Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:5-7 ESV)
Jesus who is in very nature God, the Word the Son gave up all privileges and rights and authority to serve us by becoming like us, taking on our form and our mortality. He came not with trumpets or glory and recognition but humbly in poverty in a manger. Jesus our Lord came that we might know the God is The Lord and that we might be saved.
And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord God." (Ezekiel 20:44 ESV)
Praise be to you Jesus for your great love and humility. Jesus you are worthy of worship!
Therefore we should have a mind like Christ Jesus to humble ourselves to serve and love even if it costs us everything.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:1-4 ESV)
God I have a selfish heart. I pray your would work in my heart by your Holy Spirit and by my circumstances such that you would align my heart to be humble look to the interests of others also and love and serve them in the ways they ask and need. Give me wisdom and discernment to know how best to serve others and humility to ask to let me serve them and be served by them.
This is the core of the gospel:
God loves us and became human for us as we remember on Christmas.
In response let us
Love God
Love our neighbor.
Glory to you Jesus Christ!
Amen and Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Is the whole bible scripture and prophecy from Good?
Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
(2 Peter 3:15, 16 NIV)
This is a question I have grown in as I grew in faith. My church background and I think in part because I grew up without knowing Jesus fully, or the bible or church community I had an incorrect view of the validity of the bible as scripture.
As I grew in faith I remember really only trusting to Jesus and the "words in red" haha. I thought for example Paul may have been very wise but why should I live under his words any more than another preacher or pastor? Sure his words have wisdom but why is he so special. Why isn't God adding new words and truth for us now? It might be nice to have a letter or word from God today in our present age and technological world of idols and declining faith.
I mean Jesus himself referred to the Old Testament books including the law in the Books of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets. So ok maybe I could trust the Old Testament and the 4 gospels right.
So then what was I to do with the red rid the New Testament. With Paul's letters, with Hebrews and Revelation? Well I think slowly God opened my heart to do exactly what the authors of those passage in the bible said: read them as ways of understanding the gospel. For they are not independent, they are only relevant in the context of Old Testament scripture and prophecy. And essentially they explain and help us live in the truth of the gospel.
And if I respect these authors Peter and Paul who boast not in founding the church or anything else but boast in the righteousness of Christ then I have to respond to this statement Peter wrote. For above Peter says of Paul that he writes with the wisdom god gave him and says other Scriptures . Peter is including Paul's letters as Scripture. Now that is significant. I can choose to ignore it, but if I have any respect for Peter or Paul as disciples of Christ who were eye witnesses of Christ in body and then in Spirit for Paul then I can either carefully consider and side with Peters statement or accept them as crazy imperfect prideful humans making a name for themselves and writing from human wisdom. But just as I came to believe that Jesus was who he claimed to be I believer he Holy Spirit helped me to believe that the New Testament is Scripture.
I still have questions and doubts, but I live by faith in God. For he is bigger than my understanding and bigger than our understanding of scripture and the word of God. Yet the bible says the entire world and heaven will pass away and yet the word of God will never pass away. The world may say I am foolish for trusting this one book. But I am convinced that this one book is living and powerful and is in fact the Word of God and its truth and wisdom are revealed to us not by human understanding but by the Holy Spirit of God! In the new heaven and new Earth science and nanotechnology will pass away but I believe the promises, history, law, and gospel recorded in the bible as the word of God will never pass away. Now that is a truth that is lasting and absolute not relative. So I trust in scripture. Yet even more I trust in God above all things, even above myself and my understanding.
God help me to trust in you more. Reveal your truth and your gospel more to my heart and mind that I will continue to be transformed into who you made me to be in this life and in eternity.
Amen
(2 Peter 3:15, 16 NIV)
This is a question I have grown in as I grew in faith. My church background and I think in part because I grew up without knowing Jesus fully, or the bible or church community I had an incorrect view of the validity of the bible as scripture.
As I grew in faith I remember really only trusting to Jesus and the "words in red" haha. I thought for example Paul may have been very wise but why should I live under his words any more than another preacher or pastor? Sure his words have wisdom but why is he so special. Why isn't God adding new words and truth for us now? It might be nice to have a letter or word from God today in our present age and technological world of idols and declining faith.
I mean Jesus himself referred to the Old Testament books including the law in the Books of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets. So ok maybe I could trust the Old Testament and the 4 gospels right.
So then what was I to do with the red rid the New Testament. With Paul's letters, with Hebrews and Revelation? Well I think slowly God opened my heart to do exactly what the authors of those passage in the bible said: read them as ways of understanding the gospel. For they are not independent, they are only relevant in the context of Old Testament scripture and prophecy. And essentially they explain and help us live in the truth of the gospel.
And if I respect these authors Peter and Paul who boast not in founding the church or anything else but boast in the righteousness of Christ then I have to respond to this statement Peter wrote. For above Peter says of Paul that he writes with the wisdom god gave him and says other Scriptures . Peter is including Paul's letters as Scripture. Now that is significant. I can choose to ignore it, but if I have any respect for Peter or Paul as disciples of Christ who were eye witnesses of Christ in body and then in Spirit for Paul then I can either carefully consider and side with Peters statement or accept them as crazy imperfect prideful humans making a name for themselves and writing from human wisdom. But just as I came to believe that Jesus was who he claimed to be I believer he Holy Spirit helped me to believe that the New Testament is Scripture.
