Daily Briefing

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19 NIV

Picture it. Your daily work site. You have one employee who complains about something every day. Every. Single. Day. They ran out of paperclips. There's dirt in the wheels on their chair. Their computer is slow. Someone is too loud in the next cubicle. It's too cold. It's too hot. You probably know someone like this. You may not supervise them, but if you did I imagine you would begin dreading going to work or opening your email for fear of what they will complain about next. I'm not saying these people are wrong or bad, but we all know perpetually unhappy people.

So now think about your biggest problem, burden or sorrow right now. It may seem unbearable to you, and it may be for a human. But for God, he gladly will hear our cries every day. Even if it's the same thing that he already knows about. He's waiting, patiently. Like us, he doesn't tire of hearing us. He wants us to lay our burdens at his feet.

Let him hear your daily briefing.

No Thanks

Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV

There's many reasons to be thankful. We are reminded in many ways especially at this time of year. But there are also days in which it is hard to be thankful. We don't feel lime thanking the Lord, not because we don't love him or were not grateful, but because of something we mi ght be going through. A lot of people have trouble with the holiday season. It's not a happy time for them. They need time to not be okay with the celebrations happening around them. They are going through unimaginable pain of which we know nothing and cannot comprehend. It could be recent. It could be lingering. It could be dealing with anxiety or other mental disorders that make it difficult to enjoy the season. Whatever it is, it could be keeping them from giving thanks.

And it's ok. Why? Because the last part of this verse tells us that God's love endures forever. His love is stronger than our pain. His love is harder than our pain. No matter how long we go without thanking him, no matter how much we rail against what's going on, he will be there. His love will endure, waiting for us, taking us where we are and how we are. He knows our hearts so we can be honest with him about how we feel, and we may not feel grateful. He understands and he will be waiting there when we're ready.

So this holiday season, meet people where they're at. Love them. Listen to them. Be that enduring love of God without expecting thanks.

Thanks for Past and Present

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV

As we begin the holiday season I am like many others. I get excited about the shopping, the family gatherings and decorating. I still wonder and marvel when touring a light display. It makes me feel like a kid again. The warmth of the lights, the feeling of a fresh start in the new year all makes the holidays special. And knowing we celebrate God's perfect gift at Christmas makes it all the much more.

At thanksgiving and Christmas we give thanks for his gifts...peace, eternal life, salvation. And we give thanks for his blessings but we don't often reflect on what he will do. This verse calls us to a higher praise,  to not only thank God for what he has done buy what he will do. Woah. I don't have a crystal ball so how do I know what good things he will do in the future? We don't know for sure, but we can rest in the promise whatever he does will be wonderful. He already delivered on the promise of a savior as notes in Isaiah. So we can know that our future is secure in him.

So this holiday season give thanks for what God has done and what he will do.

It's All in a Meme

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13 NIV

This is a simple yet elegant command. Give thanks. It's perfect for the upcoming holiday. We should give thanks every day but the holidays are a great reminder of how much we really have to be thankful for. With all that's going wrong with the world and mankind, we still have so much.

There are lots of variations if this verse that circle the web on a daily basis. The memes and sayings have this one thing in common: be thankful, be grateful, appreciate what you have and who you have.

In this holiday season I pray you find more than just presents under the tree. I pray you find peace and thankfulness.

Just Say No

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, Titus 2:11‭-‬12 NIV

When I read this verse my immediate reaction was 'woah'. If things were bad during the time this book was written that the apostle needed to exhort Christ's followers to 'just say no', I can only imagine what he would think of our present age. It is so hard for this current generation to say no to umgodliness. The lines get more blurred everyday in the name of political correctness.

Self control is also quickly becoming a thing of the past. Rather than taking personal responsibility, people are prone to want others to 'save' them from themselves, making it someone else's problem or fault for what happens.

Both of these fly in the face of the exhortation we are given in the bible. We are to turn away from ungodliness and lead self controlled lives, understanding our own choices have consequences by which we must live. This is hard in any age, but seems to be particularly difficult in our present age.

But God is there to help. He has sent us his spirit to guide us if we will let him. So learn to just say no.

Withering Grass

For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 1 Peter 1:24 NIV

My yard is demonstrating the latter part of this verse very well. The grass is withering and the flowers have stopped blooming. I'm pretty sure it's me. I tend to have black thumbs. Oh, and I also kill fire so if you have a fire and need to put it out, call me to come play with it. It will die quickly. But I digress. We work hard to keep our yard groomed and watered and such. We try to do some nice landscaping too. We don't have a lot of time to putter in the yard so what we have is minimal. But come fall and winter, the grass is hopeless. It's brown and icky and almost gone in some spots.

Humans are like this too. Our souls may be eternal but our physical bodies are not. We are only here for a little while. We work hard to keep our minds sharp, our bones strong, and our muscles flexible. But the fall and winter of our lives will come and our bodies will wither.

But take heart. We have a future where there is no pain. No more calorie counting. No more hard core workouts. Our bodies can rest forever while our soul lives free in God's presence.

Take Heart

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV

I believe there are many lessons in this verse, at least 3. I'd like to focus on just one: do not lose heart. I needed this today before I knew I needed it and didn't realize God had provided before I needed it. My need is not yet met, but it will be. It's not time.

We've come to the point where my mother needs more care than she's currently getting. Care that is costly and like most aging seniors, the funds are limited. So we as a family must decide how best to take care of her needs without sacrificing our own future or current well being. That would help no one. I thought I'd found the answer yesterday only to be disheartened today when I got additional information. I did read this verse this morning but I focused on the latter half about being renewed in spirit even as we waste away physically.

But that wasn't the lesson I needed. God knew the information I would get today. He's reminding me he's got this, because frankly that's the only way I can face the decisions that we have to make. I have to believe he knows and he's going to provide for what we need, for what my mom needs.

So yes, many lessons but today I will take heart, not lose it. I will strengthen my spirit with his promise to provide for our needs. Thank you Lord. Amen.

Angry to Thankful

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34‭-‬35 NIV

Last night during the Country Music Awards show the theme of the night was love, unity and family. They honored those who lost their lives in the recent shootings and storms theybhave ravaged our country and shook our confidence to the core. Now is not the time for hatred or hopelessness. Now, more than ever, this verse is so timely.

I was reading an article today, and the person was talking about when he would start to feel anxious he would turn the thought around and say what he was thankful for. What an amazing little exercise! What if we all did that? What if, whenever we feel anxious or scared or angry, thar we turn the thought around and say what we are thankful for instead? Let's try: let's say you got angry at the repair shop because they overcharged you for an item they didn't repair. Instead of being angry, think about how thankful you are you have a car and the means to keep it running. Your attitude instantly changes and then you can work with the shop to get a refund. No fuss. No muss.

This is actively showing love to others. You may not have physical love for peiple, but God's love is shown in many ways. Living this concept is letting others know you follow Christ. So let's actively be thankful. You never know whose life you might touch.

The Sandbox Theory

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. Proverbs 13:3 NIV

In a world of social media and instant round the clock news coverage, this phenomenon is all too prevalent. I thought about it today while watching the construction of a new building out my window at work. I have watched for the last three weeks and really all I've seen them do is move dirt from one spot to another, load up dirt to remove from the site, and then dump a load of dirt in its spot. It looks like kids playing in a giant sandbox. Now I could take to social media and speculate that they do this to inflate construction costs or demonstrate how long it takes to justify bigger budgets, but that's all it would be...speculation. Those familiar with construction will know it takes a lot to prepare the site and if I took the time to ask, I'd probably learn a lot about why these big guys are playing in a giant sandbox. So it would do me no good to speak rashly or without thought.

It is too easy to assume what we see is what it is. If we don't know the full story or circumstances then we need to hold our thoughts. Commenting on photos or stories that we know nothing about only stirs up harsh feelings.

So the next time you think it's just kids playing in the sandbox, take the time to figure out the real story.

Look and Learn

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16‭-‬17 NIV

I've been learning a lot at my job,  doing something I've never done before. It's taking a lot of learning, correction and instruction...more than I care to get some days. But each day I learn a little more and it gets a little easier. And now that I've learned it I will use what I've learned next time and be able to get it right the first time. At least that's the plan. It's what it takes to be successful. Einstein and Edison made it look easy but they needed lots of instruction and correction too.

Like them, we need lots of good instruction and training. The world needs it, desperately. It needs God's love and his instruction. How can we ever be succesful doing God's work if we don't learn? And we won't learn if we don't try. And if we try we will certainly fail at times. Then we learn and move on.

Don't let the correction or instruction deter you. Soak up God's word and learn!

Faith and Sorrow

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NIV

In light of today's events in Texas, I offer this as a prayer for peace. Those precious lives lost lived by faith, as evidenced by their attendance this morning, gathering with fellow believers, as we are encouraged to do. Some days it's not about the victory even though as Christians we like that part of the story. Some days we live with the hurt and sorrow and it takes every ounce of faith we have to walk through.

But God is always with us and it is time like these he will carry us. May God grant you all peace.

All The Faith

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3 NIV

Although this verse makes an excellent point about humility, I focused in on the last part about faith. It says that God has already given us faith. He has distributed faith to each of us. So if that's true, then why do we think we need more faith? Hasn't God already given us what we need? Doesn't he know what we need and provide for us before we even ask? Yes! His word echoes that throughout. So now you know you have all the faith you need to believe. Believe in his son who died for you and me. Believe he can and will provide for your needs. Believe you can do all things he asks of you. Believe that you are on the perfect path for his purpose. He's already given you all the faith you need. You just need to put it into action

Good In, Good Out

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

One of my all-time favorite films, "Steel Magnolias", has a lone everyone loves to repeat: 'If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me.' It's hysterical in context and be honest, you know someone this. We've been taught since we were little that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. But no one ever said we couldn't think it. That is, unless they understood this verse.

Take captive every thought. So all those things we thought and knew we shouldn't say, yep, it's still not good. Would it be obedient to Christ? Would it be something he would say? Again be honest, probably not.

Keeping quiet sometimes is hard enough, but keeping your thoughts quiet? That's entirely something else. But as we see from this text, we must strive to make our thoughts also towards God. So use that mind for good. Put in good, get good out.