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Prayer for Ukrainians

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. Protect me from wicked people who attack me, from murderous enemies who surround me. They are without pity. Listen to their boasting! They track me down and surround me, watching for the chance to throw me to the ground. They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart— like young lions hiding in ambush.” Psalms‬ ‭17:8-12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The whole world’s eyes are on Ukraine right now. And, as followers of Jesus, I think we should all be praying in unity. I don’t know how this works, but I’m praying Psalm 17 over the Ukrainian people.

We’ve ALWAYS had tyrants in our world history. There have always been men, obsessed with power and control and a hunger for more. Men who’s egos needing to be constantly fed. As I try to sort out what, who and why – there is a glaring sad fact no matter my understanding or opinion.

The poor, the mothers and their children always seem to pay the biggest price. We’ve had a decade of Syrians fleeing their homeland because of one man’s thirst for war and annihilation. Now we have another madman and the refuges are pouring out of their homes and land to seek safety and peace.

David writes about what he wants God to do about it with Israel’s enemies. I’d like God to do that to this pompous leader who craves for more. I ask that you “Arise, O Lord! Stand against them, and bring them to their knees! Rescue [Ukrainians] from the wicked with your sword! By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants.” Psalms‬ ‭17:13-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬. Bring judgment down on the tyrant and bring peace to the innocent. Intervene Oh Lord and rescue those who have no defense from the wicked.

PRAYER:

Dad,
Let your mercy flood the earth. Let your righteousness, your justice prevail to protect those who have lost everything and seek peace. You brought Syrians out of their own country, where they were betrayed by their own people to see the one true God and find Jesus. I ask for similar for Ukrainians who lost all but will find everlasting peace and joy through your salvation. Raise up your mighty hand of judgement on the wicked and with the other hand shield to protect the innocent. In all of this turmoil may your Kingdom come and your will be done. Amen.

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What is the sin of census?

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the people of Israel—from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north—and bring me a report so I may know how many there are.” But Joab replied, “May the Lord increase the number of his people a hundred times over! But why, my Lord the king, do you want to do this? Are they not all your servants? Why must you cause Israel to sin?” But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab traveled throughout all Israel to count the people. Then he returned to Jerusalem.” 1 Chronicles‬ ‭21:1-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​Whoa. I’m not sure which is MORE shocking? The fact that Satan shows up in Chronicles. Or that his big move is to get David to count the people. Or that everyone, including David seems to know this census is wrong. What is going on?

All I know is that David stubbornly goes through with it and God rains down massive judgment on Jerusalem – it’s pretty creepy.

God commanded Moses to take a census and the heading said, “census tax.” “The Lord said to Moses, “When you take the census of the people of Israel” Ex 30:11-12. God told Moses that everyone, rich or poor would give a half a shekel to the tabernacle and half to God. God even told Moses it was a ransom payment, AND their would be no plague associated with this numbering or tax, “ransom for his life to the Lord when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them.” Ex 30:12. Now I’m more curious than ever!

It’s not completely clear about why David wanted a census or why God was so mad at him for taking it. There is an interesting tie-into the eventual plot of land where the first temple would be built. And the fact that David doesn’t take the land or receive it as a gift from Araunah, the Canaanite, “And David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of the threshing floor that I may build on it an altar to the Lord—give it to me at its full price—that the plague may be averted from the people.” https://ref.ly/1Ch21.22-25;esv. There is another interesting theory though…

Most of the Bible commentators are far more interested in the fact that the. word “Satan” shows up here in Chronicles. This is the same story that shows up in Samuel 24:1, except God incited David to do the census! It eventually leads to a deeper, long-standing question about leadership responsibility and accountability. One commentator asks the obvious question – “Why would Yahweh incite David to do something for which he would later punish him? Both accounts begin by saying Yahweh was angry with Israel, not David. Yahweh chose to use David as his instrument of judgment against the nation, similar to the way he would use Nebuchadnezzar centuries later. As the Babylonian king was still accountable for his actions, so was David.

Judgment (and its means) both belong to the Lord, but human agents are still accountable.” (https://ref.ly/o/stbblpssycllctn/62845?length=464).

