24 Jul 2024
There are many lessons to learn from the past. But let us not get stuck there. May we depend on God’s grace to move forward. After all, His mercies are new every morning. Let us be hopeful about what He has in store for us. Isaiah 43:18-19.
Kicked to the Curb? Good!
Holy ground — without brokenness, there would be no healing or hope or grace. So, thank you, Abba, for reserving a place for us, just for us, at the curb with you. MO is at Black Rifle Coffee. Beyond Black is in the cup, silence is on the playlist, and God has moved the room to the curb. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:6-11 — bold added to help us recognize why we were on the curb of broken “whatevers” before his grace found us!) What do you do with broken things? My dad would find a place in the garage and keep the broken “whatevers” in hopes of one day fixing them, or using the parts to fix something else — he loved restoring them — turning misfits into good-fits… don’t think he ever tossed anything, he even gave a new home to the broken stuff in the backlot at work. Lyn and I, on the other hand, put our broken things on the curb by the driveway, and like magic…within three hours they disappear. Over the last four decades lots of broken things have vanished: 5 chairs 3 recliners a trash compactor a washing machine three lawn edgers two lawn mowers a dot matrix printer a b/w laser printe two color printers one fax machine a 21 inch computer monitor 2 ceiling fans a rusted out radial arm saw two patio furniture sets three outdoor swings three TVs three outdoor gas grills two floor lamps three VHS players a tireless wheel barrow a vacuum three rotted railroad ties one barely used treadmill and one grab-bag full of broken odds and ends. All labeled “free to first one who stops.” They all disappeared by nightfall. So, unless it’s broken, we don’t leave anything by the curb. God on the other hand is like my dad. He collects broken things. He knows the curb well — He lives there. Only his collection is much more intriguing and compelling than my dad’s. He takes broken people, those who know they’re broken and those who are clueless — they are all treasures to Him — He mends them, comforts them. heals them, finds their lost pieces, and makes them whole. His magic only happens at the curb, the place where confession happens, when we admit our helplessness, where we own up to what’s going on behind what’s going on. And to be comforted, we have to experience His healing we have to leave our brokenness as the curb. Abba collects all kinds of brokenness — broken dreams, broken hearts, broken promises, broken futures, broken reputations, broken trust, and broken bodies. Then, our Abba does holy surgery. He restores, heals, transforms, and repurposes. Somehow, He makes us stronger in the broken places. The Spirit of God knows us better than we know ourselves; He knows we will fight Him — refuse to turn loose — we will try to hide our brokenness — to second-guess the curb. We don’t like admitting we are broken. The first miracle is that… He’s patient… He waits… He camps-out at the curb… The second miracle is that… He urges us to tell Him about it, to own it, to confess it, and turn loose of it. That’s when the curb becomes holy ground. Ah yes! Holy ground — without brokenness, there would be no healing or hope or grace. So, thank you, Abba, for reserving a place for us, just for us, at the curb with you. I can smile because God owns the curb. Real church happens there! About the author: Ron Rose has been a unique minister and friend, but he is also a noted author and leader of several ministries. Ron now makes himself available as a listener and friend as he spends time with people on the go and in coffee shops and shares grace and a listening ear connecting them with God who is always in the room!
Daily Prayer for July 24
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35–36, NIV Lord our God, we bow down before you in this time when you have brought us hardships and judgment. Change this earthly age, we beseech you. Bring in something from heaven so that your will may be done and your mercy come to all nations. Strengthen us on all our ways, we pray. We thank you for all you have done for us. May your name be praised and glorified at all times. We want to follow you and to remain in your heavenly life. Amen. Recent articles on Plough For the Least of These Jason Storbakken The Bowery Mission in Manhattan takes its cues from Jesus’ words. Read now Gerhard Lohfink: Champion of Community Timothy J. Keiderling We don’t follow Jesus alone. Read now Who Gets to Tell the Story? Lore Ferguson Wilbert In R. F. Kuang’s Yellowface a woman sells her dead friend’s novel as her own. Read now The Wonder of Moths Caroline Moore Gorgeous and fragile, moths showcase nature’s richness and vulnerability. Read now A Requiem for World War I Marianne Wright Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem was intended to serve as a warning to future generations of the futility of taking up arms. Read now
Today’s Verse – Ezekiel 7:23
[The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel and said: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says to the land of Israel…] Prepare chains, because the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of violence.” —Ezekiel 7:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God hates it when the innocent are afflicted with violence and bloodshed. God hates evil and political corruption. He hates false courts and leaders who abuse their power. We can rest assured that God will deliver his faithful followers and administer ultimate justice to those who have abused their positions and harmed others. God’s faithfulness and justice will prevail! My Prayer… Father, thank you for assuring me that your justice will ultimately be done with those who are violent, corrupt, wicked, and abusive. Please give your people the patience they need to wait in hope until your day of ultimate justice is accomplished. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
23 Jul 2024
When our hopes are not fulfilled, it is easy to be discouraged. On the other hand, when they are fulfilled, the impact on our lives is immense. Proverbs 13:12 likens it to a tree of life. May your hopes be fulfilled in accordance with God’s will and may you get a new lease of life!
