Today is my last day. I have been with this company for 19 years. Sure the owners have changed hands many times during my tenure, but I have come to the same place and worked with the same people for a long time. I've been in job search mode of weeks now. Not much has come my way though in the last 24 hours I have had two leads that will be followed. Not quite sure where God is leading.
I open my devotional and find these words. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
I could not think of better words to live by, especially in the days to come. God you are in control and I will follow you through this valley. When you bring me out the other side I pray that I will continue to rely upon you and not me.
Gob Bless.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Contentement
I think I have mentioned that I lose my job at the end of the day tomorrow. 19 years of a steady paycheck gone. Do I trust God?
Today these verses were shared during my Adult Bible Fellowship.
I Timothy 6:6-8 NIV
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
I've been spoiled for a long time with all my needs and lots of my greeds. I hope to find contentment in God over the next few weeks/months/ hopefully NOT years and I am forced to pull back on my spending to get through this lean time.
God bless.
Today these verses were shared during my Adult Bible Fellowship.
I Timothy 6:6-8 NIV
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
I've been spoiled for a long time with all my needs and lots of my greeds. I hope to find contentment in God over the next few weeks/months/ hopefully NOT years and I am forced to pull back on my spending to get through this lean time.
God bless.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Faith of Abraham
If one had told me 5 years ago that Romans would become one of my favorite books, I would have dismissed it. I was under the false assumption that Romans was a deep book that should be left to theologians. I don't remember exactly when I studied the book, but since those first readings and studies, I have come to LOVE this book.
Today's reading comes from Romans 4:16-21 NIV. As always I encourage you to read it. This morning I only want to focus on vs 20 and 21. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Abraham was old. Sarah was old. They were beyond the child bearing years. His faith strengthened him and he believed God's promise. Now if you go back to Genesis and read the entire story, Abraham did make mistakes. However he still kept his faith in God's promise.
Romans 5:1-2 NIV 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
We covered this verses on October 20. It is through faith that we stand it God's grace. It's nothing we do for God.
So I ask myself and anyone reading this. Do you have true faith? Does your faith strengthen you in trials? I can honestly say YES! I'm in a trial right now and God has been the only reason that I have peace. Don't get me wrong, I've made lots of mistakes, but God has been faithful and I have been growing in spite of them.
Don't give up on God in your trials. Run to Him.
God Bless.
Today's reading comes from Romans 4:16-21 NIV. As always I encourage you to read it. This morning I only want to focus on vs 20 and 21. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Abraham was old. Sarah was old. They were beyond the child bearing years. His faith strengthened him and he believed God's promise. Now if you go back to Genesis and read the entire story, Abraham did make mistakes. However he still kept his faith in God's promise.
Romans 5:1-2 NIV 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
We covered this verses on October 20. It is through faith that we stand it God's grace. It's nothing we do for God.
So I ask myself and anyone reading this. Do you have true faith? Does your faith strengthen you in trials? I can honestly say YES! I'm in a trial right now and God has been the only reason that I have peace. Don't get me wrong, I've made lots of mistakes, but God has been faithful and I have been growing in spite of them.
Don't give up on God in your trials. Run to Him.
God Bless.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Christ's call to believers
When I opened my devotional today and saw the title "Understanding Your Call" my heart jumped inside. With the divorce happening and the fact that I'm losing my job this Monday, I'm in a tailspin emotionally and just not sure which end is up and where God wants me to go. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting but the verses were not it. However, they were what I needed to hear.
Mark 8:34-35 NIV 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
Deny myself. I've lost my home and many things that I valued when we separated. A large part of me wants to reacquire as much as I can. However God has shown me that I don't need it and replacing it will cost much more than I have right now.
Pick up my cross. I need to die to self like I discussed this past Wed. My constant need to win has to go. My need to make sure things go my way has to go. My constant desire to get what I want NOW has to go. Dead people do not get their way once they are dead.
Follow Christ. What was it that Jesus did? He obeyed his Father's will all the way to death. He did not live for himself in anything that he did. It was all for the glory of his father. I too need to submit to God's will.
For years I tried to control every aspect of my life and of the people around me. I've lost so much because of it. Time to surrender...again.
You see the Christian life is a journey. We will never arrive at perfection till we stand before Christ and he makes up perfect. In the meantime we continue to surrender bit by bit as the Holy Spirit makes things he wants removed clear.
God Bless.
Mark 8:34-35 NIV 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
Deny myself. I've lost my home and many things that I valued when we separated. A large part of me wants to reacquire as much as I can. However God has shown me that I don't need it and replacing it will cost much more than I have right now.
Pick up my cross. I need to die to self like I discussed this past Wed. My constant need to win has to go. My need to make sure things go my way has to go. My constant desire to get what I want NOW has to go. Dead people do not get their way once they are dead.
Follow Christ. What was it that Jesus did? He obeyed his Father's will all the way to death. He did not live for himself in anything that he did. It was all for the glory of his father. I too need to submit to God's will.
For years I tried to control every aspect of my life and of the people around me. I've lost so much because of it. Time to surrender...again.
You see the Christian life is a journey. We will never arrive at perfection till we stand before Christ and he makes up perfect. In the meantime we continue to surrender bit by bit as the Holy Spirit makes things he wants removed clear.
