Happy Today everyone! So there is so much going on these past couple of weeks and it isn’t done yet. Many things extend days till late into the night. Many things are joyful and filled with celebrations. Now we need to harness these emotions and feelings to energize us to finish the good works God has prepared in advance for us to accomplish. Let’s harness these emotions to be able to press in and press on to thrive for the glory of God!
Ever get that feeling in your gut, some describe it as butterflies? It can happen when you are feeling excited and when you are feeling nervous. What I try to do is tell myself something exciting is about or is happening whenever I get that feeling so that my brain does cause me to freak out when that feeling happens. Making that choice allows the energy that is building up to be used for good rather than evil. How about you? Do you allow the feeling to energize you or paralyze you? Do you allow the feeling to help you move forward or hold you back? Why not choose to use that energy to strengthen, motivate, and encourage you to do something great for God!
Last week there was the honor of senior awards and then the senior baccalaureate, yesterday was the senior parade after the last day of school and tomorrow is graduation day. So with all this excitement, I try to use it to help me make progress at work, and at home with extra family here for the celebration. The most excitement this week would have to have been celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. The week’s not over yet and so I am going to choose to harness this energy to help me focus and get stuff done in order to thrive for the glory of God! Let’s allow our faith to overpower and overwhelm our fear! Let’s allow the truth to overwhelm the lies! Let’s make today count!
Today’s Verse of the Day:
‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’
Let’s decide to make today count! Let’s decide to learn through God’s Word! Let’s decide to live our lives in a way that allows God’s Word to speak in and through our words, actions, and thoughts! Let’s decide to live our lives in a way that will allow us to thrive for the glory of God! Invite Jesus into your life! Invite Jesus into your heart! Begin to live transformed lives!
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email.
Acts 24 – preached by Pastor Dan Metteer (catch the full service from Saturday
Or check out other messages in the series here: Eastridge Church
What would you say if you came up a list of items that we could agree upon in a time where there is so much division or divisive topics?
‘Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. ‘ — Acts 24:1
Our purpose informs out motivation and our motivation forms our truth!
It isn’t about if we follow this but more about our purpose and motivation.
‘“We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.” The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. ‘ — Acts 24:5-9
Which wasn’t true
‘Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. ‘ — Acts 24:24-26
Was hoping to get a bribe. What Paul spoke convicted Felix
In the midst of shifting sand and truths, Paul provides us 4 things
Proclaim your purpose (v13-15) — what is your purpose?
‘And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. ‘ Acts 24:13-15
Is it built on something solid and never changing?
Are you building it upon the rock of Jesus and putting them to practice?
We need to build our lives on something lasting!
Paul’s Mission statement Acts 20:24 – ‘However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. ‘
He is happy because He knows what His life is about and proclaims it!
Write it down so that you can share it and say how your life is about this.
We need to have the truth built on God’s Word
Live a life that demonstrates that purpose.
‘So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. ‘ — Acts 24:16
Paul never leaves the idea that he can behave in a way that isn’t pleasing to God.
We need to live a life that we don’t mind people seeing what we do.
We need to be people who demonstrate God’s grace.
We need don’t need to be perfect but we need to be forgiven
We aren’t expected to be perfect but we are to be expected to live under the blood of the lamb
Don’t compromise over consequences
Paul nearly had his life taken he never consequences
‘Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” ‘ Acts 25:10-11
As a Roman citizen, he appealed to go before Caesar
He wasn’t going to compromise
Trusted that God is the greater force
Paul wrote in the book of romans – if God is for us who can be against us
‘What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ — Romans 8:31-39
Even if things don’t work out the way I hoped they would
even if tomorrow looks different than I thought they would
Even if people treat me differently that I want them to
What is your purpose? Is it God honoring? Is it going to last? Is it temporary? Is it something that you read about this week? Is it solid or shifting sand?
What we feed ourselves will impact how we overflow.
We need to be in the Word more than media.
We need to be in prayer more than in arguments.
We need to be with the Holy Spirit in order to live out our purpose!
Ever wished you didn’t have to go it alone? Ever considered what it would take to make sure you aren’t left alone? Ever thought about taking the step to never being alone?
Would you consider inviting Jesus into your heart? Would you consider asking Jesus to be your savior?
Are you ready for your heart to be transformed through the Holy Spirit to care more about God and others?
Are you ready for your heart to be transformed from selfishness to selflessness?
Are you ready to receive the supernatural resources that will come from and through the Holy Spirit?
Are you ready to be equipped by the Holy Spirit for every good work that God has prepared in advance for you to accomplish?
It means He knows and sees everything going on in and around you.
So are you ready to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior too? Obedience comes with rewards! Obedience comes with resources! Obedience comes with reminders! Obedience comes with motivation!
Let’s choose today not to go it alone but rather to pursue God’s purpose for, in and through our lives!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
On a scale of zero (not at all) to ten (all day every day), how much are you aware of the Spirit’s presence in you?
Does the fact that He lives inside you motivate you? Explain your answer.
QUOTE(S) FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
“It is gloriously exciting to know that we can stay connected to the source of all power and authority just by opening our hearts and our minds to Him.”
So are you ready to stop trying to go it alone? Are you ready to start going through life with another? Are you ready to start living your life with power and authority in you? Are you ready to decide that today you will receive Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Are you able to find contentment no matter where you are in life? Are you able to be happy and satisfied with what you have no matter where you are in life? Are you able to be happy and satisfied with little and with much? Are you able to feel untroubled, at ease, and at peace no matter where you are in life? Are you able to be glad and grateful in your life no matter where you are in life?
Are you having problems in this area because you are comparing yourself to others? Are you being challenged in these areas because you are trying to keep up with Joneses? Are you too focused on comparing what you have to your neighbors? Are you too focused on comparing social classes with your neighbors? Are you too focused on comparing you material accumulations with your neighbors? Have you bought into the lies that if you don’t you are inferior to them?
What if you received the message that “you are too nice”? How would you respond? What does that mean to you? What does it mean to your work or relationships?
Are you able to be ok with what you have? Are you able to be ok with who you are? Are you able to receive it? Are you able to respond to it? Are you able to use it? What are your motives? What is it that is making you be this way? What’s in your heart?
‘“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”’
When it comes to life, are you more focused on behavior or motives?
When it comes to life what drives the way you behave?
When it comes to life what drives your motives?
Are you tempted or directed through advertising?
Ever heard of the condition defined by “a psychological malaise supposedly affecting wealthy young people, symptoms of which include a lack of motivation, feelings of guilt, and a sense of isolation.”? They call it affluenza.
Ever realized how much advertising you consume in a day?
Ever realized that all those devices that you use are helping get you the most appropriate ads?
Ever noticed how they are trying to sell you an ideal life?
Ever realized how many aspects of your life advertising has invaded? Shows, Games, TV, Radio, Internet
Ever realized how they try to make you think you can’t live without “that” product or service?
Ever realized how they try to rob you of contentment with where you are and what you have by trying to convince you that without “this” product or service you are missing out?
Ever noticed the personification that is given through ads with the pretty people, the happy people, all because they got “this” product or service?
Do you realize that the ads are just illusions?
Do you realize that the ads are trying to convince you that you can achieve the ideal life easily by simply buying their product or service?
Are you focused on getting more and as such start to compare what you have to what others have?
Are you buying into the illusion?
Have you gone from being content to feeling like you need and deserve more?
Has your heart been impact to the point of instead of just noticing what others have, you start to feel bitter or resentful because they have what you don’t?
Has it evolved to the point of you can’t appreciate them having it but now you are demanding you can have it too?
What’s most important to you? Is it the things of God or the things of man? Is it the things of God or material possessions?
How are you modeling this? How do you model this for your kids? How do you model this for your family? How do you model this for your friends? How do you model this for your neighbors? How do you model this for your coworkers?
Don’t reward whining!
Reject the ask if it is accompanied by whining!
Are you demonstrating thankfulness for what you have?
Are you demonstrating thankfulness for where you are?
Are you giving thanks to God?
Are you sharing the joy?
Are you being generous to others out of the overflow of joy?
The solution to coveting is thankfulness and generosity! Let’s demonstrate our thankfulness for all God has given to us. Let’s demonstrate our thankfulness for what we have by being generous and pouring into the lives of those around us that God leads and directs us to help and support!
Let’s be more focused on quality of life than standard of living!
Let’s not be fooled by or manipulated by “affluenza”!
It is interesting the response that comes when you happen to have an ad blocker installed.
Let’s look for ways to be content, thankful, and generous!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
How would you describe the symptoms of “affluenza”?
What are some specific ways you can overcome the marketing promise of an ideal life?
So where are you at today? Are you ready to pursue God and a better quality of life? Are you chasing after the commercialized life you see on TV? Are you ready to have a higher quality of life rather than trying to achieve a higher standard of living? Are you looking for a life that is better? Are you ready to put your focus on God rather than things? Are you ready to put your trust in God rather than things? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
In this world we can face troubles and if we don’t have the right focus and motivation we can get stuck. In this world we can face resistance and opposition and if we don’t have the right purpose and direction we can get stuck. So how do you keep going? What is it that is your source that keeps you going? What is your motivation behind doing what you do and pressing forward to get it accomplished?
What is it that you are about? What is it that you are trying to accomplish? What is it that you are in the business of doing? How did you get there? What keeps you motivated on a daily basis to keep going? How do you know you are going the right way?
Is your motivation something big enough to keep you going when you face challenges? Is your motivation something big enough to keep you going when you face resistance? Is your motivation something that will sustain you to completion? Is it a calling? Is it a purpose? What is it?
‘“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;’
To get the context more, let’s check out a bit of what came before and after this verse:
‘So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord .” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” ‘
So where are you at today? What are you facing? What are you pursuing? What are you in the business of? Could today be the day you pursue God’s calling on your life? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
So you are doing something, do you know or understand your motivation and motives? Do you realize the why you are doing something? the why you want to do something? the why you hadn’t already been doing something?
So what is the reason? Did it require an incentive? Did it require a stimulus? Did it require getting inspired? Did it happen as an impulse? Did you have to get spurred or goaded into it? Did it require provocation? Did it need some rationale or to be rationalized? Did you get lured into it? Did you get persuaded into it? Did you need to get pressured into it?
So what is the drive? Was it out of ambition? Was it out of initiative? Was it out of determination? Was it out of your entrepreneurial spirit? Was it in hope of finding purpose?
Why do you do what you do? Remember how from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks? If you consider your heart to be a fountain inside of you then what is it being filled with to give you a why for doing something? Is your motivation positive or negative? Are your motives pure or impure? Are you doing it to serve humbly or to get proudful recognition? Is it out of love that you are doing something?
We might not be able to know about others but we can check with God to get our motives.
All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions], But the LORD weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].
Ever reflected on what pure and genuine religion looks like?
Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit and look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world.
Why do you do what you do? Why do you respond the way you respond? Why do you go where you go? Why do you? Let’s look to do what we do out of love rather than hate! Let’s do what we do from an overflowing of love that is being poured into us from God! Let’s do what we do because Jesus gave us an example to follow and showed us how to be humble servant leaders! Let’s be so filled with love that there is no room for hate or anger or bitterness or unforgiveness! Feeling a void or that there is space that needs to be filled up to top up your love tank? Invite God in to fill you up to overflowing, don’t stop at topped up as that means as the day goes on it will use it up, instead ask Him to keep pouring into you so that you can pour into all those He brings into your today!
Motivation & Motives… do you understand your why behind your what.
‘We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.’
Are you ready to turn to your loving Father God? Abba Father?
Will you demonstrate God’s love by overflowing that love into the world around you?
If we have problems loving people we probably need to be working on our relationship with God to make sure we are connected and being filled with His love!
For us to love others, to reach out in love, requires that we have been touched and filled up by God with His love!
So let’s pursue what is best for others from the overflow of God’s love in our lives!
Let’s be present when we are with others, fully listening, actively listening, so they realize we do love them!
Let’s be giving and generous when we are with others, so they know that we care for them!
Let’s spend time with God so that He can fill us to overflowing in order that we can pour into the lives of all those God brings into our lives.
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Who are the people and what are the situations when the best you can do is to tolerate them?
How can you experience God’s love more deeply? What difference will it make?
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me as a herald of joy to the humble, To bind up the wounded of heart, To proclaim release to the captives, Liberation to the imprisoned;
To proclaim a year of the LORD’s favor And a day of vindication by our God; To comfort all who mourn—
To provide for the mourners in Zion— To give them a turban instead of ashes, The festive ointment instead of mourning, A garment of splendor instead of a drooping spirit. They shall be called terebinths of victory, Planted by the LORD for His glory.
And they shall build the ancient ruins, Raise up the desolations of old, And renew the ruined cities, The desolations of many ages.
Strangers shall stand and pasture your flocks, Aliens shall be your plowmen and vine-trimmers;
While you shall be called “Priests of the LORD,” And termed “Servants of our God.” You shall enjoy the wealth of nations And revel in their riches.
Because your shame was double— Men cried, “Disgrace is their portion”— Assuredly, They shall have a double share in their land, Joy shall be theirs for all time.
For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery with a burnt offering. I will pay them their wages faithfully, And make a covenant with them for all time.
Their offspring shall be known among the nations, Their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them shall recognize That they are a stock the LORD has blessed.
I greatly rejoice in the LORD, My whole being exults in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of triumph, Wrapped me in a robe of victory, Like a bridegroom adorned with a turban, Like a bride bedecked with her finery.
For as the earth brings forth her growth And a garden makes the seed shoot up, So the Lord GOD will make Victory and renown shoot up In the presence of all the nations.
So where is your heart at today? Is it in need of filling? Is it in need of a cleanup? Is it filled to overflowing? Is it filled to overflowing with love? Where are you at today? Are you ready to check your motives and motivations? Are you ready to understand the why behind the what? Will you choose to lead with love?
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Do you remember what it was that got you started? What the motivation was for stepping up or stepping into it? Why do you care about kids? Why do you care about abused, abandoned, and neglected kids? Why do you care to go to camp? Why do you care to run camps? What is your motivation behind it? Has it changed over the years? Don’t fool yourself! Check your heart!
Do you remember what it was that got you interested in being a manager? Do you remember the resistance when you first got called to step into that leadership position as president of the homeowners association? Do you remember what God taught you through the experience of how God doesn’t call the qualified but rather qualifies the called? So what is your motivation for stepping up or stepping into it? Was it to serve others and teach others to serve? Was it for a title and position? Was it to expand your impact through others who also wanted to serve? Was it to raise up the next generation? What is your motivation behind it? Has it changed over the years? Don’t fool yourself! Check your heart!
Do you remember what it was that got you interested in being a husband and a father? Do you remember the desire to find a wife that you would be able to spend the rest of your life with? Do you remember the desire to have a family and raise your kids? Do you remember the encounter with God that transformed your destiny and that of your kids? Do you remember how that transformation changed your motives and the way you raise your kids and bless your marriage? What is your motivation? Has it changed over the years? Don’t fool yourself! Check your heart!
Are you involved or are you committed? Are you interested or are you called? Are you qualified or being qualified? Don’t try to go it alone! Invite God in and be committed to answer His call and become qualified!
‘Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.’
Do you remember the motivation that got you started?
Do you still have the same motives or have you gotten lost or off track?
Is it more of a serving or a power thing to be leading or controlling people?
Are you finding yourself being sucked into the need for power or the feeling of being indispensable?
Do you think you are the only one who can do it or who can do it as well?
Are you being sucked into the belief or idea that what would they do without you?
Don’t be fooled or fool yourself as we are warned along with the Galatian church.
To be good leaders we need humility!
To be good helpers we need humility!
We need to be humble servants!
Don’t allow power to get/go to your head?
Stop being focused on what abilities and positions have!
Get focused on what God has created you to be and do!
Get focused on what God is calling you and has gifted you to do!
Let’s be focused on our work and our heart!
Jesus is our measuring stick and who we want to compare ourselves to and become more and more like
Jesus emptied Himself of the power of God in order to humbly serve the world!
‘but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. ‘ — Philippians 2:7
Let’s be more focused on the spiritual than the natural!
Instead of focusing on the natural tendency to compare ourselves to others, let’s be focused on Jesus so that we don’t get robbed or misdirected into feelings of insecurity or pride instead of humility and trust in God!
We will need to give an account for our lives and so we need to be more focused on God than playing the comparison or blame games.
God isn’t going to be interested in how much power and influence we built up but rather will be interested in if we did all we could do to help, to serve, and to give!
God is going to want us to take responsibility for our choices and to have lived our lives in fulfillment of the law of Christ by bearing one another’s burdens!
So let’s be looking for ways to help, to serve, and to give rather than being focused on having power and control for our own sake!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
What roles do you have that can foster comparison with others?
Manager
Product Manager
Camp Director
Media operator
Husband
Dad
Brother
Son
…
What would it look like to humbly “fulfill the law of Christ” in each of these roles?
make time daily to turn back to God
make time daily to invite God into each situation
make time to talk with God about the “Why?” do I have these roles
make time to talk with God about the purposes and plans
So what is your motivation? What is your measure? What is your purpose? What are your abilities?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
If someone asked you “why do you do it?” or “why did you do it?” or “what makes you keep doing it?”, how would you answer? Is there a motive behind why you do what you do? Is there a purpose behind why you do what you do? Is there a plan behind why you do what you do?
Was it something in the past? Was it someone from the past? Was it through some inspiration? Was it triggered by some event?
Ever heard people say “the devil made me do it”? Ever heard people say “it’s because I love…”? Ever heard people say “it is because of an encounter with Jesus”? Ever heard people say “it is something on my heart”? Ever heard people say “it is because I like to serve”?
