Deuteronomy 5; Deuteronomy 6; Psalm 43; Mark 14
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 6:5 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
Observation:
This passage is known as the Great Commandment. I love this verse and in the New Testament the second part is added which is to love your neighbor as yourself. Loving God is easy when things are going well in your life, but when trials or tribulations come then the test of how much you love God comes.
Application:
As I reflect on this passage this morning I am reminded that God loves me and that He is for me. His love is unconditional and His love covers a multitude of sins. He is ever for me. He is faithful. Sometimes during trials my response to God is not out of love but more out of emotion and frustration. I know I love God, He is my everything, but sometimes my mind gets in the way and fear produces negative reactions instead of consistent faith. I am so thankful for the grace of God. I am so thankful for His unconditional love. I am so thankful that His mercies are new every morning and His joy complete. I thank the Lord today that He choose me, appointed me, and He anointed me. I am thankful today for His power in my life. When all else fails, His love never disappoints. Truly the greatest treasure I have is the love of God!
Prayer:
Father thank You for loving me. Thank You for making me Your son. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and for washing me clean. Renew my mind and my heart for Your will and for Your ways. Lord fill me with wisdom, discernment and patience today. Thank You that You hold my future in Your hand. I ask You to bless me and make me a blessing to the nations. I pray for Your favor and anointing to be on my life. Lord remove any wicked motives or ambitions from me. May my heart be to serve Your kingdom and not to build my own. Bless my wife, our marriage, our home, our finances and our health. Refresh us by Your Holy Spirit. I love You Jesus and live for You. May I honor you today by my actions and decisions. May I bring glory to your name.
Amen.
Quote for this Season
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
God's Righteousness and Justice
Deuteronomy 3; Deuteronomy 4; Psalm 36; Mark 13
Scripture:
Psalm 36:Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O LORD.
Observation:
As I read this verse this morning I was reminded that the righteousness of God is for me. His justice is for me. He cares about me and my whole family. God is faithful and i can rest in Him.
Observation:
What a timely word for me today. I have been dealing with a situation in which i have not been treated with respect or concern. It is an outside the church issue and it is so sad when I see how I am treated. I am reminded though that the world is like that though, selfish and unconcerned. My hope and security is God. He will not let His children be mistreated and He promises to work things out for their good. I can let my stress and burden go today for He is faithful and just! Zachariah says the battle is the Lord's. I am thankful today that God cares about my everyday life. He has plans and purposes for me and I can trust Him. God goes before me, He will guide me in the path's of righteousness.
Prayer:
Lord thank You for reminding me this morning that You are. Forgive me for holding onto this situation for so long. I thank You for Your favor today and for You hand that moves on my behalf. Forgive me for my attitude and fear. Fill me with faith, hope and love today. I ask You to bless me and make me a blessing to the nations. I pray for wisdom and discernment for next steps. I pray for a favorable result. I pray for my wife, our marriage, our health, our finances, and our callings. I ask You to bless these. Thank You for always taking care of us. I love You Lord and live for You. Amen.
Scripture:
Psalm 36:Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O LORD.
Observation:
As I read this verse this morning I was reminded that the righteousness of God is for me. His justice is for me. He cares about me and my whole family. God is faithful and i can rest in Him.
Observation:
What a timely word for me today. I have been dealing with a situation in which i have not been treated with respect or concern. It is an outside the church issue and it is so sad when I see how I am treated. I am reminded though that the world is like that though, selfish and unconcerned. My hope and security is God. He will not let His children be mistreated and He promises to work things out for their good. I can let my stress and burden go today for He is faithful and just! Zachariah says the battle is the Lord's. I am thankful today that God cares about my everyday life. He has plans and purposes for me and I can trust Him. God goes before me, He will guide me in the path's of righteousness.
