Day 120

Today’s Reading – Psalms 102-104

I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.  Psalm 104: 33-34

Ever have one of those days?

You know a day when you try to have a “quiet” time with God only to come away empty.

A Sunday of worship that seemingly leaves you empty.

A time of Bible study that seems a waste of time.

The Psalmist is here today to remind us in those moments – during those days …

Wake Up!

It isn’t about you!

May my meditation be pleasing to God.

Meditations are to please God . . . Not You!

All that we do . . . worship . . . quiet time . . . study . . . etc

We do to please God.

God desires your attention – that is pleasing to Him.

In those moments when YOU aren’t getting it – Pray that God is . . .

Tomorrow’s Reading – 2 Samuel Chapter 5 and I Chronicles Chapters 11-12

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Day 119

Today’s Reading – I Chronicles Chapters 7-10

In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar was the official in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him.  I Chronicles 9:20

Our reading today continues with a list of genealogies and I laughed when I read the name Phineahas.

Because on our house, I am the one that is always switching the channel to watch Phineas and and Ferb.

I don’t know exactly why? – I find it entertaining and good humor.

So, if you stop by and ask, “Whatcha doooing?” I just might answer, “Watching Phineas and Ferb!”
Now back to my point.

These lists of names represent generation after generation of Jewish lives.  Just like the leaders of Judah and Israel recorded in 1 and 2 Kings, some individual people lived in obedience and love of the LORD, while others preferred the beliefs and cultures of their neighbors.

Just as being related to or descended from a faithful person didn’t work to save Judah from punishment from the LORD, we cannot expect the same today.

Studies reveal that the Christian community is losing an entire generation.

The “church” is trying to figure out how to respond and stop the trends.

This in part is where I have a problem . . .

Research is currently placing the blame for the problem on the irrelevancy of the current church.  The church is not responsive to young adults . . . The church is too judgemental for young adults . . . The church is too anachronistic for young adults . . . The music is not attracting young adults . . . The list goes on and on.

How about this one . . . being born to parents of faith will not automatically create a new generation of faithful followers.

We have long gotten this and are now paying the price.

It is not the sole responsibility of the church to teach the next generation faith.

Parents and church, wake up we are not born Christian.

We need to teach the next generation how to live a life a faith.

We need to teach the next generation what faith is.

We need to teach the next generation that faith matters.

With a generation lost and questioning, we need to stop pointing fingers and take responsibility.

Give and answer for your faith.

Share your faith with someone else today.

 

Tomorrow’s Reading – Psalms 102-104

Day 118

Today’s Reading – Psalms 81, 88, 92-93

“But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. “If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”  Psalm 81:11-16

Most often words of lament include “if only” . . .

If only I would have . . . I could have . . . I would have . . .

You get the picture.

You have been there.

If only . . .

Things could have been so much better!

So here’s the rub.

God says, “my people won’t listen to Me.”

And God lets us do our own thing.

And then we complain about how bad things are . . .

So then . . . God laments . . . If Only . . .

Why not stop your own lamenting and start listening to God.

Things could be so much better …

Just sayin . . .

 

Tomorrow’s Reading – I Chronicles Chapters 7-10