September 27 - The "Go" of Renunciation

Lord,
Following You is no bed of roses.
If it were, then the world would believe.
Instead it's a major comittment
To follow, not stopping to grieve.

You ask us to put You first,
Before home, family and friends.
To make sure there is nothing before You,
Because, above all, You transcend.

You tell us to always be ready,
To come at the drop of a hat.
No time for goodbyes or excuses.
You want us beyond all of that.
jj/10


This lesson has always been difficult for me.  Abruptly dropping my family and friends for the cause of Christ takes a commitment that I would have trouble with.  I'm not saying it couldn't be done, just that it would be difficult.  I can barely commit to blog on a regular basis!

September 12 - Going Through Spiritual Confusion

Lord,
Your mystery surrounds You.
Please give me eyes to see,
How when You seem so far away
You still are loving me.

When my prayers don't seem to matter
And I feel lost and alone,
You ask me, Lord, to trust You
Though my heart just wants to groan.

But You always give me strength, Lord,
And answer every prayer.
Even when I feel confusion
It's evident how You care.
jj/10


I suppose there are people who never question God - never second guess His will and way.  I would love to be like that but, alas, I am too human.  Thus, I get confused.  Things I have asked for are ignored (though eventually I find they were just delayed.)   Spiritual confusion calls for more trust.

September 11 - Missionary Weapons (II)

Lord,
You show me that my mission field
Is not half a world away,
But includes people I deal with
Each and every day.

If I can't help a sales clerk
Or cab driver know You more,
Then I defeat the purpose
That You have made me for.

Help me, God, to recognize
The mission every day
And to be ready in Your word
As I worship and I pray.
jj/10


It's not only about doing daily devotions and worship, but to translate this into your life as you relate to others.  They are your mission field each day and God expects you to help them to know Him.

September 10 - Missionary Weapons

Lord,
If I were to say "I'm ready
For when a crisis does arise"
But have not prepared each day
Then I'm just plain ill advised.

My daily prayer and worship
Are the tools that make me fit.
When spiritual battles come
I'll have strength that will not quit.

Practice does make perfect,
Even spiritually.
So Lord help me practice daily
To do battle totally.
jj/10


Spiritual battles may come at any time; today, tomorrow, 30 years.  How prepared are you and how do you prepare?  The same way you prepare for anything - by practicing.  In this case, practicing consists of daily worship and devotions.  Don't put it off to do tomorrow or when you have time.  Pray and worship every day.  It's your best weapon.

As you can see by the date I am posting this, I need to practice my daily discipline to get this back on track daily.  Very sorry for the delay.   No excuses, just apologies.

September 9 - Do It Yourself (II)

Lord,
There are so many worthwhile projects,
Things that help people each day,
But if I jump in without Your guidance,
I find myself losing my way.

I want to approach things prayerfully,
With godly zeal and determination,
And not just join for no reason
Other than participation.

Transform me, Your servant, O God,
Help me bring every thought to submission,
And not just impulsively proceed
Without prayerfully asking permission.
jj/10


So many worthwhile groups and projects - so little time.  Some people believe God wants us to help wherever we can but Oswald Chambers says God wants us to really confer with Him and only do projects that He wants for us.  To do otherwise is going against God, even if it is for a good cause.

September 8 - Do It Yourself

Lord,
I used to think my worst battle
Was against evil and sin,
But then my human nature rose
And I caught a look within.

Sin can only get as far
As I allow it to,
But it has a home inside me
That I need to fill with You.

Lord, I need to be determined
To keep my self at bay,
Because where self is featured
Sin is never far away.
jj/10


I have been letting my self get in my way all day instead of writing this blog as early as I intended.  The things that filled my day were not "bad things" but they were distractions.  I need to concentrate constantly to avoid the pitfalls.

September 7 - Fountains of Blessings

Lord,
Make me a fountain of blessings,
Through which living waters flow.
The more blessings You pour through me,
The more my blessings will grow.

This bubbling fountain of blessings
Needs constant attention and care.
It processes all of Your goodness
Making sure there is plenty to share.

Help me stay true to You, Jesus,
Break down any barriers in me,
So my fountain of blessings continues
To flow through ever steadfastly.
jj/10

It is a well known but little utilized fact that generously giving will result in receiving blessings.  Not giving and not sharing blessings can be a hindrance to anyone who wants to have a fountain of God's blessings.

