Category Archives: Faith

Daily Walk 365 – Day 13

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Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence, and if there is any praise — dwell on these things.  — Philippians 4:8 (HCSB)

What if we did dwell on these things?  What do we often dwell on instead?  These things seem pleasant, why do we so often dwell on the unpleasant?

My friend debily had a post last week entitled Threads of Gratitude, which Angie read, but I skimmed.  To my chagrin, I don’t dwell enough on the gratitude I have for my wife, my family, my friends, my church, my country.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for all those things, but I don’t dwell on them.  Too often I dwell on the small number in my check balance, or the low level of gas in my car, or the long to-do list at work and at home.  When I would do better to dwell on all the wonderful things that each day, week, month, year brings.

So I’ll just do that. m’kay. (My wife tried to bully me into listing my top 5 things I was grateful for, but thhhhbbbpppptt on her!)

Daily Walk 365 – Day 12

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Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23 (HCSB)

Taking up a cross has a much different meaning today, than in Jesus’ time on earth.  In Jesus time it meant you’re on your way to a torturous death.  It is a bit of a warning, following Jesus means you won’t be living for yourself anymore, it means you’ll die to your self, and follow Christ.  Regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the pain, the humiliation — carry your cross, go take it to Calvary, where Jesus conquered death, and was raised to his proper position of Lord of all.

Do I do that?

Daily Walk 365 – Day 11

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It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name.  O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness everynight. –– Psalm 92:1-2

Okay, thanks for the 2×4.  I don’t get to my devotional til almost lunch time, and this is the verse.

🙂

At least it was just a little tap, that mean Charles Stanley didn’t have to rub salt in the wound.

A person with no devotional life generally sturggles with faith and disobedience. — Chareles Stanley

And you know what, after 11 days, I’m finding fatih and obedience a bit easier.  You should try it.

Daily Walk 365 – Day 10

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Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” — Mathew 14:27 (HCSB)

How often does He speak this to us, in our times of uncertainty, and we don’t hear Him?  How often do we miss putting our trust in him, instead of quaking in fear of uncertainty.  He who calms the winds and seas is calling to us, to not be afraid, to have courage, to trust in him.  May He be my strong tower today.

Daily Walk 365 – Day 9

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The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. — Proverbs 16:23

This is as important to remember when we’re speaking to strangers as well as family and friends. I sometimes let familiarity excuse me from watching what I say, either out of anger or humor.  It’s better to listen and understand before speaking, and let my words be healing with wisdom, rather that scalding with sarcasm or scorn.

Daily Walk 365 – Day 7

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In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility… — Titus 2:7 (NKJV)

One thing I can say, a week into this exercise.  It’s been easier to hold my temper, be patient, and show other fruits of the Spirit.  Its been easier to resist the nagging temptations.  This pastoral advice for a young Titus is a good reminder for old folks like me as well, it doesn’t make living harder… it makes it alive.

Good discussion this morning in Sunday School, we discussed passages in Hebrews 12.  Loads of encouragement between people, and good discussions about being Christian each day, in the workplace, at home, not just on Sunday.

By no means am I trying to say that I’m perfect, or always choose to be incorruptible.  But that is what I, increasingly, want to try to achieve.

Daily Walk 365 – Day 6

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This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. — Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)

And this from Phillip Yancey:

Some of us seem so anxious about avoiding hell that we forget to celebrate our journey toward heaven.

I love that song.  Especially the SKA version I heard about 8 years ago.  The racous music and rough singing was at contrast to the lyrics, but that was what made it unique.  As is each day we live in the Lord, each uniquely made for us to enjoy, and be glad for.

Daily Walk 365 – Day 5

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Your old life is dead.  Your new life, which is your real life — even though invisible to spectators — is with Christ in God.  He is your life. — Colossians 3:3 (MSG)

I always enjoy Eugene Petersen’s (author of The Message paraphrase) take on the scriptures.  He speaks my language.  For reference here is the traditional verse:

for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. —Col 3:3 (NET)

If we’ve died to self, then we must live for Christ.  To spectators, it may look as though nothing has changed in this new life of ours.  Overtime, our obedience to Christ, through His discipline and training, will begin to change us into something new.  And when we look back, and perhaps others — spectators — do too, the change will be drastic.  Though in the now, the change is slow almost to the point it isn’t observable.  The focus, as Paul points out in other places too, isn’t on what has happened, but will happen.  Letting go, straining forward — racing.

Have a good race.

Daily Walk 365 – Day 4

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)

Lists are good things.  We try to make list for our days, little bits of routine to make our lives work.  Hints to remind ourselves, and sometimes our children, to do each day to make our lives easier.  Here Paul gives an ‘everyday’ list, the type of thing you put at the top of your Outlook calendar, when you check the ‘All Day Event’ box.  Then at the top of each day you’ll see:

  • Rejoice
  • Pray
  • Give Thanks

Can it get any easier?  How come it seems so hard?