I walk into the room and ask Zoey, my 3 year old daughter, what she is doing. Her response is "Mom, I'm reading." I can't help the big smile that crosses my face as my heart melts.
Link up and join me in the Wordless Wednesday fun!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Serve Just How You Are
1 Corinthians 1:27 -- "Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful."
One of the main excuses I hear for people not serving God or reaching out to others is that they aren't good enough. They don't have enough money or time, they don't speak will in front of other. Sometimes it is simply because they are focusing on material things or power in this world and not on God's mission or His glory.
Honestly, this is really easy to do. With magazines, social media and our surroundings telling us what suppose to be beautiful and right, it is no wonder we get lost without realizing it.
However, God is not limited by this world. He can use anyone for any purpose in any state as long as he (or she) is willing to have faith and obey the Lord.
Just like Moses, God will use a poor speaker to lead. Just like David, He can use people who have sinned to inspire others. Just like Paul, He can turn persecutions into blessings. God will use what seems foolish to use to shame those who think they are wise. God will use what we think is impossible to show that our triumphs can only come from Him.
Dear Lord,
I am always trying to be better, but please use me right where I'm at to make a difference for Your kingdom. I am not perfect, but through You I am strong.
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Honestly, this is really easy to do. With magazines, social media and our surroundings telling us what suppose to be beautiful and right, it is no wonder we get lost without realizing it.
However, God is not limited by this world. He can use anyone for any purpose in any state as long as he (or she) is willing to have faith and obey the Lord.
Just like Moses, God will use a poor speaker to lead. Just like David, He can use people who have sinned to inspire others. Just like Paul, He can turn persecutions into blessings. God will use what seems foolish to use to shame those who think they are wise. God will use what we think is impossible to show that our triumphs can only come from Him.
Dear Lord,
I am always trying to be better, but please use me right where I'm at to make a difference for Your kingdom. I am not perfect, but through You I am strong.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Nothing is Impossible with God
Luke 1:37 -- "For nothing is impossible with God."
The only limitations we have are the ones we put on ourselves. God created the entire universe. The only thing that is limiting God are our minds who are unable to grasp the immense capability of our Lord and Creator. God can do amazing things through us if we have faith and truly believe they are possible. With God all things are possible.
This does not mean that you can just do whatever you want all the time. However, those true desires that stay and burn in your heart are often God leading you to do something great. When you give yourself to God and live by the plan He has for you, the barriers are gone, they are solely in your head because God will make the seemingly impossible happen just so that you know it is Him working in your life.
Matthew 19:26 -- "Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."
Mark 9:23 -- "What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes."
Philippians 4:13 -- "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
The Bible is full of the impossible things God does and His promise that He will be there for you. Only you are holding you back from experiencing His glory.
So what are you limiting yourself on? A job opportunity? Going back to school? Fulfilling a dream? Trying something new? God does miraculous things everyday and He wants the best for you as you walk through this life.
Dear Lord,
Help me get past my unbelief because anything is possible with you. Guide me to live on the path you set before me and stay true to you in all that I do.
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This does not mean that you can just do whatever you want all the time. However, those true desires that stay and burn in your heart are often God leading you to do something great. When you give yourself to God and live by the plan He has for you, the barriers are gone, they are solely in your head because God will make the seemingly impossible happen just so that you know it is Him working in your life.
Matthew 19:26 -- "Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."
Mark 9:23 -- "What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes."
Philippians 4:13 -- "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
The Bible is full of the impossible things God does and His promise that He will be there for you. Only you are holding you back from experiencing His glory.
So what are you limiting yourself on? A job opportunity? Going back to school? Fulfilling a dream? Trying something new? God does miraculous things everyday and He wants the best for you as you walk through this life.
Dear Lord,
Help me get past my unbelief because anything is possible with you. Guide me to live on the path you set before me and stay true to you in all that I do.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
John (Bible in 90 Days)
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John the apostle was an eyewitness to Jesus’ life. The gospel of John was written after the others and makes a powerful case to prove that Jesus is the Son of God and all who believe in him will have eternal life. This is the truth that John focuses on more than Jesus’ life.
