Fleeing to the Word of God

 Psalm 12:6

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

            The above verse is from a song that David composed to remind God’s people that we can be certain of the Lord’s protection and comfort.  Where do we flee to receive such help?  The Word of God!

Lord, Your words are water living

When my thirsting spirit pleads.

Lord, Your words are bread life giving

On Your words my spirit feeds

Lord, Your words will be my light

Through death’s cold and dreary night

Yes, they are my sword prevailing

And my cup of joy unfailing!

 

            As you read, pray and meditate upon this week’s Psalms, you might also pray the following collect that they church has prayed for centuries:

 

            Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

            God bless your time spent in His flawless, pure and perfect Word!

            

What is greed?

Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.

Erich Fromm, quoted in "Free of Me," page 86

Here's your TGW!

 

TGW March 28 – April 2, 2022

Monday, March 28, 2022                                     Read Genesis 4:9-16

In today’s short reading we find a profound truth – there are always consequences to sin.  Cain rejected God’s advice and took Abel’s life.  For that Cain would become the first homeless man – a restless wanderer.  And notice that Cain expressed no sorrow for what he had done.  He only cared about himself.  Pray: God, forgive my many sins and errors.  Cleanse me with Your forgiving Word.  Amen.

 

Tuesday, March 29, 2022                                     Read Genesis 4:17-27

Today we get a review of Adam’s family tree.  Note how the reading ends – “men began to call on the name of the Lord.”  We could take it to mean that men began to pray.  But it can also mean, “men began to proclaim the Word of the Lord.”  Either way, it is always good when people place their faith in the Lord.  Pray: Lord, help me to call on Your name in every trouble, to pray, praise and give thanks.  Amen.

 

Wednesday, March 30, 2022                              Read Psalm 26

Look again at verse 8 – David makes it clear that there is no other place he would rather be than in God’s House.  That is the theme of this psalm – the joy of worshipping the Lord.   Pray: Lord, make my joy being in Your House, receiving Your gifts of grace.  Amen.

 

Thursday, March 31, 2022                                   Read Matthew 18-1-9

Who is the greatest? The one who is humble, who trusts God with a child-like faith.  The disciples still don’t get that Jesus’ mission is one not to gain power and control but is one of faithfulness and devotion.  Pray: Jesus, teach me how to love and trust in You more and more.  Amen.

 

Friday, April 1, 2022                                               Read Matthew 18:10-14

“Jesus captures the Father’s love for His little ones to that of a shepherd who left his 99 sheep to search for the one who went astray.  Do we show similar concern when fellow Christians stray from faith in Christ?” (Lutheran Study Bible-page 1621).  Pray: Lord, I need Your help.  Give me courage to speak of You to ….

 

Saturday, April 2, 2022                                         Read Ephesians 2:11-21

See verse 13 again.  What sweet words! Our sins separated us from our heavenly Father.  But our Brother and Savior, Jesus, has reconciled us through His shed blood on the cross.  Our salvation was God’s doing and at a great cost – the life of His Son.  Pray: God, it is a joy to worship with fellow believers.  Prepare my heart to receive Your gifts of grace this weekend at church.  Amen.

One-liners for Friday

What was Moses' wife, Zipphora, known as when she'd throw dinner parties? The hostess with the Moses!

What did Adam say when he was asked his favorite holiday? It's Christmas, Eve.

How do you know that atoms are Catholic.  They have mass.

Which Bible character was the best musician? Samson - he brought down the house.

When someone needed a boat made, what did the people in town say? "We Noah guy."

I dedicate this blog entry to my friend, Dave Berg, one of the "punniest" guys around.

Have a blessed weekend!

The Jesus we get

Jared Wilson says it quite well:

And whenever we do this (adopt our own personal Jesus), no matter how we do it, we always get the Jesus we deserve, which is one that is as dysfunctional as we are and just as powerless to save.

From "Unparalleled," page 118

Prove It!

"Prove it!" They are words heard on the playground, in the courtroom or in the laboratory.  It's the demand we make of anyone who states a fact of which we are more than a little skeptical.

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul is writing to people who are new to the Christian faith.  They are exploring the truths of God's Word.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit they are growing in faith and love - for God and for one another.  But becoming followers of Jesus Christ has not made their lives easier.  Faith in Christ has not insulated them from suffering or persecution.

In chapter of his letter, Paul makes it clear that God uses life's trials and troubles for our benefit.  "...suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope."  Then the apostle goes on to explain why we can trust God to do their work in us.

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8) You see,  God has already been at work for us, securing our salvation in Christ's sacrificial suffering, death and resurrection.  He has proven His love by offering His only begotten Son to pay the penalty we've earned by our disobedience.  Knowing God's great "Prove it," helps us to trust Him every day of our lives.

Get the "Daily Prayer" app!

While I was on vacation I stumbled upon an app that has helped me maintain a more consistent devotional time with God.

It's called "Daily Prayer app - A Guide to Spiritual Rhythm."  It's free and it does just what it is advertised to do - provide a regular rhythm and routine to the times of prayer of a Christian.

I'm not entirely sure who developed the app.  Their intention was to give the user an easy means for praying four times a day - morning, midday, evening and late evening.  The content is new each day although some of the prayers and confessions repeat.  I don't find that a problem at all.

The app comes with a custom notification feature to help remind you when it's time to pray.  During the four times a day that you use "Daily Prayer" there is also a feature which allows you to read Scripture or to listen as the Scripture is read.  Having a regular daily lectionary of sorts suits me.  I also like that since we are in the season of Lent, the prayers and reading compliment this particular season of the church year.  Many of the prayers are taken from the "Book of Common Prayer."

I was accustomed, like many of you, to having a morning session of Bible reading and prayer.  But then as I jumped into my day, I got so busy I lost track of what I had read and prayed and its application for my life.  For me, I like the idea of praying regularly throughout the day.  I find it keeps me more focused on God and what He has to say to me in His Word.  It's a form of worship that works well.

I assume this app is available on whatever smart phone you use.  I encourage you to use the Daily Prayer app for one week.  Pray and read Scripture four times each day.  I feel pretty certain that at the end of the seven days you'll keep going.  You'll find that it's a real blessing spending that time with the Lord.