March 6
I’m reading the delightful story of the short tax collector who climbed a tree to get a better look at Jesus who looks up and says “Zacchaeus come down I must stay at your house today.”
Isn’t Jesus asking to stay in my house? How open am I to the invitation? Am I willing to change as Zacchaeus did?
I don’t need any more motivation than what Jesus said to Zaccheaus.
“Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10 NIV)
Friday, March 5, 2010
A Saturday in San Francisco
March 5
It is Saturday afternoon in San Francisco. My consulting project is over and I am heading to a restaurant when I come upon a pornography shop with plenty of luring signage. It would have been easy to walk in, nobody will know. But I will know and God will know!
I remember what Joseph did when Potiphar’s wife tempted him. He ran.
I do likewise. I recall Joseph’s words to that woman.
"How can I do this wickedness,and sin against my God." (Genesis 39:9)
It is Saturday afternoon in San Francisco. My consulting project is over and I am heading to a restaurant when I come upon a pornography shop with plenty of luring signage. It would have been easy to walk in, nobody will know. But I will know and God will know!
I remember what Joseph did when Potiphar’s wife tempted him. He ran.
I do likewise. I recall Joseph’s words to that woman.
"How can I do this wickedness,and sin against my God." (Genesis 39:9)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Fifty Years of Marriage
March 4
"Many people have kindly asked, how do you look so young after fifty years of marriage,” the retired scout executive said. “Early on we had an awful spat. She went up to the bedroom and I went outside. We agreed if we ever had another tiff she would retire to the bedroom and I to the yard. You'd be surprised what fifty years of outdoor life can do for you." Here is some more marital advice.
“Wives submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22)
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)
"Many people have kindly asked, how do you look so young after fifty years of marriage,” the retired scout executive said. “Early on we had an awful spat. She went up to the bedroom and I went outside. We agreed if we ever had another tiff she would retire to the bedroom and I to the yard. You'd be surprised what fifty years of outdoor life can do for you." Here is some more marital advice.
“Wives submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22)
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Things I Needed to Hear
March 3
She wanted to update me on her job search. She is still struggling with some old issues that she knows she should give to the Lord. I ask the Lord to give me the words to say. I hear myself saying, “ Unfounded fear, self- doubt, and discouragement are not from the Lord."
“Neither is anxiousness,” she ads. “What is from the Lord?”
“The fruit of the spirit comes to mind.”
" Love,joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control, are the fruit of the spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
She wanted to update me on her job search. She is still struggling with some old issues that she knows she should give to the Lord. I ask the Lord to give me the words to say. I hear myself saying, “ Unfounded fear, self- doubt, and discouragement are not from the Lord."
“Neither is anxiousness,” she ads. “What is from the Lord?”
“The fruit of the spirit comes to mind.”
" Love,joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control, are the fruit of the spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Beautiful Scene
March 2
The sun is nearing the horizon. Its orange-red glow cast a tongue of fire across a sparkling Gulf of Mexico. Small waves roll gentle onto the beach while tiny birds scurry along the water’s edge. A dolphin breaks water in the distance while some pelicans fly overhead.
My wife and I hug taking in the sheer majesty of this moment. Joy begins praying aloud, praising the Lord for all this beauty, for the privilege of being here to enjoy it and for all God’s blessings.
"Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good."
Genesis (1:31)
The sun is nearing the horizon. Its orange-red glow cast a tongue of fire across a sparkling Gulf of Mexico. Small waves roll gentle onto the beach while tiny birds scurry along the water’s edge. A dolphin breaks water in the distance while some pelicans fly overhead.
My wife and I hug taking in the sheer majesty of this moment. Joy begins praying aloud, praising the Lord for all this beauty, for the privilege of being here to enjoy it and for all God’s blessings.
"Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good."
Genesis (1:31)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Prayers Answered
March 1
This morning Joy asks me to pray with her. She is going to a surgeon's office for her painful breasts. She hadn't been gone long when the phone rang. It was Steve, a friend. He said, "I was just coming out of the doctor's office and who do I run into but Joy. We hugged in the entryway. She seemed glad to see me. I called so we can pray for her over the phone.” We do.
When Joy returns she starts to tell me about running into Steve. I know, we prayed for you over the phone. She began to shake at the thought of it.
"Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
This morning Joy asks me to pray with her. She is going to a surgeon's office for her painful breasts. She hadn't been gone long when the phone rang. It was Steve, a friend. He said, "I was just coming out of the doctor's office and who do I run into but Joy. We hugged in the entryway. She seemed glad to see me. I called so we can pray for her over the phone.” We do.
When Joy returns she starts to tell me about running into Steve. I know, we prayed for you over the phone. She began to shake at the thought of it.
"Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
Encourage Each Other
February 28
The lights are on, but obviously the owner is out. As I descend the wooden steps, a car rolls in next to mine. "He is not here, " I call out.
"Figures! He is often out on calls."
Believers have a way of connecting and soon we are talking about doing God's work. We agree that our meeting that day is God's way of strengthening each of us,
That evening I read in my Bible.
"I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other." (Romans 1:12)
The lights are on, but obviously the owner is out. As I descend the wooden steps, a car rolls in next to mine. "He is not here, " I call out.
"Figures! He is often out on calls."
Believers have a way of connecting and soon we are talking about doing God's work. We agree that our meeting that day is God's way of strengthening each of us,
That evening I read in my Bible.
"I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other." (Romans 1:12)
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