Bible

Awesome and simple prayer

/ The Pastor

Psalm 25:4-7
“Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from old.  Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.”

That Psalm was from my Bible reading a couple days ago but it is still clinging to me so I thought I would jot down a few thoughts for you.

Shortly after I posted these verses to my Facebook page, a friend of mine commented and thanked me for posting this.  She said she printed those words off saying “what an awesome yet simple prayer“.  I was struck by her words for she is right ~ it is an awesome yet simple prayer.

Show me your ways
Teach me your paths
Guide me in your truth
I strive to learn more about God yet I seem to get easily distracted by this world.  There are worries, concerns, to-do lists, full calendars, demands, expectations, etc.  I get distracted and find myself following the ways of this world ~ and when that happens I get overwhelmed.  And that is exactly what happened to me.

But then…

…the Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference started.

Now I find myself slowing down as I am taking this week off for continuing education and renewal.  I am enjoying the faithfulness of God as God is showing me his ways and teaching me his path.  God is guiding me in his truth and through it all ~ refreshing my soul.  I am feeling God’s great mercy and love and being reminded of God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  I don’t feel overwhelmed anymore.

Indeed ~ what an awesome yet simple prayer.

Sometimes it is easy to forget that the Book of Psalms was the first worship/prayer book.  There are timeless truths contained in this “little Bible” (as Martin Luther called it).  The psalter spills out in words the emotions that we all go through (even though written in a different place, time and context).  Psalms of praise, confession, lament and many more are waiting for you.  Many times, when I don’t have the words to say to God, I find myself searching the Psalms.  God may know my thoughts but it is comforting to know someone else was feeling something similar to me.

Make it a habit to engage the Psalms often.  Chances are you will find one to help you give words to what you are feeling and experiencing.  And no doubt…you will find an awesome and yet simple prayer.

Praise be to God!

-edh-

godly training

/ The Pastor

1 Timothy 4:7-8
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

I am a runner and an emerging triathlete so I understand the value of physical training.  If I don’t do the proper training then I am not going to be ready for the event I am participating in.  If I am training for a marathon then I need to make sure I get some long runs in otherwise I am going to struggle during the actual race.  When I am training for a triathlon, I need to get bike and pool workouts in as well as my running.  I also need to do back-to-back bike and run workouts to get my legs used to doing those events.  Training is vitally important.

Paul goes on to tell young Timothy that physical training is fine but remember your godly training.  That training will benefit you in this life and the next life.  But what does godly training look like?
–Scripture reading
–Praying
–Bible study
–Service
–Fasting
–Patience (and practicing the other Fruits of the Spirit)
–Worship
–Meditation
–Journaling
Just to name a few.  All of these are great ways to train for godliness.

They will bring you closer to God and to others.  They will strengthen your faith so others may see your good works and give glory to God.  This training will strengthen you resistance to Satan’s flaming arrows.  This training will feed your soul with God’s grace and forgiveness.  This training will keep us on the right track as we serve as Jesus’ disciples for the sake of the world.

Training is never easy but the more you do it the easier it becomes.  Also…the more you do it the easier it is to face the real thing.  So don’t forget your godly training.  Keep that as part of your daily routine but not so much a “routine” that your training becomes rote.  Train your soul to learn more about this awesome God of ours.  Train your soul so others may experience this awesome God of ours.  Train your soul so the burdens of this world do not become overwhelming.

Happy training all; praising God always and forever!  Amen!

-edh-

Chariots and horses

/ The Pastor

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

I read this verse this morning and almost chuckled at the fact that some people actually trusted in chariots and horses (otherwise the psalmist would not have mentioned it).  Obviously he is referring to those who trust in the military might and strength; making them their god.   But upon further reflection, I began to wonder how the psalmist might write this verse if he were living in the United States today.

Hmmm…

Some trust in __________ (how would you fill in the blank?)
Education
Money
Smartphones (I almost hesitate to write this since this describes me)
Friends
Doctrine
Family
Etc, etc, etc…

Of course I could go on.  And now I am no longer chuckling.

