Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
I will quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.
I will quit focusing on self-preservation and be willing to take risks.
I will quit trying to be who I am not and start being myself.
I will quit holding out or holding back.
I will quit running away.
I will burn sinful bridges and blaze new trails.
I will not let what's wrong with me keep me from worshipping what's right with God.
I will go after the dream He's given me that's "God-sized" enough to fail without Him.
I will stop complaining and find creative ways to be part of the solution.
I will step out of my comfort zone and value every experience — even the difficult ones.
I will worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks.
I will follow Him wherever He leads me.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sinking Fear
Matthew 14:28-31 NIV: "Lord, if it´s you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
Peter had left the boat, and walked toward Jesus. But Peter was afraid and began to sink. Jesus asked him, "why did you doubt?" It´s interesting that Peter´s first step was much more like a leap. His eyes fixed on Christ and without hesitation, he got out of the boat. What if He would have taken it more slowly-placing only one leg outside the boat-testing the waters before going further? What if he would have climbed out but kept a tight grip on the boat with his hands? Had he acted as such, his movement towards Christ´s direction would have been over before it had even begun. What kind of faith does Christ desire from us? Do we leave the boat, or hold tightly to it? The path of faith extends beyond our first steps, and rests only when we come face to face with Jesus. Anything less is sinking fear.
Peter had left the boat, and walked toward Jesus. But Peter was afraid and began to sink. Jesus asked him, "why did you doubt?" It´s interesting that Peter´s first step was much more like a leap. His eyes fixed on Christ and without hesitation, he got out of the boat. What if He would have taken it more slowly-placing only one leg outside the boat-testing the waters before going further? What if he would have climbed out but kept a tight grip on the boat with his hands? Had he acted as such, his movement towards Christ´s direction would have been over before it had even begun. What kind of faith does Christ desire from us? Do we leave the boat, or hold tightly to it? The path of faith extends beyond our first steps, and rests only when we come face to face with Jesus. Anything less is sinking fear.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Seeking God
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Do you really want God to hear your prayers? Would you like to know how to get God to listen to you? Read today's verse and notice what God Himself is telling His people to do to get His attention. The children of Israel had turned from God. They practiced idolatry of all kinds, worshipping other gods, disobeying God's laws and living their lives according their own desires. Regardless of the depths of their sin and wickedness, the Lord showed them mercy. God wanted to give them a chance for redemption but the people needed to come back to Him.
The Lord clearly tells the Israelites what to d humble themselves, pray, seek, and turn. In return, the Lord says that He will hear, forgive, and heal. Right here, in this one verse, we receive a message from the Lord that is just as relevant today in our lives as it was back then. First of all, we are told to humble ourselves. If you notice the order, humility comes before prayer. God wants us to come to Him in submission, in lowliness and brokenness, recognizing our desperate need for His saving grace. Then, we pray. We pour out our hearts to the Lord, asking, seeking and knocking for His response. In prayer, we must seek not only answers, but we must seek His face. To seek God's face demonstrates our love for Him, our desire to know Him, and our relentless pursuit of His attention. We need more than just words; we need intimacy and fellowship with Jesus. Finally, our prayers must include confession and repentance of our sins. Again, not just in words asking forgiveness, but in a true desire to change. To change means that we are willing to turn from our "wicked ways" and start following the Lord's ways by obeying His Word.
Regardless of where you are today in your relationship with the Lord, be assured of one thing: He wants more of you. If you feel distant from God, He wants you to know He is not distant from you. If you feel close to God, He wants to be even closer to you. If you humble yourself before Him, pray and seek His face, and are willing to turn from your sins, then He promises to hear, forgive and heal you. Just ask Him. Humble yourself before the Lord today and open your heart to Him. Be sincere, honest and vulnerable before Him. If you come to the Lord in this manner, you will definitely have His attention, and your heart will be ready to receive His answers.
Do you really want God to hear your prayers? Would you like to know how to get God to listen to you? Read today's verse and notice what God Himself is telling His people to do to get His attention. The children of Israel had turned from God. They practiced idolatry of all kinds, worshipping other gods, disobeying God's laws and living their lives according their own desires. Regardless of the depths of their sin and wickedness, the Lord showed them mercy. God wanted to give them a chance for redemption but the people needed to come back to Him.
