I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.
Lord,
What an amazing promise, “I will instruct you…teach you…counsel you.” Jesus promised to send a counselor, an advocate, a paraclete. You are the instructor. What an amazing promise it is!
Now the question, how are we to learn your lessons? How are we to discern your instruction? The answer we know but tend to ignore: Jesus, scripture, community, prayer, attentiveness to the still small silent voice.
Be the instructor, teacher and counselor of my life, today and every day, O Lord.
Personal Prayers: Ask God to lead you in the way that you should go today – large matters and small.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Psalm 32
Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you;at a time of distress,* the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. 7You are a hiding-place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah
Lord,
“Let all who are faithful offer prayer to you.” Do we pray because we are faithful or are we faithful because we offer prayer? This morning I pray that you will make me faithful. I ask that through the course of this day, I will be attentive to your wisdom and grace. And I pray that through the course of this day, I may hear, as Jesus heard a the time of his baptism, “This is my son and I am well pleased.”
Personal Prayers:
Pray that you will be attentive to the grace of God through this day.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
Lord,
“Let all who are faithful offer prayer to you.” Do we pray because we are faithful or are we faithful because we offer prayer? This morning I pray that you will make me faithful. I ask that through the course of this day, I will be attentive to your wisdom and grace. And I pray that through the course of this day, I may hear, as Jesus heard a the time of his baptism, “This is my son and I am well pleased.”
Personal Prayers:
Pray that you will be attentive to the grace of God through this day.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Psalm 32
While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up* as by the heat of summer. Selah
5Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity;I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’, and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
6Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress,* the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
Lord,
The Poet is clear. When he refused to face and name his sin, he was miserable. “My body wasted away.” The inability to face and name his own sin in the presence of God seems to have affected, not only his spiritual connection with God, it affected him physically as well. Sin, guilt is a powerful force. The denial of sin can hurt, even kill the denier.
The he looked to you and confessed. He named this destructive reality in his own life. He faced it and he named it both to you and, I suspect, to himself. He is not even explicit that he repented, that he promised to do better – though I suppose it could be assumed.
He confessed and he was forgiven! Now, why is that so hard? Why is it so hard to face the simple destructive realities of my own life? Why is it so hard, even in secret prayer, where nobody else is listening and nobody else has to know, to say to you, “Let me tell you about me. Here are the sordid details.”?
Maybe, when I am in the midst of the mess, I don’t really want to talk to you. It could be the embarrassment of the thing. Or, as likely, I don’t want deal with me. When I name it, it’s mine to own. I cannot pretend to myself any more. Maybe that’s it. All I know for certain today is that honest confession is a hard thing to do.
But the poet is clear that confession is indeed good for the soul. And it is really good for the body too. So grant me the grace I need to stand before you in complete honesty. Grant me the courage to face myself in those moments when it’s ugly do so.
Lord, in this world, we need good strong defenses to protect ourselves. But, in your presence, grant me the grace to let my defenses down and to trust you with the stories of my life, the all too true stories of my life. Allow me to trust you to love me anyway and to have confidence in your pardon.
Personal Prayers:
Name one personal sin before God. You can name other sins later but start with just one that you can say. Name it in the fullness of its reality and ask God to forgive.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you to God.”
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Psalm 32
Psalm 32
Of David. A Maskil.1Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up* as by the heat of summer. Selah
5Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity;I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’, and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Lord,
You give the gift of guilt as a warning that we are moving away from you, that we are seriously off the track. You shape the conscience as an inner navigational system to keep us, as the poet of the 23rd said, “in the paths of righteousness for your name sake.” The loss of conscience and the capacity for guilt would mean the loss of our humanity. Compassion, mercy, love and all of the virtues of our humanity would all be swept away in orgies of self-centeredness. No longer would be we men and women created in your image, so thoroughly would be our spiritual and moral degeneration.
But, thank you, thank you, thank you, the guilt that is given is also taken away by the power of your forgiveness. You intend for guilt to go away once it has served its purpose. You want us to live as a forgiven people, choosing to live as you made us to live. Happy are those whose transgressions are forgiven!
So for the guilt that keeps me close to you and for the forgiveness that takes the guilt away, thank you.
Name your transgressions to God and ask forgiveness.
Say, “Lord, I accept my forgiveness. Please take the burden of guilt away.”
