"12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. "
All right, God. Thanks for the spiritual spanking. Even though I feel as though I've been wronged, I will meditate on your word and do as you say, moving in love instead of anger. Forgive me for almost feeling a sense of entitlement, that I had a RIGHT to be angry, that I was wronged. You were wronged, Jesus and you turned the other cheek. Help me to become more like you. I love you and I trust you and rely on you every day for my nourishment. I love you, I love you, I love you.
amen.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
2 Peter 1.19-21
"19And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
God has told many people around me that I will be a prophet to the nations and I WILL believe it until I see it. But that doesn't mean I have to sit around and wait for it. Years ago, when I was still in the church (before what I like to call "The Great Disappearing Act") I was in School of Leaders 1 when Phil did a teaching on prophesying and he had asked if anyone wanted to receive the gift of prophesy that he would pray over them. Well I went up for prayer and he had prayed over me and the rest of the class that day he had us exercise that gift by prophesying into the lives of the people in the class and I had done so with a handful of people.
Well I left for a while, but when I came back, FULLY came back, God had sent me numerous dreams. One of which I told to Papa Phil which had a connection to something he'd done the DAY of the night I'd had that dream. (Crazy, I know). Well it opened up the opportunity of Phil to remind me that I still had that gift. It wasn't taken away because I had left for so long. And that's something God had really shown me for a while there, was that I was not starting from scratch. Sure, I was in the means of my sins being forgiven and I have a fresh slate, but as far as my giftings and my calling, God told me that those things were still there, still ever present in my life.
And THAT was pretty exciting to hear that from God! It was a breath of fresh air. A drink of cold water. I loved it!
So I love the verse above because it specifically speaks of prophesy and it makes sense, sometimes the things that God tells you to tell other people or a dream he will send you, it doesn't always make sense to you in your head. THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU AREN'T TO SPEAK IT OR SHARE IT... God works in mysterious ways and while it may not make sense to you, it makes (or WILL make) perfect sense to someone else, the one you are to tell it to. Our job is to just be obedient and share it with them.
That is something that certainly keeps you on your toes.
Jesus,
I thank you that you love me so much you died for me on a cross, withstood the harshest of beatings just so I could have the opportunity of being free from the chains that held me down. You are simply amazing. Extravagantly amazing. I couldn't think of anyone that I love more than you, Jesus. Thank you for keeping my gifts locked up tight while I was away, preserving them for me to give back as a "welcome home" gift. Holy Spirit, be with me today. May I be a light in the dark places of other's hearts tonight as I work at Mardi Gras. I trust you with my life and I ask that you forgive my laziness. May I always be on the lookout for your blessings, always be moving toward them diligently. I love you, I love you, I love you.
amen.
God has told many people around me that I will be a prophet to the nations and I WILL believe it until I see it. But that doesn't mean I have to sit around and wait for it. Years ago, when I was still in the church (before what I like to call "The Great Disappearing Act") I was in School of Leaders 1 when Phil did a teaching on prophesying and he had asked if anyone wanted to receive the gift of prophesy that he would pray over them. Well I went up for prayer and he had prayed over me and the rest of the class that day he had us exercise that gift by prophesying into the lives of the people in the class and I had done so with a handful of people.
Well I left for a while, but when I came back, FULLY came back, God had sent me numerous dreams. One of which I told to Papa Phil which had a connection to something he'd done the DAY of the night I'd had that dream. (Crazy, I know). Well it opened up the opportunity of Phil to remind me that I still had that gift. It wasn't taken away because I had left for so long. And that's something God had really shown me for a while there, was that I was not starting from scratch. Sure, I was in the means of my sins being forgiven and I have a fresh slate, but as far as my giftings and my calling, God told me that those things were still there, still ever present in my life.
And THAT was pretty exciting to hear that from God! It was a breath of fresh air. A drink of cold water. I loved it!
So I love the verse above because it specifically speaks of prophesy and it makes sense, sometimes the things that God tells you to tell other people or a dream he will send you, it doesn't always make sense to you in your head. THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU AREN'T TO SPEAK IT OR SHARE IT... God works in mysterious ways and while it may not make sense to you, it makes (or WILL make) perfect sense to someone else, the one you are to tell it to. Our job is to just be obedient and share it with them.
That is something that certainly keeps you on your toes.
Jesus,
I thank you that you love me so much you died for me on a cross, withstood the harshest of beatings just so I could have the opportunity of being free from the chains that held me down. You are simply amazing. Extravagantly amazing. I couldn't think of anyone that I love more than you, Jesus. Thank you for keeping my gifts locked up tight while I was away, preserving them for me to give back as a "welcome home" gift. Holy Spirit, be with me today. May I be a light in the dark places of other's hearts tonight as I work at Mardi Gras. I trust you with my life and I ask that you forgive my laziness. May I always be on the lookout for your blessings, always be moving toward them diligently. I love you, I love you, I love you.
amen.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Romans 8.28-30
" 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."
-New International Version
I know I've done a devotional on this before but I had to pull it again from the International Version. It states it in a way that is different from the Message. Besides that, the word is living and always changing and just like that, you get something different from it every time you read it. Ain't that great?!
Anyhow, what I got from it THIS time from THIS version is pretty great. I've screwed up before. Who hasn't? But God is saying, "Yeah, I didn't like it. Yeah, it hurt me to see you hurting so bad, but I am GOD. I make all things new! I take what you've done and successfully turn it into something that will glorify ME once you've turned your life around, repented, and are eager to change for the good."
THAT is exciting! THAT is why when I'm asked the question, "What do you regret in life" that I sincerely do not have an answer. Don't get me wrong, I used to have a list of things I'd answer that question with, but God has changed me, God has changed my heart, and all those things that I've done in my past are not a regret to me. Why? Because if I walked around "regretting" it, I'd just be getting in the way of what God was trying to do with it. He's using my mistakes, my "regrets" if you will, to glorify him.
How? Well who in their right might would look at me and ever see a girl who had an affair with a married man? Who when they looked at me would see a girl who'd been promiscuous and rebellious, living life how she wanted? I'd assume no one. And that speaks MULTITUDES of God and his ability to rescue and heal a broken person to the point where they can talk about it freely and help others going through the same sort of instances. That is BIG, people! That is GOD!
Jesus,
I am so in love with you it's not even funny. I'm not in love with you because of what you can do for me. I'm in love with you because of what you DID for me... and because YOU ARE GOD... If you chose to put me in a hole for the rest of my life, I'd still praise your name because you are God and you are good. Holy Spirit, be with me today. Help me to get things done that need to get done. You are precious and I love you.
amen.
-New International Version
I know I've done a devotional on this before but I had to pull it again from the International Version. It states it in a way that is different from the Message. Besides that, the word is living and always changing and just like that, you get something different from it every time you read it. Ain't that great?!
Anyhow, what I got from it THIS time from THIS version is pretty great. I've screwed up before. Who hasn't? But God is saying, "Yeah, I didn't like it. Yeah, it hurt me to see you hurting so bad, but I am GOD. I make all things new! I take what you've done and successfully turn it into something that will glorify ME once you've turned your life around, repented, and are eager to change for the good."
THAT is exciting! THAT is why when I'm asked the question, "What do you regret in life" that I sincerely do not have an answer. Don't get me wrong, I used to have a list of things I'd answer that question with, but God has changed me, God has changed my heart, and all those things that I've done in my past are not a regret to me. Why? Because if I walked around "regretting" it, I'd just be getting in the way of what God was trying to do with it. He's using my mistakes, my "regrets" if you will, to glorify him.
How? Well who in their right might would look at me and ever see a girl who had an affair with a married man? Who when they looked at me would see a girl who'd been promiscuous and rebellious, living life how she wanted? I'd assume no one. And that speaks MULTITUDES of God and his ability to rescue and heal a broken person to the point where they can talk about it freely and help others going through the same sort of instances. That is BIG, people! That is GOD!
