Scripture:
2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn't’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.
13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir,[c] if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” 14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!
Observation:
Naaman was inches away from forfeiting his healing. God had instructed him to follow a simple order (go down and wash 7 times). The crazy part of this order is that seems too easy. for some reason obedience to what the Lord should not be as hard as we make it.
The inability to simply obey almost cost Naaman a healed life. How much more me? when has the Lord simply asked me to follow a simply order, (tithe, seek forgiveness, reconcile with someone, keep short accounts ...)?
Application:
I need to note well that the Lord will not give me the next thing until i have finished the last thing He asked me to do. I don't believe obedience was ever intended to be a difficult thing. I think God wanted us to see what needed to be done and do it.
Prayer:
Lord will you help me to simply obey? I don't want to walk away from a healing or a blessing because I think your requirements are silly. - I love you Jesus
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Real Love
Scripture:
1Timothy 1:5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
Observation:
Love that comes from a
1. pure heart
2. clear concience
3. genuine faith
the point here is very clear. Paul here, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us that "love" is the big issue. not emotional love that stems from a set of "feelings" rather, genuine, pure and thoughtful Love.
Application:
I want my love to flow from a decision in my brain. I want to "feel" as a result of my choice to do that which is loving.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me how to love. Even the unlovely. I want to love like you love. I want my life to filled with your Heart for that which moves your heart - I love you my Jesus
1Timothy 1:5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
Observation:
Love that comes from a
1. pure heart
2. clear concience
3. genuine faith
the point here is very clear. Paul here, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us that "love" is the big issue. not emotional love that stems from a set of "feelings" rather, genuine, pure and thoughtful Love.
Application:
I want my love to flow from a decision in my brain. I want to "feel" as a result of my choice to do that which is loving.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me how to love. Even the unlovely. I want to love like you love. I want my life to filled with your Heart for that which moves your heart - I love you my Jesus
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Devoted Prayer
Scripture:
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Observation:
Devote yourselves. here the Lord asks us to make Prayer a priority of devotion in our lives. often times our prayer lives end up being a glorified "wish list" to santa. A devoted prayer life is one of commitment. Full of open communication with Lord. Speaking and listening.
Application:
I want to have a devoted prayer life. one that engages my mind and my heart. i want more than some sort of list that I bring befor the Lord on some simi-regular basis. I want a prayer life that is life to me.
Prayer:
Lord help me to develope a devoted prayer life. Fully engeged in heart. mind and spirit. I want to have open heart2heart love with you my master - I love you
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Observation:
Devote yourselves. here the Lord asks us to make Prayer a priority of devotion in our lives. often times our prayer lives end up being a glorified "wish list" to santa. A devoted prayer life is one of commitment. Full of open communication with Lord. Speaking and listening.
Application:
I want to have a devoted prayer life. one that engages my mind and my heart. i want more than some sort of list that I bring befor the Lord on some simi-regular basis. I want a prayer life that is life to me.
Prayer:
Lord help me to develope a devoted prayer life. Fully engeged in heart. mind and spirit. I want to have open heart2heart love with you my master - I love you
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Gracious arm of the Lord
Scripture:
1 Kings 21:27 But when Ahab heard this message, he tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, and fasted. He even slept in burlap and went about in deep mourning.
28 Then another message from the Lord came to Elijah: 29 “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime. It will happen to his sons; I will destroy his dynasty.”
Observation:
i believe we can never fully understand the loving grace of the Lord. Ahab was a disobedient, spineless, leader ovet the people of God. His disobedience and fear of the his wife over the fear of the Lord, was clear for all to see. Still the loving gracious arm of the Lord reached down to cover the simple humility Ahab showed.
Application:
May i always remember to repent. I never want to leave my disobedience un repented. The truth is that the Grace of the Lord can cover my stupidity if I will only allow Him
Prayer:
Lord you are so mercyful. It is hard to fathom how gracious you are. Thank you for the example of Grace and forgivness you show. Will you help me to do the same. I love you my Jesus
1 Kings 21:27 But when Ahab heard this message, he tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, and fasted. He even slept in burlap and went about in deep mourning.
28 Then another message from the Lord came to Elijah: 29 “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime. It will happen to his sons; I will destroy his dynasty.”
Observation:
i believe we can never fully understand the loving grace of the Lord. Ahab was a disobedient, spineless, leader ovet the people of God. His disobedience and fear of the his wife over the fear of the Lord, was clear for all to see. Still the loving gracious arm of the Lord reached down to cover the simple humility Ahab showed.
