January 11, 2014 – Psalms 3 & 4 – Try Making God your Source of Strength

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Please say an extra prayer today. Nearly 20 West Side Christians and Teens are in Gatlinburg for the Tennessee Christian Teen Convention. Pray that our travels will be safe. Pray that our teens will be challenged to follow Christ more closely with their lives. Pray that our youth group will bond tighter during our time away.

What Does this Passage Say?

• Psalm 3 is a Psalm of David. David was the second King of Israel after his father-in-law Saul. David famously committed adultery with the wife of Uriah the Hittite (One of David’s Mighty Men), Bathsheba. Their son conceived in their affair died. Because of this sin God allowed disruption to take place in his family. One of the major disruptions was his son Absalom stealing the heart of the people and ousting David as king. During this time David is on the run. It is with this context David writes the words of Psalm 3.
• David has found he has many enemies, but he knows who is on his side … God. He has put trust in God and is crying out to God to lead him, sustain him, and protect him.

• Psalm 4 is another Psalm of David. We are not given much context for the writing of this Psalm. David is again going through a rough time in his life. Maybe this is when he is on the run from his father-in-law Saul. Maybe it is during a war as king. Maybe it is when he is running from Absalom. We do not know when it is, but he knows this, God again is his strength and it is God he is turning to. This song of David also calls for his countrymen, other Israelites, to call on God, to make Him number one, and live for him with their lives. David will take comfort and strength from God.

 What is this passage teaching?

• Both of these passages show us where David’s security came from. David did not find strength in his own power and ability. David did not turn to others to secure him. David in his time of need turned to God.

 How can I apply this passage to my life?

• David was a beacon of light for his countrymen. He not only challenged them to turn to God he demonstrated it in his own life. Will you take David’s challenge and turn to God? Will you take David’s challenge and draw strength from God and God alone? God protected David and brought him through many storms. God will do the same for you if you will turn to him. 

September 5 – Ezekiel 28-30

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Ezekiel 28-30. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

When God predicts His judgment against Tyre he begins with their pride beginning at the top level … “In your great pride you claim, ‘I am a god! I sit on a divine throne in the heart of the sea.’” (Ezekiel 28:2b NLT)  God was angry with Tyre and its prince because he claimed to be a god. Now this was not anything new. Most kings of the ancient world believed in a plethora of gods. Many even believed as kings they were a god themselves. God saw this as pride and arrogance.

As I examine my own life I realize I am not much different than the prince of Tyre. Now I do not believe I am deity. I do not believe in any way that I am a god, but I sure do try to live like it. I try to live as if I know everything. I try to live as if the whole world revolves around me, and sadly this is often ramped up in my own home. I try to live with all the pleasures I can afford. While I may not put myself on the same playing field as some form of deity, I certainly try to live like a God.

I think my actions anger God like the prince of Tyre’s did. What about you, do you see yourself falling into the same trap as the Prince of Tyer did? For him it was incredibly easy, he was the prince of a very beautiful city and region. He had wealth. He had servants. He had material possessions. He had people bowing down to him. And for us it is easy to. As American’s God has richly blessed our nation. We in a sense do not constantly need God (We really do, but be honest, how many of us are so in need that the only option to turn to is God himself?). Because of God’s blessings, too many times we do not turn to God, but to our own self. Those actions make us like the prince of Tyre, proud and seeing ourselves as a god. Be on guard though, God does not like competition. 

August 28 – Ezekiel 5-8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Ezekiel 5-8. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: J.T. Noriega

How big is your God? How omniscient is your God? By the time of Ezekiel’s writing and prophesying, God to Israel was not very big. In our reading today God takes Ezekiel for an awesome trip. First of all wouldn't it be cool to have the privilege to see the glory of God like Ezekiel did? Then He takes him on some out of body experience to Jerusalem to see the detestable sins of the people.

