"No wonder my heart is glad,
and my tongue shouts His praises!
My body rests in hope.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
You have shown me the way of life,
and you will fill me with the joy of your presence." Acts 2:26-28 NLT
What would we have if we didn't have hope? Especially in this time period, it seems that hope is even more important. In this instance, hope means: "to place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good".
God is such a gracious God that He has given us gifts that have no monetary value. We can't touch them or sell them or even trade them. We just need to accept them with the graciousness in which they are offered to us. What a Father is He!
This weekend, why don't you try to be hopeful? I know that in these trying times, being hopeful may seem an impossible achievement, but you can. If you have put your heart and soul into the hands of your Father in Heaven, you can be 100% hopeful for your today, your tomorrow and your future. Just try it--I bet Monday may look 100% better than you ever dreamed!
"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Spiritual Attitude
"Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 NLT
In the Noah's Webster Dictionary, the word "haughty" means: disdain; arrogance.
There will be times in your life when God will put you in a place that you are not going to like or be comfortable in. You may even be in a place where you feel is beneath you--but there you are.
How you do it--your spiritual attitude--will define the effect. You may think, "O.K., since I'm told to do this, I'm going to, but I don't like it. I'll show them." It's kind of like having a spiritual tantrum. And even though you think that you are hiding these feelings of anger, hurt, etc.--news flash--you're not. It leaks out by your words, your demeanor, your actions, your choices--your haughtiness. Stop it!
Another word close to haughtiness is bitterness. You think you are entitled to not have to be where you are at the moment, and because you are there, you can become bitter. Bitter against the people, situation, that has put you there. Or even against God.
It's a slippery slope and you need to confess. Confess to the Lord your true feelings. Confess to the Lord that you need His help to get this "haughty attitude" away from you. Pray that you humbly serve where He has you and for you to see the hidden blessings that He has there for you. And take ownership of why you are there.
If you look at your situation with eyes of faith and excitement that this is another piece of your life's journey, your whole spiritual attitude will change. And what a blessing you will be to the people that are sharing this journey with you!
"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD." Proverbs 16:20 NLT
a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 NLT
In the Noah's Webster Dictionary, the word "haughty" means: disdain; arrogance.
There will be times in your life when God will put you in a place that you are not going to like or be comfortable in. You may even be in a place where you feel is beneath you--but there you are.
How you do it--your spiritual attitude--will define the effect. You may think, "O.K., since I'm told to do this, I'm going to, but I don't like it. I'll show them." It's kind of like having a spiritual tantrum. And even though you think that you are hiding these feelings of anger, hurt, etc.--news flash--you're not. It leaks out by your words, your demeanor, your actions, your choices--your haughtiness. Stop it!
Another word close to haughtiness is bitterness. You think you are entitled to not have to be where you are at the moment, and because you are there, you can become bitter. Bitter against the people, situation, that has put you there. Or even against God.
It's a slippery slope and you need to confess. Confess to the Lord your true feelings. Confess to the Lord that you need His help to get this "haughty attitude" away from you. Pray that you humbly serve where He has you and for you to see the hidden blessings that He has there for you. And take ownership of why you are there.
If you look at your situation with eyes of faith and excitement that this is another piece of your life's journey, your whole spiritual attitude will change. And what a blessing you will be to the people that are sharing this journey with you!
"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD." Proverbs 16:20 NLT
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Mind-Reading
"No one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit, and no one can know God's own thoughts except God's own Spirit. And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us." I Corinthians 2:2:10-11 NLT
I wonder, do you ever get into this trap? You hear or--maybe even actually personally experience--something that someone has done or said and if it seems out of character, you try to psycho-analyze why that person would say or do such a thing?
Why do we do that? How can we expect to know what that person is feeling or where they are spiritually? Or if we have just heard that it happened, that it really did?
It is not our job to second-guess or mind-read spiritually and emotionally where people are. Only God is capable to do that. We can pray for discernment to help that person who may have strayed, but when we decide on our own what and where that person is, we are doing them a great disservice. For many a broken relationship can be blamed on mind/spirit reading with false results.
With this age of mass communication devices, you know what is lacking? The old-fashioned, face-to-face, let's talk. Sometimes, all that is needed is to have a listening ear and an open heart--God's Spirit will do the rest.
So, the next time you hear a rumor or sense someone is heading the wrong way, don't mind-read. Pray to your Father for insight on how to help this person. And listen to what He tells you. Then you will know that the outcome will be blessed.
I wonder, do you ever get into this trap? You hear or--maybe even actually personally experience--something that someone has done or said and if it seems out of character, you try to psycho-analyze why that person would say or do such a thing?
Why do we do that? How can we expect to know what that person is feeling or where they are spiritually? Or if we have just heard that it happened, that it really did?
It is not our job to second-guess or mind-read spiritually and emotionally where people are. Only God is capable to do that. We can pray for discernment to help that person who may have strayed, but when we decide on our own what and where that person is, we are doing them a great disservice. For many a broken relationship can be blamed on mind/spirit reading with false results.
With this age of mass communication devices, you know what is lacking? The old-fashioned, face-to-face, let's talk. Sometimes, all that is needed is to have a listening ear and an open heart--God's Spirit will do the rest.
So, the next time you hear a rumor or sense someone is heading the wrong way, don't mind-read. Pray to your Father for insight on how to help this person. And listen to what He tells you. Then you will know that the outcome will be blessed.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
What Are You Announcing?
"Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God." Luke 8:1 NLT
Jesus message is one of good news. In fact, it's great news! To think that when we were utterly helpless, God's son Jesus, would die for our sins. The result is total forgiveness. But the good news doesn't stop there. Not only have we been forgiven, we have been given a new life in Christ. Our old life was nailed to the cross of Christ. Through the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit we are granted new life. Life free from the bondage's that once held us down. Life free to love and be loved. Life free to live in God's Kingdom not at some distance location and some distance time, but right here, right now. We are free to live in righteousness, peace and the joy of the Holy Spirit. We are free to announce the message of God's grace to the world around us.
But what is the message that we are announcing? Is it the love, freedom, acceptance and blessing of God? Or, is it one of rules, hypocrisy, fear and condemnation? Do we really understand the Good News?
"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." Romans 5:6-11 NLT
I pray that you will realize who you are in Jesus, and receive His complete love.
Jesus message is one of good news. In fact, it's great news! To think that when we were utterly helpless, God's son Jesus, would die for our sins. The result is total forgiveness. But the good news doesn't stop there. Not only have we been forgiven, we have been given a new life in Christ. Our old life was nailed to the cross of Christ. Through the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit we are granted new life. Life free from the bondage's that once held us down. Life free to love and be loved. Life free to live in God's Kingdom not at some distance location and some distance time, but right here, right now. We are free to live in righteousness, peace and the joy of the Holy Spirit. We are free to announce the message of God's grace to the world around us.
But what is the message that we are announcing? Is it the love, freedom, acceptance and blessing of God? Or, is it one of rules, hypocrisy, fear and condemnation? Do we really understand the Good News?
"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." Romans 5:6-11 NLT
I pray that you will realize who you are in Jesus, and receive His complete love.
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Need to Know
"Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother's womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5 NLT
As I was reading the script notes at the bottom of the page this verse was on, it states that in some instances, "wind" and "spirit" are the same word in the original. When you read it that way, "just as you cannot understand the path of the "spirit" doesn't it make it more personal?
No, we don't always understand the path of our spirit. And the concept of how the Lord designed to have our lives begin, inside a womb, is totally mind boggling.
And have you ever been in a situation in your own life and made the statement, "I just don't understand God. Why is this happening to me?" Is it really necessary for us to understand? Sometimes not. For if we always understood, we would never need to lean on our faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 NLT
So, the next time you get into a situation in your life, don't try to understand it. Just pray it over to your Heavenly Father and He will take care of the rest.
