Verse: John 14:27
"I do not give to you as the world gives."
Thought: I am so glad God does not give as the world gives. The world gives and expects something in return. Jesus sacrificed it all and asked us for nothing. The world gives and takes it away again. Jesus gives and gives and gives. The world says it will give and then never does. Jesus does what He says He will do, every time. The world feeds our habits. God fills our needs. God gives freely, willingly, sacrificially even unto death because He loves us.
Prayer: Thank you God that You were in this world, but not of this world. Help me not to covet what it looks like the world has because it has nothing. Thank you for the gift of salvation that you freely give to all that ask. Lord, I look to You for the things I need. You have all I will ever need.
Monday, December 3, 2007
21 Day Challenge: John 13
Verse: John 13:38b
I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.
Thoughts: Wow! Peter loves Jesus so much that he says he would die for Jesus. Jesus' response, "no you won't. In fact, you are going to deny me." I can see myself in Peter. At this point he is probably feeling a bit unsure. In his heart he loves Jesus with everything that is in him, just as I have done since a very young age. However, Peter inevitably denies knowing Christ 3 times after that moment. Now we are probably not faced with a point blank question of knowing or denying Christ the way Peter was, but in our daily lives we are faced with opportunities to do it God's way or not. In essence isn't this accepting or deny Christ's existence in our lives. I have a choice to get angry and go on a rampage and show anger in my words, actions, countenance...or I can choose to love the other person. One way accepts Christ as a part of our life and the other way denies His existence in us.
As a teenager growing up I had to make choices. These choices accepted Jesus or denied Him. It would have been easy to go with the crowd, to blend in, to be just like the world, but that choice would have said, "No to Jesus." We have opportunity to deny Jesus in our daily lives just like Peter. We are no different. What choices are we making? Are we saying, "Yes to Jesus?"
Prayer: Lord, I do not think myself any better than Peter. I have to face the choice every single day to do it Your way or not. Help me to choose You above everything else, no matter the cost. God, I choose You.
I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.
Thoughts: Wow! Peter loves Jesus so much that he says he would die for Jesus. Jesus' response, "no you won't. In fact, you are going to deny me." I can see myself in Peter. At this point he is probably feeling a bit unsure. In his heart he loves Jesus with everything that is in him, just as I have done since a very young age. However, Peter inevitably denies knowing Christ 3 times after that moment. Now we are probably not faced with a point blank question of knowing or denying Christ the way Peter was, but in our daily lives we are faced with opportunities to do it God's way or not. In essence isn't this accepting or deny Christ's existence in our lives. I have a choice to get angry and go on a rampage and show anger in my words, actions, countenance...or I can choose to love the other person. One way accepts Christ as a part of our life and the other way denies His existence in us.
As a teenager growing up I had to make choices. These choices accepted Jesus or denied Him. It would have been easy to go with the crowd, to blend in, to be just like the world, but that choice would have said, "No to Jesus." We have opportunity to deny Jesus in our daily lives just like Peter. We are no different. What choices are we making? Are we saying, "Yes to Jesus?"
Prayer: Lord, I do not think myself any better than Peter. I have to face the choice every single day to do it Your way or not. Help me to choose You above everything else, no matter the cost. God, I choose You.
21 Day Challenge: John 12
Verse: John 12:32
But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.
Thought: There are times in our lives when we go through things that really seem BAD. We don't understand why it has to happen. In fact, the other people inflicting this BAD stuff probably really enjoy what they are doing. However, whatever Satan means for BAD, God can use for His glory. Here these horrible people want to kill Jesus and raise Him up as an example of "What NOT to be". They raise Him up as a mockery. All they did in reality was follow the WILL of the Father in Heaven. Jesus was raised high for all to see so that God would be glorified. The very thing they were trying to avoid, stopping people from drawing to Jesus, was the very thing they accomplished for Heaven. Men were drawn to Jesus even more.
