This was in my inbox, and after the turn your eyes post I had to share it. (I also head about Peter again this week listening to You Were Born For This.)
Harvest Daily Devotion : "No Place for Fear": "Peter had faith. He had his eyes on Jesus. He was doing the impossible. But then he started to sink, because he took his eyes off Jesus. In his case, he looked at the wind. In our case, it might be something else. But when we forget God, we will start to sink."
So Peter had faith. Do we? Where does it come from?
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Catch that? God has distributed faith to each of us...we have it! Woohoo! We don't have to manufacture it-He gave us faith-it's a promise! Faith comes from Christ and hearing the Word:
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 If you trust in Christ-He is in you and you HAVE FAITH!!!! If the Spirit is not agreeing with you right now and confirming this truth, you may need to ask yourself if you have really trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour (if you want to visit about this just let me know-we can have assurance of our salvation and right relationship with God through Christ!!!)
Since we have faith...I think I will write more about faith! Little faith and persevering faith....come back soon!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Joy Will Come
Okay...usually when I include a song/video it's at the end because it's what I was singing while I was writing the blog post. Today the song needs to be at the start of the post...that way if you don't know it, you will hear it as you read because it's central to the post.
This song is so meaningful to me...it is a promise I cling to! We sang it at church Sunday and I was reminded of a time a few months ago when I woke up with this song and promise in my heart. That morning as I was trying to figure out how to 'fix things' the Lord brought to my mind John 6:29-The work of God is this-to BELIEVE in the one he has sent. That morning (and many others) I had to ask myself...DO I really believe? Does my life show it? Am I always trying to fix everything or can I rest in God's precious promises to me and just BELIEVE? When we really trust that joy will come...it does!!!
If you've done the Beth Moore Believing God Bible study you will recognize what the Holy Spirit reminded me that morning. When I believe God there will be joy!
Did you see that? God chose you to believe Him!!!!
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20
JOY WILL COME, BELIEVE!!!
I believe that this joy is for this life, not just when we get to heaven! I will write more on this soon...but for now, I'll leave you with this reminder from Jesus:
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10
This song is so meaningful to me...it is a promise I cling to! We sang it at church Sunday and I was reminded of a time a few months ago when I woke up with this song and promise in my heart. That morning as I was trying to figure out how to 'fix things' the Lord brought to my mind John 6:29-The work of God is this-to BELIEVE in the one he has sent. That morning (and many others) I had to ask myself...DO I really believe? Does my life show it? Am I always trying to fix everything or can I rest in God's precious promises to me and just BELIEVE? When we really trust that joy will come...it does!!!
If you've done the Beth Moore Believing God Bible study you will recognize what the Holy Spirit reminded me that morning. When I believe God there will be joy!
- I am believing God is who He says He is!!
- I'm believing God can do what He says He can do (even more than I can imagine!!)
- I am believing I am who God says I am (the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!!)
- I am believing I can do all things through Christ!!
- I am believing that God's word is alive and active in me!!!
Did you see that? God chose you to believe Him!!!!
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20
JOY WILL COME, BELIEVE!!!
I believe that this joy is for this life, not just when we get to heaven! I will write more on this soon...but for now, I'll leave you with this reminder from Jesus:
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Be nice!
Some days I just need a reminder of God's plan for me as I deal with people. So I'm digging into His word and being reminded to be nice:)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else Galatians 6:4
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else Galatians 6:4
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9
Confirmation
Sometimes I'm funny. Not 'ha, ha' make you laugh funny...but my thought processes are 'funny'. Here's what I mean: If God's word clearly states a promise, then why do I constantly want Him to confirm it to me?
Gideon sometimes gets unfair criticism for ensuring God wanted him to be a mighty warrior against the Midianites(Judges 6). Although he starts many phrases with "if" and asks God more than once to confirm his instructions, I can't criticize Gideon because I have realized that I react similarly when I hear a word from God. The word I hear doesn't come from an angel of the Lord as in Gideon's case, but sometimes seems as unlikely even though I can read it with my own eyes.
