Thursday, February 23, 2012
And Jesus Sat Down
Today's reading contains the great "Sermon on the Mount". Here, Jesus ministered to a multitude of people in need. We find in the final verses of Matthew chapter 4 just who made up this massive audience. We might be surprised to find it was not made up of people of great stature or the wealthiest dignitaries of His day. It was not made up of the religious leaders or people of public importance. No, this crowd was very special. Matthew 4:24 describes the crowd listening to Jesus bring this great sermon. This crowd included those who were sick of all kinds of diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed. Doesn't quite sound like the most note-worthy crowd to be speaking to. Yet, this is the crowd God chose to hear one of the most powerful sermons to ever be presented. This morning, I noticed something very special about the way in which Jesus presented His message. Matthew 5:1 says, "Now when He saw the crowds, he went up on the mountainside and sat down." Jesus delivered the greatest message of all time sitting down. I wander.. did he chose this method of presentation in order to be "approachable" to his listening audience? Did he choose to humble himself to their level in order to make eye contact and not seem to be speaking down to them? Jesus could have delivered His message with extreme authority and power. Yet, He chose to sit with them...speak to them...and be with them. No wonder the crowds were drawn to this amazing teacher...the precious son of God. Who has God placed at your feet to minister to today? Will you choose to follow after Christ's example of being humble and approachable to "even the least of them"?
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Guard Your Heart
Reading for Today: Hebrews 3:1-4:13 Genesis 48 Psalm 38
"See to it, brothers (sisters), that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." Hebrews 3:12
Everywhere I look this time of year, I see hearts. From heart-shaped boxes of candies to heart-shaped diamond necklaces...hearts are everywhere. Don't get me wrong, I love this time of year. February is my favorite month (might have something to do with being the month I was born). I love everything about this month, especially the chocolates! In todays reading, we are reminded of a much more serious side to the heart. Our hearts represent who we are, what we place our trust/values in, and a very frightening reality that our hearts can lead us astray. We find in Hebrews the rememberance of what happened to the Children of Israel who allowed their unbelieving hearts to cause them to turn away from the Living God. Oh how quickly our heart can fool us. We are emotional thinkers. Following our hearts can be extremely dangerous. We must always compare the feelings of our hearts with the truth of God's Word. This month, every time we see a heart shape, let it remind us to do a heart check. Proverbs 4:23 says it best, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
"See to it, brothers (sisters), that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." Hebrews 3:12
Everywhere I look this time of year, I see hearts. From heart-shaped boxes of candies to heart-shaped diamond necklaces...hearts are everywhere. Don't get me wrong, I love this time of year. February is my favorite month (might have something to do with being the month I was born). I love everything about this month, especially the chocolates! In todays reading, we are reminded of a much more serious side to the heart. Our hearts represent who we are, what we place our trust/values in, and a very frightening reality that our hearts can lead us astray. We find in Hebrews the rememberance of what happened to the Children of Israel who allowed their unbelieving hearts to cause them to turn away from the Living God. Oh how quickly our heart can fool us. We are emotional thinkers. Following our hearts can be extremely dangerous. We must always compare the feelings of our hearts with the truth of God's Word. This month, every time we see a heart shape, let it remind us to do a heart check. Proverbs 4:23 says it best, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Monday, February 6, 2012
He Knows How We Feel
Reading for Today: Hebrews 2 Genesis 46:28-47:31 Psalm 37
Hebrews 2: 18, "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
When it seems no one else can possibly understand, we have one who does. Christ is always with us, defending us, loving us, and ministering to us. He doesn't just "say" He understands our hurts or temptations. He does understand. He walked this earth, lived in the normal days of everday life. He suffered rejection, fear, physical pain, extreme weariness, and the piercing of ridicule. He chose, not just to do the job of redemption half-way, but all the way. His death redeemed us through this ultimate sacrifice, and His life on earth equipped Him to relate to us in every area of struggle. Do you feel alone? Does it seem no one understands what you're going through? Jesus knows how you feel. Pour your every hurt out to one who not only understands, but has the power to change your struggles into victories.
Hebrews 2: 18, "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
When it seems no one else can possibly understand, we have one who does. Christ is always with us, defending us, loving us, and ministering to us. He doesn't just "say" He understands our hurts or temptations. He does understand. He walked this earth, lived in the normal days of everday life. He suffered rejection, fear, physical pain, extreme weariness, and the piercing of ridicule. He chose, not just to do the job of redemption half-way, but all the way. His death redeemed us through this ultimate sacrifice, and His life on earth equipped Him to relate to us in every area of struggle. Do you feel alone? Does it seem no one understands what you're going through? Jesus knows how you feel. Pour your every hurt out to one who not only understands, but has the power to change your struggles into victories.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Angels Among Us
Reading for Today: Luke 24:1-12 Genesis 43 Psalm 34
Psalms 34:7, "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them."
When Lillian was a new-born baby, I found myself gripped with the fear something would happen to her during the night. I read all the books on how to position her to sleep safely. I removed all blankets, pillows and stuffed animals from her crib. I turned the baby monitors on full blast, and still I couldn't sleep. One night, as I rocked her before bed, I prayed a prayer asking God to place angels around her crib and keep her safe through the night. I remembered this verse in Psalms, and for the first night in a long time, I slept like a baby too. It gave me peace knowing angels were encamped around her watching over her while she slept. That prayer became an every-night prayer. To this day, she wants me to pray it over her before bed. Even Trice, in all his toughness, will not go to bed without this same little prayer. We've prayed it many times when John was out of town and we were afraid. Sometimes, we face scary nights in life. We need to be reassured we have someone watching over us, loving us, and delivering us. The next time your heart is gripped with fear, remember this special promise... the angel of the Lord is encamped around you and your loved ones.
Psalms 34:7, "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them."
When Lillian was a new-born baby, I found myself gripped with the fear something would happen to her during the night. I read all the books on how to position her to sleep safely. I removed all blankets, pillows and stuffed animals from her crib. I turned the baby monitors on full blast, and still I couldn't sleep. One night, as I rocked her before bed, I prayed a prayer asking God to place angels around her crib and keep her safe through the night. I remembered this verse in Psalms, and for the first night in a long time, I slept like a baby too. It gave me peace knowing angels were encamped around her watching over her while she slept. That prayer became an every-night prayer. To this day, she wants me to pray it over her before bed. Even Trice, in all his toughness, will not go to bed without this same little prayer. We've prayed it many times when John was out of town and we were afraid. Sometimes, we face scary nights in life. We need to be reassured we have someone watching over us, loving us, and delivering us. The next time your heart is gripped with fear, remember this special promise... the angel of the Lord is encamped around you and your loved ones.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Unfailing Love
Reading for Today: Luke 23:26-56 Genesis 42 Psalm 33
Woven in the words of Psalms 33 is a beautiful characteristic of Christ. He offers us Unfailing Love. As we enter February, a month all about heart shaped candies, chocolates, and the word LOVE, God wants to remind us; only His love is unfailing. We can completely give and fill our hearts with His love. When we do, we experience true fulfillment in every other area of our lives. Filling our spiritual love bank with His unfailing love enables us to love others as we should...including ourselves. We do not place unrealistic expectations on our spouse, family, and friends to fill voids only Christ can fill. Let God be the first to give you a Valentine this month....the gift of His unfailing love.
Woven in the words of Psalms 33 is a beautiful characteristic of Christ. He offers us Unfailing Love. As we enter February, a month all about heart shaped candies, chocolates, and the word LOVE, God wants to remind us; only His love is unfailing. We can completely give and fill our hearts with His love. When we do, we experience true fulfillment in every other area of our lives. Filling our spiritual love bank with His unfailing love enables us to love others as we should...including ourselves. We do not place unrealistic expectations on our spouse, family, and friends to fill voids only Christ can fill. Let God be the first to give you a Valentine this month....the gift of His unfailing love.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Hide and Seek
Reading for Today: Luke 23:1-25 Genesis 41 Psalm 32
Psalm 32:7, "You are my hiding place". Do you ever experience the need to run away and hide? This urge may be prompted by fear, hurt, complete exhaustion, or just a need for a little peace and quiet. I have good news today. Even when we cannot physically run away and hide, we have the perfect hiding place; the arms of our Heavenly Father. He delights in having us run to Him, rest in Him, and hide in His arms. Remember the little game we played as children called "Hide and Seek"? We have the ultimate hiding place. He promises us in His Word, if we seek Him, we will find Him. Surrender all to Christ today, and hide under His wings of protection.
Psalm 32:7, "You are my hiding place". Do you ever experience the need to run away and hide? This urge may be prompted by fear, hurt, complete exhaustion, or just a need for a little peace and quiet. I have good news today. Even when we cannot physically run away and hide, we have the perfect hiding place; the arms of our Heavenly Father. He delights in having us run to Him, rest in Him, and hide in His arms. Remember the little game we played as children called "Hide and Seek"? We have the ultimate hiding place. He promises us in His Word, if we seek Him, we will find Him. Surrender all to Christ today, and hide under His wings of protection.
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