Jesus Knows Love - November 30, 2010

Daily Reading

1Corinthians 5-8

Daily Verse

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

1Corinthians 8:1

Daily Thought

"If this man were a prophet, he would know...

It was a small town. Everyone knew!

"...who is touching him and what kind of woman she is - that she is a sinner."
~Luke 7:39

Knowledge puffs up.

Jesus said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? Her many sins...

Jesus knew.

"...have been forgiven - for she loved much."
~Luke 7:44, 47

Love builds up.

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
~Romans 5:8

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My God, You saved me. Not because I was good. Not because I was worth saving. You saved me, because You loved me. What an amazing love, too, because I did not love You. I was not good, nor was I godly, and yet You went to death for my life. Now I am good because of Your goodness, and I am godly because You are God, my Lord and Savior.

May I also love, because You are love.

Amen

The United Saints - November 29, 2010

Daily Reading

1Corinthians 1-4

Daily Verse

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that all of you agree with one another

so that there may be no divisions among you

and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1Corinthians 1:10

Daily Thought

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
~1Corinthians 1:25

The Wisdom of Man

We know Total Depravity and Free Will, Conditional and Unconditional Election, General and Limited Atonement, Prevenient and Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints and Falling From Grace.

We are Presbyterian or Methodist or Baptist or Lutheran or Episcopal.

We are many.

One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
~1Corinthians 1:12

The Foolishness of the Cross

We know Jesus.

We are Christian.

We are one.

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
~1Corinthans 2:2

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

You, O God, are One. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The Lord our God. The Lord is one.

You told us we must be one, that we must love one another, that we must be united. That our joy in You is connected to our unity in Your Spirit. God, bring us together. Help me to recognize that our shared love for Jesus is stronger than any differences in theology or methods.

Teach me humility and servanthood and love.

Amen

Bad For Bad Business - November 28, 2010

Daily Reading

Acts 18:19-19:41

Daily Verse

A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis,

brought in no little business for the craftsmen.

"Men, you know we receive a good income from this business."

Acts 19:24-25

Daily Thought

"This fellow Paul has led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all."
~Demetrius the Silversmith, Acts 19:26

Revival stikes Wales, 1904. 150,000 suddenly put their trust in Jesus Christ.

Crime nearly stopped. The police force formed a choir which sang at revival meetings.

Magistrates turned up at courts. No cases to try.

Taverns were deserted because churches were packed.

Coal miners stopped cursing. Their donkeys and mules stopped obeying instructions. They could not understand the kind and gentle words of their masters.

"There is danger that our trade will lose its good name."
~Demetrius the Silversmith, Acts 19:27

Revival is bad for business if your business depends on bad.

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Lord God, you are the King of kings. May Your Kingdom be established on earth. Your grace has changed my heart. May it change my community. May "In God We Trust" become a reality in this country. But first, may it be a reality in Your church. Purify Your people God, so that we might be a light and a blessing to the world.

Start with my heart, God. Create in me a clean heart, fully devoted to You.

Amen

Attitude Of Gratitude - November 27, 2010

Daily Reading

1Thessalonians 1-5, 2Thessalonians 1-3

Daily Verse

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

Daily Thought

"Tell me about your last job."

Applicant #1: "Not good. Not good at all. The boss was unfair, moody, played favorites. The employees were mean and petty. You couldn't trust anyone. That's why I am applying here. I'm looking forward to a change."

"Hmm. Well, you are qualified, so you are hired. But I do have bad news. I am afraid you'll find the same environment here."

Next.

"Tell me about your last job."

Applicant #2: "Wonderful. I was sad to leave, but it couldn't be helped. My boss was fair, a good man, encouraging. The office was like a family."

"Hmm. Well, you are qualified. Congratulations, you are hired. And I have good news. I think you'll find the same kind of work environment here."

