Friday, April 30, 2010
Discipleship is Costly
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.'" Matthew 16:24-27
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46
How much is it worth to you? Are you willing to give up everything in order to follow Him?
Dear Lord, I want to follow You. Nothing else really matters.
Have a wonderful weekend!
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46
How much is it worth to you? Are you willing to give up everything in order to follow Him?
Dear Lord, I want to follow You. Nothing else really matters.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Who is Your Neighbor?
This is the first and greatest commandment, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. That seems pretty self explanatory, doesn't it? Even if it is extremely difficult, we do seem to understand what is being asked of us. And the second commandment is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself. Why is this one so much more difficult to "get"? Who is our neighbor anyway and how are we supposed to love them?
Well, we are supposed to love them as we love ourselves! How much do we love ourselves? We love ourselves more than almost anything, especially if we are still living in our natural, selfish state. If we are walking a walk of faith in Jesus Christ, we might be a little less selfish, but this is a lifelong struggle for most of us. We want what we want when we want it! We want to be liked/loved, served, made to feel special, showered with gifts, needed, cherished, respected, admired, taken care of, deferred to, thought well of, and we take extra care everyday to be sure that we have that place in people's lives, the lives of our families and friends. This goes back to the post a few days ago when we ask ourselves, "What is my motivation for the things I do?" But if we want to be treated this way, (and I think most of us do!), now we are being asked to treat our neighbors the same way! But who is our Neighbor?
Our Neighbor is anyone we come into contact with. This could mean our actual neighbors, the people who live next door to us or across the street, or it could mean the person who delivers our mail, or bags our groceries. It could be the people who work at the dry cleaners or the store we frequent most often. It could also be the person standing on the street corner asking for help... It isn't just the people we love and those who love us! It isn't just our friends and families! I would venture to say that we all need major, serious work in this area. I know I do.
"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another." Galations 5:13-15
"But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" 1 John 3:17 (NIV)
"If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen." 1 John 4:20 (NASB)
"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death." 1 John 3:14 (NIV)
"If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV)
"By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world." 1 John 4:17 (NASB)
"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB)
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:6 (NIV)
Go out and show your love today! Do something kind and loving for your neighbor today and then do it tomorrow and the next day... I hear if you do something for 15 days, it becomes a habit! Let's get into the habit of love.
Dear Lord, Make me to see my neighbor's need and to actually do something to help. Let all of my good intentions become reality today so that You may be glorified in my life. Teach me to love my neighbor as myself.
Well, we are supposed to love them as we love ourselves! How much do we love ourselves? We love ourselves more than almost anything, especially if we are still living in our natural, selfish state. If we are walking a walk of faith in Jesus Christ, we might be a little less selfish, but this is a lifelong struggle for most of us. We want what we want when we want it! We want to be liked/loved, served, made to feel special, showered with gifts, needed, cherished, respected, admired, taken care of, deferred to, thought well of, and we take extra care everyday to be sure that we have that place in people's lives, the lives of our families and friends. This goes back to the post a few days ago when we ask ourselves, "What is my motivation for the things I do?" But if we want to be treated this way, (and I think most of us do!), now we are being asked to treat our neighbors the same way! But who is our Neighbor?
Our Neighbor is anyone we come into contact with. This could mean our actual neighbors, the people who live next door to us or across the street, or it could mean the person who delivers our mail, or bags our groceries. It could be the people who work at the dry cleaners or the store we frequent most often. It could also be the person standing on the street corner asking for help... It isn't just the people we love and those who love us! It isn't just our friends and families! I would venture to say that we all need major, serious work in this area. I know I do.
"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another." Galations 5:13-15
"But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" 1 John 3:17 (NIV)
"If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen." 1 John 4:20 (NASB)
"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death." 1 John 3:14 (NIV)
"If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV)
"By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world." 1 John 4:17 (NASB)
"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB)
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:6 (NIV)
Go out and show your love today! Do something kind and loving for your neighbor today and then do it tomorrow and the next day... I hear if you do something for 15 days, it becomes a habit! Let's get into the habit of love.
Dear Lord, Make me to see my neighbor's need and to actually do something to help. Let all of my good intentions become reality today so that You may be glorified in my life. Teach me to love my neighbor as myself.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
You Talk, I'll Listen...
Do you have someone in your life that does all the talking? You end up nodding your head or laying the phone down and doing chores while they continue to talk? And they never even noticed that you were gone? Or how about the one that talks right over you on a consistent basis? You can never get a word in edgewise and when you try, it's like talking into the wind... We all have someone like this in our lives but after one such phone (non) conversation, I thought, "I wonder if that is how the Lord feels with me?" Do I do all the talking while He is relegated to just listening. The definition of conversation is: an informal interchange of thoughts, information, etc., by spoken words; oral communication between persons; talk; colloquy. The implication is that a conversation involves the give and take of ideas, thoughts, and information. A conversation should involve at least 2 people! One person should not be doing all of the talking. So I propose that our conversations with God should also be two-way. We should talk to Him but we should also listen! How can you have a real relationship if one person is doing all the talking?
