Dear readers..
Today is day 30 of my 30 days in the Word. I didn't write in this blog every day. I missed 2 days in reading God's word. But I dug into His word the 28 days that I did read.
And I saw my heart. And I saw it changed. I saw it not want to change. I saw Jesus mold me. I saw him hold me. I felt Him with me. Sometimes I was angry. Sometimes I was sad. Sometimes I was so happy. I cried and laughed and smiled and frowned and yelled and shouted and screamed and I was silent. There were days I never felt closer to God before. There were days I felt lower than the dust of the ground.
Because my bones were broken. They were ground into dust when I kept silent. And now I speak because I can't keep silent anymore.
But I can't speak to you. You are not my Father. You are not My Best Friend. You don't understand me the way He does. You don't know me inside and out. You don't know my heart. You don't know my every thought. You don't know why every tear falls. You don't know my pain or struggles. You don't know me at all.
That's why I only fall at the feet of Jesus. That's why He is the Only One who changes my heart...
I'm not sure what else to do.
Showing posts with label in the word. Show all posts
Showing posts with label in the word. Show all posts
August 6, 2010
August 3, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 27
Psalm 25
Of David.
1[a] To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
2 in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.
4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.
8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
13 He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
14 The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
free me from my anguish.
18 Look upon my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
19 See how my enemies have increased
and how fiercely they hate me!
20 Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope is in you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
from all their troubles!
My hope should be in the Lord. I need not be afraid of what is to come because those who hope in him will not be put to shame. I want to know more about My Lord. I want Him to teach me in His ways and in what I should do and how I should act. I want to learn. My hope should be in Him ALL DAY LONG. Every second of every minute of every hour of every day. All the time. God is good. He has forgiven all of my past and all that I have ever done wrong. He loves me. I need to be humble when coming to Him. My eyes need to always be on Him. For He alone can save me. Save me Lord. Guard me from what will harm me. Protect me. Shield me with your great Love and faithfulness.
Of David.
1[a] To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
2 in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.
4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.
8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
13 He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
14 The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
free me from my anguish.
18 Look upon my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
19 See how my enemies have increased
and how fiercely they hate me!
20 Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope is in you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
from all their troubles!
My hope should be in the Lord. I need not be afraid of what is to come because those who hope in him will not be put to shame. I want to know more about My Lord. I want Him to teach me in His ways and in what I should do and how I should act. I want to learn. My hope should be in Him ALL DAY LONG. Every second of every minute of every hour of every day. All the time. God is good. He has forgiven all of my past and all that I have ever done wrong. He loves me. I need to be humble when coming to Him. My eyes need to always be on Him. For He alone can save me. Save me Lord. Guard me from what will harm me. Protect me. Shield me with your great Love and faithfulness.
August 1, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 25
I must admit I have been struggling. I have been struggling with certain issues in my life. Many issues. And for a while I was extremely frustrated with how things were going and I would become angry very easily...mostly with myself, but I was blaming other people and taking it out on them. Let me rephrase all of that...I AM STILL STRUGGLING WITH THIS.
I am just actually trying to control it now..
I haven't written on this blog in 3 days. Have I still been reading God's word? Yes, I have. But I haven't been blogging about it like I said I would.
On day 23 I purposely did not blog. It felt really good to be honest. I am really burn out right now and it felt great to take a break. I apologize for it, however, I think I really needed it. The things I am struggling with are quite personal and it is very difficult to write about them. I may very well not write about them. If I can be general I will.
But God is working in my heart so much to the point of me being in tears for a good amount of time every day. It is hard. But it is wonderful. This is how God works...who else can change my heart? No One! Who else can have this much of an impact on my life? What other book can speak to me with such clarity and heart wrenching boldness? What other book can change the way I think and act? What other book can hit home the way the Bible does? No other book..
Something I learned today...when you are struggling with something, confess it. When you are sinning and you want to ignore it and blame the world, don't. When your thoughts aren't pure, acknowledge it. Lay them before God. Don't bottle it all up inside.
David says in Psalm 32, verses 3-6:
"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night you hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said: 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord' -- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you."
