...therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
Romans 16:19
The Apostle Paul is closing out the book to the Romans by encouraging us to stay away from the false teachings that he spoke about. He's instructing his audience to stay with solid teachings that he brought them from the one true God. Be wise in the good... that's telling us to know the what the gospel is saying, what it really means and is. Don't be foolish with His teachings and go from one teaching to another. Be innocent in what is evil... that's telling me that evil is all around us, we'll never escape it. But when it does come around and show it's ugly head, deal with it in innocence. By that I mean, don't make excuses and try to rationalize it in any way. Bring it forth for what it is, sin and repent. It doesn't have to be complicated.
I keep thing of sit-coms and how one mistake leads to another to cover it up and so on an so forth. It never ends because we don't want to bring our transgressions out into the light. We always want to hide, like Adam ate the forbidden fruit. We need to be like a child, admit wring so that our Father can work within us.
Father God, I know there's tons of stuffing my hearty at needs to be worked on, not in refinement but in repentance. Help me to recognizes all my sin so that I can be innocent in the evil around and through me. Thank You my wonderful Father, Son and Spirit. Amen.
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Saturday, June 4, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Not About Ourselves
1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of (A)those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to (B)please his neighbor [a]for his good, to his (C)edification. 3 For even (D)Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “(E)THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.” 4 For (F)whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:1-4
God is again revealing that it's not about us; it's not about me. I'm being constantly reminded that God wants each of us to move in the way of the Spirit and live unselfishly, all out for Jesus.
Father God, You so craftily arrange all things for the good of all people! Than You for a wonderful message today at Rena's funeral service through the testimonies and Pastor Marcus' message. I'm more confirmed that the next step in Your plans for me... and I don't even know what that is! All I know is that You're preparing my heart to say "Yes Lord, You're servant is listening!" Thank You for this wonderful and glorious season to love You and my neighbors more and more! In Your Son's precious name I pray, amen!
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Romans 15:1-4
God is again revealing that it's not about us; it's not about me. I'm being constantly reminded that God wants each of us to move in the way of the Spirit and live unselfishly, all out for Jesus.
Father God, You so craftily arrange all things for the good of all people! Than You for a wonderful message today at Rena's funeral service through the testimonies and Pastor Marcus' message. I'm more confirmed that the next step in Your plans for me... and I don't even know what that is! All I know is that You're preparing my heart to say "Yes Lord, You're servant is listening!" Thank You for this wonderful and glorious season to love You and my neighbors more and more! In Your Son's precious name I pray, amen!
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Thursday, June 2, 2011
God's Mailman
10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you (P)regard your brother with contempt? For (Q)we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written,
“(R)AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, (S)EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,
AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL [e]GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.”
12 So then (T)each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
Romans 14:10-12
This chapter talked about food being unclean or clean. It doesn't matter what the food is, as according to Hebrew Law. Jesus died to release us from these burdens. What matters is what comes out of our hearts, not what goes into our stomachs.
This passage is refocusing our sights back onto ourselves and not what others are doing. Each person will stand alone before God... One on one, before our Maker. At this time we'll give account for what we did with the Gospel. Did we freely share it with others? Did we hoard the kingdom for ourselves? Or were we selective with who gets to hear the good news of our King? We have God's invitation in our hands with each person's name written on it... We need to give it to those He assigned us to deliver it.
When I meet Jesus at the doorway to heaven, He wont ask what good things I've done while on earth or to compare me to my brothers. He'll ask me what I've done with what He asked me to do. Have I delivered all the invitations to all He wanted? Did I show compassion and love to those He delivered to me? Looking at my brief time as a follower, I see myself who hasn't done much for anyone. I've done lots for me... Bible study, readings, listening to great messages, seminars, conferences.... The list goes on. But what have I done for others? Hardly anything. I need to live a life that's unselfish and pleasing to God.
