The thought that I had this morning as I read Deuteronomy 11:13-21 was simply that there is a blessing in worshiping God. And how often I can miss His blessing because I'm too busy worshiping other things.
How has God blessed you today?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Hide-Away Verse: Week of September 28th
Psalm 95:6
"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker."
"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker."
Friday, September 26, 2008
Everlasting Love
God sparked my heart this morning as I read Psalm 136. Can there be any mistaking that God's love is everlasting after He repeats it 26 times? God simply wants us to embrace the fact that His love never ends. How reassuring that as we live in this temporary, messed-up world that we have an everlasting God whose perfect love will last for all of eternity.
Psalm 136:26 (NIV)
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:26 (NIV)
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Everlasting Renewal
2 Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Why do we get tired, why do we feel like quitting at times, why do we wonder if we are making any difference? Because outwardly we are wasting away. That is just a fact of living in this physical world. But how refreshing to be reminded that inwardly we are indeed being renewed day by day. And so therefore, we can go on day by day and not lose heart.
President Lincoln put it this way before leaving friends and family for his first term as President of the United States of America: "I now leave, not knowing when or whether ever I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance, I cannot fail."
The Everlasting God renews us. Praise Him for that!!!
Why do we get tired, why do we feel like quitting at times, why do we wonder if we are making any difference? Because outwardly we are wasting away. That is just a fact of living in this physical world. But how refreshing to be reminded that inwardly we are indeed being renewed day by day. And so therefore, we can go on day by day and not lose heart.
President Lincoln put it this way before leaving friends and family for his first term as President of the United States of America: "I now leave, not knowing when or whether ever I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance, I cannot fail."
The Everlasting God renews us. Praise Him for that!!!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Memorization Help
I have been using this FREE software tool for the past few weeks to help with verse memorization, so I just thought I would pass it along in case anyone is interested.
Click here
Click here
God is Bigger Than Me
As I was reading Revelation 1:1-8 this morning, my predominant thought was simply the immensity of God. That God is everlasting and forever, the beginning and the end - He's everything. That's a lot to get my small mind around, but I think that's the point God wants to get across to me. That He is bigger than I am.
When I have that perspective then my own wants and desires - what I think is best for me - starts to shrink and my focus shifts away from myself and onto God and what He really cares about. And my own pettiness starts to shrink into the background. And it all starts with the acknowledgment that God is bigger than me.
When I have that perspective then my own wants and desires - what I think is best for me - starts to shrink and my focus shifts away from myself and onto God and what He really cares about. And my own pettiness starts to shrink into the background. And it all starts with the acknowledgment that God is bigger than me.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Child of the Everlasting God
John 1:12,13 - Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
It blows me away to think that the Everlasting God gave me (and you!!) the right to be one of His children by simply believing in His Son Jesus Christ. It's not something that I "have to do" but something that I get "to be" - a child of God - forever.
God is truly AMAZING!
It blows me away to think that the Everlasting God gave me (and you!!) the right to be one of His children by simply believing in His Son Jesus Christ. It's not something that I "have to do" but something that I get "to be" - a child of God - forever.
God is truly AMAZING!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Hide-Away Verse: Week of September 21st
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hands."
John 10:28
John 10:28
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Comfort Food
In our society there is this thing called "comfort food." This is what it says on Wikipedia about "comfort food": The term, comfort food refers to a variety of familiar, simple foods that are usually home-cooked or eaten at informal restaurants.
In our reading for today (John 14:1-14), I was struck that our real "comfort food" is Jesus Christ. He used both bread and water to describe Himself to us. He wants to be in relationship with us (to be familiar with us) and it should be simple and uncomplicated and it should be informal in the sense that He wants to be a part of our everyday lives.
And so for me, the question that came to my mind was: How comfortable am I with Jesus? Is Jesus my "comfort food" in this world or do I look to other things in this world to find comfort?
And so I ask you the same: How comfortable are you with Jesus?
Also as a reminder: How are you doing with the memory verse for this week? John 14:11
In our reading for today (John 14:1-14), I was struck that our real "comfort food" is Jesus Christ. He used both bread and water to describe Himself to us. He wants to be in relationship with us (to be familiar with us) and it should be simple and uncomplicated and it should be informal in the sense that He wants to be a part of our everyday lives.
And so for me, the question that came to my mind was: How comfortable am I with Jesus? Is Jesus my "comfort food" in this world or do I look to other things in this world to find comfort?
And so I ask you the same: How comfortable are you with Jesus?
Also as a reminder: How are you doing with the memory verse for this week? John 14:11
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
What Was I Thinking?
OOPS! For today's verse, I put down Matthew 6:1-6 on the Think It Through and it should have been MARK 6:1-6. The verses in Matthew are great - just not a lot to do with miracles! Any how, sorry for the confusion.
If God gave you any thoughts on either Matthew or Mark 6:1-6, I'd love to hear them. Join the conversation and click on the "Comments" link below to share your thought.
