While listening to Psalms on my ipod yesterday, my mind latched onto a verse or two that caused me to write Ps 106 on the board. It is tough to meditate on a verse while the reader keeps reading. Today I took the time to follow up.
The first verse that struck home when reading was vs 13 NIV But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold.
I look back and see what God has done in my life. There is no reason not to trust him, yet I often take matters into my own hands because God is "taking too long" I try to manipulate circumstances to get the outcome I am looking for.
I have to wait for God's plan to unfold. I admit it's a struggle for me. I want a yes or no and I want definite direction NOW. I need to learn patience.
Next were vs 20-21 NIV 20 They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass. 21 They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt,
This could be updated and personalized to, They exchanged their glorious God for [fill in what you value more than God right now]. They forgot the God who had saved them, who had done great things in their lives. I am sure anyone reading this can think of something they willingly exchange for God. We excuse it and justify it. It does not change the fact that we have put this activity or thing above God.
The final verses I want to share are 43-46 NIV 43 Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. 44 Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; 45 for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. 46 He caused all who held them captive to show them mercy.
Thank God for his mercy. No matter how bent on rebellion or how deep in sin if I cry out he hears me. He restores me.
Cry out to Him. He will restore you too.
God Bless.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
How do we react when we fail?
In 1 Samuel 13 we can read the account of King Saul's first justification of not following God's instructions. As a youth I was hard on Saul, now since I justify my actions so often I am glad that God deals grace to me and not justice.
If you read the next several chapter's you will see that Saul does not repent and submit to God. He continuously fights against God. He even tries to murder David and one time murder his own Son. He did not end well.
Read Luke 22:21-34, 56-62
Peter swore he'd never abandon Christ...yet he did. When he realized his failure he wept bitterly. You can read about Peter's restoration to Christ in John 21:15-19 Peter went on to serve the Lord in incredible ways. Church tradition tell us the Peter died a martyr's death by crucifiction.
If one had told me in late August what would happen this past weekend, I would have told them they were crazy. Yet like Peter I failed in a way I swore would NEVER happen. I ignored numerous prompts by the Holy Spirit to stop. My pain had become more important than anything including my relationship to Christ so I did what I wanted. Come Sunday I realized how far I'd fallen and it took a while to accept Christ's forgiveness because this was willful disobedience.
Last night on my knees I wept bitterly. I prayed earnestly for God to bring us to full restoration. He has and I write this blog with a clean heart.
If you have ever failed remember that God will always forgive you if you confess. In fact this verse promises that he will cleanse you from ALL unrighteousness. Go to God today. He's waiting for you.
God Bless.
If you read the next several chapter's you will see that Saul does not repent and submit to God. He continuously fights against God. He even tries to murder David and one time murder his own Son. He did not end well.
Read Luke 22:21-34, 56-62
Peter swore he'd never abandon Christ...yet he did. When he realized his failure he wept bitterly. You can read about Peter's restoration to Christ in John 21:15-19 Peter went on to serve the Lord in incredible ways. Church tradition tell us the Peter died a martyr's death by crucifiction.
If one had told me in late August what would happen this past weekend, I would have told them they were crazy. Yet like Peter I failed in a way I swore would NEVER happen. I ignored numerous prompts by the Holy Spirit to stop. My pain had become more important than anything including my relationship to Christ so I did what I wanted. Come Sunday I realized how far I'd fallen and it took a while to accept Christ's forgiveness because this was willful disobedience.
Last night on my knees I wept bitterly. I prayed earnestly for God to bring us to full restoration. He has and I write this blog with a clean heart.
If you have ever failed remember that God will always forgive you if you confess. In fact this verse promises that he will cleanse you from ALL unrighteousness. Go to God today. He's waiting for you.
God Bless.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The next step.
Yesterday's blog was on Joy. If you did not read it go there first and then come back here. As today is a continuation of yesterday.
James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Now we know HOW to have that joy in trials and tribulations. Ask God for wisdom dealing with what you are going through. But not as someone who turns to Him hope that he might get an answer. We must ask Him KNOWING that God will provide the wisdom.
Part of the struggles we face is receiving God's wisdom and then thinking "I can do it another way". There in comes the double-mindedness. No rock to stand on because God's wisdom isn't good enough for us. And there can be no Joy because you do not trust God and chose to go it alone.
God Bless.
James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Now we know HOW to have that joy in trials and tribulations. Ask God for wisdom dealing with what you are going through. But not as someone who turns to Him hope that he might get an answer. We must ask Him KNOWING that God will provide the wisdom.
Part of the struggles we face is receiving God's wisdom and then thinking "I can do it another way". There in comes the double-mindedness. No rock to stand on because God's wisdom isn't good enough for us. And there can be no Joy because you do not trust God and chose to go it alone.
God Bless.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Joy.
Several years ago, I was listening to my friend Bob speak of how rough life was for him. He was swimming in debt and just saw no way out of the hole. I on the other hand was going through a period of blessing. My credit cards were paid and my wife and I were both making fair money. I remember thanking God for the blessings and asking him when it was my turn to suffer like Bob.
Flash forward to this past March. "Peter Dearing, come on down! You're the next contestant on WATCH OUT! LIFE COMES AT YOU FAST." In March my wife told me I had to leave as she had filed for divorce. In April I learned my job was not going to last the year. In May I ended up in the hospital for surgery and they screwed it up so it had to be done twice.
So now I have bills and soon no income. What to do?
I turned to God and he has provided. I have learned so much over past 6 months the I now understand when James 1:2-4 says:
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Joy does not mean happiness. It means being able to know that God is in charge. That what I am going through is not a mistake. He was not taken by surprise. He is not having me settle for plan B.
I am by no means happy in my situation, but I have learned to lean on Christ in a brand new way. My faith has been tested and I have learned that it is real. That I truly am a child of God. I have learned a bit of perseverance and even learned to be more mature and since March I have really lacked nothing.
My failed marriage saddens me, but I praise God for the man he is making me into.
This is the first time I mentioned my pending divorce in this blog and I do so with her permission. I want all reading this to understand I am by no means an innocent victim of a wayward wife. I did not follow God's principles for marriage for most of the 15 years we were together and I crushed my wife's spirit. I made good strides starting last year but it was too little too late.
I have confessed to her and to God my sin and received forgiveness from both. Though there is no eternal condemnation for me, there are still earthly consequences for that sin. The hardest part for me is what my children will be forced to deal with.
Yet despite all that you now know, I have joy in Christ. This hurts, but it is for my own good.
God Bless.
Flash forward to this past March. "Peter Dearing, come on down! You're the next contestant on WATCH OUT! LIFE COMES AT YOU FAST." In March my wife told me I had to leave as she had filed for divorce. In April I learned my job was not going to last the year. In May I ended up in the hospital for surgery and they screwed it up so it had to be done twice.
