Thursday, October 11, 2012
His Vast Love
As vast as the deep reaches of space is I believe it is not large enough for us to escape His love! Who knows what the next life holds but I know this, He has a purpose for each and every one who belongs to Him and the things we go through in this life are preparation for the one to come. You’ve heard it said, “It’s not the destination but the journey that brings the most joy.” Though our minds cannot grasp what God has in store once Jesus comes for His bride to miss out on the personal time with our Lord in this life throughout the valleys, great plains, and mountain tops is to miss insight into His heart for us. We will never pass this way again so take inventory of His loving kindness, His wondrous grace, and His mysterious heart of adventure and know there is purpose in all Jesus said and did, not only what we read in His Word but also where He is leading us today for one day the reasons why will be answered and when we look back we will wonder why our faith was so small.
Friday, October 5, 2012
My sheep know my voice
John 10
Jesus said his sheep know his voice and will not follow another. Have you ever been mid-stream in something and hear a small still voice say, “Don’t”? Somehow you know the difference between your own thoughts and God’s voice (it’s confirmation of the Holy Spirit). After hearing this from times past and unsure what to do I go ahead and do what I originally intended then end up learning a valuable lesson. Thankful for God’s grace it doesn’t take too many times for me to realize what is happening and I began listening, even waiting for it before making life changing decisions. Just like the boy Samuel heard God’s voice three times before the older wiser Eli told him that this is God’s voice. Samuel’s reply once he knew who was calling him was, “Speak, your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10 NLT). I too want my response to be, “Speak Lord and quiet my soul for I purpose to hear you.”
Jesus said his sheep know his voice and will not follow another. Have you ever been mid-stream in something and hear a small still voice say, “Don’t”? Somehow you know the difference between your own thoughts and God’s voice (it’s confirmation of the Holy Spirit). After hearing this from times past and unsure what to do I go ahead and do what I originally intended then end up learning a valuable lesson. Thankful for God’s grace it doesn’t take too many times for me to realize what is happening and I began listening, even waiting for it before making life changing decisions. Just like the boy Samuel heard God’s voice three times before the older wiser Eli told him that this is God’s voice. Samuel’s reply once he knew who was calling him was, “Speak, your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10 NLT). I too want my response to be, “Speak Lord and quiet my soul for I purpose to hear you.”
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Children imitate their father
John 8
Jesus makes it very clear that people imitate their father, though the people that day claimed to be children of Abraham their actions and beliefs made a case against their own report. Jesus saw through their words and recognized their actions to be consistent with that of the enemy. God is just, holy, and the Father of truth if He is your Father then you will be like Him. There are many claims today of people in the media being Christians, even co-workers, friends, and family though we cannot judge or condemn we are expected to know from who they come from by their words and actions. Jesus told us these things so that those who believed Him would not be led astray.
(John 8:31-32 NLT) Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
The moment we listen to direction from sources other than God we open ourselves to being led down the wrong path. If we do not spend time in prayer or time reading His Word how will we know Him, how will we be led by Him when life requires us to make choices? If our prayer life is not consistent with the Word of God are we not confusing ourselves into believing something other than truth? It’s not enough to pray, people from every religion pray but we are to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to desire His presence in our daily lives and each day know Him more. When we go to school or work, when we come home to be with our families, even when we are alone our one desire shall be God’s presence in our own lives. One of the big problems with the people Jesus was speaking to in chapter 8 was that they were not aware of their own blindness for in their minds they knew they descended from Abraham but they did not know him. You see blood lines don’t matter, whether Jew or Gentile makes no difference that which leads to eternal life is determined by whom you follow and imitate.
Jesus makes it very clear that people imitate their father, though the people that day claimed to be children of Abraham their actions and beliefs made a case against their own report. Jesus saw through their words and recognized their actions to be consistent with that of the enemy. God is just, holy, and the Father of truth if He is your Father then you will be like Him. There are many claims today of people in the media being Christians, even co-workers, friends, and family though we cannot judge or condemn we are expected to know from who they come from by their words and actions. Jesus told us these things so that those who believed Him would not be led astray.
