A little girl noticed that her mom was getting really stressed out around Christmas. Everything was bothering her mom, and she was very irritable.
Evening came and the mom bathed the little girl, got her ready for bed, put her under the covers, and had her say her prayers. She would usually pray the Lord's Prayer, but on this particular evening, she amended it a little bit.
Her petition went something like this, "Father, forgive us our Christmases, as we forgive those who Christmas against us."
That is what happens when we lose focus of the real meaning of Christmas, isn't it? We get so caught up in the busyness of the season that sometimes we forget the wonder of it all: that deity took on humanity, that God became a man.
Scripture sums it up well in 2 Corinthians 8:9, which says, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (NKJV). Jesus literally went from the throne of heaven to a simple little cave or stable.
Can you imagine what must have gone through Mary's mind that day when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her she would be the mother of the Messiah? Her head must have been swimming. "What about Joseph? What are people going to say?"
But God had it all put together, because the time was just right in every way.
There was one small detail: the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, as Scripture prophesied (see Micah 5:2). But Mary and her husband-to-be Joseph lived in Nazareth. So the Lord touched a little man who was big in his own mind.
His name was Caesar, and at this particular time in history, he was the most powerful man on Earth. One day, Caesar gave a decree that all of the world should be taxed.
In reality, he was nothing more than a pawn in the hand of God. The Lord needed Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, so He moved events.
Mary and Joseph made the difficult journey to Bethlehem, which was especially perilous for a woman who was as far along in her pregnancy as Mary was. But they did make it, and there, the miraculous birth of Christ took place, just as Scripture said it would.
This little baby grew up quickly, and although we would love to know more about his boyhood, the Bible offers only a few details.
But we do read of one day in the synagogue in Nazareth when, as the custom was, the time had come for Jesus to read. He walked to the front of the synagogue, opened up the scroll, and began to read from Isaiah: " 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord' " (Luke 4:18–19 NLT).
When He had finished, He sat down and said, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (verse 21). He had declared himself the Messiah. His public ministry had begun.
This One who was sent from God was always in perfect sync with the Father. While He spoke with the learned spiritual leaders, He always had time for the outcasts of society—people like the woman at the well and the tax collector, Zacchaeus. People like you. People like me.
His ministry on Earth was only a few years, and then He was crucified. You can be sure that as He hung there on the cross, where all of the sin of humanity was placed upon Him, that this was God's most painful moment.
But then it was finished. He rose again from the dead, and after a time, ascended back into heaven, promising to come back to this earth. And we eagerly await that day.
This Jesus who was born in a manger, who walked this earth, who was crucified, and who rose again, is not some mere historical figure, although He was that. He is alive, and He is still in the business of changing lives.
That is the reason He came: to put us in touch with God, to forgive us of all of our sins, and to give our lives purpose and meaning.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, December 12, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
God Is with Us
Blessed is the Lord God of Israel for He has visited and redeemed His People. ~ Luke 1:68
Immanuel: God is with us—God came to us. What a staggering thought. It is really the essence of the Christian faith and the Christian life. All other religious ideologies essentially tell you that you must do something: Do this, and you will find inner peace. . . . Do this, and you will reach nirvana. . . . Do this, and maybe you will make it to heaven. But Christianity says it is done—done for you at the Cross, paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Being a Christian is not merely following a creed; it is having Christ himself live in you and through you, giving you the strength to be the man or woman He has called you to be. Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20) and "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
The message of Christmas is God with us. That is important to know, especially during those times when we are going through great difficulty. The psalmist said, "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me" (Psalm 139:9–10). It is great to know that God is with you wherever you go.
The Bible never teaches that we will have problem-free lives as followers of Christ. But the Bible does teach that we never will be alone. And because of that, we don't have to be afraid. As Ray Stedman said, "The chief mark of the Christian ought to be the absence of fear and the presence of joy."
That is the message that this sin-sick world needs to hear: Immanuel—God is with us.
(Via By Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Immanuel: God is with us—God came to us. What a staggering thought. It is really the essence of the Christian faith and the Christian life. All other religious ideologies essentially tell you that you must do something: Do this, and you will find inner peace. . . . Do this, and you will reach nirvana. . . . Do this, and maybe you will make it to heaven. But Christianity says it is done—done for you at the Cross, paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Being a Christian is not merely following a creed; it is having Christ himself live in you and through you, giving you the strength to be the man or woman He has called you to be. Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20) and "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
The message of Christmas is God with us. That is important to know, especially during those times when we are going through great difficulty. The psalmist said, "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me" (Psalm 139:9–10). It is great to know that God is with you wherever you go.
The Bible never teaches that we will have problem-free lives as followers of Christ. But the Bible does teach that we never will be alone. And because of that, we don't have to be afraid. As Ray Stedman said, "The chief mark of the Christian ought to be the absence of fear and the presence of joy."
That is the message that this sin-sick world needs to hear: Immanuel—God is with us.
(Via By Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, December 1, 2011
An Introduction to Christ
Read Revelation 1:4-8
The first chapter of Revelation gives a compact description of the Lord. In verses 4 to 8, John condenses the wonder of Jesus Christ to the bare but beautiful essentials of who He is:
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness. Jesus came to earth to more fully reveal the character and ways of the Father (John 14:9). The miracles He performed validated His claim to be the Son of God.
Jesus Christ is the first-born from the dead. The Savior bore our sins and died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day. His resurrection proved that eternal life is possible for us, too, as Jesus taught in John 11:25: “He who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”
Jesus Christ is the ruler of the kings of the earth. It is the Lord who raises men to power, just as it is He who removes them (John 19:11; Rom. 13:1). Meanwhile, believers have access to a higher authority. In God’s throne room, we can beseech Him on behalf of our nations and lay claim to His promises.
Jesus Christ loves us and released us from our sins by His blood. Note the change of tense in John’s writing. The Lord’s love is ever-present, but He has freed believers from their past. Both the penalty and power of sin have been broken.
When people ask you about Jesus, introduce Him by guiding them through this mini-biography. In just a few sentences, John describes Christ’s character, divinity, and authority. The disciple was not timid about proclaiming the Lord. We shouldn’t be shy, either, when we serve so great a Savior.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed
Dawn
The first chapter of Revelation gives a compact description of the Lord. In verses 4 to 8, John condenses the wonder of Jesus Christ to the bare but beautiful essentials of who He is:
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness. Jesus came to earth to more fully reveal the character and ways of the Father (John 14:9). The miracles He performed validated His claim to be the Son of God.
Jesus Christ is the first-born from the dead. The Savior bore our sins and died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day. His resurrection proved that eternal life is possible for us, too, as Jesus taught in John 11:25: “He who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”
Jesus Christ is the ruler of the kings of the earth. It is the Lord who raises men to power, just as it is He who removes them (John 19:11; Rom. 13:1). Meanwhile, believers have access to a higher authority. In God’s throne room, we can beseech Him on behalf of our nations and lay claim to His promises.
Jesus Christ loves us and released us from our sins by His blood. Note the change of tense in John’s writing. The Lord’s love is ever-present, but He has freed believers from their past. Both the penalty and power of sin have been broken.
When people ask you about Jesus, introduce Him by guiding them through this mini-biography. In just a few sentences, John describes Christ’s character, divinity, and authority. The disciple was not timid about proclaiming the Lord. We shouldn’t be shy, either, when we serve so great a Savior.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed
Dawn
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Our Righteousness
Read Ephesians 2:1-10
Anyone who thinks of himself as a pretty good person ought to take a look at God’s assessment of humanity. He says we all come into the world spiritually dead and are ruled by Satan, his world system, and our own sin nature, or flesh. In the Lord’s eyes, we are children of wrath who deserve only punishment.
On the other hand, God is so pure and holy that He is totally separated from all sin and cannot look upon it with any favor or approval (Hab. 1:13). Everything He does is appropriate and beneficial; by comparison, even mankind’s righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). Yet even though we have nothing of value to offer Him, the Lord wants us for His own and has done everything necessary to draw us close.
Those of us who have placed faith in Jesus Christ have been made spiritually alive in Him, and all our sins have been forgiven. There’s a striking contrast between what we were and who we now are in the Lord. But this change has nothing to do with how good we’ve been. Even the faith with which we respond to the Savior comes from God. We can never make ourselves righteous; it’s all a gift from Him. And once He declares us justified, we will never be pronounced guilty again.
God has said that in the ages to come, He wants to show the “surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us” (Eph. 2:7). For all eternity, we will be showered with this awesome demonstration of His love. As great as our blessings are now, they’ll pale in comparison to what awaits us in heaven.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Anyone who thinks of himself as a pretty good person ought to take a look at God’s assessment of humanity. He says we all come into the world spiritually dead and are ruled by Satan, his world system, and our own sin nature, or flesh. In the Lord’s eyes, we are children of wrath who deserve only punishment.
On the other hand, God is so pure and holy that He is totally separated from all sin and cannot look upon it with any favor or approval (Hab. 1:13). Everything He does is appropriate and beneficial; by comparison, even mankind’s righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). Yet even though we have nothing of value to offer Him, the Lord wants us for His own and has done everything necessary to draw us close.
Those of us who have placed faith in Jesus Christ have been made spiritually alive in Him, and all our sins have been forgiven. There’s a striking contrast between what we were and who we now are in the Lord. But this change has nothing to do with how good we’ve been. Even the faith with which we respond to the Savior comes from God. We can never make ourselves righteous; it’s all a gift from Him. And once He declares us justified, we will never be pronounced guilty again.
God has said that in the ages to come, He wants to show the “surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us” (Eph. 2:7). For all eternity, we will be showered with this awesome demonstration of His love. As great as our blessings are now, they’ll pale in comparison to what awaits us in heaven.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Trusting Beyond Understanding
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. —Psalm 25:1-5
If you’ve never been at the place where the trials are so significant that you don’t even know what to do, then you won’t understand Psalm 25. David is pleading, God, I’m not seeing it. I know You have ways, but I have to learn them because everything that’s happening makes no sense to me at all. A big part of trusting is learning this truth: trust must extend past understanding.
In August of ’09 I taught Psalm 25 in my church. 98 percent of our people knew nothing about what I was facing and dealing with, but my circumstances sure caused me to understand verse 5 where David says: “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation.” The word salvation can have many meanings in Scripture. Most literally, it means to “make wide.” It’s contrasted with a person who is in a narrow place full of trouble and distress. I’m stuck here. I can’t move. It’s too tight, God. It’s closing in. It’s very dark. And he’s saying here: You’re the God who gets me out. That’s what he’s claiming by faith. If you’ve ever been in the I-need-God-to-get-me-out-of-this place, that’s what this is about. I wait for You. No one but You can get me out of this. You are the God of my salvation.
Well, when you say that you’re waiting, that means that you’re accepting God’s timing and the wisdom of it. You’re confessing this: I’m not fussing. I’m not fuming. I’m not fixing. You’re not thinking in the back of your mind, Oh, I could do a few things to get me out of this situation. I’ve got some insights. I could say some things. I could get some balls rolling. I could take hold of this if I had to.
Waiting means you’re no longer relying on what you can figure out or even understand. It is deliberately relying on God through prayer and flat-out trust. This is way beyond me, Lord. I’m leaving it in Your hands. I know I don’t have to understand in order to trust You. I’m waiting on You for my salvation; You have to get me out of this narrow place.
Journal
Where are the “narrow places” in my life and how am I waiting on the Lord regarding those matters? What have I learned about waiting?
Prayer
O Heavenly Father, I confess that it’s not easy to wait. I want to plant this morning and reap later on in the day—even though all of Creation reminds me Our Creator wove waiting into the way things are! Thank You that I don’t have to understand much in order to trust You. Thank You for proving Yourself trustworthy in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(Via Dr. James MacDonald)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
If you’ve never been at the place where the trials are so significant that you don’t even know what to do, then you won’t understand Psalm 25. David is pleading, God, I’m not seeing it. I know You have ways, but I have to learn them because everything that’s happening makes no sense to me at all. A big part of trusting is learning this truth: trust must extend past understanding.
In August of ’09 I taught Psalm 25 in my church. 98 percent of our people knew nothing about what I was facing and dealing with, but my circumstances sure caused me to understand verse 5 where David says: “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation.” The word salvation can have many meanings in Scripture. Most literally, it means to “make wide.” It’s contrasted with a person who is in a narrow place full of trouble and distress. I’m stuck here. I can’t move. It’s too tight, God. It’s closing in. It’s very dark. And he’s saying here: You’re the God who gets me out. That’s what he’s claiming by faith. If you’ve ever been in the I-need-God-to-get-me-out-of-this place, that’s what this is about. I wait for You. No one but You can get me out of this. You are the God of my salvation.
Well, when you say that you’re waiting, that means that you’re accepting God’s timing and the wisdom of it. You’re confessing this: I’m not fussing. I’m not fuming. I’m not fixing. You’re not thinking in the back of your mind, Oh, I could do a few things to get me out of this situation. I’ve got some insights. I could say some things. I could get some balls rolling. I could take hold of this if I had to.
Waiting means you’re no longer relying on what you can figure out or even understand. It is deliberately relying on God through prayer and flat-out trust. This is way beyond me, Lord. I’m leaving it in Your hands. I know I don’t have to understand in order to trust You. I’m waiting on You for my salvation; You have to get me out of this narrow place.
Journal
Where are the “narrow places” in my life and how am I waiting on the Lord regarding those matters? What have I learned about waiting?
