I thought I would list verses that encouage me daily. I have these and others posted on bulletin boards or plaques on the wall.
Phil 4: 8 Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure. whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anythig worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Romans 15: 13.28 May the god of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
May they encouage you today and always.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Our Divine Valentine
I've been so busy that I neglected my emails yesterday. My daughter sent me one that warmed my heart so I went to that wonderful Dayspring Card site and ran across one called the Divine Valentine. You must give youself a treat and listen to it's perfect message. Though I will not do it justice this is what it had to say:
Your valentine may sing love songs to you,
The Lord God will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
Your valentine may give you flowers,
The Lord God gives you the Rose of Sharon.
Songs of Soloman 2:1
Your love may take you to Dinner,
The Lord God prepares a feast for you.
Rev.9:9
You may receive Chocolates,
Your Divine Valentines words are sweeter than honey.
Psm 119:103
Your valentine may live far away,
The Lord you God is always with you.
Matt 28:20
Your valentine may give you something,
The Lord your God gives you everything.
1Tim 6:17
Your love may love you for a life time,
The Lord will love you for all eternity.
Jer 31:3
Although this is a day late, it's message is eternal. Enjoy your Divine Valentine today. He is all we need.
Your valentine may sing love songs to you,
The Lord God will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
Your valentine may give you flowers,
The Lord God gives you the Rose of Sharon.
Songs of Soloman 2:1
Your love may take you to Dinner,
The Lord God prepares a feast for you.
Rev.9:9
You may receive Chocolates,
Your Divine Valentines words are sweeter than honey.
Psm 119:103
Your valentine may live far away,
The Lord you God is always with you.
Matt 28:20
Your valentine may give you something,
The Lord your God gives you everything.
1Tim 6:17
Your love may love you for a life time,
The Lord will love you for all eternity.
Jer 31:3
Although this is a day late, it's message is eternal. Enjoy your Divine Valentine today. He is all we need.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Keep On
1 Cor. 15:56
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Some times we get discouraged in our labor for the Lord because of our walk in this life. I think the most discouragement comes to me becuse of all the mistakes I've made. Times when I have been selfish, run ahead of the Lord or been so prideful that I thought I was in control and knew best. Yes, what a foolish way to live life considering the enlightenment that comes from that moment of salvation. That moment which brings us into His presence for all eternity. But we all do this. We all mess up, sin, think we know best and take off in our own specific directions. None of which are the directions God has laid before us. These mistakes and wrong turns discourage me the most.
But praise be to our Lord and Savior. He knew our lives and the directions and the mistakes long before we were even born. He accepted us, saved and delivered us from the domain of darkness anyway. Not only did He do all this, He allowed us, imperfect us, to share in the Labor in the Lord.
Let's look at what that means:
Labor in the Lord. By now you all know I like to take things to the simplest explaination. Labor means a job, work. In the Lord means something He gave us to do, something He lays before us to do, something we know beyond a doubt He wants us to do. This assingnment is not something we do on our own. He thouroughly intends to do the specifice work through us. We simply get the privilege of working along side Him. His superatural process in, through, and around us accomplishes this work.
Then this verse gives us great encouagement. It says that the Labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Not in vain. Regardless of what He has called us to do, it will take place and it is not done in vain. In other words, He will accomplish what He wants to accomplish regardless of how slow, how inadequate or how poorly we think we did the job. He makes it happen. We are asked to stand firm, to continue, to keep on.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Some times we get discouraged in our labor for the Lord because of our walk in this life. I think the most discouragement comes to me becuse of all the mistakes I've made. Times when I have been selfish, run ahead of the Lord or been so prideful that I thought I was in control and knew best. Yes, what a foolish way to live life considering the enlightenment that comes from that moment of salvation. That moment which brings us into His presence for all eternity. But we all do this. We all mess up, sin, think we know best and take off in our own specific directions. None of which are the directions God has laid before us. These mistakes and wrong turns discourage me the most.