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10 (Esv)
"Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8 (ESV)
"O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips." Proverbs 8:5-7 (ESV)
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand." John 10:27-28 (NASB)
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." John 16:13 (NASB)
"As it is said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.'" Hebrews 3:15 (ESV)
And finally, "Behold, I stand at the door and know; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20 (NASB)
Dear Lord, Today, let me let You do the talking and I'll do the listening. Open the ears of my heart so that I might hear your truth and discern Your voice. Teach me to be still and know that You are God.
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10 (Esv)
"Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8 (ESV)
"O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips." Proverbs 8:5-7 (ESV)
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand." John 10:27-28 (NASB)
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." John 16:13 (NASB)
"As it is said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.'" Hebrews 3:15 (ESV)
And finally, "Behold, I stand at the door and know; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20 (NASB)
Dear Lord, Today, let me let You do the talking and I'll do the listening. Open the ears of my heart so that I might hear your truth and discern Your voice. Teach me to be still and know that You are God.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
What is the Motivation of your Heart?
Jesus knows our motivations. He knows the reasons for everything we do...and don't do. We cannot hide them from Him. We need to work on making our motivations the same as His. Left to our own devices, our motivations will always be selfish. We want to orchestrate things in such a way that the outcome suits us and benefits us. We are less concerned with those around us when we are in our natural, selfish state. We need to move out of that natural, selfish state and into His will. If we can move away from our will and toward His will, then we will begin to have pure motives.
"...then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men),..." 1 Kings 8:39 (NIV)
"Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?" Luke 5:22 (NIV)
"He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man." John 2:25 (NIV)
"To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:1-3 (NIV)
"Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God." 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NASB)
"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:3 (NIV)
The Bible speaks a great deal about the motivations of the heart. I think that changing our heart motivation from ours to His will be one of the most important breakthroughs in how we walk this life of faith.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 (NASB)
"Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
Dear Lord, Bring our hearts into alignment with Yours to the point where our motivation is the same as Your motivation. Help us to know you better, Lord, through the power of Your word so that we may know what Your will is, Your good, and acceptable, and perfect will. And help us to commit all we do to You.
"...then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men),..." 1 Kings 8:39 (NIV)
"Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?" Luke 5:22 (NIV)
"He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man." John 2:25 (NIV)
"To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:1-3 (NIV)
"Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God." 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NASB)
"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:3 (NIV)
The Bible speaks a great deal about the motivations of the heart. I think that changing our heart motivation from ours to His will be one of the most important breakthroughs in how we walk this life of faith.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 (NASB)
"Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
Dear Lord, Bring our hearts into alignment with Yours to the point where our motivation is the same as Your motivation. Help us to know you better, Lord, through the power of Your word so that we may know what Your will is, Your good, and acceptable, and perfect will. And help us to commit all we do to You.
Monday, April 26, 2010
"Just Think! Heaven is Better Than This!"
My youngest came up with this phrase one day while we lived in Southern California. We were driving home and were passing our favorite Dairy Queen, when we decided to stop for a cool treat. After we had ordered our frostys, we got back on the road home (it was a drive thru) all the while licking our delicious cones of silky, creamy, drippy solidified fat. The car was quiet except for the sounds of licking, when my youngest son, who was probably 7 or 8 at the time, piped up and said, "Just think! Heaven is better than this!" Ever since that time, we love to come up with wonderful things in this world, things we are experiencing or things we are admiring, and say, "Just think! Heaven is better than this!"
What are some of your favorite things? Some of my favorites are the sound of the ocean rushing by outside the ship's window, the sweet perfume of a beautiful rose, anything red, the sound of laughter at our dinner table, conversations about the Savior of my soul, conversations with the Savior of my soul, praying with my family, praying with a friend, the smell of something delicious baking in the oven, the colors of the leaves turning in the fall (especially in New England!), the smile on the face of a child, babies blowing raspberries, pristine snow outside my window, the new growth in a garden in the spring, a sweet melody, the sound of a single violin, snow capped mountain peaks, the sound of snow swooshing as you ski down a perfect slope, a rainbow, a double rainbow (I have seen one!), a beautiful painting, puppies with circles around their eyes and spots on their backs. Well just think! Heaven is better than this!
"The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Psalm 19:1 (NASB)
"And one called out to another and said,'Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,The whole earth is full of His glory.'" Isaiah 6:3 (NASB)
We are so limited in our perception of God and the Universe. He created the heavens and the earth to show His glory. But we are limited by our own finiteness. God is infinite and so is his creation. We are still discovering new species of animals and new varieties of plant life every day! It seems as though God's creativity is limitless (because it is!). But sadly, while in this world, we are bound by the confines of our own minds. We tend to understand what we can see, or hear, or smell, or touch, but not what remains unseen. When we enter eternity, we will at last know fully just as we also have been fully known.
