Luke 1:38
Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord!
Let it be to me according to your word."
And the angel departed from her.
What an amazing encounter. The angel, Gabriel, came to Mary, revealing what seemed impossible. She was going to conceive and bring forth a Son, and His name would be called Jesus.
"Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you
have found favor with God.
"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth
a Son, and shall call His name Jesus." __Luke 1:30-31
I read the words of Mary to Gabriel, and marvel at her prompt response. It is obvious she loved and trusted the Lord with all her heart. Yes, Mary questioned Gabriel, not understanding, but once he explained, she believed, rejoicing in such favor. Is this why God chose Mary? Was it her complete surrender to God, her complete obedience at any cost? Was it because God knew Mary would come to Him for guidance without hesitation, trusting in His wisdom? Not only would Mary give birth to Jesus, she would parent Him to adulthood. She must be totally surrendered to Him.
Mary wasn't a person of wealth, but a lowly maidservant. Why do you suppose God chose her, instead of someone with great wealth and reputation? Could it be, just as Jesus was born in a lowly stable and placed in a manger filled with hay, instead of a palace, which He certainly deserved, God chose Mary because He wanted the world to know it is a humble and contrite heart He desires, not wealth, nor prestige.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and contrite heart
These, O God, You will not despise. __Psalm 51:17
What would it be like to live with such surrender, such trust, and belief in the Word of God? What would it be like to walk in His Word without doubting, even when what it tells us seems impossible?
"Let it be to me according to your word."
Our God can be trusted! Ask Mary.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Let Him Sing
John 9:1
Now as Jesus passed by,
He saw a man who was blind from birth.
Leaving the ridicule and rebellion of the Jews, Jesus left the temple, going through the midst of the angry crowd. The Scriptures tell us that as Jesus passed by He saw a man who was blind from birth.
Envision the setting with me for a moment. Jesus had just been accused of having a demon. The Jews were so defiant against Jesus they wanted to stone Him, kill Him for the words He had spoken. Knowing they did not understand, Jesus left the temple and those positioned to throw stones at Him. In the midst of such chaos, and knowing His life was being threatened, Jesus saw a man blind from birth.
I picture this man sitting the same place he sat everyday, by the side of the road, hoping and praying someone would notice him.
How did the blind man know Jesus had seen him?
Was he scared, apprehensive of what would happen?
Had he fallen into the belief of the angry Jews?
Or do you suppose the voice of Jesus speaking to the man, or the touch of Jesus' hand on the blind man's shoulder, sent a peace through him that could not be explained? Do you wonder if the blind man knew at that very moment that Jesus had come to his rescue, that he would be healed?
What sorrow, despair, confusion, or hopelessness has you sitting by the side of the road, desperately needing the touch of the Master's hand? Do you know that Jesus sees you sitting there, and that He has come to rescue you?
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs
of deliverance. Selah __Psalm 32:7
Will you trust Him, allow Him to take you by the hand, feel His hand on your shoulder, and stand up and walk with Him? He alone has the answer. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. He has come to sing songs of deliverance over you! Let Him sing!
Now as Jesus passed by,
He saw a man who was blind from birth.
Leaving the ridicule and rebellion of the Jews, Jesus left the temple, going through the midst of the angry crowd. The Scriptures tell us that as Jesus passed by He saw a man who was blind from birth.
Envision the setting with me for a moment. Jesus had just been accused of having a demon. The Jews were so defiant against Jesus they wanted to stone Him, kill Him for the words He had spoken. Knowing they did not understand, Jesus left the temple and those positioned to throw stones at Him. In the midst of such chaos, and knowing His life was being threatened, Jesus saw a man blind from birth.
I picture this man sitting the same place he sat everyday, by the side of the road, hoping and praying someone would notice him.
How did the blind man know Jesus had seen him?
Was he scared, apprehensive of what would happen?
Had he fallen into the belief of the angry Jews?