In Jerusalem the sins of the people keep growing. They are under siege, but they are not turning to Yahweh. They are dying of starvation and sickness, and they turn to the gods of the people around them. They believe at this point God is either small or no longer present. “The LORD does not see us; he has deserted our land!” (Ezekiel 8:12 NLT)

Do you ever feel that way? Maybe you are going through a rough patch of life; cancer, divorce, loneliness, sickness, death, financial struggles, and you feel as Israel felt, God has deserted you. But just like Judah, God knows what is going on in your life, in your heart, and in your mind. He may not be working in a way that you can see or feel, but He is still there. Give Him time. Put your trust in God. Live a life that is worthy of the salvation you cherish. 

August 20 – Habakkuk 1 - 3

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Habakkuk 1-3. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

There is no real spiritual edification that is about to be bestowed on you for what you are about to read in the next few sentences. One of my favorite books of the Bible to pronounce is Habakkuk. I love letting it thrust from my throat. I loved to smack the back of my tongue against the roof of my mouth at I stress the K’s. For some reason I feel I am German and must sound angry when I am saying it (When I was in Germany I felt every one was always angry when they were talking; they could be saying I love you and to me it sounds angry). You can go to Wikipedia and play the pronunciation suggestions at the beginning of the description to see how to say it. Both versions are correct. Now to some real spiritual edification …

In God’s response to Habakkuk in chapter two God reveals the truth about false God’s. In a way I feel as if God is taunting the proud, greedy, murders, and strait up sinners. God says … “What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, “wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? They me be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside.” (Habakkuk 2:19 NLT)

Are we like the people in the last days of Jerusalem? Have we put our hope in man made images and objects? Sure they may not be idols carved of wood and stone that serve as a deity to us. But they are physical man made object that have become our hope. Things like retirement accounts, sports, television, the internet, alcohol, and so many more fill our hope. Now many of these things are not wrong and if used right can be a tool of God for His blessing. But when our hope is in them, and not in God, we are doing what Judah did. When we turn to them for fulfillment, the internet, television, and alcohol, just to name a few, instead of God, we are doing what Judah did.

Friends, put your hope in God. He is so much more than a carved image and so much more than any escape we might find. He is creator and sustainer of everything we know. He has shoulder broad enough to carry any pain, any hurt, and any worry. He loves you so much that He sent Jesus to pay the debt of your sin. Turn to Him!

May 5 – Psalms 1, 2, 15, 22-24, 47, & 68

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Psalms 1, 2, 15, 22-24, 47, & 68. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

If you have not caught on by now, let me share it again with you, David has built up a lot of enemies. Whether it was his own father-in-law Saul, or the other nations he helped to defeat in battle, and even later in life from within his own family, there are many who do not like David and even want him dead. He often writes about this as we have seen time and again from the Psalms.

What I find amazing and a teachable moment for us is that David, at least in his writings, and even in his actions (Remember David and Saul in the cave when Saul went to relieve himself, David cuts off a corner of his robe, and feels awful for even doing that to the Lord’s anointed?), let’s God bring about the judgment that his enemies deserve. David turns it over to God to let him deal with what needs dealt with.

Do you do that? Do you let God handle your problems? Do you share your problems with God? Do you wait for His answers, His guidance, and His deliverance? If not imagine ways you can begin to make that happen in your life.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

April 18 – Psalm 17, 35, 54, & 63

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Psalm 17, 35, 54, & 63. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: alexey05 ~ Alexey Fursov ~ flickr

David continues to teach us lessons on how to handle difficult situations in life. As a man on the run he has created a few enemies. We have seen just Nabal and Saul, but I am sure there have been a few others. With enemies growing how does David deal with them? Maybe he took action that the Bible simply does not record for us. But according to his writings he goes to God. He hand them over to God, and asks God to fight his battles.

Do you go to God and ask him to fight your battles? Maybe it is an over demanding boss at work. Maybe it is a parent of another child that is on your kid’s team that just grinds your gears. Maybe it is a relationship you have with a parent. Maybe it is changes taking place at your church. I do not know what your battles in life are right now but I know David was called a man after God’s own heart. I have to think that is because in almost everything he did, he sought God’s leadership in his life. We must do the same.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

March 17 – Deuteronomy 17-20

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Deuteronomy 17-20. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

The fourth chapter in our reading today talks to us about God going before the Israelites into their battles. It also gives reasons why men could turn around and go home … their new homes have not been blessed, they have not been able to consume of their new vineyard, they had not yet married the girl they were engaged to. I think it is cool to see God respecting the joys of life. Do you have joys in your life? If not, why not. God gave us life to enjoy … find joy!

