In light of the Ephesians 6 admonition to "... always keep on praying for all the saints" we are praying Romans 15:5-6 this week for our body of believers:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Kick the Raccoon Out
Aaron's sermon yesterday was on 3 things (call them resolutions) that are worth the effort:
1. Eliminate pet sins (that's where the "kick the raccoon out" illustration came in) -- maybe there is a persistent sin that you ignore by telling yourself "that's just who I am" -- gossip, lust, temper -- stop coddling pet sins.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:14
2. Mend at least one relationship. Love others in spite of themselves -- don't view relationships as disposable.
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
3. Build two relationships -- for the same purpose -- to become more Christ-like. The two relationships are to find a mentor and to find someone to mentor. [Sounds like discipleship.]
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. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1: 3-4
1. Eliminate pet sins (that's where the "kick the raccoon out" illustration came in) -- maybe there is a persistent sin that you ignore by telling yourself "that's just who I am" -- gossip, lust, temper -- stop coddling pet sins.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:14
2. Mend at least one relationship. Love others in spite of themselves -- don't view relationships as disposable.
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
3. Build two relationships -- for the same purpose -- to become more Christ-like. The two relationships are to find a mentor and to find someone to mentor. [Sounds like discipleship.]
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. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1: 3-4
Friday, January 12, 2007
Joy Will Overflow
This is Paul's desire of what will happen as a result of his fellowship with other believers:
so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Philippians 1:26
This is a good goal for each of us.
Jesus also talked about believer's joy:
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16: 22-24
so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Philippians 1:26
This is a good goal for each of us.
Jesus also talked about believer's joy:
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16: 22-24
Pray On!
January 12
WITH ALL PRAYER AND PETITION
With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18).
The mother of one of my seminary students was a psychic. She said to him once, "Jim, have you been praying for me?" "Of course I have, Mother." "Well, don't," she insisted, "because you're disturbing my aura."
I say pray on! We never know completely the effects of our prayers, but we do know that God includes prayer as part of His strategy for establishing His kingdom and ensuring our spiritual victory.
One of the most dramatic deliverances I have observed happened in a man who was a high priest in the upper echelons of Satanism. Six months after he was set free he gave his testimony in our church. At the close of his testimony I asked him, "Based on your experience on 'the other side,' what is the Christian's greatest strategy against demonic influence?"
"Prayer," he answered forcefully. "And when you pray, mean it. Fervent prayer thwarts Satan's activity like nothing else."
What is prayer? It is communication with God by which we express our dependence on Him. God knows what we need in our battle with the powers of darkness, and He is more ready to meet our needs than we are to ask. But until we express our dependence on Him in prayer, God may not act. In prayer we say, "You are the Lord, not I. You know what's best; I don't. I'm not telling You what to do; I'm asking." Prayer is a means by which God guides and protects His children.
Praying in the Spirit is God's way of helping us pray when we don't know how: "The Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us" (Romans 8:26). Helps (sunantilambano) depicts the Holy Spirit's role of coming alongside us in our condition of human frailty and spiritual vulnerability and bearing us to the other side of spiritual protection and victory.
Thank You, Lord, that prayer is such a powerful weapon in my arsenal against the powers of darkness.
| Copyright © 2006 Freedom in Christ All Rights Reserved Taken from Daily in Christ by Neil T. Anderson and Joanne Anderson |
Thursday, January 11, 2007
In Christ Alone
I really like the lyrics to this song by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.
No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.
----
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1: 13-14
No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.
----
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1: 13-14
Live Out What I Tell You
... "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you."
... "I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can't come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.
John 8: 31-32, 34-36 (The Message)
... "I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can't come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.
John 8: 31-32, 34-36 (The Message)
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Boasting
This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Word of God Abiding in Us
Excerpt from The Word of God Abides in You, and You Have Overcome the Evil One by John Piper based on 1 John 2:12-14
...
In the Bible, God speaks to us, and in prayer, we speak to him. And the two are interdependent in their effectiveness. The Scripture teaches us to pray and shows us what to pray and how to pray and tells us the basis for prayer and fills us with encouragement that God hears our prayers. And prayer applies the Scriptures to ourselves and others. It turns the word into prayer, and it pleads for help from God in understanding the meaning of the word and living the word. So prayer and the word are interdependent in the way they help us be conformed to the image of Christ.
...
... But the principle is the same for every Christian, old or young, man or woman. The evil one—the devil—is conquered by the strength that comes from having the word of God abide in us.
