"I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will declare all your wondrous deeds.
I will delight and rejoice in you;
I will sing hymns to your name, Most High." (Psalm 9: 2 - 3)
Thank you Jesus for renewing your favors day by day. Thank you for your promise of pardon, peace, power, purpose, protection, provision and presence. Thank you for that sacred space where your presence is tangible. I will declare your wondrous deeds and share the knowledge of your name among my brothers.
I will find my delight in you O Lord and you will give me my heart's desires. I will sing hymns to your Name for your Name is sweet and glorious.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Jesus Christ is our Teacher
"And every day Jesus was teaching in the temple area." (Luke 19: 47)
It is interesting to observe the work habit of Jesus in the Gospel. He is a relentless worker. Sometimes, He had no time to eat or rest. He worked so hard that when He got into a boat at the end of the workday, He slumped into a seat and fell soundly asleep. On one occasion, His relatives heard about how He worked for long hours without food or rest and became concerned about his mental health. But as hard as He worked, He was a most compassionate and selfless boss. He thought more of the welfare of His disciples than Himself.
"He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat." (Mark 6: 31)
It is interesting to observe the work habit of Jesus in the Gospel. He is a relentless worker. Sometimes, He had no time to eat or rest. He worked so hard that when He got into a boat at the end of the workday, He slumped into a seat and fell soundly asleep. On one occasion, His relatives heard about how He worked for long hours without food or rest and became concerned about his mental health. But as hard as He worked, He was a most compassionate and selfless boss. He thought more of the welfare of His disciples than Himself.
"He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat." (Mark 6: 31)
Thursday, November 21, 2013
You know what makes for peace
"If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes." (Luke 19: 42)
Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace tell me what it is that makes for peace. Or better still, give me the understanding and the power to do all that make for peace.
THE BEATITUDES
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5: 3 - 12)
This is what makes for peace of soul, heart and body and peace among men of goodwill.
"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13: 17)
Change happens not because of what you know but because of what you do daily.
Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace tell me what it is that makes for peace. Or better still, give me the understanding and the power to do all that make for peace.
THE BEATITUDES
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5: 3 - 12)
This is what makes for peace of soul, heart and body and peace among men of goodwill.
"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13: 17)
Change happens not because of what you know but because of what you do daily.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Ask the Father in My Name
"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you." (John 15: 16)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world,O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia.!" (Psalm 17: 50;21: 23)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world,O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia.!" (Psalm 17: 50;21: 23)
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
Fear is useless; what is needed is trust.
"But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14: 30 - 31)
How can we escape fear, worry and doubt?
When Peter saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened. Fear entered through his eyes. Fear, worry and doubt enter into us through our physical senses. The first order of business in combating fear, worry and doubt is to control our senses. The best defense in this case is offense. Make a habit of feeding your mind with God's word. Learn to pray constantly. An army who waits until the enemy is at the city gate to start ordering the weapon needed to defend the city has already lost the war.
One lesson I loaned as a boy scout will serve me well if I remember it always is: Be Prepared.
How can we escape fear,worry or doubt? Bring the fear, worry or doubt to Jesus in prayer. Remember His promises in scripture. Remember instances in your life when Christ has saved you in crisis. Trust Him completely and cry out desperately to Him to save you. He will. After Jesus has saved you, write down the experience in your journal. If you don't, you may forget it.
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14: 30 - 31)
How can we escape fear, worry and doubt?
When Peter saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened. Fear entered through his eyes. Fear, worry and doubt enter into us through our physical senses. The first order of business in combating fear, worry and doubt is to control our senses. The best defense in this case is offense. Make a habit of feeding your mind with God's word. Learn to pray constantly. An army who waits until the enemy is at the city gate to start ordering the weapon needed to defend the city has already lost the war.
One lesson I loaned as a boy scout will serve me well if I remember it always is: Be Prepared.
How can we escape fear,worry or doubt? Bring the fear, worry or doubt to Jesus in prayer. Remember His promises in scripture. Remember instances in your life when Christ has saved you in crisis. Trust Him completely and cry out desperately to Him to save you. He will. After Jesus has saved you, write down the experience in your journal. If you don't, you may forget it.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
God's excellent plan for us
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
How to know the plan?
Prayer and Discernment
Seekfirst.blogspot.com
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