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.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
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.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
21 Day Challenge: John
Okay, so I have decided to take the plunge into John, also. I know there are people who have taken up the challenge to read through the book of John in 21 days...one chapter a day and share their thoughts. I decided to read but I wasn't going to blog my thoughts. Then I decided I was not going to stay in my comfort zone anymore. Here goes something...
Verse: (It's hard to pick one) John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
Thoughts: The extraordinary embraced and became the ordinary to reveal God to us. Wow! He was Fully God and yet Fully Human. How awesome it would have been to be alive then and ask Him questions, to see God's love in the flesh, to seek more of God. The amazing thing is that He left His work to us to continue. Jesus in us reveals God to others. When others have questions for God and when they need to see God's love in action, the world will look to those of us who have Jesus to share.
Prayer: Lord, let me be a light to the world as You were the light. May everything I do reveal God in me. May my words and actions show the world God's love, and may I be bold enough to stretch from the ordinary to the extraordinary to reach the lost for God.
Verse: (It's hard to pick one) John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
Thoughts: The extraordinary embraced and became the ordinary to reveal God to us. Wow! He was Fully God and yet Fully Human. How awesome it would have been to be alive then and ask Him questions, to see God's love in the flesh, to seek more of God. The amazing thing is that He left His work to us to continue. Jesus in us reveals God to others. When others have questions for God and when they need to see God's love in action, the world will look to those of us who have Jesus to share.
Prayer: Lord, let me be a light to the world as You were the light. May everything I do reveal God in me. May my words and actions show the world God's love, and may I be bold enough to stretch from the ordinary to the extraordinary to reach the lost for God.
A Double Portion of Blessing
Today I have been blessed by my children. On the way to school this morning my son said he did not want any toys for Christmas. I asked him what he wanted and he said...I want the fruits of the spirit. I asked him to say it again because I wasn't sure i heard him correctly. He said that he had a few fruits of the spirit already...love, joy, kindness, etc...but he was still working on a few (patience, self-control). His only Christmas wish was that by Christmas he had them all. Thank you, Lord, that I have a young man who wants to be more like you everyday.
This afternoon my daughter blessed me, also. We were on the way to dance class and we were listening to Christian Music. Praise You in This Storm was on the radio and I could see my daughters hands were raised in the back seat. She was singing...I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are, no matter where I am...with her hands in worship to God. Two gifts from God to remind me just how awesome God is!
This afternoon my daughter blessed me, also. We were on the way to dance class and we were listening to Christian Music. Praise You in This Storm was on the radio and I could see my daughters hands were raised in the back seat. She was singing...I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are, no matter where I am...with her hands in worship to God. Two gifts from God to remind me just how awesome God is!
Monday, November 12, 2007
BAM!
This past Sunday I heard a message titled, BAM! Bringing Back the Power of God in Your Life. (Pastor Bil Cornelius - Bay Area Fellowship) This was a very inspiring message. As much as I thought I was focused on God, I realized how far I have drifted away from the power of God.
Three major points that really hit home for me me were...
1) REPENTANCE is the key foundation to a life of power. Humility is a magnet to the power of God. God's already seen the sin. We are not hiding anything from Him. How long are we going to stay enslaved to the Enemy? Admit and ask for forgiveness, quickly. David was not perfect...He messed up in a big way, often. However, he was a very humble man and was quick to say, "I'm Sorry." Justification is the downfall of so many people. We don't need to justify sin, we need to repent.
2) You must have a season of PREPARATION before you will see the "big results" you desire. I have always served God and living each day for Him is not enough. Just like there is a lot of work that goes into farming each season, so we must put in A LOT of work into our lives and walk with God as each season of our life unfolds. What I did the past few years is not enough for the new season in my life. I need to take it up a notch. Give God more. This brought me back to a time when my husband had really wanted me to be in service with him and attending bible studies and so forth, but I was convinced I needed to continue serving in the capacities I had always served. I could do personal study for rejuvenation, right? WRONG!!! I see now how important that time was for us to be in preparation together, and I had to repent for that lost time. I wonder how well I would have made it through these past few months of ministry disappointments had we been better prepared as a couple. What growing did I lose during that time I was serving instead of preparing. If farmers don't prepare the fields and just keep planting the crops will eventually fail. Next time I will listen when I am being led into a time of preparation. After all, God sees the ENTIRE picture.
3) Celebrate the (present) New Day and be open to change. Being open to change...I can handle that. I realized the past couple of weeks how far I have come from doing church traditionally to be a little more contemporary in how I think people will be reached. Change I am good with that. Here is where my toes were stepped on a bit...here's a quote...The happiest people in life don't have the BEST of everything. They make the best of what they have. I am not a greedy, needy person, however, I have found myself saying if we can make it to a certain point or if I had that one thing it would catalyst us into some euphoric place. I realized as much as we think we make the best of what we have, we are really trying to get more out of everyday instead of utilizing everything in our life to its full potential. I want to celebrate each new day and everything in it without expecting more before I am ready. Show yourself faithful in the little things and blessings will come your way. This is the day that the Lord has made, I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!
BAM!
Three major points that really hit home for me me were...
1) REPENTANCE is the key foundation to a life of power. Humility is a magnet to the power of God. God's already seen the sin. We are not hiding anything from Him. How long are we going to stay enslaved to the Enemy? Admit and ask for forgiveness, quickly. David was not perfect...He messed up in a big way, often. However, he was a very humble man and was quick to say, "I'm Sorry." Justification is the downfall of so many people. We don't need to justify sin, we need to repent.
2) You must have a season of PREPARATION before you will see the "big results" you desire. I have always served God and living each day for Him is not enough. Just like there is a lot of work that goes into farming each season, so we must put in A LOT of work into our lives and walk with God as each season of our life unfolds. What I did the past few years is not enough for the new season in my life. I need to take it up a notch. Give God more. This brought me back to a time when my husband had really wanted me to be in service with him and attending bible studies and so forth, but I was convinced I needed to continue serving in the capacities I had always served. I could do personal study for rejuvenation, right? WRONG!!! I see now how important that time was for us to be in preparation together, and I had to repent for that lost time. I wonder how well I would have made it through these past few months of ministry disappointments had we been better prepared as a couple. What growing did I lose during that time I was serving instead of preparing. If farmers don't prepare the fields and just keep planting the crops will eventually fail. Next time I will listen when I am being led into a time of preparation. After all, God sees the ENTIRE picture.
3) Celebrate the (present) New Day and be open to change. Being open to change...I can handle that. I realized the past couple of weeks how far I have come from doing church traditionally to be a little more contemporary in how I think people will be reached. Change I am good with that. Here is where my toes were stepped on a bit...here's a quote...The happiest people in life don't have the BEST of everything. They make the best of what they have. I am not a greedy, needy person, however, I have found myself saying if we can make it to a certain point or if I had that one thing it would catalyst us into some euphoric place. I realized as much as we think we make the best of what we have, we are really trying to get more out of everyday instead of utilizing everything in our life to its full potential. I want to celebrate each new day and everything in it without expecting more before I am ready. Show yourself faithful in the little things and blessings will come your way. This is the day that the Lord has made, I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!
BAM!
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