That is the main point I want to emphasize today: Our strength to triumph over the evil one comes from the word of God abiding in us. If you don’t get anything else, please get this: Your strength to overcome the evil one comes from having the word of God abiding in you—1 John 2:14. My prayer is that this will be an incentive to you this year to become more and more Bible-saturated. May the Lord say of you at the end of 2007, “You are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”
--- see link for entire message ---
Key Thought: "Your strength to overcome the evil one comes from having the word of God abiding in you—1 John 2:14"
...
In the Bible, God speaks to us, and in prayer, we speak to him. And the two are interdependent in their effectiveness. The Scripture teaches us to pray and shows us what to pray and how to pray and tells us the basis for prayer and fills us with encouragement that God hears our prayers. And prayer applies the Scriptures to ourselves and others. It turns the word into prayer, and it pleads for help from God in understanding the meaning of the word and living the word. So prayer and the word are interdependent in the way they help us be conformed to the image of Christ.
...
... But the principle is the same for every Christian, old or young, man or woman. The evil one—the devil—is conquered by the strength that comes from having the word of God abide in us.
That is the main point I want to emphasize today: Our strength to triumph over the evil one comes from the word of God abiding in us. If you don’t get anything else, please get this: Your strength to overcome the evil one comes from having the word of God abiding in you—1 John 2:14. My prayer is that this will be an incentive to you this year to become more and more Bible-saturated. May the Lord say of you at the end of 2007, “You are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”
--- see link for entire message ---
Key Thought: "Your strength to overcome the evil one comes from having the word of God abiding in you—1 John 2:14"
Power
OUR DYNAMIC POWER SOURCE
. . . the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might . . . (Ephesians 1:19).
In Ephesians 1:19-21, Paul gives us a peek at the dynamic source of our authority in Christ. He explains that the authority at our disposal flows from the reservoir of power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated Him at the Father's right hand. That power source is so dynamic that Paul used four different Greek words in verse 19 to describe it: power (dunameos), working (energeian), strength (kratous), and might (ischuos). Behind the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ lies the mightiest work of power recorded in the Word of God. And the same power which raised Christ from the dead and defeated Satan is the power available to us to overcome the works of Satan in our daily lives.
Paul opens our eyes to the expansive scope of Christ's authority which is "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come" (Ephesians 1:21). Think about the most powerful and influential political or military leaders in the world. Imagine the most feared terrorists, crime kingpins and drug barons. Think about Satan and all the power of darkness marshaled under his command. Jesus' authority is not only above all these human and spiritual authorities past, present and future, but He is far above them. We share the same position because we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies, which enable us to live in freedom and victory over demonic intrusion and influence.
Don't be deceived. You are not under Satan's power or subject to his authority. You are in Christ above all demonic rule, authority and power.
Reigning with You, Lord – what a liberating thought! I praise You today for the power You share with me.
Copyright © 2006 Freedom in Christ
. . . the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might . . . (Ephesians 1:19).
In Ephesians 1:19-21, Paul gives us a peek at the dynamic source of our authority in Christ. He explains that the authority at our disposal flows from the reservoir of power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated Him at the Father's right hand. That power source is so dynamic that Paul used four different Greek words in verse 19 to describe it: power (dunameos), working (energeian), strength (kratous), and might (ischuos). Behind the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ lies the mightiest work of power recorded in the Word of God. And the same power which raised Christ from the dead and defeated Satan is the power available to us to overcome the works of Satan in our daily lives.
Paul opens our eyes to the expansive scope of Christ's authority which is "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come" (Ephesians 1:21). Think about the most powerful and influential political or military leaders in the world. Imagine the most feared terrorists, crime kingpins and drug barons. Think about Satan and all the power of darkness marshaled under his command. Jesus' authority is not only above all these human and spiritual authorities past, present and future, but He is far above them. We share the same position because we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies, which enable us to live in freedom and victory over demonic intrusion and influence.
Don't be deceived. You are not under Satan's power or subject to his authority. You are in Christ above all demonic rule, authority and power.
Reigning with You, Lord – what a liberating thought! I praise You today for the power You share with me.
Copyright © 2006 Freedom in Christ
All Rights Reserved
Taken from Daily in Christ by Neil T. Anderson and Joanne Anderson
God Listens
God Listens
By Max Lucado
I cry out to the Lord, I pray to the Lord for mercy (Psalm 142:1 NCV).
You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter His presence, he turns to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God, and he listens.
