Category: Daily Thought

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Broken Windows

Daily Reading

Psalm 96-102

Daily Thought

When David became king, the country was divided and disheartened. Israel required a king who would unify and lead. How to pull a country together and point it in the right direction is the task of the new king, and David embraces it enthusiastically: Psalm 101, “I will sing” (v 1), “I will ponder,” “I will walk” (v 2), “I will not” (v 3), “I will know” (v 4), “I will destroy,” “I will not endure” (v 5), “I will look” (v 6), “No one shall,” “No one shall,” and “I will” again (vv 7-8). To unify rightly, you must raise up something worthy to compel devotion, “I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music” (Psalm 101:1). To lead well, you must walk the right path, “I will ponder the way that is blameless” (Psalm 101:2). There must be the right mix of setting the course and cleaning up the place.

New York City was a dirty city and Mayor Rudy Giuliani became famous for cleaning it up. A “broken window” theory was key to the clean-up. Windows break; it happens. “But,” asked Giuliani, “why must they stay broken?” A building has a few broken windows. Leave them, and vandals break a few more. Squatters take over the building and criminals take over the neighborhood. Rudy Giuliani, mayor of New York City, declared “Zero Tolerance” on broken windows. A broken window will not be tolerated. Fix it now.

“I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I will know nothing of evil” (Psalm 101:3-4). Not only committed to do right, David pledged to hate evil. “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes” (Psalm 101:7). He hated broken windows and the City is grand once again.

Daily Prayer

My God of Love, who hates sin because it destroys, may I share your passion. I must hate, truly despise, sin. I must also desire and cling to goodness and righteousness. This is not natural for me, but God, You have changed me. Your Spirit is inside me. May I submit to Your ways and walk with Your Spirit.

Do not allow me to tolerate sin in my life, God. Thank You that I can come anytime to Your throne and confess, and find Your forgiveness.

Amen

Daily Question

Can you hate sin and tolerate sin in your life at the same time?

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One and Only

Daily Reading

Psalm 90–95

Daily Thought

Life is competition. There is always something bigger, something better, someone smarter, someone stronger. We are in a constant quest for improvement and achievement and growth.

It is true in everything, except one thing, our God. There is no God bigger, no God better, no God smarter, no God stronger. No other God.

Good can become better, and better can become best. Even best can improve, achieve, grow. But it all comes to rest at Ultimate, the Most High, the One and Only. There is a place of rest, one place, and only one place, where we do not strive for more because we cannot strive for more. The Hebrews call this Shalom, a place of wholeness and holiness, of peace and rest, “my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:2).

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. ~Psalm 91:1

Daily Prayer

Oh Lord our God, You are One, the One and Only God. You sent Your Son, Your One and Only Son, to seek and to save the lost. Me. All of us. Thank You for Your grace and love. Your love for sinners sets You apart from anything else. All love is measured by You, who, while we were still sinners, died on the cross for our salvation.

God, I pray that my love would grow to be as complete and sacrificial as Yours. May I love without strings. May I realize that I don’t need anything else because I can rest complete in You. Then my love will be pure, free of selfish motive.

Amen

Daily Question

The first of the Ten Commandments is “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-3). Why did God put this first?

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Donut Day

Daily Reading

Psalm 86-89

Daily Thought

I am writing this on a Saturday. It’s Donut Day, and always has been. When we were little, my brother and I went with Dad to help him choose the right donuts. Later, the teen years, we preferred sleeping in. Still, Dad disappeared each Saturday, before we or the sun arose, and came home with a pink box. I liked the maple bar and there was always a maple bar. I could count on it. Now I am Dad and Saturdays are Donut Day, and as soon as I finish writing this, I am off to get donuts. 