What I have begun to realize is that God uses 'themes' or key words that get my attention and draw me into His word. I keep a notebook that I use to jot down verses or quotes once I notice that it is a recurring theme in what I'm reading or hearing. Once I begin to take note of a theme or word-it seems like I see or hear it everywhere.
It reminds me of what happened when I got my first new car...as I drove away from the lot it seemed like I had the only car like it, but then I started noticing 'my car' everywhere! This phenomenon also occurred when I was pregnant...at first I was the only one I knew expecting, but then suddenly there were pregnant women everywhere I looked. Once we are attuned to something our eyes are opened
Last weekend I took time to read through some sermon notes from the last few years and saw even more vividly the repetitive themes. God has used many different teachers to get his word across to me-and it's awesome to look back and see how He's teaching me. So then, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 NKJV
I recall hearing Priscilla Shirer speak in August about the secret of confirmation: when life does not affirm, God goes out of his way to confirm. She encouraged us to keep our eyes open! In the margin of the notes I wrote what came to my mind that day-my Aunt Julie had sent me a link to podcasts from a ladies' retreat she had attended. As I listened to the teacher speak on the finished work of Christ at the cross it confirmed what God had been teaching me!
So why this post about confirmation? Last Sunday Pastor Charlie taught on "no condemnation" which has been a recurring message for the past oh...few YEARS! Sometimes it just takes awhile to really get the word rooted in my heart. God must know that I need confirmation, otherwise He wouldn't so graciously give it to me!
Thank you Lord for the gift of confirmation. You are so good to show me your way through your word and your servants. Like a newborn baby, I crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it I may grow up in my salvation, now that I have tasted that you Lord are good. I don't want to live on milk alone since you have acquainted me with your teaching about righteousness, I want solid food to prepare me to teach your word and train me to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12-14)!! Thank you Lord for the Word! In Jesus name...AMEN
Gideon sometimes gets unfair criticism for ensuring God wanted him to be a mighty warrior against the Midianites(Judges 6). Although he starts many phrases with "if" and asks God more than once to confirm his instructions, I can't criticize Gideon because I have realized that I react similarly when I hear a word from God. The word I hear doesn't come from an angel of the Lord as in Gideon's case, but sometimes seems as unlikely even though I can read it with my own eyes.
What I have begun to realize is that God uses 'themes' or key words that get my attention and draw me into His word. I keep a notebook that I use to jot down verses or quotes once I notice that it is a recurring theme in what I'm reading or hearing. Once I begin to take note of a theme or word-it seems like I see or hear it everywhere.
It reminds me of what happened when I got my first new car...as I drove away from the lot it seemed like I had the only car like it, but then I started noticing 'my car' everywhere! This phenomenon also occurred when I was pregnant...at first I was the only one I knew expecting, but then suddenly there were pregnant women everywhere I looked. Once we are attuned to something our eyes are opened
Last weekend I took time to read through some sermon notes from the last few years and saw even more vividly the repetitive themes. God has used many different teachers to get his word across to me-and it's awesome to look back and see how He's teaching me. So then, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 NKJV
I recall hearing Priscilla Shirer speak in August about the secret of confirmation: when life does not affirm, God goes out of his way to confirm. She encouraged us to keep our eyes open! In the margin of the notes I wrote what came to my mind that day-my Aunt Julie had sent me a link to podcasts from a ladies' retreat she had attended. As I listened to the teacher speak on the finished work of Christ at the cross it confirmed what God had been teaching me!
So why this post about confirmation? Last Sunday Pastor Charlie taught on "no condemnation" which has been a recurring message for the past oh...few YEARS! Sometimes it just takes awhile to really get the word rooted in my heart. God must know that I need confirmation, otherwise He wouldn't so graciously give it to me!
Thank you Lord for the gift of confirmation. You are so good to show me your way through your word and your servants. Like a newborn baby, I crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it I may grow up in my salvation, now that I have tasted that you Lord are good. I don't want to live on milk alone since you have acquainted me with your teaching about righteousness, I want solid food to prepare me to teach your word and train me to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12-14)!! Thank you Lord for the Word! In Jesus name...AMEN
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