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Revelation 16:17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, [3] peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake.
This vision reminds me of when Jesus was crucified and He said, "It is finished." John gives a gripping account of when Jesus returns again and this time, it isn't through a manger that our King comes, but in power and glory. Jesus referred to His crucifixion as a cup that He must drink. Here we see that God's judgment is poured out by the bowl-full. When the end happens, there will be no grace.
With all the tropical storms that we have been having lately, I am somewhat compelled to write on this scripture. Right now, when there is thunder and lightning, it is a bit freighting, but on the whole, I feel safe. I don't feel like my life is in danger. Most people are so used to earthquakes, lightning, thunder, and hail that it is more of a nuisance to them if anything. However, I need to remember that when Jesus does return, these are all things that will truly be used as instruments of God's justice. Natural disasters are no small matter. It is in those times that we should remember the fear of God and repent. To deadened my heart to this fear of the Lord is to shut off my spiritual warning system. It all starts with little compromises here and there. It springs from pride and then grows out of control. Why pride? Because if I start to think that I am better than dust, than I start to think that I can reason with God. My pride can start as something as small as, "It'll never happen to me" and then bloom into, "God won't punish me for my sin." It's a dangerous path to dance along. To even flirt with the idea of sinning and then repenting is really an insult and mockery of God's divine grace. Grace is a gift. Also, it needs to be taken seriously. God's amazing grace should teach my heart to fear, not lead me to take liberties and stretch my boundaries.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, Your truth, and Your grace. Lord, instill in me a healthy warning system so that I am never far from repentance. Jesus, thank You for drinking from the cup so that I would not have the bowl of judgment poured out upon me. I repent right now, Lord, of my selfishness and laziness. I know that I have been lacking in my discipline. Please bring me back to Your will and Your way. I love You, Lord. In Jesus Christ's powerful and glorious name I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Zeal for God
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John 2:13-17
13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"
17His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."[b]
When I read this scripture, I see Jesus filled with power and anger. So often, portraits of Jesus show His calm, peaceful side, but here, I see that Jesus was indeed the Lion and the Lamb. Single handedly, with Samson-like strength, I see him turning over the tables and swinging his make shift whip in the air. I can almost hear him shouting, “Get out of here!” to all the money changers and vendors.
As a Christian, I’m often deceived into thinking that I have to be mild and weak. That “turn the other cheek” scripture has been distorted into a sort of let’s do nothing and let God do all the work. However, God doesn’t call us to be idle with our time here on Earth. My hope is that I’ll remember that Jesus is the lion just as much as He is the lamb. I have authority and power within me through Him to take action. I must not be idle or wimpy and just let the world run its sinful course.
Heavenly Father, I pray that zeal for Your house would consume me. Lord, I’ve been very complacent in my Christian life. I think about my friends Monica and Tony and how they are zealous for Your good. Please show me how to be more like that. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
John 2:13-17
13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"
17His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."[b]
When I read this scripture, I see Jesus filled with power and anger. So often, portraits of Jesus show His calm, peaceful side, but here, I see that Jesus was indeed the Lion and the Lamb. Single handedly, with Samson-like strength, I see him turning over the tables and swinging his make shift whip in the air. I can almost hear him shouting, “Get out of here!” to all the money changers and vendors.
As a Christian, I’m often deceived into thinking that I have to be mild and weak. That “turn the other cheek” scripture has been distorted into a sort of let’s do nothing and let God do all the work. However, God doesn’t call us to be idle with our time here on Earth. My hope is that I’ll remember that Jesus is the lion just as much as He is the lamb. I have authority and power within me through Him to take action. I must not be idle or wimpy and just let the world run its sinful course.
Heavenly Father, I pray that zeal for Your house would consume me. Lord, I’ve been very complacent in my Christian life. I think about my friends Monica and Tony and how they are zealous for Your good. Please show me how to be more like that. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Full of Grace
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John 1: 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
What power scripture! The Word of God became flesh and He dwelled among us. For God to make Himself fully man and fully God for the sake of our salvation is a grace that is hard to understand. John says that Jesus was full of grace and truth. Wow!
This is what Christmas is all about. The Bible is God’s Word, and God’s Word became flesh! Jesus Christ is grace and truth and glory all wrapped up in skin and bones. As Christmas day approaches quickly, I am just amazed by God’s grace. It makes me reflect upon myself and ask, “Am I gracious?” When it comes down to it, I’m very selfish still. The core of many of my motives are for self comfort, self gain. The attitude of “What’s in it for me?” is embedded into my brain. I pray that with God’s grace, I can change in this area. I hope that from glory to glory, I’ll change and transform into someone more like Jesus. I want to be full of grace and truth. What are some steps I can take for this to happen?
