“…To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:6-8
Over the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war in which we Americans gained our independence from Great Britain it is estimated that between 25,000 and 50,000 American revolutionaries lost their lives. During the American Civil War an estimated 360,000 Union soldiers lost their lives in a conflict that would bring an end to slavery in the American South. God some 2000 years ago took on the form of man and in the ultimate battle over sin and death, Jesus the Christ allowed himself to be crucified at the hand of sinful man. His sacrifice, frees all who believe in him from an eternity separated from God.
For those of us blessed to live in the free world, the price for that freedom was great. Paid for with the blood of soldiers, a sacrifice that made a way for us to live the lives we do. Even as I write this, sacrifices are still being made so that we can continue to be free and that others might become free. Today, the sacrifice of the cross still offers eternal freedom.
So that none of these sacrifices are in vain, we must live life to the fullest taking advantage of our freedom to serve one another - to love each other with our whole hearts. We in the free world have the privilege to worship the One who makes us eternally free, may we do so with our whole heart.
Today and everyday remember freedom was bought and the price that was paid was unimaginably high - so give thanks to those who have gone before and support those who are paying the price still.
A Prayer
Father - Thank you for the sacrifice of Your Son, so that we can have eternal freedom. Thank you for the men and women who have sacrificed their lives so that we can live free in this world today. Help us to live lives worthy of all the sacrifices that have been made for us. Be with those who are still fighting for freedom even now - keep them safe, grant them courage. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Time for a Joy Break
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“A source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone (emphasis mine) greatly valued or appreciated” is just one of the ways Dictionary.com defines joy. The psalmist says speaking of the LORD “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound” (Psalm 4:7). Jesus is our primary source and cause of keen pleasure or delight and He gives us greater joy than anything else - even an abundant harvest - just because He loves us.
What else is causing you to feel joyful today? Are you experiencing great weather? Are you enjoying your family? Do you find joy in the work you do? Maybe you are finding joy in the simple fact that you were able to get out of bed this morning. Are there people in your life bringing you joy by just being present with you in the trials of life? Can you hear birds singing where you are? Do you have opportunities to admire God’s creation? Have you seen God answer your prayers or the prayers of someone near and dear to you?
Just knowing that God loves us is enough to fill us to overflowing with joy and if you can answer yes to even just one of the questions above you definitely need to make time for a joy break. When I take a joy break - I like to spend some time just talking with the Lord and thanking Him not only for how wonderfully He loves me but for everything else as well. Listing everything that is causing me keen pleasure lifts my spirits and makes me feel lighter. I suspect that if I could see God’s face as He watches my response to Him - that maybe He considers me to be a cause of keen pleasure to Himself.
Take a joy break today - you and God will both be glad you did.
A Prayer
Father - Thank you for filling our lives with joy even in the hard times. Help us to share that delight with you today as we take time to celebrate that joy. In the name of Jesus the source of our joy, Amen.
Monday, May 14, 2012
An Extraordinary Quest
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”
Matthew 6:9-10
I am tired of the status quo - are you? This is an invitation to join me on an extraordinary quest. This is a call to prayer, prayer and fasting. This is a call to spark revival in our own hearts and watch it spread. This is not about praying for our heart’s desires - it is about looking into the heart of God and seeking His heart’s desire and what does he desire of us? “That we act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8). This is not a call to weakness - it is a call to extraordinary strength, extraordinary faith, and extraordinary trust, things only available to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is about fighting oppression and injustice on our knees. This is about pushing back the darkness that causes our souls to grow weary. This is about pushing the darkness back so we can catch a glimpse of the kingdom - of HIS kingdom, of our kingdom - to catch a glimpse of something so spectacular and marvelous that we will be irrevocably drawn to it. But more importantly so that when those around us see the reflection of that kingdom and of The King in our eyes and hearts - they too will be irrevocably drawn to it.
What do you say? The destination will be more amazing than anything we can imagine, but the journey will be difficult, it may be dangerous and it will demand more of us than we think we can give. Will you join me on this extraordinary quest?
Do you dare?
