Exodus 17:10-13
10Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. 13So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Dear friend,
Good morning, it's Friday and the weekend is almost here! I have something that we can all add to our "to-do" list this weekend that came to me after hearing this verse this week.
Moses could not have made it without his friends. The problem in this verse was that every time he dropped his hands the Israelites would start to lose the battle. He was growing tired and he needed his friends to step up and offer support. God used all three of them to win the battle that night.
Who do you know that could use a little help this weekend? Who do you know that could use a call, email, hug, text or dinner out? To-Do: Reach out to a friend and just love on them.
In Christ,
Ty
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
3.3.11
Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
Dear friend,
If you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross, you have been redeemed! You have been ransomed and bought with a price!
I can think of a few metaphors to use in attempt to describe how Christ has redeemed us but not one of them is worthy of comparison with what He actually did! While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! Not only did He pay the ultimate price for our sins but Jesus Christ became a curse for us. It is easy to think that we understand this concept and that it is "basic Christianity" in a sense but friends - the love of Christ is wider, longer, higher and deeper than anything we know. I pray for us, as Paul prayed for the Ephesians, that we would have power to grasp it today!
In Christ,
Mike
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
Dear friend,
If you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross, you have been redeemed! You have been ransomed and bought with a price!
I can think of a few metaphors to use in attempt to describe how Christ has redeemed us but not one of them is worthy of comparison with what He actually did! While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! Not only did He pay the ultimate price for our sins but Jesus Christ became a curse for us. It is easy to think that we understand this concept and that it is "basic Christianity" in a sense but friends - the love of Christ is wider, longer, higher and deeper than anything we know. I pray for us, as Paul prayed for the Ephesians, that we would have power to grasp it today!
In Christ,
Mike
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
3.2.11
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Dear friend,
Recently there was a Facebook discussion about whether or not a "pay it forward" type of radio campaign was really pleasing to God. Though the actions of individuals in this campaign were good and generous, it was determined that it isn't our actions that please God. Rather it is the state of our heart and our motivation behind what we do that pleases God.
"Faith without works is dead." This comes from James 2:17 and when taken out of context, these words have been the source of much confusion about how we please God. Many believers, and indeed some entire denominations, base their salvation on their works...their good deeds. And not on faith alone. Even in James 2:17, faith comes before any mention of works. Faith MUST be the foundation of any works. Faith first.
The discussion on the value of 'works' and their place in the Christian life is for another devotional...or perhaps series of devotionals! Doing good in the world is certainly not bad or frowned upon by God at all! But before works are ever even mentioned, there is faith. We can work hard and be the biggest "Good Deed Doer" in our sphere of influence, but if there is no faith, then those good deeds are not even on God's radar screen!
Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear. God desires our FAITH in Him. Our belief, devotion and conviction to earnestly follow Him. If we want to please God, that begins and is firmly rooted in our FAITH in Him. Sometimes our focus on faith can mistakenly shift to a focus on what we 'do for God'. But God doesn't reward our good deeds. He rewards our FAITH.
When and where in life have you replaced FAITH with "doing good for God"? Pleasing God and receiving His reward comes by earnestly seeking Him through faith alone.
In Faith,
Holly
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Dear friend,
Recently there was a Facebook discussion about whether or not a "pay it forward" type of radio campaign was really pleasing to God. Though the actions of individuals in this campaign were good and generous, it was determined that it isn't our actions that please God. Rather it is the state of our heart and our motivation behind what we do that pleases God.
"Faith without works is dead." This comes from James 2:17 and when taken out of context, these words have been the source of much confusion about how we please God. Many believers, and indeed some entire denominations, base their salvation on their works...their good deeds. And not on faith alone. Even in James 2:17, faith comes before any mention of works. Faith MUST be the foundation of any works. Faith first.
The discussion on the value of 'works' and their place in the Christian life is for another devotional...or perhaps series of devotionals! Doing good in the world is certainly not bad or frowned upon by God at all! But before works are ever even mentioned, there is faith. We can work hard and be the biggest "Good Deed Doer" in our sphere of influence, but if there is no faith, then those good deeds are not even on God's radar screen!
Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear. God desires our FAITH in Him. Our belief, devotion and conviction to earnestly follow Him. If we want to please God, that begins and is firmly rooted in our FAITH in Him. Sometimes our focus on faith can mistakenly shift to a focus on what we 'do for God'. But God doesn't reward our good deeds. He rewards our FAITH.
When and where in life have you replaced FAITH with "doing good for God"? Pleasing God and receiving His reward comes by earnestly seeking Him through faith alone.
In Faith,
Holly
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
3.1.11
Colossians 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Dear friend,
Some of us have jobs that we love, some are out of work and seeking the Lord's face and others literally cringe when we think about working one more day. Lord, it is not easy for us but by the power of your Spirit, help us to be thankful no matter what our circumstances are. May we memorize these verses and write them on our hearts.
As we work, let us work with all our heart for our Lord and not men. Let us fix our minds on the prize. It is the Word of God and the Holy Spirit within us that can give us the power to be content in every situation. Paul reminds us that we can do all things through Him who gives us strength!
Today, if you need that strength, I pray that it would be renewed right now in this moment. To God be the glory!
In Christ,
Mike
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Dear friend,
Some of us have jobs that we love, some are out of work and seeking the Lord's face and others literally cringe when we think about working one more day. Lord, it is not easy for us but by the power of your Spirit, help us to be thankful no matter what our circumstances are. May we memorize these verses and write them on our hearts.
As we work, let us work with all our heart for our Lord and not men. Let us fix our minds on the prize. It is the Word of God and the Holy Spirit within us that can give us the power to be content in every situation. Paul reminds us that we can do all things through Him who gives us strength!
Today, if you need that strength, I pray that it would be renewed right now in this moment. To God be the glory!
In Christ,
Mike
Monday, February 28, 2011
2.28.11
1 Samuel 16:7
"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Dear friend,
What we see and what God sees are two very different things! People saw Moses as a murderer, God saw Moses as a leader. People saw David as a shepherd of sheep, God saw David as a shepherd of his people. People saw Peter as a fisherman, Jesus saw Peter as a fisher of men. People saw Saul as a violent persecutor of the church, God saw Paul as an ambassador for the church.
God searches our hearts and knows everything about us and still He loves us. He sees potential in His children like only a loving Father could. He views us with a different set of eyes than those we view ourselves and others with.
How do others see you? How do you see others? How do you see yourself? Most importantly, how does God see you? Seeing as God sees requires a new way of thinking for many of us. Our daily search after the Lord's heart will give us the eyes to see as only He does. Look for the best in others and in yourself. Look beyond the past and speak Love and Truth into the future!
In Christ,
Robert
"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Dear friend,
What we see and what God sees are two very different things! People saw Moses as a murderer, God saw Moses as a leader. People saw David as a shepherd of sheep, God saw David as a shepherd of his people. People saw Peter as a fisherman, Jesus saw Peter as a fisher of men. People saw Saul as a violent persecutor of the church, God saw Paul as an ambassador for the church.
God searches our hearts and knows everything about us and still He loves us. He sees potential in His children like only a loving Father could. He views us with a different set of eyes than those we view ourselves and others with.
How do others see you? How do you see others? How do you see yourself? Most importantly, how does God see you? Seeing as God sees requires a new way of thinking for many of us. Our daily search after the Lord's heart will give us the eyes to see as only He does. Look for the best in others and in yourself. Look beyond the past and speak Love and Truth into the future!
In Christ,
Robert
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