Making Memories Or Wasting Gas - March 31, 2010

Daily Reading

Judges 3-5

Daily Verse

"When the princes in Israel take the lead,

when the people willingly offer themselves-

praise the LORD!"

Judges 5:2

Daily Thought

It was Friday night and gas was cheap. We'd all pile into a car and the night awaited.

Now what?

Someone had to take the lead, "Let's do this..."

Everyone else had to say, "Okay."

Seems simple.

When it happened, memories were made!

But too often, no one had an idea or no one agreed, and we'd just drive around.

What was true for Israel was true for a bunch of teenagers on a Friday night, is still true today. We need princes to lead and people to follow.

It is the difference between doing something that matters and wasting gas.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

--Matthew 9:36

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

--Matthew 4:19

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, by Your grace we are saved. Not from anything we do. We add nothing. Your Son, Jesus Christ, paid the price for our sins by His death on the cross. You have given us life, a life overflowing.

We are Your workmanship, made to do good works. Father, You lead and we follow and You get the glory and we have a life that is full and satisfying and good. Praise the Lord!

Amen

A Chance To Talk - March 30, 2010

Daily Reading

Judges 1-2

Daily Verse

After that whole generation

had been gathered to their fathers,

another generation grew up,

who knew neither the LORD

nor what he had done for Israel.

Judges 2:10

Daily Thought

In 2005, my son was in 8th grade history class at Springview Middle School. His assignment was to write an essay on the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

In 1945, my dad was in the 6th Marine Division on the Island of Guam. His assignment was to invade the mainland of Japan.

Until two bombs dropped.

I'm glad my dad and my son had a chance to talk.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

My God, You enter history and You walk with us. You guide us, You lead us, You go before us. In the work of Your Son, Jesus Christ, through death on the cross and resurrection from the grave, is victory over death, over sin, and over evil. You are Almighty, the God of righteousness.

God, may we never forget what You have done. May we tell our sons and daughters, and their sons and daughters. May our faith pass from generation to generation.

Amen

You Cannot Not Choose - March 29, 2010

Daily Reading

Joshua 22-24

Daily Verse

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you,

then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River,

or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24:15

Daily Thought

The guy couldn't choose between North and South. So he wore a Dixie gray shirt and Yankee blue pants.

Both sides shot him.

You cannot not choose.

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.

So, make a choice.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

--Joshua 24:15

But, choose wisely.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Father in Heaven, make Your love the foundation of my life. May my love for You express itself in eagerness to serve, to do good for others. May I learn humility from Your Son, sacrifice from the Cross, wisdom from Your Word.

You are God, most wise. Your wisdom confounds the world. May I think like You. May I listen to Your Spirit. Give me the desires of my heart - make Your desires become mine.

Amen

You Bet Your Life - March 28, 2010

Daily Reading

Joshua 19-21

Daily Verse

Not one of all the LORD's good promises

to the house of Israel failed;

every one was fulfilled.

Joshua 21:45

Daily Thought

Some things are a good bet.

Joe DiMaggio getting a hit. He hit safely in 56 straight baseball games. Not 57 though.

Ted St. Martin making a free throw. He sunk 5,221 consecutive free throws. He missed number 5,222.

UCLA winning a basketball game. They won every game from 1/30/71 to 1/17/74. 88 in a row. They lost on 1/19/74.

Only One is a sure thing.

God keeping a promise. Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

--Joshua 21:45

Every single one.

...and counting.

You bet your life on the sure thing.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Our Father, God, Thank You for Your promises. Thank You for telling us what You are going to do, then doing it. Thank You that we can fully trust in You.

God, you are the beginning and the end, the first and the last. In You there is no change, no uncertainty. You are the Creator and Sustainer of all things. We read Your Word and we know what eternity holds in front of us. What a great God You are!

Amen

Start Bad - March 27, 2010

Daily Reading

Joshua 16-18

Daily Verse

So Joshua said to the Israelites:

"How long will you wait

before you begin to take possession

of the land that the LORD,

the God of your fathers, has given you?"

Joshua 18:3

Daily Thought

I learned to do things wrong by being in the wrong place, and it's the best thing I ever learned.

The wrong place was me and 300 women.

For a 27 year old single guy this might seem like the right place, except this was a Pastor's Conference and I was in a seminar on "How to Do Women's Ministry." I was a youth pastor, but someday I might be a senior pastor, and maybe a women's ministry would be a good thing, so I thought why not learn how.

Apparently, I was the only guy who had that thought. I stayed anyway.

"Start bad." That's what the seminar lady said. It's the only thing I remember. It's the best advice I ever got.

When I wait until I'm sure nothing will go wrong, nothing gets done because nothing gets started.

