Philippians 1:23-25 “I’m torn between two desires: sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me, but it is better for you that I live. I am convinced of this, so I will continue with you so that you will grow and experience the joy of your faith.”

Observation:

When reading a letter, it can be easy to be unaware of the process the person went through to write it. I know when I write I pause often, process, and form my thoughts as I’m writing. It would’ve taken me a long time to write the few sentences above. Who knows, maybe Paul was just having a really spiritual moment, but when I think about someone longing to be with Christ, it’s like “Hey, I’m done with this, I just want to die and be done with all this.” Maybe that’s wrong … but I guess I never really considered it like that. Paul must have felt pretty discouraged.

Then, as he processes, as he writes “That would be far better for me,” he puts a comma instead of a period. He moves the focus off himself, off his current situation, and he focuses on the Philippians. He goes on to write a letter of thanks and encouragement.

Application:

When I become discouraged, it is highly likely that I am focusing too much on myself; I need to turn my thoughts up and out.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your Word and for Paul’s letters. Please help me follow Paul’s example when I begin to feel like I just want to “go home.”

Scripture:

Acts 5:30 “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by crucifying him.”

Observation:

It struck me that even at this point, Peter didn’t even fully understand God’s plan for Christ, nor did he understand his culpability. Peter was just as guilty as the pharisees, and just as guilty as me.

Scripture:

Acts 5:38-39 “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

Observation:

I like this guy (Gamaliel, an expert on religious law and popular with the people) – he’s level headed, and seems to have a “wait and see” attitude.

Application:

Those qualities remind me of Rick – they’re qualities I admire. Just a couple days ago I journaled about the vastness of God’s plan vs the blip of my life. My tendency is to gather the troops and raise the torches – if I’m viewing life and time from God’s perspective, “wait and see” is really a better reaction.

Scripture:

Acts 5:42 “Every day, in the Temple and in their homes, they continued to teach and preach this message: ‘The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.’”

Observation:

That really is a great message, it’s still relevant, and it’s true for everyone. We’re all looking for a savior, we all have a sense of inadequacy. And the message is no less relevant to Christians – we’re not “saved” once when we make that first commitment – it’s really the start of an entire life humbling itself to be rescued over and over and over again.

Application:

I can think of personal situations and situations of friends to which we must remember: “The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.”  I would do well to apply it more frequently.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for speaking to me today, thank you for meeting me. Please help me be less like me, and more like you.

Luke 21:1-4 – A poor widow gives all she has (two pennies)

Luke 21:34 “Don’t let me find you … filled with the worries of this life.”

Observation:

It is easier to give all you have and to be unconcerned about about the worries of this life when you only have two pennies.

Application:

Heh – as a “rich man” it’s hard to think about getting rid of everything. All my possessions are so practical, I need them, and the list of reasons to justify the things I own goes on… You can see it in the life of the rich man Jesus tells to sell everything and follow him. Whatever the case, I know that the less I own, the easier it is to let go, and the less likely I am to be concerned.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the vast wealth in my life, we are very fortunate.

Luke 20:2 “[The Pharisees] demanded, “By whose authority did you drive out the merchants from the temple?”

Luke 20:22 “Tell us – is it right to pay taxes to the Roman government or not?”

Luke 20:33 “Tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection?”

Observation:

Questions can tell us as much about the asker as the answers do about the responder. In each case, Christ “saw through their trickery.”

Application:

I think I often ask the wrong questions of both God and man, focusing particulars or events more than concepts and values. When I feel a question coming on, I need to stop and check what my value is behind the question, and then make sure it’s the right question.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for being bigger than my questions, please help me keep this in mind.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ” …let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…”

Observation:

It’s so easy to get bogged down. I get wrapped up in myself, in others, in trifles; there are small things, big things, global things. Everything is vying for my attention, floating or pushing to the top dragging me down and it all obscures what really matters: Jesus Christ. Running with endurance requires a light load – everything that is not from God will weigh me down.

Application:

Except in the instances Christ has called me responsible, my only concern should be following Christ.

Prayer:

Lord, help me identify when I’ve lost focus, or split it among the insignificant. Help me stay focused on you.

Job 5:8-9 “My advice to you is this: Go to God and present your case to him.  For he does great works too marvelous to understand.  He performs miracles without number.”

