Acts 1:12-26 God and Lots

Hey team,

Today, take a moment to read Acts 1:12-26. This comes immediately after Jesus sails off into the sky. The apostles talk about Judas (did you like that gruesome description?) and then they talk about the need to replace him.

In other words, they are looking to move ahead, to continue to live into the vision of Jesus, but they have to make a critical decision. So, what do they do?

Verse 14 says, "They all joined together constantly in prayer."

Verses 24-26 say, "Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." Then they cast lots..."

They prayed. They narrowed down their choices. They prayed again.

And then they did something that sounds very much non-spiritual. They drew lots.

They rolled the dice.

And they trusted that either person selected by this human selection process (or was it) was the person God wanted.

THOUGHTS:

-Maybe God has more invested in His vision than we do. Our role is to pray and discern and trust God with the results.

-The greatest thing we can do as a Greater Things Team is to be in prayer. Can I challenge you to write down a weekly prayer commitment to the process? We meet on Mondays so far, so maybe each Monday, you'd take 15 minutes to pray specifically for unity and and clarity.

-The disciples were in prayer BEFORE this situation presented itself. In other words, their posture, while waiting for next steps, was prayer. We cannot move forward in our own strength.

-God can use our work to change the world and give witness to God's movement in our lives. That is what motivated this decision...they wanted to make sure the witness of Jesus was moved forward. If that is our team's focus (not my will but Yours be done), I believe God will speak to our hearts and minds about decisions needed to get us all there.

Greater Things are yet to come!

Greater Things Acts 1

Hey team,

I don't want to miss out on a chance to "meet together" in between our sessions so I will send you out some notes whenever I can. These posts are meant to keep us grounded in God's Word and united in our hearts.

Take a moment and read Acts 1:1-11 in your Bible. The NIV is below.

Acts 1:1-11

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Some notes on the text
-Jesus' instruction to the 12 (imagine being one of them) was done "through the Holy Spirit" (vs. 2). All those stories. All those teachings. The powerful, deliberate, life-giving words, all given BY Jesus THROUGH the Holy Spirit.
-The disciples had gone through a lot together but Jesus told them that "they hadn't seen nothin' yet" as they were about to be immersed in the Holy Spirit. (vs. 5) This Holy Spirit, the same One THROUGH WHOM Jesus had power.
-Re-read verse 8. Seriously? The work of the Holy Spirit is POWER to be witnesses to areas near and far.
-Jesus freaked them out one more time, being "taken up right before their eyes."

Reflections for Us:
1. The same power given to the 12 and through whom Jesus taught is living inside each of us. Romans 8:9 tells us that if a person does not possess the Holy Spirit, he or she does not belong to Christ: “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” Ephesians 1:13-14 teaches us that the Holy Spirit is the seal of salvation for all those who believe: “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.” You and I have the wisdom, the creativity, the depth and the power of God within us. QUESTION: What keeps you from believing God's best in you?

2. Our journey with Jesus is supposed to keep blowing our mind and taking us out of our comfort experiences. We are never meant to coast, but to thrive. QUESTION: How can we spend significant time with Jesus to allow him to keep changing us?

3. The fruit of the Spirit's work in us should resemble power to reach new people. The disciples were sent to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. QUESTION: Will you commit to praying each day for people that don't know Jesus? Pray specifically for people that you know. Pray that God would put you in the path of them?

July 31 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 148-150

Reflection Text - Psalm 150

Take a moment and write down all that God has done for you this week. Where has God given you provision? A good friend? A warm meal? A working vehicle? Discretionary funds? Joy?

Re-read Psalm 150...maybe from The Message.

Write out a BREATH PRAYER that you can say all day long to praise God. This breath prayer is something that you say in your head as you exhale and then inhale. Something like, Exhale - Jesus you are good. Inhale - Thank you for joy.

Enjoy the song.

July 30 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 145-147

Reflection Text - Psalm 145

Read the Psalm silently.

Now read it out loud, slowly.

What sticks out to you?

Now listen to this version and pray the words that hit you.

July 29 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 142-144

Reflection Text - Psalm 142

When God told Moses that He was going to use Moses to free the Israelites from Egypt's oppression, God said "When you have brought this people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain." (Exodus 3:12)

Freedom's end result was worship of God.

Psalm 142:7 says, "Bring me out of prison, SO THAT I may give thanks to your name."

When God sets us free, we abound with thanksgiving and praise.

What have you been set free from? What is the praise you give today to God?

July 28 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 139-141

Reflection Text - Psalm 141

What happens when you feel attacked by someone?

What is your normal response to accusation?

If you're anything like me, you tend to defend yourself or to make a case against those "against" you. David, in this poem (as in many others) feels the weight of others' attack on him. Instead of berating them (I can't believe he always respected King Saul's authority, even when it was used to try to kill HIM), David prayed,

"Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it."

When opposition came, David prayed for a holy tongue.

He asked God to shut his mouth.

He asked for and welcomed righteous accountability.

