Romans 12:1-2
Verse for the DayTherefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[
a] act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
This is part of the verse that my "super group" and I were challenged to memorize for the week. First, we are to offer ourselves to God as our daily sacrifice. Christ sacrificed himself on the cross, and we should do no less. Offering ourselves daily in the form of prayer, personal time, and just living out God's Word is worship. Communicating the love we have in Jesus to others is worship. We are made to worship God. Second, we are not to live according to the desires of this world. We will experience temptation and resistance, but we have victory. Victory rests in Christ alone. We are in this world to be set apart. Then it says to be transformed- changed, made new-by the renewing of our minds. I think this means that as we study God's Word, meditate on it, then our thoughts will change, and we will not be the same as the world. Then we will see how He wants us to live our lives. Obedient and faithful to Him...no matter what the world throws at us.
Our every thought
Psalm 135:2 (NLT)
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my every thought when far away.
How well do our closest friends know us? or parents? or significant other (if applicable)? As much as we think that someone else knows us, no one can know us as well as God. He infact knows us more than we know ourselves. There is nothing about my life that I can tell God that he doesn't already know and He still LOVES ME!! His love and understanding is for everyone! Ask Him to be the Lord and Saviour of your life today!
Ability to do and please Him
Philippians 2:13 (NCV)
...because God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him.
I find this verse such an encouragement. I often get aggravated with myself on why I don't do what I've planned and wanted to do. I want to read my bible and study books, I want to pray more, I want to fellowship with other christians, and love on no-believers. God has worked to put these desires in my heart and is continuing to work on helping me do these things. Praise God it's not all my will/doing!! Praise God!!
Focus ahead on God
Philippians 3:13-14 (NCV)
Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.
How hard is it for us to forget our past??? Terribly hard, a mixture of good and bad, of joy and suffering. I like how Paul starts humbly admitting that he has not reached the goal. I think this also is a little testimony/foreshadowing of what he says in the following sentence. He is encouraging us to focus ahead. If you have not accomplished a goal yet, you are still focusing and working on attaining it in the future. We also need to be like Paul in straining toward what is ahead. I think so often we allow our past to cloud our vision of what we want in the present and therefore the future. Sometimes we realize this, sometimes we don't, and sometimes when we do, we just don't know how to make thoughts of the past stop. This verse concludes in reminding us what we are focusing on...the prize of which God has called us! I encourage you and myself, to earnestly seek God's will and discernment, so that we may clearly focus toward what is ahead!!
We each have a special purpose
Verse for the DayNow the body is not made up of one part but of many
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
1 Corinthians 12:14,18
These 2 verses come from a study that my life group is doing. It is by Kay Arthur and goes through 1 and 2 Corinthians. This part of the study focused on spiritual gifts, and what I am learning is that God created each of us in a unique way. We are created to worship Him, and were formed by His fingers. We are reflections of Him, and that is really cool. The body of Christ is made up of all of us, many parts, each are important. I've realized how my actions impact the whole, and how my sin can affect the overall health of the body of Christ. In order to be a healthy, functioning body; we need to hold each other accountable and dwell in God's word so we can be obedient. I just think that its awesome to know that God values each of us so much, and we really are special to Him. We are covered by His grace, and that makes us beautiful.
The heat of emotions
Ephesians 4:31 (NCV)
Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil.
These emotions are so terribly hard to fight off, but when you do find yourself experiencing them...don't act on them. I have recently found myself constantly having to check my motives for wanting to send e-mails, make calls, or visits...even avoiding places or not making calls. For if I am able to recognize that my action is out of anger or bitterness, I want to do it's opposite. I don't want to allow evil to take root and multiply in my life. It seems to have helped as I've been told I was smiling today and that it was being missed the past two days...Victory with Christ is amazing!
Obedience
Verse for the DayBut Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams.
- 1 Samuel 15:22
Oh boy does this verse speak a thousand words. Our Lord is most pleased with us when we are obedient to him. Listening to him is better than fasting for a day or giving of our time to volunteer. The thing that gets me, is that he wants us to fast or give sacrifices out of obedience, not out of selfish ambition or to gain his approval. He wants us to know him, and to be still and listen. I think of obedience it is listening, and then doing the action requested. This is what our earthly parents want from us, to listen and obey, and how many times have I resisted them and wanted my own way b/c I thought I knew best. The same is true with my relationship with my heavenly father. He tells me to do something, and I don't b/c I think my way is better. But its not, he knows its not, and I think deep down I know its not. It pleases him when I obey his words, and I do long to please him.