When you consider motivators people have, they tend to get bucketed into groups like money and rewards, desire to be the best, helping others, power and fame, recognition, and passion.
So how about you? What do you do? How do you do it? When do you do it? What makes you do it?
‘I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ‘
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
It’s not about a self-help program
It’s not a workout routine to help us get results
It’s a process from the inside out when we invite Jesus into our hearts.
When we invite Jesus into our hearts we are saved
When we live our lives with Jesus in our lives we live out the process of sanctification.
As we live with Christ in us, we need to allow Him to increase and us to decrease as we become more and more like Jesus.
Let’s take hold of the new perspective of life and death that Jesus provides us
Let’s put our old ways to death, nailing the sins to the cross
Let’s allow Jesus to transform us and our hearts day by day
We need to make a decision, choose every time a moment of choice appears that we can choose life or death and choose Christ over our own selfish desires.
Don’t lose hope or give up because you miss the mark, just reset and get back on track asking God to forgive you and start moving forward from where you are now
Let’s allow God’s character to fill us up with love, humility, and hope.
Let’s remember the promise and the power of the resurrection.
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Describe what it means for Christ to live in you.
We invite Jesus into our hearts, and we start to live our lives putting God’s will first and leaning on the Holy Spirit to help lead and guide us and to resist the temptations of the devil in order to live lives that will be pleasing and glorifying to God.
What’s your responsibility for change, and what’s Christ’s responsibility to change you?
We need to realize when and take responsibility when selfish motives and actions come up and nail them to the cross, considering them dead – the old is gone and the new has come
Let’s replace those selfish thing with God honoring thoughts and behaviors
We need to pick life over death
We need to pick eternity with God rather than eternity apart from God.
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together.
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Are you motivated? What was the trigger that got your attention? What was the cause that woke you up? What was the issue that captured your thoughts? What was the problem that made you have to do something?
Did you say no? Are you stuck in a place of apathy? Or maybe it is more of uninspired? Or is it that you have become disinterested? Or could it be that you have just become indifferent?
What would it take to you to become motivated? Would it have to be good or would it have to be bad? Would it have to be huge or could it be small? Would it have to be personal or could it be global? Would economic hardship be enough? Would sickness or illness be enough? Would natural disasters be enough? Would something bigger than what anyone could respond to be enough?
I know I have heard of cases where people have prayed show them heaven or show them hell, which ever one will get them to decide. Would a view of heaven get you motivated to live a life in the present? Would a view of hell get you motivated? Would it take the extreme opposing options be enough?
So today, if you are motivated is it sustainable and will it get you where you need to be? God tells us how He would rather people be hot or cold than lukewarm. What might happen today that will motivate you for today and for the future? Are you ready? Will you become an overcomer? Get unstuck and get motivated? Will today be your day to decide?
As I was looking to find an image for today’s post and did a web search the following was the first answer/response to my query:
‘To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.’
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
Reflect on Jesus’ observation of the 7 churches (Revelation 2 and 3)
Consider their hearts
Consider their behaviors
Consider their needs
Consider their successes
Consider their struggles
Consider their motivations
Consider their apathy
‘ And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the trusty and faithful and true Witness, the Origin and Beginning and Author of God’s creation: [Isa. 55:4; Prov. 8:22.] I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth! For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. [Hos. 12:8.] Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be [truly] wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see. Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. [Prov. 3:12.] Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne. He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches).’ —Revelation 3:14-22
Consider their temperature – Hot, Cold, Lukewarm
Out of your abundance are you missing the fact that you need God?
Do you have so much that you think you don’t need what God has to offer?
Don’t you realize that the wealth is a gift from God and that you should be a steward, a good steward of the gifts?
Don’t you realize the good that you could be doing with that wealth beyond spending it on yourself?
Isn’t the state of your heart more important than the appearance you are making?
Isn’t the final destination of the life you are living more important than a temporary high or buzz on this side of things?
If you compare what you have financially and compare it to what you have in heart currency where do you find yourself?
Are you living for self or are you living as a conduit for God with the wealth you have been given?
Check out v17 and you will see how Jesus challenged the people of Laodicea in relations to their heart currency or wealth and that they had sold out for the material world and because of that they had left their hearts in a state of:
‘ For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. [Hos. 12:8.]’ — Revelation 3:17
So what it takes is to turn to Jesus and change the direction of your life.
Let’s use the setbacks to have comebacks! Let’s use difficulties to become overcomers!
Let’s trust God to overcome our problems in our lives!
No matter if the problem is poverty, addiction, illness, accidents, or disaster
No matter if the problem is “the burden of wealth with lack of insight about where the wealth came from and how to use it.”
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
In what ways can wealth be a serious obstacle to following Christ?
What do repentance and overcome look like for a rich person?
The realization that every good and perfect gift comes from God!
The realization that the money is God’s and we are just His stewards and conduits to bless others!
The realization that the money is for a purpose greater than ourselves
Repentance is turning back to God with these realization in order to overcome the selfishness and selfish desires in order to use what God has given us for His plans and His purposes, across the street and around the world!
So are you motivated? Do you want to get motivated through external forces? Could you find a way to become motivated? Would it take extremes like a vision of heaven or a vision of hell? Would it take an experience to so incredible for you to become motivated? If you aren’t motivated then could today be your day?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together.
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Where are you going? Why? Is there some motivation or motives that are pushing you to go there? Is there a purpose or calling that is drawing you to get there? Is your motivation to get bigger or stronger or more powerful? Is your purpose to be able to better serve and represent? Is your motivation for you to get more or self focused? Is your purpose to be able to finish strong in order to be able to come before God humbly and hear one day “well done“? Is your focus on things of this world? Is your focus on the things of God? Are you willing to take the long way in order to get there without compromise or taking short cuts? Are you focused on the destination more than the process? Are you focused more on what you can get than what you can give? Are you focused more on you than others? How will you choose to live out your today as we prepare for what is yet to come? Will you allow it to be incentivized? Will you allow it to be a desired result?
‘Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord ? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.’
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
Are you climbing to get to the top?
Are you working hard to make it there?
Are you climbing over others to get there?
Are you making a pathway others can follow or making a pathway over others?
Are you pursuing God’s calling on your life like David did and willing to walk it out?
Are you pursuing your own gain and as such not going to let anyone get in your way?
Are you trying to make it so you stand in power in front of stakeholders?
Are you trying to make it so that you can stand humbly with inner strength before God?
Are you trying to make it so that you can stand humbly before God with clean hands and a pure heart?
David had many opportunities to take shortcuts between when Samuel anointed him and when he was coronated as king.
David had many opportunities to compromise his integrity between when Samuel anointed him and when he was coronated as king.
Are you willing to receive what God is giving you or are you so motivated by it that you are willing to take it at all costs and in your own power and timing?
Are you willing to wait upon the Lord and step into your calling in His timing?
Are you going to listen to the advice of man and risk the consequences of disobedience to God?
Are you willing to work through the process rather than to rush over it?
If God calls you to it, will you trust Him through the process?
If God calls you to it, will you trust Him enough to accomplish it?
Will you go it God’s way so that when the time is right and the door opens that you will be ready and standing there with “hands and a pure heart“?
Will you trust God on the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and speak and live the truth?
Do you trust God enough to be able to be trustworthy to others?
Do you trust God enough to be able to speak the truth in love?
Do you trust God enough to be able to live out your life following God with all of your heart?
Will you trust God enough to live a life that will cause others to look to God and to trust you?
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
What are some temptations to take shortcuts to gain promotions at work?
When things feel uncomfortable
When things feel out of control
When you are starting to lose trust or belief in someone
When you think you know best
When you start to compare yourself with others
What does it take for someone to act like David did and keep “clean hands and a pure heart”?
Trust that if God calls you to it that He will get you through it
Trust that if God calls you to it that He will make it happen in His perfect timing
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together.
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
What is your motivation? What is your purpose? What is your intent? What is your driver? Is it something you do part time or all the time? Is it something you turn on and off? Or as long as you are awake are you always on? Is it in what you say? Is it in how you act? Are you ready to give a reason? Are you prepared in and out of season?
As we close out the work week today and we reflect on the connections, the engagements, the accomplishments, the relationships, the accomplishments, what do you have to say? As we close out the work week are you still as ready or as pumped up as you were to start the week to finish this week strong? Are you ready to speak hope and life and truth in love to those you will speak to today? Let’s allow our words and our actions speak to who Jesus us and point people to our Heavenly Father so that He will receive the praise, the honor, and the glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.
‘Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. ‘
‘And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.’
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
We shouldn’t compartmentalize our lives
We should be all us, all the time, everywhere
Do you compartmentalize your life? Do you have a sacred and secular division?
Do you compartmentalize even more than in 2?
Do you have a relationship with God that allows you to grab hold of the idea of “praying without ceasing” which allows you to have God with you all day, every day?
