"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will joy in the God of my salvation. For the Lord God is my strength. He makes my feet like deer's feet and makes me walk upon my high places."
Habakkuk 3:18-19
Five things that have inspired and encouraged me this week:
1. BIBLE PASSAGE I'M FOCUSING ON
"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
This passage is at the heart of prayer - asking, seeking, knocking. All of those are active words. Prayer isn't a passive activity, it is an act of faith to pray and trust God to deliver.
I will be teaching Wisdom Literature at our local prison this fall for Carson Newman University and I had to choose a textbook for this class. I've never taught this course before, and I don't remember what the textbook was when I took the class back in the dark ages, so this was my best guess for a textbook. I'm about halfway through and I really like it. Some of it is really academic, but much of it is solid interpretation and application. The authors, Craig G. Bartholomew and Ryan P. O'Dowd do a good job of weaving in the practical application with the academic information. I think it will be a helpful book to the students, and to anyone who wants to learn about this unique genre of literature in the Old Testament.
Dave is the the husband of Rachel Hollis, a best selling author and sought after conference speaker. Dave is also a former Disney executive who handled business deals for blockbuster movies.
The book is his journey of victory over alcoholism, depression, mental frustration and anguish, and getting control of his life. He talks about the mental shifts, resources, and the power of God that enabled him to take full responsibility for his health, life and future. He also teaches about the discipline it takes to not only get back on track and stay on track.
4. QUOTE I AM PONDERING
"You have to train your mind as much as your body." Venus Williams
That is a powerful quote from one of the greatest and most successful tennis players in history. For a great "mind-training" program, follow the instructions of Philippians 4:8, "Fix your thoughts (train your mind) on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
5. FRIDAY FUNNY!
Thanks for checking out Five on Friday. Read my other posts at my website.
Five things that have inspired and encouraged me this week:
1. BIBLE PASSAGE I'M FOCUSING ON
"Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” Luke 21:27-28 NLT
I've been preaching through the Gospel of Luke since November of 2021. We've taken some breaks along the way and done some different sermon series, but we're still plugging away in Luke. These verses come from a section I will be preaching this coming Sunday, Luke 21:5-28. These two verses from that section have intrigued me so I want to spend a little more time meditating on and studying them.
This is my second time through this book. (I'm listening to it on the Libby App as well as following along in a hard copy.) Batterson always inspires and challenges me, and this book is no different. He combines an emphasis on faith, prayer, and obedience with practical tools and common-sense applications to help the ordinary person serve and honor an extraordinary God with his/her life.
Batterson shares a lot of his own life's journey in learning how to make the most of every day and moment that God gives. He has made some life-changing, sacrificial decisions, and overcome some incredibly difficult circumstances. He uses his story to inspire and encourage others in their quest to honor God and live out their God-given calling.
I rarely play games on my phone. I have an addictive nature and I can easily get lost in a digital game world for hours, so I generally don't download games anymore. That being said, I came across an add for this game and it piqued my interest, so I thought I would give it a try. The game combines Bible trivia questions, with word formation puzzles and it sprinkles Bible verses throughout the game.
The game page says, "[Bible Word] is a word connect game that you will learn Bible words, unlock Bible verses, pass Bible quiz and solve Bible puzzles with friends. Bible Word Puzzle starts as an easy word game but gets difficult as playing more word puzzle and Bible quiz challenges."
So far I've enjoyed it and I have limited myself to only playing once or twice a week.
4. QUOTE I AM PONDERING
"I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." - Charles Spurgeon
This quote is actually a chapter header in Batterson's Win The Day Book. Spurgeon was the long-time pastor of the modern world's first mega-church, the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London England. Despite being known, even in his day as the "Prince of Preachers" Spurgeon suffered a great deal emotionally and spiritually. He often fell into depression and would be unable to preach for weeks at a time.
Over the years Spurgeon learned to cope with his bouts of depression by drawing deeper into his relationship with the Lord. He came to see the "waves" as gifts that caused him to rely more fully on Jesus; thus the quote! To "kiss the wave" is to embrace the hardships and challenges we face as gifts that drive us to Jesus.
5. FRIDAY FUNNY!
Everyone who grew up in the 1970's and 1980's will get this one:
Thanks for checking out Five on Friday. Read my other posts at my website.
Five things that have inspired and encouraged me this week:
1. BIBLE VERSE I'M MEDITATING ON
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11 NKJV
This verse speaks to our ability to defeat Satan by the power of God's provision (the blood of the Lamb) and through our testimony of God's grace and faithfulness, and by not loving our lives in this world. Jesus said in John 12:25 "Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity."
Revelation 12:11 highlights the overcoming power of faith, the gospel message, and the sacrifice of Jesus.