I still have questions and doubts, but I live by faith in God. For he is bigger than my understanding and bigger than our understanding of scripture and the word of God. Yet the bible says the entire world and heaven will pass away and yet the word of God will never pass away. The world may say I am foolish for trusting this one book. But I am convinced that this one book is living and powerful and is in fact the Word of God and its truth and wisdom are revealed to us not by human understanding but by the Holy Spirit of God! In the new heaven and new Earth science and nanotechnology will pass away but I believe the promises, history, law, and gospel recorded in the bible as the word of God will never pass away. Now that is a truth that is lasting and absolute not relative. So I trust in scripture. Yet even more I trust in God above all things, even above myself and my understanding.
God help me to trust in you more. Reveal your truth and your gospel more to my heart and mind that I will continue to be transformed into who you made me to be in this life and in eternity.
Amen
Destruction and coming: Promised but patient
Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
(2 Peter 3:3-10 NIV)
The destruction is coming.
The Lord is coming again.
All the heavens and the earth will be destroyed and
God will make all things new.
It has been a while, but we who have faith are waiting.
We are hoping in another home.
An eternal home.
A new heaven and a new earth.
To be with God intimately and personally physically in his house and his city forever more.
Why?
Because God has promised it.
Jesus has earned our life and righteous that we might dwell in the house of The Lord.
And God is faithful to his promises.
So why wait? Why hasn't Christ come back? Why leave at all? Why aren't we in heaven?
Well for one thing I wouldn't be alive.
None of us would be alive,
None of us would know Christ at all.
None of our race
None who speak our language
Would have known Christ
If he never left or if he came back earlier.
For Jesus came not for a few but for the world. He came for sinners. He came for people who are not Christians and for us who call ourselves Jesus' disciples or followers.
And his work is not yet finished.
For as it says:
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
(2 Peter 3:9 NIV)
And
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9 NIV)
For God is at work, desiring the salvation of all people. People of every tribe and tongue and people and nation! He is patiently at work. He desires that all people would repent and come to him!
Yet the time will come and it will come urgently with great destruction as this world ends and God created a new heaven and a new earth. There people of every tribe and tongue and nation and people will gather together and worship God. We will live in righteousness together in our home the holy city and house of God Zion forever.
Amen let it be so!
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
(2 Peter 3:3-10 NIV)
The destruction is coming.
The Lord is coming again.
All the heavens and the earth will be destroyed and
God will make all things new.
It has been a while, but we who have faith are waiting.
We are hoping in another home.
An eternal home.
A new heaven and a new earth.
To be with God intimately and personally physically in his house and his city forever more.
Why?
Because God has promised it.
Jesus has earned our life and righteous that we might dwell in the house of The Lord.
And God is faithful to his promises.
So why wait? Why hasn't Christ come back? Why leave at all? Why aren't we in heaven?
Well for one thing I wouldn't be alive.
None of us would be alive,
None of us would know Christ at all.
None of our race
None who speak our language
Would have known Christ
If he never left or if he came back earlier.
For Jesus came not for a few but for the world. He came for sinners. He came for people who are not Christians and for us who call ourselves Jesus' disciples or followers.
And his work is not yet finished.
For as it says:
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
(2 Peter 3:9 NIV)
And
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9 NIV)
For God is at work, desiring the salvation of all people. People of every tribe and tongue and people and nation! He is patiently at work. He desires that all people would repent and come to him!
Yet the time will come and it will come urgently with great destruction as this world ends and God created a new heaven and a new earth. There people of every tribe and tongue and nation and people will gather together and worship God. We will live in righteousness together in our home the holy city and house of God Zion forever.
Amen let it be so!
Peter prophecies of the false teachers and false ways
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.
Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
(2 Peter 2:1-9 NIV)
Though the world may have turned from God that is understandable. What is harder to see is those who take scripture and faith and the concept of church and twist it. Like Peter says they ( the leaders and originators) are doing all of this in their greed. They are small and large groups from Mormonism to the church of God to the local church that turns from the word of God as we God revealed in in scripture. My heart breaks to see them preaching their false truths and their ways in the name of Jesus. But we will be known by our love and by the fruit of our faith. I am often angry and want to tell at these people and rebuke them. But instead Jesus calls me to love them and in as far as I have authority speak the truth of the gospel in opposition to their message. God loves them and calls me to pray for them. For they truly are my enemies who turn innocents away from the way of The Lord and give the way of truth a bad name. God change my heart to love like you do and to pray for them. My heart cries out that you would protect those that follow these false teachers. They are raised in families knowing only part of your truth God. They even become preachers of a twisted "church". God you can work miracles and you can save anyone. Please help all of those who do not know the depth of your love and grace please help them to know the real you. Please God help them to know that they are saved by your grace through faith and not by works. I pray your Holy Spirit would reveal the truth of who you are and your gospel and scripture to them. Help them to change their hearts and protect them to leave their groups that do not know you. I pray that not my words would offend but whatever is true and holy of you God would stand in contrast to any lies in my heart or the hearts of any people or religion or "church".
God humble me in this. For I do not claim to know the fullness of your glory and truth. If I am like these gals teachers and the churches I attend teach anything false then convict us by your Holy Spirit. I speak and pray these things not to be proud over other sects and religions, but only in the desperation for all people and myself to come to know you more fully and truthfully and that by faith believe in your Son Jesus and his death and resurrection that I might dwell with you and walk in your ways now and in eternity.
