Psalm 12:6 The LORD's promises are pure,
like silver refined in a furnace,
purified seven times over.
Has God ever promised you something? And have you had a had time believe He'll come through with it?
It's hard for me to believe because I still, after all these years, think I have to make them happen, rather than let them happen.
Where do we draw the line in realizing that many times we are the feet & legs of God's work here on earth & as opposed to simply standing back & letting Him do His thing, either through us, or in spite of us?
Here the psalmist says these promises of His are pure - silver that's refined at the temps it is is about as pure as it can get this side of heaven.
Iow, His promises to us are the real thing, true, trustworthy - which means, they're gonna happen.
Where does our impact on those promises end & His omnipotence begin?
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
protection
Psalm 11:1 I trust in the LORD for protection.
So why do you say to me,
"Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!
Just read Revelation 11, which contains a chunk of the prophesies about the AntiChrist.
Don't know why I feel like I need to recommend you read it. Read it in a contemporary translation, or two. Look for the overarching things that come out no matter what translation you use.
I'm not a prophet. I've never made that recommendation before in my life.
So why do you say to me,
"Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!
Just read Revelation 11, which contains a chunk of the prophesies about the AntiChrist.
Don't know why I feel like I need to recommend you read it. Read it in a contemporary translation, or two. Look for the overarching things that come out no matter what translation you use.
I'm not a prophet. I've never made that recommendation before in my life.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
hopeless
Psalm 10:17a Lord, You know the hopes of the hopeless...
Anyone ever been hopeless?
It's phenomenal that the God of the universes knows our hopes when we have no hope - He knows THAT much about what's going on inside our heads...
Anyone ever been hopeless?
It's phenomenal that the God of the universes knows our hopes when we have no hope - He knows THAT much about what's going on inside our heads...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
never...
Psalm 9:10 Those who know You name trust in You, for You, O Lord, have NEVER abandoned anyone who searches for You.
Monday, February 22, 2010
the majesty & gory of your name
Psalm 8:1 O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers —
the moon and the stars you set in place —
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority —
7 the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
9 O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
In the early '80's, Tom Fettke wrote a choir anthem based on this psalm, called "The Majesty & Glory of Your Name". Tom is hardly a household word anymore, so there's no reason for you to know him or of him. It is a remarkable work, & for my money, probably one of the top 5 anthems of the 20th century. (btw, for those of you who don't know, I was a Methodist music minister for 27 years)
It had a HUGE impact on the traditional church, especially during the '80's. The choirs I led sang it at least once a year.
A by-product of this anthem is that I memorized this psalm. It has such sweep, just majesty, as such incredible truth.
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers —
the moon and the stars you set in place —
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority —
7 the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
9 O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
In the early '80's, Tom Fettke wrote a choir anthem based on this psalm, called "The Majesty & Glory of Your Name". Tom is hardly a household word anymore, so there's no reason for you to know him or of him. It is a remarkable work, & for my money, probably one of the top 5 anthems of the 20th century. (btw, for those of you who don't know, I was a Methodist music minister for 27 years)
It had a HUGE impact on the traditional church, especially during the '80's. The choirs I led sang it at least once a year.
A by-product of this anthem is that I memorized this psalm. It has such sweep, just majesty, as such incredible truth.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
no matter what
Psalm 7:9b For You look deep within the mind & heart, O righteous God.
And You still love me.
And You still love me.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
trouble
James 1:2 Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character & ready for anything.
Friday, February 19, 2010
2010 verses
1 Thess 5:18 No matter what happens, always be thankful; for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (Got this Wed., Dec 23, 2009)
Pro 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. (Got this Mon., Jan. 18)
Pro 4:25 Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil. (Got this Tues., Jan. 19)
guidance
Psalm 5:8 Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do,
and show me which way to turn.
or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do,
and show me which way to turn.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
safe
Psalm 4:8 I will lie down in peace & sleep
for You alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
Sometimes I wonder if people think I'm showing off by getting up as early as I do each morning.
That is really funny to me, given how much I love to sleep.
It's also funny to me in view of the fact that I've never set an alarm to wake me up.
Yes, I guess that means God must be the One who's waking me up. No, that doesn't make me special. God knows I wouldn't get up on my own if He didn't wake me. So much for being more holy than others.
I will say that after 7 years of getting up like this each morning, I would not NOT get up.
It's very simple. If I don't get up, I'm disconnected with God all day. I sin a lot. If I get up & read, I sin less. If I don't, well, nevermind.
It's SO quiet at this hour of the day. I'm sitting here in the "study" of the house. I can hear the battery-run clock above me ticking.
But the thing that still amazes me is that God meets me hear every morning.
And that meeting is all that's holding me together.
So, I hate to burst y'all's bubble. I don't get up because I'm holy. ;-)
...or disciplined. ;-D
It's just that God talks to me, in some way, in some manner, every morning.
If you would do one thing for me, I'll never ask you to do another thing...
Get up early, read the Bible, & listen out for what God will say to you.
You'll never be the same.
I seldom recommend vids on Youtube. My sweet friend & brother, Rob Saxon, sent me this yesterday. It was like a lifeline to a drowning man. Rob didn't know that the verse this song is built upon was THE verse God gave me yesterday - Psalm 3:3.
Go to this & give it a listen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y284YvkYrZo
for You alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
Sometimes I wonder if people think I'm showing off by getting up as early as I do each morning.
That is really funny to me, given how much I love to sleep.
It's also funny to me in view of the fact that I've never set an alarm to wake me up.
Yes, I guess that means God must be the One who's waking me up. No, that doesn't make me special. God knows I wouldn't get up on my own if He didn't wake me. So much for being more holy than others.
I will say that after 7 years of getting up like this each morning, I would not NOT get up.
It's very simple. If I don't get up, I'm disconnected with God all day. I sin a lot. If I get up & read, I sin less. If I don't, well, nevermind.
It's SO quiet at this hour of the day. I'm sitting here in the "study" of the house. I can hear the battery-run clock above me ticking.
But the thing that still amazes me is that God meets me hear every morning.
And that meeting is all that's holding me together.
So, I hate to burst y'all's bubble. I don't get up because I'm holy. ;-)
...or disciplined. ;-D
It's just that God talks to me, in some way, in some manner, every morning.
If you would do one thing for me, I'll never ask you to do another thing...
Get up early, read the Bible, & listen out for what God will say to you.
You'll never be the same.
I seldom recommend vids on Youtube. My sweet friend & brother, Rob Saxon, sent me this yesterday. It was like a lifeline to a drowning man. Rob didn't know that the verse this song is built upon was THE verse God gave me yesterday - Psalm 3:3.
Go to this & give it a listen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y284YvkYrZo
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
when things are dark
Psalm 3:3 But You, O Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, & the One who life my head high.
My Life Application Bible says this about that verse...
"David was not sitting on his throne in a place of power, but he was running for his life from his rebellious son, Absalom, & a host of traitors.
"When circumstances go against us, it is tempting to think God is also against us. But David reminds us that the opposite is true.
"When everything seems to go against us, God is still with us. If circumstance has turned against you, don't blame God - seek Him."
And what does that mean - seek Him?
If I "seek" Lynn, my wife, that usually means I'm looking for her, usually so I can be with her or at least connect with her. That's true whether I'm "seeking" her at our home, or if I'm heading over to the college (Macon State), or if I think she's up at the coffee shop (Joshua Cup).
Is it being too simple & naive to interpret in the same way what David was saying? That to seek God is to turn ourselves toward Him, to be with Him, &/or to connect with Him?
my glory, & the One who life my head high.
My Life Application Bible says this about that verse...
"David was not sitting on his throne in a place of power, but he was running for his life from his rebellious son, Absalom, & a host of traitors.
"When circumstances go against us, it is tempting to think God is also against us. But David reminds us that the opposite is true.
"When everything seems to go against us, God is still with us. If circumstance has turned against you, don't blame God - seek Him."
And what does that mean - seek Him?
If I "seek" Lynn, my wife, that usually means I'm looking for her, usually so I can be with her or at least connect with her. That's true whether I'm "seeking" her at our home, or if I'm heading over to the college (Macon State), or if I think she's up at the coffee shop (Joshua Cup).
Is it being too simple & naive to interpret in the same way what David was saying? That to seek God is to turn ourselves toward Him, to be with Him, &/or to connect with Him?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
following
Psalm 1
(NLT)
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
********
(NIV)
1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
********
(The Message)
1How well God must like you...
you don't hang out at Sin Saloon,
you don't slink along Dead-End Road,
you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.
2-3 Instead you thrill to God's Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.
You're a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.
********
(KJV)
1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
********
It seems I spend so much time telling people the simplest of truths: just follow God.
All the stuff you think is SO important isn't important at all.
All the things the world tells you is important isn't.
All those things you think define you don't - God is the One who defined you a long time ago when He dreamed you up & dreamed up the life you would have.
