Wednesday, January 5, 2011
BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU
by Vivian Bills
S - Luke 5:39 And none of you after drinking old wine, wants the new, for you say, 'The old is better.' "
S - Luke 5:39 And none of you after drinking old wine, wants the new, for you say, 'The old is better.' "
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
SPEAKING GRACIOUS WORDS
by Cathy Weymouth
Tuesday 1/4/11 Gen 9-11; Luke 4 - SPEAKING GRACIOUS WORDS
S - Luke 4:22 NLT, Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. "How can this be?" they asked. "Isn't this Joseph's son?"
O - Jesus's ministry was just beginning. He spoke in the synagogue in Nazareth, the town in which he had grown up. He declared that day that he was sent to fulfill the mission described in Isaiah 61 - to preach the good news, proclaim freedom, release the oppressed, etc.
A - I love the description, "the gracious words that came from his lips." In the new year, I want to speak gracious words too. The Greek word for gracious here is Charis - joy, favor, acceptance, a kindness granted; a favor done without expectation of return (Zodhiates). And where there is Grace, there is joy and thankfulness, as these are included in this Greek word.
P - Father, help us to speak words of grace this year to those we encounter. May we bring joy and thankfulness to the atmosphere where we live and travel. May others see whose son/daughter we are as we speak these words of Grace.
Tuesday 1/4/11 Gen 9-11; Luke 4 - SPEAKING GRACIOUS WORDS
S - Luke 4:22 NLT, Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. "How can this be?" they asked. "Isn't this Joseph's son?"
O - Jesus's ministry was just beginning. He spoke in the synagogue in Nazareth, the town in which he had grown up. He declared that day that he was sent to fulfill the mission described in Isaiah 61 - to preach the good news, proclaim freedom, release the oppressed, etc.
A - I love the description, "the gracious words that came from his lips." In the new year, I want to speak gracious words too. The Greek word for gracious here is Charis - joy, favor, acceptance, a kindness granted; a favor done without expectation of return (Zodhiates). And where there is Grace, there is joy and thankfulness, as these are included in this Greek word.
P - Father, help us to speak words of grace this year to those we encounter. May we bring joy and thankfulness to the atmosphere where we live and travel. May others see whose son/daughter we are as we speak these words of Grace.
Monday, January 3, 2011
"Prepare the Way of the Lord!"
by Diana Kriesel
Monday, 1/3/11 – Genesis 6-8; Luke 3 - “Prepare the Way of the Lord!”
S – Luke 3:4 – “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”
O – It was customary that when a king was going on a journey, people would be sent two or three days ahead of them to command the inhabitants to clear the way, especially when there were no roads, so that all hindrances would be removed. In Luke 3, the leveling of the land was a figurative expression, denoting that the way of the Messiah would be made smooth because through John many were ready to receive Jesus’ message. John the Baptist wanted a way to be made in the hearts of the people for the message of Christ.
A – Not only do we need to keep the road to our own heart clear and free from hindrances, but it is important that we are careful to help the way be prepared for others. So often our words and actions can become a stumbling block to others. It is our privilege as well as our responsibility to represent Jesus in such a way that people are drawn to His Love and His saving grace. We need to keep in mind that we can be “ON the way” for people to come to Christ, or “IN the way”, blocking people from coming to Christ. Which will we be?
P – Lord, keep us mindful of Your heart for people and that everything we do either represents You well, or can hinder people from seeing You in our lives. Teach us to “prepare the way of the Lord!”
Monday, 1/3/11 – Genesis 6-8; Luke 3 - “Prepare the Way of the Lord!”
S – Luke 3:4 – “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”
O – It was customary that when a king was going on a journey, people would be sent two or three days ahead of them to command the inhabitants to clear the way, especially when there were no roads, so that all hindrances would be removed. In Luke 3, the leveling of the land was a figurative expression, denoting that the way of the Messiah would be made smooth because through John many were ready to receive Jesus’ message. John the Baptist wanted a way to be made in the hearts of the people for the message of Christ.
