- God's promise of provision. Mathew 6:19-34
- His Soveriegnty and Omnipotence. Jeremiah 32:17
- His promise to lift me up. 1 Peter 5:6-7
- His promise of a plan. Ephesians 1:11
- His promise of peace. Philipians 4:5-7
Blessings to all.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Lessons from Mary.
Listening to Pastor Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill last night. He shared some insight from the Christmas story, that I'd like to share. Luke 1:26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. After being told what would happen, she willingly surrendered to God's plan for her life. Please note that she was between 14 and 16 years of age. She was from a poor town and probably illiterate. For her to be pregnant could cost her her marriage to Joseph. It would cost her her reputation. Yet her answer was "may your word to me be fulfilled". Oh that I would have such faith. Another thing is verse "37 For no word from God will ever fail." I've seen the bumper sticker, "God says it. I believe it. That settles it." It's cute, but incorrect. The truth is "God says it. That settles it." So I am applying this statement from Gabriel to my situation in the meatgrinder. I will cling to:
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Jesus wept.
John 11:35 (New International Version, ©2011)
35 Jesus wept.
Shortest verse in the Bible. Popular with teens trying to win competitions at church for the most verses memorized. But why was Jesus weeping?
It was near Lazarus' tomb Mary and those with her were weeping. Jesus knew that Lazarus was dead and he knew what he was about to do. Yet he took the time to grieve with those that were at a loss.
Today I wept. Loud and long. I have not wept like this in a long time. My life is still in that meat grinder I mentioned in a previous blog, but that is not why I wept.
I've spent the morning listening to Pastor Steve Thompkins, Pastor James Harleman and Pastor Scott Thomas speak at Mars Hill Church during one of their mens conferences. There are four messages on our Pursuit, Passions, Performance and Heart. The Holy Spirit has moved in my heart and I have wept before God. The meat grinder I'm in is a machine of my own making.
I don't know what God's plans are for me, but for the first time I think I'm actually listening to him. I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit this morning. I have a craving more of all that is God.
I praise God for tears. Some this morning have been bitter. Some have been surrender. Some have been repentance. Some have been joy. All have washed away some of the pain and grief I've been carrying.
I feel good.
Blessings.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Blessings from today's listening.
I'm listening to the Psalms this morning on my ipod. Just thought I'd share some verses that touched me today. No commentary.
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Psalm 43:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Psalm 49:16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
and people praise you when you prosper—
19 they will join those who have gone before them,
who will never again see the light of life.
20 People who have wealth but lack understanding
are like the beasts that perish.
God Bless.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Is it a sin to worry?
I'm lying in bed last night and I could not sleep. My life is in a meat grinder right now and I have no idea what God has planned for me. So I lay in bed half praying half worrying and getting nowhere but frustrated. Suddenly I had the thought. Is it a sin to worry? I confess to God that I was worrying and very soon I was asleep.
The question still stands this morning. Is worry a sin. Let's dig in.
Mathew 6::25 Says "Therefore do not worry about your life..." I've been taught that when one sees a "Therefore" back up to see what it there for. So we'll begin with verse 19.
Matthew 6:19-34 (New International Version, ©2011)
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I am very materialistic. I want "the next best thing". I'm a movie collector and a shooter. So I want all the movies I can get my hands on and just about every pistol, rifle or shotgun used in any of the films I see. These at times become an obsession that makes everything else I think about second place. I've often spent money I don't have (credit) on these things that I don't need. There is joy in the aquisition, but it is very short lived.
Verse 20 talks of storing up in heaven and verse 21 talks about the treasure of the heart. I'm so wrapped up in the things of this world that the things of heaven take last place most of the time.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
What am I taking in through the lamps in my body? What am I watching? That's what I get here.
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Serving me, man, money, lust or glutteny all come in conflict with serving God. I cannot serve God and continue to chase after this world. I think of how many hours I spend on movies, guns and facebook vs how many hours I spend in God's word, prayer or worship.
