just a word of encouragement, for anyone needing it today...
Don't be afraid
or discouraged,
for the Lord is the One who goes before you.
He will be with you.
He will neither fail you
or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
6 & 12 words
In this account written by Luke, Jesus speaks 6 words to 2 different people - a desperate father, & a equally desperate woman.
Luke 8
40 On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come home with him. 42 His only daughter,* who was about twelve years old, was dying.
As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. 43 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. 44 Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.
45 "Who touched me?" Jesus asked.
Everyone denied it, and Peter said, "Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you."
46 But Jesus said, "Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me." 47 When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. 48 "Daughter," he said to her, "your faith has made you well. Go in peace."
49 While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, "Your daughter is dead. There's no use troubling the Teacher now."
50 But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just trust me, and she will be all right."
51 When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn't let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl's father and mother. 52 The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, "Stop the weeping! She isn't dead; she's only asleep."
53 But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. 54 Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, "My child, get up!" 55 And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened.
Both the woman & Jairus were in an impossible place - with no hope at all.
Jesus spoke 6 words to the woman because her tragic life had been changed radically in an instant.
And Jesus spoke 12 words to Jairus right after Jairus' life had come crashing down - 12 words that seemed impossible at the time, but quickly were shown to be gloriously true.
Who among us who is reading this today is in an equally impossible place?
Do you need to hear in your life what Jesus said to the woman?
Or do you need to hear what Jesus said to Jairus?
Right now, why not just ask Jesus if He wants to speak either those 6 words to you, or the 12?
It was hard for the woman to believe she was really healed.
And remember Jairus had to walk a long way with Jesus before Jairus' miracle appeared.
Just think about it, & if you're in an utterly hopeless situation, just ask Jesus right now what He wants to say to you in your impossible place.
Luke 8
40 On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come home with him. 42 His only daughter,* who was about twelve years old, was dying.
As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. 43 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. 44 Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.
45 "Who touched me?" Jesus asked.
Everyone denied it, and Peter said, "Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you."
46 But Jesus said, "Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me." 47 When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. 48 "Daughter," he said to her, "your faith has made you well. Go in peace."
49 While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, "Your daughter is dead. There's no use troubling the Teacher now."
50 But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just trust me, and she will be all right."
51 When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn't let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl's father and mother. 52 The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, "Stop the weeping! She isn't dead; she's only asleep."
53 But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. 54 Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, "My child, get up!" 55 And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened.
Both the woman & Jairus were in an impossible place - with no hope at all.
Jesus spoke 6 words to the woman because her tragic life had been changed radically in an instant.
And Jesus spoke 12 words to Jairus right after Jairus' life had come crashing down - 12 words that seemed impossible at the time, but quickly were shown to be gloriously true.
Who among us who is reading this today is in an equally impossible place?
Do you need to hear in your life what Jesus said to the woman?
Or do you need to hear what Jesus said to Jairus?
Right now, why not just ask Jesus if He wants to speak either those 6 words to you, or the 12?
It was hard for the woman to believe she was really healed.
And remember Jairus had to walk a long way with Jesus before Jairus' miracle appeared.
Just think about it, & if you're in an utterly hopeless situation, just ask Jesus right now what He wants to say to you in your impossible place.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
jobs
It is God alone who judges;
He decides who will rise
& who will fall.
Psalm 75:7 (NLT, 1st ed.)
It is God the Father's job to judge.
It is God the Holy Spirit's job to convict.
It is God the Son's job to redeem.
And our job?
"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
(That's Jesus talking in John 13:35)
I think particularly in the last few years we've gotten confused about who's job is what.
He decides who will rise
& who will fall.
Psalm 75:7 (NLT, 1st ed.)
It is God the Father's job to judge.
It is God the Holy Spirit's job to convict.
It is God the Son's job to redeem.
And our job?
"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
(That's Jesus talking in John 13:35)
I think particularly in the last few years we've gotten confused about who's job is what.
Monday, May 28, 2018
SOTM 2.0
This is Luke's account of what is called by some as the Sermon on the Mount.
In the gospel of Matthew, Matthew devotes 3 chapter to it - chapters 5, 6, & 7.
In Luke's gospel, Luke devotes about have of chapter 6 to it.
Matthew's would be longer since Matthew was there when Jesus gave that significant talk.
Anyway, read this slowly because there's a LOT of stuff in this passage.
Actually, it's full of thoughts & ideas that were tremendously radical at the time.
What am I saying?! They are equally as astounding & radical today as they were then!
