To know Your grace,
Is not just some fad to embrace,
Only now and then,
And thus from our memory erased.
To know Your grace,
Is to rejoice at seeing Your face,
Now and forever,
And long to always be in Your place.
Morning devotions
Creation Concert
Birds singing, in a cheerful creation choir.
Wind blowing, to cool a sun-kissed face.
Leaves rustling, dancing with the music.
Grass twinkling, with a dew-covered applause.
And…
People moving, going to and fro in busyness.
Do they hear?
I mean, do they really hear?
I used to be in that busyness,
But now I sit among the creation choir.
I sit and hear,
I mean, I really hear.
I sit and notice,
I mean, really notice.
I sit and feel,
I mean, I really feel.
Stop your busyness, people. Stop!
You’re missing the concert,
Creation singing to the Lord.
Birds, wind, leaves and grass…
Encore! Encore!
The Faith of Trees
Regal, standing tall
Swaying in the wind.
Peaceful, calm and firm.
Feeling not chagrined.
Reflect, O my soul,
Remain in His love.
Trusting in Jesus.
Saving from above.
Not Irrelevant
This past NFL season, fans from across the country got to know the name Brock Purdy. Whether you are an Iowa State or San San Francisco fan or not, it was hard not to be impressed with what he did following the injuries to the quarterbacks before him on the depth chart. It is especially noteworthy when you consider the title Brock carries – “Mr Irrelevant”. This is the title given to the last player selected in the NFL draft (#262). Nobody expected much out of him, yet, he went on to win seven games in a row while leading the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC championship game. Irrelevant? Not anymore.
As sinners, many consider themselves irrelevant when it comes to serving in God’s kingdom:
“I’m just a _____”
“I do not know enough”
“I do not speak very well”
“I am too young”
“I am too old”
“If there were a draft in God’s kingdom, I would be the last overall pick, Mr/Mrs Irrelevant.”
Those in the Bible that God called used similar excuses and more, but God’s response was and always is…
I will be with you.
That truth, that promise, means that NO ONE is irrelevent when God calls you to serve. It makes no difference what the world thinks of you. It makes no dfference if you would be picked last for the team. When God chooses you, you are VERY relevent, because…
God is with you.
Remember, God does not call the qualified, but rather, qualifies the called.
The Sound
Sitting in the silence,
with only a trickle of light,
teasing the darkness.
A cup filled with liquid pleasure
warming my hands.
Listening.
The silence is loud,
yet,
small, insignificant sounds distract me,
pulling me away from the moment,
the Sound.
I must silence the sounds –
wading through the clutter –
and return to the Sound,
the Voice,
the One.
Raise Your Hands
Raise your hands to the Lord,
and all that is in you.
Raise your hands to the Lord,
for He is faithful and true.
He has redeemed your life from the pit.
He has saved you from death.
The Lord is mighty to save.
So praise Him with your every breath.
In Jesus you have a new family.
In Jesus you are not cast away.
In Jesus all hope is secure.
So raise your praise on this day.
Why wait? Why wait, to praise the Lord?
For He is worthy of praise now.
Look into His Word and know,
I promise that you will say “Wow!”
Raise you hands to the Lord,
and all that is in you.
Raise your hands to the Lord,
For all praise to Him is definitely due.
Without Ceasing
Holy God,
my prayer rises to You in the morning,
and at the noontide.
My prayer rises to you in the evening,
and as my eyes close to hide.
I can come to You in any moment.
though I am thoroughly unclean.
I need to come you in Jesus,
for my sin is not unseen.
You have commanded me to pray without ceasing,
You have commanded me to run to You.
You have commanded me raise my petitions.
All glory to you is due.
And You command me so because,
well,
You love me.
You want fellowship with me.
You want me to draw closer to You.
You desire me – a sinner.
Through Jesus I am forgiven.
Through Jesus I am Yours.
Through Jesus I have hope.
Through Jesus Your love ensures.
Father Almighty and Holy God,
draw me closer for I want more of
You.
In Jesus holy and awesome name I pray –
continually,
Amen.
More
I gaze at the glass-like beauty as it,
Reflects it’s surroundings
Hosts the song of birds
Teams with life unseen
Yet,
It is just a glimpse.
There is so much More that I haven’t experienced – More to be known.
I can’t take it all in with a single gaze.
But I know there’s More,
and I want it.
I want to gaze at Your full beauty.
I want more than what I know now.
This world reveals Your handiwork now,
and I praise You.
But it is not enough.
I know there is More
and I want More,
More of You.
Read
“O God, You are not silent, for You speak through Your Word.
Open my ears to hear.
Open my heart to receive.
Transform me and remake me that I may better glorify You.“
[From my prayer journal]
I wrote that above prayer because of a quote that came to mind. I forget the source and the exact quotation, but the spirit of it was that if you think God is silent or does not speak to you, then open your Bible and read. The Bible is God’s inspired, infallible, inerrant Word.
Read and hear, for His voice is speaking to you.
Read and listen.
Read and obey.
Read and remember.
Read and be excited, for our creator God is speaking.
Read and wonder.
Read and read some more.
The Bible is timeless and relevant. As Dr Steven Lawson has said, “The Bible is more relevant than tomorrow’s news.” And it will always be relevant. It will never go out of style for it is the Word of Life, Jesus Christ, crucified for your sins and raised for your salvation. Everything of this world will eventually fail and fall away, but the Word of God is FOREVER.
So…
Read, read, read…
God is speaking.
God is speaking — TO YOU.
Pitiful But Redeemed
Father God
I am a pitiful sinner,
But Jesus Christ,
My Lord,
My Savior,
Over Satan is the winner.
My soul You did redeem.
My life You did set free.
And now, O God, I am filled,
With Your Spirit,
With Your life,
That I may know true glee.
Sustain me now in this life,
And keep me close by Your side,
That all may know,
And never go,
The way of eternal strife.
The Heart of a Pastor 