He listens to the painful plea of the elderly in the rest home. He listens to the gruff confession of the death-row inmate. When the alcoholic begs for mercy, when the spouse seeks guidance, when the businessman steps off the street into the chapel, God listens. Intently. Carefully.
By Max Lucado
I cry out to the Lord, I pray to the Lord for mercy (Psalm 142:1 NCV).
You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter His presence, he turns to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God, and he listens.
He listens to the painful plea of the elderly in the rest home. He listens to the gruff confession of the death-row inmate. When the alcoholic begs for mercy, when the spouse seeks guidance, when the businessman steps off the street into the chapel, God listens. Intently. Carefully.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Glory of God
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1
Who Is This Divided Man?
"This is one of the most famous texts in the book of Romans and one of the most controversial. Here we have the well-known words of verse 19: "For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want." Here we have a divided man, or a man with a divided will, or a divided heart. There is the part of him – the "I" – who wants to do good and does not want to do evil. And there is the part of him – the "I" – who does not do the good he wants but does the evil he does not want.
One of the biggest disagreements over this text is who this man is. Whose experience is Paul describing? Is this the experience of Paul, the believer? Or is this the experience of Paul, the unbeliever? Christian or non-Christian? Or should we pose the question with more precision: Is this a morally awakened but unconverted Paul? Or is this the spiritually quickened converted Paul who is new and immature in the faith? Or could this be the mature Christian Paul, but in times of lapsed faith and vigilance?"
---
This is how John Piper begins his first lesson about Romans 7: 14-25 entitled Who is This Divided Man?
John Piper has a six part series of lessons on these verses:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
One of the biggest disagreements over this text is who this man is. Whose experience is Paul describing? Is this the experience of Paul, the believer? Or is this the experience of Paul, the unbeliever? Christian or non-Christian? Or should we pose the question with more precision: Is this a morally awakened but unconverted Paul? Or is this the spiritually quickened converted Paul who is new and immature in the faith? Or could this be the mature Christian Paul, but in times of lapsed faith and vigilance?"
---
This is how John Piper begins his first lesson about Romans 7: 14-25 entitled Who is This Divided Man?
John Piper has a six part series of lessons on these verses:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Why Do I Always Feel Guilty?
Christian Working Woman Transcript
Monday, January 8, 2007
GUILT–Oh, how I hate that word. My life has been hounded with guilt. Why?
Because of my past.
Because many people think I’m nicer than I really am.
Because I don’t live up to my own expectations.
Because I automatically accept blame.
Because I’m not the perfect mother–or daughter, or sister, or friend.
Because I teach more than I live.
Because women are easy targets for guilt.
How long a list would you like? And I’m certain you could add some guilt of your own. There are few days in our lives that are guilt-free, and for far-too-many of us, our days are filled with guilt.
Life under a load of guilt is not the abundant life that Jesus came to give us. Guilt steals our joy, hinders our productivity, interrupts our peace, harms our relationships, and worst of all, makes us self-focused. Yet many of us continue to live with guilt because we feel guilty if we don’t feel guilty! Little wonder that the enemy of our souls, Satan himself, wields this weapon of guilt so broadly and with such effectiveness.
Guilt is both a fact and a feeling. It is possible to be guilty without feeling guilty. It is possible to feel guilty without being guilty. And obviously, it is possible to be guilty and feel guilty. No doubt we have all experienced these three conditions. However, feeling guilty even when we are not guilty is false guilt caused by wrong thinking.
It is not God’s will for us to live in guilt. Galatians 5:1 says, ″It is for freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.″ Living with false guilt is living with a yoke of slavery. It’s time we start refusing to submit to the yoke of guilt. But, you’re thinking, that is easier said than done.
Of course it’s easier said than done! What isn’t? But it is possible to learn to live without constant debilitating guilt! We have power to do it because we have God’s Spirit in us, if we have been born from above into God’s family.
Monday, January 8, 2007
GUILT–Oh, how I hate that word. My life has been hounded with guilt. Why?
Because of my past.
Because many people think I’m nicer than I really am.
Because I don’t live up to my own expectations.
Because I automatically accept blame.
Because I’m not the perfect mother–or daughter, or sister, or friend.
Because I teach more than I live.
Because women are easy targets for guilt.
How long a list would you like? And I’m certain you could add some guilt of your own. There are few days in our lives that are guilt-free, and for far-too-many of us, our days are filled with guilt.