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John continues the theme and proves his argument throughout his gospel.
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John chooses eight miracles, which he witnessed first-hand, during Jesus’ ministry to prove Jesus’ divinity:
John describes Jesus as the “I am” to affirm Jesus’ divinity:
John’s gospel has the most unique information in comparison to the other three gospels; approximately 90 percent only appears in the gospel of John. This includes 6 of the 8 recorded miracles and the Upper Room discourse, which are unique to John’s gospel. John does not mention any genealogies, Jesus’ birth, childhood, temptation, transfiguration, appointment of the disciples, or any of his parables.
Of course, the most well-known scripture of the bible is in the gospel of John. And once again affirms Jesus’ divinity and that he is the way to eternal life with God: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
- Turning water to wine (2:1-11)
- Healing the official’s son (4:46-54)
- Healing the lame man at the pool of Bethesda (5:1-9)
- Feeding the 5,000 with a few loaves of bread and fish (6:1-14)
- Walking on the water (6:15-21)
- Restoring sight to the blind man (9:1-41)
- Raising Lazarus from the dead (11:1-44)
- Giving the disciples an overwhelming catch of fish (21:1-14)—This was after his resurrection.
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- I am the light of the world (8:12, 9:5)
- I am the gate (10:7)
- I am the good shepherd (10:11,14)
- I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)
- I am the way, the truth and the life (14:6)
- I am the true vine (15:1)
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Friday, April 26, 2013
God is Love
1 John 4:7-8 -- "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. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
In society today, love is thought of mostly as the way two people fall in love, an infatuation with another person that may or may not last. Another for of love we are often familiar with is the love of family -- those people you can't ever quite get away from and you generally want to see good things happen to. Lastly the love we can begin to experience later in life is the love for a child. This type of self-sacrificing love is closest to what God want us to experience with everyone. This is similar to the way God loves us, but even it doesn't quite compare.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 -- "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
These familiar "Be Attitudes" are the description God gives us for agape -- the unconditional love God has for us, His children. This is the kind of love we should strive for in our quest to be more like Christ. To experience agape loves doesn't mean that what I do bothers you and you chose to be kind and not react, it means that my nuiances don't bother you in the first place.
As you have guessed, this is not easily accomplished by humans on earth. There is too much sin and too much evil to wade through for this form of love, agape, to ever succeed on earth. However, God know that, which is why He sent Jesus to teach us and save us from sin. Once Jesus conquers sin once and for all -- agape is the only form of love we will know.
When John encourages us to love each other, he is speaking of the agape form of love that comes only from God. He is encouraging us to put our differences aside and lift each other up with patience and kindness, and to put other in front of our own needs and desires. Only by taking ourselves out of the focus can we love others the way God intended us too.
Let's face it -- this is our ideal, this is God's love for us. If you reach this kind of love even to those closes to you, much less strangers, then you are a miracle. The point is we are always working for the perfect love towards all people. When you fall short, repent to God and ask Him to guide you in how to continue to love others. God will guide you because He knows all about love. Anyone who loves and constantly tries to love knows God. God is love.
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7 -- "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
These familiar "Be Attitudes" are the description God gives us for agape -- the unconditional love God has for us, His children. This is the kind of love we should strive for in our quest to be more like Christ. To experience agape loves doesn't mean that what I do bothers you and you chose to be kind and not react, it means that my nuiances don't bother you in the first place.
As you have guessed, this is not easily accomplished by humans on earth. There is too much sin and too much evil to wade through for this form of love, agape, to ever succeed on earth. However, God know that, which is why He sent Jesus to teach us and save us from sin. Once Jesus conquers sin once and for all -- agape is the only form of love we will know.
When John encourages us to love each other, he is speaking of the agape form of love that comes only from God. He is encouraging us to put our differences aside and lift each other up with patience and kindness, and to put other in front of our own needs and desires. Only by taking ourselves out of the focus can we love others the way God intended us too.
