Scripture
Revelation 21:5
And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."
Observation
Jesus Christ, King of kings, Lord of lords, sits on the throne of God and says, "Look! See! Behold! I am making all things NEW!
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, 'Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become NEW!'
Write down what I am saying - for these words are faithful and true. Everything God says in His word is true - write it down, journal it, so you remember when things get tough - when situations come up that you don't understand, you can take God's word to heart. I can believe what God says because He is trustworthy.
Application
God says to me, "Embrace the New"
Isaiah 43:18-19 says, 'Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something NEW. Now it will spring forth, will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
Embrace the New. I am a new creature in Christ. Old things are gone. Don't look back at past failures or heartaches, mourning or grief - look forward. It's a NEW time, a NEW season. Embrace the New with joy and rejoicing, with faith and anticipation.
Prayer
"Father, I believe You
Jesus, I receive You
Holy Spirit, I now free You to create in me NEW life." A new way of thinking, a new way of loving You through prayer and praise, a new way of loving people by giving of myself and letting Your glory and power flow through me. I yield myself to You for this New Year of 2012. Help me to embrace all of the new and move forward knowing that what You have begun in me, You will complete. In Jesus Name, A-men.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Do you love Me?
Scripture
John 21:15-22
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Observation
Jesus asks Peter 3 times, "Do you love Me?" Feed my sheep, feed my lambs, take care of my sheep. Then Jesus told Peter the kind of death he would die and glorify God. Jesus said, "Follow me!" And Peter's response was, "Well what about John, what about him?" Jesus answers, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
Application
Well Lord, what about him or her? What about them Lord? What will happen to them? Will they love you and serve you all of their days? Will they fall away? What's going to happen to them, the ones I love and care about? How will they glorify You?
And Jesus says to me, "That's not for you to worry about or even to know, you just follow me and keep loving me by serving and loving people." I hear the Lord ask, "Do you love me? Follow me. Don't look to the left or to the right, do not be drawn away from the path I've set before you. . . follow Me."
Prayer
Father God, may my life glorify You. I want to follow You all the way! Help me to stay focused on the things You have called me to do. What's going on in the lives of others is Your business not mine.
In Jesus Name, A-men.
John 21:15-22
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Observation
Jesus asks Peter 3 times, "Do you love Me?" Feed my sheep, feed my lambs, take care of my sheep. Then Jesus told Peter the kind of death he would die and glorify God. Jesus said, "Follow me!" And Peter's response was, "Well what about John, what about him?" Jesus answers, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
Application
Well Lord, what about him or her? What about them Lord? What will happen to them? Will they love you and serve you all of their days? Will they fall away? What's going to happen to them, the ones I love and care about? How will they glorify You?
And Jesus says to me, "That's not for you to worry about or even to know, you just follow me and keep loving me by serving and loving people." I hear the Lord ask, "Do you love me? Follow me. Don't look to the left or to the right, do not be drawn away from the path I've set before you. . . follow Me."
Prayer
Father God, may my life glorify You. I want to follow You all the way! Help me to stay focused on the things You have called me to do. What's going on in the lives of others is Your business not mine.
In Jesus Name, A-men.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Keep Loving and Be Nice in Jesus Name
Scripture
1 Timothy 1:5
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Observation
The end result, our goal, from all the teachings, the hours and hours of instruction and training in God's Word - the bottom line is it's all about love from a pure heart - a clean heart, a teachable heart. Learning to love God and love people with a good conscience - with no evil intent or malice brooding. Finally, have faith - genuine, unfeigned - real faith in God.
Application
Keep loving even when . . . I'm hurt by others, and feel betrayed, rejected, and discouraged. Yes, forgiveness is showing love. So forgive as Christ has forgiven me. Yes Lord.
Keep my conscience clear of any evil plan to retaliate or seek revenge. Do good. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Yes, send them a Christmas card without any expectation of receiving a card back.
Keep my faith in God. Guard my heart. Keep believing that nothing is too difficult for God. Sow seeds of love, faith, hope, and joy in the Lord.
Prayer
O Father God, how I love Your Word! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I might have the power to love like You love - to forgive like You forgive. Help me keep my focus on You through life's situations and people challenges. Make me a sower of good seed to tell others what great things You have done for me. Help me keep loving and to be nice in Jesus Name. A-men.
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