“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware. - Luke 21:34
Moderation and wisdom are traveling companions. If we are wise, we must learn to temper our appetites, our desires, and our impulses. When we do, we are blessed, because God has created a world in which temperance is rewarded and intemperance is inevitably punished.
Would you like to improve your life? Then harness your appetites and restrain your impulses. Moderation is difficult, of course; it is especially difficult in a prosperous society such as ours. But the rewards of moderation are numerous and long lasting. Claim those rewards today.
No one can force you to moderate your appetites. The decision to live temperately (and wisely) is yours and yours alone. And so are the consequences.
#denyurself
Prayer from the Blogger:
Lord Jesus,
Help us to live life in moderation.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Luke 21
New Living Translation (NLT)
The Widow’s Offering
21 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.
3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Jesus Foretells the Future
5 Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6 “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”
8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,' and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. 13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.
20 “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city. 22 For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. 23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people. 24 They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.
25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
29 Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. 30 When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. 32 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
37 Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 38 The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Commending Ourselves to Others
Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth. - 2 Corinthians 4:1-2
2 Corinthians 4
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Light of the Gospel
4 Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. 2 Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth.3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
Treasure in Clay Jars
7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. 8 We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus’ life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak.14 We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you. 15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God’s glory.
16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
God has given us a guidebook for righteous living called the Holy Bible. It contains thorough instructions which, if followed, lead to fulfillment, righteousness, and salvation. But, if we choose to ignore God's commandments, the result are as predictable as they are tragic.
A righteous life has many components: faith, honesty, generosity, love, kindness, humility, gratitude, and worship, to name but a few. If we seek to follow the steps of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we must seek to live according to His commandments. In short, we must, to the best of our abilities, live according to the principles contained in God's Holy Word.
So today and every day of your life, study God's Word and live by it. Make your life a shining example for those who have not yet found Christ. Embrace righteousness. For further instructions, read the manual.
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your Word. The instructions You have laid out for us to live a life that will not only pleases us, but will please You. Give us the boldness to follow Your instruction regardless of how unpopular it makes us with man.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
2 Corinthians 4
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Light of the Gospel
4 Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. 2 Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth.3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
Treasure in Clay Jars
7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. 8 We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus’ life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak.14 We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you. 15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God’s glory.
16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Working with Heart and Soul
He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God’s temple, in the instruction and the commands, in order to seek his God, and he prospered. - 2 Chronicles 31:21
How does God intend for us to work? Does He intend for us to work diligently or does He reward mediocrity? The answer is obvious. God has created a world in which hard work is rewarded and sloppy work is not. Yet sometimes, we may seek ease over excellence, or we may be tempted to take shortcuts when God intends that we walk the straight and narrow path.
Today, heed God's Word by doing work. Wherever you find yourself, whatever your job description, do your work, and do it with all your heart. When you do, you will most certainly win the recognition of your peers. But more importantly, God will bless your efforts and use you in ways that only He can understand. So do you work with focus and dedication. And leave the rest up to God.
#alln4Christ
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Give us strength to do the work You have given us, in a manner that is pleasing and glorifying to You.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
2 Chronicles 31
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Removal of Idolatry
31 When all this was completed, all Israel who had attended went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, to the last one. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own possession.
Offerings for Levites
2 Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites for the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for praise in the gates of the camp of the Lord, each division corresponding to his service among the priests and Levites. 3 The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings, the burnt offerings of the Sabbaths, of the New Moons, and of the appointed feasts, as written in the law of the Lord. 4 He told the people who lived in Jerusalem to give a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote their energy to the law of the Lord. 5 When the word spread, the Israelites gave liberally of the best of the grain, new wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance, a tenth of everything. 6 As for the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah, they also brought a tenth of the cattle and sheep, and a tenth of the dedicated things that were consecrated to the Lord their God. They gathered them into large piles. 7 In the third month they began building up the piles, and they finished in the seventh month. 8 When Hezekiah and his officials came and viewed the piles, they praised the Lord and His people Israel.
9 Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the piles. 10 Azariah, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him, “Since they began bringing the offering to the Lord’s temple, we eat and are satisfied and there is plenty left over because the Lord has blessed His people; this abundance is what is left over.”
11 Hezekiah told them to prepare chambers in the Lord’s temple, and they prepared them. 12 The offering, the tenth, and the dedicated things were brought faithfully. Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second. 13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were deputies under the authority of Conaniah and his brother Shimei by appointment of King Hezekiah and of Azariah the chief official of God’s temple.
14 Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the East Gate, was over the freewill offerings to God to distribute the contribution to the Lord and the consecrated things. 15 Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah in the cities of the priests were to faithfully distribute it under his authority to their brothers by divisions, whether large or small. 16 In addition, they distributed it to males registered by genealogy three years old and above; to all who would enter the Lord’s temple for their daily duty, for their service in their responsibilities according to their divisions. 17 They distributed also to those recorded by genealogy of the priests by their ancestral families and the Levites 20 years old and above, by their responsibilities in their divisions; 18 to those registered by genealogy—with all their infants, wives, sons, and daughters—of the whole assembly (for they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy); 19 and to the descendants of Aaron, the priests, in the common fields of their cities, in each and every city. There were men who were registered by name to distribute a portion to every male among the priests and to every Levite recorded by genealogy.
20 Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord his God. 21 He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God’s temple, in the instruction and the commands, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.
How does God intend for us to work? Does He intend for us to work diligently or does He reward mediocrity? The answer is obvious. God has created a world in which hard work is rewarded and sloppy work is not. Yet sometimes, we may seek ease over excellence, or we may be tempted to take shortcuts when God intends that we walk the straight and narrow path.
Today, heed God's Word by doing work. Wherever you find yourself, whatever your job description, do your work, and do it with all your heart. When you do, you will most certainly win the recognition of your peers. But more importantly, God will bless your efforts and use you in ways that only He can understand. So do you work with focus and dedication. And leave the rest up to God.
#alln4Christ
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Give us strength to do the work You have given us, in a manner that is pleasing and glorifying to You.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
2 Chronicles 31
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Removal of Idolatry
31 When all this was completed, all Israel who had attended went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, to the last one. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own possession.
Offerings for Levites
2 Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites for the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for praise in the gates of the camp of the Lord, each division corresponding to his service among the priests and Levites. 3 The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings, the burnt offerings of the Sabbaths, of the New Moons, and of the appointed feasts, as written in the law of the Lord. 4 He told the people who lived in Jerusalem to give a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote their energy to the law of the Lord. 5 When the word spread, the Israelites gave liberally of the best of the grain, new wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance, a tenth of everything. 6 As for the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah, they also brought a tenth of the cattle and sheep, and a tenth of the dedicated things that were consecrated to the Lord their God. They gathered them into large piles. 7 In the third month they began building up the piles, and they finished in the seventh month. 8 When Hezekiah and his officials came and viewed the piles, they praised the Lord and His people Israel.
9 Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the piles. 10 Azariah, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him, “Since they began bringing the offering to the Lord’s temple, we eat and are satisfied and there is plenty left over because the Lord has blessed His people; this abundance is what is left over.”
11 Hezekiah told them to prepare chambers in the Lord’s temple, and they prepared them. 12 The offering, the tenth, and the dedicated things were brought faithfully. Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second. 13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were deputies under the authority of Conaniah and his brother Shimei by appointment of King Hezekiah and of Azariah the chief official of God’s temple.
14 Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the East Gate, was over the freewill offerings to God to distribute the contribution to the Lord and the consecrated things. 15 Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah in the cities of the priests were to faithfully distribute it under his authority to their brothers by divisions, whether large or small. 16 In addition, they distributed it to males registered by genealogy three years old and above; to all who would enter the Lord’s temple for their daily duty, for their service in their responsibilities according to their divisions. 17 They distributed also to those recorded by genealogy of the priests by their ancestral families and the Levites 20 years old and above, by their responsibilities in their divisions; 18 to those registered by genealogy—with all their infants, wives, sons, and daughters—of the whole assembly (for they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy); 19 and to the descendants of Aaron, the priests, in the common fields of their cities, in each and every city. There were men who were registered by name to distribute a portion to every male among the priests and to every Levite recorded by genealogy.
20 Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord his God. 21 He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God’s temple, in the instruction and the commands, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Cheerful Christianity
A cheerful heart has a continual feast. - Proverbs 15:15
Few things in life are more sad, or, for that matter, more, absurd, than a grumpy Christian. Christ promises us lives of abundance and joy, but He does not force His joy upon us. We must claim His joy for ourselves, and when we do, Jesus, in turn, fills our spirits with His power and His love.
How can we receive from Christ the joy that is rightfully our? Bu giving Him what is rightfully His: our hearts and our soul.
When we earnestly commit ourselves to the Savior of mankind, when we place Jesus at the center of our lives and trust Him as our personal Savior, He will transform us, not just for today, but for all eternity. Then we, as God's children, can share Christ's joy ans His message with a world that needs both.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Take our hearts and souls, so that, we will be able to experience Your Joy.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage-
Proverbs 15:11-16
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord—
how much more, human hearts.
12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;
he will not consult the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.
14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.
Few things in life are more sad, or, for that matter, more, absurd, than a grumpy Christian. Christ promises us lives of abundance and joy, but He does not force His joy upon us. We must claim His joy for ourselves, and when we do, Jesus, in turn, fills our spirits with His power and His love.
How can we receive from Christ the joy that is rightfully our? Bu giving Him what is rightfully His: our hearts and our soul.
When we earnestly commit ourselves to the Savior of mankind, when we place Jesus at the center of our lives and trust Him as our personal Savior, He will transform us, not just for today, but for all eternity. Then we, as God's children, can share Christ's joy ans His message with a world that needs both.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Take our hearts and souls, so that, we will be able to experience Your Joy.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage-
Proverbs 15:11-16
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord—
how much more, human hearts.
12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;
he will not consult the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.
14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Never Give Up
Even though good people may be bothered by trouble seven times, they are never defeated.
- Proverbs 24:16
Do you seriously want to live a life that is pleasing to God? If so, you must remember that life is not a sprint; it's a marathon that calls for preparation, determination, and a lot of perseverance.
Are you on of those people who doesn't give up easily, or are you quick to bail out when the going gets tough? If you've developed the unfortunate habit of giving up at the first sign of trouble, it's probably time for you to have a heart-to-heart talk with the person you see every time you look in the mirror.
