James 2:26
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
It's not about what you're doing, it's about how you're living - how your faith changes the world and humanity around you. Maybe this verse means that just like the spirit of a person is the actual life inside of her or him, the essence of your faith is what flows out from your life as a result of loving and believing in Jesus Christ. You will naturally do things for the world and for people because of your strong faith inside of you. I know that people use a verse to counter this verse, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."* This verse is talking about something different: Yes, it's all Jesus Jesus Jesus who saved you and it's Jesus Jesus Jesus who keeps you firm in His grip. That is absolutely true. But the life you live beyond that grace, the stuff you are responsible for, the stuff that proves you believe in and adore Jesus is the works- the hands and feet of a heart captivated and obsessed with Jesus.
The expression of your faith is how you live your life: helping people in need, helping the hopeless to rejoice, feeding the hungry, loving humanity, being available to your family, spending time with Jesus... The works keep your faith alive. The works is your beautiful and godly, world changing life. Get busy.
*ephesians 2:8-9
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Wednesday, June 30, 2010
152
Mark 14:38 (The Message)
"He came back and found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, 'Simon, you went to sleep on me? Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.'"
Jesus is about to be murdered. He is having a deep, highly emotional and intimate moment with His Father in heaven. He is in the garden, and His disciples are waiting close by for him. All He needs is a little prayer support from His friends, so He leaves them for a moment and asks that they wait, watch, and pray. And instead they fall asleep.
How insulting for Jesus? He didn't ask much from them. He didn't ask them to go die on the cross for themselves, He just needed some emotional and spiritual support. This whole situation depicts us in our human state perfectly. On one hand we want it all - we want the depth of all things spiritual and holy. We desperately want to be those whose who pray for hours on end, and those who are very connected to God. One the other hand, though, we're really lazy. Maybe we don't want it bad enough? That non-spirit part of us, the "flesh" part of us, is undisciplined and struggles in pushing forward in prayer. But here we are warned - we are told by Jesus to be careful in life because if we don't spend the time in prayer that we need to, we will be tempted in this way and that. Prayer will keep you sharp and alert for all the things that life will throw at you, and some days, you will not feel like doing it.
Pray every day. Start small. You may have been walking with Jesus for five days, or you might have been walking with him for twenty- five years. Either way, we all go through seasons where prayer- spending time with Jesus - is hard and even boring. So, revolutionize things. If you find yourself "falling asleep" in your prayer time then change it up. Go for a walk with Jesus and let it all out, sit on your own, light a candle and sing some songs to him, or maybe write your prayers out in a journal. This may all be nothing new to you, but my point is whatever you have to do to keep your prayer life alive, do it. Keep praying for everything. We cannot be lazy.
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"He came back and found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, 'Simon, you went to sleep on me? Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.'"
Jesus is about to be murdered. He is having a deep, highly emotional and intimate moment with His Father in heaven. He is in the garden, and His disciples are waiting close by for him. All He needs is a little prayer support from His friends, so He leaves them for a moment and asks that they wait, watch, and pray. And instead they fall asleep.
How insulting for Jesus? He didn't ask much from them. He didn't ask them to go die on the cross for themselves, He just needed some emotional and spiritual support. This whole situation depicts us in our human state perfectly. On one hand we want it all - we want the depth of all things spiritual and holy. We desperately want to be those whose who pray for hours on end, and those who are very connected to God. One the other hand, though, we're really lazy. Maybe we don't want it bad enough? That non-spirit part of us, the "flesh" part of us, is undisciplined and struggles in pushing forward in prayer. But here we are warned - we are told by Jesus to be careful in life because if we don't spend the time in prayer that we need to, we will be tempted in this way and that. Prayer will keep you sharp and alert for all the things that life will throw at you, and some days, you will not feel like doing it.
Pray every day. Start small. You may have been walking with Jesus for five days, or you might have been walking with him for twenty- five years. Either way, we all go through seasons where prayer- spending time with Jesus - is hard and even boring. So, revolutionize things. If you find yourself "falling asleep" in your prayer time then change it up. Go for a walk with Jesus and let it all out, sit on your own, light a candle and sing some songs to him, or maybe write your prayers out in a journal. This may all be nothing new to you, but my point is whatever you have to do to keep your prayer life alive, do it. Keep praying for everything. We cannot be lazy.
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Monday, June 28, 2010
151
Psalm 29:11
"Jehovah will give strength unto his people."
There are times in life when you walk with a pep in your step that no one can take away from you. The future seems bright, the past is forgotten way behind you, and life is as sweet as strawberry pie. Then there are days when you can't carry your own everyday life stuff for all the human strength in the world. Things get heavy, things fall through, things don't seem to make sense like they used to, and sometimes life can simply weigh a ton.
