On Sunday morning it was our self denial service at our church. Some would ask what is self denial. Well you are to take the money you would regularily allow your self for some thing and put it towards self denial. So for example a Tim Hortons coffee every week take that $2 an put it a side for self denial.
This money then goes towards the overseas missions work.
Well the morning service especially cause I am presently planning for a short term mission caught my attention. But even more after that service I went to my friends home for Sunday lunch and we had a really nice visit. We were chatting a lot about the way God is working in my life through this up coming mission trip. I feel he is already using me here in Cambridge before I have even left.
It has given me many opportunities to share with others, to expand my horizions to share about what the Lord has done for me and to share about where I was and where I am and where I am going in my journey with him. It truely has been awesome.
Then at our church we also have an evening service. I always find the night that I struggle in getting myself going and end up finally making it to church, I get blessed the most.
Sunday night the service was about Hope Maketh Not Ashamed. Mostly about trust and faith. Well every song I felt was direct right at me and I finally turned to my friend after the scripture reading and said testimony time, well then our minister finally said we would have some testimonies, well I jumped right out of my seat. God is really using me.
We sang a song about where ever I go you will Follow me. It reminded me about my friends grandson at lunch, he had a rope and I was trying to teach him to skip or jump over it and it was really cute. He finally grabbed hold of the rope and told mommy where to hold it, then gramma and then me, he finally took the lead and started to walk and said follow me, follow me, follow me, and we walked all around the main floor of the house. Well it is really that simple all we have to do is grab on and follow Him and He will lead us.
Then Sunday night I began reading my new book, it is called Situation Psalms, messages for where we live by Ray Harrison ISBN: 81-7475-039-8
I was reading page 16 and 17 and on page 17 1/2 way down the page it says:
5) I Trusted You- Vs 9
"They who seek my life will destroy...but the king will rejoice in God. All who swear by God's name will praise him"
Then it carries over to page 18 where it then refers to Romans 15 verse 13 where it says: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit."
It also says "If we are praising when we can't see why something is happening to us, and sometimes can't even see God in our situation. THAT IS THE TIME TO TRUST."
"this whole sequence begins with 'I seek you' Are you seeking Him? The God who was with David in the desert, who is with the boy in the church on the borders of Bosnia and the evangelists in the mountains of Nepal, is our God, too. We seek him, we see Him, we praise Him, we shelter in Him and we TRUST Him."
Wow what a wonderful, awesome Lord I serve. He is always there ready for me to see Him and hear Him when I open my heart and soul to Him. He gives me Hope, strength more and more he day as I Trust Him more and more each day.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Ephesians 5
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a]
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—
30 for we are members of his body.
31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c]
32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Christ and God
Ephesians 5:26 Or having cleansed
Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24
2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a]
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—
30 for we are members of his body.
31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c]
32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Christ and God
Ephesians 5:26 Or having cleansed
Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24
Thoughts to Ponder Upon Our Return Home
In continuation of the book I have been reading I think this is a very important to talk about and that is what to expect when we return home.
Well the trip is over. After months of preparation and prayer, the trip will now become a memory --- a brief flash before your eyes. The thing you really wanted to, that was always the thing that put that lump in your throat when you saw it on television or you heard about it from many others that had experienced it before you, you have finally had that experience for your self. And now that we are home we will experience the loss of reentering back to the life we are so very comfortable with.
The book suggest that we might experience what they call PHD (Post -Hiatus Depression). We have been away of our regular duties and responsibilities of real life. We placed our selves in unusual circumstances, unusual cultural experiences and life styles. Although we we of service to God and others it has changes our lives and views.
Most of us will start to build resents and weird emotionsfrom the guilt of all the things we have and take for granted in comparisom to the people we just spent time with in that strange country we just visited. We may feel guilty and ashamed because of the way we have just seen children living their lives. Then after the guilt we might start into fault finding. We do this by looking at the way we do thing compared to the country we just came from, and we start building resentments especially when people around us do not change the way we feel they should.
It then becomes very important that we remember that "We go to help others, but usually come away with greater understanding of ourselves"
I am going to quote this word for word cause I feel it is so very important for us all to remember and as we read this it is also very important I feel that debriefing is so very important upon return to Canada.
"STUFF TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU RETURN"
1) Be aware that you may experience some depression, loneliness, fatigue, and illness as a reentry symptoms of stress. Remember, you can experience stress from both and sad events. You may go through a grieving process.
2) Be alert to your own expectations and the expectations of others. Sometimes conflicts in value will occur, but remember that values are the outcome of an individual's understanding of life. If you understand that, then you're headed down the right path.
3) Be reflective. Allow for rest, reflection, and rejoicing in what you saw God do. Reflect on your experiences and ask the Lord to show you the various aspects of your trip from which you can grow. Evaluate all that you have been through.
4) Be active. Talk about the differences in lifestyles that stood out to you (like seeing chickens in a tree), but try not to be judgmental or pass crticisms, even to fellow-short-termers.
5) Be patient. Take time to readjust. Be patient when others don't understand what you have experienced.
They suggest the following as well.
We will be experienceing these things right away so we should find a spot to put these reminders where we can see them daily and where we can review the list often and exercise patience--with ourselves. Talk to each other from the team often and talk often about your experiences and feelings you are haveing since you returned home.
Have others watching you and let ya know if they think you are having difficulties with reentry so you can get any help you may need to put everything into perspective so you can experience the changes in your life but can move forward to the next area God is leading you.
Well hope that this will prove to be helpful for you all.
Well the trip is over. After months of preparation and prayer, the trip will now become a memory --- a brief flash before your eyes. The thing you really wanted to, that was always the thing that put that lump in your throat when you saw it on television or you heard about it from many others that had experienced it before you, you have finally had that experience for your self. And now that we are home we will experience the loss of reentering back to the life we are so very comfortable with.
The book suggest that we might experience what they call PHD (Post -Hiatus Depression). We have been away of our regular duties and responsibilities of real life. We placed our selves in unusual circumstances, unusual cultural experiences and life styles. Although we we of service to God and others it has changes our lives and views.
Most of us will start to build resents and weird emotionsfrom the guilt of all the things we have and take for granted in comparisom to the people we just spent time with in that strange country we just visited. We may feel guilty and ashamed because of the way we have just seen children living their lives. Then after the guilt we might start into fault finding. We do this by looking at the way we do thing compared to the country we just came from, and we start building resentments especially when people around us do not change the way we feel they should.
It then becomes very important that we remember that "We go to help others, but usually come away with greater understanding of ourselves"
I am going to quote this word for word cause I feel it is so very important for us all to remember and as we read this it is also very important I feel that debriefing is so very important upon return to Canada.
"STUFF TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU RETURN"
1) Be aware that you may experience some depression, loneliness, fatigue, and illness as a reentry symptoms of stress. Remember, you can experience stress from both and sad events. You may go through a grieving process.
2) Be alert to your own expectations and the expectations of others. Sometimes conflicts in value will occur, but remember that values are the outcome of an individual's understanding of life. If you understand that, then you're headed down the right path.
3) Be reflective. Allow for rest, reflection, and rejoicing in what you saw God do. Reflect on your experiences and ask the Lord to show you the various aspects of your trip from which you can grow. Evaluate all that you have been through.
4) Be active. Talk about the differences in lifestyles that stood out to you (like seeing chickens in a tree), but try not to be judgmental or pass crticisms, even to fellow-short-termers.
5) Be patient. Take time to readjust. Be patient when others don't understand what you have experienced.
They suggest the following as well.
We will be experienceing these things right away so we should find a spot to put these reminders where we can see them daily and where we can review the list often and exercise patience--with ourselves. Talk to each other from the team often and talk often about your experiences and feelings you are haveing since you returned home.
Have others watching you and let ya know if they think you are having difficulties with reentry so you can get any help you may need to put everything into perspective so you can experience the changes in your life but can move forward to the next area God is leading you.
Well hope that this will prove to be helpful for you all.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Ephesians 4
Unity in the Body of Christ
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
8 This is why it[a] says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men."[b]
9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]?
10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Living as Children of Light
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.
21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
26 "In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 4:8 Or God
Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
8 This is why it[a] says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men."[b]
9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]?
10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Living as Children of Light
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.
21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
26 "In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 4:8 Or God
Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Peruvian Cuisine
Buenos Dias Amigos:
Peruvian cuisine is usually considered one of the most diverse in the world and only disputes world cuisine tournaments with French, Chinese and Italian cuisine (Hindu) as the leading masters of this art.
Thanks to its pre-Inca heritage and to Spanish, Basque, African, Sino-Cantonese, Japanese and finally Italian immigration (mainly throughout the 10th century), Peruvian cuisine combines the flavors of four continents. With the electric variety of traditional dishes, the Peruvian culinary arts are in constant evolution, and impossible to list in their entirety. Suffice is to mention that along the Peruvian coast alone there are more than two thousand different types of soups, and that there are more than 250 traditional desserts.
There are many restaurants specializing in Peruvian cuisine in many different cities throughout the world.
The great variety of Peruvian cuisine stems for threee major influences:
Peru's unique geography, 28 of the 32 possible world climates.
Peru's openness and blending of district races and cultures.
The incorporation of ancient cuisine into modern Peruvian cuisine.
Peruvian cuisine is usually considered one of the most diverse in the world and only disputes world cuisine tournaments with French, Chinese and Italian cuisine (Hindu) as the leading masters of this art.
Thanks to its pre-Inca heritage and to Spanish, Basque, African, Sino-Cantonese, Japanese and finally Italian immigration (mainly throughout the 10th century), Peruvian cuisine combines the flavors of four continents. With the electric variety of traditional dishes, the Peruvian culinary arts are in constant evolution, and impossible to list in their entirety. Suffice is to mention that along the Peruvian coast alone there are more than two thousand different types of soups, and that there are more than 250 traditional desserts.
There are many restaurants specializing in Peruvian cuisine in many different cities throughout the world.
The great variety of Peruvian cuisine stems for threee major influences:
Peru's unique geography, 28 of the 32 possible world climates.
Peru's openness and blending of district races and cultures.
The incorporation of ancient cuisine into modern Peruvian cuisine.
Sorry Folks
My oh my it sure has been a while since I last posted. I do appologize to those who come to this sight daily for this.
Now not that there should be any excuses but since the long weekend at my cottage so much has happened.
First of all I came home to have to help with some major things around the house for my parents. Something that should have taken about oh 2 or 3 hrs of my time took up almost the whole week. Secondly I had my shots for our trip and for three days they really whacked me out. I was dizzy and really light headed. Felt really sick and just plan awful.
Then this weekend I just needed to take for myself. So here I am Sunday night trying to get all caught up and thought I should get a post or two up.
So I do appologize for my tardiness but I guess it is better late than never.
Now not that there should be any excuses but since the long weekend at my cottage so much has happened.
First of all I came home to have to help with some major things around the house for my parents. Something that should have taken about oh 2 or 3 hrs of my time took up almost the whole week. Secondly I had my shots for our trip and for three days they really whacked me out. I was dizzy and really light headed. Felt really sick and just plan awful.
Then this weekend I just needed to take for myself. So here I am Sunday night trying to get all caught up and thought I should get a post or two up.
So I do appologize for my tardiness but I guess it is better late than never.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Buenos Dias
Unfortunately I will not be able to post to this site till Monday as I will be away for the long weekend.
I want to pray for travel mercies for all those travelling this weekend and wish every one a safe and wonderful weekend.
God Bless
I want to pray for travel mercies for all those travelling this weekend and wish every one a safe and wonderful weekend.
God Bless
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
MY PACKING LIST
Recently I have been reading a book in preperation for this Mission trip. Now those who know me know that I do not get excited over involved in any book, but this one has caught my attention and kept me reading on. Now mind you it is on a subject manner that I am very interested on.
The book is called HOW TO GET READY FOR SHORT-TERM MISSIONS,
the ultimate guide for sponsors, parents and THOSE WHO GO!
by Anne-Geri' Fann & Greg Taylor
isbn #: 1-4185-0977-9
I recommend highly for anyone going on any type of mission trip to read this book. I have found it very insightful and helpful in my preperation for my mission trip to Peru that is coming up in August.
In this post I want to mostly reflect on one paticular section of the book which is pages 60 and 61. These two pages are entitled My Packing List.
It starts out here saying the following:
"It's easy to get excited about a trip you begin packing everything you think you might possibly need. Many things are necessary, but not all things are prudent-and I'm not just talking about underwear and batteries here. You also need to pack in a spiritual way."
So here is there list for you to ponder over and to pray about for todays devotions.
A towel (humility): For remembering to graciously accept hospitality
A broken watch(deliberateness): So I won't be in a hurry all the time, paticularly when I'm talking to people.
My Bible (transformation): To discipline myself to read daily from God's Word, memorize passages, and grow like Jesus-in wisdom, stature, favor with God, and favor with humans.
Crayons(creativity): So I won't sit around waiting to be entertained.
Gifts(generosity): To give the families I came to serve. (Note:First ask mission leader for appropiate gift suggestions)
Journal(dicernment): To keep a record of the incredible things I see and hear.
Magnifying Glass(healthy curiosity): For asking questions about things I'm uncomfortable with or don't fully understand, especially how or why a missionary is doing something. So I'll take an interest in my surroundings and enjoy the differences I observe.
