365 Days with God - Day 143: Petition

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 143, May 12, 2014

Readings: Psalm 142, Numbers 27, Isaiah 65, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

When I'm weary, my tendency is to turn to things that I think will make me happy. I want to check out with TV, read a book, get away from it all. But how often does God enter that picture?

It's hard for me. It's easier to think that by escaping, so to speak, that I will find relief. It's easy to think that if I could just disconnect from that which is causing me stress, I'll be free from it. But it hounds me. It chases me. Even in my rest, as soon as I put down the book, return home from vacation, turn off the TV, the stressors return. They are relentless.

And so I need to do that which does not fail. Turn to the never-ending wellspring that is God. To stop thinking that by merely avoiding my troubles, I can somehow become refreshed. I need to remember David's cries.

I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living."
Attend to my cry,
for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!
Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me. (Psalm 142:5-7)

365 Days with God - Day 142: The Snooze

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 142, May 11, 2014

Readings: Psalm 141, Numbers 26, Isaiah 63, Isaiah 64, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

A cry breaks through the foggy haze in my brain. My eyes slowly open, noticing the lack of light in our room. "It can't be late enough for our kids to wake up. Ugh, I hope they go back to sleep quickly." But the crying persists. I jab my phone tiredly, hoping to see an early early hour meaning I can ignore what's going on. But it's 5:45. Much earlier than I wanted to rise, but much too late to hope my child will sleep.

So I rise.

Unhappily I might add. Grumbling. Complaining. This wasn't in the plan. I sleep until 6:30, the time I need to get up to do everything I need to do and get to work on time. I'm nothing if not a planner. But there's no snooze button on an 11-month old.

This should be the prayer on my lips this morning.

O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me!
Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips!
Do not let my heart incline to any evil,
to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with men who work iniquity,
and let me not eat of their delicacies! (Psalm 141:1-4)

I'm tired. I have a headache. I planned to sleep 45 minutes longer. And I'm not happy that I have to stumble downstairs and do who knows what for 45 minutes, 45 minutes that I could be sleeping. Did I mention that I was in that ridiculously difficult to get to super comfortable position?

But I need to call upon God - to change my heart, to set me free from my frustration. 

365 Days with God - Day 141: What Is To Come

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 141, May 10, 2014

Readings: Psalm 140, Numbers 25, Isaiah 61, Isaiah 62, 2 Thessalonians 1

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

3to grant to those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

4 They shall build up the ancient ruins;

they shall raise up the former devastations;

they shall repair the ruined cities,

the devastations of many generations.

5 Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks;

foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers;

6 but you shall be called the priests of the Lord;

they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God;

you shall eat the wealth of the nations,

and in their glory you shall boast.

7 Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;

instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot;

therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;

they shall have everlasting joy. (Isaiah 61:1-7)

365 Days with God - Day 140: No Use Arguing

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 140, May 9, 2014

Readings: Psalm 139, Numbers 23, Numbers 24, Isaiah 60, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

I am reminded of my daughter this morning. As soon as she learned that she could ask for something, she did, and it has never ended. On one hand, I love that she asks for things. It makes it so much easier to respond to a request - instead of the pointing, grunting, crying that was the norm before she learned to ask.

But as with all child-rearing things, it is both a blessing and a curse. Because now that she asks, she asks repeatedly. Ask Dad. If he doesn't respond favorably, ask Mom (even though we always back each other up.) If Mom doesn't respond favorably, ask any Grandma or Grandpa that happens to be near. If all else fails, repeat.

And the repeating gets old. But we're mot much different as adults, are we? We continually ask God for the same things - over and over again. And just as we are able to give our children ice cream whenever they ask for it, God is able to give us whatever we ask for. But He also has a reason for saying yes or no - just as we do when asked for something by our children.

But nonetheless, we try. And ask again and again. And even though I say I'd be satisfied if God just told me audibly, I don't think that would be the case. Just as it wasn't for Balak, when he asked Balaam (a prophet of God) to curse the Israelites for him. God said no. Repeatedly. And this was Balak's response:

And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, 'I will certainly honor you,' but the LORD has held you back from honor." And Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, 'If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak'? (Numbers 24:10-14)

Sometimes, God answers, "No." Sometimes, He says, "Yes." Sometimes, He says, "Not yet." But our response shouldn't be to keep asking. Our response shouldn't be to go elsewhere to get what we want. We cannot persuade God - and to go elsewhere for what He says no to is sin.

365 Days with God - Day 139: An Admonition

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 139, May 8, 2014

Readings: Psalm 138, Numbers 22, Isaiah 59, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22)

Distinctly missing from this passage is "Go to college, get a good job, support your family, buy a safe car, pay for your kid's college, make sure they marry the right person who can support them and don't forget your 401(k)!"

But isn't that what most of America thinks a "good Christian life" is all about? I sure did. I had it all mapped out. I was going to do all those things. And life was going to be good. And safe. And comfortable. 

And none of these are bad things.

But none of them are things that God has tasked us with doing. Unfortunately, we have made these ideals the main goal of life, and Christ's mission as the add-on, for when we have time, for when it's convenient, for when our conscience prods us enough.

But God says it should be the other way around. 1st Thessalonians 5 says that God and His mission should be our main goal in life. All that other stuff is the add-on. Make sure we're doing God's mission, then start tacking on the others.

But even if you've prioritized the wrong things, it's not too late. Take the life you've made for yourself, and give it fully up to God. Where does he want to take you? How does he want to see you grow? Instead of holding back, instead of clinging to the security of the life you've added Christ on to, ask Him what he wants you to retain. And trust that he will give you what you need.

365 Days with God - Day 138: Steps to Prosperity

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 138, May 7, 2014

Readings: Psalm 137, Numbers 20, Numbers 21, Isaiah 58, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Following God isn't about what we get out of it. He's not a mystical genie who provides everything we ask for. But he does give us some pretty clear instructions about how to draw near to Him. How to have his favor, so to speak. What's the secret?

I'll give you a hint. It has nothing to do with following rituals, going to church on Sundays or "doing the right thing." It's so much more than that. It's harder than that. But it's good. And it follows the heart of God.

"Is this not the fast that I choose:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hid yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.'
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
if you pour yourself our for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail." (Isaiah 58:6-11)