God Bless.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Worldly wealth, anxiety and security in God.
I was chatting with a friend on Facebook this morning and they shared with me some verses that struck a chord with me right down to my soul. I was thinking, "I just received my blog today." When I did my morning devotional it too struck a cord. I was not sure which to blog about. Then I realized they each built on one another.
Today's devotions was in Luke 12:16-21. Jesus was telling the parable of the rich man who's crops were so abundant that he torn down his barns and built bigger ones. The then said I have food for years to come I will just sit back and relax. That night he died and all his wealth went to others.
This parable does not mean we don't have 401k or some other retirement in place. It does not mean we don't put away something for our future. It's talking about where are you placing your trust. This man was not rich toward God and it cost him his life.
This ties in with what my friend shared. Philippians 4:6 NIV 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Are you anxious about your future? Where will you live? How will you pay for the things you "need"? Be thankful to God for what you have, pray to him for what you need and as the very next verse in this chapter says, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 18:1-2 NIV
1 I love you, LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Meditate on these verses. Let you heart listen to what they are saying. Do we really need to store up huge excess for our future? Do we really need to worry? God is in control. He will guide us.
God Bless
Today's devotions was in Luke 12:16-21. Jesus was telling the parable of the rich man who's crops were so abundant that he torn down his barns and built bigger ones. The then said I have food for years to come I will just sit back and relax. That night he died and all his wealth went to others.
This parable does not mean we don't have 401k or some other retirement in place. It does not mean we don't put away something for our future. It's talking about where are you placing your trust. This man was not rich toward God and it cost him his life.
This ties in with what my friend shared. Philippians 4:6 NIV 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Are you anxious about your future? Where will you live? How will you pay for the things you "need"? Be thankful to God for what you have, pray to him for what you need and as the very next verse in this chapter says, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 18:1-2 NIV
1 I love you, LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Meditate on these verses. Let you heart listen to what they are saying. Do we really need to store up huge excess for our future? Do we really need to worry? God is in control. He will guide us.
God Bless
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Earthly or Heavenly?
I come down to breakfast and once again my landlord has his Bible out and open on the table. This time it is open to Colossians 3. I smile to myself because the last time Bob left his Bible open God met me at breakfast. I did not want to get too excited because I was "sure" it would not happen again. Wrong!
I encourage you to read the whole chapter. For the sake of time I will only be focusing on vs 1-4 NIV
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
As I read this words I was convicted. Yes I take time for God every day, but there is the problem. The things of God should BE my day. Every action, deed, thought and plan should be steeped in God.
Verse three says that "I" have died. Having been to many funerals, I've never once seen a corpse start gathering their possessions to take with them. A corpse does not worry about things. Everything that was important to them on earth is no longer a concern because they are dead.
My life is hidden in Christ. One day I will be with him in Glory and the concerns of this earth will be trivial.
Later, when I took the time to open my email devotional from Dr Stanley he discussed the story of Lazarus and the Rich man. This statements really caught my attention.
" It is important to realize that this man wasn’t judged harshly by God because of his wealth. The heavenly Father is not opposed to our success. Nor was the man separated from the Lord because of his lack of charity toward others. He did not deliberately harm others but, rather, overlooked those in need and focused on himself.
The rich man’s mistake was that he prepared everything for the body but nothing for the soul. Our culture practices a similar style of living. Acquiring material riches and satisfying self is the primary pursuit of many in our world." -Dr Charles Stanley
I got the same basic message from two separate sources, yet it is my conviction there is only ONE source and that is the Holy Spirit.
So I pause this morning and search my heart. What are my goals? Where am I going? Are the things of earth or the things of heaven my pursuit?
God Bless.
I encourage you to read the whole chapter. For the sake of time I will only be focusing on vs 1-4 NIV
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
As I read this words I was convicted. Yes I take time for God every day, but there is the problem. The things of God should BE my day. Every action, deed, thought and plan should be steeped in God.
Verse three says that "I" have died. Having been to many funerals, I've never once seen a corpse start gathering their possessions to take with them. A corpse does not worry about things. Everything that was important to them on earth is no longer a concern because they are dead.
My life is hidden in Christ. One day I will be with him in Glory and the concerns of this earth will be trivial.
Later, when I took the time to open my email devotional from Dr Stanley he discussed the story of Lazarus and the Rich man. This statements really caught my attention.
" It is important to realize that this man wasn’t judged harshly by God because of his wealth. The heavenly Father is not opposed to our success. Nor was the man separated from the Lord because of his lack of charity toward others. He did not deliberately harm others but, rather, overlooked those in need and focused on himself.
The rich man’s mistake was that he prepared everything for the body but nothing for the soul. Our culture practices a similar style of living. Acquiring material riches and satisfying self is the primary pursuit of many in our world." -Dr Charles Stanley
I got the same basic message from two separate sources, yet it is my conviction there is only ONE source and that is the Holy Spirit.
So I pause this morning and search my heart. What are my goals? Where am I going? Are the things of earth or the things of heaven my pursuit?
God Bless.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Perseverance under Trial
I received some potentially good information this morning and there is the temptation to push/meddle/attempt to coerce and influence the final outcome. My Facebook friend shared her devotional this morning which included a quote from CS Lewis, "We must try to take life moment by moment. The actual PRESENT is usually pretty tolerable I think, if only we refrain from adding to its burden that of the past and the future."
This inspired me to do my own devotional as I was getting some nervous excitement about the future.
James 1:12-15 NIV 2 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
My trial right now is to SHUT UP and let God work. If I give in to my temptation to manipulate I will only cause myself and those I love more pain.
Dear God you know my heart. Give me your wisdom as I go through these next few weeks. I hurt inside yet you know my deepest pain. I wait for you. I chose to trust you.
God Bless.
This inspired me to do my own devotional as I was getting some nervous excitement about the future.
James 1:12-15 NIV 2 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Dear God you know my heart. Give me your wisdom as I go through these next few weeks. I hurt inside yet you know my deepest pain. I wait for you. I chose to trust you.
God Bless.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Anger is NOT a sin.
Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Anger is a legitimate emotion given to us by God. Scripture records Jesus getting angry at the money changers. In his anger he did not sin. His was a righteous anger.
That's the part that gets us as humans rarely is our anger a righteous anger at a true injustice. Most of the time we get angry at a perceived offense. We did not get our way so we take revenge on the offending party and therefore we sin.
Next time you get angry stop. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Is this a true injustice or did I just get my ego bruised? After careful contemplation ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in the next step. I think the vast majority of the time everything will end right there.
Should you be lead to approach the offender go humbly. Be quick to forgive just as God forgives us. Make every effort to make peace. If they do not respond, forgive them anyway and don't go to bed angry.
This is not easy. Pride tends to make us want to punish the offender or fix them. That is God's job. If you have done what you can, then let it go.
God Bless.
Pete
Anger is a legitimate emotion given to us by God. Scripture records Jesus getting angry at the money changers. In his anger he did not sin. His was a righteous anger.
That's the part that gets us as humans rarely is our anger a righteous anger at a true injustice. Most of the time we get angry at a perceived offense. We did not get our way so we take revenge on the offending party and therefore we sin.
Next time you get angry stop. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Is this a true injustice or did I just get my ego bruised? After careful contemplation ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in the next step. I think the vast majority of the time everything will end right there.
Should you be lead to approach the offender go humbly. Be quick to forgive just as God forgives us. Make every effort to make peace. If they do not respond, forgive them anyway and don't go to bed angry.
This is not easy. Pride tends to make us want to punish the offender or fix them. That is God's job. If you have done what you can, then let it go.
God Bless.
Pete
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Verses in context.
Ephesians 4:32 was a memory verse of mine as a child. I still remember it, though my memory is in the KJV "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you." I've been carrying this verse since 2nd grade though I have to admit I have had little success in applying it. I know that just plain stubborn unforgiveness, pride and arrogance is part of the problem. I want what I want sometimes and I don't care who I hurt. But another reason I believe is I've only has a portion of the instruction.
Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Vs 29. There was a time in my life the I took pride in my foul mouth. I could take any statement and twist it into a dirty joke. Praise God he has given me victory over that. However I still need work on building people up. I still enjoy the "cut down" joke.
Vs. 30. Here is the motivation for these commands. We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit. As a parent are you going to stand still while another person verbally or physically abuses your child? Of course not. When we deal with other Christians we need to remember that they too are a child of God. When the world sees how much we love each other, they will want to be part of us.
Vs. 31. Do you have some baggage you need to leave at the cross? How can one be kind if they are angry? How can one be tender if they're bitter? How can one expect to forgive they're always in a rage? Notice this is something we are told to do ourselves. Yes, you do need to pray. Yes there will be days you will struggle. However this is something we are told to do. We're to put it away. Even as I type these words, I am thinking of bitterness and anger that I still harbor.
Vs.32. Now we can get to the place where we can be kind, compassionate, tenderhearted and forgiving.
I have some work to do with the Holy Spirit when I close this blog today. How about you?
I also want to encourage you to memorizes scripture, but I intend to memorize entire sections so the entire point is there and not just one point out of context.
God Bless.
Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Vs 29. There was a time in my life the I took pride in my foul mouth. I could take any statement and twist it into a dirty joke. Praise God he has given me victory over that. However I still need work on building people up. I still enjoy the "cut down" joke.
Vs. 30. Here is the motivation for these commands. We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit. As a parent are you going to stand still while another person verbally or physically abuses your child? Of course not. When we deal with other Christians we need to remember that they too are a child of God. When the world sees how much we love each other, they will want to be part of us.
Vs. 31. Do you have some baggage you need to leave at the cross? How can one be kind if they are angry? How can one be tender if they're bitter? How can one expect to forgive they're always in a rage? Notice this is something we are told to do ourselves. Yes, you do need to pray. Yes there will be days you will struggle. However this is something we are told to do. We're to put it away. Even as I type these words, I am thinking of bitterness and anger that I still harbor.
Vs.32. Now we can get to the place where we can be kind, compassionate, tenderhearted and forgiving.
I have some work to do with the Holy Spirit when I close this blog today. How about you?