A Mirror(respect): As a reminder to heed my appearance and conduct (e.g. what I wear, whom I talk to, and who I can touch or hug).
So this enough for today and I will continue with the second half of this list tomorrow.
So until then God Bless
The book is called HOW TO GET READY FOR SHORT-TERM MISSIONS,
the ultimate guide for sponsors, parents and THOSE WHO GO! by Anne-Geri' Fann & Greg Taylor
isbn #: 1-4185-0977-9
I recommend highly for anyone going on any type of mission trip to read this book. I have found it very insightful and helpful in my preperation for my mission trip to Peru that is coming up in August.
In this post I want to mostly reflect on one paticular section of the book which is pages 60 and 61. These two pages are entitled My Packing List.
It starts out here saying the following:
"It's easy to get excited about a trip you begin packing everything you think you might possibly need. Many things are necessary, but not all things are prudent-and I'm not just talking about underwear and batteries here. You also need to pack in a spiritual way."
So here is there list for you to ponder over and to pray about for todays devotions.
A towel (humility): For remembering to graciously accept hospitality
A broken watch(deliberateness): So I won't be in a hurry all the time, paticularly when I'm talking to people.
My Bible (transformation): To discipline myself to read daily from God's Word, memorize passages, and grow like Jesus-in wisdom, stature, favor with God, and favor with humans.
Crayons(creativity): So I won't sit around waiting to be entertained.
Gifts(generosity): To give the families I came to serve. (Note:First ask mission leader for appropiate gift suggestions)
Journal(dicernment): To keep a record of the incredible things I see and hear.
Magnifying Glass(healthy curiosity): For asking questions about things I'm uncomfortable with or don't fully understand, especially how or why a missionary is doing something. So I'll take an interest in my surroundings and enjoy the differences I observe.
A Mirror(respect): As a reminder to heed my appearance and conduct (e.g. what I wear, whom I talk to, and who I can touch or hug).
So this enough for today and I will continue with the second half of this list tomorrow.
So until then God Bless
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Ephesians 4 (New International Version)
Unity in the Body of Christ
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
8 This is why it[a] says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men."[b]
9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]?
10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be
evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Living as Children of Light
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.
21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
26 "In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 4:8 Or God
Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
8 This is why it[a] says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men."[b]
9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]?
10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be
evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Living as Children of Light
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.
21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
26 "In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 4:8 Or God
Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4
Monday, May 14, 2007
Learning to Wait & Trust our Lord
Today instead of a devotional I would like to take this time to talk about what is happening on this journey thus far for me.
Well God told me that going for two weeks would not be enough time and therefore I asked about going for a month. I was told to do a couple of things and therefore I followed up on them. In doing so I received an email back telling me that yes I could stay an extra two weeks and the details would be worked out at a later date.
I think God has been testing me in this whole process. He has been trying to teach me to wait, to have patience and to have trust in him and in this whole process. Well any one that knows me knows I am an instant gratification person. So the above mention and I do not jive very well.
From the day I applied to go to Peru I have been told to wait. I had to wait for the decision if there would be room for me on the team. Then I had to wait for the monies from sending out my letters to come in. Then told to wait on the extra two weeks and finally told to wait on the changing of my return date and other information that I want to have.
So why can I not learn to wait, I have not prayed for that. I am afraid to pray for patience because everyone says that when they prayed for that, that God gave them more to test their patience. I guess instead of patience I need to pray for the skill of learning to wait for the answers.
If I believe in God and I trust him to show me the answers why do I lack the trust in him to provide for me? I need to just let go and let God do what he needs to do to make things happen. After all he has already provided me with the monies I needed to raise to go for the first two weeks. And I already have 1/5th of the additional monies I need for the second two weeks.
I already know that I have a commitment of another 1/5th of that money leaving 3/5th left which really is not very much money in the whole scheme of things. So why am I so worried. Because I set my goal to have all monies in by the end of May.
So I just need to let go and let God. I need to pray to learn to wait for the answers and to learn to trust him more. Pretty tall order but I will do my best. Please join me in praying for those things I have talked about.
God Bless
Well God told me that going for two weeks would not be enough time and therefore I asked about going for a month. I was told to do a couple of things and therefore I followed up on them. In doing so I received an email back telling me that yes I could stay an extra two weeks and the details would be worked out at a later date.
I think God has been testing me in this whole process. He has been trying to teach me to wait, to have patience and to have trust in him and in this whole process. Well any one that knows me knows I am an instant gratification person. So the above mention and I do not jive very well.
From the day I applied to go to Peru I have been told to wait. I had to wait for the decision if there would be room for me on the team. Then I had to wait for the monies from sending out my letters to come in. Then told to wait on the extra two weeks and finally told to wait on the changing of my return date and other information that I want to have.
So why can I not learn to wait, I have not prayed for that. I am afraid to pray for patience because everyone says that when they prayed for that, that God gave them more to test their patience. I guess instead of patience I need to pray for the skill of learning to wait for the answers.
If I believe in God and I trust him to show me the answers why do I lack the trust in him to provide for me? I need to just let go and let God do what he needs to do to make things happen. After all he has already provided me with the monies I needed to raise to go for the first two weeks. And I already have 1/5th of the additional monies I need for the second two weeks.
I already know that I have a commitment of another 1/5th of that money leaving 3/5th left which really is not very much money in the whole scheme of things. So why am I so worried. Because I set my goal to have all monies in by the end of May.
So I just need to let go and let God. I need to pray to learn to wait for the answers and to learn to trust him more. Pretty tall order but I will do my best. Please join me in praying for those things I have talked about.
God Bless
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Ephesians 3 (New International Version)
Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,
3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.
8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 3:15 Or whom all fatherhood
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,
3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.
8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 3:15 Or whom all fatherhood
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Ephesians 2 (New International Version)
Made Alive in Christ
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
One in Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)—
12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,
20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 2:3 Or our flesh
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
One in Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)—
12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,
20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 2:3 Or our flesh
Friday, May 11, 2007
Ephesians 1 (New International Version)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,To the saints in Ephesus,[a] the faithful[b] in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
5 In love he[c] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
9 And he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,
20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus.
Ephesians 1:1 Or believers who are
Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. 5 He
Ephesians 1:9 Or us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he
Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs
Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
5 In love he[c] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
9 And he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,
20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus.
Ephesians 1:1 Or believers who are
Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. 5 He
Ephesians 1:9 Or us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he
Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs
Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit
Thursday, May 10, 2007
"Arise; shine for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee". Isaiah 60:1
"Wake up, O sleeper,
Rise from the dead,
And Christ will Shine on you".
