Scriptures: Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:14-15)
A woman who is a nutritionist by profession was admitted to the hospital because she suffered a stroke. The sister who told me this story said, “The unique thing about this is that, being a nutritionist, she has been very mindful of her diet, about what she eats and not eat. She has also been exercising regularly. Yet, while still in early 40’s, she suffered a stroke that left her lying unconsciously in ICU.”
While I could certainly understand the sentiment of seeing such a health conscious person getting sick, I couldn’t help remember our passage today. With all the advancements in science and technology, sometimes we really think, if we do it right, we can be invincible. But, in fact, we are both fragile and vulnerable.
I still remember vividly from a TV interview on 9/11. The interviewee was a woman whose father was in one of those three aircrafts that crashed. She said she had an argument with her father that morning before he left for the airport. The thing that bothered her most was that it wasn’t something so serious to warrant an argument. And, after the crash, she did not even have a chance to be reconciled to him.
Apostle James said, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14) How true! But, then again, how often have we forgotten this important fact!
We all have dreams in life, things that we would like pursue or accomplish. These things or people are dear to our hearts and, if possible, we would want to stay engaged for as long as possible. The problem is, we don’t know how long it is.
When things are going great, we think we are on top of everything. When things are not going great, we work double efforts to “make it right.” In either case, we assume that there is a positive correlation between the efforts we put in and the results we receive. And, in so doing, all that we are concerned with is our efforts and the results we desire. We tend to forget that, in the equation of life, there is another factor, rightly the most important factor, God. It was God who created us all and who gave meanings to our lives.
No wonder Apostle James taught us to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:15) He wanted to remind us of the fact that God has a will for our lives. Since He is ultimately in charge and His wills will ultimately prevail over all other things, it is of utmost importance that we heed to His will and leading.
This is not a new discovery about God, but a theology known to all Christians. Yet, sometimes, it takes a tragedy like that of the nutritionist or something greater, like 9/11, to remind us once again, God is still in charge of our lives and that we must not take this fact lightly.
As much as we should strive to do good by planning, I believe this teaching from James was not to forbid us from planning, but instead, to include the considerations of the Lord’s will in our planning. I am convinced that, if we include all factors in the equation of life, our planning will then, and only then, be complete, meaningful and effective for eternity!
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
I don’t know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day;
I don’t borrow from its sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said;
And today I will walk beside Him,
For He knows what lies ahead.
(chorus)
Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.
Ev’ry step is getting brighter,
As the golden stairs I climb;
Ev’ry burden’s getting lighter,
Ev’ry cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow,
Where the mountains touch the sky.
(chorus)
I don’t know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the One who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One who stands by me.
And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I’m covered with His blood.
(chorus)
-- by Ira Forest Stanphill
Prayer Requests:
For those attending to the sick in the family
Prayer:
Our Abba Father, there are many things we don’t know why they happened, especially the sickness of loved ones. Please remind us of Your presence in our lives and of Your love and kindness toward us so we may be strengthened, even in the midst of troubling times. In the name of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus, we pray, Amen!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Staying Full of God
Scripture:
“When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened" (Romans 1:21)
To continue a little about how to study the Word of God in this post I would like to look at two different techniques or tools that we can use to help us see truths in Scripture.
The first tool we can use is simply outline a passage of scripture. This can be done on a whole book of the Bible or on only one verse. There are many outlines on the books of the Bible already available in resources books and on the Internet and it is very interesting to see how others outline a particular book of the Bible. However, I would suggest that you outline a book, or a passage, for yourself before you look at someone elses outline, then, if you want, you can compare your outline and see others.
This is a good exercise for four reasons;
1. That is by studying a book by yourself, the Scriptures will open up to you in a very real way. The Holy Spirit will lead you to see things you have not seen before and percieve spiritual understanding from the perspective where you are right now in your Spiritual life.
2. If you read the scriptures over and over multiple times, as described in a previous post, the scriptures will almost open themselves for you by themselves
3. When you study the Scriptures with the specific intent to "divide" the scriptures, in this case outline, you will see links and relationships between spiritual thoughts that you may not see by just reading it.
4. If you do it yourself, for yourself, it will be more "yours" and you will be able to relate more to a passage of scripture and be able to more readily find truths that you can apply to your life.
Another technique is to "reverse" a concept or principle that you find in scripture, without changing the meaning. For example, if we say, "for God so loved the World that he gave His only son, that whosoever believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life BUT whosoever DID NOT believe in Him WOULD perish and NOT have everylasting life." Now granted, one needs to be careful with this as not to change the meaning of a passage in Scripture that was not intended, however, sometimes there is a strong implication of the reverse being true in Scripture when something is stated.
Now I chose these two techniques to specifically apply them to today's Scripture verse to share something that I am recently learning. First of all if we apply an outlining technique to this passage we get something like this:
A. They knew God but
1. did not Glorify God
2. did not Thank God
B. Thus became
1. empty or without value in their thinking (imagination)
2. darkness in their heart (foolish)
Now this is a simple outline but what would Scripture be saying if we "reversed" this passage of Scripture. For example, "They knew God and the DID glorify God and the DID thank God and thus became FULL and with PURPOSE in their thinking and LIGHT was in their WISE hearts."
Thus the application of this verse can be seen in two ways;
1. as a warning if you don't thank God and give him Glory you may end up thinking with emptiness and without purpose and feel darkness and be foolish
2. as an admonishion to thank and glorify god and you will not be empty and foolish but full and wise.
Request:
That God would reveal to us truths from His Word that will help us grow in him and be full in His Spirit.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, continue to give us a thirst for your Word and fill us with Your understanding. Flow from our hearts all that You put there as we study your Word and use us to help heal others and bring you closer to their lives. In Jesus name. Amen
“When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened" (Romans 1:21)
To continue a little about how to study the Word of God in this post I would like to look at two different techniques or tools that we can use to help us see truths in Scripture.
The first tool we can use is simply outline a passage of scripture. This can be done on a whole book of the Bible or on only one verse. There are many outlines on the books of the Bible already available in resources books and on the Internet and it is very interesting to see how others outline a particular book of the Bible. However, I would suggest that you outline a book, or a passage, for yourself before you look at someone elses outline, then, if you want, you can compare your outline and see others.
This is a good exercise for four reasons;
1. That is by studying a book by yourself, the Scriptures will open up to you in a very real way. The Holy Spirit will lead you to see things you have not seen before and percieve spiritual understanding from the perspective where you are right now in your Spiritual life.
2. If you read the scriptures over and over multiple times, as described in a previous post, the scriptures will almost open themselves for you by themselves
3. When you study the Scriptures with the specific intent to "divide" the scriptures, in this case outline, you will see links and relationships between spiritual thoughts that you may not see by just reading it.
4. If you do it yourself, for yourself, it will be more "yours" and you will be able to relate more to a passage of scripture and be able to more readily find truths that you can apply to your life.
Another technique is to "reverse" a concept or principle that you find in scripture, without changing the meaning. For example, if we say, "for God so loved the World that he gave His only son, that whosoever believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life BUT whosoever DID NOT believe in Him WOULD perish and NOT have everylasting life." Now granted, one needs to be careful with this as not to change the meaning of a passage in Scripture that was not intended, however, sometimes there is a strong implication of the reverse being true in Scripture when something is stated.
Now I chose these two techniques to specifically apply them to today's Scripture verse to share something that I am recently learning. First of all if we apply an outlining technique to this passage we get something like this:
A. They knew God but
1. did not Glorify God
2. did not Thank God
B. Thus became
1. empty or without value in their thinking (imagination)
2. darkness in their heart (foolish)
Now this is a simple outline but what would Scripture be saying if we "reversed" this passage of Scripture. For example, "They knew God and the DID glorify God and the DID thank God and thus became FULL and with PURPOSE in their thinking and LIGHT was in their WISE hearts."
Thus the application of this verse can be seen in two ways;
1. as a warning if you don't thank God and give him Glory you may end up thinking with emptiness and without purpose and feel darkness and be foolish
2. as an admonishion to thank and glorify god and you will not be empty and foolish but full and wise.
Request:
That God would reveal to us truths from His Word that will help us grow in him and be full in His Spirit.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, continue to give us a thirst for your Word and fill us with Your understanding. Flow from our hearts all that You put there as we study your Word and use us to help heal others and bring you closer to their lives. In Jesus name. Amen
Monday, April 28, 2008
Dancing with the Melody
Scriptures: To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to others: “’We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.” (Matthew 11:16-19)
In a company Christmas party, a musician was invited to sing a few songs. As he sang and played piano on the stage, people raised and waved their arms, singing along, and dancing to the melody. They felt like the lyrics and the melody spoke their hearts.
From classical to contemporary, from folk songs to pop music, every generation seems to have a unique way of expressing themselves through music. The powerful part in the use of music is that it seems to speak to the rhythm of life. Even without lyrics, the melody alone is more than capable of relinquishing the emotions and feelings deep down and creating an echoing response in hearts, as sometimes expressed through the dance and other bodily movements.
Knowing well what music can do to people, Jesus used it as an illustration to denounce a generation that rejected the good news of salvation from God and the messengers who delivered the good news. The Jewish society in Jesus time enjoyed a lot of material prosperity and some even embraced the philosophical ideas that came with Greek humanistic civilization. The majority of Jews at that time was deep into religiosity and missed the intended blessings from the truth of God.
They had their preconceived notion of what a prophet should be like. They certainly had it all figured out what the messiah should be like. As a result, when John the Baptist came, he was welcomed at first only to be rejected later because he did not conform to that generation. The same was for Jesus. Neither of them fit into the expected frame of thinking of their time. As a result, they were both rejected.
Well, 2000 years later, it’s not that different today. The material accomplishments we have today are probably unprecedented in human history. All kinds of thinking have been presented. From Capitalism to Socialism, to Communism, each of them offered its solutions to the problem this world faces. Many have responded to these thinking and the result is a world of mixed, and often contradictory, values we see today.
The same can be said of the spirituality of this world. Occults and cultic teaching are rampaging of which many claimed to be Christian. As a result, many are confused and find it impossible to discern what truth is. Even within Christian circle, self-centered experiential cognitive perspective has been exalted to such high place that truth of God has become relative.
Some consider the studies of Bible futile because Bible was written by people who lived thousands of years ago for people of their time. Therefore, there is no relevance to our lives. Others exalted their personal experiences so high that they almost demand that Bible says what they experience. In some sense, they sound like they are putting words into God’s mouth. It no longer matters what the Bible says, it matters what they want the Bible say.