1) Make a list of things that are keeping me selfish
2) Repent and put those things to death
3) Replace those selfish desires with servant desires
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son. I love You, Lord, and I desire to be more like Jesus. Please forgive me for my selfishness and show me how to be gracious. Change me, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
John 1: 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
What power scripture! The Word of God became flesh and He dwelled among us. For God to make Himself fully man and fully God for the sake of our salvation is a grace that is hard to understand. John says that Jesus was full of grace and truth. Wow!
This is what Christmas is all about. The Bible is God’s Word, and God’s Word became flesh! Jesus Christ is grace and truth and glory all wrapped up in skin and bones. As Christmas day approaches quickly, I am just amazed by God’s grace. It makes me reflect upon myself and ask, “Am I gracious?” When it comes down to it, I’m very selfish still. The core of many of my motives are for self comfort, self gain. The attitude of “What’s in it for me?” is embedded into my brain. I pray that with God’s grace, I can change in this area. I hope that from glory to glory, I’ll change and transform into someone more like Jesus. I want to be full of grace and truth. What are some steps I can take for this to happen?
1) Make a list of things that are keeping me selfish
2) Repent and put those things to death
3) Replace those selfish desires with servant desires
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son. I love You, Lord, and I desire to be more like Jesus. Please forgive me for my selfishness and show me how to be gracious. Change me, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Monday, December 15, 2008
My Own Worst Enemy
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James 1:13-15
13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15Then desire(X) when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and(Y) sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 4:1-4
1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions[a] are(A) at war within you?[b] 2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask(B) wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4(C) You adulterous people![c] Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?(D) Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Wow, 5 chapters from the book of James. I don’t know much about James, but it seems like he is a very direct and to the point kind of apostle. He likes to be concise and he uses very clear illustrations with minimal verbatim. The first thing that caught my eye in today’s devotion also deeply convicted my heart. James is saying that everyone is tempted by their own desires, not by God. I think very often, I’ve been guilty of asking God, “Why are You doing this to me? Why don’t You remove this temptation?” But really, God isn’t sending the temptation my way, but rather, through His Holy Spirit He is trying to give me the power to master these desires. However, I have to choose to master my own desires. I really need to look at temptation from this perspective. It should be a joy to overcome temptation, not a chore, as if I was given a pop quiz and now I need to pass it in order to please God. When temptation arises, I need to recognize that this is a desire that I have in my heart, I need to have ownership of it, then master it so that it doesn’t lead me to sin and death! As James says, it is my passions that are at war within me. As a Christian, it is my passion for Jesus against my passion for my self. It is a truthful statement to say “All mankind is selfish.” It is only through Jesus that I can die to myself and live for my King and for others.
Oh Lord, what a deeply convicting devotion this morning. I feel like I’ve been allowing many things to be excuses for me to not take this time with You. I am so sorry, Jesus, for placing You on the side as I “get through” this busy season. No more. I will not place You on the side any longer. I repent. Lord, I have been very selfish. Maybe the most selfish. Lord, the desires of my heart are not good. My passions for my own gain keep overriding my passion for You. Lord, fill me with Your Spirit, that I may overcome my worldly desires. Lord, I know You are the Truth. I know You are the only way to life. Help me to not be foolish. Save me from my own stupidity! Lord, redeem me once again. I’m so sorry for falling so far from Your design. Lead me back, Lord. I love You and I am committed to Your best. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
James 1:13-15
13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15Then desire(X) when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and(Y) sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 4:1-4
1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions[a] are(A) at war within you?[b] 2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask(B) wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4(C) You adulterous people![c] Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?(D) Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Wow, 5 chapters from the book of James. I don’t know much about James, but it seems like he is a very direct and to the point kind of apostle. He likes to be concise and he uses very clear illustrations with minimal verbatim. The first thing that caught my eye in today’s devotion also deeply convicted my heart. James is saying that everyone is tempted by their own desires, not by God. I think very often, I’ve been guilty of asking God, “Why are You doing this to me? Why don’t You remove this temptation?” But really, God isn’t sending the temptation my way, but rather, through His Holy Spirit He is trying to give me the power to master these desires. However, I have to choose to master my own desires. I really need to look at temptation from this perspective. It should be a joy to overcome temptation, not a chore, as if I was given a pop quiz and now I need to pass it in order to please God. When temptation arises, I need to recognize that this is a desire that I have in my heart, I need to have ownership of it, then master it so that it doesn’t lead me to sin and death! As James says, it is my passions that are at war within me. As a Christian, it is my passion for Jesus against my passion for my self. It is a truthful statement to say “All mankind is selfish.” It is only through Jesus that I can die to myself and live for my King and for others.
