I had a discussion with SKH yesterday about my prayer post, which was good, not the post but the discussion. He said he was going to post his response but just it to me in person. I will try to get it right but will not put in in quotes as it might be slightly off; Ask high, but keep asking, and leave it up to God. At least that's what I came away with.
His point was even Jesus asked the Father to "take this cup from me, but not my will but thine be done". I am encouraged by that. I really don't want to try to push my "program" on God and presume that He has to answer whatever I ask, like some sort of genie in a bottle, but I do find encouragement in knowing that when I ask my Heavenly Father He knows my needs already, but He wants to hear my heart and motive for asking. Our hearts are truly deceitful and desperately wicked and we can't know for sure what is in them, but when we ask righteously and God gives what we are asking for and if that brings Him glory, maybe that's a good barometer for what is truly in our hearts.
God has really changed my priorities over the past year, in that my current idea of what success and prosperity for PG looks much different than it did just a year ago. Praise be to God, who is the only One who could bring about this change. I still have responsibilities in leadership of the company but I think for me the ending result of success looks different.
With that said I want to give you some prayer requests, that I hope are in line with God's priorities for PG.
God would continue to grant financial success, so we can continue to support the many families that have put their lives on the financial line with PG.
He would continue to bring us qualified leads and that we would be busier rather than slower, so the machines are more productive. We pay the same amount per month for our machinery whether they are running 24-7 or 3-4, so it is better stewardship if they are running longer.
Continued use of our material, rather than having to purchase material down town. This is all about whether or not the client likes our colors, and God can bring colors into fashion.
I would take the opportunity of discipleship/training with the guys He has entrusted to me. This is what I see as my greatest stewardship opportunity. I have a platform that maybe no one else has in the lives of these men and I want to take that seriously.
In all these things I want to hold on loosely to the blessings He has given and fight for the opportunities. I want to be content in whatever He gives and truly leave it up to Him.
Thanks so much for all your prayers and even though I know many don't post comments, I have heard from some of you that you are reading this and that rally encourages me. I would like to try to encourage you to post comments, not so I can count who is posting, but you don't know how much others are encouraged when you post a comment back. I hear it all the time, "That comment was so good, it really helped to solidify the initial post", or something to that effect.
Stay in the Word, guard your hearts and look only to Christ. Oh for that day when we sing with the angels, but until then, let us be about our Father's business.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Psalm 23
Ps 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Though this is a relatively short Psalm and I would venture to say that most people could recite it from memory it is so full of encouragement and promise.
With the Lord as our Shepherd, we never will want of need. He provides everything, including rest, in green pastures. The green pastures give comfortable rest, but also food. He provides everything for His sheep as we, His sheep, willing follow Him. Notice that He is not driving us, but is leading us beside the still water. He doesn't lead His sheep to rushing rivers, as we sheep would be afraid. He knows what we need and provides it is a way that is best for us to receive it. He restores our soul, as only He can, but it is for His name's sake that He restores.
We are only in the valley of the Shadow of death, not death itself, because for His sheep He has conquered death for us already. Death and evil can't scare us, because we are alive in Him. His rod and staff are for our defense and chastisement. They are used independently of each other, but both are for our good.
This next part is pretty mind blowing. Only the King's invited guests get to sit at HIS table, but not only are we at His table, His children are guests of honor as our enemies are made to eat and give honor to His guests. His anointing is also for those whom He honors. He blesses His children with oil, in a dry and weary land. Not only are our cups full, but they are overflowing. He provides exceedingly abundantly to His flock.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life"; I have never thought of this relating to my life here on earth. I guess I always jumped over to "dwelling in the house of the Lord forever". The Great Shepherd give us, FOR SURE, goodness and mercy in this life; all the days of this life, not just a few. His goodness and mercy is new every morning and is for every day we are left here on earth and when those "run out" we will be immediately in Heaven for them to continue for all of eternity. There will be none wasted and none held back.
