Scripture
John 4:50b "The man took Jesus at his word and departed"
Observation
The man's son was sick, and he asked Jesus to come back to his house(which was about 20 miles away) and pray for him before he died. Jesus told the man, "You may go, Your son will live". So the man took Jesus at his word and started back to his home.
Application
Am I taking Jesus at his word? Do I truly, deep down take Jesus at his word, then believe that word with all my hearts content and then take action on it. This guy took Jesus at his word, believed that what Jesus had just told him and started home to see his son. He really believed it. What would I do, or what do I do now? Would I wait around to see if Jesus really meant what he had said, would I sit around with worry not really knowing what my next step should be? Currently, do I justify NOT taking Jesus at his word because that was then and now is now-things are different?, do I start to take action but when faced with an obstacle conclude that IT must not have been for me?. I need to be like the Capernaum Royal Official and just take Jesus at his word. Like the old bumper sticker used to read...."If God Said It, I Believe It".
Prayer
Father, Thank you for the reminder that what Jesus said is truth, that I need to take Jesus at His word and take action on that word. Amen.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Do Whatever.
Scripture
John 2:5-8
5 His(Jesus) mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so.
Observation
The servants did what Jesus asked them to do. It does not record that they 'pondered among themselves why they should do this' or asked Jesus 'Why?'-to what he was asking them to do.
Application
Am I like the servants? Do I follow the requests and commands of Jesus? OR am I like the Pharisees/Saducee's who claim to walk in the light but actually walk in darkness because their heart is FAR from God. It's all lip speak. Who is my heart following? Is it following what I desire, or is following what Jesus is asking and telling me to do? Do I have to question what Jesus is telling me to do, do I need to list the pro's and con's of it all, etc., or do I do what servants do....."so they filled them", "they did so".
Prayer
Father, Thank you for the light of your Word as it reveals what is in my heart. Help me today to put into action those things that Jesus has asked me to do. Let me live in the light and not have any part of evil darkness, let me pray for those who need a touch from God, let me love as God loves. I ask that your word and requests be my first thought of action, that your Kingdom will be on display and those who see it will know God is in action. I ask that I would "do whatever he tells me. Amen.
John 2:5-8
5 His(Jesus) mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so.
Observation
The servants did what Jesus asked them to do. It does not record that they 'pondered among themselves why they should do this' or asked Jesus 'Why?'-to what he was asking them to do.
Application
Am I like the servants? Do I follow the requests and commands of Jesus? OR am I like the Pharisees/Saducee's who claim to walk in the light but actually walk in darkness because their heart is FAR from God. It's all lip speak. Who is my heart following? Is it following what I desire, or is following what Jesus is asking and telling me to do? Do I have to question what Jesus is telling me to do, do I need to list the pro's and con's of it all, etc., or do I do what servants do....."so they filled them", "they did so".
Prayer
Father, Thank you for the light of your Word as it reveals what is in my heart. Help me today to put into action those things that Jesus has asked me to do. Let me live in the light and not have any part of evil darkness, let me pray for those who need a touch from God, let me love as God loves. I ask that your word and requests be my first thought of action, that your Kingdom will be on display and those who see it will know God is in action. I ask that I would "do whatever he tells me. Amen.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
A Comparison
Scripture
Mark 6:55 "They ran"
Mark 9:15 "ran to greet him"
Mark 6:38 "How many loaves do you have", he asked, "Go see". When they found out, they said, "Five-and two fishes"
Observation
Mark 6:55 "They ran"
Mark 9:15 "ran to greet him"
Mark 6:38 "How many loaves do you have", he asked, "Go see". When they found out, they said, "Five-and two fishes"
Observation
Reading today I was struck with what I do or would do today, versus what the Bible documents of old. On two different occasions people were running to get to Jesus. I have to ask myself, "When was the last time I thought about running to church because I couldn't wait to hear what the Word of the Lord?" If my car is not running, do I miss church because church is too far away, or do I walk/run for an hour or two because it is "good to be in the house of the Lord?" A group of 5,000 men with a total of probably over 10,000. The disciple went looking for bread and fish. What they found was that there was only five loaves into fish. Can you imagine there been 10,000 people, and only having five loaves of bread and fish among them. It would appear that all these people were so excited to see Jesus, that they left home without taking enough food for the journey. In contrast to how I prepare on a Sunday, I prepare my food and a large dinner and am thinking about what I want for lunch before I go to church. Not quite the same.
Application
So what is my application today? The reality is that I'm not going to run to church. The reality is that I probably will still plan of what I will eat for lunch on church day. But what my application is today has to do with my heart. My heart needs to be excited about hearing the word of the lord. My heart needs to know that it is more important for me to be in church than to plan my lunch. My heart needs to know that feeding it, and going to the church excited about what God has in store for me, should be the norm.
