June 18


Grace

Grow in grace....

II Peter 3:18a (THE MESSAGE)


God uses Peter to command us to “Grow in grace....” but what is grace and how do we grow in it?

The Greek word charis (grace) has both subjective and objective meanings. Objectively, it is used to denote that which bestows pleasure, delight, or causes favorable regard. Subjectively, it can refer to kindly acts, loving-kindness, and goodwill generally. With regard to divine favor or grace there is an emphasis on its freeness, spontaneity, and universal character (Vine’s Dictionary).

Kenneth Gangel’s discussion, found in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, gives further insights:

“To grow in ... grace is not subjective, based merely on experience and emotional happenings. It is objectively related to Peter’s key word knowledge ... knowledge about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ... the verb “grow” is a present imperative, which could be rendered, ‘be continually growing.’ Believers are to ‘grow in grace,’ that is, in the sphere of God’s unmerited favor, and in the exercise of spiritual grace which Peter spoke of in 1:5-7.”

In The Message, II Peter 1:5-7 says: So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.

I am deeply encouraged by these words, and I want to keep growing in grace, exercising these spiritual graces toward all. And all the while drawing strength from Him that I might be a blessing to everyone.

You and I are commanded to grow in this pleasing, delightful goodwill toward others as we better understand His own goodwill toward us. It takes all these traits Peter spells out for us: character, understanding, discipline, patience, wonder, friendliness and love.

This is the passion of my heart: to grow in grace!


Lord, help us grow in grace. Amen.

June 17


A Fresh Beginning


Husbands, go all out in love for your wives.

Colossians 3:19 (THE MESSAGE)


I’m staring another year in the face and wondering how to make it better than last year. And not just for me....

This morning, I’m sitting in front of the gas fireplace with the fake logs. High above on the living room wall is a little sign—one of my wife’s favorites. Kris bought it a couple of years ago on one of our rare downtown shopping trips after entering one of Bend's small tourist shops—one of so many on Wall Street. As I recall, she spied it in the back of the store ... behind the knick-knacks ... past the colorful blankets and well beyond the pottery. She read it once and knew we had to have it. Rather simple, it says, LIVE WELL – LAUGH OFTEN – LOVE MUCH.

I mouth the words to myself and know there is wisdom here.

The sentiment more than warms my heart as I look from the sign to the one who had me hang it there. She lies fast asleep on the couch, worn out by a brisk early morning walk with a neighbor in the Central Oregon cold . Her rest is well earned.

This Christmas season she went all out for family, and today, the last of the relatives finally left. It’s been 10 non-stop days for us. Shopping, decorating, and entertaining 16 people in our lovely home (mostly my family); sledding, bowling and going to movies; singing, celebrating and worshipping; snowball fights and football games; jigsaw puzzles and playing Hearts; fixing ow-ies and playing nursemaid; fixing meals and helping others in so many ways. She did it all. And I am thankful. She has been so good to me ... for us....

This year I am convinced—and convicted—I need to show her my thanks ... and more. Her homespun message on the wall rattles my brain. Love much....

This year, this is where I begin with Kris ... love much....


Father God, I am such a klutz. I feel so inadequate ... even after all these years. Give me wisdom as well as the determination to show Kris the love she deserves. Help me be the man You want me to be—all the man she needs. Make this a truly great year for us all. Amen.

June 17


Another Resolution....


... ‘Sir, you gave me five bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.’ The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

Matthew 25:20-21 (NLT)


I’m not one for new year’s resolutions. I’m really not, but as I sat on the couch this morning with Kris thinking about it, two goals came quickly to mind. Two areas I need to improve in. Both involve stewardship, and, believe me, both are very important. The first involves my health. I really need to exercise and get in shape. Really. The second involves my finances. We’ve got to get a better handle on our credit card spending and wipe out our debt. It’s just silly....

So, today I started walking again. In the cold. By myself. Got tired and ... quit. Later, after warming up and catching my breath, I managed to find the stationary bike and the stepper ... so ... we’re off and walking, biking, stepping, or something. I don’t know. Well, tomorrow’s another day to work on health ... and managing finances.

This afternoon, I got serious with an online program from Crown Financial (crown.org) called Mvelopes. It looks really great, but like the exercise ... it's gonna require discipline.

So, please, pray for me—for wisdom to keep it up, to be a better steward of what God has entrusted to my care and to hear those beautiful words, “Well done!”


Lord, thanks for a new year and another opportunity to do my best for You! Amen.

June 17


A Bottom Line Reminder


The LORD is good,

A stronghold in the day of trouble;

And He knows those who trust in Him.


Nahum 1:7 (NKJV)


Nahum knew the power of the Lord’s love. Jonah too, probably more than anyone else in His day, understood the greatness of God’s compassion, and certainly Isaiah appreciated these truths as well. So can you.

For these three, the disturbing thing was Assyria that terribly wicked, cruel force to the east. The once mighty nation that called present-day Iraq home, Assyria was in fact the storm that leveled the Northern Kingdom of Israel yet was prevented by God from harming Judah to the south. Try as it would, Assyria failed to capture Judah, because God knew His own. He preserved them for His own purposes. The storm of Assyrian evil was, in time, snuffed out.

Many today talk of other storms: physical threats from the likes of terrorists at home or abroad, or financial threats like current day sub-prime woes and our decaying dollar. But for many, today’s troubles are more basic: empty celebrations at the happiest time of year, the reality of deteriorating relationships, or struggling with personal health issues. For too many, it is dealing with disease, poverty, or hunger ... or simply staying alive. Whatever trouble stares us in the face this New Year we all have this hope: He knows those who trust in Him. Yes, God looks after and takes care of His own (Matt 6:31-34). As we begin a new year, above all else, this is the thing to remember.

All He asks is for us to trust in Him.

This year, believe this: the LORD is good!


Father, as we begin a new year, thanks for the reminder. You are good. We can trust in You!