You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ~2 Timothy 2:1 HCSB
The gospel isn't just for those who don't know Christ. The gospel is for us all, believers and non believers. Paul talking to Timothy from a prison cell, he reminds him of just that. Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Living with the knowledge that Christ died for us. While we were still sinner, when we didn't deserve it, Christ died for us. It is so easy for us to lose sight of this grace extended to us. When we do lose sight we start to try and regulate our salvation or we just go to the other extreme and do whatever we want. Soon we start to project those beliefs on others and instead of uniting Christians we divide them.
Paul had seen this played out everywhere he went and wanted Timothy to learn to live in grace, in fact be strong in grace. Keeping the gospel in front of us, humbling us and strengthening us. The gospel is a constant reminder of who we were and who we are. It lifts us to rejoicing when we suffer and face trials. It allows us to love those who cannot even love themselves. It allows for forgiveness to those who wrong us. It gives us patients for those who are still learning. Grace is amazing and it can only be found in Jesus Christ, living in the knowledge of Him and what He has done for us on the cross and through the resurrection.
Lord help us to be strong in grace. To keep before us the death and resurrection of your Son, who defeated sin and death through His sacrifice. Lord let your grace shine though us in everything we do. Amen
Daily Reading: Exodus 21-24; Proverbs 3
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Able to Endure
If you do this, and God so directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied." ~Exodus 18:23 HCSB
Have you ever tried to do too much? Moses was leading the people of Israel and hearing all the cases needing direction. He was overwhelmed and the people's needs were not being met. Jethro, Moses father-in-law was visiting and was watching Moses struggle and made a suggestion. Jethro suggested appointing judges over ten, hundreds and thousands. Divide up the work and let the judges under him handle the minor cases and Moses would only handle the important cases.
Moses listened to Jethro and in the process learned an important lesson. Moses learned to delegate. He realized he could not do it all and he needed help. Does this sound familiar? We need to understand what is important in our lives and to allow others to help us. By letting others to carry some of the burden we lighten our own load and get more accomplished. Plus it builds relationships and gives you the opportunity to give your best. We are in this life together, it was never meant to be lived alone. Most of all by doing this we are able to endure, to bring glory to God in all we do.
Lord help us understand the importance of sharing life together. Help us to understand that it is alright to delegate in life, to allow others to help. Put people in our lives who want to help and who are willing carry the burden together. Lord most of all help us understand what is important in our lives and to put you first. Thank you Lord, Amen.
Daily Reading: Exodus 18-20; Proverbs 2
Have you ever tried to do too much? Moses was leading the people of Israel and hearing all the cases needing direction. He was overwhelmed and the people's needs were not being met. Jethro, Moses father-in-law was visiting and was watching Moses struggle and made a suggestion. Jethro suggested appointing judges over ten, hundreds and thousands. Divide up the work and let the judges under him handle the minor cases and Moses would only handle the important cases.
Moses listened to Jethro and in the process learned an important lesson. Moses learned to delegate. He realized he could not do it all and he needed help. Does this sound familiar? We need to understand what is important in our lives and to allow others to help us. By letting others to carry some of the burden we lighten our own load and get more accomplished. Plus it builds relationships and gives you the opportunity to give your best. We are in this life together, it was never meant to be lived alone. Most of all by doing this we are able to endure, to bring glory to God in all we do.
Lord help us understand the importance of sharing life together. Help us to understand that it is alright to delegate in life, to allow others to help. Put people in our lives who want to help and who are willing carry the burden together. Lord most of all help us understand what is important in our lives and to put you first. Thank you Lord, Amen.
Daily Reading: Exodus 18-20; Proverbs 2
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Be Quiet
The LORD will fight for you; you must be quiet." ~Exodus 14:14 HCSB
I remember growing up getting scrapes and in the middle of all the crying mom says, "Be quiet, be still", as she patches you up. The people of Israel had just left Egypt and were camped along the Red Sea. The Egyptian army appeared on the horizon and the people became afraid. Moses stood among the people and told them, "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord's salvation" and then he closed with, "The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet."
Moses didn't tell the people to stand up and fight, but to be quiet and trust the Lord. There are times in life when we will face these moments. When we are facing a superior foe and all we can do is be quiet and trust the Lord to fight for us. What are you facing? What is barreling down on you and you are afraid. Today I want to encourage you to stand still and be quiet. Be still and know the Lord will fight for you. There is nothing impossible with God and He will see you through those times, we just need to trust Him.
Lord help us to be quiet, to trust you in those impossible moments. When life is overwhelming, help us to be still and trust you to fight for us. Lord I thank you for all you do, especially in these times. Lord thank you, Amen.
Daily Reading: Exodus 15-17; Proverbs 1
I remember growing up getting scrapes and in the middle of all the crying mom says, "Be quiet, be still", as she patches you up. The people of Israel had just left Egypt and were camped along the Red Sea. The Egyptian army appeared on the horizon and the people became afraid. Moses stood among the people and told them, "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord's salvation" and then he closed with, "The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet."
Moses didn't tell the people to stand up and fight, but to be quiet and trust the Lord. There are times in life when we will face these moments. When we are facing a superior foe and all we can do is be quiet and trust the Lord to fight for us. What are you facing? What is barreling down on you and you are afraid. Today I want to encourage you to stand still and be quiet. Be still and know the Lord will fight for you. There is nothing impossible with God and He will see you through those times, we just need to trust Him.
Lord help us to be quiet, to trust you in those impossible moments. When life is overwhelming, help us to be still and trust you to fight for us. Lord I thank you for all you do, especially in these times. Lord thank you, Amen.
Daily Reading: Exodus 15-17; Proverbs 1
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thoughts of Late
Lately my thoughts have centered on cancer. Cancer is a heavy word. It sinks into the pit of your stomach. From there it seems to draw the life out of your for a moment. It takes time to wrestle with and you never seem to get your hands on it. Cancer has been a part of our family now for the last three years. First my mother got colon cancer. Six months later I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Both of us came through with the grace of God. Then last month my mother was diagnosed breast cancer. Last week she had surgery and they found more cancer. So now she is looking at more surgery and chemo in the next few months. All of this has hit her very hard and it is tough to think about.
Today I wrote about Psalm 23, especially the words "I lack nothing". After I talked to my mom, these words again are lingering in my mind. I am struggling to put it all together and I can feel the tension. I am asking in my heart why God would allow her to continue with this. I know what the Bible says and I believe it to be true, but I lack the faith in this moment in time. In this space and context, I am looking for footing on a slippery rock. I know in time I will find my balance, but for right now I am uneasy.
The Lord is my shepherd and I look to Him to comfort us as a family. I know these are the times when our faith is tested and we grow the most. We don't understand everything that happens to us. So now I leave this in the tension of the now and pray for the peace of the Lord. Please pray for my mother.
Today I wrote about Psalm 23, especially the words "I lack nothing". After I talked to my mom, these words again are lingering in my mind. I am struggling to put it all together and I can feel the tension. I am asking in my heart why God would allow her to continue with this. I know what the Bible says and I believe it to be true, but I lack the faith in this moment in time. In this space and context, I am looking for footing on a slippery rock. I know in time I will find my balance, but for right now I am uneasy.
The Lord is my shepherd and I look to Him to comfort us as a family. I know these are the times when our faith is tested and we grow the most. We don't understand everything that happens to us. So now I leave this in the tension of the now and pray for the peace of the Lord. Please pray for my mother.
Nothing I Lack
"The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack." ~Psalms 23:1 HCSB
We all have heard this translated "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. But when I read this in the HCSB, it sounded so different. "There is nothing I lack", really got me thinking about this verse. In Christ, there is nothing I lack. Jesus tells us he is the good shepherd (John 10:11). He tells the disciples "the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep". Jesus came for that very reason, to lay down His life for the world.
He died on the cross for our sins and in Him we have life. Through His sacrifice we lack nothing. Peter tells us "His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3) The good shepherd laid down His life; he calls each sheep by name and cares for them. The sheep know his voice and they follow him. He provided everything they need; He protects them from the wolf. No one can take His sheep from Him, they lack nothing. He does this not as a hired hand, but because the Father has given the sheep to Him. He loves the sheep as the Father loves the sheep. Reading this verse again in this light makes it mean so much more. "The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack". Jesus provides it all.
Lord you are the Good Shepherd, there is absolutely no one like you. You know my needs and where I need to go. You provide for me and guide me and I lack nothing. Lord thank you, help me live with this in my heart and let me grateful. Amen
Daily Reading is a catch up day, tomorrow we are at Exodus 15-17 and Proverbs 1. So catch up to Psalm 23 and Exodus 14, God bless!
We all have heard this translated "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. But when I read this in the HCSB, it sounded so different. "There is nothing I lack", really got me thinking about this verse. In Christ, there is nothing I lack. Jesus tells us he is the good shepherd (John 10:11). He tells the disciples "the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep". Jesus came for that very reason, to lay down His life for the world.
He died on the cross for our sins and in Him we have life. Through His sacrifice we lack nothing. Peter tells us "His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3) The good shepherd laid down His life; he calls each sheep by name and cares for them. The sheep know his voice and they follow him. He provided everything they need; He protects them from the wolf. No one can take His sheep from Him, they lack nothing. He does this not as a hired hand, but because the Father has given the sheep to Him. He loves the sheep as the Father loves the sheep. Reading this verse again in this light makes it mean so much more. "The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack". Jesus provides it all.
Lord you are the Good Shepherd, there is absolutely no one like you. You know my needs and where I need to go. You provide for me and guide me and I lack nothing. Lord thank you, help me live with this in my heart and let me grateful. Amen
Daily Reading is a catch up day, tomorrow we are at Exodus 15-17 and Proverbs 1. So catch up to Psalm 23 and Exodus 14, God bless!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Remember
"Then Moses said to the people, "Remember this day when you came out of Egypt, out of the place of slavery, for the LORD brought you out of here by the strength of His hand." ~Exodus 13:3 HCSB
On leaving Egypt Moses tells the people to remember this day! Remember that you were in slavery and the Lord has freed you. Nothing you did, but that the Lord freed you by His strength. All through the Old Testament you see this echoed, remember that the Lord lead you out of Egypt, the Lord freed you. Christ came also came to free all people from the slavery of sin. He died on the cross for that very purpose. By putting our faith in what Christ did we are saved, and we are freed. Paul reminds us to remember what Christ did for us. "Walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God." (Eph 5:2)
By remembering the Israelites drew confidence from the fact that God delivered them. Their faith in God was strengthened and they trusted God would never leave them. The same goes for us. As we remember what God has done for us through Christ and our faith is strengthened. When we look back and see where we struggled with sin and how Christ freed us. When we faced adversity and we remember how God delivered us, our faith grows. Remembering there is nothing we did on our own, but through the strength of the Lords hand.
Praise God who loves us and delivers us from sin through His Son Jesus. Thank you Lord for your love for us. Thank you for guiding us and directing our lives. Lord help me to remember where I once was and where I am in you now. Thank you, Amen.
Daily Reading: Exodus 12-14; Psalm 23
On leaving Egypt Moses tells the people to remember this day! Remember that you were in slavery and the Lord has freed you. Nothing you did, but that the Lord freed you by His strength. All through the Old Testament you see this echoed, remember that the Lord lead you out of Egypt, the Lord freed you. Christ came also came to free all people from the slavery of sin. He died on the cross for that very purpose. By putting our faith in what Christ did we are saved, and we are freed. Paul reminds us to remember what Christ did for us. "Walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God." (Eph 5:2)
By remembering the Israelites drew confidence from the fact that God delivered them. Their faith in God was strengthened and they trusted God would never leave them. The same goes for us. As we remember what God has done for us through Christ and our faith is strengthened. When we look back and see where we struggled with sin and how Christ freed us. When we faced adversity and we remember how God delivered us, our faith grows. Remembering there is nothing we did on our own, but through the strength of the Lords hand.
Praise God who loves us and delivers us from sin through His Son Jesus. Thank you Lord for your love for us. Thank you for guiding us and directing our lives. Lord help me to remember where I once was and where I am in you now. Thank you, Amen.
Daily Reading: Exodus 12-14; Psalm 23
Thursday, January 27, 2011
This Purpose
"However, I have let you live for this purpose: to show you My power and to make My name known in all the earth." ~Exodus 9:16 HCSB
Moses talking to Pharaoh gives him this message from the Lord. He tells him He could have "obliterated" him and his people, "However, I have let you live for this purpose". I have often thought why God allows pestilence, disease, injustice and disasters. He could stop them, but many times it seems He doesn't. I spent time with my mother in the hospital. She was having the cancer in her body removed. Sitting there I can't help to think and ask the question, why Lord. I don't doubt in my heart that God is over all things and the fact I will never fully understand a fraction of what are His ways. But this verse helps me understand.
I have often heard that God is in the aftermath when disaster strikes. In reality he is there in the beginning all the way through to the end. He uses these events to show the world His power, to make His name known to everyone. Watching my mother in the midst of her pain, to see the smile on her face, to hear her laugh at a silly joke when it hurts, declares Christ in her life. She has a peace when facing adversity, that no matters what happens it is in God's hands. That death has no hold those who believe, in the end God's name will be glorified and everything will be made right. I thank God for this, it allows me to move through this life with a renewed confidence. To see God's glory in all things, not just when things are going good. I realize this life would not be worth living without Christ and what He brings to my life…He makes it all possible.
Lord I thank you for all things. That in life we will face hardships and how you use them to build our faith in you. Lord thank you for my mother and her love of you. Heal her and be with us when we face our own hardships. Lord use us to proclaim your power and to make your name know in all the earth! Amen.
Daily Reading: Exodus 9-11; Psalm 22:12-31
Moses talking to Pharaoh gives him this message from the Lord. He tells him He could have "obliterated" him and his people, "However, I have let you live for this purpose". I have often thought why God allows pestilence, disease, injustice and disasters. He could stop them, but many times it seems He doesn't. I spent time with my mother in the hospital. She was having the cancer in her body removed. Sitting there I can't help to think and ask the question, why Lord. I don't doubt in my heart that God is over all things and the fact I will never fully understand a fraction of what are His ways. But this verse helps me understand.
I have often heard that God is in the aftermath when disaster strikes. In reality he is there in the beginning all the way through to the end. He uses these events to show the world His power, to make His name known to everyone. Watching my mother in the midst of her pain, to see the smile on her face, to hear her laugh at a silly joke when it hurts, declares Christ in her life. She has a peace when facing adversity, that no matters what happens it is in God's hands. That death has no hold those who believe, in the end God's name will be glorified and everything will be made right. I thank God for this, it allows me to move through this life with a renewed confidence. To see God's glory in all things, not just when things are going good. I realize this life would not be worth living without Christ and what He brings to my life…He makes it all possible.
Lord I thank you for all things. That in life we will face hardships and how you use them to build our faith in you. Lord thank you for my mother and her love of you. Heal her and be with us when we face our own hardships. Lord use us to proclaim your power and to make your name know in all the earth! Amen.
Daily Reading: Exodus 9-11; Psalm 22:12-31
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Forsaken?
"My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" ~Psalm 22:1
These words we recognize. These are the words Jesus quoted from the cross just before He died. Thinking about this verse, I am reminded there are times in life when we feel these words ourselves. When a doctor tells you, you have cancer or when we lose someone very close to us. Reading through Exodus, the people of Israel was brutally oppressed by Pharaoh. When Moses confronted Pharaoh to free his people, Pharaoh responded by making life even harder. The people felt as if God had forsaken them.
In reality God was working in their behalf and in the end they world know He was God and they where His people. In life we don't always know what is happening and we feel abandoned. But God reminds us to be "strong and courageous" and "He will never leave us or forsake us". (Deu. 3:16) No matter where you find yourself we know God will never 'forsake' us. In those moments He is building our faith and we have to trust the outcome to God.
Dear Father thank you for never leaving or forsaken us. Thank you for always being there even when we feel overwhelmed by life. Lord help us in those moments to look to you and to trust you. Build our faith today Lord. Amen
Daily Reading: Exodus 5-8; Psalm 22:1-11
These words we recognize. These are the words Jesus quoted from the cross just before He died. Thinking about this verse, I am reminded there are times in life when we feel these words ourselves. When a doctor tells you, you have cancer or when we lose someone very close to us. Reading through Exodus, the people of Israel was brutally oppressed by Pharaoh. When Moses confronted Pharaoh to free his people, Pharaoh responded by making life even harder. The people felt as if God had forsaken them.
In reality God was working in their behalf and in the end they world know He was God and they where His people. In life we don't always know what is happening and we feel abandoned. But God reminds us to be "strong and courageous" and "He will never leave us or forsake us". (Deu. 3:16) No matter where you find yourself we know God will never 'forsake' us. In those moments He is building our faith and we have to trust the outcome to God.
