Good and upright is the Lord;therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
~Psalm 25:8-9
I am very grateful that God teaches people in the right way to be. But how does He do that? It's a simple answer (but I'm am just starting to understand completely). The Bible is the answer. And I will accept "God's Word," if this were a game show. That probably wasn't funny!!
Psalm 25 also states, "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,and my hope is in you all day long." (vs 4-5)
To me, that is why I need to read and meditate on the Bible more often, as many times a day as I can. I am also learning that the meditation part is pretty important too!! I used to just read the bible as I was reading a novel or biography, never really taking the time to let it sink in. Those days are over. If I am having trouble with a piece of what I have just read, I read it again and if I need to, I ask God to reveal what He is saying in the text in front of me.
Father, I know that you have given the Bible to use as a way to communicate Your laws and what is right in Your eyes. Never let the thirst for Your word die out within me. Please be there while I am reading the bible - to ask you questions and to give special thought to what You are saying. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!!!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Satan
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
~ Matthew 4:8-11
Have I ever had that type of face-to-face encounter with the devil? Of course not. But, Satan does affect my life. I am talking about sin. The devil delights in it. As I have begun to grow in my faith, I have learned it's ok to say what Jesus said to the devil, "Away from me Satan!!"
I can say that because I know that God is on my side. If I need further encouragement I can go to Him in prayer or read His Word. God loves me, despite my failings. It's great when your tag-team partner is God!!!
Father, I praise everything that you have done in the heavens and on earth. You even had time left over to create me. I am very thankful of that fact and I want only to do good in your eyes. Please be with me morning, noon and night so that I can not be tempted by Satan. Amen!
Monday, February 4, 2013
A Work In Progress
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
-Psalm 119:9-11
I read Psalm 119 last night. It is a long Psalm, but Ezra was saying things that I wanted to say to God. I truly do seek to follow You with all my heart. I know that sometimes I will not meet that challenge, but that's ok if I rely on the Lord and ask for forgiveness and strength in those times that I have failed or do not measure up.
I am a work in progress. Although, I think I am a very slow work in progress. I am a Yugo trying to keep up with God who is driving a Ferrari. I have no idea where that came from!! But, I think you know what I am saying. As long as I keep my eyes and heart on God, I believe that everything will work out for the best.
Dear Father, my heart is on fire for you; let my mind always do the same. I know that Your ways are what You strive for us to follow and I pray that you will help me seek Your guidance and repentance as I start on this long journey to become more like You. I thank you and ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!!
Friday, February 1, 2013
God is right there! Go pray to him.
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer. It's such an awesome thing we get to do. We can praise God, ask for his blessing, talk to talk Him and confess our sins. And the best part is, we can do this anytime of day or night for as long as we want.
I say all of these things and feel blessed that I get to go before the Lord with my prayers and praise, but how often do I really do it? I know that God is waiting to hear my prayers but why do I sometimes not pray? As I am learning to walk closer to God, I need to be much better about praying. I need to just sit down (or kneel down...) and just praise him.
Sometimes, I need to focus solely on Him, not my little earthly things. Or, if I am having a problem, who better to talk to then God? If a friend or loved one has something going on in their lives, pray about it. If the sky is the bluest it's ever been, I need to stop right there to thank and praise God for it.
Dear Father, I know that I do not pray as often as I should. I get distracted by earthly pursuits such as TV, instead of just sitting down and praising you or just talking with you. As I go further and deeper in my Christian life, I need to pray about everything. I ask Your help to make that happen. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer. It's such an awesome thing we get to do. We can praise God, ask for his blessing, talk to talk Him and confess our sins. And the best part is, we can do this anytime of day or night for as long as we want.
I say all of these things and feel blessed that I get to go before the Lord with my prayers and praise, but how often do I really do it? I know that God is waiting to hear my prayers but why do I sometimes not pray? As I am learning to walk closer to God, I need to be much better about praying. I need to just sit down (or kneel down...) and just praise him.
Sometimes, I need to focus solely on Him, not my little earthly things. Or, if I am having a problem, who better to talk to then God? If a friend or loved one has something going on in their lives, pray about it. If the sky is the bluest it's ever been, I need to stop right there to thank and praise God for it.
Dear Father, I know that I do not pray as often as I should. I get distracted by earthly pursuits such as TV, instead of just sitting down and praising you or just talking with you. As I go further and deeper in my Christian life, I need to pray about everything. I ask Your help to make that happen. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
One Step Back
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
~Psalm 86:5
Our God is a very loving and patient God. If you need reassuring of this fact, you just need to look at most of the Old Testament. God put up with a lot from the Jewish people, but in the end he remembered his covenant with Moses and delivered them into their own land.
Just a few weeks ago, our Pastor gave an INCREDIBLE message about the 12 Steps of a Christian Backslider. I am not too excited to tell you that I have had been through every step! But, there was a way to deal with that. And, it only required ONE step!!! We must realize what we have done and ask the Lord to forgive us. Seriously, just one step!!! That's how much God loves us all and wants to have a strong relationship with us.
Father, it is amazing to me how much You love us and long to show us that love. I have taken that one step back and rely on You and Your word to continually show me how to live. Father, I love you and the things you have done for me and will do for me. Amen
~Psalm 86:5
Our God is a very loving and patient God. If you need reassuring of this fact, you just need to look at most of the Old Testament. God put up with a lot from the Jewish people, but in the end he remembered his covenant with Moses and delivered them into their own land.
Just a few weeks ago, our Pastor gave an INCREDIBLE message about the 12 Steps of a Christian Backslider. I am not too excited to tell you that I have had been through every step! But, there was a way to deal with that. And, it only required ONE step!!! We must realize what we have done and ask the Lord to forgive us. Seriously, just one step!!! That's how much God loves us all and wants to have a strong relationship with us.
Father, it is amazing to me how much You love us and long to show us that love. I have taken that one step back and rely on You and Your word to continually show me how to live. Father, I love you and the things you have done for me and will do for me. Amen
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The Great Commission
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
~Psalm 107:1-2
The Great Commission! All of us who have believed in Christ are asked by Jesus Christ to go and share The News (as opposed to Huey Lewis' News and the NY Times) with everyone. Grace is such a small word but it means a ton. Jesus Christ died for your sins and even mine. We could never do enough good things in our lives to earn this type of kindness from God. It is solely by Grace that we receive eternal life.
And who would I not want to tell about this great gift from God!! I used to call my best friend when I was younger on Christmas to share with him all the things I had received as presents and that he received. I should definitely hope that I would do the same thing about a gift that was given by God!!!
But, I do not. As I grow in my faith, that is one thing I do not do. I am hoping that will change. It would be so great to lead people, even just one, to a path where they would follow Jesus Christ!!
Father, I thank you for your Grace. I could never deserve to meet you in heaven, but your endless love as provide me a way to come home. Please let me go out and talk about how good you are, the wondrous things you have done and wait awaits your followers. God, I love you and ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!!!!
~Psalm 107:1-2
The Great Commission! All of us who have believed in Christ are asked by Jesus Christ to go and share The News (as opposed to Huey Lewis' News and the NY Times) with everyone. Grace is such a small word but it means a ton. Jesus Christ died for your sins and even mine. We could never do enough good things in our lives to earn this type of kindness from God. It is solely by Grace that we receive eternal life.
And who would I not want to tell about this great gift from God!! I used to call my best friend when I was younger on Christmas to share with him all the things I had received as presents and that he received. I should definitely hope that I would do the same thing about a gift that was given by God!!!
But, I do not. As I grow in my faith, that is one thing I do not do. I am hoping that will change. It would be so great to lead people, even just one, to a path where they would follow Jesus Christ!!
Father, I thank you for your Grace. I could never deserve to meet you in heaven, but your endless love as provide me a way to come home. Please let me go out and talk about how good you are, the wondrous things you have done and wait awaits your followers. God, I love you and ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!!!!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
What is He Saying to me??
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
~Romans 12:1-2
As I begin to get VERY serious about God, I naturally wonder what He is saying to me with each verse. I hope that God sees my body as a living sacrifice to Him. He created me and I long to be pleasing to him. Just as you would not hope to disappoint your parents with what you do, I would not wish to disappoint my Heavenly father.
I can hope to please Him by telling everybody about him, his grace and how awesome God is. I can hope to please him by living the way He wants me to. Showing love to the people I meet and living the way that His word says I should live. And, I can hope to please Him by thanking him daily for what He has done for me.
I am looking forward to my mind being transformed for Him!!!
Father, thank you for this time to study Your Word and what it means. Please continue to transform me into someone that you would be happy to call your son. I love you and I ask this is Jesus' name, Amen.
~Romans 12:1-2
As I begin to get VERY serious about God, I naturally wonder what He is saying to me with each verse. I hope that God sees my body as a living sacrifice to Him. He created me and I long to be pleasing to him. Just as you would not hope to disappoint your parents with what you do, I would not wish to disappoint my Heavenly father.
I can hope to please Him by telling everybody about him, his grace and how awesome God is. I can hope to please him by living the way He wants me to. Showing love to the people I meet and living the way that His word says I should live. And, I can hope to please Him by thanking him daily for what He has done for me.
I am looking forward to my mind being transformed for Him!!!
Father, thank you for this time to study Your Word and what it means. Please continue to transform me into someone that you would be happy to call your son. I love you and I ask this is Jesus' name, Amen.
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