The Lord clearly tells the Israelites what to d humble themselves, pray, seek, and turn. In return, the Lord says that He will hear, forgive, and heal. Right here, in this one verse, we receive a message from the Lord that is just as relevant today in our lives as it was back then. First of all, we are told to humble ourselves. If you notice the order, humility comes before prayer. God wants us to come to Him in submission, in lowliness and brokenness, recognizing our desperate need for His saving grace. Then, we pray. We pour out our hearts to the Lord, asking, seeking and knocking for His response. In prayer, we must seek not only answers, but we must seek His face. To seek God's face demonstrates our love for Him, our desire to know Him, and our relentless pursuit of His attention. We need more than just words; we need intimacy and fellowship with Jesus. Finally, our prayers must include confession and repentance of our sins. Again, not just in words asking forgiveness, but in a true desire to change. To change means that we are willing to turn from our "wicked ways" and start following the Lord's ways by obeying His Word.
Regardless of where you are today in your relationship with the Lord, be assured of one thing: He wants more of you. If you feel distant from God, He wants you to know He is not distant from you. If you feel close to God, He wants to be even closer to you. If you humble yourself before Him, pray and seek His face, and are willing to turn from your sins, then He promises to hear, forgive and heal you. Just ask Him. Humble yourself before the Lord today and open your heart to Him. Be sincere, honest and vulnerable before Him. If you come to the Lord in this manner, you will definitely have His attention, and your heart will be ready to receive His answers.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Luke 15:20 NLT
"So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him."
Jesus taught the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. This young man made many wrong choices, but ultimately he accepted responsibility for the consequences of those choices.
Deciding to set out on his own, he had asked his father for his inheritance and off he went. He proceeded to make more bad choices, squandering his money on wild living. Eventually the money was gone and he fell to the position of feeding another man's livestock. He was so hungry that even the food he was feeding the pigs looked good. He thought of home—even his father's servants would be eating better than this.
I think I'll return home and become one of my father's servants, he thought. I don't deserve more than that, but I believe he'll hire me. Good choices. To admit his error and not try to blame anyone else. To face up to responsibility.
The young man's father saw him coming home. He ran out to meet him with open arms, killed the fatted calf and had a huge party to celebrate his son's homecoming.
Prayer
Father, I've made so many mistakes. I know many of the things I have done have not pleased you, but I thank you for this assurance of your love. Please forgive me and take me into your loving arms. In Jesus' name
Jesus taught the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. This young man made many wrong choices, but ultimately he accepted responsibility for the consequences of those choices.
Deciding to set out on his own, he had asked his father for his inheritance and off he went. He proceeded to make more bad choices, squandering his money on wild living. Eventually the money was gone and he fell to the position of feeding another man's livestock. He was so hungry that even the food he was feeding the pigs looked good. He thought of home—even his father's servants would be eating better than this.
I think I'll return home and become one of my father's servants, he thought. I don't deserve more than that, but I believe he'll hire me. Good choices. To admit his error and not try to blame anyone else. To face up to responsibility.
The young man's father saw him coming home. He ran out to meet him with open arms, killed the fatted calf and had a huge party to celebrate his son's homecoming.
Prayer
Father, I've made so many mistakes. I know many of the things I have done have not pleased you, but I thank you for this assurance of your love. Please forgive me and take me into your loving arms. In Jesus' name
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Psalm 121:4
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Take heart O believer in the Lord your God who never slumbers and never rests! Always will He hear you and always does His eye watch over your steps. Naught will take Him by surprise and nothing occurs outside His knowing. He knows intimately the desires of your heart and the difficulties of your life. Trust Him to seek the best for you and praise His name for His goodness!
Take heart O believer in the Lord your God who never slumbers and never rests! Always will He hear you and always does His eye watch over your steps. Naught will take Him by surprise and nothing occurs outside His knowing. He knows intimately the desires of your heart and the difficulties of your life. Trust Him to seek the best for you and praise His name for His goodness!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
The gift of God's Spirit is truly miraculous and sure sign of His evident mercy. Though uncomprehending His work or power, ever will He aid us in our multiplied weakness. He is working in us daily causing us to be conformed to the image of Christ Himself. Praise the Lord for this Helper all you people of God!
The gift of God's Spirit is truly miraculous and sure sign of His evident mercy. Though uncomprehending His work or power, ever will He aid us in our multiplied weakness. He is working in us daily causing us to be conformed to the image of Christ Himself. Praise the Lord for this Helper all you people of God!
Friday, November 6, 2009
He led them in safety
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice.
“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.”—In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.—So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.—Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
Ps. 78:53; Prov. 8:20; Ex. 23:20; Isa. 63:9; Ps. 44:3; Isa. 63:14; Ps. 5:8; Ps. 43:3, 4
“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.”—In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.—So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.—Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
Ps. 78:53; Prov. 8:20; Ex. 23:20; Isa. 63:9; Ps. 44:3; Isa. 63:14; Ps. 5:8; Ps. 43:3, 4
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