by Diana Kriesel
Monday, 8/9/10 – Jeremiah 3,4; John 11 - “New Grounds for Believing!”
S – John 11:14-15 – “Then Jesus became explicit: "Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn't there. You're about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let's go to him." (from THE MESSAGE Bible)
O – The disciples were perplexed that Lazarus had died and Jesus waited 4 days to go to him. For Jesus to say “Lazarus is dead” and “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there”, seem shocking at first. But if Lazarus had not died, the disciples (and we, as readers), would not have this unique opportunity for our faith to go to a new level. It would have been a miracle for him to be restored to health, but far more amazing that he was restored to life after being dead for 4 days.
A – We often expect the Lord to act in timing and ways that seem obvious, or familiar to what we know. But He always does things ‘out of our box’ to give us ‘new grounds for believing’ and to take our faith up a notch. His aim is to perfect our faith.
P – Lord, forgive us for small expectations! Take us to new levels, and even in those areas where we it looks like a dream or hope has ‘died’- SURPRISE US with Your power and Your amazing miraculous work in our lives and around us.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Powerful Words
S - Jeremiah 1:9b - "Behold I have put words in your mouth."
O - Jeremiah was called "to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant." He did it, not with programs or people or armies. He did it with the words that God gave him to speak. As I was meditating on this, I felt that the Lord said to me "I have called you and you are mine. You can learn to use words to bring forth my will. The secular world knows the power of words and taps into this power through mission statements, mantras, and slogans, but that is only a part of what I have planned for my people. How much more powerful it is when it is my words spoken in faith at the right time."
A - Words are powerful, especially God-given words spoken at the right time.
P - Oh Lord, I will wait upon you and seek to LEARN to hear your words, and to be endued with power to proclaim your words to bring forth your will. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you. Amen.
O - Jeremiah was called "to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant." He did it, not with programs or people or armies. He did it with the words that God gave him to speak. As I was meditating on this, I felt that the Lord said to me "I have called you and you are mine. You can learn to use words to bring forth my will. The secular world knows the power of words and taps into this power through mission statements, mantras, and slogans, but that is only a part of what I have planned for my people. How much more powerful it is when it is my words spoken in faith at the right time."
A - Words are powerful, especially God-given words spoken at the right time.
P - Oh Lord, I will wait upon you and seek to LEARN to hear your words, and to be endued with power to proclaim your words to bring forth your will. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you. Amen.
Friday, August 6, 2010
RETURN TO ME by Mary White
S--Jeremiah 3:22 “Return faithless people, I will cure you of backsliding.”
O--The people of God turned away from Him and were living very sinful lives and worshiping idols.
A--At least four times in Jeremiah 3 & 4 God (through Jeremiah) pleads with His people to return to Him. I can sense the heart of God in these chapters, after all God has done for His people, they still choose to turn away from Him. He repeatedly said “Return to Me and I will forgive, cure and restore you.” What a loving God we have! He is the same today, not willing that any should perish. He still cries out to us, His people, “Return to Me and I will forgive, cure and restore you.”
P--Forgive me Lord for the many times I have turned away and thank You for restoring me.
O--The people of God turned away from Him and were living very sinful lives and worshiping idols.
A--At least four times in Jeremiah 3 & 4 God (through Jeremiah) pleads with His people to return to Him. I can sense the heart of God in these chapters, after all God has done for His people, they still choose to turn away from Him. He repeatedly said “Return to Me and I will forgive, cure and restore you.” What a loving God we have! He is the same today, not willing that any should perish. He still cries out to us, His people, “Return to Me and I will forgive, cure and restore you.”
P--Forgive me Lord for the many times I have turned away and thank You for restoring me.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Thursday Aug. 5, 2010 2 Kings 23 Chr. 35; John 7
S-Timing is Everything John 7: 6 The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.
O- Jesus was in Galilee, and He didn't want to go to Judea because He knew the jews were looking for a chance to kill him. Even Jesus's brother were manking suggestions as to what
He should do, and where He should go. That had suggested He even go up to the feast, so His disciples could get a good look at the WORKS you do. Jesus knew this wasn't His
knew this wasnt' His time, and rejected the suggestion.....even from family. He was in sync with God's timing, and not looking to please anyone, but Him.
A- Whenever I think of the word "timing" I think of when I was involved in skating. To be off timing to the music, and out of step, could cause a fall.....and it just didn't flow. People
My instructor could tell me all he wanted to tell me, but it was me that had to put the moves and the steps to the music. Same way with God. Anyone can give you a suggestion
or advice, but the bottom line is, that we have to walk out what we choose to listen to. The Holy Spirit has the best advice and the best timing. Even, when my timing is off,
and I may have rushed God's timing......He is the one who can get me back in step and on track. He picks me up when I fall down and resets the music.
P- Lord, help me to be patient and to listen to your beat, to stay on track and to be in your will. Even with some of the best advice by others, let me not take a step without checking
in with you first. Keep me in tune to the wonderful sound of your Spirit, and in timing with what you have for me in my Destiny. Forgive me for the times of jumping ahead, and not listening.....and falling right on my butt. Thanks for helping me back up Amen
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
SIT DOWN!
by Cathy Weymouth
Wednesday 8/4/10 2 Kings 22; 2 Chr 34; John 6 - SIT DOWN!