Psalm 89 proclaims the steadfast love of the Lord, forever. Steadfast, firmly fixed, does not change, a love you can count on. God’s love is bonded to his faithfulness, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you” (Psalm 89:14). Even when we were in trouble, and we often were, Saturday was Donut Day. Ethan, the writer of Psalm 89, says of God, “If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness” (Psalm 89:30-31, 33). Ethan knows what Israel has done, that they are in trouble, but he looks to the heavens, to the sun and the moon, “a faithful witness in the skies” (Psalm 89:37), and knows that God is forever faithful, even when Israel is not. 

To be honest, this is a bit of silliness and not a perfect illustration, but still it speaks of family and faithfulness. Today is Saturday and there are donuts on the counter and I know I am in the right house.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are faithful and true, and I am not. I am so glad that Your love depends on You, not me. I know I let You down, I blow it, and mess up, yet You are always there, forever true. Thank You. I don’t deserve it, but that is the way of grace.

As I draw closer to You, my God, I pick up Your ways. I learn Your love, Your faithfulness, Your grace. Draw me close, then, that I might reflect Your goodness to this world around me, so that people will know Your steadfast love and faithfulness, and that heaven is home.

Amen

Daily Question

Who would describe your love for them as steadfast? 

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God’s Smile

Daily Reading

Psalm 80-85

Daily Thought

O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? ~Psalm 80:4

God made the nation of Israel out of a promise to Abraham, raising and caring for them, delivering them from Egypt and planting this chosen nation in a land of their own. “I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves” (Leviticus 26:12-13). The Hebrew people are God’s children, and in all families, there are rules, and God laid down the Law: “But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments…” (Leviticus 26:14).

“No throwing a ball in the house,” was one of our rules. My son threw a ball. It broke a vase, so he hid the pieces, but he was 5 years old and 5-year olds do not hide well. “Go to your room,” I growled, holding the pieces in my hand.

I waited. Five minutes feels like five hours when you are five. Opening his door, I walked in with my mad face. He was sitting on the top bunk, frightened, but not of being punished. His damp eyes met mine with one question: “Are we still okay, Dad? You and me?” We were and I smiled and then he wasn’t scared anymore. He knew he was still in trouble, but trouble is okay as long as he knows Dad and Son are still okay.

Like children, Israel broke a lot of rules, and now they were in trouble and they knew it.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved! ~Psalm 80:3, 7, 19

They just needed to know if the smile was still there, and it was.

Daily Prayer

My God, though I turn away and do my own thing, and break rules, and wander off the path, Your grace is still before me. When I turn back to You and see Your love and say, “I’m sorry and I’ll stop,” You forgive me. Even when I do it again. And again.

God, I don’t want to take You for granted, and I’m sorry when I do. I do what I don’t want to do a lot, but less often as I grow in my trust and faith in Your goodness. I’m amazed that You still smile down on me, and forever I thank and praise You. You are my refuge, my strength, and my salvation.

Amen

Daily Question

Why does God forgive you if you keep breaking his rules?

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His Story

Daily Reading

Psalm 78-79

Daily Thought

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done. ~Psalm 78:1-4

Psalm 78 steps back and reflects on God’s care for his people. The stories of God’s mighty work paint the big picture of life and should be told to our children, “so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” (verse 7). Verse 13, God parted the sea so Israel could walk on dry land; verse 14, God led his people through the wilderness by cloud and fire; verses 15-16, God spilt rocks and water gushed out, quenching their thirst; verses 24-25, God rained manna for food, the bread of angels; verse 27, and quail; verses 42-53, God delivered his people from slavery in Egypt by, verse 44, turning Egypt’s river to blood, verse 45, sending swarms of flies and frogs, verse 46, destroying crops and cattle with locust, verse 47, and hail and frost, verse 51, and finally God struck down the firstborn, verse 52-53, and led the people to safety; verse 54, God established his people in a new land; verse 72, and cared for this new nation.

Still Israel thought life a game of chance, undecided yet if they should bet on God, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness? Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?” (Psalm 78:19-20). But life is not a game, it is a story, and not ours, but God’s, and we are players in his plot. It is not, then, for us to ponder what God will do in our story, but what we ought do in his.

