John 1:1-5, 14
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
You probably noticed "The Word" mentioned several times above. That phrase is synonymous to Jesus in today's verses. The word has become flesh. Even though Christ has entered the dark world, he is not overwhelmed by it.
Jesus has been around since the beginning (as the Earth was created). This includes every time we go into the new year and every second of your life. What about tomorrow and the next day? He'll be there. After all, there are no holiday vacations for Jesus!
Are you having trouble getting this past year behind you? Do you think Jesus is non-existent? Pray to him. I just started reading a book called The Shack. It brings up the question Does God exist during difficult times? Down the road, I plan on discussing the book in a series of posts.
A heathen philosopher once asked a Christian, 'Where is God'? The Christian answered, 'Let me first ask you, Where is He not?' ~Aaron Arrowsmith
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
New Year's Resolution: Spiritual Style.
Genesis 9:12-15
12 Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. 13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. 14 When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, 15 and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life.
From the context can you tell what this passage is about? This is when Noah gets off the ark. He is relieved that the world is no longer flooded. Just like New Year's, it's a new beginning. God promised to never make the world flood again and created the rainbow to symbolize his promise.
When you see a rainbow, isn't it so beautiful? This beauty is refreshing and is a reminder of God's beauty. Not only should it remind us of his beauty, but his ability to keep the world from flooding again.
Back on earth, the first of the year usually means resolutions left and right. We think of it as a new beginning. On average, it takes about a month for a new habit to become established. Usually we just give up after a matter of days and our plan fails. We are back to our old self again. Do we really make the effort and commitment that God did?
Despite the difficulty, it's good to use the New Year to look over your life. Instead steer clear from the traditional resolution of exercising more frequently and instead fine tune your spiritual life. Whether it's giving more, praying more, or reading the Bible more, there's most likely some room for change in this area of your life. Pray about it!
Think of a goal that can help ramp up your spiritual life. Can you use something to symbolize your spiritual resolution? You have a couple more days to work on this ;)
"...Let every new year find you a better man." ~Benjamin Franklin
12 Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. 13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. 14 When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, 15 and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life.
From the context can you tell what this passage is about? This is when Noah gets off the ark. He is relieved that the world is no longer flooded. Just like New Year's, it's a new beginning. God promised to never make the world flood again and created the rainbow to symbolize his promise.
When you see a rainbow, isn't it so beautiful? This beauty is refreshing and is a reminder of God's beauty. Not only should it remind us of his beauty, but his ability to keep the world from flooding again.
Back on earth, the first of the year usually means resolutions left and right. We think of it as a new beginning. On average, it takes about a month for a new habit to become established. Usually we just give up after a matter of days and our plan fails. We are back to our old self again. Do we really make the effort and commitment that God did?
Despite the difficulty, it's good to use the New Year to look over your life. Instead steer clear from the traditional resolution of exercising more frequently and instead fine tune your spiritual life. Whether it's giving more, praying more, or reading the Bible more, there's most likely some room for change in this area of your life. Pray about it!
Think of a goal that can help ramp up your spiritual life. Can you use something to symbolize your spiritual resolution? You have a couple more days to work on this ;)
"...Let every new year find you a better man." ~Benjamin Franklin
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Home Stretch.
Matthew 2:12-16
12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”
16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.
Have you ever felt uneasy or nervous with the presence of Jesus Christ around you? Herold did. I'll admit that understanding Christ's presence leads to at least some change can be a bit scary.
We have to understand that Jesus expects change out of us as long as he is in our life. Sometimes we don't want to make any changes. At any rate, these changes may mean doing what the world says is wrong or insignificant. Jesus may call for less computer games or spending less time watching football and more time praying and reading the Bible, for example.
These changes will make you as close to perfect as you can get and more importantly, you will be transformed into a Christ-like figure even more so than you are right now. Think of some things Christ is wanting you to change. Do you mind making those changes?
P.S. My devotions are back after having a wonderful Christmas in Tennessee with my sister and family. Now I'm "semi-back to normal" since I'm off from school for another week. I'm already missing everybody up there. Anyways, I hope you all had a blessed Christmas. We're now in the home stretch of 2008 and I'm looking forward to 2009 even though this year has been great!
12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”
16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.
Have you ever felt uneasy or nervous with the presence of Jesus Christ around you? Herold did. I'll admit that understanding Christ's presence leads to at least some change can be a bit scary.
We have to understand that Jesus expects change out of us as long as he is in our life. Sometimes we don't want to make any changes. At any rate, these changes may mean doing what the world says is wrong or insignificant. Jesus may call for less computer games or spending less time watching football and more time praying and reading the Bible, for example.
These changes will make you as close to perfect as you can get and more importantly, you will be transformed into a Christ-like figure even more so than you are right now. Think of some things Christ is wanting you to change. Do you mind making those changes?
P.S. My devotions are back after having a wonderful Christmas in Tennessee with my sister and family. Now I'm "semi-back to normal" since I'm off from school for another week. I'm already missing everybody up there. Anyways, I hope you all had a blessed Christmas. We're now in the home stretch of 2008 and I'm looking forward to 2009 even though this year has been great!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
'Tis the Season...for Giving.
Luke 6:38
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.
A few weeks ago I talked about giving. Well we're still in that season. Christmas is coming and it's nice to take someone a gift, who is in a nursing home or hospital, for example. You can never give too much.
It doesn't even have to be anything big, it can be something small. It's really the thought that counts, not the quality. You can sit and chat with someone who doesn't get many visitors. You can smile and laugh with them. You can even just lend a helping hand and take care of some things for someone. No matter what, it will be special if your giving comes from your heart this holiday season. As Christmas approaches, try to appreciate what you have, instead of what you don't have. If you can give something this holiday, you get bonus points (from God of course)! Whatever you do give, you will be blessed in numerous ways.
Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing,
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing,
Returns to you glad.
~John Greenleaf Whittier
I will be in Tennessee for the next week, so don't expect any posts for the next week. Come back and for them again starting December 29th. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate...be safe!
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.
A few weeks ago I talked about giving. Well we're still in that season. Christmas is coming and it's nice to take someone a gift, who is in a nursing home or hospital, for example. You can never give too much.
It doesn't even have to be anything big, it can be something small. It's really the thought that counts, not the quality. You can sit and chat with someone who doesn't get many visitors. You can smile and laugh with them. You can even just lend a helping hand and take care of some things for someone. No matter what, it will be special if your giving comes from your heart this holiday season. As Christmas approaches, try to appreciate what you have, instead of what you don't have. If you can give something this holiday, you get bonus points (from God of course)! Whatever you do give, you will be blessed in numerous ways.
Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing,
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing,
Returns to you glad.
~John Greenleaf Whittier
I will be in Tennessee for the next week, so don't expect any posts for the next week. Come back and for them again starting December 29th. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate...be safe!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Hey You, Children of Light!
Ephesians 5:8-14
8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
We were all born into a dark world living under Satan. We were lost. We were clueless about this whole "Christianity" thing. God was seen as a higher power with just a bunch of strict rules.
Now a lot of you have found light in Jesus. How long have you been a Christian now? Unfortunately, some people reading this may still be iffy and haven't really found the aforementioned light yet. I'll be praying for all of you - either to find the light or to continue holding on to the light.
Once a Christian, God answers many questions. He lets us see his presence and shows his loving character. He has introduced us to Jesus and leads to believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Jesus forgives our sins too. If you're a Christian today, it's a miracle that God worked to show YOU light! You should be very thankful.
Apply what was said today to yesterday's devotion. Don't lose sight of Jesus' light!
"God does not give heed to the ambitiousness of our prayers, because he is always ready to give to us his light, not a visible light but an intellectual and spiritual one: but we are not always ready to receive it when we turn aside and down to other things out of a desire for temporal things." ~Saint Augustine
8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
We were all born into a dark world living under Satan. We were lost. We were clueless about this whole "Christianity" thing. God was seen as a higher power with just a bunch of strict rules.
Now a lot of you have found light in Jesus. How long have you been a Christian now? Unfortunately, some people reading this may still be iffy and haven't really found the aforementioned light yet. I'll be praying for all of you - either to find the light or to continue holding on to the light.
Once a Christian, God answers many questions. He lets us see his presence and shows his loving character. He has introduced us to Jesus and leads to believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Jesus forgives our sins too. If you're a Christian today, it's a miracle that God worked to show YOU light! You should be very thankful.
Apply what was said today to yesterday's devotion. Don't lose sight of Jesus' light!
"God does not give heed to the ambitiousness of our prayers, because he is always ready to give to us his light, not a visible light but an intellectual and spiritual one: but we are not always ready to receive it when we turn aside and down to other things out of a desire for temporal things." ~Saint Augustine
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Jesus is the Light of the World.
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
We say it all the time at my church..."Jesus is the Light of the World!" In fact, in my mind he is brighter than any star.
However, you can also twist it around and say we are the light of the world, as the verse says. You know how I've been saying how the world is a dark place? (You can see it in the news). Well Jesus can help turn that around. We are to reflect the light that we have found in Jesus. Don't just shine your light sometimes, shine it whenever and wherever you can - and in all places where darkness resides. Bring the dark places to light!
Prayer: Dear God, help me shine a light all around me. Let me do as you would do and bless others.
In your blessed name, Amen.
"For light I go directly to the Source of light, not to any of the reflections." ~Peace Pilgrim
P.S. This is my 100th post and what a perfect topic! See Jesus is the Light of the World. I could never say everything I say if it weren't for the Holy Spirit. I pray that God continues to give the opportunity to share the Word and what it means to me everyday. Happy Thursday!
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
We say it all the time at my church..."Jesus is the Light of the World!" In fact, in my mind he is brighter than any star.
However, you can also twist it around and say we are the light of the world, as the verse says. You know how I've been saying how the world is a dark place? (You can see it in the news). Well Jesus can help turn that around. We are to reflect the light that we have found in Jesus. Don't just shine your light sometimes, shine it whenever and wherever you can - and in all places where darkness resides. Bring the dark places to light!
Prayer: Dear God, help me shine a light all around me. Let me do as you would do and bless others.
In your blessed name, Amen.
"For light I go directly to the Source of light, not to any of the reflections." ~Peace Pilgrim
P.S. This is my 100th post and what a perfect topic! See Jesus is the Light of the World. I could never say everything I say if it weren't for the Holy Spirit. I pray that God continues to give the opportunity to share the Word and what it means to me everyday. Happy Thursday!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Bible is a Light.
Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
Whenever you read an interesting book does it move you or inspire you? Well, in many ways the bible can do just the same. You just have to be in the right mindset.
As we read the bible, God gives us direction by using the Holy Spirit to make way for a clearer understanding and it is a guiding light. The Pastor at my church always prays before her sermon and says something along the lines of "Lord if I don't say the right thing, just sweep me aside and you take over and do the work."
In such a dark and messed up world to say the least, God is our guiding light. He is a "lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path." Darkness can't overcome light, but light (God) can certainly absorb the darkness and overcome it.
So forget the flashlight, let God be your light!
"Light is the symbol of truth." ~James Russell Lowell
"Light is God's eldest daughter!" ~Thomas Fuller
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
Whenever you read an interesting book does it move you or inspire you? Well, in many ways the bible can do just the same. You just have to be in the right mindset.
As we read the bible, God gives us direction by using the Holy Spirit to make way for a clearer understanding and it is a guiding light. The Pastor at my church always prays before her sermon and says something along the lines of "Lord if I don't say the right thing, just sweep me aside and you take over and do the work."
In such a dark and messed up world to say the least, God is our guiding light. He is a "lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path." Darkness can't overcome light, but light (God) can certainly absorb the darkness and overcome it.
So forget the flashlight, let God be your light!
"Light is the symbol of truth." ~James Russell Lowell
"Light is God's eldest daughter!" ~Thomas Fuller
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Seeing with God's light
Psalm 36:9
9 For you are the fountain of life,
the light by which we see.
When you think about it, light has a lot to do with our vision. Not only that, it gives us a clearer look that allows truth to be revealed. Everything is invisible until light strikes it.
Much of the same can be said about God. He's not an everyday person, that's for sure. However, he still exists. We may not see him like our family and friends, but we talk about him today thanks to evidence in the Bible. It's a historical account that lets us see how God functions.
When light shines on God, we can certainly see him. His love is all around us. How could we not believe in him?
God's love is unbelievable, actually just overwhelming. His generosity is amazing and it's startling to know that he's always there.
"In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't." ~Blaise Pascal
9 For you are the fountain of life,
the light by which we see.
When you think about it, light has a lot to do with our vision. Not only that, it gives us a clearer look that allows truth to be revealed. Everything is invisible until light strikes it.