Oh Lord, what a deeply convicting devotion this morning. I feel like I’ve been allowing many things to be excuses for me to not take this time with You. I am so sorry, Jesus, for placing You on the side as I “get through” this busy season. No more. I will not place You on the side any longer. I repent. Lord, I have been very selfish. Maybe the most selfish. Lord, the desires of my heart are not good. My passions for my own gain keep overriding my passion for You. Lord, fill me with Your Spirit, that I may overcome my worldly desires. Lord, I know You are the Truth. I know You are the only way to life. Help me to not be foolish. Save me from my own stupidity! Lord, redeem me once again. I’m so sorry for falling so far from Your design. Lead me back, Lord. I love You and I am committed to Your best. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Be Deliberate
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Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Romans 14:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Paul has written this letter to the Romans. He emphasizes a striving to be Christ like and holy. One thing that a Christian must do is put on Jesus Christ, like a garment. It has also been mentioned that Jesus is like armor which must be put on everyday. This shows that our faith in Jesus is an action, not a defense. Often, people only resort to asking Jesus for help and guidance when they are being attacked, but by then, it's too late. I need to ask Jesus for protection, guidance, and strength beforehand, when it seems like there is nothing coming at me. If I fail to do so beforehand, when the desires of my flesh arise, I'll have nothing to fight it off with and I'll be more likely to give into temptation. Also, I like how Paul says that whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. That is truth, but it's hard to swallow. It makes me reflect upon myself and ask, "Are there things that I do that do not result from faith?" If so, I must stop, because that is sin.
So how will I be different today because of what I've read? Well, I must put on the Lord Jesus Christ right now. It is so good that I am starting today with my devotion. I haven't done one in a while. I've been listening to podcasts and listening to the devotional readings, but I haven't really gotten to journal on my devos. This is a good start. I need to make time to put on my armor. The armor is not going to just jump onto me! Also, I need to pray. I need to pray in the morning and in the evening, and throughout the day that I keep the armor of Christ on me. I need to be more pro-active in my faith and not so passive. Also, I need to watch myself that I am not doing things from sin, but from faith. I really need to meditate on that all day today. I think the meaning of this will be further revealed.
Heavenly Father, forgive me of my sinful ways. Please wash me clean and purify me once again. Lord, place Your righteousness and strength all around me. May I wear You today deliberately. Lord, I pray that You give me the strength to overcome the desires of my flesh. I love You, Lord. I pray that I do all things today out of faith and not out of sin. I pray for my husband, for his safety, peace, and joy, and I pray for my baby, for his health and protection. Help me to become the woman You designed me to be. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Romans 14:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Paul has written this letter to the Romans. He emphasizes a striving to be Christ like and holy. One thing that a Christian must do is put on Jesus Christ, like a garment. It has also been mentioned that Jesus is like armor which must be put on everyday. This shows that our faith in Jesus is an action, not a defense. Often, people only resort to asking Jesus for help and guidance when they are being attacked, but by then, it's too late. I need to ask Jesus for protection, guidance, and strength beforehand, when it seems like there is nothing coming at me. If I fail to do so beforehand, when the desires of my flesh arise, I'll have nothing to fight it off with and I'll be more likely to give into temptation. Also, I like how Paul says that whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. That is truth, but it's hard to swallow. It makes me reflect upon myself and ask, "Are there things that I do that do not result from faith?" If so, I must stop, because that is sin.
So how will I be different today because of what I've read? Well, I must put on the Lord Jesus Christ right now. It is so good that I am starting today with my devotion. I haven't done one in a while. I've been listening to podcasts and listening to the devotional readings, but I haven't really gotten to journal on my devos. This is a good start. I need to make time to put on my armor. The armor is not going to just jump onto me! Also, I need to pray. I need to pray in the morning and in the evening, and throughout the day that I keep the armor of Christ on me. I need to be more pro-active in my faith and not so passive. Also, I need to watch myself that I am not doing things from sin, but from faith. I really need to meditate on that all day today. I think the meaning of this will be further revealed.
Heavenly Father, forgive me of my sinful ways. Please wash me clean and purify me once again. Lord, place Your righteousness and strength all around me. May I wear You today deliberately. Lord, I pray that You give me the strength to overcome the desires of my flesh. I love You, Lord. I pray that I do all things today out of faith and not out of sin. I pray for my husband, for his safety, peace, and joy, and I pray for my baby, for his health and protection. Help me to become the woman You designed me to be. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
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