I've used this app for a few years now for Bible verse memorization. This free app allows you to memorize Scripture from any Bible translation easily, and provides lots of helps with games, strategies, reminders and more. I love it.
I'm still reading McKeown's better known book, Essentialism, but I came across this book in audio on the Libby App. In Effortless he builds on the foundation he laid in Essentialism. His central idea is that we can accomplish just as much in life with balance and efficiency as we can by working ourselves to death. He highlights a lot of the issues we have with "burning the candle at both ends" and how we are more productive when we are rested and focused.
"Getting ahead doesn’t have to be as hard as we make it. No matter what challenges or obstacles we face, there is a better way: instead of pushing ourselves harder, we can find an easier path. Effortless offers actionable advice for making the most essential activities the easiest ones, so you can achieve the results you want, without burning out."
I'm about halfway through and it has a lot of practical helps to simplify life.
4. QUOTE I'M PONDERING
"There is a peace passing understanding of which the politicians cannot deprive us." John Newton
Newton is most noted for being the author of the great hymn, Amazing Grace" but he also played a significant role in the British abolitionist movement by transitioning from a slave trader to a vocal critic and advocate against slavery, contributing to the eventual abolition of the slave trade. Newton became a close friend and advisor to William Wilberforce, the leading parliamentary figure in the abolitionist movement. Though it took them many years and many political battles, their collaboration was crucial to the success of the abolitionist cause.
Newton faced a great deal of public scrutiny and criticism launched by political opponents, but he had a deep faith in God which brought him tremendous peace when the political fiery darts were being fired.
His quote is a great reminder for followers of Jesus in our political climate today.
5. DAD JOKE I'M DIGGING
Thanks for checking out Five on Friday. Read my other posts at my website.
Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 CSB
The "therefore" reminds us to go back and read the verses before this one, which explains what Christ has done for us. And because of all He has done, we not only have access to the Father in prayer, but we can confidently come boldly into His presence to get help in our time of need. I love that the writer of Hebrews describes God's presence as "the throne of grace," not the throne of judgment or condemnation, but grace; the place we find mercy and grace in our time of need. Don't be timid in prayer - God wants us to come boldly into His presence.
As John Newton, the writer of "Amazing Grace" once wrote:
“Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring, for His grace and power are such none can ever ask too much.” Amen!
2. Song That Stirs Me UP
Gospel artist CeCe Winans' "That's My King" moves my soul! The upbeat rhythm and powerful lyrics brings out something in my heart that I can only describe as TRUE Worship. Winans says of the song, "It's a song to remind us who we serve. We serve a God who has all power, He knows the end from the beginning. He's your Shepherd, He's your provider, He's a father to the fatherless, He's a mother to the motherless. And when you're reminded of who He is in your life, you can't help but give Him praise." AMEN!
3. Quote That Has Got Me Thinking
"The person who learns the most in any classroom is the teacher. If you really want to learn a topic, then 'teach' it. Write a book. Teach a class. Build a product. Start a company. The act of making something will force you to learn more deeply than reading ever will." James Clear
Clear, the author of "Atomic Habits" is spot on with this quote. You always learn more from teaching than anything else. And this is a great truth for following Jesus and making disciples. When you take a step of faith to disciple someone else, it forces you to be more intentional about being a disciple yourself. You learn more about following Jesus by teaching other people to follow Jesus.
McKeown writes, teaches, and speaks around the world on the importance of living and leading as an Essentialist. His book is more than a time-management technique. It is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution toward the things that really matter.
I'm only a couple of chapters into the book, but he asks some important, but tough self-reflection questions to make you think abut what is really important to you and what you are living your life for. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of it.
5. Dad Joke I'm Digging
A church had a picnic and invited the entire community to come. The Pastor placed a basket full of apples on one end of a table with a sign saying, "Take only one apple please - Remember that God is watching."
On the other end of the table was a plate of cookies where one of the children had placed a sign saying, "Take all the cookies you want -- God is watching the apples."
Bonus - Memorial Day
Monday is Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember those who have given their lives for the freedoms of our nation. The roots of Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, emerged from a desire for healing after the Civil War. With hundreds of thousands of lives lost, communities across both the North and South began to decorate the graves of their fallen soldiers. These "decoration days" often involved worship services and the placement of flowers on graves of loved ones.
For many of us today, it is a time to reflect on the reality of selfless sacrifice of those who have given their all for their country. As we observe Memorial Day, we not only honor the sacrifices made by our service members, but we also acknowledge the spiritual courage and conviction that often guided them. It is a day to reflect on the preciousness of freedom, the cost of its preservation, and to renew our commitment to the values for which so many have given their lives. In remembering them, we are called to live lives worthy of their sacrifice.
This year is significant in that it is the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. I came across this moving Memorial Day tribute:
I pray you have a great Memorial Day Weekend, and God bless America!
