Romans 6:12-14
12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
When sin reigned in my flesh, I was forced to obey its passions, impulses. However, now I am under God's grace through Jesus Christ and my body is free from sin's slavery. I no longer have to obey sin's impulse. Instead, I have the power through grace to overcome those desires and use my body as an instrument of righteousness.
I need to stand on this freedom. My body is an instrument of righteousness. I'm not the seductress that I used to be. For example, I used to kiss boys impulsively, but now, by the power of Christ, I can resist temptation and use my mouth for prayer and for blessing. I kiss my husband and that is righteous.
Heavenly Father, thank You for setting me free through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus, thank You for being the Lord of my life and my body's members. Use me for righteousness. Forgive me for believing the lie that my body is sinful and junk. I know the truth now, that I am an instrument of righteousness for Your purposes. I love You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Bigger picture
Matthew 2:16-18
16Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 "A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more."
What has really caught my attention in the book of Matthew is how each event is a fulfillment of prophecy. All these events, didn't just happen...God orchestrated it. Also, it's not like Joseph and Mary could have planned to fulfill the prophesies on their own. They could not make the wise men come, nor make Herod come after them. They were simply watchful of God's promptings and they were obedient. It makes me wonder though, that Jesus was born to forgive the sins of men like Herod who sought his life as a baby and killed many infants in an effort to achieve his goal. Also men like Pharaoh. I guess the truth is, no sinner is worse than another. We are all sinners and therefore unworthy of the redemption that Christ brought.
I think my scope of thinking is way too narrow. The Bible is not an end in itself. The Bible is living and active. Also, I am part of God's plan. I have a role to play. However, like TJ said last night at Fuse, the movie isn't all about me. What prophesy am I a part of? I can be part of God's kingdom or against God's kingdom. What am I doing today to bring God's kingdom to earth? When I look at myself, all I see is a small existence. I just cook, clean, and take care of Lion. These seem so small to me that I often don't take much pride in them. I almost feel like I want to serve God in other ways; more splendid and recognizable ways. What I hear God telling me today is that I am part of His plan, His prophecy, and that my existence has great significance. Therefore, I need to do all things with joy and confidence because I am doing them for Christ and His kingdom. There is a bigger picture that I may not be able to see, but I am definitely a part of.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for my sins and my narrow, self-centered way of thinking. Lord, show me how to be more like Jesus. Jesus, I do everything for You and Your kingdom. Help me to be the mother and wife You created me to be. Keep me for sinning and fill me with Your love and joy. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
16Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 "A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more."
What has really caught my attention in the book of Matthew is how each event is a fulfillment of prophecy. All these events, didn't just happen...God orchestrated it. Also, it's not like Joseph and Mary could have planned to fulfill the prophesies on their own. They could not make the wise men come, nor make Herod come after them. They were simply watchful of God's promptings and they were obedient. It makes me wonder though, that Jesus was born to forgive the sins of men like Herod who sought his life as a baby and killed many infants in an effort to achieve his goal. Also men like Pharaoh. I guess the truth is, no sinner is worse than another. We are all sinners and therefore unworthy of the redemption that Christ brought.
I think my scope of thinking is way too narrow. The Bible is not an end in itself. The Bible is living and active. Also, I am part of God's plan. I have a role to play. However, like TJ said last night at Fuse, the movie isn't all about me. What prophesy am I a part of? I can be part of God's kingdom or against God's kingdom. What am I doing today to bring God's kingdom to earth? When I look at myself, all I see is a small existence. I just cook, clean, and take care of Lion. These seem so small to me that I often don't take much pride in them. I almost feel like I want to serve God in other ways; more splendid and recognizable ways. What I hear God telling me today is that I am part of His plan, His prophecy, and that my existence has great significance. Therefore, I need to do all things with joy and confidence because I am doing them for Christ and His kingdom. There is a bigger picture that I may not be able to see, but I am definitely a part of.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for my sins and my narrow, self-centered way of thinking. Lord, show me how to be more like Jesus. Jesus, I do everything for You and Your kingdom. Help me to be the mother and wife You created me to be. Keep me for sinning and fill me with Your love and joy. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Live by God's promises, not by the law
Galatians 3:13-14, 17-18, 21-22
13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"— 14so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
17This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
21Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Paul clearly explains the difference between the law and the promise. Those who know God's commandments and the Book of the Law tend to place justification in those laws. I think mankind's fallen state drives us to look for works and evidences of our works to edify ourselves and others. However, God clearly wants to free us from this bondage of justification by works. The truth is, none of us will ever be holy by our works or by following the law. Only Jesus was able to completely follow the law and be pure and holy. Then, he was offered up as a righteous sacrifice to pay for all the sins, all the faults, of mankind. He took the curse of the law upon Himself even though He was free originally from this curse because He was upright and holy His whole life. To satisfy the wrath of God and release God's promise to Abraham to all the nations, Jesus took the curse and wrath upon Himself and then He conquered the power of sin and death by being resurrected. God had promised Abraham that he would be a blessing to all nations. The law came after the promise to ensure that the promise would be kept. Even though mankind cannot completely follow the law, God is able to keep His promise.
What promises has God given me? What laws am I making myself follow? Those laws are keeping me from God's freedom. I haven't been keeping up with my devotions and the thought of how I'm failing at this really made it hard for me to start doing them again. This little law I made for myself was getting the best of me. Devotions are not things that God requires me to do. Devotions are things I get to do with God. God has promised me that if I seek Him, I will find Him (Deut. 4:29). I've also been imprisoning myself with the burden of keeping the house in order. God has promised me that if I put Him first, then all things will be added to me (Matt. 6:33). I've been feeling so sapped of joy because I've been laboring with my own effort. God promises that if I come to Him weary then He will give me rest (Matt. 11:28). I need to stop trying and rest in God's promises. When I try to do things on my own, I'm refusing Jesus' sacrifice and victory.
Heavenly Father, thank You so much for this time in Your word. Please forgive me for trying to do it all on my own. I love You so much and can do nothing of eternal value apart from You. Release me from my own laws and bondage to abide in Your will. I ask for You to take control of my life once again. Jesus, thank You for overcoming the curse of the law so that I may have freedom and abundant life. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"— 14so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
17This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
21Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Paul clearly explains the difference between the law and the promise. Those who know God's commandments and the Book of the Law tend to place justification in those laws. I think mankind's fallen state drives us to look for works and evidences of our works to edify ourselves and others. However, God clearly wants to free us from this bondage of justification by works. The truth is, none of us will ever be holy by our works or by following the law. Only Jesus was able to completely follow the law and be pure and holy. Then, he was offered up as a righteous sacrifice to pay for all the sins, all the faults, of mankind. He took the curse of the law upon Himself even though He was free originally from this curse because He was upright and holy His whole life. To satisfy the wrath of God and release God's promise to Abraham to all the nations, Jesus took the curse and wrath upon Himself and then He conquered the power of sin and death by being resurrected. God had promised Abraham that he would be a blessing to all nations. The law came after the promise to ensure that the promise would be kept. Even though mankind cannot completely follow the law, God is able to keep His promise.
What promises has God given me? What laws am I making myself follow? Those laws are keeping me from God's freedom. I haven't been keeping up with my devotions and the thought of how I'm failing at this really made it hard for me to start doing them again. This little law I made for myself was getting the best of me. Devotions are not things that God requires me to do. Devotions are things I get to do with God. God has promised me that if I seek Him, I will find Him (Deut. 4:29). I've also been imprisoning myself with the burden of keeping the house in order. God has promised me that if I put Him first, then all things will be added to me (Matt. 6:33). I've been feeling so sapped of joy because I've been laboring with my own effort. God promises that if I come to Him weary then He will give me rest (Matt. 11:28). I need to stop trying and rest in God's promises. When I try to do things on my own, I'm refusing Jesus' sacrifice and victory.
Heavenly Father, thank You so much for this time in Your word. Please forgive me for trying to do it all on my own. I love You so much and can do nothing of eternal value apart from You. Release me from my own laws and bondage to abide in Your will. I ask for You to take control of my life once again. Jesus, thank You for overcoming the curse of the law so that I may have freedom and abundant life. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Monday, October 26, 2009
It's been done
Acts 26:22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."
Paul is on trial in front of King Agrippa and he shares his testimony. His words are rational, clear and concise. These two lines sum up Paul's ministry, that he is helped by God to tell others that what the Old Testament has already written has come to pass. His words are of encouragement and hope, yet Festus said Paul was out of his mind. To those who do not receive revelation from the Holy Spirit, words of truth are radical and mind blowing.
Hanzo mentioned something last night that I've been thinking a lot about. He said that the things of the world make sense to those who are fallen and it is God's truth that flips the perspective of the world upside down. I see this here with Paul in that he is telling the truth but it absolutely boggles the unbeliever's mind. So how do I share that which sounds so crazy to people of this world? How do I keep pursuing the truth and not allow the world's way of thinking to consume me? God's truth is full of love, grace, and hope. Why do we, as fallen humans, choose to disbelieve God's goodness? Is it so hard to believe that the God of the universe who created us loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to make a way for us to be with Him in eternity? Instead, we choose the pity party route. "Oh no, how can God be a good God if I think that things are bad? I'll just believe that He doesn't exist because I think that no God is better than a God who has a different judgment from my own." What a negative generation! I know that I think this way often and I need to repent. I need to take God's truth and believe it with all that I am. He says to rejoice. He says to have peace. He says to love. He says that He loves me. He says that He has a plan for me. He is good. He is faithful. He has abundant grace and mercy. I can stand on this truth because it is solid and firm no matter how uncertain the knowledge and ways of this world are.
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for being so negative and buying into the world's way of thinking. I repent and I turn to Your truth and stand upon it confidently. Thank you for fulfilling Your promises. Lord, thank You for forgiving me. Show me, Jesus, how to be more and more like You. May I die to who I am and claim my life in You. I want to live a resurrected, new and hopeful life instead of an old, stale, and depressed life. I love You, Lord. You are my daily bread. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Paul is on trial in front of King Agrippa and he shares his testimony. His words are rational, clear and concise. These two lines sum up Paul's ministry, that he is helped by God to tell others that what the Old Testament has already written has come to pass. His words are of encouragement and hope, yet Festus said Paul was out of his mind. To those who do not receive revelation from the Holy Spirit, words of truth are radical and mind blowing.
Hanzo mentioned something last night that I've been thinking a lot about. He said that the things of the world make sense to those who are fallen and it is God's truth that flips the perspective of the world upside down. I see this here with Paul in that he is telling the truth but it absolutely boggles the unbeliever's mind. So how do I share that which sounds so crazy to people of this world? How do I keep pursuing the truth and not allow the world's way of thinking to consume me? God's truth is full of love, grace, and hope. Why do we, as fallen humans, choose to disbelieve God's goodness? Is it so hard to believe that the God of the universe who created us loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to make a way for us to be with Him in eternity? Instead, we choose the pity party route. "Oh no, how can God be a good God if I think that things are bad? I'll just believe that He doesn't exist because I think that no God is better than a God who has a different judgment from my own." What a negative generation! I know that I think this way often and I need to repent. I need to take God's truth and believe it with all that I am. He says to rejoice. He says to have peace. He says to love. He says that He loves me. He says that He has a plan for me. He is good. He is faithful. He has abundant grace and mercy. I can stand on this truth because it is solid and firm no matter how uncertain the knowledge and ways of this world are.
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for being so negative and buying into the world's way of thinking. I repent and I turn to Your truth and stand upon it confidently. Thank you for fulfilling Your promises. Lord, thank You for forgiving me. Show me, Jesus, how to be more and more like You. May I die to who I am and claim my life in You. I want to live a resurrected, new and hopeful life instead of an old, stale, and depressed life. I love You, Lord. You are my daily bread. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Everything God has is mine
Luke 15:31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
The older son was jealous of the younger son. He felt like he had been righteous this whole time and when this rebellious son had returned, it didn't seem fair that the younger brother got the feast and special treatment. But the father tells the older son that all that the father has is the son's. The faithful son was more wealthy than the prodigal son because he had everything the father had. The prodigal son left the father to make it on his own. I think the older brother didn't realize just how rich he was. He had everything and then wanted more because he felt self-righteousness.
I think I can be like the older son a lot of times when I see abundant grace and blessings upon new believers or other families. However, I have no need for that and need to avoid this sinful pride because really, I have everything my Father has. If I continue to humbly abide with my Heavenly Father, I have access to everything in Heaven. God doesn't withhold from His children. I am truly rich because I have a relationship with Jesus. If I seek that first, then everything else is available to me. I should not play pity party because I am truly rich.
Heavenly Father, thank You for everything good and lovely. Lord, I thank You that I have a relationship with You. Jesus, please cover my sin with Your precious blood. I repent for being prideful and self-righteous. Lord, I am just a sinner like everyone else. It is only because You call me Your daughter that I have any inheritance at all. Lord, help me to love You more and more. I pray that I would be more like Jesus today. I love You, God. I pray for Monica and Tony, that You would give them access to the storehouses of Heaven for provision for their mission to China. Lord, I also ask that I would continue to trust in You for every need's fulfillment. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
The older son was jealous of the younger son. He felt like he had been righteous this whole time and when this rebellious son had returned, it didn't seem fair that the younger brother got the feast and special treatment. But the father tells the older son that all that the father has is the son's. The faithful son was more wealthy than the prodigal son because he had everything the father had. The prodigal son left the father to make it on his own. I think the older brother didn't realize just how rich he was. He had everything and then wanted more because he felt self-righteousness.
I think I can be like the older son a lot of times when I see abundant grace and blessings upon new believers or other families. However, I have no need for that and need to avoid this sinful pride because really, I have everything my Father has. If I continue to humbly abide with my Heavenly Father, I have access to everything in Heaven. God doesn't withhold from His children. I am truly rich because I have a relationship with Jesus. If I seek that first, then everything else is available to me. I should not play pity party because I am truly rich.
Heavenly Father, thank You for everything good and lovely. Lord, I thank You that I have a relationship with You. Jesus, please cover my sin with Your precious blood. I repent for being prideful and self-righteous. Lord, I am just a sinner like everyone else. It is only because You call me Your daughter that I have any inheritance at all. Lord, help me to love You more and more. I pray that I would be more like Jesus today. I love You, God. I pray for Monica and Tony, that You would give them access to the storehouses of Heaven for provision for their mission to China. Lord, I also ask that I would continue to trust in You for every need's fulfillment. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The sin of complacency
Psalm 126: 1When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
3The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad.
Luke 14:16But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 18But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' 19And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' 20And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.'
In Psalm 126, the psalmist is remembering those times in the past when God had restored Zion and blessed it. There was joy and gladness in Zion because prosperity was there and great things had been done. However, the psalmist is asking God to do it again, to bring that restoration and fruitfulness back to Zion. In Luke 14, Jesus is having dinner with the Pharisees and one of them says, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" Jesus senses that these men are proud and assume that they are definitely going to Heaven to be in God's kingdom. However, Jesus tells them a parable to show that those who are even invited to the kingdom can be rejected by their own complacency and excuses.
