We Still Build Totem Poles - September 30, 2010

Daily Reading

Malachi 1-4

Daily Verse

When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong?

When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong?

Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you?

Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.

Malachi 1:8

Daily Thought

Totem Poles: Sculptures carved from large trees

by 19th century Native Americans,

depicting events, legends, and people,

often ordered in importance from bottom to top.

Saturday. Garage Sale Day.

"Why are you selling the barbecue?"

"Just built a backyard kitchen.

Don't need this anymore."

"Anything wrong with it?"

"The auto-igniter doesn't work

and the flames are a bit uneven.

It could use some TLC."

"How much?"

"I was asking $50 on Craigslist.

No takers. You can have it for 25.

If it doesn't sell, I'm giving it to my church."

We still build totem poles.

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My God, may You fill my life with Your desires, Your passions, Your wisdom. May I love You first, most, and always. May my love for You be reflected in what I do, what I buy, what I keep, and what I give. May the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart, and the actions of my self be a testimony of Your goodness and Your greatness, and of my devotion to You.

Amen.

Bad Company - September 29, 2010

Daily Reading

Nehemiah 11-13, Psalm 126

Daily Verse

Was it not because of marriages like these

that Solomon king of Israel sinned?

Among the many nations there was no king like him.

He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel,

but even he was led into sin by foreign women.

Nehemiah 13:26

Daily Thought

I dropped my ice cream cone upside-down onto the dirt. It ruined my ice cream.

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
~1Corinthians 15:33

Didn't bother the dirt at all.

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Holy God, I love Your Word. Everything in it tells me about life, how it should be lived and Who it should be lived for. It displays Your goodness, Your righteousness, Your holiness. Your grace and mercy. Your love.

God, I commit myself to You. Set me apart from the sin around me. Keep me good, keep me righteous, keep me holy by Your Word. Forgive me when I stray, and lead me back to the right path.

Amen.

One Word - September 28, 2010

Daily Reading

Nehemiah 8-10

Daily Verse

Then all the people went away to eat and drink,

to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy,

because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

Nehemiah 8:12

Daily Thought

It was the ice breaker question for the night: Think back to church when you were a kid. What one word comes to mind?

"Worship," said one. "Long," said another. "Solemn," a third.

"Rulers," said the guy who grew up Catholic. Something about nuns and discipline, he explained.

"Shhhhhhhh" was my word. I heard that a lot.

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
~Nehemiah 8:10

"Joy," said Nehemiah. I liked his church!

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My God, may we celebrate Your goodness, Your love, Your grace and mercy, Your majesty. May we sing loudly with joy, clap our hands, and may the children smile. May our times together be marked by love and fellowship, worship and laughter. May we delight in the Lord. May the joy of the Lord be our strength.

Amen.

A Little Help - September 27, 2010

Daily Reading

Nehemiah 6-7

Daily Verse

So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.

Nehemiah 6:15

Daily Thought

It was the annual Sequoia Elementary 2nd Grade Science Fair.

April compared the lasting effects of flowers in cold water vs. warm. Jesse raced eggs, dropping them from a ladder to see which landed first, raw or hard-boiled? Andrew determined which bubble gum blows the biggest bubbles.

But then there was Mark. Mark showed off the remote-control plane he built. It took off from the ground, flew around the classroom, turned 360's in the air, shot plastic missles, and landed right on the bulls-eye.

I think he had help from his dad.

When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.
~Nehemiah 6:16

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, there is something different about the work You do. Something special. Whether it is scattering the stars and planets through space, or leading Your people out of captivity to Egypt, parting the Red Sea, or changing the direction of my life, You have made everything beautiful in it's time. Your handiwork is clear.

You are God and there is no other. If I don't say it, all of creation will cry out. The whole world is full of Your glory.

Amen.

Who Are You? - September 26, 2010

Daily Reading

Nehemiah 1-5

Daily Verse

I was cupbearer to the king.