Do you have dedicated God time and then push him aside till your next window?
Do you have a time set aside to spend with God and then try to go about the rest of your life in your own power and knowledge?
Is there any reason why you wouldn’t be in relationship with God and walk out each day, every day with Him so that you have more than your own power and knowledge but also get the benefits of God’s direction and wisdom?
Do you realize that God is there all the time? God is omnipresent!
Do you realize that God knows what is going on? God is omniscient!
Do you realize that God has the power? God is omnipotent!
Why wouldn’t you want to be connected to Him and living for Him all the time, every day?
When you compartmentalize, you are deciding to ignore God’s still quiet voice throughout your day when it is outside of your “scheduled God” time.
It isn’t like He isn’t there! It isn’t like He doesn’t know! It isn’t like He can’t do it!
But we aren’t puppets and we all have freewill, so we need to make a choice! We need to decide for ourselves how we will choose to live!
Why not decide to relate to God?
Why not decide to serve God?
Why not decide to depend on God?
Why not allow Him into all areas of your life? Work and Home? Everywhere in between?
ever considered how God can take what was meant for evil and destruction and turn it around for good?
ever considered how God can organize events to accomplish His purpose and plan?
ever considered how God can position someone out there to be your defender?
Are you motivated? Are you intentional? Are you driven? Will you choose to live out your today and every day with purpose?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together.
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
There are so many people I have heard over the years where they take something that is temporary and make statements that would have longer impact. There are so many people I have heard make the comments and even though the catalyst for their statement happens they don’t follow through on their threats or promises. So were they overreacting? We they just being dramatic? Where they just trying to draw people to their side?
For those who are in the USA or are watching the election taking place in the USA, do you remember who is in control? Do you remember who is important? Do you remember what lasts? Do you live and prioritize things in that way?
Let’s remember irrespective of our vote how important our neighbors are. Let’s remember irrespective of our vote that it is about we the people. Let’s remember where our hope and trust comes from, just like it says on the money “In God We Trust”.
Don’t let pride cause you to get tripped up or stumble, because pride comes before the fall. Don’t allow bitterness to take root in your heart and rob you of joy and all God has planned for you, forgive instead. Let’s be focused on what is eternal rather than what will pass away. Let’s focus on doing things that will reinforce love and truth and hope. Let’s not forget that our foundation that is Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, so we can put our hope and trust in Him!
Today’s verse of the day comes to us from Hebrews 13:18: ‘Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).‘ — Hebrews 13:8 AMPC and in the NIV translation it comes to us in the form ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ‘ — Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Isn’t it great to know that He never changes? Isn’t it great to know that you don’t have to worry that He might change his mind tomorrow? His character is the same! His love is the same! His purpose is the same! His plan is the same! Yesterday! Today! Forever!
Let’s leave the past where it belongs, behind us! Let’s learn from those lessons since we know and can see them since hindsight is 2020. Let’s focus on the future through God’s eyes – with hope and trust and love! Let’s focus on our eternal destiny and which final destination we will choose. We need to make our own decision and we will then have to live with that decision. Turn back to God! Put your hope and trust in Him! Look to spend eternity with God rather than apart from God!
Want to join me in the challenge? Click Day 309 link to join me and sign up. It is never too late. The 49 week challenge has 6 days in which to notice a promise to trust, a command to obey, a truth to embrace, a warning to heed, or an encouragement to rest in and 1 day to reflect on what you’re learning and to share it with others, to think back over the week’s readings, to see connections between the various passages of the week. Each day we have time to talk to God and contemplate what is being said through His Word, and even more so on the 7th day.
How interested are you in what will happen today? How interested are you in what will be required of you today? How interested are you in what decisions you will need to make today? How interested are you in hearing from God today? How interested are you in accomplishing what God is calling you to do today? What if it were life and death decision? What if it were everlasting life and everlasting death decision? What if the decision that you make today will determine how you will spend the rest of eternity? Would it make a difference?
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.’ — 1 John 3:1-24
‘Hear me, Lord , my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips. Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed. Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded. My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover. Rise up, Lord , confront them, bring them down; with your sword rescue me from the wicked. By your hand save me from such people, Lord , from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies; may their children gorge themselves on it, and may there be leftovers for their little ones. As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.’ — Psalms 17:1-15
‘Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord . And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord , “My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” But the Lord said to him, “Not so ; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. So Cain went out from the Lord ’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech. Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah. Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord .’ — Genesis 4:1-26
‘Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to his mother’s brothers in Shechem and said to them and to all his mother’s clan, “Ask all the citizens of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal’s sons rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember, I am your flesh and blood.” When the brothers repeated all this to the citizens of Shechem, they were inclined to follow Abimelek, for they said, “He is related to us.” They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, and Abimelek used it to hire reckless scoundrels, who became his followers. He went to his father’s home in Ophrah and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, escaped by hiding. Then all the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo gathered beside the great tree at the pillar in Shechem to crown Abimelek king. When Jotham was told about this, he climbed up on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted to them, “Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’ “But the olive tree answered, ‘Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?’ “Next, the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and be our king.’ “But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?’ “Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and be our king.’ “But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?’ “Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and be our king.’ “The thornbush said to the trees, ‘If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!’ “Have you acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelek king? Have you been fair to Jerub-Baal and his family? Have you treated him as he deserves? Remember that my father fought for you and risked his life to rescue you from the hand of Midian. But today you have revolted against my father’s family. You have murdered his seventy sons on a single stone and have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is related to you. So have you acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today? If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too! But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!” Then Jotham fled, escaping to Beer, and he lived there because he was afraid of his brother Abimelek. After Abimelek had governed Israel three years, God stirred up animosity between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem so that they acted treacherously against Abimelek. God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal’s seventy sons, the shedding of their blood, might be avenged on their brother Abimelek and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers. In opposition to him these citizens of Shechem set men on the hilltops to ambush and rob everyone who passed by, and this was reported to Abimelek. Now Gaal son of Ebed moved with his clan into Shechem, and its citizens put their confidence in him. After they had gone out into the fields and gathered the grapes and trodden them, they held a festival in the temple of their god. While they were eating and drinking, they cursed Abimelek. Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelek, and why should we Shechemites be subject to him? Isn’t he Jerub-Baal’s son, and isn’t Zebul his deputy? Serve the family of Hamor, Shechem’s father! Why should we serve Abimelek? If only this people were under my command! Then I would get rid of him. I would say to Abimelek, ‘Call out your whole army!’ ” When Zebul the governor of the city heard what Gaal son of Ebed said, he was very angry. Under cover he sent messengers to Abimelek, saying, “Gaal son of Ebed and his clan have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you. Now then, during the night you and your men should come and lie in wait in the fields. In the morning at sunrise, advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, seize the opportunity to attack them.” So Abimelek and all his troops set out by night and took up concealed positions near Shechem in four companies. Now Gaal son of Ebed had gone out and was standing at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelek and his troops came out from their hiding place. When Gaal saw them, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains!” Zebul replied, “You mistake the shadows of the mountains for men.” But Gaal spoke up again: “Look, people are coming down from the central hill, and a company is coming from the direction of the diviners’ tree.” Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your big talk now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelek that we should be subject to him?’ Aren’t these the men you ridiculed? Go out and fight them!” So Gaal led out the citizens of Shechem and fought Abimelek. Abimelek chased him all the way to the entrance of the gate, and many were killed as they fled. Then Abimelek stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his clan out of Shechem. The next day the people of Shechem went out to the fields, and this was reported to Abimelek. So he took his men, divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose to attack them. Abimelek and the companies with him rushed forward to a position at the entrance of the city gate. Then two companies attacked those in the fields and struck them down. All that day Abimelek pressed his attack against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he destroyed the city and scattered salt over it. On hearing this, the citizens in the tower of Shechem went into the stronghold of the temple of El-Berith. When Abimelek heard that they had assembled there, he and all his men went up Mount Zalmon. He took an ax and cut off some branches, which he lifted to his shoulders. He ordered the men with him, “Quick! Do what you have seen me do!” So all the men cut branches and followed Abimelek. They piled them against the stronghold and set it on fire with the people still inside. So all the people in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women, also died. Next Abimelek went to Thebez and besieged it and captured it. Inside the city, however, was a strong tower, to which all the men and women—all the people of the city—had fled. They had locked themselves in and climbed up on the tower roof. Abimelek went to the tower and attacked it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull. Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that they can’t say, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So his servant ran him through, and he died. When the Israelites saw that Abimelek was dead, they went home. Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelek had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. God also made the people of Shechem pay for all their wickedness. The curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came on them.’ — Judges 9:1-57
‘The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?” ’ Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord , I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’ “Therefore, son of man, say to your people, ‘If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person’s former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.’ If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done. And if I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right— if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live. “Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But it is their way that is not just. If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, they will die for it. And if a wicked person turns away from their wickedness and does what is just and right, they will live by doing so. Yet you Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But I will judge each of you according to your own ways.” In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month on the fifth day, a man who had escaped from Jerusalem came to me and said, “The city has fallen!” Now the evening before the man arrived, the hand of the Lord was on me, and he opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer silent. Then the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, the people living in those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as our possession.’ Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Since you eat meat with the blood still in it and look to your idols and shed blood, should you then possess the land? You rely on your sword, you do detestable things, and each of you defiles his neighbor’s wife. Should you then possess the land?’ “Say this to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, those who are left in the ruins will fall by the sword, those out in the country I will give to the wild animals to be devoured, and those in strongholds and caves will die of a plague. I will make the land a desolate waste, and her proud strength will come to an end, and the mountains of Israel will become desolate so that no one will cross them. Then they will know that I am the Lord , when I have made the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable things they have done.’ “As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord .’ My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. “When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”’ — Ezekiel 33:1-33
As day 309 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision today and the blessing to get to live out the rest of the year in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Today’s devotional that I am following is The 49-Week Challenge comes from Life.Church. For more information, please visit www.life.church — Thank you Life.Church for sharing this reading plan through Bible.com
What is the motivation for your answer? Are you basing it off of how you are feeling today? Are you basing it off of a political affiliation? Are you basing it off of peer pressure? Are you basing it off of social issues? Are you basing it off of trying to stir something up? Are you doing it to make a point? Are you doing it to cause trouble? Are you doing it to avoid trouble?