Much of the same can be said about God. He's not an everyday person, that's for sure. However, he still exists. We may not see him like our family and friends, but we talk about him today thanks to evidence in the Bible. It's a historical account that lets us see how God functions.
When light shines on God, we can certainly see him. His love is all around us. How could we not believe in him?
God's love is unbelievable, actually just overwhelming. His generosity is amazing and it's startling to know that he's always there.
"In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't." ~Blaise Pascal
Monday, December 15, 2008
Look into the Eyes of Someone.
Luke 11:34-36
34 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. 35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. 36If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”
When you stare into someone's eyes for a long period of time what do you see? Perhaps you see love, joy, hatred, or anger.
Believe it or not, one's eyes can say a lot. They can be clear. They can be closing because of exhaustion. They can be light or dark. They can help determine whether they are telling the truth, etc. Well, enough about the psychological things but...
Look into people's eyes today from a spiritual standpoint. Go further than their smile and look into their eyes. When you look into someone's eyes are they in need of something such as compassion and Godly love?
Before looking into someone else's eyes, you may want to start with your very own. Do you see Jesus in your eyes or is a dark truth revealed? It's good to know that God will help you remove the blurriness in your eyes and let your eyes beam with love.
"The eyes are the mirror of the soul." ~Yiddish Proverb
EDIT 11/14--I noticed when I went on Sunday that somehow a few of my blogs that were scheduled to post next year showed up. That's silly! It is fixed now, however. Yes, I do alot of these well ahead of time.
34 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. 35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. 36If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”
When you stare into someone's eyes for a long period of time what do you see? Perhaps you see love, joy, hatred, or anger.
Believe it or not, one's eyes can say a lot. They can be clear. They can be closing because of exhaustion. They can be light or dark. They can help determine whether they are telling the truth, etc. Well, enough about the psychological things but...
Look into people's eyes today from a spiritual standpoint. Go further than their smile and look into their eyes. When you look into someone's eyes are they in need of something such as compassion and Godly love?
Before looking into someone else's eyes, you may want to start with your very own. Do you see Jesus in your eyes or is a dark truth revealed? It's good to know that God will help you remove the blurriness in your eyes and let your eyes beam with love.
"The eyes are the mirror of the soul." ~Yiddish Proverb
EDIT 11/14--I noticed when I went on Sunday that somehow a few of my blogs that were scheduled to post next year showed up. That's silly! It is fixed now, however. Yes, I do alot of these well ahead of time.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
What Are You Starving For?
1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
Some days we're not very hungry and don't have much of an appetite. We all have those days. We also have days where we aren't very hungry for righteousness.
It's on these days that we don't want to follow the rules and we do things the way we want. The reason could be because of exhaustion or simply because "life is hard." It can go the other way too...life can be so good that we don't even think about God, we ignore him...we're in a comfortable position in our lifes.
Maybe this is what you're dealing with today. If so, try to make yourself hungry and thirsty for God. Recognize God's will and accept it. Ask God to make you grow increasingly hungrier and thirstier for his will every day.
God loves to help you, but you need to do your part too. What do you need to change to become genuinely hungry and thirsty for the Lord?
"People are hungry for God. Do you see that? Quite often we look but do not see. We are all passing through this world. We need to open our eyes and see." ~Mother Teresa
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
Some days we're not very hungry and don't have much of an appetite. We all have those days. We also have days where we aren't very hungry for righteousness.
It's on these days that we don't want to follow the rules and we do things the way we want. The reason could be because of exhaustion or simply because "life is hard." It can go the other way too...life can be so good that we don't even think about God, we ignore him...we're in a comfortable position in our lifes.
Maybe this is what you're dealing with today. If so, try to make yourself hungry and thirsty for God. Recognize God's will and accept it. Ask God to make you grow increasingly hungrier and thirstier for his will every day.
God loves to help you, but you need to do your part too. What do you need to change to become genuinely hungry and thirsty for the Lord?
"People are hungry for God. Do you see that? Quite often we look but do not see. We are all passing through this world. We need to open our eyes and see." ~Mother Teresa
Friday, December 12, 2008
How to Measure Our Success.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
When it comes to success, we tend to look at the material items, like clothes and money. And how many friends we have too! Ultimately, none of the above will matter. When we stand at the feet of Jesus in heaven one day, what matters is if we were Godly and followed his ways as much as possible. Our relationships with other people are also important. We must live and glorify God in everything we do.
Remember you will be held accountable for you actions. You can discuss these things with others (friends) or with God in prayer. What would you have to tell God if he came to your house tomorrow?
Short and sweet today...Have a good one!
10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
When it comes to success, we tend to look at the material items, like clothes and money. And how many friends we have too! Ultimately, none of the above will matter. When we stand at the feet of Jesus in heaven one day, what matters is if we were Godly and followed his ways as much as possible. Our relationships with other people are also important. We must live and glorify God in everything we do.
Remember you will be held accountable for you actions. You can discuss these things with others (friends) or with God in prayer. What would you have to tell God if he came to your house tomorrow?
Short and sweet today...Have a good one!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
God Gives to Us.
Exodus 16:4
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.
Imagine being freed from captivity in Egypt. They didn't have to and they were able to leave the country. They ended up in the desert and millions were stuck there without any food or water. Many I'm sure wished to be enslaved once again...hey they weren't starving then.
However, they had no idea what God had in store for them. The freeing in the first place was a miracle and that was just the beginning. God was going to make water come out of a rock and make it rain bread from the sky. He did. And he did so day after day.
Meanwhile, God has given us food. God has given us a comfortable shelter. God has given us clothes. God has given us family and friends. God has given us life. God is everywhere...even in the barren desert...affecting everyone in positive ways.
I'm sure God has provided an abundance of things for you because our God is an awesome God!
"A heathen philosopher once asked a Christian, 'Where is God'? The Christian answered, 'Let me first ask you, Where is He not?'" ~Aaron Arrowsmith
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.
Imagine being freed from captivity in Egypt. They didn't have to and they were able to leave the country. They ended up in the desert and millions were stuck there without any food or water. Many I'm sure wished to be enslaved once again...hey they weren't starving then.
However, they had no idea what God had in store for them. The freeing in the first place was a miracle and that was just the beginning. God was going to make water come out of a rock and make it rain bread from the sky. He did. And he did so day after day.
Meanwhile, God has given us food. God has given us a comfortable shelter. God has given us clothes. God has given us family and friends. God has given us life. God is everywhere...even in the barren desert...affecting everyone in positive ways.
I'm sure God has provided an abundance of things for you because our God is an awesome God!
"A heathen philosopher once asked a Christian, 'Where is God'? The Christian answered, 'Let me first ask you, Where is He not?'" ~Aaron Arrowsmith
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
What Makes You Tick?
Matthew 6:1-2
Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
Perhaps by the end of this reading you will say that I have touched on this topic in recent days, but let's go more into it today...
So, you give up your time, love, energy, and money. You listen with compassionate ears when a friend calls for a helping hand. You give money to a missionary who comes and speaks at your church. You visit your friend's mom in the hospital because she is extremely sick.
Why do you each and every one of these things? Is it to boost your self-confidence? Is it to be favored and praised by people? Is it to make God love you more? Or is it just natural...and how you function in a relationship with the almighty God?
Hopefully it is the latter. That is what God wants anyway. I have to remember that specific point each day as I create these posts. Sure I love hearing compliments from people, but I still remind myself that I should write sincerely from my heart and from my heart only without anything else interfering. Whenever I fall in such a trap I remind myself this blog is my way (or God's way of using me) to teach others and to reinforce Christianity by providing textual support from the bible followed by a message that I sense from the day's verses.
Anyway, I also don't want you to worry about the whole public attention deal. God can help you find a way to help someone that is just known exclusively between you and him. Your good work doesn't have to earn the Nobel prize for Christ from others. Essentially God will give the reward in the end. Pray about this.
Think about the last few times you did "good deeds." Why do you think that you really did them? What do you think Jesus would say to you today?
"Do everything with so much love in your heart that you would never want to do it any other way." ~Yogi Desai
Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
Perhaps by the end of this reading you will say that I have touched on this topic in recent days, but let's go more into it today...
So, you give up your time, love, energy, and money. You listen with compassionate ears when a friend calls for a helping hand. You give money to a missionary who comes and speaks at your church. You visit your friend's mom in the hospital because she is extremely sick.
Why do you each and every one of these things? Is it to boost your self-confidence? Is it to be favored and praised by people? Is it to make God love you more? Or is it just natural...and how you function in a relationship with the almighty God?
Hopefully it is the latter. That is what God wants anyway. I have to remember that specific point each day as I create these posts. Sure I love hearing compliments from people, but I still remind myself that I should write sincerely from my heart and from my heart only without anything else interfering. Whenever I fall in such a trap I remind myself this blog is my way (or God's way of using me) to teach others and to reinforce Christianity by providing textual support from the bible followed by a message that I sense from the day's verses.
Anyway, I also don't want you to worry about the whole public attention deal. God can help you find a way to help someone that is just known exclusively between you and him. Your good work doesn't have to earn the Nobel prize for Christ from others. Essentially God will give the reward in the end. Pray about this.
Think about the last few times you did "good deeds." Why do you think that you really did them? What do you think Jesus would say to you today?
"Do everything with so much love in your heart that you would never want to do it any other way." ~Yogi Desai
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
God Cares and Loves You.
John 10:11-13
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.
The shepherd in this story really cares about his sheep. The sheep belong to him. He dedicated lots of time and effort toward raising the sheep. He nurtered them and made sure they had everything they needed. The shepherd can relate to the sheep as well.
Has someone ever told you they would take a bullet if it meant life or death? That's basically what the shepherd would do for his sheep. The shepherd would sacrifice his life if it meant his sheep lived. Does this sound familiar? It should because it's what Jesus Christ did for us...he sacrificed his life on the cross for us.
How do you react given God's unconditional love? Do you do anything with it? You can show it to someone who doesn't know it exists.
"To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven." ~Karen Sunde
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.
The shepherd in this story really cares about his sheep. The sheep belong to him. He dedicated lots of time and effort toward raising the sheep. He nurtered them and made sure they had everything they needed. The shepherd can relate to the sheep as well.
Has someone ever told you they would take a bullet if it meant life or death? That's basically what the shepherd would do for his sheep. The shepherd would sacrifice his life if it meant his sheep lived. Does this sound familiar? It should because it's what Jesus Christ did for us...he sacrificed his life on the cross for us.
How do you react given God's unconditional love? Do you do anything with it? You can show it to someone who doesn't know it exists.
"To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven." ~Karen Sunde
Monday, December 8, 2008
Your Needs Will Be Given...Wants, Maybe Not.
Matthew 6:11
Give us today our daily bread
This is a very notable line from the Lord's Prayer. You may ask, what is "our daily bread?" Jesus is very simply referring to our needs. In our prayers, Jesus tells us that we should ask God to fulfill our needs.
Notice I said needs, not wants. They may both be five letter words, but they are quite different. You may want expensive clothing from a high end store, when all you really need is something to wear. You may want a dream house, when all you really need is a place to live. You may want to go to an expensive restaurant, when all you really need is some food that satisfies your hunger.
If you think a want is a need, that means trouble. Be grateful for the things God gives you. He will give you what you need somehow, even in these economic times, and praying certainly helps!
Are your prayers a Christmas wish list or a request for certain necessities followed by a praise when God answers your request? Hopefully the latter. God knows exactly what you need and I'll say it again...he WILL give you what you need.
"A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants." ~Joseph Addison
Give us today our daily bread
This is a very notable line from the Lord's Prayer. You may ask, what is "our daily bread?" Jesus is very simply referring to our needs. In our prayers, Jesus tells us that we should ask God to fulfill our needs.
Notice I said needs, not wants. They may both be five letter words, but they are quite different. You may want expensive clothing from a high end store, when all you really need is something to wear. You may want a dream house, when all you really need is a place to live. You may want to go to an expensive restaurant, when all you really need is some food that satisfies your hunger.
If you think a want is a need, that means trouble. Be grateful for the things God gives you. He will give you what you need somehow, even in these economic times, and praying certainly helps!
Are your prayers a Christmas wish list or a request for certain necessities followed by a praise when God answers your request? Hopefully the latter. God knows exactly what you need and I'll say it again...he WILL give you what you need.
"A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants." ~Joseph Addison
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Godly Generosity.
Acts 20:32-35
32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.
33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Being generous is asked of us in the Bible. As we receive spiritual strength and blessings from God, it does not hurt to reciprocate that behavior. Doesn't it just feel good to be at the foot of someone's generosity?