Ephesians 5:14
From the rising of the sun to the setting of the same, My glory will be seen over all the Earth! As darkness increases, so shall the light of My glory be released in greater measure.
Rise and shine, My people that My glory may be seen upon you. Awaken and prepare! Trim the wicks and make sure your lamps are filled with precious oil. In this time, some will be found foolish among the wise, but I will cause the wise to shine like the stars in heaven, and My glory will be revealed.
My people will rise and take the land as I cause their enemies to turn their backs to them. Everything within their boundaries will be called, "Holy to the Lord", and I will grant increase until the day when the whole earth is filled with My glory.
The trumpet of the Lord declares
It's time to rise and shine!
Now is the time to prepare,
And form the battle lines.
Fill your lamps with oil
So you can light the way,
As darkness falls upon those who toil
In the evil day.
It's a time of separation,
The wheat from the tare
This is My declaration--
The foolish from the wise.
For I will gather the fruit from the vine
A day of treading
Out the wine--
A new wine prepared for a new day.
Rise and Shine those who are Mine
For I will pour you out
The best of the vine
So My glory may be seen over all the earth.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Laughter
Tonight I went to my church to Ladies Night Out. We had a wonderful speaker as our guest this evening. The evening was about the power of humour. Well if I were to guess I think there was around 100 people there. I do not think that there was a person in the room who was not laughing to the point of tears rolling down their faces.
Most people today get going along very quickly in life anf they forget to stop and smell the roses. Humour used in a positive way is very healthy for the soul. They say that ten minutes of hardy laughing a day is the equivilent of 10 mins on a treadmill. They also say it is a great stress reliever.
Laughter is always the best medicine. We need to take time each and every day to relax, enjoy the moment, and have a good laugh. What does this have to do with anything well it is just a gentle reminder that life today is very busy, stressful, and we often forget to just relax and enjoy life. So take time for yourselves, smile and put on your favorite comedy so you can have a good laugh for the day.
Most people today get going along very quickly in life anf they forget to stop and smell the roses. Humour used in a positive way is very healthy for the soul. They say that ten minutes of hardy laughing a day is the equivilent of 10 mins on a treadmill. They also say it is a great stress reliever.
Laughter is always the best medicine. We need to take time each and every day to relax, enjoy the moment, and have a good laugh. What does this have to do with anything well it is just a gentle reminder that life today is very busy, stressful, and we often forget to just relax and enjoy life. So take time for yourselves, smile and put on your favorite comedy so you can have a good laugh for the day.
WAIT
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried.
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait!"
"'Wait?, You say, wait!" my indignant reply,
Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and am claiming your Word."
"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes,' a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign."
"And Lord, you promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my master replied once again, "You must wait."
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"
He seemed then to kneel and His eyes wept with mine,
And he tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run."
"All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want--but, you wouldn't know me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint,
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint."
"You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;
You'd not know the joy of resting in me
when darkness and silence were all you could see."
"You'd never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of my Spirit descends like a dove;
You'd know that I give and I save... (for a start),
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of my heart."
"The glow of my comfort late into the night.
The faith that I give when you walk without sight,
The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have last."
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee..
Yes, your dreams for your loved ones overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss! If I lost what I'm doing in you!"
"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to get to know me.
And though oft may my answers seem terribly late,
My wisest of answers is still but to wait."
© 1980 Russell Kelfer.
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait!"
"'Wait?, You say, wait!" my indignant reply,
Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and am claiming your Word."
"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes,' a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign."
"And Lord, you promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my master replied once again, "You must wait."
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"
He seemed then to kneel and His eyes wept with mine,
And he tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run."
"All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want--but, you wouldn't know me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint,
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint."
"You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;
You'd not know the joy of resting in me
when darkness and silence were all you could see."
"You'd never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of my Spirit descends like a dove;
You'd know that I give and I save... (for a start),
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of my heart."
"The glow of my comfort late into the night.
The faith that I give when you walk without sight,
The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have last."
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee..
Yes, your dreams for your loved ones overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss! If I lost what I'm doing in you!"
"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to get to know me.
And though oft may my answers seem terribly late,
My wisest of answers is still but to wait."
© 1980 Russell Kelfer.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Side note from todays devotional
With in seconds of clicking the publish button for todays Devotional I recieved this email.
Everything that is going wrong in your life today shall be well with you this year. No matter how much your enemies try this year, 'they will not' succeed. You have been destined to make it and you shall surely achieve all your goals this year. For the remaining months of this year (2007), all your agonies will be diverted and victory and prosperity will be incoming in abundance. Today God has confirmed the end of your sufferings, sorrows, an d pains because HE that sits on the throne has remembered you. He has taken away the hardships and given you JOY. He will never let you down.
I knocked at heaven's door this morning, God asked me... My child! What can I do for you? And I said, 'Father, please protect and bless the person reading this message'... God smiled and answered... Request granted.
Now I ask you how amazing is our God? Is he working in my life? Without a doubt he is! God thank you for everything.
Everything that is going wrong in your life today shall be well with you this year. No matter how much your enemies try this year, 'they will not' succeed. You have been destined to make it and you shall surely achieve all your goals this year. For the remaining months of this year (2007), all your agonies will be diverted and victory and prosperity will be incoming in abundance. Today God has confirmed the end of your sufferings, sorrows, an d pains because HE that sits on the throne has remembered you. He has taken away the hardships and given you JOY. He will never let you down.
I knocked at heaven's door this morning, God asked me... My child! What can I do for you? And I said, 'Father, please protect and bless the person reading this message'... God smiled and answered... Request granted.
Now I ask you how amazing is our God? Is he working in my life? Without a doubt he is! God thank you for everything.
SPEM PRAYER REQUEST
It is 8:00 am Monday morning and the phone rings so I answer to hear my mothers voice. She is tired and upset and worried. My father and her have been up most of the night. Dad has had a very high fever and sick all night. She has asked me to drive them to London for a scheduled doctors appointment.
I have to rearrange an appointment with my physio and they are upset, but in my life family always comes firt. I decided I had an 1/2 before I needed to leave so I would look for a quick devotion on healing, for stress relief, and I went to the site for Daily Bread and this is this mornings devotional. I felt it suited exactly what my mother needs and so does the rest of my family. So please pray this SPEM prayer for us all. Thank you in advance for these prayers. May God Bless you.
I bow my knees to the Father . . . that He would grant you . . . to be strengthened with might through His Spirit. —Ephesians 3:14,16
A friend sent me an e-mail that concluded with a list of prayer requests. She said, “Spiritually, I am confused, so pray for understanding. Physically, I am tired, so pray for rest. Emotionally, I am very weak, so pray for strength. Mentally, I am worried, so pray for peace.”