Life under a load of guilt is not the abundant life that Jesus came to give us. Guilt steals our joy, hinders our productivity, interrupts our peace, harms our relationships, and worst of all, makes us self-focused. Yet many of us continue to live with guilt because we feel guilty if we don’t feel guilty! Little wonder that the enemy of our souls, Satan himself, wields this weapon of guilt so broadly and with such effectiveness.
Guilt is both a fact and a feeling. It is possible to be guilty without feeling guilty. It is possible to feel guilty without being guilty. And obviously, it is possible to be guilty and feel guilty. No doubt we have all experienced these three conditions. However, feeling guilty even when we are not guilty is false guilt caused by wrong thinking.
It is not God’s will for us to live in guilt. Galatians 5:1 says, ″It is for freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.″ Living with false guilt is living with a yoke of slavery. It’s time we start refusing to submit to the yoke of guilt. But, you’re thinking, that is easier said than done.
Of course it’s easier said than done! What isn’t? But it is possible to learn to live without constant debilitating guilt! We have power to do it because we have God’s Spirit in us, if we have been born from above into God’s family.
Sermon
Yesterday Aaron talked about "when you see the face of God what expression is on His face when He looks at you?" based on Luke 5:33-39.
A basic idea was that holiness does not equal sourness. Somehow we've come to think that we cannot be holy and have fun -- that is, we have to suffer! Reminds me of a C.S. Lewis quote "If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is not part of the Christian faith."
Key thought: "enjoy the cookies"
A basic idea was that holiness does not equal sourness. Somehow we've come to think that we cannot be holy and have fun -- that is, we have to suffer! Reminds me of a C.S. Lewis quote "If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is not part of the Christian faith."
Key thought: "enjoy the cookies"
Friday, January 05, 2007
Pray
John Piper: Ask Your Father in Heaven (excerpt)
Matthew 7:7-12
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
When you pause to consider that God is infinitely strong and can do all that he pleases, and that he is infinitely righteous so that he only does what is right, and that he is infinitely good so that everything he does is perfectly good, and that he is infinitely wise so that he always knows perfectly what is right and good, and that he is infinitely loving so that in all his strength and righteousness and goodness and wisdom he raises the eternal joy of his loved ones as high as it can be raised—when you pause to consider this, then the lavish invitations of this God to ask him for good things, with the promise that he will give them, is unimaginably wonderful.
The Tragedy of Prayerlessness
Which means that one of the great short-term tragedies in the church is how little inclination we have to pray. The greatest invitation in the world is extended to us, and incomprehensibly we regularly turn away to other things. It’s as though God sent us an invitation to the greatest banquet that ever was and we sent word back, “I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it,” or, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them,” or, “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come” (Luke 14:18-20).
----- see link for more ------
Key Thought: "Which means that one of the great short-term tragedies in the church is how little inclination we have to pray."
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18
Matthew 7:7-12
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
When you pause to consider that God is infinitely strong and can do all that he pleases, and that he is infinitely righteous so that he only does what is right, and that he is infinitely good so that everything he does is perfectly good, and that he is infinitely wise so that he always knows perfectly what is right and good, and that he is infinitely loving so that in all his strength and righteousness and goodness and wisdom he raises the eternal joy of his loved ones as high as it can be raised—when you pause to consider this, then the lavish invitations of this God to ask him for good things, with the promise that he will give them, is unimaginably wonderful.
The Tragedy of Prayerlessness
Which means that one of the great short-term tragedies in the church is how little inclination we have to pray. The greatest invitation in the world is extended to us, and incomprehensibly we regularly turn away to other things. It’s as though God sent us an invitation to the greatest banquet that ever was and we sent word back, “I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it,” or, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them,” or, “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come” (Luke 14:18-20).
----- see link for more ------
Key Thought: "Which means that one of the great short-term tragedies in the church is how little inclination we have to pray."
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18
Fran & Jesus: Finances
Christian Working Woman Transcript
Friday, January 5, 2007
Money problems are crisis points for most of us, aren't they? Fran is learning how money problems affect every part of her life. Jesus has just reminded her that she has a choice, either to trust Him or to panic.
Fran mulls that over in her mind. "It's my choice, you say? Either I can continue to act and react like I've done today, or I can refuse to get upset and pray more about it and trust you. But when I feel that panic set in, I just can't avoid it," Fran tells Jesus.
"Feeling the panic doesn't mean you're not trusting me," Jesus says. "But at that point of panic, you must make a choice either to continue in panic mode or to trust me. Remember, if you go by your feelings, you'll often be in trouble. In spite of the panic feelings, you can trust me, even in the midst of them."