Giving means even greater things because it's God-specific. It's doing just what the Lord says to do and following his footsteps. After all, he gave EVERYTHING to us FREELY...just for us.
Seriously think about this...how can you give back to God?
When you do give, it can significantly impact the lives of others and they may have this to say:
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
Listen to the song: "Thank you for Giving to the Lord" by Ray Boltz. It was shared with me a few months ago by my youth leader :)
Go to the following link:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5709037277764817756
32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.
33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Being generous is asked of us in the Bible. As we receive spiritual strength and blessings from God, it does not hurt to reciprocate that behavior. Doesn't it just feel good to be at the foot of someone's generosity?
Giving means even greater things because it's God-specific. It's doing just what the Lord says to do and following his footsteps. After all, he gave EVERYTHING to us FREELY...just for us.
Seriously think about this...how can you give back to God?
When you do give, it can significantly impact the lives of others and they may have this to say:
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
Listen to the song: "Thank you for Giving to the Lord" by Ray Boltz. It was shared with me a few months ago by my youth leader :)
Go to the following link:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5709037277764817756
Friday, December 5, 2008
Giving it up for God.
Mark 10:17-21
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Getting back into this after being sick for the first half of the week...
The rich man here wanted to be accepted into God's kingdom. There's not too many requirements for that to happen, but Jesus did say that GIVING was important.
We're not expected to give away everything, but be careful what you do with your possessions. Did Jesus realize that this man actually made money his "God" and thus could never completely satisfy the worshipping of the real and Almighty God because of his possessions?
Well I can tell you that we are told that we'll receive the treasure of heaven by removing whatever is in our life that prevents us from freely serving God.
Go on, whatever is holding you back, give it to God. Is there something that you are putting your trust in other than God? If so, let go of it!
"The key to faith is what we are willing to sacrifice to obtain it." ~Elder Cloward
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Getting back into this after being sick for the first half of the week...
The rich man here wanted to be accepted into God's kingdom. There's not too many requirements for that to happen, but Jesus did say that GIVING was important.
We're not expected to give away everything, but be careful what you do with your possessions. Did Jesus realize that this man actually made money his "God" and thus could never completely satisfy the worshipping of the real and Almighty God because of his possessions?
Well I can tell you that we are told that we'll receive the treasure of heaven by removing whatever is in our life that prevents us from freely serving God.
Go on, whatever is holding you back, give it to God. Is there something that you are putting your trust in other than God? If so, let go of it!
"The key to faith is what we are willing to sacrifice to obtain it." ~Elder Cloward
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Don't Forget the Poor but...
2 Corinthians 9:7
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
Many donate to non-profit charitable organizations or the homeless. Before you do the same (or if you already do this...the next time you should donate) consider the following:
The apostle Paul lets us know of the philosophy of Christian giving - with Jesus Christ being in the middle of the picture. He discusses the goal of giving and the ideal attitude of the givers.
DO NOT give because it's simply the right thing to do.
Do NOT give because you're under pressure.
Do NOT obligate yourself to giving a certain amount. BUT...
GIVE because you feel the calling.
GIVE because it's your decision.
GIVE because you TRULY want to make a difference.
Even though money is money and it doesn't have something written on it that says whether or not you seriously meant what you gave, GOD KNOWS. Give from your heart. That's what he wants!
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” ~Kahlil Gibran
"Heart of Worship" is a good song that goes along the lines of today's discussion...just being a "true" Christian in general.
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.
P.P.S. I thought it was funny that this was the headline on the front page of the Port St. Lucie News this morning "Retailers bet on you to save their season" after what I talked about yesterday. If you haven't read yesterday's devotion yet, you should.
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
Many donate to non-profit charitable organizations or the homeless. Before you do the same (or if you already do this...the next time you should donate) consider the following:
The apostle Paul lets us know of the philosophy of Christian giving - with Jesus Christ being in the middle of the picture. He discusses the goal of giving and the ideal attitude of the givers.
DO NOT give because it's simply the right thing to do.
Do NOT give because you're under pressure.
Do NOT obligate yourself to giving a certain amount. BUT...
GIVE because you feel the calling.
GIVE because it's your decision.
GIVE because you TRULY want to make a difference.
Even though money is money and it doesn't have something written on it that says whether or not you seriously meant what you gave, GOD KNOWS. Give from your heart. That's what he wants!
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” ~Kahlil Gibran
"Heart of Worship" is a good song that goes along the lines of today's discussion...just being a "true" Christian in general.
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.
P.P.S. I thought it was funny that this was the headline on the front page of the Port St. Lucie News this morning "Retailers bet on you to save their season" after what I talked about yesterday. If you haven't read yesterday's devotion yet, you should.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Shopping this Holiday Season.
Ecclesiastes 5:10-17
10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!
12 People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.
13 There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver. 14 Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children. 15 We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.
16 And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind. 17 Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud—frustrated, discouraged, and angry.
It is now the day after Thanksgiving and everyone is still stuffed from yesterday. Being the day after, it is Black Friday and some people gave up part of their Thanksgiving so they could be first in line at area stores to get the latest super cool gadget.
I want to give you a little bit of background information about Black Friday because it fits with what I'm going to talk about today.
The big shopping day right after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. This is where it gets its name "Black Friday." When sales are down, retailers are said to be "in the red." When sales are up, they are said to be "in the black." The only reason sales are typically up on this day is because of irresistible deals that consumers can not avoid. It is on this day that retailers can make a complete turn around in sales.
So as you go out and about this holiday season keep a few things in mind. Don't go to the stores and spend wads of money just because you're intrigued by their ads. You can buy gifts, but you don't have to spend lots of money for every single person you know. It is too often that people say "I can only show that I love them by getting the biggest and nicest thing out there." That's going too far. Think of a way to spend less this holiday and still show others that you love and care for them. This will keep you stress free and will allow you to enjoy the holiday season that much more. Traditionally, this time of year is filled with stress before Christmas as decisions are made on what to get someone and after the holiday while credit cards are being paid off. I'll tell you what...if you think of Jesus this season, you surely won't be sweating bullets.
10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!
12 People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.
13 There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver. 14 Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children. 15 We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.
16 And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind. 17 Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud—frustrated, discouraged, and angry.
It is now the day after Thanksgiving and everyone is still stuffed from yesterday. Being the day after, it is Black Friday and some people gave up part of their Thanksgiving so they could be first in line at area stores to get the latest super cool gadget.
I want to give you a little bit of background information about Black Friday because it fits with what I'm going to talk about today.
The big shopping day right after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. This is where it gets its name "Black Friday." When sales are down, retailers are said to be "in the red." When sales are up, they are said to be "in the black." The only reason sales are typically up on this day is because of irresistible deals that consumers can not avoid. It is on this day that retailers can make a complete turn around in sales.
So as you go out and about this holiday season keep a few things in mind. Don't go to the stores and spend wads of money just because you're intrigued by their ads. You can buy gifts, but you don't have to spend lots of money for every single person you know. It is too often that people say "I can only show that I love them by getting the biggest and nicest thing out there." That's going too far. Think of a way to spend less this holiday and still show others that you love and care for them. This will keep you stress free and will allow you to enjoy the holiday season that much more. Traditionally, this time of year is filled with stress before Christmas as decisions are made on what to get someone and after the holiday while credit cards are being paid off. I'll tell you what...if you think of Jesus this season, you surely won't be sweating bullets.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Day of Thanksgiving.
Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Today is Thanksgiving! Chances are you're going to have a lot on your dinner plate. Turkey and gravy/ham, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, warm cornbread mashed potatoes, a family favorite and dessert may be included on your plate. Everything just tastes so good on turkey day that often you go back for more and still don't leave anything on your plate.
You should also have a lot on your "God" plate. That is, a lot to thank him for. He creates life, blesses us everyday, and answers prayers. When it comes to being thankful, don't leave anything on your plate. No leftovers please! God deserves to be praised instead of being harped at repeatedly. Keep those praises coming, in all honesty of course!
"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice." ~Meister Eckhart
"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude." ~E.P. Powell
Here's the song "Blessed Assurance."
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.
Happy Thanksgiving y'all!
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Today is Thanksgiving! Chances are you're going to have a lot on your dinner plate. Turkey and gravy/ham, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, warm cornbread mashed potatoes, a family favorite and dessert may be included on your plate. Everything just tastes so good on turkey day that often you go back for more and still don't leave anything on your plate.
You should also have a lot on your "God" plate. That is, a lot to thank him for. He creates life, blesses us everyday, and answers prayers. When it comes to being thankful, don't leave anything on your plate. No leftovers please! God deserves to be praised instead of being harped at repeatedly. Keep those praises coming, in all honesty of course!
"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice." ~Meister Eckhart
"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude." ~E.P. Powell
Here's the song "Blessed Assurance."
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.
Happy Thanksgiving y'all!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Be Willing to Sacrifice.
John 6:5-14
5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”
8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”
10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!”
By now you're probably figuring out what is on the agenda for your family's Thanksgiving meal. There's probably more on your mind too!
In the passage above, there are thousands upon thousands of people at a Thanksgiving feast. It's pretty amazing when you think about it. The most incredible thing was that everyone had enough to eat.
So how did this happen? A young boy gave everything that he had. It may seem likes something that won't get the job done, but in this case the boy and God have no doubts.
Be thankful for everything, even if you want more. It is important to remember that sacrificing can especially cause God to do wonders. How will you show gratitude and thanksgiving tomorrow?
"If Jesus Christ...died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” ~C T Studd
5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”
8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”
10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!”
By now you're probably figuring out what is on the agenda for your family's Thanksgiving meal. There's probably more on your mind too!
In the passage above, there are thousands upon thousands of people at a Thanksgiving feast. It's pretty amazing when you think about it. The most incredible thing was that everyone had enough to eat.
So how did this happen? A young boy gave everything that he had. It may seem likes something that won't get the job done, but in this case the boy and God have no doubts.
Be thankful for everything, even if you want more. It is important to remember that sacrificing can especially cause God to do wonders. How will you show gratitude and thanksgiving tomorrow?
"If Jesus Christ...died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” ~C T Studd
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
You Can't Complain All the Time and Still be Thankful.
Numbers 21:4-9
4 Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey, 5and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”
6 So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” 9 So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!
God was attending to the Israelites. God was clearly visible and let water flow from the rocks and bread fall from the sky even though they were in the barren desert. To say the least, God was disappointed because the Israelites didn't like the food...they complained.
At times, we can act in a similar manner. We complain when we have to get up and go to work or school everyday or when our favorite television show is interrupted by something. We should actually be thankful that we even have access to such things. I'm sure people in countries that have limited items would what you or I have in a quick instant!
Make a list of the goods God has enriched and blessed you with. Are you thankful for everything you have been given?
"We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.” ~William Arthur Ward
4 Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey, 5and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”
6 So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” 9 So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!
God was attending to the Israelites. God was clearly visible and let water flow from the rocks and bread fall from the sky even though they were in the barren desert. To say the least, God was disappointed because the Israelites didn't like the food...they complained.
At times, we can act in a similar manner. We complain when we have to get up and go to work or school everyday or when our favorite television show is interrupted by something. We should actually be thankful that we even have access to such things. I'm sure people in countries that have limited items would what you or I have in a quick instant!
Make a list of the goods God has enriched and blessed you with. Are you thankful for everything you have been given?
"We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.” ~William Arthur Ward
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thank God There is a God.
Ephesians 1:15-23
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
This week I want to talk about thankfulness and it's perfect because Thursday is Thanksgiving. The above scripture is Paul talking about what he is thankful for. It's his prayer of thanksgiving. I challenge you to re-read that at least once everyday this week.
Are you thankful for having God in your life? Let's have a reality check here. Wouldn't you feel a Christ-size (immense) hole in your heart without him? I would because I know he's with me during the day with each step I take.
So the first thing I should be thankful for is God. Who would give me forgive me completely for all my mistakes? Who could promise that if I was faithful I would have everything I need to survive? Who would constantly be my companion if relationships don't work out? Who is the reason I'm alive? The answer to all the above is God...who sent his Son to die for us! They both deserve praise.
The bottom line is that God deserves appreciation. Don't let this be just a Thanksgiving for family and friends but a Thanksgiving for God.
Just a "thank you" is a mighty powerful prayer. Says it all. ~Rosie Cash
Listen to the song "All Because of Jesus" by Fee. We sang this at youth last night. It's great!
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
This week I want to talk about thankfulness and it's perfect because Thursday is Thanksgiving. The above scripture is Paul talking about what he is thankful for. It's his prayer of thanksgiving. I challenge you to re-read that at least once everyday this week.