JUST follow Him.
Just FOLLOW Him.
Just follow HIM.
(NLT)
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
********
(NIV)
1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
********
(The Message)
1How well God must like you...
you don't hang out at Sin Saloon,
you don't slink along Dead-End Road,
you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.
2-3 Instead you thrill to God's Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.
You're a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.
********
(KJV)
1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
********
It seems I spend so much time telling people the simplest of truths: just follow God.
All the stuff you think is SO important isn't important at all.
All the things the world tells you is important isn't.
All those things you think define you don't - God is the One who defined you a long time ago when He dreamed you up & dreamed up the life you would have.
JUST follow Him.
Just FOLLOW Him.
Just follow HIM.
Monday, February 15, 2010
figuring it out
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.
Why shouldn't I try to figure out what's ahead?
If I had know what was ahead at the beginning of 2008 (establishing a Christ Chapel presence in a warehouse in downtown Macon & moving House of Grace downtown), I believe I would have either made it happen on my own, or messed it up.
Walking into whatever it is God has for this expression of His will downtown is a LOT better than creating something that I think is what He wants.
Plus, if I'd known what was ahead, it would have scared me too much.
Especially in the last 10 years, God has dealt with me on a "need to know" basis - when I need to know something, He tells me. He doesn't give me a long time to think about it & "get ready" for it. I'll try to get things under control then.
There must be a really good reason why I need to just trust Him, listen out for Him, & rest in the fact that He's the One who will keep me.
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.
Why shouldn't I try to figure out what's ahead?
If I had know what was ahead at the beginning of 2008 (establishing a Christ Chapel presence in a warehouse in downtown Macon & moving House of Grace downtown), I believe I would have either made it happen on my own, or messed it up.
Walking into whatever it is God has for this expression of His will downtown is a LOT better than creating something that I think is what He wants.
Plus, if I'd known what was ahead, it would have scared me too much.
Especially in the last 10 years, God has dealt with me on a "need to know" basis - when I need to know something, He tells me. He doesn't give me a long time to think about it & "get ready" for it. I'll try to get things under control then.
There must be a really good reason why I need to just trust Him, listen out for Him, & rest in the fact that He's the One who will keep me.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
just enough
Proverbs 30:8b ...give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs, 9 For if I grow rich, I may deny You & say "Who is the Lord?" & if I am too poor, I may steal & thus insult God's holy name. (NLT)
An interesting thought from the writer of Proverbs, especially in the kind of cultural paradigm in which we live in here in America.
What is "just enough"?
The NIV says, "give me only my daily bread"
NASB says, "Feed me with the food that is my portion" - hmmmmmmmmmm...
The Message reads, "enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little."
KJV says, "feed me with food convenient for me"
How much do we need? How much is enough?
An interesting thought from the writer of Proverbs, especially in the kind of cultural paradigm in which we live in here in America.
What is "just enough"?
The NIV says, "give me only my daily bread"
NASB says, "Feed me with the food that is my portion" - hmmmmmmmmmm...
The Message reads, "enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little."
KJV says, "feed me with food convenient for me"
How much do we need? How much is enough?
Saturday, February 13, 2010
figuring
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.
Why do we try to figure everything out?
Because we don't trust God, & we want to brace ourselves for what's ahead.
If I had known at the end of 2007 what a series of changes would have happened during 2008 & 2009, I would have probably sabotaged it, or messed with it, or been so arrogant & proud no one would have been able to stand me, or all three - & more.
As a result, His plan to plan to let me know He wanted to establish a "presence" in downtown Macon thru Christ Chapel just unfolded as He revealed more & more to me.
God tends to work with us on a need-to-know basis - for obvious reasons.
At the end of 2007, He gave me 4 verses for 2008 - highly unusual - He usually gives me only 1 verse. I said then 2008 was gonna be a doozie. It was. ;-) So was 2009.
Once again, He's given me 4 verses. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) - Proverbs 3:5 (The Message) - Proverbs 4:25-27 (NLT) - Hebrews 10:35, 36
It's gonna be a doozie of a year. And He specifically told me, "don't try to figure out everything on your own"
Iow, don't try to run ahead of Me.
And the bullet thoughts from that verse that He gave me are:
Trust
Listen
I will keep you
Let's see how I do with all that.
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.
Why do we try to figure everything out?
Because we don't trust God, & we want to brace ourselves for what's ahead.
If I had known at the end of 2007 what a series of changes would have happened during 2008 & 2009, I would have probably sabotaged it, or messed with it, or been so arrogant & proud no one would have been able to stand me, or all three - & more.