God does amazing, miraculous things, over and over again and too soon, we get lazy, comfortable, and complacent. Then we ask God to show up again and perform miracles and great works. He seems to be our personal magician that we summon or call upon whenever we want to be helped, entertained, or blessed. God is not our own personal magician or clown. He wants me to be in a personal ongoing relationship with Him which will take work, effort, alertness, and engagement. I'm still taken aback by God's provision for our rent. I think I'm shocked. It seems so surreal. Hanzo and I prayed for God to provide money for the rent in a miraculous way and it happened. We have just enough for our rent because God provided through giving a word to Monica and Tony. It is amazing. I have to admit though, I'm not leaping with joy like I thought I would be. I think this is a sign that I am still holding onto some sin. I had an expectation of how God would provide and what was going to happen. However, God works in His ways which are higher than my ways and so now, I'm here...wanting to be filled and overflowing with joy but I have this comfortable, complacent attitude. It's like I wanted to see a huge illusion, but instead, God showed a card trick. I must admit, I need to repent and truly receive the joy of the Lord. He has provided and He didn't need to. He doesn't need to answer our prayers, but He does and He does so with love. I realize today, that I am like the Pharisees, expecting things from God. God wants me to be humble and to be filled with joy even when the miracles and wonders are not present. I must work on rejoicing because God is God and not because He does what I want Him to do.
Heavenly Father, I repent. I am so sorry for being so comfortable and complacent and for expecting things from You. Lord, thank You so much for providing for our rent. Lord, thank You for stretching my faith. And now, I also thank You for keeping me humble. Just because my faith is growing, doesn't mean I have anything to boast about. Lord, fill me with Your joy. Lord, I cast all my cares upon You. I will receive Your joy into my heart. I want to be faithful in rejoicing in Your goodness. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness. I love You. Show me how to be more in love with You. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
we were like those who dream.
2Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
3The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad.
Luke 14:16But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 18But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' 19And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' 20And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.'
In Psalm 126, the psalmist is remembering those times in the past when God had restored Zion and blessed it. There was joy and gladness in Zion because prosperity was there and great things had been done. However, the psalmist is asking God to do it again, to bring that restoration and fruitfulness back to Zion. In Luke 14, Jesus is having dinner with the Pharisees and one of them says, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" Jesus senses that these men are proud and assume that they are definitely going to Heaven to be in God's kingdom. However, Jesus tells them a parable to show that those who are even invited to the kingdom can be rejected by their own complacency and excuses.
God does amazing, miraculous things, over and over again and too soon, we get lazy, comfortable, and complacent. Then we ask God to show up again and perform miracles and great works. He seems to be our personal magician that we summon or call upon whenever we want to be helped, entertained, or blessed. God is not our own personal magician or clown. He wants me to be in a personal ongoing relationship with Him which will take work, effort, alertness, and engagement. I'm still taken aback by God's provision for our rent. I think I'm shocked. It seems so surreal. Hanzo and I prayed for God to provide money for the rent in a miraculous way and it happened. We have just enough for our rent because God provided through giving a word to Monica and Tony. It is amazing. I have to admit though, I'm not leaping with joy like I thought I would be. I think this is a sign that I am still holding onto some sin. I had an expectation of how God would provide and what was going to happen. However, God works in His ways which are higher than my ways and so now, I'm here...wanting to be filled and overflowing with joy but I have this comfortable, complacent attitude. It's like I wanted to see a huge illusion, but instead, God showed a card trick. I must admit, I need to repent and truly receive the joy of the Lord. He has provided and He didn't need to. He doesn't need to answer our prayers, but He does and He does so with love. I realize today, that I am like the Pharisees, expecting things from God. God wants me to be humble and to be filled with joy even when the miracles and wonders are not present. I must work on rejoicing because God is God and not because He does what I want Him to do.
Heavenly Father, I repent. I am so sorry for being so comfortable and complacent and for expecting things from You. Lord, thank You so much for providing for our rent. Lord, thank You for stretching my faith. And now, I also thank You for keeping me humble. Just because my faith is growing, doesn't mean I have anything to boast about. Lord, fill me with Your joy. Lord, I cast all my cares upon You. I will receive Your joy into my heart. I want to be faithful in rejoicing in Your goodness. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness. I love You. Show me how to be more in love with You. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Power of the Spirit
Zechariah 4:6Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
Luke 12:22And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
God doesn't use power or might to achieve His will, but rather He uses His Holy Spirit. The Spirit is what accomplishes God's will and so we shouldn't place our trust in anything else. Jesus tells us in Luke 12 that we shouldn't be anxious about our life because God provides everything we need. If we seek God and His spirit through Jesus Christ, then we will never have to worry where our next meal or clothing will be coming from.
I feel like God is trying to drill this into my heart and brain. I need to trust in Him. I need to know that it is only by the power of His spirit that His will is accomplished. Is the Holy Spirit in me? Am I abiding in Jesus? I think I'm trying really hard to do so, but I'm missing something. I'm somehow holding something back. I think I am still anxious in my core. On the outside I seem together and calm, but in the inside, I'm doubting and worrying. As I take a step back and look at my life from an outside perspective, I see the bigger picture. My life is greatly (almost unfairly) blessed. I am healthy, young, married to a wonderful, handsome, God-fearing man, a mother of a healthy, cute baby boy, living in the most beautiful place in the world, eating abundantly everyday, sleeping in a comfortable, safe place every night, and surrounded by encouraging and loving family and friends. Who could ask for more? Who could call that struggling or scraping by? No way! God has been so gracious and good to me. I need to have faith in Him. He has never forsaken me.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your lovingkindness. Forgive me for trusting in power, strength, and man. Lord, I repent and place all my faith and trust in You. I ask that You would fill me with Your Holy Spirit and that Your Spirit would move mightily in my life. Lord, I believe Your will is good. Keep me close to You. I love You, Lord. I ask that my heart be in the right place and that I would stop worrying and being anxious. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Luke 12:22And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
God doesn't use power or might to achieve His will, but rather He uses His Holy Spirit. The Spirit is what accomplishes God's will and so we shouldn't place our trust in anything else. Jesus tells us in Luke 12 that we shouldn't be anxious about our life because God provides everything we need. If we seek God and His spirit through Jesus Christ, then we will never have to worry where our next meal or clothing will be coming from.
I feel like God is trying to drill this into my heart and brain. I need to trust in Him. I need to know that it is only by the power of His spirit that His will is accomplished. Is the Holy Spirit in me? Am I abiding in Jesus? I think I'm trying really hard to do so, but I'm missing something. I'm somehow holding something back. I think I am still anxious in my core. On the outside I seem together and calm, but in the inside, I'm doubting and worrying. As I take a step back and look at my life from an outside perspective, I see the bigger picture. My life is greatly (almost unfairly) blessed. I am healthy, young, married to a wonderful, handsome, God-fearing man, a mother of a healthy, cute baby boy, living in the most beautiful place in the world, eating abundantly everyday, sleeping in a comfortable, safe place every night, and surrounded by encouraging and loving family and friends. Who could ask for more? Who could call that struggling or scraping by? No way! God has been so gracious and good to me. I need to have faith in Him. He has never forsaken me.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your lovingkindness. Forgive me for trusting in power, strength, and man. Lord, I repent and place all my faith and trust in You. I ask that You would fill me with Your Holy Spirit and that Your Spirit would move mightily in my life. Lord, I believe Your will is good. Keep me close to You. I love You, Lord. I ask that my heart be in the right place and that I would stop worrying and being anxious. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Asking
Luke 11:10-13
10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
This chapter starts off with Jesus teaching the disciples how to pray. It's often referred to as the Lord's prayer. Jesus teaches them to pray to God as their Heavenly Father and then follows it with a parable about asking a neighbor for something absurd in the middle of the night. Jesus tells them that we as humans know how to give good things to each other and we are sinful and selfish. However, God is holy and desires to help us, so we must continue to ask, seek, and knock. We should keep in mind that the thing we should ask for is the Holy Spirit. God gives the Holy Spirit to whomever asks for it.
I think this is often taken out of context and I must admit, I'm tempted to take it out of context as well. I wish I could look at this and say, then I am asking God persistently for a million dollars. God desires greater gifts to give to us. He isn't concerned with how much money I have, but He wants my heart to be fully devoted to Him. He is always willing to pour out the Holy Spirit and when we are operating in the Spirit, we are blessed and walking with Jesus. Jesus is the straw that connects us to God. The Holy Spirit is what God pours out so we can be filled and from that overflow, we bless others.
Lord, I ask for Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, please take control of my life. I need You to be strong through my weakness. I ask for the Holy Spirit to be poured out in my life, right now. I ask that Your Spirit rest upon me and this family and in this house. I ask that by Your Spirit, I'll be transformed to trust You completely and walk in the exact steps You want me to take. Lord, You know our needs. The rent is due and the bills are coming at us and on paper, we don't have enough. But Lord, You are the giver of all good things. I know You are working on my heart and I surrender it to You. Lord, may the Holy Spirit overtake me completely. I want to be filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Thank You, Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
This chapter starts off with Jesus teaching the disciples how to pray. It's often referred to as the Lord's prayer. Jesus teaches them to pray to God as their Heavenly Father and then follows it with a parable about asking a neighbor for something absurd in the middle of the night. Jesus tells them that we as humans know how to give good things to each other and we are sinful and selfish. However, God is holy and desires to help us, so we must continue to ask, seek, and knock. We should keep in mind that the thing we should ask for is the Holy Spirit. God gives the Holy Spirit to whomever asks for it.
I think this is often taken out of context and I must admit, I'm tempted to take it out of context as well. I wish I could look at this and say, then I am asking God persistently for a million dollars. God desires greater gifts to give to us. He isn't concerned with how much money I have, but He wants my heart to be fully devoted to Him. He is always willing to pour out the Holy Spirit and when we are operating in the Spirit, we are blessed and walking with Jesus. Jesus is the straw that connects us to God. The Holy Spirit is what God pours out so we can be filled and from that overflow, we bless others.
Lord, I ask for Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, please take control of my life. I need You to be strong through my weakness. I ask for the Holy Spirit to be poured out in my life, right now. I ask that Your Spirit rest upon me and this family and in this house. I ask that by Your Spirit, I'll be transformed to trust You completely and walk in the exact steps You want me to take. Lord, You know our needs. The rent is due and the bills are coming at us and on paper, we don't have enough. But Lord, You are the giver of all good things. I know You are working on my heart and I surrender it to You. Lord, may the Holy Spirit overtake me completely. I want to be filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Thank You, Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
God's will must be done
Psalm 127:1Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Unless God it is God's will and He is doing it, then we toil in vain. We can do nothing unless God wants us to do it. His will must be done. We can work all day and night, but we will never achieve what we want if it is different from God's will. When we abide in God's will, we have rest.
As I read this psalm, it is affirmed in my mind to not worry and meddle with our finances. I know we do not have enough, but God is going to provide. It is His will for us to live here, it is His will for us to have Lion, to be involved in ministry, to love others and to live by faith in Jesus. My flesh desires to search all our monies and look for places to pull up the right amount for rent and the bills. However, I feel that God is really saying, "Wait. I will provide because my will must be done." Honestly, I feel a little foolish. I feel that way because I think to man, we must look like we are irresponsible and that we don't care about paying our rent or bills on time. I feel like Hanzo is working and working and loosing health and sleep over trying to do more for God. What I'm learning from this passage is that I must seek to do only what God wants me to do because if I'm trying to do stuff on my own, I'll just be exhausted and fruitless.
So, what is God telling me to do?
I must pray more with God. I must seek to be in His word more often. I must take care of Lion and focus on nurturing and caring for him with patience and grace. I must build relationships that bring people back to Jesus. As for the finances, I shouldn't frivolously spend. No desserts, snacks, goodies, or movies. Just wait on the Lord's provision. When support comes in, make sure we deposit it right away. Focus on how I can get started with UFirst. When God sends the money for us to get plugged in, it'll be the right time. Love and nurture Hanzo. Support his ministry and calling the best I can.
I am very tempted to ask for financial help from man. I keep thinking of asking Maui Dad, Lisa, or even my Grandparents for money. However, this is not trusting in God. Hanzo and I have asked God and His word says that He hears our petitions. He knows our needs before we even ask for them. He will answer us and His will shall be done. I need to really have confidence in God's provision. I shouldn't be like, "I have faith that God will come through, but He might come through in a small, subtle way." That attitude isn't really fearing God or having faith in Him. I need to really have confidence in God because no house will be built, nor city protected, unless God wants it to be.
Heavenly Father, I know that You love our family and that You have always provided abundantly for us. Lord, I know that You are fully aware of our needs and that You will provide for those needs. You love us and want the best for us and right now, the best for us is trusting in You with confidence and faith. I am sorry for having a weak and small faith. I'm sorry for doubting You. Lord, forgive me. I have full confidence in You. You are mighty to save. I 100% believe that You will provide every cent of what we need to pay the rent, the bills, and love on others so they get closer to Christ. Lord, we are rich because we have a relationship with Jesus. Thank You for Your son and Jesus, thank You for coming to pay the price and win the war for our souls. I love You, God. If we have nothing to pay the rent and loose this place, I know that Your will must be done and that it is the best for us. I trust in You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Unless God it is God's will and He is doing it, then we toil in vain. We can do nothing unless God wants us to do it. His will must be done. We can work all day and night, but we will never achieve what we want if it is different from God's will. When we abide in God's will, we have rest.
As I read this psalm, it is affirmed in my mind to not worry and meddle with our finances. I know we do not have enough, but God is going to provide. It is His will for us to live here, it is His will for us to have Lion, to be involved in ministry, to love others and to live by faith in Jesus. My flesh desires to search all our monies and look for places to pull up the right amount for rent and the bills. However, I feel that God is really saying, "Wait. I will provide because my will must be done." Honestly, I feel a little foolish. I feel that way because I think to man, we must look like we are irresponsible and that we don't care about paying our rent or bills on time. I feel like Hanzo is working and working and loosing health and sleep over trying to do more for God. What I'm learning from this passage is that I must seek to do only what God wants me to do because if I'm trying to do stuff on my own, I'll just be exhausted and fruitless.
So, what is God telling me to do?
I must pray more with God. I must seek to be in His word more often. I must take care of Lion and focus on nurturing and caring for him with patience and grace. I must build relationships that bring people back to Jesus. As for the finances, I shouldn't frivolously spend. No desserts, snacks, goodies, or movies. Just wait on the Lord's provision. When support comes in, make sure we deposit it right away. Focus on how I can get started with UFirst. When God sends the money for us to get plugged in, it'll be the right time. Love and nurture Hanzo. Support his ministry and calling the best I can.
I am very tempted to ask for financial help from man. I keep thinking of asking Maui Dad, Lisa, or even my Grandparents for money. However, this is not trusting in God. Hanzo and I have asked God and His word says that He hears our petitions. He knows our needs before we even ask for them. He will answer us and His will shall be done. I need to really have confidence in God's provision. I shouldn't be like, "I have faith that God will come through, but He might come through in a small, subtle way." That attitude isn't really fearing God or having faith in Him. I need to really have confidence in God because no house will be built, nor city protected, unless God wants it to be.
Heavenly Father, I know that You love our family and that You have always provided abundantly for us. Lord, I know that You are fully aware of our needs and that You will provide for those needs. You love us and want the best for us and right now, the best for us is trusting in You with confidence and faith. I am sorry for having a weak and small faith. I'm sorry for doubting You. Lord, forgive me. I have full confidence in You. You are mighty to save. I 100% believe that You will provide every cent of what we need to pay the rent, the bills, and love on others so they get closer to Christ. Lord, we are rich because we have a relationship with Jesus. Thank You for Your son and Jesus, thank You for coming to pay the price and win the war for our souls. I love You, God. If we have nothing to pay the rent and loose this place, I know that Your will must be done and that it is the best for us. I trust in You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Strengthened
Daniel 10:18Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19And he said, "O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage." And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."
