Out of Your Storms

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 40-41
NT: John 18
W&W: Proverbs 5

Today’s Reflection:
Job 40.6 says, “The Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.”

Thank God for his voice out of the storm! God comes to us and speaks to us in the trials of life. Jesus comes and calms our storms!

Do you remember the song “Through It All”? It was written and made popular 30 years ago by Andre Crouch, but it is only recently that I have come to appreciate its message:

• I've had many tears and sorrows; I've had questions for tomorrow.There's been times I didn't know right from wrong.But in every situation, God gave me blessed consolation,that my trials come to only make me strong.
• I've been to lots of places; I've seen a lot of faces.There's been times I felt so all alone.But in my lonely hours, yes, those precious lonely hours,Jesus lets me know that I was His own.
• I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys.I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.For if I'd never had a problem, I wouldn't know God could solve them.I'd never know what faith in God could do.
• Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God.Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.

You can go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvIxwc90BEI and listen to Andrae testify and sing this song at a Billy Graham Crusade back in 1975! (His comments about his preacher dad speaking directly to him during a service reminded me of my early ministry and my kids… I’m so proud of all of them for following Jesus!)

When you face sorrow and loss, do so with an ear to God. He will speak; your storm will be stilled; you will learn from his words and grow in his presence.

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.2: The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

Beauty Marks

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 39
NT: John 17
W&W: Proverbs 4

Today’s Reflection:
Many of you who read this blog also receive my prayer email, so please excuse the repetition. The following quote spoke to me: "No one can understand that mysterious thing we call 'influence' . . . yet everyone of us continually exerts influence, either to heal, to bless, to leave marks of beauty; or to wound, to hurt, to poison, to stain other lives." — J.B. Miller

I believe that Jesus leaves his mark on others. Sin stains and hurts. But Jesus brings beauty, healing, and blessing. His is a positive influence.

I remember an old sign that used to be posted in parks in attempt to keep people from littering. It read something like this: “Don’t leave anything behind but your footprints.” To me, the message was clear: Your presence will of necessity leave behind some evidence; make it as positive as possible.

That is true in our encounters with others, too. We leave no one the same as when we found them. We leave a mark. Every encounter we have is an opportunity to spread light or darkness, hope or despair, joy or sorrow.

When you enter a room, is your influence positive? Do you smile? Is your demeanor welcoming? Do people feel wanted and valued? Are you leaving marks of beauty?

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.2: The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

What Do You Want for Lunch?

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 38
NT: John 16
W&W: Proverbs 3

Today’s Reflection:
Yesterday, I enjoyed a little humor along with my lovely wife Lana and my oldest daughter, the beautifully expectant Jenny. Lana wanted to know what I wanted for lunch, but I didn’t want to answer her until I knew what my options were. Invariably, Lana knows what she wants me to have, something that fits that infamous category of things that “need to be eaten” or that is not in that other category of things we are “saving for supper.” So, if I don’t get it right, I have to keep wanting something different until I want what I can have! We laughed because Jenny does the same thing to Eric. Our lovely wives ask us what we want, knowing what they want us to want. I like to eliminate the middle steps and get all the information before I make my decision.

In many other areas, however, we try to make decisions without full knowledge. Our Old Testament reading today is the beginning of God’s reply to Job after Job has voiced his complaint about the unfairness of life. Given what Job had gone through, it was a reasonable complaint. In his reply to Job, however, God indicated that Job lacked knowledge. He was arriving at a conclusion without all the information: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?” (Job 38.2) God was simply saying: Job, you don’t have all the information!

It is hard to make right conclusions without all the information, isn’t it? Yet how often we conclude things about God and life without the benefit of full understanding. When we do so, we invariably arrive at faulty conclusions and lead ourselves toward anguish (as did Job) or arrogance (as did Job’s friends).

Incomplete information is a fact of life. The Bible says “For now we see through a glass, darkly” (1 Corinthians 13.12, KJV). But, we don’t have to feel helpless. We can ask God for wisdom, and he gives it generously, without finding fault (James 1.5). Remember to ask though, for we have not because we ask not!

Pray with me this morning: “Oh God, counsel me with your knowledge. Give me your light and understanding!”