Or do you suppose the voice of Jesus speaking to the man, or the touch of Jesus' hand on the blind man's shoulder, sent a peace through him that could not be explained? Do you wonder if the blind man knew at that very moment that Jesus had come to his rescue, that he would be healed?
What sorrow, despair, confusion, or hopelessness has you sitting by the side of the road, desperately needing the touch of the Master's hand? Do you know that Jesus sees you sitting there, and that He has come to rescue you?
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs
of deliverance. Selah __Psalm 32:7
Will you trust Him, allow Him to take you by the hand, feel His hand on your shoulder, and stand up and walk with Him? He alone has the answer. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. He has come to sing songs of deliverance over you! Let Him sing!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Sight
Matthew 20:32-33
So Jesus stood still and called them, and said,
"What do you want ME to do for you?"
They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."
So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes.
And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
Leaving Jericho, Jesus and the disciples came upon two blind men sitting by the side of the road. Having pity on the men, Jesus called to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" It is here we read words that ought to resonate with us all. The blind men cried out, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." They were speaking of physical sight, but we as believers need to cry out in the same way, that our spiritual eyes may be open.
Before coming to Christ the bible makes no sense to us. It is only when we accept Christ and receive the Holy Spirit that our spiritual eyes are open, giving us discernment into the scriptures.
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God,
for they are foolish to him; nor can he know them because they are
spiritually discerned. __1 Corinthians 2:14
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,
He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things
that I said to you." __John 14:26
When Jesus asked the blind men, "What do you want Me to do for you?" and their reply was "Lord, that our eyes may be open," Jesus touched their eyes and immediately their eyes received sight.
In the same way, once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, when we are reading the bible wanting to understand and we pray, "Lord, that my eyes may be open," with compassion, Jesus will touch our spiritual eyes and we will receive sight, giving us discernment into the scriptures.
May be we willing to ask, that we too, might see and follow Him.
"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will
receive, that your joy may be full." __John 16:24
So Jesus stood still and called them, and said,
"What do you want ME to do for you?"
They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."
So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes.
And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
Leaving Jericho, Jesus and the disciples came upon two blind men sitting by the side of the road. Having pity on the men, Jesus called to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" It is here we read words that ought to resonate with us all. The blind men cried out, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." They were speaking of physical sight, but we as believers need to cry out in the same way, that our spiritual eyes may be open.
Before coming to Christ the bible makes no sense to us. It is only when we accept Christ and receive the Holy Spirit that our spiritual eyes are open, giving us discernment into the scriptures.
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God,
for they are foolish to him; nor can he know them because they are
spiritually discerned. __1 Corinthians 2:14
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,
He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things
that I said to you." __John 14:26
When Jesus asked the blind men, "What do you want Me to do for you?" and their reply was "Lord, that our eyes may be open," Jesus touched their eyes and immediately their eyes received sight.
In the same way, once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, when we are reading the bible wanting to understand and we pray, "Lord, that my eyes may be open," with compassion, Jesus will touch our spiritual eyes and we will receive sight, giving us discernment into the scriptures.
May be we willing to ask, that we too, might see and follow Him.
"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will
receive, that your joy may be full." __John 16:24
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Alive in Christ
For to me, to live is Christ,
and to die is gain.
__Philippians 1:21
Paul was in prison, a place from which most people would desperately want to escape. Not so for Paul, he saw this as an opportunity to praise His Lord, share Christ with others.
But I want you to know, brethen, that the things
which happened to me have actually turned out
for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has
become evident to the whole palace guard, and
to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ.
__Philippians 1:12-13
Why wasn't Paul consumed with fervor to prove his innocence, make others see he didn't belong in prison? The reason was simple, but not easy. Paul had determined long before he was sent to prison that his life belonged to Christ. He made a conscious decision that Christ wouldn't just be a part of his life, someone he prayed to in addition to all his other daily activities, but he would breath, eat, and sleep Christ. He would seek His face for every decision he would make, go only where Christ would lead, and do only what he felt Christ was guiding him to do.
How easy is it to, not only worship Jesus, praise Him for all He has done for us, pray for direction in our lives and wisdom in our decisions, but actually die to self and allow Him to have His complete way with our lives? What if we can't go where we use to go, do what we use to do?
Let's look at Paul's response to such an attitude, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Paul knew letting Christ have His way in his life, allowing Him to be his life, was finding true freedom. Paul was no longer responsible for where his life would take him, what he would eat, or where he would sleep. Christ was why he lived. Whether to live or die, Paul knew it would be gain.
"To die is gain." May we be willing to die to ourselves and live in Christ! Only then will we find true freedom.
.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Choose Life
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethen, whatever things are true,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,
whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy
meditate on these things.
How often do you think about what you are thinking about? How easy is it to let your mind wander into thoughts o f discouragement, frustration, or defeat?
There is a battle going on in our minds. The enemy of our soul takes every opportunity to bring us thoughts of discouragement, defeat, and disappointment. We need to know that everything the enemy tells us is in complete opposition to the Word of God.
It can be so difficult to read our Bible, allowing the Word of God to wash over us, when we are discouraged. Nevertheless, this is exactly what we need. Our Father is a father of hope, encouragement, solutions, and instruction. When we feel we can't look up, that is what we need to do. We need to once again place our focus where it belongs, on the many promises of God. His desire is that we will allow Him to have His way in our lives, drawing us to Himself.
Because we have a free will we can choose to listen to the lies of Satan, be defeated because of what he tells us, or we can choose to meditate on the Word of God, standing on His promises. As we choose to think on the Word of God we need to not only read the Word, but take it in, swallow and digest it, allowing the Word of God to live out in our lives. Only then will we find true victory. It is a matter of life and death to our soul.
"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and
cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your
descendants may live; "that you may love the LORD
your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you
may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length
of your days. Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Think about what you are thinking about and live!
Finally, brethen, whatever things are true,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,
whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy
meditate on these things.
How often do you think about what you are thinking about? How easy is it to let your mind wander into thoughts o f discouragement, frustration, or defeat?
There is a battle going on in our minds. The enemy of our soul takes every opportunity to bring us thoughts of discouragement, defeat, and disappointment. We need to know that everything the enemy tells us is in complete opposition to the Word of God.
It can be so difficult to read our Bible, allowing the Word of God to wash over us, when we are discouraged. Nevertheless, this is exactly what we need. Our Father is a father of hope, encouragement, solutions, and instruction. When we feel we can't look up, that is what we need to do. We need to once again place our focus where it belongs, on the many promises of God. His desire is that we will allow Him to have His way in our lives, drawing us to Himself.
Because we have a free will we can choose to listen to the lies of Satan, be defeated because of what he tells us, or we can choose to meditate on the Word of God, standing on His promises. As we choose to think on the Word of God we need to not only read the Word, but take it in, swallow and digest it, allowing the Word of God to live out in our lives. Only then will we find true victory. It is a matter of life and death to our soul.
"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and
cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your
descendants may live; "that you may love the LORD
your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you
may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length
of your days. Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Think about what you are thinking about and live!
Saturday, September 21, 2013
BE
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God
My girlfriend left a message on my voicemail this morning sharing how she had heard a sermon about how we are to be still, but not just be still, just be. I immediately knew this message was for me.
God doesn't need for us to always be doing. He longs for us to be still, sit at His feet, be a Mary instead of a Martha. As Mary sat at Jesus' feet, captivated by all He was teaching, Martha hurried around with much to do. When she asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her, Jesus gently rebuked her.
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
But one this is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which
will not be taken from her." __Luke 10:41-42
Every time I read this portion of Scripture I can hear Jesus saying to me, "Cyndy, Cyndy, you are always so busy with things you think are important. Won't you please come sit and let me share with you what is really important? I have so much to teach you." When I try to think of what is so important that it takes away from my time with Christ, I can't think of anything, or am crushed in my spirit to think that what I feel is so important, more important than time spent with Jesus. It is the God of the universe who desires for me to sit with Him! What could be more important than that!!
I heard a Christian speaker define "abiding" as sitting at the feet of Jesus with a heart to obey. As Christians this should be our deepest desire. We have an invitation to sit at the feet of Jesus, learn from Him, get to know Him as our loving Father, grow in our dependence on Him, and give Him more of ourselves with each passing day. How foolish for us to always be doing. "Be still and know that I am God." May we not just be still, but just be, that Christ may live!
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. __Philippians 1:21
When You said, "Seek My face."
My heart said to You,
"Your face, LORD, I will seek." __Psalm 27:8
Be still, and know that I am God
My girlfriend left a message on my voicemail this morning sharing how she had heard a sermon about how we are to be still, but not just be still, just be. I immediately knew this message was for me.
God doesn't need for us to always be doing. He longs for us to be still, sit at His feet, be a Mary instead of a Martha. As Mary sat at Jesus' feet, captivated by all He was teaching, Martha hurried around with much to do. When she asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her, Jesus gently rebuked her.
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
But one this is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which
will not be taken from her." __Luke 10:41-42
Every time I read this portion of Scripture I can hear Jesus saying to me, "Cyndy, Cyndy, you are always so busy with things you think are important. Won't you please come sit and let me share with you what is really important? I have so much to teach you." When I try to think of what is so important that it takes away from my time with Christ, I can't think of anything, or am crushed in my spirit to think that what I feel is so important, more important than time spent with Jesus. It is the God of the universe who desires for me to sit with Him! What could be more important than that!!
I heard a Christian speaker define "abiding" as sitting at the feet of Jesus with a heart to obey. As Christians this should be our deepest desire. We have an invitation to sit at the feet of Jesus, learn from Him, get to know Him as our loving Father, grow in our dependence on Him, and give Him more of ourselves with each passing day. How foolish for us to always be doing. "Be still and know that I am God." May we not just be still, but just be, that Christ may live!
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. __Philippians 1:21
When You said, "Seek My face."
My heart said to You,
"Your face, LORD, I will seek." __Psalm 27:8
Monday, July 29, 2013
The Hem of His Garment
Mark 6:56
Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country,
they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that
they might just touch the hem of His garment.
And as many as touched Him were made well.
Jesus and the disciples crossed the seas and came to the land of Gennesaret. As they came out of the boat immediately the people recognized Jesus and began running to Him, carrying the sick on beds to where He was.
The touch of the hem of the Master's garment, that is all they wanted. Not silver, gold, or great possessions, just to touch His garment. To them that was everything. They knew Jesus was enough. They knew if they could touch just the hem of His garment their lives would be made whole again. In desperation they ran to Him.
How desperate are we to run to Jesus? Do we know that He is enough? Do we live knowing because we have touched the hem of His garment by asking Him into our heart, our life has been made whole again? We no longer live under the condemnation of our past sins, but have been made clean by the blood of Jesus. No longer do we live with hopelessness in the midst of heartache. With Jesus all things are possible!
But Jesus looked at them,
"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
__Matthew 19:26
When hard times come do we run to Jesus, knowing as they did, that He is the answer, or do we first attempt to figure things out on our own, and when all else fails run to Him? Jesus came that we would not have to live on oun own, but look to Him.
O LORD, I know the way of man is not of himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. __Jeremiah 10:23
For in Him we live and move
And have our being. __Acts 17:28
If only we may touch the hem of His garment. Praise God we have!
"And as many as touched Him were made well."
Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country,
they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that
they might just touch the hem of His garment.
And as many as touched Him were made well.
Jesus and the disciples crossed the seas and came to the land of Gennesaret. As they came out of the boat immediately the people recognized Jesus and began running to Him, carrying the sick on beds to where He was.
