Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A New Command
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35(NIV)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
God So Loved The World
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." - John 3:16-21(NIV)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Psalm 36:7-9, TEV
"How precious, O God, is your constant love!
We find protection under the shadow of your wings.
We feast on the abundant food you provide;
you let us drink from the river of your goodness.
You are the source of all life,
and because of your light we see the light".
We find protection under the shadow of your wings.
We feast on the abundant food you provide;
you let us drink from the river of your goodness.
You are the source of all life,
and because of your light we see the light".
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Shine
Van Walton
"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." Daniel 12:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
"If I only knew God's will for my life, I could plan my future."
Have you ever made that statement?
I think we all do some time in our lives. I know I do.
I have heard teens say so as they peer into the future. I've known young adults who say so while choosing a career. I've had this discussion with friends when they realized a little time management allows for a few extra hours in each week. Other mothers and I have wondered the same when we became empty nesters. I know those about to retire search for "God's plan for this phase of my life."
So what is God's plan for our lives? If you are like me, you want particulars. Only I am not sure God always gives us the step-by-step instructions we desire.
I remember a time in my life when I asked God to give me direction. I asked that He tell me where to move. My husband and I had a choice, but had to give an answer quickly. "Tonight," my husband said, "I have to respond to the offer this evening." He suggested I spend the day in prayer and give him the verdict by dinnertime.
I sat down at my dining room table to pray. I explained to God what He already knew: "We have these opportunities. Do we go here or there?"
Silence.
"We want to go where You lead us. Where would that be?"
Silence.
"We want to honor You."
Silence.
"Do You know that we have to give an answer today? I'm waiting to hear from You." I sat as still as possible, trying to be patient.
God never told me where to go that day, but He did remind me that His plan for each one of us is universal and at the same time unique.
As I considered my two alternatives, my mind traveled back in time to the many moves my husband and I had made. Wherever we had lived, God had laid out unique opportunities for us to serve Him and each chance to minister appeared under one universal command, "Let your light shine. Love one another."
He had never specifically told us to start a bus ministry, serve as youth leaders, host a neighborhood Bible study, or mentor teens in a youth home.
I began to realize that God was not going to tell me where to move. He had a message for me. I remember it to this day, twenty-two years later.
"It really doesn't matter where you are. You are in me and I am in you. Wherever you live, wherever you go, wherever you work, you will find people who need Me. Introduce them to your heavenly Father. Live a life that encourages others to seek Me. Love all people. Teach them how to live. Use your life, your actions, and My Word. This is what you can do whether you live here or there. Remember, wherever You go, I am with you. Wherever you go take me with you and let your light shine."
As I said, God never told me where we should move. We made our choice to take God with us asking Him to use our lives to bring His Light into others' lives.
Ever wonder what God's will is for your life? Simple ... shine!
Dear Lord, Your Word clearly details Your plan for my life. Forgive me for wanting all the specific details before I step out to reflect Your glory. I want to spend my days shining as a light in the darkness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Take an inventory of your actions and attitude. How can you arrange your life to reflect God's glory, shining so others might find their way to the Father?
Reflections:
Do I use the excuse that "God has not told me His will for my life" to keep me from serving Him and others?
Have I taken time to understand my spiritual giftedness to better understand God's will for my life?
Am I well enough acquainted with God's Word so I can confidently live a life that is pleasing to God?
Power Verses:
Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV)
Philippians 2:14-16, "...go out into the world... Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night..." (MSG)
"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." Daniel 12:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
"If I only knew God's will for my life, I could plan my future."
Have you ever made that statement?
I think we all do some time in our lives. I know I do.
I have heard teens say so as they peer into the future. I've known young adults who say so while choosing a career. I've had this discussion with friends when they realized a little time management allows for a few extra hours in each week. Other mothers and I have wondered the same when we became empty nesters. I know those about to retire search for "God's plan for this phase of my life."
So what is God's plan for our lives? If you are like me, you want particulars. Only I am not sure God always gives us the step-by-step instructions we desire.
I remember a time in my life when I asked God to give me direction. I asked that He tell me where to move. My husband and I had a choice, but had to give an answer quickly. "Tonight," my husband said, "I have to respond to the offer this evening." He suggested I spend the day in prayer and give him the verdict by dinnertime.
I sat down at my dining room table to pray. I explained to God what He already knew: "We have these opportunities. Do we go here or there?"
Silence.
"We want to go where You lead us. Where would that be?"
Silence.
"We want to honor You."
Silence.
"Do You know that we have to give an answer today? I'm waiting to hear from You." I sat as still as possible, trying to be patient.
God never told me where to go that day, but He did remind me that His plan for each one of us is universal and at the same time unique.
As I considered my two alternatives, my mind traveled back in time to the many moves my husband and I had made. Wherever we had lived, God had laid out unique opportunities for us to serve Him and each chance to minister appeared under one universal command, "Let your light shine. Love one another."
He had never specifically told us to start a bus ministry, serve as youth leaders, host a neighborhood Bible study, or mentor teens in a youth home.
I began to realize that God was not going to tell me where to move. He had a message for me. I remember it to this day, twenty-two years later.
"It really doesn't matter where you are. You are in me and I am in you. Wherever you live, wherever you go, wherever you work, you will find people who need Me. Introduce them to your heavenly Father. Live a life that encourages others to seek Me. Love all people. Teach them how to live. Use your life, your actions, and My Word. This is what you can do whether you live here or there. Remember, wherever You go, I am with you. Wherever you go take me with you and let your light shine."
As I said, God never told me where we should move. We made our choice to take God with us asking Him to use our lives to bring His Light into others' lives.
Ever wonder what God's will is for your life? Simple ... shine!
Dear Lord, Your Word clearly details Your plan for my life. Forgive me for wanting all the specific details before I step out to reflect Your glory. I want to spend my days shining as a light in the darkness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Take an inventory of your actions and attitude. How can you arrange your life to reflect God's glory, shining so others might find their way to the Father?
Reflections:
Do I use the excuse that "God has not told me His will for my life" to keep me from serving Him and others?
Have I taken time to understand my spiritual giftedness to better understand God's will for my life?
Am I well enough acquainted with God's Word so I can confidently live a life that is pleasing to God?
Power Verses:
Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV)
Philippians 2:14-16, "...go out into the world... Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night..." (MSG)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
David Livingstone's Quotes(Scottish missionary and explorer)
David Livingstone
David Livingstone (1813-1873) was a Scottish missionary, doctor and explorer who helped open the heart of Africa to missions. His travels covered one-third of the continent, from the Cape to near the Equator, and from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.
Quotes:-
“I am prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward.”
“If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.”
“All that I am I owe to Jesus Christ, revealed to me in His divine Book.”
“Without Christ, not one step; with Him, anywhere!”
“I determined never to stop until I had come to the end and achieved my purpose.”
“I will place no value on anything I have or may possess except in relation to the kingdom of Christ.”
“I'll go anywhere as long as it's forward.”
“Nothing earthly will make me give up my work in despair.”
“Fear God and work hard.”
“Though there is antipathy in the human heart to the gospel of Christ, yet when Christians make their good work shine, all admire them. It is when great disparity exists between profession and practice that we secure the scorn of mankind.”
“I began to understand how we are built; we're built to be natural-born liars, ... Nature has fashioned us like nature has fashioned so many organisms.”
“Self-deception helps us deceive,”
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