An angel appears to Daniel and Daniel falls on his face, unable to speak. He felt like he was dying in the presence of this heavenly being. The angel had to touch him to strengthen him and the angel spoke encouraging words to Daniel. After this encouragement, Daniel was able to stand before this incredible being and speak with it.
Luke 5:8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." 11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Similar to Daniel, Simon Peter's response to Jesus' miraculous provision of fish was worship and fear. However, Jesus responds with tenderness and encouragement and this prompts Simon Peter to leave everything behind to follow Him.
I've been trying hard to focus back on God. I know that I need to work on fearing Him. God is awesome and glorious and I definitely do not pay Him the reverence He deserves. However, I think God is encouraging me today. He is telling me that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but also that He wants me to be strengthened in my faith. I am so good at beating myself up, but really, that keeps me from being strengthened. Instead, I need to keep refreshing myself in the Lord. God is not distant. I need to seek His face. Because of Jesus, I can face the glory of God. I am strengthened by Jesus. If I follow Christ, I'll be close to God.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for my sins. I'm sorry for being so discouraged. Please strengthen me again today. Show me how to pursue You with a clean heart. Jesus, make me more like You. I give up my wants and desires and ask that You use me for Your purposes today. Lord, without You, I am nothing. Lord, with You, I have everything. I fear You, Lord, but I know that You call me "loved" and that You encourage me with Your touch. I love You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
An angel appears to Daniel and Daniel falls on his face, unable to speak. He felt like he was dying in the presence of this heavenly being. The angel had to touch him to strengthen him and the angel spoke encouraging words to Daniel. After this encouragement, Daniel was able to stand before this incredible being and speak with it.
Luke 5:8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." 11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Similar to Daniel, Simon Peter's response to Jesus' miraculous provision of fish was worship and fear. However, Jesus responds with tenderness and encouragement and this prompts Simon Peter to leave everything behind to follow Him.
I've been trying hard to focus back on God. I know that I need to work on fearing Him. God is awesome and glorious and I definitely do not pay Him the reverence He deserves. However, I think God is encouraging me today. He is telling me that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but also that He wants me to be strengthened in my faith. I am so good at beating myself up, but really, that keeps me from being strengthened. Instead, I need to keep refreshing myself in the Lord. God is not distant. I need to seek His face. Because of Jesus, I can face the glory of God. I am strengthened by Jesus. If I follow Christ, I'll be close to God.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for my sins. I'm sorry for being so discouraged. Please strengthen me again today. Show me how to pursue You with a clean heart. Jesus, make me more like You. I give up my wants and desires and ask that You use me for Your purposes today. Lord, without You, I am nothing. Lord, with You, I have everything. I fear You, Lord, but I know that You call me "loved" and that You encourage me with Your touch. I love You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Monday, September 21, 2009
A Word
Luke 4:36And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!"
Jesus is God's word and His power is in His words. Jesus only needs to say one word and demons must flee according to His authority. The demons know who Jesus is but they don't know Him in a personal sense and do not place their trust in Him. They fear Jesus because He has the power to destroy them.
I need to really grasp the concept of God's authority. With just a word, Jesus heals the sick, expels demons, and creates life. What a magnificent and powerful God I serve! I am realizing more and more just how little respect I actually give to God. I mean, the demons fear Him more than I do. It is grievous to me just how little I truly believe in God's power and authority. What is the word that God is speaking to me today? Listen...wait for it....listen harder, Laine....."Trust." I need to trust Him today. Especially with our finances...I need to trust Him. If this is what He is speaking to me, then really, I should live it out. What does it look like to trust God?
Lord, even though the bills need to get paid and we don't have the money in the account, I trust You. Even though the cell phone went over in minutes, I will trust You. Even though the baby cries and fusses, I will trust You. Even though we don't have a car, I will trust You. The life You have given us is so good. We need nothing. We have everything we need and then some more. You are so loving and gracious to us. Lord Jesus, I place all my cares in Your hands. Lord, I know You will come through and that Your provision is abundant. I hear Your voice and I listen. Forgive me for not trusting. Forgive me for being focused other things besides You, Jesus. I love You. You are awesome, amazing, and sovereign. I worship You alone. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Jesus is God's word and His power is in His words. Jesus only needs to say one word and demons must flee according to His authority. The demons know who Jesus is but they don't know Him in a personal sense and do not place their trust in Him. They fear Jesus because He has the power to destroy them.
I need to really grasp the concept of God's authority. With just a word, Jesus heals the sick, expels demons, and creates life. What a magnificent and powerful God I serve! I am realizing more and more just how little respect I actually give to God. I mean, the demons fear Him more than I do. It is grievous to me just how little I truly believe in God's power and authority. What is the word that God is speaking to me today? Listen...wait for it....listen harder, Laine....."Trust." I need to trust Him today. Especially with our finances...I need to trust Him. If this is what He is speaking to me, then really, I should live it out. What does it look like to trust God?
Lord, even though the bills need to get paid and we don't have the money in the account, I trust You. Even though the cell phone went over in minutes, I will trust You. Even though the baby cries and fusses, I will trust You. Even though we don't have a car, I will trust You. The life You have given us is so good. We need nothing. We have everything we need and then some more. You are so loving and gracious to us. Lord Jesus, I place all my cares in Your hands. Lord, I know You will come through and that Your provision is abundant. I hear Your voice and I listen. Forgive me for not trusting. Forgive me for being focused other things besides You, Jesus. I love You. You are awesome, amazing, and sovereign. I worship You alone. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Obedient Parents
Luke 2:22And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
God chose Joseph and Mary because He knew they would be obedient. He entrusted them with such a precious gift, the Christ, the Messiah. Jesus was just a newborn baby, but He was in good hands because His Heavenly Father had chosen two humble and obedient servants to raise Jesus in the pious way. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to be purified according to the Law of Moses even though they were people of meager means. They could have felt "special" and above the law because they were chosen for such a task. However, their selection by God to raise the Messiah, prompted them to take their obedience even more seriously.
I want to be a parent submitted to God. I feel like I am on the verge of rebelling again. I look at Mary and Joseph's example and I see that they did all that the Lord commanded them. They took God's word seriously. I think I'm not so serious about God's word. I admit, I sin by taking what He says lightly. I often find myself pushing my boundaries and limits. If I want to live a radical life for God, I need to change my way of thinking. I need to understand that God is serious and not just take His grace for granted. I keep having areas in my heart that need to be removed and cleaned out, but when I see it, I think I still only commit half-way. I need to submit fully to Jesus. He isn't just called Jesus Christ because it's easy to remember, He is called Jesus Christ because He is my Savior and He is from God and is God. Jesus needs to be calling the shots in my life. I can't keep sinning. I can't keep my private thoughts away from the cross. I must bring it all out into His light so that I may be rid of it once and for all.
Heavenly Father, please help me to be submissive. Lord, change my heart. Transform my mind. Keep me from sinning, Lord. I feel like I'm so tempted to do what I want. I need to be a slave to Your righteousness. Lord, I want to be a parent submitted to Your best for Lion's life. Lord, You've entrusted me with such a precious gift. Please help me to keep steady on Your path. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
God chose Joseph and Mary because He knew they would be obedient. He entrusted them with such a precious gift, the Christ, the Messiah. Jesus was just a newborn baby, but He was in good hands because His Heavenly Father had chosen two humble and obedient servants to raise Jesus in the pious way. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to be purified according to the Law of Moses even though they were people of meager means. They could have felt "special" and above the law because they were chosen for such a task. However, their selection by God to raise the Messiah, prompted them to take their obedience even more seriously.
I want to be a parent submitted to God. I feel like I am on the verge of rebelling again. I look at Mary and Joseph's example and I see that they did all that the Lord commanded them. They took God's word seriously. I think I'm not so serious about God's word. I admit, I sin by taking what He says lightly. I often find myself pushing my boundaries and limits. If I want to live a radical life for God, I need to change my way of thinking. I need to understand that God is serious and not just take His grace for granted. I keep having areas in my heart that need to be removed and cleaned out, but when I see it, I think I still only commit half-way. I need to submit fully to Jesus. He isn't just called Jesus Christ because it's easy to remember, He is called Jesus Christ because He is my Savior and He is from God and is God. Jesus needs to be calling the shots in my life. I can't keep sinning. I can't keep my private thoughts away from the cross. I must bring it all out into His light so that I may be rid of it once and for all.
Heavenly Father, please help me to be submissive. Lord, change my heart. Transform my mind. Keep me from sinning, Lord. I feel like I'm so tempted to do what I want. I need to be a slave to Your righteousness. Lord, I want to be a parent submitted to Your best for Lion's life. Lord, You've entrusted me with such a precious gift. Please help me to keep steady on Your path. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Deaf and Mute
Luke 1:20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”
Zechariah was told by Gabriel that God had heard his prayer and was going to bless Zechariah and Elizabeth with a child. Zechariah did not believe the angel. He wasn't sure how that would be possible since he and his wife were both advanced in their years. Then Zechariah became a deaf and mute until all that the angel had spoken had come to pass.
I think I knew that Zechariah was mute, but I didn't realize he was deaf too. Now it makes sense why it was so amazing that he wanted to call the baby John just as Elizabeth also said that the baby would be called John. I'm seeing a lesson to be learned here from Zechariah. When we doubt God, it makes us deaf and mute. We are unable to hear properly and speak or communicate properly. But God's grace releases us from these strongholds. Am I deaf or mute right now in my Christian walk? Am I like Zechariah where I am doubting God or failing to hear and speak to Him? I think so. I think I need to repent. Truly repent. I've been allowing things in my thought life to distract me. I want to get refocused on God. It's so scary how fast I get sidetracked. I think that the reason why I am having trouble speaking to God is because I'm doubting His word. I need to desire to get right with God.
Heavenly Father, help me to return to You with all of my heart. I see now that I am deaf and mute. Release me from this and reopen the lines of communication with You. Lord, forgive me for my sins. Make me desire holiness. Change me drastically. I love You. I want to be more in love with You. May I be completely obsessed with You, Lord. Cleanse me and purify me. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Zechariah was told by Gabriel that God had heard his prayer and was going to bless Zechariah and Elizabeth with a child. Zechariah did not believe the angel. He wasn't sure how that would be possible since he and his wife were both advanced in their years. Then Zechariah became a deaf and mute until all that the angel had spoken had come to pass.
I think I knew that Zechariah was mute, but I didn't realize he was deaf too. Now it makes sense why it was so amazing that he wanted to call the baby John just as Elizabeth also said that the baby would be called John. I'm seeing a lesson to be learned here from Zechariah. When we doubt God, it makes us deaf and mute. We are unable to hear properly and speak or communicate properly. But God's grace releases us from these strongholds. Am I deaf or mute right now in my Christian walk? Am I like Zechariah where I am doubting God or failing to hear and speak to Him? I think so. I think I need to repent. Truly repent. I've been allowing things in my thought life to distract me. I want to get refocused on God. It's so scary how fast I get sidetracked. I think that the reason why I am having trouble speaking to God is because I'm doubting His word. I need to desire to get right with God.
Heavenly Father, help me to return to You with all of my heart. I see now that I am deaf and mute. Release me from this and reopen the lines of communication with You. Lord, forgive me for my sins. Make me desire holiness. Change me drastically. I love You. I want to be more in love with You. May I be completely obsessed with You, Lord. Cleanse me and purify me. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
My heart check
Psalm 145:19He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
This scripture comes out of David's song of praise to the Lord. He says that God fulfills the desires of those who fear Him. Are these the desires of our heart? Are these good desires to have? Or is he talking about the desire that comes out of fear of God? That sounds more accurate. Just as a parent doesn't want to give a child something that they want when they are disrespectful, God will not simply bless us because we want it. He only blesses to magnify Himself. When we desire God's glory to be magnified, then He provides for that purpose. I always come back to this question...Do I really fear God? I think I am not afraid of God as much as I am of the consequences of sin. Main idea here is that God is our provider when we fear Him in a healthy way and He is also our savior when we cry out to Him out of His graciousness.
I need to fear the Lord. I keep forgetting who He truly is. I have spiritual amnesia. It's crazy. God is mighty to save. He is more than able to provide and fulfill desires. Why do I forget who I am talking to when I pray? Why do I forget to pray? I think I'm really seeing just how dry I am. I am not abiding in Jesus the way I should. I really need to repent. My heart is set on comfortable things. I am praying for things that really do not spring from my fear of God. I need to set my mind straight. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He is worthy to be praised and be obsessed over. I'm seeing just how much I am lacking in my walk.
Heavenly Father, You are awesome and fearsome. I repent. Please forgive me for forgetting who You truly are. Make me understand You better. Lord, reveal to me Your glory and may I be forever transformed by it. Lord, I love You. I want to be more like Jesus. Lord, thank You for being so gracious. You are God of gods and King of kings. You are more than I can fathom. Lord, help me to be humble and totally obsessed with You. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
he also hears their cry and saves them.
This scripture comes out of David's song of praise to the Lord. He says that God fulfills the desires of those who fear Him. Are these the desires of our heart? Are these good desires to have? Or is he talking about the desire that comes out of fear of God? That sounds more accurate. Just as a parent doesn't want to give a child something that they want when they are disrespectful, God will not simply bless us because we want it. He only blesses to magnify Himself. When we desire God's glory to be magnified, then He provides for that purpose. I always come back to this question...Do I really fear God? I think I am not afraid of God as much as I am of the consequences of sin. Main idea here is that God is our provider when we fear Him in a healthy way and He is also our savior when we cry out to Him out of His graciousness.
I need to fear the Lord. I keep forgetting who He truly is. I have spiritual amnesia. It's crazy. God is mighty to save. He is more than able to provide and fulfill desires. Why do I forget who I am talking to when I pray? Why do I forget to pray? I think I'm really seeing just how dry I am. I am not abiding in Jesus the way I should. I really need to repent. My heart is set on comfortable things. I am praying for things that really do not spring from my fear of God. I need to set my mind straight. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He is worthy to be praised and be obsessed over. I'm seeing just how much I am lacking in my walk.
Heavenly Father, You are awesome and fearsome. I repent. Please forgive me for forgetting who You truly are. Make me understand You better. Lord, reveal to me Your glory and may I be forever transformed by it. Lord, I love You. I want to be more like Jesus. Lord, thank You for being so gracious. You are God of gods and King of kings. You are more than I can fathom. Lord, help me to be humble and totally obsessed with You. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Faithful worship
Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
King Nebuchadnezzar made an idol of gold and commanded everyone to worship it. These three Jews were faithful to worship the one, true God alone. Their response to the threat of the punishment of the furnace was that God is able to deliver them from the furnace but if He didn't then they still would only worship Him.
It turns out that God did deliver them from the furnace, but the point is that they did not know the outcome but chose to worship God alone anyway. Do I have this kind of faithful dedication to God? I don't think I'm there yet. I often allow circumstances to make me change my mind and what's worse, I often judge God's love for me if the circumstances start to change. This cannot be. Just as God was able to deliver these men from the furnace, He was able to deliver Jesus from the cross. Instead, God chose Jesus to suffer for our sins and Jesus did so willingly and lovingly. I want the kind of faith that can withstand the fire instead of always wavering at the first signs of change.