When I saw her later, I told her, “I’ve been SPEM praying for you.” She looked confused, so I told her I was praying for her spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Scripture illustrates God’s care in each of these areas.
Spiritual: Jesus prayed for His disciples: “Sanctify them by Your truth” (John 17:17). Truth leads to spiritual understanding, eliminating confusion.
Physical: Peter had a physical need—release from jail. His friends prayed—and he got out (Acts 12:1-11). In God’s care we find security and rest (Ps. 16:9).
Emotional: Often the psalmists asked God for relief from distress (4:1; 18:6; 107:6-7). He brings hope.
Mental: Insight and wisdom are promised for those who cry out to God (Prov. 2:3-6; James 1:5-7). Through prayer and reading His Word, the peace of God can be found.
Are you struggling? Ask God for spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental assistance. —Dave Branon
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer! —Scriven
Turn your cares into prayers.
I have to rearrange an appointment with my physio and they are upset, but in my life family always comes firt. I decided I had an 1/2 before I needed to leave so I would look for a quick devotion on healing, for stress relief, and I went to the site for Daily Bread and this is this mornings devotional. I felt it suited exactly what my mother needs and so does the rest of my family. So please pray this SPEM prayer for us all. Thank you in advance for these prayers. May God Bless you.
I bow my knees to the Father . . . that He would grant you . . . to be strengthened with might through His Spirit. —Ephesians 3:14,16
A friend sent me an e-mail that concluded with a list of prayer requests. She said, “Spiritually, I am confused, so pray for understanding. Physically, I am tired, so pray for rest. Emotionally, I am very weak, so pray for strength. Mentally, I am worried, so pray for peace.”
When I saw her later, I told her, “I’ve been SPEM praying for you.” She looked confused, so I told her I was praying for her spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Scripture illustrates God’s care in each of these areas.
Spiritual: Jesus prayed for His disciples: “Sanctify them by Your truth” (John 17:17). Truth leads to spiritual understanding, eliminating confusion.
Physical: Peter had a physical need—release from jail. His friends prayed—and he got out (Acts 12:1-11). In God’s care we find security and rest (Ps. 16:9).
Emotional: Often the psalmists asked God for relief from distress (4:1; 18:6; 107:6-7). He brings hope.
Mental: Insight and wisdom are promised for those who cry out to God (Prov. 2:3-6; James 1:5-7). Through prayer and reading His Word, the peace of God can be found.
Are you struggling? Ask God for spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental assistance. —Dave Branon
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer! —Scriven
Turn your cares into prayers.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
FACING THE GIANTS
Tonight I went to the Salvation Army church in Cambridge to watch this movie call Facing the Giants. It was a totally awesome movie. It was a Christian movie.
Here is what it says on its website.
From the award-winning producers of FLYWHEEL comes a new, action-packed, family-friendly drama about a high school football coach who draws up a new game plan for his team … and himself.
In his six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never had a winning season. Even the hope of a new season is squelched when the best player on his Shiloh Eagles decides to transfer schools. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, Coach Taylor has lost hope in his battle against fear and failure.
However, an unexpected challenge helps him find a purpose bigger than just victories. Daring to trust God to do the impossible, Coach Taylor and the Eagles discover how faith plays out on the field … and off.
With God, all things are possible …
Let this be our devotions for today lets pray to strengthen or widen our territoy by putting all our trust and faith in him. And like the football team from this movie we will see that With God, all things are are possible.
God Bless
It is my reccomendation that everyone see this movie it sure touches your hearts.
Here is what it says on its website.
From the award-winning producers of FLYWHEEL comes a new, action-packed, family-friendly drama about a high school football coach who draws up a new game plan for his team … and himself.
In his six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never had a winning season. Even the hope of a new season is squelched when the best player on his Shiloh Eagles decides to transfer schools. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, Coach Taylor has lost hope in his battle against fear and failure.
However, an unexpected challenge helps him find a purpose bigger than just victories. Daring to trust God to do the impossible, Coach Taylor and the Eagles discover how faith plays out on the field … and off.
With God, all things are possible …
Let this be our devotions for today lets pray to strengthen or widen our territoy by putting all our trust and faith in him. And like the football team from this movie we will see that With God, all things are are possible.
God Bless
It is my reccomendation that everyone see this movie it sure touches your hearts.
Friday, May 4, 2007
God’s grace sets you free
Todays Devotional is from the Purpose Driven Life
God’s grace sets you free
By Jon Walker
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ....” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)
Grace. If you carry away only one thing from these devotionals, my prayer is that it will be a mind-transforming, behavior-altering understanding of God’s infinite, indestructible, and immovable grace.
Not just a quick, yet correct sound-bite explanation – like the “unmerited favor of God” – but the deep, ancient meaning of grace that stretches across the depth and breadth and width and height of God’s character.
This is on my mind because these devotionals present some high standards for Christian discipleship. My hope is to press us both – myself as well as you – toward an honest assessment of our faith, a deeper commitment to our beliefs, and most importantly a sacrificial, wholly-abandoned love for our Lord.
The standard is high; in fact, it’s impossibly high. That’s why we need God’s grace. I can’t, but God can. “Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NIV)
Although I strive for these standards in my own life, I often fail, but that doesn’t mean I should lower the standard or hide behind denial of failure, or that I should settle for a mediocre, warmed-over faith walk. It means I look to the things above, striving to become the man God wants me to be, and getting out of the way so the Holy Spirit can do the work of transformation in my life. Whether I succeed or fail, I fall upon the grace of God. I remain immersed in his grace, knowing I cannot be holy, but the spirit of God within me and the blood of Jesus Christ allow me to connect with a holy God.
If we don’t understand God’s grace, we stand in danger of growing weary in our walk with God, descending into a quiet resignation that the abundant life is just a notion that describes our “Sweet By and By” future in heaven.
Or, when we fail to embrace God’s grace, we’re in danger of slipping into legalism, believing we can somehow reach God’s holy standard through our own efforts. In effect, we’re saying we can achieve godliness without God’s power! We behave as if we become one of God’s children by the things we do or the things we don’t do and not from the extraordinary Grace of God. (2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NIV)
As if.
We become like the foolish Galatians, who began their Christian walk with the Spirit, but then they began to behave as if godly goals could be reached by human effort. (Galatians 3:1-5 NIV)
The Apostle Paul, who struggled with legalism himself, taught the Galatians that the law was only put in charge to lead us to the grace of Christ. (Galatians 3:23-25) The Spirit of the living God transforms us by writing the law into our hearts rather than on simple stone tablets. (2 Corinthians 3:3) The godly standard is set within, where it cannot be lost, or diminished, or forgotten, instead of on tablets of stone that can be broken, or misplaced, or simply ignored.
