iTrain30

Day 7
September 7

Phil. 4:1-9
Psalm 7:1-17
Prov. 2:1-5

Before we go to our iTrain discussion, I just want to thank God for the great day we had this Friend Day at High Street. I loved walking around church and being introduced to the friends who had been invited. Some people made decisions to accept Jesus Christ. There is nothing sweeter than that. We also enjoyed a wonderful time during the “Cardboard Testimony Parade”. It is amazing how profound summary statements of how God has made a difference in our lives scribbled on simple cardboard can be. I was truly blessed to be able to celebrate God’s goodness with others. No doubt the witness presented will continue to impact people in the coming days and weeks.

Philippians 4:1-9 is one of the riches passages.

It is clear that Paul loves the people he is writing. He begins to give some important instructions.In rapid fire fashion he reminds us of the following:

• Move toward unity.
• Help each others move toward unity.
• We are all fellow workers and our names are in the Book of Life
• Rejoice always. This is important – rejoice.
• Be gentle – The Lord is at hand. God is watching every conversation and encouter and He is looking for gentleness.
• Don’t worry. Pray with thanksgiving – this is the way to let peace guard your heart.
• Be careful what you think about.

These few statements put into practice could revolutionize our lives. I need to give them all more attention.

Reading for Day 8

September 8

Phil. 4:10-23
Psalm 8:1-9
Prov. 2:6-15

iTrain30

Reading for Day 6
September 6

Phil. 3:12-21
Psalm 6:1-10
Prov. 1:29-33

When I was in Bible College, I would see some of my hero Pastors and assume that they had made it. They had it all together, the struggles were passed. Like a 5 Star General reaches this highest rank they had made it to spiritual maturity and would be able to coast on into eternity. One of my greatest disappointments is that life never gets us to a place where all is well and we are perfect. I find Philippians 3:12-21 to be one of the most encouraging passages in scripture. First because Paul is so real. He admits that he, the great Apostle, had not reached perfection. Secondly, his struggles, failures and disappointments do not send him into a tailspin of discouragement or depression. Thirdly, he remains hopeful and forwardly focused. He kept his focus straight ahead. He would stay in the struggle and held on to hope. God was still working, the plan was still ongoing. He would lean into the struggle "press hard" with confidence knowing that God was helping him. God had a plan and it would be worked out in his life. Lastly, he stays future focused. Unlike those who were earthly minded he lived as a citizen of heaven. He looked forward to the future transformations that Jesus Christ would accomplish. Paul was a real person and a great man of faith. Nothing kept him down.

A positive attitude that flows from these scriptural truths is very powerful. I need to be more like that. So where I see sin and failure in myself, I will confess my sin and keep pressing forward toward the plan of God in my life. If I keep moving forward I cannot be defeated. What a great truth to meditate on today.

Reading for Day 7
September 7

Phil. 4:1-9
Psalm 7:1-17
Prov. 2:1-5

FRIEND DAY IS TOMORROW. I am so encouraged by the buzz that I am hearing. People have invited friends and there is a sense of great expectation that I have not seen before. We need to make our final phone calls and visits. Please set aside a moment and pray for our service tomorrow. If you can, sit with your spouse, kids or a friend and ask God to bless our service tomorrow. The Gospel will go out in several ways. The cardboard testimony parade is very powerful. Aaron Cavin has been doing a great job this week. He will present the gospel in his message. We are moving in obedience to be witnesses and surely God is pleased with High Street.

iTrain30

Reading for Day 5
September 5

Phil. 3:1-11
Psalm 5:1-12
Prov. 1:24-28

My brother was talking to one of his teachers one day about the simple gift of salvation that comes through faith alone in Jesus Christ. His teacher had been for many years devoted to her religion (a Christian religion). She had built the rituals and routines of her church into her life in a way that included a lot of dedication and sacrifice. She was intrigued with her student’s simple understanding of salvation in Jesus and the confidence and assurance of salvation that included heaven and an eternity with God. After all her efforts she did not have assurance and confidence. After a thoughtful pause she said something like; if I accept what you have to say, everything I have done up to know will have been wasted and I can’t do that.

The Apostle Paul in Philippians 3 came to the exact same place of understanding as this teacher and his response was “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” He was willing to take the loss and move forward.

One of the biggest challenges for each of us is to be able to understand where the truth ends and our rituals begin. Change has never been easy for us in the church. It was not easy for Paul either. We are challenged to stay focused on Christ and allow other things fall away when necessary.

I am challenged to make sure that I am not holding on to something that prevents me from moving forward in Christ. Total surrender is the goal.