As a result, His plan to plan to let me know He wanted to establish a "presence" in downtown Macon thru Christ Chapel just unfolded as He revealed more & more to me.
God tends to work with us on a need-to-know basis - for obvious reasons.
At the end of 2007, He gave me 4 verses for 2008 - highly unusual - He usually gives me only 1 verse. I said then 2008 was gonna be a doozie. It was. ;-) So was 2009.
Once again, He's given me 4 verses. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) - Proverbs 3:5 (The Message) - Proverbs 4:25-27 (NLT) - Hebrews 10:35, 36
It's gonna be a doozie of a year. And He specifically told me, "don't try to figure out everything on your own"
Iow, don't try to run ahead of Me.
And the bullet thoughts from that verse that He gave me are:
Trust
Listen
I will keep you
Let's see how I do with all that.
Friday, February 12, 2010
true servanthood
Jeff Goins is a blogger with Adventures in Missions (adventures.org), a mission group located in Gainesville, GA, & a mission organization I recommend people to explore for missions opportunities. Presently, some of our peeps in HOG are either going with them or are considering going with them.
Jeff wrote this article today. I thought it was something I should share with you.
When Your Dream Comes True...Without You
Today is a realization of a small dream of mine: AIM is sending a blogging team into the mission field to tell stories. For a couple years now, I've dreamed of inviting a group of non-AIM bloggers to go out into the field to capture some of our best stories and use them to call the Church to action.
Jeff wrote this article today. I thought it was something I should share with you.
When Your Dream Comes True...Without You
Today is a realization of a small dream of mine: AIM is sending a blogging team into the mission field to tell stories. For a couple years now, I've dreamed of inviting a group of non-AIM bloggers to go out into the field to capture some of our best stories and use them to call the Church to action.
And today it's coming true... without me.
This morning, a group of eight bloggers, along with two AIM staff boarded a plane on their way to Haiti to report on what God through AIM's partnership with the Haitian church. They will be posting updates on Twitter, Facebook, and their respective blogs about how Haiti is recovering from the earthquake that struck almost exactly one month ago.
They will tell stories of pain and desperation, but also of strength and resilience, how poverty and death do not have the final say in God's economy. How life triumphs over even the darkest circumstances. How love, ultimately, wins.
It's kind of exciting to see a dream come true.
But here's the interesting thing about dreams: they're not about you. A real God-given dream isn't about your ego or your getting to participate in it. It's about the cause, the the fruit that results from all your work -- what you spent hours of blood, sweat, and tears to produce.
And I can honestly say that I don't mind not going; it's a privilege to merely be a part of this group, to have helped mobilize and prepare the team to serve in Haiti. I can't wait to hear to the stories that they'll find and share them with the world.
If you have a dream that God has given you, consider the possibility that he may not be calling you to play the lead role in it. And learn to actually be okay with it. I assure you -- a "behind-the-scenes" vantage point is still an awesome seat to watch the show.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
hmmmmm
3 John 11b Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, & those who do evil prove that they do not know God.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
patient endurance
Hebrews 10:36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive what He has promised.
Patient endurance...
Anyone who thinks this is easy has never done it.
It's kinda like when people say, "all I want is to be a servant of the Lord."
They've obviously never been one.
Yes, I know it says if we patiently endure, we'll continue to do God's will.
And I've picked up on the fact that there's the promise there that we'll receive all that He's promised.
What the write of Hebrews failed to mention is that along the way as we patiently endure we have to deal with crazy people!
He neglected to remind us that there would be times when no matter what we do, someone will think it's the wrong thing to be or do.
It's not real glamorous to patiently endure. Sometimes it's just tough, or boring, or irritating, or simply no much fun.
But what choice do we have? It's either patiently endure, or act like a big ol' donkey - and goodness knows I do that enough as it is!
I guess what keeps me going is wanting to stay in His will - I've been out of His will enough in my life!
And the other thing is the promise that we'll receive all that He promised.
He's promised me some pretty incredible things.
So, for all of us who know what it means...
Patiently endurance is what we need now, so we will continue to do our Father's amazing will for us our lives. As a result, all those things He's promised us? Yeah...
Word...
Patient endurance...
Anyone who thinks this is easy has never done it.
It's kinda like when people say, "all I want is to be a servant of the Lord."
They've obviously never been one.
Yes, I know it says if we patiently endure, we'll continue to do God's will.
And I've picked up on the fact that there's the promise there that we'll receive all that He's promised.
