Tears turned to Joy
5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves
with him. Psalm 126:5-6 (New King James Version)
First things first what are sheaves? A collection of items held or bound together...
Rejuvenate
He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.
-Isaiah 40:29 NLT
It seems as though with the onset of fall and the realization that summer is over there is a plethora of chores and festivities being had before Winters gloom. I love being busy, but as I'm getting older I'm finding how much I enjoy the nights where I can sit back and do absolutely nothing! I find these times amazing gifts from God. But when these nights are few and far between I think we can pray God's word into our lives and as it is said in Isaiah, He will give us power and strength!
Priorities
Verse for the Day“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”-
Matthew 6:33I am getting ready to enter the busiest season of my life...October. Work has picked up, there are weddings to attend, and on top of all I am completing the final semester of graduate school and writing my scholarly paper. I think one of the hardest things about being busy is time management. Figuring out what the most important things are that need to be done, and focusing till they are completed. However, one thing that slips when I get busy is my time with the Lord. His word is specific...for us to work hard and finish tasks but also not to worry. To seek his kingdom and keep your mind on him, then all things will fall into place after. He is what I value most, and my prayer is that I will not let other things distract me from him. Please keep me in your prayers during this time.
Verse for the Day
Verse for the Day So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.
-Zechariah 4:6
I think this verse is capturing the power of our Almighty God. He is proclaiming that it is only by his Spirit that things will happen. Only by His Spirit are we redeemed and brought to justice. God's power forgives our sins, and does not count them against us. It is by Him that all things will happen. And we get to be apart of it. We have the opportunity to be apart of his divine plan. As Christ's ambassadors, God makes his appeal through us. He ultimately triumphs. Holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.
R*E*S*P*E*C*T
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,
12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
I REALLY like this verse. I wish I could honestly say that this is the epitome of how I live my life, but it's often not. I think what initially draws me to this verse is that I makes me feel that it is ok to be an independent person, but I don't think that this is ultimately what these verses are meaning. I just feel encouraged!
I think these verses are telling us how to gain the respect of others. That it is a process of life examples, self-control, and hard work over a period of time. I've heard people say that the Bible isn't applicable to today's daily life, but this is not true. This verse is a good example, I can't think of anyone who doesn't want to be respected.
Verse for the Day
Verse for the DayDelight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
~Psalm 37:4
To me this is one of the most misinterpreted verses in my life. When I read this I thought, well if I delight in the Lord he will give me what I want. But, what I have learned is that it's not about me. God knows my heart, He wove me together, He alone can transform my heart, feelings, thought patterns. I think as I see Him as my delight-not relationships, status, etc..- then He tranforms my heart to His. He is the true desire of my heart. He knows that, and when I seek him earnestly He gives that. To delight myself in Him, is to surrender completely to the notion that He is all I need. In Him I have life, love, joy, peace, and redemption.
Love
Verse for the DayLove must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
~ Romans 12:9-10
This is how we are to love each other. Christ's love for us is sincere, holy, pure, and selfless. Since we are made in his image we are challenged to treat each other the same way. It can be so hard at times b/c in certain circumstances we feel anything but love for others. But, how good is it when we devote ourselves to loving each other well.
Shazam!
Romans 2:11For God does not show favoritism.
That kind of puts us in our place huh? There is no room left to question if God has favorites. I think in our lives at times it may seem that he does. But that isn't true and if we allow ourselves to think this way, it is based on a false belief...a lie which has no merit to stand on. We must remember that God is a God of grace, mercy, and compassion. Because of this, things may seem unfair to our eyes...but it is not our will that is perfect.
Verse for the Day
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither 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 8:38-39
Because of our choice to sin, we were separated from God. But, because of God's choice to love, He reunited us to himself through Christ. It is finished. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. There is nothing will happen that can destroy what Christ has done. Satan can try and separate us, but we must stand firm in our faith. Christ is the rock of our salvation. He is above all things and over all things.
Pray and be filled
~Acts 4:31~
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (NKJ)
While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's Word with fearless confidence. (MSG)
For whatever reason, I've been feeling empty lately...you know not my normal self and unmotivated to do the things I want to do. Feeling frustrated with myself similar to that of Paul's expression "I don't do what I want to do, yet I do the very thing I despise". As I read the verse from Acts, it reminds me that our prayer life is SO important to be filled with the Holy Spirit. To me the continual asking and receiving (the renewal) of the Holy Spirit is what helps directs, makes, and molds me to be who God wants me to be. Without this, I'm left feeling as I do...Empty. Yep, I got a reality check...I NEED to make sure I have daily time in prayer and scripture.