Name 5 things for which you are grateful.
In Christ’s name.
Amen.
Of David. A Maskil.1Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up* as by the heat of summer. Selah
5Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity;I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’, and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Lord,
You give the gift of guilt as a warning that we are moving away from you, that we are seriously off the track. You shape the conscience as an inner navigational system to keep us, as the poet of the 23rd said, “in the paths of righteousness for your name sake.” The loss of conscience and the capacity for guilt would mean the loss of our humanity. Compassion, mercy, love and all of the virtues of our humanity would all be swept away in orgies of self-centeredness. No longer would be we men and women created in your image, so thoroughly would be our spiritual and moral degeneration.
But, thank you, thank you, thank you, the guilt that is given is also taken away by the power of your forgiveness. You intend for guilt to go away once it has served its purpose. You want us to live as a forgiven people, choosing to live as you made us to live. Happy are those whose transgressions are forgiven!
So for the guilt that keeps me close to you and for the forgiveness that takes the guilt away, thank you.
Name your transgressions to God and ask forgiveness.
Say, “Lord, I accept my forgiveness. Please take the burden of guilt away.”
Name 5 things for which you are grateful.
In Christ’s name.
Amen.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Psalm 31
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. 2Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily.Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
3You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, 4take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Lord,
It’s been a while since I have written. Forgive me. Not that the excuse matters much to you, nor to me for that matter. Life just got busy and I slipped out of the habit. Apologies.
The Poet writes as if he or maybe she, is in a really rough place. This poet needs a rescue.
I don’t feel quite so desperate. Maybe if I knew the dangers around me, I would abandon this computer and fall on my knees and beg for mercy. But I don’t feel that needy.
Even so, I ask that you will be my rock, my refuge, my fortress. I cannot fulfill all of the obligations that are before me and without your guidance and presence, I am doomed to failure in some ways. That’s the truth and I need your wisdom and help.
Do I feel strange asking for your help? Yes! I should be helping you. But here we are: I want to do what you ask me to do and to do that, I need you to be my Paraclete; my counselor, my companion, my advocate, my protector, my wisdom.
Here is my case. If I am doing what you want me to do for the sake of your purpose, then it is in your best interest to help me out! As the poet said, I cannot sing your praises from the Pit! (Dog gone it,that sounds arrogant.)
So while I will do everything that is within my ability to do, I also will rely on the presence of your Spirit to take me through. And, you will be praised and your purpose served.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful.
In Christ’s name we pray,
Amen
1In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. 2Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily.Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
3You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, 4take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Lord,
It’s been a while since I have written. Forgive me. Not that the excuse matters much to you, nor to me for that matter. Life just got busy and I slipped out of the habit. Apologies.
The Poet writes as if he or maybe she, is in a really rough place. This poet needs a rescue.
I don’t feel quite so desperate. Maybe if I knew the dangers around me, I would abandon this computer and fall on my knees and beg for mercy. But I don’t feel that needy.
Even so, I ask that you will be my rock, my refuge, my fortress. I cannot fulfill all of the obligations that are before me and without your guidance and presence, I am doomed to failure in some ways. That’s the truth and I need your wisdom and help.
Do I feel strange asking for your help? Yes! I should be helping you. But here we are: I want to do what you ask me to do and to do that, I need you to be my Paraclete; my counselor, my companion, my advocate, my protector, my wisdom.
Here is my case. If I am doing what you want me to do for the sake of your purpose, then it is in your best interest to help me out! As the poet said, I cannot sing your praises from the Pit! (Dog gone it,that sounds arrogant.)
So while I will do everything that is within my ability to do, I also will rely on the presence of your Spirit to take me through. And, you will be praised and your purpose served.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful.
In Christ’s name we pray,
Amen
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
psalm 31
Psalm 31 (NRSV)
19 O how abundant is your goodness
that you have laid up for those who fear you,
and accomplished for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of everyone!
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from human plots;
you hold them safe under your shelter
from contentious tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was beset as a city under seige.
22 I had said in my alarm,
“I am driven fard from your sight.”
But you heard my supplications
when I cried out to you for help.
23 Love the Lord, all you his saints.
The Lord preserves the faithful,
but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord.
