Matthew 6:26 (the message)
"Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds."
You count more to Him than the birds. In the whole scheme of things, you're way higher up on the totem pole to God than the birds that fly around in the air. They fly, they nest, they live. The lovely truth, is that they are being taken care of by God every single second of every single day. They are truly free spirits, and they depend on God with a simple (yet super-natural) dependency on their God. It's a simple trust in their Creator, a trust that says everyday they will be okay.
Next time you're outdoors and looking at the sweet little or big birds that fly around above your head, enjoying their lives in trees and in the air, think about their day-to-day. Think about the birds who are careless, free-spirited and happy in their "nothingness" (compared to us in our stupid rat-race). Think about how God takes care of them and makes sure that they have enough to eat and drink, and a place to live. He enables them to look after their families, and provide for those they love. How much more will He do that for you and for me? He will do that a million times more than He will do that for the birds.
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Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
177
James 4:8 (New King James Version)
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Get real and raw when it comes to being a friend and child of God. It takes a commitment, dependency and an utter abandonment to Him to enter into an honest relationship with Him. This relationship can be a pure and personal walk with Him, unlike anything you will have with a human, and it can cost you. It's about laying down every scrap of pride, self-dependency and laziness, both inside and out, and picking up the beautiful friendship, love and humility with Jesus possible on this earth. You will lay down your sin and natural desires to be with Him and to develop a relationship that withstands days, months and years on this (sometimes, often) awful earth.
The beauty of this promise is that when you feel alone and distant from Him (or even anyone, practically), and you really get serious about drawing close to Him, and you take the time throughout your day to be with Him, ask for forgiveness and actually changes your behavior, then He comes to you. He comes where He is invited and wanted. He is close to you, and you are not distant or alone anymore.
He promises to come near to you. That is the most special, undeserved thing humans have here. Treasure the unreasonable amounts of love He has for you; don't take advantage. When you get to the end of your life, you will regret every day, minute and moment you didn't spend with Him. To know Him is to love Him.
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"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Get real and raw when it comes to being a friend and child of God. It takes a commitment, dependency and an utter abandonment to Him to enter into an honest relationship with Him. This relationship can be a pure and personal walk with Him, unlike anything you will have with a human, and it can cost you. It's about laying down every scrap of pride, self-dependency and laziness, both inside and out, and picking up the beautiful friendship, love and humility with Jesus possible on this earth. You will lay down your sin and natural desires to be with Him and to develop a relationship that withstands days, months and years on this (sometimes, often) awful earth.
The beauty of this promise is that when you feel alone and distant from Him (or even anyone, practically), and you really get serious about drawing close to Him, and you take the time throughout your day to be with Him, ask for forgiveness and actually changes your behavior, then He comes to you. He comes where He is invited and wanted. He is close to you, and you are not distant or alone anymore.
He promises to come near to you. That is the most special, undeserved thing humans have here. Treasure the unreasonable amounts of love He has for you; don't take advantage. When you get to the end of your life, you will regret every day, minute and moment you didn't spend with Him. To know Him is to love Him.
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Wednesday, August 25, 2010
177
Matthew 5:4 (the message)
"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you."
There is something powerful about losing something or someone that means the most to you. When God brings you to a place in your life where you feel the most lost inside and out, it is then that He honestly and humbly walks in to be everything and everyone you need.
And in some way or another we have all experienced loss. Loss is the universal emotion and experience that binds the human race together at the seams. So you're finally brought to a place where you're lost, and then suddenly after blood sweat and tears - the utter desperation where you have eventually run into Jesus' arms... you are found.
Loss is universal, but have you ever been to a place where you are lost? Let me suggest this: you want that time in your life at some point. You don't want to cruise through life with everything okay and in the middle. You want some risk, some adventure, some hard work and some loss.
No matter whom you have elevated to a prominent place in your life, make sure you reserve a piece of your heart for Jesus and Jesus alone. So when you lose the person, place or thing that holds your heart, you are able to (even in an ever so slightly way) survive the damage.
God is good.
Amen.
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"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you."
There is something powerful about losing something or someone that means the most to you. When God brings you to a place in your life where you feel the most lost inside and out, it is then that He honestly and humbly walks in to be everything and everyone you need.
And in some way or another we have all experienced loss. Loss is the universal emotion and experience that binds the human race together at the seams. So you're finally brought to a place where you're lost, and then suddenly after blood sweat and tears - the utter desperation where you have eventually run into Jesus' arms... you are found.
Loss is universal, but have you ever been to a place where you are lost? Let me suggest this: you want that time in your life at some point. You don't want to cruise through life with everything okay and in the middle. You want some risk, some adventure, some hard work and some loss.
No matter whom you have elevated to a prominent place in your life, make sure you reserve a piece of your heart for Jesus and Jesus alone. So when you lose the person, place or thing that holds your heart, you are able to (even in an ever so slightly way) survive the damage.
