Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus," Be sure to carry out the work the Lord gave you."
Paul wrote this in his closing remarks in his letter to the Colossians.
He could also be saying it to any of us who have been specifically task by God.
I
know what my task is - to love people, no matter where I am, no matter
the circumstances. The "how" of doing that is something He's in charge
of & He'll take care of.
What is the work He has for you?
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Proverbs
So, you've never read the book of Proverbs? It's got some good stuff in it.
King Solomon is credited with writing it.
Here's just chapter 14 of the book - there's 31 altogether. Some of the verses may make you go, "huh?" but hang in there - there's some good stuff here.
Proverbs 14
1 A wise woman builds her home,
but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 Those who follow the right path fear the LORD;
those who take the wrong path despise him.
3 A fool's proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
but the words of the wise keep them safe.
4 Without oxen a stable stays clean,
but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
5 An honest witness does not lie;
a false witness breathes lies.
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7 Stay away from fools,
for you won't find knowledge on their lips.
8 The prudent understand where they are going,
but fools deceive themselves.
9 Fools make fun of guilt,
but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can fully share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the godly will flourish.
12 There is a path before each person that seems right,
but it ends in death.
13 Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,
but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
14 Backsliders get what they deserve;
good people receive their reward.
15 Only simpletons believe everything they're told!
The prudent carefully consider their steps.
16 The wise are cautious* and avoid danger;
fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
17 Short-tempered people do foolish things,
and schemers are hated.
18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,*
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evil people will bow before good people;
the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
20 The poor are despised even by their neighbors,
while the rich have many "friends."
21 It is a sin to belittle one's neighbor;
blessed are those who help the poor.
22 If you plan to do evil, you will be lost;
if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
23 Work brings profit,
but mere talk leads to poverty!
24 Wealth is a crown for the wise;
the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is a traitor.
26 Those who fear the LORD are secure;
he will be a refuge for their children.
27 Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain;
it offers escape from the snares of death.
28 A growing population is a king's glory;
a prince without subjects has nothing.
29 People with understanding control their anger;
a hot temper shows great foolishness.
30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but helping the poor honors him.
32 The wicked are crushed by disaster,
but the godly have a refuge when they die.
33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;
wisdom is not* found among fools.
34 Godliness makes a nation great,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A king rejoices in wise servants
but is angry with those who disgrace him.
King Solomon is credited with writing it.
Here's just chapter 14 of the book - there's 31 altogether. Some of the verses may make you go, "huh?" but hang in there - there's some good stuff here.
Proverbs 14
1 A wise woman builds her home,
but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 Those who follow the right path fear the LORD;
those who take the wrong path despise him.
3 A fool's proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
but the words of the wise keep them safe.
4 Without oxen a stable stays clean,
but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
5 An honest witness does not lie;
a false witness breathes lies.
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7 Stay away from fools,
for you won't find knowledge on their lips.
8 The prudent understand where they are going,
but fools deceive themselves.
9 Fools make fun of guilt,
but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can fully share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the godly will flourish.
12 There is a path before each person that seems right,
but it ends in death.
13 Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,
but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
14 Backsliders get what they deserve;
good people receive their reward.
15 Only simpletons believe everything they're told!
The prudent carefully consider their steps.
16 The wise are cautious* and avoid danger;
fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
17 Short-tempered people do foolish things,
and schemers are hated.
18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,*
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evil people will bow before good people;
the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
20 The poor are despised even by their neighbors,
while the rich have many "friends."
21 It is a sin to belittle one's neighbor;
blessed are those who help the poor.
22 If you plan to do evil, you will be lost;
if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
23 Work brings profit,
but mere talk leads to poverty!
24 Wealth is a crown for the wise;
the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is a traitor.
26 Those who fear the LORD are secure;
he will be a refuge for their children.
27 Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain;
it offers escape from the snares of death.
28 A growing population is a king's glory;
a prince without subjects has nothing.
29 People with understanding control their anger;
a hot temper shows great foolishness.
30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but helping the poor honors him.
32 The wicked are crushed by disaster,
but the godly have a refuge when they die.
33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;
wisdom is not* found among fools.
34 Godliness makes a nation great,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A king rejoices in wise servants
but is angry with those who disgrace him.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
nourishment
How do we sink our roots in Him?
I think it's by reading in the Bible, every day.
It works for me.
just sayin'...
Colossians 2:7
Let your roots grow down into Him & draw up nourishment from Him,
so you will grow in faith, strong & vigorous in the truth you were taught.
Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done.
I think it's by reading in the Bible, every day.
It works for me.
just sayin'...
Colossians 2:7
Let your roots grow down into Him & draw up nourishment from Him,
so you will grow in faith, strong & vigorous in the truth you were taught.
Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done.
Monday, January 28, 2013
who He is & what He's done
Colossians 1
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can't see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ's blood on the cross.
21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can't see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ's blood on the cross.
21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
worry
Who's lived or is living this right now?
Tell me what you're experience is with these 2 verses.
Philippians 4
6 Don't worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need,
& thank Him for all He has done.
7 If you do this,
you will experience God's peace
which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts & minds
as you live in Christ Jesus.
Tell me what you're experience is with these 2 verses.
Philippians 4
6 Don't worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need,
& thank Him for all He has done.
7 If you do this,
you will experience God's peace
which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts & minds
as you live in Christ Jesus.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
what's important
This is Paul, the apostle, speaking in his letter to the Philippians.
He talks about what is important to him, what he values, & what he's focusing on.
Good stuff.
Philippians 3
8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
For his sake I have discarded everything else,
counting it all as garbage,
so that I could gain Christ
9 and become one with him.
I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law;
rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.
For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.
I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,
11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
12b I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,
but I focus on this one thing:
Forgetting the past
and looking forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on to reach the end of the race
and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.
And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own,
using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
He talks about what is important to him, what he values, & what he's focusing on.
Good stuff.
Philippians 3
8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
For his sake I have discarded everything else,
counting it all as garbage,
so that I could gain Christ
9 and become one with him.
I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law;
rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.
For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.
I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,
11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
12b I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,
but I focus on this one thing:
Forgetting the past
and looking forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on to reach the end of the race
and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.
And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own,
using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
Friday, January 25, 2013
others
Philippians 2:4 Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, & what they are doing.
Have you ever noticed that if you ask people questions about their lives & how things are going, they will sit there and talk for quite some time about themselves & their stuff, especially if you listen, nod, & ask pertinent & caring questions about what the person is sharing?
But they seldom have the simple good manners to reciprocate the same level of interest in you by asking you a similar question. And if, in the rare times they actually do ask how you are, they seldom listen to you, & usually start talking about themselves & their stuff again?
Am I the only one who notices this?
And why are people like this?
Are we that incredibly self-absorbed as well as bad mannered?
Anyway, think about it - the next time someone asks you how you are doing, tell them. But also return the interest & ask them how they are - and actually listen to their answers.
Have you ever noticed that if you ask people questions about their lives & how things are going, they will sit there and talk for quite some time about themselves & their stuff, especially if you listen, nod, & ask pertinent & caring questions about what the person is sharing?
But they seldom have the simple good manners to reciprocate the same level of interest in you by asking you a similar question. And if, in the rare times they actually do ask how you are, they seldom listen to you, & usually start talking about themselves & their stuff again?
Am I the only one who notices this?
And why are people like this?
Are we that incredibly self-absorbed as well as bad mannered?
Anyway, think about it - the next time someone asks you how you are doing, tell them. But also return the interest & ask them how they are - and actually listen to their answers.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
no matter what
Philippians 1:12b everything that has happened to me has helped to spread the Good News.
Paul was in prison - a shameful thing back then. And it wasn't a Club Med experience, either.
But he goes on to say in the rest of the chapter about how God was using his imprisonment. Because Paul was in jail, others,many others, we stepping up & spreading the Gospel because they knew Paul couldn't because he was in jail.
We are SO success oriented. If things don't go exactly as we think they should, or in a way that indicates success as our world knows it, then we're simply not cutting it as a person.
We have to trust God that not matter what may be going on in our lives, we have to trust Him that if our lives are surrendered to Him, they will be an expression of Himself, whether that expression is successful enough looking by the standards of our friends & authenticators.
Paul was in prison - a shameful thing back then. And it wasn't a Club Med experience, either.