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.2: The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

Insight and Understanding

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 36-37
NT: John 15
W&W: Proverbs 2

Today’s Reflection:
Last week we began reading in the book of Proverbs, part of the Worship and Wisdom literature of the Old Testament. In chapter 1, Proverbs 1 taught us that the wise listen and learn.

Today, let’s consider Proverbs 2.3, 5: “If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding… then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

As I read those verses, I prayed the following prayer:

Lord, I call out for:

• Insight – Help me to observe carefully all that is important around me and to appreciate the full implications of what I see.
• Understanding – Give me the ability to comprehend all that is behind what I see and to put all the pieces together.

When we pray like this, God will help us understand how important it is to respect and honor him in our lives. He will also give us greater knowledge of him in order to honor him even more!

Have a great day in the Lord!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.2: The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

Listen and Learn

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 34-35
NT: John 14
W&W: Proverbs 1

Today’s Reflection:
If you are following the suggested scripture readings, today you will begin reading in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is part of the Old Testament text called “wisdom literature.” Mainly credited to Israel’s King Solomon – its principal author – Proverbs was actually written by several different contributors, much of it nearly 3000 years ago.

In Proverbs 1.5, we are counseled: “Let the wise listen and add to their learning.” Listen and learn. Great counsel, but so often unheeded in our culture today. Watch any cable news network for a while and you will see great evidence of this lack in our society.

Wise people listen. They know they don’t know it all. They know they can’t understand another’s point of view without first listening. They realize, “How can I learn from you unless I listen?” Even if our goal is to help someone, we must listen to know what they need. Also, if we want to convince someone, we must listen to know how to most effectively present our arguments. Or, perhaps we may want to join someone. Surely then we must listen in order to know what we are signing on to. Don’t you wish congress would have “listened” (by reading it!) a little before they voted for the stimulus package?

Wise people know that they don’t gain knowledge by speaking but by listening.

Listening, wise people learn. To do so, they must listen with an open mind. Otherwise it is just hearing noise. Wise people are open and changeable. They realize that their principles need not be compromised in order to learn from people with whom they disagree. They know that they can add to – not throw away – what they already know.

The New Testament counsels us: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1.19b). Listening is first and fastest. Speaking comes next. Anger at times is appropriate, but it is last and will be very slow in coming if you first listen.

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.1: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

Acceptance

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 33
NT: John 13
W&W: Psalm 72

Today’s Reflection:
In John 13, we encounter Jesus teaching his disciples in a very intimate setting. It was the evening before his crucifixion, and Jesus was preparing his followers for his departure. He reassured them with these words: “I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” (v. 20).

After he rose again from the dead, Jesus indeed sent them: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28.18-20).

It gives me great confidence to know I am sent by God. I enter every assignment with the realization that Jesus has “entrusted [me] with the secret things of God” (1 Corinthians 4.1). Those who accept me don’t do so because I am a great orator, a powerful leader, an effective administrator, or even a compassionate shepherd. They accept me because Jesus has sent me.

I need to remember that the people I serve could find – without much trouble – someone who could preach better or someone who could lead more authoritatively or someone who could organize more efficiently or someone who could pastor with more empathy. I want to do the best I can do – by God’s help – at those things, but the really important thing to me is that Jesus has sent me. Jesus brings pastor and people together for purposes of his kingdom, and sometimes we don’t understand until much later why it all makes sense in God’s plan.

Praise God! The authority I have for ministry has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with Jesus. That, my friends, is freedom!

“Oh, Jesus, your Spirit must speak; your will must prevail; your way must be followed; your love must fill everything I do!”

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.1: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

Young and Old Alike!

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 32
NT: John 12
W&W: Psalm 71.17-24

Today’s Reflection:
Like the Psalmist said in Psalm 71.5, God is my hope. He has been my confidence since youth. As a young teen of 14, God saved me, forgiving my sin and giving me eternal life in Jesus. But “even from birth,” even before I knew Christ personally, I relied on God – without even knowing it! And he was faithful to me.

I have learned, however, that God is not only the God of my youth. He is my God in maturity as well. He has not and will not cast me away now that I am older and my strength isn’t what it used to be (v. 9). I always have hope (v. 14)!

