Where Is My Heart?
I seem to be doing nothing but tossing and turning in bed, Father, so I may as well come sit with You for a bit. It surely will be a much better use of my time. I love our times together!
Matthew 23:5-12 (<<click to read the passage)
Lord, after reading through this passage several times the question that comes to mind is, “Where is my heart?”
I love music! I listen to all kinds of it when I work and travel and there are very few genres that I won’t listen to. My original vocational direction was to become a Minister of Music and for that, I went to school. Harmony is a beautiful thing and I can remember enjoying singing congregational hymns by singing first the melody line, then singing the tenor, then alto and then, not quite as successfully, bass. I enjoyed using the talents that God gave me. What a blessing!
But then a few years ago, I was listening to one of Dietrich Bonhoeffer books, entitled Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in Community originally published in 1939. (Bonhoeffer was the German Lutheran minister martyred in World War II for his blatant opposition to Hitler.)
Anyway, it is a wonderful book but one thing he said in it struck me and has stuck with me. Here is a quote,
Unison singing, difficult as it is, is less of a musical than a spiritual matter. Only where everybody in the group is disposed to an attitude of worship and discipleship can unison singing, even though it may lack much musically, give us the joy which is peculiar to it alone.
His assertion was that we must be careful of why we sing harmony in worship – where is our heart? Do we sing to lift up the name and attributes of our God…or is our desire to lift ourselves up? I am by no means condemning the singing of harmony but I think we should closely examine our motives.
Lord, may we be careful of not following the Pharisees’ example of just looking holy but may it be our goal to be holy as You are holy. May we be about giving praise to You and not seeking it for ourselves. Amen.
Oct 19th, 2018, Fri, 2:36 am
Are We Quick to Crush?
Quite a day, Father! I was at work at 6:00 a.m. with an unusual arrangement of events. Back at it again tomorrow with truck number three for the store this week. Many of my coworkers have labored for several years in this situation and they are weary and worn – help me to be a positive, loving influence in their lives. May I shine brightly! Amen.
Matthew 23:1-4 (<<click to read the passage)
My study Bible* makes an interesting statement about this passage – one I had never really thought about.
“Jesus did not condemn what the Pharisees taught but what they were – hypocrites.”
But as I thought about it, the teachers of the Law and Jesus butted heads a lot! But you never hear him say anything negative about their teachings. They were a bit nitpicky but their teachings were solidly based on the Law. And in reality they did know the Law inside and out – it’s just that they didn’t live it!
How many of us “churchy” types deal with this issue? We know all the rules and regulations and readily make others aware when they miss the mark on obedience. We are quick to point out certain things that we find abhorrent but just as quickly ignore our own fallibilities.
For example, we may call attention to someone’s inability to control their liquor because they enjoy drinking but don’t think twice about the extra 50 pounds we carry around because we just love to eat. Is drunkenness a bigger sin than gluttony?
Proverbs 23:20-21 states,
Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.
Looks like they are pretty much in the same basket. Humility goes a long way.
How quick are we to “crush” others to lift ourselves up?
Lord, help me to not think too highly of myself. I have issues, too. They may just not be like other people’s issues. As always may I see people as You see people and act accordingly. Amen.
*Life Application Bible New Living Translation
Oct 17th, 2018, Wed, 7:21 pm
What Do YOU Think About the Messiah?
Father, a full day is ahead and I came alongside You to walk this journey before me. I truly give this day to You. Use me as You will. May I accomplish what You desire – my all is Yours. Amen.
Matthew 22:41-46 (<<click to read the passage)
What a poignant question, Lord! Hebrews 4:12 usually refers to the written word but John 1:1-2 proclaims that You also are the Word. In this short passage from Matthew 22, You prove that You affect us the same way!
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 NLT
1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. John 1:1-2 AMP
We, too, are asked the same question. “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” First of all, we must remember that the name Messiah (Hebrew), and Christ (Greek) both mean “anointed” – they refer to the same person – Jesus. Jesus was his given name at birth, per his heavenly Father, but He is the Anointed One. So what do we think about Him? Whose son is He?
In Matthew’s passage, Jesus references Psalm 110:1 to point the Pharisees (and us) to who He is – the Son of God. Hebrews 1:13 uses it for the same purpose.
Basically, it boils down to the fact that David – Jesus’ ancestor – by inspiration of the Spirit, refers to the Lord (the Father) speaking to David’s Lord (the Messiah, i.e. Jesus). And Jesus then asks the “experts” of the Law, “Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”
They may not have liked the answer but the Messiah – Jesus – was greater than David. He, in fact, was God!
Many throughout history have balked at that answer, as well. Many have tried – unsuccessfully, I might add – to refute the fact that Jesus is who He said He is. We can debate all kinds of theological issues but until we believe that, everything else is irrelevant and a waste of time.