Are you thankful for having God in your life? Let's have a reality check here. Wouldn't you feel a Christ-size (immense) hole in your heart without him? I would because I know he's with me during the day with each step I take.
So the first thing I should be thankful for is God. Who would give me forgive me completely for all my mistakes? Who could promise that if I was faithful I would have everything I need to survive? Who would constantly be my companion if relationships don't work out? Who is the reason I'm alive? The answer to all the above is God...who sent his Son to die for us! They both deserve praise.
The bottom line is that God deserves appreciation. Don't let this be just a Thanksgiving for family and friends but a Thanksgiving for God.
Just a "thank you" is a mighty powerful prayer. Says it all. ~Rosie Cash
Listen to the song "All Because of Jesus" by Fee. We sang this at youth last night. It's great!
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Discouraged?
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
Do you ever feel unlucky, meaningless, or just downright discouraged? It's almost like the type of thing where "if God doesn't show me I belong here then that's it for me." Now what do you do...express it or hold it inside?
Being saved by God is not going make things any easier. As you can see, in today's passage, you still have a lot to deal with. However, if you let God's mighty power encourage you, and don't worry or let a situation discourage you then that will help you cope. God can help you overcome challenges.
“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.” ~Thomas Carlyle
If there's one idea that I hope I made this week it's that God will be there when you're angry or whenever you need him and have nobody to talk with.
23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
Do you ever feel unlucky, meaningless, or just downright discouraged? It's almost like the type of thing where "if God doesn't show me I belong here then that's it for me." Now what do you do...express it or hold it inside?
Being saved by God is not going make things any easier. As you can see, in today's passage, you still have a lot to deal with. However, if you let God's mighty power encourage you, and don't worry or let a situation discourage you then that will help you cope. God can help you overcome challenges.
“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.” ~Thomas Carlyle
If there's one idea that I hope I made this week it's that God will be there when you're angry or whenever you need him and have nobody to talk with.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Christian Weapon.
Ephesians 6:16-17
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
I believe this tells us that we REALLY NEED TO READ THE BIBLE. In school, you can't soldify your knowledge without looking through your textbook and/or listening to teacher's lectures. Similarly, the Bible is the Christian textbook and God is the teacher. You won't gain much knowledge by just occasionally hearing what others have to say about God. As much as I'd like everything to just come to me all at once, that won't happen. Keep that in mind as a Christian.
God's word has to be sharp in our minds. The double-edged sword in this case is: reading the bible and reflecting on what it means. The only thuing is that this sword doesn't hurt you, but it protects you. You can even add another "edge" and that is to pray to God. This will sharpen your "spiritual" sword and keep it ready for daily challenges.
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
I believe this tells us that we REALLY NEED TO READ THE BIBLE. In school, you can't soldify your knowledge without looking through your textbook and/or listening to teacher's lectures. Similarly, the Bible is the Christian textbook and God is the teacher. You won't gain much knowledge by just occasionally hearing what others have to say about God. As much as I'd like everything to just come to me all at once, that won't happen. Keep that in mind as a Christian.
God's word has to be sharp in our minds. The double-edged sword in this case is: reading the bible and reflecting on what it means. The only thuing is that this sword doesn't hurt you, but it protects you. You can even add another "edge" and that is to pray to God. This will sharpen your "spiritual" sword and keep it ready for daily challenges.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Training to become a God-Athlete.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
Any athlete has to undergo major adjustments in their life in order to prepare for the all important race or match later in the season. Training often brings pain and discomfort along with it. It can even mean injuries if one is not careful. Once injury occurs, it can be extremely challenging to resume normal events and to continue with what you love.
After recovery, physical therapy is a must. Through time and determination, however, it is certainly possible for a miracle or unexpected return to the sport to occur. In order to do that though, you have to defeat the physical barriers.
Do you think it's easy to be a Christian? Certainly not. The world is physical barrier and you have to avoid those barriers whenever and wherever you can. Discipline yourself, train yourself, accept that it will be a challenge, and you my friend, can become an athlete in training for Christ!
"Athletes play a major role in society. Athletes who know Christ have an awesome opportunity to make an impact.” ~Lee Haney from FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
Any athlete has to undergo major adjustments in their life in order to prepare for the all important race or match later in the season. Training often brings pain and discomfort along with it. It can even mean injuries if one is not careful. Once injury occurs, it can be extremely challenging to resume normal events and to continue with what you love.
After recovery, physical therapy is a must. Through time and determination, however, it is certainly possible for a miracle or unexpected return to the sport to occur. In order to do that though, you have to defeat the physical barriers.
Do you think it's easy to be a Christian? Certainly not. The world is physical barrier and you have to avoid those barriers whenever and wherever you can. Discipline yourself, train yourself, accept that it will be a challenge, and you my friend, can become an athlete in training for Christ!
"Athletes play a major role in society. Athletes who know Christ have an awesome opportunity to make an impact.” ~Lee Haney from FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Be Careful How You Go to Sleep.
Ephesians 4:26-27
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
You've probably heard it said before...don't go to sleep angry! Still, it's probably happened to us all, yet God tells us not to do that. You're just going to toss and turn all night thinking about what you did. Chances are the next morning, things aren't going so well, you're still angry, and then you may regret whatever happened.
If you're in an argument with someone, make an agreement. Think how peace would be in your heart if you didn't go to sleep angry. You'd actually be able to get some sleep. You could also think of something positive and encouraging like God and knowing that he has a purpose for you!
Remember, there's a certain someone who wants to destroy lives and replace all good things with pain. Don't give in to Satan!
"Never go to bed angry, stay up and fight." ~Phyllis Diller
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
You've probably heard it said before...don't go to sleep angry! Still, it's probably happened to us all, yet God tells us not to do that. You're just going to toss and turn all night thinking about what you did. Chances are the next morning, things aren't going so well, you're still angry, and then you may regret whatever happened.
If you're in an argument with someone, make an agreement. Think how peace would be in your heart if you didn't go to sleep angry. You'd actually be able to get some sleep. You could also think of something positive and encouraging like God and knowing that he has a purpose for you!
Remember, there's a certain someone who wants to destroy lives and replace all good things with pain. Don't give in to Satan!
"Never go to bed angry, stay up and fight." ~Phyllis Diller
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Anger is an Emotion.
Mark 3:5
5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!
What is the point in having an emotion such as anger? I mentioned yesterday that it reveals a lot about someone's character. That's true, but there's more. Anger is God-given. Anger is not a sin. It's alright to be angry. Jesus even got angry at times, as you can see in the verse above. It is a sin, however, when it consumes us so much that we become out of control and even violent. That is the part that truly reveals our character.
God did not make us perfect, so we are going to slip up and at times carry things too far. You can train yourself though and know that God is there for you, he can help suck the anger out of you.
“My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.” ~Jack Kerouac
For some reason, I'm not able to embed videos on here for this post. Hopefully I can figure it out. Here's a link. Go to this site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBCD9ls3iFQ
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause. *I'll try to remember to include this blurb whenever there's a video to remind you what to do* =)
5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!
What is the point in having an emotion such as anger? I mentioned yesterday that it reveals a lot about someone's character. That's true, but there's more. Anger is God-given. Anger is not a sin. It's alright to be angry. Jesus even got angry at times, as you can see in the verse above. It is a sin, however, when it consumes us so much that we become out of control and even violent. That is the part that truly reveals our character.
God did not make us perfect, so we are going to slip up and at times carry things too far. You can train yourself though and know that God is there for you, he can help suck the anger out of you.
“My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.” ~Jack Kerouac
For some reason, I'm not able to embed videos on here for this post. Hopefully I can figure it out. Here's a link. Go to this site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBCD9ls3iFQ
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause. *I'll try to remember to include this blurb whenever there's a video to remind you what to do* =)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Watch It Buddy.
Proverbs 29:11
11 Fools vent their anger,
but the wise quietly hold it back.
How many times during a given day does something completely tick you off? I'm sure you can answer that, but I know the smallest things can annoy me. Our anger says a lot about us.
An example of a huge control issue we have today is road rage when the "What did you do that for?" can turn into something more explicit. If you just let it go, you'll forget about it sooner or later.
Notice what it says in today's scripture. I want to make it clear that it's okay release your feelings, as long as you use common sense and have self-control. Don't make your anger extreme whatsoever.
Find someway to control yourself by talking to a friend and without a doubt TALK TO GOD. He wants to hear how you feel - honestly. He won't hold any grudges toward you for saying how you feel. You can always read the Bible too, which is the only way I provided you with today's Bible verse.
“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.” ~Brian Tracy
“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.” ~Charles C. Noble
11 Fools vent their anger,
but the wise quietly hold it back.
How many times during a given day does something completely tick you off? I'm sure you can answer that, but I know the smallest things can annoy me. Our anger says a lot about us.
An example of a huge control issue we have today is road rage when the "What did you do that for?" can turn into something more explicit. If you just let it go, you'll forget about it sooner or later.
Notice what it says in today's scripture. I want to make it clear that it's okay release your feelings, as long as you use common sense and have self-control. Don't make your anger extreme whatsoever.
Find someway to control yourself by talking to a friend and without a doubt TALK TO GOD. He wants to hear how you feel - honestly. He won't hold any grudges toward you for saying how you feel. You can always read the Bible too, which is the only way I provided you with today's Bible verse.
“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.” ~Brian Tracy
“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.” ~Charles C. Noble
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Ebenezer.
1 Samuel 7:10-12
10 Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. 11 The men of Israel chased them from Mizpah to a place below Beth-car, slaughtering them all along the way.
12 Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means “the stone of help”), for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!
A few months ago, at church, my pastor had a variety of rocks to choose from. She told us to choose the one that stood out to us. During the service, she read 1 Samuel 7:12. She told us this rock was to be named "Ebenezer" (meaning "the stone of help" as the passage above states). She told us to write the last part of verse 12 on the rock...The Lord has helped us.
She said "let this be a reminder that God is always there for you." This was the purpose that Samuel had for writing this scripture. He wanted a visual representation to remind everybody of the great things God has done for them.
It is so easy to think that God abandons us in times of heartache and struggle. On the other hand, it's comforting to have a symbol that denotes how much God cares for us.
I challenge you to find a rock. Call it "Ebenezer" and write on it The Lord has helped us. Hold it in your hand whenever you need to see something that shows how much God cares for you. Another idea is to write about something when you felt close to God or when God helped you. Put it away in a drawer and then bring it out when you are feeling distant from God or in need of God's love.
"Reflections will help me remember how great and mighty our Lord is." ~Unknown
10 Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. 11 The men of Israel chased them from Mizpah to a place below Beth-car, slaughtering them all along the way.
12 Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means “the stone of help”), for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!
A few months ago, at church, my pastor had a variety of rocks to choose from. She told us to choose the one that stood out to us. During the service, she read 1 Samuel 7:12. She told us this rock was to be named "Ebenezer" (meaning "the stone of help" as the passage above states). She told us to write the last part of verse 12 on the rock...The Lord has helped us.
She said "let this be a reminder that God is always there for you." This was the purpose that Samuel had for writing this scripture. He wanted a visual representation to remind everybody of the great things God has done for them.
It is so easy to think that God abandons us in times of heartache and struggle. On the other hand, it's comforting to have a symbol that denotes how much God cares for us.
I challenge you to find a rock. Call it "Ebenezer" and write on it The Lord has helped us. Hold it in your hand whenever you need to see something that shows how much God cares for you. Another idea is to write about something when you felt close to God or when God helped you. Put it away in a drawer and then bring it out when you are feeling distant from God or in need of God's love.
"Reflections will help me remember how great and mighty our Lord is." ~Unknown
Friday, November 14, 2008
God Provides Peace and Rest.
John 14:27
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Recently, I've heard peace mentioned a lot in many different ways. I think God is saying it's okay if you're have inner conflict, but I'm telling you I'm here for you. He makes a troubled heart into a peaceful one.
I have to wonder if we really appreciate the peace he has to offer and I wonder if we realize that we can tap into God's peace...it's available! However, we still stress out, toss and turn at night, become depressed, and feel like we have no purpose.
Knowing that God provides peace can build your character, make you stronger, and less worrisome. Don't be afraid to grasp his peace every now and then. It's a resource that will always be there...c'mon he loves you!
For light I go directly to the Source of light, not to any of the reflections. ~Peace Pilgrim
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Recently, I've heard peace mentioned a lot in many different ways. I think God is saying it's okay if you're have inner conflict, but I'm telling you I'm here for you. He makes a troubled heart into a peaceful one.
I have to wonder if we really appreciate the peace he has to offer and I wonder if we realize that we can tap into God's peace...it's available! However, we still stress out, toss and turn at night, become depressed, and feel like we have no purpose.
