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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Power



Power! We like that concept. When it is godly power, might does make right because godly power is accompanied by love and self-discipline. These three together make a person's life effective, constructive, and corrective. Live life to its fullest: not as a closet Christian afraid of standing true and firm, but one who lives by God's power, shares God's love, and displays God's virtues.



God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.


— 2 Timothy 1:7



Dear Lord you are without compare in your majesty and might. We have no right to come into your presence and yet you have invited us here by your love and your grace. You are our Rock, our Fortress, and our Strength. We depend upon your guidance and your mercy to sustain us through our storms and help us when we stumble. Holy God, you are without compare and we worship you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Talk is Cheap



"Talk is cheap!" "You can tell me with your words, but I'll show it with my life." "Put your life where your mouth is." We know the slogans; now let's love in truth. In a world where barter has replaced sacrificial and steadfast love, let's go against the grain and truly love in our words and actions.



Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.


— 1 John 3:18


Dear Lord, we confess to you that at times we are selfish. Other times our intentions are good but our follow through and faithfulness are lacking. Use your Spirit to empower and enable us to be what we hope to become to your glory. May your love be seen in our actions of genuine concern today. In Jesus name. Amen

Friday, February 26, 2010

Love is an Action

Love is an action. The Bible stresses this truth again and again. Love must not only be spoken, it must also be shown. The beginning of love is God. He showed his love in the most sacrificial of ways so we could know our incredible value to him. The price of our adoption was the emptying of heaven of its greatest treasure, God the Son, who is our Savior.



This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.


— 1 John 4:9



Dear Lord, thank you for adopting us into your family. We can never thank you enough or repay you for your kindness, but please receive the service of our life as our ongoing thanksgiving for your grace and our small way of trying to share the love you have given us. In Jesus name, Amen

Thursday, February 25, 2010

The First and Greatest Commandment



Some things are just not very complicated. Living for Jesus can be boiled down to two principles: love God with everything I am and have and love others and treat them like I would like to be treated. Not too hard to understand. I guess it's the living it that is the challenge!



Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.


— Matthew 22:37-39



Dear Lord, please accept the work of our hands, the words of our mouth, the moments of our rest, and the love of our heart as our worship to you this day. We pray that these are pleasing and refreshing to you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

God Is Love



It's all very simple. God is love. He is love's origin, example, and architect. I love because he loved me first. I know how to love because he has demonstrated it. I can love because he made me in his likeness and to share his character. He is the fountain, the motivation, and the pinnacle of love. I love because he does, first, last, and always.



We love because [God] first loved us.


— 1 John 4:19



Dear Lord, thank you for comforting us with your love. Just as a child learns from parents how to do so many things, we want to learn to love as you do: sacrificially, selflessly, and submissively so that others may know that they do not have to earn your love, only receive it. In Jesus name. Amen.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

We Are Rich






Of all things to be rich in, I cannot think of anything I'd prefer the Holy God to be rich in than mercy. I know my failures, shortcomings, sins, and transgressions. Without his mercy, to pardon again, and without his grace to send Jesus to pardon at first, I would be lost and without God. Now, because of his rich mercy, my life is tied to Jesus' future and not the one I earned for myself.





Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved.



— Ephesians 2:4-5





Dear Lord. Thank you for being God like you are God. Thank you for extending grace when we have not deserved it. Thank you for giving mercy when we most needed it. Thank you for giving life when we thought our life was doomed and hopeless. May our wealth be in mercy and grace much more than money and gold. Help us be more like you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Monday, February 22, 2010

We Don't Have to Fear



What is there to fear since God sent his Son to die to redeem us? What is there to fear since we cannot be separated from the love God has for us in Christ Jesus? What is there to fear except ourselves, and God has poured his Spirit into our hearts to reassure us and strengthen us in our weakness! As we love God and his children, we are reminded of his love for us which is far better than our meager love for others. Rather than run from him in fear, we bow before him in thanks knowing that he who hears our prayers is also he who loves us and yearns to calm our fears.



There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.


— 1 John 4:18



Dear Lord thank you that we can reverence you without fearing your wrath. Thank you that we can revere your word and yet not be terrified with my short comings. May your love in us produce a closer likeness to your holiness, righteousness, justice and mercy than all the laws, threats, and judges combined. In Jesus name, Amen.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself



Wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to have laws to keep people in line! That's the point behind Paul's message here. Treat our neighbors like we would like to be treated. Love them as we like to be loved. If we do that, then we're not going to do anything that would hurt them, much less violate a command of law!