S - John 6:10, Jesus said, "Have the people sit down."
O - Many people followed Jesus because of the miracles He was performing. When He saw the great crowd of people coming toward Him, He was concerned about their nutritional needs and multiplied the loaves and fish found in the crowd. He was able to provide enough food for 5000 men plus additional women and children. And there were remnants left over.
A - Sometimes we need to hear these simple words, "Sit down! I have it all under control." I have heard another phrase spoken over my life on several occasions, "Stop striving." But I wasn't sure how to do that! Some of us are hard working, overly responsible individuals. We take responsibility even for things are that aren't ours or we strive too hard in those things that are. We need to remember that we are in the New Covenant... Jesus has done it all. We simply need to listen for instructions, cooperate, open our mouths, and allow Him to feed us and take care of us.
P - Father, thank you for Jesus and all that was accomplished on the Cross. May we get a glimpse of "the finished work." I want to learn REST in this season - cooperating with what you ask me to do and then trusting You to do the rest. REST comes with trusting you for the rest!
Wednesday 8/4/10 2 Kings 22; 2 Chr 34; John 6 - SIT DOWN!
S - John 6:10, Jesus said, "Have the people sit down."
O - Many people followed Jesus because of the miracles He was performing. When He saw the great crowd of people coming toward Him, He was concerned about their nutritional needs and multiplied the loaves and fish found in the crowd. He was able to provide enough food for 5000 men plus additional women and children. And there were remnants left over.
A - Sometimes we need to hear these simple words, "Sit down! I have it all under control." I have heard another phrase spoken over my life on several occasions, "Stop striving." But I wasn't sure how to do that! Some of us are hard working, overly responsible individuals. We take responsibility even for things are that aren't ours or we strive too hard in those things that are. We need to remember that we are in the New Covenant... Jesus has done it all. We simply need to listen for instructions, cooperate, open our mouths, and allow Him to feed us and take care of us.
P - Father, thank you for Jesus and all that was accomplished on the Cross. May we get a glimpse of "the finished work." I want to learn REST in this season - cooperating with what you ask me to do and then trusting You to do the rest. REST comes with trusting you for the rest!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
W.W.J.D.
by Vivian Bills
Tuesday, August 3, 2010 - Nahum 1-3; John 5
S - John 5:41-42 "Your approval or disapproval means nothing to me, because I know you don't have God's love within you."
O - Jesus was talking to the Jewish leaders who were harassing Him and trying to kill Him. Jesus didn't care what they thought of Him, because He could see that they didn't have God's love in them.
A - Do you remember the book and the bracelets and bumper stickers? W.W.J.D. - What Would Jesus Do? It applies here. If we want to imitate Christ because we love Him, then the opinions of those who don't love Christ should mean nothing to us. Conversely, if we know someone has the love of God in them, then we should listen to them and weigh their words and heed them because they are speaking to us out of that love.
P - Help me, Lord, to look for Your love in all people whom I would let sway me with their opinions of my conduct. Give me discernment, Lord, and help me to not be easily offended - that I might imitate Christ on earth.
O - Jesus was talking to the Jewish leaders who were harassing Him and trying to kill Him. Jesus didn't care what they thought of Him, because He could see that they didn't have God's love in them.
A - Do you remember the book and the bracelets and bumper stickers? W.W.J.D. - What Would Jesus Do? It applies here. If we want to imitate Christ because we love Him, then the opinions of those who don't love Christ should mean nothing to us. Conversely, if we know someone has the love of God in them, then we should listen to them and weigh their words and heed them because they are speaking to us out of that love.
P - Help me, Lord, to look for Your love in all people whom I would let sway me with their opinions of my conduct. Give me discernment, Lord, and help me to not be easily offended - that I might imitate Christ on earth.
Monday, August 2, 2010
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
by Mary White
S--2Kings 21:20-21 “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord as his father Manasseh had done. 21 He walked in all the ways of his father.
O--Manasseh was the king and he did evil in the sight of God. He participated in all sorts of detestable practices. He died and his son Amon did the same.
A--”Like father like son”, Children learn at the knees of their parents; they listen and watch and often do likewise. We are our children’s best teachers. In this case the son continued in his fathers detestable ways. We have opportunity to help shape our children by, not only teaching what is right or wrong, but by our living what is right. The time for influencing our children is really short (it doesn’t seem so when they are young…but believe me it is.)
P--God forgive me for all the times I was a bad example to my children…and help me to live my life in a manner that is pleasing to you and a positive influence on my kids, grandkids, husband and neighbors.
by Mary White
S--2Kings 21:20-21 “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord as his father Manasseh had done. 21 He walked in all the ways of his father.
O--Manasseh was the king and he did evil in the sight of God. He participated in all sorts of detestable practices. He died and his son Amon did the same.
A--”Like father like son”, Children learn at the knees of their parents; they listen and watch and often do likewise. We are our children’s best teachers. In this case the son continued in his fathers detestable ways. We have opportunity to help shape our children by, not only teaching what is right or wrong, but by our living what is right. The time for influencing our children is really short (it doesn’t seem so when they are young…but believe me it is.)
P--God forgive me for all the times I was a bad example to my children…and help me to live my life in a manner that is pleasing to you and a positive influence on my kids, grandkids, husband and neighbors.
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