Charting the Course
Thus the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses; so they camped by their standards and so they broke camp, each one by his family, according to their fathers’ houses. (Numbers 2 : 34)

    As a good leader, Moses methodically arranged the tribal camps in the wilderness. We would do well to plan and organize as Moses did:

Give time for planning and organizing. Determine your primary purpose.
Understand where you are before trying to develop a strategy.
Prioritize the needs and goals of the team by asking the right ques-tions.
Write goals that are realistic, measurable, and convicting.

Excerpt From: “Leadership Promises for Every Day: A Daily Devotional” by John C. Maxwell. 

The Dynamics of the Spiritual Life

Our emotional lives and our spiritual lives have different dynamics. The ups and downs of our emotional life depend a great deal on our past or present surroundings. We are happy, sad, angry, bored, excited, depressed, loving, caring, hateful, or vengeful because of what happened long ago or what is happening now.
The ups and downs of our spiritual lives depend on our obedience – that is, our attentive listening – to the movements of the Spirit of God within us. Without this listening our spiritual life eventually becomes subject to the windswept waves of our emotions.
(Henri Nouwen)

The Upper Room Daily Devotional: Bringing the Giants Down
Read 1 Samuel 17:31-37

David said, “The LORD, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37)

David was a young boy whose job was to protect his flock of sheep from predators. He wasn’t a mighty warrior. But what he lacked in size he made up in faith. Now he was ready to face the biggest challenge of his life so far — a giant. David didn’t cower in Goliath’s presence; he was ready to fight him face-to-face with only a slingshot and a few smooth stones. He didn’t need anything else because God was there in the fight with him.
We all face challenges. Some are small, and we easily work through them. Others become more difficult and seemingly life-altering. But we can stand firm and face them because God is with us.
No matter what giants we face — unemployment, health issues, loss of a loved one — we can take our focus off the overwhelming situation and turn it to God. Then we may overcome the obstacle in an unexpected way. God helped David defeat Goliath with a few smooth stones, and God can show us how to overcome our situations and be victorious.
(Christine Henderson – Texas, USA)

Thought for the Day: I can face any obstacle with God’s help.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us courage and strength. Help us to trust you as we face overwhelming obstacles. Amen.
Prayer Focus: SOMEONE FACING AN OVERWHELMING OBSTACLE

Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” (John 8:19)

When the Pharisees asked, “Where is your father?” they were saying, “We don’t hear the testimony of the Father. The miracles that you have performed, such as raising the dead, don’t amount to anything.” The Pharisees wanted Jesus to place the Father right before their eyes so that they might feel and touch him as they would a wall. Otherwise, they wouldn’t believe or accept what he was saying. But Christ pointed to the Father’s testimony, not so that they might see and touch the Father, but so that they would believe. The Father’s testimony should have led them all to his Word. Philip also said to Christ, “Show us the Father” (John 14:8). But Christ doesn’t show us the Father the way we might want him to. Rather, the Father shows us Christ, who says, “The Father points you to me, not the other way around. He is the one who shows you Christ. He testifies of me. You must do what he says and listen to my words and testimony.”

Excerpt From: “Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional” by Martin Luther.

The Upper Room Daily Devotional: Calmed By God’s Word

Read Psalm 46:1-11

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

After completing a week of intense training sessions, I was anxious to get home. With traffic backed up on the freeway, I had to find an alternate route home.

On the way, I began to think about Bible verses that describe the way God cares for us and discovered that my anxiety had left me. As I drove along the alternate route, I began to see wonderful, new sights such as a sparkling blue river that wound between cliffs and disappeared into the horizon. I pondered how God calls us to be still even in the midst of trouble. I remembered scripture that admonishes us to put aside our jumbled thoughts and to fix our minds on God’s presence and promises.

When we make a habit of reading the Bible, memorizing it, and recalling it, the reassuring words of God can replace our worries. They are always close at hand when we need comfort or assurance in our daily lives.
Linda Jo Reed (Washington, USA)

Thought for the Day: Daily Bible reading helps me remember God’s presence.

Prayer: Dear Lord, sharpen our minds to recall your words so that we can trust you to ease our anxieties. Thank you for your loving care. We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:9-13). Amen.

Prayer Focus: THOSE TRAVELING FOR WORK

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Thought for the day: A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men. (Leonard Ravenhill, author)

A Time to Act: Be patient, have faith and work towards what you desire.

Prayer of the day: Lord, thank You for the grace that strengthens me for tasks large and small.

