Sunday, August 31, 2014
I'm Dying to Know . . .
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus
have crucified the sinful nature with
with its passion and desire."
Galatian 5:24
We use words in strange ways. Take the word dying. Your daughter in tenth grade says she's dying to know the football captain of the neighboring high school. Your son in Little League might be dying to meet the national basball commissioner. Or perhaps you are dying to know what the loud quarrels next door are all about.
It's an exaggeration, to say the least, You're not really willing to kick the bucket or water bucket challenge in order to find out about your neighbor's problems, but there is one use of the expression that is no exaggeration at all. Are you dying to know the Lord?
The apostle Paul spoke of this when he said, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection . . .
becoming like him in His death." Paul realized that in order to know Christ fully, it meant crucifying the old man. Mortifying his sinful nature with all its passion. Nailing worldly affection to the cross. Reckoning himself dead to sin and alive to God.
We say we want to know the Lord's love, to feel His favor, to experience His joy and peace. we want to know His presence and His smile. But could we say we are dying to know Him? If so Jesus asks you to meet Him at the cross.
What does it take to know Jesus
in an intimate and personal way?
The Bible calls it being crucify with
Christ, but you could call it "saying
no to sin." Ask the Lord to give
you His resurrection power and
help you squelch anger, strife
gossip, and put a lie on those mind
games.
The power of Your resurrection,
Lord, is what I need when I say
"no"to sin. Let me become like
You in your death, crucifying
every passion that displease you.
I want to know You. I am dying to
know you.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Monday, August 25, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2014
"God Fulfills His Purpose"
"I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills his purpose
for me. He sends from heaven
and saves me, rebuking those
who hotly pursue me; God sends
this love and his faithfulness."
Psalm 57:2-3
Perhaps long ago when you first believe in Christ you may have heard those familiar words, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." That brand new thought warmed your heart, didn't it? You excitedly embarked on your spiritual journey, pleased and comforted to know that God has a unique and has special plan just for you.
But perhap those days when you first believe are long ago and far away. You've gotten sidetracked, your attention diverted. If so, let ask you: Do you still believe God has a wonderful plan for your life? If not, let psalm 57 jar your memory. Find assurance in the first few verses.
God will fulfill His purpose for you. He'll do it for you because He keeps His promise. He'll fulfill His plan in you by creating in you the image of his Son. Also, God will fulfill his plan through you as you touch others with His love and faithfulness.
Nothing ever thwarts the purpose
of God. Nothing can ruin His plan.
If you are trusting Him, then God's
plan for you is progressing right
on schedule, full speed ahead.
God Most High, i praised you that
You always fullfill your purpose.
you. are glorified in that You
always keeps your promises.
you never fail to send help from
heaven and You are faithful in
giving your love and strength. I
want to get in line with Your will
and say "yes" to Your plan for
my life.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
"Lifting Barbells"
"Continue to work out your
salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who work in you to
will to act according to his good
purpose." Philippians 2:12-13
Growing strong in christ is like lifting very heavy barbells. The trouble is that no one likes to lift them. We walk around those huge barbells and examine them, comparing them to other weights we've seen. We gather with other barnells lifters and discuss the proper technique involving the approach, the bend -and- grasp and the pull-and- jerk.
We enjoy listening to the testimonies of famous people who have lifted record breaking weights, and we collect books and articles about barbells lifters of the past. We join groups of other lifters who are like-minded, and together we prayed and memorize verse about barbell lifting.
We do everything but actually walk up to the barbells and lift them!
sometimes fear keeps us away. Will we succeed? What if we can't lift the heavy weights? Are we too weak? When we finally wrap our hands around the task and begin to exert force, eureka! At that point divine energy surged through us. God's power works in us at the moment we exercise faith for the task. We can do all things even lift those barbells through Christ Jesus who strenghtens us.
As you work out your salvation, God works in you, giving you the desire and power to sccomplish His will. You only have the strenght to say "no" to a bad habit when, You only have the desire and the power to read His Word when, in His energy, you pick up the Bible and begin reading.
Lord, today I will face many challanges to my faith and I respond positively to each challenge, wrapping my hands around the task, and trusting You to give me divine strenght as I obey.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Monday, August 11, 2014
Sunday, August 10, 2014
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