In Range

October 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Every time I consider the magnitude of today’s devo, I get emotional and excited. Emotional because it’s simply overwhelming that God loves us so much. Excited because me a renewed sense of confidence that things are going to be okay. I pray you’re encouraged by today’s devo. Always remember, you’re within God’s range.

Aloha,
Allen

Thoughts
There’s nothing like nearing home after a long trip away. Regardless of how much fun you had away, there’s something about coming home. It brings comfort, familiarity, and routine (and, none of these are meant in the negative sense).

During my college years my trek home consisted of a 400 mile drive from one doorstep to the other. It was six hours of Mt. Dew, sunflower seeds, and music. Through the years I developed a pattern for certain stations in different regions. But when it was all said and done, nothing was as encouraging than getting within range of the stations I had grown up with. The familiar voices (no, not in my head), advertisements, and news reports were all reminders I was within range of home.

Though they may sound a bit annoying at times, those FCC required station identifications (that we often memorize subconsciously) are welcome home slogans to a weary traveler. Likewise, when God grants us those subtle, and not so subtle, call letters of His, they serve as reminders that we’re still in His range. They may come through an inspirational verse or song, an indescribable peace that comes in prayer, or a comforting word from another believer. How they come is not so important as what they mean: “Welcome home, you’re in range.”

As the weary and worn children of Israel felt abandoned and so far home, God sent a reminder through His prophet in Isaiah 40. They were not away from His protection, eye, or power. At the brink of giving of fainting, God was still with them. They were in His range!

The next time you hear one of those pesky little station identifications, may serve as a reminder that you are still in God’s range. At the brink of giving up, throwing in your towel, or walking away, I hope you realize that you are still in God’s range. Regardless of how you feel, God is on His throne and you are within His range!

Application
Do you ever get excited about coming home?

Has there ever been a time when God gave you a simple reminder of your close proximity to home? Was it refreshing? Encouraging?

Are you in need of those welcoming words today? Ask God to reveal His presence. Pause to listen for His voice. And, live with your eyes wide-open. God is in range.

Prayer
Father,

Oh, how I long to hear Your voice. Even the simplest of comments remind me that I’m within Your range. It means You can still reach me and I can reach You. It resounds with a renewed confidence that You can come and get me if something goes wrong. It assures me that I am nearer than I imagined and that You are still broadcasting Your plan into my life. Grant me the eyes to see You at work.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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God Id’s

October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Today’s and tomorrow’s devo will come from an idea I used in this week’s message. It’s from the premise of station id’s required by broadcasters. Unfortunately, my mind wandered a bit this morning. I hope you can understand what I am getting at. If not, here it is in one sentence…God id’s remind me of His identity (Everlasting God, the LORD, Creator of the ends of the earth), His location (upon His throne), and His channel (He’s like the Captain on an airplane, He has jurisdiction over ALL of them).

Aloha,
allen

Thoughts
Immersed in a world of technology, we often find it hard to believe that what we find as ‘necessities’ were non-existent not so many years ago. At the moment I am writing from a device that was considered ‘unthinkable’ when I was in elementary school (Yes, I admit…I’m getting old!). For all intents and purposes, the radio, a primitive technology in the minds of most young people, celebrated its first broadcast on Christmas Eve in 1906. The first news broadcast wouldn’t come until nearly 15 years later.

Today, there are some broadcasts running through airwaves that the FCC now requires every broadcast station to identify themselves so that listeners will know what station they are listening to or watching. These ‘station identifications’ are required to contain three pieces of information: call (name), city, and channel. Thus, at the top of every hour you will see a logo with call numbers locations appear on your screen or station id’s being given from radio dj’s.

At times I wish God were a little more like my local radio station. If only He was so regimented to send out His “station id’s” at the top of every hour. Personally, I think it would really make life easier. At minimum, it would take a lot of the guess work out of knowing whether or not I was still aligned to His will. However, God is not under the jurisdiction of the FCC. He’s God. (That’s a major revelation I had this morning!)