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for often changing my commitment to You when the first signs of trials appear. Lord, instill in me a steadfast faith. Keep me totally obsessed with You. Lord, I love You and want to be more in love with You. Help me to be more like Jesus today. Despite the situation, may I always be faithful to worship You alone. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
King Nebuchadnezzar made an idol of gold and commanded everyone to worship it. These three Jews were faithful to worship the one, true God alone. Their response to the threat of the punishment of the furnace was that God is able to deliver them from the furnace but if He didn't then they still would only worship Him.
It turns out that God did deliver them from the furnace, but the point is that they did not know the outcome but chose to worship God alone anyway. Do I have this kind of faithful dedication to God? I don't think I'm there yet. I often allow circumstances to make me change my mind and what's worse, I often judge God's love for me if the circumstances start to change. This cannot be. Just as God was able to deliver these men from the furnace, He was able to deliver Jesus from the cross. Instead, God chose Jesus to suffer for our sins and Jesus did so willingly and lovingly. I want the kind of faith that can withstand the fire instead of always wavering at the first signs of change.
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for often changing my commitment to You when the first signs of trials appear. Lord, instill in me a steadfast faith. Keep me totally obsessed with You. Lord, I love You and want to be more in love with You. Help me to be more like Jesus today. Despite the situation, may I always be faithful to worship You alone. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Friday, September 11, 2009
God reveals mysteries
Daniel 2:22 & 47
22 he reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,
and the light dwells with him.
47The king answered and said to Daniel, "Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery."
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and wanted to know the interpretation. He decided that he would know for sure if the interpretation was correct if the interpreter could also tell him what the dream was. No one could do it. If they guessed the dream incorrectly, then surely, the king would kill them. So since no one wanted to try, the king in his anger sent out an order to kill all the wise men. When Daniel heard of this order, he took action and sought the Lord to reveal this mystery. God was faithful and revealed the dream and the interpretation to Daniel. Daniel's response to God's revelation was worship. He praised God for his might, power, sovereignty, and wisdom. Daniel gave God all the glory for the unveiling of the mystery.
The revealing of mysteries comes from God. The perception of God is that He is beyond human understanding. People tend to interpret the scripture, "My ways are higher than your ways"as an excuse for why Christians just need faith and not understanding. However, I think it is clear that God delights in revealing Himself to us. He wants us to know Him. He wants us to seek to know Him. This reminds me of when a young couple is dating. The girl loves it when the guy asks questions about her. She enjoys the fact that he wants to get to know her. She is a mystery that this guy wants to discover. It is the same with God. He puts Himself out there so that we will desire to know Him more. If there are things about God that I don't understand, I need to ask Him to reveal it to me. If I ask, then I will receive. Jesus came so that we might know the Father. Jesus' mission was to unveil the mystery of God. I don't have to have a blind faith, I can have a clear and solid understanding of my Lord and Savior.
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing mysteries to those who seek You. I pray that I continue to seek wisdom and understanding. I love You so much and pray that I grow in my love for You. Forgive me for my sins. Change me to be more like Jesus Christ. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
22 he reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,
and the light dwells with him.
47The king answered and said to Daniel, "Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery."
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and wanted to know the interpretation. He decided that he would know for sure if the interpretation was correct if the interpreter could also tell him what the dream was. No one could do it. If they guessed the dream incorrectly, then surely, the king would kill them. So since no one wanted to try, the king in his anger sent out an order to kill all the wise men. When Daniel heard of this order, he took action and sought the Lord to reveal this mystery. God was faithful and revealed the dream and the interpretation to Daniel. Daniel's response to God's revelation was worship. He praised God for his might, power, sovereignty, and wisdom. Daniel gave God all the glory for the unveiling of the mystery.
The revealing of mysteries comes from God. The perception of God is that He is beyond human understanding. People tend to interpret the scripture, "My ways are higher than your ways"as an excuse for why Christians just need faith and not understanding. However, I think it is clear that God delights in revealing Himself to us. He wants us to know Him. He wants us to seek to know Him. This reminds me of when a young couple is dating. The girl loves it when the guy asks questions about her. She enjoys the fact that he wants to get to know her. She is a mystery that this guy wants to discover. It is the same with God. He puts Himself out there so that we will desire to know Him more. If there are things about God that I don't understand, I need to ask Him to reveal it to me. If I ask, then I will receive. Jesus came so that we might know the Father. Jesus' mission was to unveil the mystery of God. I don't have to have a blind faith, I can have a clear and solid understanding of my Lord and Savior.
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing mysteries to those who seek You. I pray that I continue to seek wisdom and understanding. I love You so much and pray that I grow in my love for You. Forgive me for my sins. Change me to be more like Jesus Christ. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Song of the Lamb
Revelation 15:3And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
"Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
4 Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed."
In John's vision, those who have conquered the beast sang the song of Moses which is also the song of the Lamb. The ESV study bible says that this shows that the martyrs already are celebrating the victory of the Lamb. Jesus is the Lamb and worthy of full worship. In heaven, Jesus is always being glorified and praised. We should be adopting this compulsive habit while we are on earth because it is truth and power to praise the living God.
I want to memorize this song. I don't have a melody for it, but I think I need to remember how to praise the Lamb of God. He is great and amazing, just and true, holy and fearsome! Every nation will come and worship Jesus because God has made Jesus' righteousness known. God has not left us in the dark with no light to follow out of the darkness. Instead, God sent His only Son so that we can break free from the darkness and run towards the light. What amazing grace and love!
Heavenly Father, please help me to remember and memorize this song. I want to be able to bring scripture to mind right away. Help me and my household be disciplined in praising and worshiping You consistently. I love you, Lord. I pray for Your wisdom and strength today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
"Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
4 Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed."
In John's vision, those who have conquered the beast sang the song of Moses which is also the song of the Lamb. The ESV study bible says that this shows that the martyrs already are celebrating the victory of the Lamb. Jesus is the Lamb and worthy of full worship. In heaven, Jesus is always being glorified and praised. We should be adopting this compulsive habit while we are on earth because it is truth and power to praise the living God.
I want to memorize this song. I don't have a melody for it, but I think I need to remember how to praise the Lamb of God. He is great and amazing, just and true, holy and fearsome! Every nation will come and worship Jesus because God has made Jesus' righteousness known. God has not left us in the dark with no light to follow out of the darkness. Instead, God sent His only Son so that we can break free from the darkness and run towards the light. What amazing grace and love!
Heavenly Father, please help me to remember and memorize this song. I want to be able to bring scripture to mind right away. Help me and my household be disciplined in praising and worshiping You consistently. I love you, Lord. I pray for Your wisdom and strength today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Martyrs
Revelation 6:9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
In John's vision, the seals on the scroll are being broken open, one by one. After the four horsemen appear, the fifth seal prompts the souls of martyrs to cry out. They are then each given a white robe and told to rest until God's will is completed. There are other martyrs that are to join them still. God will not avenge the martyrs until all of them have been slain. Then He will pour out His full wrath upon those who killed God's servants. The life of a martyr is considered a pure and acceptable sacrifice.
This passage indicates two things: people are still to be slain for Jesus up until the end times and those who give their very lives for Jesus' glory remain in a holy rest under the altar of God. Although life on earth must have ended tortuously for these servants of God, they have a certain resting place and purpose in God's kingdom. God will avenge His slain servants. He will not hold back when the time comes to punish those who have killed His servants. What I must ask myself is, am I willing to give my very life for God? I think that I am selfish, still, in the giving away of my life. It is easy to say, "Let me die so that I don't have to go on living." But it is harder to say, "I'll keep living for God's purposes until it kills me." I need to change my mindset to the latter. God isn't pleased by people dying. He is pleased by people living to glorify and serve Him and when those people are hurt or killed, He gets angry. It just dawned on me that suicide is also a form of hurting God's servant. Anyways, I truly need to renew my mind on this. I need to be willing to be pure for God's glory and know that if any persecution happens to me, God will avenge me.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being a just and Holy God. Father, I ask that You forgive me of my sins and make me acceptable in Your sight according to the blood of Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, help me to live for You completely. May I stop being selfish with my life and go completely overboard to live for Your glory. I love You. Please make me more in love with You. Please heal me from this sickness and also protect Lion from getting it. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
In John's vision, the seals on the scroll are being broken open, one by one. After the four horsemen appear, the fifth seal prompts the souls of martyrs to cry out. They are then each given a white robe and told to rest until God's will is completed. There are other martyrs that are to join them still. God will not avenge the martyrs until all of them have been slain. Then He will pour out His full wrath upon those who killed God's servants. The life of a martyr is considered a pure and acceptable sacrifice.
This passage indicates two things: people are still to be slain for Jesus up until the end times and those who give their very lives for Jesus' glory remain in a holy rest under the altar of God. Although life on earth must have ended tortuously for these servants of God, they have a certain resting place and purpose in God's kingdom. God will avenge His slain servants. He will not hold back when the time comes to punish those who have killed His servants. What I must ask myself is, am I willing to give my very life for God? I think that I am selfish, still, in the giving away of my life. It is easy to say, "Let me die so that I don't have to go on living." But it is harder to say, "I'll keep living for God's purposes until it kills me." I need to change my mindset to the latter. God isn't pleased by people dying. He is pleased by people living to glorify and serve Him and when those people are hurt or killed, He gets angry. It just dawned on me that suicide is also a form of hurting God's servant. Anyways, I truly need to renew my mind on this. I need to be willing to be pure for God's glory and know that if any persecution happens to me, God will avenge me.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being a just and Holy God. Father, I ask that You forgive me of my sins and make me acceptable in Your sight according to the blood of Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, help me to live for You completely. May I stop being selfish with my life and go completely overboard to live for Your glory. I love You. Please make me more in love with You. Please heal me from this sickness and also protect Lion from getting it. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Monday, August 31, 2009
The Lion and the Lamb
Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
John was looking at a prophetic vision of God. In God’s right hand, there was a scroll sealed with seven seals and no one was worthy to open this scroll. The seven seals indicate that the scroll is prevented from its full disclosure or the enactments of its contents. The scroll seems to be a sort of Roman will or contract deed because those types of scrolls had writing on the outside and the inside. So, here is John, weeping because no one was worthy, or had the authority, to open the will of God, which seemed to be the hope of the church. No man, nor angels, nor the four creatures, nor the elders could do this. Only the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ, could open the scroll. Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb. In all His great might and authority, He conquered sin, death, and Satan by being the perfect sacrificial Lamb. Jesus is not only of the tribe of Judah, but He is also the Root of David because He is the reason of David’s rule. God chose to bring forth Jesus through the lineage of Judah and David; David’s lineage did not breed the Messiah. We must remember that Jesus is the only one worthy of God’s authority, glory, and power.
No one else is like Jesus. Not Buddha, not Muhammad, not Krishna, no one. Jesus is the only one who lived a sinless life, laid down His life, and then rose again to conquer death once and for all. He could do all these things because He was the Son of God and also God Himself. Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb. He is the Lion because He is strong, mighty, courageous, fearsome, and sovereign. He is also the Lamb because He was a pure, all encompassing sacrifice. No other prophet died for anyone else, let alone the salvation of mankind. We can rejoice and stop our weeping because we know Jesus and He is our King, Prophet, and Priest. He is the only one who is worthy to be praised. When we praise others, we insult God’s Holy sacrifice. We break God’s covenant and we sentence ourselves to eternal punishment. I want to always remember that Jesus is the reason that we can overcome sin. He is the only way that I can overcome my flesh, my sins, and the world. Jesus is the Lamb so that we can have a way back to the Father. Jesus is the Lion so that all others who deny the Father will not escape justice.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ. I praise You, Jesus, for being the Lamb and the Lion. Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I know that I am not worthy. Thank You for making me worthy by Your Son’s sacrifice. Lord, may I remember that Jesus is also the Lion. He is powerful and will open Your divine will so that justice will be served. I pray that You would give me zeal for Your people, that I would be more urgent in telling others about Jesus and the salvation that You offer from our sins and the vortex of this world’s fallen state. I love You. Jesus, I want to be more in awe and in love with You. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wake up
Revelation 3:3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
Jesus is speaking through John to the church of Sardis. He tells the church that they are truly dead although they appear to be alive. The counsel that He gives is for them to remember what they had received, which is the gospel, and they must keep it through repentance. It's as if they slipped into a death like slumber which renders them useless to God. If we are not on God's side, fighting evil with Him, then we are against Him and He will come against us because we are no longer of Him anymore.
I can speak from personal experience about being dead while seeming alive. I feel like this past week, I was dead and not repenting to come back to life. If it wasn't for my husband and the Holy Spirit interceding for my salvation, then I wouldn't have emerged from this dark place. I knew the gospel, but I chose not to repent. I chose not to listen to the truth. I chose to slumber in this death-like state. When Hanzo and I really got into it and he discovered that I was choosing to sin, he was filled with righteous zeal and said that he would actively be against me. Although we could brush that statement off as if he was just angry, I think it was what I really needed to hear. I was no longer on God's side so of course, God would be against me as well as my husband. I needed to repent and come back to God's side. To not do so, would be to stay in sin and await God's punishment, which could come at any moment. There was much grace, Jesus didn't come back while I was choosing to be in sin. But He could have, and boy, there would have went all that I had worked for. All because I was forgetting who Jesus is and what He did and focusing on myself and my issues. I must never fail at this test again. I always took pride in my hard work ethic in my studies and performing arts. If I made a mistake or failed a test or quiz, I'd put in extra effort to make sure that I would do better the next time. A next time will come. It says that the devil goes away and waits for another opportunity. I need to put extra effort into making sure that I always remember who Jesus is and keep repentant. Like driving on a long highway, I need to keep awake. To fall asleep at the wheel is dangerous. Thank God that I had my husband in the car with me to shake me out of it.
Heavenly Father, I am so sorry for choosing to sin. I know that I grieved You and that I need to come back to You with my whole heart. Please forgive me. I know that You already have, but I pray that I would remember that I have received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and not let my emotions rule over me again. Please make me more dependant upon You. Keep me close, Lord. I love You. Change me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Jesus is speaking through John to the church of Sardis. He tells the church that they are truly dead although they appear to be alive. The counsel that He gives is for them to remember what they had received, which is the gospel, and they must keep it through repentance. It's as if they slipped into a death like slumber which renders them useless to God. If we are not on God's side, fighting evil with Him, then we are against Him and He will come against us because we are no longer of Him anymore.
I can speak from personal experience about being dead while seeming alive. I feel like this past week, I was dead and not repenting to come back to life. If it wasn't for my husband and the Holy Spirit interceding for my salvation, then I wouldn't have emerged from this dark place. I knew the gospel, but I chose not to repent. I chose not to listen to the truth. I chose to slumber in this death-like state. When Hanzo and I really got into it and he discovered that I was choosing to sin, he was filled with righteous zeal and said that he would actively be against me. Although we could brush that statement off as if he was just angry, I think it was what I really needed to hear. I was no longer on God's side so of course, God would be against me as well as my husband. I needed to repent and come back to God's side. To not do so, would be to stay in sin and await God's punishment, which could come at any moment. There was much grace, Jesus didn't come back while I was choosing to be in sin. But He could have, and boy, there would have went all that I had worked for. All because I was forgetting who Jesus is and what He did and focusing on myself and my issues. I must never fail at this test again. I always took pride in my hard work ethic in my studies and performing arts. If I made a mistake or failed a test or quiz, I'd put in extra effort to make sure that I would do better the next time. A next time will come. It says that the devil goes away and waits for another opportunity. I need to put extra effort into making sure that I always remember who Jesus is and keep repentant. Like driving on a long highway, I need to keep awake. To fall asleep at the wheel is dangerous. Thank God that I had my husband in the car with me to shake me out of it.
