"16 I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves,17 and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love,18 so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love.19 Yes, may you come to know his love although it can never be fully known and so be completely filled with the very nature of God." Ephesians 3:16-19 (GNT)
What touched my spirit about when I was lead to these verses was that I felt the love. I found myself thinking, "Wouldn't that be the beautiful prayer to pray over someone?" And then I thought, "I would love to have someone pray that prayer over me."
In those verses, if you look at them closely, you will discover the trinity. How? Well, first of all, verse 16, Paul is asking that God's Spirit would make you strong. Secondly, verse 17, that by Christ's indwelling-making His home--in your hearts through faith and thirdly, verse 19, and that they would be filled to the measure of all the fullness by the very nature of God. This threefold fullness of God is the believers state in God.
You see, in order to be a full, well-rounded Christian, you need to have all three persons in the trinity--The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are all interlaced and entwined with each other to help make you strong. If you have any less than three, you are vulnerable. You are exposed. It's like being outside in the snow--you have your boots, your gloves but no jacket. Are you going to be protected by the elements? Well, your feet and hands will but the rest of you are subjected to freeze--so in the end, so will your hands and feet.
Let's cover each other with that prayer, shall we? Your God is SO awesome. He truly is.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Perspective
"36 Do you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not!37 There is nothing you can give to regain your life." Mark 8:36-37(GNT)
Sometimes is seems that some people would give up everything to get ahead. To win that promotion. To purchase that house in the ritzy neighborhood. To get that 'to-die-for' body. The mate of a lifetime.
But in the end, what would you have to show for it? Promotions go away. Homes are just houses without a soul. Bodies get old. Not all mates are meant for a lifetime--only the one God made for you.
So--at times, you may have to make a choice--do I sacrifice it all for what I think is important or do I sacrifice everything for what the Lord is telling me is important? Because in the end, everything else may go by the wayside, but what God had begun as a good work in you, that will stay, if you don't neglect it.
What do you need to do? Keep your eyes focus on the goal--Jesus. If you do that, then you should find the rest of you following close behind. Will it be easy? No. Not always. But you know, some treasures are more valuable the harder they are to find. The same goes with your walk. It's worth the fight.
"2 Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne." Hebrews 12:2(GNT)
Sometimes is seems that some people would give up everything to get ahead. To win that promotion. To purchase that house in the ritzy neighborhood. To get that 'to-die-for' body. The mate of a lifetime.
But in the end, what would you have to show for it? Promotions go away. Homes are just houses without a soul. Bodies get old. Not all mates are meant for a lifetime--only the one God made for you.
So--at times, you may have to make a choice--do I sacrifice it all for what I think is important or do I sacrifice everything for what the Lord is telling me is important? Because in the end, everything else may go by the wayside, but what God had begun as a good work in you, that will stay, if you don't neglect it.
What do you need to do? Keep your eyes focus on the goal--Jesus. If you do that, then you should find the rest of you following close behind. Will it be easy? No. Not always. But you know, some treasures are more valuable the harder they are to find. The same goes with your walk. It's worth the fight.
"2 Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne." Hebrews 12:2(GNT)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
O Lord, Which One?
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
This verse seems to go hand-in-hand with Luke 4:42b-44. This is where Jesus had just returned from being in a solitary place with His Father. The people didn't want Him to leave. He had healed many of their own, driven out demons and they wanted to keep Him all for themselves.
But what did Jesus do? Jesus said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." Luke 4:43. He couldn't stay. His purpose was to be a traveling preacher.
Jesus had many gifts--in fact--He had all the Spiritual gifts. But He knew what purpose and gift He was to do and use. What about you? Do you know your purpose and gift(s)? If you have more than one gift, do you know which one the Lord wants you to use for His glory and purpose? Or are you running around, at one point you think it's this one and then at another point you think it's that one? You feel a little crazy. A little frazzled.
