Scripture
Job 29:1-7
I long for the years gone by when God took care of me. When He lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness. When I was in my prime God's friendship was felt in my home. The Almighty was still with me . . . those were the days!
Observation
Job comforts himself with visions & memories of the past. Those were the days! Reminiscing about the good ole days when God took care of him, when He walked with God and was 'friends' with God. When his children were around him. Those were the days . . . Job longs for those days gone by. The days of former blessings, the days of favor and when everyone looked up to him. When he helped others and everyone listened to him. But now . . . things have changed.
Application
Looking back, remembering the former days can bring comfort but only fleeting. I remember Lot's wife who was warned not to look back. She did, and turned into a pillar of salt. I recall the Israelites complaining, wishing they were back in Egypt. They remembered only 'the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic', but what they did not remember was the slavery, the bondage, the blood, sweat, & tears, and the horrific murders of their newborn sons. They had forgotten their miraculous deliverance by God through Moses and only saw themselves as being stuck in the desert with only manna to eat.
There is a time to reflect and remember the past - we all do it. But what about today?
Today is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it! Today I will hear His voice! Today He will give me success! Today I will pray to the Lord! Today I will praise His Name! Give me this day, today, my daily bread . . . Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, TODAY, and forever!
Prayer
Father, let me see You today. Let me hear Your voice today. Let me long for You and not the former days where my memory will play tricks on me about days gone by. Help me let go of the past and appreciate and be thankful for the great things You have done for me. Keep my will, my eyes, and my mind set for following You and pressing on to the goal, forgetting what lies behind, and pressing onto to what lies ahead. In Jesus Name, A-men.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
No Obstacle too Difficult
Scripture
Mark 16:3-4
They were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.
Observation
On the way to the tomb Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome purchased burial spices to anoint the body of their beloved Jesus. They were talking about what they were going to do, and remembered that the grave was sealed! A very large and heavy stone had been placed at the entrance of the tomb. How would they roll away the stone? How would they access the body of Jesus to anoint Him with the spices?
"Uh, Mary, have you been working out and buffing up? Do you think you will be able to move the stone? Salome, what about you? Maybe all 3 of us together will budge it enough to slip into the tomb . . . did anyone bring a torch? It's probably dark in there. Oh, what are we going to do?"
But when they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone had already been rolled aside!
It's also interesting to me that Mary mother of James, Mary Magdalene, and Salome never did do what they intended to do - to anoint the body of Jesus. Instead they met an angel wearing a white robe telling them, "Don't be alarmed. You're looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. Well, He isn't here, He is risen from the dead! Look and see where they laid His body! Now, go and tell His disciples, including Peter, . . . " They had a new assignment, a new mission to 'go and tell.'
Application
Look up! Look to God! There is nothing too difficult for Him! He can remove any obstacle I face! I must set my heart's direction to seek the Lord no matter what difficulties I may encounter. Nothing can separate me from the love of God.
Prayer
Dear God, You know what I have need of even before I ask. You sometimes answer my prayers before I speak them. Nothing can keep me from full access to You Lord when I seek You with my whole heart. Keep me following You Lord, and looking to You. Thank You that there is no obstacle too great for You.
In Jesus Name, A-men.
Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Mark 16:3-4
They were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.
Observation
On the way to the tomb Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome purchased burial spices to anoint the body of their beloved Jesus. They were talking about what they were going to do, and remembered that the grave was sealed! A very large and heavy stone had been placed at the entrance of the tomb. How would they roll away the stone? How would they access the body of Jesus to anoint Him with the spices?
"Uh, Mary, have you been working out and buffing up? Do you think you will be able to move the stone? Salome, what about you? Maybe all 3 of us together will budge it enough to slip into the tomb . . . did anyone bring a torch? It's probably dark in there. Oh, what are we going to do?"
But when they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone had already been rolled aside!
It's also interesting to me that Mary mother of James, Mary Magdalene, and Salome never did do what they intended to do - to anoint the body of Jesus. Instead they met an angel wearing a white robe telling them, "Don't be alarmed. You're looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. Well, He isn't here, He is risen from the dead! Look and see where they laid His body! Now, go and tell His disciples, including Peter, . . . " They had a new assignment, a new mission to 'go and tell.'
Application
Look up! Look to God! There is nothing too difficult for Him! He can remove any obstacle I face! I must set my heart's direction to seek the Lord no matter what difficulties I may encounter. Nothing can separate me from the love of God.
Prayer
Dear God, You know what I have need of even before I ask. You sometimes answer my prayers before I speak them. Nothing can keep me from full access to You Lord when I seek You with my whole heart. Keep me following You Lord, and looking to You. Thank You that there is no obstacle too great for You.
In Jesus Name, A-men.
Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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