Spoken Word

Journal Entry // October 27, 2022

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (ESV)

Hebrews 1:2

The writer of Hebrews opens his letter by calling our attention to the importance of how God chooses to speak to us. In days past, he spoke to us through the prophets. Men who were appointed by God to bring truth and revelation as an appointed representative. Then in these final days, God has chosen to speak to us not with a representative, but through his one and only Son. This same Son that created the world and the universe. This perfect Son of God has come in these last days to bring the holy heart changing word of God to everyone.

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Just a Book?

Journal Entry // September 25, 2022

Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. (ESV)

2 Kings 22:10

This passage of Scripture has captured my thoughts today as I have been contemplating the reality that the people of God had lost their way to such a degree that not only did they not read the Book of the Law and have it as the central focus of their worship, but it had been in disuse for so long that it was not even recognizable. The priest in this story recognized that this was the Book of the Law when he discovered it, but the secretary who brought it before the king only offered it up as a book. As if this Book of the Law was just another book in the library of the temple and of no significance. My thoughts today have been focused on the potential for this becoming a reality in my life. Will I become so wrapped up in my day-to-day life that the things of God become just an add-on to living? Will the Book of the Law merely be just another book that may or may not have importance to my life? These are important questions that I need to ponder and reflect on daily.

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Days of Old

Journal Entry // May 6, 2021

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

Psalm 143:5 ESV

Remember, Meditate, Ponder… The good and faithful hand of the Lord is upon me in each and every situation at each and every moment. When my spirit and my heart are struggling, the mighty works of God are the prescription for healing and strength.

David is genuinely helpful when it comes to the matters of the heart and soul. He can write a psalm where he seems so negative and distraught, so completely honest before himself and God. He lays his feelings out before the Lord and brings them out into the open. He doesn’t let his fears or guilt or shame just languish within working bitterness and doubt deep into his soul. He brings this before the Lord.

This is essentially the same as what Peter tells us when he says we should humble ourselves before God’s mighty hand and cast all our anxieties onto him. Why? Because he cares for us. This is the truth of the matter. The heavy hand of God may be upon me bringing me to a point of humility. He allows and even ordains suffering and adversity to permeate my life because he loves me. He sets me in a place of humility because he cares for me.

This is why I need to remember, meditate, and ponder on God’s good works in my life. His faithfulness and love is my motivation for enduring suffering and adversity. Better than that, I can then see that the suffering and adversity is a blessing to draw me closer to Jesus. That as I continue to keep my eyes on Jesus, he himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish me. Maybe not in a way that the world around me recognizes or even honors. I may never again see leadership or influence as I previously had. But I know that I will have something far more than honors in this world.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the marks I want to outline my life. I want to be so engaged with Christ that this world and all that it offers fades away. That my eyes will be able to see through the lies and deception around me as the peace of God anchors me in his love and grace and mercy and compassion. Trusting in Christ alone.

Pleasing Meditation

Journal Entry // April 4, 2021

May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

Psalm 104:34 ESV

I have never really asked myself this question and have never been so confident as to just announce that the Lord is pleased with my meditation. It sounds prideful and arrogant to declare that the Lord is pleased with your meditation, yet here the Psalmist proclaims that the Lord is pleased.

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