365 Days with God - Day 7

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 7, December 27, 2013

Readings: Psalm 6, Genesis 7, 1 Chronicles 7, Luke 3:23-38, Luke 4:1-13

Today was, admittedly, a challenging read. 3 out of the 5 passages I read were genealogies, and We all know how interesting those are. These are the sons of so and so, and so and so...and so on.

However, unlike some recent mornings, this morning I was not reading in silence. I am surrounded by my kids, noisy, hungry, bursting with life and needing us for everything. They could not survive without us. And they are happy to see us. Delighted to show me the latest drawing on the window. Smiling when I pick them up. Eager for me to read them a book.

And in the chaos of the morning, I am delighted to know that they enjoy seeing me. And when I think about the generations upon generations of children, from Adam and beyond, and knowing that God considered it important enough to have multiple books of the Bible written to record their existence - I know that God delights in us too.

I also know that as my children grow older, they won't be as excited to see me. They'll wish I wouldn't come in to wake them up. They won't beg me to read books, or smile every time they see me. But what I do want them to do, and what I want to do, is to always be excited about God. He is my heavenly father. He delights in me. He relentlessly pursues my good, even if I don't understand it. As I grow older, I should grow closer to God, instead of becoming more independent. Because I need Him more, not less,  every day.

And I think that's what this whole 365 days with God is about. Because every day, I read His word. Every day, I ponder what He is saying to me with those words, and how I can change my life accordingly to become more dependent upon Him. 

365 Days with God - Day 6

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 6, December 26, 2013
Readings: Psalm 5, Genesis 6, 1 Chronicles 6, Luke 3:1-22

My firstborn child is outspoken. Anyone who has met her knows this - she's not afraid to say what she wants and what she's thinking. Often she is kind, generous and loving to everyone she knows. Often, however, she is also forceful, rude and defiant. I, of course, love it when she is kind, generous and loving - what parent wouldn't?

But I am also coming to appreciate the less pleasant outpourings of her heart. Not for how they make me feel, or for her attitude behind them. But I am thankful for her outspoken nature because it gives me a picture into her heart - to know exactly what she is thinking. I do not have to wonder if she is faking it. And I believe that God calls us to do the same in introspection. To look at our own hearts and seek out the truth within - and ask God to bring us to a place of sorrow and repentance. Where He can change our hearts.

John the Baptist, when beginning his ministry says as much to the Pharisees. They come out to the spectacle of the man clothed in camel's hair, calling to the crowds. Perhaps he is a prophet - and perhaps they should listen to him. If there's something God wants to add to their righteous routine, John might know what it is. But instead, John calls them out - for their heart, not their righteous actions.

He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." (Luke 3:7-9)

I am thankful that my child is so outspoken because the changes brought about in her bear good fruit. She does not pretend at righteousness, or do things just because she wants to avoid our wrath. And there is much I can learn from her example. The goal of any good behavior on my part should be for repentance - not merely behavior modification. There is a time for obedience, doing a deed because God calls me to do so. But the overall goal should be for a repentant heart - so that in the future, my heart longs to do good, rather than doing good by obedience.

And this, of course, is what God wants for all of us - and I want for my children. I want them to do the right thing because they have a changed heart - not for my approval, or anyone's approval. I want them to desire good. So when I consider what I will do, how I will serve, how I will respond, and how I discipline my heart and mind - I must ask: Am I working towards bearing fruit that is of a repentant heart?

365 Days with God - Day 5

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 5, December 25, 2013
Readings: Psalm 4, Genesis 5, 1 Chronicles 5, Luke 2:22-52

Merry Christmas! I consider it providential, not coincidental, that I found myself reading Luke 2 on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. However, what struck me most was found from David's words nearly one thousand years before Christ.

The Psalmist writes:

O Men, How long shall my honor be turned to shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him.  (Psalm 4:2-3)

Christmas this year was mayhem. Plain and simple. Children shrieking, crying, tears of joy becoming tears of agony in an instant as one gift was suddenly trash when another child opened a more desirable gift. This was not my idea of a God-honoring, Christ-centered Christmas. There we were, in all of our sinful nature, turning the Lord's honor, the day celebrating the beginning of his rescue of our eternity, into shame.

How long will we love pretty, shallow things that never satisfy? How long will we chase the lie that what this world offers is the best? That we should fight tooth and nail for every last crumb (or princess dress?) Every ad I have heard or seen this year centers around getting the perfect gift, having what you want, making your life here, on earth, perfect.

And the horrible lie is that it could come true. This world will never be perfect. We will never have everything we want, whether it's personal possessions, relationships, security or peace without Jesus.

But once we have him, the rest is irrelevant. We won't need stuff, because He has given us everything. We'll have the most important relationship, and our others will grow because of it. We'll have security, because He is the only hope we have. And finally, we will have peace, because He is the Prince of Peace - who has come to wipe away every tear from every eye.

On this Christmas day, I'm calling out to the LORD. I'm asking that He grow my heavenly treasure as I give away what I have here. I'm asking him to increase my love for Him and for others, so that I can serve those in need. I'm asking that I will have security in Him, rather than anything on earth. And I'm asking for peace amidst the chaos. That sounds like the kind of Christmas gift that I need.

365 Days with God - Day 4

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 4, December 24, 2013
Readings: Psalm 3, Genesis 4, 1 Chronicles 4, Luke 2:1-21

Much has been made, and much has been written, of the birth of Jesus Christ. This is fitting, as I believe that it is the most important birth the world has ever known.