We need to be careful. God is who He is. He does not change. He does not dance with the melody of the generation. His words in the pages of Bible came to us with His power and His promises to fulfill. As much as we need to be sensitive to the changes in our culture and the generation, our flexibility remains in the mechanism we choose to deliver the messages, not the messages. At the end, God Himself will show us that He meant what He said and, “wisdom is proved right by her actions.” (Matthew 11:19) He has promised, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
Prayer Requests:
For musicians, especially Christian musicians
Prayer:
Our gracious Lord, thank You for the gift of music. We are especially thankful for empowering some of us to be musicians who bring comfort and excitements to our lives. We ask that You sanctify these musicians of Yours and their work so the music they share will indeed be used in Your hands as uplifting instruments that bring comforts, encouragements and reconciliations to our lives, especially to our relationship with You. In the precious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
In a company Christmas party, a musician was invited to sing a few songs. As he sang and played piano on the stage, people raised and waved their arms, singing along, and dancing to the melody. They felt like the lyrics and the melody spoke their hearts.
From classical to contemporary, from folk songs to pop music, every generation seems to have a unique way of expressing themselves through music. The powerful part in the use of music is that it seems to speak to the rhythm of life. Even without lyrics, the melody alone is more than capable of relinquishing the emotions and feelings deep down and creating an echoing response in hearts, as sometimes expressed through the dance and other bodily movements.
Knowing well what music can do to people, Jesus used it as an illustration to denounce a generation that rejected the good news of salvation from God and the messengers who delivered the good news. The Jewish society in Jesus time enjoyed a lot of material prosperity and some even embraced the philosophical ideas that came with Greek humanistic civilization. The majority of Jews at that time was deep into religiosity and missed the intended blessings from the truth of God.
They had their preconceived notion of what a prophet should be like. They certainly had it all figured out what the messiah should be like. As a result, when John the Baptist came, he was welcomed at first only to be rejected later because he did not conform to that generation. The same was for Jesus. Neither of them fit into the expected frame of thinking of their time. As a result, they were both rejected.
Well, 2000 years later, it’s not that different today. The material accomplishments we have today are probably unprecedented in human history. All kinds of thinking have been presented. From Capitalism to Socialism, to Communism, each of them offered its solutions to the problem this world faces. Many have responded to these thinking and the result is a world of mixed, and often contradictory, values we see today.
The same can be said of the spirituality of this world. Occults and cultic teaching are rampaging of which many claimed to be Christian. As a result, many are confused and find it impossible to discern what truth is. Even within Christian circle, self-centered experiential cognitive perspective has been exalted to such high place that truth of God has become relative.
Some consider the studies of Bible futile because Bible was written by people who lived thousands of years ago for people of their time. Therefore, there is no relevance to our lives. Others exalted their personal experiences so high that they almost demand that Bible says what they experience. In some sense, they sound like they are putting words into God’s mouth. It no longer matters what the Bible says, it matters what they want the Bible say.
We need to be careful. God is who He is. He does not change. He does not dance with the melody of the generation. His words in the pages of Bible came to us with His power and His promises to fulfill. As much as we need to be sensitive to the changes in our culture and the generation, our flexibility remains in the mechanism we choose to deliver the messages, not the messages. At the end, God Himself will show us that He meant what He said and, “wisdom is proved right by her actions.” (Matthew 11:19) He has promised, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
Prayer Requests:
For musicians, especially Christian musicians
Prayer:
Our gracious Lord, thank You for the gift of music. We are especially thankful for empowering some of us to be musicians who bring comfort and excitements to our lives. We ask that You sanctify these musicians of Yours and their work so the music they share will indeed be used in Your hands as uplifting instruments that bring comforts, encouragements and reconciliations to our lives, especially to our relationship with You. In the precious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
God Calls a Shephard
Before the Lord called him to full-time ministry, Sumay tended sheep in Karnataka, India.
“Baa!”
The sheep's bleats stirred Sumay Lahar out of a daze. Picking up his staff, he stood up from his spot at the watering hole and trudged through the dusty field in Karnataka, India. The fresh air was permeated with the smell of damp wool and sheep droppings. As he went about his duties as a shepherd, Sumay never dreamed that in just a few days he would not have the strength to get out of bed.
The virus that was already spreading through Sumay's body quickly brought his daily activities to a halt. This especially meant that he could no longer withstand the long, hard days of tending sheep. Sumay's parents spent their minuscule resources on treatment in a hospital, but the treatment did not work. Next, trusting in the gods of their traditional religion, his parents took him to a succession of elaborate temples and even to chanting witch doctors. But all of the many rituals performed over Sumay were in vain.
Sumay was sure his sickness would eventually kill him. In despair over his deteriorating health, he decided to end the misery and commit suicide.
Then, Sumay and his family heard about a Christian prayer meeting that his uncle was hosting. Eager to try anything that might save him from approaching death, they all went.Sumay was sure his sickness would eventually kill him. In despair over his deteriorating health, he decided to end the misery and commit suicide.
The pastor who was leading the meeting shared a message from God's Word, and then began the prayer time. Noticing that Sumay was severely ill, the pastor told him to put his trust in Jesus. As the pastor interceded, Sumay's symptoms went away. When the prayer was finished, he had been completely healed.
Seeing the Lord's great power, Sumay decided to follow Jesus that very night.
Thankful for his restored health, Sumay went back to the fields and continued his work as a shepherd. But as his faith developed, the Lord placed a higher calling on his life. Sumay felt a burden to use his life in full-time ministry.
Through the encouragement of a Gospel for Asia native missionary in his village, Sumay applied to a Bible college in Karnataka. He was accepted and studied there for three years. Rejoicing in what God had done in his life, Sumay graduated in 2006.
Now, Sumay shares his incredible testimony of how God transformed his life, both physically and spiritually, as he ministers. Through his passion for Jesus, many souls are hearing about the amazing power that can only be found in Him.
Sumay requests prayer that the Lord will be glorified in all aspects of his ministry. He also requests prayer that many would come to know Him in Karnataka.
“Baa!”
The sheep's bleats stirred Sumay Lahar out of a daze. Picking up his staff, he stood up from his spot at the watering hole and trudged through the dusty field in Karnataka, India. The fresh air was permeated with the smell of damp wool and sheep droppings. As he went about his duties as a shepherd, Sumay never dreamed that in just a few days he would not have the strength to get out of bed.
The virus that was already spreading through Sumay's body quickly brought his daily activities to a halt. This especially meant that he could no longer withstand the long, hard days of tending sheep. Sumay's parents spent their minuscule resources on treatment in a hospital, but the treatment did not work. Next, trusting in the gods of their traditional religion, his parents took him to a succession of elaborate temples and even to chanting witch doctors. But all of the many rituals performed over Sumay were in vain.
Sumay was sure his sickness would eventually kill him. In despair over his deteriorating health, he decided to end the misery and commit suicide.
Then, Sumay and his family heard about a Christian prayer meeting that his uncle was hosting. Eager to try anything that might save him from approaching death, they all went.Sumay was sure his sickness would eventually kill him. In despair over his deteriorating health, he decided to end the misery and commit suicide.
The pastor who was leading the meeting shared a message from God's Word, and then began the prayer time. Noticing that Sumay was severely ill, the pastor told him to put his trust in Jesus. As the pastor interceded, Sumay's symptoms went away. When the prayer was finished, he had been completely healed.
Seeing the Lord's great power, Sumay decided to follow Jesus that very night.
Thankful for his restored health, Sumay went back to the fields and continued his work as a shepherd. But as his faith developed, the Lord placed a higher calling on his life. Sumay felt a burden to use his life in full-time ministry.
Through the encouragement of a Gospel for Asia native missionary in his village, Sumay applied to a Bible college in Karnataka. He was accepted and studied there for three years. Rejoicing in what God had done in his life, Sumay graduated in 2006.
Now, Sumay shares his incredible testimony of how God transformed his life, both physically and spiritually, as he ministers. Through his passion for Jesus, many souls are hearing about the amazing power that can only be found in Him.
Sumay requests prayer that the Lord will be glorified in all aspects of his ministry. He also requests prayer that many would come to know Him in Karnataka.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
By Faith
Scripture:
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:1,3)
Last week I shared how I was wrestling in my understanding of how faith and unbelief relate to healing. In response to that posting, a very dear sister in the Lord reached out to me, sensing my struggle and encouraged me. I was deeply moved by her compassion and thought this is exactly the kind of love that Jesus was telling us in John 13:34-35, when he said, "by this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." Paul also said something similar to the believers in Rome when he told them to "be devoted to one another in brotherly love". (Romans 12:10) Thank you my dear friend.
Well taking what she said to heart, reading in Hebrews I came upon chapter 11, the faith chapter and I decided to read this chapter multiple times to saturate myself in the Word from this chapter. I thought to myself, yes, this is what I need to do so that "he must increase and I must decrease." (John 3:30) So this is where I am right now, with a decision to read Hebrews 11 multiple times to let the Holy Spirit of God saturate me with the Word. Will you join me? Will you take a couple of days off in your personal Bible reading and studying, and saturate your soul with Hebrews 11? If you do, then please share a comment to my next post. I know God will continue to bless all of us on this blog.
Request:
That God would reveal His Word to us and fill us with His mind.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, We surrender to you and to your will. Help us understand your Word and grow in grace so that we may be equipped to serve you and give Glory to you. In Jesus Name
Amen
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:1,3)
Last week I shared how I was wrestling in my understanding of how faith and unbelief relate to healing. In response to that posting, a very dear sister in the Lord reached out to me, sensing my struggle and encouraged me. I was deeply moved by her compassion and thought this is exactly the kind of love that Jesus was telling us in John 13:34-35, when he said, "by this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." Paul also said something similar to the believers in Rome when he told them to "be devoted to one another in brotherly love". (Romans 12:10) Thank you my dear friend.
Well taking what she said to heart, reading in Hebrews I came upon chapter 11, the faith chapter and I decided to read this chapter multiple times to saturate myself in the Word from this chapter. I thought to myself, yes, this is what I need to do so that "he must increase and I must decrease." (John 3:30) So this is where I am right now, with a decision to read Hebrews 11 multiple times to let the Holy Spirit of God saturate me with the Word. Will you join me? Will you take a couple of days off in your personal Bible reading and studying, and saturate your soul with Hebrews 11? If you do, then please share a comment to my next post. I know God will continue to bless all of us on this blog.
Request:
That God would reveal His Word to us and fill us with His mind.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, We surrender to you and to your will. Help us understand your Word and grow in grace so that we may be equipped to serve you and give Glory to you. In Jesus Name
Amen
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sharing the Ride
Scriptures: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 112:29-30)
Many years ago, our church went to beautiful park for an outdoor service. It was a wonderful park with a lot of green meadows with many trees that offered comforting shades and a beautiful lake with trails going around for views.
After the service, we had some time to walk around and see the park. We discovered that there was a shop there renting bicycles. So we rented one of those that allow the seating of four so we could take our parents with us. There were two sets of pedals on the bike. But, after a closer look, I discovered that only one was actually connected with the front and rear wheels. The other pedal was there only for fun. So, it really doesn’t matter how hard one tries to pedal on that one, it’s not doing anything at all. Therefore, in essence, only one person was really driving the bike. With four seated, we were not able to go fast. But, we certainly enjoyed the beauty of that park.