This is a doozy! This pairs well with the whole, “and God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” We clearly understand that God didn’t MAKE Pharaoh resist, but rather Pharaoh’s stubbornness to yield would mean that his heart was hardening with every rebellious “No.”

Well, as for the Sin of Census, I can see how God is NOT happy with anyone who uses taxation as a means of payment for sin – even if that payment was going towards building a house for himself. God is the ONLY one who receives a sacrifice or any kind of “payment” for sin. No human is capable or worthy to ask for it, nor receive it. Even that points to the future, “One payment for all” through Jesus.

So the idea of taking a census for taxation in order to receive worship – forget about it. Think about the Census that the Roman emperor, Augustus took in Luke 2:1! Interesting huh?

PRAYER:

Dad,
Just a personal note. I don’t plan on taking any census’ for worship taxation, ok?

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Proverbial warning labels

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house! If you do, you will lose your honor and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.” Proverbs‬ ‭5:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​Doors are an interesting way of illustrating wisdom’s point. My feeling on this, once we’ve opened a door, be it out of curiosity, peer pressure or even escape, I don’t believe we have the power to ever close it.

When I was a young-er (cough, cough) pastor I imagined standing in the middle of a round room full of doors. Each door had a label. Each one seemed have a invitation that just begged me to open it. Maybe it was a sexual door or a drug experience door an alcohol or gambling door. Maybe even an abusive relationship door.

These are doors that I’m sure my parents opened because I experienced a childhood where I watched them struggle with various addictions and emotional attachments that I knew were not healthy. But I also had my own set of doors. And, as I wrote, once opened I’ve not figured out how to ever close them.

What about deliverance from sin you ask, or freedom and redemption? Yes, absolutely. However, I don’t think the door ever fully closes – remember I’m the one who opened it. There are doors my family of origin may have opened “for” me, exposing me to things that should never be seen or experienced as a child.

Let’s take gambling for example. My family had a history of gambling. They would call it “social” gambling, even “gaming” and had “calculated” losses. I had my little experience with the “one-arm-bandit” (slot machine). It was fun and exciting, colorful and intriguing sounds, plunk, boing, ching ching ching. My nickel was gone and I didn’t win. It was fun, but I had no desire to do it again. As I got older I would feel the pull of those feelings of risk and reward, the sights and sounds of machines and people having fun sitting around a table with fast moving cards or dice. Knowing that door had even slightly been opened, I made a decision as a teenager. I would not be a gambler, not a social one or a gaming one or even a simple little lottery ticket player. Why? Because I saw the damage it caused in my family and I didn’t want that kind of life in my own future. IF I were to gamble now, I’m pretty sure I’d be hooked and sucked in.

BTW, same goes for drinking alcohol if you’d like to know the truth.

This door of immorality that the wisdom writers warned of – it is very real. It’s also ridiculously spun as fun and free in our sex-saturated-society.

WARNING: Don’t open this door wisdom says, don’t go near they cry OR – YOU WILL LOSE! Proverbs writes the consequences of those who opened it and can’t ever shut it. “Strangers will consume your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor. You will say, “How I hated discipline! If only I had not ignored all the warnings! Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors? I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace.”

These proverbial warning labels are no joke and the very real life consequences are devastating. See those doors around you? The ones that say, “just try me,” “just take a peek,” “what’s one time gonna hurt.” DO NOT OPEN THEM.

You’ve been warned.

PRAYER:

Dad,
You know the doors I’ve opened and you know the doors that, thankfully, I’ve stayed away from. I absolutely love your mercy, patience and forgiveness I’ve experienced from those doors I have opened or the ones my family opened and shoved me in for a peek. I really want to put a bunch of caution tape around the ones that have devastated my family as a kid. I want to warn others about experiencing or experimenting with these awful and alluring sins. Help us O’Lord. Help us men and women, fathers and mothers. We need your wisdom and grace.

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From fame to furious

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.” Luke‬ ‭4:22-24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This curious scene out of Luke is an interesting story about US – our human nature and how consistently enduring and predictable it can be. This little side-bit is full of information about who WE are. Jesus goes home, and goes to his local synagogue. Nazareth may have been small and considered the “armpit” of Jerusalem, but there were a good number of very devout religious men there – enough to qualify for a synagogue.

