Solo Day 85
How would you respond to Psalm 63 ? This book’s readings come from The Message Bible but I enjoy referencing the same passages out of different translations. “Traveling across dry and weary deserts” is a metaphor for the needs of mankind and of the world. As I get older and experience this world, it really helps me to hunger and thirst more for God and at the same time to share this “food and water ” with others. In verse seven the translation in The Message says: “Because you’ve always stood up for me, I’m free to run and play.” This really speaks of a loving father watching over his children…I like that!
Mike
SOLO Blog78
Ever been in a cave and have all the lights put out? Now that is dark! If there is no source of light at all, then you can’t even see your hand in front of you. Think of those who don’t know Jesus. This is exactly the way they are and don’t even know it. Their light source is created and temporary at best, but a Christian’s light source is divine and never ending. The sad truth is that sometimes we confuse the two sources of light even though we know that God is the source of both. This is one of the major reasons for reading his Word every day and praying unceasingly… sort of gives new meaning to “being plugged in”, doesn’t it?
Mike
Solo Day 75
Do we tell God our desires on a daily basis, or just when we remember to pray. He’s there to listen and act according to His plan.We know that sometimes we get what we ask, and other times, just wait. He’s there for us every day and I could never have survived these past 4 years without his arms of love around me and His power and His glory shown to me so many times. Last Sunday, the choir sang, Where Could I Go But To The Lord. It says it all. How can he bless us when we fail to bring our hearts full of every day trials to him. He is our God and at many times, our Daddy. Peggy
Solo Day 73
God gave me a little gift this morning by allowing my day to write to the Solo Blog to be the same day that we get to Psalm 1. I have had a special place in my heart for Psalm 1 for many years. I believe it started when I listened to the late Dr. John Phillips preach on the psalm. His Welsh accent always kept me on the edge of my seat.
It was a few years later that this psalm was cemented in my heart. It is one phrase in Psalm 1 that accomplished this feat, “Instead you thrill to God’s Word.” (verse 2) How different that perspective is from the perspective of many; both unbelievers and believers.
The Word of God is an offense to unbelievers. God says that apart from faith in Jesus that we are children of wrath, sinfully fallen, and in need of a savior. That is a message that most can’t stomach.
For many believers the Word of God is worse than offensive – it is boring. The great fear of most believers is not walking contrary to the will of God. Their fear is that they must endure boredom. How many times have believers failed to pick up and read the Word of God because they find it boring, dry, dull, or sleep inducing.
Yet Psalm 1 says that those who pursue Him and are thriving by His life-giving stream are thrilled by the Word. They are so thrilled that they can’t get it off of their minds during the day and the thoughts of it keep the up at night.
God save us from any idols we’ve erected in our lives that would cause us to find Your Word boring.
Pastor Brett
Solo Day 71
This is one I can really relate to and is why we live where we do. Everyday I see and know His presence but sometimes I get preoccupied. It is then that He “grabs my face”,( like my mom used to do when she really wanted my attention), stops me in my tracks and says to my heart, “Please don’t forget the Japanese people over on the other side of the world, use what I’ve given you to help them.”
Let us remember who the “cornerstone” is and be obedient to his call. The blue skies will seem more blue and your heart will be as warm as the noon day sun. Mike
Solo Day 68
Today in verse 7, the word homeless kept tugging at my heart. I recently learned of a man that I know is homeless, living in the woods and wondering how he got to that point. My prayer to him and others that find themselves in an unjust situation, is to hold on to God and His love. Just maybe someone will show love and kindness to them and show that we do care.
Peggy
Solo Day 64
Why do guys always try to fix things? Why do we think we have all the answers? Even if we don’t, we give advice where to find the answers. Stop! Why not try listening more? (yes, I know, I need to listen to my own advice… see, there I go, giving advice!)
How about praying first? A few days ago some pastors had an overnight retreat at our house and they decided to sleep outside. As they were putting up a decient sized tent they ran into problems with the canopy poles. You know, there was a lot of advice on which way they should go but none seemed to work. “Um, excuse me guys, but did you pray first?” Heads bowed with a little smile on their faces, “no”. Needless to say, after prayer, the tent went up fine.
Seeking the Lord in prayer, especially before you go into a care giving situation, is paramount to providing comfort and solace because then it becomes the Lord’s and not ours. We just have the privilege to listen and share His love. Mike
Solo Day 61
Would we be willing to go before a King and tell him how unjust someone had been to us. I don’t think so. In today’s society, we tend to go along with the crowd for fear of not “fitting in”. We go along with their thoughts and beliefs because we don’t want to lose their friendship. My prayer for me is that I can become more bold in my walk with God and believe that in His own time, that justice will be rendered on my behalf for the hurt someone may have caused. I just need to learn patience and let God handle the justice. Not me. This lesson has caused me to listen to God and not to take matters into my own hand. Yes, God is in control. Peggy
Solo Day 57
What were they,(we), thinking?
Hello, what happened to reverent fear of God? God’s people are just returning from captivity and find Jerusalem in shambles. The times are trying , there are still under oppression and food is scarce.God blesses them by giving them favor from the king to rebuild the gates and wall around Jerusalem. While rebuilding the wall they were under tremendous pressure of opposition from their enemies putting everything on the line to rebuild it. Everyone carried a weapon in one hand and a tool in the other but the wall was getting built. Hunky-dory, huh? Well, what was happening with God’s people on the inside was just as bad , if not worse. The few that had money, the nobles and officials, were selling there own people into slavery… amongst themselves! What were they thinking? Here God was blessing them tremendously and they were trying to take advantage, for their own gain, of God. Wow! Incredible! Or is it? Now you know why I said (we) in the beginning. Let that sink in and see how it pertains to you. I have and it is pretty convicting. Thank you Jesus for prayer and repentance.
Mike