Weekly Devotions

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Is this the little girl I carried?

Is this the little boy at play?

I don’t remember growing older

When did they?

When did she get to be a beauty?

When did he grow to be so tall?

Wasn’t it yesterday

When they were small?

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears

What words of wisdom can I give them?

How can I help to ease their way?

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

In the musical Fiddler on the Roof, the main male character Tevye and his wife Golde sing this beautiful song at the wedding of their daughter. The lyrics reference how quickly time passes and how poignant the passage of time is for each of us who are parents or are those who are shepherding younger ones along the way. One day you are holding an infant in your arms and the next day you are watching your own child parent his or her children.

Each time I hear this song, I am especially struck by the poignancy of the refrain:

What words of wisdom can I give them? How can I help to ease their way? Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years

To be a giver of words of wisdom – is that not a deep desire of every parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, mentor, or coach?

Would it not be amazing if wisdom could be packaged, purchased and given to another just like a gift?

Would you believe me if I were to tell you that this is precisely the case? The wisdom of God is already packaged, purchased and freely available to all who ask. In other words, the Wisdom of the Ages is right at your fingertips. Do not bother to go looking for it in the grocery stores or in the aisles of Walmart or Target. Look instead on your bookshelf or your bedside table.

There sits your Holy Bible, God’s inspired word – his Logos, which is God-breathed and literally power-packed with wisdom. And it is just sitting there, waiting for you. And the price has already been paid through the person of Jesus Christ who has granted us 100% access to God through His shed blood on the cross. So this wisdom that often proves to be so elusive, is actually available all the time. It never runs out, never needs replenishing, and continually flows out of the heart of our God towards his people.

In the first chapter of the Book of James God tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask, and it shall be given without reproach.” Without reproach is a fancy way of saying without shame, without guilt, or without fault-finding. If you need wisdom, you are told just to ask. Thankfully, wisdom is something that God is not frugal about giving away. In fact, God is as generous with his wisdom in precisely the same way that he is lavish with his love. It is his joy and delight to give you, his children, his wisdom.

And do not worry, God will not hold your previous record of poor and foolish choices against you. He will not hold your wayward, fickle heart against you. He will not look at you and say that it is too late or that you have blown all your chances. In fact one of the best things he says in all of scripture (in my book, anyway), is that his mercies are new every morning. Each day you can wake up and start over if you need to. You can dedicate your day to following the way of Christ, asking for wisdom each step of the way. The days when I take the time and am wholeheartedly devoted to this approach certainly seem to be more peace-filled than the days when I am relying on my own wisdom, my own strength and my own understanding. I do not know about you, but I am recommitting myself to asking God for his wisdom…whether it be daily, hourly or moment by moment.

“The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, MSG.

Water. Fire. Guns. Knives. Sex. Money. Freewill. The list is inexhaustible. What do these things have in common? They all have the power to be both useful and destructive, depending upon in whose control they find themselves. At their basic core, perhaps we should say that this short list is even necessary to human existence for survival. Water and fire provide life. Guns and knives provide protection and the means with which to hunt for food. Sex provides for procreation. Money provides wellbeing. Freewill provides strength for the spirit.

As I sit writing this devotion, I am looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean. The day is beautiful, and the waves are gently rolling upon the sandy shoreline. The sun is glistening across the water like stars I have imagined as falling from the sky when night gave way to the morning. I have, however, looked out on this same ocean during a hurricane when the view was quite different. The wind blew and the water swelled violently breaking over the dunes put in place as a boundary intended to hold back rushing water that now refused to abide by the “rules!”

“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” We live in a time when “warped philosophies” have taken control and threaten to smash over the very boundaries set up by God for our protection.

So, what are the “powerful God-tools” given to “tear down barriers erected against the truth of God?”

Ephesians 6:10-18 explains the “…full armor of God…Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray…” (NIV, emphasis mine).

Friend, make no mistake. The “god” of these “warped philosophies” is as old as the Garden of Eden, when he said to Eve, Did God really say…? God loves us and has given us boundaries for our protection. To which God are you listening? Pray in these days, that we will not be deceived.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13, NIV.

A friend was visiting with me recently, along with her precious three-year-old daughter. When lunch time came, the little one asked for water to drink along with her sandwich. Since all of my grandchildren are grown up, I no longer have the sippy cups or plastic child-proof dinnerware in my cabinets. When I opened my cupboard and pulled out one of my porcelain cups, the mom, standing next to me said, “Oh, maybe something unbreakable!” After rummaging through my stash of travel mugs, I found just the perfect small size cup for my little friend. However, I couldn’t help thinking to myself about how pretty my cups are but if they only sit in the cabinet and just look pretty, then they aren’t fulfilling their purpose, even at the risk of getting broken.

The Scripture in the book of Matthew are words spoken by Jesus as He encourages His followers to be salt and light in the world. In other words, what good is salt if it “loses its saltiness,” or as He says in verses 14 through 16, what good is a light if it’s “hidden…under a bowl?” Just like my pretty cup is meant to be useful as a drinking vessel; just like salt is meant to enhance the flavor of food; just like a light is meant to illuminate the darkness, so are we, as followers of Jesus Christ meant to make a difference in the world, even if it means taking risks.

What were you created for? Every person has been given a gift/gifts by God, not to enhance who we are, or illuminate ourselves before others. Rather every strength you and I possess is meant to identify us as a lifeline to the One Who changes lives. Technology makes having a platform on which to stand and stand out, precariously easy. Will you be salt and light in a world that desperately needs to know Jesus? If so, use your gift or talent in a way that is useful in the work of God’s kingdom. The rewards are eternal!

“For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth – and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 (HCSB)

I recently watched a documentary on Alexander the Great. Although he is somewhat controversial, his prowess as a military leader goes undisputed. After assuming a prominent role in his mid-twenties, Alexander proceeded to march his army 12,000 miles in 12 years’ time and conquer lands from Egypt to Palestine. It is said Alexander the Great wept when there were no more lands to conquer. A few days ago, I heard a new account concerning him. As the story goes…Alexander the Great learned of a cowardly foot soldier in his army who was his namesake. The general summoned the cowardly foot soldier and asked two questions.

Alexander the Great: “Is your name Alexander?”

Foot soldier: “Yes, General. My name is Alexander”

Alexander the Great: “Were you named after me?”

Foot soldier: “Yes, I am named after you.”

Alexander the Great: “Then be brave or change your name.”

Boom. Alexander fancied himself to be a god…as a narcissist, he believed his own name and reputation to be of profound importance.

In contrast, two men in the Old Testament were given a military mission. Joshua and Caleb, along with ten others, were instructed to spy and report on the land of Canaan. God had promised this land to the Israelites. Only Joshua and Caleb returned from their mission with faith in the Living God. These two men knew their faith and any fear could be remedied by the Name Above All Names.

“Choose this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Bigger Boom.

Shakespeare once famously penned the phrase, “What’s in a name?” Well, it all depends which name is being referenced. The names players and fans wear on the back of athletic jerseys, names that are famous, noteworthy or newsworthy…even the most positive role-models among us…pale in comparison to the one and only Name worthy of our worship.

“For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth – and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 (HCSB)

Obviously, God gets the “Biggest Boom” of all!

Today, if you do not know Jesus Christ as the Name Above All Names…please reach out to any member of the Sweet Monday staff or any board member. We would be honored to share some very good news with you!

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies begin afresh each morning.”  Lamentations 3:22 (NLT)

How do you start your day? What is your routine?

Are you one to touch your device before you get out of bed to see the news or text messages? Or is a wee one in your life that is your alarm clock? Do you head straight to the shower to wake up? Or is it that first cup that alerts you to reality?

My husband and I are 4 a.m. risers in the morning which also means we are pumpkins by 9:00 p.m.  I haven’t always been a morning person, but I have grown in finding early morning quiet a cherished rhythm.

In the last year, my husband of 37 years has started a couple of new routines. He makes delicious smoothies every morning that accompany me on my 20-minute drive to work. We feel so healthy, and I appreciate so much not thinking about breakfast. My appetite doesn’t wake up until around 10:30 a.m.

But there is also one other habit. Emory turns the electric kettle on for my 2 cups of tea. When he first started this, I thought Em was prepping water for his coffee pour over.  But I was wrong. It was just for me. I confess it took me weeks to realize he was doing this just for me. He didn’t ask or declare this action. He just does it…every single morning.

A lovingly tangible way to begin my day.

Can you hear… see…feel our good, good Father who quietly, lavishly, brilliantly, powerfully ‘turns on’ his new every morning mercies for us? Every. Single. One. Of. Us.

Recently I read from Dane Ortlund’s book, Gentle and Lowly, that mercies can be defined as divine compassion.  Consider this when you start your day…or stop in the middle of the day…or fall in bed at the end of it:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies begin afresh each morning.  Lamentations 3:22 (NLT)

Divine compassion begins afresh each morning. Grab your cup, sit and sip the new mercies that come every morning.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through [Jesus] who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13, NIV Translation

What does “Having a good day” mean to you? Think about this question for a moment. In our fast-moving day to day world with so many amenities at our disposal, we may have a somewhat distorted expectation for defining contentment.

The writer of the passage in Philippians, the apostle Paul definitely had a realistic and broad understanding of what it means to have a good day, or bad day, depending on the circumstances. Before his Damascus road experience when he encountered Jesus, Paul was a Roman citizen and Pharisee, well respected and enjoyed a high leadership role within the Roman government. After Jesus met him and transformed his life, Paul, as a Christian often found himself in prison, fighting the establishment, or ship-wrecked when on a mission for Christ. Most Bible scholars believe that Paul ultimately died a martyr for his faith by decapitation. This was no doubt the ultimate bad day for Paul, or was it?

In our current culture, Christians often find ourselves at the center of either joining forces with the “everything is acceptable” movement or being at odds with what feels like the masses. A popular phrase today is “Find your true north.” Actually, I do not disagree with this philosophy as a Christian because Jesus is my True North. Jesus is my Compass in all circumstances, not the other way around. In other words, do your circumstances control where you find contentment or is your contentment rooted in Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages Who never waivers or changes no matter what the circumstances or culture climate?

Friend, while there are many metaphors we could use to think about godly contentment, I would like to challenge you to give prayerful consideration to the question above, what does “having a good day mean to you?” If your answer is guided by your circumstances, then contentment will always fluctuate, depending on which way the wind is blowing. If Jesus is where you are grounded, then like the apostle Paul, you will have discovered “the secret of being content in any and every situation…”