Isaiah 53:4-6
4Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Dear friend,
Having not grown up in the church singing hymns and songs, many times I have the pleasure and joy of "discovering" and singing them for the first time with a sense of newness. The hymn "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded", and especially the second verse, immediately brings to mind these verses in the book of Isaiah. My prayer for us today (and everyday) is that we would keep our minds steadfast on the cross in full realization of the cost of our transgressions and to be lavished by the riches of God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.
"What thou, my Lord, has suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
vouchsafe to me thy grace."
In Christ,
Mike
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
2.3.11
Joshua 1:9
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Dear friend,
This verse fills my steps with confidence each day. Regardless of where I go or what I do, there God will be too.
He doesn't choose one thing or one person over another. God is present with us always. In the workplace, in the courtroom, in our cars, in our homes, in our classes, in our meetings, in our interactions, in trials and tribulations of all sorts, in tough choices and difficult decisions, in our sorrow, in our joy, in our love, in our hearts and in our minds. He's there before we sin to provide a way out and there afterwards to wipe away the shame and tears and cleanse us of our inequities; forgiving our transgressions. God is there faithfully in EVERYTHING!
He gives hope to the hopeless and rest to the weary. He's my strength in times of weakness and my comfort when my soul is downcast. He brings light to the darkness in my world!
All praise be to God today and always!
In Christ,
-Robert
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Dear friend,
This verse fills my steps with confidence each day. Regardless of where I go or what I do, there God will be too.
He doesn't choose one thing or one person over another. God is present with us always. In the workplace, in the courtroom, in our cars, in our homes, in our classes, in our meetings, in our interactions, in trials and tribulations of all sorts, in tough choices and difficult decisions, in our sorrow, in our joy, in our love, in our hearts and in our minds. He's there before we sin to provide a way out and there afterwards to wipe away the shame and tears and cleanse us of our inequities; forgiving our transgressions. God is there faithfully in EVERYTHING!
He gives hope to the hopeless and rest to the weary. He's my strength in times of weakness and my comfort when my soul is downcast. He brings light to the darkness in my world!
All praise be to God today and always!
In Christ,
-Robert
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
2.2.11
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Dear friend,
We've all been hurt. Some of us feel as if we've been marred by the church, others hold deep scars given by our families or friends. The pain can seem even more severe if we've been hurt by those closest to our hearts. Some of you have been seriously injured in this way, more than I know or have experienced. Without meaning to diminish the seriousness of these offenses, I would like today to amplify our own offensiveness.
In the third chapter of Romans we learn that we have all fallen short of the glory of God, that no one seeks God, we have all turned away and have together become worthless. Our throats are open graves, our tongues are deceitful and our lips are poisonous. Our sin is deserving of death but thanks be to God who has forgiven us who believe and counted us righteous through the beautiful brutality of the cross. Let us be imitators of our Savior who was forgiving, even unto death: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do".
In Christ,
Mike
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Dear friend,
We've all been hurt. Some of us feel as if we've been marred by the church, others hold deep scars given by our families or friends. The pain can seem even more severe if we've been hurt by those closest to our hearts. Some of you have been seriously injured in this way, more than I know or have experienced. Without meaning to diminish the seriousness of these offenses, I would like today to amplify our own offensiveness.
In the third chapter of Romans we learn that we have all fallen short of the glory of God, that no one seeks God, we have all turned away and have together become worthless. Our throats are open graves, our tongues are deceitful and our lips are poisonous. Our sin is deserving of death but thanks be to God who has forgiven us who believe and counted us righteous through the beautiful brutality of the cross. Let us be imitators of our Savior who was forgiving, even unto death: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do".
In Christ,
Mike
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
2.1.11
Matthew 5:44-45
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45
that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Dear friend,
Pray for Egypt today. There are many brothers and sisters in Christ that need our prayers for protection and safety during this time of unrest.
Pray also for the leaders in Egypt that God would change their hearts and inspire them to bring freedom and peace to their nation.
