A Life Worthy

Picture People One-a-Day Monday 6/19/17

Posted on June 19, 2017 by michaelJune 19, 2017

I thank my God every time I remember you (Philippians 1:3).

When I was in college I had a prayer wall. This was an area of my room where I had pictures of friends and family posted. There was no rhyme or reason to the arrangement—just dozens of snapshots stapled to the wall of a dorm room. Every time I looked at those pictures, I remembered people who were important in my life. Some I saw every day; some were thousands of miles from me. Just seeing those photos prompted me to pray for them.

This is what Paul is talking about. These are people he cares for, people who are important to him. He wants them to know that he is thinking of them, covering them in prayer even when he can’t be with them.

Who is on your prayer wall, Beloved? Whose face popped into your mind when you read this Scripture? Spend some time in prayer for them today. Start your week by bringing someone you love before the throne of God.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

Down and Out and Lifted Up One-a-Day Friday 6/16/17

Posted on June 16, 2017 by michaelJune 16, 2017

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Have you ever been knocked down?

Sure you have.

Literally and/or metaphorically you’ve been beaten, torn up, kicked around, thrown down and ground into the dirt until there’s grit in your eyes and blood in your mouth.

But you survived.

After all, here you are, enjoying this delightfully uplifting message.

As much as I love reading about the armor of God, I think the message of the cross is most powerful, most potent, when your armor has cracked, your shield has caved in, and your sword has been knocked from your hand.

That’s when resurrection comes in.

They say that God will never give you more than you can handle. Perhaps it is better to say that he will never give you more than He can handle.

He is the one who lifts you up from the dust.

From the mire.

From the muck.

From the grave.

Metaphorically…and literally.

That is the treasure you carry in your little jar of clay.

Carry it with joy, Beloved.

Happy Friday.

Never Alone One-a-Day Thursday 6/15/17

Posted on June 15, 2017 by michaelJune 14, 2017

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned… (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

You may feel as if they’re all out to get you.

Maybe they are.

You may think that God’s left you to face it alone.

Never gonna happen, my friend.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Perplexion One-a-Day Wednesday 6/14/17

Posted on June 14, 2017 by michaelJune 14, 2017

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair… (2 Corinthians 4:7-8).

Some days…it just doesn’t make sense.

Any of it.

This world, with its evil and darkness and pain. I mean, how is it that they can’t see the wickedness all around them for what it is? How can they so willingly embrace lies?

And am I any better? Failing over and over to do what I know I should do, to be who I know I should be?

Even God, for that matter. Seriously, what is he doing in this world? In my life?

I suppose he knows—I’ve bet my forever on it. Still…

It all seems so hopeless sometimes…except that Hope Himself lives within me.

And within you.

He is the treasure in this clay jar. I will not despair.

Hold on to Hope today, Beloved.

Treasure the treasure.

Happy Wednesday.

Never Crushed One-a-Day Tuesday 6/13/17

Posted on June 13, 2017 by michaelJune 12, 2017

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed… (2 Corinthians 4:7-8).

There’s a science experiment I remember doing as a kid. You take a metal container of some kind—it has to be metal, and it has to have a lid. Fill the container about halfway with water and set it on the stove. Heat it until the water inside is boiling, then turn off the heat and screw the lid onto the container.

Then you wait…

As the container cools, it begins to implode. It’s like some giant, unseen hand is squeezing the can. The whole thing crumples right before your eyes. Way cool.

Why does the can crumple? Pretty simple, really. By boiling the water, you increase the air pressure inside the can and drive much of the air out. As the can cools, the air pressure drops, and the can tries to suck more air in—except it can’t, because you put the cap on. You end up with a can that has very little air inside. The outside air pressure—the weight of the world, so to speak—literally crushes it.

Tell me you’re making the connection.

You, Beloved, are not empty inside. You are filled with the treasure of His truth. This world and all its pressures—crushing as they are—will not destroy you.

So there.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Treasure One-a-Day Monday 6/12/17

Posted on June 12, 2017 by michaelJune 12, 2017

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us (2 Corinthians 4:7).

The Gospel.

The greatest of gifts. The very truth of God’s love and sacrifice on our behalf. A message with the power to change lives and worlds, and God puts it where?

In us.

Seriously? Weak, fumbling, neurotic us?

Yep.

Why?

Well, he tells us, doesn’t he, Beloved? He did it to show the world—and remind us—that it is his power at work and not ours.

Look, I don’t know what big plans you have for this week, but we both know…

Not without Him.