Jesus goes to the front of the gathering, confidently unrolls the scroll and finds his text – in Isaiah! I’m sure whispers and eye-raised glances bounced around the room at that point. That day was “Isaiah” day, reading from the longest and most complicated Old Testament prophet book in the history of Judaism. There are no coincidences! And, he thinks he’s going to comment and give a Jewish sermon on it? Yeah right.

Luke, in his punchy wit writes, “He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently.” Then Jesus gives his homily…“The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” Whoa.

Questions fill the room, sucking centuries of religious pretense right out of the room! In those stunning moments they began to comment, “Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips.” Then seconds later, someone just had to connect the dots of who and where this young buck came from. So then they mumble into the now religious-free air, “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

Then Jesus being the truth-teller, breaks their murmurs mid-thought and hijacks their conclusions saying, do you really want to know why I’ve done no miracles here? Of course it’s a lack of faith, but more than that, you guys won’t let ANYONE grow and mature as God intends and expects. You guys got STUCK and you want everyone around you to lower to your level back to AD 00 or BC 700!

Jesus masterfully does a commentary on two other very famous Old Testament spokespersons: Elijah and Elisha. “Ever wonder why these guys did miracles with foreigners and not Israel?” – Jesus hints. He tells them, there were a lot of needy widows in Israel and their were a lot of sick, skin diseased men in Israel. Why didn’t the prophets do any miracles among their own – the Jews?

Can you feel the tension building in this quiet little synagogue in the small, dusty city of Nazareth? Big pause here as they followed their stale, self-righteousness breadcrumbs to a finger-pointing conclusion.

I knew that Naaman wasn’t Jewish, but I had no idea the Sidon widow wasn’t either. Did you? OUCH!

Obviously, they got the point, the civil and religious leaders in old Israel sucked all the faith out the country, and right out of the people they were leading! One moment they were all having a nice pleasant day in the tabernacle, the next moment they’re foaming at the mouth with arrogant-anger, grabbing pitch forks and torches – “When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.” I think once Jesus was safely out of town, he stopped at the city border and dusted off his sandals, signifying he wouldn’t be returning home again.

PRAYER:

Dad,
Wow, I love it when Jesus interprets and does a great commentary on the Old Testament, pointing out things I never knew or ever saw! This really challenges my own beliefs and faith as well as in leading others. Am I sucking faith out of the air with others in my community? I want to believe and not put any restraints or restrictions on a move of your Spirit. In fact, I want to be for more faith, not less! Help me in my own lack of faith and help our leaders in their faith as well.

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Vengeance is NOT mine and neither is justice

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.” Psalms‬ ‭51:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​David’s recorded repentance is an absolute model of transparency and accountability in a leader’s life. Sure, he had been caught and his judgment had also been recorded and carried out by God and God’s spokesperson, Nathan.

The judgment was quick and severe. You can read about it in 2 Samuel 12. Nathan lays out the charge: “you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife.“ Nathan also tells David, “You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.” God had told David, I gave you EVERYTHING and if that had not been enough, I would have given you MORE!

David’s sin, quick trial by God himself and his pronounced judgment lays out how God is faithful and just to deal with sin and deal with a leader who thinks they can do anything they want and get away with it. God’s quick justice was a display of his deep love for David and for any future lives David’s unprecedented power would have destroyed.

Here in this psalm is David’s response. David owns his decisions, his sin and receives the judgment understanding what many leaders try to avoid – “your judgment against me is just!” David’s sin, his “rebellion” as he admits is exactly what happens when we get everything we want, yet want MORE.

We become seduced into thinking we deserve it, can get it and most of all – NOT get caught. All of this is a LIE. There is never a scenario where we “deserve” what a moral and deplorable act of power over another, or seeing and stealing whatever we want is justified! Even if we manipulate and manage to “get” it – that person, that position, that power, it is never right. And, even if NO ONE is watching, no one seemingly has seen us and we delusionally believe we got away with it – it is still wrong and the one true God of all justice SEES it and will judge it. There is no way ANYONE gets away with it.

