012609
Exodus 16:4Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.
When the Hebrews were saved from the Egyptians, they began their wandering in the desert. They began to complain that they would die of starvation and that it would have been better to still be slaves than to die of hunger. God, out of His goodness and grace, provides for them bread and meat. He tells Moses though that He will only give them what they need each day. Some people didn't listen, and they tried to gather up more than what they needed, but God made it so that each day, they would only have what they needed, nothing more and nothing less. God said that He would do that to test the people to see if they will walk in His law or not. It's no wonder then that it took so long for the people to end their wandering in the desert, because God had to wait until an obedient generation would rise up.
This scripture reminds me that God will always provide me and my family with what we need, not what we want. Hanzo and I are so blessed that God has allowed us to rent the place in town, but in no way should I think that God should always give me what I want. He will always give me what I need and He will always give it to me right when I need it. I want to strive for that deep trust in the Lord that says "God will provide." Looking at Hanzo and my testimony thus far, I see that indeed God has always provided. He provided for our wedding, for our traveling needs, for our mission needs, for our financial needs. God has always provided. How selfish and greedy I would be to ask God for more! He knows all my needs before I even ask Him about it. On the other hand though, He delights in me turning to Him for help. I never should assume that God will just give me what I need, I need to prayerfully ask Him for them so that I can take part in the blessing. God is so good. I'm so in awe of His unfailing love and gracious heart.
Heavenly Father, thank You so much for providing everything my family and I need. Lord, I don't deserve it. But I praise You, Lord, because You give and take away in Your perfect will. I repent for having a greedy attitude sometimes. I repent for not always trusting in Your perfect provision. Change me, Lord. Jesus, show me how to be completely in line with the Holy Spirit. Help me be a good steward of God's blessings. I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior, Amen.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Hardened Heart
012309 The Hardened Heart
Exodus 8:32But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go.
Luke 23:23But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed.
In Exodus, the Pharaoh's heart was hardened even though God made Himself known through miracles and signs. Pharaoh had told Moses a few times that if Moses stopped the plagues then he would let the Hebrews go to worship their God. However, when his heart was hardened, he went back on his word. In Luke, the Jewish people suffer from Pharaoh's same ailment, a hardened heart. Jesus' whole life was dedicated to healing and redeeming them, but then, their hearts were hardened and they sentenced Him to be crucified. The very people that desired Pharaoh's heart to be softened now had hardened hearts of their own.
Is my heart hard? I really need to look at the condition of my heart and ask for God to keep guard over it. Are there people that I just can't forgive, or situations that I am cold towards? If my heart is hard, it is very dangerous. It can hurt a lot of people. Plus, I'll regret it later. Although God can use a hardened heart for His good purpose, it is better to be compassionate. God's compassion is manifested in Jesus Christ. If I want to be more like Jesus, I need an un-hardened heart.
Lord, thank You for Your compassion. Please forgive me for having a hard heart. Lord, turn my heart of stone into a heart of flesh. Help me to love others with Your compassionate love. Heavenly Father, please change me into Your image day by day. I love You, Lord. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Exodus 8:32But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go.
Luke 23:23But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed.
In Exodus, the Pharaoh's heart was hardened even though God made Himself known through miracles and signs. Pharaoh had told Moses a few times that if Moses stopped the plagues then he would let the Hebrews go to worship their God. However, when his heart was hardened, he went back on his word. In Luke, the Jewish people suffer from Pharaoh's same ailment, a hardened heart. Jesus' whole life was dedicated to healing and redeeming them, but then, their hearts were hardened and they sentenced Him to be crucified. The very people that desired Pharaoh's heart to be softened now had hardened hearts of their own.
Is my heart hard? I really need to look at the condition of my heart and ask for God to keep guard over it. Are there people that I just can't forgive, or situations that I am cold towards? If my heart is hard, it is very dangerous. It can hurt a lot of people. Plus, I'll regret it later. Although God can use a hardened heart for His good purpose, it is better to be compassionate. God's compassion is manifested in Jesus Christ. If I want to be more like Jesus, I need an un-hardened heart.
Lord, thank You for Your compassion. Please forgive me for having a hard heart. Lord, turn my heart of stone into a heart of flesh. Help me to love others with Your compassionate love. Heavenly Father, please change me into Your image day by day. I love You, Lord. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Friday, January 16, 2009
God is the source
Genesis 41:16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
Even though Joseph went through a horrible journey, he always trusted in God. Joseph also continued to give God all the glory. Joseph understood that his circumstances did not dictate God's love for him. Although Joseph's brothers threw him in a pit and plotted to take his life, he still honored God. Although he was sold to be a slave then falsely accused and thrown into prison, he still honored God. And although it took two years for the cupbearer to remember Joseph in prison, he still honored God. Joseph knew that God was the source of everything good. Joseph also never claimed to be an interpreter of dreams, but he always asked God for the interpretation.