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NASB)
"But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined,what God has prepared for those who love him'"— 1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2-3 (KJV)
As beautiful as this world is, it is not "it". We are not to pin our hopes on this world, but instead we are to focus on the next, remembering that this world will pass away and all that is in it. We should invest in the future, laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ," Philippians 3:20 (NIV)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:3-9
Dear Lord, Thank you that as beautiful as this world can be, it is still nothing compared to what awaits us in heaven. Let us lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven that our hearts may be in the right place and help us to remember where our true citizenship lies. Help us to keep in mind, as we gaze upon the wonder of this world that, "Heaven is better than this!"
What about you? What amazing things in this world inspire you to say, "Just think! Heaven is better than this!"?
What are some of your favorite things? Some of my favorites are the sound of the ocean rushing by outside the ship's window, the sweet perfume of a beautiful rose, anything red, the sound of laughter at our dinner table, conversations about the Savior of my soul, conversations with the Savior of my soul, praying with my family, praying with a friend, the smell of something delicious baking in the oven, the colors of the leaves turning in the fall (especially in New England!), the smile on the face of a child, babies blowing raspberries, pristine snow outside my window, the new growth in a garden in the spring, a sweet melody, the sound of a single violin, snow capped mountain peaks, the sound of snow swooshing as you ski down a perfect slope, a rainbow, a double rainbow (I have seen one!), a beautiful painting, puppies with circles around their eyes and spots on their backs. Well just think! Heaven is better than this!
"The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Psalm 19:1 (NASB)
"And one called out to another and said,'Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,The whole earth is full of His glory.'" Isaiah 6:3 (NASB)
We are so limited in our perception of God and the Universe. He created the heavens and the earth to show His glory. But we are limited by our own finiteness. God is infinite and so is his creation. We are still discovering new species of animals and new varieties of plant life every day! It seems as though God's creativity is limitless (because it is!). But sadly, while in this world, we are bound by the confines of our own minds. We tend to understand what we can see, or hear, or smell, or touch, but not what remains unseen. When we enter eternity, we will at last know fully just as we also have been fully known.
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NASB)
"But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined,what God has prepared for those who love him'"— 1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2-3 (KJV)
As beautiful as this world is, it is not "it". We are not to pin our hopes on this world, but instead we are to focus on the next, remembering that this world will pass away and all that is in it. We should invest in the future, laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ," Philippians 3:20 (NIV)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:3-9
Dear Lord, Thank you that as beautiful as this world can be, it is still nothing compared to what awaits us in heaven. Let us lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven that our hearts may be in the right place and help us to remember where our true citizenship lies. Help us to keep in mind, as we gaze upon the wonder of this world that, "Heaven is better than this!"
What about you? What amazing things in this world inspire you to say, "Just think! Heaven is better than this!"?
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Sweet Aroma of the Knowledge of Him
A friend of mine gave everyone in our Bible study a rose from her garden yesterday. Mine was a beautiful red one, Mr. Lincoln, I think she said, with a fragrance that promised to be amazing. One day later it is completely opened and the perfume is permeating my kitchen where it sits singularly in a blue and white vase. All I did was cut the end again and put it in fresh water and it has rewarded me with what must be the scent of heaven! (Of course, I am sure Ellen put in a lot more work!)
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God." 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
The roses in my garden are just starting to bloom. We have had a very rainy spring and all of the plants look healthier and more verdant than in years past, years where a drought had been lingering. They have been busily growing, taking in the nutrients from last year's bouts of fertilizing frenzy and drinking in the fresh rain water by the gallons. I am hoping that when they are in full bloom, my garden will be a garden of heavenly delights...
I read this somewhere this week. "You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses." - Tom Wilson, from the "Ziggy" comic strip. I rejoice because of their scent...
Dear Lord, Let us be a sweet aroma of your everlasting love to those around us. Let us drink in Your Word so that we may come into full bloom and sweeten the air with Your truth.
Have a wonderful weekend!
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God." 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
The roses in my garden are just starting to bloom. We have had a very rainy spring and all of the plants look healthier and more verdant than in years past, years where a drought had been lingering. They have been busily growing, taking in the nutrients from last year's bouts of fertilizing frenzy and drinking in the fresh rain water by the gallons. I am hoping that when they are in full bloom, my garden will be a garden of heavenly delights...
I read this somewhere this week. "You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses." - Tom Wilson, from the "Ziggy" comic strip. I rejoice because of their scent...
Dear Lord, Let us be a sweet aroma of your everlasting love to those around us. Let us drink in Your Word so that we may come into full bloom and sweeten the air with Your truth.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Are You Hoarding Your Gifts?