Prayer:
Lord thank You for reminding me this morning that You are. Forgive me for holding onto this situation for so long. I thank You for Your favor today and for You hand that moves on my behalf. Forgive me for my attitude and fear. Fill me with faith, hope and love today. I ask You to bless me and make me a blessing to the nations. I pray for wisdom and discernment for next steps. I pray for a favorable result. I pray for my wife, our marriage, our health, our finances, and our callings. I ask You to bless these. Thank You for always taking care of us. I love You Lord and live for You. Amen.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Motive and Servants Heart
Numbers 32; Numbers 33; Mark 10
Scripture:
Mark 10:21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Observation:
Jesus loved the rich young man, for He could see the obedience this young man had for the law and for the God. Jesus response to the man's question went straight to his heart and revealed his motives; namely wealth and status. This young man could not leave his wealth and status behind. Jesus has no problem with a man being wealthy, He has an issue when wealth has the man. Wealth had a grip on this man's life. Inside of him was the potential, influence and power to do great things for the kingdom, but all of this was bound up by wealth and status. Jesus later speaks to his disciples on the topic of greatness. He challenges them with a power truth that in the Kingdom of God Leadership centers around Servant-hood.
Application:
Today I am reminded to keep my heart and motives in check. It is so easy to get distracted by status, money, power and praise that you forget to be a servant. Jesus said those who serve are the greatest. A servant has one motive, to please his or her master. As a servant of God my motive should be solely to please Jesus and to do His will on earth. God knows my needs and He promises to take care of me. I must stay faithful in what He has called me to do and to run my race with focus, determination and passion. So here is my key truth today:
Godly Motives and a Servants Heart = Great Leadership
Prayer:
Lord thank You for reminding me to keep my heart clean. I thank You today that You know my needs and You promise to take care of me. I thank You for Your favor on my life. Lord I ask You to bless me and make me a blessing to the nations. Bless my wife, our marriage, our home, our finances and our health. Bless the church service tonight. Anoint Frank and give him clarity and wisdom. Bless the worship team as they work with Cindy and Koa. May they settle into the new format well and may it be a blessed weekend for the worship ministry. Thank You for all You are going to do in our church. May we continually seek You for the next steps You have for us. Lord we need Your wisdom, You direction, Your favor and Your plans for our church. Lord I pray for a miracle in getting a building. I pray for more buildings for more sites. Guide us though, may we not run ahead of You. Thank You for Ps Mike. Refresh him as he travels. Prepare his heart and mind for tomorrow. I thank You for this season, thank You for holding us in this season and for leading Cindy and I. Your plans and purposes for us are far beyond what we can imagine or think. Holy Spirit refresh us, fill us with Your peace, joy and power. Lord Your will done in and through us this day. Amen.
Scripture:
Mark 10:21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Observation:
Jesus loved the rich young man, for He could see the obedience this young man had for the law and for the God. Jesus response to the man's question went straight to his heart and revealed his motives; namely wealth and status. This young man could not leave his wealth and status behind. Jesus has no problem with a man being wealthy, He has an issue when wealth has the man. Wealth had a grip on this man's life. Inside of him was the potential, influence and power to do great things for the kingdom, but all of this was bound up by wealth and status. Jesus later speaks to his disciples on the topic of greatness. He challenges them with a power truth that in the Kingdom of God Leadership centers around Servant-hood.