Amen
Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
(2 Peter 2:1-9 NIV)
Though the world may have turned from God that is understandable. What is harder to see is those who take scripture and faith and the concept of church and twist it. Like Peter says they ( the leaders and originators) are doing all of this in their greed. They are small and large groups from Mormonism to the church of God to the local church that turns from the word of God as we God revealed in in scripture. My heart breaks to see them preaching their false truths and their ways in the name of Jesus. But we will be known by our love and by the fruit of our faith. I am often angry and want to tell at these people and rebuke them. But instead Jesus calls me to love them and in as far as I have authority speak the truth of the gospel in opposition to their message. God loves them and calls me to pray for them. For they truly are my enemies who turn innocents away from the way of The Lord and give the way of truth a bad name. God change my heart to love like you do and to pray for them. My heart cries out that you would protect those that follow these false teachers. They are raised in families knowing only part of your truth God. They even become preachers of a twisted "church". God you can work miracles and you can save anyone. Please help all of those who do not know the depth of your love and grace please help them to know the real you. Please God help them to know that they are saved by your grace through faith and not by works. I pray your Holy Spirit would reveal the truth of who you are and your gospel and scripture to them. Help them to change their hearts and protect them to leave their groups that do not know you. I pray that not my words would offend but whatever is true and holy of you God would stand in contrast to any lies in my heart or the hearts of any people or religion or "church".
God humble me in this. For I do not claim to know the fullness of your glory and truth. If I am like these gals teachers and the churches I attend teach anything false then convict us by your Holy Spirit. I speak and pray these things not to be proud over other sects and religions, but only in the desperation for all people and myself to come to know you more fully and truthfully and that by faith believe in your Son Jesus and his death and resurrection that I might dwell with you and walk in your ways now and in eternity.
Amen
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Faith that is unproductive and ineffective
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2 Peter 1:8 NIV)
So people still struggle with faith vs works.
When throughout the word, the gospel and clearly here and in James faith produces fruit that is evidence of the significance and effectiveness of the faith that saves. For it is true that by faith alone we receive the work of Jesus and adoption because of Jesus into Gods family, salvation and eternal life.
Faith is more than knowledge of Jesus Christ. For the world knows Jesus and who he claims to be, but the world does not submit or live in Gods will. Even the demons know Jesus Christ and tremble (James) as we see in the gospels:
Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
(Luke 4:41 NIV)
Lets continue then with what Peter says will keep us productive and effective in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. That we might live by faith in more than knowledge but a living active faith that is effective to save:
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life 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, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
(2 Peter 1:3-11 NIV)
God please help me not to forget that I am cleansed from sin. Please help me to pursue these things so that I might participate in the divine nature now in this life in part and completely in eternity:
Faith
Goodness
Knowledge
Self control
Perseverance
Godliness
Mutual affection
Love!
Please continue to grow in these and yet pursue growth in them continually all the days of my life.
God help me to work out my faith that it is effective and significant in my life, I don't want any part of me to live in the world but I want to be transformed. I want to be a light that shines for you Jesus.
Amen
(2 Peter 1:8 NIV)
So people still struggle with faith vs works.
When throughout the word, the gospel and clearly here and in James faith produces fruit that is evidence of the significance and effectiveness of the faith that saves. For it is true that by faith alone we receive the work of Jesus and adoption because of Jesus into Gods family, salvation and eternal life.
Faith is more than knowledge of Jesus Christ. For the world knows Jesus and who he claims to be, but the world does not submit or live in Gods will. Even the demons know Jesus Christ and tremble (James) as we see in the gospels:
Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
(Luke 4:41 NIV)
Lets continue then with what Peter says will keep us productive and effective in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. That we might live by faith in more than knowledge but a living active faith that is effective to save:
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life 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, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
(2 Peter 1:3-11 NIV)
God please help me not to forget that I am cleansed from sin. Please help me to pursue these things so that I might participate in the divine nature now in this life in part and completely in eternity:
Faith
Goodness
Knowledge
Self control
Perseverance
Godliness
Mutual affection
Love!
Please continue to grow in these and yet pursue growth in them continually all the days of my life.
God help me to work out my faith that it is effective and significant in my life, I don't want any part of me to live in the world but I want to be transformed. I want to be a light that shines for you Jesus.
Amen
Humble ourselves under God
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:6, 7 ESV)
We believe from the word that God is sovereign in all things. Our circumstances and our lives are in the hands of God. Sometimes we suffer and sometimes we have abundance and joyful circumstances. But in all things whether in need or abundance we trust that God works all things for our good in part in this life and in our salvation to eternal life. Therefore let us humble ourselves in our circumstances to Gods sovereignty yet give all our hopes and desires and cries to God in prayer trusting that he cares for us and hears us.
God give me strength to endure in whatever circumstances and to keep my hope in you. God take me not out of my circumstances but strengthen me to endure them and grow in faith and reach out to those in need around me.
Amen
(1 Peter 5:6, 7 ESV)
We believe from the word that God is sovereign in all things. Our circumstances and our lives are in the hands of God. Sometimes we suffer and sometimes we have abundance and joyful circumstances. But in all things whether in need or abundance we trust that God works all things for our good in part in this life and in our salvation to eternal life. Therefore let us humble ourselves in our circumstances to Gods sovereignty yet give all our hopes and desires and cries to God in prayer trusting that he cares for us and hears us.
