Scripture
Mark 8:34-36 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
Observation
Calling the crowd to join his disciples.There was an invitation for the crowd to become disciples, but there is a cost to that.
Application
Nothing has changed since I was in high school. The verses still read the same, no matter what translation - there is a cost to following Jesus. Deny himself here is rephrased turn from your selfish ways. I need to continually work on that. I am a selfish person. 45 years later I am still selfish.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please help me to not be so selfish. Well, please help me to not be selfish at all. JOY - Jesus first, others second, yourself last.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
A Slanted Testimony
Scripture
Job 13:10 No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
Observation
I am trying to discover truth in the book of Job. The bible accurately records what Job and his friends said, but that does not mean that what they said about God was accurate. However, I do like what Job said here regarding God, that there will be trouble if you slant testimony in his favour. It's like Job is saying - don't try and make God look good; he doesn't need your help. Our testimony needs to be true, not slanted - even in God's favour.
Application
This can be a weight off, as I grew up thinking "if God didn't do something, maybe we could make it look like He did". Perspective is important, and the fact that we don't see behind the scenes, but I don't need to somehow protect God's reputation or make Him look good for people. He is good.
Prayer
Lord, I don't want to ever bring reproach to Your name, but I also feel released this morning to allow people to wrestle with their disappointments with You, when You - as James Dobson says - don't make sense. You are good all the time. You are all powerful, You are love. It's just hard sometimes to match those three things to our situations because of our limited vision, but they are still true.
Job 13:10 No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
Observation
I am trying to discover truth in the book of Job. The bible accurately records what Job and his friends said, but that does not mean that what they said about God was accurate. However, I do like what Job said here regarding God, that there will be trouble if you slant testimony in his favour. It's like Job is saying - don't try and make God look good; he doesn't need your help. Our testimony needs to be true, not slanted - even in God's favour.
Application
This can be a weight off, as I grew up thinking "if God didn't do something, maybe we could make it look like He did". Perspective is important, and the fact that we don't see behind the scenes, but I don't need to somehow protect God's reputation or make Him look good for people. He is good.
Prayer
Lord, I don't want to ever bring reproach to Your name, but I also feel released this morning to allow people to wrestle with their disappointments with You, when You - as James Dobson says - don't make sense. You are good all the time. You are all powerful, You are love. It's just hard sometimes to match those three things to our situations because of our limited vision, but they are still true.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Small Beginnings
Scripture
Job 8:7And though you started with little, you will end with much.
Observation
This text was spoken by a friend to Job. Even though the friends missed out on the reason and purpose of suffering, some of what they said about God was accurate.
Application
I need to remember that even when people are whacked in the head, they can still be right about some things - even when they say them from a wrong perspective. Also, this text was given to me by Dick Mills a hundred years ago. Though my beginnings were small... I remember my mom saying that she remembered when he said this that I was a 5lb baby. I trust my size is not a fulfillment of this prophecy :)
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please help me to be open to your truth, however I hear it. Also, I submit my future to you. Just like Bill Hybels led me to pray, I pray today. I give you my best, and I commit to 'bring it'.
Job 8:7And though you started with little, you will end with much.
Observation
This text was spoken by a friend to Job. Even though the friends missed out on the reason and purpose of suffering, some of what they said about God was accurate.
Application
I need to remember that even when people are whacked in the head, they can still be right about some things - even when they say them from a wrong perspective. Also, this text was given to me by Dick Mills a hundred years ago. Though my beginnings were small... I remember my mom saying that she remembered when he said this that I was a 5lb baby. I trust my size is not a fulfillment of this prophecy :)
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please help me to be open to your truth, however I hear it. Also, I submit my future to you. Just like Bill Hybels led me to pray, I pray today. I give you my best, and I commit to 'bring it'.
Friday, October 19, 2012
From Objecting to Praising
Scripture
Acts 11:18. When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”
Observation
It's a great phrase: they stopped objecting and began praising God. They had first criticized Peter for going into the home of a Gentile and eating with him and his family. But when they heard that God was in it, they changed.
Applictation
Initially I was going to write of how critical they were, and chide them for that. However, I think a commendation would be in order on how they changed. Many people would perhaps continue to object, instead of switch to praise God. I need to be open enough to have my mind changed. Peter's mind was changed by the vision and by his experience. The people's minds were changed by his testimony. There is something powerful in a person's testimony.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to testify of my experiences with you, and help me learn from the testimony of others. Amen
Acts 11:18. When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”
Observation
It's a great phrase: they stopped objecting and began praising God. They had first criticized Peter for going into the home of a Gentile and eating with him and his family. But when they heard that God was in it, they changed.
Applictation
Initially I was going to write of how critical they were, and chide them for that. However, I think a commendation would be in order on how they changed. Many people would perhaps continue to object, instead of switch to praise God. I need to be open enough to have my mind changed. Peter's mind was changed by the vision and by his experience. The people's minds were changed by his testimony. There is something powerful in a person's testimony.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to testify of my experiences with you, and help me learn from the testimony of others. Amen
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Don't Blame God!
Scripture
Job 1:2. In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
Observation
NLT says blaming God, not cursing God.
Application
A very simple observation, but a good lesson. Much like Adam and Eve, where Adam, says it is the woman YOU gave me. He blamed God. I need to be careful to remember it is not God's fault. God is good, all the time.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to live a life of praise, not blame.
Job 1:2. In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
Observation
NLT says blaming God, not cursing God.
Application
A very simple observation, but a good lesson. Much like Adam and Eve, where Adam, says it is the woman YOU gave me. He blamed God. I need to be careful to remember it is not God's fault. God is good, all the time.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to live a life of praise, not blame.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Our God Will Fight For Us
Scripture
Nehemiah 4:20
When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”
Observation
When the trumpet sounded, the guards and builders would rush to the place where the enemy was attacking, swords in hand. The would band together and defend the city. However, they recognize that even though it is their own hand on their sword, it is The Lord who will fight for them - He will give them the victory
Application
Again, I am reminded that I have a part to play, but the biggest part is to trust that The Lord is on my side, when I am on His! As I fulfill what He has called me to work on, He will defend against the enemy. I'm listening for the trumpet/alarm that I might run to where my brothers/sisters are under attack.
Prayer
Lord, Thank You for Your Word today, and Your promise, that You will fight for me. There still is... "Victory In Jesus".
Nehemiah 4:20
When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”
Observation
When the trumpet sounded, the guards and builders would rush to the place where the enemy was attacking, swords in hand. The would band together and defend the city. However, they recognize that even though it is their own hand on their sword, it is The Lord who will fight for them - He will give them the victory
Application
Again, I am reminded that I have a part to play, but the biggest part is to trust that The Lord is on my side, when I am on His! As I fulfill what He has called me to work on, He will defend against the enemy. I'm listening for the trumpet/alarm that I might run to where my brothers/sisters are under attack.
Prayer
Lord, Thank You for Your Word today, and Your promise, that You will fight for me. There still is... "Victory In Jesus".
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Servant Leadership
Scripture. Luke 22:26-27
But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.
Observation
Jesus says He is among the servants. Christian Leadership has to be different than worldly leadership.
Application
I need to model for my staff as one who serves. I also want to be careful how I listen at the Global Leadership Summit next week - I need to hear about serving. I also need to model serving at home. This is a significant way that I can show my famuy the life and love of Jesus: by serving them.
Prayer
Lord, I love to be served. You love to serve. Please work in me so I can be more like You. This is a very practical way to be more like You ~ serve more. Help me to not only know it, but live it.
But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.
Observation
Jesus says He is among the servants. Christian Leadership has to be different than worldly leadership.
Application
I need to model for my staff as one who serves. I also want to be careful how I listen at the Global Leadership Summit next week - I need to hear about serving. I also need to model serving at home. This is a significant way that I can show my famuy the life and love of Jesus: by serving them.
Prayer
Lord, I love to be served. You love to serve. Please work in me so I can be more like You. This is a very practical way to be more like You ~ serve more. Help me to not only know it, but live it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Father Abraham and a Prostitute
S ~ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was calle...
-
S ~ For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do w... -
S ~ 'But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke...