Read Romans 15:7-13
Today’s Verse: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13 (KJV)
Last night, my two year old son had a hard time going to bed. He kept waking up crying and wanting me to rock him and sing to him. Even though I was tired, I couldn’t resist him because it is obvious that he feels safe and secure in my arms. He has a very strong belief that life is better in that rocking chair. It doesn’t take him long to start singing along (usually Twinkle, Twinkle to every song) and giggling and laughing. He is at peace.
In the same way, our Heavenly Father wraps us up in His arms when we come to Him in faith. He blesses our belief with an overwhelming sense of joy and peace in being secure in Him. The Holy Spirit fills us up with a hope of abundant life found in living for Jesus. May we today celebrate the hope we have found in Him!
God, help me feel Your loving arms wrapped around me today as I place my trust in You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Enter In
Read Revelation 21:22-27
Today’s Verse: “And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.” Revelation 21:25 (KJV)
I recently visited a friend’s church which met in an old grocery store building from a chain that was popular back in the 1960’s. He led me back into parts of the building which were still under renovation to show me two of the original bathroom doors. Faded onto these doors were two words: “whites” and “colored”. I stood in silence, seeing for the first time proof of the “closed doors” of racial exclusion that was accepted for so many years.
Later, as I was driving home, I couldn’t help thinking about doors that have been closed in my own life. Doors of opportunity, doors of love and friendship, doors that I hoped would open but didn’t. Maybe you can think of doors that have been closed in your life as well. Today, we can rejoice in the promise that with God all doors are open, the gates have been flung open wide for us. He loves us and will never turn us away when we come to Him in faith.
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” Helen Keller
Today’s Verse: “And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.” Revelation 21:25 (KJV)
I recently visited a friend’s church which met in an old grocery store building from a chain that was popular back in the 1960’s. He led me back into parts of the building which were still under renovation to show me two of the original bathroom doors. Faded onto these doors were two words: “whites” and “colored”. I stood in silence, seeing for the first time proof of the “closed doors” of racial exclusion that was accepted for so many years.
Later, as I was driving home, I couldn’t help thinking about doors that have been closed in my own life. Doors of opportunity, doors of love and friendship, doors that I hoped would open but didn’t. Maybe you can think of doors that have been closed in your life as well. Today, we can rejoice in the promise that with God all doors are open, the gates have been flung open wide for us. He loves us and will never turn us away when we come to Him in faith.
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” Helen Keller
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
No Playing Favorites
Read Romans 2:1-11
Today’s Verse: For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:11 (KJV)
A few years back when I was serving as the youth and college pastor of a large church, a high school baseball player in our community became a serious pro prospect. Though baseball kept him on the road most weekends, from time to time he would attend our church with a few of his friends. Each time, I would watch from a distance as parents and teenagers alike would show him great favoritism simply because he could throw a 95 mph fastball.
This comes as little surprise since, as a culture, we are enamored with celebrities. We view them as more important than us. Yet, in God’s culture, He created each one of us uniquely and for a special purpose. God is not impressed with our best qualities because He gave these qualities Himself. He wants us to take what He gave us and fully become the man or woman He created us to be. To Him, each one of us is special!
God is not impressed with your ability, only your availability.
Today’s Verse: For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:11 (KJV)
A few years back when I was serving as the youth and college pastor of a large church, a high school baseball player in our community became a serious pro prospect. Though baseball kept him on the road most weekends, from time to time he would attend our church with a few of his friends. Each time, I would watch from a distance as parents and teenagers alike would show him great favoritism simply because he could throw a 95 mph fastball.
This comes as little surprise since, as a culture, we are enamored with celebrities. We view them as more important than us. Yet, in God’s culture, He created each one of us uniquely and for a special purpose. God is not impressed with our best qualities because He gave these qualities Himself. He wants us to take what He gave us and fully become the man or woman He created us to be. To Him, each one of us is special!
God is not impressed with your ability, only your availability.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Holding Our Savior
Read Luke 2:25-36
Today’s Verse: “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation...” Luke 2:30 (KJV)
I have often wondered what it must have been like for Simon to hold the baby Jesus in his arms. To look deeply into His newborn eyes, to caress His cheek, to hear His infant cries and know that this was God incarnate would surely be overwhelming! Yet, we find something deeper in Simon, something much more profound. We find peace.
In our world today, peace is in short supply. Our nation is in conflict, the traditional family is in crisis, and the pace of life grows more frenetic by the day. We are in desperate need for God’s peace to transform our land. More importantly, we are in need of God’s peace to transform our hearts.
Today if you find yourself longing for God to bring peace into your chaos, you need look no further than the baby Jesus. That beautiful baby boy is proof that God loves you and is willing to do whatever it takes to restore your relationship with Him.
Now my eyes have seen Your glory, and my hands have touched Your face, and my eyes have heard You crying, a sweet song of love and grace.
Today’s Verse: “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation...” Luke 2:30 (KJV)
I have often wondered what it must have been like for Simon to hold the baby Jesus in his arms. To look deeply into His newborn eyes, to caress His cheek, to hear His infant cries and know that this was God incarnate would surely be overwhelming! Yet, we find something deeper in Simon, something much more profound. We find peace.
In our world today, peace is in short supply. Our nation is in conflict, the traditional family is in crisis, and the pace of life grows more frenetic by the day. We are in desperate need for God’s peace to transform our land. More importantly, we are in need of God’s peace to transform our hearts.
Today if you find yourself longing for God to bring peace into your chaos, you need look no further than the baby Jesus. That beautiful baby boy is proof that God loves you and is willing to do whatever it takes to restore your relationship with Him.