Let's face it -- this is our ideal, this is God's love for us. If you reach this kind of love even to those closes to you, much less strangers, then you are a miracle. The point is we are always working for the perfect love towards all people. When you fall short, repent to God and ask Him to guide you in how to continue to love others. God will guide you because He knows all about love. Anyone who loves and constantly tries to love knows God. God is love.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
God Generously Provides
2 Corinthians 9:8 -- "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."
2 Corinthians 9:8 is one of those verses that tend to get one single meaning without much thought of digging deeper. The implications of this verse is usually: God provides you money so you can then give some money to others. And that is true, but it goes so much further than that.
When God says He will generously provide all you need, it is not limited to money. God is not limited in the least by what He can provide us. He created us and He also equips us. He provides time, resources, patience, perseverance people to help and encourage you and guidance. And this is only the tip of the iceberg. We cannot imagine all that He can provide.
We will have everything we need and plenty left over to share. This can mean time to volunteer and reach out to others, this can be writing notes, providing food, offering wisdom and simply being a light, a hope, in people's day. This could be giving someone a bible or a hug. And yes, it can also mean giving money and supplies. The point is, God's kingdom does not revolve around money. We have a lot more to give than just money. If you can give money, that's great it should be well used, but if you can't you have something even greater to give -- yourself.
God created us and He will equip us. He also made us all unique with different things to offer His Kingdom. He doesn't need you to be perfect, just willing. He gives us everything we need so that we may help and bless others. Do not worry, God will supply all you need when you need it -- whether it be money, time, patience, a kind word to give, or a gift to offer, know it will be the right thing in the right moment. God will use others to bless you and through you He will bless others. It is just one more way we are all connected -- it is God showing us over and over that we are not meant to be alone. We encourage and help each other through the struggles of this life.
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When God says He will generously provide all you need, it is not limited to money. God is not limited in the least by what He can provide us. He created us and He also equips us. He provides time, resources, patience, perseverance people to help and encourage you and guidance. And this is only the tip of the iceberg. We cannot imagine all that He can provide.
We will have everything we need and plenty left over to share. This can mean time to volunteer and reach out to others, this can be writing notes, providing food, offering wisdom and simply being a light, a hope, in people's day. This could be giving someone a bible or a hug. And yes, it can also mean giving money and supplies. The point is, God's kingdom does not revolve around money. We have a lot more to give than just money. If you can give money, that's great it should be well used, but if you can't you have something even greater to give -- yourself.
God created us and He will equip us. He also made us all unique with different things to offer His Kingdom. He doesn't need you to be perfect, just willing. He gives us everything we need so that we may help and bless others. Do not worry, God will supply all you need when you need it -- whether it be money, time, patience, a kind word to give, or a gift to offer, know it will be the right thing in the right moment. God will use others to bless you and through you He will bless others. It is just one more way we are all connected -- it is God showing us over and over that we are not meant to be alone. We encourage and help each other through the struggles of this life.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Harvest of Blessing
Galatians 6:9 -- "So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up."
For me writing is a way I sow seeds for the Lord. I love writing and always have. God laid on my heart at the end of last year to begin writing devotionals, I am trying to be obedient to that calling. I hope that these words reach out to others and will truly mean something to someone out there. Whether it is a small smile, encouragement for the day or situation, a single thought or idea or even a challenge that can change your life (hopefully for the better). I send all the words I put out into the universe with a prayer that it is a seed that God can cultivate and grow into something much greater than me or any one person could be. I want God to receive the glory for the work I commit to the Kingdom.
This is one way I sow seeds in God's Kingdom, but there are many, often subtle, ways to sow seeds. Teaching bible study, giving money to the church or those in need, being a friend, telling others about Christ, and living a life that sets you apart from the world are just to name a few. We put in the initial work and then we wait, letting God work throughout the world and the people in it.
We sow seeds in faith and at the proper time, God's timing, there will be a harvest. I will be a beautiful, plentiful harvest for the glory of God and His Kingdom. Let us not grow weary during the wait, but look forward to the great things God can and will do with the seeds that we sow.
Dear Lord,
I pray in faith that the seeds I sow are watered and grow by Your hands and that one day there will be a great harvest where all the glory is given to You.
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This is one way I sow seeds in God's Kingdom, but there are many, often subtle, ways to sow seeds. Teaching bible study, giving money to the church or those in need, being a friend, telling others about Christ, and living a life that sets you apart from the world are just to name a few. We put in the initial work and then we wait, letting God work throughout the world and the people in it.
We sow seeds in faith and at the proper time, God's timing, there will be a harvest. I will be a beautiful, plentiful harvest for the glory of God and His Kingdom. Let us not grow weary during the wait, but look forward to the great things God can and will do with the seeds that we sow.
Dear Lord,
I pray in faith that the seeds I sow are watered and grow by Your hands and that one day there will be a great harvest where all the glory is given to You.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Start Your Engines
We had the opportunity to go watch the races at a dirt track. Zoey loved it! She loved the cars and picking a favorite. Her favorite phrase of the night was "start your engines!" Her favorite car of the evening (the purple one) even came in 3rd. It was an exciting time for all of us!
Link up and join me in the Wordless Wednesday fun!
God's Great Love
Romans 5:8 -- "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
What are you willing to die for?
That is a hard question, but I believe an important one. You don't have to tell anyone the answer, but think about the question. What in this world is worth dying for? Money? Fame? Causes? Family? Innocent people in trouble? God?
God loved the world. God loves everyone in the world, including you and me. That fact is stated over and over again in the Bible.
Deuteronomy 23:5 -- "But the Lord your God refused to listen to Balaam. He turned the intended curse into
a blessing because the Lord your God loves you."
Zephaniah 3:17 --"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
Romans 5:5 -- "And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
1 John 3:1 -- "See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him."
God does not only watch over us, God does not only want to make us better through discipline and blessings, God loves us so much that He sent His son to die to save us. To God, you, me, and every person in this world, are His children. To God, we are all worth dying for. And He did.
John 3:16 -- "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
Now let me ask you another question.
What or who are you willing to live for? Money? Fame? Causes? Family? Yourself? Neighbors? God?
Christ died so that we could live. Christ died so that we could never be separated from God by sin. Christ died so that the whole world and everyone in it could know what it means to be loved.
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That is a hard question, but I believe an important one. You don't have to tell anyone the answer, but think about the question. What in this world is worth dying for? Money? Fame? Causes? Family? Innocent people in trouble? God?
God loved the world. God loves everyone in the world, including you and me. That fact is stated over and over again in the Bible.
Deuteronomy 23:5 -- "But the Lord your God refused to listen to Balaam. He turned the intended curse into
a blessing because the Lord your God loves you."
Zephaniah 3:17 --"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
Romans 5:5 -- "And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
1 John 3:1 -- "See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him."
God does not only watch over us, God does not only want to make us better through discipline and blessings, God loves us so much that He sent His son to die to save us. To God, you, me, and every person in this world, are His children. To God, we are all worth dying for. And He did.
John 3:16 -- "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
Now let me ask you another question.
What or who are you willing to live for? Money? Fame? Causes? Family? Yourself? Neighbors? God?
Christ died so that we could live. Christ died so that we could never be separated from God by sin. Christ died so that the whole world and everyone in it could know what it means to be loved.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Make Time for God
Luke 4:42 -- "42 Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them."
Storytime, lunch, laundry, Awanas, study group, flag football, dishes, cooking dinner, grocery shopping -- these are just a few things on my list to do every week. I'm busy and I know you are too. Our minds are full of lists of to-dos, activities and honestly a bunch of mostly useless information.
Where is your quiet time? Where is your moment to refresh and spend time with God? When do you stop to pray and thank God for all of the reasons you have to-dos? When do you spend time reading and studying God's Word? Where is God in your life -- first or last?
Even Jesus needed time by himself to refresh and spend time with God. If Jesus needed that time, I now I need it.
