Kayla-
In Psalm 35 today, I had a hard time reading it. i was almost mad at the writer. I found myself saying, "really, you are asking God to vindicate you to the people who are against you?" It just doesn't seem like the most loving thing to do at first thought. In verses 13- 14, it goes on to talk about how he had prayed for them in their sickness, had mourned for them, grieved, fasted, for them, and they still rose up against him, in his acts of love. I go on to read this as the writer who has a broken heart. I think of times when I have been in the same situation. You love people so much and you are doing everything good that you can think of, to show them the love of Christ, pretty much put everything concerning yourself aside, and you rejoice with them when they are happy and cry with them when they are sad, and pray for them. And you get burned. You try again. And again you get burned, and this goes on and on until you reach the point where you can't have your hand "in the pot" anymore and you need God to completely step in and rescue you from it. I know this doesn't exactly tie into what David was writing about. But, just as we often find ourselves in situations that become too much for us, like David was crying out in this Psalm, we turn to God. We turn to God in our sadness, fear, and frustration, whatever it may be, and we ask that He step in and guard His son and/or daughter and to protect them. And while we might pray that God do something to do stir them, we also pray in love that God moves in their lives in someway that ultimately ends in a relationship with Him and fellow believers.
Blessings.
Derrick
In Genesis today I got so into the story I read tomorrows too without even thinking about it, so tomorrow I will focus on something else since today's is blurred on which is for one day or the other
we read about Joseph showing himself to his brothers, after he tests them extensively, he says, you meant it for evil but God meant it for good.
Many things in my life weren't considered good at the time but those same things brought me to God, and have helped me when talking to others... It's beautiful what God can do with anyone, he literally changed my life around. He can do the same for you.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Day 25
Kayla-
Luke 16:17, says "the stone that the builder's rejected has become the cornerstone." Cornerstone: foundation: basis: footing. The cornerstone is what everything else is built upon/around. Both the meanings of cornerstone fit who our cornerstone is, Jesus. Jesus and his message was rejected and so often that is how it will be for us to. Sometimes it's hard. It's really hard being rejected. It's not the first thing many of us would sign up for, but we do it, maybe with tears, maybe some of us with anger, even gladness. We shouldn't expect any better treatment than what Jesus had. Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives. We are the walls, He is the foundation and the basis of it all. In His house, we aren't rejected, we are building blocks to the kingdom and he is the cornerstone.
Blessings.
Luke 16:17, says "the stone that the builder's rejected has become the cornerstone." Cornerstone: foundation: basis: footing. The cornerstone is what everything else is built upon/around. Both the meanings of cornerstone fit who our cornerstone is, Jesus. Jesus and his message was rejected and so often that is how it will be for us to. Sometimes it's hard. It's really hard being rejected. It's not the first thing many of us would sign up for, but we do it, maybe with tears, maybe some of us with anger, even gladness. We shouldn't expect any better treatment than what Jesus had. Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives. We are the walls, He is the foundation and the basis of it all. In His house, we aren't rejected, we are building blocks to the kingdom and he is the cornerstone.
Blessings.
Monday 11/28
So the holidays have been good, now to get back on a schedule
We have been reading just haven't had time to keep up with the blog
Derrick
Psalms 34 is awesome
I find the last verse to be very powerful
The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(psalm 34:22) ESV
I've really been enjoying genesis also and Luke, we have gone through the death of Christ and are now reading the resurrection and assertion
And in genesis we are reading the story of Joseph a great leader and example for us as believers...
Kayla-
In verse 8 of Psalm 34 it says blessed is the man who takes refuge in the Lord, in verse 10 it talks about how those who fear him lack no good thing. I think about the times when I have felt most "whole" and times when I'm not worried and the times I have the most joy, it's when I am fearing God, not fearing anything else, when I am solely focusing on His work and being a part of the body of Christ in the way that I am called to and not getting caught up in serving in a way God doesn't intend for me to. Let God's plan for your life and who He is, be your refuge (shelter, hiding, place, comfort).
Blessings.
We have been reading just haven't had time to keep up with the blog
Derrick
Psalms 34 is awesome
I find the last verse to be very powerful
The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(psalm 34:22) ESV
I've really been enjoying genesis also and Luke, we have gone through the death of Christ and are now reading the resurrection and assertion
And in genesis we are reading the story of Joseph a great leader and example for us as believers...
Kayla-
In verse 8 of Psalm 34 it says blessed is the man who takes refuge in the Lord, in verse 10 it talks about how those who fear him lack no good thing. I think about the times when I have felt most "whole" and times when I'm not worried and the times I have the most joy, it's when I am fearing God, not fearing anything else, when I am solely focusing on His work and being a part of the body of Christ in the way that I am called to and not getting caught up in serving in a way God doesn't intend for me to. Let God's plan for your life and who He is, be your refuge (shelter, hiding, place, comfort).
Blessings.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Day 26
Derrick
Today we get into the story of Joseph one of my favorite stories in the Bible.
In Genesis 37 we see that Joseph was loved more than all his brothers, this can never be good for siblings to see that a brother is favored, while i know what is going to happen in the story of Joseph, im going to pretend that i dont for this...
We see Joseph put in a pit by his brother Rubens doing so they wouldnt kill Joseph and then his brother Judah had an idea to sell him into slavery to a caravan going by.
You have to wonder what is going through Josephs head. What was he thinking? My brothers hate me this much that they tried to kill me but end up selling me into slavery.
I felt different in my family, I felt alone. I felt unloved. As a result I turned away from everything I was taught as a kid. I ended up hating God and pushing him as far away as i could have...
i really cant wait to read this story again.
Kayla-
Rueben is the one in this story, in Genesis 37, that really stands out to me for some reason. Maybe because I too, would have tried to do the same thing, not necesarily being bold about freeing Joseph, but attempting it regardless. Or the fact that Rueben did go against the majority of his siblings (even though he wasn't the favorite and may have had somesort of material gain from it), that regardless of himself, he was looking out for Joseph.
Today we get into the story of Joseph one of my favorite stories in the Bible.