Now my eyes have seen Your glory, and my hands have touched Your face, and my eyes have heard You crying, a sweet song of love and grace.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The Sound of Your Voice
Read John 10:1-21
If you closed your eyes, could you recognize the voice of your best friend, your mom or dad, your brother, or sister? Can you hear the voices of your parents when you are about to make a poor decision that they would not approve of? Do you know who is on the phone before they even tell you?
This happens as we get to know a person very closely. We begin to notice and love all of the small details about them. Most of us can recognize the voice of those we love the most without even trying. We spend so much time with them, the sound of their voices are a part of who we are.
In John 10, Jesus compares believers to sheep who know the Shepherd’s voice.
“He calls out His own sheep by name and leads them out...and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.” (John 10:3-4)
As we spend time with God each day reading the Bible and praying to Him, we should learn to hear His voice and recognize when He is gently speaking to our hearts. As we grow in our faith, we will learn to hear His voice and follow where He leads.
What are some ways that you can learn to recognize God’s voice speaking into your life?
What is one thing God has asked you to do this week?
Prayer Emphasis: Ask God to help you hear His voice leading you each day.
If you closed your eyes, could you recognize the voice of your best friend, your mom or dad, your brother, or sister? Can you hear the voices of your parents when you are about to make a poor decision that they would not approve of? Do you know who is on the phone before they even tell you?
This happens as we get to know a person very closely. We begin to notice and love all of the small details about them. Most of us can recognize the voice of those we love the most without even trying. We spend so much time with them, the sound of their voices are a part of who we are.
In John 10, Jesus compares believers to sheep who know the Shepherd’s voice.
“He calls out His own sheep by name and leads them out...and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.” (John 10:3-4)
As we spend time with God each day reading the Bible and praying to Him, we should learn to hear His voice and recognize when He is gently speaking to our hearts. As we grow in our faith, we will learn to hear His voice and follow where He leads.
What are some ways that you can learn to recognize God’s voice speaking into your life?
What is one thing God has asked you to do this week?
Prayer Emphasis: Ask God to help you hear His voice leading you each day.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Called Out to Serve
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.’ (2 Chronicles 20:21)
SINCE I WAS a young child, I have loved to sing. We had a large console stereo in our front room and our family would listen to records all day long. Everyday, I sang and danced to Elvis, the Kingston Trio, Chuck Berry, and many more artists from that time. As I grew older into my teenage years, my musical tastes changed, and I moved my singing to my bedroom with my own stereo and electric guitar.
It was during this time that I first started attending church with a friend from school. It was a small church and the youth ministry consisted of about 25 teenagers. The youth pastor asked me if I would be willing to bring my guitar and lead a few choruses. I can still vividly remember that first Sunday night being so nervous playing and singing “Seek Ye First” and “Pass It On”.
Now nearly 25 years later, the songs have changed but I am still leading worship for teenagers and adults on a weekly basis. Along the way, I haven’t lost the sense of privilege it is to be counted among those whom God has called out to lead His people in praise. May our hearts never lose the joy of giving thanks to the Lord and declaring His enduring eternal love for His people!
Let Your life sing a song of praise to Jesus today.
SINCE I WAS a young child, I have loved to sing. We had a large console stereo in our front room and our family would listen to records all day long. Everyday, I sang and danced to Elvis, the Kingston Trio, Chuck Berry, and many more artists from that time. As I grew older into my teenage years, my musical tastes changed, and I moved my singing to my bedroom with my own stereo and electric guitar.
It was during this time that I first started attending church with a friend from school. It was a small church and the youth ministry consisted of about 25 teenagers. The youth pastor asked me if I would be willing to bring my guitar and lead a few choruses. I can still vividly remember that first Sunday night being so nervous playing and singing “Seek Ye First” and “Pass It On”.
Now nearly 25 years later, the songs have changed but I am still leading worship for teenagers and adults on a weekly basis. Along the way, I haven’t lost the sense of privilege it is to be counted among those whom God has called out to lead His people in praise. May our hearts never lose the joy of giving thanks to the Lord and declaring His enduring eternal love for His people!
Let Your life sing a song of praise to Jesus today.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The Pain of Regret
Read Isaiah 48:14-22
Today’s Verse: O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea...Isaiah 48:18
I once read the story of a cruel war general who would allow his prisoners to choose from two methods for their own execution…firing squad or whatever lay beyond a large black door. Afraid of what horrible torture may lie behind the door, most prisoners chose the firing squad. Once a visiting national leader asked this general what actually was in the room behind the door. “Freedom” exclaimed the general. “The door leads outside the compound to complete freedom, but most men are too afraid to choose the unknown.”
Life is filled with choices every day, especially choices about the way live of our lives for God. Too many times, I choose to live for myself and my own desires instead of God’s commands for my life. As a result, my life just blends in with the culture around me, and I miss the blessings that come from living to honor God. God promises peace and righteousness in abundance for those who commit to living according to His word.
God, give me the desire to chose to live according to Your commands this week. Bless my life with peace and righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s Verse: O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea...Isaiah 48:18
I once read the story of a cruel war general who would allow his prisoners to choose from two methods for their own execution…firing squad or whatever lay beyond a large black door. Afraid of what horrible torture may lie behind the door, most prisoners chose the firing squad. Once a visiting national leader asked this general what actually was in the room behind the door. “Freedom” exclaimed the general. “The door leads outside the compound to complete freedom, but most men are too afraid to choose the unknown.”
Life is filled with choices every day, especially choices about the way live of our lives for God. Too many times, I choose to live for myself and my own desires instead of God’s commands for my life. As a result, my life just blends in with the culture around me, and I miss the blessings that come from living to honor God. God promises peace and righteousness in abundance for those who commit to living according to His word.
God, give me the desire to chose to live according to Your commands this week. Bless my life with peace and righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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