What the write of Hebrews failed to mention is that along the way as we patiently endure we have to deal with crazy people!
He neglected to remind us that there would be times when no matter what we do, someone will think it's the wrong thing to be or do.
It's not real glamorous to patiently endure. Sometimes it's just tough, or boring, or irritating, or simply no much fun.
But what choice do we have? It's either patiently endure, or act like a big ol' donkey - and goodness knows I do that enough as it is!
I guess what keeps me going is wanting to stay in His will - I've been out of His will enough in my life!
And the other thing is the promise that we'll receive all that He promised.
He's promised me some pretty incredible things.
So, for all of us who know what it means...
Patiently endurance is what we need now, so we will continue to do our Father's amazing will for us our lives. As a result, all those things He's promised us? Yeah...
Word...
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
loving & life
1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God.
And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.
2 We know we love God's children if we love God and obey his commandments.
3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.
4 For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory.
5 And the ones wins this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
11b ...God has given us eternal life, & this life is in His Son.
12a So whoever has God's Son has life...
And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.
2 We know we love God's children if we love God and obey his commandments.
3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.
4 For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory.
5 And the ones wins this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
11b ...God has given us eternal life, & this life is in His Son.
12a So whoever has God's Son has life...
Monday, February 8, 2010
love God, love people - there you have it
1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.
20 If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.
9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.
20 If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
bottom line
1 John 3:11 This is the message we heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
continue in the direction you are going
1 John 2:27c ...continue in what He (the Holy Spirit) has taught you, & continue to live in Christ...
Friday, February 5, 2010
all I got for 2010
1 Thessalonians 5:18 No matter what happens, always be thankful,
for this is God's will or you who follow Christ Jesus.
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.
Proverbs 4: 25 Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.
Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
for this is God's will or you who follow Christ Jesus.
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.
Proverbs 4: 25 Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.
Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
life
Proverbs 20:24 How can we understand the road we travel? It is the Lord who directs our steps.
I've quit trying to explain my life.
I've quit trying to explain my life.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
planting & harvesting
Proverbs 19:21 You can make plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.
We here in America are so success oriented that we often think that if we start something we think we'll get to see the fruit of those labors.
That's not necessarily the way it works. As Paul said, some plant, others cultivate, & others harvest.
A pastor I know had that happen to him. He pioneered a church, & worked hard for many, many years. He felt God promised him that it would grow into a big bustling church. But it was only after he retired & the next pastor came along that it finally grew into the church God revealed to him it would become.
The first pastor planted & cultivated, but it was the second who harvested.
You may say that that wasn't fair to the 1st pastor. If he worked all those years, then he should have been the one pastoring who saw the results.
But then, who are we to say?
God only asks us to be obedient. The results, & the timing of the results, are up to Him, and the plans He's laid out.
I've lived long enough that I've quit trying to explain my life. I know I'm supposed to be what God dreamed me to be, & do whatever is an extension of that being. What happens after that is up to Him.
I also believe that if He promises something, it will come true - we may just not see it happen when we think it is supposed to happen. God's promises are always kept; they just may not occur when we think that ought, or should.
God speaks to me in songs - pretty cool since I'm a musician. One has been rolling around in my head lately. An acappella group called Glad, who recorded during the '80's especially, recorded a song called, "Be Ye Glad". Below is a link on YouTube.com to hear them sing it. Below that are the words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCle-iTWyVU
(if that does work, got to YouTube & type in Be Ye Glad. Listen to the one of the 5 guys Glad dressed in black)
Lyrics to Be Ye Glad :
In these days of confused situations
In these nights of restless remorse,
When the heart and the soul of a nation
Lay wounded and cold as a corpse
From the grave of the innocent Adam
Comes a song bringing joy to the sad.
Oh your cry has been heard and the ransom
Has been paid up in full, be ye glad
Chorus:
Oh, be ye glad, oh, be ye glad.
Every debt that you've ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord.
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad
So be like lights on the rim of the water
Giving hope in a storm sea of night
Be a refuge admist the slaughter
Of these fugitives in their flight
For you are timeless and part of a puzzle.
You are winsome and young as a lad.
And there is no disease or no struggle
That can pull you from God, be ye glad
Words and Music by M.K.Blanchard
© Gotz Music/Benson
We here in America are so success oriented that we often think that if we start something we think we'll get to see the fruit of those labors.
That's not necessarily the way it works. As Paul said, some plant, others cultivate, & others harvest.