Reading for Day 6
September 6

Phil. 3:12-21
Psalm 6:1-10
Prov. 1:29-33

iTrain30

Reading for
Day 4 September 4

Phil. 2:12-30
Psalm 4:1-8
Prov. 1:20-23

Small things jump out at me today. In Psalm I read the last verse that says, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, Make me dwell in safety.” This week I had occasion to tell the stories of living through coupe tats, with soldiers firing and tanks in the streets of Manila. The questions of safety and “would we be ok tonight as we sleep?” were very real. There is a very real peace that comes with understanding that God alone keeps us safe. And He is a God I know and a God who knows and cares for me. What a relief to actively lean on God and admit the obvious – “God is in control and I am not”.

I also read in Proverbs how I need to turn at wisdom’s rebuke. I need to remember that I don’t know everything and that my perspective is naturally faulty. The next verse is a great promise, “I will pour out my spirit on you, I will make my words known to you.” Listening to God is the best skill we can develop and a most important discipline. Listening is not something we do easily. Active listening is hard work.

Lastly, when Philippians talks about how it is God who works in me to “will” and “do” His good pleasure. I open myself up to hear from God today and to allow Him to put help me desire the right things and then do them.

My goal is to listen today.

Reading for
Day 5 September 5


Phil. 3:1-11
Psalm 5:1-12
Prov. 1:24-28

Thanks for your Prayers

I received a text from my sister this morning telling me that her father in law passed away. I want to thank all of you who have prayed for Ray Lontoc in the last few weeks and days. Thank God the Hooge's obeyed God's call to take the gospel to the Philippines. Because of this Ray Lontoc was not defeated by death, but delivered to new and eternal life through death. He loved God and it must have been a great moment for him to step into His presence.

iTrain30

Reading for
September 3 – Day 3

Phil. 2:1-11
Psalm 3:1-8
Prov. 1:10-19

Some of the of the toughest things to deal with in life are “friendly fire”, the betrayal by a friend or family member. Psalm three was written as David fled after the rebellion led by his own son Absalom. Few things hurt and confuse us to the core of our being than this kind of thing. It can rock us spiritually, emotionally and even impact us physically. This kind of turmoil can easily consume our thoughts, make it hard to sleep and basically rob us of peace. We can come to think that only when everything goes back to “normal” or when our betrayers change their heart toward us, when our critics change their opinion about us can we be ok again.

David would carry the hurt of having his own son betray him to his grave. Because of the personal element of this rebellion there was no way out that seemed good. There was no happy ending to this story and things never went back to “normal”. David walks down this path of great turmoil and finds strength in his relationship with God. His attention turns away from his betrayers and also from his self and he focuses on God. God is faithful and loyal and trustworthy even when people are not. It was in the shadow of his faithful God that he rests. He even says, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.” David finds his peace in God.

Seldom are we conflict or problem free. We can have a “peace that passes understanding” when we walk with God. That peace gives strength and clarity to deal with the challenges. I love walking with a God who is faithful and trustworthy. Romans boldly declares that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Reading for
Day 4 September 4

Phil. 2:12-30
Psalm 4:1-8
Prov. 1:20-23

A special thanks to all of you who take the time to add a comment. The shared thoughts and comments add so much to a personal devotion time. Please keep them coming.

iTrain30

September 2 - Day 2

Phil. 1:12-30
Psalm 2
Prov. 1:7-9

"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." That is such a powerful statement and unique perspective on life. Paul was uncertain what would happen to him. There was that looming possibility that his life and ministry would come to an end. They say that hope is the most powerful fuel on earth. How do you have hope when death threatens to end everything. Paul did.

As I read today, I thought of my sister's father in law who is gravely ill with cancer. His name is Ray Lontoc. The Lontoc family was one of the first ones who came to faith after the war under the ministry of Frank Hooge. I have known him pretty much my whole life. He is a godly man who loves God, has faithfully served in the church and loves the Bible. It was reported to me that when he was diagnosed and the doctor was discussing treatment options his response was, "Doctor, if I have an appointment with God, I don't want to be late." What a confidence and hope even in the toughest of times.

I need to sieze hope today and remember why I am living - "for Christ". Paul had a clear understanding that life on earth was not all there was. He did not live life on earth in a short sighted temporary way. Everything he did was for "Christ".

If you are reading this please take a moment and pray for Ray Lontoc and his family. These are very difficult days for them. Paul in this chapter commented "for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." Praying for each other does matter. Maybe there is someone God will lead you to pray for as your read this. That is a very important assignment.

Reading for September 3

September 3

Phil. 2:1-11

Psalm 3:1-8

Prov. 1:10-19

Thanks for all of the comments. Please keep them coming.