Temptation doesn't equal sin
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1
I think often we tend to think that because we have thoughts of tempation, we are horrible sinners. But here in this verse, we see that Jesus (God's perfect Son) was also tempted. It is not temptation that makes us sinners, but what we do or don't do when tempted. As we read further in Matthew, Jesus shows us how to fight temptation with the Word of God. Knowing God's Word is a powerful tool in overcomming temptations and avoiding sin. The devil knows how to get to us and he'll try what ever he can, however, we have been given the power to resist these temptations. Let this be an encouragement to read and memorize verses in the Bible.
Waging War
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
These verses have so much power behind them. Demolishing strongholds in our lives is so important to become closer to God and each other. In the last 4 months I feel as though I have been challenged to work on breaking down strongholds in my life. It is amazing the amount of love and appreciation I have felt toward our Lord and Savior. We as Christians have mighty weapons given to us. The devil will try any way to get his grimy hands in our lives so that we won't use this power to it's full potential. This is why it is so important to take captive every thought and speak God's true against it. (Don't continue to think about thoughts against God's word, rather focus on His word that promises otherwise in truth) This is how we wage war.
Freedom
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galations 5:1
There are so many things in our lives that we can allow to opress us. I'd say generally our internal thoughts are what can burnen us the most. It is important to remember to not entertain any unhealthy, untrue, or discouraging thoughts. Stand firm as the verse says, knowing that we are FREE in Christ!
2 for 1 Friday
Verse for the DayAnd "don't sin by letting anger gain control over you."[e] Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. - Ephesians 4:26-27Tamara- I don't know if this is the verse you were looking for, but it is one I thought of.
This is the New Living Translation version, and I like it because it says to not let our anger control us because it gives the devil a mighty foothold. It is ok to be angry, but in our anger we need to be cautious that it doesn't lead to other sin...bitterness,slander,rage,malice,etc..Which is hard for me, and I am kind of struggling with. I have been angry so angry it hurts, and in there were sometimes that I felt Satan could've had me easily. But in that I think having a life group helps, and turning right to God to diffuse. So this is still something I battle and I just have to trust in Christ and look at him to get through.
In that I have another verse...
Psalm 119:30I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.What a great reminder especially when my thoughts start turning inward. David says to set our hearts on God's law. To study it so when we go through hard times we will know God more. God's way is the truth even when it gets hard. We are to stay the course, and keep focused on Him.
Lost verse...
I can't seem to find the verse I'm looking for today...Maybe it isn't a verse...but I'm looking for something along the lines of:
Don't let the Devil steal your joy, he hasn't the authority unless we let him.
Seems that lately as soon as I share a comment of praise that things are going well in my walk, the next day my attitude is horrible. So I'd really like to know this verse!
Adultery
Verse for the Day"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[
a]But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. - Matthew 5:27-30
As I have been doing the 56-day challenge from Southland I have learned a lot. I've learned that being a Christian is a huge responsibility. It means identifying with Christ, and as Tamara pointed out in yesterday's verse, that is in suffering but also in his glory. We are also called to imitate Him in all we do. Thus addressing our behavior. While lust is an issue normally directed at males, it also applies to females. We are also guilty of staring lustfully at men, and allowing our thoughts to "go south" so to speak. And, ladies, we can do our part to help our brothers by paying attention to what we say, and how we dress. They are our brothers, friends, fathers, and someday husbands...we were created by God to help, to assist, and we need to do that. It is a huge responsibility, but in community we can be strong.
Give and share
And since we are his children, we will share his treasures--for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Romans 8:17 (NLT)
Isn't this interesting??? We are co-heirs with Christ Jesus! We who aren't perfect and have suffered nothing as the Cross. As unworthy as I feel to be given such a blessing I am so glad to have a glimpse of how much God loves me(us). There is a promise attached, that we'll share his glory as well as suffering...but the suffering is only temporary! His glory eternal!!!