September 6 - The Far Reaching Rivers of Life

Lord,
I've always loved the river;
The sight, the sound, the power.
The way it faces obstacles
Without a doubt or cower.

Make my life like a river,
Proclaiming You in me.
Make Your love and blessings
Flow through me steadily.

I know I will meet obstacles.
My focus will be tested,
But my deep river will flow on
As with You I stay invested.
jj/10


A river is such a good way to describe our spiritual life.  Our spiritual life changes constantly like the river but it also grows stronger, faces obstacles and overcomes them.

September 5 - Watching With Jesus

Lord,
Your apostles didn't watch with You
On the night You were betrayed.
No matter how they wanted to,
They slept sound while You prayed.

They lacked the Holy Spirit
To make them understand
That the matters, as unfolded,
Were going as You'd planned.

Let me watch with You, Jesus,
It's what I want to do.
I know that it is possible
With the Holy Spirit and You.
jj/10


How incredibly more fortunate we are than the apostles were.  We are able to see the whole picture instead of just piece by piece.  They were decimated by falling asleep in the garden and later denying Jesus, etc.  They had no idea of the strength the Holy Spirit would give to them eventually, while He is a constant resource available to us.

September 4 - His!

Lord,
I love the life You've given me,
This perfect place and time.
Your love and that of family and friends
To me, right now, is prime.


But if I really truly
Want to belong solely to You
I have to put them all aside
As if we were all through.

For it's when I close my doors
And let You alone come in,
That I will be entirely Yours.
Our new purpose can begin.
jj/10


I am so limited and I know it.  The passage that speaks of "hating" your father, mother, etc. to come to God has always set me back.  It is good to know that even if I cannot do that, I am still saved, I'm just not entirely His.  As always, I need to work on being more "His" and less "mine".

September 3 - Pouring Out the Water of Satisfaction

Lord,
So many times these last few weeks
Your love has been displayed,
By my friends and family
In a myriad of ways.

They give so much so selflessly,
Undeserved by me, no doubt,
So I take the love they've shown me
And to You I pour it out.

That love is like clear water,
Refreshing to my soul.
Channeling it from me to You
Makes my satisfaction whole.
jj/10


I can see where spiritual growth could be stunted if blessings and love are hoarded and not processed to God through my life.  Some days I can feel the "living waters" flowing through me because I am so blessed by the generosity around me.

September 2 - A Life of Pure and Holy Sacrifice

Lord,
Talking about sacrifice
Is very hard for me.
No matter my intentions,
My life derails me.

I want to be extravagant
And show my love is true,
But I let a million things
Come between me and You.

Help me get my mind straight, Lord,
And use what You've given me.
Direct my path to bring You joy
More than occasionally.
jj/10


It is such a disappointment to me that I am so lacking in discipline that I can't keep up this blog in a timely fashion.  My surgery and recovery should have given me time to really embrace this study but I have let myself be diverted.  My goal this week is to catch up so I can do this on a daily basis - the SAME day as the study.  The sacrifice mentioned in today's message makes this particularly appropriate to my intention here.

September 1 - Destined to be Holy

Lord, I am unholy.
That comes as no surprise.
The holiness I strive for,
I pray I'll recognize.

It's holiness unsullied
By any taint or sins.
Atonement through the cross of Christ
Where holiness begins.

Putting all my thoughts and words
Under Your own scrutiny,
As You help me demonstrate
Your holiness in me.
jj/10


Holiness is something that God wants for us, which, like salvation, He makes available to us.  When we know Jesus as our Savior, we open the door to holiness.  It is a matter of trying to be more like Christ.

August 31 - "My Joy . . . Your Joy"

Lord,
For far too long I've labored
Under sweet delusion.
The true meaning of joy
Has caused me some confusion.

I thought joy was happiness,
Something from inside.
But real joy is joy like Yours, Lord,
In God's perfect will to abide.

The closer I draw to You, God,
The more my joy will grow.
When I let go of my own self,
Your joy is mine to know.
jj/10


I have always thought of joy as an emotion derived from outside things:  relationships, possessions, health, etc.  But I was only partly right.  Joy is from the relationship I have with God through Jesus.  Jesus' joy was in serving His Father and my joy needs to be Jesus.