Knowing that God provides peace can build your character, make you stronger, and less worrisome. Don't be afraid to grasp his peace every now and then. It's a resource that will always be there...c'mon he loves you!
For light I go directly to the Source of light, not to any of the reflections. ~Peace Pilgrim
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Message to the Veterans.
Ezekiel 34:25-31
25 “I will make a covenant of peace with my people and drive away the dangerous animals from the land. Then they will be able to camp safely in the wildest places and sleep in the woods without fear. 26 I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing. 27 The orchards and fields of my people will yield bumper crops, and everyone will live in safety. When I have broken their chains of slavery and rescued them from those who enslaved them, then they will know that I am the Lord. 28 They will no longer be prey for other nations, and wild animals will no longer devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will frighten them.
29 “And I will make their land famous for its crops, so my people will never again suffer from famines or the insults of foreign nations. 30 In this way, they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them. And they will know that they, the people of Israel, are my people, says the Sovereign Lord. 31 You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Today, I want to take some time to recognize the men and women who are or were in the military. I didn't get to mention this Tuesday and to tell you the truth thank you is not enough. So many have a story to tell. Whenever you see a verteran, you can just see the pride that they have for their country. Much as having God in our lives can change us, these men and women come back changed and affected in numerous ways from their deployment overseas.
I often wonder the magnitude of turmoil our country would be faced with if it weren't for them. Would I be able to sleep in my own bed? Would I be able to go outside without watching my back?
Take some time today, especially if you didn't think of it yesterday, to honor our Veterans. Be proud of them! Take a look at the video below.
May God bless them!
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." ~Cynthia Ozick
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause. =)
25 “I will make a covenant of peace with my people and drive away the dangerous animals from the land. Then they will be able to camp safely in the wildest places and sleep in the woods without fear. 26 I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing. 27 The orchards and fields of my people will yield bumper crops, and everyone will live in safety. When I have broken their chains of slavery and rescued them from those who enslaved them, then they will know that I am the Lord. 28 They will no longer be prey for other nations, and wild animals will no longer devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will frighten them.
29 “And I will make their land famous for its crops, so my people will never again suffer from famines or the insults of foreign nations. 30 In this way, they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them. And they will know that they, the people of Israel, are my people, says the Sovereign Lord. 31 You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Today, I want to take some time to recognize the men and women who are or were in the military. I didn't get to mention this Tuesday and to tell you the truth thank you is not enough. So many have a story to tell. Whenever you see a verteran, you can just see the pride that they have for their country. Much as having God in our lives can change us, these men and women come back changed and affected in numerous ways from their deployment overseas.
I often wonder the magnitude of turmoil our country would be faced with if it weren't for them. Would I be able to sleep in my own bed? Would I be able to go outside without watching my back?
Take some time today, especially if you didn't think of it yesterday, to honor our Veterans. Be proud of them! Take a look at the video below.
May God bless them!
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." ~Cynthia Ozick
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause. =)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Seeking Peace.
Colossians 3:15
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
You can say that when we are in the world there are many problems that we are faced with. When you examine each problem it's all because of evil nature.
There is a solution and that is seeking Jesus Christ - a very simple solution that will give you peace. If you recognize the source of good news (Jesus Christ), also be thankful, then Christ's peace will be found within you.
If you can turn the bearer of good news and light on the dark side of human nature, and let Christ be the center of your life, you will be forever changed, renewed, and transformed.
Prayer: Dear God, whenever I hurt inside let me turn to you and your love because Lord, you can bring me peace in any situation.
“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” ~C.S. Lewis
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
You can say that when we are in the world there are many problems that we are faced with. When you examine each problem it's all because of evil nature.
There is a solution and that is seeking Jesus Christ - a very simple solution that will give you peace. If you recognize the source of good news (Jesus Christ), also be thankful, then Christ's peace will be found within you.
If you can turn the bearer of good news and light on the dark side of human nature, and let Christ be the center of your life, you will be forever changed, renewed, and transformed.
Prayer: Dear God, whenever I hurt inside let me turn to you and your love because Lord, you can bring me peace in any situation.
“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” ~C.S. Lewis
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Time to Move on.
Ephesians 4:32
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Now that the election is over with, and the results have flooded the media for the last week, it's time to move on especially if you are not in favor of Obama. It can be so easy to be stuck on the little things in life that leave us at a standstill. We can be joyful or frustrated and no matter which boat we're in, we can get carried away.
A big factor that comes into the election is the fact that Obama is black. Racism is a big no-no and the bible says so. Let's break it down here...
What if someone told you they didn't like you because of your color? How would you feel? You'd most likely want to change that around and make them think more highly of you. Plus, you would defend yourself by saying that no one is exactly the same.
This whole idea may sound cliche, but bear with me here...Despite differences, we all are similar too in that we eat, drink, breathe, and sleep. We have emotions. Our appearance shouldn't make us any less human.
Why do you think people appear to be different? God created it that way, so it's obvious he wanted it to be that way. If you discriminate, you are insulting God's creation. A person doesn't have any control in their color and they can't change it just because someone goes up to them and comments on their color.
If God created a variety of people which you don't like, does this mean you are against him? Think about it.
Obama's color doesn't make him any less important. It is possible to restore our country under him. Pray to God that Obama will make wise decisions.
“Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” ~Martin Luther King Jr.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Now that the election is over with, and the results have flooded the media for the last week, it's time to move on especially if you are not in favor of Obama. It can be so easy to be stuck on the little things in life that leave us at a standstill. We can be joyful or frustrated and no matter which boat we're in, we can get carried away.
A big factor that comes into the election is the fact that Obama is black. Racism is a big no-no and the bible says so. Let's break it down here...
What if someone told you they didn't like you because of your color? How would you feel? You'd most likely want to change that around and make them think more highly of you. Plus, you would defend yourself by saying that no one is exactly the same.
This whole idea may sound cliche, but bear with me here...Despite differences, we all are similar too in that we eat, drink, breathe, and sleep. We have emotions. Our appearance shouldn't make us any less human.
Why do you think people appear to be different? God created it that way, so it's obvious he wanted it to be that way. If you discriminate, you are insulting God's creation. A person doesn't have any control in their color and they can't change it just because someone goes up to them and comments on their color.
If God created a variety of people which you don't like, does this mean you are against him? Think about it.
Obama's color doesn't make him any less important. It is possible to restore our country under him. Pray to God that Obama will make wise decisions.
“Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” ~Martin Luther King Jr.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Unification = Success.
Mark 3:24
24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.
I was quickly looking over my devotions from last week and an additional thought came to me about a general topic from last week. Part of last week's main idea was that the church is a body of Christ - one Body. I talked about that on November 4. Ironically, that was Election Day. I just realized that if we're not a unified country then we can't accomplish anything. We need to be one country, under God. We need to be on the same page or else we can't function properly as a country and work together.
The change that Obama promises can't happen just because of him. The change will only occur if Obama works with others. Meanwhile, as American citizens, given our right, we need to speak out and let our voice be heard as well. Writing letters to state representatives, or anyone with high authority is an example. This way we can feed off each other's suggestions and grow together. How will America ever be a huge family if we don't work together?
The same can be said about our faith. If you don't like something that is going on in the church, do something about it. You can keep it to yourself or you can mention it to a leader and offer to help make a change (perhaps with a group of people). This will help you grow in faith and have a better relationship with Christ as you see him in other people. How will the church ever be a huge family if we don't work together?
"America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page of the policies of the past." ~Barack Obama
24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.
I was quickly looking over my devotions from last week and an additional thought came to me about a general topic from last week. Part of last week's main idea was that the church is a body of Christ - one Body. I talked about that on November 4. Ironically, that was Election Day. I just realized that if we're not a unified country then we can't accomplish anything. We need to be one country, under God. We need to be on the same page or else we can't function properly as a country and work together.
The change that Obama promises can't happen just because of him. The change will only occur if Obama works with others. Meanwhile, as American citizens, given our right, we need to speak out and let our voice be heard as well. Writing letters to state representatives, or anyone with high authority is an example. This way we can feed off each other's suggestions and grow together. How will America ever be a huge family if we don't work together?
The same can be said about our faith. If you don't like something that is going on in the church, do something about it. You can keep it to yourself or you can mention it to a leader and offer to help make a change (perhaps with a group of people). This will help you grow in faith and have a better relationship with Christ as you see him in other people. How will the church ever be a huge family if we don't work together?
"America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page of the policies of the past." ~Barack Obama
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Worrying Part I.
Matthew 6:27
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
I will be the first to admit that...at times it is very hard not to worry! When we worry it brings us into a state of fear, leading to depression, turning into paralysis/not being able to do anything.
Believe it or not, worrying can become obsessive and uncontrollable. An example is the countless phobias that exist today in many different people. The scripture above, Matthew 6:27, always hits me hard because, sure, at times it is hard not to worry. It's SO TRUE how much time do we do waste on worrying...A LOT. There are far more productive things we could be doing.
Maybe simple techniques like taking deep breaths calm the worrying in you. Did you ever think about opening up the bible?
"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep." ~Dale Carnegie
Part II of the worrying topic will come down the road...
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
I will be the first to admit that...at times it is very hard not to worry! When we worry it brings us into a state of fear, leading to depression, turning into paralysis/not being able to do anything.
Believe it or not, worrying can become obsessive and uncontrollable. An example is the countless phobias that exist today in many different people. The scripture above, Matthew 6:27, always hits me hard because, sure, at times it is hard not to worry. It's SO TRUE how much time do we do waste on worrying...A LOT. There are far more productive things we could be doing.
Maybe simple techniques like taking deep breaths calm the worrying in you. Did you ever think about opening up the bible?
"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep." ~Dale Carnegie
Part II of the worrying topic will come down the road...
Friday, November 7, 2008
Packing Your Bags.
Matthew 6:20-21
20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Hmmm...this whole thing may be corny but...what's the most frustrating thing about going on vacation (aside from not sleeping in your own bed)? I'd have to say packing. The good news is that we don't have to pack to go to heaven.
If you could make a brief list of what to bring to heaven, would it be possible? (I notice this is similar to the what you would bring on a deserted island type thing). The items wouldn't fit in one suitcase would they? Obviously, you wouldn't bring anything painful...that helps somewhat. Maybe you can't even decide where to begin. How do you know what is right and what is wrong to bring? What about clothes? Can we do laundry up in heaven? :)
Well let me tell you, God tells you not to worry and you definitely don't need to worry about what to bring with you up to heaven. I don't think you would have time. We can worry about that when we get there (actually no worries - God will help us)! I wish I could say the same for vacations.
Just focus on loving God and others. Introduce others to the Kingdom of God. What to pack for heaven isn't relevant.
"Your host [God] will provide everything you need." ~Tim O'Hearn
20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Hmmm...this whole thing may be corny but...what's the most frustrating thing about going on vacation (aside from not sleeping in your own bed)? I'd have to say packing. The good news is that we don't have to pack to go to heaven.
If you could make a brief list of what to bring to heaven, would it be possible? (I notice this is similar to the what you would bring on a deserted island type thing). The items wouldn't fit in one suitcase would they? Obviously, you wouldn't bring anything painful...that helps somewhat. Maybe you can't even decide where to begin. How do you know what is right and what is wrong to bring? What about clothes? Can we do laundry up in heaven? :)
Well let me tell you, God tells you not to worry and you definitely don't need to worry about what to bring with you up to heaven. I don't think you would have time. We can worry about that when we get there (actually no worries - God will help us)! I wish I could say the same for vacations.
Just focus on loving God and others. Introduce others to the Kingdom of God. What to pack for heaven isn't relevant.
"Your host [God] will provide everything you need." ~Tim O'Hearn
Thursday, November 6, 2008
A New and Different Body.
Philippians 3:20-21
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
This scripture looks at the believers of Christianity. We are reminded that the Earth isn't our permanent residence (see post on September 20). It is a fragile place. When you are at an airport, you don't worry about being a permanent resident there. You're just at the airport for a short time before heading home. You never know how long you will be waiting at the airport exactly...the plane has to be ready in order for you to leave. Similarly, Jesus will come and bring you home (to heaven) when he feels ready.
When we go to heaven, we are promised that we will be transformed into perfect beings. We are no longer fragile. Don't worry about perfecting your looks, etc. now. Our bodies are just going to die anyway. Our spirits will go to heaven, so that's what counts. The blind will be able to see and the voices that don't have much tune will be able to sing like beautiful angels.
I guess what I have to tell you today is that there is a perfect body waiting for us in heaven. We should be excited for that glorious day to be standing at the feet of Jesus with flawless features. God can only do this because of his awesome and amazing power of supremacy.
