Good Morning, My Friend!! No two people are exactly alike. God created the world with variety,...and God called it good. Of course, what God intended for good we sometimes turn into evil. For example, many of us feel more comfortable only with people who are most like us. But that could turn into clannishness, which leads to prejudice, and prejudice unchecked destroys the Body of Christ.
The body does not consist of one member but of many.—1 Corinthians 12:14 (NRSV)
Each of us has a place in God's family. We may not automatically like everything that's different about other people,...but at some point we should be mature enough in our faith, to realize that God created them, and God called His creation good. If it's good,...that should be reason to except and celebrate them.
God has to love diversity,...just look at how much of it there is, through out creation!
Father God, help us to see and love all Your people, with the heart and mind of Christ. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
"Our job is faith,
...God's job is outcomes."
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Keep Your Dream
Good Morning!! God gave Joseph a dream. He shared the dream with his family,...his brothers asked, "Will you actually rule us?" One day, out of anger and jealous, they sold him into slavery. Even though Joseph was faithful to his master, he later found himself in prison, on false charges. He endured the suffering and held the dream. Finally, Joseph became a ruler in Egypt. When his brothers came to him to buy food and bowed before him, the dream of his youth came true.
The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.—Habakkuk 2:14 (NIV)
God still gives people dreams,...dreams that come while we sleep. When we dream of a world where God is known by all, we know that those dreams will be fulfilled. Nations may conspire and people may protest, but the knowledge of God's glory,...the good news of Jesus Christ, will spread throughout the earth.
God-given dreams transform the world.
Sovereign God, help us to dream Your dreams, and to pursue Your purposes. We thank You for visions of a world filled with the knowledge of You through Jesus. Amen.
"Our job is faith,
...God's job is outcomes."
The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.—Habakkuk 2:14 (NIV)
God still gives people dreams,...dreams that come while we sleep. When we dream of a world where God is known by all, we know that those dreams will be fulfilled. Nations may conspire and people may protest, but the knowledge of God's glory,...the good news of Jesus Christ, will spread throughout the earth.
God-given dreams transform the world.
Sovereign God, help us to dream Your dreams, and to pursue Your purposes. We thank You for visions of a world filled with the knowledge of You through Jesus. Amen.
"Our job is faith,
...God's job is outcomes."
Friday, January 7, 2011
Confront With Love
Good Morning! Thomas Jefferson said; "I will sacrifice everything but principle to produce harmony." As my friend Mrs. Al Dortch, pointed out the other day, there comes a time when we need to confront fellow believers concerning attitudes or habits inconsistent with being a Christian. This confrontation does not always come easy, or have any immediate, positive result. But it still remains our obligation to speak-up, and speak-out.
When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.—Galatians 2:11-13 (NIV)
Peter began to "draw back." The words literally mean to "take in sail." Paul likened Peter to a sailor who, having once opened his sail to catch every breeze, deliberately hauls it in and thus stops his forward movement. For this inconsistency Paul confronts Peter and charges him with hypocrisy and failed leadership. Paul stood his ground in the face of the powerful Jewish presence. Peter's actions were not consistent with his theology. He didn't "walk the talk." He agreed with Paul that there was one gospel for both Jew and Gentile, for everyone. He demonstrated his conversion to this gospel by joining in a meal with non-Jewish believers. However, when the false teachers came to town, he withdrew from the Gentiles and joined the exclusive fellowship of the Jews, leaving the impression that some of the "do's and don'ts" of the Jewish traditions were still important for salvation.
Christian confrontation is necessary,...when foundational truths are seriously compromised.
Holy Spirit of God, give us the courage to confront one another, as followers of Christ, with tough love when a fellow believer is wrong. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
"Love ,...no matter what."
When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.—Galatians 2:11-13 (NIV)
Peter began to "draw back." The words literally mean to "take in sail." Paul likened Peter to a sailor who, having once opened his sail to catch every breeze, deliberately hauls it in and thus stops his forward movement. For this inconsistency Paul confronts Peter and charges him with hypocrisy and failed leadership. Paul stood his ground in the face of the powerful Jewish presence. Peter's actions were not consistent with his theology. He didn't "walk the talk." He agreed with Paul that there was one gospel for both Jew and Gentile, for everyone. He demonstrated his conversion to this gospel by joining in a meal with non-Jewish believers. However, when the false teachers came to town, he withdrew from the Gentiles and joined the exclusive fellowship of the Jews, leaving the impression that some of the "do's and don'ts" of the Jewish traditions were still important for salvation.
Christian confrontation is necessary,...when foundational truths are seriously compromised.
Holy Spirit of God, give us the courage to confront one another, as followers of Christ, with tough love when a fellow believer is wrong. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
"Love ,...no matter what."
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Move Past Pain To Trust
Good Morning!! Childlike trust may elude us as we grow older. When we experience adversity, we sometimes forget that God is carrying us to a place of healing and safety. It's easier for us to focus on our pain.
