On Friday, Jesus was crucified. Men did not kill Him, for He, Himself gave up His spirit. "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46) He chose to die for you and me. Friday was a sad day for the followers of Jesus Christ for they did not remember what Jesus had told them, while He was still with them.
Early Sunday morning the women, who had been following Jesus, went to the tomb to minister to His body, but there was no one in the tomb. The angel said to them, "He is not here; He has risen!" (Luke 24:26) What glorious news for them and for all who believe!!
It may be Friday in your life right now, but take heart, God has overcome the world. (John 16:33) It's Friday, but Sunday's coming! He is RISEN. Hallelujah, Christ the Lord is Risen!!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Are You Listening?
God often speaks to us in the middle of our ordinary circumstances - while we go about our daily routines. Are we listening? Do we recognize His voice?
If we are spending quality time alone with Him, in His Word and in prayer, we are more apt to hear and recognize Him when He speaks.
We don't want to miss a specical encounter with God because we are too busy or we simply weren't sure it was God speaking, nudging us. Remember Elijah? God told him to go out and stand on the mountain because the LORD was about to pass by. The LORD was not in the powerful wind, nor the earthquake or the fire. "And after the fire came a gentle whisper." (1 Kings 19:12b) Elijah recognized God's voice. Why? Because He was listening. Because He knew God. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
We may be expecting God to speak to us in a thunderous voice, but He may be whispering to us. Are we listening? We don't want to miss Him!
If we are spending quality time alone with Him, in His Word and in prayer, we are more apt to hear and recognize Him when He speaks.
We don't want to miss a specical encounter with God because we are too busy or we simply weren't sure it was God speaking, nudging us. Remember Elijah? God told him to go out and stand on the mountain because the LORD was about to pass by. The LORD was not in the powerful wind, nor the earthquake or the fire. "And after the fire came a gentle whisper." (1 Kings 19:12b) Elijah recognized God's voice. Why? Because He was listening. Because He knew God. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
We may be expecting God to speak to us in a thunderous voice, but He may be whispering to us. Are we listening? We don't want to miss Him!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Our Best or Leftovers
God desires our very best. Are we giving Him our best or does He get leftovers? Leftover time, if there is any. Leftover giving if there is anything left to give (resources, energy, talents, gifts, etc.).
God deserves: Our very best - our best time.
You and the Lord have to decide what time that is for you. Early morning is best because you have the whole day in front of you and you have almost NO distractions. But, everyone has to do what works for them. Plan it. If you don't, at best, He will only get leftovers.
God deserves: Our best resources, energy, talents, gifts, etc.
How can we give Him what He desires and deserves? Put Him first. Give Him the best part of our day. Give Him the best of our resources, talents, gifts, energy, etc.
2 Timothy 2:15: "Do your best to present yourselves to God as one approved, a workman that does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth."
I am reminded of the old hymn, Give of Your Best to the Master. He deserves nothing less than our best.
God deserves: Our very best - our best time.
You and the Lord have to decide what time that is for you. Early morning is best because you have the whole day in front of you and you have almost NO distractions. But, everyone has to do what works for them. Plan it. If you don't, at best, He will only get leftovers.
God deserves: Our best resources, energy, talents, gifts, etc.
How can we give Him what He desires and deserves? Put Him first. Give Him the best part of our day. Give Him the best of our resources, talents, gifts, energy, etc.
2 Timothy 2:15: "Do your best to present yourselves to God as one approved, a workman that does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth."
I am reminded of the old hymn, Give of Your Best to the Master. He deserves nothing less than our best.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Learning to Be Content
I have decided that contentment is quite easy when everything is going well. But, is that really a test of contentment? I don't think so! We (Eddie and I), are at the beach as I write this. We have a beautiful place to stay, great food and the ocean to enjoy. How easy it is to be content!
Paul said, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Philippians 4:11b - my emphasis)
Paul knew what it was like to have plenty (most of us do too). He also knew what it was like to be in need (many of us have also experienced real need). Paul had learned the secret of contentment - "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Phillipians 4:13) Jesus is the answer to contentment in ALL situations.
Contentment in our lives involves much more than whether we have plenty or we are in need. It involves every area of our lives - our self-image, our family, our husband, children, etc. It involves our jobs, our church, our houses and homes (there is a difference), and much, much more.
Have I learned to be content in my circumstances - in every area of my life? Can I say with Paul, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation?" Paul had to learn contentment. We can too!
Paul said, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Philippians 4:11b - my emphasis)
Paul knew what it was like to have plenty (most of us do too). He also knew what it was like to be in need (many of us have also experienced real need). Paul had learned the secret of contentment - "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Phillipians 4:13) Jesus is the answer to contentment in ALL situations.
Contentment in our lives involves much more than whether we have plenty or we are in need. It involves every area of our lives - our self-image, our family, our husband, children, etc. It involves our jobs, our church, our houses and homes (there is a difference), and much, much more.