God is good.
Amen.
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Monday, August 23, 2010
176
#176
Jeremiah 1:7-9 (nkjv)
But the LORD said to me: Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD. Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth..."
There are no excuses for not obeying God's call on your life. Every single child of God (that's you) has been given a purpose, a destiny and a mandate from their precious Father in heaven. There is something divine and specific for each of us to do and someone unique and beautiful and secure for us to be. And, sometimes when God calls you to do it or be it (whatever "it" may be) it's hard to even imagine yourself in the same vicinity as that "it", let alone actually thinking you could ever possibly accomplish "it."
And that's the releasing, relieving and let-out-a-deep-breath about this conversation between God and the prophet Jeremiah.
When God calls you and sends you, He will perfectly and wholly equip you. And most of the time it's an out-of-your league thing anyway, and in those cases all we have is God - He must pull it off, because there is no way on earth you could do it. God will place His hand over the area or areas of your life where you feel the most inadequate (Jeremiah was too scared to speak and thought he was way too young to accomplish anything), and He will give you all that you need. He called the teenager, Jeremiah, to be a voice to the nations! He gave Jeremiah a mandate to speak to the nations and kingdoms of the world, and little Jeremiah was beside Himself thinking: Lord? I'm a kid and I can barely put two words together!? And when God doesn't relent, we kick and scream and fight and cry, and then our beautiful and sweet God gently covers our mouth, and calms our nerves and fears. We let out that muffled cry (like when someone is covering your mouth trying to calm and rest your arguments and tears), and we give in to His perfect plan and heart for our lives.
When God calls you, follow Him. He will take you there.
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Jeremiah 1:7-9 (nkjv)
But the LORD said to me: Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD. Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth..."
There are no excuses for not obeying God's call on your life. Every single child of God (that's you) has been given a purpose, a destiny and a mandate from their precious Father in heaven. There is something divine and specific for each of us to do and someone unique and beautiful and secure for us to be. And, sometimes when God calls you to do it or be it (whatever "it" may be) it's hard to even imagine yourself in the same vicinity as that "it", let alone actually thinking you could ever possibly accomplish "it."
And that's the releasing, relieving and let-out-a-deep-breath about this conversation between God and the prophet Jeremiah.
When God calls you and sends you, He will perfectly and wholly equip you. And most of the time it's an out-of-your league thing anyway, and in those cases all we have is God - He must pull it off, because there is no way on earth you could do it. God will place His hand over the area or areas of your life where you feel the most inadequate (Jeremiah was too scared to speak and thought he was way too young to accomplish anything), and He will give you all that you need. He called the teenager, Jeremiah, to be a voice to the nations! He gave Jeremiah a mandate to speak to the nations and kingdoms of the world, and little Jeremiah was beside Himself thinking: Lord? I'm a kid and I can barely put two words together!? And when God doesn't relent, we kick and scream and fight and cry, and then our beautiful and sweet God gently covers our mouth, and calms our nerves and fears. We let out that muffled cry (like when someone is covering your mouth trying to calm and rest your arguments and tears), and we give in to His perfect plan and heart for our lives.
When God calls you, follow Him. He will take you there.
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Saturday, August 21, 2010
175
Psalm 119:105 (New King James Version)
"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."
It's as simple as that. Your dark will be lit up with light. The Message says it perfectly, "By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path." So all there really is to say: read the Bible. Read it out loud, read it in silence, write it out on paper: get it into you any way you can. And, take out of that beautiful book of the Spirit of Jesus every ounce of light and promise and goodness for the season of life you are in right now.
Notice how the scripture doesn't say, "your word shines this massive bright light all over my path for miles and miles and I know what' do to for the next ten years..." It simply says, however, that like holding a flashlight or a torch on a dark path or in a dark room, it only really lights up the next step or two. You then take the next step and then after you take that next step, the next step will be lit up for you, and so on and so forth. So picture it like you're holding the Bible out in front of you: it's a flashlight, it's a weapon, it's a piece of art, it's a code, it's the answer to life's questions, and it will show you the next step to take.
So stay in it. It will take some dedication to this book for the Lord to speak through it to you. Don't give up. Your darkness will become light. If you're wondering the what's, when's, how's and who's of the next days, weeks, months ahead, don't be discouraged. Don't let the devil cover your eyes from behind. Shake him off like an annoying fly. The word of God will light up the path ahead of you. He is good and He loves you. He knows more than you.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."
It's as simple as that. Your dark will be lit up with light. The Message says it perfectly, "By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path." So all there really is to say: read the Bible. Read it out loud, read it in silence, write it out on paper: get it into you any way you can. And, take out of that beautiful book of the Spirit of Jesus every ounce of light and promise and goodness for the season of life you are in right now.