In seminary I had a professor that said “Anything you fear more than God has become your god.”  And I think we can put trust in that quote and get the same meaning. “Anything/Anyone you trust more than God has become your god.”  When I write it that way I get a little nervous and a little shifty in my chair…because it is true.

How many gods do you have in your life?  I know I have a few (which I am not proud of).  Now all of a sudden I am less judgmental towards those who trusted in chariots and horses.

In scripture we read about people who trusted in the name of the Lord our God.  They were fulfilled and happy.  They felt safe and secure.  And why not?  When God, the creator of the universe, is your god then you have a God who is above all things…and all gods.  The things and people we trust in this life more than God can not do for us what God can.  The things and people in this life can not give us life beyond this one; they can not give us hope; they can not give us strength.  Holding onto my smartphone may give me comfort; for I have instant access to the world, but nothing can compare to holding onto God who IS the world.

Let us place our trust in the Lord our God and not in gods. Amen!

-edh-

God vs. Man

/ The Pastor

Proverbs 29:25 says “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.”

Brings up an interesting question, doesn’t it?  Who do we fear more ~ God or man?  Who’s opinion do we care about more~ God’s or man’s?  Who do we try to please more~ God or man?  Who’s direction do we follow more~ God’s or man’s?

I can’t help but think (and confess) that I fall into the trap of trying to please people in my life more than God.  It is almost like I am more afraid of their judgment of me more than God’s.  Maybe it is because man’s judgment of us is more immediate in some ways.  Maybe it is because we choose to give people in our lives more power than they should have so we feel the need to listen to them and consider seriously what they say.  Sometimes we are afraid of letting people down.  Sometimes we consider their experience and knowledge more valuable than God’s.

But Proverbs tells us that it is not wise to rely on (or fear) man over God.  People in this life may want the best for us but they do not see the whole picture ~ God does.  People in this life may think they are wise, but that wisdom is foolishness compared to God.  People in this life have their agendas but God’s plan is perfect.  Some people in this life want to have power over us but God is the one in control.

I am not saying that we ignore people in our lives.  God does work through people in this world to accomplish His purposes.  The issue at hand is this:  Who do we fear more?  Basically…when a major decision is upon us we need to seek out God first and try to determine what GOD wants us to do.  Maybe that is through other people, but in the end, the fear of God is what leads to wisdom.  The fear of man is nothing more than a snare.

[I just love it when God is this timely with what I am reading in scripture 🙂  God is indeed faithful.]

Praise be to God and Amen!

-edh-

Proverbs 28:5

/ The Pastor

The text that caught my attention this morning was Proverbs 28:5.  Here’s what it says:

“Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.”

One of the reasons I am reading scripture is this verse.  The fact of the matter is that I am an evildoer; a sinner.

We all are.

And the only way I can come to a true understanding of right and wrong is through seeking out God.  I have my own version of right and wrong but it often conflicts with God ~ so I need to seek out God and learn from Him.

God is the one who sets me straight.
God is the one who convicts me.
God is the one to teaches me.
God is the one who guides me.
God is the one who LOVES me.

I need God’s direction and wisdom ~ we all do.  Seek God out and learn His ways.  Don’t try to speculate rather hear it from the Authority ~ the Creator of the universe who is madly in love with you.

-edh-

Psalm 13

/ The Pastor

Today’s assigned Bible readings were many: 2 chapters from Leviticus (which is always a challenging book to read but one not to be ignored), 2 Psalms, a chapter from Proverbs (which has some great pieces of wisdom) and from 1 Thessalonians.  Normally there are only 4 chapters a day to read during this plan.

Today it is not a single verse or two that capture my attention but the entirety of Psalm 13 which I included below:

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2     How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3     Look on me and answer, O Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4     my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5     But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6     I will sing to the Lord,
for he has been good to me.

Verses 1 – 4 contain a lament/complaint to God.  The psalmist is wondering when God will answer him and act.  The psalmist feels alone, is wrestling with sorrow, is in a dark place and feels the whole world is against him.

When haven’t WE been there?

But then the psalmist closes with some incredible words of faith.  He trusts in God’s unfailing love and rejoices in God’s salvation. And if that is not enough the psalmist will sing to the lord for the Lord has been good to him.  Despite what is going on the psalmist maintains his faith.

My prayer is that when times get tough for me I may remember that God has been good to me through sending Jesus to die and rise that I may live.  Even though I may feel alone at times; even though I may feel like the whole world is against me, God is for me.  God is with me.  God has been good to me.  And God has not forgotten about me.  I pray I may always remember this that I may praise God in the good and the bad.  For God has been and will always be good to you and to me.

Praise be to God!

-edh-

Reading through the Bible

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

A couple months ago I started a reading program that will take me through the Bible in a year.  I have started programs like this before but have always gotten behind…and eventually stopped because I got so far behind.  But so far I am still going strong.  I begin each morning by reading my “assigned” texts on my Droidx smartphone and then I post a verse or two to Facebook; verse(s) that have caught my attention.  But when I have done that I usually don’t make any comments about those verse(s); no explanation of why they caught my attention.  My plan here is to offer a few words on this blog of why those texts hit me on a particular day.  I might not post something everyday but I do plan to use this as a spiritual discipline in helping me engage scripture more deeply.

But before I begin this particular spiritual discipline I want to say a couple words about the spiritual discipline of scripture reading.  I know there are many of you out there that read scripture daily (or often).  But I also know there are many out there that don’t.  Allow me to encourage you today to either continue or to begin.

Each day when I read my 4 to 5 chapters I always (and I mean always) encounter something meaningful.  God uses those morning moments to speak to me.  Each morning a particular verse grabs my heart and it becomes clear that I need to share it.  This morning it was Proverbs 25:21-22 which reads as follows:

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”

Even though there is a “burning coals” aspect of this text in relation to my “enemies” I still find this text challenging.  It is usually easier to turn away from your enemies and ignore their plight.  It is tempting to think that helping one’s enemies is a sign of weakness.  But in the eyes of God it is not weakness but rather strength and a sign of the love of God in your life.  It puts God in control.  How your enemies react to your kindness is not your problem.  This text challenges me, not just today, but everyday.  But even so I am glad God hit me with this today.  And I hope God strengthens me to show this kind of awesome love to all.

So…you don’t read scripture?  Get to it.  God is waiting to share some incredible truths with you as well.

Praise be to God!

-edh-

Overcome

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

I was asked a question about God yesterday:  “Why does God allow little children to suffer terrible illnesses?”  It is the age-old issue of God, evil and suffer.  How do they coexist if indeed God is a loving God.  I don’t like watching little children suffer.  I don’t like watching footage of earthquake and tsunami damage.  But suffering is part of life…but why?

My first response was that God created this world perfect but sin messed it up…and God was grieved (to put it mildly).  But the suffering we experience in this world is not the end for God has overcome the world.  God overcame the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  As I sat and pondered this issue some more I was drawn to John 16 where Jesus is comforting his disciples.  Jesus closes that chapter by saying “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.“ Praise be to God!

I still don’t like suffering.  I still grieve when little children suffer terrible illnesses and when I see reports of natural disasters.  And…I still ask that age-old question from time to time:  Why God, why?  But each time God comes through with words of reassurance and hope; strengthening my faith through reminding me of his love. And through this faith strengthening I am reminded that this is not the end.  My faith tells me that when I am going through hard times that God is right there with me.  My faith tells me that in the midst of suffering God is right there whispering those words of Jesus in my ear and in my heart.  My faith tells me that when Satan takes his best shot to drive me to despair I can respond by saying, “You have already lost!  My God has defeated you and has given me the victory through Jesus Christ so go away!”

Evil and suffering are here to stay…for the time being…but take heart…Jesus has overcome the world FOR YOU and FOR ME.

Praise be to God!

-edh-

A day off

/ The Pastor

Wow…I get a day off today, but it is not what you think.

I have this Bible app (YouVersion) for my Droid X smart phone.  It’s a great little app.  It has a few different versions of the Bible.  I can bookmark favorite passages.  I can share favorite passages with Facebook and Twitter.  I can make notes on my favorite passages.  I like this app…but there is a glaring flaw.

