June 27, 2012

Romans 5:12-13 NASB

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Encouraging Words...

These verses are presented as a command, to not let sin reign in our bodies, but they also remind us that we (those of us who are in Christ) are now alive from the dead, our members, our body are instruments of righteousness to God. As we celebrated on Pascha, Christ has trampled down death through His death, He was victorious over death, which is the ultimate result of sin. Through this work He has provided for us the way to be victorious over sin.

June 19, 2012

Isaiah 45:25 NLT

In the LORD all the generations of Israel will be justified, and in him they will boast.

Encouraging Words...

As the adopted children of our Lord we too will be justified, we too can boast in Him as our Lord.

June 18, 2012

Proverbs 19:20 NASB

Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.

Command with a Promise...

Another one of those commands that sounds much easier than is really possible of doing. We are commanded to listen to the counsel of those in our lives that are wise, wise due to years of life, wise due to experiences, wise due to a journey with Christ that is farther ahead than your own. There are many scriptures that encourage us to listen to counsel and accept discipline. In order to do this we must be willing to submit ourselves to others, especially to our Lord. And with what results? Wisdom in our own lives. But we must remember that as soon as we begin to think that we are wise we must start the process of listening to counsel and accepting discipline all the more. This is a process, a journey.

June 15, 2012

Psalm 147:3 NASB

He heals the brokenhearted

And binds up their wounds.

Encouraging Words...

The journey through life is often filled with times of broken hearts and deep wounds. Why is it that those whom we think are our friends, even our coworkers in God's kingdom, often turn out to be the ones that hurt us the most? That question is one that will probably only be answered when I am with my Lord. I am so thankful that until that time my Lord is there to heal the brokenhearted, to bind up their wounds, our wounds.

June 14, 2012

2 Chronicles 16:9a NLT 

The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Encouraging Words...

It is encouraging to know that our Lord, our Savior, our Provider, cares enough for us that He has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. In Old Testament days, the days of the old covenant, God searched for those whose hearts were fully committed to Him so that He could strengthen them even more. Under the new covenant, the one ushered in by Jesus, the hearts of those who are committed to Him are filed by the Holy Spirit...continually and completely. Under this new covenant we can live righteous lives as we put our old selves to death and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

June 13, 2012

1 Timothy 2:1-4 NASB

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Command with a Promise...

We are commanded to lift up our leaders and elected officials in prayers, petitions and even thanksgiving. In this year of an upcoming election it becomes even more critical for us to be righteous and godly in how we speak about those whom God has allowed to be over us. In behaving this way we are promised tat we will lead tranquil and quiet lives in godliness and dignity.

June 11, 2012

Galatians 6:9 NASB

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Personal Challenge...

There is an implied commandment in this verse...do good. Not necessarily what I would deem as good, but certainly what He would deem as good. We are to be doing this good even when, no especially when, the world around us is telling us not to. This is why we are told to not lose heart and not to grow weary. If we press through with this then we will reap that reward that He has in store for us.

June 8, 2012

Romans 4:5-8  NASB

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.

Encouraging Words...

Our loving God desires that we believe in Him and His son. This belief, this faith, then is credited toward our righteousness. Our works then flow from the life that has been redeemed by Christ, our living and loving Savior. It is the work of our Lord that has covered our sins and redeemed us from death.

June 7, 2012

John 14:6 NIV

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.

Encouraging Words...

Of all the religions that I have ever heard of Christianity is the only one where the God of Life, the Creator of all, came to dwell amongst us. Not only did He live the life of a man he also gave up His live for us so that death would be defeated and we would receive true life. Praise be to God.

June 5, 2012

Micah 7:18 NASB

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love.

Encouraging Words...

It is so wonderful to serve a loving God. His love transcends all eternity, it is unchanging.

June 4, 2012

Isaiah 42:1-4 NASB

“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not be disheartened or crushed Until He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”

Encouraging Words...

Isaiah paints such a wonderful picture of our Lord: God's chosen servant in Whom He delights, the deliverer of justice, He will not cry out or raise His voice, He will not break the broken and tired, He will not be disheartened or crushed. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to live on earth in the body of a man, living the life of a man, temptations and sorrows and joys and all. I know Whom I believe in and am thankful that I am His.

June 1, 2012

Proverbs 16:3 NASB

Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established. 

Encouraging Words...

Today I finished my first week at my new job. As little as 4 months ago if someone would had told me that I would be back working in my lifelong career I would have told them no way. I have learnt in my life that the journey that I am on is not controlled by me. I can make choices, I can alter the course, but my Living God is in control...when I listen to Him, follow Him, and commit my works to Him. He always knows what is best for me. He always provides for me. I am so blessed that He establishes my plans for me.