Application:
May i always remember to repent. I never want to leave my disobedience un repented. The truth is that the Grace of the Lord can cover my stupidity if I will only allow Him
Prayer:
Lord you are so mercyful. It is hard to fathom how gracious you are. Thank you for the example of Grace and forgivness you show. Will you help me to do the same. I love you my Jesus
Monday, June 16, 2008
What are you doing here?
Scripture:
1 Kings 19:13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Observation:
What are you doing here Elijah? What a great question that the Lord poses to Elijah. the funny thing is that the Lord told him to go Mount Sinai. Someting tells me that the physical location was not what the Lord was asking him about. Something tells me that He was asking Elijah about where he was in his heart.
Elijah 40 daye earlier just killed 450 prophets of Baal, helped to restore Israel to a right relationship wit the Lord and still discoragement set in. I think Gods question was an attempt to help Elijah to smap out of the funk he found himself in. "What are you doing here?" I think this question is really asking "What is going on in your head my friend?"
Application:
When my head gets the best of me, either by spiritual warfare or just my flesh wandering off into a crazy depressed place, I want to ask "Lance what are you doing here?"
Prayer:
Lord, help me to always remember to keep my head. At every turn, the enemy wants to take me out. I always want to remember to ask "What am i doing here?" to help me snap out of the funk. I love you Lord
1 Kings 19:13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Observation:
What are you doing here Elijah? What a great question that the Lord poses to Elijah. the funny thing is that the Lord told him to go Mount Sinai. Someting tells me that the physical location was not what the Lord was asking him about. Something tells me that He was asking Elijah about where he was in his heart.
Elijah 40 daye earlier just killed 450 prophets of Baal, helped to restore Israel to a right relationship wit the Lord and still discoragement set in. I think Gods question was an attempt to help Elijah to smap out of the funk he found himself in. "What are you doing here?" I think this question is really asking "What is going on in your head my friend?"
Application:
When my head gets the best of me, either by spiritual warfare or just my flesh wandering off into a crazy depressed place, I want to ask "Lance what are you doing here?"
Prayer:
Lord, help me to always remember to keep my head. At every turn, the enemy wants to take me out. I always want to remember to ask "What am i doing here?" to help me snap out of the funk. I love you Lord
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Complete harmony
Scripture:
Romans 15: 5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Observation:
I love how the Lords big plan here is that we live in harmony with each other. It seems to me like He desires us to live daily giving him praise and glory to Him with "one voice" because He wants us to live in unity
Application:
My part of this living in complete harmony must be that i do everything i can to live in peace with those around me. Here the Bible says that the Lord will give me patience, and encouragement to live this way. Praise His name
Prayer:
Lord Help me to do my part in living in harmony with those around me. i Love you
Romans 15: 5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Observation:
I love how the Lords big plan here is that we live in harmony with each other. It seems to me like He desires us to live daily giving him praise and glory to Him with "one voice" because He wants us to live in unity
Application:
My part of this living in complete harmony must be that i do everything i can to live in peace with those around me. Here the Bible says that the Lord will give me patience, and encouragement to live this way. Praise His name
Prayer:
Lord Help me to do my part in living in harmony with those around me. i Love you
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Love your neighbor
Scripture:
8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.”[a] These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
Observation:
It is so funny how we miss this one simple command Love your Neighbor as you love yourself. the truth is... most of us truly struggle with loving ourselves and there fore love our neighbors just the same. This is certainly no excuse for not loving our neighbor. what if we loved our neighbor like we were supposed to? what if we thought of others the way we ought? something tells me that we could find true freedom in our life and walk daily in the will of the Lord
Application:
I want to take a moment and think how to truly love my neighbor. If the the whole of the Law is summed up in this one command, you might think that we would ponder this a bit more than we do. I want to make time to think what it means. Do i take care of a need? Do pray for their hurt? do I serve when asked? I think all of the above matters.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to listen to your still small voice you seem to tell me how to love my neighbor more than i know. If i only listen to you, i might find it mush easier to obey.
I love you my Jesus
8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.”[a] These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
Observation:
It is so funny how we miss this one simple command Love your Neighbor as you love yourself. the truth is... most of us truly struggle with loving ourselves and there fore love our neighbors just the same. This is certainly no excuse for not loving our neighbor. what if we loved our neighbor like we were supposed to? what if we thought of others the way we ought? something tells me that we could find true freedom in our life and walk daily in the will of the Lord
Application:
I want to take a moment and think how to truly love my neighbor. If the the whole of the Law is summed up in this one command, you might think that we would ponder this a bit more than we do. I want to make time to think what it means. Do i take care of a need? Do pray for their hurt? do I serve when asked? I think all of the above matters.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to listen to your still small voice you seem to tell me how to love my neighbor more than i know. If i only listen to you, i might find it mush easier to obey.
I love you my Jesus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)