Whatever season of life you are in right now, God is your hope. Have confidence in him!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.1: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

The House of God

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 31
NT: John 11
W&W: Psalm 71.1-16

Today’s Reflection:

As part of the interview process for a new ministry position, Lana and I visited the congregation of the Church of the Nazarene in Bethel, Ohio this past Sunday. Bethel is a suburb of Cincinnati. I feel that we probably will go to the Bethel Church.

First of all, several weeks before we received the call to visit the congregation, I sensed God’s call to “The House of God,” not making a connection to Bethel, Ohio. (Bethel means house of God.) Then, as I prayed one morning following the call to meet the board, I sensed God saying, “This is what I meant when I called you to serve in ‘The House of God’ several weeks ago.”

Secondly, we seemed to fit in with the people the other night. I like a small town, and these folks seemed like my kind of people. Lana was quite comfortable meeting the congregation as well. (She did a great job in front of them, too!)

We spent the day yesterday looking at real estate, in anticipation of receiving the call. It was a great day with friends Dan and Linda Miller.

We came up to Michigan last night to spend a few days with Amy and Jon in Saginaw. Then it’s back to Georgia to see Avery! (I think Jenny and Eric will be there, too…) I have a revival in Lynn, Indiana the first week of May. Then we’re off to Illinois the 8th and 9th for Amy’s graduation. (She finished in December but will “walk” in May.) After that, we will see how the vote goes and then hopefully be in Bethel to find a house and get back into pastoral ministry! Yay! We are so excited!

During this time of uncertainty, we have felt certain of God’s faithfulness. We have never felt panicky or like things were out of control. We have consistently sensed God working his will. From one step to the next, God has given us just enough light to keep moving ahead. It’s been an adventure for us, and the peace of Christ has been incredible!


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.1: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

Lead Me to the Rock

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 29-30
NT: John 10
W&W: Psalm 70

Today’s Reflection:
Last night I shared the following devotion with the congregation at Bethel Nazarene as Lana and I met the congregation:
Psalm 61.2b says, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” As I read that scripture a few weeks ago, I thought about what it means for Jesus to be “the Rock that is higher than I.” I jotted down the following prayer:
"Lord, I want Someone who has… a stronger position, a better perspective, a higher plane, a firmer foundation, a weightier argument … to me my refuge. Take me where you are…"
In our world today, there is lots of despair about lots of things… Lots of talk about hope and change… Our president was elected in a landslide because people are looking for hope. Our nation wants something/Someone to believe in! We want heroes!
How fast we latched on to Captain Sully Sullenberger of USAir flight 1549…
And Captain Richard Phillips and the Maersk Alabama…
But there is a Hero even greater. It is the One whom the Bible calls the Captain of Our Salvation…
The only lasting hope we can ever have is Jesus Christ! I’m reading a book called A Brief History of Time (Stephen Hawking). Earlier this year I read one entitled The Last Three Minutes (Paul Davies). These books by renowned physicists and mathematicians (both secular scholars…) come to the same basic conclusion: The universe as we know it is finite and will come to an end. Surprisingly, they both unabashedly seemed to yearn for something that would establish our eternity.
Jesus is our lasting hope! That’s why I want to go to the Rock that is higher than I! Standing outside history and above all creation, Jesus is the Rock higher than any other rock! If I can just get beside him, I can enjoy the benefits of…
· A stronger position whereby I can gain spiritual and eternal victory!
· A better perspective by which I can see God’s long-term view of history.
· A higher plane from which to operate with better, purer motives.
· A firmer foundation that cannot be moved in the storms of life.
· A weightier argument for my eternal salvation.
You, too can pray with me: “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I!” See you at the Rock!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.1: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

Too Long in When God Takes Too Long?