God give me strength to endure in whatever circumstances and to keep my hope in you. God take me not out of my circumstances but strengthen me to endure them and grow in faith and reach out to those in need around me.
Amen
All things from God and by God for us
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
(2 Peter 1:1-4 ESV)
Each attribute we have is given to us because of and through Gods work and character. We have achieved or earned none of these gifts:
Faith
by the righteousness of God and Christ
All things in life and Godliness
By his divine power
Knowledge of him
By Gods calling
Gods promises to us
By Gods own glory and excellence
Escape from sin and the world
And Partakers of the divine
By Gods promises.
I would add:
Creation
By Gods power and creativity
Adoption as sons and daughters
by The Spirit of God baptizing us
Participation in the advance of the gospel
By Gods mercy though we are poor messengers
Fellowship and unity
By The Spirit
Food and water and money and life
By Gods provision
The list goes on and on.
For God is the creator of all things by the Word Jesus his Son.
God is the sustainer of all life
Jesus is the savior of all creation.
Heaven is the eternal home That will
Be created by God for us and for himself together for all eternity.
God humble me
By your greatness
By my smallness in works and faith
Yet strengthen me in faith
And love for you God
That I might also love my neighbor.
Amen
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
(2 Peter 1:1-4 ESV)
Each attribute we have is given to us because of and through Gods work and character. We have achieved or earned none of these gifts:
Faith
by the righteousness of God and Christ
All things in life and Godliness
By his divine power
Knowledge of him
By Gods calling
Gods promises to us
By Gods own glory and excellence
Escape from sin and the world
And Partakers of the divine
By Gods promises.
I would add:
Creation
By Gods power and creativity
Adoption as sons and daughters
by The Spirit of God baptizing us
Participation in the advance of the gospel
By Gods mercy though we are poor messengers
Fellowship and unity
By The Spirit
Food and water and money and life
By Gods provision
The list goes on and on.
For God is the creator of all things by the Word Jesus his Son.
God is the sustainer of all life
Jesus is the savior of all creation.
Heaven is the eternal home That will
Be created by God for us and for himself together for all eternity.
God humble me
By your greatness
By my smallness in works and faith
Yet strengthen me in faith
And love for you God
That I might also love my neighbor.
Amen
What evidence do we have to support our faith in Jesus?
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
(2 Peter 1:16-21 ESV)
In an age of technology and news coming to us very second over the Internet to the phone in our hand we rely greatly on people and man made technology to clarify our reality. Wikipedia and google are our basis of truth. The University is the fortress of education. The world judges by science and what society demands changing with the wind. One year we live by one truth and one set of morals. Yet it is all relative in the world. One persons faith is fine as it makes no difference to another person down the street.
This is the world we live in. Yet the simple truth and evidence that Peter asks us to trust in is this: he himself saw Jesus. He saw his humanity and his glory. He saw his ministry, his miracles, his suffering, his death, and his glorious new life. Petet heard the voice of God calling Jesus his beloved Son with whom God who is perfect is well pleased. God is not pleased with sinners. God is pleased with Jesus and God is pleased with us because in us who believe in Jesus death and life God sees us by the righteousness of Jesus. Even more than that he says trust in the evidence of prophecy, Jesus is the Christ promise and predicted clearly and accurately in Old Testament Prophecy from Moses to Malachi. For prophecy is proven by coming true. There are many prophecies in this world such as Nostradamus. But the New and Old Testament are the holy bible the Gospel and prophets, the living Word of God proven valid in the project that came true: from the exile of Israel into Babylon and the return. Jesus birth, life, ministry, miracles, Godly nature, death and resurrection were all prophesied hundreds and thousands of years before they were fulfilled. Why? Because prophecy in scripture is from God by the Holy Spirit.
In Gods word I trust. It may be foolishness to the world, but I believe it is life to us who are being saved.
God strengthen me in my faith in you and your word to us. God please reveal your Gospel and your love to the world. We are so blind but the world desperately needs you!
Amen
(2 Peter 1:16-21 ESV)
In an age of technology and news coming to us very second over the Internet to the phone in our hand we rely greatly on people and man made technology to clarify our reality. Wikipedia and google are our basis of truth. The University is the fortress of education. The world judges by science and what society demands changing with the wind. One year we live by one truth and one set of morals. Yet it is all relative in the world. One persons faith is fine as it makes no difference to another person down the street.
This is the world we live in. Yet the simple truth and evidence that Peter asks us to trust in is this: he himself saw Jesus. He saw his humanity and his glory. He saw his ministry, his miracles, his suffering, his death, and his glorious new life. Petet heard the voice of God calling Jesus his beloved Son with whom God who is perfect is well pleased. God is not pleased with sinners. God is pleased with Jesus and God is pleased with us because in us who believe in Jesus death and life God sees us by the righteousness of Jesus. Even more than that he says trust in the evidence of prophecy, Jesus is the Christ promise and predicted clearly and accurately in Old Testament Prophecy from Moses to Malachi. For prophecy is proven by coming true. There are many prophecies in this world such as Nostradamus. But the New and Old Testament are the holy bible the Gospel and prophets, the living Word of God proven valid in the project that came true: from the exile of Israel into Babylon and the return. Jesus birth, life, ministry, miracles, Godly nature, death and resurrection were all prophesied hundreds and thousands of years before they were fulfilled. Why? Because prophecy in scripture is from God by the Holy Spirit.
