Scripture:
Isaiah: 6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. 7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. NLT
Observation:
Wow!. what if the Church really bought in to this type of living. What if we really concerned ourselves with godly living. The kind that required a living out of the things we are growing in private. for some silly reason we seem to have forgotten that a mature Christian life is one who lives life out in public. I think we still have this crazy notion that maturity is only lived in the church.
Application:
When will I finally see that my private life is nothing but spiritual weight training. When will I look for ways to get in to the game with what I have been preparing for. I want to be the kind of man the Lord had planned for me all along. Fasting that only produces piety is fasting that is worthless. I want a fasting lifestyle that produces obedience.
Prayer:
Lord help me to see what you have for me. Help me to see the what you have for me to walk out. I want to see spiritual maturity as a walking out of the things I know. I love you my Jesus
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Stand strong
Scripture: Heb 12: 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Observation: I love the instruction given here by the Lord. To stake a new grip, stand, mark out a path. The instruction here is so clearly given so as to make us strong. I love how the Bible is so practicle.
Application: How many times to i try to be strong? i try harder and harder to do the right thing. I want, rather to do it gods way. To Lean in His way and trust him
Prayer: Lord help me to be strong bu trusting in you and your ways. I can take a new grip, I can stand firm and i can mark out a clear path to stay on. Thank you my Jesus. I love you
Observation: I love the instruction given here by the Lord. To stake a new grip, stand, mark out a path. The instruction here is so clearly given so as to make us strong. I love how the Bible is so practicle.
Application: How many times to i try to be strong? i try harder and harder to do the right thing. I want, rather to do it gods way. To Lean in His way and trust him
Prayer: Lord help me to be strong bu trusting in you and your ways. I can take a new grip, I can stand firm and i can mark out a clear path to stay on. Thank you my Jesus. I love you
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Free at last
Scripture:
Hebrews 7:26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.[f] 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people.
Observation:
Jesus did it all! i don't have to go back and forth hoping that God will forgive my sin. i don't need to offer up to the Lord a penance or some sort of sacrifice in hope that he will receive it. No i can run into the presence of the most high god and priest Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for my sin. I am so grateful
Application:
Tod i need to rest in the work of my Savior. Often I want to beat myself up for the sin issues of my life thinking it will in some ways help the Lord be OK with me. NOT TRUE! He loves me and paid my penalty to prove it
Prayer:
I love you Jesus. Thank you for my life. I am nothing without you. I need you. I love you
Hebrews 7:26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.[f] 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people.
Observation:
Jesus did it all! i don't have to go back and forth hoping that God will forgive my sin. i don't need to offer up to the Lord a penance or some sort of sacrifice in hope that he will receive it. No i can run into the presence of the most high god and priest Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for my sin. I am so grateful
Application:
Tod i need to rest in the work of my Savior. Often I want to beat myself up for the sin issues of my life thinking it will in some ways help the Lord be OK with me. NOT TRUE! He loves me and paid my penalty to prove it
Prayer:
I love you Jesus. Thank you for my life. I am nothing without you. I need you. I love you
Sunday, July 6, 2008
A heart check-up
Scripture:
Heb 3:12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.
Observation:
I believe it is my responsibility to make sure that my heart is in the right place. Here the writer of the Book of Hebrews says, "Be careful to make sure your heart is in the right place". How am i supposed to get my heart in the right place. Perhaps a better way to look at this would be to realize what it takes me to get my heart in the wrong place and avoid that.
The wrong place is when I am Bitter, unforgiving, self focused and unbelieving. I need to run from such things
Application:
Its crazy how easy it is to fall into having a heart that is in the wrong place. I need to check daily, perhaps even hourly on how my heart is doing. I need to always remember that my life is not to be lived in the moment for me alone. The position if my heart is for the Lord and others as well.
Prayer:
Lord, will you remind me of the position of my heart. I want to have a heart that is believing, soft and supple for you and others to see and partake of - I love you
Heb 3:12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.
Observation:
I believe it is my responsibility to make sure that my heart is in the right place. Here the writer of the Book of Hebrews says, "Be careful to make sure your heart is in the right place". How am i supposed to get my heart in the right place. Perhaps a better way to look at this would be to realize what it takes me to get my heart in the wrong place and avoid that.
The wrong place is when I am Bitter, unforgiving, self focused and unbelieving. I need to run from such things
Application:
Its crazy how easy it is to fall into having a heart that is in the wrong place. I need to check daily, perhaps even hourly on how my heart is doing. I need to always remember that my life is not to be lived in the moment for me alone. The position if my heart is for the Lord and others as well.
