“Multiplied” by Needtobreathe

God of mercy, sweet love of mine

I am surrendered to your design

Excerpt from “Multiplied” by Needtobreathe

Dear God, I was watching a slideshow of a mission trip to Mexico on Sunday, and this was one of the songs that came on. I really like it, and I decided to take a listen to it this morning to see if anything caught my ear, so to speak. What I noticed was the idea of being surrendered to your design.

I wonder what my life would look like if your plan was to let me have my design for my life and the lives around me. If I had that much control how much worse would things be, for me and everyone around me? It’s not that things are perfect now, but if my selfish will were able to change your will and design then the world would certainly be a worse place. And I would be a worse person. My soul is healthiest when I am letting go of my agenda and surrendering to your design.

Father, I need your mercy to guide me. I need more and more humility as I strive to find your perfect plan for my life. That plan might cost me something. It might cost me everything. If so, help me to sing, “God of mercy, sweet love of mine, I am surrendered to your design.”

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Matthew 2:13-16

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.

Matthew 2:13-16

Dear God, I was reading a missionary friend’s newsletter this morning and I saw they are doing work in Europe with refugees there. It made me think about people fleeing danger in their home countries and this brought to mind that Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt to escape violence and death. I wonder what Egypt’s immigration process was at the time. How did they secure their borders?

While we deal with our government figuring out our own border policy, I think there is a point where we as Christians should turn our attention to the causes of violence in their home regions and pray through our responses. Are there organizations on the ground we should help? Should we put pressure on our government to help? At the very least, should we be praying fervently for the families who are like the ones in verse 16–the ones who lost their children?

Father, there is a lot to pray for here. There is the violence in the countries of origin. There are the scared families. There is the response once they get to our border. There is the assimilation into our culture. And this is only scratching the surface. Make me smarter about this. Make me wiser. And use me however you will.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Disappointed in God

No verse

Dear God, about two years ago, I had to get comfortable with an idea. I was disappointed with you. Disillusioned might be another way to look at it.

I was having lunch with a friend, and I told him about the negative things in my life. I explained to him that I knew that faith in God would not mean a smooth life, but I had found that I did expect some level of protection from the prayers I prayed and the diligence with which I lived my life. I learned the hard way that there aren’t.

At that point, I didn’t have much of a relationship with either of my children. I was in a lot of pain. I explained to my friend that I really thought that my prayers for them and our family, the time I intentionally took to spend with them, the time my wife intentionally spent with them every morning at breakfast studying the Bible, the teach of their Sunday school classes, coaching their soccer teams, etc. would provide some level of protection over them, their relationship with you, and my relationship with them. In the end, however, it didn’t seem to. I was in a terrible place with them. He told me, “It’s hard when we are disappointed by God.”

I had never applied that word to it before. I had examined whether or not I was angry with you, but anger wasn’t the emotion I felt. But with his words, I realized I was indeed disappointed or disillusioned. Realizing that fact started to bring me healing and take me to a new place of letting go and turning them over to you.

When they were young, I used to question people on what it means to turn my children over to God. I have responsibilities as their dad. I have to remain engaged and stalwart in their parenting. I don’t know what “turning them over to God” looks like in that context. Since that conversation with my friend a couple of years ago, I think I’ve gotten a better picture.

The biggest thing I’ve come to is that they do truly have free will. Bad things will happen to them. Others might do bad, or even traumatic, things to them. I might do mean or wrong things to them. How they respond to those things is their choice and no amount of prayer on my part will enable you to override their free will. That is the gift you gave to us that all of your divine power cannot overcome.

The other thing I’ve learned is that there is so much going on than I can see. I really have no idea what is really going on around me. The powers and principalities of this world are nothing compared to the spiritual realm. The tapestry being woven by history is unintelligible to me. Going back to the verse from Hebrews 11:1–that’s where my faith comes in.

Yesterday morning, I got news from a friend that something tragic happened to one of his children. I was in a parking garage nearly 300 miles from home, about to climb into my car and drive home. I instantly wept when I read his message through Facebook Messenger. I wanted to hug him and his wife. I wanted to let them know what I think I’ve learned about releasing the guilt and disappointment. I couldn’t physically do the first because he lives in another part of the country, and I have no idea what they need to hear right now so I wouldn’t dare offer any “advice.” My next concern was for their marriage. It is so hard for a marriage to survive the loss of a child. How will this impact their lives?

Father, all of this is to say that I’m not disappointed by you anymore, but I have learned a little about what to expect and what not to expect. I’m still figuring it out, though. I’m still learning to really understand the last part of the serenity prayer. When there is something I cannot change, the prayer to accept it is a fairly easy one. When there is something I can change, the prayer to have the courage to affect it is an easy one. But the wisdom to know the difference. That’s the tougher nut to crack, and one I feel like I am slowly figuring out. Help my friend and his wife this morning. Help their children and family. Help them in this pain. Touch them gently, hold them close, and speak to them clearly.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Philippians 3:14

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:14

Dear God, I wonder if the person who chooses the Bible Gateway verse of the day was involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the 80s, because the Hebrews 11:1 from two days ago and now the Philippians 3:14 are both verse that were themes for national conferences I went to in 1984 and 1985. Anyway, it’s always neat when I run into one of these verses, but is really special when it happens twice in three days.

I’ve been at a hospital conference the last few days and one of the topics that has come up often is the appropriateness of care—especially end-of-life care. We have reached a point in our society where we have much more control over what the end of the race looks like than we did when Paul wrote these words. The end of the road often came fast and abruptly for them. The prize of which she speaks was much closer at hand. I am 48 now. If I had lived then I would probably be an elder. On the board on which I sit, I am the second youngest. Technology has changed so much over the last 100 years—even the last 20 years. So much so that we have started to adopt an attitude that we don’t want the prize. If we get sick, we want to do everything we can to run the race. But not necessarily to run the race for you, but to race for ourselves. We want to see our grandchildren do this or that. We don’t want to leave our spouse or our children. As I sit here and think about it, our reason for wanting to continue to run is probably all wrong.

Father, I will have decisions to make about myself and my life one day. I will possibly have to make a decision for my wife. I might have to counsel my parents or siblings. In fact, recently, I had to counsel a patient about calling hospice. But when I get to those times, help me to remember that life is truly all about the prize, and the race itself is not about me and the “bucket list” things on my agenda. It’s about running the race for you you, through Christ Jesus, called me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Hebrews 12:1

Dear God, when I first read this passage this morning it made me think about cycling and how much difference a few pounds makes on a bike. People will spend thousands of dollars on a bike that is 5 lbs. lighter than regular one. I’ve always joked that it’s cheaper for me to just lose the five pounds myself. But when your climbing hills, you can definitely feel the difference five or ten pounds makes.

Then I thought about a story I heard yesterday during a presentation on ethics. It was about a guy who committed over $2 billion (with a “b”) in hospital finance fraud. The irony was that he was a self-professed Christian who even had a Christian TV show. Apparently, however, at one point during his investigation, he started attending a black church with the goal of being more sympathetic to any potential black jurors (I think he lived in Alabama). At what did his sin encumber him so much that it overtook him? I wonder what he would say now about his life and the choices he made. Were you ever really his God?

Father, I know I have sin in my life. I know that I met mistakes, judge people, tell little or big lies, etc. all of the time. As I think about ethics and what this passage is telling me, I submit to your authority, ask for your grace, and worship you for your glory’s sake.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Hebrews 11:1

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:1

Dear God, there are all kinds things for which I pray and try to muster enough faith. There are the obvious things like physical wellness/healing of others or myself, financial provision for others or myself, etc. but I would say the area where you are really drawing me into a deeper level of believing in the evidence of things I cannot see is with my kids. They are grown now and making their way in the world. I pray for them every day. My wife and I pray together nearly every day and we always pray for them. But we rarely “see” the outcomes of our prayers.

Lately, however, I feel like you are showing be how the best outcomes for people come from struggle. There is a line somewhere between helping my children as a parent and getting in the way of what you are trying to do to answer my prayers and develop them as people. Sometimes it can be hard to be patient. It can be hard to tell them no. And it can become hard to pray when I don’t “see” the fruit of my prayers.

Father, all of this is to say that you are helping my unbelief. For years I have joined the father talking to Jesus who said, “I believe, help my unbelief,” but now I am feeling my faith crowding out my unbelief. I still have a long way to go, but I know enough about where I’ve been to appreciate where I am now. But I’ll try to be better tomorrow.