Though He’s not required to, God often does send out id’s to let His children know they are still tuned in. In my life these id’s, often introduced through His Word, His people, His creation, etc., have been just the encouraging reminders I’ve needed. They remind me of His identity (Everlasting God, the LORD, Creator of the ends of the earth), His location (upon His throne), and His channel (He’s like the Captain on an airplane, He has jurisdiction over ALL of them).

Regardless of what you’re going through today, God is God, He’s on His throne, and He has jurisdiction over your life and problems.

Application
Have you ever received a God id? How did it come?

At one point in your life does God’s station id mean the most?

How might God use you today to express His identity to someone in the doubt of His presence?

Prayer
Father,

Thank You for Your id’s. As Your word declares in Isaiah 40:28, You are Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth. You never grow weary. You do not change, nor do you move. Thank You for keeping my life today. Though there are many other channels and stations, You are the one I long to be attuned with.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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When Life Goes LIVE

October 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ahh, it sure feels good to be back behind the desk writing again. We genuinely enjoyed our trip back to Texas. As always, it was great to see family and friends, eat at our favorite restaurants, and enjoy the change of scenery for a few days. But now we’re back and falling back into our schedule lives again. It feels nice!

In this week’s devo I will focus my attention on the God pauses of our lives. These are the moments when it seems nothing is working as planned, but God is still working His plan. If you’re there now, this will be a gentle refresher. If you not, hit the ‘save’ button for later consumption.

Aloha,
allen

Thoughts
As a child, my great-grandmother built her life around scheduled programming. Dinner was always prepared, eaten, and cleaned up before those golden words echoed from the television…“WHEEL OF FORTUNE!” Nothing interrupted her schedule.

Spiritually, we all grow accustomed to the daily scheduled programs of our life and faith. We become regimented in our actions, attendance, and attitudes. It’s our auto-pilot Christianity. Our life becomes scheduled and schedules have pre-determined outcomes. Wheel of Fortune producers are never surprised when the winner is announced at the end of a broadcast.

On the other hand, LIVE events are not that way. No one knows the end result of a baseball or football game before it airs. It is live and unfolds live for everyone to see. Such is our life and faith. It is live. While there are eternal promises we know for sure, none of us knows the trials or triumphs each day holds.

Take a sheet of paper and make two columns. Label the left side Scheduled and the right side LIVE. Now, read Hebrews 11 and identify the respective columns each character fits into. I challenge that you will find none that will qualify for scheduled lives. They lived their lives LIVE. And, so must we.

Thankfully, we have grown accustomed to those wonderful interruptions of live events: “We pause for station identification.” These words serve to remind us we’re tuned into the right station and that we’re still within range. Likewise, God gives us brief station id’s that remind us that the same Broadcaster who is with us in the scheduled programs of life is with us in the LIVE events.

LIVE events are always better than scheduled events. Don’t despise the awkward interruptions, noisy backgrounds, or the seat-gripping suspense. Enjoy the life found in the LIVE events. God’s still the Broadcaster and He’s not changed His location.

Application
Does your faith and relationship with God tend to be more scheduled or LIVE? Why?

Scheduled faith tends to struggle with unpredictable (or undesirable) outcomes. Read Luke 9:57-62&version=NASB">Luke 9:57-62 and note the schedule interruptions each encountered and Christ’s response. Do you struggle with any of these?

Hebrews 11 captures the essence of LIVE faith. What character are you most like? How are you challenged to go LIVE today?

Prayer
Father,

When I consider my life and my insistence that faith fit into a schedule, I become ashamed. The pages of scripture are immersed with men and women who chose to live life LIVE. Undeterred by the day’s struggles, they lived trusting that You were above their situation and were still in control. I long for a faith like that. A faith that risks going LIVE. Today, help me take the steps away from regimented religion and predictable outcomes and toward the fullness of trusting in You.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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