Gina - Isaiah 58:6-8 Matthew 25

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:6-8 NIV)

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:37-40 NIV)

I love the feeling I get when I hear Isaiah 58. I sense the Lord saying " take care of the needy, poor and afflicted and I've got your back". God - you light my path today , where you go I'll go, where you stay I'll stay, when you move I'll move - I will follow!!! I tremble reading Matthew 25 to think I could pass by my Lord , while too busy in my own little world. The conviction is so heavy and strong coming home from a big city like Chicago where there are affluent people everywhere with lots and lots of everything and then you turn a corner and a woman and her child lean against the wall in the cold wind with a little cup held out asking for change. Ugggh. I'm wrestling this morning. Jesus be Jesus in me.

Devin - Proverbs 5:22-23

When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp,
this teaching is a light,
and correction and instruction
are the way to life, (Proverbs 6:22, 23 NIV)

The way to "life" is by correction, instruction and light from the Word of God. We can welcome discipline in our lives from leaders , parents and teachers because God uses them to shed light into our lives.

We need to look at everyday as an opportunity to learn as grow.

Kadin - Isaiah 1:16-17

Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:16, 17 NIV)

Kadin took the time to write this out word for word In his journal.

Kadin said "this is a call to be nice to the less fortunate and to love and let God rule our lives. "

Good word Diddy!!

Gina - Luke 6:27

"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (Luke 6:27 NIV)

"Why?" was Livia's response with a bit of a smirk on her face. But it's a good question right?

So what do we do? Devin says "forgiveness!". Don't hold any grudges or bitterness. Don't be judgmental and act like you are better than them because they hate you. Instead give them the benefit of the doubt. Pray for them and forgive quickly.

Devin - Galatians 5:24,25

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24, 25 NIV)

Like Christ we should live and walk in passion and godly desires. Focus on keeping each step close to Jesus. Living by the Spirit gives us such purpose.

Tim - Exodus 3:4

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
And Moses said, "Here I am." (Exodus 3:4 NIV)

Readiness for God is that we are ready for any duty - big or small. He can put us where he likes , he is our God. A ready person never needs to "get ready" they are always ready for God to move. Let's keep our lives open to the Holy Spirit leading - it's so exciting to be ready to do anything with God!!!

Let's go!!?

Here I am!

Livia - 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5 NIV)

What does regard me? To consider or think of someone in a specific way. What does entrusted mean? Someone people trust. What does conscience mean? Inside (my gut) . We have the Holy Spirit to speak to us inside.

Judge nothing (anyone or anything) of yourself. Don't waste your time criticizing others instead wait on the Lord and let him be their judge. Live your life as a servant entrusted with the truth , with a clear conscience - like Paul.

Nice Livi-g. Wow.

Gina - James 4:14

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14 NIV)

I was playing risk with my boys and Devin pointed out that I would start on Afghanistain - and my head just took me to what it would be like to be a woman, a mom, a wife in that country. It challenged me to think about that every time I get frustrated with silly things like technology, too much laundry or a big mess in the basement where the kids hang out.
These are all Blessings in my life! Forgive me lord!

Truth is I don't know when my last day is on earth but I want to live it today with heart, soul and mind wide open to his leading. I want to experience supernatural God moments because I'm walking so closely to him.


Keeping it real.

Crucified with Christ - Gal. 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

What an awesome opportunity to be compeletly surrendered to a God who has my best interest at heart.  Who knows when I sit, when I stand, what I am thinking, and what is best for me.   It's an honor to be crucified with Christ and to count each day as an opportunity to live fully to HIM alone.  This life I live I want to bring glory to HIS name,  I want to love like he loves and to give like he gives - holding NOTHING BACK.  I'm all yours God - everything - take it all.  I lay down my life for you.

Livia - Col 1:1-5

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To God's holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel (Colossians 1:1-5 NIV)

Livia saw Dad's name "Timothy " so it grabbed her attention. The hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already have - reminds us of Uncle Dick. He is very sick and facing death and upon our visit yesterday he brought us hope! He prayed for us and he says "I'm ready! I'm ready! I don't care what I obtain - seeing Jesus is all that matters! A cardboard house in heaven will be perfect! ". Oh , to have that hope NOW - in the midst of our busy life! Yes Lord change us - transform our hearts to be filled with passionate hope!! We embrace you!!

Kadin - Matthew 27:29-31

and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:29-31 NIV)

Kadin never thought about how this pain was for him. "He took all that pain and suffering for me. ". Kadin's emotion this morning is real and sincere. Very moving.

Devin - Luke 24:1-8, 46-49

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" Then they remembered his words. (Luke 24:1-8 NIV)He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:46-49 NIV)

Dev said "this is really cool! " this speaks to me that Jesus is real and alive and that he lives in me through the holy spirit.