Scripture:
Jeremiah 2:26 “Israel is like a thief who feels shame only when he gets caught. They, their kings, officials, priests, and prophets— all are alike in this.
Observation:
We are so much like Israel. only feeling shame when we get caught. Sad. when will we begin to obey the Lord because it is a pleasure to love and honor Him? When will the desire of our hearts be to love our Lord and walk in ways that please Him. Instead we spend time wondering what we can get away with in hopes that we will get away with something. How crazy is that? What if our energy were spent growing in love with our master and Savor Jesus? What if our time were spent training ourselves to live right and not how to get away with that which is wrong? Hmmm
Application:
It's exhausting to keep trying to see what it is that we can get away with. I want to spend time loving my father like i love my wife. No one needs to tell me to love her and only her. I love Pollie because i love her. I don't want to hurt her in any way. I want my love and obedience to the Lord to be like that kind of love
Prayer:
Lord Help me to learn how to walk in a way that pleases you out of love and "want to" I get tired trying to obey out of a "have to" I love you and i want my feet and hands to show it. I love you
Friday, August 8, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Let the Blind speak
Scripture:
John 9:20 His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. 23 That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”
Observation:
He is old enough. Ask him. I love that statement from the parents of the healed blind man. He can answer for himself. I wish more people would answer for themselves. I wish more people would step up and declare the healing of the Lord in their lives. Far too often we keep the message of the healing touch of the Lord down deep in our hearts. when it stays there the risk is that it will be forgotten and the loss of hope will set in
Application:
I want to remember that i have a message of hope to still talk about. like the healed blind man, i can speak for myself. I can never deny the touch of the Lord on my life. I want to speak it loud and clear to whomever needs to hear. Even my heart
Prayer:
Lord, I want to never forget the great things you are to me. I never want to walk quiet and soon forget what you have done. I can speak for myself. Help me speak loudly - I love you Lord
John 9:20 His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. 23 That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”
Observation:
He is old enough. Ask him. I love that statement from the parents of the healed blind man. He can answer for himself. I wish more people would answer for themselves. I wish more people would step up and declare the healing of the Lord in their lives. Far too often we keep the message of the healing touch of the Lord down deep in our hearts. when it stays there the risk is that it will be forgotten and the loss of hope will set in
Application:
I want to remember that i have a message of hope to still talk about. like the healed blind man, i can speak for myself. I can never deny the touch of the Lord on my life. I want to speak it loud and clear to whomever needs to hear. Even my heart
Prayer:
Lord, I want to never forget the great things you are to me. I never want to walk quiet and soon forget what you have done. I can speak for myself. Help me speak loudly - I love you Lord
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The first stone
Scripture:
John 8:6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
Observation:
The first stone. You know we all have a "first stone" of judgement that needs to fall to the ground. And like those accusers most of us have that stone in our hand poised and ready to throw. I know i do. I hate it but I do. I need to open my fist and allow it to fall from my grip
Application:
I want to be ready to open my fingers and let the stone fall to the ground. I want to stop the potential judgement in my mouth to fall away. truly I want to avoid picking up the "first stone" all thgether.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to see what you see in people. I want to be like you Jesus seeing what you see. when you looked at the woman caught you saw a woman who needed to be free. when you saw people ready to judge, you say people who needed to release their judgement. all about freedom. - i love you
John 8:6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
Observation:
The first stone. You know we all have a "first stone" of judgement that needs to fall to the ground. And like those accusers most of us have that stone in our hand poised and ready to throw. I know i do. I hate it but I do. I need to open my fist and allow it to fall from my grip
Application:
I want to be ready to open my fingers and let the stone fall to the ground. I want to stop the potential judgement in my mouth to fall away. truly I want to avoid picking up the "first stone" all thgether.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to see what you see in people. I want to be like you Jesus seeing what you see. when you looked at the woman caught you saw a woman who needed to be free. when you saw people ready to judge, you say people who needed to release their judgement. all about freedom. - i love you
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
"Want to" vs. "Have to"
Scripture:
2 Chron 35:3 He issued this order to the Levites, who were to teach all Israel and who had been set apart to serve the Lord: “Put the holy Ark in the Temple that was built by Solomon son of David, the king of Israel. You no longer need to carry it back and forth on your shoulders. Now spend your time serving the Lord your God and his people Israel. NLT
Observation:
When we read the OT we need to remember that the cross of Jesus is the filter to look through. IOW: when we see the OT Arc we can look at the NT Presence of the Lord in our lives.