But then there is Jehovah, our sweet Jehovah. He is the provider of life and all good things, and He will come and take your heavy and tired parts and carry them for you. He promises strength to the one He loves: you. Sit and ask the Holy Spirit to come and be all that you need. Take to Him all the things in your everyday life that weigh you down- the stuff that makes you weak in the knees and heart. Your God is mighty to save, mighty in strength and power.
"Jehovah will give strength unto his people."
There are times in life when you walk with a pep in your step that no one can take away from you. The future seems bright, the past is forgotten way behind you, and life is as sweet as strawberry pie. Then there are days when you can't carry your own everyday life stuff for all the human strength in the world. Things get heavy, things fall through, things don't seem to make sense like they used to, and sometimes life can simply weigh a ton.
But then there is Jehovah, our sweet Jehovah. He is the provider of life and all good things, and He will come and take your heavy and tired parts and carry them for you. He promises strength to the one He loves: you. Sit and ask the Holy Spirit to come and be all that you need. Take to Him all the things in your everyday life that weigh you down- the stuff that makes you weak in the knees and heart. Your God is mighty to save, mighty in strength and power.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
150
Hebrews 10:19-25
"So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."
The Holy of Holies: The place where God dwells. The glorious and magnificent throne room where for years we have confidently been entering to find His undeserved and undying mercy and grace for the days, the months and the years ahead of us. The form and the songs may have changed and evolved over the years but the beauty and adoration that flows out of a heart that has been loved back to life by Jesus, is as miraculous and captivating today as it was when the first person knelt at the feet of Jesus way back at the beginning of time. Because the precious intimate Saviour King we get to walk with and worship today is the same saviour who rescued the hearts of our grandparents and our parents. We worship the same Jesus - the same Precious and Holy Spirit as you, as me, as the thousands of generations who have gone before us, who have paved the way, and the same Jesus for those ones who are to come.
Our generation has had the privilege of looking back. We grew up watching and learning from our parents and grandparents of the faith, sing and love on the King. We stand in awe as we watch these pillars of the church with loyalty and faithfulness clutch the hand of Jesus in worship and adoration. It is because of this fierce love for Him - a love that sticks by Jesus despite all the obstacles and weathers of life -that we know He must be real. It is because we have held the hands of previous generations that we have dared to enter for ourselves the throne room of the Almighty King. Because of what has gone before us we know that He is real, and further more, we ourselves have fallen in love with Him in our own unique and deep way.
And so we look ahead. We take where we have come from, and the thread that makes us 21st Century “twenty –somethings” unique to the Father, we look into His eyes, find all the love that we need in this loveless, broken world, and we, too, bow in awe before our personal and wonderful King. We sing our songs, we express to Him our love, and once again, just as He captivated the hearts of those before us, He takes our hearts for Him alone.
"So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."
The Holy of Holies: The place where God dwells. The glorious and magnificent throne room where for years we have confidently been entering to find His undeserved and undying mercy and grace for the days, the months and the years ahead of us. The form and the songs may have changed and evolved over the years but the beauty and adoration that flows out of a heart that has been loved back to life by Jesus, is as miraculous and captivating today as it was when the first person knelt at the feet of Jesus way back at the beginning of time. Because the precious intimate Saviour King we get to walk with and worship today is the same saviour who rescued the hearts of our grandparents and our parents. We worship the same Jesus - the same Precious and Holy Spirit as you, as me, as the thousands of generations who have gone before us, who have paved the way, and the same Jesus for those ones who are to come.
Our generation has had the privilege of looking back. We grew up watching and learning from our parents and grandparents of the faith, sing and love on the King. We stand in awe as we watch these pillars of the church with loyalty and faithfulness clutch the hand of Jesus in worship and adoration. It is because of this fierce love for Him - a love that sticks by Jesus despite all the obstacles and weathers of life -that we know He must be real. It is because we have held the hands of previous generations that we have dared to enter for ourselves the throne room of the Almighty King. Because of what has gone before us we know that He is real, and further more, we ourselves have fallen in love with Him in our own unique and deep way.
And so we look ahead. We take where we have come from, and the thread that makes us 21st Century “twenty –somethings” unique to the Father, we look into His eyes, find all the love that we need in this loveless, broken world, and we, too, bow in awe before our personal and wonderful King. We sing our songs, we express to Him our love, and once again, just as He captivated the hearts of those before us, He takes our hearts for Him alone.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
149
Psalm 145:4 (nkj)
"One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts."
Our God is so perfect and wonderful, and His goodness is for years and years and years. You're loving Jesus from where you're standing (age, place...) and other people - young, old and inbetween - are loving Jesus in their own way, in their own lifetime and at the age they happen to be. It's a nice thought, all the ages loving Jesus in different seasons and styles. We've all seen His love and greatness span over the course of our own lives and we're all seeing Him move across the earth from our own perspective and context's. It's exciting to know that His love and strong hands stretch across the generations, and we have the honor of living a life and serving a King whose love and miracles span distances much wider and longer than we can possibly conceive in our mind and contain in one lifetime.