For me, the thought that came to my mind as I read MARK 6:1-6, was that I can so often miss what God is doing right in front of me. Sometimes it's because I'm not paying any attention or that I'm so self-focused but sometimes it's because I can forget that God is in EVERYTHING. He's in my life, He's in my family's life, He's in my work, He's in my marriage, He's in EVERYTHING and He is working miracles in EVERYTHING. And when I forget that, I can easily miss His miracles.
In that sense, I can become "too comfortable" with Jesus and forget who He really is - God in the flesh - and I miss what God is doing around me through His miracles.
If God gave you any thoughts on either Matthew or Mark 6:1-6, I'd love to hear them. Join the conversation and click on the "Comments" link below to share your thought.
For me, the thought that came to my mind as I read MARK 6:1-6, was that I can so often miss what God is doing right in front of me. Sometimes it's because I'm not paying any attention or that I'm so self-focused but sometimes it's because I can forget that God is in EVERYTHING. He's in my life, He's in my family's life, He's in my work, He's in my marriage, He's in EVERYTHING and He is working miracles in EVERYTHING. And when I forget that, I can easily miss His miracles.
In that sense, I can become "too comfortable" with Jesus and forget who He really is - God in the flesh - and I miss what God is doing around me through His miracles.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Remembering To Not Forget
In our reading today, I was reminded how easily I can forget God's miracles in my life.
Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
Let's remember today to not forget what God has and is doing for us. Let's honor Him by remembering His miracles.
Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
Let's remember today to not forget what God has and is doing for us. Let's honor Him by remembering His miracles.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Hide-Away Verse: Week of September 14th
John 14:11
"Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves."
"Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves."
Friday, September 12, 2008
Settling For Less
From today's reading in Jeremiah, I was reminded at how easily I can settle for less than God's glory. Every time I choose my way over God's way, I am settling for less than what God desires for me.
Jeremiah 2:11b - But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols.
God, help me (us) to make choices today that reflect your GLORY.
Jeremiah 2:11b - But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols.
God, help me (us) to make choices today that reflect your GLORY.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Who Am I?
As I re-read Psalm 8 just a few minutes ago, I was drawn once again to verse 4 where David asks God, 'who is man.' I can't help think that David's question really has more to do with himself than with mankind in general and that David is searching God to reveal to him who he is in the midst of what God has called him to be and to do.
I am reminded of Moses when God was asking him to do extraordinary things and Moses' response was simply, "Who am I?" And my question is the same - who am I - that God can somehow use me to accomplish His purposes and to reveal His glory. I don't understand how it all works but I trust that it does.
It's true for all of us. God has crowned us all with glory so that we can become who He created us to be and to do the things we have been wired to do.
Who are we? We are His people designed to reveal His glory. Amazing to think about and at times challenging to believe - but it's true!
I am reminded of Moses when God was asking him to do extraordinary things and Moses' response was simply, "Who am I?" And my question is the same - who am I - that God can somehow use me to accomplish His purposes and to reveal His glory. I don't understand how it all works but I trust that it does.
It's true for all of us. God has crowned us all with glory so that we can become who He created us to be and to do the things we have been wired to do.
Who are we? We are His people designed to reveal His glory. Amazing to think about and at times challenging to believe - but it's true!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Glory Revealed
John 2:11 - This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
This verse struck me in that Jesus revealed His glory and thus God's glory often by what He did in God's name. And God wants me to do the same. Part of how I can reveal God's glory is by what I do. Jesus used miracles and while God may never use me to to do miracles (He may but He may not - His choice) whatever I choose to do in His name will reveal His glory. But what I choose to do on my own will not.
I think it's interesting that Jesus said that He did only that which the Father told Him to do. Jesus was able to reveal God's glory simply through His obedience.
By God's grace, may that be true of me and of us.
Have a great day in the Lord and remember to focus on John 1:14 and let God speak to you about His glory.
This verse struck me in that Jesus revealed His glory and thus God's glory often by what He did in God's name. And God wants me to do the same. Part of how I can reveal God's glory is by what I do. Jesus used miracles and while God may never use me to to do miracles (He may but He may not - His choice) whatever I choose to do in His name will reveal His glory. But what I choose to do on my own will not.
I think it's interesting that Jesus said that He did only that which the Father told Him to do. Jesus was able to reveal God's glory simply through His obedience.
By God's grace, may that be true of me and of us.
Have a great day in the Lord and remember to focus on John 1:14 and let God speak to you about His glory.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Glory: Accept One Another
It amazes me that simply our acceptance of one another brings glory to God.
Romans 15:7 (NIV)
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
It doesn't say accept those that are like you - it simply says accept one another. I am not sure there could be anyone as different from Christ than me when Christ accepted me and yet He did accepted me and when He chose to do that it brought glory to God. The same thing happens when I accept others - even in the midst of our differences.
