Digging Deeper

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
- Hebrews 4:12

Last week end Pastor Darrel stated what I would call a very compelling and convicting argument for studying God’s word. “God’s word is the truth that replaces the lies satan has told are truth.” Not just the lies told to us but more importantly the lies told to those who don’t know Christ.

Remember in the great commission, Matthew 28:19 Jesus said “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” And in Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

How can we fulfill these duties as followers of Christ if we don’t know His word? I’m not talking about knowing a few verses to say here and there. I mean knowing His word well enough to live as an example to others, first of all. Second, know it well enough to speak it to others and help them see where and how it applies to their lives. God’s word is truth. Satan’s word is false. I’m willing to bet more people fall for these lies than don’t, believers included. I know I have and still do. But God’s word is “Sharper than any double-edged sword…; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”. Also, remember what Paul said in Ephesians 6:17 about taking up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”.

God’s instruction is through His word and that very word can and does overcome it all. And the better we know it and use it, the better protected we are and the better we can reach, help and protect those around us. Don’t forget one of the biggest lies out there too “it’s never too late”. It will be too late, someday.  Actually, in only a split second it will be too late and while I feel I’m ready, I am by no means done here, yet. I’m not done studying or reaching out. How about you?

God in Heaven forgive us for not knowing Your word as well as we could or should. Lord, we will arm ourselves against lies with Your truth. We will use that truth not just to protect ourselves but to protect those that need You most. The lost, the confused, those that are in the grip of those lies and need someone to help them find hope, love and protection in Your mighty word. Amen

I’m sure you’ve uttered the phrase sometime in your life. You’re getting ready for a road trip, long or short, you’re not driving and there are more than two of you. What do you say?? “SHOTGUN!!!” That’s right, the co-pilot, the navigator, wing man, the coveted shotgun seat. I’m not sure if everyone knows what this actually means but I’m gonna tell you (or bore you as my wife might say). There is a website dedicated to the official rules of “shotgun”. Here is what they list as the history behind it:

The history of calling “Shotgun” goes back to the days of covered wagons and the Wild West. On a trip across the plains, the driver of a wagon would hold the reins of his horse team and concentrate on driving. This left him and the occupants of his wagon susceptible to sneak attacks from bandits and thieves. To avoid this atrocious circumstance it became necessary for one person to sit next to the driver with a shotgun and fend off the enemy.

This was obviously an important position. This is how I view my Bible study partner. We are each others “shotgun”. We’ve got each others back and we help keep each other on track on our journey and studies. We protect each other through council and prayer from “enemy” attacks. You can’t do it all on your own. No matter how spiritually mature you are (or think you are.) We all need help,  guidance and support at one time or another. Not only do we need it but we can offer it too.

If you aren’t studying your Bible, start now! If you are and you don’t have someone to call “shotgun” find them now!

Heavenly Father, please put someone in my life, and me in theirs, to help with our study of Your Word. Lord I know I can’t do it alone and through You and other believers we can fend off those sneak attacks from the enemy and stay on track in our journeys.  Amen

Now go get off the computer, spend some time with someone you love, and  go get yourself some turkey!  Happy Thanksgiving.

Rick Phillips

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. - Psalm 119:18

I have been known to fall asleep while driving. I once even totaled a car this way. By the grace of God no one else was in the car, I didn’t hit anyone and I was unharmed. But, this is not the kind of “asleep at the wheel” that I mean. Have you ever driven to work or other familiar place on “auto pilot”? You know those times when you’ve driven the route so many times that you just automatically drive there in sort of a daze. Then once you get there you think “did I stop at all the signs”? I do this all the time.

I think we also do this when we read the Bible. I am currently re-reading my Bible from beginning to end. I am in Numbers. Now it can keep my interest for the most part but I am kind of dreading when I get to 1 and 2 Chronicles. You know the parts I’m talking about, <unpronounceable> son of <unpronounceable> and father of <unpronounceable> or for you King James fans the dreaded “begats”. It is very easy to just glaze over and kind of skip over all those names and locations. Why does all that stuff matter anyway? I think it is equally as easy to glaze over in those parts are very familiar with and again, skim through it all. This is a dangerous trap to fall into.  Remember 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (emphasis mine). That means even the parts that bore us or we’ve read time and time again. I can recall many times when God has revealed new things to me through words I have read before. It is also a test of your discipline to read every single word. You may fool others and you may even fool yourself but He will not be fooled. We all know He knows our hearts but He also knows our minds. He knows if you skim over parts or for you Seinfeld fans you can’t “yada yada” scripture.

So, stay alert, keep your eyes on the road, and don’t fall asleep at the wheel of your spiritual journey. Wouldn’t you hate to miss something important along the way or worse, have a wreck and hurt yourself or others.

Lord God, thank You for Your word and what I can learn from it. Father, forgive me those times I am disobedient in reading each and every word You have given me and for missing what You intended for me through that word. I will be more obedient in my reading and in studying each and every word You have given me. Amen

by Rick Phillips

Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses… - Luke 14:18

I was in the U.S. Army for six years. During this time I served in the Gulf War. I remember receiving letters and care packages from home. Each letter and news clipping you received became a link to the home that you missed so much. I would read and re-read everything I got so many times I could imagine I was actually there and I would long for that next piece of mail to help add to the mental picture I had of home.