Daily Prayer for July 23
Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us. Acts 4:12, TEV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that you have revealed to us the name Jesus Christ, the name of your Son, who leads us to you as your children. May your hand be plainly seen over all the suffering and dying people of our time. May your hand soon bring in a new age, a time truly of God and of the Savior, fulfilling what has long been promised. Watch over us this night. Bless us. In suffering, continue to uphold us with your mighty hand. In grief, may your name still be honored. May your kingdom come, breaking into all the evil of the world, and may your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Gerhard Lohfink: Champion of Community Timothy J. Keiderling We don’t follow Jesus alone. Read now Who Gets to Tell the Story? Lore Ferguson Wilbert In R. F. Kuang’s Yellowface a woman sells her dead friend’s novel as her own. Read now The Wonder of Moths Caroline Moore Gorgeous and fragile, moths showcase nature’s richness and vulnerability. Read now A Requiem for World War I Marianne Wright Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem was intended to serve as a warning to future generations of the futility of taking up arms. Read now When a Bruderhof Is Born Maureen Swinger What’s it like to be a young person in a young community? Read now
Today’s Verse – 2 Samuel 7:22
[King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:] “How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” —2 Samuel 7:22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The promises of God to Abraham and David, the work of God through Jesus, and the miraculous preservation of both the Abrahamic and Davidic lines to Jesus are nothing short of miraculous. They are testimony to God’s faithfulness and power. When we get discouraged by the unfaithfulness, blasphemy, and wickedness prevalent in our world today, we need to remember our God’s faithfulness and tremendous power displayed through his chosen people. God’s promises will not fail no matter what people do and refuse to do. God will use a faithful remnant of his people to fulfill his promises and plans! And the story of Jesus, going back to David and Abraham, confirms that truth! My Prayer… Father of all and Provider and Protector of your people, please give me a sense of courageous awe at your power and a sense of reverential wonder at your faithfulness. There is no other being or power like you, for you alone are God. I praise you for your glory and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
22 Jul 2024
When we cannot see any solution or a way out of a crisis, let us not forget that Joseph was thrown into a cistern, sold to Ishmaelites, bought by Potiphar, assaulted and accused falsely by the wife and thrown into prison. All in one lifetime. But the Lord ushered him to be the PM of Egypt and used him to save the nation and its neighbours from starvation. Genesis 37, 39-41
Daily Prayer for July 22
You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom Luke 22:28–30a, NIV Lord our God, we thank you that we may be your children and that we may hope in your Spirit. Your Spirit rules us as people whom you want to draw to yourself, as people who may serve you in their lives here on earth. Grant that we may be childlike, so that your Spirit can rule us more and more and what is good may come to many people in all places. May many come to know that their lives are not merely temporal. May they realize that they can live and act in you, and through you may experience the good that is to come to all nations on earth. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Who Gets to Tell the Story? Lore Ferguson Wilbert In R. F. Kuang’s Yellowface a woman sells her dead friend’s novel as her own. Read now The Wonder of Moths Caroline Moore Gorgeous and fragile, moths showcase nature’s richness and vulnerability. Read now A Requiem for World War I Marianne Wright Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem was intended to serve as a warning to future generations of the futility of taking up arms. Read now When a Bruderhof Is Born Maureen Swinger What’s it like to be a young person in a young community? Read now My Neck of the Woods Felix James Miller The Adirondack Park, a mixture of strongly protected public and private lands, is a great example of how humans can dwell in the natural world in a way that benefits both. Read now
Today’s Verse – Deuteronomy 7:21
[Speaking to the Israelites about their enemies, Moses said:] “Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.” —Deuteronomy 7:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What foe can defeat us as the people of God? None when we gladly welcome the presence of our holy God among us! Our God, our Deliverer, is mighty in power, awesome in holiness, and greater than any of our foes. Throughout history, the LORD has repeatedly proven his love, presence, and power in and for us, his people. So, we can refuse to fear what the evil one threatens to do to us because our Savior has already defeated hell, sin, death, Satan, and demons. And we will enjoy that victory with him one day forever. My Prayer… Abba Father, calm my fears and soothe my anxious heart. By the power of your Spirit, please bless me with boldness and confidence as I seek to live for you in a world that is often hostile to my faith and opposed to your values. I ask these graces in the name of Jesus. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.