For we are strangers among thee and sojourners...our days on the earth are as a shadow...
1 Chronicles 29:15
Pilgrims...temporary citizens...
Everyday we affect those around us. Everyday we leave an impression on those we meet, whether it be in person, by phone, email, over the web. Striving to be that person who can make a difference in someones life--be it just a smile in passing or a helping hand that was unexpected.
My prayer for today?
"Lord make me an instument of thy use. My life is here in your hands, use me as needed to touch those around me with your love."
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Putting Off Earthly Things...
Colossians 3:1-3
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Put off those things that are of this world, we are sojourners and strangers here. We should love the things of God--the things above--seeking heaven, not desiring the things of this world.
Oh how we can struggle with this one aspect of our Christian lives!
Colossians 3:4-7
When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
We need to put off those characteristics which marked our old life of sin and instead remember that we are a new creation in Christ and we must live like we are a new creation in Christ!
Colossians 3:8-15
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.
And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Maybe that is the key...LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN OUR HEARTS
Let the peace of God rule in our hearts...the peace that comes from having CHARITY (which is love).
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Now the God of peace [be] with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:33)
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Put off those things that are of this world, we are sojourners and strangers here. We should love the things of God--the things above--seeking heaven, not desiring the things of this world.
Oh how we can struggle with this one aspect of our Christian lives!
Colossians 3:4-7
When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
We need to put off those characteristics which marked our old life of sin and instead remember that we are a new creation in Christ and we must live like we are a new creation in Christ!
Colossians 3:8-15
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.
And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Maybe that is the key...LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN OUR HEARTS
Let the peace of God rule in our hearts...the peace that comes from having CHARITY (which is love).
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Now the God of peace [be] with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:33)
Crucified With Christ
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
...The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God...
My old self has been crucified with Christ on the cross. My sins passed away, buried and now a new creation lives because of Jesus Christ.
Do I live as a new creation or do I live according to the lusts and desires of my old life?
It's been almost 38 years since I gave my life to Jesus as a child in Pennsylvania. This is a question I have to ask myself time and again. It's a question all who claim the promises of salvation through Jesus Christ should quietly ask themselves from time to time. It is ever so easy for the things of the world to creep back into our lives and take us unaware. A little retrospection is a good thing in the life of a healthy Christian.
As I look deep into my heart, what do I see as most important? Is it the things above or the things of this world? Am I justifying some of the things of this world in the "name" of my Christian faith? Dress? Appearance? Standards and philosophies?
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:27-28)
Lord, may I be found pleasing to you. Help me to continually live with my mind on "things above" and putting aside the "thing of earth" that so easily bide for my attention and thoughts. Give me a desire to "seek your kingdom" ever. Amen
...The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God...
My old self has been crucified with Christ on the cross. My sins passed away, buried and now a new creation lives because of Jesus Christ.
Do I live as a new creation or do I live according to the lusts and desires of my old life?
It's been almost 38 years since I gave my life to Jesus as a child in Pennsylvania. This is a question I have to ask myself time and again. It's a question all who claim the promises of salvation through Jesus Christ should quietly ask themselves from time to time. It is ever so easy for the things of the world to creep back into our lives and take us unaware. A little retrospection is a good thing in the life of a healthy Christian.
As I look deep into my heart, what do I see as most important? Is it the things above or the things of this world? Am I justifying some of the things of this world in the "name" of my Christian faith? Dress? Appearance? Standards and philosophies?
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:27-28)
Lord, may I be found pleasing to you. Help me to continually live with my mind on "things above" and putting aside the "thing of earth" that so easily bide for my attention and thoughts. Give me a desire to "seek your kingdom" ever. Amen
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Pray Without Ceasing
"Men ought always to pray and not faint" Luke 18:1
Prayer which takes the fact that past prayers have not been answered as a reason for languor, has already ceased to be the prayer of faith. To the prayer of faith the fact that prayers remain unanswered is only evidence that the moment of the answer is so much nearer. From first to last, the lessons and examples of our Lord all tell us that prayer which cannot persevere and urge its plea importunately (persistently), and renew, and renew itself again, and gather strength from every past petition, is not the prayer that will prevail. --William Arthur
How often do we pray once, pray twice and receiving no answer, lose heart and pray that prayer no more certain that God is not answering it.