I am just actually trying to control it now..
I haven't written on this blog in 3 days. Have I still been reading God's word? Yes, I have. But I haven't been blogging about it like I said I would.
On day 23 I purposely did not blog. It felt really good to be honest. I am really burn out right now and it felt great to take a break. I apologize for it, however, I think I really needed it. The things I am struggling with are quite personal and it is very difficult to write about them. I may very well not write about them. If I can be general I will.
But God is working in my heart so much to the point of me being in tears for a good amount of time every day. It is hard. But it is wonderful. This is how God works...who else can change my heart? No One! Who else can have this much of an impact on my life? What other book can speak to me with such clarity and heart wrenching boldness? What other book can change the way I think and act? What other book can hit home the way the Bible does? No other book..
Something I learned today...when you are struggling with something, confess it. When you are sinning and you want to ignore it and blame the world, don't. When your thoughts aren't pure, acknowledge it. Lay them before God. Don't bottle it all up inside.
David says in Psalm 32, verses 3-6:
"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night you hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said: 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord' -- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you."
July 29, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 22
Psalm 139 NIV
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
I read that and I am utterly amazed. God knows everything about me. He knows my inside and my outside. He knows where I go and what I do. He knows what I say before I even utter a sound. He knows my desires. He knows my temptations. He knows my struggles. He knows my heart. He even knows my thoughts. He knew me before I was even born. He made me; He created me. I am HIS. And He loves me, unconditionally. Which is incredible. Who would love me if they knew everything about me? Who would love me if they knew everything that I have done? Who would love me if they knew my every thought? Who would accept me and love me unconditionally forever and always? Only Jesus Christ. How incredible awesome is that? How wonderful and amazing our God is.
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
I read that and I am utterly amazed. God knows everything about me. He knows my inside and my outside. He knows where I go and what I do. He knows what I say before I even utter a sound. He knows my desires. He knows my temptations. He knows my struggles. He knows my heart. He even knows my thoughts. He knew me before I was even born. He made me; He created me. I am HIS. And He loves me, unconditionally. Which is incredible. Who would love me if they knew everything about me? Who would love me if they knew everything that I have done? Who would love me if they knew my every thought? Who would accept me and love me unconditionally forever and always? Only Jesus Christ. How incredible awesome is that? How wonderful and amazing our God is.
July 28, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 21
You have all heard it. The world is going to end December 21st 2012. But maybe you don't know that it was supposed to end October 3rd 1533 as well; and October 22nd 1844, 1914, 1969, the 1980's, september 11-13 1988, 1993, March 1997, January 1st 2000, and May 2008.
I do not believe that the world will end on this day in 2012. In Mark 13:32 Jesus says no one knows the hour or the time, not even the angels in heaven.
In verses 5-8 Jesus said: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains."
We do not know the exact time. I don't believe we ever will until it comes. We will see signs of it coming, but not know exactly. All we know is that we are supposed to be ready and watch and not be decieved.
I do not believe that the world will end on this day in 2012. In Mark 13:32 Jesus says no one knows the hour or the time, not even the angels in heaven.
In verses 5-8 Jesus said: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains."
We do not know the exact time. I don't believe we ever will until it comes. We will see signs of it coming, but not know exactly. All we know is that we are supposed to be ready and watch and not be decieved.
July 27, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 20
I apologize for having no blog post yesterday. I wasn't feeling the best and I fell asleep unexpectedly. I also must admit that I didn't read the Bible yesterday at all. This has shown me that I must not put it off until night. This has also put off my sleep and my well being.
But what I would like to share with you is what I read this morning.
Philippians 3:4-11 NIV
"If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."
Paul begins to tell of what he was; what he used to be. He was successful. He had it all going for him. He was a leader and the other pharisees thought well of him. He was well off. But he considers it all nothing compared with Christ.
Whatever we earn here on earth; status, money, friends, a nice house, a cool gadget, a college diploma. It is all nothing! Nothing compared with gaining Christ.
