God, Help me trust You to do what You have already done. You have made
ways for me when there were no ways. You have defeated enemies that
were unconquerable. You have stood for me when I couldn't stand for
myself. You have loved me and believed in me when I didn't love or
believe in myself. And You will always do those things. Help me
believe in You like You believe in me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
From Paul
I wrote a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be in
charge, will not recognize our authority. (3 Jn 1:9 ISV)
Prayer: LORD, some people love to be in charge and enjoy having
authority over others. When I encounter such a one, help me avoid
being drawn into a conflict with them. I need Your acceptance, but
the acceptance of others is optional. If someone rejects me, help me
just move on and allow you deal with them as You see fit. In Jesus'
name, Amen.
charge, will not recognize our authority. (3 Jn 1:9 ISV)
Prayer: LORD, some people love to be in charge and enjoy having
authority over others. When I encounter such a one, help me avoid
being drawn into a conflict with them. I need Your acceptance, but
the acceptance of others is optional. If someone rejects me, help me
just move on and allow you deal with them as You see fit. In Jesus'
name, Amen.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
10 Ways to Tell You're Slipping
It's surprising how God's people awaken one day and suddenly realize they have fallen away from the closeness they used to enjoy with the Lord. The signs have been there all along, but they were not paying attention.
Here are some tests for spotting signs of slippage in our walk with the Lord, evidence that we're losing the intimacy with Him that should mean so much in our personal life.
10. You know you're slipping when the big thing you look forward to on a Sunday is a football game.
9. You know you're slipping when reading the Bible no longer excites you, angers you, or challenges you.
8. You know you're slipping when you finally get up off the couch and get involved in some ministry the Lord has been laying on your heart and the first thing you do is start criticizing all the other couch potatoes who are only doing the same thing you have been doing all this time.
7. You know you're slipping when, after slacking off in your tithing over the past year, instead of feeling guilty, you find yourself criticizing the regular tithers for their self-righteous and legalistic attitudes.
6. You know you're slipping when you can read the Ten Commandments and give yourself a passing grade on all of them.
5. You know you're slipping when you can go a whole day without praying and it not bother you one bit.
4. You know you're slipping when you can have a dirty thought and justify it as "what normal humans do."
3. You know you're slipping when you feel a nudging from the Holy Spirit to speak to that person or give to this one or make a phone call to another and you squelch it.
2. You know you're slipping when you decide to reward yourself for doing well by skipping your Bible reading and prayer for that day.
1. You know you're really, really slipping when the problem of slipping doesn't cause you great concern.
Here are some tests for spotting signs of slippage in our walk with the Lord, evidence that we're losing the intimacy with Him that should mean so much in our personal life.
10. You know you're slipping when the big thing you look forward to on a Sunday is a football game.
9. You know you're slipping when reading the Bible no longer excites you, angers you, or challenges you.
8. You know you're slipping when you finally get up off the couch and get involved in some ministry the Lord has been laying on your heart and the first thing you do is start criticizing all the other couch potatoes who are only doing the same thing you have been doing all this time.
7. You know you're slipping when, after slacking off in your tithing over the past year, instead of feeling guilty, you find yourself criticizing the regular tithers for their self-righteous and legalistic attitudes.
6. You know you're slipping when you can read the Ten Commandments and give yourself a passing grade on all of them.
5. You know you're slipping when you can go a whole day without praying and it not bother you one bit.
4. You know you're slipping when you can have a dirty thought and justify it as "what normal humans do."
3. You know you're slipping when you feel a nudging from the Holy Spirit to speak to that person or give to this one or make a phone call to another and you squelch it.
2. You know you're slipping when you decide to reward yourself for doing well by skipping your Bible reading and prayer for that day.
1. You know you're really, really slipping when the problem of slipping doesn't cause you great concern.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
min-message from April 12. 2011
Let a man go to a psychiatrist and what does he become? An adjusted sinner.
Let a man go to a physician and what does he become? A healthy sinner.
Let a man achieve wealth and what does he become? A wealthy sinner.
Let a man join a church, sign a card, and turn over a new leaf and what does he become? A religious sinner.
But let him go in sincere repentance and faith to the foot of Calvary's cross, and what does he become? A new creature in Jesus Christ, forgiven, reconciled, with meaning and purpose in his life and on the way to marvelous fulfillment in God's will.
Let a man go to a physician and what does he become? A healthy sinner.
Let a man achieve wealth and what does he become? A wealthy sinner.
Let a man join a church, sign a card, and turn over a new leaf and what does he become? A religious sinner.
But let him go in sincere repentance and faith to the foot of Calvary's cross, and what does he become? A new creature in Jesus Christ, forgiven, reconciled, with meaning and purpose in his life and on the way to marvelous fulfillment in God's will.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Facing Decisions
Prayer: LORD, when I am facing important decisions or tasks, help me
remember to pray first. And in the absence of specific direction
from You, help me use sound judgment and wisdom. I trust You to
correct my path if I am taking a wrong turn. Thank You for putting
me in the right place, at the right time, in front of the right
people. In Jesus' name, Amen.
remember to pray first. And in the absence of specific direction
from You, help me use sound judgment and wisdom. I trust You to
correct my path if I am taking a wrong turn. Thank You for putting
me in the right place, at the right time, in front of the right
people. In Jesus' name, Amen.
No Excuse for Hating Others
If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates another brother or sister is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness. 1 John 2:9-11 NLT
Prayer: LORD, it must grieve You to hear all the excuses people make
for hating others. There is no excuse, and anyone who tries to
justify it has just announced that they are not surrendered to You.
Help me learn to love You first, with all my heart. Then, help me
apply that same love to others, as You do. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Prayer: LORD, it must grieve You to hear all the excuses people make
for hating others. There is no excuse, and anyone who tries to
justify it has just announced that they are not surrendered to You.
Help me learn to love You first, with all my heart. Then, help me
apply that same love to others, as You do. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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