But praise be to our Lord and Savior. He knew our lives and the directions and the mistakes long before we were even born. He accepted us, saved and delivered us from the domain of darkness anyway. Not only did He do all this, He allowed us, imperfect us, to share in the Labor in the Lord.
Let's look at what that means:
Labor in the Lord. By now you all know I like to take things to the simplest explaination. Labor means a job, work. In the Lord means something He gave us to do, something He lays before us to do, something we know beyond a doubt He wants us to do. This assingnment is not something we do on our own. He thouroughly intends to do the specifice work through us. We simply get the privilege of working along side Him. His superatural process in, through, and around us accomplishes this work.
Then this verse gives us great encouagement. It says that the Labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Not in vain. Regardless of what He has called us to do, it will take place and it is not done in vain. In other words, He will accomplish what He wants to accomplish regardless of how slow, how inadequate or how poorly we think we did the job. He makes it happen. We are asked to stand firm, to continue, to keep on.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Peace
Proverbs 17:1 It is better to have a crust of bread in peace than feasting with strife.(paraphrased by me.)
Peace, what a nice word. I think today we spend too much time looking for a thrill, or way to keep busy so bordome will not hit. We buy toys, seek riches, increase our intelect and sacrifice for body beautiful. True, the world believes that money, good looks and riches give us value. Of course, those of us who know Christ have heard over and over how beauty fades, riches are stolen and God reveals himself to the humble not the proud. None of the which brings peace.
Christ is the Prince of peace. He brings peace. Not the kind the world brings but the kind only He brings. Peace is part of the fruits of the Holy spirit. Peace is a gift and part of salvation. Do we have peace?
The only way to receive peace is to receive Christ and all he offers to us as Children of God. Yet we experience strife often. Maybe it is because of the company we keep, the places we find oursleves in or things that encompass lives. We are called to Love, Joy, PEACE, patience kindness, gooodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. These, the attrubutes of the Holy Spirit, live inside us. Anything that depleats, slaks or steals this from us needs to be elelminated or at the very least avoided.
Fear not. Regardles of what we think we may loose by seperating ourselves for what we believe brings happiness, we loose nothing. For it is better to live with only a crust of bread and be at peace than to feast in wealth or what ever else we treasere and live in strife or discord.
May peace rule your life today.
Peace, what a nice word. I think today we spend too much time looking for a thrill, or way to keep busy so bordome will not hit. We buy toys, seek riches, increase our intelect and sacrifice for body beautiful. True, the world believes that money, good looks and riches give us value. Of course, those of us who know Christ have heard over and over how beauty fades, riches are stolen and God reveals himself to the humble not the proud. None of the which brings peace.
Christ is the Prince of peace. He brings peace. Not the kind the world brings but the kind only He brings. Peace is part of the fruits of the Holy spirit. Peace is a gift and part of salvation. Do we have peace?
The only way to receive peace is to receive Christ and all he offers to us as Children of God. Yet we experience strife often. Maybe it is because of the company we keep, the places we find oursleves in or things that encompass lives. We are called to Love, Joy, PEACE, patience kindness, gooodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. These, the attrubutes of the Holy Spirit, live inside us. Anything that depleats, slaks or steals this from us needs to be elelminated or at the very least avoided.
Fear not. Regardles of what we think we may loose by seperating ourselves for what we believe brings happiness, we loose nothing. For it is better to live with only a crust of bread and be at peace than to feast in wealth or what ever else we treasere and live in strife or discord.
May peace rule your life today.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Idols
Proverbs 29:11
A man who remains stiff necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed with out remedy.
Anything that takes us from God and the worship of God is an idol. Idols can be anything we rely on to supply our needs or love enough to totally occupy our heart and mind. Things that are good but become bad as a result of worship. Idols can be jobs, people, hobbies, children or any object once we choose to worship them. There is a simple test for identifying idols: can you give it up? Can you say... God, I accept your will in my life. I choose you. Here, I give this to you. If you can not do this,then regardless of what is, it is an idol in your life.
As I look into this verse, I notice several things. One is this: will suddenly be cut off. That phrase is not God's judgment. God has, will and will always seek us out. He does not cut us off. His desire is to bring us all to Himself. We cut ourselves off from Him. The verse points to our response. Note what is says about the responder.
A man who remains stiff necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed with out remedy.
Anything that takes us from God and the worship of God is an idol. Idols can be anything we rely on to supply our needs or love enough to totally occupy our heart and mind. Things that are good but become bad as a result of worship. Idols can be jobs, people, hobbies, children or any object once we choose to worship them. There is a simple test for identifying idols: can you give it up? Can you say... God, I accept your will in my life. I choose you. Here, I give this to you. If you can not do this,then regardless of what is, it is an idol in your life.
As I look into this verse, I notice several things. One is this: will suddenly be cut off. That phrase is not God's judgment. God has, will and will always seek us out. He does not cut us off. His desire is to bring us all to Himself. We cut ourselves off from Him. The verse points to our response. Note what is says about the responder.
- He remains stiff necked: He decides. It is a decision to not listen to God's call.
- He ignores many rebukes: He continues to turn from God and walks away from God's light, a choice to stay in darkness.
- Sudden destruction comes: Eventually he lacks the ability to respond. A habit forms, a habit which leads to destruction.
- No remedy available: Thoughts lead to actions, actions lead to habits, habits lead to a life style, a life style decides our destiny. We either choose God, or we do not.
Lets take a a moment and look at the idols in our lives, those mini gods and habits. Do they lead us into worship of the one true God? Are we surrendered to Christ and His leading?
Do not despaired. If you are caught up in something, ask for a miracle. Ask Him to take control and watch Him lead you to eternal life now and in the future.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Leaders
1 Cor 11:1; Luke 10:27; Matt 12:36
This is an election year. Often I think about those who wish to lead and look into their qualifications. I check into their ability to lead, which means do they live what they preach? I also look at the constitution (by the way have you read it lately) for those in office, even those who serve in the armed forces, pledge to defend the constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. But most of all I look at their basic nature in relationship to Christ.
In 1 Cor 11:1, Paul says follow me as I follow Christ. I focus on the word as today. He did not say follow me. He said as I follow Christ. In other words we do not follow anyone who does not live out Christ's example. It was my daughter that causes me to look into this for she some how caught it early in life in reference to churches, husbands, and any leader. Many times we allow others to lead us with out this qualification. Regardless of who they are, a husband, parent, government official, civil authority, political party, family member, church leadership, teacher, regardless of who they are note their lives. Do they follow Christ's example?
What is Christ's example? What did Christ say? What is the fruit we look for in a leader?
It is stated often in scripture: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Do those you follow qualify? Do they think, talk and act like examples of Christ? Do they even come close? Now I am not talking about taking a magnifying glass and checking out every one's sins. We all sin. Christ died for our sins, forgave us and continues to as we surrender our lives to Him. I'm talking about the actions of their lives in relationship to leadership. Are those leaders surrendered enough to lead
Do we blindly follow people....NO
Do we trade freedom for safety...NO
Do we allow anyone access to our lives...NO
Do we believe everything someone says...NO
Do we check the qualifications...YES
Do we look for Christ's fruit in them...YES
Do we surrender to Christ....YES
Do we have the courage to face the demands of this reality...YES
Check out those you follow and see if they qualify. For there is only one person we surrender our freedom, our lives, our hearts to as Christians. His name is Christ Jesus. We follow Him and leaders who's actions (fruits) follow Him.
1 Cor. 11:1; Luke 10:27; Matt 12:34
This is an election year. Often I think about those who wish to lead and look into their qualifications. I check into their ability to lead, which means do they live what they preach? I also look at the constitution (by the way have you read it lately) for those in office, even those who serve in the armed forces, pledge to defend the constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. But most of all I look at their basic nature in relationship to Christ.