But he goes on to say in the rest of the chapter about how God was using his imprisonment. Because Paul was in jail, others,many others, we stepping up & spreading the Gospel because they knew Paul couldn't because he was in jail.
We are SO success oriented. If things don't go exactly as we think they should, or in a way that indicates success as our world knows it, then we're simply not cutting it as a person.
We have to trust God that not matter what may be going on in our lives, we have to trust Him that if our lives are surrendered to Him, they will be an expression of Himself, whether that expression is successful enough looking by the standards of our friends & authenticators.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
cowboy up
Ephesians 6
10 Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies,
but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,
against mighty powers in this dark world,
and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.
Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
14 Stand your ground,
putting on the belt of truth
and the body armor of God's righteousness.
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News
so that you will be fully prepared.
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
10 Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies,
but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,
against mighty powers in this dark world,
and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.
Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
14 Stand your ground,
putting on the belt of truth
and the body armor of God's righteousness.
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News
so that you will be fully prepared.
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
what love is
Ephesians 5:1 Follow God's example in everything you do,
because you are His dear children.
2 Live a life filled with love for others,
following the example of Christ,
who loved you & gave Himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins.
So, if we're suppose to love as Jesus did, then loving people isn't just this warm & fuzzy thing we feel.
It should be an act of supreme sacrifice.
I should be something that costs us something.
Sometimes it will be something that costs us everything.
hmmmmmmmmm....
Think about THAT today.
That certainly ain't what the world would tell us love is...
because you are His dear children.
2 Live a life filled with love for others,
following the example of Christ,
who loved you & gave Himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins.
So, if we're suppose to love as Jesus did, then loving people isn't just this warm & fuzzy thing we feel.
It should be an act of supreme sacrifice.
I should be something that costs us something.
Sometimes it will be something that costs us everything.
hmmmmmmmmm....
Think about THAT today.
That certainly ain't what the world would tell us love is...
Monday, January 21, 2013
these are for you?
Deuteronomy 5:33 Stay
on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then
you will live long & prosperous lives in the land your are about to
enter & occupy.
Proverbs 5:21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
Ephesians 4:1 ...lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
These are a word for me today.
I have 3 guys I know that at least part of them were a word for them.(That's something I've said 4 or 5 times in my life!)
Maybe one or more are for you? Please let me know if that's so, will ya?
Proverbs 5:21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
Ephesians 4:1 ...lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
These are a word for me today.
I have 3 guys I know that at least part of them were a word for them.(That's something I've said 4 or 5 times in my life!)
Maybe one or more are for you? Please let me know if that's so, will ya?
Sunday, January 20, 2013
4 things
Here's some verses that stood out this morning...
Deuteronomy 4:9 But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you.
How quickly are we all so ready to forget how God has come through for us, or propped us up when we're weak or have fallen down, or has simply sustained us with His love and power.
It's kinda like when Jesus fed the 5000 men (which prolly worked out to over 10,000 men women & children).
Jesus pulled off this miracle, but 2 chapters later, when they were in the same fix, the disciples didn't know what to do.I would hope if I saw God fee 10,000 people out of nothing, the next time we were in that fix, I'd have enough faith to say,"Uhm, Jesus, can't you feed these folks like you did the other day?!"
We forget God has done things for us over & over again. He's gonna come through. The question is always how & when, not if.
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.
This is life verse for my son, Heith Daniels. He even has it tattooed over his heart. Even though he's not perfect(who is?!) he's learning more & more to guard what he allows to come into the core of himself, his innermost person.
We are assaulted with all kinds of crap on a daily basis. Maybe we should be more like Heith & try to keep a lot of it from coming into our minds. It's so hard to keep the trash & blatant sin out of our lives that's shouting at us all around. But we at least have to try to keep it out.
Proverbs 4:25 Look straight ahead,& fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
then stick to the path & stay safe.
27 Don't get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.
This is one of the 4 passages I held on to when God walked us through the season of leaving Macon & moving to Blairsville. I still hold on to it, especially these days as we continue to follow God into whatever He may have for us.
It ain't been easy. It ain't easy now.
Ephesians 3:20 Now glory be to God!