I also want to encourage you to memorizes scripture, but I intend to memorize entire sections so the entire point is there and not just one point out of context.
God Bless.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Principle or Preference
Mathew 26:36-42 NIV tells the story of Jesus praying to the Father. He asked him to find another way if possible. Yet he submitted to the Father's will and laid down his life. The Roman's did not take it. He gave it willingly.
I am going through thing's, that I really don't want to go through, that will force me to lay down my will if I am to survive.
God I pray I get to the point where I can utter the words of Jesus, "Not my will, but yours." Am I going to follow you or my flesh?
God Bless
I am going through thing's, that I really don't want to go through, that will force me to lay down my will if I am to survive.
God I pray I get to the point where I can utter the words of Jesus, "Not my will, but yours." Am I going to follow you or my flesh?
God Bless
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Peace with God and Grace.
I have been blessed with Godly landlords. Bob reads his Bible every day. Several times a day. This morning when I came down for breakfast, one of their Bibles was on the table open to Romans 5. I started reading while chewing on my cereal. Talk about a God ordained moment.
Romans 5:1-8 NIV
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
How was I justified? Through faith. How do I have peace with God? Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Also take note that I STAND in grace. That is my position. My boasting is not in me or about me, but it is in my hope of the glory of God. This hope is not a wishful hope like getting a Christmas present or winning a prize. This is a done deal. We put our hope in one that we trust will not fail us.
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
I have to admit I still do not glory in suffering. I do understand it though. My wife filing for divorce was the worst pain I have ever experience. It feels like the death of a loved one. However God has used that pain to reveal in my heart the wickedness that I just did not see before. I am a VERY impatient man, yet I have been forced to wait on the Lord and persevere. The personal growth I have experienced is beyond explanation.
When I'm told "don't get your hopes up" I ignore those people. My hope is in God and there is no shame there. No matter what happens on this earth, God is in control.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Do you understand this? I was a SINNER when Christ chose to die for me. Their was nothing about me that was good. Therefore, I do NOT need to make myself "better" before I come to God. Going back to vs 2 it is through my faith in Christ's death for me that I STAND in grace. God's Riches At Christ's Expense.
I am a movie nut. In the most recent incarnation of Batman he says to Rachel, "It's not who I am underneath, it's what I do that defines me." WRONG! BACKWARD! If we have faith in Christ and have accepted his payment for our sin, then we stand in grace and that defines who we are. Every step we take from that point forward flows out of that hope.
We will flounder. We will make mistakes. We will sin. But all we need do is confess and the relationship will be restored.
I hope this passage has been as much a blessing to you as it was to me.
God Bless.
Romans 5:1-8 NIV
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
How was I justified? Through faith. How do I have peace with God? Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Also take note that I STAND in grace. That is my position. My boasting is not in me or about me, but it is in my hope of the glory of God. This hope is not a wishful hope like getting a Christmas present or winning a prize. This is a done deal. We put our hope in one that we trust will not fail us.
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
I have to admit I still do not glory in suffering. I do understand it though. My wife filing for divorce was the worst pain I have ever experience. It feels like the death of a loved one. However God has used that pain to reveal in my heart the wickedness that I just did not see before. I am a VERY impatient man, yet I have been forced to wait on the Lord and persevere. The personal growth I have experienced is beyond explanation.
When I'm told "don't get your hopes up" I ignore those people. My hope is in God and there is no shame there. No matter what happens on this earth, God is in control.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Do you understand this? I was a SINNER when Christ chose to die for me. Their was nothing about me that was good. Therefore, I do NOT need to make myself "better" before I come to God. Going back to vs 2 it is through my faith in Christ's death for me that I STAND in grace. God's Riches At Christ's Expense.
I am a movie nut. In the most recent incarnation of Batman he says to Rachel, "It's not who I am underneath, it's what I do that defines me." WRONG! BACKWARD! If we have faith in Christ and have accepted his payment for our sin, then we stand in grace and that defines who we are. Every step we take from that point forward flows out of that hope.
We will flounder. We will make mistakes. We will sin. But all we need do is confess and the relationship will be restored.
I hope this passage has been as much a blessing to you as it was to me.
God Bless.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
We can't go it alone.
Today's study was in Exodus 17:8-13 NIV and it recounted the battle between Israel and the Amalekites. As long has Moses held up his rod the Israelites were winning. When he lowered his rod they started losing. So when Moses got weak Aaron and Hur held up his arms. (Thank you Dr Stanley).
This got me thinking of Divorce Care. The men and women in my support group each hold one another up in prayer. We are a sounding board when another is in pain. As I listen around the group I know that I am not alone. Yesterday I was able to go to a member's house and listen to his story. I was able to share Psalm 37 NIV with him that has been a great encouragement to me. We were able to pray together and I left his home a bit more whole.
As Christians we can always go to God. We have the comforter living withing us and he can address issues within our hearts that no one else can. However I encourage you to share your struggle with a brother or sister in Christ. I encourage that men share with men and women share with women to prevent any inappropriate actions as one shares raw emotion. This is how we can carry eachother's burdens. We were not meant to travel this world alone.
God Bless.
