Devotions on the Run: Pulling Out of the Fast Lane to Make Time with God (Paperback)

Chapter One

The Courage to Pray

Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24

Have you ever prayed a life-changing prayer? Maybe it was a time when you were wrestling with an issue that you knew was wrong, but could release it to God only after some struggle.

When I was 16, I made a commitment to follow Jesus and asked Him into my heart. Until that time athletics, especially baseball, was the main focus of my life. I thought I would be a professional baseball player. After becoming a Christian, I sensed God wanted me to go into the ministry instead. My struggle was between something I loved doing and what I believed that God was leading me to do. One day, as I sat on the sand at the beach looking at the Pacific Ocean, I prayed a life-changing prayer. It went something like this: "God, I surrender my will to Yours. I will go wherever You want and do whatever Your desire is for my life. After all, You know more about me than I do." Instantly I felt a sense of release and peace. God was in control. That, I believe, was the day that God led me into a life of full-time Christian service, and I have never regretted a single moment of it.

Are you willing to pray a life-changing prayer? It can go something like this: "Lord, I'm willing to go anywhere and do anything for You." When you do pray that prayer, be assured that God has His best in mind for you.

Further Fathoms

Have you ever prayed a life-changing prayer? What was the result?

Read Psalm 139:23-24 again. Write out several issues that God is impressing upon you. Do you have the courage to pray a life-changing prayer for these issues?

Powerful Praises

Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desire. Psalm 37:4

You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. Psalm 139:13-14

Rapid Recap

Thank God.

Listen to what He is saying to you today.

Week 1/Monday

The Choosing of Christ

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34

Dan worked in the inner city of Chicago. He dedicated his life to helping poor kids find meaning through Jesus Christ. Dan had a friend, Enrique. At 13, Enrique had never been out of the city and he belonged to a gang. Enrique never knew who his father was, and his mother wasn't citizen of the year.

Dan took Enrique and three other boys to Wisconsin for a weekend Christian retreat. Enrique had never been to church before. When he heard that God loved him unconditionally not for what he did but for who he was-a child of God-Enrique jumped at the chance to become a Christian. Dan was excited.

When the group traveled home from the camp, Dan noticed Enrique looked very nervous. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Tonight I have to run the gauntlet," was Enrique's reply.

"What do you mean?" Dan asked.

"Basically, I'm going to get beat up real bad."

"What are you talking about, Enrique?"

"When you leave a gang, the gang members line up on both sides in a row with clubs, bats, rings and their fists. You run the gauntlet and they give you a beating you'll remember the rest of your life."

"Why do you have to run the gauntlet tonight?"

Enrique looked at Dan and matter-of-factly said, "Dan, I can't have Jesus and the gang. I've decided I want Jesus more than I want to be in the gang."

Further Fathoms

What inspires you about Enrique's newfound faith in Christ?

What specifically does it mean to your life to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Christ?

Powerful Praise

May those who want to see me acquitted shout for joy and say again and again, "How great is the Lord! He is pleased with the success of his servant." Then I will proclaim your righteousness, and I will praise you all day long. Psalm 35:27-28

Rapid Recap

Make a choice.

Pick up your cross and follow Jesus.

Week 1/Tuesday

No Greater Love

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Dan went with Enrique to meet with the gang leaders. They walked to a broken-down basketball court where the gang members hung out. Enrique spoke first. With fear in his eyes and a quivering voice, he told the leader of the gang he needed to run the gauntlet.

"Why, Enrique? What's wrong?"

Enrique looked at Dan and then at his fellow gang members. His reply was so simple: "I asked Jesus into my heart and I know I've got to leave the gang."

"Enrique," the gang leader implored. "Let me give you a second chance. You don't want to run the gauntlet, but you'll need to give up this Jesus stuff."

Enrique looked again at Dan and then replied, "I've made up my mind."

The gang leader shrugged his shoulders and said, "OK, the gauntlet it is."

Dan then looked straight into the gang leader's eyes and said, "About this gauntlet business, is there any way to convince you not to hurt Enrique?"

The gang leader laughed and just shook his head, "No. Absolutely not."

Dan cleared his throat and said, "Then I'd like to take Enrique's place." There was complete silence from the gang leader. He had probably never heard anything like this from anyone, let alone a white youth worker who had moved to the inner city from upper-middle-class suburbia.

At first the gang leader was speechless. Then he smiled, "Let me check with the others."

Enrique knew his gang leader would like nothing more than to beat Dan within an inch of his life. Enrique and Dan stood in silence as the others discussed the proposition before them. Dan had volunteered to take Enrique's place. Finally, after much discussion the gang leader came back. Without even looking at Dan he told Enrique, "You can change your mind, but if you don't you'll run the gauntlet at 9:00 tonight."

He then turned and walked away.

Enrique looked at Dan. "Would you really have done that for me?"

Dan put his arm around Enrique and said, "Of course I would."