Heavenly Father, I am so sorry for choosing to sin. I know that I grieved You and that I need to come back to You with my whole heart. Please forgive me. I know that You already have, but I pray that I would remember that I have received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and not let my emotions rule over me again. Please make me more dependant upon You. Keep me close, Lord. I love You. Change me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Keep your word
Jeremiah 34:15You recently repented and did what was right in my eyes by proclaiming liberty, each to his neighbor, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name, 16but then you turned around and profaned my name when each of you took back his male and female slaves, whom you had set free according to their desire, and you brought them into subjection to be your slaves. 17"Therefore, thus says the LORD: You have not obeyed me by proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother and to his neighbor; behold, I proclaim to you liberty to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine, declares the LORD. I will make you a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.
1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
No one likes a person who goes back on his word. I think everyone in this world gets upset or thinks it is unfair when someone makes a commitment and then changes his or her mind. God hates this. God never goes back on His word. God never goes back on His covenant or promise. When the Hebrews promised God that they would proclaim liberty and they set all their slaves free, God was pleased. Then, they did something very sinful...they took back their slaves. They went back on everything they promised God. Obedience for the immediate moment is not true obedience. We cannot be obedient only when we feel like it and then when we don't want to be obedient anymore, we go back to whatever we think is best or whatever we want to do. If we truly love God, then we will keep His commandments. This is the evidence of our faith. Our love for God will keep us from going back on our word.
A perfect example of how I cannot go back on my word is my marriage to Hanzo. I've made a covenant with him and God that I'll be his wife until the day I die. If soon after I made those vows, I said, you know what...I've been obedient to this vow long enough, I'm not going to be your wife anymore, then I'd be proving more than anything else that I did not truly love Hanzo in the first place. Because I love God and I love Hanzo, I need to keep this covenant until I die. I'm not perfect however, I have, in the past, went back on my word before. It was not good. It was not blessed. I don't want to be like that ever again. When I say I will do something, then I must see it through until the end. Also, I must be careful of what I promise to do. If I take on too much, of course, I'll be obligated to fulfill all my promises. So, I need to know that if I truly love God, and I do, then I'll keep all His commands all the time, not just when I feel like it.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your unchanging ways. I thank You that You are the perfect promise keeper and that Your promises are good and full of life. Lord, I know that when You said You will never forsake me, that You meant it. You will take care of me and my family and so I have nothing to worry about. Lord, I ask that I be an obedient child of God. I ask that I keep my word out of my love for You. May I increase in my love for You, Lord. Show me today, how I can love You even more than yesterday. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
No one likes a person who goes back on his word. I think everyone in this world gets upset or thinks it is unfair when someone makes a commitment and then changes his or her mind. God hates this. God never goes back on His word. God never goes back on His covenant or promise. When the Hebrews promised God that they would proclaim liberty and they set all their slaves free, God was pleased. Then, they did something very sinful...they took back their slaves. They went back on everything they promised God. Obedience for the immediate moment is not true obedience. We cannot be obedient only when we feel like it and then when we don't want to be obedient anymore, we go back to whatever we think is best or whatever we want to do. If we truly love God, then we will keep His commandments. This is the evidence of our faith. Our love for God will keep us from going back on our word.
A perfect example of how I cannot go back on my word is my marriage to Hanzo. I've made a covenant with him and God that I'll be his wife until the day I die. If soon after I made those vows, I said, you know what...I've been obedient to this vow long enough, I'm not going to be your wife anymore, then I'd be proving more than anything else that I did not truly love Hanzo in the first place. Because I love God and I love Hanzo, I need to keep this covenant until I die. I'm not perfect however, I have, in the past, went back on my word before. It was not good. It was not blessed. I don't want to be like that ever again. When I say I will do something, then I must see it through until the end. Also, I must be careful of what I promise to do. If I take on too much, of course, I'll be obligated to fulfill all my promises. So, I need to know that if I truly love God, and I do, then I'll keep all His commands all the time, not just when I feel like it.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your unchanging ways. I thank You that You are the perfect promise keeper and that Your promises are good and full of life. Lord, I know that when You said You will never forsake me, that You meant it. You will take care of me and my family and so I have nothing to worry about. Lord, I ask that I be an obedient child of God. I ask that I keep my word out of my love for You. May I increase in my love for You, Lord. Show me today, how I can love You even more than yesterday. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
God's seed
1 John 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
John lays it out, pure and simple. You can tell who is of God by their acts. If someone keeps sinning, then that person is obviously not of God, no matter what that person calls himself or herself. God's seed abides in us when we are truly born again. If we haven't received God's seed, then we will keep on sinning because we have no power over sin on our own.
This is good and bad news to me. Good news in that I know that I am saved. I know that God's seed is in me. I do however, need to make sure that I remain as good soil. I need to constantly clear away the thorns and weeds that try to choke out God's seed. I constantly need to repent so that I keep renewing my mind and my heart. This is bad news also in that there are several people that come to mind when I think of those who say they are Christians but the evidence of willful sin in their lives testifies against them. I think it's pretty accurate to say that once you truly give your life over to Christ, you cannot be the same. God will not fail at the work He has started in you; it must be completed. I'm very encouraged by this scripture but also motivated to share the message of true salvation with those who think they are already saved. I think I was this kind of a Christian for a long time. I don't doubt, however, that God was completing a work He started in me. I do know, that I thought I was a Christian, but I was still willfully living in sin and turning to God only for the benefits and blessings. It is only by God's grace that I have come to know Him in a true and intimate way. There is no way that I could have discovered God's awesome message of salvation on my own. Truly, it is all in His planning. Does this mean that I shouldn't try to share the gospel with others because God has already predestined who will and will not receive His revelation? No way! I should share all the more because I am testifying to the truth and that truth does not return void to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace in my life. Lord, I'm sorry that for so many years I willfully sinned and in the process tainted Your name to some people. I said I was a Christian, but only recently, do I realize the cost of following Christ. Lord, I repent and I ask that You continue to grow Your seed within me. Lord, may Your love overflow from me. Give me courage and boldness to proclaim the gospel to everyone I meet. Lord, help me to guide my father, brother, and friends to true salvation. I love You, Lord. May Your Holy Spirit accomplish all that it has begun within me. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
John lays it out, pure and simple. You can tell who is of God by their acts. If someone keeps sinning, then that person is obviously not of God, no matter what that person calls himself or herself. God's seed abides in us when we are truly born again. If we haven't received God's seed, then we will keep on sinning because we have no power over sin on our own.
This is good and bad news to me. Good news in that I know that I am saved. I know that God's seed is in me. I do however, need to make sure that I remain as good soil. I need to constantly clear away the thorns and weeds that try to choke out God's seed. I constantly need to repent so that I keep renewing my mind and my heart. This is bad news also in that there are several people that come to mind when I think of those who say they are Christians but the evidence of willful sin in their lives testifies against them. I think it's pretty accurate to say that once you truly give your life over to Christ, you cannot be the same. God will not fail at the work He has started in you; it must be completed. I'm very encouraged by this scripture but also motivated to share the message of true salvation with those who think they are already saved. I think I was this kind of a Christian for a long time. I don't doubt, however, that God was completing a work He started in me. I do know, that I thought I was a Christian, but I was still willfully living in sin and turning to God only for the benefits and blessings. It is only by God's grace that I have come to know Him in a true and intimate way. There is no way that I could have discovered God's awesome message of salvation on my own. Truly, it is all in His planning. Does this mean that I shouldn't try to share the gospel with others because God has already predestined who will and will not receive His revelation? No way! I should share all the more because I am testifying to the truth and that truth does not return void to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace in my life. Lord, I'm sorry that for so many years I willfully sinned and in the process tainted Your name to some people. I said I was a Christian, but only recently, do I realize the cost of following Christ. Lord, I repent and I ask that You continue to grow Your seed within me. Lord, may Your love overflow from me. Give me courage and boldness to proclaim the gospel to everyone I meet. Lord, help me to guide my father, brother, and friends to true salvation. I love You, Lord. May Your Holy Spirit accomplish all that it has begun within me. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Who to listen to
Jeremiah 27:14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are saying to you, 'You shall not serve the king of Babylon,' for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you. 15I have not sent them, declares the LORD, but they are prophesying falsely in my name, with the result that I will drive you out and you will perish, you and the prophets who are prophesying to you."
1 John 2:18Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is the promise that he made to us— eternal life.
In Jeremiah, the people were placing their hope in the false prophets that were saying things that the people wanted to hear. The false prophets were saying that they would not remain in captivity under King Nebuchadnezzar. However, Jeremiah says that their captivity and exile is part of God's righteous judgment on them and so if they remain under Babylon's rule, then they will prosper and He will bring them back to their land. The false prophets claim that they have heard from God, but they are lying and it is the listener's responsibility to choose whom they should listen to wisely. Those who choose to listen to the false prophets will only suffer complete separation from God's promises. Likewise, in 1 John, Christ's followers are told that there are those who separated themselves and that shows that they truly were not with Christ to begin with. Once we have given our lives over to Christ, it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we must remain with Christ. God's will must be accomplished. So, we must be wise in who we take as a credible source even among people who claim to be Christians. If they are truly Christians, then they will remain faithful to Christ Jesus, but if they deny Jesus and His ministry, then they truly never knew the truth to begin with and are not credible sources for truth.
I live in an age of super-fast information bombardment. From every corner and angle there are those proclaiming that they have the solution to the world's problems. There are many "new" theologies and philosophies that are floating around and people are grabbing them from the air like a money grab machine. Whatever they grab a hold to, that is their truth. That is the reality they are comfortable with. However, this is a dangerous lie from the enemy. If we have no standard to measure by, destruction is the default. The Bible says that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, so of course his main tactic is to keep us from knowing the truth. The serpent keeps using the same old trick from Genesis, "Did God actually say?"(Gen. 3:1) There are many false prophets and teachers today saying things like Jesus and Buddha are the same or that Jesus had children, or that there are books missing from the Bible, or that God just wants us to think positively and then He'll bless us. I cannot simply sit back and say, "Well, I'll accept that...after all, who really knows...it could be true." I cannot think that it'll be the other person's fault if I end up apart from the Heavenly Father for eternity. For me to stand at the time of judgment and say, "Well, I was just listening to what he said," is not going to pardon my sin. Sin is sin, and if I do not accept God's forgiveness through His son, Jesus, I receive no pardon for my sin and so the wages of sin fall upon me. Also, it says it plainly here in Jeremiah 27:15 that I shall perish along with the false prophets. Therefore, I need to read the Bible for myself and then use wisdom to discern whether other authors and speakers are speaking truthfully. If it doesn't match up to what God has said, then it is a lie and from the spirit of the antichrist. After all, those who know the Father, will not deny the Son.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word and for making Your word known to us, not only through the Bible but through the living, walking example of the word in flesh, Jesus Christ, your Son. Lord, forgive me for being so eager to listen to false testimony. I admit that I have listened to false prophets in the past and I have even, in the past, been one of those falsely teaching others. So, please forgive me by the blood of Jesus and redeem my mistakes and weaknesses to give You all the glory. Lord, I pray for everyone who is under the slavery of false prophesy. I ask that You would send Your Holy Spirit to open the eyes of their hearts so that they may see the truth, repent and live. I ask that You speak directly to those who are falsely prophesying and teaching and convict them of what they are saying. I pray that they also would seek the truth, repent and live. Lord, may Christians today take responsibility for what they feed themselves outside of the Bible. I pray that we all are careful in what we accept as truth and what we teach others as the truth. May our hearts, faith and actions be pleasing to You, Father. Jesus, I pray that I continue to seek Your example and follow You closely every moment. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior I pray, Amen.
1 John 2:18Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is the promise that he made to us— eternal life.
In Jeremiah, the people were placing their hope in the false prophets that were saying things that the people wanted to hear. The false prophets were saying that they would not remain in captivity under King Nebuchadnezzar. However, Jeremiah says that their captivity and exile is part of God's righteous judgment on them and so if they remain under Babylon's rule, then they will prosper and He will bring them back to their land. The false prophets claim that they have heard from God, but they are lying and it is the listener's responsibility to choose whom they should listen to wisely. Those who choose to listen to the false prophets will only suffer complete separation from God's promises. Likewise, in 1 John, Christ's followers are told that there are those who separated themselves and that shows that they truly were not with Christ to begin with. Once we have given our lives over to Christ, it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we must remain with Christ. God's will must be accomplished. So, we must be wise in who we take as a credible source even among people who claim to be Christians. If they are truly Christians, then they will remain faithful to Christ Jesus, but if they deny Jesus and His ministry, then they truly never knew the truth to begin with and are not credible sources for truth.
I live in an age of super-fast information bombardment. From every corner and angle there are those proclaiming that they have the solution to the world's problems. There are many "new" theologies and philosophies that are floating around and people are grabbing them from the air like a money grab machine. Whatever they grab a hold to, that is their truth. That is the reality they are comfortable with. However, this is a dangerous lie from the enemy. If we have no standard to measure by, destruction is the default. The Bible says that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, so of course his main tactic is to keep us from knowing the truth. The serpent keeps using the same old trick from Genesis, "Did God actually say?"(Gen. 3:1) There are many false prophets and teachers today saying things like Jesus and Buddha are the same or that Jesus had children, or that there are books missing from the Bible, or that God just wants us to think positively and then He'll bless us. I cannot simply sit back and say, "Well, I'll accept that...after all, who really knows...it could be true." I cannot think that it'll be the other person's fault if I end up apart from the Heavenly Father for eternity. For me to stand at the time of judgment and say, "Well, I was just listening to what he said," is not going to pardon my sin. Sin is sin, and if I do not accept God's forgiveness through His son, Jesus, I receive no pardon for my sin and so the wages of sin fall upon me. Also, it says it plainly here in Jeremiah 27:15 that I shall perish along with the false prophets. Therefore, I need to read the Bible for myself and then use wisdom to discern whether other authors and speakers are speaking truthfully. If it doesn't match up to what God has said, then it is a lie and from the spirit of the antichrist. After all, those who know the Father, will not deny the Son.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word and for making Your word known to us, not only through the Bible but through the living, walking example of the word in flesh, Jesus Christ, your Son. Lord, forgive me for being so eager to listen to false testimony. I admit that I have listened to false prophets in the past and I have even, in the past, been one of those falsely teaching others. So, please forgive me by the blood of Jesus and redeem my mistakes and weaknesses to give You all the glory. Lord, I pray for everyone who is under the slavery of false prophesy. I ask that You would send Your Holy Spirit to open the eyes of their hearts so that they may see the truth, repent and live. I ask that You speak directly to those who are falsely prophesying and teaching and convict them of what they are saying. I pray that they also would seek the truth, repent and live. Lord, may Christians today take responsibility for what they feed themselves outside of the Bible. I pray that we all are careful in what we accept as truth and what we teach others as the truth. May our hearts, faith and actions be pleasing to You, Father. Jesus, I pray that I continue to seek Your example and follow You closely every moment. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior I pray, Amen.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
All Glory to the Father
Psalm 67:1-3
1May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
Selah
2that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
The purpose of God's blessings and grace upon His chosen people, the Jews, is so that the rest of the world will see and believe in the one, true God. God never chose the Israelites because He loved them more or favored them above the Gentiles. God chose them so that the rest of the world would look to them to believe that God truly exists and that they would come to believe in Him. The purpose of God's blessings is for His glory.