A – Not only do we need to keep the road to our own heart clear and free from hindrances, but it is important that we are careful to help the way be prepared for others. So often our words and actions can become a stumbling block to others. It is our privilege as well as our responsibility to represent Jesus in such a way that people are drawn to His Love and His saving grace. We need to keep in mind that we can be “ON the way” for people to come to Christ, or “IN the way”, blocking people from coming to Christ. Which will we be?
P – Lord, keep us mindful of Your heart for people and that everything we do either represents You well, or can hinder people from seeing You in our lives. Teach us to “prepare the way of the Lord!”
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Set me Free
S: Genesis 4:7. …And if you do not do well sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you but you should rule over it.
O: The Lord is telling Cain that sin is at the door but that he should resist his urge to sin.
A: Sin is always at the door. It’s my choice today whether to open that door or to keep it firmly closed. Jesus shed his blood for my sin. He gave me the greatest gift of all. Yet despite this incredible gift I will still need to be accountable for the way I have lived my life. Not just my actions but my thoughts and motives and those things hidden in my heart. Truth is, some days those thoughts and the condition of my heart are not so pretty and if I let them take up residence in my mind and in my heart they infect the entire neighborhood. Constant vigilance is the key. Justification creeps in and before I know it I have sin dressed up and looking good. I can’t battle the sin in my life alone and I can’t keep it a secret. I must bring it into the light, share it with someone I trust and then take it to my Lord and Saviour. He alone has the power to enable me to turn from my sin and wash me clean.
P: Father God I thank you for the ultimate gift – your son Jesus Christ – who gave up his life for me, a sinner. Father my heart’s desire is to walk in your ways. Give me strength to resist temptation of all kinds. Give me the courage to face off with the sin in my life, to get real. Wash me clean Lord that my life, my thoughts, my heart will be a pleasing fragrance to you. Amen.
O: The Lord is telling Cain that sin is at the door but that he should resist his urge to sin.
A: Sin is always at the door. It’s my choice today whether to open that door or to keep it firmly closed. Jesus shed his blood for my sin. He gave me the greatest gift of all. Yet despite this incredible gift I will still need to be accountable for the way I have lived my life. Not just my actions but my thoughts and motives and those things hidden in my heart. Truth is, some days those thoughts and the condition of my heart are not so pretty and if I let them take up residence in my mind and in my heart they infect the entire neighborhood. Constant vigilance is the key. Justification creeps in and before I know it I have sin dressed up and looking good. I can’t battle the sin in my life alone and I can’t keep it a secret. I must bring it into the light, share it with someone I trust and then take it to my Lord and Saviour. He alone has the power to enable me to turn from my sin and wash me clean.
P: Father God I thank you for the ultimate gift – your son Jesus Christ – who gave up his life for me, a sinner. Father my heart’s desire is to walk in your ways. Give me strength to resist temptation of all kinds. Give me the courage to face off with the sin in my life, to get real. Wash me clean Lord that my life, my thoughts, my heart will be a pleasing fragrance to you. Amen.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Revelations 19-22 "A NEW YEAR"
By Mary White
S--Rev. 21:3 …”Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God. There will be no more death or mourning or crying, or pain. For the old order of things has passed away. Rev. 22;17 “Let the Spirit of the Lord say “COME!”
O--this is the recording of the last chapters of the revelation that John had about the “last days.”
A--As Christians we have so much to look forward to…the coming of Christ! These were very exciting chapters to read and I had difficulty choosing just one…so I chose three.
I have been sick a lot this last year and that has been very discouraging. I am looking forward to a time where there is “no more crying and pain”. However, the responsibility to share the Gospel of Christ is even greater… I feel compelled to go and tell others about the Redemptive power of Christ. I want to see many people give their lives to Him during this next year, 2011. Not only give their lives to Christ but to be equipped to live a good life and experiencing His love daily.