The touch of the hem of the Master's garment, that is all they wanted. Not silver, gold, or great possessions, just to touch His garment. To them that was everything. They knew Jesus was enough. They knew if they could touch just the hem of His garment their lives would be made whole again. In desperation they ran to Him.
How desperate are we to run to Jesus? Do we know that He is enough? Do we live knowing because we have touched the hem of His garment by asking Him into our heart, our life has been made whole again? We no longer live under the condemnation of our past sins, but have been made clean by the blood of Jesus. No longer do we live with hopelessness in the midst of heartache. With Jesus all things are possible!
But Jesus looked at them,
"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
__Matthew 19:26
When hard times come do we run to Jesus, knowing as they did, that He is the answer, or do we first attempt to figure things out on our own, and when all else fails run to Him? Jesus came that we would not have to live on oun own, but look to Him.
O LORD, I know the way of man is not of himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. __Jeremiah 10:23
For in Him we live and move
And have our being. __Acts 17:28
If only we may touch the hem of His garment. Praise God we have!
"And as many as touched Him were made well."
Monday, July 1, 2013
What Do You Want?
Matthew 20:32
So Jesus stood still and called them, and said,
"What do you want Me to do for you?"
Jesus and the disciples were leaving Jericho, surrounded by a great multitude. This is where we find two blind men sitting by the road crying out to Him, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David."(Matthew 20:30) In spite of the chatter all about, Jesus hears their desperate plea and stops to find the two men. Seeing them sitting all alone, unable to find their way, with compassion in His voice He calls to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
Jesus must have known what they wanted. Surely they were desperate to be healed of their blindness. So why did He ask? Could it be Jesus wanted them to speak their need, and in so doing proclaim, "It is You, Jesus, who can heal us! You alone have the power to give us our sight." The Scriptures continue with the words
So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes.
And immediately their eyes received sight,
and they followed Him. __Matthew 20:34
As Jesus asked them what it was they wanted, He asks us the same.
"What do you want Me to do for You?"
He longs to hear our cry in the desperate places of our lives. Just as He stopped at the cry of the blind men, He will stop for us.
In that day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.
__Psalm 138:3
And just as He answered their cry, giving them sight, He will answer us.
Then you will call upon Me, and go and pray to Me,
And I will listen to you.
And you will seek Me, and find Me when you search
for Me with all your heart. __Jeremiah 29:12-13
"What do you want Me to do for You?"
__Matthew 20:32
May you hear Him calling.
So Jesus stood still and called them, and said,
"What do you want Me to do for you?"
Jesus and the disciples were leaving Jericho, surrounded by a great multitude. This is where we find two blind men sitting by the road crying out to Him, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David."(Matthew 20:30) In spite of the chatter all about, Jesus hears their desperate plea and stops to find the two men. Seeing them sitting all alone, unable to find their way, with compassion in His voice He calls to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
Jesus must have known what they wanted. Surely they were desperate to be healed of their blindness. So why did He ask? Could it be Jesus wanted them to speak their need, and in so doing proclaim, "It is You, Jesus, who can heal us! You alone have the power to give us our sight." The Scriptures continue with the words
So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes.
And immediately their eyes received sight,
and they followed Him. __Matthew 20:34
As Jesus asked them what it was they wanted, He asks us the same.
"What do you want Me to do for You?"
He longs to hear our cry in the desperate places of our lives. Just as He stopped at the cry of the blind men, He will stop for us.
In that day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.
__Psalm 138:3
And just as He answered their cry, giving them sight, He will answer us.
Then you will call upon Me, and go and pray to Me,
And I will listen to you.
And you will seek Me, and find Me when you search
for Me with all your heart. __Jeremiah 29:12-13
"What do you want Me to do for You?"
__Matthew 20:32
May you hear Him calling.
