I AM
. . . read this a while ago at my grandmother’s house. The swirling cinnamons and pear blooms swirled up and around her hardwood kitchen floors, blooming in my senses . . . the warmth . . .
“I am all around you, like a cocoon of Light. My Presence with you is a promise, independent of your awareness of Me. Many things can block this awareness, but the major culprit is worry. My children tend to accept worry as an inescapable fact of life. However, worry is a form of unbelief; it is anathema to Me.
“Who is in charge of your life? If it is you, then you have good reason to worry. But if it is I, then worry is both unnecessary and counterproductive. When you start to feel anxious about something, relinquish the situation to Me. Back off a bit, redirecting your focus to Me. I will either take care of the problem Myself or show you how to hand it in this world. You will have problems, but you need not lose sight of Me.”
Luke 12:22-31; John 16:33
To you . . .
This is a letter I wrote a while ago to a few who were hurting.
If it interests you, give it a go!
First of all . . . you have to want to listen because I know that you know ALL of the textbook answers, the cliché answers . . .
You know, the thing I think about is Christ’s suffering on the cross . . . He went through all that stuff . . . it was from the world and from the devil, allowed from God. God placed it in His plan . . . so why in the world would God allow Jesus—a perfect man, which none of us are—to suffer? Because He knew the end. That’s why. You know, Christ wears your chains, but a lot of the time—we can’t even see it. So, why do you feel terrible every single day? The truth is—it’s normal. It’s normal to question, it’s normal to not feel all “happy” and “grand” like everything’s perfect . . . because everything isn’t perfect. It’s not supposed to be all lovey dovey and perfect because we’re in the world, the devil’s territory. That stupid demon has to turn his attacks to us to get to God because you are the apple of God’s eye—you are God’s . . . there’s no other way to get to Him. And, what I’m seeing in our lives is that we are letting the devil blind us by our fears, our troubles, our bad stuff, our worldly desires, betrayal, our “friends”, our _______, and the absence of feeling because of the calluses he’s worn on our hearts for so long because of everything that’s happened.
Have you read Job before? Job went through a boatload of stuff, and he was pretty much as innocent as a human can get. Have you read 1 Samuel 2:1-10? That’s Hannah’s prayer to the Lord when she went through troubles of friends berating her, betraying her, and when the desires of her heart weren’t met. She said, “Those who stumbled are armed with strength.” God told me a long time ago that we cannot truly understand the light without grasping the extent of the darkness. There’s no limit on bad stuff happening to one person because if that were true, there would be no cross. When we say about God, “If only He would just draw a limit somewhere and let me get everything under control before another storm comes over my life again and wrecks everything.” we use “let me get everything under control”. You and I both know that we can’t get everything under control.
God’s ways are not ours, duh. We know that. But, He makes everything this way so that you will not be reliant upon yourself because if you are reliant upon yourself, if you are trusting in yourself, if you are focused on yourself, (I’m speaking to me as well), we will always fail, always find ourselves drowning in our troubles because we don’t trust in anyone to pick us up from the mud that we’ve wallowed in. God said, “It does not therefore depend on man’s efforts, but on God’s mercy.” He knows that you can bear this. And, He’s made a way out for you, but what you have to do is know. That’s it.
You have to know Him. That’s it.
It’s not some potion for a wound, something that heals on the spot. The truth is—life is a whole bundle of troubles and downfalls and risers, and stuff. But, what we have to realize is that God is. He is. And, that’s enough. Because even if the world seems like it’s succumbing to everything evil, He still is, and He will punish evil one day, or even today—because you, having God made known to yourself, have that power of God inside you. We have to trust Him because we can’t do it . . . that’s a duh.
Just look what we get ourselves entwined in . . . we can’t even put the first shack back together that a storm’s blown away. The fact is, our foundation is faulty—it’s you . . . it’s me. When you say that you’ve tried to get off your butt and give everything, all of your burdens to Him, that’s not what He wants. He wants YOU . . . on your butt . . . not off. He wants you right where you’re sitting down, crying your eyes out to Him. He wants you on your lowest of lows. He wants you to live everyday, not act as if you are dying because of the firm foothold the devil has on you. God IS bigger . . . we just can’t understand it because of all these cliché words that describe Him.
But, what we don’t get is that God is far beyond words.
Love . . . yeah right. That doesn’t even get close to defining God. I don’t know if this will help but here goes—I go through unimaginable pain every day of my life . . . pain so intense that everyday I wish I were dead. No joke. Just the other day, I was crying my eyes out; begging God to just let me go. But, He said to me that it wasn’t my time . . . His timing was perfect, and He still has plans for me even through this darn trial. My Father knows that He possesses the keys to my future and the plans to, yes, prosper and not harm, plans for a hope . . . the not harming part is for eternity, not now. Hope is for now. If we didn’t have hope when we get down on our knees and bawl our eyes out, we wouldn’t be here today.
I don’t know what to tell you . . . I’ve been asking and asking God what in the world to say to you. I’m just trying to pour my thoughts out right here, but I don’t think it’s enough. Just look . . . if you can’t understand. Look at my life, will you? Look at what things true joy comes from—suffering. That’s where true joy finds its roots.
I go through intense suffering every day of my life, and I’m not ashamed to say that without it, I wouldn’t be so close to my Savior . . . because through this suffering, I sought God, I sought something more than the everyday desires of human life, and you know what? I found Him. God is not something that I can just spit out to you on paper. You know all the answers that you’ve been getting everyday of your life when you’ve asked? Either silence or some cliché words that you don’t even want to hear anymore? Well, they’re worthless . . . The true answer to all your questions is in the experience, not the simple answers of a textbook Christian. God is more than pen and paper. There’s no doubt about that. When you look at His Word, reading Job or 1 Samuel, the thing is—you have to look at the bigger picture. See, our sufferings are this tree in the woods . . . bear with me . . . and you’re looking at this huge sycamore tree in the forest close up . . . but when you back up and look at the forest from far away, the tree doesn’t look so darn big anymore. That definitely doesn’t help . . . but it’s a metaphor for suffering, a textbook answer for you. So, the point of that silly story is that even though you think you’re alone in all of this, you’re not. That’s why God gives us friends. That’s why God gives us life. That’s why God gives us every drop of Himself. That’s why. Darn it! I went into author-dome again. Sorry. I get so excited about God. You know, all we see at churches, or Christian schools sometimes are cliché people . . . plastic people that put on these beautiful masks to make everything okay. But, when you look deep into their eyes, you can see that there’s more than a wooden mask covering their face . . . they are in fact human, and suffering comes with the territory. There are more ways than one to answer your question. I am by no means a philosopher, a minister, whatever . . . but I am something; I am Christ’s . . . I’m a seeker of God. You know, pain—it’s real. God—he’s real too. I’m probably boring you to death, but listen: If God wasn’t real—there’d be no pain. So, pain is in fact evidence for God. He says that He is “long suffering”. Do we know what that means? Not really . . . but if you switch the words around it looks like He suffers as long as we do, even though we refuse to see it. God captures all our tears in a bottle. He saves us when we have nothing left . . . but only if we let Him take us on our butt. He wouldn’t have it any differently. It’s a daily thing.