So now I have bills and soon no income. What to do?
I turned to God and he has provided. I have learned so much over past 6 months the I now understand when James 1:2-4 says:
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Joy does not mean happiness. It means being able to know that God is in charge. That what I am going through is not a mistake. He was not taken by surprise. He is not having me settle for plan B.
I am by no means happy in my situation, but I have learned to lean on Christ in a brand new way. My faith has been tested and I have learned that it is real. That I truly am a child of God. I have learned a bit of perseverance and even learned to be more mature and since March I have really lacked nothing.
My failed marriage saddens me, but I praise God for the man he is making me into.
This is the first time I mentioned my pending divorce in this blog and I do so with her permission. I want all reading this to understand I am by no means an innocent victim of a wayward wife. I did not follow God's principles for marriage for most of the 15 years we were together and I crushed my wife's spirit. I made good strides starting last year but it was too little too late.
I have confessed to her and to God my sin and received forgiveness from both. Though there is no eternal condemnation for me, there are still earthly consequences for that sin. The hardest part for me is what my children will be forced to deal with.
Yet despite all that you now know, I have joy in Christ. This hurts, but it is for my own good.
God Bless.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Inclination
Two devotionals today from two different me, yet our God has them bring similar messages. So similar I had to share.
First I read from Dr Piper this morning.
Psalm 119:36 NASB
36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain.
The Psalmist is asking that his heart be inclinded to God and the things of God.
Second I read from Charles Stanley.
Psalm 40:1 NASB
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
I just loved how the to verses fit. If I incline my heart to God, cry out and patiently wait for Him, He will incline back to me.
This reminds me of James 4:8
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
God Bless.
First I read from Dr Piper this morning.
Psalm 119:36 NASB
36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain.
The Psalmist is asking that his heart be inclinded to God and the things of God.
Second I read from Charles Stanley.
Psalm 40:1 NASB
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
I just loved how the to verses fit. If I incline my heart to God, cry out and patiently wait for Him, He will incline back to me.
This reminds me of James 4:8
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
God Bless.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Truth.
I got an email this morning. The content was heavy and I was humbled that the sender would open up that much to me. Gut reaction was to reassure and not say anything that may upset the delicate balance to our relationship.
I refused and I told the truth as we should. What a joyous response I received and now I know this person wants a deeper friendship.
John 8:31-31 NIV 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Now Jesus was taking about the truth of who he was and these verses are dealing with Salvation. However I want to apply the truth setting us free to my situation.
I told the whole truth and the person responded positively. We've entered into a deeper level of respect and trust. I am now free to be open and honest. And this person knows I can be trusted to not lie to them.
But what if this person got mad? What if they rejected my statements and never spoke to me again? I'd STILL be free. Why? Because that relationship is not one I'd wish to pursue. Yes I would apply Ephesians 4:3 and "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.", but I don't change who I am in that effort.
God Bless.
I refused and I told the truth as we should. What a joyous response I received and now I know this person wants a deeper friendship.
John 8:31-31 NIV 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Now Jesus was taking about the truth of who he was and these verses are dealing with Salvation. However I want to apply the truth setting us free to my situation.
I told the whole truth and the person responded positively. We've entered into a deeper level of respect and trust. I am now free to be open and honest. And this person knows I can be trusted to not lie to them.
But what if this person got mad? What if they rejected my statements and never spoke to me again? I'd STILL be free. Why? Because that relationship is not one I'd wish to pursue. Yes I would apply Ephesians 4:3 and "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.", but I don't change who I am in that effort.
God Bless.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Affliction
Steve will recognize this when he reads it. Thank you brother for sharing the verses.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
75 I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
God allows affliction in our lives to show us areas that need to change.
The last few month has been the most painful experience in my life, but I can say in all honesty it has been the BEST time of my life. Why? Because when my human friends have been unavailable I had God alone to turn to. When I would humbled myself and turned to him, he has proven his sufficiency. I have learned that all the "stuff" in the world will not make me happy. Only he brings true joy.
God Bless.
Psalm 119:67
New International Version (NIV)
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
Psalm 119:71
New International Version (NIV)
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
Psalm 119:75
New International Version (NIV)
75 I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
Psalm 119:77
New International Version (NIV)
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
God allows affliction in our lives to show us areas that need to change.
The last few month has been the most painful experience in my life, but I can say in all honesty it has been the BEST time of my life. Why? Because when my human friends have been unavailable I had God alone to turn to. When I would humbled myself and turned to him, he has proven his sufficiency. I have learned that all the "stuff" in the world will not make me happy. Only he brings true joy.
God Bless.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
God’s Love and Ours
I wasn't planning on blogging again today, but these verses build on the earlier one. Had to share.
1 John 4:7-10
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
There is no question of what came first. God loved us first. Therefore he sent his Son so we can live through him. Now we must show that love to others. If we don't show His love we had best examine our hearts to see that we are truly in the faith.
God Bless.
1 John 4:7-10
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
There is no question of what came first. God loved us first. Therefore he sent his Son so we can live through him. Now we must show that love to others. If we don't show His love we had best examine our hearts to see that we are truly in the faith.
God Bless.
Spiritual Blessings
Ephesians 1:3-10
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
As a society, America divides things into spiritual and secular. I see it in they eyes of people I speak with when I mention God or scripture and their influence on my life. Here we see that those who have accepted Christ's payment for sin and follow him, have been blessed with every spiritual blessing.
I'll admit, I'm selfish. Many times I wish I'd be blessed with material blessings. But God has not given me those things because he knows I will only use them for my own selfish desires.
It is the spiritual blessing that will not be stolen or destroyed.
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ,
If you ever get depressed, think on this truth. Before the creation of the world you were chosen by God to be made holy and blameless. Not through what you have done but through what Christ has done. God knew every screw up and sin you would ever commit and still chose you. You can't surprise him or make him stop loving you. He loved you before and still loves you now. Remember that becoming like Christ is a lifelong process that will not be completed till we die and live with him. Then completes the process.
in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
And this is why he did it. He wanted to. He wanted to show us grace which we receive freely through Christ.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
Look at these spiritual blessings! Redemption. We've been bought back from sin and death. Forgiveness. We can have fellowship with God. Notice we're not just forgiven. Grace was lavished on us. The means to expend profusely. In other word lots and lots. Also note that God was not spending like a "drunken sailor." He lavished us with grace with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding. How much of his wisdom and understanding? All of it. No mistakes. No oops.
9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
This was all done in his timing for his good pleasure. It was to unite everything under Christ.
Our neighbor may have more that this world has to offer, but all of it will still be here when they die. We who follow Christ have so much more. We need to share it with them.
God Bless.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
As a society, America divides things into spiritual and secular. I see it in they eyes of people I speak with when I mention God or scripture and their influence on my life. Here we see that those who have accepted Christ's payment for sin and follow him, have been blessed with every spiritual blessing.
