The Bride Adorns Herself With Jewels - July 31, 2010

Daily Reading

Isaiah 59-63

Daily Verse

I delight greatly in the LORD;

my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation

and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10

Daily Thought

Our wedding had been her dream since little girls begin dreaming.

Debbie can tell you every detail of our wedding. I can tell you one.

8,500 pearls.

A friend made her gown. It was white silk, long train, all that stuff. Ask Debbie. The detail I remember is the 8,500 little pearls she sewed one at a time on that dress. That's a lot of pearls and a lot of sewing.

Debbie was dazzling and heavenly and beautiful. This was her dream, to look her best for the man she loved.

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
--Revelation 19:7-8

And I was that man.

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My God, When you are betrothed to the King, when you are engaged to our Savior, when you are promised to Jesus Christ, then the flirting ends. How many times do we still smile and wink at the world, the flesh, and the devil?

Our acts, what we do, these are the fine silk linen, the pearls sown on the bridal gown of the bride of Jesus Christ. May all of our lives be preparation for a wedding.

Amen

A Peaceful Easy Feeling - July 30, 2010

Daily Reading

Isaiah 54-58

Daily Verse

"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."

Isaiah 57:21

Daily Thought

He drives fast, whips around a gentleman in a little red car, who is not in a hurry, and speeds ahead. The next light is red. Brake. Accelerate. Brake again.

"Speed checked by radar," means business on this street. Eyes dart from the rear view mirror to searching ahead, then back to the mirror. He will see the cop before the cop sees him.

Switching lanes for the 7th time in 12 miles, the last turn is ahead. He checks his watch. Fifteen minutes. Not bad.

"Why am I so tense?" He rubs his shoulder.

"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
--Isaiah 57:21

He turns the corner and glances at the mirror one last time, spying the little red car coasting through the intersection, 30 seconds behind.

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

God of Peace, when I follow You, when I walk on the path You lay before me, when I pursue righteousness, I live confidently and I enjoy peace. What a wonderful feeling it is, Father, to think back on my day without shame. To smile because I made You smile. To know that I do not fear getting caught because I have nothing to hide. To simply remember what is true because I told no lies.

God, when I do what is right, I find rest. And it's a lot easier to talk with You.

Amen

The Silence Of The Lamb - July 29, 2010

Daily Reading

Isaiah 49-53

Daily Verse

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Daily Thought

Pilate asked Jesus, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" But Jesus made no reply, to the great amazement of the governor.
--Matthew 27:13-14

The retort, the snappy comeback, the perfect counter punch that stuns and silences my adversary. The last word.

I love the last word, don't you?

He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
--Isaiah 53:7

Jesus was silent. He did not need or desire the last word.

Jesus gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

--Matthew 27:50-54

Actions speak louder.

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

God, My Savior, You who made the heavens, placed the stars, grew the mountains, filled the seas. became the servant of man, the lamb of sacrifice, and suffered for my salvation. You showed Your glory through humility, Your majesty through affliction, Your wisdom through the cross.

Your Son cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?" I ask, my God, why have You pursued me? Who am I, O God, that You would show me grace and mercy, forgiveness and salvation? You are forever to be worshiped. You are my joy, my strength, my life.

Amen

You and Me, Dad - July 28, 2010

Daily Reading

2Kings 18:9-19:37, Psalm 46, 80, 135

Daily Verse

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

Psalm 46:1-2

Daily Thought

He threw a ball and broke a vase, so he hid the pieces. But he was 5 years old and 5-year olds don't know how to hide things.

"Go to your room," I growled. And I waited.

Five minutes feels like five hours when you're five.

I put on my mad face and opened his door. He was sitting up in the top bunk, and his damp eyes met mine with one question: "Are we still okay, Dad? You and me?"

I smiled. And then he wasn't scared anymore.

He knew he was still in trouble, but trouble is okay as long as he knows Dad and Son are still okay.

Restore us, O LORD God Almighty;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.
--Psalm 80:19

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My God, though I turn away and do my own thing, and break rules, and wander off the path, Your grace is still before me. When I turn back to You and see Your love and say, "I'm sorry and I'll stop," You forgive me. Even when I do it again. And again.

God, I don't want to take You for granted, and I'm sorry when I do. I do what I don't want to do a lot, but less often as I grow in my trust and faith in Your goodness. I'm amazed that You still smile down on me, and forever I thank and praise You. You are my refuge, my strength, and my salvation.

Amen

A God Of His Word - July 27, 2010

Daily Reading

Isaiah 44-48

Daily Verse

I foretold the former things long ago,

my mouth announced them and I made them known;

then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.

Isaiah 48:3

Daily Thought

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
The virgin will be with child.
--Isaiah 7:14

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel,

"since I am a virgin?"