Pray for Egypt's government, courts and police. Pray that they would implement laws that are fair and humane for all.
There have been Coptic Christians in Egypt for over a thousand years and it is by far one of the biggest groups of Christians anywhere in the Middle East. Pray that Coptic Christians today would be filled with the Holy Spirit and have a strong relationship with God.
Persecution of Christians is on the increase. They can face intimidation and police brutality and some of died at the hands of Islamic extremists. Pray for courage for Christians to stand firm in their faith.
Egyptian Christians could play a unique role in reaching other Muslim lands in the Middle East. Pray for vision and resources that would equip people for this strategic challenge.
Millions of Southern Sudanese have fled to Egypt from the long civil war in Sudan. Many are struggling to survive and find their way in Egypt. Pray that God would meet all their spiritual, emotional and physical needs.
Lastly pray for the Muslims in Egypt. That they would see God at work and come to know Jesus Christ as their personal savior!
The Church in Egypt has survived for nearly 2,000 years, despite times of discrimination and severe persecution! Praise God for his faithfulness in Egypt.
In Christ,
-Robert
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45
that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Dear friend,
Pray for Egypt today. There are many brothers and sisters in Christ that need our prayers for protection and safety during this time of unrest.
Pray also for the leaders in Egypt that God would change their hearts and inspire them to bring freedom and peace to their nation.
Pray for Egypt's government, courts and police. Pray that they would implement laws that are fair and humane for all.
There have been Coptic Christians in Egypt for over a thousand years and it is by far one of the biggest groups of Christians anywhere in the Middle East. Pray that Coptic Christians today would be filled with the Holy Spirit and have a strong relationship with God.
Persecution of Christians is on the increase. They can face intimidation and police brutality and some of died at the hands of Islamic extremists. Pray for courage for Christians to stand firm in their faith.
Egyptian Christians could play a unique role in reaching other Muslim lands in the Middle East. Pray for vision and resources that would equip people for this strategic challenge.
Millions of Southern Sudanese have fled to Egypt from the long civil war in Sudan. Many are struggling to survive and find their way in Egypt. Pray that God would meet all their spiritual, emotional and physical needs.
Lastly pray for the Muslims in Egypt. That they would see God at work and come to know Jesus Christ as their personal savior!
The Church in Egypt has survived for nearly 2,000 years, despite times of discrimination and severe persecution! Praise God for his faithfulness in Egypt.
In Christ,
-Robert
Monday, January 31, 2011
1.31.11
Matthew 14:31
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said,
"why did you doubt?"
Dear friend,
"Oh my goodness, I can't believe we're on a boat!", exclaimed Laura.
This morning I'm on a boat bound for the island of Culebra. My daughter Laura is sitting next to me. It's nice to be on the ocean in the open air, but Laura is definitely a bit apprehensive about this whole boat thing. She keeps asking me, "Daddy, aren't you afraid or nervous?" Or, "Could we sink like those other boats on their sides by the shore?"
I explained to her that I trust the boat and I trust the people driving the boat. "But why, you don't know them and you've never been on this boat before." Good point!
Surely the disciples knew Jesus and they certainly had a good understanding of boats. They had no reason not to trust either, especially after just witnessing Jesus feed over five thousand people. But God used this event out on that lake with the disciples to show His faithfulness to us and that we can trust Him even when our faith is little, weak, battered and bruised.
We need to trust Him with "our boats", our lives. HIs hand is always there, we just need to reach out in faith and take it!
Happy Monday!
In Christ,
-Robert
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said,
"why did you doubt?"
Dear friend,
"Oh my goodness, I can't believe we're on a boat!", exclaimed Laura.
This morning I'm on a boat bound for the island of Culebra. My daughter Laura is sitting next to me. It's nice to be on the ocean in the open air, but Laura is definitely a bit apprehensive about this whole boat thing. She keeps asking me, "Daddy, aren't you afraid or nervous?" Or, "Could we sink like those other boats on their sides by the shore?"
