v13. "...but deliver us from the evil one"
The NIV translation reads "EVIL ONE" and not the traditional way we say this prayer "evil".
I always say EVIL ONE, because for me - Satan is very real; and this prayer reminds me of that. As a side note, I like speaking this prayer much slower than churches traditionally recite. This prayer has some powerful words, and I like to digest them.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
I Samuel 15 - disobedience
"To obey is better than sacrifice.."
The decisions I make on when and where I will serve God often depend on time, energy and resources, but my obedience to God should never
be affected by these things. In this chapter we see Saul's outright disobedience to God, and his partial disobedience (which is still disobedience). A fully-devoted follower of Jesus Christ = requires my complete, unwavering obedience. I have so far to go.....so very far to go.
The decisions I make on when and where I will serve God often depend on time, energy and resources, but my obedience to God should never
be affected by these things. In this chapter we see Saul's outright disobedience to God, and his partial disobedience (which is still disobedience). A fully-devoted follower of Jesus Christ = requires my complete, unwavering obedience. I have so far to go.....so very far to go.
Monday, March 23, 2009
I Samuel 12
Verse 20 - "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart."
How many times have I sinned and then sort of thrown in the towel for that day, week, or period of time? That was my natural tendency years ago; however now - I confess sin and turn TO God for forgiveness, correction, and in loving obedience.
The old phrase "two wrongs don't make a right" certainly is something we must be very careful about in our walk with Christ. Samuel is reminding us that despite what evil/wrong we have committed, we must turn to God and serve Him with all our heart. The God of second chances, 3rd, 4th, etc........is waiting.
How many times have I sinned and then sort of thrown in the towel for that day, week, or period of time? That was my natural tendency years ago; however now - I confess sin and turn TO God for forgiveness, correction, and in loving obedience.
The old phrase "two wrongs don't make a right" certainly is something we must be very careful about in our walk with Christ. Samuel is reminding us that despite what evil/wrong we have committed, we must turn to God and serve Him with all our heart. The God of second chances, 3rd, 4th, etc........is waiting.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
I Samuel 8 = TODAY
I can't help but read this chapter and see the strong similarities to last November's election. We, as a nation, are getting what we, as a nation, asked for. God is absent in our election process, and it shows!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Acts 12
Verse 24 - "But the word of God continued to increase and spread."
Despite all our problems - as a nation, community, household, and individuals; God is still at work. That brings me great comfort and hope.
Despite all our problems - as a nation, community, household, and individuals; God is still at work. That brings me great comfort and hope.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Acts 10 - Vision of Unity
Does prejudice exist among Christians?
It did in this account with Simon Peter. Does it still exist today?
Do we struggle at times about how other races and denominations worship God? Do we struggle internally with the thought that God loves Muslims, too? Are we joyous to hear that a convicted killer, rapist, or terrorist claims to have found a Savior named Jesus?
We/I need to take off our robes of judgement that we are not entitled to wear. There is only ONE who is qualified for that role. I confess I still struggle, at times, with those immersed in sin and evil finding the Lord. I should be praying for them, regularly. Maybe if the Christian Church remembered this "vision of unity" that opened Peter's eyes; our eyes would be open to amazing grace of God's love to ALL people. Maybe that is what God is waiting to happen before HE starts healing our land from all its' prejudices.
It did in this account with Simon Peter. Does it still exist today?
Do we struggle at times about how other races and denominations worship God? Do we struggle internally with the thought that God loves Muslims, too? Are we joyous to hear that a convicted killer, rapist, or terrorist claims to have found a Savior named Jesus?
We/I need to take off our robes of judgement that we are not entitled to wear. There is only ONE who is qualified for that role. I confess I still struggle, at times, with those immersed in sin and evil finding the Lord. I should be praying for them, regularly. Maybe if the Christian Church remembered this "vision of unity" that opened Peter's eyes; our eyes would be open to amazing grace of God's love to ALL people. Maybe that is what God is waiting to happen before HE starts healing our land from all its' prejudices.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Ruth 4
Pastor Chris's motto of "doing the next right thing" rings loud again. Boaz did the next right thing. What he also did was NOT to start counting the cost to be obedient. That was what the kinsman-redeemer did. He was ready to help Naomi/Ruth, but when he started to count the cost of obedience...he backed off.
I want to be like Boaz. The cost of being obedient to God should not come into play when we make our decisions in life. Obedience to God must become the 'natural' thing to do. In other words....it is DOING THE NEXT RIGHT THING!
I want to be like Boaz. The cost of being obedient to God should not come into play when we make our decisions in life. Obedience to God must become the 'natural' thing to do. In other words....it is DOING THE NEXT RIGHT THING!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Ruth 1 - "Your God will be my God"
16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."
Naomi had to deal with some bitter losses in her life (husband,sons); yet Ruth was not only devoted to Naomi, but she must have seen something in the way she conducted her life to make the statement, "your God will be my God".
Do people around me find God attractive by the way I live my life, and by the faith and hope I express in God to also say, "your God is my God".
What image are you portraying of God? Does your life reflect a sincere obedience to His word and will for you life? These are tough questions that produce very humble answers from me. How about you?
Naomi had to deal with some bitter losses in her life (husband,sons); yet Ruth was not only devoted to Naomi, but she must have seen something in the way she conducted her life to make the statement, "your God will be my God".
Do people around me find God attractive by the way I live my life, and by the faith and hope I express in God to also say, "your God is my God".
What image are you portraying of God? Does your life reflect a sincere obedience to His word and will for you life? These are tough questions that produce very humble answers from me. How about you?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Philemon
Verse 6 - "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ."
Active to me means regularly exercising our salvation; sharing our relationship with Christ through words, actions, relationships, and service. I former spiritual mentor once told me that if you find yourself sharing the same "God happenings and events" in your life with other people; that you need to examine your walk with Him. We should have fresh accounts to share of how God is working in and through our lives. If we do not, then we are just "playing church". I think this applies to us as individuals and as a church. We must be active in sharing our faith.
When we are active in sharing our faith, God gives us a fuller understanding of just how much He loves us. Who doesn't want that feeling today?
Active to me means regularly exercising our salvation; sharing our relationship with Christ through words, actions, relationships, and service. I former spiritual mentor once told me that if you find yourself sharing the same "God happenings and events" in your life with other people; that you need to examine your walk with Him. We should have fresh accounts to share of how God is working in and through our lives. If we do not, then we are just "playing church". I think this applies to us as individuals and as a church. We must be active in sharing our faith.
When we are active in sharing our faith, God gives us a fuller understanding of just how much He loves us. Who doesn't want that feeling today?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Titus Chapter 3 - Grace and goodness
I read this chapter and I just sit amazed at the change in people's lives when they have accepted Christ as their Savior. A 180 degree turn.....it is just amazing what the grace of God can do. I hope people see that in my life, as I see it in so many of my Christian friends. Also...Paul emphasizes three times "doing what is good". As Pastor Chris has spoken to us about several times this year - "do the next right thing" - we need to start DOING it!
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