Summer Road Trip ’08

Traveling Mercies

Day Twenty-eight

Psalm 28:6-6

“Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart.”

When I was a kid I used to hear my parents pray for “traveling mercies”. I never understood the term until I began to understand my own journey through this life. I need God’s mercy. Mercy is defined as something God gives us that we don’t deserve. He gives me strength and shields me from dangers, when the trust is; I deserve to crash and burn because of my wrong decisions.

I’m so thankful that God helps me and protects me from my foolishness. He forgives and restores.

If you have made a few wrong turns this week, take heart, your Lord God is there to strengthen and shield you from danger. Trust Him. Obey Him. Enjoy His help; He saves His people!

Enjoy the Journey
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08
G.P.S.
Day Twenty-seven
Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?.”

G.P.S. -- God’s Protection & Salvation

As we have been traveling this journey, there has been a constant compass, guidance from heaven, which has watched over us, pointing us in the right direction. He has been our light and more importantly, He has been our salvation from many dangers.

There are people out there, who would love to see us broken down along the roadside. We will not be afraid; we have a destination and we are solely focused on it.

“The one thing I ask of the LORD—the one thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in His temple.” (vs.4) When the Psalmist wrote those words he wasn’t asking to go to heaven, he was proclaiming his desire to live as closely to God and God’s Word as possible on this earth.

As we focus on God’s G.P.S. we find ourselves traveling in the right direction. Such focus gives us courage for the journey and allows us to be brave. (vs.14)

Enjoy the Journey
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08
Bumper Stickers
Day Twenty-six
Psalm 26:12

“I have taken a stand and I will publicly praise the LORD.”

When did we arrive at the belief that a bumper sticker actually makes a statement? We assume we’ve done our part once we’ve stuck the sticker to the backside of our vehicle for everyone to see. (It reminds me of the driver who screamed and cursed at every honking car, forgetting that he had placed a “Honk if you Love Jesus” sticker on his automobile.)

What you do is more important than what you say as you travel on life’s journey. That’s called integrity. “…for I have acted with integrity.” (vs.1)

Far too many travelers think a few words are enough. We say we are Christ followers but our affections and motives betray those words. We talk about what’s “right” but fail to live out God’s truth.

We must determine that we will be more than “Bumper Sticker” believers. We must be willing to take a stand, not just attach a sticker. Taking a stand and publicly praising God means matching our private words with our public deeds.

Enjoy the Journey
Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08
Blow Out!
Day Seventeen
Psalm 25:11

“For the honor of your name, O LORD, forgive my many, many sins.”

Have you ever experienced a blow out? You’re traveling along on the smooth pavement and breakneck speed when suddenly the thump, thump, thump of rubber pounding against metal wakes you from your daze. Sometimes there’s even the grinding sound as vehicle connects with road. I’ve seen the remnants of accidents caused by blowouts, but most often I’ve seen the bits, pieces and chunks of tire tread – reminders of past failures.

When I look back at my journey I see the times when I’ve experienced a sinful blowout. I’ve failed to avoid the potholes and obstacles at times evening driving right into them. I’ve sinned. Today’s passage assures me once again that in spite of the distress (vs.16), problems (17), pain and trouble (18), I have a Rescuer (20).

Like emergency roadside assistance, my LORD is there to lift me up, forgive my sin, begin the repair work and send my on down the journey.

Remembering the damage of my sinful acts reminds me to avoid them in the future, experiencing God’s forgiveness assures me that I can keep traveling!

Enjoy the Journey!
Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08
Day Twenty-four
Private Property
Psalm 24:1

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

As we’re making our way through this world it’s easy to assume that much of it is ours – it’s not. The Owner has only allowed us the use of both the vehicle and the road. God made everything you see. The stuff everybody else made was made with the stuff He made first.

What should our response be to the awesome privilege of living in God’s creation? Pure hands and pure hearts. Worship only God, tell the truth.

That’s the least we can do.

Enjoy the Journey,
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08
Green Pastures
Day Seventeen
Psalm 23:2

“He lets me rest in green pastures…”

We’ve arrived at a familiar section of road. We know this scenery fairly well, which is also a warning to slow down and really look at it again.

It’s personal – MY shepherd.

It’s peaceful – green pastures and peaceful streams

It’s powerful – He renews my strength

It’s protected – Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me

It’s prepared – a feast for me

It’s precious – your goodness and unfailing love

And it’s all planned for you! – “I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”

Today is a great opportunity to thank God for His goodness on your journey. Take a few minutes to put yourself into the scenery of Psalm 23. Make it personal. Daydream a little. This daydream is closer to reality that you might think!

Enjoy the Journey,
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08
A Voice from the Future-A look to the Past
Day Seventeen
Psalm 22:1

“My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?”

Today we come across a unique passage in our journey through the Psalms. This passage is known as a Messianic Psalm because it is a poetic description of Jesus Christ. If you were to turn to Matthew 27:6 you would find our Lord Jesus Christ shouting this verse from the cross:

At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Slow down today and read the entire Psalm slowly. Try to visualize Jesus on the cross. Try to sense the anguish of your Savior as He hung there for you.

Then remember that God had the Psalmist (King David) write this passage hundreds of years before Jesus hung on the cross. Imagine knowing for centuries the torturous death you would face and still willingly die – all because of your love for those you would save. That’s what Jesus did for you!

Enjoy the Journey,

Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08
Day Twenty-one: Psalm 21: 2
In Tune

“For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have held back nothing that he requested.”

Some times it just all seems to be right. I’m not referring to “right” as having everything I want in just the way I want it. I’m referring to the peace that comes from knowing that God has me where He wants me and I’m in tune with His desires for my life. His Travel Guide (the Bible) assures me that He has a plan and purpose for my life and that He has desired me to run smoothly when I am in tune with that plan and purpose. His plans become my plans; His will becomes my will. At times like that I understand that He hold’s nothing back from me that is good.

Enjoy the Journey,
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08

Day Twenty: Psalm 20:4
Bragging Rights

“Some nations boast of their armies and weapons, but we boast in the LORD our God.”

As we’re traveling down the road on life’s journey it’s easy to look around and admire what other’s have. Their vehicles often seem much more powerful and elegant that what we possess. At times it’s hard to get a proper perspective from inside our own bodies. We listen to others boast and brag; they talk about their “freedom” and flaunt their irresponsibility. Let them blow their own horns.

While they gloat over their stuff and their soon-to-be-ended lives, we should, no, we will, keep our boasting focused on God – His power, His plan, His love toward us.

When you are tempted to envy what others seem to have just remember WHO is holding you!

Enjoy the Journey,

Pastor Paul