Today’s Scripture Readings:

OT: Job 25-26NT:

John 8W&W:

Psalm 69.19-28

Tomorrow’s Scripture Readings:

OT: Job 27-28

NT: John 9

W&W: Psalm 69.29-36

Today’s Reflection:

I won’t be posting tomorrow, so I went ahead and put tomorrow’s scripture readings in ahead of time. Today – much to Jenny’s relief – I am going to finish up my comments from Joseph Bentz’s book, When God Takes Too Long. In the last third of the book, Bentz provides “Perspectives on Time and God’s Timing.” Enjoy the excerpts below (page numbers appear before each excerpt):

100: We live in a culture tyrannized by time. Adopting a healthier attitude toward time will require us to break our tradition of going faster and faster.

102: Honore: Our culture’s love of speed has turned into an addiction, a kind of idolatry. Even when speed starts to backfire, we invoke the go-faster gospel…

103: It’s a mistake to take our own perception of time as the norm. God views time differently than we do.

105: Time measurements are arbitrary, we don’t have to enslave ourselves to them.

107: It only takes 8 minutes for a sunbeam to travel the 93 million miles from the surface of the sun to the earth. However the surface of the sun is not the start of that light beam’s journey. It actually started in the sun’s center… The solar core is so dense that a single photon, the fundamental unit of light, can’t go even a fraction of a millimeter before banging into some subatomic particle… As a result it can take hundreds of thousands of years for a photon to ricochet its way nearly half a million miles to the sun’s surface… And I’m tempted to lose heart if God makes me wait a few days or weeks before answering my prayer…

108: Sometimes the wait seems so long because our vision of something is far ahead of the reality. We have no choice but to wait patiently while reality catches up to the vision.

114: Robert Bly: “Driving Late to Town to Mail a Letter” It’s a cold and snowy night. The main street is deserted.The only things moving are swirls of snow. As I lift the mailbox door, I feel its cold iron. There is a privacy I love in this snowy night. Driving around, I will waste more time.

120: “Life is elsewhere.” I don’t want that to be my theme…

122-123: Throughout Scripture waiting is described not as a passive state but as a time of preparation, training, and staying the course as we head toward the eternal prize that awaits us.

124: Let the waiting accomplish its purpose. Just as the runner does not want to step onto the track unprepared, neither should we try to manipulate God into cutting short our time of preparation to rush us to the destination to which he is carefully leading us.

124-125: “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (James 1.2-4, The Message, emphasis added)

126: Often the destination to which God leads us is not a place but a change in character!

127-135: What can Christians do to make sure we make it to the finish line? Strip away all distractions, and focus all your energy on the goal of following him regardless of the changing circumstances that surround you.Allow other Christians and heroes of the faith to serve as your role models and as encouragers as you endure the long race.

139-140: Hebrews 11.39-40, TM: “Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole. Their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.”

140-141: The experience of Moses and Joshua help us appreciate the fact that we are not individuals in this journey. We complete each other’s work… My work is not complete without those who follow me. I need to invest through the people of God!

146: Ripple effect: When it’s over, it isn’t over.

150: God Has All the Time in the World – and More: An Eternal Perspective on Waiting

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:

Work on putting all of Isaiah 53 together:

1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Even Jesus Waits

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 23-24
NT: John 7
W&W: Psalm 69.1-18


Today’s Reflection:

In today’s New Testament reading, you will find Jesus’ brothers urging him to make himself known publicly by going up to Jerusalem and making a big “splash” at the festival that was about to take place. Jesus refused to do so, saying, “The right time for me has not yet come” (John 7.6). After a few days, Jesus did go up to the feast, but only when the time was right.

Joseph Bentz entitled chapter 10 of his book When God Takes Too Long: “Cling to God’s purposes – even if you have a quicker plan of your own.” Bentz says, “We almost never admit this, but many of us Christians believe we know better than God how to run our lives. Oh, he’s competent in the big issues … but we would rather take care of our lives… Sometimes our own impatience, lusts, or desires overwhelm our determination to wait on God and follow his leading… A certain shortcut to disaster: If God won’t help us, we’ll do it our own way…”

Jesus refused to short-circuit God’s timing. His life was defined by his waiting on God. He did not appear on earth until God sent him “when the time had fully come.” He waited 30 years and appeared in public ministry only after John the Baptist had prepared the way and he had been baptized by John. He requested silence of those he healed so that his followers would not prematurely make him an earthly ruler. He did not call on legions of angels to deliver him safely to the Father. Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he faced his horrifying death, he rejected the shortcut of his will, praying instead: “Nevertheless, not as I will but as you will.”