Humility
Verse for the DayDo nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
~ Phi 2:3
I normally don't like to think of myself as a selfish person, but the truth is I am selfish more often than I like. Not just in the big things, but more in the everyday decisions. I find myself wanting to tell my story or talk about me. The Word says to do NOTHING out of selfish ambition. Meaning if what is motivating me is selfish, personal gain, or what I can get out of it then my motive is wrong. As Christ followers we are to imitate Him, and Christ did nothing out of selfish ambition. He was humble, not vain, compassionate, and His love displayed on the cross. Life truly happens best in community when we place others before ourselves, and become closer to Christ.
Sharp Iron
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
Verse for the Day
Verse for the Day14You must worship no other gods, but only the LORD,
for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you.
~Exodus 34:14
I am amazed by this verse. God is passionate about His relationship with me. He made me a priority, and I need to do the same. Life lived without passion is not the life I want. What's the point? We wants my eyes to only see Him because He is my all in all. The Alpha, Omega, and everything. I want to be as passionate about the LORD as he is with me.
Lead by our Lord
Proverbs 21:1
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes. (NIV)
~now read this translation~
Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; he directs it to whatever ends he chooses. (The Message)
Help us to realize Lord that when you put us in leadership positions, it is not our will but yours. Help us to be relaxed and obedient to your guidance.
Do not worry
Verse for the Day 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
~Matthew 6:25
Worrying is something that I used to be very good at doing. I would stress and worry about something so much it consumed me. I think because I had trouble releasing control over to God. Then asking that He would grant me peace about whichever direction He was taking me. I would get so upset of something did not work out. Now, thankfully, through Christ I have gained victory over this area. I still struggle at times with worrying, but I know that God's Word has spoken. God knows what I need. He also knows what I want, and sometimes my want is greater than the need. But, He provides exactly what we need. His promises are never broken, and He always takes care of us. He forces us to refocus our thoughts, and consider why we are worrying. He takes care of the things that are important ( which is not clothing). When I think about it, I've never been without food nor had clothing to wear. Even if I did not have these things, I know I have the Lord. Man does not live on bread alone, but on the bread of life which is Christ. He is all we need. And as the song says...don't worry be happy!
The pursuit of intangible needs faith not works
30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
31but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.
32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."
Romans 9:30-32
This verse has shed a new light for me on the saying "By Faith not by Works". Most commonly this is regarding salvation, but it is also how we should deal with situations in life. I think often this is applied to having faith that someone will be healed or that finances won't be a worry. These things are easily able to see the progress and results...you can see someone become healthy, you can put money aside and see debts go away one by one...Look at this verse, these people were striving for righteousness...something that is only noticeable by the change in a persons actions. Something that may be inconsistent, something intangible. I think that there are many things that we strive for similar to righteousness in our lives. Often we may convince ourselves that we are on the right path, then the issue is back...I think this is a clue that if it's coming back...our approach is wrong...ask yourself are YOU WORKING on it? or are you putting your FAITH in God and letting Him take it over? Once we've turned it over to God in prayer, I am convinced that there is nothing that we can nor need to do...only petition for a renewal of the Holy Spirit.
I think I really got turned around with this...sorry if you had difficulty following...I may try and clean it up latter...but I doubt it.
Forgiveness
Verse for the Day17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[
d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[
e] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:17-21
How do you know when you have forgiven someone? Someone once said that forgiveness is knowing that the past could not have been any different. As Christians we must forgive our enemies because if not then we are not truly grateful for what Jesus did. The cross is forgiveness. We were enemies of God, and he forgave us. This then is how we should treat each other. Not to repay evil for evil, but good for evil. We are to pray for our enemies, and I guess eventually our hearts soften toward them. The hardest thing for me to refrain from doing is taking my revenge. God says that He will avenge according to how He sees fit. I need to trust Him and not my own agenda. If you think about it - please pray for me in this area.
Obey carefully
Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
Deuteronomy 6:3 (NIV)
It can be so tough to obey Gods calling...especially when it involves a change...a change that you are uncertain of...a change that requires trust. This verse says be careful...what do you think it means by that? To me I think it suggests three things, discernment on what it is we feel lead to obey, the timing in which it is carried out in, and also our attitude in doing it.