Prayer,
Father, I thank you for the reminder today about the importance of your word. I thank you for the reminder of how excited I should be in approaching your word and anytime I have a chance to go to church. People ran with excitement to see Jesus. I pray that my heart would continue to run to Jesus with the same amount of excitement as the people did back then. Amen.
Application
So what is my application today? The reality is that I'm not going to run to church. The reality is that I probably will still plan of what I will eat for lunch on church day. But what my application is today has to do with my heart. My heart needs to be excited about hearing the word of the lord. My heart needs to know that it is more important for me to be in church than to plan my lunch. My heart needs to know that feeding it, and going to the church excited about what God has in store for me, should be the norm.
Prayer,
Father, I thank you for the reminder today about the importance of your word. I thank you for the reminder of how excited I should be in approaching your word and anytime I have a chance to go to church. People ran with excitement to see Jesus. I pray that my heart would continue to run to Jesus with the same amount of excitement as the people did back then. Amen.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Can IT Be Seen??
Scripture
Mark 2:5 "When Jesus saw their Faith"
Mark 5:34 "Your Faith has healed you"
Observation
Mark 2:5 "When Jesus saw their Faith"
Mark 5:34 "Your Faith has healed you"
Observation
It seems pretty clear that Faith is a Big deal or even THE WHOLE deal when Jesus takes a look at me. In these two cases Jesus SAW the person's Faith, and the VISIBLE Faith moved Jesus. So it makes me wonder if I have the kind of Faith the Jesus sees? Like Jesus said in a parable, is my Faith hidden under the bed? Or is it on the stand for all to see? Do I live by Faith, or is it just something I may fall back on when "I" need it.
Application
So I want Jesus to see my Faith, how is that going to happen? I am reminded of a verse in 2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we live by faith, not by sight". This life will show me many things, just like a football team showing different defenses all the time and then they switch to something different when the ball is snapped, so the enemy who wants to destroy me will try to make something look different than it really is...so that means I can't trust "my sight". I need to live by faith. How do I do that? In Hebrews 11:1 it says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". So I will have faith and even more faith when I believe in things I can't see, yet I see believe that they will change. It is kind of a paradox, that I want my Faith to been seen by Jesus so I have to have the faith to change things that can't been seen. The bible also says to pray without ceasing....that is to more connected to our Heavenly Father than to the world. So if I pray without ceasing, read the love letter(the bible) that God has sent me to guide me and instruct me, have faith to change things that can't been seen, THEN my Faith will be seen.
Prayer
Father, I want to have the kind of Faith that you and Jesus can see. I open my soul up, so it can be infused with your word, and then Do What It Says(James 1:22). You are moved by Faith, Faith in Action not hidden, so help me display Faith so it will be seen by all so you will be glorified.
Application
So I want Jesus to see my Faith, how is that going to happen? I am reminded of a verse in 2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we live by faith, not by sight". This life will show me many things, just like a football team showing different defenses all the time and then they switch to something different when the ball is snapped, so the enemy who wants to destroy me will try to make something look different than it really is...so that means I can't trust "my sight". I need to live by faith. How do I do that? In Hebrews 11:1 it says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". So I will have faith and even more faith when I believe in things I can't see, yet I see believe that they will change. It is kind of a paradox, that I want my Faith to been seen by Jesus so I have to have the faith to change things that can't been seen. The bible also says to pray without ceasing....that is to more connected to our Heavenly Father than to the world. So if I pray without ceasing, read the love letter(the bible) that God has sent me to guide me and instruct me, have faith to change things that can't been seen, THEN my Faith will be seen.
Prayer
Father, I want to have the kind of Faith that you and Jesus can see. I open my soul up, so it can be infused with your word, and then Do What It Says(James 1:22). You are moved by Faith, Faith in Action not hidden, so help me display Faith so it will be seen by all so you will be glorified.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
A Reminder
Scripture
Exodus 13:9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the Lord is to be on your lips.
Observation
The Israelites were being freed from Egypt, and God wanted them to have a very specific time of observance of how he had freed them. A time to reflect on God's goodness and mercy.
Application
God has freed me from the bondage of sin, just as the Israelies were freed from the 430 years of slavery in Egypt. What do I do as an observance of my freedom? My giving Glory to the Lord for my redemption should be as obvious as a sign on my hand and a reminder on my forehead, so that each time I look down at my hand or see a reflection of my face, my lips should proclaim, "Glory to the Lord, he has freed me". So I need to continue to read the law of the Lord that shows his eternal mercy to me, and as I feed my soul, my soul will Praise in return.