And now, he invites us to wait with him. For you see, there is coming a time when God will bring history to a close. Jesus has said that even he does not know the precise day. He is waiting for the Father to reveal it.

So put your waiting in that larger context and realize that you’re in good company: Jesus Christ!


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Work on putting all of Isaiah 53 together:
1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Don't Make the Wait Longer

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 22
NT: John 6
W&W: Psalm 68.28-35


Today’s Reflection:

Throughout life, I have often found myself in periods of waiting. I expect that I will go through similar periods in the future. (I am hoping that this current period of waiting is almost over as God is opening doors of opportunity for Lana and me…) It is not unusual for me – and I suspect for you – to experience restlessness as I wait for God to work his will out. But, if we should do anything while we wait, we should rest – rest in God, in his goodness, in his plan. When we learn to rest, we will find the wait shorter.

Joseph Bentz counsels us – in chapter 9 of his book When God Takes Too Long – Know your enemies – their names are Restlessness, Complaining, and Disobedience.

It was Israel’s pattern to go through periods of…
· Restlessness – which led to
· Complaining – which led to
· Disobedience – which led to
· A longer journey before God worked out his purpose for them.

When they violated the terms of the covenant, God was under no further obligation to them. He not only could abandon Israel without further ado, but really should do so. But, God does not abandon them. He gives them another chance. And another. And another.

Be thankful for God’s patience and his mercy. But, for your own sake, in times of waiting recognize restlessness in your spirit so that you can prevent complaining and disobedience, which will inevitably result in a longer wait!


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Work on putting all of Isaiah 53 together:
1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

What Time Is It?

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 20-21
NT: John 5
W&W: Psalm 68.15-27


Today’s Reflection:

What time is it? Is it time to act or time to wait?

Have you been following the story of Captain Richard Phillips, captain of Maersk Shipping Lines’ vessel Alabama? He was taken captive by Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa and held hostage for five days. My daughter Emily said yesterday that it still seems surreal to her that we would be talking about pirates in 2009. I’m sure the thought of pirates isn’t surreal to Captain Phillips!

As I understand the story, Phillips actually offered himself as a hostage in exchange for the safety of his crew. When the pirates agreed to his offer, he then boarded the lifeboat with them and ordered the crew (who were reportedly very reluctant to do so) to leave him. When it was time to act, he acted valiantly, didn’t he? That made yesterday’s rescue of Captain Phillips all the more exciting and meaningful!

Snipers aboard the Bainbridge, a USN vessel, knew when it was time to act. After waiting for several days, absorbing criticism from those not on the scene, they acted when it was time to act. Seeing Phillips in imminent danger, they fired upon the pirates and rescued him. This incident reveals how important it is to know when to act and when to wait.

In chapter 8 of his book, When God Takes Too Long, Joseph Bentz counsels us: “Wait when it’s time to wait and act when it’s time to act.”

Citing the story of Israel in the area of the Red Sea, Bentz reminds us that “there will be nay-sayers who accuse you of being confounded in the land.” As Pharaoh and his ilk denigrated the Israelites in this way, so people may accuse you of being lazy, or of having a lack of faith, lack of talent, or lack of drive. Even well-intentioned friends may urge you to take matters into your own hands. I have personally experienced this in recent months.

But remember the words of Moses: “The Lord shall do battle for you… You shall keep still.” Keeping still sounds like the easiest command, but in reality it is the hardest. We would much prefer to be doing something… We wonder, “What if he doesn’t pull through for me? Will I kick myself for not forcing my own outcome?” As I have waited for God to move in my situation, I have had to answer that question many times.

But, as Bentz assures the reader of When God Takes Too Long, I am confident that God comes through in ways that my own efforts would never come close to matching! So I try to wait when it’s time to wait, and then I will be able to act with certainty when it is time to act!


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
How have you done on the verses from Isaiah 53? If you have applied yourself to memorizing these individual verses and sections of verses, you are now ready to work on putting all of Isaiah 53 together – a whole chapter! I challenge you to try it this week!
1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Past Performance IS Indicative of Future Results!