You can’t expect anything to get better if you try to get off your butt and give everything to Him. Things don’t get better if we get off our butts and look at Him with big eyes and say “Please take it cuz I can’t do it anymore”. I CAN’T DO IT ANYMORE. I can’t. I don’t know how many times I’ve said that.
When God is most clear to me is everyday when my pain is unbearable. Everyday when I can’t see clearly, I go for Him on my butt, and I wait for Him—even though it’s painful. Life is Satan’s favorite game. He would love to make you blind, he would love to make you tired, he would love to make you see nothing at all, he would love to make you calloused, he would love to make you live without God’s hope of surviving anything but the moment, he would love to kill you with everything he’s got. He would love to see you dead in your sins, dead in the betrayals of friends, dead in false hopes, false dreams, dead in everything you hold dear, dead.
He would love to see you fall, to see you try and fail, to see you get off your butt and try to make it right when he knows all the time that this is not going to help you. He would love to make you calloused to the Holy Spirit’s words. He would love to . . . But, God, if you let it be, God is greater than that stupid devil who is roaming around this world. God is way greater than that. We have to want Him. God is alive, but the devil would love to make us see that He is in fact otherwise—dead on the cross that first claimed His life and His love for you. Even now, the stupid demon is roaming around my ears, trying to get me to say something totally different to you. The fact is though; we are not fools to the devil’s dreams or wishes. He is real. So is God.
But, the difference is—God cares.
For I am convinced . . .
. . . beyond doubt that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-Romans 8:38-39.
Now, upon first glance, that verse may seem as familiar as the sky to you. Blue, hazy clouds just jetting across with no meaning really deduced except for the present – nothing is really supposed to faze you because Jesus loves you. Yes, that’s true. But, things faze us. Why? Well, that my friend, is the humanity side of this coin we call life. God knows our frailties – He not only knows them, He enfolded Himself in them and walked around in those cracks for 33 years and died in them. Not to mention – rose.
But, what stood out to me the most in this verse the past few days is the word, “LIFE.” Not a very uncommon diction; we see it all the time. It passes through our eyes and into our brains, imprinting nothing but a mark of letters and vague impressions.
In this verse, however, there seems to bound another meaning from the text . . . Lay your eyes on “LIFE” and rest there for a while. Don’t rush it. This life, filled with fear, doubt, falls, bumps and bruises, droughts, frustrations, anxieties, illness, breaks, losses, you name it . . . cannot and will not be able to wield the power to separate you or me from God. His love. He’s that powerful. To claim our lives free from the bondage that lays so heavily upon it at the moments we feel so lowly drowning in its wake. But, God knows better than we.
I won’t pretend to know it all; because, truly, I know fairly nothing at all – only what the Lord grants me by His overflowing grace in my life. My words on this subject only belittle the matter – it is so much more than words . . . if it were only words, the cross would be emptied of its power. God’s work doesn’t rest on men’s wisdom but on His power. And, this life? Well, that’s a hard road to trek, a mountain full of darkness and doubt to climb, but God’s whole love is worth the while it takes to pursue this tiring road. Life is hard.
God is good.
All the time.
He never changes.
So, next time you hear someone say, “LIFE,” and it goes right through your ears without a second thought, rewind, catch that word like a firefly in your net and watch it glow . . .
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Who am I?
Take a trip over HERE to see more devotions like this one.
Your head reels . . . again . . . this time the torture is like the rocking of the sea sloshing about in your brain–lightning, roars of thunder, a tsunami of thoughts that just don’t belong. Trying to paddle through the waves seems like a lost cause; the driftwood of those ships have sailed. You feel like you’re drowning in the tossing and turning of all the crashing clutter. The devil loves nothing more than to steal our joy . . . our peace . . . our self. Are you giving him a foothold?
The battlefield of the mind. Like a chess board. You make a move, the devil analyzes and counters. But, we’re not seeing the whole picture. God. He’s right next to us. Forget about Him, did we? He’s much more powerful than the one who is in the world, and He’s the one fighting inside us . . . He fought for us and died for us because we are worth dying for. And, He already conquered what’s tying us down–our thoughts. I challenge you to read through 1 John. Yes, the whole book. Don’t roll those little spiritual eyes at me! =) Just grab this link, and read a few verses a day. 1 JOHN CSB. I feel like the CSB version really helped me when cleaning out my thought closet and replacing the dirty clothes in their for Christ’s garments. “Ay, that’s the rub,” replacing those thoughts the devil thinks for you with God’s glorifying thought process. Remember something. Think intentionally, with a purpose. Because empty space is a place in your head where the devil will think something for you if you don’t fill it with whatever is “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.” -Phil. 4: 6-8. Think upon such things.
Let me tell you, Scripture is the best sword and the only sword with which to counter the devil’s attacks. And, we do not wage war as the world does. If we did, we have lost already! But, on the contrary . . . the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world; they have divine power . . . excuse me, let me re-emphasize . . . DIVINE POWER (in you because of Jesus . . . take it and use it!) to demolish strongholds. We demolish every argument and pretentious thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST! Wow. -2 Corinthians 10:3-5. It’s a war out there. Are you ready?
Here’s some “whatevers” to get you on your way to spring cleaning in your brain and equipping you with the helmet of salvation and the shield of faith with which you can and will extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. -Eph. 6:10-18.
Let’s put on some armor:
Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” So remember that “Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing.” The truth is, you are a child of God (period, no counter arguments hold water when it comes to this truth). You may be struggling with _______, but that doesn’t mean you are _______.
Zephaniah 3:17, one of my favorites: “The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.”
“The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” 2 Cor. 10:3-5
Okay, I’m going to make you do some work now: =)
Psalm 40:5
Psalm 92:5
Psalm 139:17
Isaiah 55:9
Jeremiah 29:11
Colossians 3:2 tells us where to fix our minds.
And some truths to pin on your wall, your door, or wherever you look. Pretty soon, wherever you think will be wallpapered with these guys:
YOU ARE WITHOUT A DOUBT . . .