Prayer
Father, Thank You for freeing me from sin. Before the blood of Christ, sin had me in bondage but you opened up the gates( just like letting loose a young lamb who was fenced in, then freed and then it runs and jumps in the tall grass) of your Kingdom and Yourself so I would be free to fellowship with you.
Exodus 13:9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the Lord is to be on your lips.
Observation
The Israelites were being freed from Egypt, and God wanted them to have a very specific time of observance of how he had freed them. A time to reflect on God's goodness and mercy.
Application
God has freed me from the bondage of sin, just as the Israelies were freed from the 430 years of slavery in Egypt. What do I do as an observance of my freedom? My giving Glory to the Lord for my redemption should be as obvious as a sign on my hand and a reminder on my forehead, so that each time I look down at my hand or see a reflection of my face, my lips should proclaim, "Glory to the Lord, he has freed me". So I need to continue to read the law of the Lord that shows his eternal mercy to me, and as I feed my soul, my soul will Praise in return.
Prayer
Father, Thank You for freeing me from sin. Before the blood of Christ, sin had me in bondage but you opened up the gates( just like letting loose a young lamb who was fenced in, then freed and then it runs and jumps in the tall grass) of your Kingdom and Yourself so I would be free to fellowship with you.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Do Not Give Up....Pray
Scripture
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Observation
Jesus is very clear about what I should do....always be praying and do not give up
Application
There are times when want to have give up and not fight(whatever fight I am facing). But instead of thinking of giving up, Jesus is announcing that what I need to do is pray more(rely on him) and not give up(because there are wonderful things in store for me that I don't even know about). So next time discouragement or the "give up attitude" comes sneaking my way, I will stop and pray to the God of All, and look to Him instead of the thing that is telling me to give up.
Prayer
Father, You are the source of everything I need. Thank you for the word today to not give up. I ask that your Holy Spirit would remind me during any dark times, that I am not to give up because you have never given up on me, and you have things in mind for me that I have never thought about yet. I look forward to what you are going to do. In Jesus Name.....Amen.
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Observation
Jesus is very clear about what I should do....always be praying and do not give up
Application
There are times when want to have give up and not fight(whatever fight I am facing). But instead of thinking of giving up, Jesus is announcing that what I need to do is pray more(rely on him) and not give up(because there are wonderful things in store for me that I don't even know about). So next time discouragement or the "give up attitude" comes sneaking my way, I will stop and pray to the God of All, and look to Him instead of the thing that is telling me to give up.
Prayer
Father, You are the source of everything I need. Thank you for the word today to not give up. I ask that your Holy Spirit would remind me during any dark times, that I am not to give up because you have never given up on me, and you have things in mind for me that I have never thought about yet. I look forward to what you are going to do. In Jesus Name.....Amen.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Who Am I?
Scripture
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Observation
Yesterday, there was endless news play of the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and the upcoming Royal wedding. Why? Because Prince William is royalty. Guess what. Every person who is a believer in Christ is royalty. Comparing royalties, which one would I rather be in; God's Royal Family, or Britian's Royal Family. Absolutely God's. So in 1 Peter 2:9 when it says that I was a Chosen People(me!!!), I am Royalty(me!!), God's Special Possession(How do you treat your most special possessions?), I need to absolutely believe that.
Application
Some days I don't feel like royalty, I don't feel special. But what is the truth? Am I part of the royal priesthood or not? The Bible says I am so I am. The Bible also says that the devil is the father of lies, and he is wanting me to believe a lie that I am not chosen, or part of the royal priesthood, or God's most special possession. So those times/days when I don't "feel" like royalty, I need to turn to God's word and see/hear/believe the truth.
Observation
Yesterday, there was endless news play of the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and the upcoming Royal wedding. Why? Because Prince William is royalty. Guess what. Every person who is a believer in Christ is royalty. Comparing royalties, which one would I rather be in; God's Royal Family, or Britian's Royal Family. Absolutely God's. So in 1 Peter 2:9 when it says that I was a Chosen People(me!!!), I am Royalty(me!!), God's Special Possession(How do you treat your most special possessions?), I need to absolutely believe that.
Application
Some days I don't feel like royalty, I don't feel special. But what is the truth? Am I part of the royal priesthood or not? The Bible says I am so I am. The Bible also says that the devil is the father of lies, and he is wanting me to believe a lie that I am not chosen, or part of the royal priesthood, or God's most special possession. So those times/days when I don't "feel" like royalty, I need to turn to God's word and see/hear/believe the truth.
Prayer
Father, you chosen me to be your special possession, forgive me for not absolutely believing that because of how I "feel" sometimes. Your word is absolute truth and I believe that over any lie I may hear. Help my eyes and ears see and hear who you constantly declare me to be. Amen.
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