Nehemiah 1:11

Daily Thought

Making polite conversation, I asked him, "What do you do?"

"I am a servant of the most high God who sells cars to support my ministry."

His job is at Toyota.
His boss is the Creator of the universe.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
~Colossians 3:23

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My God, You have made such a wonderful world. I pause in the morning to remind myself that each day is a gift from You. May my life give You pleasure. May I always remember that I am an ambassador for the King of kings.

All that I do, I do with all my heart, because I serve You and all that You have created.

Amen.

How Long? - September 25, 2010

Daily Reading

Ezra 7-10

Daily Verse

When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak,

pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled.

Ezra 9:3

Daily Thought

This matter cannot be taken care of in a day or two, because we have sinned greatly in this thing.
~Ezra 10:13

No, it will take three.

"This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
~Luke 24:46-47

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

God, it does not take me long to sin, does it? Why do we turn from You so quickly? You put us in Paradise and we ate the forbidden fruit. You gave us Your holy and good Law and we made a golden calf. You bless me, I thank You, and then I go and do my own thing again.

Each of us turn to our own way, but God, You have laid the sins of the world on Your Son. In three days, He conquered death, accomplished salvation, and gave us eternal life. What a wonderful Savior!

Amen.

Give A Man Enough Rope And He Will Hang Himself - September 24, 2010

Daily Reading

Esther 6-10

Daily Verse

So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.

Esther 7:10

Daily Thought

When Haman saw Mordecai and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai.
~Esther 5:9

Haman hated Mordecai.

The constant flood of stress chemicals and metabolic changes that accompany negative emotions such as hatred and anger cause harm to many different systems of the body.

"Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it." This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built.
~Esther 5:14

Health problems include:

• Headache
• Digestion problems
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Skin problems, such as eczema
• Heart attack
• Stroke

However, Mordecai had once saved the King.
The King liked Mordecai.

The king said, "Hang Haman on on the gallows!" So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
~Esther 7:9-10

• and Death

Hatred is bad for your health.

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, You made us in Your image. We are able to know You and worship You. We know that You are good and You are love. As we turn our life over to You, we, too, learn to love - to love as You love. A love of complete sacrifice.

We long for a world full of love, but the world we are in is marked by hatred and war. It is killing us! Thank You for Your Son, the Prince of Peace, and Your Holy Spirit, our Guide and Counselor, who teaches us to love the way You love. It is the way of life, the abundant life of Your Kingdom.

Amen.

For Such A Time As This - September 23, 2010

Daily Reading

Esther 1-5

Daily Verse

And who knows but that you have come

to royal position for such a time as this?"

Esther 4:14

Daily Thought

It was the sophomore boys turn to make dinner. Sloppy Joes. Yes, they were. Sloppy.

"Shake a friend's hand, shake a hand next to you," we sang loudly and did what we sang.
Verse 2, "Pinch a friend's cheek."
Verse 3, "Pick a friend's nose."

Youth Ministry. Winter Retreat. Cabins at Tahoe.

Game Time. Cover guys' faces with shaving cream. Girls have 30 seconds to blow cheese balls at our faces through PVC pipe. Next game. Caramel-covered apples, except one was a caramel-covered onion. Who can eat it fastest?

Speaker gives a great talk. More games, more songs. Late night. Guys and girls split up and go to their rooms.

It's 1am. She falls on her bed. Tired. No, exhausted.

But the girls want to talk. They huddle on her bed.

"I like what the speaker said tonight. Can you tell me more about Jesus and the woman at the well? I think I want to ask Jesus to be my Savior."

...for such a time as this.
~Esther 4:14

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

God, wonderful Savior, may I always be prepared to give and answer to anyone who asks about the hope I have in You.

You set the time, I'll be ready.

Amen.

On That Day - September 22, 2010

Daily Reading

Zechariah 8-14

Daily Verse

The LORD their God will save them on that day

as the flock of his people.