Now we come to the "therefore" in verse 25.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I'm so busy with aquiring "stuff" that I don't take the time to look for God. To appreciate Him for who He is. I miss out on God's peace because I'm not grateful for what I have and want MORE. Philipians 4:6-8
I'm reminded of the story of the man that brought his deaf and mute son to Jesus saying "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
Mark 9:23-25 (New International Version, ©2011)
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
Help me overcome my unbelief dear God.
This morning I opened my e-mail to do my morning devotional. Today's passage is Revelation 5 I encourage you to take the time to read it. I was encouraged and reminded that THIS is the God in whom I was doubting last night. A humbling experience.
God Bless.
The question still stands this morning. Is worry a sin. Let's dig in.
Mathew 6::25 Says "Therefore do not worry about your life..." I've been taught that when one sees a "Therefore" back up to see what it there for. So we'll begin with verse 19.
Matthew 6:19-34 (New International Version, ©2011)
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I am very materialistic. I want "the next best thing". I'm a movie collector and a shooter. So I want all the movies I can get my hands on and just about every pistol, rifle or shotgun used in any of the films I see. These at times become an obsession that makes everything else I think about second place. I've often spent money I don't have (credit) on these things that I don't need. There is joy in the aquisition, but it is very short lived.
Verse 20 talks of storing up in heaven and verse 21 talks about the treasure of the heart. I'm so wrapped up in the things of this world that the things of heaven take last place most of the time.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
What am I taking in through the lamps in my body? What am I watching? That's what I get here.
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Serving me, man, money, lust or glutteny all come in conflict with serving God. I cannot serve God and continue to chase after this world. I think of how many hours I spend on movies, guns and facebook vs how many hours I spend in God's word, prayer or worship.
Now we come to the "therefore" in verse 25.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I'm so busy with aquiring "stuff" that I don't take the time to look for God. To appreciate Him for who He is. I miss out on God's peace because I'm not grateful for what I have and want MORE. Philipians 4:6-8
I'm reminded of the story of the man that brought his deaf and mute son to Jesus saying "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
Mark 9:23-25 (New International Version, ©2011)
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
Help me overcome my unbelief dear God.
This morning I opened my e-mail to do my morning devotional. Today's passage is Revelation 5 I encourage you to take the time to read it. I was encouraged and reminded that THIS is the God in whom I was doubting last night. A humbling experience.
God Bless.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
God is in Control
My life fell apart yesterday. I sat at 6am in Dunkin Donuts at a loss of what to do. I called three friends and my pastor. All of them responded. After a meeting with Pastor God provided in ways that I could not have imagined.
As my head finally hit the pillow I felt blessed at how quickly God and his people responded in my time of need. I could see his hand in the way everything fell into place.
When I arrived at work 10 pm Tuesday my devotional verse was:
Ephesians 1:11 (New International Version, ©2011)
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Wow. The situation I'm in is not an accident. As my friend shared earlier in the day God is not wringing his hands not knowing what to do next in my life. God's will will be accomplished in the situation.
Well here it is a little after 4am and I check my e-mail to see if today's devo has arrived. It had.
Jeremiah 32:17 (New International Version, ©2011)
17 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Double Wow! I tend to forget how powerful God really is. My situation is not beyond his power.
I'm reminded again that I need to trust him and wait for his timing to work things out.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (New International Version, ©2011)
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.
Have a blessed day folks.
As my head finally hit the pillow I felt blessed at how quickly God and his people responded in my time of need. I could see his hand in the way everything fell into place.
When I arrived at work 10 pm Tuesday my devotional verse was:
Ephesians 1:11 (New International Version, ©2011)
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Wow. The situation I'm in is not an accident. As my friend shared earlier in the day God is not wringing his hands not knowing what to do next in my life. God's will will be accomplished in the situation.
Well here it is a little after 4am and I check my e-mail to see if today's devo has arrived. It had.
Jeremiah 32:17 (New International Version, ©2011)
17 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Double Wow! I tend to forget how powerful God really is. My situation is not beyond his power.
I'm reminded again that I need to trust him and wait for his timing to work things out.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (New International Version, ©2011)
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.
Have a blessed day folks.
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