In Gods word I trust. It may be foolishness to the world, but I believe it is life to us who are being saved.
God strengthen me in my faith in you and your word to us. God please reveal your Gospel and your love to the world. We are so blind but the world desperately needs you!
Amen
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Submit to government and authorities
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
(1 Peter 2:13-15, 17-19, 21 NIV)
I may generally vote Republican and yet I respect and submit to President Barack Obama. I don't believe he is a Jesus follower. I don't like a lot of his policies. But I respect him as our president and his leadership. I submit to his authority. If there is conflict in he law of the US and Gods law then I will follow God. But in most things I recognize the US government and representatives for the rule of law over me. For God has given them authority. And for the most part they maintain the rule of law.
God you alone do I fear. Not life or death or government or war or disease or sin do I fear. And yet my heart and strength is weak. God strengthen me in your Love that is in Christ Jesus.
God help us to do great good in the midst of the world. Let us not argue or complain but do such good that we would be evidence of who you are and your reality God to those who resist you and do not know you.
Amen
(1 Peter 2:13-15, 17-19, 21 NIV)
I may generally vote Republican and yet I respect and submit to President Barack Obama. I don't believe he is a Jesus follower. I don't like a lot of his policies. But I respect him as our president and his leadership. I submit to his authority. If there is conflict in he law of the US and Gods law then I will follow God. But in most things I recognize the US government and representatives for the rule of law over me. For God has given them authority. And for the most part they maintain the rule of law.
God you alone do I fear. Not life or death or government or war or disease or sin do I fear. And yet my heart and strength is weak. God strengthen me in your Love that is in Christ Jesus.
God help us to do great good in the midst of the world. Let us not argue or complain but do such good that we would be evidence of who you are and your reality God to those who resist you and do not know you.
Amen
The Word is our source of truth and reality
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,
"All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever."
And this is the word that was preached to you.
(1 Peter 1:22-25 NIV)
In a day of science and technology the world questions our faith and the bible. Yet we who follow God hold to he bible for truth and guidance. I struggle with this sometimes. It starts with the authors of the New Testament beyond Jesus words. But it erodes our whole faith if we let it.
The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of the world. Yet the wisdom of God: the Cross and the word of God is foolishness to the world and yet life and salvation to us who believe.
For by the word we know Christ and his work for us. By the word we know God our creator and the epic pageant of human history. By the living Word of God we meet God in he words, people, truth and in the events in the bible. As the Spirit reveals God and truth and as we respond in prayer, word and deed we find God to be real and relevant today as he was thousands of years ago and in eternity. Jesus himself is the Word of God.
I still have fears and doubts. But I give them to you God. Help me to hold more to your living word and your promise. Help me to share you and your word with others. God please move in heir heart to reveal yourself and your truth.
Amen
"All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever."
And this is the word that was preached to you.
(1 Peter 1:22-25 NIV)
In a day of science and technology the world questions our faith and the bible. Yet we who follow God hold to he bible for truth and guidance. I struggle with this sometimes. It starts with the authors of the New Testament beyond Jesus words. But it erodes our whole faith if we let it.
The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of the world. Yet the wisdom of God: the Cross and the word of God is foolishness to the world and yet life and salvation to us who believe.
For by the word we know Christ and his work for us. By the word we know God our creator and the epic pageant of human history. By the living Word of God we meet God in he words, people, truth and in the events in the bible. As the Spirit reveals God and truth and as we respond in prayer, word and deed we find God to be real and relevant today as he was thousands of years ago and in eternity. Jesus himself is the Word of God.
I still have fears and doubts. But I give them to you God. Help me to hold more to your living word and your promise. Help me to share you and your word with others. God please move in heir heart to reveal yourself and your truth.
Amen
Be Holy like God
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
(1 Peter 1:13-19 NIV)
Let us seek to be holy like our father. Keeping mind who God is and our perfect example in Jesus let us live holy and pure lives of love. God help us not to conform to the pattern of the world, but instead to shine like a light in the darkness! Let us not give in to gray areas but love well. For example in gay marriage, let us not conform to the world but let us love the people we know in that situation. God I pray for your wisdom and love to flow in that.
For truly we rely on your wisdom by the Holy Spirit to guide us in understanding what is right as you instruct us in your Word. God transform us by the renewing of our mind that we may know your will in our lives and in our circumstances. But give us the will to fight and flee from sin by remembering the pain and precious blood of Christ who endured all things for our forgiveness and salvation from sin.
God we set our hope in you and in heaven. Our righteousness is only what Christ has already done for us. Our only hope is to live in heaven in your house eternally God. Let us not be proud but humble to be obedient Father.
Amen
Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
(1 Peter 1:13-19 NIV)
Let us seek to be holy like our father. Keeping mind who God is and our perfect example in Jesus let us live holy and pure lives of love. God help us not to conform to the pattern of the world, but instead to shine like a light in the darkness! Let us not give in to gray areas but love well. For example in gay marriage, let us not conform to the world but let us love the people we know in that situation. God I pray for your wisdom and love to flow in that.
For truly we rely on your wisdom by the Holy Spirit to guide us in understanding what is right as you instruct us in your Word. God transform us by the renewing of our mind that we may know your will in our lives and in our circumstances. But give us the will to fight and flee from sin by remembering the pain and precious blood of Christ who endured all things for our forgiveness and salvation from sin.