I think, in many ways, our lives are just like that bike ride. Sometimes we are so busy pedaling that we overlook the beautiful scenery along the journey. Sometimes we are so tired from pedaling that we are physically unable to enjoy the beauty surrounding us.
But, it really doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus invited us to join Him for the ride through life. Like that bike, there are 2 pedals in life, one for us and one for the Lord. And, just like that bike, only one will actually drive our life somewhere. That one belongs to our Lord. The one He left us is the one that is easy and light.
How often we fail to see this truth. We step on that pedal so hard as though we can jump over a 3 story building, only to find that it doesn’t produce any momentum in life. Then we are discouraged, thinking that it’s futile to do anything in life. As much as we are intellectually informed that our Lord is the Lord of our lives, our focus in life is so heavily influenced and distracted by our circumstances that we forget that important reality.
Jesus knows where we’ve been and the troubles we are in. In His heart-felt invitation, He gently reminded us that He is the one pedaling the bike that takes us through this journey called life. He urged us to trust and rely on Him.
More than that, He offered the invitation so He can share the beauty of life with us and the two of us, Jesus and us, may enjoy the fellowship throughout the journey. He knows how lonely we can be sometimes. He knows how the demands and responsibilities in life can veil the beauty of life He has in store for us. He wants to come alongside and offers His ears for listening, His hands for support and guidance, His heart for our comforts, and His wisdom for our edifications.
Are we lonely because there’s no one understands us? Are we so busy that there’s no time for break? Jesus’ bike is right in front of us. He’s calling out to us to join Him for the ride through life. Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Jump on the bike and give Him time and the driver seat. I am sure we will find our journey through life is joyful and beautiful.
Prayer Requests:
For those tasked with young children, elder parents, and a demanding career
Prayer:
Our gracious Lord, thank You for coming alongside and offering Your shoulder for our burdens. Help us to trust You and rely on You for wisdom, strength and directions so we may truly experience the fullness of blessings you have prepared for us. In the precious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
Many years ago, our church went to beautiful park for an outdoor service. It was a wonderful park with a lot of green meadows with many trees that offered comforting shades and a beautiful lake with trails going around for views.
After the service, we had some time to walk around and see the park. We discovered that there was a shop there renting bicycles. So we rented one of those that allow the seating of four so we could take our parents with us. There were two sets of pedals on the bike. But, after a closer look, I discovered that only one was actually connected with the front and rear wheels. The other pedal was there only for fun. So, it really doesn’t matter how hard one tries to pedal on that one, it’s not doing anything at all. Therefore, in essence, only one person was really driving the bike. With four seated, we were not able to go fast. But, we certainly enjoyed the beauty of that park.
I think, in many ways, our lives are just like that bike ride. Sometimes we are so busy pedaling that we overlook the beautiful scenery along the journey. Sometimes we are so tired from pedaling that we are physically unable to enjoy the beauty surrounding us.
But, it really doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus invited us to join Him for the ride through life. Like that bike, there are 2 pedals in life, one for us and one for the Lord. And, just like that bike, only one will actually drive our life somewhere. That one belongs to our Lord. The one He left us is the one that is easy and light.
How often we fail to see this truth. We step on that pedal so hard as though we can jump over a 3 story building, only to find that it doesn’t produce any momentum in life. Then we are discouraged, thinking that it’s futile to do anything in life. As much as we are intellectually informed that our Lord is the Lord of our lives, our focus in life is so heavily influenced and distracted by our circumstances that we forget that important reality.
Jesus knows where we’ve been and the troubles we are in. In His heart-felt invitation, He gently reminded us that He is the one pedaling the bike that takes us through this journey called life. He urged us to trust and rely on Him.
More than that, He offered the invitation so He can share the beauty of life with us and the two of us, Jesus and us, may enjoy the fellowship throughout the journey. He knows how lonely we can be sometimes. He knows how the demands and responsibilities in life can veil the beauty of life He has in store for us. He wants to come alongside and offers His ears for listening, His hands for support and guidance, His heart for our comforts, and His wisdom for our edifications.
Are we lonely because there’s no one understands us? Are we so busy that there’s no time for break? Jesus’ bike is right in front of us. He’s calling out to us to join Him for the ride through life. Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Jump on the bike and give Him time and the driver seat. I am sure we will find our journey through life is joyful and beautiful.
Prayer Requests:
For those tasked with young children, elder parents, and a demanding career
Prayer:
Our gracious Lord, thank You for coming alongside and offering Your shoulder for our burdens. Help us to trust You and rely on You for wisdom, strength and directions so we may truly experience the fullness of blessings you have prepared for us. In the precious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Not Only by Faith
Scripture:
"And he says to them, Because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard [seed], ye shall say to this mountain, Be transported hence there, and it shall transport itself; and nothing shall be impossible to you." (Matthew 17:20)
As you can tell this theme is one that is still on my heart and I am continually asking the Holy Spirit of God to reveal to me God's will in the Word of God so that I can realize all that God has for me. With this said, today I came to understand something that seems reasonable to me that I am going to share today.
The scriptures tell us that if we have the faith of a mustard seed we can move mountains but it is because of our unbelief we can not do these things. Now up until today, I have been thinking unbelief was the opposite of faith. That is if I have less faith I have more unbelief. But if I have only a little bit of faith I can move a mountain, that it would seem to me that since this scripture says it is my unbelief that prevents my being able to move a mountain and I think that I do have at least a little bit of faith, that maybe it is all the things that I have believed or have been raised to believe that are contrary to faith that is preventing me from moving a mountain.
For example, I know that I have the faith in Jesus Christ that he died for my sins and that someday I will be with Him heaven. Is the faith to believe in Jesus less then the faith of a mustard seed? I have the faith to believe that my friend Cal had his hand miraculously restored after being crushed and the skin being ripped off like a glove. Is this such a small amount of faith? No, it seems to me that it would take a lot of faith to both believe in Jesus and believe that your friend's hand was miraculously healed. So why can't I move mountains?
I heard today from a preacher on the Internet that lack of faith and unbelief are two different things. That is that faith and belief are not the same things. Basically I am understanding that faith is something that God gave us to be able to believe and belief is something that we continue to do and grow in, in our walk with Christ. This would mean that even if I had the faith of a mustard seed and I did not see mountains move, it would be because my unbelief is so strong it "counters" the little faith I have.
Last night I was up half the night with my grandson because in the beginning of the week he went swimming in the swimming pool I put up this past weekend. Now last year we had numerous occasions where he got swimmers ear and was in pain for a couple of days each time. This happened again this week. Though he was told not to go in and was warned about not getting his ear wet, he is only 5, he jumped in when no one was watching, he got swimmer's ear this week and we have been caring for him all week, doctor's, antibiotic, children's motrin, etc.
Well last night it was me who was up with him and in the middle of the night he started crying again but he did not want to take his medicine. Being half asleep and having pain in his hear, I held him close and said, "I can't make it better, this medicine will take the pain away". Now you might be saying, "why didn't you pray?". But I did, I prayed for him over and over, asking for God's healing hand, praying that my grandson was hurting, speaking positively. His ear is still hurting and I have not stopped praying. So what is wrong? I don't think it is due to my lack of faith, I think it is due to all my years of conditioning in the belief that only medicine will help. Years of "trusting" in one way of healing and now, while studying the Word, seeing that God wants us well because He healed all the sick that came to him.
I have been listening to Andrew Wommack and he is in the middle of a six week series of messages called, "God Wants You Well". I share this just in case you are interested in learning more about what I am learning. The URL is http://www.awmi.net/tv/2008/week14
Request:
That Seth would not only be healed from the swimmer's ear but that the canal in is ear would be "reformed" so that he does not get swimmer's ear ever again.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, your Word tells us that if we have the faith of a mustard seed we can move mountains, but I can't move mountains yet. I can only understand that my unbelief is so strong that I bring to no avail the faith you gave to me. With that in mind Lord, help cleanse us from our beliefs in other things besides you, to truly believe what your Word says and counter, the unbeliefs that we have learned also with you Word.
"And he says to them, Because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard [seed], ye shall say to this mountain, Be transported hence there, and it shall transport itself; and nothing shall be impossible to you." (Matthew 17:20)
As you can tell this theme is one that is still on my heart and I am continually asking the Holy Spirit of God to reveal to me God's will in the Word of God so that I can realize all that God has for me. With this said, today I came to understand something that seems reasonable to me that I am going to share today.
The scriptures tell us that if we have the faith of a mustard seed we can move mountains but it is because of our unbelief we can not do these things. Now up until today, I have been thinking unbelief was the opposite of faith. That is if I have less faith I have more unbelief. But if I have only a little bit of faith I can move a mountain, that it would seem to me that since this scripture says it is my unbelief that prevents my being able to move a mountain and I think that I do have at least a little bit of faith, that maybe it is all the things that I have believed or have been raised to believe that are contrary to faith that is preventing me from moving a mountain.
For example, I know that I have the faith in Jesus Christ that he died for my sins and that someday I will be with Him heaven. Is the faith to believe in Jesus less then the faith of a mustard seed? I have the faith to believe that my friend Cal had his hand miraculously restored after being crushed and the skin being ripped off like a glove. Is this such a small amount of faith? No, it seems to me that it would take a lot of faith to both believe in Jesus and believe that your friend's hand was miraculously healed. So why can't I move mountains?
I heard today from a preacher on the Internet that lack of faith and unbelief are two different things. That is that faith and belief are not the same things. Basically I am understanding that faith is something that God gave us to be able to believe and belief is something that we continue to do and grow in, in our walk with Christ. This would mean that even if I had the faith of a mustard seed and I did not see mountains move, it would be because my unbelief is so strong it "counters" the little faith I have.
Last night I was up half the night with my grandson because in the beginning of the week he went swimming in the swimming pool I put up this past weekend. Now last year we had numerous occasions where he got swimmers ear and was in pain for a couple of days each time. This happened again this week. Though he was told not to go in and was warned about not getting his ear wet, he is only 5, he jumped in when no one was watching, he got swimmer's ear this week and we have been caring for him all week, doctor's, antibiotic, children's motrin, etc.
Well last night it was me who was up with him and in the middle of the night he started crying again but he did not want to take his medicine. Being half asleep and having pain in his hear, I held him close and said, "I can't make it better, this medicine will take the pain away". Now you might be saying, "why didn't you pray?". But I did, I prayed for him over and over, asking for God's healing hand, praying that my grandson was hurting, speaking positively. His ear is still hurting and I have not stopped praying. So what is wrong? I don't think it is due to my lack of faith, I think it is due to all my years of conditioning in the belief that only medicine will help. Years of "trusting" in one way of healing and now, while studying the Word, seeing that God wants us well because He healed all the sick that came to him.