In Genesis 37 we see that Joseph was loved more than all his brothers, this can never be good for siblings to see that a brother is favored, while i know what is going to happen in the story of Joseph, im going to pretend that i dont for this...
We see Joseph put in a pit by his brother Rubens doing so they wouldnt kill Joseph and then his brother Judah had an idea to sell him into slavery to a caravan going by.
You have to wonder what is going through Josephs head. What was he thinking? My brothers hate me this much that they tried to kill me but end up selling me into slavery.
I felt different in my family, I felt alone. I felt unloved. As a result I turned away from everything I was taught as a kid. I ended up hating God and pushing him as far away as i could have...
i really cant wait to read this story again.
Kayla-
Rueben is the one in this story, in Genesis 37, that really stands out to me for some reason. Maybe because I too, would have tried to do the same thing, not necesarily being bold about freeing Joseph, but attempting it regardless. Or the fact that Rueben did go against the majority of his siblings (even though he wasn't the favorite and may have had somesort of material gain from it), that regardless of himself, he was looking out for Joseph.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Day 23
Derrick
"God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" Luke 18:13
This was me (is still me) and I know what it means to be justified, to be declared right, I was just as this tax collector, I wasn't proud of my past (never will be) and I love that there is a God that cares for me even though I put his son on the cross...
the scripture is so beautiful i find something i identify with every day.... I cant wait to keep reading.
Kayla:
Psalm 23...it is so beautiful. And when you are living in the way that God has laid out for you, on His path, there is nothing more true than the promises we have here in this psalm.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before meI will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
The Lord is our Shepard. He is watching over us, providing for our needs, and caring for us. And allowing us to serve Him and His purpose, which is ultimately love.
Blessings. <3
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Day 22
Kayla-
Luke 17:6, "If you had faith like a grain of a mustard see, you could say to this mulberry tree,'be uprooted and planted in the sea', and it would obey you."
Faith is huge. In Hebrews we know that faith is defined as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we can't see. We can't place limits on any part of our lives. God can do ANYTHING, and He has shown me that several times, but we have to maintain faith in Him, in His power, and faith in His will for our lives. God will and can do amazing things with and through our lives. We have to hold fast to faith, and believe that He is and will continue to show us His marvelous works, and use us.
Blessings.
Derrick
Luke 17:33 (ESV) Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.
Luke 17:6, "If you had faith like a grain of a mustard see, you could say to this mulberry tree,'be uprooted and planted in the sea', and it would obey you."
Faith is huge. In Hebrews we know that faith is defined as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we can't see. We can't place limits on any part of our lives. God can do ANYTHING, and He has shown me that several times, but we have to maintain faith in Him, in His power, and faith in His will for our lives. God will and can do amazing things with and through our lives. We have to hold fast to faith, and believe that He is and will continue to show us His marvelous works, and use us.
Blessings.
Derrick
Luke 17:33 (ESV) Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.
I want nothing more than to live my loose my life for Christ, to live for him, to die for Him.
The purpose of my life is to glorify God, however that purpose is fulfilled in my life. I have lived in the past for myself, to live for pleasure, and it got me no where, I am living to serve Christ my master. Its the most beautiful thing ever...
Vaya con Dios
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Day 21
Kayla-
Luke 16:10, "Who is faithful in little will be faithful in much. Who is dishonest in little is dishonest in much." I'm just going to keep this short tonight. This is so true in many aspects of life, with our material blessings, relationships, the things we speak of. I want to be faithful to God in this little life of mine, to make much of Him. To no matter what I have in little or in much that I am faithful to His will.
Blessings.
Derrick
"He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’"
Luke 16:31
Really this verse makes sense, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead (here future) and they did not believe, Romans talks about Jesus being foolish to sinners and a stumbling block to the Jews (paraphrase)
How OH how do I show Christ to my friends, my family, those who i know need him. One person is coming to mind right now... i wish you would pray for him I really would love for him to come to Christ, because Christ is what is missing in his life.
Luke 16:10, "Who is faithful in little will be faithful in much. Who is dishonest in little is dishonest in much." I'm just going to keep this short tonight. This is so true in many aspects of life, with our material blessings, relationships, the things we speak of. I want to be faithful to God in this little life of mine, to make much of Him. To no matter what I have in little or in much that I am faithful to His will.
Blessings.
Derrick
"He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’"
Luke 16:31
Really this verse makes sense, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead (here future) and they did not believe, Romans talks about Jesus being foolish to sinners and a stumbling block to the Jews (paraphrase)
How OH how do I show Christ to my friends, my family, those who i know need him. One person is coming to mind right now... i wish you would pray for him I really would love for him to come to Christ, because Christ is what is missing in his life.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Day 20
Derrick
Today (and over the weekend) we read the story of Jacob and Esau, how Jacob was a blackmailer and took the birth right and the blessing from his brother Esau.
now i understand that God said that the older would serve the younger, wouldn't there be a better way that to be a deceiver to get this done, I see times in my life where I take the will of God and twist it to become something i can accomplish, and then someone gets hurt (emotionally).
I pray that I follow the Lord and let him guide my paths. That I let God be my light and my fortress, my everything my all...
"recycle me, make me new, use my life and change it too". (these are the beginnings of a song that is coming into my head...
Kayla-
In Luke 15, we are told parables of finding something that was lost, and how precious it is. It reminds me of how sometimes I forget that the "lost" people of the world are precious. Of course we celebrate and are happy when they are "found" and accept Jesus as Savior, but what about when they are still lost? Are we still treating them as they are something that is precious, something worth finding. Are we as the hands and feet of Christ, really being and saying and acting as His hands and feet? Are we treating the lost as something that is precious and important? We were there once, too. Those lost are a treasure to God, and should be to us, and we should not only rejoice when they are found, but make sure we are looking to find them as well, and lead them to the cross. We should be reminding them that they aren't alone. They have us. They have God.
Look up, Audio Adrenaline "Leaving 99" or here is a link :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hubJshUEXP0
Blessings.
Today (and over the weekend) we read the story of Jacob and Esau, how Jacob was a blackmailer and took the birth right and the blessing from his brother Esau.
now i understand that God said that the older would serve the younger, wouldn't there be a better way that to be a deceiver to get this done, I see times in my life where I take the will of God and twist it to become something i can accomplish, and then someone gets hurt (emotionally).