We live in a fast paced world where it is easy to get distracted and just plain exhausted away from our focus on God and our purpose to love others. We want peace and joy, but we are not going to find these things when our head is crowded with worldly desires and nonsense. We find peace and joy through having a relationship with the Lord and by making time to spend with God to refresh and renew our spirits and our focus on what really matters.
Dear Lord,
Help me to look past the distractions and make a point to spend time with you to renew, refocus and strengthen my relationship with you.
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Where is your quiet time? Where is your moment to refresh and spend time with God? When do you stop to pray and thank God for all of the reasons you have to-dos? When do you spend time reading and studying God's Word? Where is God in your life -- first or last?
Even Jesus needed time by himself to refresh and spend time with God. If Jesus needed that time, I now I need it.
We live in a fast paced world where it is easy to get distracted and just plain exhausted away from our focus on God and our purpose to love others. We want peace and joy, but we are not going to find these things when our head is crowded with worldly desires and nonsense. We find peace and joy through having a relationship with the Lord and by making time to spend with God to refresh and renew our spirits and our focus on what really matters.
Dear Lord,
Help me to look past the distractions and make a point to spend time with you to renew, refocus and strengthen my relationship with you.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Luke (Bible in 90 Days)
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The four gospels are our most direct insight to who Jesus was as He walked on Earth. Jesus brought radical teaching that shook the Israelite nation. To understand how each writer represented Jesus' message, it is important to know them each a little more. Each of their accounts are both unique and amazingly similar to the three others. This is proof that what they tell is truth, God's Truth.
Luke was a doctor and a Greek gentile Christian (the only known Gentile author of the New Testament.) He was a close companion of Paul and traveled with him during the beginnings of the Christian church. It gave him many opportunities to interview the disciples and research the facts surrounding Jesus’ life.
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Friday, April 19, 2013
A Gift the World Cannot Give
John 14:27 -- "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."
This has been a hard week on a lot of people. It has been a troubling moment for the whole world. My heart and prayers continue to pour out for those affected by the Boston Marathon explosion.
Just before Jesus was arrested and crucified He gave his disciples some much needed comfort for the struggles He knew lie ahead. He leaves them with the gift of peace of mind and heart. What more is there when the world has turned upside down than knowing, having an inner peace, that all will be right in the end.
This is no guarantee that the world can possess. The world is full of sin, chaotic energy and darkness -- there are not assurances there. But with the Father, our Creator, there is a holy promise that justice will be served.
Romans 12:19 --"Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord."
This is a great comfort -- there is not need to fear. Because not only can the world not give you peace of mind, the world also cannot take away your peace of mind as long as you hold onto God's precious gift. There will always be trouble, persecutions and senseless acts of evil. However, more importantly, there will always be good and light shinning in the world, there will always be God to comfort you and deliver justice. There will always be Jesus waiting for the divine moment to turn the key of death's door and free the world of sin forever. There is a great victory in our future, so do not be afraid. Hold onto God gift to you, peace of mind and heart, and do not every let it go.
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Just before Jesus was arrested and crucified He gave his disciples some much needed comfort for the struggles He knew lie ahead. He leaves them with the gift of peace of mind and heart. What more is there when the world has turned upside down than knowing, having an inner peace, that all will be right in the end.
This is no guarantee that the world can possess. The world is full of sin, chaotic energy and darkness -- there are not assurances there. But with the Father, our Creator, there is a holy promise that justice will be served.
Romans 12:19 --"Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord."
This is a great comfort -- there is not need to fear. Because not only can the world not give you peace of mind, the world also cannot take away your peace of mind as long as you hold onto God's precious gift. There will always be trouble, persecutions and senseless acts of evil. However, more importantly, there will always be good and light shinning in the world, there will always be God to comfort you and deliver justice. There will always be Jesus waiting for the divine moment to turn the key of death's door and free the world of sin forever. There is a great victory in our future, so do not be afraid. Hold onto God gift to you, peace of mind and heart, and do not every let it go.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
No Doubt
Mark 11:23 -- "I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart."
