A Life Worthy

Seek His Face Monday 1/8/18

Posted on January 8, 2018 by michaelJanuary 8, 2018

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek (Psalm 27:8).

It’s simple, really.

Your heart knows.

Be careful, Beloved. I don’t think David is talking about his emotions when he talks about his heart. We all know that trusting and following our emotions can bring on a whole world of pain and embarrassment and regret.

I mean, I remember a time when…

never mind.

But the heart is deeper than that. You’ve gotta get past the emotions that throw you around like the proverbial storm-tossed ship. You have to move beyond all the turmoil to get to the still place, the quiet place, the place where life becomes very simple indeed:

Know God.

Seek his face.

Remember who he is.

In this Psalm, David was under attack, and there was no simple way to fight back. His response, and his advice to us today…

seek his face.

Shall we?

Happy Monday, Beloved.

Hear Me One-a-Day Friday 1/5/18

Posted on January 5, 2018 by michaelJanuary 5, 2018

Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me (Psalm 27:7).

You know what I like about David?

He’s human.

I mean, look at him. He just finished declaring that Almighty God will–not may, but will–keep David safe and enable him to stand tall over his enemies.

Yesterday David was shouting and singing.

Today he whispers, “Oh, please, Father, be there.”

That is so utterly, wholly, completely human.

So…me.

God rejoices in our strength, Beloved.

He rejoices in our weakness.

He rejoices every time our hearts turn to him.

So turn your heart to Him today, this moment, right now. Whether it’s in triumph or tragedy or temptation or fear or frustration or failure turn to him and let him hold you up.

It’s the only way to bring glory to God

and peace to your heart.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

Sing One-a-Day Thursday 1/4/18

Posted on January 4, 2018 by michaelJanuary 4, 2018

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord (Psalm 27:6).

Sing

Sing a song

Sing out loud

Sing out–

sorry.

Are you feeling all ‘70s, now?

Sorry again.

You know, there’s wisdom in that little ditty from the land of bell-bottoms and grooviosity. That Sesame Street advice is spot-on.

Sing your song.

Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear, just sing…

God has saved you from unimaginable yuck, my friend, and he’s just getting started. Sing his praises today, loud and long, in any combination of keys you can manage. He’s worth it, ya?

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Safe One-a-Day Wednesday 1/3/18

Posted on January 3, 2018 by michaelJanuary 3, 2018

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock (Psalm 27:5).

Trouble’s coming.

I don’t know when

or where

or how

but I know it’s coming.

Because, you know…life.

I also know this–

You are safe.

He–the Lord of the Universe, Maker of Time and Space and Stuff–he’s got you.

David tells us that God will keep us safe in his dwelling, his tabernacle. Basically his house. And that image makes sense. If I want to protect something or someone, I can bring them into my home where there are doors to lock and alarms to set. In the New Testament, Paul goes one better. Paul told the Colossians that our lives are hidden in God himself.

Not in his home.

In Him.

Frankly, I don’t understand how any of this really works.

But I’ll take it.

Beloved, I hope that today is not your day of trouble. I wish you a day of sunshine and puppies and chocolate.

But if trouble comes…

You are safe.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

To Be With Him One-a-Day Tuesday 1/2/18

Posted on January 2, 2018 by michaelJanuary 2, 2018

One thing I ask of the Lord; this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple (Psalm 27:4).

Just to be with God. Do you ever want that? Do you ever have those moments when you get past wanting from God and just want God?

I have to admit; for me, those moments are too few and too far between.

But then, the New Year is about fresh starts and making changes, isn’t it?

How many things are you asking God for in 2018, Beloved?

How about just one?

This one.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

New Year’s Day Monday 1/1/18

Posted on January 1, 2018 by michaelJanuary 1, 2018

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

New day

New year

New you

We serve a God of second chances and new beginnings. No matter what 2017 looked like, it is over. Today you begin again. If last year was one of triumph, great—remember and rejoice,

but don’t live there.

Press on.

If last year was one of failure, or pain, or loss—praise God for this new beginning.

The image in my head this morning is of the land after a snowfall, when nothing has yet touched the surface of the snow. It is fresh, clean, and waiting.

So…go make snow angels.

Happy 2018, Beloved of Christ.

Fear? What Fear? One-a-Day Friday 12/29/17

Posted on December 29, 2017 by michaelDecember 29, 2017

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

We are coming up on the New Year. When you think about it, it’s just an arbitrary date on an imaginary calendar. I mean, it’s not like Monday is going to look different from today. Sky will still be blue, grass will still be green, gravity should remain fairly constant.

Still…

We look at the New Year as a time to start fresh, to begin (or re-begin) new things. We wonder about the future and what it will hold for us. What opportunities await us in the coming year? What challenges? What treasures lie in our paths, and what monsters lie in wait? It can be an exciting time—and a scary time.

As you gird your loins for January 1, ask yourself the same question David asks: With God as my light, my life, my protector, what can possibly frighten me?

Happy endof2017, Beloved.

Words One-a-Day Thursday 12/28/17

Posted on December 28, 2017 by michaelDecember 28, 2017

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it (James 4:11).

So, now that the extended family is gone…tell me.

How many snide remarks were there?

How often did you mock Weird Uncle Dave because, well, look at him with that silly comb-over and that “girlfriend” who is, what, half his age and is obviously only after him for his money and is totally playing him for a fool?

Or what about Great Aunt Susie, who insists on bringing her “Famous” eggplant casserole that causes brave men to weep and pit bulls to lie down and die?

Or Cousin Jimmy, who’s working retail…still.

Or…

Yeah…

Christmas is over.

Christ isn’t.

Remember grace, Beloved.

Happy Thursday.

Big Zeal One-a-Day Wednesday 12/27/17

Posted on December 27, 2017 by michaelDecember 28, 2017

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:7).

Not through political activism.

Not through military strength.

Not through personal charisma.

Not through any power of man.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Justice will come, and righteousness will come, but not by our hands.

By his.

Maybe, just for a bit, we can put down our signs and lift our hands.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

Big Government One-a-Day Tuesday 12/26/17

Posted on December 26, 2017 by michaelDecember 26, 2017

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:7)

I’m not really a fan of big government. More of a low taxes, leavemealoneandlletmelivemylifewithoutyouconstantlytellingmewhattodoandtryingtoprotectmefrommyself kind of guy.

But His government? I’m all in.

You know, the best form of government would be a truly benevolent dictatorship. We get someone in power who knows what’s best, wants what’s best, and is willing and able to do what’s best without regard for lining their own pockets.

The problem, of course, is that people are people.

Because even the best of men and women are sin-encrusted narcissists, that kind of rule is just not possible.

Outside of Christ.

One day Jesus will rule here on Earth in the flesh. We will get someone in power who knows what’s best, wants what’s best, and is willing and able to do what’s best without regard for lining his own pockets. His reign will go on and on and just get better and better.

Until that day, we can know his government in our hearts and lives.

If you belong to Jesus, his peace, his power, his rule in your life is growing each day. Oh, you may not feel it all the time, but it’s happening.

Chew on this today: are you allowing Christ to govern your life, or are you getting in his way?

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.