Philippians 4:12-21 NIV
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
Paul admits that he is not perfect. He's not saying he has it all together. But he is saying that he is pressing on toward the goal. He has his eyes on the prize. His mind and his heart are in the right place and he is trying. He is running the race to win the prize that God has for him. He says we should all look at it in this way. We are running a race. I am running a race.
He says that if we are not looking at it in this way, God will soon make it clear to you that this is what you are supposed to be doing. He will clear your blurred vision. I know he has done so with me many times.
"Let us live up to what we have already attained."
But what I would like to share with you is what I read this morning.
Philippians 3:4-11 NIV
"If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."
Paul begins to tell of what he was; what he used to be. He was successful. He had it all going for him. He was a leader and the other pharisees thought well of him. He was well off. But he considers it all nothing compared with Christ.
Whatever we earn here on earth; status, money, friends, a nice house, a cool gadget, a college diploma. It is all nothing! Nothing compared with gaining Christ.
Philippians 4:12-21 NIV
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
Paul admits that he is not perfect. He's not saying he has it all together. But he is saying that he is pressing on toward the goal. He has his eyes on the prize. His mind and his heart are in the right place and he is trying. He is running the race to win the prize that God has for him. He says we should all look at it in this way. We are running a race. I am running a race.
He says that if we are not looking at it in this way, God will soon make it clear to you that this is what you are supposed to be doing. He will clear your blurred vision. I know he has done so with me many times.
"Let us live up to what we have already attained."
July 25, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 18
Philippians 1:9-11 NIV
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."
This is exactly what I needed to hear. You may remember me talking about love in one of my past posts. Well it has been on my mind and on my heart for some time. God has been telling me to love others, but he has also been telling me to be wise. I am not going to lie. It has been frustrating me and confusing me trying to figure it all out. I am supposed to love others, but I am also supposed to do this wisely. I need to ask for wisdom and discernment so I know what is best and pure and righteous.
Philippians 1:9-11 THE MESSAGE
"So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God."
Reading the message version of these verses really woke me up to what it's all about. I've been struggling with learning how to love others and also struggling with personal issues that make me doubt how to go about loving. Paul says to learn how to love appropriately. It made me excited to read this. There is a way! Then Paul says "Use your head!" I need to be smart. I need to test myself and my feelings. My love needs to be sincere and intelligent, not gushing and foolish.
I don't know what else to say or add. The Word says it all. Let's just say I now have the right mindset.
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."
This is exactly what I needed to hear. You may remember me talking about love in one of my past posts. Well it has been on my mind and on my heart for some time. God has been telling me to love others, but he has also been telling me to be wise. I am not going to lie. It has been frustrating me and confusing me trying to figure it all out. I am supposed to love others, but I am also supposed to do this wisely. I need to ask for wisdom and discernment so I know what is best and pure and righteous.
Philippians 1:9-11 THE MESSAGE
"So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God."
Reading the message version of these verses really woke me up to what it's all about. I've been struggling with learning how to love others and also struggling with personal issues that make me doubt how to go about loving. Paul says to learn how to love appropriately. It made me excited to read this. There is a way! Then Paul says "Use your head!" I need to be smart. I need to test myself and my feelings. My love needs to be sincere and intelligent, not gushing and foolish.
I don't know what else to say or add. The Word says it all. Let's just say I now have the right mindset.
July 24, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 17
Mark 12:41-44
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
How many of us can say this? How many people can say they gave their all for Christ? They gave everything they had for His kingdom. Not many people can. Not many people have that faith; that faith that everything will be ok. That faith that depends not on yourself but on Christ alone. That faith that is on the edge. That faith that is radical.
This poor widow gave her all! She gave EVERYTHING she had to live on. Now she is living on faith. How incredible is that? I want a faith like that. I wish I knew her name. She would be a person I would name my future daughter after.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
How many of us can say this? How many people can say they gave their all for Christ? They gave everything they had for His kingdom. Not many people can. Not many people have that faith; that faith that everything will be ok. That faith that depends not on yourself but on Christ alone. That faith that is on the edge. That faith that is radical.
