Exodus 14:13-14
Crossing the Sea
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Dear friend,
Imagine you're an Israelite having just been led out of persecution under the Egyptians. You flee the land and life that you know hoping to be delivered to something better, a promised land. Then it all seems to come to an end. The Egyptian soldiers are closing in behind you and there's a sea before you. You're trapped, there's no where to go! You start to wish you would have just stayed put. And then when all hope seems lost and death is imminent an unlikely door opens.
Our lives are much like this. But do we have the courage to leave all that we know behind; our past, our sins, even old friends and possibly family, to pursue a promised land; living in God's will for our lives? Do you trust in God enough to allow Him to direct your path and provide doors when no options seem to exist? If we're "all in", we trust in God so much that we know He WILL deliver us to that sweet spot in life where He desires us to be. God is fighting for His children day in and day out. We just need to stand down, be still, and trust in Him!
In Christ,
Robert
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
1.3.11
Hebrews 11:88
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Dear friend,
Recently I completed my degree (praise the Lord!) and finally have more free time in the evenings and weekends. For the last couple weeks I have anxiously been waiting to see what the Lord would do and how I could serve Him more. I found myself asking God what was to come and I was so blown away when I read "My Utmost For His Highest" today. I know it is a bit long but I think you'll be blessed. I'm so thankful for the opportunities that have presented themselves since I've graduated (as well as before) but today's devotional really gave me insight in to this aspect of "going out" in Hebrews 11:8. After reading, feel free to e-mail us your thoughts or post on our blog!
"Have you been "out" in this way? If so, there is no logical statement possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the difficulties in Christian work is this question - "What do you expect to do?" You do not know what you are going to do; the only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually revise your attitude towards God and see if it is a going out of everything, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in perpetual wonder - you do not know what God is going to do next. Each morning you wake it is to be a "going out," building in confidence on God. "Take no thought for your life,...nor yet for your body" - take no thought for the things for which you did take thought before you "went out."
Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you go out in surrender to Him until you are not surprised an atom at anything He does?
Suppose God is the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him - what an impertinence worry is! Let the attitude of the life be a continual "going out" in dependence upon God, and your life will have an ineffable charm about it which is a satisfaction to Jesus. You have to learn to go out of convictions, out of creeds, out of experiences, until so far as your faith is concerned, there is nothing between yourself and God." 1
In dependence,
Mike
1Oswald Chambers, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST (Barbour Publishing, Inc, 1999). Also retrieved from http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/my_utmost/utm.cgi.
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Dear friend,
Recently I completed my degree (praise the Lord!) and finally have more free time in the evenings and weekends. For the last couple weeks I have anxiously been waiting to see what the Lord would do and how I could serve Him more. I found myself asking God what was to come and I was so blown away when I read "My Utmost For His Highest" today. I know it is a bit long but I think you'll be blessed. I'm so thankful for the opportunities that have presented themselves since I've graduated (as well as before) but today's devotional really gave me insight in to this aspect of "going out" in Hebrews 11:8. After reading, feel free to e-mail us your thoughts or post on our blog!
"Have you been "out" in this way? If so, there is no logical statement possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the difficulties in Christian work is this question - "What do you expect to do?" You do not know what you are going to do; the only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually revise your attitude towards God and see if it is a going out of everything, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in perpetual wonder - you do not know what God is going to do next. Each morning you wake it is to be a "going out," building in confidence on God. "Take no thought for your life,...nor yet for your body" - take no thought for the things for which you did take thought before you "went out."
Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you go out in surrender to Him until you are not surprised an atom at anything He does?
Suppose God is the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him - what an impertinence worry is! Let the attitude of the life be a continual "going out" in dependence upon God, and your life will have an ineffable charm about it which is a satisfaction to Jesus. You have to learn to go out of convictions, out of creeds, out of experiences, until so far as your faith is concerned, there is nothing between yourself and God." 1
In dependence,
Mike
1Oswald Chambers, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST (Barbour Publishing, Inc, 1999). Also retrieved from http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/my_utmost/utm.cgi.
Friday, December 31, 2010
12.31.10
John 16:33
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Dear friend,
Regardless of the adversity we may have encountered this past year or the challenges the new year may bring, we can rest in this beautiful truth from Jesus. HE has overcome the world! A perfect verse to end the year with and a great reminder to carry with us always!
