Psalm 34
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.

I never could understand when people get skeptical of people who turn to God when they are in trouble. "No atheists in the foxhole," and such. As if it is a bad thing to cry out for help when you are at your most vulnerable. Unless you are empty of what gets in the way of God how do you get full of God?

Desperate people can also be focused people. Keep looking to Jesus.

Psalm 33
9 For when he spoke, the world began!
It appeared at his command

Science and the Bible say that time is created at the same moment as existence. Therefore there is no logical concept of "before" creation. Without time, you don't have "before." That assumes time. God exists. Always.

Pray that the God who can bring life by speaking, speak to you.

Psalm 32
7 For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.

What do I need to hide from? Nothing can harm me forever with God covering me with his grace.

God gives hiding for refreshment, not for withdrawal from the world. It is not a cruel, evil world from God's perspective. It is a world with cruelty and evil in it that we influence for the good. In the end, we win.

List five good things that are happening in your life right now and think on them throughout the day.

all of life

how much of your life will you allow God to bless?

Psalm 31
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

Where have you heard this before? Yes, from the lips of Jesus on the cross. It is interesting how we have the first part quoted, but not the second. God is the God of truth, but Jesus already knows that about himself. If God is truth then honesty will always bring you back to him if you are seeking other truths. When Christians stray it is not because God has a "truth" problem; it is because the Christian has a problem with wanting to follow the truth.

"When it comes to truth, either there is truth or there isn't. If there isn't truth, then you are still trusting in the truth that there is no truth." Think about this.

Psalm 30

Ps. 30.11 For his anger lasts only a moment,
 but his favor lasts a lifetime!
 Weeping may last through the night,
 but joy comes with the morning.

God is merciful. We don’t get what we deserve. When joy comes in the middle of suffering this is an amazing gift from an astounding God. What can you do but trust he does love you? He does.

Spend some time thinking about what you are doing lately that may be perturbing God. Offer this to him to clear up any confusion.

strong

Ps. 29.11 The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.

 

This psalm has many different signs of God’s power evident in nature. Thunder, floods, lightening…Then we get to the end and we have peace. How? God makes us strong. Not with any superior weaponry, but through reconciliation with God through Jesus. We don’t need to worry about anything. The strength of God makes us strong.

 

Where are you at with your “God strength” lately?

 Ps. 28

1 I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.

      Do not turn a deaf ear to me.

   For if you are silent,

      I might as well give up and die

 

Now we have the opposite concern than yesterday. What if it is God who seems distant and unresponsive? Is God too busy to notice our need? Hardly. Either he is working us out like a trainer or coach, he has other reasons to seem distance, or we are missing his response. What do we do?

Keep bugging him is what I do.

 

Pray no matter what.

Ps. 27

8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
 And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

 

When we are quiet and alone with God it is not unusual to sense his presence and desires. When we have little that is getting in the way we are more apt to see the way. This is why being busy, even with “religious activity,” may be exactly opposite of what we need. Can we hear God and are we ready when he does “speak” in this way?

 

When can you be quiet and listen this week? 

Ps. 26.2 Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.

      Test my motives and my heart.

 

A friend of mine says holiness is not so much what you do as it is where you re situated. Holiness comes from close proximity to the Father. This is why whenever you come back from a really eventful spiritual retreat or other time away focusing on the Lord, you find it  really easy to walk in his ways. This holiness stays with you for a while until eventually…

 

We call these “mountain top experiences.” Is there any way we can continue them long after we return? Again, proximity to the Father. Somehow, David, who really messed up in his life, was able to gain some of this momentum. His words in this Psalm show us a different side to his life than we usually see.

 

Be intentional in opening yourself up to the Holy Spirit this week.

Psalm 25

 5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,
 for you are the God who saves me.
 All day long I put my hope in you.

 

How does God lead and teach? Why is David talking about this happening all day long? I remember a song…

 

“Woke up this morning with my mind set on Jesus…All day long gonna’ keep my mind set on…”

 

God…always…on…my…mind

 

Try this today: Set a watch to beep on the hour and pray at that moment.

Psalm 24

 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.

      The world and all its people belong to him.

 

We are the managers of God’s investment portfolio. This means that God gives us life and all that we need to live. That is his investment. In return, we take his trust in us, and we give him our lives completely. That’s a fair return for his investment.

 

What would life look like if you were totally sold out to God?

Psalm 23

He guides me along right paths,

      bringing honor to his name.

 

This is the most well known Psalm, of course. So, we can easily overlook what it is actually saying. When we follow God, he places us in situations where he brings honor to his name. We don’t worry about what God has in mind because he is guiding.

 

Are you on right paths? Are people connecting to God because of what you are doing?

fortune

Psalm 22

 1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

      Why are you so far away when I groan for help?

 

These words are shouted by Jesus from the cross just before his death. This is the moment of separation between God the Father and God the Son. In fact, this is the only time in the Bible Jesus calls God anything but “Father.” Dying with our sins upon himself, he becomes unholy before God. Fortunate for us.

 

What do we owe Jesus? How can we say, “THANKS!!” for what he has done?

fair

Psalm 21

 13 Rise up, O Lord, in all your power.
 With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.

 

I like to eat “Now and Later” taffy. I had all my old amalgam fillings replaced in my teeth with composite resin (even an inlay or two, I don’t know) a couple of years ago by an awesome dentist and friend Terry, so I am counting on him not reading this. I am afraid I could suck the filling right out, but I am afraid to case the occasional Now and Later or Bit ‘o Honey become a thing of the past.

 

This passage reminded me of “Now and Later.” The celebration is when God makes the world right. When he brings justice. If people are boldly working against God and his ways, he will do exactly what is fair, now and later.

 

Have you been deeply wronged by someone no longer living? Have you given the hurt and anger over to God? Do.

abundant life

Are you rich? We examine the concept of wealth in the Bible and how it applies today.

God's desire

PS 20:4 May he grant your heart’s desires
 and make all your plans succeed.

 

There’s that “success” word again. I thought the Bible doesn’t talk about success. Of course it does. As long as God gets to define what success means, he is cool about it. In fact, if your heart’s desires connect with God’s desires, why would he want you to fail? Do you want to succeed in life? Follow Jesus.

 

If you had only 30 days to live, what would you do differently than you are doing right now?

PS 18:8 Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from him.

God is not a dragon or a computer game monster, but there are sure times when he can appear that way. God is dangerous. Or as is said of Aslan, "'Course he isn't safe; but he's good."

When you think you have domesticated God, think again, and he will give you the ride of your life. But you have to be open for it. He waits...

What is God wanting to do through you?

numbers

PS 19:3-4 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.

 

Here, David is talking about the stars and planets of the galaxies. They don’t make a sound but they have a language. The laws of physics are not painted or sculpted; they are written in numbers. Yet, when you think deeply, creativity and artistry are embedded deeply in those numbers.

 

Explain the elegance and repeatability of the laws of physics by arbitrary random chance. Didn’t think so.

fly like an eagle

PS 17:8 Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

 

God is a non-physical reality. He becomes embodied in Jesus. Whenever I see passages like this in the Old Testament or New I have the image of Jesus in mind.

 

With the metaphor of the protective eagle added, all of a sudden you have this birdman showing up. So, eagle it is. Be as attentive as an eagle with eyes piercing the sky, and cover me with your huge winds to fend off anything that would even think of attacking.

  

Watch an eagle in flight (vacation or internet, your choice) and see the connection.

 

godly insomnia

PS 16:7 I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.

 

When you lie awake in the middle of the night, are you sensing God instructing you into your prosperous future? His promise is for his people to succeed, after all (Joshua 1:7).

 

So often, we get guidance at night. Something to do with slowing down, I suppose. Being able to hear without distraction. What does God want to say to you tonight?

 

Write down what you are thinking about when you awake in the middle of the night.

tender

Ps 14:1 Only fools say in their hearts,

      “There is no God.”

 

Here is a great paradox. God wants all people to love and trust him, and so he has the most tender place in his being for those who reject his love.  Yet, God’s people have the hardest time of all with people who aggressively go against God and his ways.

 

It must be so hard to deny that there is more to a human being than just “particles and progress,” as Dostoyevsky said. Yet, when Christians are not gracious and open to those who deny God, it gets easier.

 

Think of ways you can be more gracious with people you disagree with.

distant

13:1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?

      How long will you look the other way?

 

 

There are times it seems God is far away. This is never a factual matter of distance. God is closer to us than the air we breathe. This is reality, however when you consider perception. God does allow us to know times of distance and even near abandonment as he build us in character. Also, God isn’t likely to force himself into places he is not wanted. Part of sensing God is not there may have something to do with not wanting God there on his terms.