This poor widow gave her all! She gave EVERYTHING she had to live on. Now she is living on faith. How incredible is that? I want a faith like that. I wish I knew her name. She would be a person I would name my future daughter after.
July 23, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 16
After I finish reading scripture, and I begin to type up my blog post for the day, I sometimes feel as if I have nothing else to say. After reading God's word and being amazed and thrilled by it, I don't think I could ever say anything that is more inspiring or awesome. How could anything I write be of any significance after reading such words? I feel like I should just hand all of my readers a Bible and smile and walk away.
Mark 12:18-27
Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?" Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"
Have you ever thought about what heaven is like? I sure have. I have always tried to imagine it and wondered what it would look like, what I would do, who I would see ect. One thing Jesus makes clear in this passage is that when we are in heaven we will not have spouses. We will not be intimate with anyone. When I first heard this I thought it would be rather awkward for people. You were married on earth, but now you are in heaven and your husband or wife is there and now...you aren't married? But Jesus explains that our intimacy will be with God! We will be like angels. We are past all of this marraige business. That was a thing of the past...a pre course in what heaven would look like. You know how it is said that the Church is the Bride of Christ? Well here we are. We (the church) will be in heaven with our Groom. Finally together completely and totally without any separation. How awesome is that? How amazing is that thought? But it's even better than you can every imagine. Just wait and see.
Mark 12:18-27
Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?" Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"
Have you ever thought about what heaven is like? I sure have. I have always tried to imagine it and wondered what it would look like, what I would do, who I would see ect. One thing Jesus makes clear in this passage is that when we are in heaven we will not have spouses. We will not be intimate with anyone. When I first heard this I thought it would be rather awkward for people. You were married on earth, but now you are in heaven and your husband or wife is there and now...you aren't married? But Jesus explains that our intimacy will be with God! We will be like angels. We are past all of this marraige business. That was a thing of the past...a pre course in what heaven would look like. You know how it is said that the Church is the Bride of Christ? Well here we are. We (the church) will be in heaven with our Groom. Finally together completely and totally without any separation. How awesome is that? How amazing is that thought? But it's even better than you can every imagine. Just wait and see.
July 22, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 15
Mark 11:22-26 NIV
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
THE MESSAGE
Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."
The message version really made me understand Jesus's point. I love the term "God-life". It makes me think of a life really lived for God; a life of faith. I want a faith like that.
Jesus says to pray about EVERYTHING. Do you do that? Do you pray about the little things? Do you give praises? Are you thankful? Or do you just pray about the big stuff and think God wouldn't care about the rest? Or do you just pray when bad things happen?
I also love the phrase: "assuming the posture of prayer". My mom always tells me to have good posture, but I never thought of prayer this way. This means making prayer a habit! Making it a daily, hour by hour, minute by minute, moment by moment thing! Live in prayer. Be talking to God constantly. I can speak from experience that this is such a wonderful thing...to have God right next to you every second of your day, just telling him everything on your heart and mind. It makes you more aware of what you are saying and doing and how you are acting around others.
Prayer isn't just asking for things. It is thanksgiving. It is repenting. It is worship.
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
THE MESSAGE
Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."
The message version really made me understand Jesus's point. I love the term "God-life". It makes me think of a life really lived for God; a life of faith. I want a faith like that.
Jesus says to pray about EVERYTHING. Do you do that? Do you pray about the little things? Do you give praises? Are you thankful? Or do you just pray about the big stuff and think God wouldn't care about the rest? Or do you just pray when bad things happen?
I also love the phrase: "assuming the posture of prayer". My mom always tells me to have good posture, but I never thought of prayer this way. This means making prayer a habit! Making it a daily, hour by hour, minute by minute, moment by moment thing! Live in prayer. Be talking to God constantly. I can speak from experience that this is such a wonderful thing...to have God right next to you every second of your day, just telling him everything on your heart and mind. It makes you more aware of what you are saying and doing and how you are acting around others.
Prayer isn't just asking for things. It is thanksgiving. It is repenting. It is worship.