All believers are given spiritual gifts. It is a believer's responsibility to find out what those gifts are and to use them for the glory of God and for the edification of their brothers and sisters in Christ.
"Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts." 1 Corinthians 14:1
"So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church." 1 Corinthians 14:12
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware...Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who worked all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them in the body, just as He desired." 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-18
"Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hand by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." 1 Timothy 4:14-16
Many gifts are given to God's people! How many of them are actually used and used for the purpose which God has given them? Please allow the body to function as God intended it to, by the use of these precious gifts which are for the common good of His people. If you do not know what your gifts are, begin to search this out. Ask others to help you and ask God to reveal them to you. Chances are those around you will know what gifts you have...Study up on them and what each one means. There are other sections of scripture which also talk about gifts.
Once you have determined what your gifts are, find out how you can use them for the benefit of others. And then purpose to use them for His glory (never your own!). If you can sing, then sing for all to hear (so many of us only wish we could sing!!). If you can teach, then you should begin exercising this gift; sign up to teach Sunday school. If you can discern, by all means share that with others! If you can encourage, become an encourager of the body of Christ.
Do not be a hoarder of your spiritual gifts! They were not meant for your good alone.
"And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." 2 Timothy 1:6-7
Dear Lord, Allow us to find and use our gifts for the common good of all of Your children. Let us not neglect the gifts You have given, nor keep them to ourselves. Help us to operate as one body with one Spirit, Jesus Christ our Lord.
"Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts." 1 Corinthians 14:1
"So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church." 1 Corinthians 14:12
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware...Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who worked all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them in the body, just as He desired." 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-18
"Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hand by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." 1 Timothy 4:14-16
Many gifts are given to God's people! How many of them are actually used and used for the purpose which God has given them? Please allow the body to function as God intended it to, by the use of these precious gifts which are for the common good of His people. If you do not know what your gifts are, begin to search this out. Ask others to help you and ask God to reveal them to you. Chances are those around you will know what gifts you have...Study up on them and what each one means. There are other sections of scripture which also talk about gifts.
Once you have determined what your gifts are, find out how you can use them for the benefit of others. And then purpose to use them for His glory (never your own!). If you can sing, then sing for all to hear (so many of us only wish we could sing!!). If you can teach, then you should begin exercising this gift; sign up to teach Sunday school. If you can discern, by all means share that with others! If you can encourage, become an encourager of the body of Christ.
Do not be a hoarder of your spiritual gifts! They were not meant for your good alone.
"And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." 2 Timothy 1:6-7
Dear Lord, Allow us to find and use our gifts for the common good of all of Your children. Let us not neglect the gifts You have given, nor keep them to ourselves. Help us to operate as one body with one Spirit, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Our Good, His Glory
God has two purposes in His plan, our good and His glory. We need never think that He does not know what we are going through. He does! He himself experienced life in human flesh. John 11:22 says, "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." (NIV)
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 (NASB)
We also can be assured that if we are seeking Him and putting Him first in all things and loving him with all of our heart, and soul, and mind, and strength, He will accomplish His purposes in us. He will accomplish them even when we don't see how He could possibly do it.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren." Romans 8:28-29 (NASB)
Dear Lord, If I could just trust your plan for my life, I would walk in Your peace continually. Please help me to trust You with everything knowing that You have me exactly where You want me to be.
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 (NASB)
"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB)
God is at work in this world, and His plan is to make us into His image. We don't need to be discouraged that things aren't working out the way we want them to. We can trust that God's plan is for our good and for His glory, even if we can't understand it right now. He will be with us on the journey. And when we have been transformed into His image, all glory and honor and power are His. I am thankful that He chooses to share this with us!
"And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me." John 17:22-23
"But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NASB)
Consider the story of Joseph. Things never looked like they were for his good, but Joseph just kept putting one foot in front of the other, moving forward in God's direction, trying to do His will. When Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:27-28), he ended up in Egypt. Joseph had dreams and interpreted dreams, eventually finding his way into the house of Pharaoh being second in charge in all the land. Because Joseph put God first in all things, he was crowned with success, but not to bring glory to Joseph. Joseph was part of God's plan to protect His people from the famine that had entered the land. God's plan was bigger than the circumstances and Joseph knew that he was exactly where God wanted him to be.
We also can be assured that if we are seeking Him and putting Him first in all things and loving him with all of our heart, and soul, and mind, and strength, He will accomplish His purposes in us. He will accomplish them even when we don't see how He could possibly do it.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren." Romans 8:28-29 (NASB)
Dear Lord, If I could just trust your plan for my life, I would walk in Your peace continually. Please help me to trust You with everything knowing that You have me exactly where You want me to be.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
All to Thee
The easiest way to live the Christian life is to live a life that is in complete surrender to God. Lately, I have been wondering about the difference between a Christian who grows in the Lord over a period of time and one who stays the same, doing the same old things, having the same old attitudes. I was struggling with this and asking the Lord to speak to me about why some people have a vibrant, growing faith and others do not. His answer to me was "Surrender".