Scripture teaches us the following:
Luke 18:1 "...that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
Luke 11:5-10 "Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity (i.e. persistence) he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Romans 12:12 "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;"
Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;"
Colossians 4:2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
May I continue with a prayer of faith until the day that prayer is answered. Lord guide me in the of acceptance of your timing in all situations. Give me patience and the wisdom I so much need to pray with perseverance. --Amen
Prayer which takes the fact that past prayers have not been answered as a reason for languor, has already ceased to be the prayer of faith. To the prayer of faith the fact that prayers remain unanswered is only evidence that the moment of the answer is so much nearer. From first to last, the lessons and examples of our Lord all tell us that prayer which cannot persevere and urge its plea importunately (persistently), and renew, and renew itself again, and gather strength from every past petition, is not the prayer that will prevail. --William Arthur
How often do we pray once, pray twice and receiving no answer, lose heart and pray that prayer no more certain that God is not answering it.
Scripture teaches us the following:
Luke 18:1 "...that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
Luke 11:5-10 "Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity (i.e. persistence) he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Romans 12:12 "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;"
Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;"
Colossians 4:2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
May I continue with a prayer of faith until the day that prayer is answered. Lord guide me in the of acceptance of your timing in all situations. Give me patience and the wisdom I so much need to pray with perseverance. --Amen
Friday, January 19, 2007
Proverbs for Women to Live By
- Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins
- A gracious woman retains honor...
- As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a beautiful woman which is without discretion
- A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes him ashamed is as rottenness in his bones
- Every wise woman buildeth up her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands
- It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and angry woman
- It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house
- A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life...
...she looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Walk In Love
This post is taken out of an old prayer journal of mine that dates from January 2002.
Ephesians 5:2
"Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour."
Ephesians 5:8
"For you were sometimes in darkness but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light..."
My postscript to these verses reads:
Let our light shine forth--always bright (keep our "batteries" charged full) Mine feel drained and low right now.
These entries were from January 5-6, 2002
I look back now, 5 years later and wonder why I felt that way, what was going on in my life...ooohhh, I remember now.
I was just over 3 months past the miscarriage of a much wanted and LONG awaited baby. Still, at this point trying to comprehend WHY God would let this happen to us...on top of that, just a month previous my beloved decided (mostly against family wishes) to uproot us from our long established home, special friends we loved as family, a very productive and much needed youth ministry in the community, and wonderful church family, to take a new job 200 miles away. How, I lamented, could this be God's will. Couldn't my beloved see what he was doing to us all, why was he being so blind and selfish.
This was too hard...but little did I know at the time that there were more harder trials to come--and soon.
Standing on this side, back at "home" and looking that long way back to that year, I still don't know that it was the right move--maybe there were selfish motives on his part, maybe he wasn't in God's will, but I do know it is not my place to judge that. Sure he knew, and knows how I still feel. I wasn't very good at concealling my despair over the whole thing.
I was definately "walking in darkness" during that time but feel like I've crossed out of it into the "light" once again.
my journal entry goes on...
Jan. 9, 2002
Matthew 12:30 "He that is not with me is against me..."
There is NO neutrality--either you are with the Lord or not!
Matthew 12:33 "...for the tree is known by its fuit."
As I travel on through that old prayer journal I come to the really hard times...
Feb 25, 2002
Dad had a heart attack during the night. Bob and I went down to the hospital @ 1am and stayed till 3am. He was doing good--very stable, talkative, joking, wantign to go home. I had a big green sour apple gum ball in my coat pocket and held it out jokingly asking him if he wanted it. Much to my surprise he said yes and proceeded to pop it into his mouth and chew it--much to the chagrin of the nurses attending him. I've never seen my dad chew gum in all my 41 years!....I got a call at 10am saying to come down--he wasn't doing good.
The journal goes on....
I remember thinking on my way to the hospital that I couldn't give him up -- it was too hard -- I wasn't ready -- it wasn't fair! I loved him too much. I had had the same thoughts when I miscarried our much desired and long awaited baby last September. This time -- as then -- God brought to my mind the fact that HE had given up his Beloved Son, Jesus to suffer and die because of ME -- because of MY sins. How much MORE God had given up because Jesus was totally innocent adn sinless. My grief was nothing comapred to our Fathers...
Luke 23:44-45
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour and the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in teh midst.
Matthew 27:51, 52
And behold, the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose...