The way I see it, Joseph was this seemingly cocky kid, telling his prophetic dreams of grandeur and authority to his brothers. Somewhere down the line, Joseph recalibrates his heart with humility and gives God all the glory, honor and credit. It is very important for me to recalibrate my heart often and make sure that I always acknowledge God as the source. Also, my circumstances must never dictate what I know about God's love for me. This is why it is dangerous to believe, for a second, that God only blesses me when He wants to show his love for me. It's finding that line between thanking God for all good things, and praising God for who He is. Like for example, if I get a good parking space, I can and should thank God, but I should also thank God when I have to park far away or walk a long distance. His love for me hasn't diminished a bit just because I am not pleased with my circumstances. God is the source of love, of life, of goodness. Without Jesus, I have no good in me. May I remember this today and always. May it keep me humble and keep my focus on Jesus.
Heavenly Father, You are almighty and the source of everything. I praise You, Lord, for who You are. Please forgive me for my sins of pride and doubt. Recalibrate my heart and purify my body, mind, and spirit. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving me. Jesus, I am so grateful for Your life and sacrifice. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Even though Joseph went through a horrible journey, he always trusted in God. Joseph also continued to give God all the glory. Joseph understood that his circumstances did not dictate God's love for him. Although Joseph's brothers threw him in a pit and plotted to take his life, he still honored God. Although he was sold to be a slave then falsely accused and thrown into prison, he still honored God. And although it took two years for the cupbearer to remember Joseph in prison, he still honored God. Joseph knew that God was the source of everything good. Joseph also never claimed to be an interpreter of dreams, but he always asked God for the interpretation.
The way I see it, Joseph was this seemingly cocky kid, telling his prophetic dreams of grandeur and authority to his brothers. Somewhere down the line, Joseph recalibrates his heart with humility and gives God all the glory, honor and credit. It is very important for me to recalibrate my heart often and make sure that I always acknowledge God as the source. Also, my circumstances must never dictate what I know about God's love for me. This is why it is dangerous to believe, for a second, that God only blesses me when He wants to show his love for me. It's finding that line between thanking God for all good things, and praising God for who He is. Like for example, if I get a good parking space, I can and should thank God, but I should also thank God when I have to park far away or walk a long distance. His love for me hasn't diminished a bit just because I am not pleased with my circumstances. God is the source of love, of life, of goodness. Without Jesus, I have no good in me. May I remember this today and always. May it keep me humble and keep my focus on Jesus.
Heavenly Father, You are almighty and the source of everything. I praise You, Lord, for who You are. Please forgive me for my sins of pride and doubt. Recalibrate my heart and purify my body, mind, and spirit. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving me. Jesus, I am so grateful for Your life and sacrifice. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Monday, January 5, 2009
God Guide Me!
010509
Genesis 13: 11So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. 12Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13Now the men of Sodom(N) were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.
What Lot saw with his eyes looked good. However, what truly existed in Sodom was wickedness and evil. It appeared to Lot that the land was desirable, well watered, fertile, and so forth. However, in the near future, Lot would be remembered as being the only one saved from Sodom and even his wife would turn to salt.
Our eyes cannot judge the true nature or value of a place. I am really not the one to judge because, unlike God, I cannot see the desires of men’s hearts. This is why I must always consult with God and ask Him for direction. Abram listened to God and settled exactly where God had told him to. Thus, Abram was blessed. Today, may I train myself to consistently ask God for guidance and wisdom.
Heavenly Father, I love You. Thank You for being my light unto my path. Please help me to develop the discipline of always looking to You for guidance and wisdom. Lord, forgive me of my sins. Forgive me of being selfish. Teach me Your way. I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Genesis 13: 11So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. 12Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13Now the men of Sodom(N) were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.
What Lot saw with his eyes looked good. However, what truly existed in Sodom was wickedness and evil. It appeared to Lot that the land was desirable, well watered, fertile, and so forth. However, in the near future, Lot would be remembered as being the only one saved from Sodom and even his wife would turn to salt.
Our eyes cannot judge the true nature or value of a place. I am really not the one to judge because, unlike God, I cannot see the desires of men’s hearts. This is why I must always consult with God and ask Him for direction. Abram listened to God and settled exactly where God had told him to. Thus, Abram was blessed. Today, may I train myself to consistently ask God for guidance and wisdom.
Heavenly Father, I love You. Thank You for being my light unto my path. Please help me to develop the discipline of always looking to You for guidance and wisdom. Lord, forgive me of my sins. Forgive me of being selfish. Teach me Your way. I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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