Temptation
Verse for the DayNo temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13
This is from a study that my life group and I are doing from Kay Arthur. This verse tells us that we will be tempted, and the temptation is not sin, but the succumbing to the temptation is where we sin. The serpent simply telling Eve to eat the apple was not a sin, it was when Eve actively ate the apple, and gave into temptation when she sinned. I also remember that Jesus was tempted in the desert for 40 days, and He overcame it. Therefore, if we follow Jesus, we also will be tempted. But our God is faithful, and will always provide a way out so we can resist it. It then becomes our choice to be like Jesus, and be faithful to our Father in heaven, or give into temptation.
Called by Name
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
John 10:3
It's amazing what a difference it is to be called by name. Just this last Thursday night I was able to realize and feel this power that seems so simplistic. For the first time in about a year and a half of involvement one of the two leaders of a post college weekly gathering addressed me by name. This year and a half of not being known while others around me were has been discouraging to say the least. However, I was able to dismiss it as I understood how keeping over 100+ names of consistent attending people and meeting new people as well could be difficult. But none the less, when I was called by name, I finally felt I was someone who was cared about, belonged, and important to what was going on in this gathering. It gives a new sense of creditability...now think of this...how much more uplifted should it feel knowing that Jesus calls us (his sheep) by name!!
Faith -n- Hope
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
I don't know what to say right now about this verse...it's amazing and should be at the heart of every believer. Faith is part of our every day walk with Christ. I'm reading a
book by Kay Arthur where she states, "The foundation, the fundimental truth of all prayer, is faith."(p28) Some food for thought.
Light of the world
Matthew 5:14-1614"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
We are called by God to live in this world, and to be a light to those around us. I am reminded that people notice how we act, especially if we mention that we are Christians. As Christ's ambassadors we are called to a higher standard. We should be bold and confident about our Lord and what He has done and is doing in our lives. It is because of Him that we have life so we should let it shine. We have something that the world is in depeserate need of...a Savior.
Confidence is GREAT
Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ
Philippians 1:6
It's amazing how a confident person affects others around them. How much more contagious and magnetic to you think the attitudes and personalities are of those that find their confidence through Jesus Christ!?! Of course there is a good work begun in them! I find this verse very encouraging and full of hope. Jesus will not give up on me even if I may feel like giving up on myself. He is there to turn every decision I make, good or bad, into something that He can use.
Verse for the Day
Verse for the DayBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thrist for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute youu, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ~Matthew 5:3-12
Ok so I am taking Southland's 56-day challenge, and part of it is to memorize the Sermon on the Mount. So, you will notice alot of my verses coming from that to help me, also this is what I am studying over the next 8 weeks. So far I have learned that God wants for us to look at the life of Jesus. He was meek, humble, hungered and thirsted for righteousness, was persecuted, pure in heart, merciful, he mourned, and yet he was rewarded by His Father in Heaven. God is also our Father, and he will reward us for our troubles. Things don't ever turn out the way we expect in this life, but I think God's plan for us extends far beyond our time on earth. One day we will dwell with Him forever, and that is where our focus should be. Especially in the hard times, but also in the good.
Commanded to LOVE
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
1 John 3:23
Today's verse goes out to our friend Ashlie as she is departing on a "trip" to visit "friends" in China through
Food for the Hungry. She is such an example of taking a step of faith and letting God do the rest. As 1st John reminds us, it is God's command to believe in Jesus and to love one another. On this trip Ashlie isn't able to directly speak about our Saviour, however, no one can stop her from sharing the love He has given her! I am so excited to hear what AMAZING things God has/will do on her trip! This inspires me to think...how is God wanting to use us, here in Lexington?? Are we taking that step of faith to be used??
Please feel free in joining us in praying for Ashlie and the team, here are some specifics if you'd like to reference them:
China Prayer Calendar
Holy Roar!
Verse for the Day"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
~ Isaiah 43:18,19
"I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare;
before they spring into being I announce them to you."
~Isaiah 42:8,9
Last night at Southland, Brad Stone referenced these verses. Lately I really feel like God is stirring both in my heart and at Southland. A holy roar is coming, and I see God using Southland as a vessel to accomplish new things for him. It is important to note that God says for us not to dwell in the past. Yes it is helpful to look back and see where we have come, but if we dwell there then we won't go anywhere. Plus we will miss on what God is doing now, and lose anticipation for what He will do. And seeing what God has done throughout history...I am excited. He is God, He is always God. He is everything in every part of our lives. Praise Him! He is awesome!