He didn't play victim or think that he had the right to say or do what he wanted. He asked that God would watch over his words and bring righteousness to him through accountability.

What would it look like if we saw every opportunity, even when we are hurt, as an opportunity for greater accountability before God and others?

July 27 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 136-138

Reflection Text - Psalm 138

These 2 verses are hitting me deeply today.

"6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar."
-God is close to the lowly, despite being so "above" them. Those who are proud have no need for God, therefore God is removed.
-How do I try to hide my "lowliness" with false pride?
-What are my pride triggers?
-Is there a link to those who we'd call lowly (poor, broken, weak) and closeness with God? What can I learn from them?

"8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever."
-Do I believe that God has more invested in me that what I give God credit for?
-How do I practically give myself to God's enduring love?

July 26 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 133-135

Reflection Text - Psalm 133

Seriously, may these 2 verse inspire us.

"How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

It is like the precious oil on the head, running down the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes."

This oil is a lavish precious, pouring of oil onto the head of a new chief priest. Oil was also used to heal wounds and to mark one's entrance into the role of prophet, priest or king.

The writer is saying that when Christ-followers live in unity with one another it's a lavish, precious marking of the other's dignity.

...All those around are healed
...Service begins and is given authority.

But unity is difficult isn't it?

I think it's often hard because we think unity = sameness. I am united to my wife but we are not the same (in a lot of ways :)). Unity is a commitment of intent, of passion and of values. It is a lifestyle of saying, "I'm not willing to walk through life without you so I'll do what it takes to walk with you."

In my experience, we don't like UNITY because it is too difficult to live out. It requires confronting false peace. It requires hearing the other's heart and letting their needs trump ours. It requires letting people into our lives, on our soil, even when our living room is a mess. Unity requires a belief in something bigger than ourselves.

But I've seen God's people get it right too. I've seen friends pour our their whole selves to one another. I've seen churches rally around a cause that is bigger than anything. I've seen wives return to marriages because they refuse to let evil win. In all these cases, HEALING has been the fruit.

May we so be healed!

July 25 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 130-132

Reflection Text - Psalm 130-131

Psalm 130 is a LAMENT, or a deep penitential, gutteral cry. You can hear the passion and prayer from the writer pleading for forgiveness.

Psalm 131 is one of HOPE and TRUST.

When you read the 2 together, you get this great picture of the life of faith. There are times when we cry out from the depths, pleading with God for mercy and there are some moments where, despite our context, we claim hope and God's faithfulness.

Read them together from The Message as a prayer. Substitute in your own words for the place you find yourself today.

1 Help, God - the bottom has fallen out of my life! Master, hear my cry for help! 2 Listen hard! Open your ears! Listen to my cries for mercy. 3 If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? 4 As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you're worshiped. 5 I pray to God - my life a prayer - and wait for what he'll say and do. 6 My life's on the line before God, my Lord, waiting and watching till morning, waiting and watching till morning. 7 O Israel, wait and watch for God - with God's arrival comes love, with God's arrival comes generous redemption. 8 No doubt about it - he'll redeem Israel, buy back Israel from captivity to sin.

1 God, I'm not trying to rule the roost, I don't want to be king of the mountain. I haven't meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. 2 I've kept my feet on the ground, I've cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother's arms, my soul is a baby content. 3 Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!

July 24 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 127-129

Reflection Text - Psalm 127

Paul writes to the church in Philippi, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

In other words, Paul is saying that anxiety and stress and worry can arise often in life and one of the keys to moving past it is found in a relationship with God. This relationship is made vital when we take our anxiety (note, it doesn't say to deny it or claim that a Christ-follower doesn't have it) and, with thanksgiving, give it to God. When this happens, Paul says PEACE comes.

The Psalmist in the first 2 verses tells a story of two different builders. One, in vain, rises early, anxiously toils for daily bread and provision. The other, sleeps when it's time to sleep and lets the "lord build the house."

The difference is in one's relationship with God.

My commentary on verse 2 says, "Anxious and excessive striving to make a living can become a sign of unreadiness to depend on God's presence and help."

In other words, I'd rather live with my anxiety than to allow God to control my life.

What about you?

July 23 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 124-126

Reflection Text - Psalm 125

As another Psalm of Ascent, the singer/pilgrims would be singing, "those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion" as they looked at Jerusalem, the symbol of power, presence and for many years, Empirical Oppression. It would be like walking into Wall Street singing, "Your systems of money are not needed in my life because I believe in God."

To say that, one must have a deep faith that God can sustain them NO MATTER WHAT.

God is that big. God can be that big in your life.

July 22 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 121-123

Reflection Text - Psalm 123

No matter what I said before, THIS is my favorite Psalm. I memorized the first 2 verses a couple years ago as I looked into the hills of Mexico while being surrounded by kids. These kids had no home...well, not one we'd call a house. They lived in cardboard homes in the city dump. We entered with some food and snacks to give them and we were blown away at their eagerness to snatch it from our hands. They were dependent upon us for their day's food.

