You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the works of Your hands;
They will perish, but You remain;
And they all will become old like A garment,
And like A mantle You will roll them up;
Like A garment they will also be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not come to an end
Heb 1:10-12
What an awesome God we serve. He never changes. He is always true. He loves us beyond measure. He is all-powerful. He created everything. He has no limitations.
I am so happy to serve this amazing God.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
I Rather Appeal to You
though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you
Phm 1:8-9
What makes you feel better: when people appeal to you or when they order you to do what is proper? Are you more motivated by harsh commands or gentle suggestions? Do you prefer orders from on high or nudges from a friend who cares about you? I believe that Paul and Philemon were examples of how that church should work. Paul realized that appealing to Philemon was the most effective. He also knew Philemon well enough to know that with a suggestion, Philemon would do more than he said. What a beautiful picture of how church life should work!
Am I able to receive an appeal from my brothers or sisters in the church and act on it? Am I humble enough to appeal to people even when I'm confidant in Christ that I am right? Following Paul's example would improve relationships in the body of Christ dramatically.
Lord, help me to be able to give and receive appeals in the spirit of a servant, a follow of You. Help me to know when to appeal and when to give orders, and to do both in love. I want to relate to my family, friends, co workers, brothers and sisters in the church meekly and humbly as You showed us when You were here on earth.
Phm 1:8-9
What makes you feel better: when people appeal to you or when they order you to do what is proper? Are you more motivated by harsh commands or gentle suggestions? Do you prefer orders from on high or nudges from a friend who cares about you? I believe that Paul and Philemon were examples of how that church should work. Paul realized that appealing to Philemon was the most effective. He also knew Philemon well enough to know that with a suggestion, Philemon would do more than he said. What a beautiful picture of how church life should work!
Am I able to receive an appeal from my brothers or sisters in the church and act on it? Am I humble enough to appeal to people even when I'm confidant in Christ that I am right? Following Paul's example would improve relationships in the body of Christ dramatically.
Lord, help me to be able to give and receive appeals in the spirit of a servant, a follow of You. Help me to know when to appeal and when to give orders, and to do both in love. I want to relate to my family, friends, co workers, brothers and sisters in the church meekly and humbly as You showed us when You were here on earth.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Engage in Good Deeds
Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.
Tit 3:14
In this verse, Paul reminds us that people of God must be doing good deeds. They should be known for their hospitality, generosity and willingness to give. They should be willing to give to the needs they see. But, with so many charities and other good organizations asking for our support, how can we decide where to put our support? How do we decide between giving to starving children in Haiti or Africa? Should we support the tornado victims in Mississippi or Christians in China that have no Bibles? Should give money to the mission work to unreached people in India or Indonesia? There are so many pressing needs that beckon to us for help. In all this giving, we need to be sure that we're not neglecting our own homes and families. How can we do it all?
Lord, give us wisdom to use Your resources where they do the most good. Help us to follow Your guidance as we make decisions about giving. You have given us everything we have and it is all Yours. Please help me to remember that in every decision we make.
Tit 3:14
In this verse, Paul reminds us that people of God must be doing good deeds. They should be known for their hospitality, generosity and willingness to give. They should be willing to give to the needs they see. But, with so many charities and other good organizations asking for our support, how can we decide where to put our support? How do we decide between giving to starving children in Haiti or Africa? Should we support the tornado victims in Mississippi or Christians in China that have no Bibles? Should give money to the mission work to unreached people in India or Indonesia? There are so many pressing needs that beckon to us for help. In all this giving, we need to be sure that we're not neglecting our own homes and families. How can we do it all?
Lord, give us wisdom to use Your resources where they do the most good. Help us to follow Your guidance as we make decisions about giving. You have given us everything we have and it is all Yours. Please help me to remember that in every decision we make.
Friday, August 23, 2013
How God Looks at "Spiritual" Discussions
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self- condemned.
Tit 3:9-11
I heard (and been a part of at times) too many "spiritual" discussions that were nothing more than foolish controversies and disputes about the Bible. They missed the point of the Scriptures and the majored on the minors.They are like a Pharisee eating his soup who would "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" (Mat 23:24) It's so easy to get into those types of discussions and feel sanctified and justified for trying argue our interpretation of the Bible with no regard for the other person's feelings or ideas. And, usually we completely miss the main point of the passage.
Jesus said this about people who majored on the minors: "you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law:justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." (Mat 23:23) When we feel like we've arrived in justice, mercy and faithfulness, then maybe we'll be justified in putting such scrutiny on tithing the herbs from our gardens/arguing about the meaning of the white horse in Revelation.
Lord, help me to focus on the things that You say are important. Help me to love what you love: justice, mercy and faithfulness. Help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ more than I love to be right. Help me to honor their feelings and opinions. Most of all, I want to honor you by my life.
Tit 3:9-11
I heard (and been a part of at times) too many "spiritual" discussions that were nothing more than foolish controversies and disputes about the Bible. They missed the point of the Scriptures and the majored on the minors.They are like a Pharisee eating his soup who would "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" (Mat 23:24) It's so easy to get into those types of discussions and feel sanctified and justified for trying argue our interpretation of the Bible with no regard for the other person's feelings or ideas. And, usually we completely miss the main point of the passage.
Jesus said this about people who majored on the minors: "you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law:justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." (Mat 23:23) When we feel like we've arrived in justice, mercy and faithfulness, then maybe we'll be justified in putting such scrutiny on tithing the herbs from our gardens/arguing about the meaning of the white horse in Revelation.
Lord, help me to focus on the things that You say are important. Help me to love what you love: justice, mercy and faithfulness. Help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ more than I love to be right. Help me to honor their feelings and opinions. Most of all, I want to honor you by my life.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
The Kindness of God
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Tit 3:4-7
Reading these verses this morning blessed my heart. Just read over them several times and let the meaning sink into your heart.
Tit 3:4-7
Reading these verses this morning blessed my heart. Just read over them several times and let the meaning sink into your heart.
- The amazing kindness of God
- How much He loves us
- We don't need to earn salvation
- His amazing mercy
- Renewed by the Holy Spirit
- We are heirs of God
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