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June 2, 2013

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Fruit of the Spirit, Holy Spirit

MAY WE BE FRUITFUL

2013-6-2I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. [John 15:5 (ERV)]

O Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can blossom and flourish and live the abundant life you have planned for me.

 

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June 1, 2013

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Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Peace of God, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets

IT’S TIME FOR SPRING CLEANING

Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them in the depths of the ocean! [Micah 7:18-19 (NLT)]

If  He can forgive us and throw our sins away, why can’t we? We need to sweep away the cobwebs of the past. Let’s discard any regrets that are cluttering our lives, toss out any negative attitudes that don’t fit our faith, and wash away any guilt that is soiling our souls. It’s time to make room in our lives for God’s love and peace.

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May 31, 2013

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Knowing Him, Miracles

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

Is anything too hard for the Lord? [Genesis 18:14a (GW)]

By His power, the Red Sea parted, manna fell from heaven, the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, Daniel was rescued from the lion’s den, three men were saved from cremation in a fiery furnace, over 500 were fed with a few fish and loaves of bread, water became wine, the sick were healed, the blind saw, the crippled walked and the dead were brought back to life. Nothing is too hard for our God; let our prayers reflect that faith in His omnipotence.

 

 

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May 30, 2013

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Prayer

THE LORD’S PRAYER, MESSAGE STYLE

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best — as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!   Yes. Yes. Yes.
[Matthew 6:9-13 (MSG)]

Let’s always remember that it’s not the words we say to God, but the thoughts behind those words that are of importance.

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May 29, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Forgiveness

A LITTLE SELF-EXAMINATION IS IN ORDER

So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer’s eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye? [Matthew 7:3 (GW)]

In 2 Samuel, Nathan comes to David and tells him a story about a villainous man who has taken a neighbor’s lamb for himself when he had lambs enough of his own. “This man deserves to die!” is David’s quick condemnation. Nathan then points out that the villainous man is David himself, who has both killed his neighbor and taken his neighbor’s wife in adultery. We’re often like David in that it’s easy for us to see the sins of others and yet not recognize our own flaws and offenses. Lord, keep us from judging the faults of others when what we really need to do is acknowledge our own transgressions.

I have sinned against the Lord. [2 Samuel 12:13 (NLT)]

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May 28, 2013

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Faith & Hope, Prayer

HE’S JUST A PRAYER AWAY

The Lord is near to everyone who sincerely calls to him for help. [Psalm 145:18 (ERV)]

When we finally stop trying to fix the world around us by ourselves, when we admit our own shortcomings, and when, at long last, we finally acknowledge our weakness, we are left only with this simple prayer: “God, help me!” And that, thankfully, is all the prayer we need.