08.30.06
Posted in Thoughts on Habbakuk at 11:41 pm by Administrator
Text: Habakkuk 2:1-2 Theme: Determined to hear from God Key verses: I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts. I will look to see what he will say to me… (v. 1-2a) What God said to me: Son, when righteous people get really desparate for an answer to their pleas, when they really need a word from me, they make time to listen. Like the Children of Judah in 2 Chronicles 20, they will stand before me until I answer. What choice do you have really? I am sovereign God. I am your vine, your source, your Father. I love a good challenge. Stand and challenge me to answer. Knock until the door is opened to you. Ask. Seek. What I said to God: Holy and present God, you are our focus, our supply, our breath of life. I fear your ways while I seek your face. May my face look upon you and be lightened. I know my family and I will never be put to shame as we trust in you alone. Praise you, Lord, above the heavens!
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Posted in Thoughts on Habbakuk at 10:21 am by Administrator
Text: Habakkuk 1:14-17 Theme: Helpless against our foes Key verses: You have made men like fish in the sea…that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls them up with hooks, he catches them in his net. (v. 14-15a) Is he to keep on…destroying nations? (v. 17) What God said to me: Son, sometimes things look bleek, nothing makes sense. At times, it appears I am either confused or asleep or incapable of action. Mind you, looks can be deceiving. I am most certainly in charge. Nothing happens to you or around you that I don’t allow or ordain. True, men are not forced to call me ruler. But they will be ruled, either by the wicked or by the righteous. If they choose the wicked, they will be caught, emptied and ultimately destroyed. What I said to God: Father, thank you for reminding me you have it all together. Forgive me when I doubt your wisdom and your power. You are not obligated to explain everything to your servants. But we are obligated to trust you unconditionally - lest we be caught in a vicious net of deceit and destruction by our enemies. Deliver us from evil. Save your people. Make us holy. Make me holy.
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08.29.06
Posted in Thoughts on Habbakuk at 8:11 am by Administrator
Text: Habakkuk 1:12-13 Theme: When God doesn’t act like we think he should Key verses: O Lord, are you not from everlasting? (v. 12a) Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? (v. 13a) What God said to me: Dwayne, I’m OK with why questions. I’m big enough to handle some probing from my children. Because my ways are so much higher than yours, I will not always act or react in the way you think I should. My plans for you won’t always seem pleasant or logical. Yet, notice even in the midst of the questions, Habakkuk had a deep faith and reverance for me. He said, My God, my Holy One, O Rock. He even stoically accepted what I had told him: “You have ordained them to punish.” Understanding may or may not come in time. But assurance of my love and wisdom you should always have. What I said to God: Holy One, my Rock, I too think of you as the everlasting One. I know in my head that you are sovereign and able to do whatever you want. Yet, my heart would sometimes question your methods, your silence, your ways. Help me trust you as the God you are, not the god I want you to be. I know you are love, and that’s all I really need to know.
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08.28.06
Posted in Thoughts on Habbakuk at 7:43 am by Administrator
Text: Habbakuk 1:4-11 Theme: Little god but Almighty Controller Key verses: “I am raising up the Babylonians…guilty men, whose own strength is their god.” (v. 6a, 11b) What God said to me: Son, do you see? Even those who reject me as their God cannot resist my soveriegn reign over them. I am fully aware of people’s rebellion, self-centeredness and self-reliance. I see their so-called strength. In fact, I use all of that to help accomplish my mission. I am Lord over all the earth. Even the demons are subject to my will. They crucified my Son and helped fulfill my plan to save mankind! So the question remains, “Why do you kick against the pricks?” Why would you resist? Since you’re going to be used by me regardless, why not willingly submit to my will and receive my blessings as your reward rather than my judgement? What I said to God: Righteous Judge, Ominpotent Father, All-knowing, sovereign Lord, I humble myself today. I want to be used by you. You can make me accomplish your will on this earth anytime and in any way you wish. But you won’t make me love you. That I must willingly choose to do. Lord, I do want to serve you. I want you to see my heart as pure and passionate for you today and always.
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08.25.06
Posted in Thoughts on Habbakuk at 10:06 am by Administrator
Text: Habakkuk 1:5-6 Theme: God never ceases to amaze Key verses: “Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians…” What God said to me: Dwayne, you will never have me figured out - you’ll never even come close. You may think at times that I am asleep or disinterested. You may expect me to respond or react according to your time table and your wishes. But I don’t do things like you people on earth. My ways are higher, better, wiser, stronger. Go ahead and put me in a box. I’ll act as though you never did. Yes, now I’m refering to my soveriegnty. It’s irrelevant who questions me and my right to do what I do. I will still do what I do. What I said to God: Lord, you have shocked me before - utterly surprized me with your ways and your timing. I have been both confused and consoled by how you answer and rescue. Thank you, Lord, for having it all figured out. Forgive me when I doubt your ways or your watchful care. Let me watch with utter amazement and learn even more about your shocking yet loving ways…
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08.23.06
Posted in Thoughts on Habbakuk at 11:48 pm by Administrator
Text: Habakkuk 1:2-4 Theme: Where is God when you need him? Key verses: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save?” (v. 2) “Why do you tolerate wrong?” (v. 3) “Justice never prevails.” (v. 4) What God said to me: Dwayne, here me now for you may not be able to hear me later. I only speak when I see it’s necessary. Too often you expect me to give a “fresh word” on something, when if fact my Word has already been revealed. My words don’t change. They don’t lose their impact or meaning. They don’t fall away into forgotten dusty annuls on old shelves. What do you need me to say? That I’m here for you? I’ve told you that already. THat I can’t handle the troubles around you or that I don’t care about the outcome? Again, read what I’ve already spoken. My ear is not shortened that it cannot hear… unless of course you have sin in your life. Just trust and obey what you already know I’ve said. And keep talking for, yes, I am always listening… What I said to God: Father God of Habakkuk, thank you for still being on the throne and for loving us and hearing our cries. I love you today more than yesterday.
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