Acts 17:28 NIV
‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’
Encouraging Words...
How wonderful it is to go through life knowing that you are His offspring and that I live in Him and through Him my every move and my whole being is covered by His love.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
December 26, 2011
John 10:10 NLT
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
Personal Challenge...
Have you ever been in a place in your life where everything is really going the way that it should, but you still have that void in your life, that bout of sadness and remorse, that pain from mistakes in your past. If so, it is definitely a time to hold even tighter onto our Lord for it is probably the enemy trying to steal the joy that God is giving you. God's purpose for us is to give us a full life. Jesus claimed all victory over death and that was not just the death that we encounter physically at the end of our life here on earth, but those daily deaths that try to turn us away from the Source of Life.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
Personal Challenge...
Have you ever been in a place in your life where everything is really going the way that it should, but you still have that void in your life, that bout of sadness and remorse, that pain from mistakes in your past. If so, it is definitely a time to hold even tighter onto our Lord for it is probably the enemy trying to steal the joy that God is giving you. God's purpose for us is to give us a full life. Jesus claimed all victory over death and that was not just the death that we encounter physically at the end of our life here on earth, but those daily deaths that try to turn us away from the Source of Life.
Friday, December 23, 2011
December 23, 2011
Proverbs 18:10 NASB
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
Encouraging Words...
No matter what is going on in our lives we always have a place that we can run to and be safe...it is into the arms of our LORD.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
Encouraging Words...
No matter what is going on in our lives we always have a place that we can run to and be safe...it is into the arms of our LORD.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
December 22, 2011
Psalm 62:5 NIV
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
Encouraging Words...
Even in those times when life gets me down I know that I can find rest and hope in my God. He is my refuge.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
Encouraging Words...
Even in those times when life gets me down I know that I can find rest and hope in my God. He is my refuge.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
December 21, 2011
Deuteronomy 7:9-10 NASB
“Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments; but repays those who hate Him to their faces, to destroy them; He will not delay with him who hates Him, He will repay him to his face.”
Encouraging Words...
Isn't it a blessing when you know that you are covered by His covenant and His lovingkindness? Doesn't this build that desire in your heart to love Him more and to keep His commandments?
“Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments; but repays those who hate Him to their faces, to destroy them; He will not delay with him who hates Him, He will repay him to his face.”
Encouraging Words...
Isn't it a blessing when you know that you are covered by His covenant and His lovingkindness? Doesn't this build that desire in your heart to love Him more and to keep His commandments?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
December 20, 2011
1 John 2:4-6 NASB
The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
Personal Challenge...
It is not enough to go through life saying that I am a Christian, because _______ (you fill in the blank). It is necessary for us to live our lives, every moment of them, being a lover of Him and those whom He has placed in our lives, obeying His commandments, and doing His work, not in order to earn His love but because of His love. Being a Christian is not a noun, it is an active verb.
The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
Personal Challenge...
It is not enough to go through life saying that I am a Christian, because _______ (you fill in the blank). It is necessary for us to live our lives, every moment of them, being a lover of Him and those whom He has placed in our lives, obeying His commandments, and doing His work, not in order to earn His love but because of His love. Being a Christian is not a noun, it is an active verb.
Monday, December 19, 2011
December 19, 2011
James 1:5-6 NASB
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
Encouraging Words...
As I begin the trek through Proverbs I am reminded of how much that book talks about wisdom, Godly wisdom. Just as Solomon requested wisdom when he had the opportunity to ask for anything from God, we have the opportunity to ask God to give us wisdom. He will give it to us generously if we ask for it in faith and without any doubt. God is so good.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
Encouraging Words...
As I begin the trek through Proverbs I am reminded of how much that book talks about wisdom, Godly wisdom. Just as Solomon requested wisdom when he had the opportunity to ask for anything from God, we have the opportunity to ask God to give us wisdom. He will give it to us generously if we ask for it in faith and without any doubt. God is so good.
Friday, December 16, 2011
December 16, 2011
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Personal Challenge...
We Christians in the modern world have gotten so used to having our God conform to our desires, our society, our way of being. However, we are told to offer ourselves to Him as living sacrifices, to do what is holy and pleasing to Him (which is always different than what is pleasing to me and those in this world), to not conform to the pattern of this world, but transformed by Him. This is all definitely a personal challenge for me, but the results are so worth it...the ability to test and approve God's good, pleasing, and perfect will in and through my life.
Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Personal Challenge...
We Christians in the modern world have gotten so used to having our God conform to our desires, our society, our way of being. However, we are told to offer ourselves to Him as living sacrifices, to do what is holy and pleasing to Him (which is always different than what is pleasing to me and those in this world), to not conform to the pattern of this world, but transformed by Him. This is all definitely a personal challenge for me, but the results are so worth it...the ability to test and approve God's good, pleasing, and perfect will in and through my life.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
December 15, 2011
Luke 18:27 NLT
He (Jesus) replied, “What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God.”