Prayer
O Heavenly Father, I confess that it’s not easy to wait. I want to plant this morning and reap later on in the day—even though all of Creation reminds me Our Creator wove waiting into the way things are! Thank You that I don’t have to understand much in order to trust You. Thank You for proving Yourself trustworthy in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(Via Dr. James MacDonald)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, October 14, 2011
Victory in Spiritual Warfare
10) This is the last thing I want to say: Be strong with the Lord’s strength. 11) Put on the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will not fall into the traps of the devil. 12) Our fight is not with people. It is against the leaders and the powers and the spirits of darkness in this world. It is against the demon world that works in the heavens. 13) Because of this, put on all the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will be able to stand in that sinful day. When it is all over, you will still be standing. ~ Eph. 6:10-13 (NLV)
The Bible teaches that Satan has waged war against God and those who follow Him. This means that all Christians are on a spiritual battlefield.
In any conflict, soldiers should be given the right equipment and training in how to use it. Otherwise, it would be foolish to expect success. In a similar way, we should follow God’s directions on how best to utilize the effective spiritual armor He has provided for us.
Let’s explore each component. First, the belt of truth indicates that we should operate according to Scripture, which keeps us in the safety of God’s will. Second, the breastplate of righteousness protects our heart from wrong emotions. Third, we should have feet that are ready to stand firm against the Devil and bring the good news to others (Isa. 52:7). Fourth, the shield of faith stops the Enemy’s flaming missiles. Faith—or trust in Jesus—allows us to fight doubt, fear, and confusion. Fifth, the sword of the Spirit is the actual weapon used to cause damage to our opponent. Specifically, this is the Word of God. Scripture is “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12), transforming us to be like Jesus, shedding light in a dark world, and enabling the spiritually blind to see. And finally, the helmet of salvation is protection for our thoughts.
Do you truly realize that you have a living Enemy? He continually attempts to draw you away from Jesus. Satan’s path seems comfortable and good, but it leads only to destruction. There is no middle ground; either you are battling the Enemy, or he is deceptively pulling you away from the truth.
(via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blesed!
Dawn
The Bible teaches that Satan has waged war against God and those who follow Him. This means that all Christians are on a spiritual battlefield.
In any conflict, soldiers should be given the right equipment and training in how to use it. Otherwise, it would be foolish to expect success. In a similar way, we should follow God’s directions on how best to utilize the effective spiritual armor He has provided for us.
Let’s explore each component. First, the belt of truth indicates that we should operate according to Scripture, which keeps us in the safety of God’s will. Second, the breastplate of righteousness protects our heart from wrong emotions. Third, we should have feet that are ready to stand firm against the Devil and bring the good news to others (Isa. 52:7). Fourth, the shield of faith stops the Enemy’s flaming missiles. Faith—or trust in Jesus—allows us to fight doubt, fear, and confusion. Fifth, the sword of the Spirit is the actual weapon used to cause damage to our opponent. Specifically, this is the Word of God. Scripture is “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12), transforming us to be like Jesus, shedding light in a dark world, and enabling the spiritually blind to see. And finally, the helmet of salvation is protection for our thoughts.
Do you truly realize that you have a living Enemy? He continually attempts to draw you away from Jesus. Satan’s path seems comfortable and good, but it leads only to destruction. There is no middle ground; either you are battling the Enemy, or he is deceptively pulling you away from the truth.
(via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blesed!
Dawn
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Genuine Love for God
How can you tell if you really love God? Here are some indicators of whether your love for God is real.
You will long for personal communion with Him. When you really love someone, you like to spend time with him or her. And if you really love God, then you will want to be in fellowship with Him.
You will love the things that He loves. We know what God loves by what He has declared in His Word. The psalmist said, "I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure" (Psalm 119:162).
You will hate the things that He hates. Psalm 97:10 says, "Let those who love the Lord hate evil. . . ." Romans 12:9 tells us to "abhor what is evil" and "cling to what is good." See evil as God sees it.
You will love other Christians. In 1 John 3:14 we read, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death." Don't say that you love God while you harbor hatred toward fellow believers.
You will long for the return of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul wrote, "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8). A Christian who loves God looks forward to Christ's return.
You will keep His commandments. Jesus said, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me . . ." (John 14:21). If you love God, then you will do what He says.
If you love God, the proof will be in your actions.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
You will long for personal communion with Him. When you really love someone, you like to spend time with him or her. And if you really love God, then you will want to be in fellowship with Him.
You will love the things that He loves. We know what God loves by what He has declared in His Word. The psalmist said, "I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure" (Psalm 119:162).
You will hate the things that He hates. Psalm 97:10 says, "Let those who love the Lord hate evil. . . ." Romans 12:9 tells us to "abhor what is evil" and "cling to what is good." See evil as God sees it.
You will love other Christians. In 1 John 3:14 we read, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death." Don't say that you love God while you harbor hatred toward fellow believers.
You will long for the return of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul wrote, "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8). A Christian who loves God looks forward to Christ's return.
You will keep His commandments. Jesus said, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me . . ." (John 14:21). If you love God, then you will do what He says.
If you love God, the proof will be in your actions.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, October 10, 2011
God Works Within Us
20) Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21) to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations [a]forever and ever. Amen. ~ Eph. 3: 20-21 (NASB)
Let these words slowly sink into your understanding: “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (v. 20). What an amazing description of God’s ability to work within us.
Yet so often our focus is mainly on what we want Him to do around us: If He would change this situation or fix that problem, then my life would be better. But He invites us to think and ask bigger—He wants to change us!
The Holy Spirit has more than enough power to transform lives from the inside out, but working change within is usually a slow process. Spiritual fruit takes time to grow and mature. That’s why we need patience and faith to believe He is working even when we don’t see the results right away. God is never in a hurry and will never give up on us.
The Lord has a purpose for your life, and He is constantly working to achieve it. Although He has an individualized plan for each one of His children, He also has an overarching goal—to conform every believer to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. In order to accomplish this, He may have to bring us through some struggles and heartaches. It might make no sense to us, but God knows exactly what He’s doing.
What would you like to see the Lord do within you? As you read the Scriptures, look for qualities that God considers precious, and ask Him to work them out in your life. Then rely on His wonderful promise to do even more than you have asked or imagined.
(Via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Let these words slowly sink into your understanding: “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (v. 20). What an amazing description of God’s ability to work within us.
Yet so often our focus is mainly on what we want Him to do around us: If He would change this situation or fix that problem, then my life would be better. But He invites us to think and ask bigger—He wants to change us!
The Holy Spirit has more than enough power to transform lives from the inside out, but working change within is usually a slow process. Spiritual fruit takes time to grow and mature. That’s why we need patience and faith to believe He is working even when we don’t see the results right away. God is never in a hurry and will never give up on us.
The Lord has a purpose for your life, and He is constantly working to achieve it. Although He has an individualized plan for each one of His children, He also has an overarching goal—to conform every believer to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. In order to accomplish this, He may have to bring us through some struggles and heartaches. It might make no sense to us, but God knows exactly what He’s doing.
What would you like to see the Lord do within you? As you read the Scriptures, look for qualities that God considers precious, and ask Him to work them out in your life. Then rely on His wonderful promise to do even more than you have asked or imagined.
(Via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Most Important Part of Giving is Worship
Scripture Of The Day: "They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." - Matthew 2:11 (NLT)
When I asked the Lord, "What is it that YOU want to say this week?" He responded with, "The most important part of giving is worship."
Worship is the most important aspect of the Christian walk. It is through worship that we as believers draw near to God. It's not all about us, or our way of doing things, or seeing things our way. We have to forget about ourselves and bow down, because he's been better to us than we've been to ourselves and because he is God. Yes, we have day to day responsibilities and commitments that are a part of our lives, but we can still have a heart of worship that's a part of our lives too. He desires our worship. It’s important to him. He created us to worship him.
"They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11, NLT).
Here is a revelation of the scripture above that we can apply to our daily lives in this manner of giving. Just like the wise men opened their treasure chests, when the treasure chest in our earthen vessel (body) begins to open up, the gifts of the spirit of God that are within us will begin to flow out. If we will worship God with our whole heart, mind, body, spirit and soul, his presence and power will move in our lives and we will see miracles happen, souls will be saved, bodies will be healed, lives will be delivered and set free . . . great things will happen when we bow down and worship him.
Just as it was very important to the three wise men walking on their journey, to find where Jesus was so they could fall down before him and give their gifts, it should be important to us on our Christian journey today also. They worshiped the Lord by giving their presence and their presents: gold, frankincense and myrrh. As much as those gifts cost by themselves, they gained even greater value when they were given to Jesus.
We, too, can give our gifts to God and watch him multiply them for his glory. Let us learn from the example of these three men and make a special effort to get back to the most important part of giving, and that is worship.
(via Brenda Gittens) Be Blessed!
Dawn
When I asked the Lord, "What is it that YOU want to say this week?" He responded with, "The most important part of giving is worship."
Worship is the most important aspect of the Christian walk. It is through worship that we as believers draw near to God. It's not all about us, or our way of doing things, or seeing things our way. We have to forget about ourselves and bow down, because he's been better to us than we've been to ourselves and because he is God. Yes, we have day to day responsibilities and commitments that are a part of our lives, but we can still have a heart of worship that's a part of our lives too. He desires our worship. It’s important to him. He created us to worship him.
"They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11, NLT).
Here is a revelation of the scripture above that we can apply to our daily lives in this manner of giving. Just like the wise men opened their treasure chests, when the treasure chest in our earthen vessel (body) begins to open up, the gifts of the spirit of God that are within us will begin to flow out. If we will worship God with our whole heart, mind, body, spirit and soul, his presence and power will move in our lives and we will see miracles happen, souls will be saved, bodies will be healed, lives will be delivered and set free . . . great things will happen when we bow down and worship him.
Just as it was very important to the three wise men walking on their journey, to find where Jesus was so they could fall down before him and give their gifts, it should be important to us on our Christian journey today also. They worshiped the Lord by giving their presence and their presents: gold, frankincense and myrrh. As much as those gifts cost by themselves, they gained even greater value when they were given to Jesus.
We, too, can give our gifts to God and watch him multiply them for his glory. Let us learn from the example of these three men and make a special effort to get back to the most important part of giving, and that is worship.
(via Brenda Gittens) Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, September 12, 2011
Unshakeable
35) Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36) (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[a]) 37) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8: 35-37 (NLT)
Our world is a changing, uncertain place. Many people seek security in wealth, relationships, and power. These things, however, are not guaranteed from one day to the next. Watching the news provides enough proof that any of them can be taken away in a moment. No wonder there is such despair and fear.
For believers, thankfully, reality is not based in what we see. Nor is our foundation found in this world. We build our hope and trust on the Lord, and we believe the truth in His Word.
Even in chaotic times, our certainty is found in God's loving relationship with us as His children. Today's passage tells us that nothing can tear us away from our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, in the midst of turmoil and trials, we have assurance that our lives are in the grip of the almighty God. We can rely not only on His love and presence, but also on His uninterrupted attention, faithfulness, and perfect care.
When difficulty arises and circumstances seem overwhelming, we can respond with confidence and strength because of Jesus. Along with the psalmist, who also lived during times of war and stressful events, we can call the Lord "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust" (Ps. 91:2).
Consider where you find security. Is the foundation of your life built upon the solid rock of Jesus? Or is it planted in something as unstable as sand—like money or prestige? Placing hope and confidence in anything apart from the Lord will ultimately leave you feeling broken and defeated.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Our world is a changing, uncertain place. Many people seek security in wealth, relationships, and power. These things, however, are not guaranteed from one day to the next. Watching the news provides enough proof that any of them can be taken away in a moment. No wonder there is such despair and fear.
For believers, thankfully, reality is not based in what we see. Nor is our foundation found in this world. We build our hope and trust on the Lord, and we believe the truth in His Word.
Even in chaotic times, our certainty is found in God's loving relationship with us as His children. Today's passage tells us that nothing can tear us away from our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, in the midst of turmoil and trials, we have assurance that our lives are in the grip of the almighty God. We can rely not only on His love and presence, but also on His uninterrupted attention, faithfulness, and perfect care.
When difficulty arises and circumstances seem overwhelming, we can respond with confidence and strength because of Jesus. Along with the psalmist, who also lived during times of war and stressful events, we can call the Lord "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust" (Ps. 91:2).
Consider where you find security. Is the foundation of your life built upon the solid rock of Jesus? Or is it planted in something as unstable as sand—like money or prestige? Placing hope and confidence in anything apart from the Lord will ultimately leave you feeling broken and defeated.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Distracted by "Stuff"
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6:21
Matthew 19 > records a conversation between Jesus and the rich young ruler, who may be the only man in the Gospels who came to Jesus and actually went away in worse condition than before. This was a man who had been raised in a very religious home. The Bible says he had great wealth. But something was missing. He wanted eternal life. So he came to Jesus with a question: "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16).
Jesus told him to keep the commandments. And when he wanted to know which ones, Jesus started reciting them. Why? Because if this rich young ruler had been honest and would have done some reflecting, he would have recognized that he wasn't as good as he thought he was. Jesus quoted the law, because the law is a moral mirror. The law wasn't given to make us righteous, but to show that we are not righteous.
But the rich young ruler didn't get that, so Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (verse 21).
So the story of the rich young ruler ended in sadness. Matthew tells us, "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions" (verse 22).
Jesus was laying his finger on the primary sin in this man's life, which was the love of earthly things. Jesus was asking this man to dethrone his wealth and enthrone the Savior. But he wasn't willing to do so.
Like this man, we can easily get distracted by stuff (cash, cribs, cars and clothes) today. And far too often, we think only of the here and now and very rarely of the by-and-by.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Matthew 19 > records a conversation between Jesus and the rich young ruler, who may be the only man in the Gospels who came to Jesus and actually went away in worse condition than before. This was a man who had been raised in a very religious home. The Bible says he had great wealth. But something was missing. He wanted eternal life. So he came to Jesus with a question: "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16).
