I Corinthians 4: 5
So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, He will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give everyone whatever praise is due.
This is why we are told not to judge one another. We may get a wrong, negative impression, but that does not give us the authority to pronounce them unfaithful. We do not see the whole picture, as God does.
God's servant stands or falls to God, not to another servant. We each will stand before that judgment seat, and we're told that no negative repercussions will result at that time and place, but only "whatever praise is due."
Help me, Father, to put a guard on my tongue, to think and consider before I open my mouth to speak; that I will say only what is encouraging, and uplifting, and beneficial to the hearers.
Help me to "be patient with those who abuse" (4:12) and not react negatively, but respond thoughtfully, following through with gentleness and consideration, and compassion.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Beware In Your Plenty
Deuteronomy 8: 1-18
Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. ... When you have eaten your fill, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. But this is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey His commands, regulations and laws. ... Always remember that it is the Lord your God Who gives you power to become rich, and He does it to fulfill the covenant He made with your ancestors.
God knows our hearts, how weak and broken we are. He knows that when we have succeeded and become rich, then our own pride arises in our imaginations and we think that we have gotten all this wealth ourselves; when it is God Who has been faithful to His own Word, the covenant He made with His holy ones of old.
God provides His blessings of abundance in response to our obedience to His commands, regulations and laws; not because of our own efforts.
We are rich when we have enough food to eat, warm clothes to cover our bodies, and a roof over our heads to protect from the elements. Many in the world today do not have even these. When we have more than this, we get spoiled, we allow our hearts to deceive ourselves into thinking that we "deserve" all these extra pamperings, and throw tantrums when we think we're being deprived of some trinket.
Please, Father, open our eyes to see the Truth of what is happening in our land. Set us on fire for You, Lord, to cast down all the altars and idols and shrines to all the demons, and let us return to You, our true Shepherd of our souls.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. ... When you have eaten your fill, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. But this is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey His commands, regulations and laws. ... Always remember that it is the Lord your God Who gives you power to become rich, and He does it to fulfill the covenant He made with your ancestors.
God knows our hearts, how weak and broken we are. He knows that when we have succeeded and become rich, then our own pride arises in our imaginations and we think that we have gotten all this wealth ourselves; when it is God Who has been faithful to His own Word, the covenant He made with His holy ones of old.
God provides His blessings of abundance in response to our obedience to His commands, regulations and laws; not because of our own efforts.
We are rich when we have enough food to eat, warm clothes to cover our bodies, and a roof over our heads to protect from the elements. Many in the world today do not have even these. When we have more than this, we get spoiled, we allow our hearts to deceive ourselves into thinking that we "deserve" all these extra pamperings, and throw tantrums when we think we're being deprived of some trinket.
Please, Father, open our eyes to see the Truth of what is happening in our land. Set us on fire for You, Lord, to cast down all the altars and idols and shrines to all the demons, and let us return to You, our true Shepherd of our souls.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, March 27, 2017
A Time And A Way
Ecclesiastes 8: 5-6
Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble.
O my Father, Your wisdom truly is so far above what any Earthly, worldly wisdom can even comprehend. Teach me Your wisdom, my Father; I sit at Your feet, ready to learn the details of how I am to conduct my life this day: To see with Your eyes, hear with Your ears, and to understand with Your perception of the truth of what is transpiring around me and in my life.
Strengthen me with Your strength, for I have none, I am weak and broken. I find that I tend to lose myself in my own little world, and Father, that is not good; that is selfishness and self-centeredness and even pride. When I isolate myself from others I'm saying that I don't need others; others You have given to me to help me, and for me to help them.
Thank you for the accountability You have provided for me, and the people, the friends and family members You have placed around me. Help me to continue to grow into the woman You created me to be.
Use my life today to draw others to You, and may You receive all the honor and glory for this day.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble.
O my Father, Your wisdom truly is so far above what any Earthly, worldly wisdom can even comprehend. Teach me Your wisdom, my Father; I sit at Your feet, ready to learn the details of how I am to conduct my life this day: To see with Your eyes, hear with Your ears, and to understand with Your perception of the truth of what is transpiring around me and in my life.
Strengthen me with Your strength, for I have none, I am weak and broken. I find that I tend to lose myself in my own little world, and Father, that is not good; that is selfishness and self-centeredness and even pride. When I isolate myself from others I'm saying that I don't need others; others You have given to me to help me, and for me to help them.