"It brings to mind that verse I learned when I was a kid in Sunday School: 'What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee," Fran says. "David said, 'I will trust in you.' Guess that's what you mean when you say I have to make a choice, huh?"
"Yes, Fran," Jesus says, "regardless of your feelings, if you will set your will to trust in me, you'll discover that the fears subside. And when the fears subside, then you can think correctly and hear my voice and know what to do. But when fear takes over, trust goes out the window and you're going to find yourself doing and saying all kinds of things you wish you hadn't."
"Wow, that sure happened to me today," Fran says, as she re-thinks her day. "I blew up at everybody. I was out of control." Fran spends a little more time reading her Bible and talking with Jesus, and then goes to bed with a quiet spirit.
The next day her talk with Uncle George encourages her. He explained she had some options she'd never thought about. She could refinance her home at a lower interest rate and cut her payments by almost $150 a month.
He also pointed out that she could claim another deduction on her income tax and have an extra $40 to $50 in her paycheck, instead of getting a refund check each year. He also gave her the name of a friend in real estate who could give her some good advice on selling her house.
As Fran drove home, she said to Jesus, "I do have some options, don't I, Lord? Thanks for putting Uncle George in my life to help me. Now I just need to know what is the best thing to do."
"Well, Fran, keep praying for wisdom and seeking good advice," Jesus reminds her.
"And keep cutting back on costs, right," Fran smiles.
I think God deals with all of us through money. If that's where you are now, learn to trust God, not money. Determine that you will seek good advice and be a good steward, but you will not live in fear of the lack of money. As Jesus pointed out to Fran, this is one area where many of us have great difficulty really trusting God. He has promised to supply all our needs, and He never fails.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Money problems are crisis points for most of us, aren't they? Fran is learning how money problems affect every part of her life. Jesus has just reminded her that she has a choice, either to trust Him or to panic.
Fran mulls that over in her mind. "It's my choice, you say? Either I can continue to act and react like I've done today, or I can refuse to get upset and pray more about it and trust you. But when I feel that panic set in, I just can't avoid it," Fran tells Jesus.
"Feeling the panic doesn't mean you're not trusting me," Jesus says. "But at that point of panic, you must make a choice either to continue in panic mode or to trust me. Remember, if you go by your feelings, you'll often be in trouble. In spite of the panic feelings, you can trust me, even in the midst of them."
"It brings to mind that verse I learned when I was a kid in Sunday School: 'What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee," Fran says. "David said, 'I will trust in you.' Guess that's what you mean when you say I have to make a choice, huh?"
"Yes, Fran," Jesus says, "regardless of your feelings, if you will set your will to trust in me, you'll discover that the fears subside. And when the fears subside, then you can think correctly and hear my voice and know what to do. But when fear takes over, trust goes out the window and you're going to find yourself doing and saying all kinds of things you wish you hadn't."
"Wow, that sure happened to me today," Fran says, as she re-thinks her day. "I blew up at everybody. I was out of control." Fran spends a little more time reading her Bible and talking with Jesus, and then goes to bed with a quiet spirit.
The next day her talk with Uncle George encourages her. He explained she had some options she'd never thought about. She could refinance her home at a lower interest rate and cut her payments by almost $150 a month.
He also pointed out that she could claim another deduction on her income tax and have an extra $40 to $50 in her paycheck, instead of getting a refund check each year. He also gave her the name of a friend in real estate who could give her some good advice on selling her house.
As Fran drove home, she said to Jesus, "I do have some options, don't I, Lord? Thanks for putting Uncle George in my life to help me. Now I just need to know what is the best thing to do."
"Well, Fran, keep praying for wisdom and seeking good advice," Jesus reminds her.
"And keep cutting back on costs, right," Fran smiles.
I think God deals with all of us through money. If that's where you are now, learn to trust God, not money. Determine that you will seek good advice and be a good steward, but you will not live in fear of the lack of money. As Jesus pointed out to Fran, this is one area where many of us have great difficulty really trusting God. He has promised to supply all our needs, and He never fails.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Goals
Freedom in Christ Ministries Daily Devotional
BLOCKED GOALS
The fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:9).
One morning I rose early, had my devotions and started making a special breakfast for my family. I was stirring the muffin mix, singing and feeling great when my sleepy-eyed son, Karl, wandered into the kitchen. He grabbed a box of cereal and an empty bowl and headed for the table.