God we set our hope in you and in heaven. Our righteousness is only what Christ has already done for us. Our only hope is to live in heaven in your house eternally God. Let us not be proud but humble to be obedient Father.
Amen
Monday, December 10, 2012
A small light in dark times
But Ebed-Melek, a Cushite, an official in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. While the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, Ebed-Melek went out of the palace and said to him, "My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city." Then the king commanded Ebed-Melek the Cushite, "Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies." (Jeremiah 38:7-10 NIV)
While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: "Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, 'This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 39:15-18 NIV)
Even as God finally unleashes his wrath on unrepentant Israel and Judah, he has mercy on one for his faithfulness and righteous act. This man who is a foreigner knows God and acts to save Jeremiah. So God saves this man a foreigner even as he shows no favoritism to his chosen people Judah.
In these sometimes dark times in he midst of an unrepentant and ungodly generation God invites us to remain faithful. God invites us to bring light into a dark world. And he will not forget. God I want to be that light and I pray you would encourage me by your hope and the light of others around the world. God I am weak and selfish but I pray you would use me for your good.
Amen
While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: "Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, 'This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 39:15-18 NIV)
Even as God finally unleashes his wrath on unrepentant Israel and Judah, he has mercy on one for his faithfulness and righteous act. This man who is a foreigner knows God and acts to save Jeremiah. So God saves this man a foreigner even as he shows no favoritism to his chosen people Judah.
In these sometimes dark times in he midst of an unrepentant and ungodly generation God invites us to remain faithful. God invites us to bring light into a dark world. And he will not forget. God I want to be that light and I pray you would encourage me by your hope and the light of others around the world. God I am weak and selfish but I pray you would use me for your good.
Amen
Thursday, December 6, 2012
God gives so many chances
In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: "Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and Judah and all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah until today. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the disaster that I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin." It may be that their plea for mercy will come before the Lord, and that every one will turn from his evil way, for great is the anger and wrath that the Lord has pronounced against this people." So they went into the court to the king, having put the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the secretary, and they reported all the words to the king. Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the secretary. And Jehudi read it to the king and all the officials who stood beside the king. It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the fire pot before him. As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot. Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments. Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king's son and Seraiah the son of Azriel and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel to seize Baruch the secretary and Jeremiah the prophet, but the Lord hid them. (Jeremiah 36:1-3, 7, 20-26 ESV)
God holds out hope and a chance again and again for Israel to listen and come to him. To repent and new life. But here is an example of the consequences of leadership. King Jehoiakim is afraid of the truth and instead of listening and fearing God and repenting he tries to run from this and he burns the scroll.
But God doesn't let this leader keep his word from his people Israel:
Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words that Baruch wrote at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: "Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: He shall have none to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night.
(Jeremiah 36:27, 28, 30 ESV)
God always pursues us even in our sin. In Jesus alone in Christianity alone does God reach out again and again. And there is our hope: the cross nothing more nothing less. And God let's us choose him and life through the cross or death without God.
Thank you God for loving us to such a price but giving us the choice.
I choose you God.
Amen
God holds out hope and a chance again and again for Israel to listen and come to him. To repent and new life. But here is an example of the consequences of leadership. King Jehoiakim is afraid of the truth and instead of listening and fearing God and repenting he tries to run from this and he burns the scroll.
But God doesn't let this leader keep his word from his people Israel:
Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words that Baruch wrote at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: "Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: He shall have none to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night.
(Jeremiah 36:27, 28, 30 ESV)
God always pursues us even in our sin. In Jesus alone in Christianity alone does God reach out again and again. And there is our hope: the cross nothing more nothing less. And God let's us choose him and life through the cross or death without God.
Thank you God for loving us to such a price but giving us the choice.
I choose you God.
Amen
Our stubborn hearts like Israel
Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the Lord. The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father's command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me. I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, 'Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.' But you did not incline your ear or listen to me. The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me. Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered." But to the house of the Rechabites Jeremiah said, "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father and kept all his precepts and done all that he commanded you, therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Jonadab the son of Rechab shall never lack a man to stand before me." (Jeremiah 35:12-19 ESV)
We are a stubborn people. God continually cries out to us. He shows us the right ways that we may walk by still waters in the abundant life of walking in the narrow path of The Lord. When we turn away, he guides us back. When we turn around and sin he rebukes us to save us.
God works all things for his good purposes. But if we are stubborn we may walk away from The Lord and from life. But if like Jonadab and his family are faithful and trust God even when we don't understand we will get to be with God forever. For we have chosen God in this life and his ways. We will know him and his ways. So in eternity we will rejoice in simply being with God.
Amen
We are a stubborn people. God continually cries out to us. He shows us the right ways that we may walk by still waters in the abundant life of walking in the narrow path of The Lord. When we turn away, he guides us back. When we turn around and sin he rebukes us to save us.
God works all things for his good purposes. But if we are stubborn we may walk away from The Lord and from life. But if like Jonadab and his family are faithful and trust God even when we don't understand we will get to be with God forever. For we have chosen God in this life and his ways. We will know him and his ways. So in eternity we will rejoice in simply being with God.
Amen
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
How much this side of heaven?
"You are saying about this city, 'By the sword, famine and plague it will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon'; but this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
(Jeremiah 32:36-41 NIV)
That all sounds great. But when did it happen? In the return from exile? In Jesus Or is it only in part now? For it seems like we still turn from you God.