I like to use this mental imaging in my reading especially when it comes to the Bible. I get lost in the words and imagine I’m actually there standing in awe as David slays Goliath with only a sling and stone! Or fighting beside him and his mighty men or that I’m one of the five thousand that Jesus feeds with only five loaves of bread and two fish. And on occasion I have imagined that I am there as a witness when they raise Him on a cross. When I have the time I like to read and re-read God’s word until I feel that I am right there. Unfortunately, “when I have the time” always seems to be the problem. We like to say “life” sometimes gets in the way of the things we would like to do. “I wish I had the time to read the Bible more but <insert excuse here>.” or “I’ll really dig deeper and study it when <this> is over or after <that>.” But didn’t God give us the “life” we are using as an excuse? And doesn’t He bless us with the very time we have in each and every day that we mismanage? Shouldn’t studying His word be pretty near the top of the list? Not just reading but actually studying The Word. I like to use the word glean. Glean is defined as: to learn, discover, or find out, usually little by little or slowly. That’s how we should study God’s word, little by little or slowly! You can’t just read or skim through it like it’s the sports scores. You must GLEAN it to truly get out of the word what God wants you to.

Wow, now that I’ve convicted myself, at least, I leave you with the following prayer and I’m going to get back to the desert with Moses in his final days and see what I can “glean”.

Lord, forgive us for falling into the trap of our society of multi-tasking and believing that faster is better. Father, I will slow down as I read and study Your Word. I will glean from it every drop that it has to offer and apply it to my life, that You gave me, and use that as an example to others so that they might become curious and choose to explore for themselves who and what You are. Amen

by Rick Phillips

(sorry this was so late folks, I set the date wrong on the timer for this post)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, - 2 Timothy 3:16

When you are making something what should be the first step? Consult the instructions! Now, for all you guys I said “should”. I know we’re not known for following the instructions.

I’m fairly mechanically inclined and most often, when I have a project I don’t even open the instructions. Usually, the final product winds up looking as it should. Sure, I may have a few parts left over but hey they’re probably not that important, right?

Do you approach life this way? Do you approach Bible study this way?

“Well, I kinda flip around the Bible and see what I can find that might apply to my life. I’m sure those left over parts aren’t that important, right?” That sounds pretty bad doesn’t it? But, all too often this is the approach we take with our Bible studies and the Bible is the instruction book that God has given us for our lives. We are His creation, from beginning to end. If we don’t follow all of the instructions in our construction we won’t turn out the way He intended. Remember, it says “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful …” Unfortunately, through our disobedience and stubbornness to follow His plans there may be very important parts left out that never get used. All because we think we know what we’re doing. How sad would that be to not experience the full measure of what God has planned for us? If you dare please join me in praying the following…

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my stubbornness in not following Your instructions for my life. Lord, I will do better for You and Your plan. I will commit to studying your word deeper and truly strive to understand it and apply it to my life so that my part in Your plan for me will not have left out parts. Amen

by Rick Phillips

 ”May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God’s holy people, who live in the light.”  Colossians 1:12

 Thanksgiving – the act of expressing one’s gratitude

   ’Tis the season of family, turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie, and a thankful heart.  I love Thanksgiving!  It is a time when our families can all gather together and enjoy each other.  We hold hands and say a prayer before the big Thanksgiving feast. We pitch in to cook and then clean up the kitchen, play games, talk and giggle, we watch football and Thanksgiving Day parades, challenge each other in ping pong tournaments, sing around the piano, the little ones wrestle dads and uncles in the middle of the living room floor, and then we all head back to our own homes after a full day of family.  The psalmist praised the Lord for His goodness and blessings in Psalm 116:12-19.

          “What can I offer the Lord for all He has done for me?…I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the Name of the Lord…”

    Our Christian inheritance of salvation and eternal life should inspire our thanksgiving to God.  What a great day it will be when we stand before our King and offer our gratitude in His holy presence! But let’s not wait for eternity.  We can begin to honor God during the Thanksgiving season, and every day of our lives.  God is pleased and glorified with our praise.

Bible Reading:  Psalm 50:23

I offer to You my life. Make it pleasing and acceptable to You, Oh Lord my Strength and my Redeemer.

Dianna L. Brisco

“And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well.  And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.”  James 5:15

 Intercession – prayer offered on behalf of others

   There is definitely strength in numbers!  When I was first allowed to “date”, my oldest brother and his girlfriend went with us as chaperones.  I was relieved I didn’t have to be alone with a guy until I was older.  The conversation was easier with a group and I knew my big brother would protect me!

    Prayer is such an awesome way to communicate.  We can pray alone or in a group.  And sometimes there is strength in numbers when prayer is concerned as well!  Have you ever prayed with other believers for someone?  Can you feel the Holy Spirit when believers surround someone with their touch and their prayers?  We are all connected when we offer a prayer of intercession for another person.  We are to share each other’s joys and burdens because we are all part of the same body of Christ, members of His flesh and His bones. 