Are you doing it because you know that there is no authority except that which God has established? Are you doing it because you know that the authorities that exist have been established by God? Are you doing it because you know that whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted? Are you doing it because you know that whoever rebels against the authority will bring judgment on themselves? Are you doing it because you know that rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong? Are you doing it because you know that you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Are you doing it because you know that by doing what is right and you will be commended? Are you doing it because you know that the one in authority is God’s servant for your good? Are you doing it because you know that if you do wrong, you will have to be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason? Are you doing it because you know that they are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer? Are you doing it because you know that it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience?
So will you choose to lead and live by love? Will you choose to turn back to God? Will you choose to turn back before you are given what you ask for? Will you decide before the fall that comes from walking in pride?
Hindsight is 2020! So will you learn from the past? Will you turn to God’s Word to direct your path forward? Will you take hold of the reality that what is before you is there on purpose, with purpose, and for a purpose? Will you look at it through the prism of God’s Word in order to bring clarity and vision for the future?
Ever seen what happens to light when it goes through a prism?
Consider God’s Word as the prism that brings all the noise of life back together into clarity!
Imagine if every decision you had to make you put thru the prism of God’s Word. Imagine if every action you were going to take you put thru the prism of God’s Word. Imagine if every thought you took captive and then put it through the prism of God’s Word. Imagine if every word you hear or were about to speak you paused before responding and put it through God’s Word to ensure it came out right in both the interpretation of what you hear as well as the words you would speak. Imagine if the prism you used to speak thru and hear from was the cross. Some may put it or say it as putting it thru the prism of What Would Jesus Do?
And so I pray for visions and dreams as this week begins that God can and will speak into my life as I begin this week of rest and refreshing.
With July in the rear view mirror, let’s share our takeaways from today’s reading! Did you catch and promises to trust? Did you catch any commands to obey? Did you catch any truths to embrace? Did you catch any warnings to heed? Did you catch any encouragement to rest in? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about the world? What verse stood out most to you today?
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading from God’s Word – the Bible comes to us from:
‘Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.’ — Romans 13:1-14
As we look into God’s Word today’s reading connects the new with the old starting with 2 Samuel 21:
‘During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord . The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.” The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the Lord ’s inheritance?” The Gibeonites answered him, “We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death.” “What do you want me to do for you?” David asked. They answered the king, “As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord ’s chosen one.” So the king said, “I will give them to you.” The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul. But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord . All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning. Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds touch them by day or the wild animals by night. When David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done, he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had stolen their bodies from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up. They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land. Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha. In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him. These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.’ — 2 Samuel 21:1-22
‘In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means. ” Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.” Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.” The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.” This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death. When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.” Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.” The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these: “As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind. “Your Majesty looked, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth. “This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. “After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes everything—and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others. Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay. “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. “The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.” Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.’ — Daniel 2:1-49
‘King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “ ‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him. “ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. “Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’ “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.’ — Daniel 4:1-37
‘Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength. Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers. Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths. Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer. The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker. If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done? Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials, for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring? These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good: Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations. But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them. An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. Do not testify against your neighbor without cause— would you use your lips to mislead? Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.” I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.’ — Proverbs 24:1-34
As day 230 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision today and the blessing to get to live out the rest of the year in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and there is nothing that I can do to save myself. I confess my complete helplessness to forgive my own sin or to work my way to heaven. At this moment I trust Christ alone as the One who bore my sin when He died on the cross. I believe that He did all that will ever be necessary for me to stand in your holy presence. I thank you that Christ was raised from the dead as a guarantee of my own resurrection. As best as I can, I now transfer my trust to Him. I am grateful that He has promised to receive me despite my many sins and failures. Father, I take you at your word. I thank you that I can face death now that you are my Savior. Thank you for the assurance that you will walk with me through the deep valley. Thank you for hearing this prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Ever considered your motivation? Ever considered the why behind your what? Ever considered the outcome of such things? Ever considered the responses of such things?
What if we went for a breakthrough transformation where our motivation is first Corinthians 13 love? What if decided to have love as our key motivator and as such our why would be love.
When you are in a conversation, consider what love is before you speak or respond. We can’t control what others are going to do or say but we can control our response. And when we consider how we can respond, let’s make sure it is in love and with love. Remember love never fails! Love always perseveres!
By leading with love, we know that we are opening the door for God to show up and help us accomplish the good works He has prepared in advance for us to accomplish!
Hindsight is 2020. We want clarify of vision. Half of June is starting to show up…
With May in the rear view mirror, let’s reflect on what we have learned in the past 6 days as we meditate on God’s Word this 7th day. Do you have any highlights or insights from what we have read in the past 6 days? What connections have you made or can you make in relations to our readings from God’s Word? Have you made time to speak with God through your reading time? Have you made time to speak with God as a part of your daily schedule? Are you prioritizing God enough that He gets prime time with you? Have you missed the mark this week and need to turn back to God and confess it and ask Him for forgiveness? Have you taken time to thank and praise Him for the forgiveness that has already been paid for through the blood of Jesus? Have you taken time to thank Him for all the other blessings in your life? Have you taken time to thank Him for all the answered prayers? Do you have any worries? Are you taking hold of His promise not to worry but to give it up into His hands? Let’s ask God for wisdom and guidance for this day! Let’s put our trust in Him!
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading from God’s Word – the Bible comes to us from:
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Will you be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to answer? While you are listening, will you remember the sacrifice of Jesus for you and for me and for them? Will you allow your faith to be encouraged and built up in the middle of the conversation so that it will be revealed in your response? Will you respond by the prompting of love? Will you endure because of your hope in Jesus? Will today be the day that your response to everything is love? Will you take time to have your love tank filled by God? Will you make time to have your love tank filled by God? Will you allow the filling to continue to the point that it overflows into the lives of others rather than just stopping because your tank is full?
Double clicking into today’s reading and looking to go from being filled to overflowing, I turn to John Gill’s Exposition to see what it has to say about 1 Thessalonians 1:3.