Lord, may we all be drawn to find the indisputable reality of You in our lives. Amen.
Oct 16th, 2018, Tues, 6:35 am
Look at the Big Picture
Father, my work schedule has been all over the place and sleep has so often been elusive but You understand. I am not frowned upon by You, though I know You are disappointed when we don’t come together like this each day. I have been resting better recently and that helps so much, thank You. Help my desire to spend time with You to be far stronger than my desire for my bed. Amen.
Matthew 22:34-40 (<<click to read the passage)
Lord, I strive to keep the words of this passage at the forefront of my mind and quite often you place them on my lips at times of prayer before my congregations. I realize that they are so foundational to living out my faith.
One of the most difficult things about being certified to drive a school bus is all the things that have to be remembered. There are so many rules and regulations – it is overwhelming! It’s easy to see them in a negative light. But when I sit back and look at the big picture, those rules and regulations are not there just to frustrate me but they are there to make sure that I am most knowledgeable of how to best address the safety and well-being of the students under my care.
Lord, Your word can be overwhelming, too. It seems to just be full of dos and don’ts. But that’s what our finite minds see. If we can just open our eyes to the big picture we can begin to understand that it is all for our spiritual safety and well-being. And it is all wrapped up and saturated with love! Can anything be better than that?!
There is no reason to feel overwhelmed. It’s not an easy assignment but, as my study Bible* says, “Jesus said that if we truly love God and our neighbor, we will naturally keep the commandments. This is looking at God’s law positively. Rather than worrying about all we should not do, we should concentrate on all we can do to show love for God and others.”
Lord, may my greatest desire and highest priority be to spend time with You each day. By doing so I cannot help but love You more “with all [my] heart, all [my] soul, and all [my] mind.” For You are love and our time together will impact me in a great and mighty way. Then…I will be more able to love others as I should. Amen.
*Life Application Study Bible, New Living Translation
Oct 15th, 2018, Mon, 7:33 am
He Saw It All
I wanted to take a moment and thank you all for hanging in there with me. Over the past couple of months, I have posted very little new writings – and I know my loyal, long-term friends have noticed. I don’t want to make excuses but wanted to make you aware of what has been going on.
Towards the end of August, I began pursuing becoming a school bus driver. I have poured quite a bit of time into that – meeting requirements, one-on-one training, in-service and pre-service training. I should probably have already completed it but in the past two months, I have unfortunately officiated five funerals – four of which were from one church.
In early August I had carpal tunnel surgery (it has healed very nicely). And I also was officially diagnosed as a diabetic – which I have diligently been working to keep under control. (I have lost about 20 pounds because of that, which is wonderful!)
I have struggled with whether or not becoming a bus driver was the best course of action for me…and here is the part I really want to share. A couple of weeks ago, I had been having a difficult day, I was questioning, I was worn out. I kept thinking, “Lord, I can’t do this. I’m heading into the craziest time of year for both Kohl’s and my churches – it’s just too much!” I decided to turn on some music through my Spotify app and it happened to be a Southern Gospel mix.
Well…one song really touched me. I had never heard the song before but it was sung by a group called The Booth Brothers, entitled He Saw It All. The lyrics are a little long but it makes so much more sense if you read the beginning of the song and then read the second full verse (I bolded it), which is the one that touched me so.
I was working in town one afternoon
Attending some business affairs
I heard a commotion a couple streets over
And wondered. “What’s happenin’ there”
A young man was running from in that direction
And stopped just to catch his breath
I asked him to please tell me what was the hurry
He smiled up at me and he said.
I was trying to catch the crippled man
Did he run past this way?
He was rushing home to tell everyone
What Jesus did today
And the mute man was telling myself and the deaf girl
He’s leaving to answer God’s call
It’s hard to believe but if you don’t trust me
Ask the blind man, he saw it all
Go ask the blind man, he saw it all
So my friend if the troubles and burdens you carry
Are heavy and dragging you down
You’ve tried everything you can possibly think of
There’s no relief to be found
That very same Jesus that altered the future
Of a blind man, the deaf, and the lame
Is still reaching out in your hour of trouble
One touch and you’re never the same.
You’ll be trying to catch the crippled man…
I felt God was telling me I wasn’t going it alone, He was with me all the way. I really don’t know what the outcome is going to be – I still have to finish my training, pass my driving test and there is a possibility that there won’t be a position available for me when all is said and done. But my Lord is able to accomplish with me whatever he will – and I am content with my life in His hands. I will give it my all and leave the rest to Him. Amen.
(Here’s a very nice video recording of the song if you’d like to hear the song.)
Oct 14th, 2018, Sun, 9:13 pm