Personal Challenge...
Once again I must be reminded that it is not up to me to do the impossible thing, whether it be raising support so that I can keep working in Haiti, or doing the work that I am called every day to do, or being loving to those whom God has put in my life, or being a good husband, father, grandparent, brother, friend, or neighbor. The sooner that I can embrace that all things are possible through God and that I must humble myself before Him and let Him do the impossible, the sooner I will see His hand in my life.
He (Jesus) replied, “What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God.”
Personal Challenge...
Once again I must be reminded that it is not up to me to do the impossible thing, whether it be raising support so that I can keep working in Haiti, or doing the work that I am called every day to do, or being loving to those whom God has put in my life, or being a good husband, father, grandparent, brother, friend, or neighbor. The sooner that I can embrace that all things are possible through God and that I must humble myself before Him and let Him do the impossible, the sooner I will see His hand in my life.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
December 14, 2011
Proverbs 16:18 NIV
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Personal Challenge...
Isn't this the one sin that seems to be the root of most other sins? Pride...making it all about me, hearing things in conversations through a filter that is all about me, expressing what I express from the perspective of me. This is one of my ongoing personal challenges...eliminating the focus on me and putting the focus on others, with Love.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Personal Challenge...
Isn't this the one sin that seems to be the root of most other sins? Pride...making it all about me, hearing things in conversations through a filter that is all about me, expressing what I express from the perspective of me. This is one of my ongoing personal challenges...eliminating the focus on me and putting the focus on others, with Love.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
December 13, 2011
Psalm 133 NASB
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing--life forever.
Personal Challenge...
I always love it when new verses jump out at me during my reading times.
Unity amongst the brethren...isn't this what God wants for His children? So much so that Jesus prayed for it and Paul taught about it. Who are we in the church today that we believe we can generate disunity because we disagree with how our brothers worship the Lord or call upon His name. It is God who determines the condition of a person's heart, not me. Come Lord Jesus, Come!!
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing--life forever.
Personal Challenge...
I always love it when new verses jump out at me during my reading times.
Unity amongst the brethren...isn't this what God wants for His children? So much so that Jesus prayed for it and Paul taught about it. Who are we in the church today that we believe we can generate disunity because we disagree with how our brothers worship the Lord or call upon His name. It is God who determines the condition of a person's heart, not me. Come Lord Jesus, Come!!
Monday, December 12, 2011
December 12, 2011
Psalm 46:10 NASB
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Personal Challenge...
Hmmm...Cease striving and know that I am God. I guess the psalmist is telling us that it is not about what I do, or what I know, but that God is who He is. He will be exalted and I have nothing to do with that exaltation. He wants me to stop trying to make it happen on my own accord and just rest in knowing that He is God and that He will be exalted.
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Personal Challenge...
Hmmm...Cease striving and know that I am God. I guess the psalmist is telling us that it is not about what I do, or what I know, but that God is who He is. He will be exalted and I have nothing to do with that exaltation. He wants me to stop trying to make it happen on my own accord and just rest in knowing that He is God and that He will be exalted.
Friday, December 9, 2011
December 9, 2011
1 Kings 8:22-24 NASB
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. He said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart, who have kept with Your servant, my father David, that which You have promised him; indeed, You have spoken with Your mouth and have fulfilled it with Your hand as it is this day.
Words of Encouragement...
Have you ever had someone ask you why in the world would you be a Christian? I have and this proclamation by Solomon so many years ago is still as good today as it was then. I am a Christian because I am in a relationship with a God that is alive and constant. He has always been there for mankind (since He created us) and He always will be. He has redeemed us from death through His Son and established His Bride, His Church of which I am a part. All that the world has to offer is temporary and fleeting. Why would I not be a Christian? That is the real question.
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. He said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart, who have kept with Your servant, my father David, that which You have promised him; indeed, You have spoken with Your mouth and have fulfilled it with Your hand as it is this day.
Words of Encouragement...
Have you ever had someone ask you why in the world would you be a Christian? I have and this proclamation by Solomon so many years ago is still as good today as it was then. I am a Christian because I am in a relationship with a God that is alive and constant. He has always been there for mankind (since He created us) and He always will be. He has redeemed us from death through His Son and established His Bride, His Church of which I am a part. All that the world has to offer is temporary and fleeting. Why would I not be a Christian? That is the real question.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
December 8, 2011
2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
Personal Challenge...
Have you ever had someone call you a wimp, or weak, because you are a Christian? Well to be truthful, Christianity is not for the weak. I know that our strength does not come from us, but from God, but to live a life based on goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and most importantly love is to live a most difficult and challenging life. Oh how often I fail in all of these areas, but by the grace of God He is there to pick me up and help me start all over again.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
Personal Challenge...