New creations… 2 Cor. 5:17
Forgiven Eph. 1:7-8
Gifted with power, love, and a sound mind! 2 Tim. 1:7
Chosen to be fruitful! John 15:16
Complete!!! Col. 2:9-10
Secure…that’s an awesome one.
Rom. 8:31-39; EVEN MORE THAN a conqueror in Christ!
Confident! Phil. 1:6
Free!!! from the bonds of Satan and this world. Rom. 6;18; 8:1
Capable… Phil. 4:13 through Him who is able to give us strength!
Spiritually alive!! Eph. 2:5
God’s workmanship Eph. 2:10 created to do His good works, which He prepared in ADVANCE for us to do! He has a plan!
Welcome in God’s presence! Eph. 2:18; Hebrews 4: 14-16; 1 John 5
Sheltered/protected in God…under His wings… Col. 3:3
Valuable to God… 1 Corinthians 6:20 and Zephaniah 3:17
Member of God’s family 1 John 3: 1-2 and Eph. 2:19
God’s TREASURE 1 Peter 2:9-10
Dearly loved! Col. 3:12
Being transformed…that’s process! Sometimes we slip…then we overcome in Him 2 Cor. 3:18
An heir of God. Whoa. Talk about being royal . . . Rom. 8:17
A FRIEND of God John 15:15
God’s DELIGHT! Zephaniah 3:17!!! (Can you tell that this is one of my favorite verses?) =)
We are welcome to DRAW near to God . . . Ephesians 3:12
!!! Let’s just add a few more of those to get the point across–these Scriptures and these truths are BIG DEALS!
What verses help you in the battle against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms?
Post them below!
Go for the Goal
So you’re in a race . . .
READY:
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 3:13b-14
SET:
What are athletes without goals? Having goals helps us reach higher levels of ability. In Philippians 3:14, Paul says we should keep running for the goal God has for us. In doing this, we all have to lean on the Lord to know where we are going.
As athletes, two elements are important to us when trying to reach our goals: focus and perseverance. Focus is “a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding.” Focus has to be steered in the right direction in order for you to reach your goal and, above all, God’s will for your life. The second element, perseverance, is what I like to call “the ability to not quit, and to keep on going with a greater drive than you think you have.” Perseverance is often a sown seed. As Paul states later, “If you don’t give up you will reap a harvest in God’s timing.” In action, perseverance gives life to character; character to hope and hope in Christ.
In sports, athletes mess up, hit a hurdle, miskick a ball, overshoot the goal, fall down, etc. I’ve seen many athletes get their minds stuck on that one error and not let it go. This drives me crazy! You can’t keep dwelling on the bad plays. If you do, they will keep replaying in your mind until all you will see is the bad play.
Today, when you feel like the devil is getting that foothold and trying to pull you down with your attitude so that you can’t glorify Christ, just remember to fix your eyes on Jesus, your audience of One. He doesn’t care if you mess up, as long as you give your all for Him. Look forward at your goal, forget past mistakes and look for a new opportunity to come to you. When it does, you’ll be game ready for Christ’s glory.
GO:
1. How can you focus on Christ today in your sport and in your training?
2. What will it take for you to forget past mistakes and keep going for a greater goal?
3. How are you going to react the next time you mess up, when your attitude gets down?
4. What do you need to do to reach your goal and reap the harvest God has planned
for you?
WORKOUT:
Psalm 103
Mark 10:27
Word of the Day
Rely.
It means more than the simple definition Websters tags to this little fellow, “depend upon with full trust or confidence.” It’s more than a verb, and it’s more than enough.
Think about it. What we do each day may or may not be a different set of situations each time we take a breath in and a breath out . . . to live. Life in itself is a journey of ups and downs, mountains and valleys.
For me, I’ve taken quite a break from the internet and writing on this blog because my life has been a little more than crazy. I’ve gone to the hospital, gone to doctor after doctor. The truth be known – I’m exhausted. Being sick is not my idea of being a light in God’s kingdom, but you know the beauty of it? Oh, the beauty is that God’s perspective differs from ours. And, thank God that it does! I’ve gotten to witness to so many people through being a “medical mystery.” And, if nothing else, at least I get to tell them about Jesus. After tears rolling down my face this morning and me asking God for just a little relief . . . just a little help . . . just a little life with all of this pain coursing through my body each day when it just downright kills to breathe in and out . . . It’s all I can do to breathe in life . . . God’s breath. But, you know what? I’ve come to realize that God reminds me every day to RELY. To completely trust Him. Adhere to . . . trust.
The beauty of it? Well, that’s just all I have to do today. RELY. I don’t have to live this life by myself. God doesn’t want me to. God feels my pain. He’s holding me in His hands right now. And, if I take a breath in the grace of His compassion, in the reality that my trust is in Him to get me through this day, then I know that I’ll be all right. That’s it! That’s the secret of living a life full of this stuff called joy. RELY.
It’s like learning to dance in the downpour when life’s all hardship and mountain climbs . . .
It’s like catching the raindrops in the gossamer threads of a weak spider web, seeing something so beautiful in that bleak moment . . . seeing the strength in surrendering something that’s about to break . . .
It’s like God taking you in His hands.
God is waiting. He’s given you trials and abilities. You can take them all by yourself. You see, God will not intervene when you don’t allow Him. But, O how He desires for you to ask Him to take your life and make it beautiful. He is able. You know, I don’t know what God’s plan is for your life . . . but O how I know without a doubt that it is something special.
RELY.
Early mornings
God got me up early this morning . . . to see His majesty.
Beautiful doesn’t even describe how much warmth and glory exudes from Him.
The sun spritely waves its length across my face, and how warm and chilling these rays sink into my bones. Solitude.
Have you ever experienced solitude with God? It’s more than a picture perfect moment where silence reigns. It’s a silence from your heart that really fits the puzzle. Rest in your mind, relax in your heart, let loose your tension in your muscles, and wake your ears to hear the sound of God’s cooing voice – the voice of a small whisper . . . like a dove . . . yet powerful.
His words whisper to you throughout the day. But, do you ever take the time of solitude to realize what He’s saying to you?
I sat on the back steps, washed in sunshine, trying to put my mind at ease. Dogs barking, cars whirring, birds chirping . . . in the background. But, what’s at the forefront of my mind? My eyes close . . . sunshine sears behind my lids. Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening . . . is hearing . . . is waking my ears to wander into Your words.
Solitude.
Sunshine.
Rest.
Refresh.
Rest.
Sunshine.
Solitude.
God’s radiance
In Exodus 3:1, Moses goes to Mount Horeb, searching for a good pasture for his sheep to graze. While on this mountain, God appeared to Him. It’s interesting that Mount Horeb literally means “desolation”. So, in desolation, God shines even brighter when we search for a good place to lay our heads for the night after a long day of sorrow, anxiety, you name it. So, in desolation, in a state of complete emptiness, exhaustion, sorrow, loneliness, frustration, God extends a hand . . . all we have to do is search for it . . . and hold on.
Zephaniah
I’m skipping around the aisles of God’s Word, reading and writing like crazy.
So, we go to Zephaniah. :) What do you think of when Zephaniah flits its letters into your head? Hmm?
Well, here goes a little of what I like to call transliteration . . . what God pointed out this time I visited Zephaniah’s hallway . . . deserted though it may seem.
This book was written in the time of Josiah, who carried out a religious reform unmatched and flaming. But, this was undone with quick flicks of his sons’ wrists. What happened? Josiah didn’t train up a Joshua. (Think of Moses) Moses trained up a Joshua to take over when he left, but after Joshua (he didn’t train up a person to take over), no one was qualified to take over, thus the fall of a great nation. It starts with influence and investment.
In accord with this, repentance comes with seeking the Lord in humility. So, we know if we don’t repent and keep on keeping on with our stubborn defiance . . . well, God not only judges this Judah in the book of Zephaniah, but He also destroys Judah’s neighbors. Why? We stand as an example of Christ . . . and we also fall as an example. As 1 Timothy states, persevere in your life and doctrine to save both yourself and your hearers. Be conscientious about yourself and what you say and do. For, the end of all things is near; therefore . . . be clear-headed and disciplined for prayer. (Peter’s note) :)
1
The Israelites were holding onto ruins in their lives. Do you snatch up the ruins of a life that wastes away, or are you chasing the things of life and the present of Christ. It’s hard to keep your mind set on the things that are whole sometimes when everything’s breaking . . . but that’s what God’s full love is about! He is able. We are weak. He is strong.
Be silent in the presence of the Lord God, for the day of the Lord is near. Indeed, He is preparing you for it!
The things the Israelites thought was their source of life is only silver or gold that wears . . . God is gold at least . . . and that pure gold.
God will search at His timing with the light of Himself to punish the complacent and passive. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises or actions.
Today may be a day of wrath, trouble, distress, destruction, desolation, darkness, gloom, clouds, blackness, trumpet, battle cry, and the like, but God is a God of love, peace, solace, construction, wholeness, wholesomeness, light, joy, blue skies, whiteness, simpleness, songs, joy, and the like. Don’t walk as the blind do with timid steps. God’s way is contrary. It’s light! Walk in it. Run by it.
God jealously longs for you. His fire consumes the darkness. He wants you. Isn’t that amazing?
2
“Faith in God involves the intellect but so much more. The mind that acknowledges God sees His high standards and becomes aware of the distance between the actions of human beings and God’s requirements. Seek the Lord. This could refer to desiring to “inquire of Him” or to turning to Him in repentance. These actions are the opposite of indifference [passivity] to the Lord and abandoning Him.”
Seek the Lord. Humble in heart. It’s that simple.
Act on what He says.
What is the framework of the house you’re building? Is the foundation sure?
3
Obey, accept discipline, trust in the Lord, and draw near to God.
The righteous Lord does. not. fail. at. dawn.
God is the head of the corner of our house.
Wait for God until the day He rises up forever.
For, He restores pure speech so that we can call on the Name and serve Him with a single purpose (literally – with one shoulder).
You will not be put to shame in God’s eyes because of everything He is, not because of what we do or who we are. For, faith is accompanied by actions, but our actions are but dusty remnants of what really matters. That doesn’t mean that the sun doesn’t catch these dusty remains in the right light.
Be glad and rejoice with every drop of your heart. God rocks!
The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will bring you quietness [He will renew you] with His love.
He will delight in you with shouts of joy.
Shout for joy.
Victory is yours in Christ.
Zephaniah looked ahead to the day of God’s deliverance. That’s a different perspective.
Join the Lord in His own rejoicing. He rejoices over your life right now.
Yahweh speaks.
Are you listening? :)
Crazy Love
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3.
Everything.
When’s the last time you knew what EvErYtHiNg was? Absolutely every facet of the word is filled in all things in every way. Everything.
The main image hunkered in the background of 2 Peter 1:3 stands up now, coming closer to your eyes as you squint, trying to piece together the visage of a soft pair of irises that take in your troubled soul. His name? Well, that’s probably an insult to tell you who you already claim to know. But, do you know Him?
The question, really, is how do you know Him? How do you view Him? Is God someone that is bigger than your small box? The box labeled “G-O-D”. Yep, we smacked a label on the One Who is really . . . nameless. He’s just too big for that. So, we minimize Him in our own ways, right? Our God, we think, is containable, limited, small, weak, too far away, unable, unsatisfying, undesirable . . . you name it. But, someone once said that “God . . . He’s the God of our God.” He’s just way bigger than we could ever realize. Delve into Him, and see what unimaginable imagines itself as.
God’s love? Now, that’s a different story . . . or is it? He is . . . Love. Right? Yes. Love. But, what does LOVE really understand itself to be? We think of love in a myriad of ways, much like the starlit gleams that burst forth through the air of the night. God is. Love. His love? Well, it’s untaintable, pure, unforgettable, BIG, imperishable, constant, uncontainable, limitless, close, reaching over all troubles, satisfying beyond what satisfying can even fathom . . . you name it. God’s love. It’s crazy.
So, back to the story . . .
God’s divine power . . . it’s given you . . . it’s given me . . . EVERYTHING we NEED for life . . . and godliness. How? Through knowing Who God really is . . . seeing Him with different spectacles on every day, spectacles that are His, not defined by the world. The best the world can do is . . . “Wow . . . uhm . . . that’s huge . . . so, let’s call it God.” So, He gives us everything . . . if we take it by knowing Him . . . because He calls us every day. He whispers in your ear. Can you hear Him? Maybe it’s because we’re talking too much.
Solitude. Now, that’s something that’s beautiful. Most people think talking to God is just that. You. Talking. But. It’s. More. Listening. Silence. Solitude.
So, you know that trouble you’re going through?
Well, God gives us everything we need.
Troubles are needed. For what?
Growth . . . in something really big, something the world likes to call Faith. Again . . . it’s more than a word. It’s a muscle. And, if you flex it enough with Christ holding your soul in His arms, you can feel Him more.
Only One thing is needed . . . I don’t even need to tell you that. :)
Time to Grow
Self-control when it feels unnatural . . .
Why is self-control last in the list of Galatians 5:22-23?
Well, guessing it takes some self-control (just a hint of that, right?) to carry out the rest of the fruits, wouldn’t you say that this is an apt place for it?
Look at Genesis 4. Read it. What do you think about that?
Here’s some lessons we can learn from that little fellow of a passage.
1. Stay alert (to signs that say you stray).
I Peter 5:8 says to be “alert, for your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking to devour. But, resist him!” So, there’s a common thread when people go downhill . . . you know what that thread is? Of course, it’s self-control or lack thereof.
James 1:19-20 . . . this is a slow process. Slowness in growing is the key. No miracle grow. Just sunlight and the rain of God’s sky. Ephesians 4:26 . . . work it out!
2. Search your heart (eventually the truth pops out).
Do we look to self more than we look to God?
James 1:22 . . . hear and do. Get to the root so you can bear the fruit.
There’s a smack-down going on between natures (the sinful and the spiritual) for your decisions and for your soul.
Allow God to handle it!
Galatians 5:17 . . . Craig Massey says, “Two hearts beat within my breast, One is foul, the other blest, One I love, One I hate, The one I feed will dominate.”
3. Obey God’s warning(s).
WAKE UP! Proverbs 25:28, or you’ll be like a city with no walls!
(Listen to Paige Armstrong’s song, Wake Up).
Genesis 4:7 . . . the choice is yours.
Galatians 5:23 . . . the funny thing is, self-control is more transliterated like “chastity” . . . we can’t do this by ourselves.
If you throw out self-control, if you think God is more concerned with your happiness than your soul, if you live without boundaries . . . you have to face the consequences that you are in a spiritual battle and the stakes are very high.
4. Consider the consequence(s).
Fast forward and see where this behavior leads.
Consider the positive consequences with self-control.
Juxtapose the two – your nature and then self-control.
Where do they both lead?
Sure, the sinful satisfies for the moment, but what does your soul really long for?
All of this going downhill and lack of self-control starts with deception . . . to yourself and to those around you. The devil is the father of lies, and we are not ignorant of his schemes.
Just think: sin is a substitute of man for God.
Salvation is a substitue of God for man.
His Spirit feels welcome where His Word is taught. Is His Spirit welcome inside you? Does He pull your weeds?
We can’t do it. But, the Big Guy can.
Remember: Christ’s prayer . . . He was tempted to flex His God card, to flex His fleshly desires . . . but He prays instead and chooses to do God’s will. John 19:10 . . . Jesus says that God gave Pilate the power to be ruler . . . in the same breath, Jesus states that He gives His life of His own accord.
You are enabled to be self-controlled. No excuse(s).
There should be “More of You, Father. Less of me.”
Breathe in the Holy Spirit. Breathe out the fleshly desires and repent.
That’s how Spiritual growth breathes.
John Wooden said something like this: “I have the same emotions as all other coaches, but when I feel uptight or like I’m going too far into myself, I squeeze this little cross in my pocket . . . to remind me that there’s something so much more important than winning a ball game.” There’s something so much more important than the desire that you’re wanting to fulfill . . . it’s your eternity.
www.southeastchristian.org
Psalm 37:3
When you have a problem, what do you do?
Trust in the Lord and do good. :)
How can you trust in someOne you don’t know?
Do you truly delve into the character of God to get to realize just how amazing He is? He is bigger than problems.
When problems come our way, we trust in the One we know, lean fully on Him because He is able. Then, we do good. Well, we need to set our mind right first . . . Think about whatever . . . whatever is pure, noble, right, true, lovely, and admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. When the devil comes pounding on your door, pushing discouraging thoughts your way, tell him “whatever” . . . the whatever verse can be found in Philippians 4 . . . :)
God has planted inside you the authority to move mountains, to cast out demons, to do greater things than this . . . So, what do we do when we have problems? Fear and doubt are the closest things that come to mind, right? And, Jesus knew we would fear and doubt, so what did He say? “Do not worry”. One “Do not worry” for every day of your life. God gives you the strength for this moment. Live in this moment. Discover God’s authority inside you, the authority that already defeated the devil’s words and actions, paving the way for eternal life in the end. We know the ending of the story. What do we have to fear? What can man to you?
There’s a pretty sweet saying . . . that tells a pretty cool tale . . .
Fear knocked at the door . . .
Faith answered . . .
No one was there.
A fruit (Read pulling the weeds first)
Yes, I know if you go here first! That’s why the blogs have stats on them.
:)
Okay, PATIENCE WHEN THE DAY IS LONG
Always a good topic for us, isn’t it?
To take a long time to boil, to have a long fuse . . . patience.
That’s what patience means.
The ability to wait.
Get out your Bible . . . dust it off a bit . . . and look at Luke 10:42.
What does it say?
Well, as Psalm 40:1 speaks to us as well, it basically reads that much of life is in the waiting.
From impatience to patience . . . how do we switch?
Well, first of all, Jesus Christ has to be Lord and Savior of our lives. 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 1 John 4:4 . . . He is ruler and He empowers. The one who is in us is greater than he who is in the world . . . you know, the one who is in the world being the impatient, father of lies, the devil.
Pray! We can’t do it by ourselves! 2 Corinthians 12:9 . . . this is a bold, yes a BOLD!, transformation from God and by His power.
Regularly detach yourself from the flow of this world. Find your pace. Your time with God. Solitude, for only fifteen seconds of being unplugged, tuned to God.
All relationships are damaged by hurry.
Waiting is a discipline.
Psalm 37:7 . . . come on, you know the drill by now!
Listen . . . and rest.
Plan some margin into your life. Like a good book, a good life has a lot of good marginal space so everything is spaced and rested in itself, established by a spacious place to set your eyes.
A winsome person is one who never hurries your relationships.
Establish lines of accountability . . . seriously.
Impose consequences on yourself.
The starting and the finishing touches, like a brush stroke, are from the Lord.
When we say no to this world and yes to soaking in His presence is when we see something different happen.
Acts 2:38
The gift.
“Be still and know that I AM God . . . Yahweh.”
Philippians 1:6
Train and trust!
2 Peter 3:9
Colossians 1:10-11
Isaiah 30:15 Yes, look them up and train to see God’s Word as a gift and a weapon that slays the devil.
By His glorious might is our defining moment.
Okay, I’ll post this one for you. ;)
Isaiah 40:26-31 (The Message)
25-26″So—who is like me?
Who holds a candle to me?” says The Holy.
Look at the night skies:
Who do you think made all this?
Who marches this army of stars out each night,
counts them off, calls each by name
—so magnificent! so powerful!—
and never overlooks a single one?
27-31Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.
Pull the Weeds
Pull the weeds of the sinful nature before you can grow . . .
For, it’s time to grow . . .
So, here’s what we’ve got.
Pull the weeds of the sinful nature . . . by the roots.
Read Galatians 5 . . . :) Seriously, don’t just stare at me like that! Go get your Bible!
Prepare the ground.
(v 17) Two opposing forces within, sinful vs. spiritual.
Starve and destroy the sinful nature.
Get down in the dirt and confess and pull the weeds.
Acknowledge that these little sprouts coming up are indeed weeds.
Spiritual Growth starts with answering:
What are the weeds of the sinful nature? (obviously) So that the Spirit can grow His fruit in your life . . .
You need to uproot these . . . the culture is contrary to this.
Paul ties both the more “acceptable” sins with the “big deal” sins.
“. . . and the like . . .” Growing fruit is done how?
Well, you see the pulling is done by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pretty soon, you think, “Well, it’s do and do and don’t do and don’t touch”, but don’t miss this! It’s only by the Spirit that we are able.
Galatians 3:3 Yes, please flip to it!
After beginning with the Holy Spirit, are you now going off your own effort?
What we need to do is put down our pride, our exhaustion and frustration, and just LIVE BY THE POWER of the Spirit. It’s there. We just don’t see the Holy Spirit as powerful, as God, as right here right now.
But, have a continual awareness and a constant prayer. (v 25)
Filter your thinking (Romans 8: 5-6) For, the mind is your battle ground . . . and your natural self and the spiritual self both have strong appetites.
So, who are you going to serve?
Die to your natural self. (v 24)
Crucifixion is a long and daily process.
Colossians 3:5 Flip to it!
The Holy Spirit needs to get more of you.
So, there should be more of Him and less of us.
Breathe spiritually . . .
Moment by moment.
God gives you strength for the moment, not for the week.
See a weed . . . exhale the natural self.
Repent.
Agree with what God’s Word says.
Inhale . . . the Spirit.
www.southeastchristian.org
Waiting On Sunday
by Jennifer Sands . . .
DEATH CAME ON A FRIDAY. Then Saturday dawned, filled with excruciating silence that weighted the air. It was hard to breathe. Even harder still to believe. Overwhelmed with grief, the devastated, shocked, terrified, and confused disciples couldn’t comprehend the death of Jesus. Especially on Saturday.
JESUS WARNED THAT LIFE ON THIS HARD ROCK WOULD BE, WELL, HARD AT TIMES. (John 16:33) So it’s no surprise that we have agonizing Fridays. No, they’re nothing like His Friday. But there are indeed times of pain: Fridays when you get the diagnosis you feared. Fridays when a relationship shatters. Fridays of job loss or financial crisis. Fridays of death.
My Friday was actually a Tuesday. On September 11, 2001, my husband, Jim, was working in his office on the 103rd floor on the Word Trade Center. I was devastated and broken by his death, consumed with anger for months. My Friday tragedy gave way to a Sunday of despair.
FRIDAYS ARE HEART-WRENCHING, but Saturdays bring painful periods of waiting, wondering, and wishing. Waiting for the Sunday when God will bring beauty from the ashes. Wondering how He’ll use the ashes in His master plan. And wishing He’d hurry up and do it already. We want the fulfillment of Romans 8:28 pronto. But God doesn’t wear a watch, and He doesn’t microwave His plans. For believers, God promises that our Sundays will come – in His time and on His terms, not ours.
Until then, be still and know that He is God. Patsy Clairmont, author of ‘Joy Breaks’ (Zondervan), calls this stillness “A calmer faith.” She writes, “Yep, a calmer faith. That’s the quiet place within us where we don’t get whiplash every time life tosses us a curve. Where we relax in the midst of an answerless season. Where we accept (and expect) deserts in our spiritual journey as surely as we do joy.”
Easier said than done, right? Suffering through those Saturdays can be relentless. And here’s a twist of lemon: Paul says we should actually rejoice in our suffering, since it produces perseverance, character, and hope that won’t disappoint (Romans 5:3-5). Notice it says “rejoice in our suffering” – not “by happy in our suffering.” Big difference. Happiness is determined by our circumstances, which will always change. Joy is rooted in God’s grace and love for us, which never change. So for believers, there is joy in those Saturday places because we have the certainty of Sunday.
How do we find the joy in the midst of silent Saturdays? How do we find the strength to go on?
WE BREAK THE SILENCE. After Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples no doubt struggled with their shattered dreams. But Saturdays aren’t really silent unless we allow them to be. God speaks to us through His Word, through the Holy Spirit, and through the wisdom of other believers. Through the warmth of these voices we find joy, peace, comfort, and strength to make it Sunday.
WE FIND THE PERFECT PEACE. In our Saturday seasons, we naturally focus on our circumstances. It takes a deliberate act of the will to set our minds on things above, not earthly things. But when our minds are occupied with thoughts of God and His Word, we’ll have joy and peace about our situation because we know it’s in His hands. The Scripture reminds us of this truth: “You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You” (Isaiah 26:3).
WE TRUST GOD’S PERSPECTIVE. God’s economy is nothing like ours. His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts. We think that losing a loved one, losing our health, or losing a job is the end of it all. On the contrary, it might be the beginning of something special. Sometimes when we face our greatest loss, God will bring forth our greatest gain.
WE DON’T RUN AWAY. Or we’ll miss the blessings. None of us would ever pursue suffering. But we shouldn’t resist it either. The Vinedresser prunes the branches to make them bear more fruit. So we should welcome any opportunity to grow – or to be brought closer to the Lord – even if that means it may hurt.
AS WE WAIT FOR GOD TO MAKE HIS MOVE, being in a Saturday place can seem like a never-ending chess match.
Jesus knows all about waiting. His Saturday didn’t begin the day after His crucifixion; it began the day He left heaven’s glory to come to this hard rock. Think about it: Jesus’ entire life on earth was one long, grueling Saturday, yet He suffered and persevered through it all. He did it out of love for us, to secure our eternity with Him.
But Jesus’ suffering is also an example for us: He didn’t give in to despair or doubt. He looked beyond the heartaches and saw the glory that was to come. When we’re in our own Saturday seasons, it’s wise to remember how well Jesus can identify with us “for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15).
And if that isn’t enough motivation, read Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will exist no longer; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.” Eternal life with Jesus is the best reason to persevere through Saturdays. So rejoice! No matter how bad things get here, as believers we have something amazing to look forward to in eternity.
WE MUST SEEK OUT SUNDAY MOMENTS WHILE IN SATURDAY PLACES. It’s not easy, but blessings will come long before heaven, if we allow God to work in our lives and trust Him with the outcome of our trials.
Judy Siegle was 18 years old when her Friday came in the form of a high-speed collision with a drunk driver. The accident left her a quadriplegic. Her Saturday lasted many years, but God brought forth many Sundays, including the blessing of competing in the 1996 and 2000 Paralympics. And Sundays continue since God gave Judy a speaking ministry to encourage others facing Fridays and Saturdays.
In her book ‘Living Without Limits’ (Authentic), Judy says, “God’s presence with us changes our perspective and broadens the view of our suffering. We tend to see obstacles in life as thwarting our progress, whereas God may be using those very things to strengthen and change us for a bigger plan and purpose.”
So let’s do some heart-searching. When we’re in Saturday places, do we focus on the trial? Or do we focus on what God can accomplish during the trial? Do we focus on our worries and problems? Or do we focus on God’s Word and His promises?
I don’t want to minimize the distress of waiting for God to reveal His plan. Trust me, I know that it’s not easy. So does Sonya Poe. When her husband, Johnny, was killed in a crop-duster plane accident in 2006, she entered into the grief of her Saturday season. Less than 15 months later, her 26-year-old son, Michael, also died in a plane crash.
Sonya is still in a Saturday place, but she looks forward to Sunday with great anticipation. “I’m waiting and praying for the day when I can help other people. I don’t know what lies ahead for me, but I trust God and I know that through Him all things are possible.”
Hang in there, Sonya. It’s during the Saturdays when God matures us, equips us, and strengthen us for His plan.
AND WE MUST NEVER FORGET THAT OTHERS ARE WATCHING US AS WE ENDURE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES – as we take care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s, as we plod through rounds of chemotherapy, as we endure another month of unemployment. People wonder how we can have peace in spite of it all. And maybe we’ll have the opportunity to tell them: “Yes, I’m hurting right now, but I’m waiting on God. It trust His perfect plan and His perfect timing. He’ll either resolve this problem or He’ll carry me through it.”
Without even realizing it, we might play a role in leading them to the Lord. Persevering through those Saturdays can actually be acts of evangelism.
MY SATURDAY AFTER SEPT. 11 LASTED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I wasn’t a believer before my husband’s death, but when I finally gave my life to Christ in 2002, He gave me the promise of an eternal Sunday. This doesn’t mean I won’t have any more Fridays or Saturdays in this life; I’ve already had a few, including a battle with breast cancer. But on dark Fridays and pain-filled Saturdays, I now have the power of a risen Christ, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and the wisdom of the Word of God to carry me to the glory of Sunday.
Matthew
I’m reading through the New Testament in a different transliteration, so I’m getting some cool background information.
Here’s what I’ve learned through God’s Word . . .
Matthew:
Purpose: To record the status of Jesus as the promised Messianic son of David, the King of Israel.
Ch. 1
Jesus is the Gk form of the Hb name “Joshua”, which means “The Lord Saves” or “Yahweh saves”
Joseph’s exemplary character shines throughout his response to the angel’s charges; he obeyed God without question. Something that would be better for all of us to do, don’t you think? :)
Ch. 2
The name “Jesus” or “Yahweh saves” describes what Jesus does. “Immanuel” or “God with us” describes who Jesus is.
The star in the East was most likely supernatural, but it could have been a conjunction of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn or perhaps a comet in 5 B.C., but the “magi” were learned scholars in astronomy, so they wouldn’t mistake a star for an alignment of planets, now, would they?
Out of the least and most unimportant city, Bethlehem, comes Jesus . . . God specializes in taking the least potential and making something grand out of it.
Ch. 3
“Therefore produce fruit consistent [worthy of] repentance.”
Ch. 4
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; if they accept it and let it shine and stick out everywhere, there will be a night and day difference.
The theme of Jesus’ preaching was the kingdom of heaven, the rule of God in human hearts.
When Jesus called, his disciples immediately leave and follow His footsteps.
Jesus is able to heal complete suffering and intense pain, but even if He does not . . . He is still God.
Ch. 5
Your light “must” shine before men, so that they see your good works and give glory to where glory is due. Jesus commended good works properly motivated so God is glorified.
Keeping and teaching the commandments must take on different force than strict adherence. It’s not do and do and do and do and blah blah blah, it’s something more. It’s something real. It’s not a tradition . . . it’s a relationship.
Don’t be blind to the temptations that surround you; be alert. The devil has many sons of lies to call upon. When in doubt, kick it out.
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
If you say you are God’s, you’re wired to be different in this world, to shine a light of color across the blacks and whites of this age.
Love, so we may show ourselves to be Sons of God.
The perfection that Jesus referred to is that of loving all people.
Ch. 6
Be careful to not practice your righteousness in front of people, where your motivation is off.
Find a hiding place, and spend solitude with God . . . just listening. It can be 15 seconds. That’s all He wants. You.
God knows. He just knows.
He gives you strength for the moment. Just the moment. So, be in this moment, not somewhere else dreaming of different things to come. Be.
Eyes are the window of the soul . . . dark or light. If where there ought to be light, darkness is found, recognize its roots. No one can serve both God & _____.
Temptation can have a negative or positive purpose . . . the one being an enticement to sin, the other the strengthening of your faith. God pursues only the latter, where the devil chases after the former.
A mustard seed is like faith, a small thing, but it has great big roots.
Don’t worry. Just seek Him first, His kingdom that never fails.
Ch. 7
Keep asking; keep searching; keep knocking.
Doing good works is a reflection of your obedience to God’s will.
Only the Savior can see beyond the outer to find the inner motivations.
How narrow and difficult is that little road that leads to life . . . only a few sheep wander through it.
There are so many masks, so much makeup, so many facades . . . Jesus wants real. He wants broken.
Build on the Rock, where storms only weather the house. “I don’t know why God allowed this to happen . . . but I trust God . . . I stand on the Rock.” – Colt McCoy
Jesus has authority, unlike the scribes.
Ch. 8
The centurion has faith . . . look at him, he just spoke the situation he was going through to God. The centurion knows that God is more than able, so he gave the scenario to Him. Lay it down. It’s easier that way. Don’t think about picking up those burdens again . . . I do that all too often sometimes.
Jesus sleeps through the storms; that’s probably a model for us. Peace, be still. He calms them completely too.
Ch. 9
Jesus was a man and yet He exercised the prerogative of God. In Jesus, they saw God at work. You be the same!
God gives authority to you.
Matthew followed Jesus; he also shared him very quickly with his tax collector friends.
Jesus didn’t mean that He heals in proportion to the faith (as in the story of the blind men’s healing), but He heals because of faith . . . and he also allows because of faith.
Ch. 10
You receive freely from the Father; now, give freely from the Father. You can never out-give God. Now, that’s impossible.
Don’t take anything extra on your God adventure. He provides.
Be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.