Jesus told him to keep the commandments. And when he wanted to know which ones, Jesus started reciting them. Why? Because if this rich young ruler had been honest and would have done some reflecting, he would have recognized that he wasn't as good as he thought he was. Jesus quoted the law, because the law is a moral mirror. The law wasn't given to make us righteous, but to show that we are not righteous.
But the rich young ruler didn't get that, so Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (verse 21).
So the story of the rich young ruler ended in sadness. Matthew tells us, "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions" (verse 22).
Jesus was laying his finger on the primary sin in this man's life, which was the love of earthly things. Jesus was asking this man to dethrone his wealth and enthrone the Savior. But he wasn't willing to do so.
Like this man, we can easily get distracted by stuff (cash, cribs, cars and clothes) today. And far too often, we think only of the here and now and very rarely of the by-and-by.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Giving Ourselves to God
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Romans 12:1-2
The Bible tells us that, in light of all God has done for us, we should present ourselves to Him. If we do this, then we will know His will for our lives. What does that mean, to present our bodies? It means that you give your whole self to Christ, and Christ alone.
1. We need to present our minds. Fill your mind with the Word of God, not the filth and twisted worldview of our culture. A recent survey revealed that America's children and teenagers are now spending an average of more than 7.5 hours a day involved in electronic media (TV, video games, listening to music, surfing the Web, texting, and e-mailing). We need to think more about godly things! As Paul wrote to the Philippian church, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8).
2. We need to present our tongues. This refers to how we use our words, what we say to others. We can do great harm or great good with our words. One word can either elevate, or devastate. The Bible tells us, "So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire" (James 3:5).
3. We need to present our hands and feet too. Among the seven things listed in Proverbs 16 that the Lord hates are "hands that kill the innocent . . . feet that race to do wrong" (Proverbs 6:16–18). How much more glorious is it to have our hands and feet take the gospel out to a lost and dying world. Romans 10:15 says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
I urge you to present your body to Him today and every day!
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
The Bible tells us that, in light of all God has done for us, we should present ourselves to Him. If we do this, then we will know His will for our lives. What does that mean, to present our bodies? It means that you give your whole self to Christ, and Christ alone.
1. We need to present our minds. Fill your mind with the Word of God, not the filth and twisted worldview of our culture. A recent survey revealed that America's children and teenagers are now spending an average of more than 7.5 hours a day involved in electronic media (TV, video games, listening to music, surfing the Web, texting, and e-mailing). We need to think more about godly things! As Paul wrote to the Philippian church, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8).
2. We need to present our tongues. This refers to how we use our words, what we say to others. We can do great harm or great good with our words. One word can either elevate, or devastate. The Bible tells us, "So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire" (James 3:5).
3. We need to present our hands and feet too. Among the seven things listed in Proverbs 16 that the Lord hates are "hands that kill the innocent . . . feet that race to do wrong" (Proverbs 6:16–18). How much more glorious is it to have our hands and feet take the gospel out to a lost and dying world. Romans 10:15 says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
I urge you to present your body to Him today and every day!
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Priority of Obedience
23) Jesus answered and said to him, “(A)If anyone loves Me, he will (B)keep My word; and (C)My Father will love him, and We (D)will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24) He who does not love Me (E)does not keep My words; and (F)the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. 25) “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26) But the (G)Helper, the Holy Spirit, (H)whom the Father will send in My name, (I)He will teach you all things, and (J)bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. [John 14:23-26]
The Creator gave two commands to Adam and Eve—first, to fill the earth and rule over it, and second, not to eat from a certain tree in the Garden (Gen. 1:28; 2:17). Because they chose to disobey, their relationship with God was broken, and they had to leave Eden.
The first couple’s rebellion not only impacted their own lives but also had far broader implications: all future generations have suffered. In Romans 5:12-19, the apostle Paul explained the reason. Through the trespass of one man, Adam, sin made its entrance into the world, and death resulted for all mankind. Because Adam was head of the human race, his actions affected everyone born after him. His disobedience resulted in each of us having a bent away from the Lord and a desire for self-rule.
By contrast, Jesus made conformity to the Lord’s will the priority of His life. He obeyed God in both word and deed (John 8:28-29). Having lived a perfect life—one entirely without sin—He qualified to be our Savior (2 Cor. 5:21). Through the death of one man, Christ Jesus, payment was made for the transgressions of all mankind. God’s acceptance of the Son’s sacrifice brought us forgiveness and freedom from sin’s power.
Adam’s disobedience brought judgment and death upon us, whereas Jesus’ obedience resulted in new life for all who believe in Him (Rom. 6:4). Our Savior calls us to deny selfish desires, live sacrificially, and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). A godly life will bring Jesus honor and influence others for Him.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
The Creator gave two commands to Adam and Eve—first, to fill the earth and rule over it, and second, not to eat from a certain tree in the Garden (Gen. 1:28; 2:17). Because they chose to disobey, their relationship with God was broken, and they had to leave Eden.
The first couple’s rebellion not only impacted their own lives but also had far broader implications: all future generations have suffered. In Romans 5:12-19, the apostle Paul explained the reason. Through the trespass of one man, Adam, sin made its entrance into the world, and death resulted for all mankind. Because Adam was head of the human race, his actions affected everyone born after him. His disobedience resulted in each of us having a bent away from the Lord and a desire for self-rule.
By contrast, Jesus made conformity to the Lord’s will the priority of His life. He obeyed God in both word and deed (John 8:28-29). Having lived a perfect life—one entirely without sin—He qualified to be our Savior (2 Cor. 5:21). Through the death of one man, Christ Jesus, payment was made for the transgressions of all mankind. God’s acceptance of the Son’s sacrifice brought us forgiveness and freedom from sin’s power.
Adam’s disobedience brought judgment and death upon us, whereas Jesus’ obedience resulted in new life for all who believe in Him (Rom. 6:4). Our Savior calls us to deny selfish desires, live sacrificially, and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). A godly life will bring Jesus honor and influence others for Him.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, August 11, 2011
A New Nature
21) but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22) Stay away from every kind of evil. 23) Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 1Thess. 5: 21-23 (NLT)
When we trust Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. That is the moment of salvation, when we become a new creation. Yet until life in these earthly bodies ceases, there will continue to be a war between the old and new patterns of behavior.
To lead us to victory, the Lord may allow difficulty that brings about brokenness. His purpose is to rid us of our old “flesh” (a way of thinking/doing that is opposed to God's way) so that we can experience fullness of life in Christ.
Let’s examine this flesh. The following are indications that the sinful self still thrives: self-advancement, self-centeredness, self-will, self-dependency, and self-righteousness. These motives exist in all people to some extent, but over time our heavenly Father lovingly breaks them in His children ( those who trust in Christ).
At salvation, God gives us His nature, the evidence of which is fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22). These qualities allow us to love and be loved. And people will be attracted to Jesus when they sense these characteristics in believers. On the other hand, if these attributes are missing, we can never truly experience life as God intended. The process of brokenness and restoration is unpleasant. But the end result is well worth the suffering that it requires.
What rules your actions, choices, and thoughts? Are they primarily influenced by the Holy Spirit or by your flesh? It takes courage to look at your heart and notice its true condition. Ask God to work in your life so that His Spirit can reign freely in your heart.
(via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
When we trust Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. That is the moment of salvation, when we become a new creation. Yet until life in these earthly bodies ceases, there will continue to be a war between the old and new patterns of behavior.
To lead us to victory, the Lord may allow difficulty that brings about brokenness. His purpose is to rid us of our old “flesh” (a way of thinking/doing that is opposed to God's way) so that we can experience fullness of life in Christ.
Let’s examine this flesh. The following are indications that the sinful self still thrives: self-advancement, self-centeredness, self-will, self-dependency, and self-righteousness. These motives exist in all people to some extent, but over time our heavenly Father lovingly breaks them in His children ( those who trust in Christ).
At salvation, God gives us His nature, the evidence of which is fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22). These qualities allow us to love and be loved. And people will be attracted to Jesus when they sense these characteristics in believers. On the other hand, if these attributes are missing, we can never truly experience life as God intended. The process of brokenness and restoration is unpleasant. But the end result is well worth the suffering that it requires.
What rules your actions, choices, and thoughts? Are they primarily influenced by the Holy Spirit or by your flesh? It takes courage to look at your heart and notice its true condition. Ask God to work in your life so that His Spirit can reign freely in your heart.
(via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
True Conversion
"And when people escape from the wicked ways of the world by learning about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up with sin and become its slave again, they are worse off than before." 2 Peter 2:20
Sometimes we hear about well-known people who claim to have made a commitment to Jesus Christ. Often, it is around election time. When they address Christians, they speak of their great faith in God. After the elections, we seldom hear about it again.
Then there are people who say they are believers, but a month or two later, they go back to their old ways again. They say, "I tried Christianity, but it didn't work for me." But in reality, they never really found Christ.
Others will turn to God when they hit hard times. Awhile later, you see them going back to their old ways, and you wonder what happened. I would suggest that many of these people never were converted at all. They went through the motions, but Jesus Christ never became a part of their lives. Often, they end up worse than before.
When Jesus Christ truly comes into our lives, He takes up residence. And He doesn't just do a basic housecleaning; He does a thorough one. There is real change. But when a house has only been swept, that is, when someone has made only moral changes, he or she is still vulnerable to the enemy. This is why we must recognize the futility of simply turning over a new leaf or making a few new resolutions. We must realize the problem is deeper than our moral sins. We must get to the heart of the matter and have Jesus Christ take residence in our lives and change us from the inside out.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Sometimes we hear about well-known people who claim to have made a commitment to Jesus Christ. Often, it is around election time. When they address Christians, they speak of their great faith in God. After the elections, we seldom hear about it again.
Then there are people who say they are believers, but a month or two later, they go back to their old ways again. They say, "I tried Christianity, but it didn't work for me." But in reality, they never really found Christ.
Others will turn to God when they hit hard times. Awhile later, you see them going back to their old ways, and you wonder what happened. I would suggest that many of these people never were converted at all. They went through the motions, but Jesus Christ never became a part of their lives. Often, they end up worse than before.
When Jesus Christ truly comes into our lives, He takes up residence. And He doesn't just do a basic housecleaning; He does a thorough one. There is real change. But when a house has only been swept, that is, when someone has made only moral changes, he or she is still vulnerable to the enemy. This is why we must recognize the futility of simply turning over a new leaf or making a few new resolutions. We must realize the problem is deeper than our moral sins. We must get to the heart of the matter and have Jesus Christ take residence in our lives and change us from the inside out.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, July 28, 2011
An Act of Contrition
I was thinking last night about all of the prayers I learned while attending Catholic School as a child and realized that I recalled most of them verbatim. But one that sticks out in my mind over and over again is the Act of Contrition. We all sin - whether we mean to or not and I've always tried to do my best but still fall short as well. I have decided that I will recite this one daily in an effort to be what I want to be- a good Christian.
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong, and failing to do good,
I have sinned against You, whom I should love above all things.
With Your help, I will do penance, sin no more,
and avoid thoae things which leads me to sin against you.
Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins
in His name, have mercy on us.
Amen
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Faith Is All We Have
Scripture Of The Day: "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!'” - Lamentations 3:23-24 (NLT)
We have witnessed devastation so vast that there are some who still don’t believe what has actually happened. The television accounts have allowed us to see a part of what has happened, but there is no account as detailed as that experienced by those who have been in the midst of floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis or any other disaster. Lives have been lost, and uncivilized behavior raised its ugly head, primal behavior driven by desperation and deprivation. All we have is faith – faith that God is still in control; faith that if God’s people who are called by His name would humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, that He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal the land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
All we have is faith that America will seek God while God may be found – from the White House to the outhouse, from the pulpit to the pew, from the high-rise to the hut. All we have is faith, and it is our faith that helps us dare to hope when we remember that the unfailing love of the Lord never ends! Great is His faithfulness; every morning new mercies we see.
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, mourns for God’s people in the midst of their own destruction and devastation. It is through the prophet Jeremiah that we understand not only God’s judgment, but God’s mercy and hope for humanity. It is through Jeremiah that Israel is called back to God in the midst of destruction.
We find ourselves today as a nation affected by all that has happened as related to economics, catastrophic weather, and employment. We are in a position where only our faith will see us through. Our faith will cause us to stay connected to the call and cause of Christ even in the midst of despair and destruction. Our faith will cause us to examine our lives and our walk with Christ. It is our faith that helps us to continue to walk with Christ and not walk away feeling abandoned and betrayed. After all, scripture tells us that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Scripture tells us that the righteous have never been forsaken nor their seed begging bread. Scripture tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added unto us. It’s in our times of distress and despair that the enemy causes us to question God and His word.
Faith is all that we have. It is in Lamentations 3:19-24 that Jeremiah declares, “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
All we have is our faith!
Be Blessed!
Dawn
We have witnessed devastation so vast that there are some who still don’t believe what has actually happened. The television accounts have allowed us to see a part of what has happened, but there is no account as detailed as that experienced by those who have been in the midst of floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis or any other disaster. Lives have been lost, and uncivilized behavior raised its ugly head, primal behavior driven by desperation and deprivation. All we have is faith – faith that God is still in control; faith that if God’s people who are called by His name would humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, that He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal the land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
All we have is faith that America will seek God while God may be found – from the White House to the outhouse, from the pulpit to the pew, from the high-rise to the hut. All we have is faith, and it is our faith that helps us dare to hope when we remember that the unfailing love of the Lord never ends! Great is His faithfulness; every morning new mercies we see.
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, mourns for God’s people in the midst of their own destruction and devastation. It is through the prophet Jeremiah that we understand not only God’s judgment, but God’s mercy and hope for humanity. It is through Jeremiah that Israel is called back to God in the midst of destruction.
We find ourselves today as a nation affected by all that has happened as related to economics, catastrophic weather, and employment. We are in a position where only our faith will see us through. Our faith will cause us to stay connected to the call and cause of Christ even in the midst of despair and destruction. Our faith will cause us to examine our lives and our walk with Christ. It is our faith that helps us to continue to walk with Christ and not walk away feeling abandoned and betrayed. After all, scripture tells us that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Scripture tells us that the righteous have never been forsaken nor their seed begging bread. Scripture tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added unto us. It’s in our times of distress and despair that the enemy causes us to question God and His word.
Faith is all that we have. It is in Lamentations 3:19-24 that Jeremiah declares, “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
All we have is our faith!
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Foxhole Christians
Food for thought.........
Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray.— Psalm 5:2
Before I became a Christian, I thought I already was one. Whenever I was in trouble, I cried out to Jesus. I thought I must surely be a Christian because I was praying. But I did not understand what being a Christian really was.
When the chips are down, most people do pray. It has been said, "There are no atheists in foxholes." If your life is on the line, you will pray. I think back on my own life and recognize that whenever trouble hit, I would call on God. I would pray, "God, if you get me out of this crisis, I promise I will serve You. I will do whatever You ask me to do." He would get me out of that one and I would say, "Thanks, God. See you next crisis." So in a sense, you could say that I prayed. But my prayer life consisted of moments of crisis when I called out to God out of fear.
In the Book of Jonah, we find the story of a great storm that arose on the sea. We read that all the sailors on the ship with Jonah began to call on their gods. That is what people will do. They will call upon their god when they are in trouble. But that doesn't mean God is necessarily living in their lives. It's possible to pray and not even know the God you are praying to.
If you are a Christian, you should certainly pray. But praying does not necessarily mean you are a Christian. You need to have a personal relationship with God. You need to believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray.— Psalm 5:2
Before I became a Christian, I thought I already was one. Whenever I was in trouble, I cried out to Jesus. I thought I must surely be a Christian because I was praying. But I did not understand what being a Christian really was.
When the chips are down, most people do pray. It has been said, "There are no atheists in foxholes." If your life is on the line, you will pray. I think back on my own life and recognize that whenever trouble hit, I would call on God. I would pray, "God, if you get me out of this crisis, I promise I will serve You. I will do whatever You ask me to do." He would get me out of that one and I would say, "Thanks, God. See you next crisis." So in a sense, you could say that I prayed. But my prayer life consisted of moments of crisis when I called out to God out of fear.
In the Book of Jonah, we find the story of a great storm that arose on the sea. We read that all the sailors on the ship with Jonah began to call on their gods. That is what people will do. They will call upon their god when they are in trouble. But that doesn't mean God is necessarily living in their lives. It's possible to pray and not even know the God you are praying to.
If you are a Christian, you should certainly pray. But praying does not necessarily mean you are a Christian. You need to have a personal relationship with God. You need to believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, July 22, 2011
The Person God Uses
Have you ever wanted to be used by God?
Most of us believe that it is a God-given desire to want to serve the Lord. But maybe you've wondered what qualifications the Lord looks for in the life of a man or woman that He would use. In the Book of Joshua, we can find at least seven principles that apply to the person God uses.
Principle one: God uses people who realize they are weak. In Joshua 1, God told Joshua to "be strong and courageous" a total of three times in four verses. Why? It was probably because He knew Joshua was afraid—and understandably so.
Moses was gone. Now God had raised up Joshua to lead the people of Israel, and he hardly felt adequate for the task. It isn't a bad thing to discover that we are weak. In fact, it is quite good. As Warren Wiersbe has said, "You can never be too small for God to use—only too big."
Principle two: God uses people who are faithful. Joshua had been Moses' helper, or as the New King James Version puts it, "Moses' assistant" (see Joshua 1:1). Joshua was the guy who was there to help Moses get the job done. He had been born in Egypt and, along with Caleb, would be the only Israelite from the great exodus to survive the wilderness wandering and make it into the Promised Land. Joshua was a faithful man and a worthy successor to Moses.
Principle three: God uses people who study and live by His Word. God told Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night . . . " (1:8 NKJV). If you want to be used by God, then you need to know the Word of God. "Meditate in it day and night," God said to Joshua.
The word meditate means, "to ponder, to consider, to contemplate." This is where you will have the authority when you are used by God.
Principle four: God uses the person who is patient and waits on His timing. Imagine wandering around the wilderness for 40 years, and finally you are on the brink of entering the Promised Land. Then God says, "Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land . . . ' " (1:11 NKJV).
We need to learn to wait on God's timing, because there is a time and a way to do what God calls us to do.
Principle five: God uses the person who cares about lost souls. There was a lost soul to be saved before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, and her name was Rahab. God would not judge Jericho until Rahab had been reached and told what to do to avoid this judgment that was coming when the Israelites attacked.
God's heart always is to save people. Every soul is precious to Him. God always cares about individuals, and so should we.
Principle six: God uses the person who sets himself or herself apart. Joshua told the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you" (3:5 NKJV). The word sanctify means, "to set yourself apart, to live a holy life."
It comes down to this: if you want to be used by God, then you will want to live a life that is right before Him. You don't need to be perfect. But you need to be someone who is attempting to live a godly life.
Principle seven: God uses the person who knows how to work with others. A good leader will communicate with and encourage the people with whom he or she works.
That is what Joshua did. He called the people together and encouraged them. They were about to undertake a very difficult task. It was going to take faith. He was saying to the people, "Hear what God is saying to you, and let's move forward." Joshua was communicating with the people he was leading, and he was encouraging them. If you want to be used by God, then this is what you need to do.
The Bible says, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV). Will you be that person He can use?
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Most of us believe that it is a God-given desire to want to serve the Lord. But maybe you've wondered what qualifications the Lord looks for in the life of a man or woman that He would use. In the Book of Joshua, we can find at least seven principles that apply to the person God uses.
Principle one: God uses people who realize they are weak. In Joshua 1, God told Joshua to "be strong and courageous" a total of three times in four verses. Why? It was probably because He knew Joshua was afraid—and understandably so.
Moses was gone. Now God had raised up Joshua to lead the people of Israel, and he hardly felt adequate for the task. It isn't a bad thing to discover that we are weak. In fact, it is quite good. As Warren Wiersbe has said, "You can never be too small for God to use—only too big."
Principle two: God uses people who are faithful. Joshua had been Moses' helper, or as the New King James Version puts it, "Moses' assistant" (see Joshua 1:1). Joshua was the guy who was there to help Moses get the job done. He had been born in Egypt and, along with Caleb, would be the only Israelite from the great exodus to survive the wilderness wandering and make it into the Promised Land. Joshua was a faithful man and a worthy successor to Moses.
Principle three: God uses people who study and live by His Word. God told Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night . . . " (1:8 NKJV). If you want to be used by God, then you need to know the Word of God. "Meditate in it day and night," God said to Joshua.
The word meditate means, "to ponder, to consider, to contemplate." This is where you will have the authority when you are used by God.
Principle four: God uses the person who is patient and waits on His timing. Imagine wandering around the wilderness for 40 years, and finally you are on the brink of entering the Promised Land. Then God says, "Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land . . . ' " (1:11 NKJV).
We need to learn to wait on God's timing, because there is a time and a way to do what God calls us to do.
Principle five: God uses the person who cares about lost souls. There was a lost soul to be saved before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, and her name was Rahab. God would not judge Jericho until Rahab had been reached and told what to do to avoid this judgment that was coming when the Israelites attacked.
God's heart always is to save people. Every soul is precious to Him. God always cares about individuals, and so should we.
Principle six: God uses the person who sets himself or herself apart. Joshua told the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you" (3:5 NKJV). The word sanctify means, "to set yourself apart, to live a holy life."
It comes down to this: if you want to be used by God, then you will want to live a life that is right before Him. You don't need to be perfect. But you need to be someone who is attempting to live a godly life.
Principle seven: God uses the person who knows how to work with others. A good leader will communicate with and encourage the people with whom he or she works.
That is what Joshua did. He called the people together and encouraged them. They were about to undertake a very difficult task. It was going to take faith. He was saying to the people, "Hear what God is saying to you, and let's move forward." Joshua was communicating with the people he was leading, and he was encouraging them. If you want to be used by God, then this is what you need to do.
The Bible says, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV). Will you be that person He can use?
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Communion with God
7) I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8) Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9) and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.[a] For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10) I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,
God created men and women to be in a relationship with Him. The type of communion Adam and Eve first enjoyed with Him was meant for us as well. Then sin entered the world and everything changed. God’s intended intimate relationship with mankind was broken, and it has been passed down through the generations in that damaged condition.
But, as we know, that’s not the end of the story. God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place so our sins might be forgiven and our relationship with Him restored. Through faith in Christ, we are adopted into God’s family and belong to Him forever—just as He originally meant for it to be. He has provided us with everything we need to experience intimacy with Him.
So what happens if, following salvation, new believers never go deeper? Some may drift away from their initial zeal for the Lord, failing to make Bible reading or church attendance a regular occurrence. Perhaps others try to focus on the Lord but allow earthly matters to distract them. Over time, some Christians settle for what’s comfortable and familiar. Sadly, they will miss out on the deep contentment God wanted to provide. Yet those who make Jesus the priority of their life will have a deepening relationship that transcends any earthly one.
Communion with God made King David “fully satisfied as with the richest of foods” (Ps. 63:5 niv). Paul viewed his accomplishments as nothing in comparison with “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:8). Draw near to your Father, and experience the blessings of knowing Him.
(via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
God created men and women to be in a relationship with Him. The type of communion Adam and Eve first enjoyed with Him was meant for us as well. Then sin entered the world and everything changed. God’s intended intimate relationship with mankind was broken, and it has been passed down through the generations in that damaged condition.
But, as we know, that’s not the end of the story. God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place so our sins might be forgiven and our relationship with Him restored. Through faith in Christ, we are adopted into God’s family and belong to Him forever—just as He originally meant for it to be. He has provided us with everything we need to experience intimacy with Him.
So what happens if, following salvation, new believers never go deeper? Some may drift away from their initial zeal for the Lord, failing to make Bible reading or church attendance a regular occurrence. Perhaps others try to focus on the Lord but allow earthly matters to distract them. Over time, some Christians settle for what’s comfortable and familiar. Sadly, they will miss out on the deep contentment God wanted to provide. Yet those who make Jesus the priority of their life will have a deepening relationship that transcends any earthly one.
Communion with God made King David “fully satisfied as with the richest of foods” (Ps. 63:5 niv). Paul viewed his accomplishments as nothing in comparison with “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:8). Draw near to your Father, and experience the blessings of knowing Him.
(via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Open Mouth, Insert Foot! ( Love this one!)
By Lisa Crum
Scripture Of The Day: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
It's the scene of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17), and Peter, so excited about what he has just seen, blurts out, "Lord, it is good for us to be here! If thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah!" (v. 4) Remember? Imagine a 21st Century Peter, scrambling to get one of his biggest faux pas yanked from Youtube!
Well, I'd like to be able to roll my eyes at Peter and say, "Pete, man, I'm embarrassed FOR you, dude!" But whenever I read this passage, my face almost blushes from remembering times when my own mouth has had ample room for both feet...clear up to the knees! There are times when we utter things in haste that are, as Granny used to put it, "like feathers in the wind."
I'm more apt to speak out of turn – or to say things that, even as the words are leaving my mouth, my mind is shouting, "Will you shut up already!" – if I'm nervous, uncomfortable, or trying too hard to make a good impression. We are sometimes so anxious to impress that we make a total train wreck out of our good intentions! There even are some people who I embarrass myself around over and over again! Go figure…
My prayer for today:
"Lord, help me to rein in my emotions and also my pride – for when I'm too self-conscious, I forget to be more conscious of You. Help me to think before I speak, because I’m Your ambassador in a lost world where a disingenuous, religious spirit has left a bad aftertaste. I can either represent You well – or I can drive people even farther away from knowing how wonderful You are – all by the words I let escape from my lips. You instruct us to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. Help the inside of my vessel to be clean and not just the outside, so that when from the abundance of my heart my mouth speaks, my speech doesn't betray me – or You. In Jesus name, amen.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Scripture Of The Day: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
It's the scene of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17), and Peter, so excited about what he has just seen, blurts out, "Lord, it is good for us to be here! If thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah!" (v. 4) Remember? Imagine a 21st Century Peter, scrambling to get one of his biggest faux pas yanked from Youtube!
Well, I'd like to be able to roll my eyes at Peter and say, "Pete, man, I'm embarrassed FOR you, dude!" But whenever I read this passage, my face almost blushes from remembering times when my own mouth has had ample room for both feet...clear up to the knees! There are times when we utter things in haste that are, as Granny used to put it, "like feathers in the wind."
I'm more apt to speak out of turn – or to say things that, even as the words are leaving my mouth, my mind is shouting, "Will you shut up already!" – if I'm nervous, uncomfortable, or trying too hard to make a good impression. We are sometimes so anxious to impress that we make a total train wreck out of our good intentions! There even are some people who I embarrass myself around over and over again! Go figure…
My prayer for today:
"Lord, help me to rein in my emotions and also my pride – for when I'm too self-conscious, I forget to be more conscious of You. Help me to think before I speak, because I’m Your ambassador in a lost world where a disingenuous, religious spirit has left a bad aftertaste. I can either represent You well – or I can drive people even farther away from knowing how wonderful You are – all by the words I let escape from my lips. You instruct us to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. Help the inside of my vessel to be clean and not just the outside, so that when from the abundance of my heart my mouth speaks, my speech doesn't betray me – or You. In Jesus name, amen.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Done!
"Since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son." — Romans 5:10
What separates the Christian faith from all other belief systems in the world today is that you can go to the tombs of the prophets and the gurus and pay your respects, but if you go to the tomb of Jesus Christ, you will find that it is empty. He has risen again.
When a man who was trying to start his own religion contacted a well-known diplomat and asked for advice about how to get more people to join his religion, the statesman answered, "Well, I recommend that you get yourself crucified and then die, but be sure to rise again on the third day."
If you were to sum up all other religions of the world, one word would suffice: "do." Do this, and you will find peace of mind . . . do that, and maybe you will get to heaven. But the word that sums up Christianity is "done." It was done for us at the cross—paid for, completed. Jesus died and rose again.
Why did Jesus have to die—and die in the way that He did? There was no other way to meet the righteous demands of God, because the Bible says, "According to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22), and "the person who sins is the one who will die" (Ezekiel 18:20).
It was at the cross that God and man were reconciled once again. At the cross, that which was lost in the Garden was regained. At the cross, the righteous demands of God were satisfied. At the cross, Jesus dealt a decisive blow against Satan and his minions. At the cross, our salvation was purchased.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
What separates the Christian faith from all other belief systems in the world today is that you can go to the tombs of the prophets and the gurus and pay your respects, but if you go to the tomb of Jesus Christ, you will find that it is empty. He has risen again.
When a man who was trying to start his own religion contacted a well-known diplomat and asked for advice about how to get more people to join his religion, the statesman answered, "Well, I recommend that you get yourself crucified and then die, but be sure to rise again on the third day."
If you were to sum up all other religions of the world, one word would suffice: "do." Do this, and you will find peace of mind . . . do that, and maybe you will get to heaven. But the word that sums up Christianity is "done." It was done for us at the cross—paid for, completed. Jesus died and rose again.
Why did Jesus have to die—and die in the way that He did? There was no other way to meet the righteous demands of God, because the Bible says, "According to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22), and "the person who sins is the one who will die" (Ezekiel 18:20).
It was at the cross that God and man were reconciled once again. At the cross, that which was lost in the Garden was regained. At the cross, the righteous demands of God were satisfied. At the cross, Jesus dealt a decisive blow against Satan and his minions. At the cross, our salvation was purchased.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Age of Accountability
Read ~ Deuteronomy 11:18-20
I recall an interesting conversation I once had with a young first-time mom while she allowed me to hold her infant son. I commented, “It’s hard to believe that they are born with a sinful nature.” She protested, and I thought it best not to argue with her. But I would have liked to call her a couple of years later when the boy was a toddler to see if she thought any differently!
At one point or another, all of us have felt a tug to do something that we knew was wrong. As adults and believers, we’ve learned that giving in to temptation is a sin against God. But small children do exactly as their natures dictate. Mother says, “Don’t touch,” but they reach out anyway. Little ones do not yet see the wisdom of following a parent’s rules. Boys and girls must be taught to recognize the difference between good and evil before they can make the wise choice to do right.
In the early years, a child is in a state of innocence. He is neither righteous nor saved, but he is safe from God’s wrath—if he dies, he goes to heaven. The Bible refers to the innocent period in Deuteronomy 1:39 and again in Isaiah 7:16. The Word of God confirms that there is a period of time when children are not morally accountable for their conduct.
The age of moral responsibility differs from child to child. As little ones grow, they each develop the spiritual capacity to pursue righteousness or knowingly give in to evil. The years of innocence are the time for parents to pour into their offspring sound biblical training and lessons on obedience.
(Via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
I recall an interesting conversation I once had with a young first-time mom while she allowed me to hold her infant son. I commented, “It’s hard to believe that they are born with a sinful nature.” She protested, and I thought it best not to argue with her. But I would have liked to call her a couple of years later when the boy was a toddler to see if she thought any differently!
At one point or another, all of us have felt a tug to do something that we knew was wrong. As adults and believers, we’ve learned that giving in to temptation is a sin against God. But small children do exactly as their natures dictate. Mother says, “Don’t touch,” but they reach out anyway. Little ones do not yet see the wisdom of following a parent’s rules. Boys and girls must be taught to recognize the difference between good and evil before they can make the wise choice to do right.
In the early years, a child is in a state of innocence. He is neither righteous nor saved, but he is safe from God’s wrath—if he dies, he goes to heaven. The Bible refers to the innocent period in Deuteronomy 1:39 and again in Isaiah 7:16. The Word of God confirms that there is a period of time when children are not morally accountable for their conduct.
The age of moral responsibility differs from child to child. As little ones grow, they each develop the spiritual capacity to pursue righteousness or knowingly give in to evil. The years of innocence are the time for parents to pour into their offspring sound biblical training and lessons on obedience.
(Via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Whatever It Takes
"If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?" Matthew 18:12
Have you ever lost something of value? Years ago when my son Jonathan was little, he got lost in a hotel where we were staying. He loved to push the buttons on elevators, so as we were walking to the elevator, he ran ahead of me. I called after him, "Wait until Dad gets there!" But he raced into the elevator and the door promptly closed behind him. I kept pushing the button and waited for what felt like an eternity until the doors finally opened again—with no Jonathan behind them. With security notified, I ran back, got into the elevator, and pushed every single button. Each time the doors opened, I screamed out his name. Finally I found him on the ninth floor, just standing there. I was prepared to do whatever it took to find my son. I would have kicked doors down, if necessary. Failure was not an option.
In Matthew 18, Jesus gave us a picture of how God searches for us when we stray: "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?" (verse 12).
David, a shepherd himself, said of God: "I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there." (Psalm 139:7–8)
God will not give up. Remember that when your children go astray. Remember that when you go astray. Failure is not an option for God. He will seek you out. Wherever you go, you never will escape His presence. He will search for you because He loves you.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Have you ever lost something of value? Years ago when my son Jonathan was little, he got lost in a hotel where we were staying. He loved to push the buttons on elevators, so as we were walking to the elevator, he ran ahead of me. I called after him, "Wait until Dad gets there!" But he raced into the elevator and the door promptly closed behind him. I kept pushing the button and waited for what felt like an eternity until the doors finally opened again—with no Jonathan behind them. With security notified, I ran back, got into the elevator, and pushed every single button. Each time the doors opened, I screamed out his name. Finally I found him on the ninth floor, just standing there. I was prepared to do whatever it took to find my son. I would have kicked doors down, if necessary. Failure was not an option.
In Matthew 18, Jesus gave us a picture of how God searches for us when we stray: "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?" (verse 12).
David, a shepherd himself, said of God: "I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there." (Psalm 139:7–8)
God will not give up. Remember that when your children go astray. Remember that when you go astray. Failure is not an option for God. He will seek you out. Wherever you go, you never will escape His presence. He will search for you because He loves you.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Leaving a Lasting Impact
13) “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14) “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15) No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16) In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:13-16
On this Independence Day, consider the question, How do you use the gift of freedom? God gives all believers true liberty through His Son Jesus Christ. Do you squander that blessing or share it with others? The problem is, some people are so focused on their own needs and desires that they fail to impact even their closest neighbor.
Think about the people you see every week. Do you know how many of your neighbors are sick? Are there people in your church who struggle to make it from day to day? Do you know if any of your coworkers are going through hardships? Most likely, there are individuals all around you who could use assistance. But being self-focused limits our ability to notice those people, let alone reach out to them.
Jesus taught His disciples, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men” (Matt. 5:13). In order for salt to remain useful, it must maintain its purity and potency. Likewise, we must endeavor to lead holy, humble, and loving lives, focusing on the Savior’s will rather than our own.
God has prepared the good works that we are to walk in (Eph. 2:10). Our job is to choose to do so.
Whether or not we affect our world positively depends on the focus of our heart. Do you look inward to consider how you can do more to get ahead and add to your lot in life? Or do you look outward and think about ways that you can do more to serve others?
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
On this Independence Day, consider the question, How do you use the gift of freedom? God gives all believers true liberty through His Son Jesus Christ. Do you squander that blessing or share it with others? The problem is, some people are so focused on their own needs and desires that they fail to impact even their closest neighbor.
Think about the people you see every week. Do you know how many of your neighbors are sick? Are there people in your church who struggle to make it from day to day? Do you know if any of your coworkers are going through hardships? Most likely, there are individuals all around you who could use assistance. But being self-focused limits our ability to notice those people, let alone reach out to them.
Jesus taught His disciples, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men” (Matt. 5:13). In order for salt to remain useful, it must maintain its purity and potency. Likewise, we must endeavor to lead holy, humble, and loving lives, focusing on the Savior’s will rather than our own.
God has prepared the good works that we are to walk in (Eph. 2:10). Our job is to choose to do so.
Whether or not we affect our world positively depends on the focus of our heart. Do you look inward to consider how you can do more to get ahead and add to your lot in life? Or do you look outward and think about ways that you can do more to serve others?
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, June 30, 2011
"Taking "Liberties"
So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. — Romans 14:13
How do we cause other people to stumble? The answer is very simple. We cause other people to stumble by not caring about them.
Jesus said, "If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet" (Matthew 18:8). He basically was saying that we should get rid of anything in our lives that would be a bad example. If there is something in our lives that would cause us to stumble, then we need to deal with it, because it could cause someone else to stumble as well.
I think of couples who decide to get divorced and say things like, "Oh, don't worry about the kids. They are resilient." That divorce will hurt them—trust me. I know from the personal experience of being a child of divorce and seeing my mother married and divorced seven times. I know what that is like, and I know what it is like for a child. Parents are to be an example to their children. Be something they can emulate.
Younger believers are watching what we do as well. Sometimes we will take our so-called liberties and flaunt them, and then we cause younger believers to stumble in their faith. But the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 14:21, "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble."
You might think, Well, that is their problem. No, not really. It is your problem. It is our problem. We don't live and die to ourselves. What we do affects other people (especially our children). So be a good example.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
How do we cause other people to stumble? The answer is very simple. We cause other people to stumble by not caring about them.
Jesus said, "If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet" (Matthew 18:8). He basically was saying that we should get rid of anything in our lives that would be a bad example. If there is something in our lives that would cause us to stumble, then we need to deal with it, because it could cause someone else to stumble as well.
I think of couples who decide to get divorced and say things like, "Oh, don't worry about the kids. They are resilient." That divorce will hurt them—trust me. I know from the personal experience of being a child of divorce and seeing my mother married and divorced seven times. I know what that is like, and I know what it is like for a child. Parents are to be an example to their children. Be something they can emulate.
Younger believers are watching what we do as well. Sometimes we will take our so-called liberties and flaunt them, and then we cause younger believers to stumble in their faith. But the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 14:21, "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble."
You might think, Well, that is their problem. No, not really. It is your problem. It is our problem. We don't live and die to ourselves. What we do affects other people (especially our children). So be a good example.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Waiting for Answers to Prayer
Read ~ Psalm 33:20-22
Scripture makes it clear that our heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. Yet we all experience times when, though we pray for God to act right away, He does not. What are some reasons for the delay?
At times the Lord sees that our attention is misdirected. Our relationship with Him should have priority over any earthly matter (Mark 12:30). Yet minds and prayers can become so fixed upon a need that our gaze shifts away from Him. The Father may delay His answer until we refocus on Him. In other situations, God waits because the timing is not right for granting our request. Perhaps certain events must happen first, or people’s thinking needs to be changed.
There are also seasons when the Lord wants to stretch and grow our faith. One of the ways He accomplishes that is by having us watch for His response. The Holy Spirit will work in these times of waiting to mature us and bring forth righteous fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Other reasons are a wrong motive for our request (James 4:3) and the practice of habitual sin. We all fall short when it comes to God’s standard of holiness, but some of us persist in a lifestyle of disobedience. The Lord may delay His answer so He can prompt us to confess our sin and turn back to Him.
Waiting on the Lord isn’t easy—faith and trust are needed (Heb. 11:1). If His answer is delayed, check that 1) your focus is on Him, 2) your motive for asking is God-honoring, and 3) you aren’t practicing habitual sin. Then believe that His response will be for your good and His glory.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Scripture makes it clear that our heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. Yet we all experience times when, though we pray for God to act right away, He does not. What are some reasons for the delay?
At times the Lord sees that our attention is misdirected. Our relationship with Him should have priority over any earthly matter (Mark 12:30). Yet minds and prayers can become so fixed upon a need that our gaze shifts away from Him. The Father may delay His answer until we refocus on Him. In other situations, God waits because the timing is not right for granting our request. Perhaps certain events must happen first, or people’s thinking needs to be changed.
There are also seasons when the Lord wants to stretch and grow our faith. One of the ways He accomplishes that is by having us watch for His response. The Holy Spirit will work in these times of waiting to mature us and bring forth righteous fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Other reasons are a wrong motive for our request (James 4:3) and the practice of habitual sin. We all fall short when it comes to God’s standard of holiness, but some of us persist in a lifestyle of disobedience. The Lord may delay His answer so He can prompt us to confess our sin and turn back to Him.
Waiting on the Lord isn’t easy—faith and trust are needed (Heb. 11:1). If His answer is delayed, check that 1) your focus is on Him, 2) your motive for asking is God-honoring, and 3) you aren’t practicing habitual sin. Then believe that His response will be for your good and His glory.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Training to See God
24) You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. 25) You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, 26) for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. Proverbs 3:24-26 (NLT)
David was confident that the Lord was always at his right hand (Ps. 16:8). His psalms reveal that in surveying his life, he saw God’s fingerprints all over it. Like David, we must train our spiritual eyes to notice the evidence of our heavenly Father’s presence.
Seeing with spiritual eyes isn’t a now-and-then kind of thing—it’s a lifestyle. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Those who walk before the Lord with a clear conscience will take captive unholy thoughts, habits, attitudes, and words. They cast out sin and live in righteousness. As a result, such believers have a spiritual clarity that sharpens their awareness of God’s presence and involvement in their lives.
I developed a habit years ago that has helped me to focus. When I lie down and talk to the Lord before going to sleep, I try to recall the events of my day. What I’m really doing is looking for evidence of God at work. How did He guide this decision? Answer this question? Protect me in this situation? Help me in this relationship? Appreciating the Lord’s handiwork a second time (even when the initial experience was difficult) etches the reality of His care deeper on my heart.
The evidence of God’s great power is all over your life, if only you will see it. Viewing the world with wide-open spiritual eyes changes one’s perspective. Instead of saying, “I can’t,” say, “I can because the Lord always enables me.” Live confident in our loving, omnipotent God, who dwells within every believer.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
David was confident that the Lord was always at his right hand (Ps. 16:8). His psalms reveal that in surveying his life, he saw God’s fingerprints all over it. Like David, we must train our spiritual eyes to notice the evidence of our heavenly Father’s presence.
Seeing with spiritual eyes isn’t a now-and-then kind of thing—it’s a lifestyle. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Those who walk before the Lord with a clear conscience will take captive unholy thoughts, habits, attitudes, and words. They cast out sin and live in righteousness. As a result, such believers have a spiritual clarity that sharpens their awareness of God’s presence and involvement in their lives.
I developed a habit years ago that has helped me to focus. When I lie down and talk to the Lord before going to sleep, I try to recall the events of my day. What I’m really doing is looking for evidence of God at work. How did He guide this decision? Answer this question? Protect me in this situation? Help me in this relationship? Appreciating the Lord’s handiwork a second time (even when the initial experience was difficult) etches the reality of His care deeper on my heart.
The evidence of God’s great power is all over your life, if only you will see it. Viewing the world with wide-open spiritual eyes changes one’s perspective. Instead of saying, “I can’t,” say, “I can because the Lord always enables me.” Live confident in our loving, omnipotent God, who dwells within every believer.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, June 27, 2011
Put it into Action
And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ” Philemon 1:6, (NLT)
The Bible tells us that faith without works is dead. If we don’t put our faith into action, it’s not really faith; it’s just nice ideas. You see, when God truly does a work in our lives, it affects everything about us. It affects our words, our thoughts and our actions. How do you know someone is generous? By their generous actions. How do you know someone is kind? By their kind actions. How do you know someone is gentle? By their gentle actions. How do you know someone is a follower of Christ? By their Christ-like actions.
Can people tell by your actions that you belong to God? We all have areas where we can come up higher, but as believers in Jesus, we can be confident that God is at work in us. He is faithful and will complete what He started. As we invite Him to search our hearts and minds, as we surrender every area of our heart to Him and put our faith into action, He will finish His perfect work in us!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for changing me, for making me more like You. I invite Your love to do a work in my heart so that You are reflected in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(via Joel & Victoria Osteen)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
The Bible tells us that faith without works is dead. If we don’t put our faith into action, it’s not really faith; it’s just nice ideas. You see, when God truly does a work in our lives, it affects everything about us. It affects our words, our thoughts and our actions. How do you know someone is generous? By their generous actions. How do you know someone is kind? By their kind actions. How do you know someone is gentle? By their gentle actions. How do you know someone is a follower of Christ? By their Christ-like actions.
Can people tell by your actions that you belong to God? We all have areas where we can come up higher, but as believers in Jesus, we can be confident that God is at work in us. He is faithful and will complete what He started. As we invite Him to search our hearts and minds, as we surrender every area of our heart to Him and put our faith into action, He will finish His perfect work in us!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for changing me, for making me more like You. I invite Your love to do a work in my heart so that You are reflected in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(via Joel & Victoria Osteen)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Dealing with Disappointment
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Read ~ Habakkuk 3:17-19
After preaching a sermon on disappointment, several men and women approached me with the same reaction: “I desperately needed to hear those words.” Countless people feel defeated and let down by disappointing situations. But our response can make all the difference. Frustrations can be either an opportunity for spiritual growth or a destructive blow.
A right response to disappointment begins with resisting the natural tendency toward bitterness. If someone else was involved in the situation, don’t be quick to judge his or her conduct. We can’t fully understand what is going on in others’ lives or what motivates them to act as they do. Our second step should be to ask the Lord, “How am I to respond?” God can guide us to a wise and righteous reaction because He has all the facts.
Third, follow His direction, even if it isn’t what you want to do. Oftentimes the Lord’s way contradicts our own desires and the advice of friends. However, His plan is the one that will bring about growth and result in our greatest good.
And finally, keep your focus on God and His higher purpose in your life. People are prone to dwell on their hurts and the harm that comes to them, which is what makes disappointment so destructive.
There is only one healthy method for dealing with letdown—pursue the Lord’s way and His will. Though human plans can be derailed, nothing alters God’s purpose. No matter how deep your hurt goes, He will shepherd you through setbacks and sorrows while growing your faith.
via Charles Stanley
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Read ~ Habakkuk 3:17-19
After preaching a sermon on disappointment, several men and women approached me with the same reaction: “I desperately needed to hear those words.” Countless people feel defeated and let down by disappointing situations. But our response can make all the difference. Frustrations can be either an opportunity for spiritual growth or a destructive blow.
A right response to disappointment begins with resisting the natural tendency toward bitterness. If someone else was involved in the situation, don’t be quick to judge his or her conduct. We can’t fully understand what is going on in others’ lives or what motivates them to act as they do. Our second step should be to ask the Lord, “How am I to respond?” God can guide us to a wise and righteous reaction because He has all the facts.
Third, follow His direction, even if it isn’t what you want to do. Oftentimes the Lord’s way contradicts our own desires and the advice of friends. However, His plan is the one that will bring about growth and result in our greatest good.
And finally, keep your focus on God and His higher purpose in your life. People are prone to dwell on their hurts and the harm that comes to them, which is what makes disappointment so destructive.
There is only one healthy method for dealing with letdown—pursue the Lord’s way and His will. Though human plans can be derailed, nothing alters God’s purpose. No matter how deep your hurt goes, He will shepherd you through setbacks and sorrows while growing your faith.
via Charles Stanley
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Knowing God's Will Is Not Always Easy
Let me say something that may surprise you: The will of God is not always easy to discern.
Most of my Christian life is one of faith, where I read Scripture and pray for wisdom. Then I make decisions and act on them, hoping that I am in His will. I hope that is not a disappointment to you.
You may have thought that I get a message from God every day, just like on Mission: Impossible (cue theme song). "Good morning, Mr. Laurie. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves leading a person named Joe Smith to Christ. He will be pumping gas at the station across from the church at 1:35 P.M. today. This message will self-destruct in five seconds."
In real life, the chances are that I will see my "idiot light" come on, and then pull over to get some gas. Old Joe will be standing there and say, "How ya doing?" And I will find myself smack dab in the middle of the will of God as I share Christ with him.
This is also true of the Christian life, in general. Emotions will come and go. Some days, you "feel" more spiritual than others. Some days, you are very encouraged, and other days you are discouraged. The best thing to do is just hold your course.
It's not unlike marriage. You cannot expect to have a euphoric high every day, where your heart flutters whenever your mate walks into the room.
I have been married to my wife Cathe for 37 years now. If I still felt the way around her that I did when I was first getting to know her, it would be absurd. Imagine this: your spouse walks in the room and your heart flutters, your mouth goes dry, and your mind goes blank. My wife would think I was having a heart attack!
No, we have been married all these years and we have made a life-long commitment to each other. The same is true of our commitment to God. Those emotions come and go, and come again. The Christian life is one of faith, not mere feeling. Scripture says "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).
So hold your course today!
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Most of my Christian life is one of faith, where I read Scripture and pray for wisdom. Then I make decisions and act on them, hoping that I am in His will. I hope that is not a disappointment to you.
You may have thought that I get a message from God every day, just like on Mission: Impossible (cue theme song). "Good morning, Mr. Laurie. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves leading a person named Joe Smith to Christ. He will be pumping gas at the station across from the church at 1:35 P.M. today. This message will self-destruct in five seconds."
In real life, the chances are that I will see my "idiot light" come on, and then pull over to get some gas. Old Joe will be standing there and say, "How ya doing?" And I will find myself smack dab in the middle of the will of God as I share Christ with him.
This is also true of the Christian life, in general. Emotions will come and go. Some days, you "feel" more spiritual than others. Some days, you are very encouraged, and other days you are discouraged. The best thing to do is just hold your course.
It's not unlike marriage. You cannot expect to have a euphoric high every day, where your heart flutters whenever your mate walks into the room.
I have been married to my wife Cathe for 37 years now. If I still felt the way around her that I did when I was first getting to know her, it would be absurd. Imagine this: your spouse walks in the room and your heart flutters, your mouth goes dry, and your mind goes blank. My wife would think I was having a heart attack!
No, we have been married all these years and we have made a life-long commitment to each other. The same is true of our commitment to God. Those emotions come and go, and come again. The Christian life is one of faith, not mere feeling. Scripture says "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).
So hold your course today!
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, June 20, 2011
Just Checking In
An oldie but goodie!
A minister passing through his church In the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle, the minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was kinda shabby, and his coat was worn and frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away. In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, he decided to stop the man and ask him, 'What are you doing here?' The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, For finding strength and power. 'I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say:
The minister feeling foolish, told Mike, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Mike smiled, said 'Thanks.' He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Mike's prayer: 'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO
PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Mike hadn't come. As more days passed without Mike,
He began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Mike was with them, brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Mike was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. he had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Mike spoke up and with a winsome smile; 'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that He's in here all the while everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, MIKE,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY
YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO Mike, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart
May God hold you in the palm of His hand and Angels watch over you. So, FRIEND, this is ME ... "Just Checking In Today"
A minister passing through his church In the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle, the minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was kinda shabby, and his coat was worn and frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away. In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, he decided to stop the man and ask him, 'What are you doing here?' The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, For finding strength and power. 'I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS MIKE CHECKING IN TODAY.'
The minister feeling foolish, told Mike, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Mike smiled, said 'Thanks.' He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Mike's prayer: 'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO
PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Mike hadn't come. As more days passed without Mike,
He began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Mike was with them, brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Mike was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. he had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Mike spoke up and with a winsome smile; 'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that He's in here all the while everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, MIKE,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY
YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO Mike, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart
May God hold you in the palm of His hand and Angels watch over you. So, FRIEND, this is ME ... "Just Checking In Today"
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, June 17, 2011
Repentance and Prayer
6) But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7)And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8)Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.... 12) And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” —Matthew 6:6-8, 12.
Prayer is entering God’s presence. It’s boldly going where we wouldn’t dare go unless Christ went with us (see Hebrews 4:14-16). One way to know you have stepped into God’s presence is the irresistible desire to confess. Our sin is always apparent when we are truly exposed to God’s holiness. If you’re not aware of unworthiness then you’re not actually aware of God. This is why it’s important to ask, “Is my prayer repentant?” when we spend time talking with God.
In Matthew 6:12 Jesus taught us to say “…And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. Now that’s not a credit card prayer. It’s not lighthearted forgiveness. Its’ talking about the sin against us that isn’t easy to overlook. If some one strikes you verbally, physically, or emotionally, that creates a debt; an obligation. They owe you now. And what we’re praying here is, “God, we acknowledge we have offended You, God. We have slapped You, as it were. And we have created an offense. And we are asking God that You would forgive us the same way we forgive other people who create offense with us.” Really?! Is that what you thought you were praying? That’s a hard prayer to pray—and mean! “Forgive me the way I forgive my sister, God. Do it just like that.” “Take my high water mark in forgiveness and apply that standard to me, God.” Talk about your prayer changing you!? “I want to be forgiven the way I forgive other people.” You see, because in prayer, I expand my sense of how I have offended God. And I thereby begin to minimize my sense of how others have offended me. And that’s prayer changing me.
Is my prayer repentant?
So, don’t come to church with an attitude toward somebody as if your back is turned toward them. “We may have gotten here in the same car, but we are not on the same program.” “If you come to worship,” Jesus said, “and you remember that you have something against someone, leave your gift at the altar. Go be reconciled to the person and then come and bring your worship” (Matthew 5:23). Are you practicing radical forgiveness?—James MacDonald
Journal: What are some matters that I may be holding against others that I now realize I must forgive because those things are damaging my relationship with Christ? What will forgiveness require? (For help on this, the short series from Harvest Bible Chapel entitled “Have the Funeral” can be a great help.)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I do want to forgive others because I realize that holding things against them keeps me tied to them and prevents me from fully participating in all You have for me. Show me anything I’m failing to forgive in others and give me the strength to hand those things over to You in forgiveness that I might be free! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
(Via James Macdonald)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Prayer is entering God’s presence. It’s boldly going where we wouldn’t dare go unless Christ went with us (see Hebrews 4:14-16). One way to know you have stepped into God’s presence is the irresistible desire to confess. Our sin is always apparent when we are truly exposed to God’s holiness. If you’re not aware of unworthiness then you’re not actually aware of God. This is why it’s important to ask, “Is my prayer repentant?” when we spend time talking with God.
In Matthew 6:12 Jesus taught us to say “…And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. Now that’s not a credit card prayer. It’s not lighthearted forgiveness. Its’ talking about the sin against us that isn’t easy to overlook. If some one strikes you verbally, physically, or emotionally, that creates a debt; an obligation. They owe you now. And what we’re praying here is, “God, we acknowledge we have offended You, God. We have slapped You, as it were. And we have created an offense. And we are asking God that You would forgive us the same way we forgive other people who create offense with us.” Really?! Is that what you thought you were praying? That’s a hard prayer to pray—and mean! “Forgive me the way I forgive my sister, God. Do it just like that.” “Take my high water mark in forgiveness and apply that standard to me, God.” Talk about your prayer changing you!? “I want to be forgiven the way I forgive other people.” You see, because in prayer, I expand my sense of how I have offended God. And I thereby begin to minimize my sense of how others have offended me. And that’s prayer changing me.