I have been listening to Andrew Wommack and he is in the middle of a six week series of messages called, "God Wants You Well". I share this just in case you are interested in learning more about what I am learning. The URL is http://www.awmi.net/tv/2008/week14
Request:
That Seth would not only be healed from the swimmer's ear but that the canal in is ear would be "reformed" so that he does not get swimmer's ear ever again.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, your Word tells us that if we have the faith of a mustard seed we can move mountains, but I can't move mountains yet. I can only understand that my unbelief is so strong that I bring to no avail the faith you gave to me. With that in mind Lord, help cleanse us from our beliefs in other things besides you, to truly believe what your Word says and counter, the unbeliefs that we have learned also with you Word.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Always in Your Presence
Yet I was always in Your presence; You were holding me by my right hand. You will guide me by Your counsel and so You will lead me to glory. What else have I in heaven but You? Apart from You I want nothing on earth. My body and my heart faint for joy; God is my possession forever (Ps 73:23-26).
During the opening day ceremonies at Dodger Stadium a couple of weeks ago, Dodger greats from the past 50 years of the team’s history returned to the stadium, assumed their former positions on the field and were greeted with cheers and raucous applause from the 50,000+ fans in attendance. Don Newcombe, Steve Sax, Maury Wills, Steve Finley, Duke Snider, Don Miles, Sandy Koufax and of course, Fernando Valenzuela and Tommy Lasorda. And we can’t forget to mention the “voice of the Dodgers,” Vin Scully, humbly and dutifully providing the play-by-play up in the broadcast booth. In the Los Angeles Times the following day, one sports writer quoted former pitcher Jerry Reuss as saying, “There were grandfathers probably telling their sons about players they remember, and then those sons turning to their sons and talking about different players.”
We like to be in the presence of greatness. Reliving the accomplishments of the heroes of our past keeps us connected to the generations that came before and give us a great legacy to pass on to those who come after us. Celebrating their achievements somehow elevates all of us to a collective greatness that none of us could accomplish individually on our own.
The good news for us is that we are at every moment in the presence of Him who is greatness itself. Those Dodger players at opening day all indicated in one form or another that their accomplishments happened in the context of team work. Like them and like our biblical ancestors, we must remember that our accomplishments don’t come by our efforts alone. Not with their own swords did they conquer the land, nor did their own arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your own arm and the light of your face, for you loved them (Ps. 44:4). Too often, especially when things are going well, it is easy to be tempted into thinking at we can “take it from here” without seeking God’s will and counsel in prayer. I have found over the years that in response to just such thinking, the Lord will let me kind of fall on my face to remind me that He is in charge and that everything in my life is His gift.
We also have the example of the many saints who have come before us – the great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1) - to encourage us on our journey. We never walk alone. Before and behind You beseige me, with Your hand ever upon me (Ps. 139: 5). A popular saying declares that "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." I say that when the going gets tough, the wise get praying. The strongest position we have is on our knees! For we know that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38). Hallelujah!
Prayer Request: For those feeling alone.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wonder of Your presence from which we can never flee. We praise You for the assurance that those who love You can never be snatched from Your hand. Help us to remember, especially in the difficult times, that You are never far from us. Surround and comfort with Your presence those who are feeling alone and overwhelmed. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
During the opening day ceremonies at Dodger Stadium a couple of weeks ago, Dodger greats from the past 50 years of the team’s history returned to the stadium, assumed their former positions on the field and were greeted with cheers and raucous applause from the 50,000+ fans in attendance. Don Newcombe, Steve Sax, Maury Wills, Steve Finley, Duke Snider, Don Miles, Sandy Koufax and of course, Fernando Valenzuela and Tommy Lasorda. And we can’t forget to mention the “voice of the Dodgers,” Vin Scully, humbly and dutifully providing the play-by-play up in the broadcast booth. In the Los Angeles Times the following day, one sports writer quoted former pitcher Jerry Reuss as saying, “There were grandfathers probably telling their sons about players they remember, and then those sons turning to their sons and talking about different players.”
We like to be in the presence of greatness. Reliving the accomplishments of the heroes of our past keeps us connected to the generations that came before and give us a great legacy to pass on to those who come after us. Celebrating their achievements somehow elevates all of us to a collective greatness that none of us could accomplish individually on our own.
The good news for us is that we are at every moment in the presence of Him who is greatness itself. Those Dodger players at opening day all indicated in one form or another that their accomplishments happened in the context of team work. Like them and like our biblical ancestors, we must remember that our accomplishments don’t come by our efforts alone. Not with their own swords did they conquer the land, nor did their own arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your own arm and the light of your face, for you loved them (Ps. 44:4). Too often, especially when things are going well, it is easy to be tempted into thinking at we can “take it from here” without seeking God’s will and counsel in prayer. I have found over the years that in response to just such thinking, the Lord will let me kind of fall on my face to remind me that He is in charge and that everything in my life is His gift.
We also have the example of the many saints who have come before us – the great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1) - to encourage us on our journey. We never walk alone. Before and behind You beseige me, with Your hand ever upon me (Ps. 139: 5). A popular saying declares that "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." I say that when the going gets tough, the wise get praying. The strongest position we have is on our knees! For we know that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38). Hallelujah!
Prayer Request: For those feeling alone.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wonder of Your presence from which we can never flee. We praise You for the assurance that those who love You can never be snatched from Your hand. Help us to remember, especially in the difficult times, that You are never far from us. Surround and comfort with Your presence those who are feeling alone and overwhelmed. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Free Fall
Scriptures: "For the Lord’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance. In a desert land He found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eyes, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them can carries them on its pinions. The Lord alone led him;" (Deuteronomy 32:9-12)
Many years ago, I had a chance to go to Six Flag Magic Mountain with my family. We had lots of fun with many roller coaster rides there. Of all those exciting rides, one ride was most impressive to me. It was called Dive Devil, basically a free fall for 15 stories.
Before it started, when we were all in position waiting, the view from the top was spectacular. When it started, I felt like the earth below suddenly opened wide. As the body quickly dropped down, my heart pretty jumped up to my throat, just inches away from popping out of my mouth. It raced so fast that one cannot breathe enough to keep it going.
The whole ride lasted only a few seconds. But it felt like hours. When it finally slowed down, I felt like my body was catching up with my heart and putting it back where it’s supposed to be. To this day, I still remember what it was like after the ride. I’ve never tried that again. I think that shows how much I like it.
In the scriptures today, Moses used the picture of how eagles train their eaglets to show to the Israelites how God has been caring and training them. Eagles prepare nests for their young eaglets by paving the nests with their own feathers. But they would not let the eaglets stay comfortable in the nests too long.
When it’s time for the eaglets to learn to fly, eagles would stir up the nest, pick up the young eaglets and flew to the sky where they would just drop the eaglets. The little eaglets would start their free fall, a scary experience for the eaglets. However, they are not alone because the mother eagle would not be far. She would quickly fly down and catch the falling eaglets and carry them on her wings to bring them to the sky. She would repeat this process many times until the eaglets learn to fly like an eagle. As scary as the free fall was to the eaglets, it was a necessary step for them to learn to fly.
In essence, Moses was telling the Israelites that, as much as God loves us, He also desires that His people mature and grow strong. To do so, He sometimes needs to put them in circumstances and situations that seem harsh and difficult to them so as to build up the relationship He desires with them from which they can find wisdom and strength to build up their character.
That type of circumstances and situations are never pleasant, nor welcomed. Just like the free fall experience I had, they make us feel like we have nothing to hold onto and we are just sinking, sinking, and keep sinking with no end in sight. But, worry not because our loving Lord is not far.
Just like the mother eagle, our Lord has never taken His eyes off us. He’s been watching us, every step of the way. When the times come, He will pick us up on His wings and soar to the sky. He will comfort and encourage us, prepare us for another round of training, until we learn the lesson and grow mature.
Life may be filled with undesirable circumstances and situations, but I am convinced that, if we keep our focus clear and unmoving on our Lord and His love for us, we will see the lesson He has in mind for us and be able to prevail over any challenges and hardship our circumstances may throw at us.
Prayer Requests:
For anyone who is struggling in career, ministries, or personal relationship
Prayer:
Our loving Lord, thank You for the nests You prepared for us and thank You for extending Your wings to carry us in times of troubles and difficulties. Help us to always face our lives with a sense of Your presence and guidance in gratitude. In the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
Many years ago, I had a chance to go to Six Flag Magic Mountain with my family. We had lots of fun with many roller coaster rides there. Of all those exciting rides, one ride was most impressive to me. It was called Dive Devil, basically a free fall for 15 stories.
Before it started, when we were all in position waiting, the view from the top was spectacular. When it started, I felt like the earth below suddenly opened wide. As the body quickly dropped down, my heart pretty jumped up to my throat, just inches away from popping out of my mouth. It raced so fast that one cannot breathe enough to keep it going.
The whole ride lasted only a few seconds. But it felt like hours. When it finally slowed down, I felt like my body was catching up with my heart and putting it back where it’s supposed to be. To this day, I still remember what it was like after the ride. I’ve never tried that again. I think that shows how much I like it.
In the scriptures today, Moses used the picture of how eagles train their eaglets to show to the Israelites how God has been caring and training them. Eagles prepare nests for their young eaglets by paving the nests with their own feathers. But they would not let the eaglets stay comfortable in the nests too long.
When it’s time for the eaglets to learn to fly, eagles would stir up the nest, pick up the young eaglets and flew to the sky where they would just drop the eaglets. The little eaglets would start their free fall, a scary experience for the eaglets. However, they are not alone because the mother eagle would not be far. She would quickly fly down and catch the falling eaglets and carry them on her wings to bring them to the sky. She would repeat this process many times until the eaglets learn to fly like an eagle. As scary as the free fall was to the eaglets, it was a necessary step for them to learn to fly.
In essence, Moses was telling the Israelites that, as much as God loves us, He also desires that His people mature and grow strong. To do so, He sometimes needs to put them in circumstances and situations that seem harsh and difficult to them so as to build up the relationship He desires with them from which they can find wisdom and strength to build up their character.
That type of circumstances and situations are never pleasant, nor welcomed. Just like the free fall experience I had, they make us feel like we have nothing to hold onto and we are just sinking, sinking, and keep sinking with no end in sight. But, worry not because our loving Lord is not far.
Just like the mother eagle, our Lord has never taken His eyes off us. He’s been watching us, every step of the way. When the times come, He will pick us up on His wings and soar to the sky. He will comfort and encourage us, prepare us for another round of training, until we learn the lesson and grow mature.
Life may be filled with undesirable circumstances and situations, but I am convinced that, if we keep our focus clear and unmoving on our Lord and His love for us, we will see the lesson He has in mind for us and be able to prevail over any challenges and hardship our circumstances may throw at us.
Prayer Requests:
For anyone who is struggling in career, ministries, or personal relationship
Prayer:
Our loving Lord, thank You for the nests You prepared for us and thank You for extending Your wings to carry us in times of troubles and difficulties. Help us to always face our lives with a sense of Your presence and guidance in gratitude. In the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Speak to your Mountain
Scripture:
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him (Mark 11:22-24).