Daily Prayer

Mighty God, there is no one like You. You alone are Almighty, You alone are Sovereign. Your will be done.

It is so hard to trust, to release my illusion of control and turn my life completely over to You. The greatest commandment, the greatest life-giving act I can do is to love You with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, all my strength. I know that You are God, that whatever You say will happen will happen. I know it. God help me trust in what I know.

Amen

Daily Question

What stories about God bring you the most hope in your own life?

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Insomnia’s Cure

Daily Reading

Psalm 74-77

Daily Thought

“I can’t sleep!” That’s what Psalm 77:1-4 says, and we’ve all been there. Something is turning over and over in Asaph’s mind, troubling his thoughts, “You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled I cannot speak” (Psalm 77:4). He is focused on the problem and he cannot figure it out. The problem is a big one, Babylon has captured Judah and there is no more Israel. It seems God no longer cares, “Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” (Psalm 77:9). Israel’s constant rebellion has finally taken its toll and God has given up and is no longer listening. 

That’s what it seems, anyway.

Then change comes, not in God, but in Asaph. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old” (Psalm 77:11). Asaph stops thinking about Babylon and remembers Egypt. Babylon is about captivity; Egypt is deliverance. God does not give up; he saves his people.

When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled. ~Psalm 77:16

Babylon, like Egypt, did not fear God. How foolish. Water fears God! And obeys his word. The seas parted, Israel escaped, Egypt met God’s vengeance, and Asaph remembered and it gave him rest.

Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron. ~Psalm 77:19-20

You should fear God, Babylon. It should keep you awake. And Asaph, go to sleep. 

“Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.” ~Psalm 77:13-14

Change comes, not in my circumstances, but in me, when my focus shifts from my problems to my God

Daily Prayer

My Creator, You are Lord of all. You establish justice and promote righteousness. You have made Your ways known, Your Laws are clear and they are good.  May I ever remember that You do not change, and that is good. You are always holy, always good, always just, and always gracious, so no matter how bad my circumstances, they will change before You do. I can count on You God, always. May I always remember that.

I will walk in Your ways, God, because Your path is straight. It gets me where You want me to go, and that is a good place.

Amen

Daily Question

Do you fear God? Why or why not?

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Gratitude

Daily Reading

Psalm 70-73

Daily Thought

We’re almost halfway through the 150 psalms, and what if, at this point, we just stopped and praised God. 

God is great. “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, ‘God is great!’” (Psalm 70:4).

God is good. “My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.” (Psalm 71:15-16; 73:1).

God is in charge. “May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!” (Psalm 72:8-11).

God is not done. “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come” (Psalm 71:5-6, 17-18).

What if, today, we were just grateful for everything? 

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!Amen and Amen!” ~Psalm 72:18-19

Daily Prayer

My God, You are my rock, my fortress, my shelter, my strength, an ever present help in times of trouble, the joy of my salvation. There is nothing today that can rob the treasure of eternity.

May I live in constant praise with a heart of peace and contentment at rest in Your hands. You are my God; my faith, my hope, and my love are in You.

Amen

Daily Question

What happens to you when you are grateful?

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Talk Your Walk

Daily Reading

Psalm 66-69

Daily Thought

We are often challenged to walk our talk, and that’s important. It is hypocrisy if you say one thing and do another. The book of James asks, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:14, 18). What you do must match what you believe. You must walk your talk.

But the reverse is just as important. You must also talk your walk. What good is it if you live a godly life but never say a word about God? 

Carlos sat down to lunch with Jack. “I made a huge decision this weekend,” Carlos shared. “I am now a follower of Jesus Christ.”

Jack was thrilled. “Wow!” he cheered. “That’s fantastic, Carlos.”

“Really? I wasn’t sure what you’d think.”

“Why not?” Jack looked puzzled. “I’ve been praying for you for years.”

“You have? Jack, you’re a big reason it took me so long to seek God.”

“What? Why? I’ve always tried to live a good life and be an example,” Jack protested.