As Christians we can always go to God. We have the comforter living withing us and he can address issues within our hearts that no one else can. However I encourage you to share your struggle with a brother or sister in Christ. I encourage that men share with men and women share with women to prevent any inappropriate actions as one shares raw emotion. This is how we can carry eachother's burdens. We were not meant to travel this world alone.
God Bless.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Remembering the Lord's Goodness
Take some time to read Joshua 3:14-4:7 NIV
"7b These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
How often I forget God's goodness and provision. On days like today where I read something that opens a wound in my heart and I once again begin to grieve for the loss of my marriage. The pit in my stomach began to grow to the point where I would have become dysfunctional today. It was at this point I remembered reading Psalm 37 NIV this morning at breakfast. It was that encouragement that gave me the strength and will to do my Bible study and to Blog.
This blog is my stone. My reminder of what God has done. Yes I put it up for the world to see, but these are the lessons that God gave me to help me grow. I can look back and see what the Lord has done when I have a hard day.
I encourage anyone reading this to journal what that Lord has done for them, so the when you forget or you have a "bad day" you can look back and remember.
God Bless.
"7b These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
How often I forget God's goodness and provision. On days like today where I read something that opens a wound in my heart and I once again begin to grieve for the loss of my marriage. The pit in my stomach began to grow to the point where I would have become dysfunctional today. It was at this point I remembered reading Psalm 37 NIV this morning at breakfast. It was that encouragement that gave me the strength and will to do my Bible study and to Blog.
This blog is my stone. My reminder of what God has done. Yes I put it up for the world to see, but these are the lessons that God gave me to help me grow. I can look back and see what the Lord has done when I have a hard day.
I encourage anyone reading this to journal what that Lord has done for them, so the when you forget or you have a "bad day" you can look back and remember.
God Bless.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Hebrews 4:13
Hebrews 4:13 NIV
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
This is the first verse from my devotional today. I've been meditating on this one fact for a while now. This reality is both comforting and frightening.
As kids we were accountable to our parents/guardians. As adults we are accountable to police, local, state and federal governments. We have bosses and spouses, pastors and elders and friends. But they don't know EVERYTHING. We can lie to them. We can go behind closed doors. We can keep secrets and as long as they don't catch us, they will never know.
God is different. He sees everything. Not only does he see everything we do, but he knows exactly why we did it. This can be disconcerting when you want to sin. He will see it. But this is good, because if each of us who believe actually take this to heart the sin in our lives will be diminished. Though if we leave it here it would be a legalistic, cold and fearful obedience. But we were not left here.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Jesus was tempted just as we are tempted. Yet he did not sin. He can empathize with our struggle. When we fail we can approach God with confidence and receive mercy and grace. We will not get what our sins deserve.
I want to address how vs 13 is comforting. When you are attacked for doing good or when you are falsely accused God see it. He knows who did it to you and he knows why they did it to you. When the day to day struggles of life surround you like a storm and you see no way out, God see it all. Even then you can approach God's throne and receive mercy and grace.
God Bless.
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
This is the first verse from my devotional today. I've been meditating on this one fact for a while now. This reality is both comforting and frightening.
As kids we were accountable to our parents/guardians. As adults we are accountable to police, local, state and federal governments. We have bosses and spouses, pastors and elders and friends. But they don't know EVERYTHING. We can lie to them. We can go behind closed doors. We can keep secrets and as long as they don't catch us, they will never know.
God is different. He sees everything. Not only does he see everything we do, but he knows exactly why we did it. This can be disconcerting when you want to sin. He will see it. But this is good, because if each of us who believe actually take this to heart the sin in our lives will be diminished. Though if we leave it here it would be a legalistic, cold and fearful obedience. But we were not left here.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Jesus was tempted just as we are tempted. Yet he did not sin. He can empathize with our struggle. When we fail we can approach God with confidence and receive mercy and grace. We will not get what our sins deserve.
I want to address how vs 13 is comforting. When you are attacked for doing good or when you are falsely accused God see it. He knows who did it to you and he knows why they did it to you. When the day to day struggles of life surround you like a storm and you see no way out, God see it all. Even then you can approach God's throne and receive mercy and grace.
God Bless.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Our advocate, the Spirit of truth.
Sunday I blogged on Flesh vs Spirit. Today's verses also speak of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:16-17 NIV
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
This is Jesus speaking. He asked the father to give us the Spirit of truth. Therefore the Holy Spirit is a gift from God himself.
Also take note that His Spirit is truth. So anything you receive from the Spirit is true, can be trusted and must be followed.
The head of the Trinity is giving only believers direct access to His Spirit. The world does not share in this gift.
We can know this Spirit because he lives within us and as stated in verse 16 will not leave us.
One of the things I struggle with now that I am heading for divorce against my will, is loneliness. I get to see my kids often, but it is not the same because I don't get to hear them around the house. I miss them terribly. I also miss my wife. For 22 years she has been my best friend. For almost 16 she has been my bride and my lover. Those are holes in my heart that hurt.
The KJV translates the word advocate as comforter. The Holy Spirit, who lives inside me and knows me better than I know myself, can comfort me in this loss if I walk in him and allow him to work.
Dear God, I want to trust you, but my flesh wants to be fed. I know in my head that your word is true and ask that you help me apply this knowledge to my heart. I want to walk in your Spirit as you guide me through this trial.