So, all this to say: tell all the people around you about what He has done. Keep His name pure and lovely around the earth by telling people about all the good things Jesus has done in your life and in the world. It's a beautiful act of worship to express the love and delight we have in Him to those that have gone before us, to those beside us, and to those who are to come. We must hold each other's hands' and tell them what He means to us, and what He has done for us. Tell people that God does good things. This will strengthen those around you and not to mention your own soul.
Take some time to write a little list - literally - of all the good things he has done in your life, in the history of your family, and in the history of the human race. Read over the list, praise HIm for it, then tell young and old all about what He has done. As you sit with your friends or family and hang out, maybe say a couple things that you've seen God do in you, the world and in the lives of those around you. You will be encouraged knowing that no matter how dark things get down here on this earth, God is moving. He is real, and He is mighty!
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"One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts."
Our God is so perfect and wonderful, and His goodness is for years and years and years. You're loving Jesus from where you're standing (age, place...) and other people - young, old and inbetween - are loving Jesus in their own way, in their own lifetime and at the age they happen to be. It's a nice thought, all the ages loving Jesus in different seasons and styles. We've all seen His love and greatness span over the course of our own lives and we're all seeing Him move across the earth from our own perspective and context's. It's exciting to know that His love and strong hands stretch across the generations, and we have the honor of living a life and serving a King whose love and miracles span distances much wider and longer than we can possibly conceive in our mind and contain in one lifetime.
So, all this to say: tell all the people around you about what He has done. Keep His name pure and lovely around the earth by telling people about all the good things Jesus has done in your life and in the world. It's a beautiful act of worship to express the love and delight we have in Him to those that have gone before us, to those beside us, and to those who are to come. We must hold each other's hands' and tell them what He means to us, and what He has done for us. Tell people that God does good things. This will strengthen those around you and not to mention your own soul.
Take some time to write a little list - literally - of all the good things he has done in your life, in the history of your family, and in the history of the human race. Read over the list, praise HIm for it, then tell young and old all about what He has done. As you sit with your friends or family and hang out, maybe say a couple things that you've seen God do in you, the world and in the lives of those around you. You will be encouraged knowing that no matter how dark things get down here on this earth, God is moving. He is real, and He is mighty!
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010
148
Psalm 121:7-8 (nkj)
"The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore."
People (including myself) talk about self-preservation. We go about life trying to keep hurt and harm at an arms length, trying to prevent ourselves from getting damaged. If we have been hurt, or we fear being hurt, we behave and relate to people in a way that protects and guards the heart and soul from getting hurt and broken. The thing is, though, we don't really have to live like this. We can love people with an open hand and heart having full confidence that God is preserving our souls for us. He preserves your "going out and your coming in": everywhere you go and everywhere you are - driving your car, walking out your front door, walking back in your front door, going about your business throughout the day - he is preserving every step you take. The things that matter to your life, the soul things, He watches over and preserves in all you do. And the writer of this psalm must really 'get' it. He must get that we need to be looked after so we don't shrivel up and die like a piece of old neglected fruit. He says the word "preserve" three times. You need to be held, guarded and protected as you live in this broken world.
You may actually feel like a shriveled up piece of fruit left out in the sun, not remembered and preserved at all. You may have just lost a job (your income), the person you loved, a best friend, or maybe over the years loneliness and grief have left you discouraged and hopeless. Perhaps your mind is breaking under the pressures of work and family responsibilities. But, sweet soul, He is watching over you forevermore. You are still alive because of His-preservation. And He preserves you for great things.
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"The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore."
People (including myself) talk about self-preservation. We go about life trying to keep hurt and harm at an arms length, trying to prevent ourselves from getting damaged. If we have been hurt, or we fear being hurt, we behave and relate to people in a way that protects and guards the heart and soul from getting hurt and broken. The thing is, though, we don't really have to live like this. We can love people with an open hand and heart having full confidence that God is preserving our souls for us. He preserves your "going out and your coming in": everywhere you go and everywhere you are - driving your car, walking out your front door, walking back in your front door, going about your business throughout the day - he is preserving every step you take. The things that matter to your life, the soul things, He watches over and preserves in all you do. And the writer of this psalm must really 'get' it. He must get that we need to be looked after so we don't shrivel up and die like a piece of old neglected fruit. He says the word "preserve" three times. You need to be held, guarded and protected as you live in this broken world.
You may actually feel like a shriveled up piece of fruit left out in the sun, not remembered and preserved at all. You may have just lost a job (your income), the person you loved, a best friend, or maybe over the years loneliness and grief have left you discouraged and hopeless. Perhaps your mind is breaking under the pressures of work and family responsibilities. But, sweet soul, He is watching over you forevermore. You are still alive because of His-preservation. And He preserves you for great things.
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Sunday, June 20, 2010
147
Proverbs 22:29 (nkj)
"Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men."
