In summary of 1 John 3:21, it says "Friends, if we don’t have a guilty heart, we can come before God with a bold confidence."
Bottom Line:
If we don’t have a guilty heart (unconfessed sins/wrongdoings) we can come before God with a bold confidence.
What this means to me:
God is all-powerful and everywhere. I can barely measure up to what he had originally planned for me before the fall. It is difficult for me to approach him if am harboring unconfessed sins. Having a clear conscience allows me to approach him with a bold confidence. My confidence varies greatly from day to day. This is essentially because of what’s going on within me. When I face the hurts, habits and hang-ups of this life, it is extremely important for me to walk without self-condemnation and within the faithful confidence that God forgives me if I admit my wrongdoings to him and make things right with those whom I’ve done wrong to. It’s important for me to rid myself of unresolved guilt that destroys my confidence. Often I craft up some very unrealistic expectations, feeling like I should be flawless, perfect and pleasing to everyone. I’ve learned over time that just because I don’t finish all the things on my todo list I’m not a failure. Today and moving forward, I will strive to continue to confess to God things in my life that I still struggle with so that I can be clear with God and not let them hold me back. With his strength I can overcome.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
God Will Support And Guide
In summary of 2 Thessalonians 3:3 it says, "But God is faithful, he will never let us down; he will strengthen and stick by you and he will guard and protect you from evil and the evil one."
Bottom Line:
God will never let us down. He will stick by you, strengthen you, and provide protection from evil and the evil one.
What does this mean for me:
God tells me that he can be trusted and counted on. By having a close relationship with him, he is there to stick by me in my times of need. He promises to strengthen me. Also I as follow him he provides a level of protection which allow me to fend off evil and can help me fend off attacks from the enemy. But I must choose to have a close relationship. It is through this relationship that I am strengthened and given guidance that protects me if I choose to follow it. So today, I will seek my relationship with him. I’ll ask him to give me guidance and strength regarding a decision point in my career. When evil comes near, I will rush to him.
Bottom Line:
God will never let us down. He will stick by you, strengthen you, and provide protection from evil and the evil one.
What does this mean for me:
God tells me that he can be trusted and counted on. By having a close relationship with him, he is there to stick by me in my times of need. He promises to strengthen me. Also I as follow him he provides a level of protection which allow me to fend off evil and can help me fend off attacks from the enemy. But I must choose to have a close relationship. It is through this relationship that I am strengthened and given guidance that protects me if I choose to follow it. So today, I will seek my relationship with him. I’ll ask him to give me guidance and strength regarding a decision point in my career. When evil comes near, I will rush to him.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
We Have A Leader Who Not Out Of Touch With Our Reality
A summary of Hebrews 4:15 says, "We do not have a high priest who is out of touch with our reality. He understands our weaknesses because he experienced it all and faced all of the same testings we did, yet in all of that he did not sin."
Bottom Line:
We do not have a high spiritual leader who is out of touch with what we experience daily. He fully understands what affects us and makes us weak. He lived a life like ours and experienced all of what we faced and he went through all of the same testings we went through. But through all of it he was able to live his life without sin.
What this means to me:
God knows exactly what we go through, through his son, he lived the same life and because of this he understands what affects us and what makes us weak. Since he has experienced this he can be sympathetic and fully understanding. He can give us strenght to make our way through it. We see the example of his Son whom lived like us but still was able to do so without sin. This encourages me, first because what I’m going through is not unusual. I face the same things everyone else faces. Secondly because since Jesus experienced the same things he can give me help as I face these things. When I experience times of testing, I will take confidence in knowing that Jesus faced the same and came out of it, and can provide me the help to get through it. So in the decision I’m facing, he understands my concerns and my desires. He is not out of touch. I will look to him for guidance and peace for the decision I have the opportunity to make.
Bottom Line:
We do not have a high spiritual leader who is out of touch with what we experience daily. He fully understands what affects us and makes us weak. He lived a life like ours and experienced all of what we faced and he went through all of the same testings we went through. But through all of it he was able to live his life without sin.
What this means to me:
God knows exactly what we go through, through his son, he lived the same life and because of this he understands what affects us and what makes us weak. Since he has experienced this he can be sympathetic and fully understanding. He can give us strenght to make our way through it. We see the example of his Son whom lived like us but still was able to do so without sin. This encourages me, first because what I’m going through is not unusual. I face the same things everyone else faces. Secondly because since Jesus experienced the same things he can give me help as I face these things. When I experience times of testing, I will take confidence in knowing that Jesus faced the same and came out of it, and can provide me the help to get through it. So in the decision I’m facing, he understands my concerns and my desires. He is not out of touch. I will look to him for guidance and peace for the decision I have the opportunity to make.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Launch Out In Faith
A summary of Joshua 1:8-11 says, "Do not let this Book of the Law to depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you, “Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua then gave orders to the people’s leaders: Go through the camp and tell the people to get their things ready for travel. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and then enter into and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving to you."
Bottom Line:
Joshua was a new leader, God had told him to not let this Book of the Law (his Word) depart from him; he was to really study it, think about it day and night and to be careful to follow it and do everything written in it. If he did, then whatever he set out to do would be prosperous and successful. God had already told him to be “strong and courageous, not terrified or discouraged”, for God will always be with him. So in getting guidance from the Lord as to the next steps, Joshua passed orders onto the leaders of the people; They were to go throughout the camp and tell the people to get themselves and their things ready for the next leg of their journey. In three days they will cross the Jordan River and then enter into and take possession of the land that God is going to give them.
What this means to me:
God wants us to do well. He has provided his written Word (Truth about how he designed and intended life to be lived out.) He suggested that we really study it, make it part of our daily routine. If we do this and really follow what it says we will be prosperous and successful. With that God provides specific instructions. Its up to us to take the next steps. In a direct relationship with the Father, he’ll provide the confidence we need to be “strong and courageous.” He has promised to never leave us. So like Joshua, I can ask God for the next steps and he’ll provide the guidance, however I’ll come to a point where I need to stop talking about and take the next steps and do my part. Sometimes barriers to accomplishing things insurmountable, but I need to step out in spite of my feelings, fears and doubts. Like Joshua I need to take the plunge and move forward in faith and let God do his work, I can’t wait for the perfect conditions. Often, the next steps or progress will be made until we that that first step. So when I know something is God’s will, no matter how scary it may be to me, I need to do it anyway. Once I start God will work and allow me to further exercise my faith. God wants me to step out in faith. I find myself facing an interesting choice in my work career. The nice thing about it is that is completely voluntary, however the impact could have a large impact either way. A decision doesn’t need to be made right away, however there is a timeline associated with it. I will proceed in faith, asking God for clarity, understanding, wisdom and guidance. I will also get wise counsel. But there will come a point in which I will need to move forward in faith trusting in what God has guided me with and fully trusting the outcome to him.
Bottom Line:
Joshua was a new leader, God had told him to not let this Book of the Law (his Word) depart from him; he was to really study it, think about it day and night and to be careful to follow it and do everything written in it. If he did, then whatever he set out to do would be prosperous and successful. God had already told him to be “strong and courageous, not terrified or discouraged”, for God will always be with him. So in getting guidance from the Lord as to the next steps, Joshua passed orders onto the leaders of the people; They were to go throughout the camp and tell the people to get themselves and their things ready for the next leg of their journey. In three days they will cross the Jordan River and then enter into and take possession of the land that God is going to give them.
What this means to me:
God wants us to do well. He has provided his written Word (Truth about how he designed and intended life to be lived out.) He suggested that we really study it, make it part of our daily routine. If we do this and really follow what it says we will be prosperous and successful. With that God provides specific instructions. Its up to us to take the next steps. In a direct relationship with the Father, he’ll provide the confidence we need to be “strong and courageous.” He has promised to never leave us. So like Joshua, I can ask God for the next steps and he’ll provide the guidance, however I’ll come to a point where I need to stop talking about and take the next steps and do my part. Sometimes barriers to accomplishing things insurmountable, but I need to step out in spite of my feelings, fears and doubts. Like Joshua I need to take the plunge and move forward in faith and let God do his work, I can’t wait for the perfect conditions. Often, the next steps or progress will be made until we that that first step. So when I know something is God’s will, no matter how scary it may be to me, I need to do it anyway. Once I start God will work and allow me to further exercise my faith. God wants me to step out in faith. I find myself facing an interesting choice in my work career. The nice thing about it is that is completely voluntary, however the impact could have a large impact either way. A decision doesn’t need to be made right away, however there is a timeline associated with it. I will proceed in faith, asking God for clarity, understanding, wisdom and guidance. I will also get wise counsel. But there will come a point in which I will need to move forward in faith trusting in what God has guided me with and fully trusting the outcome to him.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Letting Go Of Doubt
In summary of James 1:5-8 it says, "If you don’t know what you’re doing or need wisdom, pray and ask our generous God; he loves to help. He won’t get down on you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone (in other words, ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.) Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed back and forth by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world while trying to keeping all their options open."
Bottom Line:
God’s Word says that If you need guidance or wisdom in a situation, ask him; he is generous and loves to help and won’t get down on you for asking. However, when you ask, make sure your faith is in God alone. Ask boldly, believingly, and without giving it a second thought. If you are wavering with divided loyalty you are being the same as a wave of the sea which is blown back and forth. If you’re like this don’t expect to receive anything from God as your loyalty is divided between God and the world trying to keep all of your options open.
What this means for me:
God has told me to count on him for any wisdom or guidance I might need. He will gladly provide it and not get down on me or be condescending just because I asked. He is a generous God and loves to help me with anything I’m willing to bring to him. What I’ve learned is that God doesn’t not tolerate wishy-washiness. I can’t keep all of my options open looking for what comes along that may suit my fancy or be the easy way out. The wisdom God gives me regarding the situation is something that would benefit me or stretch me. It may even be something I’d rather shy away from because it is out of my comfort zone or it doesn’t fit within my selfish desires. God tells us in his Word that if we are divided and not prepared to take his guidance exclusively in a situation that he won’t even provide it. If I’m like this then I’m unstable in everything that I do. To battle this doubt/unstableness, I need to avoid comparing myself with everybody else (their talent, education, experience.) Instead I need to look to God as he doesn't want me to be like someone else, he wants me to be me. I also need to be cautious of bringing up my past failures or playing old tapes in my mind. All this can do is torment me and prove of no value. God wants me to forget about the past and move forward in the boldness and newness he gives me. He wants to use me today and I can’t be used if my mind is in the past. Today, I look to what God would want me to accomplish versus wasting time with being unstable or doubting.
Bottom Line:
God’s Word says that If you need guidance or wisdom in a situation, ask him; he is generous and loves to help and won’t get down on you for asking. However, when you ask, make sure your faith is in God alone. Ask boldly, believingly, and without giving it a second thought. If you are wavering with divided loyalty you are being the same as a wave of the sea which is blown back and forth. If you’re like this don’t expect to receive anything from God as your loyalty is divided between God and the world trying to keep all of your options open.
What this means for me:
God has told me to count on him for any wisdom or guidance I might need. He will gladly provide it and not get down on me or be condescending just because I asked. He is a generous God and loves to help me with anything I’m willing to bring to him. What I’ve learned is that God doesn’t not tolerate wishy-washiness. I can’t keep all of my options open looking for what comes along that may suit my fancy or be the easy way out. The wisdom God gives me regarding the situation is something that would benefit me or stretch me. It may even be something I’d rather shy away from because it is out of my comfort zone or it doesn’t fit within my selfish desires. God tells us in his Word that if we are divided and not prepared to take his guidance exclusively in a situation that he won’t even provide it. If I’m like this then I’m unstable in everything that I do. To battle this doubt/unstableness, I need to avoid comparing myself with everybody else (their talent, education, experience.) Instead I need to look to God as he doesn't want me to be like someone else, he wants me to be me. I also need to be cautious of bringing up my past failures or playing old tapes in my mind. All this can do is torment me and prove of no value. God wants me to forget about the past and move forward in the boldness and newness he gives me. He wants to use me today and I can’t be used if my mind is in the past. Today, I look to what God would want me to accomplish versus wasting time with being unstable or doubting.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Learning To Live A Life Of Service
In summary of Ephesians 2:10 it says, "God has made us what we are, his masterpiece / workmanship. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he has planned in advance for us to live our lives doing."
Bottom Line:
God made us, we are his workmanship and masterpieces. He created us in advance already planning what it is he wants us to live our lives doing. We get the power and insight to do this through our relationship and acceptance Jesus Christ and what he has done for us.
What this means for me:
God made us, we belong to him. He created us through his workmanship, we are his masterpieces. He created us for a purpose that he had predestined long ago. He wants us to live our lives doing what he already has in mind that he will do only through us. As I live my life I can do it several ways; I can waste it (be lazy, not doing anything important), I can spend it (pursue things that bring wealth or make me happy, but at what expense?), I can invest it wisely doing something that will outlast and make a difference beyond this world. I believe the worse thing I can do is simply just live for today and my own selfish wants (living for myself.) God’s Word tells me that he did not put me here to just live for myself. He created me to become more like Jesus and Jesus came to serve, not be served. Jesus came to testify to the truth. Jesus came as a ransom for many (paid the price for our rebellion and brought us back into a right relationship with the Father.) I need to continue to learn how to live a life of service. If I do so, I can create a lasting spiritual legacy and make a difference in the lives of many. So I ask God today and in the days to come to reveal to me new ways that I can give myself in service to those around me. I turn-over my life over daily to be used by as a tool by him for his good purposes. As I noticed in the past, my life is much more meaningful to me if I use it to do what God has in mind for me to do. I will continue to ask God for opportunities to tell other about the Good News of his grace to all. Giving my life away for God’s use and for the spreading his good news is the only way to ever know what he means by a full and abundant life. So I’ll need to do battle with my selfish nature and through God’s strength serve a bigger purpose.
Bottom Line:
God made us, we are his workmanship and masterpieces. He created us in advance already planning what it is he wants us to live our lives doing. We get the power and insight to do this through our relationship and acceptance Jesus Christ and what he has done for us.
What this means for me:
God made us, we belong to him. He created us through his workmanship, we are his masterpieces. He created us for a purpose that he had predestined long ago. He wants us to live our lives doing what he already has in mind that he will do only through us. As I live my life I can do it several ways; I can waste it (be lazy, not doing anything important), I can spend it (pursue things that bring wealth or make me happy, but at what expense?), I can invest it wisely doing something that will outlast and make a difference beyond this world. I believe the worse thing I can do is simply just live for today and my own selfish wants (living for myself.) God’s Word tells me that he did not put me here to just live for myself. He created me to become more like Jesus and Jesus came to serve, not be served. Jesus came to testify to the truth. Jesus came as a ransom for many (paid the price for our rebellion and brought us back into a right relationship with the Father.) I need to continue to learn how to live a life of service. If I do so, I can create a lasting spiritual legacy and make a difference in the lives of many. So I ask God today and in the days to come to reveal to me new ways that I can give myself in service to those around me. I turn-over my life over daily to be used by as a tool by him for his good purposes. As I noticed in the past, my life is much more meaningful to me if I use it to do what God has in mind for me to do. I will continue to ask God for opportunities to tell other about the Good News of his grace to all. Giving my life away for God’s use and for the spreading his good news is the only way to ever know what he means by a full and abundant life. So I’ll need to do battle with my selfish nature and through God’s strength serve a bigger purpose.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Not Letting Self-Indulgence Weaken Life
In Summary of Proverbs 25:28 it says, "A Person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out or like a city whose walls for protection are broken down."
Bottom Line:
What protection is it for you if you lack any type of self control? Lack of self-control is like being in a home with door and windows knocked out. There isn’t much protection.
What this means for me:
God wants us to protect our boundaries and what can come in/out of our lives. This requires that we exercise some form of self control over our indulgences. Our world seems to be filled with the notions that we should live to satisfy our desires and to be open to discover ways to become self-fulfilled. This is in contrast to what God’s word tells us. God tells us this, because he knows like a house (or shelter) that has no doors or windows to provide protection, our lives can be seriously affected if we don’t have any control over what we allow to engage us. Even the smallest weakness if left unchecked can lead to a serious downfall. In my life I have great strengths, but I also have great weaknesses. My strong strengths are not enough to always protect me. It is my weaknesses that can and have lead to downfalls in the past. Self centeredness or self-indulgence is the same form of lack of self-control scripture alludes to. Self-control issues for me in the past have been with money, possessions, passions, emotions, how I spend your time and other forms of indulgence. Any of these things that I left get out of control weaken me life and undermine the way I live for Him. I cannot leave God out of the picture and get away with it, I will always reap the kind of crop I have been sowing. When I sow to please my desires I in turn only seed things that will bring about spiritual decay in my life and weaken my effectiveness to be used by Him.. I have found that the best way to build discipline back into my life is to give all my weaknesses to Jesus, and then take the steps he tells me to take. As such I will strive to turn over to Jesus things that I’m reminded about in my quiet time with him that I’m being indulgent in or with. I need to continue to be cautious to not let my time with Him get crowded out by other demands in life and thus have the ability to reflect on how I’m managing the resources he has entrusted me with. Thank You God for your protection that comes from having a relationship with you and following the truth you have laid out for me in your Word.
Bottom Line:
What protection is it for you if you lack any type of self control? Lack of self-control is like being in a home with door and windows knocked out. There isn’t much protection.
What this means for me:
God wants us to protect our boundaries and what can come in/out of our lives. This requires that we exercise some form of self control over our indulgences. Our world seems to be filled with the notions that we should live to satisfy our desires and to be open to discover ways to become self-fulfilled. This is in contrast to what God’s word tells us. God tells us this, because he knows like a house (or shelter) that has no doors or windows to provide protection, our lives can be seriously affected if we don’t have any control over what we allow to engage us. Even the smallest weakness if left unchecked can lead to a serious downfall. In my life I have great strengths, but I also have great weaknesses. My strong strengths are not enough to always protect me. It is my weaknesses that can and have lead to downfalls in the past. Self centeredness or self-indulgence is the same form of lack of self-control scripture alludes to. Self-control issues for me in the past have been with money, possessions, passions, emotions, how I spend your time and other forms of indulgence. Any of these things that I left get out of control weaken me life and undermine the way I live for Him. I cannot leave God out of the picture and get away with it, I will always reap the kind of crop I have been sowing. When I sow to please my desires I in turn only seed things that will bring about spiritual decay in my life and weaken my effectiveness to be used by Him.. I have found that the best way to build discipline back into my life is to give all my weaknesses to Jesus, and then take the steps he tells me to take. As such I will strive to turn over to Jesus things that I’m reminded about in my quiet time with him that I’m being indulgent in or with. I need to continue to be cautious to not let my time with Him get crowded out by other demands in life and thus have the ability to reflect on how I’m managing the resources he has entrusted me with. Thank You God for your protection that comes from having a relationship with you and following the truth you have laid out for me in your Word.
-
In review of Hebrews 11:26 it says, “[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, beca...
-
⚓ God’s Love: The Anchor in Constant Change Jobs shift. Relationships change. Circumstances fluctuate. But in a world where everything moves... -
“Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8 (NLT) Every day when ...