Father God, forgive me of making this life all about me... I can give glory to You and really develop my relationship with You but's so much more than that. Just like our church's mission statement about turning converts into believers, believers into disciples, disciples into fruitful Christians that will deliver the message of Jesus Christ to all people. I need to move beyond drinking milk... Time to grow up. In Your wonderful name, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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“(R)AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, (S)EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,
AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL [e]GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.”
12 So then (T)each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
Romans 14:10-12
This chapter talked about food being unclean or clean. It doesn't matter what the food is, as according to Hebrew Law. Jesus died to release us from these burdens. What matters is what comes out of our hearts, not what goes into our stomachs.
This passage is refocusing our sights back onto ourselves and not what others are doing. Each person will stand alone before God... One on one, before our Maker. At this time we'll give account for what we did with the Gospel. Did we freely share it with others? Did we hoard the kingdom for ourselves? Or were we selective with who gets to hear the good news of our King? We have God's invitation in our hands with each person's name written on it... We need to give it to those He assigned us to deliver it.
When I meet Jesus at the doorway to heaven, He wont ask what good things I've done while on earth or to compare me to my brothers. He'll ask me what I've done with what He asked me to do. Have I delivered all the invitations to all He wanted? Did I show compassion and love to those He delivered to me? Looking at my brief time as a follower, I see myself who hasn't done much for anyone. I've done lots for me... Bible study, readings, listening to great messages, seminars, conferences.... The list goes on. But what have I done for others? Hardly anything. I need to live a life that's unselfish and pleasing to God.
Father God, forgive me of making this life all about me... I can give glory to You and really develop my relationship with You but's so much more than that. Just like our church's mission statement about turning converts into believers, believers into disciples, disciples into fruitful Christians that will deliver the message of Jesus Christ to all people. I need to move beyond drinking milk... Time to grow up. In Your wonderful name, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Provision in Procrastinaton
Therefore let us lay aside (R)the deeds of darkness and put on (S)the armor of light. 13 Let us [h](T)behave properly as in the day, (U)not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But (V)put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh (W)in regard to its lusts.
Romans 13:12-14
As the author said, the day is near; the end is coming soon so we need to stop behaving selfishly as if there's a lot of time to repent... We need to shape up and stop living this lifestyle of sin and deceit.
This scripture reminds me of several things lately. The so called "judgement day" has really jolted my thoughts back on the limited time we left. We don't know the day or hour but that doesn't mean that we live life unprepared. We need to live every single day as it's or last. We need to live with urgency.
My life has been about preparing but it's also of procrastination. I want to prepare and control all the little things but fail to do anything with urgency on the eternal things. How am I in sharing my faith to strangers? Loved ones? Not good at all.
I need to make a change, especially if I'm called to full time ministry. If God's definitely calling me to serve in that capacity, then I need to refocus on God's warning that the end is really near... I bet Paul, Peter and John didn't live their lives saving things for the next day, or even next year. I bet they did it as soon as they were called to it. Procrastination leads to laziness and eventually evil.
Father God, thank You for blessing me with this awareness. Now it's up to me to do anything eternal with it. Help me break out of this rut. In You glorious name Lord Jesus, amen.
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Romans 13:12-14
As the author said, the day is near; the end is coming soon so we need to stop behaving selfishly as if there's a lot of time to repent... We need to shape up and stop living this lifestyle of sin and deceit.
This scripture reminds me of several things lately. The so called "judgement day" has really jolted my thoughts back on the limited time we left. We don't know the day or hour but that doesn't mean that we live life unprepared. We need to live every single day as it's or last. We need to live with urgency.
My life has been about preparing but it's also of procrastination. I want to prepare and control all the little things but fail to do anything with urgency on the eternal things. How am I in sharing my faith to strangers? Loved ones? Not good at all.
I need to make a change, especially if I'm called to full time ministry. If God's definitely calling me to serve in that capacity, then I need to refocus on God's warning that the end is really near... I bet Paul, Peter and John didn't live their lives saving things for the next day, or even next year. I bet they did it as soon as they were called to it. Procrastination leads to laziness and eventually evil.
Father God, thank You for blessing me with this awareness. Now it's up to me to do anything eternal with it. Help me break out of this rut. In You glorious name Lord Jesus, amen.
