Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Dear friend,
It's quite easy to lead ourselves astray. From our narrow vantage point things often times seem so clear; we believe without a doubt that we're correct and on the right path. We let our emotions determine the choices we make and let our feelings take the wheel. Neither are reliable and steadfast.
I'm reminded of a parade. We're at the street level walking alongside a float enjoying the experience. We only see those things directly around us in any given direction. We're having a great time unaware of any trouble that lies ahead. From God's perspective, higher than the skyscrapers, He can see everything in every direction. He sees holes in the roads ahead and knows when we need to make a detour. He knows the best route to keep us safe, all we need to do is to seek Him to find it!
Our vision in life is limited by our simple and short-sighted understanding. It's best to put our trust in a true compass, one that won't fail us. God. He sees all and knows all. We simply need to make Him the priority in all we do and He will guide our paths. He has the best vantage point into each of our lives and can see clearly the best direction for us to take.
Happy Friday!
In Christ,
-Robert
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
2.10.11
1 John 3:2
2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Dear friend,
How blessed we are to be called children of the living God and to call Him our Heavenly Father! How does that sentence sit with your spirit? For some, there are qualities of God that our father on earth exemplified but for others, their earthly fathers have wounded them deeply. Just like us, none of our dads are/were without sin but if you've been wounded in this area, I pray against strongholds that may be fortified in your mind (2 Cor 10:4-5) and that the Word of God would demolish them to rubble. We are in danger of transferring our thoughts and feelings of our earthly fathers to our Heavenly Father but we must let our Heavenly Father's Word be our guide. Abba, Father loves us, disciplines and encourages His children with absolute perfection.
The second part of this verse seems to place us in the "meanwhile" as what we will be has not been made known but we do know that we'll be like Him soon. In the meanwhile, we are being conformed to the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18) and we must look forward to that glorious day when we are fully conformed and see Him as He is!
In Christ,
Mike
2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Dear friend,
How blessed we are to be called children of the living God and to call Him our Heavenly Father! How does that sentence sit with your spirit? For some, there are qualities of God that our father on earth exemplified but for others, their earthly fathers have wounded them deeply. Just like us, none of our dads are/were without sin but if you've been wounded in this area, I pray against strongholds that may be fortified in your mind (2 Cor 10:4-5) and that the Word of God would demolish them to rubble. We are in danger of transferring our thoughts and feelings of our earthly fathers to our Heavenly Father but we must let our Heavenly Father's Word be our guide. Abba, Father loves us, disciplines and encourages His children with absolute perfection.
The second part of this verse seems to place us in the "meanwhile" as what we will be has not been made known but we do know that we'll be like Him soon. In the meanwhile, we are being conformed to the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18) and we must look forward to that glorious day when we are fully conformed and see Him as He is!
In Christ,
Mike
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
2.9.11
Matthew 10:29-31
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Dear friend,
Think about this for a moment. This is Jesus talking to a group of his followers, who at some point will face very difficult times. Not to mention the fact that the people Jesus is ministering to are looking for answers for the heart aches in their personal lives and in their country. They were overrun by the Romans, taxed beyond their ability to pay; many were sick and desperate for help. We will all experience hardships that seem to take us under or feel overwhelming. Friends, there is always hope in God! Every bird of the air, as small and insignificant they are in the vastness of the creatures of the earth, is in the care of the Father's hand according to this verse. Please know that God values you, as his child, abundantly more then he values the birds.
Like the verse above, there is tremendous amount of good news in the word of God for those who trust in Jesus Christ. Take some time today and remember His promises that He gave to us in Jesus. Remember there is NO SIN that is more powerful then God. Also, the Lord says, "I will not leave you or forsake you" (Heb 13) and "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom" (2 Cor 3). Do you have this freedom? Are you thinking about your worries or are your eyes and heart fixed on God? Friends He loves you, He died for you and He will never leave you. This is the greatest news of all time. Live free today!
Need some prayer? Send it our way as we have prayer warriors waiting to lift you up!
Be still and know that He is God, His mercy is new every morning.