They will sparkle in his land

like jewels in a crown.

Zechariah 9:16

On that day a fountain will be opened

to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

Zechariah 13:1

Daily Thought

See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
~Zechariah 9:9

They threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

~Luke 19:35, 38

So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.
~Zechariah 11:12

Judas went to the chief priests and asked,

"What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?"

So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.

~Matthew 26:14-15

I took the thirty pieces of silver
and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter.
~Zechariah 11:13

They decided to use the money to buy the potter's field

as a burial place for foreigners.

~Matthew 27:7

They will look on me, the one they have pierced.
~Zechariah 12:10

One of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear.

~John 19:34

Jesus was handed over by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
~Acts 2:23

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

All knowing, Almighty God, You are my salvation. You have rescued me from sin, through the blood and the love of Your Son, Jesus Christ. You have brought me into Your family, clothed me in righteousness, and set me apart to be a witness of Your grace.

You have shown me the future, a great future, with Your Son on the throne and all the world subject to Him. In peace He reigns. I will follow You. Thank You for so great a salvation.

Amen.

Love Is Patient - September 21, 2010

Daily Reading

Zechariah 1-7

Daily Verse

"When I called, they did not listen; so when they called,

I would not listen," says the LORD Almighty.

Zechariah 7:13

Daily Thought

Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
~2Timothy 2:22

"There's some nice guys at church, but Matt is so cute."

Above all else, guard your heart.
~Proverbs 4:23

"Matt says he won't pressure me, but I don't want to lose him."

Flee the evil desires of youth.
~2Timothy 2:22

"He wants me to come over to his house tonight. His parents won't be home."

Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.
~Song of Songs 2:7

"I really do love him. I think."

It is God's will that you should be holy: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust.
~1Thessalonians 4:3-5

Plus sign. Positive. Pregnant.

"God, why did you let this happen to me?"

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

God, You have told me that if I truly love You I will obey You. And when I obey You, life works. It's not that I don't have problems, but I have peace. There is still chaos around me, but You are in control. Things don't always go my way, but I am content. Sometimes the wrong people succeed, but I can leave justice in Your hands.

But more than anything, I can talk to You. Nothing is blocking my prayers. My heart is soft and open to Your leading. It is good.

Amen.

First Things First - September 20, 2010

Daily Reading

Haggai 1-2

Daily Verse

"Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?"

Haggai 1:4

Daily Thought

"Basketball practice is on Wednesday nights," complained Paul. "Same as youth group. What do I do?"

"You made a commitment to the team, Son."

"Mom, the jazz band scheduled a bunch of concerts during Spring break," Elizabeth frowned. "I wanted to go on the Mexico Mission Trip."

"Elizabeth, the band depends on you. There will be other mission trips."

"Where's Dad?" asked Billy. Sunday morning rush to get ready for church, the family loaded into the Suburban. Mom sat in the driver seat.

"He had to go to the office. Work is really busy right now."

"You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house."
~Haggai 1:9

It is 1924, the Olympics are in Paris. The 100 meters belongs to Eric Liddell, the "Flying Scotsman." The race is scheduled for Sunday.

Sunday is the Sabbath.

Eric Liddell does not run on the Sabbath. Not even in Paris.

Those who honor me I will honor.
~Samuel 2:30

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My God, I love You with heart, soul, mind, and strength. My life is committed fully to You. May the life I live reflect my devotion to You. Where I work, may I serve You by serving others. In my home, may I build my house on the solid foundation of Your Word. In my neighborhood, may I love my neighbor as myself.

May the things I do bring You praise and glory.

Amen.

Away From Home - September 19, 2010

Daily Reading

Ezra 4-6, Psalm 137

Daily Verse

How can we sing the songs of the LORD

while in a foreign land?

Psalm 137:4

Daily Thought

Jesus wept.
~John 11:35

Home was heaven, but he let go and came to a world of sin and hurt, suffering and injustice, and most of all, death. His friend Lazarus lay dead and the sisters suffered and the crowds cried.

How can we sing the songs of the LORD
while in a foreign land?
~Psalm 137:4

Jesus was in a foreign land.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."
~John 11:25

But he knows the way home.

"Lazarus, come out!" Jesus called in a loud voice. "Take off the grave clothes and let's go."

For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
~Psalm 116:8-9

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Father, it is good to sing praises of hope, because Your Son has rescued us. You have not left us in despair, in sin, in death, but You have given us the certainty of heaven, of home, of eternity in Your presence. Therefore, we sing with joy.

Your Kingdom has come. We live in a land foreign to our heavenly citizenship. May we serve the King of kings, so that the world may see what a wonder You are, share our hope, and sing.

Amen.

A British Invasion - September 18, 2010

Daily Reading

Ezra 1-3

Daily Verse

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads,

who had seen the former temple,

wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid,

while many others shouted for joy.

Ezra 3:12

Daily Thought

There were new songs being written. Someone was messing with the music, and it was splitting churches.

Those who loved the new tunes sang with joy. Others missed the traditional Psalms. The songs God meant us to sing. The songs we'll sing in heaven.

"Too worldly for the church," they cried. Some of those who longed for the "good old days" would stand silent or walk out or weep.

It was a British Invasion, new music coming to the New World from an English songwriter named Isaac Watts.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) composed over 600 hymns, including "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," and for the holidays, "Joy to the World."

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Mighty God, worthy of praise, may we shout Your Name as loud, no louder, than the heavens proclaim You. May we sing of Your goodness and live righteously in this land. May our lives announce Your grace to a world awaiting judgment.

We are singing a new song, because our hearts have been reborn. A song touching earth and reaching the heavens. How Great is Our God.

Amen.

Stand Firm Then - September 17, 2010

Daily Reading

Daniel 10-12

Daily Verse

He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed,

consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you,

and stand up, for I have now been sent to you."

And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

Daniel 10:11

Daily Thought

The Church sold forgiveness of sins. People sin a lot, so the Church became wealthy and built big cathedrals.

The trouble began when Martin Luther read God's Word.

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
--Romans 1:17

Faith is a gift, so righteousness is free. You don't buy forgiveness. Martin Luther posted this on the door of the Church.

The Church liked its big cathedrals and asked Martin Luther to retract his statement.

But Martin Luther had read God's Word.

"Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by plain reason, my conscience is captive to the word of God. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot and I will not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me."
--Martin Luther, April 18, 1521

Stand firm then.
--Romans 6:14

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Righteous God of grace, in Your holiness, You cannot look on my sin. I must be completely clean to be in Your presence, and I am not clean. But Your Son got down on His knees and washed me. In humility, he took my dirt and exchanged it for His righteousness. What a wonderful Savior.

My God, after all Jesus has done, how could I dare try to become righteous by myself. Not only is it impossible, but it insults the work of Your Son on the cross. Instead, I bow before Your Son, call Him my Lord and Savior, and receive with joy His gift of salvation.

Amen.

Good Enough To Pray - September 16, 2010

Daily Reading

Daniel 7-9

Daily Verse

Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes

and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name.

We do not make requests of you because we are righteous,

but because of your great mercy.

Daniel 9:18

Daily Thought

"I can't pray," I shared with my friend. "I'm not really living like I should. I'm messing up a lot, and I keep thinking I have no right to pray."

I'm being humble, I thought.

"What if you were doing good?" asked my friend. "What if you were reading the Bible every day and sharing your faith and serving people? You can pray then, right?"

"Well, yes, of course."

"You're being proud," he said.

The proud prays because he is good.
The humble prays because God is good.

"The tax collector would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man went home justified before God."
--Luke 18:13-14

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

God, full of righteousness and grace, justice and mercy. It is a wonder that I can approach You. It's wonderful that You listen. My life does not warrant Your attention, but through the goodness of Your Son and the righteousness He gives me through His death, I can speak with You. I can even speak confidently. I have Your promises, written in Your Word, and I trust You completely.

