Deeper Still by phil mccallum

Press the arrow listen to Francesca Battistelli sing “Free to Be Me” while reading today’s devotion about God’s provocative ways.

Scripture
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4

Observation
Why did God ignore the head office and start something new from the edges? There were time-tested systems in place, established by Moses and recycled by Ezra. There were libraries full of books and many sincere and submissive men teaching from them. There were even ornate gathering halls designed for large audiences with amenities near by.

But God snubbed everything official, started from the edges, and worked to the centre. He used a hermit at the back of beyond.

How can we recognize if God really is speaking to us from the edges? There are many who murmur in back rows that are not worth listening to. But once in awhile, a John the Baptist holds services in the parking lot rather than in the auditorium. They begin movements and eventually everyone listens, but blessed are those who listen first.

Here is the sign to look for: John the Baptist said everything that was commonly taught with uncommon application. The religious leaders all taught sin, repentance, forgiveness and even baptism. But the leaders had another order. They relied the show of sacrifice rather than the heart of sacrifice. And they taught that as Jews they had an edge over non-Jews, therefore, Gentiles must be baptized to be good enough to enter in. John took all of that common theology and made it personal and provocative. His message was to come to God with extreme humility, not like a Jew, but without rights like a Gentile. And from that lowest point everything would be given.

Application
I want to be among the first to listen when God speaks from the back of the crowd as much as when he speaks from the front. I want to be a man who communicates common things in uncommon ways.

Prayer
Father, keep me on edge to keep my edge. Speak to me from the centre, and speak to me from the periphery. Help me to see the world from the back as well as from the front. Help me to live from the centre of you even if that is off centre to everyone else. Amen.

Share on Facebook

Press the arrow to listen to “Oceans will Part” sung by Annie Mcintosh at Hillsong while reading today’s devotion.

Scripture
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Observation
Life is like a coloring book. God draws the lines and we are to fill them in. There is a call he gives to us, but within that call there is latitude to explore, create and express. There are nuances in us that God delights to discover. He finds these by granting us some degree of freedom of expression in the work he has given to us to do. How we color in the lines gives him delight.

The bottom line is that God is not a micro-manager. There is a pattern well established in the Bible. He gives a person an opportunity and then leaves them for awhile to see what they make of that responsibility. When he returns to inspect, the future work given depends on what has been made of the first assignment. Faithful servants are given more talents. Unfaithful ones are left empty handed.

How then can we know what color to choose and how to shade in the spaces? Paul expressed it well when he wrote, “May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” (NLT) There are good ideas. There are demands. But in the midst of them all are some responsibilities glow with our faith. No one has to talk us into them. We find them on our minds and in our prayers, because there is something intrinsically right about them. We can do more than just imagine it, we can believe it.

Application
When we find that thing to do that we have faith to do it with, we must pour heart and soul into getting it done. Faith filled acts is where God desires to bless us.

Prayer
Father, today, as I choose my Crayolas and color in the lines, help me to chose the works that make the greatest eternal difference. There is so much latitude in your call. Help me to use that freedom to its fullest. Sometimes I am daunted by the freedom you give to us. Instead, let me be released. Amen.

Share on Facebook

Press the arrow to listen to Robbie Seay Band sing “Song of Hope” while you read today’s devotion.

Scripture
For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until the danger passes by.
I cry out to God Most High,
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. Psalm 57:1-2

Observation
David was creative under pressure. While most would be pacing, David was working out rhyme and rhythm of his latest lyrics. How did he do it? David turned each sigh into a song.

All of his songs display emotional honesty. He did not whistle a happy tune, he took time to be sad, angry or desperate in the presence of God. As Bill Hybels says, he learned to “ventilate vertically”. Passing through the emotion David was able to discover that space in God’s heart where there is permission to improvise, invent and envision. When we bring the whole of ourselves to the Lord we find God’s center, a place of creativity.

Application
We may write our own song or we may borrow one from another, but we must learn this secret of emotional honesty in God’s presence. Songs are made from life just as much as songs are the thing life is made of. How many fresh ideas do we miss out on because we are allowing our emotions to play at our heart strings rather than playing them back to the Lord.

Prayer
Father, I’m no where near David’s skill of writing and composing, but whether its with an iPod or a radio station, let me be one who turns the sigh into a song.

Share on Facebook