Below I have posted, a testimony I received in a daily devotional email that caused me to pause, think and then pray.
"I own a video company that shoots a variety of projects. One day, my editor discovered a videographer's worst nightmare - a garbled mess of video picture and little or no audio on tapes that I had shot the weekend before. Four tapes of raw footage from two separate events were ruined.
I prayed that God would restore my tapes. I got an odd sense of peace and knew God had answered my prayer. I relayed to the group that I believed God had told me that the tapes would be fine in a day. My associate challenged me to put in the tape anyway and not wait. I put a tape in the editing deck, and right before our eyes, the tape now had a perfectly clear picture and audio where there had been no sound moments before.
The next morning, I entered my editing room with great anticipation. I put in one of the remaining damaged tapes that contained footage from a wedding, but the video was still scrambled and there was no audio. My wife heard me and came in to look over my shoulder. I prayed out loud over the ruined footage and reassured my wife that God loves us and would take care of things. I kept praying as I watched the screen.
Then suddenly, before our eyes, the tape began to clear up. Just as the pastor announced how God intimately loves us, I turned to look at my wife and saw the tears streaming down her face. Apparently, God had rigged this moment to touch her deeply on issues that only the two of them knew about. Not only did God save my business, but He also ministered to my family through this crisis-fixing miracle."
Prayer: Holy Spirit grow our faith that we may speak to our mountains and they move.
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him (Mark 11:22-24).
Below I have posted, a testimony I received in a daily devotional email that caused me to pause, think and then pray.
"I own a video company that shoots a variety of projects. One day, my editor discovered a videographer's worst nightmare - a garbled mess of video picture and little or no audio on tapes that I had shot the weekend before. Four tapes of raw footage from two separate events were ruined.
I prayed that God would restore my tapes. I got an odd sense of peace and knew God had answered my prayer. I relayed to the group that I believed God had told me that the tapes would be fine in a day. My associate challenged me to put in the tape anyway and not wait. I put a tape in the editing deck, and right before our eyes, the tape now had a perfectly clear picture and audio where there had been no sound moments before.
The next morning, I entered my editing room with great anticipation. I put in one of the remaining damaged tapes that contained footage from a wedding, but the video was still scrambled and there was no audio. My wife heard me and came in to look over my shoulder. I prayed out loud over the ruined footage and reassured my wife that God loves us and would take care of things. I kept praying as I watched the screen.
Then suddenly, before our eyes, the tape began to clear up. Just as the pastor announced how God intimately loves us, I turned to look at my wife and saw the tears streaming down her face. Apparently, God had rigged this moment to touch her deeply on issues that only the two of them knew about. Not only did God save my business, but He also ministered to my family through this crisis-fixing miracle."
Prayer: Holy Spirit grow our faith that we may speak to our mountains and they move.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Triumphal Procession
Scriptures: But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. (II Corinthians 2:14)
Every year, on the New Year’s Day, Rose Parade is held in Pasadena, California. The floats in the parade are decorated with all kinds of beautiful flowers. Artists, through the design of floats, present their interpretation of the theme of the parade.
It is a parade of beauty and creativity. Thousands of people jammed the sidewalks to watch the parade. Many of them even camped the night before so as to have the best seat to watch the procession of these award-winning floats. They came from all over the place and came for one reason, and one reason only, the floats.
In many ways, Christians are just like these floats. We are “wonderfully made” (Psalm 138:14) and gifted “for works of services, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:12) And, just like the floats in the parade, Paul said we are to be lead “in triumphal procession” (II Corinthians 2:14) through which the fragrance of Christ may be spread.
I can’t help noticing the way Paul stated it. First of all, he said that this procession is a procession of triumph. This means that a victory has been won and the enemy has been defeated. We are part of the triumphant team. This is a great news. But, if we are the victors, why do we experience the senses of failure and defeat all the time? Why do we feel that the promises in the scriptures can be so remote to us sometimes?
Maybe the answer lies in the second point Paul made in his statement. That is, this triumphal procession is in Christ. We are on the winning team. But, we may have left the team and are on our own. Paul seemed to be saying that the secret to a triumphant life is to stay in Christ who alone triumphed over the power of sin and death. To be in Christ means we will see what He sees, feel what He feels and desires what He desires. We will reach out to the people He wants to reach out to and share with them the blessings He wants to bring them.
More than this, just like a parade must have a pre-defined route, so is this triumphal procession. It must have a direction. That is why Paul said this procession is lead by God Himself. God wants to take the lead. All we have to do is follow. To follow God means that we need to know His directions revealed to us in the scriptures and through the nudging of the Spirit.
In short, I am convinced that it’s not what we do or not do that makes or breaks a triumphant life for us. It’s the distance between our hearts and His heart that determines the degree of triumph we can experience. The closer we are to His heart, the better our abilities to see what He sees and to feel what He feels; the closer we are to His heart, the clearer His leadership is to us.
The victory has been won. The joy and glory of our Lord’s triumph are in place for us. It’s time we come close to His heart and immerse ourselves in His life and presence so our lives will radiate with His love and grace at which time we will surely be part of that triumphal procession in Christ.
Prayer Requests:
For those feeling defeated by trails in life
Prayer:
Our Lord and Redeemer, You have triumphed over the powers of sin and death so we may be set free in truth! Help us to learn from You and follow You so that, wherever You lead us, we will be marching in the triumphal procession in Christ. In the glorious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
Every year, on the New Year’s Day, Rose Parade is held in Pasadena, California. The floats in the parade are decorated with all kinds of beautiful flowers. Artists, through the design of floats, present their interpretation of the theme of the parade.
It is a parade of beauty and creativity. Thousands of people jammed the sidewalks to watch the parade. Many of them even camped the night before so as to have the best seat to watch the procession of these award-winning floats. They came from all over the place and came for one reason, and one reason only, the floats.
In many ways, Christians are just like these floats. We are “wonderfully made” (Psalm 138:14) and gifted “for works of services, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:12) And, just like the floats in the parade, Paul said we are to be lead “in triumphal procession” (II Corinthians 2:14) through which the fragrance of Christ may be spread.
I can’t help noticing the way Paul stated it. First of all, he said that this procession is a procession of triumph. This means that a victory has been won and the enemy has been defeated. We are part of the triumphant team. This is a great news. But, if we are the victors, why do we experience the senses of failure and defeat all the time? Why do we feel that the promises in the scriptures can be so remote to us sometimes?
Maybe the answer lies in the second point Paul made in his statement. That is, this triumphal procession is in Christ. We are on the winning team. But, we may have left the team and are on our own. Paul seemed to be saying that the secret to a triumphant life is to stay in Christ who alone triumphed over the power of sin and death. To be in Christ means we will see what He sees, feel what He feels and desires what He desires. We will reach out to the people He wants to reach out to and share with them the blessings He wants to bring them.
More than this, just like a parade must have a pre-defined route, so is this triumphal procession. It must have a direction. That is why Paul said this procession is lead by God Himself. God wants to take the lead. All we have to do is follow. To follow God means that we need to know His directions revealed to us in the scriptures and through the nudging of the Spirit.
In short, I am convinced that it’s not what we do or not do that makes or breaks a triumphant life for us. It’s the distance between our hearts and His heart that determines the degree of triumph we can experience. The closer we are to His heart, the better our abilities to see what He sees and to feel what He feels; the closer we are to His heart, the clearer His leadership is to us.
The victory has been won. The joy and glory of our Lord’s triumph are in place for us. It’s time we come close to His heart and immerse ourselves in His life and presence so our lives will radiate with His love and grace at which time we will surely be part of that triumphal procession in Christ.
Prayer Requests:
For those feeling defeated by trails in life
Prayer:
Our Lord and Redeemer, You have triumphed over the powers of sin and death so we may be set free in truth! Help us to learn from You and follow You so that, wherever You lead us, we will be marching in the triumphal procession in Christ. In the glorious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The Prince of Peace! The Source of Peace!
Scriptures: But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my name. He will be my son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever. (I Chronicles 22:9-10)
King Solomon was an incredible and controversial man. He came to power after his father, King David, who laid the foundation firm for the kingdom of Israel. David has been remembered by Israel people for the great things he did for his country. But, most of all, he has been remembered for his relationship with God, as the scriptures call him“a man after His (God’s) own heart.” (I Samuel 13:14)
It’s interesting to note how God commented on David’s life, “You have shed much blood and have fought many wars.” (I Chronicles 22:8) That was the reason David was not allowed to build the temple for the Lord. I can’t help thinking what it was like for people of his days. Living in a country where wars were constantly going on must be hard; the taxes must have been high to pay for all these expenses associated with wars; many lives, not to mention families, must have been destroyed because of these wars; not to mention the separation with the loved ones. Turmoil was the word that came to my mind.
Yet, through all of these, God had already in mind peace and rest for His people. Solomon, the name given to David’s son, actually means the son of peace. God said he would be a man of peace and rest and God gave him rest from all his enemies on every side. And, just as God promised, the days that Solomon reigned, the kingdom of Israel enjoyed peace and prosperity they had never had before, nor after.
Struggles are everywhere in life. Wars, Office politics, parent-child tension, tight family financial situations, strenuous friendships, uneven yoked marriage, everywhere we look, there is tension and struggles. This is especially evident in the days when we do not know Jesus.
But, life does not have to stay that way. God has prepared for everyone a Prince of Peace that, if we allow Him to reign in our lives, we can enjoy peace and rest and be free from all our enemies on every side. Life can be turmoil. But, our lives do not have to be for Jesus has said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
As great a man as Solomon was, he was only a man. As much as God had blessed His people through Kong Solomon, those blessings were temporary, too. But, through our Lord Jesus, God has in store peace for us for eternity. That blessing is there already. That blessing is available for our enjoyment, as long as we come in the name of our Lord Jesus. So, what’s keeping us?
Prayer Requests:
For those with busy hearts
Prayer:
Our gracious Lord, You are the Lord of Peace! Thank You for dying on the cross for us so we may become Your children and be able to enter into peace with You and with ourselves. Please help us to turn to You always so we may be shield from all enemies on every side and truly witness to this uneasy world a life built on the Rock of all ages, our Lord Jesus Christ! In the glorious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
King Solomon was an incredible and controversial man. He came to power after his father, King David, who laid the foundation firm for the kingdom of Israel. David has been remembered by Israel people for the great things he did for his country. But, most of all, he has been remembered for his relationship with God, as the scriptures call him“a man after His (God’s) own heart.” (I Samuel 13:14)
It’s interesting to note how God commented on David’s life, “You have shed much blood and have fought many wars.” (I Chronicles 22:8) That was the reason David was not allowed to build the temple for the Lord. I can’t help thinking what it was like for people of his days. Living in a country where wars were constantly going on must be hard; the taxes must have been high to pay for all these expenses associated with wars; many lives, not to mention families, must have been destroyed because of these wars; not to mention the separation with the loved ones. Turmoil was the word that came to my mind.