Do you know how Jesus knew which of His many gifts He was to focus on? What His purpose was? He took time to get away and be alone with His Heavenly Father. A place of solitude. People are crazily looking for Him everywhere. Where was He? Alone with His Father, communing with Him.
If you don't have a clear purpose, a clear vision on what gift that your Heavenly Father wants you to use, then why not do what Jesus did? Go to a solitary place and commune with Him. Prayerfully consult with Him about your desire to have a clear purpose and vision. You may not get it that very second, but please, be faithful in the asking. He will give it to you.
Don't wear yourself out like a butterfly--fluttering here and there, looking for the next best flower that will have the sweetest nectar. God wants you close to Him. He is your source. Tap into it. And once it is revealed to you, apply it as the verse above says, use it to serve others in your Father's gracious name and do it faithfully.
This verse seems to go hand-in-hand with Luke 4:42b-44. This is where Jesus had just returned from being in a solitary place with His Father. The people didn't want Him to leave. He had healed many of their own, driven out demons and they wanted to keep Him all for themselves.
But what did Jesus do? Jesus said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." Luke 4:43. He couldn't stay. His purpose was to be a traveling preacher.
Jesus had many gifts--in fact--He had all the Spiritual gifts. But He knew what purpose and gift He was to do and use. What about you? Do you know your purpose and gift(s)? If you have more than one gift, do you know which one the Lord wants you to use for His glory and purpose? Or are you running around, at one point you think it's this one and then at another point you think it's that one? You feel a little crazy. A little frazzled.
Do you know how Jesus knew which of His many gifts He was to focus on? What His purpose was? He took time to get away and be alone with His Heavenly Father. A place of solitude. People are crazily looking for Him everywhere. Where was He? Alone with His Father, communing with Him.
If you don't have a clear purpose, a clear vision on what gift that your Heavenly Father wants you to use, then why not do what Jesus did? Go to a solitary place and commune with Him. Prayerfully consult with Him about your desire to have a clear purpose and vision. You may not get it that very second, but please, be faithful in the asking. He will give it to you.
Don't wear yourself out like a butterfly--fluttering here and there, looking for the next best flower that will have the sweetest nectar. God wants you close to Him. He is your source. Tap into it. And once it is revealed to you, apply it as the verse above says, use it to serve others in your Father's gracious name and do it faithfully.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Mine
"But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, 'My child, get up!' Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up.” Luke 8:53-55 NLT
What do we know about this child? We know that the child was a girl, and if you read a couple of verses earlier, you find out that she is about 12 years old and her father, Jairus, was a ruler of the synagogue. We also discover that she was dying and because of that, her father came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with Him to come to his house.
Jesus does come, but not after healing a woman of internal bleeding just because her faith was so great that all she had to do was touch the edge of His cloak.
Do we know if the girl was a believer? Do we know if she was baptized? If she had given her life to Jesus? No. But do you notice how Jesus addresses her when he finds her dead in her home? Look closely. He says to her, "My child, get up!" He doesn't say, "Little girl, get up." or "Hey you, get up." He doesn't even say simply, "Child, get up."
Instead, He calls her "My" child. What could we take away from this? We can take the fact that we are born God's children. That we are His from day one of conception. That He has loved us from the beginning of time and died for that love. He has claimed us from the alpha-the very first--and continues to love us until the omega--the end.
Then what is this business about asking Jesus into our lives in order to be saved? Very good question. That is when we accept His presence. His unending love. His arms full of graciousness. His faith in us. Does this make sense to you? You see, He has always and forever loved and had faith in you. Asking Him into your life and to be your Lord and Savior is your way of showing Him your love and faith for Him.
So, now that you know that you have been His child from the very beginning, how about asking Him to be your Heavenly Father from this moment on? He will come running, with joy everlasting.
What do we know about this child? We know that the child was a girl, and if you read a couple of verses earlier, you find out that she is about 12 years old and her father, Jairus, was a ruler of the synagogue. We also discover that she was dying and because of that, her father came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with Him to come to his house.
