Many of us have experienced times where we have wrestled with Jesus. In John 4 we read that there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. This official pleaded with Jesus to come to his son before his son dies.
This royal official didn't believe in Jesus yet. He wanted to see a miracle. Jesus, being in the miracle business, gave him exactly what was needed to prove that he was who others were saying he was. Jesus replied to the man, "You may go. Your son will live."
There must have been something in the tone Jesus spoke with, for the pleading stopped and footsteps began. The Bible tells us that "The man took Jesus at his word and departed." After the official applied steps of faith to what Jesus had spoken, he was soon greeted with the good news that his son was healed. He was also greeted with the Good News that Jesus was real.
After our pleading, if we would simply stop fighting Jesus and take him at his word, applying steps of faith, we too would see the miracle of answered prayer. When you wrestle, have you ever noticed that you get too busy telling Jesus "ya but..."?
When need to take Jesus at his word. When he says he is going to do something, then he is going to do it! I think it is sometimes on those steps of faith we take, that our doubt turns to belief. Keep believing - take him at his word!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Got Power?
Living in the great North East has taught us that we need to be able to adapt to several climate changes throughout the year. The memories of Spring, Summer and Fall bring such a warmth to my spirit. This week many of us experienced a rude awakening that Winter is just around the corner as our little neck of the woods was coated with 3/4" of ice. So pretty, yet so weighty. So smooth, yet so destructive. Many of us felt the effects of being powerless!
I have come to this realization...I do not like to be without power! I like to be warm, I like to take hot showers, I like to blow dry my hair, I like to eat hot meals...and I like it when I flip a light switch to see that the light actually comes on! I also like it when God uses present circumstances to teach us spiritual lessons!
God is our power source, yet how often do we tap into him? For every room of uncertainty do we stop and seek his light of truth or do we walk in darkness trying to aimlessly find our way out? For every fear do we seek the illumination that will shed the light of truth that will bring release from dark imprisonment? The list of questions could go on and on as we take a look at how we respond to trials, temptations, anxiety, and doubts to name a few.
We have received power from on high. There is no greater source of power than that of the Holy Spirit. We just have to remember to "flip the switch". The Holy Spirit is a constant source - the same yesterday, today and forever!
2Peter 1:5 says, "His divine power has given us EVERYTHING we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
With the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we are never powerless. Live and walk in the power of God's truth!
I have come to this realization...I do not like to be without power! I like to be warm, I like to take hot showers, I like to blow dry my hair, I like to eat hot meals...and I like it when I flip a light switch to see that the light actually comes on! I also like it when God uses present circumstances to teach us spiritual lessons!
God is our power source, yet how often do we tap into him? For every room of uncertainty do we stop and seek his light of truth or do we walk in darkness trying to aimlessly find our way out? For every fear do we seek the illumination that will shed the light of truth that will bring release from dark imprisonment? The list of questions could go on and on as we take a look at how we respond to trials, temptations, anxiety, and doubts to name a few.
We have received power from on high. There is no greater source of power than that of the Holy Spirit. We just have to remember to "flip the switch". The Holy Spirit is a constant source - the same yesterday, today and forever!
2Peter 1:5 says, "His divine power has given us EVERYTHING we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
With the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we are never powerless. Live and walk in the power of God's truth!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Where's the Joy?
I've been noticing something lately...it's probably been there a long time and I am only now understanding it's impact and significance. In conversations everywhere I go, there is a lack of joy.
Some of us parents last night at swim team were having a conversation about the state of the economy. How everywhere you go it is the topic being discussed. People are talking about their hardships and their worries, of all the stories of being laid off and how they can't afford so many of the things that were once pleasurable. These topics are definitely of great concern.
Our discussion then turned as I posed this question, "When was the last time you asked someone how they were doing and their response was "great" or "my day is wonderful"? How many cheerful people do you run into? Every where there is negativity. You ask the question and you get dumped on! Yuck!!!
As Christians, I see another opportunity here for God to shine through us. Instead of us falling into the pit of complaining, we can shed the truth of joy and hope. What would happen if we started to speak forth expressions like, "I am so thankful for..." or "It has been such a great day..." or "Being the economy is in this state, God is using it to teach me..."?
As Christians, we can be a turning point in every conversation we partake in. We just need to look for opportunities and we need to safe guard ourselves and be determined ahead of time not to engage in negativity. A cheerful heart is good medicine. Not just for the listener, but for the speaker as well.
The Holy Spirit is at work in us and through us. Let's desire to walk in the fruit of the spirit and spread the joy of the Lord everywhere we go.
Some of us parents last night at swim team were having a conversation about the state of the economy. How everywhere you go it is the topic being discussed. People are talking about their hardships and their worries, of all the stories of being laid off and how they can't afford so many of the things that were once pleasurable. These topics are definitely of great concern.
Our discussion then turned as I posed this question, "When was the last time you asked someone how they were doing and their response was "great" or "my day is wonderful"? How many cheerful people do you run into? Every where there is negativity. You ask the question and you get dumped on! Yuck!!!
As Christians, I see another opportunity here for God to shine through us. Instead of us falling into the pit of complaining, we can shed the truth of joy and hope. What would happen if we started to speak forth expressions like, "I am so thankful for..." or "It has been such a great day..." or "Being the economy is in this state, God is using it to teach me..."?
