2 Corinthians 12:9-10 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
It's funny how I often treat, the things in verse 10 like a game of dodgeball. Often like dodgeball I will try to avoid these things at all costs and deny that they are happening. Why? Fear of confrontation, fear of rejection, fear of admitting weaknesses, believing the myth that somehow if I just avoid it, it will go away. They don't go away in fact if not dealt with they grow into bigger problems. I believe that is why Paul writes, "Do not let the sun go down on your anger." There is something about dealing with the issue before you go to sleep. I know my dad would say that there were some nights that he and my mom would stay up pretty late dealing with an issue, but as far as I know they practiced this and did not allow issues to seperate them. According to these verses admitting weaknesses is not weakness at all but rather strength. The key here is that in dealing with the issues of my life I must look to Christ to give me the strength and I must rely on Him to help me with each one. If I try it alone it would be like playing dodgeball with just me on one side and an entire team on the other, no chance of victory.
Father today I need your strength to face the issues of my life and this day. Help me to turn to you instead of dodging them so that I might grow in strength and in my love for you instead of getting beat down.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
How Different It Would Be?????
Philippians 3:13-14 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Today as I was reading my devo's a comment that the writer made hit me right between the eyes, "How different our past would be if we could relive it knowing what we know now." Let that sink in for just a minute. I know looking back at my past there are so many times that I wish I could take back something I said, or something I did or a situation I put myself into. I so wish I could go back to high school and live for Christ in order to tell everyone the good news of the gospel. But reality then sits in and I know that I cannot go back. As Pumba from Lion King says, "You got to get your behind out of the past or I mean you gotta put your past behind you." I know I cannot change my past, but as the verse above refers I sure can learn from it and then press on to do something about my future. So often we allow our past to dictate our future and that is sad. We cannot do one thing about the past, we cannot change it, we cannot relive it and thus we can only learn from it. My prayer is that the mistakes that I have made in the past I will not make again, the lessons that I have learned will help to shape the lessons of the future. My prayer is that all of that I will use to help me strain toward what is ahead. That I would be able to take hold of Christ and allow Him to guide my future and that someday I will obtain the prize that awaits.
Father help me to see my past as just that the past, may I have learned from it and may I strain forward through Christ so that I may honor and glorify you.
Today as I was reading my devo's a comment that the writer made hit me right between the eyes, "How different our past would be if we could relive it knowing what we know now." Let that sink in for just a minute. I know looking back at my past there are so many times that I wish I could take back something I said, or something I did or a situation I put myself into. I so wish I could go back to high school and live for Christ in order to tell everyone the good news of the gospel. But reality then sits in and I know that I cannot go back. As Pumba from Lion King says, "You got to get your behind out of the past or I mean you gotta put your past behind you." I know I cannot change my past, but as the verse above refers I sure can learn from it and then press on to do something about my future. So often we allow our past to dictate our future and that is sad. We cannot do one thing about the past, we cannot change it, we cannot relive it and thus we can only learn from it. My prayer is that the mistakes that I have made in the past I will not make again, the lessons that I have learned will help to shape the lessons of the future. My prayer is that all of that I will use to help me strain toward what is ahead. That I would be able to take hold of Christ and allow Him to guide my future and that someday I will obtain the prize that awaits.
Father help me to see my past as just that the past, may I have learned from it and may I strain forward through Christ so that I may honor and glorify you.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Honor Your Parents
Exodus 20:1-12 1 And God spoke all these words: 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 "You shall have no other gods before me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six day's the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
This verse directs all children to honor their father and mother. So how u doing at this? Here is a quote from James MacDonald: "The key word is all. Adults haven't outgrown this command. Every race and culture upon the earth is under the universal, biblical principle to honor their parents. Things will never go right with you and with your future generations until you submit to this biblical command-regardless of your parents success rating. God doesn't say, "Honor good parents" or even "Grade them on the curve." Honor means that your attitude is matched by your actions. You communicate to your parents, "You are the person God sovereignly placed in my life. You may have hurt me at times, but I take off my judge's robe and release you from the stand. I choose instead to see you with compassion as people with needs, concerns, and scars of your own. I honor you."
Honoring parents does not mean seeking their approval or making ourselves vulnerable to hurtful behavior. Honoring our parents does not mean ignoring or denying the past.
Here is what it does mean: choosing to place great value upon our relationship with our parents. It means recognizing the things they have done right. It means acknowledging the sacrifices that they have made for us. It means seeing them as Christ does with compassion and mercy. It means forgiving them as Christ has forgiven us. Honor our parents, if only because God said so.
Father I want to thank you for my amazing parents and I pray that my life will always be honoring toward them as I live to honor you as well.
This verse directs all children to honor their father and mother. So how u doing at this? Here is a quote from James MacDonald: "The key word is all. Adults haven't outgrown this command. Every race and culture upon the earth is under the universal, biblical principle to honor their parents. Things will never go right with you and with your future generations until you submit to this biblical command-regardless of your parents success rating. God doesn't say, "Honor good parents" or even "Grade them on the curve." Honor means that your attitude is matched by your actions. You communicate to your parents, "You are the person God sovereignly placed in my life. You may have hurt me at times, but I take off my judge's robe and release you from the stand. I choose instead to see you with compassion as people with needs, concerns, and scars of your own. I honor you."
Honoring parents does not mean seeking their approval or making ourselves vulnerable to hurtful behavior. Honoring our parents does not mean ignoring or denying the past.
Here is what it does mean: choosing to place great value upon our relationship with our parents. It means recognizing the things they have done right. It means acknowledging the sacrifices that they have made for us. It means seeing them as Christ does with compassion and mercy. It means forgiving them as Christ has forgiven us. Honor our parents, if only because God said so.
Father I want to thank you for my amazing parents and I pray that my life will always be honoring toward them as I live to honor you as well.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Bigger Than The Storm
John 6:16-21 16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." 21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
Ever notice how bad things seem to happen to the disciples when they get seperated from Jesus. In this case the storm found them and to me storms are really not that big of a deal unless you are caught in the middle of one outside of protection. Can you imagine being the disciples out at sea and a huge storm roles in and you have been out in a boat battling the storm for about six to nine hours (Matthew 14:25). This was no little storm this was huge. Then all of a sudden Jesus comes out to them walking on the waves. Check out the verse they were all freakin and rightly so as the storm was surrounding them and I am sure seemed completely overwhelming. Notice verse 20 the disciples were willing to let Jesus in the boat and at once they reached their destination. What they were in the middle of the storm but as soon as Jesus came onto the scene and they let Him in they were through it and on the other side. Jesus is able to walk on the very waves that threaten our lives. Even when it comes to those things that threaten to drown us. Jesus is stronger, greater and more powerful in every way. He isn't tossed around by the waves, and neither will we be if our lives are fully hidden in him. That is the key that we allow Jesus into the boat of our lives and He promises us to go with us no matter what and never leave us.
Father today I surrender to you my day and all the circumstances of it so that I might be hidden in you and as I face trials, temptations give me the strength to keep following after you.
Ever notice how bad things seem to happen to the disciples when they get seperated from Jesus. In this case the storm found them and to me storms are really not that big of a deal unless you are caught in the middle of one outside of protection. Can you imagine being the disciples out at sea and a huge storm roles in and you have been out in a boat battling the storm for about six to nine hours (Matthew 14:25). This was no little storm this was huge. Then all of a sudden Jesus comes out to them walking on the waves. Check out the verse they were all freakin and rightly so as the storm was surrounding them and I am sure seemed completely overwhelming. Notice verse 20 the disciples were willing to let Jesus in the boat and at once they reached their destination. What they were in the middle of the storm but as soon as Jesus came onto the scene and they let Him in they were through it and on the other side. Jesus is able to walk on the very waves that threaten our lives. Even when it comes to those things that threaten to drown us. Jesus is stronger, greater and more powerful in every way. He isn't tossed around by the waves, and neither will we be if our lives are fully hidden in him. That is the key that we allow Jesus into the boat of our lives and He promises us to go with us no matter what and never leave us.
Father today I surrender to you my day and all the circumstances of it so that I might be hidden in you and as I face trials, temptations give me the strength to keep following after you.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Who Do I Believe
Hebrews 1:1-3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Charles Price said, "Knowing what you believe is fine, signing your name with a clear conscience at the end of a creed is fine but the Christian life is about knowing whom I have believed. The more you know Jesus, the more you know God, the more you love Jesus, the more you love God, and the more you trust Jesus, the more you will trust God. In fact is it only when we know Christ that we can know God. Christ is the exact representation of His being and the radiance of God's glory. Timothy said in 2 Timothy 1:12, "I know whom I have believed." Listen we can know all kinds of facts about who God is and what He has done. But head knowledge never saves anyone. Just ask the Demons, according to James they know (head knowledge) there is a God but they do know really know God. This knowledge comes from the heart or soul that has been changed by the power of Jesus Christ. I don't simply want to know facts about God I want to know God in my soul and the only way that will happen is if I surrender to Christ and begin a relationship with Him everyday. Knowing what you believe about something is great but without Jesus it's knowledge. Everything I believe from sin to abortion to end times is centered on Jesus and His Word the Bible.
Father may I today long to know Jesus more and more not just with my head but with my soul that as you are molding and shaping me it may impact me for eternity.
Charles Price said, "Knowing what you believe is fine, signing your name with a clear conscience at the end of a creed is fine but the Christian life is about knowing whom I have believed. The more you know Jesus, the more you know God, the more you love Jesus, the more you love God, and the more you trust Jesus, the more you will trust God. In fact is it only when we know Christ that we can know God. Christ is the exact representation of His being and the radiance of God's glory. Timothy said in 2 Timothy 1:12, "I know whom I have believed." Listen we can know all kinds of facts about who God is and what He has done. But head knowledge never saves anyone. Just ask the Demons, according to James they know (head knowledge) there is a God but they do know really know God. This knowledge comes from the heart or soul that has been changed by the power of Jesus Christ. I don't simply want to know facts about God I want to know God in my soul and the only way that will happen is if I surrender to Christ and begin a relationship with Him everyday. Knowing what you believe about something is great but without Jesus it's knowledge. Everything I believe from sin to abortion to end times is centered on Jesus and His Word the Bible.
Father may I today long to know Jesus more and more not just with my head but with my soul that as you are molding and shaping me it may impact me for eternity.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Overhearing God
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
You ever overhear a conversation that you were never supposed to hear but it left you breathless, whether good or bad. The feelings that come after something like that happens are amazing. I remembering overhearing a conversation between a friend of mine and another friend, honestly I was not trying to eavesdrop I was just in a situation where there was no way out and I could not plug my ears and start yelling, lalalalalalalalalala, hey it was one of those situations. Well what I heard brought both humility and thankfulness all in one unforgettable moment. I wonder what it would be like if we could overhear the conversations God has with His Son about us. Would I be like wow, or would I be ashamed? I would imagine no matter what was said it would be seasoned with grace and mercy and "I would be overwhelmed by the extent of His affection" to quote Lisa Harper. According to this verse we have not even begun to understand, see or even hear what God has in store for us. Wow when I consider all that I have been blessed with already. I can't help but just be floored in awe of how great our God truly is, was and always will be.
Father today help me to see what I can see in order to draw me closer to you.
no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
You ever overhear a conversation that you were never supposed to hear but it left you breathless, whether good or bad. The feelings that come after something like that happens are amazing. I remembering overhearing a conversation between a friend of mine and another friend, honestly I was not trying to eavesdrop I was just in a situation where there was no way out and I could not plug my ears and start yelling, lalalalalalalalalala, hey it was one of those situations. Well what I heard brought both humility and thankfulness all in one unforgettable moment. I wonder what it would be like if we could overhear the conversations God has with His Son about us. Would I be like wow, or would I be ashamed? I would imagine no matter what was said it would be seasoned with grace and mercy and "I would be overwhelmed by the extent of His affection" to quote Lisa Harper. According to this verse we have not even begun to understand, see or even hear what God has in store for us. Wow when I consider all that I have been blessed with already. I can't help but just be floored in awe of how great our God truly is, was and always will be.
Father today help me to see what I can see in order to draw me closer to you.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wrong With Others, Wrong With God
Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
I cannot be wrong with others and be right with God. My relationship with others has a direct bearing on my relationship with the Lord. Jesus in the sermon on the mount makes it clear that it is my responsibility to go to the one who has a grudge against me and seek forgiveness. So often we want to sit back and wait for the person to come to us but this is not what Jesus is teaching. Sadly often we ignore Christ's teaching and try to move ahead in our relationship with Christ when in fact we are not going to grow. Grudges are simply not worth the price tag they carry. I must be willing to be reconciled in order that I might grow in my relationship with Christ and so that others might grow as well.
Father today show me any relationships that I need to seek reconciliation and give me the strength to seek forgiveness. I want to grow in you and I know I must be right with others in order to grow in you.
I cannot be wrong with others and be right with God. My relationship with others has a direct bearing on my relationship with the Lord. Jesus in the sermon on the mount makes it clear that it is my responsibility to go to the one who has a grudge against me and seek forgiveness. So often we want to sit back and wait for the person to come to us but this is not what Jesus is teaching. Sadly often we ignore Christ's teaching and try to move ahead in our relationship with Christ when in fact we are not going to grow. Grudges are simply not worth the price tag they carry. I must be willing to be reconciled in order that I might grow in my relationship with Christ and so that others might grow as well.
Father today show me any relationships that I need to seek reconciliation and give me the strength to seek forgiveness. I want to grow in you and I know I must be right with others in order to grow in you.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Don't Lose Heart
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Losing heart seems to be something at times that I struggle with, whether it's getting discouraged or allowing Satan to work me over with his lies. The problem is that losing heart I would say most of the time is all about me. It's about focusing on those outward things, those light and momentary troubles, those things that are temporary and not eternal. Paul gives us the key to not allowing the feeling of losing heart to take control, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. To which I ask, "Am I?" Why is it so important that I am being renewed day by day because it allows me to see what is eternal and to focus on those things that will last. It's so easy to lose heart and so hard to be renewed. It really doesn't take much effort at all to lose heart, but man it really takes being intentional to be renewed. But again if I am not intentional about being renewed then I will lose heart. Any good relationship takes work, effort and intentionality in order to move the relationship forward. So it is with Christ. Today as I face "light and momentary troubles" may I not lose heart but rather be renewed in my relationship with Christ so that I can at the end of day have laid up treasure in Heaven and not here on earth.
Father give me the strength to run after you today to be renewed and may I keep my focus on you as those distractions come my way.
Losing heart seems to be something at times that I struggle with, whether it's getting discouraged or allowing Satan to work me over with his lies. The problem is that losing heart I would say most of the time is all about me. It's about focusing on those outward things, those light and momentary troubles, those things that are temporary and not eternal. Paul gives us the key to not allowing the feeling of losing heart to take control, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. To which I ask, "Am I?" Why is it so important that I am being renewed day by day because it allows me to see what is eternal and to focus on those things that will last. It's so easy to lose heart and so hard to be renewed. It really doesn't take much effort at all to lose heart, but man it really takes being intentional to be renewed. But again if I am not intentional about being renewed then I will lose heart. Any good relationship takes work, effort and intentionality in order to move the relationship forward. So it is with Christ. Today as I face "light and momentary troubles" may I not lose heart but rather be renewed in my relationship with Christ so that I can at the end of day have laid up treasure in Heaven and not here on earth.
Father give me the strength to run after you today to be renewed and may I keep my focus on you as those distractions come my way.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
How Great Is Our God
Exodus 19:18-20 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, 19 and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. 20 The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up
The description of God's presence is breath taking here in this passage. Imagine what Moses is seeing as he approaches this mountain. I am imagine Moses was trembling in awe as he realized just how awesome God is and that he was about to have a conversation with God. I can't help but think of the song, "How Great is our God" The splendor of a King, Clothed in majesty, Let all the earth rejoice, All the earth rejoice. He wraps himself in light, And darkness tries to hide. And trembles at his voice, And trembles at his voice: How great is our God, sing with me. How great is our God, and all will see How great, How great Is our God. Age to age he stands And time is in His Hands, Beginning and the End, Beginning and the End. The Godhead, Three in one Father, Spirit, Son. The Lion and the Lamb, The Lion and the Lamb. We serve an awesome God who deserves our praise today and everyday. The greatest praise we can give is a praise offering of our lives by living for Him. Like Moses we can experience God's presence, no maybe not the same exact way, but to catch of glimpse of God is special no matter the method He chooses to show Himself. May I today get caught up in His presence and allow that presence to sustain me today as I seek to serve Him.
Father wow you are amazing and worthy of all praise, glory and honor. May my life today and each day reflect all praise, glory and honor toward you that you so rightly deserve.
The description of God's presence is breath taking here in this passage. Imagine what Moses is seeing as he approaches this mountain. I am imagine Moses was trembling in awe as he realized just how awesome God is and that he was about to have a conversation with God. I can't help but think of the song, "How Great is our God" The splendor of a King, Clothed in majesty, Let all the earth rejoice, All the earth rejoice. He wraps himself in light, And darkness tries to hide. And trembles at his voice, And trembles at his voice: How great is our God, sing with me. How great is our God, and all will see How great, How great Is our God. Age to age he stands And time is in His Hands, Beginning and the End, Beginning and the End. The Godhead, Three in one Father, Spirit, Son. The Lion and the Lamb, The Lion and the Lamb. We serve an awesome God who deserves our praise today and everyday. The greatest praise we can give is a praise offering of our lives by living for Him. Like Moses we can experience God's presence, no maybe not the same exact way, but to catch of glimpse of God is special no matter the method He chooses to show Himself. May I today get caught up in His presence and allow that presence to sustain me today as I seek to serve Him.
Father wow you are amazing and worthy of all praise, glory and honor. May my life today and each day reflect all praise, glory and honor toward you that you so rightly deserve.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Living by Faith
Genesis 12:1-4 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.
James MacDonald says "When I live by faith I win and when I live by sight I lose." Living by faith means I say yes to God and His truth and no to the lies that Satan lays before me. Living by sight means I say yes to the lies Satan lays before me and no to to God and His truth. Abraham here in this passage and for most of his life lived by faith by saying yes to God and His truth and God blessed Him. I guess the question I need to ask myself is, are the choices I am making right now characterized by faith or sight? I really want to experience God's blessing but so often I allow the lies of Satan to keep me from living by faith and thus winning. This is why it is so vital that I pursue God daily that is what the "living" is all about. I must get into His Word so that I know the truth, so that when I am faced with a lie I will be able to identify it and choose what is true. Today Lord help me to live by faith and not sight, help me to choose what is true and ignore the lies.
Father give me strength today to live for you so that I might win. Keep my eyes fixed on you all day long and that I may dwell in your house all the days of my life.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.
James MacDonald says "When I live by faith I win and when I live by sight I lose." Living by faith means I say yes to God and His truth and no to the lies that Satan lays before me. Living by sight means I say yes to the lies Satan lays before me and no to to God and His truth. Abraham here in this passage and for most of his life lived by faith by saying yes to God and His truth and God blessed Him. I guess the question I need to ask myself is, are the choices I am making right now characterized by faith or sight? I really want to experience God's blessing but so often I allow the lies of Satan to keep me from living by faith and thus winning. This is why it is so vital that I pursue God daily that is what the "living" is all about. I must get into His Word so that I know the truth, so that when I am faced with a lie I will be able to identify it and choose what is true. Today Lord help me to live by faith and not sight, help me to choose what is true and ignore the lies.
Father give me strength today to live for you so that I might win. Keep my eyes fixed on you all day long and that I may dwell in your house all the days of my life.
Monday, July 20, 2009
I Will Take The Consequencs Please
Romans 1:21-28 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
There are so many times that I refuse to follow God's directions and then suffer the consequences. Like the people described here they knew the truth and yet rejected it, I think about how many times I do the same. I think all of life choices come down to choosing between the truth and a lie. Each with its own consequences. I thing that we must understand is that while God is loving, compassionate and kind, He also is just, righteous. If we choose to reject Him (reject the truth) then as the passage says, "God gave them over" or God stood out of the way and allows us to experience the consequences of our rejection and disobedience. God does love each one of us and passionately pursues us desiring to have a love relationship, but when we reject Him and His truth, we have in effect said, "I will take the Consequences Please." As I face today I pray that I will choose to obey, choose to accept the truth and live trusting God and following after Him.
Today as I am faced with choices that will effect my life, Father give me the wisdom to see the truth from lie and give me the desire to choose the truth so that I might fall more in love with you.
There are so many times that I refuse to follow God's directions and then suffer the consequences. Like the people described here they knew the truth and yet rejected it, I think about how many times I do the same. I think all of life choices come down to choosing between the truth and a lie. Each with its own consequences. I thing that we must understand is that while God is loving, compassionate and kind, He also is just, righteous. If we choose to reject Him (reject the truth) then as the passage says, "God gave them over" or God stood out of the way and allows us to experience the consequences of our rejection and disobedience. God does love each one of us and passionately pursues us desiring to have a love relationship, but when we reject Him and His truth, we have in effect said, "I will take the Consequences Please." As I face today I pray that I will choose to obey, choose to accept the truth and live trusting God and following after Him.
Today as I am faced with choices that will effect my life, Father give me the wisdom to see the truth from lie and give me the desire to choose the truth so that I might fall more in love with you.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Attention Parents "It's Our Job"
Joshua 4:19-24 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. 20And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 21And he said to the people of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, 'What do these stones mean?' 22then you shall let your children know, 'Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.' 23For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, 24so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.
We are living in a time when statistics tell us that 75% of teens will graduate from their faith when they graduate from high school. They also tell us that less than 4% will believe the Bible to be absolute truth, without error, that Jesus died and rose again and that there is a literal Hell. Why? I believe because of what this passage addresses specifically in verse 21, "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, 'What do these stones mean?' then you shall let your children know." What is happening today is what happened to the Israelites time and time again is that they forgot what God had done and turned away from Him because families, "fathers" in particular did not answer the question and many like it, "what do these stones mean?" Instead they loaded them up on a donkey and took them to the temple once a week for a couple of hours and expected the rabbi to tell them or they took them to see the Dead Sea Floaters play against the Jericho Walls in a game of dessert baseball. Today families have forsaken their responsibility, privilege, and call to first and foremost help their children to grow spiritually to answer questions like, "what do these stones mean?" and instead have replaced it with sports, academics, entertainment and have settled for dropping off kids at youth group in hopes that a youth pastor will be able to do spiritually help kids mature in an average of 1 to 2 hours a week. Please understand I am not saying that sports, academics, entertainment are bad but like the idols of Israel that distracted them from God, these things have become idols that have replaced the desire to know God and follow Him. I am absolutely convinced that if we are going to see a turn around in the numbers of teens leaving their faith when they leave the home we have got to put God first and begin pursuing Him as families and fathers need to step up and lead their families in answering the question, "what do these stones mean?" As a father it is my responsibility to teach my kids about God and to create an environment for them to learn about just how awesome God is and what He can and will do in their lives instead of delegating that responsibility to the church. The church should just be a supplement to an on going diet of God that begins at home. I pray that parents will step up and fathers in particular to see this generation become a generation like Joshua's that made a huge difference for God in the world.
Father help me to lead my kids spiritually as I seek to follow you. Give me the strength to remove idols that have taken the place of you and give me wisdom to effectively create an environment where my kids seek after you.
We are living in a time when statistics tell us that 75% of teens will graduate from their faith when they graduate from high school. They also tell us that less than 4% will believe the Bible to be absolute truth, without error, that Jesus died and rose again and that there is a literal Hell. Why? I believe because of what this passage addresses specifically in verse 21, "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, 'What do these stones mean?' then you shall let your children know." What is happening today is what happened to the Israelites time and time again is that they forgot what God had done and turned away from Him because families, "fathers" in particular did not answer the question and many like it, "what do these stones mean?" Instead they loaded them up on a donkey and took them to the temple once a week for a couple of hours and expected the rabbi to tell them or they took them to see the Dead Sea Floaters play against the Jericho Walls in a game of dessert baseball. Today families have forsaken their responsibility, privilege, and call to first and foremost help their children to grow spiritually to answer questions like, "what do these stones mean?" and instead have replaced it with sports, academics, entertainment and have settled for dropping off kids at youth group in hopes that a youth pastor will be able to do spiritually help kids mature in an average of 1 to 2 hours a week. Please understand I am not saying that sports, academics, entertainment are bad but like the idols of Israel that distracted them from God, these things have become idols that have replaced the desire to know God and follow Him. I am absolutely convinced that if we are going to see a turn around in the numbers of teens leaving their faith when they leave the home we have got to put God first and begin pursuing Him as families and fathers need to step up and lead their families in answering the question, "what do these stones mean?" As a father it is my responsibility to teach my kids about God and to create an environment for them to learn about just how awesome God is and what He can and will do in their lives instead of delegating that responsibility to the church. The church should just be a supplement to an on going diet of God that begins at home. I pray that parents will step up and fathers in particular to see this generation become a generation like Joshua's that made a huge difference for God in the world.
Father help me to lead my kids spiritually as I seek to follow you. Give me the strength to remove idols that have taken the place of you and give me wisdom to effectively create an environment where my kids seek after you.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Get At It Today
Hebrews 3:7-15 So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, 8do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, 9where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did.
10That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.' 11So I declared on oath in my anger,
'They shall never enter my rest.' " 12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.
October 8,1871 D.L. Moody was preaching the gospel in the business district of Chicago. That night he challenged the crowd with the gospel and then challenged them to go home and think about their response. He asked them to come back the next night and make their decision known. That night a fire broke out in the O' Leary's cow barn which began the great Chicago fire that burned much of the city and killed many of those who attended the service Moody preached. Moody was forever changed after this event he vowed to always challenge people to make a decision today because we may control our choices but we do not control the consequences. In this passage we are challenged three times, "Today if you hear my voice, do not harden your hearts." Obviously this applies to those who need salvation but this also applies to me everyday as I choose to be or not to be obedient to God's call and will for my life. What I must realize is that when I hear God's voice or feel is leading I must obey and go for it. Today as I hear from God may I be found faithful to being obedient and go after it without haste.
Father help me to hear your voice and give me the determination to obey right away.
10That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.' 11So I declared on oath in my anger,
'They shall never enter my rest.' " 12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.
October 8,1871 D.L. Moody was preaching the gospel in the business district of Chicago. That night he challenged the crowd with the gospel and then challenged them to go home and think about their response. He asked them to come back the next night and make their decision known. That night a fire broke out in the O' Leary's cow barn which began the great Chicago fire that burned much of the city and killed many of those who attended the service Moody preached. Moody was forever changed after this event he vowed to always challenge people to make a decision today because we may control our choices but we do not control the consequences. In this passage we are challenged three times, "Today if you hear my voice, do not harden your hearts." Obviously this applies to those who need salvation but this also applies to me everyday as I choose to be or not to be obedient to God's call and will for my life. What I must realize is that when I hear God's voice or feel is leading I must obey and go for it. Today as I hear from God may I be found faithful to being obedient and go after it without haste.
Father help me to hear your voice and give me the determination to obey right away.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Fountain or Drain
John 4:13-14 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
It has been said that there are two types of people in this world, those who are fountains and those who are drains. I have also heard it said there are those who give life and those who take it away. As a follower of Christ I am to be a fountain or in the case of the verses above a spring of water and because of Christ I am. However flow of my fountain or spring is directly effected by whether or not something is obstructing the flow. I am to be a fountain through which Jesus can flow as "rivers of living water" in blessing to everyone. Yet sometimes I am like a drain in that I am always receiving and never giving, because my relationship with Jesus is not right. I need to ask, "Is there anything between me and Jesus?" "Is there anything that is obstructing the flow of Christ in my life?" If I truly want to be a fountain of blessing and not a drain than I must keep careful guard not to allow obstructions to hinder the flow of Christ in my life. Today I want to be a fountain of blessing in others lives may I with my whole heart seek after Christ today and avoid the obstructions that hinder that flow.
Father oh how I need you every hour, show me if there is anything that is obstructing the flow of Christ in my life.
It has been said that there are two types of people in this world, those who are fountains and those who are drains. I have also heard it said there are those who give life and those who take it away. As a follower of Christ I am to be a fountain or in the case of the verses above a spring of water and because of Christ I am. However flow of my fountain or spring is directly effected by whether or not something is obstructing the flow. I am to be a fountain through which Jesus can flow as "rivers of living water" in blessing to everyone. Yet sometimes I am like a drain in that I am always receiving and never giving, because my relationship with Jesus is not right. I need to ask, "Is there anything between me and Jesus?" "Is there anything that is obstructing the flow of Christ in my life?" If I truly want to be a fountain of blessing and not a drain than I must keep careful guard not to allow obstructions to hinder the flow of Christ in my life. Today I want to be a fountain of blessing in others lives may I with my whole heart seek after Christ today and avoid the obstructions that hinder that flow.
Father oh how I need you every hour, show me if there is anything that is obstructing the flow of Christ in my life.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
It Is Worth It All
Ephesians 6:12-13 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Whoever has said that following Christ is easy has not read the Bible or if they have they have completely overlooked passages like this one. Following Christ is tough, sometimes extremely difficult. The Bible makes it clear to follow Christ will cost me something, that I will have trouble in this life. Words like struggle, fight, war all seem to be descriptors of following Christ. But does that mean I quit, throw in the towel, say it's not worth it, absolutely not. I have thought lately because of many really hard times in other people lives around me that even if all of my life is a constant struggle or hardship it would still be worth following Christ because the end result far out weighs the present. Does that make it any easier, of course not, but it does put in mind a focus that cannot be changed. Why, because eternity cannot be changed and where I am going cannot be changed. Following Christ is the greatest and toughest decision I have ever had to make, but it has all been worth it just to know that one day I will spend eternity in Heaven.
Father today may you strengthen my walk and keep my focus on the prize and not on the troubles that I will face.
Whoever has said that following Christ is easy has not read the Bible or if they have they have completely overlooked passages like this one. Following Christ is tough, sometimes extremely difficult. The Bible makes it clear to follow Christ will cost me something, that I will have trouble in this life. Words like struggle, fight, war all seem to be descriptors of following Christ. But does that mean I quit, throw in the towel, say it's not worth it, absolutely not. I have thought lately because of many really hard times in other people lives around me that even if all of my life is a constant struggle or hardship it would still be worth following Christ because the end result far out weighs the present. Does that make it any easier, of course not, but it does put in mind a focus that cannot be changed. Why, because eternity cannot be changed and where I am going cannot be changed. Following Christ is the greatest and toughest decision I have ever had to make, but it has all been worth it just to know that one day I will spend eternity in Heaven.
Father today may you strengthen my walk and keep my focus on the prize and not on the troubles that I will face.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Look at What God Has Done
Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
I wonder how often do I take the time to stop and thank God for all He has done in my life. I know that it is not nearly enough. David here in this small says tons, but in one short phrase gives God much deserved praise. The phrase is, "my cup overflows", to which David is saying, God you have done so much more than I deserve. What an awesome, wonderful God I serve. To which I say right on. So often it is so much easier to focus on the negative that is around me and I end of losing site of just how great God is and what He has done in my life. It's not to say that I should not look at those things that are negative, but I must fight so that they do not become my focus. To often I focus on the problem instead of the problem solver. I forget what God has done in my past and somehow lose site of what He could do in my future. It's so easy in the hustle and bustle of life to get bogged down in the nitty gritty, but God wants us to stop and just know Him. One of the greatest ways I can do that is to practice giving Him praise often and for everything. When was the last time I thanked Him for waking up in the morning, for sending rain to water my plants, for giving me a job to earn money to pay bills. When was the last time I recognized His work even in the tough stuff of life. Today may I see God in everything and see that through life God is at work and desires to draw closer to me.
Father you are great and awesome, help me to see that all throughout the day. Draw me close to you and may I see just how much my cup overflows.
I wonder how often do I take the time to stop and thank God for all He has done in my life. I know that it is not nearly enough. David here in this small says tons, but in one short phrase gives God much deserved praise. The phrase is, "my cup overflows", to which David is saying, God you have done so much more than I deserve. What an awesome, wonderful God I serve. To which I say right on. So often it is so much easier to focus on the negative that is around me and I end of losing site of just how great God is and what He has done in my life. It's not to say that I should not look at those things that are negative, but I must fight so that they do not become my focus. To often I focus on the problem instead of the problem solver. I forget what God has done in my past and somehow lose site of what He could do in my future. It's so easy in the hustle and bustle of life to get bogged down in the nitty gritty, but God wants us to stop and just know Him. One of the greatest ways I can do that is to practice giving Him praise often and for everything. When was the last time I thanked Him for waking up in the morning, for sending rain to water my plants, for giving me a job to earn money to pay bills. When was the last time I recognized His work even in the tough stuff of life. Today may I see God in everything and see that through life God is at work and desires to draw closer to me.
Father you are great and awesome, help me to see that all throughout the day. Draw me close to you and may I see just how much my cup overflows.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Running the Race is Tough
2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
I would imagine that Paul in writing this to Timothy especially verse seven had thoughts of man I am glad this is about done. While he finished the race and did it with excellence I would imagine he looked back and thought oh man that was sticking tough. I don't know where people get this idea that following Christ is easy and that everything is going to turn up rosy. But where ever it came from it wasn't the Bible. Following Christ and running this race of life is really tough stuff. There are times I have felt like throwing in the towel, of calling it quits. But then I realize that what is happening is that I am allowing Satan victory in my life when Jesus already has claimed the victory. If I try to run this race on my own, forget about it, I will fail every time. But like Paul I must keep my focus on Christ, I must rely on His strength, I must determine that there is nothing greater than running the race for Christ and with Christ. Today as trouble comes or whatever is thrown my way, may I keep Christ at the center in order to one day finish the race.
Father I need your strength today in order to run in such a way as to win the prize. Help me to finish today with my focus on Christ.
I would imagine that Paul in writing this to Timothy especially verse seven had thoughts of man I am glad this is about done. While he finished the race and did it with excellence I would imagine he looked back and thought oh man that was sticking tough. I don't know where people get this idea that following Christ is easy and that everything is going to turn up rosy. But where ever it came from it wasn't the Bible. Following Christ and running this race of life is really tough stuff. There are times I have felt like throwing in the towel, of calling it quits. But then I realize that what is happening is that I am allowing Satan victory in my life when Jesus already has claimed the victory. If I try to run this race on my own, forget about it, I will fail every time. But like Paul I must keep my focus on Christ, I must rely on His strength, I must determine that there is nothing greater than running the race for Christ and with Christ. Today as trouble comes or whatever is thrown my way, may I keep Christ at the center in order to one day finish the race.
Father I need your strength today in order to run in such a way as to win the prize. Help me to finish today with my focus on Christ.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Jesus First Place, The Only Place
Colossians 1:16-18 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
James MacDonald says, "You will never experience the fullness of joy that you were created to know until Jesus Christ has first place in every area of your life." This statement carries the question, "Is He?" Is Jesus first place in every area of my life? My answer is simple yet complex. I would for sure say that my desire is to have Christ first place in every area of my life. However reality is that this is true from time to time because of my lack of surrender in a given area of my life. At times I hold to tightly to things or people or situations and not allow Christ to be first in them. Call it a lack of trust or faith or whatever, but bottom line is that I am selfish and a sinner who spirit is willing but flesh is weak. However I think the important thing here is not perfection but as Paul said in Philippians, "straining toward what is ahead." Am I straining to move forward in my relationship with Christ, am I straining toward Christ being first place in my life. While I agree with James on experiencing the fullness of joy I am not sure that is possible here on earth. That fullness will become fully experienced in Heaven in the very presence of Jesus and with sin completely absent. Today may I strive to make Christ first in every area of life, may I strain toward being completely aware of areas that He is not and then strain to make Him first.
Father I need your strength, because in my own strength I will fail. I long for Christ to be first in order to experience the fullness of joy that comes from following Him.
James MacDonald says, "You will never experience the fullness of joy that you were created to know until Jesus Christ has first place in every area of your life." This statement carries the question, "Is He?" Is Jesus first place in every area of my life? My answer is simple yet complex. I would for sure say that my desire is to have Christ first place in every area of my life. However reality is that this is true from time to time because of my lack of surrender in a given area of my life. At times I hold to tightly to things or people or situations and not allow Christ to be first in them. Call it a lack of trust or faith or whatever, but bottom line is that I am selfish and a sinner who spirit is willing but flesh is weak. However I think the important thing here is not perfection but as Paul said in Philippians, "straining toward what is ahead." Am I straining to move forward in my relationship with Christ, am I straining toward Christ being first place in my life. While I agree with James on experiencing the fullness of joy I am not sure that is possible here on earth. That fullness will become fully experienced in Heaven in the very presence of Jesus and with sin completely absent. Today may I strive to make Christ first in every area of life, may I strain toward being completely aware of areas that He is not and then strain to make Him first.
Father I need your strength, because in my own strength I will fail. I long for Christ to be first in order to experience the fullness of joy that comes from following Him.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Heart of the Matter
John 14:1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
Wow God's timing is great and always blows me away. Just arrived in Miami late last night and found out at 2am that one of my student lost something very important possibly on the plane or the bus that brought us from the airport. Then I read this verse this morning. "Let not your heart be troubled", which also could read "Let not your heart be agitated, or disturbed, or thrown into confusion." Wow isn't God good, He always speaks right to the heart of the matter. Trusting Him always takes being intentional, always takes action on my part. I don't know what is going to happen, I have no idea, my hope and prayer is that just as easily as it was lost we will find it. But whatever happens I hope that through it all I will trust God and not let my heart be troubled. Today as I face the uncertainty of it, I pray that I will keep my focus on the one thing that really matters, Jesus. It's funny but as I have been praying for this week in Miami my prayer is that with every circumstance I will see it as God working and trying to teach me.
Father teach me today to more fully trust you and to follow hard after you today. You are good and thank you for the promise you have shown today that you are in control and will work it out. Keep my eyes fixed on you and what you want to do in my life and the students lives.
Wow God's timing is great and always blows me away. Just arrived in Miami late last night and found out at 2am that one of my student lost something very important possibly on the plane or the bus that brought us from the airport. Then I read this verse this morning. "Let not your heart be troubled", which also could read "Let not your heart be agitated, or disturbed, or thrown into confusion." Wow isn't God good, He always speaks right to the heart of the matter. Trusting Him always takes being intentional, always takes action on my part. I don't know what is going to happen, I have no idea, my hope and prayer is that just as easily as it was lost we will find it. But whatever happens I hope that through it all I will trust God and not let my heart be troubled. Today as I face the uncertainty of it, I pray that I will keep my focus on the one thing that really matters, Jesus. It's funny but as I have been praying for this week in Miami my prayer is that with every circumstance I will see it as God working and trying to teach me.
Father teach me today to more fully trust you and to follow hard after you today. You are good and thank you for the promise you have shown today that you are in control and will work it out. Keep my eyes fixed on you and what you want to do in my life and the students lives.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Show Me God
Matthew 5:43-48 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Wow this passage is so chalked full of truth. There are so many things to which I could focus on but this morning I just want to pull from this passage different characteristics of God. That is the beauty of God's Word is that we find many truths and principles that we can apply to our lives. But the reason is that each one points to a characteristic of God. For example verse 44 shows us the compassion, mercy, grace and unconditional love of God. In verse 45 we see God's omnipotenence, righteousness, and that he is just. In verse 46 we see that He does not show favoritism. Verse 47 shows me His compassion for the lost and desire to reach them. In verse 48 we see His holiness and His desire for us to pursue that holiness. One of the amazing things about the Word is that it is alive and active and that as I read this passage these are the things that God shows me about Himself. But for someone else they could read this passage and see other characteristics. However what we need to understand is that all throughout scripture God reveals himself to us. The question is am I looking for Him as I read? Today as I meditate on God's Word may I see who God really is and what He desire for my life.
Father today help me to have the eyes to see you, the heart to pursue you and the mind to know you more.
Wow this passage is so chalked full of truth. There are so many things to which I could focus on but this morning I just want to pull from this passage different characteristics of God. That is the beauty of God's Word is that we find many truths and principles that we can apply to our lives. But the reason is that each one points to a characteristic of God. For example verse 44 shows us the compassion, mercy, grace and unconditional love of God. In verse 45 we see God's omnipotenence, righteousness, and that he is just. In verse 46 we see that He does not show favoritism. Verse 47 shows me His compassion for the lost and desire to reach them. In verse 48 we see His holiness and His desire for us to pursue that holiness. One of the amazing things about the Word is that it is alive and active and that as I read this passage these are the things that God shows me about Himself. But for someone else they could read this passage and see other characteristics. However what we need to understand is that all throughout scripture God reveals himself to us. The question is am I looking for Him as I read? Today as I meditate on God's Word may I see who God really is and what He desire for my life.
Father today help me to have the eyes to see you, the heart to pursue you and the mind to know you more.
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