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December 19

Thursday, December 19th, 2024

I have a laptop that I use quite a lot. Over a year ago someone in the church gave me a big monitor which I absolutely love. My laptop sits closed at the base of the monitor because I like using an external keyboard rather than trying to fit my big fingers on the small keyboard of the laptop. I have a Bible open to my favorite chapter in the Bible sitting on top of my closed laptop and a post-it “thingy” (it looks like an arrow that says, “Read me!”) pointed directly to my favorite verse. I have one pointing to Luke 24:32 since that verse is the theme for my 2025 year of preaching. When Jesus walked with the two men on the road to Emmaus following His resurrection, they realized who He was when He broke bread with them. Their words were “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” I want to keep that constantly in front of me as I study.

But hands down my favorite passage in Psalm 37. I have the post-it arrow focused on verse 5. Please allow me to share with you the words from Psalm 37:1-8 this morning. I can think of no better way to start the day than to read Scripture and focus on what it says. Maybe this will be just for you today.

“Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. (That was verse 5) He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper-it only leads to harm.”  A little later in that chapter (verses 23-24) he writes, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”  (Scripture from NLT)

I wrote it without verse divisions because I wanted you to see its flawless reading. How it flows. But most importantly the meaning and encouragement this chapter gives. I hope and pray you might take some time today to meditate on these verses and then allow them to flood your heart and soul.  Who knows? They just may become your favorite as well!

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October 30

Wednesday, October 30th, 2024

In my daily Bible reading, I began this morning in the book of Romans. Considered Paul’s magnum opus, it is chalk full of truth. All kinds of truth. The purpose of this devotion today is not to give an overview of the whole book, but to give a glimpse into chapter 1.

  • Verses 1-7 has Paul greeting the Roman followers of Christ. He gives some serious doctrinal truth as to who Jesus is.
  • Verses 8-17 has Paul grateful for the Roman followers of Jesus because the love they have for Jesus has spread and others have heard about their love. He gives, perhaps, the most succinct purpose of the Gospel in verses 16-17: “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'” (NLT)

But then he lowers the boom. He writes about God’s displeasure with sin-all sin. His approach is multi-pronged:

  1. There are those who disregard God Himself. They deny His existence. I would put them in the “We can’t see Him so He is not real” camp. Paul says they are without excuse. (v.20). He says those who want to think that way are fools. Instead of worshiping a real God, they worship a fake god (images of people, birds, animals and reptiles).
  2. Then comes a very distinct and very confrontational passage: verses 24-27. These are called “clobber verses” because they are used as clubs to confront, judge, condemn and beat people over the head who struggle with SSA. In all honesty, only those who want to justify theirs-or someone else’s actions-can overlook this. BUT…
  3. I am stopped dead in my tracks by verses 28-32. Lest I get arrogant and stand on a self-righteous soapbox, there is a laundry list of sin that condemns us all. We may say, “SSA? Not me!” and feel good about ourselves. But hold on! Look at the list: every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. Then Paul writes, “They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.” As each one is leveled, we start hopping around lest His divine foot stomp nail our feet to the floor and expose our sinful heart.

Short recap I know. There is so much more to say. I simply say: investigate on your own. Read this chapter slowly, all the while asking God to speak to your heart. The message will not only be clear; it is one you cannot escape. I think we all need the message of Romans 1, but I especially am grateful for the simple words about Good News in verses 16-17 (see above).

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September 25

Wednesday, September 25th, 2024

Yeah. I know it’s early. Early for what? “I know Bill does these devotions at 0-dark-30. Is that what he means?”

In all honesty. No. As soon as I write what is to follow you will understand.

In one sense, the whole of Scripture is both a lesson in history and a promise for the future, in order that we may become like Jesus and glorify Him in the present. It’s often been said that in the Old Testament Jesus is predicted, in the Gospels He is revealed, in Acts He is preached, in the Epistles He is explained, and in the book of Revelation He is expected. (p.159)

Okay, so may that wasn’t so revealing. 🙂 This will be:

Christmas isn’t only a celebration of what our newborn King came down to earth to save us from; it’s a celebration of what He came to save us for-eternal life with Him in His perfected kingdom. (p.163)

Now you get my drift? This whole month of September I’ve been reading a new book by Alistair Begg entitled Let Earth Receive Her King. Yes. Christmas devotions. 24 of them to be exact. The preceding two excerpts were from #23, which I read this morning. “Seems awful early to be reading Christmas devotions,” you might be thinking. Really? Have you seen the Hallmark Channel? Christmas in July…August…September…October…you get my drift. 🙂

Putting all kidding aside, as I read #23 today-and particularly highlighted those  two excerpts as I read-it struck me how the Scripture all comes together. It is like one big woven story. I once heard someone say, “There is a scarlet thread that weaves its way from Genesis to Revelation.” I’ll add to that: the thread makes its way from the heart of the Garden and Adam’s sin through the sacrifices directly through the heart of the cross all the way through to the return of Jesus.

