had it all and that he had earned it and that he did not need to share with those in need and it cost him eternally.

(A) Application:
    I wonder how often I overlook or ignore those in real need that are right in front of me. Does my pride keep me from offering help to those less fortunate (even if by their own choice) than me. So often I find myself thinking that I deserve what I have and so do they. How bankrupt is this kind of “us vs. them” thinking. I am called to be Christ ambassador in this world and Jesus never ignored people in need. He offered help and healing or he challenged their spiritual pride. Today I want to be aware of the people around me and to offer help where I can and challenge to those who need it. I want to live a life that pleases the Lord.

(P) Prayer:
    Father, it is easy for me to ignore the poor and needy and I ask for your forgiveness. Make me aware of the people around me and help me to be the person you want me to be. Let me help where I can and challenge where necessary. Let me experience and share your love today. Amen

Date: 01-15-2020

Title: Jesus’ Example

(S) Scripture
    Luke 15:1-2 (NASB77) Now all the tax-gatherers and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. ²  And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

(O) Observation
    Jesus welcomed all who came to hear him. Their background or life situation or heritage did not matter to him. He was called a “friend of sinners”. When he is rebuked by the religious people he simply tells them a parable about what is important to God. The series of “lost” stories gives us Jesus’ priorities.

(A) Application
    I wonder what people say about me. Am I a “friend of sinners” or do I associate only with “righteous” people. One indictment against Christians is that the longer they are Christians the fewer non-Christians they know. If Jesus was seen with sinners, I should not be afraid to be seen with them. My reputation as a pastor is not tarnished by my association with those who do not yet believe. I must intentionally put myself in contact with those who do not know Christ. Today I will continue to look for opportunities to connect with people who have not yet followed Jesus.

(P) Prayer
    Father, Thank you for saving me and allowing me to be called your child. Let me never forget what that means. Help me to connect with those who need your forgiveness and let me be their friend. God use me today. Amen

Date: 01-14-2020

Title: Humbled

(S) Scripture: Luke 14:11 (NASB 1977)

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

(O) Observation

Jesus is teaching about pride and humility and how to act. In this he speaks clearly so all can understand. Evidently we are a lot like his audience, wanting the “premium” seats – the places of honor. We want people to serve us and to recognize our importance. Jesus says to watch out because someone may come who is more important than you think you are and you will be embarrassed by being asked to move to a lesser seat. Better to take the lesser seat and be moved to a greater seat Jesus says, then all will see how important you are.

(A) Application

For nine tears in Charlotte I bowled on Monday nights. This league gave me intentional contact with men that are not in church. It took more than a year for many of them to feel comfortable talking to the “preacher”. Then I was just “Robin” and I had their respect because I had lived my faith consistently before them. Those of you who know me know that I hate to lose, I hate to get beat. Those men took great delight in “humbling” me from time to time. I generally competed very well but there are those nights when you get knocked down a bit. I averaged 193 and just when I thought I was getting pretty good I’d throw a 120 game. Humbled. My grandfather said it this way, “You ride a high saddle you have a long way to fall.”

In this passage Jesus says that when you think you are something, God will humble you. I wonder what I have missed because of a proud or arrogant spirit. I have learned that humility is “seeing yourself as God sees you”. That is with your weaknesses and strengths. A humble spirit is one that knows that without Christ they can do nothing. It is like Jesus said in John 15, “without me you can do nothing.” Humility is actively trusting God for all the issues of life. It is allowing God’s Spirit to fill (control) our lives. It is walking by faith moment by moment. When I live like that Jesus says I “will be exalted.”

Today I will check my ego at the door of God’s grace and trust His Spirit to fill and use me. I want to serve God whatever that means. Today I will live my life for him.

(P) Prayer

Lord, You know how proud I can be and how easy it is for me to exalt myself. Forgive me when I am being like that. Make me aware of my pride and let me follow you fully each day. Amen

Date: 01-13-2020

Title: The False Security of Comparison

(S) cripture:
Luke 13:1-5 (NASB77)
¹  Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ²  And He answered and said to them, ” Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered this fate? ³  “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. ⁴  “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? ⁵  “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

(O) bservation:
Jesus here is addressing one of humanity’s greatest downfalls, comparing ourselves to others. Evidently those Jesus was teaching thought they were better than the Galileans or the ones on whom the tower fell and Jesus reminds them that God doesn’t grade on the curve. It is not about being better than someone else, it is about being faithful to God that is the difference. These folks had a false sense of security because of where they were born and their nationality but Jesus warns them that that does not make a difference with God. This comparing with others is a downfall still today and will either paralyze a person’s spiritual growth because they think they are not as good as someone else or it will produce pride, thinking I am better, and both these are destructive to spiritual growth.

(A) pplication:
Comparing myself to others is not healthy for me in any way. Today I will focus on my relationship with the Lord and encourage others to do the same. Jesus did not ask me to compare myself with others whether better or worse. He does command me to be faithful and to follow Him by faith.

(P) rayer:
Lord help me today to focus on you and you alone and not to be comparing myself to others. Thank you for loving me and drawing me to yourself. Let me also encourage others that are caught in the trap of comparison. Amen

Date: 01-12-2020

Title: Ready and Alert

(S) Scripture:

    Luke 12:36-38 (NASB77)  “And be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.
³⁷  “Blessed are those slaves whom the master shall find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.
³⁸  ” Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

(O) Observation:
    Jesus is teaching the disciples to always be prepared for His coming. He tells a parable and makes the teaching plain. We are to always be doing what the Master has told us to do even in his absence. Even though we do not know when he will return, we are to be doing what he told us to do. When he comes and finds us faithfully serving then he will bless us.

(A) Application:
    God has called us to serve him. Sometimes we goof off or play around because we think we have all the time in the world to do what He said. I remember someone asking this question, “If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours what would you do differently?” The answer to that question is what we should be doing on a regular basis. Tim McGraw has a song, “Live Like You Were Dying”. That’s what I need to do. Today I will begin to do the things I have neglected or ignored that the Lord has asked me to do.

(P) Prayer:
    Lord, forgive me for taking you for granted and for living for myself instead of You. Let me live fully for you today, Amen

Date: 01-11-2020

Title: Being Blessed

(S) Scripture:

    Luke 11:27-28 (NASB77)
 And it came about while He said these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice, and said to Him, ” Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts at which You nursed.” ²⁸  But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and observe it.”

(O) Observation:
    While Jesus is teaching a woman cries out blessing Jesus’ mother. Jesus replies by telling who is really blessed by God, those who hear the Word of God and observe or obey it. My catholic friends may want to look at this as a justification for their worship of Mary, but Jesus turns this toward all of us. God’s blessing goes to those who hear and obey God’s word.

(A) Application:
    This is not about Jesus’ mother but is about me. If I want God’s blessing in my life I must hear and obey His word. God has spoken to us through the Bible. To hear God’s word I must read it. That is why this devotional time is so important. To read and then ask myself, “How will I be different because of what I have just read (heard)?” As I read the Word I can hear God speak to me. I must then apply the word to my life. I must obey. That is where it is difficult – It is easy to know what to do it is tough to do it consistently. Today I will read, listen and work to put into practice God’s Word.

(P) Prayer:
    Lord, I want to follow you fully and yet I find myself not doing what you ask. Forgive me and empower me to live by faith filled with the Holy Spirit. I want my life to count for you and I want your blessing on my life. Use me today. Amen