August 1 Show Me

Photo by Josh Brown

2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15

“Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth
and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you
all the day long.
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners
in his ways.
He guides the humble in
what is right
and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the Lord are
loving and faithful
for those who keep the commands
of his covenant.
The Lord confides in those who
fear him;
he makes His covenant known
to them.
My eyes are ever on the Lord,
for only he will release
my feet from the snare.”
Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,14-15

Am I guideable?
Teachable?
Open to instruction?
Willing to be led?

What path am I
walking on today?
Where does it lead?
Who am I following?

If I get “stuck” along
the way
who do I call for help?
Whom do I trust?
“My mama said,
‘Keep the windows rolled up.'”

Not all guides are good.
Not all ways lead
to happiness and life.
Not all rescuers get
the job done.

I will trust the One
whose way led him
to the Cross,
whose blood rescued me,
who will never
steer me wrong.

Jesus said, “I am the way,
the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father
except through me.” John 14:6

Thank you Lord for rescuing me!

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January 30 Gotcha Covered

Photo by B Forsman

 

Exodus 10:1-12:13;  Matthew 20:1-28;  Psalm 25:1-15;  Proverbs 6:6-11

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt that night, both man and beast;  and on the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements:  I am the LORD.  The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are.  And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you, when I strike the land of Egypt.”  Exodus 12:12-13

“Are you protected from Mayhem, like me?”

The Israelites would be reminded that God Almighty protected them from the mayhem that afflicted the Egyptians–swarms of locusts, hail, the deaths of all firstborn males-human and animal.  They would remember the blood of the lamb on their doorposts and lintels.  They would remember God’s gracious deliverance of them out of the land of their captivity.

We too are protected from mayhem–sin, death, and the devil–by the blood of the Lamb.  We remember our Savior’s sacrifice of his life on the cross for our sins.  We remember each time we partake in the Lord’s Supper that he saved us from God’s wrath and judgement.  We remember that in our Baptism we were covered by water and the Word — that our sins were forgiven and we were given a new identity in Christ who says, “I gotcha covered–you are mine–you are safe!”

Thank you dear Jesus for covering us with your blood–that the Father’s wrath and judgement passes over us and that he sees us as pure and righteous because of you.  Thank you  for your sacrifice that is beyond our comprehension.  Thank you for your great love and mercy.  May we live this day in gratitude to you and in service to those around us.  In your name we pray, Amen.

“To you O Lord I lift up my soul; 

in you I trust, O my God.”  Psalm 25:1

August 2 Reality

Photo by Matt Gruber

King Hezekiah’s Reality:

Bad things happen to God’s faithful people.

“After all Hezekiah (king of Judah) had faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah.”  2 Chronicles 32;1

God fights the battle.

Hezekiah reminded his people:  “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or discouraged…for there is a greater power with us than with him.  With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.”  2 Chronicles 32:7-8.

God hears and answers a cry for help.

“King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out in prayer to heaven about this.  And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and leaders and officers of the Assyrian king…So the Lord saved Hezekiah from the hand of Sennacherib…He took care of them on every side.”  2 Chronicles 32:20-22

Our reality:

Even when we live for Christ, we encounter challenges to our faith–illness, work conflicts, money issues, relationship snags…

“In this world you will have tribulation…”  John 16:37

God is always there for us.

“But take heart–I have overcome the world.”  John 16:37  “He who did not spare His own son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”Romans 8:32

Lord God, like King Hezekiah we face “enemies” that threaten to destroy our peace.  May we remember to call on you in prayer;   to seek your hand in our deliverance;  to trust you with our “battles.”  We thank you for the ultimate victory over sin, death and evil won for us by your son’s death on Calvary’s cross.  May we live this day in humble service to you for all you have done for us.  In Jesus’ name we pray,  Amen.

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.  The troubles of my heart have multiplied;  free me from my anguish…Guard my life and rescue me;  let me not be  put to shame, for I take refuge in you.”

                                                            Psalm 25:16-17, 20

 

 

 

 

2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13;  Romans 15:23-16:7;  Psalm 25:16-22;  Proverbs 20:16-18