Yet, through all of these, God had already in mind peace and rest for His people. Solomon, the name given to David’s son, actually means the son of peace. God said he would be a man of peace and rest and God gave him rest from all his enemies on every side. And, just as God promised, the days that Solomon reigned, the kingdom of Israel enjoyed peace and prosperity they had never had before, nor after.
Struggles are everywhere in life. Wars, Office politics, parent-child tension, tight family financial situations, strenuous friendships, uneven yoked marriage, everywhere we look, there is tension and struggles. This is especially evident in the days when we do not know Jesus.
But, life does not have to stay that way. God has prepared for everyone a Prince of Peace that, if we allow Him to reign in our lives, we can enjoy peace and rest and be free from all our enemies on every side. Life can be turmoil. But, our lives do not have to be for Jesus has said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
As great a man as Solomon was, he was only a man. As much as God had blessed His people through Kong Solomon, those blessings were temporary, too. But, through our Lord Jesus, God has in store peace for us for eternity. That blessing is there already. That blessing is available for our enjoyment, as long as we come in the name of our Lord Jesus. So, what’s keeping us?
Prayer Requests:
For those with busy hearts
Prayer:
Our gracious Lord, You are the Lord of Peace! Thank You for dying on the cross for us so we may become Your children and be able to enter into peace with You and with ourselves. Please help us to turn to You always so we may be shield from all enemies on every side and truly witness to this uneasy world a life built on the Rock of all ages, our Lord Jesus Christ! In the glorious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
So Little Faith
Scripture:
"I am the vine, my father is the gardener ... and you are the branches."
(John 15:1,5)
On Sunday while out to dinner with my wife a temporary cap, which the dentist put over a tooth he is working on, came off in my mouth while I was enjoying a delicious coconut ice cream dessert at a nice Thai restaurant. I knew immediately what had happened and I carefully wrapped the cap in a napkin and made an appointment to have it "glued" back. I went in this morning but it was too late. A tiny piece broke off and now I have to go through the whole process again of orthodontic work, another temporary cap, etc. Fortunately the final cap had not been ordered. Well to say the least, I did not come to work this morning very uplifted. I mentioned to Gloria on the way in saying, "I wish I had the faith to put my finger on my bad tooth and have it grow back."
The Lord told us that if we had the faith of a mustard seed we could move mountains. (Matthew 17:20) Does that mean that we have only a little bit if faith and we have less then that, does that mean that a mustard seed has 100% faith and we need to strive to have that? I don't know. There are many, many sermons and interpretations on the Internet about what this means. But my tooth is still broken. I wrestle about how little faith I actually have and my wife and friends encourage me when I share these kinds of thoughts. Why? Because they love me and that makes me feel good. But my tooth is still broken. I will now make another appointment and continue the process of getting it fixed and eventually there will be a cap on the tooth. But my tooth will still be broken even though the broken tooth will be covered up with a cap.
I think my tooth is a good illustration of how sin decays our lives. Little by little we let sin work its way into our lives not caring for our lives as we should. The next thing we know, sin has gotten a hold on our lives and destroys the very moral fiber of our souls and we need Jesus, the expert, to come in and tell us He is going to fix things. After he has done all the work of cleaning out the decayed parts and reconstructing our lives, we are told "go and sin no more." With the scars of sin on our lives, we get up, move forward and if we are not careful, sin works its way back into our lives.
A few quick thoughts
Also I meditated this morning about what I heard from a preacher on the Internet this morning which goes along with what I am sharing here. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. (John 15:1-8) If I am a branch and Jesus is the vine then the only thing I have to do to bear fruit is be connected to the vine and get everything that I need from the vine and from no place else. Jesus continues by saying that if we abide in Him and His Words abides in us then whatever we ask, will be given to us.
Conclusion:
I can't heal my tooth because I don't have faith,
and I don't have faith because I don't abide in the Word.
Solution:
I need to abide in the Word
-->> to have the faith
-->> to be given what I ask for
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for only reading or only studying your Word. Teach us Holy Spirit of God to abide in your Word. Help us get rid of all the "busy-ness" in our lives, to open our eyes to all "free" time, and to prioritize our lives so that we spend time and abide in your Word.
"I am the vine, my father is the gardener ... and you are the branches."
(John 15:1,5)
On Sunday while out to dinner with my wife a temporary cap, which the dentist put over a tooth he is working on, came off in my mouth while I was enjoying a delicious coconut ice cream dessert at a nice Thai restaurant. I knew immediately what had happened and I carefully wrapped the cap in a napkin and made an appointment to have it "glued" back. I went in this morning but it was too late. A tiny piece broke off and now I have to go through the whole process again of orthodontic work, another temporary cap, etc. Fortunately the final cap had not been ordered. Well to say the least, I did not come to work this morning very uplifted. I mentioned to Gloria on the way in saying, "I wish I had the faith to put my finger on my bad tooth and have it grow back."
The Lord told us that if we had the faith of a mustard seed we could move mountains. (Matthew 17:20) Does that mean that we have only a little bit if faith and we have less then that, does that mean that a mustard seed has 100% faith and we need to strive to have that? I don't know. There are many, many sermons and interpretations on the Internet about what this means. But my tooth is still broken. I wrestle about how little faith I actually have and my wife and friends encourage me when I share these kinds of thoughts. Why? Because they love me and that makes me feel good. But my tooth is still broken. I will now make another appointment and continue the process of getting it fixed and eventually there will be a cap on the tooth. But my tooth will still be broken even though the broken tooth will be covered up with a cap.
I think my tooth is a good illustration of how sin decays our lives. Little by little we let sin work its way into our lives not caring for our lives as we should. The next thing we know, sin has gotten a hold on our lives and destroys the very moral fiber of our souls and we need Jesus, the expert, to come in and tell us He is going to fix things. After he has done all the work of cleaning out the decayed parts and reconstructing our lives, we are told "go and sin no more." With the scars of sin on our lives, we get up, move forward and if we are not careful, sin works its way back into our lives.
A few quick thoughts
- We are told to obey God's word and if we do, we will prosper, but instead, we follow what we think, and not what God says.
- Then when we fall and cry out to God, He picks us up, heals us and says, obey what I have told you and you will not get hurt.
- So we try harder and maybe don't fall in the same way because maybe we have learned from our mistakes.
- Before long we fall in another area, building on our "experiences" by falling and recovering when if we just did what God said in His Word in the first place we would not have to learn the hard way.
Also I meditated this morning about what I heard from a preacher on the Internet this morning which goes along with what I am sharing here. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. (John 15:1-8) If I am a branch and Jesus is the vine then the only thing I have to do to bear fruit is be connected to the vine and get everything that I need from the vine and from no place else. Jesus continues by saying that if we abide in Him and His Words abides in us then whatever we ask, will be given to us.
Conclusion:
I can't heal my tooth because I don't have faith,
and I don't have faith because I don't abide in the Word.
Solution:
I need to abide in the Word
-->> to have the faith
-->> to be given what I ask for
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for only reading or only studying your Word. Teach us Holy Spirit of God to abide in your Word. Help us get rid of all the "busy-ness" in our lives, to open our eyes to all "free" time, and to prioritize our lives so that we spend time and abide in your Word.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Why? Why? Oh, Why?
Scriptures: If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons. (Hebrews 12:7)
Why must I suffer disappointment, sorrow, and tribulation? What have I done that God should send me trials? Is He displeased with me? These questions are constantly asked by God’s dear children.
Much of this fear and questioning is due to our misunderstanding of God’s dealings with His own. He has His good reasons. And one of those reasons is for our spiritual discipline. We should be far more afraid of being left alone than of God’s chastening, for He wastes no time on worthless objects that give no promise of promise of fruitfulness.
On the shores of Lake Michigan are great barren sand dunes that never felt the point of a plow. But in the rich lowlands beyond them, the farmer is constantly cultivating the soil. The farmer knows what he is doing, do he keeps on braking up the soil. The deeper the plow works and the more the sharp harrow, the more precious the crop will be when harvest time comes.
God’s plow goes deep, but it is only that in the end we may forget the plowing and rejoice in the blessing of bearing much fruit for Him. “No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)
When blades of distress cut deep in the soul,
Breaking up ground that was untouched before,
The Lord is preparing soil to bear fruit
Fit for the harvest to feed many more. – Hess
(From Our Daily Bread On-line Daily Devotion, April 7, 2008 – Written by M.R. De Haan)
Prayer Requests:
All sunshine and no rain makes desert
Prayer:
Why must I suffer disappointment, sorrow, and tribulation? What have I done that God should send me trials? Is He displeased with me? These questions are constantly asked by God’s dear children.
Much of this fear and questioning is due to our misunderstanding of God’s dealings with His own. He has His good reasons. And one of those reasons is for our spiritual discipline. We should be far more afraid of being left alone than of God’s chastening, for He wastes no time on worthless objects that give no promise of promise of fruitfulness.
On the shores of Lake Michigan are great barren sand dunes that never felt the point of a plow. But in the rich lowlands beyond them, the farmer is constantly cultivating the soil. The farmer knows what he is doing, do he keeps on braking up the soil. The deeper the plow works and the more the sharp harrow, the more precious the crop will be when harvest time comes.
God’s plow goes deep, but it is only that in the end we may forget the plowing and rejoice in the blessing of bearing much fruit for Him. “No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)
When blades of distress cut deep in the soul,
Breaking up ground that was untouched before,
The Lord is preparing soil to bear fruit
Fit for the harvest to feed many more. – Hess
(From Our Daily Bread On-line Daily Devotion, April 7, 2008 – Written by M.R. De Haan)
Prayer Requests:
All sunshine and no rain makes desert
Prayer:
Our loving Father, thank You for love of salvation. More than that, thank You for Your love that continue to build us up, even if we have to be rebuked and chastened. Thank You for Your undying love, a commitment we can count on for eternity. In the precious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Praise You Lord
Scripture:
But You are holy, O You Who dwell in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered].
(Psalm 22:3 Amplified)
Paul and Silas knew the secret of how to lift their hearts above their troubles and enter into God’s presence and power. Through praise and worship their hearts were raised into the joyous presence and peace of God, and provided God a channel for his power to operate in their circumstances.
The Bible says that God inhabits in the praises of His people (Psalms 22:3). In other words, God “dwells” in the atmosphere of His praise. This means that praise is not merely a reaction from coming into His presence - Praise is a vehicle of faith which brings us into the presence and power of God! Praise and worship is the “gate-pass” which allows us to enter the sacredness of His glory. The psalmist writes, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalms 100:4).
This corresponds with Jesus’ teaching, that His presence will inhabit the gathering of believers who congregate in His name: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). A “gathering in His name” means that Jesus must be the focus, the center of the assemblage. He must be the one preached about, sung about — the one praised and worshiped. “I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee” (Hebrews 2:12). Consequently, Christ’s presence, along with His virtue and anointing, is manifested in this type of gathering.