So, you and I – my sister, my brother – we share in an inheritance from God, and that inheritance comes from grace. In fact, that inheritance is God’s grace. We are his workmanship, not creations of our own hand. (Ephesians 2:7-10)
So what?
· God’s grace sets you free to fail – When Martin Luther was fighting the false belief that we could work our way into God’s grace, he wrote, "Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world." He was not teaching that it’s okay to sin; rather that all sins are covered by the grace of God – so we can stop living timidly, afraid to make mistakes. We can live boldly.
· God forbid we abuse his grace – God doesn’t give us grace so we will continue to sin; rather, he gives us grace so we are free, here and now, to not sin. He gives us grace so we can live in relationship with him, no longer fearing separation because of our sin. “So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there?” (Romans 6:1-7 MSG)
· Grace makes way for good works – “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:6-10 NIV)
God’s grace sets you free
By Jon Walker
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ....” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)
Grace. If you carry away only one thing from these devotionals, my prayer is that it will be a mind-transforming, behavior-altering understanding of God’s infinite, indestructible, and immovable grace.
Not just a quick, yet correct sound-bite explanation – like the “unmerited favor of God” – but the deep, ancient meaning of grace that stretches across the depth and breadth and width and height of God’s character.
This is on my mind because these devotionals present some high standards for Christian discipleship. My hope is to press us both – myself as well as you – toward an honest assessment of our faith, a deeper commitment to our beliefs, and most importantly a sacrificial, wholly-abandoned love for our Lord.
The standard is high; in fact, it’s impossibly high. That’s why we need God’s grace. I can’t, but God can. “Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NIV)
Although I strive for these standards in my own life, I often fail, but that doesn’t mean I should lower the standard or hide behind denial of failure, or that I should settle for a mediocre, warmed-over faith walk. It means I look to the things above, striving to become the man God wants me to be, and getting out of the way so the Holy Spirit can do the work of transformation in my life. Whether I succeed or fail, I fall upon the grace of God. I remain immersed in his grace, knowing I cannot be holy, but the spirit of God within me and the blood of Jesus Christ allow me to connect with a holy God.
If we don’t understand God’s grace, we stand in danger of growing weary in our walk with God, descending into a quiet resignation that the abundant life is just a notion that describes our “Sweet By and By” future in heaven.
Or, when we fail to embrace God’s grace, we’re in danger of slipping into legalism, believing we can somehow reach God’s holy standard through our own efforts. In effect, we’re saying we can achieve godliness without God’s power! We behave as if we become one of God’s children by the things we do or the things we don’t do and not from the extraordinary Grace of God. (2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NIV)
As if.
We become like the foolish Galatians, who began their Christian walk with the Spirit, but then they began to behave as if godly goals could be reached by human effort. (Galatians 3:1-5 NIV)
The Apostle Paul, who struggled with legalism himself, taught the Galatians that the law was only put in charge to lead us to the grace of Christ. (Galatians 3:23-25) The Spirit of the living God transforms us by writing the law into our hearts rather than on simple stone tablets. (2 Corinthians 3:3) The godly standard is set within, where it cannot be lost, or diminished, or forgotten, instead of on tablets of stone that can be broken, or misplaced, or simply ignored.
So, you and I – my sister, my brother – we share in an inheritance from God, and that inheritance comes from grace. In fact, that inheritance is God’s grace. We are his workmanship, not creations of our own hand. (Ephesians 2:7-10)
So what?
· God’s grace sets you free to fail – When Martin Luther was fighting the false belief that we could work our way into God’s grace, he wrote, "Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world." He was not teaching that it’s okay to sin; rather that all sins are covered by the grace of God – so we can stop living timidly, afraid to make mistakes. We can live boldly.
· God forbid we abuse his grace – God doesn’t give us grace so we will continue to sin; rather, he gives us grace so we are free, here and now, to not sin. He gives us grace so we can live in relationship with him, no longer fearing separation because of our sin. “So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there?” (Romans 6:1-7 MSG)
· Grace makes way for good works – “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:6-10 NIV)
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Prayer Request--for friends going to Haiti on a Mission Trip
Today May 4th/07 there is a team of 14 people leaving from Canada to go to Haiti on a Mission trip from the Salvation Army.
I personally have been talking via emails with one of the team leaders Nathanael Homewood in regards to mission work. I would like to ask for prayer for his team members and the other leaders going with them. I would also ask for prayers for the four leaders in Haiti as well. This team will be gone from May 4th till the 18th.
Here are two things that were mentioned in the email I recieved from him.
1) It is their hope that their brief visit will be life changing for their team members by learning to appreciate the culture, lifestyle, celebrations and even the pain and suffering of each other as human beings.
2) Their goal is to make their visit an "Integrated Mission" where they come first of all to build relationships with the Haitian people at their own comfort level. They do not wish to impose themselves on others, or to declare that they are coming to "fix" problems and download resources. It is their philosophy that every community has the ability and capacity to heal itself and that their role is to come along side, to learn and share their lives as fellow human beings.
Please pray that they all are able to maintain these goals and objectives while they are their.
I personally have been talking via emails with one of the team leaders Nathanael Homewood in regards to mission work. I would like to ask for prayer for his team members and the other leaders going with them. I would also ask for prayers for the four leaders in Haiti as well. This team will be gone from May 4th till the 18th.
Here are two things that were mentioned in the email I recieved from him.
1) It is their hope that their brief visit will be life changing for their team members by learning to appreciate the culture, lifestyle, celebrations and even the pain and suffering of each other as human beings.
2) Their goal is to make their visit an "Integrated Mission" where they come first of all to build relationships with the Haitian people at their own comfort level. They do not wish to impose themselves on others, or to declare that they are coming to "fix" problems and download resources. It is their philosophy that every community has the ability and capacity to heal itself and that their role is to come along side, to learn and share their lives as fellow human beings.
Please pray that they all are able to maintain these goals and objectives while they are their.
GIVING GOD THE GLORY
Todays devotional comes from RBC Ministries---Daily Bread
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
The news from our mechanic threatened to scuttle our plans. A suspicious rattling noise prompted me to take our clunker of a car to the shop a day before we were scheduled to drive through the night to Florida for our family vacation. The mechanic informed me that the rattling noise was our transmission’s farewell song, and that we were going to have to replace it—a time-consuming and expensive repair.
Seriously discouraged, I made my way back to the church office. I was considering how I would break the news to my family, when the phone rang. On the other end of the line, one of our church members said, “Hey, Pastor, I hear that you’re going to Florida on vacation. You know, my wife and I are worried about you taking your family to Florida in that little car. Our cars belong to God, and we would like you to take one of them on your vacation. Your choice!”
Wow! I knew that his cars were beauties—so either one would have been incredible.
