A Life Worthy

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.

Prince of Peace One-a-Day Monday 12/25/17

Posted on December 25, 2017 by michaelDecember 25, 2017

Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

We know him by many names.

Jesus Christ

Alpha

Omega

Emmanuel

I Am

Lamb of God

Prince of Peace

Mighty God

Light of the World

The Bright Morning Star

Wonderful Counselor

The Amen

Man of Sorrows

Lion of the Tribe of Judah

The Word

The Author and Finisher of Our Faith

Bread of Life

Living Water

God calls him by another name, the name which is above all names.

Son.

And here’s something really crazy. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, do you know what God now calls us?

Yes, you do.

How can that be? What can that mean?

Chew on that today.

Happy Monday, Beloved

And Merry, Merry Christmas

The Dad Factor One-a-Day Friday 12/22/17

Posted on December 22, 2017 by michaelDecember 22, 2017

Everlasting Father, (Isaiah 9:6).

I hope you have a great dad.

Really

I hope he is loving and strong and gentle and a daily blessing to your life. I hope this, not only to make those family Christmas dinners a little less awkward, but because it will give you a better picture of God. You see, God presents himself to us in many ways through Scripture, but I think the one that hangs most people up is the image of a father. It can be difficult to see God as loving and caring if your earthly father was cold, distant, abusive, or absent altogether.

Look, I’m not gonna get all psychoanalytical here, but I need to point something out. Whatever your earthly dad does well, your heavenly father does even better. Wherever your earthly dad messes up, your heavenly father gets it right. He is the perfection we all fall short of. He is the goal we can never quite attain. He will always be there to cheer you when you win, and comfort you when you lose. His advice will always be perfect, and his discipline will always be just. He will come to all your ball games, all your dance recitals, all your spelling bees. He will be there at the hospital bed and at the wedding altar.

He will always love you.

Always, as in Everlasting.

Walk in his love today, Beloved.

Happy Friday

Oh So Mighty One-a-Day Thursday 12/21/17

Posted on December 21, 2017 by michaelDecember 21, 2017

…Mighty God, (Isaiah 9:6)

We’re almost there. The “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” part.

So why are you stressed?

As we home in on Christmas, all sorts of emotions get stirred up. Yeah, we’d like to say we are focused strictly on the birth of our Savior, but the fact is this can be a really crazy time. Perhaps you are rushing to wrap—or get—or think of—those last gifts. Maybe you are frantically trying to get ready to travel—tickets, luggage, ohnowhatdowedowiththedogwhilewe’regone. Could be you’re receiving guests into your nightmare of a house—good luck with that.

Or you’re moving.

Or someone you love is sick.

Or you’re broke.

Or things are just falling apart.

Given all that, I feel pretty spiffy that you’ve taken the time to read this. Since you have, make the most of the moment. Let the words soak in:

He is Mighty God.

Read it again. Go on.

Now, say it out loud.

This King we serve, this Lord we love, this Savior we celebrate is fully capable of meeting the challenges of your day, be they mundane or monstrous.

And he will.

Because you are his beloved.

Because you are his, Beloved.

Happy Thursday

Wise Counsel One-a-Day Wednesday 12/20/17

Posted on December 20, 2017 by michaelDecember 20, 2017

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, (Isaiah 9:6)

There can be a lot in a name. My name is Michael, which means, “Who is like God?” I like that—it’s a constant reminder of the answer…Nobody. When I begin to get a little too big for my proverbial britches, my very name brings me back to Earth.

Jesus is named Wonderful Counselor. Think about it—what does a counselor do? A good counselor does three things—listen deeply, see to the heart of the issue, and offer wisdom. So, we serve a God who actually listens to us—and listens deeply. He doesn’t just pretend to listen to you while he is mentally planning out his day, the way I might. He actually considers every word you speak—and every word you don’t.

Jesus also sees to the heart of your issue—after all, he knows you better than you do—remember Psalm 139? You couldn’t hide the truth from him if you tried, so knock it off already.

Wisdom? Uh…do I need to point out that his words are the very words of God? Literally? Yeah, worth listening to.

You, my friend, have a Wonderful Counselor. Walk in his wisdom today.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

Kingdom Come One-a-Day Tuesday 12/19/17

Posted on December 19, 2017 by michaelDecember 19, 2017

…and the government will be on his shoulders. (Isaiah 9:6)

Here’s the thing with governments—they’re generally made up of people. And, well, I hate to tell you this, but people tend toward selfishness and greed.

I think just heard a bubble burst out there…sorry.

The United States has a system of government known as a Representative Democracy, aka a republic. This is a strong, just, and efficient method of governance that work flawlessly, except when people are ignorant, selfish, and lazy.

Uh oh.

Same holds true for Communism, aristocracies, feudal societies, even theocracies. On paper, they look great. It’s when you add the people that things go all winky-wonky.

Frankly, the best, strongest, most efficient form of government is a benevolent dictatorship. The problem, of course, is that you can guarantee the dictator part, but not the benevolent bit.

Yet.

But guess what, Beloved? The day will come when we will have an absolute monarch, a king of kings, who will rule with complete authority over all nations. His reign will be perfect, unhampered by greed, unsullied by sin. He will know what’s best, want what’s best, do what’s best.

He will be what’s best.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved