In prayer and supplication I often get it wrong but God spoke to me yesterday and three things were brought to my attention. 1) We are to pray for the mind of Christ. I know in my own life I like to think I have everything worked out and then all my efforts are put into making things happen the way I planned but we are to seek God's desires. 2) Jesus spoke of healing as bread for His children in Matthew chapter 15 as the Canaan woman pleaded with Jesus to heal her daughter. With an incredible love for her Jesus tested her faith and because of her faith her daughter was healed. My point, God knows our needs and the healing of our bodies is as vital as food! In Matthew chapter 7 Jesus compares our heavenly Father’s desires for his children to earthly fathers ~ he said, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.” Again pray for the mind of Christ, to really see our situations through His eyes. 3) Don’t doubt! Seek a simple, pure faith that God is who He says He is! The father who’s son was possessed by an evil spirit in Mark chapter 9 was so desperate for God to move in his situation the Bible said he cried out to Jesus, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Increase Our Faith
(Luke 17) Increase our faith the disciples told Jesus and this is what he said, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you! When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, 'Come in and eat with me'? No, he says, 'Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.' And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey Me you should say, 'We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.'”
It is possible the disciples, unknowingly, had selfish reasons behind asking for an increase in faith, we simply don’t know but the one thing that is clear is that Jesus knows our hearts and many times He challenges our understanding and ultimately grows us beyond places we are able to reach on our own. First, He wants His followers to see it is not the volume of faith that you have but the quality. In that I mean we don’t have to work anything up to this grand level in order for something big to happen but instead, as a child, we simply believe without doubting. It is hard to wrap your mind around but when you are in tune with the Spirit of God through prayer and supplication and in such time you sense His leading a simple faith in your Father’s goodness is all that is needed to see unbelievable things take place! Secondly, when these things happen, as the worker in the field faithfully works for his master, so should we faithfully work for our Master – not bragging on what we have accomplished but always remembering who the glory belongs to and always ready to serve as He leads and directs us, laying aside our own needs, placing God first. Then we can have clear minds knowing we’ve done all that we are supposed to do. As we obey, God remains true to His Word and true to His people therefore increasing our faith so that mightier things may be displayed through us as He leads!
It is possible the disciples, unknowingly, had selfish reasons behind asking for an increase in faith, we simply don’t know but the one thing that is clear is that Jesus knows our hearts and many times He challenges our understanding and ultimately grows us beyond places we are able to reach on our own. First, He wants His followers to see it is not the volume of faith that you have but the quality. In that I mean we don’t have to work anything up to this grand level in order for something big to happen but instead, as a child, we simply believe without doubting. It is hard to wrap your mind around but when you are in tune with the Spirit of God through prayer and supplication and in such time you sense His leading a simple faith in your Father’s goodness is all that is needed to see unbelievable things take place! Secondly, when these things happen, as the worker in the field faithfully works for his master, so should we faithfully work for our Master – not bragging on what we have accomplished but always remembering who the glory belongs to and always ready to serve as He leads and directs us, laying aside our own needs, placing God first. Then we can have clear minds knowing we’ve done all that we are supposed to do. As we obey, God remains true to His Word and true to His people therefore increasing our faith so that mightier things may be displayed through us as He leads!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Joy, God's Joy
Joy comes from knowing Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him! God has purposed for us to know Him well enough through the reading of His Word and prayer that we recognize the character of God, so that in every situation we are open to the Holy Spirit’s direction and leading. Yes, joy that comes from God is very important for it is not like happiness which is conditional upon circumstance but instead joy is everlasting and is a source of strength in times of difficulty; God’s joy gives life where there is no life and gives it abundantly so that He may be glorified in all things that come our way.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Distracted by details...
(Luke 10:40-42 NLT) “But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to You that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me." But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."
How many things fight for our attention, pulling us away from the one thing that matters? Somehow we have it backwards just a small part of our day is given to our Lord Jesus while details distract us as Martha was distracted. On the surface Martha could not understand why Mary was not helping, there were many people visiting because of their special guest and the same number expecting to be fed but those were plans and expectations of men and not of God. Had Martha done likewise, Jesus would have provided as He did when he fed the multitude with just a few fish and loaves of bread. Jesus allowed Mary to escape to a place where she could lay down the burdens of life for a while and grow in His Word, while Martha met the expectations she and others put upon herself as a good host. Martha misunderstood, people were not there to see her or even for the meal; all the people were there to see Jesus.
How does that apply to our lives? Too many times we concern ourselves with things that do not matter because of expectations brought on by self-centered thoughts. It may have the appearance of being good but if you look deeper many times God is left out.
Father God, thank you for being involved in our lives, thanks for not being too busy for us as we are with you sometimes. Open the eyes of our spirit so that we may see what holds eternal value, for many things fight for our attention. You know our hearts and you see what we place center stage, may that be you! Bring us back and allow us to exchange the pride we’ve accumulated for humility and honor. We ask for your blessings but realize in order to receive them we must take time to sit at your feet.
How many things fight for our attention, pulling us away from the one thing that matters? Somehow we have it backwards just a small part of our day is given to our Lord Jesus while details distract us as Martha was distracted. On the surface Martha could not understand why Mary was not helping, there were many people visiting because of their special guest and the same number expecting to be fed but those were plans and expectations of men and not of God. Had Martha done likewise, Jesus would have provided as He did when he fed the multitude with just a few fish and loaves of bread. Jesus allowed Mary to escape to a place where she could lay down the burdens of life for a while and grow in His Word, while Martha met the expectations she and others put upon herself as a good host. Martha misunderstood, people were not there to see her or even for the meal; all the people were there to see Jesus.
How does that apply to our lives? Too many times we concern ourselves with things that do not matter because of expectations brought on by self-centered thoughts. It may have the appearance of being good but if you look deeper many times God is left out.
Father God, thank you for being involved in our lives, thanks for not being too busy for us as we are with you sometimes. Open the eyes of our spirit so that we may see what holds eternal value, for many things fight for our attention. You know our hearts and you see what we place center stage, may that be you! Bring us back and allow us to exchange the pride we’ve accumulated for humility and honor. We ask for your blessings but realize in order to receive them we must take time to sit at your feet.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
How do you listen?
(Luke 8:18 NLT) "So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them."
How often do we hear without listening? I know from my own experiences pressures of life can cause a numbing effect; you know what is right but fail to act upon it. Soon even the things you thought you knew will fall away and you’re left looking for direction. Fortunately, God is faithful in that He consistently gives us new opportunities to listen to what we are hearing and if we are hearing His voice He will lead us out of the quick sand we were headed for. Read your Bible today, pray, and listen – (Psalms 46:1 NLT) “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
How often do we hear without listening? I know from my own experiences pressures of life can cause a numbing effect; you know what is right but fail to act upon it. Soon even the things you thought you knew will fall away and you’re left looking for direction. Fortunately, God is faithful in that He consistently gives us new opportunities to listen to what we are hearing and if we are hearing His voice He will lead us out of the quick sand we were headed for. Read your Bible today, pray, and listen – (Psalms 46:1 NLT) “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Your faith has saved you; go in peace.
Luke chapter 7
I love this story about Jesus when Simon, a Pharisee, invites Jesus to his house for dinner and a woman, whom the Bible called “immoral” begins to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair. Simon because he saw himself as righteous must have seen Jesus as in interesting character to be studied and influential, something he hoped to be but this woman saw him as Savior, Lord, and the Deliverer of her past! Simon looked on her as someone to avoid but Jesus welcomed her with open arms because he was not blind as Simon supposed but rather he knew her life in intimate detail and even more importantly he knew her heart and who she wanted to be. You see people look at the book’s cover but God not only opens the cover to look inside but he knows how our story ends, he knows our desires even the ones we are afraid to dream and our purpose, the very reason we were created! Because of this God is able to look beyond all the things we can’t and if we humble ourselves before His feet and open our hearts to Him He is faithful to forgive us and give us a new start, a brand new life.
I love this story about Jesus when Simon, a Pharisee, invites Jesus to his house for dinner and a woman, whom the Bible called “immoral” begins to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair. Simon because he saw himself as righteous must have seen Jesus as in interesting character to be studied and influential, something he hoped to be but this woman saw him as Savior, Lord, and the Deliverer of her past! Simon looked on her as someone to avoid but Jesus welcomed her with open arms because he was not blind as Simon supposed but rather he knew her life in intimate detail and even more importantly he knew her heart and who she wanted to be. You see people look at the book’s cover but God not only opens the cover to look inside but he knows how our story ends, he knows our desires even the ones we are afraid to dream and our purpose, the very reason we were created! Because of this God is able to look beyond all the things we can’t and if we humble ourselves before His feet and open our hearts to Him He is faithful to forgive us and give us a new start, a brand new life.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Vision
(1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT) Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
Lord, You have given us enough vision to see forms and shapes but we lack clarity. The sounds we hear are muffled but still what little sight and hearing we do possess causes us to venture out and some even seem to be good at it but I am not satisfied with these alone. The only thing I do see clearly, the only thing I can hear ring true are You and your words as you gently, tenderly, lovingly guide me. This gift is not exclusive for you promise them to all who humble themselves in order to seek you, who have hearts filled with love for you, for righteousness! You reveal yourself to those who take time to put You first.
Though apart from you I can see like the man whom you laid hands on and asked what he could see he said, “I see men as trees walking around” (Mark 8:24) only forms and shapes, apart from you I think I hear my name being called to come here or come there (for the enemy works hard to deceive) my vision depends on seeing You each morning, my ability to walk and not stumble depends on hearing your voice. No I don’t need to see tomorrow when I can hear you call my name and I need not hear things in the distance when I can see your face clearly. For You are my vision and You are my light, my path is clear and my feet will not stumble when my eyes are upon You.
Lord, You have given us enough vision to see forms and shapes but we lack clarity. The sounds we hear are muffled but still what little sight and hearing we do possess causes us to venture out and some even seem to be good at it but I am not satisfied with these alone. The only thing I do see clearly, the only thing I can hear ring true are You and your words as you gently, tenderly, lovingly guide me. This gift is not exclusive for you promise them to all who humble themselves in order to seek you, who have hearts filled with love for you, for righteousness! You reveal yourself to those who take time to put You first.
Though apart from you I can see like the man whom you laid hands on and asked what he could see he said, “I see men as trees walking around” (Mark 8:24) only forms and shapes, apart from you I think I hear my name being called to come here or come there (for the enemy works hard to deceive) my vision depends on seeing You each morning, my ability to walk and not stumble depends on hearing your voice. No I don’t need to see tomorrow when I can hear you call my name and I need not hear things in the distance when I can see your face clearly. For You are my vision and You are my light, my path is clear and my feet will not stumble when my eyes are upon You.
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