How much of this is fulfilled this side of heaven God.
God I want to remember that you bring freedom and healing in this life. But our eternal home and our hope is in heaven. Not in relationship. Not in being fully righteous now. For though Christ is in me this side of heaven I am still in flesh and sin. But Christ is victorious. So how much do we recieve of your promises this side of heaven?
God thank you for your faithfulness. Please help me to trust in you and to hope in heaven as my home and not anything in this world. Thank you for all the blessings you give me. Help me to be generous! God remind me everyday of the cross and my hope in you alone.
Amen
(Jeremiah 32:36-41 NIV)
That all sounds great. But when did it happen? In the return from exile? In Jesus Or is it only in part now? For it seems like we still turn from you God.
How much of this is fulfilled this side of heaven God.
God I want to remember that you bring freedom and healing in this life. But our eternal home and our hope is in heaven. Not in relationship. Not in being fully righteous now. For though Christ is in me this side of heaven I am still in flesh and sin. But Christ is victorious. So how much do we recieve of your promises this side of heaven?
God thank you for your faithfulness. Please help me to trust in you and to hope in heaven as my home and not anything in this world. Thank you for all the blessings you give me. Help me to be generous! God remind me everyday of the cross and my hope in you alone.
Amen
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Restoration: Israel or Christianity?
But I will restore you to health
and heal your wounds,'
declares the Lord,
'because you are called an outcast,
Zion for whom no one cares.' "This is what the Lord says:
"'I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents
and have compassion on his dwellings;
the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
and the palace will stand in its proper place. From them will come songs of thanksgiving
and the sound of rejoicing.
I will add to their numbers,
and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honor,
and they will not be disdained. Their children will be as in days of old,
and their community will be established before me;
I will punish all who oppress them. Their leader will be one of their own;
their ruler will arise from among them.
I will bring him near and he will come close to me—
for who is he who will devote himself
to be close to me?'
declares the Lord. "'So you will be my people,
and I will be your God.'" See, the storm of the Lord
will burst out in wrath,
a driving wind swirling down
on the heads of the wicked. The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back
until he fully accomplishes
the purposes of his heart.
In days to come
you will understand this.
(Jeremiah 30:17-24 NIV)
When I read this passage I see Israel and the return from exile that is promised. But I also see hints of Jesus and the church in the new covenant. For a new leader will arise from the people. And Gods wrath and anger will be unleashed. Yet somehow God has his purposes in mind to work our evil and the wrath set for us into his glory.
Thank you God for your promises in the past that have been fulfilled. I pray that reading of the history of Israel through struggles, your rebuking ands seeing your promises and good plans fulfilled that we would be strengthened in our faith. God I want to hold to your promises. I want to find my identity and my hope in you alone. For only with you is there anything lasting.
Amen
and heal your wounds,'
declares the Lord,
'because you are called an outcast,
Zion for whom no one cares.' "This is what the Lord says:
"'I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents
and have compassion on his dwellings;
the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
and the palace will stand in its proper place. From them will come songs of thanksgiving
and the sound of rejoicing.
I will add to their numbers,
and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honor,
and they will not be disdained. Their children will be as in days of old,
and their community will be established before me;
I will punish all who oppress them. Their leader will be one of their own;
their ruler will arise from among them.
I will bring him near and he will come close to me—
for who is he who will devote himself
to be close to me?'
declares the Lord. "'So you will be my people,
and I will be your God.'" See, the storm of the Lord
will burst out in wrath,
a driving wind swirling down
on the heads of the wicked. The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back
until he fully accomplishes
the purposes of his heart.
In days to come
you will understand this.
(Jeremiah 30:17-24 NIV)
When I read this passage I see Israel and the return from exile that is promised. But I also see hints of Jesus and the church in the new covenant. For a new leader will arise from the people. And Gods wrath and anger will be unleashed. Yet somehow God has his purposes in mind to work our evil and the wrath set for us into his glory.
Thank you God for your promises in the past that have been fulfilled. I pray that reading of the history of Israel through struggles, your rebuking ands seeing your promises and good plans fulfilled that we would be strengthened in our faith. God I want to hold to your promises. I want to find my identity and my hope in you alone. For only with you is there anything lasting.
Amen
God's plans: bigger and better
This is what the Lord says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
(Jeremiah 29:10-14 NIV)
God may have been angry with Israel. He was enraged to destruction and to exile his own people from his promised land. But his plans did not end thee. God had plans to bring his people back to him and his promised land for them. What we mean for evil and the way of the world may seem hopeless, but God has bigger plans.
The things the world, all of us sinners do in evil and even the devil may be seemingly evil and hopeless. But God means then and works them for his good. Just like Joseph's life struggle works out for his good. So God has good plans for Israel and for us. But we have to remember Gods perspective and promise are bigger than us. And that their fulfillment is only complete in heaven.
Thank you God for the good plans you have for us. I pray you would work I the hearts of unbelievers that they would seek you and find you!
I pray that we would seek you in prayer you would hear us and we would hear you.
Amen
(Jeremiah 29:10-14 NIV)
God may have been angry with Israel. He was enraged to destruction and to exile his own people from his promised land. But his plans did not end thee. God had plans to bring his people back to him and his promised land for them. What we mean for evil and the way of the world may seem hopeless, but God has bigger plans.