What a blessed promise this psalm is. Sing it in your heart today as you worship the One who is our Shepherd, our Pasture and our Lamb. It is only 1 week until good Friday. Prepare your heart early for Easter Sunday. I hope to post more thoughts toward the cross, the grave and the resurrection this week to prod my soul into clearer worship of Him.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Though this is a relatively short Psalm and I would venture to say that most people could recite it from memory it is so full of encouragement and promise.
With the Lord as our Shepherd, we never will want of need. He provides everything, including rest, in green pastures. The green pastures give comfortable rest, but also food. He provides everything for His sheep as we, His sheep, willing follow Him. Notice that He is not driving us, but is leading us beside the still water. He doesn't lead His sheep to rushing rivers, as we sheep would be afraid. He knows what we need and provides it is a way that is best for us to receive it. He restores our soul, as only He can, but it is for His name's sake that He restores.
We are only in the valley of the Shadow of death, not death itself, because for His sheep He has conquered death for us already. Death and evil can't scare us, because we are alive in Him. His rod and staff are for our defense and chastisement. They are used independently of each other, but both are for our good.
This next part is pretty mind blowing. Only the King's invited guests get to sit at HIS table, but not only are we at His table, His children are guests of honor as our enemies are made to eat and give honor to His guests. His anointing is also for those whom He honors. He blesses His children with oil, in a dry and weary land. Not only are our cups full, but they are overflowing. He provides exceedingly abundantly to His flock.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life"; I have never thought of this relating to my life here on earth. I guess I always jumped over to "dwelling in the house of the Lord forever". The Great Shepherd give us, FOR SURE, goodness and mercy in this life; all the days of this life, not just a few. His goodness and mercy is new every morning and is for every day we are left here on earth and when those "run out" we will be immediately in Heaven for them to continue for all of eternity. There will be none wasted and none held back.
What a blessed promise this psalm is. Sing it in your heart today as you worship the One who is our Shepherd, our Pasture and our Lamb. It is only 1 week until good Friday. Prepare your heart early for Easter Sunday. I hope to post more thoughts toward the cross, the grave and the resurrection this week to prod my soul into clearer worship of Him.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Observe the Glory of God
John 11:14 Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
Sometimes "bad things" happen to us that we really can't explain. In this case a "bad thing" (death) happened to Lazarus, but Jesus explained to the disciples why it happened; so that His glory might be shown and they might believe.
Maybe if I was observing more closely I would see the Glory of God more in the events around me. Maybe in those observances my faith would be strengthened. Maybe, just maybe, in doing those 2 things I would not fall to the sin of worry because my faith would be strengthened.
Notice in verse 35, which in not on this page the personal Jesus who loves His disciples so much that He weeps when He sees their grief.
40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
Sometimes "bad things" happen to us that we really can't explain. In this case a "bad thing" (death) happened to Lazarus, but Jesus explained to the disciples why it happened; so that His glory might be shown and they might believe.
Maybe if I was observing more closely I would see the Glory of God more in the events around me. Maybe in those observances my faith would be strengthened. Maybe, just maybe, in doing those 2 things I would not fall to the sin of worry because my faith would be strengthened.
Notice in verse 35, which in not on this page the personal Jesus who loves His disciples so much that He weeps when He sees their grief.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Prayer Requests Restructured
I was listening to a sermon today as I was in the shop fabricating. That's one of the best things about working with your hands, is your mind and heart can focus on other things as you just work away. The time goes really fast.
In the sermon I was convicted about how I pray and the prayer requests that I have recently posted. It seems like I am presuming on God to answer my requests to Him, in thinking that I know the direction He should go. Like He needs my help in deciding what is best for me/Priceless Granite.
I should be asking that God would do as He sees best, after all "He gives what is best when we leave the choice to Him"- Jim Elliot- so shouldn't I just leave it up to Him? My request should be more like; pray that God would do as He sees fit and that I would be content, even joyful, in His choice.
Thoughts?
