"Delight In You"

A song came to my mind this morning as I sat down with my guitar and started playing a few chords. It was meaningful because as I played the song, I began to sing inspired words from my heart about our journey over the last few years as my family and I have walked through ministry. I want to share those words with you now.

"A thousand miles, feels like I've been walking

 A thousand more, I will walk for You, Lord

 Even when the darkness seems to fall

 I will lift my eyes and look to You

Putting one foot in front of the other

Is what we were made to do 

Putting one foot in front of the other

Get's us one step closer to You

Jesus - I choose to delight in You

Jesus - You are the only hope that's true

Jesus - I choose to delight in You

Jesus - I cling to the only truth - and that is You"

If you've never followed a prompting of the Lord, and moved in obedience to Him, you probably won't feel these words. But if you have, than you know the loneliness, and hardships that can come along the way. Literally sometimes you simply get through by putting one foot in front of the other just to keep going. Other times you cry out to God that you are ready to be with Him and it can't come quickly enough. Some days in themselves feel like you have walked 1000 miles, and ready to stop walking. But then, the choice comes in that what you are doing is all about Jesus. The choice has to be to delight in Jesus, and cling to Him. Without it being about Him, what's the point. I love these lyrics, because they exactly represent my hearts words, and all in just a few minutes this morning. God is good. He is faithful. It's about Him. 

Applying the rebate

It wasn't too long ago that I realized I needed a new phone, and that I would have to upgrade to a smartphone if I was going to take things to the next level. I had fought it long enough, "moving on up" was what I had to do. As I looked at phones, I settled on the HTC Thunderbolt. It's a great phone as far as intelligent phones go. One of the things I liked most was that I received a $50 rebate with it as well. So, I sent it in and waited to receive it back. Yes, it eventually came and I was excited to apply it to the phone, since that is its purpose. Just this morning the Lord spoke to me concerning this. See, that rebate card is a lot like the Bible. When I received the rebate card, I had a couple of choices. I could have read it and placed it in my drawer, nullifying its value, or I could use it to APPLY to the phone. This is its purpose, to be applied to the phone. The Bibles purpose is to be APPLIED to the readers life. It's fun to have great discussions about scripture, but where real life change happens isn't at 30,000 feet looking over the landing area, it's at ground level when we bring it in for the landing. It's where we see up close how that days reading can be lived out, not just read about, and theres a HUGE difference. I challenge you, when you enter into devotion time, think application, not just observation. This is where the rubber meets the road, and lives change for the Kingdom. APPLY the rebate card to the phone. APPLY the scriptures to life. Be blessed.

Trust

13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.[d]
14 They are like sheep and are destined to die;
death will be their shepherd
(but the upright will prevail over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
far from their princely mansions.
15 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;
he will surely take me to himself.
16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
and people praise you when you prosper—
19 they will join those who have gone before them,
who will never again see the light of life.
(Psalm 49:13-19)

Scripture: Psalm 49:18-19

Observation: Some people may be looked upon in this life as "blessed" because of status, job, finances etc., but are they? The future for the one who trusts in himself or his possessions is trusting in what is temporary, not eternal. It's not wrong to have nice things, but never trust in them.

Application: Consider where my trust is. Look at what I spend my time thinking about and hoping for. Is it more of Jesus? Is it more money? Spend time praying and gaining clarity each morning for what really matters.

Prayer: "Father, help me to have right focus. Give me clarity each day for the eternal, not the temporary things, for they are fleeting. Bless me, but I don't want to trust in your blessing alone as my comfort, that job is yours, you are my comfort and joy. In Jesus' name, Amen."