STANDPOINT360

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Psalms 103:2 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.103.2.NLT

This has been a week.  Friends have passed away. Team members are experiencing big things in their lives. Stress is present. Exhaustion is real. We don’t have enough staff for the opportunity in front of us. The biggest challenge of the week is spending time with God.  It has been a struggle with days beginning early in the morning and ending late at night.  

I like working hard.  I do not like missing time with God in conversation, reflection, scripture, prayer, and rest.  Being with God is more than a ritual or routine.  It is the relationship that provides strength, wisdom, compassion, courage, and forgiveness every day.  

The biggest challenge in these times where I miss time with God is how quickly I forget all of His presence and faithfulness in my life. Exhaustion gives way to the “false fruit” of perceived failure, taking me down a line of thinking that moves me away from all that God is doing. 

Psalm 103 is focused on bringing all that we are into the presence of God and remembering all He has done and is doing.  So, here I am around the campfire, with everything I have left in me, sitting with God, remembering, and reflecting on everything He is doing.  It is wonderful.

Reflection

By the campfire, God reminds me of His love for me.  He is answering some very specific prayers.  His forgiveness for me is real.  Even through this week, I know of God’s care and protection.  We have served schools, churches, and ministries doing work around the world just this week.  Individuals have experienced help and joy this week. God has provided comfort and encouragement to people that I love who are going through loss and hurt.  He has granted me wisdom where I did not know what to do.  He has given me an increased tenacity to love others.  He is teaching me about waiting patiently.  

I have been reminded that the measure of my life will not be found in accomplishments. The only lasting thing I have to give that will last beyond my lifetime of God and His love. God will be there for future generations.  God will be loving them, caring for them.  My life is short and meaningful.  I am grateful to God for it. There is rest in knowing that God has asked me to trust Him and be faithful in my relationship with Him.  He will lead and provide all that is needed in this life.  

Encouragement

Sit down with God. Read Psalm 103.  Take time to remember and reflect with God on His faithfulness.  You will see Him everywhere in Your life, as You spend time with Him.  He loves You.

Prayer

Dear Father God,

Thank You for being so faithful.  Thank You for helping me remember and reflect.  You are amazing.  Thank You for this time together.  

In Jesus’s name, I pray, Amen

Everywhere – from east to west – praise the name of the Lord. Psalms 113:2

There is a lot of talk today about what unites and divides us as people. From families to the massive global community, we don’t like division, yet we experience it.  We do like unity and community.  It is a gift that brings joy, delight, and well-being to everyone within its reach everywhere. 

As a follower of Jesus Christ, the great unifier within families, communities, nations, and cultures is God.  For decades I have experienced the truth of this through Warm Beach Camp Ministries. People gather from all walks of life to worship God, and He meets them right where they are at.  In my limited world travels, I have also experienced the richest connections of community and unity by worshipping God.  Where people gather in praise, there is usually better unity and community.  It is beautiful.  

Psalms 113 goes on to describe God in amazing ways:

• God is high above the nations (Verse 4). 
• God’s glory is higher than the heavens (verse 4).
• No one can compare to God (Verse 5).
• God looks over heaven and earth (Verse 6).
• God lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump (Verse 7).
• God establishes those He lifts up among princes (Verse 8).
• God gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother (Verse 9). 

God is everywhere.  

Reflection

I am grateful that God is everywhere.  We need someone who is far greater than we are.  We need someone whose glory is bigger than we can think or imagine.  We long for someone to whom there is no comparison. We need someone who looks after us, who takes care of the poor and needy, and who establishes them in life among leaders and influencers. We need someone who brings life where it has not been possible to conceive it.  This is God.  He is everywhere.

Encouragement

Give praise to God.  He is everywhere.  Give praise to God. He brings us together. 

Prayer

Dear Father God,

Thank You for being everywhere.  Thank You for taking care of us and bringing us together. There is no one else worthy of worship and praise.  We praise and thank You.  

In Jesus’s name, we pray,

Amen

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

Isaiah 41:13 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.41.13.NLT

Imagine for a moment someone who is able to walk through every form of trouble, handling it.  Be it war among nations, personal trauma, famine, disease, or politics, none of it keeps this person from coming to your aid.  

Even when the opposition is mounted against this person, He keeps coming closer and closer.  Even when you or your community of people feel like you are nothing, not worthy of being rescued or helped, He comes anyways. 

Help is here!

Reflection

God is coming to help. This is the story being told in Isaiah chapter 41.  I encourage you to read it for yourself. Nothing and no one is going to stop Him. Even if we seem so insignificant in the context of the world, God is here to help. We matter to Him. 