In the sermon I was convicted about how I pray and the prayer requests that I have recently posted. It seems like I am presuming on God to answer my requests to Him, in thinking that I know the direction He should go. Like He needs my help in deciding what is best for me/Priceless Granite.
I should be asking that God would do as He sees best, after all "He gives what is best when we leave the choice to Him"- Jim Elliot- so shouldn't I just leave it up to Him? My request should be more like; pray that God would do as He sees fit and that I would be content, even joyful, in His choice.
Thoughts?
Prayer Requests
We had a great month at Priceless Granite. Record lead count. Good sales and nice installs.
Pray;
That God would continue to bring leads that are good leads.
That we would know which ones to try to win and which ones to let go.
Wisdom for making good decisions, with regard to pricing and company direction.
Continued interest in our material.
Health and safety for the guys working.
I want to add for me personally, that I would begin to see the opportunity God has given me with the staff and their spiritual lives. I guess I am starting to see this as my mission field. Many in this world are hurting and I want to be an encouragement and a light to those God brings across my path.
Thanks again for your prayers. God is SO good. He is FULL of Delight.
Pray;
That God would continue to bring leads that are good leads.
That we would know which ones to try to win and which ones to let go.
Wisdom for making good decisions, with regard to pricing and company direction.
Continued interest in our material.
Health and safety for the guys working.
I want to add for me personally, that I would begin to see the opportunity God has given me with the staff and their spiritual lives. I guess I am starting to see this as my mission field. Many in this world are hurting and I want to be an encouragement and a light to those God brings across my path.
Thanks again for your prayers. God is SO good. He is FULL of Delight.
Life Abundantly
John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Jesus is telling us that there is only one way to be saves; only one way to find pasture and only one way to have life abundantly and that is through Him. He is talking about eternal life here, but is it just restricted to an abundant eternal life?
Didn't He come to give us joy in our lives here on earth as well? Satan and his demons come to take our lives and steal our joy and our lives here on earth, but the Good Shepherd laid down His life that we might have joy in this life and joy in the life to come. The rub comes when we believe the lies of this world and go after the things that steal our joy and life, instead of the things God has intended for our joy.
It's not that we can't do all these other things, it is just that when we do them, or seek our satisfaction in them, we allow them to take the place of the things that actually bring true joy. Like eating leftover hot dogs before the feast.
Wait on, and delight yourself in, the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. He did come to give us an abundant life now and for eternity. Don't settle for lesser joy.
Jesus is telling us that there is only one way to be saves; only one way to find pasture and only one way to have life abundantly and that is through Him. He is talking about eternal life here, but is it just restricted to an abundant eternal life?
Didn't He come to give us joy in our lives here on earth as well? Satan and his demons come to take our lives and steal our joy and our lives here on earth, but the Good Shepherd laid down His life that we might have joy in this life and joy in the life to come. The rub comes when we believe the lies of this world and go after the things that steal our joy and life, instead of the things God has intended for our joy.
It's not that we can't do all these other things, it is just that when we do them, or seek our satisfaction in them, we allow them to take the place of the things that actually bring true joy. Like eating leftover hot dogs before the feast.
Wait on, and delight yourself in, the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. He did come to give us an abundant life now and for eternity. Don't settle for lesser joy.
Go to the Gold Mine, not the Beach.
"The World has yet to see what God can do with a man wholly devoted to Him." DL Moody is credited with this statement, but apparently it was a charge to him by an evangelist friend in a conversation before he came back to America. Moody said "the planks on the ship and bricks on the sidewalk all seem to have this written on them, I could not get away from it".
What does it mean to be wholly devoted to Him? I actually have been thinking about this question for quite some time now. My mind always goes to the mission field, as there is a long heritage of missionaries in our family. But what does God want to see in someone wholly devoted to Him? Does that always mean being a missionary?
God wants us to delight wholly in Him, right? We are to be saturated in the Person of Jesus Christ. Our earthly location and vocation doesn't have much to do with whether we are wholly devoted to Him or not.
