Verse: John 7:8b;44
...because for me the right time has not yet come...Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
Thought: Ultimately God is in control. It is good to know that whatever comes our way, however it all works out, that it is all part of a bigger plan. God's plan. He set everything into motion. He watches over everything, and in His perfect timing things come to pass...never early, never late, in His right time.
Prayer: God, help me to remember that you are in control of all things. Things come and go in perfect order according to Your plan and in that there is safety...peace.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
21 Day Challenge: John 6
Verse: John 6:47
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.
Thought: Here is a repeat of the same message Jesus was trying to share in John 5. Those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. A couple thoughts came to me as I was reading the last couple of days and seeing the same thing being said again and again.
1) That bottom line, our purpose in life is to share Jesus with all people, and not just the name...The Salvation. We are called to share with the unbeliever that the only way to have true life is through Christ. That is where every church service should lead, every devotion, every conversation...Until the whole world knows the truth or has had the opportunity to know God it should be our mission. It should be our way of life. It was Jesus' life work to fulfill His Father's Will.
2) Is the reaction of the people. These people saw the miracles. They reaped the benefits of God's love first hand. They were living the stories we read about. Yet, they were in it for the benefits. The filled stomachs. The excitement. The wonder. They saw the earthly stuff forgetting the heavenly. Isn't that what happens even now. A person walks into the church of our lives who is struggling, they need help. We know they need God. Often times we welcome them in and provide for their fleshly needs. Food, shelter, clothing...that is what Jesus did...All the while we are sharing Jesus and His love with them. They accept it in the moment because their needs are being met. When the need is met and life returns to "normal" they move on often times just seeking life needs instead of eternal life. When that happens we must continue sharing the message because ultimately it is their decision to make. We are just asked to share the message.
Prayer: Lord, help me to seize every opportunity to share the salvation message with everyone. May the words fall on fertile hearts ready to accept eternal life with you. However, help me to remember that you gave us a free will and that every decision and choice is their's to make. I pray that I do not get discourage and give up, but continue to share until Jesus returns to take us home.
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.
Thought: Here is a repeat of the same message Jesus was trying to share in John 5. Those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. A couple thoughts came to me as I was reading the last couple of days and seeing the same thing being said again and again.
1) That bottom line, our purpose in life is to share Jesus with all people, and not just the name...The Salvation. We are called to share with the unbeliever that the only way to have true life is through Christ. That is where every church service should lead, every devotion, every conversation...Until the whole world knows the truth or has had the opportunity to know God it should be our mission. It should be our way of life. It was Jesus' life work to fulfill His Father's Will.
2) Is the reaction of the people. These people saw the miracles. They reaped the benefits of God's love first hand. They were living the stories we read about. Yet, they were in it for the benefits. The filled stomachs. The excitement. The wonder. They saw the earthly stuff forgetting the heavenly. Isn't that what happens even now. A person walks into the church of our lives who is struggling, they need help. We know they need God. Often times we welcome them in and provide for their fleshly needs. Food, shelter, clothing...that is what Jesus did...All the while we are sharing Jesus and His love with them. They accept it in the moment because their needs are being met. When the need is met and life returns to "normal" they move on often times just seeking life needs instead of eternal life. When that happens we must continue sharing the message because ultimately it is their decision to make. We are just asked to share the message.
Prayer: Lord, help me to seize every opportunity to share the salvation message with everyone. May the words fall on fertile hearts ready to accept eternal life with you. However, help me to remember that you gave us a free will and that every decision and choice is their's to make. I pray that I do not get discourage and give up, but continue to share until Jesus returns to take us home.
21 Day Challenge: John 5
Verse: John 5:44
How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?
Thought: A sad observation for me is the amount of people, even Christians, who seek the approval of man. In essence, putting the approval of God an afterthought to receiving the approval of man. We so often want to please those around us that we miss the mark and achieve so much less than what God has for us because we have sought to please people instead of God. I know that I have been guilty of putting aside a heavenly dream only to satisfy an earthly task. If the rest of us could follow the example of Christ and not seek earthly approval, imagine the impact we could make for Christ, instead of man. Earthly things will fade away, but the will of the Father lasts forever.
Prayer: Lord, help me to seek your approval. May I judge everything I do according to Your Word and not for the acceptance by man.
How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?