Jesus does come, but not after healing a woman of internal bleeding just because her faith was so great that all she had to do was touch the edge of His cloak.
Do we know if the girl was a believer? Do we know if she was baptized? If she had given her life to Jesus? No. But do you notice how Jesus addresses her when he finds her dead in her home? Look closely. He says to her, "My child, get up!" He doesn't say, "Little girl, get up." or "Hey you, get up." He doesn't even say simply, "Child, get up."
Instead, He calls her "My" child. What could we take away from this? We can take the fact that we are born God's children. That we are His from day one of conception. That He has loved us from the beginning of time and died for that love. He has claimed us from the alpha-the very first--and continues to love us until the omega--the end.
Then what is this business about asking Jesus into our lives in order to be saved? Very good question. That is when we accept His presence. His unending love. His arms full of graciousness. His faith in us. Does this make sense to you? You see, He has always and forever loved and had faith in you. Asking Him into your life and to be your Lord and Savior is your way of showing Him your love and faith for Him.
So, now that you know that you have been His child from the very beginning, how about asking Him to be your Heavenly Father from this moment on? He will come running, with joy everlasting.
Monday, May 30, 2011
The Twist
"Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. 'Lord,' the man said, 'if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.'
Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be healed!' And instantly the leprosy disappeared." Matthew 8:2-3 NLT
Like many of you, I have heard this verse explained a number of times. But today, when I was led here, the Lord showed me a different twist. Follow me and see if this hits a cord with you.
The twist isn't just that Jesus can heal of us our physical diseases. If you took the word 'leprosy' and replaced it with the word 'sin', how would it speak to you? "Suddenly a man with sin approached him and knelt before him. 'Lord, if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean' ...Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,'...'Be healed!' And instantly the sin disappeared." Would it tell you that you can believe that Jesus will heal you from your sin? That He doesn't hold it over you? That you can believe Him when He says that He came to free you from your bondage. That He died for your sins. To be your covering from them. That He is enough?
You don't have to win the approval of people. You don't have to earn your place with Him. His grace is sufficient. He willed it. All you have to do is believe, ask and receive. Nothing more, nothing less. When you try to please others, or to even please your Heavenly Father, it takes away what He already did for you. Don't take that away from Him. What He did, He did freely without any regrets. Without any second thoughts.
Just give Him what He wants--your heart--totally and complete. With no hidden places. If you do that, He will know it was worth it.
"And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him...When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God." Romans 6:8. 10 NLT
Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be healed!' And instantly the leprosy disappeared." Matthew 8:2-3 NLT
Like many of you, I have heard this verse explained a number of times. But today, when I was led here, the Lord showed me a different twist. Follow me and see if this hits a cord with you.
The twist isn't just that Jesus can heal of us our physical diseases. If you took the word 'leprosy' and replaced it with the word 'sin', how would it speak to you? "Suddenly a man with sin approached him and knelt before him. 'Lord, if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean' ...Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,'...'Be healed!' And instantly the sin disappeared." Would it tell you that you can believe that Jesus will heal you from your sin? That He doesn't hold it over you? That you can believe Him when He says that He came to free you from your bondage. That He died for your sins. To be your covering from them. That He is enough?
You don't have to win the approval of people. You don't have to earn your place with Him. His grace is sufficient. He willed it. All you have to do is believe, ask and receive. Nothing more, nothing less. When you try to please others, or to even please your Heavenly Father, it takes away what He already did for you. Don't take that away from Him. What He did, He did freely without any regrets. Without any second thoughts.
Just give Him what He wants--your heart--totally and complete. With no hidden places. If you do that, He will know it was worth it.
"And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him...When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God." Romans 6:8. 10 NLT
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
A Lesson Learned
"I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,
the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—
the feeling of hitting the bottom.
But there's one other thing I remember,
and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:
God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He's all I've got left."Lamentations 3:19-23 (The Message)
The prophet Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations. He wrote it after the third siege and fall of Jerusalem. He was overcomed by personal grief. Not only for himself, but for God's nation.
