July 25

Finis!

July 24


Perfect Love


... the whole family in heaven ...

Ephesians 3:15 (NKJV)


I was reading the most interesting devotion this last week—I think it was by Max Lucado. His words painted this great contrast between earth and heaven, death and life.

Briefly, the author pointed to the pain and sorrow of our personal losses here on earth—graveside services, black hearses and weeping loved ones. But then he opened the door and showed the other side—the heavenly side. For at the very moment tears are falling and eulogies are given, the angels and all of heaven are throwing this wild, confetti-strewn party as the newest addition steps into the grandeur of glory. Talk about beautiful!

The picture was so clear and so heartwarming (moving from the hard and bitter world of the morgue to the maternity ward of a newer, richer life) it absolutely struck me with desire. I see this picture and it fills my heart with incredible joy, because it won’t be long, really (for any of us), until we stand hand in hand in heaven praising our glorious God and overcome with an emotion we have never quite experienced. An emotion we only dream of—a perfect love for God.


Abba Father, thank You for this beautiful image: sharing heaven with all my friends—the family of God.

July 23


Affection for Others


He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others....

Galatians 5:22 (THE MESSAGE)


My greatest joys in life come from God and the gifts He brings into my life. More often than not, He brings people. Our paths cross, we meet, and, so many times, I get to see God at work in their situations. A sweet fruit indeed and something I didn’t work for or deserve.

The other gift He seems to give me in abundance is compassion and a heart I sometimes feel is way too soft. It is a soul designed to see the best in others and a hope for so much more. It is a love that lives within me, tender and true. Full to bursting, it craves peace and hope, the perfect will of God and a greater good for people near and far.

His gifts: fruit that nourishes our souls.


Lord, thank You for these gifts. Thank You for this joy!

July 22


From 5 to 50: Valuing a Faithful Life


Be faithful, even if you have to die, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 2:10 (NCV)


About two years ago, we started sponsoring Ruth, a young Haitian and one of eight children orphaned when mom and dad died from AIDS. She wasn’t quite six-years old when she shared this prayer request—that she would be faithful to Jesus all the days of her life. Wow.

I pray this prayer for Ruth every day and whenever I can, I pray it for friends and family, and for myself. Think about this promise. Not everyone who gets to heaven will be rewarded (II Cor. 5:10), but you and I will be—if we remain faithful. If we listen to Jesus’ words and take them seriously, if we really, truly love God with all our heart, strength, mind and souls and love our neighbors as ourselves. If we listen and do as He says, He lavishes a reward beyond description. There is a crown! The crown of life is yours, it’s mine ... if we remain faithful.


Lord, as hard as it is sometimes, help us to persevere in faithfulness by loving You and by loving others. Help us we pray. Amen.

July 21


Twenty-five Years


Protect him with your love and truth. Then I will praise your name forever, and everyday I will keep my promises.

Psalm 61:7-8 (NCV)


This verse came to me the day of my twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Here is what I wrote that day:

Twenty-five years ago tonight, my wife Kris and I knelt beside our bed and prayed for God’s blessing on our love for Him and for each other. It was our wedding night and the start of an adventure we never would have dreamed.

By His generous love and guiding truth, we have survived this roller coaster of life, love and marriage. It hasn’t been easy, but life together has been worth the sacrifice. So, tonight we found ourselves reflecting on our romantic retreat—shopping, dining, and enjoying the warmth of a perfectly splendid summer day.

Now here we are: kneeling beside our king-sized bed thanking God for our lives, our family, and our love. I finish my prayer with this: I ask for another 25 years—to live, to love, and to be His light.

God is good, and I find peace in His love, comfort in His truth, and steadfastness in being the man He wants me to be—a man of my word.


Father, thank You so much for Kris, this woman of passionate integrity and gracious loveliness. We both know I don’t deserve her, so let me say it one more time: thank You for being so good to me!

July 20

Seeking True Beauty


God is being patient with you … He wants all people to change their hearts….

II Peter 3:9 (NCV)


Again, this morning in my quiet study, the Spirit takes this Holy Word and nudges me with it. Because it’s true, and because I truly do love God and genuinely want to obey, I listen.

I am not perfect, God knows this, and He waits for me. He encourages me, teaches me, and works with me. This morning I view Him as the prophet Jeremiah did: as the Great Potter working and reworking His chosen vessel until it’s perfected just as He desires. He doesn’t abandon me, and He doesn’t stop my spinning world, He simply lays His gentle and gracious hands on me—patiently, lovingly. And, as I begin to reform and transform, I sense His growing smile, a silent nod of approval, and, finally confirmation, “Yes, yes! That’s what I wanted.”

This morning I see God’s heart. Not to hurt me, but to help me. To see change on the inside that turns glorious—the simple beauty of an obedient heart.


Father, thank you for this image: You are the Potter, I am the clay. Please, make me your own special work of art. Amen.

July 19


Do Valiantly


Through God we shall do valiantly.