I pray that I follow the Lord and let him guide my paths. That I let God be my light and my fortress, my everything my all...
"recycle me, make me new, use my life and change it too". (these are the beginnings of a song that is coming into my head...
Kayla-
In Luke 15, we are told parables of finding something that was lost, and how precious it is. It reminds me of how sometimes I forget that the "lost" people of the world are precious. Of course we celebrate and are happy when they are "found" and accept Jesus as Savior, but what about when they are still lost? Are we still treating them as they are something that is precious, something worth finding. Are we as the hands and feet of Christ, really being and saying and acting as His hands and feet? Are we treating the lost as something that is precious and important? We were there once, too. Those lost are a treasure to God, and should be to us, and we should not only rejoice when they are found, but make sure we are looking to find them as well, and lead them to the cross. We should be reminding them that they aren't alone. They have us. They have God.
Look up, Audio Adrenaline "Leaving 99" or here is a link :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hubJshUEXP0
Blessings.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Day 17
Kayla-
Today's reading in Luke 13 included the passage about entering through the narrow door. Jesus says, enter through the narrow door, there will be many will seek to enter through it, but they won't find it. The gate that leads to death is wide and paved with moderation, it's the middle ground, and we often forget that. It's holding control of even little aspects of your life, instead of surrendering them to the plans God has for you. I think for a lot of my life I thought I was entering through the narrow door, taking that path, but not too long ago I realized that I was wrong. I was entering through the "wide gate", it was easy to get through, my relationship with God was for me, it served me, and pretty much anything (excluding a few things) was okay in moderation. It was easy. But I realized that I wasn't going through the narrow door, I realized that I hadn't given my whole being over to God as his daughter, and to truly grasp what that meant for my life. I came to realize that entering through the narrow gate meant work, it meant being uncomfortable, it meant standing firm in my beliefs about God's truth and His Word, it meant that my relationship with God was for Him and for others (service), it meant that I couldn't just walk with everyone else in the world, it meant I had to walk a different way. Not only does it mean we have to walk a different way, it means we have to be willing and try to share with others the reason why we go on that path and in that direction. And to do it with a joyful heart, and find it a blessing to be able to take the path that was set out for us.
Blessings.
Derrick
In Genesis 24 Abraham's servant went to get a wife for Isaac, and saw that the Lord walked in front of him and prospered his way, I know God has plans for my life; and I want to follow his leading, but its so hard to see at times, but taking things day at a time and prayerfully asking for guidance is what I need to do, instead of going ahead and pushing for my own desires, I'm the kind of person that wants things here, and now. Especially with finances if i have the ability to buy something I buy it without even thinking about it.
I really need to see if there is things i can live without. If i really need everything I want.
Today's reading in Luke 13 included the passage about entering through the narrow door. Jesus says, enter through the narrow door, there will be many will seek to enter through it, but they won't find it. The gate that leads to death is wide and paved with moderation, it's the middle ground, and we often forget that. It's holding control of even little aspects of your life, instead of surrendering them to the plans God has for you. I think for a lot of my life I thought I was entering through the narrow door, taking that path, but not too long ago I realized that I was wrong. I was entering through the "wide gate", it was easy to get through, my relationship with God was for me, it served me, and pretty much anything (excluding a few things) was okay in moderation. It was easy. But I realized that I wasn't going through the narrow door, I realized that I hadn't given my whole being over to God as his daughter, and to truly grasp what that meant for my life. I came to realize that entering through the narrow gate meant work, it meant being uncomfortable, it meant standing firm in my beliefs about God's truth and His Word, it meant that my relationship with God was for Him and for others (service), it meant that I couldn't just walk with everyone else in the world, it meant I had to walk a different way. Not only does it mean we have to walk a different way, it means we have to be willing and try to share with others the reason why we go on that path and in that direction. And to do it with a joyful heart, and find it a blessing to be able to take the path that was set out for us.
Blessings.
Derrick
In Genesis 24 Abraham's servant went to get a wife for Isaac, and saw that the Lord walked in front of him and prospered his way, I know God has plans for my life; and I want to follow his leading, but its so hard to see at times, but taking things day at a time and prayerfully asking for guidance is what I need to do, instead of going ahead and pushing for my own desires, I'm the kind of person that wants things here, and now. Especially with finances if i have the ability to buy something I buy it without even thinking about it.
I really need to see if there is things i can live without. If i really need everything I want.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Day 16
Derrick
my tatoo on my arm reads the verses Psalm 16:2, and Romans 7:18
Psalm 16:2 “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
Romans 7:18 " For I know that nothing good dwells in me"
(but i stopped i didnt finish verse 18), it continues to say
that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God,in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
these verses have been troubling to me, while i want to do what is right i know that evil lies close at hand... verse 24 asks a question, Who will deliver me from this body of death?
25 brings it all together....Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Jesus is the answer to my problems, He is the one that can help me die to the flesh daily... oh I pray that He gives me the grace to continue, but do I ask for grace so that I can live in the flesh? NO, CERTAINLY NOT, MAY IT NEVER BE...
Christ is my all, He is my identity, He is my Savior, He is the one who helps me in everything He would have me do, He guides my life and keeps me safe. He provides a way out of temptation. His way is what I desire.
Vaya con Dios (Go with God)
Kayla-
Psalm 16:5, "The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup." He is all that I want and fulfilling and satisfying. I have nothing of worth a part from Him.
We read today and yesterday, that this verse was also true for Abraham. When Sarah died, they called him one of God's princes. They wouldn't let him pay for a cave for her to be buried, they gave him the cave and the field along with it, they knew God was his chosen portion and his cup. The Lord continued to provide for Abraham. Let this verse be true in all of our lives, and he will be our portion and our cup, providing for our needs, fully.
Blessings.
Day 15
Kayla-
In Genesis Chapter 22, we read about the Lord providing. God had told Abraham, "Go to Moriah, and offer your only son, Isaac, whom you dearly love, as a burnt offering." Wow. It's so hard for me to read things like this sometimes. I think of God and who I know Him as and I wonder why He would tell Abraham to do this, before reading further (and pretending like I didn't know the outcome of this) I was like, "Really, God? You promised him this son, and now you are having him offer this son as a sacrifice?". And yes, God does ask Abraham to offer his son Isaac, as a burnt offerring. And Abraham never wavered. When God called out to him he always said, "Here I am." He never hid or tried to talk God out of it. Because he loved and trusted God. He trusted God's plan. When Isaac asked his father what they were going to offer, Abraham stated, "God will provide for himself the lamb." And God did, He provided a ram, not Isaac, in the end. And God taught us to trust in His provisions.
I think what I really take from all of this God told him to OFFER his son. Abraham did, whole-heartledy, was willing to lay his sons life as an offering to God. He offered him to God, and God returned his offering with a wonderful gift. God loves us so much and gives us such good things. Abraham's treasure was in God, not his son. It's not sad. He loved his son, yes, very much I'm sure, but he also loved God to the extent that even if God's plan brought him pain and heartache, he would do that anyway.
God calls us to let go of the most important 'things' in our life. Those temporary things. Maybe not let them go completely, but never let them take the place of Him. To be willing to offer whole selves to Him, willingly, and gladly.
Blessings.
Derrick
"Stay dressed for action, be awake"...... all imperative statements in verses 35 and 36 of Luke 12...BE READY.....
I really want to live my life so I am ready for Christ's return, i really want to hear well done Good servant. The desire of my heart is to serve God with everything he has entrusted to me... to be a good steward of my time, of my life. My life is to serve God fully, I can't wait till the day God calls me home. I want to be ready. While i know that while i live on this earth i will continue to sin. I want to be in that consistent habitual relationship with Christ. Where i repent of my daily sins and am restored into that relationship every single day...
In Genesis Chapter 22, we read about the Lord providing. God had told Abraham, "Go to Moriah, and offer your only son, Isaac, whom you dearly love, as a burnt offering." Wow. It's so hard for me to read things like this sometimes. I think of God and who I know Him as and I wonder why He would tell Abraham to do this, before reading further (and pretending like I didn't know the outcome of this) I was like, "Really, God? You promised him this son, and now you are having him offer this son as a sacrifice?". And yes, God does ask Abraham to offer his son Isaac, as a burnt offerring. And Abraham never wavered. When God called out to him he always said, "Here I am." He never hid or tried to talk God out of it. Because he loved and trusted God. He trusted God's plan. When Isaac asked his father what they were going to offer, Abraham stated, "God will provide for himself the lamb." And God did, He provided a ram, not Isaac, in the end. And God taught us to trust in His provisions.
I think what I really take from all of this God told him to OFFER his son. Abraham did, whole-heartledy, was willing to lay his sons life as an offering to God. He offered him to God, and God returned his offering with a wonderful gift. God loves us so much and gives us such good things. Abraham's treasure was in God, not his son. It's not sad. He loved his son, yes, very much I'm sure, but he also loved God to the extent that even if God's plan brought him pain and heartache, he would do that anyway.
God calls us to let go of the most important 'things' in our life. Those temporary things. Maybe not let them go completely, but never let them take the place of Him. To be willing to offer whole selves to Him, willingly, and gladly.
Blessings.
Derrick
"Stay dressed for action, be awake"...... all imperative statements in verses 35 and 36 of Luke 12...BE READY.....
I really want to live my life so I am ready for Christ's return, i really want to hear well done Good servant. The desire of my heart is to serve God with everything he has entrusted to me... to be a good steward of my time, of my life. My life is to serve God fully, I can't wait till the day God calls me home. I want to be ready. While i know that while i live on this earth i will continue to sin. I want to be in that consistent habitual relationship with Christ. Where i repent of my daily sins and am restored into that relationship every single day...
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Day 14
Derrick
Luke 12:22-23
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."
How many times do I worry about stuff? I worry about bills, i worry about sleep, (then i don't sleep) I worry a lot, i really need to stop all of the anxiousness, it does no good at all...
Right now what is heaviest on my mind is that i need to go to the doctor for what i think is carpel tunnel syndrome, my hands get numb, and start hurting so i can't complete small tasks like pealing potatoes, even now my hand is numb as i type this, it doesn't hurt but its getting there...
Luke 12: 25-26
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?"
Luke 12:22-23
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."
How many times do I worry about stuff? I worry about bills, i worry about sleep, (then i don't sleep) I worry a lot, i really need to stop all of the anxiousness, it does no good at all...
Right now what is heaviest on my mind is that i need to go to the doctor for what i think is carpel tunnel syndrome, my hands get numb, and start hurting so i can't complete small tasks like pealing potatoes, even now my hand is numb as i type this, it doesn't hurt but its getting there...
Luke 12: 25-26
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?"
Worry does no good, i can't change the outcome at all, so i need to just accept the facts and move forward and actually call the Dr., giving it over to God in prayer is also something I haven't done.
Kayla-
I want to talk about fear. In the first few verses into Luke 12 it talks about fear. I am afraid. I am one of those people that struggles with fear a lot. Over this past year and a half, I've decided not to be afraid anymore, especially of things that I feel like God is leading me to do. Fear has stolen many things and experiences from my life and fear has been the reason I have acted in certain ways in the past. I realized a while ago that fear was ruling over my life, and I wasn't submitting my life to God, that I was submitting it to the fears that kept me from a lot of good things and made me make choices I wouldn't have otherwise made. The passage in Luke 12:6-7, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." I feel like a lot of my actions because of fear have been because of my "in-dependency" (I think that is a word, haha). I have been independent in different ways for a long time, I've always felt like I had to have things under control, that if something went wrong, I had to find a way to fix it or make it work. I would be in charge of me, I would make it work. Sometimes we get so stressed out and so focused on making sure that WE are in control and make things right, that we serve a God who LOVES us and CARES for us and is always watching out for us. He cares for the sparrows, and even more so for us. Knowing and discovering more of this over the last year are so is so freeing. Knowing that God cares for me more than anything or anyone ever could even be possible of. Fear not, He is guiding us in paths of righteousness. :)
Here is a song I discovered recently.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgjE7wmlUq4
Blessings.