Psalm 123 says,

"As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until he has mercy upon us"

The writer places himself as the dependent child or slave who CANNOT get himself out of his situation. He must look up (so his posture must be one of lowering) for his help and if God doesn't show up, he's got nothing!

What does it mean to be dependent upon God for mercy? For sustenance? For life? For grace? Does dependent upon God necessitate a DENIAL of self-sufficiency?

July 21 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 118-120

Reflection Text - Psalm 120

The evil part of me wanted to write a reflection on Psalm 119, the longest Psalm in the book, but I love you all too much.

Psalm 120 begins a section (through 134) called the Songs of Ascent. These are songs that were most likely sung by pilgrims making annual trips to Jerusalem from various parts of Israel. Because of the typography of the land, Jerusalem is UP from any direction. These songs became the ritual of their religious pilgrimmage.

Which makes me think, what are mine? What are the songs I sing or pray when I am wanting to connect with God?

What are they for you? Have there been songs that prepare you for an encounter with the holy? Are there prayers (footprints, etc.) that you always recite as you meet with God?

One of my latest favorites comes from the middle ages. It says,

"holy Spirit, pour into me your greatest gift, which is love."

July 20 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 115-117

Reflection Text - Psalm 115

I love how this Psalm begins. It says, "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory."

What a humble cry! It says, "God may you get all the attention. God, may you get all the fame and credit."

One of the ways "giving God glory" happens to to admit when sin before God. In that, we acknowledge who we are and who we are not.

Another way is to tell stories of God's faithfulness in your life. Try this:

Tell a story of how someone/something/someplace changed your life. Now tell the story again and replace the someone/thing/place with "God." For example, instead of saying CHURCH CAMP saved my life or CHRISTIAN MUSIC saved me, tell the story of GOD saving your life, maybe using camp or music as the vehicle. This practice gets us used to noticing God's glory in our everyday lives.

Or, you could just sing the following song every moment of the day!

July 19 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 112-114

Reflection Text - Psalm 113

Read this Song from The Message:

1 Hallelujah! You who serve God, praise God! Just to speak his name is praise! 2 Just to remember God is a blessing - now and tomorrow and always. 3 From east to west, from dawn to dusk, keep lifting all your praises to God! 4 God is higher than anything and anyone, outshining everything you can see in the skies. 5 Who can compare with God, our God, so majestically enthroned, 6 Surveying his magnificent heavens and earth? 7 He picks up the poor from out of the dirt, rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash, 8 Seats them among the honored guests, a place of honor among the brightest and best. 9 He gives childless couples a family, gives them joy as the parents of children. Hallelujah!

Here's how it sounds in song...

July 18 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 109-111

Reflection Text - Psalm 111

Verse 10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding."

I have a good friend who is just 30 years old but in my estimation is one of the wisest people I've ever met. How can this be? He doesn't have much life experience? He hasn't read every book out there? He hasn't even hit mid-life crisis? What is his secret?

He understands that wisdom MUST begin from a right understanding of who God is. He associates himself with God as often as possible, reading God's Word, praying instead of speaking and waiting for the Holy Spirit to give him words before opening his mouth. By doing these things, he is practicing Godly wisdom.

We cannot have Godly wisdom without a proper God-perspective. What's yours?

July 17 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 106-108

Reflection Text - Psalm 106

In The Message version of this text it reads,

"1 Hallelujah! Thank God! And why? Because he's good, because his love lasts. 2 But who on earth can do it - declaim God's mighty acts, broadcast all his praises? 3 You're one happy man when you do what's right, one happy woman when you form the habit of justice. 4 Remember me, God, when you enjoy your people; include me when you save them; 5 I want to see your chosen succeed, celebrate with your celebrating nation, join the Hallelujahs of your pride and joy! 6 We've sinned a lot, both we and our parents; We've fallen short, hurt a lot of people. 7 After our parents left Egypt, they took your wonders for granted, forgot your great and wonderful love. They were barely beyond the Red Sea when they defied the High God...20 They traded the Glory for a cheap piece of sculpture - a grass-chewing bull!

God had done an amazing thing in front of His people and for His people. They saw first-hand the power of God for their lives. They held their first-born sons at night, thankful that God did not take them during Passover.

And yet, they rebelled.

In verse 20, it says that they changed gods because God didn't appear to be there. So, they crafted a sculpture...a CHEWING BULL!

Sure, we laugh. What a stupid replacement. I mean if you're going to switch gods, you might as well try a little harder! A bull?

WE CREATE DIETIES THAT LOOK LIKE WHAT WE KNOW BECAUSE WE ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH GOD BEING "OTHER THAN" US.

I create gods of...
...self-pleasure - I worship things that make my life easier
...money - I worship things that keep me feeling independent
...power - I worship contexts/situations/jobs that put me in "control"
...shallow intimacy - I worship what makes me feel good in the moment and that does not require much from me.

What are your gods?

What does it look like to repent (turn back) from these things today to "Thank God because He's good?"