It seemed senseless. It didn't have to come to this. But Jerusalem had become haughty and hard-hearted. They had turned their backs against their God. They had to become totally devastated in order to be able to truly come back to their one true God.
Is that you? Have you had to get to the very bottom of bottom in order to get your life back? To come to your Heavenly Father, truly saved and repented? Ready to do whatever it takes to be one with Him again?
Jeremiah had been thrown into the dungeon by malicious foes, yet he proved the goodness and nearness of God as ever faithful. His cry was heard and deliverance came. Can it be that you are in the dark dungeon of your own making? Despair not--God is near, and He can make your dungeon luminous with the radiance of the His love and the Holy Spirit. Listen for the whisper of His voice. Fear not! Humbly come to Him--He is waiting for you.
the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—
the feeling of hitting the bottom.
But there's one other thing I remember,
and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:
God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He's all I've got left."Lamentations 3:19-23 (The Message)
The prophet Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations. He wrote it after the third siege and fall of Jerusalem. He was overcomed by personal grief. Not only for himself, but for God's nation.
It seemed senseless. It didn't have to come to this. But Jerusalem had become haughty and hard-hearted. They had turned their backs against their God. They had to become totally devastated in order to be able to truly come back to their one true God.
Is that you? Have you had to get to the very bottom of bottom in order to get your life back? To come to your Heavenly Father, truly saved and repented? Ready to do whatever it takes to be one with Him again?
Jeremiah had been thrown into the dungeon by malicious foes, yet he proved the goodness and nearness of God as ever faithful. His cry was heard and deliverance came. Can it be that you are in the dark dungeon of your own making? Despair not--God is near, and He can make your dungeon luminous with the radiance of the His love and the Holy Spirit. Listen for the whisper of His voice. Fear not! Humbly come to Him--He is waiting for you.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Teach Me O Lord!
"Teach me Your way, O LORD;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name." Psalm 86:11 NASB
David was a man after God's own heart. Even so, even with the heritage that David had, he still sinned. He was still a rebelious son. He loved God, He was proud of his heritage, but that didn't keep him on the straight and narrow. He still had his struggles.
Does that give us privilege to sin? No. But each time we fall short, it gives us another chance to grow closer to our Heavenly Father. To experience first hand, His graciousness and merciful spirit. Hopefully, we are learning what is expected of us. We are learning what it is that we should be doing. This is what saved David. Even though he fell time after time, after each occurance, he cried out to his Heavenly Father. He sang His praises and pleaded for forgiveness.
God will honor us if we pray this prayer. Teach me Your way, O Lord. What a prayer! Six words. Six sweet yet powerful words to our Father's ear. A refreshing breathe for His heart.
Praying that the Lord will teach you His ways will allow to you to become a soft plyable heart that the Lord can use to shape and form into the son/daughter that He created you to be. To be what He wants you to be--not what you think you should be.
"and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them." Jeremiah 32:39 NASB
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name." Psalm 86:11 NASB
David was a man after God's own heart. Even so, even with the heritage that David had, he still sinned. He was still a rebelious son. He loved God, He was proud of his heritage, but that didn't keep him on the straight and narrow. He still had his struggles.
Does that give us privilege to sin? No. But each time we fall short, it gives us another chance to grow closer to our Heavenly Father. To experience first hand, His graciousness and merciful spirit. Hopefully, we are learning what is expected of us. We are learning what it is that we should be doing. This is what saved David. Even though he fell time after time, after each occurance, he cried out to his Heavenly Father. He sang His praises and pleaded for forgiveness.
God will honor us if we pray this prayer. Teach me Your way, O Lord. What a prayer! Six words. Six sweet yet powerful words to our Father's ear. A refreshing breathe for His heart.
Praying that the Lord will teach you His ways will allow to you to become a soft plyable heart that the Lord can use to shape and form into the son/daughter that He created you to be. To be what He wants you to be--not what you think you should be.
"and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them." Jeremiah 32:39 NASB
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