Is my prayer repentant?
So, don’t come to church with an attitude toward somebody as if your back is turned toward them. “We may have gotten here in the same car, but we are not on the same program.” “If you come to worship,” Jesus said, “and you remember that you have something against someone, leave your gift at the altar. Go be reconciled to the person and then come and bring your worship” (Matthew 5:23). Are you practicing radical forgiveness?—James MacDonald
Journal: What are some matters that I may be holding against others that I now realize I must forgive because those things are damaging my relationship with Christ? What will forgiveness require? (For help on this, the short series from Harvest Bible Chapel entitled “Have the Funeral” can be a great help.)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I do want to forgive others because I realize that holding things against them keeps me tied to them and prevents me from fully participating in all You have for me. Show me anything I’m failing to forgive in others and give me the strength to hand those things over to You in forgiveness that I might be free! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
(Via James Macdonald)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Friendship
Someone shared this with me, so I had to share it with you guys as well!
"There are friends who 'pretend' to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Many definitions have been given to describe friendship. Some time ago an English publication offered a prize for the best one, and, "A friend is one who understands our silence" was one of the thousands of entries. But the one that took first prize was this: "A friend—the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."
To me, a true friend is one who knows all about you and loves you still, who gives you his or her presence, who listens with his or her heart and actually hears what you are saying—who accepts you for who you are and not for what you have or haven't done. A good friend is one who doesn't judge you, try to fix you, or tell you what you should do. He or she will appreciate your friendship and tell you so, will rejoice with you in your successes and weep with you in your sorrows. And, at times, a good friend will confront you and graciously point out a fault, but no matter what, he or she will stand by you. These friends are rare and precious.
But the greatest friend of all is the One who stepped out of the ivory palaces of heaven and came to earth as a man—clothed in a garment of human flesh—to identify with us, and who died on the cross to save us from our sins, to give us a free pardon and the gift of eternal life. He is "a friend who sticks closer than a brother" and will "never, not ever, no never leave us or forsake us." His love is absolutely total, unconditional, and eternal. His name is Jesus.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
"There are friends who 'pretend' to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Many definitions have been given to describe friendship. Some time ago an English publication offered a prize for the best one, and, "A friend is one who understands our silence" was one of the thousands of entries. But the one that took first prize was this: "A friend—the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."
To me, a true friend is one who knows all about you and loves you still, who gives you his or her presence, who listens with his or her heart and actually hears what you are saying—who accepts you for who you are and not for what you have or haven't done. A good friend is one who doesn't judge you, try to fix you, or tell you what you should do. He or she will appreciate your friendship and tell you so, will rejoice with you in your successes and weep with you in your sorrows. And, at times, a good friend will confront you and graciously point out a fault, but no matter what, he or she will stand by you. These friends are rare and precious.
But the greatest friend of all is the One who stepped out of the ivory palaces of heaven and came to earth as a man—clothed in a garment of human flesh—to identify with us, and who died on the cross to save us from our sins, to give us a free pardon and the gift of eternal life. He is "a friend who sticks closer than a brother" and will "never, not ever, no never leave us or forsake us." His love is absolutely total, unconditional, and eternal. His name is Jesus.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Life As It's Meant to Be
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. — Matthew 16:24–25
In Jesus' day, if you saw someone walking through the city carrying a cross, it meant one thing: that person was going to die.
So when Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24), it meant that we are to die to ourselves. We are to deny ourselves. The word "deny" means to say no to. It means to put God's will and desires above our own. Selfish people will find this outrageous, even offensive.
Maybe that is why the church is so weak and anemic today: we don't know that much about cross-bearing. Maybe if Christians stopped trying to be so much like the world, the world would start wanting to be more like us. Are we really carrying our cross today? Are we really dying to ourselves? This is what Jesus is calling us to do.
To deny ourselves and take up the cross means many things. It is as simple as reading your Bible when you get up in the morning. That is taking up the cross and denying to yourself. It means praying. It means bowing your head over a meal and giving God thanks, even in a public place. It means speaking up for Jesus Christ, even when it is uncomfortable or a bit awkward. It means being regularly involved in the church. It means giving of your finances to God. It means that in your marriage, you put the needs of your mate above your own. It means putting God first and yourself second.
Jesus said, "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 16:25). That is living life as it was meant to be lived.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blesed!
Dawn
In Jesus' day, if you saw someone walking through the city carrying a cross, it meant one thing: that person was going to die.
So when Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24), it meant that we are to die to ourselves. We are to deny ourselves. The word "deny" means to say no to. It means to put God's will and desires above our own. Selfish people will find this outrageous, even offensive.
Maybe that is why the church is so weak and anemic today: we don't know that much about cross-bearing. Maybe if Christians stopped trying to be so much like the world, the world would start wanting to be more like us. Are we really carrying our cross today? Are we really dying to ourselves? This is what Jesus is calling us to do.
To deny ourselves and take up the cross means many things. It is as simple as reading your Bible when you get up in the morning. That is taking up the cross and denying to yourself. It means praying. It means bowing your head over a meal and giving God thanks, even in a public place. It means speaking up for Jesus Christ, even when it is uncomfortable or a bit awkward. It means being regularly involved in the church. It means giving of your finances to God. It means that in your marriage, you put the needs of your mate above your own. It means putting God first and yourself second.
Jesus said, "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 16:25). That is living life as it was meant to be lived.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blesed!
Dawn
Friday, June 10, 2011
Unshakeable
10) But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.[a] 11) Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12) looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13) But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. 2 Peter 3:10-13
With each passing year, the instability in the world seems more and more obvious. Natural and man-made catastrophes claim countless lives; political balance shifts; wealth and status come and go. It all causes us to ask, Is anything unshakeable?
As overwhelming as these things seem, let me give you an even bigger example. In today’s passage, we see that the heavens and earth will be shaken. It will all be destroyed—burned, to be exact. Thankfully, we have the promise that God will create new heavens and earth, but in the meantime our world will undergo great turmoil.
Instability can create feelings of insecurity and fear unless we focus on truths we can stand upon with certainty. The Bible refers to Jesus as a rock and firm foundation (1 Cor. 3:10-11; Eph. 2:20). And we know that God is unchangeable and sovereign; nothing can undermine or move Him. His Word is truth, and it will last forever.
As Christians, we know that our eternal relationship with God is secure. We’ve been adopted as His children, and nothing can rob us of this position. What’s more, believers are assured of an eternal home with Him. Though we may at times feel unsettled by our circumstances, we can rejoice when trials bring us humbly to the cross of Jesus—there, we will find true peace and safety.
What assurance we have as God’s children! We can rest in peace and full confidence, knowing that our hearts are secure in Jesus Christ. King David said, “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Ps. 16:8).
(via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
With each passing year, the instability in the world seems more and more obvious. Natural and man-made catastrophes claim countless lives; political balance shifts; wealth and status come and go. It all causes us to ask, Is anything unshakeable?
As overwhelming as these things seem, let me give you an even bigger example. In today’s passage, we see that the heavens and earth will be shaken. It will all be destroyed—burned, to be exact. Thankfully, we have the promise that God will create new heavens and earth, but in the meantime our world will undergo great turmoil.
Instability can create feelings of insecurity and fear unless we focus on truths we can stand upon with certainty. The Bible refers to Jesus as a rock and firm foundation (1 Cor. 3:10-11; Eph. 2:20). And we know that God is unchangeable and sovereign; nothing can undermine or move Him. His Word is truth, and it will last forever.
As Christians, we know that our eternal relationship with God is secure. We’ve been adopted as His children, and nothing can rob us of this position. What’s more, believers are assured of an eternal home with Him. Though we may at times feel unsettled by our circumstances, we can rejoice when trials bring us humbly to the cross of Jesus—there, we will find true peace and safety.
What assurance we have as God’s children! We can rest in peace and full confidence, knowing that our hearts are secure in Jesus Christ. King David said, “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Ps. 16:8).
(via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Numb To It
Scripture Of The Day: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." - Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
It’s a very hard thing to admit or accept. But the truth is that sometimes we can be very insensitive and thoughtless when it comes to realizing how blessed we are. There are so many blessings that we overlook and take for granted that cause us to miss the great opportunities to express gratitude and appreciation.
A few years ago, as I was going about my daily routine, I immediately began having sharp pains in my abdomen area. After a few minutes they would leave. A few hours would pass and no pain. Then out of nowhere, they’d come back again.
This process went on throughout most of the day until it became unbearable. I drove myself to the local health facility and called my wife to meet me there. After a few hours of being examined, I was told what the problem was and then told that there was no immediate solution. My cecum had flipped over. This muscle is a body part that connects the small and large intestine together and allows the body to process waste. At the risk of explaining too much, let’s just say that nothing that I’d eaten or drank moved – for days! And what was even more frustrating was that there was nothing that could be done. I had to deal with this inconsistent pain and discomfort for days. Fortunately, my cecum decided to be nice to me and after about four days decided to flip back over. But I learned a few valuable lessons through all of this.
1.) I learned that there are parts of the human body that we may never hear about that have to work in order for us to go about our daily activities with no thought whatsoever.
2.) I learned how awesome and unique God is as a creator that He could design such a beautiful masterpiece as the human body to function in ways that only He could have orchestrated.
3.) I learned to take a moment and express gratitude not just for the things that are happening in our lives, but also for the things that we may not be aware of, but that we’re protected from.
4.) I learned to appreciate the ‘unknown’ blessings.
These ‘unknown’ blessings can include blessings that we have overlooked for generations. Some of our families are blessed with generations of good health, solid academic successes, highly talented individuals, creative ideas, and steady relationships. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you were to take the time to reflect today, you would probably be able to write a page length’s work of blessings that have made its way through multiple generations in your family. Have you ever stopped to simply say, “thank you” for this?
In our focus scripture today, the psalmist recognizes that everything that we experience and enjoy in life can easily be dismissed or destroyed from our lives. So he simply asks God (paraphrase), “Lord, teach us to enjoy what we have and enjoy it well…” That’s a nice way to ask God not to allow you to ever become numb, cold or overlook the blessings that are right in front of you. I couldn’t appreciate the work that my cecum was doing until it decided to flip one day (no pun intended). Now, there are some days that I remember those four days of pain and I appreciate God that today my cecum is working properly.
Before something flips on you, I’d encourage you to recognize it, not be numb to it, and simply say, “Thank You.” You’ll feel better about it. I know I do.
(Via Overseer Christopher J. Harris)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
It’s a very hard thing to admit or accept. But the truth is that sometimes we can be very insensitive and thoughtless when it comes to realizing how blessed we are. There are so many blessings that we overlook and take for granted that cause us to miss the great opportunities to express gratitude and appreciation.
A few years ago, as I was going about my daily routine, I immediately began having sharp pains in my abdomen area. After a few minutes they would leave. A few hours would pass and no pain. Then out of nowhere, they’d come back again.
This process went on throughout most of the day until it became unbearable. I drove myself to the local health facility and called my wife to meet me there. After a few hours of being examined, I was told what the problem was and then told that there was no immediate solution. My cecum had flipped over. This muscle is a body part that connects the small and large intestine together and allows the body to process waste. At the risk of explaining too much, let’s just say that nothing that I’d eaten or drank moved – for days! And what was even more frustrating was that there was nothing that could be done. I had to deal with this inconsistent pain and discomfort for days. Fortunately, my cecum decided to be nice to me and after about four days decided to flip back over. But I learned a few valuable lessons through all of this.
1.) I learned that there are parts of the human body that we may never hear about that have to work in order for us to go about our daily activities with no thought whatsoever.
2.) I learned how awesome and unique God is as a creator that He could design such a beautiful masterpiece as the human body to function in ways that only He could have orchestrated.
3.) I learned to take a moment and express gratitude not just for the things that are happening in our lives, but also for the things that we may not be aware of, but that we’re protected from.
4.) I learned to appreciate the ‘unknown’ blessings.
These ‘unknown’ blessings can include blessings that we have overlooked for generations. Some of our families are blessed with generations of good health, solid academic successes, highly talented individuals, creative ideas, and steady relationships. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you were to take the time to reflect today, you would probably be able to write a page length’s work of blessings that have made its way through multiple generations in your family. Have you ever stopped to simply say, “thank you” for this?
In our focus scripture today, the psalmist recognizes that everything that we experience and enjoy in life can easily be dismissed or destroyed from our lives. So he simply asks God (paraphrase), “Lord, teach us to enjoy what we have and enjoy it well…” That’s a nice way to ask God not to allow you to ever become numb, cold or overlook the blessings that are right in front of you. I couldn’t appreciate the work that my cecum was doing until it decided to flip one day (no pun intended). Now, there are some days that I remember those four days of pain and I appreciate God that today my cecum is working properly.
Before something flips on you, I’d encourage you to recognize it, not be numb to it, and simply say, “Thank You.” You’ll feel better about it. I know I do.
(Via Overseer Christopher J. Harris)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The Call of God
13) As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first[a] to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 14) He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15) With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter. 16) Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, 17) comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “the call of God,” but maybe you don’t know exactly what it means. Is the Lord still calling people, or was that something He did only in Bible times? Does He speak only to a specific few or to everyone? Although He may not use an audible voice, He’s still in the business of seeking followers.
Called to Salvation—Because sin has created a barrier between us and God, He first reaches out to establish a relationship with us by offering salvation through Christ.
