Are You Feeling Hurried Today?

I am leaving in a few minutes to go to the church building to worship with other believers. I am sure many of you are planning to do the same thing.

A typical day, for most people, in "churchdom" on Sunday, goes something like this:

10am Sunday School (if your church has Sunday school)
11am Assembly/Worship Service
12pm Head out the door for Lunch
1pm-5:30pm Football (Here, we will watching the Ravens)
6pm Evening service (If your church has an evening service)
7pm head home to get everyone ready for work and school for the next week.

On the average, on a Sunday, people spend usually 1 hour, some possibly 2 hours, a rare few 3 hours, (that are broken up by food and football) in congregational worship of God. These are the norms.

This morning I was reading in the book of Nehemiah. This is what I found.

Nehemiah 9:1-4

¹ On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. ² Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. ³ They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God. ⁴ Standing on the stairs of the Levites were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani. They cried out with loud voices to the LORD their God. 

The first thing I was struck by in this passage was the amount of time these people spent in reading God's Word, confession,and praise. I had to figure out just what a quarter of the day meant. This is what I found.

The Jewish day is considered twelve hours. So, that mean, according to this passage, they spent three hours reading God's Word. Then, after that, they spent three hours confessing their sins and worshiping God.

Math was my worst subject in school, but, that is six hours as best as I can add it up!

My husband is a preacher. There are people who get really fussy if we are still in the service after 12 noon. They have plans. This is supposed to be a family day! The Baptists are beating us to the buffet!

I must say as I read this passage this morning I was really convicted. I began to think about the following;

What would our churches look like if we spent three hours this morning reading God's Word? 

Would lives be transformed by the power of God's Word?

What difference would we have in relationships with each other and with our community that needs to know Jesus, if we spent three hours this morning confessing our sins (that were realized as we read God's Word) and truly worshiping God? Would the DNA of who we were as a church be changed? 

Would I be changed?

Would we be more effective in changing the world?

This passage is humbling. I know that a six hour church service is not really very culturally relevant.

But,

I would like the opportunity to see what would happen, when a group of believers came together with the thought of six hours spent in God's Word, confession and worship, and an open heart.

Sounds like I need to suggest and plan an event. 

Even if it is just with a few brothers and sisters in Christ.

Maybe it is time.

To make time.

For God .

In a new, yet old way.

Chasing After Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson 

Daily Devo- Psalm 56 " Feeling Beat Up Today?"

 I talk with people everyday who just feel beat up. For some it is physical, but for most it is verbal, or in attacks that are not quite so obvious. It comes from people just treating others badly. What can you do when you are feeling beat up by those around you? This is what David did. He cried out to the Lord honestly, and put his trust in God. Let's read:

Psalm 56

 ^1-4 Take my side, God—I'm getting kicked around, stomped on every day.
   Not a day goes by
      but somebody beats me up;
   They make it their duty
      to beat me up.
   When I get really afraid
      I come to you in trust.
   I'm proud to praise God;
      fearless now, I trust in God.
      What can mere mortals do?
^5-6 They don't let up—
      they smear my reputation
      and huddle to plot my collapse.
   They gang up,
      sneak together through the alleys
   To take me by surprise,
      wait their chance to get me.
⁷ Pay them back in evil!
      Get angry, God!
      Down with these people! 

 ⁸ You've kept track of my every toss and turn
      through the sleepless nights,
   Each tear entered in your ledger,
      each ache written in your book.
⁹ If my enemies run away,
      turn tail when I yell at them,
   Then I'll know
      that God is on my side.
^10-11 I'm proud to praise God,
      proud to praise God.
   Fearless now, I trust in God;
      what can mere mortals do to me?
^12-13 God, you did everything you promised,
      and I'm thanking you with all my heart.
   You pulled me from the brink of death,
      my feet from the cliff-edge of doom.
   Now I stroll at leisure with God
      in the sunlit fields of life. 

Are you afraid to cry out to God the way David did? Don't be. God sees what you are going through. Even if you do not pray to Him with what is on your heart, He knows. Why not trust Him enough to say, " I am feeling really low right now. See what is happening to me? Please do something God!"

David was said to be a man after God's own heart. He was not perfect, but he loved and trusted God. He also was open with God. He was close enough to the God of all creation to just pour out his heart to Him.