Can you imagine what our world would be like if those of us who claim to follow Jesus actually lived out what Jesus mandates in these 24 verses?!!!
Luke 6
20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,
"God blesses you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
21 God blesses you who are hungry now,
for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now,
for in due time you will laugh.
22 What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.
23 When that happens, be happy!
Yes, leap for joy!
For a great reward awaits you in heaven.
And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.
24 "What sorrow awaits you who are rich,
for you have your only happiness now.
25 What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now,
for a time of awful hunger awaits you.
What sorrow awaits you who laugh now,
for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.
26 What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds,
for their ancestors also praised false prophets.
27 "But to you who are willing to listen, I say,
love your enemies!
Do good to those who hate you.
28 Bless those who curse you.
Pray for those who hurt you.
29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also.
If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.
30 Give to anyone who asks;
and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back.
31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
32 "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that?
Even sinners love those who love them!
33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit?
Even sinners do that much!
34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit?
Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
35 "Love your enemies!
Do good to them.
Lend to them without expecting to be repaid.
Then your reward from heaven will be very great,
and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High,
for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.
36 You must be compassionate,
just as your Father is compassionate.
37 "Do not judge others,
and you will not be judged.
Do not condemn others,
or it will all come back against you.
Forgive others,
and you will be forgiven.
38 Give,
and you will receive.
Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.
The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."
39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration:
"Can one blind person lead another?
Won't they both fall into a ditch?
40 Students are not greater than their teacher.
But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.
41 "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?
42 How can you think of saying, 'Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye?
Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye;
then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.
43 "A good tree can't produce bad fruit,
and a bad tree can't produce good fruit.
44 A tree is identified by its fruit.
Figs are never gathered from thornbushes,
and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes.
45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart,
and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.
What you say flows from what is in your heart.
46 "So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?
47 I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.
48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock.
When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.
49 But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation.
When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins."
In the gospel of Matthew, Matthew devotes 3 chapter to it - chapters 5, 6, & 7.
In Luke's gospel, Luke devotes about have of chapter 6 to it.
Matthew's would be longer since Matthew was there when Jesus gave that significant talk.
Anyway, read this slowly because there's a LOT of stuff in this passage.
Actually, it's full of thoughts & ideas that were tremendously radical at the time.
What am I saying?! They are equally as astounding & radical today as they were then!
Can you imagine what our world would be like if those of us who claim to follow Jesus actually lived out what Jesus mandates in these 24 verses?!!!
Luke 6
20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,
"God blesses you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
21 God blesses you who are hungry now,
for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now,
for in due time you will laugh.
22 What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.
23 When that happens, be happy!
Yes, leap for joy!
For a great reward awaits you in heaven.
And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.
24 "What sorrow awaits you who are rich,
for you have your only happiness now.
25 What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now,
for a time of awful hunger awaits you.
What sorrow awaits you who laugh now,
for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.
26 What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds,
for their ancestors also praised false prophets.
27 "But to you who are willing to listen, I say,
love your enemies!
Do good to those who hate you.
28 Bless those who curse you.
Pray for those who hurt you.
29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also.
If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.
30 Give to anyone who asks;
and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back.
31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
32 "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that?
Even sinners love those who love them!
33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit?
Even sinners do that much!
34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit?
Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
35 "Love your enemies!
Do good to them.
Lend to them without expecting to be repaid.
Then your reward from heaven will be very great,
and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High,
for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.
36 You must be compassionate,
just as your Father is compassionate.
37 "Do not judge others,
and you will not be judged.
Do not condemn others,
or it will all come back against you.
Forgive others,
and you will be forgiven.
38 Give,
and you will receive.
Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.
The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."
39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration:
"Can one blind person lead another?
Won't they both fall into a ditch?
40 Students are not greater than their teacher.
But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.
41 "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?
42 How can you think of saying, 'Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye?
Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye;
then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.
43 "A good tree can't produce bad fruit,
and a bad tree can't produce good fruit.
44 A tree is identified by its fruit.
Figs are never gathered from thornbushes,
and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes.
45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart,
and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.
What you say flows from what is in your heart.
46 "So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?
47 I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.
48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock.
When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.
49 But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation.
When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins."
Sunday, May 27, 2018
appropriate for today
This psalm is a good reminder in our day & time, in view of all the stuff that's going on now...
Psalm 73
1 Truly God is good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They don't have troubles like other people;
they're not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 These fat cats have everything
their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff and speak only evil;
in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 They boast against the very heavens,
and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.
11 "What does God know?" they ask.
"Does the Most High even know what's happening?"