I'll admit, I'm selfish. Many times I wish I'd be blessed with material blessings. But God has not given me those things because he knows I will only use them for my own selfish desires.
It is the spiritual blessing that will not be stolen or destroyed.
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ,
If you ever get depressed, think on this truth. Before the creation of the world you were chosen by God to be made holy and blameless. Not through what you have done but through what Christ has done. God knew every screw up and sin you would ever commit and still chose you. You can't surprise him or make him stop loving you. He loved you before and still loves you now. Remember that becoming like Christ is a lifelong process that will not be completed till we die and live with him. Then completes the process.
in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
And this is why he did it. He wanted to. He wanted to show us grace which we receive freely through Christ.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
Look at these spiritual blessings! Redemption. We've been bought back from sin and death. Forgiveness. We can have fellowship with God. Notice we're not just forgiven. Grace was lavished on us. The means to expend profusely. In other word lots and lots. Also note that God was not spending like a "drunken sailor." He lavished us with grace with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding. How much of his wisdom and understanding? All of it. No mistakes. No oops.
9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
This was all done in his timing for his good pleasure. It was to unite everything under Christ.
Our neighbor may have more that this world has to offer, but all of it will still be here when they die. We who follow Christ have so much more. We need to share it with them.
God Bless.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Wow! Wow! Wow! and again Wow!
Just before I opened my email I was thinking about the fact that my job is ending soon. Right now they're talking mid October or later. I'm thinking end of this month. I was not worrying I was just mulling.
So I open my devotional and the verse for today was Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Notice the verse does not say GREEDS. My God knows I need a job. He knows I need food. He knows I need a place to live. He knows I have family I must provide for.
Now I have to do my part and look for job, but my future is in his hands so I don't have to worry.
God Bless.
So I open my devotional and the verse for today was Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Notice the verse does not say GREEDS. My God knows I need a job. He knows I need food. He knows I need a place to live. He knows I have family I must provide for.
Now I have to do my part and look for job, but my future is in his hands so I don't have to worry.
God Bless.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
I wasn't going to blog for a while. My life's been tough lately as any regular reader of my blog will know and I am a bit overwhelmed. I was going to take a break.
Then I got a message from my cousin who reads my blog every day and I remembered why I started this blog in the first place. I wanted to tell others of what Christ has done and is doing for me. I also remembered what this has become to mean to me as I work through scripture and incorporate it into my life. This fool was actually going to walk away from his only reliable source of comfort and that is the Word and these lessons that I share with you all in cyber space. So I open today's Bible study and our ever faithful father provides these verses.
Romans 8:35-37
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
NOTHING can separate me from the love of Christ. Not my failures or sin. Not my dumb choices. NOTHING! In fact I am more than a conqueror. Not through anything that I did, but through Christ.
Thank you cousin for your note today.
God bless.
Then I got a message from my cousin who reads my blog every day and I remembered why I started this blog in the first place. I wanted to tell others of what Christ has done and is doing for me. I also remembered what this has become to mean to me as I work through scripture and incorporate it into my life. This fool was actually going to walk away from his only reliable source of comfort and that is the Word and these lessons that I share with you all in cyber space. So I open today's Bible study and our ever faithful father provides these verses.
Romans 8:35-37
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
NOTHING can separate me from the love of Christ. Not my failures or sin. Not my dumb choices. NOTHING! In fact I am more than a conqueror. Not through anything that I did, but through Christ.
Thank you cousin for your note today.
God bless.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Comfort sins giving no more comfort.
We all have them. It's that pet sin we've done for so long that we cannot imagine our life without it. I remember when I was addicted to cigarettes. I just could not imagine functioning with out those 40 plus sticks a day. Yet here I sit 15 years later without one.
So I got a phone call yesterday. There is nothing I could say or do to prevent the end of my lifelong dream. I was crushed. So I tuned to my comfort sin and found it empty.
The Holy Spirit started flooding my mind with scripture. He also brought this song to my mind. Thanks to hearing loss I had to go home and look up some of the words.
So I got a phone call yesterday. There is nothing I could say or do to prevent the end of my lifelong dream. I was crushed. So I tuned to my comfort sin and found it empty.
The Holy Spirit started flooding my mind with scripture. He also brought this song to my mind. Thanks to hearing loss I had to go home and look up some of the words.
I stopped what I was doing and sought God's face.
I'm still crushed. My dream is still over. Yet I am full. I am content.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
"...because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly."
Deuteronomy 1:19-36. Moses retells about the spies being sent into the promised land and 10 of the 12 spread fear about the people so they refused to obey God and enter. What struck me today is what God said about Caleb.
35 “No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, 36 except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.”
I'm not there yet. Not even close.
God Bless.
35 “No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, 36 except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.”
I'm not there yet. Not even close.
God Bless.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
God does not need my help.
I still battle the flesh as I want to take the reigns and move forward with my situation. However I keep being taught by God to be patient. Today is no different. That's why my study is so pertinent.
Genesis 16:1-6 tells the story of Abraham and Sarai and how they did not wait for God but tried to force his promise of a son through Sarai's maidservant Hagar. It caused a rift in the family and is the root cause of many of the problems in the middle east today.
Applying this to my issue. If I try to force God's hand I will only cause a rift in my own home that can ripple throughout my entire life.
God grant me the patience to wait for your timing.
God Bless.
Genesis 16:1-6 tells the story of Abraham and Sarai and how they did not wait for God but tried to force his promise of a son through Sarai's maidservant Hagar. It caused a rift in the family and is the root cause of many of the problems in the middle east today.
Applying this to my issue. If I try to force God's hand I will only cause a rift in my own home that can ripple throughout my entire life.
God grant me the patience to wait for your timing.
God Bless.
Friday, September 2, 2011
God works behind the scenes.
First off let me start by saying I was mulling my situation this morning and figuring out what to say or how to react. I was wondering what steps I needed to take to improve my situation. Thanks to my love for music it is ALWAYS in my head. Suddenly I became aware that I was singing IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL. Check the back story here. I am humbled by the faith of the author of that Hymn.
Flash forward to my devotional today and it is the story from Joshua 2:1-24. Familiar and yet Dr. Stanley brought to life a point that I had never considered.
The spies had just arrived, but God was already working in the hearts of the people of Jericho and they were afraid. The Isrealites had not done a thing.
Applying this to my situation. I do nothing. There is nothing I can do. Interesting that just this morning I looked in the mirror and said, "God only you can...."
Waiting and trusting is not my style. I like to DO. Learning to trust and learning to wait are not easy.
God Bless.
Flash forward to my devotional today and it is the story from Joshua 2:1-24. Familiar and yet Dr. Stanley brought to life a point that I had never considered.
The spies had just arrived, but God was already working in the hearts of the people of Jericho and they were afraid. The Isrealites had not done a thing.