What I also find great is that God wants to be the center of everything. When they would go off into battle a priest would come and remind them that God was going to lead them. He was going to deliver their enemies. God wanted to be a part of everything … from their joys to their battles in life. Have you compartmentalized your life? Do you bring God into everything you do? I hope so, because that’s who God is and wants to be in your life.

At West Side we are beginning a new prayer partner campaign. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

March 12 – Deuteronomy 3-4

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Deuteronomy 3-4. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

Is the life we live a representation of the God we serve? Moses believed that obeying the Law of God, in essence living as God instructed revealed God … “Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?” Deuteronomy 4:6-8 NIV. Moses taught and believed that the way they followed God would represent God himself.

Let’s apply that thought to our lives … how does the way we live our life display God? Is your representation of God something you are proud of? Is your representation of God something that in all honesty you are ashamed of? If so, think about what steps you can take to display God in the awesome reality that he exists in.

At West Side we are beginning a new prayer partner campaign. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

February 28 – Numbers 11-13

Today’s reading comes from Numbers 11-13. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

How much faith do you really have in God? Are you willing to trust that what he provides is enough? Are you willing to believe he is strong enough to conquer all that you face in life? Are you willing to really truly make him master of your life? If you call yourself a Christian you have experienced God’s deliverance from sin. You have been rescued from the bondage of slavery this world holds over people. But I wander do we still doubt the power, sovereignty, clout, and muscle of God?

The Israelites did. Over and over again they doubted God. They had experienced him delivering them from the chains of slavery of the Egyptians. Their deliverance was not a run of the mill get up and leave Egypt event. It was witnessing and experiencing the power of God in a huge way. Remember the leprosy covered hand, remember the staff to a snake, remember the water to blood, the ten plagues, the death of the first born, the parting of the Red Sea, bitter water turned good, manna in the mornings, Moses on Mt. Sinai, the construction of the Tabernacle, and the setting apart of Aaron and the Levites. All this and they doubt. And it is not just the average people; Moses brother and sister both have their moments of doubt.

Their doubts cost them severely. God reminds Moses of his power and ability … “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!” Numbers 11:23 NLT. Those who craved meat lost their lives. Miriam and Aaron are rebuked by God, Miriam even being turned unclean for seven days. For the biggest doubt, not trusting God’s power to help them overtake the land … something he promised to do in Leviticus … their punishment is yet to be read.

Friends, having doubts about God can be ok. When we have honest questions where we have a respect filled dialogue with God, I think that’s ok. But when we doubt by casting blame on God, shrugging off his blessings and guidance as not as good as before our salvation, then I think we have entered an area were we are treading on thin ice. What you think? Feel free to share in the comments below.

At West Side we are beginning a new prayer partner campaign. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

January 23 - Genesis 32-34

Today’s reading comes from Genesis 32-34. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

As we have read through the story of Abraham, Isaac and now Jacob there has been one theme that keeps rearing its ugly head and it really bothers me. Throughout this story we have seen all sorts of levels of dishonesty. We witnessed when Abraham lied not once but twice about Sarah being his wife. While the lie wasn’t fully true … she was his half-sister having the same father but different mothers … it was still a lie, she was his wife. We see Isaac make a very similar lie telling the same group of people that Rebekah was not his wife. We then see between Rebekah and her sons Esau and Jacob there is dishonesty when she sends Jacob in to receive Esau’s blessing from Isaac. Now today, we conclude our reading with a pact made by Jacob’s sons and the Shechemites.