If any believer reading this has an empty space in their heart from loss or just the pain of life, I encourage you to join me in trusting in the Holy Spirit.
If you have never received Christ, I urge you to call out to Him today. It does not have to be elaborate. Admit you are a sinner. Accept Christ's payment for your sin. Receive the promised Spirit and start trusting him today. If you do this please send a comment and let me know. I would love to pray for you and contact each other off blog.
God Bless.
John 14:16-17 NIV
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
This is Jesus speaking. He asked the father to give us the Spirit of truth. Therefore the Holy Spirit is a gift from God himself.
Also take note that His Spirit is truth. So anything you receive from the Spirit is true, can be trusted and must be followed.
The head of the Trinity is giving only believers direct access to His Spirit. The world does not share in this gift.
We can know this Spirit because he lives within us and as stated in verse 16 will not leave us.
One of the things I struggle with now that I am heading for divorce against my will, is loneliness. I get to see my kids often, but it is not the same because I don't get to hear them around the house. I miss them terribly. I also miss my wife. For 22 years she has been my best friend. For almost 16 she has been my bride and my lover. Those are holes in my heart that hurt.
The KJV translates the word advocate as comforter. The Holy Spirit, who lives inside me and knows me better than I know myself, can comfort me in this loss if I walk in him and allow him to work.
Dear God, I want to trust you, but my flesh wants to be fed. I know in my head that your word is true and ask that you help me apply this knowledge to my heart. I want to walk in your Spirit as you guide me through this trial.
If any believer reading this has an empty space in their heart from loss or just the pain of life, I encourage you to join me in trusting in the Holy Spirit.
If you have never received Christ, I urge you to call out to Him today. It does not have to be elaborate. Admit you are a sinner. Accept Christ's payment for your sin. Receive the promised Spirit and start trusting him today. If you do this please send a comment and let me know. I would love to pray for you and contact each other off blog.
God Bless.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Spiritual Warfare
As Christians we are in a battle. It's a spiritual battle that has raged since the Garden of Eden and will continue till we are taken home to be with Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Our weapons, (Prayer, the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ and God himself), have the power to demolish strongholds. It makes me think of the way the catapult, followed by gunpowder and the cannon ended the castle era.
What are the strongholds the devil has in your life. I'm thinking of one right now that has controlled me for far too long. Time to let it go.
God I surrender this to you. I've kept it hidden away in my heart as one keeps a security blanket. Bottom line is I never trusted that you could take it away. I give it to you now.
I encourage anyone reading this that has struggled for so long with a sin that you allow the Holy Spirit to work in you and destroy that stronghold.
God Bless.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Our weapons, (Prayer, the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ and God himself), have the power to demolish strongholds. It makes me think of the way the catapult, followed by gunpowder and the cannon ended the castle era.
What are the strongholds the devil has in your life. I'm thinking of one right now that has controlled me for far too long. Time to let it go.
God I surrender this to you. I've kept it hidden away in my heart as one keeps a security blanket. Bottom line is I never trusted that you could take it away. I give it to you now.
I encourage anyone reading this that has struggled for so long with a sin that you allow the Holy Spirit to work in you and destroy that stronghold.
God Bless.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Flesh vs Spirit
Yesterday's study was a familiar passage to me in Galatians 5:16-26. So familiar that I thought "This again?". It was at then that the Holy Spirit convicted me of what I'd been doing for two days and I though, "Well, I just haven't learned the lesson yet."
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
I have come to realize how quickly I start to walk in the flesh. It starts the moment I take my eyes off the Lord. I moment I decide that "I can handle this" I begin to walk in my flesh and I am subject to all my lusts and desires.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Sadly too many of the things about are still occasionally part of my life. No, they are not my life style and I quickly confess my sin and I am forgiven. I have experienced actual distaste and actual aversion of these actions only to take my eye of Christ and soon find myself once again involved.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
I used to beat myself up that these are not always part of my life. I have since learned that my sanctification is a slow process that will not end till I am in heaven and Christ completes it. One does not plant an apple tree and get apple the next day, week or even year. When we planted saplings in our yard we were told not to expect fruit for 5 YEARS. Fruit takes time. And don't forget, this is grown in us by the Spirit. It is not something we do. So keep praying, reading you Bible and applying what you know. The Spirit will grow these in you life in his time.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
If something is crucified it is dead. Dead things cannot harm or control us. Let's chose right now to live by the Spirit. Confess any sin standing between you and God. Thank God and praise him for the forgiveness he provides through Christ Jesus. Worship Him today because he is worthy regardless of how you feel.