Jesus finished what He began, and so should you. Despite His suffering and despite the shame of the cross, Jesus was steadfast in His faithfulness to God. You, too, must remain faithful, especially when times are tough.
Do you want to build a closer relationship with God? Then don't give up. If you're facing a difficult situation, remember this: whatever your problem, God can handle it. Your job is to keep persevering until He does.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Lord,
Help me to persevere until You move.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage-
Proverbs 24:11-22
New Century Version (NCV)
11 Save those who are being led to their death;
rescue those who are about to be killed.
12 If you say, “We don’t know anything about this,”
God, who knows what’s in your mind, will notice.
He is watching you, and he will know.
He will reward each person for what he has done.
13 My child, eat honey because it is good.
Honey from the honeycomb tastes sweet.
14 In the same way, wisdom is pleasing to you.
If you find it, you have hope for the future,
and your wishes will come true.
15 Don’t be wicked and attack a good family’s house;
don’t rob the place where they live.
16 Even though good people may be bothered by trouble seven times, they are never defeated,
but the wicked are overwhelmed by trouble.
17 Don’t be happy when your enemy is defeated;
don’t be glad when he is overwhelmed.
18 The Lord will notice and be displeased.
He may not be angry with them anymore.
19 Don’t envy evil people,
and don’t be jealous of the wicked.
20 An evil person has nothing to hope for;
the wicked will die like a flame that is put out.
21 My child, respect the Lord and the king.
Don’t join those people who refuse to obey them.
22 The Lord and the king will quickly destroy such people.
Those two can cause great disaster!
- Proverbs 24:16
Do you seriously want to live a life that is pleasing to God? If so, you must remember that life is not a sprint; it's a marathon that calls for preparation, determination, and a lot of perseverance.
Are you on of those people who doesn't give up easily, or are you quick to bail out when the going gets tough? If you've developed the unfortunate habit of giving up at the first sign of trouble, it's probably time for you to have a heart-to-heart talk with the person you see every time you look in the mirror.
Jesus finished what He began, and so should you. Despite His suffering and despite the shame of the cross, Jesus was steadfast in His faithfulness to God. You, too, must remain faithful, especially when times are tough.
Do you want to build a closer relationship with God? Then don't give up. If you're facing a difficult situation, remember this: whatever your problem, God can handle it. Your job is to keep persevering until He does.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Lord,
Help me to persevere until You move.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage-
Proverbs 24:11-22
New Century Version (NCV)
11 Save those who are being led to their death;
rescue those who are about to be killed.
12 If you say, “We don’t know anything about this,”
God, who knows what’s in your mind, will notice.
He is watching you, and he will know.
He will reward each person for what he has done.
13 My child, eat honey because it is good.
Honey from the honeycomb tastes sweet.
14 In the same way, wisdom is pleasing to you.
If you find it, you have hope for the future,
and your wishes will come true.
15 Don’t be wicked and attack a good family’s house;
don’t rob the place where they live.
16 Even though good people may be bothered by trouble seven times, they are never defeated,
but the wicked are overwhelmed by trouble.
17 Don’t be happy when your enemy is defeated;
don’t be glad when he is overwhelmed.
18 The Lord will notice and be displeased.
He may not be angry with them anymore.
19 Don’t envy evil people,
and don’t be jealous of the wicked.
20 An evil person has nothing to hope for;
the wicked will die like a flame that is put out.
21 My child, respect the Lord and the king.
Don’t join those people who refuse to obey them.
22 The Lord and the king will quickly destroy such people.
Those two can cause great disaster!
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Discovering God's Purpose
If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25
God has plans for your life, wonderful, surprising plans...but He won't force those plans on you. To the contrary, He has given you free will, the ability to make decisions on our own. Now, it's up to you to make those decisions wisely.
If you seek to live in accordance with God's plan for your life, you will study His Word, you wil be attenive to His instructions, and you will be watchful for His signs. You will associate with fellow believers who, by their words and actions, will encourage your spiritual growth. You will assiduously avoid those two terrible temptations: the temptation of sin and the temptation to squander time. And finally, you will listen carefully, even reverently, to the conscience that God has placed in your heart.
God intends to use you in wonderful, unexpected ways if you let Him. Let Him. When you do, you'll be thoroughly surprised by the creativity and the beauty of His plan.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the plan You have for me. Use me in ways that You see fit, for Your glory and kingdom.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage-
Galatians 5:16-26
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Spirit versus the Flesh
16 I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. 26 We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
God has plans for your life, wonderful, surprising plans...but He won't force those plans on you. To the contrary, He has given you free will, the ability to make decisions on our own. Now, it's up to you to make those decisions wisely.
If you seek to live in accordance with God's plan for your life, you will study His Word, you wil be attenive to His instructions, and you will be watchful for His signs. You will associate with fellow believers who, by their words and actions, will encourage your spiritual growth. You will assiduously avoid those two terrible temptations: the temptation of sin and the temptation to squander time. And finally, you will listen carefully, even reverently, to the conscience that God has placed in your heart.
God intends to use you in wonderful, unexpected ways if you let Him. Let Him. When you do, you'll be thoroughly surprised by the creativity and the beauty of His plan.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the plan You have for me. Use me in ways that You see fit, for Your glory and kingdom.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage-
Galatians 5:16-26
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Spirit versus the Flesh
16 I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. 26 We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Concerning the Stuff
Prosperity is as shortlived as a wildflower, so dont ever count on it. - James 1:10
Are you someone who's concerned with the stuff that money can buy? Hopefully not. On the grand stage of a well-lived life, material possessions should play a rather small role. Of course, we all need the basic necessities of life, but once we meet those needs for ourselves and for our families, the piling up of possessions creates more problems than it solves. Our real riches are not of this world. we are never really rich until we are rich in spirit.
Our society is in love with money and the things that money can buy. God is not. God cares about people, not possessions, and so must we. We must, to the best of our abilities, love our neighbors as ourselves, and we must, to the best of our abilities, resist the mighty temptation to place possessions ahead of people.
Money, in and of itself is not evil; worshiping money is. So today, as you prioritize matters of importance in your life, remember that God is almighty, but the dollar is not.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Help to remember the importance of money. It is not more important than the people who surround us. Help us, so that, we do not give money what belongs to You; our worship.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
James 1:2-18
The Message (MSG)
Faith Under Pressure
2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
5-8 If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
9-11 When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.
12 Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
13-15 Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
16-18 So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.
Are you someone who's concerned with the stuff that money can buy? Hopefully not. On the grand stage of a well-lived life, material possessions should play a rather small role. Of course, we all need the basic necessities of life, but once we meet those needs for ourselves and for our families, the piling up of possessions creates more problems than it solves. Our real riches are not of this world. we are never really rich until we are rich in spirit.
Our society is in love with money and the things that money can buy. God is not. God cares about people, not possessions, and so must we. We must, to the best of our abilities, love our neighbors as ourselves, and we must, to the best of our abilities, resist the mighty temptation to place possessions ahead of people.
Money, in and of itself is not evil; worshiping money is. So today, as you prioritize matters of importance in your life, remember that God is almighty, but the dollar is not.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Help to remember the importance of money. It is not more important than the people who surround us. Help us, so that, we do not give money what belongs to You; our worship.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
James 1:2-18
The Message (MSG)
Faith Under Pressure
2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
5-8 If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
9-11 When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.
12 Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
13-15 Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
16-18 So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Remembering God's Love
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
- Psalm 100:5
How much does God love you? As long as you're alive, you'll never be able to figure it out because God's love is just too big to comprehend. But this much we know: God loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to come to this earth and die for you! And, when you accepted Jesus into our heart, God gave you a gift that is more precious than gold: the gift of eternal life.
God's love is bigger and more powerful than anybody can imagine, but His love is very real. So do yourself a favor right now:accept God's love right now with open arms and welcome His Son Jesus into your heart. When you do, your life will be changed today, tomorrow, and forever.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your love. Thank You for changing my life.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Psalm 100
A Psalm of Thanksgiving.
100 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
- Psalm 100:5
How much does God love you? As long as you're alive, you'll never be able to figure it out because God's love is just too big to comprehend. But this much we know: God loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to come to this earth and die for you! And, when you accepted Jesus into our heart, God gave you a gift that is more precious than gold: the gift of eternal life.
God's love is bigger and more powerful than anybody can imagine, but His love is very real. So do yourself a favor right now:accept God's love right now with open arms and welcome His Son Jesus into your heart. When you do, your life will be changed today, tomorrow, and forever.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your love. Thank You for changing my life.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Psalm 100
A Psalm of Thanksgiving.
100 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Shining Like Stars
The wise people will shine like the brightness of the sky. Those who teach others to live right will shine like stras forever and ever. - Daniel 12:3
Our world needs Christian leaders who "will shine like stars forever and ever." Our world needs leaders who willingly honor God with their words and their deeds - with the emphasis on deeds.
If you seek to be a godly leader, then you must begin by being a worthy example to your family, to your friends, to your church, and to your community. After all, your words of instructions will never ring true unless you yourself are willing to follow them.
Are you the kind of leader whom you would want to follow? If so, congratulations. But if the answer to that question is no, then it's time to improve your leadership skills, beginning with the words that you speak and the example you set.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Holy Savior,
I want to be the example I speak about. I want to look like You because I am asking others to look like You. Help me so that my walk and my talk mirror Your walk and Your talk.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Daniel 12
New Century Version (NCV)
The Time of the End
12 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will stand up. There will be a time of much trouble, the worst time since nations have been on earth, but your people will be saved. Everyone whose name is written in God’s book will be saved. 2 Many people who have already died will live again. Some of them will wake up to have life forever, but some will wake up to find shame and disgrace forever. 3 The wise people will shine like the brightness of the sky. Those who teach others to live right will shine like stars forever and ever.
4 “But you, Daniel, close up the book and seal it. These things will happen at the time of the end. Many people will go here and there to find true knowledge.”
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and saw two other men. One was standing on my side of the river, and the other was standing on the far side. 6 The man who was dressed in linen was standing over the water in the river. One of the two men spoke to him and asked, “How long will it be before these amazing things come true?”