 

When do you sense yourself most distant from God?

guys: get mad and look stupid

six rules every man must break- rules 5 & 6
what are you willing to do to save a life?

favorites?

Ps 12:5 The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless,
 and I have heard the groans of the poor.
 Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”

 

God loves all of us equally; better than any human parent could. He plays no favorites. Yet, God does have a special heart for those who need him most. Those who don’t know him as their God, and those who are most vulnerable in society. God eventually rescues those who cry out to him.

 

Do you think God is playing favorites with the poor and vulnerable? Does this bother you? Explain.

guys need Jesus

six rules every man must break- rules 3 & 4
what is your life based on, guys?

watching

Ps 11:4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple;
 the Lord still rules from heaven.
 He watches everyone closely,
 examining every person on earth.

 

Jesus is watching and more and more today, so is everyone else. Like never before, through social networks like facebook, online photo albums, e-mail, and the rest, we are able to communicate in more detail and check up on each other more than ever before. This isn’t all bad or all good; it is just reality. More than ever, our attitudes and actions in real life are a real reflection of the God we worship.

 

What are you most positive strengths? 

it's a new day

O.K. the most influential biblical scholar in my life for the last several years has been N.T. Wright. I recommend his book Simply Christian as a Luther's catechism/ C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity wrapped up in one. A must read for Christians and an awesome read for seeking skeptics. 

Well, Wright has a new book out, Surprised by Joy: Rethinking Heaven, The Resurrection, and The Mission of the Church which will be another amazing classic. So, why am I freaked out? One of the most brilliant biblical scholars alive today and I caught Wright on the Colbert Report!!

It's a whole new world folks. God gets his word out however he wants. The age of media is blending everything together. Enjoy.

John 7 Bible Study

Jesus works against legalism and add-on rules

trust

10:4 The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.

 

The “wicked” are not necessarily mean and nasty. They may be some of the nicest people you ever meet.

 

To be wicked in this Psalm is to purposely ignore God and choose not to seek him. If you find yourself there, don’t give up too soon. He kinda’ grows on you after awhile.

 

If “God is dead,” does that mean he was alive at some time?

justice

9:18 But the needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.

 

God is a God of justice. Everything will be fair at some point. In the meantime, we take active compassion for those in need. Why?

We love who God loves.

 

Read Luke 16:19-31

 

six rules every man must break: rules 1 and 2

add-on rules are killing the church

creation

8:6 You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority…

 

People are to care for creation as God cares. Everything. We are management working for corporate headquarters. The Chief Creative Officer (CCO) and CEO are one and the same: God the Father. How is it going?

 

We make progress when we realize we are responsible and trustworthy. When you love God you love everything he loves.

 

How have you loved God’s creation lately?

come on

PS 7:6 Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice!

 

King David wrote most of the Psalms. Here we see him perturbed by, what looks to him, God’s lack of attention to the plight of his people. Of course we know that God has his way of doing things. It doesn’t stop David from getting some sarcasm, though.

 

‘Hey, big guy, wake up!’

 

What would it be like to have that close of a relationship to God that you can speak to him like a friend? You are, you know.

where churches go to die...

Learned helplessness is a psychological condition in which a human being or an animal has learned to believe that it is helpless in a particular situation. It has come to believe that it has no control over its situation and that whatever it does is futile. As a result, the human being or the animal will stay passive in the face of an unpleasant, harmful or damaging situation, even when it does actually have the power to change its circumstances.  (Wikipedia.com)

 

Now read this.

 

Interesting…

restoration

PS 6:4 Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love.

 

Here is the cry of God’s people. The story of the Bible is a story of rescue with restoration just around the corner. Restoration never comes. God’s people always turn in on themselves, away from God, after they are rescued.

 

Then comes Jesus. Restoration is here.

 

When are times in the Bible when God’s people cry out and are rescued?

mercy

PS 5:5 Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
 for you hate all who do evil.

 

It appears that God doesn’t only hate sin, he hates those who do evil. In the context of this verse, I understand. Someone who takes pride in going against the completely just and completely pure God and his ways on purpose- I don’t even want to think of what that means. I just know I need God for me and not against me. I am driven to his mercy when I look inside myself.

 

“Evil is just culturally conditioned. Who’s to say what is good and what is evil? There is no such thing.” When you hear someone say something like that, what do you think?

well done

I talked about my friend Nick who graduated from The King's Seminary last Sunday. I also have a friend, Brian Cashman, who graduated with a degree in Biblical Studies.