Have I learned to be content in my circumstances - in every area of my life? Can I say with Paul, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation?" Paul had to learn contentment. We can too!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Give Your Best
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of Truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)
As we near the end of January in this new year, I am still thinking about the year that lies ahead. I am pondering my goals, my challenges, my desires and most of all, what are God's goals and what are His desires for my life?
My challenge, my goal for this year is to do my best. That's what God is asking of me. I don't have to do what someone else does and I don't even have to be as good as they are at what they do. (Neither do you.) I am convinced that God wants me (and you) to do the very best we can with what He has blessed us with.
God gifts us uniquely. Let's do the best we can with the gifts, talents, and abilities God has given us. (Quit comparing ourselves with others!) I truly want to be "a workman that does not need to be ashamed" and I want to "correctly handle the word of Truth."
Will God say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant?" (Matthew 25:21) If we give Him our best, we can expect to hear those precious, comforting and rewarding words.
Our challenge: Give Him our very best!
As we near the end of January in this new year, I am still thinking about the year that lies ahead. I am pondering my goals, my challenges, my desires and most of all, what are God's goals and what are His desires for my life?
My challenge, my goal for this year is to do my best. That's what God is asking of me. I don't have to do what someone else does and I don't even have to be as good as they are at what they do. (Neither do you.) I am convinced that God wants me (and you) to do the very best we can with what He has blessed us with.
God gifts us uniquely. Let's do the best we can with the gifts, talents, and abilities God has given us. (Quit comparing ourselves with others!) I truly want to be "a workman that does not need to be ashamed" and I want to "correctly handle the word of Truth."
Will God say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant?" (Matthew 25:21) If we give Him our best, we can expect to hear those precious, comforting and rewarding words.
Our challenge: Give Him our very best!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Go In The Right Direction
Mary was given the awesome news that Jesus Christ was to be born. This news, as amazing as it was, was also troubling to Mary. She was to be THE virgin through whom Jesus was to be born. Yet, in the midst of this startling proclamation that would turn her world upside down, she said. "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as You have said." (Luke 1:38)
Mary hurried to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also having a miracle child (John the Baptist - born in their old age). When John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth's womb as Mary greeted them, Mary broke forth in a song of praise to God.
Mary is the example I want to follow. I want to say, no matter what, "I am Your servant, Lord." I want to break forth in songs of praise even in the midst of adversity. I'm not there yet. I will never be completely there. Maybe all I can hope for is to go in the right direction.
Prayer: Lord, help me go in the right direction - toward total obedience and abandonment to You. Surrender.
Mary hurried to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also having a miracle child (John the Baptist - born in their old age). When John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth's womb as Mary greeted them, Mary broke forth in a song of praise to God.
Mary is the example I want to follow. I want to say, no matter what, "I am Your servant, Lord." I want to break forth in songs of praise even in the midst of adversity. I'm not there yet. I will never be completely there. Maybe all I can hope for is to go in the right direction.
Prayer: Lord, help me go in the right direction - toward total obedience and abandonment to You. Surrender.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
This Christmas - Focus, Remember, Worship
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
FOCUS on JESUS - the Reason for the Season. Christmas is the time set aside to celebrate Jesus' birthday. He is the Reason we celebrate Christmas, so let us FOCUS on Him and not on our to do list.
REMEMBER that night over 2,000 years ago - remember how it changed the world forever. Scripture tells us over and over to REMEMBER - remember what God has done in our lives in the past. It helps us see the faithfulness of God. Remembering Jesus' birth is the pinnacle of God's faithfulness.
WORSHIP the Lord Jesus Christ - our Savior. When we focus on Jesus and remember His birth and His faithfulness in our lives, how can we do anything but worship Him? He is worthy of worship.
This Christmas let's focus on Jesus, the real Reason for the Season, Let's remember His birthday over 2,000 years ago and most of all, let us worship Him who is worthy of all worship and praise. "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being." (Revelation 4:11)
FOCUS on JESUS - the Reason for the Season. Christmas is the time set aside to celebrate Jesus' birthday. He is the Reason we celebrate Christmas, so let us FOCUS on Him and not on our to do list.
REMEMBER that night over 2,000 years ago - remember how it changed the world forever. Scripture tells us over and over to REMEMBER - remember what God has done in our lives in the past. It helps us see the faithfulness of God. Remembering Jesus' birth is the pinnacle of God's faithfulness.
WORSHIP the Lord Jesus Christ - our Savior. When we focus on Jesus and remember His birth and His faithfulness in our lives, how can we do anything but worship Him? He is worthy of worship.
This Christmas let's focus on Jesus, the real Reason for the Season, Let's remember His birthday over 2,000 years ago and most of all, let us worship Him who is worthy of all worship and praise. "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being." (Revelation 4:11)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)