As Christians, we can be a turning point in every conversation we partake in. We just need to look for opportunities and we need to safe guard ourselves and be determined ahead of time not to engage in negativity. A cheerful heart is good medicine. Not just for the listener, but for the speaker as well.
The Holy Spirit is at work in us and through us. Let's desire to walk in the fruit of the spirit and spread the joy of the Lord everywhere we go.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The List of Love
This morning a list of love jumped off the pages of my Bible. It is a hard list to check off, for there is a list of reality in my heart that needs to be considered. A personal evaluation, so it may be called. The word "sincere" was the first check point. To be free of falsehood, pretense or deceit. To be honest, it is hard to go any farther. God's grace gives me the ability to read on and continue in my evaluation. My prayer is that upon the completion of the search of my heart, that I may arise from my kneeling positions and walk things out with even more of God's grace and His love.
Here is the list taken from Romans 12:9-21
1) Love must be sincere
2) Hate what is evil
3) Cling to what is good
4) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love
5) Honor one another above yourself
6) Never be lacking in zeal (keep your fervor by serving the Lord)
7) Be joyful in hope
8) Be patient in affliction
9) Be faithful in prayer
10) Share with God's people who are in need
11) Practice hospitality
12) Bless those who persecute you
13) Bless and do not curse
14) Rejoice with those who rejoice
15) Mourn with those who mourn
16) Live in harmony with one another
17) Do not be proud
18) Be willing to associate with people of low position
19) Do not be conceited
20) Do not repay anyone evil for evil
21) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody
22) If possible, to the best you can, live at peace with everyone
23) Do not take revenge
24) If your enemy is hungry feed him
25) If your enemy is thirsty give him something to drink
26) Do not be overcome by evil
27) Overcome evil with good
Here is the list taken from Romans 12:9-21
1) Love must be sincere
2) Hate what is evil
3) Cling to what is good
4) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love
5) Honor one another above yourself
6) Never be lacking in zeal (keep your fervor by serving the Lord)
7) Be joyful in hope
8) Be patient in affliction
9) Be faithful in prayer
10) Share with God's people who are in need
11) Practice hospitality
12) Bless those who persecute you
13) Bless and do not curse
14) Rejoice with those who rejoice
15) Mourn with those who mourn
16) Live in harmony with one another
17) Do not be proud
18) Be willing to associate with people of low position
19) Do not be conceited
20) Do not repay anyone evil for evil
21) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody
22) If possible, to the best you can, live at peace with everyone
23) Do not take revenge
24) If your enemy is hungry feed him
25) If your enemy is thirsty give him something to drink
26) Do not be overcome by evil
27) Overcome evil with good
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Seal On Your Lips
God's word is powerful and so convicting. When you desire to set your mind on what the Spirit desires instead of what the sinful nature ( a.k.a. your flesh!) desires, then a work of God is at hand.
Today I want to talk about our mouths. They often get us into a lot of trouble. We sometimes say words that we hope we could just reverse time and take back. When they come out, we know that they have wounded others, have spoken curses, or have even reflected ungodly character to someone we have been trying to witness to. When we were children, name calling or a bad word were often met with correction from a parent. As adults we still say words that can hurt us as well as others through being angry, critical or by even by using complaining speech. Thankfully, we have a loving Father to bring us the correction needed!
We need to discipline our minds to desire what the Spirit desires. The Holy Spirit desires us to be pure in heart, for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. God also knows that we are rather imperfect and bestows much grace upon us as we walk out this discipline.
David had a cry out to God that I think I would offer up with great fear and trembling! Psalm 17:3 says, "Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin." There is a word David uses that reveals his determination not to sin. It is the word "resolved". Webster's states that to be resolved is to be decided, determined, or purposed in mind.
It takes the conviction of God to be aware of tainted speech. It takes a humble heart to confess the uncleanness of lips. It takes a mind that is set on what the Spirit desires and a mind that is resolved not to allow the mouth to sin to walk in true repentance.
David knew that he was not able to walk out this discipline on his own. He needed help and knew where his help came from. Psalm 141:3 says, "Take control of what I say, O Lord, and keep my lips sealed."
Today I want to talk about our mouths. They often get us into a lot of trouble. We sometimes say words that we hope we could just reverse time and take back. When they come out, we know that they have wounded others, have spoken curses, or have even reflected ungodly character to someone we have been trying to witness to. When we were children, name calling or a bad word were often met with correction from a parent. As adults we still say words that can hurt us as well as others through being angry, critical or by even by using complaining speech. Thankfully, we have a loving Father to bring us the correction needed!
We need to discipline our minds to desire what the Spirit desires. The Holy Spirit desires us to be pure in heart, for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. God also knows that we are rather imperfect and bestows much grace upon us as we walk out this discipline.
David had a cry out to God that I think I would offer up with great fear and trembling! Psalm 17:3 says, "Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin." There is a word David uses that reveals his determination not to sin. It is the word "resolved". Webster's states that to be resolved is to be decided, determined, or purposed in mind.
It takes the conviction of God to be aware of tainted speech. It takes a humble heart to confess the uncleanness of lips. It takes a mind that is set on what the Spirit desires and a mind that is resolved not to allow the mouth to sin to walk in true repentance.
David knew that he was not able to walk out this discipline on his own. He needed help and knew where his help came from. Psalm 141:3 says, "Take control of what I say, O Lord, and keep my lips sealed."
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