Furthermore, I don’t know what troubles are coming your way this week. For some of us, it’s bound to be pretty rough. So, God wants you to know, here and now, that He is the one working in you…through you…

For you.

Whether today’s a hunkering down kinda day or a venturing forth kinda day, you are not doing it on your own. Which, we can both admit, is a good thing.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

Fealty One-a-Day Friday 6/9/17

Posted on June 9, 2017 by michaelJune 9, 2017

If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. (Psalm 139:19-22)

Wow. Right in the middle of this psalm celebrating the wonder of God’s love and care for me, I get called to a holy war. What’s that about? If you do a little study on this verse, you find that it echoes the ancient Near East covenant language between King and Vassal. The vassal swears that any enemy of the king will be his enemy.

Are you impressed with my scholarliosity? I love those study bible footnotes.

But God is a God of love, right? Aren’t we supposed to love everyone?

Show me where it says that in the Bible.

Well, Jesus said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”

Oh yeah, he did…huh.

I’ll admit—this is a toughie. I’ll be happy to hear from any of you who have thoughts about this passage. It seems to me that, in light of the gospel, we should be pretty careful about hating people. There is plenty for us to hate—the ways of the world, the devil and his schemes, our own flesh—plenty that rises up against God. People seem pretty far down the list.

I think this passage is not so much a call to war as a call to total allegiance. You have a God who knows every thought you have ever entertained and loves you anyway. He surrounds you, literally, with his love and protection. Pledge your fealty to him again. Go forth into your Wednesday as the sworn enemy of all that stands against him.

Serve the king who loves you, Beloved.

Happy Friday

Lead Me One-a-Day Thursday 6/8/17

Posted on June 8, 2017 by michaelJune 8, 2017

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me, and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)

This psalm ends with a request. Like I said last week, this is a powerful way to check the state of your relationship with Christ. If the thought of God searching your heart frightens you, you’ve got to ask, why? A few things to notice here:

The psalmist asks God in. God is a gentleman when it comes to our hearts; he won’t barge in where he’s not invited.
The psalm began with the line, “O Lord, you have searched me…” So this is not a one-time event. It is a recurring, ongoing process.
The psalmist asks for four things: search me, test me, examine me, and lead me. We present ourselves before God so that he can show us what is getting in the way of our relationship. Essentially, we’re trying to clear out the junk so that God can bring us closer to him.

Are you in a place where you can ask this of God? Can you afford not to?

Be courageous, Beloved. Ask him in.

Happy Friday.

The Thoughts of God One-a-Day Wednesday 6/7/17

Posted on June 7, 2017 by michaelJune 7, 2017

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. (Psalm 139:17-18).

Can you imagine what goes on in the mind of God?

No, I don’t suppose you can. Me neither.

It’s like the worm I dig up in the yard knowing my thoughts.

No…it’s more like the microbial parasite living in the worm that I dig up in the yard knowing my thoughts.

No…it’s more like the subatomic particles that make up the microbial parasite living in the worm that I dig up in the yard knowing my thoughts.

Which probably doesn’t happen.

And yet, God wants us to know at least a portion of his thoughts. That’s why he gave us his Word. You can fall asleep with his thoughts in your mind and awake with his thoughts in your heart. You can move through this day meditating on his Word, and making his thoughts your thoughts.

Because he wants you to know him.

Because you are his Beloved.

Which is just another of many reasons it is better to be you than a worm.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

He Knew One-a-Day Tuesday 6/6/17

Posted on June 6, 2017 by michaelJune 6, 2017

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16).

Predestination…or free will?

Look, first thing on a Tuesday is not the time to get into a discussion that heavy. Let me just say—it’s both.

No, really.

OK, here we go. God created all things, ya? Therefore, he created time. He is not bound by time, the way we are. God exists at all moments in history simultaneously. Simply put, all time—past, present, and future—is now to God.

This brings up all sorts of cool thoughts, but let’s just focus on one: You know the moment you ache for, that moment when Christ returns and you get a glorified body and there will be no more night or pain or sorrow or sin or tears? That blessed someday?

Well, Beloved, it isn’t someday to God.

It’s Today. It’s Right Now.

When God looks at you, he sees you as you are today—pimples, gray hairs, and all. (And, by the way, how is it that I can have both pimples and gray hair going on at the same time?)

But God also sees you as you will be—glorified, complete, utterly and thoroughly his. That is as real and immediate to him as the mess you might be on this particular Tuesday morning.

There is only One who can actually see the finished product, and he says it’s perfect.

Chew on that today, Beloved.

Happy Tuesday.