July 21, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 14
The past couple weeks have been hard. God has been revealing things in my heart that need to be changed. He's working in me constantly, showing me things that I need to work on and speaking to me through his word; Which is awesome, but it is difficult as well. I am not a person who embraces change easily.
I woke up this morning to an email: Philippians 2:13 "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."
This encouraged me so much! It describes exactly what I am going through. God is working in me; and it is hard, it is tough, but He is preparing me. He is giving me the desire and the power to do what pleases him. And I know it. I feel it. It excites me.
After recieving this email I decided to read Philippians chapter 2. I found exactly what God has been telling me and showing me lately.
In verses 3-8 it says: "Do nothing out of selfish ambitions or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should not only look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
Christ was humble enough to lower himself to our level. He came to earth, when he belongs in heaven away from sin. He became Human even though he is God of the universe. He came in humility. He made himself nothing. He was a servant, and that is how I am supposed to be.
Philippians 2:14-15
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
This generation is sinful and depraved and evil. As a Christ follower I should stand out. I should be different. I should not conform to the ways of the world. I should serve as Christ did. I should be pure. I should be a light in this darkness. I want to be all of thses things. I want to shine like stars in the universe.
I woke up this morning to an email: Philippians 2:13 "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."
This encouraged me so much! It describes exactly what I am going through. God is working in me; and it is hard, it is tough, but He is preparing me. He is giving me the desire and the power to do what pleases him. And I know it. I feel it. It excites me.
After recieving this email I decided to read Philippians chapter 2. I found exactly what God has been telling me and showing me lately.
In verses 3-8 it says: "Do nothing out of selfish ambitions or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should not only look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
Christ was humble enough to lower himself to our level. He came to earth, when he belongs in heaven away from sin. He became Human even though he is God of the universe. He came in humility. He made himself nothing. He was a servant, and that is how I am supposed to be.
Philippians 2:14-15
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
This generation is sinful and depraved and evil. As a Christ follower I should stand out. I should be different. I should not conform to the ways of the world. I should serve as Christ did. I should be pure. I should be a light in this darkness. I want to be all of thses things. I want to shine like stars in the universe.
July 20, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 13
Jeremiah 3:1 "If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him and marries another man, should he return to her again? Would not the land be completely defiled? But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers— would you now return to me?" declares the LORD.
I stopped short as I read the first verse of this chapter in Jeremiah. How could I just keep reading after that? I had to stop and gawk. Wow. I think God just used a two by four to smack me in the face.
I have never thought of myself as a prostitute...far from it. But isn't that what we are? We are just prostitutes. We have gone from one thing to another replacing God, who is supposed to be our first love. I have replaced him with friends, family, objects, internet, facebook, addictions, lust, books, makeup, movies, tv shows, my phone, myself...I could go on and on.
I have had many lovers. How can I even begin to be worthy of God? How can I come to him and not be horribly ashamed? How can I face him? How can I speak to him? How can I call him father when I have replaced him so many times?
Jeremiah 3:19-20
"I myself said, 'How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel," declares the LORD
He wants to be our father. He wants us to be his children. He wants to give us so much that we don't even deserve. When we turn away from him, he wants us back. He wants us. He is waiting for us. Let us fall at his feet..
I stopped short as I read the first verse of this chapter in Jeremiah. How could I just keep reading after that? I had to stop and gawk. Wow. I think God just used a two by four to smack me in the face.
I have never thought of myself as a prostitute...far from it. But isn't that what we are? We are just prostitutes. We have gone from one thing to another replacing God, who is supposed to be our first love. I have replaced him with friends, family, objects, internet, facebook, addictions, lust, books, makeup, movies, tv shows, my phone, myself...I could go on and on.
I have had many lovers. How can I even begin to be worthy of God? How can I come to him and not be horribly ashamed? How can I face him? How can I speak to him? How can I call him father when I have replaced him so many times?
Jeremiah 3:19-20
"I myself said, 'How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel," declares the LORD
He wants to be our father. He wants us to be his children. He wants to give us so much that we don't even deserve. When we turn away from him, he wants us back. He wants us. He is waiting for us. Let us fall at his feet..