7 The man dressed in linen, who stood over the water, raised his hands toward heaven. And I heard him swear by the name of God who lives forever, “It will be for three and one-half years. The power of the holy people will finally be broken, and then all these things will come true.”
8 I heard the answer, but I did not really understand, so I asked, “Master, what will happen after all these things come true?”
9 He answered, “Go your way, Daniel. The message is closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many people will be made clean, pure, and spotless, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. Those wicked people will not understand these things, but the wise will understand them.
11 “The daily sacrifice will be stopped. Then, after 1,290 days from that time, a blasphemous object that brings destruction will be set up. 12 Those who wait for the end of the 1,335 days will be happy.
13 “As for you, Daniel, go your way until the end. You will get your rest, and at the end you will rise to receive your reward.”
Our world needs Christian leaders who "will shine like stars forever and ever." Our world needs leaders who willingly honor God with their words and their deeds - with the emphasis on deeds.
If you seek to be a godly leader, then you must begin by being a worthy example to your family, to your friends, to your church, and to your community. After all, your words of instructions will never ring true unless you yourself are willing to follow them.
Are you the kind of leader whom you would want to follow? If so, congratulations. But if the answer to that question is no, then it's time to improve your leadership skills, beginning with the words that you speak and the example you set.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Holy Savior,
I want to be the example I speak about. I want to look like You because I am asking others to look like You. Help me so that my walk and my talk mirror Your walk and Your talk.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Daniel 12
New Century Version (NCV)
The Time of the End
12 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will stand up. There will be a time of much trouble, the worst time since nations have been on earth, but your people will be saved. Everyone whose name is written in God’s book will be saved. 2 Many people who have already died will live again. Some of them will wake up to have life forever, but some will wake up to find shame and disgrace forever. 3 The wise people will shine like the brightness of the sky. Those who teach others to live right will shine like stars forever and ever.
4 “But you, Daniel, close up the book and seal it. These things will happen at the time of the end. Many people will go here and there to find true knowledge.”
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and saw two other men. One was standing on my side of the river, and the other was standing on the far side. 6 The man who was dressed in linen was standing over the water in the river. One of the two men spoke to him and asked, “How long will it be before these amazing things come true?”
7 The man dressed in linen, who stood over the water, raised his hands toward heaven. And I heard him swear by the name of God who lives forever, “It will be for three and one-half years. The power of the holy people will finally be broken, and then all these things will come true.”
8 I heard the answer, but I did not really understand, so I asked, “Master, what will happen after all these things come true?”
9 He answered, “Go your way, Daniel. The message is closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many people will be made clean, pure, and spotless, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. Those wicked people will not understand these things, but the wise will understand them.
11 “The daily sacrifice will be stopped. Then, after 1,290 days from that time, a blasphemous object that brings destruction will be set up. 12 Those who wait for the end of the 1,335 days will be happy.
13 “As for you, Daniel, go your way until the end. You will get your rest, and at the end you will rise to receive your reward.”
Friday, November 15, 2013
The Power of Positive Friendship
Light shines on those who do right; joy belongs to those who are honest. Rejoice in the Lord, you who do right. Praise his holy name. - Psalm 97:11-12
If you'd like to build a positive life, find positive friends. If you'd like to live a godly life, seek the fellowship of godly friends, If you'd like to live passionately, prayerfully, and purposefully, spend time with people who are already living passionate, prayerful, purposeful lives. Soon, you'll discover that you will inevitably become more and more like the people who surround you day in and day out. In choosing your friends, you set your course for the future. So choose carefully...very carefully.
If you'd like to build a positive life, find positive friends. If you'd like to live a godly life, seek the fellowship of godly friends, If you'd like to live passionately, prayerfully, and purposefully, spend time with people who are already living passionate, prayerful, purposeful lives. Soon, you'll discover that you will inevitably become more and more like the people who surround you day in and day out. In choosing your friends, you set your course for the future. So choose carefully...very carefully.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Please surround me with people who are passionate, prayerful, and purposeful so that I may become passionate, prayerful, and purposeful.
Thank You.
Digging Deeper:Read the following passage -
Psalm 97
New Century Version (NCV)
A Hymn About the Lord’s Power
97 The Lord is king. Let the earth rejoice;
faraway lands should be glad.
2 Thick, dark clouds surround him.
His kingdom is built on what is right and fair.
3 A fire goes before him
and burns up his enemies all around.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
when the people see it, they tremble.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens tell about his goodness,
and all the people see his glory.
7 Those who worship idols should be ashamed;
they brag about their gods.
All the gods should worship the Lord.
8 When Jerusalem hears this, she is glad,
and the towns of Judah rejoice.
They are happy because of your judgments, Lord.
9 You are the Lord Most High over all the earth;
you are supreme over all gods.
10 People who love the Lord hate evil.
The Lord watches over those who follow him
and frees them from the power of the wicked.
11 Light shines on those who do right;
joy belongs to those who are honest.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who do right.
Praise his holy name.
Please surround me with people who are passionate, prayerful, and purposeful so that I may become passionate, prayerful, and purposeful.
Thank You.
Digging Deeper:Read the following passage -
Psalm 97
New Century Version (NCV)
A Hymn About the Lord’s Power
97 The Lord is king. Let the earth rejoice;
faraway lands should be glad.
2 Thick, dark clouds surround him.
His kingdom is built on what is right and fair.
3 A fire goes before him
and burns up his enemies all around.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
when the people see it, they tremble.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens tell about his goodness,
and all the people see his glory.
7 Those who worship idols should be ashamed;
they brag about their gods.
All the gods should worship the Lord.
8 When Jerusalem hears this, she is glad,
and the towns of Judah rejoice.
They are happy because of your judgments, Lord.
9 You are the Lord Most High over all the earth;
you are supreme over all gods.
10 People who love the Lord hate evil.
The Lord watches over those who follow him
and frees them from the power of the wicked.
11 Light shines on those who do right;
joy belongs to those who are honest.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who do right.
Praise his holy name.
Challe
Thursday, November 14, 2013
The Futility of Foolish Arguments
But stay away from those who have foolish arguments and talk about useless family histories and argue and quarrel about the law. Those things are worth nothing and will not help anyone.
- Titus 3:9
Arguments are seldom won but often lost. When we engage in petty squabbles, our losses usually outpace our gains. When we acquire the unfortunate habit of habitual bickering, we do harm to our friends, to our families, to our co-workers, and to ourselves.
Time and again, God's Word warns us that most arguments are a monumental waste of time, of energy, and of life. In Titus, we are warned to refrain from "foolish arguments," and with good reason. Such arguments usually do more for devil than they do for God.
So the next time you're tempted to engage in a silly squabble, whether inside the church or outside it, refrain. When you do, you'll put a smile on God's face, and you'll send the devil packing.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Keep us from spending time in useless bickering.
Amen
Digging Deeper
Read the following passage -
Titus 3:1-9
New Century Version (NCV)
The Right Way to Live
3 Remind the believers to yield to the authority of rulers and government leaders, to obey them, to be ready to do good, 2 to speak no evil about anyone, to live in peace, and to be gentle and polite to all people.
3 In the past we also were foolish. We did not obey, we were wrong, and we were slaves to many things our bodies wanted and enjoyed. We spent our lives doing evil and being jealous. People hated us, and we hated each other. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was shown, 5 he saved us because of his mercy. It was not because of good deeds we did to be right with him. He saved us through the washing that made us new people through the Holy Spirit. 6 God poured out richly upon us that Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Being made right with God by his grace, we could have the hope of receiving the life that never ends.
8 This teaching is true, and I want you to be sure the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone.
9 But stay away from those who have foolish arguments and talk about useless family histories and argue and quarrel about the law. Those things are worth nothing and will not help anyone.
Challenge:
The next time you're tempted to engage in a silly squabble, whether inside the church or outside it, refrain.
- Titus 3:9
Arguments are seldom won but often lost. When we engage in petty squabbles, our losses usually outpace our gains. When we acquire the unfortunate habit of habitual bickering, we do harm to our friends, to our families, to our co-workers, and to ourselves.
Time and again, God's Word warns us that most arguments are a monumental waste of time, of energy, and of life. In Titus, we are warned to refrain from "foolish arguments," and with good reason. Such arguments usually do more for devil than they do for God.
So the next time you're tempted to engage in a silly squabble, whether inside the church or outside it, refrain. When you do, you'll put a smile on God's face, and you'll send the devil packing.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Keep us from spending time in useless bickering.
Amen
Digging Deeper
Read the following passage -
Titus 3:1-9
New Century Version (NCV)
The Right Way to Live
3 Remind the believers to yield to the authority of rulers and government leaders, to obey them, to be ready to do good, 2 to speak no evil about anyone, to live in peace, and to be gentle and polite to all people.
3 In the past we also were foolish. We did not obey, we were wrong, and we were slaves to many things our bodies wanted and enjoyed. We spent our lives doing evil and being jealous. People hated us, and we hated each other. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was shown, 5 he saved us because of his mercy. It was not because of good deeds we did to be right with him. He saved us through the washing that made us new people through the Holy Spirit. 6 God poured out richly upon us that Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Being made right with God by his grace, we could have the hope of receiving the life that never ends.
8 This teaching is true, and I want you to be sure the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone.
9 But stay away from those who have foolish arguments and talk about useless family histories and argue and quarrel about the law. Those things are worth nothing and will not help anyone.
Challenge:
The next time you're tempted to engage in a silly squabble, whether inside the church or outside it, refrain.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
He's Number One
Do not worship anay other gods besides me. - Exodus 20:3
Who is in charge of your heart? Is it God, or is it something else? Have you given Christ your heart, your soul, your talents, your time, and your testimony? Or are you giving Him little more than a few hours each Sunday morning?
In the book of Exodus, God warns that we should place no gods before Him. Yet all too often, we place our Lord in second, third, or fourth place as we worship other things. When we unwittingly place possessions or relationships above our love for the Creator, we create big problems for ourselves.
Does God rule your heart? Make certain that the honest answer to this question is a resounding yes. In the life of every radical believer, God comes first. And that's precisely the place that He deserves in your heart.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
In this day and age, many things and people struggle for our hearts. Help us to love You above all people and things.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Exodus 20:1-21
New Living Translation (NLT)
Ten Commandments for the Covenant Community
20 Then God gave the people all these instructions[a]:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those[b] who love me and obey my commands.