Be really really good at what you do. Work hard to be the best version of you that you can be. If you are good at something (or if you want to be), take that piece of talent, spend hours on it, and be brilliant at it. This is such a beautiful promise and piece of wisdom all wrapped up in two small sentences: Your talent, and quiet dedication to that talent will not go unnoticed. People will pay attention, and people in high places will take notice of you. You will be found, I promise. God sees it all and He will find you, and get the right people to notice you. Right now you may be very discouraged- sitting in a room practicing your instrument until your hands hurt; trying to perfect a recipe you created with the ingredients in front of you; cooped up in a classroom trying to love and educate children from the bottom of your heart while receiving no recognition or support; sitting in an office filing someone else's life on paper, and you may be thinking "what's the point, no one even knows I'm alive..." It doesn't matter- commit everything that you do - your gifts and work - to God, get REALLY good at them, like, stand-out-from-the-crowd good, and then He will open doors that can never be closed.
Be really good at what you do. It will pay off, and you will be noticed. Get busy!
"Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men."
Be really really good at what you do. Work hard to be the best version of you that you can be. If you are good at something (or if you want to be), take that piece of talent, spend hours on it, and be brilliant at it. This is such a beautiful promise and piece of wisdom all wrapped up in two small sentences: Your talent, and quiet dedication to that talent will not go unnoticed. People will pay attention, and people in high places will take notice of you. You will be found, I promise. God sees it all and He will find you, and get the right people to notice you. Right now you may be very discouraged- sitting in a room practicing your instrument until your hands hurt; trying to perfect a recipe you created with the ingredients in front of you; cooped up in a classroom trying to love and educate children from the bottom of your heart while receiving no recognition or support; sitting in an office filing someone else's life on paper, and you may be thinking "what's the point, no one even knows I'm alive..." It doesn't matter- commit everything that you do - your gifts and work - to God, get REALLY good at them, like, stand-out-from-the-crowd good, and then He will open doors that can never be closed.
Be really good at what you do. It will pay off, and you will be noticed. Get busy!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
146
Psalm 33:13-15 (nkj)
"The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works."
This verse brings the relationship we have with our Father to a very small intimate point where God is so close, so close you can feel his breath on your skin, and he is watching over you constantly. Your sweet little heart is in the palm of his hand, being perfectly groomed and adored, and he thinks about all the things that you do on a day to day basis, and over the course of your life.
Maybe think about it like this: the other day you applied to a job and you were driving around all day delivering resumes and you were frustrated and about to cry or punch someone because it all got to be too much. The next day you're at the grocery store comparing prices between two brands of condiments. The next day you have a fight with your loved one and you're really upset about it, and your mind and heart won't stop thinking about it. My point is this: He is watching you and your heart as you go about your business throughout your day- the good, the bad, the mundane and the fireworks. He thinks about all that you're doing - He watches over your car rides, your chats with friends and your interaction with your co-workers at the office. He thinks about you as you drive your car and put gas in it, He thinks about you and your heart ALL the time. He is excited about the new house that you bought, and He is sad when you're in pain, and someone has hurt you. Everything that is related to you, He cares about and thinks about. He carries your heart- He is making it beautiful.
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"The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works."
This verse brings the relationship we have with our Father to a very small intimate point where God is so close, so close you can feel his breath on your skin, and he is watching over you constantly. Your sweet little heart is in the palm of his hand, being perfectly groomed and adored, and he thinks about all the things that you do on a day to day basis, and over the course of your life.
Maybe think about it like this: the other day you applied to a job and you were driving around all day delivering resumes and you were frustrated and about to cry or punch someone because it all got to be too much. The next day you're at the grocery store comparing prices between two brands of condiments. The next day you have a fight with your loved one and you're really upset about it, and your mind and heart won't stop thinking about it. My point is this: He is watching you and your heart as you go about your business throughout your day- the good, the bad, the mundane and the fireworks. He thinks about all that you're doing - He watches over your car rides, your chats with friends and your interaction with your co-workers at the office. He thinks about you as you drive your car and put gas in it, He thinks about you and your heart ALL the time. He is excited about the new house that you bought, and He is sad when you're in pain, and someone has hurt you. Everything that is related to you, He cares about and thinks about. He carries your heart- He is making it beautiful.
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Thursday, June 17, 2010
145
Romans 2:1-3
"Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?"
Don't judge people. The very thing for which you judge and criticize people, it plainly warns us, you'll end up doing yourself. And that makes sense, really. The things you are condemning others of doing, you neglect to see in your own life, or perhaps the thing in the person that really bothers you (enough to judge them), is actually just hitting a nerve in your own self. Or, maybe you just reap what you sow... There is a serious warning here of living this kind of life (a mean, grumpy life full of judgment and criticism). Also, you will be miserable.