Kayla-
I want to talk about fear. In the first few verses into Luke 12 it talks about fear. I am afraid. I am one of those people that struggles with fear a lot. Over this past year and a half, I've decided not to be afraid anymore, especially of things that I feel like God is leading me to do. Fear has stolen many things and experiences from my life and fear has been the reason I have acted in certain ways in the past. I realized a while ago that fear was ruling over my life, and I wasn't submitting my life to God, that I was submitting it to the fears that kept me from a lot of good things and made me make choices I wouldn't have otherwise made. The passage in Luke 12:6-7, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." I feel like a lot of my actions because of fear have been because of my "in-dependency" (I think that is a word, haha). I have been independent in different ways for a long time, I've always felt like I had to have things under control, that if something went wrong, I had to find a way to fix it or make it work. I would be in charge of me, I would make it work. Sometimes we get so stressed out and so focused on making sure that WE are in control and make things right, that we serve a God who LOVES us and CARES for us and is always watching out for us. He cares for the sparrows, and even more so for us. Knowing and discovering more of this over the last year are so is so freeing. Knowing that God cares for me more than anything or anyone ever could even be possible of. Fear not, He is guiding us in paths of righteousness. :)
Here is a song I discovered recently.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgjE7wmlUq4
Blessings.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Day 13
Derrick
Psalm 13:5 "But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation."
It’s so true, I've never been so happy, I've never rejoiced so much, than in my salvation. I don't understand how a sinner like myself can be declared right. I don't understand a lot of things in the Bible. Given the trinity, God is 3 yet He is 1, hurts my brain. Do I understand everything about the Bible, No, but i believe what the Bible says.
A lot of people tend to take what they believe and put it into the Bible. While I take what the Bible says and believe it. The written Word of God is and always will be my only guideline. I do not take other books or writings and put them in the same awe inspired place as the Scriptures. Do I read other things, yes, but I understand that everything outside of the Bible can be fallible, while the Bible in and of itself (in original writing i.e. the manuscripts written in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic) are the inspired word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." this is my favorite verse, i use it often, and come back to it a lot. When Paul wrote the words "all scripture" he was referring to both OT and NT writings... just jog over to 2 Peter 3 to see that even Peter understood that Paul's writings were Scripture... WOW...
2 Peter 3:15-16 "And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."
I got off on a tangent today and was amazed at where the trail took me... I'm passionate that Christ died for my sin, that He was buried, that He rose again, and now He wants a personal relationship with me. Do i understand it? Not one bit, my brain can't understand why the God of all Creation, would pick me. BUT I BELIEVE IT.... AND I AM JOYOUS THAT IT IS TRUE....
PRAISE GOD... I am forgiven...and one day I will be in heaven.
Kayla-
I want to talk about the passage from Luke where it talks about being a light. I love that. But, we have to be careful. Luke tells us that after a lamp is lit, it's not hidden. It also tells us that the light in us can be a light of goodness, or a light of darkness. I'm not positive but it says it all comes from our eyes, so it makes me think that this can be our attitudes, how we see others, how we see the life we have been blessed with. So we have to be careful about how we are viewing things and what we let ourselves see. We are the light of the world. Let's let God shine through.
Blessings.
Psalm 13:5 "But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation."
It’s so true, I've never been so happy, I've never rejoiced so much, than in my salvation. I don't understand how a sinner like myself can be declared right. I don't understand a lot of things in the Bible. Given the trinity, God is 3 yet He is 1, hurts my brain. Do I understand everything about the Bible, No, but i believe what the Bible says.
A lot of people tend to take what they believe and put it into the Bible. While I take what the Bible says and believe it. The written Word of God is and always will be my only guideline. I do not take other books or writings and put them in the same awe inspired place as the Scriptures. Do I read other things, yes, but I understand that everything outside of the Bible can be fallible, while the Bible in and of itself (in original writing i.e. the manuscripts written in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic) are the inspired word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." this is my favorite verse, i use it often, and come back to it a lot. When Paul wrote the words "all scripture" he was referring to both OT and NT writings... just jog over to 2 Peter 3 to see that even Peter understood that Paul's writings were Scripture... WOW...
2 Peter 3:15-16 "And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."
I got off on a tangent today and was amazed at where the trail took me... I'm passionate that Christ died for my sin, that He was buried, that He rose again, and now He wants a personal relationship with me. Do i understand it? Not one bit, my brain can't understand why the God of all Creation, would pick me. BUT I BELIEVE IT.... AND I AM JOYOUS THAT IT IS TRUE....
PRAISE GOD... I am forgiven...and one day I will be in heaven.
Kayla-
I want to talk about the passage from Luke where it talks about being a light. I love that. But, we have to be careful. Luke tells us that after a lamp is lit, it's not hidden. It also tells us that the light in us can be a light of goodness, or a light of darkness. I'm not positive but it says it all comes from our eyes, so it makes me think that this can be our attitudes, how we see others, how we see the life we have been blessed with. So we have to be careful about how we are viewing things and what we let ourselves see. We are the light of the world. Let's let God shine through.
Blessings.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Day 10
Derrick
"why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, 'You will not call to account'? "
This was me, I was raised in a Christian home, but ended up hating God, I believed (or so I told myself) that God didn't care, why would He create me this way, and then condemn me for it, I truly was at "peace" in absence of conflict, I felt like I was finally ok. Little did I know that God wanted me, He wanted me so much that in my sin he brought someone to show me Christ, and I was truly against any idea of coming to Christ, I didn't want to be here, well It happened, I actually did it, but not I because I didn't want it, Christ did a work in me and brought me to himself. Do I understand it? Not one bit. But I can truly say I was never happy because I am now happier than I ever was, each day walking with God, is the new best day of my life...
With that I'm out for today, time to head to bed...
Kayla-
"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers few." It's a verse in Luke 10. This makes me think of a short conversation one of my students started with me yesterday. He came up to me, showed me his bracelet and said, "are you a fan or a follower Ms. Boss?" I smiled and said, "Follower." He smiled back at me, and we both knew what we were talking about. The kids at the school have these bracelets that say not a fan. It means they are not a fan of Jesus, but a follower of Jesus. They use these as a conversation starter to talk to others about following Christ. This verse greatly makes me think of that. There are so many people who say, yes Jesus is good, they are a fan of his work and teachings. For a long time, I was simple a fan of Jesus. It was for me, it was something that made me "feel" good and feel like I was on the "right" track. But a few years ago I realized that it wasn't just about agreeing with and believing in Him, it was about FOLLOWING Him, wherever He leads. It is more about sharing Him with others, than it was about me. "The harvest is plentiful." There is a lot of work to be done. "The laborers are few." Not many people who are truly living it. There are so many people caught up in being a fan of Jesus and not really doing the works of His hands and feet. We are all called to "Go", we are all "sent."
Blessings.
"why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, 'You will not call to account'? "
This was me, I was raised in a Christian home, but ended up hating God, I believed (or so I told myself) that God didn't care, why would He create me this way, and then condemn me for it, I truly was at "peace" in absence of conflict, I felt like I was finally ok. Little did I know that God wanted me, He wanted me so much that in my sin he brought someone to show me Christ, and I was truly against any idea of coming to Christ, I didn't want to be here, well It happened, I actually did it, but not I because I didn't want it, Christ did a work in me and brought me to himself. Do I understand it? Not one bit. But I can truly say I was never happy because I am now happier than I ever was, each day walking with God, is the new best day of my life...
With that I'm out for today, time to head to bed...
Kayla-
"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers few." It's a verse in Luke 10. This makes me think of a short conversation one of my students started with me yesterday. He came up to me, showed me his bracelet and said, "are you a fan or a follower Ms. Boss?" I smiled and said, "Follower." He smiled back at me, and we both knew what we were talking about. The kids at the school have these bracelets that say not a fan. It means they are not a fan of Jesus, but a follower of Jesus. They use these as a conversation starter to talk to others about following Christ. This verse greatly makes me think of that. There are so many people who say, yes Jesus is good, they are a fan of his work and teachings. For a long time, I was simple a fan of Jesus. It was for me, it was something that made me "feel" good and feel like I was on the "right" track. But a few years ago I realized that it wasn't just about agreeing with and believing in Him, it was about FOLLOWING Him, wherever He leads. It is more about sharing Him with others, than it was about me. "The harvest is plentiful." There is a lot of work to be done. "The laborers are few." Not many people who are truly living it. There are so many people caught up in being a fan of Jesus and not really doing the works of His hands and feet. We are all called to "Go", we are all "sent."
Blessings.
Day 9
Kayla-
In Psalm 9:10 it says "And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." This makes me think of times when I haven't sought God in the things that I've done. Not very long ago at all I was scared of the changes happening in my life and all the things that come a long with that, and in my fear, I wasn't seeking after God's will for me. Rather than taking a step in faith and trusting that God would see me through it, I tried to be in control and ended up seeking after things that weren't God. It really tore me apart. It didn't take me long to realize that putting my trust in myself because I was afraid, did nothing but rob me from opportunity to serve God with my life and to be satisfied with Him. I remember just being at a place were I was so miserable (and that is not like me at all) and I was done with fear and with my plan, and I told God He could have my life, for real this time. I waived my white flag. And God saw me through it. He has not forsaken me or any of us who seek Him. In what God and taught me about himself, I knew that the only option I had or even wanted was His plan and purpose for me, not only because of who He is and what He has done so graciously for me, but because He has been the one real constant in my life, He has never forsaken me, He cares for me. We so often pour all of our energy and spirit into temporary things (relationships, service, family, work, etc.) but none of those things mean anything without God. With out God those things are pointless (in my opinion). There is nothing we can do in this life apart from God that is worthy or valuable, and we shouldn't be finding comfort, satisfaction, or safety in those things apart from Him. Put your trust in Him, seek after His will, He will not abandon you. And don't take my word for it...take His.
Blessings.
Derrick
In the Genesis chapter of today's reading we read about Sarai and Hagar, Sarai being old and not having any children, and wanting to "help God out" she decided to have a son by proxy, through her servant, Hagar.
Wow look what happens when we take Gods will into our own hands, this one incident, created a Nation that hates Israel, oh to be in Gods will and let Him do the work that is needed, I pray that I never take God's will into my hands, not even for a minute....
I'm a control freak, I like to plan, I like to know what is happening when, so letting go and letting God take control of my future is scary, it's not easy for me to do. But I know (by trial and error) that when I take charge of things and live life the way I want to, things don't turn out to be very fulfilling, I completely scramble up God's plan for my life. And I don't want to do that...
I think it's a pride issue, I have a saying that I jokingly use but there is a little truth to it, I say "I'm a pretty humble guy" which in fact anyone saying that they are humble would then be proud and therefore not humble.
Dare I say it? Lord take my pride away, make me truly humble, I'm literally tearing up right now. I want to let go but I don't want to let go...aaaaahhhhhhhh!
Take my life Lord, mold me, make me into the price of pottery that you see, I'm just an ugly lump of clay I have no way to do anything for myself... Make me beautiful!!!!!
In Psalm 9:10 it says "And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." This makes me think of times when I haven't sought God in the things that I've done. Not very long ago at all I was scared of the changes happening in my life and all the things that come a long with that, and in my fear, I wasn't seeking after God's will for me. Rather than taking a step in faith and trusting that God would see me through it, I tried to be in control and ended up seeking after things that weren't God. It really tore me apart. It didn't take me long to realize that putting my trust in myself because I was afraid, did nothing but rob me from opportunity to serve God with my life and to be satisfied with Him. I remember just being at a place were I was so miserable (and that is not like me at all) and I was done with fear and with my plan, and I told God He could have my life, for real this time. I waived my white flag. And God saw me through it. He has not forsaken me or any of us who seek Him. In what God and taught me about himself, I knew that the only option I had or even wanted was His plan and purpose for me, not only because of who He is and what He has done so graciously for me, but because He has been the one real constant in my life, He has never forsaken me, He cares for me. We so often pour all of our energy and spirit into temporary things (relationships, service, family, work, etc.) but none of those things mean anything without God. With out God those things are pointless (in my opinion). There is nothing we can do in this life apart from God that is worthy or valuable, and we shouldn't be finding comfort, satisfaction, or safety in those things apart from Him. Put your trust in Him, seek after His will, He will not abandon you. And don't take my word for it...take His.
Blessings.
Derrick
In the Genesis chapter of today's reading we read about Sarai and Hagar, Sarai being old and not having any children, and wanting to "help God out" she decided to have a son by proxy, through her servant, Hagar.
Wow look what happens when we take Gods will into our own hands, this one incident, created a Nation that hates Israel, oh to be in Gods will and let Him do the work that is needed, I pray that I never take God's will into my hands, not even for a minute....
I'm a control freak, I like to plan, I like to know what is happening when, so letting go and letting God take control of my future is scary, it's not easy for me to do. But I know (by trial and error) that when I take charge of things and live life the way I want to, things don't turn out to be very fulfilling, I completely scramble up God's plan for my life. And I don't want to do that...
I think it's a pride issue, I have a saying that I jokingly use but there is a little truth to it, I say "I'm a pretty humble guy" which in fact anyone saying that they are humble would then be proud and therefore not humble.
Dare I say it? Lord take my pride away, make me truly humble, I'm literally tearing up right now. I want to let go but I don't want to let go...aaaaahhhhhhhh!
Take my life Lord, mold me, make me into the price of pottery that you see, I'm just an ugly lump of clay I have no way to do anything for myself... Make me beautiful!!!!!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Day 8
Kayla-
There was a lot in today's reading that stood out to me. Taking up your cross daily, the fish and the loaves.... But really what always stands out to me is something that I was reminded of in Psalm 8:3-4:
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
I think of all of the magnificient and wonderful things that God has created. I mean look out at the stars on a clear night (away from the bright lights of the city) and look at the stars....think about what you can't see beyond them. Think about all the things in your town, all of the things in your state, across the country, that you can't see or don't even know about. It's HUGE and filled with all types of amazing things, yet God cares for you and He cares for me. He is mindful of us, He cares. The Creator of EVERYTHING loves us. He loves us in the midst of all of our messing up and doing right, regardless, He loves us. And who are we to deserve that love? We don't deserve it, not one of us. But He loves us anyway, giving us what we don't deserve, a chance to start over. Like we read in Luke, a chance to take up our cross, daily, and to follow Him. We get grace and that is one great gift. :) God loves us even though there is no way we could ever deserve that kind of love.
Blessing.
Derrick
Psalm 8:1 is a song I used to sing as a kid,
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
We would sing it in rounds and it was one of my favorites, it's amazing what scripture put to music can do in a persons soul, I still remember that song and would gladly sing it for you if you ask :) but be ready to hop in and sing the round, cuz then the song is at its best...
I also almost wrote about the verses that Kayla wrote about but the power of music won me over this time, it's crazy what the secular words and images get you to do/think/worship.
Secular music is really preachy, they preach an agenda that no Christian should follow, he we allow our minds to be moved by a nice beat, I can think of 5 catchy songs that stick in your head without even trying hard at all, each of which devalue others, or life, or God or sex, all of which are creations of God for us to enjoy (under certain circumstances)like marriage.
Keep your mind on the whatever statements of Philippians 4:8
There was a lot in today's reading that stood out to me. Taking up your cross daily, the fish and the loaves.... But really what always stands out to me is something that I was reminded of in Psalm 8:3-4:
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
I think of all of the magnificient and wonderful things that God has created. I mean look out at the stars on a clear night (away from the bright lights of the city) and look at the stars....think about what you can't see beyond them. Think about all the things in your town, all of the things in your state, across the country, that you can't see or don't even know about. It's HUGE and filled with all types of amazing things, yet God cares for you and He cares for me. He is mindful of us, He cares. The Creator of EVERYTHING loves us. He loves us in the midst of all of our messing up and doing right, regardless, He loves us. And who are we to deserve that love? We don't deserve it, not one of us. But He loves us anyway, giving us what we don't deserve, a chance to start over. Like we read in Luke, a chance to take up our cross, daily, and to follow Him. We get grace and that is one great gift. :) God loves us even though there is no way we could ever deserve that kind of love.
Blessing.
Derrick
Psalm 8:1 is a song I used to sing as a kid,
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
We would sing it in rounds and it was one of my favorites, it's amazing what scripture put to music can do in a persons soul, I still remember that song and would gladly sing it for you if you ask :) but be ready to hop in and sing the round, cuz then the song is at its best...
I also almost wrote about the verses that Kayla wrote about but the power of music won me over this time, it's crazy what the secular words and images get you to do/think/worship.
Secular music is really preachy, they preach an agenda that no Christian should follow, he we allow our minds to be moved by a nice beat, I can think of 5 catchy songs that stick in your head without even trying hard at all, each of which devalue others, or life, or God or sex, all of which are creations of God for us to enjoy (under certain circumstances)like marriage.
Keep your mind on the whatever statements of Philippians 4:8
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Day 7
Kayla-
It's been a week :)
I love love love reading about Jesus as Healer. Today in Luke that is what we read about. We read about Jesus literally healing people of their afflictions and pains, bringing people back to life, and it's just amazing. We have read about how Jesus healed people's bodies and we also know about how He has healed people's souls. He has given them new life and healed them from old wounds. I think it's awesome to read about how He has healed people in different ways and remember the spiritual and even sometimes physical healing He has done in our own lives.
Blessings.
Derrick
Psalm 7 is what made me think today,
verse 14
"Behold the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies" (ESV)
this really struck me because i still struggle with lying, (its getting a lot better) but i catch myself saying something not completly truthful, and stop myself and correct it then and there...
I've fabricated a lot in my lifetime, that stops now, i don't want to be the wicked man in the verse (or the wicked man in any verse for that matter)
Ive said it many times now, that if i can't tell the truth than i cant move forward, if i can't tell the truth i can't find true healing in Christ...
God is TRUTH, therefore truth is what i long for!
It's been a week :)
I love love love reading about Jesus as Healer. Today in Luke that is what we read about. We read about Jesus literally healing people of their afflictions and pains, bringing people back to life, and it's just amazing. We have read about how Jesus healed people's bodies and we also know about how He has healed people's souls. He has given them new life and healed them from old wounds. I think it's awesome to read about how He has healed people in different ways and remember the spiritual and even sometimes physical healing He has done in our own lives.
Blessings.
Derrick
Psalm 7 is what made me think today,
verse 14
"Behold the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies" (ESV)
this really struck me because i still struggle with lying, (its getting a lot better) but i catch myself saying something not completly truthful, and stop myself and correct it then and there...
I've fabricated a lot in my lifetime, that stops now, i don't want to be the wicked man in the verse (or the wicked man in any verse for that matter)
Ive said it many times now, that if i can't tell the truth than i cant move forward, if i can't tell the truth i can't find true healing in Christ...
God is TRUTH, therefore truth is what i long for!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Day 6
Kayla-
We had a really nice weekend. I kind of forgot to read on Sunday, so I made up for it tonight. :)
I love ALL of what we read in Luke Chapter 8 today. It's really hard for me to pick something out and then write about it, when I really just want to tell you to just GO READ IT :). I think bearing good fruit it something we all need to think about in our daily walks with God. We can walk the walk and talk the talk, but if there isn't a real change in our lives, if there isn't an authentic worship, and genuine love and gratefulness for Christ, then I don't believe our lives will bear good fruit. And it all starts with the condition of our hearts which is the "soil" where God is planing a seed....is that seed going to grow or not? In talking about bearing good fruit, it is a great reminder that the life I live isn't for me at all, first its for Christ and then it's for you, to love Christ and you, to serve Him and you. And if my life is bearing good fruit then the words of my mouth and the works of my hands are pleasing and good to God, if God's Word and love can grow in me and then come out through me, as a means of being God's hands and feet, then the fruit I am bearing is good, holy, fruit. It's nourishing someone else and glorifying God. And that is really what I want my life to be about, loving God, letting Him fill me, and then sharing that same love I know with others. Letting God mold my life and not having "bad" fruit, or no fruit of all, but letting all I do be to His glory and honor.
I'm sleepy today :) but have so much to be thankful for, that it's worth being a little sleepy every now and then :).
Blessings.
Derrick
I spent the whole weekend with Kayla and had a great time (wearing the comfy socks now) :)
Today what stuck out in Luke was the Parable of the lamp, I've really been struggling recently with being transparent to others, showing that i have faith in the workplace, just over a year ago i would play my vulgar music really really loud and wouldn't care about others hearing it, i wanted to preach my agenda that God doesn't care about us.
Let me just say that my music tastes have changed since becoming a Christian, I no longer want to hear Eminem's words and images, they stuck in my head for way to long and now i am renewing my mind, daily, with music, prayer and God's word. I was playing some Lecrae, (Christian Rap) at work and one of the girls who professes to be a Christian says she doesn't like christian rap cuz she can't dance to it the way you can dance to the secular rap, because its "Jesus Music," i told her about my past favorite artists and how i didn't even like them anymore because they are really preaching their own agenda, the agenda that there is nothing better than now, there is no afterlife, so enjoy life now and do whatever you want... this agenda (which was mine for so long) doesn't appeal to me any longer, I want to be in God's will and that means to me right now to keep the media that would be displeasing to God out of my house and head, I'm convicted to burn dvd collection from the past i tried selling it and most of them didn't sell, and one that did i would never want anyone to watch, so here is my application to letting my light shine, its to get rid of the stuff in my life that would be unpleasing to Christ...
We had a really nice weekend. I kind of forgot to read on Sunday, so I made up for it tonight. :)
I love ALL of what we read in Luke Chapter 8 today. It's really hard for me to pick something out and then write about it, when I really just want to tell you to just GO READ IT :). I think bearing good fruit it something we all need to think about in our daily walks with God. We can walk the walk and talk the talk, but if there isn't a real change in our lives, if there isn't an authentic worship, and genuine love and gratefulness for Christ, then I don't believe our lives will bear good fruit. And it all starts with the condition of our hearts which is the "soil" where God is planing a seed....is that seed going to grow or not? In talking about bearing good fruit, it is a great reminder that the life I live isn't for me at all, first its for Christ and then it's for you, to love Christ and you, to serve Him and you. And if my life is bearing good fruit then the words of my mouth and the works of my hands are pleasing and good to God, if God's Word and love can grow in me and then come out through me, as a means of being God's hands and feet, then the fruit I am bearing is good, holy, fruit. It's nourishing someone else and glorifying God. And that is really what I want my life to be about, loving God, letting Him fill me, and then sharing that same love I know with others. Letting God mold my life and not having "bad" fruit, or no fruit of all, but letting all I do be to His glory and honor.
I'm sleepy today :) but have so much to be thankful for, that it's worth being a little sleepy every now and then :).
Blessings.
Derrick
I spent the whole weekend with Kayla and had a great time (wearing the comfy socks now) :)
Today what stuck out in Luke was the Parable of the lamp, I've really been struggling recently with being transparent to others, showing that i have faith in the workplace, just over a year ago i would play my vulgar music really really loud and wouldn't care about others hearing it, i wanted to preach my agenda that God doesn't care about us.
Let me just say that my music tastes have changed since becoming a Christian, I no longer want to hear Eminem's words and images, they stuck in my head for way to long and now i am renewing my mind, daily, with music, prayer and God's word. I was playing some Lecrae, (Christian Rap) at work and one of the girls who professes to be a Christian says she doesn't like christian rap cuz she can't dance to it the way you can dance to the secular rap, because its "Jesus Music," i told her about my past favorite artists and how i didn't even like them anymore because they are really preaching their own agenda, the agenda that there is nothing better than now, there is no afterlife, so enjoy life now and do whatever you want... this agenda (which was mine for so long) doesn't appeal to me any longer, I want to be in God's will and that means to me right now to keep the media that would be displeasing to God out of my house and head, I'm convicted to burn dvd collection from the past i tried selling it and most of them didn't sell, and one that did i would never want anyone to watch, so here is my application to letting my light shine, its to get rid of the stuff in my life that would be unpleasing to Christ...
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