Here we see King Josiah decree to the Priests (in this case the people of God), that they were no longer supposed to "carry the Arc on their shoulders" I believe this is speaking to me about the fact that the religious things I do in hopes to 1. make God happy by my religious duties. and 2. impress people while looking so religious. Here the king says Put it in the temple. this for the People of the Lord in the NT is our hearts. IOW: put the Presence of the Lord back in your heart and with that there do what you were created to do. Love God and people.
Application:
With the presence of the Lord in my heart, I want my obedient act of service to be a "want to" not a "have to". When he remains on my shoulders like the OT arc it becomes a "Have to" not a "want to".
Prayer:
Lord I want to love and serve you because I love you. I want my obedience to be motivated out of love not fear, condemnation, or a "have to". help me my Jesus. I love you
2 Chron 35:3 He issued this order to the Levites, who were to teach all Israel and who had been set apart to serve the Lord: “Put the holy Ark in the Temple that was built by Solomon son of David, the king of Israel. You no longer need to carry it back and forth on your shoulders. Now spend your time serving the Lord your God and his people Israel. NLT
Observation:
When we read the OT we need to remember that the cross of Jesus is the filter to look through. IOW: when we see the OT Arc we can look at the NT Presence of the Lord in our lives.
Here we see King Josiah decree to the Priests (in this case the people of God), that they were no longer supposed to "carry the Arc on their shoulders" I believe this is speaking to me about the fact that the religious things I do in hopes to 1. make God happy by my religious duties. and 2. impress people while looking so religious. Here the king says Put it in the temple. this for the People of the Lord in the NT is our hearts. IOW: put the Presence of the Lord back in your heart and with that there do what you were created to do. Love God and people.
Application:
With the presence of the Lord in my heart, I want my obedient act of service to be a "want to" not a "have to". When he remains on my shoulders like the OT arc it becomes a "Have to" not a "want to".
Prayer:
Lord I want to love and serve you because I love you. I want my obedience to be motivated out of love not fear, condemnation, or a "have to". help me my Jesus. I love you
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Lord I want you to trust me
Scripture:
john 2:23 Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. 25 No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like. NLT
Observation:
But Jesus didnt trust them...
This statement makes my heart sick. I want so desperately for Jesus to trust me. It breakes my heart that He cant trust me. It breakes my heart to know that he truly cannot trust me. I want to be trust worthy to him. In my decisions I make I want Him to say "I can trust this one".
Application:
Is it possible for Jesus to trust me? Can I live life one "Right" decission at a time and build trust with Jesus. I know He loves me. I know that he willingly chooses to trust the things I do, I just want to be one that is trust worthy to Him through and through
Prayer:
Lord, this is a funny thing to ask you, will you help me to life a trustworthy life for you. It seems silly to ask you to help me to life trustworthy so you can trust me. I think the real issue is that I am nothint without you Jesus. I love you
john 2:23 Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. 25 No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like. NLT
Observation:
But Jesus didnt trust them...
This statement makes my heart sick. I want so desperately for Jesus to trust me. It breakes my heart that He cant trust me. It breakes my heart to know that he truly cannot trust me. I want to be trust worthy to him. In my decisions I make I want Him to say "I can trust this one".
Application:
Is it possible for Jesus to trust me? Can I live life one "Right" decission at a time and build trust with Jesus. I know He loves me. I know that he willingly chooses to trust the things I do, I just want to be one that is trust worthy to Him through and through
Prayer:
Lord, this is a funny thing to ask you, will you help me to life a trustworthy life for you. It seems silly to ask you to help me to life trustworthy so you can trust me. I think the real issue is that I am nothint without you Jesus. I love you
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Let Your glory shine
Scripture:
Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. 2 Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. 3 All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.
Observation:
Arise Lance! I love this passage. i makes me feel like i am not alone. not to mention, i have a reason to stand and declare my reason for life. I love how i don't have to do the work of convincing the world to believe me. I only have to stand in what i believe in and allow the light of the Lord to do what He does best.
Application:
When will I realize that the Glory of the Lord is my life's purpose. to stand the walk in the strength of His name and authority is so empowering.
Prayer:
Lord thank you. thanks for all you do for me. I love you. I want my standing up in life to bring you all the glory my life can bring to you. I need you.
i love you
Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. 2 Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. 3 All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.
Observation:
Arise Lance! I love this passage. i makes me feel like i am not alone. not to mention, i have a reason to stand and declare my reason for life. I love how i don't have to do the work of convincing the world to believe me. I only have to stand in what i believe in and allow the light of the Lord to do what He does best.
Application:
When will I realize that the Glory of the Lord is my life's purpose. to stand the walk in the strength of His name and authority is so empowering.
Prayer:
Lord thank you. thanks for all you do for me. I love you. I want my standing up in life to bring you all the glory my life can bring to you. I need you.
i love you
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
True spiritual maturity
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
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
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