Day 4 Why do people hate devotion to God?

In my Day 4 of my 40 day journey through Lent . . .

DAY 4 Psalm 4, 34, 64, 94, 124 Excerpts from 16th century Jesuit, Francis de Sales, “Introduction to the Devout Life”

Its Saturday morning and it took my alarm clock to wake me up to spend time with you Lord. This has been one of the hardest and most blessed weeks. Thank you for not forgetting me.

Psalm 34 is one of my favorites, it was there for me in 1989 when I hit one of the hardest times of my and is here for me now.

“this poor man called and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles”. This reminds me of the work we do at LINC NT. We are a ministry that is trying to do both community development and disciple-making. There are those that believe that we should do just community development and leave the spiritual stuff to the church. . . others believe we should just focus on church planting and let the social stuff to service organizations. I can’t do that . . . biblically we are called to help out the poor and also bring Jesus to them. I love the fact that this verse says that “the Lord heard him”. The poor man is ignored in this culture, left on his own. Some conservatives say, “leave him alone, I am not responsible for that man’s laziness or misfortune, if I help, it will bring me down too.” Some liberals say, “help him physically but don’t impose your values or religion on him . . . just give him what he wants.” I think both extremes are wrong and unbiblical. We ought to help immediately but we do it in a way that helps keep the man’s dignity. I will help him “own the pond” not just give him fish because his dignity is just as important. But he can’t “own the pond” and not know the greatest fisherman of all. Oh, I got off on a tangent . . . oops . . well its my blog . . . I’m just saying.

Vs 14 “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

Psalm 94 “The Lord knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile. . . blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Vs. 22 But the Lord has become my fortress and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.”

Proverbs 4 “above all else, guard our heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

This Jesuit priest from the 16^th century has so much wisdom. . .he asks, Why we hate spiritual disciplines? it is bitter to the mouth and sweet to the soul. No one like dying and having true devotion based on love is very hard work and quick fruit might not be seen. But true devotion is sweet and will bring consolation.

Lord, I have so much to learn, to rely on you, to truly trust you. Teach me to trust you. I have so much to learn about devotion, help me listen to the wise man in proverbs in the saints that have gone before me.

I’m on my way to teach over fifty youth pastors this morning, give me your wisdom and help me speak words that bring them life and long-term fruit to your kingdom. I love you Lord, your love is better than life!

I love this journey . . . I love spending time with you.