I explained to her that I trust the boat and I trust the people driving the boat. "But why, you don't know them and you've never been on this boat before." Good point!
Surely the disciples knew Jesus and they certainly had a good understanding of boats. They had no reason not to trust either, especially after just witnessing Jesus feed over five thousand people. But God used this event out on that lake with the disciples to show His faithfulness to us and that we can trust Him even when our faith is little, weak, battered and bruised.
We need to trust Him with "our boats", our lives. HIs hand is always there, we just need to reach out in faith and take it!
Happy Monday!
In Christ,
-Robert
Friday, January 28, 2011
1.28.11
Lamentations 3:22-24
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
Dear friend,
Happy Friday! Have you ever pondered these verses before? It's as if God hits a reset button each and every day FOR US! As we go through the day and interact with the world, we take on its impurities. Our sins, the distractions and lies of the enemy, and all the junk out there vie for our attention. They want to consume us and leave us in ruins.
And yet each morning the sun rises like clockwork. God in His compassion, brings calm to the storms in our lives each day and provides us refuge. He grants us the opportunity to start anew in the morning!
We're given a new day full of hope and opportunity because of Jesus' sacrifice and great love for us!
Praise God for today and the opportunity to begin again!
In Christ,
-Robert
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
Dear friend,
Happy Friday! Have you ever pondered these verses before? It's as if God hits a reset button each and every day FOR US! As we go through the day and interact with the world, we take on its impurities. Our sins, the distractions and lies of the enemy, and all the junk out there vie for our attention. They want to consume us and leave us in ruins.
And yet each morning the sun rises like clockwork. God in His compassion, brings calm to the storms in our lives each day and provides us refuge. He grants us the opportunity to start anew in the morning!
We're given a new day full of hope and opportunity because of Jesus' sacrifice and great love for us!
Praise God for today and the opportunity to begin again!
In Christ,
-Robert
Thursday, January 27, 2011
1.27.11
1 Samuel 16:6-7
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. 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,
I think it is important to take care of our bodies and to look presentable to others. It may not necessarily be beneficial for me to come to work in pajama pants with "bed head" and stinky breath. :-) However, there is a more important presentation we are to be concerned with - the presenting of our bodies as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1).
Psalm 139:14 says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Proverbs 31:3 says that charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says that beauty should come from the inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
Billions of dollars are spent each year on beauty products. L'Oreal pulled down world-wide sales of over 6.4 billion in the first quarter of 2010 and this is only one company in one quarter. Now think of how much is spent on advertising, hair care, tanning, health clubs, etc. In no way do I think these are bad things in and of themselves but we must remember that the average thickness of our skin is 1.5mm (about the thickness of a penny) and that our Father looks at our hearts. There is so much more we need to be focusing on and what the LORD said to Samuel should give us great insight. Let us focus on the appearance of our hearts before almighty God and in that thought "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22)
In Christ,
Mike
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. 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,
I think it is important to take care of our bodies and to look presentable to others. It may not necessarily be beneficial for me to come to work in pajama pants with "bed head" and stinky breath. :-) However, there is a more important presentation we are to be concerned with - the presenting of our bodies as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1).
Psalm 139:14 says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Proverbs 31:3 says that charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says that beauty should come from the inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
Billions of dollars are spent each year on beauty products. L'Oreal pulled down world-wide sales of over 6.4 billion in the first quarter of 2010 and this is only one company in one quarter. Now think of how much is spent on advertising, hair care, tanning, health clubs, etc. In no way do I think these are bad things in and of themselves but we must remember that the average thickness of our skin is 1.5mm (about the thickness of a penny) and that our Father looks at our hearts. There is so much more we need to be focusing on and what the LORD said to Samuel should give us great insight. Let us focus on the appearance of our hearts before almighty God and in that thought "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22)
In Christ,
Mike
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