Another feature of this app is that it contains a number of different Bible reading plans (devotional, partial Bible, topical, whole Bible and youth).  One of the plans I have subscribed to is a Lenten plan.  It has a short thought to consider and then a couple texts to read each day…almost.

Well…today I signed in to read my text and this is what I found: Sundays are days off in this reading plan, as they are traditionally not considered a part of Lent.  Every Sunday is a “mini-Easter”, when we celebrate the resurrection of Christ and his victory over sin and death…”

I have no problem with that part as it is true but this is what came next:  “There is no reading for today, enjoy your day off…“

Did they really tell me to enjoy my day off from reading the Bible?  So I read it again and sure enough, “…enjoy your day off…”  I have a problem with that.  True…Sundays are technically not counted in Lent but a “day off” from reading scripture?  But not just a day off but “enjoy it”?  That doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.  It almost sounds like they believe reading scripture is a chore and that they we need a break from time to time.  Maybe they are concerned that people will think that reading the Bible everyday is too much work and will be turned off from their app.

Seriously people…if you want to communicate how Sundays are not counted in Lent, fine, but at least include a “non-Lent” scripture reading (on Sunday) to encourage people to read everyday.  The Sabbath Day is a day of rest but not a day of rest from reading God’s Word.  In Matthew 4, as Jesus is weak and tired from fasting for 40 days, Jesus responds to Satan’s temptation by saying, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”  We need this word everyday…you can never get too much.  And if you are getting tired from reading God’s word (and need a break) then you’re simply reading for information (like for class) and not for nourishment.   You should never need a “day off”.

OK…I am done ranting now.  I am going to go and violate my Bible reading plan.  Hopefully I won’t get struck down 🙂

Happy reading and may God bless your day.

-edh-

Remove your shoes

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)

The Old Testament small group and sermon series takes us to Exodus this week (despite the fact that the small group have been canceled tonight because of weather).  I didn’t get very far in my reading before I was hit by some pondering and thinking ~ holy ground.  Moses saw this “strange thing” on the mountain ~ a bush burning but not being consumed by the fire.  Of course he had to take a closer look (me…I might have been a little more leery).  As Moses approaches the bush God belts out that this is holy ground so take off your sandals. Why take off his sandals ~ more on that later.

As I read that section I got to thinking about “holy ground” today.  What is considered holy ground?    Many people would define holy ground in various ways.  Some might say their home is holy ground.  A guy might say his man’s den is holy ground.  A golfer might say that St. Andrew’s golf course in Scotland is holy ground.  But what is holy ground?

The word “holy” means special, set apart, different.  The Bible is holy and therefore special, set apart and different ~ it is a book like no other book; for it is a living word.  God is holy and therefore special, set apart and different.  Communion, baptism is holy…and you get the picture.  But do we treat these things as holy?  Do we give such things in our lives the same respect that Moses did for some dirt around a bush?  I am not saying we should take off our shoes during Holy Communion or a baptism (that might not be a good idea for some), but how do we treat and view such events?  How do we treat the truly holy things of God?

We can get so caught up in protecting “holy things” that we miss the fact that the very things we are protecting are not truly holy.  They may be special, set apart and different in our lives, but in relation to our souls they do nothing.  I have seen people treat sports as a holy event; protecting it at the expense of time in worship.   I have seen people protect their status at the expense of the promises they made in Holy baptism.  I have seen people protect their pocket book at the expense of their relationship with their holy God.  Our “holy things” do nothing for us in the long run.  They provide some happiness and security now, but do nothing for our souls.

But consider this ~ we are ALL living on holy ground.  We are living holy lives.  We were created by a holy God to do holy things.  We were redeemed by a holy savior through a death and resurrection that is indeed special, set apart and different.  All that we consider “holy” is only available to us to call “holy” because our holy God created such things and such opportunities.  We may have special things, people, places and times in our lives but they are nothing outside of God.

So if I can dare to be allegorical here let me suggest that we take off our shoes ~ which is anything that gets in the way of truly encountering God ~ and worship God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength.  Let us treat the things of God for what they are ~ special, set apart and different.  Only God is life-giving and life-sustaining.

We are indeed standing on holy ground ~ remove your shoes.

-edh-