Applying this to my situation. I do nothing. There is nothing I can do. Interesting that just this morning I looked in the mirror and said, "God only you can...."
Waiting and trusting is not my style. I like to DO. Learning to trust and learning to wait are not easy.
God Bless.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
A gentle reminder from scripture.
Received a disappointing e-mail this morning. I was crushed when I read the content. The desire to give up and move on was so present. Unlike the past I immediately opened my other e-mail containing my daily devotional.
I found it interesting the verses for today were 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 as these verses have come up a lot lately.
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
I can't quit. I belong to God. I know what he requires of me. I must keep on keeping on.
God bless.
I found it interesting the verses for today were 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 as these verses have come up a lot lately.
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
I can't quit. I belong to God. I know what he requires of me. I must keep on keeping on.
God bless.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A living Sacrifice
Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
When one sees a "Therefore" in scripture, I was taught you should go back and see what it is there for. This verse refers back to the first 11 chapters of Romans where Paul emphasizes what Christ has done for us and that we are saved by faith and not by works. That nothing we do can earn our way to favor with God. I was all done by mercy.
In light of these facts we're to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice. Jews would understand what a sacrifice was. They put aside animals to be sacrificed at different festivals and times of sacrifice. The thing about the sacrifice is once it was killed, it was gone. Dead.
So how does one be a "living: sacrifice?
One dies to oneself daily. (Luke 9:23) As and American I have the Constitution and have certain rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights. We are to be good stewards of these freedoms, but when they conflict with God's will for our lives we must willingly give them up. In our daily relationships we willingly give up our "right" to win. (Philippians 2:3-4) In our daily plans we must seek God's plan first and align our plans up with His.
One does not conform to the world. We all have to dress, eat, work and play. However in these day to day activities the world should see that we are different. Our dress should be modest. Our food should be in moderation. Our work should be as unto the Lord. Our play should be pleasing to Him. I won't give you specifics for each of these other than two principals found in Romans when Paul was discussing sacred days and meat sacrificed to Idols..
One is transformed by the renewing of their mind. This can only be accomplished by scripture and allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate the WORD. I have found this truth to be so evident in the past few months. Things that used to entice me still do, but the truth of scripture has made these thing less and less important. I can actually function without being pulled away by my selfish desires so often.
God Bless.
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
When one sees a "Therefore" in scripture, I was taught you should go back and see what it is there for. This verse refers back to the first 11 chapters of Romans where Paul emphasizes what Christ has done for us and that we are saved by faith and not by works. That nothing we do can earn our way to favor with God. I was all done by mercy.
In light of these facts we're to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice. Jews would understand what a sacrifice was. They put aside animals to be sacrificed at different festivals and times of sacrifice. The thing about the sacrifice is once it was killed, it was gone. Dead.
So how does one be a "living: sacrifice?
One dies to oneself daily. (Luke 9:23) As and American I have the Constitution and have certain rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights. We are to be good stewards of these freedoms, but when they conflict with God's will for our lives we must willingly give them up. In our daily relationships we willingly give up our "right" to win. (Philippians 2:3-4) In our daily plans we must seek God's plan first and align our plans up with His.
One does not conform to the world. We all have to dress, eat, work and play. However in these day to day activities the world should see that we are different. Our dress should be modest. Our food should be in moderation. Our work should be as unto the Lord. Our play should be pleasing to Him. I won't give you specifics for each of these other than two principals found in Romans when Paul was discussing sacred days and meat sacrificed to Idols..
- If you are convinced that your actions are pure then keep it between you and God.
- Do not be a stumbling block to your brother.
One is transformed by the renewing of their mind. This can only be accomplished by scripture and allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate the WORD. I have found this truth to be so evident in the past few months. Things that used to entice me still do, but the truth of scripture has made these thing less and less important. I can actually function without being pulled away by my selfish desires so often.
God Bless.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Keep on keeping on.
Romans 12:11-13
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Zeal. Fervor. Are those the words you would chose to describe yourself when serving? I know when I taught Pioneer Club many times toward the end of the year it was more of a "can't wait till it's over" or "just have to survive" attitude.
How about work? We are commanded to do everything as if it is for God. (Colossians 3:23-24) Do we approach our job with zeal?
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Remember that joy is not happiness. You can be going through a rough time and still have joy. One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. He will teach you joy in all circumstances.
When affliction comes wait for God. Yesterday's blog dealt with the fact that I was losing patience with what I thought was a lack of progress. God has you where you are for a reason. Learn that lesson well...the first time. Be aware that your situation may not be just for you, but also for those that witness how you go through that trial trusting God.
Do you pray? I have never prayed more than I have since March of this year. My prayers are no longer "Give this that and the other thing. Forgive my sins and rubber stamp my plans." I've learned to weep before the Lord. I've learned brokenness. It was only through spending time with God daily that these skill developed. Prayer takes time, effort and faithfulness. My prayers are better, but I've still go a long way to go.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
I had one of the best examples of this in my parents. Especially mom. Hospitality comes as natural to her as breathing. Though I am quick to share when I have extra, I am not so quick when things are tight. How quick are you?
Remember that all we have comes from God. (1 Chronicles 29:14)( Psalm 24:1)( Haggai 2:8) Giving him back what is already His will only bring us blessing as we trust his provision.
God Bless.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Zeal. Fervor. Are those the words you would chose to describe yourself when serving? I know when I taught Pioneer Club many times toward the end of the year it was more of a "can't wait till it's over" or "just have to survive" attitude.
How about work? We are commanded to do everything as if it is for God. (Colossians 3:23-24) Do we approach our job with zeal?
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Remember that joy is not happiness. You can be going through a rough time and still have joy. One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. He will teach you joy in all circumstances.
When affliction comes wait for God. Yesterday's blog dealt with the fact that I was losing patience with what I thought was a lack of progress. God has you where you are for a reason. Learn that lesson well...the first time. Be aware that your situation may not be just for you, but also for those that witness how you go through that trial trusting God.
Do you pray? I have never prayed more than I have since March of this year. My prayers are no longer "Give this that and the other thing. Forgive my sins and rubber stamp my plans." I've learned to weep before the Lord. I've learned brokenness. It was only through spending time with God daily that these skill developed. Prayer takes time, effort and faithfulness. My prayers are better, but I've still go a long way to go.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
I had one of the best examples of this in my parents. Especially mom. Hospitality comes as natural to her as breathing. Though I am quick to share when I have extra, I am not so quick when things are tight. How quick are you?
Remember that all we have comes from God. (1 Chronicles 29:14)( Psalm 24:1)( Haggai 2:8) Giving him back what is already His will only bring us blessing as we trust his provision.
God Bless.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Waiting for Answers to Prayer.