See the Bible as a whole-not as random pieces slung together. It tells a story-a redemptive story-one woven through the fabric of every scene, specifically designed for us to see and know and learn.

Don’t neglect the Book. And don’t slough off the story of Christmas…even though it is only September. In this one way the Hallmark Channel can teach us that the Christmas story-the real Christmas story-is timeless and to remembered all year long.

{Selections excerpted from Let Earth Receive Her King by Alistair Begg- The Good Book Company- Copyright 2024}

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August 28

Wednesday, August 28th, 2024

Highs and lows. Mountains and valleys.

That really is a capsule of our lives and of many of our days. Often, even within the same day, we ride the thrill of the high and the mountain only to find ourselves experiencing the lows of the valleys just an hour or so later. Once, early in my ministry, the senior pastor was gone for two weeks on a trip. This 300+ member church was left to me. Yikes!  Green. Inexperienced. Unsure. In one day I went from a funeral to a wedding to a funeral. Yep, you read that right…all in one day! It was definitely a roller coaster day.

I had one of those yesterday. I went from the high of a bike ride to spending time with a young lady and her parents about her upcoming wedding in something like 25 days.  (And yes, I showered in between!) 🙂 Her fiance is in the Marines so much has been left to them. We laughed and talked about the wedding plans, walked next door to see the outside yard it is to take place at (unless it rains), and laughed some more. I left there to visit someone who was very emotional following surgery as this person talked about their life. The surgery brought out those already raw emotions that had the person using multiple tissues. While there I met a teacher I had read to her K class for the past two years and was now at another school. We laughed and I think it was good for both of us, especially since her son was having emergency surgery. I then went to a rehab facility to visit with the person who longs to go home and had had a long tiring day of PT, ST, and OT in order to make that home going happen. I finally made my way home to my oasis.

I know that type of day is an anomaly. Some days are humdrum and normal. We all go through those days and times when life seems a tad bit out of control. Even Jesus had days like that. Within one chapter (Luke 8), He went from the high of calming a storm to healing a demoniac of possession to the low of the fear and terror of the people. He then was met by a man who asked Jesus to heal his daughter, to being interrupted by a woman who had suffered bleeding for 12 years. He healed her then moved on to the trauma of watching a father being told his daughter had died. Even then, the reaction of the mourners was laughter at His suggestion that she was not dead. He then witnessed the extreme joy of parents as He brought their child back to life. It’s no wonder Jesus needed to get off by Himself occasionally. He needed to refuel and replenish His spirit by being with His Father.

So it is with us. Those moments with His Father refreshed Him and sustained Him for whatever was on the horizon. So it was for me. The oasis of home and a wife who waits and a daughter who regales with stories from her day at school. (No names mentioned just stories). We all need that oasis. Do you have one? We were not made to keep that bowstring always taught. It has to find some “relaxation” to make it ready for its next use. 

 

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August 12

Monday, August 12th, 2024

Many people look at a pastor and I can almost guarantee certain things are going through their head. Once they get over the idea/shock of “Aaaah, a pastor!” (picture Kevin in Home Alone when he puts on After Shave for the first time) certain thoughts will probably go through their head. Not all and not all at the same time, but there are certain preconceived ideas people have. Here are just a few of them:

  1. We are soft and don’t know what it means to work hard. I beg to differ on that. I may not work physically like a laborer or wrestle with kids all day, but mental tiredness is nothing to shake a stick at. Plus, have you ever tried to wrestle with cranky and cantankerous old people? 🙂  (Not that I have any at the moment). {Note: the whole COVID thing did a number on many pastors. They still haven’t recovered mentally.}
  2. We only work one day a week. (Sort of like teachers only work 9 months and have 3 months off for vacation). I had someone tease me about that just yesterday. I laughed. He knows better. Actually, I asked him if he was jealous. 🙂
  3. We never have bad thoughts, get angry, have our feelings hurt, or want to tell someone off. (No comment).
  4. We have it all together spiritually; spend our days reading our Bible, praying, reading books, and studying.

It is that latter one that is so far off track I hate to say how far. I’m almost ashamed to admit it is so not true. And the biggest culprit of all is my prayer life. Each morning I get up, shower, dress (hooray for that), then have about an hour of what is called by some a “Quiet Time.” A few years ago I started calling it my “Encounter Time” because that is what I want it to be. Honestly? Sometimes it is and sometimes it is not.

Especially when it comes to my prayer life. There are mornings my prayer time is spot on. Others not so. I can tell when I have been negligent or less that consistent. My public prayer-from the pulpit, in a gathering, at the bedside in a hospital to name a few-seem more mechanical than heartfelt. Words come out of my mouth, but they bypass my heart.