By His mighty power at work within you,
He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
"infinitely more"
That's hard to see happening these days. I think God's at work in us & through us in ways we may never see until we get to heaven.
Deuteronomy 4:9 But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you.
How quickly are we all so ready to forget how God has come through for us, or propped us up when we're weak or have fallen down, or has simply sustained us with His love and power.
It's kinda like when Jesus fed the 5000 men (which prolly worked out to over 10,000 men women & children).
Jesus pulled off this miracle, but 2 chapters later, when they were in the same fix, the disciples didn't know what to do.I would hope if I saw God fee 10,000 people out of nothing, the next time we were in that fix, I'd have enough faith to say,"Uhm, Jesus, can't you feed these folks like you did the other day?!"
We forget God has done things for us over & over again. He's gonna come through. The question is always how & when, not if.
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.
This is life verse for my son, Heith Daniels. He even has it tattooed over his heart. Even though he's not perfect(who is?!) he's learning more & more to guard what he allows to come into the core of himself, his innermost person.
We are assaulted with all kinds of crap on a daily basis. Maybe we should be more like Heith & try to keep a lot of it from coming into our minds. It's so hard to keep the trash & blatant sin out of our lives that's shouting at us all around. But we at least have to try to keep it out.
Proverbs 4:25 Look straight ahead,& fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
then stick to the path & stay safe.
27 Don't get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.
This is one of the 4 passages I held on to when God walked us through the season of leaving Macon & moving to Blairsville. I still hold on to it, especially these days as we continue to follow God into whatever He may have for us.
It ain't been easy. It ain't easy now.
Ephesians 3:20 Now glory be to God!
By His mighty power at work within you,
He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
"infinitely more"
That's hard to see happening these days. I think God's at work in us & through us in ways we may never see until we get to heaven.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
2 things
Here's a couple of passages that stood out this morning.
The first one is a verse I've been carrying around in my spirit since early 2010, that speaks to this season I'm in right now.
Proverbs 3:5 (The Message) Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He’s the one who will keep you on track.
**************
Somehow, it's hard to feel like "God's masterpiece".
Ephesians 2:9 (NLT) Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done,
so none of us can boast about it.
10 For we are God’s masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago
The first one is a verse I've been carrying around in my spirit since early 2010, that speaks to this season I'm in right now.
Proverbs 3:5 (The Message) Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He’s the one who will keep you on track.
**************
Somehow, it's hard to feel like "God's masterpiece".
Ephesians 2:9 (NLT) Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done,
so none of us can boast about it.
10 For we are God’s masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago
Friday, January 18, 2013
just read this
Ephesians 3
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms
because we are united with Christ.
4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.
This is what he wanted to do,
and it gave him great pleasure.
6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure.
10 And this is the plan:
At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ - everything in heaven and on earth.
11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God,
for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms
because we are united with Christ.
4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.
This is what he wanted to do,
and it gave him great pleasure.
6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure.
10 And this is the plan:
At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ - everything in heaven and on earth.
11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God,
for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
don't give up
I feel like God's given me this verse for a couple of people in my
life. I don't see anything happening in either of their lives that would
indicate anything I feel led to be with them is making any impact at
all. But the power statement in this verse for me is "don't get
discouraged & give up..."
This is for someone today who's ready to give up, throw in the towel, & quit.
Don't give up - just keep on.
And don't forget the promise at the end of the verse. I try not to. I may not see it till I get to heaven, but God's promises never fail.
Galatians 6:9 Don't get tired of doing what is good.
Don't get discouraged & give up,
for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
This is for someone today who's ready to give up, throw in the towel, & quit.
Don't give up - just keep on.
And don't forget the promise at the end of the verse. I try not to. I may not see it till I get to heaven, but God's promises never fail.
Galatians 6:9 Don't get tired of doing what is good.
Don't get discouraged & give up,
for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
results & fruits
here's some stuff from the 5th chapter of the apostle Paul's letter to the new Christians in the city of Galatia.
He contracts the "results" of living on our own & giving into our sinful side with a life lived following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Read it slowly & think about it.
Galatians 5
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.
Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.
