A Thought a Day...
Thursday, January 06, 2005
"I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. " John 14: 30,31a
Jesus loved His father, and my brother and I love our father as well. Today, our Dad is going to be undergoing surgery to fuse three vertebrae in his back. Because of the prince of this world, we have pain and sorrow... We have illness and infirmity. But because Jesus was willing to obey His Father to the very end we have victory. What more is there to say?
Father, you know Bill and I love you and trust you today to take care of our earthly dad. Guide the surgeon's hand. Give those who are awaiting anxiously the results peace. Thank you for sending your son to us, to show us how to love and obey our fathers. Thank you for fathers who love you enough to dedicate their lives in service and obedience to you.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
"I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe." John 14:29.
A lot has taken place since my last posting. I've been home for a couple of weeks, which generally means that I don't post, since the primary purpose for this blog is to share devotional thoughts with my wife, I've been in the hospital, been traveling, and all sorts of various and sundry activities. However, I'm back in a routine, and blogging is a part of that routine. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you a great new year.
There was a time when I a number of my friends were people who were involved in the New Age. A big thing for many of those acquaintance was divination, whether it be tarot cards, psychics, tea leaves or Oiji, for that matter. Anything they could to get a jump on what was going to happen in the future. I have friends today that are involved with Prophecy churches where much of their emphasis is on the same things, but their source of information is attributed to the Holy Spirit. It still amazes me how fascinated people are with knowing what the future holds. In today's verse, Christ simply tells his disciples that he is telling them in advance so that they will know who he is. He is telling them in advance so they will know his power. He is telling them before it happens so they won't be shocked. He is telling them what is going to happen in the future so they will know the future is a bright one.
I'm glad I don't know everything about the future. I can figure things out most of the time. I'm very much a cause and effect kind of person. Perhaps I've read to much Maslov and have been brainwashed about the need to be self-actualized. Maybe it's a control thing: I like being in control of my own destiny. But there is a part of me that wants to read the end of the book. To know that everything is going to work out OK. To know that "all things work together for good to them that know the Lord and are called according to His purpose." I guess I'm not so different after all.
Father, I'd like to think that I'm different from the world... But I'm not. I may not smoke or chew, or run with girls who do... But there are parts of my behavior that is just are there because it's what's acceptable or that I interpret as being what is right. Change me from the inside out. Form me in to the person you want me to be. Oh, and before I forget it, thanks in advance, since you've already told me how it will turn out.
