'''For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.''' Luke 2:30-32
These words, spoken by a man who saw Jesus as a baby and knew who He was, sum up Jesus' purpose in coming to the earth. He was the salvation meant for all peoples, redeeming God's chosen people Israel and opening it up to everyone else. No longer was there a difference between people groups, no longer an exclusive relationship with God based on race or heritage. Jesus opened the door wide for all people, a love that takes each of us as we are and redeems us. Revelation and glory, indeed! What a beautiful God we serve, a God willing to sacrifice everything out of love for us!
November 28, 2012
November 26, 2012
Thought for Today - Blessings in Obedience
''Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.'' Ps 112:1
The psalmist describes such a beautiful relationship with the Lord. This relationship included righteous fear of who God is, but also included delight in everything about Him right down to His commandments. In fact, he descirbes 'great' delight in obeying the Lord, and the result is abundant blessings. Do you want to be blessed? Fear God and delight in His commandments!
The psalmist describes such a beautiful relationship with the Lord. This relationship included righteous fear of who God is, but also included delight in everything about Him right down to His commandments. In fact, he descirbes 'great' delight in obeying the Lord, and the result is abundant blessings. Do you want to be blessed? Fear God and delight in His commandments!
November 15, 2012
Thought for Today - Doing Justly
''He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?'' Micah 6:8
This verse has been on my heart for some time as God is teaching me what He wants from me. I understand the concept of loving mercy, and we're working on the 'walking humbly' stuff, but what does it mean to 'do justly'? Another version translates it 'seek justice,' and God says plenty in the Bible about protecting the helpless from injustice. But 'do' is also a verb - DO justly. Doing justly means that everything you do is just. It means that every action has a pure motive, is done with others' best interests in mind (not simply your own), and is right and honorable to the best of your ability. Everything we do should have a ring of justice to it, every action should be made with thought to the most honest option. Employees can do justly in protecting their employer's assets, friends can do justly in being honest with each other. It comes down to personal integrity, and that is what the Lord wants of us.
I also posted on this verse on another blog: Doing Justly.
This verse has been on my heart for some time as God is teaching me what He wants from me. I understand the concept of loving mercy, and we're working on the 'walking humbly' stuff, but what does it mean to 'do justly'? Another version translates it 'seek justice,' and God says plenty in the Bible about protecting the helpless from injustice. But 'do' is also a verb - DO justly. Doing justly means that everything you do is just. It means that every action has a pure motive, is done with others' best interests in mind (not simply your own), and is right and honorable to the best of your ability. Everything we do should have a ring of justice to it, every action should be made with thought to the most honest option. Employees can do justly in protecting their employer's assets, friends can do justly in being honest with each other. It comes down to personal integrity, and that is what the Lord wants of us.
I also posted on this verse on another blog: Doing Justly.
November 13, 2012
Thought for Today - Praying Constantly
''Then He [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.'' Luke 18:1
Like the disciples who fell asleep in Jesus' hour of need, so often we get tired or find other excuses to justify our lack of prayer. The Bible is full of verses such as ''pray without ceasing'' (1 Thess 5:17), but how many days have I spent more time on facebook or pinterest than in communication with my Father? Why is it easy to make time to spend with my friends but hard to find time to talk with my Best Friend? God loves prayer! He loves hearing from His children and talking with them. Today let's not take prayer for granted but rather take advantage of our direct line to the ear of God and pray without ceasing!
Like the disciples who fell asleep in Jesus' hour of need, so often we get tired or find other excuses to justify our lack of prayer. The Bible is full of verses such as ''pray without ceasing'' (1 Thess 5:17), but how many days have I spent more time on facebook or pinterest than in communication with my Father? Why is it easy to make time to spend with my friends but hard to find time to talk with my Best Friend? God loves prayer! He loves hearing from His children and talking with them. Today let's not take prayer for granted but rather take advantage of our direct line to the ear of God and pray without ceasing!
November 7, 2012
Thought for Today - Authority from God
''But David said to Abishai, 'Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?''' 1 Samuel 26:9
Whether or not we agree with our leaders, we must recognize that they have been placed in their positions of authority by God. David was running for his life from a murderous king, but he still respected and honored the king's position and did not hurt him. Let us remember to pray for our leaders and honor them, whether or not we agree with them.
Whether or not we agree with our leaders, we must recognize that they have been placed in their positions of authority by God. David was running for his life from a murderous king, but he still respected and honored the king's position and did not hurt him. Let us remember to pray for our leaders and honor them, whether or not we agree with them.
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