God Bless
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
I have come to realize how quickly I start to walk in the flesh. It starts the moment I take my eyes off the Lord. I moment I decide that "I can handle this" I begin to walk in my flesh and I am subject to all my lusts and desires.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Sadly too many of the things about are still occasionally part of my life. No, they are not my life style and I quickly confess my sin and I am forgiven. I have experienced actual distaste and actual aversion of these actions only to take my eye of Christ and soon find myself once again involved.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
I used to beat myself up that these are not always part of my life. I have since learned that my sanctification is a slow process that will not end till I am in heaven and Christ completes it. One does not plant an apple tree and get apple the next day, week or even year. When we planted saplings in our yard we were told not to expect fruit for 5 YEARS. Fruit takes time. And don't forget, this is grown in us by the Spirit. It is not something we do. So keep praying, reading you Bible and applying what you know. The Spirit will grow these in you life in his time.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
If something is crucified it is dead. Dead things cannot harm or control us. Let's chose right now to live by the Spirit. Confess any sin standing between you and God. Thank God and praise him for the forgiveness he provides through Christ Jesus. Worship Him today because he is worthy regardless of how you feel.
God Bless
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Psalm 139
For years I've been told to read the Psalms. There have been a few times that I've tried to incorporate them into my devotionals with limited success. I am currently on one of those attempts. I keep hearing phrases that are familiar only now I read/ hear them in context.
There is an song from the 60's / 70's and can't remember who sings it. My google search did not help either, but one of the verses goes like this. "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
I knew this was scripture, but I never really knew where. Tuesday, while listing to Psalms on my ipod I heard them again and decided to go back and study it.
Psalm 139 NIV
1 You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Here the writer acknowledges the truth that God knows us completely.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Here the writer acknowledges that one cannot go anywhere that God is not there. Comfort for those that seek God. Not good news for those that want to go and sin in "secret".
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
God knew us from the beginning. When I was a mere fertilized egg He knew me completely. Everything I would say, do and everything that would happen to me was right before Him.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
Here the writer petitions God and he pleads his case that he is on God's side.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
In the first sentence of this Psalm the writer said "You have searched me.." Here is plea for God to search him again. However search is not for God's benefit. It is for the benefit of the petitioner. He is acknowledging that there may be things in his heart that are not right. He is asking God to reveal those areas to him.
Are you ready to ask God this? Are you ready to submit to what he reveals? I'll admit the thought of praying this prayer is humbling.
1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I need to humble myself before God and wait for His timing. He knows my weaknesses and worries. I just have to give them up.
God Bless.
There is an song from the 60's / 70's and can't remember who sings it. My google search did not help either, but one of the verses goes like this. "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
I knew this was scripture, but I never really knew where. Tuesday, while listing to Psalms on my ipod I heard them again and decided to go back and study it.
Psalm 139 NIV
1 You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Here the writer acknowledges the truth that God knows us completely.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Here the writer acknowledges that one cannot go anywhere that God is not there. Comfort for those that seek God. Not good news for those that want to go and sin in "secret".
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
God knew us from the beginning. When I was a mere fertilized egg He knew me completely. Everything I would say, do and everything that would happen to me was right before Him.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
Here the writer petitions God and he pleads his case that he is on God's side.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
In the first sentence of this Psalm the writer said "You have searched me.." Here is plea for God to search him again. However search is not for God's benefit. It is for the benefit of the petitioner. He is acknowledging that there may be things in his heart that are not right. He is asking God to reveal those areas to him.
Are you ready to ask God this? Are you ready to submit to what he reveals? I'll admit the thought of praying this prayer is humbling.
1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I need to humble myself before God and wait for His timing. He knows my weaknesses and worries. I just have to give them up.
God Bless.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
More than I imagine.
Did not do my Bible study first thing today. I had "more important" thing to do. I finally get to it and read this words. Ephesians 3:20-21 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Wow I think. Thank you God for those words. I keep wanting to give up on my marriage, as it just seems impossible and my heart breaks. I keep reminding myself the God is bigger than my problems and to receive words like these when I desperately need something is encouraging.
This was and is a perfectly good application and interpretation of these verses. However, I really appreciate the perspective of Dr Stanley on these as well.
"...so often our focus is mainly on what we want Him to do around us:If He would change this situation or fix that problem, then my life would be better. But He invites us to think and ask bigger—He wants to change us!"
" Although He has an individualized plan for each one of His children, He also has an overarching goal—to conform every believer to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. In order to accomplish this, He may have to bring us through some struggles and heartaches. It might make no sense to us, but God knows exactly what He’s doing."
I am suddenly reminded of a song I used to hear on the Bill Gaither Trio record we owned as kids.
Thank you God that you have not and will not give up on me.
God Bless.
Wow I think. Thank you God for those words. I keep wanting to give up on my marriage, as it just seems impossible and my heart breaks. I keep reminding myself the God is bigger than my problems and to receive words like these when I desperately need something is encouraging.
"...so often our focus is mainly on what we want Him to do around us:If He would change this situation or fix that problem, then my life would be better. But He invites us to think and ask bigger—He wants to change us!"
" Although He has an individualized plan for each one of His children, He also has an overarching goal—to conform every believer to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. In order to accomplish this, He may have to bring us through some struggles and heartaches. It might make no sense to us, but God knows exactly what He’s doing."
I am suddenly reminded of a song I used to hear on the Bill Gaither Trio record we owned as kids.
"He's still working on me, to make me what I ought to be.
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars,
the sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient he must be, He's still working on me."
God Bless.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Unless the Lord builds the house...
Psalm 127:1
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
Listening to the Psalms again yesterday, the first part of this verse caught my ear. It made me start thinking about the way I've lived my life.