If we are to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, if we are to search for the pearl of great price and in finding it sell all we have to purchase it, if we are to search for the great treasure and when we find it go and sell everything we have to purchase the field that we might gain the treasure, and if we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart soul mind and strength, how can location or vocation have any bearing on whether we are "wholly devoted to Him"?
So what does "wholly devoted to Him" look like in America today for you and me? Is it too late for us "old people" to be this person? Well, it is too late for me to be this man for my entire life, but not for the balance. God has been gracious to keep me here this long in order that He might give me the desire to ask this question. He had no requirement to draw me to Himself, but He did; what Grace.
For the youth, this can look very different vocationally, as they are starting to build their lives on a foundation. What materials are they using to build with? If we use wood, hay and stubble to build our lives, then when our lives are tested for their eternal worth much will be burned up. Contrast that with building our lives with imperishable material that when we are tested we come out as refined gold, not ashes.
If you are young, seek to do only the things that will please God every minute of everyday of your life. Seek to build a life with materials that are Kingdom focused, not earthly focused. When you are choosing your future career path, which many of my small group guys and my own children are currently doing, choose something that will give you the maximum opportunity to effect the Kingdom. If you want to find gold, go to the gold mine, not to the beach.
But what about my life? I don't want it to be too late for me to be wholly devoted to Him. God ordains EVERY situation in our lives, including when we are saved and when we finally realize what life and eternity are all about. He has allowed me/us to live the way that we have wanted, much like Solomon did. I am not saying I am similar to Solomon by any stretch of the imagination. At the end of Solomon's life he looked back and saw all that he had done and concluded that it was all vanity, save one thing; "Fear God and keep His commandments". The wisest wholly human who ever lived tells us this.
What does Jesus tell us to do? The first and greatest commandment is "Love the Lord your God with all your hear soul, mind and strength, the 2nd is love your neighbor as yourself". If we have done these completely, which none have, then Jesus' instruction to the rich young ruler in Matt. 19 was to "go and sell all that you have and give it to the poor, then you will have treasures in heaven". Did Jesus really want his money or his things? No, He only wanted to know who, or what, was on the throne of this man's heart.
He is asking the same questions of me and you. Do you love anything more than me? If I say "no" then He may ask me to prove it. Am I willing to give up everything to follow Christ? He doesn't say that I am going to be required to leave everything behind, but I have to be willing. He may require proof of solidarity, or proof of a singular focus.
Wholly devoted: entirely; totally; altogether - zealous or ardent in attachment, loyalty, or affection. Are my entire affections consumed with God? Are my affections ardent or zealous for Him, or are they sort of take it or leave it? If my affections are not HOT for Him, then what are they hot for? We can have hot affections for things like work, kids, money, houses, cars and even sleep. God requires that in our following Him our affections be hot for Him.
I want to be this man, though I have a later start than I would like, I still have a starting point. What about you? Are you ready to start, or are you still trying to get some things accomplished so you will be "ready" to wholly follow Christ? It is time we put down the wood and straw and went over to where the gold is. Forget the rest, it is only vanity and a chasing after the wind. Go where Christ is leading you and just keep your eyes on Him.
Lord, You have called me, You have saved me, You have redeemed me with Your very life and I desire to live in such a way that pleases You. Tear down the idols that keep me from following right behind You. Allow me to see just a glimpse of the joy that comes from following hard after You, so I might understand how glorious it can be when I build with materials that won't burn. All of this is Your work in me and I want to be wholly available and devoted to Your work. I don't desire this so that others may look at me, but so that You might say to me on the last day, "well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of My rest". God, help me be a man wholly devoted to You, right where I am today. Don't let me waste one more moment waiting for the time to be right. Show me what it looks like right where You have me and then give me the desire to live it out.
What does it mean to be wholly devoted to Him? I actually have been thinking about this question for quite some time now. My mind always goes to the mission field, as there is a long heritage of missionaries in our family. But what does God want to see in someone wholly devoted to Him? Does that always mean being a missionary?