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Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Perform My Calling
Since we have gifts that (M)differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if (N)prophecy, [f]according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if [g](O)service, in his serving; or he who (P)teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who (Q)exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with [h](R)liberality; (S)he who [i]leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with (T)cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6-8
Paul was stressing that it's important to know and work through one body in Christ Jesus but takes a moment to acknowledge that as one body, we are different parts that need to perform our individual duties, as hands, eyes, arms do.
I've really been focused on my calling, to be a pastor. I've been confirmed and reconfirmed over and over that i'm supposed to be discipling a flock, God's sheep. I know I need to be better equipped so that I may freely allow the Holy Spirit to flow through me and touch others. I'm too focused on me right now and that's preventing mighty blessings. I have to change my attitude and heart by calling myself a pastor, a shepherd.. only then will i be able to prepare for this new season.
Father God, thank You for this amazing responsibility. I still don't know the place I'll be or in what capacity but I pray I don't care. Lord, direct my steps. In the wonderful name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!
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Romans 12:6-8
Paul was stressing that it's important to know and work through one body in Christ Jesus but takes a moment to acknowledge that as one body, we are different parts that need to perform our individual duties, as hands, eyes, arms do.
I've really been focused on my calling, to be a pastor. I've been confirmed and reconfirmed over and over that i'm supposed to be discipling a flock, God's sheep. I know I need to be better equipped so that I may freely allow the Holy Spirit to flow through me and touch others. I'm too focused on me right now and that's preventing mighty blessings. I have to change my attitude and heart by calling myself a pastor, a shepherd.. only then will i be able to prepare for this new season.
Father God, thank You for this amazing responsibility. I still don't know the place I'll be or in what capacity but I pray I don't care. Lord, direct my steps. In the wonderful name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!
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Monday, May 30, 2011
Irrevocable Invitation
28 [j]From the standpoint of the gospel they are (AT)enemies for your sake, but [k]from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for (AU)the sake of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the (AV)calling of God (AW)are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For (AX)God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
Romans 11:28-32
Paul is telling us here that God's not ruling anyone out of His kingdom. Both the Jews and the Gentiles will have equal share in God's wonderful grace. He explains that the Jews had first opportunity with th Gentiles being held at the door. Once the Jews turned away from this gift God allowed the Gentiles to come in and held the Jews out. But as it stands now, God is letting all in according to His plans. He hasn't revoked anything from His people Israel, it's still open to them but under grace, now the Law.
How does this understanding that heaven is open to all people affect me today? It means I should judge any person in any form in any circumstance by freely sharing the wonderful message and blessings of Jesus Christ. Whenever I see a person on the street, I need to recognize Jesus in that person. And it's not the idea that Jesus is that person, it just means that Jesus is affected by what you do to that person.
Matthew 25:40 says:
40 (AL)The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, (AM)to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Our lives need to be conducted indifferently to our audience. We need to show and be that same unconditional love that Jesus showed us. How else can anyone be saved... Including me.
Father God , thank You for blessing me with Your unending grace. It surpasses my understanding and definitely my desires. Help me to push through and press on towards the goal of reaching the nations in sharing the irrevocable gift of salvation. In Your wonderful name Lord Jesus I pray, amen.
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Romans 11:28-32
Paul is telling us here that God's not ruling anyone out of His kingdom. Both the Jews and the Gentiles will have equal share in God's wonderful grace. He explains that the Jews had first opportunity with th Gentiles being held at the door. Once the Jews turned away from this gift God allowed the Gentiles to come in and held the Jews out. But as it stands now, God is letting all in according to His plans. He hasn't revoked anything from His people Israel, it's still open to them but under grace, now the Law.
How does this understanding that heaven is open to all people affect me today? It means I should judge any person in any form in any circumstance by freely sharing the wonderful message and blessings of Jesus Christ. Whenever I see a person on the street, I need to recognize Jesus in that person. And it's not the idea that Jesus is that person, it just means that Jesus is affected by what you do to that person.