David says he trusts in God three times here:

I come to you in trust (vs 3)
 fearless now, I trust in God (vs 4)
 Fearless now, I trust in God (vs11)

Not only does David trust but he praises God three times as well.
 I'm proud to praise God (vs 4)
I'm proud to praise God (vs10)
proud to praise God (vs10)

Trust and praise go hand in hand. you cannot have one with out the other. David could praise God because he trusted God. David could trust God because he knew that God was worthy to be praised.  

So as you and I walk through our days, let  us know that God sees all we are going through, we can trust that He will bring us through it, and in the darkest of times, praising Him will be just what we need to do. 

Interesting thought to add; if we are praising God when we are being persecuted, it keeps our focus on God. When we start focusing on those who are wronging us, we may be tempted to sin, or to let a root of bitterness take root in our heart. 

Concentrate on God. Praise and trust Him. He is and always will be your protector!

Chasing After Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson

Daily Devo- Luke 19: 28-40 "Obedience and Praise"

Luke 19: 28-40

28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (ESV)

 Lord as I read this passage this morning, I thank You and praise You for who YOU are! When You told the disciples to go get the donkey colt You needed, they did it. The owner of the colt gave it to You without arguing or wanting something in return. It was instant obedience. Oh Lord, I desire to obey You that way. What You ask me to do, may I listen and obey exactly. And immediately.

I also see that not only did Your disciples obey, but they loudly sang Your praises. They were singing and praising and testifying to what You had done and acknowledging You as the Messiah. They did this even though once again the Pharisees in the crowd stepped in to complain.
 I see You handling the Pharisees. You let them know that You were not going to rebuke Your disciples, that even if they were quiet, the very rocks on the ground would sing your praises.  Oh Lord, thank You for dealing with the Pharisees in my life. Let me remember to focus on You not on them!

Lord I see that I just need to obey, and sing Your praises that testify as to who You are, and You, oh Lord, will deal with the modern day Pharisees!

Today:
I will immediately obey the word of God as each choice is presented to me as I walk through this day.
I will sing praises and testify as to  who Jesus is, I will not be quiet, even when the Pharisees in my life are telling me I am wrong and to be quiet.
I will let Jesus deal with the Pharisees.  

Chasing After Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson

Daily Devo-Luke 18:31-43 " From Confusion To Praises"

Luke 18:31-43

31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. (ESV)

Lord as read this part of your Word today I see many things. I see that even your disciples who were with you in your life did not understand all you said. They could not grasp the impending death and resurrection of their Lord. It has been laid out for me in your Word and their are times I still can't wrap my mind around the pain and suffering that You went through for me. I am ashamed to say, I sometimes forget that you conquered death as well. You said You would. You did. I need to keep that forefront in my mind as walk through this life. I have nothing to fear.
As Jesus and his guys continue on their way, they come upon a blind beggar man. The blind man asks what is going on, what all the commotion is about. He is told it is Jesus. This man does not hesitate. He cries out to Jesus. What I read next , Lord, is heart breaking. He is rebuked and told to shut up! Imagine that. He is crying out for the One who can heal him, and those around him, tell him to shut up. I learn two lessons in this today.
#1- never listen to those who are trying to silence you when you are reaching out for Jesus. No one can take away your voice and no one can keep Jesus from hearing it. You do not have to have the crowds approval to reach out for Jesus. It is a personal thing. It is between you and Him.
#2- I cannot even fathom what Jesus must have thought about those who tried to keep this man from him. I never want to be the one who tries to prevent someone from coming to Jesus. I need to either facilitate them reaching for their Lord or I need to get out of the way. Anything else is wrong.

The beautiful thing that I see is the result of this man's healing. It is not in the fact that he can now see. It is that he immediately followed Jesus and praised God. So did the crowd that was there. The same crowd that moments before wanted him to "shut up" is now singing the praises of God with him.

Lord let me remember who You are and what you have done. May my eyes and heart be opened so that I can see You and sing Your praises and help lead the earthly choir to do the same!

Today:
I will remember that Jesus has suffered a lot for me. He has conquered death. I have no reason to fear anything.
I will cry to Jesus regardless of what anyone around me might say.
I will not hinder anyone in coming to Christ.
I will sing the praises of Jesus as I follow Him. 

I will Chase After God's Heart!

Chasing After Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson