Revelation 19
6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
9Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."
How did the bride (which is God's whole church on earth) prepare herself for the marriage supper of the Lamb?
Why do you think those that sit at the supper are blessed?
How are you preparing yourself now to be displaying God's light to the world (his brightness) and allowing yourself to become clean and pure for that day? If we are God's church and it says that his bride will be bright and pure on that day; we have to start now holding ourselves and those around us in the church to a higher standard because Jesus is coming back.
Our time is now the bring a generation back to the heart of God!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Seeking Him through the hard times
Read John 15 Jesus teaches that a personal relationship with Him, and others, is central to His design.
INSIGHT
There are times when our prayers are answered and we seem "in tune" with God. At other times, our prayers seem not to be answered, and we seem far from God. Jesus gives us two directives to keep in mind as we ponder our prayer. First, we are to abide in Him. This abiding, among other things, includes fostering a conscious awareness of His presence at all times and bringing all thoughts, attitudes, and actions in line with what we understand of His teachings. Second, "and My words abide in you" must involve studying, memorizing, and meditating upon the Word so that we pray intelligently, knowing God's will ahead of time on some things. As we grow in these two areas, more and more of our prayers will be answered.
PRAYER
The Lord is pleased when we offer Him our praise:
Let my mouth be filled with Your praise
And with Your glory all the day. . . .
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness,
of Yours only (Psalm 71:8, 14-16).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
For there is not a just man on earth
who does good and does not sin(Ecclesiastes 7:20).
In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and confidence shall be your strength (Isaiah 30:15).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater faithfulness in evangelism,
national and world affairs,
your activities for the day,
whatever else is on your heart.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen (1 Timothy 6:15-16).
INSIGHT
There are times when our prayers are answered and we seem "in tune" with God. At other times, our prayers seem not to be answered, and we seem far from God. Jesus gives us two directives to keep in mind as we ponder our prayer. First, we are to abide in Him. This abiding, among other things, includes fostering a conscious awareness of His presence at all times and bringing all thoughts, attitudes, and actions in line with what we understand of His teachings. Second, "and My words abide in you" must involve studying, memorizing, and meditating upon the Word so that we pray intelligently, knowing God's will ahead of time on some things. As we grow in these two areas, more and more of our prayers will be answered.
PRAYER
The Lord is pleased when we offer Him our praise:
Let my mouth be filled with Your praise
And with Your glory all the day. . . .
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness,
of Yours only (Psalm 71:8, 14-16).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
For there is not a just man on earth
who does good and does not sin(Ecclesiastes 7:20).
In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and confidence shall be your strength (Isaiah 30:15).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater faithfulness in evangelism,
national and world affairs,
your activities for the day,
whatever else is on your heart.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen (1 Timothy 6:15-16).
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The Movements of Your Heart
All sorts of awful things can seem to issue from your heart— anger, lust, fear, petty jealousies. If you think it’s you, a reflection of what’s really going on in your heart, it will disable you. It could stop your journey dead in its tracks. What you’ve encountered is either the voice of your flesh or an attempt of the Enemy to distress you by throwing all sorts of thoughts your way and blaming you for it. You must proceed on this assumption: your heart is good. If it seems that some foul thing is at work there, say to yourself, Well then—this is not my heart. My heart is good. I reject this. Remember Paul in Romans 7? This is not me. This is not me. And carry on in your journey. Over time you’ll grow familiar with the movements of your heart, and who is trying to influence you there.
We do the same with any counsel or word that presents itself as being from God, but contradicts what he has said to us in his written Word. We walk with wisdom and revelation. When I hear something that seems really unwise, I test it again and again before I launch out. The flesh will try to use your “freedom” to get you to do things you shouldn’t do. And now that the Enemy knows you are trying to walk with God and tune in to your heart, he’ll play the ventriloquist and try to deceive you there. Any “word” or suggestion that brings discouragement, condemnation, accusation—that is not from God. Neither is confusion, nor any counsel that would lead you to disobey what you do know. Reject it all, and carry on in your journey. Yes, of course, God needs to convict us of sin, warn us of wrong movements in the soul—but the voice of God is never condemning (Rom. 8:1), never harsh or accusing. His conviction brings a desire for repentance; Satan’s accusation kills our hearts (2 Cor. 7:10).
(Waking the Dead , 105–6)
We do the same with any counsel or word that presents itself as being from God, but contradicts what he has said to us in his written Word. We walk with wisdom and revelation. When I hear something that seems really unwise, I test it again and again before I launch out. The flesh will try to use your “freedom” to get you to do things you shouldn’t do. And now that the Enemy knows you are trying to walk with God and tune in to your heart, he’ll play the ventriloquist and try to deceive you there. Any “word” or suggestion that brings discouragement, condemnation, accusation—that is not from God. Neither is confusion, nor any counsel that would lead you to disobey what you do know. Reject it all, and carry on in your journey. Yes, of course, God needs to convict us of sin, warn us of wrong movements in the soul—but the voice of God is never condemning (Rom. 8:1), never harsh or accusing. His conviction brings a desire for repentance; Satan’s accusation kills our hearts (2 Cor. 7:10).
(Waking the Dead , 105–6)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Happy Monday
Read John 14-Jesus reassures His disciples with His promise to send the Holy Spirit.
INSIGHT
A very tender and intimate scene begins in chapter 14. The disciples do not understand clearly everything that is going on, but they know that something big is about to happen and that Jesus will be leaving them. Their Teacher, their Mentor, their Friend for the last three years is leaving, and their hearts are crushed with the burden. In this spirit, Jesus speaks softly, kindly, tenderly to them: "Let not your heart be troubled; . . . I go to prepare a place for you (in My Father's house). And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself" (14:1-3). Again: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you" (14:18). How loving and compassionate. And He loves us just as much as the disciples.
PRAYER
God's love for us is indeed cause for us to give Him our heart-felt praise and adoration:
Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
Sing out the honor of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
Say to God, "How awesome are Your works!
Through the greatness of Your power
Your enemies shall submit themselves to You (Psalm 66:1-3).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits (Psalm 103:1-2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater love for others,
the work of missions in Australia and the islands of the South Pacific,
your activities for the day,
whatever else is on your heart.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).
INSIGHT
A very tender and intimate scene begins in chapter 14. The disciples do not understand clearly everything that is going on, but they know that something big is about to happen and that Jesus will be leaving them. Their Teacher, their Mentor, their Friend for the last three years is leaving, and their hearts are crushed with the burden. In this spirit, Jesus speaks softly, kindly, tenderly to them: "Let not your heart be troubled; . . . I go to prepare a place for you (in My Father's house). And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself" (14:1-3). Again: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you" (14:18). How loving and compassionate. And He loves us just as much as the disciples.
PRAYER
God's love for us is indeed cause for us to give Him our heart-felt praise and adoration:
Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
Sing out the honor of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
Say to God, "How awesome are Your works!
Through the greatness of Your power
Your enemies shall submit themselves to You (Psalm 66:1-3).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits (Psalm 103:1-2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater love for others,
the work of missions in Australia and the islands of the South Pacific,
your activities for the day,
whatever else is on your heart.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Break Out
Today lets break out and learn something new about the body of Christ (his church)! Check out this community in Philadelphia.
http://www.thesimpleway.org/
If it sparks anything in you try picking up the book, Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. It will change your life forever.
http://www.thesimpleway.org/
If it sparks anything in you try picking up the book, Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. It will change your life forever.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Break in to God's presence
Lets try using youtube today to break into God's heart. We all love the song from Misty Edwards- You Won't Relent. Click the link below and listen to it. As you are listening reflect on what God's love for you has done over the past week and thank him for it. It could be the littlest of things like thank you for giving me air to breath, thank you for helping me walk a life of faith, thank you for helping me have patience and not kill my brother :). Just keep thanking him today for all he has done in our lives!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fAQJ8pTt7o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fAQJ8pTt7o
Friday, April 24, 2009
Inspiring!
What does God Seek? God seeks from our lives- hearts equally yoked in love. God wants out full abandonment and nothing less, just as He Himself has given all for us. We were made for the exhilaration of free-falling as we let go of our momentary security and fall into His infinite embrace. The more you've touched what it feels like to love God with your everything, the more you will want to give Him. In my own life, I have found myself actually craving the feeling of abandonment unto God. We were truly made for it. The more we die to ourselves and throw ourselves into the Father's will, as He prepares us for His Son, the more we will want to do it again and again! So compelling is this way of living that we will find ourselves actually looking for new bridges to burn, further things to give up, more areas to yield to God in. We will grow to love the romance of leaving all behind in order to cling to Him in greater measure.
- Misty Edwards
Entirety by Dana Candler
- Misty Edwards
Entirety by Dana Candler
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Love Your Enemies
Love for Enemies
Matthew 5:43-47
Jesus Speaking
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
We are called to love our enemies as Jesus did. Jesus did not fight back out of anger. The one time Jesus did fight back was to be loyal to God not to Him self and He did it out of love. So many times in our lives we make excuses for hating this person or that organization because they did something to us or to someone we know. But that same person we are hating God delights in and loves. God calls us to love the people we hate. It is easy to hate people, a lot harder to love. If we are called to be like Christ and be loyal to God then we should see people through His eyes.
Today spend time thinking about someone you hate and need to forgive. Then ask God what he thinks of the people that you hate or don't like. Last, do something for that person to show them the same love Jesus shows you.
Matthew 5:43-47
Jesus Speaking
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
We are called to love our enemies as Jesus did. Jesus did not fight back out of anger. The one time Jesus did fight back was to be loyal to God not to Him self and He did it out of love. So many times in our lives we make excuses for hating this person or that organization because they did something to us or to someone we know. But that same person we are hating God delights in and loves. God calls us to love the people we hate. It is easy to hate people, a lot harder to love. If we are called to be like Christ and be loyal to God then we should see people through His eyes.
Today spend time thinking about someone you hate and need to forgive. Then ask God what he thinks of the people that you hate or don't like. Last, do something for that person to show them the same love Jesus shows you.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Sorry this wasn't posted right away :(
Read John 13 Jesus meets with His disciples and institutes the Lord's Supper.
INSIGHT
More than 2000 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ ate a ceremonial meal with His disciples. This meal originated in the Passover and pictured Christ's death, our need to receive Him personally for our salvation, and the fact that all those who are His people are a communion of saints. During the meal, He instructed His disciples to observe this ceremony regularly and with gladness until His return. And so, whether called the Lord's Supper, Communion, or the Lord's Table, Christians today observe a solemn but joyous ceremonial meal which looks back to the redemption of the Cross and forward to the glory of the Second Coming.
PRAYER
Praise God that He is powerful enough to keep the promises pictured by Communion.
The Lord reigns;
Let the peoples tremble!
He dwells between the cherubim;
Let the earth be moved!
The Lord is great in Zion,
And He is high above all the peoples.
Let them praise Your great and awesome name - He is holy (Psalm 99:1-3).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear (Psalm 66:18).
As you contemplate the mercy of God, confess any sins which the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me! (Psalm 66:19-20).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater understanding of other traditions within Christianity,
heart-felt worship at your local church,
your activities for the day,
whatever else is on your heart.
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!(Revelation 19:9)
Read John 13 Jesus meets with His disciples and institutes the Lord's Supper.
INSIGHT
More than 2000 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ ate a ceremonial meal with His disciples. This meal originated in the Passover and pictured Christ's death, our need to receive Him personally for our salvation, and the fact that all those who are His people are a communion of saints. During the meal, He instructed His disciples to observe this ceremony regularly and with gladness until His return. And so, whether called the Lord's Supper, Communion, or the Lord's Table, Christians today observe a solemn but joyous ceremonial meal which looks back to the redemption of the Cross and forward to the glory of the Second Coming.
PRAYER
Praise God that He is powerful enough to keep the promises pictured by Communion.
The Lord reigns;
Let the peoples tremble!
He dwells between the cherubim;
Let the earth be moved!
The Lord is great in Zion,
And He is high above all the peoples.
Let them praise Your great and awesome name - He is holy (Psalm 99:1-3).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear (Psalm 66:18).
As you contemplate the mercy of God, confess any sins which the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me! (Psalm 66:19-20).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater understanding of other traditions within Christianity,
heart-felt worship at your local church,
your activities for the day,
whatever else is on your heart.
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!(Revelation 19:9)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Do you live like you are free to run?
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan -- this rebirth comes from God.
John 1:12-13 (New Living Translation)
SO WHAT?
Whatever things were in your past that pulled you down or made you feel like you were not worth anything, Jesus has set you free from them. You were born again and all of those old chains can be gone. Today you need to accept that Jesus has set you free and you need to live in it.
You are Free to Run!
John 1:12-13 (New Living Translation)
SO WHAT?
Whatever things were in your past that pulled you down or made you feel like you were not worth anything, Jesus has set you free from them. You were born again and all of those old chains can be gone. Today you need to accept that Jesus has set you free and you need to live in it.
You are Free to Run!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Freedom
Read John 8-Jesus teaches on truth.
INSIGHT
By nature, we want absolute freedom. But such freedom is not possible. In fact, no such thing as absolute freedom exists. To be free to sail the seven seas, we must make ourselves a slave to the compass. This subservience irritates us. All of life is a contrast between freedoms and corresponding bondages. We can be slaves to Jesus and free from the bondage of sin, or we can be free from Jesus and slaves to the bondage of sin. We can make ourselves slaves to truth, and the truth can set us free.
PRAYER
The heart that has been set free by truth can offer praise to the Lord of all truth:
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by. . . .
I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.
For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth (Psalm 57:1, 9-11).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
When I kept silent,
my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. . .
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin (Psalm 32:3, 5).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater faithfulness with the finances God has entrusted you with,
revival to spread among American Christians,
your activities for the day.
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel . . . to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen (Romans 16:25, 27).
INSIGHT
By nature, we want absolute freedom. But such freedom is not possible. In fact, no such thing as absolute freedom exists. To be free to sail the seven seas, we must make ourselves a slave to the compass. This subservience irritates us. All of life is a contrast between freedoms and corresponding bondages. We can be slaves to Jesus and free from the bondage of sin, or we can be free from Jesus and slaves to the bondage of sin. We can make ourselves slaves to truth, and the truth can set us free.
PRAYER
The heart that has been set free by truth can offer praise to the Lord of all truth:
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by. . . .
I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.
For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth (Psalm 57:1, 9-11).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
When I kept silent,
my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. . .
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin (Psalm 32:3, 5).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater faithfulness with the finances God has entrusted you with,
revival to spread among American Christians,
your activities for the day.
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel . . . to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen (Romans 16:25, 27).
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Break Out Sunday
Today I challenge you to break out and do something for your neighbor today. Whether that is praying for them, going over and talking, buyin them lunch, mowing their lawn, or cleaning their house lets try to love our God with all of our heart soul, mind, and strength by loving our neighbors as ourselves! (Matt 22: 37-38)
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Break In
Since it was girls night out last night; for this break In Saturday I want all the guys to pray for the hearts, minds, and souls of the girls that attended. Pray that God solidified in each of them to find their significance in Him, that God delights over them, and that they see others girls the way God sees them! Also pray for all those that could not go to the Girls Night that God would divinely meet them and instill the same thing in their hearts!
Girls if you are reading this you can pray over yourselves and your fellow sisters!
Girls if you are reading this you can pray over yourselves and your fellow sisters!
Friday, April 17, 2009
True Faith
Read John 2
Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana to demonstrate His deity to His disciples.
INSIGHT
In John 2:24 we read, "But Jesus did not commit Himself to them." The word commit is the same word that is translated "faith" or "believe" in other places in the Bible. It gives us additional insight concerning the concept of faith in the Bible. Faith is more than just intellectual understanding. Once someone understands the Gospel, he must make a personal commitment to it. He must entrust himself to it. In reality, to believe in Jesus Christ is to commit one's self to Him.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to Jesus, who, as God, offers us salvation:
Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!
We will sing and praise Your power(Psalm 21:13).
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
For the word of the Lord is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:3-5).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way. . . .
For Your name's sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great (Psalm 25:8-9, 11).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body andin your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater wisdom in decision making,
the needs of your friends,
your activities for the day.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5-6).
Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana to demonstrate His deity to His disciples.
INSIGHT
In John 2:24 we read, "But Jesus did not commit Himself to them." The word commit is the same word that is translated "faith" or "believe" in other places in the Bible. It gives us additional insight concerning the concept of faith in the Bible. Faith is more than just intellectual understanding. Once someone understands the Gospel, he must make a personal commitment to it. He must entrust himself to it. In reality, to believe in Jesus Christ is to commit one's self to Him.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to Jesus, who, as God, offers us salvation:
Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!
We will sing and praise Your power(Psalm 21:13).
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
For the word of the Lord is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:3-5).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way. . . .
For Your name's sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great (Psalm 25:8-9, 11).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body andin your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater wisdom in decision making,
the needs of your friends,
your activities for the day.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5-6).
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Be the Tree :)
5 This is what the LORD says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
he will not see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."
Do you trust him with your everything? What about when "the heat" comes- when it gets hard- do you dig your roots deep into God and his word or do you topple over like a tree after a bad storm that does not have a deep root system?
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
You were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience (based on Ephesians 2:1-2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater courage in evangelism,
the work of missions in Europe,
your activities for the day.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Since I am surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, . . . let me run with endurance the race that is set before me (based on Hebrews 12:1).
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
he will not see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."
Do you trust him with your everything? What about when "the heat" comes- when it gets hard- do you dig your roots deep into God and his word or do you topple over like a tree after a bad storm that does not have a deep root system?
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
You were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience (based on Ephesians 2:1-2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater courage in evangelism,
the work of missions in Europe,
your activities for the day.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Since I am surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, . . . let me run with endurance the race that is set before me (based on Hebrews 12:1).
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Blameless
In Psalm 101 David writes, "I will be careful to lead a blameless life- when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing."
Blameless: free from or not deserving blame; guiltless: a blameless child.
Sometimes it is hard when the enemy is tempting us with so much: pride, lust, arrogance, gossip, anger, fear; Yet we are called to live a blameless life- one that is free from guilt and blame which comes from standing up and choosing not to pursue those things by not setting before our eyes or hearts no vile thing.
So what?
What do you need to remove from your eyes or your heart?
Today you can have freedom from those things and walk away with boldness
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He has mercy on us.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! (Psalm 123:2-3).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But as for me, I will come into Your house
in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple (Psalm 5:7).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
a greater love for the God Man - Christ Jesus,
the needs of your extended family,
your activities for the day,
whatever else is on your heart.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! (Psalm 4:1).
Blameless: free from or not deserving blame; guiltless: a blameless child.
Sometimes it is hard when the enemy is tempting us with so much: pride, lust, arrogance, gossip, anger, fear; Yet we are called to live a blameless life- one that is free from guilt and blame which comes from standing up and choosing not to pursue those things by not setting before our eyes or hearts no vile thing.
So what?
What do you need to remove from your eyes or your heart?
Today you can have freedom from those things and walk away with boldness
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He has mercy on us.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! (Psalm 123:2-3).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But as for me, I will come into Your house
in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple (Psalm 5:7).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
a greater love for the God Man - Christ Jesus,
the needs of your extended family,
your activities for the day,
whatever else is on your heart.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! (Psalm 4:1).
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
BIBLE STUDY ACTION PLAN
Hey all I decided to change it up a bit and help you with a bible study action plan for your day! It has helped me a ton and thought you would enjoy it as well!
I. GOALS RELATED TO KNOWING THE BIBLE
A. To study books of the Bible – with commentaries (see instructions below)
B. To pray-read books of the Bible – 10 chapters a day (covers the NT each month:
235 chapters of NT = 10 chapters a day x 6 days/week = 240 chapters a month).
Journal as you pray-read through each book. File your journals in the same place.
II. THE ACTION PLAN FOR BIBLE STUDY
A. Pick your top 10 “most wanted to study” books. Study one book at a time.
B. Select the specific times in the week that you will dedicate for study.
C. How to study a book of the Bible – 5 simple steps
1. Highlight – select two commentaries, read each one, highlighting the key
sentences. Do this for one biblical paragraph at a time. Go slow.
2. Title – in your own words each paragraph in the Bible book that you study.
3. Study Notes – write insights from the commentary for the key verses from
each paragraph (sometimes write word for word, other times paraphrase).
4. Journal – write your personal meditations and observations.
5. Prayer – write a brief prayer from the passage when applicable.
NOTE – if you first write your notes on paper, then seek to type it into your
computer. Store a hard copy of your final notes in your Bible Study Notebook.
III. MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
A. Computer, Bible Study Notebook, two commentaries for each Bible book you
study. Bible Study Briefcase – pen, paper, highlighters, notebook, commentaries.
B. Internet resources, i.e., download commentaries – www.soniclight.com (click on
study aids), www.ccel.org (old commentaries), www.otgateway.com,
www.tyndale.cam.ac.uk/tyndale/links_biblical.htm#anchortools
www.crosswalk.com, www.christiansunite.com (click on bible study aids).
I. GOALS RELATED TO KNOWING THE BIBLE
A. To study books of the Bible – with commentaries (see instructions below)
B. To pray-read books of the Bible – 10 chapters a day (covers the NT each month:
235 chapters of NT = 10 chapters a day x 6 days/week = 240 chapters a month).
Journal as you pray-read through each book. File your journals in the same place.
II. THE ACTION PLAN FOR BIBLE STUDY
A. Pick your top 10 “most wanted to study” books. Study one book at a time.
B. Select the specific times in the week that you will dedicate for study.
C. How to study a book of the Bible – 5 simple steps
1. Highlight – select two commentaries, read each one, highlighting the key
sentences. Do this for one biblical paragraph at a time. Go slow.
2. Title – in your own words each paragraph in the Bible book that you study.
3. Study Notes – write insights from the commentary for the key verses from
each paragraph (sometimes write word for word, other times paraphrase).
4. Journal – write your personal meditations and observations.
5. Prayer – write a brief prayer from the passage when applicable.
NOTE – if you first write your notes on paper, then seek to type it into your
computer. Store a hard copy of your final notes in your Bible Study Notebook.
III. MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
A. Computer, Bible Study Notebook, two commentaries for each Bible book you
study. Bible Study Briefcase – pen, paper, highlighters, notebook, commentaries.
B. Internet resources, i.e., download commentaries – www.soniclight.com (click on
study aids), www.ccel.org (old commentaries), www.otgateway.com,
www.tyndale.cam.ac.uk/tyndale/links_biblical.htm#anchortools
www.crosswalk.com, www.christiansunite.com (click on bible study aids).
Monday, April 13, 2009
Time of Heroes
Read Luke 23-Pilate sentences Jesus to be crucified on the hill called Golgotha, "The Skull."
INSIGHT
Without conflict, there are no heroes. The hero and coward look alike until the battle begins. Then and only then, in the face of the challenge, is each one's true character manifested. In Jesus' time, you do not expect heroes of the Christian faith to emerge from the ranks of the Pharisees. But Joseph of Arimathea defies the expectations. This godly man risks wealth, reputation, and perhaps personal safety, when he asks for and receives the permission to take down Jesus' body from the cross and lay it in his own tomb.
PRAYER
Give God praise that He enables His children to do heroic deeds on His behalf:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was translated so that he did not see death . . . for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased You, O God (based on Hebrews 11:1-5).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
You were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience (based on Ephesians 2:1-2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater courage in evangelism,
the work of missions in Europe,
your activities for the day.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Since I am surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, . . . let me run with endurance the race that is set before me (based on Hebrews 12:1).
INSIGHT
Without conflict, there are no heroes. The hero and coward look alike until the battle begins. Then and only then, in the face of the challenge, is each one's true character manifested. In Jesus' time, you do not expect heroes of the Christian faith to emerge from the ranks of the Pharisees. But Joseph of Arimathea defies the expectations. This godly man risks wealth, reputation, and perhaps personal safety, when he asks for and receives the permission to take down Jesus' body from the cross and lay it in his own tomb.
PRAYER
Give God praise that He enables His children to do heroic deeds on His behalf:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was translated so that he did not see death . . . for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased You, O God (based on Hebrews 11:1-5).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
You were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience (based on Ephesians 2:1-2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater courage in evangelism,
the work of missions in Europe,
your activities for the day.
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Since I am surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, . . . let me run with endurance the race that is set before me (based on Hebrews 12:1).
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Break Out of your comfort
Today I challenge you to go out and find someone to pray for like we did at Movement.
Whether you are at Walmart, the Mall, Chilis, or the movie theater; ask God to move through you with wisdom and revelation and walk up and bless someone's day by asking to pray for them!
First ask them if you can pray and then ask if there is anything specific to pray for like health, family, or work.
Then always pray Ephesians 1 over them.
Whether you are at Walmart, the Mall, Chilis, or the movie theater; ask God to move through you with wisdom and revelation and walk up and bless someone's day by asking to pray for them!
First ask them if you can pray and then ask if there is anything specific to pray for like health, family, or work.
Then always pray Ephesians 1 over them.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Break In- Music
How many songs do you think you here a day? 30, 40, 50?
As your driving you have the radio on, or as your checking Facebook you will have music playing on your computer.
Today we are going to BREAK IN to Jesus by using our music.
Every time you listen to a song today, listen to the music and the words.
How does each song make you feel?
Do the words encourage you or depress you?
When you get done listening to that song are you inspired?
Everywhere we go in life, we hear songs and music. We have to realize that the things we listen to can change the way we feel.
Today take time and really listen to the music you hear playing around you. See how it effects your thoughts, feelings and eventually your actions.
As your driving you have the radio on, or as your checking Facebook you will have music playing on your computer.
Today we are going to BREAK IN to Jesus by using our music.
Every time you listen to a song today, listen to the music and the words.
How does each song make you feel?
Do the words encourage you or depress you?
When you get done listening to that song are you inspired?
Everywhere we go in life, we hear songs and music. We have to realize that the things we listen to can change the way we feel.
Today take time and really listen to the music you hear playing around you. See how it effects your thoughts, feelings and eventually your actions.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Light of the World!
Matthew 5:3-15
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
God calls us all to be a light of the world. Some of us need to come out under our basket covering ( our comfort zone) and be the light. Where does the light come from? Jesus came as the light of the world and He has called us to do the same. We become the light by knowing the God we serve and being like Him, while giving Him all the the glory in everything we do. We live in a dark world that needs light, just as our lives needed the light. Take time today and right down how Jesus was the light of the world and then write down how you can be the light in your family, around your friends and at your school.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
God calls us all to be a light of the world. Some of us need to come out under our basket covering ( our comfort zone) and be the light. Where does the light come from? Jesus came as the light of the world and He has called us to do the same. We become the light by knowing the God we serve and being like Him, while giving Him all the the glory in everything we do. We live in a dark world that needs light, just as our lives needed the light. Take time today and right down how Jesus was the light of the world and then write down how you can be the light in your family, around your friends and at your school.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
HIS GLORY
If you’ll recall, Moses put a veil over his face, first to hide his glory, then to hide the fact that it was fading away. That, too, was a picture of a deeper reality. We all do that. We all have veiled our glory, or someone has veiled it for us. Usually some combination of both. But the time has come to set all veils aside:
Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?.. . Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away . . . And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:7–8, 12–13, 18)
We are in the process of being unveiled. Created to reflect God’s glory, born to bear his image, he ransomed us back to reflect that glory again. Every heart was given a mythic glory, and that glory is being restored. Remember the mission of Christ: “I have come to give you back your heart and set you free.” For as Saint Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is man fully alive.” Certainly, you don’t think the opposite is true. How do we bring God glory when we are sulking around in the cellar, weighed down by shame and guilt, hiding our light under a bushel? Our destiny is to come fully alive. To live with ever-increasing glory. This is the Third Eternal Truth every good myth has been trying to get across to us: your heart bears a glory, and your glory is needed . . . now. This is our desperate hour.
(Waking the Dead , 74–75)
SO What?
How will you seek this glory out and display it to the world. If we are to be a light we must start now....it really is a desperate hour....so what are you going to do about it?
Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?.. . Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away . . . And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:7–8, 12–13, 18)
We are in the process of being unveiled. Created to reflect God’s glory, born to bear his image, he ransomed us back to reflect that glory again. Every heart was given a mythic glory, and that glory is being restored. Remember the mission of Christ: “I have come to give you back your heart and set you free.” For as Saint Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is man fully alive.” Certainly, you don’t think the opposite is true. How do we bring God glory when we are sulking around in the cellar, weighed down by shame and guilt, hiding our light under a bushel? Our destiny is to come fully alive. To live with ever-increasing glory. This is the Third Eternal Truth every good myth has been trying to get across to us: your heart bears a glory, and your glory is needed . . . now. This is our desperate hour.
(Waking the Dead , 74–75)
SO What?
How will you seek this glory out and display it to the world. If we are to be a light we must start now....it really is a desperate hour....so what are you going to do about it?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Zealous!
Zeal- eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something
Psalm 69:9
9 for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
Psalm 119:139
139 My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
Proverbs 19:2
2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way.
Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 26:11
11 O LORD, your hand is lifted high,
but they do not see it.
Let them see your zeal for your people and be put to shame;
let the fire reserved for your enemies consume them.
Isaiah 59:17
17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance
and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
Isaiah 63:15
15 Look down from heaven and see
from your lofty throne, holy and glorious.
Where are your zeal and your might?
Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us
The Lord is zealous for us with all of Him. His greatest passion is to show us His love. Being zealous for God draws us closer to His heart. Zeal for the Lord gives us strength to conquer the things that come our way. Zeal for the Lord even makes us do crazy things that people don't always understand but it doesn't matter because it was for the God of zeal. The thing is that when we choose God the zeal comes from Him. Study what it means to be zealous for God and for the things of Him, it will rock your world! How will you display God's zeal in your life, at home, at school, around your friends, with your family, and around people you know they don't know the God you are zealous for?
Psalm 69:9
9 for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
Psalm 119:139
139 My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
Proverbs 19:2
2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way.
Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 26:11
11 O LORD, your hand is lifted high,
but they do not see it.
Let them see your zeal for your people and be put to shame;
let the fire reserved for your enemies consume them.
Isaiah 59:17
17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance
and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
Isaiah 63:15
15 Look down from heaven and see
from your lofty throne, holy and glorious.
Where are your zeal and your might?
Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us
The Lord is zealous for us with all of Him. His greatest passion is to show us His love. Being zealous for God draws us closer to His heart. Zeal for the Lord gives us strength to conquer the things that come our way. Zeal for the Lord even makes us do crazy things that people don't always understand but it doesn't matter because it was for the God of zeal. The thing is that when we choose God the zeal comes from Him. Study what it means to be zealous for God and for the things of Him, it will rock your world! How will you display God's zeal in your life, at home, at school, around your friends, with your family, and around people you know they don't know the God you are zealous for?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Life Prayer
This is a prayer I thought was really amazing from John Eldredge! It will take a few minutes but it is your week off...you have a few minutes to spare dont ya?
O God, you are my life. You have breathed into me the breath of life, and I have become a living being (Gen 2:7). My very existence and my being flow from You. In You I live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28). You are the Vine, and I am a true branch of Yours (John 15:5). Father, you have made me alive with Christ (Eph 2:4-5). Jesus has become my second Adam, a life-giving spirit (1 Cor 15:45). He came that I might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). I have Jesus Christ, and I have his life (1 John 5:12). Christ is now my life (Col 3:4).
Dear Father, restore this frail branch in full union with the trunk. Restore my full union with Christ and with You. I return myself to You – my body, soul, and spirit. I return myself fully to the Source of Life. May I be one with You even as Jesus was one with You (John 10:30, 17:21). Let Your life flow through me and flow and flow throughout this day. O Life, live into me. Encompass me and all that I am; well up within me. O Spring of Life, let Your river flow through my heart, soul, mind, and strength (John 7:38). You are the God who gives life to the dead(Rom 4:17). And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in me (and You are living in me), he who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to my mortal body through his Spirit, who lives in me (Rom 8:11). O God, fill me with the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in my body, soul, and spirit.
For it is Christ in me that is my hope of glory (Col 1:27). It is the triumphant life of Jesus Christ that has become my life. I live by Him. I reign in life through Him, by the life of Christ in me. For if, when I was Your enemy, I was reconciled to You through the death of Your Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall I be saved through His life (Rom 5:10). I announce that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2).
I now claim the resurrection triumph of Jesus Christ against all forms of death and destruction come against me. By Jesus Christ and his great work I cut off every attempt of my enemies to steal, kill, or destroy my life. As Jesus said, no one takes my life from me (John 10:18). Death has no mastery over Jesus now (Rom 6:9), and death has no mastery over me, for I am united with Christ, one Spirit with him (1 Cor 6:17). I am in Christ (1 Cor 1:30). And Christ is in me (Col 1:27). I claim the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus now, against every black law of sin and death and every foul power of destruction aimed against me. By the authority of Jesus Christ I bind and banish all forms of bondage and death from me, now – all spirits, all witchcraft, all foul powers. I cancel all claims against me by the work of Jesus Christ (Col 2:13-15).
I take my place in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and in his life. I claim the resurrection of Christ against my enemies and their devices, and I bind them from me and send them to their judgment, in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ and to his everlasting glory. I choose to live by the strength of Jesus Christ, and by his mighty life. In Jesus’ Name.
O God, you are my life. You have breathed into me the breath of life, and I have become a living being (Gen 2:7). My very existence and my being flow from You. In You I live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28). You are the Vine, and I am a true branch of Yours (John 15:5). Father, you have made me alive with Christ (Eph 2:4-5). Jesus has become my second Adam, a life-giving spirit (1 Cor 15:45). He came that I might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). I have Jesus Christ, and I have his life (1 John 5:12). Christ is now my life (Col 3:4).
Dear Father, restore this frail branch in full union with the trunk. Restore my full union with Christ and with You. I return myself to You – my body, soul, and spirit. I return myself fully to the Source of Life. May I be one with You even as Jesus was one with You (John 10:30, 17:21). Let Your life flow through me and flow and flow throughout this day. O Life, live into me. Encompass me and all that I am; well up within me. O Spring of Life, let Your river flow through my heart, soul, mind, and strength (John 7:38). You are the God who gives life to the dead(Rom 4:17). And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in me (and You are living in me), he who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to my mortal body through his Spirit, who lives in me (Rom 8:11). O God, fill me with the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in my body, soul, and spirit.
For it is Christ in me that is my hope of glory (Col 1:27). It is the triumphant life of Jesus Christ that has become my life. I live by Him. I reign in life through Him, by the life of Christ in me. For if, when I was Your enemy, I was reconciled to You through the death of Your Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall I be saved through His life (Rom 5:10). I announce that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2).
I now claim the resurrection triumph of Jesus Christ against all forms of death and destruction come against me. By Jesus Christ and his great work I cut off every attempt of my enemies to steal, kill, or destroy my life. As Jesus said, no one takes my life from me (John 10:18). Death has no mastery over Jesus now (Rom 6:9), and death has no mastery over me, for I am united with Christ, one Spirit with him (1 Cor 6:17). I am in Christ (1 Cor 1:30). And Christ is in me (Col 1:27). I claim the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus now, against every black law of sin and death and every foul power of destruction aimed against me. By the authority of Jesus Christ I bind and banish all forms of bondage and death from me, now – all spirits, all witchcraft, all foul powers. I cancel all claims against me by the work of Jesus Christ (Col 2:13-15).
I take my place in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and in his life. I claim the resurrection of Christ against my enemies and their devices, and I bind them from me and send them to their judgment, in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ and to his everlasting glory. I choose to live by the strength of Jesus Christ, and by his mighty life. In Jesus’ Name.
Monday, April 6, 2009
A day of Meditation on the Work of Christ
The Work of Christ
By the Cross…
I am Ransomed
The Son of Man Came to give his life as a ransom for many. Matt 20:28
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption (God has purchased us with his blood), the forgiveness of sins. Col 1:13-14
…with your blood you purchased men for God Rev 5:9
You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
1 Cor 6:19-20
I am Atoned For
…justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood. Rom 3:24-25
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 2:2
This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10
So What?
Pray these over your life and as you do start by thanking God for each thing Christ did for us and then- out loud- pray them over yourself .
For example: I am ransomed- thank you God for ransoming me, for setting me free from all of my sins, and this world that tries to hold me down. Help me to understand your sacrifice and live in a way that I would live a ransomed life daily for you.
By the Cross…
I am Ransomed
The Son of Man Came to give his life as a ransom for many. Matt 20:28
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption (God has purchased us with his blood), the forgiveness of sins. Col 1:13-14
…with your blood you purchased men for God Rev 5:9
You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
1 Cor 6:19-20
I am Atoned For
…justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood. Rom 3:24-25
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 2:2
This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10
So What?
Pray these over your life and as you do start by thanking God for each thing Christ did for us and then- out loud- pray them over yourself .
For example: I am ransomed- thank you God for ransoming me, for setting me free from all of my sins, and this world that tries to hold me down. Help me to understand your sacrifice and live in a way that I would live a ransomed life daily for you.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Footprints
Some people come into our lives and leave footprints in our hearts. -Unknown
God places people in our lives for a reason and so many times we take them for granted. Take time today with someone who has made footprints in your heart. Make them a card, take them out for ice cream, play cards, and tell them how much you appreciate them.
God places people in our lives for a reason and so many times we take them for granted. Take time today with someone who has made footprints in your heart. Make them a card, take them out for ice cream, play cards, and tell them how much you appreciate them.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Break In to God's presence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWA1-s_trbQ&feature=channel_page
Watch the movie called wind at this address~
Now how many ways can you experience God this way today? Run outside and feel the breeze, put your hand out of the car as it is speeding along, run in the rain, jump on the trampoline; so many ways to feel God and experience Him~ funny in times of trouble we act like he is not present but yet all we have to do is move to feel his presence :)
Watch the movie called wind at this address~
Now how many ways can you experience God this way today? Run outside and feel the breeze, put your hand out of the car as it is speeding along, run in the rain, jump on the trampoline; so many ways to feel God and experience Him~ funny in times of trouble we act like he is not present but yet all we have to do is move to feel his presence :)
Friday, April 3, 2009
Warrior Princess
Warrior Princess
By Chelsie Griffith
The thought makes my heart sing!
This dance of grace and strength
This picture of fierce beauty
This song of love that won’t settle,
a love that will stare down the enemy,
a love that will forget self,
a love that will roar like a wild beast,
springing on the enemy with hair flying
should he try and touch her people
This work of art the Father whispers to
so she will be prepared for the day of battle,
secret strategies only she can understand and carry out
This is me
This is why I was created
This is a heart that cries out for life and weeps at destruction
a heart not calloused on the outside
but emboldened from the inside,
a heart that listens for the commands of the Commander,
a heart tender towards the hurting but enraged at the Destroyer
This is the created who fights beside the Creator
This is the beloved who awaits her Lover
This is a strength that holds close those dear to her
This is her prayer, her cry for her people
She looks from the place of authority
and morns as her people reject love
She takes their hand and places it in the hand of her Lover,
that He may take them to true healing
She will cry with the weak and rage at the proud
She knows her purpose and will forge ahead at all costs
She loves the unlovely and the unlovable
Her beauty catches the eye of many,
but she has eyes for only One
As she walks the streets,
her presence brings a wake of smiles,
contented smiles of those who know all is well
Her strength comes not in spite of her beauty, but because of it,
a strength that makes men wonder
Her presence, a light, a peace, un-describable, uncapturable,
but captivating none the less
Elegance veils tenacity,
surprising those who haven’t encountered her before
Her greatest joy comes in battle,
where she wounds the wicked
and brings healing to the abuse and innocent
Her path is laced with great men,
men who will support her and need her support
They trust her with their hearts,
knowing she will surrender them
fully healed and in perfect timing
Her presence in their lives is irreplaceable,
even when they have barely met her
She fights their battles at their side, barely noticed,
her gentleness disguising her true effort
In times of peace, she glides gracefully through her garden,
yet she has no fear of crushing the head of the snake
who dares invade her sanctuary
She views façade as weakness and vulnerability as strength
Her eyes are alert and watching, soaking in her surroundings
People’s true colors are not hidden from her,
yet their deepest secret is not repulsive to her eyes
Those who gaze at her from a distance may judge harshly,
even so, she offers them compassion
Because she listens to her Lover,
she is confident in who she is
She trusts Him with her life
As He calls her out, she prepares herself for battle
He turns over to her charge warriors who need strong direction
Her words are inspiration and vision
Dignity is her very essence
Standing on the battlefield before her ranks,
she is the picture of freedom
Her gentle tresses catch the breeze,
belying her backbone of steel,
never wavering
She leads with courage,
undaunted by overwhelming force,
diligently following the plan laid out for her
Her heart is tender through it all
In the end, her tears water the field,
bringing life from the destruction
Her prayers are seeds of hope,
planted to spring up in due time
Because her greatest goal is peace,
she is just as willing to lift a sword as
become delegate in the courts
Whenever she enters,
she is followed with an aire of patience,
a beacon of joy following her contentment
She is unbound by protocol,
yet ever aware of hearts
She draws others to her with her transparency
Truth, pure truth, radiates from her lips
Joy, pure joy, shines from her eyes
Hope, pure hope, beams from her being
Love, pure love, she offers to all
She is strength
She is grace
She is fierce
She is beauty
She is the one who proclaims the message of life
She is the one who bears the hope of the future
She is the on who carries truth on her shoulders
She is the one,
but more that the one
She is an army,
an army of beauty called by their Lover
Dedicated to the women of 24/7
May our hearts sing in harmony as we hear the call of our Lover
By Chelsie Griffith
The thought makes my heart sing!
This dance of grace and strength
This picture of fierce beauty
This song of love that won’t settle,
a love that will stare down the enemy,
a love that will forget self,
a love that will roar like a wild beast,
springing on the enemy with hair flying
should he try and touch her people
This work of art the Father whispers to
so she will be prepared for the day of battle,
secret strategies only she can understand and carry out
This is me
This is why I was created
This is a heart that cries out for life and weeps at destruction
a heart not calloused on the outside
but emboldened from the inside,
a heart that listens for the commands of the Commander,
a heart tender towards the hurting but enraged at the Destroyer
This is the created who fights beside the Creator
This is the beloved who awaits her Lover
This is a strength that holds close those dear to her
This is her prayer, her cry for her people
She looks from the place of authority
and morns as her people reject love
She takes their hand and places it in the hand of her Lover,
that He may take them to true healing
She will cry with the weak and rage at the proud
She knows her purpose and will forge ahead at all costs
She loves the unlovely and the unlovable
Her beauty catches the eye of many,
but she has eyes for only One
As she walks the streets,
her presence brings a wake of smiles,
contented smiles of those who know all is well
Her strength comes not in spite of her beauty, but because of it,
a strength that makes men wonder
Her presence, a light, a peace, un-describable, uncapturable,
but captivating none the less
Elegance veils tenacity,
surprising those who haven’t encountered her before
Her greatest joy comes in battle,
where she wounds the wicked
and brings healing to the abuse and innocent
Her path is laced with great men,
men who will support her and need her support
They trust her with their hearts,
knowing she will surrender them
fully healed and in perfect timing
Her presence in their lives is irreplaceable,
even when they have barely met her
She fights their battles at their side, barely noticed,
her gentleness disguising her true effort
In times of peace, she glides gracefully through her garden,
yet she has no fear of crushing the head of the snake
who dares invade her sanctuary
She views façade as weakness and vulnerability as strength
Her eyes are alert and watching, soaking in her surroundings
People’s true colors are not hidden from her,
yet their deepest secret is not repulsive to her eyes
Those who gaze at her from a distance may judge harshly,
even so, she offers them compassion
Because she listens to her Lover,
she is confident in who she is
She trusts Him with her life
As He calls her out, she prepares herself for battle
He turns over to her charge warriors who need strong direction
Her words are inspiration and vision
Dignity is her very essence
Standing on the battlefield before her ranks,
she is the picture of freedom
Her gentle tresses catch the breeze,
belying her backbone of steel,
never wavering
She leads with courage,
undaunted by overwhelming force,
diligently following the plan laid out for her
Her heart is tender through it all
In the end, her tears water the field,
bringing life from the destruction
Her prayers are seeds of hope,
planted to spring up in due time
Because her greatest goal is peace,
she is just as willing to lift a sword as
become delegate in the courts
Whenever she enters,
she is followed with an aire of patience,
a beacon of joy following her contentment
She is unbound by protocol,
yet ever aware of hearts
She draws others to her with her transparency
Truth, pure truth, radiates from her lips
Joy, pure joy, shines from her eyes
Hope, pure hope, beams from her being
Love, pure love, she offers to all
She is strength
She is grace
She is fierce
She is beauty
She is the one who proclaims the message of life
She is the one who bears the hope of the future
She is the on who carries truth on her shoulders
She is the one,
but more that the one
She is an army,
an army of beauty called by their Lover
Dedicated to the women of 24/7
May our hearts sing in harmony as we hear the call of our Lover
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Read yesterday's post (reread if you did yesterday :).. I know but it is good for you) ....what do you do daily to chase after Jesus in this way?
So What?
Anyone can go and donate clothes they dont want, go on a short term mission trip,go to a homeless shelter once; and feel like WE have accomplished something...
I dont quite think it is what Jesus was talking about. We are to make this a lifestyle....
What are you going to do to make this a lifestyle?
So What?
Anyone can go and donate clothes they dont want, go on a short term mission trip,go to a homeless shelter once; and feel like WE have accomplished something...
I dont quite think it is what Jesus was talking about. We are to make this a lifestyle....
What are you going to do to make this a lifestyle?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Matthew 25:37-46 The Sheep and the Goats
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."r
So What?
Does Jesus know you as a sheep or a goat? Do you help those in need around you or do you pass by them thinking that someone else will help them?
Our time is now~show your faith by your actions
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."r
So What?
Does Jesus know you as a sheep or a goat? Do you help those in need around you or do you pass by them thinking that someone else will help them?
Our time is now~show your faith by your actions
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