You, if you say you are the real deal Christ follower, will be in front of important people, testifying to God. You will be persecuted. But, don’t worry. God gives you the words and the tools and the company. He’s here.
No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted. – Aesop
Not one little sparrow falls to the ground apart from your Father.
“I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Take up the cross every day. Follow in his footsteps.
Ch. 11
Offend the world by the way you live; Jesus did. He’s radical. (You know what I mean; don’t go breaking the law now.) ;)
Suffering usually means forceful advancement for some force, whether it be the devil’s or God’s. It’s your choice.
If you’re burdened, there’s a perfect place for your burdens at the foot of the cross.
The “wise” are the self-sufficient, and the “infants” are those who depend on God, where God shows Himself to the infants.
Ch. 12
Every kingdom divided against itself heads for destruction.
A good man produces good things from the storeroom of his heart.
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
If you kick something out of your life, fill the spot with God’s grace. A Scripture, a Bible Study, an activity that follows the fruits of Philippians 4:6-10.
Ch. 13
The Gk word mysteria does not mean mysteries, but what we can know only by divine revelation.
The mustard seed was the smallest seed of any plant cultivated in first-century Palestine and was proverbial for minuteness. Though mustard is not technically a tree, it can grow to a height of from six to ten feet and support birds. The kingdom of heaven and your faith will grow much bigger than one would expect when seeing its beginning.
A lot of people don’t listen to the Father. We can’t change them. Only the Father can. It’s like when we say that we can’t do anything on our own, like make ourselves joyful or full of light or something else; only God can. And, He wants to, desires so much to, give you grace and His hand to work in you.
You give your life, and then you get real life.
Every student of Scripture is like a landowner who brings out of his/her storehouse what is new and what is old. Interesting, isn’t it? :)
And, the world was offended by Jesus. They don’t understand Him.
Ch. 14
When you’re afraid, Jesus immediately speaks. Are you listening?
God didn’t promise and easy passing, but He did give you the safe landing at the end of it all.
Ch. 15
God’s Word is not “do & do & blah & la.” It’s so much more. It’s breathing in His life when you inhale a breath and it gives purpose to the lungs. It gives your heart a pulse when it almost stopped beating.
Ch. 16
Pray to be uniquely used by God; He’ll open more doors than you know what to do with. Awesome.
Be hell-gate stormers. Stomp fear. Tread forward. God is before you. He is Commander.
Don’t think of man’s concerns; learn the things of God.
Follow daily.
Ch. 17
Jesus’s leadership is a fruitful example for us: He had 3 close to him, discipling them and letting them in on the little things. He had 12 disciples, where he taught them and preached to them. Then, he sent out and encouraged the masses.
Nothing is impossible for you. You know why?
Did you know that coins really have been found in the mouths of fish from the Sea of Galilee?
Ch. 18
Angels represent believers to God . . . guardians.
Look at Jesus’s attitude. He doesn’t find pleasure in the things of the world. But, he lives opposite the ways of this world. His perspective is totally different from the culture. It’s upside-down.
When you look at the teaching of someone, also examine how they lived.
God devises was so that the banished person may not remain estranged from Him. But, only that banished person can make the choice to step into the Father’s open arms. And, He promises; they are open arms to you no matter what . . . and always.
Where 2 or 3 are gathered together, there He is with them in His Name.
Forgive & forget. If you don’t; God won’t forgive & forget about your sins because you didn’t really forgive from your heart.
Those who have received God’s forgiveness will forgive.
Ch. 19
Jesus begins where we are, not where we’re going. Jesus intensely wondered about people. He sees the potential.
It is not strict adherence of the law that leads to life, but submission to the Messiah and to the broader ethic of the law as defined by Him.
Give up the things of this earth that you love the most, which are hampering you from God.
With men so many things are impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Be the least. In this way, you become the greatest in Jesus’s eyes.
Ch. 20
When the two blind men cried out to Jesus as he passed by, the crowd told them to shut up and be quiet. It’s kind of like the world, isn’t it? But, what did these two do? They cried out all the more, even louder. And, where did that get them? Well, look at verse 34.
Ch. 21
A lone Christian bears no fruit, but withers.
Have faith; do not doubt. Moving mountains has to do with belief that God is able and trust that He is faithful.
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. James 4.
John came preaching and practicing righteousness, and so did Jesus. What makes Jesus different from every other religious leader that ever came into this world?
Ch. 22
Many are invited to Jesus, but few are chosen. Few choose to listen to the invitation.
Jesus answered, “You are deceived – because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God.”
God is Father of the living.
Real meaningful and satisfying life looks like this: 37 & 39.
Ch. 23
Exalt yourself – and you will fall. Humble yourself. Who knows where God will take you.
Don’t neglect the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faith.
Ch. 24
Teach the world how to love by loving.
The one who endures to the end will be delivered. James 1:12.
Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.
Like lightning Jesus will come anew.
His Words will never pass away, not even a yodh.
The master who finds His slave at work will reward the worker.
Ch. 25
God gives to each His inheritance according to their ability Immediately, the man with talents of plenty and not so plenty went, worked, and earned. But, don’t be like the one with only a tiny talent who hides it. That benefits no one. But, if you use your tiny talent, God will give you more than a tiny talent.
Joy.
The compassion shown by the sheep shows their salvation. Those who were punished for their failure to be like Jesus, to minister to others, were so blinded by their preoccupation with themselves that they showed no compassion. The parable shows that mere profession of one’s belief that does not lead to love and concern for people is useless.
Ch. 26
The alabaster jar – the world think you’re wasting your life. But, what does Jesus say?
Jesus gave thanks through suffering. V 27.
Jesus has no masks. His emotion shows to those around Him to build them up. He also goes to remote places by Himself as an example to us to follow . . . to find solitude with God. How do you view Jesus? Do you think this is how He really is?
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak . . . train your body for godliness. You know how? Scripture reading. Solitude with God. Fellowship with believers.
Ch. 27
Jesus died.
He rose.
If you don’t think so, ask the 500 and more believers and people who saw him alive. Ask the centurions that guarded his tomb. Ask the priests who bribed the guards to tell Pilate a story that they were “asleep” or something; that was an offense to the Roman government, an offense that led to death. Why would they go to such lengths to be squelched by the people of that age, who knew that the tomb was empty because the guards were stationed there and the disciples had scattered, scared to death that they would be crucified as well? And, the empty tomb was found by women . . . if the Bible read as a lie, Jesus would have been found by men of high standing, the least of all women who were thought to be less than valuable. And, the list goes on. Etceteraaaa, etcetera!
Ch. 28
Just as Jesus said, He did.
The subordination of the Son to the Father has to do with their respective roles, not their natures.
“I am with you always.”