7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You must not murder.
14 “You must not commit adultery.
15 “You must not steal.
16 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
17 “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”
18 When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear.
19 And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!”
20 “Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!”
21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.
Who is in charge of your heart? Is it God, or is it something else? Have you given Christ your heart, your soul, your talents, your time, and your testimony? Or are you giving Him little more than a few hours each Sunday morning?
In the book of Exodus, God warns that we should place no gods before Him. Yet all too often, we place our Lord in second, third, or fourth place as we worship other things. When we unwittingly place possessions or relationships above our love for the Creator, we create big problems for ourselves.
Does God rule your heart? Make certain that the honest answer to this question is a resounding yes. In the life of every radical believer, God comes first. And that's precisely the place that He deserves in your heart.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
In this day and age, many things and people struggle for our hearts. Help us to love You above all people and things.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Exodus 20:1-21
New Living Translation (NLT)
Ten Commandments for the Covenant Community
20 Then God gave the people all these instructions[a]:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those[b] who love me and obey my commands.
7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You must not murder.
14 “You must not commit adultery.
15 “You must not steal.
16 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
17 “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”
18 When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear.
19 And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!”
20 “Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!”
21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Duty to God and Mankind
His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter your master's joy!" - Matthew 25:21
God has promised us this: when we do our duties in small matters, He will give us additional responsibilities. When we do our rwork dutifully, and when we behave responsibly, God rewards us - in a time and in a manner of His choosing, not our own.
Sometimes, God rewards us by giving us additional burdens to bear or by changing the course of our lives so that we may better serve Him. Sometimes, our rewards come in the form of temporary setbacks that lead, in turn, to greater victories. Sometimes, God rewards us by answering "no" to our prayers so that He can say "yes" to a far grander request that we, with our limited understanding, would never have thought to ask for.
If you seek to be God's servant in great matters, be faithful, be patient, and be dutiful in smaller matters. Then step back and watch as God suprises you with the spectacular creativity of His infinite wisdom and His perfect plan.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
God,
Give us the wisdom to do what we need do to in the small things.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Matthew 25:14-30
New International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Challenge:
Be faithful, be patient, and be dutiful in smaller matters.
God has promised us this: when we do our duties in small matters, He will give us additional responsibilities. When we do our rwork dutifully, and when we behave responsibly, God rewards us - in a time and in a manner of His choosing, not our own.
Sometimes, God rewards us by giving us additional burdens to bear or by changing the course of our lives so that we may better serve Him. Sometimes, our rewards come in the form of temporary setbacks that lead, in turn, to greater victories. Sometimes, God rewards us by answering "no" to our prayers so that He can say "yes" to a far grander request that we, with our limited understanding, would never have thought to ask for.
If you seek to be God's servant in great matters, be faithful, be patient, and be dutiful in smaller matters. Then step back and watch as God suprises you with the spectacular creativity of His infinite wisdom and His perfect plan.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
God,
Give us the wisdom to do what we need do to in the small things.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Matthew 25:14-30
New International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Challenge:
Be faithful, be patient, and be dutiful in smaller matters.
Monday, November 11, 2013
When God Speaks Quitely
Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening. - 1 Samuel 3:10
Sometimes God speaks loudly and clearly. More often, He speaks in a quiet voice - and if you are wise, you will be listening carefully when He does, To do so, you must carve out quiet moments each day to study His Word and sense His direction.
can you quiet yourself long enough to listen to your conscience? Are you attuned to the subtle guidance of your intuition? Are you willing to pray sincerely and then to wait quietly for God's response. Hopefully so. Usually God refrains from sending His message on stone tablets or city billboards. More often, He communicates in subtler ways. If you sincerely desire to hear His voice, you must listen carefully, and you must do so in the silent corners of your quiet, willing heart.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Speak to me. I will be quiet and wait until I hear Your Word.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
1 Samuel 3
New Century Version (NCV)
God Calls Samuel
3 The boy Samuel served the Lord under Eli. In those days the Lord did not speak directly to people very often; there were very few visions. 2 Eli’s eyes were so weak he was almost blind. One night he was lying in bed. 3 Samuel was also in bed in the Lord’s house, where the Ark of the Agreement was. God’s lamp was still burning. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and Samuel answered, “I am here!” 5 He ran to Eli and said, “I am here. You called me.” But Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” So Samuel went back to bed. 6 The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel again went to Eli and said, “I am here. You called me.” Again Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” 7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the Lord had not spoken directly to him yet. 8 The Lord called Samuel for the third time. Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “I am here. You called me.” Then Eli realized the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So he told Samuel, “Go to bed. If he calls you again, say, ‘Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in bed. 10 The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel said, “Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.” 11 The Lord said to Samuel, “Watch, I am going to do something in Israel that will shock those who hear about it. 12 At that time I will do to Eli and his family everything I promised, from beginning to end. 13 I told Eli I would punish his family always, because he knew his sons were evil. They acted without honor, but he did not stop them. 14 So I swore to Eli’s family, ‘Your guilt will never be removed by sacrifice or offering.’”15 Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli about the vision, 16 but Eli called to him, “Samuel, my son!”Samuel answered, “I am here.” 17 Eli asked, “What did the Lord say to you? Don’t hide it from me. May God punish you terribly if you hide from me anything he said to you.” 18 So Samuel told Eli everything and did not hide anything from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord. Let him do what he thinks is best.”
19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up; he did not let any of Samuel’s messages fail to come true. 20 Then all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, knew Samuel was a true prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord continued to show himself at Shiloh, and he showed himself to Samuel through his word.
Sometimes God speaks loudly and clearly. More often, He speaks in a quiet voice - and if you are wise, you will be listening carefully when He does, To do so, you must carve out quiet moments each day to study His Word and sense His direction.
can you quiet yourself long enough to listen to your conscience? Are you attuned to the subtle guidance of your intuition? Are you willing to pray sincerely and then to wait quietly for God's response. Hopefully so. Usually God refrains from sending His message on stone tablets or city billboards. More often, He communicates in subtler ways. If you sincerely desire to hear His voice, you must listen carefully, and you must do so in the silent corners of your quiet, willing heart.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Speak to me. I will be quiet and wait until I hear Your Word.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
1 Samuel 3
New Century Version (NCV)
God Calls Samuel
3 The boy Samuel served the Lord under Eli. In those days the Lord did not speak directly to people very often; there were very few visions. 2 Eli’s eyes were so weak he was almost blind. One night he was lying in bed. 3 Samuel was also in bed in the Lord’s house, where the Ark of the Agreement was. God’s lamp was still burning. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and Samuel answered, “I am here!” 5 He ran to Eli and said, “I am here. You called me.” But Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” So Samuel went back to bed. 6 The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel again went to Eli and said, “I am here. You called me.” Again Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” 7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the Lord had not spoken directly to him yet. 8 The Lord called Samuel for the third time. Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “I am here. You called me.” Then Eli realized the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So he told Samuel, “Go to bed. If he calls you again, say, ‘Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in bed. 10 The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel said, “Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.” 11 The Lord said to Samuel, “Watch, I am going to do something in Israel that will shock those who hear about it. 12 At that time I will do to Eli and his family everything I promised, from beginning to end. 13 I told Eli I would punish his family always, because he knew his sons were evil. They acted without honor, but he did not stop them. 14 So I swore to Eli’s family, ‘Your guilt will never be removed by sacrifice or offering.’”15 Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli about the vision, 16 but Eli called to him, “Samuel, my son!”Samuel answered, “I am here.” 17 Eli asked, “What did the Lord say to you? Don’t hide it from me. May God punish you terribly if you hide from me anything he said to you.” 18 So Samuel told Eli everything and did not hide anything from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord. Let him do what he thinks is best.”
19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up; he did not let any of Samuel’s messages fail to come true. 20 Then all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, knew Samuel was a true prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord continued to show himself at Shiloh, and he showed himself to Samuel through his word.
Challenge:
Listen carefully, and do so in the silent corners of your quiet, willing heart.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Righteousness and Rightness
Christ ended the law so that everyone who believes in him may be right with God. - Romans 10:4
How do we live a life that is "right with God"? By accepting God's Son and obeying His commandments. Accepting Christ is a decision that we make one time; following in His footsteps requires thousands of decisions each day.
Whose steps will you follow today? Will you honor God as you strive to follow His Son? Or will you join the lockstep legion that seeks to discover happiness and fulfillment through worldly means? If you are righteous and wise, you will follow Christ. You will follow Him today and every day. You will seek to walk in His footsteps without reservation or doubt. When you do so, you will be "right with God" precisely because you are walking aright with His only begotten Son.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
I accept Your Son, Jesus the Christ. I choose to daily follow Him. I choose to daily read Your Word and do as it says. And anyone who would instruct me otherwise, Father, I pray that You would deal with them according to Your Way. But I do pray for Your Mercy and Grace upon them.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Reading the following passage -
Romans 10:1-17
New Century Version (NCV)
10 Brothers and sisters, the thing I want most is for all the Jews to be saved. That is my prayer to God. 2 I can say this about them: They really try to follow God, but they do not know the right way. 3 Because they did not know the way that God makes people right with him, they tried to make themselves right in their own way. So they did not accept God’s way of making people right. 4 Christ ended the law so that everyone who believes in him may be right with God.
5 Moses writes about being made right by following the law. He says, “A person who obeys these things will live because of them.” 6 But this is what the Scripture says about being made right through faith: “Don’t say to yourself, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’” (That means, “Who will go up to heaven and bring Christ down to earth?”) 7 “And do not say, ‘Who will go down into the world below?’” (That means, “Who will go down and bring Christ up from the dead?”) 8 This is what the Scripture says: “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.” That is the teaching of faith that we are telling. 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. 10 We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.” 12 That Scripture says “anyone” because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all and gives many blessings to all who trust in him, 13 as the Scripture says, “Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.”
14 But before people can ask the Lord for help, they must believe in him; and before they can believe in him, they must hear about him; and for them to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them; 15 and before someone can go and tell them, that person must be sent. It is written, “How beautiful is the person who comes to bring good news.” 16 But not all the Jews accepted the good news. Isaiah said, “Lord, who believed what we told them?” 17 So faith comes from hearing the Good News, and people hear the Good News when someone tells them about Christ.
How do we live a life that is "right with God"? By accepting God's Son and obeying His commandments. Accepting Christ is a decision that we make one time; following in His footsteps requires thousands of decisions each day.
Whose steps will you follow today? Will you honor God as you strive to follow His Son? Or will you join the lockstep legion that seeks to discover happiness and fulfillment through worldly means? If you are righteous and wise, you will follow Christ. You will follow Him today and every day. You will seek to walk in His footsteps without reservation or doubt. When you do so, you will be "right with God" precisely because you are walking aright with His only begotten Son.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
I accept Your Son, Jesus the Christ. I choose to daily follow Him. I choose to daily read Your Word and do as it says. And anyone who would instruct me otherwise, Father, I pray that You would deal with them according to Your Way. But I do pray for Your Mercy and Grace upon them.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Reading the following passage -
Romans 10:1-17
New Century Version (NCV)
10 Brothers and sisters, the thing I want most is for all the Jews to be saved. That is my prayer to God. 2 I can say this about them: They really try to follow God, but they do not know the right way. 3 Because they did not know the way that God makes people right with him, they tried to make themselves right in their own way. So they did not accept God’s way of making people right. 4 Christ ended the law so that everyone who believes in him may be right with God.
5 Moses writes about being made right by following the law. He says, “A person who obeys these things will live because of them.” 6 But this is what the Scripture says about being made right through faith: “Don’t say to yourself, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’” (That means, “Who will go up to heaven and bring Christ down to earth?”) 7 “And do not say, ‘Who will go down into the world below?’” (That means, “Who will go down and bring Christ up from the dead?”) 8 This is what the Scripture says: “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.” That is the teaching of faith that we are telling. 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. 10 We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.” 12 That Scripture says “anyone” because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all and gives many blessings to all who trust in him, 13 as the Scripture says, “Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.”
14 But before people can ask the Lord for help, they must believe in him; and before they can believe in him, they must hear about him; and for them to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them; 15 and before someone can go and tell them, that person must be sent. It is written, “How beautiful is the person who comes to bring good news.” 16 But not all the Jews accepted the good news. Isaiah said, “Lord, who believed what we told them?” 17 So faith comes from hearing the Good News, and people hear the Good News when someone tells them about Christ.
Challenge:
Seek to walk in Jesus' footsteps without reservation or doubt.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
With Christlike Humility
When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. - Philippians 2:3
Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed, "It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with what we owe others." How true. Even those of us who consider ourselves "self-made" are deeply indebted to more people than we can count. Our first and greatest indebtedness, of course, is to God and His Son. But we are also indebted to ancestors, parents, teachers, friends, family members, classmates, neighbors... and the list go on.
With so many people who rightfully deserve to share credit for our successes, how can we gloat? The answer, of course, is that we should not. Proverbs 16:18 warns u that "Pride goes before destruction." And 1 Peter 5:5 teaches us that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
You are entitled to take pride in your accomplishments. But not too much pride. Instead of puffing out your chest and saying, "Look at me!", give credit where credit is due, starting with God. And rest assured: There is no such thing as a self-made person. All of us are made by God... and He deserves the glory, not us.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Please, keep me humble as Jesus is.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Philippians 2:1-11
New Century Version (NCV)
2 Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? 2 If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose. 3 When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. 4 Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.
5 In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.
6 Christ himself was like God in everything.
But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit.
7 But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.
He was born as a man
and became like a servant.
8 And when he was living as a man,
he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God,
even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
9 So God raised him to the highest place.
God made his name greater than every other name
10 so that every knee will bow to the name of Jesus—
everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
11 And everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
and bring glory to God the Father.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed, "It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with what we owe others." How true. Even those of us who consider ourselves "self-made" are deeply indebted to more people than we can count. Our first and greatest indebtedness, of course, is to God and His Son. But we are also indebted to ancestors, parents, teachers, friends, family members, classmates, neighbors... and the list go on.
With so many people who rightfully deserve to share credit for our successes, how can we gloat? The answer, of course, is that we should not. Proverbs 16:18 warns u that "Pride goes before destruction." And 1 Peter 5:5 teaches us that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
You are entitled to take pride in your accomplishments. But not too much pride. Instead of puffing out your chest and saying, "Look at me!", give credit where credit is due, starting with God. And rest assured: There is no such thing as a self-made person. All of us are made by God... and He deserves the glory, not us.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Please, keep me humble as Jesus is.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Philippians 2:1-11
New Century Version (NCV)
2 Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? 2 If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose. 3 When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. 4 Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.
5 In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.
6 Christ himself was like God in everything.
But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit.
7 But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.
He was born as a man
and became like a servant.
8 And when he was living as a man,
he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God,
even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
9 So God raised him to the highest place.
God made his name greater than every other name
10 so that every knee will bow to the name of Jesus—
everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
11 And everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
and bring glory to God the Father.
Challenge:
Give credit where credit is due... start with God.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Living Simply in a Complicated World
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Romans 12:2
Is your life of moderation or accumulation? Are you more interested in the possessions you can aquire or in the person you become? The answer to these questions will determine the direction of your day and, in time, the direction of your life.
Ours is a highly complicated society, a place where people and corporations vie for your attention, for your time, and for your dollars. Don't let them succeed in complicating your life! Keep your eyes focused instead upon God.
If your material possessions are somehow distancing you from God, discard them. If your outside interests leave you too little time for your family or your God, slow down the merry-go-round, or better yet, get off completely. Remember: God wants your full attention, and He wants it today, so don't let anybody or anything get in His way.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
In a world where the end game is to make You disappear, make Yourself visible to me. Help me to stay focused on You and what You have for me.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Romans 11:25-32; 12:1-2
- Romans 12:2
Is your life of moderation or accumulation? Are you more interested in the possessions you can aquire or in the person you become? The answer to these questions will determine the direction of your day and, in time, the direction of your life.
Ours is a highly complicated society, a place where people and corporations vie for your attention, for your time, and for your dollars. Don't let them succeed in complicating your life! Keep your eyes focused instead upon God.
If your material possessions are somehow distancing you from God, discard them. If your outside interests leave you too little time for your family or your God, slow down the merry-go-round, or better yet, get off completely. Remember: God wants your full attention, and He wants it today, so don't let anybody or anything get in His way.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
In a world where the end game is to make You disappear, make Yourself visible to me. Help me to stay focused on You and what You have for me.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Romans 11:25-32; 12:1-2
New Century Version (NCV)
25 I want you to understand this secret, brothers and sisters, so you will understand that you do not know everything: Part of Israel has been made stubborn, but that will change when many who are not Jews have come to God. 26 And that is how all Israel will be saved. It is written in the Scriptures:
“The Savior will come from Jerusalem;
he will take away all evil from the family of Jacob.
27 And I will make this agreement with those people
when I take away their sins.” Isaiah 59:20–21; 27:9
28 The Jews refuse to accept the Good News, so they are God’s enemies. This has happened to help you who are not Jews. But the Jews are still God’s chosen people, and he loves them very much because of the promises he made to their ancestors. 29 God never changes his mind about the people he calls and the things he gives them. 30 At one time you refused to obey God. But now you have received mercy, because those people refused to obey. 31 And now the Jews refuse to obey, because God showed mercy to you. But this happened so that they also can receive mercy from him. 32 God has given all people over to their stubborn ways so that he can show mercy to all.
A Living Sacrifice
12 So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. 2 Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.
25 I want you to understand this secret, brothers and sisters, so you will understand that you do not know everything: Part of Israel has been made stubborn, but that will change when many who are not Jews have come to God. 26 And that is how all Israel will be saved. It is written in the Scriptures:
“The Savior will come from Jerusalem;
he will take away all evil from the family of Jacob.
27 And I will make this agreement with those people
when I take away their sins.” Isaiah 59:20–21; 27:9
28 The Jews refuse to accept the Good News, so they are God’s enemies. This has happened to help you who are not Jews. But the Jews are still God’s chosen people, and he loves them very much because of the promises he made to their ancestors. 29 God never changes his mind about the people he calls and the things he gives them. 30 At one time you refused to obey God. But now you have received mercy, because those people refused to obey. 31 And now the Jews refuse to obey, because God showed mercy to you. But this happened so that they also can receive mercy from him. 32 God has given all people over to their stubborn ways so that he can show mercy to all.
A Living Sacrifice
12 So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. 2 Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.
Challenge:
Give God your undivided attention today.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Being True to Yourself...and to God
The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. - Proverbs 20:7
When God made you, He equipped you with an array of talents and abilities that are uniquely yours. It's up to you to discover those talents and to use them, but sometimes the world will encourage you to do otherwise. At times, our society will attempt to cubbyhole you, to standardize you, and to make you fit into a particular, pre-formed mold. Perhaps God has other plans.
Have you found something in this life that you are passionate about? Something that inspires you to jump out of bed in the morning and hit the ground running? And does your work honor the Creator by making His world a better place? If so, congratulations: you're using your gifts well.
What's the best way to thank God for the gifts that He has given you? By using them. And you might as well start using them today.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gifts You have given me in Jesus. Create for me an opportunity to use the gifts You have given me, so that, I could be a part of growing Your kingdom.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Proverbs 20:1-7
New International Version (NIV)
20 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
those who anger him forfeit their lives.
3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4 Sluggards do not plow in season;
so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?
7 The righteous lead blameless lives;
blessed are their children after them.
When God made you, He equipped you with an array of talents and abilities that are uniquely yours. It's up to you to discover those talents and to use them, but sometimes the world will encourage you to do otherwise. At times, our society will attempt to cubbyhole you, to standardize you, and to make you fit into a particular, pre-formed mold. Perhaps God has other plans.
Have you found something in this life that you are passionate about? Something that inspires you to jump out of bed in the morning and hit the ground running? And does your work honor the Creator by making His world a better place? If so, congratulations: you're using your gifts well.
What's the best way to thank God for the gifts that He has given you? By using them. And you might as well start using them today.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gifts You have given me in Jesus. Create for me an opportunity to use the gifts You have given me, so that, I could be a part of growing Your kingdom.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Proverbs 20:1-7
New International Version (NIV)
20 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
those who anger him forfeit their lives.
3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4 Sluggards do not plow in season;
so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?
