Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Fifty-six
“Promises, Promises”
Psalm 56:12

“I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.”

No one likes people who make promises and than fail to follow through on their word. We don’t trust people who continually renege on their commitments. But wait, how often have we told God we would do something and then ignored our promise (vow)? We take God’s forgiveness for granted. We forget that God’s forgiveness is not necessarily the same as God’s blessing. God expects us to be true to our words to Him.
The thing about promises to God is that such promises are never one-sided. Our vows to God always require God’s help to fulfill. We need His strength and mercy. God is honored when we keep our words to Him and, at the same time, always remember that He is the One who gives us the ability to keep our promises.

Enjoy the Journey!
Paul

Summer Road Trip '08
Day Fifty-Five
Weight of the World
Psalm 55:22

Give your burdens to the Lord and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Some days feel heavy. The worries and cares of the world seem to have landed on my shoulders. That is not the way God intended us to live. God never gives us more than we can handle; if the weight is too much it is because we are carrying more than God desires. His grace is always enough.

God's desire is that we give our burdens to Him. He will take care of us.

Psalm 55:22 has a parallel in the New Testament: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

Enjoy the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip '08
Day Fifty-four
Stayin' Alive
Psalm 54:4

"But God is my helper. The Lord is the one who keeps me alive!"

There are many things that I take for granted every day; probably the most obvious is that I am alive. It is a blessing that we are not listed in today's obituary column. The Apostle Paul said, "To be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord" so we know that the alternative to life on earth is an even better life in eternity (at least for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ). My point here is that while we are on this journey it is a blessing to be alive. Other people's plans for us are not so gracious as the Lord's. There are some who wish us harm.
Today I'm just thankful I am alive!

Enjoy the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Fifty-three
“Fools Paradise”
Psalm 53:1


“Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ ”

Practical Atheism, that’s the term for anyone who acts as if God doesn’t exist. Sure, ask us if we believe there is a God and we will be quick to respond, yes! But watch our lives. How do we live out that “yes!” Do we really live as if there is a God? Do we act as if He is watching? Do we respond as if we really believe He loves us?

God looks down from heaven to see if there is anyone with real understanding, who really seeks after Him. That’s how we show that we know – there is a God!

Enjoy the Journey,
Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Fifty-two
“Telling ‘em off!”
Psalm 52:1
“You call yourself a hero, do you?””

There are times when honking the horn is appropriate. Another traveler on the journey starts behaving erratically and endangers the rest of us. We hate to speak up for fear that we will appear judgmental or overly “religious”, yet neither is true – we are being honest, truthful.

Like the author of Psalm 52, there are times when we have to stand up to those who are speaking to hurt others. The warning (during those times when we must speak up) is to trust in God’s unfailing love. Don’t trust in your own ability to strike out at the other person. Don’t gloat over the other person’s “fall”; instead trust in God’s justice and mercies. Stand for what is godly and right – just don’t play God.

Enjoy the Journey,
Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Fifty-one
The Right Sacrifice
Psalm 51:17

“The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Sometimes nothing will do but brokenness. That’s not a word or thought we hear often, or wish to think much about. We don’t like to think of ourselves as broken, yet the brokenness referred to in Psalm 51 is a brokenness over our wrongs, our sins.

God is not interested in all the things we can do for Him. He’s concerned with our attitude and heart toward Him, especially when we have wronged Him and others. When we come to God with a spirit that says “I’m not fighting you any more” and an attitude that says ‘I repent; I am turning away from the wrong that I am doing” – that’s what God desires.

Enjoy the Journey,
Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08

Day Fifty

What I Really Want

Psalm 50:14-15

“What I want instead is your true thanks to God…Trust me in your times of trouble.”

I got very hungry last night and had only one problem, I had no idea what I really “wanted” to eat. It was pretty stupid considering all my body needed was something healthy in my stomach. There are lots of times I’m frustrated because I really don’t know what I want.

God is never frustrated. He always knows what He wants. He’s not really interested in our sacrifices that make us look good; He’s wants our genuine thanks. He wants us to really trust Him – especially in times of trouble.

Enjoy the Journey,
Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08

Day Forty-nine


It don’t come easy!


Psalm 49:8


“Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live for ever and never see the grave.”

Ringo Star made the phrase popular in the early 70’s “You know it don’t come easy”. Whether he realized it or not, that’s what the Bible said long before he thought of it.

Redemption is a great word that means to “buy back”. We sold our souls to this world and it’s ideals and as a result became separated from God. God loved us so much that He was willing to pay the price to buy is back (pay the penalty for our sin). God redeemed us! It was not an easy thing for Him to do – it took His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave.

Psalm 49 reminds us that while it looks like the wicked of this world have an easy time of it, the things they have will go with them to the grave. Everyone dies; what matters is what happens after your death.

Thank God that He redeemed you! You have more to look forward to that earthly riches.

Enjoy the Journey,
Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08

Day Forty-eight

“The Pause that Refreshes”

Psalm 48


“O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.”

In 1929 Coca-Cola introduced “The Pause that Refreshes” sales campaign. Think about it; taking a few moments to guzzle down a bottle of flavored sugar water was all it took to be refreshed.
If it were only that easy; refreshment in a bottle!

True refreshment doesn’t come from a bottle or can, it comes from God. He is the only One who can refresh and renew our tired spirits. That is why today’s challenge, “we meditate on your unfailing love” is so…well…refreshing.

Meditation is filling our mind and souls with thoughts of God and His goodness. If you are feeling a little worn today – stop for the ultimate pause that refreshes. Think about God’s goodness in your life!

Enjoy the Journey,
Paul