Jogging with God

Scripture: Psalm 90:13-17

Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.  (Psalm 90:14)

Several mornings a week, I wake up early and crawl out of bed, put on my running shoes, stretch my tired muscles, and head out for a jog. My main motivation for this exercise is to attempt to stay in shape and to control my growing waistline. Being the father of seven children, some mornings I wake up tired and mull over sleeping in that day. (Some days I do!) Yet, most of the time, another motivating factor leads me out my  door and onto sidewalk.

In the cool of the morning, I know that God is waiting for me to come and talk with Him. Like the rhythm of my feet on the pavement, there is a rhythm to the way that God invades my thoughts and prayers. He speaks to me deep in my heart and renews my spirit to live my life for His glory each day. As I drive to work on these mornings, I have a strong sense that my heart is satisfied in God’s unfailing love.

God, may my heart be satisfied in Your unfailing love this morning. Fill my heart with songs of joy and praise for Your Holy name! In Jesus’ name, amen.

God, Me, and Hurricane Charley…and Francis…and Jeanne

Read 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:18)

 In 2003, when I lived in Florida, three major hurricanes passed over our small town in just under 6 weeks. Houses were damaged, trees were down, and the power was out for almost two weeks. The worst part of those weeks was the waiting and watching. As each storm approached, our community would rush to the gas pumps and grocery stores to stock up for the days after the storm. Then we would watch the weather forecast and wait(sometimes for days) for the storm to finally come ashore. As we focused on the coming storms, it was easy to lose perspective and begin to imagine the worst and lose heart.

The same is true in our daily lives. If we chose to focus or “fix our eyes” on our present troubles and problems, we will surely feel a sense of despair and “lose heart”. It is during these times that we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and trust Him to carry us through the storms of our life. As we cast our cares on Him, we can be assured that our spirit will be renewed by the love of our eternal Savior.

Jesus, help me today to fix my eyes on You instead of the momentary troubles of my life. When the storms of this life seem to overwhelm me, renew my heart with Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God's Private Office

Read Romans 1:18-24

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- His eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of visiting the Grand Canyon one weekend while speaking at a retreat in Arizona. As we made the drive up from Prescott, I pictured in my mind what the “big hole” would look like. I had seen pictures and heard stories, and I was excited to finally see for myself.   My wife and I caught our first glimpse as we rounded a corner while approaching the south rim of the canyon. We were speechless. After parking and walking up to the rim of the canyon, we stood in silence as we took it all in.

Later that day, as the sun set over the canyon and the painted desert stretched out in the distance, my heart was filled with praise for God, the Creator of unspeakable beauty. I could not help thinking that it would be hard to deny the existence of God standing at the edge of such a breathtaking view. I reluctantly drove away that day feeling as if I had just met with God in His private office.

God, remind me each day of Your unfailing love through the simple beauty of Your creation. In each sunrise and sunset, river and stream, songbird and sonnet, let me find You in all of Your glory! In Jesus’ name, amen.

God's Private Office

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- His eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

Scripture: Romans 1:18-24

Song: “This is My Father’s World”, The Baptist Hymnal, 155

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of visiting the Grand Canyon one weekend while speaking at a retreat in Arizona. As we made the drive up from Prescott, I pictured in my mind what the “big hole” would look like. I had seen pictures and heard stories, and I was excited to finally see for myself.   My wife and I caught our first glimpse as we rounded a corner while approaching the south rim of the canyon. We were speechless. After parking and walking up to the rim of the canyon, we stood in silence as we took it all in.

Later that day, as the sun set over the canyon and the painted desert stretched out in the distance, my heart was filled with praise for God, the Creator of unspeakable beauty. I couldn’t help thinking that it would be hard to deny the existence of God standing at the edge of such a breathtaking view. I reluctantly drove away that day feeling as if I had just met with God in His private office.

God, remind me each day of Your unfailing love through the simple beauty of Your creation. In each sunrise and sunset, river and stream, songbird and sonnet, let me find You in all of Your glory! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Sitting in God’s Lap

Read  Ephesians 3:7-13

In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.    (Ephesians 3:12)

Whenever I got in trouble at school growing up, my mother would tell me “Just wait until your father comes home.” When my father eventually came home from work, I would avoid talking to him for as long as possible. The expectation of his disapproval and the punishment I would receive was more than enough motivation to make myself scarce once my father found out what I had done. Often I would wait until my mother talked to him before I dared to myself because she would talk him through his initial reaction of anger.

In the same way, when I place my trust in Christ, He makes it possible for me to approach God in spite of my sin and shame. Because He has shouldered my punishment and has paid the penalty for my sin, I can rest in the power of God’s love and forgiveness. Whereas my earthly mother interceded for me with my earthly father, Jesus intercedes for me with God.  Like a child, I can sit in my Heavenly Father’s lap without fear of rejection or punishment because of Jesus.

God, thank You  for Your mercy and grace given through Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice, I have abundant life in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“A Fishing Trip with Dad”

Read  Acts 26:1-7

And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.  -Acts 26:6(NIV)

When I was a young boy, my dad would promise to take me fishing on a Saturday morning from time to time if I begged him enough.  He grew up the son of a farmer and had spent most of his life outside. He loved to fish. On Friday night, he would get out his tackle box and check all of his line and lures. We would talk through each one and dream of the big fish we were going to catch. When my bedtime came, I would struggle to fall asleep because of my excitement about our trip the next morning. The fulfillment of the promise was almost more than my young heart could stand.

As believers, our hope is found in Jesus Christ. This hope was, for more than thousands of years, simply a promise of coming redemption. Like excited children, our spiritual forefathers longed and watched for the day of the coming of the Messiah. It is through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus that we experience this hope now.

                                                                                                -Pastor Mark

Lord, today help us live in the joy of the hope we have found in Your Son Jesus.