Matthew 25:40 says:
40 (AL)The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, (AM)to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Our lives need to be conducted indifferently to our audience. We need to show and be that same unconditional love that Jesus showed us. How else can anyone be saved... Including me.
Father God , thank You for blessing me with Your unending grace. It surpasses my understanding and definitely my desires. Help me to push through and press on towards the goal of reaching the nations in sharing the irrevocable gift of salvation. In Your wonderful name Lord Jesus I pray, amen.
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Sunday, May 29, 2011
Messengers Needed
14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him (T)whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without (U)a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “(V)HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO [i](W)BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”
Romans 10:14-15
This chapter stressed the importance of knowing God's word and what it takes to accept salvation, the free gift made available through Christ's sacrifice. This section spends time saying that the word is great but it needs an messenger to deliver this good news. How great is the feet of those who do this great thing.
I love this scripture today, especially after what's going on in my life right now. I'm faced with a new season upon me that will drastically change where my life, my family's life is headed.
I had a meeting with Pastor Rod this past Thursday about the upcoming changes that New Hope is going through... good changes. He shared that he will be the new director of Edification and Equipping. There's going to be a lot of restructuring going on, including the movement of ministries. He asked me to pray on this to see if God's pointing me in any of this direction. He made sure that I include Michelle in these times of prayer because he wanted to stress again that michelle's my first ministry.
My heart wants to jump out and serve but I need to keep focused on God's previous instructions which cannot be altered. Another thing I need to keep focused on is why I want to make this change this season. For awhile now I had a struggle within me to go into full time ministry but had a hard time walking way from my secular benefits... I had a well paying job, benefits, a sense of security and seniority... All this will be reset if I go into ministry. But in my current season I'm now concerned anymore. Is this because I want to leave because my job is less than ideal? Am I just leaving because I hit my "2 year" mark? In this season of waiting I really need to make sure I have my motives right on why I'm doing things so that I can correctly direct my heart to Jesus in the way He desires, not just because of another opportunity.
Father God thank You for being the creator of all! In addition to that, thank You for guiding us in Your ways to make the right decisions. I
struggle with my decisions with You by my side I don't know how I did it before without You. Help me Lord to be a great husband, leader and father as well. Please prepare me for this wonderful journey that You started me on. In the most precious name of Jesus I pray, amen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Romans 10:14-15
This chapter stressed the importance of knowing God's word and what it takes to accept salvation, the free gift made available through Christ's sacrifice. This section spends time saying that the word is great but it needs an messenger to deliver this good news. How great is the feet of those who do this great thing.
I love this scripture today, especially after what's going on in my life right now. I'm faced with a new season upon me that will drastically change where my life, my family's life is headed.
I had a meeting with Pastor Rod this past Thursday about the upcoming changes that New Hope is going through... good changes. He shared that he will be the new director of Edification and Equipping. There's going to be a lot of restructuring going on, including the movement of ministries. He asked me to pray on this to see if God's pointing me in any of this direction. He made sure that I include Michelle in these times of prayer because he wanted to stress again that michelle's my first ministry.
My heart wants to jump out and serve but I need to keep focused on God's previous instructions which cannot be altered. Another thing I need to keep focused on is why I want to make this change this season. For awhile now I had a struggle within me to go into full time ministry but had a hard time walking way from my secular benefits... I had a well paying job, benefits, a sense of security and seniority... All this will be reset if I go into ministry. But in my current season I'm now concerned anymore. Is this because I want to leave because my job is less than ideal? Am I just leaving because I hit my "2 year" mark? In this season of waiting I really need to make sure I have my motives right on why I'm doing things so that I can correctly direct my heart to Jesus in the way He desires, not just because of another opportunity.
Father God thank You for being the creator of all! In addition to that, thank You for guiding us in Your ways to make the right decisions. I
struggle with my decisions with You by my side I don't know how I did it before without You. Help me Lord to be a great husband, leader and father as well. Please prepare me for this wonderful journey that You started me on. In the most precious name of Jesus I pray, amen.
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