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 18-19
NT: John 4
W&W: Psalm 68.1-14


Today’s Reflection:

In today’s economic climate, I am reminded of the investment disclaimer: “Past performance is not indicative of future results.” But with God, things are different.

As you read the Bible, you notice that God’s people were called to remember the heroic deeds that God enabled them to accomplish. But, not just the heroic deeds, they were also to remember the frailties, sins, complaints, failures of leaders, and tragedies. As they did, they saw that through every circumstance – good and bad – God kept working. His story kept moving forward. For them, the past performance of God was indicative of future results!

Continuing with his book When God Takes Too Long Joseph Bentz advises us (chapter 7): “Remind yourself of what the Lord did for you in the past” in order to be encouraged as we wait.

We can develop a sense of expectancy and hope as we wait by looking back at our lives and pulling out each blessing (not just the big things) and thanking God for it. And, don’t stop with the blessings. Think about the worst times you have endured. What has God gotten you through?

Thank God: with him, past performance is indicative of future results! That’s one investment you can bank on!


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.12: Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

God-Filled Waiting

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 16-17
NT: John 3
W&W: Psalm 67


Today’s Reflection:

Have you ever felt that you are wasting a lot of time waiting on the realization of your God-sized goals? Joseph Bentz, author of When God Takes Too Long, deals with this in a chapter entitled, “Have faith that in his good time God will sweep away the obstacles.”

Bentz issues a warning that a long wait might lead us to lower our expectations of God. When we have to wait, we interpret “not yet” to mean “never.” We don’t actually renounce our Christian commitment and turn away from God. Instead, we simply don’t expect much from him. We call ourselves his, but we refuse to dream big anymore or put ourselves on the line for him.

Remember, however, that the fact that God takes a long time to accomplish his purposes does not mean he lacks the power or will to move forward. Also keep in mind that the destination is not the only thing that matters. What happens during the “waiting” part of our story is really part of God’s purpose, not just empty time leading up to it. Waiting should be filled with God! It’s like what Lana and I experience when we travel together. There is a destination out there – arriving at Avery’s house for example – but we have learned to enjoy the drive, too! Traveling together is just as meaningful to us as arriving at our goal!

Bentz counsels us: “Whenever we’re in an “almost, not yet” period, we should ask ourselves what God may be accomplishing in our lives. In the future, we will find ourselves looking back with appreciation, even longing, for those days of almost, not yet. Many of us make the mistake of ignoring the opportunities before us on this day because we’ve placed all our attention on waiting for what’s coming next.”

Next time you’re waiting, wait with God!


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.12: Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Trust and Obey

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 14-15
NT: John 2
W&W: Psalm 66


Today’s Reflection:

In his book When God Takes Too Long, Joseph Bentz devotes a chapter (# 5) to: “Wait and obey – even as things seem to get worse.” Bentz cites the promise of God to his people in the ministry of Jeremiah as an example.

Many of us are familiar with and find comfort in Jeremiah 29.11-14: “11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.’”

Bentz reminds us, however, that Jeremiah 29.11 is preceded by Jeremiah 29.10: “10 This is what the LORD says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.’” The promise came 70 years before the fulfillment. 70 years! Meanwhile, the nation disintegrated and the people were carried into exile.

Bentz provides illustrations to help us appreciate the importance of keeping the ultimate goal in sight while going through or entering into periods of waiting. The worsening situations that often go with waiting would otherwise prevent us from being willing to trust and obey: “What if in our homes we decided we had zero tolerance for the discomfort that goes along with remodeling or repairs. If the carpet wore through, we wouldn’t replace it. If the furnace died, we would go cold. If pipes burst, we would go without water. Our insistence on short-term stability would cause us long term misery. The same is true in other areas of our life. Why would we allow a surgeon to slice into our bodies in ways that will make us endure days or weeks of recovery? We put up with the pain and inconvenience for the sake of our long-term health. Why do athletes give up hours of their lives each day to difficult and painful training? They do it for the long-term rewards of increased physical accomplishment” (p. 57).

As you go through your periods of waiting and as things seem to worsen, remember the words of the old hymn: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” (John Sammis).