Gospel Reading: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house.Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you;cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” 

Sermon: Kicking Off The Dust

Sometimes a message is so important that it must be told over and over again, repeated so that people will hear it, so that they will allow the message to take root inside them and bear fruit through what they do.

Do not be afraid! Jesus repeats this message time and again. It is a message those around him need to hear. It is a message all of us need to hear. Do not be afraid! This knocks the cobwebs from the dark corners of our lives. It is like kicking off the dust from our shoes.

Do not be afraid, Jesus tells the disciples late one night when he walks across the lake and climbs into their boat. Take heart! You don’t have to struggle against this storm any more.

Do not be afraid, he tells the anxious, worried father whose child lies deathly sick. Only believe, and your daughter will get well; she’ll be restored to you.

Do not be afraid, he tells disciples sitting in a circle round him. Not now, not ever! Your Father knows every last hair on your head, and he delights to give you the kingdom.

Jesus repeats this message –– because it’s important, and because we find it hard to accept. He’s aware that fear comes easy to us, as easy as breathing.

Today Jesus repeats this message. Do not be afraid! He repeats it as he sends out seventy of his disciples to prepare the way in every place he will visit.

Do not be afraid!

Blessings on the journey!

 

Holy Smoak……….June 27 – July 3

Gracious God, for the next 24 hours, I ask you to fill me to overflowing with your Holy Spirit, so that I may fulfill your purposes for me today.

Daily Scripture Readings

Monday: Ezekiel 36:22-36

Tuesday: Proverbs 7:1-3

Wednesday: Luke 21:5-19

Thursday: Acts 5:12-42

Friday: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Saturday: Philippians 3:1-12

Sunday: Psalm 30; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

My prayer is that these scriptures and thoughts will encourage and strengthen you and your faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

       

Prayer:

Wondrous God, your saving help is the rock on which our hope is built and our shelter in times of trial. May the memory of your faithfulness sustain our faithfulness to you. And let us never tire of praising you, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be. Amen.

Gospel Reading: Luke 7:11-17
Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town.When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

Sermon: God of Compassion

This story from the Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus had compassion on a widow who was in distress. This poor woman was about to bury her only son, so he raises him from the dead.

Jesus stops the hearse, touches the coffin and says: “Young man, I say to you, rise!” Now, this could potentially have been the most embarrassing moment of Jesus’ ministry, had the body of the boy not responded. After all, this was Jesus’ first raisin’ from the dead experience—it was pretty early in his ministry career. But of course, the boy did get up.

The fact that it mentions that the mourners were overcome with fear sounds realistic. Imagine you would witness something like this at a funeral you attend; imagine the corpse would start twitching, then sit up and start walking around. Joy would only set in after the initial shock. There are only few things creepier than the thought of a casket opening and a believed dead person to stagger out. This is the stuff that horror flicks are made of.

What does this story teach us? See you in church to find out the rest of the story.

Blessings on the journey!

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Luke 13:31-35)

In our scripture, we gain an amazing glimpse into the inner life of Jesus at a critical time in his life. There is a price on his head. Jesus is close to looking death square in the face. What seems to be friendly advice comes from an unlikely source, “Get out of town,” the Pharisees tell him, “Herod wants to kill you!”

This would be enough to get my attention. “Someone want’s to kill you!” Would that do it for you?

Chances of any one of us having to go through this particular crisis are remote. But… we will go through some dark valley sometime– somewhere– someday. It may be the loss of someone we love, a life threatening illness, the breakup of a relationship or loss of a job. But… the question isn’t will crisis hit; it’s when will crisis come and how will we handle it?

Once again the good news is that Christ has been there. He is with us in “the thick of things” and very much in touch with the depth of our struggles. Not only was there a price on Jesus’ head, he knew that storm clouds were gathering and he knew for certain that he was headed for a confrontation with death. How does he handle it? If you and I can get in touch with and develop the principles Jesus used to get through this toughest of times, we can put them into practice in our own lives.

  
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:1-13)

It really doesn’t have to be bread, power, or safety. Temptations, I mean. In this reading from Luke, the devil tries to seduce Jesus with the promise of bread when he’s hungry, the glory and power of all the world’s leaders, and the promise of rescue paired with the suggestion that God is not sufficient to keep Jesus safe. And all Jesus has to do in return is worship Satan.

So in this scene, it’s bread, power, and safety. But it could be something else. Because the point isn’t the specific temptations, but rather the underlying nature of temptation itself.

