Monthly Archives: September 2013

Gift Of Today

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Today’s trouble is enough for today.  Matthew 6:25-34  Tomorrow will certainly come, whether in the flesh or in the spirit one does not know. So – look around. Maybe what we “see” does not impress us and yet we see it. Is the gift of “sight” not enough? Or – perhaps we would rather be “blind.” We know God and yet take so much for granted. He has given us  more to offer than we know, and forget we really only have today to offer it. So for today, let us do what we can and do what we must, but first seek God’s wisdom, open our heart and open our mind in order that we be ready to receive what the gift of today has to offer us.

Only A Few Words

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…for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Matthew 6:7-15  One of the benefits of a prayerbook is the well thought out prayers for every situation. However, I don’t walk around with a prayerbook all day. There are definitely times when I am called to pray and I am “un – prepared”.  I had to work really hard to learn how to speak as the spirit leads me. It wasn’t easy and at times I still struggle. What we know as the “Lord’s Prayer” has rescued me many times. I give thanks to a God who already knows what I need when only a few words can be found and yet have confidence that He still hears my prayers.

Grandstand

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…”Beware of practicing your piety…in order to be seen…  Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18  What we do in the flesh and what we do in the spirit have nothing in common. One pleases the body, the other pleases God. Practicing hypocrisy occurs when what we want other people to see about us is not reconciled with what we don’t what others to see. God sees both the pride and the humility. In every situation, we do well to remember that God humbles the proud and lifts up the humble. The only grandstand that matters is the one where Christ is seated.

Victors

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“You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  Matthew 5:38-48  I had a friend who believed that when wronged, it was only right to return the favor with a more hurtful wrong because vengeance was not only right it was necessary. However, it seemed to me that an eye for an eye culture keeps us in a constant state of victimization, preoccupied with how we intend to payback the wrong that has been done. For me that was no way to live. From experience I realize how difficult it can be to let go of a grudge and move forward when one is preoccupied with looking back for the purpose of revenge.  Yet to walk in Christ is to walk in victory and know that God’s wrath is far greater than anything we could do on our own. We are victors because in faith through Christ, the battle is already won.

As We Think

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Gehazi, the servant of Elisha… thought, ‘My master has let that Aramean Naaman off too lightly … I will run after him and get something out of him.’  2 Kings 5:19-27  My thoughts have gotten me into so much trouble!  If we are not careful our thoughts will lead us astray. Particularly when they are tied to negative or painful emotions. Even the smallest of such emotions can influence our actions. Our next move is preceded by what we think. What others perceive about us is followed by our next move. In faith, we don’t have to worry about what others perceive about us, only what we perceive about ourselves in Christ and let our actions reveal who we are and to whom we belong. Through Christ perceptions can be changed. Let the unleavened bread of the Holy Spirit empower your thoughts today.

Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?  1 Corinthians 5:1-8

Seek, Trust, Walk

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“I thought that for me he would surely come out… 2 Kings 5:1-19  Sometimes our arrogance gets in the way of the blessings God has for us. Don’t make things more complicated than they need to be! The graciousness of God’s grace does not require that we be someone of exaggerated importance, only that we are willing to seek His voice, trust his will and humbly walk in His way. Then we will receive all that he has already intended us to have.

“…if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash and be clean’?” 2 Kings 5:1-19

Light In Darkness

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…let your light shine before others… Matthew 5:11-16 The only division that makes sense in this world is that between light and darkness. They can not exist in the same place. A small kindled flame may stand alone in the darkness, but the darkness will never consume it unless we choose to put it out. Our hope is like that kindled flame. If we find it dwindling, we may have to go through the darkness in order to be strengthened with other light, yet others will see and so too give glory to God. For light that is seeking light is never extinguished but endures forever.

Building The Body

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I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field… 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15  Gifts of the spirit are given to build the body of Christ and divisions are self-defeating and contrary to God’s will. Don’t be deceived. Those who are spiritual discern all things… (1 Cor. 2:15). One God – One Purpose – One Reward.

Taking Good Counsel

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Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us…  1 Corinthians 2:1-13  Sometimes we take bad advise. Everything in the spirit is discernible, yet the human spirit and God’s spirit are not the same. They don’t desire the same things. This journey will have many receding paths, unless we learn to discern between the two.

Forerunners In Faith

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From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’  Matthew 4:12-17  What John the Baptist began in faith according to the prophets is confirmed and now propelled forward in the ministry of Christ. Each of us is given a gift. We are forerunners of that gift. It is up to us to nurture it for the glory of God, for it is God who plants the seed and through Christ he will make it grow.

He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, … ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.  1Corinthians 1:20-31