I pray to you with much love and gratitude in Jesus’ name,

Amen

 

“The Love of God” by Rich Mullins

“The Love of God” by Rich Mullins

There’s a wide ness in God’s mercy

I cannot find in my own

And it keeps this fire burning

To melt this heart of stone

Keeps me aching with the yearning

Keeps me glad to have been caught

In the reckless, raging fury

That they call the love of God

Now I have seen no band of angels

But I’ve heard the soldiers’ song

Love hangs over them like a banner

Love within leads them on

To the battle on the journey

And it’s never going to stop

Ever widening their mercy

And the fury of His love

Oh, the love of God

Oh, the love of God

The love of God

Joy and sorrow are this ocean

It’s in their every ebb and flow

Now the Lord ad door has opened

That all hell can never close

Here I’m tested and made worthy

Tossed about, yet lifted up

In the reckless, raging fury

That they call the love of God

Dear God, I’ve always love this song—the reckless, raging fury. That’s not normally how we describe your love. We want your love to be gentle and warm, but that’s how we love. That’s how mortals do it. The omnipotent brings something else to the table. The perfect father has a love that I cannot fathom. And your desire is to break us down and mold us into the people we need to be.

As I think about the words to this song this morning, I have to confess that my heart is distracted by a difficult situation. I have a difficult thing to do, and it has to be done well. I woke up this morning thinking about it, and what I’m really wondering is how can I do it in love? How can I do it compassionately? What I’m facing feels like part of the ocean ebbing and flowing. It’s part of the sorrow that you use to form me. Oh, how I need you to help me.

Father, guide me. Guide me, please. And don’t let the pain of this situation be in vain. Make it count. Make it count for me and everyone else involved. Help me, please.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Psalm 112:4-6

Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered.

Psalm 112:4-6

Dear God, there’s just a certain way to live, and one doesn’t need to be a believer in you to know it.

I’ve been a Rotarian for 11 years, and we have what we call the four-way test. If we come across a dilemma or difficult situation, we are to first apply these four questions and let the answers guide us:

Of all the things we think, say, and do,

• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build good will and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

I like that this starts with the words “think, say, and do.” What are my thoughts? What are my words? What are my actions? It’s not just what I do. It’s not just what I say. It’s starts with what and how I think.

Father, as I go through this and every day, help me to first surrender my thoughts to you. Help me to not be selfish or to sacrifice anyone else’s good for my own. Help me to embrace truth. And help me to point others to you, your glory, and to the freedom and joy you offer.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Matthew 19:13-15

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

Matthew 19:13-15

Dear God, I wonder how these children’s lives turned out. Their parents too—I wonder how this experience changed them. First, we know we are starting with people who were motivated enough to do this for their children, so they obviously loved them. I guess what I’m wondering is what kind of impact Jesus’ actions here had on everyone’s lives.

Praying for your children is one of those interesting mysteries that I just don’t understand, but I think I’ve started to realize something over the last year or two. Due to the idea that all of us need to be broken down at some point and brought to the end of ourselves, sometimes your answers to our prayers for our children will not look anything like we think they should.

Father, to quote a song, I don’t know where all this is going or how it all works out. Lead me to peace that passes understanding. A peace beyond all doubt.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

A Little Down Time, But Not Too Much

No verse.

 Dear God, I’ll admit that it’s been kind of a weird morning. Frankly, if I had woken up 15 minutes earlier I probably would have gone to church with Megan, but instead I stayed in bed all morning. I thought about getting up and going for a bike ride, but I passed that up too. Nope, Just stayed there all morning.

 Perhaps I kind of hit a wall after yesterday. I find that every once in a while I need this kind of a break, but I was thinking recently that it had been a while since I had done it. Then, all of a sudden, today I did it. There is something about it that kind of clears my head a little. It’s almost like my tendency is to always desire that kind of lethargy, but whenever I experience it for a few hours I get tired of it and I’m ready to get going again.

 Megan and I talked yesterday about the idea that we are built to work. You designed us to both work and to give of ourselves. If one of those two things are not in our lives then we do not function as well. If neither of them are part of our lives then we will shrivel up. Yesterday was a good day. I’m getting some of that Sabbath rest today, but it can still be a good day too.

 Father, I’m sorry I missed out on some corporate worship of you today. I should have gone somewhere, but there is a part of me that has no regrets about how I spent my morning. But there is still a lot ahead of me today. There are opportunities to work on some overdue projects, to meet with some friends, and to serve my wife. Help me to do everything you have in front of me today in a way that is both good for me and what you want for those around me.

 In Jesus’ name I pray,

 Amen