July 16 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 103-105

Reflection Text - Psalm 104

Read Psalm 104 slowly.

Now read it again.

Write out the words used to describe God's character or God's activity in our lives.

Now listen to this with your eyes closed and in a spirit of thanksgiving.

July 15 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 100-102

Reflection Text - Psalm 100

Who/What you belong to often determines your life's trajectory.

If you belong to a family like the Kennedy's, your life will begin at certain economic place with certain expectations.

If you belong to a family from the projects, your life will begin at other certain economic places with different expectations.

In verse 3 of this song, the poet says, "It is God that made us, and we are his."

We are not on our own.

We do not belong to ourselves.

We have a Creator, an owner, a jealous Lover that desperately wants to redeem us.

We might say, we were born into God's grace, with God's best being a starting place and God's faithfulness to help get us to any expectation that comes.

What does it mean to you that you BELONG to God? How could that change...
...how you see yourself?
...how you make decisions?
...how you determine your priorities?

July 14 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 97-99

Reflection Text - Psalm 98


Verse 1 says, "Sing to the Lord a NEW Song."

What is the NEW that God is doing in you?

I'm not asking, "What DID God do?" That's a question of remembrance or history. The psalmist encourages us to name a NEW song. To help you write the words to your song...

...where are you noticing the fruit of the Spirit emerging from you?

...how are you becoming more compassionate for the people hard to love?

...where has God specifically answered prayer for you?

...how has God taken care of you financially?

...how has God given you more self-revelation?

...how has God broken your heart for the lost?

Send me your NEW song...I'd love to sing with you.

July 13 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 94-96

Reflection Text -Psalm 96

I have to admit to you that Psalm 96 is one of my favorites. Well, 3 verses of it anyways. Verses 7-9 says,

"Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth."

We don't use the word "ascribe" very often but it really says to "give to full measure, to give in proportion." The Psalmist is saying that God is worthy of all of our glory, our praise, our offerings and our lives. The poet is naming who God is while at the same time offering what he thinks is a worthy response. He uses words like, "offering, worship, holy splendor, and tremble" to describe what happens when we ascribe to God what God deserves.

How do you ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name?

July 12 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 91-93

Reflection Text - Psalm 91

In Matthew 4:6, Satan tempts Jesus by telling him to throw himself off the mountain because God will send his angels to protect him. Satan, in that moment, is quoting verse 11-12 from this Psalm. It says,

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone."

Satan takes a word of promise for God to put God to the test. Jesus overcomes this temptation by saying, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."

All this to say...
-How many times do I put God to the test using God's very words against Him to accomplish what I WANT?
-How many times do I twist God's words to work for my benefit or to support my thinking?
-How do I "hold God at His word" without using it as a tool to manipulate God?

July 11 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 88-90

Reflection Text - Psalm 90

Start your week off with a creative way of reading Psalm 90. Enjoy!



"Teach us to live wisely and well!"

July 10 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 85-87

Reflection Text - Psalm 85


The writers of this Psalm, the Korahites saw Jerusalem and the place of meeting—the PLACE that God had promised to the Israelites. Then they were exiled from it and after the exile they returned to their city. Many believe that this Song is written post-exile times when the people of God were finally allowed to come home. So when the Psalmist writes, “Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” I wonder why, if they are back in their place of home…back in their place where they have value and FEEL the Lord’s promises, then why are they lamenting again. I thought this was the place you wanted me? Were they spoiled?

No. They were a part of the unfolding plan of God that was leading to a new power and presence that shattered the last. Many believe that the last 5 verses are the Messianic verses of the text, pointing toward a reality greater than a place. It was a deeper salvation that the Psalmist refers to twice as the LORD’s SALVATION. It belonged to Him and was still to unfold. There was a greater salvation for these pastor/worship leader sons that obviously transcended time and place but what was it?

It was the yearning for the peace of God IN them.

Could it be that the perfect place for us to experience the fullness of God’s peace, described here as “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven” has nothing to do with a place but has everything to do with God’s desire to sink His roots way down deep WITHIN each of us. That is the place where He dwells. That is the power that walks into EVERY place that we walk into. That is shalom---a peace that can only come from God’s dwelling within.

Philippians 4:6-7 says “Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

July 9 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 82-84

Reflection Text - Psalm 84

Today, hear the song of this Psalm. Let the words and the melody take you to a place of stillness in God's presence. Enter God's court and pray, "May your presence be more than enough for me."

July 8 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 79-81

Reflection Text - Psalm 81

Check out the following excerpt for today:

"10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. 11 "But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels."

Verse 10 - It opens with the same exact words as the beginning of the 10 Commandments. "I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt." The reader would have connected that immediately and would be waiting for another POWERFUL word from God for them. God follows it up with, "Open your mouth WIDE and I will fill it." He's referring to the table of quail that he invited His people to as an act of provision and life. God's invitation to his banquet is WIDE.

Verse 11 - BUT. Don't you hate that word. BUT. He says that God's people did not listen and would not submit.