So Joshua said to the Israelites: "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?"

--Joshua 18:3

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Father God, As I watch the world around me, my faith is strengthened daily. There are signs of You everywhere. The joys of spring as the world blossoms and new life emerges everywhere reminds me that You are the Author of all life.

God, I pray that my life, as well, is a continual reminder of You. That I reflect You in my actions, my thoughts, my faith. That I trust my life to You and walk forward in courage and faith, knowing that You go before me.

Amen

Don't Make Peace With Evil - March 26, 2010

Daily Reading

Joshua 12-15

Daily Verse

But the Israelites did not drive out

the people of Geshur and Maacah,

so they continue to live among the Israelites to this day.

Joshua 13:13

Daily Thought

God made it clear. The land is filled with evil. Drive out all of the evil from the land.

They drove out a lot. Not all. Not everybody. Sometimes some cities didn't seem worth the battle.

Hypocrisy, pride, gossip, gluttony, lust, greed. These cannot continue to live among us.

We fear the war when we should fear the peace.

Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

--Philippians 2:12-13

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Holy God, You called us to be perfect just like You. Which we cannot do... on our own. May my repentance be true. I choose to turn away from my sin, and God, I need Your Spirit to give me guidance and strength not to turn back. Thank You that even when I do, I can return and confess, and the once-and-for-all death of Your Son, Jesus Christ, covers all my sins.

I am so glad You are perfect and that Your standard is holiness. What other kind of eternity would be good? Thank You, Father, for doing the work which makes my holiness possible. It is only in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Guys, Ask For Directions - March 25, 2010

Daily Reading

Joshua 9-11

Daily Verse

The men of Israel sampled their provisions

but did not inquire of the LORD.

Joshua 9:14

Daily Thought

My brother started a church in Oregon. Calls it "Compass." Good name for a church.

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.

"I don't much care where--" said Alice.

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.

"--so long as I get SOMEWHERE," Alice added as an explanation.

"Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

--Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Guys, we really should stop and ask for directions.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

God, Your Word is good. If we read it! If we put it in our heart. If we think about it and really let it soak in. You have told us that Your Word will bring us prosperity and success. I know that means, in this life, a life full of Your blessings and joy and peace and contentment and purpose. I know that means, in eternity, treasure and inheritance beyond our dreams.

Co-heirs with Christ. Imagine that. I know what an inheritance is, and I know You are the God of the cattle on a thousand hills. The God of the heavens and earth. Co-heirs with Christ. We stand amazed. We worship You.

Amen

One Piece Missing - March 24, 2010

Daily Reading

Joshua 5-8

Daily Verse

But the Israelites acted unfaithfully

in regard to the devoted things;

Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri,

the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah,

took some of them.

So the LORD's anger burned against Israel.

Joshua 7:1

Daily Thought

7,500 piece jigsaw puzzle.

7,499 in place.

1 piece missing.

...and the 7,499 no longer matter.

And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

--Genesis 2:16-17

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

Why does that one piece of fruit look so tasty?

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Father, Thank You for life, for creation, for this world, for my family, for work to do and a purpose to live. Thank You for all the blessings You pour on me. Thank You for my church family, for worship, for Your Word, for the wonderful time in prayer, for communion, for service, for love.

Sin corrupts every good thing. God, forgive me and cleanse me for the sin I do. I so desire life and life abundantly. I pray that I will be so filled with Your love and Your goodness that sin will no longer look desirable. God, please put Your desires in my heart.

Amen

She Is My Girl - March 23, 2010

Daily Reading

Joshua 1-4

Daily Verse

He said to the Israelites,

"In the future when your descendants ask their fathers,

'What do these stones mean?'

tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.'"

Joshua 4:21-22

Daily Thought

From the day I met Debbie, I began opening the car door for her.

When we are leaving...

We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt. When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

--Joshua 2:10-11

And when we arrive...

As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

--Joshua 3:15-16

It is more than a gesture. It is an announcement. I want the world to know that she is my girl, my one-and-only, and I'd do anything for her.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Lord God, not only do You go before us, but You set the path in front of us, and light the path for us with Your Word. Father, You came to bring us life and life abundantly. You announced that Your Kingdom is here, right in front of us. God, I choose to follow You, the King of heaven and earth.

King of kings, I pray for your guidance over the small "k" kings. I pray that the country we live in would reflect Your way of life. That we would embrace morality. Thank You for not only instructing us as to what is good, but showing us the good by sending Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

The Shadow Of The Almighty - March 22, 2010

Daily Reading

Deuteronomy 32-34, Psalm 91

Daily Verse

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

Daily Thought

There is always someone bigger.

There is always someone better.

There is always someone smarter.

There is always someone stronger.