Now the Schechemites do something very detestable to her … Genesis says he violated her 34:2. At the very best she was a willing partner but because no marriage had taken place he defiled her, and at the very worst … which is the most likely scenario … he raped her. This outraged her brothers. But her brothers did a detestable thing in making a pact with the Schechemites, tricking them into circumcision and then slaughtering them in their pain. I wasn’t there, I only have the benefit of reading about it, but there had to be a better more peaceful way to resolve this issue. At least there had to be an honest way to do so.

Maybe there is something in this I am missing. But let me encourage you … whenever you have been wronged, whenever you are in a tight situation, do not cause God to have to come to your rescue like he has done for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Do the noble and right thing from the beginning. And remember, God’s story is full of people who haven’t always gotten it right. He has never hid that from us in his word. It is there bright and loud and he used them through their weaknesses. And he can and will use you despite your weaknesses. 

January 14 – Job 38-39

Today’s reading comes from Job 38-39. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

God is all knowing, God is all present, and God is all powerful. All along God has been in control. The calamities that have struck Job we not caused by God but they were allowed by God.  God has heard Job and his three friends banter back and forth. He has heard the descriptions of his character and abilities. He has heard the accusations made against Him. And now He is ready to respond.

He begins directly with Job. His words remind us of his work in creation. His words remind us of his power and majesty. His words remind us of his sovereignty. He asks where Job was as he wove the fabric of the universe into existence. We will learn that Job has no response to God’s questions.

In this we see God responding to the questions posed by Job. As I read I thought about the idea of questioning God. Is it ok to question God? From a simple surface level reading of God’s response we could say no, that it is a scary proposition. And in one sense I agree while completely disagree. Here is how.

As I study scripture I am fully convinced that it is a dangerous prospect to question God, to believe you know better. I mean he is God; creator, give of life, and sustainer of the universe. I think he knows what he is doing. However, to have questions, to seek wisdom, to seek understanding, to ask God why in humility, I think that is noble, I think that is pure. When calamities strike and you begin to question God, seek the tone of your heart. The tone of your heart will show the real reason for your questions. If you seek understanding and wisdom God will build up and instruct. 

Lessons From a Church Builder

Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Do you ever feel like you are inadequate as a minister, leader, parent, spouse? To say I wasn’t feeling that way right now would be a total lie. We are in the process of adding a second service here at West Side and there is a lot needing to be discussed to make that happen. With all that has to be done, I feel like I am in over my head and no where near prepared for this. And then in one of my email thread there is a personal comment at the end.

During a time of change like this you never know what a personal comment might entail. I recently received one that was an attack on me. Those are never fun to read. But today’s wasn’t that way. Today’s was encouraging, uplifting, and really needed. The comment basically said we are very blessed to have you, what you are doing is great, please know I am there to talk, and we are excited about watching you grow. If I wasn’t feeling overwhelmed that might go straight to my head. But in the middle of what we are experiencing that was exactly what I needed to hear.

It is amazing how God sends messages right when you need it. Yesterday I had a discussion that left me asking … “Why am I doing this?” The note I received a few weeks ago did the same things. An email I received almost a year ago really beat me down. It took me weeks to even share it with my wife. But every time God sends someone to me right when I need it. He did this for me in my first ministry so many times. There were times where I just wanted to give up. There were times when I wanted to walk away. There were times when I wanted to leave school and just mow grass. But God would send people with just the right words. I am so thankful for that. If it wasn’t for those words, I don’t know if I would continue to do this.

God sent someone several months ago. During a ministers meeting we invited a minister whose church had went from overly traditional to completely contemporary. He shared in his talk about how horrible the first six or eight years were. But he stuck through it. He had broad shoulders. He took the beatings. And now, God is richly blessing his ministry and their church. Oddly enough, those were words of encouragement.

In the email I received today, the last line really struck me. The more I have read it the more talking points I see in it. I will only share one today, and possibly others in the future. She said … “God has given West Side the awesome responsibility of seeing you grow and mature into the amazing minister you will be.” I am young. I could take that multiple ways. But I acknowledge and hope I always do and that I haven’t arrived yet. That I do have a lot of growing and maturing left in me. It is my prayer that I am always teachable. It is my prayer that I am always growing. It is my prayer that I am open to God’s guiding and leading in my life. If not, then I need to walk away, hang it up, and not bear the broad shoulders needed for this job.