--Luke 1:34

A voice of one calling:
"In the desert prepare the way for the LORD ;
make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
--Isaiah 40:3

In those days John the Baptist came,

preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying,

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

--Matthew 3:1-2

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
one from the house of David.
--Isaiah 11:1; 16:5

...and Jesse the father of King David.

Matthew 1:6

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel
--Micah 5:2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea.

--Matthew 2:1

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
--Isaiah 53:5

Then he said to Thomas,

"Put your finger here; see my hands.

Reach out your hand and put it into my side.

Stop doubting and believe."

--John 20:27

"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."
--Acts 1:11

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,

as some understand slowness.

He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,

but everyone to come to repentance.

--2Peter 3:9

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Saving God, Immanuel, God with us. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, Savior, Lord.

Maranatha, come, O Lord. You said Your Son would come. He did. You said He is to come again. He will.

Amen

He's Got The Whole World In His Hands - July 26, 2010

Daily Reading

Isaiah 40-43

Daily Verse

"To whom will you compare me?

Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

Isaiah 40:25

Daily Thought

If the thickness of a sheet of paper represents the distance from the earth to the sun (93 million miles), to reach the nearest star, you would stack the paper 21 feet high.

The Milky Way is 100,000 light years across. 200 billion stars.

One side of the Milky Way to the other, stack the paper 300 miles high.

The Milky Way is 1 of 500 billion galaxies.

From one end of the known universe to the other, stack it 450,000,000 miles high.

To infinity and beyond?

God would still be there.

Who has with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
--Isaiah 40:12, 26

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise from the ends of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
you islands, and all who live in them.
Let the desert and its towns raise their voices;
let the settlements rejoice.
Let the people sing for joy;
let them shout from the mountaintops.
Let them give glory to the LORD
and proclaim his praise in the islands.

Amen

You're Out Of The Game - July 25, 2010

Daily Reading

Isaiah 37-39, Psalm 76

Daily Verse

From heaven you pronounced judgment,

and the land feared and was quiet-

Psalm 76:8

Daily Thought

Each umpire has authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager or substitute for objecting to decisions or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, and to eject such disqualified person from the playing field.
--MLB Rule Book 9.01(d)

Because you rage against me
and because your insolence has reached my ears,
I will put my hook in your nose
and my bit in your mouth,
and I will make you return
by the way you came.
--Isaiah 37:29

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My Creator, You are Lord of all. You establish justice and promote righteousness. Your Laws are good and bring life to the land. You have given us the freedom to choose the path we walk, the choices we make, the direction of our lives. But, at the end, God, I know all of us will stand before a righteous judge.

Thank You for Your Son, who not only paid the price in advance for my sins, but has given me his righteousness, so that I may stand with confidence before You.

Amen

The Crossroads - July 24, 2010

Daily Reading

Isaiah 35-36

Daily Verse

And a highway will be there;

it will be called the Way of Holiness.

The unclean will not journey on it;

it will be for those who walk in that Way;

wicked fools will not go about on it.

Isaiah 35:8

Daily Thought

Bon Scott, lead singer for AC/DC, lived in Fremantle, Australia. Between his home and a pub called Raffles ran the Canning Highway, dubbed the Highway to Hell. As the road nears the pub, it dips down into a steep decline. Many people are killed driving fast on the Highway to Hell.

Don't need reason, don't need rhyme
Ain't nothing I would rather do
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too
I'm on the highway to hell
No stop signs, speed limit
Nobody's gonna slow me down
--AC/DC, Highway to Hell

Broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
--Jesus, Matthew 7:13-14

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Lord God, You are the Almighty Creator, the One who gives life, a life of abundance. We chase excitement and thrills, the forbidden fruit, flirting with danger, and all the while a life beyond our dreams awaits us. God, you would think the choice obvious, but we... no I, I am so intent on choosing my own way.

You changed my life. You changed my heart. You changed my desires. There is nothing more delightful than You, nothing more wonderful than holiness, but until You entered my life, I didn't see it. Now, it is what I want most. Thank You God.

Amen

Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Worship - July 23, 2010

Daily Reading

Isaiah 31-34

Daily Verse

He who walks righteously

and speaks what is right,

who rejects gain from extortion

and keeps his hand from accepting bribes,

who stops his ears against plots of murder

and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil-

this is the man who will dwell on the heights,

whose refuge will be the mountain fortress.

Isaiah 33:15-16

Daily Thought

There was a concert at the shopping plaza this evening. The band played songs by Journey. Remember Journey? "Don't Stop Believin'," "Any Way You Want," "Wheel in the Sky."

Close your eyes and you could hear Steve Perry on lead vocals. Except it wasn't Steve Perry. It was a guy imitating Steve Perry, and he sounded just like him. Just like him.

They were good.

What if the original Journey band was in the audience listening to their songs being performed by this band?

