John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command."
I am reading Henry and Richard Blackaby's Experiencing God. There is a discussion of obedience, command, and law. Those terms tend to sound restrictive to us, especially in the context of obeying God and His commands and laws. But the authors explained this concept in such a clear way, I wanted to share it with you. The following is an excerpt from the book:
Avoiding Land Mines
Suppose you were in a war-torn country, and you had to cross a field full of land mines. If a local soldier knew exactly where every one of them was buried and offered to take you through the field, would you protest and say, "I don't want you to tell me what to do. I want to be free to make my own choices"? I don't know about you, but I would stay as close to that person as I could. I certainly would not go wandering off. His directions to me would not restrict me; they would preserve my life. As we walked together, he would say, "Don't go that way, because that path will kill you. Go this way and live."
To obey God is to be free to live the life He has ordained for you. To be on His path is to be in His will. While there will still be trials and storms, He will lead us through the mine-field of life, and turn us away from the path of destruction by sin and keep us on His path of life.
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to follow you closely, obeying your commands. Your ways lead to life, and I want an abundant life in You. I seek You and Your guidance with all my heart. Lead me on the path of Your perfect will. Amen.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Choose Him
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30 is one of my favorite chapters in Scripture. I have it underlined and starred in my Bible. I invite you to read it in its entirety. God is imploring the Israelites to turn to Him. If the Israelites choose to turn to Him, they will be blessed. If they don't, they will experience death and destruction. The death and destruction can be physical, but can also be relational. The death of a marriage, the destruction of a relationship, the destruction of our families... God knows the dire consequences of the choices we make. The way of the world is perilous. The way of God is blessed. He desires for us to make the right choice -- to follow Him with all our hearts in everything we do.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this beautiful Scripture. I pray that I always choose You, listen to Your voice, choose to walk in Your ways and experience the fullness of life with You. Help me to choose the path of life, not destruction. I am so thankful that You love me and want the very best for me. Help me to hold fast to You. Amen.
Deuteronomy 30 is one of my favorite chapters in Scripture. I have it underlined and starred in my Bible. I invite you to read it in its entirety. God is imploring the Israelites to turn to Him. If the Israelites choose to turn to Him, they will be blessed. If they don't, they will experience death and destruction. The death and destruction can be physical, but can also be relational. The death of a marriage, the destruction of a relationship, the destruction of our families... God knows the dire consequences of the choices we make. The way of the world is perilous. The way of God is blessed. He desires for us to make the right choice -- to follow Him with all our hearts in everything we do.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this beautiful Scripture. I pray that I always choose You, listen to Your voice, choose to walk in Your ways and experience the fullness of life with You. Help me to choose the path of life, not destruction. I am so thankful that You love me and want the very best for me. Help me to hold fast to You. Amen.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
He is Everywhere
Leviticus 25:12 "I will walk among you and be your God and you will be my people."
John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
1 Corinthians 3:16 "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"
Collossians 2:9 "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,"
I am so thankful that God is not confined to the walls of the temple, or isolated to our church service on Sunday. He is eternal, everywhere, all the time. Our Heavenly Father saturates our time and space, and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. If only we would open our eyes, ears and hearts to soak in the richness of His Presence. It gives me such peace to know that God has made His dwelling among us. He is not just "up in heaven" looking down on us from afar. God is here. Now and always.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for walking with me throughout my day. You are not only around me, Your Holy Spirit dwells in me. I praise You that I have perfect knowledge of Your goodness and glory through our LORD, Jesus Christ. I pray that I may always be aware of Your presence, as You dwell among us and that I may share Your Presence through my actions and through the help of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
1 Corinthians 3:16 "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"
Collossians 2:9 "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,"
I am so thankful that God is not confined to the walls of the temple, or isolated to our church service on Sunday. He is eternal, everywhere, all the time. Our Heavenly Father saturates our time and space, and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. If only we would open our eyes, ears and hearts to soak in the richness of His Presence. It gives me such peace to know that God has made His dwelling among us. He is not just "up in heaven" looking down on us from afar. God is here. Now and always.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for walking with me throughout my day. You are not only around me, Your Holy Spirit dwells in me. I praise You that I have perfect knowledge of Your goodness and glory through our LORD, Jesus Christ. I pray that I may always be aware of Your presence, as You dwell among us and that I may share Your Presence through my actions and through the help of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
God's Battle
2 Chronicles 20:15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.' "
2 Chronicles 20:17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.
I encourage you to read 2 Chronicles 20, one of my favorite chapters in Scripture. It is an account of King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah and Jerusalem inquiring of the LORD as they receive warning of a vast army approaching them for a battle they could not win on their own. In the face of great calamity, they resolved to cry out to God and trust in Him. They didn't rely on their own strength and acknowledged they had no power against the vast army. They turned to the LORD their God. And after they turned to Him, they praised Him, even before they knew the outcome of the battle. The LORD delivered them from the vast army... they didn't fight the battle. He fought it for them... and He will do the same for you.
What is the vast army in your life? What is your battle? It could be a health crisis, a marital breakdown, financial hardship, or a situation that seems insurmountable. Our human tendency is to fight our own battles, relying our own strength. But we quickly become weary, worried, and burdened. God wants us to remember that it is He, the great I Am, who will fight these battles for us. It is He who goes up against our vast armies. If only we turn to Him, trust in Him and stand firm, without fear or discouragement, because He is with us.
Heavenly Father, I praise You for being the One who will battle my vast armies. I thank You that I am not going through this life or any trial with only my own strength. You are with me. I praise You for helping me to stand firm without fear or discouragement -- as I can be confident of Your power in all my circumstances. Amen.
2 Chronicles 20:17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.
I encourage you to read 2 Chronicles 20, one of my favorite chapters in Scripture. It is an account of King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah and Jerusalem inquiring of the LORD as they receive warning of a vast army approaching them for a battle they could not win on their own. In the face of great calamity, they resolved to cry out to God and trust in Him. They didn't rely on their own strength and acknowledged they had no power against the vast army. They turned to the LORD their God. And after they turned to Him, they praised Him, even before they knew the outcome of the battle. The LORD delivered them from the vast army... they didn't fight the battle. He fought it for them... and He will do the same for you.
What is the vast army in your life? What is your battle? It could be a health crisis, a marital breakdown, financial hardship, or a situation that seems insurmountable. Our human tendency is to fight our own battles, relying our own strength. But we quickly become weary, worried, and burdened. God wants us to remember that it is He, the great I Am, who will fight these battles for us. It is He who goes up against our vast armies. If only we turn to Him, trust in Him and stand firm, without fear or discouragement, because He is with us.
Heavenly Father, I praise You for being the One who will battle my vast armies. I thank You that I am not going through this life or any trial with only my own strength. You are with me. I praise You for helping me to stand firm without fear or discouragement -- as I can be confident of Your power in all my circumstances. Amen.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Reflecting God's Glory
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
As we seek God and know Him more deeply, we are being transformed into His likeness... God calls us to reflect His Glory. We are to have unveiled faces, radiating God's love, goodness, and peace to others.
When people see you, does your face reflect God's glory? If they cross your path, can they tell you've been with Jesus? Do you have a peace that can only come by spending precious quiet time with Him? Do your actions and words radiate God's love to others? These seem like convicting questions, but they are not meant to be... for we cannot answer "Yes" to any of these questions without answering "Yes, but only with my Father's help."
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that my face is unveiled, reflecting Your Glory. LORD, I cannot do this alone... please help me to radiate Your love to others who cross my path. I humbly ask You to transform me into Your likeness, so that I may be a blessing to others in need of your goodness and peace. Amen.
As we seek God and know Him more deeply, we are being transformed into His likeness... God calls us to reflect His Glory. We are to have unveiled faces, radiating God's love, goodness, and peace to others.
When people see you, does your face reflect God's glory? If they cross your path, can they tell you've been with Jesus? Do you have a peace that can only come by spending precious quiet time with Him? Do your actions and words radiate God's love to others? These seem like convicting questions, but they are not meant to be... for we cannot answer "Yes" to any of these questions without answering "Yes, but only with my Father's help."
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that my face is unveiled, reflecting Your Glory. LORD, I cannot do this alone... please help me to radiate Your love to others who cross my path. I humbly ask You to transform me into Your likeness, so that I may be a blessing to others in need of your goodness and peace. Amen.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
It Matters
1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Scripture tells us that it matters what we put into our mind and body. We can choose to fill ourselves up with what the world offers us, or we can fill ourselves up with what honors Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for discernment. Alert me to what would grieve You and the Holy Spirit who dwells within me. LORD, You call us to live a holy life. We have been bought at a price -- Jesus paid that price on the cross. Help me to make choices in my life that will always honor Jesus and the fact that He died for me. I pray to do this, not out of guilt, but out of the desire of my heart to honor You in everything I do. Amen.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Encouraging Helpers
Exodus 17:10-13 "So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up -- one on one side, one on the other -- so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword."
I can picture Moses standing on top of a hill, overlooking Joshua's battle against the Amalekite army. Holding the staff of God, Moses' hands are held high, appealing to God for help -- and the Israelites are winning! However, during the battle, Moses gets tired... it is a long battle... his hands begin to lower in fatigue. When his hands lower, the Amalekites begin to win... then, Aaron and Hur come alongside Moses, personally lifting Moses' arms, as he appealed to God -- until the battle was won.
God tells us to support, encourage, and pray with each other as we go through life's journeys and battles. He gives us the gift of people in our life who help keep our hands and eyes lifted to the LORD. At times, we are meant to be the "lifter" and at other times, we are the one who needs to be lifted.
I can picture Moses standing on top of a hill, overlooking Joshua's battle against the Amalekite army. Holding the staff of God, Moses' hands are held high, appealing to God for help -- and the Israelites are winning! However, during the battle, Moses gets tired... it is a long battle... his hands begin to lower in fatigue. When his hands lower, the Amalekites begin to win... then, Aaron and Hur come alongside Moses, personally lifting Moses' arms, as he appealed to God -- until the battle was won.
God tells us to support, encourage, and pray with each other as we go through life's journeys and battles. He gives us the gift of people in our life who help keep our hands and eyes lifted to the LORD. At times, we are meant to be the "lifter" and at other times, we are the one who needs to be lifted.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for placing people in my path who encourage me and lift me up as I walk on this journey with You. LORD, You have richly blessed me with their presence in my life. I pray that You to use me to support and encourage others; to lift them up in their walk through life and their journey with You. Amen
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
All Things Are Possible
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Mark 10:26-27 The disciples were even more amazed and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
I have heard people doubt the depth of God's love for them. They say that God couldn't possibly care for them... they have made too many mistakes or have a life so complicated and broken that it is hopeless. Or they feel as though most of life has passed them by and its too late... While we may be walking far from Him, choosing our own path instead of His, God is still right there beside us. You don't have to be cleaned up and perfect before you seek Him. He meets you right where you are. He sent His Son to save the world. He sent Jesus to save you.
As I read through my Bible, I have yet to come across a perfect person... Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Rahab, Joseph, Judah, Moses, Aaron, Gideon, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat, Elija, Isaiah, Jonah, Peter, John, Mary, Martha, Paul, to name a few... all had some type of human frailty. Just like us.
But there is One who is perfect! God Almighty, Jesus, the Holy Spirit. His love is perfect, and He loves you.
Seek Him, find Him, follow Him, walk with Him. Discover the path God has had for you all along. It is never too late, and you are never too far from Him. He will lift you up, with all your human imperfections, and transform you into the person He always planned for you to be. And it is not too late to draw close to Him. Ever. With Him, all things are possible.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son, Jesus. Through Him, all things are possible. I pray for anyone who feels far from You, I pray for anyone who believes that it is too late in their life to draw close to You. Let them know Your undeniable presence. Give them a revelation of Your amazing love. Thank You for Your unending faithfulness. Amen.
Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Mark 10:26-27 The disciples were even more amazed and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
I have heard people doubt the depth of God's love for them. They say that God couldn't possibly care for them... they have made too many mistakes or have a life so complicated and broken that it is hopeless. Or they feel as though most of life has passed them by and its too late... While we may be walking far from Him, choosing our own path instead of His, God is still right there beside us. You don't have to be cleaned up and perfect before you seek Him. He meets you right where you are. He sent His Son to save the world. He sent Jesus to save you.
As I read through my Bible, I have yet to come across a perfect person... Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Rahab, Joseph, Judah, Moses, Aaron, Gideon, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat, Elija, Isaiah, Jonah, Peter, John, Mary, Martha, Paul, to name a few... all had some type of human frailty. Just like us.
But there is One who is perfect! God Almighty, Jesus, the Holy Spirit. His love is perfect, and He loves you.
Seek Him, find Him, follow Him, walk with Him. Discover the path God has had for you all along. It is never too late, and you are never too far from Him. He will lift you up, with all your human imperfections, and transform you into the person He always planned for you to be. And it is not too late to draw close to Him. Ever. With Him, all things are possible.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son, Jesus. Through Him, all things are possible. I pray for anyone who feels far from You, I pray for anyone who believes that it is too late in their life to draw close to You. Let them know Your undeniable presence. Give them a revelation of Your amazing love. Thank You for Your unending faithfulness. Amen.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Read His Word
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
In the book of James, God tells us to not just listen to His Word. He tells us to do what it says. But how can we do what He says if we do not read and know His Word?
Imagine learning about someone you have not met. You can gather the opinions from others about that person, but your knowledge about them is limited to other's opinions. But when you personally meet them, you begin to know that person for yourself on a completely different level. I encourage you to meet God personally! Get to know Him for yourself. Read His Word. Cover to cover.
The Bible is not just a collection of ancient "stories." His Word is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. God gave us the gift of Scripture as a roadmap for our lives. And He wants us to do what it says!
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You always bless my reading of Your Word. I ask You to give me a hunger for Your Word and for You to saturate me with an understanding that can only come from You. Amen.
In the book of James, God tells us to not just listen to His Word. He tells us to do what it says. But how can we do what He says if we do not read and know His Word?
Imagine learning about someone you have not met. You can gather the opinions from others about that person, but your knowledge about them is limited to other's opinions. But when you personally meet them, you begin to know that person for yourself on a completely different level. I encourage you to meet God personally! Get to know Him for yourself. Read His Word. Cover to cover.
When I started on this new part my journey with God, I bought a study Bible, and started to read the New Testament, then moved to the Old Testament. But I didn't read just to "get through it." I didn't read looking for specific answers. I read my Bible to simply get to know Him. My Creator. The great I Am.
The Bible is not just a collection of ancient "stories." His Word is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. God gave us the gift of Scripture as a roadmap for our lives. And He wants us to do what it says!
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You always bless my reading of Your Word. I ask You to give me a hunger for Your Word and for You to saturate me with an understanding that can only come from You. Amen.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Seek Him Today
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
I recently cleared out a bookshelf and came across two notes which I wrote approximately seven years ago. The notes were written in an old spiral notebook I used during one of the first bible studies I ever took. I even had put a little "star" next to my notes, because they must have struck me as being important...
*"God wants you to understand His Word, but you cannot understand it if you do not spend time with it."
*"Change mindset from God as my 'helper' to God as my center."
For the next five and a half years, I would read the bible verses suggested in my bible studies, go to church on Sunday, and pray when there was a problem, or right before my head hit the pillow at night... I thought I was doing great... but I was lukewarm about God and I didn't even know it. I thought the "seeking with all my heart" part was for other people, or possibly I might try seeking Him that way next month, or next year, or when I wasn't so busy...
Then, something traumatic happened in my life. And I changed. Through an accident on March 30, 2011, I personally experienced God's miraculous protection and healing. Since that accident, He has restored me and transformed me. Days after the accident, I opened my Bible and began "seeking with all my heart" -- and His promise is true. I found Him, and I never want to go back to "lukewarm" again.
I encourage you not to wait years, like I did. Start to seek Him with all your heart. Today. Seek quiet, priority time with Him; read your bible, pray to Him -- daily. Spend time with other people who are seeking Him at your church and bible study. Draw near to Him, and He promises to draw near to you.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for patiently waiting for me to begin seeking You with all my heart. I praise You for the journey I am on... walking with You, learning about You, seeking You with all my heart. There is no where else I would rather be. Amen.
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
I recently cleared out a bookshelf and came across two notes which I wrote approximately seven years ago. The notes were written in an old spiral notebook I used during one of the first bible studies I ever took. I even had put a little "star" next to my notes, because they must have struck me as being important...
*"God wants you to understand His Word, but you cannot understand it if you do not spend time with it."
*"Change mindset from God as my 'helper' to God as my center."
For the next five and a half years, I would read the bible verses suggested in my bible studies, go to church on Sunday, and pray when there was a problem, or right before my head hit the pillow at night... I thought I was doing great... but I was lukewarm about God and I didn't even know it. I thought the "seeking with all my heart" part was for other people, or possibly I might try seeking Him that way next month, or next year, or when I wasn't so busy...
Then, something traumatic happened in my life. And I changed. Through an accident on March 30, 2011, I personally experienced God's miraculous protection and healing. Since that accident, He has restored me and transformed me. Days after the accident, I opened my Bible and began "seeking with all my heart" -- and His promise is true. I found Him, and I never want to go back to "lukewarm" again.
Looking back, I wish I had decided to seek Him with all my heart when I first wrote down my notes, and marked a little star by them over five years ago. I have no doubt He was with me all those years, but He was patiently waiting for me to begin to seek Him with all my heart... and when I did, I will tell you, life didn't become easier and storm-free. It became deeper, richer, and more peaceful because of a closeness with God that I never realized was possible. But it is possible, it is true, and it is wonderful.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for patiently waiting for me to begin seeking You with all my heart. I praise You for the journey I am on... walking with You, learning about You, seeking You with all my heart. There is no where else I would rather be. Amen.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
He Knows You
Psalm 139:1-5 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in -- behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Scripture tells us, simply and beautifully, that our Creator knows you completely and He surrounds you with His presence. He knows all about you... He knows your strengths and He knows your weaknesses. He knows you are not perfect, and yet He has laid His hand upon you... He sees you, He knows you, He is with you, and He loves you.
Dear Heavenly Father, You know everything about me... the good and the not-so-good. I am so grateful that You know exactly who I am, and You know exactly who You created me to be. I pray that You continue to teach me Your ways, reveal to me Your plans for my life, and shape me into the person You have always planned for me to be. Thank You for Your faithful, patient, and everlasting love. Amen.
Scripture tells us, simply and beautifully, that our Creator knows you completely and He surrounds you with His presence. He knows all about you... He knows your strengths and He knows your weaknesses. He knows you are not perfect, and yet He has laid His hand upon you... He sees you, He knows you, He is with you, and He loves you.
Dear Heavenly Father, You know everything about me... the good and the not-so-good. I am so grateful that You know exactly who I am, and You know exactly who You created me to be. I pray that You continue to teach me Your ways, reveal to me Your plans for my life, and shape me into the person You have always planned for me to be. Thank You for Your faithful, patient, and everlasting love. Amen.
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