Verse 3
Remembering without ceasing,…. The phrase “without ceasing”, is, by the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, joined to the last clause of the preceding verse; and the remembrance the apostle speaks of is either a distinct thing from the mention made of them in prayer, and suggests that they bore them on their minds at other times also; or it is the same with it; or rather a reason of their mentioning of them then, because they remembered them, and the following things of theirs:
as your work of faith; by which is meant not the principle of faith, for as such that is God’s work, the product of his grace, and the effect of his almighty power; but the operative virtue and exercise of it under the influence of the grace of God: the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions render it, “the work of your faith”; and so some copies, and the Syriac version, “the works of your faith”. The Targumist in Habakkuk 1:12 represents God as holy בעובדי הימנותא, “in works of faith”: faith is a working grace, it has a deal of work to do, it has its hands always full, and is employed about many things; it is the grace by which a soul goes to God, as its covenant God, lays hold on him as such, pleads his promises with him, asks favours of him, and is very importunate, and will have no denial; and by which it goes to Christ as at first conversion, afterwards for fresh supplies of grace, out of that fulness of grace that is in him; it receives him and all from him, and through him pardon, righteousness, adoption of children, and an eternal inheritance; and it is that grace which carries back all the glory to God and Christ, and to free grace; it glorifies God, exalts Christ, humbles the creature, and magnifies the grace of God, it has much work to do this way; and it works by love, by acts of love to God, to Christ, and to the saints; and it puts the soul upon a cheerful obedience to every ordinance and command, and hence obedience is styled the obedience of faith; and indeed all good works that are properly so are done in faith, and faith without works is dead; it is greatly engaged against the world and the devil; it is that grace by which Satan is opposed and overcome, and by which the believer gets the victory over the world; so that he is not discouraged by its frowns, and cast down by the trials and afflictions he meets with in it, nor drawn aside by its snares and allurements; something of this kind the apostle had observed and remembered in these believers: he adds,
and labour of love; love is a laborious grace when in lively exercise; love to God and Christ will constrain a believer to engage in, and go through, great hardships, difficulties, toil, and labour, for their sakes; and love to the saints will exert itself, by serving them in things temporal and spiritual, ministering cheerfully and largely to their outward wants, for which reason the same epithet is given to love in Hebrews 6:10 as here; regarding and assisting them in their spiritual concerns; praying for them and with them; building them up in their most holy faith; communicating their experiences, and speaking comfortable words unto them; reproving them for sin in love, and with tenderness; restoring them when fallen in a spirit of meekness; and stirring them up to love and good works: love has much toil and labour, not only in performing the several duties of religion, both towards God and man; but in bearing all things, the burdens of fellow Christians; the infirmities of weak believers, forbearing them in love, forgiving their offences, and covering their sins:
and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, or “of our Lord Jesus Christ”. These persons had a good hope through grace given unto them, and which was founded in Christ Jesus, in his person, blood, and righteousness, and so was as an anchor sure and steadfast; and it had him for its object, it was an hope of interest in him, of being for ever with him, of his, second coming and glorious appearance, and of eternal life and happiness through him; and this was attended with patience, with a patient bearing of reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions, for the sake of Christ, and a patient waiting for his coming, his kingdom and glory; and this as well as the others were remembered by the apostle, and his fellow ministers, with great pleasure: and that
in the sight of God and our Father; or before God and our Father; which may be read in connection either with the above graces, which were exercised, not only before men, but before God, and in his sight, who sees not as man seeth, and who cannot be deceived and imposed upon; and so shows that these graces were true and genuine, faith was unfeigned, love was without dissimulation, and hope without hypocrisy: or with the word remembering, as it is in the Syriac version, which reads, “remembering before God and our Father”; that is, as often as we appear before God, and lift up our hands and our hearts unto him in prayer, we bear you upon our minds before God; and particularly remember your operative faith, laborious love, and patient hope of Christ.
Let’s walk by faith in Jesus and follow His example
Let’s allow our actions to exemplify our faith in action
Let’s not just be acting out of our faith but make our actions be driven by our faith
Love isn’t easy and it takes work
I’ve heard love what you do and you won’t have to work a day in your life, but realistically love is work
So to live out love will require that we make a concerted effort to lead with love
Our words, our thoughts, and our actions need to be taken into and under our control so that we don’t just do or go but rather that love is the filter we operate through
So let’s be servant leaders! Let’s live thru love by serving others!
And when we need to speak correction, let’s ensure it is spoken out of love and with love so that it isn’t hurtful but rather will help to build them up
Remember how love covers a multitude of sin. Don’t have your first respond be to take offence, instead remember how love is patient and kind, isn’t self-seeking nor easily angered, keeps no records of wrongs but instead forgives.
So let’s allow our hope in Jesus to help us be patient, just as love is patient.
Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness, our is in Jesus’s name.
Our hope is also in His return and our eternity spent with Him in heaven
Our hope is also in Him sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for you and me.
So just as strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, let’s wait upon the Lord for wisdom and discernment to help us in our response overflowing with love.
Let’s be patient and not overreact
Let’s be kind and not overreact
Let’s not envy or boast by overreacting
Let’s not overreact and become proud, rude, nor selfish.
Let’s respond knowing God’s watching and glorify Him in and through our response.
As day 168 of 2020 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision this early into 2020 and the blessing to get to live out the rest of 2020 in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Today’s devotional I am following is The 49-Week Challenge comes from Life.Church. For more information, please visit www.life.church — Thank you Life.Church for sharing this reading plan through Bible.com
Ever heard the words “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times“? Ever considered what is taking place on this planet right now and all the good and amazing things that are taking place? Ever considered what is taking place on this planet right now and all the evil, the pain, and the suffering that is taking place?
This phrase points out a major conflict between family and love, hatred and oppression, good and evil, light and darkness, and wisdom and folly. Dickens begins this tale with a vision that human prosperity cannot be matched with human despair. He, in fact, tells about a class war between the rich and the poor. He also tells of a time of despair and suffering on one hand, and joy and hope on the other.
If we consider the good that is taking place today, we see many front line medical people fighting to help people who are on the brink of life and death fighting the corona virus. We got to see for the first time in nearly a decade US astronauts launch from US soil and successfully get into orbit. We got to see for the first time a private company working with NASA to launch two astronauts into space.
If we consider the bad that is taking place today, we see a virus that is attacking and killing so many people around the world. We see evil taking place that looks be be fueled by racism that upsets me beyond belief as ever since the late 80s when I got to be a part of an exchange program and got to spend my time with a family from South Africa and learn about apartheid, I went from being against racism to hating it. Watching what took place by the hands of someone who was supposed to be serve and protect based on the oath they take which says “On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the Constitution, my community, and the agency I serve.” and taints all the great front life officers who are living out their oaths and hence he is putting even more people at risk by breaking the oath. We see evil when the protests of such evil goes from wanting what is right and what is just to crossing the line and taking out evil on others through riots that are demonstrating violence and vandalism. The reality that there is evil and people who would pay to take a tragedy and use it for it for evil is saddening. And just as we see the coronavirus being a global phenomenon, we can also see countries around the world where people are being mistreated either by those in authority or those in the public.
God, we need a revival of people turning back to You! We need a coming together of people to point people back to You! We need a coming together of people in the light to help brighten up this dark world!
There are so many who are trying to put out the light across the world and yet in the midst of the darkness, Your light Lord is shining even brighter as people realize that if You don’t show up and intervene, the hope will be lost.
Let’s come together, all the people who are called by God’s name and humble ourselves and pray, let’s turn from our wicked ways, seek God’s face, He will hear us from heaven, forgiving our sins, and healing our land!
Looking around at all that is taking place in the world, I can resonate with what Charles Dickins was saying when he wrote “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times“. How about you? Which side are you on? What part are you playing? What part do you want to play? What part will you play?
Today’s reading from God’s Word even speaks to a word that feels appropriate to what is taking place, the work enmity. In my head I hear enemy but that isn’t it and so looking up the meaning and comparing the two we find:
vs.
We see the biggest difference is a state or feeling vs. being a person who. Both speak to being opposing and being hostile. Taking that into consideration as I read today’s Word from God, I see He is calling out people for being in a state or feeling of opposition and hostility against Himself!
So when you hate is it with a righteous anger, an anger that won’t cause you to stumble into sin?
When you decide to take a stand against a wrong will you respond in a way that makes the point without stepping across the line into doing what is wrong, missing the mark, and falling into sin?
With April in the rear view mirror, let’s share our takeaways from today’s reading! Did you catch and promises to trust? Did you catch any commands to obey? Did you catch any truths to embrace? Did you catch any warnings to heed? Did you catch any encouragement to rest in? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about the world? What verse stood out most to you today?
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading from God’s Word – the Bible comes to us from:
What is it that you really want? Do you turn to God for it? Do you receive it?
What is it that you really want? Why is it that you want it? Do you have the right motives?
What is it that you really want? If you were to receive it then what would you do with it? Would it provide any true benefit(s)?
Is it for your good? Is it for your perceived benefit? Is it any good for your eternal being?
Will it align with God’s Spirit’s will? What does the Holy Spirit want for you? What do you want that is aligned to God’s purpose and plan?
Is it for good or for your pride that you want it?
Is it out of humility or pride that you ask for it?
Why not turn back to God? Why not draw near to Him? Why not allow His will and His plans and His purposes be what you desire most?
Will you choose to receive the gift of God’s grace and accept Jesus into your hearts?
Will you choose to receive forgiveness?
Will you choose to pursue unrighteousness instead of the love and grace of God?
Will you show those around you love as God loves you?
Will you tell the people to return to God?
Will you tell the people to turn from their ways and start to live out God’s way?
Turn back to God before it is too late and the 4 horsemen show up!
Turn back to God before it is too late and you end up in eternity apart from God!
Let’s pray the Lord’s prayer today:
Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Let’s praise God! Let’s give Him the glory He is due! Let’s lift Him up! (in our own personal way)
Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Let’s ask God to allow His purpose, His will, His plan be ours and to let it happen here on earth as it is in heaven. (in our own personal way)
Give us this day our daily bread.
What is it that you have need of? Cast your cares upon God because He cares for you.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment].
What is it that you need God to forgive you for?
What is it that you need to forgive others for?
Forgiveness is about taking back control
Forgiveness is about removing the bitter root
Forgiveness is about letting go of the wrong and the resentment in order to be able to live freely your life ahead
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’
Ask God to help your thoughts and your actions to be in alignment with His.