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched... but are felt in the heart." ~Helen Keller
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
This scripture looks at the believers of Christianity. We are reminded that the Earth isn't our permanent residence (see post on September 20). It is a fragile place. When you are at an airport, you don't worry about being a permanent resident there. You're just at the airport for a short time before heading home. You never know how long you will be waiting at the airport exactly...the plane has to be ready in order for you to leave. Similarly, Jesus will come and bring you home (to heaven) when he feels ready.
When we go to heaven, we are promised that we will be transformed into perfect beings. We are no longer fragile. Don't worry about perfecting your looks, etc. now. Our bodies are just going to die anyway. Our spirits will go to heaven, so that's what counts. The blind will be able to see and the voices that don't have much tune will be able to sing like beautiful angels.
I guess what I have to tell you today is that there is a perfect body waiting for us in heaven. We should be excited for that glorious day to be standing at the feet of Jesus with flawless features. God can only do this because of his awesome and amazing power of supremacy.
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched... but are felt in the heart." ~Helen Keller
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Communion.
Mark 14:22-24
22 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”
23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.
Continuing to talk about the church as a body of Christ, such a unification can be represented by having Communion. It is a repetitive event in the life of a Christian. It is meant to be a time where the church comes together, recalls, and celebrates what Christ has done for us.
Let's break communion down some more...
So why communion you ask? God asks us to do it, in turn we are to obey.
What should be done during communion? An examination of ourselves to see if we truly believe. Also, we need to remember Christ...his life, death, and resurrection.
What is the purpose of Communion? It is a statement of faith.
What does Communion symbolize? The Holy Spirit. It also shows how involved we are in the body of Christ - living a life centered around him.
Next time the body of Christ is broken for you and the blood of Christ is shed for you, remember why.
"If we but paused for a moment to consider attentively what takes place in this Sacrament, I am sure that the thought of Christ's love for us would transform the coldness of our hearts into a fire of love and gratitude." ~St. Angela of Foligno
22 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”
23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.
Continuing to talk about the church as a body of Christ, such a unification can be represented by having Communion. It is a repetitive event in the life of a Christian. It is meant to be a time where the church comes together, recalls, and celebrates what Christ has done for us.
Let's break communion down some more...
So why communion you ask? God asks us to do it, in turn we are to obey.
What should be done during communion? An examination of ourselves to see if we truly believe. Also, we need to remember Christ...his life, death, and resurrection.
What is the purpose of Communion? It is a statement of faith.
What does Communion symbolize? The Holy Spirit. It also shows how involved we are in the body of Christ - living a life centered around him.
Next time the body of Christ is broken for you and the blood of Christ is shed for you, remember why.
"If we but paused for a moment to consider attentively what takes place in this Sacrament, I am sure that the thought of Christ's love for us would transform the coldness of our hearts into a fire of love and gratitude." ~St. Angela of Foligno
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Understanding that the Church is a Body.
Romans 12:3-8
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Many Christians believe that they can survive on their own without the aid of others. That is not true. In fact, it's not really possible. Maybe if you do nothing but go to church it is. However, we are called to be committed to our church in whatever way possible and even so one cannot have all the authority to themselves. Everyone has to come together...partnering up with others to work around the church. Much like you can't completely function on your own without vital body parts like an arm and a leg, neither can the church function without a unified body of Christ.
In a previous post (September 18) I talked about spiritual gifts. There are many evaluation tools out there to help determine your strengths and weaknesses from different categories (like leadership, hospitality, and evangelism). This narrows your search as you look for opportunities in your church. I remind you that if you e-mail me at heytbone92@gmail.com, I can let you utilize those tools. This will keep the process from becoming too overwhelming. God grants everyone with special gifts and no one has a talent they can't use for the church.
My Sunday School teacher, Mr. S, who taught me when I was in middle school always said..."The church is not the BUILDING, it's the PEOPLE. The people within the church make all the difference."
“Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.” ~Bridget Willard
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Many Christians believe that they can survive on their own without the aid of others. That is not true. In fact, it's not really possible. Maybe if you do nothing but go to church it is. However, we are called to be committed to our church in whatever way possible and even so one cannot have all the authority to themselves. Everyone has to come together...partnering up with others to work around the church. Much like you can't completely function on your own without vital body parts like an arm and a leg, neither can the church function without a unified body of Christ.
In a previous post (September 18) I talked about spiritual gifts. There are many evaluation tools out there to help determine your strengths and weaknesses from different categories (like leadership, hospitality, and evangelism). This narrows your search as you look for opportunities in your church. I remind you that if you e-mail me at heytbone92@gmail.com, I can let you utilize those tools. This will keep the process from becoming too overwhelming. God grants everyone with special gifts and no one has a talent they can't use for the church.
My Sunday School teacher, Mr. S, who taught me when I was in middle school always said..."The church is not the BUILDING, it's the PEOPLE. The people within the church make all the difference."
“Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.” ~Bridget Willard
Monday, November 3, 2008
A Christian Involves Going to Church.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
I've heard many people tell me..."Oh I believe in God, but I don't go to church." I have nothing against them, but I don't think they receive the full benefits of being a Christian this way. (I'm sorry if you disagree with what I'm saying - this seems to be controversial).
First of all, how can you stay on track with your faith without friends from your church? Having friends in a church, peers or not, helps to support your beliefs and furthers your understanding of God. Ideally, you should spend time with at least some people that are Christians. When you are with people who aren't Christians, you should do everything you can to be Christ-like.
Secondly, it's much harder to connect with and find Chrisitans if you're not involved in a church. Attending church allows you to get more familiar with people who have similar beliefs as you. If you meet someone outside of a church, normally you won't say, "Hi my name is _________ and I'm a Christian." It may take years for friends to clearly figure out what each other's beliefs. So even though you can pray alone and study alone, you need fellow believers.
Thirdly, churches may have rules that at times make you feel guilty. In order for families to be strong they must have the bar set high as far as moral standards are concerned. The same is true for churches - to be one family of God. It is true that people can make you feel guilty, but guilt can be seen as a gift from God. Pray during this time and read the bible to help figure out what God thinks because what you may think and what God is trying to get across to you can be totally different. He could be trying to get your attention.
Finally, along with everything mentioned above, a church provides a great spot to worship the Lord. All the songs that are sung are dedicated to him no matter what time of day or day of the week it is. This is where God sees how much you love him and how meaningful you are.
Nonetheless, going to church allows you to build a relationship with God and other Christians. Don't sleep in, but go to church as much as you can if you're serious about being a Christian!
“The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church...is almost like the difference between calling your girl on the phone and spending an evening with her.” ~Dwight L. Moody
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
I've heard many people tell me..."Oh I believe in God, but I don't go to church." I have nothing against them, but I don't think they receive the full benefits of being a Christian this way. (I'm sorry if you disagree with what I'm saying - this seems to be controversial).
First of all, how can you stay on track with your faith without friends from your church? Having friends in a church, peers or not, helps to support your beliefs and furthers your understanding of God. Ideally, you should spend time with at least some people that are Christians. When you are with people who aren't Christians, you should do everything you can to be Christ-like.
Secondly, it's much harder to connect with and find Chrisitans if you're not involved in a church. Attending church allows you to get more familiar with people who have similar beliefs as you. If you meet someone outside of a church, normally you won't say, "Hi my name is _________ and I'm a Christian." It may take years for friends to clearly figure out what each other's beliefs. So even though you can pray alone and study alone, you need fellow believers.
Thirdly, churches may have rules that at times make you feel guilty. In order for families to be strong they must have the bar set high as far as moral standards are concerned. The same is true for churches - to be one family of God. It is true that people can make you feel guilty, but guilt can be seen as a gift from God. Pray during this time and read the bible to help figure out what God thinks because what you may think and what God is trying to get across to you can be totally different. He could be trying to get your attention.
Finally, along with everything mentioned above, a church provides a great spot to worship the Lord. All the songs that are sung are dedicated to him no matter what time of day or day of the week it is. This is where God sees how much you love him and how meaningful you are.
Nonetheless, going to church allows you to build a relationship with God and other Christians. Don't sleep in, but go to church as much as you can if you're serious about being a Christian!
“The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church...is almost like the difference between calling your girl on the phone and spending an evening with her.” ~Dwight L. Moody
Saturday, November 1, 2008
God Knows It All.
1 Corinthians 2:9
9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Did you ever think you knew it all? Well you're wrong. You don't and never will know it all. If you think about it, it's good not to know everything because then there would be no point in living, no point in having faith, and no point in worshipping God. God wants you to count on him so this is most likely the reason why life is a big waiting game. Look for clues as to what God may be working on in your life.
Listen to the song, "Beautiful One" by Chris Tomlin. In the video below, Jeremy Camp sings it. I believe this song is based on the scripture given above. God is so beautiful and has so much in store for you, you can't even begin to imagine..
9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Did you ever think you knew it all? Well you're wrong. You don't and never will know it all. If you think about it, it's good not to know everything because then there would be no point in living, no point in having faith, and no point in worshipping God. God wants you to count on him so this is most likely the reason why life is a big waiting game. Look for clues as to what God may be working on in your life.
Listen to the song, "Beautiful One" by Chris Tomlin. In the video below, Jeremy Camp sings it. I believe this song is based on the scripture given above. God is so beautiful and has so much in store for you, you can't even begin to imagine..
Friday, October 31, 2008
Who's on Your Shoulder?
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
I think everybody at times has two different figures sitting on their shoulders. On one shoulder sits the devil, on the other is an angel. We are forced whether to choose the good or bad one. And who wins? Usually the bad one - the devil. Sometimes his ideas and suggestions that seem great as we generally go in the worldly direction. It happens time and time again. Those beings on our shoulders just don't give up (especially the devil).
Our lives are characterized by these decisions. Seemingly harmless at the time, decisions can be painful and harmful.
Sure, temptation is always going to occur. Don't let it get the better part of you though. Remember God is always there to help you with your decisions. If you think about him, you are less likely to go the wrong way.
“Good habits result from resisting temptation.” ~Ancient Proverb
13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
I think everybody at times has two different figures sitting on their shoulders. On one shoulder sits the devil, on the other is an angel. We are forced whether to choose the good or bad one. And who wins? Usually the bad one - the devil. Sometimes his ideas and suggestions that seem great as we generally go in the worldly direction. It happens time and time again. Those beings on our shoulders just don't give up (especially the devil).
Our lives are characterized by these decisions. Seemingly harmless at the time, decisions can be painful and harmful.
Sure, temptation is always going to occur. Don't let it get the better part of you though. Remember God is always there to help you with your decisions. If you think about him, you are less likely to go the wrong way.
“Good habits result from resisting temptation.” ~Ancient Proverb
Thursday, October 30, 2008
God is our Hero and Rescuer.
Colossians 1:13-14
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
How many times do you wake up with your eyes half-closed, walking in darkness in the mornings? For me it's every morning...
Many times we walk into church Sunday mornings with that fog hanging over us. I think a lot of times it's a self-conscious act. We think we deserve to be in darkness because of what we do every day - sin!
The great news that I have to tell to you this morning is that God would never think about leaving you stranded in that dark universe. He rescued us from our sins by sending his son Jesus Christ to be tortured and eventually to die a final death on the cross. That alone should allow a transition from darkness to light.
God is our HERO and RESCUER. Have you been into a dark room and then you came out and it was extremely bright? Well that's the comparison of living on our own...without God (not realizing that God forgives our sins) and living with an understanding that he is there.
"God is eager to meet our needs and redeem us in times of trouble." (quote from faithvisuals.com)
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
How many times do you wake up with your eyes half-closed, walking in darkness in the mornings? For me it's every morning...
Many times we walk into church Sunday mornings with that fog hanging over us. I think a lot of times it's a self-conscious act. We think we deserve to be in darkness because of what we do every day - sin!
The great news that I have to tell to you this morning is that God would never think about leaving you stranded in that dark universe. He rescued us from our sins by sending his son Jesus Christ to be tortured and eventually to die a final death on the cross. That alone should allow a transition from darkness to light.
God is our HERO and RESCUER. Have you been into a dark room and then you came out and it was extremely bright? Well that's the comparison of living on our own...without God (not realizing that God forgives our sins) and living with an understanding that he is there.
"God is eager to meet our needs and redeem us in times of trouble." (quote from faithvisuals.com)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Giving Thanks to God.
Colossians 1:12
12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
The past few days I've been writing how we can grow with God. I'm going to continue with that today talking about giving thanks.
Okay, so Thanksgiving isn't quite here yet, but that doesn't mean you can't be thankful. You can and should be thankful all the time.