I am reading in 1 Kings 18:37-40 the story of Elijah calling fire down from heaven to prove to the Israelites the Baal is NOT God. Elijah prayed and immediately fire fell from heaven and consumed everything.
What about me? I have been praying about my problem since March. When do I get my answer? When do I get my life back?
Immediately I thought of Jesus praying in the garden in Mathew 26.
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Here we read about Jesus, the Son of God, praying to his Father and asking for any other way for salvation to be accomplished. But he was willing to submit to his Father's will.
Dear God my heart is breaking. Unlike Christ I do not know what is next. In fact I fear it. Help me with my unbelief. I surrender to your will.
God Bless.
What about me? I have been praying about my problem since March. When do I get my answer? When do I get my life back?
Immediately I thought of Jesus praying in the garden in Mathew 26.
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Here we read about Jesus, the Son of God, praying to his Father and asking for any other way for salvation to be accomplished. But he was willing to submit to his Father's will.
Dear God my heart is breaking. Unlike Christ I do not know what is next. In fact I fear it. Help me with my unbelief. I surrender to your will.
God Bless.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Jimmy Hendrix. Who knew he was so close to the truth.
Driving home today I saw a bumper sticker.
When the power of Love
overcomes the love of power
we will know peace. - JH
Jesus is love. Love sent him to the cross.
Satan is the love of power. He desired to set himself above God.
Jesus overcame Satan at the cross and when he returns for the final battle then all of creation will know peace.
Conviction of Sin
One of the most important roles of the Spirit is conviction of sin.
John 16:7-11
7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
The world does not accept Christ and is therefore wrong about sin. They do what feels good. At conversion the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and we begin to see how wrong the world is about sin. Things that last week were "OK" for us, suddenly seem wrong as we grow closer to the Lord. I have seen this truth so evident in my life recently as habits and attitudes and pride have been chiseled away by the work of the Spirit on my life.
God Bless
John 16:7-11
7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
The world does not accept Christ and is therefore wrong about sin. They do what feels good. At conversion the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and we begin to see how wrong the world is about sin. Things that last week were "OK" for us, suddenly seem wrong as we grow closer to the Lord. I have seen this truth so evident in my life recently as habits and attitudes and pride have been chiseled away by the work of the Spirit on my life.
God Bless
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Holy Spirit the neglected one in the Trinity
When someone mentions God to me, 90% of the time I think of God the Father. Perhaps 9.99% of the time I think of God the Son. Rarely, perhaps .01% of the time do I think of God the Holy Spirit. Now these percentages are merely guesstimates to illustrate my point that the Holy Spirit gets very little credit from me in my walk with God.
Today's Bible Reading was John 14:16-18
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. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
So I am now thinking, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in our daily walk?
Intercessor: Romans 8:26-27 He takes our inadequate words and speaks our heat to God's heart. Think of how great this is. He IS the Spirit of God, therefore he has intimate knowledge of God. He lives within us, so who is more qualified to speak our heart to God?
Advocate/teacher: John 14:26 He will teach us all things. Galatians 5:22 These fruit grow in us as the spirit teaches us.
Testifies: John 15:26 Hebrews 10:14-16 There are times when we may doubt, but the Holy Spirit will testify that what we believe is true.
Power: Acts 1:8 When we are sent to do something for God, the Holy Spirit will give us the power to accomplish His task.
Witness: Acts 5:32 When see something or learn Biblical Truth, the Holy Spirit confirms in our hearts it's truth.
Encourages: Acts 9:31 The Holy Spirit will encourage us.
Giver of Hope: Romans 15:13 Verse is pretty strait forward here.
Sanctification: Romans 15:16 We become more and more like Christ as the Spirit works in us. This is Sanctification.
Seal: Ephesians 1:13 We know the FDA, USDA and Presidential Seals mean. It means this product meets certain criteria and is accepted by the organization. We who believe and have accepted Christ's payment for our sins on the cross have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. We are accepted by God.
Conviction: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6 I always thought of conviction in the negative, but the Holy Spirit will convict us in the positive to drive us toward God and his will.
I will close with the words of Dr Stanley when speaking of the Holy Spirit.
"Do you have any need that requires more power than omnipotence? Are you facing a decision that requires more knowledge than omniscience? Nothing we encounter is bigger than the omnipresent One who lives within us. Be calm and confident. No matter what challenges you face, He can help." - Dr. Charles Stanley.
God Bless.
Today's Bible Reading was John 14:16-18
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. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
So I am now thinking, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in our daily walk?
Intercessor: Romans 8:26-27 He takes our inadequate words and speaks our heat to God's heart. Think of how great this is. He IS the Spirit of God, therefore he has intimate knowledge of God. He lives within us, so who is more qualified to speak our heart to God?
Advocate/teacher: John 14:26 He will teach us all things. Galatians 5:22 These fruit grow in us as the spirit teaches us.
Testifies: John 15:26 Hebrews 10:14-16 There are times when we may doubt, but the Holy Spirit will testify that what we believe is true.
Power: Acts 1:8 When we are sent to do something for God, the Holy Spirit will give us the power to accomplish His task.
Witness: Acts 5:32 When see something or learn Biblical Truth, the Holy Spirit confirms in our hearts it's truth.
Encourages: Acts 9:31 The Holy Spirit will encourage us.
Giver of Hope: Romans 15:13 Verse is pretty strait forward here.
Sanctification: Romans 15:16 We become more and more like Christ as the Spirit works in us. This is Sanctification.
Seal: Ephesians 1:13 We know the FDA, USDA and Presidential Seals mean. It means this product meets certain criteria and is accepted by the organization. We who believe and have accepted Christ's payment for our sins on the cross have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. We are accepted by God.
Conviction: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6 I always thought of conviction in the negative, but the Holy Spirit will convict us in the positive to drive us toward God and his will.
I will close with the words of Dr Stanley when speaking of the Holy Spirit.
"Do you have any need that requires more power than omnipotence? Are you facing a decision that requires more knowledge than omniscience? Nothing we encounter is bigger than the omnipresent One who lives within us. Be calm and confident. No matter what challenges you face, He can help." - Dr. Charles Stanley.
God Bless.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Now my Bible study has started meddling with my lifestyle.
I'm fat. Some would say I am chunky, but I know I'm fat. When a person needs to lose 100 lbs to be where the doc says he should be, he is fat. Why am I fat? I don't exercise often enough and I eat too much. [sarcasm mode on]What do you mean a family size bag of chips is not a single serving? [sarcasm mode off]. I don't eat to live, I live to eat.
Today I read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
I've "been gonna" go back to the gym and start eating better, but I just haven't found the motivation. I think I have found my motivation now. The Holy Spirit lives in me and my body was paid for by Jesus' blood. That has to be my motivation. I am the caretaker of someone else's property. I have not been a good steward.
God Bless.
Today I read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
I've "been gonna" go back to the gym and start eating better, but I just haven't found the motivation. I think I have found my motivation now. The Holy Spirit lives in me and my body was paid for by Jesus' blood. That has to be my motivation. I am the caretaker of someone else's property. I have not been a good steward.
God Bless.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
God's omnipresence. Comforting or Disturbing?
Read Psalm 139:1-10
I cannot hide from God. My thoughts, actions and motives are all laid bare before him. I can't go somewhere he is not. I can't out think him and come up with an original idea or loophole in scripture.
To answer the title of my post I have to say BOTH.
It can be disturbing when we are living in the flesh. Let's face it sin is FUN. It looks and feels "right" because the devil shows it to us that way. 2 Corinthians 11:14 But the joy is short lived. Hebrews 11:25 Once the let down comes we have to deal with the Holy Spirit. Numbers 32:23
It is also very comforting. With an omnipresent God we don't have to explain when your having a bad day. You still talk to Him but he already knows the who, the what and the why. He knows when your in trouble and when you cry out to Him, He knows exactly how to meet your needs.
God bless.
I cannot hide from God. My thoughts, actions and motives are all laid bare before him. I can't go somewhere he is not. I can't out think him and come up with an original idea or loophole in scripture.
To answer the title of my post I have to say BOTH.
It can be disturbing when we are living in the flesh. Let's face it sin is FUN. It looks and feels "right" because the devil shows it to us that way. 2 Corinthians 11:14 But the joy is short lived. Hebrews 11:25 Once the let down comes we have to deal with the Holy Spirit. Numbers 32:23
It is also very comforting. With an omnipresent God we don't have to explain when your having a bad day. You still talk to Him but he already knows the who, the what and the why. He knows when your in trouble and when you cry out to Him, He knows exactly how to meet your needs.
God bless.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Losing my job.
Any time between now and mid October I will be unemployed. I have my resume put together and a friend is polishing it off. I know I need to "get out there" and there is concern as I've not interviewed in better than 10 years. There is also concern because this economy is in the pits.
Today I read about Elijah in 1 Kings 17:1-9
1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” 2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”
God supernaturally fed Elijah through the ravens. He naturally fed Elijah through the brook. When the brook dried up, God told him it was time to move on.
Oh how I wish, God would audibly tell me the next phase in my life as the brook that has been paying my bills is about to dry up. But I know he has a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11) and I know he will take care of me. (Matthew 10:29-30)
God Bless
Today I read about Elijah in 1 Kings 17:1-9
1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” 2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”
God supernaturally fed Elijah through the ravens. He naturally fed Elijah through the brook. When the brook dried up, God told him it was time to move on.
Oh how I wish, God would audibly tell me the next phase in my life as the brook that has been paying my bills is about to dry up. But I know he has a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11) and I know he will take care of me. (Matthew 10:29-30)
God Bless
Friday, August 19, 2011
Complete obedience.
So I am driving to work this am and I am praying for a loved one. They making some really bad decisions that are hurting lots of people and they seem quite proud of they're sin. As I'm praying "God please break their heart so they realize what they are doing is wrong.", I look down at my speedometer. Too fast. So now I start argue with God about my speed.
I did not think of a specific verse, but I soon realized that I cannot effectively pray for God to convict another if I am ignoring the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I dropped my speed and continued to pray. It was only as I was typing this blog that "the prayer of a righteous man availeth much" came to my mind. Now that is the KJV the I remember growing up. It took a few moments with the search engine, but the verse is found in James 5:16
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (NIV)
I was not righteous, therefore my prayer was not going to be effective.
All that was to lead into this morning's devotional. It was in Genesis 6:9-22, Genesis 7:24, Genesis 8:14-19. A familiar story to me about Noah. What Dr Stanley pointed out today was Noah's complete obedience. Noah did exactly what God told him to do.
"The Lord wants us to follow His instructions precisely. Unfortunately, we like to add some of our desires to His plan. We are like a child whose parent assigns three chores. The first is done satisfactorily, the second is put off until another day, and the third is skipped because the girl deems it unnecessary. This is not obedience." -Dr Charles Stanley
As we go about our day, we must be aware of that nudge from the Holy Spirit.
God Bless.
I did not think of a specific verse, but I soon realized that I cannot effectively pray for God to convict another if I am ignoring the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I dropped my speed and continued to pray. It was only as I was typing this blog that "the prayer of a righteous man availeth much" came to my mind. Now that is the KJV the I remember growing up. It took a few moments with the search engine, but the verse is found in James 5:16
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (NIV)
I was not righteous, therefore my prayer was not going to be effective.
All that was to lead into this morning's devotional. It was in Genesis 6:9-22, Genesis 7:24, Genesis 8:14-19. A familiar story to me about Noah. What Dr Stanley pointed out today was Noah's complete obedience. Noah did exactly what God told him to do.
"The Lord wants us to follow His instructions precisely. Unfortunately, we like to add some of our desires to His plan. We are like a child whose parent assigns three chores. The first is done satisfactorily, the second is put off until another day, and the third is skipped because the girl deems it unnecessary. This is not obedience." -Dr Charles Stanley
As we go about our day, we must be aware of that nudge from the Holy Spirit.
God Bless.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Obey because we love.
This morning I came to a cross roads. My first impulse was to follow my flesh. Just a few seconds in I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit showing me I was seconds from "the point of no return". I immediately stopped and agreed with God that this is not where I want to go. Imagine my joy when I opened my devotional and received confirmation of my decision instead of conviction.
John 14:23-24
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
It's quite simple. I decided my relationship with God was of greater value than my personal desires. I loved God enough to say "NO". This does not happen enough yet, but as I grow closer to Him, I find I chose him more and more.
God I love you.
Jesus thank you for dying for me.
Holy Spirit, thank you for pointing out that I was headed down the wrong path.
Short and sweet today folks.
God Bless.
John 14:23-24
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
It's quite simple. I decided my relationship with God was of greater value than my personal desires. I loved God enough to say "NO". This does not happen enough yet, but as I grow closer to Him, I find I chose him more and more.
God I love you.
Jesus thank you for dying for me.
Holy Spirit, thank you for pointing out that I was headed down the wrong path.
Short and sweet today folks.
God Bless.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Remain calm. Don't allow others to provoke you.
When Paul was being falsely accused in front of Festus he remained calm. Acts 24:1-16 He did not lash out at his accusers. His rational behavior allowed him to share his faith not only with Festus, but eventually King Agrippa and then on to Rome itself.
I have seen this in my life. It's no secret that my older sister and I rarely got along. Why? Because I let her provoke me and I too would dish out a goodly portion of misery myself. I won't say that she was always purposely attacking, but some of her actions would make me mad and I would blow up and attack.
