Ephesians 6:11, 16-18(abbreviated)
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. …take up the shield of faith …Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests… be alert and always keep on praying ... (NIV)
Everyday holds some type of temptation. I have a tough time turning away from chocolate, cookies and mindless TV. Some of our temptations seem small (like chocolate) while others eat into us and can potentially destroy us. Even when we think we’ve overcome them, they creep back in to snatch away our peace and draw us away from God.
But, what I love about our Lord is that he gives us protection and direction. He offers us his armor. Imagine walking around in a metal suit like a knight. They must have developed muscles that helped them carry all that extra weight. For us, we can exercise our spiritual muscles to defend against the temptations that aim for our heart.
Protect yourself with God's armor.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Listen
Psalm 46: 10-11 10
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
I don’t know if it is just me, but it seems like noise abounds everywhere. The other day I sat and waited in a doctor’s office (with people who feel ill, have headaches, -you get the idea) and not one, but two televisions blasted from the wall. At work the noise of machines drones all day. In our lunch area we can barely hear each other talk with the AVAC system running.
With all this noise, how can I hear God. Finding a place to be still and listen is a challenge.
Yesterday evening Tim and I drove to the local lake to walk our dog. Aside from a few cars driving down a nearby road, the quiet echoed. We could hear the birds singing, the fish popping to the surface and the stillness of God’s nature. In a world of noise, find a quiet place to listen. Maybe on your porch, in the woods, in your living room with all the electronics turned off. God wants to talk to you, be still and listen.
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
I don’t know if it is just me, but it seems like noise abounds everywhere. The other day I sat and waited in a doctor’s office (with people who feel ill, have headaches, -you get the idea) and not one, but two televisions blasted from the wall. At work the noise of machines drones all day. In our lunch area we can barely hear each other talk with the AVAC system running.
With all this noise, how can I hear God. Finding a place to be still and listen is a challenge.
Yesterday evening Tim and I drove to the local lake to walk our dog. Aside from a few cars driving down a nearby road, the quiet echoed. We could hear the birds singing, the fish popping to the surface and the stillness of God’s nature. In a world of noise, find a quiet place to listen. Maybe on your porch, in the woods, in your living room with all the electronics turned off. God wants to talk to you, be still and listen.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Resurrection
John 11:25-27
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
Acts 4:32-33
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.
In the tomb God gently blew life back into Jesus crucified body, displaying his love for his son and for us. I love the response of Jesus followers in John 11 and Acts 4. Martha proclaimed her love for Jesus as he lived on earth and the apostles proclaimed their love for Jesus as he lives in heaven. Through Jesus' resurrection everyone of us can receive the gift of life and freedom in Christ and proclaim his glory. I pray this Easter season brings you many blessings through our Lord and Savior.
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
Acts 4:32-33
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.
In the tomb God gently blew life back into Jesus crucified body, displaying his love for his son and for us. I love the response of Jesus followers in John 11 and Acts 4. Martha proclaimed her love for Jesus as he lived on earth and the apostles proclaimed their love for Jesus as he lives in heaven. Through Jesus' resurrection everyone of us can receive the gift of life and freedom in Christ and proclaim his glory. I pray this Easter season brings you many blessings through our Lord and Savior.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Easter Sunday
This Sunday, April 12, 2009, we celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the grave of death. At this point (Wednesday) in Christ's week he knew what was coming. The plan rolled out in front of him that had been set up in the Old Testament. It was time. He knew but he didn't run away, whine, or disappear. He followed through, he prayed to his Father and moved forward.
Praise God for the courage of Jesus and his absolute love for us. Do we deserve the sacrifice of Christ on the cross? No, yet Christ says through grace we are saved. Through his actions we are saved.
Praise God for the resurrection and the joy of the Easter season!
Praise God for the courage of Jesus and his absolute love for us. Do we deserve the sacrifice of Christ on the cross? No, yet Christ says through grace we are saved. Through his actions we are saved.
Praise God for the resurrection and the joy of the Easter season!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Turtle
If you wonder why I have a picture of a sea turtle as my profile picture, it is because I find him a fascinating creation of God. I first met this turtle at the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky. I think I could watch him swim all day. He glides through the water with such ease and he is so big! I love all that God has created, except maybe spiders and I'm not too fond of snakes.
When I chose the photo of the turtle, I realized his confidence far outweighs mine and hope he is a reminder to me to look to God for my strength and wisdom. Besides I think he's kind of cute :)
When I chose the photo of the turtle, I realized his confidence far outweighs mine and hope he is a reminder to me to look to God for my strength and wisdom. Besides I think he's kind of cute :)
Prayer
Ephesians 6: 18-19
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel
A few years ago after my Grammy passed away, several of us (family members) went to her apartment to clean out her belongings. At 92, Grammy had whittled her possessions down to what she needed and what she enjoyed. As we moved from room to room and sifted through baskets, drawers and containers, we discovered something that brought tears, comfort and joy. All over the apartment we found snippets of paper with a prayer request and a name written by her hand. Grammy was a PRAY-ER. She spent much of her day reading the Bible, playing her piano and praying. There were prayers for our physical health, our spiritual being and many other needs. Knowing she prayed for me continues to fill me with peace.
I love people who pray and so does God. He desires so much to hear from his children. Opportunity after opportunity, God opens the communication line and waits to hear from us. He even gave us the Holy Spirit to help us when we can’t find the words. What a joy to know that our Father is just a prayer away.
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel
A few years ago after my Grammy passed away, several of us (family members) went to her apartment to clean out her belongings. At 92, Grammy had whittled her possessions down to what she needed and what she enjoyed. As we moved from room to room and sifted through baskets, drawers and containers, we discovered something that brought tears, comfort and joy. All over the apartment we found snippets of paper with a prayer request and a name written by her hand. Grammy was a PRAY-ER. She spent much of her day reading the Bible, playing her piano and praying. There were prayers for our physical health, our spiritual being and many other needs. Knowing she prayed for me continues to fill me with peace.
I love people who pray and so does God. He desires so much to hear from his children. Opportunity after opportunity, God opens the communication line and waits to hear from us. He even gave us the Holy Spirit to help us when we can’t find the words. What a joy to know that our Father is just a prayer away.
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