Encouragement

God is here to help you.  As amazing as that seems, it is completely true. There is nothing that can stop Him from coming to help you.  Being with God can be overwhelming because of His holy and perfect nature.  He tells us not to be afraid.  In contrast to others who make great promises, and then take advantage of you, God is here to help.  His help is good. 

Prayer

Father God, thank You for coming to help us.  Thank You for being unstoppable. Help us to be open to receiving your help.  In light of who You are, we feel so unworthy and insignificant in Your presence.  Thank You for reminding us not to be afraid. Thank You for coming, no matter what!

In Jesus’s name, we pray,

Amen

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.10-18.NLT

Please slow down and read these words from the Bible again.  Read them out loud to help keep the focus on them.  Read them to a friend to stay accountable to them. This is serious.

Evil does strategic planning as well.  The end goal of this strategy is destruction.  One of the things to be keenly aware of is who the enemy is.  Read who the enemy is:  rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers of the dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. The enemy is not flesh and blood enemies. It is something deeper and more sinister. 

Get your gear on now.  All of it.  This isn’t an enemy we have much experience with.  Jesus knows this enemy well.  The bible tells us what to gear up with and in being geared up, we will not be destroyed, but victorious in Jesus Christ.  We will be standing firm following the battles we face.  

Gear up with these things: God’s truth, God’s righteousness, God’s peace that comes from His good news, Faith in God, God’s salvation, and God’s word.  Please don’t forget one more critical thing: Pray in the Spirit at all times.  Pray for each other. 

Reflection:  

The battles faced today come from a deeper source than people.  The battles that hit us are an extension of evil with the purpose to destroy.  Gear up accordingly.  Please note whose gear it is.  All of the gear needed is of God and from God.  It is field-tested through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the one who could not be destroyed by evil.  This gear gives us the same protection as it gave Jesus.  In Christ, we will not be destroyed by evil.  We will stand firm.

Encouragement:  

Through Jesus Christ, God has provided the gear that is stronger than evil. Know the gear God has given you.  Learn how to wear and use it always. We will come through the battles with evil standing firm if we have the gear provided by God and are using it in our lives.  Jesus has demonstrated the truth of this for us.  Our faith is in Him and what He has done.  Get your gear on. This is serious.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for showing us that You are more powerful than evil.  Thank You Father for giving us the gear needed to stand against evil.  Help us wear and use this gear every day of our lives.  Please let us do in with the constant activity of prayer in the Holy Spirit, listening and responding to Your leading.  

In Jesus’ name, we pray with our gear on, Amen

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Acts of the Apostles 4:12 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/act.4.12.NLT

Two men went to the temple in Jerusalem.  They were followers of Jesus.  These two healed a man who had been crippled for over 40 years.  People were amazed and wanted to know more.  These two men shared about the one and only who saves and heals.  His name is Jesus.  People believed.  The bible says that about 5,000 of the men put their faith in Christ (interesting side note, today there is resistance within the Christian community to know how many people are putting their faith in Christ, yet it was part of what is recorded in scripture as being important to know.)

The religious leaders of the temple were concerned about this massive response to Jesus Christ.  They sent out the temple guard (when did following God require the establishment of religious police and what does that say about the nature of faith?  Jesus brought in a transition from “keeping the law” to a “life of grace given freely”.  This was not only a shockwave at a personal level, but grace also disrupted the entire structures of the law, creating a great sense of threat to those in religious power.) 

These two apostles, Peter, and John were held overnight by the Temple Guard.  In the morning, the “academy awards” of religious leaders met to discuss the dilemma.  At issue is that teaching in the name of Jesus must be stopped.  At issue, a man was among them who had been crippled for 40 years, and through the name of Jesus, he was walking in their presence.  At issue, is the people were in amazement and seeking Jesus.  

It is in this context that religious leaders demand that Peter and John stop teaching and healing in the name of Jesus.  

Peter and John are filled with the Holy Spirit.  Reciting scripture, Peter and John clearly speak to religious power with this message: “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” The response continues with their resolve to obey God, regardless of the demands to be silent.  

Reflection

What happens following this encounter is important for you and me today.  Peter and John gather with other followers, giving God thanks.  Then, they pray for more courage and boldness.  Scripture says the place they were meeting shook with the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Encouragement

May we be filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking, and acting with courage, respect, and clear communication of the simple truth:  “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”  May we be clear about who Jesus is and what he does with the opportunities we have.  

Prayer

Dear Father God, thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ. This is the one and only Son in which You have made salvation possible.  Jesus, thank You for giving up Your life completely for me and my sin.  Thank You for my salvation. Holy Spirit, please give me the courage, respect, and boldness to communicate this amazing truth to those You give me the opportunity to share with.  

In Jesus’s name, the one and only, I pray, Amen