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Friday, December 28, 2012

Committing To Regular Exercise

In summary of 1 Timothy 4:8 it says, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

Bottom Line:
It is good to train, both physically and spiritually.  Training for godliness is much better, the promise of the benefits from this will last in this life and the life to come.

What this means to me:
It is best for me to have discipline in both physical and spiritual training.  One way for me to train for godliness is to maintain my physical health.  God created me to be active and not a couch potato.  While I am thoroughly convinced of this it doesn’t always translate to being committed to it.  I need to reorganize my life such that I can include this into my day, along with quiet time, work and family time. I need to get back into the routine of walking daily.  I still need to make time each day to have a disciplined life in God.  Maintaining both will make me fit both today and in eternity.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

The Best News Of All!

In summary of Luke 2:11 it says, “For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!”

Bottom Line:
Today is the anniversary of our Savior, who is Christ the Lord!

What this means to me:
Today is an important reminder of what God did for me.  He loved me so much and made a way for me to be re-united with him.  God knows all about me and he wants a chance for me to know all about him.   Christ is my Messiah, My Lord.  This is the best news of all time and it’s not just for me but for all of the world.   I’ll keep this in mind as I meet with family today and communicate this.  Thanks God for the most wonderful gift anyone could ever give me.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

A New Life, No Longer Living For Self

In summary of 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 it says, “Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”

Bottom Line:
The Love of Christ controls and urges us because of our belief that he died for all, we also believe we have all died to our old way of life.  He died so that everyone who receives him has a new life, no longer living for themselves.  Instead they live for Christ.

What this means to me:
I truly believe that Christ died for everyone, it was God’s way to bring us back into a right relationship with him.  Because Christ died for me and I have accepted him as leader for my life, I have a new life.  In my new life I now live for him rather than for myself.  This is a completely different way of life in which I put others interests above my own.  It is difficult to break the chains of selfishness.  The best way is through the help that he wants to provide me each day.  Keeping attached to him via study of his word and prayer are the connection points that make this easier.  Today I ask God to infuse me with more concern for those around me (the ones God loves) and to stay in obedience to him which keeps me safe.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Christmas Story Reveals My True Value

In summary of John 3:16 it says, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Bottom Line:
God cares about us so much he gave up his son so that those who believe in him will not perish in separation from God but have eternal life with him.

What this means to me:
God loves and dearly prized me so much that he gave his only unique Son.  My faith, trust and reliance in him provides me now with an everlasting life with him.  God did this because on my own, I was lost.  Before committing my life to Christ I was lost, I was not connected to God.  But God still saw me as valuable and valuable enough to pay the price of his Son.  I mattered so much that he put together a rescue mission to come and get me.  This rescue mission started when He came to earth as a little baby who eventually would die on a wooden cross to pay the penalty of my sins (past, present and future.)  At this time of year, I’m reminded that the Christmas story reveals my real value.  God loved me enough to send his very best - Jesus.  This week I need to consider how my family get togethers will reflect the eternal significance of Jesus’ birth.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Giving Praise and Thankfulness To Our Lord

In summary of Psalm 95:1-2 it says, “Let’s sing to the Lord!  Let us shout joyfully to the Rock who saved us!.  Let’s come to him with thankful hearts and songs of praise.”

Bottom Line:
Sing and shout joyfully to the one (the Rock) who has saved us!  We should come to him with thankful hearts.

What this means to me:
Jesus is the Rock (unchangeable, steadfast) who has given his life to save me.  I should always be singing and joyfully shouting my appreciation for him and what he has done.  I will give thanks to him always for what he’s done.  While this verse tells of the Loud and joyful praise of him, I can also praise and bring glory to him in how I go about my everyday tasks.   Jesus is my real leader (no matter who I report under at work.)  I will conduct myself in a way that brings indicates my thankful heart and my joy.  

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

God’s Everlasting and Unchanging Love

In summary of Jeremiah 31:3 it says, “In the past, the Lord appeared to us saying:  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”

Bottom Line:
The Lord has told us that he has always loved us with a love so strong (unfailing.)  Because of this he is patient and kind.  What we can always expect is love from him.

What this means to me:
I should never forget that God is on my side.  He is not out there to crush me when I fail (and boy am I grateful for this because I fail all the time.)  He word reveals that he has always love me with an everlasting love that can never change.  God is so patient and kind in his dealings with me.  This gives me courage to move on and give my life for his purposes.  Today, I will remind myself that God loves me more than I can even fathom.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Guidance For The Day

In summary of Psalm 143:10 it says, “You are my God, teach me to do your will, show me what you want me to do.  Let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.”

Bottom Line:
God, teach and show me what to do.  Let your gentle Spirit lead me in all I do.

What this means to me:
You are everything to me, you’re my God, therefore I want you to teach me to do your will.  Teach me how to please you. Show me daily what it is you want me to do.  I’m relying on God’s Holy Spirit to lead me forward in the right path and with the right decisions.  It’s important for me to relinquish my own will and really look to see if God has something in mind for me to accomplish.  If I don’t get anything specific then I will do his general will.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Having God’s Word Readily Available

In summary of Psalm 119:11 it says, “Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You”

Bottom Line:
I have memorized your word and have it close at hand so that it will remind me and keep me from sinning.

What this means to me:
What I hold close to my heart, what I allow to permeate my thoughts will affect my perspective and values.  Scripture recommends that we memorize God’s word so that we can quickly recall it when feelings come or things happen.  In the past I had done scripture memory, however lately I have not done this (even the verses I had learned before are not easily recalled.)  I need to refocus / practice on prior verses, then introduce new ones.  The value of having God’s word close to my heart will come when I need encouragement or feelings/promptings come.  It is truly the sword of our spiritual armour.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Faith in His Son Brings Eternal Life

In summary of John 3:36 it says, “Everyone who has faith in the Son has eternal life.  However anyone who rejects and doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but instead will remain under God’s angry judgment.”

Bottom Line:
Having faith in the Son brings eternal life, ignoring him and or refusing to accept him will result in eternal separation and God’s angry judgment.

What this means to me:
When I put my faith and reliance in His Son I received God’s gift of eternal life.   And in this I am extremely grateful.  I have a sense of peace regarding what will happen to me after I pass on.  Because of my faith in him, I look to see what he has taught and then absorb it and put it into practice in my life.  I strive to obey what he has provided.