Jesus,
I am so in love with you it's not even funny. I'm not in love with you because of what you can do for me. I'm in love with you because of what you DID for me... and because YOU ARE GOD... If you chose to put me in a hole for the rest of my life, I'd still praise your name because you are God and you are good. Holy Spirit, be with me today. Help me to get things done that need to get done. You are precious and I love you.
amen.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
2 Peter 1.3-11
"3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
This is pretty great. I love verse 5. Add to your faith goodness. Add to your goodness knowledge. Add to your knowledge self-control. Add to your self-control perseverance. Add to your perseverance godliness. Add to your godliness brotherly kindness. Add to your brotherly kindness love.
It's almost like a times-table of what to expect in your walk with Christ. As if he's saying, "It's really not THAT difficult as you're making it out to be... just follow these seven easy steps. You'll come out on top!"
That's pretty great. It's like one builds on top of the other. If you add love to brotherly kindness, you'll be doing what God wants. You bring your neighbor some of your dinner because you know they are having a financially difficult situation. BAM. You've made God happy. If you add self-control to your knowledge, you'll be doing what God wants. If you KNOW that God speaks to you through the word, then discipline yourself to reading it, using self-control to not turn on the television first thing in the morning. Instead, opening your bible. BAM. You've made God happy!
The list goes on and on, of course. But it's seriously not that difficult. I almost would want to write this up on a poster and put it up somewhere. Just to constantly be looking at it.
Lord,
I thank you that every day is a new day. Your mercies are new every day. I thank you for your Holy Spirit, constantly reminding me of what YOUR heart wants, Lord. I love you and I ask for you to forgive me in areas where I've grown lazy and stagnant. Build me up and help me to overcome. I love you and I trust you with my life. SO much.
amen.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
This is pretty great. I love verse 5. Add to your faith goodness. Add to your goodness knowledge. Add to your knowledge self-control. Add to your self-control perseverance. Add to your perseverance godliness. Add to your godliness brotherly kindness. Add to your brotherly kindness love.
It's almost like a times-table of what to expect in your walk with Christ. As if he's saying, "It's really not THAT difficult as you're making it out to be... just follow these seven easy steps. You'll come out on top!"
That's pretty great. It's like one builds on top of the other. If you add love to brotherly kindness, you'll be doing what God wants. You bring your neighbor some of your dinner because you know they are having a financially difficult situation. BAM. You've made God happy. If you add self-control to your knowledge, you'll be doing what God wants. If you KNOW that God speaks to you through the word, then discipline yourself to reading it, using self-control to not turn on the television first thing in the morning. Instead, opening your bible. BAM. You've made God happy!
The list goes on and on, of course. But it's seriously not that difficult. I almost would want to write this up on a poster and put it up somewhere. Just to constantly be looking at it.
Lord,
I thank you that every day is a new day. Your mercies are new every day. I thank you for your Holy Spirit, constantly reminding me of what YOUR heart wants, Lord. I love you and I ask for you to forgive me in areas where I've grown lazy and stagnant. Build me up and help me to overcome. I love you and I trust you with my life. SO much.
amen.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Deuteronomy 7.12-16
" 12 If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers. 13 He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you. 14 You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor any of your livestock without young. 15 The LORD will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you. 16 You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God gives over to you. Do not look on them with pity and do not serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. "
I love God's promises. Those are ones you can trust. How many times has someone made you a promise and you either a) put your full trust in them and they end up letting you down. Or b) never trust that person and their word to begin with?
Usually B is an outcome if A had ever happened to you. It's sort of human nature to put our defenses up when we've been hurt. That's not necessarily a bad thing. But God... has never once let ANYONE (not just me) down. People may think at times that he had. You lose a family member, you lose your job, etc etc. But if they ever let their emotions get out of the way and actually look at the situation, they'd see the truth behind it... God didn't do it. But he allowed it to happen for your own potential to grow.