And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear:
sexual immorality,
impurity,
lustful pleasures,
20 idolatry,
sorcery,
hostility,
quarreling,
jealousy,
outbursts of anger,
selfish ambition,
dissension,
division,
21 envy,
drunkenness,
wild parties,
and other sins like these.
Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
23 gentleness,
and self-control.
There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
He contracts the "results" of living on our own & giving into our sinful side with a life lived following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Read it slowly & think about it.
Galatians 5
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.
Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.
And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear:
sexual immorality,
impurity,
lustful pleasures,
20 idolatry,
sorcery,
hostility,
quarreling,
jealousy,
outbursts of anger,
selfish ambition,
dissension,
division,
21 envy,
drunkenness,
wild parties,
and other sins like these.
Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
23 gentleness,
and self-control.
There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
this explains yesterday's blog
Galatians 4
1 Think of it this way.
If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had.
2 They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set.
3 And that's the way it was with us before Christ came.
We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.
4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.
5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law,
so that he could adopt us as his very own children.
6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father."
(dan note: "Abba" at the time was the very familiar name used for a father - much like "papa" is today.)
7 Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child.
And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Monday, January 14, 2013
chew on this for a while
Galatians 3
23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law.
We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.
24 Let me put it another way.
The law was our guardian until Christ came;
it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.
25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,
slave or free,
male and female.
For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham.
You are his heirs,
and God's promise to Abraham belongs to you.
23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law.
We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.
24 Let me put it another way.
The law was our guardian until Christ came;
it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.
25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,
slave or free,
male and female.
For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham.
You are his heirs,
and God's promise to Abraham belongs to you.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
early morning thoughts
Psalm 146:6b He is the One who keeps every promise forever.
Has God ever given you a verse to hang on to?
Whatever He says, whatever He promised, it's valid & true between you & Him - forever.
And forever is a long, long time.
8b The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads.
I don't know how He does this, but in talking to Him about stuff, asking Him to help, or guide, or sustain, He just does.
He may not take the burden away - He just gives us enough strength to bear it for a while longer.
It's not done with some big show of force, or angels singing, or lightning flashes.
I find that "lifting burdens" is done very quietly, simply - it's an easy easing of the stress or tension. (easy easing? did I write that? ;-)
Lots of the time, we try to tote our loads on our own. We don't really depend on the Lord to give us strength.
Just some thoughts this morning. Hope they made sense. ;-)
Has God ever given you a verse to hang on to?
Whatever He says, whatever He promised, it's valid & true between you & Him - forever.
And forever is a long, long time.
8b The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads.
I don't know how He does this, but in talking to Him about stuff, asking Him to help, or guide, or sustain, He just does.
He may not take the burden away - He just gives us enough strength to bear it for a while longer.
It's not done with some big show of force, or angels singing, or lightning flashes.
I find that "lifting burdens" is done very quietly, simply - it's an easy easing of the stress or tension. (easy easing? did I write that? ;-)
Lots of the time, we try to tote our loads on our own. We don't really depend on the Lord to give us strength.
Just some thoughts this morning. Hope they made sense. ;-)
Friday, January 11, 2013
stuff
Just some stuff I read this morning that came up off the page for me. Maybe it's for you, too...
Psalm 145
13b The Lord is faithful in all He says;
He is gracious in all He does.
14 the Lord helps the fallen & lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
18 The Lord is close to all who call on Him; yes, to all who call on Him sincerely.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;
He hears their cries for help & rescues them.
2 Corinthians 13:4 Although He died on the cross in weakness, He now lives by the power of God.
We, too, are weak, but we live in Him & have God's power.
Psalm 145
13b The Lord is faithful in all He says;
He is gracious in all He does.
14 the Lord helps the fallen & lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
18 The Lord is close to all who call on Him; yes, to all who call on Him sincerely.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;
He hears their cries for help & rescues them.
2 Corinthians 13:4 Although He died on the cross in weakness, He now lives by the power of God.
We, too, are weak, but we live in Him & have God's power.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
weak vs strong
This is the apostle, Paul, speaking in 2 Corinthians 12...
7b So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness."
So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Not exactly the way we're taught to think.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
tribs
How many of us would be Christ followers if we had to endure just one
of these things that the apostle Paul endured, let alone all of them?