I know the junk we have to go through sometimes in our Christian walk really doesn't seem right or fair. However, in the midst of it all, God has a plan. He will raise us up as a light to the world so that He may be glorified. Walk through those times with your head held high.
Prayer: Lord, my prayer has always been to make me more like you. Jesus did not travel an easy road. May I not give up in the midst of hard times and may I remember that you work ALL things together for good to them who love the Lord. When I walk the hard trials of life, may I see your plan and rise above it so that You may be glorified.
But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.
Thought: There are times in our lives when we go through things that really seem BAD. We don't understand why it has to happen. In fact, the other people inflicting this BAD stuff probably really enjoy what they are doing. However, whatever Satan means for BAD, God can use for His glory. Here these horrible people want to kill Jesus and raise Him up as an example of "What NOT to be". They raise Him up as a mockery. All they did in reality was follow the WILL of the Father in Heaven. Jesus was raised high for all to see so that God would be glorified. The very thing they were trying to avoid, stopping people from drawing to Jesus, was the very thing they accomplished for Heaven. Men were drawn to Jesus even more.
I know the junk we have to go through sometimes in our Christian walk really doesn't seem right or fair. However, in the midst of it all, God has a plan. He will raise us up as a light to the world so that He may be glorified. Walk through those times with your head held high.
Prayer: Lord, my prayer has always been to make me more like you. Jesus did not travel an easy road. May I not give up in the midst of hard times and may I remember that you work ALL things together for good to them who love the Lord. When I walk the hard trials of life, may I see your plan and rise above it so that You may be glorified.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
21 Day Challenge: John 11
Verse: John 11:21
"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
Thought: WHAT FAITH!!! Before anything was said, something tells me that Martha not only believed that Jesus could have healed Lazarus while he was living, but she knew that if Jesus ask for life to return to her brother's body it would be done. This is the faith that moves mountains. I know in my life, for the simplest of things, I believe God could change things but I some how give God an out if it doesn't happen. Is that real FAITH? Probably not.
Prayer: Lord, give me a boldness in my Faith. May I believe in the impossible, never wavering. All things are possible with You, God.
"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
Thought: WHAT FAITH!!! Before anything was said, something tells me that Martha not only believed that Jesus could have healed Lazarus while he was living, but she knew that if Jesus ask for life to return to her brother's body it would be done. This is the faith that moves mountains. I know in my life, for the simplest of things, I believe God could change things but I some how give God an out if it doesn't happen. Is that real FAITH? Probably not.
Prayer: Lord, give me a boldness in my Faith. May I believe in the impossible, never wavering. All things are possible with You, God.
21 Day Challenge: John 10
Verse: John 10:25
Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I so in my father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep."
Thought: It is amazing to me how these people who were seeing Jesus LIVE, in action, had unbelief in their heart. I can't deny God and I am strictly going off of FAITH. The thief truly steals, kills and destroys and was able to harden hearts and blind eyes to the miracle standing before them.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you that my heart is open to You. I pray that every person I share Your Word with will have eyes to see and ears to hear the awesomeness of who You are. I pray their hearts are open to accept You and come into Your flock.
Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I so in my father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep."
Thought: It is amazing to me how these people who were seeing Jesus LIVE, in action, had unbelief in their heart. I can't deny God and I am strictly going off of FAITH. The thief truly steals, kills and destroys and was able to harden hearts and blind eyes to the miracle standing before them.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you that my heart is open to You. I pray that every person I share Your Word with will have eyes to see and ears to hear the awesomeness of who You are. I pray their hearts are open to accept You and come into Your flock.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
21 Day Challenge: John 9
Verse: Honestly, I have to break the rules and reflect on a thought as I read the entire chapter.
Thought: Here Jesus heals a man born blind. Of course, it was done on the sabbath and the pharisees had a hay day going after Jesus, questioning EVERYTHING. You know what went through my mind, "Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth". What a thought, right. Jesus came to bring us salvation and instead of accepting it, they ultimately took Him to the cross. I know this was the redemption plan, but I wonder how often blessings come our way, gifts are given to us and we dismiss them because it wasn't given by the right person or done the way we think it should be.