God wants us to delight wholly in Him, right? We are to be saturated in the Person of Jesus Christ. Our earthly location and vocation doesn't have much to do with whether we are wholly devoted to Him or not.
If we are to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, if we are to search for the pearl of great price and in finding it sell all we have to purchase it, if we are to search for the great treasure and when we find it go and sell everything we have to purchase the field that we might gain the treasure, and if we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart soul mind and strength, how can location or vocation have any bearing on whether we are "wholly devoted to Him"?
So what does "wholly devoted to Him" look like in America today for you and me? Is it too late for us "old people" to be this person? Well, it is too late for me to be this man for my entire life, but not for the balance. God has been gracious to keep me here this long in order that He might give me the desire to ask this question. He had no requirement to draw me to Himself, but He did; what Grace.
For the youth, this can look very different vocationally, as they are starting to build their lives on a foundation. What materials are they using to build with? If we use wood, hay and stubble to build our lives, then when our lives are tested for their eternal worth much will be burned up. Contrast that with building our lives with imperishable material that when we are tested we come out as refined gold, not ashes.
If you are young, seek to do only the things that will please God every minute of everyday of your life. Seek to build a life with materials that are Kingdom focused, not earthly focused. When you are choosing your future career path, which many of my small group guys and my own children are currently doing, choose something that will give you the maximum opportunity to effect the Kingdom. If you want to find gold, go to the gold mine, not to the beach.
But what about my life? I don't want it to be too late for me to be wholly devoted to Him. God ordains EVERY situation in our lives, including when we are saved and when we finally realize what life and eternity are all about. He has allowed me/us to live the way that we have wanted, much like Solomon did. I am not saying I am similar to Solomon by any stretch of the imagination. At the end of Solomon's life he looked back and saw all that he had done and concluded that it was all vanity, save one thing; "Fear God and keep His commandments". The wisest wholly human who ever lived tells us this.
What does Jesus tell us to do? The first and greatest commandment is "Love the Lord your God with all your hear soul, mind and strength, the 2nd is love your neighbor as yourself". If we have done these completely, which none have, then Jesus' instruction to the rich young ruler in Matt. 19 was to "go and sell all that you have and give it to the poor, then you will have treasures in heaven". Did Jesus really want his money or his things? No, He only wanted to know who, or what, was on the throne of this man's heart.
He is asking the same questions of me and you. Do you love anything more than me? If I say "no" then He may ask me to prove it. Am I willing to give up everything to follow Christ? He doesn't say that I am going to be required to leave everything behind, but I have to be willing. He may require proof of solidarity, or proof of a singular focus.
Wholly devoted: entirely; totally; altogether - zealous or ardent in attachment, loyalty, or affection. Are my entire affections consumed with God? Are my affections ardent or zealous for Him, or are they sort of take it or leave it? If my affections are not HOT for Him, then what are they hot for? We can have hot affections for things like work, kids, money, houses, cars and even sleep. God requires that in our following Him our affections be hot for Him.
I want to be this man, though I have a later start than I would like, I still have a starting point. What about you? Are you ready to start, or are you still trying to get some things accomplished so you will be "ready" to wholly follow Christ? It is time we put down the wood and straw and went over to where the gold is. Forget the rest, it is only vanity and a chasing after the wind. Go where Christ is leading you and just keep your eyes on Him.
Lord, You have called me, You have saved me, You have redeemed me with Your very life and I desire to live in such a way that pleases You. Tear down the idols that keep me from following right behind You. Allow me to see just a glimpse of the joy that comes from following hard after You, so I might understand how glorious it can be when I build with materials that won't burn. All of this is Your work in me and I want to be wholly available and devoted to Your work. I don't desire this so that others may look at me, but so that You might say to me on the last day, "well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of My rest". God, help me be a man wholly devoted to You, right where I am today. Don't let me waste one more moment waiting for the time to be right. Show me what it looks like right where You have me and then give me the desire to live it out.
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