They would have loved it. Well done!

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
--Ephesians 5:1-2

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Father God, when I think of Your Son, how He lived and how He died and how He rose again, I see a picture of You. He is the image, the perfect image of the invisible God. He is God. When we see Jesus, we see the Father, because You, God, are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three in One. I don't understand it, but I see it.

May I be an imitator of You, as well, so that when people see me, they see what You are like. I won't be perfect, but I'll aim for it. You began the work in me, and I trust You will continue it daily. May I love like You love, forgive as You forgive, seek Your righteousness and Your ways, and follow Your steps wherever You lead. And may I live in such a way that You are forever and always praised.

Amen

Cotton Candy is Fun - July 22, 2010

Daily Reading

Isaiah 28-30

Daily Verse

They say to the seers,

"See no more visions!"

and to the prophets,

"Give us no more visions of what is right!

Tell us pleasant things,

prophesy illusions.

Isaiah 30:10

Daily Thought

Cotton Candy

Ingredient List
5 cups of granulated sugar
1-1/3 cups of light corn syrup
1 cup and 2 tablespoons of water
food color paste
flavored oil
baking spray

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 28g
Calories 180
Carbohydrates 28g
Dietary Fiber 0
Sugars 28g

Nutritional Value

Zero

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, May I keep my eyes on You, the author and perfecter of my faith. You took the cross. You traveled the difficult road, the cross. You did not heed the delightful temptations of Satan, but drank the cup of crucifixion.

And received the full joy of heaven and the Name that is above every name. God, I will at all times pursue joy, even when it's not fun.

Amen

Rats - July 21, 2010

Daily Reading

Hosea 8-14

Daily Verse

When I fed them, they were satisfied;

when they were satisfied, they became proud;

then they forgot me.

Hosea 13:6

Daily Thought

I was pre-med. For a year.

I found out I'd be taking a lot of biology courses. A lot. I discovered I wasn't that eager to be a doctor.

I did have fun with rats that year. I learned that if you want to teach a rat something, it better be hungry.

It's the "90 percent rule." Feed a rat, weigh it, then diet it down 10 percent. Hungry rats solve mazes faster, click pedals more often to get food and generally behave better than when they are satisfied.

If they're not hungry, they're not that eager to learn.

Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
--Luke 6:21

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Father God, May I be satisfied in Your love, and unsatisfied with anything less. You created me to live in a close relationship with You. May I hunger, no starve, when I neglect to nurture and feed that relationship. God, keep me forever eager to grow in the knowledge and love of You.

Amen

Holy Jeans - July 20, 2010

Daily Reading

Hosea 1-7

Daily Verse

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,

and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6

Daily Thought

One Sunday, Bill showed up at the church across the street from his college campus.

Bill never went to church.

Ripped jeans, an over-sized T-shirt, and barefoot, Bill meandered up the aisle looking for a seat, but they were filled with Sunday-dressed people. So he shrugged, sat down on the carpet, crossed his legs, and waited to experience his first church.

People pointed and murmured as Hank, an old-time deacon, left his post in the rear and shuffled toward the student. Anticipating an awkward confrontation, the room nervously quieted. Hank arrived up front, peered down at the young guest...

...and grinned.

With some difficulty, the elderly gentleman curled his legs under and sat on the floor beside Bill. Looking up at the preacher, he nodded. "Let's worship."

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Our Great God, You humbled Yourself in love for my sake. You are my Creator, but how often I pay more attention to your creation than I do to You. All the while, You pay attention to me. You sought me and saved me with an amazing grace and mercy.

May I learn Your grace, may I practice Your mercy, may I display Your love to others.

Amen

Who's On First - July 19, 2010

Daily Reading

2Kings 18:1-8, 2Chronicles 29-31, Psalm 48

Daily Verse

Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king,

and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years.

He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.

2Chronicles 29:1-2

Daily Thought

In the first month of the first year of his reign, Hezekiah opened the doors of the temple, and repaired and consecrated the temple of the LORD. They began on the first day of the first month.
--2Chronicles 29:3, 5, 17

Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering.
--Genesis 4:4

Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.
--Exodus 23:19

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
--Matthew 6:33

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.
--Romans 1:8

They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.
--2Corinthians 8:5

You have forsaken your first love. Repent and do the things you did at first.
--Revelation 2:4-5

First Things First

Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. The LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.
--2Kings 18:5-7

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My Lord and My God, I worship You and love Your with all that I am. Which makes sense, since all that I am was created by You. You had an idea for me before I was born, and You formed me and watched me grow. I grow best, Father, when I remember from Whom I came.

You are the First and, also, the Last. The Beginning and the End, Alpha and Omega, A and Z. You are before all things, and in You all things hold together. There is no life without You. Why would I even think of living my life without You. You are my God.

Amen