Why don't people listen?

My kids don't at times because they are distracted or they have something or someone else that is more important.

Why don't people submit?

People don't submit because they want to be in control! They want to run their own life!

So God is saying that He had a banquet of food, an invitation to His provision and life, and His people were too distracted or too self-dependent to receive it. And how does God respond?

Verse 12 - "So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own counsels."

God often gets a bad rap in my life because I blame him when things go wrong. "How could he let this happen to me (insert whiny voice here)?"

Maybe WE are choosing what we get because, like Israel, we are stubborn and have our own agendas. Maybe we actually take the power out of God's hands (which God could trump if God wanted) to provide, feed, nourish and restore us?

What am I doing today to listen to God and to submit to God's plan for my today?

July 7 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 76-78

Reflection Text - Psalm 77

Take a moment after reading the text and write out a couple things:
1. What's the earliest memory you have of God working in your life?

2. Bullet point some significant God-moments that caused change or transformation in your life?

3. Write out how you have seen God orchestrate miracles for you, for others or for relationships?

4. Can you recall a time when a Word from God really spoke to the depths of who you are? Write that down.

The Psalmist today begins with a cry of abandonment. He is FEELING like God has let him down, forgotten him and stopped loving him (verse 8-9). In verse 10 he even declares that God must have changed. But the song changes on a dime in verse 11 as the poet, "calls to mind the deeds of the Lord."

In other words, what brings the poet out of the pit is a remembrance, a rehearsing of God's faithfulness to him. You might say:
-When God feels absent, remembering connects you with God's unchanging character.
-When you feel abandoned by God, remembering helps you place God within your struggle as an intimate participant.
-When you feel forgotten, remembering points you to God's relentless pursuit of you.
-When you feel alone, remembering helps you believe (HOPE) that God is still working out a preferred future for you.

What's your story of God's faithfulness?

July 6 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 73-75

Reflection Text -Psalm 73

Just read the transformation between verse 22 and 23. How would you fill out your verse 21-22? Write that out right now? Then, read back to yourself verses 23-26.

21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

God is that big!

No matter what our first 2 verses...

God is always with you!

July 5 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 70-72

Reflection Text -Psalm 72

King Solomon is writing this song and he's unapologetically asking God for favor. He wants his own reign to be extended, to be more known and prosperous. But, here's the kicker. He gives the reason why as,

"12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight."

He's praying for God to increase the size, prosperity and length of his reign SO THAT the needy, afflicted, those pitied, the poor, those near death and the forgotten could be DELIVERED, SAVED, RESCUED, RESTORED AND GIVEN HOPE.

Maybe you could say...

His leadership would be measured by the restoration of the broken.

Which poses a lot of questions to me this morning:
1. Do I have the guts to pray for God's favor for my work?
2. How do I spend my time? Is it spent merely with those who HAVE or have not? And what does that say about me?
3. How am I judging my leadership success? Is it in simply increased power or position or numbers or dollars or is it in lives changed, hope restored and relationships embodied?

July 4 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 67-69

Reflection Text - Psalm 68

On this day of Freedom in the United States, we pause to reflect on just how free we are. Yes, we are free to vote. Yes, we are free with equal representation. Yes, we have freedom of speech and freedom of religion. But these are all grandiose things.

The poet today describes a freedom found in relationship. He says,

4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds;
rejoice before him—his name is the LORD.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing;"

Have you or one of your friends grown up without a Dad? What's it like to not know how to act like a Godly man? How do you treat a woman? How do you walk through life's trials without an example? One might see, the fatherless could be bound because of a lack of a relationship.

Do you know a recent widow in your community? How are they taken advantage of? When's the last time you saw someone come to the defense of a widow in a car accident? One might say that widows could be imprisoned by society's value on the young and married.

But God is a Father to the Fatherless and a Defender of widows. He puts the lonely in families...in relationship. God takes the prisoners and puts them into relationship. And in that, they experience freedom.

How has God set you free to be in a greater relationship with Him?

July 3 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 64-66

Reflection Text - Psalm 65

Read this text as your morning, afternoon or evening prayer. It comes from The Message.

A David Psalm

1-2 Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God,
And also obedience.
You hear the prayer in it all.

2-8 We all arrive at your doorstep sooner
or later, loaded with guilt,
Our sins too much for us—
but you get rid of them once and for all.
Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest
at home in your place!
We expect our fill of good things
in your house, your heavenly manse.
All your salvation wonders
are on display in your trophy room.
Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer,
Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser,
Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash,
of mobs in noisy riot—
Far and wide they'll come to a stop,
they'll stare in awe, in wonder.
Dawn and dusk take turns
calling, "Come and worship."

9-13 Oh, visit the earth,
ask her to join the dance!
Deck her out in spring showers,
fill the God-River with living water.
Paint the wheat fields golden.
Creation was made for this!
Drench the plowed fields,
soak the dirt clods
With rainfall as harrow and rake
bring her to blossom and fruit.
Snow-crown the peaks with splendor,
scatter rose petals down your paths,
All through the wild meadows, rose petals.
Set the hills to dancing,
Dress the canyon walls with live sheep,
a drape of flax across the valleys.
Let them shout, and shout, and shout!
Oh, oh, let them sing!

