Psalm 61
6 Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations.
Leaders come and go. In America we will be electing a new president in a few months. He will be in office for four or eight years and then someone else will be president. So it goes. An important role, yet quite temporary.
Probably just as well. I can think of only one person I would like to see rule as long as he wants. And he does. King Jesus.
Pray for those who lead.
Psalm 60
11 Oh, please help us against our enemies,
for all human help is useless.
After watching the spectacle, the heartbreak, the triumph, the excitement, and the camaraderie of the Olympics these past weeks, what do you think? Will this be the time when our human wars and conflicts will be overcome by the Spirit of the Games? You know the answer.
The Olympics enthrall me, but only God is going to rescue and restore this world. He already has begun. Jesus brings in the victory. Now we invite others to join us as we follow our champion.
Pray for a new nation you noticed competing in the Olympics.
You can order the brand new DVD series How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk! online now. This series is endorsed by Dallas Willard, famed author (e.g., The Divine Conspiracy, Christian Book of The Year) and teacher. Dallas says this-
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS SERIES TO ANYONE WHO IS TRYING TO FIND THEIR WAY TO OR WITH JESUS CHRIST THROUGH TODAY’S MULTI-LEVELED CONFUSIONS AND MISTAKES ABOUT BEING A CHRISTIAN.
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Psalm 59 14 My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. 15 They scavenge for food but go to sleep unsatisfied. When you have trouble sleeping, is it because you are scheming how to do evil in someone else’s life? I don’t think you would be reading this if that were the case. So, is there anything else bothering you? Maybe your enemy is the worry that keeps you awake at night rather than the source of worry? Give up at least one worry you have today.
Psalm 58
11 Then at last everyone will say,
“There truly is a reward for those who live for God;
surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”
In our culture we are used to getting things right away and exactly when we want them and how we want them. This is called, “instant gratification.” Domino’s Pizza grew an empire over this attitude. Their “30 minute guarantee.”
But what we think is most important in life often doesn’t fit that “I want to have everything go my way exactly” attitude. Even Domino’s figured this out. Their “You Got 30 minutes” trademark is no longer the same. Here is the fine print today.
Because safety is a priority “You Got 30 Minutes™” is not a guarantee but an estimate. You may get more.
As we grow in faith, we learn that when we go with God it is always on his schedule. He will surprise us with timeliness (from our view) once in a while, but being a friend of God means more often we do a lot of waiting.
What have you been waiting for lately?
Psalm 57
8 Wake up, my heart!
Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.
You don’t have to be a morning person to realize that things look different at that time of day. Especially in the early morning, when the quiet makes it possible to focus better, and the first light hints at new possibilities.
Wake at dawn (if you dare) and sense what God is up to that early in the morning.
Psalm 56
11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
Is there something someone could do to us to separate from God? Of course not. This is the theme of one of our most beloved texts of the Bible from Romans 8,
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ.”
Remember who is on your side the next time fear rises. The one you trust in will protect you.
What have you feared lately?
Psalm 55
7 I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.
The power of branding is amazing. Even though it was back in the 70′s, can you still fill in this blank?
“Calgon, ______ __ _____!”
If you are over 50, of course you can. Or if you listen to music from Mariah Carey (“Shake it Off”) to hip hop artist David Banner from Crooked Lettaz (“Grey Skies”).
Who doesn’t feel like just getting away from it all? God. He sticks with us, after all.
Pray for an openness to God’s companionship.
I have just received shipment of all the DVD’s for the new series. I am linking to Filmbaby.com, the nations leading independent film distributor, for sales and distribution. As soon as they accept the product (within a week or so), I will be ready to go. I will also be selling the DVD set locally at a few different locations. Logistics are being ironed out. Of course, if you absolutely have to have a copy immediately and you live in the Valley, call 818-885-6861 to make arrangements.
How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk! is ideal for a fall kickoff or anytime for senior high youth, young adult, college, adult education, as well as small groups or personal study. The content and format are very flexible with 10-30 minute sessions on 3 discs, including downloadable discussion starters. There is also a bonus Q&A session.
I will soon have a downloadable announcement film clip available here online. Here is a sample invitation for groups, classes, etc, in the meantime:
If you don’t have all the answers, but have heard a lot of great questions, and you have a few of your own, these sessions are for you. When you talk with people who have a different point of view when it comes to Jesus, do you want to be right or do you want to be helpful? If “helpful” is your answer, these sessions are for you.
Can you gain confidence in Jesus by using the mind that God has given you? Is the Christian faith reasonable? If not, how can you really follow someone who doesn’t at some level make sense?
In “How to Be a Christian Without Being a Jerk,” we will gain helpful insights into some of the toughest questions potential Christians are asking- without being cocky, judgmental, sarcastic (well, maybe a little sarcastic), or angry. Can we build bridges before they put up walls? We can and we will.
Psalm 54
5 May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them. Do as you promised and put an end to them.
God promises to vindicate his people. Actually, in the end God will always do exactly what is right for everyone. This is why Jesus can make the radical claim for Christians not to take vengeance. It isn’t because someone else doesn’t deserve God’s discipline. It is because we are free to focus on our future, not get caught up in the injustices of our past.
Pray for God to deliver you from past injustices.
