Luke 1:30-33
30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shallname Him Jesus.
32 "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." (NAS)
Christmas is about Jesus. Jesus is the Son born to the virgin Mary. He was God in human flesh. The good news of His birth was announced to Mary in the midst of her fear, questioning, and elation. How can it be that a simple virgin should have the child who would be the King of Israel and the King of the whole world?
Mary did not understand, but likely you don’t either. The miracle of miracles became reality, the God of the universe and creator of the world was to become a man and live on the earth. His kingdom would never come to the end, because His kingdom would be found in the hearts of people who by faith trust Him as Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
No wonder Mary pondered these things in her heart. During this Christmas season ponder in your heart that Jesus is able to establish His kingdom in you. Christmas after all is about Jesus.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Why Question #41
Difficult times have always been a cause for even God’s people to question and yearn for answers. Several times in Psalms King David asks the inevitable question, “Why?” The author of Habakkuk writes a whole book in the Bible asking, “God where are you?”
Israel had been captured by the Midianites and were again asking God, “…If the Lord is with us why then has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about?” Judges 6:13 (NLT)
This may be the question in your mind today. The answer to all these questions is simply that God is in ultimate control. No matter what we face God is always there.
Romans 11:36 (NLT) says it clearly, “For everything comes from Him, everything exists by His power, and is intended for His glory. To Him be the glory forevermore.” Our comfort, hope, and encouragement is found not in material things, governments, economics, anyone or anything else. Our hope is in the Lord.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Israel had been captured by the Midianites and were again asking God, “…If the Lord is with us why then has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about?” Judges 6:13 (NLT)
This may be the question in your mind today. The answer to all these questions is simply that God is in ultimate control. No matter what we face God is always there.
Romans 11:36 (NLT) says it clearly, “For everything comes from Him, everything exists by His power, and is intended for His glory. To Him be the glory forevermore.” Our comfort, hope, and encouragement is found not in material things, governments, economics, anyone or anything else. Our hope is in the Lord.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
My Pile of Stones #40
Joshua 4:6
6 "Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' (NAS)
What do these stones mean to you? What a question. Have you contemplated the meaning of that phrase to Israel? They had just crossed the Jordan River on dry ground during the time of a flood. They watched as the waters of the river stood still and mounded up as the two million or so Israelites crossed over on a dry river bed. They then erected a memorial to God and to the victory of the safe crossing by placing twelve stones in the middle of the river. The question lingering over the stones was, "What do these stones mean to you?" To Israel they meant a finality to forty years of wilderness wanderings. It meant freedom in the Promised Land. It meant God was faithful.
Do you have a pile of rocks somewhere? Not a literal pile, but a place where you watched God at work and took time to build a memorial. Why not find the middle of the river and build a memorial to God for yourself. It will be a ceaseless reminder that God was faithful to you in the past and that He will be there for you now and always.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
6 "Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' (NAS)
What do these stones mean to you? What a question. Have you contemplated the meaning of that phrase to Israel? They had just crossed the Jordan River on dry ground during the time of a flood. They watched as the waters of the river stood still and mounded up as the two million or so Israelites crossed over on a dry river bed. They then erected a memorial to God and to the victory of the safe crossing by placing twelve stones in the middle of the river. The question lingering over the stones was, "What do these stones mean to you?" To Israel they meant a finality to forty years of wilderness wanderings. It meant freedom in the Promised Land. It meant God was faithful.
Do you have a pile of rocks somewhere? Not a literal pile, but a place where you watched God at work and took time to build a memorial. Why not find the middle of the river and build a memorial to God for yourself. It will be a ceaseless reminder that God was faithful to you in the past and that He will be there for you now and always.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Overflowing Thankfulness #39
2 Corinthians 9:10-12, 15
10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;
11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (NAS)
Happy Thanksgiving!! You are probably celebrating today the wonderful “American Holiday of Feasting.” As you eat your turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie remember that God supplies all your needs. He does so for a reason. He gives to you in order that you may give to others. You not only meet the needs of people, but you bring an overflowing of thanksgiving to God.
You are bringing Thanksgiving to God by your love and words of encouragement to me and Sandy. We are indeed thankful for the opportunities we have had to minister across the United States and in Thailand and Canada. You made that possible. We are thankful to you and to God.
We are all most thankful for His indescribable gift that produces thanks from all His children. His greatest and indescribable gift was His Son Jesus Christ.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;
11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (NAS)
Happy Thanksgiving!! You are probably celebrating today the wonderful “American Holiday of Feasting.” As you eat your turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie remember that God supplies all your needs. He does so for a reason. He gives to you in order that you may give to others. You not only meet the needs of people, but you bring an overflowing of thanksgiving to God.
You are bringing Thanksgiving to God by your love and words of encouragement to me and Sandy. We are indeed thankful for the opportunities we have had to minister across the United States and in Thailand and Canada. You made that possible. We are thankful to you and to God.
We are all most thankful for His indescribable gift that produces thanks from all His children. His greatest and indescribable gift was His Son Jesus Christ.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
My Best Friend #38
John 15:12-13 "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (NAS)
Who is your best friend? How would you describe them? What makes them your best friend? Jesus describes friends in words of sacrifice and commitment. He also says that it is His command that we love one another. A friend is someone who loves you so much that they place your life ahead of their own.
Are you the kind of friend that is willing to sacrifice and place another person’s life ahead of your own? To have a friend and to be a friend is truly one of the greatest blessings in life.
Jesus was referring to Himself as He describes friendship in terms of laying down your life for someone else. He truly is our best friend. He laid down his life on the cross and died for our sins in order that we might have complete forgiveness. That is a true friend. Are you someone’s best friend? Do you have a best friend? Do you have Jesus in your life as your absolute best friend?
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Who is your best friend? How would you describe them? What makes them your best friend? Jesus describes friends in words of sacrifice and commitment. He also says that it is His command that we love one another. A friend is someone who loves you so much that they place your life ahead of their own.
Are you the kind of friend that is willing to sacrifice and place another person’s life ahead of your own? To have a friend and to be a friend is truly one of the greatest blessings in life.
Jesus was referring to Himself as He describes friendship in terms of laying down your life for someone else. He truly is our best friend. He laid down his life on the cross and died for our sins in order that we might have complete forgiveness. That is a true friend. Are you someone’s best friend? Do you have a best friend? Do you have Jesus in your life as your absolute best friend?
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Preparations Can Hurt #37
Hebrews 12:11
11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. (NAS)
Have you ever struggled to do just one more wind sprint, or one more pushup, or maybe one more mile, or maybe even one more Bible study, or sermon, or one more worship service, or witness to one more person and you think to yourself, “Why am I doing this?”
Every athlete who has trained to compete in the games has known the struggle of getting in shape, working on the basics, and constant discipline. As you discipline yourself in order to prepare for the game of life you will discover the discomfort that it brings. The writer of Hebrews calls it not joyful but sorrowful.
On the day of the race you will discover that although the discipline was difficult at the time it was worth it all. So it is in the Christian life. It may seem tough to be disciplined, but the results will bring meaningful purpose in your life.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. (NAS)
Have you ever struggled to do just one more wind sprint, or one more pushup, or maybe one more mile, or maybe even one more Bible study, or sermon, or one more worship service, or witness to one more person and you think to yourself, “Why am I doing this?”
Every athlete who has trained to compete in the games has known the struggle of getting in shape, working on the basics, and constant discipline. As you discipline yourself in order to prepare for the game of life you will discover the discomfort that it brings. The writer of Hebrews calls it not joyful but sorrowful.
On the day of the race you will discover that although the discipline was difficult at the time it was worth it all. So it is in the Christian life. It may seem tough to be disciplined, but the results will bring meaningful purpose in your life.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Confidence #36
Acts 18:9-11
9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;
10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city."
11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (NAS)
Has God ever spoken to you? You received great confidence when you get a word from the Lord? God is a revealing God and delights in giving to His children encouragement and hope. The Apostle Paul was used to being afraid of what was coming next from those to whom he ministered. He never knew if it would be a receptive ear or a beating and imprisonment. So when God gave him the word to not be afraid but to continue his ministry Paul was renewed in his mission.
From time to time God gives us very clear instructions from His word and from the Holy Spirit. You are energized, encouraged and receive great strength from knowing God’s direction. Stay focused on the scripture. Read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and then apply it to your life situations.
Paul’s normal length of stay was from a few days to maybe a few months, but this time he stayed a year and six months making disciples by teaching the word. Confidence to do ministry comes as God gives assurance that He is in charge and His word is true. You can gain true confidence by receiving God’s word for your life.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;
10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city."
11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (NAS)
Has God ever spoken to you? You received great confidence when you get a word from the Lord? God is a revealing God and delights in giving to His children encouragement and hope. The Apostle Paul was used to being afraid of what was coming next from those to whom he ministered. He never knew if it would be a receptive ear or a beating and imprisonment. So when God gave him the word to not be afraid but to continue his ministry Paul was renewed in his mission.
From time to time God gives us very clear instructions from His word and from the Holy Spirit. You are energized, encouraged and receive great strength from knowing God’s direction. Stay focused on the scripture. Read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and then apply it to your life situations.
Paul’s normal length of stay was from a few days to maybe a few months, but this time he stayed a year and six months making disciples by teaching the word. Confidence to do ministry comes as God gives assurance that He is in charge and His word is true. You can gain true confidence by receiving God’s word for your life.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
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