Prayer:
Lord, will you remind me of the position of my heart. I want to have a heart that is believing, soft and supple for you and others to see and partake of - I love you
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Living safe in the Lords hand
Scripture:
Jude 1:20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,[g] 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
Observation:
Keep yourselves safe in Gods love. What does that mean? the writer of the Book of Jude makes a clear point that many deceptive teachers had come in and taught false doctrine in the Church. He warns those who had ears to heat, that they must be on guard of such teaching. Hell tells them that in order to keep your lives safe in the Gods love there are three things that need to be attended to: they are:
1. Building each other up on the your most holy faith
2. Praying in the power of the Holy Spirit
3. Waiting on the mercy of the Lord Jesus who brings eternal life.
Hmmm. what does this all mean? I think the Lord wants us to live secure life's in him. Risky and dangerous as they may feel, in the hand of the Lord safe is the measure of it.
Application:
so, while in the safety of the Lord, i want to live building others up in their faith, pray often in my prayer language, and wait on the Lord to respond His way and in His time
Prayer:
Lord help me to keep myself safe in your hand. - i love you
Jude 1:20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,[g] 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
Observation:
Keep yourselves safe in Gods love. What does that mean? the writer of the Book of Jude makes a clear point that many deceptive teachers had come in and taught false doctrine in the Church. He warns those who had ears to heat, that they must be on guard of such teaching. Hell tells them that in order to keep your lives safe in the Gods love there are three things that need to be attended to: they are:
1. Building each other up on the your most holy faith
2. Praying in the power of the Holy Spirit
3. Waiting on the mercy of the Lord Jesus who brings eternal life.
Hmmm. what does this all mean? I think the Lord wants us to live secure life's in him. Risky and dangerous as they may feel, in the hand of the Lord safe is the measure of it.
Application:
so, while in the safety of the Lord, i want to live building others up in their faith, pray often in my prayer language, and wait on the Lord to respond His way and in His time
Prayer:
Lord help me to keep myself safe in your hand. - i love you
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Always ready to do good
Scripture:
Titus 3:1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
Observation:
Somehow this verse hasn't made it very far in the Church. "Submit to the government and its officers?" I know the climate this passage was written in wasn't all that God friendly. Much like today the openness to the message of the gospel was a mute point. How is it that i will respond when approached with a political joke or opinion? Will I laugh or sneer? I need to make a choice to do the right thing and submit (willingly devote) my heart to the leadership that the Lord has allowed in my life
Application:
I need to pray for those that the Lord has put in my life. like it or not, I know He knows what He is doing and I will trust Him
Prayer:
Lord help President Bush. Help he and his cabinet in the decisions they have to make today. Help our country as we head toward a change of leadership. Have mercy on us and lead us in our decision. - I love you Jesus
Titus 3:1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
Observation:
Somehow this verse hasn't made it very far in the Church. "Submit to the government and its officers?" I know the climate this passage was written in wasn't all that God friendly. Much like today the openness to the message of the gospel was a mute point. How is it that i will respond when approached with a political joke or opinion? Will I laugh or sneer? I need to make a choice to do the right thing and submit (willingly devote) my heart to the leadership that the Lord has allowed in my life
Application:
I need to pray for those that the Lord has put in my life. like it or not, I know He knows what He is doing and I will trust Him
Prayer:
Lord help President Bush. Help he and his cabinet in the decisions they have to make today. Help our country as we head toward a change of leadership. Have mercy on us and lead us in our decision. - I love you Jesus
Monday, June 30, 2008
The seriousness of my call
Scripture:
Titus 2:7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.
Observation:
Let everything I do reflect the integrity and seriousness of my teaching. How easy it is to be flippant and light hearted at times. the integrity and seriousness of the calling of the Lord is nothing to be taken lightly. The truth is, the enemy never stops, he never lets up. He never even takes time off. How much more is it that I must continue to pursue "righteousness at all times" I can still live a life that is filled with joy. No one said that a righteous life is synonymous with a Joyless life. on the the contrary. The true joyous life is filled with the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control) I cant imagine a more fulfilled life than that.
Application:
One day at a time. I just want to life one day at a time. In fact, I want to life one obedient decision at a time over and over just to make one obedient day.
Prayer:
Lord, help me live obediently. I want to take the seriousness of my calling to a new place. I want to always remember that to every action there is a re-action. IOW: When i am obedient it affects more than just me
Titus 2:7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.
Observation:
Let everything I do reflect the integrity and seriousness of my teaching. How easy it is to be flippant and light hearted at times. the integrity and seriousness of the calling of the Lord is nothing to be taken lightly. The truth is, the enemy never stops, he never lets up. He never even takes time off. How much more is it that I must continue to pursue "righteousness at all times" I can still live a life that is filled with joy. No one said that a righteous life is synonymous with a Joyless life. on the the contrary. The true joyous life is filled with the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control) I cant imagine a more fulfilled life than that.
Application:
One day at a time. I just want to life one day at a time. In fact, I want to life one obedient decision at a time over and over just to make one obedient day.
Prayer:
Lord, help me live obediently. I want to take the seriousness of my calling to a new place. I want to always remember that to every action there is a re-action. IOW: When i am obedient it affects more than just me
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