All posts by ljmonson

Bible Study, Culture, Devotions, Renewal

Forever

I John 2:17 “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

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We live in a world of distractions.  Thousands of voices call us to change our focus from what really matters.  These voices use our feelings of inadequacy to charm, seduce and dominate our lives.  We have an idea that our lives must be lived to the fullest.  That every moment must be crammed full. Our attention span shrinks in the onslaught of these distractions. All these things that would grab us and enthrall our minds are just fleeting.  Whatever achievement, thrill, or body enhancement we accept into our sphere of life will mean little 50 years from now. Our infatuation with the now is simply tragic. Look to the unseen, the invisible realities of hope and faith in Christ for true fulfillment. Do so and live not in the moment but forever

Culture, Devotions, Motivation, Ramblings

Seeking God First

Thought for January 23– Day 23 of the new year

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

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Our times seem to be becoming ever more difficult.  Cancel culture, perceived racism, homeless in the streets, and the destruction of past norms, all seem to point to a need for mercy and grace.  We hear from all sides this is the “new normal.”  Nevertheless, if this new way of seeing the world leaves out our dependence upon God, I want no part of it.  Instead in our times of need, my reach must be much further than my grasp and my vision must be more than what I perceive.  God is here and He is willing to hand out both lavishly and perfectly the love of mercy and grace.  Today I am in need, so please forgive, and pour out your mercy and grace, as I do so for you.  Renew in my heart the desire to seek God before any other solution.

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Assurance, Devotions, Life, Motivation

Race one step at a time.

Thought for January 21 – Day 21 of the new year

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

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The Christian race is ongoing.  All those who have gone before are our observers. We are required to run without the baggage of a thousand regrets. The past of our lives is always the greatest hindrance to our progress.  Regret, shame, and guilt slow our progress. We must just let it go and run.  It is extremely easy to think and say the race is about the final checkered flag.  Yet it seems so far away.  I need to just concentrate on the next step, the next few feet.  It is about perseverance.  It is about focused continual action.  The accomplishment of one step is an encouragement to make it to the next after that.   

Assurance, Bible Study, Devotions, Life, Motivation

Renew me again

Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” ——————————————

It is recorded that as Sir Walter Raleigh placed his neck on the chopping block of his execution, the executioner asked, “Does your head lie easy, Sir Walter?” Answering the man holding the double-edged ax, “It matters not, my friend, how my head lies, provided my heart is right.”

The state of my heart is my decision.  My soul can be a stone with an associated hardness and lifelessness, or it can be a thing of hope, caring, forgiveness, and love.  I cannot allow ideology to supplant God’s will.  I cannot let my wants, needs, desires, and my own personal demand for control, take the place of God’s will. My alliance with God’s perfect will, my decision, makes me who I am.  It is an act of God’s renewal of me.

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Assurance, Devotions, Life, Mercy, Music, Personal

Showers

Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”

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The sun is out this morning.  It seems like there has been rain or a threat of rain for almost a month. There are showers of refreshing for all those who are willing to stand out in them without fear of getting soaked. A sign on my wall so aptly states, “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain.”

God’s favor is for those who have been made clean, made into new creatures, being made in His image. Similar to the hymn we used to sing in church:

There shall be showers of blessing,
This is the promise of love
There shall be seasons, refreshing
Sent from the Savior above.
Showers of blessing we need
Mercy drops ‘round us are falling
But for the showers, we plead.

Refresh me again Oh God. 

Devotions, Ministry, Motivation, Personal, Ramblings

Different or weird?

Revelation 21:5 “He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

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Revelation, the last book of the Bible, is difficult to understand. Visions of beasts, horses, fire, judgment, and images that are simply unimaginable. It is just weird. But then again, I am weird too. To the world my belief is weird. I am weird enough to believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, survived in the wilderness 40 days, walked on water, healed the sick, raised a man from the dead, was hung on a cross, and rose from the dead, was and is God and now sits at the right hand of the Father. If I am weird, so be it. Join me in my weirdness.  Perhaps, our stubborn defiance of the norm will make a difference in the world.

Assurance, Devotions, Motivation, Personal, Ramblings

Awaiting a new beginning

Colossians 3:9-10 “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

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In California, winter snow is delegated to the high mountains. The stark contrast of white is seen from the valley and is a welcome sight knowing the coming summer will have enough water. Winter is the far edge of spring. At this point in my life, I too am at the far edge of my beginning. At this time of year, I listen to the rain rhythmically on my roof. The leaves have been raked, and all else has been put away for protection. In the summer we pray for rain.  In winter we pray for sunshine.

Nevertheless, with winter comes a promise of spring. Spring is putting off the quiet for the new.  I look forward to the spring.  It is about pressing on to bigger and better things. I am not exaggerating when I say last year was tough. As I move on with my life, I often must stop and remember to cleanse my mind from the negative and fill it with the wonder, splendor, grace, and mercy that pours from the creator.  Renewal in the knowledge of my image moving toward the image of Jesus.

Devotions, Personal, Ramblings

Baptized in a creek

Romans 6:4 “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

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It seems like an eternity ago. A little creek outside Red Bluff, California became the assigned place where the church gathered that special day.  My church had come to see, among a few others, a brash, loud, red-headed kid be baptized. It was a public display of my faith. The word baptized just means to be well-wetted.  I was dunked for what seemed an eternity and up out of the water I came sputtering and coughing.  I had forgotten to hold my nose.  An outward sign of an inward change in my life.  It was giving up on the past forever.  It was cleansing of my soul.  Clean for a new life, a life worth living. A life with an objective.  A life with hope. A life with a goal. A new life.

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Church, Devotions

Thank you church!

2 Thessalonians 1:3

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”

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The church which I attend has an ongoing emphasis, “I love my Church”.  There are shirts, there are sermons, and there are continual efforts to be a church that is centered in our community. I thank God for those who are willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our world. Faith is growing.  The expressed love for one another is exampled by sincere expressions of love and concern. I do love my Church.  It is not the building, it is not the songs we sing, it is not the lighting or even the big screens with providing the sermon points. It is a Pastor willing to do what is needed when there is a need. There is a genuine concern for those who cannot help themselves.  It is not giving up our young people to a culture that would harden their hearts. It is real and true Bible study.  It is a group of men and women who take the time to be Christian all the time. For these things that are increasing, I am thankful for the Church.

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Devotions

Hillside Thoughts A. S. K.

Matthew 7:7,8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

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“Ask, seek, knock”, these words are all about need.  I ask because of my need.  I seek because of my need.  I knock because of my need. The very emptiness of my soul is characterized by a need to be given, found, and welcomed. It is not begging, cajoling, persuasion, or an effort to overcome reluctance.  It is an acknowledgment of the location of the supply for my soul, my life, and my best. My hope is built on nothing less than God’s supply. So, I ask with confidence and humility. So, I seek with care and application.  So, I knock with sincerity and persistence. And my needs are met.  Praise the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me, Praise the Lord.