Down the Bunny Trail
I didn’t get right at it this morning, Father, and just remembered that I had yet to get with You today. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to do so. May I hear clearly what You have for me today. Amen.
A few weeks back at our Bible study, we talked a little about getting off on bunny trails. Bunny trails are when we are walking along the paths that God desires for us and something distracts us and off we go down a bunny trail. Now sometimes our tangents are unintentional and other times we do so out of disobedience.
I’ve never had a trained dog. The dogs I have had in the past were all ones that for the most part would have darted down any bunny trail after the smallest of distractions. For the most part, I could have called them and yelled until I was blue in the face and they would only return when they were good and ready to do so or when they were hungry enough to do so.
I have read stories and seen videos of dogs who are trained to be obedient. Though they may be tempted to the extreme, they do not yield. They do not want to go against their master’s wishes. Some dogs have even died rather than disobey, much to their master’s dismay.
Lord, why, even with all the training that many of us have had, do we allow ourselves to be distracted? Why do we so readily run down the bunny trails? I realize that You are patient…and loving…and forgiving…but why do I disobey? I know what You want of me but often I ignore it or drown out Your voice with busyness. Sometimes I may not hear You but other times I hear and trot on down the bunny trail.
The Apostle Paul wrote of this struggle – and it was his struggle, too.
15I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. Romans 7:15-20 (<<click to read the passage)
Lord, forgive me for my wanderings. May I learn to obey my Master. May I not be so easily distracted. May I avoid the bunny trails – no matter how enticing they may be. Amen.
Aug 24th, 2017, Thurs, 8:07 pm
That’s All Folks!
Father, before this day gets too far along I truly want to place it into Your hands. I freely give it to You to use me as You want to accomplish Your will in the lives of those whom my life will touch. May my ears be attuned to Your voice and may I be quick to act, with no hesitation. All I have, all I am, is Yours.
1 Peter 4:7-9 (<<click to read the passage)
Lord, more and more there seems to be talk of Your “coming soon”. Many feel that your return is imminent. And with the arrival of that momentous occasion, life as we know it will come to an end and new beginnings will be upon us.
It is of utmost importance that we are ready when You call…but are we readying ourselves in the right ways? Some spend a great deal of time trying to figure out as many details of the whens, and the wheres, and the whos and the hows of Your return as they can. And to what end? For me, it is enough to know that You are coming.
Others look gleefully to the end. They are happy that they will see You and that they will get to be with You for all eternity. And shockingly enough, some of those are equally as gleeful that “sinners” will get what’s coming to them. Finally, they will be shown to be right and those who didn’t agree with them, oh baby, they are gonna burn. What?! That’s not how You think, Lord.
The Apostle John quoted you saying,
“For God did not send his Son [You] into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17
And of course, what did You say right before this?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
I want to be ready when You call, Lord, but may I be found doing my best to fulfill Your will this side of eternity. May I be “earnest and disciplined in [my] prayers” and “most important of all” may I “continue to show deep love for [others], for love covers a multitude of sins.”
Lord, Your command is that we not come home alone. Burden my heart to pray for and truly love others so they too can enjoy the great blessings of Your love.
Feb 6th, 2017, Mon, 6:15 am
Love and Law
Thank You, Father, for a wonderfully productive day! You have been with me all the way and all the physical things are ready for worship. May I continue to prepare spiritually so that I may say, be and do exactly what You need. Praise Your holy name!
Matthew 5:20 (<<click to read the passage)
When we first read this verse Lord I think we are a little shocked – even if we know who the “teachers of the religious law and Pharisees” were. Maybe I’m just not enough of a rebel but I was brought up to respect leaders in all walks of life. But regardless of how high someone is in any organization – even the church – lines can be crossed. And evil cannot be tolerated…and it must be dealt with. I’m sure there were good men amongst this nefarious crew of religiosity but they may have been few and far between, as well.
You have just proclaimed Your intent to fulfill the law as given to Moses and we are also called to be obedient to it. My study Bible* helps a great deal in understanding this law.