One weekend Cheryl came home and I decided that no mater what I would remain calm. It worked. All those feeling of annoyance never came. Then a couple years later she stayed at my home. Again I made the decision to love my sister. It was a wonderful weekend. I praise God that he taught me to remain calm. I actually enjoy her company and she is the same person. Only I have changed.
Then there is the negative side. I won't mention the loved one because the relationship is still fractured. I am still working on it. However my lack of calmness has destroyed the intimacy and broken their spirit. They no longer trust my intent and don't really believe I have changed. I don't blame them, trust once broken takes time to repair. Sometimes it never comes back.
I want to implore you to remain calm if attacked. Even if it is legitimate. Losing your calm and attacking back is not the way.
Be silent and pray for guidance and wisdom. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you chose your words.
God Bless.
I have seen this in my life. It's no secret that my older sister and I rarely got along. Why? Because I let her provoke me and I too would dish out a goodly portion of misery myself. I won't say that she was always purposely attacking, but some of her actions would make me mad and I would blow up and attack.
One weekend Cheryl came home and I decided that no mater what I would remain calm. It worked. All those feeling of annoyance never came. Then a couple years later she stayed at my home. Again I made the decision to love my sister. It was a wonderful weekend. I praise God that he taught me to remain calm. I actually enjoy her company and she is the same person. Only I have changed.
Then there is the negative side. I won't mention the loved one because the relationship is still fractured. I am still working on it. However my lack of calmness has destroyed the intimacy and broken their spirit. They no longer trust my intent and don't really believe I have changed. I don't blame them, trust once broken takes time to repair. Sometimes it never comes back.
I want to implore you to remain calm if attacked. Even if it is legitimate. Losing your calm and attacking back is not the way.
Be silent and pray for guidance and wisdom. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you chose your words.
God Bless.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Anger. The emotion that works for everything. NOT!
I sent an email to a dear friend this morning. I woke remembering a time that I used anger as a way to express and cope with a perceived rejection by them. As I analysed my actions I realize I have a life pattern of anger.
Frustrated because some electronics are not working? Get angry.
Hurt by a loved one? Get angry.
Lost? Get angry.
Get disrespected? Get angry.
Driving behind a slowpoke. Get angry.
The more I think about it my anger at times has been so bad I have scared my family.
All these things going through my head and God providentially has Colossians 3:12-14 as today's devotional.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
No where does it say be angry. In fact it tells me to be the very opposite of angry. It tells me to forgive as the Lord forgave me. I've "forgiven", but I still bring up the list of wrongs when it suits me. That is not true forgiveness. We are not God so we cannot forget. However we can pray and God will wash away the hurt. I know because he has done it for me in the areas I have submitted to him.
Let go. When you hold a grudge the only one you hurt is you.
God Bless.
Frustrated because some electronics are not working? Get angry.
Hurt by a loved one? Get angry.
Lost? Get angry.
Get disrespected? Get angry.
Driving behind a slowpoke. Get angry.
The more I think about it my anger at times has been so bad I have scared my family.
All these things going through my head and God providentially has Colossians 3:12-14 as today's devotional.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
No where does it say be angry. In fact it tells me to be the very opposite of angry. It tells me to forgive as the Lord forgave me. I've "forgiven", but I still bring up the list of wrongs when it suits me. That is not true forgiveness. We are not God so we cannot forget. However we can pray and God will wash away the hurt. I know because he has done it for me in the areas I have submitted to him.
Let go. When you hold a grudge the only one you hurt is you.
God Bless.
Monday, August 15, 2011
A good finish.
At the end of a race most people don't remember who lead at the beginning. They remember the winner. They cheer for everyone the crossed that finish line. When someone falters in the middle and that person perseveres and finishes the race there is that extra appreciation and satisfaction of having not quit.Do
So here I am a crossroads. Do I finish the race I have begun or quit? I shall finish, so when I arrive at the end of my life I can utter the words of Paul.
2 Timothy 4:7
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Are you going through a rough patch? Remember that God is in control of your situation. He knows the what and the why so don't worry about it. (Matthew 10:28-30) He also knows the end to which this will bring you. (Jeremiah 29:11) (Romans 8:27-29)
God bless.
So here I am a crossroads. Do I finish the race I have begun or quit? I shall finish, so when I arrive at the end of my life I can utter the words of Paul.
2 Timothy 4:7
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Are you going through a rough patch? Remember that God is in control of your situation. He knows the what and the why so don't worry about it. (Matthew 10:28-30) He also knows the end to which this will bring you. (Jeremiah 29:11) (Romans 8:27-29)
God bless.
Friday, August 12, 2011
What is Your focus?
In Philippians 1:1- 14 we read these words from the apostle Paul.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Paul was in jail. When he looked at his chains he did not grow bitter at God and think "God, I serve you and this is the thanks I get?". He looked at his chains and at the guard that COULD NOT LEAVE and said, "Hey guard. Have you heard about Jesus? Because of Paul in prison the gospel was spread within Rome's own soldiers.
Where are you? What are you doing? Do you realize you are EXACTLY where God wants you to be? The hurt you feel. The annoying neighbor. That tyrant boss. The family member that you want to never speak to again. Look at it from God's perspective. You are the missionary that God sent to them. There may never be another chance for them to see Christ. Are you going to focus on poor me or are you going to advance the gospel?
O that God would so change my heart that I could echo the word of Paul in Philippians 1:20
20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
God Bless
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Paul was in jail. When he looked at his chains he did not grow bitter at God and think "God, I serve you and this is the thanks I get?". He looked at his chains and at the guard that COULD NOT LEAVE and said, "Hey guard. Have you heard about Jesus? Because of Paul in prison the gospel was spread within Rome's own soldiers.
Where are you? What are you doing? Do you realize you are EXACTLY where God wants you to be? The hurt you feel. The annoying neighbor. That tyrant boss. The family member that you want to never speak to again. Look at it from God's perspective. You are the missionary that God sent to them. There may never be another chance for them to see Christ. Are you going to focus on poor me or are you going to advance the gospel?
O that God would so change my heart that I could echo the word of Paul in Philippians 1:20
20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
God Bless
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Focusing on Christ so we can rejoice.
Today's study was in Philippians 3:8-11
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
A loss? Garbage? Well yes. This is what we as Christians aim for. We want Christ as the most important thing in our lives. Americans have a hard time with this because we have so much. TV bombards us with the fact that we "need" more. However I have learned how much I don't really need. How less is more and Christ is becoming all the more important to me.
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
I'm have finally beat this into my head. My righteousness is from God based on faith it Christ. I can't earn it. I don't deserve it. Once I got past pride and independence I realized how desperately dependent on Christ I really am.
10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Do you want to know Christ? He promised that if we stand with him the world will hate us. Matthew 24:8-10 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
It's coming America. The world is pushing God out of everything. You need to make a choice. Will cling to the American Dream and walk away or will you participate in the Lord's suffering?