July 19, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 12
"You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:42-45
I am called to be like Jesus. Jesus was a servant. He is Lord of all, yet he came down to earth to be with and serve sinners. He didn't come to be served. He came to serve. He gave His life for me; for everyone.
He is the greatest of everyone ever. Yet he chooses to serve. It is incredible. I am called to be like that. I am called to be that humble and to serve others.
I am called to be like Jesus. Jesus was a servant. He is Lord of all, yet he came down to earth to be with and serve sinners. He didn't come to be served. He came to serve. He gave His life for me; for everyone.
He is the greatest of everyone ever. Yet he chooses to serve. It is incredible. I am called to be like that. I am called to be that humble and to serve others.
July 18, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 11
Mark 10:17-31
"As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
Has God every asked you to give something up for Him? It's hard. I know. It can be so difficult to lay down worldly things and follow Jesus. The message version says that the man "...was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go." What is holding you back from following Christ? What do you need to let go of?
"As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
Has God every asked you to give something up for Him? It's hard. I know. It can be so difficult to lay down worldly things and follow Jesus. The message version says that the man "...was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go." What is holding you back from following Christ? What do you need to let go of?
July 17, 2010
30 days in the Word day 10
God never stops reminding me...
Today I read Mark 9:33-37. That's all I had to read.
"They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
I love attention. I crave it. It may not seem apparent at times because of my natural shyness, or maybe it seems quite obvious...
I also love to win. I am very competitive.
Hearing the command to be the "servant of all" is a hard thing to hear. Servant of ALL? As in everyone? Jesus says if I want to be first, I must be last. If I want to win, I must put others first.
The Lord has really been telling me this in my heart lately. He keeps reiterating it in His Word and in my every day life.
It's okay if I do not recieve the cream of the crop. It's not about me. It is about Him. And by putting others before myself, Jesus says I am putting Him first as well. If I help the least of these, I am helping Him.
Lord I know you are working in my heart. I want to change for you. Help me.
Today I read Mark 9:33-37. That's all I had to read.
"They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
I love attention. I crave it. It may not seem apparent at times because of my natural shyness, or maybe it seems quite obvious...
I also love to win. I am very competitive.
Hearing the command to be the "servant of all" is a hard thing to hear. Servant of ALL? As in everyone? Jesus says if I want to be first, I must be last. If I want to win, I must put others first.
The Lord has really been telling me this in my heart lately. He keeps reiterating it in His Word and in my every day life.
It's okay if I do not recieve the cream of the crop. It's not about me. It is about Him. And by putting others before myself, Jesus says I am putting Him first as well. If I help the least of these, I am helping Him.
Lord I know you are working in my heart. I want to change for you. Help me.
July 16, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 9
Most children are afraid of monsters under their beds or in their closets. When I was little, I was afraid of demons and Satan in the dark abysses of my bedroom.
As a kid, I had a wild imagination; sometimes scaring myself out of my wits. I remember trying to get to sleep at night but being afraid and seeing things. Maybe it was just my imagination, maybe not. I would pull the covers close to me and sing the song based off of 2 Timothy 1:7 that my mom taught me. "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but He has given unto us, a spirit of power, a spirit of love, and a sound mind."
I was very aware that Jesus, Heaven, and angels existed, but I was also aware that Satan, Hell, and Demons existed. This is something that isn't talked about very much in the church nowadays, that I can tell. I haven't heard much about it.
Jesus drove out several demons from people in the Gospels. People were possessed by them. It was real. It was scary. One event in mark chapter 9 verses 17-30 was this:
"A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil[a] spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."
This man had been taking care of his son for a long time. The boy had almost died several times because of the demon. I can't imagine living with someone like that...someone i love dearly, watching them helplessly. And then to have the disciples of this great man fail in healing him...it would have been despairing. It would have taken great faith to still believe. And He needed help. He said "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" He still had faith. He was still so desperate for his son to be healed. He yelled this, clinging to what faith he had left. And his son was healed.
We all have to yell that at some point in our lives. We all need a little help in our faith. Satan can make us doubt. But God can help us overcome this unbelief.