Thought: A sad observation for me is the amount of people, even Christians, who seek the approval of man. In essence, putting the approval of God an afterthought to receiving the approval of man. We so often want to please those around us that we miss the mark and achieve so much less than what God has for us because we have sought to please people instead of God. I know that I have been guilty of putting aside a heavenly dream only to satisfy an earthly task. If the rest of us could follow the example of Christ and not seek earthly approval, imagine the impact we could make for Christ, instead of man. Earthly things will fade away, but the will of the Father lasts forever.
Prayer: Lord, help me to seek your approval. May I judge everything I do according to Your Word and not for the acceptance by man.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
21 Day Challenge: John 4
Keeping up with the reading, not so much with the blog.
Verse: John 4:6
...Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well.
Thought: Let's be honest...Ministry sometimes is tiring. As tired as we may be, Jesus set the bar for us to go above and beyond. To continue to reach out to people even in an exhausted state. After ministering to the woman at the well, I have to believe that when the disciples returned they still saw a tired Jesus, yet satisfied. No matter how exhausting ministry may be, reach out. Make that house visit that was laid on your heart, give that person a call, walk up and bless someone with the Word of the Lord. I know His word will never return void, and after the extra time and effort, you will feel satisfied.
Prayer: Lord, help me to never be too tired to share your love with others. Keep my eyes open for those who need you and my heart willing to do it.
Verse: John 4:6
...Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well.
Thought: Let's be honest...Ministry sometimes is tiring. As tired as we may be, Jesus set the bar for us to go above and beyond. To continue to reach out to people even in an exhausted state. After ministering to the woman at the well, I have to believe that when the disciples returned they still saw a tired Jesus, yet satisfied. No matter how exhausting ministry may be, reach out. Make that house visit that was laid on your heart, give that person a call, walk up and bless someone with the Word of the Lord. I know His word will never return void, and after the extra time and effort, you will feel satisfied.
Prayer: Lord, help me to never be too tired to share your love with others. Keep my eyes open for those who need you and my heart willing to do it.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
21 Day Challenge: John 3
Warning: This post may be very opinionated!!!
Verse: John 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less.
Thought: It's not about me! I have seen ministry that is all about God and getting the message of His Love and Salvation to the multitudes. Unfortunately, I have also seen ministry that is all about the presentation made by a person. The right words. The perfect alliterations. Catchy phrases. The perfect title. The perfect joke. (Remember Jesus is the only perfect man.) I have seen ungratefulness because the hoopla leading up to such a presentation wasn't good enough. In essence the pre-game show was substandard and therefore a distraction for the man, the REAL show. (Aren't you glad that God made us perfect just the way we are, whether we fail or succeed to perform the way a man demands, God still loves us.)
After watching such ministry for some time I have really had to take a step back and ask God what it is all for. Do I believe in order and being prepared, yes. I am a planner. I want to make the delivery of God's word hearable, receivable. However, I want to know that when I am sharing God with others that I stand before the people humbled. Humbled to be a servant of God, a child of God. Humbled that I have been given the boldness to share God with others. Humble that God could use a person like me to share true life with others. GOD MUST BE GREATER THAN THE MAN. When we stand before others do we want them to see us or God?
Prayer: Dear God, may everything I say and everything I do point others to you. May I merely be a vessel used to show how great You are, not me.
Verse: John 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less.
Thought: It's not about me! I have seen ministry that is all about God and getting the message of His Love and Salvation to the multitudes. Unfortunately, I have also seen ministry that is all about the presentation made by a person. The right words. The perfect alliterations. Catchy phrases. The perfect title. The perfect joke. (Remember Jesus is the only perfect man.) I have seen ungratefulness because the hoopla leading up to such a presentation wasn't good enough. In essence the pre-game show was substandard and therefore a distraction for the man, the REAL show. (Aren't you glad that God made us perfect just the way we are, whether we fail or succeed to perform the way a man demands, God still loves us.)
After watching such ministry for some time I have really had to take a step back and ask God what it is all for. Do I believe in order and being prepared, yes. I am a planner. I want to make the delivery of God's word hearable, receivable. However, I want to know that when I am sharing God with others that I stand before the people humbled. Humbled to be a servant of God, a child of God. Humbled that I have been given the boldness to share God with others. Humble that God could use a person like me to share true life with others. GOD MUST BE GREATER THAN THE MAN. When we stand before others do we want them to see us or God?
Prayer: Dear God, may everything I say and everything I do point others to you. May I merely be a vessel used to show how great You are, not me.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Bring It On
I don't know if any of you have noticed, but the world seems to be a bit chaotic abroad and close to home. It seems no matter where you turn there are people in turmoil and outrageous things are happening. Can you believe the price of gas? How about milk? Natural Disasters? Children's toy recalls? War and rumors of wars? (sounds a lot like Revelation) Diseases that medication can not touch?
It seems no matter who I talk to, the waters in their life are churning. I have always felt that believers will never truly have a sense of perfect peace on earth because we are a new creation and are no longer of this world. We have a new home, new hope. However, the reality is we are here in this world for a purpose. Some of us know our purpose, but have never reached our full calling. I was listening to a pastor out of Florida speak last night and I liked an example she gave. She said that all the chaos is allowed in our lives to rid ourselves of the things that are not of God. In the midst of the turmoil and chaos only those things grounded in Christ will stand. Everything else will be stripped away. The chaos is not comfortable and at times does not seem fair, but it is allowed in our lives to rid us of the junk and bring us to a place where we only rely on God. Where the only thing left is God. At that point we have a choice to pull away and lose faith or to worship Him with with hearts of perfect praise. Only then are God's promises and purposes for our lives birthed.
I am learning to praise Him in the storm, thankful that He is a sure foundation and is ridding my life of the extra junk that doesn't need to be there. It may not be comfortable and believe me I don't like it, but if that is what has to happen...Bring It On!
It seems no matter who I talk to, the waters in their life are churning. I have always felt that believers will never truly have a sense of perfect peace on earth because we are a new creation and are no longer of this world. We have a new home, new hope. However, the reality is we are here in this world for a purpose. Some of us know our purpose, but have never reached our full calling. I was listening to a pastor out of Florida speak last night and I liked an example she gave. She said that all the chaos is allowed in our lives to rid ourselves of the things that are not of God. In the midst of the turmoil and chaos only those things grounded in Christ will stand. Everything else will be stripped away. The chaos is not comfortable and at times does not seem fair, but it is allowed in our lives to rid us of the junk and bring us to a place where we only rely on God. Where the only thing left is God. At that point we have a choice to pull away and lose faith or to worship Him with with hearts of perfect praise. Only then are God's promises and purposes for our lives birthed.
I am learning to praise Him in the storm, thankful that He is a sure foundation and is ridding my life of the extra junk that doesn't need to be there. It may not be comfortable and believe me I don't like it, but if that is what has to happen...Bring It On!
21 Day Challenge: John 2
Verse: John 2:4
"...why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."
Thought: We all know that this is the first miracle, turning water to wine. My thought today is on obedience. How close were we to not having the first miracle? This miracle was all about obedience. The obedience of BOTH Jesus and the servants. When Mary told Jesus they had no more wine, Jesus' response was like our response is most of the times God calls on us...Uh, God are you sure about that. I don't think I am ready. Mary heard him and still continued on by telling the servants to obey everything he said. Jesus then did all he knew to do, OBEY. Then it turns to the servants. If they had declared the situation absurd and chose not to listen or OBEY where would we be. Many times all God is asking us to do is to OBEY no matter how crazy His request may sound. Then, as we see in this miracle, God not only provides a way but makes it the very best it could be. (John 2:10 You saved the best for last)
Prayer: Lord, help me to be obedient no matter what. Stop my questions and doubting so obedience can be my first reaction.
"...why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."
Thought: We all know that this is the first miracle, turning water to wine. My thought today is on obedience. How close were we to not having the first miracle? This miracle was all about obedience. The obedience of BOTH Jesus and the servants. When Mary told Jesus they had no more wine, Jesus' response was like our response is most of the times God calls on us...Uh, God are you sure about that. I don't think I am ready. Mary heard him and still continued on by telling the servants to obey everything he said. Jesus then did all he knew to do, OBEY. Then it turns to the servants. If they had declared the situation absurd and chose not to listen or OBEY where would we be. Many times all God is asking us to do is to OBEY no matter how crazy His request may sound. Then, as we see in this miracle, God not only provides a way but makes it the very best it could be. (John 2:10 You saved the best for last)
Prayer: Lord, help me to be obedient no matter what. Stop my questions and doubting so obedience can be my first reaction.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)