Rejoice!
Verse for the Day 24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
Seriously people today could not be a better reflection of how beautiful God is. I don't think I've ever been so happy on a Monday before. Just to smell the clean air, and see all the colors of fall makes me so happy to be alive. The Lord our Creator has made this day by His wonderful hands. The same hands he used to make the dimples in our cheeks and freckles on our skin. He is faithful, and even when life isn't good to us God is amazingly good to me.
Love
Verse for the Day12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Paul is talking about how we are to act as Christ followers. We are to be joyful in hope. Joy is different than happiness b/c happiness is situational and can leave; joy is an emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something expectionally good or satisfying. I can think of nothing more satisfying than Christ. Paul also tells us to be patient in affliction. We all make mistakes, and God's grace covers us so we need to cover each other the same way. Then he says to be faithful in prayer. Which means to be strict or thorough in our performance, to be true to our word. Consistent in praying with and for each other. Constantly communicating with God allows us to be closer to Him. So friends, let us remember how we are to act as Christ's followers.
Avoidance is NOT cowardly
Avoid every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
I like this verse, because I think often we feel that we have to face adversity and make ourselves deal with every issue under the sun. We don't always have to fight, we don't have to feel guilty for avoiding. It's not cowardly, I think often that's what the world wants us to believe. Knowing what temps you, causes you harm, or heart ache and keeping your distance is often a smart and HEALTHY way of dealing with things. I will make a little disclaimer, granted it may sound contradicting, but there are some things that you should not avoid. How do you know what these are...check your motives.
1)Are you really procrastinating? if so stop avoiding, face it and move on.
2)Do you think that you may not be able to control your emotions, actions? Avoid it until you know you can.
Maybe this verse is just saying, don't go searching for evil...avoid it. We all know it ends up finding us. That's when you fight it, face it, and with God's help conquer it. Don't go searching for battles, you might be starting one with a bigger bully than you thought.
Making One's Calling and Election Sure
Verse for the Day 3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
1 Peter 2:3
We talked about this verse a lot at this Leadership Training last night. I think a lot of times God calls us to take a risk, and step out of our comfort zone, and He will give us everything that we need. If it's confidence, He gives it; encouragment, He encourages; boldness, again He will supply. Even material things and obstacles are conqured in Christ. So take a risk, step out there, and know that He will never let go.
Be a hero
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.
To me a hero is someone who acts selflessly and in love when instinct and temptations are the exact opposite. This definition may very slightly from time to time, but sacrifice is the essence of it. Galatians is the very description and encouragement to be a hero for Christ...don't you think? We are called to be and are free...but do we share it with others? And shareing it can be anything from living your life as an example to going out preaching God's word. At times it can be easy to go along with the ways of this world, but that is not what we're called to do. We need to go outside our comfort zone and through service and love help others realize and find that they are free as well
Verse for the Day
Verse for the Day20 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.
-Galatians 2:20
I referred to some commentary on this one because sometimes I just want to hear an expert opinion. This is a profound verse because it is Paul's confession of faith. We are crucified with Christ, and now identify with his death. We can stand before the cross and see our selves hanging their with Christ. The commentary refers to the use of the perfect tense verb "have been crucified"...permenantly dead and fully paid for. Therefore we are no longer condemmed by the law. The fact that Paul says that we no longer live for ourselves but for Christ is a new kind of life---not focused on ourselves but Christ. We have a new faith motivated by the sacrifical love of the Son of God. Trying to attain righteousness any other way besides through Christ defeats the purpose of his death and life for that matter. The only way to live is by God's grace.
Study challenge
Romans 12:6 (NIV)
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8 (MSG)
If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
It's important to read with various translations, often times when translated the full meaning of word is difficult to convey. Some translations are more direct(NIV) where I think others tend to paraphrase for clearer understanding (MSG). There are pros and cons to each type of translation, this is why it is best when studying to have both available.
The reason I bring this up, is that it has been brought to my attention that the word prophesy used in the NIV translation is not the same word in the original text between the Old and New Testaments. This makes sense to me since we also know that in Hebrew there are 3 words for what translates into english as the one word love. Why would there not be other instances of this? So I challenge you, when reading God's word to challenge it, find out what is really being said, use more than one resource.
Guard your Heart
Verse for the Day23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
I think this is one of the very 1st verses I learned to memorize. In fact I remember my 1st Bible study, lead in my sorority house by a wonderful inspiring woman Kristy Stith. We would sit and talk about guys, and how important it was for us to guard your hearts against deception and defruading. So I listened and guarded my heart, and to this very day I think I have an armour up around my heart. But I don't think this is always a good thing, and guarding your heart does not apply solely to relationships. At some point, I think the question must be asked what you are guarding against. If your heart is so guarded no one can ever know your heart. Let God guard your heart because He formed it and His Spirit is dwelling inside us. Yes be on guard against deception and lies, but don't keep it so barracaded that it becomes hardened and cold. Life's lessons can soften and stretch your heart if you let them. The heart is a muscle, and the more its used, the stronger it becomes. Don't let it atrophy and die.
Trust
Verse for the Day5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5
Trust can be such a hard thing for me to do because it means surrendering. Surrendering and releasing my hands from the steering wheel and giving God control (which He has anyway). But saying ok I trust you because you are faithful, good, and your stories in the bible remind me of why I believe. I want to understand why things happen, but I know I won't at least not now. All I know is my focus is on my Savior's face. To press onward, not focusing behind, but upward and onward.
No hesitation
Matthew 4:20At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 8:22But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
As of yesterday, I've decided to put my faith where my heart is FINALLY. In the last 24 hrs I've been full on with initiating and getting things started for some pretty big life changes. I'm so excited, but know I will come up against some tough critisizm when I share my news...particularly with my parents...but this is where I reflect on Matthew. 4:20 doesn't say that they went home discussed all pros and cons with family and friends, no they Imediately left. In 8:22 Jesus comands us to not be concerned with issues that will keep us behind, no matter how important, but instead to follow HIM. When the Spirit moves, it's moving... and all I can say right now is I plan on holding on tight! I want in on this ride! Too many times I've wished I could do this or that like others, but I've finally realized that I just gotta plunge in and do it! Like what was mentioned earlier this year(
8-6-06), if you wait till you are ready, you'll never be ready.
What's on your mind?
Verse for the Day“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”-
Psalm 19:14The Lord challenges us to think about Him in all we do. The first commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and strength. To honor and obey him always. I know sometimes that my thoughts do not honor Him, and it humbles me to pray that they would be pleasing in God's eyes. His eyes are all that matter. I want for them to please him and for him to say that he is pleased with me when I cross over to heaven.
Travel with directions
I am but a foreigner here on earth; I need the guidance of your commands.
Psalm 119:19
I'm finding myself completely lost with what I want to do with my life, where do I want to go? What is my passion? I've always felt like a Jane of all trades and a master of none, surely there is a place in this world for me, but where? All this to say that, I have not been going to our Father in heaven for these answers, but dwelling on them internally. I've been going around and around in circles too stubborn or afraid to get out and ask...If my desires were of this world, I would know what to do and strive for and be ok with it. But as David says in Psalms, "I am but a foreigner here on earth." My desires are heavenward, but because I am here in this world, it often becomes complicated and confusing to what my way to ought to be.
Lord, still my mind and heart, let me be quite to hear and quick to obey your commands.
A Time for Everything
Verse for the Day 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
Eccelesiates 3:1,4
There is a time for everything in life, and we will go through all sorts of times. Hard times, fun times, glorious times, and rough times. Today is a time for celebrating and fun. My dear friends Brandy and Nick are getting married, and all of our friends will be together to celebrate. Laughing, talking, dancing, and crying. Oh what a great time!
Overcome evil with good
Verse for the Day21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
Evil can take on many forms around us. It can be obvious in mean words, unkind acts, but also in poverty, drug abuse, etc...The key is for us not to give Satan satisfaction of victory in any of these things. We overcome evil by doing good. Christ ultimately overcame evil, but we are charged with doing it everyday. So take heart in the fact that Christ has overcome the world, and He is on our side.
Pursue your questions
I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as LORD.