As a kid, I had a wild imagination; sometimes scaring myself out of my wits. I remember trying to get to sleep at night but being afraid and seeing things. Maybe it was just my imagination, maybe not. I would pull the covers close to me and sing the song based off of 2 Timothy 1:7 that my mom taught me. "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but He has given unto us, a spirit of power, a spirit of love, and a sound mind."
I was very aware that Jesus, Heaven, and angels existed, but I was also aware that Satan, Hell, and Demons existed. This is something that isn't talked about very much in the church nowadays, that I can tell. I haven't heard much about it.
Jesus drove out several demons from people in the Gospels. People were possessed by them. It was real. It was scary. One event in mark chapter 9 verses 17-30 was this:
"A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil[a] spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."
This man had been taking care of his son for a long time. The boy had almost died several times because of the demon. I can't imagine living with someone like that...someone i love dearly, watching them helplessly. And then to have the disciples of this great man fail in healing him...it would have been despairing. It would have taken great faith to still believe. And He needed help. He said "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" He still had faith. He was still so desperate for his son to be healed. He yelled this, clinging to what faith he had left. And his son was healed.
We all have to yell that at some point in our lives. We all need a little help in our faith. Satan can make us doubt. But God can help us overcome this unbelief.
July 15, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 8
I apologize for yesterday's blog being just verses and no input from myself. But I hope you meditated on it and thought about what was said. Those verses are incredibly challenging..
Denying myself is such a difficult challenge for me. But Jesus says this MUST be done if I want to follow Him. And do I want to follow Him? Oh Yeah. No question about it. But it is super hard. It is hard for me to let Jesus into the driver's seat. I want to know what's going on. I want to make the decisions. I want to be in control. ...But it's not about what I want. That's just another part of denying myself.
Jesus says not to run from suffering. He says to embrace it. Wow. What a radical statement. Embrace suffering? Talk about an uncomfortable bear hug... How can I learn to do that?? Jesus says follow Him and He will show me how. But I need to deny myself. I need to stop being selfish.
There is always that first step you need to take... It may be just letting someone else do all the talking and just listening for once. It may be opening a door for someone. It may be being patient. It may be taking the time out of your day to call up a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. Usually it is taking time out of your schedule..out of what you have planned..because God usually has something better planned.
People don't like taking the time for someone else...they call it wasting time. No..not being patient or building character..but wasting and frivilous and dragging. This is including myself. I am human. I do care about myself and it is human nature. But I am not of this world. I do not belong here. I belong to Jesus. I do not want to be great in the world's eyes...I want to be seen as great in the Lord's eyes. What good is it for me to gain the whole world...but lose my soul?
Denying myself is such a difficult challenge for me. But Jesus says this MUST be done if I want to follow Him. And do I want to follow Him? Oh Yeah. No question about it. But it is super hard. It is hard for me to let Jesus into the driver's seat. I want to know what's going on. I want to make the decisions. I want to be in control. ...But it's not about what I want. That's just another part of denying myself.
Jesus says not to run from suffering. He says to embrace it. Wow. What a radical statement. Embrace suffering? Talk about an uncomfortable bear hug... How can I learn to do that?? Jesus says follow Him and He will show me how. But I need to deny myself. I need to stop being selfish.
There is always that first step you need to take... It may be just letting someone else do all the talking and just listening for once. It may be opening a door for someone. It may be being patient. It may be taking the time out of your day to call up a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. Usually it is taking time out of your schedule..out of what you have planned..because God usually has something better planned.
People don't like taking the time for someone else...they call it wasting time. No..not being patient or building character..but wasting and frivilous and dragging. This is including myself. I am human. I do care about myself and it is human nature. But I am not of this world. I do not belong here. I belong to Jesus. I do not want to be great in the world's eyes...I want to be seen as great in the Lord's eyes. What good is it for me to gain the whole world...but lose my soul?
July 14, 2010
30 days in the word day 7
Mark 8:31-38 (NIV)
"He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
THE MESSAGE:
"It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it. But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works." Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? "If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."
"He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
THE MESSAGE:
"It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it. But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works." Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? "If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."