The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.


— Romans 13:9-10



Dear Lord, please write your character and will on our hearts that we might be a living example, testifying to your righteousness and grace. Help us to think more carefully about how our neighbors feel before we act or react to them -- not just today, but every day! In Jesus name, Amen.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Gossiping is Not Harmless



"It's just a little harmless gossip." Jesus reminds us that gossip is neither little or harmless. Its consequences are huge and its damage horrible. Instead, it is much better to be a peacemaker and an offense mender.



He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.


— Proverbs 17:9



Dear Lord, we confess that we are often more a peace lover than a peacemaker. Give us the character not to repeat gossip and instead have the wisdom and strength to be an offense mender. In Jesus name. Amen.

Friday, February 19, 2010

God's Complete Love

Can you imagine what an honor it is to have the Creator of the universe, the Lord God Almighty, living inside of you! But when we love each other, that is exactly what happens. When our hearts are full of love, there is room for God. When they are not full of love, we leave God little room to take up residence and produce his character in us. Let God complete his love in you. Make a commitment to do loving things for others today!




Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.


— 1 John 4:11-12



Dear Lord, it is so comforting to know that you are not far away - that we live in you and you live in us. Help us see others with your eyes and respond to their needs with your heart so that your love may be complete in us. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Separation



Separation is something we fear whether it's separation from a child, a parent, a sibling, a spouse, a friend, or from God. Jesus endured separation from God by becoming a human and by going to the cross. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we can know we won't have to ever be separated from God's love. He bore the separation so we would never have to fear it!



I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord.


— Romans 8:38-39



Dear Lord thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving us the promise that nothing can separate us from your love. Make us more aware of your accompanying presence in our life. In Jesus name. Amen

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

We Win

Gold Medal, Silver Medal, Bronze Medal, Conquerors! We win!! When you open up the final book of the Bible, Revelation, that is the message - Christians win because Jesus is the one true conqueror. No matter how the battle is going for you right now, remember that in the end, we win!


Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.


— Romans 8:35-37



Dear Lord, thank you for securing the ultimate victory for us by raising Jesus from the dead. We know He is coming with victory on the day you have determined, but we pray that we may live victoriously for you until that day. In Jesus name, Amen

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The Motivation of Love



Without the motivation and expression of love, all "Christian" activities are more "activity" than Christian. Love is the expression of Christ's character and presence in our lives through deeds done for others. So don't get lost in the annual trip down sentimental lane. Too many of us forget the needed daily dose of love that so often gets lost in the grit of day-to-day relationships. Let's be loving year round and thus show ourselves to be Jesus' disciples.



If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.


— 1 Corinthians 13:1-3



Dear Lord, thank you so much for your demonstration of love in Jesus. Help us to love as He did - selflessly, sacrificially, and consistently so others may know of your love through our actions. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Monday, February 15, 2010

SFGTD (Something For God To Do)



To: YOU


Date: TODAY


From: GOD


Subject: YOURSELF


Reference: LIFE





Dear Child,

This is God. Today I will be handling all of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So, have a nice day.

I love you... And, remember... If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now. Should you decide to send this to a friend; thank you. You may have touched their


Life in ways you will never know!



Now, you have a nice day.



Love,



God



Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall.


-Psalm 55:22



Dear Lord we pray that as you take care of us tha twe will not try to handle things on our own. We pray that we will completley trust you and had ALL our cares over to you to handle. In Jesus Name, Amen


Saturday, February 13, 2010

God's Love



Did you know the Bible doesn't just say, "God loves you." Now don't let that confuse you. Scripture does tell us many times that God loves us. However, don't miss the important truth here. Each time Scripture tell us that God loves us, it also demonstrates that love as well. God's love is more than emotion and intention. God's love is demonstrated. God loved us so much he didn't just say, "I love you." God showed his by sending and sacrificing his Son to give us his incomparable love! We never have to doubt that God means what he says. He has backed up his promises of love with his actions.



For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.


— John 3:16



Dear Lord, thank you for loving us. Thank you for both saying it and showing it. Please know, dear Father, we love you, too! Accept our words and actions today as a testimony to our love. In Jesus name. Amen.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Always Love

Always love - pretty tall order and pretty tough stuff. Only God is always. But then Christians are fueled to an always love through the Holy Spirit! Elsewhere, Paul tells us that "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Rom. 5:5) No wonder this love is always -- it is God's love, demonstrated by Jesus' sacrifice, and delivered by the Holy Spirit!



Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.


— 1 Corinthians 13:6-7



Dear Lord, We humble ourself before you recognizing your boundless power to love, the incredible need for love in the lives of those around us, and our limited ability to love. Please pour your Holy Spirit into our heart and fill us with the power to love as you do. In Jesus' sweet name I pray. Amen.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

God Has a Purpose For You



God has a purpose for you,
You may not know what it is right now
But He has something He wants you to do
And God is the Master, and how,

When things look dreary and life's full of worries,
Remember God created you,
He has a purpose for you to be on earth,
He loves you dearly too,

God would never ask of you
To do things that would make you sad,
To make you worry needlessly
God wants you to be glad,

So when the darkness of worry and despair
Comes into your life for a while,
Remember God's radiant Light
Will Light up your life with a smile

Trust God, Keep your Faith in God,
He certainly won't let you down,
God knows your needs and your wants,
And He will wipe away your frown.



Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19, 20



Dear Lord, We pray that our eyes would always be open to the purpose you have for us. We pray thatwhen we see those around us that need your love that we would share it with them. In Jesus name, Amen

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Thoughtful



(T)hinking


(H)elping


(O)thers


(U)nderstand


(G)od's


(H)eart


(T)oday


(F)or


(U)nity


(L)ove (This was used with permission from a friend from Moody Bible Insitute, Thanks Don)


Help a neighbor,
baby sit for a single parent or young couple,
take a kid to a sporting event,
coach a team,
volunteer at your local soup kitchen,
donate to your favorite charity,
send a package to our armed services serving overseas,
lead a support group,
foster or adopt a child in need,
give someone a hug or needed word of encouragement,
or simply put your cart away at the grocery store.


Here are just a few things we can do to be THOUGHTFUL and showGod’s love to those we come into contact each day.



And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.


- Hebrews 10:24



Dear Lord we pray that we wil be thoughtful each and every day. We pray that our eyes will be open to the opportunities around us to show and share your love. In Jesus name, Amen

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Thank God For His Love



"Increase my faith, O, Lord." "Increase my strength." "Increase my wisdom." We often pray for these things, but when is the last time you thanked God for your love increasing? Can you think of anything more exciting to say about your church than to say, "The love every one of you has for each other is increasing!" Let's pray and act to make it so!



We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.


— 2 Thessalonians 1:3



Dear Lord, may your love so fill us that we can fully share love with those we meet each day. May this love grow and increase in us so that others may readily see its benefits and recognize that it is a direct response to the great love you have shared with us. In Jesus name, Amen.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Who Is Jesus?



Today’s verse is actually a list of verses I found that describe Jesus. I found it very interstingand hope you do also. Our Jesus is everything to everybody.



To the artist, He is the one altogether lovely - Song of Solomon 5:15

To the architect, He is the chief cornerstone - I Peter 2:6

To the astronomer, He is the sun of righteousness - Malachi 4:2

To the baker, He is the bread of life - John 6:35

To the banker, He is the hidden treasure - Matthew 13:44

To the builder, He is the sure foundation - Isaiah 28:16

To the carpenter, He is the door - John 10:7

To the doctor, He is the great physician - Jeremiah 8:22

To the educator, He is the great teacher - John 3:2

To the engineer, He is the new and living way - Hebrews 10:20

To the farmer, He is the sower and Lord of harvest - Luke 10:2

To the florist, He is the rose of Sharon - Song of Solomon 2:1

To the geologist, He is the rock of ages - I Corinthians 10:4

To the horticulturist, He is the true vine - John 15:1

To the judge, He is the only righteous judge of man - II Timothy 4:8

To the juror, He is the faithful and true witness - Revelation 3:14

To the jeweler, He is the pearl of great price - Matthew 13:46

To the lawyer, He is counselor, lawgiver, and true advocate - Isaiah 9:6

To the newspaper man, He is tidings of great joy - Luke 2:10

To the oculist, He is the light of the eyes - Proverbs 29:13

To the philanthropist, He is the unspeakable gift - II Corinthians 9:15

To the philosopher, He is the wisdom of God - I Corinthians 1:24

To the preacher, He is the Word of God - Revelation 19:13

To the sculptor, He is the living stone - 1 Peter 2:4

To the servant, He is the good master - Matthew 23:8-10

To the student, He is the incarnate truth - 1 John 5:6

To the theologian, He is the author and finisher of our faith - Hebrews 12:2

To the toiler, He is the giver of rest - Matthew 11:28

To the sinner, He is the Lamb of God who takes the sin away - John 1:29



Dear Lord we thank you for being just who we need. We ask that you would help us share that with all we meet. In Jesus name, Amen

