The Inescapable God
God Protects
Ephesians 3:7-13 (the Message)
7-8This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.
8-10And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!
11-13All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus. When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go. So don't let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud!
For Reflection
You know, I didn't plan to begin writing these daily studies. I hadn't even thought about it. And then one day the Spirit moved me. I never considered myself a writer. I am a terrible proof-reader. I guess, I don't need to tell you that. I can't even spell well. And yet, here we are.
What about you? What have you done because of a motivation that you can't explain?
Pray
for surprises. Thank God for gifts. Praise God for His extraordinary plan for our lives. Pray that you give in completely to His plan for your life.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
The King of the Ages
The Inescapable God
God Protects
1 Timothy 1:12-17 (The Message)
12-14I'm so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were invective and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn't know what I was doing—didn't know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.
15-19Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.
Deep honor and bright glory
to the King of All Time—
One God, Immortal, Invisible,
ever and always. Oh, yes!
I'm passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we're in.
For Reflection
We had a baptism yesterday. Such a small person, wide eyed with wonder and blind trust. It is the ritualized passing on of the work of the Lord. George (his name is) will suffer the same as we all do. He will experience the same doubts and feelings of inadequacy that we do. But, in the end, he will grow up in the Christian tradition of his parents and the community of believers with which they surround themselves. He will be equipped to handle God's call. He is hope. He is the evidence of ever and always.
Pray
for George and all children. Praise God for His trust in us. Pray that we embrace our adequacy in doing the work of the Lord.
God Protects
1 Timothy 1:12-17 (The Message)
12-14I'm so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were invective and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn't know what I was doing—didn't know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.
15-19Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.
Deep honor and bright glory
to the King of All Time—
One God, Immortal, Invisible,
ever and always. Oh, yes!
I'm passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we're in.
For Reflection
We had a baptism yesterday. Such a small person, wide eyed with wonder and blind trust. It is the ritualized passing on of the work of the Lord. George (his name is) will suffer the same as we all do. He will experience the same doubts and feelings of inadequacy that we do. But, in the end, he will grow up in the Christian tradition of his parents and the community of believers with which they surround themselves. He will be equipped to handle God's call. He is hope. He is the evidence of ever and always.
Pray
for George and all children. Praise God for His trust in us. Pray that we embrace our adequacy in doing the work of the Lord.
Friday, November 5, 2010
God Is Awesome
The Inescapable God
God Protects
Psalm 66:1-12 (The Message)
All together now—applause for God! Sing songs to the tune of his glory,
set glory to the rhythms of his praise.
Say of God, "We've never seen anything like him!"
When your enemies see you in action,
they slink off like scolded dogs.
The whole earth falls to its knees—
it worships you, sings to you,
can't stop enjoying your name and fame.
5-6 Take a good look at God's wonders—
they'll take your breath away.
He converted sea to dry land;
travelers crossed the river on foot.
Now isn't that cause for a song?
7 Ever sovereign in his high tower, he keeps
his eye on the godless nations.
Rebels don't dare
raise a finger against him.
8-12 Bless our God, O peoples!
Give him a thunderous welcome!
Didn't he set us on the road to life?
Didn't he keep us out of the ditch?
He trained us first,
passed us like silver through refining fires,
Brought us into hardscrabble country,
pushed us to our very limit,
Road-tested us inside and out,
took us to hell and back;
Finally he brought us
For Reflection
Being a Christian is never purely personal or individual. Christians practice their faith in the company of others and God. God works through all things He created. The Earth Sky and the Sea, indeed the entire universe is a testament to his awesome power. Yet the most powerful testament to His intention and relationship to human kind is His willingness to set us free to choose and his constant involvement in our sense of righteousness.
Pray
Come, Thou almighty King,
Help us Thy name to sing,
Help us to praise!
Father all-glorious,
O'er all victorious,
Come and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.
Come, Thou Incarnate Word...
Come, holy Comforter...
To the great One in Three
Eternal praises be
Hence evermore!
His sovereign majesty
May we in glory see
And to eternity
Love and adore!
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Rev. 4:8
Author: unknown, 1757, ab.
Composer: Felice de Giardini, 1769
Tune: Italian Hymn
God Protects
Psalm 66:1-12 (The Message)
All together now—applause for God! Sing songs to the tune of his glory,
set glory to the rhythms of his praise.
Say of God, "We've never seen anything like him!"
When your enemies see you in action,
they slink off like scolded dogs.
The whole earth falls to its knees—
it worships you, sings to you,
can't stop enjoying your name and fame.
5-6 Take a good look at God's wonders—
they'll take your breath away.
He converted sea to dry land;
travelers crossed the river on foot.
Now isn't that cause for a song?
7 Ever sovereign in his high tower, he keeps
his eye on the godless nations.
Rebels don't dare
raise a finger against him.
8-12 Bless our God, O peoples!
Give him a thunderous welcome!
Didn't he set us on the road to life?
Didn't he keep us out of the ditch?
He trained us first,
passed us like silver through refining fires,
Brought us into hardscrabble country,
pushed us to our very limit,
Road-tested us inside and out,
took us to hell and back;
Finally he brought us
For Reflection
Being a Christian is never purely personal or individual. Christians practice their faith in the company of others and God. God works through all things He created. The Earth Sky and the Sea, indeed the entire universe is a testament to his awesome power. Yet the most powerful testament to His intention and relationship to human kind is His willingness to set us free to choose and his constant involvement in our sense of righteousness.
Pray
Come, Thou almighty King,
Help us Thy name to sing,
Help us to praise!
Father all-glorious,
O'er all victorious,
Come and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.
Come, Thou Incarnate Word...
Come, holy Comforter...
To the great One in Three
Eternal praises be
Hence evermore!
His sovereign majesty
May we in glory see
And to eternity
Love and adore!
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Rev. 4:8
Author: unknown, 1757, ab.
Composer: Felice de Giardini, 1769
Tune: Italian Hymn
Thursday, November 4, 2010
God Hears My Prayers
The Inescapable God
God Protects
Psalm 66:13-20 (The Message)
13-15 I'm bringing my prizes and presents to your house.
I'm doing what I said I'd do,
What I solemnly swore I'd do
that day when I was in so much trouble:
The choicest cuts of meat
for the sacrificial meal;
Even the fragrance
of roasted lamb is like a meal!
Or make it an ox
garnished with goat meat!
16-20 All believers, come here and listen,
let me tell you what God did for me.
I called out to him with my mouth,
my tongue shaped the sounds of music.
If I had been cozy with evil,
the Lord would never have listened.
But he most surely did listen,
he came on the double when he heard my prayer.
Blessed be God: he didn't turn a deaf ear,
he stayed with me, loyal in his love.
For Reflection
For the last couple of years, our Church has conducted a church school series during which our members have given personal testimonies of how God has worked in their lives. In each case God provided answers to their needs. It took great courage to open themselves to the church, but each of them were eager to tell us what God did for them. Have you shared what God has done for you lately?
Pray
Sing songs of praise for God's steadfast abiding love. Pray for the courage to spread the news of what god has done for you.
God Protects
Psalm 66:13-20 (The Message)
13-15 I'm bringing my prizes and presents to your house.
I'm doing what I said I'd do,
What I solemnly swore I'd do
that day when I was in so much trouble:
The choicest cuts of meat
for the sacrificial meal;
Even the fragrance
of roasted lamb is like a meal!
Or make it an ox
garnished with goat meat!
16-20 All believers, come here and listen,
let me tell you what God did for me.
I called out to him with my mouth,
my tongue shaped the sounds of music.
If I had been cozy with evil,
the Lord would never have listened.
But he most surely did listen,
he came on the double when he heard my prayer.
Blessed be God: he didn't turn a deaf ear,
he stayed with me, loyal in his love.
For Reflection
For the last couple of years, our Church has conducted a church school series during which our members have given personal testimonies of how God has worked in their lives. In each case God provided answers to their needs. It took great courage to open themselves to the church, but each of them were eager to tell us what God did for them. Have you shared what God has done for you lately?
Pray
Sing songs of praise for God's steadfast abiding love. Pray for the courage to spread the news of what god has done for you.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
God Gives a New Song
The Inescapable God
God Protects
Psalm 40:1-5 (The Message)
He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn't slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
a praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
they enter the mystery,
abandoning themselves to God.
4-5 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
turn your backs on the world's "sure thing,"
ignore what the world worships;
The world's a huge stockpile
of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one
comes close to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know,
and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words
account for you.
For Reflection
Doubt and a lack of confidence in one's self is, in modern terms, enduring a low self-image. One would not think that David was mired in doubt. Think about the times when your image of yourself interfered with your ability to cope effectively. How did your self-doubt affect you?
Pray
that you have the courage to abandon yourself and enter the mystery of God's protection. Sing praise songs to God. Pray to enter the vault filled with God thoughts and God wonders.
God Protects
Psalm 40:1-5 (The Message)
A David Psalm
1-3 I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened.He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn't slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
a praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
they enter the mystery,
abandoning themselves to God.
4-5 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
turn your backs on the world's "sure thing,"
ignore what the world worships;
The world's a huge stockpile
of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one
comes close to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know,
and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words
account for you.
For Reflection
Doubt and a lack of confidence in one's self is, in modern terms, enduring a low self-image. One would not think that David was mired in doubt. Think about the times when your image of yourself interfered with your ability to cope effectively. How did your self-doubt affect you?
Pray
that you have the courage to abandon yourself and enter the mystery of God's protection. Sing praise songs to God. Pray to enter the vault filled with God thoughts and God wonders.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Lord Will Save Me
The Inescapable God
God Protects
1 Samuel 17:31-37 (The Message)
31 The things David was saying were picked up and reported to Saul. Saul sent for him.
32 "Master," said David, "don't give up hope. I'm ready to go and fight this Philistine."
33 Saul answered David, "You can't go and fight this Philistine. You're too young and inexperienced—and he's been at this fighting business since before you were born."
34-37 David said, "I've been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I'd go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I'd grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I'll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine."
Saul said, "Go. And God help you!"
For Reflection
Each of us prepares to battle our threats in a different way. Saul's armor did not fit David. David's experience was not what Saul thought was appropriate. Yet David, in his own way, struck down Goliath as only David could. God uses us as we are not as others, or even ourselves, think we should be.
Pray
to God to give you the courage to be authentically you. Pray for the patience to let God guide you to self-discovery. Pray for confidence in the power of protection found in the hollow of God's hand.
God Protects
1 Samuel 17:31-37 (The Message)
31 The things David was saying were picked up and reported to Saul. Saul sent for him.
32 "Master," said David, "don't give up hope. I'm ready to go and fight this Philistine."
33 Saul answered David, "You can't go and fight this Philistine. You're too young and inexperienced—and he's been at this fighting business since before you were born."
34-37 David said, "I've been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I'd go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I'd grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I'll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine."
Saul said, "Go. And God help you!"
For Reflection
Each of us prepares to battle our threats in a different way. Saul's armor did not fit David. David's experience was not what Saul thought was appropriate. Yet David, in his own way, struck down Goliath as only David could. God uses us as we are not as others, or even ourselves, think we should be.
Pray
to God to give you the courage to be authentically you. Pray for the patience to let God guide you to self-discovery. Pray for confidence in the power of protection found in the hollow of God's hand.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Deliver Us this Day!
The Inescapable God
God Protects
11-14 God answered the People of Israel: "When the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, Sidonians—even Amalek and Midian!—oppressed you and you cried out to me for help, I saved you from them. And now you've gone off and betrayed me, worshiping other gods. I'm not saving you anymore. Go ahead! Cry out for help to the gods you've chosen—let them get you out of the mess you're in!"
15 The People of Israel said to God: "We've sinned. Do to us whatever you think best, but please, get us out of this!"
16 Then they cleaned house of the foreign gods and worshiped only God. And God took Israel's troubles to heart.
For Reflection
God will take your troubles to heart. In spite of what you have done, God forgives. Without regard to who you have been, God forgives. God protects who you are to become. How would you clean your house today in preparation for God's protection.
Pray
prayers of praise and thanksgiving. Thank God for his steadfast love and protection. Ask again for Gos to surround you with angel wings and give you comfort and protection.
God Protects
Judges 10:10-16 (The Message)
10 The People of Israel cried out to God for help: "We've sinned against you! We left our God and worshiped the Baal gods!"11-14 God answered the People of Israel: "When the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, Sidonians—even Amalek and Midian!—oppressed you and you cried out to me for help, I saved you from them. And now you've gone off and betrayed me, worshiping other gods. I'm not saving you anymore. Go ahead! Cry out for help to the gods you've chosen—let them get you out of the mess you're in!"
15 The People of Israel said to God: "We've sinned. Do to us whatever you think best, but please, get us out of this!"
16 Then they cleaned house of the foreign gods and worshiped only God. And God took Israel's troubles to heart.
For Reflection
God will take your troubles to heart. In spite of what you have done, God forgives. Without regard to who you have been, God forgives. God protects who you are to become. How would you clean your house today in preparation for God's protection.
Pray
prayers of praise and thanksgiving. Thank God for his steadfast love and protection. Ask again for Gos to surround you with angel wings and give you comfort and protection.
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