Romans 15:7 (NIV)
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
It doesn't say accept those that are like you - it simply says accept one another. I am not sure there could be anyone as different from Christ than me when Christ accepted me and yet He did accepted me and when He chose to do that it brought glory to God. The same thing happens when I accept others - even in the midst of our differences.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Amazed: Glory
You can find the Think It Through for this week here.
Let's take some time this week and search for God's glory.
Let's take some time this week and search for God's glory.
Hide-Away Verse: Week of September 7th
John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Project Hide-Away
This fall, the verse memory program is being expanded to both students and adults so that your whole family can memorize together!
Starting this week you will receive verse cards on a week-to-week basis. These verse cards can be picked up at a table in the back of the sanctuary. Each week’s verse will be related to the message shared that week. It can be found on the Think It Thru and it will also be posted on our blog site.
On our blog site you can also post any thoughts you have about the teaching from that week.
Adults and S.A.L.T. can say each week’s verse at the table in the back either 15 min. before or 15 min. after the service. Kindergarten thru 5th grade have the opportunity to say them during their class time.
Psalm 119:11 says:
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
The entire church is working on the same memory verses, from Kindergarteners to adults. Now your entire family can hide God’s word in their hearts together!
Starting this week you will receive verse cards on a week-to-week basis. These verse cards can be picked up at a table in the back of the sanctuary. Each week’s verse will be related to the message shared that week. It can be found on the Think It Thru and it will also be posted on our blog site.
On our blog site you can also post any thoughts you have about the teaching from that week.
Adults and S.A.L.T. can say each week’s verse at the table in the back either 15 min. before or 15 min. after the service. Kindergarten thru 5th grade have the opportunity to say them during their class time.
Psalm 119:11 says:
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
The entire church is working on the same memory verses, from Kindergarteners to adults. Now your entire family can hide God’s word in their hearts together!
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Throne of Grace
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
To be firmly rooted in who Christ is and who we are in Him is key to reveling in His grace. Jesus, the Son of God, understands us because He was one of us - He was fully human but at the same time was God and also the Son of God. That's a lot to wrap my mind around and I'll never fully understand it in this life, but that doesn't mean it's not true - it just means that I can't fully comprehend it.
To embrace it as truth yields confidence in approaching the throne of Christ and confidence leads me to find the courage to accept and receive His mercy and grace which then yields even more confidence in Christ which gives me even more courage. And then I find myself in His "recursive circle of grace."
What a wonderful thing His grace is!
To be firmly rooted in who Christ is and who we are in Him is key to reveling in His grace. Jesus, the Son of God, understands us because He was one of us - He was fully human but at the same time was God and also the Son of God. That's a lot to wrap my mind around and I'll never fully understand it in this life, but that doesn't mean it's not true - it just means that I can't fully comprehend it.
To embrace it as truth yields confidence in approaching the throne of Christ and confidence leads me to find the courage to accept and receive His mercy and grace which then yields even more confidence in Christ which gives me even more courage. And then I find myself in His "recursive circle of grace."
What a wonderful thing His grace is!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Grace: God's Got Me Covered
What struck me today from our reading of Colossians 2 was the simple reminder that I am covered by God's grace. His grace just is - it's not earned but rather received and when I receive it in humility I reap the benefits of His grace on me:
- God initiated His grace toward me and drew me into His grace (v13)
- God has canceled all of my wrongs (v14)
- Victory is found in the grace of God (v15)
- All of history pointed toward the grace of God - Jesus Christ (v16)
- But what matters in the present is the reality of Christ (v17)
- God's grace is the "seedbed" for my faith and God causes me to grow (v19)
- Through God's grace I now belong to Christ (v20)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Grace: God's Indescribable Gift
I love what Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 9 about God's grace. He's trying to describe grace but in the end he throws up his hands and submits to his inability to describe it.
14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
One day we'll be able to fully grasp God's grace and we'll be able to see it for what it is. Until then, we like Paul, can participate and to a certain extent be an extension of His grace to others as Paul is attempting to describe in this passage, but in the end we simply have to accept and receive God's gift of grace as just that - an indescribable gift.
God, WOW us with your gift of grace this week.
14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
One day we'll be able to fully grasp God's grace and we'll be able to see it for what it is. Until then, we like Paul, can participate and to a certain extent be an extension of His grace to others as Paul is attempting to describe in this passage, but in the end we simply have to accept and receive God's gift of grace as just that - an indescribable gift.
God, WOW us with your gift of grace this week.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Saving Grace
One of the most amazing aspects of God's grace to me is it's power to save us from ourselves. When reading Titus 3 this morning I was reminded at the power of God's grace. It has the power to save us and to change us from what we once were and into tools that God can use to build His kingdom.
May we choose to stand in God's grace today and to let God have His way with us today.
What is God revealing to you about His grace?
May we choose to stand in God's grace today and to let God have His way with us today.
What is God revealing to you about His grace?
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