July 2 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 61-63

Reflection Text - Psalm 62

Here is Shane & Shane's take on today's text. Enjoy (lyrics below)



He’s the only one
Strong enough to lean
My heaviness against
The weight of all my sin
Falling on a rock
Leaning on a fortress
Oh the wall of God, Jesus
He won’t move

On God I rest
My salvation
My fortress
Shall not be shaken
My mighty rock
And my glorious
I lay my head upon His chest
On God I rest

Oh I am calling out
Oh my soul
Oh my stubborn soul
Won’t you wait on Him
Wait in the quiet
Even in your fear
Oh your God is here, to lean on!
He won’t move

He has spoken
Hear his voice
I have come for the broken
So all ye weary come and rest

July 1 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 58-60

Reflection Text - Psalm 59

I am waiting on God today...for a lot of things really. Here are just some:
-For my new motorcycle
-For the redemption of some of my friends' marriages
-For my children's salvation
-For God's leaders
-For God to give me a new body that doesn't hurt when I wake up...

And yet, God hasn't (fully) come through...yet.

I was talking with a friend today about something on which I am growing impatient. I was reminded that these first 60 Psalms have had some common themes emerge, none bigger than the idea of WAITING on GOD. In Psalm 59, the Psalmist says it like this,

"You are my strength, I watch for you"

Even when facing physical harm, the poet says he will stand at the window and wait.

God, I am not there. I am too fast-paced. I want your will...NOW! I know that You care about the process....but I don't!

And yet, I want to be a person of character and of victory and conviction. Please give me a gift of expectant patience and confidence that You are moving.

June 30 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 55-57

Reflection Text - Psalm 55

What do you do when you're anxious, stressed or worried?

I remember when we were traveling abroad through an airport without many modern conveniences I spent the entire night before NOT sleeping because of anxiety over whether or not this airport could meet our needs. I read, I watched TV, I counted sheep, nothing worked.

This verse came to me that night (and has sustained me on any trip) and I began to pray it.

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken...As for me, I trust in you."

I realized that I would still be anxious and worried but that I was limiting God from experiencing my "CARES" with me. I was keeping God out of that area of my life because I thought it was petty or I thought I should be beyond that. The reality was that God wanted to sustain me and it came when I cast (read, LET GO OF) my burdens into His lap.

What do you do when you're stressed?

June 29 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 52-54

Reflection Text - Psalm 54

Verse 4 says, "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me."

I want to get practical today. Copy and paste this verse to a document, enlarge the font size and print multiple copies of it. Cut out those verses and put them around your life in key places so that you remember it. Here are some suggestions:
1. In your checkbook, wallet or purse
2. Above your kitchen sink
3. On your computer monitor
4. On your TV
5. On your dashboard

What would it do to your psyche to see/read/hear this verse over and over throughout your life?

June 28 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 49-51

Reflection Text - Psalm 50

This is one of my favorite passages as God seems to be saying back to our insistence that the world either revolve around us or that we have a small God. God speaks...

"I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,
for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know every bird in the mountains,
and the insects in the fields are mine.
If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it."

So, why give to God if God doesn't need it? Maybe our giving to God has more to do with us than with what God needs or doesn't need. If that is the case then what happens WITH the offering becomes secondary.

Also, why do I limit God's provision for my life? Why do I insist that God can only do with what I see in front of me? How big is my God?

June 27 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 46-48

Reflection Text - Psalm 46:1-2

Some thoughts:

1. "God is..." - after this weekend's sermon, I had to stop here and just acknowledge that no matter what precedes or follows these words, they simply and powerfully speak of a reality that undergirds it all. The creator IS. The redeemer IS. The One who makes the impossible possible IS. Faith believes in this reality even when God seems absent. How does the fundamental nature of God have room in your life?

2. "...our refuge, strength, a present help in trouble." - God is the place we can go when we just need to hide or seek shelter. God is also our strength to stand in our place no matter what kind of arrows are thrown our way. And when trouble comes, God is not distant but instead PRESENT. Present = a gift. When trouble assails me, God gifts me with His self.

3. "Therefore we will not fear." - What a powerful, simple declaration. The psalmists are saying "therefore" or "because of what I just said..." Because God IS, because God is strength, refuge and help, WE WILL NOT FEAR. Fear then becomes a reality, when not acknowledged or surrendered to God honestly, that emerges because of a lack of confidence in God's primal identity. Fear is real and not something to deny or gloss over but it is not a place that God wants us to linger in because doing so becomes a denial of God's power to embolden, to give courage and to move.

4. "Though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea." - What if the way we saw the world (church, family, job, income, success, etc.) changed one day? What if all that we knew was thrown into the sea? The poets are saying "EVEN THEN, we will not fear."