Called to Sanctification—Once we have been reconciled to the Lord, He then calls us to sanctification or holiness. This means that He sets us apart for His purposes. It’s not a perfect life, but one that is bent toward righteousness and obedience. Although this is an act of God that begins at the moment of salvation and continues until our physical death, it also requires a commitment from us. If we choose not to cooperate with the Lord in this process, our growth in Christ -likeness will be hindered.
Called to Service—God has chosen to carry out His work in the world through those who are saved. He has determined the tasks He wants each of us to do; our job is to serve Him by accomplishing what He’s planned for us.
How are you responding to the Lord’s various calls? Remember that someday we will all stand before Him and give an account of our lives. Habitually saying no to His voice will result in loss, but those who have lived for Him instead of themselves will be richly rewarded.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
You’ve probably heard the phrase “the call of God,” but maybe you don’t know exactly what it means. Is the Lord still calling people, or was that something He did only in Bible times? Does He speak only to a specific few or to everyone? Although He may not use an audible voice, He’s still in the business of seeking followers.
Called to Salvation—Because sin has created a barrier between us and God, He first reaches out to establish a relationship with us by offering salvation through Christ.
Called to Sanctification—Once we have been reconciled to the Lord, He then calls us to sanctification or holiness. This means that He sets us apart for His purposes. It’s not a perfect life, but one that is bent toward righteousness and obedience. Although this is an act of God that begins at the moment of salvation and continues until our physical death, it also requires a commitment from us. If we choose not to cooperate with the Lord in this process, our growth in Christ -likeness will be hindered.
Called to Service—God has chosen to carry out His work in the world through those who are saved. He has determined the tasks He wants each of us to do; our job is to serve Him by accomplishing what He’s planned for us.
How are you responding to the Lord’s various calls? Remember that someday we will all stand before Him and give an account of our lives. Habitually saying no to His voice will result in loss, but those who have lived for Him instead of themselves will be richly rewarded.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, June 6, 2011
Our Sign to a Lost World
For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. — 1 Corinthians 1:22–24
Sometimes we may think, If only I could perform a miracle for my friends, I know they would all become Christians. But I don't think that is true. Even when Jesus walked this earth and performed so many miracles—so many signs—so many still did not believe.
In fact, on one occasion, Jesus was present with Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead, and people flocked to see them. Lazarus was a living, breathing miracle man who had been dead and was alive again. So the leading priests wanted to kill Lazarus too (see John 12:10–11).
As a Christian, you are a miracle man or woman. You have a testimony of what God has done for you, and that is why people oppose you and ridicule you. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a threat to them.
Our sign to a lost world is Jesus crucified, risen again from the dead, and alive. The apostle Paul said, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:1–2). We don't need to add to this message or take away from it. We don't need to apologize for it. We just need to proclaim it and watch what God will do.
Paul also said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek" (Romans 1:16). That word "power" speaks of explosive, dynamite power. There is explosive power in the message of Christ. This is our sign to a lost world.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawm
Sometimes we may think, If only I could perform a miracle for my friends, I know they would all become Christians. But I don't think that is true. Even when Jesus walked this earth and performed so many miracles—so many signs—so many still did not believe.
In fact, on one occasion, Jesus was present with Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead, and people flocked to see them. Lazarus was a living, breathing miracle man who had been dead and was alive again. So the leading priests wanted to kill Lazarus too (see John 12:10–11).
As a Christian, you are a miracle man or woman. You have a testimony of what God has done for you, and that is why people oppose you and ridicule you. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a threat to them.
Our sign to a lost world is Jesus crucified, risen again from the dead, and alive. The apostle Paul said, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:1–2). We don't need to add to this message or take away from it. We don't need to apologize for it. We just need to proclaim it and watch what God will do.
Paul also said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek" (Romans 1:16). That word "power" speaks of explosive, dynamite power. There is explosive power in the message of Christ. This is our sign to a lost world.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawm
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
One Simple Truth
They will say, "What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created." 2 Peter 3:4
A number of years ago, I was a guest on a talk radio program, where a professor was debating me on the topic of Christ's return. I said that I believed Jesus Christ is coming back, while he said that we have been hearing this forever. So as we were talking I said, "Sir, I suggest that you are a fulfillment of Bible prophecy yourself. The very attitude you are taking is one of the signs of the times."
He asked me to explain, so I read to him from 2 Peter 3:3–4, which says, "Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, 'What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.' "
Yes, we have heard the message before that Christ is coming back. But over the years, certain things have happened that have immense prophetic significance, including the dramatic escalation of global wars and terrorism, the push for world unity or what is often referred to as globalism, change in world economics toward a cashless society, the unprecedented increase of killer earthquakes, and false teaching permeating the church, leading to a great apostasy (a falling/turning away from faith in Christ).
What is significant is the cumulative effect, the convergence of so many more signs at one time that cause me to wonder, Are we the generation that will see the return of Christ? The Scripture likens it to a woman having labor pains (see 1 Thessalonians 5:3).
There is some disagreement among Christians on the order of prophetic events, but on this one simple truth there can be no division: Jesus Christ is coming back again soon.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
A number of years ago, I was a guest on a talk radio program, where a professor was debating me on the topic of Christ's return. I said that I believed Jesus Christ is coming back, while he said that we have been hearing this forever. So as we were talking I said, "Sir, I suggest that you are a fulfillment of Bible prophecy yourself. The very attitude you are taking is one of the signs of the times."
He asked me to explain, so I read to him from 2 Peter 3:3–4, which says, "Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, 'What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.' "
Yes, we have heard the message before that Christ is coming back. But over the years, certain things have happened that have immense prophetic significance, including the dramatic escalation of global wars and terrorism, the push for world unity or what is often referred to as globalism, change in world economics toward a cashless society, the unprecedented increase of killer earthquakes, and false teaching permeating the church, leading to a great apostasy (a falling/turning away from faith in Christ).
What is significant is the cumulative effect, the convergence of so many more signs at one time that cause me to wonder, Are we the generation that will see the return of Christ? The Scripture likens it to a woman having labor pains (see 1 Thessalonians 5:3).
There is some disagreement among Christians on the order of prophetic events, but on this one simple truth there can be no division: Jesus Christ is coming back again soon.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, May 27, 2011
Use Your Light
Scripture of the day: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” - Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)
Lately I had been going thru a few "storms," but today I thought I could see the light at the end of the tunnel ... then I realized the light wasn't at the end of the tunnel at all. It had been in my hand the whole time ... I just hadn't turned it on.
No, I am not referring to a flashlight … but the Word of God. Sometimes we get so caught up and bent out of shape in what we see in the natural, that we forget who is really in control.
God never promised us that our lives would be smooth sailing all the time, but He did promise us that He would never leave us or forsake us. So when we find ourselves in distress, we need to stop focusing on the storm and turn our attention back to the one who commands the storms to rage or to be still.
There is nothing happening in our lives that surprises God. He isn’t looking at us wondering, “oh my, how did this happen or how are we going to handle this?” There is nothing, absolutely nothing that is impossible for God. Our greatest storms don’t affect Him and we don’t have to let them affect us either if we would utilize the tool (the light of wisdom) that God has provided us through His Word.
While stress and worry were building up within me about the situations around me, God’s Word was instructing me to have faith.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6: 16
While I was panicking about the doctor’s report on a health issue, God’s word was saying that by His stripes I was healed.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
While I was confused about what the next steps were in my life, God’s word was saying He would direct my paths.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
While I was ready to give someone a serious piece of my mind, God’s word reminded me to guard my tongue.
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” James 3:6
While I was devastated at the current state of a relationship, a work situation or my life in general, God’s word reminded me that all things work together for my good.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
So stop fumbling around in the dark in the midst of your storm, whatever your storm is, and turn on your light … the Word and wisdom of God.
(via Tanya S. Martin-James )Be Blessed!
Dawn
Lately I had been going thru a few "storms," but today I thought I could see the light at the end of the tunnel ... then I realized the light wasn't at the end of the tunnel at all. It had been in my hand the whole time ... I just hadn't turned it on.
No, I am not referring to a flashlight … but the Word of God. Sometimes we get so caught up and bent out of shape in what we see in the natural, that we forget who is really in control.
God never promised us that our lives would be smooth sailing all the time, but He did promise us that He would never leave us or forsake us. So when we find ourselves in distress, we need to stop focusing on the storm and turn our attention back to the one who commands the storms to rage or to be still.
There is nothing happening in our lives that surprises God. He isn’t looking at us wondering, “oh my, how did this happen or how are we going to handle this?” There is nothing, absolutely nothing that is impossible for God. Our greatest storms don’t affect Him and we don’t have to let them affect us either if we would utilize the tool (the light of wisdom) that God has provided us through His Word.
While stress and worry were building up within me about the situations around me, God’s Word was instructing me to have faith.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6: 16
While I was panicking about the doctor’s report on a health issue, God’s word was saying that by His stripes I was healed.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
While I was confused about what the next steps were in my life, God’s word was saying He would direct my paths.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
While I was ready to give someone a serious piece of my mind, God’s word reminded me to guard my tongue.
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” James 3:6
While I was devastated at the current state of a relationship, a work situation or my life in general, God’s word reminded me that all things work together for my good.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
So stop fumbling around in the dark in the midst of your storm, whatever your storm is, and turn on your light … the Word and wisdom of God.
(via Tanya S. Martin-James )Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Would You Hire God?
1) Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. 2) After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. 3) Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. — Hosea 6:1-3
Have you ever thought about how awesome God’s resume would look? Traits: All-powerful, all-knowing, infinitely loving and merciful, everlastingly faithful. Accomplishments: Created the universe, oversees the ongoing sustenance of the world. Hobbies include parting huge bodies of water (favorite: Red Sea).
Obviously, God needs no resume; and, even if He did, we would have to go well beyond words on a cold piece of paper to pursue knowledge of Him. Sadly, many people know facts about God, but few possess a “heart understanding” of those facts’ significance. Fewer still have any personal experience with the blessings of God.
God wants you to know Him. The prophet Hosea tells us how when he writes, “Let us press on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3). Just like today, many in that era some 2,700 years ago allowed blessings to distract them from, rather than help them, in developing a deeper relationship with God. But amid that spiritual wilderness, Hosea conveys some key points:
1.) It’s possible. If you hear a voice telling you otherwise, know that it’s not God, but Satan, who is attacking the knowledge of God in your life (2 Corinthians 10:5). Consider Hosea 6:6: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
2.) It’s available. Hosea writes, “His going forth is as sure as the dawn” (6:3). Now, how worried are you that the sun won’t come up tomorrow morning? Be assured that every moment God is going forth into the world He created, and showing Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are yielded to Him (2Chronicles 16:9).
3.) It’s abundant. Right now you might be thinking, but James, my problems are a lot bigger than the knowledge of God could solve. You sure about that? Why don’t you invite God, in all of His sufficiency and power and loving kindness, into the center of your circumstances, and let me know in a month how you’re doing?
Here’s a wonderful truth: A man will begin to prepare his heart to seek the Lord when he’s convinced God will respond in grace. Hosea 6:1 says, “For he has torn us, that he may heal us.”
Wherever you are, pursue the knowledge of God. The rewards are well worth it: God will restore, He will revive, He will raise up.
Prayer: Father, I do want to know You, but sometimes You seem so far off. I know that’s because of my lack of faith. Prepare my heart, and by Your Spirit, convince me that You will respond in grace. Thank You for pursuing me, even when I’m not pursuing You. Help me to know You, not just about You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Journal:
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Have you ever thought about how awesome God’s resume would look? Traits: All-powerful, all-knowing, infinitely loving and merciful, everlastingly faithful. Accomplishments: Created the universe, oversees the ongoing sustenance of the world. Hobbies include parting huge bodies of water (favorite: Red Sea).
Obviously, God needs no resume; and, even if He did, we would have to go well beyond words on a cold piece of paper to pursue knowledge of Him. Sadly, many people know facts about God, but few possess a “heart understanding” of those facts’ significance. Fewer still have any personal experience with the blessings of God.
God wants you to know Him. The prophet Hosea tells us how when he writes, “Let us press on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3). Just like today, many in that era some 2,700 years ago allowed blessings to distract them from, rather than help them, in developing a deeper relationship with God. But amid that spiritual wilderness, Hosea conveys some key points:
1.) It’s possible. If you hear a voice telling you otherwise, know that it’s not God, but Satan, who is attacking the knowledge of God in your life (2 Corinthians 10:5). Consider Hosea 6:6: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
2.) It’s available. Hosea writes, “His going forth is as sure as the dawn” (6:3). Now, how worried are you that the sun won’t come up tomorrow morning? Be assured that every moment God is going forth into the world He created, and showing Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are yielded to Him (2Chronicles 16:9).
3.) It’s abundant. Right now you might be thinking, but James, my problems are a lot bigger than the knowledge of God could solve. You sure about that? Why don’t you invite God, in all of His sufficiency and power and loving kindness, into the center of your circumstances, and let me know in a month how you’re doing?
Here’s a wonderful truth: A man will begin to prepare his heart to seek the Lord when he’s convinced God will respond in grace. Hosea 6:1 says, “For he has torn us, that he may heal us.”
Wherever you are, pursue the knowledge of God. The rewards are well worth it: God will restore, He will revive, He will raise up.
Prayer: Father, I do want to know You, but sometimes You seem so far off. I know that’s because of my lack of faith. Prepare my heart, and by Your Spirit, convince me that You will respond in grace. Thank You for pursuing me, even when I’m not pursuing You. Help me to know You, not just about You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Journal:
- Am I convinced that if I pursue God, He will respond in grace?
- Do I know a lot of facts about God, or do I know Him? Have I had a personal experience with the Lord?
Be Blessed!
Dawn
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