(John 8:31-32 NLT) Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
The moment we listen to direction from sources other than God we open ourselves to being led down the wrong path. If we do not spend time in prayer or time reading His Word how will we know Him, how will we be led by Him when life requires us to make choices? If our prayer life is not consistent with the Word of God are we not confusing ourselves into believing something other than truth? It’s not enough to pray, people from every religion pray but we are to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to desire His presence in our daily lives and each day know Him more. When we go to school or work, when we come home to be with our families, even when we are alone our one desire shall be God’s presence in our own lives. One of the big problems with the people Jesus was speaking to in chapter 8 was that they were not aware of their own blindness for in their minds they knew they descended from Abraham but they did not know him. You see blood lines don’t matter, whether Jew or Gentile makes no difference that which leads to eternal life is determined by whom you follow and imitate.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
true greatness
With true greatness comes true opposition. Without struggle, without difficulty, without testing of one’s spirit it would never be known to what limit we might be able to endure but for what purpose? Are we to be tested so that we may know our own limits? Not entirely, what good would be accomplished if God revealed our weaknesses without showing us the way to salvation, without making it abundantly clear the keys He has given us to help others who are also struggling in their journey? No, it is so that we may know God’s limits within us. Listen, we understand that all things are possible for God yet our expectations of what He will do in a given situation has dwindled because of life’s difficulties. Day in and day out these difficulties seem unending and without us being aware they take a toll on how we see God’s ability to handle all situations, not only for today but for to tomorrow as well. The Bible tells us that all things are possible through Christ Jesus, which gives me strength (Paul said this to the Philippians 4:13). So any limitations we find are not God’s but our own limits on how far we trust Him to be who He tells us He is in our own lives! Trust in the Lord has direct correlation on how much He will accomplish in this life here on earth, which He has given to us. So be glad that you face tribulation, for it is only a mirror of how much you trust God; not so you know where you have failed but so that you may know where He has succeeded in that all things will glorify the Lord God of Hosts who is high above all heaven and earth!
My Wife
Whether we can see it at that moment or not our wives are royalty, they are princesses of the King. It’s odd how this life can make husband and wife callused and unable to see each other for who they really are but God in His infinite wisdom brings us back around when we least expect it, just when you think hope is all but gone He breaks through to remind us of things we know with our minds but have somehow forgotten in our hearts.
Lord, help Gloria and I not to take each other for granted and help us to continue to keep You first and help us to value this communion we have with each other. Help us to fight vigilantly for this thing You have given us, for we truly need your mind on this relationship You have anointed and purposed from the beginning. I ask that You block influences that are not from you as we heal, even if it is from family, especially if it is from family. You know my heart and You know our situation, Gloria and I have carried so much baggage into our marriage its only by your grace we’ve made it this far. Help us to defend each other when something less than honoring is said of the other one so that we may know the each other’s heart, help us to show ourselves trustworthy so that we may trust each other more. Lord, help me to face each day with a holy boldness so that I may defend my family and still be kind, gentle, and loving in each response I give, even when it difficult. Help Gloria to hear You clearly and give her strength to make her own decisions, bring freedom to her heart, soul, and mind. Finally, help us both to represent You to the best of our abilities in all situations so that our children may be the people, the leaders, and the princes and princesses of the King You intended for them to be. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Lord, help Gloria and I not to take each other for granted and help us to continue to keep You first and help us to value this communion we have with each other. Help us to fight vigilantly for this thing You have given us, for we truly need your mind on this relationship You have anointed and purposed from the beginning. I ask that You block influences that are not from you as we heal, even if it is from family, especially if it is from family. You know my heart and You know our situation, Gloria and I have carried so much baggage into our marriage its only by your grace we’ve made it this far. Help us to defend each other when something less than honoring is said of the other one so that we may know the each other’s heart, help us to show ourselves trustworthy so that we may trust each other more. Lord, help me to face each day with a holy boldness so that I may defend my family and still be kind, gentle, and loving in each response I give, even when it difficult. Help Gloria to hear You clearly and give her strength to make her own decisions, bring freedom to her heart, soul, and mind. Finally, help us both to represent You to the best of our abilities in all situations so that our children may be the people, the leaders, and the princes and princesses of the King You intended for them to be. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
