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.
Monday, October 26, 2009
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.
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