God, EVEN WHEN ________________, I will not fear. Ok, maybe I will a bit. But my heart's desire is to get to a place in my relationship with you where fear does not grip me, numb me or keep me from all that you have for me. Be near O God.

June 16 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 34 -36

Reflection Text - Psalm 34

"Taste and see that the Lord is good"

Is there anything more enjoyable than an old fashion homemade chocolate chip cookie just out of the oven. My mom has a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies so I enjoying making them from time to time. Unfortunately her recipe was for a family of six including plenty for the neighbors. That means lots and lots of cookies, plenty for the residents at Brookhaven, plenty for the guys at work and all too many for us. I try being good by limiting myself to a couple each day. With that being said they sometime lasts us a couple weeks.

One day I accidentally left my cookies I took to work in the car. It was bright and sunny day that really warmed the car up. When I bit into that 2 week old cookie it was as if I just pulled it out of the oven. The warmth of the sun restored that chocolate chip cookie to what it was designed to be, a delicious pleasure, after a hard days work.

If God through the SUN can restore a chocolate chip cookie to it's original design, how much more can God, through His SON restore us. When we seek God in all of His creation he opens our senses to a new and exciting adventure. His beauty, His love, unfolds all around us. We begin to allow His nature and His beauty to surround us , to engulf us. He becomes our refuge. We turn to Him in our difficult times, in our brokenness, and allow Him to redeem us.

Taste and See, receive the goodness of the Lord!

June 15 Reflection

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Reading: Psalm 31 - 33

Reflection Text - Psalm 32

This Psalm is about the forgiveness that comes from our Lord. It talks about the importance of silence and confession as we seek God's forgiveness.

The sentence that I am drawn to is found in verse 7; You are my hiding place. Wow, David really touches me here. He tells of a place that I never thought of being, a place I never thought of going. So often in our sin, in our brokenness, we look for all kinds of places to hide. Our guilt and shame drive us to all kinds of evils and all kinds of false comfort. David though finds comfort and protection in you God. Instead of running from his sin, he grabs it and dives into You. While so many look for places to hide, David finds forgiveness and peace in His Creator. He understands that in presenting our woes to You and trusting in Your unfailing love that we become new. We find a new way, Your way.

May we all rise from your hiding place and share Your instruction and guidance. May we sing songs of freedom for the sins that used to bind us. It is you dear God that makes our hearts right!

June 14 Reflection

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Reading - Psalm 28 - 30

Reflection Text - Psalm 29

What images appear as you read this Psalm? Do you see God at that moment of creation as he speaks life into being. Do you see God breathe life into the words of His scriptures as this Psalm comes to life. Imagine His still small voice as it thunders power and majesty in the world around us. Who is this God who can speak and breathe new life into a world that is twisted like the oaks of the forest.

This is our God! When we speak, when we sing, when we lift His name up, the Lord strengthens us. Our worship of our God, our King forever, covers us in His blessings of peace.

Help us to listen, to look, to seek and to trust in this voice of God who speaks His love for us all always! May we hear God's voice in the ordinary and the everyday!

According to Your Love

Monday, June 13, 2011
JUNE 13 REFLECTION

Reading: Psalm 25 - 27
Reflection Text: Psalm 25

In Psalm 25, David asks God to show him His ways and paths. He asks to be taught and guided by God, our Savior.
David asks that God not remember the sins of his youth and his rebellious ways. Oh how we all at one time or another have prayed that God forget those crazy things we did when we were young. I wonder if it's not in those sins of our youth, those rebellious times that God teaches us and guides us to His ways and paths.

Often it's when we have fallen or stumbled that God opens our eyes to His ways. He provides light in our darkness, He lifts the fog so we might find our way.
David really hit the mark when he asks to be remembered according to God's love and not his own. Our love often falls short and, at best, is a work in progress. God's love is immeasurable, all encompassing, unconditional and covers all of our sin.

Help us to become Your followers, not just Your fans. Open our hearts so that we might truly receive Your love!

June 12 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 22-24

Reflection Text - Psalm 22

When you read Jesus' last words as he hung on the cross, you'll hear the same words from David in Psalm 22. Jesus, in complete brokenness cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"

There is much commentary on WHY Jesus said these words and my thought is that he was deliberately referencing Psalm 22. Re-read Psalm 22:11-18 in light of what we now know that Jesus was doing on the cross.

11 Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
12 Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
13 Roaring lions that tear their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted within me.
15 My mouth[d] is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 Dogs surround me,
a pack of villains encircles me;
they pierce[e] my hands and my feet.
17 All my bones are on display;
people stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.

Can you hear both the poet and Jesus' desperation? Does it bring you comfort knowing that in the middle of this agony is when God's ultimate plan bore the most fruit?

Could it be that while we are suffering God is actually about to bring rebirth?

June 11 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 19-21

Reflection Text - Psalm 19

This is one of my favorite yet convicting Psalms.