Is your life your own or does it belong to God? Are you sitting on the throne of your life or is God? Who is in control of all of the situations that come up in your life, you or God? And if you do give all of the circumstances of your days to Him, do you leave it there with Him, or do you take it back later in the day to handle it your own way?
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"I am the vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, and you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." John 15:1-8 (NASB)
Is your life your own or does it belong to God? Are you sitting on the throne of your life or is God? Who is in control of all of the situations that come up in your life, you or God? And if you do give all of the circumstances of your days to Him, do you leave it there with Him, or do you take it back later in the day to handle it your own way?
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"I am the vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, and you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." John 15:1-8 (NASB)
I Surrender All by Judson Van DeVenter 1896
All to Jesus I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
As my pastor said in church a few weeks ago, the life that is growing in the Lord is a life without fear. It is a life fully surrendered to God.
Dear Lord, I surrender all of my days and all of my moments to You. Please Help me to abide in You and in Your word. Help me to remember that I am not my own; I have been bought with a price. All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Replace Self Talk with God Talk
We all talk to ourselves...sometimes in our heads and sometimes out loud! The most damaging is usually what we tell ourselves in our heads. You're so stupid! Why did you do that! Can't you do anything right? You're not good enough. You don't have your act together. Some of this stems from things other people have said to us in the past, some of them come from comparing ourselves to others, and some come because we have allowed Satan a foothold in our lives.
This negative self talk is counter productive; it damages us in ways we can't even imagine. No matter what the source of your poor "self" image and your negative "self" talk, remember that you are still focusing on your "self". Take your eyes off of your "self" and put them on God. Replace your self talk with God talk. I do believe that if you are talking to God, you will not be able to talk negatively to your "self". As a matter of fact, you won't be focused on your "self" at all. You will be focused on the God of the universe who loves you and gave Himself up for you!
"I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me." Proverbs 8:17
"but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:24 (NASB)
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." Romans 12:2-3 (NASB)
I also say to you, do not think more often of your "self" than you ought to think!
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
Do these things today! Whenever a negative thought about your "self" pops up, begin to pray, start to rejoice, count your blessings, give praise to God, sing of His righteousness; and...
"That in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." Ephesians 4:22-27 (NASB)
"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 (NASB)
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
Dear Lord, Please help me to resist the temptation to focus on my "self". Renew my mind; keep me focused on You and help me to have the strength to continually think on these things.
This negative self talk is counter productive; it damages us in ways we can't even imagine. No matter what the source of your poor "self" image and your negative "self" talk, remember that you are still focusing on your "self". Take your eyes off of your "self" and put them on God. Replace your self talk with God talk. I do believe that if you are talking to God, you will not be able to talk negatively to your "self". As a matter of fact, you won't be focused on your "self" at all. You will be focused on the God of the universe who loves you and gave Himself up for you!
"I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me." Proverbs 8:17
"but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:24 (NASB)
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." Romans 12:2-3 (NASB)
I also say to you, do not think more often of your "self" than you ought to think!
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
Do these things today! Whenever a negative thought about your "self" pops up, begin to pray, start to rejoice, count your blessings, give praise to God, sing of His righteousness; and...
"That in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." Ephesians 4:22-27 (NASB)
"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 (NASB)
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
Dear Lord, Please help me to resist the temptation to focus on my "self". Renew my mind; keep me focused on You and help me to have the strength to continually think on these things.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Whom Have I in Heaven but Thee?
"Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail; but God is the strength of my portion forever." Psalm 73:25-26
May this be our prayer and may our hearts be satisfied with nothing less than Him!
Have a wonderful weekend!
May this be our prayer and may our hearts be satisfied with nothing less than Him!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Do You Believe?
"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die, Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26 (NASB)
Believing is more than just acknowledging that God exists. To believe actually means to trust in, rely upon, and cling to. We need to do more than just say we believe... God's word says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." James 2:19 (NIV) But believing in God should actually be demonstrated by action. We should be spurred on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24) because of our belief and because of His love. Don't be confused! Our action does not save us; it is merely evidence that we have been changed...
1 Peter 2:4-8 "And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in scripture: 'Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed. ' This precious value, then, is for you who believe, but for those who disbelieve, 'The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone,' and 'A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense'; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed."
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
James 1:22-25 "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does."
Are you trusting in, relying upon, and clinging to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior? Believing is being an effectual doer of the word and not merely a hearer. Do others know that you are a follower of the Way? You can sit in the garage all week but that won't make you a car. Likewise, calling yourself a Christian or sitting in a church won't make you a believer.
John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Dear Lord, Help me to act upon my belief. Make me obedient to Your word. Let me not be a mere hearer of the word but let me be an effectual doer. Help me to trust in, rely upon, and cling to You...and help me to show Your love to those around me.
Believing is more than just acknowledging that God exists. To believe actually means to trust in, rely upon, and cling to. We need to do more than just say we believe... God's word says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." James 2:19 (NIV) But believing in God should actually be demonstrated by action. We should be spurred on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24) because of our belief and because of His love. Don't be confused! Our action does not save us; it is merely evidence that we have been changed...
1 Peter 2:4-8 "And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in scripture: 'Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed. ' This precious value, then, is for you who believe, but for those who disbelieve, 'The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone,' and 'A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense'; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed."
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
James 1:22-25 "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does."
Are you trusting in, relying upon, and clinging to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior? Believing is being an effectual doer of the word and not merely a hearer. Do others know that you are a follower of the Way? You can sit in the garage all week but that won't make you a car. Likewise, calling yourself a Christian or sitting in a church won't make you a believer.
John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Dear Lord, Help me to act upon my belief. Make me obedient to Your word. Let me not be a mere hearer of the word but let me be an effectual doer. Help me to trust in, rely upon, and cling to You...and help me to show Your love to those around me.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
There is No Night There
I received some sad news today. My brother who has been battling breast cancer for over 2 years has taken a turn for the worse. My father passed away in the early 90's and I spoke at his funeral about what heaven is like according to God's word. It comes to mind now and although I didn't keep a copy of what I said, I remember clearly the description according to Revelation 21 and 22.
Revelation 21:1-7 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying or pain; for the first things have passed away.'
And He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' And He said, 'Write, for these words are faithful and true.'
And He said to me, 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.'"
Revelation 22:1-7 "And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. And on either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
And there shall no longer be any night and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them; and they shall reign forever and ever.
And he said to me, 'These words are faithful and true'; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must shortly take place.
'And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.'"
And the words to an old hymn, "There is No Night There," by John R. Clements c. 1899 are comforting:
Revelation 21:1-7 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying or pain; for the first things have passed away.'
And He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' And He said, 'Write, for these words are faithful and true.'
And He said to me, 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.'"
Revelation 22:1-7 "And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. And on either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
And there shall no longer be any night and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them; and they shall reign forever and ever.
And he said to me, 'These words are faithful and true'; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must shortly take place.
'And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.'"
And the words to an old hymn, "There is No Night There," by John R. Clements c. 1899 are comforting:
In the land of fadeless day
Lies the city foursquare;
It shall never pass away,
And there is no night there.
Refrain
God shall wipe away all tears,
There's no death, no pain, nor fears,
And they count not time by years,
For there is no night there.
All the gates of pearl are made,
In the city foursquare;
All the streets with gold are laid,
And there is no night there.
All the gates shall never close
To the city foursquare;
There life's crystal river flows,
And there is no night there.
There they need no sunshine bright,
In that city foursquare;
For the Lamb is all the light,
And there is no night there.
Lies the city foursquare;
It shall never pass away,
And there is no night there.
Refrain
God shall wipe away all tears,
There's no death, no pain, nor fears,
And they count not time by years,
For there is no night there.
All the gates of pearl are made,
In the city foursquare;
All the streets with gold are laid,
And there is no night there.
All the gates shall never close
To the city foursquare;
There life's crystal river flows,
And there is no night there.
There they need no sunshine bright,
In that city foursquare;
For the Lamb is all the light,
And there is no night there.
"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3
Dear Lord, Thank you that when I don't know what to say, Your word will say it for me.
Dear Lord, Thank you that when I don't know what to say, Your word will say it for me.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
His Story, Not Mine
I often forget that this life is not all about "Me". The author and perfecter of my faith is also the author and perfecter of my life. The story is His and I have a small bit part in it! My purpose is to shine His light into this dark world, not to shine the light on myself so I receive glory and praise. All glory and honor and praise belong to Him.
I think the problem with us is that we put too much emphasis on this life and not enough on the next. This life is a flash in the pan. It is very, very temporary. This is where we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). This is where we are to become a mirror image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14 (NASB)
"Man is a mere breath; his days are like a passing shadow." Psalm 144:4 (NASB)
"O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!" Psalm 39:4
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB)
And yet the God of the Universe cares about every hair on our heads. He even knows how many there are at any given time. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts which doesn't mean He wants to answer every prayer the way we want it. It means that He wants to put the desires that He wants us to have in us. His plans are much larger and better than we can even comprehend.
"Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
Dear Lord, Thank you that I have a part, however small, in Your Story! Please use me to further Your Kingdom and to shine Your light. Make me into Your image and let others see You in Me. Please help me to put this life in proper perspective and to realize that You must increase and I must decrease. Less of me and more of Thee, please...