However, it is as strange as it is marvelous. Born to a teen mom amidst community turmoil and probable judgement from their families. Born not in a place made for human habitation. Surrounded not by family and friends, but by animals. Having been through two childbirths, I cannot imagine this setting. How scared are Joseph and Mary? There is no midwife, no doctor, nobody assuring them that everything will be alright.

And who comes to congratulate them? Who is sent to welcome this King into the world? Shepherds. Stinky, societal outcasts who do not share in the community, but live on the outskirts.

I believe this is intentional - and a message to the reader. One, as demonstrated time and time again, God does not need human intervention to make His plans happen. Two, God does not believe in making outcasts, He includes them. Everyone in this story would be an outcast to the people of the day.

He has come. He has invited those that no one else would invite. He reaches the world through the unlikely and the unloved. And He continues to do that throughout His ministry, and has asked us to do the same.

365 Days with God - Day 3

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 3, December 23, 2013
Readings: Psalm 2, Genesis 3, 1 Chronicles 3, Luke 1:57-80

 In light of recent happenings, I will refrain from posting yet another opinion on Duck Dynasty and the brouhaha surrounding it. However, it reminds me of a challenge that I face as a member of the human race: the desire for control of my own destiny.

I desire to control where I go, what I do, who I love - the list goes on and on. As an American, I am frequently told that I have no boundaries - the sky is the limit. And so we live, feeling as if we have the freedom to be unrestrained, unencumbered and not responsible.

This could not be further from the truth.

No matter the power we have, the wealth we amass, or any other factor - we are ultimately held responsible for our decisions. Two passages stand out to me this morning:

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. Genesis 3: 22-23

¹⁰ Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
¹² Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 2: 10-12

Our actions have lead to our toil. Working the ground is the consequence of sin, not the punishment for it. Our knowledge of good and evil is what has dragged us down. While we feel like gods, full of freedom, we are chained and bound by our supposed freedom.

But the second passage asks - what will you do with your freedom?

Those of us in the US are, by a majority, kings. We are free. We are wealthy. If you are at the poverty line in the US - $23,000 per year for a family of 4, you are richer than 98.65% of the world. We are kings.

But we are called to be wise. What am I doing with my wealth? Do I take refuge in the Lord? Do I serve the Lord, or do I serve myself?

I will be held responsible for my actions - and I am a king on earth, called to be wise. Am I?

365 Days with God - Day 2

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 2, December 22, 2013
Readings: Psalm 1, Genesis 2, 1 Chronicles 2, Luke 1:26-56

Still sick. Remembering Ecclesiastes from yesterday. Being grateful that God has granted me the grace to learn from this, instead of wallowing in my self-pity. And so, when my wonderful firstborn daughter woke me from what little sleep I got last at 6:30, I resolved to keep reading. To see what God had for me this morning. And to not pass off my commitment to Him because of some lame excuse.

But right now, I'm not really sure how I'm doing this. I'm trying to keep my 2 1/2 year old from tearing the house apart, waking my wife, and generally causing mayhem. My 6-month old is balanced on one knee as I type, and I'm trying to keep her from face-planting into the keyboard. What am I doing? How is this possible?

Many in the Bible have asked that same question. But the key is in the response they gave to God's (seemingly) crazy requests. Today, Mary's response in Luke 1 stood out to me:

"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" Luke 1: 31-34

This stands in stark contrast to most of my questions to God, and many others in the Bible. I often ask why, when, what...and I doubt. Mary, however, has no doubt. She has accepted that God will do this - she merely asks how. So much is contained in that one word. It speaks volumes in three letters. She trusts that God will do what He says he will do - and asks how.

How will God work in her life for the good of His people? He has just told her that she will bear the savior of Israel, nay, the world. She, and countless others, have waited for this day for thousands of years. This is, to put it lightly, legendary. But she does not waver. She merely asks "How." What is her role in His plan?

So now I must ask, when God calls me to action: "How?" Not my normal who/what/when/where/why! But how. Trusting that God will provide the answers to the rest - but how can I put myself at His disposal. He is my king, and I his servant.

365 Days with God - Day 1

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 1, December 21, 2013
Readings: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Genesis 1, 1 Chronicles 1, Luke 1:1-25

Today, Ecclesiastes is what hit home. I had slept hardly at all the night before, due to a sinus infection. No medicine, because in Oregon, sudafed is a prescription drug thanks to meth cooks, and I did not have a prescription yet. So, I was miserable. And I despise being sick. I feel useless, helpless, and cranky - and assume that everyone else is viewing me as useless and burdensome. Not a great recipe for a happy morning.

However, this prompted me to begin this reading plan thing. Something I have hemmed and hawed over since I was challenged by Jeff, the pastor at my church. And so, on the couch at six-thirty in the morning on a Saturday, the first words I read are:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)

There's a time for me to be sick. While I hate every minute of it, there is a time for it. And this is the time. I probably wouldn't have started this whole thing if I hadn't been sick. At least not the way I did. I may not even have started writing about it, given that as I type this, I'm still sick (FYI, it's now Sunday morning, I didn't get the idea to write until now.)

So this time of being sick, has caused good things. Do I want to be sick? No. Am I grateful that God is using this to shape me? Grow me? Change me into the person He wants me to be? Absolutely. As I go forward through this next 365 days, I must remember that there is a time for every matter under heaven. And so I must look for the purposes of God in everything I experience, good, bad and ugly. And take joy in His teaching. Will you do the same?