Category: Daily Thought

Posted on

I Ran a Marathon

Daily Reading

Hebrews 11-13

Daily Thought

The Greek Games were a spectacular display of the Roman world. Cities had stadiums, and stadiums were filled with spectators cheering the chariots and the runners, the fighters and the tossers of javelins. The writer of Hebrews lifts this familiar Olympic imagery to heavenly heights, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). The spectators, the cloud of witnesses, include Old Testament titans of faith such as Abel and Noah and Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, Moses and Rahab, David and Samuel. They have run their races, inspiring our efforts, and now cheer us on.

But I hate running.

When my wife turned 40, she decided running a marathon would be a good idea. I already told you I hate running, but I love Debbie, so we bought a book–The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer–and did what it said. A 16-week training guide to run 26.2 miles, but the book said before we could even begin we had to run 3 miles. I couldn’t run 3 blocks. Took me a month to get to the point where I could start the training.

During the next 16 weeks, we worked our way up until we were taking 18 mile runs, but the week before the marathon, our bodies need to rest. The book says to take it easy, only 3 mile runs. 

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” ~Hebrews 12:11

Run 3 miles? Piece of cake! 

Daily Prayer

Lord God, You began a work in me that You promise to complete. Do whatever it takes. I will, too. I’m not saying I will like it, but I want it. There is this joy in front of me, and I will endure whatever it takes to reach it.

Right now it seems like a lot of work to live rightly. Someday, it will come naturally. God, I will continue to throw off whatever is holding me back and keep my eyes on Your Son Jesus Christ. He is my goal. I want to look like Him.

Amen

Daily Question

How easy is it for you to live a godly life?

Posted on

Knotholes

Daily Reading

Hebrews 7-10

Daily Thought

Brubaker is a crazy, brilliant, amazing guy I served with in youth ministry. Whenever Bru meets you, he spells your name backward in his head, just to see if it does something interesting. He’s fun like that, so when we put him in charge of introducing first-time visitors to the youth group, we never knew what was going to happen. One week he handed out a piece of paper and scissors to each new person. He instructed them to cut a hole in the paper, hold the paper up to their face and peer through it. “You are looking through a knothole,” Bru explained, “because we are glad each of you are here, and we consider ourselves not whole without you.”

I cringe at the pun, but admire the point, and still remember it. We often choose to come to church because we love God or it’s the right thing to do or it will be good for us or we enjoy seeing others or something like that. But Bru reminded each of us of a very important truth. When you’re not here, you may lose out, but so does everyone. You are robbing others of something very important. You are robbing us of you. We are not whole without you.

“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” ~Hebrews 10:24-25

Daily Prayer

My God, the only God, God of all things, there is no question that You are worthy of my worship and trust. I place my life in Your hands. You are my Lord and Savior, and all that I am, all that I do, I give to You.

You have changed my life, and have placed me into a community of others that You have touched as well. May we grow close, learning to love unselfishly, sacrificially, like You, and may our love escape the walls of our church buildings and flood into the streets and neighborhoods of our towns and cities.

Amen

Daily Question

What does your presence add to the church you attend?

Posted on

The Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Daily Reading

Hebrews 1-6

Daily Thought

“For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt” (Hebrews 6:4-6). This passage describes lovers of legalism who nibble at the edges of grace, but the freedom frightens them. The problem with grace is it requires absolutely nothing from us. It offends the pride of the religious who insist on contributing to their own salvation. One sacrifice is not enough for their sin, so they go back to the safety of rules and religion, do’s and don’ts. 

Lovers of religion who delight in legalism harken back to the Law of Moses which taught the Israelites to offer repeated sacrifices for every sin, but Jesus offers one sacrifice, himself, and “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). The writer of Hebrews compares the new to the old, the cross of Christ to the Law of Moses, and it is not even close, “Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses” (Hebrews 3:3). 

Ask any kid, “What is the best sandwich ever made?” It is Peanut Butter and Jelly, no competition. Unless you met a kid from my youth group, a kid who was served my wife’s Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich. I run into these kids, 5, 10, 20 years after graduating. You know what they remember? The Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly. They liked the old PB&J, but they had tasted the new. One kid summed it up: there’s no going back.

There are not enough rules to cover all my sins, but one sacrifice did. It is no longer what we must do to be forgiven, but what Christ has done to save us, once for all forever. This is the grace of God and once you bite deeply into grace, you will never again be satisfied by the Law. There is no going back.

Daily Prayer

God, You are so good. To be welcomed into Your family, to experience Your warmth and love, to understand what life is all about, to really live, what more could I ever want? (The answer is nothing more. You are above and beyond my deepest desires.)

Thank You for the blessings of heaven, of Your Kingdom. There is a better life than the one this world offers. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done. I look forward to the day when Your Son reigns over the heavens and the earth in perfect peace and righteousness. There is nothing better, not even close.

Amen

Daily Question

Have you accepted God’s forgiveness if you have not forgiven yourself?

Posted on

The Character of a Leader

Daily Reading

Titus 1-3; Philemon

Daily Thought

Paul reminds Titus of the task left to him in Crete, a large island off the coast of Greece, “that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you” (Titus 1:5). The way to choose a leader is to first look at their home. Look for a one-woman kind of man, devoted to his wife, with children who believe and behave. If someone cannot care for their own household, do not give them charge over God’s!

Paul then provides a checklist of virtues: “He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined” (Titus 1:7-8). These qualities must not only be present, but public, evident to others.

Finally, a leader must be mighty with sword, meaning “he must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). The sword is double-edged, it teaches truth, it exposes lies.

Take care in choosing, warns Paul, because the conduct of a community will be a reflection of the character of its leaders.

Daily Prayer

My God, raise up godly men and women to lead well. Keep them holy and true, devoted to Your Word, sharing its wisdom with Your church, so that Your people will be equipped to live rightly and well, and do good to all they meet.

May I be constant in prayer for our leaders, that they will be on guard against the schemes of Satan. May they stand, and may I stand with them, as we all hold fast to what is true and godly and good, in a world that desperately needs to know God.

Amen

Daily Question

What do you look for most in your church leaders?

Posted on

Something Old

Daily Reading

2Timothy 1-4

Daily Thought

Seinfeld, Season 9, Episode 10: Frank Costanza, father of George, explains the holiday of Festivus to Kramer. “Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way.”

“What happened to the doll,” asked Kramer.

“It was destroyed… but out of that,” Frank’s face lit up, “a new holiday was born. A Festivus for the rest of us!”

The teacher Paul is approaching the end of his life, and warns the student Timothy, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2Timothy 4:3-4).

Festivus is a myth, but so is a holiday about iPads and X-boxes and Batmans and Barbies. Because of the madness Christmas has become, Frank Costanza invented something new, but would have been better off celebrating something old.

“Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” ~Luke 2:10-11

Daily Prayer

Wonderful God, Savior of the World, You are King of kings, Lord of lords, born in a manger, died on a cross, raised on the third day, coming again to bring Your Kingdom of peace and righteousness.

You are the reason for the season. May every knee bow and every tongue confess that You are God, Savior and Lord.

Amen

Daily Question

How do you keep Christmas about Christ?

Posted on

Dig Deep

Daily Reading

1Timothy 1-6

Daily Thought

Paul prepared Timothy to lead the church in Ephesus, even though Timothy was younger than many of the people. Paul challenged him, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1Timothy 4:12). Paul knew if Timothy took the time to dig deep into God’s Word and paid close attention to his character, he would build a solid foundation for a godly life and a strong church. “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1Timothy 4:16).

It is not unlike the retaining wall I built in my backyard, 40 feet long, 36 inches high was my first measurement. Each block weighed 50 pounds and each block was surprisingly expensive, and I did the math. Then my landscaper explained, “You’ll need to put one row below ground as a foundation.” 40 feet long, 36 inches high, and 6 inches deep.

“I have to spend money and effort on a row of blocks that will never be seen?” I complained.

“Oh, you will know they are there–ten years from now, when the wall is still standing.”

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” ~2Timothy 4:7

Our strength is measured not by the height we attain, but the depth of our character. 

Daily Prayer

Almighty God, You won. You beat Satan on the cross and removed the sting of death. You rose from the dead and now You bring life, a full life that will stand on the firm foundation of the work of Your Son.

I place my trust in Your foundation, knowing that nothing can move me as long as I depend fully and solely on You. Not by my strength, but by Yours will I live victoriously in this world.

And the next.

Amen

Daily Question

How is good godly character developed in a person?

Posted on

The Sin of Sloth

Daily Reading

2Thessalonians 1-3

Daily Thought

The Seven Deadly Sins listed in Christian tradition are pride, greed, lust, gluttony, wrath, envy, and sloth. Sloth, the sin of laziness, is possibly the least noticed, but the most insidious. Paul warns the church at Thessalonica, “We hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies” (2Thessalonians 3:11). When people are not busy doing what they should, they are often busy doing what they shouldn’t, or at least dreaming about it. This sin of doing nothing becomes a breeding ground for all the other sins.

So Paul advises, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2Thessalonians 3:11), a punishment connecting behavior to consequences–always a good idea. “As for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good” (2Thessalonians 3:13). 

The best antidote to laziness is love, serving others. Love is a verb, an action verb. There is no laziness in love.

Daily Prayer

My God, may I live life fully, actively, passionately serving others in the Name and to the glory of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May love drive me toward people, toward forgiveness and reconciliation when called for, toward charity to those in need, toward encouragement to the discouraged.

May I have no time for gossip, may there be no room for bitterness, may my life be too full to allow for either idolatry or idleness. May I stay single-focused on love, toward you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength, and toward others seeking their best.

Amen

Daily Question

In what kind of actions does love show up in your life?

Posted on

Full of Attitude

Daily Reading

1Thessalonians 1-5

Daily Thought

Paul begins a very happy letter to the church in Thessalonica, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 1:2-3). The people are walking right and pleasing God, and Paul encourages them to “do so more and more” (1Thessalonians 4:1). They are loving on each another and Paul encourages them to “do this more and more” (1Thessalonians 4:10). His letter is full of attitude–good attitude–because attitude affects everything.

Listen to an interviewer tell two different applicants with two different attitudes what to expect from the same job. 

The interviewer asked the applicant, “Tell me about your last job.” Applicant #1: “Not good. Not good at all. The boss was unfair, moody, played favorites. The employees were mean and petty. You couldn’t trust anyone. That’s why I am applying here. I’m looking forward to a change.”

“Well, you are qualified. Congratulations, you are hired. But I do have bad news, I think you’ll find the same environment here.”

Next applicant; “Tell me about your last job.” Applicant #2: “Wonderful. I was sad to leave, but it couldn’t be helped. My boss was fair, a good man, encouraging. The office was like a family. Everyday was a pleasure.”

“Well, you are qualified. Congratulations, you are hired. And I have good news, I think you’ll find the same environment here.”

Paul’s letter is full of attitude because attitude affects everything. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18). Do this more and more. 

Daily Prayer

My God, each and every day is a gift. I like gifts. That’s a good way to wake up. I love starting the day, anticipating the joy of living fully for You. May this be my daily mindset. May my attitude reflect the life Your Son has given me, a life of joy and purpose, hope and love.

Thank You, God, for giving me life. I am looking forward to forever! 

Amen

Daily Question

Is your attitude mostly one of hope or one of despair? Why?

Posted on

Cobwebs

Daily Reading

Colossians 1-4

Daily Thought

She came every week with her mom to the Wednesday night prayer meeting. She was twelve, the youngest in the room, but she liked to pray and she liked the prayers of the people who came. Except one man. He prayed long every week, and every week finished with the same words, “and now, Lord, clean all the cobwebs out of our lives. Amen.”

At long last, she could take no more. The man, as always, prayed what he always prayed, finishing, as expected, with “and now, Lord, clean all the cobwebs out of our lives.” But before he could say “Amen,” she jumped to her feet and shouted, “Don’t do it, Lord! Kill the spider!”

That’s what Paul is shouting in his letter to the Colossian church, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you” (Colossians 3:5). In our war against sin, it is kill or be killed. We don’t need a cleaning, we need a killing, because sin is a fight to the death. It is not the cobwebs, but the spider; not our actions, but our “passion, evil desire, and covetousness” (Colossians 3:5). The heart of the matter is found in our hearts.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ~Colossians 3:15-16

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are holy and good. You didn’t save me merely to make me a better person, but a new creation, to die to myself and become a new life in You.

I don’t want to think and act the way I used to, but rather, to live the life You created me to live. May I put to death the desires, the thoughts, the habits of old, and put on the new life you have given me, a life of love and compassion, of goodness and peace, of thanksgiving for a better life, the best life, a life that gives You glory and pleasure.

Amen

Daily Question

What need to be put to death in your life?

Posted on

A Team Sport

Daily Reading

Philippians 1-4

Daily Thought

Paul begins his letter to the church in Philippi, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5). Paul found joy in his partnership with others and the purpose which bound them together. Paul understood what it means to be a team, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:5). 

There was no better coach in basketball than John Wooden. He had the stars, but that’s not why he won. He understood the team and the game. “No UCLA basketball player’s number was retired while I was coach, not because there weren’t outstanding players, but because other fellows who played on our team also wore those numbers.” Wooden argued, “The star of our team is the team.”

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others,” wrote Paul (Philippians 2:3-4). Wooden would agree, “A player who makes the team great is more valuable than a great player.” Christianity is a team sport. Our joy in following Jesus is found through our partnership with the team, the church, “being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2), and the purpose of the game, “to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11). 

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 2:5

Daily Prayer

God, Your ways are so beyond me. You are holy and good and just and righteous. I am a sinner, yet You came for me. My world does not work that way. Yours does. In my world, I chase what matters to me. In Your world, You chase… me! And everyone else!! You are the one who pursues, who seeks us and saves us, and You left everything to do it.

What kind of love is that? It’s a love I want more than anything in the world. It is Your love that compels me to leave everything and follow You. I can truly love others because You first loved me. 

Amen

Daily Question

Who are you helping to become better?