July 13, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 6
The last month and a half I have doubted the power of love. I knew God loved me. But was it really possible for anyone else to? Or for me to really love anyone else? But, the last month and a half God has been showing me His word and His take on love. Guess what? It's real.
It seems whenever I read scripture in Bible studies or youth groups or at church we come across love...love God..love others. This was something that stuck out to me yet again this past sunday. And I thought "Oh. I have heard that before..." God is probably up in heaven saying "YOU THINK!"
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV)
"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that." (Ephesians 5:1-2 THE MESSAGE)
That is an extraordinary command. Watch God. You are the child. He is your father. He knows what He is doing. Imitate Him. Learn a life of love.
I think that is what God wants from me right now; To learn a life of love. God is saying, "Stop thinking about only yourself. Stop wallowing in your own sorrow. Stop doubting what you know is true. Start thinking of others. Start being selfless. Start thinking about what others need."
I've been thinking about the second greatest command in the Bible. The first is love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and strength. The second is love your neighbor as yourself. As yourself? A lot of people say you need to be able to love yourself first before you can start loving you neighbor. But you already love yourself! It's not something that you need to work on. When you are hungry, you go eat food. When you are tired, you sleep. When you are dirty, you take a shower. We love ourselves quite enough; perhaps a little too much sometimes. We spend countless hours worrying about OURselves and taking care of OUR needs. By loving our neighbor as ourselves, we are thinking of their needs as much as we think of ours. Worrying about them and taking care of them as much as we do ourselves.
I need to spend my time learning to live a life of love and selflessness. I want to be like Jesus and imitate him. I pray the Lord gives me wisdom. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) says: "Be very careful then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."
The message says: "So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants."
Live a life of love.
It seems whenever I read scripture in Bible studies or youth groups or at church we come across love...love God..love others. This was something that stuck out to me yet again this past sunday. And I thought "Oh. I have heard that before..." God is probably up in heaven saying "YOU THINK!"
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV)
"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that." (Ephesians 5:1-2 THE MESSAGE)
That is an extraordinary command. Watch God. You are the child. He is your father. He knows what He is doing. Imitate Him. Learn a life of love.
I think that is what God wants from me right now; To learn a life of love. God is saying, "Stop thinking about only yourself. Stop wallowing in your own sorrow. Stop doubting what you know is true. Start thinking of others. Start being selfless. Start thinking about what others need."
I've been thinking about the second greatest command in the Bible. The first is love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and strength. The second is love your neighbor as yourself. As yourself? A lot of people say you need to be able to love yourself first before you can start loving you neighbor. But you already love yourself! It's not something that you need to work on. When you are hungry, you go eat food. When you are tired, you sleep. When you are dirty, you take a shower. We love ourselves quite enough; perhaps a little too much sometimes. We spend countless hours worrying about OURselves and taking care of OUR needs. By loving our neighbor as ourselves, we are thinking of their needs as much as we think of ours. Worrying about them and taking care of them as much as we do ourselves.
I need to spend my time learning to live a life of love and selflessness. I want to be like Jesus and imitate him. I pray the Lord gives me wisdom. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) says: "Be very careful then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."
The message says: "So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants."
Live a life of love.
July 12, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 5
Have you ever asked God for a sign? Have you ever been so desperate that or even angry, that you shouted to the heaves, "Give me a sign! Send a miracle!" I know I have done this. I know many people who have done this and still do this.
That's God's job right?...To give us signs and miracles and help us along with our faith. No, I don't think that is His job.
Mark 8:11-12: "The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.'"
Are we that selfish? That we demand signs whenever we please? Does God give us signs? Yes. I know this. I have seen them. But when we ask, are we asking humbly? Are we asking graciously? Or are we testing God?
That's God's job right?...To give us signs and miracles and help us along with our faith. No, I don't think that is His job.
Mark 8:11-12: "The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.'"
Are we that selfish? That we demand signs whenever we please? Does God give us signs? Yes. I know this. I have seen them. But when we ask, are we asking humbly? Are we asking graciously? Or are we testing God?
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