Friday, July 1, 2011
Don't Worry Be Happy
The men on their way to Emmaus: “and it came to pass that as they conversed and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were held from recognizing him.”
I wonder how often I walk through life and Jesus comes and walks with me but I am somehow prevented from recognizing him.
Lord, I would like to be more aware of when You are walking with me as I travel along through my day. I believe that the light of Your countenance shining upon me will bring me more of Your joy and peace. I’d like that, Lord.
Maybe there are better reasons to be aware of your walking with me than just feeling good. But then, how much of what we do every day has to do with feeling good? I feel good when I hug, make love, eat, take a hot shower, talk with family or friends, drink coffee, make money, succeed, exercise, look good. How many times in the past have I taken drugs or drank so I would feel good. I read a book to feel good. I go to a movie to feel good. I even go to the toilet to feel good. I buy a bed that feels good, and clothes that feel good. I even do kind deeds and then feel good afterwards.
So much of life has to do with feeling good, so why shouldn’t I desire to have more awareness of Your presence so I can sense Your countenance shining upon me so I can experience Your joy and peace? That’s a good thing.
Ps: “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Deut: “You shall rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you and to your house.” Ecc: “Nothing is better than to rejoice”
Help me, Lord, walk in Your ways today so that I may notice You walking with me. If I am happy, joyful or filled with joy today, I’ll know it’s because of Your presence with me!
I wonder how often I walk through life and Jesus comes and walks with me but I am somehow prevented from recognizing him.
Lord, I would like to be more aware of when You are walking with me as I travel along through my day. I believe that the light of Your countenance shining upon me will bring me more of Your joy and peace. I’d like that, Lord.
Maybe there are better reasons to be aware of your walking with me than just feeling good. But then, how much of what we do every day has to do with feeling good? I feel good when I hug, make love, eat, take a hot shower, talk with family or friends, drink coffee, make money, succeed, exercise, look good. How many times in the past have I taken drugs or drank so I would feel good. I read a book to feel good. I go to a movie to feel good. I even go to the toilet to feel good. I buy a bed that feels good, and clothes that feel good. I even do kind deeds and then feel good afterwards.
So much of life has to do with feeling good, so why shouldn’t I desire to have more awareness of Your presence so I can sense Your countenance shining upon me so I can experience Your joy and peace? That’s a good thing.
Ps: “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Deut: “You shall rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you and to your house.” Ecc: “Nothing is better than to rejoice”
Help me, Lord, walk in Your ways today so that I may notice You walking with me. If I am happy, joyful or filled with joy today, I’ll know it’s because of Your presence with me!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
And He delivers him out of them all
God is a God of rescue, of deliverance, of redemption. Ps 50:14,15 "offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving ... call upon Me in the day of trouble. I shall rescue you and you shall honor me." And again in Ps 34:19 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, and He delivers him out of them all."
Such an amazing thing - that God would deliver us out of all affliction. For every affliction there is a deliverance, a rescue, a redemption - that we may honor Him!
No wonder we may offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving - He has done so much for us! I need to think back on my afflictions and how God has rescued me, as an encouragement to trust Him more.
Such an amazing thing - that God would deliver us out of all affliction. For every affliction there is a deliverance, a rescue, a redemption - that we may honor Him!
No wonder we may offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving - He has done so much for us! I need to think back on my afflictions and how God has rescued me, as an encouragement to trust Him more.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
It's in HOW we touch Him
A woman came up on the throng behind him - and she touched the border of his garment, for she was saying to herself "If I may but tough his clothes I shall be cured."
Instantly she knew in her body she was healed
Immediately Jesus knowing in himself that the power had gone forth from him, said "Somebody touched Me - for I knew that power went forth from me."
There were many who touched him that day. They were pressing all about him. Some may have touched him just to say they touched him. Others may ahve reached out and touched him as one would touch a movie star in passing if you could.
But that day only one in the crowd was healed.
Who knows how or why all the others touched him, but she touched him with purpose, with intent, with faith.
The Scripture says "He started to look around to see the one who had done this."
What was he looking for? Someone who was changed. Someone who was amazed. This is because you can't touch Jesus with purpose, receive his power, and not be changed and healed.
The woman saw that she could not hide - it was obvious in what those around her saw, especially Jesus.
Many touch You, Lord. Help me know how to touch you with purpose, with intent, with faith.
Instantly she knew in her body she was healed
Immediately Jesus knowing in himself that the power had gone forth from him, said "Somebody touched Me - for I knew that power went forth from me."
There were many who touched him that day. They were pressing all about him. Some may have touched him just to say they touched him. Others may ahve reached out and touched him as one would touch a movie star in passing if you could.
But that day only one in the crowd was healed.
Who knows how or why all the others touched him, but she touched him with purpose, with intent, with faith.
The Scripture says "He started to look around to see the one who had done this."
What was he looking for? Someone who was changed. Someone who was amazed. This is because you can't touch Jesus with purpose, receive his power, and not be changed and healed.
The woman saw that she could not hide - it was obvious in what those around her saw, especially Jesus.