The Bible just gives us this story to confront our own sin, but also to let us know that no one gets away with it. Judgment and justice may be slow because we are unaware of the trial and sentencing by God, but it is as sure as God’s name and nature. And, (this is hard to believe but true) God does it better, more thoroughly than we can even understand. In this sense, it doesn’t matter if a tyrant or con escapes or avoids a judge, court or trial judgment, NO ONE escapes God’s justice – ever! This is why God tells us “vengeance is mine.” – Romans 12:19.

PRAYER:

Dad,
Knowing that I want judgment on other’s evil but mercy for myself, David’s repentance gives me a sober hope. One that I always come clean before you and two, that I can leave the deep hurt and grief of injustice to you. You alone are capable of carrying out justice. Our courts and trials, juries and judges can’t possibly do as good a job as you!

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Peter meets the Greeks

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.” Acts‬ ‭10:28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

All those years in the Old Testament, where God used his spokespersons to get Israel to understand His whole plan of using the Jews to bring God to the whole world.

All those wild interactions Jesus had with Gentiles and Samaritans, many of them women, no less.

And it takes a supernatural and commanding vision to finally begin to fulfill this original plan of redemption offered to all.

Peter blurts out this awkward greeting to Cornelius – “hello, I’m not supposed to talk to you, but God made me.” Such strong words, “You know…” was it that obvious? “It is against OUR laws…” Were these civil or moral laws? No, they were Jewish religious/cultural laws. Talk about some deep-seated, systemic racism! I don’t know, maybe the hatred went both ways.

Peter summarizes his own personal vision, “I should no longer think of ANYONE impure or unclean!” Holy bacon bits – that’s such a huge shift for him. So much had changed and yet God kept pushing Peter into a “Kingdom of God” perspective. God had given both men this twinsy, matching visions. Peter’s vision went against a massive amount of food laws that had been handed down to his people for generations. Levitical laws were clear and strict! Cornelius had just been praying and giving to the poor yet had no idea what or why he was doing. He was without purpose or direction.

God saw him and said, boom, there’s the BRIDGE guy! There’s the guy that will get this religiously racial wall torn down. Angels were dispatched with one mission – let’s get Pete and Cornelius together. Cornelius was curious, Peter confused!

After story-swapping, Peter comes to this conclusion… it just give me goosebumps! “Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”

God shows NO FAVORITISM! In Christ there is complete and absolute equality across several physical and cultural boundaries – Paul later tells the Church, There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus!

And don’t even get me started in the fact that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Cornelius crowd. With not only a powerful outward indication of an inward change, but also a sign of unity. Peter’s crew was ASTONISHED at what they SAW and HEARD – “The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.”

PRAYER:

Dad,
Oh how I long for such reconciliation among the Church today. Unity, bridging the gap in racial and cultural- even denominational divides! These “laws,” this barriers are still causing issues today. It should not be so. There is so much social media trash slinging in the body of Christ, so many theological labels to hide behind and use against a unified church. Help us Lord!

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Gifts for God not a building

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Then Moses said to the whole community of Israel, “This is what the Lord has commanded: Take a sacred offering for the Lord. Let those with generous hearts present the following gifts to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze; “Come, all of you who are gifted craftsmen. Construct everything that the Lord has commanded:” Exodus‬ ‭35:4-5, 10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​I have always been fascinated by this idea of taking care of the tabernacle (later the temple) by giving to the Lord. Moses doesn’t ask for himself, “give to me,” he doesn’t really even ask for the shared space for worship, sacrifice and general meeting place for the people of Israel, “give to the tabernacle” (later the temple). He says, as God commanded him, “give to the Lord.” And they did!

“So the whole community of Israel left Moses and returned to their tents. All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord.” And, more than the expensive gifts, they brought their skills! “So the people of Israel—every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them through Moses—brought their gifts and gave them freely to the Lord.”

A couple of things to point out that are still true even today.

One, when they (and we) give to God, they weren’t giving to a leader or a building campaign – it was and is considered a gift to God.

I can’t say that every church building campaign or every ask to replenish the food and household items for helps or emergencies is a godly command, but I can say that every gift given should be considered given to God. In other words, it’s not for a church pastor or a building or supply space – it’s a God gift!

Two, people who offer their skills to make, build, repair or just make things look nice (gold and gemstones?) are offered as gifts to God as well.