Ask God to help you walk bold and courageously so as not to get tempted by the lies and tricks of the devil and the world.
Ask God to help keep you safe and protected from the devil and the lies of the world.
And close by praising and glorifying Him.
As day 152 of 2020 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision this early into 2020 and the blessing to get to live out the rest of 2020 in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Today’s devotional that I am following is The 49-Week Challenge comes from Life.Church. For more information, please visit www.life.church — Thank you Life.Church for sharing this reading plan through Bible.com
What motivates you? What leads you? What directs you? What controls you? Are you willing to speak the truth in love, even when it is hard? Are you willing to speak the truth, even when it means confessing that you did something wrong? Are you willing to let God know all of you? Are you willing to let Him know your strengths and your weaknesses? Are you willing to be honest with Him, even when you mess up? Are you willing to tell God the truth whether you do right or wrong? Are you able to confess when you miss the mark (aka sin)? Are you able to praise God through it all? Are you able to cast all your cares upon Him? Are you willing to trust God no matter how big or small your cares and needs are? Do you believe God is big enough to handle anything you throw at Him? the good? the bad? the ugly? Are you willing to live with your emotions on your sleeve before God so that He always knows and can tell where you are at? Are you going to live your life before God without a mask? Are you willing to give God all of your heart? Are you willing to take God at His Word and agree with what He says? Is your faith in God? Is your faith in God strong enough when you succeed? Is your faith in God strong enough when you fail? Is your faith in God strong enough that when you fail, you will turn back to God, confess, and seek reconciliation through forgiveness? Will you pursue God’s Word with all you are? Will you do everything God asks of you?
Will you invite Jesus into your heart to fill that void?
Will you always answer God’s call? Will you pick up when He is calling you? Answering the call shows that you put your trust and faith and hope in Him!
With April in the rear view mirror, let’s share our takeaways from today’s reading! Did you catch and promises to trust? Did you catch any commands to obey? Did you catch any truths to embrace? Did you catch any warnings to heed? Did you catch any encouragement to rest in? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about the world? What verse stood out most to you today?
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading from God’s Word – the Bible comes to us from:
What would it take to be a person after God’s own heart?
What would it take to accept Jesus into your heart?
What would it take for God’s Word to be important in your life?
What would it take for you to do everything God wants you to do?
How will you live once you have received God’s call?
When you don’t know what to do, will you choose to turn to God?
Do you have God’s Word with you?
How will you show your trust in God?
Don’t let your past define your future!
If God calls you to it then He will get you through it!
Nothing is impossible with God!
Will you wait in order to receive the Word of God?
Will you do what God calls you to do?
Will you receive the Holy Spirit in order to walk in the power of God?
Will you be who God created you to be?
Will you live as God calls you to live?
Will you receive the instruction for life from God and live it?
Will you allow God to be your savior?
Who has God created you to be?
What is the purpose He created you with and for?
Will you trust God enough to be patient and wait upon the Lord?
Will you wait upon the Lord to renew your strength?
Don’t rush! Don’t lose hope! God’s timing is perfect!
Will you follow the command God gives you?
As day 145 of 2020 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision this early into 2020 and the blessing to get to live out the rest of 2020 in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Today’s devotional that I am following is The 49-Week Challenge comes from Life.Church. For more information, please visit www.life.church — Thank you Life.Church for sharing this reading plan through Bible.com
Do you have a baseline for how things use to be doing? Do you have a set of metrics that you have been using to know the health and wellness? Do you have any indicators that tell you how successful it has been? If so, that will help you know as long as you keep measuring and monitoring it. If not, then you will want to come up with some and if possible retroactively get data to give you a baseline.
Was it triggered by the right motive and intentions? Was it implemented with the right inputs and data being identified? Was it fully defined before starting to run with it? Are the operations clearly understood? Are the models fully mapped out? Are the procedures clearly defined to include roles and responsibilities?
Was it top down? Was it bottom up? Was it done with a servants heart? Was it done with the right perspective? Was it done with the right heart?
With February in the rear view mirror, let’s share our takeaways from today’s reading! Did you catch and promises to trust? Did you catch any commands to obey? Did you catch any truths to embrace? Did you catch any warnings to heed? Did you catch any encouragement to rest in? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about the world? What verse stood out most to you today?
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading from God’s Word – the Bible comes to us from:
(I have chosen to use NIV translation, but feel free to choose whichever version you feel more comfortable with)
Will you be patient with others? Will you be of good character and bless others as you have been blessed?
Jesus cancelled our debts and we have been forgiven! So let’s follow that example and forgive others!
This morning as I am preparing for today the Word spoke to me about forgiveness and the reminder of how important it is to forgive. Today I thought I would bring back up the video I have shared in the past for people to see/listen to as they begin today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOHCePoPlPo#forgiveness#forgive#love#thismorning#leadership
Where can people who need refuge go?
Is there any place where people being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble can go?
Will people turn back to God and be transformed?
Will people turn back to God before it is too late and be thrown into the fiery pits?
As day 62 of 2020 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision this early into 2020 and the blessing to get to live out the rest of 2020 in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Ever been so close to the finish line and wondered if you just keep going or if you should speed up and finish strong or because you are fading just coast in? Ever seen where people stop just before the line and lose out? Ever seen people slow down and get passed by 3 people and end up in 4th place? Ever seen where people get an extra boost of energy and finish the race strong? Remember why you start the race!
Let’s consider what the Bible has to say about finishing…
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
‘Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.’
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
‘so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ‘
‘ “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ ‘
‘Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. ‘
So where are you at today? How will you respond to the offer from God of grace, mercy, and salvation? Are you ready to lean into all that God has for you? Are you ready to persevere and trust and have your faith built up? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re-commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it. Reply with a comment to let me know of your decision so that I can pray with you. Respond to God’s prompting on your heart. Take time to hear from God today. Take time to be with God today. Take time to respond to God today!
Let’s pray:
^^^^^^^^^^^Will you be willing to put your name there today
Look to understand where you are at. Remember your value to God and to others. Remember what your true motivation really is. Are you doing it for the money or because it is a calling? Are you doing it for prestige or because God told you to? Are you doing it for recognition or because God called you to walk on water? Are you doing it for yourself or because there is a greater purpose? Will you take direction and instruction from people or from God?
Is God calling you away? If not then don’t leave. If yes then get moving. Is God calling you out of the boat? If not stay in the boat. If yes then get moving. Be lead by God! Be lead by the Holy Spirit’s prompting! Don’t bite at the temptations! Don’t be tempted into doing something that could steel your hope and your joy! Don’t allow your eyes to deceive you! Don’t allow your pride to deceive you! Don’t allow your thoughts to deceive you! Lean not on your own understanding but rather put your full trust in God! Let’s long for God’s purpose and plan! Let’s long for God’s presence and wisdom! Let’s allow God’s purpose and plan to be fulfilled in and through us! Let’s be focusing on the things that will last forever rather than the things that are temporary, can erode, be destroyed and stolen. Let’s be living our lives with the focus on pointing people to Jesus and allow Him to touch and transform their hearts!
This is the day that the Lord has made, so let’s rejoice and be glad in it!
Where does your worth come from? How do you value your worth? Is it by the words of man or the Word of God? Remember who God says you are!
‘Then Job answered and said, “Even today my complaint is contentious; His hand is heavy despite my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might [even] come to His seat! I would present my cause before Him And fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn the words which He would answer, And understand what He would say to me. Would He contend against me with His great power? No, surely He would give attention to me. There the righteous and upright could reason with Him; So I would be acquitted forever by my Judge. “Behold, I go forward (to the east), but He is not there; I go backward (to the west), but I cannot perceive Him; To the left (north) He turns, but I cannot behold Him; He turns to the right hand (south), but I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold [pure and luminous]. My feet have carefully followed His steps; I have kept His ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have kept the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. But He is unique and unchangeable, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is planned (appointed) for me, And He is mindful of many such things. Therefore I would be terrified at His presence; When I consider [all of this], I tremble in dread of Him. For God has made my heart faint, And the Almighty has terrified me, But I am not silenced by the darkness [of these woes that fell on me], Nor by the thick darkness which covers my face.’
It is interesting to get to hear Job’s heart today without interjection by his friends and without the preview reading having been them trying to put him down. His desire to understand by seeking God and pleading his case. He doesn’t realize what his troubles speaks of who God is in the moment but later will realize the benefits of trusting and pursuing God’s will in his life.
Today’s study summary:
Verses 23:1 – 24:25: Job’s reply to Eliphaz’s third speech was not a rebuttal, but express Job’s longing for fellowship with God, so he could experience God’s love and goodness and hear from Him the meaning of all his suffering.
This section, featuring Job’s response to Eliphaz, is expressive of Job’s deeply discouraged state, God’s sovereignty is not a comfort to him but a terror. Echoes of his initial sadness in his opening soliloquy (3:1-26), are found here.
(In verses 1-12), we find that in spite of Job’s anger toward Eliphaz, his dispute was not with humans but with God, the only One who knew the truth of his integrity (Psalm 17:3).
Verses 6-7: “Plead”. Engage in court debate over evidence, witnesses, etc. Job knew God was not going to enter a contest with him to determine, as in a court case, who was right. But he wanted God to at least listen to him, so confident was he that he could make his case, and be delivered by his just Judge (compare 1:8; 2:3).
Verses 8-12: Even though Job couldn’t sense God’s presence, he believed He was present and affirmed his commitment to God’s purpose in this test (verse 10), and his continued obedience to God’s Word, which were the most important issues in his life (verses 11-12).
Verses 13-17: Understandably, Job considered a sovereign God unpredictable, which can be a fearful thing. In reality, God’s seeming unpredictability is balanced by His unchanging faithfulness to His children.
So where are you at today? How will you respond to the offer from God of grace, mercy, and salvation? Are you ready to lean into all that God has for you? Are you ready to persevere and trust and have your faith built up? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it.
Let’s pray:
^^^^^^^^^^^Will you be willing to put your name there today?
A new day of a new week of work. A new day with new plans to make. Last full sprint begins. Two day offsite begins. People traveling. Discussions to be had. Discerning to be required to know who is who. Discerning the messages in order to realize where it is God wants me. Trying to understand how to get there. Trying to understand the motives. Trying to understand the messages. Trying to understand the purpose. Trying to understand the value. Trying to parse through the messages. I know I have value to God and He has a plan and a purpose for me. When someone shares that I am not giving myself enough credit for the value I have, how to I hold that. When someone shares that people like me where I am at but don’t see it being a higher level role, how do I hold that. When you like doing things that help people and want to make sure you not only make a scratch or a dent but that you can actually move the dial and make a difference, where will that put you? How do you take in the various feedback or input and make the right decision that will keep you aligned with God’s purpose and plans while adding value to the company and the people who depend on or use the company resources? They key is to keep leaning into God in the midst of the messages from your friends. The key is to keep asking God in the midst of each conversation you have with your friends. The key is to not try to go it alone but to allow the Holy Spirit to bring a peace of the right decision so that you can step into it and become who God created you to be. Remember, you are alive and no matter what happens the joy of the Lord is your strength and so “Happy Today!”
Let’s discern what we are being told in order that we won’t be stuck in analysis paralysis but do something about it. Let’s listen for the voice of truth in and thru the words being spoken and shared. Let’s listen to what God’s Word has to say to us today…
‘Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, “Can a vigorous man be of use to God, Or a wise man be useful to himself? Is it any pleasure or joy to the Almighty that you are righteous? Or is it of benefit to Him that you make your ways perfect? Is it because of your fear of Him that He corrects you, That He enters into judgment against you? Is not your wickedness great, And your sins without end? For you have taken pledges of your brothers without cause, And stripped men naked. You have not given water to the weary to drink, And you have withheld bread from the hungry. But the land is possessed by the man with power, And the favored and honorable man dwells in it. You have sent widows away empty-handed, And the arms (strength) of the fatherless have been broken. Therefore snares surround you, And sudden dread terrifies and overwhelms you; Or darkness, so that you cannot see, And a flood of water covers you. “Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the distant stars, how high they are! You say, ‘What does God know [about me]? Can He judge through the thick darkness? Thick clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see, And He walks on the vault (circle) of the heavens.’ Will you keep to the ancient path That wicked men walked [in the time of Noah], Men who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundations were poured out like a river? They said to God, ‘Depart from us! What can the Almighty do for us or to us?’ Yet He filled their houses with good things; But the counsel of the wicked and ungodly is far from me. The righteous see it and are glad; And the innocent mock and laugh at them, saying, ‘Surely our adversaries are cut off and destroyed, And fire has consumed their abundance.’ “Now yield and submit yourself to Him [agree with God and be conformed to His will] and be at peace; In this way [you will prosper and great] good will come to you. Please receive the law and instruction from His mouth And establish His words in your heart and keep them. If you return to the Almighty [and submit and humble yourself before Him], you will be built up [and restored]; If you remove unrighteousness far from your tents, And place your gold in the dust, And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks [considering it of little value], And make the Almighty your gold And your precious silver, Then you will have delight in the Almighty, And you will lift up your face to God. You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, And you will pay your vows. You will also decide and decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And the light [of God’s favor] will shine upon your ways. When you are cast down and humbled, you will speak with confidence, And the humble person He will lift up and save. He will even rescue the one [for whom you intercede] who is not innocent; And he will be rescued through the cleanness of your hands.”’
Today’s reading is an interesting combination of pointing out flaws (real or not) in order to point Job back to God. As I meditate on that before jumping into the study I consider what others have been pointing out to me (real or not – yet to be decided) in order to ensure I decide in accordance to God’s perfect will and God’s perfect plan. How will I respond to differing opinions all looking to exhort me to make that decision. When people are speaking to your their truth, what is the best way to parse through it and get the real truth from it? Will you be persuaded by the truth or by the urge · encourage · call on · enjoin · adjure · charge · try to persuade · press · pressure · put pressure on · use pressure on · pressurize · lean on · push · egg on · spur · incite · goad · bid · appeal to · entreat · implore · beseech · advise · counsel · admonish · warn? I am to be salt and light into the world around me. I am to be love and Jesus’s hands extended into the lives around me. I am to point people to the reason for the season and the source of all my joy and hope and love.
Today’s study summary:
Verses 1-30: In his final speech (that goes to 27:23), Eliphaz blasts Job with his most vicious attack. Beginning with the assumption that wickedness brings only God’s judgment (verses 1-5). Eliphaz complies a catalog of sins of which Job must be guilty (verses 6-20). Finally, in a beautiful passage on the forgiveness of God, he appeals to Job to repent (verses 21-30), though he directs it toward the wrong person. Eliphaz’s last speech got nasty with Job, as his frustration rose.
Verses 1-30: Within a string of specific accusations in his third speech, “Eliphaz” included Job among those committed to the ways of “wickedness” who believe God does not see or know their sin. All these accusations were refuted by both Job (29:11-17; 31:13-22), and God (1:8; 42:7-8).
Verses 2-4 and 12-14: This counselor repeated the emphasis on the almighty nature of God, saying that God was so lofty and transcendent that He had no direct concern at all with Job. God didn’t care personally about his complaints and claims to righteousness. God was not involved in the trivia of his life.
Verses 5-11: This miserable comforter accused Job of wickedness that was great, naming various sins against humanity as the reasons for Job’s trouble (verses 10-11).
Verses 7-9: Eliphaz unfairly charged Job with callous sins against the needy, characterizing his friend the way many people do the wealthy today.
Verses 15-19: Again, the fate of the wicked was expressed in the simplistic idea that all suffering comes from sin. Contrary to what Job had argued, the wicked characteristically die prematurely, and Job’s claim that God prospered them (verse 18a), was counsel that Eliphaz rejected (verses 18b-20).
Verses 21-30: Eliphaz painted a picture of the life of blessing in store for Job if only he would return to God and repent of his sin (verse 23), emphasizing again that he did not believe Job was innocent (verse 30). “Stop all the speeches and complaints, repent, and everything will be fine,” he thought.
Verses 21-27: Job was urged to repent with the promise that God would then answer his prayers. This was not an admonishment to pursue righteousness for its own sake, however, but a temptation to respond to God only because of the benefits Job might receive.
God wants a relationship with us. Our faith in Him isn’t because we can get something from him but because of love and trust in Him. God so loves the world that He gave us Jesus, He sent Jesus in order that we could be saved for He doesn’t want anyone to perish but to have everlasting life with Him. It requires a choice, a decision to receive the gift of Jesus though. It requires that we go beyond the ebbs and flow of life and step into a real relationship with Jesus. Yes, we have all missed the mark and are not perfect but God has made a way when there didn’t seem to be a way in order for us to be reconciled back unto Him and it is Jesus!
Imagine a life experience where you need to stick closer to God to get thru it. Luke 1:26-38
We need to receive and embrace what God has for you. We need to step into it even when those around you may not be encouraging you. We get to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds. Joy comes out of relationship with God. Luke 1:26-38
No matter what I am going thru because I know that God is in it. It is difficult and challenging, God has given me strength, my relationship brings joy into the situation. Taking hold of Philippians 4:6.
Just like Mary, we can find joy and our own song in the midst of great trials and challenges. Luke 1:46-55
So where are you at today? How will you respond to the offer from God of grace, mercy, and salvation? Are you ready to lean into all that God has for you? Are you ready to persevere and trust and have your faith built up? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it.
Let’s pray:
^^^^^^^^^^^Will you be willing to put your name there today?
God's story through my life from 2005 to eternity... 
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