The things the world, all of us sinners do in evil and even the devil may be seemingly evil and hopeless. But God means then and works them for his good. Just like Joseph's life struggle works out for his good. So God has good plans for Israel and for us. But we have to remember Gods perspective and promise are bigger than us. And that their fulfillment is only complete in heaven.
Thank you God for the good plans you have for us. I pray you would work I the hearts of unbelievers that they would seek you and find you!
I pray that we would seek you in prayer you would hear us and we would hear you.
Amen
Life in Exile: keep going and following God
This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them," declares the Lord.
(Jeremiah 29:4-9 NIV)
Though Israel and Jerusalem are destroyed and God's people are in exile they are still loved by God. Life goes on. For God ensures and his purposes endure. God's people endure as a remnant. God still calls to them. God still instructs them. God still heard their prayers.
Pray to The Lord for our city. Seek the peace and prosperity of it. For with it's prosperity in this world means our prosperity. I think this is a good word for us today. I don't often pray for Boulder or Colorado or the U.S. but I would be blessed and I think we are called to pray and seek the peace and prosperity of our neighborhoods and the world around us. Whether that is a college campus or town or company.
Amen
(Jeremiah 29:4-9 NIV)
Though Israel and Jerusalem are destroyed and God's people are in exile they are still loved by God. Life goes on. For God ensures and his purposes endure. God's people endure as a remnant. God still calls to them. God still instructs them. God still heard their prayers.
Pray to The Lord for our city. Seek the peace and prosperity of it. For with it's prosperity in this world means our prosperity. I think this is a good word for us today. I don't often pray for Boulder or Colorado or the U.S. but I would be blessed and I think we are called to pray and seek the peace and prosperity of our neighborhoods and the world around us. Whether that is a college campus or town or company.
Amen
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Repent and turn to God
"This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard of the Lord's house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done. (Jeremiah 26:2,3 NIV)
Repent: turn from our evil and turn instead towards God. This seems like such a simple concept, but in practice we are quite stubborn and hold to our darkness. We often even see the sin and pain and darkness of the way we are walking. But we often turn slightly or just try to stop ourselves instead of turning to God.
God is desperately calling out to us just as he called out to his people Israel for years and years. He is warning us of the result of our sin, the pain we will bring on ourselves and on others. God says turn to me and I will forgive you and help you walk in my ways and find abundant life the best possible life.
I wish that I was less prideful and stubborn. For I often choose to keep walking in my own ways. God is gracious and brings me back and works things for my good. But I have been hurt and worse hurt others along my wayward ways. And even when I come home to my father I start to turn away again. It breaks my heart.
Please God show me your ways and how my ways are not your ways. Convict me of my sin and show me the consequences of my ways. Lord and you for being faithful and I beg that you would keep turning me back to you. I am sorry for my heart of rebellion and turning from your light and life. God I beg for forgiveness and thank you for the forgiveness given because of the Cross Jesus. Turn others hearts to you God.
Amen
Repent: turn from our evil and turn instead towards God. This seems like such a simple concept, but in practice we are quite stubborn and hold to our darkness. We often even see the sin and pain and darkness of the way we are walking. But we often turn slightly or just try to stop ourselves instead of turning to God.
God is desperately calling out to us just as he called out to his people Israel for years and years. He is warning us of the result of our sin, the pain we will bring on ourselves and on others. God says turn to me and I will forgive you and help you walk in my ways and find abundant life the best possible life.
I wish that I was less prideful and stubborn. For I often choose to keep walking in my own ways. God is gracious and brings me back and works things for my good. But I have been hurt and worse hurt others along my wayward ways. And even when I come home to my father I start to turn away again. It breaks my heart.
Please God show me your ways and how my ways are not your ways. Convict me of my sin and show me the consequences of my ways. Lord and you for being faithful and I beg that you would keep turning me back to you. I am sorry for my heart of rebellion and turning from your light and life. God I beg for forgiveness and thank you for the forgiveness given because of the Cross Jesus. Turn others hearts to you God.
Amen
Our Sovereign God
Therefore the Lord Almighty says this: "Because you have not listened to my words, I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon," declares the Lord, "and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy them and make them an object of horror and scorn, and an everlasting ruin. "But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt," declares the Lord, "and will make it desolate forever.
(Jeremiah 25:8, 9, 12 NIV)
God will use people for his purposes. God uses those who follow him and those who do not know him. In Genesis God used the evil that the sons of Israel committed against their brother Joseph for his good purposes. Here God uses this gentile king of Babylon to accomplish his purpose to destroy Judah and Jerusalem. Yet later God will also use kings who do not know or follow him to rebuild and pay for the restoration of Jerusalem the city they destroyed.
God you are sovereign. I don't understand your plans or how you work. But I want to trust you.
Thank you Lord for your good plans and working them out despite our sin.
God I hope in your plans and your salvation to our true home with you.
Amen
(Jeremiah 25:8, 9, 12 NIV)
God will use people for his purposes. God uses those who follow him and those who do not know him. In Genesis God used the evil that the sons of Israel committed against their brother Joseph for his good purposes. Here God uses this gentile king of Babylon to accomplish his purpose to destroy Judah and Jerusalem. Yet later God will also use kings who do not know or follow him to rebuild and pay for the restoration of Jerusalem the city they destroyed.
God you are sovereign. I don't understand your plans or how you work. But I want to trust you.
Thank you Lord for your good plans and working them out despite our sin.
God I hope in your plans and your salvation to our true home with you.
Amen
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