S -
O - Be like a child. Be humble.
"Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." Does every child have an angel assigned to them?
It is not the will of God that anyone be lost.
"If a brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you."
"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
"Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor - be gracious and walk in forgiveness, as God shows constant grace, mercy, and forgiveness of debt toward me.
A - Lots to apply. Wow. I guess what sticks out most is to walk in forgiveness and grace, loving others without being offended. Also, if I am really bothered by something, go to that person directly; don't vent.
Use the power of prayer, bind and loose. PRAY more. PRAY MORE SPECIFICALLY.
p - Lord, I pray to walk in forgiveness and grace. You constantly forgive my debt and sin. I pray to not be offended by others around me. Give me patience, and let me be filled with you. Go before me this day. Strengthen me to be who I know you are calling me to be. Amen.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Matthew 17:14-21
S - Matthew 17:14-21
O - Jesus healed the boy that the disciples could not. He pointed at their lack of faith. He said if you have faith as a mustard seed, you could move mountains. Nothing will be impossible to you.
A - The commentary says that "If you are facing a problem that seems as big and immovable as a mountain, turn your eyes from the mountain and look to Christ for more faith. Only then will your work for him become useful and vibrant."
P - God - give us more faith in you and keep our eyes from the mountains and onto you. You are the mover of mountains. Help me this day be focused on you and not on any of the mountains. Forgive me for any complaining. Help me to embrace what you have given and keep my eyes on you in all situations. Amen.
O - Jesus healed the boy that the disciples could not. He pointed at their lack of faith. He said if you have faith as a mustard seed, you could move mountains. Nothing will be impossible to you.
A - The commentary says that "If you are facing a problem that seems as big and immovable as a mountain, turn your eyes from the mountain and look to Christ for more faith. Only then will your work for him become useful and vibrant."
P - God - give us more faith in you and keep our eyes from the mountains and onto you. You are the mover of mountains. Help me this day be focused on you and not on any of the mountains. Forgive me for any complaining. Help me to embrace what you have given and keep my eyes on you in all situations. Amen.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Matthew 17:1-5
S - Matthew 17:1-5
O - "Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then, there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.'
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!' "
The transfiguration of Jesus. Wow. This would have been an amazing sight. Then him talking to Elijah and Moses... those who had died were right there, plain as day. Then, here impulsive Peter has this great idea and blurts it out. In the middle of speaking, God tells Peter with an exclamation point to "Listen to him!".
A - We will be transformed just like Jesus in the blink of an eye when he comes again or when we go to heaven...
His face shone and all his clothes turned white. Amazing. I am remembering something that CS Lewis said about these being shadowlands and how the Kingdom is what is real. He said that that is why Jesus, upon his return, could walk through walls etc. It was not because he was a ghost, but that nothing on this earth was as real and solid as he had become. This earth and everything in it are but shadows. Shadowlands.
Lastly, I find it interesting that God cut Peter off in the middle of his idea and rebuked him in a sense. He said to "Listen to Him!" Once again, impulsive Peter... but we are just like him. Sometimes we have so many ideas that we really don't stop to listen to whatever purposes it is that God brought us to whatever place we are in. Stop, look, and listen... Simple instructions yet so hard for us to truly do in the Spirit instead of the flesh.
P - God, you are amazing and these lands are but shadows. Help me to stop, look, and listen to what is real and true around me... the purposes, people,and plans you have for me. Stop, look, and listen. Kingdom think... listen to the Holy Spirit... be guided by You as I "Listen!" to you... Help me this day to think of others, to open my eyes to your plans, to take advantage of every opportunity, and to listen to who you might have me minister to today. Let your light in me shine out the darkness in me. Amen.
O - "Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then, there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.'
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!' "
The transfiguration of Jesus. Wow. This would have been an amazing sight. Then him talking to Elijah and Moses... those who had died were right there, plain as day. Then, here impulsive Peter has this great idea and blurts it out. In the middle of speaking, God tells Peter with an exclamation point to "Listen to him!".
A - We will be transformed just like Jesus in the blink of an eye when he comes again or when we go to heaven...
His face shone and all his clothes turned white. Amazing. I am remembering something that CS Lewis said about these being shadowlands and how the Kingdom is what is real. He said that that is why Jesus, upon his return, could walk through walls etc. It was not because he was a ghost, but that nothing on this earth was as real and solid as he had become. This earth and everything in it are but shadows. Shadowlands.
Lastly, I find it interesting that God cut Peter off in the middle of his idea and rebuked him in a sense. He said to "Listen to Him!" Once again, impulsive Peter... but we are just like him. Sometimes we have so many ideas that we really don't stop to listen to whatever purposes it is that God brought us to whatever place we are in. Stop, look, and listen... Simple instructions yet so hard for us to truly do in the Spirit instead of the flesh.
P - God, you are amazing and these lands are but shadows. Help me to stop, look, and listen to what is real and true around me... the purposes, people,and plans you have for me. Stop, look, and listen. Kingdom think... listen to the Holy Spirit... be guided by You as I "Listen!" to you... Help me this day to think of others, to open my eyes to your plans, to take advantage of every opportunity, and to listen to who you might have me minister to today. Let your light in me shine out the darkness in me. Amen.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Matthew 16:21-28
S - Matthew 16:21-28
O - At this point, Jesus explained to his disciples how he would be going to Jerusalem, suffer many things, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter objected to this and Jesus rebuked him, saying "Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his sould? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
A - Recognize my stumbling blocks and put them behind me.
Jesus' plans are not the plans of men. Remember to have in mind the things of God, not the things of men, especially when circumstances look like they should not be. His plans are different, are for different purposes, true purposes, and not necessarily part of our own dreams and hopes. Trust in Him no matter what is dictated into my life.
- Deny myself, take up my cross, follow Him. Easier said than done. Die to self. Remember my baptism. New life. As Pastor Art says as he baptizes, "Out with the old, in with the new. You are raised to walk in newness of life."
P - God, help me to remember these principles Jesus taught. Help me to remember this day to die to self. You will come again with your angels and in all your glory to reward each person according to what they have done. Help me to kingdom think as I decide what I put my energy into this day. Amen.
O - At this point, Jesus explained to his disciples how he would be going to Jerusalem, suffer many things, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter objected to this and Jesus rebuked him, saying "Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his sould? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
A - Recognize my stumbling blocks and put them behind me.
Jesus' plans are not the plans of men. Remember to have in mind the things of God, not the things of men, especially when circumstances look like they should not be. His plans are different, are for different purposes, true purposes, and not necessarily part of our own dreams and hopes. Trust in Him no matter what is dictated into my life.
- Deny myself, take up my cross, follow Him. Easier said than done. Die to self. Remember my baptism. New life. As Pastor Art says as he baptizes, "Out with the old, in with the new. You are raised to walk in newness of life."
P - God, help me to remember these principles Jesus taught. Help me to remember this day to die to self. You will come again with your angels and in all your glory to reward each person according to what they have done. Help me to kingdom think as I decide what I put my energy into this day. Amen.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Matthew 16:17-19
S - Matthew 16:17-19
O - Jesus replied to Peter regarding his declaration of who Jesus was. He said that this was revealed to him by God. He also spoke into Peter's life saying that "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
A - What has God spoken into my life? Have faith in what he has revealed to me. Trust and do not be afraid. Also, I love the "whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." I know he was talking specifically to Peter here, but I truly believe that can be applied by faith in any believer's life and have witnessed the power of that Word in my own. I need to remember that scripture. How we react to the circumstances in our own life and speak the Word into those circumstances by faith in Christ has an effect in the heavenly realms. Somehow...
Of course, God is sovereign over all things and this is not a name it, claim it type of thing, but again, what we loose in our lives that is according to God's will, God blesses. Whatever we bind that is not of God, he blesses. Our faith, our mindset, our actions, our prayers all have ramifications in the heavenly realm. Someday we will see the magnificance of this.
P - Thank you for another day you have given, Lord. Thank you for these verses that you spoke into Peter's life. Thank you for the example of how you changed his life as he had faith in the words you spoke into his life. Peter was impulsive, emotional, and didn't think before he acted when Jesus was with him. This was the rock you built your church upon. God, Peter had faith in you and walked according to your plan for him. Help me to do this, as well. Use my life. Use my children's lives for you. I pray that they would grow into wise young women of God and that they would hear you speak your words into their lives. I pray they would have faith in those words and follow them. I pray we would loose those things and bind those things on earth that you desire us to, and I pray for your wisdom and more faith. Help me to watch my tongue, help me to not be so impulsive, help me to be discerning and move more slowly as I hear your voice. Amen.
O - Jesus replied to Peter regarding his declaration of who Jesus was. He said that this was revealed to him by God. He also spoke into Peter's life saying that "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
A - What has God spoken into my life? Have faith in what he has revealed to me. Trust and do not be afraid. Also, I love the "whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." I know he was talking specifically to Peter here, but I truly believe that can be applied by faith in any believer's life and have witnessed the power of that Word in my own. I need to remember that scripture. How we react to the circumstances in our own life and speak the Word into those circumstances by faith in Christ has an effect in the heavenly realms. Somehow...
Of course, God is sovereign over all things and this is not a name it, claim it type of thing, but again, what we loose in our lives that is according to God's will, God blesses. Whatever we bind that is not of God, he blesses. Our faith, our mindset, our actions, our prayers all have ramifications in the heavenly realm. Someday we will see the magnificance of this.