 ”May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”  Numbers 6:24-26

 Bible Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:18-27

 Help me share my burdens with You and others so I don’t have to carry them alone.  And please keep my heart open to others so I can offer prayer, comfort, and intercession on their behalf. 

Dianna L. Brisco

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.”  Philippians 4:6

 Supplication – petition, an earnest prayer or request.  Believers are confident their petitions will be answered. 1 John 5:14-15

    Jesus gave us many examples of praying without ceasing.  He arose early in the morning to pray in Mark 1:35, He prayed all night before choosing His twelve disciples in Luke 6:12, He prayed in Gethsemane on the night before His betrayal in Luke 22:34, and He prayed on the cross for His enemies in Luke 22:44.  He talked with His Father at any time during the night or day and about anything and everything.  Prayer is communication and communication is a habit.  It is consciously picking up the phone to call a friend or parent who lives far away.  Without that connection, the relationship grows cold and unfamiliar.  I try to make sure my first thought in the morning, before I swing my feet out of bed, is a prayer of gratitude for a new day.  I ask for God to show me how to use this day to serve Him.  Throughout the day I try to include God in my work, with family and friends, and wherever I go.  I find myself thinking out loud for His guidance when I’m driving, disciplining children, or making decisions. And I always try to tell Him, “Good Night.” 

    One afternoon I was driving into Golden Gate Park to drop Marcus off for football practice.  We witnessed a boy, completely clad in his football gear, run in front of a car and bounce off its front bumper onto the ground.  I remember crying out, “Oh Dear God!”  I ran over to the little boy to see if there was anything I could do. He was flat on his back staring up at me.  He said he was OK and proceeded to sit up and then stand.  I guess he truly was OK because he ran over to his coach and started football practice like nothing had happened!  Shaking, I got back in the car when Marcus asked, “Mommy why did you use God’s Name in vain?”  I tried to explain to him that I was calling out for God to help that little boy.  When you are used to talking with God frequently, it is a habit to call out to Him without even thinking.  

Bible Reading: I Timothy 2:1-3

“Our Father in heaven, may your Name be honored…”  Matthew 6:9-13

Dianna L. Brisco

” But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His word has no place in our hearts.”  1 John 1:9

Confession – to admit or acknowledge one’s sin, and to proclaim one’s faith in a bold and forthright manner.

  It’s extremely difficult for me to admit when I am wrong.  I remember as a child trying to hide my peas under the outside edge of my plate.  My peas were all gone…well at least until my mom picked up my empty plate to find a perfect green circle of cold peas just waiting to be discovered. I moved on to Operation Hide The Peas Stage Two after plan 1 failed.  One by one I would hide each disgusting green orb in my mountain of mashed potatoes.  I thought I had a great idea until the infamous words, “Dianna, eat your mashed potatoes!” I had only doubled my trouble by tainting my delicious mashed potatoes with peas.  How frequently do I try to hide my “peas” even today?  I’m a child of God, a wife, a mother and yet I try to ignore or hide my sins hoping they will disappear from my life magically.  I must conquer my nasty words, unpleasing thoughts, and wrong doings straight on, one “spoonful” at a time with help from the Master Chef! 

Bible Reading: Romans 10:9-10

Oh Dear Jesus, I admit I am a sinner.  Please forgive me when I choose wrongly.  Help me to be stronger in You and become more and more like You each day.  Thank You so much for loving me!

Dianna L. Brisco

“I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously…He is my God, and I will praise Him…”  - Exodus 15:1-2

I’m eight years old sitting between my older brother and my mom.  We are asked to stand and lift our hearts in praise to our God.  Mom helps me find the page in the heavy hymnal and we wait as the organ introduces the song. The fingers and feet of the organist awaken the silent instrument as the music begins to pour from an army of various sized pipes. The melody echoes through the pews and in the hearts of the congregation.  I am part of something special…something much larger than myself. The song takes us back in time to St. Francis of Assisi in the year 1225, joining us with believers from long ago.  I struggle to read some of the bigger words, but my mom’s beautiful voice supports my stumbling with her strong faith.  She looks down at me and smiles, helps me find my place, and glances at the nursery window where my baby brother is being rocked to sleep.  My older brother holds his own hymnal.  He taps his foot to the music and pokes me gently with his elbow.

“All creatures of our God and King, Lift up your voice and with us sing.

Alleluia, Alleluia!  Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam.

O praise Him, O praise Him

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!”

Our oldest members close their eyes.  These words of praise our etched on their hearts. They are praising our Savior for His blessings, but also choosing to praise Him in the darkest times of their journey.  I look from one saint to another and pray my newborn faith will mature and be as strong as theirs when I am in my eighties.

“And all ye men of tender heart, Forgiving others, take your part.

O sing ye, Alleluia!  Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Amen.”

Bible Reading: Exodus 15 1-18

Dear Heavenly Father, turn my every thought into a prayer of praise to You.

Dianna L. Brisco