Application:
Today I am reminded to keep my heart and motives in check. It is so easy to get distracted by status, money, power and praise that you forget to be a servant. Jesus said those who serve are the greatest. A servant has one motive, to please his or her master. As a servant of God my motive should be solely to please Jesus and to do His will on earth. God knows my needs and He promises to take care of me. I must stay faithful in what He has called me to do and to run my race with focus, determination and passion. So here is my key truth today:
Godly Motives and a Servants Heart = Great Leadership
Prayer:
Lord thank You for reminding me to keep my heart clean. I thank You today that You know my needs and You promise to take care of me. I thank You for Your favor on my life. Lord I ask You to bless me and make me a blessing to the nations. Bless my wife, our marriage, our home, our finances and our health. Bless the church service tonight. Anoint Frank and give him clarity and wisdom. Bless the worship team as they work with Cindy and Koa. May they settle into the new format well and may it be a blessed weekend for the worship ministry. Thank You for all You are going to do in our church. May we continually seek You for the next steps You have for us. Lord we need Your wisdom, You direction, Your favor and Your plans for our church. Lord I pray for a miracle in getting a building. I pray for more buildings for more sites. Guide us though, may we not run ahead of You. Thank You for Ps Mike. Refresh him as he travels. Prepare his heart and mind for tomorrow. I thank You for this season, thank You for holding us in this season and for leading Cindy and I. Your plans and purposes for us are far beyond what we can imagine or think. Holy Spirit refresh us, fill us with Your peace, joy and power. Lord Your will done in and through us this day. Amen.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Love
Numbers 24; Numbers 25; Numbers 26; Numbers 27; 1 Corinthians 13
Scripture:
1 Cor 13:13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
Observation:
Paul speaks on the importance of love. The gifts of the Spirit will be of no use in heaven, but love will still remain. Without love we are simply put, "a clanging cymbal." Paul reminds the church that love should be the motive or driving force behind all we do.
Application:
It is not always easy to love, especially when it comes to loving 'your enemies.' To walk in love all the time takes maturity and a daily devotional lifestyle with God. God's desire is for me to love ad to love unconditionally. To walk in His favor and blessing and to radiate His love to this world. As I reflect on this passage today I am so thankful that He loves me and that He cares for me. God is for me. He knows my needs and He loves me. I must not get distracted by the stuff of life and forget to walk in love. Jesus said it is the little foxes the ruin the vine. There will always be distractions, but God promises to get me through. For me the reminder today is: Love is not cheap, it requires sacrifice, patience, and it expects nothing in return.
Prayer:
Lord thank You for loving me. Thank You for blessing me with Your presence. I pray today for favor in my life and ask You to guide me through the things that distract me today. I pray for favor on Cindy and her meeting. I pray for favor on my pets and this apartment. I pray for favor on my finances and the future dreams we have. I ask You to bless us and make us a blessing to the nations. Lord I pray that Your love would flow through me to a world that is lost and hurting. May I never be to busy that I miss an opportunity to show love. Bless my wife, our marriage, our home, our finances, our health and our future. Thank You that we can feed on Your faithfulness. Ps 37:3
Amen
Scripture:
1 Cor 13:13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
Observation:
Paul speaks on the importance of love. The gifts of the Spirit will be of no use in heaven, but love will still remain. Without love we are simply put, "a clanging cymbal." Paul reminds the church that love should be the motive or driving force behind all we do.
Application:
It is not always easy to love, especially when it comes to loving 'your enemies.' To walk in love all the time takes maturity and a daily devotional lifestyle with God. God's desire is for me to love ad to love unconditionally. To walk in His favor and blessing and to radiate His love to this world. As I reflect on this passage today I am so thankful that He loves me and that He cares for me. God is for me. He knows my needs and He loves me. I must not get distracted by the stuff of life and forget to walk in love. Jesus said it is the little foxes the ruin the vine. There will always be distractions, but God promises to get me through. For me the reminder today is: Love is not cheap, it requires sacrifice, patience, and it expects nothing in return.
Prayer:
Lord thank You for loving me. Thank You for blessing me with Your presence. I pray today for favor in my life and ask You to guide me through the things that distract me today. I pray for favor on Cindy and her meeting. I pray for favor on my pets and this apartment. I pray for favor on my finances and the future dreams we have. I ask You to bless us and make us a blessing to the nations. Lord I pray that Your love would flow through me to a world that is lost and hurting. May I never be to busy that I miss an opportunity to show love. Bless my wife, our marriage, our home, our finances, our health and our future. Thank You that we can feed on Your faithfulness. Ps 37:3
Amen
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