Notice how the scripture doesn't say, "your word shines this massive bright light all over my path for miles and miles and I know what' do to for the next ten years..." It simply says, however, that like holding a flashlight or a torch on a dark path or in a dark room, it only really lights up the next step or two. You then take the next step and then after you take that next step, the next step will be lit up for you, and so on and so forth. So picture it like you're holding the Bible out in front of you: it's a flashlight, it's a weapon, it's a piece of art, it's a code, it's the answer to life's questions, and it will show you the next step to take.
So stay in it. It will take some dedication to this book for the Lord to speak through it to you. Don't give up. Your darkness will become light. If you're wondering the what's, when's, how's and who's of the next days, weeks, months ahead, don't be discouraged. Don't let the devil cover your eyes from behind. Shake him off like an annoying fly. The word of God will light up the path ahead of you. He is good and He loves you. He knows more than you.
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Wednesday, August 18, 2010
174
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
the message
"Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You've heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends."
In most situations, the Bible makes is quite clear how to live. It is concise and explicit in regards to how we should treat others and how we should love our Lord. Sometimes it may express in vague metaphorical terms, but for the most part we are told what to do and how to do it well. Lately I have been pondering gossip, and assumptions about other people's lives and getting caught up (in the negative sense) in other people's lives. And this is what I think: don't do it. Be cool. Be super nice to people and mind your own business. Nothing positive comes from meddling in other people's lives and talking about people behind their backs and making assumptions about peoples lives, behavior, finances, relationships and motives.
When you imitate Jesus and how He walked the earth, you will command the respect of others- people will be drawn to you and you will be full of light and peace as you walk this earth.
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"Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You've heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends."
In most situations, the Bible makes is quite clear how to live. It is concise and explicit in regards to how we should treat others and how we should love our Lord. Sometimes it may express in vague metaphorical terms, but for the most part we are told what to do and how to do it well. Lately I have been pondering gossip, and assumptions about other people's lives and getting caught up (in the negative sense) in other people's lives. And this is what I think: don't do it. Be cool. Be super nice to people and mind your own business. Nothing positive comes from meddling in other people's lives and talking about people behind their backs and making assumptions about peoples lives, behavior, finances, relationships and motives.
When you imitate Jesus and how He walked the earth, you will command the respect of others- people will be drawn to you and you will be full of light and peace as you walk this earth.
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Monday, August 16, 2010
173
Isaiah 60: 1-4 (the message)
"Get out of bed, Jerusalem! Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God's bright glory has risen for you. The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness, But God rises on you, his sunrise glory breaks over you. Nations will come to your light, kings to your sunburst brightness."
This whole idea of light being wrapped around us and all over us is encouraging and hopeful for us today. And since things have gotten pretty dark, we all need a little or a lot of light. Some days life is pitch black, and it's hard to see one step in front of us, let alone what the answers are to the questions of our lives for the coming days, weeks, months and years. Some days things seem to be in such ruins that it's hard to even feel the teensy bit of hope that everything will work out.
And then there is the glory of God. The glory of God that shines on us like the first batch of sun on our paste-y-white sore winter skin. Except it's a million times more refreshing and overwhelming than that. The glory of God that is His magnificent presence in our lives every waking (and sleeping) moment. The glory of God that draws people to us because they need light in their own lives. The glory of God that transforms our darkness and sin into the reflection of Jesus Christ in all His loveliness, purity and beauty. The glory of God that blinds us like the sun and leaves us motionless and on our faces in passionate worship toward our king. The glory of God that gives us a good and wonderful, joyful, peaceful life, and the glory of God that leads us home.
When you're in the dark, pray and believe that this verse is true, and by faith step into God's glorious light. It will take your breathe away, and make you radiant. And you will know the way in which to go.
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"Get out of bed, Jerusalem! Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God's bright glory has risen for you. The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness, But God rises on you, his sunrise glory breaks over you. Nations will come to your light, kings to your sunburst brightness."
This whole idea of light being wrapped around us and all over us is encouraging and hopeful for us today. And since things have gotten pretty dark, we all need a little or a lot of light. Some days life is pitch black, and it's hard to see one step in front of us, let alone what the answers are to the questions of our lives for the coming days, weeks, months and years. Some days things seem to be in such ruins that it's hard to even feel the teensy bit of hope that everything will work out.
And then there is the glory of God. The glory of God that shines on us like the first batch of sun on our paste-y-white sore winter skin. Except it's a million times more refreshing and overwhelming than that. The glory of God that is His magnificent presence in our lives every waking (and sleeping) moment. The glory of God that draws people to us because they need light in their own lives. The glory of God that transforms our darkness and sin into the reflection of Jesus Christ in all His loveliness, purity and beauty. The glory of God that blinds us like the sun and leaves us motionless and on our faces in passionate worship toward our king. The glory of God that gives us a good and wonderful, joyful, peaceful life, and the glory of God that leads us home.
When you're in the dark, pray and believe that this verse is true, and by faith step into God's glorious light. It will take your breathe away, and make you radiant. And you will know the way in which to go.
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