Psalm 60:12a (NAS)


God can use anyone in any situation. I know. I’ve seen this in my own son, Ryan. If you don’t know Ryan, let me tell you a little about him. He was born with Apert Syndrome—a genetic disorder requiring dozens of corrective surgeries to his head, hands, face and feet. He braved the hardship of these surgeries as well as countless therapies and more than a few odd stares, and he did it with style and grace. In the process, he encouraged many ... including me. Still, Ryan is human and like all of us, there are those days when he needs encouragement. Days when he needs someone to inspire him....

Enter Nick Vujicic. What makes Nick special is that he was born without arms or legs, but he has something more valuable, more dear, more precious than strong arms or long legs. Nick has a heart for God ... and a voice. This young Australian travels the world encouraging thousands every week.

Nick came to my son Ryan’s school recently with this simple message:

We can rejoice always because no matter what, we have Jesus Christ in our lives, and we can live the godly lives He has designed for us. All we need is the Spirit filling our hearts. And you know what? It’s not about what we do. It’s about becoming more like Jesus Christ each and every day.

After Nick’s talk at Mountain View High School, he met my son, and Ryan gave him the biggest hug! We all need someone to inspire us I think, and that’s just what Nick did for Ryan.

Iron sharpening iron. Through God we shall all do valiantly ... Nick ... Ryan ... you ... me ... all of us.


Lord God, continue to use Nick to spread your message of love and hope, but use us too, Lord ... use us too.....


See Nick and hear his testimony at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSRj7JqURjc&feature=fvw

July 18


Lessons


... serving God helps in every way by bringing you blessings in this life and in the future life too ... Command and teach these things ... be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith and your pure life ... continue to do these things ... Be careful in your life and in your teaching. If you continue to live and teach rightly, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

I Timothy 4:8, 11, 12, 15, 16 (NCV)


The king ... then all the people promised to obey.... There was no king like Josiah before or after him. He obeyed the LORD with all his heart, soul and strength, following all the Teachings of Moses.

II Kings 23:3, 25 (NCV)


There’s an old saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” Yeah. That’s right, and here’s a new one, “Obedience changes lives .. and not just our own.”

To God obedience is the sweetest thing, the evidence of a heart that’s right with Him ... and, therefore, right with others.

So, here’s the truth: our actions and our obedience impact others. This positive thing starts on the inside, so that better choices are made. We choose for God and our character grows strong. As we make consistently good choices, we grow spiritually. In the process, we teach others and impact them in helpful ways—not always easy but for the best. Deliberately or not, the truth in our lives gets caught by others.

In this world, our lives are books and we are read daily. Some books, it turns out, are better reads than others are, but we all get read by somebody. And everyone of us can be a little Josiah. We are leaders to someone, somewhere. We teach them, we lead them ... by our example, by our obedience ... or by our disobedience.

The best lessons are lessons of blessing ... lessons of obedience.


Father, help us to obey. Amen.

July 17


Great Sacrifice


Stay here ... while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.

Genesis 22:5 (NIV)


Here, Abraham teaches us a simple yet amazing lesson. Do you see what he calls what he is about to do? He knows full well he is about to sacrifice his son Isaac, the heir of the Promise. He will literally tie the boy up, take his knife out and raise it high with every intention of thrusting it into the lad's heart. And ... he calls it worship?

Worship. Giving to God what He deserves, what He wants, what He expects ... like our total obedience.

We know well the suspense and eventual twist in this "real-knife" drama. God stops Abraham at the last minute. He provides him with a ram to sacrifice in Isaac’s place (the poor animal just happens to be stuck in a thicket nearby). And God is pleased. Abraham has held back nothing—even that which is most precious to him. Even his dear son—loved like none other.

And so this lesson comes home to me. This thousands of years old drama has meaning in my life. It tells me I must offer up that which is dearest to me. We all must ... if we want to be like Abraham—a person of great faith, reputation and title—the friend of God.

In time and eternity, we can want nothing more....


My Father and my God, this day I come to Your altar with open hands and a willing heart. You have blessed me with beautiful things. Please take the dearest and the best. I give them freely and rejoice always with this universal truth: You know what is best.

July 16


Three Gifts


He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way.

I Peter 2:24 (The Message)


Because of His great love ... He ... made us alive together with Christ.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NKJV)


God’s great love has given us many gifts, and in these short verses I see at least three special gifts: life, freedom and family.

These three offer a unique blend for His greater joy. As we use all three for His glory, each seems to heighten our overall experience. By God’s grace, I am free to live a spiritual life that helps others. As I delve into this deeper life, I grow closer to Christ and our Heavenly Father, and as I continue, my life experience takes on greater meaning. The more meaningful my life, the more precious the freedom He gives. And again, this great freedom makes me appreciate the benefits of right living and draws me into a deeper love with my Christian family—the living, breathing, serving family of God.

God has provided us a sort of triple joy, planned, carried out, and promoted by the ultimate three: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Can you imagine better help or better gifts? No wonder we are free, alive, together, and ... full of joy!


Lord, thank You for Your precious gifts, for these in particular, and ... for the beautiful oneness of the family of God.