"He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Luke 11: 28)
In this scripture verse, Jesus points to His mother as the perfect model of hearing the word of God and observing it. Mary burst into the New Testament by her reply to the incredible message of the angel that she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and become the mother of Jesus. She replied, "“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
When we hear God's word in scripture and reply like Mary, "Behold I am your servant O Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Jesus pronounces us blessed, very happy and to be envied.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
For Jesus or Against Jesus
"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (Luke 11: 23)
Dear Jesus, I am 100% for you. My desire is to gather with you. Help me by your grace never by thought, word or deed to scatter what you gather. I ask for this in your name Jesus. Amen!
Dear Jesus, I am 100% for you. My desire is to gather with you. Help me by your grace never by thought, word or deed to scatter what you gather. I ask for this in your name Jesus. Amen!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Ask, Seek and Knock
"“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Luke 11: 9)
- I believe in prayer
- I believe in the word of God
- I believe in miracle
- I leave the rest to God
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
Character of God - Gracious and Merciful
"He prayed to the LORD, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I fled at first toward Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, abounding in kindness, repenting of punishment." (Jonah 4: 2)
God our Father is gracious and merciful.
"Know that the LORD works wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD hears when I call out to him.
Tremble and sin no more;
weep bitterly within your hearts,
wail upon your beds,
Offer fitting sacrifices
and trust in the LORD." (Psalm 4: 4 - 7)
God our Father is gracious and merciful.
"Know that the LORD works wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD hears when I call out to him.
Tremble and sin no more;
weep bitterly within your hearts,
wail upon your beds,
Offer fitting sacrifices
and trust in the LORD." (Psalm 4: 4 - 7)
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
The Prioroty
"The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10: 41 - 42)
What are the many things we are anxious and worried about?
Health, family, money, job, homes, cars, computers, cell phones, food, future, etc. You can add to the list.
But Jesus says: "Only One Thing" is necessary! What is this One Thing? Clearly it cannot be from the above list. Or could it be fame? Or fortune? Or perhaps power? If it is fame, the Hollywood stars would have had it all. It is certainly not fortune because we know many millionaires who are miserable. Herod had all the power he wanted and was yet threatened by the announcement of the birth of Jesus the Christ.
So what is this One Thing? The One Thing is the Holy Spirit in us, our hope of glory.
The One Thing that is necessary
"The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10: 41 - 42)
What are the many things we are anxious and worried about?
Health, family, money, job, homes, cars, computers, cell phones, food, future, etc. You can add to the list.
But Jesus says: "Only One Thing" is necessary! What is this One Thing? Clearly it cannot be from the above list. Or could it be fame? Or fortune? Or perhaps power? If it is fame, the Hollywood stars would have had it all. It is certainly not fortune because we know many millionaires who are miserable. Herod had all the power he wanted and was yet threatened by the announcement of the birth of Jesus the Christ.
So what is this One Thing? The One Thing is the Holy Spirit in us, our hope of glory.
There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10: 41 - 42)
What are the many things we are anxious and worried about?
Health, family, money, job, homes, cars, computers, cell phones, food, future, etc. You can add to the list.
But Jesus says: "Only One Thing" is necessary! What is this One Thing? Clearly it cannot be from the above list. Or could it be fame? Or fortune? Or perhaps power? If it is fame, the Hollywood stars would have had it all. It is certainly not fortune because we know many millionaires who are miserable. Herod had all the power he wanted and was yet threatened by the announcement of the birth of Jesus the Christ.
So what is this One Thing? The One Thing is the Holy Spirit in us, our hope of glory.
Monday, October 07, 2013
Mercy is the essential attribute of God
"Jonah prayed to the LORD, his God, from the belly of the fish:
Out of my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me;
From the womb of Sheol I cried for help,
and you heard my voice." (Jonah 2: 2-3)
When Jonah found himself in great distress in the belly of the fish, he cried out to God in prayer. The Lord heard his cries and delivered him from the pit. This pattern repeats throughout scripture. It is the cycle of the 3 S: Sin, Suffering and Salvation. This pattern would be impossible but for the character of God. Mercy defines the heart of God. Scripture urges us to approach the throne of grace with confidence in order to obtain mercy at our times of need.
I can bear witness to this truth that at my times of need, when I cry out to God in prayer, He always answers with His merciful deliverance. Thank you Father for your merciful heart.
Out of my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me;
From the womb of Sheol I cried for help,
and you heard my voice." (Jonah 2: 2-3)
When Jonah found himself in great distress in the belly of the fish, he cried out to God in prayer. The Lord heard his cries and delivered him from the pit. This pattern repeats throughout scripture. It is the cycle of the 3 S: Sin, Suffering and Salvation. This pattern would be impossible but for the character of God. Mercy defines the heart of God. Scripture urges us to approach the throne of grace with confidence in order to obtain mercy at our times of need.
I can bear witness to this truth that at my times of need, when I cry out to God in prayer, He always answers with His merciful deliverance. Thank you Father for your merciful heart.
Sunday, October 06, 2013
The just one shall live by faith
Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write down the vision;
Make it plain upon tablets,
so that the one who reads it may run.
For the vision is a witness for the appointed time,
a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint.
If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late.
(Habakkuk 2: 2 - 3)
O Lord, remember this promise by which you gave me hope. I am encouraged to know that your word abides forever. Give your servant great patience as I wait for the fulfillment of your word.
Write down the vision;
Make it plain upon tablets,
so that the one who reads it may run.
For the vision is a witness for the appointed time,
a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint.
If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late.
(Habakkuk 2: 2 - 3)
O Lord, remember this promise by which you gave me hope. I am encouraged to know that your word abides forever. Give your servant great patience as I wait for the fulfillment of your word.