a prayer of peace
Lord and Father, this morning I come to You with a heavy heart and a wounded spirit for circumstances have been too much to carry on my own. Help me to know You more and cast away the lies the enemy would have me believe. It is his purpose to separate me from You but I am determined to come through this while holding Your hand because I know no one knows me better than You do. No matter how much my wounds show You see me as nothing but lovely and beautiful, for I am Yours. Lord, I need to feel Your love this hour and I need to know You are holding me through this storm, please break through my doubt and let me know You are here with me in this time of sorrow. Bring peace to my children as I seek You and cause them to know You better as I journey on this path. Help me to set an example that is real and authentic but also help me to express the pieces of joy You cause me to find along the way so that they may learn how to find You when they need a hero too. You are God and You alone are my salvation where can I run but to You?
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
My Judgment is Just
John 5
Jesus said His judgment is just (verse 30) because He carries out the will of His Father, the One who sent Him and not His own will. To be open and completely honest I ask myself, how many times have I passed judgment on someone and the motive behind it is because of my own will? Do you want to know if your judgment is just then ask yourself who’s will are you satisfying? Do you sense pride after the fact in that you are not like them? Do you somehow feel better about yourself later after condemning others for not keeping the faith? Jesus had much to say about this type of person in chapter five, as a matter of fact His healing of the sick man seems to serve the purpose of introduction to this conversation and to make sure this happened Jesus appeared to the sick man a second time and it was then the healed turned Jesus over to His accusers. The reality of the whole thing is that Jesus was drawing a line in the sand – continue judging this way and you yourselves will be judged! But instead put on the mind of Christ seeking the Father’s will in all you do and say.
Lord, I’ve done plenty to keep me humble. Help me not to seek a crown when I’m doing well but to seek You first in all things. As much as I don’t like thinking of my own failures please remind me of them when I am tempted to choose pride for it is better to be wounded and rescued than die on the battlefield. You have purposed for each of us much more than judging one another, help us to get closer to that purpose each day as we seek You and fill us with your Holy Spirit so that our hearts and minds will be on the Heavenly not the earthly, amen.
Jesus said His judgment is just (verse 30) because He carries out the will of His Father, the One who sent Him and not His own will. To be open and completely honest I ask myself, how many times have I passed judgment on someone and the motive behind it is because of my own will? Do you want to know if your judgment is just then ask yourself who’s will are you satisfying? Do you sense pride after the fact in that you are not like them? Do you somehow feel better about yourself later after condemning others for not keeping the faith? Jesus had much to say about this type of person in chapter five, as a matter of fact His healing of the sick man seems to serve the purpose of introduction to this conversation and to make sure this happened Jesus appeared to the sick man a second time and it was then the healed turned Jesus over to His accusers. The reality of the whole thing is that Jesus was drawing a line in the sand – continue judging this way and you yourselves will be judged! But instead put on the mind of Christ seeking the Father’s will in all you do and say.
Lord, I’ve done plenty to keep me humble. Help me not to seek a crown when I’m doing well but to seek You first in all things. As much as I don’t like thinking of my own failures please remind me of them when I am tempted to choose pride for it is better to be wounded and rescued than die on the battlefield. You have purposed for each of us much more than judging one another, help us to get closer to that purpose each day as we seek You and fill us with your Holy Spirit so that our hearts and minds will be on the Heavenly not the earthly, amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)