Giving thanks is really important. I've seen it stated many times in the bible. Thanks is to be granted to those who do things that are truly great for us (going along with the verse, like if you, "share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light") for example.
Think about these questions for a few minutes:
-Do you thank God often?
-To you, what is the easiest thing to show appreciation toward?
-How do you go about thanking God?
-Is it common for people avoid thanking God because they don't think that it's
important
“So often we dwell on the things that seem impossible rather than on the things that are possible. So often we are depressed by what remains to be done and forget to be thankful for all that has been done.” ~Marian Wright Edelman
12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
The past few days I've been writing how we can grow with God. I'm going to continue with that today talking about giving thanks.
Okay, so Thanksgiving isn't quite here yet, but that doesn't mean you can't be thankful. You can and should be thankful all the time.
Giving thanks is really important. I've seen it stated many times in the bible. Thanks is to be granted to those who do things that are truly great for us (going along with the verse, like if you, "share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light") for example.
Think about these questions for a few minutes:
-Do you thank God often?
-To you, what is the easiest thing to show appreciation toward?
-How do you go about thanking God?
-Is it common for people avoid thanking God because they don't think that it's
important
“So often we dwell on the things that seem impossible rather than on the things that are possible. So often we are depressed by what remains to be done and forget to be thankful for all that has been done.” ~Marian Wright Edelman
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Becoming a Stronger Christian.
Colossians 1:10-11 (first part is from yesterday)
10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
You as a sole individual can bring joy to God. Yes, there are billions and billions of people in the world, but you can only control how YOU grow as a Christian.
Here are a few things you can do to in order to continue growing:
1. Do good deeds that will impact the lives of others in the world.
2. Be willing to learn more about God. Read the bible! Too much knowledge, let alone about God, can never be a bad thing. Plus, I find I gain something new every time I read a passage whether it be a few days, weeks, or months later.
3. Accept what you have learned and apply it to your everyday life. Don't just read and let it sit there. If you apply what you learn about God to your everyday life, you will be strengthened greatly.
Think about other Christians. Have you seen them growing in any of these three ways?
10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
You as a sole individual can bring joy to God. Yes, there are billions and billions of people in the world, but you can only control how YOU grow as a Christian.
Here are a few things you can do to in order to continue growing:
1. Do good deeds that will impact the lives of others in the world.
2. Be willing to learn more about God. Read the bible! Too much knowledge, let alone about God, can never be a bad thing. Plus, I find I gain something new every time I read a passage whether it be a few days, weeks, or months later.
3. Accept what you have learned and apply it to your everyday life. Don't just read and let it sit there. If you apply what you learn about God to your everyday life, you will be strengthened greatly.
Think about other Christians. Have you seen them growing in any of these three ways?
Monday, October 27, 2008
What is God asking of Me?
Colossians 1:10
10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
Ahh...it's the question almost everyone faces. It also ties in with the whole "what's my purpose?" type deal. God wants us to live a life worthy of the Lord. God wants us to live just so. He cares about you no matter what you do.
Secondly, make choices that would make God smile. Yes, you can make God smile (see October 17, where I talked about God even laughing)!
Finally, God wants you to share with others your divine experiences. That person may need something different and you just happen to have it. Don't be afraid to tell them what has happened in your life with God.
If you're a reader who isn't comfortable with being a christian yet, read this next part...
Before you make a choice, think would God like this? If your answer is no, it's probably best not to do it all.
“There are always two choices. Two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it's easy.” ~Anonymous
10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
Ahh...it's the question almost everyone faces. It also ties in with the whole "what's my purpose?" type deal. God wants us to live a life worthy of the Lord. God wants us to live just so. He cares about you no matter what you do.
Secondly, make choices that would make God smile. Yes, you can make God smile (see October 17, where I talked about God even laughing)!
Finally, God wants you to share with others your divine experiences. That person may need something different and you just happen to have it. Don't be afraid to tell them what has happened in your life with God.
If you're a reader who isn't comfortable with being a christian yet, read this next part...
Before you make a choice, think would God like this? If your answer is no, it's probably best not to do it all.
“There are always two choices. Two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it's easy.” ~Anonymous
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Holy Spirit Lives.
I wrote this back in May, so the time frames are reflective of then not now...
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Romans 8:26
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
In recent weeks, at sunday school and youth the discussion has been about listening to God and feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit. With that said, I found it really neat that I felt God speaking to me through prayer one day a couple weeks ago. It wasn't a voice per say, it seemed more like my conscience telling me something, but I still knew it was God. Just think of a ziploc bag. You see, we can put something like dirt or pretty much anything else in the bag and it will always be there when you want it, whenever you choose to open the bag up. That's how the Holy Spirit works. It can always be found in full function in and around us, but unless it is utilized and we are open to accept it, it won't do us any good. Just think, God's grace and forgiveness are contained within the Holy Spirit. We need to ask for forgiveness though before God pours it on us. Also, the Holy Spirit is not vague. The Holy Spirit is to be seen as a person of the Trinity: the Father, Son and God. It is full of intellect, emotions and will, according to scripture.
I think Romans 8:26 explains so much...It's hard to convey the message laid on my heart, yet I'm so glad I could get so much from what God did.
This song Word of God Speak by MercyMe reminds me of the Holy Spirit. It makes me realize how graceful, mighty and everlasting God is. Here are the lyrics:
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice
[REPEAT CHORUS]
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls" ~Mother Teresa
I pray that everyone reading this can understand the Holy Spirit and have it embedded within them.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Romans 8:26
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
In recent weeks, at sunday school and youth the discussion has been about listening to God and feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit. With that said, I found it really neat that I felt God speaking to me through prayer one day a couple weeks ago. It wasn't a voice per say, it seemed more like my conscience telling me something, but I still knew it was God. Just think of a ziploc bag. You see, we can put something like dirt or pretty much anything else in the bag and it will always be there when you want it, whenever you choose to open the bag up. That's how the Holy Spirit works. It can always be found in full function in and around us, but unless it is utilized and we are open to accept it, it won't do us any good. Just think, God's grace and forgiveness are contained within the Holy Spirit. We need to ask for forgiveness though before God pours it on us. Also, the Holy Spirit is not vague. The Holy Spirit is to be seen as a person of the Trinity: the Father, Son and God. It is full of intellect, emotions and will, according to scripture.
I think Romans 8:26 explains so much...It's hard to convey the message laid on my heart, yet I'm so glad I could get so much from what God did.
This song Word of God Speak by MercyMe reminds me of the Holy Spirit. It makes me realize how graceful, mighty and everlasting God is. Here are the lyrics:
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice
[REPEAT CHORUS]
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls" ~Mother Teresa
I pray that everyone reading this can understand the Holy Spirit and have it embedded within them.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Letter from God.
1 Corinthians 3:16
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
This is God. Today I will be handling ALL of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.
P.S. And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!
Now, you have a nice day.
Sincerely,
God
God has seen you struggling,
God says it's over.
I saw this letter and thought I'd share it with you. Have a good day!
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
This is God. Today I will be handling ALL of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.
P.S. And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!
Now, you have a nice day.
Sincerely,
God
God has seen you struggling,
God says it's over.
I saw this letter and thought I'd share it with you. Have a good day!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Obeying God's Word.
James 1:22
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
John 8:31-32
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
God has given us the resource we need to study and apply it to our everyday life. If we do that, our lives will be impacted greatly. Jesus promised if we abide by his Word, we will know the truth because the Bible is the truth. We are to meditate the Word day and night, night and day. This way we can be prosperous Christians.
It is so very important to follow God's Word because it keeps us from swerving right or left and allows to go down a straight and narrow path that leads to life. Also, by delving into the Bible our prayers should be answered. You ever look around and say man why are all these Christians sick, poor, or struggling? We think that since God is Almighty there is no reason for it--it's unacceptable. We throw those problems on God. However, God has the power to do anything and if our prayers are not answered it's just not God's will. Anotherwards, we need to humble ourselves and go to God's word for answers, nothing else, as hard as that may be. We all desire to be free...free from what is holding us back...free from first impressions and wrong thoughts...and free from anything else that may act as a blockade to understand and receive God's blessings.
You see, God has given us the manual and key. We must DRIVE. God's word gives us light, comfort, and success. Spending time in God's word is simply spending time with God. This also means you must praise and worship, do things in his presence, and live a holy life.
"Let God's promises shine on your problems." ~Corrie Ten Boom
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
John 8:31-32
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
God has given us the resource we need to study and apply it to our everyday life. If we do that, our lives will be impacted greatly. Jesus promised if we abide by his Word, we will know the truth because the Bible is the truth. We are to meditate the Word day and night, night and day. This way we can be prosperous Christians.
It is so very important to follow God's Word because it keeps us from swerving right or left and allows to go down a straight and narrow path that leads to life. Also, by delving into the Bible our prayers should be answered. You ever look around and say man why are all these Christians sick, poor, or struggling? We think that since God is Almighty there is no reason for it--it's unacceptable. We throw those problems on God. However, God has the power to do anything and if our prayers are not answered it's just not God's will. Anotherwards, we need to humble ourselves and go to God's word for answers, nothing else, as hard as that may be. We all desire to be free...free from what is holding us back...free from first impressions and wrong thoughts...and free from anything else that may act as a blockade to understand and receive God's blessings.
You see, God has given us the manual and key. We must DRIVE. God's word gives us light, comfort, and success. Spending time in God's word is simply spending time with God. This also means you must praise and worship, do things in his presence, and live a holy life.
"Let God's promises shine on your problems." ~Corrie Ten Boom
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Focusing on God, Not Ourselves.
OOPS! When I scheduled this to post, I picked the wrong day. Sorry!
Luke 18:19
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good.
Have you ever just felt horrible...like you weren't spending enough time with God? I thought man I'm not being a very good Christian. Then I realized...wow I'm totally not focusing on the nature of Jesus. He came here because he loves and cares for us! He wanted to show us sinners the way to eternal life. He loves us the way we are.
It is important to focus on Jesus, not ourselves and our sins. Give him your burdens. You need to look at yourself as God sees you. God doesn't expect us to be perfect by any means. Pray about your sins and God will stray us from them. The bottom line is that it has everything to do with how much God loves us no matter how much we sin and we can't overcome them.
"Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not." ~C.S. Lewis
Luke 18:19
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good.
Have you ever just felt horrible...like you weren't spending enough time with God? I thought man I'm not being a very good Christian. Then I realized...wow I'm totally not focusing on the nature of Jesus. He came here because he loves and cares for us! He wanted to show us sinners the way to eternal life. He loves us the way we are.
It is important to focus on Jesus, not ourselves and our sins. Give him your burdens. You need to look at yourself as God sees you. God doesn't expect us to be perfect by any means. Pray about your sins and God will stray us from them. The bottom line is that it has everything to do with how much God loves us no matter how much we sin and we can't overcome them.
"Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not." ~C.S. Lewis
Monday, October 20, 2008
Watch What You Say.
James 3:5-6
5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
James does not hold back when he describes how much power our tongue gives us. It can certainly cause great evil if we don't watch what we say. What comes out of our mouth can burn our lives and relationships forever.
In the case of the Bible, the words are powerful and say good things. The words are like fire here as well. The difference is the words out of our mouth aren't always controlled. Sometimes the words out of our mouths burn a long path of destruction.
I know it has happened to you. Somebody said something that hurt you and blew up your insides. On the other hand, your own words were not clearly thought out and ended up burning the emotions of your best friend.
Do you think it's necessary to have communication if we're so imperfect in the first place? To make it easier on yourself and others think before you speak!
"First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak." ~Epictetus
5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
James does not hold back when he describes how much power our tongue gives us. It can certainly cause great evil if we don't watch what we say. What comes out of our mouth can burn our lives and relationships forever.
In the case of the Bible, the words are powerful and say good things. The words are like fire here as well. The difference is the words out of our mouth aren't always controlled. Sometimes the words out of our mouths burn a long path of destruction.
I know it has happened to you. Somebody said something that hurt you and blew up your insides. On the other hand, your own words were not clearly thought out and ended up burning the emotions of your best friend.
Do you think it's necessary to have communication if we're so imperfect in the first place? To make it easier on yourself and others think before you speak!
"First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak." ~Epictetus
Saturday, October 18, 2008
What Makes God Happy?
Jeremiah 32:40-41
40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. 41 I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.
We all have expectations toward something, whether it is how we expect a situation will pan out or what we expect from a particular individual. What do you think God wants of us?
Some people look at him scornfully, thinking he is just waiting for people to mess up. Others think he is wonderful without truly meaning it. The bible tells us that God will rejoice over us to do good. It satisfies God to do this. He is cheering you on...he's on your side!