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.12: Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Trust God

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 12-13
NT: John 1
W&W: Psalm 65


Today’s Reflection:

Joseph Bentz’s book When God Takes Too Long is the continued focus of our articles. Today we are looking at one statement from chapter 4: “Trust God – even though you’re likely to feel his way is not the best way.” Bentz says, “One of the reasons God’s ways seem strange to us is that we’re used to counting on what we see as our own strengths and attributes to get us through life… God says, ‘stop looking at whether or not you can do this, and instead think about whether I can do it.’”

How often has this been true in your life? I know that I myself consistently try to figure God out based on what makes sense to me. I look at a situation and say to myself, “This is how I would work this out so it makes sense that God would do the same thing.” Let me give you an illustration.

Several weeks ago, I asked people to join me in praying that God would work it out so we would not have to put our “stuff” in storage when we sold our house. I reasoned that it would be easier for us to do it this way, so it would only make sense that God would want to do this for us. When it didn’t happen the way I wanted, the Lord helped me figure out one reason he answered in once the way he did: He wanted to display his great love to us through the kindness of so many who stepped up to help us! What I failed to realize, however, is that God wills something much better for us – in the moving and housing details – than what I can understand based on our situation. So, I am excited now precisely because we have put our stuff in storage! I can’t wait to see that “something much better” which he is working out!

I can’t wait to share with you how God works this all out! Meanwhile, don’t worry when God takes too long in your situation, either!


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.12: Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Accepting Your New Identity after the Wait

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 7-11
NT: Luke 22-24
W&W: Psalm 62-64
(Extra chapters to make up skipped days from last week)


Today’s Reflection:

I’m back on line this morning! Sorry for missing a few days. The internet hasn't made it to my mother-in-law's home yet! I hope you stayed up with your Scripture readings. If not, I’ve listed last Thursday and Friday’s chapters for you.

Today, we continue examining some insights from Joseph Bentz’s book When God Takes Too Long. The third chapter is entitled: “Remember your identity in God during the long days of waiting.”

Bentz makes the observation that throughout the Christian life, God often wants to move us from one identity to another… Abram becomes Abraham; Saul becomes Paul; a shepherd becomes a giant killer then a king; Jeremiah becomes a prophet; Joseph becomes a ruler. The question we need to consider is simply this: “No matter how long I have been stuck in one identity, what if God swooped in and gave me a new vision of myself? Would I be willing to take the risk of moving into it?”

A long wait contributes to becoming stuck in one identity. Waiting tends to gradually eat away at our identity. We assume that because we have been stuck in this role so long, this must be who we truly are. We latch on to this assumption so automatically that we block out even the possibility for new opportunities.

Today, God is saying to you, to me: “You’ve seen yourself in a certain way for a long time, but now I want to do something completely new in your life. Will you obey me? Will you stake everything on this new vision and trust me for the abilities, the resources, the outcome?”

I personally have had to answer this question in recent months. I’m doing my best to let God move me into a new identity. And, I would urge you to let God begin to move you into a new identity today!

An interesting note: in this week’s Scripture to Memorize, we find God moving Jesus from the identity of suffering servant to that of victorious savior.


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.12: Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Are My Assumptions Good?

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 5-6
NT: Luke 21
W&W: Psalm 61


Today’s Reflection:

Often when people reach different conclusions from the same set of evidence it is because they have come to the questions with different assumptions. Our assumptions determine where we end up just as much as our decisions – possibly even more. One of the best questions we can ask when facing a decision or pushing through troubles is: “Are my assumptions good?”

The following question is from chapter 3 of When God Takes Too Long (Joseph Bentz): “Assume that God is at work – even when you don’t understand what he’s doing”:

Am I really the best judge of my readiness? Moses thought he was ready when he killed the Egyptian, Joseph when he dreamed his grandiose dreams.

All along, we have known that God is at work even though we haven’t understood why life was unfolding as it was. Friends, I have for a very long time thought I was ready to turn the page to the next chapter in my life. God, however, had deemed otherwise, and we have waited for him to open the doors. Now, the page is turning and the future is opening up.

I would say to you (and remind myself and Lana) assume God is at work, for he is!


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.10-11: Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.