I often sin in pride thinking that God will bless me because I deserve it. The only reason why God gives and takes away is so that His glory will be increased. When I pray, I have to check my heart. Am I asking God for things because He's powerful and I want that power for myself? Or am I praying for God's will and glory to shine? These past few months have really been a time of God revealing to me just how self-focused I am. In my mind, it's still all about me. But truly, it's all about Him. When I ask for things, I need to think if I am praying for God's will or if I am praying for my will. For example, I am praying for a new car. I don't really want a fancy or brand new car, but I would like one with AC, tinted windows and more space for Lion in the back. Is it ok to ask for this? I'm sure that it never hurts to ask, but I have to know that if this doesn't add to God's glory, then I shouldn't bet on it happening. God blesses so that others may know Him and glorify Him. I suppose I could justify my asking for a car with me promising to give Him all the glory and credit, because truly, it would be a miracle to receive such a blessing. However, I have to look at my prayers for what they are and not try to manipulate my requests to look more righteous than they really are. I praise God that we already have a car and that we have such a beautiful place to live and a family that honors and loves Jesus. I have so much to be thankful for and I just need to keep giving God all the glory.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for having a selfish heart. I pray that You would purify me and make me more like Jesus Christ. Jesus, thank You for setting the example and giving all the glory to Your Father in Heaven. I pray that if it glorifies You, that we would receive a car with AC, but if it doesn't then I just want whatever gives You the glory. If that means we have to live in a cardboard box, then I want Your will to be done. I love You with all my heart, mind, and strength, Lord. Please continue to give me the fruit of the Spirit. May I walk in Your ways always to win more over to the kingdom of Heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
1May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
Selah
2that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
The purpose of God's blessings and grace upon His chosen people, the Jews, is so that the rest of the world will see and believe in the one, true God. God never chose the Israelites because He loved them more or favored them above the Gentiles. God chose them so that the rest of the world would look to them to believe that God truly exists and that they would come to believe in Him. The purpose of God's blessings is for His glory.
I often sin in pride thinking that God will bless me because I deserve it. The only reason why God gives and takes away is so that His glory will be increased. When I pray, I have to check my heart. Am I asking God for things because He's powerful and I want that power for myself? Or am I praying for God's will and glory to shine? These past few months have really been a time of God revealing to me just how self-focused I am. In my mind, it's still all about me. But truly, it's all about Him. When I ask for things, I need to think if I am praying for God's will or if I am praying for my will. For example, I am praying for a new car. I don't really want a fancy or brand new car, but I would like one with AC, tinted windows and more space for Lion in the back. Is it ok to ask for this? I'm sure that it never hurts to ask, but I have to know that if this doesn't add to God's glory, then I shouldn't bet on it happening. God blesses so that others may know Him and glorify Him. I suppose I could justify my asking for a car with me promising to give Him all the glory and credit, because truly, it would be a miracle to receive such a blessing. However, I have to look at my prayers for what they are and not try to manipulate my requests to look more righteous than they really are. I praise God that we already have a car and that we have such a beautiful place to live and a family that honors and loves Jesus. I have so much to be thankful for and I just need to keep giving God all the glory.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for having a selfish heart. I pray that You would purify me and make me more like Jesus Christ. Jesus, thank You for setting the example and giving all the glory to Your Father in Heaven. I pray that if it glorifies You, that we would receive a car with AC, but if it doesn't then I just want whatever gives You the glory. If that means we have to live in a cardboard box, then I want Your will to be done. I love You with all my heart, mind, and strength, Lord. Please continue to give me the fruit of the Spirit. May I walk in Your ways always to win more over to the kingdom of Heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Do I love Jesus?
John 21:15When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
Jesus is reinstating Peter for the three times that he denied Him. What stands out to me is that Peter was grieved that Jesus asked three times. Jesus still asks us the same question today, "Do you love me?" Jesus and the Father are one. God asks us if we love Him or if we love other things like what we can get from Him or what He can do for us. If we love Jesus, we will take care of and love His sheep. Who are Jesus' sheep? The other people whom Jesus has called to Himself.
Do I truly love Jesus? I want to say yes. Do my actions justify my answer? Honestly, not all the time. Sometimes, I love myself more than Jesus. Sometimes, I love praise from man more than Jesus. If I truly love Jesus, the best way for me to show this is to care for and love his sheep. How have I shown others that I love them today? Well, my mom and I gave that poor man the homeless packet. I went to Bible study. I am caring for my baby and husband. I'm being more loving and appreciative towards my mom. Tonight, when I go to Fuse, I want it to be evident that I love Jesus. I want to tend to Jesus' sheep. How can I be there for those who are hurting? I did help Cortney out a bit today. But I need to love people in a way that shows them Jesus' heart. I don't think loving people is just being a nice person. I can relate to Peter when I feel grieved when Jesus asks me if I love Him. My answer is always, "Yes, I love You, Lord." But do my words and deeds match? That grief should move me towards action. I shouldn't be sad that God convicts me of my lack of expression of love for Him. I should do something about it by sharing that love with others. What I do to the least of these I do unto Him.
Heavenly Father, help me to give You my best. May I give You the most of my thoughts, actions, heart, and strength. May I not settle for just talking about loving You but really be moved to do so. Give me an opportunity tonight to really take care of Your sheep in the way that You have asked me to. May I not cling to anything of this world. May I leave it all at the foot of the cross. Help me to be more like Jesus. Change and transform me. May all my words be truthful and salted with love. May I really be on fire for You and not be lukewarm. I thank You for Your Holiness and Grace. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Jesus is reinstating Peter for the three times that he denied Him. What stands out to me is that Peter was grieved that Jesus asked three times. Jesus still asks us the same question today, "Do you love me?" Jesus and the Father are one. God asks us if we love Him or if we love other things like what we can get from Him or what He can do for us. If we love Jesus, we will take care of and love His sheep. Who are Jesus' sheep? The other people whom Jesus has called to Himself.
Do I truly love Jesus? I want to say yes. Do my actions justify my answer? Honestly, not all the time. Sometimes, I love myself more than Jesus. Sometimes, I love praise from man more than Jesus. If I truly love Jesus, the best way for me to show this is to care for and love his sheep. How have I shown others that I love them today? Well, my mom and I gave that poor man the homeless packet. I went to Bible study. I am caring for my baby and husband. I'm being more loving and appreciative towards my mom. Tonight, when I go to Fuse, I want it to be evident that I love Jesus. I want to tend to Jesus' sheep. How can I be there for those who are hurting? I did help Cortney out a bit today. But I need to love people in a way that shows them Jesus' heart. I don't think loving people is just being a nice person. I can relate to Peter when I feel grieved when Jesus asks me if I love Him. My answer is always, "Yes, I love You, Lord." But do my words and deeds match? That grief should move me towards action. I shouldn't be sad that God convicts me of my lack of expression of love for Him. I should do something about it by sharing that love with others. What I do to the least of these I do unto Him.
Heavenly Father, help me to give You my best. May I give You the most of my thoughts, actions, heart, and strength. May I not settle for just talking about loving You but really be moved to do so. Give me an opportunity tonight to really take care of Your sheep in the way that You have asked me to. May I not cling to anything of this world. May I leave it all at the foot of the cross. Help me to be more like Jesus. Change and transform me. May all my words be truthful and salted with love. May I really be on fire for You and not be lukewarm. I thank You for Your Holiness and Grace. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Receive God's peace
John 20:19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
The disciples are all hidden in a locked place. They are afraid of the Jews. They are afraid that mobs are coming for them to kill them because Jesus had died. They are scared and definitely thinking that they are going to die just as Jesus died because they were his disciples. But Jesus appears to them in this locked place alive. The first thing He says to them is "Peace be with you." The Lord sends His peace upon this group of frightened and nervous people.
Jesus calms my fears. Jesus sends peace upon His disciples. There are so many things in this world that I could worry about. I can get caught up in thinking about who doesn't believe in Jesus and who wants to disprove my faith, but truly, I need to remember that Jesus is sending me peace. I need to receive it. I cannot allow fear and anxiety to rule over me. God's peace is with me and that should cancel out any debilitating fear. Today, I really need to keep my ears tuned into Jesus. I'm realizing that I'm so caught up in what I need to do to survive, that I leave very little room for God's voice. He wants to send me His peace. I need to receive it. Man can do nothing to me. I have nothing to fear in this world. I don't need to be afraid of what people on Facebook say to me. I don't need to be afraid of what will happen if I don't do everything I set out to do for today. God is with me. He is the peace that Jesus sends. If I don't rest in that, I am only choosing to life apart from God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your peace. Jesus, thank You for finding me when I'm caught up in my own little world and bringing me back to the Father. Forgive me, Lord, for sinning. Please show me how to keep my eyes and heart fixed on You. May I hear Your voice throughout today and always. I receive Your peace. I need Your peace. I choose to not fear this world. I love You and want to be with You always. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your grace and lovingkindness. I pray all this in the peace-bearing name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
The disciples are all hidden in a locked place. They are afraid of the Jews. They are afraid that mobs are coming for them to kill them because Jesus had died. They are scared and definitely thinking that they are going to die just as Jesus died because they were his disciples. But Jesus appears to them in this locked place alive. The first thing He says to them is "Peace be with you." The Lord sends His peace upon this group of frightened and nervous people.
Jesus calms my fears. Jesus sends peace upon His disciples. There are so many things in this world that I could worry about. I can get caught up in thinking about who doesn't believe in Jesus and who wants to disprove my faith, but truly, I need to remember that Jesus is sending me peace. I need to receive it. I cannot allow fear and anxiety to rule over me. God's peace is with me and that should cancel out any debilitating fear. Today, I really need to keep my ears tuned into Jesus. I'm realizing that I'm so caught up in what I need to do to survive, that I leave very little room for God's voice. He wants to send me His peace. I need to receive it. Man can do nothing to me. I have nothing to fear in this world. I don't need to be afraid of what people on Facebook say to me. I don't need to be afraid of what will happen if I don't do everything I set out to do for today. God is with me. He is the peace that Jesus sends. If I don't rest in that, I am only choosing to life apart from God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your peace. Jesus, thank You for finding me when I'm caught up in my own little world and bringing me back to the Father. Forgive me, Lord, for sinning. Please show me how to keep my eyes and heart fixed on You. May I hear Your voice throughout today and always. I receive Your peace. I need Your peace. I choose to not fear this world. I love You and want to be with You always. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your grace and lovingkindness. I pray all this in the peace-bearing name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Standing in God's council
Jeremiah 23:21 "I did not send the prophets,
yet they ran;
I did not speak to them,
yet they prophesied.
22 But if they had stood in my council,
then they would have proclaimed my words to my people,
and they would have turned them from their evil way,
and from the evil of their deeds.
John 19:11Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin."
I just had a strange dream. The part where I woke up, I was telling a young, Filipino girl about Jesus. She was very attractive and quite worldly. Supposedly, she also was a good dancer. She made a small comment about purity and suddenly I was filled with this passion to tell her about Jesus and just how fulfilling a relationship with Him truly is. I started explaining to her all about how God and marriage and sex all tie together and how there can be purity in a burning desire for God. I was telling her how desire shouldn't and doesn't have to be all about sex. Then, I started waking up. Soon after, I heard Lion stirring and so I picked him up and fed him. Then, when he went back to sleep, I felt like I was supposed to do my devotion. Lately, I've been feeling like doing my devotions in the early morning hours isn't productive anymore because I need the rest. However, I felt like God was really speaking to me, telling me to stay up and read His word. I'm glad that I did so.
In Jeremiah 23, I am interested in the fact that there where prophets at the time who were not prophesying the word of the Lord. God says that they could have very well stood in His council, among other people who hear from God, and heard from Him. If they had done this, people truly would have turned from their evil ways and repented. Instead, prophets and priests were saying what people wanted to hear. They spoke out of their own dreams instead of God's appointed council. I somehow feel this is related to what Jesus tells Pilate in John 19. Pilate tells Jesus that he is the one with the authority to save or destroy Jesus' life, but Jesus tells Pilate that he only has authority to crucify Jesus because God gave him that authority. The one who has the greater sin is Caiaphas, the high priest, because he is in a high position and yet he delivered Jesus over to Pilate wrongly.
What God is speaking to me about this morning is that as a Christian, I have a responsibility to hear from God. I should only be speaking what I have heard from His council. I need to communicate with others who hear from the Lord and see if I am really hearing correctly. I should not be quick to give an interpretation of my dream or anyone's dream. Also, if my heart is to truly bring others to repentance, then I must rely on God's word alone. I am not helping anyone, nor will I have authority, if I go off on my own and try to minister to others. It will not be prosperous. It will be just words that people want to hear. This is why it is so important for me to study the Bible and to be an active member in church. I think before, I was all about just experiencing God and not very passionate about understanding Him. When I witnessed to others, all I spoke of was my own, personal experience. It had the basic message of, "This worked for me, but is may or may not work for you." But the Bible says that He has made Himself known to us so that we may know and understand and believe in Him. I think God is telling me that I am ready to step it up in my relationship with Him. Before, I thought studying the Bible was too hard or only for people like my husband who are called to be pastors. But now, I have a new heart, given to me graciously by God, to want to know Him. To want to understand Him. I want to be on the same page as others who are hearing from God. I want to stand in God's counsel and council. I'm so excited. The dream I had may not have been prophetic, but it was exactly the dream I needed to have to stir up a desire in me to seek God's word. God is so good. I'm excited for this new season of my learning about Him more.
Heavenly Father, thank You for placing this passion inside of me. Lord, forgive me for being so complacent in the past. Forgive me for speaking outside of Your counsel. Please use all that I foolishly did and said for Your good will and purposes. Lord, may my mouth be dedicated to speaking only that which You have counseled me in. Please keep me from uttering things that I really have no understanding of. Lord, I desire to learn more about Your word. Please take what I am and make it pleasing to You. I love You, Lord. I am so excited for this new season! I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
yet they ran;
I did not speak to them,
yet they prophesied.
22 But if they had stood in my council,
then they would have proclaimed my words to my people,
and they would have turned them from their evil way,
and from the evil of their deeds.
John 19:11Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin."
I just had a strange dream. The part where I woke up, I was telling a young, Filipino girl about Jesus. She was very attractive and quite worldly. Supposedly, she also was a good dancer. She made a small comment about purity and suddenly I was filled with this passion to tell her about Jesus and just how fulfilling a relationship with Him truly is. I started explaining to her all about how God and marriage and sex all tie together and how there can be purity in a burning desire for God. I was telling her how desire shouldn't and doesn't have to be all about sex. Then, I started waking up. Soon after, I heard Lion stirring and so I picked him up and fed him. Then, when he went back to sleep, I felt like I was supposed to do my devotion. Lately, I've been feeling like doing my devotions in the early morning hours isn't productive anymore because I need the rest. However, I felt like God was really speaking to me, telling me to stay up and read His word. I'm glad that I did so.