Ty D
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Dear friend,
Think about this for a moment. This is Jesus talking to a group of his followers, who at some point will face very difficult times. Not to mention the fact that the people Jesus is ministering to are looking for answers for the heart aches in their personal lives and in their country. They were overrun by the Romans, taxed beyond their ability to pay; many were sick and desperate for help. We will all experience hardships that seem to take us under or feel overwhelming. Friends, there is always hope in God! Every bird of the air, as small and insignificant they are in the vastness of the creatures of the earth, is in the care of the Father's hand according to this verse. Please know that God values you, as his child, abundantly more then he values the birds.
Like the verse above, there is tremendous amount of good news in the word of God for those who trust in Jesus Christ. Take some time today and remember His promises that He gave to us in Jesus. Remember there is NO SIN that is more powerful then God. Also, the Lord says, "I will not leave you or forsake you" (Heb 13) and "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom" (2 Cor 3). Do you have this freedom? Are you thinking about your worries or are your eyes and heart fixed on God? Friends He loves you, He died for you and He will never leave you. This is the greatest news of all time. Live free today!
Need some prayer? Send it our way as we have prayer warriors waiting to lift you up!
Be still and know that He is God, His mercy is new every morning.
Ty D
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
2.8.11
James 2:14
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
Dear friend,
Today's verse is one of Holy Spirit conviction in my life. James goes on to answer this question by saying plainly that faith without action is dead. I can't speak for anyone else but I know that one of my strongest temptations is complacency. Merriam-Webster defines complacency as "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies". Is it any wonder that humility is considered an antonym of complacency? It is pride that allows me to think in any way that I am self-sufficient or self-satisfied.
It is my ardent prayer that we become more aware of the dangers of complacency and trade our selfishness for selflessness. It is even more dangerous in our culture but thanks be to God for the selflessness of Jesus! Thank the Lord for the conviction of the Holy Spirit if He is prompting you now and let us not harden our hearts. May we focus on loving others, especially those that seem difficult to love, and proving that our faith has action by performing the works that have been prepared in advance for us to accomplish through Jesus Christ. If we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed by this commission (as I have) we must remember that with God all things are possible!
In Christ,
Mike
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
Dear friend,
Today's verse is one of Holy Spirit conviction in my life. James goes on to answer this question by saying plainly that faith without action is dead. I can't speak for anyone else but I know that one of my strongest temptations is complacency. Merriam-Webster defines complacency as "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies". Is it any wonder that humility is considered an antonym of complacency? It is pride that allows me to think in any way that I am self-sufficient or self-satisfied.
It is my ardent prayer that we become more aware of the dangers of complacency and trade our selfishness for selflessness. It is even more dangerous in our culture but thanks be to God for the selflessness of Jesus! Thank the Lord for the conviction of the Holy Spirit if He is prompting you now and let us not harden our hearts. May we focus on loving others, especially those that seem difficult to love, and proving that our faith has action by performing the works that have been prepared in advance for us to accomplish through Jesus Christ. If we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed by this commission (as I have) we must remember that with God all things are possible!
In Christ,
Mike
Monday, February 7, 2011
2.7.11
Philippians 4:8-9
8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Dear friend,
Our minds are powerful and complex and wield much influence over our actions. Paul knew that if we put our focus on the right and pure things in life, the things that bring honor to and glorify God, that our actions would follow.
If we allow thoughts that are contrary to God's desire for our lives consume us, then eventually our speech and actions will be contrary to God. Paul appeals to us to think about the good things, the excellent and praiseworthy things, and then to "put it into practice." He knew our actions would follow the course charted by our thoughts.
If we set our sights on the sky and eternity in Heaven with Jesus and only think of such things; true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy things, then our actions and our words are sure to follow!
Happy Monday! (Think it and so it shall be!) :-)
In Christ,
-Robert
8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Dear friend,
Our minds are powerful and complex and wield much influence over our actions. Paul knew that if we put our focus on the right and pure things in life, the things that bring honor to and glorify God, that our actions would follow.
If we allow thoughts that are contrary to God's desire for our lives consume us, then eventually our speech and actions will be contrary to God. Paul appeals to us to think about the good things, the excellent and praiseworthy things, and then to "put it into practice." He knew our actions would follow the course charted by our thoughts.
If we set our sights on the sky and eternity in Heaven with Jesus and only think of such things; true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy things, then our actions and our words are sure to follow!
Happy Monday! (Think it and so it shall be!) :-)
In Christ,
-Robert
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