7 The righteous lead blameless lives;
blessed are their children after them.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Forgiveness Is a Form of Wisdom
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression. Proverbs 19:11
Bitterness is a form of self-punishment: forgiveness is a means of self-liberation. Bitterness focuses on the injustices of the past: forgiveness focuses on the blessings of the present and the opportunities of the future. Bitterness is an emotion that destroys you; forgiveness is a decision that empowers you. Bitterness is folly; forgiveness is wisdom.
If we call upon the Lord and seek to see the world through His eyes, He will give us guidance, wisdom, and perspective. When we make God's priorities our priorities, He will lead us according to His plan and according to His commandments. When we study God's Word, we are reminded that God's reality is the ultimate reality. May we live-and forgive-accordingly.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Help us so that we will no longer be bitter Instead send your Spirit to us so that we may forgive others in the same manner You have forgiven us.
Amen
Diggin Deeper:
Read the following passage-
Proverbs 19:8-14
New Century Version (NCV)
8 Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor,
and those who love learning will succeed.
9 A witness who lies will not go free,
liars will die.
10 A fool should not live in luxury.
A slave should not rule over princes.
11 The wise are patient;
they will be honored if they ignore insults.
12 An angry king is like a roaring lion,
but his kindness is like the dew on the grass.
13 A foolish child brings disaster to a father,
and a quarreling wife is like dripping water.
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a wise wife is a gift from the Lord.
Bitterness is a form of self-punishment: forgiveness is a means of self-liberation. Bitterness focuses on the injustices of the past: forgiveness focuses on the blessings of the present and the opportunities of the future. Bitterness is an emotion that destroys you; forgiveness is a decision that empowers you. Bitterness is folly; forgiveness is wisdom.
If we call upon the Lord and seek to see the world through His eyes, He will give us guidance, wisdom, and perspective. When we make God's priorities our priorities, He will lead us according to His plan and according to His commandments. When we study God's Word, we are reminded that God's reality is the ultimate reality. May we live-and forgive-accordingly.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Help us so that we will no longer be bitter Instead send your Spirit to us so that we may forgive others in the same manner You have forgiven us.
Amen
Diggin Deeper:
Read the following passage-
Proverbs 19:8-14
New Century Version (NCV)
8 Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor,
and those who love learning will succeed.
9 A witness who lies will not go free,
liars will die.
10 A fool should not live in luxury.
A slave should not rule over princes.
11 The wise are patient;
they will be honored if they ignore insults.
12 An angry king is like a roaring lion,
but his kindness is like the dew on the grass.
13 A foolish child brings disaster to a father,
and a quarreling wife is like dripping water.
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a wise wife is a gift from the Lord.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Tapping into God's Strength
Because the eyes of he Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their request. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. - 1 Peter 3:12
Have you made God the cornerstone of your life, or is He relegated to a few hours on Sunday morning? Have you genuinely allowed God to reign over every corner of your heart, or have you attempted to place Him in a spiritual compartment? The answer to these questions will determine the direction of your day and your life.
God loves you. In times of trouble, He will comfort you; in times of sorrow, He will dry your tears. When you are weak or sorrowful, God is as near as our next breath. He stands at the door of your heart and waits. Welcome Him in and allow Him to rule. Accept the peace, the strength, the protection and the abundance that only God can give.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from thr Blogger:
Lord Jesus,
You are my ruler, my king , my everything. Enter into my heart and rule every corner in it. Thank You for Your peace, strength, protection, and the abundance that I get inly from You.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage-
1 Peter 3:8-12
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Do No Evil
8 Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble, 9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.
10 For the one who wants to love life
and to see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit,
11 and he must turn away from evil
and do what is good.
He must seek peace and pursue it,
12 because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are open to their request.
But the face of the Lord is against
those who do what is evil.
Challenge:
Accept the peace, the strength, the protection and the abundance that only God can give.
Have you made God the cornerstone of your life, or is He relegated to a few hours on Sunday morning? Have you genuinely allowed God to reign over every corner of your heart, or have you attempted to place Him in a spiritual compartment? The answer to these questions will determine the direction of your day and your life.
God loves you. In times of trouble, He will comfort you; in times of sorrow, He will dry your tears. When you are weak or sorrowful, God is as near as our next breath. He stands at the door of your heart and waits. Welcome Him in and allow Him to rule. Accept the peace, the strength, the protection and the abundance that only God can give.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from thr Blogger:
Lord Jesus,
You are my ruler, my king , my everything. Enter into my heart and rule every corner in it. Thank You for Your peace, strength, protection, and the abundance that I get inly from You.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage-
1 Peter 3:8-12
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Do No Evil
8 Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble, 9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.
10 For the one who wants to love life
and to see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit,
11 and he must turn away from evil
and do what is good.
He must seek peace and pursue it,
12 because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are open to their request.
But the face of the Lord is against
those who do what is evil.
Challenge:
Accept the peace, the strength, the protection and the abundance that only God can give.
Monday, November 4, 2013
A Future So Bright
Wisdom is pleasing to you. If you find it, you have hope for the future, and your wishes will come true. - Proverbs 24:14
Let's talk for a minute about the future...our future. How bright do you believe your future to be? Well, if you're a faithful believer, God has plans for you that are so bright that you'd better pack several pairs of sunglasses and a lifetime supply of sunblock.
The way that you think about your future will play a powerful role in determining how things turn out (it's called the "self-fulfilling prophecy," and it applies to everybody, including you). So here's another question: Are you expecting a terrific tomorrow, or are you dreading a terrible one? The answer to that question will have a powerful impact on the way tomorrow unfolds.
Today, as you live in the present and look to the future, remember that God has an amazing plan for you. Act- and believe- accordingly.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
I believe that You have a terrific tomorrow in-stored for me. Help me to act and believe accordingly.
Amen
Digging Deeper;
Read the following passage -
Proverbs 24:13-16
New Century Version (NCV)
13 My child, eat honey because it is good.
Honey from the honeycomb tastes sweet.
14 In the same way, wisdom is pleasing to you.
If you find it, you have hope for the future,
and your wishes will come true.
15 Don’t be wicked and attack a good family’s house;
don’t rob the place where they live.
16 Even though good people may be bothered by trouble seven times, they are never defeated,
but the wicked are overwhelmed by trouble.
Let's talk for a minute about the future...our future. How bright do you believe your future to be? Well, if you're a faithful believer, God has plans for you that are so bright that you'd better pack several pairs of sunglasses and a lifetime supply of sunblock.
The way that you think about your future will play a powerful role in determining how things turn out (it's called the "self-fulfilling prophecy," and it applies to everybody, including you). So here's another question: Are you expecting a terrific tomorrow, or are you dreading a terrible one? The answer to that question will have a powerful impact on the way tomorrow unfolds.
Today, as you live in the present and look to the future, remember that God has an amazing plan for you. Act- and believe- accordingly.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
I believe that You have a terrific tomorrow in-stored for me. Help me to act and believe accordingly.
Amen
Digging Deeper;
Read the following passage -
Proverbs 24:13-16
New Century Version (NCV)
13 My child, eat honey because it is good.
Honey from the honeycomb tastes sweet.
14 In the same way, wisdom is pleasing to you.
If you find it, you have hope for the future,
and your wishes will come true.
15 Don’t be wicked and attack a good family’s house;
don’t rob the place where they live.
16 Even though good people may be bothered by trouble seven times, they are never defeated,
but the wicked are overwhelmed by trouble.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Walking with the Wise
Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.
- Proverbs 13:20
Do you wish to become wise? Then you must walk with people who, by their words and their presence, make you wiser. And, to the best of your ability, you must avoid those people who encourage you to think foolish thoughts or do foolish things.
Today, as a gift to yourself, select, from your friends and family members, a mentor whose judgement you trust. Then listen carefully to your mentor's advice and be willing to accept that advice, even if accepting it requires effort or pain, or both. Consider your mentor to be God's gift to you. Thank God for that gift, and use it.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the mentor you have given me, remove my pride and replace it with humility, that I may be obedient to You through the words of my mentor.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Proverbs 13:19-25
New Living Translation (NLT)
19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true,
but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise;
associate with fools and get in trouble.
21 Trouble chases sinners,
while blessings reward the righteous.
22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.
23 A poor person’s farm may produce much food,
but injustice sweeps it all away.
24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
25 The godly eat to their hearts’ content,
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry
- Proverbs 13:20
Do you wish to become wise? Then you must walk with people who, by their words and their presence, make you wiser. And, to the best of your ability, you must avoid those people who encourage you to think foolish thoughts or do foolish things.
Today, as a gift to yourself, select, from your friends and family members, a mentor whose judgement you trust. Then listen carefully to your mentor's advice and be willing to accept that advice, even if accepting it requires effort or pain, or both. Consider your mentor to be God's gift to you. Thank God for that gift, and use it.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the mentor you have given me, remove my pride and replace it with humility, that I may be obedient to You through the words of my mentor.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Proverbs 13:19-25
New Living Translation (NLT)
19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true,
but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise;
associate with fools and get in trouble.
21 Trouble chases sinners,
while blessings reward the righteous.
22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.
23 A poor person’s farm may produce much food,
but injustice sweeps it all away.
24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
25 The godly eat to their hearts’ content,
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Daily Distraction
“So I tell you, don’t worry about the food or drink you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes." - Matthew 6:25
All if us must live through those days when the traffic jams, the computer crashes, and the dog makes a main course out of your homework. But, when we find ourselves distracted by the minor frustrations of life, we must catch ourselves, take a deep breath, and lift our thoughts upward.
Although we may, at times , struggle mightily to rise above the distractions of life, we need never struggle alone. God is here- eternal and faithful, with infinite patience and love- and, if we reach out to Him, He will restore our sense of perspective and give peace to our souls.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Give me the clarity to rise above the distractions of today to focus on the assignments You have for me.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Matthew 6:25-34
New Century Version (NCV)
Don’t Worry
25 “So I tell you, don’t worry about the food or drink you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. 26 Look at the birds in the air. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. 27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? Look at how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. 29 But I tell you that even Solomon with his riches was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. 30 God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today but tomorrow is thrown into the fire. So you can be even more sure that God will clothe you. Don’t have so little faith! 31 Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 The people who don’t know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. 33 Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well. 34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
All if us must live through those days when the traffic jams, the computer crashes, and the dog makes a main course out of your homework. But, when we find ourselves distracted by the minor frustrations of life, we must catch ourselves, take a deep breath, and lift our thoughts upward.