Prayer was important to Jesus. He would often get away and go off by Himself to pray. He would pray for wisdom, like when He chose His 12 followers. He would pray when He was seeking solace. He prayed when He was tired and needed to just get away. He prayed when rejected and needed a recharge. He prayed for courage (Garden of Gethsemane). He prayed to surrender.

The question that haunts me is this: if Jesus though it that important, why should I think of it any less? OUCH!

So…how is your prayer life these days?

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October 11

Wednesday, October 11th, 2023

Spoiler Alert: longer than normal post.

I paid a price last night. The price? At 10:00 I was left writhing in agony as my left hamstring seized up and went into a violent cramp that lasted 5-10 minutes.

But I have no one to blame but myself. Here’s why: I decided to ride yesterday and even though I only rode 14 miles, it was a hard and quick ride. I pushed myself. To compound the issue it had been about a week since I last had a chance to ride due to my crazy schedule. My original plan was to ride, go home to shower, then celebrate a belated birthday meal at Texas Roadhouse (probably #1 in my eating book). But that changed while I rode when I received a “kind” word that neither of the other two of my meal cohorts wanted to venture to the town where TR is. So I suggested several alternatives and they accepted the one that had us staying in town. That gave me 2 hours before picking up the pizza, so I stayed at the office and did some work. It was cool yesterday (60s) so I didn’t think I had really broken a sweat that much, i.e. lost electrolytes. I was wrong so I FAILED TO EAT PROPERLY in those 2 hours. I had a recovery drink but I failed to replenish the electrolytes I found out later I had lost.

Hence, the seized hamstring. I was able to make it to my ManCave where I used some CBD cream and a massage gun. I also took some ibuprofen to calm the muscles, sat in my chair and massaged the muscle, then ate some peanut butter-filled pretzels (my go to snack) and drank a 32 oz Zero Gatorade.  Fortunately, I was able to calm the muscle down, climb back in bed about 10:30 and sleep solid (like never moved) until my normal wake up time of 3:30.

Ten minutes of sheer agony followed by 20 minutes of doing what I should have done after the ride trying to alleviate that agony and refuel my empty body. All because I DIDN’T DO WHAT WAS NECESSARY to recover in the first place.

Two things stand out to me. One, the importance of taking time to eat (which I did not).  We are admonished in the Scriptures to grow in our faith. The problem, according to the Hebrews writer is that the people weren’t growing and they “needed milk not solid food.” (Heb.5: 12-14). We are also told by Peter in I Peter 3: 2-3 to “long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” Take away: eating is essential whether speaking physically or spiritually.

The second take away is the undeniable truth that there are consequences  for failing to eat properly. Screen time, phones, gaming, and mindless watching of the tube are often the cause of the failure to properly “feed” on God’s Word. I failed to refuel properly after my ride, i.e. expending much-needed electrolytes. I paid the price. Failure to take time to slow down and have what I called an Encounter Time also brings consequences.  You see…the one who fails to come apart will eventually come apart.

Take time to be alone with God. Take time to replenish your spirit. Come apart. Set time aside where you unwind and relax and listen. But remember to refuel as you do so.

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November 3

Thursday, November 3rd, 2022

I’d like to continue with my devotional thought from yesterday’s devotion.

Have you ever had tinnitus? It is a ringing in the ears, a very unpleasant sound. It hinders hearing.

Have you ever had too much wax in your ear, so much so that it weighs against your ear drum? Not only does it have a physical side effect (vertigo) it also makes it hard to hear. Been there done that.

Have you ever felt like you were underwater and all you could hear was a sound like a seashell against your ear? It makes it hard to hear.

Have you ever been wearing headphones and found people talking to you and you either had no clue or could not make out what they were saying?

I have described some common, sometimes everyday occurrences. All of them affect our hearing. Okay, let’s move it into another realm.

Each day you read, watch, listen, or “veg out” to the news. Hour after hour of the same old garbage. This or that politician is off the rails. This or that legislation is good or bad. This or that country is considering going to war.

There is nothing wrong with knowing what is going on in the world. We can’t hide our heads in the sand. But the more we listen, the louder the voices get. Meanwhile, the one who has a steady diet of this nonsense sinks deeper and deeper into despair. As I said, I’m not opposed to knowing what is going on in the world, but enough is enough. There comes a point in time where we have to shut down the voices clamoring for our attention, stop, and listen to another voice.

It is the voice of the Father saying, “My peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.” Jesus once said, “My sheep hear my voice.” The question that comes up and needs answered is “How can I hear His voice if I’m not listening? And how can I hear if I’m listening too much to others?”

In a noisy world, we need to shut down the distractions and the steady diet of outside noise and take time to hear the voice of the Father.

Shut off the news. Silence the ringing in the ears of annoying claptrap. Hear the voice of the Shepherd calling you to Him.

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February 2

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022

In my daily Encounter Time, I read several portions of Scripture. I read and underline through the Psalms on an almost daily basis. I’m almost always in the Psalms. Every other month I read a chapter a day of Proverbs. 31 chapters=31 days. I’m currently reading through the NT for the 2nd consecutive time since 2021. My first trip was through while using the New Living Translation. I am now slowly making my way using the NASB2020. I take it slow-one chapter at a time. I’m currently in Colossians.

To keep me more aware of what I’m reading (yes, my mind wanders) not only do I highlight a verse or two, I’d like to use this time to blog about a passage that stuck out to me. I do not know if this will be a 4 post effort-given there are 4 chapters in Colossians-or if I may stretch it out some. I’ll let the Lord lead me on that.

The church at Colossae was a mess. False teaching had gripped many-Gnosticism, angel worship, heresy about who Jesus was, emphasis on “holy” days, and many others. I’ll hit some of them.

But first let me just highlight a passage in chapter 1. In verses 9-12 we have a prayer by Paul that gets to the heart of how serious the problem was in Colossae. Please take a moment to read those verses- 1:9-12. Now take note of what Paul prays for. It is not a superficial “Lord be with them today” kind of prayer. Let’s take a look:

  • Be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…so that we can…
  • …Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord
  • …Please Him in all respects
  • …Bear fruit in every good work
  • …Increase in the knowledge of God
  • …Be strengthened with all power
  • …Give thanks

In truth, each one of those could be broken down and discussed. But that is beyond my purpose this morning.  But they do serve as a true example of what to pray for when you are thinking of yourself and others.

Begin praying that God will bring that to fruit in your life. Also a question: which one of those would you like to see come alive in you?

“Father, may my prayers take on an air of alertness and earnestness for myself and for others.”

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September 28

Tuesday, September 28th, 2021

I was reading about the familiar story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. Recap: Jesus was a guest in their house. Martha and Mary were hostesses and as such had preparation duties to perform. Well, maybe Martha. Not Mary. Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to Him speak. Martha? She got more and more frazzled AND irritated. She even told Jesus her frustration. Unfortunately for her, Jesus commended Mary because “she chose the good part.” In other words, she chose the more important thing at the time: sit and listen to Jesus.

I thought about that in comparison to me. I know things clamor for my attention. I woke up this morning with things on my mind of what I needed to do today-some before I even get to the office. I tend to be pretty rigid about my morning schedule-get up, shower (that’s a good thing), then getting to the office as close to 5:00 as possible. One thing stands in between the shower and the office: my Encounter Time (ET).

It’s not a legalistic thing; it’s a life-saving thing. I have my ET to save me. It draws me to Jesus. I spend time with Him. I could find other things to do for this hour span. Sleep an extra hour. Work at the office. Work out at home, especially in the winter. But I have come to look at my ET as my lifeblood. I have mine in the morning because 1) I am fresher; 2) Less interruptions; 3) I need to start my day out right; 4) I know the distractions that will come later in the day.

I need to be in God’s Presence. I do not speak in hyperbole when I say, “I NEED THIS TIME!” Skipping this time is not a good thing for me! I’ve tried it before and the results were not pretty.

This is not a guilt trip for you. This is an “encouragement trip.” 🙂  Find the time that works best for you and fits your lifestyle. The important thing is to have that private meeting with God.

“Father, I need that time with You. May it always be one I look forward to and relish and draw strength from.”

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July 23

Friday, July 23rd, 2021

I won’t lie. I like noise.

Most of the time.

I love music. Certain genres, that is. I almost always have music on. Working out. Ear buds in. Cutting grass. Ear buds in. Driving somewhere. Spotify playlist on.

There are times I want/need silence though. When I’m having my Encounter Time, I may have a song running through my head but I want it quiet. When I’m studying, unless it’s classical with absolutely NO singers. When I’m riding my bike. NO ear buds. That is way too dangerous since I need to hear oncoming traffic behind me. I also notice I can’t multi-task. Turn off the TV or the music if you want to have a serious discussion with me. I’m too distracted. My daughter, Tami, wore a t-shirt yesterday that had two words on it: Be Still. Was that for me?

Consider this then: if I can’t hear people with all the noise going on in my life, how can I possibly hear God’s still small voice? It’s like a whisper in my soul. But if all I hear is noise, how can I hear Him?

I think that is one of the reasons I like it quiet in the mornings. I want to hear. That makes me wonder how much or if I am missing something when the music is playing. Matt Redman once wrote: “When the music fades/And all is stripped away/And I simply come…”

Am I missing out? Do I need to turn off and tune in? Makes me wonder.

“Father, I already know I will have a ‘noisy’ weekend. Help me to be open to changes You might want me to make. Help me to hear Your still, small voice.”

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