I think the problem with us is that we put too much emphasis on this life and not enough on the next. This life is a flash in the pan. It is very, very temporary. This is where we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). This is where we are to become a mirror image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14 (NASB)
"Man is a mere breath; his days are like a passing shadow." Psalm 144:4 (NASB)
"O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!" Psalm 39:4
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB)
And yet the God of the Universe cares about every hair on our heads. He even knows how many there are at any given time. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts which doesn't mean He wants to answer every prayer the way we want it. It means that He wants to put the desires that He wants us to have in us. His plans are much larger and better than we can even comprehend.
"Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
Dear Lord, Thank you that I have a part, however small, in Your Story! Please use me to further Your Kingdom and to shine Your light. Make me into Your image and let others see You in Me. Please help me to put this life in proper perspective and to realize that You must increase and I must decrease. Less of me and more of Thee, please...
Monday, April 12, 2010
Does God Seem Far Away? Guess Who Moved?
There are days when I don't seem to be able to hear God's voice or understand His will very clearly. Do you have days like that? Does it sometimes seem like the prayers you are shooting up are hitting the ceiling and falling back into your face? Well, then take a good look at yourself. What have you been doing? Where have you been going? Who have you been serving? If God seems far away, I guarantee you that it wasn't God who moved away from you. You have moved away from Him.
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 (NASB)
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NASB)
"And lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20 (NASB)
The Lord desires for us to walk with Him even when we can't "feel" Him. We are not to base our lives on our feelings. We are to obey Him. Continue walking with Him and you will feel His presence again as you keep moving in His direction. Francis Chan, in his book Crazy Love, puts it this way, "If life is a river, then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream. When we stop swimming, or actively following Him, we automatically begin to be swept downstream."
"Your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left." Isaiah 30:21 (NASB)
"But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 (NASB)
We also need to remember that what we spend the most time on will be the most influential in our lives. Are you spending the most time with the Lord? Or are you too busy to hear His voice?
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21 (NASB)
You may say I can't spend all day with Him! But I say, "Oh, yes you can!" Write His words on your heart and talk about Him (and to Him) as you are walking along the way (driving along the way). Speak of Him (and to Him) when you are rising up and sitting down. Teach Him to your children or to whomever you meet.
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Deuteronomy 11:17-19 (NASB)
"Thy Word is a lamp unto me feet, and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105 (NASB)
Dear Lord, Please help me to keep walking in Your direction regardless of how I feel. Help me to be obedient to Your word. Help me to spend time knowing Your word and help me to teach it to others.
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 (NASB)
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NASB)
"And lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20 (NASB)
The Lord desires for us to walk with Him even when we can't "feel" Him. We are not to base our lives on our feelings. We are to obey Him. Continue walking with Him and you will feel His presence again as you keep moving in His direction. Francis Chan, in his book Crazy Love, puts it this way, "If life is a river, then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream. When we stop swimming, or actively following Him, we automatically begin to be swept downstream."
"Your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left." Isaiah 30:21 (NASB)
"But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 (NASB)
We also need to remember that what we spend the most time on will be the most influential in our lives. Are you spending the most time with the Lord? Or are you too busy to hear His voice?
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21 (NASB)
You may say I can't spend all day with Him! But I say, "Oh, yes you can!" Write His words on your heart and talk about Him (and to Him) as you are walking along the way (driving along the way). Speak of Him (and to Him) when you are rising up and sitting down. Teach Him to your children or to whomever you meet.
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Deuteronomy 11:17-19 (NASB)
"Thy Word is a lamp unto me feet, and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105 (NASB)
Dear Lord, Please help me to keep walking in Your direction regardless of how I feel. Help me to be obedient to Your word. Help me to spend time knowing Your word and help me to teach it to others.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
A Recipe for Life
Frequently, my daughter or a friend will ask me for a recipe. I am always happy to oblige and am happy that something I've made in the past has pleased someone enough for them to remember it and want to reproduce it. How much more wonderful would it be if we could have people see the way we live and ask for the recipe for that life? Wouldn't you love it if they asked how they could reproduce the fruits of the Spirit they see in you in their own lives?
"But I say walk in the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envyings, drunkeness, carousings, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:16-23 (NASB)
But, it is so much more than a "Don't do this", "Do this" list. You may ask, how can I exhibit the fruits of the Spirit ALL the time? The answer to that question can be found in Galatians 5:24 & 25:
"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." (NASB)
And in Galatians 2:20:
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me." (NASB)
The "I" in that verse refers to "Me, myself, and I". The "I" is all my selfish desires; all of getting what I want when I want it. Our new goal is to crucify our own desires and live for His. This takes a major commitment on our part. We need to die to ourselves (read: our own selfishness) daily. This will always be an ongoing struggle but be hopeful for the Bible also says:
"Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will behold Me no more; but you will behold Me; because I live, you shall live also." John 14:16-20 (NASB)
Through the power that is within us, we can live God's recipe for life! "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (NASB)
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for Your recipe for Life. Thank you for making me into Your image daily. Help me die to my own selfish desires and live for You so that you might exhibit the ingredients for this recipe of life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in me.