Have you ever noticed when “gifts of the Spirit” operate in a church service? The power and anointing of the Holy Spirit usually becomes evident, subsequent to a time of worship and praise. Some think that worship is a response after the Holy Spirit moves upon them. However, it’s the other way around. God’s presence responds when we move upon Him with worship! Lifting up Jesus Christ through praise and worship invokes the Lord’s presence and power to flow in our midst
Praise means “to commend, to applaud or magnify.” For the Christian, praise to God is an expression of worship, lifting-up and glorifying the Lord. It is an expression of humbling ourselves and centering our attention upon the Lord with heart-felt expressions of love, adoration and thanksgiving. High praises bring our spirit into a pinnacle of fellowship and intimacy between ourselves and God — it magnifies our awareness of our spiritual union with the most high God. Praise transports us into the realm of the supernatural and into the power of God. “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance” (Psalms 89:15).
There are many actions involved with praise to God — verbal expressions of adoration and thanksgiving, singing, playing instruments, shouting, dancing, lifting or clapping our hands. But true praise is not “merely” going through these motions. Jesus spoke about the hypocrisy of the pharisees, whose worship was only an outward show and not from the heart. “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8). Genuine praise to God is a matter of humility and sincere devotion to the Lord from within.
Unpretentious praise and worship pleases the Lord. He delights in the love and devotion of His children. According to the scriptures, the various expressions of praise bring blessing to the Lord. He eagerly awaits the fragrance of our affections, desiring to manifest His sweet presence and power in our midst. “...the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:23) http://www.victorious.org/praise.htm
Here is a website that I found just last night while looking for worship hymns with chords.
http://www.freepraiseandworship.org/
Prayer:
Thank you Lord for being present when you praise you. We lift you up Lord and worship you in our hearts, with our voices and through our lives. All Glory be to you.
But You are holy, O You Who dwell in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered].
(Psalm 22:3 Amplified)
Paul and Silas knew the secret of how to lift their hearts above their troubles and enter into God’s presence and power. Through praise and worship their hearts were raised into the joyous presence and peace of God, and provided God a channel for his power to operate in their circumstances.
The Bible says that God inhabits in the praises of His people (Psalms 22:3). In other words, God “dwells” in the atmosphere of His praise. This means that praise is not merely a reaction from coming into His presence - Praise is a vehicle of faith which brings us into the presence and power of God! Praise and worship is the “gate-pass” which allows us to enter the sacredness of His glory. The psalmist writes, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalms 100:4).
This corresponds with Jesus’ teaching, that His presence will inhabit the gathering of believers who congregate in His name: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). A “gathering in His name” means that Jesus must be the focus, the center of the assemblage. He must be the one preached about, sung about — the one praised and worshiped. “I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee” (Hebrews 2:12). Consequently, Christ’s presence, along with His virtue and anointing, is manifested in this type of gathering.
Have you ever noticed when “gifts of the Spirit” operate in a church service? The power and anointing of the Holy Spirit usually becomes evident, subsequent to a time of worship and praise. Some think that worship is a response after the Holy Spirit moves upon them. However, it’s the other way around. God’s presence responds when we move upon Him with worship! Lifting up Jesus Christ through praise and worship invokes the Lord’s presence and power to flow in our midst
Praise means “to commend, to applaud or magnify.” For the Christian, praise to God is an expression of worship, lifting-up and glorifying the Lord. It is an expression of humbling ourselves and centering our attention upon the Lord with heart-felt expressions of love, adoration and thanksgiving. High praises bring our spirit into a pinnacle of fellowship and intimacy between ourselves and God — it magnifies our awareness of our spiritual union with the most high God. Praise transports us into the realm of the supernatural and into the power of God. “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance” (Psalms 89:15).
There are many actions involved with praise to God — verbal expressions of adoration and thanksgiving, singing, playing instruments, shouting, dancing, lifting or clapping our hands. But true praise is not “merely” going through these motions. Jesus spoke about the hypocrisy of the pharisees, whose worship was only an outward show and not from the heart. “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8). Genuine praise to God is a matter of humility and sincere devotion to the Lord from within.
Unpretentious praise and worship pleases the Lord. He delights in the love and devotion of His children. According to the scriptures, the various expressions of praise bring blessing to the Lord. He eagerly awaits the fragrance of our affections, desiring to manifest His sweet presence and power in our midst. “...the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:23) http://www.victorious.org/praise.htm
Here is a website that I found just last night while looking for worship hymns with chords.
http://www.freepraiseandworship.org/
Prayer:
Thank you Lord for being present when you praise you. We lift you up Lord and worship you in our hearts, with our voices and through our lives. All Glory be to you.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
I Can Do All Things
Yesterday was the third anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. I would like to share some thoughts about this man who, though I only saw once for a few brief moments, affected my faith life in ways I am only now beginning to understand.
I will never forget Saturday, April 2, 2005. I was sitting at my computer when the news came over the wires that his earthly journey was complete. I had joined in spirit with the multitudes who had kept a long vigil in St. Peter’s Square that night, and when it was over, I cried. No, I sobbed. The one time I had seen the Holy Father in Rome in 2004 had such a profound impact on me that when he died, I felt like I’d lost a member of my own family. Indeed, I – and the world – had lost a spiritual father.
This simple man, during his last hours that April night and in the days leading up to his funeral, brought the whole world together! So often we excuse ourselves from work or situations we want to avoid, protesting, “But I’m just one person. What can I possibly do?” JP2, as we lovingly called him, had his own answer to that question. He clearly understood what St. Paul had written centuries before: I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). One person described him as a Pope who “makes decisions on his knees.” And from that strength came a sense of deep and utter conviction from which he was able to speak to kings and paupers, to people of great faith and to those with no faith at all. In his last days, when even his voice had left him, his dignity in the face of suffering preached one of the most eloquent sermons ever given.
The book of the prophet Hosea speaks of God leading His people Israel into the desert where He will speak to her heart (cf. Hos. 2:16). The Lord called Moses to converse with Him on Mount Sinai. Jesus, the Gospels tell us, often went off by Himself to pray. It is there in that blessed communion with our Lord and Savior that we find what we need to do all things. It’s all so simple, and yet we humans have a tremendous capacity for making our lives so very complicated. But Jesus reminds us that it is the meek and the pure of heart and the poor in spirit who are blessed (see Mt. 5) because their vision is not blurred and obscured by all the extraneous minutia that too often takes over our lives.
John Paul II, for all his greatness, remained a simple, humble man who saw God in everyone, especially in the children. I remember vividly the Ash Wednesday service I attended at St. Peter’s Basilica in 2004 (which, as it turned out, was the last one at which he presided). There was a group of pilgrims from Mexico seated behind us. As the Pope and his entourage were processing out at the conclusion of the liturgy, the people behind us started passing a baby across the row toward the main aisle. When JP2 caught sight of the little one, he lit up like a Christmas tree, in spite of his age and obvious infirmities. I will never forget the sweetness on his face as he held and blessed that child. Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven (Lk. 18:15).
I would like to end this reflection with some of Pope John Paul’s own words from a collection of his poetry called The Place Within.
I often think of that day of vision:
It will be filled with amazement
at the Simplicity
that can hold
the world.
And the world dwells in it, untouched
until now, and beyond.
And then the simple necessity grows
to a still greater yearning
for that one day
embracing all things
with the immeasurable Simplicity
that love’s breathing can bring.
(Shores of Silence, Stanza 16)
John Paul II, requiescat in pacem, et ora pro nobis.
Prayer Request: For all those bogged down with busy schedules.
Prayer: Lord, we thank You for calling us away from the clamor and bustle of our lives to come away with You to be refreshed in Your presence. Help us to find joy in the simple things, and to see Your face in everyone we meet. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
I will never forget Saturday, April 2, 2005. I was sitting at my computer when the news came over the wires that his earthly journey was complete. I had joined in spirit with the multitudes who had kept a long vigil in St. Peter’s Square that night, and when it was over, I cried. No, I sobbed. The one time I had seen the Holy Father in Rome in 2004 had such a profound impact on me that when he died, I felt like I’d lost a member of my own family. Indeed, I – and the world – had lost a spiritual father.
This simple man, during his last hours that April night and in the days leading up to his funeral, brought the whole world together! So often we excuse ourselves from work or situations we want to avoid, protesting, “But I’m just one person. What can I possibly do?” JP2, as we lovingly called him, had his own answer to that question. He clearly understood what St. Paul had written centuries before: I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). One person described him as a Pope who “makes decisions on his knees.” And from that strength came a sense of deep and utter conviction from which he was able to speak to kings and paupers, to people of great faith and to those with no faith at all. In his last days, when even his voice had left him, his dignity in the face of suffering preached one of the most eloquent sermons ever given.
The book of the prophet Hosea speaks of God leading His people Israel into the desert where He will speak to her heart (cf. Hos. 2:16). The Lord called Moses to converse with Him on Mount Sinai. Jesus, the Gospels tell us, often went off by Himself to pray. It is there in that blessed communion with our Lord and Savior that we find what we need to do all things. It’s all so simple, and yet we humans have a tremendous capacity for making our lives so very complicated. But Jesus reminds us that it is the meek and the pure of heart and the poor in spirit who are blessed (see Mt. 5) because their vision is not blurred and obscured by all the extraneous minutia that too often takes over our lives.
John Paul II, for all his greatness, remained a simple, humble man who saw God in everyone, especially in the children. I remember vividly the Ash Wednesday service I attended at St. Peter’s Basilica in 2004 (which, as it turned out, was the last one at which he presided). There was a group of pilgrims from Mexico seated behind us. As the Pope and his entourage were processing out at the conclusion of the liturgy, the people behind us started passing a baby across the row toward the main aisle. When JP2 caught sight of the little one, he lit up like a Christmas tree, in spite of his age and obvious infirmities. I will never forget the sweetness on his face as he held and blessed that child. Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven (Lk. 18:15).
I would like to end this reflection with some of Pope John Paul’s own words from a collection of his poetry called The Place Within.
I often think of that day of vision:
It will be filled with amazement
at the Simplicity
that can hold
the world.
And the world dwells in it, untouched
until now, and beyond.
And then the simple necessity grows
to a still greater yearning
for that one day
embracing all things
with the immeasurable Simplicity
that love’s breathing can bring.
(Shores of Silence, Stanza 16)
John Paul II, requiescat in pacem, et ora pro nobis.
Prayer Request: For all those bogged down with busy schedules.
Prayer: Lord, we thank You for calling us away from the clamor and bustle of our lives to come away with You to be refreshed in Your presence. Help us to find joy in the simple things, and to see Your face in everyone we meet. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Swirling to Higher Ground
Scriptures: You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself. (Exodus 19:4)
The other night, as I was in the airport waiting for a flight for my business trip, I saw a father and a daughter came out of the boarding gate. Apparently, they had just got off the airplane. It was about 11 pm and the little girl looked very tired.
