A Promise for the Weary (Isaiah 40:29-31)

Are you wiped out physically, emotionally, or spiritually? If you answer yes, Isaiah 40:29-31 is a prescription and a promise for you, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Our God gives strength to the weary and power to the weak. He knows our condition, understands our deficiencies, and comprehends our needs. Plus, He is capable of renewing us with physical strength, renewed focus, grace for the new day, and a fresh passion for living for Him.

Everyone becomes tired and weary. Young and old wear out physically, get to the end of their emotional strength, and go through spiritually dry seasons. This is the human condition. We each need rest, sleep, renewal, and physical healing.

What do we do? What is God’s prescription? It is to hope in Him. We many have limitations, but God does not. We may grow weary, but God does not. We may stumble and fall, but God does not. We may be overwhelmed by our circumstances, but God is not. And when we realize how strong, stable, and firm our God is, we will learn to trust Him and hope in Him all the more.

The result will be a renewal of our strength. We will still have our limitations, but there will be new grace for the new day head. We will be equipped to run again, to walk again. Trusting in God, we will be ready to face the challenges of every day life.

Jesus, help us to hope in you.

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Parable of the Lost Sons (Luke 15:11-32)

In Luke chapter 15, Jesus is surrounded by “tax collectors and ‘sinners’” (verse 1) and tells three consecutive parables: lost sheep, lost coin, and lost sons. We often know the third story as the parable of the “Lost Son” or the “Prodigal,” but really it is the story of two lost sons – the younger son and the older son.

Consider these questions as you read the parable anew:
- What was the longing of the younger son at the beginning of the parable?
- What was his longing in the second half of the parable?
- Why was the older son so upset?
- What was the heart of the father towards the younger son? Towards the older son?
- What would an ideal older brother have done in the first half of the parable? In the second half?
- How are you like the younger brother?
- How are you like the older brother?

Here is the parable:

“Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' " (NIV)

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It’s Hard to Trust

Here is another section from chapter 9 of my book.

Standing on the edge of the five-foot high platform, Luke wondered if his teammates would catch him as he fell backwards off the platform and into their hands. His eyes were covered, but he could hear his teammates encouraging him to fall back. Although his arms were folded across his chest and his back was to the group, he knew that the eight of them could easily catch him. The real question was could he trust them?

Have you ever participated a team-building activity like this? Each member of the group has to depend on his teammates as he falls backwards into their arms. It builds trust and unity in a group, but it is extremely difficult, even if you are the last person to go and you have seen everyone else safely caught.

It is hard to trust others, whether it is our parents, siblings, teachers, pastors, or friends. It can be especially hard to trust God because we cannot see him or hear his voice, but it is essential that we learn to totally trust him and his promises. It isn’t enough to just know God or believe the gospel. To live the Christian life, we need to trust him; we need to rely on his character and power in every moment of every day. Whether we experience trials or blessings, we need to believe that God is wise, loving, and fully in control of our lives and our world.

I found it hard to trust God as I mourned Trevor’s death, but the more I did it the easier it got. Every day I felt God enable me to trust him and his ways more and more.

The more we choose to trust God instead of our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) and the more we understand that he is faithful, loving, kind, all-powerful and wise, the easier it is to trust him. As we trust him through difficult trials and important decisions, we will see his constant care, comfort, and guidance for us.

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The Lord Gives Strength and Peace - Psalm 29:11

In Psalm 29 the word “Lord” is used 18 times in 11 verses. This chapter shouts the majesty, power, glory, and praise of God. He is powerful. He is glorious. He is majestic. His voice thunders. His power is unmatched. His majesty stuns. 

The first 10 verses focus on the Lord, and in the final verse the Psalm turns to us.

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)

Through the finished work of Jesus, we are adopted as children of God. He claims us as his children. He secures us as his own. He declares we are his people.

He gives us strength, and he blesses us with peace. We have limited energy and bounded strength, and the God of all power gives us strength. We worry and at times overflow with anxiety and fear, and the God of all glory grants us peace.

We praise you Father for your love. We thank you for strength and peace. Help us live as your people. Help us walk in your power. Help us rest in your peace.

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Growing Up Christian -- Video

Imagine the potential of a generation of teens on fire for God!

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Holy Scripture

What is your view of Scripture?

Charles Spurgeon described it this way --

"This volume [the Bible] is the writing of the living God: each letter was penned with an almighty finger, each word in it dropped from the everlasting lips, each sentence was dictated by the Holy Spirit...everywhere I find God speaking; it is God's voice, not man's; the words are God's words, the worlds of the Eternal, the Invisible, the Almighty, the Jehovah of the Earth."

God breathed life into every word of the Bible. He inspired the writers of sacred Scripture, guiding their thoughts and hands. Oh, what confidence we can have because of this! We can know that these are His words -- living and active words. We can anticipate God using them to transform our lives -- our every thought, word, and action.

Pick up your Bible today, asking "Lord, what do you want to say to me today?" He is pleased to answer!

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Why Obey?

Do you obey the authority in your life – your parents, teachers, coaches, pastors? What percent of the time – 75%, 90%, 95%?

Okay, now for the hard question: Why do you obey? Pause and consider the thinking behind your obedience, your reason you comply, your motivation to do what is right.

Some individuals obey their parents to make sure they get their weekly allowance. Others are motivated to keep some of the “toys” they have – cell phone, video games, car. Some want to avoid discipline, such as being grounded, not being able to go out with friends, or limited television privileges. Others want to be praised and seek public recognition for their public obedience. Some truly want to honor their parents and please the Lord.

As you can see the motives of our hearts can vary greatly when it comes to obedience. In fact, our motives are at best mixed – both good and bad.

If your parents are involved in your life, they probably faithfully discipline you when you do wrong. As a result, avoidance of discipline can be a primary motivator for many of us. But, remember that some day you will move out of you house, be on your own, and no longer be under the direct oversight of your parents. What will motivate you do then?

We need to be motivated by a deep desire to please God. This is the mindset and attitude that will equip us for life. We will never move out of God’s domain. We will always be under his authority and rule.

We need a healthy dose of the fear of the Lord. Knowing his character and ways, we need to respect his holiness, power, and rule. Remembering he is always present and just, will shape our decisions. Knowing he calls us to be holy because he is holy will inspire us to obey his Word. Understanding his commands and the love behind each of his commands will encourage us to trust his way as we obey.

Why do you obey? At the least I hope you are thinking more about this subject. Talk it over with a godly friend or with your parents. What would they say motivates you?

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