Brian is a great husband and father, as well as lead pastor of Valley Metro Church in Sherman Oaks. What is very encouraging to see is Brian taking the time and having the interest to advance in his studies after having a large break between when he enrolled several years ago, and when he completed this degree. Life stepped in with family and ministry and it would have been easy to not have finished this at all. 

Way to go, Brian!

And all the rest of you out there who are raising the average age of college and graduate school classrooms, go for it!

rest

PS  4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

 

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”

 

What was I thinking as a young child as I was saying that nighttime prayer? What were you thinking if you said that prayer?

 

“Good night mom, if I don’t croak I will be seeing you tomorrow morning.”

 

All I know is if God has my soul in his hands, I am ready for anything. Even a good nights sleep.

 

If you are having trouble sleeping, try thanking God for filling you with peace and expect it to happen.

courage

PS 3:6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.

 

Either this guy is naïve, Jett Li or River Tam, or he/she knows something we all do well to learn.

 

‘When God is for me, who is against me?’

 

Where do you need courage in your life today?

the kingdom

We are the "sent out" ones who join Jesus...
Church, do you want to come out and play?

not funny

PS 2:4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
  The Lord scoffs at them.

 

When people start thinking they can do anything they want that is evil, God has an attitude. He doesn’t feel threatened. He doesn’t get frustrated. Who knew God has a bit of sarcastic stand up comic in him?

 

Pray to be the type of person who doesn’t get God to laugh like this.

beyond the tribes

I live in LA, or if you are from LA, the Valley, or if you are from the Valley, by Pierce College. Whenever I am asked where I am from by someone outside of LA, I just say, "LA." Technically, that is where I live. If I tell you "The Valley," you might go, "Huh?"

Actually the San Fernando Valley is an urban center. If we were a city on our own, we would be the 8th largest city in the US. Over 2 million of us call the Valley home.

That is why it is so much fun to connect as Christians. At our church we co-hosted (with LAPD Chaplain Ken Crawford) the San Fernando Valley Men's Prayer Breakfast last weekend. About 250 guys from all sorts of tribes just having fun and sharing in the Spirit.

Baptists, Pentecostals, Calvary Chapel, Vineyard, Foursquare, Lutherans, you name it, guys from all sorts of churches, sharing the one thing they have in common besides their gender. 

Jesus.

And when you center on Jesus all the denominational and non-denominational labels disappear. When you center on Jesus in a city, you reflect the cultures of the city. About as multicultural a group of guys as you will ever see in America coming together to have fun on a Saturday morning that doesn't involve the throwing, kicking, hitting, or shooting of a ball.

Guys dig Jesus. 

life moves fast

I spent yesterday afternoon at the preschool graduation at our school. Yes, they even wore caps and gowns. Let the fun begin!

Then last night, I attended graduation ceremonies at The King's College and Seminary. This is the school begun by Church on the Way. Pastor Jack Hayford is the Chancellor, and the new President is Kenneth Ulmer. Lloyd Ogilvie gave the commencement address. These are some heavyweights in the American Church and they are humble to the core.

Ten years ago, Pastor Jack was given a word of the Lord, while flying at 35000 feet, to start a college and seminary. He was 62 at the time. He decided he would take God up on the deal (when a lot of guys are taking golf lessons to help get their game ready for retirement) and ten years later we are watching students receive degrees from two year practical ministry degrees to D.Min's.

Most exciting for me was the Masters of Divinity (the becoming a pastor degree) received by Aki Nicholas Gibson. He was top student in the class, graduating with honors. That was cool, but the best thing is I got to be there. 

You must understand, I know Nick from when he was in preschool at our church and now he is becoming Pastor Nick at Church on the Way.

God is good!  

(photo with Nick and wife, Holly)

way of life

Read one psalm a day with me and I will comment on a verse from each. Starting today to the end of the year, we will cover every Psalm!

 

PS 1:2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,

      meditating on it day and night.

 

When we think of the word “law,” we don’t get too excited about it. Unless there are flashing red lights behind us.

 

The word “law” in the Old Testament is a way of life given by God. It is not a list of rules to follow as much as it is guideposts for healthy living. When you are appreciating God’s Word and you are becoming familiar with it, it expands who you are.

 

Why would knowing the scripture be better than not knowing it?

strengths and passion

What are you most excited about doing? That's your passion. 

What comes easily for you? What do you do the best? Those are your strengths.

What do you want to be doing 10 years from now? That's your purpose.