Dear Father thank you for never leaving or forsaken us. Thank you for always being there even when we feel overwhelmed by life. Lord help us in those moments to look to you and to trust you. Build our faith today Lord. Amen
Daily Reading: Exodus 5-8; Psalm 22:1-11
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
A Name
"God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you." ~Exodus 3:14 HCSB
Names are important. Names establish who we are and say something about us. All of us have names, names our parents gave us and some names we have earned through our actions. When Moses was given the task to go to the Israelites, Moses asked, "Who will I say sent me?" God answered him with, "I AM"! Reading this stirs me, there is no greater name. God is "I AM", there is nothing he cannot do. In the New Testament, at the trial of Jesus the high priest asked Jesus if he was the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? Jesus answered him, "I am", at which time the priest tore this robes and Jesus was crucified for blasphemy. (Mark 14:61)
Just as God sent Moses to free the Israelites from slavery, God the Father sent the Son to free us from the slavery of sin. God took the initiative in the lives of people of Israel and God has taken the initiative in the lives of all people. God freed the Israelites from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh. Jesus sets us free from the chains of sin and gives us a new life. In the name of Jesus, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Praise God for His name!
Lord praise your name! Praise you Lord for taking the initiative in freeing us from our sins. Father praise you for sending your Son, Jesus. Thank you Jesus for freeing us from our sin and giving us a new life in you! May the name of Jesus be praised in our lives today! Thank you Lord! Amen.
Daily Reading: Exodus 1-4; Psalm 21
Pastor Steve
Names are important. Names establish who we are and say something about us. All of us have names, names our parents gave us and some names we have earned through our actions. When Moses was given the task to go to the Israelites, Moses asked, "Who will I say sent me?" God answered him with, "I AM"! Reading this stirs me, there is no greater name. God is "I AM", there is nothing he cannot do. In the New Testament, at the trial of Jesus the high priest asked Jesus if he was the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? Jesus answered him, "I am", at which time the priest tore this robes and Jesus was crucified for blasphemy. (Mark 14:61)
Just as God sent Moses to free the Israelites from slavery, God the Father sent the Son to free us from the slavery of sin. God took the initiative in the lives of people of Israel and God has taken the initiative in the lives of all people. God freed the Israelites from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh. Jesus sets us free from the chains of sin and gives us a new life. In the name of Jesus, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Praise God for His name!
Lord praise your name! Praise you Lord for taking the initiative in freeing us from our sins. Father praise you for sending your Son, Jesus. Thank you Jesus for freeing us from our sin and giving us a new life in you! May the name of Jesus be praised in our lives today! Thank you Lord! Amen.
Daily Reading: Exodus 1-4; Psalm 21
Pastor Steve
Monday, January 24, 2011
Take Refuge
"God- His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. His is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides Yahweh" HCSB Psalm 18:30-31
Life has many ups and downs and at times it can get over whelming. I love the Psalms for this very reason, because it gives me a place to go and find inspiration for hope. These verses are a perfect example. First thought I get when I read this is, God, He is the first thought. He is the reason for everything, God. His ways are perfect. Not our ways, not the way of a political leader, pastor or anyone else, God's way is perfect. How do we know this? God has revealed it to us in His word, which He says is pure. It can be trusted, because God can be trusted. It is a foundation of truth for us to stand on, to build our lives one.
Through the revealed word we know God is a shield and a safe place for us to take refuge in. We know that no matter what happens in this life, we know God is in control. He wants us to trust Him. He wants us to take refuge in Him. When we do we quickly find out God does exactly what He says. We will never fully understand everything that happens to us or to those around us, but we know we can trust God. I take comfort in this, knowing God is God and I am not Him.
Lord thank you for being God. Thank you for your word, that is pure. Lord—You are my shield and my refuge, help me take shelter in you first. Help me seek you first in my life, to trust you with everything. Amen
Daily Reading: Mark 13-16 and Psalm 20
Pastor Steve
Life has many ups and downs and at times it can get over whelming. I love the Psalms for this very reason, because it gives me a place to go and find inspiration for hope. These verses are a perfect example. First thought I get when I read this is, God, He is the first thought. He is the reason for everything, God. His ways are perfect. Not our ways, not the way of a political leader, pastor or anyone else, God's way is perfect. How do we know this? God has revealed it to us in His word, which He says is pure. It can be trusted, because God can be trusted. It is a foundation of truth for us to stand on, to build our lives one.
Through the revealed word we know God is a shield and a safe place for us to take refuge in. We know that no matter what happens in this life, we know God is in control. He wants us to trust Him. He wants us to take refuge in Him. When we do we quickly find out God does exactly what He says. We will never fully understand everything that happens to us or to those around us, but we know we can trust God. I take comfort in this, knowing God is God and I am not Him.
Lord thank you for being God. Thank you for your word, that is pure. Lord—You are my shield and my refuge, help me take shelter in you first. Help me seek you first in my life, to trust you with everything. Amen
Daily Reading: Mark 13-16 and Psalm 20
Pastor Steve
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