Observation:

Something about life obscures the magnitude of God.  Despite his greatness, his provision, and his grace, all of which abound in my life, I place my “difficult situations” so close that I no longer see the possibilities of God.

Application:

Figuring out how to hold a sabbath, a day to restore my soul, is this situation right now – I need to present it to him.  Beyond that God can handle this, I know that this is His desire for me.

Prayer:

Lord, Please help me figure out how to set apart my sabbath and let it be a restorative day.

Revelation 13:10 “The people who are destined for prison will be arrested and taken away.  Those who are destined for death will be killed.  But do not be dismayed, for here is your opportunity to have endurance and faith.”

Observation:

This is another unique translation by the NLT team – most others essentially say “The saints must have endurance and faith.”  On one hand – I really like the way this team interpreted this passage – “here is your opportunity.”  On the other, I don’t think that’s what the scriptures actually say.  What’s even more irritating is that this keeps me checking other versions or journaling about the NLT rather than about the scripture itself.  In any case…

John’s worldview or outlook here is exemplary – something to follow.  Do not be dismayed … the world crumbles at the hands of satan’s beast – if ever there were time for dismay, for the utter loss of composure, this is it!  John doesn’t even point to God, which would have been perfectly reasonable: Do not be dismayed, for the reign of God is near.  He cites this as an opportunity for US!  Do not be dismayed, not because we know the light is coming, but because WE can shine!  Character truly is  tested in darkness.

Prayer:

Lord – build my character – hone my faith so that when I am faced with dark times, not only am I not dismayed, but that I would be bolstered by the opportunity for faith and endurance.

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Observation:

This verse follows half a dozen which describe struggle and hardship – still the author ends with thanks and praise.

Application:

I am a complainer.  It’s something I struggle with.  A situation isn’t fair, a person isn’t reasonable, logical, or consistent – blah blah blah.  Even in the midst of complaining I’m aware I’m doing it, and I can’t stop myself.  Though I tell myself “It’s not wrong to complain – I need to have an outlet, I need to talk this through,” I can feel it poisoning my spirit.  It seeps in to every crevice of my life and, worse than just filling the cracks, it soaks into everything it touches until there’s “good reason” to complain about everything.

There are certainly laments throughout Scripture, but they are often peppered throughout with phrases like “but the Lord saved me,” and as often, or more, are solidly resolved in praise and thanksgiving.  Whatever my situation, I get to make the decision to pour my complaint and discontentedness or God’s joy and gladness into it.  God has given me his strength, and his resources to be able to say THIS is the day!  God made TODAY and I choose to rejoice, and be glad.  This is a problem of focus, not of circumstance.

Prayer:

Thank you God for today – let my focus be on you and on your blessings.

John 6:11 “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.”

Observation:

Recently I read some blogpost that mentioned the mindsets of Abundance and Scarcity and it’s been simmering in my thinker.  In this passage, Jesus has 5 loaves, 2 fish, and 5,000 people who need to be fed.  However, instead of giving up, he got creative – his faith in God set him firmly in the abundance mentality.  So, in an almost laughable manner, he gives thanks to God!  I have to be honest, I can’t even begin to comprehend this.

Application:

Jesus’ abundance comes from his faith in God – the same God I call “father” and the God whom I worship.  Jesus didn’t believe enough that there would be enough food, he knew the stores of heaven, he knew God’s plan for that moment, and he acted accordingly.  Jesus certainly had an advantage over me – he’d been to heaven, he knew God face to face, and understood His abundance.  And yet, I am called to that same belief – and even with a mustard seed’s measure of knowledge of that abundance, God can use me.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for being an abundant God.  Help me be mindful of your stores and be guided by an abundance mindset.

Isaiah 56:1 “This is what the Lord says:  Be just and fair to all.  Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you.”

Observation:

Perspective is such a valuable tool in our moral and spiritual development.  When we are able to evaluate a situation against God’s context, criteria, and character, it makes room for love, for forgiveness, and for peace.  So when we consider that he is “coming soon to rescue” us, it makes it easy to “temporarily” humble and sacrifice oneself for the sake of justice, righteousness, and goodness.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for offering us your perspective, please help me be mindful of your context, your criteria, and your character when I assess and respond to situations.