The high school superstar discovers college is full of high school superstars.

Improvement. Achievement. Growth.

It is true in everything, except one thing.

Our God.

No god bigger.

No god better.

No god smarter.

No god stronger.

No other god.

Good can become better, and better can become best. Even best can improve, achieve, grow.

But it all comes to rest at Ultimate. Most High. One and Only.

There is one place, and only one place, where you do not strive for more because you cannot strive for more.

In the shadow of the Almighty.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Oh Lord our God, You are One, the One and Only God. You sent Your Son, Your One and Only Son, to seek and to save the lost. Me. All of us. Thank You for Your grace and love. Your love for sinners sets You apart from anything else. All love is measured by You, who, while we were still sinners, died on the cross for our salvation.

God, I pray that my love would grow to be as complete and sacrificial as Yours is. God, may I love without any strings attached. May I realize that I don't need anything else, because I can rest complete in You. Then my love will be pure, free of selfish motive.

Amen

You're Out Of The Game - March 21, 2010

Daily Reading

Deuteronomy 30-31

Daily Verse

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you

that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

and that you may love the LORD your God,

listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.

For the LORD is your life.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Daily Thought

I watched my clean-up hitter take a called third strike to end the inning.

Then I watched his bat ricochet off the backstop 25 feet away.

Then I watched the umpire eject my clean-up hitter from the game.

"You threw him out of the game!" I attacked.

"I've never thrown anyone out of a game," countered the umpire.

"What do you mean? I just watched you toss him!"

"I did not," the ump clarified. "He removed himself when he threw the bat. I simply accommodated his request."

It is our actions, not the umpire, that choose whether or not we play the game.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Lord God, Your ways are good. I have choices, and I am baffled at how often I choose something other than You. It never works out. God, thank You for Your Word. May I keep it treasured in my heart, ready for memory at any occasion, to guide me toward righteousness.

Thank You for life, for making me alive again when I was born again by Your Son. May I listen, obey, and follow You, as Your Spirit speaks to me. May I always choose life in You.

Amen

Do The Math - March 20, 2010

Daily Reading

Deuteronomy 28-29

Daily Verse

The secret things belong to the LORD our God,

but the things revealed belong to us

and to our children forever,

that we may follow all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 29:29

Daily Thought

Who should I marry?

What school should I go to?

Should I take this job?

I want to know God's will. Answers, please.

My dad was a math teacher, which meant I had the teacher's edition to my math books, which meant I had the answers in the back. I could look up the answers and never do the assignments.

And never learn math.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself."

--Matthew 22:37-39

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

--Proverbs 3:5-6

It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable.

--1Thessalonians 4:3-4

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

--1Thessalonians 5:16-18

You know what I discovered? The more I do the assignments, the more the answers take care of themselves.

And the better I know math.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

God, thank You for life itself, and that You for this instruction book, Your Word, which shows me how to live. Thank You, as well, that I can pray to You for wisdom, and You promise to give it to me. Help me never to doubt You. And Your Holy Spirit, I am so glad He lives in me and guides me toward Your truth. I live in a world upside down, and I need You to show me what is what.

Father, I know as I trust You more I will trust You more. I know that seems funny, but the more often I have faith, the stronger my faith gets, and the more willing I will be to walk in faith the next time. Strengthen me, God, as I train my mind by pouring into Your Word.

Amen

For Better or Worse, for Richer or Poorer - March 19, 2010

Daily Reading

Deuteronomy 24-27

Daily Verse

You have declared this day that the LORD is your God

and that you will walk in his ways,

that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws,

and that you will obey him.

And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people,

his treasured possession as he promised,

and that you are to keep all his commands.

Deuteronomy 26:17-18

Daily Thought

...to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others, keep only unto you...

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy.

--Ephesians 5:25-26

From this day forward, friends and family will no longer think of the bride and the groom individually, but always together. Dave and Debbie. If you think of Dave, you think of Debbie, and if Debbie, then Dave, too.

The two will become one.

--Mark 10:8

What if every time someone thinks of you, they think of Jesus?

What if every time someone thinks of Jesus, they smile and think of you, too?

I will be your God and you will be my people.

--Leviticus 26:12

To God's Glory,

Dave ...and Debbie

Daily Prayer

Loving Father, You are my Rock and My Fortress, You are my Protector and My Redeemer. You made a covenant with us, a promise, and Your word is true. You are my God. I, and all those who believe in You and place their life in Yours, all of us, we are Your people. The bride of Christ.

We were made in Your image, fearfully and wonderfully made. The image is clouded by sin, but You are restoring it. God, fill us with Your Spirit, so Your glory is evident, so that we resemble Your Son, so that all praise You.

Amen