In 1 Cor 11:1, Paul says follow me as I follow Christ. I focus on the word as today. He did not say follow me. He said as I follow Christ. In other words we do not follow anyone who does not live out Christ's example. It was my daughter that causes me to look into this for she some how caught it early in life in reference to churches, husbands, and any leader. Many times we allow others to lead us with out this qualification. Regardless of who they are, a husband, parent, government official, civil authority, political party, family member, church leadership, teacher, regardless of who they are note their lives. Do they follow Christ's example?
What is Christ's example? What did Christ say? What is the fruit we look for in a leader?
It is stated often in scripture: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Do those you follow qualify? Do they think, talk and act like examples of Christ? Do they even come close? Now I am not talking about taking a magnifying glass and checking out every one's sins. We all sin. Christ died for our sins, forgave us and continues to as we surrender our lives to Him. I'm talking about the actions of their lives in relationship to leadership. Are those leaders surrendered enough to lead
Do we blindly follow people....NO
Do we trade freedom for safety...NO
Do we allow anyone access to our lives...NO
Do we believe everything someone says...NO
Do we check the qualifications...YES
Do we look for Christ's fruit in them...YES
Do we surrender to Christ....YES
Do we have the courage to face the demands of this reality...YES
Check out those you follow and see if they qualify. For there is only one person we surrender our freedom, our lives, our hearts to as Christians. His name is Christ Jesus. We follow Him and leaders who's actions (fruits) follow Him.
1 Cor. 11:1; Luke 10:27; Matt 12:34
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Life/Death
I Corthians 15:35-42
Physical death and life after death is talked about in this chapter. I am at the age now where death is experienced more often. My friends, their parent, families involved in war all bring stories of death more often these days. I have been comforted and do comfort others with the verses above as well as the verses that talk about our eventual reunion which includes the rapture in the sky and our eternal home.
These verses indicate that we are to look at the death of this physical body as a seed that goes into the ground. The seed does not look like the plant that comes from the seed. Even though the seed must die the plant that is produced by the seed is far more beautiful and looks very different from the seed. In other words, the seed becomes something new. That is the way physical death is for us all. Once the body dies we becomes something new.
The Body:
Dies perishable/ raises imperishable
Sown in dishonor/raises in glory
Sown in weakness/rises in power
Sown physical/raises spiritual
I've also heard many testimonies that say this about the moments before physical death.
Physical death and life after death is talked about in this chapter. I am at the age now where death is experienced more often. My friends, their parent, families involved in war all bring stories of death more often these days. I have been comforted and do comfort others with the verses above as well as the verses that talk about our eventual reunion which includes the rapture in the sky and our eternal home.
These verses indicate that we are to look at the death of this physical body as a seed that goes into the ground. The seed does not look like the plant that comes from the seed. Even though the seed must die the plant that is produced by the seed is far more beautiful and looks very different from the seed. In other words, the seed becomes something new. That is the way physical death is for us all. Once the body dies we becomes something new.
The Body:
Dies perishable/ raises imperishable
Sown in dishonor/raises in glory
Sown in weakness/rises in power
Sown physical/raises spiritual
I've also heard many testimonies that say this about the moments before physical death.
- She talked to God and then she fell asleep.
- He pointed to an unseen someone in the room and smiled.
- She said,"Look I see Him."
- He said,"Son, it's true. I see heaven. It's right there."
- He sat up talked to one unseen, then turned and said good by to us.
These testimonies along with Scriptures tell me that we are escorted in to the next world. Joy fills the heart of those who take the journey and it is obvious they want to be with the one who come to meet them. That leads me to also believe that the moment of death comes after the spirit leaves the body, not before. It appears that we never experience death. We leave the body and then the body dies. The verse that says death where is your sting, to me means there is no sting. We leave this world and enter eternity with Christ Jesus to ever be with Him.
I am unaware of where this quote cam from but it goes like this...Death is but one more experience in the endless life of a believer. Thank you, Lord.
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