“That’s just it,” explained Carlos. “You are a really good man, but you never talk about God.  I always figured if you could be good without God, so could I.”

The apostle Peter put it this way, “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1Peter 3:15). We must explain ourselves. We must talk our walk.

Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will tell what he has done for my soul. ~Psalm 66:5, 16

Daily Prayer

You entered this world and spoke to me, God. When I open Your Word, I hear Your voice. Your Son, also called the Word, shows me who You are. Your Spirit speaks to my Spirit. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God, teaming up for my salvation. Thank You.

Thank You, also, for those servants of yours, my friends and acquaintances, who knew You ahead of me. By their lives and their witness, they led me to You. God, use me to introduce others to You. I pray I will live godly and speak boldly and love fully, so that Your gospel will be seen and heard and received.

Amen

Daily Question

How do you know if someone is a follower of Jesus Christ?

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Draw Closer to home

Daily Reading

Psalm 58-65

Daily Thought

David sometimes begins a psalm with a lot of chutzpah, an audacious honesty which almost oversteps the bounds of etiquette between creature and Creator–“O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!” (Psalm 58:6). “Deliver me from my enemies, O my God,” he cries; “save me from bloodthirsty men” (Psalm 59:1-2). David anchors himself to the one firm foundation he can trust, “the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves” (Psalm 65:6-7). “For God alone, he only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 62:6).

After he spews, he listens. In his psalm, in his prayer, David pulls on the rope attached to his anchor, an anchor secured to the mighty rock, to his God of strength. When you anchor to the shore and pull on the rope, the shore does not move, rather you are drawn closer to the shore, and this is prayer. 

No longer are the wicked David’s concern, but God’s. David’s heart becomes God’s heart, and he finds rest in God’s goodness, satisfaction in God’s justice and grace. “Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!” (Psalm 65:4).

Daily Prayer

My God, You are the One I turn to when the world around me is in turmoil. In You I find strength and security and peace. I can give my worries to You. My concerns over trouble pale in comparison to Your care over me. I just need to remember, O God, not my will, but Yours.

You have already saved me from sin and death. On the cross you conquered all. What else is there for me to fear? In You, my forever is certain, so what can harm me today? I will walk this world with the confidence, not of my power, but of Your Name. You are my Savior and my Lord, and for me to live is Christ.

Amen

Daily Question

In prayer, do you do more talking or listening?

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Restoration

Daily Reading

Psalm 51-57

Daily Thought

A friend in college bought a sporty 1978 MG Midget. Sweet car, nice looking, good paint. And then he got a ding, a 4-inch gash on the left front fender. Several weeks passed and I asked if he was going to fix it, but it was a lot of money and his insurance would go up, and, “well, no,” he said. “Maybe I can put up with it.”

“How often do you notice it?” I asked.

“Every single time I get in the car,” he said. 

We got in his car and drove to the body shop. 

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” ~Psalm 51:3

King David shuts his eyes and sees his sin, opens them and sees Bathsheba, his wife and reminder of adultery and murder. His heart becomes desperate to deal with his sin and be restored to righteousness.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” ~Psalm 51:10

You hear in his cries the shame of sin, but it is not that which drives him most. It is something bigger, something better, something lifting him heavenward. He misses his Father, “Against you, you only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4). Inside all sin is a sadness, a scarred remembrance of the holy wonder of our creation and our Creator. 

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” ~Psalm 51:12

Daily Prayer

My God and Savior, what an amazing love You have for me. You sent Your only Son, the only sacrifice sufficient for my sins, so that I might be made righteous. You created me in Your image, and yet I turned to the pleasure of sin and away from the joy of paradise. Still You are willing to forgive me, to invite me back in the family, to create in me again a clean heart.

Restore right desires in me. Renew my love for righteousness and justice. I am sorry for my sins. I will turn away from them and follow You. Make me new again.

Amen

Daily Question

What sins do you need to deal with right now? What are you going to do?