P - Thank you for another day you have given, Lord. Thank you for these verses that you spoke into Peter's life. Thank you for the example of how you changed his life as he had faith in the words you spoke into his life. Peter was impulsive, emotional, and didn't think before he acted when Jesus was with him. This was the rock you built your church upon. God, Peter had faith in you and walked according to your plan for him. Help me to do this, as well. Use my life. Use my children's lives for you. I pray that they would grow into wise young women of God and that they would hear you speak your words into their lives. I pray they would have faith in those words and follow them. I pray we would loose those things and bind those things on earth that you desire us to, and I pray for your wisdom and more faith. Help me to watch my tongue, help me to not be so impulsive, help me to be discerning and move more slowly as I hear your voice. Amen.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Matthew 16:5-12
S - Matthew 16:5-12
O - Jesus is talking to his disciples to be on their guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. He explained that he was talking about their teaching.
A - Be on guard against any teaching of man. Always discern what they are saying through the testing of the Word. Also, be on guard against the yeast of the world. Yeast spreads through the whole dough and makes it rise. It has a HUGE effect on the dough. Watch how any philosophy affects me. Watch what goes into my mind. Politics, movies, magazines, tv shows, others, etc... More is caught than taught.
P - God, help me to watch what affects my mind. Help me to be on guard and be discerning. Help me to be obedient to you. It is so easy for a stronghold of the mind to form in any area. I pray that if there is yeast, as I know there is, you would help me to quickly dismiss it before it gains control. You know my heart, Lord, and my struggles. Help me to purify it of those things. You are good. Help me to be more like my Lord Jesus. Amen.
O - Jesus is talking to his disciples to be on their guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. He explained that he was talking about their teaching.
A - Be on guard against any teaching of man. Always discern what they are saying through the testing of the Word. Also, be on guard against the yeast of the world. Yeast spreads through the whole dough and makes it rise. It has a HUGE effect on the dough. Watch how any philosophy affects me. Watch what goes into my mind. Politics, movies, magazines, tv shows, others, etc... More is caught than taught.
P - God, help me to watch what affects my mind. Help me to be on guard and be discerning. Help me to be obedient to you. It is so easy for a stronghold of the mind to form in any area. I pray that if there is yeast, as I know there is, you would help me to quickly dismiss it before it gains control. You know my heart, Lord, and my struggles. Help me to purify it of those things. You are good. Help me to be more like my Lord Jesus. Amen.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Matthew 15:21-39
S - Matthew 15:22-39
O - Jesus did not respond at first to the Canaanite woman regarding her daughter, as he only was sent for "the lost sheep of Israel." Interesting. Because of her persistence and faith, he healed her daughter that very hour.
Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee, and there was a great crowd. People were "amazed when they saw the mutespeaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking, and the blind seeing." That would have been a great sight.
The people stayed with him 3 days, and they had nothing to eat. He said he had great compassion for them and did not want to send them away hungry. Again, he took 7 loaves of bread and 2 fish and gave them to the multitude. There were even leftovers. "The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children. So again, probably more like 10,000 or more. Amazing.
A - Have faith and be persistent in my requests like the Canaanite woman.
God has compassion and supplies our needs. Remember to distinguish between my wants and my needs. I need to be more discerning of that.
P - God, thank you for this beautiful day outside. Go before us in all we do. Protect my Elli at camp. Lord, give her your bread of life and satisfy her soul this week. Help me to have faith and be persistent in my requests to you... even the ones that I have been praying for for years and given up on. I pray that you'd help me to pray anew for them. Amen.
O - Jesus did not respond at first to the Canaanite woman regarding her daughter, as he only was sent for "the lost sheep of Israel." Interesting. Because of her persistence and faith, he healed her daughter that very hour.
Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee, and there was a great crowd. People were "amazed when they saw the mutespeaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking, and the blind seeing." That would have been a great sight.
The people stayed with him 3 days, and they had nothing to eat. He said he had great compassion for them and did not want to send them away hungry. Again, he took 7 loaves of bread and 2 fish and gave them to the multitude. There were even leftovers. "The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children. So again, probably more like 10,000 or more. Amazing.
A - Have faith and be persistent in my requests like the Canaanite woman.
God has compassion and supplies our needs. Remember to distinguish between my wants and my needs. I need to be more discerning of that.
P - God, thank you for this beautiful day outside. Go before us in all we do. Protect my Elli at camp. Lord, give her your bread of life and satisfy her soul this week. Help me to have faith and be persistent in my requests to you... even the ones that I have been praying for for years and given up on. I pray that you'd help me to pray anew for them. Amen.
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