But when you put your trust in God's promises, there's no need for walls. I know it's difficult at times, but there's ultimately freedom in that, in the end...
So yes, this devotion is about God's promise, but it's also about trusting in God.
Lord,
I trust you. Even as things don't seem to fit together yet, and I see no way how it would work, I don't need to. I only see life through a box. You are outside of that box. So roads and paths that will lead to your promises, I may not see right away. I thank you that I can trust to trust you. Holy Spirit, be with me today as I search for a job. Lead me in the right direction so I may find the job you want me to have. Whatever it might be. I love you. I trust you.
amen.
I love God's promises. Those are ones you can trust. How many times has someone made you a promise and you either a) put your full trust in them and they end up letting you down. Or b) never trust that person and their word to begin with?
Usually B is an outcome if A had ever happened to you. It's sort of human nature to put our defenses up when we've been hurt. That's not necessarily a bad thing. But God... has never once let ANYONE (not just me) down. People may think at times that he had. You lose a family member, you lose your job, etc etc. But if they ever let their emotions get out of the way and actually look at the situation, they'd see the truth behind it... God didn't do it. But he allowed it to happen for your own potential to grow.
But when you put your trust in God's promises, there's no need for walls. I know it's difficult at times, but there's ultimately freedom in that, in the end...
So yes, this devotion is about God's promise, but it's also about trusting in God.
Lord,
I trust you. Even as things don't seem to fit together yet, and I see no way how it would work, I don't need to. I only see life through a box. You are outside of that box. So roads and paths that will lead to your promises, I may not see right away. I thank you that I can trust to trust you. Holy Spirit, be with me today as I search for a job. Lead me in the right direction so I may find the job you want me to have. Whatever it might be. I love you. I trust you.
amen.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
1 Peter 3.8-16
"8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
Thanks for the spiritual spanking, Jesus. I'm sorry. Please help me to let you be my defender. Let you be my peace. I love you and I trust you.
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
Thanks for the spiritual spanking, Jesus. I'm sorry. Please help me to let you be my defender. Let you be my peace. I love you and I trust you.
Monday, March 9, 2009
2 Timothy 2:1-7 WOW!
"1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. "
-NIV
" 1-7So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!— to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain."
-The Message
Oh... my... GOODNESS!
Is this NOT exactly what I needed to hear this morning! God is so good to speak so long as we're trying to listen and seek his advice. I'm dealing with this in a couple of different areas in my life right now and it is exactly the answer I was looking for.
I don't have TIME to deal with laziness, or rebellion. It only frustrates things more than the original plan needs to take action. I see a big picture here, kids! A BIG plan! And I'm not going to get in the way of what God is trying to do. I am not going to allow things in my life that will slow down or even cancel out what God is trying to do. Enough said.
God,
You are amazing. I am so in love with you. Thank you for speaking when I ask for advice. Thank you for listening when my heart cries out to you. You are brilliant and I trust you. I trust your every move. Holy Spirit, be with me today as I get things done and make decisions that affect my future. I don't want to do anything that would jeopardize what you are trying to do in me, through me, with me. You are perfect.
amen.
-NIV
" 1-7So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!— to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain."
-The Message
Oh... my... GOODNESS!
Is this NOT exactly what I needed to hear this morning! God is so good to speak so long as we're trying to listen and seek his advice. I'm dealing with this in a couple of different areas in my life right now and it is exactly the answer I was looking for.
I don't have TIME to deal with laziness, or rebellion. It only frustrates things more than the original plan needs to take action. I see a big picture here, kids! A BIG plan! And I'm not going to get in the way of what God is trying to do. I am not going to allow things in my life that will slow down or even cancel out what God is trying to do. Enough said.
God,
You are amazing. I am so in love with you. Thank you for speaking when I ask for advice. Thank you for listening when my heart cries out to you. You are brilliant and I trust you. I trust your every move. Holy Spirit, be with me today as I get things done and make decisions that affect my future. I don't want to do anything that would jeopardize what you are trying to do in me, through me, with me. You are perfect.
amen.
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