There is a principle that applies today but we don’t have tabernacles or temples because the Church body is the physical example of Christ and his presence. However, we still gather in a shared space. And, even though I don’t believe the space is holy, I think it does represent a place for holy people or better yet, people becoming holy to gather. And that space needs some tending to. To build it, make it functional and safe, even make it nice and keep it in clean working order.

The call to care for this common gathering space still exists today and when money or craftsmanship, and attention is seen as a GIFT to God and for the purposes of His high calling for the church body, it becomes an honor to give it, work at and even sacrifice for the total good. None of these offerings of time, talent or treasure, as many have said, are for a pastor, a board or even the other members of the church – it’s a dedication to God and to the things of God! I’ve had a long standing beef with buildings because folks behaved as though it – the “physical space” IS the church. If the place is empty, it’s just a building. If it’s full of people, it’s a welcomed and useful place for the church to gather.

Our building is paid for. Many churches are in fairly decent debt that hampers their ability to be generous in mission or community. To be debt free should be a goal and a gift to the gospel mission operating locally and globally.

PRAYER:

Dad,
I absolutely love the church! I can’t imagine where I would be if it hadn’t of been for the body of Christ loving me and discipling me. However, after 40 years of ministry, my challenges are still getting people to view the building we gather in as just that. It’s actually a SHARED home, right? I love it when folks take that kind of ownership over taking care of it, updating it and making it creatively and functionally beautiful. I can’t see us fulfilling EVERY desire of how people care for or upgrade or do home improvement the same as for their own home. I can, however see everyone pitching in for the common good and treating OUR space with dignity – not allowing trash or spills or spoiled foods in the kitchen get the best of us. I am learning to be GRATEFUL for a space that’s paid for and is in relatively good shape. Help us as your church all come to this same understanding?

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Meme for your heart : Guard it or you’ll crash

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs‬ ‭4:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We live in such a “quippy” world. Back in the 70’s & 80’s it was all about bumper stickers, fridge magnets and cross-stitched plaques otherwise known as ancient memes. Now, short, punchy, even purposely vulgar pics, sayings and gifs are ubiquitous across social media, hanging on earth-toned, organic, reclaimed barn wood or pallets in our homes or printed on T-Shirts, hats and even derrières! I don’t know if Solomon or his wisdom crew had sayings hanging in the palace schoolhouse or sewn into their draperies at home.

Let’s just say that, as humans, we’ve always wanted quick, shortcut style sayings to help us memorize and hopefully internalize complicated ideas.

GUARD a heart? He’s not talking cholesterol here. Attitude determines altitude! So whether Edwin Louis Cole, Zig Ziegler or John Maxwell said it, it’s true. Proverbs says, my heart determines my course! No one wants to go on a hike in the forest with a broken compass, no one wants to sails the seas with a faulty sexton. We want our guiding instruments to be in good working order and TRUE! For us, it’s our heart.

So how do I guard my heart from anger, frustration, bitterness, comparing, jealousy, stress, guilt, depression or a whole slew of emotions that are negative? I don’t want those emotions determining my course or my relationships! I can’t advise on what your heart triggered solutions might be, but for me these have been helpful.

One, name it to tame it. I have to force myself to identify what I’m feeling, this isn’t easy. I get lost in the emotion then the blame of someone or something that made me feel so _ fill in the blank. I have to say it first to myself, then to God in real, psalm-like prayer (honest and unguarded). Then, just so I don’t spew verbal acid and emotional toxicity on my wife and close friends, I often need to tell them as well.

Two, I need to find or get into a physical space where it’s quiet and I can slow down to think.

Or three, contrarily, be with our Garvin circus troop filled with chaotic noises of children crying, squealing and the beautiful sounds of conversation and laughter with our adult children. Our FULL house means cacophony of kids, dogs and the making, eating or cleaning up of a meal. It’s weird, but it works! Maybe it overwhelms my senses and temporarily puts brain into shock, thus distracting the fact that my heart was being attacked by runaway emotions.

I’m in this current phase of trying to MINIMIZE the emotional fallout of an unguarded heart. It used to take days to get control of and turn my attitude around. I’m working on getting down to hours.

What are your methods of guarding your heart?

