Even The Greatest Have Bad Days

In my devotions today, I was reading about the time when John-The Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the promised one, even going so far as to have them ask if they should expect another. Hello! Wasn't this the same man who know doubt heard the stories from his mother, to whom the Spirit revealed Jesus' identity, baptized Jesus, heard the voice from heaven and saw the Holy Spirit descend as a dove? Now he is questioning? Consider his circumstance. he was in jail and his days were numbered. Quite possibly, he was thinking, "This isn't how I imagined this Jesus the Messiah thing playing out."

Sounds crazy doesn't it? Yet, we often do the same. We have a great experience with God one day and then we find ourselves in the midst of a trial or hardship and we begin to question. You know something I've learned? God is big enough for questions. Just as John- The Baptist questioned Jesus through his disciples, we can ask questions.

Jesus said that there was no greater prophet than John- The Baptist, so, unless we are questioning to the point of despair and desertion, we can and God expects us to have some questions.

Having a bad day? A bad series of days? Ask God the reason why. He will either teach you something, use you in the circumstance, or the circumstance will make his deliverance even more spectacular.

We're OK

Thanks to all those calling with their concern. Our car accident today, has left us with some strains, aches, pains and a crushed back end for our van, but nothing serious - Praise God!
NOTE: when your stopped in construction, it might be wise to keep an eye on the rearview mirror!

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PIGS

I've been seeing all sorts of things, fresh and new in God's Word. I was reading again in Matthew about the time that Jesus went across the lake and met up with two demon possessed men. The demons knew who He was and begged Him to allow them to go into a herd of pigs.

What amazed me the most, was the fact that the town's people had the Son of God - in the flesh - in their presence and they were more concerned with a bunch of pigs.

I was amazed until I realized how often I do the same thing. Everyday, I have the opportunity and privilege to be in the presence of Almighty God but many times I choose to involve myself with far lesser things - you know, the "pigs" of life that seem so important but seldom actually are.

God, help me to seek your presence daily!

Charisma Vs Character

My devotions on Thursday found me in Matthew chapter 7. While I was reading the passage where Jesus was warning of false prophets, I was considering how The Message uses the contrast between a speaker-minister-prophet's charisma and their character.

For years, I have been concerned with an apparent lack of charisma in my teaching and preaching. I have never been a pulpit pounder and our sound guys know to crank my mic way up to compensate for my counselor's voice. However, this passage spoke to me.

I'm not going to get into any discussion on the accuracy of The Message paraphrase; however I will say that the Holy Spirit did illuminate this passage to my heart and mind this week.

My Takeaway- Charisma is all fine and good; however, it can be faked. Character cannot be faked - one's true character will always come out. I don't want God to build anything in the ministry he has placed me in based on my charisma (or lack of it).

My Prayer - I pray that God will enable me to be a man of good character - character that is being transformed into the character of Jesus Christ, so that God may be glorified in everything I do.

Dotting the I - It's more than just a tuba player!

I bet you think I'm going to blog about my favorite football team, by the title and the pic, that would be easy easy to assume. However this is going to have nothing to do with OSU football, the great OSU band nor the lone tuba player and his high-stepping march to the center of attention.

In my devotions the other day, I was reading Christ's words in Matthew 5:18 where it says that, "not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished". That's a powerful statement! Not even the dot of an I will become null from God's Word.

Have you ever heard anyone trying to rationalize scripture to fit their current situation, saying that what was written is not for today, not for them or, the worst, saying, "That's your interpretation." The beauty of this passage is that it is so straightforward. It would be a stretch to miss-interpret. In this world of "relativism" such a verse brings a head-on challenge.

God is faithful in that his Word contains the answers we all should be prepared to give. That's my prayer. "Lord, give me answers from your Word every day!

Oh, one more thing...

O-H

From The WORD

The other night I called a good friend and told him about some circumstances that we're going through. I asked him to pray with us through this trial. He responded with an age-old saying that says. "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!" Of course he added, "If you've already tied a knot, keep holding on to it."

The next morning, my devotions landed me in Matthew 5. I'm doing my devotions this year from a NIV/Message parallel Bible. In the message paraphrase of verse 3, it reads "You're blessed when your at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule." My prayer that day was that God would rule in my life. That He would continue to be the center and an abiding presence in our lives.

I don't know what God will do to get us through this circumstance. But when we've done all that we can, and are clinging to a knot at the end of a rope - the rest is up to God. He is faithful!