A Prayer
Father - today and everyday may we to know the desires of Your heart. Help us by granting us the strength, faith and trust that allows us to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with You. Provide everything we need for the journey and when we begin to falter grant us a fresh glimpse of Your kingdom through the darkness. Thank you that we will not be on this quest alone, You will be with us. We begin praying all this in the name of Jesus, Amen
Matthew 6:9-10
I am tired of the status quo - are you? This is an invitation to join me on an extraordinary quest. This is a call to prayer, prayer and fasting. This is a call to spark revival in our own hearts and watch it spread. This is not about praying for our heart’s desires - it is about looking into the heart of God and seeking His heart’s desire and what does he desire of us? “That we act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8). This is not a call to weakness - it is a call to extraordinary strength, extraordinary faith, and extraordinary trust, things only available to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is about fighting oppression and injustice on our knees. This is about pushing back the darkness that causes our souls to grow weary. This is about pushing the darkness back so we can catch a glimpse of the kingdom - of HIS kingdom, of our kingdom - to catch a glimpse of something so spectacular and marvelous that we will be irrevocably drawn to it. But more importantly so that when those around us see the reflection of that kingdom and of The King in our eyes and hearts - they too will be irrevocably drawn to it.
What do you say? The destination will be more amazing than anything we can imagine, but the journey will be difficult, it may be dangerous and it will demand more of us than we think we can give. Will you join me on this extraordinary quest?
Do you dare?
A Prayer
Father - today and everyday may we to know the desires of Your heart. Help us by granting us the strength, faith and trust that allows us to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with You. Provide everything we need for the journey and when we begin to falter grant us a fresh glimpse of Your kingdom through the darkness. Thank you that we will not be on this quest alone, You will be with us. We begin praying all this in the name of Jesus, Amen
Monday, May 7, 2012
There is a Fine Line
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
There is a fine line between discouragement and hope especially when we pay too much attention to the world and not enough attention to the source of encouragement and peace. Paul tells us Jesus is the source of eternal encouragement and good hope. When our lives are focused on Him that fine line becomes just a little wider.
Paul was a tremendous encourager and he found encouragement for himself in the Holy Spirit and from the people in his life. We all need to have at least one human encourager in our lives. That encourager is the person who knows you are in the midst of a storm and invites you to lunch for shared tears and a good laugh.
If we are lucky enough to have more than one person who encourages us to be all we are called to be in Christ then we are doubly blessed. I have more than one - in fact I can name six without even thinking about.
In the book of Romans Paul tells us that encouraging is a gift to be used. This week I want to encourage you to stretch your encouragement muscles and be someone’s encourager, God will give you everything you need to make a difference in someone’s life.
If you find yourself in need of some encouragement - seek it in God’s Word and allow the encourager in your life to lift you up. When you do - you will find peace in the storm.
A Prayer
Father - thank you the encouragement and hope Your grace and mercy provides for us. Thank you for putting encouragers into our lives to help us stand firm. Help us to hone our encouraging skills to that we can encourage others as well. In the name of Jesus, Amen
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
There is a fine line between discouragement and hope especially when we pay too much attention to the world and not enough attention to the source of encouragement and peace. Paul tells us Jesus is the source of eternal encouragement and good hope. When our lives are focused on Him that fine line becomes just a little wider.
Paul was a tremendous encourager and he found encouragement for himself in the Holy Spirit and from the people in his life. We all need to have at least one human encourager in our lives. That encourager is the person who knows you are in the midst of a storm and invites you to lunch for shared tears and a good laugh.
If we are lucky enough to have more than one person who encourages us to be all we are called to be in Christ then we are doubly blessed. I have more than one - in fact I can name six without even thinking about.
In the book of Romans Paul tells us that encouraging is a gift to be used. This week I want to encourage you to stretch your encouragement muscles and be someone’s encourager, God will give you everything you need to make a difference in someone’s life.
If you find yourself in need of some encouragement - seek it in God’s Word and allow the encourager in your life to lift you up. When you do - you will find peace in the storm.
A Prayer
Father - thank you the encouragement and hope Your grace and mercy provides for us. Thank you for putting encouragers into our lives to help us stand firm. Help us to hone our encouraging skills to that we can encourage others as well. In the name of Jesus, Amen
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