In Jeremiah 23, I am interested in the fact that there where prophets at the time who were not prophesying the word of the Lord. God says that they could have very well stood in His council, among other people who hear from God, and heard from Him. If they had done this, people truly would have turned from their evil ways and repented. Instead, prophets and priests were saying what people wanted to hear. They spoke out of their own dreams instead of God's appointed council. I somehow feel this is related to what Jesus tells Pilate in John 19. Pilate tells Jesus that he is the one with the authority to save or destroy Jesus' life, but Jesus tells Pilate that he only has authority to crucify Jesus because God gave him that authority. The one who has the greater sin is Caiaphas, the high priest, because he is in a high position and yet he delivered Jesus over to Pilate wrongly.
What God is speaking to me about this morning is that as a Christian, I have a responsibility to hear from God. I should only be speaking what I have heard from His council. I need to communicate with others who hear from the Lord and see if I am really hearing correctly. I should not be quick to give an interpretation of my dream or anyone's dream. Also, if my heart is to truly bring others to repentance, then I must rely on God's word alone. I am not helping anyone, nor will I have authority, if I go off on my own and try to minister to others. It will not be prosperous. It will be just words that people want to hear. This is why it is so important for me to study the Bible and to be an active member in church. I think before, I was all about just experiencing God and not very passionate about understanding Him. When I witnessed to others, all I spoke of was my own, personal experience. It had the basic message of, "This worked for me, but is may or may not work for you." But the Bible says that He has made Himself known to us so that we may know and understand and believe in Him. I think God is telling me that I am ready to step it up in my relationship with Him. Before, I thought studying the Bible was too hard or only for people like my husband who are called to be pastors. But now, I have a new heart, given to me graciously by God, to want to know Him. To want to understand Him. I want to be on the same page as others who are hearing from God. I want to stand in God's counsel and council. I'm so excited. The dream I had may not have been prophetic, but it was exactly the dream I needed to have to stir up a desire in me to seek God's word. God is so good. I'm excited for this new season of my learning about Him more.
Heavenly Father, thank You for placing this passion inside of me. Lord, forgive me for being so complacent in the past. Forgive me for speaking outside of Your counsel. Please use all that I foolishly did and said for Your good will and purposes. Lord, may my mouth be dedicated to speaking only that which You have counseled me in. Please keep me from uttering things that I really have no understanding of. Lord, I desire to learn more about Your word. Please take what I am and make it pleasing to You. I love You, Lord. I am so excited for this new season! I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Helper
John 16:7Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Jesus sent us the Spirit of Truth to help us understand the scriptures. This is a gift sent to us. It is nothing that we can earn or something that we deserve. God reveals Himself to whomever He chooses. Those who are seeking the Truth will find it. The Truth brings conviction, but also, the Truth is to be given in love because God is love.
Lord, I know You have been speaking to me on this for a while now. I'm glad that I am learning this and that You have sent me the Helper so that I may understand what You are saying. I know that You are the Truth. I am so distraught because I feel like many do not believe in the same Truth. How can there be different Truths about You? No, I believe there is one Truth and that should be taught and learned by everyone who seeks You. It seems that many have settled for the answer of, "I'll find out when I get to heaven, but while I'm here, I'll just go on believing such and such." I know You deserve more, Lord. I know You have revealed Yourself to us. You want us to know You. You have sent the Helper to make it clear to us. Yet many still are confused about who You are and what You want us to do. I remember that a few years ago, I was so complacent in my walk with You. I figured that all I needed was my personal experience and emotions to bring others to Christ. When people asked me about what I believed, I didn't know how to express it. I really didn't know what to believe and so I was confused on how to express my faith. But now, I feel like I've come to a level of maturity in my faith. I no longer settle for the answer, "I don't know...I just believe." Jesus has sent me the Helper to sift through all of the junk in my brain so that I can grasp onto the Truth. Once someone grasps onto the Truth how could that person ever go back to living the lie?
Heavenly Father, I love You with all that I am. I am so in love with YOU. I am so filled with passion for You. Please forgive me for my sin of impatience, irritability, and frustration with others who are not where I'm at in my spiritual growth. I need Your grace to permeate my soul. I want to be gracious like You are. I want to be patient with other and speak the Truth in love so that they may be won over to Christ. Thank You for revealing these things to me. I never earned it or deserved it. I am so grateful for all that You have made known to me. Please continue to transform me. I love YOU. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Jesus sent us the Spirit of Truth to help us understand the scriptures. This is a gift sent to us. It is nothing that we can earn or something that we deserve. God reveals Himself to whomever He chooses. Those who are seeking the Truth will find it. The Truth brings conviction, but also, the Truth is to be given in love because God is love.
Lord, I know You have been speaking to me on this for a while now. I'm glad that I am learning this and that You have sent me the Helper so that I may understand what You are saying. I know that You are the Truth. I am so distraught because I feel like many do not believe in the same Truth. How can there be different Truths about You? No, I believe there is one Truth and that should be taught and learned by everyone who seeks You. It seems that many have settled for the answer of, "I'll find out when I get to heaven, but while I'm here, I'll just go on believing such and such." I know You deserve more, Lord. I know You have revealed Yourself to us. You want us to know You. You have sent the Helper to make it clear to us. Yet many still are confused about who You are and what You want us to do. I remember that a few years ago, I was so complacent in my walk with You. I figured that all I needed was my personal experience and emotions to bring others to Christ. When people asked me about what I believed, I didn't know how to express it. I really didn't know what to believe and so I was confused on how to express my faith. But now, I feel like I've come to a level of maturity in my faith. I no longer settle for the answer, "I don't know...I just believe." Jesus has sent me the Helper to sift through all of the junk in my brain so that I can grasp onto the Truth. Once someone grasps onto the Truth how could that person ever go back to living the lie?
Heavenly Father, I love You with all that I am. I am so in love with YOU. I am so filled with passion for You. Please forgive me for my sin of impatience, irritability, and frustration with others who are not where I'm at in my spiritual growth. I need Your grace to permeate my soul. I want to be gracious like You are. I want to be patient with other and speak the Truth in love so that they may be won over to Christ. Thank You for revealing these things to me. I never earned it or deserved it. I am so grateful for all that You have made known to me. Please continue to transform me. I love YOU. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wickedness will not prevail
Jeremiah 15:21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,
and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."
Jeremiah was very troubled because he was suffering for being a servant of God. I've felt that way before. As a servant of God you become a target for the wicked and ruthless. It almost seems like there is no justice because everywhere you turn there is persecution and trouble. But the Lord says clearly here that He will deliver Jeremiah from the hand of the wicked. He will redeem him from the grasp of the ruthless. Jeremiah will be saved. God cares about him and will not allow wickedness to overcome him.
Last night, my friend Krystle was definitely attacked for being a servant of God. Her personal information was placed on Craigslist and perverts started calling to harass her, first on her cell and then on her home phone. I just can't imagine who would think that it would be funny to do this to her. She is so sweet, loving, kind, and doing her best to serve the Lord. What I hear from God today is that He will deliver her from all this evil. He delivers all of His children from evil. God cares and He is mighty to save us. Wickedness will not prevail. Maybe at first, damage is done, but ultimately, God is victorious and they are the ones who will perish. Jesus is also faithful to heal us and make us stronger from the trials of this life. All of these things that man has meant for evil, God will use for good. In my life as well, I need to remember that it isn't up to me to administer justice. I am not to feel defeated by evil because God will deliver me. He will not allow evil to prevail. He's already won the war though His son, Jesus Christ. There is victory and justice in our God and our God alone.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your willingness to deliver us from all wickedness. I ask that You would not delay in saving those who are called by Your name. I repent, Lord, for sinning by sometimes thinking that wicked people have the upper hand. That somehow, they always win or get things their way. Lord, I commit my mind to knowing that Jesus will save and has already gained victory over evil. I love You, Lord. I ask for Your protection and justice. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."
Jeremiah was very troubled because he was suffering for being a servant of God. I've felt that way before. As a servant of God you become a target for the wicked and ruthless. It almost seems like there is no justice because everywhere you turn there is persecution and trouble. But the Lord says clearly here that He will deliver Jeremiah from the hand of the wicked. He will redeem him from the grasp of the ruthless. Jeremiah will be saved. God cares about him and will not allow wickedness to overcome him.
Last night, my friend Krystle was definitely attacked for being a servant of God. Her personal information was placed on Craigslist and perverts started calling to harass her, first on her cell and then on her home phone. I just can't imagine who would think that it would be funny to do this to her. She is so sweet, loving, kind, and doing her best to serve the Lord. What I hear from God today is that He will deliver her from all this evil. He delivers all of His children from evil. God cares and He is mighty to save us. Wickedness will not prevail. Maybe at first, damage is done, but ultimately, God is victorious and they are the ones who will perish. Jesus is also faithful to heal us and make us stronger from the trials of this life. All of these things that man has meant for evil, God will use for good. In my life as well, I need to remember that it isn't up to me to administer justice. I am not to feel defeated by evil because God will deliver me. He will not allow evil to prevail. He's already won the war though His son, Jesus Christ. There is victory and justice in our God and our God alone.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your willingness to deliver us from all wickedness. I ask that You would not delay in saving those who are called by Your name. I repent, Lord, for sinning by sometimes thinking that wicked people have the upper hand. That somehow, they always win or get things their way. Lord, I commit my mind to knowing that Jesus will save and has already gained victory over evil. I love You, Lord. I ask for Your protection and justice. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Don't be afraid of other gods
Jeremiah 10:5Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,
and they cannot speak; they have to be carried,
for they cannot walk.
Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil,
neither is it in them to do good."
The Lord is speaking through Jeremiah to His people. He tells them that the customs of other nations is in vain. What they worship has no might, no power, and nothing to be afraid of. The people of Israel were adopting the false idols of the lands surrounding and conquering them. They started adding other gods to their list of things to be afraid of. We do this still today. As Christians we are afraid of saying that other religions and idols are false in case we might get some sort of bad luck from it. We are superstitious and forward emails that threaten to curse or promise to bless. We have good luck charms that we kiss and give all the credit and glory to when fortune comes our way. God has spoken. These things cannot do evil, nor can they do good. Only God can give and take away.
Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God;
he is the living God and the everlasting King.
At his wrath the earth quakes,
and the nations cannot endure his indignation.
Are there places in my life, are there times in my life, where I fear idols instead of God? Am I hoping to get lucky? Am I giving credit to things that are merely scarecrows in my life? I think when it comes down to it, I really haven't learned to fear God. I've never feared my own father, although I do respect him, and so I don't have that kind of fear for God yet. What am I afraid of? Well, I'm afraid of bad people. I'm afraid of the streets of China town. I'm afraid of homeless people and alcoholics and sexual predators. I'm afraid of looking like a bad person. When I do things that are short of success, I really get down on myself. If I can repent and turn from this way of thinking, I think I'll experience a whole new level of healing in my life. Jesus is willing to help me with this. There is nothing I should fear except the Lord God.
Heavenly Father, I love You and fear You. You are an awesome God. I trust in You. I know that although You are fearsome in Your wrath, that You are merciful and all loving. I want complete healing, Lord. I ask that You take away these fears I have of "bad" people and of being a "bad" person. You have made me and called me and in Your sight, I am good. I need to believe that. I repent for placing my reverence in other things. I love You. Thank You, God, for loving me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
and they cannot speak; they have to be carried,
for they cannot walk.
Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil,
neither is it in them to do good."
The Lord is speaking through Jeremiah to His people. He tells them that the customs of other nations is in vain. What they worship has no might, no power, and nothing to be afraid of. The people of Israel were adopting the false idols of the lands surrounding and conquering them. They started adding other gods to their list of things to be afraid of. We do this still today. As Christians we are afraid of saying that other religions and idols are false in case we might get some sort of bad luck from it. We are superstitious and forward emails that threaten to curse or promise to bless. We have good luck charms that we kiss and give all the credit and glory to when fortune comes our way. God has spoken. These things cannot do evil, nor can they do good. Only God can give and take away.
Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God;
he is the living God and the everlasting King.
At his wrath the earth quakes,
and the nations cannot endure his indignation.
Are there places in my life, are there times in my life, where I fear idols instead of God? Am I hoping to get lucky? Am I giving credit to things that are merely scarecrows in my life? I think when it comes down to it, I really haven't learned to fear God. I've never feared my own father, although I do respect him, and so I don't have that kind of fear for God yet. What am I afraid of? Well, I'm afraid of bad people. I'm afraid of the streets of China town. I'm afraid of homeless people and alcoholics and sexual predators. I'm afraid of looking like a bad person. When I do things that are short of success, I really get down on myself. If I can repent and turn from this way of thinking, I think I'll experience a whole new level of healing in my life. Jesus is willing to help me with this. There is nothing I should fear except the Lord God.
Heavenly Father, I love You and fear You. You are an awesome God. I trust in You. I know that although You are fearsome in Your wrath, that You are merciful and all loving. I want complete healing, Lord. I ask that You take away these fears I have of "bad" people and of being a "bad" person. You have made me and called me and in Your sight, I am good. I need to believe that. I repent for placing my reverence in other things. I love You. Thank You, God, for loving me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Follow Jesus
Jeremiah 7:26 Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers.
Jeremiah 8:5Why then has this people turned away
in perpetual backsliding?
They hold fast to deceit;
they refuse to return.
John 13:14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
In Jeremiah, the people had chosen not to repent. They knew very well that they were to serve and worship God alone, but they continued in their wicked ways. God has always desired His children to come back to Him with repentant hearts, but instead, they insist on going their own way. It is the same as if I were walking towards a cliff and my father were to call my name and call out to me, telling me to turn around, but instead, I never turn my head and continue on my path towards destruction. So what did God do to lead back such stiff necked people? He sent His only Son to live by example so that we will follow what He does so we can be back in relationship with the Father. That's the same as if my dad sent my brother, Lance to come and get me on my path, and walk with me to turn me around.
I want to be a follower of Christ. I think that I am still very stiffnecked in many ways. There are times I just don't stop myself from thinking things that are not of God. There are times when I do something that God is clearly saying, "Stop, turn back to me." How do I gain the discipline to be repentant and consistently turning back to God? I need to follow Jesus. I need to say to myself, "Is this where Jesus is stepping right now?" If Jesus isn't there, then I need to look to where He is leading me. I need to follow Him closely. I truly need to work on memorizing scripture. I feel like I don't have weapons in my arsenal. I don't take the time to prepare before the battle. Help me, O Lord, in this area.
Heavenly Father, I love You. I need You. I want to be more like You. Please help me to follow Jesus. Lord Jesus, please take me by the hand and bring me back to the Father when I start to stray. Thank You for Your word. Please engrave it upon my heart. Help me to memorize scripture, Lord. Please keep me from wandering away from You. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Jeremiah 8:5Why then has this people turned away
in perpetual backsliding?
They hold fast to deceit;
they refuse to return.
John 13:14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
In Jeremiah, the people had chosen not to repent. They knew very well that they were to serve and worship God alone, but they continued in their wicked ways. God has always desired His children to come back to Him with repentant hearts, but instead, they insist on going their own way. It is the same as if I were walking towards a cliff and my father were to call my name and call out to me, telling me to turn around, but instead, I never turn my head and continue on my path towards destruction. So what did God do to lead back such stiff necked people? He sent His only Son to live by example so that we will follow what He does so we can be back in relationship with the Father. That's the same as if my dad sent my brother, Lance to come and get me on my path, and walk with me to turn me around.