Although we may, at times , struggle mightily to rise above the distractions of life, we need never struggle alone. God is here- eternal and faithful, with infinite patience and love- and, if we reach out to Him, He will restore our sense of perspective and give peace to our souls.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Give me the clarity to rise above the distractions of today to focus on the assignments You have for me.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Matthew 6:25-34
New Century Version (NCV)
Don’t Worry
25 “So I tell you, don’t worry about the food or drink you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. 26 Look at the birds in the air. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. 27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? Look at how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. 29 But I tell you that even Solomon with his riches was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. 30 God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today but tomorrow is thrown into the fire. So you can be even more sure that God will clothe you. Don’t have so little faith! 31 Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 The people who don’t know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. 33 Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well. 34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Celebrating God's Handiwork
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the works of his hands. - Psalm 19:1
When we consider God's glorious universe, we marvel at the miracle of nature. The smallest seedlings and the grandest stars are all part of God's infinite creation, God has placed His handiwork on display for all to see, and if we are wise, we will make time each day to celebrate the world that surrounds us.
Today, as you fulfill the demands of everyday life, pause to consider the majesty of heaven and earth. It is as miraculous as it is beautiful, as incomprehensible as it is breathtaking.
The Psalmist reminds us that the heavens are a declaration of God's glory. May we never cease to praise the Father for a universe that stands as an awesome testimony to His presence and His power.
#alln4Jesus.
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
As we look at creation and all its splendor, we say thank You.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Psalm 19:1-6
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Witness of Creation and Scripture
For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.
2 Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge.
3 There is no speech; there are no words;
their voice is not heard.
4 Their message has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a groom coming from the bridal chamber;
it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
6 It rises from one end of the heavens
and circles to their other end;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
Challenge:
Never cease to praise the Father for a universe that stands as an awesome testimony to His presence and His power.
When we consider God's glorious universe, we marvel at the miracle of nature. The smallest seedlings and the grandest stars are all part of God's infinite creation, God has placed His handiwork on display for all to see, and if we are wise, we will make time each day to celebrate the world that surrounds us.
Today, as you fulfill the demands of everyday life, pause to consider the majesty of heaven and earth. It is as miraculous as it is beautiful, as incomprehensible as it is breathtaking.
The Psalmist reminds us that the heavens are a declaration of God's glory. May we never cease to praise the Father for a universe that stands as an awesome testimony to His presence and His power.
#alln4Jesus.
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
As we look at creation and all its splendor, we say thank You.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Psalm 19:1-6
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Witness of Creation and Scripture
For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.
2 Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge.
3 There is no speech; there are no words;
their voice is not heard.
4 Their message has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a groom coming from the bridal chamber;
it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
6 It rises from one end of the heavens
and circles to their other end;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
Challenge:
Never cease to praise the Father for a universe that stands as an awesome testimony to His presence and His power.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Facing Our Responsibilities
We want each of you to go on with the same hard work all your lives so you will surely get what you hope for. We do not want you to become lazy. Be like those who through faith and patience will receive what God has promised. - Hebrews 6:11-12
These words from the sixth chapter of Hebrews remind us that as Christians we must labor diligently, patiently, and faithfully. Read that chapter today. Do you want to be a worthy example for your family and friends? If so, you must preach the gospel of responsible behavior, not only with your words, but also by your actions.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
As we long to be worthy examples of Your Son, Jesus Christ, help us so that our actions line up with our words.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Hebrews 6
New Century Version (NCV)
So let us go on to grown-up teaching. Let us not go back over the beginning lessons we learned about Christ. We should not again start teaching about faith in God and about turning away from those acts that lead to death. We should not return to the teaching about baptisms, about laying on of hands, about the raising of the dead and eternal judgment. And we will go on to grown-up teaching if God allows.
Some people cannot be brought back again to a changed life. They were once in God’s light, and enjoyed heaven’s gift, and shared in the Holy Spirit. They found out how good God’s word is, and they received the powers of his new world. But they fell away from Christ. It is impossible to bring them back to a changed life again, because they are nailing the Son of God to a cross again and are shaming him in front of others.
Some people are like land that gets plenty of rain. The land produces a good crop for those who work it, and it receives God’s blessings. Other people are like land that grows thorns and weeds and is worthless. It is about to be cursed by God and will be destroyed by fire.
Dear friends, we are saying this to you, but we really expect better things from you that will lead to your salvation. God is fair; he will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people. And he will remember that you are still helping them. We want each of you to go on with the same hard work all your lives so you will surely get what you hope for. We do not want you to become lazy. Be like those who through faith and patience will receive what God has promised.
God made a promise to Abraham. And as there is no one greater than God, he used himself when he swore to Abraham, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” Abraham waited patiently for this to happen, and he received what God promised.
People always use the name of someone greater than themselves when they swear. The oath proves that what they say is true, and this ends all arguing. God wanted to prove that his promise was true to those who would get what he promised. And he wanted them to understand clearly that his purposes never change, so he made an oath. These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he makes a promise, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. These things encourage us who came to God for safety. They give us strength to hold on to the hope we have been given. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong. It enters behind the curtain in the Most Holy Place in heaven, where Jesus has gone ahead of us and for us. He has become the high priest forever, a priest like Melchizedek.
These words from the sixth chapter of Hebrews remind us that as Christians we must labor diligently, patiently, and faithfully. Read that chapter today. Do you want to be a worthy example for your family and friends? If so, you must preach the gospel of responsible behavior, not only with your words, but also by your actions.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
As we long to be worthy examples of Your Son, Jesus Christ, help us so that our actions line up with our words.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Hebrews 6
New Century Version (NCV)
So let us go on to grown-up teaching. Let us not go back over the beginning lessons we learned about Christ. We should not again start teaching about faith in God and about turning away from those acts that lead to death. We should not return to the teaching about baptisms, about laying on of hands, about the raising of the dead and eternal judgment. And we will go on to grown-up teaching if God allows.
Some people cannot be brought back again to a changed life. They were once in God’s light, and enjoyed heaven’s gift, and shared in the Holy Spirit. They found out how good God’s word is, and they received the powers of his new world. But they fell away from Christ. It is impossible to bring them back to a changed life again, because they are nailing the Son of God to a cross again and are shaming him in front of others.
Some people are like land that gets plenty of rain. The land produces a good crop for those who work it, and it receives God’s blessings. Other people are like land that grows thorns and weeds and is worthless. It is about to be cursed by God and will be destroyed by fire.
Dear friends, we are saying this to you, but we really expect better things from you that will lead to your salvation. God is fair; he will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people. And he will remember that you are still helping them. We want each of you to go on with the same hard work all your lives so you will surely get what you hope for. We do not want you to become lazy. Be like those who through faith and patience will receive what God has promised.
God made a promise to Abraham. And as there is no one greater than God, he used himself when he swore to Abraham, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” Abraham waited patiently for this to happen, and he received what God promised.
People always use the name of someone greater than themselves when they swear. The oath proves that what they say is true, and this ends all arguing. God wanted to prove that his promise was true to those who would get what he promised. And he wanted them to understand clearly that his purposes never change, so he made an oath. These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he makes a promise, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. These things encourage us who came to God for safety. They give us strength to hold on to the hope we have been given. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong. It enters behind the curtain in the Most Holy Place in heaven, where Jesus has gone ahead of us and for us. He has become the high priest forever, a priest like Melchizedek.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Hope Now!
When dreams come true, there is life and joy. - Proverbs 13:12
The hope that the world offers is fleeting and imperfect. The hope that God offers is unchanging, unshakable, and unending. It is no wonder, then, that when we seek security from worldly sources, our hopes are often dashed. Thankfully, God has no such record of failure.
Where will you place your hopes today? Will you entrust your future to man or God? Will you seek solace exclusively from fallible human beings, or will you place your hopes, first and foremost, in the trusting hands of your Creator? The decision is yours, and you must live with the results of the choice you make.
For thoughtful believers, hope begins with God. Period. So today, as you embark upon the next stage of your life's journey, consider the words if the Psalmist: "You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence" (71:5). Then, place your trust in the One who cannot be shaken.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being steadfast. For being unchanging. For being unshakable and unending. Father God, we put our hopes in You. We entrust our future to you. We seek solace from You. We lay our lives in Your trusting hands.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Proverbs 13:12-18
12 It is sad not to get what you hoped for.
But wishes that come true are like eating fruit from the tree of life.
13 Those who reject what they are taught will pay for it,
but those who obey what they are told will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of a wise person gives life.
It is like a fountain that can save people from death.
15 People with good understanding will be well liked,
but the lives of those who are not trustworthy are hard.
16 Every wise person acts with good sense,
but fools show how foolish they are.
17 A wicked messenger brings nothing but trouble,
but a trustworthy one makes everything right.
18 A person who refuses correction will end up poor and disgraced,
but the one who accepts correction will be honored.
Challenge:
Consider the words if the Psalmist: "You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence" (71:5). Then, place your trust in the One who cannot be shaken.
The hope that the world offers is fleeting and imperfect. The hope that God offers is unchanging, unshakable, and unending. It is no wonder, then, that when we seek security from worldly sources, our hopes are often dashed. Thankfully, God has no such record of failure.
Where will you place your hopes today? Will you entrust your future to man or God? Will you seek solace exclusively from fallible human beings, or will you place your hopes, first and foremost, in the trusting hands of your Creator? The decision is yours, and you must live with the results of the choice you make.
For thoughtful believers, hope begins with God. Period. So today, as you embark upon the next stage of your life's journey, consider the words if the Psalmist: "You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence" (71:5). Then, place your trust in the One who cannot be shaken.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being steadfast. For being unchanging. For being unshakable and unending. Father God, we put our hopes in You. We entrust our future to you. We seek solace from You. We lay our lives in Your trusting hands.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Proverbs 13:12-18
12 It is sad not to get what you hoped for.
But wishes that come true are like eating fruit from the tree of life.
13 Those who reject what they are taught will pay for it,
but those who obey what they are told will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of a wise person gives life.
It is like a fountain that can save people from death.
15 People with good understanding will be well liked,
but the lives of those who are not trustworthy are hard.
16 Every wise person acts with good sense,
but fools show how foolish they are.