Many touch You, Lord. Help me know how to touch you with purpose, with intent, with faith.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
I'm so happy just to dance with You
Before this dance is through
I think I'll love you too
I'm so happy when you dance with me.
If somebody tries to take my place
Let's pretend we just can't see his face.
In this world there's nothing I would rather do
'cause I'm happy just to dance with you.
Just to dance with you
It's everything I need.
Lord, I don't like the fact that Josiah died, or how he died.
I haven't liked the way You've done some things in my life.
There have been some prayers that were very important to me that You didn't answer - at least not how I wanted.
But I am happy just to dance with You. I don't want to go dancing with anyone else. I don't want to look around and find another partner. And before this dance is through, I think I'll love You too
Psalm 73. Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
And besides Thee, I desire nothing on the earth.
My heart and my flesh may fail
But Thou art the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Behold, those who are far from Thee perish,
Thou hast destroyed all those who are unfaithful to Thee.
But the nearness of my God is my good.
I have made the LORD my refuge that I may tell of all Thy works.
I think I'll love you too
I'm so happy when you dance with me.
If somebody tries to take my place
Let's pretend we just can't see his face.
In this world there's nothing I would rather do
'cause I'm happy just to dance with you.
Just to dance with you
It's everything I need.
Lord, I don't like the fact that Josiah died, or how he died.
I haven't liked the way You've done some things in my life.
There have been some prayers that were very important to me that You didn't answer - at least not how I wanted.
But I am happy just to dance with You. I don't want to go dancing with anyone else. I don't want to look around and find another partner. And before this dance is through, I think I'll love You too
Psalm 73. Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
And besides Thee, I desire nothing on the earth.
My heart and my flesh may fail
But Thou art the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Behold, those who are far from Thee perish,
Thou hast destroyed all those who are unfaithful to Thee.
But the nearness of my God is my good.
I have made the LORD my refuge that I may tell of all Thy works.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Could God do evil?
My wife and I were talking this morning about Dr. Paul Tripp's statement "God will take you places you do not want to go, to accomplish things in your life that you could never accomplish on your own.
This evolved into a discussion of how God wants to accomplish things in/through us before we are taken to glory. There are things we can learn because we are like Him - having the knowledge of good and evil - and having that knowledge and potential within us, within our soul.
The angels, on the other hand, do not have the potential to deal with good and evil within themselves. We do because we're made in God's image. The angels have the capacity to do/be good/evil. One or the other. They had an opportunity to choose and 1/3rd chose to follow the devil into evil. They are now confirmed in that choice. I don't believe they have the capacity to struggle with both internally. That's why they look at man with a longing to understand our salvation. The human experience is a marvel to them.
We have the capacity to choose, as God must have. Every time we choose good over evil, something grows in us that is eternal in nature.
I am convinced this is God's plan for us. We can experience the opposite of God (evil) and fight against it internally, and even win that battle, because we have His Spirit within. We have the capacity to fill our lives with evil or with good, or anywhere in between. Could we have a capacity that God does not have? I don't think so.
The difference is, God has chosen good and always will. Could God do evil? I believe He could. Would He or will He? No. If He did evil would He cease to be God? No. But He would cease to be good, and He would cease to be the God He is today. He says "I change not." He doesn't say "I cannot change."
This is not some idle question without consequence. Because, I believe, it is at the core of who and what we are, and why God has us on earth: to face, internally, the possibilities of good and evil in our own life and character, and be like God - choosing good. The more we do that, the more we become like Him - until, one day (thank God!) He will destroy the evil that daily seeks to pull us down.
On that day death and sin will die. We will attend sin's funeral. Thank you Jesus!
This evolved into a discussion of how God wants to accomplish things in/through us before we are taken to glory. There are things we can learn because we are like Him - having the knowledge of good and evil - and having that knowledge and potential within us, within our soul.
The angels, on the other hand, do not have the potential to deal with good and evil within themselves. We do because we're made in God's image. The angels have the capacity to do/be good/evil. One or the other. They had an opportunity to choose and 1/3rd chose to follow the devil into evil. They are now confirmed in that choice. I don't believe they have the capacity to struggle with both internally. That's why they look at man with a longing to understand our salvation. The human experience is a marvel to them.
We have the capacity to choose, as God must have. Every time we choose good over evil, something grows in us that is eternal in nature.
I am convinced this is God's plan for us. We can experience the opposite of God (evil) and fight against it internally, and even win that battle, because we have His Spirit within. We have the capacity to fill our lives with evil or with good, or anywhere in between. Could we have a capacity that God does not have? I don't think so.
The difference is, God has chosen good and always will. Could God do evil? I believe He could. Would He or will He? No. If He did evil would He cease to be God? No. But He would cease to be good, and He would cease to be the God He is today. He says "I change not." He doesn't say "I cannot change."
This is not some idle question without consequence. Because, I believe, it is at the core of who and what we are, and why God has us on earth: to face, internally, the possibilities of good and evil in our own life and character, and be like God - choosing good. The more we do that, the more we become like Him - until, one day (thank God!) He will destroy the evil that daily seeks to pull us down.
On that day death and sin will die. We will attend sin's funeral. Thank you Jesus!
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