"Hey, Karl, just a second. We're not having cereal this morning. We're going to sit around the table together and have a big breakfast with muffins."
"I don't like muffins, Dad," he mumbled, opening the cereal box.
"Wait, Karl," I insisted, starting to get annoyed. "We're going to sit around the table together and have a big breakfast with muffins."
"But I don't like muffins, Dad," he repeated.
I lost it. "Karl, we're going to sit around the table together and have a big breakfast with muffins!" I barked. Karl closed the cereal box, threw it in the cupboard, and stomped back to his room. My great idea had suddenly turned to shambles. I had to spend the next several minutes apologizing to Karl for my outburst.
Like me, I'm sure you have suffered your share of blocked goals. You had this great plan to do something wonderful for God, your church, your family, or a friend. Then your plan was thrown into disarray by hectic daily events over which you had no control. You didn't get your way at the board meeting. Your child decided to be the lead guitarist in a rock band instead of becoming a doctor like you planned.
When you base your life on the success of plans that are subject to people and circumstances, your life will be one long, emotional roller coaster ride. And the only way to get off the roller coaster is to walk by faith according to the truth of God's Word. Who you are must not be dependent on the cooperation of others or favorable circumstances. Decide to become the spouse, parent, leader or worker God wants you to be. No one can block that goal except you.
Heavenly Father, show me today where I have allowed people or circumstances, instead of You, to determine what You want me to be.
Copyright © 2006 Freedom in Christ
BLOCKED GOALS
The fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:9).
One morning I rose early, had my devotions and started making a special breakfast for my family. I was stirring the muffin mix, singing and feeling great when my sleepy-eyed son, Karl, wandered into the kitchen. He grabbed a box of cereal and an empty bowl and headed for the table.
"Hey, Karl, just a second. We're not having cereal this morning. We're going to sit around the table together and have a big breakfast with muffins."
"I don't like muffins, Dad," he mumbled, opening the cereal box.
"Wait, Karl," I insisted, starting to get annoyed. "We're going to sit around the table together and have a big breakfast with muffins."
"But I don't like muffins, Dad," he repeated.
I lost it. "Karl, we're going to sit around the table together and have a big breakfast with muffins!" I barked. Karl closed the cereal box, threw it in the cupboard, and stomped back to his room. My great idea had suddenly turned to shambles. I had to spend the next several minutes apologizing to Karl for my outburst.
Like me, I'm sure you have suffered your share of blocked goals. You had this great plan to do something wonderful for God, your church, your family, or a friend. Then your plan was thrown into disarray by hectic daily events over which you had no control. You didn't get your way at the board meeting. Your child decided to be the lead guitarist in a rock band instead of becoming a doctor like you planned.
When you base your life on the success of plans that are subject to people and circumstances, your life will be one long, emotional roller coaster ride. And the only way to get off the roller coaster is to walk by faith according to the truth of God's Word. Who you are must not be dependent on the cooperation of others or favorable circumstances. Decide to become the spouse, parent, leader or worker God wants you to be. No one can block that goal except you.
Heavenly Father, show me today where I have allowed people or circumstances, instead of You, to determine what You want me to be.
Copyright © 2006 Freedom in Christ
All Rights Reserved
Taken from Daily in Christ by Neil T. Anderson and Joanne Anderson
The People God Gives
You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly.
Ephesians 4:4, The Message
"Most disappointments in the church are because of failed expectations. We expect a disciplined army of committed men and women who courageously lay seige to the worldly powers; instead we find some people who are more concerned with getting rid of the crabgrass in their lawns. We expect a community of saints who are mature in the virtues of love and mercy, and find ourselves working on a church supper where there is more gossip than there are casseroles. ...
At such times it is more important to examine and change our expectations than to change the church, for the church is not what we organize but what God gives, not the people we want to be with but the people God gives us to be with."
Reversed Thunder
God's Message for Each Day by Eugene Peterson
Ephesians 4:4, The Message
"Most disappointments in the church are because of failed expectations. We expect a disciplined army of committed men and women who courageously lay seige to the worldly powers; instead we find some people who are more concerned with getting rid of the crabgrass in their lawns. We expect a community of saints who are mature in the virtues of love and mercy, and find ourselves working on a church supper where there is more gossip than there are casseroles. ...
At such times it is more important to examine and change our expectations than to change the church, for the church is not what we organize but what God gives, not the people we want to be with but the people God gives us to be with."
Reversed Thunder
God's Message for Each Day by Eugene Peterson
Run!
Two key scriptures from class last night:
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)