Enduring Love
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in
God's unfailing
love for ever and ever.
Give thanks to the God of gods. His
love endures forever.
Psalm 136:2(NIV)
There is nothing I can do to lose the love of God.
There is nothing I can do to gain the love of God.
He loves me just as I have been, as I am, and as I will become.
He loves me whether or not others do.
He loves me when I talk to Him a lot, or hardly at all.
He loves me if I hurt, disobey, or ignore Him
He LOVES ME UNCONDITIONALLY!!!
I thank God that He is greater than ANY human relationship I've ever had!
This is a little bit of a repeat...but I've found it important to share again.
The Church
They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer.
Acts 2:42 (New Living Translation)
Today is the 50th year celebration of Southland Christian Church. It is amazing to be part of such an amazing community of believers! I am so thankful to call Southland my home! Through out these years the staff and leadership have keept the love of Jesus as their focal point. They have reached believers and unbelievers in Lexington, Kentucky, United States, North America, and the World. Through buliding relationships and demonstrating God's love, Southland, as the church refered to in Acts, has impacted thousands of lives. Mine being and continuing to be one! I continue to thank God for such a Spirit filled home where I can be encouraged and fed by the word. AMEN!
Be what you were meant to be
Galatians 5:16-26
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
This is a passage that I meditate on often because it clearly lays out the difference between the sinful nature and the Spirit. Right away I notice things: how the sinful nature are described as "acts" but the Spirit filled nature "fruits". Maybe implying that when you engage in sexual immorality, cheap sex, impure thoughts/actions, or bow down to worthless gods, hate and destroy your brothers and sisters by slandering their name; you are doing just that...acting. But when you are living by the Spirit of our most Holy God, you are bearing fruit. Sweet and tender and increasing in goodness. We are constantly at war over these two natures. We have our sin and then we have the self that has been redeemed. I know I sometimes let the sinful nature control me, and it sickens me. Christ did not die so that I would continue to selfishly destroy all things around me. He died to give us a better life. I think we should live like we were meant to. Overflowing with the Holy Spirit. To really examine these words, and live them out in daily life.
God Rejoices over YOU!!
As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Isaiah 62:5
Many people may have a verse or quote placed at the end of their e-mails, this is found at the end of all mine. This is a verse I want to reflect on daily, because of the abundant meanings the word rejoice can make one feel. What does it mean to you when you hear that God rejoices over you??? Some definitions of rejoice and it's root word joy are:
1feel happiness or joy,
2be ecstatic with joy,
3A source or an object of pleasure or satisfaction,
4feeling of extreme gratification aroused by something good. While these definitions are good I don' think that they can fully capture what is being said in this verse.
First of all it helps to understand that Jesus is our bridegroom and we, the church, are His bride. When I first found this verse, the most important thing to me was that the bridegroom rejoices over the bride...Jesus rejoices over me! Jesus is my groom and no man will ever be able to love and rejoice over me as He does. While I hope someday there is one man that will come close, I find an amazing comfort in knowing that I'm already in the Hands of the One who can Love me the Best. As you see, being rejoiced over to me easily converts to
being loved.
In the second half of this verse we see that God rejoices over us, God the Father. To have any parent or guardian figure rejoice over you demonstrates their insurmountable pride of you. However, to have a Father, head of the household,
to be proud of you is a feeling of no other.
Knowing this is an encouragement to do better, a peace in uncertainty, a love when your heart aches, a comfort during troubles...it can go on and on...
Independance
I am a person that loves the idea of being independant or my own person. My fear has been the loss or feeling of having to give up said independance in friend and dating realtionships, more so my ablitily to enjoy marrage(when/if that happens). Don't get me wrong I love to shower my friends with gifts, time, and genuine interest...hence the concern of ease in loosing independance. What I realized Wednesday, was this...there is NO one or NO way that I will ever be anything but Independant.
- We are independant (free) through Christ
- On the last day we will Independantly stand before our Father.
- God has a specific plan for my life, no one else has my exact talents
My core belief
We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed His blood, sacrificing His life for us. Romans 3:25 NLT
It's amazingly as simple as that. Once we believe this, we no longer are judged by the old laws. We are made new! Seen through Jesus with GRACE!!