A pastor I know had that happen to him. He pioneered a church, & worked hard for many, many years. He felt God promised him that it would grow into a big bustling church. But it was only after he retired & the next pastor came along that it finally grew into the church God revealed to him it would become.
The first pastor planted & cultivated, but it was the second who harvested.
You may say that that wasn't fair to the 1st pastor. If he worked all those years, then he should have been the one pastoring who saw the results.
But then, who are we to say?
God only asks us to be obedient. The results, & the timing of the results, are up to Him, and the plans He's laid out.
I've lived long enough that I've quit trying to explain my life. I know I'm supposed to be what God dreamed me to be, & do whatever is an extension of that being. What happens after that is up to Him.
I also believe that if He promises something, it will come true - we may just not see it happen when we think it is supposed to happen. God's promises are always kept; they just may not occur when we think that ought, or should.
God speaks to me in songs - pretty cool since I'm a musician. One has been rolling around in my head lately. An acappella group called Glad, who recorded during the '80's especially, recorded a song called, "Be Ye Glad". Below is a link on YouTube.com to hear them sing it. Below that are the words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCle-iTWyVU
(if that does work, got to YouTube & type in Be Ye Glad. Listen to the one of the 5 guys Glad dressed in black)
Lyrics to Be Ye Glad :
In these days of confused situations
In these nights of restless remorse,
When the heart and the soul of a nation
Lay wounded and cold as a corpse
From the grave of the innocent Adam
Comes a song bringing joy to the sad.
Oh your cry has been heard and the ransom
Has been paid up in full, be ye glad
Chorus:
Oh, be ye glad, oh, be ye glad.
Every debt that you've ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord.
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad
So be like lights on the rim of the water
Giving hope in a storm sea of night
Be a refuge admist the slaughter
Of these fugitives in their flight
For you are timeless and part of a puzzle.
You are winsome and young as a lad.
And there is no disease or no struggle
That can pull you from God, be ye glad
Words and Music by M.K.Blanchard
© Gotz Music/Benson
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
our connection
2 Peter 1:3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge,6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I'm sure some of you wonder why I print scripture with no commentary. Sometimes just the verses are all I'm supposed to share - they are more than enough.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge,6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I'm sure some of you wonder why I print scripture with no commentary. Sometimes just the verses are all I'm supposed to share - they are more than enough.
Monday, February 1, 2010
trust
1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries & cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.
Every once in a while, I'm impressed by our stupidity.
How many times in the Bible does God specifically say to us that we don't have to worry about stuff - that He's got us covered?
And how much to we REALLY believe Him?
If Bill Gates (or any other billionaire) said to us, "You don't have to worry about money for the rest of your life" & then proceeded to pay our bills each month, how long would it take & how many times would he have to come through with money for us before we believed him & started depending on his generosity & started depending on it being there.
How many times does God have to bail our butts out, how many times does He have to guide us through the minefield of life, or sustains us in tough or good times, until we start depending on Him?
We just don't trust Him. That's what it comes down to. We just don't think He'll come through. We think we have to make it happen. "God helps those who help themselves" is NOT in the Bible.
What would happen if we really & truly told God "whatever"?
Whatever...
Wherever...
Whenever...
Whoever...
However...
I challenge you to do it for 6 weeks, & then write me about what you life has been like.
Brace yourself if you do. God will mess with you.
Will it be boring? No.
Will it be something you can do on your own? No.
Will it be scary? Yes.
Will it be worth it? Yep.
Every once in a while, I'm impressed by our stupidity.
How many times in the Bible does God specifically say to us that we don't have to worry about stuff - that He's got us covered?
And how much to we REALLY believe Him?
If Bill Gates (or any other billionaire) said to us, "You don't have to worry about money for the rest of your life" & then proceeded to pay our bills each month, how long would it take & how many times would he have to come through with money for us before we believed him & started depending on his generosity & started depending on it being there.
How many times does God have to bail our butts out, how many times does He have to guide us through the minefield of life, or sustains us in tough or good times, until we start depending on Him?
We just don't trust Him. That's what it comes down to. We just don't think He'll come through. We think we have to make it happen. "God helps those who help themselves" is NOT in the Bible.
What would happen if we really & truly told God "whatever"?
Whatever...
Wherever...
Whenever...
Whoever...
However...
I challenge you to do it for 6 weeks, & then write me about what you life has been like.
Brace yourself if you do. God will mess with you.
Will it be boring? No.
Will it be something you can do on your own? No.
Will it be scary? Yes.
Will it be worth it? Yep.
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