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.
~Romans 15:5

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My God, each and every day is a gift. I delight in them. I love waking up, anticipating the joy of living fully for You. May this be my daily mindset. May my attitude reflect the life Your Son has given me, a life of joy and purpose, hope and love.

Thank You, God, for giving me life and changing my eternity.

Amen

American Idol - November 26, 2010

Daily Reading

Acts 17-18:18

Daily Verse

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens,

he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.

Acts 17:16

Daily Thought

It was announced on the news today: we have "Savings Fatigue." The economy is bad, so people quit spending. Many saved. Now we are tired of saving. We must spend.

Plutus, the Greek god of money. Still popular.

"Science can explain the universe without the need for a creator," the scientist said to the Talk Show host. "Science is increasingly answering questions that used to be the province of religion. The scientific account is complete. Theology is unnecessary."

Mercury, the Roman god of science. Still popular.

"Tomorrow Is Just Another Day," announced Apple. "A Day You'll Never Forget." What will I never forget? iTunes will now sell me songs from The Beatles.

Apollo, god of music. Still popular.

Aphrodite, goddess of beauty. Still popular.
Mars, god of war. Still popular.
Hermes, god of sports. Still popular.
Dionysius, god of wine. Still popular.

"I found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you."
~Acts 17:23

Jesus Christ, who made the world and everything in it. Still God.

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

God, You are the One and the Only. Creator of all things, there is none like You. You are the Beginning, the End. And the Middle. No one, ever, should sit on Your throne. Especially not me.

I keep trying to rule my life, but usually when I do, I let some pretender, some false god, take charge. At last, I know that You are Lord and Savior of all. Lord and Savior of me. Now I follow You. You alone. You always. You are God.

Amen

Happy Thanksgiving - November 25, 2010

Daily Reading

Galatians 4-6

Daily Verse

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves

be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

Daily Thought

Every day since January 1, a passage of God's Word has turned into a thought and a prayer. It was my commitment. It has become my law.

Today is November 25. Day 329. Galatians 4-6. Smack dab in the middle it says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."

We are no longer under the law. I am no longer under the law.

There will be no thought today. I'm free!

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

P.S., Be back tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving!

Daily Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You.

Amen

City Dog vs. Country Dog - November 24, 2010

Daily Reading

Galatians 1-3

Daily Verse

Now that faith has come,

we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

Galatians 3:25

Daily Thought

Religion

Lucy is our basset hound. She stays indoors and sleeps in a kennel. Lucy is a city dog, and she does not roam free. She is not allowed to.

Every so often, a door is open, unwatched. Lucy breaks for freedom, and she does not return. We call her, and find her, and bribe her, and bring her home.

Relationship

Aunt Katie and Uncle Larry live in the country. Abby, their yellow Labrador, is free to roam, and she does. Wherever she wants, whenever she wants, doing whatever she wants. Abby is a country dog.

At night, Abby could sleep anywhere she wants, and she does. She sleeps on the porch. She sleeps at home.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
~Galatians 5:1

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Father God, You have set me free from the burden and bondage of sin. Thank You so much! I am now enslaved to love, a willing servant of Your goodness and grace. Forgive me, God, when I turn my liberty into a religion of do's and don'ts, or I turn my freedom into a license to sin.

I love You, God, not from force or fear, but because I desire You so much. I stay close to You, close to home, because this is where I find life, a life abundant and good.

Amen

You First - November 23, 2010

Daily Reading

Acts 15-16

Daily Verse

After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia,

concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:10

Daily Thought

They were in prison.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God.
~Acts 16:25

Praying for salvation.

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.
~Acts 16:26

Not for their own.

The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"
~Acts 16:27-28

But for the salvation of others.

The jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
~Acts 16:29-30

In humility consider others better than yourselves.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests,

but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:3-5

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

God, give me opportunities to share Your gospel with others.

And when those opportunities come, give me the wisdom to see them and the boldness to take them.

Amen

The Easy Way To Play - November 22, 2010

Daily Reading

James 1-5

Daily Verse

Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

whenever you face trials of many kinds.

James 1:2

Daily Thought

Sonatina, by F.M. Torroba. Jack's fingers flew on the frets, the classical guitar sang, and it was beautiful.

"Do you want to play like this?" Jack was my guitar teacher. I was 10 years old.

I nodded, "Yes."

"You'll need to practice a couple hours a day, every day."

"Two hours!" An eternity for a 10-year old. "Isn't there an easier way?"

Jack glared at me, "How long would you like to practice?"

I shrugged.

"That's the hard way, Dave. If you pick the guitar up whenever you feel like it, it will take you years to play. If ever."

The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
~James 1:3-4

"But two hours and you'll be playing like this in two months," explained Jack. "Practice is the only easy way to play."

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

My God, I trust You with my life. May everything I do display the faith I have in Your wisdom and goodness. Teach me Your ways, O Lord. Test me and try me, so that I may live a life holy set apart to You.

God, thank You for caring for me to develop and strengthen me. I know that nothing will come before me that, in You, I cannot endure and conquer. I can do all things through You, because You give me strength. There is a joy I have found in suffering for Your Name's sake.

Amen

Anything But God - November 21, 2010

Daily Reading

Acts 13-14

Daily Verse

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted,

"The gods have come down to us in human form!"

Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes.

Acts 14:11-12

Daily Thought

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17... The broadcast from space continued, a series of 261 prime numbers. Earth makes contact with extraterrestrial intelligence.
~Contact, a science-fiction book by Carl Sagan, 1985.

Anything but God.

"Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist."
~Stephen Hawking, The Grand Design

Anything but God.

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes.
~Acts 14:11-12

Anything but God.

"Men, why are you doing this?"
~Acts 14:15

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie,

and worshiped and served created things

rather than the Creator.

~Romans 1:25

"To look out at this kind of creation out here and not believe in God is to me impossible, ... It just strengthens my faith. I wish there were words to describe what it's like."
~John Glenn, 77 years old, orbiting earth...again. Space Shuttle Discovery, 1998

There are.

Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory.

Isaiah 6:3

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Creator God, it is amazing to gaze upon Your handiwork. The sunset was incredible tonight, and then the moon, full, arose, The clouds parted and glimmered, and the sky displayed Your glory. I stopped and stared.

We marvel at Your glory, God. Some do not give You credit, and yet they cannot help but stop and gaze and wonder. May I speak loudly of You and Your handiwork. You are the Author of our creation and our salvation.

Amen

Without A Doubt - November 20, 2010

Daily Reading

Acts 11-12

Daily Verse

Then Peter came to himself and said,

"Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel

and rescued me from Herod's clutches

and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

Acts 12:11

Daily Thought

King Herod had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
~Acts 12:2

Scene 1: Herod kills James.

Herod proceeded to seize Peter also. After arresting him, he put him in prison,
~Acts 12:3-4

Scene 2: Herod arrests Peter.

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
~Acts 12:5

Scene 3: The church prays for Peter.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
~Acts 12:7

Scene 4: God saves Peter

Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!"
~Acts 12:13-14

Scene 5: Peter shows up at church.

"You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel."
~Acts 12:15

Scene 6: Cut!!! Go back to Scene 3.

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
~Acts 12:5

Scene 3: What exactly are you praying for?

Scene 4...

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Father God, I know that You are faithful and true. I know that You can do all things. I know that what You promise will happen.

God, I have faith. Help me with my faith. May I trust You and live my life reflecting my faith and confidence in You.

Amen

Great Sinners, Great Saints - November 19, 2010

Daily Reading

Acts 9-10

Daily Verse

But the Lord said to Ananias,

"Go! This man is my chosen instrument

to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings

and before the people of Israel."

Acts 9:15

Daily Thought

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man, Saul, and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem."
~Acts 9:13

Home from college, my high school friend waved me over.