Praying helps if you have trouble with understanding this. Pray that God will reveal himself in a clearer way. Also, get a good group of friends to support you.
I know I've mentioned praying in several posts. In the near future, I will have a series of prayer topics to help you in that area of your life.
What you have made me see," answered the Lady, "is as plain as the sky, but I never saw it before. Yet it has happened every day. One goes into the forest to pick food and already the thought of one fruit rather than another has grown up in one's mind. Then, it may be, one finds a different fruit and not the fruit one thought of. One joy was expected and another is given. But this I had never noticed before - that the very moment of the finding there is in the mind a kind of thrusting back, or setting aside. The picture of the fruit you have not found is still, for a moment, before you. And if you wished, if it were possible to wish - you could keep it there. You could send your soul after the good you had expected, instead of turning it to the good you had got. You could refuse the real good; you could make the real fruit taste insipid by thinking of the other." ~C.S. Lewis
40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. 41 I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.
We all have expectations toward something, whether it is how we expect a situation will pan out or what we expect from a particular individual. What do you think God wants of us?
Some people look at him scornfully, thinking he is just waiting for people to mess up. Others think he is wonderful without truly meaning it. The bible tells us that God will rejoice over us to do good. It satisfies God to do this. He is cheering you on...he's on your side!
Praying helps if you have trouble with understanding this. Pray that God will reveal himself in a clearer way. Also, get a good group of friends to support you.
I know I've mentioned praying in several posts. In the near future, I will have a series of prayer topics to help you in that area of your life.
What you have made me see," answered the Lady, "is as plain as the sky, but I never saw it before. Yet it has happened every day. One goes into the forest to pick food and already the thought of one fruit rather than another has grown up in one's mind. Then, it may be, one finds a different fruit and not the fruit one thought of. One joy was expected and another is given. But this I had never noticed before - that the very moment of the finding there is in the mind a kind of thrusting back, or setting aside. The picture of the fruit you have not found is still, for a moment, before you. And if you wished, if it were possible to wish - you could keep it there. You could send your soul after the good you had expected, instead of turning it to the good you had got. You could refuse the real good; you could make the real fruit taste insipid by thinking of the other." ~C.S. Lewis
Friday, October 17, 2008
God's Laughing.
Job 8:21
21 He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Psalm 59:8
8 But Lord, you laugh at them.
You scoff at all the hostile nations.
Here's something to brighten up your day...God laughs! Those scriptures tell us so. Looking in context, God is laughing at the rebels and those who are foolish and those think that they have more power than he does. He laugh at absurdity and maybe thinks, "you're kidding, right?"
Don't take this the wrong way though. I strongly believe God is not harsh and does not laugh at our problems we face each and veryday. I can't say it enough...but he loves us!
He has a great sense of humor nonetheless. Why would God create human beings who are any different than he is? That goes to say he wouldn't create a weird sense of humor if he didn't have one. God is filled with joy and laughter. He is not afraid to show it! I remember asking God a few years ago if I could stay away from the mission field, but now I can't get enough of it. He's sent me on one every year for the last three years. That's just one example for you.
"God is a comedian." ~Voltaire
21 He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Psalm 59:8
8 But Lord, you laugh at them.
You scoff at all the hostile nations.
Here's something to brighten up your day...God laughs! Those scriptures tell us so. Looking in context, God is laughing at the rebels and those who are foolish and those think that they have more power than he does. He laugh at absurdity and maybe thinks, "you're kidding, right?"
Don't take this the wrong way though. I strongly believe God is not harsh and does not laugh at our problems we face each and veryday. I can't say it enough...but he loves us!
He has a great sense of humor nonetheless. Why would God create human beings who are any different than he is? That goes to say he wouldn't create a weird sense of humor if he didn't have one. God is filled with joy and laughter. He is not afraid to show it! I remember asking God a few years ago if I could stay away from the mission field, but now I can't get enough of it. He's sent me on one every year for the last three years. That's just one example for you.
"God is a comedian." ~Voltaire
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Put a Smile on.
2 Corinthians 8:2
2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
Do you have anything near you that you bought a long time ago? Look at it now. Do you look at it differently? I mean, you're probably not as excited about it now as you were when you purchased it. The excitement just wears away. We have let downs too. For example, whenever I go on vacation I'm excited, but then before long I'm back and it's like "man I wish i could hold onto that excitement forever."
The same type of thing can also happen as we go through the hussle and bussle of our daily activities. Certain encounters and circumstances turn that smile into a frown. These exterior things can make us frustrated. We forget everything that should make us appreciative.
With the help of God, he can help you see [this and that] the way Jesus would. Immediately, God gets our attention by showing us an eternal mindset. Instead of doing a nasty, worldy action, just PRAY! There's always a moral to every situation that we face.
So, put a smile on (your face and heart) and leave it there all the time!
Many good quotes for today to keep you smiling :)
"The world always looks brighter from behind a smile." ~Author Unknown
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~Mother Teresa
"A friendly look, a kindly smile, one good act, and life's worthwhile. ~Author Unknown
2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
Do you have anything near you that you bought a long time ago? Look at it now. Do you look at it differently? I mean, you're probably not as excited about it now as you were when you purchased it. The excitement just wears away. We have let downs too. For example, whenever I go on vacation I'm excited, but then before long I'm back and it's like "man I wish i could hold onto that excitement forever."
The same type of thing can also happen as we go through the hussle and bussle of our daily activities. Certain encounters and circumstances turn that smile into a frown. These exterior things can make us frustrated. We forget everything that should make us appreciative.
With the help of God, he can help you see [this and that] the way Jesus would. Immediately, God gets our attention by showing us an eternal mindset. Instead of doing a nasty, worldy action, just PRAY! There's always a moral to every situation that we face.
So, put a smile on (your face and heart) and leave it there all the time!
Many good quotes for today to keep you smiling :)
"The world always looks brighter from behind a smile." ~Author Unknown
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~Mother Teresa
"A friendly look, a kindly smile, one good act, and life's worthwhile. ~Author Unknown
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Rejoice in the Lord.
Philippians 4:4-5,8
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
How many times do we focus on the not so good things? Many times it's so easy to just name the unpleasant things rather than the pleasant ones. I think if you look on the bright side you will be more motivated. If you don't, it will set you back and leave you at a standstill.
Let's think about this...if you say Dear God, I HATE THIS, I HATE THAT constantly it really shows a lot about your character. Thank God more for what is good. Still be honest. Just try to at least get one joyful point originating out of every evil. That should help. You will really grow strong from this, trust me.
Thank him for all your blessings and anything that makes you shout Hallelujah!
I hope to share with you some songs more often on here from youtube and other sites whether it pertains to the topic or not (maybe a song that popped into my head during the day). You can share any that you enjoy with me along with your devotions!
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
How many times do we focus on the not so good things? Many times it's so easy to just name the unpleasant things rather than the pleasant ones. I think if you look on the bright side you will be more motivated. If you don't, it will set you back and leave you at a standstill.
Let's think about this...if you say Dear God, I HATE THIS, I HATE THAT constantly it really shows a lot about your character. Thank God more for what is good. Still be honest. Just try to at least get one joyful point originating out of every evil. That should help. You will really grow strong from this, trust me.
Thank him for all your blessings and anything that makes you shout Hallelujah!
I hope to share with you some songs more often on here from youtube and other sites whether it pertains to the topic or not (maybe a song that popped into my head during the day). You can share any that you enjoy with me along with your devotions!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Love...
I want to know the power of love...I want to feel its presence...I want it to caress me, feel me, complete me...my brokeness can only be completed through this neverending search of love...this earthly desire...something every human craves...something we crave...something we need to complete our broken hearts...yet all love comes with a journey...and that journey is ever so painful...tears are shed, bodies are bled...just to find what it is...just to get a glimpse of its ever powerful and glorious reign...do not deny it, you crave its warmth...no matter how much darkness resides in your soul...no matter how many souls you've crushed to help yourself...no matter how many times you've slipped into earthly sin...you crave it...it calls to you...it wants you to come to it...yet the thorns of darkness are in its way...as long as a single soul retains the fiery coals of darkness, so shall it remain...those unready to pass through the terrible thorns feel its wrath...and shape to the mold of the world...to avoid having to face these troubles head-on...'your not pretty...your stupid...you aren't good enough...you are just some scum that needs this...drugs will make you better...virgins are not cool anymore...alcohol will make you happy'...all of these and more are the way of the world...a whirlpool...trying to suck into the deepest hole, eventually getting caught in the black hole...never escaping the darkness...demeanting your trait of thought...changing you from the inside-out...turning you into an ever-craving demon left to wander the world in search of the one piece that completes you...love...they don't realize earthly love isn't the answer...none of us do...unless He's with you...unless you're walking in the Son...we are just humans...sacs of water with organic matter that functions...to preserve us...but why are we here?...in constant search of the thing that completes our presence...an unfinished puzzle in organic being...yet if we are just organic matter, why then do we have a soul?...was it made just to be incomplete?...just to cause us pain, turmoil, suffering, heartache, and the constant depression of failing to find the missing piece of the puzzle...and still, we do not know...we may never know...all any of us know is that we are still searching...longing...reaching out to grasp it...hold it...feel it...touch its streams of light...transform in its gaze...become the better person...yet this 'paradise' we call earth is against such change...such warmth...such light...the earth is darkness...a black hole...taking souls into its icy center...lacking the warmth...lacking the light...lacking all that completes us in a dark and unpleasant 'hell'...yet, it cannot take us at its own will...we must be able to let our guard down...give up...hand over our life to the way of the world...if this happens, the world will take you...it will shape you in its image...its reflection will be visible through you...all the rest of us will see how you've fallen...how you've given up...let your guard down...thought that taking this short cut would lead you to that one thing that completes you faster...the hatred of the world...still people think that worldly items will complete the shattered soul...shattered dreams...shattered hopes...'drugs...alcohol...power...sex'...temporary scapegoats to free us from the world as it is...temporary paradises that keep demanding...keep begging you to return...eventually, we want to return...we fall from the path towards what we search for...we must go to that scapegoat in order for it to give us 'freedom'...a ticket to escape from the world's troubles...feign love...this love is but an imposter...a fake...one that tempts you to give it your everything...one that will demand your all...one that will never fill that empty void in yourself
but there's hope...
one day, we will be helped...someone will pick us up...whether it is a friend or family member or complete stranger...His face will be present...right in front of you...your day will come...it will be your turn soon...but in case you don't know it, I'll tell you
I may not know you...you may be a complete stranger...or you could possibly be my greatest friend...reading this now...but, whether you're close or far...I want to tell you something...you are beautiful...more precious than anything on this earth...you are a treasure beyond worth...don't sell yourself short...if you've suffered great losses...I am sorry...let me comfort you...I want you to feel happy once more...to be overwhelmed with joy again...you are perfect in the eyes...of your perfect soulmate...I want to tell you...that I love you...I'm not gay, but I respect and love them anyway...it's not twisted or disgusting in any way...I care for you...no matter your looks...no matter your personality...no matter your orientation...I love you...I want you to know that...you are loved...you are forgiven...if you have hurt me...in any way...I forgive you...and I love you
With as much earthly love I can give you,
Christina
Isn't that nicely put? Everything she said is so true. My friend Christina wrote this more than a year ago and it's wonderful. What a better way to wrap this week's series of love devotions...Thanks!!!
By the way, here's a bible verse for today:
John 13:34-35
34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
but there's hope...
one day, we will be helped...someone will pick us up...whether it is a friend or family member or complete stranger...His face will be present...right in front of you...your day will come...it will be your turn soon...but in case you don't know it, I'll tell you
I may not know you...you may be a complete stranger...or you could possibly be my greatest friend...reading this now...but, whether you're close or far...I want to tell you something...you are beautiful...more precious than anything on this earth...you are a treasure beyond worth...don't sell yourself short...if you've suffered great losses...I am sorry...let me comfort you...I want you to feel happy once more...to be overwhelmed with joy again...you are perfect in the eyes...of your perfect soulmate...I want to tell you...that I love you...I'm not gay, but I respect and love them anyway...it's not twisted or disgusting in any way...I care for you...no matter your looks...no matter your personality...no matter your orientation...I love you...I want you to know that...you are loved...you are forgiven...if you have hurt me...in any way...I forgive you...and I love you
With as much earthly love I can give you,
Christina
Isn't that nicely put? Everything she said is so true. My friend Christina wrote this more than a year ago and it's wonderful. What a better way to wrap this week's series of love devotions...Thanks!!!
By the way, here's a bible verse for today:
John 13:34-35
34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
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