Psalm 94

Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; (Psalm 94:12 NIV)

Much like a parent.  disciplines a child, so our Heavenly Father brings discipline into our lives.   It's not always pretty or even something we want but in the end we understand that His love for us is greater than his concern for our comfort or happiness.  That's good !!   

His discipline sharpens us and works in us great respect, character and integrity.  So Lord we welcome your discipline today , even though it may hurt - you are all-knowing and loving and we trust you. 

 

Total Surrender - Romans 12

God has so much planned for our lives.  We sell ourselves short everyday by not embracing the moments he gives us.  If we completely , totally surrender we can see God in everything.   Even in the hardships, if we open our spiritual eyes we will see something extraordinary happen.  Oh !  How exciting!!!  Awesome!  Bring it on!   Let's be hungry for more of God and less of us.  

Acts 2:32

God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. (Acts 2:32 NIV)

The disciples were never the same after they encountered Jesus!!!  

They never will look at a leper the same.

A child.

A broken life. 

A fishing boat. 

A crowd of hungry people....

Let us keep in mind who our Jesus is and who He wants to be in our lives. 

Recall his power in your everyday life.  

I'll never be the same.  

Luke 21:19

Stand firm, and you will win life. (Luke 21:19 NIV)

Many of us prefer to stay at the threshold.   We fail because we are ignorant of the way we are made. 

Moods arise from a physical condition so we must not fall to them.  We must take ourselves by the neck and shake ourselves out of it.   Undisciplined Christ followers blame the enemy or others for there failures when really it's up to us to kick our "self" out and surrender to Christ in all we do. 

Stand firm and you win!!!'

No excuses!!!

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)

Consider the early disciples ,all the time they spent with Jesus and yet still Jesus cautioned them not to depend on their own strength.  After Pentecost thespirit brought   them to an understanding of Gods presence.   He gave them gifts of divine joy and peace. He gave them gear delight in prayer and communion with God. 

Standing on the authority of God's word and bringing God's plan of salvation to our world.  

Pray & Go!

So Ya - some days it happens - sleep late , make breakfast , lunches , get ready ... PRAY and go!

That was our morning - thank you God that you love us and keep us today!

We pray for your love to guide us, your strong hand to protect us and for your light to shine through us!   We are yours - we surrender to your will and way today!!!

We love you God! 

Romans 13

The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. (Romans 14:3 NIV)

It is not our place as a Christian to stand around making judgements and calling other people hypocrites.  We are just a man with faults and shortcomings of our own and we must always consider ourselves lest we be tempted. 

Let us be honest and frank and humble to know that God almighty knows the secrets of every persons heart. 

Let him be the ultimate judge!!!

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1 NIV)

I am God's wholly and forever. 

Lord I am yours wholly and forever. 

Presenting myself as a living sacrifice.  

I give you my heart to love what you love. To hate what you hate.  To seek only you.  I give you my mind to think only thoughts that please you.  I give you my body to be used by you.  My eyes to see only what you want me to see. My feet to go where you call me to go. My time to be all employeed to you. My family to love and care for as you lead me.  I submit my whole being and all I have to your control.  

Take me and keep me oh my god.  

I am wholly yours forever!!! 

Proverbs 21:23

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. (Proverbs 21:23 NIV

What does that mean?

Don't gossip!

Don't say things about other people that make them think bad of that person.

Don't over talk others.  Listen.

Don't say everything that comes to your mind.  Filter it. 

Out of the abundance the mouth speaks. 

So what is your heart saying out loud ???

Psalm 71:17

Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. (Psalm 71:17 NIV)

Unfortunately, much of our world of Christianity today does not hold the necessity of disciplines required to stand.

We live our lives as if we stake out the conditions and terms of Jesus being lord of our lives.  

If we have any of God's concerns in our heart , any regard for His love for others.  We would live our Christ following life as if our life each day truly depended on it.  All the while  turning people towards Christ not "Christianity" !!!!

We must lead people to Christ and share the truth that it's a complete lordship and that you must take up your cross and follow Him daily.  

Let us not compromise what followings Christ is all about for the sake of getting people on overs.  Give them the real deal and let God do the rest. 

John 16:24

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (John 16:24 NIV)

Praying IN HIS NAME is an important part of this scripture.   As Kadin says this morning .... "And while it says anything it doesn't mean stupid stuff!!"  Lol 

I think what he's getting at as when we pray in Jesus name we pray with an understanding of praying in His will and His  way.   We may want an easy way out or a quick fix but God knows what the journey of pain and sorrow brings to our lives.  It develops character and perseverance.  

We hold on to our God and we pray I. HIS name!!!!

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)

We are slowly learning the life of faith day by day!!!! When temptation comes our first response is to not look at the temptation but rather Jesus!  This way He will press in and push out the temptation giving us victory over it every time.

Our only safety is looking at Jesus continually.  Cast ourselves on Him , our perfect savior who redeems us and makes us complete.   Lord keep us trusting you in all things.   

Hebrews 10:22

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22 NIV)

Awareness of the presence of God marks us forever.  The Bible does its first work in us - truth evident to us all of who God is and all He has done.   We respond! 

We draw near to God with a true heart and a full assurance of faith that we know Him and He knows us.  

It's a beautiful. It's raw.  We will never be the same.  

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

What is holding you back from moving on?  It's surprising how quickly the things we once threw off come back and long to us once again.  

Things like -

Resentment

Anger

Lack of confidence

Unresolved issues

Favorite sins

Unhealthy life style

The list goes on and on !

Throw it off!!!  How?  Besides praying ....the best thing you can do is to talk to someone about it and ask for accountability !   Confess it.  

Old habits die hard.  Breaking out takes work!!! 

Let's do it today!

New in Christ!