"But I say walk in the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envyings, drunkeness, carousings, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:16-23 (NASB)
But, it is so much more than a "Don't do this", "Do this" list. You may ask, how can I exhibit the fruits of the Spirit ALL the time? The answer to that question can be found in Galatians 5:24 & 25:
"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." (NASB)
And in Galatians 2:20:
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me." (NASB)
The "I" in that verse refers to "Me, myself, and I". The "I" is all my selfish desires; all of getting what I want when I want it. Our new goal is to crucify our own desires and live for His. This takes a major commitment on our part. We need to die to ourselves (read: our own selfishness) daily. This will always be an ongoing struggle but be hopeful for the Bible also says:
"Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will behold Me no more; but you will behold Me; because I live, you shall live also." John 14:16-20 (NASB)
Through the power that is within us, we can live God's recipe for life! "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (NASB)
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for Your recipe for Life. Thank you for making me into Your image daily. Help me die to my own selfish desires and live for You so that you might exhibit the ingredients for this recipe of life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in me.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Count it all Joy...
Is your faith being tested? Then count it all joy... Have you received an unexpected diagnosis, a pink slip, a foreclosure notice, bad or sad news from someone you love? As difficult as it is, try to remember who you are living for. If you are living for yourself, then yes, times can be tough, life can be tragic, darkness can seem to prevail, but, if you are living for the King of glory, then you can count it all joy.
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:2-8
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God..." I don't know about you but I certainly lack wisdom. I need guidance and help for this journey and the Lord promises to give it to you if you ask in faith without any doubting. How do we ask without doubting? We spend every moment of every day reading His word, praying His word, living His word, singing His word. If we bath our lives in Him then His perfect Love will cast out our fears. And doesn't doubt come from fear?
I want to be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing, don't you? The hard part of that is endurance. How is your endurance?
Matthew 10:22 says, "And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."
2 Timothy 2:11-13 says, "It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself."
Lord, please give me the patience to endure even when times are difficult and life hurts. Please test my faith and find me faithful even as You are faithful. Help me to count it all joy, when things are good and when things are not. Please make me perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:2-8
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God..." I don't know about you but I certainly lack wisdom. I need guidance and help for this journey and the Lord promises to give it to you if you ask in faith without any doubting. How do we ask without doubting? We spend every moment of every day reading His word, praying His word, living His word, singing His word. If we bath our lives in Him then His perfect Love will cast out our fears. And doesn't doubt come from fear?
I want to be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing, don't you? The hard part of that is endurance. How is your endurance?
Matthew 10:22 says, "And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."
2 Timothy 2:11-13 says, "It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself."
Lord, please give me the patience to endure even when times are difficult and life hurts. Please test my faith and find me faithful even as You are faithful. Help me to count it all joy, when things are good and when things are not. Please make me perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Empty Nest or Full House?
I feel bad that I haven't had a post since my first two...but not really. I have been trying to figure out the balance between having an empty nest and a full house. My youngest son went off to college last fall and I was sure that a new, exciting phase of life had begun. I had already decided that I was going to give myself time to "adjust" to my new situation. What did I have planned for this new phase you may ask? Well, I certainly didn't intend to waste time by hanging on to my children's every word (or lack thereof). I didn't intend to facebook, twitter, check two email accounts, chat, text and talk the day away! That was a life style that I actually disdained. It seems, however, that that is exactly what I have been doing. Oh, not all I have been doing, mind you, but a huge portion of my time seems to be dedicated to communicating with my far flung offspring. Blogging just didn't seem to fit in. After all, I had only one follower and that was me! If no one was reading my blog but me, well, what was the point?
The point is my job is over now, right? I am at the parenting finish line with my last child off in college and now I can revert back to my selfish ways....or not! Now I need to focus. Now I need purpose more than ever, and not just to be available every time my children choose to communicate (although, I confess, that had been my goal). I need to be available to God. I need to hear every word He chooses to communicate and I need to follow through on what He asks of me.
"For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:14-17 (NASB)
Dear Lord, Please help me make use of my days for Your glory and help me deal wisely with my empty nest. Tweet!
The point is my job is over now, right? I am at the parenting finish line with my last child off in college and now I can revert back to my selfish ways....or not! Now I need to focus. Now I need purpose more than ever, and not just to be available every time my children choose to communicate (although, I confess, that had been my goal). I need to be available to God. I need to hear every word He chooses to communicate and I need to follow through on what He asks of me.
"For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:14-17 (NASB)
Dear Lord, Please help me make use of my days for Your glory and help me deal wisely with my empty nest. Tweet!
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