I pray you experience God's peace and that He continues to bless you greatly in 2011!
Happy New Year!
-Robert
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Dear friend,
Regardless of the adversity we may have encountered this past year or the challenges the new year may bring, we can rest in this beautiful truth from Jesus. HE has overcome the world! A perfect verse to end the year with and a great reminder to carry with us always!
I pray you experience God's peace and that He continues to bless you greatly in 2011!
Happy New Year!
-Robert
Thursday, December 30, 2010
12.30.10
Ephesians 3:12
12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Dear friend,
Our verse of the day is a short verse but speaks volumes to my heart. Without Christ, we could not dare to think of approaching our God that is white-hot with holiness, justice and well-deserved wrath. Yet God is also merciful and full of grace that He would demonstrate His love in sending Jesus - that He would walk Via Dolorosa and be obedient to death for our sins on the cross and then exalted far above all rule, authority, power and dominion.
In Him we can approach God with freedom and confidence. We no longer have to be a high priest who could only enter the Holy of Holies once a year to offer atonement as was the case in ages past:
"But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance." (Hebrews 9:7)
Do you have something that is burdening your heart today...something that you are angry with God about or ashamed of that you feel you can't bring to Him? I encourage you, in Christ, to approach Him today with freedom and confidence. Pour out your heart to Him as you ponder both His holiness and the depths of his love for us in our Savior.
In Him,
Mike
12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Dear friend,
Our verse of the day is a short verse but speaks volumes to my heart. Without Christ, we could not dare to think of approaching our God that is white-hot with holiness, justice and well-deserved wrath. Yet God is also merciful and full of grace that He would demonstrate His love in sending Jesus - that He would walk Via Dolorosa and be obedient to death for our sins on the cross and then exalted far above all rule, authority, power and dominion.
In Him we can approach God with freedom and confidence. We no longer have to be a high priest who could only enter the Holy of Holies once a year to offer atonement as was the case in ages past:
"But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance." (Hebrews 9:7)
Do you have something that is burdening your heart today...something that you are angry with God about or ashamed of that you feel you can't bring to Him? I encourage you, in Christ, to approach Him today with freedom and confidence. Pour out your heart to Him as you ponder both His holiness and the depths of his love for us in our Savior.
In Him,
Mike
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
12.29.10
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Dear friend,
It's that time of year again for making a fresh start. Many of us mull over the resolutions we'll make for the New Year, vowing that this will be the year we actually follow through. We're digging out old gym shoes and dusting off treadmills. We resolve to read our Bibles more, eat less, workout more, view TV less, pray more, indulge in the world less. Come January 1st, we're focused and determined. We have a fresh view on life; full of hope and excitement for the future.
But then something happens. A slip up here, another one there and the next thing you know, we're back, neck deep in our old habits and unhealthy ways; all the things we desired to put behind us are once again part of our daily routine. They creep in and before you know it, all that we have achieved and worked so hard for, is undone. Maybe it's lack of will power or perhaps sin that hasn't been fully addressed. Regardless of what it is, the enemy wants nothing more than to see us struggle and to fall short of God's Glory! The enemy relishes in our failures and sets out to deter our well intended plans. And the downward spiral begins.
But God promises without exception, that "he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." All he asks of us is that we confess our sins. To share with him our short-comings and seek his strength to overcome!
The awesome thing is that we don't have to wait for a new year. We don't even have to wait until tomorrow. We can have a fresh start right now, at this very moment. God loves us just as we are, right where we are, but he does want the best for us!
So go, just as you are, and present yourself before God's throne. Share your life with him, every aspect. There's nothing that he doesn't know about you, what you've thought or done. He knows your heart. The freedom you'll find by entrusting your life completely to Jesus Christ is inexplicable! It's a peace and comfort unlike anything in this world!
Here's to a happy new beginning in Christ!
-Robert
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Dear friend,
It's that time of year again for making a fresh start. Many of us mull over the resolutions we'll make for the New Year, vowing that this will be the year we actually follow through. We're digging out old gym shoes and dusting off treadmills. We resolve to read our Bibles more, eat less, workout more, view TV less, pray more, indulge in the world less. Come January 1st, we're focused and determined. We have a fresh view on life; full of hope and excitement for the future.
But then something happens. A slip up here, another one there and the next thing you know, we're back, neck deep in our old habits and unhealthy ways; all the things we desired to put behind us are once again part of our daily routine. They creep in and before you know it, all that we have achieved and worked so hard for, is undone. Maybe it's lack of will power or perhaps sin that hasn't been fully addressed. Regardless of what it is, the enemy wants nothing more than to see us struggle and to fall short of God's Glory! The enemy relishes in our failures and sets out to deter our well intended plans. And the downward spiral begins.
But God promises without exception, that "he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." All he asks of us is that we confess our sins. To share with him our short-comings and seek his strength to overcome!
The awesome thing is that we don't have to wait for a new year. We don't even have to wait until tomorrow. We can have a fresh start right now, at this very moment. God loves us just as we are, right where we are, but he does want the best for us!
So go, just as you are, and present yourself before God's throne. Share your life with him, every aspect. There's nothing that he doesn't know about you, what you've thought or done. He knows your heart. The freedom you'll find by entrusting your life completely to Jesus Christ is inexplicable! It's a peace and comfort unlike anything in this world!
Here's to a happy new beginning in Christ!
-Robert
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
12.28.10
Philippians 3:13-14
13 Brothers and sisters, 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Dear friends,
What are you holding onto from your past? What daily are you looking back at? What has a hold on you so deep that no one else knows about?
Friend, in Jesus name press on! Repent, trust Christ with your very life. Trust Christ with those burdens and point your eyes heavenward. He knows. He sees. He has felt. He has heard your prayers! Wait eagerly for Him. Don't forget to give thanks. We serve a mighty GOD so press on!
In Jesus, Amen.
-Ty
13 Brothers and sisters, 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Dear friends,
What are you holding onto from your past? What daily are you looking back at? What has a hold on you so deep that no one else knows about?
Friend, in Jesus name press on! Repent, trust Christ with your very life. Trust Christ with those burdens and point your eyes heavenward. He knows. He sees. He has felt. He has heard your prayers! Wait eagerly for Him. Don't forget to give thanks. We serve a mighty GOD so press on!
In Jesus, Amen.
-Ty
Monday, December 27, 2010
12.27.10
Psalm 77:11-13
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13 Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
Dear friends,
We hope that you had a great Christmas and, amongst the busyness, were able to focus on the true reason for the season. No matter what your circumstance this Christmas, are we not blessed beyond measure? As I meditate on the amazing time we had together as a family, my thoughts are drawn to ways that I can teach my children to remember why it is that we come together and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior and the immeasurable gift that we have been given.
Psalm 77, most likely penned by Asaph, begins with a prayer to God in times of deep distress. The psalmist cries to God for help, stretches out untiring hands and his soul refuses to be comforted. Next, in verses 7-9, he begins pondering questions about God's favor, love and mercy - questions that you may have, at one time, asked God in the recesses of your heart. "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?". Yet for the rest of the psalm, Asaph chooses to REMEMBER.
In a season of resolutions and looking forward to a new year, may we always remember the miracle of Christmas and the other countless and mighty deeds of our God. May we meditate on His holiness and greatness for what god is as great as He?
In His remembrance,
Mike
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13 Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
Dear friends,
We hope that you had a great Christmas and, amongst the busyness, were able to focus on the true reason for the season. No matter what your circumstance this Christmas, are we not blessed beyond measure? As I meditate on the amazing time we had together as a family, my thoughts are drawn to ways that I can teach my children to remember why it is that we come together and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior and the immeasurable gift that we have been given.
Psalm 77, most likely penned by Asaph, begins with a prayer to God in times of deep distress. The psalmist cries to God for help, stretches out untiring hands and his soul refuses to be comforted. Next, in verses 7-9, he begins pondering questions about God's favor, love and mercy - questions that you may have, at one time, asked God in the recesses of your heart. "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?". Yet for the rest of the psalm, Asaph chooses to REMEMBER.
In a season of resolutions and looking forward to a new year, may we always remember the miracle of Christmas and the other countless and mighty deeds of our God. May we meditate on His holiness and greatness for what god is as great as He?
In His remembrance,
Mike
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