Adam       One-a-Day Tuesday  2/13/24

Posted on by February 13, 2024
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A life worthy

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man  (1 Corinthians 15:21).

It makes sense.

Man broke his relationship with God. Man should fix it.

It’s the “take responsibility for your own actions” philosophy we’ve been taught from childhood.

Except it doesn’t work here.

Yes, I broke the vase, but I can’t unbreak it. I can’t find all the pieces, and even if I could the glue would never hold. I can’t replace it, because it is one-of-a-kind. And even if, by some miracle, a replacement could be found, I could never pay the price.

Man broke his relationship with God–that I could do. 

Man should fix it–but not this man.

So,

God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law…(Galatians 4:4-5).

God did more than provide the solution–He became the solution.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved

Firstfruits One-a-Day Monday  2/12/24

Posted on by February 12, 2024
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A life worthy

Hey, remember when we were in 1 Corinthians? Yeah, it’s been a while–I went off down some rabbit holes for a bit. So, here’s a reminder of where we were before we continue…

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20).

In the beginning was the Word.

In the new beginning, also, the Word.

Beloved, you know that the firstfruits were the portion of the harvest dedicated to God. It makes sense that this would be Christ, the first raised under the New Covenant. But, of course, the firstfruits were not the whole crop.

They were only the beginning.

The harvest continues, even today.

You and I are part of that harvest, Beloved. Whenever He returns, whether we are in the field or under it, we will follow our Lord into eternal life.

Makes Monday a little easier to bear, does it not?

Happy Monday, Beloved

Israel    One-a-Day Friday  2/9/24

Posted on by February 9, 2024
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A life worthy

Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles (Psalm 25:22).

Good for Israel!

They are God’s chosen people, after all. It makes sense that He would look out for them.

Beloved, do you realize that you are also Israel?

Remember what Paul says to the Romans? He talks about Israel as an olive tree, and says that we have been grafted into the tree and so have become part of the tree.

And so we have become part of Israel.

We have joined God’s chosen people.

And he has redeemed us from the greatest trouble ever imagined.

Shalom, Beloved

Happy Friday

Only in Him   One-a-Day Thursday  2/8/24

Posted on by February 8, 2024
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A life worthy

May integrity and uprightness protect me, for my hope, Lord, is in you (Psalm 25:21).

Pssssssst–

He’s talking about God’s integrity and God’s uprightness. Because if we were relying on our own integrity and uprightness to protect us…well…

some thoughts are better left unexplored, eh Beloved?

Happy Thursday.

Refuge One-a-Day Wednesday  2/7/24

Posted on by February 7, 2024
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A life worthy

Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you (Psalm 25:20).

Why?

Because I work so hard?

nope

Because I know so much?

huh uh

Because I give my 10%?

um…no

Because I offer wise advice?

not so much

Because I have the Jumbo Study Bible with built in concordance?

Ooooohhh…swingandamiss

Because, in the end, I’m such a groovy guy?

seriously

Because I’m his.  Hear that, Beloved. Because I’m his, I have the right to claim refuge in him, the right to run to him when I am in distress. Because I’m his I have confidence that the yuck will never get too deep, the mountains never too high, the stress never too much. You have a whole Thursday full of stuff to deal with today. Don’t be afraid to run to your Father and claim the shelter that is rightfully yours.

Because you are the Beloved of Christ.

Happy Wednesday

Enemies  One-a-Day Tuesday   2/6/24

Posted on by February 6, 2024
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A life worthy

See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! (Psalm 25:19).

OK, so I don’t literally have people out to kill me.

To the best of my knowledge

Although I do teach middle school, so…

Still, there are days when finances and job stress and finances and traffic idiots and finances and people and finances and house repairs and finances and car issues and finances leave me feeling that I am surrounded on all sides by people with bad attitudes and pointy sticks. Beyond that, I live in a society that is moving further and further away from the values that I hold and into a nether region of stupidity and sin. It may not attack my body, but it daily attacks my sense of right and wrong.

Not to mention my logic

So, yeah, I can identify in a very small way with David’s plight here. Far more importantly, I can identify with David’s rescue. The Psalmist knew he would be saved, because he knew his savior.

As do I

As do you

Take a deep breath, Beloved of Christ.

Happy Tuesday

Priorities One-a-Day Monday  2/5/24

Posted on by February 5, 2024
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A life worthy

Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins (Psalm 25:18).

I don’t think I’ve ever really read this verse before.

I mean, I’ve read over it, but…

David is alone and afraid and hurt and under attack and what does he ask God for?

A clean heart

Forgiveness

A right relationship with his Lord

David is a man who understands priorities.

Me? My prayers would probably be more along the lines of, “Heal my body and crush my enemies to powder.”

“Please”

Let’s see if we can keep first things first today, ya?

Happy Monday, Beloved.

Turn to Him  One-a-Day Friday  2/2/24

Posted on by February 2, 2024
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A life worthy

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish (Psalm 25:16-17).

Perhaps as you read this you are on a mountain top,

literally or figuratively.

Life is sweet and every breath is delight.

If so, I rejoice with you, Beloved–enjoy the view.

Perhaps the mountain has fallen on top of you, and you identify with this verse far more than you would like. If so, I’m praying for you, and I’m here to remind you that the God you cry out to is real and is powerful and is listening.

You feel lonely, but you are never, ever alone.

You feel empty, but His Spirit fills you.

You weep, but one day you will laugh with the angels.

Look, I know that those words can feel empty and useless and meaningless in the face of all you’re dealing with today.

But they’re true.

You are loved by the One who knows you better than anyone else.

Seriously,

He knows you

and

He loves you.

Pretty amazing, ya?

So, if nothing else, rejoice in that today.

Because that’s a lot.

In fact, when you get right down to it

that’s pretty much everything.

Happy Friday, Beloved

Freedom One-a-Day Thursday  2/1/24

Posted on by February 1, 2024
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A life worthy

My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare (Psalm 25:15).

You are trapped

hurt

alone.

It doesn’t matter whether the Hunter has trapped you

or you have put yourself here–you’re doomed.

Then he arrives.

He stretches out his hands

and you

are

free.

Look to your rescuer today, Beloved

and be free.

Happy Thursday

Confident Confidant  One-a-Day Wednesday  1/31/24

Posted on by January 31, 2024
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A life worthy

The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them (Psalm 25:14).

You know.

Wow.

You

know

You know the story–beginning to end, Alpha to Omega, you know how it all turns out.

You know the secret to eternal life.

You know who wins.

This is better than getting the Lotto numbers the night before they’re picked, better than getting the answers to tomorrow’s test today, better than knowing that the idiot driver is going to stop in the middle of the intersection while there’s still time for you to stop.

Why do you get to know this?

Because you’re amazing?

No, although you are amazing.

Because I’m amazing?

Aww, thank you so much, that’s really sweet, but still a no.

Because you’re his.

That’s it. You’re his, and he wants you to know all you can about him.

That includes his plans.

Not bad for a person who can’t even find their car keys half the time.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.