Sunday, February 7, 2010

We Must Hate Evil



Hate -- what a bold and powerful word. We must not hate people. We must hate evil. Tough combination to pull off, but absolutely vital. Evil is here because of the Evil One -- the champion of hate, lies and death. So when evil rears its ugly head, let's be courageous and oppose Satan and his work. In the process, let's pray for those trapped in its tentacles, even if they consider us enemies.



Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.


— Psalm 97:10



Dear Lord, make our hearts pained by the evil in our world. Give us a holy hate to things opposed to your will and character. Yet Father, just as you redeemed us by grace, and rescued us while a captive to sin, give us courage to care about those who are in the Evil One's embrace. In Jesus Name, Amen

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Pursuing Righteousness



Isn't it funny that when we set off to find happiness or joy or significance or meaning, we seldom find it? Instead, when we offer to serve others and give ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord and his work, it is then that we find what we most need.



He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.


— Proverbs 21:21



Dear Lord, we ask today that you give us a chance to serve you and others in a way which shows your kingdom and its glory. If in the process you choose to meet the needs in our own hearts, then we will thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Friday, February 5, 2010

God is Faithful




God is faithful. We can trust his promises to be kept and his purposes to be good. How do we know? The sunrise each morning is a reminder that the Father of heaven and earth is at work keeping his universe in working order. If it is true in nature, it is true in the spiritual realm as well. Greet each sunrise as a reminder of God's faithfulness.





The word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.



— Psalm 33:4-5





Dear Lord We want to thank you for your faithfulness. Each day the sun rises we anticipate the day you honor your promise to send your Son back to bring us home to you. Give us a keen sense today of your faithful presence. In Jesus name. Amen.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Telling God We Love Him



We sing it and we say it in our public prayers: "Father, God, we love you." But notice very carefully the beginning phrase of our verse. "I love you, O Lord..." Even in public, community worship, we are taught the importance of a personal expression of love to God. When is the last time you told the Creator of the universe, "I love you!"



I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.


— Psalm 18:1-2



Dear Lord, we love you. We love you because you are more than worthy of our love. We love you because you have first loved us. We love you because you sent your son to be our big brother and pay the price for our adoption into your family. We love you because of your faithfulness. We love you because you have permitted us in your grace to love you. In name Jesus name, Amen.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

He is Our Fortress



So many things in our lives can be stolen away by natural disasters, aging, and death. This was really brought to my attention this past month. Laying in the ER and having a doctor come in and say “your liver and kdneys and in failure and you have the signs of conjestive heart failure. It really puts in to perspective how fleeting life can be. We need to learn to turst God with everything and rest in the peace that that brings. Satan could be appropriately called "The Thief of Always." But God is immovable and "unstealable"! We can invest ourselves in him and know our spirits are secure in his care. He is a fortress and a refuge.



I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

— Psalm 59:16



Dear Lord, thank you for being unchangeable and faithful. Thank you for being the source of security and future in a day of chaos and change. Thank you for being God. You are our God and in you we place my life, our hopes, and our future. May you be glorified in us today. In Jesus name, Amen.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Looking Forward to His Return



Many of the things we look forward to and dream about are much less glorious in real life than they are in our imaginations. There is one event, however, that is better than we can imagine and beyond our wildest dreams. When Jesus returns to take us home to be with our Father, it will be far better than we can ask, imagine, dream or think.


As it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."

— 1 Corinthians 2:9



Dear Lord, thank you for knowing us before time began. Thank you for crafting us in my mother's womb. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the price for our sins. And thank you in advance for the day Jesus comes to take us home to be with you forever. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Monday, February 1, 2010

A.S.A.P.



Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.


There's work to do, deadlines to meet;
you’ve got no time to spare,
but as you hurry and scurry-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos,
"Quality time" is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.


It may seem like your worries
are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER


God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
and He'll respond to all your needs
A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.



Pray without ceasing


-1 Thessalonians 5:17



Dear Lord we come before you praiseing you that you are always there. As we go through each day help us remember to always come to you knowing you are always listening to our prayers. In Jesus name, Amen