In short, I would argue that temptation is not so often temptation toward something – usually portrayed as doing something you shouldn’t – but rather is usually the temptation away from something – namely, our relationship with God and the identity we receive in and through that relationship.

Too often Christians have focused on all the things we shouldn’t do, instead of pointing us to the gift and grace of our identity as children of God. But the devil knows better. Notice how each of the temptations seeks to erode and undercut Jesus’ confidence in this relationship with God and therefore undermine Jesus’ identity.

Jesus, of course, picks up on this. Which is why when the devil offers him bread, he responds with an affirmation of trust in God. The next temptation is more transparent, offering Jesus the power of the world’s leaders in return for Jesus’ allegiance and worship. But again Jesus knows that his allegiance can only be given to the one from whom he has received his identity. Finally, the devil proposes that God is not trustworthy, and goads Jesus into testing that relationship. But Jesus refuses.

In each case, the devil seeks to undermine Jesus’ confidence in both God and himself. He seeks, that is, to erode Jesus’ confidence that he is enough, that he is secure, that he is worthy of God’s love. And in the face of these temptations, Jesus quotes the sacred story of Israel in order to assert that he is a part of that story and therefore reaffirm his identity as a child of God. Rooted in the Scriptures, that is, Jesus is reminded not only that he has enough and is enough but that he is of infinite worth in the eyes of God.

Bread, power, and safety. But it just as well might have been youth, beauty, and wealth. Or confidence, fame, and security. On one level, we experience specific temptations very concretely, but on another they are all the same, as they seek to shift our allegiance, trust, and confidence away from God and toward some substitute that promises a more secure identity.

Which is why I think this passage is really about identity theft. And not simply the devil’s failed attempt to steal Jesus’ identity but all the attempts to rob us of ours.

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)
What would it mean to belong? To feel welcomed and accepted for who you are. To have a place in the group. To be who you are and unequivocally loved. To be relevant, your thoughts and ideas. To have a purpose just because. To be seen and heard, no judgement. To have peace. What would it be like?

Friends, our walk with Christ is like this. I read in the book of Romans, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (15:7). There is a peace in knowing that Christ accepts me and you for who we are. Nothing more, nothing less. This peace is nourishing and strengthening to my soul and I pray to you too. And to belong is for the glory of God. All that we do is for God’s glory, not for me or my family or friends but for God. So, how are you living? Do others recognize God in you? Do you have this peace? Have you welcomed someone in the name of Christ this day?

Happy New Year! Yes, it is another year. Again! The saying is true that the older you get the faster time flies. I like the image of time flying. Minutes and seconds flying through the air, soaring to new heights; much like the possibilities we have with a new year. Some of us will soar in our personal, work, and spiritual lives. In order to soar, we must give up self and trust in the wind to propel us skyward. In our everyday lives this happens when we humble ourselves and call on the Holy Spirit to fill is to overflowing. 
But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
I’m ready to soar in 2016. A key component to my everyday journey is my daily bible reading. I have learned that daily reading nourishes me for the day ahead. I use the “Bible in One Year” app. The app keeps me on track with my reading and guides me through the entire bible in a year. Plus, I can take my reading anywhere I have my phone or tablet. As I write this blog, I am listening to Jeremy Camp’s song “Same Power.” This song describes that the same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in us. Do you believe this? Well, by reading scripture on a daily basis one can learn about this power and come to accept the one from whom the power flows. 
Another area of my journey is journaling. Do you journal? Do you write down the important events of your day or write about an accomplishment or conflict? I have found that writing down on paper thoughts, accomplishments, to do’s, is therapeutic. I know that there are numerous journaling, note taking apps but I continue to come back to writing on paper. In fact, I ditched my calendar on my phone for a moleskin calendar. Now this is not as convenient as an app on the phone, however, writing on paper allows me to remember more of my appointments. My mind is challenged by using a pen and paper. Try it. This may work for you.
The final area for my 2016 journey is physical activity. So what physical activities are you participating in? For me, I am running three days a week. After a 20 year hiatus, I started back running in the Fall of 2014. Since then, I have run my first 5k, 10k, and half marathon. And in 2016 I will run my first marathon. Running gets the blood flowing and creates clarity in my day. Plus I have the energy to tackle the tasks that come my way. If running is too much for you then find some physical activity to get involved in. The benefits are much better than if you do nothing. See you on the journey.
Blessings on your journey!