"The Rock" - A Devotional for Thursday

"Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24

When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, it wreaked mind-boggling destruction. Countless homes and lives were washed into the sea, and the things people counted on the most didn’t hold up to the storm’s furious surge.

We all have Katrinas in our lives: the out-of-the-blue surprises that leave us reeling from their blows. A phone call from the doctor, a word about a wayward child, a dreaded pink slip, a betrayal by a trusted friend. Our lives have a lot of potentially grim news on the horizon, and none of us are exempt. The issue is not whether a Katrina is in your forecast; the issue is how you deal with it when it comes.

When I was a kid, we sang a song in Sunday school about a man who built his house on the sand. This man may have thought it cool to build his house near the beach, but when the storm hit it was bad news for him. The song was based on one of those in-your-face stories Jesus often told to catch our attention. This story illustrates what life is like when we hear His teaching and then go our merry way and do whatever we please. Jesus warned: If you live like that, given enough time and a big enough storm, your life will slide into a heap of rubble. And, as Jesus said, you can expect that it will fall “with a great crash” (Matthew 7:27).

But against the backdrop of the “sand house” sliding into the sea, Jesus taught that there was another way to live, a better way. He wants us to build the house of our lives on a rock-hard foundation, on Him. Solid lives, He taught, are lives built by people who not only hear His words but also put them into practice. When the storms come, houses built on the rock of obedience and a cultivated trust in who God is and what He has taught us, stand unscathed when the skies eventually clear.

So, the question is, what kind of house are you building—or, more specifically, what are you counting on for security and stability in your life? The sinking sand of life on your own terms, the fickle rush of popularity, the shaky ground of a prestigious career or lifestyle, or the soft soil of living for comfort and cash? As okay as you might think some of these pursuits may seem, none of them will sustain you in the midst of a hurricane-force storm. What you need is to build on the granite foundation of truth—God’s truth as found in His Word.

As Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet, it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).

If you’re not sure how solid your foundation is, stop construction. Commit to living your life on God’s terms, not your own—then build away. No storm that comes will threaten your life when you are built on the Rock.

Copied from: http://www.rbc.org/bible-study/strength-for-the-journey/2007/10/24/daily-message.aspx

See you tomorrow for prayer Friday,
Pastor Brian

"Trusting" - A Devotional for Tuesday

Trusting in God’s Word
by Sarah Jennings, Crosswalk.com Family Editor
"Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus." Luke 1:1-3

Politics. I think we all feel like we’ve overdosed on them lately. Don’t get me wrong – they’re important. But they have a way of churning up all sorts of negative emotions, fears of the future, and overall distrust of our fellow man.

One of the things I dislike most about politics is that when politicians open their mouths, they often give us a spin on the truth. Most of us who care about particular issues end up immersed in hours of research trying to uncover the unbiased facts.

Thankfully, God and His Word do not operate on the same level as our political system.

I found some unexpected relief recently when I decided to do a little research on the life of St. Luke. The opening verses above are the first words recorded in Luke’s gospel account. They are reasonable, straightforward words that show Luke approached his writing as a historian investigating and recording the facts.

A skeptic might respond, “Well of course an early disciple of Christ would say he is recording only facts. But how can we be sure?” Skeptics and believers alike might be interested in knowing that Luke’s writings are so consistent and accurate, even secular, modern historians hold great respect for them.

So who was St. Luke? Well, historians generally agree that he is the author of the third gospel account and the Acts of the Apostles. His writings give us a glimpse into Christ’s life and a vital record of the workings of the early Church. Biblical scholars aren’t sure if Luke was Jewish or a gentile, but his gospel account certainly shows a special sensitivity to the gentiles, the poor, and sinners. Luke probably also had medical training -- scholars usually link the writer/historian with the Luke Paul refers to as, “the beloved physician.” (Colossians 4: 14)

What else do we know about Luke? The Acts of the Apostles indicate he spent much of his adult life traveling with Paul, even sticking with Paul through his suffering and death (2 Timothy 4: 11). He also probably spent quite a bit of time with those who knew Jesus during His earthly ministry, including Mary, the mother of Jesus. After all, the Gospel of Luke is the “Christmas Gospel” – the only Gospel where we get the details of Gabriel’s appearance to Mary and get unique glimpses of Jesus’ boyhood. It’s also the only gospel where we hear Mary, inspired by the Spirit, proclaim the famous Magnificat (“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” Luke 1: 46 – 55).

But for all the facts Luke left us about Christ and His Church, he left very little information about himself. While we have details of the martyrdoms of many early followers, historians don’t know how long Luke lived or how he died.

Of course, it’s pretty safe to assume that Luke wasn’t out to make a name for himself, but to make a name for God. And that’s really where Luke’s life and writings leave us – with yet another reminder that our confidence can rest securely with God and His Word. In a world that is always trying to sell us something, God gives us the wisdom we need to make the hard choices. In a world where words are often used to obscure the truth, God’s Word cuts through the haze with profound, timeless truths. In a world where public figures cannot always be trusted, God works through His humble followers to restore our trust in Him.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Economies fluctuate and nations fall in and out of power. Put down the latest political commentary or turn off those negative news reports, and spend some extra time this week reading the eternal Word of God instead.

Copied from: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalkdevo/ (Oct. 20)

See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian

"The Question" - A Devotional for Tuesday

Matthew 5:3-4,6,10 (TM): “You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule. You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you...You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat....You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.”

I talk to so many people that ask me the same question: "Pastor, why am I going through this? Have I made God angry with me? Am I being punished for something that I've done?" Challenging situations...financial ruin...relational collapse...emotional train wrecks... I've seen (and experienced) many of these. If this is you this morning, I have happy news...you have a choice.

I don't mean that you have a choice in your circumstances...many of us don't. Life happens and we are tied to the consequences of our choices directly. However, you get to choose your reactions to these events...should you grow bitter and never trust again? How about jaded and skeptical about the presence of God? C'mon let's get honest...have you ever doubted He's there?

I have

But time and time again...God reaches down and pulls me back up. I am allowed to go to the bottom...because the only place to look is up. Toward God. Towards hope. Towards happiness.

Want to live a happy life? Start today. Commit yourself to looking to God when you feel driven down, starving, beat up, forgotten, ignored, hurt, or just plain lonely. We get to choose our perspective...you can either focus on the end of the rope...or the beginning of hope. Remember that God is ALWAYS there...no matter how we feel...no matter how we are treated...no matter what we are facing...He is there. We can't do it all. We don't need to do it all.

Hang on. Stay faithful. Never give up hope. Sometimes the crisis that we are in is exactly what we need. Does that sound strange? Remember...

Less of us means more of God. Our weakness...His strength.

Feast in His power and glory...Accept His warm embrace...Trust Him...You'll be much happier...and much closer to peace.

Pastor Brian