Friday, May 3, 2013
As a Child
Matthew 18:4
Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus was gathered with the disciples when they presented Him with the question,
"Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
__Matthew 18:1
Without hesitation, Jesus called a little child to Him and said,
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted
and become as little children,
you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
__Matthew 18:3
What does it mean to humble yourself as a little child? When I think of this question, the first thing I think of is my husband telling me about how he can remember as a little boy sitting on the back stoop of his house, tying his shoes on a beautiful summer day, saying to himself, "I have the whole day to play!" Not a care in the world, not a worry in sight, all he could think about was being on his bike, having a fun filled day with his friends. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could live in that place forever?
We all know that as we get older, more mature, the cares of this world, the worries of finances, health, and the future begin consuming our lives and before we know, instead of having the whole day to play, we feel we have the weight of the world on our shoulders. This is what Christ warns us against. He came that we may have peace in the midst of life's struggles;
"In this world you will have tribulation,
But be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world." __John 16:33
Christ longs for us to humble ourselves as little children and regardless of what comes into our lives, stand on His promise;
"I will never leave you nor forsake you" __Hebrews 13:5
and walk through life as a little child, holding tight to our Daddy's hand.
Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus was gathered with the disciples when they presented Him with the question,
"Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
__Matthew 18:1
Without hesitation, Jesus called a little child to Him and said,
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted
and become as little children,
you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
__Matthew 18:3
What does it mean to humble yourself as a little child? When I think of this question, the first thing I think of is my husband telling me about how he can remember as a little boy sitting on the back stoop of his house, tying his shoes on a beautiful summer day, saying to himself, "I have the whole day to play!" Not a care in the world, not a worry in sight, all he could think about was being on his bike, having a fun filled day with his friends. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could live in that place forever?
We all know that as we get older, more mature, the cares of this world, the worries of finances, health, and the future begin consuming our lives and before we know, instead of having the whole day to play, we feel we have the weight of the world on our shoulders. This is what Christ warns us against. He came that we may have peace in the midst of life's struggles;
"In this world you will have tribulation,
But be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world." __John 16:33
Christ longs for us to humble ourselves as little children and regardless of what comes into our lives, stand on His promise;
"I will never leave you nor forsake you" __Hebrews 13:5
and walk through life as a little child, holding tight to our Daddy's hand.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Who Do You Say I Am?
Matthew 16:15
He said to them,
"But who do you say that I am?"
Jesus gathered with His disciples in the region of Caesarea Philippi. As they spoke among themselves, Jesus looked at the disciples and asked,
"Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
Matthew 16:13
The disciples told Jesus that men where saying they thought Him to be John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Then Jesus, observing the twelve gathered around, asked what He asks everyone of us;
"But who do you say that I am?"
Have you ever thought about what you would tell someone if they asked you that question? Who would you say Jesus is?
The Son of God
Lord and Savior
Redeemer of my soul
Comforter in time of need
the Rock I stand on
my constant companion
peace giver that passes all understanding
hope in the midst of despair
lifter of my head
Jesus is aware of my every heartache, every trial. Nothing is too hard for Him! He is my strength in times of weakness. Because of who He is, I am willing to die to myself, that He may be lifted up. My greatest desire is that He would be the vine and I would be the branch. Without Christ I was a lost soul, now I am found! My name is written in the Book of Life. I have the promise of spending eternity with Him in heaven. No longer do I live without purpose or direction. In Christ I find my purpose, hope for all my tomorrows, and joy within that only He can give. Jesus is my life!
Simon Peter answered and said,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Matthew 16:16
Who do you say He is?
He said to them,
"But who do you say that I am?"
Jesus gathered with His disciples in the region of Caesarea Philippi. As they spoke among themselves, Jesus looked at the disciples and asked,
"Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
Matthew 16:13
The disciples told Jesus that men where saying they thought Him to be John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Then Jesus, observing the twelve gathered around, asked what He asks everyone of us;
"But who do you say that I am?"
Have you ever thought about what you would tell someone if they asked you that question? Who would you say Jesus is?