Hosea 2:20 NLT
I think it's safe to say that all of us have questions we want answers to from God. Many people because of their questions choose not to accept Christ as their Saviour. As a believer, I want all to experience and know the joy, grace, and freedom in His redemption for us on the cross. I think this verse is an encouragement to those struggling to overcome questions before they can believe, as well as those who believe that are praying for family and friends that don't. We are told here that God IS faithful! Continue to pursue Him with questions, uncertainty, doubt, and all else. Remember it is His timing, but eventually He will reveal Himself.
suck it up
Do everything without complaning or arguing. -Philippians 2:14
Oh my gosh I have a been a complaining fool lately. It's so easy to do, and so hard to stop. It spreads like kudzu. But when I catch myself complaining a lot, I find I need to turn to God more and take my thoughts captive. To thank him for my job, and the opportunity to work. To not be lazy, and do my stuff. Or I just need a swift kick in the pants. Whatever it takes, God normally finds a way to bring the attention back to Him.
It all comes true
The fears of the wicked will all come true; so will the hopes of the godly.
Proverbs 10:24 NLT
Do you think the fears of the wicked are the same things that the godly are hoping for? I love how most passages in Proverbs encourage a thought process...make you really slow down and think about what is being said. The speaking of truth. I consider myself a godly woman, what encouragement to know that my hopes will come true.
P.S. This week-ends posts are up, so be sure to check'm out!
Verse for the Day
Verse for the Day2Do 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.- Romans 12:2
Faultless
Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
Ephesians 1:4 NLT
I don't think I'll ever be able to understand God's omniscience and grace...but I don't think I'll ever really want to. There is something that I like about the comfort I have from this awe. If He loved and chose me before the making of the world, He surely knew all of my life's sins and actions as well. His grace and mercy was there and already loving and wanting me. Isn't that exciting! Ohh how I hope you can feel the power of the LOVE that comes from that! It's a wonderful thing, to let Him touch your heart and calm your mind.
Do all men(people) know?
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:35
This is a VERY tough command. I mean sometimes we don't even want to love the ones we love, let alone someone we know nothing about. If you think about it sometimes we even have a hard time loving ourselves...
While it's a touch command and I'm sure I fail at it daily, I want to grasp it wholly. This is a direct reflection of the first and highest command, To love your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. As His disciple we want to reflect our leader, Jesus who is abounding in love. His love is our love and our love is his...He gives it freely so why don't we?
Essentially, humble yourself
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Romans 12:3
It is so easy to fall into self pride...at least I have found it so the last month or two. I've been complimented or encouraged in things that I thought no one else had noticed. I had always known a little bit of these talents or skills that I had, but dismissed it as rare occurrences. Then others started confirming what my thoughts were and low and behold I think I've skipped over the natural confidence and into ego mania...I've been working on this, and what I've done is that before I do or say a thing I remind myself God is choosing to use me in this way...It's not my talent to claim. It's how I'm learning to "sober my-self judgment".
I have another comment to this verse...more like an observation of this chapter. In the end...it speaks of the measure of faith given...this is also mentioned later in the chapter in regard to the use of gifts, particularly after the gift of prophecy is mentioned. I think there is a purposeful tie to these...just haven't clearly discovered it, grasped my thoughts around it yet, but i feel a revelation in it's regard will come soon.
Verse for the Day
Verse for the Day21God made him who had no sin to be sin[
a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Footnotes:
2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
Throughtout the book of Corinthians, Paul is passionate about telling the people who they are in Christ. He reminds them of what God did, and how we are to be grateful. God took his perfect son, in a way himself, and humbly became a sin offering for us. We are the ones who were to pay, and sacrifice. Christ is our Passover lamb. Because his blood covers us we are seen as righteous in the eyes of God. This fact still amazes and humbles me. I'm not worthy of this kind of grace in my eyes, but through God's I am.
It's not me, it's HIM...
1 Corinthians 1:31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
I think boasting can come in many ways in forms other than the obvious verbal sayings. Actions, attitudes, and behaviors (our body language) can send multitudes of boasts in a non-verbal way. Who is our non-verbal boasting in?
Example: I'm positive that if I can see/feel self-righteous in myself and my own actions, that others surely can too. This attitude, presentation of my life is more reflective of myself and my views than anything. I do not want this, I want others to only see God in me.
Attention Bull Horn man!
Verse for the Day1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
Thank you Lord that you who of all people have the right to judge do not. You should have cast a stone against me for my sins, but like the woman at the well, you pick me up. You came down to me, and nothing can separate me from you. I have life through your Spirit. I have nothing to offer you that could come close to good enough for what you did for me...except my life. All I can say is thank you.
Pure of Fear
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