His name was John, but we called him "Animal." All-city nose guard, he was crazy on, and off, the football field. A wicked wit, he spoke in rhyme, funny and filthy.

"Hey Animal," I smiled, anticipating a barrage of profanity, blasphemy, and debauchery.

Instead, I got Grace. I got the Gospel. I got introduced to his friend, Jesus Christ.

"John, what happened?"

"I got Jesus." Jesus got John.

"The great (and toothsome) sinners are made out of the very same material as those horrible phenomena, the great Saints."
~Screwtape, a demon, "Screwtape Proposes a Toast," by C.S. Lewis

Nice people make nice Christians, but watch what happens when God grabs a person of passion.

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

It's amazing grace, my God. I was a sinner, and You changed me. Now, I am a saint. May I never forget the transformation, and may I never tire of telling the story.

The goodness, the righteousness, the holiness of Your Son is now mine. I still sin, I know I do. But no longer am I a sinner. I am a child of God, not by anything I have done, but by the work of Jesus Christ. May the passion I used to display toward worldliness and wickedness be given to godliness. All the more so.

Amen

Satisfaction Guaranteed - November 18, 2010

Daily Reading

Acts 7-8

Daily Verse

Peter answered: "May your money perish with you,

because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!"

Acts 8:20

Daily Thought

It said it right there in the bulletin:

A One-Year Tithing Challenge.

Give faithfully for a year. If God doesn't deliver on his promise to provide for you, if you have not experienced God's blessings, you can ask for your money back.
All of it. No questions asked.

"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:

'He will command his angels concerning you,

and they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"

The Good News of Jesus Christ.
Satisfaction guaranteed. Or your money back!

Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
~Matthew 4:5-7

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Oh Lord God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, it's all Yours. Everything. As if I could give You anything that is not already Yours. You don't need my possessions, my skills, my talents. You simply desire my heart, and You know these things I think I own can steal my heart away.

God, I love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And with my wallet. It's Yours. All of it. No questions asked.

Amen

Gesundheit - November 17, 2010

Daily Reading

Acts 4-6

Daily Verse

Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected,

which has become the cornerstone.'

Acts 4:11

Daily Thought

"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name."
~Acts 5:28

For 80 years, the graduation ceremonies of Washington Community High School included a prayer.

Until 2001. Almost.

A lawsuit was filed and the court ruled, "No, you may not pray."

Ryan stood at the podium, the final student speaker. Silent for a moment, then opening his mouth to speak. "Ahh-choo," he sneezed.

The graduating class of 2001 rose to its feet.
In unison, "God bless you."

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
~Acts 4:12

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Lord God, we shout Your Name because You are worthy of praise. And if we don't, the rocks will cry out. In fact, the whole earth is full of Your glory. Creation itself declares loudly Your wonders, Your wisdom, Your beauty and grace, Your majesty.

Lord, we say Your Name aloud because it is the Name of salvation, and because the world needs to be saved. How can we not speak of You? It is the message of love to a lost world.

Amen

Engage The Power - November 16, 2010

Daily Reading

Acts 1-3

Daily Verse

Everyone was filled with awe,

and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

Acts 2:43

Daily Thought

I pushed and pushed, trying to make the mower move forward.

My Dad came out. "Why are you trying so hard? Pull this lever up."

I did. And the mower leaped forward. It was self-propelled.

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
~Acts 1:8

I'd been struggling with all my might to push the mower. But once I engaged the power, I just went along for the ride.

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
~Acts 2:46-47

To God's Glory,
Dave Price

Daily Prayer

Father God, Your Son said that we, His followers, His church, would do greater things than He did. He saved the world. What could be greater? By the power of Your Holy Spirit, we take the message of Your salvation to the world. By that power, lives are changed.

God, may I be faithful to follow Your Word, going to the world, in the power of Your Spirit, in the Name of Your Son, with the gospel of grace. I will be faithful to plant the seeds and water the soil. God, You make it grow.

Amen