I don't want to end this with gloom and doom. Remember that Paul wrote this letter while in prison. Yet he found ways to rejoince.
Philippians 1:18; 2:18; 3:1
God Bless
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
A loss? Garbage? Well yes. This is what we as Christians aim for. We want Christ as the most important thing in our lives. Americans have a hard time with this because we have so much. TV bombards us with the fact that we "need" more. However I have learned how much I don't really need. How less is more and Christ is becoming all the more important to me.
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
I'm have finally beat this into my head. My righteousness is from God based on faith it Christ. I can't earn it. I don't deserve it. Once I got past pride and independence I realized how desperately dependent on Christ I really am.
10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Do you want to know Christ? He promised that if we stand with him the world will hate us. Matthew 24:8-10 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
It's coming America. The world is pushing God out of everything. You need to make a choice. Will cling to the American Dream and walk away or will you participate in the Lord's suffering?
I don't want to end this with gloom and doom. Remember that Paul wrote this letter while in prison. Yet he found ways to rejoince.
Philippians 1:18; 2:18; 3:1
God Bless
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Don't quit. Trust and Obey.
No matter how much I pray about my situation, progress seem to be moving so slow or even backwards. I admit to frustration at what I consider a "lack of progress". This morning's Bible study was in Joshua 6 and is the story of God delivering Jericho into the hands of Israel.
God told Joshua to march around the city once for 6 days. On the seventh day march around it 7 times. Once that was completed they were to blow the trumpets and have the people shout. God would deliver the city into their hands.
Militarily speaking this is dumb. Jericho was a large city. Why would one want to make their troops tired by marching round and round on the day of battle? And what's with the trumpets? Come on God, we can come up with a better plan than that. (Don't we say that to God on a daily basis?)
When you read the story you see that Joshua and the people obeyed and God did deliver the city to them.
Applying this to my situation. The flesh in me wants to cut and run. Many of my non-Christian friends say I should. I won't. It has been made clear to me that the path I am on has been chosen by God. Though painful, what I am going through right now has been the BEST thing for my spiritual life. I'm really leaning on God to do what humanly speaking is impossible.
Back in June I reworked a lesson by John Piper about not wasting your trial. Thank you God that I am not wasting this trial. I ask that you help me learn it right the first time. I have no desire to have to learn these lessons a second time.
God bless.
God told Joshua to march around the city once for 6 days. On the seventh day march around it 7 times. Once that was completed they were to blow the trumpets and have the people shout. God would deliver the city into their hands.
Militarily speaking this is dumb. Jericho was a large city. Why would one want to make their troops tired by marching round and round on the day of battle? And what's with the trumpets? Come on God, we can come up with a better plan than that. (Don't we say that to God on a daily basis?)
When you read the story you see that Joshua and the people obeyed and God did deliver the city to them.
Applying this to my situation. The flesh in me wants to cut and run. Many of my non-Christian friends say I should. I won't. It has been made clear to me that the path I am on has been chosen by God. Though painful, what I am going through right now has been the BEST thing for my spiritual life. I'm really leaning on God to do what humanly speaking is impossible.
Back in June I reworked a lesson by John Piper about not wasting your trial. Thank you God that I am not wasting this trial. I ask that you help me learn it right the first time. I have no desire to have to learn these lessons a second time.
God bless.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Night mare turns to day mare.
I awoke to a night mare that my worst fears had come true. When I tried to go back to sleep I just kept thinking about it so I got up.
While preparing my heart for worship I was given Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Thank you God for your gentle reminders.
God Bless.
While preparing my heart for worship I was given Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Thank you God for your gentle reminders.
God Bless.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
God is so faithful when we listen.
I tend to talk to much. I also have been guilty of sharing too much. I've actually spent so much time laying the foundation of my point that I forgot what I wanted to say.
So here we are with this blog. How far is too far? How open is too open? It's a battle with every post. Today's lesson is so personal that I am tempted to keep it private. However I don't feel that is the right thing to do.
This morning I was tempted. I had Christian songs in my head, but I ignored them. Just as I was about to sin, the paper broke on the printer. I thought "Did God design that paper break just to make me think?" A few minutes later I went back to my temptation and suddenly had to use the facilities. Again I'm thinking, "Is this God working out the circumstances again?" For the third time I am about to return when "God is a jealous God" went through my head. I stopped in my tracks.
Take some time to read about it.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
God Bless
Monday, August 1, 2011
God will plead my case.
Were I am in my life right now is the direct result of bad choices, selfish actions and my temper. Though I have been forgiven by God and the Holy Spirit has begun to transform my life there are still fractured relationships that only God and time can heal. In truth those relationship may never be renewed and that breaks my heart.
There is an anonymous individual that keeps taunting me in the comments because they know some of the details of what is going on. They are taking great pleasure in my misery. Part of the study from Dr Piper dealt with that today.
8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the LORD will be my light.
9 Because I have sinned against him,
I will bear the LORD’s wrath,
until he pleads my case
and upholds my cause.
He will bring me out into the light;
I will see his righteousness.
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the LORD will be my light.
9 Because I have sinned against him,
I will bear the LORD’s wrath,
until he pleads my case
and upholds my cause.
He will bring me out into the light;
I will see his righteousness.
There are earthly consequences for my wrong doing, but I know that the LORD will plead my case and my cause. I will trust in his promise not condemn me. (Romans 8:1-3)
If any of you are suffering because of sin or under the chastisement of the Lord, remember that he only disciples his children because he loves them. (Proverbs 3:11-12)
God bless.
Come. Just as you are.
I was in church yesterday and having a hard time forgetting some of my mistakes and just worshiping God. The musicians chose the song "Come Now is the Time to Worship" take a moment to listen.
It was awe inspiring and worship came easy.
God bless.
It was awe inspiring and worship came easy.
God bless.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Yahweh Yireh
I did not know what to blog about this morning. There was an idea in my head, but work got in the way and I soon forgot. That is till my aunt posted what was to be my title on her facebook.
Yahweh Yireh. I'll admit that I had no clue, save that this was a name for God, and I had to exercise my googlefoo. The definitions I found are "God will provide", "God will see to it." and "God will appear."
This name of God applies so appropriately to my meeting last night. I was so nervous I did not want to go. I even thought about canceling. But I prayed about it and asked others to pray as well. God did provide and the meeting went exceptionally well. Once again I'd worried for nothing.
Mathew 6:27
27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
God Bless.
Yahweh Yireh. I'll admit that I had no clue, save that this was a name for God, and I had to exercise my googlefoo. The definitions I found are "God will provide", "God will see to it." and "God will appear."
This name of God applies so appropriately to my meeting last night. I was so nervous I did not want to go. I even thought about canceling. But I prayed about it and asked others to pray as well. God did provide and the meeting went exceptionally well. Once again I'd worried for nothing.
Mathew 6:27
27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
God Bless.
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