First of all, “there were three categories of law: ceremonial, civil and moral.” Ceremonial law dealt with Israel’s worship and it all pointed to You. Your death and resurrection fulfilled it all! So we “are no longer bound by” them but the “principles behind them – to worship and love a holy God – still apply.”
Our world is a “radically different” place from when the civil law was given to Israel for daily living. We don’t follow them specifically but Your example showed us that the “principles behind the commands are timeless and should guide our conduct.”
Lastly, the moral law (i.e. the Ten Commandments) “is the direct command of God” and we are accountable to abide by it. Lord, You abided by it in its entirety.
And that is the rub with the religious leaders of the time You walked this earth. They were so busy splitting hairs that they didn’t really take time to live out the law where it was really important. Lord, Your desire was and still most assuredly is for us to live in a loving, intimate relationship with You. We can strive to abide by every rule and regulation but unless there is relationship…it is worthless.
Lord, help me (and I know You do) to love You more every day. May there be a burning in my heart to spend time with You regularly. The more time I conscientiously spend with You the closer our relationship will be. Amen – so be it!
*Life Application Bible New Living Translation
Oct. 19th, 2017, Thurs, 3:43 pm
Wait Patiently
I am sorry, Father, that it has taken me longer to get here today. I have allowed lots of things to distract me and now my mind is distracted as I sit here. I implore You to take the little I bring this morning and abundantly multiply for Your glory.
Hebrews 6:13-15 (<<click to read the passage)
“…Abraham waited patiently and he received what God had promised.”
Patience may be a virtue but, at least for most of us, it does not come easily. Some things can give us instant gratification – a peppermint candy or a quick kiss from someone we love. But other things seem like they will never come – the end of a school for a teacher or Christmas for a child.
But what about God’s promises? Several years ago when I was a children’s pastor we had a guest speaker and he shared with the kids that God can answer our prayers in three ways – with a “YES”, or “NO’ or a “WAIT.” A WAIT? – now that’s a struggle! And adults struggle just as much as kids do.
Lord, sitting here I have no profound thoughts. What I do know is that You are faithful. For over 50 years You have taken care of me. You have never let me down. You’ve never forsaken me. You’ve never given up on me either. My faith in You is well founded. If I have to wait on You, I will do so patiently. You know what’s best.
Mar 17th, 2016, Thurs, 8:44 am
Caught Off Guard
Father, thank You for a day of Your presence and companionship – from worship through the day with Karen! There are so many things for which to be grateful. And all praise goes to my good, good Father!
Matthew 22:15-22 (<<click to read the passage)
Recently I was asked to take part in an event. I went with some ideas and printouts, prepared to share. Well, when I arrived I didn’t even have an opportunity to share anything, instead, I was told this is how this is going to go down. To say the least, I was surprised. I was shocked! I was totally caught off guard.
In today’s passage, two groups – who up to this point had agreed on absolutely nothing – joined together, in what they thought was an iron-clad setup, to take down a common adversary. The Pharisees – a religious group strongly opposed to the Roman occupation of Palestine – and the Herodians – who supported Herod Antipas and pretty much all policies instituted by Rome in the region of Palestine – conspired to take Jesus out. They were prepared. Everything was well thought through. They asked a question that either way Jesus answered would take Him out of the game. Whichever side He took would give the other side reason to eliminate Him, giving both sides a win!
But one can’t play simple human games with the Creator of the Universe. Jesus saw through their duplicity and shut both parties down with a simple answer and as the Amplified Bible puts it, “they were caught off guard, and they left Him and went away.” v.22
Truth be told, neither group had any idea whatsoever with whom they were dealing. Each had their preconceived notions. Each had Jesus pegged as a troublemaker who needed to be taken out of the equation. Jesus stood in opposition to both parties!
Yes, we are called to support those who rule over us (“Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.”} but most importantly we are to pledge to God our ultimate obedience and commitment (“Give to God what belongs to God.”). v.21
Lord, may we follow You with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and doing so may we support and lift up to You those who rule over us on side of eternity. May we be exemplary citizens of both Kingdoms!
Sept 16th, 2018, Sun, 8:06 pm