I want to be an overcomer Rev. 21:7 “He who overcomes will inherit all this and I will be his God and he will me my son (daughter).
P--Help me Lord to be an overcomer. Help me to reach the Loss. Help me to teach new “babes” in Christ how to live for You. And thank You Lord for yet another day to serve You. I want to serve you well…I want to hear you say to me one day…”Well done!”
S--Rev. 21:3 …”Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God. There will be no more death or mourning or crying, or pain. For the old order of things has passed away. Rev. 22;17 “Let the Spirit of the Lord say “COME!”
O--this is the recording of the last chapters of the revelation that John had about the “last days.”
A--As Christians we have so much to look forward to…the coming of Christ! These were very exciting chapters to read and I had difficulty choosing just one…so I chose three.
I have been sick a lot this last year and that has been very discouraging. I am looking forward to a time where there is “no more crying and pain”. However, the responsibility to share the Gospel of Christ is even greater… I feel compelled to go and tell others about the Redemptive power of Christ. I want to see many people give their lives to Him during this next year, 2011. Not only give their lives to Christ but to be equipped to live a good life and experiencing His love daily.
I want to be an overcomer Rev. 21:7 “He who overcomes will inherit all this and I will be his God and he will me my son (daughter).
P--Help me Lord to be an overcomer. Help me to reach the Loss. Help me to teach new “babes” in Christ how to live for You. And thank You Lord for yet another day to serve You. I want to serve you well…I want to hear you say to me one day…”Well done!”
Thursday, December 30, 2010
December 30, 2010 Revelation 15-18 Be "Ready Ready"
Revelation 15-18
"Ready Ready"
S-Rev. 15:15 "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."
O- This scripture is very much like the parable of the 10 virgins in Matt. 25:1. Be ready, ready for the day when Jesus is to return and not be sleeping, or we will miss Him. Don't be sleeping in your spirit.....have your hearts, minds and souls properly clothed in His armor and alert for the day and the hour.
A- We don't know the day or the hour of Jesus's return, I want to be ready, ready at all times. It can be so easy to slip and follow the ways of the world, when you don't know the Lord. When your relationship
is not strong with the Lord, it is very easy to go your own way and be naked before Him, because He see's and knows all. God wants us to be ready, and stay clothed in His armor.
P- Father, please help me to stay clothed in your breast plate of righteousness, belt of truth, with keeping on my helmet of salvation, shield of Faith, and the sword of the spirit, and keep my feet fitted for readiness for when the arrows of evil come against me.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
TAKE CARE OF OUR EARTH
by Vivian Bills
Wednesday - December 29, 2010 - Revelation 10-14
S - Revelation 11:18b "The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small - and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
O - The twenty-four elders were proclaiming the day of God's judgment in John's Revelation.
A - God is going to destroy "those who destroy the earth." These words have never stood out for me before, but they blared at me today. Sometimes us Christians despise environmentalist vigilantes because they worship the earth, it seems, as opposed to God. And they might, but that does not mean that taking care of our planet is a bad thing. That was the first vocation (and probably avocation) for Adam - taking care of the garden. Just because we know God will give us a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1), this does not give us free reign to trash our planet. And look - God is going to destroy those who destroy it.
P - Lord, help me to be a good steward of the land You have given us to live on. Thank You for its beauty, Lord.
O - The twenty-four elders were proclaiming the day of God's judgment in John's Revelation.
A - God is going to destroy "those who destroy the earth." These words have never stood out for me before, but they blared at me today. Sometimes us Christians despise environmentalist vigilantes because they worship the earth, it seems, as opposed to God. And they might, but that does not mean that taking care of our planet is a bad thing. That was the first vocation (and probably avocation) for Adam - taking care of the garden. Just because we know God will give us a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1), this does not give us free reign to trash our planet. And look - God is going to destroy those who destroy it.
P - Lord, help me to be a good steward of the land You have given us to live on. Thank You for its beauty, Lord.
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