She stood before her dad, with her arms reaching out to him, and demanded that she be carried in his arms. The father looked at the little girl and gently asked her to wait for just a minute. He put on his jacket, put his backpack on his back, carried his laptop bag on his shoulder and picked up his daughter’s little backpack. Then, he gently picked her up and held her in his arms. I saw her put her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. I supposed she fell asleep in her dad’s arms very quickly.
I thought to myself, “What a loving father! What a beautiful picture of his love for his beautiful daughter!” Then, I remembered this verse in the book of Exodus where God reminded the Israeli people how He had stepped into their sufferings and delivered them out of slavery, how He carried them as though they were carried by eagle’s wings to Himself.
This reminder came, after they had quarreled with Moses in Rephidim for water, when they had come to the Mount Sinai. They had just left Egypt, the land of slavery, for 3 months. But, they had already forgotten all about the sufferings they had in Egypt. All that they could remember was there was water for them in Egypt. How short was their memory that they had forgotten all the miracles God had performed during those 3 months. It’s amazing, isn’t it?
But, let’s not be too critical of them for we sometimes do the same, don’t we? There’s so much going on in our lives, church ministries, office work, birthdays, anniversaries, business schedules, medical appointments, children’s extra-curricular activities, community services, and the list goes on. But, our days remain 24 hours a day, not one second longer. We wonder how we can keep up with all these demands and, at the same time, wonder why we have become so impatient, temperamental, and easily frustrated.
There is no question that the demand for our time and attention is great. The question is how we deal with it. Our scripture today offers 2 comforting promises from God: 1) He sees us in our circumstances and He comes to our rescue. He knows us because He is our Creator. He knows how we feel when we are hurt, overloaded, frustrated, put down, and forgotten. As much as we, sometimes, want to believe that no one knows what we’ve been though, God actually knows what we’ve been through and, more than that, our hurts hurt Him too. We are not alone in all our miseries. He had come alongside and has been through every ups and downs in our lives with us.
2) More than coming alongside, He wants to carry us to Himself. He wants to hold us in His arms, close to His heart and to embrace us in His love. He desires to take the heavy load off us so we may rest in Him; He desires to take us to higher place so we may see beyond human understanding what He has in store for us heavenward; and He desires to take us alongside Him so we may enjoy the fellowship and the freedom in truth, eternal and glorious!
You see, this is our God, our heavenly Father who desires nothing but the best for us for eternity. But, what must we do to enjoy these wonderful promises? Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
Yes, come to Jesus and learn from Jesus are the two things we need to enjoy this reviving power of our Lord God. Just like that little girl who, when tired, came to her father and asked for his support, we too need to learn to come to our Lord and stay still before Him for His uplifting arms and strength. His presence is always in our midst, but we need to know to come to Him. His grace is always more than sufficient for us, but we need to know to ask and wait until we realize we are already in His arms. Then, and only then, we can rest in His arms, like that little girl in her father’s arms!
Don’t worry about the time you may lose because it is spent with the Lord. You will be amazed by the power of the Lord that refreshes your soul and by the productivity gain of a life recharged by our Lord!
Prayer Requests:
For those weary from their daily chores and never ending responsibilities
Prayer:
Our loving Father, thank You for never taking your eyes off us who constantly lose sight of Your presence in our lives. Help us to learn to be still before You so we may be charged with heavenly power to do Your will in this dark and needy generation. Help us to learn from our Lord Jesus so we may be strong and not weary in our daily walk with You. In the precious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
The other night, as I was in the airport waiting for a flight for my business trip, I saw a father and a daughter came out of the boarding gate. Apparently, they had just got off the airplane. It was about 11 pm and the little girl looked very tired.
She stood before her dad, with her arms reaching out to him, and demanded that she be carried in his arms. The father looked at the little girl and gently asked her to wait for just a minute. He put on his jacket, put his backpack on his back, carried his laptop bag on his shoulder and picked up his daughter’s little backpack. Then, he gently picked her up and held her in his arms. I saw her put her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. I supposed she fell asleep in her dad’s arms very quickly.
I thought to myself, “What a loving father! What a beautiful picture of his love for his beautiful daughter!” Then, I remembered this verse in the book of Exodus where God reminded the Israeli people how He had stepped into their sufferings and delivered them out of slavery, how He carried them as though they were carried by eagle’s wings to Himself.
This reminder came, after they had quarreled with Moses in Rephidim for water, when they had come to the Mount Sinai. They had just left Egypt, the land of slavery, for 3 months. But, they had already forgotten all about the sufferings they had in Egypt. All that they could remember was there was water for them in Egypt. How short was their memory that they had forgotten all the miracles God had performed during those 3 months. It’s amazing, isn’t it?
But, let’s not be too critical of them for we sometimes do the same, don’t we? There’s so much going on in our lives, church ministries, office work, birthdays, anniversaries, business schedules, medical appointments, children’s extra-curricular activities, community services, and the list goes on. But, our days remain 24 hours a day, not one second longer. We wonder how we can keep up with all these demands and, at the same time, wonder why we have become so impatient, temperamental, and easily frustrated.
There is no question that the demand for our time and attention is great. The question is how we deal with it. Our scripture today offers 2 comforting promises from God: 1) He sees us in our circumstances and He comes to our rescue. He knows us because He is our Creator. He knows how we feel when we are hurt, overloaded, frustrated, put down, and forgotten. As much as we, sometimes, want to believe that no one knows what we’ve been though, God actually knows what we’ve been through and, more than that, our hurts hurt Him too. We are not alone in all our miseries. He had come alongside and has been through every ups and downs in our lives with us.
2) More than coming alongside, He wants to carry us to Himself. He wants to hold us in His arms, close to His heart and to embrace us in His love. He desires to take the heavy load off us so we may rest in Him; He desires to take us to higher place so we may see beyond human understanding what He has in store for us heavenward; and He desires to take us alongside Him so we may enjoy the fellowship and the freedom in truth, eternal and glorious!
You see, this is our God, our heavenly Father who desires nothing but the best for us for eternity. But, what must we do to enjoy these wonderful promises? Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
Yes, come to Jesus and learn from Jesus are the two things we need to enjoy this reviving power of our Lord God. Just like that little girl who, when tired, came to her father and asked for his support, we too need to learn to come to our Lord and stay still before Him for His uplifting arms and strength. His presence is always in our midst, but we need to know to come to Him. His grace is always more than sufficient for us, but we need to know to ask and wait until we realize we are already in His arms. Then, and only then, we can rest in His arms, like that little girl in her father’s arms!
Don’t worry about the time you may lose because it is spent with the Lord. You will be amazed by the power of the Lord that refreshes your soul and by the productivity gain of a life recharged by our Lord!
Prayer Requests:
For those weary from their daily chores and never ending responsibilities
Prayer:
Our loving Father, thank You for never taking your eyes off us who constantly lose sight of Your presence in our lives. Help us to learn to be still before You so we may be charged with heavenly power to do Your will in this dark and needy generation. Help us to learn from our Lord Jesus so we may be strong and not weary in our daily walk with You. In the precious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!
We Are So Blessed
Scripture:
"Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the Lord empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you. " (Deuteronomy 16:16-17)
I have a close friend who had not had any work for a while now and has been studying to get his insurance license. While he was doing this he put name at the end of a list of 30 truck drivers who haul cement to building locations. Now we all know how tough the housing market is right now so he was only getting a day or two of work each month and, in addition, he failed the insurance test two previous times. He is a brother who loves the Lord and he has a wife and three daughters.
About 2 months ago I coveted to pray for him and his family every day that God would give him more work to care for his family, help him pass the insurance test, bring him abundant prosperity, protect him from the creditors and give peace to his wife and his three girls.
At first things seemed to get worse before they got better. They were 3 months behind in their car payments with threats of repossession with only 5 months left on the loan. As we prayed each day, my friend started to get more days of work for a few half days, then a couple of days a week, then days of 10.5 hours. At the same time, he was studying for his test. He studied hard after work and on weekends and his eldest daughter even drilled him with sample test questions.
Well less then an hour ago I got this text message from him, "PASSED IN one HoUR PRAisE GOd PrAISE GOD". As you can imagine I rejoiced with him saying "HALLELUJAH" followed by "The Lord is your strength and your deliverer, the very help in the time of your needs. Then I said, "I am happy for you. Now God will reign on you and with your first fruits you must thank him. Pray for His will in your obedience."
In Deutoronomy 16, verse 17 it says, "No man should appear before the Lord empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you." At first this might seem easy enough because when we are blessed we usually feel a "relief " or a burden lifted, however, all to quickly we begin to think of all the ways this "blessing" should be "adminstered" because we have so much "need". Then before we realize it, the blessing is gone, there is a need again and we missed the opportunity to thank God in a tangible way.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you so much for hearing our prayers and meeting our needs. Continually remind us to express our gratitude in real and tangible ways and glorify your Son in our giving. In Jesus Name, Amen
"Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the Lord empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you. " (Deuteronomy 16:16-17)
I have a close friend who had not had any work for a while now and has been studying to get his insurance license. While he was doing this he put name at the end of a list of 30 truck drivers who haul cement to building locations. Now we all know how tough the housing market is right now so he was only getting a day or two of work each month and, in addition, he failed the insurance test two previous times. He is a brother who loves the Lord and he has a wife and three daughters.
About 2 months ago I coveted to pray for him and his family every day that God would give him more work to care for his family, help him pass the insurance test, bring him abundant prosperity, protect him from the creditors and give peace to his wife and his three girls.
At first things seemed to get worse before they got better. They were 3 months behind in their car payments with threats of repossession with only 5 months left on the loan. As we prayed each day, my friend started to get more days of work for a few half days, then a couple of days a week, then days of 10.5 hours. At the same time, he was studying for his test. He studied hard after work and on weekends and his eldest daughter even drilled him with sample test questions.
Well less then an hour ago I got this text message from him, "PASSED IN one HoUR PRAisE GOd PrAISE GOD". As you can imagine I rejoiced with him saying "HALLELUJAH" followed by "The Lord is your strength and your deliverer, the very help in the time of your needs. Then I said, "I am happy for you. Now God will reign on you and with your first fruits you must thank him. Pray for His will in your obedience."
In Deutoronomy 16, verse 17 it says, "No man should appear before the Lord empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you." At first this might seem easy enough because when we are blessed we usually feel a "relief " or a burden lifted, however, all to quickly we begin to think of all the ways this "blessing" should be "adminstered" because we have so much "need". Then before we realize it, the blessing is gone, there is a need again and we missed the opportunity to thank God in a tangible way.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you so much for hearing our prayers and meeting our needs. Continually remind us to express our gratitude in real and tangible ways and glorify your Son in our giving. In Jesus Name, Amen
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