How deep the Fathers love for us, How great beyond all measure That he should give his only son to make a wretch his treasure...
Psalm 77:7-9
Will the LORD cast off forever? and will he be favorable no more?
Is his mercy clean gone forever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? has he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah
Psalm 77:10-15
And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the eyars of teh right hand of the most High. I will remember the work of the LORD surely I will remember the wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in teh sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
and finally --
Psalm 73: 21, 23-24, 26, 28
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins...
...Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory...
...My flsh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever...
...But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the LORD God, that I may declare all thy works.
My prayer today...
Lord, in your hiding place is my safety and happiness. Let me always find myself seeking you, desiring your will in my life. Keep me ever mindful to show your Love to others that they may through me, come to know you. Help me to remember that those "others" are the people whom I do not want to love--the "unloveable" ones. Those who use me, slander me, despise me...AMEN.
Ephesians 5:2
"Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour."
Ephesians 5:8
"For you were sometimes in darkness but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light..."
My postscript to these verses reads:
Let our light shine forth--always bright (keep our "batteries" charged full) Mine feel drained and low right now.
These entries were from January 5-6, 2002
I look back now, 5 years later and wonder why I felt that way, what was going on in my life...ooohhh, I remember now.
I was just over 3 months past the miscarriage of a much wanted and LONG awaited baby. Still, at this point trying to comprehend WHY God would let this happen to us...on top of that, just a month previous my beloved decided (mostly against family wishes) to uproot us from our long established home, special friends we loved as family, a very productive and much needed youth ministry in the community, and wonderful church family, to take a new job 200 miles away. How, I lamented, could this be God's will. Couldn't my beloved see what he was doing to us all, why was he being so blind and selfish.
This was too hard...but little did I know at the time that there were more harder trials to come--and soon.
Standing on this side, back at "home" and looking that long way back to that year, I still don't know that it was the right move--maybe there were selfish motives on his part, maybe he wasn't in God's will, but I do know it is not my place to judge that. Sure he knew, and knows how I still feel. I wasn't very good at concealling my despair over the whole thing.
I was definately "walking in darkness" during that time but feel like I've crossed out of it into the "light" once again.
my journal entry goes on...
Jan. 9, 2002
Matthew 12:30 "He that is not with me is against me..."
There is NO neutrality--either you are with the Lord or not!
Matthew 12:33 "...for the tree is known by its fuit."
As I travel on through that old prayer journal I come to the really hard times...
Feb 25, 2002
Dad had a heart attack during the night. Bob and I went down to the hospital @ 1am and stayed till 3am. He was doing good--very stable, talkative, joking, wantign to go home. I had a big green sour apple gum ball in my coat pocket and held it out jokingly asking him if he wanted it. Much to my surprise he said yes and proceeded to pop it into his mouth and chew it--much to the chagrin of the nurses attending him. I've never seen my dad chew gum in all my 41 years!....I got a call at 10am saying to come down--he wasn't doing good.
The journal goes on....
I remember thinking on my way to the hospital that I couldn't give him up -- it was too hard -- I wasn't ready -- it wasn't fair! I loved him too much. I had had the same thoughts when I miscarried our much desired and long awaited baby last September. This time -- as then -- God brought to my mind the fact that HE had given up his Beloved Son, Jesus to suffer and die because of ME -- because of MY sins. How much MORE God had given up because Jesus was totally innocent adn sinless. My grief was nothing comapred to our Fathers...
Luke 23:44-45
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour and the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in teh midst.
Matthew 27:51, 52
And behold, the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose...
How deep the Fathers love for us, How great beyond all measure That he should give his only son to make a wretch his treasure...
Psalm 77:7-9
Will the LORD cast off forever? and will he be favorable no more?
Is his mercy clean gone forever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? has he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah
Psalm 77:10-15
And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the eyars of teh right hand of the most High. I will remember the work of the LORD surely I will remember the wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in teh sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
and finally --
Psalm 73: 21, 23-24, 26, 28
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins...
...Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory...
...My flsh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever...
...But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the LORD God, that I may declare all thy works.
My prayer today...
Lord, in your hiding place is my safety and happiness. Let me always find myself seeking you, desiring your will in my life. Keep me ever mindful to show your Love to others that they may through me, come to know you. Help me to remember that those "others" are the people whom I do not want to love--the "unloveable" ones. Those who use me, slander me, despise me...AMEN.
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