Jesus calls us to have faith. Faith is your confidence and trust in God. It means you believe He is what He says He is and does what He says He will do. It is putting your life in His hands trusting that He will care for you. We can do great things with great faith. When we take ourselves out of the focus, God can work through us making impossible things possible.
This great faith does not work if we have hesitation. God can accomplish nothing through us if we harbor doubt.
We cannot be a "but" believer. We cannot say that God is supreme, but I'm not sure if He can cure this cancer. We cannot say I believe God can work miracles of healing, but He cannot help me stop yelling at my children.
When we add a "but" to God we are no longer trusting in Him. Instead we are restricting Him. He does not work under restrictions. If God can work miraculously in one area of your life, He can do the same in every area. If you don't believe it will happen, wholeheartedly, then it doesn't happen. It is as simple as that.
Dear Lord,
Help me overcome my unbelief.
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This great faith does not work if we have hesitation. God can accomplish nothing through us if we harbor doubt.
We cannot be a "but" believer. We cannot say that God is supreme, but I'm not sure if He can cure this cancer. We cannot say I believe God can work miracles of healing, but He cannot help me stop yelling at my children.
When we add a "but" to God we are no longer trusting in Him. Instead we are restricting Him. He does not work under restrictions. If God can work miraculously in one area of your life, He can do the same in every area. If you don't believe it will happen, wholeheartedly, then it doesn't happen. It is as simple as that.
Dear Lord,
Help me overcome my unbelief.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Praying for Boston
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I mean, what can you say? This world is going crazy! Evil is running rampant! I think everyone already knows that.
I do know that this was truly another tragedy. It seems they are coming at us from all sides these days. It seems you can't go to work or school or even celebrate a marathon without the fear of being blown up by some idiot trying to prove something.
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The funny thing about tragedy is it is an instigator. Sometimes people need a spark to get out and do something. Within minutes of the bomb going off in Boston the people of the city and the Internet including people from around the world stood up to show support, love and kindness to any and all involved. People in the city of Boston are opening their homes to people who have no where else to go. The people are rallying up to make it known that evil will not win. And that is a beautiful thing.
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There have always been tragedies and there always will be. This does not diminish the personal loss of the people involved because it is great, I aim instead to bring hope. The ones suffering from this senseless act do not suffer alone or without purpose. God came make amazing things happen from hard times like these.
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Psalms 46:1-3 --
"God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!"
The truth is as we get closer to the end times these attacks of evil are going to come more often and more intensely. This is not doom and gloom, this is fact. However, there is hope. God will not let us suffer alone. Just like in this tragedy there are many who rise up to show love and support. God is our refuge and strength and He will help us in times of trouble. Do not fear the Lord will guide and protects His people. This does not mean that we will not know heartache and tragedy, but it means that through it we have purpose. We can rise above evil and shed light and hope onto a fallen world.
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Related Articles in the News:
Blasts at Boston Marathon (New York Times)
Explosions at the Boston Marathon (Deadspin)
Dear Lord,
I lift up all of those who were affected by this tragedy in Boston. I ask peace over their lives that they do not suffer alone and they do not suffer without purpose. I speak comfort over those who are injured and that they believe in Your healing power to make them whole once more. I pray for the souls of those lost, that they knew You are and are seeing Your face now. I pray for all that they will see this as a wake up call to stand up for what they believe. I pray they come to know you if they don't already. I thank you for making us Your light and for giving us, Your children, the ability and guidance to overcome evil with kindness, love and joy. I shout in praise of Your name as the people are rallying up and taking care of one another in a way that is truly beautiful. I pray that you stay with all of doctors and nurses to care for the people of the city in the best way they know how. I pray for the police and investigation teams to find the cause of what is behind this tragedy to help give peace to those involved. I pray that there will be forgiveness and peace instead of vengeance and war from the people. You have perfect justice, I pray that the people can leave the judgment up to You. Again I ask peace over the city and all who were involved. Let it be shown that there is great purpose in Your plan and that light will always find victory over the darkness.
In Jesus Name I Pray,
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