The Son of God
Lord and Savior
Redeemer of my soul
Comforter in time of need
the Rock I stand on
my constant companion
peace giver that passes all understanding
hope in the midst of despair
lifter of my head
Jesus is aware of my every heartache, every trial. Nothing is too hard for Him! He is my strength in times of weakness. Because of who He is, I am willing to die to myself, that He may be lifted up. My greatest desire is that He would be the vine and I would be the branch. Without Christ I was a lost soul, now I am found! My name is written in the Book of Life. I have the promise of spending eternity with Him in heaven. No longer do I live without purpose or direction. In Christ I find my purpose, hope for all my tomorrows, and joy within that only He can give. Jesus is my life!
Simon Peter answered and said,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Matthew 16:16
Who do you say He is?
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Refocus
Matthew 14:30
But when he saw the wind was boisterous,
he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out saying,
"Lord, save me!"
In the midst of a great storm Jesus came walking on the water to the disciples. Realizing it was Jesus, Peter cried out to join Him.
"Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out
of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
___Matthew 14:28-29
Imagine how Peter must have felt! Without solid ground beneath his feet, waves billowing all about, he was walking on the water to Jesus! All was well until he took his eyes off Jesus and back on the raging waters. At that moment, Peter lost his focus and fell into the raging waters.
How many times have we done the same thing? We feel we are sinking, our world is caving in around us, and having no idea what to do we cry out to the Lord for help. It is in those times we hear Jesus say to us, as He said to Peter, "Come."
"Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest." ___Matthew 11:28
As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus we have hope, a peace that can come only from Him.
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
___Isaiah 26:3
But like Peter, when we take our eyes off Jesus we begin to once again succumb to hopelessness. It is then we need to refocus, look once again to the only One who can carry us to the other side of the storm. As we do, He will reach out to save us and set our feet on solid ground.
For in time of trouble
He shall hide me in the pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
____Psalm 27:5
But when he saw the wind was boisterous,
he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out saying,
"Lord, save me!"
In the midst of a great storm Jesus came walking on the water to the disciples. Realizing it was Jesus, Peter cried out to join Him.
"Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out
of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
___Matthew 14:28-29
Imagine how Peter must have felt! Without solid ground beneath his feet, waves billowing all about, he was walking on the water to Jesus! All was well until he took his eyes off Jesus and back on the raging waters. At that moment, Peter lost his focus and fell into the raging waters.
How many times have we done the same thing? We feel we are sinking, our world is caving in around us, and having no idea what to do we cry out to the Lord for help. It is in those times we hear Jesus say to us, as He said to Peter, "Come."
"Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest." ___Matthew 11:28
As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus we have hope, a peace that can come only from Him.
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
___Isaiah 26:3
But like Peter, when we take our eyes off Jesus we begin to once again succumb to hopelessness. It is then we need to refocus, look once again to the only One who can carry us to the other side of the storm. As we do, He will reach out to save us and set our feet on solid ground.
For in time of trouble
He shall hide me in the pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
____Psalm 27:5
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Words
Matthew 12:37
For by your words you will be justified,
and by your words you will be condemned.
Isn't it amazing how words from another person can affect our entire day!
We have all had people say hurtful things to us, words that continue to sting
long after they are spoken. We have also had kind words spoken to us, words
that lift our spirit, carrying us through the day with renewed confidence and vigor.
I want to be that second person! I want to speak words of encouragement to others, help them know how much I appreciate them, how much I care about them. I want them to feel the love of Jesus.
As I look at the example set by Jesus, I think of the many times I have read His Word and the very Scripture I need seems to jump off the page. It is always a word of encouragement, a Scripture giving me hope in the darkness, direction in a decision, or comfort in the midst of heartache.
The Word of God has much to say about the tongue;
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not
bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one's
religion is useless. __James 1:26
Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a
fire, a word of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members
that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature;
and it is set on fire by hell. __James 3:5-6
As Christ taught the multitudes, He said to them;
Hear and understand:
Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man;
but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.
__Matthew 15:11
He went on to say:
But those things which proceed out of the mouth
come from the heart, and they defile a man.
__Matthew 15:18
What we say matters to Jesus!
For by your words you will be justified,
and by your words you will be condemned.
Isn't it amazing how words from another person can affect our entire day!
We have all had people say hurtful things to us, words that continue to sting
long after they are spoken. We have also had kind words spoken to us, words
that lift our spirit, carrying us through the day with renewed confidence and vigor.
I want to be that second person! I want to speak words of encouragement to others, help them know how much I appreciate them, how much I care about them. I want them to feel the love of Jesus.
As I look at the example set by Jesus, I think of the many times I have read His Word and the very Scripture I need seems to jump off the page. It is always a word of encouragement, a Scripture giving me hope in the darkness, direction in a decision, or comfort in the midst of heartache.
The Word of God has much to say about the tongue;
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not
bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one's
religion is useless. __James 1:26
Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a
fire, a word of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members
that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature;
and it is set on fire by hell. __James 3:5-6
As Christ taught the multitudes, He said to them;
Hear and understand:
Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man;
but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.
__Matthew 15:11
He went on to say:
But those things which proceed out of the mouth
come from the heart, and they defile a man.
__Matthew 15:18
What we say matters to Jesus!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Blessed Is He
Matthew 11:6
"And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."
John the Baptist was in prison while Jesus taught and preached in the cities. This made no sense to John. Hadn't he been called to preach the Word of God? "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand," (Matt. 3:2) he preached to all who came near. He had been obedient to his calling, yet, while he was in prison the very One to whom he had given his life was free to journey from city to city. I wonder if John felt forgotten by his Lord.
With confusion and disappointment John sent two disciples to Christ,
"And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Matthew 11:2-3
Have you ever come to the place in your life when even what you know to be Truth begins to confuse you? You know Jesus has the answer and His promises are true, yet, when life doesn't make sense you begin to question the very basis for your faith. "Is Christ really the One? Does He really have all the answers to my questions, my heartache, my confusion?"
Let's see what Christ sent back to John, and what He tells us when we find ourselves in this place,
Jesus answered and said to them,
"Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
" The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." Matthew 11:5-6
Blessed are we when we are not offended by what Christ allows to come into our lives. Blessed are we when our heartache is more than we think we can bare, our confusion beyond comprehension, and we have more questions than answers, we are not offended, but stay strong in our faith, in our trust in Christ. John the Baptist had been obedient to Christ in every way, yet in his confusion he began to doubt. Jesus assured him he would be blessed if he would not become offended because of the ways of Christ, but instead trust Him. He tells us the same.
"Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." Let's trust Him and be blessed.
"And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."
John the Baptist was in prison while Jesus taught and preached in the cities. This made no sense to John. Hadn't he been called to preach the Word of God? "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand," (Matt. 3:2) he preached to all who came near. He had been obedient to his calling, yet, while he was in prison the very One to whom he had given his life was free to journey from city to city. I wonder if John felt forgotten by his Lord.
With confusion and disappointment John sent two disciples to Christ,
"And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Matthew 11:2-3
Have you ever come to the place in your life when even what you know to be Truth begins to confuse you? You know Jesus has the answer and His promises are true, yet, when life doesn't make sense you begin to question the very basis for your faith. "Is Christ really the One? Does He really have all the answers to my questions, my heartache, my confusion?"
Let's see what Christ sent back to John, and what He tells us when we find ourselves in this place,
Jesus answered and said to them,
"Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
" The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." Matthew 11:5-6
Blessed are we when we are not offended by what Christ allows to come into our lives. Blessed are we when our heartache is more than we think we can bare, our confusion beyond comprehension, and we have more questions than answers, we are not offended, but stay strong in our faith, in our trust in Christ. John the Baptist had been obedient to Christ in every way, yet in his confusion he began to doubt. Jesus assured him he would be blessed if he would not become offended because of the ways of Christ, but instead trust Him. He tells us the same.
"Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." Let's trust Him and be blessed.
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