With vacation plans intact and with a heart of gratitude for God’s provision, my family made our way to Florida in our friend’s beautiful car. I’ve got to be honest: I loved driving that car. I loved the stares we got at stoplights; and I felt pretty proud as I pulled up to a gas station. As I was pumping gas into the car (it had a huge appetite for fuel!), a guy walked out of the gas station and said, “Hey, that’s a beautiful car. How do you like your car?”
This was a big moment for me. Do you think I wanted to tell him it wasn’t my car? No way! A spiritual battle raged in my heart for what seemed like an hour (but was probably only 10 seconds). Truth finally won out, and I said, “Well, it’s not my car, but I like it a lot!”
Through the course of life, we all have opportunities to take the credit for ourselves when we shouldn’t. In the spotlight of some success, it’s tempting to keep the applause focused on “me.” But when you think about it, we would have no success in our lives at all if God did not see fit to give us the opportunities to succeed, the brainpower, the education, the temperament and gifts to accomplish praiseworthy things. Even so, when people notice that we have something good going, an internal spiritual battle occurs: Do we keep the glory for ourselves, or do we turn the spotlight back to God where it belongs?
Paul had it right in Philippians 3:1-11 when he encouraged us to stop bragging about ourselves and to start rejoicing in the Lord. He put together an impressive list of his own accomplishments and then said they were like “dung” compared to the glorious reality of Christ in His life. Jeremiah said, “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight” (9:23-24).
It’s not that we can’t enjoy our moment in the sun. Pleasure in good things is a gift that God has given us. It’s just that it’s important to give the credit for all we have and are to the appropriate person: God, the giver of all good things (1 Timothy 6:17).
YOUR JOURNEY…
Think back on some areas of accomplishment in your life. How were those moments (or how could they have been) used to bring God glory? What can you do in the future to tactfully give God the credit?
Think about some of the activities, hobbies, or pursuits that bring you genuine joy in life. Thank God for the opportunity to use the body and talents that He has given you to enjoy these things!
Read Acts 12:20-23, a sobering thought about stealing the glory from God.
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
The news from our mechanic threatened to scuttle our plans. A suspicious rattling noise prompted me to take our clunker of a car to the shop a day before we were scheduled to drive through the night to Florida for our family vacation. The mechanic informed me that the rattling noise was our transmission’s farewell song, and that we were going to have to replace it—a time-consuming and expensive repair.
Seriously discouraged, I made my way back to the church office. I was considering how I would break the news to my family, when the phone rang. On the other end of the line, one of our church members said, “Hey, Pastor, I hear that you’re going to Florida on vacation. You know, my wife and I are worried about you taking your family to Florida in that little car. Our cars belong to God, and we would like you to take one of them on your vacation. Your choice!”
Wow! I knew that his cars were beauties—so either one would have been incredible.
With vacation plans intact and with a heart of gratitude for God’s provision, my family made our way to Florida in our friend’s beautiful car. I’ve got to be honest: I loved driving that car. I loved the stares we got at stoplights; and I felt pretty proud as I pulled up to a gas station. As I was pumping gas into the car (it had a huge appetite for fuel!), a guy walked out of the gas station and said, “Hey, that’s a beautiful car. How do you like your car?”
This was a big moment for me. Do you think I wanted to tell him it wasn’t my car? No way! A spiritual battle raged in my heart for what seemed like an hour (but was probably only 10 seconds). Truth finally won out, and I said, “Well, it’s not my car, but I like it a lot!”
Through the course of life, we all have opportunities to take the credit for ourselves when we shouldn’t. In the spotlight of some success, it’s tempting to keep the applause focused on “me.” But when you think about it, we would have no success in our lives at all if God did not see fit to give us the opportunities to succeed, the brainpower, the education, the temperament and gifts to accomplish praiseworthy things. Even so, when people notice that we have something good going, an internal spiritual battle occurs: Do we keep the glory for ourselves, or do we turn the spotlight back to God where it belongs?
Paul had it right in Philippians 3:1-11 when he encouraged us to stop bragging about ourselves and to start rejoicing in the Lord. He put together an impressive list of his own accomplishments and then said they were like “dung” compared to the glorious reality of Christ in His life. Jeremiah said, “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight” (9:23-24).
It’s not that we can’t enjoy our moment in the sun. Pleasure in good things is a gift that God has given us. It’s just that it’s important to give the credit for all we have and are to the appropriate person: God, the giver of all good things (1 Timothy 6:17).
YOUR JOURNEY…
Think back on some areas of accomplishment in your life. How were those moments (or how could they have been) used to bring God glory? What can you do in the future to tactfully give God the credit?
Think about some of the activities, hobbies, or pursuits that bring you genuine joy in life. Thank God for the opportunity to use the body and talents that He has given you to enjoy these things!
Read Acts 12:20-23, a sobering thought about stealing the glory from God.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
The hard work of getting along
Today I decide to go to one of my Favorite Christian books other than the Bible I have read which is "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. I know many have heard of this book or ev en read it but for those of you who have not read it or heard of it please take the time to go to your local libarary or Christian book store and take a look at it. I loved it cause in todays world I sure could relate and understand what they were talking about and apply it to my everyday life and living.
God makes clear what our Purpose is and Rick Warren has laid it out in a format we can all understand. I also reccommend you check out his website as most of his material is available online as well.
There is a daily devotional reading on his site and that is where I have gotten todays devotional from.
The hard work of getting along
By Jon Walker
“Let us agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other.” (Romans 14:19a Message)
If you have children, you’ll know exactly what I mean: Some days you look into their faces, and you see the attitudes of angels; on other days you want to scream, “Why can’t you just get along!” as they get into a ridiculous argument about who moved a toy 1/32nd of an inch.
Sometimes these opposite attitudes shift back and forth six times in five minutes!
But let me ask you this: Do you think God ever looks at us – we adults, believers in community together – and sighs, “Why can’t my children just get along?’”
There are dozens of reasons we don’t get along with each other – with the sin of pride right at the top of the list. But I think another huge reason we fail to live in authentic, consistent, committed Christian community is because it’s too hard.
It requires real effort to work through our differences, to remain transparent and honest, to confront and to pay close attention to each other. Frankly, it’s easier to keep relationships superficial, to “demonize” one another when we don’t agree, to cut and run at the first sign of trouble rather than commit to each other.
Yet God placed within us a need for “stick-with-it” commitments; his commitment to us is unbreakable, and he wants to see us extend the same commitment to each other (2 Corinthians 8:5). But this kind of commitment takes time – something that has become far too scarce in our lives today (and that, my friend, is a choice).
God knows we will live in a healthy, Christian community if we will commit to living our lives together beyond our weekly meetings, if we will make each other a priority - sharing our lives over coffee, after work, at the ballpark, in the hospital.