Thank you for the accountability You have provided for me, and the people, the friends and family members You have placed around me. Help me to continue to grow into the woman You created me to be.
Use my life today to draw others to You, and may You receive all the honor and glory for this day.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 26, 2017
How Are Things Going For You?
Haggai 1: 5, 7
Consider how things are going for you! ... This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Consider how things are going for you!"
Today we would say, "How's that working out for you?" As we live our lives each day, as we make all the little choices in how to think, what to say, how to say it to those in our lives, are we considering how Jesus would respond in our circumstance or just "going with the flow" of our own attitudes and thinking processes?
Are we "taking to heart" all that we have learned of God's ways? How are things going for you?
Haggai tells the people (in verse 6) that they have planted a lot of seed, but very little has grown to be able to harvest; they eat, but never have enough food; they drink but their thirst is never satisfied; they layer their clothes in the cold weather, but they're never warm enough; and when they earn wages, it's like there are holes in their pockets, there's never enough to pay all the bills.
Have you experienced anything like any of this in your life? Have you put forth the supreme effort to get ahead, only to find yourself two steps behind?
If so, then maybe it's time to pay attention to God's ways, and apply them to our own lives. Maybe it's time to really believe that God knows what's best, even when it looks like it could be detrimental to us. God sees the "big picture" of what's really going on in the World and in our own personal lives each day, and if we're not applying what we know, then we can't expect for things to work out well.
When the Doctor must do surgery to remove the cancer, he must first cut into the body and cause trauma to the bodily systems in order to remove what is harming the patient; then the body can heal.
Doctors aren't God, so they may not be able to do everything we need; but God is our Great Physician Who is also our Maker. He knows every detail of our bodies, as well as the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts, and sometimes we need for Him to "cut out" whatever it is that is harming us in order that we can heal and be cleansed. We can trust Him to always do what is best for us.
My dear Father, please teach me how to be supportive, not supplanting. Show me Your Truth in what I am doing before I open my mouth and insert foot! Teach me Your ways, Father, to replace my ways. My ways only divide and drive away, but Your ways are gentle and beautiful, and promote unity and true intimacy.
I need You, Father.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Consider how things are going for you! ... This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Consider how things are going for you!"
Today we would say, "How's that working out for you?" As we live our lives each day, as we make all the little choices in how to think, what to say, how to say it to those in our lives, are we considering how Jesus would respond in our circumstance or just "going with the flow" of our own attitudes and thinking processes?
Are we "taking to heart" all that we have learned of God's ways? How are things going for you?
Haggai tells the people (in verse 6) that they have planted a lot of seed, but very little has grown to be able to harvest; they eat, but never have enough food; they drink but their thirst is never satisfied; they layer their clothes in the cold weather, but they're never warm enough; and when they earn wages, it's like there are holes in their pockets, there's never enough to pay all the bills.
Have you experienced anything like any of this in your life? Have you put forth the supreme effort to get ahead, only to find yourself two steps behind?
If so, then maybe it's time to pay attention to God's ways, and apply them to our own lives. Maybe it's time to really believe that God knows what's best, even when it looks like it could be detrimental to us. God sees the "big picture" of what's really going on in the World and in our own personal lives each day, and if we're not applying what we know, then we can't expect for things to work out well.
When the Doctor must do surgery to remove the cancer, he must first cut into the body and cause trauma to the bodily systems in order to remove what is harming the patient; then the body can heal.
Doctors aren't God, so they may not be able to do everything we need; but God is our Great Physician Who is also our Maker. He knows every detail of our bodies, as well as the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts, and sometimes we need for Him to "cut out" whatever it is that is harming us in order that we can heal and be cleansed. We can trust Him to always do what is best for us.
My dear Father, please teach me how to be supportive, not supplanting. Show me Your Truth in what I am doing before I open my mouth and insert foot! Teach me Your ways, Father, to replace my ways. My ways only divide and drive away, but Your ways are gentle and beautiful, and promote unity and true intimacy.
I need You, Father.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Time For Every Activity
Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
O my Father, You are so wise, and You gave Solomon such wisdom; and You had him record this little book of how he tried all the different activities that can be done here "under the Sun," to find out for himself what is worth doing.
And we can benefit from all his experiments. You have made this world and hung it on nothing, placed it in this solar system in the universe, and filled it with all the good things we need to live and prosper and seek Your Face. Solomon's conclusion to the whole matter is, "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of Man" (12:13).