Verses 7-11 are a beautiful story of how the poet sees the commands, regulations and expectations of a covenantal God. Can you imagine your children telling you that the rules you use to guide their lives are "refreshing, trustworthy and more precious than gold?" The poet here says these things because when followed, the expectations of God actually give life. Maybe you could say it like this:

Obedience gives rise to Freedom

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.


These final 3 verses seem like a prayer...pleading for God's mercy and guidance against the errors and faults that keep one from blamelessness.


12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Write verse 14 on a post-it note and hang it on your computer to memorize this week.

June 10 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 16-18

Reflection Text - Psalm 18

Just a quick question:

What is something that you've prayed a ton about that God has answered in the last month or so?

How did you respond to God's response?

This Psalm is a lengthy one I think because David, the writer, is overjoyed that the prayers for vindication, safety, refuge, hope and deliverance were answered. When God intervened in his life, he offered back to God a word of thanks.

How can I take a moment and thank God with a LONG poem or song of thanks?

Now, go read this.

June 9 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 13-15

Reflection Text - Psalm 13

I love different musical interpretations of Scripture. Here is one from Psalm 13 from the David Crowder Band



How long will I wait?

What does hope sound like? (it's not banjo music to me, but maybe Pearl Jam)

Do I trust God to bring hope when it feels like God isn't there?

June 8 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 10-12

Reflection Text - Psalm 10

Verse 4 says, "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God."

The poet here is saying that the prideful do not seek God because how could he when all he's thinking about is himself. In other words, when we are so focused on ourselves, when we are so content with a self-sustained and self-contained life then we essentially crowd out the place where God wishes to dwell. It's kinda like filling your living room with wall-to-wall furniture and then inviting over a guest. You may want them to come in but essentially you've labeled other things as more important.

My prayer today: Oh God, forgive me for my pride. I've often left no room for you in my life because of my arrogance and wrong priorities. Create a longing in me that is strong enough to move whatever I've put in your place. Amen

June 7 Refelction

Reading - Psalm 7-9

Reflection Text - Psalm 8

Let this be your prayer all day...repeat the words that resonate deeply in you throughout the day.

LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

June 6 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 4-6

Reflection Text - Psalm 5

The Psalmist says, "In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly."

I was wondering if the rhythm of his requests has merit still for us.
Movement 1 - "in the morning" - before the day begins, "you hear my voice" - the poet makes sure God hears from him early in the day.

Movement 2 - "I lay my requests before you" - This God must be a God who is close if the poet feels safe enough to share personal requests.

Movement 3 - "and wait expectantly" - Whenever I hear "expectant" I think of a pregnant woman waiting, anticipating the coming of the new life.

Reflection:
-What needs to happen in my life where I can be this intimate with God?
-How do I cultivate a prayer life that is eagerly expecting God? What difference would that make in my life?

June 5 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 1-3

Reflection Text - Psalm 3

David was facing opposition for a close friend. It was in fact, his son. David wrote this poem, this song, while he was fleeing from his own blood. I love that he wrote that many did not think God could deliver him, but David said,

"3 But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me"

With his head on the line, David could sleep and have assurance to know that God would protect him, lift him up, answer him and deliver him.

A question or two for our discussion: What would it look like for me to have that same sense of trust, confidence and assurance in God's faithfulness for my life? Can I have that without being completely desperate like David?

Summer Reading Schedule

Poetry Slam Summer Reading Schedule

June 5 Psalm 1-3
June 6 Psalm 4-6
June 7 Psalm 7-9
June 8 Psalm 10-12
June 9 Psalm 13-15
June 10 Psalm 16-18
June 11 Psalm 19-21

June 12 Psalm 22-24
June 13 Psalm 25-27
June 14 Psalm 28-30
June 15 Psalm 31-33
June 16 Psalm 34-36
June 17 Psalm 37-39
June 18 Psalm 40-42

June 26 Psalm 43-45
June 27 Psalm 46-48
June 28 Psalm 49-51
June 29 Psalm 52-54
June 30 Psalm 55-57
July 1 Psalm 58-60
July 2 Psalm 61-63

July 3 Psalm 64-66
July 4 Psalm 67-69
July 5 Psalm 70-72
July 6 Psalm 73-75
July 7 Psalm 76-78
July 8 Psalm 79-81
July 9 Psalm 82-84

July 10 Psalm 85-87
July 11 Psalm 88-90
July 12 Psalm 91-93
July 13 Psalm 94-96
July 14 Psalm 97-99
July 15 Psalm 100-102
July 16 Psalm 103-105

July 17 Psalm 106-108
July 18 Psalm 109-111
July 19 Psalm 112-114
July 20 Psalm 115-117
July 21 Psalm 118-120
July 22 Psalm 121-123
July 23 Psalm 124-126

July 24 Psalm 127-129
July 25 Psalm 130-132
July 26 Psalm 133-135
July 27 Psalm 136-138
July 28 Psalm 139-141
July 29 Psalm 142-144
July 30 Psalm 145-147

July 31 Psalm 148-150