17 A wicked messenger brings nothing but trouble,
but a trustworthy one makes everything right.
18 A person who refuses correction will end up poor and disgraced,
but the one who accepts correction will be honored.
Challenge:
Consider the words if the Psalmist: "You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence" (71:5). Then, place your trust in the One who cannot be shaken.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Prosperous Generosity
The one who blesses others will be abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.
- Proverbs 11:25
God rewards generosity just as surely as He punishes sin. If we are generous, God blesses us in ways that we cannot fully understand. But if we allow ourselves to become closefisted and miserly, either with our possessions or with our love, we deprive ourselves of the spiritual abundance that would otherwise be ours.
Do you seek God's abundance and His peace? Then share the blessings that God has given you. Share your possessions, share your faith, share your testimony, and share your love. God expects no less, and He deserves no less. And neither, come to think of it, do your neighbors.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Take all that You have given me and bless others through it. Keep my hands and my heart open to people in need, do that they would see You.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Proverbs 11:25-31
New Century Version (NCV)
25 Whoever gives to others will get richer;
those who help others will themselves be helped.
26 People curse those who keep all the grain,
but they bless the one who is willing to sell it.
27 Whoever looks for good will find kindness,
but whoever looks for evil will find trouble.
28 Those who trust in riches will be ruined,
but a good person will be healthy like a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings trouble to his family
will be left with nothing but the wind.
A fool will be a servant to the wise.
30 A good person gives life to others;
the wise person teaches others how to live.
31 Good people will be rewarded on earth,
and the wicked and the sinners will be punished.
- Proverbs 11:25
God rewards generosity just as surely as He punishes sin. If we are generous, God blesses us in ways that we cannot fully understand. But if we allow ourselves to become closefisted and miserly, either with our possessions or with our love, we deprive ourselves of the spiritual abundance that would otherwise be ours.
Do you seek God's abundance and His peace? Then share the blessings that God has given you. Share your possessions, share your faith, share your testimony, and share your love. God expects no less, and He deserves no less. And neither, come to think of it, do your neighbors.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Take all that You have given me and bless others through it. Keep my hands and my heart open to people in need, do that they would see You.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Proverbs 11:25-31
New Century Version (NCV)
25 Whoever gives to others will get richer;
those who help others will themselves be helped.
26 People curse those who keep all the grain,
but they bless the one who is willing to sell it.
27 Whoever looks for good will find kindness,
but whoever looks for evil will find trouble.
28 Those who trust in riches will be ruined,
but a good person will be healthy like a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings trouble to his family
will be left with nothing but the wind.
A fool will be a servant to the wise.
30 A good person gives life to others;
the wise person teaches others how to live.
31 Good people will be rewarded on earth,
and the wicked and the sinners will be punished.
Challenge:
Seek God's abundance and His peace, then share the blessings that God gives you.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Walking in the Light
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. - John 8:12
God's Holy Word instructs us that Jesus is, "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6-7). Without Christ, we are as far removed from salvation as the east is removed from the west. And without Christ, we can never know the ultimate truth: God's truth.
Truth is God's way: He commands His believers live in truth, and He rewards those who do so. Jesus is the personification of God's liberating truth, a truth that offers salvation to mankind.
Do you seek to walk with God? Do you seek to feel His presence and His peace? Then you must walk in truth; you must walk in the light; you must walk with the Savior. There is simply no other way.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger;
Lord Jesus,
You are the way, the truth, and the life. Help us as we struggle to walk the path You laid down before us. Impress on us Your truth, for we are bombarded with lies everyday. And help us to enjoy the life that only You can give.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
John8:12-20
Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
God's Holy Word instructs us that Jesus is, "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6-7). Without Christ, we are as far removed from salvation as the east is removed from the west. And without Christ, we can never know the ultimate truth: God's truth.
Truth is God's way: He commands His believers live in truth, and He rewards those who do so. Jesus is the personification of God's liberating truth, a truth that offers salvation to mankind.
Do you seek to walk with God? Do you seek to feel His presence and His peace? Then you must walk in truth; you must walk in the light; you must walk with the Savior. There is simply no other way.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger;
Lord Jesus,
You are the way, the truth, and the life. Help us as we struggle to walk the path You laid down before us. Impress on us Your truth, for we are bombarded with lies everyday. And help us to enjoy the life that only You can give.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
John8:12-20
Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
Challenge:
Seek to walk with God. Seek to feel His presence and peace. Walk in truth, light, and with the Savior.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Obedience and Praise
Praise the Lord! Happy are those who respect the Lord, who want what He commands.
- Psalm 112:1
Psalm 112 links two powerful principles: obedience and praise. One of the most important ways we can praise God is by obeying Him. As believers who have been saved by a risen Christ, we must worship our Creator, not only with our prayers and our word, but also with our actions.
Are you grateful for God's glorious gifts? Are you thankful for the treasure of eternal life that is yours through the sacrifice of God's Son Jesus? Of course you are. And one of the very best ways to express your gratitude to God is through obedience to the unchanging commandments of His Holy Word.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the Your glorious gifts. Thank You for the treasures of eternal life that is our through the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus. Accept our praise of obedience.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Psalm 112
New Century Version (NCV)
Honest People Are Blessed
Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who respect the Lord,
who want what he commands.
2 Their descendants will be powerful in the land;
the children of honest people will be blessed.
3 Their houses will be full of wealth and riches,
and their goodness will continue forever.
4 A light shines in the dark for honest people,
for those who are merciful and kind and good.
5 It is good to be merciful and generous.
Those who are fair in their business
6 will never be defeated.
Good people will always be remembered.
7 They won’t be afraid of bad news;
their hearts are steady because they trust the Lord.
8 They are confident and will not be afraid;
they will look down on their enemies.
9 They give freely to the poor.
The things they do are right and will continue forever.
They will be given great honor.
10 The wicked will see this and become angry;
they will grind their teeth in anger and then disappear.
The wishes of the wicked will come to nothing.
- Psalm 112:1
Psalm 112 links two powerful principles: obedience and praise. One of the most important ways we can praise God is by obeying Him. As believers who have been saved by a risen Christ, we must worship our Creator, not only with our prayers and our word, but also with our actions.
Are you grateful for God's glorious gifts? Are you thankful for the treasure of eternal life that is yours through the sacrifice of God's Son Jesus? Of course you are. And one of the very best ways to express your gratitude to God is through obedience to the unchanging commandments of His Holy Word.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the Your glorious gifts. Thank You for the treasures of eternal life that is our through the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus. Accept our praise of obedience.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Psalm 112
New Century Version (NCV)
Honest People Are Blessed
Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who respect the Lord,
who want what he commands.
2 Their descendants will be powerful in the land;
the children of honest people will be blessed.
3 Their houses will be full of wealth and riches,
and their goodness will continue forever.
4 A light shines in the dark for honest people,
for those who are merciful and kind and good.
5 It is good to be merciful and generous.
Those who are fair in their business
6 will never be defeated.
Good people will always be remembered.
7 They won’t be afraid of bad news;
their hearts are steady because they trust the Lord.
8 They are confident and will not be afraid;
they will look down on their enemies.
9 They give freely to the poor.
The things they do are right and will continue forever.
They will be given great honor.
10 The wicked will see this and become angry;
they will grind their teeth in anger and then disappear.
The wishes of the wicked will come to nothing.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
The Healing Touch of the Master's Hand
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. - Psalm 126:5
Grief visits all of us who live long and love deeply. When we lose a loved one, or when we experience any other profound loss, darkness overwhelms us for a while, and it seems as if we cannot summon the strength to face another day - but, with God's help, we can.
When our friends or family members encounter life shattering events, we struggle to find words that might offer them comfort and support. But finding the right words can be difficult, if not impossible. Sometimes, all that we can do is to be with our loved ones, offering them few words but much love.
Thankfully, God promises that He is "near to those who have a broken heart" (Psalm 34:18). In times of intense sadness, we must turn to Him, and we must encourage our friends and family members to do likewise. When we do, our Father comforts us and, in time, He heals us.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Father in Heaven,
Help us to deal properly with the grief we encounter.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Grief visits all of us who live long and love deeply. When we lose a loved one, or when we experience any other profound loss, darkness overwhelms us for a while, and it seems as if we cannot summon the strength to face another day - but, with God's help, we can.
When our friends or family members encounter life shattering events, we struggle to find words that might offer them comfort and support. But finding the right words can be difficult, if not impossible. Sometimes, all that we can do is to be with our loved ones, offering them few words but much love.
Thankfully, God promises that He is "near to those who have a broken heart" (Psalm 34:18). In times of intense sadness, we must turn to Him, and we must encourage our friends and family members to do likewise. When we do, our Father comforts us and, in time, He heals us.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Father in Heaven,
Help us to deal properly with the grief we encounter.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Psalm 126
New King James Version (NKJV)
A Joyful Return to Zion
A Song of Ascents.
126 When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.
We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.
4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.
As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him..
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him..
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
A Thirst for God
My soul thrirsts for God, for the living God. - Psalm 42:2
Where is God? He is everywhere you have ever been and everywhere you will ever go. He is with you throughout the night and all through the day; He knows your every thought; He hears your every heartbeat.
When you earnestly seek Him, you will find Him because He is here, waiting patiently for you to reach out to Him...right here...right now. And make no mistake: your soul does indeed thirst for God. That thirst is planted in your heart, and it is a thirst that only God can quench. Let Him...right here...right now.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Here I am to worship You. I am here seeking You. Receive me as I am.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Yearning for God in the Midst of Distresses
To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah.
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”
When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.
O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From the Hill Mizar.
Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life
Challenge:
Earnestly seek God.
Where is God? He is everywhere you have ever been and everywhere you will ever go. He is with you throughout the night and all through the day; He knows your every thought; He hears your every heartbeat.
When you earnestly seek Him, you will find Him because He is here, waiting patiently for you to reach out to Him...right here...right now. And make no mistake: your soul does indeed thirst for God. That thirst is planted in your heart, and it is a thirst that only God can quench. Let Him...right here...right now.
#alln4Jesus
Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Here I am to worship You. I am here seeking You. Receive me as I am.
Amen
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -
Yearning for God in the Midst of Distresses
To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah.
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”
When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.
O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From the Hill Mizar.
Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life
Challenge:
Earnestly seek God.
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