I know the one in whom I have put my trust.—2 Timothy 1:12 (NRSV)
Too often we ignore the comforting assurance of God's unfailing wisdom, love, and power. It's natural for us to want relief from pain,...but misfortunes are easier to bear when, tempered with confidence in the love of our God. We just need to remember that we are being carried in the arms of One who truly loves us.
Like no other,...God cares for us.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for always being near,...when we need You most. Amen.
"Love,
...no matter what."
I know the one in whom I have put my trust.—2 Timothy 1:12 (NRSV)
Too often we ignore the comforting assurance of God's unfailing wisdom, love, and power. It's natural for us to want relief from pain,...but misfortunes are easier to bear when, tempered with confidence in the love of our God. We just need to remember that we are being carried in the arms of One who truly loves us.
Like no other,...God cares for us.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for always being near,...when we need You most. Amen.
"Love,
...no matter what."
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Just What You Need
Good Morning!! Often we're so involved with the affairs of daily life, that we can be oblivious to inner voice that speaks to our soul. But God delights in making use of other Christians, to draw us along our spiritual journey, and to strengthen our faith,...even when we never see it coming. He makes sure we hear what we need, just when we need to.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.—Psalm 23:3 (KJV)
To God, the unvoiced longings deep within us, are as much prayers, as the ones we speak. He is intimately concerned with even the smallest cares of our life. God understands us far better than we understand ourselves. I'm continually in awe of God's eagerness to meet us, just were we are.
God speaks to us,...and through us.
Father God, we praise you, for the intimate ways You relate to us. Thank You for helping us to recognize Your presence in unexpected ways, and places. Amen.
"Love ,
...no matter what."
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.—Psalm 23:3 (KJV)
To God, the unvoiced longings deep within us, are as much prayers, as the ones we speak. He is intimately concerned with even the smallest cares of our life. God understands us far better than we understand ourselves. I'm continually in awe of God's eagerness to meet us, just were we are.
God speaks to us,...and through us.
Father God, we praise you, for the intimate ways You relate to us. Thank You for helping us to recognize Your presence in unexpected ways, and places. Amen.
"Love ,
...no matter what."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Feed The Body, Feed The Soul
Good Morning!! Tired from His journey, Jesus still spent time with the Samaritan woman. When His disciples encouraged Him to stop and eat, Jesus responded, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." The disciples were puzzled and started asking among themselves, "Could somebody have brought him food?"
"My food," Jesus said to them, "is to obey the will of the one who sent me and to finish the work he gave me to do."—John 4:34 (TEV)
Sometimes when I get really busy, I might have to skip lunch or dinner,...and it probably wouldn't hurt to miss a few more. But sooner or later, we all have to stop and feed our bodies. We are also nourished by God's secret food,...spiritual food. Doing what God intends us to do energizes and renews us,...feeds our souls, and adds life to our years.
Like Jesus, we're called to go about doing good.
(See Acts 10:38.)
Thank You, Father, for all the people who find joy in helping others. May each of us be included among them. In Jesus' name and spirit. Amen.
"Love ,
...no matter what."
"My food," Jesus said to them, "is to obey the will of the one who sent me and to finish the work he gave me to do."—John 4:34 (TEV)
Sometimes when I get really busy, I might have to skip lunch or dinner,...and it probably wouldn't hurt to miss a few more. But sooner or later, we all have to stop and feed our bodies. We are also nourished by God's secret food,...spiritual food. Doing what God intends us to do energizes and renews us,...feeds our souls, and adds life to our years.
Like Jesus, we're called to go about doing good.
(See Acts 10:38.)
Thank You, Father, for all the people who find joy in helping others. May each of us be included among them. In Jesus' name and spirit. Amen.
"Love ,
...no matter what."
Monday, January 3, 2011
Focus On Your Father
Good Morning!! Jesus slept through the storm, because He did not need a calm sea,...He only needed to get to the other side. If the way to the other side was through a terrible storm, so be it. He trusted God to get him there. Jesus wants us to trust no matter what,...to focus on doing our Father's Will,...whatever our circumstances.
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping.—Mark 4:38 (NIV)
But like the disciples, we want the storms in our lives to be stopped too. We believe that we cannot go where God is sending us until the seas are calmed, and the rods are cleared. As we focus on the situations, our fears increase. God has the power to calm the seas,...and the power to calm us. Either way,...we need to trust the wisdom of His choice.
God never promises a peaceful life,
...but the peace of His' presence.
Father God, grant us the faith to look beyond life's circumstances, and to focus on You alone. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
"Love ,
...no matter what."
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping.—Mark 4:38 (NIV)
But like the disciples, we want the storms in our lives to be stopped too. We believe that we cannot go where God is sending us until the seas are calmed, and the rods are cleared. As we focus on the situations, our fears increase. God has the power to calm the seas,...and the power to calm us. Either way,...we need to trust the wisdom of His choice.
God never promises a peaceful life,
...but the peace of His' presence.
Father God, grant us the faith to look beyond life's circumstances, and to focus on You alone. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
"Love ,
...no matter what."
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