You have made this Earth to be self-perpetuating; the water and weather systems, the seasons. It is cyclical, round and round, to provide for every generation through the time You have set for us. For we are born and then we die, and others carry on in their time. Until the end of Time.
Father, help me to use the few days You have allotted me for Your glory. Help me to cherish and value each moment, to not waste even one. Teach me how to use what You have given me to benefit others and draw them closer to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
O my Father, You are so wise, and You gave Solomon such wisdom; and You had him record this little book of how he tried all the different activities that can be done here "under the Sun," to find out for himself what is worth doing.
And we can benefit from all his experiments. You have made this world and hung it on nothing, placed it in this solar system in the universe, and filled it with all the good things we need to live and prosper and seek Your Face. Solomon's conclusion to the whole matter is, "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of Man" (12:13).
You have made this Earth to be self-perpetuating; the water and weather systems, the seasons. It is cyclical, round and round, to provide for every generation through the time You have set for us. For we are born and then we die, and others carry on in their time. Until the end of Time.
Father, help me to use the few days You have allotted me for Your glory. Help me to cherish and value each moment, to not waste even one. Teach me how to use what You have given me to benefit others and draw them closer to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, March 24, 2017
O Royal Daughter
Psalm 45: 10-11
Listen to Me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say. Forget your people and your family far away. For your royal Husband delights in your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.
O my Father, thank You for this love song in Your book of songs. Thank You for this word to encourage me today. Indeed, I do want to honor my betrothed Husband, my Lord, and I enjoy that He takes delight in my beauty. For He sees beauty in me that others do not see.
O Father, please teach me to uncover the beauty that You have placed in me so that others will see and be drawn toward You. Let that beauty in me be a magnet to pull people toward Your wondrous, glorious Beauty and Grace. For I am Your ambassador to the world, representing You to the world, with Your wonderful message of reconciliation through Your amazing Grace in my Lord Christ Jesus.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Listen to Me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say. Forget your people and your family far away. For your royal Husband delights in your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.
O my Father, thank You for this love song in Your book of songs. Thank You for this word to encourage me today. Indeed, I do want to honor my betrothed Husband, my Lord, and I enjoy that He takes delight in my beauty. For He sees beauty in me that others do not see.
O Father, please teach me to uncover the beauty that You have placed in me so that others will see and be drawn toward You. Let that beauty in me be a magnet to pull people toward Your wondrous, glorious Beauty and Grace. For I am Your ambassador to the world, representing You to the world, with Your wonderful message of reconciliation through Your amazing Grace in my Lord Christ Jesus.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Wildflowers
Psalm 103: 14-17
For He understands how weak we are; He knows we are only dust. Our days on Earth are like grass, like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone--as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him.
O my Father, I know that I am but dust. I know that my lifespan is but a breath, one brief moment in Your grand march of Time. Like a wildflower in the field, you give me a beauty that shines for You to see, then the winds of time blow, and I will grow old and die.
Teach me to number my days, Lord, that I might apply my heart to wisdom. Then, when I am gone, the sweet fragrance of Your love will linger. For Your love remains forever with those of us who fear You and love You and love others.
Please strengthen me to use each remaining day for Your glory. Help me to use the talents and abilities You have given me to help others in practical ways. And to share Your love and Your wonderful Gospel of Grace of Christ Jesus to those who are perishing but seeking You. Lead me to Your chosen ones, open my heart to them and my mouth to speak forth Your Truth to draw them to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For He understands how weak we are; He knows we are only dust. Our days on Earth are like grass, like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone--as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him.
O my Father, I know that I am but dust. I know that my lifespan is but a breath, one brief moment in Your grand march of Time. Like a wildflower in the field, you give me a beauty that shines for You to see, then the winds of time blow, and I will grow old and die.
Teach me to number my days, Lord, that I might apply my heart to wisdom. Then, when I am gone, the sweet fragrance of Your love will linger. For Your love remains forever with those of us who fear You and love You and love others.
Please strengthen me to use each remaining day for Your glory. Help me to use the talents and abilities You have given me to help others in practical ways. And to share Your love and Your wonderful Gospel of Grace of Christ Jesus to those who are perishing but seeking You. Lead me to Your chosen ones, open my heart to them and my mouth to speak forth Your Truth to draw them to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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