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7 NLT
As I was reading the script notes at the bottom of the page this verse was on, it states that in some instances, "wind" and "spirit" are the same word in the original. When you read it that way, "just as you cannot understand the path of the "spirit" doesn't it make it more personal?
No, we don't always understand the path of our spirit. And the concept of how the Lord designed to have our lives begin, inside a womb, is totally mind boggling.
And have you ever been in a situation in your own life and made the statement, "I just don't understand God. Why is this happening to me?" Is it really necessary for us to understand? Sometimes not. For if we always understood, we would never need to lean on our faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 NLT
So, the next time you get into a situation in your life, don't try to understand it. Just pray it over to your Heavenly Father and He will take care of the rest.
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7 NLT
Friday, July 24, 2009
Exalting
"God's way is perfect.
all the LORD's promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.
For who is God except the LORD?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
God is my strong fortress,
and He makes my way perfect.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
enabling me to stand on mountain
heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze
bow.
You have given me your shield of victory;
your help has made me great.
You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping.
The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!" 2 Samuel 22:31-37, 47 NLT
There are days, like today, that just reading and meditating on His words are enough. I wish you a day of praising the LORD and thanking Him for being such the awesome, gracious, caring & wise FATHER that He is. Blessings my friend.
all the LORD's promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.
For who is God except the LORD?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
God is my strong fortress,
and He makes my way perfect.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
enabling me to stand on mountain
heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze
bow.
You have given me your shield of victory;
your help has made me great.
You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping.
The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!" 2 Samuel 22:31-37, 47 NLT
There are days, like today, that just reading and meditating on His words are enough. I wish you a day of praising the LORD and thanking Him for being such the awesome, gracious, caring & wise FATHER that He is. Blessings my friend.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
My God Rocks!
"O LORD, you are my lamp.
The LORD lights up my darkness.
In Your strength I can crush an army;
with my God I can scale any wall." 2 Samuel 22:29-30 NLT
WOW! Isn't that powerful? When I came upon it this morning, it just gave me shivers to my core. My mind is still wrapping itself around the enormity of it's concept.
What this says to me is that with my God, I can do anything! I know--so simple--so elementary. Something that I know but I keep forgetting in my struggles of life and faith. I work too hard. Do you feel that way sometimes? We work too hard.
What I mean is that we work too hard at life. Life could be so simple. Oh, it will still have it's trails and hardships, that's just part of the learning process. But if we would just remember this verse, "O LORD, YOU are my lamp...in YOUR strength, I can crush an army, with MY GOD, I can scale any wall" we could make it through and make it through with better success than on our own merits, on our own strength.
Again, I challenge you to take this verse and memorize it into your spirit and life. When you are faced with whatever the LORD has put into your life, pull this verse out of your spirit pocket and put it into your mind. I know you will scale that wall with a lot more peace than you will ever dream.
"The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock!May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!" 2 Samuel 22:47 NLT
The LORD lights up my darkness.
In Your strength I can crush an army;
with my God I can scale any wall." 2 Samuel 22:29-30 NLT
WOW! Isn't that powerful? When I came upon it this morning, it just gave me shivers to my core. My mind is still wrapping itself around the enormity of it's concept.
What this says to me is that with my God, I can do anything! I know--so simple--so elementary. Something that I know but I keep forgetting in my struggles of life and faith. I work too hard. Do you feel that way sometimes? We work too hard.
What I mean is that we work too hard at life. Life could be so simple. Oh, it will still have it's trails and hardships, that's just part of the learning process. But if we would just remember this verse, "O LORD, YOU are my lamp...in YOUR strength, I can crush an army, with MY GOD, I can scale any wall" we could make it through and make it through with better success than on our own merits, on our own strength.
Again, I challenge you to take this verse and memorize it into your spirit and life. When you are faced with whatever the LORD has put into your life, pull this verse out of your spirit pocket and put it into your mind. I know you will scale that wall with a lot more peace than you will ever dream.
"The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock!May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!" 2 Samuel 22:47 NLT
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