First Day of Summer

Psalm 107:8 (CSB) - "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all humanity."

I was pondering over this devotion for the first day of Summer, and I saw an article and the title was, "Summer Kind of Wonderful". I started thinking about that Bible verse that talks about God's "wonderful works", so I looked it up and realized it was in Psalm 107:8. Then I realized that the exact verse was repeated four times in that Psalm. (107:8, 15, 21, 31) Whenever God says something, it is important. When He says it four times we need to stop and really consider it. I do enjoy summer and began thinking of all the "Summer Kind of Wonderful" things that the Lord gives us. Let us think on some of these things today -

Start by Thinking About The Sun. Of course the first thing I think about in summer is the sun. I really missed the sunshine over the winter. It was cold and I wanted so much for the sun to shine. I think the sun is such a fascinating thing. Only God could have made it. It lights up the whole world and heats up the earth. It helps the crops grow. We can even use it as a power source. 

We can Consider The Fruits and Vegetables. Summer means lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Watermelon is my favorite summertime fruit. We recently had one and I always look forward to biting into that first delicious cold slice of it for the summer. I love getting fresh vegetables too. We have corn on the cob throughout the year but I don't know why it tastes so much better in the summertime. All those summer fruits and vegetables have so many things in them that benefit our health. They each have different vitamins that God made specifically for us for our nutrition.

And We Can’t Forget The Trees and Flowers. Another thing about summer is that everything is in full bloom. The trees are full and green. The flowers are in full bloom. Summer is just a beautiful time of year. The beauty of a green lawn (I love the smell of fresh mown grass), the contrasts of the various colorful flowers. Trees with green leaves, and the Crepe Myrtles in bloom. Such an array of color for our enjoyment. The Bible says in Genesis 1:11-12: “Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” And you know what, I think it is good too.

I Love the Beauty of The Ocean, Ponds, Rivers, and Seas. My wife and I usually try to spend a little time on the beach every year. Watching and walking in the waves on the shore. As the water goes out, my wife loves to find the sea shells that the waves brought up before the next wave comes in. Sometimes we spend time along a river or a stream. The sound of the babbling water is so relaxing. You can't help but think of God and creation when you look at that water and all those creatures that you know it contains. The Bible records in Genesis 1:9-10 – “Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.” 

All of the verses that we quoted from Genesis 1 all end with the phrase, “And God saw that it was good.” What a great reminder as we look forward to Summer. God created it and it is good. Those verses in Psalm 107 say we should be praising God for His works and there's so many of them out there for us to enjoy. God does so many more works than those in just creation but I think it's good to focus on those things once in awhile, especially at the change of seasons. 

Psalm 40:5 reminds us: “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works

Which You have done…” and in Psalm 74:17 the writer reminds us, “You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter.”

So, the question I will leave you with today is, “Will you be praising God for His wonderful works this summer?” 

Prayer: Father, I praise You for Your great Creation. I see that You have created so much for me to enjoy and lead me to worship You. May I spend time today in open praise and worship for the wonder and majesty of all Your works. Amen.

Four Things Every Man Needs

2 Timothy 1:2 (CSB) - "To Timothy, my dearly loved son. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is believed to be Paul’s last letter. Last word’s carry a significant importance. Shortly after writing this letter Paul was put to death by Nero (circa 66-67 AD.). Who is Timothy

His name means “Honoring God.” He is one of Paul's converts, a native of Lystra, he was converted at Lystra. Timothy's father was a heathen Greek. His mother was a Jewess, but he had not been circumcised in infancy, probably owing to objections made by his father. Timothy's mother was called Eunice, and his grandmother Lois. Timothy wa a co-worker with Paul, one that Paul held in very close concern.

With this being Father’s Day, I would like us to consider 4 things that every man needs as demonstrated in the introductory statements of Paul.

Every man needs someone to LOVE, LIFT, LEARN, and LABOR over him.

First - every man needs someone who loves him. Someone to show true devotion (2 Tim. 1: 2). Paul calls Timothy a beloved son. the word translated beloved,agapeto, means favorite, esteemed, one worthy of love. The word translated  son, tekno, means a child. The name transferred to that intimate and reciprocal relationship formed between men by the bonds of love, friendship, trust, just as between parents and children. Paul had taken this neophyte theologian under his wing. He found a close bond of care and concern had developed for him. Every man needs someone in their life who will bond and seek to be the mentor, the teacher, and the molder of their lives. Every man needs someone to love him.

Then, every man needs someone to lift him up. Someone to pray for him (2 Tim. 1: 3). It is a great encouragement when we are told that someone is praying for us. It gives us strength and courage. It gives us the ability to stay the course. It helps us when we feel like our prayers are weak. Every man needs someone to love him, and to lift him up. 

Every man also needs someone who learns all they can about him. Someone believes in him. Someone who knows us very well (2 Tim. 1: 5). When we struggle through events in our lives, we need someone who speaks and shows that they believe in us. Every man needs someone to love him, to lift him up, and to learn all they can about him. 

Finally, every man needs someone who labors over him. Someone who shows true encouragement (2 Tim. 1: 6). We all struggle and need someone to be a cheerleader for us. Every man needs someone to love him, to lift him up, to learn all they can about him, and to labor over him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that You gave me my Dad. He truly was an example to me, and I saw in him someone who loved me, lifted me up, learned all he could about me, and labored over me. Thank You that Dad showed me how to call You Dad, to make You my Heavenly Father. This day as I think about him, I am so blessed to have two Dads in Heaven - You and him. Amen.

HOPE!

"Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you" (Psalm 84:12).

Psalm 84 is a reminder that even before Christ came, men and women longed to experience God's love and protection. We have no idea what the circumstances of this writer's life were like. However, we can know from reading his words that he was facing extreme difficulty and stress. Yet, he found hope and comfort in God's presence. He knew that there was a door standing before him—one of hope and not defeat.

God had a plan for his life, and the Lord has a plan for your life, too. You can pray with the psalmist: "Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. . . . Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere" (Psalm 84:8, 10).

Jesus is your door of hope. When you enter His presence, you will discover true intimacy and peace.

Prayer: Father, I long to know Your love more deeply. Thank You for the comfort and rest that are only found in Your presence. Continue to shape me that I may be completely devoted to You. Help me to trust fully in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Loving Others

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" (Matthew 5:46).

Loving others is one of the hardest things a Christian can do. Without the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, we will struggle to love the undesirable and to forgive those who have hurt us. Love for one another is a sign that we have been cleansed of our sins. It is a sign that we belong to God and are obeying God. Love is not merely a feeling, but an act of the will submitted to Christ.

James sums it up like this: "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers" (James 2:8-9). It's easy to love those who love us—but loving the unlovable, loving the ungrateful, loving the undeserving, and loving with no expectations are acts of true, sincere Christian love. The world is full of the kind of love that takes and seldom gives. Our love ought not to be like that—it should be rich, full, and bountiful.

The one thing that makes the world sit up and take notice is seeing Christians love as Christ loved. But as long as we judge and criticize one another as the world does, we will have no impact on the world. As Chaplaincy volunteers we have the calling and privilege to minister love to a large variety of survivors we come in contact with. And, as we live our daily lives in our communities and churches - we can show forth the mark of a true Christian - love.

How is God calling you to love radically today? Is He asking you to pray for someone who has hurt you or to extend the hand of friendship to an unlikely person? Pray today that God will reveal a new opportunity for you to show His great kindness and mercy. When He shows it to you, obey!

Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to love and forgive as You do, even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.