https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-vvsmg-1739645

Psalm 106: 43-46

Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled in their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.” Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry; and for their sake He remembered His covenant…”

My journey in life has brought me into a few relationships that have challenged me. By challenged I mean when my patience, my compassion, and my love was put to the test.  I think it’s normal for all of us to run into these moments in the course of a full and active life. So it’s not the moments that are on my mind, but the historical review of how I’ve handled the moments.

I’ve never considered myself the best role model as I’ve failed from time to time to keep my tongue from wagging, to keep my responsive actions inline, or my thoughts from getting less than pure. But I’m guessing you’ve found your storyline cluttered with the same kinds of blemishes.

Upon this realization I’ve grown increasingly grateful for God’s relentless love. In Psalm 106:43-46 regarding the Israelites exodus we read, “Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled in their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.” Over and over the cycle was repeated. They sinned. God judged. They repented. God saved. They sinned… sound familiar? “Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry; and for their sake He remembered His covenant…” God’s plan to redeem us is relentless.

Lord, it’s with grateful hearts that we come to you recognizing just how much you love us. We ‘re forever indebted to your relentless attention. Helps us to find it in our own hearts, to return that love just as relentlessly to the world we live in.

Pray on…

Song: Relentless Love (Album: Turn Up the Divine)

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-afsqu-1739636

I’ve always connected well to Luke 12:34,” For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” It speaks plainly, and clearly,  to my personal heart. It leaves no loop holes to wiggle out of, or rhetoric to creatively spin. It simply asks where and or what is our treasure.

You see, as I’ve come to discern, we were created to be God-centered, and sin, makes us self-centered. Knowing our weaknesses as it does, darkness intoxicates us when our knees grow weak, it intrigues us when our minds grow weak, and it attacks us when our strength grows weak. Let’s be honest, the world offers some pretty cool eye catching, taste intriguing, and thought provoking treasures.

So we have to arm ourselves and remain vigilant to stay on the narrow path. I’ve come to find that worship alters our center. Daily scripture time almost always leads to a wanting inside to praise and worship God. Doing so moves our focus away from self and back to God.

Eugene Peterson writes, “Worship is the strategy by which we interrupt our preoccupation with ourselves and attend to the presence of God.

Sandy Adams says, “It’s not how long, or how well, I worship – it’s not quality or duration – but intensity.”

Father, help us to get centered on you, and to keep centered on you. Help us to be disciplined in our attention to scripture, and to grow in our intensity of worship. Help us to treasure you.

Pray on…

Song: At the Center (Album: Trio)

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-uvm5y-173962c

Being creative people, means we’re often searching for a better way to do things. A better way to save time, or a better way save money. The quest here is an honorable one …after all our creative genes come from our Designer, who created us in his image.

In Psalm 101, we read where David wanted to bring the Ark of God up to Jerusalem. The Ark was God’s sacred seat – His throne on the earth. David wanted it to be center stage in the life of the nation. He was looking to better the situation. But David went about it the wrong way…

Instead of using the eyelets where poles could be inserted and then carried by men, he put it on a cart. His better way neglected to take advantage of God’s protective design.

The cart hit a bump, a man reached out to brace the Ark (which could not be touched by unholy hands) …and a man’s life was lost. It was an extreme lesson. And David took it to heart.

Sandy Adam’s shares – that David learned two truths from this tragedy.

First, God anoints men not machines. His presence is to be carried in the hearts of men not carted on the latest technology (or the better way). EM Bounds once said, “Man is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men.

And second, David learned a good deed can be done a wrong way. It is not enough to simply serve God – there is a way He wants to be served.

In our quest to find a better way, we need to consult with God before enacting our own cleverness. We need to allow the Spirit to be the guiding force behind those better ways.

Lord, we ask for your guidance in all matters. We pray for the discipline to come to your first before acting, and to listen patiently for your directions. Father, help us to become better men and women, in our quest to find better ways.

Pray on…

Song: Walk in His Ways (Album: Yes Indeed)