A tear appeared on Enrique's cheek, his big brown eyes, now moist, looked up at his friend. All he could say was "Thanks."

Further Fathoms

Dan was willing to run the gauntlet for Enrique. How does Dan's faith challenge you?

Read John 15:13 again. Write a thank-you note to Christ for laying down His life on the cross for you.

Powerful Praise

It is good to sing praise to our God; it is pleasant and right to praise him. The Lord is restoring Jerusalem; he is bringing back the exiles. He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He has decided the number of the stars and calls each one by name. Great and mighty is our Lord; his wisdom cannot be measured. He raises the humble, but crushes the wicked to the ground. His pleasure is not in strong horses, nor his delight in brave soldiers; hut he takes pleasure in those who honor him, in those who trust in his constant love. Psalm 147:1-6,10-11

Rapid Recap

Count the cost of following Christ.

Thank Jesus for what He has done for you today.

Week 1/Wednesday

The Love of Jesus

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

At 9:05 p.m., Enrique's gang members lined up in two rows holding bats and clubs, cussing and screaming obscenities. They called this 13-year-old boy a sissy for turning to Jesus. Dan and Enrique stood side by side-each wore a horrified look. Dan kept asking, "Is this really happening?" Enrique looked up at Dan and needed reassurance once more. "Dan, you're absolutely sure Jesus loves me?" Dan, checking every motive in his life, said, "He loved you so much He was willing to go to the cross and die for the forgiveness of your sins and mine." Dan knew there was a possibility that Enrique was going to his cross for his now two-day-old faith in Jesus.

The leader yelled, "Go for it, Enrique." Dan watched as his little friend got slugged, hit and kicked. Dan will never forget the picture imprinted on his mind of this terrible beating. Dan had begged, screamed, pleaded, prayed and threatened. Now Enrique was curled up in a ball protecting himself from the blows to every part of his body.

At last the gang leader called it off. Enrique lay still, bloody and bruised. He couldn't speak and he couldn't walk. Dan carried Enrique in his arms 12 blocks to the nearest hospital. They waited three hours for help. Enrique's head was badly cut. His shoulder was already swollen and two teeth were entirely missing. His groin had swollen to the size of a grapefruit.

Finally, a nurse put Enrique on a gurney and wheeled him to the emergency room. Dan walked quietly at his side. In the elevator, Enrique looked up through his bloodshot eyes, and said, "Jesus really does love me, doesn't He?" Dan smiled. Enrique-whose own face was bruised-added, "He went through extreme pain, even death for me, right?" Dan nodded. "Then I'm glad I could go through this for my Savior," Enrique quietly concluded.

Further Fathoms

This is a powerful true story. How does it challenge you?

How is Enrique's commitment similar to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross?

Powerful Praise

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from heaven, you that live in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels, all his heavenly armies. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, shining stars. Praise him, highest heavens, and the waters above the sky. Let them all praise the name of the Lord! He commanded, and they were created; by his command they were fixed in their places forever, and they cannot disobey. Praise the Lord from the earth, sea monsters and all ocean depths; lightening and hail, snow and clouds, strong winds that obey his command. Praise him, hills and mountains, fruit trees and forests; all animals, tame and wild, reptiles and birds. Praise him, kings and all peoples, princes and all other rulers; young women and young men, old people and children too. Let them all praise the name of the Lord! His name is greater than all others; his glory is above earth and heaven. He made his nation strong, so that all his people praise him-the people of Israel, so dear to him. Praise the Lord! Psalm 148

Rapid Recap

Jesus sacrificed all on the cross.

What can you go through for Jesus today?

Week 1/Thursday

This Is the Day

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

If you live to be 70 years old, on average you will spend

20 years sleeping

16 years working

7 years playing

6 years eating

5 years dressing (4 1/2 years for bald-headed men like me!)

3 years waiting for somebody

1 1/2 years in church

1 year on the telephone

5 months tying your shoes

How are you spending your time? Are you productively making a positive difference with your life? Everything you do can be done with an attitude of thankfulness and praise. You can choose to make it a wonderful day with God. Go for it!

Further Fathoms

What can you do with your time today that will make a positive difference in your life?

What do 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:17 mean specifically for your life?

Powerful Praise

This is the day of the Lord's victory; let us be happy, let us celebrate! Psalm 118:24

Rapid Recap

You have 24 hours today.

It is important to God how we spend our time.

Week 1/Friday

The Source of Power

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to he with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is very much on the same level in the Trinity as the Father and as Jesus. His role in the Godhead (Trinity) is different from the roles of the Father and of Jesus. The Father is the creator and the Son (Jesus) is the Savior. The Spirit is the counselor and comforter.

The Holy Spirit's job is to empower and guide you in living the Christian life. In order to have the power of God working in your life you must surrender and submit to the control of the Holy Spirit. You can surrender and submit to the Holy Spirit simply by asking Him to fill you with His presence.

Here is a prayer I pray regularly. I hope it will be your prayer today as well.

Continues...