God has always been part of my life, but he has never BEEN my life. I'd consult him on the big things, but the day to day stuff I left him out. In today's devotional from Dr Stanley I read " In our self-reliant culture, we tend not to talk to the Lord about things we have under control or think we can handle ourselves." That pretty much sums up my entire Christian walk. I think I can handle it and only after I'm broke and desperate do I turn to God.
As I begin this new chapter, I want God to rebuild my life. That is the only way I'll have a life worth living.
God Bless.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
Listening to the Psalms again yesterday, the first part of this verse caught my ear. It made me start thinking about the way I've lived my life.
God has always been part of my life, but he has never BEEN my life. I'd consult him on the big things, but the day to day stuff I left him out. In today's devotional from Dr Stanley I read " In our self-reliant culture, we tend not to talk to the Lord about things we have under control or think we can handle ourselves." That pretty much sums up my entire Christian walk. I think I can handle it and only after I'm broke and desperate do I turn to God.
As I begin this new chapter, I want God to rebuild my life. That is the only way I'll have a life worth living.
God Bless.
Monday, October 3, 2011
What do I do now?
I just received the news I've been expecting and it's not what I'd hoped for. My wife and I will continue to move toward divorce. It breaks my heart. There is no animosity toward her, I am just a brokenhearted man.
So where do I go and what do I do? This picture that is making it's rounds on Facebook should give you a clue.
When I did my Bible study earlier today I fought the lesson. I did not want to share because it felt hypocritical. It was only AFTER I received the bad news and AFTER I surrendered to God the things I'd been holding back that the lesson became clear and something I wanted to share with you all.
Colossians 2:6-7
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
I received Christ by faith therefore I am to continue living my life by faith.
I don't know why God allowed my sin to continue to the point that I crushed my wife's spirit. I don't know why God did not heal her heart so she could feel safe to attempt to restore our marriage. Yes God hates divorce, but in His wisdom he has allowed this to happen because he has a plan for us to bring us closer to Him. Not quite sure how, but the how is His problem I just have to accept this on faith. The roots of my faith will grow as I trust him in this.
God I am thankful to you for the life you have given. I am sorry for the mess I've made of it. I trust that you know what is best for me. Amen.
God bless.
So where do I go and what do I do? This picture that is making it's rounds on Facebook should give you a clue.
Colossians 2:6-7
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
I received Christ by faith therefore I am to continue living my life by faith.
I don't know why God allowed my sin to continue to the point that I crushed my wife's spirit. I don't know why God did not heal her heart so she could feel safe to attempt to restore our marriage. Yes God hates divorce, but in His wisdom he has allowed this to happen because he has a plan for us to bring us closer to Him. Not quite sure how, but the how is His problem I just have to accept this on faith. The roots of my faith will grow as I trust him in this.
God I am thankful to you for the life you have given. I am sorry for the mess I've made of it. I trust that you know what is best for me. Amen.
God bless.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The called doing Great things.
I woke early to day with no alarm. My first thoughts were that God really wants me at my 7:30 Bible study since he woke me so early. (Last night I was so tired I said to God, "I'm not setting an alarm. If you want me at the study, you will need to wake me up.") It's 4:53 am right now. I've been up for approximately an hour.
So I think about what to do with the next 3 hours. I could go online and surf, I could start my laundry while eating breakfast or I could do my devotions and blog. You are reading this so, you know the path chosen.
Act 4:13 NIV was the passages used by Dr Charles Stanley today.
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Putting this verse into context, Peter had just healed a lame beggar in chapter 3. The religious leaders had put Peter and John in jail over night and the next day made them give an account of how this had been accomplished and by whose authority. Read Peter's defense. Acts 4:8-12 NIV
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
This is a far cry from the Peter we see in Luke 22:54-60 who denied Christ when a little girl realized he had been with Jesus.
Peter was an unschooled fisherman who had been with Jesus. When he submitted to Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit he was emboldened to do great things. I will close with the challenge posed by Dr Stanley today.
"Have you ever considered that your lack of ability, talent, or skill is the ideal setting for a great display of Christ's power and glory? If you are willing to submit to His leading and venture into the scary yet rewarding territory of faith and obedience, He will do great things in and through you."
God Bless.
So I think about what to do with the next 3 hours. I could go online and surf, I could start my laundry while eating breakfast or I could do my devotions and blog. You are reading this so, you know the path chosen.
Act 4:13 NIV was the passages used by Dr Charles Stanley today.
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Putting this verse into context, Peter had just healed a lame beggar in chapter 3. The religious leaders had put Peter and John in jail over night and the next day made them give an account of how this had been accomplished and by whose authority. Read Peter's defense. Acts 4:8-12 NIV
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
This is a far cry from the Peter we see in Luke 22:54-60 who denied Christ when a little girl realized he had been with Jesus.
Peter was an unschooled fisherman who had been with Jesus. When he submitted to Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit he was emboldened to do great things. I will close with the challenge posed by Dr Stanley today.
"Have you ever considered that your lack of ability, talent, or skill is the ideal setting for a great display of Christ's power and glory? If you are willing to submit to His leading and venture into the scary yet rewarding territory of faith and obedience, He will do great things in and through you."
God Bless.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)