[1]
Lord,
The poet has settled his inner argument, at least for the moment. With a clear awareness of the dangers that surrounded him and with a glaring honesty about his own sense of uncertainty, he chose to remember your faithfulness and to trust himself into your loving care.
Lord, help me to love you with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me to love you with reason and emotion and will. Help me to love you with behavior as much as with feeling. As the potter shapes the clay, shape my character so that I may be more like Christ himself.
Lord, the economic avalanche that has rolled over so many people continues its rumbling rush downhill. For all who are being buried in its destructive path, I pray your protection. Lord, see us through. And keep the words of the poet firmly planted in our hearts, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.”
PERSONAL PRAYERS
Speak your fears to God even as you remember God’s abundant blessings over time.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
d Another reading is cut off
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
19 O how abundant is your goodness
that you have laid up for those who fear you,
and accomplished for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of everyone!
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from human plots;
you hold them safe under your shelter
from contentious tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was beset as a city under seige.
22 I had said in my alarm,
“I am driven fard from your sight.”
But you heard my supplications
when I cried out to you for help.
23 Love the Lord, all you his saints.
The Lord preserves the faithful,
but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord.
[1]
Lord,
The poet has settled his inner argument, at least for the moment. With a clear awareness of the dangers that surrounded him and with a glaring honesty about his own sense of uncertainty, he chose to remember your faithfulness and to trust himself into your loving care.
Lord, help me to love you with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me to love you with reason and emotion and will. Help me to love you with behavior as much as with feeling. As the potter shapes the clay, shape my character so that I may be more like Christ himself.
Lord, the economic avalanche that has rolled over so many people continues its rumbling rush downhill. For all who are being buried in its destructive path, I pray your protection. Lord, see us through. And keep the words of the poet firmly planted in our hearts, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.”
PERSONAL PRAYERS
Speak your fears to God even as you remember God’s abundant blessings over time.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
d Another reading is cut off
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
Sunday, February 22, 2009
psalm 31
Psalm 31 (NRSV)
9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,b
and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
a horrorc to my neighbors,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—
terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.
17 Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord,
for I call on you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be stilled
that speak insolently against the righteous
with pride and contempt.
Lord,
The poet is having a really bad day and he is in a battle for his own soul. Despair or faith, which will claim his core identity?
Thank you for his honesty. He feels as worthless as worthless can be. He feels that everybody is against him and that his life has been wasted. Is there an objective reality to his complaint? I don’t know. It really doesn’t matter. He is honestly confessing the reality of his soul to You.
But he refuses to stop with whining. He chooses to remember your faithfulness and he deliberately baptizes himself in the recollections of your goodness and grace. He chooses to place his trust in you. He chooses to trust in you rather than allow himself to be defined by the despair of the day.
Lord, let it be so with me. I know well the dark times of the soul. There are seasons when the emotions of the poet are my emotions too. Let me choose with the poet to trust in you – to trust you. And grant me the joy and hope of that constant trust.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Give the darkness of your soul to God and ask for the ability to trust God.
Say with the poet, “But I trust in you.”
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
[1]
b Gk Syr: Heb my iniquity
c Cn: Heb exceedingly
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,b
and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
a horrorc to my neighbors,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—
terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.
17 Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord,
for I call on you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be stilled
that speak insolently against the righteous
with pride and contempt.
Lord,
The poet is having a really bad day and he is in a battle for his own soul. Despair or faith, which will claim his core identity?
Thank you for his honesty. He feels as worthless as worthless can be. He feels that everybody is against him and that his life has been wasted. Is there an objective reality to his complaint? I don’t know. It really doesn’t matter. He is honestly confessing the reality of his soul to You.
But he refuses to stop with whining. He chooses to remember your faithfulness and he deliberately baptizes himself in the recollections of your goodness and grace. He chooses to place his trust in you. He chooses to trust in you rather than allow himself to be defined by the despair of the day.
Lord, let it be so with me. I know well the dark times of the soul. There are seasons when the emotions of the poet are my emotions too. Let me choose with the poet to trust in you – to trust you. And grant me the joy and hope of that constant trust.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Give the darkness of your soul to God and ask for the ability to trust God.
Say with the poet, “But I trust in you.”
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
[1]
b Gk Syr: Heb my iniquity
c Cn: Heb exceedingly
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)