Discernment is tough for me, I often find myself second guessing with doubts of qualifications or uncertainty if my actions are correct for a situation...is what I feel led to do from Christ or the enemy?
Timing, you can see various examples in the Bible how humans did and didn't act in God's timing. When they didn't act in God's time, either God used someone else or the person/groups didn't get the outcome of the obedience till many years later. This is so hard for me as well, often, due to unclear discernment. However at times I have noticed with a feeling of urgency a discernment is made clearer.
Attitude I think is also key to obeying carefully...I think of Moses and where he struck the rock for water instead of speaking to it. I think part of this was due to Moses's
frustrations with the complaints from the Israelites and part of his
uncertainty in the miraculous act. We are to be at peace and confident in our attitudes for Gods fully glory to take effect and be shown. This I struggle with, as I mentioned in the beginning, when I feel I am being asked to undertake a major change
Our Father in heaven
Verse for the Day20"So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. ~ Luke 15:20
This is one image of God that I love. His arms open, and his heart filled with compassion toward me. He welcomes me back, he always takes me back, even after I turn away. Everytime. God is my Father. He loves me, and cares for me always. In him I find such security, but he also encourages me to never settle. I know I belong to Him, and He wants to be with me. O praise Him!
Ephesians 3:18
16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
WOW...I'm left breathless and in awe
Faithfulness
Verse for the Day 5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
~Psalm 36:5
God's love is everlasting and He is faithful. There is no limit to His love, and nothing that stops His faithfulness. The skies are never-ending, they go on forever, so does God's love and faithfulness. It is so good to know that, and to be reminded of how great His love is. He keeps His promises, and He takes care of us always. I am so grateful for this love and faithfulness. I know He will never leave me. Amazing.
Encounter HIM
"Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God" Psalm 100:2–3 (NIV)
About once a month the church I attend has a Wednesday night all worship encounter. I've never really thought about why they may have named it so...Encounter...I think about it now and it seems quite clear, through our pure worship we are interacting, participating, encountering God and His love for us. To have a closer relationship it is pertinent that we make time to put aside the stresses, busy schedules, pain, and focus on HIM.
The lamp of the body
Verse for the Day22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! - Matthew 6:22,23 NKJV
Our eyes see everything in the world around us. Some even say our eyes are the window into our souls. How many times can you look into someone's eyes and know everything without saying a word. Our eyes convey joy, sorrow, suprise, delight, anger, and fear. They express and reveal the emotions in us. There are other verses that talk about being pure of heart, and that we speak based on what is stored in us. Our eyes should reveal the glory of God within us. We are sinners, washed clean by His blood, made beautiful and new in His image. Just by our eyes, we can show the world the light of Christ in us.
Grace for/to all
As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.
2 Corinthians 6:1
Giving grace to others has been put on my heart, particularly on this day. There are some whom I have felt severely betrayed and hurt by that I must encounter...I feel that it has been placed upon my heart to allow the grace that I have been given by our heavenly Father be the same grace that I give to them. We are all in the situation and have taken some part in the wrong and hurt between us...we are still brothers and sisters in Christ. To me I would be taking God's grace in vain, if I can not at least strive to be gracious to others, both friends and foes. It also helps to have friends who's prayers availeth much (
09-02-06) intercede for this condition of the heart.
Prayer Power
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16
I am amazed at the power of prayer...my faith is coninually increasing as I can see/feel/know that each request and praise is being heard and answered by our heavely Father! Look too at this verse, Community! as infered by confessing your faults to one another...so that they too can pray for you...I don't think it can ever be said enough that Life Happens Best in Community!
Verse for the Day
Verse for the Day17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ~ Colossians 1:17
To be honest it took me awhile to come up with a verse to share. I guess its the weather, but today was just a calm day. Kind of a lazy calm though, as opposed to a peaceful calm. This whole week has had a weird vibe, with the plane crash, and its odd since it fell right after an amazing Sunday service. I've realized how Satan has a presence, and is most dangerous when we are at a spiritual high. I've noticed that when I experience those mountain top experiences, almost immediately after, there are sins in my life that resurface and try to bring me down. It is then, in the low times, high times, and all the time that I need to remind myself of who God is. He is One. He is everything, and He is my joy! He is the glue that holds the entire universe, and my universe, together.