Our faith & commitment is so prissy & precious.
2 Corinthians 11
23b I have been put in prison more often,
been whipped times without number,
and faced death again and again.
24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods.
Once I was stoned.
Three times I was shipwrecked.
Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
26 I have traveled on many long journeys.
I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers.
I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles.
I have faced danger in the cities,
in the deserts,
and on the seas.
And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.
27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights.
I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food.
I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me.
33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
Our faith & commitment is so prissy & precious.
2 Corinthians 11
23b I have been put in prison more often,
been whipped times without number,
and faced death again and again.
24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods.
Once I was stoned.
Three times I was shipwrecked.
Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
26 I have traveled on many long journeys.
I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers.
I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles.
I have faced danger in the cities,
in the deserts,
and on the seas.
And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.
27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights.
I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food.
I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me.
33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
different perspectives
This is the verse I feel like God has given me for 2013. It's interesting how it's translated.
As you read this, let the truth this is for you too sink in.
Psalm 32:8
(NIV) The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you & watch over you.
(NIV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
(ESV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
(CEB) I will instruct you and teach you about the direction you should go. I’ll advise you and keep my eye on you.
(KJV) I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
(The Message) Let me give you some good advice; I’m looking you in the eye and giving it to you straight
(NASB) I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
(RSV) I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
As you read this, let the truth this is for you too sink in.
Psalm 32:8
(NIV) The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you & watch over you.
(NIV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
(ESV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
(CEB) I will instruct you and teach you about the direction you should go. I’ll advise you and keep my eye on you.
(KJV) I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
(The Message) Let me give you some good advice; I’m looking you in the eye and giving it to you straight
(NASB) I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
(RSV) I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
a wow psalm
This is a towering statement of faith & trust in God - read it slowly. There's an awful lot in this psalm...
Psalm 139:1 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.
3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.
5 You both precede and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave,* you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night - 12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can't even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139:1 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.
3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.
5 You both precede and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave,* you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night - 12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can't even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Friday, January 4, 2013
hope
Psalm 138:8 The Lord will work out His plans for my
life - for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon
me, for You made me.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you & watch over you.
The verse from Psalm 138 came from one of the places where I was reading this morning. The Jeremiah verse popped into my head as I read the Psalm 138 one. The Psalm 32 verse came to mind right after that - it's the verse for 2013.
I need these verses this morning. I'm a little short on hope right now.
I feel like there's someone else out there who does too. Let me know if that's you, will ya?
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you & watch over you.
The verse from Psalm 138 came from one of the places where I was reading this morning. The Jeremiah verse popped into my head as I read the Psalm 138 one. The Psalm 32 verse came to mind right after that - it's the verse for 2013.
I need these verses this morning. I'm a little short on hope right now.
I feel like there's someone else out there who does too. Let me know if that's you, will ya?
Thursday, January 3, 2013
newness
Sorry, I couldn't cut any of it...
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 12 Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. 13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 12 Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. 13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
not giving up
Sometimes it feels like the world is tumbling in on us. The apostle,
Paul, had it pretty rough,as he went around the Ro0man world telling
people about Jesus. Here's what he said about his situation. Maybe it
applies to you - it sure applies to me.
2 Corinthians 4:7 We now have this light shining in our hearts,
but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.
This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.
We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.
We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
16 That is why we never give up.
Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.
17 For our present troubles are small and won't last very long.
Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see now;
rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.
For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:7 We now have this light shining in our hearts,
but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.
This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.
We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.
We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
16 That is why we never give up.
Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.
17 For our present troubles are small and won't last very long.
Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see now;
rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.
For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
2013
Verse & song for 2013...
Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you & watch over you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Voi3JM8ZA
*******
And here's what came up from the page this morning...
2 Corinthians 3:5 It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves.
Our only power & success come from God.
********
What will happen this year?
Where will we be this time next year?
The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you & watch over you.
What else can we do but trust?
Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you & watch over you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Voi3JM8ZA
*******
And here's what came up from the page this morning...
2 Corinthians 3:5 It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves.
Our only power & success come from God.
********
What will happen this year?
Where will we be this time next year?
The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you & watch over you.
What else can we do but trust?
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