Now, start 10 years out and go backwards. What is absolutely essential for you to accomplish to reach your purpose? List that out. 

Look at the list and break it down one thing at a time. Next to each item, list how your strengths and passion can best address that particular thing.

Move to the next. 

Soon, you will have a map. 

What about your weaknesses? Is there any item on the list that you absolutely need to use a weakness to accomplish it? Then work on it. If not, forget about your weaknesses. Not important. 

Live your life through your strengths and passions.

together

Revelation 19:9
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

One of the images in the Bible for the Church is the “Bride of Christ.” When God inspires the Bible he picks the most intimate human relationship as the metaphor for life with Jesus as a community of followers. Eternity begins the moment we connect to Jesus and it looks like it is a party more than anything else. Let’s get busy.

Celebrate.

content

Philippians 4:4-13
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

We can be full of joy because we learn to be content with whatever comes our way. That is what Paul says later in this section of scripture. A good way of being content is to create your own future. Discover what God is up to all around you and join Him in what He is doing.

Who is a joyous Christian you know? Why are they this way?

learning

With a lot of high school grads I know, I thought I would do some observations for young people that I hope they will find helpful. Anyone else, too.

Please feel free to comment or share experience.

learning

I have learned a lot over the years. I have learned a lot recently. I am always learning. 

Be curious. Ask lots of questions. Don't stop learning. Ask anyone. People love to talk about their experiences. You do.

Don't be afraid to ask people who are well known in their field. There are ways to make this happen. 

For example, I am working on getting an interview with John Wooden. He is an amazing teacher. I'll keep you posted.

Keep on learning

no manipulation

1 Corinithians 5:8
So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth.

Jesus calls himself the “bread of life.” His bread is truth. God doesn’t lie. Sincerity is his way. He never tries to be what he is not and he never tries to manipulate people. I like the way of Jesus better. What else is there, really? You know any other way isn’t going to work. It hasn’t so far, has it? 

Do you try to manipulate by being aggressive (in-your-face) or by withdrawing (moping)? Consider an alternative way to get your point across.

forward

Had a good lunch yesterday (hot and spicy chicken) with a couple of friends Sam and Chuck. These guys are in the same tribe and we were thinking about the future together. Energy and forward thinking always make for good digestion. Thanks guys!

welcome

John 2:23-24 
“A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

First impressions are critical in terms of lasting impact. Harry Beckwith calls this “Mastering the welcome.” 

God breaks into our earthly dimension with this first sign that Jesus is no ordinary guy. What does Jesus use as his master welcome? Make sure the party keeps going and let it flow. What kind of God do we worship?

Pray for someone you know who is marrying soon or newlyweds.

quickclip: sharing faith with a stranger

how do you share Jesus with a stranger? (5:16)

celebrate others

Luke 15:23-24
And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

The story of the prodigal son is well known. What gets missed is the party and what happens after the momentous meeting between father and wayward son. The older brother story. 

We all want to be appreciated in life. When this is based on insecurity, we can be a bit overbearing. With God there is always more than enough love to go around. It’s OK to celebrate someone else being blessed.

Who can you celebrate with this week?

an open confession

OK, so here is the story. I have always considered this a teaching blog. It was not meant to build a community. I have a large audience which gets this in e mail form, rather than having to check out the blog. 

I have always responded to everyone's e mails when you write, but the gist is, I didn't want to create a community where people who have way too much time on their hands comment in a pithy, sarcastic or crude way about what is dear to me. 

Jesus. 

I love him more than I do my mother. And I love her a lot. So if you are going after Jesus it is a bit like you going after my mother. 

More confession. 

I was already prejudiced against the blogger community because I read the anti-Christian blogs and blog comments. Believe me, I was not bothered by this because I didn't consider myself up to the task of going Fight Club on you. Actually, I was always rather disappointed by the intellectual competition. So, now you have arrogance on my part, to add to the mix.

At least I was smart enough to stay out of the fray until I got a better attitude about bloggers. I do actually want to connect through comments. Lucky for you, right?

No more no comments. 

My webmaster Rob, has been bugging me to add the "comments" feature for a couple of years now and I finally agreed. 

He is right; I was wrong. 

So comment. Send this link to your friends. Go ahead. I will not disappoint.

And by the way, I am even on Facebook now.

"Ohh, he is really getting out there..."

And another by the way...Carlos, you closed the deal. 

folks check out www.ragamuffinsoul.com