12 Look at these wicked people—
enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord,
you will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You will keep on guiding me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
27 Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
Psalm 73
1 Truly God is good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They don't have troubles like other people;
they're not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 These fat cats have everything
their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff and speak only evil;
in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 They boast against the very heavens,
and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.
11 "What does God know?" they ask.
"Does the Most High even know what's happening?"
12 Look at these wicked people—
enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord,
you will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You will keep on guiding me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
27 Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Keep on...
This is Jesus speaking in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount - a major speech by Jesus, recorded in Matthew, chapters 5, 6, & 7.
Someone reading this blog right now needs to read this & just "keep on..."
keep on... for right now, that's your only real choice.
keep moving in the direction you're going.
Matthew 7
7 "Keep on asking,
and you will receive what you ask for.
Keep on seeking,
and you will find.
Keep on knocking,
and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks,
receives.
Everyone who seeks,
finds.
And to everyone who knocks,
the door will be opened.
9 "You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread,
do you give them a stone instead?
10 Or if they ask for a fish,
do you give them a snake?
Of course not!
11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
Someone reading this blog right now needs to read this & just "keep on..."
keep on... for right now, that's your only real choice.
keep moving in the direction you're going.
Matthew 7
7 "Keep on asking,
and you will receive what you ask for.
Keep on seeking,
and you will find.
Keep on knocking,
and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks,
receives.
Everyone who seeks,
finds.
And to everyone who knocks,
the door will be opened.
9 "You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread,
do you give them a stone instead?
10 Or if they ask for a fish,
do you give them a snake?
Of course not!
11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
Friday, May 25, 2018
Pffftt!
This is Paul writing in his second letter to the followers of Jesus living in Corinth.
He's recounting the price he has paid in being a spreader of the Good News of Jesus.
How many of us would endure just one such treatment, let alone all of them?
2 Corinthians 11
23 Are they servants of Christ?
I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more!
I have worked harder,
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. (dan note: he was left for dead!)
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?
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.
31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying.
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.
I always think of this passage whenever I hear anyone talking (or whining) about how their "religious freedom" is being infringed upon.
Pffftt!
He's recounting the price he has paid in being a spreader of the Good News of Jesus.
How many of us would endure just one such treatment, let alone all of them?
2 Corinthians 11
23 Are they servants of Christ?
I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more!
I have worked harder,
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. (dan note: he was left for dead!)
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?
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.
31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying.
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.
I always think of this passage whenever I hear anyone talking (or whining) about how their "religious freedom" is being infringed upon.
Pffftt!
Thursday, May 24, 2018
CXXXIX
Ya know I gotta quote this psalm every so often...
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 go before me 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 go before me 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.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Exactly...
Remember this - a farmer who plants a few seeds will get a small crop.
But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
2 Corinthians 9:6
This is Paul writing here in his second letter to the followers of Jesus who lived in Corinth.
He's not talking about farming.
He's talking about sharing the Good News of Jesus & His making a way to have a connection with God.
iow, we're suppose to share the Good News with as many as we can - not just those "like us".
Now I know how hard it is sometimes - we just wonder sometimes if sharing the Good News with some people is a waste of time.
And a lot of the time it just may seem so.
But is that the main concern here?
When a farmer sows seeds, he knows that not all of them will germinate & grow.
But yet he sows anyway, because he knows that some will.
And those who germinate & grow will produce an abundant harvest.
And Paul says so it is with us & the Good News.
We just have to do it.
I know, I know - sometimes it just doesn't feel like it's worth it.
But then, where would you & I be if the people who impacted & influenced us to follow Jesus had given in to that feeling that it's not worth it?
Exactly...
But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
2 Corinthians 9:6
This is Paul writing here in his second letter to the followers of Jesus who lived in Corinth.
He's not talking about farming.
He's talking about sharing the Good News of Jesus & His making a way to have a connection with God.
iow, we're suppose to share the Good News with as many as we can - not just those "like us".
Now I know how hard it is sometimes - we just wonder sometimes if sharing the Good News with some people is a waste of time.
And a lot of the time it just may seem so.
But is that the main concern here?
When a farmer sows seeds, he knows that not all of them will germinate & grow.
But yet he sows anyway, because he knows that some will.
And those who germinate & grow will produce an abundant harvest.
And Paul says so it is with us & the Good News.
We just have to do it.
I know, I know - sometimes it just doesn't feel like it's worth it.
But then, where would you & I be if the people who impacted & influenced us to follow Jesus had given in to that feeling that it's not worth it?
Exactly...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)