I want to be a follower of Christ. I think that I am still very stiffnecked in many ways. There are times I just don't stop myself from thinking things that are not of God. There are times when I do something that God is clearly saying, "Stop, turn back to me." How do I gain the discipline to be repentant and consistently turning back to God? I need to follow Jesus. I need to say to myself, "Is this where Jesus is stepping right now?" If Jesus isn't there, then I need to look to where He is leading me. I need to follow Him closely. I truly need to work on memorizing scripture. I feel like I don't have weapons in my arsenal. I don't take the time to prepare before the battle. Help me, O Lord, in this area.
Heavenly Father, I love You. I need You. I want to be more like You. Please help me to follow Jesus. Lord Jesus, please take me by the hand and bring me back to the Father when I start to stray. Thank You for Your word. Please engrave it upon my heart. Help me to memorize scripture, Lord. Please keep me from wandering away from You. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Abide in the Word
John 8:31So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Jesus was at the temple telling the people about His relationship with the Father. Many came to believe in Him while He was teaching these things. He then tells those who believe that they need abide in His word if they want to be His true disciples. By abiding in Jesus' word, we learn the truth and that is what sets us free from the slavery of sin.
No wonder I feel so bogged down when I don't get to do my devotion, I'm allowing myself to be kept in slavery to my sin. The only way to lift the yoke of slavery to my flesh and this world is to abide in God's word. I haven't been good at abiding in God's word lately. As a result, I feel very sluggish and tired. If I am to be a true disciple of Jesus, I must be in His word all the time. Jesus wants me to be free. He has given me everything I need to be free, I just need to abide in it. I need to constantly be learning about Jesus. I can't just think about Him, I need to be actively seeking Him and learning more about Him. What can I learn about Jesus today? Well, I learned about how Jesus doesn't condemn us. Also, He only does what the Father tells Him to do. He is completely obedient to the Heavenly Father. Jesus only speaks the truth. He is the light of the world. For me to learn these things over and over again is to renew my mind. If I am really learning these things and abiding in them, then when my flesh has negative thoughts and lies, such as God doesn't care, or Jesus can't help me, I'll be able to break free from those lies and be free in Christ.
Heavenly Father, I love You. Thank You for Your Word. Jesus, thank You for making the Word known and for living it out. Jesus, help me to be a true disciple and keep me abiding in You. Lord, thank You for not condemning me. Thank you for being the Light and Truth and the Way to the Father. Please forgive me of my sins and renew my body, mind, and spirit. I love You. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Jesus was at the temple telling the people about His relationship with the Father. Many came to believe in Him while He was teaching these things. He then tells those who believe that they need abide in His word if they want to be His true disciples. By abiding in Jesus' word, we learn the truth and that is what sets us free from the slavery of sin.
No wonder I feel so bogged down when I don't get to do my devotion, I'm allowing myself to be kept in slavery to my sin. The only way to lift the yoke of slavery to my flesh and this world is to abide in God's word. I haven't been good at abiding in God's word lately. As a result, I feel very sluggish and tired. If I am to be a true disciple of Jesus, I must be in His word all the time. Jesus wants me to be free. He has given me everything I need to be free, I just need to abide in it. I need to constantly be learning about Jesus. I can't just think about Him, I need to be actively seeking Him and learning more about Him. What can I learn about Jesus today? Well, I learned about how Jesus doesn't condemn us. Also, He only does what the Father tells Him to do. He is completely obedient to the Heavenly Father. Jesus only speaks the truth. He is the light of the world. For me to learn these things over and over again is to renew my mind. If I am really learning these things and abiding in them, then when my flesh has negative thoughts and lies, such as God doesn't care, or Jesus can't help me, I'll be able to break free from those lies and be free in Christ.
Heavenly Father, I love You. Thank You for Your Word. Jesus, thank You for making the Word known and for living it out. Jesus, help me to be a true disciple and keep me abiding in You. Lord, thank You for not condemning me. Thank you for being the Light and Truth and the Way to the Father. Please forgive me of my sins and renew my body, mind, and spirit. I love You. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
A New Heaven and Earth
Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall graze together;
the lion shall eat straw like the ox,
and dust shall be the serpent’s food.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain,"
says the LORD.
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
In Isaiah, it talks about the new heaven and new earth. This is when Jesus comes again. All will be peaceful and good. The animals in the new heaven and earth will not hurt or destroy each other. There will be no such thing as a food chain or predators or victims. This is the place that we will spend in eternity! However, the only way to gain eternal life is to believe in Jesus. Another way to look at it is, the only way to avoid death is to believe in Jesus. Without belief in Jesus, there is no redemption from the wrath assigned to our sins. It's not enough to believe that God will come and make things new. We must believe that He sent Jesus for the purpose of salvation and then we become heirs to this peaceful kingdom.
I'm trying to picture this perfect place. It is so serene to me. I want to be a part of this new heaven and new earth. I want Lion and my family to experience this. Isaiah also speaks of the old Jerusalem being like a woman in labor and that the new Jerusalem would be the birth of a new Holy city. For me to go about my life as if this is it, is a huge mistake. There is more to come. We are in the stages of labor. Jesus could return at any moment. I need to live with the goal in mind. I need to tell others to believe in Jesus because if they miss that, they miss out on the new, peaceful place that God will create. I believe in what God says. I need to keep this on the top of my mind, instead of replaying movie scenes in my head, and allow it to change the way I live.
Heavenly Father, I love You. Thank You for sending Jesus so that we may have a way to enter into Your presence. Lord, You are Holy. Please forgive me and make me holy in Your sight. Keep my heart and mind clean. Lord, please show me how to be the best mother for Lion that You made me to be. Jesus, live through me and bless my husband, son, and family through me. I pray that I bring others to know You, Jesus. I pray all this in Jesus Christ's name, Amen.
the lion shall eat straw like the ox,
and dust shall be the serpent’s food.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain,"
says the LORD.
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
In Isaiah, it talks about the new heaven and new earth. This is when Jesus comes again. All will be peaceful and good. The animals in the new heaven and earth will not hurt or destroy each other. There will be no such thing as a food chain or predators or victims. This is the place that we will spend in eternity! However, the only way to gain eternal life is to believe in Jesus. Another way to look at it is, the only way to avoid death is to believe in Jesus. Without belief in Jesus, there is no redemption from the wrath assigned to our sins. It's not enough to believe that God will come and make things new. We must believe that He sent Jesus for the purpose of salvation and then we become heirs to this peaceful kingdom.
I'm trying to picture this perfect place. It is so serene to me. I want to be a part of this new heaven and new earth. I want Lion and my family to experience this. Isaiah also speaks of the old Jerusalem being like a woman in labor and that the new Jerusalem would be the birth of a new Holy city. For me to go about my life as if this is it, is a huge mistake. There is more to come. We are in the stages of labor. Jesus could return at any moment. I need to live with the goal in mind. I need to tell others to believe in Jesus because if they miss that, they miss out on the new, peaceful place that God will create. I believe in what God says. I need to keep this on the top of my mind, instead of replaying movie scenes in my head, and allow it to change the way I live.
Heavenly Father, I love You. Thank You for sending Jesus so that we may have a way to enter into Your presence. Lord, You are Holy. Please forgive me and make me holy in Your sight. Keep my heart and mind clean. Lord, please show me how to be the best mother for Lion that You made me to be. Jesus, live through me and bless my husband, son, and family through me. I pray that I bring others to know You, Jesus. I pray all this in Jesus Christ's name, Amen.
Be part of the solution
John 2:1On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding in his home town. Mary, Jesus' mother tells Jesus that they ran out of wine at the wedding. Jesus tells her that his hour of crucifixion had not yet come. He asks her what the wine running out had to do with him. Really, it didn't have anything to do with Jesus. He does this miracle, I think, out of honoring his mother. Mary understood that Jesus was special. She also knew that He would do something about it since she brought it up.
Well, I think I might be making observations that are in my own opinion. I really do want to know more about Jesus and so I'm going to pray right now for the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the truth.
Heavenly Father, please send Your Holy Spirit to bring revelation to me about Jesus Christ, Your Son. Lord, I know that there is wisdom in Your Word and that Jesus is the key to knowing You better. Please help clear my head of distractions and keep my focus fixed on You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Jesus helped others even when it was something that didn't have anything to do with Him. It wasn't Jesus' fault the wine ran out. It wasn't His wedding. He wasn't the banquet manager. He was a guest just like everyone else. However, Jesus was completely obedient to His Heavenly Father and his earthly mother. I want to be more like Jesus. People are going to come to me for prayer, help, advice, etc. and it may not have anything to do with me but, I need to honor my Heavenly Father. So often, I shrug off helping someone else as, "Well, that's not my problem." The truth is, it may not be my problem, but I can be part of the solution. That is what Jesus is doing. Jesus is part of the solution. It wasn't His fault the world had become fallen and corrupt, but He is part of the solution. He paid the price with His own life so that we may have a way to our Heavenly Father in eternity. So, I need to think of how I can be part of the solution instead of complaining about problems.
Oh Father in Heaven. You are Holy and Mighty. I ask for Your forgiveness of my sins. I've been lazy in taking the time to devote to You. I've also allowed a lot of the fallen world to enter my eyes and ears today and it makes me get distracted from thinking about Jesus. Please save me. Empty my mind of all the trash and renew it with the Holy Spirit. Lord, please show me how I can be part of the solutions in this life. Please show me my purpose for each minute. Lord, may I fear You and treasure every second that You give me. Help me to not be so selfish. I love You, Lord. I pray for Your protection over Lion and Hanzo. Lord, please restore health and joy to my parents, my brother, and my in laws. May they come to know You through our lives' testimony. Please help me to be the mother You have in mind for me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding in his home town. Mary, Jesus' mother tells Jesus that they ran out of wine at the wedding. Jesus tells her that his hour of crucifixion had not yet come. He asks her what the wine running out had to do with him. Really, it didn't have anything to do with Jesus. He does this miracle, I think, out of honoring his mother. Mary understood that Jesus was special. She also knew that He would do something about it since she brought it up.
Well, I think I might be making observations that are in my own opinion. I really do want to know more about Jesus and so I'm going to pray right now for the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the truth.
Heavenly Father, please send Your Holy Spirit to bring revelation to me about Jesus Christ, Your Son. Lord, I know that there is wisdom in Your Word and that Jesus is the key to knowing You better. Please help clear my head of distractions and keep my focus fixed on You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Jesus helped others even when it was something that didn't have anything to do with Him. It wasn't Jesus' fault the wine ran out. It wasn't His wedding. He wasn't the banquet manager. He was a guest just like everyone else. However, Jesus was completely obedient to His Heavenly Father and his earthly mother. I want to be more like Jesus. People are going to come to me for prayer, help, advice, etc. and it may not have anything to do with me but, I need to honor my Heavenly Father. So often, I shrug off helping someone else as, "Well, that's not my problem." The truth is, it may not be my problem, but I can be part of the solution. That is what Jesus is doing. Jesus is part of the solution. It wasn't His fault the world had become fallen and corrupt, but He is part of the solution. He paid the price with His own life so that we may have a way to our Heavenly Father in eternity. So, I need to think of how I can be part of the solution instead of complaining about problems.
Oh Father in Heaven. You are Holy and Mighty. I ask for Your forgiveness of my sins. I've been lazy in taking the time to devote to You. I've also allowed a lot of the fallen world to enter my eyes and ears today and it makes me get distracted from thinking about Jesus. Please save me. Empty my mind of all the trash and renew it with the Holy Spirit. Lord, please show me how I can be part of the solutions in this life. Please show me my purpose for each minute. Lord, may I fear You and treasure every second that You give me. Help me to not be so selfish. I love You, Lord. I pray for Your protection over Lion and Hanzo. Lord, please restore health and joy to my parents, my brother, and my in laws. May they come to know You through our lives' testimony. Please help me to be the mother You have in mind for me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
A heritage of divine wisdom and peace
Isaiah 54:13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
17no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD
and their vindication from me, declares the LORD."
The heritage of the servants of the Lord are described by Isaiah as follows: The Lord will establish them in prosperity, their generations will be taught by Him and have great peace, they will be free and not afraid, and nothing that comes against them will prevail. The part that really catches my attention is verse 13. This is God's promise to His servants, that their children will be taught by God and they shall have great peace.
As a mother, I greatly desire this for my son. I want him to be taught by the Lord. I want him to have that intimate relationship and I want Lion to gain wisdom and knowledge. Also, I want Lion to have great peace. Especially when he stirres during the early hours of the morning to feed and then wakes up and has trouble going back to sleep. I want him to rest peacefully. It bothers me that he struggles with resting. However, it's probably a good example of how adults, myself included, do the same thing. We have every opportunity and reason to just rest and trust in God. When he lays me down in a green pasture, I should just stay down. I should not fight it, but I do. Anyways, I shouldn't get upset when Lion doesn't sleep when he's tired. I need to be filled with God's grace in those moments. The peace that God promises Lion isn't slothful rest, it is peace knowing that God is His Lord and Savior. That God is contending for him and that wisdom and love is immediately available in Jesus. That is the precious gift we have for our children if we serve the Lord. When I am loving God the way that I should, my son will receive God's blessing of knowledge and peace.
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my sins. You know, Lord, just how frustrated I get. Please take that from me. Help me to completely surrender that to You. Make me into a peaceful person. Lord, I thank You for Your inheritance through Jesus Christ. I recognize that heritage as my own and ask that I continue always to love and serve You genuinely. Lord, please continue to pour out Your peace upon me and my family. I ask that Your peace rest in this home always. Please help me to be gracious as Lion learns how to sleep through the night. Please help Lion sleep through the night as well. Thank You, Jesus. I love You. I pray all this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
and great shall be the peace of your children.
17no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD
and their vindication from me, declares the LORD."
The heritage of the servants of the Lord are described by Isaiah as follows: The Lord will establish them in prosperity, their generations will be taught by Him and have great peace, they will be free and not afraid, and nothing that comes against them will prevail. The part that really catches my attention is verse 13. This is God's promise to His servants, that their children will be taught by God and they shall have great peace.
As a mother, I greatly desire this for my son. I want him to be taught by the Lord. I want him to have that intimate relationship and I want Lion to gain wisdom and knowledge. Also, I want Lion to have great peace. Especially when he stirres during the early hours of the morning to feed and then wakes up and has trouble going back to sleep. I want him to rest peacefully. It bothers me that he struggles with resting. However, it's probably a good example of how adults, myself included, do the same thing. We have every opportunity and reason to just rest and trust in God. When he lays me down in a green pasture, I should just stay down. I should not fight it, but I do. Anyways, I shouldn't get upset when Lion doesn't sleep when he's tired. I need to be filled with God's grace in those moments. The peace that God promises Lion isn't slothful rest, it is peace knowing that God is His Lord and Savior. That God is contending for him and that wisdom and love is immediately available in Jesus. That is the precious gift we have for our children if we serve the Lord. When I am loving God the way that I should, my son will receive God's blessing of knowledge and peace.
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my sins. You know, Lord, just how frustrated I get. Please take that from me. Help me to completely surrender that to You. Make me into a peaceful person. Lord, I thank You for Your inheritance through Jesus Christ. I recognize that heritage as my own and ask that I continue always to love and serve You genuinely. Lord, please continue to pour out Your peace upon me and my family. I ask that Your peace rest in this home always. Please help me to be gracious as Lion learns how to sleep through the night. Please help Lion sleep through the night as well. Thank You, Jesus. I love You. I pray all this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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