Photo Courtesy of andres.thor's

The Beauty of Frustration

I am excited about the coming year at West Side. We have a lot of things in store for this coming year and so far an incredible line up of sermons planned. We began the year with Larry Holmes kicking off our series … “2011 Encountering Your Giftedness.” He used Rick Warren’s SHAPE principle to share that we all have spiritual gifts and that our shape defines how we use them. He did an awesome job.

Next week I have the privilege of preaching the first sermon on an individual gift, which is prophecy. This is one of those subjects that depending on the church you attend can have a different meaning. Because of that I am spending a ton of time in study. Last week I really began to dive into the study of this topic. I was speaking with our secretary and she said this topic had always been confusing to her. That left me with this response, “Had you asked me yesterday I would have given you an answer. Now after studying I am confused.”

Friends, that is the frustration of study. I have found several times that when I begin to do a thorough study of a topic or idea, before I figure it out, I get completely confused. It can be frustrating that what you thought you understood can be completely turned upside down by digging a little deeper. It makes you then begin to question other ideas, thoughts, and beliefs you may have formed off of your previous understanding. It can even open up new thoughts you never previously had.

While you may become confused, frustrated, and have things you once believed thrown out the window, there is beauty in that. You see that is what defines understanding of who God is and how you are to follow him. If you never study, but live your life according to what a preacher, Sunday School teacher, or some other person tells you, then you do not own your faith. You own your faith, you own your understanding because of your own thorough investigation of the evidence. You own your faith because you have come to a conclusion on your own merit, under your own understanding, based of what you have pieced together.

Having your understanding and faith challenged is a part of the process. The writer of Hebrews admonishes the reader to move from spiritual milk to meat. Friends, when we study, that is exactly what we are doing. And while it might be frustrating, there is beauty in it. Your faith, your understanding has become your own through the frustration. Owning your faith and understanding is beautiful.

The above image was used from a purchase made by the West Side Church of Christ from Vistaprint.com

Longing

Below is the daily Bible reading I am doing for the West Side Church. Please feel free to follow along.

We have all experienced separation from loved ones. It is a wonderful time we are living in that when we are separated by loved ones we can pick up our cell phones or log onto our computers and be directly connected with them. We talk and share about our busy days while separated. We hang on every word they share about their day. We just love hearing the sound of their voice.

The writer of today’s second psalm (Psalm 41 & 42) talks of the way they long for God. Here on earth we are separated from God. The beauty of heaven in my mind is not the streets of gold, the pearly gates, the sea of crystal, or even being reunited with love ones (All these things to me are a bonus of heaven), but the real joy of heaven is being in the very prescience of God himself. So do you long for that day when you will be with God?

Is God such a force in your life that he lives out the psalmist words? “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” If you understand the real joys of heaven, than this becomes the desire you live each day with. My hope and prayer is that it is.

Confidence in God

So on Wednesday nights I have been working with the teenagers at West Side. I have been going through a series of lessons on purpose using clips from the movie Evan Almighty. Tonight’s lesson is about sacrifice and I am using the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac found in Genesis 22:1-19. As I was studying the text for the lesson something obvious jumped off the page at me.

I have read the story many times and even seen these very words, but they really made me think. When we are following God’s will in our lives how confident are we in God. I mean, I try to follow God every day, but I still worry about how I am going to provide for my wife and my self. I have put my trust in God, but how deeply have I done that?

But here is Abraham, asked by God to sacrifice Isaac the son he has waited so long on. As he leaves his servants behind to climb the mountain to offer that sacrifice he replies to the servants “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Abraham was following God’s difficult request, and all the while putting his full faith in God. He had confidence that God would provide for him. He knows somehow he was going to return with Isaac.

Now was that selfishness on Abraham’s part? Maybe. Was that insider knowledge? Maybe. Was that true trust and faith in God? Certainly. That is evident when Abraham grabs the knife to perform the sacrifice. Do we live out God’s purposes with that amount of faith and confidence in what He has said He will do? I know at times I don’t.