Have you ever had someone call you a wimp, or weak, because you are a Christian? Well to be truthful, Christianity is not for the weak. I know that our strength does not come from us, but from God, but to live a life based on goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and most importantly love is to live a most difficult and challenging life. Oh how often I fail in all of these areas, but by the grace of God He is there to pick me up and help me start all over again.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
December 7, 2011
Hebrews 4:9-10 NLT
So there is a special rest {Or Sabbath rest.} still waiting for the people of God. For all who enter into God’s rest will find rest from their labors, just as God rested after creating the world.
Encouraging Words...
Talk about having something to hope for...how wonderful it will be when that day arrives for me as I enter into God's rest. Thank goodness that we have a Sabbath rest, but it is only a shadow of an image of what it will be like when I finally enter into that permanent rest with Him.
So there is a special rest {Or Sabbath rest.} still waiting for the people of God. For all who enter into God’s rest will find rest from their labors, just as God rested after creating the world.
Encouraging Words...
Talk about having something to hope for...how wonderful it will be when that day arrives for me as I enter into God's rest. Thank goodness that we have a Sabbath rest, but it is only a shadow of an image of what it will be like when I finally enter into that permanent rest with Him.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
December 6, 2011
1 Timothy 6:11-12 NASB
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Personal Challenge...
In this passage Paul is encouraging Timothy (and us) to flee from the things of the world and to pursue the things of God. We are commanded to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. We are told that this will be a fight and a struggle, but it is a good fight, one that will allow us to grasp ahold of eternal life. Sometimes the struggle is within, our thoughts and desires for the world and the things of the world. Sometimes the struggle will be with those around us, our friends, our families, our acquaintances who want us to hold onto the things of the world rather than the things of God. It is good to know that we can fight the good fight because we have been called, and therefore equipped, to do it.
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Personal Challenge...
In this passage Paul is encouraging Timothy (and us) to flee from the things of the world and to pursue the things of God. We are commanded to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. We are told that this will be a fight and a struggle, but it is a good fight, one that will allow us to grasp ahold of eternal life. Sometimes the struggle is within, our thoughts and desires for the world and the things of the world. Sometimes the struggle will be with those around us, our friends, our families, our acquaintances who want us to hold onto the things of the world rather than the things of God. It is good to know that we can fight the good fight because we have been called, and therefore equipped, to do it.
Monday, December 5, 2011
December 5, 2011
Philippians 4:8-9 NASB
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Personal Challenge...
It is so easy to slip into a state of sadness, depression, and even anger when we receive bad news. In those times when our hopes and plans for the future seem to be blasted out of the water because of someone's decision it is important to remember that this call to dwell on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute is a call to hold onto those things that bring us peace. When we do this then we can begin to bless those in our lives who make decisions that impact our lives rather than lash out at them and cause more hurt. We are to do all that we do in love.
Personal Challenge...
It is so easy to slip into a state of sadness, depression, and even anger when we receive bad news. In those times when our hopes and plans for the future seem to be blasted out of the water because of someone's decision it is important to remember that this call to dwell on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute is a call to hold onto those things that bring us peace. When we do this then we can begin to bless those in our lives who make decisions that impact our lives rather than lash out at them and cause more hurt. We are to do all that we do in love.
Friday, December 2, 2011
December 2, 2011
John 15:15-17 NASB
No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.
Words of Encouragement...
I recently had the opportunity to teach a class on cultural sensitivity to a team that is heading to Haiti in March. This is one of the passages that I share in the training as a reminder that we are not slaves in Christ, but His friends. He shares His love to us much more deeply than if we were slaves. As a matter of fact, as slaves, no love is required. He has picked me so that He can pour out His love on me and share His Father with me. He then commands me to pass this love on to those around me.
No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.
Words of Encouragement...
I recently had the opportunity to teach a class on cultural sensitivity to a team that is heading to Haiti in March. This is one of the passages that I share in the training as a reminder that we are not slaves in Christ, but His friends. He shares His love to us much more deeply than if we were slaves. As a matter of fact, as slaves, no love is required. He has picked me so that He can pour out His love on me and share His Father with me. He then commands me to pass this love on to those around me.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
December 1, 2011
Luke 2:52 NIV
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Words of Encouragement...
So many religions worship a concept or an idea...we however worship a living God that became a man. He did not instantly appear as the newest and latest guru, but was born of a poor family, in poor and desolate times. His hospital room was a manger surrounded by the farm animals of the day. He also grew up like everyone of us did, facing daily challenges, emotions, and situations. We worship and serve a God that has navigated the road of a normal human life so that in Him we can find life, joy, rest, peace, love, and eternity. He knows what we are going through because He went through it as well.
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Words of Encouragement...
So many religions worship a concept or an idea...we however worship a living God that became a man. He did not instantly appear as the newest and latest guru, but was born of a poor family, in poor and desolate times. His hospital room was a manger surrounded by the farm animals of the day. He also grew up like everyone of us did, facing daily challenges, emotions, and situations. We worship and serve a God that has navigated the road of a normal human life so that in Him we can find life, joy, rest, peace, love, and eternity. He knows what we are going through because He went through it as well.
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