The only way for us to become a “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) is when we focus on the quality of our relationships, not mere quantity or mere acquaintances.
“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” (James 3:18 MSG, Emphasis mine)
So what?
· Love no matter what
How can you plan to help others at all times, not just when it’s convenient? (Proverbs 17:17)
How can you develop a strategy for loving others at their worst, not just when they seem lovable? (Romans 5:8)
· Show up – The most basic behavior of commitment is simply showing up. “If you care, you’ll be there.” You may be surprised that your mere presence is a source of encouragement. (Hebrews 10:25)
· Intentional commitments – Other than your spouse, have you ever told someone else, “I will always be there for you”? This week, establish an intentional commitment with another believer. Approach the Spirit’s choice and bless that person by saying, “I want to grow close to you as a friend.”
© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.
God makes clear what our Purpose is and Rick Warren has laid it out in a format we can all understand. I also reccommend you check out his website as most of his material is available online as well.
There is a daily devotional reading on his site and that is where I have gotten todays devotional from.
The hard work of getting along
By Jon Walker
“Let us agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other.” (Romans 14:19a Message)
If you have children, you’ll know exactly what I mean: Some days you look into their faces, and you see the attitudes of angels; on other days you want to scream, “Why can’t you just get along!” as they get into a ridiculous argument about who moved a toy 1/32nd of an inch.
Sometimes these opposite attitudes shift back and forth six times in five minutes!
But let me ask you this: Do you think God ever looks at us – we adults, believers in community together – and sighs, “Why can’t my children just get along?’”
There are dozens of reasons we don’t get along with each other – with the sin of pride right at the top of the list. But I think another huge reason we fail to live in authentic, consistent, committed Christian community is because it’s too hard.
It requires real effort to work through our differences, to remain transparent and honest, to confront and to pay close attention to each other. Frankly, it’s easier to keep relationships superficial, to “demonize” one another when we don’t agree, to cut and run at the first sign of trouble rather than commit to each other.
Yet God placed within us a need for “stick-with-it” commitments; his commitment to us is unbreakable, and he wants to see us extend the same commitment to each other (2 Corinthians 8:5). But this kind of commitment takes time – something that has become far too scarce in our lives today (and that, my friend, is a choice).
God knows we will live in a healthy, Christian community if we will commit to living our lives together beyond our weekly meetings, if we will make each other a priority - sharing our lives over coffee, after work, at the ballpark, in the hospital.
The only way for us to become a “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) is when we focus on the quality of our relationships, not mere quantity or mere acquaintances.
“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” (James 3:18 MSG, Emphasis mine)
So what?
· Love no matter what
How can you plan to help others at all times, not just when it’s convenient? (Proverbs 17:17)
How can you develop a strategy for loving others at their worst, not just when they seem lovable? (Romans 5:8)
· Show up – The most basic behavior of commitment is simply showing up. “If you care, you’ll be there.” You may be surprised that your mere presence is a source of encouragement. (Hebrews 10:25)
· Intentional commitments – Other than your spouse, have you ever told someone else, “I will always be there for you”? This week, establish an intentional commitment with another believer. Approach the Spirit’s choice and bless that person by saying, “I want to grow close to you as a friend.”
© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Faith --- Not Emotion
2 Corinthians 5:7 (New International Version)
7 We live by faith, not by sight.
I take this devotional today from Oswald Chambers book MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST
For a time we are conscious of God's attentions, then, when God begins to use us in His enterprises, we take on a pathetic look and talk of the trials and the difficulties, and all the time God is trying to make us do our duty as obscure people. None of us would be obscure spiritually if we could help it. Can we do our duty when God has shut up heaven? Some of us always want to be illuminated saints with golden babes and the flush of inspiration, and to have the saints of God dealing with us all the time. A gilt-edged saint is no good, he is abnormal, unfit for daily life, and altogether unlike God. We are here as men and women, not as half-fledged angels, to do the work of the world, and to do it with an infinitely greater power to stand the turmoil because we have been born from above.
If we try to re-introduce the rare moments of inspiration, it is a sign that it is not God we want. We are making a fetish of the moments when God did come and speak, and insisting that He must do it again; whereas what God wants us to do is to "walk by faith." How many of us have laid ourselves by, as it were, and said - "I cannot do any more until God appears to me." He never will, and without any inspiration, without any sudden touch of God, we will have to get up. Then comes the surprise - "Why, He was there all the time, and I never knew it!" Never live for the rare moments, they are surprises. God will give us touches of inspiration when He sees we are not in danger of being led away by them. We must never make our moments of inspiration our standard; our standard is our duty.
This is what it says on his website homepage
Oswald Chambers
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish minister and teacher whose teachings on the life of faith and abandonment to God have endured to this day.
This daily devotional is a collection of his teachings compiled by his wife into a daily devotional format. It's presented here in the original English. His wife's comments may be found in the Foreword.
We publish this with the prayer that Oswald Chambers' teachings will help you grow in your walk with Christ.
7 We live by faith, not by sight.
I take this devotional today from Oswald Chambers book MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST
For a time we are conscious of God's attentions, then, when God begins to use us in His enterprises, we take on a pathetic look and talk of the trials and the difficulties, and all the time God is trying to make us do our duty as obscure people. None of us would be obscure spiritually if we could help it. Can we do our duty when God has shut up heaven? Some of us always want to be illuminated saints with golden babes and the flush of inspiration, and to have the saints of God dealing with us all the time. A gilt-edged saint is no good, he is abnormal, unfit for daily life, and altogether unlike God. We are here as men and women, not as half-fledged angels, to do the work of the world, and to do it with an infinitely greater power to stand the turmoil because we have been born from above.
If we try to re-introduce the rare moments of inspiration, it is a sign that it is not God we want. We are making a fetish of the moments when God did come and speak, and insisting that He must do it again; whereas what God wants us to do is to "walk by faith." How many of us have laid ourselves by, as it were, and said - "I cannot do any more until God appears to me." He never will, and without any inspiration, without any sudden touch of God, we will have to get up. Then comes the surprise - "Why, He was there all the time, and I never knew it!" Never live for the rare moments, they are surprises. God will give us touches of inspiration when He sees we are not in danger of being led away by them. We must never make our moments of inspiration our standard; our standard is our duty.
This is what it says on his website homepage
Oswald Chambers
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish minister and teacher whose teachings on the life of faith and abandonment to God have endured to this day.
This daily devotional is a collection of his teachings compiled by his wife into a daily devotional format. It's presented here in the original English. His wife's comments may be found in the Foreword.
We publish this with the prayer that Oswald Chambers' teachings will help you grow in your walk with Christ.
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