Prayer: Lord, help me look for the blessings everyday no matter what form it may come or the way it was given. Thank you for loving us and giving until it hurt.
Thought: Here Jesus heals a man born blind. Of course, it was done on the sabbath and the pharisees had a hay day going after Jesus, questioning EVERYTHING. You know what went through my mind, "Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth". What a thought, right. Jesus came to bring us salvation and instead of accepting it, they ultimately took Him to the cross. I know this was the redemption plan, but I wonder how often blessings come our way, gifts are given to us and we dismiss them because it wasn't given by the right person or done the way we think it should be.
Prayer: Lord, help me look for the blessings everyday no matter what form it may come or the way it was given. Thank you for loving us and giving until it hurt.
21 Day Challenge: John 8
Verse: John 8:11
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Thought: I have many thoughts when I read this story of forgiveness. We are all sinful beings by nature. First thought, who are we to point fingers at other people's sins? With sin and temptation on a daily basis it would seem we shouldn't have time to focus on others if we are taking care of ourselves.
Then again, 2nd thought, we should all help one another. Build one another up. Show each other the way to move past the sin in our lives and make better choices. Show others how to leave their sin behind. For instance, helping those with no home, food, a job. It seems it is easy for someone to buy a meal, hand over a dollar, give them a place to get warm. Often times they need so much more. They need deliverance from an addiction or lifestyle that has ruined their life. They need skills to better themselves. I know this is somewhat off the path of thought, but it is where my mind went when I really thought about this woman. Jesus told her their was forgiveness, and it was up to her to walk away from her sin. As believers we should not just put a temporary band-aid on the sin, but we should take the time to turn them around or remove them from the sin.
Thought 3, oh to be able to forgive like Jesus. Not one other person in this story was able to forgive like Jesus. Forgiving people for the things they do and say, their sin, is not always easy. I wish I could forgive and then forget like Him.
Last thought...Accepting forgiveness, God's forgiveness, can be hard if we do not forgive our selves. This is actually a hard one for me. All I can say is if God thinks we are worth it then accept it and move forward.
Prayer: Lord, in my quest to be more like You, help me to turn others toward You and away from their sin. Continue to work in my heart as I try to forgive myself and others and help me to not carry those hurts with me all the days of my life.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Thought: I have many thoughts when I read this story of forgiveness. We are all sinful beings by nature. First thought, who are we to point fingers at other people's sins? With sin and temptation on a daily basis it would seem we shouldn't have time to focus on others if we are taking care of ourselves.
Then again, 2nd thought, we should all help one another. Build one another up. Show each other the way to move past the sin in our lives and make better choices. Show others how to leave their sin behind. For instance, helping those with no home, food, a job. It seems it is easy for someone to buy a meal, hand over a dollar, give them a place to get warm. Often times they need so much more. They need deliverance from an addiction or lifestyle that has ruined their life. They need skills to better themselves. I know this is somewhat off the path of thought, but it is where my mind went when I really thought about this woman. Jesus told her their was forgiveness, and it was up to her to walk away from her sin. As believers we should not just put a temporary band-aid on the sin, but we should take the time to turn them around or remove them from the sin.
Thought 3, oh to be able to forgive like Jesus. Not one other person in this story was able to forgive like Jesus. Forgiving people for the things they do and say, their sin, is not always easy. I wish I could forgive and then forget like Him.
Last thought...Accepting forgiveness, God's forgiveness, can be hard if we do not forgive our selves. This is actually a hard one for me. All I can say is if God thinks we are worth it then accept it and move forward.
Prayer: Lord, in my quest to be more like You, help me to turn others toward You and away from their sin. Continue to work in my heart as I try to forgive myself and others and help me to not carry those hurts with me all the days of my life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)