So, God, I bring You praise, and I also bring the needs and concerns that surround me. I lay them at Your feet, and I pray in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Your will be done.

Amen.

Guilty For Jesus - September 15, 2010

Daily Reading

Daniel 4-6

Daily Verse

Finally these men said,

"We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel

unless it has something to do with the law of his God."

Daniel 6:5

Daily Thought

"Accomplishments were too small to fill the void, constantly reminding me there was something more to living, something more to what I did with my life."

And, boy, did she have accomplishments. Valedictorian of the Class of 2006, Brittany McComb graduated with a 4.7 grade point average.

"This hole," Brittany continued her speech, "gapes like a wide open trench when filled with friends, with family, with swimming, with drinking, with shopping, with partying, with anything but God. But His love fits. It's unprejudiced, it's merciful, it's free, it's real, it's huge, and it's everlasting."

Cheers from the student body.

"God's love is so great that He gave up His only Son that..."

Silence. They pulled the plug. Her speech was over.

Brittany earned the right to speak, but not the freedom to speak.

You can't say "Jesus" at Brittany's high school graduation.

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My Savior, my God, my Friend. Yes, You called me friend. I love You so much. How can I not speak of You?

I thank You so much for Your care for me. You gave me parents and friends, a neighborhood and teachers, many people have had an incredible influence on me. But You, most of all. If I talk of my friends and family, how much more shall I shout Your Name. You are the One who gives meaning and purpose, who fills me with love and compassion, who teaches me about life. You are my God.

Amen.

But Even If He Does Not - September 14, 2010

Daily Reading

Daniel 1-3

Daily Verse

Then Nebuchadnezzar said,

"Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

They trusted in him and were willing to give up their lives

rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."

Daniel 3:28

Daily Thought

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
--Daniel 3:17

Peter, during the persecutions of Nero, was crucified, at his own request, upside-down. But even if he does not. --Daniel 3:18

Bartholomew, preaching in Armenia, was flayed to death by a whip. But even if he does not. --Daniel 3:18

Andrew was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Greece. But even if he does not. --Daniel 3:18

James, son of Zebedee, was beheaded by King Herod in Palestine. But even if he does not. --Daniel 3:18

Thomas was stabbed with a spear in India. But even if he does not. --Daniel 3:18

Matthias was stoned and then beheaded. But even if he does not. --Daniel 3:18

Matthew was killed by a sword. But even if he does not. --Daniel 3:18

James, the brother of Jesus, was thrown from the southeast pinnacle of the temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. But even if he does not. --Daniel 3:18

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
--Hebrews 12:2

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My God, I offer myself as a living sacrifice, which means my life is Yours. I give it to You, so it is no longer mine to lose, but Yours to save. I pray, O God, that my faith will be bold, that when I face that which is impossible for me to do, I will trust in my God, who can do all things. I pray that I will act not because I am secure in the outcome, but because I am secure in You.

Amen.

The Little Things - September 13, 2010

Daily Reading

Joel 1-3

Daily Verse

Rend your heart

and not your garments.

Return to the LORD your God,

for he is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in love,

and he relents from sending calamity.

Joel 2:13

Daily Thought

God said, "Rend your heart and not your garments."

Then the high priest tore his clothes.
--Matthew 26:65

...because religion was important to him.

Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command."
--John 14:15

...because obedience is more important than religion.

So... When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his garment, woven in one piece from top to bottom. "Let's not tear it," they said to one another.
--John 19:23-24

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Righteous God, You have given us Your commandments, not as a burden; rather, they are a blessing. They give life and show me the way to live. Even the littlest commandment. Every Word You speak, God, is valuable and true. May I learn Your Word and keep it in my heart, so that it will guide my steps.

You are a gracious and compassionate God. Thank You for so great a salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.