S- “Paul, an apostle- sent not from men not by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.” Galatians 1.1
O- As I did my reading today in the book of Galatians, I was struck by the opening line of the letter. Paul was sent by Jesus Christ, not by men nor by man. What a powerful statement that Paul makes. Paul recognized who he served, who equipped him, and who sent him into the world. Paul “was on a mission from God!” And God sent him.
A- So often, I am overwhelmed and struggle to make headway in life. With 5 children and 1 on the way (by the way- I know the gender), life is very busy. I need to remember that it is Jesus Christ who has sent me into the world. Just like Paul, I, too, am on a mission from God. And God is sending me!
P- Lord Jesus, thank you for considering me to be a part of your plan in this world. Thank you for sending me to Lake Mills and the surrounding communities. I pray that I will fulfill your mission faithfully and honorably. Amen
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Do I really have to go through this?
S- Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us
O- We all suffer. It’s part of life, almost as if it were a thread woven into the fabric of life. I hate pain and suffering. Come to think about it, who does enjoy “good suffering”? Suffering is the building of hope. Suffering is the 1st stage of the process of growing. Suffering equals perseverance, which equals character, which equals HOPE. Suffering doesn’t jump to Hope. Character doesn’t produce perseverance. Once must go through the process. One must go through Good Friday to get to the resurrection of Easter. And Easter is Hope.
A- In times of suffering, I must remember that I am on a journey with Christ.
P- Father God, thank you for Jesus suffering. Through Jesus’ suffering, there is Hope for me. Amen.
O- We all suffer. It’s part of life, almost as if it were a thread woven into the fabric of life. I hate pain and suffering. Come to think about it, who does enjoy “good suffering”? Suffering is the building of hope. Suffering is the 1st stage of the process of growing. Suffering equals perseverance, which equals character, which equals HOPE. Suffering doesn’t jump to Hope. Character doesn’t produce perseverance. Once must go through the process. One must go through Good Friday to get to the resurrection of Easter. And Easter is Hope.
A- In times of suffering, I must remember that I am on a journey with Christ.
P- Father God, thank you for Jesus suffering. Through Jesus’ suffering, there is Hope for me. Amen.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
It boils down to Faith
S- “And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. Romans 3.22-24 (Message)
O- Righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ. So often we think that we have to earn our way into heaven. That our salvation is up to how we perform. This probably comes from our competitive world where everyone is striving to be better than the next person. All of us have sinned. Everyone is on equal ground with God. Money and status don’t matter. Labels and titles don’t matter. All that matters is our faith in Jesus Christ.
A- So often, I let my human pride and earthly success (as little as it is) get in the way of how I view people. I need to remember that I am the same as everyone else. Faith is the key, not earthly things.
P- King Jesus, thank you for allowing me to have faith in you. Thank you for stripping me of my human pride and making me whole through the blood of the cross. Amen
O- Righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ. So often we think that we have to earn our way into heaven. That our salvation is up to how we perform. This probably comes from our competitive world where everyone is striving to be better than the next person. All of us have sinned. Everyone is on equal ground with God. Money and status don’t matter. Labels and titles don’t matter. All that matters is our faith in Jesus Christ.
A- So often, I let my human pride and earthly success (as little as it is) get in the way of how I view people. I need to remember that I am the same as everyone else. Faith is the key, not earthly things.
P- King Jesus, thank you for allowing me to have faith in you. Thank you for stripping me of my human pride and making me whole through the blood of the cross. Amen
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Christ the Filter
S- "But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation." Colossians 1.22 (NIV)
O- I think it's amazing what Jesus Christ has done for me. So often, I feel unworthy of His love and grace. And yet, love and grace are offered to me each day. If Christ didn't die on the cross for my sins, God would not be able to look at me. Since God is Holy, He couldn't look at me because my sin prevented it. Because Jesus did take my sin away through the cross, God now looks at me through Christ. Christ is the filter that removes my sin so God can look at me.
A- I need to recognize that Christ is the filter for everyone, not just me. His death on the cross covers everyone. If God continues to love and show grace to everyone, so should I.
P- Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice for me. Thank you for being my filter and allowing me to have a better relationship with my Creator. Amen.
O- I think it's amazing what Jesus Christ has done for me. So often, I feel unworthy of His love and grace. And yet, love and grace are offered to me each day. If Christ didn't die on the cross for my sins, God would not be able to look at me. Since God is Holy, He couldn't look at me because my sin prevented it. Because Jesus did take my sin away through the cross, God now looks at me through Christ. Christ is the filter that removes my sin so God can look at me.
A- I need to recognize that Christ is the filter for everyone, not just me. His death on the cross covers everyone. If God continues to love and show grace to everyone, so should I.
P- Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice for me. Thank you for being my filter and allowing me to have a better relationship with my Creator. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