The verse is hard-core, and it doesn't leave too much room for guessing. There is no excuse for a forgiven child of the King to judge other people for the way they live. No one will see the love of God in this kind of double-standard behavior, and honestly, it's just not pretty. You are no better than anyone else, and you have no place to judge. God has been very kind to you, and you don't deserve his grace and forgiveness over your own beautiful life. So, how much more should you walk in love and compassion towards other people around you? If you judge others, you, yourself, will be judged by God. I'm not making this up, it's what it says here in the letter to the church in Rome.
Remember that everyone is a little (or a lot) broken. Don't judge people. It's not attractive or like-able, and God doesn't let you get away with it.
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"Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?"
Don't judge people. The very thing for which you judge and criticize people, it plainly warns us, you'll end up doing yourself. And that makes sense, really. The things you are condemning others of doing, you neglect to see in your own life, or perhaps the thing in the person that really bothers you (enough to judge them), is actually just hitting a nerve in your own self. Or, maybe you just reap what you sow... There is a serious warning here of living this kind of life (a mean, grumpy life full of judgment and criticism). Also, you will be miserable.
The verse is hard-core, and it doesn't leave too much room for guessing. There is no excuse for a forgiven child of the King to judge other people for the way they live. No one will see the love of God in this kind of double-standard behavior, and honestly, it's just not pretty. You are no better than anyone else, and you have no place to judge. God has been very kind to you, and you don't deserve his grace and forgiveness over your own beautiful life. So, how much more should you walk in love and compassion towards other people around you? If you judge others, you, yourself, will be judged by God. I'm not making this up, it's what it says here in the letter to the church in Rome.
Remember that everyone is a little (or a lot) broken. Don't judge people. It's not attractive or like-able, and God doesn't let you get away with it.
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Monday, June 14, 2010
144
Romans 8:39 (nkj)
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The love of Jesus is the strongest, most immovable and extravagant life force that will ever grip your heart and life- ever. You may have met Him and fallen in love with Him immediately, or you may have met Him and grown to love Him and understand His love for you more slowly. I just want to quickly say: don't forget that Jesus loves you more than you can possibly imagine in your mind. He is crazy about you, and really cares about everything that you're thinking about. Nothing you do today, and nothing that you've ever done can ever be enough to push away the love of God. You may have heard that He loves you a million times before, or it may be something that is still a new concept to you. Either way, His love is real and true.
At a few points throughout your day today, stop yourself and say, "I love you, Jesus, and you love me." As you go about your day - work, friends, family and everything else on your mind - remember that Jesus thinks about it and how it effects your life, more than you do. NOTHING can change how much He loves you, and nothing can separate you from His love.
Bring Him into your day today, and first and foremost remember how much He loves you, and soak it up! His love is healing and makes your life worth while.
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"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The love of Jesus is the strongest, most immovable and extravagant life force that will ever grip your heart and life- ever. You may have met Him and fallen in love with Him immediately, or you may have met Him and grown to love Him and understand His love for you more slowly. I just want to quickly say: don't forget that Jesus loves you more than you can possibly imagine in your mind. He is crazy about you, and really cares about everything that you're thinking about. Nothing you do today, and nothing that you've ever done can ever be enough to push away the love of God. You may have heard that He loves you a million times before, or it may be something that is still a new concept to you. Either way, His love is real and true.
At a few points throughout your day today, stop yourself and say, "I love you, Jesus, and you love me." As you go about your day - work, friends, family and everything else on your mind - remember that Jesus thinks about it and how it effects your life, more than you do. NOTHING can change how much He loves you, and nothing can separate you from His love.
Bring Him into your day today, and first and foremost remember how much He loves you, and soak it up! His love is healing and makes your life worth while.
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Saturday, June 12, 2010
143
Acts 16:25-26 (New King James Version)
"But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed."
Let's set the stage here for a sec: Paul and Silas have been telling people about Jesus all over the place. They're healing people, and setting people free from their addictions and demons. They are very busy doing God's business here on earth... And they're making plenty of enemies. So many enemies, in fact, that they find themselves with their feet in stocks, in the inner prison of the jail house (this will not be the only time) and they're so locked up that absolutely no one is escaping at this point. Close your eyes and picture this though: their feet are bound up in chains, they are sitting on the floor of a smelly, messy, dirty prison with rats running around at their feet, it's the middle of the night, and they love Jesus so much that they are singing songs of praise and worship to Him! They are having their own little praise and worship service in the middle of the night in the dead center of the jail with all the prisoners watching as they praise and sing to their King. If that's not enough to get the heart strings pulled and excited, there is much more to come... they're singing to their Jesus and suddenly there is an earthquake! The prison shakes, the doors fly open, and everyone is free to run like the wind.. no chains around their feet and hands anymore.
Things get shaken up when you praise Jesus in spite of it all. In the middle of the darkest hour of your night, when you feel trapped in your situation at work, or within your family, or you have hit rock bottom with your finances - PRAISE Him. Don't stop. Even if you can barely walk because the chains around your wrists and ankles are weighing you down... praise Him like there is no tomorrow.
There doesn't have to be anything fancy about praising Jesus. Just worship Him. Worship Him. Worship Him. Tell Him you love Him in any situation you find yourself in - chains and all. As you praise Him, your chains will fall off and you will be free.
"But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed."
Let's set the stage here for a sec: Paul and Silas have been telling people about Jesus all over the place. They're healing people, and setting people free from their addictions and demons. They are very busy doing God's business here on earth... And they're making plenty of enemies. So many enemies, in fact, that they find themselves with their feet in stocks, in the inner prison of the jail house (this will not be the only time) and they're so locked up that absolutely no one is escaping at this point. Close your eyes and picture this though: their feet are bound up in chains, they are sitting on the floor of a smelly, messy, dirty prison with rats running around at their feet, it's the middle of the night, and they love Jesus so much that they are singing songs of praise and worship to Him! They are having their own little praise and worship service in the middle of the night in the dead center of the jail with all the prisoners watching as they praise and sing to their King. If that's not enough to get the heart strings pulled and excited, there is much more to come... they're singing to their Jesus and suddenly there is an earthquake! The prison shakes, the doors fly open, and everyone is free to run like the wind.. no chains around their feet and hands anymore.
Things get shaken up when you praise Jesus in spite of it all. In the middle of the darkest hour of your night, when you feel trapped in your situation at work, or within your family, or you have hit rock bottom with your finances - PRAISE Him. Don't stop. Even if you can barely walk because the chains around your wrists and ankles are weighing you down... praise Him like there is no tomorrow.
There doesn't have to be anything fancy about praising Jesus. Just worship Him. Worship Him. Worship Him. Tell Him you love Him in any situation you find yourself in - chains and all. As you praise Him, your chains will fall off and you will be free.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
142
Matthew 6:34 (nkj)
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
It sounds a little depressing - today is bad enough, tomorrow will get worse and so on and so on. But I don't think that's what the writer here is saying. I think that the Holy Spirit wants us to relax in our hearts and minds when we think about our lives in the future. It's fair to say that the emotion of worry takes it's toll on every single human soul on the entire planet. Each one of us has at least one thing that fear and worry can use to unglue our minds and hearts. It doesn't matter how together and spiritual and in-tact you think you are; we all have that piece of fear that won't leave us alone regarding certain situations in our lives. Then the relief... don't think too much about tomorrow. You have to think about today.
Here's the thing: some things you're working at for your life may work out, some things won't. Some times you will get sick, sometimes you will lose some money, and worst of all, sometimes people will leave you and let you down. The key to not worrying about tomorrow is to not put your identity, expectations, security and peace in things that will come and go. If we have to rely on the flakey things of the earth to anchor our lives (money, power, status, looks, perfect health...etc.), then we would go insane. That's why God doesn't ask us to do that. It's much easier to not worry about tomorrow when you're eyes and purpose and the core of who you are is set like steel on the finish line: Jesus with His open arms welcoming you home. You will finish this race and you will be okay.
Don't worry about what will happen to your life tomorrow or in the future.. He is already there, He has your back, and everything will be okay. There is enough for your tired mind to focus on for today. Tomorrow may beat you up a little, and leave you a little broken and bruised, but you'll get through it. Don't worry...let go.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
It sounds a little depressing - today is bad enough, tomorrow will get worse and so on and so on. But I don't think that's what the writer here is saying. I think that the Holy Spirit wants us to relax in our hearts and minds when we think about our lives in the future. It's fair to say that the emotion of worry takes it's toll on every single human soul on the entire planet. Each one of us has at least one thing that fear and worry can use to unglue our minds and hearts. It doesn't matter how together and spiritual and in-tact you think you are; we all have that piece of fear that won't leave us alone regarding certain situations in our lives. Then the relief... don't think too much about tomorrow. You have to think about today.
Here's the thing: some things you're working at for your life may work out, some things won't. Some times you will get sick, sometimes you will lose some money, and worst of all, sometimes people will leave you and let you down. The key to not worrying about tomorrow is to not put your identity, expectations, security and peace in things that will come and go. If we have to rely on the flakey things of the earth to anchor our lives (money, power, status, looks, perfect health...etc.), then we would go insane. That's why God doesn't ask us to do that. It's much easier to not worry about tomorrow when you're eyes and purpose and the core of who you are is set like steel on the finish line: Jesus with His open arms welcoming you home. You will finish this race and you will be okay.
Don't worry about what will happen to your life tomorrow or in the future.. He is already there, He has your back, and everything will be okay. There is enough for your tired mind to focus on for today. Tomorrow may beat you up a little, and leave you a little broken and bruised, but you'll get through it. Don't worry...let go.
Monday, June 7, 2010
141
Acts 20:22-24 (nkj)
"And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
It puts a fresh perspective on life and stuff when I see how Paul viewed his time here on earth post meeting Jesus. He really just let go, didn't he? And you got to love it. He had let go of the ideas he had for his own life, and the things he'd grown up idealizing and thinking were important (as we all do). The only thing he held dear to his heart was the joy that came from telling the world about Jesus. He let the Holy Spirit lead him in the day to day, fully aware of the battles, disappointments, opposition and chains along the way. He took God seriously, but he didn't take His own life too seriously; Jesus, and telling people about Him was the dearest thing to his heart.
So let go of what you think your life should be about. Let go of needing to control everything, and ask the sweet Holy Spirit to take you where you need to go. You probably won't hear an audible voice, maybe just the still soft voice of your heart, and the Word itself, telling you where to go and what to do. Don't take you and your life so incredibly seriously. Look to Jesus everyday and ask that you would finish this life well... full of the joy and peace and happiness of Jesus and His undying grace over the world, your life and those around you.
"And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
It puts a fresh perspective on life and stuff when I see how Paul viewed his time here on earth post meeting Jesus. He really just let go, didn't he? And you got to love it. He had let go of the ideas he had for his own life, and the things he'd grown up idealizing and thinking were important (as we all do). The only thing he held dear to his heart was the joy that came from telling the world about Jesus. He let the Holy Spirit lead him in the day to day, fully aware of the battles, disappointments, opposition and chains along the way. He took God seriously, but he didn't take His own life too seriously; Jesus, and telling people about Him was the dearest thing to his heart.
So let go of what you think your life should be about. Let go of needing to control everything, and ask the sweet Holy Spirit to take you where you need to go. You probably won't hear an audible voice, maybe just the still soft voice of your heart, and the Word itself, telling you where to go and what to do. Don't take you and your life so incredibly seriously. Look to Jesus everyday and ask that you would finish this life well... full of the joy and peace and happiness of Jesus and His undying grace over the world, your life and those around you.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
140
Ecclesiastes 12:1
"Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say,
“I have no pleasure in them”..."
I don't think it's too much of a stretch for any of us to realize that over time, life can take it's toll on people, even the ones who are full of joy with a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Everyone in the entire world, unless they live under a rock, has witnessed or experienced their fair share of pain and suffering in the world and in humanity. And as time passes ever so quickly, we will keep observing the state of the world and realize that time and life and stuff is breaking down the earth, and all the human souls in it.
Find Jesus now. Wherever you are, however old you are, whatever you find yourself doing, don't waste another minute. Find and enjoy your Saviour now. I don't want to be a downer, but things may get tougher, you will get more disillusioned with people, things will get more expensive, and some dreams are very very hard to find. But your sweet saviour will be there to live with you - don't waste any time with stuff that doesn't matter. Don't wait until you're older and you've done a bunch of stuff you think you needed to do... do it all with Jesus. He is so much fun.
"Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say,
“I have no pleasure in them”..."
I don't think it's too much of a stretch for any of us to realize that over time, life can take it's toll on people, even the ones who are full of joy with a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Everyone in the entire world, unless they live under a rock, has witnessed or experienced their fair share of pain and suffering in the world and in humanity. And as time passes ever so quickly, we will keep observing the state of the world and realize that time and life and stuff is breaking down the earth, and all the human souls in it.
Find Jesus now. Wherever you are, however old you are, whatever you find yourself doing, don't waste another minute. Find and enjoy your Saviour now. I don't want to be a downer, but things may get tougher, you will get more disillusioned with people, things will get more expensive, and some dreams are very very hard to find. But your sweet saviour will be there to live with you - don't waste any time with stuff that doesn't matter. Don't wait until you're older and you've done a bunch of stuff you think you needed to do... do it all with Jesus. He is so much fun.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
139
1 Timothy 6:6-8 (new king james)
"Now Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."
Be yourself. In all situations, just be yourself. Rich, poor, happy or sad, just be the person you truly are before God. The hardest thing about being a human in this rat-race-trying-to-get-ahead-keep-up-with-everyone-make-enough-to-live life we are trying to live, is that it's exhausting. We feel like if we have certain amounts of money, our image is at a certain pretty level, our careers are exciting and prosperous and it looks like we've got it all neatly put together, we may be a better person, have more friends, people will respect us... or that whatever the gap in our hearts is, it will be filled. I don't know if it's that black and white - we all have certain insecurities and pride issues we face everyday - but the beauty of this scripture is that it really takes the pressure off. We can really be who we are when we realize that we literally enter the world wearing nothing, and then we'll head home to heaven taking nothing. All we have to show are the lives we have introduced to Jesus along the way. It's very exciting to realize that we don't have to rely on flaky, unstable, unreliable and unfriendly money and stuff to make us happy and at peace.
Be Godly and content, and with these two gems inside you, you will become rich in all things. Be content becoming the best version of who you are as you walk with Him. And when you're having a bad day and you feel like you have to prove yourself with lots of money and stuff, then fall on your face in your bedroom before Jesus and let it all out. You can be who you really are with Him. He gets it.
"Now Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."
Be yourself. In all situations, just be yourself. Rich, poor, happy or sad, just be the person you truly are before God. The hardest thing about being a human in this rat-race-trying-to-get-ahead-keep-up-with-everyone-make-enough-to-live life we are trying to live, is that it's exhausting. We feel like if we have certain amounts of money, our image is at a certain pretty level, our careers are exciting and prosperous and it looks like we've got it all neatly put together, we may be a better person, have more friends, people will respect us... or that whatever the gap in our hearts is, it will be filled. I don't know if it's that black and white - we all have certain insecurities and pride issues we face everyday - but the beauty of this scripture is that it really takes the pressure off. We can really be who we are when we realize that we literally enter the world wearing nothing, and then we'll head home to heaven taking nothing. All we have to show are the lives we have introduced to Jesus along the way. It's very exciting to realize that we don't have to rely on flaky, unstable, unreliable and unfriendly money and stuff to make us happy and at peace.
Be Godly and content, and with these two gems inside you, you will become rich in all things. Be content becoming the best version of who you are as you walk with Him. And when you're having a bad day and you feel like you have to prove yourself with lots of money and stuff, then fall on your face in your bedroom before Jesus and let it all out. You can be who you really are with Him. He gets it.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
138
Ecclesiastes 8:1
"Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, And the sternness of his face is changed."
There is nothing like wisdom to help us figure out (somewhat) what life is about. Wisdom helps open our eyes to see what life seasons in all their drama and hilarity actually mean. Wisdom helps go beyond the surface to interpret what is actually going on in and around our lives. Even Solomon, according to this verse, can't find a person to compare with a truly wise soul - someone who has taken the time to search for the truth and ask God for His perspective and heart over people and situations and life. The most beautiful part of it all? Wisdom makes you look good! Your countenance is lifted, and the heaviness that comes from confusion, mystery and feeling lost and hopeless is taken away because of the sweetness of wisdom in your eyes and heart. Wisdom softens what the hardness of life can sometimes reflect on our faces.
Pursue her, Wisdom, and she will make your face shine like the sun and you will light up every room you walk into, bringing joy and peace and hope to all those you come across in your day.
Selah.
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"Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, And the sternness of his face is changed."
There is nothing like wisdom to help us figure out (somewhat) what life is about. Wisdom helps open our eyes to see what life seasons in all their drama and hilarity actually mean. Wisdom helps go beyond the surface to interpret what is actually going on in and around our lives. Even Solomon, according to this verse, can't find a person to compare with a truly wise soul - someone who has taken the time to search for the truth and ask God for His perspective and heart over people and situations and life. The most beautiful part of it all? Wisdom makes you look good! Your countenance is lifted, and the heaviness that comes from confusion, mystery and feeling lost and hopeless is taken away because of the sweetness of wisdom in your eyes and heart. Wisdom softens what the hardness of life can sometimes reflect on our faces.
Pursue her, Wisdom, and she will make your face shine like the sun and you will light up every room you walk into, bringing joy and peace and hope to all those you come across in your day.
Selah.
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Tuesday, June 1, 2010
137
Matthew 12:34-35
(new king james) "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things."
(the message) "It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard."
Be careful what you say out of your mouth, always, because your words are a mirror of what's in your heart. It's actually a little bit scary- words can even determine how happy an individual can be, and how rich relationships and marriages can be. We must do everything within our will to say beautiful and edifying words.
(new king james) "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things."
(the message) "It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard."
Be careful what you say out of your mouth, always, because your words are a mirror of what's in your heart. It's actually a little bit scary- words can even determine how happy an individual can be, and how rich relationships and marriages can be. We must do everything within our will to say beautiful and edifying words.
I am currently trying to not be negative. I am having a negativity fast, if you will. I'm trying this for seven days. And you have no idea how many times I've had to bite my tongue over the last couple days since I started this little experiment - it made me very disappointed that I have let myself get quite "loose" with what I'm speaking out lately. It's more serious than I really ever thought it was, and when I try and pull in the reigns on what comes out of my mouth, I realize that if I'm not careful I can become very undisciplined with what I'm saying.
I'm not suggesting we live in denial and be happy-happy-joy-joy all the time. That's annoying. I feel perfectly fine acknowledging that a situation is bad, and I am feeling sad or someone hurt my heart. I am, however, saying to keep our hearts good, and the way we know the state of our hearts, is to listen to ourselves speak. Pay attention to the words coming out of your mouth, even just for one day. Keep your heart in line with Jesus' heart instructions, read good things that build your heart with goodness, mostly hang around people who are positive, and keep your heart in love with Jesus. Don't say negative things.
Good heart = good words. Evil heart = evil words. You choose.
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