PRAYER:

Dad,
Just knowing that you KNOW me and are aware of my situations and my weaknesses are really helpful. Also, finally being honest and telling you how I feel. Even telling you about the misperceived actions of others. I know that you are my greatest source of peace and my trusted perception adjuster. I feel safe and loved when I spend time reading and reflecting on your Word and listening to the gentle voice of your Spirit.

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The slander-slinger

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.” Luke‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

He’ll be back! That what he does. Luke tells us straight out that Jesus was tempted and who was doing the tempting. And Luke calls the tempter by one of his character descriptions.

The word tempted is interesting enough. The word means to test or to try, but it comes from a word that means, poke, pierce or pick at to literally see what’s on the other side. It’s a test to examine and prove.

The other interesting word is the word Luke uses to give Satan a character title, diabolos – the slanderer, the false accuser, the one who brings a constant barrage of charges to bring someone down – diabállō – properly, “to throw across (back and forth), “either with rocks or words with slander, gossip, the word implies malice even if the thing said is true. He’s a slander-slinger and never stops harassing the work of God, humans created in God’s image and here in Luke 4, even God himself.

Here the slinger uses the word “if” in every volley. Ever the sly, he beckons to question and cause doubt or he spins a selfish, preferred future that is hinged on a simple act of worship to himself.

Ah, deals with the Devil, same pitch, same results. But oh how sad that he snares and snags so many by poking and prodding until he finds a weakness. Then he sets the hook and owns your soul. Creepy huh?

He didn’t own Jesus that day, however, Luke leaves us with a cliff hanger so to speak. Luke says, “until next time…” Oh no, he’ll be back! Where, when and how did the slinger tempt Jesus again?

PRAYER:

Dad,
This stuff gives me the creeps! Not only the insidious methods, but the fact that they work on us. Part of me is rattled at how effective the temptations can be, the other part is embarrassed and angry that I fall for them. The temptations are so consistent and even though I see the patterns of how and what is happening, there is still the desire to grab the bait, knowing there’s a shiny hook waiting. It’s not even that the slinger is so good at it, it’s that I am so weak in thinking “this time” would be different. It sure makes me ache for that day of perfection when neither the lie nor the ill-desire will have an effect on me.

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Lessons to learn from David’s singular truth

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain. But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.”Psalms‬ ‭38:17-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​Wow. This entire Psalm of David is so raw and honest. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he must have had Covid… j/k. Who can compare to David’s songs and prayers of repentance? The entire psalm is filled with a mixture of physical, emotional and spiritual pain he is experiencing. As I read it, I feel as though he’s not going to make it, he’s describing the end of his life.

This psalm blows my mind because, in the middle of this physical calamity David 100% attributes the cause to God being angry, himself being guilty as charged and ridding himself of his sins. There is not one ounce of any possibility that he has caught something natural or the result of “general” sin or sickness being a part of our fallen world, Nor does he attribute it to an attack from a very real entity of evil! He completely receives it as FROM God and goes directly to God to admit, repent and wait for judgment to pass. “My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins.”

He is NOT expecting to be let off the hook, but asks for the patience go through, and to wait for God to come and relieve his pain. “For I am waiting for you, O Lord. You must answer for me, O Lord my God.” And, “Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior.”

I can honestly say, I have never thought about this kind of raw, direct, straight to the point prayer when I have been at my sickest or lowest moments in life. He doesn’t blame a virus, bacteria, infection, a devil or even God himself. He just flat out starts repenting and recognizing his own unworthiness. I am humbled by this and it makes me think about my own mortality, and times of fever, aches or misery. Once again, I am thankful for the lesson and model from David’s own life and the words he left behind for me to reflect on.

PRAYER:

​Dad,
Wow, what a glimpse into a world that I am not comfortable in at all. I know very few who are at the point of extreme pain and solid resolve acceptance of who is really in charge of life itself.

I am normally talking people out of such honest thoughts and prayers when they speak of their own responsibility and repentance for sin! I will not be so foolish to do so again. Mostly, because I realize how little I actually know of such things! How could falsely relieve the tension by pretending that I know of someone’s circumstances? I will also think through my own response to sickness, pain and suffering. I am thankful for David’s honest and pure words.